Kacha Wins the Knowledge of Reviving the Dead

Verse 1 (1.70.1)

ययातिः पूर्वजोऽस्माकं दशमो यः प्रजापतेः । कथं स शुक्रतनयां लेभे परमदुर्लभाम् ॥

yayātiḥ pūrvajo'smākaṃ daśamo yaḥ prajāpateḥ | kathaṃ sa śukratanayāṃ lebhe paramadurlabhām

Yayati, our forefather, was tenth in descent from Prajapati. How did he win the daughter of Shukra, who was so very hard to win?

Verse 2 (1.70.2)

एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं विस्तरेण तपोधन । आनुपूर्व्या च मे शंस राज्ञो वंशकरान्पृथक् ॥

etadicchāmyahaṃ śrotuṃ vistareṇa tapodhana | ānupūrvyā ca me śaṃsa rājño vaṃśakarānpṛthak

I wish to hear this in detail, O you who are rich in austerity; and tell me also, in their order, each of the kings who carried on the line.

Verse 3 (1.70.3)

ययातिरासीन्नृपतिर्देवराजसमद्युतिः । तं शुक्रवृषपर्वाणौ वव्राते वै यथा पुरा ॥

yayātirāsīnnṛpatirdevarājasamadyutiḥ | taṃ śukravṛṣaparvāṇau vavrāte vai yathā purā

Yayati was a king as radiant as the king of the gods. Long ago Shukra and Vrishaparvan both chose him as a son-in-law.

Verse 4 (1.70.4)

तत्तेऽहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि पृच्छते जनमेजय । देवयान्याश्च संयोगं ययातेर्नाहुषस्य च ॥

tatte'haṃ saṃpravakṣyāmi pṛcchate janamejaya | devayānyāśca saṃyogaṃ yayāternāhuṣasya ca

Since you ask, Janamejaya, I shall tell you of the union of Devayani with Yayati, son of Nahusha.

Verse 5 (1.70.5)

सुराणामसुराणां च समजायत वै मिथः । ऐश्वर्यं प्रति संघर्षस्त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे ॥

surāṇāmasurāṇāṃ ca samajāyata vai mithaḥ | aiśvaryaṃ prati saṃgharṣastrailokye sacarācare

Between the gods and the asuras there arose a struggle for lordship over the three worlds, with all that moves and all that is still.

Verse 6 (1.70.6)

जिगीषया ततो देवा वव्रिरेऽङ्गिरसं मुनिम् । पौरोहित्येन याज्यार्थे काव्यं तूशनसं परे ॥

jigīṣayā tato devā vavrire'ṅgirasaṃ munim | paurohityena yājyārthe kāvyaṃ tūśanasaṃ pare

Then, eager for victory, the gods chose the sage of Angiras's line as their priest to conduct their sacrifices, and the others chose Kavya Ushanas.

Note on the text: Lines correspond to 1.71.6ac of the critical edition. (Wikisource divides the verses differently.)

Verse 7 (1.70.7)

ब्राह्मणौ तावुभौ नित्यमन्योन्यस्पर्धिनौ भृशम् । तत्र देवा निजघ्नुर्यान्दानवान्युधि संगतान् ॥

brāhmaṇau tāvubhau nityamanyonyaspardhinau bhṛśam | tatra devā nijaghnuryāndānavānyudhi saṃgatān

Those two brahmins were always fiercely jealous of each other. Whatever Danavas the gods slew when they met them in battle,

Note on the text: Lines correspond to 1.71.6e and 1.71.7a of the critical edition. (Wikisource divides the verses differently.)

Verse 8 (1.70.8)

तान्पुनर्जीवयामास काव्यो विद्याबलाश्रयात् । ततस्ते पुनरुत्थाय योधयांचक्रिरे सुरान् ॥

tānpunarjīvayāmāsa kāvyo vidyābalāśrayāt | tataste punarutthāya yodhayāṃcakrire surān

Kavya brought back to life by the power of his knowledge; and rising again, they fought the gods once more.

Note on the text: Lines correspond to 1.71.7ce of the critical edition. (Wikisource divides the verses differently.)

Verse 9 (1.70.9)

असुरास्तु निजघ्नुर्यान्सुरान्समरमूर्धनि । न तान्सञ्जीवयामास बृहस्पतिरुदारधीः ॥

asurāstu nijaghnuryānsurānsamaramūrdhani | na tānsañjīvayāmāsa bṛhaspatirudāradhīḥ

But the gods whom the asuras slew at the forefront of battle, the noble-minded Brihaspati could not revive.

Verse 10 (1.70.10)

न हि वेद स तां विद्यां यां काव्यो वेत्ति वीर्यवान् । सञ्जीविनीं ततो देवा विषादमगमन्परम् ॥

na hi veda sa tāṃ vidyāṃ yāṃ kāvyo vetti vīryavān | sañjīvinīṃ tato devā viṣādamagamanparam

For he did not know the knowledge that mighty Kavya knew, the art of reviving the dead; and so the gods fell into deep despair.

Note on the text: Separated काव्योवेत्ति → काव्यो वेत्ति (misprint in Wikisource; a missing space ran two words together).

Verse 11 (1.70.11)

ते तु देवा भयोद्विग्नाः काव्यादुशनसस्तदा । ऊचुः कचमुपागम्य ज्येष्ठं पुत्रं बृहस्पतेः ॥

te tu devā bhayodvignāḥ kāvyāduśanasastadā | ūcuḥ kacamupāgamya jyeṣṭhaṃ putraṃ bṛhaspateḥ

Then the gods, shaken with fear of Kavya Ushanas, went to Kacha, the eldest son of Brihaspati, and said:

Verse 12 (1.70.12)

भजमानान्भजस्वास्मान्कुरु नः साह्यमुत्तमम् । या सा विद्या निवसति ब्राह्मणेऽमिततेजसि ॥

bhajamānānbhajasvāsmānkuru naḥ sāhyamuttamam | yā sā vidyā nivasati brāhmaṇe'mitatejasi

We are devoted to you; be devoted to us, and do us the greatest service. That knowledge which dwells in the brahmin of boundless splendour,

Note on the text: Lines correspond to 1.71.11ac of the critical edition. (Wikisource divides the verses differently.)

Verse 13 (1.70.13)

शुक्रे तामाहर क्षिप्रं भागभाङ्नो भविष्यसि । वृषपर्वसमीपे हि शक्यो द्रष्टुं त्वया द्विजः ॥

śukre tāmāhara kṣipraṃ bhāgabhāṅno bhaviṣyasi | vṛṣaparvasamīpe hi śakyo draṣṭuṃ tvayā dvijaḥ

in Shukra, bring it quickly, and you shall share our portion. You can find that brahmin near Vrishaparvan.

Note on the text: Corrected भागभाङ्गो → भागभाङ्नो (misprint in Wikisource; ग for न, bhāgabhāk + naḥ "a sharer with us", as in the critical edition). Lines correspond to 1.71.11e and 1.71.12a of the critical edition. (Wikisource divides the verses differently.)

Verse 14 (1.70.14)

रक्षते दानवांस्तत्र न स रक्षत्यदानवान् । तमाराधयितुं शक्तो भवान्पूर्ववयाः कविम् ॥

rakṣate dānavāṃstatra na sa rakṣatyadānavān | tamārādhayituṃ śakto bhavānpūrvavayāḥ kavim

There he protects the Danavas, but not those who are not Danavas. You are young, and able to win the favour of that seer,

Note on the text: Lines correspond to 1.71.12c and 1.71.13a of the critical edition. (Wikisource divides the verses differently.)

Verse 15 (1.70.15)

देवयानीं च दयितां सुतां तस्य महात्मनः । त्वमाराधयितुं शक्तो नान्यः कश्चन विद्यते ॥

devayānīṃ ca dayitāṃ sutāṃ tasya mahātmanaḥ | tvamārādhayituṃ śakto nānyaḥ kaścana vidyate

and Devayani too, the beloved daughter of that great soul. You can win her favour; no one else can,

Note on the text: Lines correspond to 1.71.13c and 1.71.14a of the critical edition. (Wikisource divides the verses differently.)

Verse 16 (1.70.16)

शीलदाक्षिण्यमाधुर्यैराचारेण दमेन च । देवयान्यां हि तुष्टायां विद्यां तां प्राप्स्यसि ध्रुवम् ॥

śīladākṣiṇyamādhuryairācāreṇa damena ca | devayānyāṃ hi tuṣṭāyāṃ vidyāṃ tāṃ prāpsyasi dhruvam

by your character, courtesy and sweetness, by your conduct and self-restraint. Once Devayani is pleased, you will surely gain that knowledge.

Note on the text: Lines correspond to 1.71.14ce of the critical edition. (Wikisource divides the verses differently.)

Verse 17 (1.70.17)

तथेत्युक्त्वा ततः प्रायाद्बृहस्पतिसुतः कचः । तदाऽभिपूजितो देवैः समीपे वृषपर्वणः ॥

tathetyuktvā tataḥ prāyādbṛhaspatisutaḥ kacaḥ | tadā'bhipūjito devaiḥ samīpe vṛṣaparvaṇaḥ

Saying "So be it," Kacha, son of Brihaspati, honoured by the gods, set out for the presence of Vrishaparvan.

Verse 18 (1.70.18)

स गत्वा त्वरितो राजन्देवैः संप्रेषितः कचः । असुरेन्द्रपुरे शुक्रं दृष्ट्वा वाक्यमुवाच ह ॥

sa gatvā tvarito rājandevaiḥ saṃpreṣitaḥ kacaḥ | asurendrapure śukraṃ dṛṣṭvā vākyamuvāca ha

Sent by the gods, Kacha went in haste, O king, and seeing Shukra in the city of the asura king, he said:

Verse 19 (1.70.19)

ऋषेरङ्गिरसः पौत्रं पुत्रं साक्षाद्बृहस्पतेः । नाम्ना कच इति ख्यातं शिष्यं गृह्णातु मां भवान् ॥

ṛṣeraṅgirasaḥ pautraṃ putraṃ sākṣādbṛhaspateḥ | nāmnā kaca iti khyātaṃ śiṣyaṃ gṛhṇātu māṃ bhavān

I am the grandson of the sage Angiras and the very son of Brihaspati, known by the name of Kacha. Accept me as your pupil.

Note on the text: Corrected गृह्णात् → गृह्णातु (misprint in Wikisource; dropped vowel sign, the imperative gṛhṇātu as in the critical edition).

Verse 20 (1.70.20)

ब्रह्मचर्यं चरिष्यामि त्वय्यहं परमं गुरौ । अनुमन्यस्व मां ब्रह्मन्सहस्रं परिवत्सरान् ॥

brahmacaryaṃ cariṣyāmi tvayyahaṃ paramaṃ gurau | anumanyasva māṃ brahmansahasraṃ parivatsarān

With you as my teacher I shall keep the highest vow of celibate study for a thousand years. Give me leave, O brahmin.

Verse 21 (1.70.21)

कच सुस्वागतं तेऽस्तु प्रतिगृह्णामि ते वचः । अर्चयिष्येऽहमर्च्यं त्वामर्चितोऽस्तु बृहस्पतिः ॥

kaca susvāgataṃ te'stu pratigṛhṇāmi te vacaḥ | arcayiṣye'hamarcyaṃ tvāmarcito'stu bṛhaspatiḥ

Kacha, you are most welcome; I accept your words. I shall honour you, who deserve honour, and in you Brihaspati will be honoured.

Verse 22 (1.70.22)

कचस्तु तं तथेत्युक्त्वा प्रतिजग्राह तद्व्रतम् । आदिष्टं कविपुत्रेण शुक्रेणोशनसा स्वयम् ॥

kacastu taṃ tathetyuktvā pratijagrāha tadvratam | ādiṣṭaṃ kaviputreṇa śukreṇośanasā svayam

Kacha said "So be it" and took up the vow that Shukra Ushanas, son of Kavi, had himself laid down.

Verse 23 (1.70.23)

व्रतस्य प्राप्तकालं स यथोक्तं प्रत्यगृह्णत । आराधयन्नुपाध्यायं देवयानीं च भारत ॥

vratasya prāptakālaṃ sa yathoktaṃ pratyagṛhṇata | ārādhayannupādhyāyaṃ devayānīṃ ca bhārata

When the time came, he took up the vow as he had been told, and served both his teacher and Devayani, O Bharata.

Verse 24 (1.70.24)

नित्यमाराधयिष्यंस्तां युवा यौवनगां मुनिः । गायन्नृत्यन्वादयंश्च देवयानीमतोषयत् ॥

nityamārādhayiṣyaṃstāṃ yuvā yauvanagāṃ muniḥ | gāyannṛtyanvādayaṃśca devayānīmatoṣayat

Always seeking to please her, the young sage delighted Devayani, now in her youth, by singing, dancing and playing music.

Verse 25 (1.70.25)

स शीलयन्देवयानीं कन्यां संप्राप्तयौवनाम् । पुष्पैः फलैः प्रेषणैश्च तोषयामास भारत ॥

sa śīlayandevayānīṃ kanyāṃ saṃprāptayauvanām | puṣpaiḥ phalaiḥ preṣaṇaiśca toṣayāmāsa bhārata

Attending on Devayani, a maiden in the bloom of youth, he pleased her with flowers and fruits and by running her errands, O Bharata.

Verse 26 (1.70.26)

देवयान्यपि तं विप्रं नियमव्रतधारिणम् । गायन्ती च ललन्ती च रहः पर्यचरत्तथा ॥

devayānyapi taṃ vipraṃ niyamavratadhāriṇam | gāyantī ca lalantī ca rahaḥ paryacarattathā

Devayani too, singing and playful, waited on that brahmin in private, as he kept his rules and vows.

Verse 27 (1.70.27)

गायन्तं चैव शुक्लं च दातारं प्रियवादिनम् । नार्यो नरं कामयन्ते रूपिणं स्रग्विणं तथा ॥

gāyantaṃ caiva śuklaṃ ca dātāraṃ priyavādinam | nāryo naraṃ kāmayante rūpiṇaṃ sragviṇaṃ tathā

Women desire a man who sings, who is fair, generous and sweet-spoken, handsome and wearing a garland.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (a backtick, a quote mark and a doubled danda). Corrected शुल्कं → शुक्लं (misprint in Wikisource; transposed letters, "bright, fair"; the critical edition's apparatus reads śuklaṃ).

Verse 28 (1.70.28)

पञ्चवर्षशतान्येवं कचस्य चरतो व्रतम् । तत्रातीयुरथो बुद्ध्वा दानवास्तं ततः कचम् ॥

pañcavarṣaśatānyevaṃ kacasya carato vratam | tatrātīyuratho buddhvā dānavāstaṃ tataḥ kacam

Thus five hundred years went by as Kacha kept his vow. Then the Danavas came to learn about Kacha.

Verse 29 (1.70.29)

गा रक्षन्तं वने दृष्ट्वा रहस्येकममर्षिताः । जघ्नुर्बृहस्पतेर्द्वेषाद्विद्यारक्षार्थमेव च ॥

gā rakṣantaṃ vane dṛṣṭvā rahasyekamamarṣitāḥ | jaghnurbṛhaspaterdveṣādvidyārakṣārthameva ca

Seeing him alone in a lonely part of the forest, tending the cows, they in their anger killed him, out of hatred for Brihaspati and to guard the knowledge.

Note on the text: Lines correspond to 1.71.26ac of the critical edition. (Wikisource divides the verses differently.)

Verse 30 (1.70.30)

हत्वा शालावृकेभ्यश्च प्रायच्छँल्लवशः कृतम् । ततो गावो निवृत्तास्ता अगोपाः स्वं निवेशनम् ॥

hatvā śālāvṛkebhyaśca prāyaccham̐llavaśaḥ kṛtam | tato gāvo nivṛttāstā agopāḥ svaṃ niveśanam

Having killed him, they cut him into small pieces and gave him to the jackals. Then the cows came back to their home without their herdsman.

Note on the text: Lines correspond to 1.71.26e and 1.71.27a of the critical edition. (Wikisource divides the verses differently.)

Verse 31 (1.70.31)

सा दृष्ट्वा रहिता गाश्च कचेनाभ्यागता वनात् । उवाच वचनं काले देवयान्यथ भारत ॥

sā dṛṣṭvā rahitā gāśca kacenābhyāgatā vanāt | uvāca vacanaṃ kāle devayānyatha bhārata

Seeing the cows come back from the forest without Kacha, Devayani spoke at that hour, O Bharata:

Note on the text: Lines correspond to 1.71.27ce of the critical edition. (Wikisource divides the verses differently.)

Verse 32 (1.70.32)

आहुतं चाग्निहोत्रं ते सूर्यश्चास्तं गतः प्रभो । अगोपाश्चागता गावः कचस्तात न दृश्यते ॥

āhutaṃ cāgnihotraṃ te sūryaścāstaṃ gataḥ prabho | agopāścāgatā gāvaḥ kacastāta na dṛśyate

Your fire-offering has been made and the sun has set, my lord. The cows have come home without their herdsman, yet Kacha is nowhere to be seen, father.

Verse 33 (1.70.33)

व्यक्तं हतो मृतो वापि कचस्तात भविष्यति । तं विना न च जीवेयमिति सत्यं ब्रवीमि ते ॥

vyaktaṃ hato mṛto vāpi kacastāta bhaviṣyati | taṃ vinā na ca jīveyamiti satyaṃ bravīmi te

Clearly Kacha has been killed, or has died, father. Without him I cannot live; I tell you the truth.

Verse 34 (1.70.34)

अयमेहीति संशब्द्य मृतं संजीवयाम्यहम् ॥

ayamehīti saṃśabdya mṛtaṃ saṃjīvayāmyaham

I shall call him with the words "Come here," and bring the dead man back to life.

Note on the text: Split from Wikisource verse 34, which gives this line to Shukra and the next to Vaishampayana under separate speaker headings; the critical edition likewise prints it as a one-line verse (1.71.30).

Verse 35 (1.70.35)

ततः संजीविनीं विद्यां प्रयुज्य कचमाह्वयत् ॥

tataḥ saṃjīvinīṃ vidyāṃ prayujya kacamāhvayat

Then he employed the knowledge of reviving the dead and called Kacha.

Note on the text: Second line of Wikisource verse 34, split off because Wikisource places a Vaishampayana speaker heading before it; = 1.71.31a.

Verse 36 (1.70.36)

भित्त्वा भित्त्वा शरीराणि वृकाणां स विनिर्गतः । आहूतः प्रादुरभवत्कचो हृष्टोऽथ विद्यया ॥

bhittvā bhittvā śarīrāṇi vṛkāṇāṃ sa vinirgataḥ | āhūtaḥ prādurabhavatkaco hṛṣṭo'tha vidyayā

Bursting out of the jackals' bodies one after another, Kacha, summoned by the knowledge, appeared, glad at heart.

Note on the text: The first line (भित्त्वा भित्त्वा शरीराणि…) is not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the second = 1.71.31c.

Verse 37 (1.70.37)

कस्माच्चिरायितोऽसीति पृष्टस्तामाह भार्गवीम् ॥

kasmāccirāyito'sīti pṛṣṭastāmāha bhārgavīm

Asked "Why were you so late?", he told the daughter of Bhrigu's line:

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). First line of Wikisource verse 36, split off because Wikisource places a Kacha speaker heading before the second line.

Verse 38 (1.70.38)

समिधश्च कुशादीनि काष्ठभारं च भामिनि ॥

samidhaśca kuśādīni kāṣṭhabhāraṃ ca bhāmini

Gathering fuel-sticks, kusha grass and the like, and a load of wood, fair lady,

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Second line of Wikisource verse 36, split off and given to Kacha, as Wikisource places his speaker heading before it.

Verse 39 (1.70.39)

गृहीत्वा श्रमभारार्तो वटवृक्षं समाश्रितः । गावश्च सहिताः सर्वा वृक्षच्छायामुपाश्रिताः ॥

gṛhītvā śramabhārārto vaṭavṛkṣaṃ samāśritaḥ | gāvaśca sahitāḥ sarvā vṛkṣacchāyāmupāśritāḥ

I was worn out by the weight of the load and took shelter under a banyan tree, and all the cows together rested in the tree's shade.

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

Verse 40 (1.70.40)

असुरास्तत्र मां दृष्ट्वा कस्त्वमित्यभ्यचोदयन् । बृहस्पतिसुतश्चाहं कच इत्यभिविश्रुतः ॥

asurāstatra māṃ dṛṣṭvā kastvamityabhyacodayan | bṛhaspatisutaścāhaṃ kaca ityabhiviśrutaḥ

Seeing me there, the asuras demanded, "Who are you?" I answered, "I am the son of Brihaspati, known as Kacha."

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

Verse 41 (1.70.41)

इत्युक्तमात्रे मां हत्वा पेषीकृत्वा तु दानवाः । दत्त्वा शालावृकेभ्यस्तु सुखं जग्मुः स्वमालयं ॥

ityuktamātre māṃ hatvā peṣīkṛtvā tu dānavāḥ | dattvā śālāvṛkebhyastu sukhaṃ jagmuḥ svamālayaṃ

The moment I had said it, the Danavas killed me, pounded me to a paste, gave me to the jackals, and went happily home.

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

Verse 42 (1.70.42)

आहूतो विद्यया भद्रे भार्गवेण महात्मना । त्वत्समीपमिहायातः कथंचित्प्राप्तजीवितः ॥

āhūto vidyayā bhadre bhārgaveṇa mahātmanā | tvatsamīpamihāyātaḥ kathaṃcitprāptajīvitaḥ

Called by the knowledge of the great-souled son of Bhrigu, gentle lady, I have come here to you, having somehow regained my life.

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

Verse 43 (1.70.43)

हतोऽहमिति चाचख्यौ पृष्टो ब्राह्मणकन्यया । स पुनर्देवयान्योक्तः पुष्पाण्याहर मे द्विज ॥

hato'hamiti cācakhyau pṛṣṭo brāhmaṇakanyayā | sa punardevayānyoktaḥ puṣpāṇyāhara me dvija

Asked by the brahmin's daughter, he told her, "I was killed." Another time Devayani said to him, "Bring me flowers, brahmin."

Note on the text: The first line = 1.71.31e; the second is a variant of 1.71.32a. (Wikisource divides the verses differently.)

Verse 44 (1.70.44)

वनं ययौ कचो विप्रो ददृशुर्दानवाश्च तम् । पुनस्तं पेषयित्वा तु समुद्राम्भस्यमिश्रयन् ॥

vanaṃ yayau kaco vipro dadṛśurdānavāśca tam | punastaṃ peṣayitvā tu samudrāmbhasyamiśrayan

The brahmin Kacha went to the forest, and the Danavas saw him. Again they pounded him to a paste and mixed him into the waters of the sea.

Note on the text: The first line is a variant of 1.71.32c; the second (पुनस्तं पेषयित्वा तु…) is not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 45 (1.70.45)

चिरं गतं पुनः कन्या पित्रे तं संन्यवेदयत् । विप्रेण पुनराहूतो विद्यया गुरुदेहजः । पुनरावृत्य तद्वृत्तं न्यवेदयत तद्यथा ॥

ciraṃ gataṃ punaḥ kanyā pitre taṃ saṃnyavedayat | vipreṇa punarāhūto vidyayā gurudehajaḥ | punarāvṛtya tadvṛttaṃ nyavedayata tadyathā

When he had been gone a long time, the maiden again told her father. Called back once more by the brahmin's knowledge, the son of the preceptor returned and told what had happened, just as it was.

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

Verse 46 (1.70.46)

ततस्तृतीयं हत्वा तं दग्ध्वा कृत्वा च चूर्णशः । प्रायच्छन्ब्राह्मणायैव सुरायामसुरास्तथा ॥

tatastṛtīyaṃ hatvā taṃ dagdhvā kṛtvā ca cūrṇaśaḥ | prāyacchanbrāhmaṇāyaiva surāyāmasurāstathā

Then, killing him a third time, the asuras burnt him, ground him to powder, and gave it to the brahmin himself in his wine.

Verse 47 (1.70.47)

अपिबत्सुरया सार्धं कचभस्म भृगूद्वहः । सा सायन्तनवेलायामगोपा गाः समागताः ॥

apibatsurayā sārdhaṃ kacabhasma bhṛgūdvahaḥ | sā sāyantanavelāyāmagopā gāḥ samāgatāḥ

The foremost of Bhrigu's line drank Kacha's ashes together with the wine. In the evening she saw the cows come home without their herdsman.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed a stray wiki mark (a backtick) at the start.

Verse 48 (1.70.48)

देवयानी शङ्कमाना दृष्ट्वा पितरमब्रवीत् । पुष्पाहारः प्रेषणकृत्कचस्तात न दृश्यते ॥

devayānī śaṅkamānā dṛṣṭvā pitaramabravīt | puṣpāhāraḥ preṣaṇakṛtkacastāta na dṛśyate

Seeing this, Devayani grew afraid and said to her father: "Kacha, who brings my flowers and runs my errands, is nowhere to be seen, father."

Note on the text: Removed a stray wiki mark (a quote mark) at the end of the first line. The first line is a variant of 1.71.34a; the second = 1.71.34c.

Verse 49 (1.70.49)

व्यक्तं हतो मृतो वापि कचस्तात भविष्यति । तं विना न च जीवेयं कचं सत्यं ब्रवीमि ते ॥

vyaktaṃ hato mṛto vāpi kacastāta bhaviṣyati | taṃ vinā na ca jīveyaṃ kacaṃ satyaṃ bravīmi te

Clearly Kacha has been killed, or has died, father. Without him I cannot live; I tell you the truth about Kacha.

Note on the text: Repeats verse 33 (= 1.71.29); the critical edition does not repeat it here (the repetition is found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 50 (1.70.50)

श्रुत्वा पुत्रीवचः काव्यो मन्त्रेणाहूतवान्कचम् । ज्ञात्वा बहिष्ठमज्ञात्वा स्वकुक्षिस्थं कचं नृप ॥

śrutvā putrīvacaḥ kāvyo mantreṇāhūtavānkacam | jñātvā bahiṣṭhamajñātvā svakukṣisthaṃ kacaṃ nṛpa

Hearing his daughter's words, Kavya summoned Kacha with his spell, thinking him to be outside and not knowing that Kacha lay in his own belly, O king.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Dropped the speaker heading "वैशंपायन उवाच" that Wikisource printed as the verse's first line (it is carried as the speaker instead), and removed stray wiki marks (a backtick and a quote mark).

Verse 51 (1.70.51)

बृहस्पतेः सुतः पुत्रि कचः प्रेतगतिं गतः । विद्यया जीवितोऽप्येवं हन्यते करवाम किम् ॥

bṛhaspateḥ sutaḥ putri kacaḥ pretagatiṃ gataḥ | vidyayā jīvito'pyevaṃ hanyate karavāma kim

Brihaspati's son Kacha has gone the way of the dead, my daughter. Though brought back to life by the knowledge, he is killed again like this. What can we do?

Verse 52 (1.70.52)

मैवं शुचो मा रुद देवयानि । न त्वादृशी मर्त्यमनुप्रशोचते । यस्यास्तव ब्रह्म च ब्राह्मणाश्च । सेन्द्रा देवा वसवोऽथाश्विनौ च ॥

maivaṃ śuco mā ruda devayāni | na tvādṛśī martyamanupraśocate | yasyāstava brahma ca brāhmaṇāśca | sendrā devā vasavo'thāśvinau ca

Do not grieve so, do not weep, Devayani. One such as you does not mourn a mortal: you, before whom the Veda and the brahmins, the gods with Indra, the Vasus and the two Ashvins,

Note on the text: Lines 1–2 = 1.71.36a; lines 3–4 (यस्यास्तव ब्रह्म च…) are not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 53 (1.70.53)

सुरद्विषश्चैव जगच्च सर्व- । मुपस्थाने सन्नमन्ति प्रभावात् । अशक्योऽसौ जीवयितुं द्विजातिः । संजीवितो वध्यते चैव भूयः ॥

suradviṣaścaiva jagacca sarva- | mupasthāne sannamanti prabhāvāt | aśakyo'sau jīvayituṃ dvijātiḥ | saṃjīvito vadhyate caiva bhūyaḥ

the enemies of the gods and the whole world come and bow down, through my power. That brahmin cannot be kept alive; brought back to life, he is only killed again.

Note on the text: Lines 1–2 are a variant of 1.71.36c; lines 3–4 (अशक्योऽसौ जीवयितुं…) are not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 54 (1.70.54)

यस्याङ्गिरा वृद्धतमः पितामहो । बृहस्पतिश्चापि पिता तपोनिधिः । ऋषेः पुत्रं तमथो वापि पौत्रं । कथं न शोचेयमहं न रुद्याम् ॥

yasyāṅgirā vṛddhatamaḥ pitāmaho | bṛhaspatiścāpi pitā taponidhiḥ | ṛṣeḥ putraṃ tamatho vāpi pautraṃ | kathaṃ na śoceyamahaṃ na rudyām

His grandfather is the most venerable Angiras, his father Brihaspati, a treasure of austerity. He is the son of a seer and the grandson of a seer; how should I not grieve for him, how should I not weep?

Verse 55 (1.70.55)

स ब्रह्मचारी च तपोधनश्च । सदोत्थितः कर्मसु चैव दक्षः । कचस्य मार्गं प्रतिपत्स्ये न भोक्ष्ये । प्रियो हि मे तात कचोऽभिरूपः ॥

sa brahmacārī ca tapodhanaśca | sadotthitaḥ karmasu caiva dakṣaḥ | kacasya mārgaṃ pratipatsye na bhokṣye | priyo hi me tāta kaco'bhirūpaḥ

He kept the vow of celibacy and was rich in austerity, always ready and skilled in his work. I shall follow Kacha's path and eat nothing; for handsome Kacha is dear to me, father.

Verse 56 (1.70.56)

असंशयं मामसुरा द्विषन्ति । ये मे शिष्यं नागसं सूदयन्ति । अब्राह्मणं कर्तुमिच्छन्ति रौद्रा- । स्ते मां यथा प्रस्तुतं दानवैर्हि । अप्यस्य पापस्य भवेदिहान्तः । कं ब्रह्महत्या न दहेदपीन्द्रम् ॥

asaṃśayaṃ māmasurā dviṣanti | ye me śiṣyaṃ nāgasaṃ sūdayanti | abrāhmaṇaṃ kartumicchanti raudrā- | ste māṃ yathā prastutaṃ dānavairhi | apyasya pāpasya bhavedihāntaḥ | kaṃ brahmahatyā na dahedapīndram

Beyond doubt the asuras hate me, for they kill my blameless pupil. These cruel ones want to make me no brahmin, as the Danavas have plainly set out to do. Let there be an end of this sin here and now; for whom would the guilt of killing a brahmin not burn, even Indra himself?

Note on the text: Restored from the critical edition (1.71.39ae): Wikisource prints only the last quarter of this verse (कं ब्रह्महत्या न दहेदपीन्द्रम्, numbered 54f), the first five quarters having been lost.

Verse 57 (1.70.57)

संचोदितो देवयान्या महर्षिः पुनराह्वयत् । संरम्भेणैव काव्यो हि बृहस्पतिसुतं कचम् ॥

saṃcodito devayānyā maharṣiḥ punarāhvayat | saṃrambheṇaiva kāvyo hi bṛhaspatisutaṃ kacam

Urged on by Devayani, the great sage Kavya, in his vehemence, called Kacha, the son of Brihaspati, once again.

Note on the text: Dropped the speaker heading "वैशंपायन उवाच" that Wikisource printed as the verse's first line (it is carried as the speaker instead), and removed a stray wiki mark (a backtick).

Verse 58 (1.70.58)

कचोऽपि राजन्स महानुभावो । विद्याबलाल्लब्धमतिर्महात्मा । गुरोर्हि भीतो विद्यया चोपहूतः । शनैर्वाक्यं जठरे व्याजहार ॥

kaco'pi rājansa mahānubhāvo | vidyābalāllabdhamatirmahātmā | gurorhi bhīto vidyayā copahūtaḥ | śanairvākyaṃ jaṭhare vyājahāra

And Kacha too, O king, that great and noble soul, whose understanding had come from the power of the knowledge, summoned by the knowledge yet fearful of his teacher, spoke softly from within his belly:

Note on the text: Removed a stray wiki mark (a quote mark) after महात्मा. Lines 1–2 are not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); lines 3–4 = 1.71.41a.

Verse 59 (1.70.59)

प्रसीद भगवन्मह्यं कचोऽहमभिवादये । यथा बहुमतः पुत्रस्तथा मन्यतु मां भवान् ॥

prasīda bhagavanmahyaṃ kaco'hamabhivādaye | yathā bahumataḥ putrastathā manyatu māṃ bhavān

Be gracious to me, lord; I, Kacha, salute you. Look on me as you would on a much-loved son.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed stray wiki marks (a backtick, a quote mark and a doubled danda).

Verse 60 (1.70.60)

तमब्रवीत्केन पथोपनीत- । स्त्वं चोदरे तिष्ठसि ब्रूहि विप्र । अस्मिन्मुहूर्ते ह्यसुरान्विनाश्य । गच्छामि देवानहमद्य विप्र ॥

tamabravītkena pathopanīta- | stvaṃ codare tiṣṭhasi brūhi vipra | asminmuhūrte hyasurānvināśya | gacchāmi devānahamadya vipra

Shukra said to him: "By what way were you brought here, that you are inside my belly? Tell me, brahmin. This very hour I shall destroy the asuras and go over to the gods this day, brahmin."

Note on the text: Lines 1–2 are a variant of 1.71.41c; lines 3–4 (अस्मिन्मुहूर्ते…) are not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 61 (1.70.61)

तव प्रसादान्न जहाति मां स्मृतिः । स्मरामि सर्वं यच्च यथा च वृत्तम् । नत्वेवं स्यात्तपसः संक्षयो मे । ततः क्लेशं घोरमिमं सहामि ॥

tava prasādānna jahāti māṃ smṛtiḥ | smarāmi sarvaṃ yacca yathā ca vṛttam | natvevaṃ syāttapasaḥ saṃkṣayo me | tataḥ kleśaṃ ghoramimaṃ sahāmi

By your grace my memory has not left me; I remember everything that happened and how it happened. But my austerity must not be wasted in this way; that is why I endure this terrible suffering.

Verse 62 (1.70.62)

असुरैः सुरायां भवतोऽस्मि दत्तो । हत्वा दग्ध्वा चूर्णयित्वा च काव्य । ब्राह्मीं मायां चासुरीं विप्र मायां । त्वयि स्थिते कथमेवातिवर्तेत् ॥

asuraiḥ surāyāṃ bhavato'smi datto | hatvā dagdhvā cūrṇayitvā ca kāvya | brāhmīṃ māyāṃ cāsurīṃ vipra māyāṃ | tvayi sthite kathamevātivartet

The asuras killed me, burnt me, ground me to powder and gave me to you in your wine, O Kavya. While you stand, how could anyone pass beyond the power of the brahmins and the power of the asuras, O brahmin?

Verse 63 (1.70.63)

किं ते प्रियं करवाण्यद्य वत्से । वधेन मे जीवितं स्यात्कचस्य । नान्यत्र कुक्षेर्मम भेदनेन । दृश्येत्कचो मद्गतो देवयानि ॥

kiṃ te priyaṃ karavāṇyadya vatse | vadhena me jīvitaṃ syātkacasya | nānyatra kukṣermama bhedanena | dṛśyetkaco madgato devayāni

What can I do today that would please you, my child? Only by my death could Kacha live. Kacha, who is inside me, cannot be seen except by the splitting of my belly, Devayani.

Verse 64 (1.70.64)

द्वौ मां शोकावग्निकल्पौ दहेतां । कचस्य नाशस्तव चैवोपघातः । कचस्य नाशे मम शर्म नास्ति । तवोपघाते जीवितुं नास्मि शक्ता ॥

dvau māṃ śokāvagnikalpau dahetāṃ | kacasya nāśastava caivopaghātaḥ | kacasya nāśe mama śarma nāsti | tavopaghāte jīvituṃ nāsmi śaktā

Two griefs like fire would burn me: Kacha's death and your own destruction. With Kacha dead I have no peace; with you destroyed I cannot live.

Verse 65 (1.70.65)

संसिद्धरूपोऽसि बृहस्पतेः सुत । यत्त्वां भक्तं भजते देवयानी । विद्यामिमां प्राप्नुहि जीवनीं त्वं । न चेदिन्द्रः कचरूपी त्वमद्य ॥

saṃsiddharūpo'si bṛhaspateḥ suta | yattvāṃ bhaktaṃ bhajate devayānī | vidyāmimāṃ prāpnuhi jīvanīṃ tvaṃ | na cedindraḥ kacarūpī tvamadya

Son of Brihaspati, you have reached perfection, since Devayani loves you who are devoted to her. Receive this knowledge that restores life, unless you are Indra in the form of Kacha.

Verse 66 (1.70.66)

न निवर्तेत्पुनर्जीवन्कश्चिदन्यो ममोदरात् । ब्राह्मणं वर्जयित्वैकं तस्माद्विद्यामवाप्नुहि ॥

na nivartetpunarjīvankaścidanyo mamodarāt | brāhmaṇaṃ varjayitvaikaṃ tasmādvidyāmavāpnuhi

No one else could come back alive out of my belly, none but a brahmin. Therefore receive the knowledge.

Verse 67 (1.70.67)

पुत्रो भूत्वा भावय भावितो मा- । मस्मद्देहादुपनिष्क्रम्य तात । समीक्षेथा धर्मवतीमवेक्षां । गुरोः सकाशात्प्राप्य विद्यां सविद्यः ॥

putro bhūtvā bhāvaya bhāvito mā- | masmaddehādupaniṣkramya tāta | samīkṣethā dharmavatīmavekṣāṃ | guroḥ sakāśātprāpya vidyāṃ savidyaḥ

Become my son; brought to life by me, bring me back to life once you have come out of my body, dear child. Having received the knowledge from your teacher and possessing it, look on me with a righteous eye.

Verse 68 (1.70.68)

गुरोः सकाशात्समवाप्य विद्यां । भित्त्वा कुक्षिं निर्विचक्राम विप्रः । कचोऽभिरूपस्तत्क्षणाद्ब्राह्मणस्य । शुक्लात्यये पौर्णमास्यामिवेन्दुः ॥

guroḥ sakāśātsamavāpya vidyāṃ | bhittvā kukṣiṃ nirvicakrāma vipraḥ | kaco'bhirūpastatkṣaṇādbrāhmaṇasya | śuklātyaye paurṇamāsyāmivenduḥ

Receiving the knowledge from his teacher, the brahmin Kacha split open the belly and came out that very moment, handsome, from the brahmin's body, like the moon on the full-moon night at the close of the bright fortnight.

Verse 69 (1.70.69)

दृष्ट्वा च तं पतितं ब्रह्मराशि- । मुत्थापयामास मृतं कचोऽपि । विद्यां सिद्धां तामवाप्याभिवाद्य । ततः कचस्तं गुरुमित्युवाच ॥

dṛṣṭvā ca taṃ patitaṃ brahmarāśi- | mutthāpayāmāsa mṛtaṃ kaco'pi | vidyāṃ siddhāṃ tāmavāpyābhivādya | tataḥ kacastaṃ gurumityuvāca

And seeing that heap of holiness lying fallen and dead, Kacha raised him up. Having gained the knowledge in full, he saluted him and then spoke to his teacher thus:

Verse 70 (1.70.70)

यः श्रोत्रयोरमृतं सन्निषिञ्चे- । द्विद्यामविद्यस्य यथा त्वमार्यः । तं मन्येऽहं पितरं मातरं च । तस्मै न द्रुह्येत्कृतमस्य जानन् ॥

yaḥ śrotrayoramṛtaṃ sanniṣiñce- | dvidyāmavidyasya yathā tvamāryaḥ | taṃ manye'haṃ pitaraṃ mātaraṃ ca | tasmai na druhyetkṛtamasya jānan

Whoever pours nectar into the ears of one who lacks knowledge, giving him knowledge, as you have done, noble one, him I regard as father and mother; knowing what he has done, one should never betray him.

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

Verse 71 (1.70.71)

ऋतस्य दातारमनुत्तमस्य । निधिं निधीनामपि लब्धविद्याः । ये नाद्रियन्ते गुरुमर्चनीयं । पापाँल्लोकांस्ते व्रजन्त्यप्रतिष्ठाः ॥

ṛtasya dātāramanuttamasya | nidhiṃ nidhīnāmapi labdhavidyāḥ | ye nādriyante gurumarcanīyaṃ | pāpām̐llokāṃste vrajantyapratiṣṭhāḥ

Those who, having gained knowledge, do not honour the teacher worthy of worship, the giver of the highest truth, the treasure of treasures, go to the worlds of sinners and find no footing.

Verse 72 (1.70.72)

सुरापानाद्वञ्चनां प्राप्य विद्वा- । न्संज्ञानाशं चैव महातिघोरम् । दृष्ट्वा कचं चापि तथाभिरूपं । पीतं तदा सुरया मोहितेन ॥

surāpānādvañcanāṃ prāpya vidvā- | nsaṃjñānāśaṃ caiva mahātighoram | dṛṣṭvā kacaṃ cāpi tathābhirūpaṃ | pītaṃ tadā surayā mohitena

The learned Shukra saw how he had been deceived through drinking wine, and the dreadful loss of awareness it had brought, and how, stupefied by the wine, he had drunk the handsome Kacha with it.

Verse 73 (1.70.73)

समन्युरुत्थाय महानुभाव- । स्तदोशना विप्रहितं चिकीर्षुः । सुरापानं प्रति संजातमन्युः । काव्यः स्वयं वाक्यमिदं जगाद ॥

samanyurutthāya mahānubhāva- | stadośanā viprahitaṃ cikīrṣuḥ | surāpānaṃ prati saṃjātamanyuḥ | kāvyaḥ svayaṃ vākyamidaṃ jagāda

Then the great-souled Ushanas rose up in anger, wishing to do good to the brahmins; and Kavya, his wrath kindled against the drinking of wine, himself spoke these words:

Verse 74 (1.70.74)

यो ब्राह्मणोऽद्यप्रभृतीह कश्चि- । न्मोहात्सुरां पास्यति मन्दबुद्धिः । अपेतधर्मा ब्रह्महा चैव स स्या- । दस्मिंल्लोके गर्हितः स्यात्परे च ॥

yo brāhmaṇo'dyaprabhṛtīha kaści- | nmohātsurāṃ pāsyati mandabuddhiḥ | apetadharmā brahmahā caiva sa syā- | dasmiṃlloke garhitaḥ syātpare ca

Any brahmin who from this day on, dull-witted and deluded, drinks wine shall be fallen from dharma and counted the slayer of a brahmin; he shall be despised in this world and in the next.

Note on the text: Corrected ब्र्हमहा → ब्रह्महा (misprint in Wikisource; broken conjunct, brahmahā as in the critical edition).

Verse 75 (1.70.75)

मया चैतां विप्रधर्मोक्तिसीमां । मर्यादां वै स्थापितां सर्वलोके । सन्तो विप्राः शुश्रुवांसो गुरूणां । देवा लोकाश्चोपशृण्वन्तु सर्वे ॥

mayā caitāṃ vipradharmoktisīmāṃ | maryādāṃ vai sthāpitāṃ sarvaloke | santo viprāḥ śuśruvāṃso gurūṇāṃ | devā lokāścopaśṛṇvantu sarve

This limit, the boundary set to the dharma of brahmins, I have established throughout the world. Let good brahmins who serve their teachers, and the gods and all the worlds, hear it.

Verse 76 (1.70.76)

इतीदमुक्त्वा स महानुभाव- । स्तपोनिधीनां निधिरप्रमेयः । तान्दानवान्दैवविमूढबुद्धी- । निदं समाहूय वचोऽभ्युवाच ॥

itīdamuktvā sa mahānubhāva- | staponidhīnāṃ nidhiraprameyaḥ | tāndānavāndaivavimūḍhabuddhī- | nidaṃ samāhūya vaco'bhyuvāca

Having said this, that great-souled one, beyond measure, a treasure among the treasures of austerity, summoned the Danavas, whose minds fate had clouded, and spoke these words to them:

Verse 77 (1.70.77)

आचक्षे वो दानवा बालिशाः स्थ । सिद्धः कचो वत्स्यति मत्सकाशे । सञ्जीविनीं प्राप्य विद्यां महात्मा । तुल्यप्रभावो ब्राह्मणो ब्रह्मभूतः ॥

ācakṣe vo dānavā bāliśāḥ stha | siddhaḥ kaco vatsyati matsakāśe | sañjīvinīṃ prāpya vidyāṃ mahātmā | tulyaprabhāvo brāhmaṇo brahmabhūtaḥ

I tell you, Danavas, you are fools. Kacha has gained his end and will live with me. Having obtained the knowledge that restores life, the great-souled brahmin is my equal in power, one with Brahman.

Verse 78 (1.70.78)

योऽकार्षीद्दुष्करं कर्म देवानां कारणात्कचः । न तत्कीर्तिर्जरां गच्छेद्याज्ञीयश्च भविष्यति ॥

yo'kārṣīdduṣkaraṃ karma devānāṃ kāraṇātkacaḥ | na tatkīrtirjarāṃ gacchedyājñīyaśca bhaviṣyati

Kacha, who has done so hard a deed for the sake of the gods: his fame shall never grow old, and he shall be worthy of a share in sacrifice.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Removed a stray wiki mark (a backtick) at the start. Corrected किर्तिर् → कीर्तिर् (misprint in Wikisource; short i for long ī in kīrti).

Verse 79 (1.70.79)

एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं विरराम स भार्गवः । दानवा विस्मयाविष्टाः प्रययुः स्वं निवेशनम् ॥

etāvaduktvā vacanaṃ virarāma sa bhārgavaḥ | dānavā vismayāviṣṭāḥ prayayuḥ svaṃ niveśanam

Having spoken these words, the descendant of Bhrigu fell silent. The Danavas, filled with amazement, went off to their homes.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Dropped the speaker heading "वैशंपायन उवाच" that Wikisource printed as the verse's first line (it is carried as the speaker instead), and removed a stray wiki mark (a quote mark).

Verse 80 (1.70.80)

गुरोरुष्य सकाशे तु दश वर्षशतानि सः । अनुज्ञातः कचो गन्तुमियेष त्रिदशालयम् ॥

guroruṣya sakāśe tu daśa varṣaśatāni saḥ | anujñātaḥ kaco gantumiyeṣa tridaśālayam

Kacha lived with his teacher for a thousand years; then, given leave to go, he resolved to go to the abode of the gods.