12.143
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
ततस्तं लुब्धकः पश्यन्कृपयाभिपरिप्लुतः। कपोतमग्नौ पतितं वाक्यं पुनरुवाच ह ॥१२-१४३-१॥
Then, seeing the pigeon fallen into the fire, the hunter, overwhelmed with compassion, again spoke these words.
किमीदृशं नृशंसेन मया कृतमबुद्धिना। भविष्यति हि मे नित्यं पातकं हृदि जीवतः ॥१२-१४३-२॥
What is this act, such as this, done unwisely by me, the cruel one? Indeed, for me, sin will always remain in my heart while I live.
स विनिन्दन्नथात्मानं पुनः पुनरुवाच ह। धिङ्मामस्तु सुदुर्बुद्धिं सदा निकृतिनिश्चयम् ॥ शुभं कर्म परित्यज्य योऽहं शकुनिलुब्धकः ॥१२-१४३-३॥
He repeatedly blamed himself and then said: 'Fie upon me! Let it be so—I am truly of very evil mind, always intent on wickedness. Having abandoned good deeds, I am a bird-hunter.'
नृशंसस्य ममाद्यायं प्रत्यादेशो न संशयः। दत्तः स्वमांसं ददता कपोतेन महात्मना ॥१२-१४३-४॥
Today, this is certainly the retribution for me, the cruel one; there is no doubt. The great-souled pigeon has given his own flesh.
सोऽहं त्यक्ष्ये प्रियान्प्राणान्पुत्रदारं विसृज्य च। उपदिष्टो हि मे धर्मः कपोतेनातिधर्मिणा ॥१२-१४३-५॥
Therefore, I shall abandon my dear life, son, and wife, having given them up, for I have indeed been instructed in dharma by the supremely righteous pigeon.
अद्य प्रभृति देहं स्वं सर्वभोगैर्विवर्जितम्। यथा स्वल्पं जलं ग्रीष्मे शोषयिष्याम्यहं तथा ॥१२-१४३-६॥
From today onwards, I will deprive my body of all enjoyments, just as little water dries up in the summer.
क्षुत्पिपासातपसहः कृशो धमनिसन्ततः। उपवासैर्बहुविधैश्चरिष्ये पारलौकिकम् ॥१२-१४३-७॥
Emaciated by hunger, thirst, and austerities, my veins standing out, I will undertake many kinds of fasts and pursue spiritual practices.
अहो देहप्रदानेन दर्शितातिथिपूजना। तस्माद्धर्मं चरिष्यामि धर्मो हि परमा गतिः ॥ दृष्टो हि धर्मो धर्मिष्ठैर्यादृशो विहगोत्तमे ॥१२-१४३-८॥
Indeed, by offering one's own body, the honoring of a guest has been demonstrated. Therefore, I will follow dharma, for dharma is truly the highest goal. Dharma has been witnessed in this way by the righteous, O best of birds.
एवमुक्त्वा विनिश्चित्य रौद्रकर्मा स लुब्धकः। महाप्रस्थानमाश्रित्य प्रययौ संशितव्रतः ॥१२-१४३-९॥
Thus, having spoken and made up his mind, the fierce hunter, firm in his vow, set out on the great journey.
ततो यष्टिं शलाकाश्च क्षारकं पञ्जरं तथा। तांश्च बद्धा कपोतान्स सम्प्रमुच्योत्ससर्ज ह ॥१२-१४३-१०॥
Then he took the stick, rods, alkali, and the cage; and having freed the bound pigeons, he let them go.
