13.053
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
tasminn antarhite vipre rājā kim akarot tadā। bhāryā ca asya mahābhāgā tan me brūhi pitāmaha ॥13-53-1॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
adṛṣṭvā sa mahīpālas tam ṛṣiṁ saha bhāryayā. pariśrānto nivavṛte vrīḍito naṣṭacetanāḥ ॥13-53-2॥
Not finding that sage with his wife, the king, exhausted, ashamed, and faint, turned back. (13-53-2)
sa praviśya purīṃ dīno nābhyabhāṣata kiñcana. tadeva cintayāmāsa cyavanasya viceṣṭitam ॥13-53-3॥
He entered the city dejected and did not say anything, but only thought about what Cyavana had done. (13-53-3)
atha śūnyena manasā praviveśa gṛhaṁ nṛpaḥ। dadarśa śayane tasmiñ śayānaṁ bhṛgunandanam॥13-53-4॥
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)
vismitau tau tu dṛṣṭvā taṃ tad-āścaryaṃ vicintya ca. darśanāt tasya ca muner viśrāntau sambabhūvatuḥ ॥13-53-5॥
The two, amazed, after seeing that wonder and reflecting upon it, from beholding that sage, both became relaxed. (13-53-5)
yathāsthānaṃ tu tau sthitvā bhūyas taṃ saṃvavāhatuḥ। athāpareṇa pārśvena suṣvāpa sa mahāmuniḥ॥13-53-6॥
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)
tenaiva ca sa kālena pratyabudhyata vīryavān। na ca tau cakratuḥ kiñcid vikāraṃ bhayaśaṅkitau॥13-53-7॥
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)
pratibuddhas tu sa munis tau provāca viśāṃ pate. tailābhyaṅgo dīyatāṃ me snāsye'ham iti bhārata ॥13-53-8॥
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)
tatheti tau pratiśrutya kṣudhitau śramakarśitau. śatapākena tailena mahārheṇopatastathuḥ ॥13-53-9॥
"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)
tataḥ sukhāsīnam ṛṣiṁ vāgyatau saṁvavāhatuḥ. na ca paryāptam ity āha bhārgavaḥ sumahātapāḥ ॥13-53-10॥
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)
yadā tau nirvikārau tu lakṣayāmāsa bhārgavaḥ। tata utthāya sahasā snānaśālāṃ viveśa ha ॥ kḷptameva tu tatrāsītsnānīyaṃ pārthivocitam ॥13-53-11॥
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)
asatkṛtya tu tatsarvaṃ tatraivāntaradhīyata। sa muniḥ punarevātha nṛpateḥ paśyatastadā ॥ nāsūyāṃ cakratustau ca dampatī bharatarṣabha ॥13-53-12॥
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)
atha snātaḥ sa bhagavān siṃhāsanagataḥ prabhuḥ। darśayāmāsa kuśikaṃ sabhāryaṃ bhṛgunandanaḥ॥13-53-13॥
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)
saṁhṛṣṭavadano rājā sabhāryaḥ kuśiko munim। siddhamannamiti prahvo nirvikāro nyavedayat ॥13-53-14॥
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)
ānīyatām iti munis taṃ ca uvāca narādhipam| rājā ca samupājahre tad annaṃ saha bhāryayā ॥13-53-15॥
“Let it be brought,” thus the sage said to the king. And the king, along with his wife, brought that food. (13-53-15)
māṁsaprakārān vividhaāṁś śākāni vividhāni ca। vesavāravikārāṁś ca pānakāni laghūni ca॥13-53-16॥
Various types of meat, various vegetables, vesavāra preparations, and light drinks. (13-53-16)
rasālāpūpakāṁścitrānmodakānatha ṣāḍavān। rasānnānāprakārāṁśca vanyaṁ ca munibhojanam ॥13-53-17॥
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)
phalāni ca vicitrāṇi tathā bhojyāni bhūriśaḥ। badara-eṅguda-kāśmarya-bhallātaka-vaṭāni ca ॥13-53-18॥
There were fruits and various other foods in abundance—such as jujube, long-bean, kāśmarya, marking-nut, and banyan fruits. (13-53-18)
gṛhasthānāṃ ca yad bhojyaṃ yac cāpi vanavāsinām। sarvam āhārayāmāsa rājā śāpa-bhayān muneḥ ॥13-53-19॥
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)
atha sarvam upanyastam agrataḥ cyavanasya tat। tataḥ sarvaṃ samānīya tac ca śayya-āsanaṃ muniḥ ॥13-53-20॥
Then all was placed in front of Cyavana; after bringing together all, the sage also (arranged) that bed and seat. (13-53-20)
vastraiḥ śubhair avacchādya bhojanopaskaraiḥ saha। sarvam ādīpayām āsa cyavano bhṛgunandanaḥ॥13-53-21॥
Cyavana, the descendant of Bhṛgu, covered everything with auspicious cloths and dining utensils, and made everything splendid. (13-53-21)
na ca tau cakratuḥ kopaṃ dampatī sumahāvratau। tayoḥ samprekṣatoreva punarantarhito'bhavat ॥13-53-22॥
And the couple of great vows did not become angry. As those two were just observing, he disappeared again. (13-53-22)
tatraiva ca sa rājarṣiḥ tasthau tāṃ rajanīṃ tadā। sabhāryaḥ vāgyataḥ śrīmān na ca taṃ kopa āviśat ॥13-53-23॥
He, the royal sage, remained there that night with his wife, silent and illustrious, and anger did not enter him. (13-53-23)
nityaṃ saṃskṛtam annaṃ tu vividhaṃ rājaveśmani। śayanāni ca mukhyāni pariṣekāś ca puṣkalāḥ॥13-53-24॥
In the royal palace, there was always refined and varied food; principal beds and abundant ablutions as well. (13-53-24)
vastraṁ ca vividhākāram abhavat samupārjitam। na śaśāka tato draṣṭum antaraṁ cyavanās tadā॥13-53-25॥
The garment of various shapes was well acquired, and thereafter Cyavana at that time could not see the difference. (13-53-25)
punareva ca viprarṣiḥ provāca kuśikaṃ nṛpam। sabhāryo māṃ rathenāśu vaha yatra bravīmyaham ॥13-53-26॥
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)
tatheti ca prāha nṛpo nirviśaṅkaḥ tapodhanam. krīḍāratho 'stu bhagavann uta sāṅgrāmiko rathaḥ ॥13-53-27॥
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)
ity-uktaḥ sa munis tena rājñā hṛṣṭena tad-vacaḥ। cyavanaḥ pratyuvācedaṃ hṛṣṭaḥ parapurañjayam ॥13-53-28॥
Thus addressed by the delighted king, the sage Cyavana, also delighted, spoke these words to the conqueror of enemy cities. (13-53-28)
sajjīkuru rathaṃ kṣipraṃ yaste sāṅgrāmiko mataḥ। sāyudhaḥ sapatākaś ca saśaktiḥ kaṇayaṣṭimān ॥13-53-29॥
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)
kiṅkiṇī-śata-nirghoṣo yukta-stomara-kalpanaiḥ। gadā-khaḍga-nibaddhaś ca parameṣu-śatānvitaḥ ॥13-53-30॥
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)
tataḥ sa taṃ tathety uktvā kalpayitvā mahāratham। bhāryāṃ vāme dhuri tadā cātmānaṃ dakṣiṇe tathā ॥13-53-31॥
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)
tridaṁṣṭraṁ vajrasūcyagraṁ pratodaṁ tatra cādadhat। sarvam etat tato dattvā nṛpo vākyam athābravīt ॥13-53-32॥
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)
bhagavan kva ratho yātu bravītu bhṛgunandanaḥ। yatra vakṣyasi viprarṣe tatra yāsyati te rathaḥ॥13-53-33॥
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)
evam-uktas tu bhagavān pratyuvācātha taṃ nṛpam। itaḥ-prabhṛti yātavyaṃ padakaṃ padakaṃ śanaiḥ ॥13-53-34॥
Thus addressed, the Blessed Lord then replied to the king: "From now on, proceed step by step, slowly." (13-53-34)
śramo mama yathā na syāt tathā me chandacāriṇau। sukhaṃ caivāsmi voḍhavyo janaḥ sarvaś ca paśyatu ॥13-53-35॥
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)
notsāryaḥ pathikaḥ kaścit tebhyo dāsyāmy ahaṃ vasu. brāhmaṇebhyaś ca ye kāmān arthayiṣyanti māṃ pathi ॥13-53-36॥
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)
sarvaṁ dāsyāmyaśeṣeṇa dhanaṁ ratnāni caiva hi। kriyatāṁ nikhilenaitanmā vicāraya pārthiva ॥13-53-37॥
I will give everything completely — wealth and gems indeed. Let all this be done at once; do not hesitate, O king. (13-53-37)
tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā rājā bhṛtyān athābravīt। yadyad brūyān munis tat tat sarvaṃ deyam aśaṅkitaiḥ ॥13-53-38॥
Hearing his statement, the king then said to the servants: "Whatever the sage requests, give all of it without any suspicion." (13-53-38)
tato ratnāny anekāni striyo yugyam ajāvikam। kṛtākṛtaṃ ca kanakaṃ gajendrāś cācalopamāḥ॥13-53-39॥
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)
anv-agacchanta tam ṛṣiṁ rājāmātyāś ca sarvaśaḥ। hāhābhūtaṁ ca tat sarvam āsīn nagaram ārtimat ॥13-53-40॥
All the king and ministers together followed the sage; and that entire city was overcome with distress and tumult. (13-53-40)
tau tīkṣṇāgreṇa sahasā pratodena pracoditau। pṛṣṭhe viddhau kaṭe caiva nirvikārau tamūhatuḥ॥13-53-41॥
Those two, suddenly urged with the sharp-pointed goad and pierced on the back and side, carried him without any change. (13-53-41)
vepamānau virāhārau pañcāśad-rātra-karṣitau। kathañcid ūhatur vīrau dampatī taṃ rathottamam॥13-53-42॥
The trembling couple, wearied by separation and emaciated over fifty nights, somehow as heroes pulled that splendid chariot. (13-53-42)
bahuśo bhṛśaviddhau tau kṣaramāṇau kṣatodbhavam। dadṛśāte mahārāja puṣpitāviva kiṃśukau ॥13-53-43॥
O great king, those two, repeatedly pierced and streaming blood from their wounds, looked just like blossoming Kiṃśuka trees. (13-53-43)
tau dṛṣṭvā pauravargas tu bhṛśaṃ śokaparāyaṇaḥ। abhiśāpabhayāt trasto na ca kiñcid uvāca ha॥13-53-44॥
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)
dvandvaśaścābruvansarve paśyadhvaṃ tapaso balam। kruddhā api muniśreṣṭhaṃ vīkṣituṃ naiva śaknumaḥ॥13-53-45॥
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)
aho bhagavato vīryaṃ maharṣerbhāvitātmanaḥ। rājñaścāpi sabhāryasya dhairyaṃ paśyata yādṛśam ॥13-53-46॥
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)
śrāntāv api hi kṛcchreṇa ratham etaṃ samūhatuḥ। na ca etayoḥ vikāraṃ vai dadarśa bhṛgunandanaḥ॥13-53-47॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
tataḥ sa nirvikārau tau dṛṣṭvā bhṛgukulodvahaḥ। vasu viśrāṇayāmāsa yathā vaiśravaṇaḥ tathā ॥13-53-48॥
Then, seeing those two who remained unchanged, the best of the Bhṛgu lineage distributed wealth just as Vaiśravaṇa does. (13-53-48)
tatrāpi rājā prītātmā yathājñaptam athākarot। tato'sya bhagavān prīto babhūva munisattamaḥ ॥13-53-49॥
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)
avatīrya rathaśreṣṭhāddampatī tau mumoca ha। vimocya caitau vidhivat tato vākyam uvāca ha॥13-53-50॥
He got down from the excellent chariot and released the couple. Then, having properly freed them, he spoke to them. (13-53-50)
snigdhagambhīrayā vācā bhārgavaḥ suprasannayā। dadāni vāṃ varaṃ śreṣṭhaṃ tad brūtām iti bhārata॥13-53-51॥
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)
sukumārau ca tau vidvān karābhyāṃ munisattamaḥ। pasparśāmṛtakalpābhyāṃ snehād bharatasattama ॥13-53-52॥
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)
athābravīn nṛpo vākyaṃ śramo nāsty āvayor iha। viśrāntau svaḥ prabhāvāt te dhyānenaiva iti bhārgava ॥13-53-53॥
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)
atha tau bhagavān prāha prahṛṣṭaś cyavanaḥ tadā। na vṛthā vyāhṛtaṃ pūrvaṃ yan mayā tad bhaviṣyati॥ 13-53-54॥
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)
ramaṇīyaḥ samuddeśo gaṅgātīram idaṁ śubham। kañcit kālaṁ vrataparo nivatsyāmi iha pārthiva ॥13-53-55॥
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)
gamyatāṃ svapuraṃ putra viśrāntaḥ punareṣyasi। ihasthaṃ māṃ sabhāryastvaṃ draṣṭāsi śvo narādhipa ॥13-53-56॥
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)
na ca manyus tvayā kāryaḥ śreyas te samupasthitam। yat kāṅkṣitam hṛdi-stham te tat sarvaṁ sambhaviṣyati ॥13-53-57॥
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)
ityevam-uktaḥ kuśikaḥ prahṛṣṭenāntarātmanā। provāca muniśārdūlam-idaṃ vacanam-arthavat ॥13-53-58॥
Having thus been addressed, Kuśika, filled with joy in his heart, spoke these meaningful words to the tiger among sages. (13-53-58)
na me manyur mahābhāga pūto'smi bhagavan tvayā। saṃvṛttau yauvanasthau svo vapuṣmantau balānvitau ॥13-53-59॥
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)
pratodena vraṇā ye me sabhāryasya kṛtās tvayā। tān na paśyāmi gātreṣu svastho'smi saha bhāryayā ॥13-53-60॥
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)
imāṃ ca devīṃ paśyāmi mune divyāpsaropamām। śriyā paramayā yuktāṃ yathādṛṣṭāṃ mayā purā॥13-53-61॥
O sage, I see this goddess, who resembles a divine apsaras, endowed with supreme splendor, just as I saw her before. (13-53-61)
tava prasādāt saṁvṛttam idaṁ sarvaṁ mahāmune। na etac citraṁ tu bhagavan tvayi satya-parākrama ॥13-53-62॥
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)
ity uktaḥ pratyuvācedaṃ cyavanaḥ kuśikaṃ tadā। āgacchethāḥ sabhāryaś ca tvam iheti narādhipa ॥13-53-63॥
Thus addressed, Cyavana then replied to Kushika: "You and your wife may come here," O king. (13-53-63)
ity uktaḥ samanugñāto rājarṣir abhivādya tam। prayayau vapuṣā yukto nagaraṃ devarājavat॥13-53-64॥
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)
tat enam upājagmur amātyāḥ sa-purohitāḥ। balasthā gaṇikā-yuktāḥ sarvāḥ prakṛtayas tathā ॥13-53-65॥
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)
tair vṛtaḥ kuśiko rājā śriyā paramayā jvalan। praviveśa puraṃ hṛṣṭaḥ pūjyamānaḥ atha bandibhiḥ॥13-53-66॥
Surrounded by them, King Kuśika, shining with supreme splendor, joyfully entered the city, being honored then by the bards. (13-53-66)
tataḥ praviśya nagaraṃ kṛtvā sarvāhṇikakriyāḥ। bhuktvā sabhāryo rajanīmuvāsa sa mahīpatiḥ॥13-53-67॥
Then, the king entered the city, performed all his daily duties, ate his meal, and spent the night with his wife. (13-53-67)
tatastu tau navam abhivīkṣya yauvanam; parasparaṃ vigata-jarāv ivāmarau. nanandatuḥ śayanagatau vapur-dharau; śriyā yutau dvija-vara-dattayā tayā ॥13-53-68॥
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)
sa cāpy ṛṣiḥ bhṛgukula-kīrti-vardhanaḥ; tapaḥ-dhanaḥ vanam abhirāmam ṛddhimat. manīṣayā bahu-vidha-ratna-bhūṣitam; sasarja yat na asti śatakrator api ॥13-53-69॥
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)
