01.004
Library:The assembled along with Ugrashrava wait for Kulapati Shounaka.
लोमहर्षणपुत्र उग्रश्रवाः सूतः पौराणिको नैमिषारण्ये शौनकस्य कुलपतेर्द्वादशवार्षिके सत्रे ऋषीनभ्यागतानुपतस्थे ॥००१॥
Ugraśravāḥ, the son of Lomaharṣaṇa, the storyteller and narrator of Purāṇas, attended the sages who had arrived at the twelve-year sacrifice in Naimiṣāraṇya of Śaunaka, the head of the family.
पौराणिकः पुराणे कृतश्रमः स तान्कृताञ्जलिरुवाच । किं भवन्तः श्रोतुमिच्छन्ति । किमहं ब्रुवाणीति ॥००२॥
The narrator of ancient tales, having made effort in the Purana, with folded hands, said to them: "What do you all wish to hear? What should I speak?"
तमृषय ऊचुः ।
The sages said that.
परमं लोमहर्षणे प्रक्ष्यामस्त्वां वक्ष्यसि च नः शुश्रूषतां कथायोगम् । तद्भगवांस्तु तावच्छौनकोऽग्निशरणमध्यास्ते ॥००३॥
We shall ask you, O supreme one, Lomaharshana, and you will tell us the discourse for those eager to hear. Meanwhile, the revered sage Shaunaka is seated at the fire sanctuary.
योऽसौ दिव्याः कथा वेद देवतासुरसङ्कथाः । मनुष्योरगगन्धर्वकथा वेद च सर्वशः ॥४॥
He who knows the divine stories, the discussions of gods and demons, and the stories of humans, serpents, and celestial musicians, knows them completely.
स चाप्यस्मिन्मखे सौते विद्वान्कुलपतिर्द्विजः । दक्षो धृतव्रतो धीमाञ्शास्त्रे चारण्यके गुरुः ॥५॥
He, the wise head of the family, a brahmin, also participated in this sacrifice in the Sautra, being capable, steadfast in vows, intelligent, and a teacher in the scriptures in the forest.
सत्यवादी शमपरस्तपस्वी नियतव्रतः । सर्वेषामेव नो मान्यः स तावत्प्रतिपाल्यताम् ॥६॥
"The truth-speaker, devoted to peace, ascetic, of fixed vows, honored by all, indeed our, he therefore should be protected."
तस्मिन्नध्यासति गुरावासनं परमार्चितम् । ततो वक्ष्यसि यत्त्वां स प्रक्ष्यति द्विजसत्तमः ॥७॥
When the teacher sits on the highly revered seat, then you will speak what he will ask you, O best of the twice-born.
सूत उवाच।
Sūta said.
एवमस्तु गुरौ तस्मिन्नुपविष्टे महात्मनि । तेन पृष्टः कथाः पुण्या वक्ष्यामि विविधाश्रयाः ॥८॥
"Let it be so." When the great soul was seated in the teacher, he asked, "I will tell auspicious stories of various kinds."
सोऽथ विप्रर्षभः कार्यं कृत्वा सर्वं यथाक्रमम् । देवान्वाग्भिः पितृनद्भिस्तर्पयित्वाजगाम ह ॥९॥
He, then, the best of the Brāhmaṇas, having done his duty, everything in order, satisfied the gods with words and the ancestors with water, indeed went.
यत्र ब्रह्मर्षयः सिद्धास्त आसीना यतव्रताः । यज्ञायतनमाश्रित्य सूतपुत्रपुरःसराः ॥१०॥
Where the Brahma sages, perfected ones, they seated with controlled vows, having resorted to the sacrificial altar, led by Sūta's son.
ऋत्विक्ष्वथ सदस्येषु स वै गृहपतिस्ततः । उपविष्टेषूपविष्टः शौनकोऽथाब्रवीदिदम् ॥११॥
Among the priests and members, he, the householder, was seated. Then Śaunaka, being seated, said this.
