Adhyaya 216

Verse 1

अपना बछ। है २ >> षोडशाधिकद्विशततमो< ध्याय: वर्गाकी प्रार्थनासे अर्जुनका शेष चारों अप्सराओंको भी शापमुक्त करके मणिपूर जाना और चित्रांगदासे मिलकर गोकर्णतीर्थको प्रस्थान करना वर्गोवाच ततो वयं प्रव्यथिता: सर्वा भारतसत्तम | अयाम शरणं विप्रं तं तपोधनमच्युतम्‌

The Apsarās said: “O best of the Bharata line! Hearing the brāhmaṇa’s curse, we were all deeply shaken and distressed. Therefore we all approached that brāhmaṇa—rich in ascetic power—seeking his protection, so that we might not fall away from dharma.”

Verse 2

रूपेण वयसा चैव कन्दर्पेण च दर्पिता: । अयुक्तं कृतवत्य: स्म क्षन्तुमहसि नो द्विज

Vaiśampāyana said: “O Brahmin, intoxicated with our beauty, our youth, and the power of desire, we committed an improper act. You should forgive us for our offense.”

Verse 3

एष एव वधोडस्माकं सुपर्याप्तस्तपोधन | यद्‌ वयं संशितात्मानं प्रलोब्धुं त्वामिहागता:,“तपोधन! हमारा तो पूर्णरूपसे यही मरण हो गया कि हम आप-जैसे शुद्धात्मा मुनिको लुभानेके लिये यहाँ आयीं

Vaiśampāyana said: “O ascetic rich in austerity, this indeed is our complete ruin—fully sufficient as our ‘death’—that we have come here to entice you, a self-controlled and purified sage.”

Verse 4

अवध्यास्तु स्त्रिय: सृष्टा मन्यन्ते धर्मचारिण: । तस्माद्‌ धर्मेण वर्ध त्वं नास्मान्‌ हिंसितुमहसि

“Those who walk in dharma hold that women were created as not to be slain. Therefore, grow in dharma; you ought not to harm us.”

Verse 5

सर्वभूतेषु धर्मज्ञ मैत्रो ब्राह्मण उच्यते । सत्यो भवतु कल्याण एष वादो मनीषिणाम्‌

Vaiśampāyana said: “O knower of dharma, a brāhmaṇa is described as one who bears friendliness toward all living beings. O noble one, may this saying of the wise prove true.”

Verse 6

शरणं च प्रपन्नानां शिष्टा: कुर्वन्ति पालनाम्‌ । शरणं त्वां प्रपन्ना: स्मस्तस्मात्‌ त्वं क्षन्तुमहसि

“The noble and righteous protect those who have sought refuge. We too have come to you for shelter; therefore you ought to forgive our offence.”

Verse 7

वैशग्पायन उवाच एवमुक्त: स धर्मात्मा ब्राह्मण: शुभकर्मकृत्‌ । प्रसादं कृतवान्‌ वीर रविसोमसमप्रभ:

Vaiśampāyana said: Thus addressed, that righteous-souled brāhmaṇa—one who performed auspicious deeds, radiant like the sun and the moon—showed his favor, O hero.

Verse 8

ब्राह्मण उवाच शतं शतसहसंर॑ तु सर्वमक्षय्यवाचकम्‌ | परिमाणं शतं त्वेतन्नेदमक्षय्यवाचकम्‌

The Brahmin said: “The expressions ‘a hundred’ and ‘a hundred-thousand’ can, in common usage, function as figures for the innumerable. But here, the ‘hundred’ I have stated is meant strictly as a measured quantity—one hundred (years) in extent—and not as a word indicating endless time.”

Verse 9

यदा च वो ग्राहभूता गृह्नन्ती: पुरुषाउ्जले । उत्कर्षति जलात्‌ तस्मात्‌ स्थलं पुरुषसत्तम:

When you, having become crocodile-like beings, seize men in the water, then—at that time—a most excellent man will pull you up out of the water onto dry land. Upon that deliverance, you will regain your divine forms. And know this: I have never spoken falsehood, not even in jest—so this assurance is to be trusted.

Verse 10

तदा यूय॑ पुनः सर्वाः स्वं रूप॑ प्रतिपत्स्यथ । अनृतं नोक्तपूर्व मे हसतापि कदाचन

The brāhmaṇa said: “Then all of you will once again regain your own true (divine) form. I have never spoken an untruth before— not even in jest at any time.”

Verse 11

तानि सर्वाणि तीर्थानि ततः प्रभृति चैव ह | नारीतीर्थानि नाम्नेह ख्यातिं यास्यन्ति सर्वश: । पुण्यानि च भविष्यन्ति पावनानि मनीषिणाम्‌

“From that time onward, all those sacred fords will, in this world, become widely renowned by the very name ‘Women’s Tīrthas.’ They will also become meritorious places of pilgrimage—purifying even for discerning sages.”

Verse 12

वर्गोवाच ततो<भिवाद्य तं विप्र॑ कृत्वा चापि प्रदक्षिणम्‌ । अचिन्तयामो<पसृत्य तस्माद्‌ देशात्‌ सुदु:ःखिता:

The group said: “O Bhārata, then, having bowed to that brāhmaṇa and having also circumambulated him in reverence, we departed from that place in deep distress. We began to reflect: ‘Where should we go to live, so that within a short time we may find that man who will restore us to our former state?’”

Verse 13

क्व नु नाम वयं सर्वा: कालेनाल्पेन तं नरम्‌ | समागच्छेम यो नस्तद्‌ रूपमापादयेत्‌ पुनः

The Brahmin women said: “Where indeed should we all go, so that in a short time we may meet that man who could restore us again to our former form?”

Verse 14

ता वयं चिन्तयित्वैव मुहूर्तादिव भारत । दृष्टवत्यो महाभागं देवर्षिमुत नारदम्‌,भरतश्रेष्ठ! हमलोग दो घड़ीसे इस प्रकार सोच-विचार कर ही रही थीं कि हमको महाभाग देवर्षि नारदजीका दर्शन प्राप्त हुआ

O Bhārata, while we were still reflecting in this way for a short while, we were granted the sight of the illustrious divine seer Nārada.

Verse 15

सम्प्रहृष्टा: सम तं दृष्टवा देवर्षिममितद्युतिम्‌ । अभिवाद्य च त॑ पार्थ स्थिता: सम व्रीडितानना:

Seeing that divine seer of immeasurable radiance, we were filled with joy. After offering him respectful salutations, O Pārtha, we stood there with faces lowered in modesty and bashfulness.

Verse 16

स नो<पृच्छद्‌ दुःखमूलमुक्तवत्यो वयं च तम्‌ । श्रुत्वा तत्र यथावृत्तमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्‌,फिर उन्होंने हमारे दु:खका कारण पूछा और हमने उनसे सब कुछ बता दिया। सारा हाल सुनकर वे इस प्रकार बोले--

He asked us about the root cause of our sorrow, and we, having been questioned, told him everything. Having heard there, in full, exactly what had happened, he then spoke these words—

Verse 17

दक्षिणे सागरानूपे पञ्च तीर्थानि सन्ति वै । पुण्यानि रमणीयानि तानि गच्छत मा चिरम्‌,“दक्षिण समुद्रके तटके समीप पाँच तीर्थ हैं, जो परम पुण्यजनक तथा अत्यन्त रमणीय हैं। तुम सब उन्हीमें चली जाओ, देर न करो

The brāhmaṇa said: “On the southern seashore there are indeed five sacred fords—holy and delightful. Go to those places at once; do not delay.”

Verse 18

तत्राशु पुरुषव्याप्र: पाण्डवेयो धनंजय: । मोक्षयिष्यति शुद्धात्मा दुःखादस्मान्न संशय:

“There, without delay, Dhanaṃjaya Arjuna—the Pāṇḍava, foremost among men and pure in spirit—will come and release us from this sorrow; of this there is no doubt.” The speaker declares unwavering faith that Arjuna’s dharmic strength will end their suffering, portraying him as a moral deliverer rather than merely a warrior.

Verse 19

तस्य सर्वा वयं वीर श्रुत्वा वाक्यमिहागता: । तदिदं सत्यमेवाद्य मोक्षिताहं त्वयानघ

O hero, having heard his words, all of us have come here. And today that statement has indeed proved true: O sinless one, you have truly released me from the curse.

Verse 20

एतास्तु मम ता: सख्यश्चतस्रो5न्या जले श्रिता: । कुरु कर्म शुभं वीर एता: सर्वा विमोक्षय,ये मेरी चार सखियाँ और हैं, जो अभी जलनमें ही पड़ी हैं। वीरवर! आप यह पुण्य कर्म कीजिये; इन सबको शापसे छुड़ा दीजिये

The brāhmaṇa said: “These are my companions—four others—who are still lodged in the water. O hero, perform this auspicious deed; release them all from the curse.”

Verse 21

वैशम्पायन उवाच ततस्ता: पाण्डवश्रेष्ठ: सर्वा एव विशाम्पते । तस्माच्छापाददीनात्मा मोक्षयामास वीर्यवान्‌

Vaiśampāyana said: Then, O lord of the people, the mighty Arjuna—the foremost of the Pāṇḍavas, compassionate at heart—released all those apsarases from that curse.

Verse 22

उत्थाय च जलात्‌ तस्मात्‌ प्रतिलभ्य वपु: स्वकम्‌ । तास्तदाप्सरसो राजन्नदृश्यन्त यथा पुरा,राजन! उस जलसे ऊपर निकलकर फिर अपना पूर्वस्वरूप प्राप्त कर लेनेपर वे अप्सराएँ उस समय पहलेकी भाँति दिखायी देने लगीं

Vaiśampāyana said: “Rising up from that water and regaining their own former bodies, those Apsarases, O King, then became visible again just as they had been before.”

Verse 23

तीर्थानि शोधयित्वा तु तथानुज्ञाय ता: प्रभु: । चित्राड्दां पुनर्द्रष्ट मणिपूरं पुनर्ययां

Vaiśampāyana said: Having duly purified the sacred fords (tīrthas) and then granting those apsarases leave as was proper, the mighty Arjuna set out once more for Maṇipūra, wishing to see Citrāṅgadā again.

Verse 24

तस्यामजनयत्‌ पुत्र राजानं बभ्रुवाहनम्‌ | त॑ दृष्टवा पाण्डवो राजंश्रित्रवाहनमब्रवीत्‌

In her, the king begot a son named Babhruvāhana. Seeing that child, the Pāṇḍava Arjuna addressed King Citravāhana, setting the stage for a conversation about lineage, duty, and rightful succession.

Verse 25

चित्राड़दाया: शुल्कं त्वं गृहाण बभ्रुवाहनम्‌ । अनेन च भविष्यामि ऋणान्मुक्तो नराधिप,“महाराज! इस बश्रुवाहनको आप चित्रांगदाके शुल्करूपमें ग्रहण कीजिये, इससे मैं आपके ऋणसे मुक्त हो जाऊँगा”

Vaiśampāyana said: “O king, accept Babhruvāhana as the bride-price for Citrāṅgadā. By this act I shall be freed from my debt to you.”

Verse 26

चित्राड्भदां पुनर्वाक्यमब्रवीत्‌ पाण्डुनन्दन: । इह वै भव भद्रें ते वर्धेधा बभ्रुवाहनम्‌

Vaiśampāyana said: Then the son of Pāṇḍu again spoke to Citrāṅgadā: “Stay here indeed, auspicious lady; may you nurture and raise Babhruvāhana.”

Verse 27

इन्द्रप्रस्थनिवासं मे त्वं तत्रागत्य रंस्पसि । कुन्तीं युधिष्ठिरं भीम॑ भ्रातरौ मे कनीयसौ

Vaiśampāyana said: “You will come to my dwelling at Indraprastha and live there in happiness. When you arrive, you will have the chance to see Mother Kuntī, Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīmasena, and my two younger brothers as well.”

Verse 28

आगत्य तत्र पश्येथा अन्यानपि च बान्धवान्‌ । बान्धवै: सहिता: सर्वर्नन्दसे त्वमनिन्दिते

Vaiśampāyana said: “When you come there, you will see not only them but other kinsmen as well. Surrounded by all your relatives, O blameless lady, you will rejoice.”

Verse 29

धर्मे स्थित: सत्यधृति: कौन्तेयो5थ युधिष्ठिर: । जित्वा तु पृथिवीं सर्वा राजसूयं करिष्यति,“सदा धर्मपर स्थित रहनेवाले सत्यवादी कुन्तीनन्दन महाराज युधिष्ठिर सारी पृथ्वीको जीतकर राजसूययज्ञ करेंगे

Vaiśampāyana said: “Steadfast in dharma and firm in his vow of truth, Kuntī’s son Yudhiṣṭhira will, after conquering the entire earth, perform the Rājasūya sacrifice.”

Verse 30

तत्रागच्छन्ति राजान: पृथिव्यां नृपसंज्ञिता: | बहूनि रत्नान्यादाय आगमिष्यति ते पिता,“उस समय वहाँ भूमण्डलके नरेशनामधारी सभी राजा आयेंगे। तुम्हारे पिता भी बहुत- से रत्नोंकी भेंट लेकर उस समय उपस्थित होंगे

Vaiśampāyana said: “Then the kings of the earth—those renowned as rulers—will come there. Your father too will arrive at that time, bringing many precious gifts.”

Verse 31

एकसार्थ प्रयातासि चित्रवाहनसेवया । द्रक्ष्यामि राजसूये त्वां पुत्र पालय मा शुचः

Vaiśampāyana said: “Go along with that same caravan, for the purpose of serving Citravāhana. I shall see you at the Rājasūya sacrifice. For now, care for the child, and do not grieve.”

Verse 32

बभ्रुवाहननाम्ना तु मम प्राणो महीचर: । तस्माद्‌ भरस्व पुत्र वै पुरुषं वंशवर्धनम्‌

“He who bears the name Babhrūvāhana is, as it were, my very life dwelling upon this earth. Therefore, dear son, you must rear and protect this child—this noble man who will increase and sustain our lineage.”

Verse 33

चित्रवाहनदायादं धर्मात्‌ पौरवनन्दनम्‌ | पाण्डवानां प्रियं पुत्रं तस्मात्‌ पालय सर्वदा

Vaiśampāyana said: “This child is, by dharma, the heir of Citravāhana; yet by his very person he brings joy to the Paurava line. Therefore, always protect him—this beloved son of the Pāṇḍavas.”

Verse 34

विप्रयोगेन संतापं मा कृथास्त्वमनिन्दिते । चित्राड़दामेवमुक्त्वा गोकर्णममभितो5गमत्‌,“सती-साध्वी प्रिये! मेरे वियोगसे तुम संतप्त न होना।” चित्रांगदासे ऐसा कहकर अर्जुन गोकर्णतीर्थकी ओर चल दिये

Vaiśampāyana said: “Blameless one, do not give way to grief because of our separation.” Having spoken thus to Citrāṅgadā, Arjuna set out toward the sacred tīrtha of Gokarṇa.

Verse 35

आद्य॑ पशुपते: स्थान दर्शनादेव मुक्तिदम्‌ । यत्र पापो5पि मनुज: प्राप्नोत्यभयदं पदम्‌

Vaiśampāyana said: “This primeval abode of Paśupati grants liberation by mere sight. Even a sinful person, upon reaching that place, attains the fearless state.”

Verse 216

इति श्रीमहाभारते आदिपर्वण्यर्जुनवनवासपर्व ण्यर्जुनतीर्थयात्रायां षोडशाधिकद्विशततमो<5ध्याय:

Thus ends the two-hundred-and-sixteenth chapter of the Ādi Parva of the Śrī Mahābhārata, within the section on Arjuna’s exile in the forest, specifically the account of Arjuna’s pilgrimage to sacred fords.