12.345
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
स वनानि विचित्राणि तीर्थानि च सरांसि च। अभिगच्छन्क्रमेण स्म कञ्चिन्मुनिमुपस्थितः ॥१२-३४५-१॥
He, while visiting various forests, sacred fords, and lakes in order, indeed approached a certain sage. (12-345-1)
तं स तेन यथोद्दिष्टं नागं विप्रेण ब्राह्मणः। पर्यपृच्छद्यथान्यायं श्रुत्वैव च जगाम सः ॥१२-३४५-२॥
The Brāhmaṇa, having asked the Nāga as instructed by the Brāhmaṇa according to rule, and having heard, he indeed went. (12-345-2)
सोऽभिगम्य यथाख्यातं नागायतनमर्थवित्। प्रोक्तवानहमस्मीति भोःशब्दालङ्कृतं वचः ॥१२-३४५-३॥
He, having reached the abode of serpents as described, the one who knows the meaning, spoke the words "I am"—speech adorned with the exclamation "bhoḥ". (12-345-3)
ततस्तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा रूपिणी धर्मवत्सला। दर्शयामास तं विप्रं नागपत्नी पतिव्रता ॥१२-३४५-४॥
Then, upon hearing his words, the beautiful and virtuous wife of the serpent, devoted to her husband and to righteousness, revealed herself to the brāhmaṇa. (12-345-4)
सा तस्मै विधिवत्पूजां चक्रे धर्मपरायणा। स्वागतेनागतं कृत्वा किं करोमीति चाब्रवीत् ॥१२-३४५-५॥
She, devoted to dharma, performed worship for him according to the rules; having welcomed him, she said, "What shall I do?" (12-345-5)
ब्राह्मण उवाच॥
The brāhmaṇa said:
विश्रान्तोऽभ्यर्चितश्चास्मि भवत्या श्लक्ष्णया गिरा। द्रष्टुमिच्छामि भवति तं देवं नागमुत्तमम् ॥१२-३४५-६॥
I am rested and honored by your gentle words. O lady, I wish to see that divine being, the supreme serpent. (12-345-6)
एतद्धि परमं कार्यमेतन्मे फलमीप्सितम्। अनेनार्थेन चास्म्यद्य सम्प्राप्तः पन्नगालयम् ॥१२-३४५-७॥
Indeed, this is the supreme task; this is the fruit I desired. By this means, today I have attained the abode of serpents. (12-345-7)
नागभार्योवाच॥
The wife of the serpent said.
आर्य सूर्यरथं वोढुं गतोऽसौ मासचारिकः। सप्ताष्टभिर्दिनैर्विप्र दर्शयिष्यत्यसंशयम् ॥१२-३४५-८॥
O noble one, the monthly traveler has gone to bear the sun's chariot; in seven or eight days, O brāhmaṇa, he will surely show it. (12-345-8)
एतद्विदितमार्यस्य विवासकरणं मम। भर्तुर्भवतु किं चान्यत्क्रियतां तद्वदस्व मे ॥१२-३४५-९॥
This act of banishment is known to the noble one as mine; let it be for my husband; what else should be done, tell that to me. (12-345-9)
ब्राह्मण उवाच॥
The brāhmaṇa said.
अनेन निश्चयेनाहं साध्वि सम्प्राप्तवानिह। प्रतीक्षन्नागमं देवि वत्स्याम्यस्मिन्महावने ॥१२-३४५-१०॥
With this resolve, O virtuous lady, I have come here. Awaiting the arrival, O goddess, I will remain in this great forest. (12-345-10)
सम्प्राप्तस्यैव चाव्यग्रमावेद्योऽहमिहागतः। ममाभिगमनं प्राप्तो वाच्यश्च वचनं त्वया ॥१२-३४५-११॥
I, who have arrived here calmly and together, am to be announced as present. My arrival has been accomplished, and you must convey this message. (12-345-11)
अहमप्यत्र वत्स्यामि गोमत्याः पुलिने शुभे। कालं परिमिताहारो यथोक्तं परिपालयन् ॥१२-३४५-१२॥
I too will stay here on the auspicious bank of the Gomati river, observing the prescribed time and maintaining a limited diet as instructed. (12-345-12)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
ततः स विप्रस्तां नागीं समाधाय पुनः पुनः। तदेव पुलिनं नद्याः प्रययौ ब्राह्मणर्षभः ॥१२-३४५-१३॥
Then that brāhmaṇa, after repeatedly settling the female serpent, went to that same sandbank of the river, the foremost among brāhmaṇas. (12-345-13)
