13.052
cyavanakuśikasaṃvādaḥ
Dialogue between Cyavana and Kuśika;
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
saṃśayo me mahāprājña sumahān sāgaropamaḥ। tan me śṛṇu mahābāho śrutvā ca ākhyātum arhasi ॥13-52-1॥
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)
kautūhalaṃ me sumahajjāmadagnyaṃ prati prabho। rāmaṃ dharmabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ tanme vyākhyātumarhasi॥13-52-2॥
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)
katham eṣa samutpanno rāmaḥ satyaparākramaḥ। kathaṁ brahmarṣivaṁśe ca kṣatradharmā vyajāyata ॥13-52-3॥
How was this Rama, who is truly valorous, born? How was one of kṣatriya nature born in the lineage of Brahmarṣis? (13-52-3)
tadasya sambhavaṃ rājan nikhilenānukīrtaya। kauśikācca kathaṃ vaṃśāt kṣatrād vai brāhmaṇo'bhavat॥13-52-4॥
O king, narrate entirely the origin of him. And how did a brāhmaṇa indeed arise from the kṣatriya lineage of Kuśika? (13-52-4)
aho prabhāvaḥ sumahān āsīd vai sumahātmanoḥ. rāmasya ca naravyāghra viśvāmitrasya caiva ha ॥13-52-5॥
Oh, indeed how great was the power of those two exalted souls—Rāma and Viśvāmitra, the tiger among men. (13-52-5)
kathaṁ putrānatikramya teṣāṁ naptriṣvathābhavat। eṣa doṣaḥ sutānhitvā tanme vyākhyātumarhasi॥13-52-6॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam। cyavanasya ca saṃvādaṃ kuśikasya ca bhārata ॥13-52-7॥
Here too, O Bhārata, they recount this ancient narrative—the dialogue between Cyavana and Kuśika. (13-52-7)
etaṁ doṣaṁ purā dṛṣṭvā bhārgavaś cyavanaḥ tadā. āgāminaṁ mahābuddhiḥ svavaṁśe munipuṅgavaḥ ॥13-52-8॥
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)
sañcintya manasā sarvaṃ guṇa-doṣa-bala-abalam। dagdhukāmaḥ kulaṃ sarvaṃ kuśikānāṃ tapodhanaḥ ॥13-52-9॥
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)
cyavanas tam anuprāpya kuśikaṃ vākyam abravīt। vastum icchā samutpannā tvayā saha mama anagha ॥13-52-10॥
Cyavana, after reaching Kushika, spoke these words: "I have developed a desire to live with you, O sinless one." (13-52-10)
kuśika uvāca॥
Kuśika said.
bhagavan-sahadharmo'yaṃ paṇḍitairiha dhāryate। pradānakāle kanyānāmucyate ca sadā budhaiḥ ॥13-52-11॥
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)
yattu tāvad atikrāntaṃ dharmadvāraṃ tapodhana। tat kāryaṃ prakariṣyāmi tad anujñātum arhasi ॥13-52-12॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
athāsanam upādāya cyavanasya mahāmuneḥ। kuśiko bhāryayā sārdham ājagāma yato muniḥ॥13-52-13॥
Then, having taken a seat for Cyavana, the great sage, Kushika, together with his wife, came to where the sage was. (13-52-13)
pragṛhya rājā bhṛṅgāraṃ pādyamasmai nyavedayat. kārayāmāsa sarvāśca kriyāstasya mahātmanaḥ ॥13-52-14॥
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)
tataḥ sa rājā cyavanaṃ madhuparkaṃ yathāvidhi। pratyagrāhaya davyagro mahātmā niyatavrataḥ ॥13-52-15॥
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)
satkṛtya sa tathā vipram idaṃ vacanam abravīt। bhagavan paravantau svo brūhi kiṃ karavāvahe॥13-52-16॥
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)
yadi rājyaṃ yadi dhanaṃ yadi gāḥ saṃśitavrata. yajñadānāni ca tathā brūhi sarvaṃ dadāmi te ॥13-52-17॥
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)
idaṁ gṛham idaṁ rājyam idaṁ dharmāsanaṁ ca te। rājā tvam asi śādhi urvīṁ bhṛtyaḥ ahaṁ paravān tvayi ॥13-52-18॥
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)
evam-ukte tato vākye cyavano bhārgavas-tadā। kuśikaṃ pratyuvācedaṃ mudā paramayā yutaḥ॥13-52-19॥
When these words were spoken, Cyavana, descendant of Bhṛgu, then joyfully spoke this to Kushika. (13-52-19)
na rājyaṃ kāmaye rājan na dhanaṃ na ca yoṣitaḥ। na ca gā na ca te deśān na yajñān śrūyatām idam ॥13-52-20॥
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)
niyamaṃ kañcid ārapsye yuvayor yadi rocate। paricaryo'smi yattābhyāṃ yuvābhyām aviśaṅkayā ॥13-52-21॥
If you both agree, I shall propose a certain rule. I am to serve you both without any hesitation. (13-52-21)
evamukte tadā tena dampatī tau jaharṣatuḥ। pratyabrūtāṃ ca tam ṛṣim evam astv iti bhārata ॥13-52-22॥
O Bhārata, when thus addressed by him, the couple rejoiced and replied to the sage, saying, "Let it be so." (13-52-22)
atha taṃ kuśiko hṛṣṭaḥ prāveśayad anuttamam। gṛhuddeśaṃ tataḥ tatra darśanīyam adarśayat ॥13-52-23॥
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)
iyaṃ śayyā bhagavato yathākāmam ihoṣyatām। prayatiṣyāvahe prītim āhartuṃ te tapodhana ॥13-52-24॥
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)
atha sūryo'ticakrāma teṣāṃ saṃvadatāṃ tathā। atharṣiś codayām āsa pānam annaṃ tathaiva ca ॥13-52-25॥
Then, as they were conversing thus, the Sun passed overhead. Then the sage had food and drink brought likewise. (13-52-25)
tam apṛcchat tato rājā kuśikaḥ praṇataḥ tadā। kim annajātam iṣṭaṃ te kim upasthāpayāmi aham ॥13-52-26॥
Then King Kuśika, bowing, asked him at that time: "What kind of food do you desire? What shall I serve you?" (13-52-26)
tataḥ sa parayā prītyā pratyuvāca janādhipam। aupapattikam-āhāraṃ prayacchasveti bhārata ॥13-52-27॥
Then, with great affection, he replied to the lord of men: "Give natural food yourself," O Bhārata. (13-52-27)
tad-vacaḥ pūjayitvā tu tathety-āha sa pārthivaḥ। yathopapannaṃ ca āhāraṃ tasmai prādāj janādhipaḥ॥13-52-28॥
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)
tataḥ sa bhagavān bhuktvā dampatī prāha dharmavit। svaptum icchāmi ahaṃ nidrā bādhate mām iti prabho ॥13-52-29॥
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)
tataḥ śayyāgṛhaṃ prāpya bhagavān ṛṣisattamaḥ। saṃviveśa narendras tu sapatnīkaḥ sthito'bhavat ॥13-52-30॥
Then the venerable best among sages, having reached the bedchamber, lay down; but the king, along with his wife, remained standing. (13-52-30)
na prabodhy o'smi saṁsupta ity uvācātha bhārgavaḥ। saṁvāhitavyau pādau me jāgartavyaṁ ca vāṁ niśi॥13-52-31॥
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)
aviśaṅkaś ca kuśikas tathety āha sa dharmavit। na prabodhayatāṃ taṃ ca tau tadā rajanīkṣaye॥13-52-32॥
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)
yathādeśaṁ maharṣestu śuśrūṣāparamau tadā। babhūvaturmahārāja prayatāvatha dampatī ॥13-52-33॥
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)
tataḥ sa bhagavān vipraḥ samādiśya narādhipam। suṣvāpaikena pārśvena divasānekaviṃśatim ॥13-52-34॥
Then that illustrious brāhmaṇa, having given instructions to the king, lay sleeping on one side for twenty-one days. (13-52-34)
sa tu rājā nirāhāraḥ sabhāryaḥ kurunandana। paryupāsata taṃ hṛṣṭaś cyavanārādhane rataḥ ॥13-52-35॥
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)
bhārgavas tu samut tasthau svayam eva tapodhanaḥ। akiñcid uktvā tu gṛhān niścakrāma mahātapāḥ ॥13-52-36॥
But Bhārgava, the ascetic, rose up by himself and, without saying anything, the great ascetic went out from the house. (13-52-36)
tam anvagacchatāṁ tau tu kṣudhitaū śramakarśitau। bhāryāpatī muniśreṣṭho na ca tāv avalokayata ॥13-52-37॥
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)
tayostu prekṣatoreva bhārgavāṇāṃ kulodvahaḥ। antarhito'bhūdrājendra tato rājāpatatkṣitau॥13-52-38॥
But as those two watched, O king, the chief of the Bhārgavas vanished; then the king fell down on the ground. (13-52-38)
sa muhūrtaṃ samāśvasya saha devyā mahādyutiḥ। punaranveṣaṇe yatnamakarotparamaṃ tadā ॥13-52-39॥
Having composed himself for a moment with the lady, the one of great splendor then again made supreme effort in searching. (13-52-39)
