Krishna Tells of Jarasandha's Birth

Verse 1 (2.17.1)

जातस्य भारते वंशे तथा कुन्त्याः सुतस्य च । या वै युक्ता मतिः सेयमर्जुनेन प्रदर्शिता ॥

jātasya bhārate vaṃśe tathā kuntyāḥ sutasya ca | yā vai yuktā matiḥ seyamarjunena pradarśitā

"The resolve that befits one born in the line of Bharata, and a son of Kunti besides, is the very one Arjuna has shown.

Verse 2 (2.17.2)

न स्म मृत्युं वयं विद्म रात्रौ वा यदि वा दिवा । न चापि कञ्चिदमरमयुद्धेनानुशुश्रुम ॥

na sma mṛtyuṃ vayaṃ vidma rātrau vā yadi vā divā | na cāpi kañcidamaramayuddhenānuśuśruma

We do not know when death will come, by night or by day; nor have we ever heard of anyone who became immortal by not fighting.

Verse 3 (2.17.3)

एतावदेव पुरुषैः कार्यं हृदयतोषणम् । नयेन विधिदृष्टेन यदुपक्रमते परान् ॥

etāvadeva puruṣaiḥ kāryaṃ hṛdayatoṣaṇam | nayena vidhidṛṣṭena yadupakramate parān

This alone is what men should do to satisfy their hearts: to move against their enemies by policy, in the manner the rules prescribe.

Verse 4 (2.17.4)

सुनयस्यानपायस्य संयोगे परमः क्रमः । सङ्गत्या जायतेऽसाम्यं साम्यं च न भवेद्द्वयोः ॥

sunayasyānapāyasya saṃyoge paramaḥ kramaḥ | saṅgatyā jāyate'sāmyaṃ sāmyaṃ ca na bhaveddvayoḥ

For one whose policy is sound and who is free from error, the best course lies in engaging the foe; from that encounter one side gains the upper hand, and the two do not remain equal.

Verse 5 (2.17.5)

अनयस्यानुपायस्य संयुगे परमः क्षयः । संशयो जायते साम्याज्जयश्च न भवेद्द्वयोः ॥

anayasyānupāyasya saṃyuge paramaḥ kṣayaḥ | saṃśayo jāyate sāmyājjayaśca na bhaveddvayoḥ

For one without policy and without means, battle brings utter ruin. Where the two sides are equal, the outcome is in doubt, and victory may fall to neither.

Note on the text: Corrected क्षयटः → क्षयः (misprint in Wikisource; stray akshara). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Its second line resembles the second line of 2.16.4.

Verse 6 (2.17.6)

ते वयं नयमास्थाय शत्रुदेशसमीपगाः । कथमन्तं न गच्छेम वृक्षस्येव नदीरयाः । पररन्ध्रे पराक्रान्ताः स्वरन्ध्रावरणे स्थिताः ॥

te vayaṃ nayamāsthāya śatrudeśasamīpagāḥ | kathamantaṃ na gacchema vṛkṣasyeva nadīrayāḥ | pararandhre parākrāntāḥ svarandhrāvaraṇe sthitāḥ

So we, relying on policy and drawing near the enemy's country, why should we not bring him to his end, as river currents bring down a tree — striking at his weak points while keeping our own covered?

Verse 7 (2.17.7)

व्यूढानीकैरतिबलैर्न युध्येदरिभिः सह । इति बुद्धिमतां नीतिस्तन्ममापीह रोचते ॥

vyūḍhānīkairatibalairna yudhyedaribhiḥ saha | iti buddhimatāṃ nītistanmamāpīha rocate

One should not do battle with enemies of overwhelming strength whose forces stand drawn up in array — that is the policy of the wise, and it pleases me as well.

Note on the text: Corrected युद्व्येत् → युध्येत् (misprint in Wikisource; व्य for ध्य). The critical edition reads differently here (nopeyād balavattaram).

Verse 8 (2.17.8)

अनवद्या ह्यसम्बुद्धाः प्रविष्टाः शत्रुसद्म तत् । शत्रुदेशमुपाक्रम्य तं कामं प्राप्नुयामहे ॥

anavadyā hyasambuddhāḥ praviṣṭāḥ śatrusadma tat | śatrudeśamupākramya taṃ kāmaṃ prāpnuyāmahe

Blameless and unrecognised, we shall enter the enemy's dwelling; once we have reached his country, we shall attain our aim.

Verse 9 (2.17.9)

एको ह्येव श्रियं नित्यं बिभर्ति पुरुषर्षभः । अन्तरात्मेव भूतानां तत्क्षयं नैव लक्षये ॥

eko hyeva śriyaṃ nityaṃ bibharti puruṣarṣabhaḥ | antarātmeva bhūtānāṃ tatkṣayaṃ naiva lakṣaye

This bull among men alone holds royal fortune ever in his keeping, like the inner self within all beings; I see no sign that it will wane of itself.

Verse 10 (2.17.10)

अथवैनं निहत्याजौ शेषेणापि समाहताः । प्राप्नुयाम ततः स्वर्गं ज्ञातित्राणपरायणाः ॥

athavainaṃ nihatyājau śeṣeṇāpi samāhatāḥ | prāpnuyāma tataḥ svargaṃ jñātitrāṇaparāyaṇāḥ

Or else, having slain him in battle, even if we are struck down by the rest of his host, we shall win heaven, devoted to the rescue of our kin."

Verse 11 (2.17.11)

कृष्ण कोऽयं जरासन्धः किंवीर्यः किम्पराक्रमः । यस्त्वां स्पृष्ट्वाऽग्निसदृशं न दग्धः शलभो यथा ॥

kṛṣṇa ko'yaṃ jarāsandhaḥ kiṃvīryaḥ kimparākramaḥ | yastvāṃ spṛṣṭvā'gnisadṛśaṃ na dagdhaḥ śalabho yathā

"Krishna, who is this Jarasandha? What is his valour, what his might, that he touched you, who are like fire, and was not burnt up like a moth?"

Verse 12 (2.17.12)

शृणु राजञ्जरासन्धो यद्वीर्यो यत्पराक्रमः । यथा चोपेक्षितोऽस्माभिर्बहुशः कृतविप्रियः ॥

śṛṇu rājañjarāsandho yadvīryo yatparākramaḥ | yathā copekṣito'smābhirbahuśaḥ kṛtavipriyaḥ

Listen, O king, to what Jarasandha's strength and valour are, and why we let him be, though he wronged us many times.

Verse 13 (2.17.13)

अक्षौहिणीनां तिसृणां पतिः समरदर्पितः । राजा बृहद्रथो नाम मगधाधिपतिर्बली ॥

akṣauhiṇīnāṃ tisṛṇāṃ patiḥ samaradarpitaḥ | rājā bṛhadratho nāma magadhādhipatirbalī

There was a mighty king named Brihadratha, lord of Magadha, master of three akshauhinis and proud in battle.

Verse 14 (2.17.14)

रूपवान्वीर्यसम्पन्नः श्रीमानतुलविक्रमः । नित्यं दीक्षाङ्किततनुः शतक्रतुरिवापरः ॥

rūpavānvīryasampannaḥ śrīmānatulavikramaḥ | nityaṃ dīkṣāṅkitatanuḥ śatakraturivāparaḥ

He was handsome and full of valour, glorious and of matchless prowess; his body always bore the marks of sacrificial consecration, so that he seemed a second Indra of the hundred sacrifices.

Verse 15 (2.17.15)

तेजसा सूर्यसङ्काशः क्षमया पृथिवीसमः । यश्चान्तकसमः क्रोधे श्रिया वैश्रवणोपमः ॥

tejasā sūryasaṅkāśaḥ kṣamayā pṛthivīsamaḥ | yaścāntakasamaḥ krodhe śriyā vaiśravaṇopamaḥ

In splendour he was like the sun, in forbearance like the earth, in anger like Death the ender, and in wealth like Vaishravana.

Verse 16 (2.17.16)

स्वराज्यं कारयामास मगधेषु गिरिव्रजे । तस्याभिजनसंयुक्तैर्गुणैर्भरतसत्तम । व्याप्तेयं पृथिवी सर्वा सूर्यस्येव गभस्तिभिः ॥

svarājyaṃ kārayāmāsa magadheṣu girivraje | tasyābhijanasaṃyuktairguṇairbharatasattama | vyāpteyaṃ pṛthivī sarvā sūryasyeva gabhastibhiḥ

He ruled his own kingdom among the Magadhas, at Girivraja. O best of the Bharatas, this whole earth was pervaded by his virtues, joined with his noble birth, as by the rays of the sun.

Note on the text: Removed wiki quote marks (` ') around the first line. Corrected गणैः → गुणैः (misprint in Wikisource; dropped vowel sign; critical edition guṇair). The first line is not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the other two lines are 2.16.15.

Verse 17 (2.17.17)

स काशिराजस्य सुते यमजे भरतर्षभ । उपयेमे महावीर्यो रूपद्रविणसंयुते । तयोश्चकार समयं मिथः स पुरुषर्षभः ॥

sa kāśirājasya sute yamaje bharatarṣabha | upayeme mahāvīryo rūpadraviṇasaṃyute | tayoścakāra samayaṃ mithaḥ sa puruṣarṣabhaḥ

O bull of the Bharatas, that mighty king married the twin daughters of the king of Kashi, both endowed with beauty and wealth. And that bull among men made a private pledge to the two of them,

Note on the text: Corrected भरतर्षभः → भरतर्षभ (misprint in Wikisource; a stray visarga turns the vocative addressed to Yudhishthira into a nominative; critical edition bharatarṣabha). Verses are divided differently from the critical edition: the first two lines are 2.16.16, the third opens 2.16.17.

Verse 18 (2.17.18)

नातिवर्तिष्य इत्येवं पत्नीभ्यां सन्निधौ तदा । स ताभ्यां शुशुभे राजा पत्नीभ्यां वसुधाधिपः ॥

nātivartiṣya ityevaṃ patnībhyāṃ sannidhau tadā | sa tābhyāṃ śuśubhe rājā patnībhyāṃ vasudhādhipaḥ

promising in their presence, "I shall never favour one of you above the other." With those two wives the king, lord of the earth, shone

Note on the text: Divided differently from the critical edition: the first line closes 2.16.17, the second opens 2.16.18.

Verse 19 (2.17.19)

प्रियाभ्यामनुरूपाभ्यां करेणुभ्यामिव द्विपः । तयोर्मध्यगतश्चापि रराज वसुधाधिपः ॥

priyābhyāmanurūpābhyāṃ kareṇubhyāmiva dvipaḥ | tayormadhyagataścāpi rarāja vasudhādhipaḥ

as an elephant with two beloved, well-matched she-elephants. Standing between the two of them, the lord of the earth was radiant,

Note on the text: Corrected प्रियाम्भाम् → प्रियाभ्याम् (misprint in Wikisource; broken conjunct; critical edition priyābhyām). Divided differently from the critical edition: the first line closes 2.16.18, the second opens 2.16.19.

Verse 20 (2.17.20)

गङ्गायमुनयोर्मध्ये मूर्तिमानिव सागरः । विषयेषु निमग्नस्य तस्य यौवनमत्यगात् ॥

gaṅgāyamunayormadhye mūrtimāniva sāgaraḥ | viṣayeṣu nimagnasya tasya yauvanamatyagāt

like the ocean in bodily form between the Ganga and the Yamuna. But while he was immersed in the pleasures of the senses, his youth slipped away,

Note on the text: Corrected निमग्रस्य → निमग्नस्य (misprint in Wikisource; ग्र for ग्न). Divided differently from the critical edition: the first line closes 2.16.19, the second opens 2.16.20.

Verse 21 (2.17.21)

न च वंशकरः पुत्रस्तस्याजायत कश्चन । मङ्गलैर्बहुभिर्होमैः पुत्रकामाभिरिष्टिभिः ॥

na ca vaṃśakaraḥ putrastasyājāyata kaścana | maṅgalairbahubhirhomaiḥ putrakāmābhiriṣṭibhiḥ

and no son was born to him to carry on his line. Though he performed many auspicious rites and fire offerings, and sacrifices for the sake of a son,

Note on the text: Corrected बभिः → बहुभिः (misprint in Wikisource; dropped akshara; critical edition bahubhir). Divided differently from the critical edition: the first line closes 2.16.20, the second opens 2.16.21.

Verse 22 (2.17.22)

नाससाद नृपश्रेष्ठः पुत्रं कुलविवर्धनम् । स भार्याभ्यां च सहितो निर्वेदमगमद्भृशम् ॥

nāsasāda nṛpaśreṣṭhaḥ putraṃ kulavivardhanam | sa bhāryābhyāṃ ca sahito nirvedamagamadbhṛśam

that best of kings did not obtain a son to increase his house. Together with his two wives he fell into deep despondency.

Note on the text: Corrected निर्वेदमगमद्धृशम् → निर्वेदमगमद्भृशम् (misprint in Wikisource; ध for भ in भृशम्). Only the first line matches (2.16.21b); the second line is not in the critical edition.

Verse 23 (2.17.23)

राज्यं चापि परित्यज्य तपोवनमथाश्रयत् । वार्यमाणः प्रकृतिभिर्नृपभक्त्या विशाम्पते ॥

rājyaṃ cāpi parityajya tapovanamathāśrayat | vāryamāṇaḥ prakṛtibhirnṛpabhaktyā viśāmpate

He gave up his kingdom and took refuge in a forest of austerities, O lord of the people, though his subjects, out of love for their king, tried to hold him back.

Note on the text: Removed wiki quote marks (` ') and a stray mid-line danda. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 24 (2.17.24)

अथ काक्षीवतः पुत्रं गौतमस्य महात्मनः । शुश्राव तपसि श्रेष्ठमुदारं चण्डकौशिकम् ॥

atha kākṣīvataḥ putraṃ gautamasya mahātmanaḥ | śuśrāva tapasi śreṣṭhamudāraṃ caṇḍakauśikam

Then he heard of Chandakaushika, the noble son of the great-souled Kakshivat of the Gautama line, foremost in austerity.

Verse 25 (2.17.25)

यदृच्छयाऽऽगतं तं तु वृक्षमूलमुपाश्रितम् । पत्नीभ्यां सहितो राजा सर्वयत्नैरतोषयत् ॥

yadṛcchayā''gataṃ taṃ tu vṛkṣamūlamupāśritam | patnībhyāṃ sahito rājā sarvayatnairatoṣayat

When the sage happened to come that way and was resting at the foot of a tree, the king, together with his two wives, did everything in his power to please him.

Verse 26 (2.17.26)

बृहद्रथं च स ऋषिर्यथावच्चाभ्यनन्दत । उपविष्टः स तेनाथ अनुज्ञातो महात्मना ॥

bṛhadrathaṃ ca sa ṛṣiryathāvaccābhyanandata | upaviṣṭaḥ sa tenātha anujñāto mahātmanā

The seer greeted Brihadratha in due form, and the king, permitted by the great-souled sage, sat down.

Note on the text: Removed wiki quote marks (` ') and a stray mid-line danda. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 27 (2.17.27)

तमपृच्छत्तदा विप्रः किमागमनमित्यथ । विप्रैरनुगतस्यैव पत्नीभ्यां सहितस्य च ॥

tamapṛcchattadā vipraḥ kimāgamanamityatha | viprairanugatasyaiva patnībhyāṃ sahitasya ca

Then the brahmin asked him why he had come, followed as he was by brahmins and accompanied by his two wives.

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

Verse 28 (2.17.28)

स उवाच मुनिं राजा भगवन्नास्ति मे सुतः । अपुत्रस्य तु राज्येन वृद्धत्वे किं प्रयोजनम् ॥

sa uvāca muniṃ rājā bhagavannāsti me sutaḥ | aputrasya tu rājyena vṛddhatve kiṃ prayojanam

The king said to the sage: "Holy one, I have no son. What use is a kingdom in old age to a man without a son?

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

Verse 29 (2.17.29)

सोऽहं तपश्चरिष्यामि पत्नीभ्यां सहितो वने । नाप्रजस्य मुने कीर्तिः स्वधा चैवाक्षया भवेत् । एवमुक्तः स राज्ञा तु मुनिः कारुण्यमागतः ॥

so'haṃ tapaścariṣyāmi patnībhyāṃ sahito vane | nāprajasya mune kīrtiḥ svadhā caivākṣayā bhavet | evamuktaḥ sa rājñā tu muniḥ kāruṇyamāgataḥ

So I shall practise austerities in the forest with my two wives. O sage, for one without offspring there is no lasting fame, nor any undying offering to the ancestors." Addressed thus by the king, the sage was moved to compassion.

Note on the text: Corrected किर्तिः → कीर्तिः (misprint in Wikisource; short vowel sign). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 30 (2.17.30)

तमब्रवीत्सत्यधृतिः सत्यवागृषिसत्तमः । परितुष्टोऽस्मि राजेन्द्र वरं वरय सुव्रत ॥

tamabravītsatyadhṛtiḥ satyavāgṛṣisattamaḥ | parituṣṭo'smi rājendra varaṃ varaya suvrata

That best of seers, steadfast in truth and true of speech, said to him: "I am pleased with you, king of kings. Choose a boon, you of good vows."

Verse 31 (2.17.31)

ततः सभार्यः प्रणतस्तमुवाच बृहद्रथः । पुत्रदर्शननैराश्याद्बाष्पसन्दिग्धया गिरा ॥

tataḥ sabhāryaḥ praṇatastamuvāca bṛhadrathaḥ | putradarśananairāśyādbāṣpasandigdhayā girā

Then Brihadratha, bowing down with his wives, spoke to him in a voice choked with tears, despairing of ever seeing a son:

Verse 32 (2.17.32)

भगवन् राज्यमुत्सृज्य प्रस्थितस्य तपोवनम् । किं वरेणाल्पभाग्यस्य किं राज्येनाप्रजस्य मे ॥

bhagavan rājyamutsṛjya prasthitasya tapovanam | kiṃ vareṇālpabhāgyasya kiṃ rājyenāprajasya me

"Holy one, I have left my kingdom and set out for the forest of austerities. What use is a boon to one so unfortunate, and what use a kingdom to me, who have no offspring?"

Verse 33 (2.17.33)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा मुनिर्ध्यानमगमत्क्षुभितेन्द्रियः । तस्यैव चाम्रवृक्षस्य छायायां समुपाविशत् ॥

etacchrutvā munirdhyānamagamatkṣubhitendriyaḥ | tasyaiva cāmravṛkṣasya chāyāyāṃ samupāviśat

Hearing this, the sage, his senses stirred, sank into meditation, seated in the shade of that same mango tree.

Note on the text: Corrected अगमन् → अगमत् (misprint in Wikisource; plural verb with a singular subject; critical edition agamat) and समुपाविशत → समुपाविशत् (missing virama).

Verse 34 (2.17.34)

तस्योपविष्टस्य मुनेरुत्सङ्गे निपपात ह । अवानमशुकादष्टमेकमाम्रफलं किल ॥

tasyopaviṣṭasya munerutsaṅge nipapāta ha | avānamaśukādaṣṭamekamāmraphalaṃ kila

As the sage sat there, a single mango fell into his lap, they say — fresh and juicy, untouched by any parrot's beak.

Verse 35 (2.17.35)

तत्प्रगृह्य मुनिश्रेष्ठो हृदयेनाभिमन्त्र्य च । राज्ञे ददावप्रतिमं पुत्रसम्प्राप्तिकारणम् ॥

tatpragṛhya muniśreṣṭho hṛdayenābhimantrya ca | rājñe dadāvapratimaṃ putrasamprāptikāraṇam

The best of sages took it, consecrated it with a mantra in his heart, and gave it to the king — a matchless means of obtaining a son.

Verse 36 (2.17.36)

उवाच च महाप्राज्ञस्तं राजानं महामुनिः । गच्छ राजन्कृतार्थोऽसि निवर्तस्व नराधिप ॥

uvāca ca mahāprājñastaṃ rājānaṃ mahāmuniḥ | gaccha rājankṛtārtho'si nivartasva narādhipa

And the wise great sage said to the king: "Go, O king; your purpose is fulfilled. Turn back, ruler of men.

Verse 37 (2.17.37)

एष ते तनयो राजन्मा तपेह तपोवने । प्रजाः पालय धर्मेण एष धर्मो महीक्षिताम् ॥

eṣa te tanayo rājanmā tapeha tapovane | prajāḥ pālaya dharmeṇa eṣa dharmo mahīkṣitām

This is your son, O king. Do not practise austerities here in the forest. Protect your subjects with righteousness; this is the duty of kings.

Note on the text: Removed the opening wiki quote mark (`). Corrected एव → एष (misprint in Wikisource; एव leaves the clause without a subject and breaks the sandhi). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). The sage's speech, begun in the previous verse, fills this and the next four verses without a heading.

Verse 38 (2.17.38)

यजस्व विविधैर्यज्ञैरिन्द्रं तर्पय चेन्दुना । पुत्रं राज्ये प्रतिष्ठाप्य तत आश्रममाव्रज ॥

yajasva vividhairyajñairindraṃ tarpaya cendunā | putraṃ rājye pratiṣṭhāpya tata āśramamāvraja

Sacrifice with sacrifices of many kinds and gratify Indra with soma. When you have established your son on the throne, then come to a hermitage.

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

Verse 39 (2.17.39)

अष्टौ वरान्प्रयच्छामि तव पुत्रस्य पार्थिव । ब्रह्मण्यत्वमजेयत्वं युद्धेषु च तथा मतिः ॥

aṣṭau varānprayacchāmi tava putrasya pārthiva | brahmaṇyatvamajeyatvaṃ yuddheṣu ca tathā matiḥ

I grant eight boons to your son, O king: devotion to brahmins; invincibility; a mind set on battle;

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

Verse 40 (2.17.40)

प्रियातिथेयतां चैव दीनानामन्ववेक्षणम् । तथा बलं च सुमहल्लोके कीर्तिं च शाश्वतीम् ॥

priyātitheyatāṃ caiva dīnānāmanvavekṣaṇam | tathā balaṃ ca sumahalloke kīrtiṃ ca śāśvatīm

love of hospitality; care for the afflicted; very great strength; undying fame in the world;

Note on the text: Corrected सुभहत् → सुमहत् (misprint in Wikisource; भ for म) and कीर्ति → कीर्तिं (misprint; missing anusvara for the accusative). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 41 (2.17.41)

अनुरागं प्रजानां चेत्येवमष्टौ वरान्नृप । गच्छ त्वं कृतकृत्योऽसि निवर्तस्व जनाधिप ॥

anurāgaṃ prajānāṃ cetyevamaṣṭau varānnṛpa | gaccha tvaṃ kṛtakṛtyo'si nivartasva janādhipa

and the affection of his subjects — these are the eight boons, O king. Go; you have accomplished your purpose. Turn back, lord of the people."

Note on the text: Removed the closing wiki quote mark ('). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 42 (2.17.42)

अनुज्ञातः स ऋषिणा पत्नीभ्यां सहितो नृपः । पौरैरनुगतश्चापि विवेश स्वपुरं ततः ॥

anujñātaḥ sa ṛṣiṇā patnībhyāṃ sahito nṛpaḥ | paurairanugataścāpi viveśa svapuraṃ tataḥ

Given leave by the seer, the king, together with his wives and followed by the citizens, then entered his own city.

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

Verse 43 (2.17.43)

यथासमयमाज्ञाय तदा स नृपसत्तमः । द्वाभ्यामेकं फलं प्रादात्पत्नीभ्यां भरतर्षभ ॥

yathāsamayamājñāya tadā sa nṛpasattamaḥ | dvābhyāmekaṃ phalaṃ prādātpatnībhyāṃ bharatarṣabha

Then, when the right season had come, that best of kings gave the one fruit to his two wives, O bull of the Bharatas.

Verse 44 (2.17.44)

मुनेश्च बहुमानेन कालस्य च विपर्ययात् । ते तदाम्रं द्विधा कृत्वा भक्षयामासतुः शुभे ॥

muneśca bahumānena kālasya ca viparyayāt | te tadāmraṃ dvidhā kṛtvā bhakṣayāmāsatuḥ śubhe

Out of great reverence for the sage, and through the turning of fate, the two lovely queens cut the mango in two and ate it.

Note on the text: Only the second line matches the critical edition (2.16.32a); the first line is not in it (found in the vulgate recension), and the critical edition's second line (bhāvitvād api cārthasya satyavākyāt tathā muneḥ) is not in Wikisource.

Verse 45 (2.17.45)

तयोः समभवद्गर्भः फलप्राशनसम्भवः । ते च दृष्ट्वा स नृपतिः परां मुदमवाप ह ॥

tayoḥ samabhavadgarbhaḥ phalaprāśanasambhavaḥ | te ca dṛṣṭvā sa nṛpatiḥ parāṃ mudamavāpa ha

From eating the fruit both of them conceived, and when the king saw them so, he was filled with the greatest joy.

Verse 46 (2.17.46)

अथ काले महाप्राज्ञ यथासमयमागते । प्रजायेतामुभे राजञ्शरीरशकले तदा ॥

atha kāle mahāprājña yathāsamayamāgate | prajāyetāmubhe rājañśarīraśakale tadā

Then, O wise one, when the time came in due course, the two queens each gave birth to half a body, O king.

Note on the text: Corrected जायेतामुभे → प्रजायेतामुभे (misprint in Wikisource; dropped akshara leaves the line a syllable short; critical edition prajāyetām, and the Wikisource commentary glosses प्रजायेतां).

Verse 47 (2.17.47)

एकाक्षिबाहुचरणे अर्धोदरमुखस्फिचे । दृष्ट्वा शरीरशकले प्रवेपतुरुभे भृशम् ॥

ekākṣibāhucaraṇe ardhodaramukhasphice | dṛṣṭvā śarīraśakale pravepaturubhe bhṛśam

Each half had one eye, one arm, one leg, half a belly, half a face and one buttock. Seeing these halves of a body, both queens trembled violently.

Verse 48 (2.17.48)

उद्विग्ने सह संमन्त्र्य ते भगिन्यौ तदाऽबले । सजीवे प्राणिशकले तत्यजाते सुदुःखिते ॥

udvigne saha saṃmantrya te bhaginyau tadā'bale | sajīve prāṇiśakale tatyajāte suduḥkhite

Distressed, the two helpless sisters took counsel together, and in deep sorrow they abandoned those two living halves of a child.

Note on the text: Corrected उद्विग्रे → उद्विग्ने (misprint in Wikisource; ग्र for ग्न) and भगित्यौ → भगिन्यौ (misprint; त्य for न्य). Both as in the critical edition.

Verse 49 (2.17.49)

तयोर्धात्र्यौ सुसंवीते कृत्वा ते गर्भसम्प्लवे । निर्गम्यान्तःपुरद्वारात्समुत्सृज्याभिजग्मतुः ॥

tayordhātryau susaṃvīte kṛtvā te garbhasamplave | nirgamyāntaḥpuradvārātsamutsṛjyābhijagmatuḥ

Their two nurses wrapped up the two halves of the birth, went out through the gate of the inner palace, left them there and came back.

Note on the text: Joined अन्तः पुर → अन्तःपुर (spacing error in Wikisource splitting the compound).

Verse 50 (2.17.50)

दुकूलाभ्यां सुसञ्छन्ने पाण्डराभ्यामुभे तदा । अज्ञाते कस्यचित्ते तु जहतुस्ते चतुष्पथे ॥

dukūlābhyāṃ susañchanne pāṇḍarābhyāmubhe tadā | ajñāte kasyacitte tu jahatuste catuṣpathe

Covering both well in two white silk cloths, unseen by anyone, the two of them left them at a crossroads.

Note on the text: Removed the opening wiki quote mark (`). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 51 (2.17.51)

ततो विविशतुर्धात्र्यौ पुनरन्तःपुरं तदा । कथयामासतुरुभे देवीभ्यां तु पृथक्पृथक् ॥

tato viviśaturdhātryau punarantaḥpuraṃ tadā | kathayāmāsaturubhe devībhyāṃ tu pṛthakpṛthak

Then the two nurses went back into the inner palace and each reported it to her queen separately.

Note on the text: Removed the closing wiki quote mark ('); joined अन्तः पुरं → अन्तःपुरं (spacing error). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 52 (2.17.52)

ते चतुष्पथनिक्षिप्ते जरा नामाथ राक्षसी । जग्राह मनुजव्याघ्र मांसशोणितभोजना ॥

te catuṣpathanikṣipte jarā nāmātha rākṣasī | jagrāha manujavyāghra māṃsaśoṇitabhojanā

Lying at the crossroads, the two halves were picked up, O tiger among men, by a rakshasi named Jara, who fed on flesh and blood.

Verse 53 (2.17.53)

कर्तुकामा सुखवहे शकले सा तु राक्षसी । संयोजयामास तदा विधानबलचोदिता ॥

kartukāmā sukhavahe śakale sā tu rākṣasī | saṃyojayāmāsa tadā vidhānabalacoditā

Wishing to make them easy to carry, the rakshasi, impelled by the power of destiny, then joined the two halves together.

Verse 54 (2.17.54)

ते समानीतमात्रे तु शकले पुरुषर्षभ । एकमूर्तिधरो वीरः कुमारः समपद्यत ॥

te samānītamātre tu śakale puruṣarṣabha | ekamūrtidharo vīraḥ kumāraḥ samapadyata

The moment the two halves were brought together, O bull among men, they became a single heroic boy with one body.

Verse 55 (2.17.55)

ततः सा राक्षसी राजन्विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचना । न शशाक समुद्वोढुं वज्रसारमयं शिशुम् ॥

tataḥ sā rākṣasī rājanvismayotphullalocanā | na śaśāka samudvoḍhuṃ vajrasāramayaṃ śiśum

Then, O king, the rakshasi, her eyes wide with wonder, could not lift the child, who was as hard and heavy as a thunderbolt.

Note on the text: Corrected समुद्वोदुं → समुद्वोढुं (misprint in Wikisource; द for ढ; critical edition samudvoḍhuṃ).

Verse 56 (2.17.56)

बालस्ताम्रतलं मुष्टिं कृत्वा चास्ये निधाय सः । प्राक्रोशदतिसंरब्धः सतोय इव तोयदः ॥

bālastāmratalaṃ muṣṭiṃ kṛtvā cāsye nidhāya saḥ | prākrośadatisaṃrabdhaḥ satoya iva toyadaḥ

The boy made a fist of his copper-red palm, thrust it into his mouth and bawled in great fury, like a rain cloud thundering.

Verse 57 (2.17.57)

तेन शब्देन सम्भ्रान्तः सहसाऽन्तःपुरे जनः । निर्जगाम नरव्याघ्र राज्ञा सह परन्तप ॥

tena śabdena sambhrāntaḥ sahasā'ntaḥpure janaḥ | nirjagāma naravyāghra rājñā saha parantapa

Alarmed by that sound, the people of the inner palace rushed out at once together with the king, O tiger among men, scorcher of foes.

Note on the text: Joined अन्तः पुरे → अन्तःपुरे (spacing error in Wikisource splitting the compound).

Verse 58 (2.17.58)

ते चाबले परिम्लाने पयःपूर्णपयोधरे । निराशे पुत्रलाभाय सहसैवाभ्यगच्छताम् ॥

te cābale parimlāne payaḥpūrṇapayodhare | nirāśe putralābhāya sahasaivābhyagacchatām

And the two helpless queens, wan and despairing of a son, their breasts full of milk, came out at once as well.

Note on the text: Corrected सहसैवाब्यगच्छताम् → सहसैवाभ्यगच्छताम् (misprint in Wikisource; ब for भ); joined पयः पूर्ण → पयःपूर्ण (spacing error splitting the compound). Both as in the critical edition.

Verse 59 (2.17.59)

ते च दृष्ट्वा तथाभूते राजानं चेष्टसंततिम् । तं च बालं सुबलिनं चिन्तयामास राक्षसी ॥

te ca dṛṣṭvā tathābhūte rājānaṃ ceṣṭasaṃtatim | taṃ ca bālaṃ subalinaṃ cintayāmāsa rākṣasī

Seeing the two queens in that state, and the king longing for offspring, and that very strong boy, the rakshasi thought:

Verse 60 (2.17.60)

नार्हामि विषये राज्ञो वसन्ती पुत्रगृद्धिनः । बालं पुत्रमिमं हन्तुं धार्मिकस्य महात्मनः ॥

nārhāmi viṣaye rājño vasantī putragṛddhinaḥ | bālaṃ putramimaṃ hantuṃ dhārmikasya mahātmanaḥ

"Living as I do in the realm of this righteous, great-souled king who yearns for a son, it is not right for me to kill this little boy."

Note on the text: Corresponds to 2.16.46: the first line matches, the second differs (the critical edition has the rakshasi take up the child "as a streak of cloud the sun").

Verse 61 (2.17.61)

सा तं बालमुपादाय मेघलेखेव भास्करम् । कृत्वा च मानुषं रूपमुवाच वसुधाधिपम् ॥

sā taṃ bālamupādāya meghalekheva bhāskaram | kṛtvā ca mānuṣaṃ rūpamuvāca vasudhādhipam

Taking up the boy as a streak of cloud holds the sun, she assumed a human form and spoke to the lord of the earth:

Note on the text: Corrected मेघलेखेन → मेघलेखेव (misprint in Wikisource; the simile needs इव; critical edition meghalekheva at 2.16.46). Corresponds to the end of 2.16.46 and the start of 2.16.47.

Verse 62 (2.17.62)

बृहद्रथ सुतस्तेऽयं मया दत्तः प्रगृह्यताम् । तव पत्नीद्वये जातो द्विजातिवरशासनात् । धात्रीजनपरित्यक्तो मयाऽयं परिरक्षितः ॥

bṛhadratha sutaste'yaṃ mayā dattaḥ pragṛhyatām | tava patnīdvaye jāto dvijātivaraśāsanāt | dhātrījanaparityakto mayā'yaṃ parirakṣitaḥ

"Brihadratha, this is your son. I give him to you; take him. He was born of your two wives by the command of that best of brahmins. Abandoned by the nurses, he has been protected by me."

Note on the text: Corresponds to the end of 2.16.47 and to 2.16.48. The rakshasi's speech fills the whole verse without a heading.

Verse 63 (2.17.63)

ततस्ते भरतश्रेष्ठ काशिराजसुते शुभे । तं बालमभिपद्याशु प्रस्रवैरभ्यषिञ्चताम् ॥

tataste bharataśreṣṭha kāśirājasute śubhe | taṃ bālamabhipadyāśu prasravairabhyaṣiñcatām

Then, O best of the Bharatas, the two lovely daughters of the king of Kashi quickly ran to the boy and bathed him in the milk flowing from their breasts.

Note on the text: Corrected अभ्यषिञ्जताम् → अभ्यषिञ्चताम् (misprint in Wikisource; ज for च; critical edition abhiṣiñcatām).

Verse 64 (2.17.64)

ततः स राजा संहृष्टः सर्वं तदुपलभ्य च । अपृच्छद्धेमगर्भाभां राक्षसीं तामराक्षसीम् ॥

tataḥ sa rājā saṃhṛṣṭaḥ sarvaṃ tadupalabhya ca | apṛcchaddhemagarbhābhāṃ rākṣasīṃ tāmarākṣasīm

Then the king, overjoyed, having understood all of it, asked that rakshasi — who looked no rakshasi, but shone like the heart of gold —

Verse 65 (2.17.65)

का त्वं कमलगर्भाभे मम पुत्रप्रदायिनी । कामया ब्रूहि कल्याणि देवता प्रतिभासि मे ॥

kā tvaṃ kamalagarbhābhe mama putrapradāyinī | kāmayā brūhi kalyāṇi devatā pratibhāsi me

"Who are you, radiant as the heart of a lotus, who have given me my son? Tell me as you please, fair one — you seem to me a goddess."

Note on the text: Separated का त्वं (words run together in Wikisource). Corrected कामं मा ब्रूहि → कामया ब्रूहि (misprint in Wikisource; the prohibitive मा ब्रूहि inverts the sense of the question; critical edition kāmayā brūhi). Brihadratha's question fills the whole verse without a heading.