Adhyaya 6

Verse 1

श्रीशुक उवाच विरूप: केतुमाञ्छम्भुरम्बरीषसुतास्त्रय: । विरूपात् पृषदश्वोऽभूत्तत् पुत्रस्तु रथीतर: ॥ १ ॥

Śrī Śukadeva said: Ambarīṣa had three sons—Virūpa, Ketumān, and Śambhu. From Virūpa came Pṛṣadaśva, and his son was Rathītara.

Verse 2

रथीतरस्याप्रजस्य भार्यायां तन्तवेऽर्थित: । अङ्गिरा जनयामास ब्रह्मवर्चस्विन: सुतान् ॥ २ ॥

Rathītara was without sons, so he entreated the great sage Aṅgirā for progeny. Aṅgirā begot, in the womb of Rathītara’s wife, sons endowed with brahminical potency.

Verse 3

एते क्षेत्रप्रसूता वै पुनस्त्वाङ्गिरसा: स्मृता: । रथीतराणां प्रवरा: क्षेत्रोपेता द्विजातय: ॥ ३ ॥

Born from the womb of Rathītara’s wife, they were known as the line of Rathītara; yet, because they were begotten by Aṅgirā, they were also remembered as the line of Aṅgirā. Among Rathītara’s descendants they were foremost, and by birth were regarded as dvijas, brāhmaṇas.

Verse 4

क्षुवतस्तु मनोर्जज्ञे इक्ष्वाकुर्घ्राणत: सुत: । तस्य पुत्रशतज्येष्ठा विकुक्षिनिमिदण्डका: ॥ ४ ॥

Manu’s son was Ikṣvāku; when Manu sneezed, Ikṣvāku was born from his nostrils. King Ikṣvāku had one hundred sons, among whom Vikukṣi, Nimi, and Daṇḍakā were the most prominent.

Verse 5

तेषां पुरस्तादभवन्नार्यावर्ते नृपा नृप । पञ्चविंशति: पश्चाच्च त्रयो मध्येऽपरेऽन्यत: ॥ ५ ॥

Of those hundred sons, twenty-five became kings in the western part of Āryāvarta, twenty-five in the eastern part; the three principal sons ruled the middle region, and the rest became kings in various other lands.

Verse 6

स एकदाष्टकाश्राद्धे इक्ष्वाकु: सुतमादिशत् । मांसमानीयतां मेध्यं विकुक्षे गच्छ मा चिरम् ॥ ६ ॥

Once, during the aṣṭakā-śrāddha rites, Ikṣvāku commanded his son: “Vikukṣi, go at once to the forest and bring pure flesh fit for the offering; do not delay.”

Verse 7

तथेति स वनं गत्वा मृगान् हत्वा क्रियार्हणान् । श्रान्तो बुभुक्षितो वीर: शशं चाददपस्मृति: ॥ ७ ॥

Saying “So be it,” he went to the forest and slew many animals fit for the rite. But, weary and hungry, the valiant one forgot himself and ate a rabbit he had killed.

Verse 8

शेषं निवेदयामास पित्रे तेन च तद्गुरु: । चोदित: प्रोक्षणायाह दुष्टमेतदकर्मकम् ॥ ८ ॥

Vikukṣi offered the remaining flesh to his father, who handed it to Vasiṣṭha for purification. But Vasiṣṭha at once perceived that a portion had been eaten and declared: “This is defiled and unfit for the śrāddha rite.”

Verse 9

ज्ञात्वा पुत्रस्य तत् कर्म गुरुणाभिहितं नृप: । देशान्नि:सारयामास सुतं त्यक्तविधिं रुषा ॥ ९ ॥

Informed by his guru, the king understood what his son had done and blazed with anger. Thus he ordered Vikukṣi, who had violated the sacred regulations, to leave the kingdom.

Verse 10

स तु विप्रेण संवादं ज्ञापकेन समाचरन् । त्यक्त्वा कलेवरं योगी स तेनावाप यत् परम् ॥ १० ॥

Instructed through dialogue by the great brāhmaṇa Vasiṣṭha, who taught the Absolute Truth, Mahārāja Ikṣvāku became renounced. Following the discipline of a yogī, he gave up his body and attained the supreme perfection.

Verse 11

पितर्युपरतेऽभ्येत्य विकुक्षि: पृथिवीमिमाम् । शासदीजे हरिं यज्ञै: शशाद इति विश्रुत: ॥ ११ ॥

After his father disappeared, Vikukṣi returned and became king, ruling the earth and performing various sacrifices to please Śrī Hari, the Supreme Lord. Later he became renowned by the name Śaśāda.

Verse 12

पुरञ्जयस्तस्य सुत इन्द्रवाह इतीरित: । ककुत्स्थ इति चाप्युक्त: श‍ृणु नामानि कर्मभि: ॥ १२ ॥

The son of Śaśāda was Purañjaya, also known as Indravāha and sometimes as Kakutstha. Hear from me how, by different deeds, he received different names.

Verse 13

कृतान्त आसीत् समरो देवानां सह दानवै: । पार्ष्णिग्राहो वृतो वीरो देवैर्दैत्यपराजितै: ॥ १३ ॥

Formerly there was a devastating, deathlike war between the demigods and the dānava. Defeated by the daityas, the demigods chose the hero Purañjaya as their ally, and through him they conquered the demons; thus he became famed as “Purañjaya.”

Verse 14

वचनाद् देवदेवस्य विष्णोर्विश्वात्मन: प्रभो: । वाहनत्वे वृतस्तस्य बभूवेन्द्रो महावृष: ॥ १४ ॥

By the order of Viṣṇu, the Lord of the gods and Soul of the universe, Indra accepted the role of his carrier and became a great bull. Purañjaya agreed to slay the daityas on the condition that Indra would bear him as his mount.

Verse 15

स सन्नद्धो धनुर्दिव्यमादाय विशिखाञ्छितान् । स्तूयमानस्तमारुह्य युयुत्सु: ककुदि स्थित: ॥ १५ ॥ तेजसाप्यायितो विष्णो: पुरुषस्य महात्मन: । प्रतीच्यां दिशि दैत्यानां न्यरुणत् त्रिदशै: पुरम् ॥ १६ ॥

Armored and eager for battle, Purañjaya took up a divine bow and razor‑sharp arrows. Praised by the devas, he mounted the bull (Indra) and sat upon its hump; thus he became famed as Kakutstha.

Verse 16

स सन्नद्धो धनुर्दिव्यमादाय विशिखाञ्छितान् । स्तूयमानस्तमारुह्य युयुत्सु: ककुदि स्थित: ॥ १५ ॥ तेजसाप्यायितो विष्णो: पुरुषस्य महात्मन: । प्रतीच्यां दिशि दैत्यानां न्यरुणत् त्रिदशै: पुरम् ॥ १६ ॥

Empowered by the splendor of Lord Viṣṇu—the Mahātmā, the Supreme Person and Supersoul—Purañjaya, surrounded by the devas, assaulted the daityas’ stronghold in the western quarter.

Verse 17

तैस्तस्य चाभूत्प्रधनं तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम् । यमाय भल्लैरनयद् दैत्यान् अभिययुर्मृधे ॥ १७ ॥

A tumultuous, hair‑raising battle flared between the daityas and Purañjaya. Any demon bold enough to face him was at once dispatched by his arrows to the abode of Yamarāja.

Verse 18

तस्येषुपाताभिमुखं युगान्ताग्निमिवोल्बणम् । विसृज्य दुद्रुवुर्दैत्या हन्यमाना: स्वमालयम् ॥ १८ ॥

To escape Indravāha’s blazing shower of arrows—like the annihilating fire at the end of an age—the daityas who survived after their army was slain fled swiftly to their own dwellings.

Verse 19

जित्वा पुरं धनं सर्वं सश्रीकं वज्रपाणये । प्रत्ययच्छत् स राजर्षिरिति नामभिराहृत: ॥ १९ ॥

Having conquered the enemy city, the saintly king Purañjaya offered everything—its wealth and even the enemy’s wives—to Indra, bearer of the vajra. Thus, by his varied deeds, he became renowned by various names, including Purañjaya.

Verse 20

पुरञ्जयस्य पुत्रोऽभूदनेनास्तत्सुत: पृथु: । विश्वगन्धिस्ततश्चन्द्रो युवनाश्वस्तु तत्सुत: ॥ २० ॥

Purañjaya’s son was Anenā; Anenā’s son was Pṛthu; Pṛthu’s son was Viśvagandhi; Viśvagandhi’s son was Candra; and Candra’s son was Yuvanāśva.

Verse 21

श्रावस्तस्तत्सुतो येन श्रावस्ती निर्ममे पुरी । बृहदश्वस्तु श्रावस्तिस्तत: कुवलयाश्वक: ॥ २१ ॥

Yuvanāśva’s son was Śrāvasta, who built the town called Śrāvastī Purī. Śrāvasta’s son was Bṛhadaśva, and his son was Kuvalayāśva.

Verse 22

य: प्रियार्थमुतङ्कस्य धुन्धुनामासुरं बली । सुतानामेकविंशत्या सहस्रैरहनद् वृत: ॥ २२ ॥

To please the sage Utaṅka, the greatly powerful Kuvalayāśva slew the asura named Dhundhu, aided by his twenty-one thousand sons.

Verse 23

धुन्धुमार इति ख्यातस्तत्सुतास्ते च जज्वलु: । धुन्धोर्मुखाग्निना सर्वे त्रय एवावशेषिता: ॥ २३ ॥ द‍ृढाश्व: कपिलाश्वश्च भद्राश्व इति भारत । द‍ृढाश्वपुत्रो हर्यश्वो निकुम्भस्तत्सुत: स्मृत: ॥ २४ ॥

O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, for this reason Kuvalayāśva is famed as Dhundhumāra, “the slayer of Dhundhu.” Yet the fire from Dhundhu’s mouth burned all his sons to ashes except three—Dṛḍhāśva, Kapilāśva, and Bhadrāśva. From Dṛḍhāśva came Haryaśva, and Haryaśva’s son is known as Nikumbha.

Verse 24

धुन्धुमार इति ख्यातस्तत्सुतास्ते च जज्वलु: । धुन्धोर्मुखाग्निना सर्वे त्रय एवावशेषिता: ॥ २३ ॥ द‍ृढाश्व: कपिलाश्वश्च भद्राश्व इति भारत । द‍ृढाश्वपुत्रो हर्यश्वो निकुम्भस्तत्सुत: स्मृत: ॥ २४ ॥

O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, thus Kuvalayāśva is praised as Dhundhumāra, “the slayer of Dhundhu.” Yet the fire from Dhundhu’s mouth burned all his sons to ashes except three—Dṛḍhāśva, Kapilāśva, and Bhadrāśva. From Dṛḍhāśva came Haryaśva, and Haryaśva’s son is known as Nikumbha.

Verse 25

बहुलाश्वो निकुम्भस्य कृशाश्वोऽथास्य सेनजित् । युवनाश्वोऽभवत् तस्य सोऽनपत्यो वनं गत: ॥ २५ ॥

Nikumbha’s son was Bahulāśva; Bahulāśva’s son was Kṛśāśva; Kṛśāśva’s son was Senajit; and Senajit’s son was Yuvanāśva. Having no son, Yuvanāśva renounced household life and departed for the forest.

Verse 26

भार्याशतेन निर्विण्ण ऋषयोऽस्य कृपालव: । इष्टिं स्म वर्तयांचक्रुरैन्द्रीं ते सुसमाहिता: ॥ २६ ॥

Though Yuvanāśva entered the forest with his hundred wives, the king and all the queens were heavy with sorrow. The sages there, compassionate to him, carefully and attentively began an Indra-yajña—the Aindrī iṣṭi—so that the king might be blessed with a son.

Verse 27

राजा तद् यज्ञसदनं प्रविष्टो निशि तर्षित: । द‍ृष्ट्वा शयानान् विप्रांस्तान् पपौ मन्त्रजलं स्वयम् ॥ २७ ॥

One night, tormented by thirst, the king entered the sacrificial arena; seeing the brāhmaṇas lying asleep, he himself drank the mantra-sanctified water meant for his wife to drink.

Verse 28

उत्थितास्ते निशम्याथ व्युदकं कलशं प्रभो । पप्रच्छु: कस्य कर्मेदं पीतं पुंसवनं जलम् ॥ २८ ॥

When the brāhmaṇas rose and saw the waterpot empty, they asked, “Who has done this? Who has drunk the puṁsavana water meant for begetting a child?”

Verse 29

राज्ञा पीतं विदित्वा वै ईश्वरप्रहितेन ते । ईश्वराय नमश्चक्रुरहो दैवबलं बलम् ॥ २९ ॥

When the brāhmaṇas understood that the king had drunk the water by the prompting of the Supreme Controller, they offered obeisances to the Lord and exclaimed, “Alas! The power of divine providence is true power—who can oppose the might of the Supreme?”

Verse 30

तत: काल उपावृत्ते कुक्षिं निर्भिद्य दक्षिणम् । युवनाश्वस्य तनयश्चक्रवर्ती जजान ह ॥ ३० ॥

Thereafter, when the proper time had come, from the lower right side of King Yuvanāśva’s abdomen emerged a son—a cakravartī—endowed with all auspicious signs of a mighty ruler.

Verse 31

कं धास्यति कुमारोऽयं स्तन्ये रोरूयते भृशम् । मां धाता वत्स मा रोदीरितीन्द्रो देशिनीमदात् ॥ ३१ ॥

The infant cried bitterly for milk, and the brāhmaṇas, distressed, asked, “Who will nourish this child?” Then Indra, honored in that yajña, came to soothe him; placing his index finger in the baby’s mouth, he said, “Do not cry—drink of me.”

Verse 32

न ममार पिता तस्य विप्रदेवप्रसादत: । युवनाश्वोऽथ तत्रैव तपसा सिद्धिमन्वगात् ॥ ३२ ॥

By the blessing of the saintly brāhmaṇas, Yuvanāśva—the child’s father—did not become a victim of death. Thereafter, in that very place, he performed severe austerities and attained perfection.

Verse 33

त्रसद्दस्युरितीन्द्रोऽङ्ग विदधे नाम यस्य वै । यस्मात् त्रसन्ति ह्युद्विग्ना दस्यवो रावणादय: ॥ ३३ ॥ यौवनाश्वोऽथ मान्धाता चक्रवर्त्यवनीं प्रभु: । सप्तद्वीपवतीमेक: शशासाच्युततेजसा ॥ ३४ ॥

O Parīkṣit, Indra named him “Trasaddasyu” because Rāvaṇa and other thieves and rogues, filled with anxiety, trembled in fear of him. By the mercy of Acyuta, Yuvanāśva’s son Māndhātā became so mighty a cakravartī that he alone ruled the entire world of seven islands, without a second sovereign.

Verse 34

त्रसद्दस्युरितीन्द्रोऽङ्ग विदधे नाम यस्य वै । यस्मात् त्रसन्ति ह्युद्विग्ना दस्यवो रावणादय: ॥ ३३ ॥ यौवनाश्वोऽथ मान्धाता चक्रवर्त्यवनीं प्रभु: । सप्तद्वीपवतीमेक: शशासाच्युततेजसा ॥ ३४ ॥

O Parīkṣit, Indra named him “Trasaddasyu” because Rāvaṇa and other thieves and rogues, filled with anxiety, trembled in fear of him. By the mercy of Acyuta, Yuvanāśva’s son Māndhātā became so mighty a cakravartī that he alone ruled the entire world of seven islands, without a second sovereign.

Verse 35

ईजे च यज्ञं क्रतुभिरात्मविद् भूरिदक्षिणै: । सर्वदेवमयं देवं सर्वात्मकमतीन्द्रियम् ॥ ३५ ॥ द्रव्यं मन्त्रो विधिर्यज्ञो यजमानस्तथर्त्विज: । धर्मो देशश्च कालश्च सर्वमेतद् यदात्मकम् ॥ ३६ ॥

Self-realized Māndhātā performed great sacrifices with many rites and abundant gifts, worshiping Lord Viṣṇu—the transcendent Supreme Soul, the Self of all, in whom all the devas are contained. The offerings, the mantras, the rules, the sacrificer, the priests, the fruit, the place, and the time of sacrifice—all these are His own form.

Verse 36

ईजे च यज्ञं क्रतुभिरात्मविद् भूरिदक्षिणै: । सर्वदेवमयं देवं सर्वात्मकमतीन्द्रियम् ॥ ३५ ॥ द्रव्यं मन्त्रो विधिर्यज्ञो यजमानस्तथर्त्विज: । धर्मो देशश्च कालश्च सर्वमेतद् यदात्मकम् ॥ ३६ ॥

The sacrificial ingredients, the mantras, the procedures, the sacrifice itself, the patron and the priests; and also dharma, place, and time—all of this is the very essence of Bhagavān, for He is the form of every yajña.

Verse 37

यावत् सूर्य उदेति स्म यावच्च प्रतितिष्ठति । तत् सर्वं यौवनाश्वस्य मान्धातु: क्षेत्रमुच्यते ॥ ३७ ॥

All lands from where the sun rises to where it sets are said to be the domain of the celebrated Māndhātā, son of Yuvanāśva.

Verse 38

शशबिन्दोर्दुहितरि बिन्दुमत्यामधान्नृप: । पुरुकुत्समम्बरीषं मुचुकुन्दं च योगिनम् । तेषां स्वसार: पञ्चाशत् सौभरिं वव्रिरे पतिम् ॥ ३८ ॥

In the womb of Bindumatī, daughter of Śaśabindu, King Māndhātā begot three sons—Purukutsa, Ambarīṣa, and Mucukunda, a great yogī. They had fifty sisters, and all of them chose the great sage Saubhari as their husband.

Verse 39

यमुनान्तर्जले मग्नस्तप्यमान: परन्तप: । निर्वृतिं मीनराजस्य द‍ृष्ट्वा मैथुनधर्मिण: ॥ ३९ ॥ जातस्पृहो नृपं विप्र: कन्यामेकामयाचत । सोऽप्याह गृह्यतां ब्रह्मन् कामं कन्या स्वयंवरे ॥ ४० ॥

Saubhari Ṛṣi, subduer of foes, was performing austerities while submerged in the waters of the Yamunā. Seeing a pair of fish engaged in mating and tasting its pleasure, desire arose within him; thus the brāhmaṇa approached King Māndhātā and begged for one daughter. The king replied, “O brāhmaṇa, in the svayaṃvara let any of my daughters choose a husband according to her own will.”

Verse 40

यमुनान्तर्जले मग्नस्तप्यमान: परन्तप: । निर्वृतिं मीनराजस्य द‍ृष्ट्वा मैथुनधर्मिण: ॥ ३९ ॥ जातस्पृहो नृपं विप्र: कन्यामेकामयाचत । सोऽप्याह गृह्यतां ब्रह्मन् कामं कन्या स्वयंवरे ॥ ४० ॥

Saubhari Ṛṣi, immersed in the waters of the Yamunā and engaged in austerity, saw a pair of fish absorbed in mating. Perceiving the pleasure of sensual life, desire arose within him; thus he approached King Māndhātā and begged for one of the king’s daughters. The king replied, “O brāhmaṇa, in the svayaṃvara my daughters may choose a husband according to their own will.”

Verse 41

स विचिन्त्याप्रियं स्त्रीणां जरठोऽहमसन्मत: । वलीपलित एजत्क इत्यहं प्रत्युदाहृत: ॥ ४१ ॥ साधयिष्ये तथात्मानं सुरस्त्रीणामभीप्सितम् । किं पुनर्मनुजेन्द्राणामिति व्यवसित: प्रभु: ॥ ४२ ॥

Saubhari Muni reflected, “I am feeble with old age—my hair is grey, my skin is slack, and my head continually trembles. Moreover, I am a yogī; therefore women do not favor me. Since the king has replied in this way, I shall perfect my body so that even celestial women will desire me—what then to speak of the daughters of earthly kings?”

Verse 42

स विचिन्त्याप्रियं स्त्रीणां जरठोऽहमसन्मत: । वलीपलित एजत्क इत्यहं प्रत्युदाहृत: ॥ ४१ ॥ साधयिष्ये तथात्मानं सुरस्त्रीणामभीप्सितम् । किं पुनर्मनुजेन्द्राणामिति व्यवसित: प्रभु: ॥ ४२ ॥

Saubhari Muni reflected, “I am feeble with old age—my hair is grey, my skin is slack, and my head continually trembles. Moreover, I am a yogī; therefore women do not favor me. Since the king has replied in this way, I shall perfect my body so that even celestial women will desire me—what then to speak of the daughters of earthly kings?”

Verse 43

मुनि: प्रवेशित: क्षत्रा कन्यान्त:पुरमृद्धिमत् । वृत: स राजकन्याभिरेकं पञ्चाशता वर: ॥ ४३ ॥

Thereafter, when Saubhari Muni became youthful and exceedingly handsome, the palace messenger led him into the princesses’ richly opulent quarters. All fifty princesses accepted him as their husband, though he was but one man.

Verse 44

तासां कलिरभूद् भूयांस्तदर्थेऽपोह्य सौहृदम् । ममानुरूपो नायं व इति तद्गतचेतसाम् ॥ ४४ ॥

Thereafter, the princesses, captivated by Saubhari Muni, cast aside their sisterly affection and quarreled among themselves. Each insisted, “This man is fit for me, not for you.” Thus a great discord arose.

Verse 45

स बह्वऋचस्ताभिरपारणीय- तप:श्रियानर्घ्यपरिच्छदेषु । गृहेषु नानोपवनामलाम्भ:- सरस्सु सौगन्धिककाननेषु ॥ ४५ ॥ महार्हशय्यासनवस्त्रभूषण- स्‍नानानुलेपाभ्यवहारमाल्यकै: । स्वलङ्‍कृत स्त्रीपुरुषेषु नित्यदा रेमेऽनुगायद्द्विजभृङ्गवन्दिषु ॥ ४६ ॥

Because Saubhari Muni, the bahvṛca, was expert in flawless mantra-chanting, the splendor of his severe austerities ripened into an opulent household—fine garments and ornaments, well-adorned maidservants and manservants, and many parks with clear-water lakes and fragrant gardens. There, amid the perfume of flowers, birds sang and bees hummed, while professional singers offered their songs. His home abounded in precious beds and seats, bathing arrangements, sandalwood unguents, flower garlands, and delicious dishes. Thus surrounded by such prosperity, the muni delighted in domestic life with his many wives.

Verse 46

स बह्वऋचस्ताभिरपारणीय- तप:श्रियानर्घ्यपरिच्छदेषु । गृहेषु नानोपवनामलाम्भ:- सरस्सु सौगन्धिककाननेषु ॥ ४५ ॥ महार्हशय्यासनवस्त्रभूषण- स्‍नानानुलेपाभ्यवहारमाल्यकै: । स्वलङ्‍कृत स्त्रीपुरुषेषु नित्यदा रेमेऽनुगायद्द्विजभृङ्गवन्दिषु ॥ ४६ ॥

Because Saubhari Muni, the bahvṛca, was expert in flawless mantra-chanting, the splendor of his severe austerities ripened into an opulent household—fine garments and ornaments, well-adorned maidservants and manservants, and many parks with clear-water lakes and fragrant gardens. There, amid the perfume of flowers, birds sang and bees hummed, while professional singers offered their songs. His home abounded in precious beds and seats, bathing arrangements, sandalwood unguents, flower garlands, and delicious dishes. Thus surrounded by such prosperity, the muni delighted in domestic life with his many wives.

Verse 47

यद्गार्हस्थ्यं तु संवीक्ष्य सप्तद्वीपवतीपति: । विस्मित: स्तम्भमजहात् सार्वभौमश्रियान्वितम् ॥ ४७ ॥

Māndhātā, sovereign of the whole world of seven islands, was struck dumb with wonder on seeing Saubhari Muni’s household splendor. Thus he cast off the false pride born of his imperial position.

Verse 48

एवं गृहेष्वभिरतो विषयान् विविधै: सुखै: । सेवमानो न चातुष्यदाज्यस्तोकैरिवानल: ॥ ४८ ॥

Thus Saubhari Muni indulged in many kinds of sense pleasure within household life, yet he was never satisfied—just as a fire will not cease blazing when continually fed with drops of ghee.

Verse 49

स कदाचिदुपासीन आत्मापह्नवमात्मन: । ददर्श बह्वृचाचार्यो मीनसङ्गसमुत्थितम् ॥ ४९ ॥

Thereafter, one day, Saubhari Muni—the bahvṛcācārya skilled in mantra-chanting—sat in seclusion and searched within himself for the cause of his fall. He then perceived that his downfall had arisen simply from associating with the fishes’ sexual affairs.

Verse 50

अहो इमं पश्यत मे विनाशं तपस्विन: सच्चरितव्रतस्य । अन्तर्जले वारिचरप्रसङ्गात् प्रच्यावितं ब्रह्म चिरं धृतं यत् ॥ ५० ॥

Alas, behold my ruin: though I was an austere sage of pure vows, even within the waters I lost the fruit of long penance simply by association with the fishes’ acts of mating.

Verse 51

सङ्गं त्यजेत मिथुनव्रतीनां मुमुक्षु: सर्वात्मना न विसृजेद् बहिरिन्द्रियाणि । एकश्चरन् रहसि चित्तमनन्त ईशे युञ्जीत तद्‍व्रतिषु साधुषु चेत् प्रसङ्ग: ॥ ५१ ॥

One who longs for liberation must wholly abandon the company of those devoted to sexual life and must not let the senses run outward. Living in seclusion, he should bind his mind to the lotus feet of the unlimited Lord; and if he seeks any association, let it be with saints engaged in the same vow.

Verse 52

एकस्तपस्व्यहमथाम्भसि मत्स्यसङ्गात् पञ्चाशदासमुत पञ्चसहस्रसर्ग: । नान्तं व्रजाम्युभयकृत्यमनोरथानां मायागुणैर्हृतमतिर्विषयेऽर्थभाव: ॥ ५२ ॥

At first I was alone, absorbed in yogic austerity; later, by association with fishes engaged in mating, the desire to marry arose. I became the husband of fifty wives and begot a hundred sons in each, so my household grew to five thousand. Bewildered by māyā’s modes, I imagined happiness in sense enjoyment; thus my cravings for pleasure have no end, in this life or the next.

Verse 53

एवं वसन् गृहे कालं विरक्तो न्यासमास्थित: । वनं जगामानुययुस्तत्पत्‍न्य: पतिदेवता: ॥ ५३ ॥

Thus he spent some time in household affairs, but then became detached from material enjoyment. To renounce worldly association he accepted the vānaprastha order and went to the forest. His devoted wives followed, for they had no shelter other than their husband.

Verse 54

तत्र तप्‍त्वा तपस्तीक्ष्णमात्मदर्शनमात्मवान् । सहैवाग्निभिरात्मानं युयोज परमात्मनि ॥ ५४ ॥

In the forest, Saubhari Muni, well versed in the self, performed fierce austerities and attained realization. At life’s end he relinquished his body in fire and ultimately engaged himself in the service of the Supreme Lord, the Paramātmā, Bhagavān.

Verse 55

ता: स्वपत्युर्महाराज निरीक्ष्याध्यात्मिकीं गतिम् । अन्वीयुस्तत्प्रभावेण अग्निं शान्तमिवार्चिष: ॥ ५५ ॥

O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, seeing their husband Saubhari Muni advance in spiritual existence, his wives also, by the power of his spiritual potency, entered the spiritual world—just as flames subside when the fire is extinguished.