Shloka 8

Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)

Devanagari script

एत॑ दोषं पुरा दृष्टवा भार्गवश्ष्यवनस्तदा । आगामिन॑ महाबुद्धि: स्ववंशे मुनिसत्तम:

Translation

Bhishma said: “In ancient times, Cyavana, the son of Bhṛgu, perceived this fault beforehand. That foremost of sages, vast in wisdom, knew that through a connection with a maiden of Kuśika’s line a great taint of Kṣatriya nature would enter his own lineage. Knowing this, he silently weighed in his mind all merits and demerits, strength and weakness. Then, desiring to reduce the entire Kuśika clan to ashes, Cyavana—rich in austerities—went to King Kuśika and spoke thus: ‘O sinless king, for some time a wish has arisen in my heart to dwell with you.’”

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच