13.142
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
तूष्णीमासीदर्जुनस्तु पवनस्त्वब्रवीत्पुनः। शृणु मे ब्राह्मणेष्वेव मुख्यं कर्म जनाधिप ॥१३-१४२-१॥
Arjuna remained silent, but the Wind (Vāyu) then spoke again: "Hear from me, O ruler of men, about the principal duty among Brāhmaṇas." (13-142-1)
मदस्यास्यमनुप्राप्ता यदा सेन्द्रा दिवौकसः। तदेयं च्यवनेनेह हृता तेषां वसुन्धरा ॥१३-१४२-२॥
When the dwellers of heaven along with Indra had attained this Soma wine, then this earth was taken away from them here by Cyavana. (13-142-2)
उभौ लोकौ हृतौ मत्वा ते देवा दुःखिताभवन्। शोकार्ताश्च महात्मानं ब्रह्माणं शरणं ययुः ॥१३-१४२-३॥
When they realized both worlds had been seized, those gods became distressed. Afflicted by grief, they went to the great-souled Brahmā for refuge. (13-142-3)
देवा ऊचुः॥
The gods said;
मदास्यव्यतिषिक्तानामस्माकं लोकपूजित। च्यवनेन हृता भूमिः कपैश्चापि दिवं प्रभो ॥१३-१४२-४॥
O lord, Cyavana took away the earth from us, who were drenched with the liquor of pride—known and respected in the world—and even the monkeys have taken away heaven from us.
ब्रह्मोवाच॥
Brahmā said.
गच्छध्वं शरणं विप्रानाशु सेन्द्रा दिवौकसः। प्रसाद्य तानुभौ लोकाववाप्स्यथ यथा पुरा ॥१३-१४२-५॥
Go quickly with Indra, O dwellers of heaven, to take refuge with the Brāhmaṇas. Having propitiated them, you will regain both worlds as before. (13-142-5)
ते ययुः शरणं विप्रांस्त ऊचुः काञ्जयामहे। इत्युक्तास्ते द्विजान्प्राहुर्जयतेह कपानिति ॥ भूगतान्हि विजेतारो वयमित्येव पार्थिव ॥१३-१४२-६॥
They went for refuge to the brāhmaṇas and said, 'Whom may we conquer?' Thus addressed, those twice-born replied, 'Here, the monkeys are conquered.' Indeed, O king, we are certainly the conquerors of those who have entered the earth.' (13-142-6)
ततः कर्म समारब्धं ब्राह्मणैः कपनाशनम्। तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रेषितो दूतो ब्राह्मणेभ्यो धनी कपैः ॥१३-१४२-७॥
Then the action initiated by the brāhmaṇas was the destruction of the poor. Hearing this, the wealthy man sent a messenger along with the poor to the brāhmaṇas. (13-142-7)
स च तान्ब्राह्मणानाह धनी कपवचो यथा। भवद्भिः सदृशाः सर्वे कपाः किमिह वर्तते ॥१३-१४२-८॥
And the wealthy one said to those brāhmaṇas, speaking like a monkey: 'All these monkeys are just like you; what is this here?' (13-142-8)
सर्वे वेदविदः प्राज्ञाः सर्वे च क्रतुयाजिनः। सर्वे सत्यव्रताश्चैव सर्वे तुल्या महर्षिभिः ॥१३-१४२-९॥
All are knowers of the Veda, wise, all are performers of sacrifices. All are of true vows indeed, all are equal to the great sages. (13-142-9)
श्रीश्चैव रमते तेषु धारयन्ति श्रियं च ते। वृथा दारान्न गच्छन्ति वृथामांसं न भुञ्जते ॥१३-१४२-१०॥
Prosperity indeed abides in them, and they also possess wealth. They do not approach wives uselessly, nor do they eat meat without purpose. (13-142-10)
दीप्तमग्निं जुह्वति च गुरूणां वचने स्थिताः। सर्वे च नियतात्मानो बालानां संविभागिनः ॥१३-१४२-११॥
They offer oblations to the blazing fire and stand by the command of the elders; all of them are self-controlled and share equally with the children. (13-142-11)
उपेत्य शकटैर्यान्ति न सेवन्ति रजस्वलाम्। अभुक्तवत्सु नाश्नन्ति दिवा चैव न शेरते ॥१३-१४२-१२॥
Having approached, they proceed with carts; they do not associate with a menstruating woman. When food has not been eaten, they do not eat; during the day also, they do not lie down. (13-142-12)
एतैश्चान्यैश्च बहुभिर्गुणैर्युक्तान्कथं कपान्। विजेष्यथ निवर्तध्वं निवृत्तानां शुभं हि वः ॥१३-१४२-१३॥
How can you conquer the monkeys endowed with these and many other qualities? Turn back; for those who have turned away, there will certainly be well-being for you. (13-142-13)
ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः॥
The Brāhmaṇas said.
कपान्वयं विजेष्यामो ये देवास्ते वयं स्मृताः। तस्माद्वध्याः कपास्माकं धनिन्याहि यथागतम् ॥१३-१४२-१४॥
We shall conquer the lineage of monkeys. We are counted as those gods. Therefore, these monkeys are worthy of being slain by us. O wealthy one, go back as you have come. (13-142-14)
धनी गत्वा कपानाह न वो विप्राः प्रियङ्कराः। गृहीत्वास्त्राण्यथो विप्रान्कपाः सर्वे समाद्रवन् ॥१३-१४२-१५॥
The wealthy one, after going to the monkeys, said: 'The Brāhmaṇas are not your well-wishers.' Then, having seized their weapons, all the monkeys together rushed after the Brāhmaṇas. (13-142-15)
समुदग्रध्वजान्दृष्ट्वा कपान्सर्वे द्विजातयः। व्यसृजञ्ज्वलितानग्नीन्कपानां प्राणनाशनान् ॥१३-१४२-१६॥
Seeing the monkeys with upright banners, all the twice-born castes sent forth blazing fires to destroy the lives of the monkeys. (13-142-16)
ब्रह्मसृष्टा हव्यभुजः कपान्भुक्त्वा सनातनाः। नभसीव यथाभ्राणि व्यराजन्त नराधिप ॥ प्रशशंसुर्द्विजांश्चैव ब्रह्माणं च यशस्विनम् ॥१३-१४२-१७॥
The beings created by Brahmā, eaters of the sacrificial oblations, having partaken of the remnants, being eternal, shone in the sky like clouds, O lord of men. They praised the twice-born and also illustrious Brahmā. (13-142-17)
तेषां तेजस्तथा वीर्यं देवानां ववृधे ततः। अवाप्नुवंश्चामरत्वं त्रिषु लोकेषु पूजितम् ॥१३-१४२-१८॥
Then, the energy and strength of those gods grew; they attained immortality and were honored in the three worlds. (13-142-18)
इत्युक्तवचनं वायुमर्जुनः प्रत्यभाषत। प्रतिपूज्य महाबाहो यत्तच्छृणु नराधिप ॥१३-१४२-१९॥
Hearing these words, Vāyu and Arjuna replied. After duly honoring (you), O mighty-armed one, listen, O king, to what (we) say. (13-142-19)
जीवाम्यहं ब्राह्मणार्थे सर्वथा सततं प्रभो। ब्रह्मणे ब्राह्मणेभ्यश्च प्रणमामि च नित्यशः ॥१३-१४२-२०॥
O lord, I always and constantly live for the sake of the brāhmaṇa. I constantly bow to Brahman and to the brāhmaṇas. (13-142-20)
दत्तात्रेयप्रसादाच्च मया प्राप्तमिदं यशः। लोके च परमा कीर्तिर्धर्मश्च चरितो महान् ॥१३-१४२-२१॥
By Dattātreya's grace, I have obtained this fame; in the world, supreme renown and great dharma have also been practiced. (13-142-21)
अहो ब्राह्मणकर्माणि यथा मारुत तत्त्वतः। त्वया प्रोक्तानि कार्त्स्न्येन श्रुतानि प्रयतेन ह ॥१३-१४२-२२॥
Indeed, O son of the wind, the actions of a brāhmaṇa, just as you have truly and completely spoken them, have been attentively heard. (13-142-22)
वायुरुवाच॥
Vāyu said.
ब्राह्मणान्क्षत्रधर्मेण पालयस्वेन्द्रियाणि च। भृगुभ्यस्ते भयं घोरं तत्तु कालाद्भविष्यति ॥१३-१४२-२३॥
Protect the Brāhmaṇas according to the duty of a kṣatriya, and also control your senses. The terrible fear from the Bhṛgus for you, however, will arise in due time. (13-142-23)
