Adhyaya 2

Verse 1

श्रीशुक उवाच एवं गतेऽथ सुद्युम्ने मनुर्वैवस्वत: सुते । पुत्रकामस्तपस्तेपे यमुनायां शतं समा: ॥ १ ॥

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After Sudyumna had gone to the forest to accept the vānaprastha order, Vaivasvata Manu (Śrāddhadeva), desiring more sons, performed severe austerities on the bank of the Yamunā for one hundred years.

Verse 2

ततोऽयजन्मनुर्देवमपत्यार्थं हरिं प्रभुम् । इक्ष्वाकुपूर्वजान् पुत्रान्लेभे स्वसद‍ृशान् दश ॥ २ ॥

Then, desiring offspring, Manu Śrāddhadeva worshiped Hari, the Supreme Lord and master of the demigods. Thus he obtained ten sons just like himself, of whom Ikṣvāku was the eldest.

Verse 3

पृषध्रस्तु मनो: पुत्रो गोपालो गुरुणा कृत: । पालयामास गा यत्तो रात्र्यां वीरासनव्रत: ॥ ३ ॥

Among those sons, Manu’s son Pṛṣadhra, by his guru’s order, was engaged in protecting the cows. Keeping the vow of vīrāsana, he would stand all night with a sword to guard them.

Verse 4

एकदा प्राविशद् गोष्ठं शार्दूलो निशि वर्षति । शयाना गाव उत्थाय भीतास्ता बभ्रमुर्व्रजे ॥ ४ ॥

Once, on a rainy night, a tiger entered the cowshed. Seeing it, the cows that had been lying down rose in fear and scattered here and there across the pasture.

Verse 5

एकां जग्राह बलवान् सा चुक्रोश भयातुरा । तस्यास्तु क्रन्दितं श्रुत्वा पृषध्रोऽनुससार ह ॥ ५ ॥ खड्‌गमादाय तरसा प्रलीनोडुगणे निशि । अजानन्नच्छिनोद् बभ्रो: शिर: शार्दूलशङ्कया ॥ ६ ॥

The powerful tiger seized one cow, and she cried out in fear and distress. Hearing her cry, Pṛṣadhra rushed toward the sound with his sword. But because clouds had covered the stars in the dark night, he mistook the cow for the tiger and, by error, struck off the cow’s head with great force.

Verse 6

एकां जग्राह बलवान् सा चुक्रोश भयातुरा । तस्यास्तु क्रन्दितं श्रुत्वा पृषध्रोऽनुससार ह ॥ ५ ॥ खड्‌गमादाय तरसा प्रलीनोडुगणे निशि । अजानन्नच्छिनोद् बभ्रो: शिर: शार्दूलशङ्कया ॥ ६ ॥

A mighty tiger seized a cow, and the cow cried out in fear and distress. Hearing her scream, Pṛṣadhra at once ran toward the sound. Sword in hand, but with the stars hidden by clouds in the night, he mistook the cow for the tiger and, in a forceful blow, mistakenly severed the cow’s head.

Verse 7

व्याघ्रोऽपि वृक्णश्रवणो निस्त्रिंशाग्राहतस्तत: । निश्चक्राम भृशं भीतो रक्तं पथि समुत्सृजन् ॥ ७ ॥

The tiger’s ear was cut by the sword’s edge, and in great fear it fled from that place, bleeding as it ran along the path.

Verse 8

मन्यमानो हतं व्याघ्रं पृषध्र: परवीरहा । अद्राक्षीत् स्वहतां बभ्रुं व्युष्टायां निशि दु:खित: ॥ ८ ॥

Thinking he had slain the tiger in the night, Pṛṣadhra, a conqueror of foes, saw at dawn that it was the cow he had killed by his own hand, and he was stricken with grief.

Verse 9

तं शशाप कुलाचार्य: कृतागसमकामत: । न क्षत्रबन्धु: शूद्रस्त्वं कर्मणा भवितामुना ॥ ९ ॥

Though Pṛṣadhra had sinned unknowingly, the family priest Vasiṣṭha cursed him: “By this deed you shall not be able to remain a kṣatriya; you will take birth as a śūdra.”

Verse 10

एवं शप्तस्तु गुरुणा प्रत्यगृह्णात् कृताञ्जलि: । अधारयद् व्रतं वीर ऊर्ध्वरेता मुनिप्रियम् ॥ १० ॥

Thus cursed by his spiritual master, the hero Pṛṣadhra accepted it with folded hands. Then, controlling his senses, he undertook the vow of brahmacarya, cherished and approved by the great sages.

Verse 11

वासुदेवे भगवति सर्वात्मनि परेऽमले । एकान्तित्वं गतो भक्त्या सर्वभूतसुहृत् सम: ॥ ११ ॥ विमुक्तसङ्ग: शान्तात्मा संयताक्षोऽपरिग्रह: । यद‍ृच्छयोपपन्नेन कल्पयन् वृत्तिमात्मन: ॥ १२ ॥ आत्मन्यात्मानमाधाय ज्ञानतृप्त: समाहित: । विचचार महीमेतां जडान्धबधिराकृति: ॥ १३ ॥

Thereafter Pṛṣadhra was freed from all burdens, became peaceful in mind, and brought his senses under control. With exclusive bhakti he fixed his attention on Bhagavān Vāsudeva, the spotless, transcendental Paramātmā, and thus became the well-wisher of all beings, seeing everyone equally.

Verse 12

वासुदेवे भगवति सर्वात्मनि परेऽमले । एकान्तित्वं गतो भक्त्या सर्वभूतसुहृत् सम: ॥ ११ ॥ विमुक्तसङ्ग: शान्तात्मा संयताक्षोऽपरिग्रह: । यद‍ृच्छयोपपन्नेन कल्पयन् वृत्तिमात्मन: ॥ १२ ॥ आत्मन्यात्मानमाधाय ज्ञानतृप्त: समाहित: । विचचार महीमेतां जडान्धबधिराकृति: ॥ १३ ॥

Free from association and attachment, peaceful within, controlling his senses and owning nothing, he maintained himself with whatever came of its own accord by the Lord’s grace.

Verse 13

वासुदेवे भगवति सर्वात्मनि परेऽमले । एकान्तित्वं गतो भक्त्या सर्वभूतसुहृत् सम: ॥ ११ ॥ विमुक्तसङ्ग: शान्तात्मा संयताक्षोऽपरिग्रह: । यद‍ृच्छयोपपन्नेन कल्पयन् वृत्तिमात्मन: ॥ १२ ॥ आत्मन्यात्मानमाधाय ज्ञानतृप्त: समाहित: । विचचार महीमेतां जडान्धबधिराकृति: ॥ १३ ॥

Placing the self within the Self, satisfied by pure knowledge and absorbed in meditation, he wandered the earth without attachment, appearing outwardly like one dull, blind, and deaf.

Verse 14

एवं वृत्तो वनं गत्वा दृष्ट्वा दावाग्निमुत्थितम् । तेनोपयुक्तकरणो ब्रह्म प्राप परं मुनि: ॥ १४ ॥

Thus disposed, Pṛṣadhra went to the forest, and seeing a blazing forest fire, he took the opportunity to consign his body to the flames. In this way he attained the transcendental spiritual world.

Verse 15

कवि: कनीयान् विषयेषु नि:स्पृहो विसृज्य राज्यं सह बन्धुभिर्वनम् । निवेश्य चित्ते पुरुषं स्वरोचिषं विवेश कैशोरवया: परं गत: ॥ १५ ॥

Kavi, Manu’s youngest son, indifferent to sense enjoyment, renounced the kingdom before reaching full youth and went to the forest with his companions. Fixing within his heart the self-effulgent Supreme Purusha, he attained the highest perfection.

Verse 16

करूषोन्मानवादासन् कारूषो: क्षत्रजातय: । उत्तरापथगोप्तारो ब्रह्मण्या धर्मवत्सला: ॥ १६ ॥

From Karūṣa, a son of Manu, arose the Kārūṣa line of kṣatriyas. They ruled the northern regions, renowned as protectors of brāhmaṇical culture and steadfast in dharma.

Verse 17

धृष्टाद् धार्ष्टमभूत् क्षत्रं ब्रह्मभूयं गतं क्षितौ । नृगस्य वंश: सुमतिर्भूतज्योतिस्ततो वसु: ॥ १७ ॥

From Dhṛṣṭa, Manu’s son, arose the kṣatriya group called Dhārṣṭa, whose members in this world attained the status of brāhmaṇas. Then from Nṛga came Sumati; from Sumati, Bhūtajyoti; and from Bhūtajyoti, Vasu.

Verse 18

वसो: प्रतीकस्तत्पुत्र ओघवानोघवत्पिता । कन्या चौघवती नाम सुदर्शन उवाह ताम् ॥ १८ ॥

Vasu’s son was Pratīka, and Pratīka’s son was Oghavān. Oghavān’s son was also known as Oghavān, and his daughter was named Oghavatī. Sudarśana married that daughter.

Verse 19

चित्रसेनो नरिष्यन्ताद‍ृक्षस्तस्य सुतोऽभवत् । तस्य मीढ्‍वांस्तत: पूर्ण इन्द्रसेनस्तु तत्सुत: ॥ १९ ॥

From Nariṣyanta came a son named Citrasena, and from him a son named Ṛkṣa. From Ṛkṣa came Mīḍhvān, from Mīḍhvān came Pūrṇa, and from Pūrṇa came Indrasena.

Verse 20

वीतिहोत्रस्त्विन्द्रसेनात् तस्य सत्यश्रवा अभूत् । उरुश्रवा: सुतस्तस्य देवदत्तस्ततोऽभवत् ॥ २० ॥

From Indrasena came Vītihotra, from Vītihotra came Satyaśravā. Satyaśravā’s son was Uruśravā, and from Uruśravā came Devadatta.

Verse 21

ततोऽग्निवेश्यो भगवानग्नि: स्वयमभूत् सुत: । कानीन इति विख्यातो जातूकर्ण्यो महानृषि: ॥ २१ ॥

Then from Devadatta was born a son famed as Agniveśya—Bhagavān Agni, the fire-god, himself. That great ṛṣi was renowned in the world as Kānīna and as Jātūkarṇya.

Verse 22

ततो ब्रह्मकुलं जातमाग्निवेश्यायनं नृप । नरिष्यन्तान्वय: प्रोक्तो दिष्टवंशमत: श‍ृणु ॥ २२ ॥

O King, from Agniveśya arose a brahminical line known as Āgniveśyāyana. Having spoken of the descendants of Nariṣyanta, now hear from me the descendants of Diṣṭa.

Verse 23

नाभागो दिष्टपुत्रोऽन्य: कर्मणा वैश्यतां गत: । भलन्दन: सुतस्तस्य वत्सप्रीतिर्भलन्दनात् ॥ २३ ॥ वत्सप्रीते: सुत: प्रांशुस्तत्सुतं प्रमतिं विदु: । खनित्र: प्रमतेस्तस्माच्चाक्षुषोऽथ विविंशति: ॥ २४ ॥

Diṣṭa had a son named Nābhāga (different from the Nābhāga spoken of later). By the duty of his prescribed work he attained the status of a vaiśya. Nābhāga’s son was Bhalandana; from Bhalandana came Vatsaprīti; his son was Prāṁśu; Prāṁśu’s son was Pramati; Pramati’s son was Khanitra; from him came Cākṣuṣa; and his son was Viviṁśati.

Verse 24

नाभागो दिष्टपुत्रोऽन्य: कर्मणा वैश्यतां गत: । भलन्दन: सुतस्तस्य वत्सप्रीतिर्भलन्दनात् ॥ २३ ॥ वत्सप्रीते: सुत: प्रांशुस्तत्सुतं प्रमतिं विदु: । खनित्र: प्रमतेस्तस्माच्चाक्षुषोऽथ विविंशति: ॥ २४ ॥

Diṣṭa had a son named Nābhāga (different from the Nābhāga spoken of later). By the duty of his prescribed work he attained the status of a vaiśya. Nābhāga’s son was Bhalandana; from Bhalandana came Vatsaprīti; his son was Prāṁśu; Prāṁśu’s son was Pramati; Pramati’s son was Khanitra; from him came Cākṣuṣa; and his son was Viviṁśati.

Verse 25

विविंशते: सुतो रम्भ: खनीनेत्रोऽस्य धार्मिक: । करन्धमो महाराज तस्यासीदात्मजो नृप ॥ २५ ॥

Viviṁśati’s son was Rambha, and Rambha’s son was the righteous Mahārāja Khanīnetra. O great King, Khanīnetra’s son was King Karandhama.

Verse 26

तस्यावीक्षित् सुतो यस्य मरुत्तश्चक्रवर्त्यभूत् । संवर्तोऽयाजयद् यं वै महायोग्यङ्गिर:सुत: ॥ २६ ॥

From Karandhama came a son named Avīkṣit, and from Avīkṣit came Marutta, who became a cakravartin emperor. The great yogic sage Saṁvarta, son of Aṅgirā, engaged Marutta in performing a sacred yajña.

Verse 27

मरुत्तस्य यथा यज्ञो न तथान्योऽस्ति कश्चन । सर्वं हिरण्मयं त्वासीद् यत् किञ्चिच्चास्य शोभनम् ॥ २७ ॥

No sacrifice could compare to King Marutta’s yajña. All the splendid paraphernalia of that rite was entirely made of gold.

Verse 28

अमाद्यदिन्द्र: सोमेन दक्षिणाभिर्द्विजातय: । मरुत: परिवेष्टारो विश्वेदेवा: सभासद: ॥ २८ ॥

In that yajña, Indra became intoxicated by drinking abundant soma-rasa. The dvija brāhmaṇas received ample dakṣiṇā and were satisfied. The Maruts served the offerings of food, and the Viśvedevas sat as members of the assembly.

Verse 29

मरुत्तस्य दम: पुत्रस्तस्यासीद् राज्यवर्धन: । सुधृतिस्तत्सुतो जज्ञे सौधृतेयो नर: सुत: ॥ २९ ॥

Marutta’s son was Dama; Dama’s son was Rājyavardhana. Rājyavardhana begot Sudhṛti, and Sudhṛti’s son was Nara (Saudhṛteya).

Verse 30

तत्सुत: केवलस्तस्माद् धुन्धुमान्वेगवांस्तत: । बुधस्तस्याभवद् यस्य तृणबिन्दुर्महीपति: ॥ ३० ॥

Nara’s son was Kevala; from Kevala came Dhundhumān, and from him came Vegavān. Vegavān’s son was Budha, and Budha’s son was Tṛṇabindu, who became king of this earth.

Verse 31

तं भेजेऽलम्बुषा देवी भजनीयगुणालयम् । वराप्सरा यत: पुत्रा: कन्या चेलविलाभवत् ॥ ३१ ॥

The foremost Apsarā, the goddess Alambuṣā, accepted Tṛṇabindu—an abode of qualities worthy of worship—as her husband. From her were born several sons and a daughter named Ilavilā.

Verse 32

यस्यामुत्पादयामास विश्रवा धनदं सुतम् । प्रादाय विद्यां परमामृषिर्योगेश्वर: पितु: ॥ ३२ ॥

After receiving the supreme knowledge from his father, the great sage Viśravā, master of mystic yoga, begot in Ilavilā’s womb the celebrated son Kuvera, the giver of wealth.

Verse 33

विशाल: शून्यबन्धुश्च धूम्रकेतुश्च तत्सुता: । विशालो वंशकृद् राजा वैशालीं निर्ममे पुरीम् ॥ ३३ ॥

Tṛṇabindu had three sons—Viśāla, Śūnyabandhu, and Dhūmraketu. Among them, King Viśāla founded a dynasty and built the city called Vaiśālī.

Verse 34

हेमचन्द्र: सुतस्तस्य धूम्राक्षस्तस्य चात्मज: । तत्पुत्रात् संयमादासीत् कृशाश्व: सहदेवज: ॥ ३४ ॥

Viśāla’s son was Hemacandra; his son was Dhūmrākṣa; and his son was Saṁyama, who had two sons—Devaja and Kṛśāśva.

Verse 35

कृशाश्वात् सोमदत्तोऽभूद् योऽश्वमेधैरिडस्पतिम् । इष्ट्वा पुरुषमापाग्र्यां गतिं योगेश्वराश्रिताम् ॥ ३५ ॥ सौमदत्तिस्तु सुमतिस्तत्पुत्रो जनमेजय: । एते वैशालभूपालास्तृणबिन्दोर्यशोधरा: ॥ ३६ ॥

From Kṛśāśva came Somadatta. By performing aśvamedha sacrifices he satisfied Bhagavān Viṣṇu, Lord of all yajñas, and attained the supreme destination reached by great yogīs. Somadatta’s son was Sumati, and Sumati’s son was Janamejaya. These kings of Viśāla’s line duly upheld the renowned glory of Tṛṇabindu.

Verse 36

कृशाश्वात् सोमदत्तोऽभूद् योऽश्वमेधैरिडस्पतिम् । इष्ट्वा पुरुषमापाग्र्यां गतिं योगेश्वराश्रिताम् ॥ ३५ ॥ सौमदत्तिस्तु सुमतिस्तत्पुत्रो जनमेजय: । एते वैशालभूपालास्तृणबिन्दोर्यशोधरा: ॥ ३६ ॥

The son of Kṛśāśva was Somadatta. By performing aśvamedha sacrifices he satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, and by worshiping the Lord he attained the most exalted destination—the abode reached by great mystic yogīs. Somadatta’s son was Sumati, and Sumati’s son was Janamejaya. All these kings of the Viśāla dynasty duly maintained the renowned honor and standing of King Tṛṇabindu.