12.149
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said:
शृणु पार्थ यथावृत्तमितिहासं पुरातनम्। गृध्रजम्बुकसंवादं यो वृत्तो वैदिशे पुरा ॥१२-१४९-१॥
O Pārtha, listen to the ancient story as it truly happened: the dialogue between the vulture and the jackal that once took place in Vidiśā.
दुःखिताः केचिदादाय बालमप्राप्तयौवनम्। कुलसर्वस्वभूतं वै रुदन्तः शोकविह्वलाः ॥१२-१४९-२॥
Some, afflicted and overwhelmed by grief, took up the child who had not yet reached youth, who had become everything to the family, and wept.
बालं मृतं गृहीत्वाथ श्मशानाभिमुखाः स्थिताः। अङ्केनाङ्कं च सङ्क्रम्य रुरुदुर्भूतले तदा ॥१२-१४९-३॥
They took the dead child and, facing the cremation ground, stood there. Then, passing the child from lap to lap, they wept on the ground.
तेषां रुदितशब्देन गृध्रोऽभ्येत्य वचोऽब्रवीत्। एकात्मकमिमं लोके त्यक्त्वा गच्छत माचिरम् ॥१२-१४९-४॥
Hearing their weeping, the vulture approached and said: "Having given up this one who is of a single essence in this world, go without delay."
इह पुंसां सहस्राणि स्त्रीसहस्राणि चैव हि। समानीतानि कालेन किं ते वै जात्वबान्धवाः ॥१२-१४९-५॥
Here, thousands of men and thousands of women are brought together by time; are they ever truly not related?
सम्पश्यत जगत्सर्वं सुखदुःखैरधिष्ठितम्। संयोगो विप्रयोगश्च पर्यायेणोपलभ्यते ॥१२-१४९-६॥
Behold, the entire world is established in pleasure and pain. Union and separation are experienced alternately.
गृहीत्वा ये च गच्छन्ति येऽनुयान्ति च तान्मृतान्। तेऽप्यायुषः प्रमाणेन स्वेन गच्छन्ति जन्तवः ॥१२-१४९-७॥
Those who carry away the dead and those who follow them, all these creatures also depart according to the measure of their own lifespan.
अलं स्थित्वा श्मशानेऽस्मिन्गृध्रगोमायुसङ्कुले। कङ्कालबहुले घोरे सर्वप्राणिभयङ्करे ॥१२-१४९-८॥
Enough of staying in this cremation ground, crowded with vultures and jackals, full of bones, dreadful and terrifying to all living beings.
न पुनर्जीवितः कश्चित्कालधर्ममुपागतः। प्रियो वा यदि वा द्वेष्यः प्राणिनां गतिरीदृशी ॥१२-१४९-९॥
No one who has met the law of time (death) is revived; whether dear or hateful, this is the fate of all living beings.
सर्वेण खलु मर्तव्यं मर्त्यलोके प्रसूयता। कृतान्तविहिते मार्गे को मृतं जीवयिष्यति ॥१२-१४९-१०॥
Everyone who is born in the mortal world must die. On the path ordained by Death, who can bring the dead back to life?
कर्मान्तविहिते लोके चास्तं गच्छति भास्करे। गम्यतां स्वमधिष्ठानं सुतस्नेहं विसृज्य वै ॥१२-१४९-११॥
In this world, when the day ends and the sun sets, one should return to one's own place, truly letting go of attachment to one's son.
ततो गृध्रवचः श्रुत्वा विक्रोशन्तस्तदा नृप। बान्धवास्तेऽभ्यगच्छन्त पुत्रमुत्सृज्य भूतले ॥१२-१४९-१२॥
Then, O king, when the relatives heard the vulture's words, they cried out and, abandoning the son on the ground, approached.
विनिश्चित्याथ च ततः सन्त्यजन्तः स्वमात्मजम्। निराशा जीविते तस्य मार्गमारुह्य धिष्ठिताः ॥१२-१४९-१३॥
Having made up their minds, then, abandoning their own son and hopeless about his life, they ascended his path and stood there.
ध्वाङ्क्षाभ्रसमवर्णस्तु बिलान्निःसृत्य जम्बुकः। गच्छमानान्स्म तानाह निर्घृणाः खलु मानवाः ॥१२-१४९-१४॥
But the jackal, whose color was like that of a crow and a cloud, came out of the hole and, seeing them going, said, "Men are truly pitiless."
आदित्योऽयं स्थितो मूढाः स्नेहं कुरुत मा भयम्। बहुरूपो मुहूर्तश्च जीवेतापि कदाचन ॥१२-१४९-१५॥
This is the sun present here; the deluded form attachments, do not fear. The moment is of many forms, and one may live at any time.
यूयं भूमौ विनिक्षिप्य पुत्रस्नेहविनाकृताः। श्मशाने पुत्रमुत्सृज्य कस्माद्गच्छथ निर्घृणाः ॥१२-१४९-१६॥
You have placed your son on the ground and, devoid of affection, have left him in the cremation ground. Why do you go away so pitilessly?
न वोऽस्त्यस्मिन्सुते स्नेहो बाले मधुरभाषिणि। यस्य भाषितमात्रेण प्रसादमुपगच्छथ ॥१२-१४९-१७॥
O sweet-speaking girl, you do not have affection for this child; you show favor simply by someone's words.
न पश्यथ सुतस्नेहं यादृशः पशुपक्षिणाम्। न येषां धारयित्वा तान्कश्चिदस्ति फलागमः ॥१२-१४९-१८॥
You do not see the kind of affection for children that animals and birds have; for them, after raising their young, there is no expectation of reward.
चतुष्पात्पक्षिकीटानां प्राणिनां स्नेहसङ्गिनाम्। परलोकगतिस्थानां मुनियज्ञक्रिया इव ॥१२-१४९-१९॥
Just as the sacrificial acts of sages are for those who have gone to the other world, so too are the acts for four-footed animals, birds, insects, living beings, and those bound by affection.
तेषां पुत्राभिरामाणामिह लोके परत्र च। न गुणो दृश्यते कश्चित्प्रजाः सन्धारयन्ति च ॥१२-१४९-२०॥
For those who delight in sons, neither in this world nor the next is any virtue seen; it is only the offspring who support them.
अपश्यतां प्रियान्पुत्रान्नैषां शोकोऽनुतिष्ठति। न च पुष्णन्ति संवृद्धास्ते मातापितरौ क्वचित् ॥१२-१४९-२१॥
Those who do not see their dear sons, grief does not remain for them. And those who have grown up do not ever nourish their mother and father.
मानुषाणां कुतः स्नेहो येषां शोको भविष्यति। इमं कुलकरं पुत्रं कथं त्यक्त्वा गमिष्यथ ॥१२-१४९-२२॥
How can men have affection for those for whom there will be grief? How will you go, having abandoned this son, the upholder of the family?
चिरं मुञ्चत बाष्पं च चिरं स्नेहेन पश्यत। एवंविधानि हीष्टानि दुस्त्यजानि विशेषतः ॥१२-१४९-२३॥
We shed tears for a long time and gaze with affection for a long time; such dear ones are indeed especially hard to part with.
क्षीणस्याथाभियुक्तस्य श्मशानाभिमुखस्य च। बान्धवा यत्र तिष्ठन्ति तत्रान्यो नावतिष्ठते ॥१२-१४९-२४॥
When a person is exhausted, accused, or facing the cremation ground, where relatives stand, no one else remains there.
सर्वस्य दयिताः प्राणाः सर्वः स्नेहं च विन्दति। तिर्यग्योनिष्वपि सतां स्नेहं पश्यत यादृशम् ॥१२-१४९-२५॥
Everyone holds their own life dear and finds affection. Even among animals, observe the kind of affection that exists among the virtuous.
त्यक्त्वा कथं गच्छेथेमं पद्मलोलायताक्षकम्। यथा नवोद्वाहकृतं स्नानमाल्यविभूषितम् ॥१२-१४९-२६॥
How could I leave this one with lotus-quivering wide eyes, who is newly-wedded and adorned with bath and garlands?
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
जम्बुकस्य वचः श्रुत्वा कृपणं परिदेवतः। न्यवर्तन्त तदा सर्वे शवार्थं ते स्म मानुषाः ॥१२-१४९-२७॥
When they heard the jackal's words, all the men, lamenting pitifully, turned back for the sake of the dog.
गृध्र उवाच॥
The vulture said.
अहो धिक्सुनृशंसेन जम्बुकेनाल्पमेधसा। क्षुद्रेणोक्ता हीनसत्त्वा मानुषाः किं निवर्तथ ॥१२-१४९-२८॥
Alas, shame! Why do you humans of low nature turn back because of the words spoken by the cruel, petty, and foolish jackal?
पञ्चभूतपरित्यक्तं शून्यं काष्ठत्वमागतम्। कस्माच्छोचथ निश्चेष्टमात्मानं किं न शोचथ ॥१२-१४९-२९॥
When the five elements have departed and the body is empty, like a piece of wood, why do you grieve for the unmoving self? Why do you not grieve?
तपः कुरुत वै तीव्रं मुच्यध्वं येन किल्बिषात्। तपसा लभ्यते सर्वं विलापः किं करिष्यति ॥१२-१४९-३०॥
Perform intense austerity, for by that you will be freed from sin. Everything is attained through austerity; what will lamenting achieve?
अनिष्टानि च भाग्यानि जानीत सह मूर्तिभिः। येन गच्छति लोकोऽयं दत्त्वा शोकमनन्तकम् ॥१२-१४९-३१॥
One should recognize both misfortunes and fortunes along with their manifestations; for it is through these that this world proceeds, bestowing endless sorrow.
धनं गाश्च सुवर्णं च मणिरत्नमथापि च। अपत्यं च तपोमूलं तपोयोगाच्च लभ्यते ॥१२-१४९-३२॥
Wealth, cows, gold, jewels, and even offspring—all these, as well as that which is rooted in austerity, are attained through the practice of austerity.
यथाकृता च भूतेषु प्राप्यते सुखदुःखता। गृहीत्वा जायते जन्तुर्दुःखानि च सुखानि च ॥१२-१४९-३३॥
According to one's actions, among beings, the state of happiness and sorrow is experienced; having acquired (these), a creature is born and undergoes both pains and pleasures.
न कर्मणा पितुः पुत्रः पिता वा पुत्रकर्मणा। मार्गेणान्येन गच्छन्ति त्यक्त्वा सुकृतदुष्कृते ॥१२-१४९-३४॥
A son does not attain (results) by the actions of his father, nor does a father by the actions of his son. Each proceeds on a different path, leaving behind both good and bad deeds.
धर्मं चरत यत्नेन तथाधर्मान्निवर्तत। वर्तध्वं च यथाकालं दैवतेषु द्विजेषु च ॥१२-१४९-३५॥
Diligently practice righteousness and avoid unrighteousness. Behave appropriately at the proper time towards the deities and the twice-born (Brāhmaṇas).
शोकं त्यजत दैन्यं च सुतस्नेहान्निवर्तत। त्यज्यतामयमाकाशे ततः शीघ्रं निवर्तत ॥१२-१४९-३६॥
Give up sorrow and misery, and turn away from attachment to your son. Let this body be left in the sky, and then quickly return.
यत्करोति शुभं कर्म तथाधर्मं सुदारुणम्। तत्कर्तैव समश्नाति बान्धवानां किमत्र हि ॥१२-१४९-३७॥
Whatever good or bad deeds a person performs, only the doer experiences their results; what concern is there here for the relatives?
इह त्यक्त्वा न तिष्ठन्ति बान्धवा बान्धवं प्रियम्। स्नेहमुत्सृज्य गच्छन्ति बाष्पपूर्णाविलेक्षणाः ॥१२-१४९-३८॥
Here, the relatives do not stay after abandoning; leaving behind the dear one and their affection, they depart, their eyes clouded and full of tears.
प्राज्ञो वा यदि वा मूर्खः सधनो निर्धनोऽपि वा। सर्वः कालवशं याति शुभाशुभसमन्वितः ॥१२-१४९-३९॥
Whether one is wise or foolish, wealthy or poor, everyone, endowed with both auspicious and inauspicious qualities, goes according to the power of time.
किं करिष्यथ शोचित्वा मृतं किमनुशोचथ। सर्वस्य हि प्रभुः कालो धर्मतः समदर्शनः ॥१२-१४९-४०॥
What is the use of grieving for the dead? Why do you lament? Time, who is the lord of all, is impartial and acts according to righteousness.
यौवनस्थांश्च बालांश्च वृद्धान्गर्भगतानपि। सर्वानाविशते मृत्युरेवम्भूतमिदं जगत् ॥१२-१४९-४१॥
Death comes to all: the young, the children, the old, and even those still in the womb; such is the nature of this world.
जम्बुक उवाच॥
The jackal said.
अहो मन्दीकृतः स्नेहो गृध्रेणेहाल्पमेधसा। पुत्रस्नेहाभिभूतानां युष्माकं शोचतां भृशम् ॥१२-१४९-४२॥
Indeed, your affection has been dulled here by the vulture of little intelligence, as you grieve intensely, overpowered by love for your son.
समैः सम्यक्प्रयुक्तैश्च वचनैः प्रश्रयोत्तरैः। यद्गच्छथ जलस्थायं स्नेहमुत्सृज्य दुस्त्यजम् ॥१२-१४९-४३॥
With words that are equal, properly applied, and humble in reply, you go to the one who dwells in water, having abandoned the affection that is difficult to give up.
अहो पुत्रवियोगेन मृतशून्योपसेवनात्। क्रोशतां वै भृशं दुःखं विवत्सानां गवामिव ॥१२-१४९-४४॥
Alas, the pain caused by the separation from a son and by dwelling in the emptiness left by the dead is, for those who are crying, indeed intense, like the pain of cows deprived of their calves.
अद्य शोकं विजानामि मानुषाणां महीतले। स्नेहं हि करुणं दृष्ट्वा ममाप्यश्रूण्यथागमन् ॥१२-१४९-४५॥
Today I understand the sorrow of men on earth. Seeing such affection and compassion, even my own tears began to flow.
यत्नो हि सततं कार्यः कृतो दैवेन सिध्यति। दैवं पुरुषकारश्च कृतान्तेनोपपद्यते ॥१२-१४९-४६॥
One must always make effort; when an action is performed, it succeeds by fate. Both fate and human effort are fulfilled by destiny.
अनिर्वेदः सदा कार्यो निर्वेदाद्धि कुतः सुखम्। प्रयत्नात्प्राप्यते ह्यर्थः कस्माद्गच्छथ निर्दयाः ॥१२-१४९-४७॥
One should always maintain absence of despondency; for how can happiness arise from despair? It is through effort that the goal is attained; why then do you act so cruelly?
आत्ममांसोपवृत्तं च शरीरार्धमयीं तनुम्। पितॄणां वंशकर्तारं वने त्यक्त्वा क्व यास्यथ ॥१२-१४९-४८॥
And this body, nourished by your own flesh and made up of half your being, the creator of your ancestors' lineage—having abandoned him in the forest, where will you go?
अथ वास्तं गते सूर्ये सन्ध्याकाल उपस्थिते। ततो नेष्यथ वा पुत्रमिहस्था वा भविष्यथ ॥१२-१४९-४९॥
Then, when the sun has set and evening has come, at twilight, you will either take the son or those present here will remain.
गृध्र उवाच॥
The vulture said.
अद्य वर्षसहस्रं मे साग्रं जातस्य मानुषाः। न च पश्यामि जीवन्तं मृतं स्त्रीपुंनपुंसकम् ॥१२-१४९-५०॥
O humans, today, though I have lived for a thousand years and more, I do not see anyone living or dead, whether female, male, or neuter.
मृता गर्भेषु जायन्ते म्रियन्ते जातमात्रकाः। विक्रमन्तो म्रियन्ते च यौवनस्थास्तथापरे ॥१२-१४९-५१॥
Some die in the womb, some die just after birth, some die while walking, and others die even in their youth.
अनित्यानीह भाग्यानि चतुष्पात्पक्षिणामपि। जङ्गमाजङ्गमानां चाप्यायुरग्रेऽवतिष्ठते ॥१२-१४९-५२॥
Here, fortunes are impermanent, even for quadrupeds and birds; for both moving and non-moving beings, lifespan alone stands foremost.
इष्टदारवियुक्ताश्च पुत्रशोकान्वितास्तथा। दह्यमानाः स्म शोकेन गृहं गच्छन्ति नित्यदा ॥१२-१४९-५३॥
The beloved wives, separated and likewise overwhelmed by grief for their sons, constantly go home, always burning with sorrow.
अनिष्टानां सहस्राणि तथेष्टानां शतानि च। उत्सृज्येह प्रयाता वै बान्धवा भृशदुःखिताः ॥१२-१४९-५४॥
Thousands of undesired things and hundreds of desired things are left behind here; the relatives, greatly afflicted with grief, have indeed departed.
त्यज्यतामेष निस्तेजाः शून्यः काष्ठत्वमागतः। अन्यदेहविषक्तो हि शावं काष्ठमुपासते ॥१२-१४९-५५॥
Let this body be abandoned; it is devoid of brilliance, empty, and has become like wood. Indeed, those who are attached to another body worship a corpse as if it were wood.
भ्रान्तजीवस्य वै बाष्पं कस्माद्धित्वा न गच्छथ। निरर्थको ह्ययं स्नेहो निरर्थश्च परिग्रहः ॥१२-१४९-५६॥
Why do you not go, leaving behind the tears of the deluded being? Indeed, this affection is useless, and so is possession.
न चक्षुर्भ्यां न कर्णाभ्यां संशृणोति समीक्षते। तस्मादेनं समुत्सृज्य स्वगृहान्गच्छताशु वै ॥१२-१४९-५७॥
He neither hears nor sees with his eyes or ears. Therefore, leave him and quickly return to your own homes.
मोक्षधर्माश्रितैर्वाक्यैर्हेतुमद्भिरनिष्ठुरैः। मयोक्ता गच्छत क्षिप्रं स्वं स्वमेव निवेशनम् ॥१२-१४९-५८॥
Go quickly to your own residence, as instructed by me with words grounded in the dharma of liberation, reasoned and gentle.
प्रज्ञाविज्ञानयुक्तेन बुद्धिसञ्ज्ञाप्रदायिना। वचनं श्राविता रूक्षं मानुषाः संनिवर्तत ॥१२-१४९-५९॥
Because harsh words were spoken by one endowed with wisdom and knowledge, who gave intellect and consciousness, the people turned back.
जम्बुक उवाच॥
The jackal said.
इमं कनकवर्णाभं भूषणैः समलङ्कृतम्। गृध्रवाक्यात्कथं पुत्रं त्यजध्वं पितृपिण्डदम् ॥१२-१४९-६०॥
How can you abandon this son, golden-hued and adorned with ornaments, the giver of offerings to ancestors, just because of the words of the vulture?
न स्नेहस्य विरोधोऽस्ति विलापरुदितस्य वै। मृतस्यास्य परित्यागात्तापो वै भविता ध्रुवम् ॥१२-१४९-६१॥
There is no opposition to affection; indeed, lamentation and weeping arise. Certainly, suffering will result from abandoning the dead.
श्रूयते शम्बुके शूद्रे हते ब्राह्मणदारकः। जीवितो धर्ममासाद्य रामात्सत्यपराक्रमात् ॥१२-१४९-६२॥
It is said that when Śambuka, the Śūdra, was killed, the Brāhmaṇa boy was brought back to life, having obtained righteousness through Rāma's true valor.
तथा श्वेतस्य राजर्षेर्बालो दिष्टान्तमागतः। श्वोऽभूते धर्मनित्येन मृतः सञ्जीवितः पुनः ॥१२-१४९-६३॥
Thus, the son of Śveta, the royal sage, met his destined death. The next day, through the devotion to dharma, he was brought back to life again.
तथा कश्चिद्भवेत्सिद्धो मुनिर्वा देवतापि वा। कृपणानामनुक्रोशं कुर्याद्वो रुदतामिह ॥१२-१४९-६४॥
Thus, whether it is a perfected being, a sage, or even a divine being, he should show compassion for you who are weeping here in misery.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
इत्युक्ताः संन्यवर्तन्त शोकार्ताः पुत्रवत्सलाः। अङ्के शिरः समाधाय रुरुदुर्बहुविस्तरम् ॥१२-१४९-६५॥
When these words were spoken, the grief-stricken, son-loving ones withdrew. Placing the head on the lap, they wept profusely.
गृध्र उवाच॥
The vulture said.
अश्रुपातपरिक्लिन्नः पाणिस्पर्शनपीडितः। धर्मराजप्रयोगाच्च दीर्घां निद्रां प्रवेशितः ॥१२-१४९-६६॥
He, soaked with falling tears and afflicted by the touch of the hand, was put into a deep sleep by the act of King Dharma.
तपसापि हि संयुक्तो न काले नोपहन्यते। सर्वस्नेहावसानं तदिदं तत्प्रेतपत्तनम् ॥१२-१४९-६७॥
Even with austerity, indeed, it is not destroyed in time. This is the end of all affection—this is the city of the dead.
बालवृद्धसहस्राणि सदा सन्त्यज्य बान्धवाः। दिनानि चैव रात्रीश्च दुःखं तिष्ठन्ति भूतले ॥१२-१४९-६८॥
Thousands of children and old people, having always been abandoned by relatives, spend their days and nights in sorrow on the earth.
अलं निर्बन्धमागम्य शोकस्य परिवारणम्। अप्रत्ययं कुतो ह्यस्य पुनरद्येह जीवितम् ॥१२-१४९-६९॥
Enough of insistence; sorrow has surrounded. There is no hope—how indeed can he have life again here today?
नैष जम्बुकवाक्येन पुनः प्राप्स्यति जीवितम्। मृतस्योत्सृष्टदेहस्य पुनर्देहो न विद्यते ॥१२-१४९-७०॥
He will not regain life by the jackal's words. Once the body has been abandoned by the dead, it cannot be restored again.
न वै मूर्तिप्रदानेन न जम्बुकशतैरपि। शक्यो जीवयितुं ह्येष बालो वर्षशतैरपि ॥१२-१४९-७१॥
This boy cannot be revived by giving form, nor even by hundreds of jackals, nor even in hundreds of years.
अपि रुद्रः कुमारो वा ब्रह्मा वा विष्णुरेव वा। वरमस्मै प्रयच्छेयुस्ततो जीवेदयं शिशुः ॥१२-१४९-७२॥
If Rudra, Kumāra, Brahmā, or even Viṣṇu were to grant a boon to him, then this child would live.
न च बाष्पविमोक्षेण न चाश्वासकृतेन वै। न दीर्घरुदितेनेह पुनर्जीवो भविष्यति ॥१२-१४९-७३॥
Neither tears, nor words of comfort, nor prolonged lamentation will bring the dead back to life here.
अहं च क्रोष्टुकश्चैव यूयं चैवास्य बान्धवाः। धर्माधर्मौ गृहीत्वेह सर्वे वर्तामहेऽध्वनि ॥१२-१४९-७४॥
I, Kroṣṭuka, you, and all his relatives, having taken both dharma and adharma, we all proceed together on this path.
अप्रियं परुषं चापि परद्रोहं परस्त्रियम्। अधर्ममनृतं चैव दूरात्प्राज्ञो निवर्तयेत् ॥१२-१४९-७५॥
A wise person should keep far away from things that are unpleasant, harsh, injurious to others, another's wife, unrighteousness, and falsehood.
सत्यं धर्मं शुभं न्याय्यं प्राणिनां महतीं दयाम्। अजिह्मत्वमशाठ्यं च यत्नतः परिमार्गत ॥१२-१४९-७६॥
Seek with effort truth, righteousness, auspiciousness, justice, great compassion for living beings, straightforwardness, and absence of deceit.
मातरं पितरं चैव बान्धवान्सुहृदस्तथा। जीवतो ये न पश्यन्ति तेषां धर्मविपर्ययः ॥१२-१४९-७७॥
Those who do not care for their mother, father, relatives, and friends while they are alive are acting contrary to dharma.
यो न पश्यति चक्षुर्भ्यां नेङ्गते च कथञ्चन। तस्य निष्ठावसानान्ते रुदन्तः किं करिष्यथ ॥१२-१४९-७८॥
If someone does not see with his eyes and does not move in any way, what will you accomplish by weeping at the end of his life?
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
इत्युक्तास्तं सुतं त्यक्त्वा भूमौ शोकपरिप्लुताः। दह्यमानाः सुतस्नेहात्प्रययुर्बान्धवा गृहान् ॥१२-१४९-७९॥
Having thus spoken, the relatives, overwhelmed with grief and burning with affection for the son, left him lying on the ground and returned to their homes.
जम्बुक उवाच॥
The jackal said.
दारुणो मर्त्यलोकोऽयं सर्वप्राणिविनाशनः। इष्टबन्धुवियोगश्च तथैवाल्पं च जीवितम् ॥१२-१४९-८०॥
This mortal world is harsh, destroying all beings. There is separation from dear ones, and life itself is short.
बह्वलीकमसत्यं च प्रतिवादाप्रियंवदम्। इमं प्रेक्ष्य पुनर्भावं दुःखशोकाभिवर्धनम् ॥१२-१४९-८१॥
Speaking much falsehood and untruth, and uttering unpleasant replies; seeing this state again brings about an increase of sorrow and grief.
न मे मानुषलोकोऽयं मुहूर्तमपि रोचते। अहो धिग्गृध्रवाक्येन संनिवर्तथ मानुषाः ॥१२-१४९-८२॥
This world of humans is not pleasing to me, not even for a moment. Alas! Fie! O humans, you turn back just because of the words of the vulture.
प्रदीप्ताः पुत्रशोकेन यथैवाबुद्धयस्तथा। कथं गच्छथ सस्नेहाः सुतस्नेहं विसृज्य च ॥ श्रुत्वा गृध्रस्य वचनं पापस्येहाकृतात्मनः ॥१२-१४९-८३॥
Just as the unwise are inflamed by grief for their son, so are you. How can you go on with affection, having abandoned your love for your son? Having heard the words of the vulture, who is wicked and undisciplined here.
सुखस्यानन्तरं दुःखं दुःखस्यानन्तरं सुखम्। सुखदुःखान्विते लोके नेहास्त्येकमनन्तकम् ॥१२-१४९-८४॥
Happiness is always followed by sorrow, and sorrow by happiness. In this world of alternating happiness and sorrow, nothing here is endless or eternal.
इमं क्षितितले न्यस्य बालं रूपसमन्वितम्। कुलशोकाकरं मूढाः पुत्रं त्यक्त्वा क्व यास्यथ ॥१२-१४९-८५॥
Having left this beautiful child, the cause of your family's sorrow, on the ground, where will you go, you deluded ones?
रूपयौवनसम्पन्नं द्योतमानमिव श्रिया। जीवन्तमेनं पश्यामि मनसा नात्र संशयः ॥१२-१४९-८६॥
I see this living person, endowed with beauty and youth, shining with splendor, with my mind; there is no doubt about it here.
विनाशश्चाप्यनर्होऽस्य सुखं प्राप्स्यथ मानुषाः। पुत्रशोकाग्निदग्धानां मृतमप्यद्य वः क्षमम् ॥१२-१४९-८७॥
Destruction and also unworthiness of this happiness will be yours, O humans. For those burned by the fire of grief for sons, even death today is endurable for you.
दुःखसम्भावनां कृत्वा धारयित्वा स्वयं सुखम्। त्यक्त्वा गमिष्यथ क्वाद्य समुत्सृज्याल्पबुद्धिवत् ॥१२-१४९-८८॥
Having thought of the possibility of suffering and having experienced happiness yourself, if you abandon it, where will you go today, having completely cast it off like a person of little understanding?
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
तथा धर्मविरोधेन प्रियमिथ्याभिध्यायिना। श्मशानवासिना नित्यं रात्रिं मृगयता तदा ॥१२-१४९-८९॥
Thus, at that time, by one who always hunts at night, who dwells in the cremation ground, and covets untruthfully in opposition to dharma.
ततो मध्यस्थतां नीता वचनैरमृतोपमैः। जम्बुकेन स्वकार्यार्थं बान्धवास्तस्य धिष्ठिताः ॥१२-१४९-९०॥
Then, the jackal, using words as sweet as nectar, led his relatives to a state of neutrality for his own purpose.
गृध्र उवाच॥
The vulture spoke.
अयं प्रेतसमाकीर्णो यक्षराक्षससेवितः। दारुणः काननोद्देशः कौशिकैरभिनादितः ॥१२-१४९-९१॥
This is a terrible region of the forest, filled with ghosts and frequented by yakṣas and rākṣasas, echoing with the cries of the Kauśikas.
भीमः सुघोरश्च तथा नीलमेघसमप्रभः। अस्मिञ्शवं परित्यज्य प्रेतकार्याण्युपासत ॥१२-१४९-९२॥
Bhīma, who was very fierce and had a radiance like a dark cloud, left the corpse here and performed the funeral rites.
भानुर्यावन्न यात्यस्तं यावच्च विमला दिशः। तावदेनं परित्यज्य प्रेतकार्याण्युपासत ॥१२-१४९-९३॥
As long as the sun has not set and the directions remain clear, abandon him and perform the funeral rites.
नदन्ति परुषं श्येनाः शिवाः क्रोशन्ति दारुणाः। मृगेन्द्राः प्रतिनन्दन्ति रविरस्तं च गच्छति ॥१२-१४९-९४॥
Hawks make harsh cries, gentle beings cry out in distress, lions respond, and the sun sets.
चिताधूमेन नीलेन संरज्यन्ते च पादपाः। श्मशाने च निराहाराः प्रतिनन्दन्ति देहिनः ॥१२-१४९-९५॥
The trees are covered by the blue smoke of the funeral pyre; and in the cremation ground, the hungry spirits welcome the living.
सर्वे विक्रान्तवीर्याश्च अस्मिन्देशे सुदारुणाः। युष्मान्प्रधर्षयिष्यन्ति विकृता मांसभोजनाः ॥१२-१४९-९६॥
All those of powerful strength and very fierce nature in this land, the deformed meat-eaters, will oppress you.
दूराच्चायं वनोद्देशो भयमत्र भविष्यति। त्यज्यतां काष्ठभूतोऽयं मृष्यतां जाम्बुकं वचः ॥१२-१४९-९७॥
There will be danger in this forest region from a distance. Let this (object) that has become like wood be abandoned, let the jackal's words be examined.
यदि जम्बुकवाक्यानि निष्फलान्यनृतानि च। श्रोष्यथ भ्रष्टविज्ञानास्ततः सर्वे विनङ्क्ष्यथ ॥१२-१४९-९८॥
If you listen to the jackal's words, which are fruitless and false, then, having lost discernment, all of you will perish.
जम्बुक उवाच॥
The jackal said.
स्थीयतां नेह भेतव्यं यावत्तपति भास्करः। तावदस्मिन्सुतस्नेहादनिर्वेदेन वर्तत ॥१२-१४९-९९॥
Remain here without fear as long as the sun shines. In this situation, out of affection for your son, persevere and carry on.
स्वैरं रुदत विस्रब्धाः स्वैरं स्नेहेन पश्यत। स्थीयतां यावदादित्यः किं वः क्रव्यादभाषितैः ॥१२-१४९-१००॥
Weep freely and without fear; look with affection as you wish. Endure as long as the Sun endures; what do the words of the flesh-eater matter to you?
यदि गृध्रस्य वाक्यानि तीव्राणि रभसानि च। गृह्णीत मोहितात्मानः सुतो वो न भविष्यति ॥१२-१४९-१०१॥
If your son, in his delusion, accepts the harsh and forceful words of the vulture, he will not survive.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
गृध्रोऽनस्तमिते त्वाह गतेऽस्तमिति जम्बुकः। मृतस्य तं परिजनमूचतुस्तौ क्षुधान्वितौ ॥१२-१४९-१०२॥
The vulture said to you, 'when the sun has not set,' and the jackal said, 'when it has set.' Hungry, the two addressed the attendant of the dead.
स्वकार्यदक्षिणौ राजन्गृध्रो जम्बुक एव च। क्षुत्पिपासापरिश्रान्तौ शास्त्रमालम्ब्य जल्पतः ॥१२-१४९-१०३॥
O king, the vulture and the jackal, both skilled in their own affairs, exhausted by hunger and thirst, are conversing, having resorted to the treatise.
तयोर्विज्ञानविदुषोर्द्वयोर्जम्बुकपत्रिणोः। वाक्यैरमृतकल्पैर्हि प्रातिष्ठन्त व्रजन्ति च ॥१२-१४९-१०४॥
Of those two who are wise in knowledge and possess jackal-leaves, they indeed set forth and go by sentences that are like nectar.
शोकदैन्यसमाविष्टा रुदन्तस्तस्थिरे तदा। स्वकार्यकुशलाभ्यां ते सम्भ्राम्यन्ते ह नैपुणात् ॥१२-१४९-१०५॥
Overcome by sorrow and misery, they stood weeping. Because of the skill of the two who were adept in their own duties, they were indeed bewildered.
तथा तयोर्विवदतोर्विज्ञानविदुषोर्द्वयोः। बान्धवानां स्थितानां च उपातिष्ठत शङ्करः ॥१२-१४९-१०६॥
Thus, while those two wise men were disputing, and their relatives were standing by, Śaṅkara approached them.
ततस्तानाह मनुजान्वरदोऽस्मीति शूलभृत्। ते प्रत्यूचुरिदं वाक्यं दुःखिताः प्रणताः स्थिताः ॥१२-१४९-१०७॥
Then Śiva, the wielder of the trident and bestower of boons, said to the humans, "I am the giver of boons." The distressed and bowed people, standing before him, replied with these words.
एकपुत्रविहीनानां सर्वेषां जीवितार्थिनाम्। पुत्रस्य नो जीवदानाज्जीवितं दातुमर्हसि ॥१२-१४९-१०८॥
You ought to grant life to our son, for the sake of all those deprived of an only son and desiring life.
एवमुक्तः स भगवान्वारिपूर्णेन पाणिना। जीवं तस्मै कुमाराय प्रादाद्वर्षशताय वै ॥१२-१४९-१०९॥
Thus addressed, the venerable one took water in his hand and granted life to the boy for a hundred years.
तथा गोमायुगृध्राभ्यामददत्क्षुद्विनाशनम्। वरं पिनाकी भगवान्सर्वभूतहिते रतः ॥१२-१४९-११०॥
Thus, the Lord Pinākī (Śiva), ever engaged in the welfare of all beings, granted a boon to the jackal and the two vultures, giving them that which destroys hunger.
ततः प्रणम्य तं देवं श्रेयोहर्षसमन्विताः। कृतकृत्याः सुखं हृष्टाः प्रातिष्ठन्त तदा विभो ॥१२-१४९-१११॥
Then, having paid obeisance to the divine one, filled with joy and excellence, having accomplished their purpose, they happily and joyfully departed at that time, O lord.
अनिर्वेदेन दीर्घेण निश्चयेन ध्रुवेण च। देवदेवप्रसादाच्च क्षिप्रं फलमवाप्यते ॥१२-१४९-११२॥
With non-despair, perseverance, determination, steadfastness, and by the grace of the Lord of lords, the result is quickly attained.
पश्य देवस्य संयोगं बान्धवानां च निश्चयम्। कृपणानां हि रुदतां कृतमश्रुप्रमार्जनम् ॥१२-१४९-११३॥
Behold the divine arrangement and the certainty among relatives; for the miserable who are weeping, indeed, the wiping of tears has been accomplished.
पश्य चाल्पेन कालेन निश्चयान्वेषणेन च। प्रसादं शङ्करात्प्राप्य दुःखिताः सुखमाप्नुवन् ॥१२-१४९-११४॥
See, in a short time and by searching with certainty, those who are afflicted, having obtained the grace of Śaṅkara, attain happiness.
ते विस्मिताः प्रहृष्टाश्च पुत्रसञ्जीवनात्पुनः। बभूवुर्भरतश्रेष्ठ प्रसादाच्छङ्करस्य वै ॥१२-१४९-११५॥
O best of the Bharatas, by the grace of Śaṅkara, they became astonished and delighted again at the revival of their son.
ततस्ते त्वरिता राजञ्श्रुत्वा शोकमघोद्भवम्। विविशुः पुत्रमादाय नगरं हृष्टमानसाः ॥ एषा बुद्धिः समस्तानां चातुर्वर्ण्ये निदर्शिता ॥१२-१४९-११६॥
Then, O king, they quickly, having heard of the sorrow born of sin, entered the city with their son, their minds delighted. This wisdom has been demonstrated for all in the fourfold order.
धर्मार्थमोक्षसंयुक्तमितिहासमिमं शुभम्। श्रुत्वा मनुष्यः सततमिह प्रेत्य च मोदते ॥१२-१४९-११७॥
Upon hearing this auspicious history, which is associated with righteousness, wealth, and liberation, a person is always delighted both in this world and after death.
