12.142
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said:
अथ वृक्षस्य शाखायां विहङ्गः ससुहृज्जनः। दीर्घकालोषितो राजंस्तत्र चित्रतनूरुहः ॥१२-१४२-१॥
Then, O king, on the branch of the tree, there was a bird with friendly companions, who had lived there for a long time, and had a remarkable body of feathers.
तस्य काल्यं गता भार्या चरितुं नाभ्यवर्तत। प्राप्तां च रजनीं दृष्ट्वा स पक्षी पर्यतप्यत ॥१२-१४२-२॥
In the morning, his wife went out to wander and did not return. When he saw that night had arrived, the bird was tormented.
वातवर्षं महच्चासीन्न चागच्छति मे प्रिया। किं नु तत्कारणं येन साद्यापि न निवर्तते ॥१२-१४२-३॥
There was a great storm of wind and rain, and my beloved has not come to me. What could be the reason that even today she has not returned?
अपि स्वस्ति भवेत्तस्याः प्रियाया मम कानने। तया विरहितं हीदं शून्यमद्य गृहं मम ॥१२-१४२-४॥
Indeed, may my beloved have well-being in the forest. Because she is absent, my house feels empty today.
यदि सा रक्तनेत्रान्ता चित्राङ्गी मधुरस्वरा। अद्य नाभ्येति मे कान्ता न कार्यं जीवितेन मे ॥१२-१४२-५॥
If my beloved, who has red eye-corners, variegated limbs, and a sweet voice, does not come to me today, then my life has no purpose.
पतिधर्मरता साध्वी प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसी। सा हि श्रान्तं क्षुधार्तं च जानीते मां तपस्विनी ॥१२-१४२-६॥
A virtuous wife devoted to her husband's duties is more precious than life itself. Such an ascetic woman truly knows me, even when I am weary and hungry.
अनुरक्ता हिता चैव स्निग्धा चैव पतिव्रता। यस्य वै तादृशी भार्या धन्यः स मनुजो भुवि ॥१२-१४२-७॥
A man on earth whose wife is deeply attached, beneficial, affectionate, and devoted to her husband is truly blessed.
भार्या हि परमो नाथः पुरुषस्येह पठ्यते। असहायस्य लोकेऽस्मिँल्लोकयात्रासहायिनी ॥१२-१४२-८॥
It is said that the wife is indeed the supreme protector of a man here; for the helpless, in this world, she is the helper in the journey of life.
तथा रोगाभिभूतस्य नित्यं कृच्छ्रगतस्य च। नास्ति भार्यासमं किञ्चिन्नरस्यार्तस्य भेषजम् ॥१२-१४२-९॥
Similarly, for a man who is always afflicted by disease or distress, there is no remedy equal to a wife.
नास्ति भार्यासमो बन्धुर्नास्ति भार्यासमा गतिः। नास्ति भार्यासमो लोके सहायो धर्मसाधनः ॥१२-१४२-१०॥
There is no relative like the wife; there is no support like the wife. In this world, there is no helper for the pursuit of righteousness equal to the wife.
एवं विलपतस्तस्य द्विजस्यार्तस्य तत्र वै। गृहीता शकुनघ्नेन भार्या शुश्राव भारतीम् ॥१२-१४२-११॥
As the afflicted twice-born was lamenting in that place, the wife who had been seized by the bird-killer heard his words.
न सा स्त्रीत्यभिभाषा स्याद्यस्या भर्ता न तुष्यति। अग्निसाक्षिकमप्येतद्भर्ता हि शरणं स्त्रियः ॥१२-१४२-१२॥
She should not be called a 'woman' whose husband is not pleased with her. Even if the marriage is witnessed by fire, the husband is indeed the refuge of a woman.
इति सञ्चिन्त्य दुःखार्ता भर्तारं दुःखितं तदा। कपोती लुब्धकेनाथ यत्ता वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१२-१४२-१३॥
Thus, having thought in this way, the sorrowful dove, seeing her husband distressed, then, being prepared, spoke these words to the hunter.
हन्त वक्ष्यामि ते श्रेयः श्रुत्वा च कुरु तत्तथा। शरणागतसन्त्राता भव कान्त विशेषतः ॥१२-१४२-१४॥
Indeed, I will tell you what is best; after hearing, do exactly that. O beloved, especially become the protector of those who have sought refuge.
एष शाकुनिकः शेते तव वासं समाश्रितः। शीतार्तश्च क्षुधार्तश्च पूजामस्मै प्रयोजय ॥१२-१४२-१५॥
This bird-catcher, having taken refuge in your dwelling, lies here afflicted by cold and hunger; therefore, offer him hospitality.
यो हि कश्चिद्द्विजं हन्याद्गां वा लोकस्य मातरम्। शरणागतं च यो हन्यात्तुल्यं तेषां च पातकम् ॥१२-१४२-१६॥
Whoever kills a twice-born, a cow, the mother of the world, or one who has sought refuge—the sin of all these is considered equal.
यास्माकं विहिता वृत्तिः कापोती जातिधर्मतः। सा न्याय्यात्मवता नित्यं त्वद्विधेनाभिवर्तितुम् ॥१२-१४२-१७॥
The way of life ordained for us as female pigeons, according to the law of our species, is just and should always be followed by one like you, who possesses self-control.
यस्तु धर्मं यथाशक्ति गृहस्थो ह्यनुवर्तते। स प्रेत्य लभते लोकानक्षयानिति शुश्रुम ॥१२-१४२-१८॥
But the householder who follows his duty according to his ability, he, after death, attains imperishable worlds — thus we have heard.
स त्वं सन्तानवानद्य पुत्रवानपि च द्विज। तत्स्वदेहे दयां त्यक्त्वा धर्मार्थौ परिगृह्य वै ॥ पूजामस्मै प्रयुङ्क्ष्व त्वं प्रीयेतास्य मनो यथा ॥१२-१४२-१९॥
Therefore, O twice-born, you, who today have progeny and sons, abandoning compassion for your own body and upholding dharma and artha, should perform worship for him so that his mind may be pleased as desired.
इति सा शकुनी वाक्यं क्षारकस्था तपस्विनी। अतिदुःखान्विता प्रोच्य भर्तारं समुदैक्षत ॥१२-१४२-२०॥
Thus, the ascetic woman, like a bird standing on the salt-pan, deeply afflicted, spoke these words and looked at her husband.
स पत्न्या वचनं श्रुत्वा धर्मयुक्तिसमन्वितम्। हर्षेण महता युक्तो बाष्पव्याकुललोचनः ॥१२-१४२-२१॥
Hearing his wife's words, full of righteous reasoning, he was filled with great joy, his eyes brimming with tears.
तं वै शाकुनिकं दृष्ट्वा विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा। पूजयामास यत्नेन स पक्षी पक्षिजीविनम् ॥१२-१४२-२२॥
The bird, having seen the fowler, honored him with effort according to the prescribed rules.
उवाच च स्वागतं ते ब्रूहि किं करवाण्यहम्। सन्तापश्च न कर्तव्यः स्वगृहे वर्तते भवान् ॥१२-१४२-२३॥
He said, "Welcome to you! Tell me, what shall I do? You should not be distressed; you are in your own house."
तद्ब्रवीतु भवान्क्षिप्रं किं करोमि किमिच्छसि। प्रणयेन ब्रवीमि त्वां त्वं हि नः शरणागतः ॥१२-१४२-२४॥
Please tell me quickly what I should do, what you desire. I say this to you with affection, for you have indeed sought our refuge.
शरणागतस्य कर्तव्यमातिथ्यमिह यत्नतः। पञ्चयज्ञप्रवृत्तेन गृहस्थेन विशेषतः ॥१२-१४२-२५॥
Here, it is especially the duty of a householder engaged in the five daily sacrifices to diligently offer hospitality to those who seek refuge.
पञ्चयज्ञांस्तु यो मोहान्न करोति गृहाश्रमी। तस्य नायं न च परो लोको भवति धर्मतः ॥१२-१४२-२६॥
But if a householder, out of delusion, does not perform the five daily sacrifices, then according to dharma, neither this world nor the next belongs to him.
तद्ब्रूहि त्वं सुविस्रब्धो यत्त्वं वाचा वदिष्यसि। तत्करिष्याम्यहं सर्वं मा त्वं शोके मनः कृथाः ॥१२-१४२-२७॥
Speak out confidently whatever you say; I will do all that. Do not let your mind be overcome by grief.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा शकुनेर्लुब्धकोऽब्रवीत्। बाधते खलु मा शीतं हिमत्राणं विधीयताम् ॥१२-१४२-२८॥
Hearing those words of the bird, the hunter said: "This cold is truly troubling me; please arrange some protection from the snow."
एवमुक्तस्ततः पक्षी पर्णान्यास्तीर्य भूतले। यथाशुष्काणि यत्नेन ज्वलनार्थं द्रुतं ययौ ॥१२-१४२-२९॥
Thus addressed, the bird then spread dry leaves on the ground with effort and quickly went to fetch fire.
स गत्वाङ्गारकर्मान्तं गृहीत्वाग्निमथागमत्। ततः शुष्केषु पर्णेषु पावकं सोऽभ्यदीदिपत् ॥१२-१४२-३०॥
He went to the place where charcoal was made, took the fire-stick, and returned. Then he kindled the fire among the dry leaves.
सुसंदीप्तं महत्कृत्वा तमाह शरणागतम्। प्रतापय सुविस्रब्धं स्वगात्राण्यकुतोभयः ॥१२-१४२-३१॥
After making it blaze brightly and greatly, he said to the one who had sought refuge: "Burn your own limbs with full confidence, being fearless from all sides."
स तथोक्तस्तथेत्युक्त्वा लुब्धो गात्राण्यतापयत्। अग्निप्रत्यागतप्राणस्ततः प्राह विहङ्गमम् ॥१२-१४२-३२॥
Thus addressed, he replied 'so be it', and the greedy man tormented his own body. When his life was restored by the fire, he then spoke to the bird.
दत्तमाहारमिच्छामि त्वया क्षुद्बाधते हि माम्। तद्वचः स प्रतिश्रुत्य वाक्यमाह विहङ्गमः ॥१२-१४२-३३॥
"I desire the food given by you, for hunger indeed afflicts me." Having promised that word, the bird spoke these words.
न मेऽस्ति विभवो येन नाशयामि तव क्षुधाम्। उत्पन्नेन हि जीवामो वयं नित्यं वनौकसः ॥१२-१४२-३४॥
I do not have the means by which I can satisfy your hunger. We forest-dwellers always live only on what we obtain.
सञ्चयो नास्ति चास्माकं मुनीनामिव कानने। इत्युक्त्वा स तदा तत्र विवर्णवदनोऽभवत् ॥१२-१४२-३५॥
There is no accumulation for us, just as for the sages in the forest. Having said this, he then became pale-faced there.
कथं नु खलु कर्तव्यमिति चिन्तापरः सदा। बभूव भरतश्रेष्ठ गर्हयन्वृत्तिमात्मनः ॥१२-१४२-३६॥
O best of the Bharatas, he was always absorbed in thought, constantly pondering 'How indeed should it be done?', condemning his own conduct.
मुहूर्ताल्लब्धसञ्ज्ञस्तु स पक्षी पक्षिघातकम्। उवाच तर्पयिष्ये त्वां मुहूर्तं प्रतिपालय ॥१२-१४२-३७॥
But after regaining consciousness for a moment, the bird said to the bird-killer: "I will satisfy you. Please wait for a moment."
इत्युक्त्वा शुष्कपर्णैः स सम्प्रज्वाल्य हुताशनम्। हर्षेण महता युक्तः कपोतः पुनरब्रवीत् ॥१२-१४२-३८॥
Having spoken thus, the pigeon, filled with great joy, kindled the sacrificial fire with dry leaves and spoke again.
देवानां च मुनीनां च पितॄणां च महात्मनाम्। श्रुतपूर्वो मया धर्मो महानतिथिपूजने ॥१२-१४२-३९॥
I have previously heard from the gods, sages, ancestors, and great souls that the highest duty is the honoring of guests.
कुरुष्वानुग्रहं मेऽद्य सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि ते। निश्चिता खलु मे बुद्धिरतिथिप्रतिपूजने ॥१२-१४२-४०॥
Please show me favor today; I truly say this to you. My mind is firmly resolved to honor the guest.
ततः सत्यप्रतिज्ञो वै स पक्षी प्रहसन्निव। तमग्निं त्रिः परिक्रम्य प्रविवेश महीपते ॥१२-१४२-४१॥
Then, O king, that bird, true to his promise and as if smiling, circumambulated the fire three times and entered it.
अग्निमध्यं प्रविष्टं तं लुब्धो दृष्ट्वाथ पक्षिणम्। चिन्तयामास मनसा किमिदं नु कृतं मया ॥१२-१४२-४२॥
Seeing the bird enter the midst of the fire, the greedy one thought to himself, 'What have I done?'
अहो मम नृशंसस्य गर्हितस्य स्वकर्मणा। अधर्मः सुमहान्घोरो भविष्यति न संशयः ॥१२-१४२-४३॥
Alas, because of my own cruel and condemned action, a very great and terrible unrighteousness will certainly arise—there is no doubt about it.
एवं बहुविधं भूरि विललाप स लुब्धकः। गर्हयन्स्वानि कर्माणि द्विजं दृष्ट्वा तथागतम् ॥१२-१४२-४४॥
Thus, the hunter lamented in many ways, blaming his own actions, upon seeing the Brahmin who had arrived in such a manner.
