14.030
पितर ऊचुः॥
The fathers said;
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। श्रुत्वा च तत्तथा कार्यं भवता द्विजसत्तम ॥१४-३०-१॥
Here, too, they cite an ancient historical account; after hearing it, O best of the twice-born, you should act accordingly. (14-30-1)
अलर्को नाम राजर्षिरभवत्सुमहातपाः। धर्मज्ञः सत्यसन्धश्च महात्मा सुमहाव्रतः ॥१४-३०-२॥
There was a royal sage named Alarka, who possessed great austerity, was a knower of dharma, resolute in truth, high-souled, and steadfast in extraordinary vows. (14-30-2)
स सागरान्तां धनुषा विनिर्जित्य महीमिमाम्। कृत्वा सुदुष्करं कर्म मनः सूक्ष्मे समादधे ॥१४-३०-३॥
He, having conquered this earth bounded by the ocean with his bow and performed a very difficult deed, fixed his mind on subtle meditation. (14-30-3)
स्थितस्य वृक्षमूलेऽथ तस्य चिन्ता बभूव ह। उत्सृज्य सुमहद्राज्यं सूक्ष्मं प्रति महामते ॥१४-३०-४॥
As he stood at the root of the tree, then a thought indeed arose in his mind. Having given up his vast kingdom for the subtle path, O great-minded one. (14-30-4)
अलर्क उवाच॥
Alarka said.
मनसो मे बलं जातं मनो जित्वा ध्रुवो जयः। अन्यत्र बाणानस्यामि शत्रुभिः परिवारितः ॥१४-३०-५॥
My strength of mind has arisen; having conquered the mind, victory is certain. Elsewhere, I will shoot arrows, surrounded by enemies. (14-30-5)
यदिदं चापलान्मूर्तेः सर्वमेतच्चिकीर्षति। मनः प्रति सुतीक्ष्णाग्रानहं मोक्ष्यामि सायकान् ॥१४-३०-६॥
All that this form, out of fickleness, wishes to do—against the mind, I will release arrows with exceptionally sharp tips. (14-30-6)
मन उवाच॥
The mind said.
नेमे बाणास्तरिष्यन्ति मामलर्क कथञ्चन। तवैव मर्म भेत्स्यन्ति भिन्नमर्मा मरिष्यसि ॥१४-३०-७॥
O Alarka, these arrows will not reach me at all. They will only pierce your own vital spot; with your vital points shattered, you will die. (14-30-7)
अन्यान्बाणान्समीक्षस्व यैस्त्वं मां सूदयिष्यसि। तच्छ्रुत्वा स विचिन्त्याथ ततो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१४-३०-८॥
Look over other arrows by which you will slay me. Having heard that, he, considering, then spoke these words. (14-30-8)
अलर्क उवाच॥
Alarka said.
आघ्राय सुबहून्गन्धांस्तानेव प्रतिगृध्यति। तस्माद्घ्राणं प्रति शरान्प्रतिमोक्ष्याम्यहं शितान् ॥१४-३०-९॥
After smelling many scents, it craves them in return. Therefore, I will shoot sharp arrows at the nose. (14-30-9)
घ्राण उवाच॥
The sense of smell said;
नेमे बाणास्तरिष्यन्ति मामलर्क कथञ्चन। तवैव मर्म भेत्स्यन्ति भिन्नमर्मा मरिष्यसि ॥१४-३०-१०॥
These arrows will not wound me in any way, Alarka. Only your own vital spot will be pierced; with your vital spots broken, you will die. (14-30-10)
अन्यान्बाणान्समीक्षस्व यैस्त्वं मां सूदयिष्यसि। तच्छ्रुत्वा स विचिन्त्याथ ततो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१४-३०-११॥
Examine other arrows by which you will destroy me. Having heard that, he then considered and spoke these words. (14-30-11)
अलर्क उवाच॥
Alarka said.
इयं स्वादून्रसान्भुक्त्वा तानेव प्रतिगृध्यति। तस्माज्जिह्वां प्रति शरान्प्रतिमोक्ष्याम्यहं शितान् ॥१४-३०-१२॥
After having tasted delicious flavors, this (tongue) craves them again. Therefore, I shall release sharp arrows at the tongue. (14-30-12)
जिह्वोवाच॥
The tongue said.
नेमे बाणास्तरिष्यन्ति मामलर्क कथञ्चन। तवैव मर्म भेत्स्यन्ति भिन्नमर्मा मरिष्यसि ॥१४-३०-१३॥
These arrows will not pierce me in any way, O Alarka; rather, they will pierce your own vital spot, and with your vital spot shattered, you will die. (14-30-13)
अन्यान्बाणान्समीक्षस्व यैस्त्वं मां सूदयिष्यसि। तच्छ्रुत्वा स विचिन्त्याथ ततो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१४-३०-१४॥
Examine other arrows by which you will destroy me. Having heard that, he then thoughtfully spoke those words. (14-30-14)
अलर्क उवाच॥
Alarka said.
स्पृष्ट्वा त्वग्विविधान्स्पर्शांस्तानेव प्रतिगृध्यति। तस्मात्त्वचं पाटयिष्ये विविधैः कङ्कपत्रिभिः ॥१४-३०-१५॥
After touching various kinds of skin contacts, he desires those. Therefore, I will tear apart the skin with various vulture feathers. (14-30-15)
त्वगुवाच॥
Tvak said.
नेमे बाणास्तरिष्यन्ति मामलर्क कथञ्चन। तवैव मर्म भेत्स्यन्ति भिन्नमर्मा मरिष्यसि ॥१४-३०-१६॥
These arrows will not pierce me in any way, Alarka. It is your own vital spot that will be pierced; with your vital spot destroyed, you will die. (14-30-16)
अन्यान्बाणान्समीक्षस्व यैस्त्वं मां सूदयिष्यसि। तच्छ्रुत्वा स विचिन्त्याथ ततो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१४-३०-१७॥
Inspect other arrows by which you will destroy me. Having heard that, he then considered and thereafter spoke these words. (14-30-17)
अलर्क उवाच॥
Alarka said.
श्रुत्वा वै विविधाञ्शब्दांस्तानेव प्रतिगृध्यति। तस्माच्छ्रोत्रं प्रति शरान्प्रतिमोक्ष्याम्यहं शितान् ॥१४-३०-१८॥
Hearing various sounds, it desires only those; therefore, I will release sharp arrows towards the ear. (14-30-18)
श्रोत्र उवाच॥
The ear spoke.
नेमे बाणास्तरिष्यन्ति मामलर्क कथञ्चन। तवैव मर्म भेत्स्यन्ति ततो हास्यसि जीवितम् ॥१४-३०-१९॥
These arrows will not overcome me in any way, Alarka; rather, they will pierce your own vital point, and then you will lose your life. (14-30-19)
अन्यान्बाणान्समीक्षस्व यैस्त्वं मां सूदयिष्यसि। तच्छ्रुत्वा स विचिन्त्याथ ततो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१४-३०-२०॥
Examine other arrows by which you will destroy me. Upon hearing that and after considering, he then spoke these words. (14-30-20)
अलर्क उवाच॥
Alarka said.
दृष्ट्वा वै विविधान्भावांस्तानेव प्रतिगृध्यति। तस्माच्चक्षुः प्रति शरान्प्रतिमोक्ष्याम्यहं शितान् ॥१४-३०-२१॥
After seeing indeed various moods, it only desires those; therefore, I will shoot sharp arrows at the eye. (14-30-21)
चक्षुरुवाच॥
The eye said.
नेमे बाणास्तरिष्यन्ति मामलर्क कथञ्चन। तवैव मर्म भेत्स्यन्ति भिन्नमर्मा मरिष्यसि ॥१४-३०-२२॥
O Alarka, these arrows will not pierce me in any way. Instead, they will pierce your own vitals, and with your vitals pierced, you will die. (14-30-22)
अन्यान्बाणान्समीक्षस्व यैस्त्वं मां सूदयिष्यसि। तच्छ्रुत्वा स विचिन्त्याथ ततो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१४-३०-२३॥
Examine other arrows by which you will slay me. Having heard that, he then thought and subsequently spoke these words. (14-30-23)
अलर्क उवाच॥
Alarka said.
इयं निष्ठा बहुविधा प्रज्ञया त्वध्यवस्यति। तस्माद्बुद्धिं प्रति शरान्प्रतिमोक्ष्याम्यहं शितान् ॥१४-३०-२४॥
This resolve, being of many kinds, is determined by wisdom. Therefore, I will shoot sharp arrows at the intellect. (14-30-24)
बुद्धिरुवाच॥
Intelligence said.
नेमे बाणास्तरिष्यन्ति मामलर्क कथञ्चन। तवैव मर्म भेत्स्यन्ति भिन्नमर्मा मरिष्यसि ॥१४-३०-२५॥
These arrows will not pierce me in any way, Alarka; it is only your own vital points they will strike. With your vital parts pierced, you will die. (14-30-25)
पितर ऊचुः॥
The ancestors said.
ततोऽलर्कस्तपो घोरमास्थायाथ सुदुष्करम्। नाध्यगच्छत्परं शक्त्या बाणमेतेषु सप्तसु ॥ सुसमाहितचेतास्तु ततोऽचिन्तयत प्रभुः ॥१४-३०-२६॥
Then Alarka undertook a terrible and very difficult austerity, but even by his power he did not attain the supreme arrow among these seven. However, with a well composed mind, the master then considered. (14-30-26)
स विचिन्त्य चिरं कालमलर्को द्विजसत्तम। नाध्यगच्छत्परं श्रेयो योगान्मतिमतां वरः ॥१४-३०-२७॥
O best of the twice-born, Alarka, after much consideration for a long time, did not attain the highest good through yoga, though he was foremost among the wise. (14-30-27)
स एकाग्रं मनः कृत्वा निश्चलो योगमास्थितः। इन्द्रियाणि जघानाशु बाणेनैकेन वीर्यवान् ॥ योगेनात्मानमाविश्य संसिद्धिं परमां ययौ ॥१४-३०-२८॥
He made his mind one-pointed and steady, established himself in yoga, and, powerful, quickly subdued his senses with a single arrow. By yoga, having entered his own self, he attained the highest perfection. (14-30-28)
विस्मितश्चापि राजर्षिरिमां गाथां जगाद ह। अहो कष्टं यदस्माभिः पूर्वं राज्यमनुष्ठितम् ॥ इति पश्चान्मया ज्ञातं योगान्नास्ति परं सुखम् ॥१४-३०-२९॥
Astonished, the royal sage spoke this verse: "Ah, how difficult it was that we formerly maintained the kingdom." Thus, afterwards I understood that there is no greater happiness than that arising from yoga. (14-30-29)
इति त्वमपि जानीहि राम मा क्षत्रियाञ्जहि। तपो घोरमुपातिष्ठ ततः श्रेयोऽभिपत्स्यसे ॥१४-३०-३०॥
Thus, you know also, Rāma. Do not kill the Kṣatriyas. Undertake severe austerities; then you will attain a greater good. (14-30-30)
ब्राह्मण उवाच॥
The Brāhmaṇa said.
इत्युक्तः स तपो घोरं जामदग्न्यः पितामहैः। आस्थितः सुमहाभागो ययौ सिद्धिं च दुर्गमाम् ॥१४-३०-३१॥
Thus addressed by the grandfathers, the most fortunate Jāmadagnya undertook severe austerity and attained a perfection that is difficult to attain. (14-30-31)
