13.002
सुदर्शनोपाख्यानम्
The episode of Sudarśana.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
पितामह महाप्राज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद। श्रुतं मे महदाख्यानमिदं मतिमतां वर ॥१३-२-१॥
O grandfather, greatly wise and expert in all śāstras, I have heard this great narrative, O best among the intelligent. (13-2-1)
भूयस्तु श्रोतुमिच्छामि धर्मार्थसहितं नृप। कथ्यमानं त्वया किञ्चित्तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि ॥१३-२-२॥
O king, I wish to hear again, even a little, of that which is being told by you, endowed with dharma and artha; you ought to explain that to me. (13-2-2)
केन मृत्युर्गृहस्थेन धर्ममाश्रित्य निर्जितः। इत्येतत्सर्वमाचक्ष्व तत्त्वेन मम पार्थिव ॥१३-२-३॥
By what means does a householder, relying on dharma, conquer death? Tell me all this truly, O king. (13-2-3)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। यथा मृत्युर्गृहस्थेन धर्ममाश्रित्य निर्जितः ॥१३-२-४॥
Here too, they recount this ancient story: how death was conquered by the householder by resorting to dharma. (13-2-4)
मनोः प्रजापते राजन्निक्ष्वाकुरभवत्सुतः। तस्य पुत्रशतं जज्ञे नृपतेः सूर्यवर्चसः ॥१३-२-५॥
O king, Ikṣvāku, the son of Manu, the lord of creatures, was born. To him, a hundred sons were born, all kings possessing the brilliance of the sun. (13-2-5)
दशमस्तस्य पुत्रस्तु दशाश्वो नाम भारत। माहिष्मत्यामभूद्राजा धर्मात्मा सत्यविक्रमः ॥१३-२-६॥
O Bhārata, his tenth son was named Daśāśva; in Māhiṣmatī, he was a king, righteous in soul and true in valor. (13-2-6)
दशाश्वस्य सुतस्त्वासीद्राजा परमधार्मिकः। सत्ये तपसि दाने च यस्य नित्यं रतं मनः ॥१३-२-७॥
The son of Daśāśva was a king of supreme righteousness, whose mind was always engaged in truth, austerity, and charity. (13-2-7)
मदिराश्व इति ख्यातः पृथिव्यां पृथिवीपतिः। धनुर्वेदे च वेदे च निरतो योऽभवत्सदा ॥१३-२-८॥
The lord of the earth, known as 'Madiraśva', was always engaged in the Dhanurveda and the Veda. (13-2-8)
मदिराश्वस्य पुत्रस्तु द्युतिमान्नाम पार्थिवः। महाभागो महातेजा महासत्त्वो महाबलः ॥१३-२-९॥
But the son of Madirāśva, the king named Dyutimān, was very fortunate, possessed great brilliance, strength, and might. (13-2-9)
पुत्रो द्युतिमतस्त्वासीत्सुवीरो नाम पार्थिवः। धर्मात्मा कोशवांश्चापि देवराज इवापरः ॥१३-२-१०॥
The son of Dyutimat was a king named Suvīra, who was righteous, possessed of a treasury, and was like another Indra. (13-2-10)
सुवीरस्य तु पुत्रोऽभूत्सर्वसङ्ग्रामदुर्जयः। दुर्जयेत्यभिविख्यातः सर्वशास्त्रविशारदः ॥१३-२-११॥
But Suvīra's son was Durjaya, invincible in all battles, renowned as Durjaya and an expert in all śāstras. (13-2-11)
दुर्जयस्येन्द्रवपुषः पुत्रोऽग्निसदृशद्युतिः। दुर्योधनो नाम महान्राजासीद्राजसत्तम ॥१३-२-१२॥
Duryodhana, the son of Durjaya who had the form of Indra and brilliance like fire, was a great king and the best among kings. (13-2-12)
तस्येन्द्रसमवीर्यस्य सङ्ग्रामेष्वनिवर्तिनः। विषयश्च प्रभावश्च तुल्यमेवाभ्यवर्तत ॥१३-२-१३॥
For him, whose strength was equal to Indra and who never turned back in battle, his domain and power always remained equal. (13-2-13)
रत्नैर्धनैश्च पशुभिः सस्यैश्चापि पृथग्विधैः। नगरं विषयश्चास्य प्रतिपूर्णं तदाभवत् ॥१३-२-१४॥
His city and territory became completely filled with jewels, riches, cattle, and various kinds of crops. (13-2-14)
न तस्य विषये चाभूत्कृपणो नापि दुर्गतः। व्याधितो वा कृशो वापि तस्मिन्नाभून्नरः क्वचित् ॥१३-२-१५॥
In his domain, there was no one who was miserable, nor anyone who was distressed; no one afflicted by disease or emaciated—there was not a single man like that anywhere. (13-2-15)
सुदक्षिणो मधुरवागनसूयुर्जितेन्द्रियः। धर्मात्मा चानृशंसश्च विक्रान्तोऽथाविकत्थनः ॥१३-२-१६॥
He was very dexterous, sweet-spoken, free from envy, self-controlled, righteous, compassionate, valiant, and never boastful. (13-2-16)
यज्वा वदान्यो मेधावी ब्रह्मण्यः सत्यसङ्गरः। न चावमन्ता दाता च वेदवेदाङ्गपारगः ॥१३-२-१७॥
He is a performer of sacrifice, generous, intelligent, devoted to the Veda, steadfast in truth; he does not despise others, is a giver, and has mastered the Veda and Vedāṅgas. (13-2-17)
तं नर्मदा देवनदी पुण्या शीतजला शिवा। चकमे पुरुषश्रेष्ठं स्वेन भावेन भारत ॥१३-२-१८॥
O Bhārata, Narmada, the divine and holy river with cool waters, auspicious, desired the best among men by her own feeling. (13-2-18)
तस्य जज्ञे तदा नद्यां कन्या राजीवलोचना। नाम्ना सुदर्शना राजन्रूपेण च सुदर्शना ॥१३-२-१९॥
O king, then a lotus-eyed girl was born to him in the river; she was named Sudarshana, and she was beautiful in appearance. (13-2-19)
तादृग्रूपा न नारीषु भूतपूर्वा युधिष्ठिर। दुर्योधनसुता यादृगभवद्वरवर्णिनी ॥१३-२-२०॥
O Yudhishthira, among women, there has never before existed one of such form; the daughter of Duryodhana was just as you have described. (13-2-20)
तामग्निश्चकमे साक्षाद्राजकन्यां सुदर्शनाम्। भूत्वा च ब्राह्मणः साक्षाद्वरयामास तं नृपम् ॥१३-२-२१॥
Agni directly desired that beautiful princess. Then, having assumed the form of a brāhmaṇa, he directly chose that king for marriage. (13-2-21)
दरिद्रश्चासवर्णश्च ममायमिति पार्थिवः। न दित्सति सुतां तस्मै तां विप्राय सुदर्शनाम् ॥१३-२-२२॥
The king, considering him poor, of a different caste, and thinking 'this is mine', does not give his beautiful daughter to that brāhmaṇa. (13-2-22)
ततोऽस्य वितते यज्ञे नष्टोऽभूद्धव्यवाहनः। ततो दुर्योधनो राजा वाक्यमाहर्त्विजस्तदा ॥१३-२-२३॥
When his sacrifice was underway, Davyavāhana was lost. Then King Duryodhana addressed the priests at that time. (13-2-23)
दुष्कृतं मम किं नु स्याद्भवतां वा द्विजर्षभाः। येन नाशं जगामाग्निः कृतं कुपुरुषेष्विव ॥१३-२-२४॥
O best of Brāhmaṇas, what bad deed might have been done by me or by you, by which the fire has perished, as it happens among wicked men? (13-2-24)
न ह्यल्पं दुष्कृतं नोऽस्ति येनाग्निर्नाशमागतः। भवतां वाथ वा मह्यं तत्त्वेनैतद्विमृश्यताम् ॥१३-२-२५॥
There is no small evil deed by which the fire has been destroyed; whether it is by you or by me, this should truly be considered. (13-2-25)
एतद्राज्ञो वचः श्रुत्वा विप्रास्ते भरतर्षभ। नियता वाग्यताश्चैव पावकं शरणं ययुः ॥१३-२-२६॥
O best of the Bharatas, when the Brāhmaṇas heard this speech of the king, being self-controlled and silent, they went to the fire for refuge. (13-2-26)
तान्दर्शयामास तदा भगवान्हव्यवाहनः। स्वं रूपं दीप्तिमत्कृत्वा शरदर्कसमद्युतिः ॥१३-२-२७॥
Then the illustrious Agni revealed himself to them, assuming his own radiant form, shining with a brilliance equal to the autumn sun. (13-2-27)
ततो महात्मा तानाह दहनो ब्राह्मणर्षभान्। वरयाम्यात्मनोऽर्थाय दुर्योधनसुतामिति ॥१३-२-२८॥
Then the great-souled Dahana said to those foremost Brāhmaṇas, "I choose the daughter of Duryodhana for myself," thus. (13-2-28)
ततस्ते काल्यमुत्थाय तस्मै राज्ञे न्यवेदयन्। ब्राह्मणा विस्मिताः सर्वे यदुक्तं चित्रभानुना ॥१३-२-२९॥
Then, having risen in the morning, all the astonished Brāhmaṇas reported to the king what had been said by Citrabhānu. (13-2-29)
ततः स राजा तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं ब्रह्मवादिनाम्। अवाप्य परमं हर्षं तथेति प्राह बुद्धिमान् ॥१३-२-३०॥
Then the king, upon hearing that statement of the Brahman-speakers, attained supreme joy and the wise one said, "So be it." (13-2-30)
प्रायाचत नृपः शुल्कं भगवन्तं विभावसुम्। नित्यं सांनिध्यमिह ते चित्रभानो भवेदिति ॥ तमाह भगवानग्निरेवमस्त्विति पार्थिवम् ॥१३-२-३१॥
The king requested the venerable Agni for an offering, saying, "O radiant one, may your presence always be here." The venerable Agni then said to the king, "Let it be so." (13-2-31)
ततः सांनिध्यमध्यापि माहिष्मत्यां विभावसोः। दृष्टं हि सहदेवेन दिशो विजयता तदा ॥१३-२-३२॥
Then, Sahadeva, the conqueror, indeed saw the presence of Agni still in Māhiṣmatī in all directions at that time. (13-2-32)
ततस्तां समलङ्कृत्य कन्यामहतवाससम्। ददौ दुर्योधनो राजा पावकाय महात्मने ॥१३-२-३३॥
Then King Duryodhana, having adorned the maiden with untorn garments, gave her to the great-souled Pāvaka. (13-2-33)
प्रतिजग्राह चाग्निस्तां राजपुत्रीं सुदर्शनाम्। विधिना वेददृष्टेन वसोर्धारामिवाध्वरे ॥१३-२-३४॥
And Agni accepted that beautiful princess, according to the rite prescribed by the Veda, just as the stream of Vasu (Agni) is accepted in the sacrifice. (13-2-34)
तस्या रूपेण शीलेन कुलेन वपुषा श्रिया। अभवत्प्रीतिमानग्निर्गर्भं तस्यां समादधे ॥१३-२-३५॥
Because of her beauty, character, lineage, form, and splendor, Agni became full of affection and placed an embryo in her. (13-2-35)
तस्यां समभवत्पुत्रो नाम्नाग्नेयः सुदर्शनः। शिशुरेवाध्यगात्सर्वं स च ब्रह्म सनातनम् ॥१३-२-३६॥
To her was born a son named Agneya, Sudarshana. Even as a child, he mastered all the eternal Vedas. (13-2-36)
अथौघवान्नाम नृपो नृगस्यासीत्पितामहः। तस्याप्योघवती कन्या पुत्रश्चौघरथोऽभवत् ॥१३-२-३७॥
Now, there was a king named Aughavan, the grandfather of Nṛga; he also had a daughter named Aughavatī and a son named Augharatha. (13-2-37)
तामोघवान्ददौ तस्मै स्वयमोघवतीं सुताम्। सुदर्शनाय विदुषे भार्यार्थे देवरूपिणीम् ॥१३-२-३८॥
Oghavān himself gave his daughter Oghavatī, who had a divine form, to the learned Sudarśana as a wife. (13-2-38)
स गृहस्थाश्रमरतस्तया सह सुदर्शनः। कुरुक्षेत्रेऽवसद्राजन्नोघवत्या समन्वितः ॥१३-२-३९॥
Sudarshana, devoted to the householder's stage, lived together with her in Kurukshetra, O king, accompanied by the Oghavati river. (13-2-39)
गृहस्थश्चावजेष्यामि मृत्युमित्येव स प्रभो। प्रतिज्ञामकरोद्धीमान्दीप्ततेजा विशां पते ॥१३-२-४०॥
The householder said, "I will conquer death"—thus, O lord, he, wise and of blazing energy, made a vow, O lord of men. (13-2-40)
तामथौघवतीं राजन्स पावकसुतोऽब्रवीत्। अतिथेः प्रतिकूलं ते न कर्तव्यं कथञ्चन ॥१३-२-४१॥
Then, O king, the son of Pāvaka said to Oghavatī: "You must never do anything contrary to a guest in any way." (13-2-41)
येन येन च तुष्येत नित्यमेव त्वयातिथिः। अप्यात्मनः प्रदानेन न ते कार्या विचारणा ॥१३-२-४२॥
By whatever means the guest may always be satisfied by you, even if it requires giving of yourself, you should not hesitate or deliberate. (13-2-42)
एतद्व्रतं मम सदा हृदि सम्परिवर्तते। गृहस्थानां हि सुश्रोणि नातिथेर्विद्यते परम् ॥१३-२-४३॥
This vow always revolves in my heart: For householders, O beautiful-hipped one, there is nothing greater than a guest. (13-2-43)
प्रमाणं यदि वामोरु वचस्ते मम शोभने। इदं वचनमव्यग्रा हृदि त्वं धारयेः सदा ॥१३-२-४४॥
If my word is proof for you, O beautiful-thighed one, O beautiful lady, then you should always hold this statement undistracted in your heart. (13-2-44)
निष्क्रान्ते मयि कल्याणि तथा संनिहितेऽनघे। नातिथिस्तेऽवमन्तव्यः प्रमाणं यद्यहं तव ॥१३-२-४५॥
O auspicious and sinless one, whether I am absent or present, a guest should never be disregarded by you, if you consider me your authority. (13-2-45)
तमब्रवीदोघवती यता मूर्ध्नि कृताञ्जलिः। न मे त्वद्वचनात्किञ्चिदकर्तव्यं कथञ्चन ॥१३-२-४६॥
Oghavatī, with joined palms on her head, said to him: "By me, nothing that you say will ever be left undone in any way." (13-2-46)
जिगीषमाणं तु गृहे तदा मृत्युः सुदर्शनम्। पृष्ठतोऽन्वगमद्राजन्रन्ध्रान्वेषी तदा सदा ॥१३-२-४७॥
O king, when Sudarshana was desiring to conquer, at that time, death always followed him into the house from behind, seeking an opening. (13-2-47)
इध्मार्थं तु गते तस्मिन्नग्निपुत्रे सुदर्शने। अतिथिर्ब्राह्मणः श्रीमांस्तामाहौघवतीं तदा ॥१३-२-४८॥
But when Sudarsana, the son of Agni, had gone to fetch sacrificial fuel, at that time the prosperous Brahmin guest said to Oghavati. (13-2-48)
आतिथ्यं दत्तमिच्छामि त्वयाद्य वरवर्णिनि। प्रमाणं यदि धर्मस्ते गृहस्थाश्रमसंमतः ॥१३-२-४९॥
O best-complexioned lady, if your duty as a householder is approved as authority, then today I desire hospitality given by you. (13-2-49)
इत्युक्ता तेन विप्रेण राजपुत्री यशस्विनी। विधिना प्रतिजग्राह वेदोक्तेन विशां पते ॥१३-२-५०॥
Thus, when addressed by the brāhmaṇa, the illustrious princess accepted (the rite) according to the Vedic prescription, O lord of the people. (13-2-50)
आसनं चैव पाद्यं च तस्मै दत्त्वा द्विजातये। प्रोवाचौघवती विप्रं केनार्थः किं ददामि ते ॥१३-२-५१॥
Having offered a seat and water for washing the feet to the twice-born, Oghavatī said to the Brāhmaṇa: "For what purpose, what shall I give to you?" (13-2-51)
तामब्रवीत्ततो विप्रो राजपुत्रीं सुदर्शनाम्। त्वया ममार्थः कल्याणि निर्विशङ्के तदाचर ॥१३-२-५२॥
Then the brāhmaṇa said to the beautiful princess: "O auspicious one, fulfill my purpose without hesitation." (13-2-52)
यदि प्रमाणं धर्मस्ते गृहस्थाश्रमसंमतः। प्रदानेनात्मनो राज्ञि कर्तुमर्हसि मे प्रियम् ॥१३-२-५३॥
If your standard of righteousness is what is approved by the householder stage, O king, then by giving of yourself, you ought to do me a favor. (13-2-53)
तथा सञ्छन्द्यमानोऽन्यैरीप्सितैर्नृपकन्यया। नान्यमात्मप्रदानात्स तस्या वव्रे वरं द्विजः ॥१३-२-५४॥
Thus, although being persuaded by others whom the king's daughter desired, the twice-born did not choose any boon from her except her own self-giving. (13-2-54)
सा तु राजसुता स्मृत्वा भर्तुर्वचनमादितः। तथेति लज्जमाना सा तमुवाच द्विजर्षभम् ॥१३-२-५५॥
But the princess, recalling her husband's words from the beginning, thus, being ashamed, spoke to that best of brāhmaṇas. (13-2-55)
ततो रहः स विप्रर्षिः सा चैवोपविवेश ह। संस्मृत्य भर्तुर्वचनं गृहस्थाश्रमकाङ्क्षिणः ॥१३-२-५६॥
Then, in private, the Brāhmaṇa sage and she sat together; recalling her husband's words, desiring the householder's life. (13-2-56)
अथेध्मान्समुपादाय स पावकिरुपागमत्। मृत्युना रौद्रभावेन नित्यं बन्धुरिवान्वितः ॥१३-२-५७॥
Then, having gathered the sacrificial sticks, he approached the fire, always accompanied by death with a fierce nature, like a constant companion. (13-2-57)
ततस्त्वाश्रममागम्य स पावकसुतस्तदा। तामाजुहावौघवतीं क्वासि यातेति चासकृत् ॥१३-२-५८॥
Then, having reached the hermitage, the son of Pāvaka repeatedly called out to her, "O Aghavati, where have you gone?" (13-2-58)
तस्मै प्रतिवचः सा तु भर्त्रे न प्रददौ तदा। कराभ्यां तेन विप्रेण स्पृष्टा भर्तृव्रता सती ॥१३-२-५९॥
But she, devoted to her husband and chaste, did not give a reply to him then; touched by the brāhmaṇa with his two hands. (13-2-59)
उच्छिष्टास्मीति मन्वाना लज्जिता भर्तुरेव च। तूष्णीम्भूताभवत्साध्वी न चोवाचाथ किञ्चन ॥१३-२-६०॥
Thinking 'I am impure after eating' and feeling ashamed before her husband, the virtuous woman became silent and did not say anything then. (13-2-60)
अथ तां पुनरेवेदं प्रोवाच स सुदर्शनः। क्व सा साध्वी क्व सा याता गरीयः किमतो मम ॥१३-२-६१॥
Then Sudarshana again spoke these words to her: "Where is that virtuous lady? Where has she gone? What could be greater than this for me?" (13-2-61)
पतिव्रता सत्यशीला नित्यं चैवार्जवे रता। कथं न प्रत्युदेत्यद्य स्मयमाना यथा पुरा ॥१३-२-६२॥
She, devoted to her husband, of true character, always engaged in uprightness, why does she not come forward to meet me today, smiling as she used to before? (13-2-62)
उटजस्थस्तु तं विप्रः प्रत्युवाच सुदर्शनम्। अतिथिं विद्धि सम्प्राप्तं पावके ब्राह्मणं च माम् ॥१३-२-६३॥
But the brāhmaṇa living in the hut replied to Sudarśana: "Know that the guest who has arrived in the fire is a brāhmaṇa, and that is me." (13-2-63)
अनया छन्द्यमानोऽहं भार्यया तव सत्तम। तैस्तैरतिथिसत्कारैरार्जवेऽस्या दृढं मनः ॥१३-२-६४॥
O best one, being pleased by your wife, by her various sincere acts of hospitality towards guests, my mind has become firmly attached to her. (13-2-64)
अनेन विधिना सेयं मामर्चति शुभानना। अनुरूपं यदत्राद्य तद्भवान्वक्तुमर्हति ॥१३-२-६५॥
By this method, this auspicious-faced lady worships me. Whatever is appropriate here today, you are worthy to speak that. (13-2-65)
कूटमुद्गरहस्तस्तु मृत्युस्तं वै समन्वयात्। हीनप्रतिज्ञमत्रैनं वधिष्यामीति चिन्तयन् ॥१३-२-६६॥
But Death, holding a hammer-mace in his hand, indeed, with agreement, thinking here, 'He is deficient in promise, I will kill him thus.' (13-2-66)
सुदर्शनस्तु मनसा कर्मणा चक्षुषा गिरा। त्यक्तेर्ष्यस्त्यक्तमन्युश्च स्मयमानोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥१३-२-६७॥
But Sudarshana, who had let go of envy and anger, and was smiling, spoke these words with his mind, actions, eyes, and speech. (13-2-67)
सुरतं तेऽस्तु विप्राग्र्य प्रीतिर्हि परमा मम। गृहस्थस्य हि धर्मोऽग्र्यः सम्प्राप्तातिथिपूजनम् ॥१३-२-६८॥
May you have good union, O foremost of Brāhmaṇas; for my supreme delight is indeed this: for a householder, the foremost duty is the worship of an arriving guest. (13-2-68)
अतिथिः पूजितो यस्य गृहस्थस्य तु गच्छति। नान्यस्तस्मात्परो धर्म इति प्राहुर्मनीषिणः ॥१३-२-६९॥
The wise have said: 'There is no duty higher than this, that a guest honored departs from the householder's home.' (13-2-69)
प्राणा हि मम दाराश्च यच्चान्यद्विद्यते वसु। अतिथिभ्यो मया देयमिति मे व्रतमाहितम् ॥१३-२-७०॥
Indeed, my life-breaths, my wives, and whatever other wealth exists, all should be given by me to guests—such is the vow I have established. (13-2-70)
निःसंदिग्धं मया वाक्यमेतत्ते समुदाहृतम्। तेनाहं विप्र सत्येन स्वयमात्मानमालभे ॥१३-२-७१॥
O brāhmaṇa, this statement, free from doubt, has been uttered to you by me. By that truth, I myself take hold of my own self. (13-2-71)
पृथिवी वायुराकाशमापो ज्योतिश्च पञ्चमम्। बुद्धिरात्मा मनः कालो दिशश्चैव गुणा दश ॥१३-२-७२॥
Earth, air, space, water, and light as the fifth; intellect, self, mind, time, and directions—these indeed are the ten qualities. (13-2-72)
नित्यमेते हि पश्यन्ति देहिनां देहसंश्रिताः। सुकृतं दुष्कृतं चापि कर्म धर्मभृतां वर ॥१३-२-७३॥
O best of the upholders of dharma, these beings who are associated with the body always see the good and bad deeds, as well as the actions, of embodied beings. (13-2-73)
यथैषा नानृता वाणी मयाद्य समुदाहृता। तेन सत्येन मां देवाः पालयन्तु दहन्तु वा ॥१३-२-७४॥
As this speech, which is not false, has been spoken by me today, by that truth may the gods either protect me or burn me. (13-2-74)
ततो नादः समभवद्दिक्षु सर्वासु भारत। असकृत्सत्यमित्येव नैतन्मिथ्येति सर्वशः ॥१३-२-७५॥
Then, O Bhārata, a sound arose in all directions; again and again, on all sides, it proclaimed: "Truth, indeed! This is not false!" (13-2-75)
उटजात्तु ततस्तस्मान्निश्चक्राम स वै द्विजः। वपुषा खं च भूमिं च व्याप्य वायुरिवोद्यतः ॥१३-२-७६॥
But then, from the hut, that twice-born indeed went out; with his form pervading both the sky and the earth, he rose like the wind. (13-2-76)
स्वरेण विप्रः शैक्षेण त्रीँल्लोकाननुनादयन्। उवाच चैनं धर्मज्ञं पूर्वमामन्त्र्य नामतः ॥१३-२-७७॥
With his learned voice, the brāhmaṇa, resounding through the three worlds, first addressed the knower of dharma by name and spoke to him. (13-2-77)
धर्मोऽहमस्मि भद्रं ते जिज्ञासार्थं तवानघ। प्राप्तः सत्यं च ते ज्ञात्वा प्रीतिर्मे परमा त्वयि ॥१३-२-७८॥
I am righteousness; auspiciousness to you. For the sake of your inquiry, O sinless one, I have come. Having known the truth by you, my supreme delight is in you. (13-2-78)
विजितश्च त्वया मृत्युर्योऽयं त्वामनुगच्छति। रन्ध्रान्वेषी तव सदा त्वया धृत्या वशीकृतः ॥१३-२-७९॥
Death, who always follows you seeking your weaknesses, has been conquered and subdued by your fortitude. (13-2-79)
न चास्ति शक्तिस्त्रैलोक्ये कस्यचित्पुरुषोत्तम। पतिव्रतामिमां साध्वीं तवोद्वीक्षितुमप्युत ॥१३-२-८०॥
O best of men, there is not anyone in the three worlds who has the power to even look upon this virtuous and devoted wife of yours. (13-2-80)
रक्षिता त्वद्गुणैरेषा पतिव्रतगुणैस्तथा। अधृष्या यदियं ब्रूयात्तथा तन्नान्यथा भवेत् ॥१३-२-८१॥
This woman, protected by your virtues and by the qualities of a devoted wife, is unassailable; whatever she might say, so it will be and not otherwise. (13-2-81)
एषा हि तपसा स्वेन संयुक्ता ब्रह्मवादिनी। पावनार्थं च लोकस्य सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा भविष्यति ॥१३-२-८२॥
This river, indeed, united with her own austerity and as a speaker of Brahman, will become the best of rivers for the purification of the world. (13-2-82)
अर्धेनौघवती नाम त्वामर्धेनानुयास्यति। शरीरेण महाभागा योगो ह्यस्या वशे स्थितः ॥१३-२-८३॥
Aughavati, by name, will follow you with half of herself. The greatly fortunate one, with her body, remains under the control of union. (13-2-83)
अनया सह लोकांश्च गन्तासि तपसार्जितान्। यत्र नावृत्तिमभ्येति शाश्वतांस्तान्सनातनान् ॥१३-२-८४॥
You will go together with this woman to those worlds acquired by austerity, which are eternal and ancient, where one does not return. (13-2-84)
अनेन चैव देहेन लोकांस्त्वमभिपत्स्यसे। निर्जितश्च त्वया मृत्युरैश्वर्यं च तवोत्तमम् ॥१३-२-८५॥
With this very body, you will attain the worlds. Death will be conquered by you, and the highest sovereignty will be yours. (13-2-85)
पञ्च भूतान्यतिक्रान्तः स्ववीर्याच्च मनोभवः। गृहस्थधर्मेणानेन कामक्रोधौ च ते जितौ ॥१३-२-८६॥
By surpassing the five elements and desire through your own strength, and by following this householder's duty, your desire and anger have been conquered. (13-2-86)
स्नेहो रागश्च तन्द्री च मोहो द्रोहश्च केवलः। तव शुश्रूषया राजन्राजपुत्र्या विनिर्जिताः ॥१३-२-८७॥
Affection, attachment, laziness, delusion, and enmity have all been conquered solely by the princess's service to you, O king. (13-2-87)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
शुक्लानां तु सहस्रेण वाजिनां रथमुत्तमम्। युक्तं प्रगृह्य भगवान्व्यवसायो जगाम तम् ॥१३-२-८८॥
But with a thousand white horses, having taken the best chariot harnessed to them, the venerable and resolute one proceeded to him. (13-2-88)
मृत्युरात्मा च लोकाश्च जिता भूतानि पञ्च च। बुद्धिः कालो मनो व्योम कामक्रोधौ तथैव च ॥१३-२-८९॥
Death, the self, the worlds, the five conquered beings, intellect, time, mind, space, as well as desire and anger, likewise, (are all included). (13-2-89)
तस्माद्गृहाश्रमस्थस्य नान्यद्दैवतमस्ति वै। ऋतेऽतिथिं नरव्याघ्र मनसैतद्विचारय ॥१३-२-९०॥
Therefore, for a householder, there is truly no other divinity than the guest. O best of men, reflect on this in your mind. (13-2-90)
अतिथिः पूजितो यस्य ध्यायते मनसा शुभम्। न तत्क्रतुशतेनापि तुल्यमाहुर्मनीषिणः ॥१३-२-९१॥
The wise say that honoring a guest and contemplating auspiciousness for him in one's mind is not equaled even by a hundred sacrifices. (13-2-91)
पात्रं त्वतिथिमासाद्य शीलाढ्यं यो न पूजयेत्। स दत्त्वा सुकृतं तस्य क्षपयेत ह्यनर्चितः ॥१३-२-९२॥
If a worthy person, who is a guest rich in character, is not honored by someone, then that person, even after performing a meritorious deed, destroys his own merit by failing to honor (the guest). (13-2-92)
एतत्ते कथितं पुत्र मयाख्यानमनुत्तमम्। यथा हि विजितो मृत्युर्गृहस्थेन पुराभवत् ॥१३-२-९३॥
Son, I have told you this unsurpassed narration; how, indeed, death was conquered by the householder in former times. (13-2-93)
धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यमिदमाख्यानमुत्तमम्। बुभूषताभिमन्तव्यं सर्वदुश्चरितापहम् ॥१३-२-९४॥
This excellent narrative, which is blessed, glorious, and life-giving, should be recited by anyone wishing for a long life, as it removes all evil deeds. (13-2-94)
य इदं कथयेद्विद्वानहन्यहनि भारत। सुदर्शनस्य चरितं पुण्याँल्लोकानवाप्नुयात् ॥१३-२-९५॥
O Bhārata, whoever, being learned, narrates this story of Sudarśana day by day, would attain meritorious worlds. (13-2-95)
