Adhyaya 1

Verse 1

श्रीराजोवाच मन्वन्तराणि सर्वाणि त्वयोक्तानि श्रुतानि मे । वीर्याण्यनन्तवीर्यस्य हरेस्तत्र कृतानि च ॥ १ ॥

King Parīkṣit said: My lord Śukadeva Gosvāmī, you have thoroughly described all the manvantaras and, within them, the wondrous deeds of Śrī Hari, whose potency is unlimited. I am blessed to have heard all this from you.

Verse 2

योऽसौ सत्यव्रतो नाम राजर्षिर्द्रविडेश्वर: । ज्ञानं योऽतीतकल्पान्ते लेभे पुरुषसेवया ॥ २ ॥ स वै विवस्वत: पुत्रो मनुरासीदिति श्रुतम् । त्वत्तस्तस्य सुता:प्रोक्ता इक्ष्वाकुप्रमुखा नृपा: ॥ ३ ॥

Satyavrata, the saintly king and ruler of Draviḍadeśa, received spiritual knowledge at the end of the previous kalpa by serving Purusottama. In the next manvantara he became Vaivasvata Manu, son of Vivasvān—so I have heard from you. I also understand that kings such as Ikṣvāku were his sons, as you have already explained.

Verse 3

योऽसौ सत्यव्रतो नाम राजर्षिर्द्रविडेश्वर: । ज्ञानं योऽतीतकल्पान्ते लेभे पुरुषसेवया ॥ २ ॥ स वै विवस्वत: पुत्रो मनुरासीदिति श्रुतम् । त्वत्तस्तस्य सुता:प्रोक्ता इक्ष्वाकुप्रमुखा नृपा: ॥ ३ ॥

Satyavrata, the saintly royal sage and lord of Draviḍadeśa, attained divine knowledge at the end of the previous kalpa by serving the Supreme Puruṣa. It is heard in śruti that he later became Vaivasvata Manu, the son of Vivasvān. From you I have received this knowledge, and I understand that kings headed by Ikṣvāku were his sons, as you have already explained.

Verse 4

तेषां वंशं पृथग् ब्रह्मन् वंशानुचरितानि च । कीर्तयस्व महाभाग नित्यं शुश्रूषतां हि न: ॥ ४ ॥

O greatly fortunate brāhmaṇa, please recount separately the dynasties of those kings and the histories and distinguishing deeds of each line, for we are always eager to hear such sacred topics from you.

Verse 5

ये भूता ये भविष्याश्च भवन्त्यद्यतनाश्च ये । तेषां न: पुण्यकीर्तीनां सर्वेषां वद विक्रमान् ॥ ५ ॥

Please tell us of the prowess and deeds of all those kings of pious fame—those who have passed away, those who will appear in the future, and those who exist at present.

Verse 6

श्रीसूत उवाच एवं परीक्षिता राज्ञा सदसि ब्रह्मवादिनाम् । पृष्ट: प्रोवाच भगवाञ्छुक: परमधर्मवित् ॥ ६ ॥

Sūta Gosvāmī said: Thus, when Mahārāja Parīkṣit questioned him in the assembly of scholars learned in Vedic wisdom, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the foremost knower of dharma, began to speak.

Verse 7

श्रीशुक उवाच श्रूयतां मानवो वंश: प्राचुर्येण परन्तप । न शक्यते विस्तरतो वक्तुं वर्षशतैरपि ॥ ७ ॥

Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: O King, subduer of enemies, hear in fullness of the dynasty of Manu. I shall explain as much as I can, though its complete expanse cannot be spoken of, even in hundreds of years.

Verse 8

परावरेषां भूतानामात्मा य: पुरुष: पर: । स एवासीदिदं विश्वं कल्पान्तेऽन्यन्न किञ्चन ॥ ८ ॥

The transcendental Supreme Purusha, the Paramatma of all beings—high and low—alone existed at the end of the kalpa; then this manifested cosmos was not, and nothing else existed but Him.

Verse 9

तस्य नाभे: समभवत् पद्मकोषो हिरण्मय: । तस्मिञ्जज्ञे महाराज स्वयम्भूश्चतुरानन: ॥ ९ ॥

O King Parīkṣit, from the navel of Bhagavan arose a golden lotus-bud; upon that lotus was born the four-faced Lord Brahmā, Svayambhū, self-manifest.

Verse 10

मरीचिर्मनसस्तस्य जज्ञे तस्यापि कश्यप: । दाक्षायण्यां ततोऽदित्यां विवस्वानभवत् सुत: ॥ १० ॥

From the mind of Lord Brahmā was born Marīci; from Marīci’s seed appeared Kaśyapa; and from Kaśyapa, in the womb of Aditi, daughter of Dakṣa, Vivasvān was born.

Verse 11

ततो मनु: श्राद्धदेव: संज्ञायामास भारत । श्रद्धायां जनयामास दश पुत्रान् स आत्मवान् ॥ ११ ॥ इक्ष्वाकुनृगशर्यातिदिष्टधृष्टकरूषकान् । नरिष्यन्तं पृषध्रं च नभगं च कविं विभु: ॥ १२ ॥

O King, best of the Bhārata line, from Vivasvān in the womb of Saṁjñā was born Śrāddhadeva Manu. That self-controlled Manu begot ten sons in the womb of his wife Śraddhā—Ikṣvāku, Nṛga, Śaryāti, Diṣṭa, Dhṛṣṭa, Karūṣaka, Nariṣyanta, Pṛṣadhra, Nabhaga, and Kavi.

Verse 12

ततो मनु: श्राद्धदेव: संज्ञायामास भारत । श्रद्धायां जनयामास दश पुत्रान् स आत्मवान् ॥ ११ ॥ इक्ष्वाकुनृगशर्यातिदिष्टधृष्टकरूषकान् । नरिष्यन्तं पृषध्रं च नभगं च कविं विभु: ॥ १२ ॥

O King, best of the Bhārata line, from Vivasvān in the womb of Saṁjñā was born Śrāddhadeva Manu. That self-controlled Manu begot ten sons in the womb of his wife Śraddhā—Ikṣvāku, Nṛga, Śaryāti, Diṣṭa, Dhṛṣṭa, Karūṣaka, Nariṣyanta, Pṛṣadhra, Nabhaga, and Kavi.

Verse 13

अप्रजस्य मनो: पूर्वं वसिष्ठो भगवान् किल । मित्रावरुणयोरिष्टिं प्रजार्थमकरोद् विभु: ॥ १३ ॥

At first Manu had no son. Therefore, for the sake of progeny, the mighty sage Vasiṣṭha performed a sacrifice to please the demigods Mitra and Varuṇa.

Verse 14

तत्र श्रद्धा मनो: पत्नी होतारं समयाचत । दुहित्रर्थमुपागम्य प्रणिपत्य पयोव्रता ॥ १४ ॥

During that sacrifice, Śraddhā, Manu’s wife—observing a vow of subsisting only on milk—approached the hotṛ priest, bowed down, and begged for a daughter.

Verse 15

प्रेषितोऽध्वर्युणा होता व्यचरत् तत् समाहित: । गृहीते हविषि वाचा वषट्कारं गृणन्द्विज: ॥ १५ ॥

Instructed by the adhvaryu, the hotṛ proceeded with focused mind: taking the ghee oblation, he offered it while chanting “vaṣaṭ,” remembering the request of Manu’s wife.

Verse 16

होतुस्तद्‌व्यभिचारेण कन्येला नाम साभवत् । तां विलोक्य मनु: प्राह नातितुष्टमना गुरुम् ॥ १६ ॥

Because the hotṛ deviated in this way, a daughter named Ilā was born. Seeing her, Manu was not satisfied and thus spoke to his guru, Vasiṣṭha.

Verse 17

भगवन् किमिदं जातं कर्म वो ब्रह्मवादिनाम् । विपर्ययमहो कष्टं मैवं स्याद् ब्रह्मविक्रिया ॥ १७ ॥

O venerable lord, you are brahmavādins, expert in Vedic mantras—how has this come to pass? The result has turned out opposite; alas, how grievous! Such a reversal should not occur in the operation of Vedic mantras.

Verse 18

यूयं ब्रह्मविदो युक्तास्तपसा दग्धकिल्बिषा: । कुत: सङ्कल्पवैषम्यमनृतं विबुधेष्विव ॥ १८ ॥

You are knowers of Brahman, self-restrained and steady in mind; by austerity your sins have been burned away. Your words, like those of the devas, never prove false—how then could there be a flaw in your resolve?

Verse 19

निशम्य तद् वचस्तस्य भगवान् प्रपितामह: । होतुर्व्यतिक्रमं ज्ञात्वा बभाषे रविनन्दनम् ॥ १९ ॥

Hearing Manu’s words, the mighty forefather Vasiṣṭha understood the priest’s deviation; thus he spoke to the son of the sun-god.

Verse 20

एतत् सङ्कल्पवैषम्यं होतुस्ते व्यभिचारत: । तथापि साधयिष्ये ते सुप्रजास्त्वं स्वतेजसा ॥ २० ॥

This flaw in your intention has arisen from the priest’s deviation from the original aim. Even so, by my own spiritual prowess I shall grant you an excellent son.

Verse 21

एवं व्यवसितो राजन् भगवान् स महायशा: । अस्तौषीदादिपुरुषमिलाया: पुंस्त्वकाम्यया ॥ २१ ॥

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King Parīkṣit, having thus resolved, the renowned and powerful Vasiṣṭha offered prayers to Ādi-Puruṣa Viṣṇu, desiring that Ilā be transformed into a male.

Verse 22

तस्मै कामवरं तुष्टो भगवान् हरिरीश्वर: । ददाविलाभवत् तेन सुद्युम्न: पुरुषर्षभ: ॥ २२ ॥

Pleased with Vasiṣṭha, the Supreme Lord Hari, the highest controller, granted the boon he desired; thus Ilā became a splendid male, the best of men, named Sudyumna.

Verse 23

स एकदा महाराज विचरन् मृगयां वने । वृत: कतिपयामात्यैरश्वमारुह्य सैन्धवम् ॥ २३ ॥ प्रगृह्य रुचिरं चापं शरांश्च परमाद्भ‍ुतान् । दंशितोऽनुमृगं वीरो जगाम दिशमुत्तराम् ॥ २४ ॥

O King Parīkṣit, the hero Sudyumna once went into the forest for the hunt, accompanied by a few ministers and companions and mounted upon a horse brought from the land of Sindhu. Clad in armor and adorned with a lovely bow and wondrous arrows, he pursued the beasts and, slaying them, reached the northern quarter of the forest.

Verse 24

स एकदा महाराज विचरन् मृगयां वने । वृत: कतिपयामात्यैरश्वमारुह्य सैन्धवम् ॥ २३ ॥ प्रगृह्य रुचिरं चापं शरांश्च परमाद्भ‍ुतान् । दंशितोऽनुमृगं वीरो जगाम दिशमुत्तराम् ॥ २४ ॥

O King Parīkṣit, the hero Sudyumna once entered the forest to hunt, accompanied by a few ministers and companions and riding a horse brought from the land of Sindhu. Wearing armor and bearing a lovely bow with wondrous arrows, he chased the animals until he came to the northern part of the forest.

Verse 25

सुकुमारवनं मेरोरधस्तात् प्रविवेश ह । यत्रास्ते भगवाञ्छर्वो रममाण: सहोमया ॥ २५ ॥

He entered the forest called Sukumāra at the foot of Mount Meru, where Bhagavān Śarva (Lord Śiva) ever delights in pastimes with Umā.

Verse 26

तस्मिन् प्रविष्ट एवासौ सुद्युम्न: परवीरहा । अपश्यत् स्रियमात्मानमश्वं च वडवां नृप ॥ २६ ॥

O King Parīkṣit, the moment Sudyumna—slayer of rival heroes—entered that forest, he beheld himself transformed into a woman, and his horse transformed into a mare.

Verse 27

तथा तदनुगा: सर्वे आत्मलिङ्गविपर्ययम् । दृष्ट्वा विमनसोऽभूवन् वीक्षमाणा: परस्परम् ॥ २७ ॥

When his followers likewise saw their own identities altered and their sex reversed, they all became downcast and could only gaze at one another.

Verse 28

श्रीराजोवाच कथमेवं गुणो देश: केन वा भगवन् कृत: । प्रश्न‍मेनं समाचक्ष्व परं कौतूहलं हि न: ॥ २८ ॥

Mahārāja Parīkṣit said: O most powerful brāhmaṇa, how did this place become so endowed with virtue and potency, and who made it so powerful? Please explain this question, for I am greatly eager to hear.

Verse 29

श्रीशुक उवाच एकदा गिरिशं द्रष्टुमृषयस्तत्र सुव्रता: । दिशो वितिमिराभासा: कुर्वन्त: समुपागमन् ॥ २९ ॥

Śukadeva Gosvāmī replied: Once, great sages of strict vows came there to behold Girīśa, Lord Śiva. By their own effulgence they dispelled the darkness in all directions.

Verse 30

तान् विलोक्याम्बिका देवी विवासा व्रीडिता भृशम् । भर्तुरङ्कात् समुत्थाय नीवीमाश्वथ पर्यधात् ॥ ३० ॥

When the goddess Ambikā saw those great sages, she felt deeply ashamed, for at that moment she was naked. She at once rose from her husband’s lap and hurried to cover her breast.

Verse 31

ऋषयोऽपि तयोर्वीक्ष्य प्रसङ्गं रममाणयो: । निवृत्ता: प्रययुस्तस्मान्नरनारायणाश्रमम् ॥ ३१ ॥

Seeing Lord Śiva and Pārvatī absorbed in amorous union, the sages at once refrained from going further. They immediately departed from there for the āśrama of Nara-Nārāyaṇa.

Verse 32

तदिदं भगवानाह प्रियाया: प्रियकाम्यया । स्थानं य: प्रविशेदेतत् स वै योषिद् भवेदिति ॥ ३२ ॥

Thereupon, to please his beloved wife, Lord Śiva declared: “Any male who enters this place shall at once become a female!”

Verse 33

तत ऊर्ध्वं वनं तद् वै पुरुषा वर्जयन्ति हि । सा चानुचरसंयुक्ता विचचार वनाद् वनम् ॥ ३३ ॥

From that time onward no man entered that forest. But King Sudyumna, transformed into a woman, wandered with his companions from one woodland to another.

Verse 34

अथ तामाश्रमाभ्याशे चरन्तीं प्रमदोत्तमाम् । स्रीभि: परिवृतां वीक्ष्य चकमे भगवान् बुध: ॥ ३४ ॥

Then Budha, the Moon-god’s son, saw near his āśrama that supremely beautiful woman, surrounded by other women and stirring desire, and at once longed to enjoy her.

Verse 35

सापि तं चकमे सुभ्रू: सोमराजसुतं पतिम् । स तस्यां जनयामास पुरूरवसमात्मजम् ॥ ३५ ॥

That fair-browed woman also desired to accept Budha, the Moon-king’s son, as her husband. Thus Budha begot in her a son named Purūravā.

Verse 36

एवं स्रीत्वमनुप्राप्त: सुद्युम्नो मानवो नृप: । सस्मार स कुलाचार्यं वसिष्ठमिति शुश्रुम ॥ ३६ ॥

Thus King Sudyumna, Manu’s son, having attained womanhood, remembered his family preceptor Vasiṣṭha, as I have heard from trustworthy tradition.

Verse 37

स तस्य तां दशां दृष्ट्वा कृपया भृशपीडित: । सुद्युम्नस्याशयन् पुंस्त्वमुपाधावत शङ्करम् ॥ ३७ ॥

Seeing Sudyumna’s pitiable condition, Vasiṣṭha was deeply pained with compassion. Wishing Sudyumna to regain his manhood, he again worshiped Lord Śaṅkara (Śiva).

Verse 38

तुष्टस्तस्मै स भगवानृषये प्रियमावहन् । स्वां च वाचमृतां कुर्वन्निदमाह विशाम्पते ॥ ३८ ॥ मासं पुमान् स भविता मासं स्री तव गोत्रज: । इत्थं व्यवस्थया कामं सुद्युम्नोऽवतु मेदिनीम् ॥ ३९ ॥

O King Parīkṣit, Lord Śiva, pleased with the sage Vasiṣṭha, and keeping true the word He had given to Pārvatī, said to that saintly seer: “Sudyumna of your line shall be male for one month and female for the next; by this arrangement let him rule the earth as he desires.”

Verse 39

तुष्टस्तस्मै स भगवानृषये प्रियमावहन् । स्वां च वाचमृतां कुर्वन्निदमाह विशाम्पते ॥ ३८ ॥ मासं पुमान् स भविता मासं स्री तव गोत्रज: । इत्थं व्यवस्थया कामं सुद्युम्नोऽवतु मेदिनीम् ॥ ३९ ॥

O King, Sudyumna of your line shall be male for one month and female for the next; by this ordinance he will rule the earth as he desires—thus spoke Śaṅkara (Lord Śiva).

Verse 40

आचार्यानुग्रहात् कामं लब्ध्वा पुंस्त्वं व्यवस्थया । पालयामास जगतीं नाभ्यनन्दन् स्म तं प्रजा: ॥ ४० ॥

Favored by his spiritual master and in accordance with Lord Śiva’s words, Sudyumna regained his desired maleness in alternate months and thus ruled the kingdom, though the citizens were not satisfied.

Verse 41

तस्योत्कलो गयो राजन् विमलश्च त्रय: सुता: । दक्षिणापथराजानो बभूवुर्धर्मवत्सला: ॥ ४१ ॥

O King, Sudyumna had three very pious sons—Utkala, Gaya, and Vimala—who became kings of the Dakṣiṇā-patha, devoted to dharma.

Verse 42

तत: परिणते काले प्रतिष्ठानपति: प्रभु: । पुरूरवस उत्सृज्य गां पुत्राय गतो वनम् ॥ ४२ ॥

Thereafter, when the time was ripe and Sudyumna, lord of Pratiṣṭhāna, had grown old, he entrusted the entire kingdom to his son Purūravā and entered the forest.