Adhyaya 43

Verse 1

सुकलोवाच । एवं ते शूकराः सर्वे युद्धाय समुपस्थिताः । पुरः स्थितस्य ते राज्ञो ह्यवतस्थुश्च लुब्धकाः

Sukala said: Thus all those boars assembled, ready for battle; and the hunters, standing before that king, took their positions.

Verse 2

महावराहो राजेंद्र गिरिसानुं समाश्रितः । महता यूथभावेन व्यूहं कृत्वा प्रतिष्ठति

O king of kings, the great Varāha, having taken refuge on the mountain-slope, forms a vast formation like a mighty herd and takes his stand.

Verse 3

कपिलः स्थूलपीनांगो महादंष्ट्रो महामुखः । दुःसहः शूकरो राजन्गर्जते चातिभैरवम्

O King, a tawny boar—thick and powerfully built, with great tusks and a huge mouth, formidable and hard to withstand—roars with exceedingly terrifying force.

Verse 4

तानपश्यन्महाराजः शालतालवनाश्रयान् । तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा मनुपुत्रः प्रतापवान्

Seeing them dwelling in the groves of śāla and tāla trees, the great king—Manu’s illustrious son—listened to their words.

Verse 5

गृह्यतां शूर वाराहो विध्यतां बलदर्पितः । एवमाभाष्य तान्वीरो मनुपुत्रः प्रतापवान्

“Seize that brave boar; strike down the one intoxicated by his strength and pride!” Thus spoke the heroic and mighty son of Manu, issuing his command.

Verse 6

अथ ते लुब्धकाः सर्वे मृगया मदमोहिताः । संनद्धा दंशिताः सर्वे श्वभिः सार्द्धं प्रजग्मिरे

Then all those hunters, intoxicated and deluded by the thrill of the chase, fully armed and equipped, set out together along with their dogs.

Verse 7

हर्षेण महताविष्टो राजराजो महाबलः । अश्वारूढः सुसैन्येन चतुरंगेण संयतः

Overwhelmed with great joy, the mighty king of kings—possessed of great strength—mounted on horseback and advanced in disciplined formation with his fine fourfold army.

Verse 8

गंगातीरं समायातो मेरौ गिरिवरोत्तमे । रत्नधातुसमाकीर्णे नानावृक्षैरलंकृते

He arrived at the bank of the Gaṅgā, upon Meru—the most excellent of mountains—strewn with jewel-bearing minerals and adorned with many kinds of trees.

Verse 9

सुकलोवाच । यो बलधाम मरीचिचयकरनिकरमयप्रोत्तुंगोऽत्युच्चम् । गगनमेव संप्राप्तो नाना नगाचरितशोभो गिरिराजो भाति

Sukala said: That king of mountains, an abode of strength, towering exceedingly high as though made of clustered filaments of light, rises to a lofty summit and seems to have reached the very sky. It shines in beauty, adorned by the varied movements of beings that roam the mountains.

Verse 10

योजनबहलविमल गंगाप्रवाह समुच्चरत्तीरवीचीतरंगभंगैर्मुक्ताफलसदृशैर्निर्मलांबुकणैः । सर्वत्र प्रक्षालित धवलतलशिलातलोगिरींद्र सुःश्रियायुक्तः

A vast and spotless flow of the Gaṅgā, stretching for yojanas, rises and rushes forth; and from the breaking of the riverbank waves come pure water-drops like pearls. Everywhere the lordly mountain, its bright stone-slabs and surfaces washed clean, appears adorned with splendid beauty.

Verse 11

देवैश्चारणकिन्नरैः परिवृतो गंधर्वविद्याधरैः सिद्धैरप्सरसांगणैर्मुनिजनैर्नागेंद्र विद्याधरैः । श्रीखंडैर्बहुचंदनैस्ससरलैः शालैस्तमालैर्गिरी रुद्रा क्षैर्वरसिद्धिदायकघनैः कल्पद्रुमैः शोभते

It is encircled by the Devas, Cāraṇas, and Kinnaras, by Gandharvas and Vidyādharas; by Siddhas, hosts of Apsarases, companies of Munis, and Nāga-kings among the Vidyādharas. The mountain shines, adorned with śrīkhaṇḍa and abundant candana trees, with sarala, sāla, and tamāla, with rudrākṣa groves that bestow excellent siddhis, and with wish-fulfilling kalpa trees.

Verse 12

नानाधातुविचित्रो वै नानारत्नविचित्रितैः । विमानैः कांचनैर्दंडैः कलत्रैरुपशोभते

Indeed, it is adorned in many ways: with variegated minerals, with vimānas embellished by diverse jewels, with golden staffs, and with consorts, shining in splendid radiance.

Verse 13

नालिकेरवनैर्दिव्यैः पूगवृक्षैर्विराजते । दिव्यपुन्नागबकुलैः कदलीखंडमंडितैः

It shines with divine groves of coconut palms and splendid areca trees, adorned with heavenly punnāga and bakula trees, and beautified by clusters of banana plants.

Verse 14

पुष्पकैश्चंपकैरद्रि पाःटलैः केतकैस्तथा । नानावल्लीवितानैश्च पुष्पितैः पद्मकैस्तथा

And with blossoms—campaka flowers, mountain-born pāṭala blooms, and ketaka too—along with many flowering vine-canopies, and likewise with blossoming padmaka flowers.

Verse 15

नानावर्णैः सुपुष्पैश्च नानावृक्षैरलंकृतः । दिव्यवृक्षैः समाकीर्णः स्फाटिकस्य शिलातलैः

Adorned with many kinds of brightly colored, beautiful flowers and with many kinds of trees, it was filled with celestial trees, and its ground was paved with crystal-like stone slabs.

Verse 16

योगियोगीन्द्र संसिद्धैः कंदरांतर्निवासिभिः । निर्झरैश्चैव रम्यैश्च बहुप्रस्रवणैर्गिरिः

That mountain is graced by perfected sages—masters among yogins—dwelling within its caves, and by lovely waterfalls and many abundant springs.

Verse 17

नदीप्रवाहसंह्रष्टैः संगमैरुपशोभते । ह्रदैश्च पल्वलैः कुंडैर्निर्मलोदकधारिभिः

It is adorned by confluences enlivened by the flow of rivers, and also by lakes, ponds, and sacred water-tanks that carry streams of clear, pure water.

Verse 18

गिरिराजो विभात्येकः सानुभिः सह संस्थितैः । शरभैश्चैव शार्दूलैर्मृगयूथैरलंकृतः

The king of mountains shines forth alone, standing with its ridges; adorned with śarabhas, tigers, and herds of deer.

Verse 19

महामत्तैश्च मातंगैर्महिषैरुरुभिः सदा । अनेकैर्दिव्यभावैश्च गिरिराजो विभाति सः

Ever adorned with mighty elephants intoxicated with vigor and with broad-bodied buffaloes, and with many divine attributes besides, that king of mountains shines in sacred splendor.

Verse 20

अयोध्याधिपतिर्वीर इक्ष्वाकुर्मनुनंदनः । तया सुभार्यया युक्तश्चतुरंगबलेन च

The heroic Ikṣvāku, delight of Manu and ruler of Ayodhyā, accompanied by that virtuous wife and by a fourfold army, set forth.

Verse 21

पुरतो लुब्धका यांति शूराः श्वानश्च शीघ्रगाः । यत्रास्ते शूकरः शूरो भार्यया सहितो बली

In front go the hunters—brave men—and swift-running dogs, to the place where the valiant, powerful boar stands together with his wife.

Verse 22

बहुभिः शूकरैर्गुप्तो गुरुभिः शिशुभिस्ततः । मेरुभूमिं समाश्रित्य गंगातीरं समंततः

Then, protected by many boars and by heavy, full-grown young ones, he took refuge in the land of Meru, all around the bank of the Gaṅgā.

Verse 23

सुकलोवाच । तामुवाच वराहस्तु सुप्रियां हर्षसंयुतः । प्रिये पश्य समायातः कोशलाधिपतिर्बली

Sukala said: Then Varāha, filled with joy, spoke to his beloved Supriyā: “Beloved, look—here has arrived the mighty lord of Kośala.”

Verse 24

मामुद्दिश्य महाप्राज्ञो मृगयां क्रीडते नृपः । युद्धमेव करिष्यामि सुरासुरप्रहर्षकम्

With me as his mark, the supremely wise king sports in the hunt. Truly I shall wage a battle—one that will delight both the devas and the asuras.

Verse 25

अथ भूपो महातेजा बाणपाणिर्धनुर्धरः । सुदेवां सत्यधर्मांगीं तामुवाच प्रहर्षितः

Then the king—radiant with great splendor, arrow in hand and bearing his bow—joyfully spoke to Sudevā, whose very limbs embodied truth and righteousness.

Verse 26

पश्य प्रिये महाकोलं गर्जमानं महाबलम् । परिवारसमायुक्तं दुःसहं मृगघातिभिः

Behold, my beloved—there is the great boar, roaring, immensely powerful, surrounded by its troop, hard to withstand, striking down the wild beasts.

Verse 27

अद्यैवाहं हनिष्यामि सुबाणैर्निशितैः प्रिये । मामेव हि महाशूरो युद्धाय समुपाश्रयेत्

This very day, my dear, I shall strike him down with fine, sharp arrows. Indeed, let that great hero take refuge in me alone for battle.

Verse 28

एवमुक्त्वा प्रियो भार्यां लुब्धकान्वाक्यमब्रवीत् । यथा शूरो महाशूराः प्रेषयध्वं हि शूकरम्

Having spoken thus to his beloved wife, the hunter addressed the hunters: “As brave men—indeed, great heroes—go forth and drive on the boar!”

Verse 29

अथ ते प्रेषिताः शूरा बलतेजः पराक्रमाः । गर्जमानाः प्रधावंति बलतेजः पराक्रमाः

Then those heroes, sent forth and endowed with strength, splendor, and valor, roared aloud and rushed forward, possessed of might, radiance, and prowess.

Verse 30

कोलं प्रतिगताः सर्वे वायुवेगेन सांप्रतम् । विध्यंति बाणजालैस्ते निशितैर्वनचारकाः

All of them have now reached Kola, driven onward with the speed of the wind; those forest-roamers pierce (their foes) with volleys of keen, sharp arrows.

Verse 31

नाना शस्त्रैरथास्त्रैश्च वाराहं वीररूपिणम्

With various weapons and missiles, they assailed Varāha, who had assumed a heroic form.

Verse 32

सुकलोवाच । पतंति बाणतोमरा विमुक्ता लुब्धकैः शरा घनागिरिंप्रवर्षिणो यथातथा धरांतरे । हतो दृढप्रहारिभिः स निर्जितस्ततस्तथा शतैस्तु यूथपालकः स कोलः संगरंगतः

Sukala said: “Arrows and javelins, loosed by the hunters, fell everywhere upon the earth, like a downpour poured from a dense mountain-cloud. Struck by those hard-hitting assailants, he was overcome; and then, surrounded by hundreds, that boar—leader of the herd—was driven into the thick of battle.”

Verse 33

स्वपुत्रपौत्रबांधवैः परांश्च संहरेत्स वै पतंति ते स्वदंष्ट्रया हताहवेऽवलुब्धकाः । पतंति पादहस्तकाः स्थितस्य वेगभ्रामणैः सलुब्धगर्जमेवतं वराहोऽपश्यदागतम्

He struck down others, even along with his own sons, grandsons, and kinsmen. Those greedy ones fell—slain in battle by his own tusk. With the force of his whirling charge, hands and feet went tumbling; and Varāha saw him approaching, roaring fiercely, aflame with lust for combat.

Verse 34

स्वतेजसा विनाशितं मुखाग्रदंष्ट्रया हतं । गतः स यत्र भूपतिः स वांछतेनसंगरम्

Destroyed by his own blazing power and struck down by the bite of the foremost fangs, he went to the place where the king was; yet he did not desire battle.

Verse 35

इक्ष्वाकुनाथं सुमहत्प्रसह्य संत्रास्य क्रुद्धः स हि शूकरेशः । युद्धं वने वांछति तेन सार्द्धमिक्ष्वाकुणा संगरहर्षयुक्तः

Having violently overpowered the great lord of the Ikṣvāku line and terrifying him, the boar-lord became enraged. Filled with the thrill of battle, he longed to fight with Ikṣvāku there in the forest.

Verse 36

वाराहः पुनरेव युद्धकुशलः संवांछते संगरं तुंडाग्रेण सुतीक्ष्णदंतनखरैः क्रुद्धो धरां क्षोभयन् । हुंकारोच्चारगर्वात्प्रहरति विमलं भूपतिं तं च राजञ्ज्ञात्वा विष्णुपराक्रमं मनुसुतस्त्वानन्दरोमांचितः

O King, Varāha, once more skilled in battle, longs for combat. With the tip of his snout and with exceedingly sharp tusks and claws, enraged, he shakes the earth. Proud in his roaring cry, he strikes that spotless lord of the earth, Vimala; and the son of Manu, recognizing Viṣṇu’s mighty prowess, is thrilled—his body bristling with joy.

Verse 37

दृष्ट्वा शूकरपौरुषं यमतुलं मेने पतिर्वावराड्देवारिं मनसा विचिन्त्य सहसा वाराहरूपेण वै । संप्रेक्ष्यैव महाबलं बहुतरं युक्तं त्वरेर्वारणं सैन्यं कोलविनाशनाय सहसा संगृह्य संगृह्यताम्

Seeing the boar’s prowess—matchless as Yama’s—the lord of Vāvarāḍ, enemy of the devas, swiftly reflected and indeed assumed the form of Varāha. Observing that the foe’s army was exceedingly great and mighty, he hastily commanded: “Let the forces be gathered—gathered at once—for the destruction of the boar!”

Verse 38

प्रेषिताश्च वारणा रथाश्च वेगवत्तराः सुबाणखड्गधारिणो भुशुंडिभिश्च मुद्गरैः । सपाशपाणिलुब्धका नदंति तत्र तत्परा निवारितो न तिष्ठतो हयागजाश्च यद्गताः

Elephants and chariots were dispatched at great speed—men bearing fine arrows and swords, armed with bhūśuṇḍis and clubs. There the hunters, holding nooses in their hands, shouted eagerly; and the horses and elephants, once set in motion, did not stand still even when restrained.

Verse 39

क्वचित्क्वचिन्न दृश्यते क्वचित्क्वचित्प्रदृश्यते क्वचिद्भयं प्रदर्शयेत्क्वचिद्धयान्प्रमर्दयेत्

In some places it is not seen, and in other places it becomes visible. Somewhere it displays fear, and elsewhere it crushes its foes.

Verse 40

मर्दयित्वा भटान्वीरान्वाराहो रणदुर्जयः । शब्दं चकारदुर्धषं क्रोधारुणविलोचनः

Having crushed the heroic warriors, the Boar—invincible in battle—uttered a fearsome roar, his eyes reddened with anger.

Verse 41

कोशलाधिपतिर्वीरस्तं दृष्ट्वा रणदुर्जयम् । युध्यमानं महाकायं मुचंतं मेघवत्स्वनम्

Seeing that invincible warrior, the heroic lord of Kośala—fighting on, huge-bodied, and roaring like a thundercloud—(responded accordingly).

Verse 42

गर्जतिसमरं विचरति विलसति वीरान्स्वतेजसा धीरः । तडिदिव मुखेषु दंष्ट्रा तस्य विभात्युल्लसत्येव

The steadfast hero roars in battle, moves about, and shines among the warriors by the power of his own splendor. In his mouth his fangs gleam—flashing forth like lightning.

Verse 43

इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे भूमिखंडे वेनोपाख्याने सुकलाचरित्रे । त्रयश्चत्वारिंशत्तमोऽध्यायः

Thus ends the forty-third chapter, “Sukalā’s narrative,” within the Vena episode, in the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa of the revered Padma Purāṇa.

Verse 44

नरपतिरुवाच सैन्याः किमिह न गृह्णंतु ओजसा शूराः । युध्यध्वं तत्र निशितैर्बाणैस्तीक्ष्णैरनेनापि

The king said: “Soldiers—why do the valiant not seize him here by force? Fight there with sharp, keen arrows—against him as well!”

Verse 45

समाकर्ण्य ततो वाक्यं क्रुद्धस्यापि महात्मनः । ततस्ते सैनिकाः सर्वे युद्धाय समुपस्थिताः

Hearing the words of that great-souled one—even though he was angry—all those soldiers assembled at once, ready for battle.

Verse 46

अनेकैर्भटसाहस्रैर्वने तं समरे स्थितम् । दिक्षु सर्वासु संहत्य बिभिदुः शूकरं रणे

In the forest, thousands of soldiers—closing in from every direction—attacked and pierced that boar as it stood firm in battle.

Verse 47

विद्धश्च कैश्चित्तदा बाणजालैः सुयोधैश्च संग्रामभूमौ विशालैः । क्वचिच्चक्रघातैः क्वचिद्वज्रपातैर्हतं दुर्जयं संगरे तं महांतैः

Then, on that vast battlefield, some excellent warriors pierced him with volleys of arrows; in places he was struck by the blow of a discus, and in places by the crashing fall of a thunderbolt—thus, in the fight, the great ones slew that hard-to-conquer foe.

Verse 48

ततः पौरुषैः क्रोधयुक्तः स कोलः सुविच्छिद्य पाशान्रणे प्रस्थितः सः । महाशूकरैः सार्धमेव प्रयातस्ततः शोणितस्यापि धाराभिषिक्तः

Then that boar, his manly prowess kindled into wrath, cleanly cut through the nooses and set out for battle. Going forth together with the great boars, he was thereafter drenched by streams of blood as well.

Verse 49

करोति प्रहारं च तुंडेन वीरहयानां द्विपानां च चिच्छेद वीरः । स्वदंष्ट्राग्रभागेन तीक्ष्णेन वीरान्पदातीन्हि संपातयेद्रोषभावैः

The hero strikes with his beak, cutting down the war-horses and elephants; and with the sharp tip of his own tusks, in wrath, he makes the brave foot-soldiers fall.

Verse 50

जघानास्य शुंडं गजस्यापि रुष्टो भटान्हतान्पादनखैस्तु हृष्टः

Enraged, he struck down even the elephant’s trunk; and, delighted, he slew the soldiers with the nails of his feet.

Verse 51

ततस्ते शूकराः सर्वे लुब्धकाश्च परस्परम् । युयुधुः संगरं कृत्वा क्रोधारुणविलोचनाः

Then all those boars—hunters as well—fought one another, having entered battle, their eyes reddened with anger.

Verse 52

लुब्धकैश्च हताः कोलाः कोलैश्चापि सुलुब्धकाः । निहताः पतिता भूमौ क्षतजेनापि सारुणाः

Boars were slain by the hunters, and the hunters—most covetous—were in turn slain by the boars. Struck down, they fell upon the ground, reddened with the blood of their wounds.

Verse 53

जीवं त्यक्त्वा हताः कोलैर्लुब्धकाः पतिता रणे । मृताश्च शूकरास्तत्र श्वानः प्राणांश्च तत्यजुः

Having lost their lives, the hunters were slain by boars and fell in the fray. There too the boars died, and the dogs likewise gave up their lives.

Verse 54

यत्रयत्र मृता भूमौ पतिता मृगघातकाः । बहवः शूकरा राज्ञा खड्गपातैर्निपातिताः

Wherever, upon the ground, the slayers of deer fell dead, many boars too were struck down there by the king with blows of his sword.

Verse 55

कति नष्टा हताः कोला भीता दुर्गेषु संस्थिताः । कुंजेषु कंदरांतेषु गुहांतेषु नृपोत्तम

How many boars have perished or been slain—frightened and taking refuge in forts, in thickets, in the recesses of caves, and in hidden caverns, O best of kings!

Verse 56

लुब्धकाश्च मृताः केचिच्छिन्ना दंष्ट्राग्रसूकरैः । प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा गताः स्वर्गं खंडशो विदलीकृताः

Some greedy men were killed—torn apart by boars with sharp tusks. Their lives ended, they went to heaven, though their bodies were split and shattered into pieces.

Verse 57

वागुराः पाशजालाश्च कुटकाः पंजरास्तथा । नाड्यश्च पतिता भूमौ यत्रतत्र समंततः

Bird-nets, noose-nets, traps, cages, and also snares lay fallen on the ground, scattered here and there on every side.

Verse 58

एको दयितया सार्धं वाराहः परितिष्ठति । पौत्रकैः पंचसप्तभिर्युद्धार्थं बलदर्पितः

One boar, together with his beloved, stood his ground—puffed up with the pride of strength—ready for battle along with five or seven grandsons.

Verse 59

तमुवाच तदा कांतं शूकरं शूकरी पुनः । गच्छ कांत मयासार्द्धमेभिस्तु बालकैः सह

Then the sow again spoke to her beloved boar: “Come, my dear—go with me, along with these young ones.”

Verse 60

प्राह प्रीतो वराहस्तां विवस्तां सुप्रियामिति । क्व गच्छामि प्रभग्नोहं स्थानं नास्ति महीतले

Pleased, Varāha said to his beloved, who stood unclad: “You are now free, my dear.” (She replied:) “Where shall I go? I am shattered—there is no place for me upon the earth.”

Verse 61

मयि नष्टे महाभागे कोलयूथं विनंक्ष्यति । द्वयोश्च सिंहयोर्मध्ये जलं पिबति शूकरः

If I, the fortunate one, am destroyed, the herd of boars will perish. A pig can drink water only when it stands between two lions.

Verse 62

द्वयोः शूकरयोर्मध्ये सिंहो नैव पिबत्यपः । एवं शूकरजातीषु दृश्यते बलमुत्तमम्

Between two boars even a lion does not drink water; thus, among the boar-kind, supreme strength is seen.

Verse 63

तदहं नाशयाम्येव यदा भग्नो व्रजाम्यहम् । जाने धर्मं महाभागे बहुश्रेयोविधायकम्

Therefore I will surely destroy it when, having been defeated, I depart. O greatly fortunate one, I know the Dharma that brings many kinds of welfare and the highest good.

Verse 64

कस्माल्लोभाद्भयाद्वापि युध्यमानः प्रणश्यति । रणतीर्थं परित्यज्य सस्यात्पापी न संशयः

If, while engaged in battle, one perishes through greed or fear, then—having forsaken the sacred duty-field of battle—he becomes sinful; of this there is no doubt.

Verse 65

निशितं शस्त्रसंव्यूहं दृष्ट्वा हर्षं प्रगच्छति । अवगाह्यामरीं सिंधुं तीर्थपारं प्रगच्छति

Seeing a sharp array of weapons, he is filled with joy; plunging into the ‘deathless’ river Sindhu, he reaches the far shore of the sacred ford (tīrtha).

Verse 66

स याति वैष्णवं लोकं पुरुषांश्च समुद्धरेत् । समायांतं च तदहं कथं भग्नो व्रजामि वै

He attains the Vaiṣṇava realm and even uplifts other people. But if he returns again—how can I, disgraced as I am, go back there?

Verse 67

योधनं शस्त्रसंकीर्णं प्रवीरानन्ददायकम् । दृष्ट्वा प्रयाति संहृष्टस्तस्य पुण्यफलं शृणु

Seeing a battlefield strewn with weapons—one that gladdens heroic warriors—he departs filled with joy. Now hear the meritorious fruit of that.

Verse 68

पदेपदे महत्स्नानं भागीरथ्याः प्रजायते । रणाद्भग्नो गृहं याति यो लोभाच्च प्रिये शृणु

At every step, great merit arises, equal to bathing in the Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā). And, O beloved, listen: one who, out of greed, turns back from the battlefield and goes home is called ‘defeated in war.’

Verse 69

मातृदोषं प्रकाशेत स्त्रीजातः परिकथ्यते । अत्र यज्ञाश्च तीर्थाश्च अत्र देवा महौजसः

It is said that a woman reveals the faults of her mother. Here are the yajñas and the sacred tīrthas; here dwell the gods of great splendor.

Verse 70

पश्यंति कौतुकं कांते मुनयः सिद्धचारणाः । त्रैलोक्यं वर्तते तत्र यत्र वीरप्रकाशनम्

O beloved, the sages—along with the Siddhas and Cāraṇas—behold that wondrous spectacle. Indeed, the very three worlds are, as it were, present there where heroic radiance is revealed.

Verse 71

समराद्भग्नं प्रपश्यंति सर्वे त्रैलोक्यवासिनः । शपंति निर्घृणं पापं प्रहसन्ति पुनःपुनः

Seeing him broken in battle, all the inhabitants of the three worlds look on; they repeatedly curse that cruel sinner and laugh again and again.

Verse 72

दुर्गतिं दर्शयेत्तस्य धर्मराजो न संशयः । सम्मुखः समरे युद्धे स्वशिरः शोणितं पिबेत्

For him, Dharmarāja (Yama) will surely show a wretched fate—there is no doubt. And if he faces the foe head-on in battle, in the fight he would drink the blood from his own head.

Verse 73

अश्वमेधफलं भुंक्ते इंद्रलोकं प्रगच्छति । यदा जयति संग्रामे शत्रूञ्छूरो वरानने

When a brave man conquers his enemies in battle, O fair-faced one, he enjoys the merit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice and proceeds to Indra’s world.

Verse 74

तदा प्रभुंजते लक्ष्मीं नानाभोगान्न संशयः । यदा तत्र त्यजेत्प्राणान्सम्मुखः सन्निराश्रयः

Then, without doubt, he enjoys Lakṣmī—prosperity and manifold comforts. And when, there itself, he relinquishes the life-breath, facing the sacred Presence and without any other refuge, he attains the supreme end.

Verse 75

स गच्छेत्परमं स्थानं देवकन्यां प्रभुंजते । एवं धर्मं विजानामि कथं भग्नो व्रजाम्यहम्

He would go to the supreme abode and enjoy the company of a celestial maiden. Thus do I understand dharma—so how can I, broken in spirit, go on?

Verse 76

अनेन समरे युद्धं करिष्ये नात्र संशयः । मनोः पुत्रेण धीरेण राज्ञा इक्ष्वाकुणा सह

With him I shall fight in this battle—of this there is no doubt—together with the steadfast King Ikṣvāku, the son of Manu.

Verse 77

डिंभान्गृहीत्वा याहि त्वं सुखं जीव वरानने । तस्य श्रुत्वा वचः प्राह बद्धाहं तव बंधनैः

“Take the child and go; live happily, O fair-faced one.” Hearing his words, she replied, “I am bound—bound by your bonds.”

Verse 78

स्नेहमानरसाख्यैश्च रतिक्रीडनकैः प्रिय । पुरतस्ते सुतैः सार्द्धं प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्यामि मानद

O beloved—amid affection, wounded pride, sweet intimacy, and playful love-sports—I shall give up my life here before you, together with your sons, O giver of honor.

Verse 79

एवमेतौ सुसंभाष्य परस्परहितैषिणौ । युद्धाय निश्चितौ भूत्वा समालोकयतो रिपून्

Thus, after speaking well—each seeking the other’s welfare—those two resolved upon battle and began to look upon their enemies.

Verse 80

कोशलाधिपतिं वीरं तमिक्ष्वाकुं महामतिम्

That heroic Ikṣvāku—ruler of Kośala—was a man of great wisdom.

Verse 81

यथैव मेघः परिगर्जते दिवि प्रावृट्सुकालेषु तडित्प्रकाशैः । तथैव संगर्जति कांतया समं समाह्वयेद्राजवरं खुराग्रैः

Just as a cloud roars across the sky in the rainy season, flashing with lightning, so too he thundered together with his beloved, and with the sharp tips of his hooves he summoned the best of kings.

Verse 82

तं गर्जमानं ददृशे महात्मा वाराहमेकं पुरुषार्थयुक्तम् । ससार अश्वस्य जवेनयुक्तः ससम्मुखं तस्य नृवीरधीरः

The great-souled hero saw that lone Boar, roaring, endowed with purposeful might; and the steadfast, valiant man charged straight toward it, swift with the speed of his horse.