12.143
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
tatas taṃ lubdhakaḥ paśyan kṛpayābhipariplutaḥ। kapotam agnau patitaṃ vākyaṃ punar uvāca ha ॥12-143-1॥
Then, seeing the pigeon fallen into the fire, the hunter, overwhelmed with compassion, again spoke these words.
kimīdṛśaṃ nṛśaṃsena mayā kṛtamabuddhinā। bhaviṣyati hi me nityaṃ pātakaṃ hṛdi jīvataḥ ॥12-143-2॥
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.
sa vinindann athātmānaṃ punaḥ punar uvāca ha। dhiṅ mām astu sudurbuddhiṃ sadā nikṛtiniścayam ॥ śubhaṃ karma parityajya yo'haṃ śakunilubdhakaḥ ॥12-143-3॥
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.'
nṛśaṁsasya mamādyāyaṁ pratyādeśo na saṁśayaḥ। dattaḥ svamāṁsaṁ dadatā kapotena mahātmanā ॥12-143-4॥
Today, this is certainly the retribution for me, the cruel one; there is no doubt. The great-souled pigeon has given his own flesh.
so'haṃ tyakṣye priyān prāṇān putradāraṃ visṛjya ca। upadiṣṭo hi me dharmaḥ kapotena atidharmiṇā ॥12-143-5॥
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.
adya prabhṛti dehaṃ svaṃ sarvabhogair vivarjitam। yathā svalpaṃ jalaṃ grīṣme śoṣayiṣyāmy ahaṃ tathā ॥12-143-6॥
From today onwards, I will deprive my body of all enjoyments, just as little water dries up in the summer.
kṣutpipāsātapasahaḥ kṛśo dhmanisantataḥ। upavāsairbahuvidhaiścariṣye pāralaukikam ॥12-143-7॥
Emaciated by hunger, thirst, and austerities, my veins standing out, I will undertake many kinds of fasts and pursue spiritual practices.
aho dehapradānena darśitātithipūjanā। tasmāddharmaṃ cariṣyāmi dharmo hi paramā gatiḥ ॥ dṛṣṭo hi dharmo dharmiṣṭhairyādṛśo vihagottame ॥12-143-8॥
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.
evam-uktvā viniścitya raudra-karmā sa lubdhakaḥ। mahāprasthānam āśritya prayayau saṃśita-vrataḥ ॥12-143-9॥
Thus, having spoken and made up his mind, the fierce hunter, firm in his vow, set out on the great journey.
tato yaṣṭiṃ śalākāś ca kṣārakaṃ pañjaraṃ tathā। tāṃś ca baddhā kapotāṃs sampramucyotsasarja ha ॥12-143-10॥
Then he took the stick, rods, alkali, and the cage; and having freed the bound pigeons, he let them go.
