नारद उवाच पितामहसभां तात कथ्यमानां निबोध मे। शक्यते या न निर्देष्टुमेवंरूपेति भारत॥

Narada said O child, I shall describe to you the assembly-hall of the Grandsire. Listen to it. O descendant of Bharata, None is capable of describing it saying, “It is such”.

Sabha Parva 11.1

पुरा देवयुगे राजन्नादित्यो भगवान् दिवः। आगच्छन्मानुषं लोकं दिदृक्षुर्विगतक्लमः॥

O king, in the Deva Yuga of old, the illustrious deity, Aditya, came down from heaven and roamed at ease over the world of men.

Sabha Parva 11.2

चरन् मानुषरूपेण सभां दृष्ट्वा स्वयम्भुवः। स तामकथयन्मह्यं ब्राह्मीं तत्त्वेन पाण्डव॥

O son of Pandu, having seen (before) the Sabha of the Self-created (Brahma), he roamed (on earth) in human form, wishing to see what could be seen here. On that occasion he spoke to me,

Sabha Parva 11.3

अप्रमेयां सभां दिव्यां मानसीं भरतर्षभ। अनिर्देश्यां प्रभावेण सर्वभूतमनोरमाम्॥

O best of the Bharata race, about that celestials Sabha (of the Grandsire) which is immeasurable and immaterial and which delights the heart of every creature by its splendour.

Sabha Parva 11.4

श्रुत्वा गुणानहं तस्यां सभायाः पाण्डवर्षभ। दर्शनेप्सुस्तथा राजन्नादित्यमिदमब्रवम्॥

O best of the Pandavas, hearing the merits of that Sabha, I became desirous of seeing it. O king, I then spoke thus to Aditya.

Sabha Parva 11.5

भगवन् द्रष्टुमिच्छामि पितामहसभां शुभाम्। येन वा तपसा शक्या कर्मणा वापि गोपते॥ औषधैर्वा तथा युक्तैरुत्तमा पापनाशिनी। तन्ममाचक्ष्व भगवन् पश्येयं तां सभा यथा॥

"O illustrious one, I desire to see the sacred Sabha of the Grandsire. O exalted one, O lord of light, tell me by what ascetic penances, by what acts, by what charms, and by what rites, I may be able to see that sincleansing excellent Sabha."

Sabha Parva 11.6

स तन्मम वचः श्रुत्वा सहस्रांशुर्दिवाकरः। प्रोवाच भरतश्रेष्ठ व्रतं वर्षसहस्रिकम्॥ ब्रह्मव्रतमुपास्स्व त्वं प्रयतेनान्तरात्मना। ततोऽहं हिमवत्पृष्ठे समारब्धो महाव्रतम्॥

O best of the Bharata race, hearing my words, the deity of one thousand eyes, the god of day (Aditya) replied, "Observe with mind rapt in meditation the Brahma-vow extending for a period of one thousand years." There upon I commenced that great vow on the breast of the Himalayas.

Sabha Parva 11.7

ततः स भगवान् सूर्यो मामुपादाय वीर्यवान्। आगच्छत् तां सभां ब्राह्मीं विपाप्मा विगतक्लमः॥

(When I completed my vow), then the illustrious and powerful and sinless Surya who knows no fatigue came and took me to the Sabha of Brahma.

Sabha Parva 11.8

एवंरूपेति सा शक्या न निर्देष्टुं नराधिप। क्षणेन हि बिभर्त्यन्यदनिर्दैश्यं वपुस्तथा॥

O king, none is able to describe it by saying “It is such"; for it assumes an indescribable form with a moment.

Sabha Parva 11.9

न वेद परिमाणं वा संस्थानं चापि भारत। न च रूपं मया तादृग् दृष्टपूर्वं कदाचन॥

O descendant of Bharata, it is impossible to indicate its dimensions or shape. I have never seen any this like it before.

Sabha Parva 11.10

सुसुखा सा सदा राजन् न शीता न च धर्मदा। न क्षुत्पिपासे न ग्लानिं प्राप्य तां प्राप्नुवन्त्युत॥

O king, it ever contributes to the happiness of those that live within it. It is neither cold nor hot; hanger, thirst and all kinds of uneasiness disappear from one as soon as one enters into it.

Sabha Parva 11.11

नानारूपैरिव कृता मणिभिः सा सुभास्वरैः। स्तम्भैर्न च धृता सा तु शाश्वती न च सा क्षरा॥ दिव्यैर्नानाविधैर्भावैर्भासद्भिरमितप्रभैः॥ अति चन्द्रं च सूर्यं च शिखिनं च स्वयम्प्रभा। दीप्यते नाकपृष्ठस्था भर्सयन्तीव भास्करम्॥

It is made of brilliant gems of many kinds, it does not seem to be supported on any pillars, it knows no deterioration, it is eternal. That self effulgent Sabha seems to surpass the moon, the sun, and the fire by its numerous matchless and blazing celestials indications.

Sabha Parva 11.12

तस्यां स भगवानास्ते विदधद् देवमायया। स्वयमेकोऽनिशं राजन् सर्वलोकपितामहः॥ उपतिष्ठन्ति चाप्येनं प्रजानां पतयः प्रभुम्। दक्षः प्रचेताः पुलहो मरीचिः कश्यपः प्रभुः॥

O king, in this (Sabha) sits the supreme deity, the Grandsire of all created things, having himself alone created everything, having himself alone created every thing by his own Maya. Daksha, Pracheta, Pulaha, Marichi, Lord Kashyapa,

Sabha Parva 11.13

भृगुरत्रिर्वसिष्ठच गौतमोऽथ तथाङ्गिराः। पुलस्त्यश्च क्रुतश्चैव प्रहादः कर्दमस्तथा॥ अथर्वाङ्गिरसश्चैव बालखिल्या मरीचिपाः। मनोऽन्तरिक्षं विद्याश्च वायुस्तेजो जलं मही॥

Bhrigu, Atri, Vasishtha, Gautama, Angirasa, Pulastya, Kratu, Prahlada, Kardama, the Prajapati, Angirasa of the Atharva, Veda, the Balkhilyas, the Marichipas, Mind, Space Knowledge, Air, Heat water, Earth.

Sabha Parva 11.14

शब्दस्पर्शी तथा रूपं रसो गन्धश्च भारत। प्रकृतिश्च विकारच यच्चान्यत् कारणं भुवः॥

Sound, Touch, Form, Taste, Scent, Nature, the Modes, the Elemental and Prime causes of the world, O descendant of Bharata, (all these sit there).

Sabha Parva 11.15

अगस्त्यश्च महातेजा मार्कण्डेयश्च वीर्यवान्। जगमदग्निर्भरद्वाजः संवर्तश्च्यवनस्तथा॥ दुर्वासाश्च महाभाग ऋष्यशृङ्गश्च धार्मिकः। सनत्कुमारो भगवान् योगाचार्यो महातपाः॥ असितो देवलश्चैव जैगीषव्यश्च तत्त्ववित्। ऋषभो जितशत्रुश्च महावीर्यस्तथा मणिः॥

The greatly effulgent Agastya, the great ascetic Markandeya, Jamadagni, Bharadvaja, Samvarata, Chyavana, the illustrious Durvasa, the pious Rishyashringa, the high souled Sanatkumara, who is a great ascetic and the preceptor of Yoga, Asita, Devala, Jaigishavya, learned in all truths, Rishabha, Ajitsatan, greatly resplendent Mani,

Sabha Parva 11.16

आयुर्वेदस्तथाष्टाङ्गो देरवांस्तत्र भारत। चन्द्रमाः सह नक्षत्रैरादित्यश्च गभस्तिमान्॥

The Science of Healing with its eight branches, all these in their personified forms, O descendant of Bharata, wait there (in that assembly-hall). Moon with stars and constellations, sun with its rays.

Sabha Parva 11.17

वायवः क्रतवश्चैव संकल्पः प्राण एव च। मूर्तिमन्तो महात्मानो महाव्रतपरायणाः॥ एते चान्ये च बहवो ब्रह्माणं समुपस्थिताः। अर्थो धर्मश्च कामश्च हर्षो द्वेषस्तपो दमः॥

Declaration of purpose in sacrifices, the Ritual principles, these illustrious and vow observing beings in their personified forms, and many others too numerous to mention, all wait upon Brahma. Artha Dharma, Kama, Joy, Aversion, Asceticism and Peace of Mind,

Sabha Parva 11.18

आयान्ति तस्यां सहिता गन्धर्वाप्सरसां गणाः। विंशतिः सप्त चैवान्ये लोकपालाश्च सर्वशः॥

With them come the twenty seven different tribes of the Gandharvas and of the Apsaras and others also, and also the Lokapalas,

Sabha Parva 11.19

शुक्रो बृहस्पतिश्चैव बुधोऽङ्गारक एव च। शनैश्चरच राहुश्च ग्रहाः सर्वे तथैव च॥ मन्त्रो स्थन्तरं चैव हरिमान् वसुमानपि। आदित्याः साधिराजानो नामद्वन्द्वैरुदाहृताः॥

Shukra, Brihaspati, Budha, Angaraka, Shani, Rahu, and the other planets the Mantras, the special Mantras, Hasimaat, Vasumat, Adityas with Indra, the two Agnis,

Sabha Parva 11.20

मरुतो विश्वकर्मा च वसवश्चैव भारत। तथा पितृगणाः सर्वे सर्वाणि च हवींष्यथ।॥ ऋग्वेदः सामवेदश्च यजुर्वेदच पाण्डव। अथर्ववेदश्च तथा सर्वशास्त्राणि चैव ह॥

The Vishvakarma, the Vasus, the Pitris, all kinds of sacrificial libations, the four Vedas, namely Rig, Sama, Yaju and Atharva, all Sciences and branches of learning,

Sabha Parva 11.21

इतिहासोपवेदाश्च वेदाङ्गानि च सर्वशः। ग्रहा यज्ञाश्च सोमश्च देवताचापि सर्वशः॥

Histories and all minor branches of learning, all the Vedangas, the Planets, the Sacrifices, the Soma, all the celestials,

Sabha Parva 11.22

सावित्री दुर्गतरणी वाणी सप्तविधा तथा। मेधा धृतिः श्रुतिश्चैव प्रज्ञा बुद्धिर्यशः क्षमा॥

Savitri, the seven kinds of Speech, Understanding, Patience, Memory, Wisdom, Intelligence, Fame, Forgiveness,

Sabha Parva 11.23

सामानि स्तुतिगीतानि गाथाश्च विविधास्तथा। भाष्याणि तर्कयुक्तानि देहवन्ति विशाम्पते।॥ नाटका विविधाः काव्याः कथाख्यायिककारिकाः। तत्र तिष्ठन्ति ते पुण्या ये चान्ये गुरुपूजकाः॥

The hymns of the Sama Veda, the Science of hymns, various kinds of verses and songs, various commentaries with arguments, various dramas, poems and stories, abridged glosses, these and other holy worshipers of Brahma, all in their personified forms, O king, stay there,

Sabha Parva 11.24

क्षणा लवा मुहूर्ताश्च दिवारात्रिस्तथैव च। अर्धमासाश्च मासाश्च ऋतवः षट् च भारत॥ संवत्सराः पञ्च युगमहोरात्रश्चतुर्विधः। कालचक्रं च तद् दिव्यं नित्यमक्षयमव्ययम्॥ धर्मचक्रं तथा चापि नित्यमास्ते युधिष्ठिर। अदितिर्दितिर्दनुश्चैव सुरसा विनता इरा॥ कालिका सुरभी देवी सरमा चाथ गौतमी॥

O descendant of Bharata, O Yudhishthira, Kshanas, Lavas, Muhurattas (part of time), the day, the night, the fortnights, the months, the six seasons, the years, the Yugas, the four kinds of days. and nights, the eternal, indestructible, and undeteriorating, excellent Wheel of Time, the Wheel of Virtue, all of them stay there. Aditi, Diti, Danu, Shurasas, Vinata, Ira, Kalika, Shurabhidevi, Sarama, Gautami,

Sabha Parva 11.25

प्रभा कश्च वै देव्यौ देवतानां च मातरः। रुद्राणी श्रीश्च लक्ष्मीश्च भद्रा षष्ठी तथापराः॥

Prabha, Kadru, all these goddesses, the mothers of the celestials, Rudrani, Sree, Lakshmi, Bhadra,

Sabha Parva 11.26

पृथ्वी गां गता देवी ह्रीः स्वाहा कीतिरेव च। सुरा देवी शची चैव तथा पुष्टिररुन्धती॥ संवृत्तिराशा नियति: सृष्टिर्देवी रतिस्तथा। एताश्चान्याश्च वै देव्य उपतस्थुः प्रजापतिम्॥

Shashthi, the earth, Ganga, Hri, Svaha, Krita, Shura, Sachi, Pushti, Arundhati, Samvriti, Asha, Niyati, Srishti, Rati, these and other goddesses wait upon the Prajapati (Brahma).

Sabha Parva 11.27

आदित्या वसवो रुद्रा मरुतश्चाश्विनावपि। विश्वेदेवाश्च साध्याश्च पितरश्च मनोजवाः॥

The Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Marutas, the Ashvinis, the Vishvadevas, the Sadhyas, the Pitris, all possessing the speed of mind, (wait upon the Grandsire).

Sabha Parva 11.28

पितॄणां च गणान् विद्धि सप्तैव पुरुषर्षभ। मूर्तिमन्तो हि चत्वारस्त्रयश्चाप्यशरीरिणः॥

O best of men, know that there are seven classes of Pitris, of which four classes have embodied forms, the three remaining classes have no forms.

Sabha Parva 11.29

वैराजाश्च महाभागा अग्निष्वात्ताश्च भारत। गार्हपत्या नाकचराः पितरो लोकविश्रुताः॥

O descendant of Bharata, it is well known amongst men that the illustrious Vairajas, Agnishvattas and Garhapatyas (three classes of the Pitris) roam in heaven.

Sabha Parva 11.30

सोमपा एकशृङ्गाश्च चतुर्वेदाः कलास्तथा। एते चतुर्पु वर्णेषु पूज्यन्ते पितरो नृप।॥

O king, the Sompas, the Ekashringas, the Chaturvedas, and the Kalas (the four classes of the Pitris) are always worshipped amongst the four orders of men (namely Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras).

Sabha Parva 11.31

एतैराप्यायितैः पूर्वं सोमश्चाप्याय्यते पुनः। त एते पितरः सर्वे प्रजापतिमुपस्थिताः॥

Being first gratified by Soma, these (Pitris) gratify Soma next. All these Pitris wait upon the Prajapati.

Sabha Parva 11.32

उपासते च संहृष्टा ब्रह्माणममितौजसम्। राक्षसाश्च पिशाचाश्च दानवा गुह्यकास्तथा॥

They cheerfully worship the immeasurably effulgent Brahma. The Rakshasas, the Pishachas, the Danavas, the Guhyakas,

Sabha Parva 11.33

नागाः सुपर्णाः पशवः पितामहमुपासते। स्थावरा जङ्गमाश्चैव महाभूतास्तथापरे॥

The Nagas, the birds, the various other animals, all other mobile and immobile great beings, worship the Grandsire.

Sabha Parva 11.34

पुरंदश्च देवेन्द्रो वरुणो धनदो यमः। महादेवः सहोमोऽत्र सदा गच्छति सर्वशः॥

The lord of the celestials, Purandara (Indra), Varuna, Kubera, Yama, Mahadeva with Uma (his wife), all often go there (to that Sabha).

Sabha Parva 11.35

महासेनश्च राजेन्द्र सदोपास्ते पितामहम्। देवो नारायणस्तस्यां तथा देवर्षयश्च ये॥ ऋषयो बालखिल्याश्च योनिजायोनिचास्तथा। यच्च किंचित् त्रिलोकेऽस्मिन् दृश्यते स्थाणु जङ्गमम्। सर्वं तस्यां मया दृष्टमिति विद्धि नराधिप।॥

O king of kings, Mahasena also worship the Grandsire, know, O king, that Narayana himself, the celestials Rishis, the Rishis named Balkhilyas, all beings born of females or not born of females, nay whatever else is seen in the three worlds, mobile and immobile, were all seen by me there in that assembly-hall (of Brahma).

Sabha Parva 11.36

अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणि ऋषीणामूर्ध्वरेतसाम्। प्रजावतां च पञ्चाशदृशीणामपि पाण्डव॥

O son of Pandu, eighty thousand Rishis who have gained complete control over their sexual passions, and fifty thousand Rishis who have begotten offspring were also seen by me there.

Sabha Parva 11.37

ते स्म तत्र यथाकामं दृष्ट्वा सर्वे दिवौकसः। प्रणम्य शिरसा तस्मै सर्वे यान्ति यथाऽऽगतम्॥

All the dwellers of heaven see him (Brahma) there at their pleasure, and worshipping him by bowing down their heads all go back to the place from which they come.

Sabha Parva 11.38

अतिथीनागतान् देवान् दैत्यान् नागांस्तथा द्विजान्। यक्षान् सुपर्णान् कालेयान् गन्धर्वाप्सरसस्तथा॥ महाभागानमितधीब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः। दयावान् सर्वभूतेषु यथार्ह प्रतिपद्यते॥ प्रतिगृह्य तु विश्वात्मा सवयम्भूरमितद्युतिः। सान्त्वमानार्थसम्भोगैर्युनक्ति मनुजाधिप॥

O king of men, the immeasurably intelligent Brahma, the Grandsire of all created things, the self-reacted Supreme Deity of immeasurable effulgence, is ever kind equally on all creatures, honours each as each deserves and gratifies with sweet speech gifts of wealth and other enjoyable things all those Devas, Daityas, the Nagas, the Yakshas, the Brahmanas, the birds, the Kaleyas, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras and all other illustrious beings that come to him as his guests.

Sabha Parva 11.39

तथा तैरुपयातैश्च प्रतियद्भिश्च भारत। आकुला सा सभा तात भवति स्म सुखप्रदा॥

o descendant of Bharata, O child that charming Sabha is always being agitated with crowds of beings coming and going.

Sabha Parva 11.40

सर्वतेजोमयी दिव्या ब्रह्मर्षिगणसेविता। ब्राझ्या श्रिया दीप्यमाना शुशुभे विगतक्लमा॥

Filled with every splendour and worshipped by the Brahmarshis, that celestials Sabha, the dispeller of all fatigue and misery, looks extremely beautiful, it being brightened with the wealth of Brahma.

Sabha Parva 11.41

सा सभा तादृशी दृष्टा मया लोकेषु दुर्लभा। सभेयं राजशार्दूलं मनुष्येषु यथा तव॥

O best of kings, as your Sabha is matchless in the world of men, so is matchless in all the worlds that Sabha which was seen by me before.

Sabha Parva 11.42

एता मया दृष्टपूर्वाः सभा देवेषु भारत। सभेयं मानुषे लोके सर्वश्रेष्ठतमा तव॥

O descendant of Bharata, I saw these Sabhas before in the region of the celestials. Your this Sabha is the foremost in the world of men.

Sabha Parva 11.43