Chapter 5: Mahābhiṣa and Gaṅgā; the Vasus’ curse, Gaṅgā’s pact with Pratīpa and marriage to Śantanu, and the birth, preservation and return of Gāṅgeya.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_011_1] (Bharata)
ikṣvākuvaṁśaprabhavō rājāsītpr̥thivīpatiḥ। mahābhiṣa iti khyātaḥ satyavāksatyavikramaḥ ॥BORI: 1-091-1॥
There was a king of the Ikshvaku line, a lord of the earth, renowned as Mahabhisha, true to his word and valiant in truth’s cause. (BORI: 1-091-1)
[PV-KDV:01_011_2] (Bharata)
sō’śvamēdhasahasrēṇa vājapēyaśatēna ca। tōṣayāmāsa dēvēndraṁ svargaṁ lēbhē tataḥ prabhuḥ ॥BORI: 1-091-2॥
With a thousand horse sacrifices and a hundred Vājapeya sacrifices, that mighty king pleased Indra, lord of the gods, and thereby attained heaven. (BORI: 1-091-2)
[PV-KDV:01_011_3] (Bharata)
tataḥ kadācidbrahmāṇamupāsāṁ cakrirē surāḥ। tatra rājarṣayō āsansa ca rājā mahābhiṣaḥ ॥BORI: 1-091-3॥
Then, on one occasion, the gods were attending upon Brahma. Royal seers were present there, as was King Mahabhisha. (BORI: 1-091-3)
[PV-KDV:01_011_4] (Bharata)
atha gaṅgā saricchrēṣṭhā samupāyātpitāmaham। tasyā vāsaḥ samuddhūtaṁ mārutēna śaśiprabham ॥BORI: 1-091-4॥
Then Ganga, foremost of rivers, approached the Grandsire. The wind lifted her moon-bright garment. (BORI: 1-091-4)
[PV-KDV:01_011_5] (Bharata)
tatō’bhavansuragaṇāḥ sahasāvāṅmukhāstadā। mahābhiṣastu rājarṣiraśaṅkō dr̥ṣṭavānnadīm ॥BORI: 1-091-5॥
Then the hosts of gods suddenly lowered their faces, but the royal sage Mahabhisha, unabashed, gazed at the river. (BORI: 1-091-5)
[PV-KDV:01_011_6] (Bharata)
apadhyātō bhagavatā brahmaṇā sa mahābhiṣaḥ। uktaśca jātō martyēṣu punarlōkānavāpsyasi ॥BORI: 1-091-6॥
The blessed Brahmā cursed Mahābhiṣa and said to him, “Once you have been born among mortals, you will regain these worlds.” (BORI: 1-091-6)
[PV-KDV:01_011_7] (Bharata)
yayā hr̥tamanāścāsi gaṅgayā tvaṁ hi durmatē । sā tē vai mānuṣē lōkē vipriyāṇyācariṣyati ॥KUMB: 1-102-7; NILA: 01.096.007॥
That Ganga who has stolen your heart, you fool, will indeed do things displeasing to you in the human world. (KUMB: 1-102-7; NILA: 01.096.007)
[PV-KDV:01_011_8] (Bharata)
yadā tē bhavitā manyustadā śāpādvimōkṣyatē ॥KUMB: 1-102-8; NILA: 01.096.008॥
When anger arises in you, she will be released from the curse. (KUMB: 1-102-8; NILA: 01.096.008)
[PV-KDV:01_011_9] (Bharata)
sa cintayitvā nr̥patirnr̥pānsarvāṁstapōdhanān। pratīpaṁ rōcayāmāsa pitaraṁ bhūrivarcasam ॥BORI: 1-091-7॥
After considering all the kings rich in ascetic merit, that king chose the illustrious Pratipa as his father. (BORI: 1-091-7)
[PV-KDV:01_011_10] (Bharata)
mahābhiṣaṁ tu taṁ dr̥ṣṭvā nadī dhairyāccyutaṁ nr̥pam। tamēva manasādhyāyamupāvartatsaridvarā ॥BORI: 1-091-8॥
Seeing King Mahabhisha lose his composure, the foremost of rivers turned away with her thoughts fixed on him alone. (BORI: 1-091-8)
[PV-KDV:01_011_11] (Bharata)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_011_33] (Bharata)
tataḥ pratīpō rājā sa sarvabhūtahitē rataḥ। niṣasāda samā bahvīrgaṅgātīragatō japan ॥BORI: 1-092-1॥
Then King Pratipa, devoted to the welfare of all beings, went to the bank of the Ganges and sat there for many years, reciting prayers. (BORI: 1-092-1)
[PV-KDV:01_011_34] (Bharata)
tasya rūpaguṇōpētā gaṅgā śrīriva rūpiṇī। uttīrya salilāttasmāllōbhanīyatamākr̥tiḥ ॥BORI: 1-092-2॥
Before him, Ganga, endowed with beauty and virtue, as though Śrī had taken bodily form, emerged from those waters in a supremely alluring form… (BORI: 1-092-2)
[PV-KDV:01_011_35] (Bharata)
adhīyānasya rājarṣērdivyarūpā manasvinī। dakṣiṇaṁ śālasaṅkāśamūruṁ bhējē śubhānanā ॥BORI: 1-092-3॥
As the royal sage was reciting, the noble-minded woman of divine beauty and lovely face seated herself on his right thigh, which resembled a sal tree. (BORI: 1-092-3)
[PV-KDV:01_011_36] (Bharata)
pratīpastu mahīpālastāmuvāca manasvinīm। karavāṇi kiṁ tē kalyāṇi priyaṁ yattē’bhikāṅkṣitam ॥BORI: 1-092-4॥
But King Pratipa said to the high-minded woman, “What may I do for you, fair lady? What favor do you desire?” (BORI: 1-092-4)
[PV-KDV:01_011_37] (Bharata)
stryuvāca॥
The woman said:
[PV-KDV:01_011_38] (Bharata)
tvāmahaṁ kāmayē rājankuruśrēṣṭha bhajasva mām। tyāgaḥ kāmavatīnāṁ hi strīṇāṁ sadbhirvigarhitaḥ ॥BORI: 1-092-5॥
“I desire you, O king, best of the Kurus; accept me. For good men condemn the rejection of women who are filled with desire.” (BORI: 1-092-5)
[PV-KDV:01_011_39] (Bharata)
pratīpa uvāca॥
Pratīpa said:
[PV-KDV:01_011_40] (Bharata)
nāhaṁ parastriyaṁ kāmādgacchēyaṁ varavarṇini। na cāsavarṇāṁ kalyāṇi dharmyaṁ tadviddhi mē vratam ॥BORI: 1-092-6॥
I would not approach another man’s wife out of desire, fair lady, nor a woman of a different caste, noble lady. Know that this is my righteous vow. (BORI: 1-092-6)
[PV-KDV:01_011_41] (Bharata)
stryuvāca॥
The woman said:
[PV-KDV:01_011_42] (Bharata)
nāśrēyasyasmi nāgamyā na vaktavyā ca karhicit। bhaja māṁ bhajamānāṁ tvaṁ rājankanyāṁ varastriyam ॥BORI: 1-092-7॥
I am neither inferior nor forbidden to you, and I can never be reproached. Love me as I love you, O king—a maiden and an excellent woman. (BORI: 1-092-7)
[PV-KDV:01_011_43] (Bharata)
pratīpa uvāca॥
Pratīpa said:
[PV-KDV:01_011_44] (Bharata)
mayātivr̥ttamētattē yanmāṁ cōdayasi priyam। anyathā pratipannaṁ māṁ nāśayēddharmaviplavaḥ ॥BORI: 1-092-8॥
I have overlooked this act of yours—your urging me toward pleasure. If I were to act otherwise, a breach of dharma would destroy me. (BORI: 1-092-8)
[PV-KDV:01_011_45] (Bharata)
prāpya dakṣiṇamūruṁ mē tvamāśliṣṭā varāṅganē। apatyānāṁ snuṣāṇāṁ ca bhīru viddhyētadāsanam ॥BORI: 1-092-9॥
You came to my right thigh and embraced me, lovely woman. Know, timid one, that this is the seat for children and daughters-in-law. (BORI: 1-092-9)
[PV-KDV:01_011_46] (Bharata)
savyataḥ kāminībhāgastvayā sa ca vivarjitaḥ। tasmādahaṁ nācariṣyē tvayi kāmaṁ varāṅganē ॥BORI: 1-092-10॥
The left side is the place for a lover, and you have avoided it. Therefore, lovely woman, I will not make love to you. (BORI: 1-092-10)
[PV-KDV:01_011_47] (Bharata)
snuṣā mē bhava kalyāṇi putrārthē tvāṁ vr̥ṇōmyaham। snuṣāpakṣaṁ hi vāmōru tvamāgamya samāśritā ॥BORI: 1-092-11॥
Become my daughter-in-law, lovely one; I choose you for my son. For, fair-thighed woman, you came and took your place on the daughter-in-law’s side. (BORI: 1-092-11)
[PV-KDV:01_011_48] (Bharata)
stryuvāca॥
The woman said:
[PV-KDV:01_011_49] (Bharata)
ēvamapyastu dharmajña saṁyujyēyaṁ sutēna tē। tvadbhaktyaiva bhajiṣyāmi prakhyātaṁ bhārataṁ kulam ॥BORI: 1-092-12॥
So be it, knower of dharma. May I be united with your son. Out of devotion to you alone, I shall join the renowned Bharata dynasty. (BORI: 1-092-12)
[PV-KDV:01_011_50] (Bharata)
sa mē nābhijanajñaḥ syādācarēyaṁ ca yadvibhō। tatsarvamēva putrastē na mīmāṁsēta karhicit ॥BORI: 1-092-14॥
Your son must not know my parentage, O lord, and he must never question anything I do. (BORI: 1-092-14)
[PV-KDV:01_011_52] (Bharata)
ēvaṁ vasantī putrē tē vardhayiṣyāmyahaṁ priyam। putraiḥ puṇyaiḥ priyaiścāpi svargaṁ prāpsyati tē sutaḥ ॥BORI: 1-092-15॥
Living with your son on these terms, I shall increase his happiness, and through virtuous and beloved sons, your son will attain heaven. (BORI: 1-092-15)
[PV-KDV:01_011_53] (Bharata)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_011_54] (Bharata)
tathētyuktvā tu sā rājaṁstatraivāntaradhīyata। putrajanma pratīkṣaṁstu sa rājā tadadhārayat ॥BORI: 1-092-16॥
Having said, “So be it,” she vanished then and there, O king. As he awaited the birth of a son, the king kept her words in mind. (BORI: 1-092-16)
[PV-KDV:01_011_55] (Bharata)
ētasminnēva kālē tu pratīpaḥ kṣatriyarṣabhaḥ। tapastēpē sutasyārthē sabhāryaḥ kurunandana ॥BORI: 1-092-17॥
Meanwhile, Pratipa, bull among Kshatriyas, practiced austerities with his wife for the sake of obtaining a son, O descendant of Kuru. (BORI: 1-092-17)
[PV-KDV:01_011_56] (Bharata)
tayōḥ samabhavatputrō vr̥ddhayōḥ sa mahābhiṣaḥ। śāntasya jajñē santānastasmādāsītsa śantanuḥ ॥BORI: 1-092-18॥
That Mahabhisha was born as a son to the aged couple. Since offspring was born to him when he had grown tranquil, the son was Shantanu. (BORI: 1-092-18)
[PV-KDV:01_011_57] (Bharata)
saṁsmaraṁścākṣayām̐llōkānvijitānsvēna karmaṇā। puṇyakarmakr̥dēvāsīcchantanuḥ kurusattama ॥BORI: 1-092-19॥
Remembering the imperishable worlds he had won through his own deeds, Shantanu performed only virtuous deeds, O best of the Kurus. (BORI: 1-092-19)
[PV-KDV:01_011_58] (Bharata)
pratīpaḥ śantanuṁ putraṁ yauvanasthaṁ tatō’nvaśāt। purā māṁ strī samabhyāgācchantanō bhūtayē tava ॥BORI: 1-092-20॥
Then Pratipa instructed his son Shantanu, who had reached manhood: “Long ago, Shantanu, a woman approached me for your welfare... (BORI: 1-092-20)
[PV-KDV:01_011_59] (Bharata)
tvāmāvrajēdyadi rahaḥ sā putra varavarṇinī। kāmayānābhirūpāḍhyā divyā strī putrakāmyayā। sā tvayā nānuyōktavyā kāsi kasyāsi vāṅganē ॥BORI: 1-092-21॥
My son, if that beautiful, divinely lovely woman should approach you in private, desiring you out of longing for a son, you must not question her: “Who are you, fair lady, and whose daughter are you?” (BORI: 1-092-21)
[PV-KDV:01_011_60] (Bharata)
yacca kuryānna tatkāryaṁ praṣṭavyā sā tvayānagha। manniyōgādbhajantīṁ tāṁ bhajēthā ityuvāca tam ॥BORI: 1-092-22॥
Whatever she may do, you must not question her about it, sinless one. “At my command, you should accept her when she seeks you,” he told him. (BORI: 1-092-22)
[PV-KDV:01_011_61] (Bharata)
ēvaṁ saṁdiśya tanayaṁ pratīpaḥ śantanuṁ tadā। svē ca rājyē’bhiṣicyainaṁ vanaṁ rājā vivēśa ha ॥BORI: 1-092-23॥
Having thus instructed his son Shantanu, King Pratipa installed him in his own kingdom and then retired to the forest. (BORI: 1-092-23)
[PV-KDV:01_011_62] (Bharata)
sa rājā śantanurdhīmān khyātaḥ pr̥thvyāṁ dhanurdharaḥ। babhūva mr̥gayāśīlaḥ satataṁ vanagōcaraḥ ॥BORI: 1-092-24॥
That wise king Shantanu, renowned throughout the earth as an archer, became devoted to hunting and constantly roamed the forests. (BORI: 1-092-24)
[PV-KDV:01_011_63] (Bharata)
sa mr̥gānmahiṣāṁścaiva vinighnan rājasattamaḥ। gaṅgāmanucacāraikaḥ siddhacāraṇasēvitām ॥BORI: 1-092-25॥
That best of kings, killing deer and buffalo, wandered alone along the Ganges, which was frequented by Siddhas and Charanas. (BORI: 1-092-25)
[PV-KDV:01_011_64] (Bharata)
sa kadācinmahārāja dadarśa paramastriyam॥BORI: 1-092-26॥
One day, O great king, he saw a supremely beautiful woman. (BORI: 1-092-26A)
[PV-KDV:01_011_65] (Bharata)
tāṁ dr̥ṣṭvā hr̥ṣṭarōmābhūdvismitō rūpasampadā॥BORI: 1-092-28॥
Seeing her, the king was thrilled, the hair on his body standing on end, and was amazed by her beauty. (BORI: 1-092-28A)
[PV-KDV:01_011_68] (Bharata)
tāmuvāca tatō rājā sāntvayañślakṣṇayā girā। dēvī vā dānavī vā tvaṁ gandharvī yadi vāpsarāḥ ॥BORI: 1-092-30॥
Then the king addressed her, reassuring her in a gentle voice: “Whether you are a goddess, a demoness, a Gandharva woman, or an Apsara…” (BORI: 1-092-30)
[PV-KDV:01_011_71] (Bharata)
yakṣī vā pannagī vāpi mānuṣī vā sumadhyamē। yā vā tvaṁ suragarbhābhē bhāryā mē bhava śōbhanē ॥BORI: 1-092-31॥
Or whether you are a Yakshi, a serpent woman, or a human, slender-waisted lady—whoever you may be, radiant as one born of the gods, become my wife, beautiful one. (BORI: 1-092-31)
[PV-KDV:01_011_72] (Bharata)
ētacchrutvā vacō rājñaḥ sasmitaṁ mr̥du valgu ca। vasūnāṁ samayaṁ smr̥tvā abhyagacchadaninditā ॥BORI: 1-092-32॥
Hearing these gentle and charming words of the king, she smiled, remembered her agreement with the Vasus, and the blameless woman approached him. (BORI: 1-092-32)
[PV-KDV:01_011_73] (Bharata)
uvāca caiva rājñaḥ sā hlādayantī manō girā। bhaviṣyāmi mahīpāla mahiṣī tē vaśānugā ॥BORI: 1-092-33॥
Delighting the king’s heart with her words, she said to him, “O protector of the earth, I shall become your obedient queen.” (BORI: 1-092-33)
[PV-KDV:01_011_74] (Bharata)
yattu kuryāmahaṁ rājañśubhaṁ vā yadi vāśubham। na tadvārayitavyāsmi na vaktavyā tathāpriyam ॥BORI: 1-092-34॥
But whatever I may do, O king, whether good or bad, you must neither prevent me from doing it nor speak harshly to me about it. (BORI: 1-092-34)
[PV-KDV:01_011_75] (Bharata)
ēvaṁ hi vartamānē’haṁ tvayi vatsyāmi pārthiva। vāritā vipriyaṁ cōktā tyajēyaṁ tvāmasaṁśayam ॥BORI: 1-092-35॥
For only on these terms will I live with you, O king. If you restrain me or speak harshly to me, I shall leave you without a doubt. (BORI: 1-092-35)
[PV-KDV:01_011_76] (Bharata)
ēṣa mē samayō rājanbhaja māṁ tvaṁ yathēpsitam । anunītā’smi tē pitrā bhartā mē tvaṁ bhava prabhō ॥KUMB: 1-104-8॥
“This is my condition, O king: take me as you desire. Your father has won me over; become my husband, my lord.” (KUMB: 1-104-8)
[PV-KDV:01_011_77] (Bharata)
tathēti rājñā sā tūktā tadā bharatasattama। praharṣamatulaṁ lēbhē prāpya taṁ pārthivōttamam ॥BORI: 1-092-36॥
When the king said to her, “So be it,” she was filled with incomparable joy, O best of the Bharatas, at having won that foremost of kings. (BORI: 1-092-36)
[PV-KDV:01_011_78] (Bharata)
diviṣṭhānmānuṣāṁścaiva bhōgānbhuṅktē sa vai nr̥paḥ । āsādya śāntanuḥ śrīmānmumudē yōṣitāṁ varām ॥KUMB: 1-105-2॥
That king enjoyed both heavenly and human pleasures. Having obtained the finest of women, the illustrious Shantanu rejoiced. (KUMB: 1-105-2)
[PV-KDV:01_011_85] (Bharata)
ramamāṇastayā sārdhaṁ yathākāmaṁ janēśvaraḥ। aṣṭāvajanayatputrāṁstasyāmamaravarṇinaḥ ॥BORI: 1-092-43॥
Enjoying himself with her as he pleased, the king fathered eight sons by her, all radiant as the immortals. (BORI: 1-092-43)
[PV-KDV:01_011_86] (Bharata)
jātaṁ jātaṁ ca sā putraṁ kṣipatyambhasi bhārata। prīṇāmi tvāhamityuktvā gaṅgāsrōtasyamajjayat ॥BORI: 1-092-44॥
Each son as soon as he was born, she cast into the water, O Bharata; saying, “I do this to please you,” she submerged him in the current of the Ganges. (BORI: 1-092-44)
[PV-KDV:01_011_87] (Bharata)
tasya tanna priyaṁ rājñaḥ śantanōrabhavattadā। na ca tāṁ kiñcanōvāca tyāgādbhītō mahīpatiḥ ॥BORI: 1-092-45॥
This did not please King Shantanu, but the ruler said nothing to her then, for fear that she would leave him. (BORI: 1-092-45)
[PV-KDV:01_011_88] (Bharata)
atha tāmaṣṭamē putrē jātē prahasitāmiva। uvāca rājā duḥkhārtaḥ parīpsanputramātmanaḥ ॥BORI: 1-092-46॥
Then, when the eighth son was born, the grief-stricken king, wishing to save his child, said to her as she seemed to smile… (BORI: 1-092-46)
[PV-KDV:01_011_89] (Bharata)
mā vadhīḥ kāsi kasyāsi kiṁ hiṁsasi sutāniti। putraghni sumahatpāpaṁ mā prāpastiṣṭha garhitē ॥BORI: 1-092-47॥
Do not kill him! Who are you, and to whom do you belong? Why do you kill your sons? Murderer of your own children, do not incur this terrible sin! Stop, you wicked woman! (BORI: 1-092-47)
[PV-KDV:01_011_90] (Bharata)
stryuvāca॥
The woman said:
[PV-KDV:01_011_91] (Bharata)
putrakāma na tē hanmi putraṁ putravatāṁ vara। jīrṇastu mama vāsō’yaṁ yathā sa samayaḥ kr̥taḥ ॥BORI: 1-092-48॥
O you who long for a son, I will not kill your son, best of fathers. But my stay here is now at an end, in accordance with the agreement that was made. (BORI: 1-092-48)
[PV-KDV:01_011_92] (Bharata)
ahaṁ gaṅgā jahnusutā maharṣigaṇasēvitā। dēvakāryārthasiddhyarthamuṣiṭāhaṁ tvayā saha ॥BORI: 1-092-49॥
I am Ganga, daughter of Jahnu, attended by hosts of great seers. I have lived with you in order to accomplish the gods’ purpose. (BORI: 1-092-49)
[PV-KDV:01_011_93] (Bharata)
aṣṭē mē vasavō dēvā mahābhāgā mahaujasaḥ। vasiṣṭha-śāpa-dōṣēṇa mānuṣatvam upāgatāḥ ॥BORI: 1-092-50॥
The eight gods known as the Vasus, greatly blessed and immensely powerful, have become human because of the curse laid upon them by Vasiṣṭha. (BORI: 1-092-50)
[PV-KDV:01_011_94] (Bharata)
tēṣāṁ janayitā nānyastvadr̥tē bhuvi vidyatē। madvidhā mānuṣī dhātrī na caivāstīha kācana ॥BORI: 1-092-51॥
There is no one on earth but you who can father them, nor is there any human woman like me to bear them. (BORI: 1-092-51)
[PV-KDV:01_011_95] (Bharata)
tasmāttajjananīhētōrmānuṣatvamupāgatā। janayitvā vasūnaṣṭau jitā lōkāstvayākṣayāḥ ॥BORI: 1-092-52॥
Therefore you assumed human form in order to become their mother. By giving birth to the eight Vasus, you have won imperishable worlds. (BORI: 1-092-52)
[PV-KDV:01_011_96] (Bharata)
dēvānāṁ samayastvēṣa vasūnāṁ saṁśrutō mayā। jātaṁ jātaṁ mōkṣayiṣyē janmataḥ mānuṣāditi ॥BORI: 1-092-53॥
But this was the agreement I had made with the gods, the Vasus: “I shall release each one, as soon as he is born, from human birth.” (BORI: 1-092-53)
[PV-KDV:01_011_97] (Bharata)
tattē śāpādvinirmuktā āpavasya mahātmanaḥ। svasti tē’stu gamiṣyāmi putraṁ pāhi mahāvratam ॥BORI: 1-092-54॥
Thus they have been freed from the curse of the great-souled Apava. May all be well with you. I shall go; protect this son, a keeper of great vows. (BORI: 1-092-54)
[PV-KDV:01_011_98] (Bharata)
ēṣa paryāyavāsō mē vasūnāṁ saṁnidhau kr̥taḥ। matprasūtaṁ vijānīhi gaṅgādattamimaṁ sutam ॥BORI: 1-092-55॥
My appointed sojourn among the Vasus is now complete. Know that this son was born of me and given by Ganga. (BORI: 1-092-55)
[PV-KDV:01_011_99] (Bharata)
śantanuruvāca॥
Śantanu said:
[PV-KDV:01_011_129] (Bharata)
āpavō nāma kō nvēṣa vasūnāṁ kiṁ ca duṣkr̥tam। yasyābhiśāpāttē sarvē mānuṣīṁ tanumāgatāḥ ॥BORI: 1-093-1॥
Who is this one among the Vasus named Āpava, and what wrong did he commit, through whose curse you have all assumed human form? (BORI: 1-093-1)
[PV-KDV:01_011_130] (Bharata)
anēna ca kumārēṇa gaṅgādattēna kiṁ kr̥tam। yasya caiva kr̥tēnāyaṁ mānuṣēṣu nivatsyati ॥BORI: 1-093-2॥
And what did this prince, Gangadatta, do that will cause him to dwell among human beings? (BORI: 1-093-2)
[PV-KDV:01_011_131] (Bharata)
īśānāḥ sarvalōkasya vasavastē ca vai katham। mānuṣēṣūdapadyanta tanmamācakṣva jāhnavi ॥BORI: 1-093-3॥
And how did those Vasus, lords of all the worlds, come to be born among humans? Tell me that, Jahnavi. (BORI: 1-093-3)
[PV-KDV:01_011_132] (Bharata)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_011_133] (Bharata)
saivamuktā tatō gaṅgā rājānamidamabravīt। bhartāraṁ jāhnavī dēvī śantanuṁ puruṣarṣabham ॥BORI: 1-093-4॥
Thus addressed, the goddess Gaṅgā, daughter of Jahnu, then spoke these words to her husband, King Śantanu, foremost of men: (BORI: 1-093-4)
[PV-KDV:01_011_134] (Bharata)
yaṁ lēbhē varuṇaḥ putraṁ purā bharatasattama। vasiṣṭhō nāma sa muniḥ khyāta āpava ityuta ॥BORI: 1-093-5॥
O best of the Bharatas, the son whom Varuna obtained long ago was the sage named Vasishtha, also known as Apava. (BORI: 1-093-5)
[PV-KDV:01_011_135] (Bharata)
tasyāśramapadaṁ puṇyaṁ mr̥gapakṣigaṇānvitam। mērōḥ pārśvē nagēndrasya sarvartukusumāvr̥tam ॥BORI: 1-093-6॥
His sacred hermitage stood on the slope of Meru, king of mountains, inhabited by herds of deer and flocks of birds and covered with flowers of every season. (BORI: 1-093-6)
[PV-KDV:01_011_136] (Bharata)
sa vāruṇistapastēpē tasminbharatasattama। vanē puṇyakr̥tāṁ śrēṣṭhaḥ svādumūlaphalōdakē ॥BORI: 1-093-7॥
The son of Varuṇa, foremost among the virtuous, practiced austerities in that forest, O best of the Bharatas, where the roots, fruits, and water were sweet. (BORI: 1-093-7)
[PV-KDV:01_011_137] (Bharata)
dakṣasya duhitā yā tu surabhītyatigarvitā। gāṁ prajātā tu sā dēvī kaśyapādbharatarṣabha ॥BORI: 1-093-8॥
Daksha’s daughter, the exceedingly proud goddess named Surabhi, bore Kashyapa a cow, O bull of Bharata’s line— (BORI: 1-093-8)
[PV-KDV:01_011_138] (Bharata)
anugrahārthaṁ jagataḥ sarvakāmadughāṁ varām। tāṁ lēbhē gāṁ tu dharmātmā hōmadhēnuṁ sa vāruṇiḥ ॥BORI: 1-093-9॥
…for the benefit of the world—an excellent cow that yielded every desired thing. The righteous Varuni obtained her as his sacrificial cow. (BORI: 1-093-9)
[PV-KDV:01_011_139] (Bharata)
sā tasmiṁstāpasāraṇyē vasantī munisēvitē। cacāra ramyē dharmyē ca gaurapētabhayā tadā ॥BORI: 1-093-10॥
Living in that ascetic grove frequented by sages, the cow then roamed its delightful, holy grounds without fear. (BORI: 1-093-10)
[PV-KDV:01_011_140] (Bharata)
atha tadvanamājagmuḥ kadācidbharatarṣabha। pr̥thvādyā vasavaḥ sarvē dēvadēvarṣisēvitam ॥BORI: 1-093-11॥
Then one day, O bull of Bharata’s line, all the Vasus, Prithu and the others, came to that forest, which was frequented by gods and divine seers. (BORI: 1-093-11)
[PV-KDV:01_011_141] (Bharata)
tē sadārā vanaṁ tacca vyacaranta samantataḥ। rēmirē ramaṇīyēṣu parvatēṣu vanēṣu ca ॥BORI: 1-093-12॥
Accompanied by their wives, they roamed throughout that forest and delighted in its lovely mountains and woods. (BORI: 1-093-12)
[PV-KDV:01_011_142] (Bharata)
tatraikasya tu bhāryā vai vasōrvāsavavikrama। sā carantī vanē tasmingāṁ dadarśa sumadhyamā । yā sā vasiṣṭhasya munēḥ sarvakāmadhuguttamā ॥BORI: 1-093-13॥
There, O you of Indra-like valor, the slender-waisted wife of one of the Vasus, while roaming through that forest, saw the sage Vasiṣṭha’s excellent cow, which granted every desire. (BORI: 1-093-13)
[PV-KDV:01_011_143] (Bharata)
sā vismayasamāviṣṭā śīladraviṇasampadā। divē vai darśayāmāsa tāṁ gāṁ gōvr̥ṣabhēkṣaṇa ॥BORI: 1-093-14॥
Filled with wonder at the cow’s wealth of fine qualities, she showed her to Dyu, O bull-eyed one. (BORI: 1-093-14)
[PV-KDV:01_011_144] (Bharata)
svāpīnāṁ ca sudōgdhrīṁ ca suvāladhimukhāṁ śubhām। upapannāṁ guṇaiḥ sarvaiḥ śīlēnānuttamēna ca ॥BORI: 1-093-15॥
beautiful, with a fine udder, yielding abundant milk, with a lovely tail and face, endowed with every virtue and unsurpassed character... (BORI: 1-093-15)
[PV-KDV:01_011_145] (Bharata)
ēvaṅguṇasamāyuktāṁ vasavē vasunandinī। darśayāmāsa rājēndra purā pauravanandana ॥BORI: 1-093-16॥
Long ago, O king, delight of Puru’s line, the Vasu’s wife showed him the cow endowed with such qualities. (BORI: 1-093-16)
[PV-KDV:01_011_146] (Bharata)
dyaustadā tāṁ tu dr̥ṣṭvaiva gāṁ gajēndrēndravikrama। uvāca rājaṁstāṁ dēvīṁ tasyā rūpaguṇānvadan ॥BORI: 1-093-17॥
Then, as soon as Dyaus saw that cow, O king, mighty as the lord of elephants, he spoke to the goddess, describing the cow’s beauty and virtues: (BORI: 1-093-17)
[PV-KDV:01_011_147] (Bharata)
ēṣā gauruttamā dēvi vāruṇērasitēkṣaṇē। r̥ṣēstasya varārōhē yasyēdaṁ vanamuttamam ॥BORI: 1-093-18॥
This excellent cow, O dark-eyed goddess, belongs to the sage whose splendid forest this is, O lovely-waisted one. (BORI: 1-093-18)
[PV-KDV:01_011_148] (Bharata)
asyāḥ kṣīraṁ pibēnmartyaḥ svādu yō vai sumadhyamē। daśa varṣasahasrāṇi sa jīvētsthirayauvanaḥ ॥BORI: 1-093-19॥
O slender-waisted lady, any mortal who drinks this cow’s sweet milk will live for ten thousand years, retaining his youth. (BORI: 1-093-19)
[PV-KDV:01_011_149] (Bharata)
ētacchrutvā tu sā dēvī nr̥pōttama sumadhyamā। tamuvācānavadyāṅgī bhartāraṁ dīptatējasam ॥BORI: 1-093-20॥
Hearing this, O best of kings, the lovely goddess of slender waist addressed her radiant husband: (BORI: 1-093-20)
[PV-KDV:01_011_150] (Bharata)
asti mē mānuṣē lōkē naradēvātmajā sakhī। nāmnā jinavatī nāma rūpayauvanaśālinī ॥BORI: 1-093-21॥
In the human world I have a friend, a king’s daughter, named Jinavati, who is endowed with beauty and youth. (BORI: 1-093-21)
[PV-KDV:01_011_151] (Bharata)
uśīnarasya rājarṣēḥ satyasandhasya dhīmataḥ। duhitā prathitā lōkē mānuṣē rūpasampadā ॥BORI: 1-093-22॥
the daughter of the wise royal sage Uśīnara, true to his word, renowned in the human world for her beauty. (BORI: 1-093-22)
[PV-KDV:01_011_152] (Bharata)
tasyā hētōrmahābhāga savatsāṁ gāṁ mamēpsitām। ānayasvāmaraśrēṣṭha tvaritaṁ puṇyavardhana ॥BORI: 1-093-23॥
For her sake, O greatly fortunate one, quickly bring me the cow with her calf that I desire, O best of the immortals, increaser of merit. (BORI: 1-093-23)
[PV-KDV:01_011_153] (Bharata)
yāvadasyāḥ payaḥ pītvā sā sakhī mama mānada। mānuṣēṣu bhavatvēkā jarārōgavivarjitā ॥BORI: 1-093-24॥
So that, after drinking her milk, that friend of mine may alone among mortals be free from old age and disease, O bestower of honor. (BORI: 1-093-24)
[PV-KDV:01_011_154] (Bharata)
ētanmama mahābhāga kartumarhasyanindita। priyaṁ priyataraṁ hyasmānnāsti mē’nyatkathañcana ॥BORI: 1-093-25॥
O illustrious, blameless one, you should do this for me, for there is nothing you could do that would please me more than this. (BORI: 1-093-25)
[PV-KDV:01_011_155] (Bharata)
ētacchrutvā vacastasyā dēvyāḥ priyacikīrṣayā। pr̥thvādyairbhrātr̥bhiḥ sārdhaṁ dyaustadā tāṁ jahāra gām ॥BORI: 1-093-26॥
Hearing the goddess’s words and wishing to please her, Dyaus, together with his brothers Prithu and the others, then stole that cow. (BORI: 1-093-26)
[PV-KDV:01_011_156] (Bharata)
tayā kamalapatrākṣyā niyuktō dyaustadā nr̥pa। r̥ṣēstasya tapastīvraṁ na śaśāka nirīkṣitum । hr̥tā gauḥ sā tadā tēna prapātastu na tarkitaḥ ॥BORI: 1-093-27॥
Thus urged by the lotus-eyed woman, Dyu, O king, failed to take the sage’s severe ascetic power into account. He stole the cow, never anticipating his downfall. (BORI: 1-093-27)
[PV-KDV:01_011_157] (Bharata)
athāśramapadaṁ prāptaḥ phalānyādāya vāruṇiḥ। na cāpaśyata gāṁ tatra savatsāṁ kānanōttamē ॥BORI: 1-093-28॥
Then Vāruṇi returned to the hermitage with fruit, but in that excellent forest he did not see the cow with her calf. (BORI: 1-093-28)
[PV-KDV:01_011_158] (Bharata)
tataḥ sa mr̥gayāmāsa vanē tasmiṁstapōdhanaḥ। nādhyagacchacca mr̥gayaṁstāṁ gāṁ munirudāradhīḥ ॥BORI: 1-093-29॥
Then the ascetic searched for her in that forest, but though he searched, the noble-minded sage could not find the cow. (BORI: 1-093-29)
[PV-KDV:01_011_159] (Bharata)
jñātvā tathāpanītāṁ tāṁ vasubhirdivyadarśanaḥ। yayau krōdhavaśaṁ sadyaḥ śaśāpa ca vasūṁstadā ॥BORI: 1-093-30॥
Realizing through his divine sight that the Vasus had carried her away, he was immediately overcome by anger and then cursed them. (BORI: 1-093-30)
[PV-KDV:01_011_160] (Bharata)
yasmānmē vasavō jahrurgāṁ vai dōgdhrīṁ suvāladhim। tasmātsarvē janiṣyanti mānuṣēṣu na saṁśayaḥ ॥BORI: 1-093-31॥
“Since you Vasus have stolen my milk-giving cow with the fine tail, you shall all be born among human beings—of this there is no doubt.” (BORI: 1-093-31)
[PV-KDV:01_011_161] (Bharata)
ēvaṁ śaśāpa bhagavānvasūṁstānmunisattamaḥ। vaśaṁ kōpasya samprāpta āpavō bharatarṣabha ॥BORI: 1-093-32॥
Thus the blessed Āpava, that foremost of sages, having fallen under the sway of anger, cursed those Vasus, O bull of the Bharatas. (BORI: 1-093-32)
[PV-KDV:01_011_162] (Bharata)
śaptvā ca tānmahābhāgastapasyēva manō dadhē। ēvaṁ sa śaptavānrājanvasūnaṣṭau tapōdhanaḥ। mahāprabhāvō brahmarṣirdēvānrōṣasamanvitaḥ ॥BORI: 1-093-33॥
Having cursed them, the illustrious sage fixed his mind once more on his austerities. Thus, O king, that ascetic rich in austerity—the Brahmarṣi of immense power—cursed the eight Vasus, filled with wrath against the gods. (BORI: 1-093-33)
[PV-KDV:01_011_163] (Bharata)
athāśramapadaṁ prāpya taṁ sma bhūyō mahātmanaḥ। śaptāḥ sma iti jānanta r̥ṣiṁ tamupacakramuḥ ॥BORI: 1-093-34॥
Then, having reached the hermitage, those great-souled ones, aware that they had been cursed, approached that sage once more. (BORI: 1-093-34)
[PV-KDV:01_011_164] (Bharata)
prasādayantastamr̥ṣiṁ vasavaḥ pārthivarṣabha। na lēbhirē ca tasmāttē prasādamr̥ṣisattamāt। āpavātpuruṣavyāghra sarvadharmaviśāradāt ॥BORI: 1-093-35॥
O bull among kings, though the Vasus sought to appease the sage, they obtained no forgiveness from that foremost of sages, Āpava, O tiger among men, who was versed in every dharma. (BORI: 1-093-35)
[PV-KDV:01_011_165] (Bharata)
uvāca ca sa dharmātmā sapta yūyaṁ dharādayaḥ। anu saṁvatsarācchāpamōkṣaṁ vai samavāpsyatha ॥BORI: 1-093-36॥
And that righteous man said, “You seven, Dhara and the others, will indeed be released from the curse after one year.” (BORI: 1-093-36)
[PV-KDV:01_011_166] (Bharata)
ayaṁ tu yatkr̥tē yūyaṁ mayā śaptāḥ sa vatsyati। dyaustadā mānuṣē lōkē dīrghakālaṁ svakarmaṇā ॥BORI: 1-093-37॥
But this Dyaus, on whose account I cursed you, will dwell in the human world for a long time because of his own deed. (BORI: 1-093-37)
[PV-KDV:01_011_167] (Bharata)
nānr̥taṁ taccikīrṣāmi yuṣmānkruddhō yadabruvam। na prajāsyati cāpyēṣa mānuṣēṣu mahāmanāḥ ॥BORI: 1-093-38॥
I do not wish to make false what I said to you in anger. And this noble-minded one will have no offspring among human beings. (BORI: 1-093-38)
[PV-KDV:01_011_168] (Bharata)
bhaviṣyati ca dharmātmā sarvaśāstraviśāradaḥ।॥BORI: 1-093-39॥
He will be righteous and thoroughly versed in all the scriptures. (BORI: 1-093-39A)
[PV-PAN:01_011_169] (Bharata)
pituḥ priyahitē yuktaḥ strībhōgānvarjayiṣyati । ēvamuktvā vasūnsarvāñjagāma bhagavānr̥ṣiḥ ॥BORI: 1-093-39॥
Devoted to what is dear and beneficial to his father, he will abstain from relations with women. Having said this to all the Vasus, the venerable sage departed.(BORI: 1-093-39B)
[PV-KDV:01_011_170] (Bharata)
tatō māmupajagmustē samastā vasavastadā। ayācanta ca māṁ rājanvaraṁ sa ca mayā kr̥taḥ । jātāñjātānprakṣipāsmānsvayaṁ gaṅgē tvamambhasi ॥BORI: 1-093-40॥
Then all the Vasus came to me together and asked me for a boon, O king, which I granted: “O Ganga, as each of us is born, cast us yourself into the water.” (BORI: 1-093-40)
[PV-KDV:01_011_171] (Bharata)
ēvaṁ tēṣāmahaṁ samyakṣaptānāṁ rājasattama। mōkṣārthaṁ mānuṣāllōkādyathāvatkr̥tavatyaham ॥BORI: 1-093-41॥
Thus, best of kings, I duly did what they, having all been cursed, asked of me, so as to release them from the human world. (BORI: 1-093-41)
[PV-KDV:01_011_172] (Bharata)
ayaṁ śāpādr̥ṣēstasya ēka ēva nr̥pōttama। dyau rājanmānuṣē lōkē ciraṁ vatsyati bhārata ॥BORI: 1-093-42॥
O best of kings, this one alone—Dyaus—will, because of that sage’s curse, remain in the human world for a long time, O King, O Bharata. (BORI: 1-093-42)
[PV-KDV:01_011_173] (Bharata)
ētadākhyāya sā dēvī tatraivāntaradhīyata। ādāya ca kumāraṁ taṁ jagāmātha yathēpsitam ॥BORI: 1-093-43॥
Having told him this, the goddess vanished there and then, taking the boy with her and going wherever she wished. (BORI: 1-093-43)
[PV-KDV:01_011_174] (Bharata)
śantanuścāpi śōkārtō jagāma svapuraṁ tataḥ ॥BORI: 1-093-45A॥
Then Śantanu, afflicted with grief, returned to his own city. (BORI: 1-093-45A)
[PV-KDV:01_011_176] (Bharata)
sa samāḥ ṣōḍaśāṣṭau ca catasrō’ṣṭau tathāparāḥ। ratimaprāpnuvanstrīṣu babhūva vanagōcaraḥ ॥BORI: 1-094-18॥
For thirty-six years—sixteen, eight, four, and another eight—he found no pleasure among women and lived as a frequenter of the forest. (BORI: 1-094-18)
[PV-KDV:01_011_199] (Bharata)
sa kadācinmr̥gaṁ viddhvā gaṅgāmanusarannadīm। bhāgīrathīmalpajalāṁ śantanurdr̥ṣṭavānnr̥paḥ ॥BORI: 1-094-21॥
Once, after shooting a deer, King Shantanu followed the river Ganga and saw that the Bhagirathi had little water. (BORI: 1-094-21)
[PV-KDV:01_011_202] (Bharata)
tāṁ dr̥ṣṭvā cintayāmāsa śantanuḥ puruṣarṣabhaḥ। syandatē kiṁ nviyaṁ nādya saricchrēṣṭhā yathā purā ॥BORI: 1-094-22॥
Seeing it, Shantanu, bull among men, wondered, “Why does this foremost of rivers not flow today as it did before?” (BORI: 1-094-22)
[PV-KDV:01_011_203] (Bharata)
tatō nimittamanvicchandadarśa sa mahāmanāḥ। kumāraṁ rūpasampannaṁ br̥hantaṁ cārudarśanam ॥BORI: 1-094-23॥
Then, as he searched for the cause, that great-hearted man saw a tall, handsome, fine-looking youth… (BORI: 1-094-23)
[PV-KDV:01_011_204] (Bharata)
divyamastraṁ vikurvāṇaṁ yathā dēvaṁ puraṁdaram। kr̥tsnāṁ gaṅgāṁ samāvr̥tya śaraistīkṣṇairavasthitam ॥BORI: 1-094-24॥
wielding a divine weapon like the god Purandara, and standing there after blocking the entire Ganges with sharp arrows. (BORI: 1-094-24)
[PV-KDV:01_011_205] (Bharata)
tāṁ śarairāvr̥tāṁ dr̥ṣṭvā nadīṁ gaṅgāṁ tadantikē। abhavadvismitō rājā karma dr̥ṣṭvātimānuṣam ॥BORI: 1-094-25॥
Seeing the river Ganges nearby covered with arrows, the king was astonished at the superhuman feat. (BORI: 1-094-25)
[PV-KDV:01_011_206] (Bharata)
jātamātraṁ purā dr̥ṣṭaṁ taṁ putraṁ śantanustadā। nōpalēbhē smr̥tiṁ dhīmānabhijñātuṁ tamātmajam ॥BORI: 1-094-26॥
Though Shantanu had seen that son long before, when he was newborn, the wise king could not remember him well enough to recognize him as his own son. (BORI: 1-094-26)
[PV-KDV:01_011_207] (Bharata)
sa tu taṁ pitaraṁ dr̥ṣṭvā mōhayāmāsa māyayā। saṁmōhya tu tataḥ kṣipraṁ tatraivāntaradhīyata ॥BORI: 1-094-27॥
But when he saw his father, he bewildered him with his magic; then, having bewildered him, he quickly vanished on the spot. (BORI: 1-094-27)
[PV-KDV:01_011_208] (Bharata)
tadadbhutaṁ tadā dr̥ṣṭvā tatra rājā sa śantanuḥ। śaṅkamānaḥ sutaṁ gaṅgāmabravīd darśayēti ha ॥BORI: 1-094-28॥
Seeing that marvel there, King Shantanu suspected that it was his son and said to Ganga, “Show him to me.” (BORI: 1-094-28)
[PV-KDV:01_011_209] (Bharata)
gaṅgōvāca॥
Gaṅgā said:
[PV-KDV:01_011_212] (Bharata)
yaṁ putramaṣṭamaṁ rājaṁstvaṁ purā mayyajāyithāḥ। sa tē’yaṁ puruṣavyāghra nayasvainaṁ gr̥hāntikam ॥BORI: 1-094-31॥
O king, this is that eighth son whom you once fathered by me. O tiger among men, take him home. (BORI: 1-094-31)
[PV-KDV:01_011_213] (Bharata)
sa cāyaṁ puruṣavyāghra sarvāstravidanuttamaḥ । gr̥hāṇēmaṁ mahārāja mayā saṁvardhitaṁ sutam ॥KUMB: 1-107-34; KUMB: 1-107-35; NILA: 01.100.033; NILA: 01.100.034॥
This one, O tiger among men, is unsurpassed in his knowledge of every weapon. Accept this son whom I have raised, great king. (KUMB: 1-107-34; KUMB: 1-107-35; NILA: 01.100.033; NILA: 01.100.034)
[PV-KDV:01_011_214] (Bharata)
ityuktvā sā mahābhāgā tatraivāntaradhīyata ॥KUMB: 1-107-41kṣ॥
Having said this, the illustrious woman vanished on the spot. (KUMB: 1-107-41क्ष्)
[PV-KDV:01_011_220] (Bharata)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_011_221] (Bharata)
tayaivaṁ samanujñātaḥ putramādāya śantanuḥ। bhrājamānaṁ yathādityamāyayau svapuraṁ prati ॥BORI: 1-094-37॥
Thus permitted by her, Shantanu took his son, radiant as the sun, and returned to his own city. (BORI: 1-094-37)
[PV-KDV:01_011_222] (Bharata)
pauravaḥ svapuraṁ gatvā puraṁdarapurōpamam। sarvakāmasamr̥ddhārthaṁ mēnē ātmānamātmanā । pauravēṣu tataḥ putraṁ yauvarājyē’bhyaṣēcayat ॥BORI: 1-094-38॥
Returning to his own city, which resembled Indra’s city, the Paurava felt that all his desires had been fulfilled. He then consecrated his son as crown prince of the Pauravas. (BORI: 1-094-38)
[PV-KDV:01_011_223] (Bharata)
pauravāñśantanōḥ putraḥ pitaraṁ ca mahāyaśāḥ। rāṣṭraṁ ca rañjayāmāsa vr̥ttēna bharatarṣabha ॥BORI: 1-094-39॥
The illustrious son of Shantanu delighted the Pauravas, his father, and the entire kingdom by his conduct, O bull of the Bharatas. (BORI: 1-094-39)
[PV-KDV:01_011_224] (Bharata)
sa tathā saha putrēṇa ramamāṇō mahīpatiḥ। vartayāmāsa varṣāṇi catvāryamitavikramaḥ ॥BORI: 1-094-40॥
Thus the king of boundless valor spent four years enjoying life with his son. (BORI: 1-094-40)
[PV-KDV:01_011_225] (Bharata)