13.002
sudarśanopākhyānam
The episode of Sudarśana.
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
pitāmaha mahāprājña sarvaśāstraviśārada। śrutaṃ me mahadākhyānam idaṃ matimatāṃ vara ॥13-2-1॥
O grandfather, greatly wise and expert in all śāstras, I have heard this great narrative, O best among the intelligent. (13-2-1)
bhūyastu śrotumicchāmi dharmārthasahitaṃ nṛpa। kathyamānaṃ tvayā kiñcittanme vyākhyātumarhasi ॥13-2-2॥
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)
kena mṛtyurgṛhasthena dharmamāśritya nirjitaḥ। ityetatsarvamācakṣva tattvena mama pārthiva ॥13-2-3॥
By what means does a householder, relying on dharma, conquer death? Tell me all this truly, O king. (13-2-3)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam। yathā mṛtyur gṛhasthena dharmam āśritya nirjitaḥ ॥13-2-4॥
Here too, they recount this ancient story: how death was conquered by the householder by resorting to dharma. (13-2-4)
manoḥ prajāpate rājan ikṣvākur abhavat sutaḥ। tasya putraśataṃ jajñe nṛpateḥ sūryavarcasaḥ ॥13-2-5॥
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)
daśamas tasya putras tu daśāśvo nāma bhārata। māhiṣmatyām abhūd rājā dharmātmā satyavikramaḥ ॥13-2-6॥
O Bhārata, his tenth son was named Daśāśva; in Māhiṣmatī, he was a king, righteous in soul and true in valor. (13-2-6)
daśāśvasya sutastvāsīdrājā paramadhārmikaḥ। satye tapasi dāne ca yasya nityaṃ rataṃ manaḥ ॥13-2-7॥
The son of Daśāśva was a king of supreme righteousness, whose mind was always engaged in truth, austerity, and charity. (13-2-7)
madirāśva iti khyātaḥ pṛthivyāṃ pṛthivīpatiḥ। dhanurvede ca vede ca nirato yo'bhavatsadā ॥13-2-8॥
The lord of the earth, known as 'Madiraśva', was always engaged in the Dhanurveda and the Veda. (13-2-8)
madirāśvasya putras tu dyutimān nāma pārthivaḥ। mahābhāgo mahātejā mahāsattvo mahābalaḥ ॥13-2-9॥
But the son of Madirāśva, the king named Dyutimān, was very fortunate, possessed great brilliance, strength, and might. (13-2-9)
putro dyutimatastvāsītsuvīro nāma pārthivaḥ। dharmātmā kośavāṃścāpi devarāja ivāparaḥ ॥13-2-10॥
The son of Dyutimat was a king named Suvīra, who was righteous, possessed of a treasury, and was like another Indra. (13-2-10)
suvīrasya tu putro'bhūtsarvasaṅgrāmadurjayaḥ। durjayetyabhivikhyātaḥ sarvaśāstraviśāradaḥ ॥13-2-11॥
But Suvīra's son was Durjaya, invincible in all battles, renowned as Durjaya and an expert in all śāstras. (13-2-11)
durjayasya indra-vapuṣaḥ putro'gnisadṛśadyutiḥ। duryodhano nāma mahān rājāsīd rājasattama ॥13-2-12॥
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)
tasyendrasamavīryasya saṅgrāmeṣvanivartinaḥ। viṣayaśca prabhāvaśca tulyamevābhyavartata ॥13-2-13॥
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)
ratnair dhanair ca paśubhiḥ sasyaiz cāpi pṛthag-vidhaiḥ। nagaraṃ viṣayaś cāsya pratipūrṇaṃ tad ābhavat॥13-2-14॥
His city and territory became completely filled with jewels, riches, cattle, and various kinds of crops. (13-2-14)
na tasya viṣaye cābhūt kṛpaṇo nāpi durgataḥ। vyādhito vā kṛśo vāpi tasmin nābhūn naraḥ kvacit ॥13-2-15॥
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)
sudakṣiṇo madhuravāganasūyurjitendriyaḥ। dharmātmā cānṛśaṃsaśca vikrānto'thāvikatthanaḥ ॥13-2-16॥
He was very dexterous, sweet-spoken, free from envy, self-controlled, righteous, compassionate, valiant, and never boastful. (13-2-16)
yajvā vadānyo medhāvī brahmaṇyaḥ satyasaṅgaraḥ। na cāvamantā dātā ca vedavedāṅgapāragaḥ ॥13-2-17॥
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)
taṁ narmadā devanadī puṇyā śītajalā śivā। cakame puruṣaśreṣṭhaṁ svena bhāvena bhārata ॥13-2-18॥
O Bhārata, Narmada, the divine and holy river with cool waters, auspicious, desired the best among men by her own feeling. (13-2-18)
tasya jajñe tadā nadyāṃ kanyā rājīvalocanā। nāmnā sudarśanā rājan rūpeṇa ca sudarśanā ॥13-2-19॥
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)
tādṛgrūpā na nārīṣu bhūtapūrvā yudhiṣṭhira। duryodhanasutā yādṛgabhavadvaravarṇinī ॥13-2-20॥
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)
tām agniḥ cakame sākṣād rājakanyāṃ sudarśanām। bhūtvā ca brāhmaṇaḥ sākṣād varayāmāsa taṃ nṛpam ॥13-2-21॥
Agni directly desired that beautiful princess. Then, having assumed the form of a brāhmaṇa, he directly chose that king for marriage. (13-2-21)
daridraś cāsavarṇaś ca mamāyam iti pārthivaḥ। na ditsati sutāṃ tasmai tāṃ viprāya sudarśanām ॥13-2-22॥
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)
tato'sya vitate yajñe naṣṭo'bhūddavyavāhanaḥ। tato duryodhano rājā vākyamāhartvijastadā ॥13-2-23॥
When his sacrifice was underway, Davyavāhana was lost. Then King Duryodhana addressed the priests at that time. (13-2-23)
duṣkṛtaṃ mama kiṃ nu syādbhavatāṃ vā dvijarṣabhāḥ। yena nāśaṃ jagāmāgniḥ kṛtaṃ kupuruṣeṣviva ॥13-2-24॥
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)
na hy alpaṃ duṣkṛtaṃ no 'sti yena agniḥ nāśam āgataḥ। bhavatāṃ vā atha vā mahyam tattvena etat vimṛśyatām ॥13-2-25॥
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)
etad rājño vacaḥ śrutvā viprās te bharatarṣabha। niyatā vāgyatāś caiva pāvakaṃ śaraṇaṃ yayuḥ ॥13-2-26॥
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)
tāndarśayāmāsa tadā bhagavānhavyavāhanaḥ। svaṃ rūpaṃ dīptimatkṛtvā śaradarkasamadyutiḥ ॥13-2-27॥
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)
tato mahātmā tān āha dahano brāhmaṇarṣabhān। varayāmy ātmano'rthāya duryodhanasutāmiti ॥13-2-28॥
Then the great-souled Dahana said to those foremost Brāhmaṇas, "I choose the daughter of Duryodhana for myself," thus. (13-2-28)
tataste kālyamutthāya tasmai rājñe nyavedayan। brāhmaṇā vismitāḥ sarve yaduktaṃ citrabhānunā ॥13-2-29॥
Then, having risen in the morning, all the astonished Brāhmaṇas reported to the king what had been said by Citrabhānu. (13-2-29)
tataḥ sa rājā tacchrutvā vacanaṃ brahmavādinām। avāpya paramaṃ harṣaṃ tatheti prāha buddhimān ॥13-2-30॥
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)
prāyācata nṛpaḥ śulkaṃ bhagavantaṃ vibhāvasum। nityaṃ sānnidhyam iha te citrabhāno bhaved iti ॥ tam āha bhagavān agniḥ evam astu iti pārthivam ॥13-2-31॥
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)
tataḥ sānnidhyam adhyāpi māhiṣmatyāṃ vibhāvasoḥ। dṛṣṭaṃ hi sahadevena diśo vijayatā tadā ॥13-2-32॥
Then, Sahadeva, the conqueror, indeed saw the presence of Agni still in Māhiṣmatī in all directions at that time. (13-2-32)
tatastāṃ samalaṅkṛtya kanyāmahatavāsasam। dadau duryodhanō rājā pāvakāya mahātmane ॥13-2-33॥
Then King Duryodhana, having adorned the maiden with untorn garments, gave her to the great-souled Pāvaka. (13-2-33)
pratijagrāha cāgnistāṃ rājaputrīṃ sudarśanām। vidhinā vedadṛṣṭena vasordhārāmivādhvare ॥13-2-34॥
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)
tasyā rūpeṇa śīlena kulena vapuṣā śriyā। abhavatprītimān agniḥ garbhaṃ tasyāṃ samādadhe ॥13-2-35॥
Because of her beauty, character, lineage, form, and splendor, Agni became full of affection and placed an embryo in her. (13-2-35)
tasyāṃ samabhavatputro nāmnāgneyaḥ sudarśanaḥ। śiśurevādhyagātsarvaṃ sa ca brahma sanātanam ॥13-2-36॥
To her was born a son named Agneya, Sudarshana. Even as a child, he mastered all the eternal Vedas. (13-2-36)
athaughavān nāma nṛpo nṛgasya āsīt pitāmahaḥ। tasyāpy oghavatī kanyā putraś ca ogharatho 'bhavat॥13-2-37॥
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)
tām oghavān dadau tasmai svayam oghavatīṃ sutām। sudarśanāya viduṣe bhāryārthe devarūpiṇīm ॥13-2-38॥
Oghavān himself gave his daughter Oghavatī, who had a divine form, to the learned Sudarśana as a wife. (13-2-38)
sa gṛhasthāśramaratastayā saha sudarśanaḥ। kurukṣetre'vasadraajanno-ghavatyā samanvitaḥ ॥13-2-39॥
Sudarshana, devoted to the householder's stage, lived together with her in Kurukshetra, O king, accompanied by the Oghavati river. (13-2-39)
gṛhasthaś cāavajeṣyāmi mṛtyum ity eva sa prabho। pratijñām akarod dhīmān dīptatejā viśāṃ pate ॥13-2-40॥
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)
tām athaughavatīṃ rājans pāvakasuto'bravīt। atitheḥ pratikūlaṃ te na kartavyaṃ kathaṃcana ॥13-2-41॥
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)
yena yena ca tuṣyeta nityam eva tvayātithiḥ। apy ātmanaḥ pradānena na te kāryā vicāraṇā ॥13-2-42॥
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)
etadvrataṃ mama sadā hṛdi samparivartate। gṛhasthānāṃ hi suśroṇi nātithervidyate param ॥13-2-43॥
This vow always revolves in my heart: For householders, O beautiful-hipped one, there is nothing greater than a guest. (13-2-43)
pramāṇaṃ yadi vāmoru vacas te mama śobhane। idaṃ vacanam avyagrā hṛdi tvaṃ dhāryeḥ sadā ॥13-2-44॥
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)
niṣkrānte mayi kalyāṇi tathā saṁnihite'naghe। nātithiste'vamantavyaḥ pramāṇaṁ yadyahaṁ tava ॥13-2-45॥
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)
tam abravīd oghavatī yatā mūrdhni kṛtāñjaliḥ। na me tvad-vacanāt kiñcid akartavyaṃ kathañcana ॥13-2-46॥
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)
jigīṣamāṇaṃ tu gṛhe tadā mṛtyuḥ sudarśanam। pṛṣṭhato'nvagamadrājanrandhrānveṣī tadā sadā ॥13-2-47॥
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)
idhmārthaṃ tu gate tasminnagniputre sudarśane। atithirbrāhmaṇaḥ śrīmāṃstāmāhaughavatīṃ tadā ॥13-2-48॥
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)
ātithyaṃ dattamicchāmi tvayādya varavarṇini. pramāṇaṃ yadi dharmaste gṛhasthāśramasaṃmataḥ ॥13-2-49॥
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)
ityuktā tena vipreṇa rājaputrī yaśasvinī। vidhinā pratijagrāha vedoktena viśāṃ pate ॥13-2-50॥
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)
āsanaṃ caiva pādyaṃ ca tasmai dattvā dvijātaye। provācaughavatī vipraṃ kenārthaḥ kiṃ dadāmi te ॥13-2-51॥
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)
tām abravīt tato vipraḥ rājaputrīṃ sudarśanām। tvayā mama arthaḥ kalyāṇi nirviśaṅke tad ācara ॥13-2-52॥
Then the brāhmaṇa said to the beautiful princess: "O auspicious one, fulfill my purpose without hesitation." (13-2-52)
yadi pramāṇaṃ dharmas te gṛhasthāśramasaṃmataḥ। pradānenātmano rājñi kartum arhasi me priyam ॥13-2-53॥
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)
tathā sañchandyamāno'nyairīpsitairnṛpakanyayā। nānyamātmapradānāts tasyā vavre varaṃ dvijaḥ ॥13-2-54॥
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)
sā tu rājasutā smṛtvā bhartur vacanam āditaḥ। tatheti lajjamānā sā tam uvāca dvijarṣabham ॥13-2-55॥
But the princess, recalling her husband's words from the beginning, thus, being ashamed, spoke to that best of brāhmaṇas. (13-2-55)
tato rahaḥ sa viprarṣiḥ sā caivopaviveśa ha। saṁsmṛtya bharturvacanaṁ gṛhasthāśramakāṅkṣiṇaḥ ॥13-2-56॥
Then, in private, the Brāhmaṇa sage and she sat together; recalling her husband's words, desiring the householder's life. (13-2-56)
athedhmān samupādāya sa pāvakir upāgamat। mṛtyunā raudrabhāvena nityaṃ bandhur ivānvitaḥ ॥13-2-57॥
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)
tatastvāśramamāgamya sa pāvakasutastadā। tāmājuhāvaughavatīṃ kvāsi yāteti cāsakṛt ॥13-2-58॥
Then, having reached the hermitage, the son of Pāvaka repeatedly called out to her, "O Aghavati, where have you gone?" (13-2-58)
tasmai prativacaḥ sā tu bhartre na pradadau tadā। karābhyāṃ tena vipreṇa spṛṣṭā bhartṛvratā satī ॥13-2-59॥
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)
ucchiṣṭāsmīti manvānā lajjitā bhartureva ca। tūṣṇīṃbhūtābhavatsādhvī na covācātha kiñcana ॥13-2-60॥
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)
atha tāṃ punarevedaṃ provāca sa sudarśanaḥ। kva sā sādhvī kva sā yātā garīyaḥ kimato mama ॥13-2-61॥
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)
pativratā satyaśīlā nityaṃ caivārjave ratā। kathaṃ na pratyudet-yadya smayamānā yathā purā ॥13-2-62॥
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)
uṭajasthastu taṃ vipraḥ pratyuvāca sudarśanam। atithiṃ viddhi samprāptaṃ pāvake brāhmaṇaṃ ca mām ॥13-2-63॥
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)
anayā chandyamāno'haṃ bhāryayā tava sattama। taistairatithisatkārairārjave'syā dṛḍhaṃ manaḥ ॥13-2-64॥
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)
anena vidhinā seyaṁ mām arcati śubhānanā। anurūpaṁ yad atra adya tad bhavān vaktum arhati ॥13-2-65॥
By this method, this auspicious-faced lady worships me. Whatever is appropriate here today, you are worthy to speak that. (13-2-65)
kūṭamudgarahastastu mṛtyustaṃ vai samanvayāt। hīnapratijñamatrainaṃ vadhiṣyāmīti cintayan ॥13-2-66॥
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)
sudarśanastu manasā karmaṇā cakṣuṣā girā। tyakterṣyastyaktamanyuśca smayamāno'bravīdidam ॥13-2-67॥
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)
surataṃ te'stu viprāgrya prītirhi paramā mama। gṛhasthasya hi dharmo'gryaḥ samprāptātithipūjanam ॥13-2-68॥
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)
atithiḥ pūjito yasya gṛhasthasya tu gacchati। nānyastasmātparo dharma iti prāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ ॥13-2-69॥
The wise have said: 'There is no duty higher than this, that a guest honored departs from the householder's home.' (13-2-69)
prāṇā hi mama dārāś ca yac cānyad vidyate vasu। atithibhyo mayā deyam iti me vratam āhitam ॥13-2-70॥
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)
niḥsaṁdigdhaṁ mayā vākyam etat te samudāhṛtam। tena ahaṁ vipra satyena svayam ātmānam ālabhe ॥13-2-71॥
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)
pṛthivī vāyur ākāśam āpo jyotiś ca pañcamam। buddhir ātmā manaḥ kālo diśaś caiva guṇā daśa ॥13-2-72॥
Earth, air, space, water, and light as the fifth; intellect, self, mind, time, and directions—these indeed are the ten qualities. (13-2-72)
nityam ete hi paśyanti dehināṃ dehasaṃśritāḥ। sukṛtaṃ duṣkṛtaṃ cāpi karma dharmabhṛtāṃ vara ॥13-2-73॥
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)
yathaiṣā nānṛtā vāṇī mayādya samudāhṛtā। tena satyena māṃ devāḥ pālayantu dahantu vā ॥13-2-74॥
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)
tato nādaḥ samabhavad dikṣu sarvāsu bhārata। asakṛt satyam ity eva na etan mithyeti sarvaśaḥ ॥13-2-75॥
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)
uṭajāttu tatastasmānniścakrāma sa vai dvijaḥ। vapuṣā khaṃ ca bhūmiṃ ca vyāpya vāyurivodyataḥ ॥13-2-76॥
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)
svareṇa vipraḥ śaikṣeṇa trī̃llokān anunādayan। uvāca ca enaṃ dharmajñaṃ pūrvam āmantrya nāmataḥ ॥13-2-77॥
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)
dharmo'hamasmi bhadraṃ te jijñāsārthaṃ tavānagha। prāptaḥ satyaṃ ca te jñātvā prītir me paramā tvayi ॥13-2-78॥
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)
vijitaś ca tvayā mṛtyur yo 'yaṃ tvām anugacchati। randhrānveṣī tava sadā tvayā dhṛtyā vaśīkṛtaḥ ॥13-2-79॥
Death, who always follows you seeking your weaknesses, has been conquered and subdued by your fortitude. (13-2-79)
na cāsti śaktis trailokye kasyacit puruṣottama। pativratām imāṃ sādhvīṃ tava udvīkṣitum api uta ॥13-2-80॥
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)
rakṣitā tvad-guṇair eṣā pativrataguṇais tathā। adhṛṣyā yad iyaṃ brūyāt tathā tan nānyathā bhavet ॥13-2-81॥
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)
eṣā hi tapasā svena saṁyuktā brahmavādinī। pāvanārthaṁ ca lokasya saricchreṣṭhā bhaviṣyati ॥13-2-82॥
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)
ardhenaughavatī nāma tvām ardhenānuyāsyati। śarīreṇa mahābhāgā yogo hy asyā vaśe sthitaḥ ॥13-2-83॥
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)
anayā saha lokāṁś ca gantāsi tapasārjitān। yatra nāvṛttim abhyeti śāśvatāṁs tān sanātanān ॥13-2-84॥
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)
anena caiva dehena lokāṁstvam abhipatsyase। nirjitaśca tvayā mṛtyur aiśvaryaṁ ca tavottamam ॥13-2-85॥
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)
pañca bhūtānyatikrāntaḥ svavīryācca manobhavaḥ। gṛhasthadharmeṇānena kāmakrodhau ca te jitau॥13-2-86॥
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)
sneho rāgaś ca tandrī ca moho drohaś ca kevalaḥ। tava śuśrūṣayā rājan rājaputryā vinirjitāḥ ॥13-2-87॥
Affection, attachment, laziness, delusion, and enmity have all been conquered solely by the princess's service to you, O king. (13-2-87)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
śuklānāṃ tu sahasreṇa vājināṃ ratham uttamam। yuktaṃ pragṛhya bhagavān vyavasāyaḥ jagāma tam ॥13-2-88॥
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)
mṛtyurātmā ca lokāśca jitā bhūtāni pañca ca। buddhiḥ kālo mano vyoma kāmakrodhau tathaiva ca ॥13-2-89॥
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)
tasmād-gṛhāśramasthasya nānyad-daivatam asti vai। ṛte'tithiṃ naravyāghra manasaitad-vicāraya ॥13-2-90॥
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)
atithiḥ pūjito yasya dhyāyate manasā śubham। na tatkratuśatenāpi tulyam āhur manīṣiṇaḥ ॥13-2-91॥
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)
pātraṃ tv-atithim-āsādya śīlāḍhyaṃ yo na pūjayet। sa dattvā sukṛtaṃ tasya kṣapayet hy-anarcitaḥ ॥13-2-92॥
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)
etat te kathitaṃ putra mayākhyānam anuttamam। yathā hi vijito mṛtyur gṛhasthena purābhavat ॥13-2-93॥
Son, I have told you this unsurpassed narration; how, indeed, death was conquered by the householder in former times. (13-2-93)
dhanyaṃ yaśasyam āyuṣyam idam ākhyānam uttamam। bubhūṣatā abhimantavyaṃ sarva-duścaritāpaham ॥13-2-94॥
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)
ya idaṃ kathayed vidvān ahany ahani bhārata। sudarśanasya caritaṃ puṇyāṃl lokān avāpnuyāt ॥13-2-95॥
O Bhārata, whoever, being learned, narrates this story of Sudarśana day by day, would attain meritorious worlds. (13-2-95)
