12.312
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
स मोक्षमनुचिन्त्यैव शुकः पितरमभ्यगात्। प्राहाभिवाद्य च गुरुं श्रेयोर्थी विनयान्वितः ॥१२-३१२-१॥
Śuka, after deeply contemplating liberation, approached his father. Humbly saluting his teacher and seeking the highest good, he spoke. (12-312-1)
मोक्षधर्मेषु कुशलो भगवान्प्रब्रवीतु मे। यथा मे मनसः शान्तिः परमा सम्भवेत्प्रभो ॥१२-३१२-२॥
O revered one skilled in the duties of liberation, may you declare to me so that supreme peace of mind may arise for me, O lord. (12-312-2)
श्रुत्वा पुत्रस्य वचनं परमर्षिरुवाच तम्। अधीष्व पुत्र मोक्षं वै धर्मांश्च विविधानपि ॥१२-३१२-३॥
Having listened to his son's words, the supreme sage spoke to him: "O son, study liberation and also the various dharmas." (12-312-3)
पितुर्नियोगाज्जग्राह शुको ब्रह्मविदां वरः। योगशास्त्रं च निखिलं कापिलं चैव भारत ॥१२-३१२-४॥
O Bhārata, by his father's instruction, Śuka, the best among the knowers of Brahman, accepted the science of Yoga and the entire teaching of Kapila. (12-312-4)
स तं ब्राह्म्या श्रिया युक्तं ब्रह्मतुल्यपराक्रमम्। मेने पुत्रं यदा व्यासो मोक्षविद्याविशारदम् ॥१२-३१२-५॥
He considered him, endowed with divine splendor and valor equal to Brahman, as his son when Vyāsa became expert in the knowledge of liberation. (12-312-5)
उवाच गच्छेति तदा जनकं मिथिलेश्वरम्। स ते वक्ष्यति मोक्षार्थं निखिलेन विशेषतः ॥१२-३१२-६॥
He said, "Go," then to Janaka, the lord of Mithilā. He will tell you about liberation in full detail, especially. (12-312-6)
पितुर्नियोगादगमन्मैथिलं जनकं नृपम्। प्रष्टुं धर्मस्य निष्ठां वै मोक्षस्य च परायणम् ॥१२-३१२-७॥
By his father's command, he went to King Janaka of Mithila to ask about the steadfastness in dharma and the supreme goal of mokṣa. (12-312-7)
उक्तश्च मानुषेण त्वं पथा गच्छेत्यविस्मितः। न प्रभावेण गन्तव्यमन्तरिक्षचरेण वै ॥१२-३१२-८॥
And you, as spoken by a human, should go by the path, thus unastonished; it is not to be traversed by a sky-wanderer through power, indeed. (12-312-8)
आर्जवेणैव गन्तव्यं न सुखान्वेषिणा पथा। नान्वेष्टव्या विशेषास्तु विशेषा हि प्रसङ्गिनः ॥१२-३१२-९॥
One should proceed only with straightforwardness, not by the path of seeking pleasure. Distinctions should not be sought, for distinctions indeed lead to attachment. (12-312-9)
अहङ्कारो न कर्तव्यो याज्ये तस्मिन्नराधिपे। स्थातव्यं च वशे तस्य स ते छेत्स्यति संशयम् ॥१२-३१२-१०॥
Ego should not be harbored during the sacrifice in the presence of that king; you should remain under his control, for he will dispel your doubt. (12-312-10)
स धर्मकुशलो राजा मोक्षशास्त्रविशारदः। याज्यो मम स यद्ब्रूयात्तत्कार्यमविशङ्कया ॥१२-३१२-११॥
That king, skilled in dharma and expert in the science of liberation, who is worthy of worship and mine, whatever he might say, that should be done without any doubt. (12-312-11)
एवमुक्तः स धर्मात्मा जगाम मिथिलां मुनिः। पद्भ्यां शक्तोऽन्तरिक्षेण क्रान्तुं भूमिं ससागराम् ॥१२-३१२-१२॥
Thus addressed, the righteous sage went to Mithilā. Though capable of crossing the earth with oceans through the sky, he went on foot. (12-312-12)
स गिरींश्चाप्यतिक्रम्य नदीस्तीर्त्वा सरांसि च। बहुव्यालमृगाकीर्णा विविधाश्चाटवीस्तथा ॥१२-३१२-१३॥
He crossed mountains, rivers, and lakes, and also passed through various forests filled with many serpents and wild beasts. (12-312-13)
मेरोर्हरेश्च द्वे वर्षे वर्षं हैमवतं तथा। क्रमेणैव व्यतिक्रम्य भारतं वर्षमासदत् ॥१२-३१२-१४॥
Having crossed in order the two regions of Meru and Hari, as well as the Haimavata region, he reached the Bharata region. (12-312-14)
स देशान्विविधान्पश्यंश्चीनहूणनिषेवितान्। आर्यावर्तमिमं देशमाजगाम महामुनिः ॥१२-३१२-१५॥
The great sage, after seeing various countries inhabited by the Chinese and Hūṇas, came to this land of Āryāvarta. (12-312-15)
पितुर्वचनमाज्ञाय तमेवार्थं विचिन्तयन्। अध्वानं सोऽतिचक्राम खेऽचरः खे चरन्निव ॥१२-३१२-१६॥
Having understood his father's words and reflecting only on that purpose, he crossed the path, appearing motionless in the sky, as if moving through the sky. (12-312-16)
पत्तनानि च रम्याणि स्फीतानि नगराणि च। रत्नानि च विचित्राणि शुकः पश्यन्न पश्यति ॥१२-३१२-१७॥
The parrot, though seeing beautiful and prosperous cities, towns, and various gems, does not see them. (12-312-17)
उद्यानानि च रम्याणि तथैवायतनानि च। पुण्यानि चैव तीर्थानि सोऽतिक्रम्य तथाध्वनः ॥१२-३१२-१८॥
He, having thus passed gardens, pleasant shrines, holy places, and sacred fords on the way, continued his journey. (12-312-18)
सोऽचिरेणैव कालेन विदेहानाससाद ह। रक्षितान्धर्मराजेन जनकेन महात्मना ॥१२-३१२-१९॥
He soon reached the Videhas, who were protected by Dharmarāja Janaka, the great-souled one. (12-312-19)
तत्र ग्रामान्बहून्पश्यन्बह्वन्नरसभोजनान्। पल्लीघोषान्समृद्धांश्च बहुगोकुलसङ्कुलान् ॥१२-३१२-२०॥
There he saw many villages, abundant with food and delicious meals, prosperous hamlets and settlements, all crowded with many herds of cattle. (12-312-20)
स्फीतांश्च शालियवसैर्हंससारससेवितान्। पद्मिनीभिश्च शतशः श्रीमतीभिरलङ्कृतान् ॥१२-३१२-२१॥
Abundant with rice and barley, frequented by swans and cranes, and adorned by hundreds of splendid lotuses. (12-312-21)
स विदेहानतिक्रम्य समृद्धजनसेवितान्। मिथिलोपवनं रम्यमाससाद महर्द्धिमत् ॥१२-३१२-२२॥
Having passed through the Videha region, which was inhabited by prosperous people, he arrived at the beautiful and splendid grove of Mithila. (12-312-22)
हस्त्यश्वरथसङ्कीर्णं नरनारीसमाकुलम्। पश्यन्नपश्यन्निव तत्समतिक्रामदच्युतः ॥१२-३१२-२३॥
Acyuta (Krishna), as if seeing and not seeing, passed over that place crowded with men and women, mixed with elephants, horses, and chariots. (12-312-23)
मनसा तं वहन्भारं तमेवार्थं विचिन्तयन्। आत्मारामः प्रसन्नात्मा मिथिलामाससाद ह ॥१२-३१२-२४॥
With his mind carrying that burden and reflecting solely on that purpose, rejoicing in his own self and with a tranquil mind, he indeed reached Mithilā. (12-312-24)
तस्या द्वारं समासाद्य द्वारपालैर्निवारितः। स्थितो ध्यानपरो मुक्तो विदितः प्रविवेश ह ॥१२-३१२-२५॥
Having reached her door and being stopped by the doorkeepers, he stood there, absorbed in meditation, liberated and recognized, and then indeed entered. (12-312-25)
स राजमार्गमासाद्य समृद्धजनसङ्कुलम्। पार्थिवक्षयमासाद्य निःशङ्कः प्रविवेश ह ॥१२-३१२-२६॥
He reached the royal road, thronged with prosperous people, and, coming to the king's palace, entered without fear. (12-312-26)
तत्रापि द्वारपालास्तमुग्रवाचो न्यषेधयन्। तथैव च शुकस्तत्र निर्मन्युः समतिष्ठत ॥१२-३१२-२७॥
There too, the door-guards, speaking harshly, prevented him. Likewise, Śuka stood there without anger. (12-312-27)
न चातपाध्वसन्तप्तः क्षुत्पिपासाश्रमान्वितः। प्रताम्यति ग्लायति वा नापैति च तथातपात् ॥१२-३१२-२८॥
He, scorched by the sun and journey, and afflicted with hunger, thirst, and fatigue, neither faints nor becomes weak, nor does he depart thus from the sun. (12-312-28)
तेषां तु द्वारपालानामेकः शोकसमन्वितः। मध्यङ्गतमिवादित्यं दृष्ट्वा शुकमवस्थितम् ॥१२-३१२-२९॥
But among the gatekeepers, one who was filled with sorrow, seeing Śuka standing like the sun in the center. (12-312-29)
पूजयित्वा यथान्यायमभिवाद्य कृताञ्जलिः। प्रावेशयत्ततः कक्ष्यां द्वितीयां राजवेश्मनः ॥१२-३१२-३०॥
After performing worship in the proper manner and saluting with joined palms, he then led him into the second chamber of the royal palace. (12-312-30)
तत्रासीनः शुकस्तात मोक्षमेवानुचिन्तयन्। छायायामातपे चैव समदर्शी महाद्युतिः ॥१२-३१२-३१॥
There, Śuka sat, O father, reflecting solely on liberation; whether in shade or sunlight, he, of great brilliance, viewed both equally. (12-312-31)
तं मुहूर्तादिवागम्य राज्ञो मन्त्री कृताञ्जलिः। प्रावेशयत्ततः कक्ष्यां तृतीयां राजवेश्मनः ॥१२-३१२-३२॥
After a moment, as if having just arrived, the king's minister, with joined palms, then led him into the third chamber of the royal palace. (12-312-32)
तत्रान्तःपुरसम्बद्धं महच्चैत्ररथोपमम्। सुविभक्तजलाक्रीडं रम्यं पुष्पितपादपम् ॥१२-३१२-३३॥
There was a great garden, connected to the inner apartments, resembling Caitraratha, well-divided, with water-sports, beautiful, and filled with blossoming trees. (12-312-33)
तद्दर्शयित्वा स शुकं मन्त्री काननमुत्तमम्। अर्हमासनमादिश्य निश्चक्राम ततः पुनः ॥१२-३१२-३४॥
Having shown the excellent forest to Śuka, the minister, and having instructed him to take a worthy seat, he then departed from there again. (12-312-34)
तं चारुवेषाः सुश्रोण्यस्तरुण्यः प्रियदर्शनाः। सूक्ष्मरक्ताम्बरधरास्तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणाः ॥१२-३१२-३५॥
Young women with beautiful attire and lovely hips, pleasant to behold, wearing fine red garments and adorned with ornaments of molten gold, surrounded him. (12-312-35)
संलापोल्लापकुशला नृत्तगीतविशारदाः। स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषिण्यो रूपेणाप्सरसां समाः ॥१२-३१२-३६॥
They were skilled in conversation and charming speech, adept in dance and song, always speaking first with a smile, and in beauty, they were equal to the celestial nymphs (apsarases). (12-312-36)
कामोपचारकुशला भावज्ञाः सर्वकोविदाः। परं पञ्चाशतो नार्यो वारमुख्याः समाद्रवन् ॥१२-३१२-३७॥
Skilled in the arts of love, understanding emotions, and wise in all matters, fifty chief courtesans also hurried forward together. (12-312-37)
पाद्यादीनि प्रतिग्राह्य पूजया परयार्च्य च। देशकालोपपन्नेन साध्वन्नेनाप्यतर्पयन् ॥१२-३१२-३८॥
They received water for washing feet and other offerings, worshipped with supreme devotion, and also satisfied (the guests) with good food appropriate to the place and time. (12-312-38)
तस्य भुक्तवतस्तात तदन्तःपुरकाननम्। सुरम्यं दर्शयामासुरेकैकश्येन भारत ॥१२-३१२-३९॥
O Bhārata, after he had eaten, they showed him the beautiful inner-apartment forest, one by one. (12-312-39)
क्रीडन्त्यश्च हसन्त्यश्च गायन्त्यश्चैव ताः शुकम्। उदारसत्त्वं सत्त्वज्ञाः सर्वाः पर्यचरंस्तदा ॥१२-३१२-४०॥
At that time, all the women—those who were playing, laughing, and singing—indeed, all knowers of essence, attended upon the parrot of noble nature. (12-312-40)
आरणेयस्तु शुद्धात्मा त्रिसंदेहस्त्रिकर्मकृत्। वश्येन्द्रियो जितक्रोधो न हृष्यति न कुप्यति ॥१२-३१२-४१॥
But the descendant of Araṇa, pure in soul, possessing three bodies and performing three actions, with senses under control and anger conquered, neither rejoices nor becomes angry. (12-312-41)
तस्मै शय्यासनं दिव्यं वरार्हं रत्नभूषितम्। स्पर्ध्यास्तरणसंस्तीर्णं ददुस्ताः परमस्त्रियः ॥१२-३१२-४२॥
Those supreme women gave him a divine bed-seat, worthy of the best, adorned with jewels, splendid and well-spread with coverings. (12-312-42)
पादशौचं तु कृत्वैव शुकः सन्ध्यामुपास्य च। निषसादासने पुण्ये तमेवार्थं विचिन्तयन् ॥१२-३१२-४३॥
Śuka, after purifying his feet and performing the twilight worship, sat on the auspicious seat, contemplating that very purpose. (12-312-43)
पूर्वरात्रे तु तत्रासौ भूत्वा ध्यानपरायणः। मध्यरात्रे यथान्यायं निद्रामाहारयत्प्रभुः ॥१२-३१२-४४॥
But in the early part of the night, he was there, absorbed in meditation; at midnight, the lord took sleep as was proper. (12-312-44)
ततो मुहूर्तादुत्थाय कृत्वा शौचमनन्तरम्। स्त्रीभिः परिवृतो धीमान्ध्यानमेवान्वपद्यत ॥१२-३१२-४५॥
Then, after a short while, having risen and performed purification immediately, the wise one, surrounded by women, engaged himself in meditation. (12-312-45)
अनेन विधिना कार्ष्णिस्तदहःशेषमच्युतः। तां च रात्रिं नृपकुले वर्तयामास भारत ॥१२-३१२-४६॥
In this way, Kṛṣṇa (Acyuta) spent the rest of that day and the night in the king's palace, O Bhārata. (12-312-46)
