03.177
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
[वैशम्पायन (vaiśampāyana) - Vaiśampāyana; (proper noun); उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Vaiśampāyana said;)
Vaiśampāyana said.
युधिष्ठिरस्तमासाद्य सर्पभोगाभिवेष्टितम्। दयितं भ्रातरं वीरमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥०३-१७७-१॥
yudhiṣṭhiras tam āsādya sarpabhogābhiveṣṭitam। dayitaṃ bhrātaraṃ vīram idaṃ vacanam abravīt ॥03-177-1॥
[युधिष्ठिरः (yudhiṣṭhiraḥ) - Yudhishthira; (proper noun; nominative singular); तम् (tam) - him; (accusative singular masculine pronoun); आसाद्य (āsādya) - having approached; (indeclinable gerund of ā + sad); सर्पभोगाभिवेष्टितम् (sarpabhogābhiveṣṭitam) - enwrapped by a serpent's coil; (compound: sarpa-bhoga-abhiveṣṭita, 'by serpent coil surrounded'); दयितम् (dayitam) - beloved; (accusative singular); भ्रातरम् (bhrātaram) - brother; (accusative singular); वीरम् (vīram) - hero; (accusative singular); इदम् (idam) - this; (accusative singular neuter pronoun); वचनम् (vacanam) - speech; (accusative singular); अब्रवीत् (abravīt) - said; (third person singular, perfect tense, active voice);]
(Yudhishthira, having approached him enwrapped by the serpent's coil, (his) beloved brother, hero, this speech said.)
Yudhishthira, approaching his beloved heroic brother enwrapped by a serpent's coil, spoke these words. (03-177-1)
कुन्तीमातः कथमिमामापदं त्वमवाप्तवान्। कश्चायं पर्वताभोगप्रतिमः पन्नगोत्तमः ॥०३-१७७-२॥
kuntīmātaḥ kathamimām-āpadaṁ tvam-avāptavān। kaścāyaṁ parvatābhoga-pratimaḥ pannagottamaḥ ॥03-177-2॥
[कुन्तीमातः (kuntīmātaḥ) - O mother Kunti; कथम् (katham) - how; इमाम् (imām) - this (feminine accusative singular); आपदं (āpadam) - calamity; misfortune; त्वम् (tvam) - you; अवाप्तवान् (avāptavān) - have obtained; कः (kaḥ) - who; च (ca) - and; अयम् (ayam) - this; पर्वताभोगप्रतिमः (parvatābhoga-pratimaḥ) - like the expanse of a mountain; पन्नगोत्तमः (pannagottamaḥ) - best of serpents;]
(O mother Kunti; how this calamity you have obtained? Who and this like the expanse of a mountain, best of serpents?)
O mother Kunti, how did you encounter this calamity? Who is this best of serpents, who is like the expanse of a mountain? (03-177-2)
स धर्मराजमालक्ष्य भ्राता भ्रातरमग्रजम्। कथयामास तत्सर्वं ग्रहणादि विचेष्टितम् ॥०३-१७७-३॥
sa dharmarājam ālakṣya bhrātā bhrātaram agrajam। kathayām āsa tat sarvaṃ grahaṇādi viceṣṭitam॥03-177-3॥
[स (sa) - he; धर्मराजम् (dharmarājam) - Dharma-king (Yudhiṣṭhira); आलक्ष्य (ālakṣya) - having noticed; भ्राता (bhrātā) - the brother; भ्रातरम् (bhrātaram) - to (his) brother; अग्रजम् (agrajam) - elder (brother); कथयामास (kathayām āsa) - he related; तत् (tat) - that; सर्वं (sarvaṃ) - all; ग्रहणादि (grahaṇādi) - seizure etc.; विचेष्टितम् (viceṣṭitam) - the event;]
(He, having noticed Dharma-king, the brother (said) to his elder brother, related that all, the seizure etc., the event.)
He, having perceived Yudhiṣṭhira, told his elder brother all about the seizure and everything that had happened. (03-177-3)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
[युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - Yudhiṣṭhira; (proper noun, name of the speaker); उवाच (uvāca) - said; (he spoke;);]
(Yudhiṣṭhira said;)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
देवो वा यदि वा दैत्य उरगो वा भवान्यदि। सत्यं सर्प वचो ब्रूहि पृच्छति त्वां युधिष्ठिरः ॥०३-१७७-४॥
devo vā yadi vā daitya urago vā bhavānyadi। satyaṃ sarpa vaco brūhi pṛcchati tvāṃ yudhiṣṭhiraḥ॥03-177-4॥
[देवः (devaḥ) - god; वा (vā) - or; यदि (yadi) - if; वा (vā) - or; दैत्यः (daityaḥ) - demon; उरगः (uragaḥ) - serpent; वा (vā) - or; भवान् (bhavān) - you (honorific); यदि (yadi) - if; सत्यं (satyaṃ) - truth; सर्प (sarpa) - serpent; वचः (vacaḥ) - word; ब्रूहि (brūhi) - speak; पृच्छति (pṛcchati) - asks; त्वाम् (tvām) - you; युधिष्ठिरः (yudhiṣṭhiraḥ) - Yudhiṣṭhira;]
(God or if or demon, serpent or you, if, truth, serpent, word, speak, asks you, Yudhiṣṭhira.)
Whether you are a god, or a demon, or serpent—whoever you are—Yudhiṣṭhira asks you, O serpent, speak the truth. (03-177-4)
किमाहृत्य विदित्वा वा प्रीतिस्ते स्याद्भुजङ्गम। किमाहारं प्रयच्छामि कथं मुञ्चेद्भवानिमम् ॥०३-१७७-५॥
kim āhṛtya viditvā vā prītiḥ te syād bhujaṅgama। kim āhāraṃ prayacchāmi kathaṃ muñcet bhavān imam ॥03-177-5॥
[किम् (kim) - what; आहृत्य (āhṛtya) - having brought; विदित्वा (viditvā) - knowing; वा (vā) - or; प्रीतिः (prītiḥ) - satisfaction; ते (te) - to you; स्यात् (syāt) - would be; भुजङ्गम (bhujaṅgama) - O serpent; किम् (kim) - what; आहारम् (āhāram) - food; प्रयच्छामि (prayacchāmi) - shall I give; कथम् (katham) - how; मुञ्चेत् (muñcet) - might release; भवान् (bhavān) - you (honorific); इमम् (imam) - this;]
(What having brought or knowing would satisfaction be to you, O serpent? What food shall I give, how might you release this one?)
O serpent, what should I bring or learn so that you are satisfied? What food shall I offer so that you will release this one? (03-177-5)
सर्प उवाच॥
sarpa uvāca॥
[सर्प (sarpa) - serpent; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(The serpent said;)
The serpent said.
नहुषो नाम राजाहमासं पूर्वस्तवानघ। प्रथितः पञ्चमः सोमादायोः पुत्रो नराधिप ॥०३-१७७-६॥
nahuṣo nāma rājāhamāsaṃ pūrvastavānagha। prathitaḥ pañcamaḥ somādāyoḥ putro narādhipa ॥03-177-6॥
[नहुषः (nahuṣaḥ) - Nahuṣa; (a proper name); नाम (nāma) - by name; राजा (rājā) - king; अहम् (aham) - I; आसं (āsaṃ) - was; पूर्वः (pūrvaḥ) - formerly; त्वम् (tvam) - you; अनघ (anagha) - O sinless one; प्रथितः (prathitaḥ) - renowned; पञ्चमः (pañcamaḥ) - fifth; सोमादायोः (somādāyoḥ) - of Soma's lineage; (from Soma's ancestry); पुत्रः (putraḥ) - son; नराधिप (narādhipa) - king of men;]
(Nahuṣa by name king I was formerly you O sinless one; renowned fifth of Soma's lineage son king of men;)
O sinless one, formerly I was the king named Nahuṣa, renowned as the fifth son in the lineage of Soma and king of men. (03-177-6)
क्रतुभिस्तपसा चैव स्वाध्यायेन दमेन च। त्रैलोक्यैश्वर्यमव्यग्रं प्राप्तो विक्रमणेन च ॥०३-१७७-७॥
kratubhistapasā caiva svādhyāyena damena ca. trailokyaiśvaryamavyagraṃ prāpto vikramaṇena ca ॥03-177-7॥
[क्रतुभिः (kratubhiḥ) - by sacrifices; तपसा (tapasā) - by austerity; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; स्वाध्यायेन (svādhyāyena) - by study of the Veda; दमेन (damena) - by self-restraint; च (ca) - and; त्रैलोक्यैश्वर्यम् (trailokyaiśvaryam) - sovereignty over the three worlds; अव्यग्रं (avyagram) - unperturbed; प्राप्तः (prāptaḥ) - attained; विक्रमणेन (vikramaṇena) - by valor; च (ca) - and;]
(By sacrifices, by austerity, and indeed by study of the Veda, by self-restraint and by valor, attained unperturbed sovereignty over the three worlds.)
He attained unperturbed sovereignty over the three worlds by sacrifices, austerity, study of the Veda, self-restraint, and valor. (03-177-7)
तदैश्वर्यं समासाद्य दर्पो मामगमत्तदा। सहस्रं हि द्विजातीनामुवाह शिबिकां मम ॥०३-१७७-८॥
tad-aiśvaryaṃ samāsādya darpo mām-agamat-tadā। sahasraṃ hi dvijātīnāmuvāha śibikāṃ mama॥03-177-8॥
[तत् (tat) - that; ऐश्वर्यं (aiśvaryaṃ) - prosperity; समासाद्य (samāsādya) - having attained; दर्पः (darpaḥ) - pride; माम् (mām) - to me; अगमत् (agamat) - came; तदा (tadā) - then; सहस्रं (sahasraṃ) - a thousand; हि (hi) - indeed; द्विजातीनाम् (dvijātīnām) - of twice-borns (brāhmaṇas, etc.); उवाह (uvāha) - carried; शिबिकां (śibikāṃ) - palanquin; मम (mama) - my;]
(That prosperity having attained, pride to me came then. A thousand indeed of twice-borns carried the palanquin my.)
Having attained that prosperity, pride came to me then. Indeed, a thousand twice-borns carried my palanquin. (03-177-8)
ऐश्वर्यमदमत्तोऽहमवमन्य ततो द्विजान्। इमामगस्त्येन दशामानीतः पृथिवीपते ॥०३-१७७-९॥
aiśvaryamadamatto'ham avamanya tato dvijān. imām agastyena daśām ānītaḥ pṛthivīpate ॥03-177-9॥
[ऐश्वर्यमदमत्तः (aiśvarya-mada-mattaḥ) - intoxicated by pride of sovereignty; अहम् (aham) - I; अवमन्य (avamanya) - disregarding; ततः (tataḥ) - then; द्विजान् (dvijān) - the twice-born (brahmins); इमाम् (imām) - this; अगस्त्येन (agastyena) - by Agastya; दशाम् (daśām) - condition; आनीतः (ānītaḥ) - brought; पृथिवीपते (pṛthivīpate) - O lord of the earth;]
(I, intoxicated by pride of sovereignty, disregarding then the twice-born, this condition by Agastya brought, O lord of the earth.)
O lord of the earth, because I was intoxicated by the pride of sovereignty and then disregarded the twice-born, I have been brought to this condition by Agastya. (03-177-9)
न तु मामजहात्प्रज्ञा यावदद्येति पाण्डव। तस्यैवानुग्रहाद्राजन्नगस्त्यस्य महात्मनः ॥०३-१७७-१०॥
na tu mām ajahāt prajñā yāvat adya eti pāṇḍava। tasya eva anugrahāt rājan agastyasya mahātmanaḥ ॥03-177-10॥
[न (na) - not; तु (tu) - but; माम् (mām) - me; अजहात् (ajahāt) - has not abandoned; प्रज्ञा (prajñā) - wisdom; यावत् (yāvat) - as long as; अद्य (adya) - today; एति (eti) - comes; पाण्डव (pāṇḍava) - O Pāṇḍava; तस्यैव (tasya eva) - of him alone; अनुग्रहात् (anugrahāt) - by favor; राजन् (rājan) - O king; अगस्त्यस्य (agastyasya) - of Agastya; महात्मनः (mahātmanaḥ) - the great soul;]
(But wisdom has not abandoned me as long as today comes, O Pāṇḍava. By the favor of him alone, O king, of Agastya the great soul.)
But, O Pāṇḍava, wisdom has not abandoned me even to this day, solely due to the grace of that great-souled Agastya, O king. (03-177-10)
षष्ठे काले ममाहारः प्राप्तोऽयमनुजस्तव। नाहमेनं विमोक्ष्यामि न चान्यमभिकामये ॥०३-१७७-११॥
ṣaṣṭhe kāle mamāhāraḥ prāpto'yananujas tava। nāhamenaṃ vimokṣyāmi na cānyamabhikāmaye ॥03-177-11॥
[षष्ठे (ṣaṣṭhe) - in the sixth; (locative singular, 'ṣaṣṭha'—sixth); काले (kāle) - at the time; (locative singular, 'kāla'—time); मम (mama) - my; (genitive singular, 'asmad'—I); आहारः (āhāraḥ) - food; (nominative singular, 'āhāra'—food); प्राप्तः (prāptaḥ) - obtained; (past participle, masculine singular, 'prāpta'—obtained); अयम् (ayam) - this; (nominative singular, masculine, 'idam'); अनुजः (anujaḥ) - younger brother; (nominative singular, 'anuja'—younger brother); तव (tava) - your; (genitive singular, 'tvam'—you); न (na) - not; (negation); अहम् (aham) - I; (nominative singular, 'asmad'—I); एनम् (enam) - him; (accusative masculine singular, 'enam'); विमोक्ष्यामि (vimokṣyāmi) - will release; (future first person singular, 'vi-muc'—to release); न (na) - not; (negation); च (ca) - and; (conjunction); अन्यं (anyam) - other; (accusative masculine singular, 'anya'); अभिकामये (abhikāmaye) - I desire; (first person singular, 'abhi-kām'—to desire);]
(In the sixth time, my food obtained, this is your younger brother. I will not release him, nor do I desire another.)
At the sixth time, my food has arrived—this is your younger brother. I will not let him go, nor do I desire anyone else. (03-177-11)
प्रश्नानुच्चारितांस्तु त्वं व्याहरिष्यसि चेन्मम। अथ पश्चाद्विमोक्ष्यामि भ्रातरं ते वृकोदरम् ॥०३-१७७-१२॥
praśnān-uc-caritāṁs-tu tvaṁ vyāhariṣyasi cen mama। atha paścād-vimokṣyāmi bhrātaraṁ te vṛkodaram॥03-177-12॥
[प्रश्नान्-उच्चारितान् (praśnān-uc-caritān) - questions—spoken; तु (tu) - however; त्वं (tvaṁ) - you; व्याहरिष्यसि (vyāhariṣyasi) - will utter; चेत् (cet) - if; मम (mama) - to me; अथ (atha) - then; पश्चात् (paścāt) - afterward; विमोक्ष्यामि (vimokṣyāmi) - I will release; भ्रातरम् (bhrātaram) - the brother; ते (te) - your; वृकोदरम् (vṛkodaram) - Vṛkodara;]
(Questions—spoken however you will utter if to me, then afterward I will release the brother your, Vṛkodara.)
If you answer my spoken questions, then afterward I will release your brother, Vṛkodara. (03-177-12)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
[युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - Yudhishthira; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Yudhishthira said;)
Yudhishthira said.
ब्रूहि सर्प यथाकामं प्रतिवक्ष्यामि ते वचः। अपि चेच्छक्नुयां प्रीतिमाहर्तुं ते भुजङ्गम ॥०३-१७७-१३॥
brūhi sarpa yathākāmaṃ prativakṣyāmi te vacaḥ। api cecchaknuyāṃ prītim āhartuṃ te bhujaṅgama ॥03-177-13॥
[ब्रूहि (brūhi) - speak; (imperative) सर्प (sarpa) - serpent; यथा (yathā) - as; just as; कामं (kāmaṃ) - you please; (your wish; as you desire;) प्रतिवक्ष्यामि (prativakṣyāmi) - I will reply; ते (te) - to you; वचः (vacaḥ) - words; अपि (api) - even; चेत् (cet) - if; शक्नुयाम् (śaknuyām) - I might be able; प्रीतिम् (prītim) - affection; love; आहर्तुम् (āhartum) - to bring; to obtain; ते (te) - your; भुजङ्गम् (bhujaṅgam) - serpent;]
(Speak, serpent, as you please, I will reply to your words. Even if I might be able to bring your affection, serpent.)
Speak, O serpent, as you desire; I will answer your words. If only I might be able to win your affection, O serpent. (03-177-13)
वेद्यं यद्ब्राह्मणेनेह तद्भवान्वेत्ति केवलम्। सर्पराज ततः श्रुत्वा प्रतिवक्ष्यामि ते वचः ॥०३-१७७-१४॥
vedyaṃ yad brāhmaṇena iha tad bhavān vettī kevalam। sarpa-rāja tataḥ śrutvā prativakṣyāmi te vacaḥ॥03-177-14॥
[वेद्यं (vedyaṃ) - to be known; to be understood; यत् (yad) - which; what; ब्राह्मणेन (brāhmaṇena) - by the Brāhmaṇa; by the learned one; इह (iha) - here; in this place; तत् (tad) - that; भवान् (bhavān) - you (with respect); वेत्ति (vetti) - know; understand; केवलम् (kevalam) - only; exclusively; सर्पराज (sarpa-rāja) - O king of serpents; ततः (tataḥ) - then; after that; श्रुत्वा (śrutvā) - having heard; प्रतिवक्ष्यामि (prativakṣyāmi) - I shall reply; I will answer; ते (te) - to you; वचः (vacaḥ) - word; speech;]
(That which is to be known here by the Brāhmaṇa, you know only, O king of serpents; then, having heard (it), I shall reply your word.)
O king of serpents, whatever is to be known here by the Brāhmaṇa, you alone know that; therefore, after hearing it, I shall answer your statement. (03-177-14)
सर्प उवाच॥
sarpa uvāca॥
[सर्प (sarpa) - serpent; snake; उवाच (uvāca) - said; spoke;]
(Serpent said;)
The serpent said.
ब्राह्मणः को भवेद्राजन्वेद्यं किं च युधिष्ठिर। ब्रवीह्यतिमतिं त्वां हि वाक्यैरनुमिमीमहे ॥०३-१७७-१५॥
brāhmaṇaḥ ko bhaved rājan vedyaṃ kiṃ ca yudhiṣṭhira। bravīhy atimatiṃ tvāṃ hi vākyair anumimīmahe ॥03-177-15॥
[ब्राह्मणः (brāhmaṇaḥ) - brāhmaṇa; (a) Brāhmaṇa (one belonging to the Brāhmaṇa class); कः (kaḥ) - who; (which person); भवेत् (bhavet) - could be; (might be); राजन् (rājan) - O king; (vocative of rājan); वेद्यम् (vedyam) - to be known; (what should be known); किम् (kim) - what; (what is); च (ca) - and; (also); युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - Yudhiṣṭhira; (proper noun, vocative); ब्रवीहि (bravīhi) - speak; (please declare); अतिमतिं (atimatiṃ) - (one with) great wisdom; (very wise); त्वाम् (tvām) - you; (object, accusative); हि (hi) - indeed; (certainly); वाक्यैः (vākyaiḥ) - by words; (with (these) statements); अनुमिमीमहे (anumimīmahe) - we infer; (we perceive);]
(Brāhmaṇa who could be, O king? To be known what and, Yudhiṣṭhira, speak. (As) one of great wisdom you indeed, by words, we infer.)
O king Yudhiṣṭhira, who can be called a Brāhmaṇa, and what is to be known? Please speak; for by your words we indeed perceive you as one of great wisdom. (03-177-15)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
[युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - Yudhiṣṭhira; (proper noun); उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Yudhiṣṭhira said;)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
सत्यं दानं क्षमा शीलमानृशंस्यं दमो घृणा। दृश्यन्ते यत्र नागेन्द्र स ब्राह्मण इति स्मृतः ॥०३-१७७-१६॥
satyaṃ dānaṃ kṣamā śīlam ānṛśaṃsyaṃ damaḥ ghṛṇā। dṛśyante yatra nāgendra sa brāhmaṇa iti smṛtaḥ ॥03-177-16॥
[सत्यं (satyaṃ) - truth; दानं (dānam) - generosity; क्षमा (kṣamā) - forbearance; शीलम् (śīlam) - good character; आनृशंस्यं (ānṛśaṃsyaṃ) - non-cruelty; दमः (damaḥ) - self-restraint; घृणा (ghṛṇā) - compassion; दृश्यन्ते (dṛśyante) - are seen; यत्र (yatra) - where; नागेन्द्र (nāgendra) - O king of serpents; सः (saḥ) - he; ब्राह्मणः (brāhmaṇaḥ) - brāhmaṇa; इति (iti) - thus; स्मृतः (smṛtaḥ) - is regarded;]
(Truth, generosity, forbearance, good character, non-cruelty, self-restraint, compassion—where these are seen, O king of serpents, he is regarded as a brāhmaṇa thus.)
Where truth, generosity, forbearance, character, non-cruelty, self-restraint, and compassion are found, O king of serpents, he is recognized as a brāhmaṇa. (03-177-16)
वेद्यं सर्प परं ब्रह्म निर्दुःखमसुखं च यत्। यत्र गत्वा न शोचन्ति भवतः किं विवक्षितम् ॥०३-१७७-१७॥
vedyaṃ sarpa paraṃ brahma nirduḥkhamasukhaṃ ca yat। yatra gatvā na śocanti bhavataḥ kiṃ vivakṣitam॥03-177-17॥
[वेद्यं (vedyam) - that which is to be known; सर्प (sarpa) - serpent; परं (param) - supreme; ब्रह्म (brahma) - Brahman; निर्दुःखम् (nirduḥkham) - free from suffering; असुखं (asukham) - without pleasure; च (ca) - and; यत् (yat) - which; यत्र (yatra) - where; गत्वा (gatvā) - having gone; न (na) - not; शोचन्ति (śocanti) - they grieve; भवतः (bhavataḥ) - of you; किं (kiṃ) - what; विवक्षितम् (vivakṣitam) - intended (to be said);]
(That which is to be known, serpent, supreme Brahman, free from suffering, without pleasure, and which—where having gone, they do not grieve—of you, what (is) intended (to be said)?)
What is your intended meaning regarding the supreme Brahman, the ultimate reality to be known, the serpent, that is free from suffering and without pleasure, where, having attained, one does not grieve? (03-177-17)
सर्प उवाच॥
sarpa uvāca॥
[सर्प (sarpa) - serpent; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(serpent said)
The serpent said.
चातुर्वर्ण्यं प्रमाणं च सत्यं च ब्रह्म चैव ह। शूद्रेष्वपि च सत्यं च दानमक्रोध एव च ॥ आनृशंस्यमहिंसा च घृणा चैव युधिष्ठिर ॥०३-१७७-१८॥
cāturvarṇyaṃ pramāṇaṃ ca satyaṃ ca brahma caiva ha। śūdreṣv api ca satyaṃ ca dānam akrodha eva ca ॥ ānṛśaṃsyam ahiṃsā ca ghṛṇā caiva yudhiṣṭhira ॥03-177-18॥
[चातुर्वर्ण्यं (cāturvarṇyam) - the system of four social classes; प्रमाणं (pramāṇam) - authority; measure; च (ca) - and; सत्यं (satyaṃ) - truth; च (ca) - and; ब्रह्म (brahma) - Brahman; the Veda; चैव (caiva) - and indeed; ह (ha) - verily; शूद्रेष्वपि (śūdreṣv api) - even in Śūdras; च (ca) - and; सत्यं (satyaṃ) - truth; च (ca) - and; दानम् (dānam) - generosity; gift; अक्रोध (akrodha) - absence of anger; एव (eva) - indeed; च (ca) - and; आनृशंस्यं (ānṛśaṃsyam) - compassion; अहिंसा (ahiṃsā) - nonviolence; च (ca) - and; घृणा (ghṛṇā) - compassion; pity; चैव (caiva) - and indeed; युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - O Yudhiṣṭhira;]
(The system of four social classes, authority, and truth, and Brahman indeed verily; even in Śūdras also truth and generosity, the absence of anger indeed and; compassion, nonviolence, and compassion indeed, O Yudhiṣṭhira.)
The fourfold division of society, authority, truth, and Brahman truly exist; even among the Śūdras, there are truthfulness, generosity, freedom from anger; and also compassion, nonviolence, and pity, O Yudhiṣṭhira. (03-177-18)
वेद्यं यच्चात्थ निर्दुःखमसुखं च नराधिप। ताभ्यां हीनं पदं चान्यन्न तदस्तीति लक्षये ॥०३-१७७-१९॥
vedyaṃ yaccāttha nirduḥkhamasukhaṃ ca narādhipa। tābhyāṃ hīnaṃ padaṃ cānyanna tadastīti lakṣaye ॥03-177-19॥
[वेद्यं (vedyam) - that which is to be known; यच्च (yac ca) - and which; आत्त (ātta) - you said; निर्दुःखम् (nirduḥkham) - free from pain; असुखम् (asukham) - without pleasure; च (ca) - and; नराधिप (narādhipa) - O king; ताभ्यां (tābhyām) - from both these; हीनं (hīnam) - devoid; पदं (padam) - state; च (ca) - and; अन्यत् (anyat) - other; न (na) - not; तदस्ति (tad asti) - that exists; इति (iti) - thus; लक्षये (lakṣaye) - I understand;]
(That which is to be known, and which you said is free from pain and without pleasure, O king, a state devoid of both these, other than that, I do not see that such exists, thus I understand.)
O king, that which is to be known and which you described as free from pain and without pleasure—apart from a state devoid of both, I understand that no other such state exists. (03-177-19)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
[युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - Yudhiṣṭhira; (proper noun); उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Yudhiṣṭhira said;)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
शूद्रे चैतद्भवेल्लक्ष्यं द्विजे तच्च न विद्यते। न वै शूद्रो भवेच्छूद्रो ब्राह्मणो न च ब्राह्मणः ॥०३-१७७-२०॥
śūdre caitadbhavellakṣyaṃ dvije tacca na vidyate. na vai śūdro bhavecchūdro brāhmaṇo na ca brāhmaṇaḥ ॥03-177-20॥
[शूद्रे (śūdre) - in a Śūdra; च (ca) - and; एतद्भवेत् (etad bhavet) - this may occur; लक्ष्यं (lakṣyam) - sign (mark); द्विजे (dvije) - in a twice-born; तत् (tat) - that; च (ca) - and; न (na) - not; विद्यते (vidyate) - is (exists); न (na) - not; वै (vai) - indeed; शूद्रः (śūdraḥ) - a Śūdra; भवेत् (bhavet) - may be (becomes); शूद्रः (śūdraḥ) - a Śūdra; ब्राह्मणः (brāhmaṇaḥ) - a Brāhmaṇa; न (na) - not; च (ca) - and; ब्राह्मणः (brāhmaṇaḥ) - a Brāhmaṇa;]
(In a Śūdra also this sign may occur, in a twice-born that does not exist. Not indeed a Śūdra may be a Śūdra, a Brāhmaṇa not and a Brāhmaṇa.)
This sign may also appear in a Śūdra, but not in a twice-born; indeed, a Śūdra does not always remain a Śūdra, nor does a Brāhmaṇa always remain a Brāhmaṇa. (03-177-20)
यत्रैतल्लक्ष्यते सर्प वृत्तं स ब्राह्मणः स्मृतः। यत्रैतन्न भवेत्सर्प तं शूद्रमिति निर्दिशेत् ॥०३-१७७-२१॥
yatra etat lakṣyate sarpa-vṛttaṃ sa brāhmaṇaḥ smṛtaḥ। yatra etan na bhavet sarpa taṃ śūdram iti nirdiśet॥03-177-21॥
[यत्र (yatra) - where; एतत् (etat) - this; लक्ष्यते (lakṣyate) - is perceived; सर्प (sarpa) - serpent; वृत्तं (vṛttam) - behavior; सः (saḥ) - he; ब्राह्मणः (brāhmaṇaḥ) - brahman; स्मृतः (smṛtaḥ) - is regarded; यत्र (yatra) - where; एतत् (etat) - this; न (na) - not; भवेत् (bhavet) - exists; सर्प (sarpa) - serpent; तं (taṃ) - him; शूद्रम् (śūdram) - śūdra; इति (iti) - thus; निर्दिशेत् (nirdiśet) - should indicate;]
(Where this serpent behavior is perceived, he is regarded as a brahman. Where this does not exist, serpent, him as a śūdra thus should indicate. (03-177-21))
Where this serpent-like behavior is perceived, he is regarded as a brahman, but where this is not found, O serpent, him you should designate as a śūdra. (03-177-21)
यत्पुनर्भवता प्रोक्तं न वेद्यं विद्यतेति ह। ताभ्यां हीनमतीत्यात्र पदं नास्तीति चेदपि ॥०३-१७७-२२॥
yat punar bhavatā proktam na vedyam vidyate iti ha। tābhyām hīnam atītya atra padam nāsti iti cet api॥03-177-22॥
[यत् (yat) - which; पुनः (punar) - again; भवता (bhavatā) - by you; प्रोक्तं (proktam) - spoken; न (na) - not; वेद्यं (vedyam) - knowable; विद्यते (vidyate) - exists; इति (iti) - thus; ह (ha) - indeed; ताभ्यां (tābhyām) - than these two; हीनम् (hīnam) - devoid; अतीत्य (atītya) - having crossed; अत्र (atra) - here; पदं (padam) - state; नास्ति (nāsti) - does not exist; इति (iti) - thus; चेत् (cet) - if; अपि (api) - even;]
(Which again by you was spoken: 'the knowable does not exist'—indeed; than these two, having gone beyond, here state does not exist, thus if even.)
If, however, you assert again, 'that which is to be known does not exist', indeed; and if it is said that, having gone beyond both (knower and known), here no state exists—if even so. (03-177-22)
एवमेतन्मतं सर्प ताभ्यां हीनं न विद्यते। यथा शीतोष्णयोर्मध्ये भवेन्नोष्णं न शीतता ॥०३-१७७-२३॥
evam etan mataṃ sarpa tābhyāṃ hīnaṃ na vidyate। yathā śītoṣṇayor madhye bhaven noṣṇaṃ na śītatā ॥03-177-23॥
[एवम् (evam) - thus; एतत् (etat) - this; मतम् (matam) - view; सर्प (sarpa) - O serpent; ताभ्याम् (tābhyām) - from both of them; हीनं (hīnaṃ) - absent; न (na) - not; विद्यते (vidyate) - exists; यथा (yathā) - just as; शीतोष्णयोः (śītoṣṇayoḥ) - of cold and heat; मध्ये (madhye) - in the middle; भवेत् (bhavet) - there is; न (na) - not; ऊष्णम् (ūṣṇam) - heat; न (na) - not; शीतता (śītatā) - coldness;]
(Thus, this view, O serpent, from both of them absent does not exist. Just as in the middle of cold and heat, there is not heat, not coldness.)
O serpent, thus this view is not found without both elements, just as in the middle of cold and heat, there is neither heat nor coldness. (03-177-23)
एवं वै सुखदुःखाभ्यां हीनमस्ति पदं क्वचित्। एषा मम मतिः सर्प यथा वा मन्यते भवान् ॥०३-१७७-२४॥
evaṁ vai sukha-duḥkhābhyāṁ hīnam asti padaṁ kvacit। eṣā mama matiḥ sarpa yathā vā manyate bhavān॥03-177-24॥
[एवं (evaṁ) - thus; वै (vai) - indeed; सुखदुःखाभ्यां (sukha-duḥkhābhyām) - from pleasure and pain; हीनम् (hīnam) - devoid; अस्ति (asti) - there is; पदं (padaṁ) - state; क्वचित् (kvacit) - anywhere; एषा (eṣā) - this; मम (mama) - my; मतिः (matiḥ) - opinion; सर्प (sarpa) - serpent; यथा (yathā) - as; वा (vā) - or; मन्यते (manyate) - thinks; भवान् (bhavān) - you (respectful);]
(Thus indeed from pleasure and pain, devoid is state anywhere. This my opinion, serpent, as or thinks you.)
Thus, indeed, nowhere is there a state devoid of pleasure and pain. This is my opinion, O serpent, or as you may think. (03-177-24)
सर्प उवाच॥
sarpa uvāca ॥
[सर्प (sarpa) - serpent; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Serpent said;)
The serpent said.
यदि ते वृत्ततो राजन्ब्राह्मणः प्रसमीक्षितः। व्यर्था जातिस्तदायुष्मन्कृतिर्यावन्न दृश्यते ॥०३-१७७-२५॥
yadi te vṛttato rājan brāhmaṇaḥ prasamīkṣitaḥ। vyarthā jātiḥ tad āyuṣman kṛtiḥ yāvat na dṛśyate॥03-177-25॥
[यदि (yadi) - if; ते (te) - your; वृत्ततः (vṛttataḥ) - by conduct; राजन् (rājan) - O king; ब्राह्मणः (brāhmaṇaḥ) - brāhmaṇa; प्रसमीक्षितः (prasamīkṣitaḥ) - examined; व्यर्था (vyarthā) - useless; जातिः (jātiḥ) - birth; तत् (tat) - that; आयुष्मन् (āyuṣman) - O long-lived one; कृतिः (kṛtiḥ) - action; यावन् (yāvat) - as long as; न (na) - not; दृश्यते (dṛśyate) - is seen;]
(If by your conduct, O king, a brāhmaṇa is examined, useless is (his) birth, O long-lived one, that action as long as (it) is not seen.)
If, O king, a brāhmaṇa is judged by your conduct, then, O long-lived one, his birth is useless until right action is evident. (03-177-25)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
[युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - Yudhishthira; (proper noun, name of a person); उवाच (uvāca) - said; (he spoke);]
(Yudhishthira said;)
Yudhishthira said.
जातिरत्र महासर्प मनुष्यत्वे महामते। सङ्करात्सर्ववर्णानां दुष्परीक्ष्येति मे मतिः ॥०३-१७७-२६॥
jātir atra mahāsarpa manuṣyatve mahāmate। saṅkarāt sarvavarṇānāṃ duṣparīkṣya iti me matiḥ॥03-177-26॥
[जातिः (jātiḥ) - kind; caste; birth-group; अत्र (atra) - here; महासर्प (mahāsarpa) - O great serpent; मनुष्यत्वे (manuṣyatve) - in human condition; महामते (mahāmate) - O great-minded one; सङ्करात् (saṅkarāt) - due to mixing; सर्ववर्णानाम् (sarvavarṇānām) - of all varṇas; दुष्परीक्ष्य (duṣparīkṣya) - hard to examine; इति (iti) - thus; मे (me) - to me; मतिः (matiḥ) - opinion;]
(Kind here, O great serpent, in human condition, O great-minded one, due to mixing of all varṇas, hard to examine—thus to me is the opinion.)
O great serpent, my opinion is that here, in human existence, due to the mixing of all varṇas, caste is hard to determine. (03-177-26)
सर्वे सर्वास्वपत्यानि जनयन्ति यदा नराः। वाङ्मैथुनमथो जन्म मरणं च समं नृणाम् ॥०३-१७७-२७॥
sarve sarvāsvapatyāni janayanti yadā narāḥ। vāṅmaithunamatho janma maraṇaṃ ca samaṃ nṛṇām ॥03-177-27॥
[सर्वे (sarve) - all; सर्वासु (sarvāsu) - in all (women); अपत्यानि (apatyāni) - offspring; जनयन्ति (janayanti) - produce; यदा (yadā) - when; नराः (narāḥ) - men; वाङ्मैथुनम् (vāṅmaithunam) - verbal intercourse; अथ (atha) - then; उ (u) - indeed; जन्म (janma) - birth; मरणम् (maraṇam) - death; च (ca) - and; समम् (samam) - equal; नृणाम् (nṛṇām) - of men;]
(All men produce offspring in all women, when (there is) verbal intercourse, then indeed birth and death are equal for men.)
When all men beget offspring in all women through verbal intercourse, then birth and death are equal for men. (03-177-27)
इदमार्षं प्रमाणं च ये यजामह इत्यपि। तस्माच्छीलं प्रधानेष्टं विदुर्ये तत्त्वदर्शिनः ॥०३-१७७-२८॥
idam ārṣaṃ pramāṇaṃ ca ye yajāmaha ity api. tasmāc chīlaṃ pradhāneṣṭaṃ vidur ye tattvadarśinaḥ ॥03-177-28॥
[इदम् (idam) - this; आर्षम् (ārṣam) - of the ṛṣis; प्रमाणम् (pramāṇam) - authority; च (ca) - and; ये (ye) - those who; यजामह (yajāmaha) - we worship; इति (iti) - thus; अपि (api) - also; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; शीलम् (śīlam) - conduct; प्रधानेष्टम् (pradhāna iṣṭam) - primarily desired; विदुः (viduḥ) - know; ये (ye) - those who; तत्त्वदर्शिनः (tattvadarśinaḥ) - knowers of reality;]
(This authority of the ṛṣis and also 'those whom we worship,' thus; therefore, conduct is primarily desired, know those who are knowers of reality.)
Those who are knowers of reality know that this, the authority of the ṛṣis and even saying 'those whom we worship,' therefore, conduct is considered chiefly desirable. (03-177-28)
प्राङ्नाभिवर्धनात्पुंसो जातकर्म विधीयते। तत्रास्य माता सावित्री पिता त्वाचार्य उच्यते ॥०३-१७७-२९॥
prāṅ-nābhi-vardhanāt puṁso jātakarma vidhīyate। tatra asya mātā sāvitri pitā tu ācārya ucyate॥03-177-29॥
[प्राङ्नाभिवर्धनात् (prāṅ-nābhi-vardhanāt) - before umbilical cord increase (i.e., before the umbilical cord develops; prāk-before, nābhi-umbilicus, vardhana-increase, ablative); पुंसः (puṁsaḥ) - of a male; जातकर्म (jātakarma) - birth ritual; विधीयते (vidhīyate) - is performed; तत्र (tatra) - there; अस्य (asya) - of him; माता (mātā) - mother; सावित्री (sāvitri) - Sāvitrī (name or designation); पिता (pitā) - father; तु (tu) - but; आचार्य (ācārya) - teacher; उच्यते (ucyate) - is called;]
(Before the increase of the umbilical cord, the birth ritual of a male is performed. There, his mother is Sāvitrī; the father, however, is called the teacher.)
Prior to the growth of the umbilical cord, a male's birth ritual is performed; there, his mother is called Sāvitrī, and his father, however, is called the teacher. (03-177-29)
वृत्त्या शूद्रसमो ह्येष यावद्वेदे न जायते। अस्मिन्नेवं मतिद्वैधे मनुः स्वायम्भुवोऽब्रवीत् ॥०३-१७७-३०॥
vṛttyā śūdrasamo hy eṣa yāvad vede na jāyate. asminn evaṃ matidvaidhe manuḥ svāyambhuvo 'bravīt ॥03-177-30॥
[वृत्त्या (vṛttyā) - by conduct; शूद्रसमः (śūdrasamaḥ) - equal to a Śūdra; हि (hi) - indeed; एष (eṣa) - he; यावत् (yāvat) - as long as; वेदे (vede) - in the Veda; न (na) - not; जायते (jāyate) - is born (initiated); अस्मिन्न् (asmin) - in this; एवम् (evam) - thus; मतिद्वैधे (matidvaidhe) - in this duality of opinion; मनुः (manuḥ) - Manu; स्वायम्भुवः (svāyambhuvaḥ) - the son of Svāyambhuva (Self-existent); अब्रवीत् (abravīt) - spoke;]
(By conduct equal to a Śūdra indeed is he, as long as in the Veda not is born. In this thus duality of opinion, Manu, the son of Svāyambhu, spoke.)
He is, by conduct, like a Śūdra indeed, as long as he is not born (initiated) in the Veda. On this matter, in such a duality of opinion, Manu, the son of Svāyambhu, spoke. (03-177-30)
कृतकृत्याः पुनर्वर्णा यदि वृत्तं न विद्यते। सङ्करस्तत्र नागेन्द्र बलवान्प्रसमीक्षितः ॥०३-१७७-३१॥
kṛtakṛtyāḥ punarvarṇā yadi vṛttaṃ na vidyate। saṅkarastatra nāgendra balavānprasamīkṣitaḥ ॥03-177-31॥
[कृतकृत्याः (kṛtakṛtyāḥ) - those who have accomplished their purpose; पुनर्वर्णा (punarvarṇā) - those of varied descriptions again; यदि (yadi) - if; वृत्तं (vṛttaṃ) - condition; न (na) - not; विद्यते (vidyate) - is found; सङ्करः (saṅkaraḥ) - mixing; तत्र (tatra) - there; नागेन्द्र (nāgendra) - O best of serpents; बलवान् (balavān) - strong; प्रसमीक्षितः (prasamīkṣitaḥ) - considered;]
(Those who have accomplished their purpose, again of varied description, if condition is not found, mixing there, O best of serpents, (is) considered strong.)
O best of serpents, when those who have accomplished their purpose, again of varied description, if the condition is not found, mixing is considered strong there. (03-177-31)
यत्रेदानीं महासर्प संस्कृतं वृत्तमिष्यते। तं ब्राह्मणमहं पूर्वमुक्तवान्भुजगोत्तम ॥०३-१७७-३२॥
yatre dānīṃ mahāsarpa saṃskṛtaṃ vṛttamiṣyate। taṃ brāhmaṇamahaṃ pūrvamuktavānbhujagottama ॥03-177-32॥
[यत्र (yatra) - where; इदानीं (idānīṃ) - now; महासर्प (mahāsarpa) - great serpent; संस्कृतं (saṃskṛtam) - Sanskrit (language); वृत्तम् (vṛttam) - uttered; इष्यते (iṣyate) - is thought; तं (taṃ) - that; ब्राह्मणम् (brāhmaṇam) - Brahmin; अहम् (aham) - I; पूर्वम् (pūrvam) - previously; उक्तवान् (uktavān) - declared; भुजगोत्तम (bhujagottama) - O best of serpents;]
(Where now, O great serpent, Sanskrit is uttered, that Brahmin I previously declared, O best of serpents.)
O best of serpents, where now Sanskrit is spoken, that Brahmin I had previously identified, O great serpent. (03-177-32)
सर्प उवाच॥
sarpa uvāca॥
[सर्प (sarpa) - serpent; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Serpent said.)
The serpent said.
श्रुतं विदितवेद्यस्य तव वाक्यं युधिष्ठिर। भक्षयेयमहं कस्माद्भ्रातरं ते वृकोदरम् ॥०३-१७७-३३॥
śrutaṃ viditavedyasya tava vākyaṃ yudhiṣṭhira। bhakṣayeyam ahaṃ kasmād bhrātaraṃ te vṛkodaram ॥03-177-33॥
[श्रुतं (śrutam) - heard; विदितवेद्यस्य (viditavedyasya) - of one to whom what should be known is known; तव (tava) - your; वाक्यं (vākyaṃ) - statement; युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - Yudhiṣṭhira; भक्षयेयम् (bhakṣayeyam) - I would eat; अहं (ahaṃ) - I; कस्मात् (kasmāt) - why; भ्रातरं (bhrātaram) - brother; ते (te) - your; वृकोदरम् (vṛkodaram) - Vṛkodara (Bhīma);]
(Heard, of one-to-whom what-should-be-known is known, your statement, Yudhiṣṭhira. I would eat, I, why, brother, your, Vṛkodara.)
I have heard your statement, Yudhiṣṭhira, you to whom what is to be known is known. Why should I eat your brother, Vṛkodara (Bhīma)? (03-177-33)
