03.197
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
कश्चिद्द्विजातिप्रवरो वेदाध्यायी तपोधनः। तपस्वी धर्मशीलश्च कौशिको नाम भारत ॥०३-१९७-१॥
O Bharata, there was someone named Kauśika, the foremost among the twice-born, a reciter of the Vedas, endowed with austerity, an ascetic and of righteous character. (03-197-1)
साङ्गोपनिषदान्वेदानधीते द्विजसत्तमः। स वृक्षमूले कस्मिंश्चिद्वेदानुच्चारयन्स्थितः ॥०३-१९७-२॥
The foremost among the twice-born studies the Vedas along with the Upaniṣads; standing at the root of a tree somewhere, he recites the Vedas. (03-197-2)
उपरिष्टाच्च वृक्षस्य बलाका संन्यलीयत। तया पुरीषमुत्सृष्टं ब्राह्मणस्य तदोपरि ॥०३-१९७-३॥
Above the tree, a crane settled, and she dropped excrement right upon the Brāhmaṇa. (03-197-3)
तामवेक्ष्य ततः क्रुद्धः समपध्यायत द्विजः। भृशं क्रोधाभिभूतेन बलाका सा निरीक्षिता ॥०३-१९७-४॥
Seeing her, then angry, the twice-born reflected. The heron was intensely gazed at by one overpowered by anger. (03-197-4)
अपध्याता च विप्रेण न्यपतद्वसुधातले। बलाकां पतितां दृष्ट्वा गतसत्त्वामचेतनाम् ॥ कारुण्यादभिसन्तप्तः पर्यशोचत तां द्विजः ॥०३-१९७-५॥
Cursed by the brāhmaṇa, she fell to the ground. Seeing the crane fallen, lifeless and unconscious, the brāhmaṇa, deeply moved by compassion, grieved for her. (03-197-5)
अकार्यं कृतवानस्मि रागद्वेषबलात्कृतः। इत्युक्त्वा बहुशो विद्वान्ग्रामं भैक्षाय संश्रितः ॥०३-१९७-६॥
Having repeatedly said, "I have committed an improper act, made so by the power of attachment and aversion," the learned one resorted to a village for alms. (03-197-6)
ग्रामे शुचीनि प्रचरन्कुलानि भरतर्षभ। प्रविष्टस्तत्कुलं यत्र पूर्वं चरितवांस्तु सः ॥०३-१९७-७॥
O best of the Bharatas, moving about in the pure village among families, he entered that very family where he had formerly lived. (03-197-7)
देहीति याचमानो वै तिष्ठेत्युक्तः स्त्रिया ततः। शौचं तु यावत्कुरुते भाजनस्य कुटुम्बिनी ॥०३-१९७-८॥
When begging with the words ‘Give’, and being told ‘Wait’ by the woman, the housewife cleans the vessel as long as necessary. (03-197-8)
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे राजन्क्षुधासम्पीडितो भृशम्। भर्ता प्रविष्टः सहसा तस्या भरतसत्तम ॥०३-१९७-९॥
Meanwhile, O King, severely oppressed by hunger, her husband, best among the Bharatas, suddenly entered. (03-197-9)
सा तु दृष्ट्वा पतिं साध्वी ब्राह्मणं व्यपहाय तम्। पाद्यमाचमनीयं च ददौ भर्त्रे तथासनम् ॥०३-१९७-१०॥
But she, the virtuous woman, having seen her husband, set aside the brāhmaṇa, and gave to her husband water for washing his feet, water for sipping, and also a seat. (03-197-10)
प्रह्वा पर्यचरच्चापि भर्तारमसितेक्षणा। आहारेणाथ भक्ष्यैश्च वाक्यैः सुमधुरैस्तथा ॥०३-१९७-११॥
The dark-eyed woman, humbly served her husband, by means of food, eatables, and likewise with very sweet words. (03-197-11)
उच्छिष्टं भुञ्जते भर्तुः सा तु नित्यं युधिष्ठिर। दैवतं च पतिं मेने भर्तुश्चित्तानुसारिणी ॥०३-१९७-१२॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, she always ate her husband's leftovers. She regarded her husband as a deity and acted according to his wishes. (03-197-12)
न कर्मणा न मनसा नात्यश्नान्नापि चापिबत्। तं सर्वभावोपगता पतिशुश्रूषणे रता ॥०३-१९७-१३॥
She did not act, think, eat, or drink excessively; she, who was wholly devoted and engaged in the service of her husband. (03-197-13)
साध्वाचारा शुचिर्दक्षा कुटुम्बस्य हितैषिणी। भर्तुश्चापि हितं यत्तत्सततं सानुवर्तते ॥०३-१९७-१४॥
She is of virtuous conduct, pure, skilful, a well-wisher of her family; she always follows whatever is beneficial to her husband. (03-197-14)
देवतातिथिभृत्यानां श्वश्रूश्वशुरयोस्तथा। शुश्रूषणपरा नित्यं सततं संयतेन्द्रिया ॥०३-१९७-१५॥
She is always devoted to serving divinity, guests, servants, as well as mother-in-law and father-in-law, constantly practicing self-restraint. (03-197-15)
सा ब्राह्मणं तदा दृष्ट्वा संस्थितं भैक्षकाङ्क्षिणम्। कुर्वती पतिशुश्रूषां सस्माराथ शुभेक्षणा ॥०३-१९७-१६॥
Then the auspicious-eyed woman, while serving her husband, saw the Brahmin standing there seeking alms and remembered (something or someone). (03-197-16)
व्रीडिता साभवत्साध्वी तदा भरतसत्तम। भिक्षामादाय विप्राय निर्जगाम यशस्विनी ॥०३-१९७-१७॥
O best of the Bharatas, then the illustrious and virtuous lady, feeling ashamed, having taken alms for the brahmin, went out. (03-197-17)
ब्राह्मण उवाच॥
The brāhmaṇa said.
किमिदं भवति त्वं मां तिष्ठेत्युक्त्वा वराङ्गने। उपरोधं कृतवती न विसर्जितवत्यसि ॥०३-१९७-१८॥
"What is this?"—saying thus, 'You, stand by me,' O beautiful-limbed one, you have obstructed me and have not let me go. (03-197-18)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
ब्राह्मणं क्रोधसन्तप्तं ज्वलन्तमिव तेजसा। दृष्ट्वा साध्वी मनुष्येन्द्र सान्त्वपूर्वं वचोऽब्रवीत् ॥०३-१९७-१९॥
O king of men, seeing the Brahmin tormented by anger and blazing with brilliance, the virtuous woman spoke to him with gentle, conciliatory words. (03-197-19)
क्षन्तुमर्हसि मे विप्र भर्ता मे दैवतं महत्। स चापि क्षुधितः श्रान्तः प्राप्तः शुश्रूषितो मया ॥०३-१९७-२०॥
O Brāhmaṇa, you should forgive me. My husband is for me a great divinity. And he too, hungry and weary, came and was served by me. (03-197-20)
ब्राह्मण उवाच॥
The Brāhmaṇa said.
ब्राह्मणा न गरीयांसो गरीयांस्ते पतिः कृतः। गृहस्थधर्मे वर्तन्ती ब्राह्मणानवमन्यसे ॥०३-१९७-२१॥
You do not consider brahmins as superior; you regard your husband as superior. Engaged in the householder’s duties, you disparage the brahmins. (03-197-21)
इन्द्रोऽप्येषां प्रणमते किं पुनर्मानुषा भुवि। अवलिप्ते न जानीषे वृद्धानां न श्रुतं त्वया ॥ ब्राह्मणा ह्यग्निसदृशा दहेयुः पृथिवीमपि ॥०३-१९७-२२॥
Even Indra bows to these; how much more should humans on earth? O arrogant one, you do not know the elders, nothing has been heard by you. For Brāhmaṇas, truly like fire, could even burn the earth. (03-197-22)
स्त्र्युवाच॥
The woman said.
नावजानाम्यहं विप्रान्देवैस्तुल्यान्मनस्विनः। अपराधमिमं विप्र क्षन्तुमर्हसि मेऽनघ ॥०३-१९७-२३॥
I do not disregard Brāhmaṇas, these wise ones who are equal to the gods. O sinless Brāhmaṇa, you ought to forgive this offense of mine. (03-197-23)
जानामि तेजो विप्राणां महाभाग्यं च धीमताम्। अपेयः सागरः क्रोधात्कृतो हि लवणोदकः ॥०३-१९७-२४॥
I know the power of the brāhmaṇas and the great fortune of the wise. The ocean, indeed, was made salty and undrinkable from (their) anger. (03-197-24)
तथैव दीप्ततपसां मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम्। येषां क्रोधाग्निरद्यापि दण्डके नोपशाम्यति ॥०३-१९७-२५॥
Likewise, the fire of anger of those sages of blazing austerity and purified selves does not subside even today in the Dandaka (forest). (03-197-25)
ब्राह्मणानां परिभवाद्वातापिश्च दुरात्मवान्। अगस्त्यमृषिमासाद्य जीर्णः क्रूरो महासुरः ॥०३-१९७-२६॥
Because of his insult to the brāhmaṇas, the wicked-souled Vātāpi, a cruel and great asura, was digested after coming before the sage Agastya. (03-197-26)
प्रभावा बहवश्चापि श्रूयन्ते ब्रह्मवादिनाम्। क्रोधः सुविपुलो ब्रह्मन्प्रसादश्च महात्मनाम् ॥०३-१९७-२७॥
Many powers, too, are heard of among those who speak of Brahman. O Brahman, anger is very great, and so is the grace of the great-souled. (03-197-27)
अस्मिंस्त्वतिक्रमे ब्रह्मन्क्षन्तुमर्हसि मेऽनघ। पतिशुश्रूषया धर्मो यः स मे रोचते द्विज ॥०३-१९७-२८॥
O Brahman, in this transgression, you ought to forgive me, O sinless one. The righteousness that pleases me is service to my husband, O twice-born. (03-197-28)
दैवतेष्वपि सर्वेषु भर्ता मे दैवतं परम्। अविशेषेण तस्याहं कुर्यां धर्मं द्विजोत्तम ॥०३-१९७-२९॥
Even among all deities, my husband is my supreme deity; without any distinction, I should perform duty to him, O best of twice-born. (03-197-29)
शुश्रूषायाः फलं पश्य पत्युर्ब्राह्मण यादृशम्। बलाका हि त्वया दग्धा रोषात्तद्विदितं मम ॥०३-१९७-३०॥
O brāhmaṇa, behold the result of serving one's husband: the heron was burnt by you in anger; that is known to me. (03-197-30)
क्रोधः शत्रुः शरीरस्थो मनुष्याणां द्विजोत्तम। यः क्रोधमोहौ त्यजति तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः ॥०३-१९७-३१॥
Anger is an enemy dwelling in the body of humans, O best of twice-born. He who abandons anger and delusion, him the gods recognize as a Brahman. (03-197-31)
यो वदेदिह सत्यानि गुरुं सन्तोषयेत च। हिंसितश्च न हिंसेत तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः ॥०३-१९७-३२॥
He who speaks the truth here, satisfies his teacher, and, though harmed, does not harm him—the gods recognize that person as a Brāhmaṇa. (03-197-32)
जितेन्द्रियो धर्मपरः स्वाध्यायनिरतः शुचिः। कामक्रोधौ वशे यस्य तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः ॥०३-१९७-३३॥
The gods recognize as a brahmin one who has conquered his senses, is devoted to dharma, engaged in self-study, is pure, and has desire and anger under control. (03-197-33)
यस्य चात्मसमो लोको धर्मज्ञस्य मनस्विनः। सर्वधर्मेषु च रतस्तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः ॥०३-१९७-३४॥
The gods know him as a brāhmaṇa, whose mind is steadfast, who knows dharma, who regards the whole world as equal to himself, and who delights in all righteous duties. (03-197-34)
योऽध्यापयेदधीयीत यजेद्वा याजयीत वा। दद्याद्वापि यथाशक्ति तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः ॥०३-१९७-३५॥
Whoever teaches, studies, performs sacrifices, causes others to perform sacrifices, or gives as much as he is able—the gods recognize him as a Brāhmaṇa. (03-197-35)
ब्रह्मचारी च वेदान्यो अधीयीत द्विजोत्तमः। स्वाध्याये चाप्रमत्तो वै तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः ॥०३-१९७-३६॥
The celibate student, or the best among twice-born, should study the Vedas; and being diligent in self-study, him the gods recognize as a Brāhmaṇa. (03-197-36)
यद्ब्राह्मणानां कुशलं तदेषां परिकीर्तयेत्। सत्यं तथा व्याहरतां नानृते रमते मनः ॥०३-१९७-३७॥
One should declare whatever is for the welfare of the brāhmaṇas to them. The mind of those who speak the truth does not take pleasure in falsehood. (03-197-37)
धनं तु ब्राह्मणस्याहुः स्वाध्यायं दममार्जवम्। इन्द्रियाणां निग्रहं च शाश्वतं द्विजसत्तम ॥ सत्यार्जवे धर्ममाहुः परं धर्मविदो जनाः ॥०३-१९७-३८॥
But the wealth of a Brāhmaṇa, they say, is study of the Veda, self-restraint, and straightforwardness, as well as perpetual control of the senses, O best of twice-born. In truth and straightforwardness, the knower of dharma declares supreme righteousness. (03-197-38)
दुर्ज्ञेयः शाश्वतो धर्मः स तु सत्ये प्रतिष्ठितः। श्रुतिप्रमाणो धर्मः स्यादिति वृद्धानुशासनम् ॥०३-१९७-३९॥
Dharma is eternal and difficult to comprehend; yet it is established in truth. Dharma should be known by the authority of the Veda—such is the teaching of the elders. (03-197-39)
बहुधा दृश्यते धर्मः सूक्ष्म एव द्विजोत्तम। भवानपि च धर्मज्ञः स्वाध्यायनिरतः शुचिः ॥ न तु तत्त्वेन भगवन्धर्मान्वेत्सीति मे मतिः ॥०३-१९७-४०॥
Dharma is seen in many ways and is indeed subtle, O best of the twice-born. Although you also are a knower of dharma, devoted to self-study, and pure, yet my opinion is that you do not know the principles of dharma in essence, O venerable one. (03-197-40)
मातापितृभ्यां शुश्रूषुः सत्यवादी जितेन्द्रियः। मिथिलायां वसन्व्याधः स ते धर्मान्प्रवक्ष्यति ॥ तत्र गच्छस्व भद्रं ते यथाकामं द्विजोत्तम ॥०३-१९७-४१॥
The hunter dwelling in Mithilā, who serves his mother and father, speaks the truth, and has mastered his senses—he will expound the dharmas to you. Go there as you wish. Good fortune to you, O best of the twice-born. (03-197-41)
अत्युक्तमपि मे सर्वं क्षन्तुमर्हस्यनिन्दित। स्त्रियो ह्यवध्याः सर्वेषां ये धर्मविदुषो जनाः ॥०३-१९७-४२॥
O blameless one, even all that I have said excessively, you ought to forgive. Indeed, women are not to be slain by any people who know dharma. (03-197-42)
ब्राह्मण उवाच॥
The Brāhmaṇa said.
प्रीतोऽस्मि तव भद्रं ते गतः क्रोधश्च शोभने। उपालम्भस्त्वया ह्युक्तो मम निःश्रेयसं परम् ॥ स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि साधयिष्यामि शोभने ॥०३-१९७-४३॥
I am pleased with you, good be to you. My anger has left, O beautiful one. The reproach you have spoken is truly for my highest welfare. May well-being be with you. I will go and accomplish it, O beautiful one. (03-197-43)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Markandeya said.
तया विसृष्टो निर्गम्य स्वमेव भवनं ययौ। विनिन्दन्स द्विजोऽऽत्मानं कौशिको नरसत्तम ॥०३-१९७-४४॥
Set free by her, the brahmin Kauśika, best of men, went out to his own house, blaming himself. (03-197-44)
