Adhyaya 43

Verse 1

अगस्तिरुवाच । दिवोदासं नरपतिं कथं देवस्त्रिलोचनः । काशीं संत्याजयामास कथमागाच्च मंदरात् । एतदाख्यानमाख्याहि श्रोतॄणां प्रमुदे भगोः

Agastya said: How did the three-eyed Lord come to abandon Kāśī because of King Divodāsa? And how did he return from Mandara? Please narrate this sacred account for the delight of the listeners, O revered one.

Verse 2

स्कंद उवाच । मंदरं गतवान्देवो ब्रह्मणो वाक्य गौरवात् । तपसा तस्य संतुष्टो मंदरस्यैव भूभृतः

Skanda said: The Lord went to Mandara out of reverence for Brahmā’s command. And the mountain Mandara itself became pleased with him through his austerity.

Verse 3

गते विश्वेश्वरे देवे मंदरं गिरिसुंदरम् । गिरिशेन समं जग्मुरपि सर्वे दिवौकसः

When Viśveśvara, the Lord, went to Mandara—the beautiful mountain—all the gods too went along with Giriśa.

Verse 4

क्षेत्राणि वैष्णवानीह त्यक्त्वा विष्णुरपि क्षितेः । प्रयातो मंदरं यत्र देवदेव उमाधवः

Abandoning the Vaiṣṇava sacred places upon the earth, Viṣṇu too departed for Mandara, where the God of gods, Umādhava (Śiva with Umā), was present.

Verse 5

स्थानानि गाणपत्यानि गणेशोपि ततो व्रजत् । हित्वाहमपि विप्रेंद्र गतवान्मंदरं प्रति

Then even Gaṇeśa departed, abandoning the Gāṇapatya shrines; and I too, O best of brahmins, left and went toward Mount Mandara.

Verse 6

सूरः सौराणि संत्यज्य गतश्चायतनादरम् । स्वंस्वं स्थानं क्षितौ त्यक्त्वा ययुरन्येपि निर्जराः

Sūrya too departed, forsaking the Saura sanctuaries and their revered abodes; and other immortals likewise left behind their respective stations upon the earth.

Verse 7

गतेषु देवसंघेषु पृथिव्याः पृथिवीपतिः । चकार राज्यं निर्द्वंद्वं दिवोदासः प्रतापवान्

When the hosts of gods had departed, Divodāsa—the mighty lord of the earth—ruled the kingdom without rivalry or disturbance.

Verse 8

विधाय राजधानीं स वाराणस्यां सुनिश्चलाम् । एधां चक्रे महाबुद्धिः प्रजाधर्मेण पालयन्

Establishing an unshakable capital in Vārāṇasī, that great-minded king made it flourish, protecting the people according to the dharma of righteous governance.

Verse 9

सूर्यवत्स प्रतपिता दुर्हृदां हृदि नेत्रयोः । सोमवत्सुहृदामासीन्मानसेषु स्वकेष्वऽपि

Like the sun, he scorched the hearts and eyes of the ill-willed; like the moon, he dwelt coolly within the minds of friends and his own well-wishers.

Verse 10

अखंडमाखंडलवत्कोदंडकलयन्रणे । पलायमानैरालोकिशत्रुसैन्यबलाहकैः

Unbroken and irresistible like Indra, he brandished the bow in battle; and the clouds of the enemy’s armies were seen scattering in flight.

Verse 11

स धर्मराजवज्जातो धर्माधर्मविवेचकः । अदंड्यान्मण्डयन्राजा दंड्यांश्च परिदंडयन्

Born like Dharma-rāja himself, the king discerned right from wrong—honoring those who deserved no punishment, and firmly chastising those who did.

Verse 12

धनंजय इवाधाक्षीत्परारण्यान्यनेकशः । पाशीव पाशयांचक्रे वैरिचक्रं विदूरगः

Like Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), he overran many hostile forests; and like a wielder of the noose, he ensnared the circles of enemies—even from afar.

Verse 13

सोभूत्पुण्यजनाधीशो रिपुराक्षसवर्धनः । जगत्प्राणसमानश्च जगत्प्राणनतत्परः

He became a lord among the virtuous, an augmenter of the ruin of enemy rākṣasas; like the very life-breath of the world, he was devoted to sustaining the world’s life.

Verse 14

राजराजः स एवाभूत्सर्वेषां धनदः सताम् । स एव रुद्रमूर्तिश्च प्रेक्षिष्ट रिपुभी रणे

He alone became the king of kings, the giver of wealth to all the righteous; and in battle he appeared as Rudra incarnate, terrifying to his foes.

Verse 15

विश्वेषां स हि देवानां तपसा रूपधृग्यतः । विश्वेदेवास्ततस्तं तु स्तुवंति च भजंति च

For among all the gods, he is the one who—by the power of austerity (tapas)—has attained the very splendour of divine form. Therefore the Viśvedevās praise him and continually worship and serve him.

Verse 16

असाध्यः स हि साध्यानां वसुभ्यो वसुनाधिकः । ग्रहाणां विग्रहधरो दस्रतोऽजस्ररूपभाक्

He is beyond even the Sādhyas, greater than the Vasus. Among the grahas that seize and influence, he bears the power of embodied control; ever-helpful, he possesses unceasing forms.

Verse 17

मरुद्गणानगणयंस्तुषितांस्तोषयन्गुणैः । सर्वविद्याधरो यस्तु सर्वविद्याधरेष्वपि

He counts and commands the hosts of the Maruts; by his virtues he delights the Tuṣitas. He is the bearer of all knowledges, pre-eminent even among the Vidyādharas themselves.

Verse 18

अगर्वानेव गंधर्वान्यश्चक्रे निजगीतिभिः । ररक्षुर्यक्षरक्षांसि तद्दुर्गं स्वर्गसोदरम्

By his own songs he made even the Gandharvas humble. And Yakṣas and Rākṣasas guarded that fortress, like a sibling of heaven itself.

Verse 19

नागानागांसि चक्रुश्च तस्य नागबलीयसः । दनुजामनुजाकारं कृत्वा तं च सिषेविरे

Even the Nāgas became as “non-Nāgas” before him—subdued and compliant—for his might surpassed the strength of serpents. And the Dānavas, assuming human form, attended upon him in service.

Verse 20

जाता गुह्यचरा यस्य गुह्यकाः परितो नृषु । संसेविष्यामहे राजन्नसुरास्त्वां स्ववैभवैः

For him the Guhyakas move as hidden wanderers among men. “O King, we Asuras too will attend upon you, with our own resources and powers.”

Verse 21

वयं यतस्त्वद्विषये सुरावासोऽपि दुर्लभः । अशिक्षयत्क्षितिपतेरिह यस्य तुरंगमान् । आशुगश्चाशुगामित्वं पावमाने पथिस्थितः

For in your realm, even dwelling among the gods is hard for us to attain. Here he trained the king’s horses; and, stationed upon the path of the Purifier—the wind—he became swift, and a bestower of swiftness.

Verse 22

अगजान्यस्य तु गजान्नगवर्ष्मसुवर्ष्मणः । अजस्र दानिनो दृष्ट्वा भवन्नन्येपि दानिनः

From the lord whose body is like a mountain—splendid in form—elephants were born. Beholding his ceaseless generosity, others too become givers.

Verse 23

सदोजिरे च बोद्धारो योद्धारश्चरणाजिरे । न यस्य शास्त्रैर्विजिता न शस्त्रैः केनचित्क्वचित्

In his very courtyard there are ever wise counsellors and valiant warriors. None of his people are defeated by anyone, anywhere—neither by scriptures (learning and policy) nor by weapons.

Verse 24

न नेत्रविषये जाता विषये यस्यभूभृतः । सदा नष्टपदा द्वेष्यास्तदाऽनष्टपदाः प्रजाः

In the dominion of that king, no hostile one arises within the range of sight. The hateful are ever stripped of foothold; therefore the subjects remain secure, never losing their rightful place.

Verse 25

कलावानेक एवास्ति त्रिदिवेपि दिवौकसाम् । तस्य क्षोणिभृतः क्षोण्यां जनाः सर्वे कलालयाः

Even in the threefold heaven, among the gods there is only one truly endowed with excellence; but on earth, under that sovereign who bears the burden of the land, all people become abodes of accomplishment.

Verse 26

एक एव हि कामोस्ति स्वर्गे सोप्यंगवर्जितः । सांगोपांगाश्च सर्वेषां सर्वे कामा हि तद्भुवि

In heaven there is indeed only a single kind of enjoyment—and even that is incomplete; but in that realm on earth, for everyone all desired enjoyments are found, complete with every part and accessory.

Verse 27

तस्योपवर्तनेप्येको न श्रुतो गोत्रभित्क्वचित् । स्वर्गे स्वर्गसदामीशो गोत्रभित्परिकीर्तितः

In his domain, not even a single ‘Gotrabhit’—one who breaks the order of lineage—is ever heard of; whereas in heaven, the lord of the heavenly assembly is celebrated as Gotrabhit, the lineage-splitter.

Verse 28

क्षयी च तस्य विषये कोप्याकर्णि न केनचित् । त्रिविष्टपे क्षपानाथः पक्षेपक्षे क्षयीष्यते

In his realm no one ever hears of any ‘waning’ at all; but in Triviṣṭapa (heaven) the lord of the night—the Moon—wanes fortnight after fortnight.

Verse 29

नाके नवग्रहाः संति देशास्तस्याऽनवग्रहाः

In heaven the nine planetary powers abide; but in his land the regions are free from the affliction and obstruction wrought by the grahas.

Verse 30

हिरण्यगर्भः स्वर्लोकेप्येक एव प्रकाशते । हिरण्यगर्भाः सर्वेषां तत्पौराणामिहालयाः

In the heavenly realm Hiraṇyagarbha (Brahmā) alone shines as the One; but here, in the dwellings of all those citizens, ‘hiraṇyagarbhas’—abundance and splendor—are found everywhere.

Verse 31

सप्ताश्व एकः स्वर्लोके नितरां भासतेंऽशुमान् । सदंशुकाः प्रतिदिनं बह्वश्वास्तत्पुरौकसः

In heaven the radiant Sun—the ‘seven-horsed one’—shines alone; but the residents of that city possess shining garments day after day, and many horses as well.

Verse 32

सदप्सरा यथास्वर्भूस्तत्पुर्यपिसदप्सराः । एकैव पद्मा वैकुंठे तस्य पद्माकराः शतम्

Just as heaven has its ever-present apsarases, so too that city has ever-present apsarases; in Vaikuṇṭha there is only one Padmā, but for him there are a hundred lotus-lakes.

Verse 33

अनीतयश्च तद्ग्रामानाराजपुरुषाः क्वचित् । गृहेगृहेत्र धनदा नाक एकोऽलकापतिः

In those villages there are no injustices, and nowhere are there oppressive royal officers; here, in house after house, there is wealth—whereas in heaven there is only one lord of Alakā, Kubera, as the giver of riches.

Verse 34

दिवोदासस्य तस्यैवं काश्यां राज्यं प्रशासतः । गतं वर्षं दिनप्रायं शरदामयुताष्टकम्

Thus, as Divodāsa ruled the kingdom in Kāśī, time passed—almost with the swiftness of a single day—eight myriads of autumns, that is, eighty thousand years.

Verse 35

गीर्वाणा विप्रतीकारमथ तस्य चिकीर्षवः । गुरुणा मंत्रयांचक्रुर्धर्मवर्त्मानुयायिनः

Then the gods, wishing to devise a countermeasure against him, took counsel with their preceptor—those who profess to follow the path of dharma.

Verse 36

भवादृशामिव मुने प्रायशो धर्मचारिणाम् । विबुधा विदधत्येव महतीरापदांततीः

O sage, for those who live by dharma—especially ones like you—the gods themselves often bring about a great succession of hardships.

Verse 37

यद्यप्यसौ धराधीशो व्याधिनोद्दुर्धराध्वरैः । तानध्वरभुजोऽत्यंतं तथापि सुहृदो न ते

Although that lord of the earth was assailed by grievous afflictions brought on by arduous sacrificial rites, those “eaters of sacrifices” were still not his true well-wishers.

Verse 38

स्वभाव एव द्युसदां परोत्कर्षासहिष्णुता । बलि बाण दधीच्याद्यैरपराद्धं किमत्र तैः

It is indeed the very nature of the dwellers in heaven to be unable to endure another’s excellence. What wonder is there, then, that they offended Bali, Bāṇa, Dadhīci, and others?

Verse 39

अंतराया भवंत्येव धर्मस्यापि पदेपदे । तथापि न निजो धर्मो धर्मधीभिर्विमुच्यते

Obstacles arise at every step—even in the pursuit of dharma; yet those wise in dharma do not abandon their own righteous path.

Verse 40

अधर्मिणः समेधंते धनधान्यसमृद्धिभिः । अधर्मादेव च परं समूलं यांत्यधोगतिम्

The unrighteous may flourish with wealth and grain; yet through adharma alone they ultimately fall—root and all—into a downward fate.

Verse 41

प्रजाः पालयतस्तस्य पुत्रानिव निजौरसान् । रिपुंजयस्य नाल्पोपि बभूवाधर्मसंग्रहः

As he protected his subjects like his own true-born sons, in Ripuṃjaya there arose not even the slightest accumulation of unrighteousness.

Verse 42

षाड्गुण्यवेदिनस्तस्य त्रिशक्त्यूर्जितचेतसः । चतुरोपायवित्तस्य न रंध्रं विविदुः सुराः

The gods could find no vulnerability in him—one who knew the sixfold royal policy, whose mind was strengthened by the three powers, and who understood the four political means.

Verse 43

बुद्धिमंतोपि विबुधा विप्रतीकर्तुमुद्यताः । मनागपि न संशेकुरपकर्तुं तदीशितुः

Though intelligent, the gods—eager to oppose—did not dare even slightly to harm his sovereignty.

Verse 44

एकपत्नीव्रताः सर्वे पुमांसस्तस्य मंडले । नारीषु काचिन्नैवासीदपतिव्रतधर्मिणी

In his realm, all men kept the vow of one wife; and among the women, none was found who strayed from the dharma of fidelity to her husband.

Verse 45

अनधीतो न विप्रोभूदशूरोनैव बाहुजः । वैश्योनभिज्ञो नैवासीदर्थोपार्जनकर्मसु

In that realm, no Brāhmaṇa was unlearned, no Kṣatriya lacked valor, and no Vaiśya was ignorant of the duties of acquiring and sustaining wealth—each order steadfast in its own dharma.

Verse 46

अनन्यवृत्तयः शूद्रा द्विजशुश्रूषणं प्रति । तस्य राष्ट्रे समभवन्दिवोदासस्य भूपतेः

In King Divodāsa’s kingdom, the Śūdras adhered to a single livelihood—service to the twice-born—steadfast and orderly in their appointed duty.

Verse 47

अविप्लुत ब्रह्मचर्यास्तद्राष्ट्रे ब्रह्मचारिणः । नित्यं गुरुकुलाधीना वेदग्रहणतत्पराः

In that kingdom, the brahmacārins kept their celibate discipline unbroken—ever dwelling under the guru’s household and intent upon receiving and retaining the Veda.

Verse 48

आतिथ्यधर्मप्रवणा धर्मशास्त्रविचक्षणाः । नित्यसाधुसमाचारा गृहस्थास्तस्य सर्वतः

Everywhere in his realm, the householders were devoted to the dharma of hospitality, skilled in the teachings of Dharmaśāstra, and constant in the conduct of the virtuous.

Verse 49

तृतीयाश्रमिणो यस्मिन्वनवृत्तिकृतादराः । निःस्पृहा ग्रामवार्तासु वेदवर्त्मानुसारिणः

There, those in the third āśrama (vānaprasthas) reverently honored the forest-dwelling way of life, were without craving for village affairs, and followed the path laid down by the Veda.

Verse 50

सर्वसंगविनिर्मुक्ता निर्मुक्ता निष्परिग्रहाः । वाङ्मनःकर्मदंडाढ्या यतयो यत्र निःस्पृहाः

There, the ascetics were freed from all attachments—released, without possessions—rich only in the discipline of speech, mind, and action, and utterly without longing.

Verse 51

अन्येनुलोमजन्मानः प्रतिलो मभवा अपि । स्वपारंपर्यतो दृष्टं मनाग्वर्त्म न तत्यजुः

Others—whether born of anuloma or even pratiloma unions—did not abandon in the least the path seen in their own tradition; they held firmly to inherited right conduct.

Verse 52

अनपत्या न तद्राष्ट्रे धनहीनोपि कोपि न । अवृद्धसेवी नो कश्चिदकांडमृतिभाक्च न

In that kingdom there was none without progeny, none at all—even the poor—without sustenance; no one served what was unworthy, and none met with untimely death.

Verse 53

न चाटा नैव वाचाटा वंचका नो न हिंसकाः । न पाषंडा न वै भंडा न रंडा न च शौंडिकाः

There were no flatterers, no loud-mouthed boasters, no deceivers and no violent men; no pāṣaṇḍas (heretics), no buffoons, no abandoned women, and no drunkards.

Verse 54

श्रुतिघोषो हि सर्वत्र शास्त्रवादः पदेपदे । सर्वत्र सुभगालापा मुदामंगलगीतयः

Everywhere resounded the chanting of the śruti; at every step there was discourse on śāstra; and in all places were gracious conversations and joyful songs of auspiciousness.

Verse 55

वीणावेणुप्रवादाश्च मृदंगा मधुरस्वनाः । सोमपानं विनान्यत्र पानगोष्ठी न कर्णगा

There are the sounds of vīṇā and flute-playing, and sweet-toned mṛdaṅgas; yet nowhere is there a drinking-assembly that reaches the ear—except where Soma is drunk.

Verse 56

मांसाशिनः पुरोडाशे नैवान्यत्र कदाचन । न दुरोदरिणो यत्र नाधमर्णा न तस्कराः

Meat-eaters are found only in the context of the puroḍāśa offering—never otherwise at any time. In that land there are no gamblers, no base debtors, and no thieves.

Verse 57

पुत्रस्य पित्रोः पदयोः पूजनं देवपूजनम् । उपवासो व्रतं तीर्थं देवताराधनं परम्

For a son, worship of the parents’ feet is itself worship of the gods. Fasting is his vow; it is his pilgrimage; it is the supreme adoration of the Divine.

Verse 58

नारीणां भर्तृपद् योरर्चनं तद्वचःश्रुतिः । समर्चयंति सततमनुजा निजमग्रजम्

For women, worship of the husband’s feet and attentive heeding of his words is declared (their dharma). Likewise, younger brothers continually honor their elder brother.

Verse 59

सपर्ययंति मुदिता भृत्याः स्वामिपदांबुजम् । हीनवर्णैरग्रवर्णो वर्ण्यते गुणगौरवैः

Joyfully the servants attend upon the lotus-feet of their master. Even those of lower station praise the higher, for the weight and greatness of his virtues.

Verse 60

वरिवस्यंति भूयोपि त्रिकालं काशिदेवताः । सर्वत्र सर्वे विद्वांसः समर्च्यंते मनोरथैः

Again and again, three times a day, the deities of Kāśī are worshipped with reverence. Everywhere, all the learned are honored according to their wishes and rightful aspirations.

Verse 61

विद्वद्भिश्च तपोनिष्ठास्तपोनिष्ठैर्जितेंद्रियाः । जितेंद्रियैर्ज्ञाननिष्ठा ज्ञानिभिः शिवयोगिनः

The learned uphold those devoted to austerity; the austere uphold those who have conquered the senses; the sense-conquerors uphold those steadfast in knowledge; and the knowers uphold the yogins of Śiva.

Verse 62

मंत्रपूतं महार्हं च विधियुक्तं सुसंस्कृतम् । वाडवानां मुखाग्नौ च हूयतेऽहर्निशं हविः

Oblations, purified by mantras—costly, duly performed according to rule, and well-prepared—are offered day and night into the mouth-fire of the Vāḍavas.

Verse 63

वापीकूपतडागानामारामाणां पदेपदे । शुचिभिर्द्रव्यसंभारैः कर्तारो यत्र भूरिशः

At every step there are many builders of wells, ponds, tanks, and gardens, who provide pure and ample supplies of materials.

Verse 64

यद्राष्ट्रे हृष्टपुष्टाश्च दृश्यंते सर्वजातयः । अनिंद्यसेवा संपन्ना विनामृगयु सौनिकान्

In that kingdom all communities are seen joyful and well-nourished, endowed with blameless occupations and service—without hunters and butchers.

Verse 65

इत्थं तस्य महीजानेः सर्वत्र शुचिवर्तिनः । उन्मिषंतोप्यनिमिषा मनाक्छिद्रं न लेभिरे

Thus, in every place, the vigilant guardians who moved in purity around that earth-born king found not even the slightest opening—though they kept watch unblinking, even when they blinked.

Verse 67

गुरुरुवाच । संधिविग्रहयानास्ति सं श्रयं द्वैधभावनम् । यथा स राजा संवेत्ति न तथात्रापि कश्चन

The Guru said: ‘Concerning treaty and hostility, marching and remaining still, seeking shelter and holding a double policy—no one here understands these matters as that king understands them.’

Verse 68

अथोवाचामर गुरुर्देवानपचिकीर्षुकान् । तस्मिन्राजनि धर्मिष्ठे वरिष्ठे मंत्रवेदिषु

Then the Guru of the immortals addressed the gods who wished to act against him, speaking of that king—most righteous, foremost, and the best among those who know the power of mantras.

Verse 69

तेन यद्यपि भूभर्त्रा भूमेर्देवा विवासिताः । तथापि भूरिशस्तत्र संत्यस्मत्पक्षपातिनः

Though by that lord of the earth the gods were driven away from the land, still there are many there who are devoted to our side and favor us.

Verse 70

कालो निमिषमात्रोपि यान्विना न सुखं व्रजेत् । अस्माकमपि तस्यापि संति ते तत्र मानिताः

Even for a mere moment, time does not pass sweetly without them; for us as well as for him, those very ones are honored there.

Verse 71

अंतर्बहिश्चरा नित्यं सर्वविश्रंभ भूमयः । समागतेषु तेष्वत्र सर्वं नः सेत्स्यति प्रियम्

They ever move within and without, as grounds of complete trust; when they arrive here, all that is dear to us will be fulfilled.

Verse 72

समाकर्ण्य च ते सर्वे त्रिदशा गीष्पतीरितम् । निर्णीतवंतस्तस्यार्थं तस्मादंतर्बहिश्चरान् । अभिनंद्याथ तं सर्वे प्रोचुरित्थं भवेदिति

Hearing what Gīṣpati (Bṛhaspati) declared, all the gods discerned his intent. Therefore, approving those who move within and without, they all assented and said, “So let it be.”

Verse 73

ततः शक्रः समाहूय वीतिहोत्रं पुरःस्थितम् । ऊचे मधुरया वाचा बहुमानपुरःसरम्

Then Śakra (Indra), summoning Vītihotra who stood before him, spoke in sweet words, preceded by great respect.

Verse 74

हव्यवाहन या मूर्तिस्तव तत्र प्रतिष्ठिता । तामुपासंहर क्षिप्रं विषयात्तस्य भूपतेः

“O Havyavāhana (Fire), the form of yours that is established there—withdraw it swiftly from the dominion of that king.”

Verse 75

समागतायां तन्मूर्तौ सर्वानष्टाग्रयः प्रजाः । हव्यकव्यक्रियाशून्या विरजिष्यंति राजनि

When that manifestation is withdrawn, the people lose their foremost order; bereft of the rites of offerings to the Devas and to the ancestors (havya and kavya), they sink into neglect and disorder under that king.

Verse 76

प्रजासु च विरक्तासु राज्यकामदुघासु वै । कृच्छ्रेणोपार्जितोऽपार्थो राजशब्दो भविष्यति

When the people grow disaffected—even though the kingdom is the milch-cow that yields every desired gain—the title “king,” though earned with hardship, becomes hollow and purposeless.

Verse 77

प्रजानां रंजनाद्राजा येयं रूढिरुपार्जिता । तस्यां रूढ्यां प्रनष्टायां राज्यमेव विनंक्ष्यति

Because he delights and sustains the people, he is called “rājā”—such is the established meaning. When that very bond and meaning are lost, the kingdom itself perishes.

Verse 78

प्रजाविरहितो राजा कोशदुर्गबलादिभिः । समृद्धोप्यचिरान्नश्येत्कूलसंस्थ इव द्रुमः

A king without subjects—though prosperous in treasury, forts, armies, and the like—soon perishes, like a tree standing on a riverbank that is being eroded away.

Verse 79

त्रिवर्गसाधनाहेतुः प्राक्प्रजैव महीपतेः । क्षीणवृत्त्यां प्रजायां वै त्रिवर्गः क्षीयते स्वयम्

For a king, the foremost means to accomplish the three aims of life is the people themselves. When the people’s livelihood is diminished, the three—dharma, artha, and kāma—decline of their own accord.

Verse 80

क्षीणे त्रिवर्गे संक्षीणा गतिर्लोकद्वयात्मिका

When the three aims are exhausted, one’s course—pertaining to both worlds, this life and the next—is likewise diminished.

Verse 81

इतींद्रवचनाद्वह्निरह्नाय क्षोणिमंडलात् । आचकर्ष निजां मूर्तिं योगमाया बलान्वितः

Thus, at Indra’s command, Vahni swiftly drew back his own form from the circle of the earth, empowered by the force of yogamāyā.

Verse 82

निन्ये न केवलं त्रेतां जाठराग्निमपि प्रभुः । वज्रिणो वचसा वह्निर्निजशक्तिसमन्वितम्

By the word of the Vajra-bearer (Indra), the mighty Vahni carried away—not only the Tretā fire—but also the digestive fire, together with its own inherent power.

Verse 83

वह्नौ स्वर्लोकमापन्ने जाते मध्यंदिने नृपः । कृतमाध्याह्निकस्तूर्णं प्राविशद्भोज्यमंडपम्

When Vahni had departed to Svarga and midday arrived, the king—having quickly completed his midday rites—entered the dining hall.

Verse 84

महानसाधिकृतयो वेपमानास्ततो मुहुः । क्षुधार्तमपि भूपालमिदं मंदं व्यजिज्ञपन्

Then the officers in charge of the royal kitchen, trembling again and again, gently informed the king—even though he was afflicted by hunger—of this matter.

Verse 85

सूपकारा ऊचुः । अत्यहस्करतेजस्क प्रतापविजितानल । किंचिद्विज्ञप्तुकामाः स्मोप्यकांडेरणपंडित

The cooks said: “O you whose radiance surpasses the sun, whose valor conquers even fire! O wise one, skilled in averting sudden mishaps—we wish to offer a small petition.”

Verse 86

यदि विश्रुणयेद्राजन्भवानभयदक्षिणाम् । तदा विज्ञापयिष्यामः प्रबद्धकरसंपुटाः

If you, O King, will listen and grant us a dakṣiṇā of protection—an assurance of safety—then we shall present our report, with palms joined and hands reverently folded.

Verse 87

भ्रूसंज्ञयाकृतादेशाः प्रशस्तास्येनभूभुजा । मृदु विज्ञापयांचक्रुः पाकशालाधिकारिणः

Receiving the king’s command by a mere sign of his brows—his face gracious with approval—the officers of the royal kitchen gently set forth their statement.

Verse 88

न जानीमो वयं नाथ त्वत्प्रतापभयार्दितः । कुसृत्याथ कया विद्वान्नष्टो वैश्वानरः पुरात्

We do not know, O Lord; shaken by fear of your majesty, we cannot say by what wrongful course or by what cause the wise Vaiśvānara—the sacred Fire—has vanished from the city of old.

Verse 89

कृशानौ कृशतां प्राप्ते कथं पाकक्रिया भवेत् । तथापि सूर्यपाकेन सिद्धा पक्तिर्हि काचन

When the very fire has grown feeble, how can the act of cooking be accomplished? Yet indeed some cooking has been brought to completion by the heat of the sun.

Verse 90

प्रभोरादेशमासाद्य तामिहैवानयामहे । मन्यामहे च भूजाने पक्तिरद्यतनी शुभा

Having received the Lord’s command, we shall bring it here at once; and we believe, O King, that today’s cooking and meal will indeed be auspicious.

Verse 91

श्रुत्वांधसिकवाक्यं स महासत्त्वो महामतिः । नृपतिश्चिंतयामास देवानां वै कृतं त्विदम्

Hearing the words of those bewildered men, the great-souled and wise king reflected: “Surely, this has been brought about by the gods.”

Verse 92

क्षणं संशीलयंस्तत्र ददर्श तपसोबलात् । न केवलं जहौ गेहं हुतभुक्चौदरीर्दरीः

After examining the matter there for a moment, by the power of his austerity he perceived: the Fire, Hutabhuk, had not merely abandoned its dwelling, but had entered the caves of the belly—its inner lairs.

Verse 93

अप्यहासीदितोलोकाज्जगाम च सुरालयम् । भवत्विह हि का हानिरस्माकं ज्वलने गतै

Indeed, he has departed from this world and gone to the abode of the gods. “Let it be so—what loss is there for us here, if we have entered the fire?”

Verse 94

तेषामेवविचाराच्च हानिरेषा सुपर्वणाम् । तद्बलेन च किं राज्यं मयेदमुररीकृतम्

By their very contrivance and deliberation, this loss has come upon the divine beings. And if sovereignty rests only on their power, what is this kingdom that I have assumed as mine?

Verse 95

पितामहेन महतो गौरवात्प्रतिपादितम् । इति चिंतयतस्तस्य मध्यलोकशतक्रतोः

“It was granted and established by the great Pitāmaha, out of reverent honor.” Thus, as Śatakratu, lord of the middle world, pondered, the narrative continues.

Verse 96

पौराः समागता द्वारि सह जानपदैर्नरैः । द्वास्थेन चाज्ञया राज्ञस्ततस्तेंतः प्रवेशिताः

The townspeople gathered at the gate, along with men from the countryside. Then the doorkeeper, acting on the king’s command, admitted them within.

Verse 97

दत्त्वोपदं यथार्हं ते प्रणेमुः क्षोणिवज्रिणम् । केचित्संभाषिता राज्ञादरसोदरया गिरा

Having offered fitting gifts according to their means, they bowed before the king, the “thunderbolt of the earth.” Some among them the king addressed with words filled with warmth and regard.

Verse 98

केचिच्च समुदा दृष्ट्या केचिच्च करसंज्ञया । विसर्जिता सना राज्ञा बहुमानपुरःसरम्

Some he dismissed with an upward glance, and others with a gesture of the hand—sent away by the king, with honor going before them.

Verse 99

तेजिरे भेजिरे सर्वे रत्नार्चिः परिसेविते । विजितामोदसंदोहे सुरानोकहसौरभैः । राज्ञः शतशलाकस्थच्छत्रस्यच्छाययाशुभे

All of them shone forth and took their places amid the radiance of jewels and glittering adornments. In the auspicious shade of the king’s parasol—set upon a hundred rods—whose fragrance surpassed even the scent of celestial trees, they stood delighted.

Verse 100

विशांपतिरथोवाच तन्मुखच्छाययेरितम् । विज्ञाय तदभिप्रायमलंभीत्या पुरौकसः

Then the lord of the people, the king, spoke, prompted by the expression upon their faces. Understanding their intention, the townsmen, free from fear, listened on in reverent silence.

Verse 110

अस्मत्कुले मूलभूतो भास्करो मान्य एव नः । स तिष्ठतु सुखेनात्र यातायातं करोतु च

“Bhāskara is the very root and foundation of our lineage, and truly worthy of our honor. Let him dwell here in comfort, and let him also come and go in full freedom.”