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युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
मग्नस्य व्यसने कृच्छ्रे किं श्रेयः पुरुषस्य हि। बन्धुनाशे महीपाल राज्यनाशेऽपि वा पुनः ॥१२-२२०-१॥
O king, when a man is immersed in calamity and difficulty, what benefit can there be for him, whether he loses his relatives or even his kingdom again?
त्वं हि नः परमो वक्ता लोकेऽस्मिन्भरतर्षभ। एतद्भवन्तं पृच्छामि तन्मे वक्तुमिहार्हसि ॥१२-२२०-२॥
You truly are the foremost speaker in this world, O best of the Bharatas. Therefore, I ask you this; please tell me this here.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
पुत्रदारैः सुखैश्चैव वियुक्तस्य धनेन च। मग्नस्य व्यसने कृच्छ्रे धृतिः श्रेयस्करी नृप ॥१२-२२०-३॥
O king, for one who is separated from sons, wives, pleasures, and wealth, and who is immersed in great calamity, fortitude is the most beneficial.
धैर्येण युक्तस्य सतः शरीरं न विशीर्यते। आरोग्याच्च शरीरस्य स पुनर्विन्दते श्रियम् ॥१२-२२०-४॥
The body of a virtuous person endowed with courage does not perish. Through bodily health, he regains prosperity.
यस्य राज्ञो नरास्तात सात्त्विकीं वृत्तिमास्थिताः। तस्य स्थैर्यं च धैर्यं च व्यवसायश्च कर्मसु ॥१२-२२०-५॥
O dear, when the king's men adopt a virtuous (sattvic) conduct, then his steadfastness, courage, and resolve in actions are assured.
अत्रैवोदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। बलिवासवसंवादं पुनरेव युधिष्ठिर ॥१२-२२०-६॥
Right here, O Yudhiṣṭhira, they recount this ancient story: the conversation between Bali and Indra, once again.
वृत्ते देवासुरे युद्धे दैत्यदानवसङ्क्षये। विष्णुक्रान्तेषु लोकेषु देवराजे शतक्रतौ ॥१२-२२०-७॥
When the battle between the gods and asuras had taken place, and the Daityas and Dānavas were destroyed, in the worlds traversed by Viṣṇu, Indra, the king of the gods, (prevailed).
इज्यमानेषु देवेषु चातुर्वर्ण्ये व्यवस्थिते। समृध्यमाने त्रैलोक्ये प्रीतियुक्ते स्वयम्भुवि ॥१२-२२०-८॥
When the gods were worshipped, the fourfold social order was established, the three worlds flourished, and Brahmā himself was filled with joy.
रुद्रैर्वसुभिरादित्यैरश्विभ्यामपि चर्षिभिः। गन्धर्वैर्भुजगेन्द्रैश्च सिद्धैश्चान्यैर्वृतः प्रभुः ॥१२-२२०-९॥
The Lord was surrounded by the Rudras, Vasus, Ādityas, the two Aśvins, sages, Gandharvas, lords of serpents, Siddhas, and others.
चतुर्दन्तं सुदान्तं च वारणेन्द्रं श्रिया वृतम्। आरुह्यैरावतं शक्रस्त्रैलोक्यमनुसंययौ ॥१२-२२०-१०॥
Indra, having ascended Airavata, the splendid, four-tusked, well-tamed lord of elephants, traversed the three worlds.
स कदाचित्समुद्रान्ते कस्मिंश्चिद्गिरिगह्वरे। बलिं वैरोचनिं वज्री ददर्शोपससर्प च ॥१२-२२०-११॥
Once, at the end of the ocean, in a certain mountain-cave, the wielder of the thunderbolt saw and approached Bali, the son of Virocana.
तमैरावतमूर्धस्थं प्रेक्ष्य देवगणैर्वृतम्। सुरेन्द्रमिन्द्रं दैत्येन्द्रो न शुशोच न विव्यथे ॥१२-२२०-१२॥
When the lord of the Daityas saw Indra, standing atop Airāvata and surrounded by the hosts of gods, he neither felt sorrow nor was shaken.
दृष्ट्वा तमविकारस्थं तिष्ठन्तं निर्भयं बलिम्। अधिरूढो द्विपश्रेष्ठमित्युवाच शतक्रतुः ॥१२-२२०-१३॥
Seeing Bali standing unshaken and fearless, Indra, mounted on the best of elephants, spoke these words.
दैत्य न व्यथसे शौर्यादथ वा वृद्धसेवया। तपसा भावितत्वाद्वा सर्वथैतत्सुदुष्करम् ॥१२-२२०-१४॥
O demon, you are not shaken by valor, nor by serving elders, nor by austerity or spiritual cultivation; in every way, this is extremely difficult.
शत्रुभिर्वशमानीतो हीनः स्थानादनुत्तमात्। वैरोचने किमाश्रित्य शोचितव्ये न शोचसि ॥१२-२२०-१५॥
O son of Virocana, having been brought under the control of enemies and deprived of your unsurpassed position, what support do you rely on that you do not grieve in a situation that calls for sorrow?
श्रैष्ठ्यं प्राप्य स्वजातीनां भुक्त्वा भोगाननुत्तमान्। हृतस्वबलराज्यस्त्वं ब्रूहि कस्मान्न शोचसि ॥१२-२२०-१६॥
After attaining supremacy among your own people and enjoying the highest pleasures, now that your strength and kingdom have been taken away, tell me, why do you not grieve?
ईश्वरो हि पुरा भूत्वा पितृपैतामहे पदे। तत्त्वमद्य हृतं दृष्ट्वा सपत्नैः किं न शोचसि ॥१२-२२०-१७॥
Once you were indeed the lord, occupying the position of your father and grandfather; now, seeing that position taken away by rivals, why do you not grieve?
बद्धश्च वारुणैः पाशैर्वज्रेण च समाहतः। हृतदारो हृतधनो ब्रूहि कस्मान्न शोचसि ॥१२-२२०-१८॥
You are bound by Varuṇa's nooses and struck by the thunderbolt; your wife and wealth have been taken away—tell me, why do you not grieve?
भ्रष्टश्रीर्विभवभ्रष्टो यन्न शोचसि दुष्करम्। त्रैलोक्यराज्यनाशे हि कोऽन्यो जीवितुमुत्सहेत् ॥१२-२२०-१९॥
It is difficult not to grieve when one has lost both fortune and wealth. Truly, when the sovereignty of all three worlds is destroyed, who else could endure to live?
एतच्चान्यच्च परुषं ब्रुवन्तं परिभूय तम्। श्रुत्वा सुखमसम्भ्रान्तो बलिर्वैरोचनोऽब्रवीत् ॥१२-२२०-२०॥
Having calmly and unagitatedly heard him speaking these and other harsh words, Bali, the son of Virocana, spoke.
निगृहीते मयि भृशं शक्र किं कत्थितेन ते। वज्रमुद्यम्य तिष्ठन्तं पश्यामि त्वां पुरंदर ॥१२-२२०-२१॥
O Śakra, since I have been greatly restrained, what is the use of your boasting? I see you, O Purandara, standing with the thunderbolt raised.
अशक्तः पूर्वमासीस्त्वं कथञ्चिच्छक्ततां गतः। कस्त्वदन्य इमा वाचः सुक्रूरा वक्तुमर्हति ॥१२-२२०-२२॥
You were powerless before, but somehow you have gained strength. Who else but you could be worthy to utter such harsh words?
यस्तु शत्रोर्वशस्थस्य शक्तोऽपि कुरुते दयाम्। हस्तप्राप्तस्य वीरस्य तं चैव पुरुषं विदुः ॥१२-२२०-२३॥
But he who, though capable, shows compassion to an enemy in his power—him, who has come within the grasp of a hero, they indeed recognize as a true man.
अनिश्चयो हि युद्धेषु द्वयोर्विवदमानयोः। एकः प्राप्नोति विजयमेकश्चैव पराभवम् ॥१२-२२०-२४॥
There is always uncertainty in battles between two disputants; one attains victory, and the other indeed meets defeat.
मा च ते भूत्स्वभावोऽयं मया दैवतपुङ्गव। ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां विक्रमेण जितो बलात् ॥१२-२२०-२५॥
Do not let this be your nature, O foremost of the gods. The lord of all beings has been conquered by prowess and by force.
नैतदस्मत्कृतं शक्र नैतच्छक्र त्वया कृतम्। यत्त्वमेवङ्गतो वज्रिन्यद्वाप्येवङ्गता वयम् ॥१२-२२०-२६॥
O Śakra, this was not done by us, nor was this done by you. Whether you have gone thus, O wielder of the thunderbolt, or we have gone thus.
अहमासं यथाद्य त्वं भविता त्वं यथा वयम्। मावमंस्था मया कर्म दुष्कृतं कृतमित्युत ॥१२-२२०-२७॥
I was once as you are today; you will become as we are. Do not look down upon the evil act I have done, thus indeed.
सुखदुःखे हि पुरुषः पर्यायेणाधिगच्छति। पर्यायेणासि शक्रत्वं प्राप्तः शक्र न कर्मणा ॥१२-२२०-२८॥
A person experiences both happiness and sorrow in succession. In the same way, O Śakra, you have attained the position of Indra not through your actions.
कालः काले नयति मां त्वां च कालो नयत्ययम्। तेनाहं त्वं यथा नाद्य त्वं चापि न यथा वयम् ॥१२-२२०-२९॥
Time, in due course, leads me and you; time leads this one as well. Therefore, I am not as I was today, nor are you as we were.
न मातृपितृशुश्रूषा न च दैवतपूजनम्। नान्यो गुणसमाचारः पुरुषस्य सुखावहः ॥१२-२२०-३०॥
Neither service to parents, nor worship of deities, nor any other virtuous conduct brings true happiness to a person.
न विद्या न तपो दानं न मित्राणि न बान्धवाः। शक्नुवन्ति परित्रातुं नरं कालेन पीडितम् ॥१२-२२०-३१॥
Neither knowledge, nor austerity, nor charity, nor friends, nor relatives can save a man who is afflicted by fate.
नागामिनमनर्थं हि प्रतिघातशतैरपि। शक्नुवन्ति प्रतिव्योढुमृते बुद्धिबलान्नराः ॥१२-२२०-३२॥
Men cannot withstand future misfortune, even with hundreds of obstacles, unless they have the strength of intellect.
पर्यायैर्हन्यमानानां परित्राता न विद्यते। इदं तु दुःखं यच्छक्र कर्ताहमिति मन्यते ॥१२-२२०-३३॥
There is no protector for those who are being killed in turns. This suffering, O Śakra, is because one thinks, 'I am the doer.'
यदि कर्ता भवेत्कर्ता न क्रियेत कदाचन। यस्मात्तु क्रियते कर्ता तस्मात्कर्ताप्यनीश्वरः ॥१२-२२०-३४॥
If the agent were truly the agent, action would never occur. But since the agent is made to act, therefore the agent too is not independent.
कालेन त्वाहमजयं कालेनाहं जितस्त्वया। गन्ता गतिमतां कालः कालः कलयति प्रजाः ॥१२-२२०-३५॥
By time I conquered you, and by time I was conquered by you. Time moves on for the swift; time counts all creatures.
इन्द्र प्राकृतया बुद्ध्या प्रलपन्नावबुध्यसे। केचित्त्वां बहु मन्यन्ते श्रैष्ठ्यं प्राप्तं स्वकर्मणा ॥१२-२२०-३६॥
O Indra, speaking with a natural intellect, you think you understand; some consider you to have attained great superiority by your own actions.
कथमस्मद्विधो नाम जानँल्लोकप्रवृत्तयः। कालेनाभ्याहतः शोचेन्मुह्येद्वाप्यर्थसम्भ्रमे ॥१२-२२०-३७॥
How could someone like me, who knows the ways of the world, truly grieve or become confused about purpose, even when afflicted by time?
नित्यं कालपरीतस्य मम वा मद्विधस्य वा। बुद्धिर्व्यसनमासाद्य भिन्ना नौरिव सीदति ॥१२-२२०-३८॥
For one afflicted by time, whether it is me or someone like me, the intellect, when struck by misfortune, sinks like a broken boat.
अहं च त्वं च ये चान्ये भविष्यन्ति सुराधिपाः। ते सर्वे शक्र यास्यन्ति मार्गमिन्द्रशतैर्गतम् ॥१२-२२०-३९॥
O Śakra, I, you, and all the other future lords of the gods will all follow the path that hundreds of Indras have already taken.
त्वामप्येवं सुदुर्धर्षं ज्वलन्तं परया श्रिया। काले परिणते कालः कालयिष्यति मामिव ॥१२-२२०-४०॥
Even you, who are so difficult to overcome and blazing with supreme splendor, when the time is ripe, time will bring to an end, just as it did to me.
बहूनीन्द्रसहस्राणि दैतेयानां युगे युगे। अभ्यतीतानि कालेन कालो हि दुरतिक्रमः ॥१२-२२०-४१॥
In every age, countless Indras among the Daiteyas have passed away, for time is truly insurmountable.
इदं तु लब्ध्वा त्वं स्थानमात्मानं बहु मन्यसे। सर्वभूतभवं देवं ब्रह्माणमिव शाश्वतम् ॥१२-२२०-४२॥
But having attained this position, you think highly of yourself, as if you were the eternal Brahmā, the god who is the source of all beings.
न चेदमचलं स्थानमनन्तं वापि कस्यचित्। त्वं तु बालिशया बुद्ध्या ममेदमिति मन्यसे ॥१२-२२०-४३॥
If this immovable place is not endless or does not belong to anyone, still, with childish understanding, you think, 'this is mine.'
अविश्वास्ये विश्वसिषि मन्यसे चाध्रुवं ध्रुवम्। ममेयमिति मोहात्त्वं राजश्रियमभीप्ससि ॥१२-२२०-४४॥
You trust what is unreliable, and consider the impermanent to be permanent; out of delusion, thinking 'this is mine', you desire royal prosperity.
नेयं तव न चास्माकं न चान्येषां स्थिरा मता। अतिक्रम्य बहूनन्यांस्त्वयि तावदियं स्थिता ॥१२-२२०-४५॥
This opinion is not firmly held by you, nor by us, nor by others; having surpassed many others, for now this remains with you.
कञ्चित्कालमियं स्थित्वा त्वयि वासव चञ्चला। गौर्निपानमिवोत्सृज्य पुनरन्यं गमिष्यति ॥१२-२२०-४६॥
O Indra, this fickle one, after staying with you for a while, will, like a cow leaving a watering place, abandon you and go to another again.
राजलोका ह्यतिक्रान्ता यान्न सङ्ख्यातुमुत्सहे। त्वत्तो बहुतराश्चान्ये भविष्यन्ति पुरंदर ॥१२-२२०-४७॥
Countless royal persons have indeed passed away before, O Indra, and in the future, there will be many more than you.
सवृक्षौषधिरत्नेयं ससरित्पर्वताकरा। तानिदानीं न पश्यामि यैर्भुक्तेयं पुरा मही ॥१२-२२०-४८॥
I no longer see the trees, herbs, gems, rivers, mountains, and mines on this earth, which were once enjoyed by those people in the past.
पृथुरैलो मयो भौमो नरकः शम्बरस्तथा। अश्वग्रीवः पुलोमा च स्वर्भानुरमितध्वजः ॥१२-२२०-४९॥
Pṛthu, Aila, Maya, Bhauma, Naraka, Śambara, Aśvagrīva, Pulomā, Svarbhānu, and Amita-dhvaja were also present.
प्रह्रादो नमुचिर्दक्षो विप्रचित्तिर्विरोचनः। ह्रीनिषेधः सुहोत्रश्च भूरिहा पुष्पवान्वृषः ॥१२-२२०-५०॥
Prahrāda, Namuci, Dakṣa, Vipracitti, Virocana, Hrīniṣedha, Suhotra, Bhūrihā, Puṣpavān, and Vṛṣa.
सत्येषुरृषभो राहुः कपिलाश्वो विरूपकः। बाणः कार्तस्वरो वह्निर्विश्वदंष्ट्रोऽथ नैरृतः ॥१२-२२०-५१॥
Among the truthful, the bull, Rahu, the one with tawny horses, the deformed one, Bana, Kārtasvara, fire, the one with universal fangs, and then Nairrita.
रित्थाहुत्थौ वीरताम्रौ वराहाश्वो रुचिः प्रभुः। विश्वजित्प्रतिशौरिश्च वृषाण्डो विष्करो मधुः ॥१२-२२०-५२॥
Rittha and Ahuttha, Vīra and Tāmra, Varāha and Aśva, Ruci, the lord, Viśvajit, Pratiśauri, Vṛṣāṇḍa, Viṣkara, and Madhu.
हिरण्यकशिपुश्चैव कैटभश्चैव दानवः। दैत्याश्च कालखञ्जाश्च सर्वे ते नैरृतैः सह ॥१२-२२०-५३॥
Hiraṇyakaśipu, Kaiṭabha, the Dānava, the Daityas, the Kālakhañjas, and all of them together with the Nairṛtas.
एते चान्ये च बहवः पूर्वे पूर्वतराश्च ये। दैत्येन्द्रा दानवेन्द्राश्च यांश्चान्याननुशुश्रुम ॥१२-२२०-५४॥
We have heard of these and many others, both former and still earlier, the lords of the Daityas and Dānavas, and others as well.
बहवः पूर्वदैत्येन्द्राः सन्त्यज्य पृथिवीं गताः। कालेनाभ्याहताः सर्वे कालो हि बलवत्तरः ॥१२-२२०-५५॥
Many former Daitya kings abandoned the earth and departed; all were overcome by time, for time is indeed the strongest force.
सर्वैः क्रतुशतैरिष्टं न त्वमेकः शतक्रतुः। सर्वे धर्मपराश्चासन्सर्वे सततसत्रिणः ॥१२-२२०-५६॥
It was not only you, O Indra, who offered hundreds of sacrifices; all were devoted to dharma and all were constant performers of sacrifices.
अन्तरिक्षचराः सर्वे सर्वेऽभिमुखयोधिनः। सर्वे संहननोपेताः सर्वे परिघबाहवः ॥१२-२२०-५७॥
All of them move through the sky, all are warriors who face their enemies directly, all possess strong and compact bodies, and all have arms like iron clubs.
सर्वे मायाशतधराः सर्वे ते कामचारिणः। सर्वे समरमासाद्य न श्रूयन्ते पराजिताः ॥१२-२२०-५८॥
All those who possess a hundred illusions, all those who move according to desire, none of them, having entered the battle, are heard to have been defeated.
सर्वे सत्यव्रतपराः सर्वे कामविहारिणः। सर्वे वेदव्रतपराः सर्वे चासन्बहुश्रुताः ॥१२-२२०-५९॥
All were devoted to truth and vows, all enjoyed pleasures. All were devoted to Vedic vows, and all were learned in many scriptures.
सर्वे संहतमैश्वर्यमीश्वराः प्रतिपेदिरे। न चैश्वर्यमदस्तेषां भूतपूर्वो महात्मनाम् ॥१२-२२०-६०॥
All the lords attained united sovereignty. Among those great souls, there had never previously been any arrogance born of sovereignty.
सर्वे यथार्थदातारः सर्वे विगतमत्सराः। सर्वे सर्वेषु भूतेषु यथावत्प्रतिपेदिरे ॥१२-२२०-६१॥
All were true givers, all were without envy. All behaved towards all beings as was appropriate.
सर्वे दाक्षायणीपुत्राः प्राजापत्या महाबलाः। ज्वलन्तः प्रतपन्तश्च कालेन प्रतिसंहृताः ॥१२-२२०-६२॥
All the mighty sons of Dākṣāyaṇī, descendants of Prajāpati, who were blazing and burning, were ultimately withdrawn by time.
त्वं चैवेमां यदा भुक्त्वा पृथिवीं त्यक्ष्यसे पुनः। न शक्ष्यसि तदा शक्र नियन्तुं शोकमात्मनः ॥१२-२२०-६३॥
O Śakra, when you have enjoyed this earth and must abandon it again, then you will not be able to restrain your own sorrow.
मुञ्चेच्छां कामभोगेषु मुञ्चेमं श्रीभवं मदम्। एवं स्वराज्यनाशे त्वं शोकं सम्प्रसहिष्यसि ॥१२-२२०-६४॥
Give up desire for sensual pleasures and this pride born of prosperity. In this way, when you lose your own kingdom, you will be able to bear the sorrow.
शोककाले शुचो मा त्वं हर्षकाले च मा हृषः। अतीतानागते हित्वा प्रत्युत्पन्नेन वर्तय ॥१२-२२०-६५॥
Do not grieve in times of sorrow, nor exult in times of joy. Let go of the past and the future, and live in the present.
मां चेदभ्यागतः कालः सदायुक्तमतन्द्रितम्। क्षमस्व नचिरादिन्द्र त्वामप्युपगमिष्यति ॥१२-२२०-६६॥
If the destined time, ever engaged and untiring, has come to me, forgive me, O Indra; before long, it will come to you as well.
त्रासयन्निव देवेन्द्र वाग्भिस्तक्षसि मामिह। संयते मयि नूनं त्वमात्मानं बहु मन्यसे ॥१२-२२०-६७॥
O Indra of the gods, you seem to be tormenting me here with words as if to frighten me; since I am self-restrained, you surely think highly of yourself.
कालः प्रथममायान्मां पश्चात्त्वामनुधावति। तेन गर्जसि देवेन्द्र पूर्वं कालहते मयि ॥१२-२२०-६८॥
Time first approached me, and then pursues you. Because of that, O Indra of the gods, you boast now, but earlier, when I was struck down by time.
को हि स्थातुमलं लोके क्रुद्धस्य मम संयुगे। कालस्तु बलवान्प्राप्तस्तेन तिष्ठसि वासव ॥१२-२२०-६९॥
Who in this world can stand against me when I am enraged in battle? Yet, O Vāsava, it is because the powerful force of time has arrived that you are able to stand.
यत्तद्वर्षसहस्रान्तं पूर्णं भवितुमर्हति। यथा मे सर्वगात्राणि नस्वस्थानि हतौजसः ॥१२-२२०-७०॥
That which deserves to be completed at the end of a thousand years, just as all my limbs, with their strength destroyed, are not in their own place.
अहमैन्द्रच्च्युतः स्थानात्त्वमिन्द्रः प्रकृतो दिवि। सुचित्रे जीवलोकेऽस्मिन्नुपास्यः कालपर्ययात् ॥१२-२२०-७१॥
I have fallen from the position of Indra, and you have been appointed as Indra in heaven; in this beautiful world of living beings, you are to be worshipped as time changes.
किं हि कृत्वा त्वमिन्द्रोऽद्य किं हि कृत्वा च्युता वयम्। कालः कर्ता विकर्ता च सर्वमन्यदकारणम् ॥१२-२२०-७२॥
What have you done today, Indra? What have we done to fall? Time is the doer and transformer; everything else is without cause.
नाशं विनाशमैश्वर्यं सुखदुःखे भवाभवौ। विद्वान्प्राप्यैवमत्यर्थं न प्रहृष्येन्न च व्यथेत् ॥१२-२२०-७३॥
A wise person, upon encountering destruction, annihilation, prosperity, pleasure and pain, or existence and non-existence, should neither be excessively elated nor distressed.
त्वमेव हीन्द्र वेत्थास्मान्वेदाहं त्वां च वासव। विकत्थसे मां किं बद्धं कालेन निरपत्रप ॥१२-२२०-७४॥
You, Indra, truly know us; I also know you, O Vāsava. Why do you boast to me, shameless one, when I am bound by time?
त्वमेव हि पुरा वेत्थ यत्तदा पौरुषं मम। समरेषु च विक्रान्तं पर्याप्तं तन्निदर्शनम् ॥१२-२२०-७५॥
You yourself know well my former manliness; my valor in battles is sufficient proof of that.
आदित्याश्चैव रुद्राश्च साध्याश्च वसुभिः सह। मया विनिर्जिताः सर्वे मरुतश्च शचीपते ॥१२-२२०-७६॥
O lord of Śacī, all the Ādityas, Rudras, Sādhyas, Vasus, and Maruts have been completely conquered by me.
त्वमेव शक्र जानासि देवासुरसमागमे। समेता विबुधा भग्नास्तरसा समरे मया ॥१२-२२०-७७॥
You alone, O Indra, know that in the battle between gods and asuras, the assembled gods were forcefully defeated by me in the fight.
पर्वताश्चासकृत्क्षिप्ताः सवनाः सवनौकसः। सटङ्कशिखरा घोराः समरे मूर्ध्नि ते मया ॥१२-२२०-७८॥
Mountains with jagged and terrible summits, along with their inhabitants, were repeatedly hurled by me in battle upon your head.
किं नु शक्यं मया कर्तुं यत्कालो दुरतिक्रमः। न हि त्वां नोत्सहे हन्तुं सवज्रमपि मुष्टिना ॥१२-२२०-७९॥
What can I possibly do, since time cannot be overcome? Truly, I am not able to kill you, even with a thunderbolt or with my fist.
न तु विक्रमकालोऽयं क्षमाकालोऽयमागतः। तेन त्वा मर्षये शक्र दुर्मर्षणतरस्त्वया ॥१२-२२०-८०॥
But this is not the time for valor; this is the time for forbearance. Therefore, I forgive you, O Śakra, though you are even more difficult to forgive.
त्वं मा परिणते काले परीतं कालवह्निना। नियतं कालपाशेन बद्धं शक्र विकत्थसे ॥१२-२२०-८१॥
O Śakra, you boast even though, when time has passed, you are overcome and bound by the fire and noose of time.
अयं स पुरुषः श्यामो लोकस्य दुरतिक्रमः। बद्ध्वा तिष्ठति मां रौद्रः पशुं रशनया यथा ॥१२-२२०-८२॥
This dark man, who is hard to overcome in the world, stands having bound me, fierce, like a beast with a rope.
लाभालाभौ सुखं दुःखं कामक्रोधौ भवाभवौ। वधो बन्धः प्रमोक्षश्च सर्वं कालेन लभ्यते ॥१२-२२०-८३॥
Gain and loss, happiness and sorrow, desire and anger, existence and non-existence, death, bondage, and liberation—everything is attained in time.
नाहं कर्ता न कर्ता त्वं कर्ता यस्तु सदा प्रभुः। सोऽयं पचति कालो मां वृक्षे फलमिवागतम् ॥१२-२२०-८४॥
I am not the doer, nor are you; the true doer is always the supreme master. It is Time that ripens me, just as a fruit ripens on the tree when its time has come.
यान्येव पुरुषः कुर्वन्सुखैः कालेन युज्यते। पुनस्तान्येव कुर्वाणो दुःखैः कालेन युज्यते ॥१२-२२०-८५॥
Whatever actions a man performs with pleasure, in time he is united with them; again, performing those same actions, he is united with pain in time.
न च कालेन कालज्ञः स्पृष्टः शोचितुमर्हति। तेन शक्र न शोचामि नास्ति शोके सहायता ॥१२-२२०-८६॥
The one who understands time, when affected by time, should not grieve. Therefore, O Śakra, I do not grieve, for there is no assistance in grief.
यदा हि शोचतां शोको व्यसनं नापकर्षति। सामर्थ्यं शोचतो नास्ति नाद्य शोचाम्यहं ततः ॥१२-२२०-८७॥
When grief does not remove calamity for those who grieve, and strength does not exist for the grieving, therefore, today I do not grieve.
एवमुक्तः सहस्राक्षो भगवान्पाकशासनः। प्रतिसंहृत्य संरम्भमित्युवाच शतक्रतुः ॥१२-२२०-८८॥
Thus addressed, Indra, the thousand-eyed and venerable subduer of Pāka, withdrew his anger and spoke as follows.
सवज्रमुद्यतं बाहुं दृष्ट्वा पाशांश्च वारुणान्। कस्येह न व्यथेद्बुद्धिर्मृत्योरपि जिघांसतः ॥१२-२२०-८९॥
Who here would not have their mind shaken, seeing an arm raised with the thunderbolt and the nooses of Varuṇa, even if it were death itself seeking to slay?
सा ते न व्यथते बुद्धिरचला तत्त्वदर्शिनी। ब्रुवन्न व्यथसे स त्वं वाक्यं सत्यपराक्रम ॥१२-२२०-९०॥
That intellect of yours, unwavering and perceiving reality, is not disturbed. While speaking, you are not disturbed; you are one whose valor is truth.
हो हि विश्वासमर्थेषु शरीरे वा शरीरभृत्। कर्तुमुत्सहते लोके दृष्ट्वा सम्प्रस्थितं जगत् ॥१२-२२०-९१॥
Indeed, in this world, seeing that the world is set in motion, one is able to act, whether trusting in objects, the body, or the embodied soul.
अहमप्येवमेवैनं लोकं जानाम्यशाश्वतम्। कालाग्नावाहितं घोरे गुह्ये सततगेऽक्षरे ॥१२-२२०-९२॥
I too know this world in the same way—as impermanent, set in the fire of time, within the terrible, secret, ever-moving imperishable.
न चात्र परिहारोऽस्ति कालस्पृष्टस्य कस्यचित्। सूक्ष्माणां महतां चैव भूतानां परिपच्यताम् ॥१२-२२०-९३॥
Here, there is no escape for anyone touched by time; both subtle and great beings, as they mature, are subject to it.
अनीशस्याप्रमत्तस्य भूतानि पचतः सदा। अनिवृत्तस्य कालस्य क्षयं प्राप्तो न मुच्यते ॥१२-२२०-९४॥
For one who lacks mastery and vigilance, beings are always consumed. When the irreversible time brings destruction, there is no release.
अप्रमत्तः प्रमत्तेषु कालो जागर्ति देहिषु। प्रयत्नेनाप्यतिक्रान्तो दृष्टपूर्वो न केनचित् ॥१२-२२०-९५॥
Time, ever alert among the negligent embodied beings, is never overcome by anyone, no matter how much effort is made; no one has ever seen it surpassed.
पुराणः शाश्वतो धर्मः सर्वप्राणभृतां समः। कालो न परिहार्यश्च न चास्यास्ति व्यतिक्रमः ॥१२-२२०-९६॥
Dharma is ancient and eternal, impartial to all living beings. Time cannot be avoided, nor can its course be transgressed.
अहोरात्रांश्च मासांश्च क्षणान्काष्ठाः कला लवान्। सम्पिण्डयति नः कालो वृद्धिं वार्धुषिको यथा ॥१२-२२०-९७॥
Time merges all our days and nights, months, moments, and the smallest units, bringing about our growth and old age, just as an agent of aging would.
इदमद्य करिष्यामि श्वः कर्तास्मीति वादिनम्। कालो हरति सम्प्राप्तो नदीवेग इवोडुपम् ॥१२-२२०-९८॥
Time, when it arrives, sweeps away the person who says, "I will do this today, I will do it tomorrow, I am the doer," just as the current of a river carries away a log.
इदानीं तावदेवासौ मया दृष्टः कथं मृतः। इति कालेन ह्रियतां प्रलापः श्रूयते नृणाम् ॥१२-२२०-९९॥
Now, just then, it is heard among men: "He was just seen by me, how is he dead?"—such delirium is carried away by time.
नश्यन्त्यर्थास्तथा भोगाः स्थानमैश्वर्यमेव च। अनित्यमध्रुवं सर्वं व्यवसायो हि दुष्करः ॥ उच्छ्राया विनिपातान्ता भावोऽभावस्थ एव च ॥१२-२२०-१००॥
Objects, enjoyments, position, and prosperity are all destroyed; everything is impermanent and unstable, and any undertaking is indeed difficult. All rise ends in downfall; existence itself is always accompanied by non-existence.
सा ते न व्यथते बुद्धिरचला तत्त्वदर्शिनी। अहमासं पुरा चेति मनसापि न बुध्यसे ॥१२-२२०-१०१॥
Your intellect, which is unmoving and perceives reality, is not disturbed. You do not understand, even by your mind, that I existed formerly as such.
कालेनाक्रम्य लोकेऽस्मिन्पच्यमाने बलीयसा। अज्येष्ठमकनिष्ठं च क्षिप्यमाणो न बुध्यसे ॥१२-२२०-१०२॥
Overpowered by time, in this world, as the stronger ripens (destroys) all, you are tossed about, neither the eldest nor the youngest, and you do not perceive it.
ईर्ष्याभिमानलोभेषु कामक्रोधभयेषु च। स्पृहामोहाभिमानेषु लोकः सक्तो विमुह्यति ॥१२-२२०-१०३॥
People, being attached to envy, pride, greed, desire, anger, fear, longing, delusion, and pride, become deluded.
भवांस्तु भावतत्त्वज्ञो विद्वाञ्ज्ञानतपोन्वितः। कालं पश्यति सुव्यक्तं पाणावामलकं यथा ॥१२-२२०-१०४॥
You, truly a knower of the essence of reality, wise and endowed with the austerity of knowledge, perceive time as clearly as one sees an āmalaka fruit in their hand.
कालचारित्रतत्त्वज्ञः सर्वशास्त्रविशारदः। वैरोचने कृतात्मासि स्पृहणीयो विजानताम् ॥१२-२२०-१०५॥
O son of Virocana, you are one who knows the principles of time and conduct, an expert in all scriptures, self-controlled, and worthy of emulation among the wise.
सर्वलोको ह्ययं मन्ये बुद्ध्या परिगतस्त्वया। विहरन्सर्वतोमुक्तो न क्वचित्परिषज्जसे ॥१२-२२०-१०६॥
I believe that you have comprehended all worlds by your intellect; moving about everywhere, you remain liberated and are not bound anywhere.
रजश्च हि तमश्च त्वा स्पृशतो न जितेन्द्रियम्। निष्प्रीतिं नष्टसन्तापं त्वमात्मानमुपाससे ॥१२-२२०-१०७॥
When passion and darkness touch you, O one who has not conquered the senses, you neither attain delight nor freedom from suffering; you worship only your own self.
सुहृदं सर्वभूतानां निर्वैरं शान्तमानसम्। दृष्ट्वा त्वां मम सञ्जाता त्वय्यनुक्रोशिनी मतिः ॥१२-२२०-१०८॥
Seeing you, who are good-hearted towards all beings, free from enmity, and with a peaceful mind, a compassionate thought has arisen in me towards you.
नाहमेतादृशं बुद्धं हन्तुमिच्छामि बन्धने। आनृशंस्यं परो धर्मो अनुक्रोशस्तथा त्वयि ॥१२-२२०-१०९॥
I do not wish to kill such a wise person who is in bondage. Compassion is the highest duty, and so is pity towards you.
मोक्ष्यन्ते वारुणाः पाशास्तवेमे कालपर्ययात्। प्रजानामपचारेण स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु महासुर ॥१२-२२०-११०॥
The bonds of Varuṇa, these of yours, are released in due course of time; due to the misconduct of beings, may well-being be yours, O great Asura.
यदा श्वश्रूं स्नुषा वृद्धां परिचारेण योक्ष्यते। पुत्रश्च पितरं मोहात्प्रेषयिष्यति कर्मसु ॥१२-२२०-१११॥
When the daughter-in-law makes the aged mother-in-law serve, and the son, out of delusion, sends his father to work.
ब्राह्मणैः कारयिष्यन्ति वृषलाः पादधावनम्। शूद्राश्च ब्राह्मणीं भार्यामुपयास्यन्ति निर्भयाः ॥१२-२२०-११२॥
Outcastes will make Brāhmaṇas wash their feet. Śūdras will also, without fear, take a Brāhmaṇa woman as their wife.
वियोनिषु च बीजानि मोक्ष्यन्ते पुरुषा यदा। सङ्करं कांस्यभाण्डैश्च बलिं चापि कुपात्रकैः ॥१२-२२०-११३॥
When people are born in improper wombs and seeds are released, there is confusion of castes; offerings are made with bronze vessels and also by unworthy vessels.
चातुर्वर्ण्यं यदा कृत्स्नमुन्मर्यादं भविष्यति। एकैकस्ते तदा पाशः क्रमशः प्रतिमोक्ष्यते ॥१२-२२०-११४॥
When the fourfold order of society becomes completely without boundaries, then each of those bonds will be successively released.
अस्मत्तस्ते भयं नास्ति समयं प्रतिपालय। सुखी भव निराबाधः स्वस्थचेता निरामयः ॥१२-२२०-११५॥
You have nothing to fear from us. Keep your agreement. Be happy, free from obstacles, healthy in mind, and free from illness.
तमेवमुक्त्वा भगवाञ्शतक्रतुः; प्रतिप्रयातो गजराजवाहनः। विजित्य सर्वानसुरान्सुराधिपो; ननन्द हर्षेण बभूव चैकराट् ॥१२-२२०-११६॥
After saying this to him, the venerable Indra, riding the king of elephants, departed. Having conquered all the asuras, the lord of the gods rejoiced with great happiness and became the sole ruler.
महर्षयस्तुष्टुवुरञ्जसा च तं; वृषाकपिं सर्वचराचरेश्वरम्। हिमापहो हव्यमुदावहंस्त्वरं; स्तथामृतं चार्पितमीश्वराय ह ॥१२-२२०-११७॥
The great sages directly praised him and Vṛṣākapi, the lord of all beings. The remover of snow quickly brought forth the offering and nectar, and indeed offered them to the Lord.
द्विजोत्तमैः सर्वगतैरभिष्टुतो; विदीप्ततेजा गतमन्युरीश्वरः। प्रशान्तचेता मुदितः स्वमालयं; त्रिविष्टपं प्राप्य मुमोद वासवः ॥१२-२२०-११८॥
Indra, praised by the foremost of the twice-born who are present everywhere, his anger calmed and his energy blazing, joyfully returned to his own abode in heaven and rejoiced.
