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शुककृत्य (zukakRtya)

 
Mahabharata
English
Śukakṛtya(ṃ) (“the works of Śuka”). § 714 (Mokshadh.): XII, 328--9 (12312--12421) (continuation of Śukakṛti). Bhīshma said to Yudhishṭhira: Having heard the words of Janaka, having entered Soul by [his]
soul and having seen Self by his self (ātmānam ātmanāsthāya dṛshṭvā cātmānam ātmanā), Śuka without putting further questions to Janaka, proceeded northwards to Śaiśira (through the air). At that time Nārada proceeded to Himavat (b). Then Śuka came to the asylum of Vyāsa. One day the disciples asked Vyāsa to let no sixth disciple be skilled in the Veda. Vyāsa answered that they ought to multiply, and the Veda to be spread, and taught them the qualifications of persons that can be accepted as disciples, and the rules in respect of the study of the Veda (XII, 328). The disciples of Vyāsa took leave of him and descended from the mountain to the earth for the purpose of subdividing the Vedas
there they performed the agnishṭoma, etc., at the sacrifices of Brahmans, Kshattriyas, and Vaiśyas, and taught the Veda. Vyāsa remained with Śuka, passing his days in anxious thoughtfulness. Nārada came and asked him why Vedic sounds were silent now, so that the mountain now resembled a hamlet of Nishādas, and Ṛ., D., and G. did no longer shine as before
and exhorted Vyāsa to recite the Veda and thereby dispel the fears arising from Rā. Vyāsa and Śuka then set themselves to recite the Veda. One day a violent wind arose which Vyāsa declared to be an omen that the recitation of the Veda should be suspended
and he explained the Devayāna and the Pitṛyāna, and the Winds (Samāna, etc. [g]
cf. Sādhyāḥ), especially Pravaha (h), Āvaha (i), Udvaha (j), Saṃvaha (k), Vivaha (l), Parivaha (m), Parāvaha (n)
“this wind is the breath of Vishṇu's nostrils.” Having said this Vyāsa plunged into the celestial Ganges. (For continuation v. Śuka-Nāradasaṃvāda.)