Chapter 6: Śantanu seeks Satyavatī; Devavrata secures the marriage by renouncing the throne and progeny, and becomes Bhīṣma.
स कदाचिद्वनं यातो यमुनामभितो नदीम्। महीपतिरनिर्देश्यमाजिघ्रद्गन्धमुत्तमम् ॥BORI: १-०९४-४१॥
One day, while hunting in the forest near the river Yamuna, the king caught the scent of an indescribably exquisite fragrance. (BORI: 1-094-41)
[PV-KDV:01_012_1] (Jaya)
तस्य प्रभवमन्विच्छन् विचचार समन्ततः। स ददर्श तदा कन्यां दाशानां देवरूपिणीम् ॥BORI: १-०९४-४२॥
Seeking the source of the fragrance, he roamed all around. Then he saw a maiden of divine beauty who belonged to the fishermen. (BORI: 1-094-42)
[PV-KDV:01_012_2] (Jaya)
तामपृच्छत्स दृष्ट्वैव कन्यामसितलोचनाम्। कस्य त्वमसि का चासि किं च भीरु चिकीर्षसि ॥BORI: १-०९४-४३॥
As soon as he saw the dark-eyed maiden, he asked her, “Whose daughter are you, and who are you? What do you intend to do, timid girl?” (BORI: 1-094-43)
[PV-KDV:01_012_3] (Jaya)
साब्रवीद् दाशकन्यास्मि धर्मार्थं वाहये तरीम्। पितुर्नियोगात् भद्रं ते दाशराज्ञो महात्मनः ॥BORI: १-०९४-४४॥
She replied, “I am a fisherman’s daughter, and I ferry this boat as my duty, at the command of my father, the noble king of the fishermen. May good fortune be yours.” (BORI: 1-094-44)
[PV-KDV:01_012_4] (Jaya)
रूपमाधुर्यगन्धैस्तां संयुक्तां देवरूपिणीम्। समीक्ष्य राजा दाशेयीं कामयामास शन्तनुः ॥BORI: १-०९४-४५॥
Seeing that fisherman's daughter, divine in appearance and endowed with beauty, sweetness, and fragrance, King Shantanu desired her. (BORI: 1-094-45)
[PV-KDV:01_012_5] (Jaya)
स गत्वा पितरं तस्या वरयामास तां तदा। पर्यपृच्छत्ततः तस्याः पितरं च आत्मकारणात् ॥BORI: १-०९४-४६॥
He went to her father and asked for her hand; then, on his own behalf, he made his request to her father. (BORI: 1-094-46)
[PV-KDV:01_012_6] (Jaya)
स च तं प्रत्युवाचेदं दाशराजो महीपतिम्। जातमात्रैव मे देया वराय वरवर्णिनी। हृदि कामस्तु मे कश्चित् तं निबोध जनेश्वर ॥BORI: १-०९४-४७॥
The king of the fishermen replied to the king, “From the moment she was born, this lovely maiden was destined to be given to a suitor. But I have a certain desire in my heart; hear it, lord of men.” (BORI: 1-094-47)
[PV-KDV:01_012_7] (Jaya)
यदीमां धर्मपत्नीं त्वं मत्तः प्रार्थयसेऽनघ। सत्यवागसि सत्येन समयं कुरु मे ततः ॥BORI: १-०९४-४८॥
If you seek this woman from me as your lawful wife, O blameless one, then, since you are true to your word, pledge yourself to me in truth. (BORI: 1-094-48)
[PV-KDV:01_012_8] (Jaya)
समयेन प्रदद्यां ते कन्यामहमिमां नृप। न हि मे त्वत्समः कश्चिद्वरो जातु भविष्यति ॥BORI: १-०९४-४९॥
On that condition, O king, I would give you this daughter of mine, for I shall never find a suitor equal to you. (BORI: 1-094-49)
[PV-KDV:01_012_9] (Jaya)
शन्तनुरुवाच॥
Śantanu said:
[PV-KDV:01_012_10] (Jaya)
श्रुत्वा तव वरं दाश व्यवस्येयमहं न वा। दातव्यं चेत् प्रदास्यामि न त्वदेयं कथञ्चन ॥BORI: १-०९४-५०॥
Once I have heard your request, fisherman, I will decide whether or not to grant it. If it can be granted, I shall grant it—but by no means if it cannot. (BORI: 1-094-50)
[PV-KDV:01_012_11] (Jaya)
दाश उवाच॥
The fisherman said:
[PV-KDV:01_012_12] (Jaya)
अस्यां जायेत यः पुत्रः स राजा पृथिवीपतिः। त्वदूर्ध्वम् अभिषेक्तव्यः न अन्यः कश्चन पार्थिवः ॥BORI: १-०९४-५१॥
The son born to her must become king and ruler of the earth; after you, he must be consecrated, and no other prince. (BORI: 1-094-51)
[PV-KDV:01_012_13] (Jaya)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_012_14] (Jaya)
नाकामयत तं दातुं वरं दाशाय शन्तनुः। शरीरजेन तीव्रेण दह्यमानः अपि भारत ॥BORI: १-०९४-५२॥
Though tormented by intense physical desire, Shantanu did not wish to grant that boon to the fisherman, O Bharata. (BORI: 1-094-52)
[PV-KDV:01_012_15] (Jaya)
स चिन्तयन्नेव तदा दाशकन्यां महीपतिः। प्रत्ययात् हास्तिनपुरं शोकोपहतचेतनः ॥BORI: १-०९४-५३॥
Then the king returned to Hastinapura, thinking constantly of the fisherman’s daughter, his mind overcome with grief. (BORI: 1-094-53)
[PV-KDV:01_012_16] (Jaya)
ततः कदाचित् शोचन्तं शन्तनुं ध्यानमास्थितम्। पुत्रः देवव्रतः अभ्येत्य पितरं वाक्यम् अब्रवीत् ॥BORI: १-०९४-५४॥
Then one day, Devavrata approached his father Shantanu, who was grieving and absorbed in thought, and said to him: (BORI: 1-094-54)
[PV-KDV:01_012_17] (Jaya)
सर्वतः भवतः क्षेमं विधेयाः सर्वपार्थिवाः। तत् किमर्थम् इहाभीक्ष्णं परिशोचसि दुःखितः। ध्यान्निव च किं राजन् नाभिभाषसि किञ्चन ॥BORI: १-०९४-५५॥
All is well with you on every side, and all the kings are obedient to you. Why, then, do you continually grieve here in distress? And why, O king, do you say nothing, as though lost in thought? (BORI: 1-094-55)
[PV-KDV:01_012_18] (Jaya)
एवमुक्तः स पुत्रेण शन्तनुः प्रत्यभाषत। असंशयं ध्यानपरं यथा मात्थ तथास्म्युत ॥BORI: १-०९४-५६॥
Thus addressed by his son, Shantanu replied, “Without a doubt, I am indeed absorbed in thought, just as you say.” (BORI: 1-094-56)
[PV-KDV:01_012_19] (Jaya)
अपत्यं नः त्वम् एवैकः कुले महति भारत। अनित्यता च मर्त्यानाम् अतः शोचामि पुत्रक ॥BORI: १-०९४-५७॥
You are our only child in this great lineage, Bharata. Mortals are impermanent, and so I grieve, my son. (BORI: 1-094-57)
[PV-KDV:01_012_20] (Jaya)
कथञ्चित् तव गाङ्गेय विपत्तौ नास्ति नः कुलम्। असंशयं त्वम् एवैकः शतादपि वरः सुतः ॥BORI: १-०९४-५८॥
Gāṅgeya, if any misfortune should befall you, our lineage would cease to exist. Without doubt, you alone are a better son than even a hundred sons. (BORI: 1-094-58)
[PV-KDV:01_012_21] (Jaya)
न चाप्यहं वृथा भूयो दारान् कर्तुम् इहोत्सहे। सन्तानस्य अविनाशाय कामये भद्रमस्तु ते। अनपत्यतैकपुत्रत्वम् इत्याहुः धर्मवादिनः ॥BORI: १-०९४-५९॥
Nor am I willing to marry again here to no purpose. I wish to ensure that the lineage does not perish—may all be well with you. Those who speak on dharma say that having only one son is the same as childlessness. (BORI: 1-094-59)
[PV-KDV:01_012_22] (Jaya)
अग्निहोत्रं त्रयो वेदा यज्ञाश्च सह दक्षिणाः। सर्वाणि एतान्य अपत्यस्य कलां नार्हन्ति षोडशीम् ॥BORI: १-०९४-६०॥
The Agnihotra, the three Vedas, and sacrifices with their gifts—all these are not worth even a sixteenth part of offspring. (BORI: 1-094-60)
[PV-KDV:01_012_23] (Jaya)
एवमेव मनुष्येषु स्यात् च सर्वप्रजासु अपि। यद् अपत्यम् महाप्राज्ञ तत्र मे नास्ति संशयः। एषा त्रयी पुराणानाम् उत्तमानां च शाश्वती ॥BORI: १-०९४-६१॥
The same applies to offspring among human beings and indeed among all creatures, O greatly wise one; of this I have no doubt. This is the eternal triad of the ancients and the foremost. (BORI: 1-094-61)
[PV-KDV:01_012_24] (Jaya)
त्वं च शूरः सदा अमर्षी शस्त्रनित्यः च भारत। न अन्यत्र शस्त्रात् तस्मात् ते निधनं विद्यते अनघ ॥BORI: १-०९४-६२॥
And you, descendant of Bharata, are valiant, ever intolerant of affronts, and constantly devoted to arms. Therefore, sinless one, your death can come from nothing but a weapon. (BORI: 1-094-62)
[PV-KDV:01_012_25] (Jaya)
सः अस्मि संशयम् आपन्नः त्वयि शान्ते कथं भवेत्। इति ते कारणं तात दुःखस्य उक्तम् अशेषतः ॥BORI: १-०९४-६३॥
I am therefore beset by doubt: how could that happen once you are at peace? Thus, my son, I have told you the cause of my sorrow in full. (BORI: 1-094-63)
[PV-KDV:01_012_26] (Jaya)
ततः तत् कारणं ज्ञात्वा कृत्स्नं च एवम् अशेषतः। देवव्रतः महाबुद्धिः प्रययौ अनुचिन्तयन् ॥BORI: १-०९४-६४॥
Then, having learned the entire cause in full, the highly intelligent Devavrata departed, pondering it. (BORI: 1-094-64)
[PV-KDV:01_012_27] (Jaya)
अभ्यगच्छत् तदा एव आशु वृद्धामात्यं पितुः हितम्। तम् अपृच्छत् तदा अभ्येत्य पितुः तत् शोककारणम् ॥BORI: १-०९४-६५॥
He immediately went to his father’s aged minister and trusted counselor. Approaching him, he asked what was causing his father’s grief. (BORI: 1-094-65)
[PV-KDV:01_012_28] (Jaya)
तस्मै स कुरुमुख्याय यथावत् परिपृच्छते। वरं शशंस कन्यां ताम् उद्दिश्य भरतर्षभ ॥BORI: १-०९४-६६॥
To that chief of the Kurus, who questioned him thoroughly, he related the condition concerning the maiden, O bull of the Bharatas. (BORI: 1-094-66)
[PV-KDV:01_012_29] (Jaya)
ततः देवव्रतः वृद्धैः क्षत्रियैः सहितः तदा। अभिगम्य दाशराजानं कन्यां वव्रे पितुः स्वयम् ॥BORI: १-०९४-६७॥
Then Devavrata, accompanied by elder Kshatriyas, went to the chief of the fishermen and himself asked for the maiden on his father's behalf. (BORI: 1-094-67)
[PV-KDV:01_012_30] (Jaya)
तं दाशः प्रतिजग्राह विधिवत् प्रतिपूज्य च। अब्रवीत् च एनम् आसीनं राजसंसदि भारत ॥BORI: १-०९४-६८॥
The Dasha chief received him with due ceremony and honored him. Then, when he was seated in the royal assembly, he said to him, O Bharata: (BORI: 1-094-68)
[PV-KDV:01_012_31] (Jaya)
त्वम् एव नाथः पर्याप्तः शन्तनोः पुरुषर्षभ। पुत्रः पुत्रवतां श्रेष्ठः किं नु वक्ष्यामि ते वचः ॥BORI: १-०९४-६९॥
You alone, best of men, are a sufficient protector for Shantanu—a son foremost among those who have sons. What words, then, can I say to you? (BORI: 1-094-69)
[PV-KDV:01_012_32] (Jaya)
कः हि सम्बन्धकम् श्लाघ्यम् ईप्सितम् यौनि म् ईदृशम्। अतिक्रामन् तप्येत साक्षात् अपि शतक्रतुः ॥BORI: १-०९४-७०॥
Who indeed would not regret passing up such an admirable and desirable marriage alliance—even Śatakratu himself? (BORI: 1-094-70)
[PV-KDV:01_012_33] (Jaya)
अपत्यं च एतद् आर्ज्यस्य यः युष्माकं समः गुणैः। यस्य शुक्रात् सत्यवती प्रादुर्भूता यशस्विनी ॥BORI: १-०९४-७१॥
She is also the child of a noble man who is your equal in virtues; from his seed the illustrious Satyavati was born. (BORI: 1-094-71)
[PV-KDV:01_012_34] (Jaya)
तेन मे बहुशः तात पिता ते परिकीर्तितः। अर्हः सत्यवतीं वोढुं सर्वराजसु भारत ॥BORI: १-०९४-७२॥
That man has often commended your father to me, my child, as worthy among all kings to marry Satyavati, O Bharata. (BORI: 1-094-72)
[PV-KDV:01_012_35] (Jaya)
असितः हि अपि देवर्षिः प्रत्याख्यातः पुरा मया। सत्यवत्या भृशं हि अर्थी स आसीत् ऋषिसत्तमः ॥BORI: १-०९४-७३॥
For I once rejected even Asita, the divine seer; that eminent sage ardently desired Satyavati. (BORI: 1-094-73)
[PV-KDV:01_012_36] (Jaya)
कन्या-पितृत्वात् किञ्चित् तु वक्ष्यामि भरतर्षभ। बलवत् सपत्नताम् अत्र दोषं पश्यामि केवलम् ॥BORI: १-०९४-७४॥
Yet, as the maiden’s father, I must say something, O best of the Bharatas. I see only one serious danger here: rivalry. (BORI: 1-094-74)
[PV-KDV:01_012_37] (Jaya)
यस्य हि त्वं सपत्नः स्यात् गन्धर्वस्य असुरस्य वा। न स जातु सुखं जीवेत् त्वयि क्रुद्धे परन्तप ॥BORI: १-०९४-७५॥
For any Gandharva or Asura whose rival you might become would never live happily once you were enraged, O scorcher of foes. (BORI: 1-094-75)
[PV-KDV:01_012_38] (Jaya)
एतावान् अत्र दोषः हि न अन्यः कश्चन पार्थिव। एतत् जानीहि भद्रं ते दानादाने परन्तप ॥BORI: १-०९४-७६॥
This alone is the fault here, O king, and there is no other. Know this concerning the giving and withholding of gifts, O scorcher of foes. May all be well with you. (BORI: 1-094-76)
[PV-KDV:01_012_39] (Jaya)
एवम् उक्तः तु गाङ्गेयः तत् युक्तं प्रत्यभाषत। शृण्वतां भूमिपालानां पितुरर्थाय भारत ॥BORI: १-०९४-७७॥
Thus addressed, Gāṅgeya gave a fitting reply for his father’s sake, while the kings listened, O Bharata. (BORI: 1-094-77)
[PV-KDV:01_012_40] (Jaya)
इदं मे मतम् आदत्स्व सत्यं सत्यवतां वर। नैव जातः न वा जातः ईदृशं वक्तुम् उत्सहेत ॥BORI: १-०९४-७८॥
Accept this true resolve of mine, O best of truthful men. No one born or yet to be born would dare say such a thing. (BORI: 1-094-78)
[PV-KDV:01_012_41] (Jaya)
एवम् एतत् करिष्यामि यथा त्वम् अनु भाषसे। यः अस्यां जनिष्यते पुत्रः सः नः राजा भविष्यति ॥BORI: १-०९४-७९॥
I will do just as you say. The son who is born to her will be our king. (BORI: 1-094-79)
[PV-KDV:01_012_42] (Jaya)
इति उक्तः पुनः एव अथ तम् दाशः प्रत्यभाषत। चिकीर्षुः दुष्करं कर्म राज्यार्थे भरतर्षभ ॥BORI: १-०९४-८०॥
Thus addressed, the fisherman then spoke to him again, wishing to accomplish a difficult task for the sake of the kingdom, O bull of the Bharatas. (BORI: 1-094-80)
[PV-KDV:01_012_43] (Jaya)
त्वम् एव नाथः पर्याप्तः शन्तनोः अमितद्युतेः। कन्यायाः च एव धर्मात्मन् प्रभुः दानाय च ईश्वरः ॥BORI: १-०९४-८१॥
You alone are a sufficient protector for Shantanu of immeasurable splendor; and, righteous one, I have authority over the maiden and the power to give her away. (BORI: 1-094-81)
[PV-KDV:01_012_44] (Jaya)
इदं तु वचनं सौम्य कार्यं च एव निबोध मे। कौमारिकाणां शीलेन वक्ष्यामि अहम् अरिंदम ॥BORI: १-०९४-८२॥
But, gentle one, hear from me this statement and what must be done. O conqueror of foes, I shall speak in accordance with the custom regarding maidens. (BORI: 1-094-82)
[PV-KDV:01_012_45] (Jaya)
यत् त्वया सत्यवत्यर्थे सत्यधर्मपरायण। राजमध्ये प्रतिज्ञातं अनुरूपं तव एव तत् ॥BORI: १-०९४-८३॥
What you pledged in the royal assembly for Satyavati’s sake, O you devoted to truth and dharma, was entirely worthy of you. (BORI: 1-094-83)
[PV-KDV:01_012_46] (Jaya)
न अन्यथा तत् महाबाहो संशयः अत्र न कश्चन। तव अपत्यं भवेत् यत् तु तत्र नः संशयः महान् ॥BORI: १-०९४-८४॥
It could not be otherwise, mighty-armed one; there is no doubt about that. But we have grave doubts as to whether you will have offspring. (BORI: 1-094-84)
[PV-KDV:01_012_47] (Jaya)
तस्य तत् मतम् आज्ञाय सत्यधर्मपरायणः। प्रत्यजानात् तदा राजन् पितुः प्रियचिकीर्षया ॥BORI: १-०९४-८५॥
Understanding his view, the man devoted to truth and righteousness then gave his word, O king, wishing to please his father. (BORI: 1-094-85)
[PV-KDV:01_012_48] (Jaya)
देवव्रत उवाच॥
Devavrata said:
[PV-KDV:01_012_49] (Jaya)
दाशराज निबोध एतत् वचनं मे नृपोत्तम। शृण्वतां भूमिपालानां यत् ब्रवीमि पितुः कृते ॥BORI: १-०९४-८६॥
King of the fishermen, heed these words of mine, O best of kings. Hear what I declare for my father’s sake in the presence of the assembled rulers. (BORI: 1-094-86)
[PV-KDV:01_012_50] (Jaya)
राज्यं तावत् पूर्वमेव मया त्यक्तं नराधिप। अपत्यहेतोः अपि च करोमि एषः विनिश्चयः ॥BORI: १-०९४-८७॥
I have already renounced the kingdom, O king. And for the sake of offspring, I make this further solemn resolve: (BORI: 1-094-87)
[PV-KDV:01_012_51] (Jaya)
अद्य प्रभृति मे दाश ब्रह्मचर्यं भविष्यति। अपुत्रस्य अपि मे लोकाः भविष्यन्ति अक्षयाः दिवि ॥BORI: १-०९४-८८॥
From this day forward, fisherman, I shall remain celibate. Though I have no son, my worlds in heaven shall be everlasting. (BORI: 1-094-88)
[PV-KDV:01_012_52] (Jaya)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_012_53] (Jaya)
तस्य तत् वचनं श्रुत्वा सम्प्रहृष्टतनूरुहः। ददानीति एव तं दाशः धर्मात्मा प्रत्यभाषत ॥BORI: १-०९४-८९॥
Hearing these words of his, the righteous fisherman, the hair on his body bristling with joy, replied to him, “I give her.” (BORI: 1-094-89)
[PV-KDV:01_012_54] (Jaya)
ततः स पितुरर्थाय ताम् उवाच यशस्विनीम्। अधिरोह रथं मातः गच्छावः स्वगृहान् इति ॥BORI: १-०९४-९१॥
Then, for his father’s sake, he said to the illustrious woman, “Mount the chariot, Mother; let us go to our home.” (BORI: 1-094-91)
[PV-KDV:01_012_56] (Jaya)
एवम् उक्त्वा तु भीष्मः तां रथम् आरोप्य भामिनीम्। आगम्य हास्तिनपुरं शन्तनोः संन्यवेदयत् ॥BORI: १-०९४-९२॥
Having said this, Bhishma helped the radiant woman into the chariot, and upon arriving at Hastinapura, presented her to Shantanu. (BORI: 1-094-92)
[PV-KDV:01_012_57] (Jaya)
तस्य तत् दुष्करं कर्म प्रशशंसुः नराधिपाः। समेताः च पृथक् च एव भीष्मः अयम् इति च अब्रुवन् ॥BORI: १-०९४-९३॥
The kings praised that difficult feat of his, and both collectively and individually they declared, “This is Bhishma!” (BORI: 1-094-93)
[PV-KDV:01_012_58] (Jaya)