12.347
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
अथ काले बहुतिथे पूर्णे प्राप्तो भुजङ्गमः। दत्ताभ्यनुज्ञः स्वं वेश्म कृतकर्मा विवस्वतः ॥१२-३४७-१॥
Then, after many days had passed, the serpent, having received permission and having performed the necessary rites, arrived at the house of Vivasvat. (12-347-1)
तं भार्या समभिक्रामत्पादशौचादिभिर्गुणैः। उपपन्नां च तां साध्वीं पन्नगः पर्यपृच्छत ॥१२-३४७-२॥
His wife approached him, possessing virtues such as purity of feet; and the serpent asked about that virtuous woman who was endowed with such qualities. (12-347-2)
अपि त्वमसि कल्याणि देवतातिथिपूजने। पूर्वमुक्तेन विधिना युक्ता युक्तेन मत्समम् ॥१२-३४७-३॥
Indeed, O auspicious one, in the worship of deities and guests, you are engaged by the previously stated method, and with proper conduct, you are equal to me. (12-347-3)
न खल्वस्यकृतार्थेन स्त्रीबुद्ध्या मार्दवीकृता। मद्वियोगेन सुश्रोणि वियुक्ता धर्मसेतुना ॥१२-३४७-४॥
O beautiful-hipped one, it is not that I have been made gentle by the intellect of a woman or by one whose purpose is unaccomplished; rather, I have been separated from you by the bridge of dharma due to our separation. (12-347-4)
नागभार्योवाच॥
The serpent's wife said.
शिष्याणां गुरुशुश्रूषा विप्राणां वेदपारणम्। भृत्यानां स्वामिवचनं राज्ञां लोकानुपालनम् ॥१२-३४७-५॥
For disciples, service to the teacher; for brāhmaṇas, recitation of the Veda; for servants, obedience to the master's command; for kings, the protection of the people. (12-347-5)
सर्वभूतपरित्राणं क्षत्रधर्म इहोच्यते। वैश्यानां यज्ञसंवृत्तिरातिथेयसमन्विता ॥१२-३४७-६॥
The duty of kṣatriyas is described here as the protection of all beings. For the vaiśyas, their livelihood is through sacrifices, accompanied by hospitality to guests. (12-347-6)
विप्रक्षत्रियवैश्यानां शुश्रूषा शूद्रकर्म तत्। गृहस्थधर्मो नागेन्द्र सर्वभूतहितैषिता ॥१२-३४७-७॥
O king of serpents, service to brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, and vaiśyas is the duty of a śūdra; this is the householder's dharma, which is characterized by the desire for the welfare of all beings. (12-347-7)
नियताहारता नित्यं व्रतचर्या यथाक्रमम्। धर्मो हि धर्मसम्बन्धादिन्द्रियाणां विशेषणम् ॥१२-३४७-८॥
Regulated eating, constant observance of vows in proper order—these are duties; indeed, the distinction of the senses arises from their connection with dharma. (12-347-8)
अहं कस्य कुतो वाहं कः को मे ह भवेदिति। प्रयोजनमतिर्नित्यमेवं मोक्षाश्रमी भवेत् ॥१२-३४७-९॥
One who is always intent on the purpose, thinking 'Who am I? Whose am I? From where have I come? Who is mine? Who would indeed be mine?'—such a person should always be a seeker after liberation. (12-347-9)
पतिव्रतात्वं भार्यायाः परमो धर्म उच्यते। तवोपदेशान्नागेन्द्र तच्च तत्त्वेन वेद्मि वै ॥१२-३४७-१०॥
The supreme duty of a wife is said to be devotion to her husband. O lord of serpents, by your instruction, I have truly come to know this. (12-347-10)
साहं धर्मं विजानन्ती धर्मनित्ये त्वयि स्थिते। सत्पथं कथमुत्सृज्य यास्यामि विषमे पथि ॥१२-३४७-११॥
How can I, who know dharma, with you always devoted to dharma, abandon the good path and go on a difficult path? (12-347-11)
देवतानां महाभाग धर्मचर्या न हीयते। अतिथीनां च सत्कारे नित्ययुक्तास्म्यतन्द्रिता ॥१२-३४७-१२॥
O greatly fortunate one, the practice of dharma among the deities does not diminish. I am always engaged and untiring in honoring guests. (12-347-12)
सप्ताष्टदिवसास्त्वद्य विप्रस्येहागतस्य वै। स च कार्यं न मे ख्याति दर्शनं तव काङ्क्षति ॥१२-३४७-१३॥
Today it has been seven or eight days since the brāhmaṇa arrived here. He does not tell me his purpose, but he desires to see you. (12-347-13)
गोमत्यास्त्वेष पुलिने त्वद्दर्शनसमुत्सुकः। आसीनोऽऽवर्तयन्ब्रह्म ब्राह्मणः संशितव्रतः ॥१२-३४७-१४॥
On the sandbank of the Gomati river, this brāhmaṇa of firm vow, eager to see you, was sitting and reciting the Veda. (12-347-14)
अहं त्वनेन नागेन्द्र सामपूर्वं समाहिता। प्रस्थाप्यो मत्सकाशं स सम्प्राप्तो भुजगोत्तमः ॥१२-३४७-१५॥
O best of serpents, I, however, resolved to send him to my presence with conciliation first, and he has arrived, O lord of serpents. (12-347-15)
एतच्छ्रुत्वा महाप्राज्ञ तत्र गन्तुं त्वमर्हसि। दातुमर्हसि वा तस्य दर्शनं दर्शनश्रवः ॥१२-३४७-१६॥
Having heard this, O greatly wise one, you should go there; or you should grant him an audience, O one who has heard of the sight. (12-347-16)
