03.190
maṇḍūkopākhyānam
The tale of the frog.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
bhūya eva brāhmaṇamahābhāgyaṃ vaktum arhasi ity abravīt pāṇḍaveyo mārkaṇḍeyam ॥03-190-1॥
The son of Pāṇḍu said to Mārkaṇḍeya, "You should speak again about the great fortune of the Brāhmaṇa." (03-190-1)
athācaṣṭa mārkaṇḍeyaḥ ॥03-190-2॥
Then Mārkaṇḍeya spoke. (03-190-2)
ayodhyāyām ikṣvākukulotpannaḥ pārthivaḥ parikṣinnāma mṛgayām agamat ॥03-190-3॥
A king named Parikṣin, born in the Ikṣvāku lineage in Ayodhyā, went hunting. (03-190-3)
tam-ekāśvena mṛgam-anusarantam mṛgaḥ dūram-apāharat ॥03-190-4॥
As he, following the deer with his single horse, the deer carried him far away. (03-190-4)
athādhvani jātaśramaḥ kṣut-tṛṣṇābhibhūtaś ca kasmiṁścid uddeśe nīlaṁ vanaśaṇḍam apaśyat tac ca viveśa ॥03-190-5॥
Then, while on the journey, becoming weary and overcome by hunger and thirst, he saw a dark-blue grove in a certain place and entered it. (03-190-5)
tatas tasya vanaṣaṇḍasya madhye'tīva ramaṇīyaṃ saro dṛṣṭvā sāśva eva vyagāhata ॥03-190-6॥
Then, having seen a very beautiful lake in the middle of that forest-grove, he entered it with his horse. (03-190-6)
athāśvastaḥ sa bisamṛṇālam aśvasya agre nikṣipya puṣkariṇī-tīre samāviśat ॥03-190-7॥
Then, feeling relieved, he placed the lotus-fibre before the horse and entered upon the bank of the pond. (03-190-7)
tataḥ śayāno madhuraṃ gītaśabdam aśṛṇot ॥03-190-8॥
Then, while lying down, he heard the sweet sound of singing (03-190-8)
sa śrutvā cintayat neha manuṣya-gatiṁ paśyāmi kasya khalv ayaṁ gīta-śabda iti ॥03-190-9॥
He, having heard it, thought: "I do not perceive any human movement here. Whose indeed is this singing sound?" (03-190-9)
athāpaśyat kanyāṃ paramarūpadarśanīyāṃ puṣpāṇy avacinvatīṃ gāyantīṃ ca ॥03-190-10॥
Then he saw a maiden of exquisite beauty, who was gathering flowers and singing. (03-190-10)
atha sā rājñaḥ samīpe paryakrāmat ॥03-190-11॥
Then she approached near the king. (03-190-11)
tām abravīd rājā kasyāsi subhage tvam iti ॥03-190-12॥
The king said to her, 'O fortunate lady, whose are you?' (03-190-12)
sā pratyuvāca kanyā asmi iti ॥03-190-13॥
She replied, "I am a girl." (03-190-13)
tāṁ rājovāca arthī tvayāhamiti ॥03-190-14॥
The king said to her: 'I am a supplicant to you.' (03-190-14)
athovāca kanyā samayenāhaṃ śakyā tvayā labdhum nānyatheti ॥03-190-15॥
Then the girl said: "I can be gained by you only by agreement, not otherwise." (03-190-15)
tāṃ rājā samayam apṛcchat ॥03-190-16॥
The king asked her about the agreement. (03-190-16)
tataḥ kanyedamuvāca udakaṃ me na darśayitavyamiti ॥03-190-17॥
Then the maiden said, "Water must not be shown to me." (03-190-17)
sa rājā bāḍham ity uktvā tāṃ samāgamya tayā saha āste ॥03-190-18॥
The king, having said, "Indeed," approached her and stayed together with her. (03-190-18)
tatraivāsīne rājani senānvagacchat padenānupadaṃ dṛṣṭvā rājānaṃ parivāryātiṣṭhat ॥03-190-19॥
There itself, as the king was seated, the army followed on foot, step by step; seeing the king, they surrounded him and stood. (03-190-19)
paryāśvastaś ca rājā tayaiva saha śibikayā prāyād avighāṭitayā sva-nagaram anuprāpya rahasi tayā saha ramann āste nānyat kiñcanāpaśyat ॥03-190-20॥
Reassured, the king departed secretly by palanquin with her alone, reached his own city, and staying with her in private, enjoyed himself; he saw nothing else. (03-190-20)
atha pradhānāmātyas tasyābhyāśacarāḥ striyo'pṛcchat kim atra prayojanaṃ vartata iti ॥03-190-21॥
Then the chief minister, whose attendants were nearby, asked the women, "What is the purpose here?" (03-190-21)
athābruvaṃstāḥ striyaḥ apūrvamiva paśyāma udakaṃ nātra nīyatetīti ॥03-190-22॥
Then those women said: "It appears as if we see unprecedented water, but water is not brought here." (03-190-22)
athāmātyo'nudakaṃ vanaṃ kārayitvodāravṛkṣaṃ bahumūlapuṣpaphalaṃ rahasyupagamya rājānamabravīt vanamidamudāramanudakam sādhatra ramyatāmiti ॥03-190-23॥
Then the minister, after creating a waterless forest filled with noble trees and abundant roots, flowers, and fruits, privately approached the king and said, "This forest is noble and without water; it would be good to enjoy here." (03-190-23)
sa tasya vacanāt tayā eva saha devyā tad vanaṃ prāviśat sa kadācit tasmin vane ramye tayā eva saha vyavaharati atha kṣut-tṛṣṇā-arditaḥ śrāntaḥ atimātram ati-mukta-āgāram apaśyat ॥03-190-24॥
He, following her word, entered that forest together with the goddess herself. Once, while he was in that pleasant forest, he spent time with her. Then, afflicted by hunger and thirst and greatly fatigued, he saw an abandoned house. (3-190-24)
tat praviśya rājā saha priyayā sudhātala-sukṛtāṃ vimala-salila-pūrṇāṃ vāpīm apaśyat ॥03-190-25॥
Then the king, together with his beloved, entered and saw a reservoir, beautifully built on a nectarean foundation and filled with pure water. (03-190-25)
dṛṣṭvaiva ca tāṃ tasyā eva tīre sahaiva tayā devyā vyatiṣṭhat ॥03-190-26॥
He stood together with that queen on her bank, having seen her. (03-190-26)
atha tāṃ devīṃ sa rājā abravīt sādhu avatara vāpī-salilam iti ॥03-190-27॥
Then the king said to the goddess, "O virtuous one, descend into the pond water." (03-190-27)
sā tadvacaḥ śrutvā avatīrya vāpīṃ nyamajjat na punar udamajjat ॥03-190-28॥
She, having heard that speech, descended into the pond, sank, and did not rise up again. (03-190-28)
tāṃ mṛgayamāṇo rājā nāpaśyat ॥03-190-29॥
The king, seeking her, did not see (her). (03-190-29)
vāpīm api niḥsrāvya maṇḍūkaṃ śvabhramukhe dṛṣṭvā kruddha ājñāpayāmāsa sarva-maṇḍūka-vadhaḥ kriyatām iti yo may arthī sa mṛtakaiḥ maṇḍūkaiḥ upāyanaiḥ mām upatiṣṭhet iti ॥03-190-30॥
Having even drained the tank and seeing a frog in the mouth of a jackal, he became angry and ordered: 'Let all the frogs be killed in this way; whoever desires my favor must come to me with dead frogs as gifts.' (03-190-30)
atha maṇḍūkavadhe ghore kriyamāṇe dikṣu sarvāsu maṇḍūkānbhayamāviśat te bhītā maṇḍūkarājñe yathāvṛttaṁ nyavedayan ॥03-190-31॥
Then, as the dreadful slaughter of frogs was taking place in all directions, fear entered the frogs; being frightened, they reported what had happened to the frog king. (03-190-31)
tato maṇḍūkarāṭ tāpasaveṣadhārī rājānam abhyagacchat ॥03-190-32॥
Then the king of frogs, in the guise of an ascetic, approached the king. (3-190-32)
upetya ca enam uvāca
Having approached, he said to him.
mā rājan krodhavaśaṃ gamaḥ prasādaṃ kuru nār'hasi maṇḍūkānām anaparādhināṃ vadhaṃ kartum iti ॥03-190-33॥
O king, do not act in anger; be calm. You should not kill the innocent frogs in this manner. (03-190-33)
ślokau cātra bhavataḥ mā maṇḍūkāñjighāṁsa tvaṁ kopaṁ sandhārayācyuta. prakṣīyate dhanodreko janānām avijānatām ॥03-190-34॥
Here are your verses. Do not intend to harm the frogs; restrain your anger, O Acyuta. The arrogance of wealth is destroyed in those ignorant people. (03-190-34)
pratijānīhi naitāṁstvaṁ prāpya krodhaṁ vimokṣyase। alaṁ kṛtvā tavādharmāṁ maṇḍūkaiḥ kiṁ hatairhi te ॥03-190-35॥
Promise that having given way to this anger, you will not let it go. You have committed your unrighteous act — but what benefit is there to you in killing these frogs? (03-190-35)
tamevaṃvādinamiṣṭajanaśokaparītātmā rājā provāca na hi kṣamyate tanmayā haniṣyāmyetān etairdurātmabhiḥ priyā me bhakṣitā sarvathaiva me vadhyā maṇḍūkāḥ nārhasi vidvanmāmuparoddhumiti ॥03-190-36॥
To him who spoke thus, the king, whose heart was afflicted with grief for his loved ones, said: 'This is indeed not to be forgiven by me; I shall kill these, for my beloved has been eaten by these evil-minded ones. Certainly, the frogs are to be killed by me, and you, O wise one, ought not to restrain me thus.' (03-190-36)
sa tadvākyam-upalabhya vyathitendriya-manāḥ provāca prasīda rājan aham āyur-nāma maṇḍūka-rājaḥ mama sā duhitā suśobhanā nāma tasyā dauḥśīlyam etat bahavo hi rājānas tayā vipralabdha-pūrvā iti ॥03-190-37॥
Hearing those words, he, distressed in mind and senses, said: "Be gracious, O king! I am Āyuḥ, king of the frogs. That is my daughter, Suśobhanā by name. This is her wrongdoing—indeed, many kings have previously been deceived by her." (03-190-37)
tam abravīd rājā tayā asmi arthī sā me dīyatām iti ॥03-190-38॥
The king said to him: "I am a suitor for her; let her be given to me." (03-190-38)
athaināṃ rājñe pitādāt abravīc cainām enaṃ rājānaṃ śuśrūṣasveti ॥03-190-39॥
Then her father gave her to the king and said to her, "Serve this king." (03-190-39)
sa uvāca duhitaraṁ yasmāttvayā rājāno vipralabdhās tasmād abrahmaṇyāni tavāpatyāni bhaviṣyantyanṛtakattvāt taveti ॥03-190-40॥
He said to his daughter: "Because you deceived the kings, therefore your offspring shall be unworthy of the Brahmanical path, due to your untruthfulness." (03-190-40)
sa ca rājā tām upalabhya tasyāṃ surata-guṇa-nibaddha-hṛdayaḥ loka-traya-aiśvaryam iva upalabhya harṣa-bāṣpa-kalayā vācā praṇipatya abhipūjya maṇḍūka-rājānam abravīt anugṛhīto'smīti ॥03-190-41॥
And the king, having won her and with his heart bound by the quality of their union, feeling as though he had obtained the sovereignty of the three worlds, spoke with a streak of joyful tears, having bowed and honored the king of frogs: "I am favored." (03-190-41)
sa ca maṇḍūkarājo jāmatāram anujñāpya yathāgatam agacchat ॥03-190-42॥
And the king of frogs, having allowed his son-in-law, departed as he had come. (03-190-42)
atha kasyacit kālasya tasyāṃ kumārās trayas tasya rājñaḥ sambabhūvuḥ śalo dalo balaś ceti tataḥ teṣāṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ śalaṃ samaye pitā rājye'bhiṣicya tapasi dhṛtātmā vanaṃ jagāma ॥03-190-43॥
Then, after some time, three sons were born to that king by her: Śala, Dala, and Bala. Thereafter, when the time came, the father, steadfast in mind, installed the eldest, Śala, in the kingdom and went to the forest for austerities. (3-190-43)
atha kadācit śalo mṛgayām acarata mṛgaṃ ca āsādya rathena anvadhāvat ॥03-190-44॥
Then, once, Śala went hunting; having come upon a deer, he pursued it with his chariot. (03-190-44)
sūtaṃ covāca śīghraṃ māṃ vahasveti ॥03-190-45॥
He said to the charioteer, "Quickly, carry me." (03-190-45)
sa tathoktaḥ sūto rājānam abravīt mā kriyatām anubandhaḥ naiṣa śakyas tvayā mṛgo grahītuṁ yady api te rathe yuktau vāmyau syātām iti ॥03-190-46॥
Thus addressed, the charioteer said to the king: "Do not undertake the pursuit; this deer cannot be captured by you, even if you have two swift horses yoked to your chariot." (03-190-46)
tato'bravīdrājā sūtam ācakṣva me vāmyau hanmi vā tvāmiti ॥03-190-47॥
Then the king said to the charioteer, "Tell me, or by either way, I will kill you." (03-190-47)
sa evam-ukto rājabhaya-bhīto vāmadeva-śāpa-bhītaś ca san nācakhyau rājñe vāmadevasya aśvau vāmyau manojavāv iti ॥03-190-48॥
Thus addressed, being afraid both of the king and Vāmadeva's curse, he did not tell the king about Vāmadeva's two horses named Vāmya and Manojava. (03-190-48)
athainam evaṃ bruvāṇam abravīd rājā vāmadevāśramaṃ yāhīti ॥03-190-49॥
Then, as he was thus speaking, the king said, "Go to Vāmadeva's hermitage." (03-190-49)
sa gatvā vāmadevāśramaṃ tam ṛṣim abravīt bhagavan mṛgaḥ mayā viddhaḥ palāyate taṃ sambhāvayeyam arhasi me vāmyau dātum iti ॥03-190-50॥
Having gone to Vāmadeva's hermitage, he said to the sage: "O venerable one, the deer I struck is fleeing. May I secure him; you ought to consent to me with your two (eyes/lips)." (03-190-50)
tam abravīd ṛṣiḥ dadāni te vāmyau kṛtakāryeṇa bhavatā mamaiva niryātyau kṣipram iti ॥03-190-51॥
The sage said to him: "I will give you the two women; when you have accomplished my task, they shall be promptly released by me." (03-190-51)
sa ca tau aśvau pratigṛhya anujñāpya ca ṛṣim prāyāt vāmyasaṁyuktena rathena mṛgaṁ prati gacchan ca abravīt sūtam aśvaratnau imau ayogyau brāhmaṇānām na etau pratideyau vāmadevāya iti ॥03-190-52॥
He accepted those two horses, and having taken leave of the sage, departed in a left-turning chariot towards the deer. As he went, he said to the charioteer: "These two horses are not suitable to be given to brāhmaṇas, and they should not be given to Vāmadeva." (03-190-52)
evam-uktvā mṛgam avāpya sva-nagaram etya aśvān antaḥpure asthāpayat ॥03-190-53॥
After saying this and obtaining the deer, he returned to his city and placed the horses in the inner quarters. (03-190-53)
atharṣiś cintayāmāsa taruṇo rājaputraḥ kalyāṇaṃ patram āsādya ramate na me pratiniryātayati aho kaṣṭam iti ॥03-190-54॥
Then the sage thought, "The young prince, having received the good letter, rejoices and does not give it back to me. Alas, what trouble!" (03-190-54)
manasā niścitya māsi pūrṇe śiṣyam abravīt gacchātreya rājānaṃ brūhi yadi paryāptaṃ niryātayopādhyāyavāmyāv iti ॥03-190-55॥
Having mentally determined, when the month was complete, he said to his student: "Go, Ātreya, tell the king: If it is sufficient, send both us teachers." (03-190-55)
sa gatvaivaṃ taṃ rājānam abravīt ॥03-190-56॥
He then went to that king and spoke to him. (03-190-56)
taṃ rājā pratyuvāca rājñāmetadvāhanam anarhā brāhmaṇā ratnānāmevaṃvidhānām kiṃ ca brāhmaṇānāmaśvaiḥ kāryam sādhu pratigamyatāmiti ॥03-190-57॥
The king answered him: "Such a conveyance is not suitable for Brāhmaṇas; what use have Brāhmaṇas for jewels of this type or for horses? Well then, let him return." (03-190-57)
sa gatvaivam-upādhyāyāy ācaṣṭa ॥03-190-58॥
He went to the teacher and thus spoke. (03-190-58)
tac chrutvā vacanam apriyaṃ vāmadevaḥ krodhaparītātmā svayam eva rājānam abhigamya aśvārtham abhyacodayat na ca ādāt rājā ॥03-190-59॥
Hearing that unpleasant speech, Vāmadeva, filled with anger, himself approached the king and urged him for a horse, but the king did not give it. (03-190-59)
vāmadeva uvāca॥
Vāmadeva said.
prayaccha vāmyau mama pārthiva tvaṁ; kṛtaṁ hi te kāryam anyair aśakyam। mā tvā vadhīd varuṇo ghorapāśaiḥ; brahmakṣatrasyāntare vartamānaḥ॥03-190-60॥
O king, grant both of them to me; your task, impossible for others, has indeed been accomplished. Do not let Varuṇa kill you with his terrible bonds, while you dwell between Brāhmaṇa and Kṣatriya. (03-190-60)
rājovāca॥
The king said.
anaḍvāhau suvratau sādhu dāntā; veta-dviprāṇāṃ vāhanaṃ vāmadeva. tābhyāṃ yāhi tvaṃ yatra kāmo maharṣe; chandāṃsi vai tvādṛśaṃ saṃvahanti ॥03-190-61॥
O Vāmadeva, these two bullock-carts, of good conduct and tamed, are the vehicles of the Brāhmaṇas. With these two, go wherever you desire, O great sage; indeed, the Vedic meters bear (those) like yourself. (03-190-61)
vāmadeva uvāca॥
Vāmadeva said.
chandāṃsi vai mādṛśaṃ saṃvahanti; loke'muṣmin pārthiva yāni santi. asmin tu loke mama yānam etad asmad-vidhānām apareṣāṃ ca rājan ॥03-190-62॥
O king, it is said that the Vedic metres indeed support one such as myself—in that other world, whatever exist there. But in this world, this is the vehicle for myself, for others like me, and for others as well, O king. (03-190-62)
rājovāca॥
The king said.
catvāro vā gardabhās tvāṃ vahantu; śreṣṭhāśvataryo harayo vā turaṅgāḥ. tais tvaṃ yāhi kṣatriyasya eṣa vāhaḥ; mama vāmyau na tava etau hi viddhi ॥03-190-63॥
Let four asses carry you, or excellent mules, or horses, or quick steeds. Go with those; this is the vehicle of a kṣatriya. Know that these two mules are mine, not yours. (03-190-63)
vāmadeva uvāca॥
Vāmadeva said.
ghoraṃ vrataṃ brāhmaṇasyaitadāhu; retadraājanyadihājīvamānaḥ| ayasmayā ghorarūpā mahānto; vahantu tvāṃ śitaśūlāścaturdhā ॥03-190-64॥
They say this is a terrible vow of a Brahmin; semen, when a Kṣatriya lives here. Let the great and terrible ones made of iron, carrying sharp spears in four directions, bear you away. (03-190-64)
rājovāca॥
The king said.
ye tvā vidur brāhmaṇaṃ vāmadeva; vācā hantuṃ manasā karmaṇā vā. te tvāṃ saśiṣyam iha pātayantu; mad-vākyanunnāḥ śitaśūlāsihastāḥ ॥03-190-65॥
Those who know you as a Brahmin, O Vāmadeva, and who seek to slay you by words, mind, or action—may they, together with their disciples, here bring about your downfall, being driven by my words, bearing sharp spears and swords in their hands. (03-190-65)
vāmadeva uvāca॥
Vāmadeva said.
nānuyogā brāhmaṇānāṃ bhavanti; vācā rājanmanasā karmaṇā vā. yastvevaṃ brahma tapasānveti vidvāṃ; stena śreṣṭho bhavati hi jīvamānaḥ ॥03-190-66॥
There are indeed various occupations for brāhmaṇas—by speech, O king, by mind, or by action; but the wise one who thus attains brahman through austerity, even while living, becomes superior to a thief. (03-190-66)
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Markandeya said.
evam-ukte vāmadevena rāja;nsamuttasthū rākṣasā ghorarūpāḥ. taiḥ śūlahastairvadhyamānaḥ sa rājā; provācedaṃ vākyamuccaistadānīm ॥03-190-67॥
When these words were spoken by Vāmadeva, O King, the terrible-looking demons arose. As the king was being attacked by those spear-wielding beings, he loudly uttered this speech at that moment. (03-190-67)
ikṣvākavo yadi brahman-dalo vā; vidheyā me yadi vāanye viśo'pi. notsrakṣye'haṃ vāmadevasya vāmyau; naivaṃvidhā dharmaśīlā bhavanti ॥03-190-68॥
Even if the Ikṣvāku dynasty, the group of Brāhmaṇas, or any other tribes should be obedient to me, I will not abandon the two wives of Vāmadeva; people of such righteous character do not act in this way. (3-190-68)
evaṁ bruvanneva sa yātudhānaiḥ; hataḥ jagāmāśu mahīṁ kṣitīśaḥ। tato viditvā nṛpatiṁ nipātitam ikṣvākavaḥ vai dalam abhyaṣiñcan ॥03-190-69॥
While thus speaking, he was killed by the demons, and the king quickly passed to the earth. Then, knowing that the king had fallen, the Ikṣvākus indeed anointed the group. (03-190-69)
rājye tadā tatra gatvā sa vipraḥ; provācedaṁ vacanaṁ vāmadevaḥ। dalaṁ rājānaṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ hi deya; mevaṁ rājansarvadharmeṣu dṛṣṭam ॥03-190-70॥
Then, having gone there in the kingdom, that brāhmaṇa, Vāmadeva, said this speech: "A share for the king and for the brāhmaṇas indeed should be given; thus, O king, this is seen in all dharmic practices." (03-190-70)
bibheṣi cet tvam adharmān narendra; prayaccha me śīghram eva adya vāmyau. etat śrutvā vāmadevasya vākyam; sa pārthivaḥ sūtam uvāca roṣāt ॥03-190-71॥
"If you fear unrighteous conduct, O king, then grant me the two right away, today." Hearing this statement of Vāmadeva, the king angrily spoke to the charioteer. (03-190-71)
ekaṃ hi me sāyakaṃ citrarūpaṃ; digdhaṃ viṣeṇāhara saṅgṛhītam। yena viddho vāmadevaḥ śayīta; sandaśyamānaḥ śvabhir ārtarūpaḥ ॥03-190-72॥
Indeed, I have this one arrow of mine, having a varied appearance, smeared with poison, taken today; by which, if pierced, Vāmadeva would lie in distress, being bitten by dogs. (3-190-72)
vāmadeva uvāca॥
Vāmadeva said.
jānāmi putraṃ daśavarṣaṃ tavāhaṃ; jātaṃ mahiṣyāṃ śyenajitaṃ narendra. taṃ jahi tvaṃ mad-vacanāt praṇunna; stūrṇaṃ priyaṃ sāyakair ghorarūpaiḥ ॥03-190-73॥
O king, I know your ten-year-old son Śyenajita, born of your chief queen. Urged by my words, you kill that dear one swiftly with arrows of fearful form. (3-190-73)
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
evamukto vāmadevena rājann antaḥpure rājaputraṃ jaghāna. sa sāyakastigmatejā visṛṣṭaḥ; śrutvā dalas tacca vākyaṃ babhāṣe ॥03-190-74॥
Thus, addressed by Vāmadeva, O King, within the inner chambers, he struck the prince. The arrow of fierce energy, when released, and hearing the words of the troop, he spoke (thus). (03-190-74)
ikṣvākavo hanta carāmi vaḥ priyaṃ; nihanmīmaṃ vipramadya pramathya. ānīyatāmaparastigmatejāḥ; paśyadhvaṃ me vīryamadya kṣitīśāḥ ॥03-190-75॥
O descendants of Ikṣvāku, indeed I will do what is dear to you; I will kill this Brāhmaṇa today, having subdued him. Let another powerful one be brought—see my strength today, O kings. (03-190-75)
vāmadeva uvāca॥
Vāmadeva said.
yaṃ tvam enaṃ sāyakaṃ ghorarūpaṃ; viṣeṇa digdhaṃ mama saṃdadhāsi. na tvam enaṃ śaravaryaṃ vimoktuṃ; sandhātuṃ vā śakṣyasi mānavendra ॥03-190-76॥
The terrible, poison-smeared arrow which you are placing for me—O king of men, you will not be able to either shoot or even fit this excellent arrow (to the bow). (03-190-76)
rājovāca॥
The king said.
ikṣvākavaḥ paśyata māṃ gṛhītaṃ; na vai śaknomyeṣa śaraṃ vimoktum. na cāsya kartuṃ nāśamabhyutsahāmi; āyuṣmān vai jīvatu vāmadevaḥ ॥03-190-77॥
O Ikṣvākus, look at me, I have been seized; indeed, I am unable to release this arrow. Nor am I able to destroy him. Truly, may the long-lived Vāmadeva live. (03-190-77)
vāmadeva uvāca॥
Vāmadeva said;
saṁspṛśaināṁ mahiṣīṁ sāyakena; tatas tasmādenaso mokṣyase tvam. mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Touch this she-buffalo with an arrow; then you will be freed from that sin. Markandeya said.
tatas tathā kṛtavān pārthivas tu; tato muniṃ rājaputrī babhāṣe. yathā yuktaṃ vāmadeva aham enaṃ; dine dine saṃviśantī vyaśaṃsam ॥03-190-79॥
Then, the king did as prescribed; afterwards, the princess spoke to the sage. She said, “O Vāmadeva, as is proper, I used to report everything to him each day as I entered.” (03-190-79)
brāhmaṇebhyo mṛgayantī sūnṛtāni; tathā brahman puṇyalokaṃ labheyam ॥03-190-79॥
Seeking to please the Brāhmaṇas with pleasing words—thus, O Brahman, may I attain the world of merit. (03-190-79)
vāmadeva uvāca॥
Vāmadeva said.
tvayā trātaṁ rājakulaṁ śubhekṣaṇe; varaṁ vṛṇīṣvāpratimaṁ dadāni te. praśādhīmaṁ svajanaṁ rājaputri; ikṣvākurājyaṁ sumahaccāpyanindye ॥03-190-80॥
You have protected the royal family, O auspicious-eyed one; choose an unparalleled boon—I will give it to you. Rule your own people, O princess; and the exceedingly great kingdom of Ikṣvāku is also yours, O blameless one. (3-190-80)
rājaputry uvāca॥
The princess said.
varaṁ vṛṇe bhagavannekameva; vimucyatāṁ kilbiṣādadya bhartā. śivena cādhyāhi saputrabāndhavaṁ; varo vṛto hyeṣa mayā dvijāgrya ॥03-190-81॥
O Lord, I choose only one boon: let my husband be freed from sin today. With auspiciousness, may you also protect him along with his son and relatives. This is the boon I have chosen indeed, O best of Brāhmaṇas. (03-190-81)
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Markandeya said.
śrutvā vacaḥ sa munī rājaputryā; stathāstviti prāha kurupravīra. tataḥ sa rājā mudito babhūva; vāmyau cāsmai sampradadau praṇamya ॥03-190-82॥
Hearing the princess's words, the sage said, "So be it," to the hero of the Kuru clan. Then the king, delighted, became happy and, after bowing, gave the two maidens to him. (03-190-82)
