Chapter 12: Śantanu seeks Satyavatī; Devavrata secures the marriage by renouncing the throne and progeny, and becomes Bhīṣma.
sa kadācidvanaṁ yātō yamunāmabhitō nadīm। mahīpatiranirdēśyamājighradgandhamuttamam ॥BORI: 1-094-41॥
One day, while hunting in the forest near the river Yamuna, the king caught the scent of an indescribably exquisite fragrance. (BORI: 1-094-41)
[PV-KDV:01_012_1]
tasya prabhavamanvicchan vicacāra samantataḥ। sa dadarśa tadā kanyāṁ dāśānāṁ dēvarūpiṇīm ॥BORI: 1-094-42॥
Seeking the source of the fragrance, he roamed all around. Then he saw a maiden of divine beauty who belonged to the fishermen. (BORI: 1-094-42)
[PV-KDV:01_012_2]
tāmapr̥cchatsa dr̥ṣṭvaiva kanyāmasitalōcanām। kasya tvamasi kā cāsi kiṁ ca bhīru cikīrṣasi ॥BORI: 1-094-43॥
As soon as he saw the dark-eyed maiden, he asked her, “Whose daughter are you, and who are you? What do you intend to do, timid girl?” (BORI: 1-094-43)
[PV-KDV:01_012_3]
sābravīd dāśakanyāsmi dharmārthaṁ vāhayē tarīm। piturniyōgāt bhadraṁ tē dāśarājñō mahātmanaḥ ॥BORI: 1-094-44॥
She replied, “I am a fisherman’s daughter, and I ferry this boat as my duty, at the command of my father, the noble king of the fishermen. May good fortune be yours.” (BORI: 1-094-44)
[PV-KDV:01_012_4]
rūpamādhuryagandhaistāṁ saṁyuktāṁ dēvarūpiṇīm। samīkṣya rājā dāśēyīṁ kāmayāmāsa śantanuḥ ॥BORI: 1-094-45॥
Seeing that fisherman's daughter, divine in appearance and endowed with beauty, sweetness, and fragrance, King Shantanu desired her. (BORI: 1-094-45)
[PV-KDV:01_012_5]
sa gatvā pitaraṁ tasyā varayāmāsa tāṁ tadā। paryapr̥cchattataḥ tasyāḥ pitaraṁ ca ātmakāraṇāt ॥BORI: 1-094-46॥
He went to her father and asked for her hand; then, on his own behalf, he made his request to her father. (BORI: 1-094-46)
[PV-KDV:01_012_6]
sa ca taṁ pratyuvācēdaṁ dāśarājō mahīpatim। jātamātraiva mē dēyā varāya varavarṇinī। hr̥di kāmastu mē kaścit taṁ nibōdha janēśvara ॥BORI: 1-094-47॥
The king of the fishermen replied to the king, “From the moment she was born, this lovely maiden was destined to be given to a suitor. But I have a certain desire in my heart; hear it, lord of men.” (BORI: 1-094-47)
[PV-KDV:01_012_7]
yadīmāṁ dharmapatnīṁ tvaṁ mattaḥ prārthayasē’nagha। satyavāgasi satyēna samayaṁ kuru mē tataḥ ॥BORI: 1-094-48॥
If you seek this woman from me as your lawful wife, O blameless one, then, since you are true to your word, pledge yourself to me in truth. (BORI: 1-094-48)
[PV-KDV:01_012_8]
samayēna pradadyāṁ tē kanyāmahamimāṁ nr̥pa। na hi mē tvatsamaḥ kaścidvarō jātu bhaviṣyati ॥BORI: 1-094-49॥
On that condition, O king, I would give you this daughter of mine, for I shall never find a suitor equal to you. (BORI: 1-094-49)
[PV-KDV:01_012_9]
śrutvā tava varaṁ dāśa vyavasyēyamahaṁ na vā। dātavyaṁ cēt pradāsyāmi na tvadēyaṁ kathañcana ॥BORI: 1-094-50॥
Once I have heard your request, fisherman, I will decide whether or not to grant it. If it can be granted, I shall grant it—but by no means if it cannot. (BORI: 1-094-50)
[PV-KDV:01_012_10]
asyāṁ jāyēta yaḥ putraḥ sa rājā pr̥thivīpatiḥ। tvadūrdhvam abhiṣēktavyaḥ na anyaḥ kaścana pārthivaḥ ॥BORI: 1-094-51॥
The son born to her must become king and ruler of the earth; after you, he must be consecrated, and no other prince. (BORI: 1-094-51)
[PV-KDV:01_012_11]
nākāmayata taṁ dātuṁ varaṁ dāśāya śantanuḥ। śarīrajēna tīvrēṇa dahyamānaḥ api bhārata ॥BORI: 1-094-52॥
Though tormented by intense physical desire, Shantanu did not wish to grant that boon to the fisherman, O Bharata. (BORI: 1-094-52)
[PV-KDV:01_012_12]
sa cintayannēva tadā dāśakanyāṁ mahīpatiḥ। pratyayāt hāstinapuraṁ śōkōpahatacētanaḥ ॥BORI: 1-094-53॥
Then the king returned to Hastinapura, thinking constantly of the fisherman’s daughter, his mind overcome with grief. (BORI: 1-094-53)
[PV-KDV:01_012_13]
tataḥ kadācit śōcantaṁ śantanuṁ dhyānamāsthitam। putraḥ dēvavrataḥ abhyētya pitaraṁ vākyam abravīt ॥BORI: 1-094-54॥
Then one day, Devavrata approached his father Shantanu, who was grieving and absorbed in thought, and said to him: (BORI: 1-094-54)
[PV-KDV:01_012_14]
sarvataḥ bhavataḥ kṣēmaṁ vidhēyāḥ sarvapārthivāḥ। tat kimartham ihābhīkṣṇaṁ pariśōcasi duḥkhitaḥ। dhyānniva ca kiṁ rājan nābhibhāṣasi kiñcana ॥BORI: 1-094-55॥
All is well with you on every side, and all the kings are obedient to you. Why, then, do you continually grieve here in distress? And why, O king, do you say nothing, as though lost in thought? (BORI: 1-094-55)
[PV-KDV:01_012_15]
ēvamuktaḥ sa putrēṇa śantanuḥ pratyabhāṣata। asaṁśayaṁ dhyānaparaṁ yathā māttha tathāsmyuta ॥BORI: 1-094-56॥
Thus addressed by his son, Shantanu replied, “Without a doubt, I am indeed absorbed in thought, just as you say.” (BORI: 1-094-56)
[PV-KDV:01_012_16]
apatyaṁ naḥ tvam ēvaikaḥ kulē mahati bhārata। anityatā ca martyānām ataḥ śōcāmi putraka ॥BORI: 1-094-57॥
You are our only child in this great lineage, Bharata. Mortals are impermanent, and so I grieve, my son. (BORI: 1-094-57)
[PV-KDV:01_012_17]
kathañcit tava gāṅgēya vipattau nāsti naḥ kulam। asaṁśayaṁ tvam ēvaikaḥ śatādapi varaḥ sutaḥ ॥BORI: 1-094-58॥
Gāṅgeya, if any misfortune should befall you, our lineage would cease to exist. Without doubt, you alone are a better son than even a hundred sons. (BORI: 1-094-58)
[PV-KDV:01_012_18]
na cāpyahaṁ vr̥thā bhūyō dārān kartum ihōtsahē। santānasya avināśāya kāmayē bhadramastu tē। anapatyataikaputratvam ityāhuḥ dharmavādinaḥ ॥BORI: 1-094-59॥
Nor am I willing to marry again here to no purpose. I wish to ensure that the lineage does not perish—may all be well with you. Those who speak on dharma say that having only one son is the same as childlessness. (BORI: 1-094-59)
[PV-KDV:01_012_19]
agnihōtraṁ trayō vēdā yajñāśca saha dakṣiṇāḥ। sarvāṇi ētānya apatyasya kalāṁ nārhanti ṣōḍaśīm ॥BORI: 1-094-60॥
The Agnihotra, the three Vedas, and sacrifices with their gifts—all these are not worth even a sixteenth part of offspring. (BORI: 1-094-60)
[PV-KDV:01_012_20]
ēvamēva manuṣyēṣu syāt ca sarvaprajāsu api। yad apatyam mahāprājña tatra mē nāsti saṁśayaḥ। ēṣā trayī purāṇānām uttamānāṁ ca śāśvatī ॥BORI: 1-094-61॥
The same applies to offspring among human beings and indeed among all creatures, O greatly wise one; of this I have no doubt. This is the eternal triad of the ancients and the foremost. (BORI: 1-094-61)
[PV-KDV:01_012_21]
tvaṁ ca śūraḥ sadā amarṣī śastranityaḥ ca bhārata। na anyatra śastrāt tasmāt tē nidhanaṁ vidyatē anagha ॥BORI: 1-094-62॥
And you, descendant of Bharata, are valiant, ever intolerant of affronts, and constantly devoted to arms. Therefore, sinless one, your death can come from nothing but a weapon. (BORI: 1-094-62)
[PV-KDV:01_012_22]
saḥ asmi saṁśayam āpannaḥ tvayi śāntē kathaṁ bhavēt। iti tē kāraṇaṁ tāta duḥkhasya uktam aśēṣataḥ ॥BORI: 1-094-63॥
I am therefore beset by doubt: how could that happen once you are at peace? Thus, my son, I have told you the cause of my sorrow in full. (BORI: 1-094-63)
[PV-KDV:01_012_23]
tataḥ tat kāraṇaṁ jñātvā kr̥tsnaṁ ca ēvam aśēṣataḥ। dēvavrataḥ mahābuddhiḥ prayayau anucintayan ॥BORI: 1-094-64॥
Then, having learned the entire cause in full, the highly intelligent Devavrata departed, pondering it. (BORI: 1-094-64)
[PV-KDV:01_012_24]
abhyagacchat tadā ēva āśu vr̥ddhāmātyaṁ pituḥ hitam। tam apr̥cchat tadā abhyētya pituḥ tat śōkakāraṇam ॥BORI: 1-094-65॥
He immediately went to his father’s aged minister and trusted counselor. Approaching him, he asked what was causing his father’s grief. (BORI: 1-094-65)
[PV-KDV:01_012_25]
tasmai sa kurumukhyāya yathāvat paripr̥cchatē। varaṁ śaśaṁsa kanyāṁ tām uddiśya bharatarṣabha ॥BORI: 1-094-66॥
To that chief of the Kurus, who questioned him thoroughly, he related the condition concerning the maiden, O bull of the Bharatas. (BORI: 1-094-66)
[PV-KDV:01_012_26]
tataḥ dēvavrataḥ vr̥ddhaiḥ kṣatriyaiḥ sahitaḥ tadā। abhigamya dāśarājānaṁ kanyāṁ vavrē pituḥ svayam ॥BORI: 1-094-67॥
Then Devavrata, accompanied by elder Kshatriyas, went to the chief of the fishermen and himself asked for the maiden on his father's behalf. (BORI: 1-094-67)
[PV-KDV:01_012_27]
taṁ dāśaḥ pratijagrāha vidhivat pratipūjya ca। abravīt ca ēnam āsīnaṁ rājasaṁsadi bhārata ॥BORI: 1-094-68॥
The Dasha chief received him with due ceremony and honored him. Then, when he was seated in the royal assembly, he said to him, O Bharata: (BORI: 1-094-68)
[PV-KDV:01_012_28]
tvam ēva nāthaḥ paryāptaḥ śantanōḥ puruṣarṣabha। putraḥ putravatāṁ śrēṣṭhaḥ kiṁ nu vakṣyāmi tē vacaḥ ॥BORI: 1-094-69॥
You alone, best of men, are a sufficient protector for Shantanu—a son foremost among those who have sons. What words, then, can I say to you? (BORI: 1-094-69)
[PV-KDV:01_012_29]
kaḥ hi sambandhakam ślāghyam īpsitam yauni m īdr̥śam। atikrāman tapyēta sākṣāt api śatakratuḥ ॥BORI: 1-094-70॥
Who indeed would not regret passing up such an admirable and desirable marriage alliance—even Śatakratu himself? (BORI: 1-094-70)
[PV-KDV:01_012_30]
apatyaṁ ca ētad ārjyasya yaḥ yuṣmākaṁ samaḥ guṇaiḥ। yasya śukrāt satyavatī prādurbhūtā yaśasvinī ॥BORI: 1-094-71॥
She is also the child of a noble man who is your equal in virtues; from his seed the illustrious Satyavati was born. (BORI: 1-094-71)
[PV-KDV:01_012_31]
tēna mē bahuśaḥ tāta pitā tē parikīrtitaḥ। arhaḥ satyavatīṁ vōḍhuṁ sarvarājasu bhārata ॥BORI: 1-094-72॥
That man has often commended your father to me, my child, as worthy among all kings to marry Satyavati, O Bharata. (BORI: 1-094-72)
[PV-KDV:01_012_32]
asitaḥ hi api dēvarṣiḥ pratyākhyātaḥ purā mayā। satyavatyā bhr̥śaṁ hi arthī sa āsīt r̥ṣisattamaḥ ॥BORI: 1-094-73॥
For I once rejected even Asita, the divine seer; that eminent sage ardently desired Satyavati. (BORI: 1-094-73)
[PV-KDV:01_012_33]
kanyā-pitr̥tvāt kiñcit tu vakṣyāmi bharatarṣabha। balavat sapatnatām atra dōṣaṁ paśyāmi kēvalam ॥BORI: 1-094-74॥
Yet, as the maiden’s father, I must say something, O best of the Bharatas. I see only one serious danger here: rivalry. (BORI: 1-094-74)
[PV-KDV:01_012_34]
yasya hi tvaṁ sapatnaḥ syāt gandharvasya asurasya vā। na sa jātu sukhaṁ jīvēt tvayi kruddhē parantapa ॥BORI: 1-094-75॥
For any Gandharva or Asura whose rival you might become would never live happily once you were enraged, O scorcher of foes. (BORI: 1-094-75)
[PV-KDV:01_012_35]
ētāvān atra dōṣaḥ hi na anyaḥ kaścana pārthiva। ētat jānīhi bhadraṁ tē dānādānē parantapa ॥BORI: 1-094-76॥
This alone is the fault here, O king, and there is no other. Know this concerning the giving and withholding of gifts, O scorcher of foes. May all be well with you. (BORI: 1-094-76)
[PV-KDV:01_012_36]
ēvam uktaḥ tu gāṅgēyaḥ tat yuktaṁ pratyabhāṣata। śr̥ṇvatāṁ bhūmipālānāṁ piturarthāya bhārata ॥BORI: 1-094-77॥
Thus addressed, Gāṅgeya gave a fitting reply for his father’s sake, while the kings listened, O Bharata. (BORI: 1-094-77)
[PV-KDV:01_012_37]
idaṁ mē matam ādatsva satyaṁ satyavatāṁ vara। naiva jātaḥ na vā jātaḥ īdr̥śaṁ vaktum utsahēta ॥BORI: 1-094-78॥
Accept this true resolve of mine, O best of truthful men. No one born or yet to be born would dare say such a thing. (BORI: 1-094-78)
[PV-KDV:01_012_38]
ēvam ētat kariṣyāmi yathā tvam anu bhāṣasē। yaḥ asyāṁ janiṣyatē putraḥ saḥ naḥ rājā bhaviṣyati ॥BORI: 1-094-79॥
I will do just as you say. The son who is born to her will be our king. (BORI: 1-094-79)
[PV-KDV:01_012_39]
iti uktaḥ punaḥ ēva atha tam dāśaḥ pratyabhāṣata। cikīrṣuḥ duṣkaraṁ karma rājyārthē bharatarṣabha ॥BORI: 1-094-80॥
Thus addressed, the fisherman then spoke to him again, wishing to accomplish a difficult task for the sake of the kingdom, O bull of the Bharatas. (BORI: 1-094-80)
[PV-KDV:01_012_40]
tvam ēva nāthaḥ paryāptaḥ śantanōḥ amitadyutēḥ। kanyāyāḥ ca ēva dharmātman prabhuḥ dānāya ca īśvaraḥ ॥BORI: 1-094-81॥
You alone are a sufficient protector for Shantanu of immeasurable splendor; and, righteous one, I have authority over the maiden and the power to give her away. (BORI: 1-094-81)
[PV-KDV:01_012_41]
idaṁ tu vacanaṁ saumya kāryaṁ ca ēva nibōdha mē। kaumārikāṇāṁ śīlēna vakṣyāmi aham ariṁdama ॥BORI: 1-094-82॥
But, gentle one, hear from me this statement and what must be done. O conqueror of foes, I shall speak in accordance with the custom regarding maidens. (BORI: 1-094-82)
[PV-KDV:01_012_42]
yat tvayā satyavatyarthē satyadharmaparāyaṇa। rājamadhyē pratijñātaṁ anurūpaṁ tava ēva tat ॥BORI: 1-094-83॥
What you pledged in the royal assembly for Satyavati’s sake, O you devoted to truth and dharma, was entirely worthy of you. (BORI: 1-094-83)
[PV-KDV:01_012_43]
na anyathā tat mahābāhō saṁśayaḥ atra na kaścana। tava apatyaṁ bhavēt yat tu tatra naḥ saṁśayaḥ mahān ॥BORI: 1-094-84॥
It could not be otherwise, mighty-armed one; there is no doubt about that. But we have grave doubts as to whether you will have offspring. (BORI: 1-094-84)
[PV-KDV:01_012_44]
tasya tat matam ājñāya satyadharmaparāyaṇaḥ। pratyajānāt tadā rājan pituḥ priyacikīrṣayā ॥BORI: 1-094-85॥
Understanding his view, the man devoted to truth and righteousness then gave his word, O king, wishing to please his father. (BORI: 1-094-85)
[PV-KDV:01_012_45]
dāśarāja nibōdha ētat vacanaṁ mē nr̥pōttama। śr̥ṇvatāṁ bhūmipālānāṁ yat bravīmi pituḥ kr̥tē ॥BORI: 1-094-86॥
King of the fishermen, heed these words of mine, O best of kings. Hear what I declare for my father’s sake in the presence of the assembled rulers. (BORI: 1-094-86)
[PV-KDV:01_012_46]
rājyaṁ tāvat pūrvamēva mayā tyaktaṁ narādhipa। apatyahētōḥ api ca karōmi ēṣaḥ viniścayaḥ ॥BORI: 1-094-87॥
I have already renounced the kingdom, O king. And for the sake of offspring, I make this further solemn resolve: (BORI: 1-094-87)
[PV-KDV:01_012_47]
adya prabhr̥ti mē dāśa brahmacaryaṁ bhaviṣyati। aputrasya api mē lōkāḥ bhaviṣyanti akṣayāḥ divi ॥BORI: 1-094-88॥
From this day forward, fisherman, I shall remain celibate. Though I have no son, my worlds in heaven shall be everlasting. (BORI: 1-094-88)
[PV-KDV:01_012_48]
tasya tat vacanaṁ śrutvā samprahr̥ṣṭatanūruhaḥ। dadānīti ēva taṁ dāśaḥ dharmātmā pratyabhāṣata ॥BORI: 1-094-89॥
Hearing these words of his, the righteous fisherman, the hair on his body bristling with joy, replied to him, “I give her.” (BORI: 1-094-89)
[PV-KDV:01_012_49]
tataḥ antarikṣē apsarasō dēvāḥ sa-r̥ṣigaṇāḥ tathā। abhyavarṣanta kusumaiḥ bhīṣmaḥ ayam iti ca abruvan ॥BORI: 1-094-90॥
Then the Apsarases, the gods, and the hosts of seers in the sky showered him with flowers and proclaimed, “This man is Bhishma!” (BORI: 1-094-90)
[PV-PAX:01_012_50]
tataḥ sa piturarthāya tām uvāca yaśasvinīm। adhirōha rathaṁ mātaḥ gacchāvaḥ svagr̥hān iti ॥BORI: 1-094-91॥
Then, for his father’s sake, he said to the illustrious woman, “Mount the chariot, Mother; let us go to our home.” (BORI: 1-094-91)
[PV-KDV:01_012_51]
ēvam uktvā tu bhīṣmaḥ tāṁ ratham ārōpya bhāminīm। āgamya hāstinapuraṁ śantanōḥ saṁnyavēdayat ॥BORI: 1-094-92॥
Having said this, Bhishma helped the radiant woman into the chariot, and upon arriving at Hastinapura, presented her to Shantanu. (BORI: 1-094-92)
[PV-KDV:01_012_52]
tasya tat duṣkaraṁ karma praśaśaṁsuḥ narādhipāḥ। samētāḥ ca pr̥thak ca ēva bhīṣmaḥ ayam iti ca abruvan ॥BORI: 1-094-93॥
The kings praised that difficult feat of his, and both collectively and individually they declared, “This is Bhishma!” (BORI: 1-094-93)
[PV-KDV:01_012_53]
tat dr̥ṣṭvā duṣkaraṁ karma kr̥taṁ bhīṣmēṇa śantanuḥ। svacchandamaraṇaṁ tasmai dadau tuṣṭaḥ pitā svayam ॥BORI: 1-094-94॥
Seeing the difficult deed Bhishma had performed, his father Shantanu was pleased and granted him the power to choose the time of his own death. (BORI: 1-094-94)
[PV-PAN:01_012_54]
This verse, with its “High” KDV style, grants Bhīṣma the power to choose the time of his own death and may indicate a Bhārata-level tweak extending his lifespan. This requires further corroboration.
anvitaḥ paripūrṇārthaiḥ sarvairnr̥patilakṣaṇaiḥ । tasya kīrtimatō vr̥ttamavēkṣya satataṁ narāḥ ॥KUMB: 1-107-4; KUMB: 1-107-5; NILA: 01.100.004; NILA: 01.100.005॥
He possessed all the qualities of a king in full measure. Continually observing the conduct of that renowned man, men… (KUMB: 1-107-4; KUMB: 1-107-5; NILA: 01.100.004; NILA: 01.100.005)
[PV-SVO:01_012_55]
tēna kīrtimatā śiṣṭāḥ śakrapratimatējasā । yajñadānakriyāśīlāḥ samapadyanta bhūmipāḥ ॥KUMB: 1-107-9; NILA: 01.100.009॥
Disciplined by that illustrious king, whose splendor rivaled Indra’s, the rulers of the earth became devoted to sacrifice, giving, and sacred rites. (KUMB: 1-107-9; NILA: 01.100.009)
[PV-SVO:01_012_56]
cakōranētrastāmrāsyaḥ siṁharṣabhagatiryuvā । guṇairanupamairyuktaḥ samastairābhigāmikaiḥ । gambhīraḥ sattvasampannaḥ pūrṇacandranibhānanaḥ ॥KUMB: 1-107-17॥
Young, with eyes like a chakora bird, a coppery face, and the gait of a lion and a bull; endowed with every incomparable quality that inspires affection; dignified, full of courage, and with a face like the full moon… (KUMB: 1-107-17)
[PV-SVO:01_012_57]
yajñārthaṁ paśavaḥ sr̥ṣṭāḥ saṁtānārthaṁ ca maithunam ॥KUMB: 1-107-21॥
Animals were created for sacrifice, and sexual union for procreation. (KUMB: 1-107-21)
[PV-SVO:01_012_58]
pauravēṣu tataḥ putraṁ rājyārthamabhayapradam । guṇavantaṁ mahātmānaṁ yauvarājyē’bhyaṣēcayat ॥KUMB: 1-107-43; KUMB: 1-107-44; NILA: 01.100.042; NILA: 01.100.043॥
He then installed his virtuous and noble-hearted son, who brought security to the Pauravas, as heir apparent to rule the kingdom. (KUMB: 1-107-43; KUMB: 1-107-44; NILA: 01.100.042; NILA: 01.100.043)
[PV-SVO:01_012_59]
na cāśvēna viniryāsi vivarṇō hariṇaḥ kr̥śaḥ । vyādhimicchāmi tē jñātuṁ pratikuryāṁ hi tatra vai ॥KUMB: 1-107-62; KUMB: 1-107-63; NILA: 01.100.061; NILA: 01.100.062॥
You no longer ride out on horseback, and you are pale, wan, and thin. I wish to know what ails you, for then I could surely remedy it. (KUMB: 1-107-62; KUMB: 1-107-63; NILA: 01.100.061; NILA: 01.100.062)
[PV-SVO:01_012_60]
sa taṁ kāmamavācyaṁ vai dāśakanyāṁ pratīdr̥śam । vivartuṁ nāśakattasmai pitā putrasya śāntanuḥ ॥KUMB: 1-107-63kṣ; KUMB: 1-107-64॥
His father Śāntanu could not reveal to him his unmentionable desire for the fisherman’s daughter. (KUMB: 1-107-63क्ष्; KUMB: 1-107-64)
[PV-SVO:01_012_61]
cakṣurēkaṁ ca putraśca asti nāsti ca bhārata । cakṣurnāśē tanōrnāśaḥ putranāśē kulakṣayaḥ ॥KUMB: 1-107-69॥
O Bharata, a single eye and an only son may be said both to exist and not to exist: with the loss of the eye, the body is lost; with the loss of the son, the lineage dies out. (KUMB: 1-107-69)
[PV-SVO:01_012_62]
apatyēnānr̥ṇō lōkē pitr̥̄ṇāṁ nāsti saṁśayaḥ । apatyaṁ karma vidyā ca trīṇi jyōtīṁṣi bhārata ॥KUMB: 1-107-72; KUMB: 1-107-73॥
Through offspring, one is freed from debt to one’s ancestors in this world—of this there is no doubt. Offspring, action, and knowledge are the three lights, Bharata. (KUMB: 1-107-72; KUMB: 1-107-73)
[PV-SVO:01_012_63]
apatyaphalasaṁyuktamētacchrutvā piturvacaḥ । sūtaṁ bhūyō’pi saṁtapta āhvayāmāsa vai pituḥ ॥KUMB: 1-107-77॥
Deeply distressed after hearing these words of his father about the benefits of having offspring, he again summoned his father’s charioteer. (KUMB: 1-107-77)
[PV-SVO:01_012_64]
sūtastu kurumukhyasya upayātastadājñayā । tamuvāca mahāprājñō bhīṣmō vai sārathiṁ pituḥ ॥KUMB: 1-107-78॥
At the foremost Kuru’s command, the Suta came to him. Then the exceedingly wise Bhishma addressed his father’s charioteer: (KUMB: 1-107-78)
[PV-SVO:01_012_65]
tvaṁ sārathē piturmahyaṁ sakhāsi rathadhūrgataḥ । api jānāsi yadi vai kasyāṁ bhāvō nr̥pasya tu ॥KUMB: 1-107-79॥
O charioteer, you bear the chariot’s yoke and are a friend to my father and me. If indeed you know on whom the king has set his heart... (KUMB: 1-107-79)
[PV-SVO:01_012_66]
tadācakṣva bhavānpr̥ṣṭaḥ kariṣyē na tadanyathā । dāśakanyā kuruśrēṣṭha tatra bhāvaḥ piturgataḥ ॥KUMB: 1-107-80; KUMB: 1-107-80kṣ॥
“Now that I have asked you, tell me. I will act accordingly, and not otherwise.” “Best of the Kurus, your father’s heart is set upon a fisherman’s daughter.” (KUMB: 1-107-80; KUMB: 1-107-80क्ष्)
[PV-SVO:01_012_67]
vr̥taḥ sa naradēvēna tadā vacanamabravīt । yō’syāṁ pumānbhavējjātaḥ sa rājā tvadanantaram ॥KUMB: 1-107-81॥
When the king made his request, he replied, “The son born to her shall be king after you.” (KUMB: 1-107-81)
[PV-SVO:01_012_68]
nākāmayata taṁ dātuṁ pitā tava varaṁ tadā । sa cāpi niścayastasya na ca dadyāṁ tatō’nyathā ॥KUMB: 1-107-82॥
Your father was unwilling then to grant him that boon. And this was also his firm resolve: “I will not give her on any other terms.” (KUMB: 1-107-82)
[PV-SVO:01_012_69]
ētattē kathitaṁ vīra kuruṣva yadanantaram ॥KUMB: 1-107-83॥
This has been told to you, hero. Do what comes next. (KUMB: 1-107-83)
[PV-SVO:01_012_70]
tataḥ sa piturājñāya mataṁ samyagavēkṣya ca । jñātvā ca mānasaṁ putraḥ prayayau yamunāṁ prati ॥KUMB: 1-107-83kṣ॥
Then the son, having learned his father’s intention, considered it carefully, understood what was in his mind, and set out for the Yamuna. (KUMB: 1-107-83क्ष्)
[PV-SVO:01_012_73]
rājyaśulkā pradātavyā kanyēyaṁ yācatāṁ vara । apatyaṁ yadbhavēdasyāḥ sa rājā’stu pituḥ param ॥KUMB: 1-107-86॥
This maiden is to be given for the kingdom as her bride-price, O best of suitors. Let the child born of her become king after his father. (KUMB: 1-107-86)
[PV-SVO:01_012_74]
iyaṁ satyavatī dēvī pitaraṁ tē’bravīttathā । arthitaścāpi rājarṣiḥ pratyākhyātaḥ purā mayā ॥KUMB: 1-107-91॥
This divine Satyavati said the same to your father. I made this request of the royal sage before, but turned him away. (KUMB: 1-107-91)
[PV-SVO:01_012_75]
bhūyāṁsaṁ tvayi paśyāmi taddōṣamaparājita ॥KUMB: 1-107-93॥
I see an even greater fault in you in this matter, unconquered one. (KUMB: 1-107-93)
[PV-SVO:01_012_76]
uccaiśśravaḥ samādhatsva pratijñāṁ janasaṁsadi । r̥ṣayō vātha vā dēvā bhūtānyantarhitāni ca । yāni yānīha śr̥ṇvantu nāsti vaktāsya matsamaḥ ॥KUMB: 1-107-105; KUMB: 1-107-106॥
Listen closely to the pledge I make before the assembled people: let all the sages, gods, and invisible beings who are here hear it—there is no speaker equal to me. (KUMB: 1-107-105; KUMB: 1-107-106)
[PV-SVO:01_012_77]
na hi janmaprabhr̥tyuktaṁ mayā kiṁcidihānr̥tam । yāvatprāṇā dhriyantē vai mama dēhaṁ samāśritāḥ ॥KUMB: 1-107-109; KUMB: 1-107-110॥
For I have never uttered any falsehood here since my birth. As long as the breaths of life remain in my body... (KUMB: 1-107-109; KUMB: 1-107-110)
[PV-SVO:01_012_78]
tāvanna janayiṣyāmi pitrē kanyāṁ prayaccha mē । parityajāmyahaṁ rājyaṁ maithunaṁ cāpi sarvaśaḥ ॥KUMB: 1-107-110; KUMB: 1-107-111॥
For that long, I shall father no children. Give the maiden to my father. I renounce the kingdom and sexual intercourse altogether. (KUMB: 1-107-110; KUMB: 1-107-111)
[PV-SVO:01_012_79]
ūrdhvarētā bhaviṣyāmi dāśa satyaṁ bravīmi tē ॥KUMB: 1-107-111॥
I shall remain celibate, Dasha—I tell you truly. (KUMB: 1-107-111)
[PV-SVO:01_012_80]
babhūva duḥkhitō rājā cirarātrāya bhārata । sa tēna karmaṇā sūnōḥ prītastasmai varaṁ dadau ॥KUMB: 1-107-118॥
The king remained sorrowful for a long time, O Bharata. But pleased by that deed of his son, he granted him a boon. (KUMB: 1-107-118)
[PV-SVO:01_012_81]
na tē mr̥tyuḥ prabhavitā yāvajjīvitumicchasi । tvattō hyanujñāṁ samprāpya mr̥tyuḥ prabhavitā’nagha ॥KUMB: 1-107-119; KUMB: 1-107-120; NILA: 01.100.103॥
Death will have no power over you for as long as you wish to live. Only after receiving your permission will death have power over you, blameless one. (KUMB: 1-107-119; KUMB: 1-107-120; NILA: 01.100.103)
[PV-SVO:01_012_82]