13.053
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
तस्मिन्नन्तर्हिते विप्रे राजा किमकरोत्तदा। भार्या चास्य महाभागा तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥१३-५३-१॥
When that Brāhmaṇa had disappeared, what did the king do then? And what about his most fortunate wife? Tell me that, O grandsire. (13-53-1)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
अदृष्ट्वा स महीपालस्तमृषिं सह भार्यया। परिश्रान्तो निववृते व्रीडितो नष्टचेतनः ॥१३-५३-२॥
Not finding that sage with his wife, the king, exhausted, ashamed, and faint, turned back. (13-53-2)
स प्रविश्य पुरीं दीनो नाभ्यभाषत किञ्चन। तदेव चिन्तयामास च्यवनस्य विचेष्टितम् ॥१३-५३-३॥
He entered the city dejected and did not say anything, but only thought about what Cyavana had done. (13-53-3)
अथ शून्येन मनसा प्रविवेश गृहं नृपः। ददर्श शयने तस्मिञ्शयानं भृगुनन्दनम् ॥१३-५३-४॥
Then, with an empty mind, the king entered the house. There, on the bed, he saw the son of Bhṛgu lying down. (13-53-4)
विस्मितौ तौ तु दृष्ट्वा तं तदाश्चर्यं विचिन्त्य च। दर्शनात्तस्य च मुनेर्विश्रान्तौ सम्बभूवतुः ॥१३-५३-५॥
The two, amazed, after seeing that wonder and reflecting upon it, from beholding that sage, both became relaxed. (13-53-5)
यथास्थानं तु तौ स्थित्वा भूयस्तं संववाहतुः। अथापरेण पार्श्वेन सुष्वाप स महामुनिः ॥१३-५३-६॥
But, having stood in their proper places, those two again together carried him. Then the great sage slept on his other side. (13-53-6)
तेनैव च स कालेन प्रत्यबुध्यत वीर्यवान्। न च तौ चक्रतुः किञ्चिद्विकारं भयशङ्कितौ ॥१३-५३-७॥
By that very means and by the influence of time, the powerful one woke up; and the two (others), suspecting danger, did not make any change. (13-53-7)
प्रतिबुद्धस्तु स मुनिस्तौ प्रोवाच विशां पते। तैलाभ्यङ्गो दीयतां मे स्नास्येऽहमिति भारत ॥१३-५३-८॥
But the awakened sage said to those two, "O lord of kings, let oil for anointing be given to me, I shall bathe," thus, O Bhārata. (13-53-8)
तथेति तौ प्रतिश्रुत्य क्षुधितौ श्रमकर्शितौ। शतपाकेन तैलेन महार्हेणोपतस्थतुः ॥१३-५३-९॥
"Thus," having promised, the two, hungry and exhausted from exertion, both approached with very precious oil that had been boiled a hundred times. (13-53-9)
ततः सुखासीनमृषिं वाग्यतौ संववाहतुः। न च पर्याप्तमित्याह भार्गवः सुमहातपाः ॥१३-५३-१०॥
Then, those who obeyed commands carried the sage, who was seated comfortably. Yet the son of Bhṛgu, endowed with great austerities, said: "It is not sufficient." (13-53-10)
यदा तौ निर्विकारौ तु लक्षयामास भार्गवः। तत उत्थाय सहसा स्नानशालां विवेश ह ॥ कॢप्तमेव तु तत्रासीत्स्नानीयं पार्थिवोचितम् ॥१३-५३-११॥
When Bhārgava observed that those two were undisturbed, he rose quickly and entered the bathing hall. There, materials for the bath appropriate for a king were already prepared. (13-53-11)
असत्कृत्य तु तत्सर्वं तत्रैवान्तरधीयत। स मुनिः पुनरेवाथ नृपतेः पश्यतस्तदा ॥ नासूयां चक्रतुस्तौ च दम्पती भरतर्षभ ॥१३-५३-१२॥
But disregarding all of that, it disappeared right there. The sage, at that moment, again—even as the king was watching—none of the husband and wife found fault, O best of the Bharatas. (13-53-12)
अथ स्नातः स भगवान्सिंहासनगतः प्रभुः। दर्शयामास कुशिकं सभार्यं भृगुनन्दनः ॥१३-५३-१३॥
Then, after bathing, the revered master ascended the throne, and the descendant of Bhrigu caused Kusika and his wife to be shown. (13-53-13)
संहृष्टवदनो राजा सभार्यः कुशिको मुनिम्। सिद्धमन्नमिति प्रह्वो निर्विकारो न्यवेदयत् ॥१३-५३-१४॥
The king Kuśika, delighted in expression and accompanied by his wife, humbly and without any change, offered the prepared food to the sage, saying, "It is ready." (13-53-14)
आनीयतामिति मुनिस्तं चोवाच नराधिपम्। राजा च समुपाजह्रे तदन्नं सह भार्यया ॥१३-५३-१५॥
“Let it be brought,” thus the sage said to the king. And the king, along with his wife, brought that food. (13-53-15)
मांसप्रकारान्विविधाञ्शाकानि विविधानि च। वेसवारविकारांश्च पानकानि लघूनि च ॥१३-५३-१६॥
Various types of meat, various vegetables, vesavāra preparations, and light drinks. (13-53-16)
रसालापूपकांश्चित्रान्मोदकानथ षाडवान्। रसान्नानाप्रकारांश्च वन्यं च मुनिभोजनम् ॥१३-५३-१७॥
Mango-cakes, various kinds of sweet dumplings, spicy dishes, many sorts of juicy rice foods, and forest produce, constitute the food of sages. (13-53-17)
फलानि च विचित्राणि तथा भोज्यानि भूरिशः। बदरेङ्गुदकाश्मर्यभल्लातकवटानि च ॥१३-५३-१८॥
There were fruits and various other foods in abundance—such as jujube, long-bean, kāśmarya, marking-nut, and banyan fruits. (13-53-18)
गृहस्थानां च यद्भोज्यं यच्चापि वनवासिनाम्। सर्वमाहारयामास राजा शापभयान्मुनेः ॥१३-५३-१९॥
The king, out of fear of the sage's curse, caused all the food of both householders and forest-dwellers to be brought. (13-53-19)
अथ सर्वमुपन्यस्तमग्रतश्च्यवनस्य तत्। ततः सर्वं समानीय तच्च शय्यासनं मुनिः ॥१३-५३-२०॥
Then all was placed in front of Cyavana; after bringing together all, the sage also (arranged) that bed and seat. (13-53-20)
वस्त्रैः शुभैरवच्छाद्य भोजनोपस्करैः सह। सर्वमादीपयामास च्यवनो भृगुनन्दनः ॥१३-५३-२१॥
Cyavana, the descendant of Bhṛgu, covered everything with auspicious cloths and dining utensils, and made everything splendid. (13-53-21)
न च तौ चक्रतुः कोपं दम्पती सुमहाव्रतौ। तयोः सम्प्रेक्षतोरेव पुनरन्तर्हितोऽभवत् ॥१३-५३-२२॥
And the couple of great vows did not become angry. As those two were just observing, he disappeared again. (13-53-22)
तत्रैव च स राजर्षिस्तस्थौ तां रजनीं तदा। सभार्यो वाग्यतः श्रीमान्न च तं कोप आविशत् ॥१३-५३-२३॥
He, the royal sage, remained there that night with his wife, silent and illustrious, and anger did not enter him. (13-53-23)
नित्यं संस्कृतमन्नं तु विविधं राजवेश्मनि। शयनानि च मुख्यानि परिषेकाश्च पुष्कलाः ॥१३-५३-२४॥
In the royal palace, there was always refined and varied food; principal beds and abundant ablutions as well. (13-53-24)
वस्त्रं च विविधाकारमभवत्समुपार्जितम्। न शशाक ततो द्रष्टुमन्तरं च्यवनस्तदा ॥१३-५३-२५॥
The garment of various shapes was well acquired, and thereafter Cyavana at that time could not see the difference. (13-53-25)
पुनरेव च विप्रर्षिः प्रोवाच कुशिकं नृपम्। सभार्यो मां रथेनाशु वह यत्र ब्रवीम्यहम् ॥१३-५३-२६॥
Again, the sage among the twice-born spoke to King Kushika: "With your wife, quickly take me by chariot to wherever I tell you." (13-53-26)
तथेति च प्राह नृपो निर्विशङ्कस्तपोधनम्। क्रीडारथोऽस्तु भगवन्नुत साङ्ग्रामिको रथः ॥१३-५३-२७॥
Thus, the king said without hesitation to the ascetic, "Let it be a sport chariot, O Lord, or else a battle chariot." (13-53-27)
इत्युक्तः स मुनिस्तेन राज्ञा हृष्टेन तद्वचः। च्यवनः प्रत्युवाचेदं हृष्टः परपुरञ्जयम् ॥१३-५३-२८॥
Thus addressed by the delighted king, the sage Cyavana, also delighted, spoke these words to the conqueror of enemy cities. (13-53-28)
सज्जीकुरु रथं क्षिप्रं यस्ते साङ्ग्रामिको मतः। सायुधः सपताकश्च सशक्तिः कणयष्टिमान् ॥१३-५३-२९॥
Quickly prepare the chariot that is considered suitable for you in battle, it is armed, bears a banner, is equipped with a spear, and has a whip. (13-53-29)
किङ्किणीशतनिर्घोषो युक्तस्तोमरकल्पनैः। गदाखड्गनिबद्धश्च परमेषुशतान्वितः ॥१३-५३-३०॥
He resounded with the jingle of a hundred small bells, was furnished with devices resembling javelins, adorned with maces and swords, and was equipped with a hundred powerful arrows. (13-53-30)
ततः स तं तथेत्युक्त्वा कल्पयित्वा महारथम्। भार्यां वामे धुरि तदा चात्मानं दक्षिणे तथा ॥१३-५३-३१॥
Then, having said 'so be it' to him and prepared the great chariot, he placed his wife at the yoke on the left and himself on the right. (13-53-31)
त्रिदंष्ट्रं वज्रसूच्यग्रं प्रतोदं तत्र चादधत्। सर्वमेतत्ततो दत्वा नृपो वाक्यमथाब्रवीत् ॥१३-५३-३२॥
He placed there a three-pronged goad, with a tip like a diamond needle. Having given all this, the king then spoke these words. (13-53-32)
भगवन्क्व रथो यातु ब्रवीतु भृगुनन्दनः। यत्र वक्ष्यसि विप्रर्षे तत्र यास्यति ते रथः ॥१३-५३-३३॥
O Lord, let the descendant of Bhṛgu say where the chariot should go. Wherever you say, O sage among Brāhmaṇas, there your chariot will go. (13-53-33)
एवमुक्तस्तु भगवान्प्रत्युवाचाथ तं नृपम्। इतःप्रभृति यातव्यं पदकं पदकं शनैः ॥१३-५३-३४॥
Thus addressed, the Blessed Lord then replied to the king: "From now on, proceed step by step, slowly." (13-53-34)
श्रमो मम यथा न स्यात्तथा मे छन्दचारिणौ। सुखं चैवास्मि वोढव्यो जनः सर्वश्च पश्यतु ॥१३-५३-३५॥
So that I may not become fatigued, let my two will-moving beings (vehicles) act thus. Let everyone see that I too am to be borne in comfort. (13-53-35)
नोत्सार्यः पथिकः कश्चित्तेभ्यो दास्याम्यहं वसु। ब्राह्मणेभ्यश्च ये कामानर्थयिष्यन्ति मां पथि ॥१३-५३-३६॥
I will not turn away any traveller; to them I shall give wealth. And to the Brāhmaṇas, whoever asks me for any desires on the road, I will grant them. (13-53-36)
सर्वं दास्याम्यशेषेण धनं रत्नानि चैव हि। क्रियतां निखिलेनैतन्मा विचारय पार्थिव ॥१३-५३-३७॥
I will give everything completely — wealth and gems indeed. Let all this be done at once; do not hesitate, O king. (13-53-37)
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा भृत्यानथाब्रवीत्। यद्यद्ब्रूयान्मुनिस्तत्तत्सर्वं देयमशङ्कितैः ॥१३-५३-३८॥
Hearing his statement, the king then said to the servants: "Whatever the sage requests, give all of it without any suspicion." (13-53-38)
ततो रत्नान्यनेकानि स्त्रियो युग्यमजाविकम्। कृताकृतं च कनकं गजेन्द्राश्चाचलोपमाः ॥१३-५३-३९॥
Then there were brought many gems, women, yokeable goats and sheep, manufactured and unmanufactured gold, and great elephants as large as mountains. (13-53-39)
अन्वगच्छन्त तमृषिं राजामात्याश्च सर्वशः। हाहाभूतं च तत्सर्वमासीन्नगरमार्तिमत् ॥१३-५३-४०॥
All the king and ministers together followed the sage; and that entire city was overcome with distress and tumult. (13-53-40)
तौ तीक्ष्णाग्रेण सहसा प्रतोदेन प्रचोदितौ। पृष्ठे विद्धौ कटे चैव निर्विकारौ तमूहतुः ॥१३-५३-४१॥
Those two, suddenly urged with the sharp-pointed goad and pierced on the back and side, carried him without any change. (13-53-41)
वेपमानौ विराहारौ पञ्चाशद्रात्रकर्शितौ। कथञ्चिदूहतुर्वीरौ दम्पती तं रथोत्तमम् ॥१३-५३-४२॥
The trembling couple, wearied by separation and emaciated over fifty nights, somehow as heroes pulled that splendid chariot. (13-53-42)
बहुशो भृशविद्धौ तौ क्षरमाणौ क्षतोद्भवम्। ददृशाते महाराज पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ ॥१३-५३-४३॥
O great king, those two, repeatedly pierced and streaming blood from their wounds, looked just like blossoming Kiṃśuka trees. (13-53-43)
तौ दृष्ट्वा पौरवर्गस्तु भृशं शोकपरायणः। अभिशापभयात्त्रस्तो न च किञ्चिदुवाच ह ॥१३-५३-४४॥
Having seen those two, the group of citizens, exceedingly grief-stricken and terrified out of fear of a curse, did not say anything at all. (13-53-44)
द्वन्द्वशश्चाब्रुवन्सर्वे पश्यध्वं तपसो बलम्। क्रुद्धा अपि मुनिश्रेष्ठं वीक्षितुं नैव शक्नुमः ॥१३-५३-४५॥
And the gods of dualities all said, "See the power of austerity. Even though we are angry, we cannot even look upon the best of sages." (13-53-45)
अहो भगवतो वीर्यं महर्षेर्भावितात्मनः। राज्ञश्चापि सभार्यस्य धैर्यं पश्यत यादृशम् ॥१३-५३-४६॥
Oh, see the power of the revered great sage whose spirit is perfected, and also the incredible fortitude of the king accompanied by his wife! (13-53-46)
श्रान्तावपि हि कृच्छ्रेण रथमेतं समूहतुः। न चैतयोर्विकारं वै ददर्श भृगुनन्दनः ॥१३-५३-४७॥
Though both were weary, they nevertheless lifted the chariot with difficulty; but the son of Bhr̥gu saw no change in either of them. (13-53-47)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
ततः स निर्विकारौ तौ दृष्ट्वा भृगुकुलोद्वहः। वसु विश्राणयामास यथा वैश्रवणस्तथा ॥१३-५३-४८॥
Then, seeing those two who remained unchanged, the best of the Bhṛgu lineage distributed wealth just as Vaiśravaṇa does. (13-53-48)
तत्रापि राजा प्रीतात्मा यथाज्ञप्तमथाकरोत्। ततोऽस्य भगवान्प्रीतो बभूव मुनिसत्तमः ॥१३-५३-४९॥
There also, the king, with a delighted mind, did as he was instructed; then the Venerable best among sages became pleased with him. (13-53-49)
अवतीर्य रथश्रेष्ठाद्दम्पती तौ मुमोच ह। विमोच्य चैतौ विधिवत्ततो वाक्यमुवाच ह ॥१३-५३-५०॥
He got down from the excellent chariot and released the couple. Then, having properly freed them, he spoke to them. (13-53-50)
स्निग्धगम्भीरया वाचा भार्गवः सुप्रसन्नया। ददानि वां वरं श्रेष्ठं तद्ब्रूतामिति भारत ॥१३-५३-५१॥
Bhārgava, with gentle and deep speech and with a very clear mind, said: "I shall grant you two the best boon; declare what it is," O Bhārata. (13-53-51)
सुकुमारौ च तौ विद्वान्कराभ्यां मुनिसत्तमः। पस्पर्शामृतकल्पाभ्यां स्नेहाद्भरतसत्तम ॥१३-५३-५२॥
The learned sage, O best of the Bharatas, out of affection, touched those two very tender boys with his hands, hands like nectar. (13-53-52)
अथाब्रवीन्नृपो वाक्यं श्रमो नास्त्यावयोरिह। विश्रान्तौ स्वः प्रभावात्ते ध्यानेनैवेति भार्गव ॥१३-५३-५३॥
Then the king said: “There is no fatigue for either of us here. By your own power and your meditation, we are rested, O Bhārgava.” (13-53-53)
अथ तौ भगवान्प्राह प्रहृष्टश्च्यवनस्तदा। न वृथा व्याहृतं पूर्वं यन्मया तद्भविष्यति ॥१३-५३-५४॥
Then, the joyful Cyavana, the revered one, said to them: "What was declared by me before will not be in vain; that will certainly come to pass." (13-53-54)
रमणीयः समुद्देशो गङ्गातीरमिदं शुभम्। कञ्चित्कालं व्रतपरो निवत्स्यामीह पार्थिव ॥१३-५३-५५॥
This auspicious and beautiful region, the bank of the Ganga—here I shall live for some time, devoted to my vow, O king. (13-53-55)
गम्यतां स्वपुरं पुत्र विश्रान्तः पुनरेष्यसि। इहस्थं मां सभार्यस्त्वं द्रष्टासि श्वो नराधिप ॥१३-५३-५६॥
Go to your own city, son; after resting, you will return again. Tomorrow, with your wife, you will see me here, O king. (13-53-56)
न च मन्युस्त्वया कार्यः श्रेयस्ते समुपस्थितम्। यत्काङ्क्षितं हृदिस्थं ते तत्सर्वं सम्भविष्यति ॥१३-५३-५७॥
Do not allow anger to arise; good fortune has come to you. Whatever you have desired in your heart, all of that will happen. (13-53-57)
इत्येवमुक्तः कुशिकः प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना। प्रोवाच मुनिशार्दूलमिदं वचनमर्थवत् ॥१३-५३-५८॥
Having thus been addressed, Kuśika, filled with joy in his heart, spoke these meaningful words to the tiger among sages. (13-53-58)
न मे मन्युर्महाभाग पूतोऽस्मि भगवंस्त्वया। संवृत्तौ यौवनस्थौ स्वो वपुष्मन्तौ बलान्वितौ ॥१३-५३-५९॥
O greatly fortunate one, I am not angry; I am purified by you, O Lord. We have both become youthful again, possessing our own strong bodies. (13-53-59)
प्रतोदेन व्रणा ये मे सभार्यस्य कृतास्त्वया। तान्न पश्यामि गात्रेषु स्वस्थोऽस्मि सह भार्यया ॥१३-५३-६०॥
The wounds inflicted on me and my wife by your goad—I do not see those on our bodies; together with my wife, I am healthy. (13-53-60)
इमां च देवीं पश्यामि मुने दिव्याप्सरोपमाम्। श्रिया परमया युक्तां यथादृष्टां मया पुरा ॥१३-५३-६१॥
O sage, I see this goddess, who resembles a divine apsaras, endowed with supreme splendor, just as I saw her before. (13-53-61)
तव प्रसादात्संवृत्तमिदं सर्वं महामुने। नैतच्चित्रं तु भगवंस्त्वयि सत्यपराक्रम ॥१३-५३-६२॥
All this has come into being through your favor, O great sage. It is not surprising, O venerable one of true valor, (that this has occurred) in you. (13-53-62)
इत्युक्तः प्रत्युवाचेदं च्यवनः कुशिकं तदा। आगच्छेथाः सभार्यश्च त्वमिहेति नराधिप ॥१३-५३-६३॥
Thus addressed, Cyavana then replied to Kushika: "You and your wife may come here," O king. (13-53-63)
इत्युक्तः समनुज्ञातो राजर्षिरभिवाद्य तम्। प्रययौ वपुषा युक्तो नगरं देवराजवत् ॥१३-५३-६४॥
Having been told thus and fully permitted, the royal sage saluted him and went to the city, resplendent like the king of the gods. (13-53-64)
तत एनमुपाजग्मुरमात्याः सपुरोहिताः। बलस्था गणिकायुक्ताः सर्वाः प्रकृतयस्तथा ॥१३-५३-६५॥
Then the ministers, together with the priests, the army commanders, the officers overseeing the courtesans, and all the officials also, approached him. (13-53-65)
तैर्वृतः कुशिको राजा श्रिया परमया ज्वलन्। प्रविवेश पुरं हृष्टः पूज्यमानोऽथ बन्दिभिः ॥१३-५३-६६॥
Surrounded by them, King Kuśika, shining with supreme splendor, joyfully entered the city, being honored then by the bards. (13-53-66)
ततः प्रविश्य नगरं कृत्वा सर्वाह्णिकक्रियाः। भुक्त्वा सभार्यो रजनीमुवास स महीपतिः ॥१३-५३-६७॥
Then, the king entered the city, performed all his daily duties, ate his meal, and spent the night with his wife. (13-53-67)
ततस्तु तौ नवमभिवीक्ष्य यौवनं; परस्परं विगतजराविवामरौ। ननन्दतुः शयनगतौ वपुर्धरौ; श्रिया युतौ द्विजवरदत्तया तया ॥१३-५३-६८॥
Then those two, beholding their renewed youth, like immortals free from old age, rejoiced together as they lay on the bed, bearing forms endowed with splendor by her, who had been given by the excellent Brāhmaṇa. (13-53-68)
स चाप्यृषिर्भृगुकुलकीर्तिवर्धन; स्तपोधनो वनमभिराममृद्धिमत्। मनीषया बहुविधरत्नभूषितं; ससर्ज यन्नास्ति शतक्रतोरपि ॥१३-५३-६९॥
And that sage, who increased the fame of the Bhṛgu lineage and whose wealth was his austerity, created by his wisdom a beautiful and prosperous forest adorned with many kinds of gems—something not possessed even by Indra (Śatakratu). (13-53-69)
