12.346
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
atha tena naraśreṣṭha brāhmaṇena tapasvinā। nirāhāreṇa vasatā duḥkhitās te bhujaṅgamāḥ ॥12-346-1॥
Then, O best of men, those serpents became distressed by the presence of the brāhmaṇa ascetic who was dwelling there without food. (12-346-1)
sarve sambhūya sahitās tasya nāgasya bāndhavāḥ। bhrātaraḥ tanayā bhāryā yayus taṃ brāhmaṇaṃ prati ॥12-346-2॥
All the relatives of that nāga—his brothers, sons, and wife—having come together in unity, went towards that brāhmaṇa. (12-346-2)
te'apaśyan puline taṃ vai vivikte niyatavratam। samāsīnaṃ nirāhāraṃ dvijaṃ japyaparāyaṇam ॥12-346-3॥
They saw the twice-born, devoted to recitation, seated without food on the sandbank in a secluded place, steadfast in his vow. (12-346-3)
te sarve samabhikramya vipram abhyarcya ca asakṛt। ūcur vākyam asaṃdigdham ātitheyasya bāndhavāḥ ॥12-346-4॥
All of them, having come together and having repeatedly worshipped the Brāhmaṇa, the relatives of the host spoke clear words. (12-346-4)
ṣaṣṭho hi divasaste'dya prāptasyeha tapodhana। na cābhilaṣase kiñcidāhāraṃ dharmavatsala ॥12-346-5॥
O ascetic, today is the sixth day that you have spent here, and yet, O lover of dharma, you do not desire any food. (12-346-5)
asmān abhigataś cāsi vayaṃ ca tvām upasthitāḥ। kāryaṃ cātithyam asmābhir vayaṃ sarve kuṭumbinaḥ ॥12-346-6॥
You have come to us, and we are present before you; it is our duty, as householders, to offer hospitality. (12-346-6)
mūlaṃ phalaṃ vā parṇaṃ vā payo vā dvijasattama। āhārahetor annaṃ vā bhoktum arhasi brāhmaṇa ॥12-346-7॥
O Brāhmaṇa, best of the twice-born, you are worthy to eat root, fruit, leaf, milk, or food for the sake of sustenance. (12-346-7)
tyaktāhāreṇa bhavatā vane nivasatā satā। bālavṛddham idaṃ sarvaṃ pīḍyate dharmasaṅkaṭāt ॥12-346-8॥
Because you, having given up food and living righteously in the forest, all these—children and elders—are suffering due to the hardship of dharma. (12-346-8)
na hi no bhrūṇahā kaścid rājāpathyo'nṛto'pi vā। pūrvāśī vā kule hy asmin devatātithibandhuṣu ॥12-346-9॥
Indeed, among us, there is no one who is a killer of an embryo, nor anyone born of royal lineage who is untruthful, nor anyone who has eaten before others, nor among our family, deities, guests, or relatives. (12-346-9)
brāhmaṇa uvāca॥
The brāhmaṇa said:
upadeśena yuṣmākam āhāro'yaṁ mayā vṛtaḥ। dvirūnaṁ daśarātraṁ vai nāgasya āgamanaṁ prati ॥12-346-10॥
By my instruction, your food has been restricted. For eight nights, until the serpent's arrival. (12-346-10)
yadyaṣṭarātre niryāte nāgamiṣyati pannagaḥ। tadāhāraṃ kariṣyāmi tannimittamidaṃ vratam ॥12-346-11॥
If, after eight nights have passed, the serpent desires food, then I will provide food; for this reason, I have taken this vow. (12-346-11)
kartavyo na ca santāpo gamyatāṃ ca yathāgatam। tannimittaṃ vrataṃ mahyaṃ naitadbhettumihārhatha ॥12-346-12॥
The duty must be performed, and there should be no affliction; let it pass away as it has come. For that reason, this vow is mine; you ought not to break it here. (12-346-12)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
tena te samanujñātā brāhmaṇena bhujaṅgamāḥ। svameva bhavanaṃ jagmurakṛtārthā nararṣabha ॥12-346-13॥
O best of men, thus permitted by the brāhmaṇa, the serpents, unsuccessful in their purpose, went to their own abode. (12-346-13)
