Bhishma's Vow

Verse 1 (1.107.1)

स राजा शान्तनुर्धीमान्देवराजर्षिसत्कृतः । धर्मात्मा सर्वलोकेषु सत्यवागिति विश्रुतः ॥

sa rājā śāntanurdhīmāndevarājarṣisatkṛtaḥ | dharmātmā sarvalokeṣu satyavāgiti viśrutaḥ

That wise king Shantanu, honoured by divine and royal sages, was righteous and was known in all the worlds as true to his word.

Note on the text: Wikisource verse 1, dropped by the extraction; restored from the Wikisource page.

Verse 2 (1.107.2)

शान्तनोः कीर्तयिष्यामि सर्वानेव गुणानहम् । दमो दानं क्षमा बुद्धिर्ह्रीर्धृतिस्तेज उत्तमम् । नित्यान्यासन्महासत्वे शान्तनौ पुरुषर्षभे ॥

śāntanoḥ kīrtayiṣyāmi sarvāneva guṇānaham | damo dānaṃ kṣamā buddhirhrīrdhṛtisteja uttamam | nityānyāsanmahāsatve śāntanau puruṣarṣabhe

I shall recount all of Shantanu's virtues. Self-control, generosity, forbearance, understanding, modesty, steadfastness and supreme energy were always present in Shantanu, that great-spirited bull among men.

Note on the text: First line not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 3 (1.107.3)

एवं स गुणसंपन्नो धर्मार्थकुशलो नृपः । आसीद्भरतवंशस्य गोप्ता सर्वजनस्य च ॥

evaṃ sa guṇasaṃpanno dharmārthakuśalo nṛpaḥ | āsīdbharatavaṃśasya goptā sarvajanasya ca

Endowed with such virtues and skilled in dharma and in worldly affairs, the king was the protector of the Bharata line and of all its people.

Verse 4 (1.107.4)

कम्बुग्रीवः पृथुव्यंसो मत्तवारणविक्रमः । अन्वितः परिपूर्णार्थैः सर्वैर्नृपतिलक्षणैः ॥

kambugrīvaḥ pṛthuvyaṃso mattavāraṇavikramaḥ | anvitaḥ paripūrṇārthaiḥ sarvairnṛpatilakṣaṇaiḥ

His neck was shaped like a conch, his shoulders were broad, and he had the might of an elephant in rut; he bore every mark of a king in full measure.

Note on the text: Second line not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 5 (1.107.5)

तस्य कीर्तिमतो वृत्तमवेक्ष्य सततं नराः । धर्म एव परः कामादर्थाच्चेति व्यवस्थितः ॥

tasya kīrtimato vṛttamavekṣya satataṃ narāḥ | dharma eva paraḥ kāmādarthācceti vyavasthitaḥ

Watching the conduct of that famous king at all times, people became settled in the conviction that dharma stands above pleasure and wealth.

Note on the text: First line not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the second is 1.94.4cd.

Verse 6 (1.107.6)

एवमासीन्महासत्वः शान्तनुर्भरतर्षभ । न चास्य सदृशः कश्चिद्धर्मतः पार्थिवोऽभवत् ॥

evamāsīnmahāsatvaḥ śāntanurbharatarṣabha | na cāsya sadṛśaḥ kaściddharmataḥ pārthivo'bhavat

Such was Shantanu, a man of great spirit, O bull of the Bharatas; no king was ever his equal in righteousness.

Verse 7 (1.107.7)

वर्तमानं हि धर्मेषु सर्वधर्मभृतां वरम् । तं महीपा महीपालं राजराज्येऽभ्यषेचयन् ॥

vartamānaṃ hi dharmeṣu sarvadharmabhṛtāṃ varam | taṃ mahīpā mahīpālaṃ rājarājye'bhyaṣecayan

Because he abided in dharma and was the best of all who uphold it, the kings consecrated that protector of the earth as king of kings.

Verse 8 (1.107.8)

वीतशोकभयाबाधाः सुखस्वप्ननिबोधनाः । पतिं भारतगोप्तारं समपद्यन्त भूमिपाः ॥

vītaśokabhayābādhāḥ sukhasvapnanibodhanāḥ | patiṃ bhāratagoptāraṃ samapadyanta bhūmipāḥ

Free of grief, fear and affliction, sleeping and waking in comfort, the kings found in him a lord and protector of the Bharatas.

Verse 9 (1.107.9)

तेन कीर्तिमता शिष्टाः शक्रप्रतिमतेजसा । यज्ञदानक्रियाशीलाः समपद्यन्त भूमिपाः ॥

tena kīrtimatā śiṣṭāḥ śakrapratimatejasā | yajñadānakriyāśīlāḥ samapadyanta bhūmipāḥ

Through that famous king, whose splendour matched Shakra's, the kings grew disciplined and devoted to sacrifice, gifts and sacred rites.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 10 (1.107.10)

शान्तनुप्रमुखैर्गुप्ते लोके नृपतिभिस्तदा । नियमात्सर्ववर्णानां धर्मोत्तरमवर्तत ॥

śāntanupramukhairgupte loke nṛpatibhistadā | niyamātsarvavarṇānāṃ dharmottaramavartata

While the world was guarded by kings with Shantanu at their head, every social order kept to its discipline, and dharma prevailed above all.

Verse 11 (1.107.11)

ब्रह्म पर्यचरत्क्षत्रं विशः क्षत्रमनुव्रताः । ब्रह्मक्षत्रानुरक्ताश्च शूद्राः पर्यचरन्विशः ॥

brahma paryacaratkṣatraṃ viśaḥ kṣatramanuvratāḥ | brahmakṣatrānuraktāśca śūdrāḥ paryacaranviśaḥ

The kshatriyas served the brahmins, the vaishyas followed the kshatriyas, and the shudras, loyal to brahmins and kshatriyas alike, served the vaishyas.

Verse 12 (1.107.12)

स हास्तिनपुरे रम्ये कुरूणां पुटभेदने । वसन्सागरपर्यन्तामन्वशासद्वसुन्धराम् ॥

sa hāstinapure ramye kurūṇāṃ puṭabhedane | vasansāgaraparyantāmanvaśāsadvasundharām

Living in lovely Hastinapura, the capital of the Kurus, he ruled the earth to the shores of the sea.

Verse 13 (1.107.13)

स देवराजसदृशो धर्मज्ञः सत्यवागृजुः । दानधर्मतपोयोगाच्छ्रिया परमया युतः ॥

sa devarājasadṛśo dharmajñaḥ satyavāgṛjuḥ | dānadharmatapoyogācchriyā paramayā yutaḥ

He was like the king of the gods: he knew dharma, spoke the truth and was upright, and through generosity, righteousness, austerity and yoga he was crowned with the highest fortune.

Verse 14 (1.107.14)

अरागद्वेषसंयुक्तः सोमवत्प्रियदर्शनः । तेजसा सूर्यकल्पोऽभूद्वायुवेगसमो जवे । अन्तकप्रतिमः कोपे क्षमया पृथिवीसमः ॥

arāgadveṣasaṃyuktaḥ somavatpriyadarśanaḥ | tejasā sūryakalpo'bhūdvāyuvegasamo jave | antakapratimaḥ kope kṣamayā pṛthivīsamaḥ

Free of passion and hatred, he was as pleasing to behold as the moon. In splendour he was like the sun, in speed like the rushing wind, in anger like Death, and in forbearance like the earth.

Verse 15 (1.107.15)

वधः पशुवराहाणां तथैव मृगपक्षिणाम् । शान्तनौ पृथिवीपाले नावर्तत तथा नृप ॥

vadhaḥ paśuvarāhāṇāṃ tathaiva mṛgapakṣiṇām | śāntanau pṛthivīpāle nāvartata tathā nṛpa

While Shantanu protected the earth, there was no such slaughter of cattle, boars, deer or birds, O king.

Verse 16 (1.107.16)

ब्रह्मधर्मोत्तरे राज्ये शान्तनुर्विनयात्मवान् । समं शशास भूतानि कामरागविवर्जितः ॥

brahmadharmottare rājye śāntanurvinayātmavān | samaṃ śaśāsa bhūtāni kāmarāgavivarjitaḥ

In that kingdom, where brahmins and dharma came first, Shantanu, disciplined in mind and free of desire and attachment, ruled all beings impartially.

Verse 17 (1.107.17)

चकोरनेत्रस्ताम्रास्यः सिंहर्षभगतिर्युवा । गुणैरनुपमैर्युक्तः समस्तैराभिगामिकैः । गम्भीरः सत्वसंपन्नः पूर्णचन्द्रनिभाननः ॥

cakoranetrastāmrāsyaḥ siṃharṣabhagatiryuvā | guṇairanupamairyuktaḥ samastairābhigāmikaiḥ | gambhīraḥ satvasaṃpannaḥ pūrṇacandranibhānanaḥ

His eyes were like the chakora bird's, his face was ruddy, and he moved like a lion or a bull; he was young, endowed with all the matchless qualities that draw people to a king, profound, full of strength, his face like the full moon.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 18 (1.107.18)

देवर्षिपितृयज्ञार्थमारभ्यन्त तदा क्रियाः । न चाधर्मेण केषांचित्प्राणिनामभवद्वधः ॥

devarṣipitṛyajñārthamārabhyanta tadā kriyāḥ | na cādharmeṇa keṣāṃcitprāṇināmabhavadvadhaḥ

In those days rites were performed for the gods, the seers and the ancestors, and no living creature was killed unrighteously.

Verse 19 (1.107.19)

असुखानामनाथानां तिर्यग्योनिषु वर्तताम् । स एव राजा सर्वेषां भूतानामभवत्पिता ॥

asukhānāmanāthānāṃ tiryagyoniṣu vartatām | sa eva rājā sarveṣāṃ bhūtānāmabhavatpitā

To the unhappy, to the unprotected, and to creatures born as animals, to all beings alike, that king became a father.

Verse 20 (1.107.20)

तस्मिन्कुरुपतिश्रेष्ठे राजराजेश्वरे सति । श्रिता वागभवत्सत्यं दानधर्माश्रितं मनः ॥

tasminkurupatiśreṣṭhe rājarājeśvare sati | śritā vāgabhavatsatyaṃ dānadharmāśritaṃ manaḥ

While that best of Kuru lords reigned as king of kings, speech rested on truth and minds on generosity and dharma.

Verse 21 (1.107.21)

यज्ञार्थं पशवः सृष्टाः संतानार्थं च मैथुनम् । स समाः षोडशाष्टौ च चतस्रोऽष्टौ तथाऽपराः । रतिमप्राप्नुवन्स्त्रीषु बभूव वनगोचरः ॥

yajñārthaṃ paśavaḥ sṛṣṭāḥ saṃtānārthaṃ ca maithunam | sa samāḥ ṣoḍaśāṣṭau ca catasro'ṣṭau tathā'parāḥ | ratimaprāpnuvanstrīṣu babhūva vanagocaraḥ

Animals were created for sacrifice, and sexual union for offspring. For sixteen years, then eight, then four, and eight more, finding no pleasure in women, he lived in the forest.

Note on the text: First line not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 22 (1.107.22)

तथारूपस्तथाचारस्तथावृत्तस्तथाश्रुतः । गाङ्गेयस्तस्य पुत्रोऽभून्नाम्ना देवव्रतो वसुः ॥

tathārūpastathācārastathāvṛttastathāśrutaḥ | gāṅgeyastasya putro'bhūnnāmnā devavrato vasuḥ

His son born of Ganga, named Devavrata, a Vasu, had the same beauty, the same conduct, the same way of life and the same learning.

Verse 23 (1.107.23)

सर्वास्त्रेषु स निष्णातः पार्थिवेष्वितरेषु च । महाबलो महासत्वो महावीर्यो महारथः ॥

sarvāstreṣu sa niṣṇātaḥ pārthiveṣvitareṣu ca | mahābalo mahāsatvo mahāvīryo mahārathaḥ

He was expert in every weapon, earthly and otherwise; he was of great strength, great spirit and great valour, a great chariot-warrior.

Verse 24 (1.107.24)

स कदाचिन्मृगं विद्ध्वा गङ्गामनुसरन्नदीम् । भागीरथीमल्पजलां शान्तनुर्दृष्टवान्नृपः ॥

sa kadācinmṛgaṃ viddhvā gaṅgāmanusarannadīm | bhāgīrathīmalpajalāṃ śāntanurdṛṣṭavānnṛpaḥ

Once, after shooting a deer, King Shantanu was following the river Ganga when he saw that the Bhagirathi had little water.

Verse 25 (1.107.25)

तां दृष्ट्वा चिन्तयामास शान्तनुः पुरुषर्षभः । स्यन्दते किं न्वियं नाद्य सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा यथा पुरा ॥

tāṃ dṛṣṭvā cintayāmāsa śāntanuḥ puruṣarṣabhaḥ | syandate kiṃ nviyaṃ nādya saricchreṣṭhā yathā purā

Seeing this, Shantanu, bull among men, wondered: "Why does this best of rivers not flow today as it used to?"

Verse 26 (1.107.26)

ततो निमित्तमन्विच्छन्ददर्श स महामनाः । कुमारं रूपसंपन्नं बृहन्तं चारुदर्शनम् ॥

tato nimittamanvicchandadarśa sa mahāmanāḥ | kumāraṃ rūpasaṃpannaṃ bṛhantaṃ cārudarśanam

Then, searching for the cause, the great-minded king saw a youth, handsome, tall and fair to look upon,

Verse 27 (1.107.27)

दिव्यमस्त्रं विकुर्वाणं यथा देवं पुरन्दरम् । कृत्स्नां गङ्गां समावृत्य शरैस्तीक्ष्णैरवस्थितम् ॥

divyamastraṃ vikurvāṇaṃ yathā devaṃ purandaram | kṛtsnāṃ gaṅgāṃ samāvṛtya śaraistīkṣṇairavasthitam

wielding a divine weapon like the god Purandara himself, and standing there after damming the whole Ganga with sharp arrows.

Verse 28 (1.107.28)

तां शरैराचितां दृष्ट्वा नदीं गङ्गां तदन्तिके । अभवद्विस्मितो राजा दृष्ट्वा कर्मातिमानुषम् ॥

tāṃ śarairācitāṃ dṛṣṭvā nadīṃ gaṅgāṃ tadantike | abhavadvismito rājā dṛṣṭvā karmātimānuṣam

Seeing the river Ganga heaped with arrows close by him, the king was astonished at that superhuman feat.

Verse 29 (1.107.29)

जातमात्रं पुरा दृष्टं तं पुत्रं शान्तनुस्तदा । नोपलेभे स्मृतिं धीमानभिज्ञातुं तमात्मजम् ॥

jātamātraṃ purā dṛṣṭaṃ taṃ putraṃ śāntanustadā | nopalebhe smṛtiṃ dhīmānabhijñātuṃ tamātmajam

Shantanu had seen that son only at the moment of his birth, and so the wise king had no memory by which to recognise his own child.

Verse 30 (1.107.30)

स तु तं पितरं दृष्ट्वा मोहयामास मायया । संमोह्य तु ततः क्षिप्रं तत्रैवान्तरधीयत ॥

sa tu taṃ pitaraṃ dṛṣṭvā mohayāmāsa māyayā | saṃmohya tu tataḥ kṣipraṃ tatraivāntaradhīyata

But the youth, seeing his father, bewildered him with illusion, and having bewildered him, swiftly vanished on the spot.

Verse 31 (1.107.31)

तदद्भुतं ततो दृष्ट्वा तत्र राजा स शान्तनुः । शङ्कमानः सुतं गङ्गामब्रवीद्दर्शयेति ह ॥

tadadbhutaṃ tato dṛṣṭvā tatra rājā sa śāntanuḥ | śaṅkamānaḥ sutaṃ gaṅgāmabravīddarśayeti ha

Seeing that marvel, King Shantanu suspected that the youth was his son, and he said to Ganga, "Show him to me."

Note on the text: Corrected तदद्बुतं → तदद्भुतं and सङ्कमानः → शङ्कमानः (misprints in Wikisource; ब for भ and स for श, as in the critical edition's tad adbhutaṃ and śaṅkamānaḥ).

Verse 32 (1.107.32)

दर्शयामास तं गङ्गा बिभ्रती रूपमुत्तमम् । गृहीत्वा दक्षिणे पाणौ तं कुमारमलङ्कृतम् ॥

darśayāmāsa taṃ gaṅgā bibhratī rūpamuttamam | gṛhītvā dakṣiṇe pāṇau taṃ kumāramalaṅkṛtam

Ganga, taking on a most beautiful form, showed him the youth, holding the adorned boy by his right hand.

Verse 33 (1.107.33)

अलङ्कृतामाभरणैर्विरजोऽम्बरधारिणीम् । दृष्टपूर्वामपि स तां नाभ्यजानात्स शान्तनुः ॥

alaṅkṛtāmābharaṇairvirajo'mbaradhāriṇīm | dṛṣṭapūrvāmapi sa tāṃ nābhyajānātsa śāntanuḥ

She was decked with ornaments and wore spotless garments, and though he had seen her before, Shantanu did not recognise her.

Note on the text: Corrected विरजोम्बर → विरजोऽम्बर (missing avagraha in Wikisource).

Verse 34 (1.107.34)

यं पुत्रमष्टमं राजंस्त्वं पुरा मय्यविन्दथाः । स चायं पुरुषव्याघ्र सर्वास्त्रविदनुत्तमः ॥

yaṃ putramaṣṭamaṃ rājaṃstvaṃ purā mayyavindathāḥ | sa cāyaṃ puruṣavyāghra sarvāstravidanuttamaḥ

O king, the eighth son you once fathered in me: here he is, tiger among men, unsurpassed in knowledge of every weapon.

Note on the text: The second line differs from the critical edition, which has it only as an insertion (*969).

Verse 35 (1.107.35)

गृहाणेमं महाराज मया संवर्धितं सुतम् । आदाय पुरुषव्याघ्र नयस्वैनं गृहं विभो ॥

gṛhāṇemaṃ mahārāja mayā saṃvardhitaṃ sutam | ādāya puruṣavyāghra nayasvainaṃ gṛhaṃ vibho

Take him, great king, this son whom I have raised. Take him with you, tiger among men, and lead him home, my lord.

Note on the text: Mostly not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); only the closing words echo 1.94.31cd.

Verse 36 (1.107.36)

वेदानधिजगे साङ्गान्वसिष्ठादेष वीर्यवान् । कृतास्त्रः परमेष्वासो देवराजसमो युधि ॥

vedānadhijage sāṅgānvasiṣṭhādeṣa vīryavān | kṛtāstraḥ parameṣvāso devarājasamo yudhi

This valiant one has learned the Vedas with their auxiliary sciences from Vasishtha. He is a master of weapons, a great archer, equal in battle to the king of the gods.

Verse 37 (1.107.37)

सुराणां संमतो नित्यमसुराणां च भारत । उशना वेद यच्छास्त्रमयं तद्वेद सर्वशः ॥

surāṇāṃ saṃmato nityamasurāṇāṃ ca bhārata | uśanā veda yacchāstramayaṃ tadveda sarvaśaḥ

He is held in esteem by the gods and the asuras alike, O Bharata. Whatever science Ushanas knows, he knows it entire.

Note on the text: Corrected उशा → उशना (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped akshara that also leaves the line a syllable short; the critical edition has uśanā).

Verse 38 (1.107.38)

तथैवाङ्गिरसः पुत्रः सुरासुरनमस्कृतः । यद्वेद शास्त्रं तच्चापि कृत्स्नमस्मिन्प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥

tathaivāṅgirasaḥ putraḥ surāsuranamaskṛtaḥ | yadveda śāstraṃ taccāpi kṛtsnamasminpratiṣṭhitam

Likewise, the science known to the son of Angiras, revered by gods and asuras, is wholly established in him,

Note on the text: Corrected सुरसुरनमस्कृतः → सुरासुरनमस्कृतः (misprint in Wikisource; dropped ā, as in the critical edition's surāsura-).

Verse 39 (1.107.39)

तव पुत्रे महाबाहौ साङ्गोपाङ्गं महात्मनि । ऋषिः परैरनाधृष्यो जामदग्न्यः प्रतापवान् ॥

tava putre mahābāhau sāṅgopāṅgaṃ mahātmani | ṛṣiḥ parairanādhṛṣyo jāmadagnyaḥ pratāpavān

in your mighty-armed, great-souled son, with all its branches and sub-branches. The seer whom no foe can assail, the mighty son of Jamadagni,

Note on the text: From here to verse 53 the Wikisource verse division runs half a verse off the critical edition's; ce_ref names the critical-edition verse in which each verse's first line falls.

Verse 40 (1.107.40)

यदस्त्रं वेद रामश्च तदेतस्मिन्प्रतिष्ठितम् । महेष्वासमिमं राजन्राजधर्मार्थकोविदम् ॥

yadastraṃ veda rāmaśca tadetasminpratiṣṭhitam | maheṣvāsamimaṃ rājanrājadharmārthakovidam

Rama: whatever weaponry he knows is established in this one too. This great archer, O king, skilled in the duties and aims of kingship,

Note on the text: Corrected राभश्च → रामश्च (misprint in Wikisource; भ for म, as in the critical edition's rāmaś ca).

Verse 41 (1.107.41)

मया दत्तं निजं पुत्रं वीरं वीर गृहं नय । इत्युक्त्वा सा महाभागा तत्रैवान्तरधीयत । तयैवं समनुज्ञातः पुत्रमादाय शान्तनुः ॥

mayā dattaṃ nijaṃ putraṃ vīraṃ vīra gṛhaṃ naya | ityuktvā sā mahābhāgā tatraivāntaradhīyata | tayaivaṃ samanujñātaḥ putramādāya śāntanuḥ

"your own heroic son, whom I give you: lead him home, O hero." Having said this, the illustrious goddess vanished on the spot. With her leave, Shantanu took his son

Note on the text: Ganga speaks the first line; Wikisource prints वैशंपायन उवाच before the second line, which (*972) is not in the critical edition. Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 42 (1.107.42)

भ्राजमानं यथाऽदित्यमाययौ स्वपुरं प्रति । पौरवस्तु पुरीं गत्वा पुरन्दरपुरोपमाम् ॥

bhrājamānaṃ yathā'dityamāyayau svapuraṃ prati | pauravastu purīṃ gatvā purandarapuropamām

and returned to his city with him, the boy shining like the sun. Reaching his city, which was like Purandara's, the Paurava king

Verse 43 (1.107.43)

सर्वकामसमृद्धार्थं मेने सोऽत्मानमात्मना । पौरवेषु ततः पुत्रं राज्यार्थमभयप्रदम् ॥

sarvakāmasamṛddhārthaṃ mene so'tmānamātmanā | pauraveṣu tataḥ putraṃ rājyārthamabhayapradam

felt that he had gained every wish. Then, among the Pauravas, for the kingdom's sake, his son, the giver of safety,

Note on the text: Corrected सोत्मानम् → सोऽत्मानम् (missing avagraha in Wikisource; स + आत्मानम्, the critical edition's mene ātmānam).

Verse 44 (1.107.44)

गुणवन्तं महात्मानं यौवराज्येऽभ्यषेचयत् । पौरवाञ्शान्तनोः पुत्रः पितरं च महायशाः ॥

guṇavantaṃ mahātmānaṃ yauvarājye'bhyaṣecayat | pauravāñśāntanoḥ putraḥ pitaraṃ ca mahāyaśāḥ

virtuous and great-souled, he consecrated as heir apparent. Shantanu's illustrious son won the hearts of the Pauravas, of his father

Verse 45 (1.107.45)

राष्ट्रं च रञ्जयामास वृत्तेन भरतर्षभ । स तथा सह पुत्रेण रममाणो महीपतिः ॥

rāṣṭraṃ ca rañjayāmāsa vṛttena bharatarṣabha | sa tathā saha putreṇa ramamāṇo mahīpatiḥ

and of the whole realm by his conduct, O bull of the Bharatas. Rejoicing thus in his son's company, the king

Verse 46 (1.107.46)

वर्तयामास वर्षाणि चत्वार्यमितविक्रमः । स कदाचिद्वनं यातो यमुनामभितो नदीम् ॥

vartayāmāsa varṣāṇi catvāryamitavikramaḥ | sa kadācidvanaṃ yāto yamunāmabhito nadīm

of boundless valour spent four years. Once he went to a forest near the river Yamuna,

Verse 47 (1.107.47)

महीपतिरनिर्देश्यमाजिघ्रद्गन्धमुत्तमम् । तस्य प्रभवमन्विच्छन्विचचार समन्ततः ॥

mahīpatiranirdeśyamājighradgandhamuttamam | tasya prabhavamanvicchanvicacāra samantataḥ

and there the king caught a sublime fragrance beyond description. Seeking its source, he wandered all about.

Verse 48 (1.107.48)

स ददर्श तदा कन्यां दाशानां देवरूपिणीम् । तामपृच्छत्स दृष्ट्वैव कन्यामसितलोचनाम् ॥

sa dadarśa tadā kanyāṃ dāśānāṃ devarūpiṇīm | tāmapṛcchatsa dṛṣṭvaiva kanyāmasitalocanām

Then he saw a maiden of the fisherfolk, divine in form. The moment he saw the dark-eyed maiden, he asked her,

Verse 49 (1.107.49)

कस्य त्वमसि का चासि किं च भीरु चिकीर्षसि । साऽब्रवीद्दाशकन्याऽस्मि धर्मार्थं वाहये तरिम् ॥

kasya tvamasi kā cāsi kiṃ ca bhīru cikīrṣasi | sā'bravīddāśakanyā'smi dharmārthaṃ vāhaye tarim

"Whose daughter are you, who are you, and what do you mean to do, timid one?" She said, "I am a fisherman's daughter. For the sake of merit I ply a ferry boat

Verse 50 (1.107.50)

पितुर्नियोगाद्भद्रं ते दाशराज्ञो महात्मनः । रूपमाधुर्यगन्धैस्तां संयुक्तां देवरूपिणीम् ॥

piturniyogādbhadraṃ te dāśarājño mahātmanaḥ | rūpamādhuryagandhaistāṃ saṃyuktāṃ devarūpiṇīm

at the bidding of my father, the noble king of the fishers. May it go well with you." Seeing the fisher's daughter, divine in form and endowed with beauty, sweetness and fragrance,

Verse 51 (1.107.51)

समीक्ष्य राजा दाशेयीं कामयामास शान्तनुः । स गत्वा पितरं तस्या वरयामास तां तदा ॥

samīkṣya rājā dāśeyīṃ kāmayāmāsa śāntanuḥ | sa gatvā pitaraṃ tasyā varayāmāsa tāṃ tadā

King Shantanu gazed at her and desired her. He went to her father and sought her hand,

Verse 52 (1.107.52)

पर्यपृच्छत्ततस्तस्याः पितरं सोऽत्मकारणात् । स च तं प्रत्युवाचेदं दाशराजो महीपतिम् ॥

paryapṛcchattatastasyāḥ pitaraṃ so'tmakāraṇāt | sa ca taṃ pratyuvācedaṃ dāśarājo mahīpatim

asking her father for her on his own behalf. And the fisher king answered the lord of the earth:

Note on the text: Corrected सोत्मकारणात् → सोऽत्मकारणात् (missing avagraha in Wikisource; स + आत्मकारणात्).

Verse 53 (1.107.53)

जातमात्रैव मे देया वराय वरवर्णिनी । हृदि कामस्तु मे कश्चित्तं निबोध जनेश्वर ॥

jātamātraiva me deyā varāya varavarṇinī | hṛdi kāmastu me kaścittaṃ nibodha janeśvara

From the moment she was born, this fair girl was meant to be given to a suitor. But there is a wish in my heart; hear it, lord of men.

Verse 54 (1.107.54)

यदीमां धर्मपत्नीं त्वं मत्तः प्रार्थयसेऽनघ । सत्यवागसि सत्येन समयं कुरु मे ततः ॥

yadīmāṃ dharmapatnīṃ tvaṃ mattaḥ prārthayase'nagha | satyavāgasi satyena samayaṃ kuru me tataḥ

If you seek her from me as your lawful wife, sinless one, then, since you are a man of your word, make a compact with me on your truth.

Verse 55 (1.107.55)

समयेन प्रदद्यां ते कन्यामहमिमां नृप । न हि मे त्वत्समः कश्चिद्वरो जातु भविष्यति ॥

samayena pradadyāṃ te kanyāmahamimāṃ nṛpa | na hi me tvatsamaḥ kaścidvaro jātu bhaviṣyati

On that condition I would give you this maiden, O king; for I shall never find a suitor equal to you.

Verse 56 (1.107.56)

श्रुत्वा तव वरं दाश व्यवस्येयमहं तव । दातव्यं चेत्प्रदास्यामि न त्वदेयं कथंचन ॥

śrutvā tava varaṃ dāśa vyavasyeyamahaṃ tava | dātavyaṃ cetpradāsyāmi na tvadeyaṃ kathaṃcana

When I have heard your condition, fisher, I will decide on it. If it can be granted, I will grant it; but what ought not to be given I will never give.

Verse 57 (1.107.57)

अस्यां जायेत यः पुत्रः स राजा पृथिवीपते । त्वदूर्ध्वमभिषेक्तव्यो नान्यः कश्चन पार्थिव ॥

asyāṃ jāyeta yaḥ putraḥ sa rājā pṛthivīpate | tvadūrdhvamabhiṣektavyo nānyaḥ kaścana pārthiva

The son born of her shall be king, lord of the earth. After you, he and no other is to be consecrated, O king.

Verse 58 (1.107.58)

नाकामयत तं दातुं वरं दाशाय शान्तनुः । शरीरजेन तीव्रेण दह्यमानोऽपि भारत ॥

nākāmayata taṃ dātuṃ varaṃ dāśāya śāntanuḥ | śarīrajena tīvreṇa dahyamāno'pi bhārata

Shantanu did not wish to grant the fisher that condition, O Bharata, though he burned with fierce desire.

Verse 59 (1.107.59)

स चिन्तयन्नेव तदा दाशकन्यां महीपतिः । प्रत्ययाद्धास्तिनपुरं कामोपहतचेतनः ॥

sa cintayanneva tadā dāśakanyāṃ mahīpatiḥ | pratyayāddhāstinapuraṃ kāmopahatacetanaḥ

Still thinking of the fisher's daughter, the king returned to Hastinapura, his mind struck down by love.

Verse 60 (1.107.60)

ततः कदाचिच्छोचन्तं शान्तनुं ध्यानमास्थितम् । पुत्रो देवव्रतोऽभ्येत्य पितरं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥

tataḥ kadācicchocantaṃ śāntanuṃ dhyānamāsthitam | putro devavrato'bhyetya pitaraṃ vākyamabravīt

Then one day his son Devavrata came to Shantanu, who sat grieving and lost in thought, and said to his father:

Verse 61 (1.107.61)

सर्वतो भवतः क्षेमं विधेयाः सर्वपार्थिवाः । तत्किमर्थमिहाभीक्ष्णं परिशोचसि दुःखितः ॥

sarvato bhavataḥ kṣemaṃ vidheyāḥ sarvapārthivāḥ | tatkimarthamihābhīkṣṇaṃ pariśocasi duḥkhitaḥ

All is well with you on every side, and all the kings obey you. Why then do you grieve here so constantly, in such distress?

Verse 62 (1.107.62)

ध्यायन्निव च मां राजन्नाभिभाषसि किंचन । न चाश्वेन विनिर्यासि विवर्णो हरिणः कृशः ॥

dhyāyanniva ca māṃ rājannābhibhāṣasi kiṃcana | na cāśvena viniryāsi vivarṇo hariṇaḥ kṛśaḥ

You seem to brood, O king, and say nothing to me. You no longer ride out on horseback; you have grown pale, wan and thin.

Note on the text: Second line not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 63 (1.107.63)

व्याधिमिच्छामि ते ज्ञातुं प्रतिकुर्यां हि तत्र वै । स तं काममवाच्यं वै दाशकन्यां प्रतीदृशम् ॥

vyādhimicchāmi te jñātuṃ pratikuryāṃ hi tatra vai | sa taṃ kāmamavācyaṃ vai dāśakanyāṃ pratīdṛśam

"I want to know what ails you, so that I may find a remedy for it." That desire for the fisher's daughter, which could not be spoken of,

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Devavrata speaks the first line; Wikisource prints the speaker line वैशंपायन उवाच inside the verse text between the two lines, which has been removed here (the second line is narration). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 64 (1.107.64)

विवर्तुं नाशकत्तस्मै पिता पुत्रस्य शान्तनुः । एवमुक्तः स पुत्रेण शान्तनुः प्रत्यभाषत ॥

vivartuṃ nāśakattasmai pitā putrasya śāntanuḥ | evamuktaḥ sa putreṇa śāntanuḥ pratyabhāṣata

Shantanu, the father, could not bring himself to disclose to his son. Thus addressed by his son, Shantanu replied:

Note on the text: First line not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); its विवर्तुं is kept as printed (the critical edition's insertion *978 reads vivṛtaṃ … śaṃsitum). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 65 (1.107.65)

असंशयं ध्यानपरो यथा वत्स तथा शृणु । अपत्यं नस्त्वमेवैकः कुले महति भारत ॥

asaṃśayaṃ dhyānaparo yathā vatsa tathā śṛṇu | apatyaṃ nastvamevaikaḥ kule mahati bhārata

No doubt I am lost in thought; hear why, my son. You are our only child in this great line, O Bharata,

Verse 66 (1.107.66)

शस्त्रनित्यश्च सततं पौरुषे पर्यवस्थितः । अनित्यतां च लोकानामनुशोचामि पुत्रक ॥

śastranityaśca satataṃ pauruṣe paryavasthitaḥ | anityatāṃ ca lokānāmanuśocāmi putraka

always bearing arms and ever set on deeds of valour. And I grieve over the impermanence of the worlds, my son.

Note on the text: First line not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 67 (1.107.67)

कथंचित्तव गाङ्गेय विपत्तौ नास्ति नः कुलम् । असंशयं त्वमेवैकः शतादपि वरः सुतः ॥

kathaṃcittava gāṅgeya vipattau nāsti naḥ kulam | asaṃśayaṃ tvamevaikaḥ śatādapi varaḥ sutaḥ

Should misfortune somehow befall you, Gangeya, our line would be no more. No doubt you alone are a son better than a hundred.

Verse 68 (1.107.68)

न चाप्यहं वृथा भूयो दारान्कर्तुमिहोत्सहे । संतानस्याविनाशाय कामये भद्रमस्तु ते ॥

na cāpyahaṃ vṛthā bhūyo dārānkartumihotsahe | saṃtānasyāvināśāya kāmaye bhadramastu te

Nor do I wish to take a wife again for no purpose. I want it only so that the line will not perish; may you prosper.

Verse 69 (1.107.69)

अनपत्यतैकपुत्रत्वमित्याहुर्धर्मवादिनः । चक्षुरेकं च पुत्रश्च अस्ति नास्ति च भारत । चक्षुर्नाशे तनोर्नाशः पुत्रनाशे कुलक्षयः ॥

anapatyataikaputratvamityāhurdharmavādinaḥ | cakṣurekaṃ ca putraśca asti nāsti ca bhārata | cakṣurnāśe tanornāśaḥ putranāśe kulakṣayaḥ

Those who teach dharma say that to have one son is to have none. One eye and one son, O Bharata, both are there and are not: when the eye is lost, the body is ruined; when the son is lost, the line perishes.

Note on the text: Lines 2–3 not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 70 (1.107.70)

अग्निहोत्रं त्रयी विद्या यज्ञाश्च सहदक्षिणाः । सर्वाण्येतान्यपत्यस्य कलां नार्हन्ति षोडशीम् ॥

agnihotraṃ trayī vidyā yajñāśca sahadakṣiṇāḥ | sarvāṇyetānyapatyasya kalāṃ nārhanti ṣoḍaśīm

The fire offering, the threefold Vedic learning, and sacrifices with their gifts: all of these together are not worth a sixteenth part of offspring.

Verse 71 (1.107.71)

एवमेतन्मनुष्येषु तच्च सर्वं प्रजास्विति । यदपत्यं महाप्राज्ञ तत्र मे नास्ति संशयः ॥

evametanmanuṣyeṣu tacca sarvaṃ prajāsviti | yadapatyaṃ mahāprājña tatra me nāsti saṃśayaḥ

So it is among men, and so among all creatures. What offspring means, wise one, I have no doubt of it.

Verse 72 (1.107.72)

अपत्येनानृणो लोके पितॄणां नास्ति संशयः । एषा त्रयी पुराणानां देवतानां च शाश्वती ॥

apatyenānṛṇo loke pitṝṇāṃ nāsti saṃśayaḥ | eṣā trayī purāṇānāṃ devatānāṃ ca śāśvatī

Through offspring a man is freed in this world of his debt to the ancestors; of that there is no doubt. This is the eternal threefold teaching of the ancients and of the gods:

Note on the text: First line not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 73 (1.107.73)

अपत्यं कर्म विद्या च त्रीणि ज्योतींषि भारत ॥

apatyaṃ karma vidyā ca trīṇi jyotīṃṣi bhārata

offspring, deeds and learning are the three lights, O Bharata.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). A single line in Wikisource. Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 74 (1.107.74)

त्वं च शूरः सदाऽमर्षी शस्त्रनित्यश्च भारत । नान्यत्र युद्धात्तस्मात्ते निधनं विद्यते क्वचित् ॥

tvaṃ ca śūraḥ sadā'marṣī śastranityaśca bhārata | nānyatra yuddhāttasmātte nidhanaṃ vidyate kvacit

And you are brave, always quick to resent a wrong and ever bearing arms, O Bharata; for you there is no death anywhere but in battle.

Verse 75 (1.107.75)

सोऽस्मि संशयमापन्नस्त्वयि शान्ते कथं भवेत् । इति ते कारणं तात दुःखस्योक्तमशेषतः ॥

so'smi saṃśayamāpannastvayi śānte kathaṃ bhavet | iti te kāraṇaṃ tāta duḥkhasyoktamaśeṣataḥ

So I have fallen into doubt: if you were gone, what would become of us? This, my son, is the whole cause of my sorrow, told to you in full.

Verse 76 (1.107.76)

ततस्तत्कारणं राज्ञो ज्ञात्वा सर्वमशेषतः । देवव्रतो महाबुद्धिः प्रज्ञया चान्वचिन्तयत् ॥

tatastatkāraṇaṃ rājño jñātvā sarvamaśeṣataḥ | devavrato mahābuddhiḥ prajñayā cānvacintayat

Then, having understood the king's reason in full, the wise Devavrata pondered it with his intelligence.

Verse 77 (1.107.77)

अपत्यफलसंयुक्तमेतच्छ्रुत्वा पितुर्वचः । सूतं भूयोऽपि संतप्त आह्वयामास वै पितुः ॥

apatyaphalasaṃyuktametacchrutvā piturvacaḥ | sūtaṃ bhūyo'pi saṃtapta āhvayāmāsa vai pituḥ

Having heard his father's words about the fruit of offspring, he was troubled again and summoned his father's charioteer.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). The critical edition prints this passage in its Appendix I (No. 54).

Verse 78 (1.107.78)

सूतस्तु कुरुमुख्यस्य उपयातस्तदाज्ञया । तमुवाच महाप्राज्ञो भीष्मो वै सारथिं पितुः ॥

sūtastu kurumukhyasya upayātastadājñayā | tamuvāca mahāprājño bhīṣmo vai sārathiṃ pituḥ

The charioteer of the Kuru chief came at his summons, and the wise Bhishma said to his father's charioteer:

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 79 (1.107.79)

त्वं सारथे पितुर्मह्यं सखासि रथधूर्गतः । अपि जानासि यदि वै कस्यां भावो नृपस्य तु ॥

tvaṃ sārathe piturmahyaṃ sakhāsi rathadhūrgataḥ | api jānāsi yadi vai kasyāṃ bhāvo nṛpasya tu

Charioteer, you are my father's friend, who shares the yoke of his chariot. Do you know on whom the king's heart is set?

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 80 (1.107.80)

तदाचक्ष्व भवान्पृष्टः करिष्ये न तदन्यथा । दाशकन्या कुरुश्रेष्ठ तत्र भावः पितुर्गतः ॥

tadācakṣva bhavānpṛṣṭaḥ kariṣye na tadanyathā | dāśakanyā kuruśreṣṭha tatra bhāvaḥ piturgataḥ

"Tell me, since I ask you; I will act on it and not otherwise." The charioteer said: "Best of Kurus, your father's heart has gone out to the fisherman's daughter."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Devavrata speaks the first line; Wikisource prints सूत उवाच before the second.

Verse 81 (1.107.81)

वृतः स नरदेवेन तदा वचनमब्रवीत् । योऽस्यां पुमान्भवेज्जातः स राजा त्वदनन्तरम् ॥

vṛtaḥ sa naradevena tadā vacanamabravīt | yo'syāṃ pumānbhavejjātaḥ sa rājā tvadanantaram

When the lord of men asked for her, her father said: 'Any son born of her shall be king after you.'

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 82 (1.107.82)

नाकामयत तं दातुं पिता तव वरं तदा । स चापि निश्चयस्तस्य न च दद्यां ततोऽन्यथा ॥

nākāmayata taṃ dātuṃ pitā tava varaṃ tadā | sa cāpi niścayastasya na ca dadyāṃ tato'nyathā

Your father did not wish to grant him that condition then; and the fisher's mind is made up: 'I will not give her on any other terms.'

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 83 (1.107.83)

एतत्ते कथितं वीर कुरुष्व यदनन्तरम् । ततः स पितुराज्ञाय मतं सम्यगवेक्ष्य च । ज्ञात्वा च मानसं पुत्रः प्रययौ यमुनां प्रति ॥

etatte kathitaṃ vīra kuruṣva yadanantaram | tataḥ sa piturājñāya mataṃ samyagavekṣya ca | jñātvā ca mānasaṃ putraḥ prayayau yamunāṃ prati

"That is what I have to tell you, hero; do what must be done next." Then the son, grasping his father's wish and weighing it well, and knowing his father's mind, set out for the Yamuna.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). The charioteer speaks the first line; Wikisource prints वैशंपायन उवाच before the second.

Verse 84 (1.107.84)

क्षत्रियैः सह धर्मात्मा पुराणैर्धर्मचारिभिः । उच्चैश्श्रवसमागम्य कन्यां वव्रे पितुः स्वयम् ॥

kṣatriyaiḥ saha dharmātmā purāṇairdharmacāribhiḥ | uccaiśśravasamāgamya kanyāṃ vavre pituḥ svayam

With aged kshatriyas who walked in dharma, the righteous prince approached Uccaihshravas, king of the fishers, and himself asked for the maiden on his father's behalf.

Note on the text: A variant of 1.94.67; the first line differs. Removed a stray quote mark at the end of the verse.

Verse 85 (1.107.85)

तं दाशः प्रतिजग्राह विधिवत्प्रतिपूज्य च । अब्रवीच्चैनमासीनं राजसंसदि भारत ॥

taṃ dāśaḥ pratijagrāha vidhivatpratipūjya ca | abravīccainamāsīnaṃ rājasaṃsadi bhārata

The fisher received him with due honour and, when he was seated in the royal assembly, said to him, O Bharata:

Verse 86 (1.107.86)

राज्यशुल्का प्रदातव्या कन्येयं याचतां वर । अपत्यं यद्भवेदस्याः स राजाऽस्तु पितुः परम् ॥

rājyaśulkā pradātavyā kanyeyaṃ yācatāṃ vara | apatyaṃ yadbhavedasyāḥ sa rājā'stu pituḥ param

This maiden is to be given only for the kingdom as her bride-price, best of suitors: whatever child she bears shall be king after his father.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 87 (1.107.87)

त्वमेवात्र महाबाहो शान्तनोर्वंशवर्धनः । पुत्रः शस्त्रभृतां श्रेष्ठः किं नु वक्ष्यामि ते वचः ॥

tvamevātra mahābāho śāntanorvaṃśavardhanaḥ | putraḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ kiṃ nu vakṣyāmi te vacaḥ

You yourself, mighty-armed one, are the one who carries on Shantanu's line, his son, best of all who bear arms. What can I say to you?

Verse 88 (1.107.88)

कुमारिकायाः शुल्कार्थं किंचिद्वक्ष्यामि भारत । को हि संबन्धकं श्लाघ्यमीप्सितं यौनमीदृशम् । अतिक्रामन्न तप्येत साक्षादपि शतक्रतुः ॥

kumārikāyāḥ śulkārthaṃ kiṃcidvakṣyāmi bhārata | ko hi saṃbandhakaṃ ślāghyamīpsitaṃ yaunamīdṛśam | atikrāmanna tapyeta sākṣādapi śatakratuḥ

Still, about the maiden's bride-price I must say something, O Bharata. For who would pass over so praiseworthy and desirable a marriage alliance and not regret it, even Indra of the hundred sacrifices himself?

Note on the text: Corrected कोहि संबन्धखं → को हि संबन्धकं (misprint in Wikisource; run-together words and ख for क, as in the critical edition's ko hi saṃbandhakaṃ). First line not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 89 (1.107.89)

अपत्यं चैतदार्यस्य यो युष्माकं समो गुणैः । यस्य शुक्रात्सत्यवती संभूता वरवर्णिनी ॥

apatyaṃ caitadāryasya yo yuṣmākaṃ samo guṇaiḥ | yasya śukrātsatyavatī saṃbhūtā varavarṇinī

This girl is the child of a noble man who is your equal in virtue, from whose seed the fair Satyavati was born.

Verse 90 (1.107.90)

तेन मे बहुशस्तात पिता ते परिकीर्तितः । अर्हः सत्यवतीं वोढुं धर्मज्ञः स नराधिपः ॥

tena me bahuśastāta pitā te parikīrtitaḥ | arhaḥ satyavatīṃ voḍhuṃ dharmajñaḥ sa narādhipaḥ

He has often spoken to me of your father, my son, as a king who knows dharma and is worthy to marry Satyavati.

Verse 91 (1.107.91)

इयं सत्यवती देवी पितरं तेऽब्रवीत्तथा । अर्थितश्चापि राजर्षिः प्रत्याख्यातः पुरा मया ॥

iyaṃ satyavatī devī pitaraṃ te'bravīttathā | arthitaścāpi rājarṣiḥ pratyākhyātaḥ purā mayā

Satyavati, this lady herself, has spoken of your father in the same way. Even a royal sage who asked for her I turned away in the past.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Its second line echoes 1.94.73ab. Corrected चापिराजर्षिः → चापि राजर्षिः (misprint in Wikisource; run-together words). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 92 (1.107.92)

कन्यापितृत्वात्किंचित्तु वक्ष्यामि त्वां नराधिप । बलवत्सपत्नतामत्र दोषं पश्यामि केवलम् ॥

kanyāpitṛtvātkiṃcittu vakṣyāmi tvāṃ narādhipa | balavatsapatnatāmatra doṣaṃ paśyāmi kevalam

As the maiden's father I will say something to you, lord of men: the one drawback I see here is a powerful rival.

Verse 93 (1.107.93)

भूयांसं त्वयि पश्यामि तद्दोषमपराजित । यस्य हि त्वं सपत्नः स्या गन्धर्वस्यासुरस्य वा ॥

bhūyāṃsaṃ tvayi paśyāmi taddoṣamaparājita | yasya hi tvaṃ sapatnaḥ syā gandharvasyāsurasya vā

And that drawback I see at its greatest in you, unconquered one. For whoever has you for a rival, be he Gandharva or asura,

Note on the text: First line not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 94 (1.107.94)

न स जातु चिरं जीवेत्त्वयि क्रुद्धे परन्तप । एतावानत्र दोषो हि नान्यः कश्चन पार्थिव ॥

na sa jātu ciraṃ jīvettvayi kruddhe parantapa | etāvānatra doṣo hi nānyaḥ kaścana pārthiva

could never live long once you were angered, scorcher of foes. That is the only drawback here, and no other, O king.

Verse 95 (1.107.95)

एतज्जानीहि भद्रं ते दानादाने परन्तप ॥

etajjānīhi bhadraṃ te dānādāne parantapa

Know this, and may it go well with you, in this matter of giving and taking, scorcher of foes.

Note on the text: A single line in Wikisource (= 1.94.76cd).

Verse 96 (1.107.96)

एवमुक्तस्तु गाङ्गेयस्तद्युक्तं प्रत्यभाषत । शृण्वतां भूमिपालानां पितुरर्थाय भारत ॥

evamuktastu gāṅgeyastadyuktaṃ pratyabhāṣata | śṛṇvatāṃ bhūmipālānāṃ piturarthāya bhārata

Thus addressed, Gangeya gave a fitting reply for his father's sake, O Bharata, while the kings listened:

Verse 97 (1.107.97)

इदं वचनमाधत्स्व नास्ति वक्तास्य मत्समः । अन्यो जातो न जनिता न च कश्चन संप्रति ॥

idaṃ vacanamādhatsva nāsti vaktāsya matsamaḥ | anyo jāto na janitā na ca kaścana saṃprati

Take this word of mine to heart: there is no one like me to speak it, none born, none who will be born, and none now living.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). It stands where the critical edition has 1.94.78, which it resembles in sense. Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 98 (1.107.98)

एवमेतत्करिष्यामि यथा त्वमनुभाषसे । योऽस्यां जनिष्यते पुत्रः स नो राजा भविष्यति ॥

evametatkariṣyāmi yathā tvamanubhāṣase | yo'syāṃ janiṣyate putraḥ sa no rājā bhaviṣyati

I shall do just as you say: the son who is born of her shall be our king.

Verse 99 (1.107.99)

इत्युक्तः पुनरेव स्म तं दाशः प्रत्यभाषत । चिकीर्षुर्दुष्करं कर्म राज्यार्थे भरतर्षभ ॥

ityuktaḥ punareva sma taṃ dāśaḥ pratyabhāṣata | cikīrṣurduṣkaraṃ karma rājyārthe bharatarṣabha

So answered, the fisher spoke to him once more, O bull of the Bharatas, intent on securing a hard thing for the sake of the kingdom:

Verse 100 (1.107.100)

त्वमेव नाथः संप्राप्तः शान्तनोरमितद्युते । कन्यायाश्चैव धर्मात्मन्प्रभुर्दानाय चेश्वरः ॥

tvameva nāthaḥ saṃprāptaḥ śāntanoramitadyute | kanyāyāścaiva dharmātmanprabhurdānāya ceśvaraḥ

You alone have come here as Shantanu's protector, man of boundless splendour; and you, righteous one, are master of this maiden's giving and have the power to give her.

Verse 101 (1.107.101)

इदं तु वचनं सौम्य कार्यं चैव निबोध मे । कौमारिकाणां शीलेन वक्ष्याम्यहमरिन्दम ॥

idaṃ tu vacanaṃ saumya kāryaṃ caiva nibodha me | kaumārikāṇāṃ śīlena vakṣyāmyahamarindama

But hear this word of mine, gentle one, and what still has to be done. I will speak as fathers of daughters are wont to speak, subduer of foes.

Verse 102 (1.107.102)

यत्त्वया सत्यवत्यर्थे सत्यधर्मपरायण । राजमध्ये प्रतिज्ञातमनुरूपं तवैव तत् ॥

yattvayā satyavatyarthe satyadharmaparāyaṇa | rājamadhye pratijñātamanurūpaṃ tavaiva tat

What you have promised in the midst of kings for Satyavati's sake, you who are devoted to truth and dharma, is worthy of you alone.

Verse 103 (1.107.103)

नान्यथा तन्महाबाहो संशयोऽत्र न कश्चन । तवापत्यं भवेद्यत्तु तत्र नः संशयो महान् ॥

nānyathā tanmahābāho saṃśayo'tra na kaścana | tavāpatyaṃ bhavedyattu tatra naḥ saṃśayo mahān

It will not turn out otherwise, mighty-armed one; of that I have no doubt at all. But about any child that may be born to you, there my doubt is great.

Verse 104 (1.107.104)

तस्यैतन्मतमाज्ञाय सत्यधर्मपरायणः । प्रत्यजानात्तदा राजन्पितुः प्रियचिकीर्षया ॥

tasyaitanmatamājñāya satyadharmaparāyaṇaḥ | pratyajānāttadā rājanpituḥ priyacikīrṣayā

Understanding his meaning, the prince devoted to truth and dharma then made a vow, O king, wishing to please his father.

Verse 105 (1.107.105)

उच्चैश्श्रवः समाधत्स्व प्रतिज्ञां जनसंसदि । ऋषयो वाथ वा देवा भूतान्यन्तर्हितानि च ॥

uccaiśśravaḥ samādhatsva pratijñāṃ janasaṃsadi | ṛṣayo vātha vā devā bhūtānyantarhitāni ca

Uccaihshravas, mark this vow made before the assembly of men. Let the seers, or the gods, and the beings unseen,

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 106 (1.107.106)

यानि यानीह शृण्वन्तु नास्ति वक्तास्य मत्समः । दाशराज निबोधेदं वचनं मे नृपोत्तम ॥

yāni yānīha śṛṇvantu nāsti vaktāsya matsamaḥ | dāśarāja nibodhedaṃ vacanaṃ me nṛpottama

whoever they may be, hear it here: there is no one like me to speak it. King of the fishers, best of kings, hear these words of mine,

Note on the text: First line not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 107 (1.107.107)

शृण्वतां भूमिपालानां यद्ब्रवीमि पितुः कृते । राज्यं तावत्पूर्वमेव मया त्यक्तं नराधिपाः ॥

śṛṇvatāṃ bhūmipālānāṃ yadbravīmi pituḥ kṛte | rājyaṃ tāvatpūrvameva mayā tyaktaṃ narādhipāḥ

which I speak for my father's sake as the kings listen. The kingdom, O rulers of men, I have already given up.

Verse 108 (1.107.108)

अपत्यहेतोरपि च करिष्येऽद्य विनिश्चयम् । अद्यप्रभृति मे दाश ब्रह्मचर्यं भविष्यति ॥

apatyahetorapi ca kariṣye'dya viniścayam | adyaprabhṛti me dāśa brahmacaryaṃ bhaviṣyati

Now, on the matter of offspring too, I shall make my resolve today: from this day on, fisher, I shall live as a celibate.

Verse 109 (1.107.109)

अपुत्रस्यापि मे लोका भविष्यन्त्यक्षया दिवि । न हि जन्मप्रभृत्युक्तं मया किंचिदिहानृतम् ॥

aputrasyāpi me lokā bhaviṣyantyakṣayā divi | na hi janmaprabhṛtyuktaṃ mayā kiṃcidihānṛtam

Though I die without a son, imperishable worlds will be mine in heaven. Never since my birth have I spoken an untruth here.

Note on the text: Second line not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 110 (1.107.110)

यावत्प्राणा ध्रियन्ते वै मम देहं समाश्रिताः । तावन्न जनयिष्यामि पित्रे कन्यां प्रयच्छ मे ॥

yāvatprāṇā dhriyante vai mama dehaṃ samāśritāḥ | tāvanna janayiṣyāmi pitre kanyāṃ prayaccha me

As long as the breath of life remains in my body, I shall father no child. Give the maiden to my father.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 111 (1.107.111)

परित्यजाम्यहं राज्यं मैथुनं चापि सर्वशः । ऊर्ध्वरेता भविष्यामि दाश सत्यं ब्रवीमि ते ॥

parityajāmyahaṃ rājyaṃ maithunaṃ cāpi sarvaśaḥ | ūrdhvaretā bhaviṣyāmi dāśa satyaṃ bravīmi te

I renounce the kingdom, and all union with women entirely. I shall hold my seed in check for life; I tell you the truth, fisher.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 112 (1.107.112)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहः । ददानीत्येव तं दाशो धर्मात्मा प्रत्यभाषत ॥

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā saṃprahṛṣṭatanūruhaḥ | dadānītyeva taṃ dāśo dharmātmā pratyabhāṣata

Hearing his words, the righteous fisher, his hair bristling with joy, answered him, "I give her."

Verse 113 (1.107.113)

ततोऽन्तरिक्षेऽप्सरसो देवाः सर्षिगणास्तदा । तद्दृष्ट्वा दुष्करं कर्म प्रशशंसुश्च पार्थिवाः ॥

tato'ntarikṣe'psaraso devāḥ sarṣigaṇāstadā | taddṛṣṭvā duṣkaraṃ karma praśaśaṃsuśca pārthivāḥ

Then in the sky the apsarases, the gods and the hosts of seers, and the kings as well, seeing that hard deed, praised it.

Note on the text: Corrected ततोन्तरिक्षे → ततोऽन्तरिक्षे (missing avagraha) and तद्दृष्टा → तद्दृष्ट्वा (misprint in Wikisource; the gerund is needed, as in the critical edition's dṛṣṭvā). Second line not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 114 (1.107.114)

अभ्यवर्षन्त कुसुमैर्भीष्मोऽयमिति चाब्रुवन् । ततः स पितुरर्थाय तामुवाच यशस्विनीम् ॥

abhyavarṣanta kusumairbhīṣmo'yamiti cābruvan | tataḥ sa piturarthāya tāmuvāca yaśasvinīm

They rained down flowers and cried, "This is Bhishma!" Then, for his father's sake, he said to that illustrious maiden:

Verse 115 (1.107.115)

अधिरोह रथं मातर्गच्छावः स्वगृहानिति । एवमुक्त्वा तु भीष्मस्तां रथमारोप्य भामिनीम् ॥

adhiroha rathaṃ mātargacchāvaḥ svagṛhāniti | evamuktvā tu bhīṣmastāṃ rathamāropya bhāminīm

"Mount the chariot, mother; let us go home." Having said this, Bhishma seated the lovely woman in the chariot,

Note on the text: Corrected भामिनीं → भामिनीम् (final anusvara for म् before the verse-end).

Verse 116 (1.107.116)

आगम्य हास्तिनपुरं शान्तनोः संन्यवेदयत् । तस्य तद्दुष्करं कर्म प्रशशंसुर्नराधिपाः ॥

āgamya hāstinapuraṃ śāntanoḥ saṃnyavedayat | tasya tadduṣkaraṃ karma praśaśaṃsurnarādhipāḥ

and, arriving at Hastinapura, reported it to Shantanu. The kings praised that hard deed of his,

Note on the text: Corrected प्रशशंसुर्नाराधिपाः → प्रशशंसुर्नराधिपाः (misprint in Wikisource; ना for न, as in the critical edition's narādhipāḥ).

Verse 117 (1.107.117)

समेताश्च पृथक्चैव भीष्मोऽयमिति चाब्रुवन् । तच्छ्रुत्वा दुष्करं कर्म कृतं भीष्मेण शान्तनुः ॥

sametāśca pṛthakcaiva bhīṣmo'yamiti cābruvan | tacchrutvā duṣkaraṃ karma kṛtaṃ bhīṣmeṇa śāntanuḥ

together and one by one, saying, "This is Bhishma!" Hearing of the hard deed Bhishma had done, Shantanu

Note on the text: Corrected भीष्मोयमिति → भीष्मोऽयमिति (missing avagraha in Wikisource).

Verse 118 (1.107.118)

बभूव दुःखितो राजा चिररात्राय भारत । स तेन कर्मणा सूनोः प्रीतस्तस्मै वरं ददौ ॥

babhūva duḥkhito rājā cirarātrāya bhārata | sa tena karmaṇā sūnoḥ prītastasmai varaṃ dadau

the king grieved for a long time, O Bharata. Yet, pleased with his son's deed, he granted him a boon.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (backtick and quote marks that flag the southern insertion).

Verse 119 (1.107.119)

स्वच्छन्दमरणं तुष्टो ददौ तस्मै महात्मने । न ते मृत्युः प्रभविता यावज्जीवितुमिच्छसि ॥

svacchandamaraṇaṃ tuṣṭo dadau tasmai mahātmane | na te mṛtyuḥ prabhavitā yāvajjīvitumicchasi

Delighted, he granted the great-souled one the power to die at will: "Death shall have no power over you as long as you wish to live.

Note on the text: Second line not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 120 (1.107.120)

त्वत्तो ह्यनुज्ञां संप्राप्य मृत्युः प्रभविताऽनघ ॥

tvatto hyanujñāṃ saṃprāpya mṛtyuḥ prabhavitā'nagha

Only when it has received your leave, sinless one, will death have power over you."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). A single line in Wikisource.