12.029
Library: Krishna narrates the conversation between sage Narada and Sṛñjaya, where various great kings like Bharata, Bhagirata, Rama, Dilipa, Mandhata, Yayati, Nahusha, Shashibindu, Chaitraratha, Rantideva, Sagara, and Prithu are narrated, and all are dead, and hence one should not be miserable because of death.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
अव्याहरति कौन्तेये धर्मपुत्रे युधिष्ठिरे। गुडाकेशो हृषीकेशमभ्यभाषत पाण्डवः ॥१२-२९-१॥
As Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti and Dharma, remained silent, Arjuna (Guḍākeśa), the son of Pandu, spoke to Krishna (Hṛṣīkeśa).
ज्ञातिशोकाभिसन्तप्तो धर्मराजः परन्तपः। एष शोकार्णवे मग्नस्तमाश्वासय माधव ॥१२-२९-२॥
O Mādhava, the King of Dharma, scorcher of foes, is tormented by the grief of his kinsmen and is immersed in an ocean of sorrow; please console him.
सर्वे स्म ते संशयिताः पुनरेव जनार्दन। अस्य शोकं महाबाहो प्रणाशयितुमर्हसि ॥१२-२९-३॥
O Janardana, all your followers are again doubtful. O mighty-armed, you ought to dispel this sorrow.
एवमुक्तस्तु गोविन्दो विजयेन महात्मना। पर्यवर्तत राजानं पुण्डरीकेक्षणोऽच्युतः ॥१२-२९-४॥
Thus, when addressed by Vijaya, the great-souled Govinda, the lotus-eyed Acyuta, turned the king back.
अनतिक्रमणीयो हि धर्मराजस्य केशवः। बाल्यात्प्रभृति गोविन्दः प्रीत्या चाभ्यधिकोऽर्जुनात् ॥१२-२९-५॥
Keśava is truly not to be opposed by Dharmarāja. From childhood, Govinda has, out of affection, always been dearer than Arjuna.
सम्प्रगृह्य महाबाहुर्भुजं चन्दनभूषितम्। शैलस्तम्भोपमं शौरिरुवाचाभिविनोदयन् ॥१२-२९-६॥
Śauri (Krishna), grasping the sandalwood-adorned arm of the mighty-armed one, which was like a mountain pillar, spoke words of encouragement.
शुशुभे वदनं तस्य सुदंष्ट्रं चारुलोचनम्। व्याकोशमिव विस्पष्टं पद्मं सूर्यविबोधितम् ॥१२-२९-७॥
His face, adorned with beautiful teeth and lovely eyes, shone like a fully blossomed lotus made radiant by the sun.
मा कृथाः पुरुषव्याघ्र शोकं त्वं गात्रशोषणम्। न हि ते सुलभा भूयो ये हतास्मिन्रणाजिरे ॥१२-२९-८॥
O tiger among men, do not grieve and waste your body. Those who have been slain in this battlefield are not easily found again.
स्वप्नलब्धा यथा लाभा वितथाः प्रतिबोधने। एवं ते क्षत्रिया राजन्ये व्यतीता महारणे ॥१२-२९-९॥
Just as the gains acquired in a dream are found to be unreal upon waking, so too, O King, those warriors of the royal lineage have perished in the great battle.
सर्वे ह्यभिमुखाः शूरा विगता रणशोभिनः। नैषां कश्चित्पृष्ठतो वा पलायन्वापि पातितः ॥१२-२९-१०॥
All these heroes are indeed facing forward, glorious in battle; among them, not a single one has turned his back, fled, or even fallen from behind.
सर्वे त्यक्त्वात्मनः प्राणान्युद्ध्वा वीरा महाहवे। शस्त्रपूता दिवं प्राप्ता न ताञ्शोचितुमर्हसि ॥१२-२९-११॥
All those heroes, having given up their lives in the great battle and purified by weapons, have attained heaven; you should not grieve for them.
अत्रैवोदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। सृञ्जयं पुत्रशोकार्तं यथायं प्राह नारदः ॥१२-२९-१२॥
Right here, an ancient story is told: how Nārada spoke to Sṛñjaya, who was grieving for his son.
सुखदुःखैरहं त्वं च प्रजाः सर्वाश्च सृञ्जय। अविमुक्तं चरिष्यामस्तत्र का परिदेवना ॥१२-२९-१३॥
O Sṛñjaya, I, you, and all the people will live in Avimukta, whether in happiness or sorrow; so what is there to grieve about?
महाभाग्यं परं राज्ञां कीर्त्यमानं मया शृणु। गच्छावधानं नृपते ततो दुःखं प्रहास्यसि ॥१२-२९-१४॥
Hear from me of the supreme great fortune of kings, which is being praised. Go attentively, O king; then you will abandon sorrow.
मृतान्महानुभावांस्त्वं श्रुत्वैव तु महीपतीन्। श्रुत्वापनय सन्तापं शृणु विस्तरशश्च मे ॥१२-२९-१५॥
When you hear of the death of the great-souled kings, do not grieve; instead, listen to me as I tell you everything in detail.
आविक्षितं मरुत्तं मे मृतं सृञ्जय शुश्रुहि। यस्य सेन्द्राः सवरुणा बृहस्पतिपुरोगमाः ॥ देवा विश्वसृजो राज्ञो यज्ञमीयुर्महात्मनः ॥१२-२९-१६॥
O Sṛñjaya, listen: My Āvikṣita and Marutta are dead. The gods, creators of all, together with Indra, Varuṇa, and led by Bṛhaspati, went to the sacrifice of the great-souled king.
यः स्पर्धामनयच्छक्रं देवराजं शतक्रतुम्। शक्रप्रियैषी यं विद्वान्प्रत्याचष्ट बृहस्पतिः ॥ संवर्तो याजयामास यं पीडार्थं बृहस्पतेः ॥१२-२९-१७॥
He who brought rivalry to Śakra, the king of the gods, the hundred-sacrificed one; whom, desiring Śakra's favor, the wise Bṛhaspati explained. Saṃvarta caused that one to perform a sacrifice for the distress of Bṛhaspati.
यस्मिन्प्रशासति सतां नृपतौ नृपसत्तम। अकृष्टपच्या पृथिवी विबभौ चैत्यमालिनी ॥१२-२९-१८॥
When the best among kings, the king of the virtuous, ruled, the earth, with its uncultivated land, shone, adorned with shrines.
आविक्षितस्य वै सत्रे विश्वे देवाः सभासदः। मरुतः परिवेष्टारः साध्याश्चासन्महात्मनः ॥१२-२९-१९॥
At the sacrificial session of Āvikṣita, all the gods, the assembly members, the Maruts, the attendants, and the Sādhyas of the great-souled one were present.
मरुद्गणा मरुत्तस्य यत्सोममपिबन्त ते। देवान्मनुष्यान्गन्धर्वानत्यरिच्यन्त दक्षिणाः ॥१२-२९-२०॥
The Marut hosts drank the Soma offered by Marutta; those gifts surpassed those given to gods, men, and Gandharvas.
स चेन्ममार सृञ्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया। पुत्रात्पुण्यतरश्चैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथाः ॥१२-२९-२१॥
O Sṛñjaya, if my son dies, he will be four times more auspicious and more meritorious by you than your own son; therefore, do not grieve for your son.
सुहोत्रं चेद्वैतिथिनं मृतं सृञ्जय शुश्रुम। यस्मै हिरण्यं ववृषे मगह्वान्परिवत्सरम् ॥१२-२९-२२॥
O Sṛñjaya, we have heard that if Suhotra, the descendant of Vaithithi, has died, then to whom did you, O Magahvan, bestow gold for a year?
सत्यनामा वसुमती यं प्राप्यासीज्जनाधिप। हिरण्यमवहन्नद्यस्तस्मिञ्जनपदेश्वरे ॥१२-२९-२३॥
When he obtained the earth called Satya, he became the ruler of the people. In that land, the rivers brought gold for the lord of the country.
कूर्मान्कर्कटकान्नक्रान्मकराञ्शिंशुकानपि। नदीष्वपातयद्राजन्मघवा लोकपूजितः ॥१२-२९-२४॥
O king, Maghavan (Indra), honored by the world, caused tortoises, crabs, crocodiles, makaras, and śiṃśukas to fall into the rivers.
हैरण्यान्पतितान्दृष्ट्वा मत्स्यान्मकरकच्छपान्। सहस्रशोऽथ शतशस्ततोऽस्मयत वैतिथिः ॥१२-२९-२५॥
When the descendant of Vītihotra saw the fallen golden beings, fishes, crocodiles, and tortoises by the thousands and hundreds, he smiled.
तद्धिरण्यमपर्यन्तमावृत्तं कुरुजाङ्गले। ईजानो वितते यज्ञे ब्राह्मणेभ्यः समाहितः ॥१२-२९-२६॥
That endless gold, enclosed in the land of the Kurus, was offered by the attentive sacrificer to the Brāhmaṇas in the great sacrifice.
स चेन्ममार सृञ्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया। पुत्रात्पुण्यतरश्चैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथाः ॥ अदक्षिणमयज्वानं श्वैत्य संशाम्य मा शुचः ॥१२-२९-२७॥
If he has died, O Sṛñjaya, he is four times more auspicious by your action and indeed more meritorious than a son; do not grieve for your son. One who does not give dakṣiṇā, a non-sacrificer, O Śvaitya, having passed away, do not grieve for him.
अङ्गं बृहद्रथं चैव मृतं शुश्रुम सृञ्जय। यः सहस्रं सहस्राणां श्वेतानश्वानवासृजत् ॥१२-२९-२८॥
O Sṛñjaya, we have heard that Anga, Bṛhadratha too, is dead; he who released thousands upon thousands of white horses.
सहस्रं च सहस्राणां कन्या हेमविभूषिताः। ईजानो वितते यज्ञे दक्षिणामत्यकालयत् ॥१२-२९-२९॥
In the great sacrifice, the sacrificer gave as gifts thousands upon thousands of maidens adorned with gold.
शतं शतसहस्राणां वृषाणां हेममालिनाम्। गवां सहस्रानुचरं दक्षिणामत्यकालयत् ॥१२-२९-३०॥
He gave as a gift a hundred hundred-thousands of bulls adorned with gold garlands, along with thousands of cows, in great abundance.
अङ्गस्य यजमानस्य तदा विष्णुपदे गिरौ। अमाद्यदिन्द्रः सोमेन दक्षिणाभिर्द्विजातयः ॥१२-२९-३१॥
At that time, on the mountain at Vishnu's abode, Indra was gladdened by Soma and offerings, along with the twice-born (Brahmins), for the limb of the sacrificer.
यस्य यज्ञेषु राजेन्द्र शतसङ्ख्येषु वै पुनः। देवान्मनुष्यान्गन्धर्वानत्यरिच्यन्त दक्षिणाः ॥१२-२९-३२॥
O king, in whose sacrifices, again and again, the gifts given in hundreds in number surpassed those given to the gods, men, and gandharvas.
न जातो जनिता चान्यः पुमान्यस्तत्प्रदास्यति। यदङ्गः प्रददौ वित्तं सोमसंस्थासु सप्तसु ॥१२-२९-३३॥
No one born, nor any begetter, nor any other man will give that which the limb gave as wealth in the seven Soma sacrifices.
स चेन्ममार सृञ्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया। पुत्रात्पुण्यतरश्चैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथाः ॥१२-२९-३४॥
If my son has died, O Sṛñjaya, you have one who is four times more auspicious and more meritorious than a son; therefore, do not grieve for your son.
शिबिमौशीनरं चैव मृतं शुश्रुम सृञ्जय। य इमां पृथिवीं कृत्स्नां चर्मवत्समवेष्टयत् ॥१२-२९-३५॥
O Sṛñjaya, we have heard that Śibi, the descendant of Ushīnara, who had enveloped this entire earth like a hide, is dead.
महताऽ रथघोषेण पृथिवीमनुनादयन्। एकच्छत्रां महीं चक्रे जैत्रेणैकरथेन यः ॥१२-२९-३६॥
He, who, with the mighty sound of his chariot, made the earth echo and brought it under one rule with his victorious single chariot.
यावदद्य गवाश्वं स्यादारण्यैः पशुभिः सह। तावतीः प्रददौ गाः स शिबिरौशीनरोऽध्वरे ॥१२-२९-३७॥
Śibi, the king of the Uśīnaras, gave as many cows in the sacrifice as there are cows and horses today together with the animals of the forest-dwellers.
नोद्यम्तारं धुरं तस्य कञ्चिन्मेने प्रजापतिः। न भूतं न भविष्यन्तं सर्वराजसु भारत ॥ अन्यत्रौशीनराच्छैब्याद्राजर्षेरिन्द्रविक्रमात् ॥१२-२९-३८॥
O Bharata, Prajapati considered that, among all kings, there was no one in the past or future who could bear his burden, except for the royal sage of Indra-like prowess, from Ushinara and Shaibya.
स चेन्ममार सृञ्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया। पुत्रात्पुण्यतरश्चैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथाः ॥ अदक्षिणमयज्वानं तं वै संशाम्य मा शुचः ॥१२-२९-३९॥
If he has died, O Sṛñjaya, know that by you he is four times more blessed and more meritorious than a son; do not grieve for your son. Understand that one who does not give gifts and does not perform sacrifices is not worthy of sorrow.
भरतं चैव दौःषन्तिं मृतं सृञ्जय शुश्रुम। शाकुन्तलिं महेष्वासं भूरिद्रविणतेजसम् ॥१२-२९-४०॥
O Sṛñjaya, we have heard that Bharata, the son of Duḥṣanta, the descendant of Śakuntalā, the great archer endowed with great wealth and energy, is dead.
यो बद्ध्वा त्रिंशतो ह्यश्वान्देवेभ्यो यमुनामनु। सरस्वतीं विंशतिं च गङ्गामनु चतुर्दश ॥१२-२९-४१॥
He who, having bound thirty horses for the gods along the Yamunā, twenty along the Sarasvatī, and fourteen along the Gaṅgā.
अश्वमेधसहस्रेण राजसूयशतेन च। इष्टवान्स महातेजा दौःषन्तिर्भरतः पुरा ॥१२-२९-४२॥
Long ago, Bharata, the illustrious descendant of Duḥṣanta, performed a thousand aśvamedha and a hundred rājasūya sacrifices.
भरतस्य महत्कर्म सर्वराजसु पार्थिवाः। खं मर्त्या इव बाहुभ्यां नानुगन्तुमशक्नुवन् ॥१२-२९-४३॥
The great deed of Bharata among all kings was such that the other earthly kings, like mortals trying to reach the sky with their arms, were unable to follow him.
परं सहस्राद्यो बद्ध्वा हयान्वेदीं विचित्य च। सहस्रं यत्र पद्मानां कण्वाय भरतो ददौ ॥१२-२९-४४॥
Bharata, having tied horses beyond a thousand and constructed the altar, gave a thousand lotuses to Kaṇva.
स चेन्ममार सृञ्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया। पुत्रात्पुण्यतरश्चैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथाः ॥१२-२९-४५॥
If my son dies, O Sṛñjaya, he is by you four times more auspicious and indeed more meritorious than your son; therefore, do not grieve for your son.
रामं दाशरथिं चैव मृतं शुश्रुम सृञ्जय। योऽन्वकम्पत वै नित्यं प्रजाः पुत्रानिवौरसान् ॥१२-२९-४६॥
O Sṛñjaya, we have heard that Rāma, the son of Daśaratha, is dead—the one who always showed compassion to his subjects as if they were his own sons.
विधवा यस्य विषये नानाथाः काश्चनाभवन्। सर्वस्यासीत्पितृसमो रामो राज्यं यदान्वशात् ॥१२-२९-४७॥
When Rama ruled the kingdom, there was not a single widow without a protector in his territory. Rama was like a father to all.
कालवर्षाश्च पर्जन्याः सस्यानि रसवन्ति च। नित्यं सुभिक्षमेवासीद्रामे राज्यं प्रशासति ॥१२-२९-४८॥
When Rāma ruled the kingdom, there were timely rains, the clouds poured, the crops were full of sap, and there was always abundance.
प्राणिनो नाप्सु मज्जन्ति नानर्थे पावकोऽदहत्। न व्यालजं भयं चासीद्रामे राज्यं प्रशासति ॥१२-२९-४९॥
When Rāma ruled the kingdom, living beings did not drown in water, fire did not burn in calamity, and there was no fear from serpents.
आसन्वर्षसहस्राणि तथा पुत्रसहस्रिकाः। अरोगाः सर्वसिद्धार्थाः प्रजा रामे प्रशासति ॥१२-२९-५०॥
During the reign of Rāma, the subjects lived for thousands of years, had thousands of sons, were free from disease, and all their aims were fulfilled.
नान्योन्येन विवादोऽभूत्स्त्रीणामपि कुतो नृणाम्। धर्मनित्याः प्रजाश्चासन्रामे राज्यं प्रशासति ॥१२-२९-५१॥
There was no quarrel among women, so how could there be among men? The subjects were steadfast in dharma when Rāma ruled the kingdom.
नित्यपुष्पफलाश्चैव पादपा निरुपद्रवाः। सर्वा द्रोणदुघा गावो रामे राज्यं प्रशासति ॥१२-२९-५२॥
When Rāma ruled the kingdom, the trees always bore flowers and fruits, were free from disturbance, and all cows yielded a drona of milk.
स चतुर्दश वर्षाणि वने प्रोष्य महातपाः। दशाश्वमेधाञ्जारूथ्यानाजहार निरर्गलान् ॥१२-२९-५३॥
After spending fourteen years in the forest, the great ascetic performed ten Aśvamedha sacrifices with all proper rites and without any hindrance.
श्यामो युवा लोहिताक्षो मत्तवारणविक्रमः। दश वर्षसहस्राणि रामो राज्यमकारयत् ॥१२-२९-५४॥
Rama, dark-complexioned, youthful, and red-eyed, possessing the strength of an intoxicated elephant, ruled the kingdom for ten thousand years.
स चेन्ममार सृञ्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया। पुत्रात्पुण्यतरश्चैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथाः ॥१२-२९-५५॥
If he has died, O Sṛñjaya, he is by you four times more blessed and indeed more meritorious than your son; therefore, do not grieve for your son.
भगीरथं च राजानं मृतं शुश्रुम सृञ्जय। यस्येन्द्रो वितते यज्ञे सोमं पीत्वा मदोत्कटः ॥१२-२९-५६॥
O Sṛñjaya, we have heard that Bhagīratha, the king, is dead; in whose grand sacrifice Indra, having drunk Soma, became intoxicated.
असुराणां सहस्राणि बहूनि सुरसत्तमः। अजयद्बाहुवीर्येण भगवान्पाकशासनः ॥१२-२९-५७॥
O best of the gods, Indra, the blessed subduer of Pāka, conquered many thousands of asuras by the strength of his arms.
यः सहस्रं सहस्राणां कन्या हेमविभूषिताः। ईजानो वितते यज्ञे दक्षिणामत्यकालयत् ॥१२-२९-५८॥
He who, in the great sacrifice, gave away as gifts thousands upon thousands of maidens adorned with gold.
सर्वा रथगताः कन्या रथाः सर्वे चतुर्युजः। रथे रथे शतं नागाः पद्मिनो हेममालिनः ॥१२-२९-५९॥
All the maidens were on chariots, and all the chariots were drawn by four horses; in each chariot, there were a hundred elephants with lotus-standards and adorned with golden garlands.
सहस्रमश्वा एकैकं हस्तिनं पृष्ठतोऽन्वयुः। गवां सहस्रमश्वेऽश्वे सहस्रं गव्यजाविकम् ॥१२-२९-६०॥
A thousand horses followed each elephant from behind. On each horse, there were a thousand cows, and a thousand goats and sheep.
उपह्वरे निवसतो यस्याङ्के निषसाद ह। गङ्गा भागीरथी तस्मादुर्वशी ह्यभवत्पुरा ॥१२-२९-६१॥
While he was dwelling at the riverbank, Gaṅgā Bhāgīrathī sat on his lap; from him, Urvaśī was formerly born.
भूरिदक्षिणमिक्ष्वाकुं यजमानं भगीरथम्। त्रिलोकपथगा गङ्गा दुहितृत्वमुपेयुषी ॥१२-२९-६२॥
Gaṅgā, who traverses the three worlds, became the daughter of the generous sacrificer Bhagīratha, a descendant of Ikṣvāku.
स चेन्ममार सृञ्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया। पुत्रात्पुण्यतरश्चैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथाः ॥१२-२९-६३॥
If he has died, O Sṛñjaya, know that he is by you four times more auspicious and more meritorious than your son; therefore, do not grieve for your son.
दिलीपं चैवैलविलं मृतं शुश्रुम सृञ्जय। यस्य कर्माणि भूरीणि कथयन्ति द्विजातयः ॥१२-२९-६४॥
O Sṛñjaya, we have heard that Dilīpa and Ilavila are dead; the Brāhmaṇas recount their many deeds.
इमां वै वसुसम्पन्नां वसुधां वसुधाधिपः। ददौ तस्मिन्महायज्ञे ब्राह्मणेभ्यः समाहितः ॥१२-२९-६५॥
The lord of the earth, with full concentration, gave this earth, endowed with wealth, to the Brāhmaṇas during that great sacrifice.
तस्येह यजमानस्य यज्ञे यज्ञे पुरोहितः। सहस्रं वारणान्हैमान्दक्षिणामत्यकालयत् ॥१२-२९-६६॥
Here, in each sacrifice of that sacrificer, the priest caused a thousand golden elephants to be given as gifts.
यस्य यज्ञे महानासीद्यूपः श्रीमान्हिरण्मयः। तं देवाः कर्म कुर्वाणाः शक्रज्येष्ठा उपाश्रयन् ॥१२-२९-६७॥
In his sacrifice, there was a great and splendid golden sacrificial post; the gods, led by Indra, approached it while performing the ritual acts.
चषालो यस्य सौवर्णस्तस्मिन्यूपे हिरण्मये। ननृतुर्देवगन्धर्वाः षट्सहस्राणि सप्तधा ॥१२-२९-६८॥
On the sacrificial post with a golden peg, six thousand divine Gandharvas danced in seven ways.
अवादयत्तत्र वीणां मध्ये विश्वावसुः स्वयम्। सर्वभूतान्यमन्यन्त मम वादयतीत्ययम् ॥१२-२९-६९॥
Viśvāvasu himself played the vīṇā there in the midst, and all beings thought: "This one is playing my instrument."
एतद्राज्ञो दिलीपस्य राजानो नानुचक्रिरे। यत्स्त्रियो हेमसम्पन्नाः पथि मत्ताः स्म शेरते ॥१२-२९-७०॥
The kings did not follow this example of King Dilīpa, where women adorned with gold, intoxicated, would indeed lie on the path.
राजानमुग्रधन्वानं दिलीपं सत्यवादिनम्। येऽपश्यन्सुमहात्मानं तेऽपि स्वर्गजितो नराः ॥१२-२९-७१॥
Those men who saw King Dilipa, mighty-armed and truth-speaking, the very great-souled one, they too became conquerors of heaven.
त्रयः शब्दा न जीर्यन्ते दिलीपस्य निवेशने। स्वाध्यायघोषो ज्याघोषो दीयतामिति चैव हि ॥१२-२९-७२॥
In the house of Dilīpa, three sounds are ever-present: the chanting of study, the twang of the bowstring, and the words 'let it be given.'
स चेन्ममार सृञ्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया। पुत्रात्पुण्यतरश्चैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथाः ॥१२-२९-७३॥
If my son has died, O Sṛñjaya, then by you he will be four times more auspicious and more meritorious than your son; therefore, do not grieve for your son.
मान्धातारं यौवनाश्वं मृतं शुश्रुम सृञ्जय। यं देवा मरुतो गर्भं पितुः पार्श्वादपाहरन् ॥१२-२९-७४॥
O Sṛñjaya, we have heard that Māndhātā, the son of Yauvanāśva, has died; he whom the gods, the Maruts, took as an embryo from his father's side.
संवृद्धो युवनाश्वस्य जठरे यो महात्मनः। पृषदाज्योद्भवः श्रीमांस्त्रिलोकविजयी नृपः ॥१२-२९-७५॥
The king, illustrious and conqueror of the three worlds, who was born from pṛṣadājya and grew in the womb of the great-souled Yuvanāśva.
यं दृष्ट्वा पितुरुत्सङ्गे शयानं देवरूपिणम्। अन्योन्यमब्रुवन्देवाः कमयं धास्यतीति वै ॥१२-२९-७६॥
Seeing him, who had the form of a god, lying in his father's lap, the gods said to one another, 'Who will bear this one?'
मामेव धास्यतीत्येवमिन्द्रो अभ्यवपद्यत। मान्धातेति ततस्तस्य नाम चक्रे शतक्रतुः ॥१२-२९-७७॥
Indra accepted, 'He will hold only me.' Therefore, Śatakratuḥ gave him the name Māndhātā.
ततस्तु पयसो धारां पुष्टिहेतोर्महात्मनः। तस्यास्ये यौवनाश्वस्य पाणिरिन्द्रस्य चास्रवत् ॥१२-२९-७८॥
Then, for the nourishment of the great-souled Yauvanāśva, a stream of water flowed from his mouth, as if it were the hand of Indra.
तं पिबन्पाणिमिन्द्रस्य समामह्ना व्यवर्धत। स आसीद्द्वादशसमो द्वादशाहेन पार्थिव ॥१२-२९-७९॥
O king, as he drank Indra's hand, he grew by a year each day, and in twelve days he became as if twelve years old.
तमियं पृथिवी सर्वा एकाह्ना समपद्यत। धर्मात्मानं महात्मानं शूरमिन्द्रसमं युधि ॥१२-२९-८०॥
He conquered this entire earth in a single day. In battle, he was a righteous, great-souled, heroic man equal to Indra.
य आङ्गारं हि नृपतिं मरुत्तमसितं गयम्। अङ्गं बृहद्रथं चैव मान्धाता समरेऽजयत् ॥१२-२९-८१॥
Māndhātā, in battle, conquered Aṅgāra the king, Marutta, Asita, Gaya, Aṅga, and Bṛhadratha.
यौवनाश्वो यदाङ्गारं समरे समयोधयत्। विस्फारैर्धनुषो देवा द्यौरभेदीति मेनिरे ॥१२-२९-८२॥
When Yauvanāśva fought with Aṅgāra in battle, the twangings of his bow made the gods think that the sky itself had been split.
यतः सूर्य उदेति स्म यत्र च प्रतितिष्ठति। सर्वं तद्यौवनाश्वस्य मान्धातुः क्षेत्रमुच्यते ॥१२-२९-८३॥
The entire region from where the sun rises to where it sets is said to be the territory of Yauvanāśva Māndhātṛ.
अश्वमेधशतेनेष्ट्वा राजसूयशतेन च। अददाद्रोहितान्मत्स्यान्ब्राह्मणेभ्यो महीपतिः ॥१२-२९-८४॥
After performing a hundred aśvamedha and a hundred rājasūya sacrifices, the king gave red fishes to the brāhmaṇas.
हैरण्यान्योजनोत्सेधानायतान्दशयोजनम्। अतिरिक्तान्द्विजातिभ्यो व्यभजन्नितरे जनाः ॥१२-२९-८५॥
The golden objects, each ten yojanas in height and length, the additional ones, were distributed to the twice-born; the rest were given to the other people.
स चेन्ममार सृञ्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया। पुत्रात्पुण्यतरश्चैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथाः ॥१२-२९-८६॥
If my son dies, O Sṛñjaya, know that by you he is four times more auspicious and more meritorious than a son; therefore, do not grieve for your son.
ययातिं नाहुषं चैव मृतं शुश्रुम सृञ्जय। य इमां पृथिवीं सर्वां विजित्य सहसागराम् ॥१२-२९-८७॥
O Sṛñjaya, we have heard that Yayāti and Nahusha, who conquered this entire earth together with the oceans, are dead.
शम्यापातेनाभ्यतीयाद्वेदीभिश्चित्रयन्नृप। ईजानः क्रतुभिः पुण्यैः पर्यगच्छद्वसुन्धराम् ॥१२-२९-८८॥
The king, by casting the goad and adorning the altars, performing meritorious sacrifices, traversed the earth.
इष्ट्वा क्रतुसहस्रेण वाजिमेधशतेन च। तर्पयामास देवेन्द्रं त्रिभिः काञ्चनपर्वतैः ॥१२-२९-८९॥
After performing a thousand sacrifices and a hundred horse-sacrifices, he satisfied Indra, the king of the gods, by offering three golden mountains.
व्यूढे देवासुरे युद्धे हत्वा दैतेयदानवान्। व्यभजत्पृथिवीं कृत्स्नां ययातिर्नहुषात्मजः ॥१२-२९-९०॥
When the battle between the gods and asuras was arrayed, Yayāti, the son of Nahusha, having slain the Daiteya and Dānava demons, divided the whole earth.
अन्तेषु पुत्रान्निक्षिप्य यदुद्रुह्युपुरोगमान्। पूरुं राज्येऽभिषिच्य स्वे सदारः प्रस्थितो वनम् ॥१२-२९-९१॥
Having entrusted his sons Yadu, Druhya, and others with leadership, and having installed Puru as king, he set out to the forest with his wife.
स चेन्ममार सृञ्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया। पुत्रात्पुण्यतरश्चैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथाः ॥१२-२९-९२॥
O Sṛñjaya, if my son is dead, then by you one who is four times more auspicious and more meritorious than a son has been gained; therefore, do not grieve for your son.
अम्बरीषं च नाभागं मृतं शुश्रुम सृञ्जय। यं प्रजा वव्रिरे पुण्यं गोप्तारं नृपसत्तम ॥१२-२९-९३॥
O Sṛñjaya, we have heard that Ambarīṣa and Nābhāga, the virtuous protectors and best among kings, were chosen by their subjects, though now dead.
यः सहस्रं सहस्राणां राज्ञामयुत याजिनाम्। ईजानो वितते यज्ञे ब्राह्मणेभ्यः समाहितः ॥१२-२९-९४॥
He who, as a devoted worshipper in the great sacrifice, gives away the wealth of thousands of kings and ten thousand sacrificers to the Brāhmaṇas.
नैतत्पूर्वे जनाश्चक्रुर्न करिष्यन्ति चापरे। इत्यम्बरीषं नाभागमन्वमोदन्त दक्षिणाः ॥१२-२९-९५॥
No one in the past has done this, nor will others in the future; thus, at Ambarīṣa, the priests rejoiced with Nābhāga.
शतं राजसहस्राणि शतं राजशतानि च। सर्वेऽश्वमेधैरीजानास्तेऽभ्ययुर्दक्षिणायनम् ॥१२-२९-९६॥
Hundreds of thousands of kings and hundreds of groups of kings, all performers of horse-sacrifices, approached the southern path.
स चेन्ममार सृञ्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया। पुत्रात्पुण्यतरश्चैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथाः ॥१२-२९-९७॥
If my son has died, O Sṛñjaya, he is four times more auspicious and more meritorious by you than your own son; therefore, do not grieve for your son.
शशबिन्दुं चैत्ररथं मृतं शुश्रुम सृञ्जय। यस्य भार्यासहस्राणां शतमासीन्महात्मनः ॥१२-२९-९८॥
O Sṛñjaya, we have heard that Śaśabindu Caitraratha, the great-souled one, who had a hundred out of thousands of wives, is dead.
सहस्रं तु सहस्राणां यस्यासञ्शाशबिन्दवः। हिरण्यकवचाः सर्वे सर्वे चोत्तमधन्विनः ॥१२-२९-९९॥
Among thousands, there were a thousand descendants of Śaśabindu, all of whom wore golden armor and were excellent archers.
शतं कन्या राजपुत्रमेकैकं पृष्ठतोऽन्वयुः। कन्यां कन्यां शतं नागा नागं नागं शतं रथाः ॥१२-२९-१००॥
A hundred maidens followed each prince from behind. For each maiden, a hundred elephants, and for each elephant, a hundred chariots.
रथं रथं शतं चाश्वा देशजा हेममालिनः। अश्वमश्वं शतं गावो गां गां तद्वदजाविकम् ॥१२-२९-१०१॥
A hundred chariots, each with native horses adorned with gold; a hundred horses, cows, and likewise goats and sheep.
एतद्धनमपर्यन्तमश्वमेधे महामखे। शशबिन्दुर्महाराज ब्राह्मणेभ्यः समादिशत् ॥१२-२९-१०२॥
At the great horse-sacrifice, King Śaśabindu gave this inexhaustible wealth to the Brāhmaṇas.
स चेन्ममार सृञ्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया। पुत्रात्पुण्यतरश्चैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथाः ॥१२-२९-१०३॥
If he has died, O Sṛñjaya, know that he is by you four times more auspicious and more meritorious than a son; therefore, do not grieve for your son.
गयमामूर्तरयसं मृतं शुश्रुम सृञ्जय। यः स वर्षशतं राजा हुतशिष्टाशनोऽभवत् ॥१२-२९-१०४॥
O Sṛñjaya, it is said that King Gaya, who had an incorporeal essence and ate the remnants of offerings, lived for a hundred years and then died.
यस्मै वह्निर्वरान्प्रादात्ततो वव्रे वरान्गयः। ददतो मेऽक्षया चास्तु धर्मे श्रद्धा च वर्धताम् ॥१२-२९-१०५॥
To whom Agni granted boons, then Gaya chose those boons. May there be inexhaustibility for me in giving, and may faith in dharma increase.
मनो मे रमतां सत्ये त्वत्प्रसादाद्धुताशन। लेभे च कामांस्तान्सर्वान्पावकादिति नः श्रुतम् ॥१२-२९-१०६॥
May my mind find joy in truth; by your grace, O Fire-consumer, we have heard that all those desires were obtained from Pāvaka (Agni).
दर्शेन पौर्णमासेन चातुर्मास्यैः पुनः पुनः। अयजत्स महातेजाः सहस्रं परिवत्सरान् ॥१२-२९-१०७॥
He of great energy performed the Darśa, Paurnamasa, and Cāturmāsya sacrifices again and again for a thousand years.
शतं गवां सहस्राणि शतमश्वशतानि च। उत्थायोत्थाय वै प्रादात्सहस्रं परिवत्सरान् ॥१२-२९-१०८॥
He gave hundreds of cows, thousands, and hundreds of horses; having risen again and again, indeed, he gave for a thousand years.
तर्पयामास सोमेन देवान्वित्तैर्द्विजानपि। पितॄन्स्वधाभिः कामैश्च स्त्रियः स्वाः पुरुषर्षभ ॥१२-२९-१०९॥
O best of men, he gratified the gods with Soma, the Brahmins with wealth, the ancestors with oblations, and his own women with desired objects.
सौवर्णां पृथिवीं कृत्वा दशव्यामां द्विरायताम्। दक्षिणामददद्राजा वाजिमेधमहामखे ॥१२-२९-११०॥
The king, having fashioned a golden earth ten yojanas wide and twice as long, gave it as a ritual gift (dakṣiṇā) at the great aśvamedha sacrifice.
यावत्यः सिकता राजन्गङ्गायाः पुरुषर्षभ। तावतीरेव गाः प्रादादामूर्तरयसो गयः ॥१२-२९-१११॥
O king, as many grains of sand as are in the Gaṅgā, that many cows did Gaya, of immeasurable merit, give.
स चेन्ममार सृञ्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया। पुत्रात्पुण्यतरश्चैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथाः ॥१२-२९-११२॥
O Sṛñjaya, if my son is four times more auspicious and more meritorious than your son, then do not grieve for your son.
रन्तिदेवं च साङ्कृत्यं मृतं शुश्रुम सृञ्जय। सम्यगाराध्य यः शक्रं वरं लेभे महायशाः ॥१२-२९-११३॥
O Sṛñjaya, we have heard that Rantideva and Sāṅkṛtya, both now dead, were greatly renowned for having properly worshipped Indra and obtained a boon from him.
अन्नं च नो बहु भवेदतिथींश्च लभेमहि। श्रद्धा च नो मा व्यगमन्मा च याचिष्म कञ्चन ॥१२-२९-११४॥
May we have abundant food, may we receive guests; may faith not leave us, and may we not have to beg from anyone.
उपातिष्ठन्त पशवः स्वयं तं संशितव्रतम्। ग्राम्यारण्या महात्मानं रन्तिदेवं यशस्विनम् ॥१२-२९-११५॥
Both domestic and wild animals themselves approached and served the great-souled and illustrious Rantideva, who was firm in his vows.
महानदी चर्मराशेरुत्क्लेदात्सुस्रुवे यतः। ततश्चर्मण्वतीत्येवं विख्याता सा महानदी ॥१२-२९-११६॥
The great river originated from a heap of skins due to their soaking; therefore, that great river became well-known as Carmaṇvatī.
ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददौ निष्कान्सदसि प्रतते नृपः। तुभ्यं तुभ्यं निष्कमिति यत्राक्रोशन्ति वै द्विजाः ॥ सहस्रं तुभ्यमित्युक्त्वा ब्राह्मणान्स्म प्रपद्यते ॥१२-२९-११७॥
The king gave gold coins to the Brāhmaṇas in the assembly. Wherever the twice-born shout, 'To you, to you, a gold coin,' and after saying, 'A thousand to you,' he approaches the Brāhmaṇas.
अन्वाहार्योपकरणं द्रव्योपकरणं च यत्। घटाः स्थाल्यः कटाहाश्च पात्र्यश्च पिठरा अपि ॥ न तत्किञ्चिदसौवर्णं रन्तिदेवस्य धीमतः ॥१२-२९-११८॥
All the implements for serving food, the vessels, pots, cauldrons, bowls, and jars belonging to the wise Rantideva were not made of gold.
साङ्कृते रन्तिदेवस्य यां रात्रिमवसद्गृहे। आलभ्यन्त शतं गावः सहस्राणि च विंशतिः ॥१२-२९-११९॥
On the night when Rantideva stayed in the house at the assembly, a hundred cows and twenty thousand were taken.
तत्र स्म सूदाः क्रोशन्ति सुमृष्टमणिकुण्डलाः। सूपभूयिष्ठमश्नीध्वं नाद्य मांसं यथा पुरा ॥१२-२९-१२०॥
There, indeed, the cooks with well-polished jeweled earrings shout: "Eat food that is abundant in soup; do not eat meat today as you did formerly."
स चेन्ममार सृञ्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया। पुत्रात्पुण्यतरश्चैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथाः ॥१२-२९-१२१॥
If my son dies, O Sṛñjaya, he will be four times more auspicious and more meritorious than your son by your actions; therefore, do not grieve for your son.
सगरं च महात्मानं मृतं शुश्रुम सृञ्जय। ऐक्ष्वाकं पुरुषव्याघ्रमतिमानुषविक्रमम् ॥१२-२९-१२२॥
O Sṛñjaya, we have heard that Sagara, the great-souled king, the descendant of Ikṣvāku, a tiger among men and of superhuman valor, is dead.
षष्टिः पुत्रसहस्राणि यं यान्तं पृष्ठतोऽन्वयुः। नक्षत्रराजं वर्षान्ते व्यभ्रे ज्योतिर्गणा इव ॥१२-२९-१२३॥
Sixty thousand sons followed him as he departed, just as groups of stars follow the king of stars at the end of the rainy season in a cloudless sky.
एकच्छत्रा मही यस्य प्रणता ह्यभवत्पुरा। योऽश्वमेधसहस्रेण तर्पयामास देवताः ॥१२-२९-१२४॥
He, to whom the entire earth once bowed in submission, satisfied the gods with a thousand horse-sacrifices.
यः प्रादात्काञ्चनस्तम्भं प्रासादं सर्वकाञ्चनम्। पूर्णं पद्मदलाक्षीणां स्त्रीणां शयनसङ्कुलम् ॥१२-२९-१२५॥
He who gave a palace with golden pillars, made entirely of gold, filled with beds crowded by women with lotus-petal eyes.
द्विजातिभ्योऽनुरूपेभ्यः कामानुच्चावचांस्तथा। यस्यादेशेन तद्वित्तं व्यभजन्त द्विजातयः ॥१२-२९-१२६॥
The twice-borns distributed the wealth among themselves according to their respective eligibility and desires, higher and lower, as per his command.
खानयामास यः कोपात्पृथिवीं सागराङ्किताम्। यस्य नाम्ना समुद्रश्च सागरत्वमुपागतः ॥१२-२९-१२७॥
He, who out of anger excavated the earth marked by the ocean, and by whose name the ocean came to be known as 'Sāgara'.
स चेन्ममार सृञ्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया। पुत्रात्पुण्यतरश्चैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथाः ॥१२-२९-१२८॥
If my son dies, O Sṛñjaya, you will have a son who is four times more auspicious and more meritorious than a son; therefore, do not grieve for your son.
राजानं च पृथुं वैन्यं मृतं शुश्रुम सृञ्जय। यमभ्यषिञ्चन्सम्भूय महारण्ये महर्षयः ॥१२-२९-१२९॥
O Sṛñjaya, we have heard that King Pṛthu, the son of Vena, died; the great sages, having assembled in the great forest, anointed him.
प्रथयिष्यति वै लोकान्पृथुरित्येव शब्दितः। क्षताच्च नस्त्रायतीति स तस्मात्क्षत्रियः स्मृतः ॥१२-२९-१३०॥
Pṛthu is so named because he will expand the worlds; and since he protects us from harm, he is therefore remembered as a Kṣatriya.
पृथुं वैन्यं प्रजा दृष्ट्वा रक्ताः स्मेति यदब्रुवन्। ततो राजेति नामास्य अनुरागादजायत ॥१२-२९-१३१॥
When the people saw Pṛthu, the descendant of Vena, and became attached to him, they said, "King"; thus, out of their affection, this name arose for him.
अकृष्टपच्या पृथिवी पुटके पुटके मधु। सर्वा द्रोणदुघा गावो वैन्यस्यासन्प्रशासतः ॥१२-२९-१३२॥
The earth, without being ploughed, yielded honey in every clod. All the cows of Vainya, during his reign, gave a drona of milk.
अरोगाः सर्वसिद्धार्था मनुष्या अकुतोभयाः। यथाभिकाममवसन्क्षेत्रेषु च गृहेषु च ॥१२-२९-१३३॥
Humans, free from disease and fear, with all their objectives accomplished, lived as they wished both in the fields and in their homes.
आपः संस्तम्भिरे यस्य समुद्रस्य यियासतः। सरितश्चानुदीर्यन्त ध्वजसङ्गश्च नाभवत् ॥१२-२९-१३४॥
The waters of the ocean, which he desired to cross, were restrained; the rivers also ceased to flow, and there was no obstruction from banners.
हैरण्यांस्त्रिनलोत्सेधान्पर्वतानेकविंशतिम्। ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददौ राजा योऽश्वमेधे महामखे ॥१२-२९-१३५॥
The king, during the great horse-sacrifice, gave to the Brāhmaṇas twenty-one golden mountains with three Nala elevations.
स चेन्ममार सृञ्जय चतुर्भद्रतरस्त्वया। पुत्रात्पुण्यतरश्चैव मा पुत्रमनुतप्यथाः ॥१२-२९-१३६॥
If my son has died, O Sṛñjaya, then by you he is four times more blessed and more meritorious than a son; therefore, do not grieve for your son.
किं वै तूष्णीं ध्यायसि सृञ्जय त्वं; न मे राजन्वाचमिमां शृणोषि। न चेन्मोघं विप्रलप्तं मयेदं; पथ्यं मुमूर्षोरिव सम्यगुक्तम् ॥१२-२९-१३७॥
Why are you sitting silently in meditation, Sṛñjaya? O king, do you not listen to my words? If what I have spoken is not in vain or false, then it is wholesome, like proper advice given to one who is dying.
सृञ्जय उवाच॥
Sṛñjaya said.
शृणोमि ते नारद वाचमेतां; विचित्रार्थां स्रजमिव पुण्यगन्धाम्। राजर्षीणां पुण्यकृतां महात्मनां; कीर्त्या युक्तां शोकनिर्णाशनार्थम् ॥१२-२९-१३८॥
O Nārada, I hear your words, which are full of wondrous meaning, like a garland fragrant with virtue, associated with the royal sages, the meritorious, and the great-souled, endowed with fame, and intended to dispel sorrow.
न ते मोघं विप्रलप्तं महर्षे; दृष्ट्वैव त्वां नारदाहं विशोकः। शुश्रूषे ते वचनं ब्रह्मवादि; न्न ते तृप्याम्यमृतस्येव पानात् ॥१२-२९-१३९॥
O great sage, your words are never in vain; just seeing you, O Nārada, removes my sorrow. I eagerly listen to your words, O knower of Brahman, yet I am never fully satisfied, just as one is never satisfied by drinking nectar.
अमोघदर्शिन्मम चेत्प्रसादं; सुताघदग्धस्य विभो प्रकुर्याः। मृतस्य सञ्जीवनमद्य मे स्या; त्तव प्रसादात्सुतसङ्गमश्च ॥१२-२९-१४०॥
O infallible-seer, if you grant me your grace, O Lord, to one burned by the sin of his son, please do so; let there be revival of the dead for me today, and by your grace, let there also be union with my son.
नारद उवाच॥
Nārada said.
यस्ते पुत्रो दयितोऽयं वियातः; स्वर्णष्ठीवी यमदात्पर्वतस्ते। पुनस्ते तं पुत्रमहं ददामि; हिरण्यनाभं वर्षसहस्रिणं च ॥१२-२९-१४१॥
The son who is dear to you and has been separated, the golden-spitting Yamadāt mountain is yours. Again, I give you that son, the golden-navelled one, who is a thousand years old.
