Dialogue of Father and Son (Pitṛputra-saṃvāda) — Mohinī Episode

Verse 1

वसिष्ठ उवाच । विमोच्य पातकाद्राजा गृहगोधां हसन्निव । उवाच मोहिनीं हृष्टः शीघ्रमारुह्यतां हयः ॥ १ ॥

Vasiṣṭha said: Having freed the king from sin, the sage smiled as though laughing at the house-lizard; then, delighted, he addressed Mohinī: “Mount the horse quickly.”

Verse 2

योजनायुतगामी च क्षणात्कृष्णहयो यथा । तदाकर्ण्य वचो राज्ञो मोहिनी मदलालसा ॥ २ ॥

Like a dark steed that can traverse ten thousand yojanas in a moment, so swift was the effect. Hearing the king’s words, Mohinī—eager for intoxicating delight—was stirred.

Verse 3

आरुरोह समं भर्त्रा तं हयं वातवेगिनम् । उवाच च वचो भूपं भर्तारं चारुहासिनी ॥ ३ ॥

Mounting that wind-swift horse together with her husband, the fair-smiling lady then spoke words to the king—her husband.

Verse 4

प्रचोदयेममर्वाणं स्वपुराय महीपते । पुत्रवक्त्रं स्पृहा द्रष्टुं लंपटा तव वर्तते ॥ ४ ॥

O king, urge this swift horse toward your own city. Within you has arisen a passionate longing to behold your son’s face.

Verse 5

तवाधीना नृपश्रेष्ठ गम्यतां यत्र ते मनः । मोहिन्या वचनं श्रुत्वा तप्रस्थे नगरं प्रति ॥ ५ ॥

“O best of kings, I am under your command—go wherever your heart desires.” Hearing the words of Mohinī, the enchantress, he then set out toward the city.

Verse 6

पश्यमानः सुसंहृष्टः पादपान्पर्वतान्नदीः । वनानि सुविचित्राणि मृगान्बहुविधानपि ॥ ६ ॥

He beheld, greatly delighted, trees, mountains, and rivers—forests wondrously varied—and animals of many kinds as well.

Verse 7

ग्रामान्दुर्गांस्तथा देशान्नगराणि शुभानि च । सरांसि च विचित्राणि भूभागान्सुमनोहरान् ॥ ७ ॥

He beheld villages, forts, and regions, and auspicious cities too; also wondrous lakes and tracts of land exceedingly beautiful.

Verse 8

अचिरेणाश्रमं दृष्ट्वा वामदेवस्य भूपते । आकाशस्थो महीपालो नमस्कृत्य त्वरान्वितः ॥ ८ ॥

O king, before long the ruler of the earth, remaining aloft in the sky, beheld the āśrama of Vāmadeva; and, having bowed in reverence, he proceeded with haste.

Verse 9

पुनरेव ययौ राजा वायुवेगेन वाजिना । पश्यमानो बहून्देशान्धनधान्यसमन्वितान् ॥ ९ ॥

Then the king set out again, borne by a horse swift as the wind, beholding many regions endowed with wealth and abundant grain.

Verse 10

आससाद पुरं राजा वैदिशं स्ववशं च तत् । तमायांतं नृपं श्रुत्वा चारैर्द्धर्मांगदः सुतः ॥ १० ॥

The king reached the city of Vaidīśa and brought it under his own rule. Hearing from his spies that the monarch was drawing near, Dharmāṅgada’s son also made ready to respond.

Verse 11

पितरं हर्षसंयुक्तो भूपालान्वाक्यमब्रवीत् । एषा प्रकारशमायाति उदीची दिङ् नृपोत्तमाः ॥ ११ ॥

Filled with joy, he spoke to the kings in his father’s presence: “O best of rulers, in this very manner one reaches the northern quarter, Udīcī.”

Verse 12

मत्पितुर्वाजिनाक्रांता तत्तेजः परिरंजिता । तस्माद्गच्छामहे सर्वे संमुखं ह्यवनीपतेः ॥ १२ ॥

That land has been trampled by my father’s horse and, as it were, dyed in the radiance of its blazing tejas. Therefore let us all go forth and present ourselves before the king of this realm.

Verse 13

पितुरागतमात्रस्य संमुखं न सुतो व्रजेत् । स याति नरकं घोरं यावदिंद्राश्चतुर्द्दशा ॥ १३ ॥

When his father has only just arrived, a son should not go at once to face him directly. If he does so, he falls into a dreadful hell for as long as fourteen Indras endure.

Verse 14

संमुखं व्रजमानस्य पुत्रस्य पितरं प्रति । पदे पदे यज्ञफलं प्रोचुः पौराणिका द्विजाः ॥ १४ ॥

As the son went forward to meet his father, the brāhmaṇas learned in the Purāṇas declared that with every single step he gained merit equal to that of a yajña, a sacred sacrifice.

Verse 15

उत्तिष्ठध्वं व्रजाम्येष भवद्भिः परिवारितः । अभिवादयितुं प्रेम्णा एष मे देवदेवता ॥ १५ ॥

“Rise up! Now I go, surrounded by you all, to offer loving salutations—this is my Lord, the God of gods.”

Verse 16

तथोत्युक्तैस्तुतैः सर्वैर्भूमिपालैर्नृपात्मजः । जगाम संमुखं पद्भ्यां क्रोशमात्रं पितुस्तदा ॥ १६ ॥

Thus addressed and praised by all the kings, the prince then went forward on foot to meet his father, covering about a krośa’s distance.

Verse 17

ततो राजसहस्रेण मूर्तिमानिव मन्मथः । स गत्वा दूरमध्वानमाससादनृपं पथि ॥ १७ ॥

Then, accompanied by a thousand kings—like Kāma (Manmatha) himself embodied—he traveled a long distance and met the king upon the road.

Verse 18

संप्राप्य पितरं स्त्रेहाज्जगाम धरणीं तदा । शिरसा राजभिः सार्द्धं प्रणाममकरोत्तदा ॥ १८ ॥

Having met his father, and moved by affection, he then went to the ground; together with the kings, he bowed down, placing his head in reverence.

Verse 19

प्रेम्णा समागतं प्रक्ष्य तं पतन्तं नृपैः सह । अवरुह्य हयाद्राजा समुत्थाप्य सुतं विभो ॥ १९ ॥

Seeing him approach with affection, and then seeing him fall down together with the other kings, the king dismounted from his horse and, O Lord, lifted up his son.

Verse 20

भुजाभ्यां साधु पीनाभ्यां पर्यष्वंजत भूपतिः । मूर्ध्नि चैवमुपाघ्राय उवाच तनयं तदा ॥ २० ॥

With his strong, well-built arms, the king embraced his son warmly; then, in affection, he smelled the boy’s head and spoke to him.

Verse 21

कच्चित्पासि प्रजाः सर्वाः कच्चिद्दण्डयसे रिपून् । न्यायागतेन वित्तेन कोशं पुत्र बिभर्षि च ॥ २१ ॥

My son, do you truly protect all your subjects? Do you punish your enemies as is proper? And do you sustain the royal treasury with wealth gained by lawful and just means?

Verse 22

कच्चिद्विप्रेष्वत्यधिका वृत्तिर्दत्तानपायिनी । कच्चित्ते कांतशीलत्वं कच्चिद्वक्ताः न निष्ठुरम् ॥ २२ ॥

Is the generous support you give to the brāhmaṇas abundant and unfailing? Do you have a pleasing, gracious nature—and when you speak, are your words never harsh?

Verse 23

कच्चिद्गावो न दुह्यन्ते पुत्र चांडलवेश्मानि । कच्चिद्वचनकर्तारस्तनयाश्च पितुः सदा ॥ २३ ॥

My son, are the cows milked without hindrance, and are even the homes of the Caṇḍālas duly cared for? And are the sons always obedient, ever doers of their father’s word?

Verse 24

कच्चिद्वधूः श्वश्रूवाक्ये वर्तते भर्तरि क्वचित् । कच्चिद्विवादान्विप्रेस्तु समं नेक्षस आत्मज ॥ २४ ॥

Does the young bride conduct herself according to her mother-in-law’s counsel and remain devoted to her husband? And, my son, do you regard disputes among the brāhmaṇas with impartiality?

Verse 25

कच्चिद्गावो न रुध्यंते विषये विविधैस्तृणैः । तुलामानानि सर्वाणि ह्यन्नादीनां सदेक्षसे ॥ २५ ॥

In your realm, are the cows not shut up, but allowed to graze upon many kinds of grass? And do you rightly oversee all weights and measures for foodgrains and other goods?

Verse 26

कुटुंबिनं करैः पुत्र नात्यर्थमभिदूयसे । कच्चिन्न द्यूतपानादि वर्तते विषये तव ॥ २६ ॥

My son, do you refrain from burdening householders with excessive taxes and exactions? And tell me—do gambling, drinking, and the like find any place within your realm?

Verse 27

कच्चिद्भिन्नरसैर्लोका भिन्नवाक्यैः पुरे तव । न दानैर्जीर्णवस्त्रैश्च नोपजीवंति मानवाः ॥ २७ ॥

In your city, though people differ in tastes and in speech, do they still live without having to subsist on alms and cast-off garments?

Verse 28

कच्चिदृष्ट्वा स्वयं पुत्र हस्त्यश्वं परिरक्षसि । कच्चिच्च मातरः सर्वा ह्यविशेषेण पश्यसि ॥ २८ ॥

My son, do you personally see to the safeguarding of the elephants and horses? And do you care for all mothers alike, without making any distinction?

Verse 29

कच्चिन्न वासरे विष्णोर्नरा भुंजंति पुत्रक । शशिनि क्षीणतां प्राप्ते कच्चिच्छ्राद्धपरो नरः ॥ २९ ॥

My child, on the day sacred to Viṣṇu, do people abstain from eating in holy restraint? And when the Moon wanes in the dark fortnight, does a man remain devoted to performing the śrāddha rites?

Verse 30

कच्चिच्चापररात्रेषु सदा निद्रां विमुंचसि । निद्रा मूलमधर्मस्य निद्रा पापविवर्द्धिनी ॥ ३० ॥

Do you indeed always forsake sleep in the latter part of the night? Sleep is the very root of adharma; sleep makes sin increase.

Verse 31

निद्रा दारिद्यजननी निद्रा श्रेयोविनाशिनी । नहि निद्रान्वितो राजा चिरं शास्ति वसुंधराम् ॥ ३१ ॥

Sleep gives birth to poverty; sleep destroys prosperity and well-being. A king overcome by sleep does not rule the earth for long.

Verse 32

पुंश्चलीव सदा भर्तुर्लोकद्वयविनाशिनी । एवमुच्चरमाणं तं तनयो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ ३२ ॥

“Like a wanton woman—ever destructive of her husband—she brings ruin to both worlds.” As he was uttering these words, his son spoke to him.

Verse 33

धर्मांगदो महीपालं प्रणम्य च पुनः पुनः । सर्वमेतत्कृतं तात पुनः कर्तास्मि ते वचः ॥ ३३ ॥

Dharmāṅgada, repeatedly bowing to the king, said: “Father, all this has been done. I shall again carry out your command.”

Verse 34

पितुर्वचनकर्तारः पुत्रा धन्या जगत्त्रये । किं ततः पातकं राजन्यो न कुर्यात्पितुर्वचः ॥ ३४ ॥

Sons who carry out their father’s words are blessed in all the three worlds. Then what sin could there be, O king, if a man of the royal order does not act against his father’s command?

Verse 35

पितृवाक्यमनादृत्य व्रजेत्स्नातुं त्रिमार्गगाम् । न तत्तीर्थफलं भुंक्ते यो न कुर्यात्पितुर्वचः ॥ ३५ ॥

He who disregards his father’s command and goes to bathe at the sacred tīrtha where the three paths meet does not partake of that tīrtha’s fruit, if he does not carry out his father’s word.

Verse 36

त्वदधीनं शरीरं मे त्वदधीनं हि जीवितम् । त्वदधीनो हि मे धर्मस्त्वं च मे दैवतं परम् ॥ ३६ ॥

My body depends on you; indeed, my very life depends on you. My dharma too depends on you, and you are my supreme deity.

Verse 37

त्रैलोक्यस्यापि दानेन न शुद्ध्येत ऋणात्सुतः । किं पुनर्देहवित्ताभ्यां केशदानादिभिर्विभो ॥ ३७ ॥

Even by gifting away the wealth of the three worlds, a son born under debt would not be purified of that debt—how much less, O Lord, by offerings of one’s body or property, such as donating one’s hair and the like.

Verse 38

एवं ब्रुवाणं तनयं बहुभूपालसंवृतम् । रुक्मांगदः परिष्वज्य पुनराह सुतं वचः । सत्यमेतत्त्वया पुत्र व्याहृतं धर्मवेदिना ॥ ३८ ॥

As his son spoke thus, surrounded by many kings, Rukmāṅgada embraced him and again addressed him: “True indeed is what you have declared, my son—spoken by one who knows Dharma.”

Verse 39

पितुरभ्यधिकं किंचिद्दैवतं न सुतस्य हि । देवाः पराङ्मुखास्तस्य पितरं योऽवमन्यते ॥ ३९ ॥

For a son, there is no deity whatsoever higher than his father. The gods turn away from the one who dishonors his father.

Verse 40

सोऽहं मूर्ध्नात्वया पुत्र धृतस्तत्क्षितिरक्षणात् । जित्वा द्वीपवतीं पृथ्वीं बहुभूपालसंवृताम् ॥ ४० ॥

Therefore, my son, for the protection of the Earth you bore me upon your head. Having conquered this island-continent Earth, encompassed by many kings, you upheld me thus.

Verse 41

एतत्सौख्यं परं लोके एतत्स्वर्गपदं ध्रुवम् । पितुरभ्यधिकः पुत्रो यद्भवेत्क्षितिमंडले ॥ ४१ ॥

This indeed is the highest happiness in this world; this is the certain station of heaven—when, upon the earth, a son is born who surpasses his father.

Verse 42

सोऽहं पुत्र कृतार्थस्तु कृतः सद्गुणवर्त्मना । त्वया साधयता भूपान्यथा हरिदिनं शुभम् ॥ ४२ ॥

Thus, my son, I have been fulfilled—made successful by the path of good qualities—because you have brought kings to accomplishment, and you have also ensured the auspicious observance of Hari’s sacred day.

Verse 43

तत्पितुर्वचनं श्रुत्वा पुत्रो धर्मांगदोऽब्रवीत् । क्क गतस्तु भवांस्तात निवेश्य मयि संपदः ॥ ४३ ॥

Hearing his father’s words, the son Dharmāṅgada replied: “Father, where are you going, after entrusting all your wealth to me?”

Verse 44

कस्मिन्स्थाने त्वियं प्राप्ता सूर्यायुतसमप्रभा । मन्ये निर्वेदमापन्न इमां सृष्ट्वा प्रजापतिः ॥ ४४ ॥

O radiant one, whose splendor equals ten thousand suns—at what place have you arrived? I think that Prajāpati (the Creator), having created this world, has fallen into dispassion.

Verse 45

नैतद्रूपा महीपालनारी त्रैलोक्यमध्यतः । मन्ये भूधरजातेयमथवा सागरोद्भवा ॥ ४५ ॥

Within the three worlds, I think there is no king’s consort who bears such a form. I deem her born of a mountain—or else arisen from the ocean.

Verse 46

माया वा मयदैत्यस्य प्रमदारूपसंस्थिता । अहो सुनिपुणो धाता येनेयं निर्मिता विभो । बालाग्रशतभागो हि व्यलीको नोपपद्यते ॥ ४६ ॥

This may be the māyā of the demon Maya, taking form as a woman. Ah—how exquisitely skillful is the Creator, O Lord, by whom she has been fashioned: not even a hundredth part of the tip of a hair can be found false in her.

Verse 47

इयं हि योग्या कनकावदाता गृहाय तुभ्यं जगतीपतीश । एवं विधा मे जननी यदि स्यात्कोऽन्योऽस्ति मत्तः सुकृती मनुष्यः ॥ ४७ ॥

This woman is indeed fit—golden and radiant—for your household, O Lord, ruler of the world. If such a woman were to become my mother, then what other man could be more fortunate than I?

Verse 48

इति श्रीबृहन्नारदीयपुराणोत्तरभागे मोहिनीचरिते पितापुत्रसंवादो नाम पञ्चदशोऽध्यायः ॥ १५ ॥

Thus ends the fifteenth chapter, called “The Dialogue of Father and Son,” in the Mohinī episode, in the Uttara-bhāga of the Śrī Bṛhannāradīya Purāṇa.