03.197
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
kaścid-dvijāti-pravaro vedādhyāyī tapodhanaḥ। tapasvī dharmaśīlaś-ca kauśiko nāma bhārata ॥03-197-1॥
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)
sāṅgopaniṣadān vedān adhīte dvija-sattamaḥ। sa vṛkṣa-mūle kasmiṁścid vedān uccārayan sthitaḥ ॥03-197-2॥
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)
upariṣṭācca vṛkṣasya balākā saṃnyalīyata। tayā purīṣam utsṛṣṭaṃ brāhmaṇasya tadopari ॥03-197-3॥
Above the tree, a crane settled, and she dropped excrement right upon the Brāhmaṇa. (03-197-3)
tām avekṣya tataḥ kruddhaḥ samapadhyāyata dvijaḥ। bhṛśaṃ krodhābhibhūtena balākā sā nirīkṣitā ॥03-197-4॥
Seeing her, then angry, the twice-born reflected. The heron was intensely gazed at by one overpowered by anger. (03-197-4)
apadhyātā ca vipreṇa nyapatad vasudhātale. balākāṃ patitāṃ dṛṣṭvā gata-sattvām acetanām॥ kāruṇyād abhisantaptaḥ paryaśocata tāṃ dvijaḥ॥03-197-5॥
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)
akāryaṃ kṛtavānasmi rāga-dveṣa-balāt kṛtaḥ। ity uktvā bahuśo vidvān grāmaṃ bhaikṣāya saṃśritaḥ ॥03-197-6॥
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)
grāme śucīni pracaran kulāni bharatarṣabha। praviṣṭas tat-kulaṃ yatra pūrvaṃ caritavāṃs tu saḥ॥03-197-7॥
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)
dehīti yācamāno vai tiṣṭhety uktaḥ striyā tataḥ। śaucaṃ tu yāvat kurute bhājanasya kuṭumbinī ॥03-197-8॥
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)
etasminn-antare rājan-kṣudhā-sampīḍito bhṛśam| bhartā praviṣṭaḥ sahasā tasyā bharata-sattama ॥03-197-9॥
Meanwhile, O King, severely oppressed by hunger, her husband, best among the Bharatas, suddenly entered. (03-197-9)
sā tu dṛṣṭvā patiṃ sādhvī brāhmaṇaṃ vyapahāya tam। pādyam ācamanīyaṃ ca dadau bhartre tathāsanam॥03-197-10॥
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)
prahvā paryacaraccāpi bhartāram asitekṣaṇā। āhāreṇātha bhakṣyaiś ca vākyaiḥ sumadhurais tathā ॥03-197-11॥
The dark-eyed woman, humbly served her husband, by means of food, eatables, and likewise with very sweet words. (03-197-11)
ucchiṣṭaṃ bhuñjate bhartuḥ sā tu nityaṃ yudhiṣṭhira। daivataṃ ca patiṃ mene bhartuś-cittānusāriṇī ॥03-197-12॥
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)
na karmaṇā na manasā nātyaśnān nāpi cāpibat। taṃ sarvabhāvopagatā patiśuśrūṣaṇe ratā ॥03-197-13॥
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)
sādhvā-cārā śucir-dakṣā kuṭumbasya hitaiṣiṇī | bhartuś-cāpi hitaṃ yat-tat-satataṃ sānuvartrate ॥03-197-14॥
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)
devatātithibhṛtyānāṃ śvaśrūśvaśurayostathā। śuśrūṣaṇaparā nityaṃ satataṃ saṃyatendriyā ॥03-197-15॥
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)
sā brāhmaṇaṃ tadā dṛṣṭvā saṃsthitaṃ bhaikṣakāṅkṣiṇam। kurvatī patiśuśrūṣāṃ sasmārātha śubhekṣaṇā ॥03-197-16॥
Then the auspicious-eyed woman, while serving her husband, saw the Brahmin standing there seeking alms and remembered (something or someone). (03-197-16)
vrīḍitā sābhavatsādhvī tadā bharatasattama. bhikṣāmādāya viprāya nirjagāma yaśasvinī ॥03-197-17॥
O best of the Bharatas, then the illustrious and virtuous lady, feeling ashamed, having taken alms for the brahmin, went out. (03-197-17)
brāhmaṇa uvāca॥
The brāhmaṇa said.
kim idaṁ bhavati tvaṁ māṁ tiṣṭheti uktvā varāṅgane. uparodhaṁ kṛtavatī na visarjitavaty asi ॥03-197-18॥
"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)
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
brāhmaṇaṃ krodha-santaptaṃ jvalantam iva tejasā। dṛṣṭvā sādhvī manuṣyendra sāntva-pūrvaṃ vaco 'bravīt ॥03-197-19॥
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)
kṣantum arhasi me vipra bhartā me daivataṃ mahat। sa cāpi kṣudhitaḥ śrāntaḥ prāptaḥ śuśrūṣito mayā ॥03-197-20॥
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)
brāhmaṇa uvāca॥
The Brāhmaṇa said.
brāhmaṇā na garīyāṃso garīyāṃs te patiḥ kṛtaḥ। gṛhasthadharme vartantī brāhmaṇān avamanyase ॥03-197-21॥
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)
indro'py eṣāṃ praṇamate kiṃ punar mānuṣā bhuvi। avalipte na jānīṣe vṛddhānāṃ na śrutaṃ tvayā ॥ brāhmaṇā hy agnisadṛśā daheyuḥ pṛthivīm api ॥03-197-22॥
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)
stry uvāca॥
The woman said.
nāvajānāmy ahaṃ viprān devais tulyān manasvinaḥ। aparādham imaṃ vipra kṣantum arhasi me 'nagha ॥03-197-23॥
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)
jānāmi tejo viprāṇāṃ mahābhāgyaṃ ca dhīmatām। apeyaḥ sāgaraḥ krodhātkṛto hi lavaṇodakaḥ ॥03-197-24॥
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)
tathaiva dīptatapasāṃ munīnāṃ bhāvitātmanām। yeṣāṃ krodhāgniradyāpi daṇḍake nopaśāmyati॥03-197-25॥
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)
brāhmaṇānāṃ paribhavād vātāpiś ca durātmavān। agastyam ṛṣim āsādya jīrṇaḥ krūro mahāsuraḥ ॥03-197-26॥
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)
prabhāvā bahavaś cāpi śrūyante brahmavādinām। krodhaḥ suviphulo brahman prasādaś ca mahātmanām॥03-197-27॥
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)
asmin tv atikrame brahman kṣantum arhasi me 'nagha। patiśuśrūṣayā dharmo yaḥ sa me rocate dvija ॥03-197-28॥
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)
daivateṣv api sarveṣu bhartā me daivataṃ param | aviśeṣeṇa tasyāhaṃ kuryāṃ dharmaṃ dvijottama ॥03-197-29॥
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)
śuśrūṣāyāḥ phalaṃ paśya patyuḥ brāhmaṇa yādṛśam. balākā hi tvayā dagdhā roṣāt tad viditaṃ mama ॥03-197-30॥
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)
krodhaḥ śatruḥ śarīrastho manuṣyāṇāṃ dvijottama। yaḥ krodhamohau tyajati taṃ devā brāhmaṇaṃ viduḥ ॥03-197-31॥
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)
yo vaded iha satyāni guruṃ santoṣayet ca. hiṃsitaś ca na hiṃset taṃ devā brāhmaṇaṃ viduḥ ॥03-197-32॥
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)
jitendriyo dharmaparaḥ svādhyāyanirataḥ śuciḥ। kāmakrodhau vaśe yasya taṃ devā brāhmaṇaṃ viduḥ॥03-197-33॥
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)
yasya cātmasamo loko dharmajñasya manasvinaḥ। sarvadharmeṣu ca ratastaṃ devā brāhmaṇaṃ viduḥ ॥03-197-34॥
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)
yo'dhyāpyedadhīyīta yajedvā yājayīta vā. dadyādvāpi yathāśakti taṃ devā brāhmaṇaṃ viduḥ ॥03-197-35॥
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)
brahmacārī ca vedān-anyo adhīyīta dvijottamaḥ। svādhyāye cāpramatto vai taṃ devā brāhmaṇaṃ viduḥ॥03-197-36॥
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)
yadbrāhmaṇānāṃ kuśalaṃ tadeṣāṃ parikīrtayet। satyaṃ tathā vyāharatāṃ nānṛte ramate manaḥ॥03-197-37॥
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)
dhanaṁ tu brāhmaṇasyāhuḥ svādhyāyaṁ damamārjavam | indriyāṇāṁ nigrahaṁ ca śāśvataṁ dvijasattama || satyārjave dharmamāhuḥ paraṁ dharmavido janāḥ ||03-197-38||
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)
durjñeyaḥ śāśvato dharmaḥ sa tu satye pratiṣṭhitaḥ. śrutipramāṇo dharmaḥ syāditi vṛddhānuśāsanam ॥03-197-39॥
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)
bahudhā dṛśyate dharmaḥ sūkṣma eva dvijottama. bhavān api ca dharmajñaḥ svādhyāyanirataḥ śuciḥ ॥ na tu tattvena bhagavan dharmān vetsi iti me matiḥ ॥03-197-40॥
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)
mātāpitṛbhyāṁ śuśrūṣuḥ satyavādī jitendriyaḥ। mithilāyāṁ vasan vyādhaḥ sa te dharmān pravakṣyati॥ tatra gacchasva bhadraṁ te yathākāmaṁ dvijottama॥03-197-41॥
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)
atyuktam api me sarvaṃ kṣantum arhasi anindita. striyo hi avadhyāḥ sarveṣām ye dharmaviduṣaḥ janāḥ ॥03-197-42॥
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)
brāhmaṇa uvāca॥
The Brāhmaṇa said.
prīto'smi tava bhadraṃ te gataḥ krodhaś ca śobhane। upālambhas tvayā hy ukto mama niḥśreyasaṃ param ॥ svasti te'stu gamiṣyāmi sādhayiṣyāmi śobhane ॥03-197-43॥
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)
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Markandeya said.
tayā visṛṣṭo nirgamy svameva bhavanaṃ yayau। vinindans dvijo''tmānaṃ kauśiko narasattama ॥03-197-44॥
Set free by her, the brahmin Kauśika, best of men, went out to his own house, blaming himself. (03-197-44)
