13.052
च्यवनकुशिकसंवादः
Dialogue between Cyavana and Kuśika;
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
संशयो मे महाप्राज्ञ सुमहान्सागरोपमः। तन्मे शृणु महाबाहो श्रुत्वा चाख्यातुमर्हसि ॥१३-५२-१॥
O greatly wise one, my doubt is very great, like the ocean. Therefore, hear it from me, O mighty-armed one, and after hearing it, you are worthy to explain (it to me). (13-52-1)
कौतूहलं मे सुमहज्जामदग्न्यं प्रति प्रभो। रामं धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठं तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि ॥१३-५२-२॥
O lord, I have a very great curiosity regarding Jāmadagnya (Paraśurāma). Please explain that to me with respect to Rāma, the foremost among the upholders of dharma. (13-52-2)
कथमेष समुत्पन्नो रामः सत्यपराक्रमः। कथं ब्रह्मर्षिवंशे च क्षत्रधर्मा व्यजायत ॥१३-५२-३॥
How was this Rama, who is truly valorous, born? How was one of kṣatriya nature born in the lineage of Brahmarṣis? (13-52-3)
तदस्य सम्भवं राजन्निखिलेनानुकीर्तय। कौशिकाच्च कथं वंशात्क्षत्राद्वै ब्राह्मणोऽभवत् ॥१३-५२-४॥
O king, narrate entirely the origin of him. And how did a brāhmaṇa indeed arise from the kṣatriya lineage of Kuśika? (13-52-4)
अहो प्रभावः सुमहानासीद्वै सुमहात्मनोः। रामस्य च नरव्याघ्र विश्वामित्रस्य चैव ह ॥१३-५२-५॥
Oh, indeed how great was the power of those two exalted souls—Rāma and Viśvāmitra, the tiger among men. (13-52-5)
कथं पुत्रानतिक्रम्य तेषां नप्तृष्वथाभवत्। एष दोषः सुतान्हित्वा तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि ॥१३-५२-६॥
How did this fault occur among the grandsons, passing over the sons? Abandoning the sons, you ought to explain that to me. (13-52-6)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। च्यवनस्य च संवादं कुशिकस्य च भारत ॥१३-५२-७॥
Here too, O Bhārata, they recount this ancient narrative—the dialogue between Cyavana and Kuśika. (13-52-7)
एतं दोषं पुरा दृष्ट्वा भार्गवश्च्यवनस्तदा। आगामिनं महाबुद्धिः स्ववंशे मुनिपुङ्गवः ॥१३-५२-८॥
Having previously seen this fault, Cyavana, the descendant of Bhr̥gu and the foremost among sages, who was very wise, foresaw it would occur in his own lineage. (13-52-8)
सञ्चिन्त्य मनसा सर्वं गुणदोषबलाबलम्। दग्धुकामः कुलं सर्वं कुशिकानां तपोधनः ॥१३-५२-९॥
The ascetic, having thoroughly thought over all the virtues, faults, strengths, and weaknesses with his mind, wished to destroy the entire family of the Kuśikas. (13-52-9)
च्यवनस्तमनुप्राप्य कुशिकं वाक्यमब्रवीत्। वस्तुमिच्छा समुत्पन्ना त्वया सह ममानघ ॥१३-५२-१०॥
Cyavana, after reaching Kushika, spoke these words: "I have developed a desire to live with you, O sinless one." (13-52-10)
कुशिक उवाच॥
Kuśika said.
भगवन्सहधर्मोऽयं पण्डितैरिह धार्यते। प्रदानकाले कन्यानामुच्यते च सदा बुधैः ॥१३-५२-११॥
O revered one, the learned here regard this as joint duty; at the time of giving away maidens, it is always mentioned by the wise. (13-52-11)
यत्तु तावदतिक्रान्तं धर्मद्वारं तपोधन। तत्कार्यं प्रकरिष्यामि तदनुज्ञातुमर्हसि ॥१३-५२-१२॥
But as for what has so far gone beyond the gate of dharma, O ascetic, I will perform that action; you ought to permit it. (13-52-12)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
अथासनमुपादाय च्यवनस्य महामुनेः। कुशिको भार्यया सार्धमाजगाम यतो मुनिः ॥१३-५२-१३॥
Then, having taken a seat for Cyavana, the great sage, Kushika, together with his wife, came to where the sage was. (13-52-13)
प्रगृह्य राजा भृङ्गारं पाद्यमस्मै न्यवेदयत्। कारयामास सर्वाश्च क्रियास्तस्य महात्मनः ॥१३-५२-१४॥
The king, after taking the argha-vessel, offered water for washing the feet to him and caused all the ceremonies for that great-souled man to be performed. (13-52-14)
ततः स राजा च्यवनं मधुपर्कं यथाविधि। प्रत्यग्राहयदव्यग्रो महात्मा नियतव्रतः ॥१३-५२-१५॥
Then that king, undistracted and steadfast in vows, made Cyavana accept madhuparka (the traditional offering of honey and other ingredients) according to the proper injunction. (13-52-15)
सत्कृत्य स तथा विप्रमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्। भगवन्परवन्तौ स्वो ब्रूहि किं करवावहे ॥१३-५२-१६॥
Having shown respect, he then spoke these words to the brāhmaṇa: "O revered one, in front of others, tell us what we should do." (13-52-16)
यदि राज्यं यदि धनं यदि गाः संशितव्रत। यज्ञदानानि च तथा ब्रूहि सर्वं ददामि ते ॥१३-५२-१७॥
If it is the kingdom, or wealth, or cows, O one of firm vow, or sacrificial gifts— tell me; I shall give all to you. (13-52-17)
इदं गृहमिदं राज्यमिदं धर्मासनं च ते। राजा त्वमसि शाध्युर्वीं भृत्योऽहं परवांस्त्वयि ॥१३-५२-१८॥
This house, this kingdom, this seat of righteousness—all these are yours. You are the king, govern the earth. I am your servant, subordinate to you. (13-52-18)
एवमुक्ते ततो वाक्ये च्यवनो भार्गवस्तदा। कुशिकं प्रत्युवाचेदं मुदा परमया युतः ॥१३-५२-१९॥
When these words were spoken, Cyavana, descendant of Bhṛgu, then joyfully spoke this to Kushika. (13-52-19)
न राज्यं कामये राजन्न धनं न च योषितः। न च गा न च ते देशान्न यज्ञाञ्श्रूयतामिदम् ॥१३-५२-२०॥
O king, I do not desire a kingdom, nor wealth, nor women; nor cows, nor your regions, nor sacrifices; let this be heard. (13-52-20)
नियमं कञ्चिदारप्स्ये युवयोर्यदि रोचते। परिचर्योऽस्मि यत्ताभ्यां युवाभ्यामविशङ्कया ॥१३-५२-२१॥
If you both agree, I shall propose a certain rule. I am to serve you both without any hesitation. (13-52-21)
एवमुक्ते तदा तेन दम्पती तौ जहर्षतुः। प्रत्यब्रूतां च तमृषिमेवमस्त्विति भारत ॥१३-५२-२२॥
O Bhārata, when thus addressed by him, the couple rejoiced and replied to the sage, saying, "Let it be so." (13-52-22)
अथ तं कुशिको हृष्टः प्रावेशयदनुत्तमम्। गृहोद्देशं ततस्तत्र दर्शनीयमदर्शयत् ॥१३-५२-२३॥
Then Kuśika, gladdened, led him into the best place and then, in the house, showed him all that was worthy to be seen. (13-52-23)
इयं शय्या भगवतो यथाकाममिहोष्यताम्। प्रयतिष्यावहे प्रीतिमाहर्तुं ते तपोधन ॥१३-५२-२४॥
Let this bed of the revered one be used as he wishes here. We will strive to bring you pleasure, O sage. (13-52-24)
अथ सूर्योऽतिचक्राम तेषां संवदतां तथा। अथर्षिश्चोदयामास पानमन्नं तथैव च ॥१३-५२-२५॥
Then, as they were conversing thus, the Sun passed overhead. Then the sage had food and drink brought likewise. (13-52-25)
तमपृच्छत्ततो राजा कुशिकः प्रणतस्तदा। किमन्नजातमिष्टं ते किमुपस्थापयाम्यहम् ॥१३-५२-२६॥
Then King Kuśika, bowing, asked him at that time: "What kind of food do you desire? What shall I serve you?" (13-52-26)
ततः स परया प्रीत्या प्रत्युवाच जनाधिपम्। औपपत्तिकमाहारं प्रयच्छस्वेति भारत ॥१३-५२-२७॥
Then, with great affection, he replied to the lord of men: "Give natural food yourself," O Bhārata. (13-52-27)
तद्वचः पूजयित्वा तु तथेत्याह स पार्थिवः। यथोपपन्नं चाहारं तस्मै प्रादाज्जनाधिपः ॥१३-५२-२८॥
Having honored that speech, the king said 'so be it'; then, as was appropriate, the lord of people gave food to him. (13-52-28)
ततः स भगवान्भुक्त्वा दम्पती प्राह धर्मवित्। स्वप्तुमिच्छाम्यहं निद्रा बाधते मामिति प्रभो ॥१३-५२-२९॥
Then the Lord, having eaten, spoke to the couple as the knower of dharma: "I wish to sleep, O lord; sleep is afflicting me." (13-52-29)
ततः शय्यागृहं प्राप्य भगवानृषिसत्तमः। संविवेश नरेन्द्रस्तु सपत्नीकः स्थितोऽभवत् ॥१३-५२-३०॥
Then the venerable best among sages, having reached the bedchamber, lay down; but the king, along with his wife, remained standing. (13-52-30)
न प्रबोध्योऽस्मि संसुप्त इत्युवाचाथ भार्गवः। संवाहितव्यौ पादौ मे जागर्तव्यं च वां निशि ॥१३-५२-३१॥
Then Bhārgava said, "I am not to be awakened once I have slept; my feet are to be massaged and you two must remain awake at night." (13-52-31)
अविशङ्कश्च कुशिकस्तथेत्याह स धर्मवित्। न प्रबोधयतां तं च तौ तदा रजनीक्षये ॥१३-५२-३२॥
Without any doubt, Kuśika also said thus, being a knower of dharma. Those two did not awaken him then, at the end of the night. (13-52-32)
यथादेशं महर्षेस्तु शुश्रूषापरमौ तदा। बभूवतुर्महाराज प्रयतावथ दम्पती ॥१३-५२-३३॥
O great king, then the husband and wife, being self-controlled, became devoted to serving the great sage as per his command. (13-52-33)
ततः स भगवान्विप्रः समादिश्य नराधिपम्। सुष्वापैकेन पार्श्वेन दिवसानेकविंशतिम् ॥१३-५२-३४॥
Then that illustrious brāhmaṇa, having given instructions to the king, lay sleeping on one side for twenty-one days. (13-52-34)
स तु राजा निराहारः सभार्यः कुरुनन्दन। पर्युपासत तं हृष्टश्च्यवनाराधने रतः ॥१३-५२-३५॥
But the king, together with his wife, O Kuru's delight, fasted and joyfully attended upon him, being engaged in the worship of Cyavana. (13-52-35)
भार्गवस्तु समुत्तस्थौ स्वयमेव तपोधनः। अकिञ्चिदुक्त्वा तु गृहान्निश्चक्राम महातपाः ॥१३-५२-३६॥
But Bhārgava, the ascetic, rose up by himself and, without saying anything, the great ascetic went out from the house. (13-52-36)
तमन्वगच्छतां तौ तु क्षुधितौ श्रमकर्शितौ। भार्यापती मुनिश्रेष्ठो न च ताववलोकयत् ॥१३-५२-३७॥
But those two, the husband and wife, hungry and emaciated by fatigue, followed him; yet the best of sages did not look at them. (13-52-37)
तयोस्तु प्रेक्षतोरेव भार्गवाणां कुलोद्वहः। अन्तर्हितोऽभूद्राजेन्द्र ततो राजापतत्क्षितौ ॥१३-५२-३८॥
But as those two watched, O king, the chief of the Bhārgavas vanished; then the king fell down on the ground. (13-52-38)
स मुहूर्तं समाश्वस्य सह देव्या महाद्युतिः। पुनरन्वेषणे यत्नमकरोत्परमं तदा ॥१३-५२-३९॥
Having composed himself for a moment with the lady, the one of great splendor then again made supreme effort in searching. (13-52-39)
