(11) MahaaMoha meets Chaarvaaka

{MahaaMoha meets with Chaarvaaka)

MAHAAMOHA-

“Ah! After a long time, such factual words please the ears!

(looks) (happily)

Oho! This is my dear friend Chaarvaaka.”

CHAARVAAKA- (looking)

“This is the great king MahaaMoha!

(approaching) Victory! Victory! O King! This Chaarvaaka salutes!”

MAHAAMOHA-

“Chaarvaaka! Welcome! Be seated here!”

CHAARVAAKA- (sits)

“This is the eight-fold limb salutation of Kali (KaliYuga) in person!”

{Kali Yuga is the representation of wickedness, selfishness, ignorance etc.}

MAHAAMOHA-

“Hey Kali! Everything is alright I suppose!”

CHAARVAAKA-

“By the grace of the Lord everywhere there is only well-being for us!

After completing the task I am here to get blessed by the sight of thine feet!

आज्ञामवाप्य महतीं निपातान्निर्वर्त्य तां सपदि लब्धसुखप्रसादः

उच्चैः प्रमोदमनुमोदितदर्शनः सन् धन्यो नमस्यति पदाम्बुरुहं प्रभूणां [24]

After accepting the great command of the Lord,

fulfilling it by destroying the enemies,  

immediately obtaining the joy of completion,

feeling extremely happy being allowed to see His Highness,

this blessed one salutes the lotus-feet of the Lord!”

MAHAAMOHA-

“So, what all has been done by Kali?”

CHAARVAAKA-

“Lord!

व्यतीतवेदार्थपथः प्रथीयसीं यथेष्टचेष्टां गमितो महाजनः

तदत्र हेतुर्न कलिनं चाप्यहं प्रभोः प्रभावो हि तनोति पौरुषं [25]

Most of the people have swerved from the path of the Vedas

and are doing plentifully whatever they desire to do.

The reason for all this is neither Kali, nor me,

but the power of the Lord alone makes possible the fulfillment of the effort!

The people of the northern and western regions have already renounced all the three Vedas! What to say of Shama and Dama! At other places also the three Vedas just are barely alive! The great teacher has said-

अग्निहोत्रं त्रयो वेदास्त्रिदण्डं भस्मगुण्ठनं

प्रज्ञापौरुषहीनानां जीविकेति बृहस्पतिः [26]

Brihaspati has stated that

the fire-rites, the three Vedas,

 the tri-staff, and the application of ashes all over the body,

are just some ways invented by those who are bereft of mastering any learning,

to keep their life going on.

Therefore, Lord need not feel even the least apprehension about Vidyaa (Knowledge) and Prabodhodaya (Rise of awakening) in holy centers like Kuru-Kshetra and others.”

MAHAAMOHA-

“Well-done! That great piligrimage center has been made worthless!”

CHAARVAAKA-

“Lord! I have something more to report!”

MAHAAMOHA-

“What is it?”

CHAARVAAKA-

“There is a great Yoginee (female ascetic) of great prowess named ‘VishnuBhakti’ (Devotion to Lord Vishnu). Though she has been made scarce by the influence of Kali, we are not able to even have a glimpse of those born in the family which has received her grace. Lord should pay attention to this report.”

MAHAAMOHA-

(feeling frightened) (to himself)

“AAh! That Yoginee is well-known for her prowess! She by nature is our enemy and does not easily get overpowered by us. Be it so!

(to himself)

Whatever I do will result in worse consequences. {Either supporting her or fighting her will result in our destruction only!}

(loudly)

My good man! Be free of all apprehensions! When Kaama (Passion) and Krodha (Anger) are against her, how can she ever make her appearance?”

CHAARVAAKA-

“Even if the enemy is inferior, you should not treat her with disregard if you desire victory! Because –

विपाकदारुणो राज्ञां रिपुरल्पोsप्यरुन्तुदः

उद्वेजयति सूक्श्मोsपि चरणं कण्टकाङ्कुरः [27]

Even an enemy of lower category will hit at the vital parts of the king,

and generate terrifying result.

The sprout of a thorny plant will give much pain even if it is very very small.”