Parashurama Tells the Tale of Dambhodbhava

Verse 1 (5.96.1)

तस्मिन्नभिहिते वाक्ये केशवेन महात्मना । स्तिमिता हृष्टरोमाण आसन्सर्वे सभासदः ॥

tasminnabhihite vākye keśavena mahātmanā | stimitā hṛṣṭaromāṇa āsansarve sabhāsadaḥ

When the great-souled Keshava had spoken these words, everyone seated in the assembly was stunned, the hair on their bodies standing on end.

Verse 2 (5.96.2)

कस्स्विदुत्तरमेतेषां वक्तुमुत्सहते पुमान् । इति सर्वे मनोभिस्ते चिन्तयन्ति स्म पार्थिवाः ॥

kassviduttarameteṣāṃ vaktumutsahate pumān | iti sarve manobhiste cintayanti sma pārthivāḥ

'What man would dare to answer these words?' So all the kings thought in their minds.

Verse 3 (5.96.3)

तथा तेषु च सर्वेषु तूष्णींभूतेषु राजसु । जामदग्न्य इदं वाक्यमब्रवीत्कुरुसंसदि ॥

tathā teṣu ca sarveṣu tūṣṇīṃbhūteṣu rājasu | jāmadagnya idaṃ vākyamabravītkurusaṃsadi

While all those kings sat silent in this way, Jamadagni's son spoke these words in the assembly of the Kurus:

Verse 4 (5.96.4)

इमां मे सोपमां वाचं शृणु सत्यामशङ्कितः । तां श्रुत्वा श्रेय आदत्स्व यदि साध्विति मन्यसे ॥

imāṃ me sopamāṃ vācaṃ śṛṇu satyāmaśaṅkitaḥ | tāṃ śrutvā śreya ādatsva yadi sādhviti manyase

Listen without misgiving to these true words of mine, which hold a parable. When you have heard them, take what is good for you, if you judge it right.

Note on the text: Corrected श्रृणु → शृणु (misprint in Wikisource; श्रृ for शृ, critical edition śṛṇu). From here Parashurama speaks, though Wikisource prints no heading until verse 24.

Verse 5 (5.96.5)

राजा दम्भोद्भवो नाम सार्वभौमः पुराऽभवत् । अखिलां बुभुजे सर्वां पृथिवीमिति नः श्रुतम् ॥

rājā dambhodbhavo nāma sārvabhaumaḥ purā'bhavat | akhilāṃ bubhuje sarvāṃ pṛthivīmiti naḥ śrutam

Long ago there was a king named Dambhodbhava, a sovereign of the whole world. He ruled all the earth entire — so we have heard.

Verse 6 (5.96.6)

स स्म नित्यं निशापाये प्रातरुत्थाय वीर्यवान् । ब्राह्मणान्क्षत्रियान्वैश्यान्पृच्छन्नास्ते महारथः ॥

sa sma nityaṃ niśāpāye prātarutthāya vīryavān | brāhmaṇānkṣatriyānvaiśyānpṛcchannāste mahārathaḥ

Every day, as the night ended, that mighty great chariot-warrior would rise at dawn and sit questioning brahmins, kshatriyas and vaishyas:

Verse 7 (5.96.7)

अस्ति कश्चिद्विशिष्टो वा मद्विधो वा भवेद्युधि । शूद्रो वैश्यः क्षत्रियो वा ब्राह्मणो वाऽपि शस्त्रभृत् ॥

asti kaścidviśiṣṭo vā madvidho vā bhavedyudhi | śūdro vaiśyaḥ kṣatriyo vā brāhmaṇo vā'pi śastrabhṛt

'Is there anyone — a shudra, a vaishya, a kshatriya, or a brahmin who bears arms — who is better than I am in battle, or even my equal?'

Verse 8 (5.96.8)

इति ब्रुवन्नन्वचरत्स राजा पृथिवीमिमाम् । दर्पेण महता मत्तः कञ्चिदन्यमचिन्तयन् ॥

iti bruvannanvacaratsa rājā pṛthivīmimām | darpeṇa mahatā mattaḥ kañcidanyamacintayan

Saying this, the king roamed over this earth, drunk with overweening pride, thinking nothing of anyone else.

Verse 9 (5.96.9)

तं च वैद्या अकृपणा ब्राह्मणाः सर्वतोऽभयाः । प्रत्यषेधन्त राजानं श्लाघमानं पुनः पुनः ॥

taṃ ca vaidyā akṛpaṇā brāhmaṇāḥ sarvato'bhayāḥ | pratyaṣedhanta rājānaṃ ślāghamānaṃ punaḥ punaḥ

Learned brahmins, high-minded and fearless on every side, restrained the king as he boasted again and again.

Verse 10 (5.96.10)

निषिध्यमानोऽप्यसकृत्पृच्छत्येव स वै द्विजान् । अतिमानं श्रिया मत्तं तमूचुर्ब्राह्मणास्तदा ॥

niṣidhyamāno'pyasakṛtpṛcchatyeva sa vai dvijān | atimānaṃ śriyā mattaṃ tamūcurbrāhmaṇāstadā

Though checked again and again, he kept on questioning the twice-born. Then the brahmins spoke to him, swollen with pride and drunk with his fortune —

Verse 11 (5.96.11)

तपस्विनो महात्मानो वेदप्रत्ययदर्शिनः । उदीर्यमाणं राजानं क्रोधदीप्ता द्विजातयः ॥

tapasvino mahātmāno vedapratyayadarśinaḥ | udīryamāṇaṃ rājānaṃ krodhadīptā dvijātayaḥ

those great-souled ascetics who saw with the Veda as their authority; the twice-born, blazing with anger at the king's vaunting, said:

Verse 12 (5.96.12)

अनेकजयिनौ सङ्ख्ये यौ वै पुरुषसत्तमौ । तयोस्त्वं न समो राजन्भवितासि कदाचन ॥

anekajayinau saṅkhye yau vai puruṣasattamau | tayostvaṃ na samo rājanbhavitāsi kadācana

'There are two, the best of men, who have won many victories in battle. You, O king, will never be the equal of those two.'

Note on the text: Corrected शङ्ख्ये → सङ्ख्ये (misprint in Wikisource; श for स in सङ्ख्ये, 'in battle'). The line differs from the critical edition (anekajananaṃ sakhyaṃ yayoḥ puruṣasiṃhayoḥ); Wikisource's reading is kept.

Verse 13 (5.96.13)

एवमुक्तः स राजा तु पुनः पप्रच्छ तान्द्विजान् । क्व तौ वीरौ क्वजन्मानौ किंकर्माणौ च कौ च तौ ॥

evamuktaḥ sa rājā tu punaḥ papraccha tāndvijān | kva tau vīrau kvajanmānau kiṃkarmāṇau ca kau ca tau

Told this, the king asked those brahmins again: 'Where are those two heroes? Where were they born? What are their deeds, and who are they?'

Verse 14 (5.96.14)

नरो नारायणश्चैव तापसाविति नः श्रुतम् । आयातौ मानुषे लोके ताभ्यां युद्ध्यस्व पार्थिव ॥

naro nārāyaṇaścaiva tāpasāviti naḥ śrutam | āyātau mānuṣe loke tābhyāṃ yuddhyasva pārthiva

They are two ascetics, Nara and Narayana, so we have heard. They have come into the world of men. Fight with them, O king.

Verse 15 (5.96.15)

श्रूयेते तौ महात्मानौ नरनारायणावुभौ । तपो घोरमनिर्देश्यं तप्येते गन्धमादने ॥

śrūyete tau mahātmānau naranārāyaṇāvubhau | tapo ghoramanirdeśyaṃ tapyete gandhamādane

Those two great souls, Nara and Narayana, are said to be practising a fearful austerity, beyond all telling, on Mount Gandhamadana.

Verse 16 (5.96.16)

स राजा महतीं सेनां योजयित्वा षडङ्गिनीम् । अमृष्यमाणः संप्रायाद्यत्र तावपराजितौ ॥

sa rājā mahatīṃ senāṃ yojayitvā ṣaḍaṅginīm | amṛṣyamāṇaḥ saṃprāyādyatra tāvaparājitau

The king could not bear it. He marshalled a great army of six divisions and marched to where those two unconquered ones were.

Note on the text: Parashurama resumes the narrative here (the critical edition heads 5.94.16 rāma uvāca); the input had carried the brahmins' heading on.

Verse 17 (5.96.17)

स गत्वा विषमं घोरं पर्वतं गन्धमादनम् । मार्गमाणोऽन्वगच्छत्तौ तापसौ वनमाश्रितौ ॥

sa gatvā viṣamaṃ ghoraṃ parvataṃ gandhamādanam | mārgamāṇo'nvagacchattau tāpasau vanamāśritau

Reaching the rugged and fearsome mountain Gandhamadana, he searched for those two ascetics who had taken to the forest, and came upon them.

Verse 18 (5.96.18)

तौ दृष्ट्वा क्षुत्पिपासाभ्यां कृशौ धमनिसन्ततौ । शीतवातातपैश्चैव कर्शितौ पुरुषोत्तमौ ॥

tau dṛṣṭvā kṣutpipāsābhyāṃ kṛśau dhamanisantatau | śītavātātapaiścaiva karśitau puruṣottamau

He saw those two best of men, wasted by hunger and thirst, their veins standing out on their bodies, worn down by cold, wind and sun.

Note on the text: Lines 1–2 of the critical edition's three-line verse 5.94.18. From here to verse 27 Wikisource's two-line verses divide the critical edition's three-line verses differently.

Verse 19 (5.96.19)

अभिगम्योपसङ्गृह्य पर्यपृच्छदनामयम् । तमर्चित्वा मूलफलैरासनेनोदकेन च ॥

abhigamyopasaṅgṛhya paryapṛcchadanāmayam | tamarcitvā mūlaphalairāsanenodakena ca

He approached them, clasped their feet and asked after their welfare. The two honoured him with roots and fruits, a seat and water,

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.94.18, line 3; line 2 is 5.94.19, line 1.

Verse 20 (5.96.20)

न्यमन्त्रयेतां राजानं किं कार्यं क्रियतामिति । ततस्तामानुपूर्वीं स पुनरेवान्वकीर्तयत् ॥

nyamantrayetāṃ rājānaṃ kiṃ kāryaṃ kriyatāmiti | tatastāmānupūrvīṃ sa punarevānvakīrtayat

and invited the king to speak: 'What may we do for you?' Then he told them once more, from beginning to end, the same story:

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.94.19, line 2; line 2 is not in its text but is its star passage 5.94.19d*0430. Corrected आनुपूर्वी → आनुपूर्वीं (misprint in Wikisource; dropped anusvara of the accusative, star passage ānupūrvīṃ).

Verse 21 (5.96.21)

बाहुभ्यां मे जिता भूमिर्निहताः सर्वशत्रवः । भवद्भ्यां युद्धमाकाङ्क्षन्नुपयातोऽस्मि पर्वतम् ॥

bāhubhyāṃ me jitā bhūmirnihatāḥ sarvaśatravaḥ | bhavadbhyāṃ yuddhamākāṅkṣannupayāto'smi parvatam

With my own arms I have conquered the earth and slain all my enemies. Seeking battle with you two, I have come to this mountain.

Note on the text: Lines 1–2 of the critical edition's 5.94.20, which it heads dambhodbhava uvāca; Wikisource prints no heading, but the verse is wholly Dambhodbhava's speech.

Verse 22 (5.96.22)

आतिथ्यं दीयतामेतत्काङ्क्षितं मे चिरं प्रति ॥

ātithyaṃ dīyatāmetatkāṅkṣitaṃ me ciraṃ prati

Grant me this as your hospitality; I have long desired it.

Note on the text: First half of Wikisource 22 (5-96-22a), split from the second half at the speaker heading नरनारायणावूचतुः printed between them (the heading had slipped into the verse text in the input and is made the speaker of the next verse). It is the critical edition's 5.94.20, line 3.

Verse 23 (5.96.23)

अपेतक्रोधलोभोऽयमाश्रमो राजसत्तम ॥

apetakrodhalobho'yamāśramo rājasattama

This hermitage, best of kings, is free of anger and greed.

Note on the text: Second half of Wikisource 22 (5-96-22b), after the heading नरनारायणावूचतुः; the critical edition's 5.94.21, line 1.

Verse 24 (5.96.24)

न ह्यस्मिन्नाश्रमे युद्धं कुतः शस्त्रं कुतोऽनृजुः । अन्यत्र युद्धमाकाङ्क्ष बहवः क्षत्रियाः क्षितौ ॥

na hyasminnāśrame yuddhaṃ kutaḥ śastraṃ kuto'nṛjuḥ | anyatra yuddhamākāṅkṣa bahavaḥ kṣatriyāḥ kṣitau

In this hermitage there is no fighting — how then could there be weapons, or any crookedness? Look for battle elsewhere; there are many kshatriyas on earth.

Note on the text: Lines 2–3 of the critical edition's 5.94.21.

Verse 25 (5.96.25)

उच्यमानस्तथाऽपि स्म भूय एवाभ्यभाषत । पुनः पुनः क्षाम्यमाणः सान्त्व्यमानश्च भारत ॥

ucyamānastathā'pi sma bhūya evābhyabhāṣata | punaḥ punaḥ kṣāmyamāṇaḥ sāntvyamānaśca bhārata

Though spoken to in this way, he only pressed his words the harder. Again and again, O Bharata, they begged his pardon and tried to soothe him,

Note on the text: Lines 1–2 of the critical edition's 5.94.22.

Verse 26 (5.96.26)

दम्भोद्भवो युद्धमिच्छन्नाह्वयत्येव तापसौ । ततो नरस्त्विषीकाणां मुष्टिमादाय भारत ॥

dambhodbhavo yuddhamicchannāhvayatyeva tāpasau | tato narastviṣīkāṇāṃ muṣṭimādāya bhārata

yet Dambhodbhava, wanting battle, kept on challenging the two ascetics. Then Nara took up a handful of reeds, O Bharata,

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.94.22, line 3; line 2 is 5.94.23, line 1 (CE kaurava for भारत).

Verse 27 (5.96.27)

अब्रवीदेहि युद्ध्यस्व युद्धकामुक क्षत्रिय । सर्वशस्त्राणि चादत्स्व योजयस्व च वाहिनीम् ॥

abravīdehi yuddhyasva yuddhakāmuka kṣatriya | sarvaśastrāṇi cādatsva yojayasva ca vāhinīm

and said: 'Come, fight, you kshatriya so greedy for war! Take up all your weapons and marshal your army.'

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.94.23, line 2; line 2 is 5.94.24, line 1.

Verse 28 (5.96.28)

अहं हि ते विनेष्यामि युद्धश्रद्धामितः परम् । यदाह्वयसि दर्पेण ब्राह्मणप्रमुखाञ्जनान् ॥

ahaṃ hi te vineṣyāmi yuddhaśraddhāmitaḥ param | yadāhvayasi darpeṇa brāhmaṇapramukhāñjanān

From now on I will cure you of your craving for battle — you who in your pride challenge everyone, the brahmins first of all.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.94.24, line 2; line 2, printed between backquotes on Wikisource, is not in its text but is line 2 of its star passage 5.94.24d*0431. Removed the stray backquotes and the doubled verse-end mark inside them. The verse is wholly Nara's speech.

Verse 29 (5.96.29)

यद्येतदस्त्रमस्मासु युक्तं तापस मन्यसे । एतेनापि त्वया योत्स्ये युद्धार्थी ह्यहमागतः ॥

yadyetadastramasmāsu yuktaṃ tāpasa manyase | etenāpi tvayā yotsye yuddhārthī hyahamāgataḥ

If you think this weapon fit to use against us, ascetic, I will fight you even with it, for I have come here seeking battle.

Note on the text: Wikisource numbers this verse's speaker heading 5-29-18x, a typo for 5-96-28x; the heading itself (दम्भोद्भव उवाच) is right and is kept.

Verse 30 (5.96.30)

इत्युक्त्वा शरवर्षेण सर्वतः समवाकिरत् । दम्भोद्भवस्तापसं तं जिघांसुः सहसैनिकः ॥

ityuktvā śaravarṣeṇa sarvataḥ samavākirat | dambhodbhavastāpasaṃ taṃ jighāṃsuḥ sahasainikaḥ

With these words Dambhodbhava and his soldiers covered that ascetic on every side with a rain of arrows, wanting to kill him.

Note on the text: Corrected जिवांसुः → जिघांसुः (misprint in Wikisource; व for घ, critical edition jighāṃsuḥ).

Verse 31 (5.96.31)

तस्य तानस्यतो घोरानिषून्परतनुच्छिदः । कदर्थीकृत्य स मुनिरिषीकाभिः समार्पयत् ॥

tasya tānasyato ghorāniṣūnparatanucchidaḥ | kadarthīkṛtya sa muniriṣīkābhiḥ samārpayat

As he loosed those terrible arrows that cut through the bodies of foes, the sage made them worthless and struck back with his reeds.

Verse 32 (5.96.32)

ततोऽस्मै प्रासृजद्धोरमैषीकमपराजितः । अस्त्रमप्रतिसन्धेयं तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥

tato'smai prāsṛjaddhoramaiṣīkamaparājitaḥ | astramapratisandheyaṃ tadadbhutamivābhavat

Then the unconquered one let fly at him the terrible reed-weapon, which nothing can counter; and it was a marvel to see.

Note on the text: Corrected ततोऽस्मौ → ततोऽस्मै and तदुद्भुत- → तदद्भुत- (misprints in Wikisource; critical edition tato 'smai and tad adbhutam).

Verse 33 (5.96.33)

तेषामक्षीणि कर्णांश्च नासिकाश्चैव मायया । निमित्तवेधी स मुनिरिषीकाभिः समार्पयत् ॥

teṣāmakṣīṇi karṇāṃśca nāsikāścaiva māyayā | nimittavedhī sa muniriṣīkābhiḥ samārpayat

By his wondrous power the sage, who never missed his mark, pierced with reeds their eyes, their ears and their noses.

Note on the text: Corrected मुनिरीषीकाभिः → मुनिरिषीकाभिः (misprint in Wikisource; long ई in इषीका, critical edition iṣīkābhiḥ).

Verse 34 (5.96.34)

स दृष्ट्वा श्वेतमाकाशमिषीकाभिः समाचितम् । पादयोर्न्यपतद्राजा स्वस्ति मेऽस्त्विति चाब्रवीत् ॥

sa dṛṣṭvā śvetamākāśamiṣīkābhiḥ samācitam | pādayornyapatadrājā svasti me'stviti cābravīt

Seeing the sky turned white, filled with reeds, the king fell at his feet and said, 'Spare me!'

Note on the text: Corrected मेस्त्विति → मेऽस्त्विति (misprint in Wikisource; missing avagraha, critical edition me 'stv iti).

Verse 35 (5.96.35)

तमब्रवीन्नरो राजञ्शरण्यः शरणैषिणाम् । ब्रह्मण्यो भव धर्मात्मा मा च स्मैवं पुनः कृथाः ॥

tamabravīnnaro rājañśaraṇyaḥ śaraṇaiṣiṇām | brahmaṇyo bhava dharmātmā mā ca smaivaṃ punaḥ kṛthāḥ

Nara, the refuge of all who seek refuge, said to him, O king: 'Be devoted to the brahmins and righteous of soul, and never do such a thing again.'

Verse 36 (5.96.36)

नैतादृक्पुरुषो राजन्क्षत्रधर्ममनुस्मरन् । मनसा नृपशार्दूल भवेत्परपुरञ्जयः ॥

naitādṛkpuruṣo rājankṣatradharmamanusmaran | manasā nṛpaśārdūla bhavetparapurañjayaḥ

No man, O king, who keeps the duty of a kshatriya in mind should be like this even in thought, O tiger among kings, conqueror of enemy cities.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as the star passage 5.94.31d*0432 (reading purapuraṃjayaḥ for परपुरञ्जयः). The verse is wholly Nara's speech.

Verse 37 (5.96.37)

मा च दर्पसमाविष्टः क्षेप्सीः कांश्चित्कदाचन । अल्पीयांसं विशिष्टं वा तत्ते राजन्समाहितम् ॥

mā ca darpasamāviṣṭaḥ kṣepsīḥ kāṃścitkadācana | alpīyāṃsaṃ viśiṣṭaṃ vā tatte rājansamāhitam

Never again, possessed by pride, insult anyone at all, whether lesser than you or greater; that, O king, is what befits you.

Note on the text: Restored from the critical edition (5.94.32): Wikisource prints only मा च दर्पसमाविष्टः वा तत्ते राजन्समाहितम् as one line ending in a verse-end mark (5-96-36a); the words क्षेप्सीः कांश्चित्कदाचन । अल्पीयांसं विशिष्टं (CE kṣepsīḥ kāṃś cit kadā cana / alpīyāṃsaṃ viśiṣṭaṃ) had dropped out between दर्पसमाविष्टः and वा, leaving a line without metre or sense. Wikisource's समाहितम् (CE paraṃ hitam) is kept. The input joined this line to the next as one verse; the page's own verse-end marks are followed here and in the next two verses.

Verse 38 (5.96.38)

कृतप्रज्ञो वीतलोभो निरहङ्कार आत्मवान् । दान्तः क्षान्तो मृदुः सौम्य प्रजाः पालय पार्थिव ॥

kṛtaprajño vītalobho nirahaṅkāra ātmavān | dāntaḥ kṣānto mṛduḥ saumya prajāḥ pālaya pārthiva

Wise, free of greed, without egotism, master of yourself, restrained, forbearing and mild, O gentle one — so protect your subjects, O king.

Note on the text: Re-divided by the page's verse-end marks: Wikisource's lines 5-96-36b and 5-96-37a, which form the critical edition's 5.94.33 (the input had split them between its verses 36 and 37). Wikisource's सौम्य (CE kṣemaḥ) is kept.

Verse 39 (5.96.39)

मास्म भूयः क्षिपेः कंचिदविदित्वा बलाबलम् । अनुज्ञातः स्वस्ति गच्छ मैवं भूयः समाचरेः । कुशलं ब्राह्मणान्पृच्छेरावयोर्वचनाद्भृशम् ॥

māsma bhūyaḥ kṣipeḥ kaṃcidaviditvā balābalam | anujñātaḥ svasti gaccha maivaṃ bhūyaḥ samācareḥ | kuśalaṃ brāhmaṇānpṛccherāvayorvacanādbhṛśam

Never again insult anyone without knowing his strength or weakness. You have our leave; go in peace, and do not act like this again. And at the word of us two, ask the brahmins earnestly after their welfare.

Note on the text: Re-divided by the page's verse-end marks: line 1 is Wikisource's 5-96-37b (the input's verse 37, line 2), which the critical edition records as the star passage 5.94.33d*0433; lines 2–3 are Wikisource's 38 (CE 5.94.34). Corrected गच्च → गच्छ (misprint in Wikisource; dropped aspiration, critical edition gaccha).

Verse 40 (5.96.40)

ततो राजा तयोः पादावभिवाद्य महात्मनोः । प्रत्याजगाम स्वपुरं धर्मं चैवाचरद्भृशम् ॥

tato rājā tayoḥ pādāvabhivādya mahātmanoḥ | pratyājagāma svapuraṃ dharmaṃ caivācaradbhṛśam

Then the king bowed at the feet of those two great souls, went back to his own city, and practised dharma with all his heart.

Verse 41 (5.96.41)

सुमहच्चापि तत्कर्म यन्नरेण कृतं पुरा । ततो गुणैः सुबहुभिः श्रेष्ठो नारायणोऽभवत् ॥

sumahaccāpi tatkarma yannareṇa kṛtaṃ purā | tato guṇaiḥ subahubhiḥ śreṣṭho nārāyaṇo'bhavat

Very great was that deed which Nara did long ago; yet Narayana, by his many virtues, was greater still.

Verse 42 (5.96.42)

तस्माद्यावद्धनुःश्रेष्ठे गाण्डीवेऽस्त्रं न युज्यते । तावत्त्वं मानमुत्सृज्य गच्छ राजन्धनञ्जयम् ॥

tasmādyāvaddhanuḥśreṣṭhe gāṇḍīve'straṃ na yujyate | tāvattvaṃ mānamutsṛjya gaccha rājandhanañjayam

Therefore, O king, before a weapon is set on Gandiva, best of bows, lay aside your pride and go to Dhananjaya.

Verse 43 (5.96.43)

काकुदीकं शुकं नाकमक्षिसन्तर्जनं तथा । सन्तानं नर्तकं घोरमास्यमोदकमष्टमम् ॥

kākudīkaṃ śukaṃ nākamakṣisantarjanaṃ tathā | santānaṃ nartakaṃ ghoramāsyamodakamaṣṭamam

Kakudika, Shuka, Naka, Akshisantarjana, Santana, the terrible Nartaka, and Asyamodaka as the eighth —

Verse 44 (5.96.44)

एतैर्विद्धाः सर्व एव मरणं यान्ति मानवाः । उन्मत्ताश्च विचेष्टन्ते नष्टसंज्ञा विचेतसः ॥

etairviddhāḥ sarva eva maraṇaṃ yānti mānavāḥ | unmattāśca viceṣṭante naṣṭasaṃjñā vicetasaḥ

men pierced by these all go to their death; or else they thrash about like madmen, senseless and out of their minds.

Verse 45 (5.96.45)

स्वपन्ति च प्लवन्ते च च्छर्दयन्ति च मानवाः । मूत्रयन्ते च सततं रुदन्ति च हसन्ति च ॥

svapanti ca plavante ca cchardayanti ca mānavāḥ | mūtrayante ca satataṃ rudanti ca hasanti ca

Men struck by them fall asleep, leap about, vomit, pass urine without ceasing, weep and laugh.

Note on the text: Removed stray backquotes (and the doubled verse-end mark inside them) around this verse in Wikisource.

Verse 46 (5.96.46)

कामक्रोधौ लोभमोहौ मदमानौ तथैव च । मात्सर्याहङ्कृती चैव क्रमादेत उदाहृताः ॥

kāmakrodhau lobhamohau madamānau tathaiva ca | mātsaryāhaṅkṛtī caiva kramādeta udāhṛtāḥ

Desire and anger, greed and delusion, intoxication and pride, envy and egotism — these, in that order, are named as those eight.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as the star passage 5.94.39b*0434, printed after the first line of 5.94.39. Wikisource's own footnote says it is missing from most manuscripts. Corrected मात्सर्याहङ्कुती → मात्सर्याहङ्कृती (misprint in Wikisource; ु for ृ, star passage mātsaryāhaṃkṛtī).

Verse 47 (5.96.47)

निर्माता सर्वलोकानामीश्वरः सर्वकर्मवित् । यस्य नारायणो बन्धुरर्जुनो दुःसहो युधि ॥

nirmātā sarvalokānāmīśvaraḥ sarvakarmavit | yasya nārāyaṇo bandhurarjuno duḥsaho yudhi

The maker of all the worlds, the Lord who knows all deeds, is Narayana; and Arjuna, whose kinsman he is, is irresistible in battle.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as the star passage 5.94.42d*0435, lines 1–2 (reading sarvakarmakṛt for सर्वकर्मवित्).

Verse 48 (5.96.48)

कस्तमुत्सहते जेतुं त्रिषु लोकेषु भारत । वीरं कपिध्वजं जिष्णुं यस्य नास्ति समो युधि ॥

kastamutsahate jetuṃ triṣu lokeṣu bhārata | vīraṃ kapidhvajaṃ jiṣṇuṃ yasya nāsti samo yudhi

Who in the three worlds, O Bharata, would dare to conquer that hero, the ever-victorious bearer of the monkey banner, who has no equal in battle?

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as the star passage 5.94.42d*0435, lines 3–4.

Verse 49 (5.96.49)

असङ्ख्येया गुणाः पार्थे तद्विशिष्टो जनार्दनः । त्वमेव भूयो जानासि कुन्तीपुत्रं धनञ्जयम् ॥

asaṅkhyeyā guṇāḥ pārthe tadviśiṣṭo janārdanaḥ | tvameva bhūyo jānāsi kuntīputraṃ dhanañjayam

Countless are the virtues in Partha, and Janardana surpasses even him. You yourself know Kunti's son Dhananjaya well enough.

Verse 50 (5.96.50)

नरनारायणौ यौ तौ तावेवार्जुनकेशवौ । विजानीहि महाराज प्रवीरौ पुरुषोत्तमौ ॥

naranārāyaṇau yau tau tāvevārjunakeśavau | vijānīhi mahārāja pravīrau puruṣottamau

Know, great king, that those who were Nara and Narayana are Arjuna and Keshava — two heroes, the best of men.

Verse 51 (5.96.51)

यद्येतदेवं जानासि न च मामभिशङ्कसे । आर्यां मतिं समास्थाय शाम्य भारत पाण्डवैः ॥

yadyetadevaṃ jānāsi na ca māmabhiśaṅkase | āryāṃ matiṃ samāsthāya śāmya bhārata pāṇḍavaiḥ

If you know this to be so and do not doubt me, then take the noble course, O Bharata, and make peace with the Pandavas.

Verse 52 (5.96.52)

अथ चेन्मन्यसे श्रेयो न मे भेदो भवेदिति । प्रशाम्य भरतश्रेष्ठ मा च युद्धे मनः कृथाः ॥

atha cenmanyase śreyo na me bhedo bhavediti | praśāmya bharataśreṣṭha mā ca yuddhe manaḥ kṛthāḥ

And if you think it best that there be no rift in your house, then make peace, best of the Bharatas, and do not set your mind on war.

Verse 53 (5.96.53)

भवतां च कुरुश्रेष्ठ कुलं बहुमतं भुवि । तत्तथैवास्तु भद्रं ते स्वार्थमेवोपचिन्तय ॥

bhavatāṃ ca kuruśreṣṭha kulaṃ bahumataṃ bhuvi | tattathaivāstu bhadraṃ te svārthamevopacintaya

Your house, best of the Kurus, is held in high honour on earth. Let it remain so — may it go well with you! Think of your own true good.