05.104
गालवचरितम्
The story of Gālava.
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya said:
अनर्थे जातनिर्बन्धं परार्थे लोभमोहितम्। अनार्यकेष्वभिरतं मरणे कृतनिश्चयम् ॥५-१०४-१॥
One who becomes resolute in disaster, is deluded by greed for the sake of others, takes pleasure in unworthy deeds, and is determined upon death. (5-104-1)
ज्ञातीनां दुःखकर्तारं बन्धूनां शोकवर्धनम्। सुहृदां क्लेशदातारं द्विषतां हर्षवर्धनम् ॥५-१०४-२॥
one who brings sorrow to his family, increases grief for his relatives, causes suffering to his friends, and increases the joy of his enemies (5-104-2)
कथं नैनं विमार्गस्थं वारयन्तीह बान्धवाः। सौहृदाद्वा सुहृत्स्निग्धो भगवान्वा पितामहः ॥५-१०४-३॥
Why do not his relatives restrain him here, though he is on the wrong path? Either out of friendship, as affectionate friends, or as the revered grandsire? (5-104-3)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
उक्तं भगवता वाक्यमुक्तं भीष्मेण यत्क्षमम्। उक्तं बहुविधं चैव नारदेनापि तच्छृणु ॥५-१०४-४॥
The words spoken by the venerable one, and what was spoken appropriately by Bhishma, and also what was spoken in many ways by Narada—listen to that. (5-104-4)
नारद उवाच॥
Nārada said:
दुर्लभो वै सुहृच्छ्रोता दुर्लभश्च हितः सुहृत्। तिष्ठते हि सुहृद्यत्र न बन्धुस्तत्र तिष्ठति ॥५-१०४-५॥
A friend who listens is indeed hard to find, and a well-wishing friend is also rare. Wherever a friend is present, a kinsman will not remain there. (5-104-5)
श्रोतव्यमपि पश्यामि सुहृदां कुरुनन्दन। न कर्तव्यश्च निर्बन्धो निर्बन्धो हि सुदारुणः ॥५-१०४-६॥
O descendant of Kuru, I do see that one should listen to friends; but there should be no insistence, for insistence is truly very harsh. (5-104-6)
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। यथा निर्बन्धतः प्राप्तो गालवेन पराजयः ॥५-१०४-७॥
Here too they recite this ancient story, how, because of insistence, Gālava incurred defeat. (5-104-7)
विश्वामित्रं तपस्यन्तं धर्मो जिज्ञासया पुरा। अभ्यगच्छत्स्वयं भूत्वा वसिष्ठो भगवानृषिः ॥५-१०४-८॥
Long ago, Dharma, moved by curiosity, approached Viśvāmitra, who was performing austerities, becoming himself the revered sage Vasiṣṭha. (5-104-8)
सप्तर्षीणामन्यतमं वेषमास्थाय भारत। बुभुक्षुः क्षुधितो राजन्नाश्रमं कौशिकस्य ह ॥५-१०४-९॥
O Bhārata, assuming the appearance of one of the Seven Sages, being hungry and famished, O king, he indeed went to the hermitage of Kauśika. (5-104-9)
विश्वामित्रोऽथ सम्भ्रान्तः श्रपयामास वै चरुम्। परमान्नस्य यत्नेन न च स प्रत्यपालयत् ॥५-१०४-१०॥
Then Viśvāmitra, disturbed, cooked the sacrificial gruel—an excellent rice dish—with effort, and he did not wait. (5-104-10)
अन्नं तेन यदा भुक्तमन्यैर्दत्तं तपस्विभिः। अथ गृह्यान्नमत्युष्णं विश्वामित्रोऽभ्युपागमत् ॥५-१०४-११॥
When the food offered by the ascetics had been eaten by him and others, then Viśvāmitra approached, taking the very hot food. (5-104-11)
भुक्तं मे तिष्ठ तावत्त्वमित्युक्त्वा भगवान्ययौ। विश्वामित्रस्ततो राजन्स्थित एव महाद्युतिः ॥५-१०४-१२॥
Having said, "I have eaten. You, remain here for a moment," the venerable one departed. Thereafter, Viśvāmitra, O King, of great radiance, remained there. (5-104-12)
भक्तं प्रगृह्य मूर्ध्ना तद्बाहुभ्यां पार्श्वतोऽगमत्। स्थितः स्थाणुरिवाभ्याशे निश्चेष्टो मारुताशनः ॥५-१०४-१३॥
Taking the food and carrying it at his side with his arms and on his head, the wind-eating ascetic stood nearby without moving, like a pillar. (5-104-13)
तस्य शुश्रूषणे यत्नमकरोद्गालवो मुनिः। गौरवाद्बहुमानाच्च हार्देन प्रियकाम्यया ॥५-१०४-१४॥
The sage Gālava made an effort to serve him, out of respect, esteem, heartfelt affection, and a desire to please. (5-104-14)
अथ वर्षशते पूर्णे धर्मः पुनरुपागमत्। वासिष्ठं वेषमास्थाय कौशिकं भोजनेप्सया ॥५-१०४-१५॥
Then, after a hundred years had passed, Dharma came again, assuming the appearance of a Vasiṣṭha, to Kauśika, desiring food. (5-104-15)
स दृष्ट्वा शिरसा भक्तं ध्रियमाणं महर्षिणा। तिष्ठता वायुभक्षेण विश्वामित्रेण धीमता ॥५-१०४-१६॥
He saw that wise Viśvāmitra, who lived on air and was standing, with food being held in his hands by the great sage bowed in respect. (5-104-16)
प्रतिगृह्य ततो धर्मस्तथैवोष्णं तथा नवम्। भुक्त्वा प्रीतोऽस्मि विप्रर्षे तमुक्त्वा स मुनिर्गतः ॥५-१०४-१७॥
Having accepted from him in the same way the hot food and the fresh food, and having eaten, Dharma said, 'I am satisfied, O best of Brahmins,' and, saying this to him, that sage departed. (5-104-17)
क्षत्रभावादपगतो ब्राह्मणत्वमुपागतः। धर्मस्य वचनात्प्रीतो विश्वामित्रस्तदाभवत् ॥५-१०४-१८॥
Having abandoned his kṣatriya status and attained brahminhood, Viśvāmitra then, pleased by Dharma's instruction, became so. (5-104-18)
विश्वामित्रस्तु शिष्यस्य गालवस्य तपस्विनः। शुश्रूषया च भक्त्या च प्रीतिमानित्युवाच तम् । अनुज्ञातो मया वत्स यथेष्टं गच्छ गालव ॥५-१०४-१९॥
But Viśvāmitra, pleased with his ascetic disciple Gālava for his attentive service and devotion, said to him, "My dear child, you have my permission—go wherever you wish, O Gālava." (5-104-19)
इत्युक्तः प्रत्युवाचेदं गालवो मुनिसत्तमम्। प्रीतो मधुरया वाचा विश्वामित्रं महाद्युतिम् ॥५-१०४-२०॥
Thus addressed, Gālava, pleased, replied with sweet words to the greatly radiant Viśvāmitra, the most exalted sage. (5-104-20)
दक्षिणां कां प्रयच्छामि भवते गुरुकर्मणि। दक्षिणाभिरुपेतं हि कर्म सिध्यति मानवम् ॥५-१०४-२१॥
What sort of fee should I give you for your service as guru? For a human act succeeds only when accompanied by a proper fee. (5-104-21)
दक्षिणानां हि सृष्टानामपवर्गेण भुज्यते। स्वर्गे क्रतुफलं सद्भिर्दक्षिणा शान्तिरुच्यते । किमाहरामि गुर्वर्थं ब्रवीतु भगवानिति ॥५-१०४-२२॥
For it is with liberation that the gifts, once given, are enjoyed; in heaven, the fruit of sacrifice is, by the good, said to be the gift—peace. What shall I bring for the preceptor? Let the Revered One speak thus. (5-104-22)
जानमानस्तु भगवाञ्जितः शुश्रूषणेन च। विश्वामित्रस्तमसकृद्गच्छ गच्छेत्यचोदयत् ॥५-१०४-२३॥
Knowing his intent, the venerable one, having been won over by his service, Viśvāmitra repeatedly urged him, "Go, go." (5-104-23)
असकृद्गच्छ गच्छेति विश्वामित्रेण भाषितः। किं ददानीति बहुशो गालवः प्रत्यभाषत ॥५-१०४-२४॥
Though repeatedly told by Viśvāmitra, "Go, go," Gālava often replied, "What shall I give you?" (5-104-24)
निर्बन्धतस्तु बहुशो गालवस्य तपस्विनः। किञ्चिदागतसंरम्भो विश्वामित्रोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥५-१०४-२५॥
But after Gālava the ascetic persisted many times, Viśvāmitra, becoming somewhat irritated, said this: (5-104-25)
एकतःश्यामकर्णानां शतान्यष्टौ ददस्व मे। हयानां चन्द्रशुभ्राणां गच्छ गालव माचिरम् ॥५-१०४-२६॥
Give me eight hundred dark-eared horses of one kind, moon-white in color. Go, Gālava, do not delay. (5-104-26)