Birth of Emperor Parikshit

Verse 1 (bhagavata.1.12.1)

शौनक उवाच अश्वत्थाम्नोपसृष्टेन ब्रह्मशीर्ष्णोरुतेजसा । उत्तराया हतो गर्भ ईशेनाजीवितः पुनः ॥ १ ॥

śaunaka uvāca aśvatthāmnopasṛṣṭena brahma-śīrṣṇoru-tejasā uttarāyā hato garbha īśenājīvitaḥ punaḥ

Shaunaka said: The child in Uttara's womb, struck by the terrible power of the brahma-weapon released by Ashvatthama, was slain — yet brought back to life again by the Lord.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.1.12.2)

तस्य जन्म महाबुद्धेः कर्माणि च महात्मनः । निधनं च यथैवासीत्स प्रेत्य गतवान् यथा ॥ २ ॥

tasya janma mahā-buddheḥ karmāṇi ca mahātmanaḥ nidhanaṁ ca yathaivāsīt sa pretya gatavān yathā

How was he born, that great and wise soul, and what were his deeds? How did his death come about, and to what end did he go after death?

Verse 3 (bhagavata.1.12.3)

तदिदं श्रोतुमिच्छामो गदितुं यदि मन्यसे । ब्रूहि नः श्रद्दधानानां यस्य ज्ञानमदाच्छुकः ॥ ३ ॥

tad idaṁ śrotum icchāmo gadituṁ yadi manyase brūhi naḥ śraddadhānānāṁ yasya jñānam adāc chukaḥ

This we wish to hear, if you are willing to speak of it. Tell us, who listen with faith — of him to whom Shukadeva imparted true knowledge.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.1.12.4)

सूत उवाच अपीपलद्धर्मराजः पितृवद् रञ्जयन् प्रजाः । निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यः कृष्णपादानुसेवया ॥ ४ ॥

sūta uvāca apīpalad dharma-rājaḥ pitṛvad rañjayan prajāḥ niḥspṛhaḥ sarva-kāmebhyaḥ kṛṣṇa-pādānusevayā

Suta said: The king of righteousness nurtured his subjects as a father would, free from craving for any enjoyment of his own, through his unbroken service at the feet of Krishna.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.1.12.5)

सम्पदः क्रतवो लोका महिषी भ्रातरो मही । जम्बूद्वीपाधिपत्यं च यशश्च त्रिदिवं गतम् ॥ ५ ॥

sampadaḥ kratavo lokā mahiṣī bhrātaro mahī jambudvīpādhipatyaṁ ca yaśaś ca tri-divaṁ gatam

News of his riches, his sacrifices, his dominions, his queen, his brothers, the earth itself, his sovereignty over Jambudvipa, and his fame — all of it reached even the celestial heaven.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.1.12.6)

किं ते कामाः सुरस्पार्हा मुकुन्दमनसो द्विजाः । अधिजह्रुर्मुदं राज्ञः क्षुधितस्य यथेतरे ॥ ६ ॥

kiṁ te kāmāḥ sura-spārhā mukunda-manaso dvijāḥ adhijahrur mudaṁ rājñaḥ kṣudhitasya yathetare

O brahmins, what desires — even those coveted by the very gods — could stir real joy in a king whose mind was fixed on Mukunda? They could no more satisfy him than scraps satisfy one who hungers for something else entirely.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.1.12.7)

मातुर्गर्भगतो वीरः स तदा भृगुनन्दन । ददर्श पुरुषं कञ्चिद्दह्यमानोऽस्त्रतेजसा ॥ ७ ॥

mātur garbha-gato vīraḥ sa tadā bhṛgu-nandana dadarśa puruṣaṁ kañcid dahyamāno ’stra-tejasā

O son of Bhrigu, that hero, while still within his mother's womb and scorched by the weapon's power, beheld at that moment a certain being.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.1.12.8)

अङ्गुष्ठमात्रममलं स्फुरत्पुरटमौलिनम् । अपीव्यदर्शनं श्यामं तडिद्वाससमच्युतम् ॥ ८ ॥

aṅguṣṭha-mātram amalaṁ sphurat-puraṭa-maulinam apīvya-darśanaṁ śyāmaṁ taḍid vāsasam acyutam

A being no bigger than a thumb, immaculate, a crown of flashing gold upon his head, of a beautiful dark hue, clad in garments the color of lightning — the unfailing one.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.1.12.9)

श्रीमद्दीर्घचतुर्बाहुं तप्तकाञ्चनकुण्डलम् । क्षतजाक्षं गदापाणिमात्मनः सर्वतोदिशम् । परिभ्रमन्तमुल्काभां भ्रामयन्तं गदां मुहुः ॥ ९ ॥

śrīmad-dīrgha-catur-bāhuṁ tapta-kāñcana-kuṇḍalam kṣatajākṣaṁ gadā-pāṇim ātmanaḥ sarvato diśam paribhramantam ulkābhāṁ bhrāmayantaṁ gadāṁ muhuḥ

Radiant, with four long arms, earrings of molten gold, eyes red as blood, a mace in his hand — he circled all around the child like a shooting star, whirling his mace again and again.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.1.12.10)

अस्त्रतेजः स्वगदया नीहारमिव गोपतिः । विधमन्तं सन्निकर्षे पर्यैक्षत क इत्यसौ ॥ १० ॥

astra-tejaḥ sva-gadayā nīhāram iva gopatiḥ vidhamantaṁ sannikarṣe paryaikṣata ka ity asau

Dispelling the weapon's fierce radiance close at hand with his own mace, as the sun burns off the morning mist, he was watched by the child, who wondered, "Who is this?"

Verse 11 (bhagavata.1.12.11)

विधूय तदमेयात्मा भगवान्धर्मगुब् विभुः । मिषतो दशमासस्य तत्रैवान्तर्दधे हरिः ॥ ११ ॥

vidhūya tad ameyātmā bhagavān dharma-gub vibhuḥ miṣato daśamāsasya tatraivāntardadhe hariḥ

Having thus dispersed the danger, that immeasurable, all-pervading Lord and protector of dharma vanished right there, even as the ten-month child continued to watch.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.1.12.12)

ततः सर्वगुणोदर्के सानुकूलग्रहोदये । जज्ञे वंशधरः पाण्डोर्भूयः पाण्डुरिवौजसा ॥ १२ ॥

tataḥ sarva-guṇodarke sānukūla-grahodaye jajñe vaṁśa-dharaḥ pāṇḍor bhūyaḥ pāṇḍur ivaujasā

Then, when every auspicious sign had come together and the favorable planets had risen, the heir of Pandu's line was born — in vigor, it seemed, Pandu come again.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.1.12.13)

तस्य प्रीतमना राजा विप्रैर्धौम्यकृपादिभिः । जातकं कारयामास वाचयित्वा च मङ्गलम् ॥ १३ ॥

tasya prīta-manā rājā viprair dhaumya-kṛpādibhiḥ jātakaṁ kārayām āsa vācayitvā ca maṅgalam

The king, his heart delighted with the newborn, had the birth rites performed by the brahmins, Dhaumya and Kripa foremost among them, with auspicious hymns recited.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.1.12.14)

हिरण्यं गां महीं ग्रामान् हस्त्यश्वान्नृपतिर्वरान् । प्रादात्स्वन्नं च विप्रेभ्यः प्रजातीर्थे स तीर्थवित् ॥ १४ ॥

hiraṇyaṁ gāṁ mahīṁ grāmān hasty-aśvān nṛpatir varān prādāt svannaṁ ca viprebhyaḥ prajā-tīrthe sa tīrthavit

The king, who well understood the fitting occasions for charity, gave gold, cattle, land, villages, the finest elephants and horses, and abundant food to the brahmins, at this sacred moment of a child's birth.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.1.12.15)

तमूचुर्ब्राह्मणास्तुष्टा राजानं प्रश्रयान्वितम् । एष ह्यस्मिन् प्रजातन्तौ पुरूणां पौरवर्षभ ॥ १५ ॥

tam ūcur brāhmaṇās tuṣṭā rājānaṁ praśrayānvitam eṣa hy asmin prajā-tantau purūṇāṁ pauravarṣabha

The brahmins, well pleased, spoke to the king, who received them with all humility: "This child, O foremost of the Paurava line, in this very lineage of yours —"

Verse 16 (bhagavata.1.12.16)

दैवेनाप्रतिघातेन शुक्ले संस्थामुपेयुषि । रातो वोऽनुग्रहार्थाय विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना ॥ १६ ॥

daivenāpratighātena śukle saṁsthām upeyuṣi rāto vo ’nugrahārthāya viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā

"— by an irresistible turn of fate, at the very moment the weapon's fire had spent itself, has been restored to you, for your own blessing, by the all-powerful Vishnu."

Verse 17 (bhagavata.1.12.17)

तस्मान्नाम्ना विष्णुरात इति लोके भविष्यति । न सन्देहो महाभाग महाभागवतो महान् ॥ १७ ॥

tasmān nāmnā viṣṇu-rāta iti loke bhaviṣyati na sandeho mahā-bhāga mahā-bhāgavato mahān

"Therefore he shall be known in the world by the name Vishnurata — the one given by Vishnu. There is no doubt, O most fortunate one, that he shall grow into a great and exalted devotee."

Verse 18 (bhagavata.1.12.18)

श्रीराजोवाच अप्येष वंश्यान् राजर्षीन् पुण्यश्लोकान् महात्मनः । अनुवर्तिता स्विद्यशसा साधुवादेन सत्तमाः ॥ १८ ॥

śrī-rājovāca apy eṣa vaṁśyān rājarṣīn puṇya-ślokān mahātmanaḥ anuvartitā svid yaśasā sādhu-vādena sattamāḥ

The virtuous king said: O great souls, will this child follow in the footsteps of the saintly kings of our line, celebrated in sacred verse — will he equal them in glory and in honest, worthy renown, O noblest of the wise?

Verse 19 (bhagavata.1.12.19)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः पार्थ प्रजाविता साक्षादिक्ष्वाकुरिव मानवः । ब्रह्मण्यः सत्यसन्धश्च रामो दाशरथिर्यथा ॥ १९ ॥

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ pārtha prajāvitā sākṣād ikṣvākur iva mānavaḥ brahmaṇyaḥ satya-sandhaś ca rāmo dāśarathir yathā

The brahmins said: O son of Pritha, in nurturing his subjects he shall be exactly like Ikshvaku, the son of Manu; devoted to the brahmins and true to his given word, like Rama, the son of Dasharatha.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.1.12.20)

एष दाता शरण्यश्च यथा ह्यौशीनरः शिबिः । यशो वितनिता स्वानां दौष्यन्तिरिव यज्वनाम् ॥ २० ॥

eṣa dātā śaraṇyaś ca yathā hy auśīnaraḥ śibiḥ yaśo vitanitā svānāṁ dauṣyantir iva yajvanām

This one shall be a giver of gifts and a refuge for those who seek shelter, like Shibi, king of Ushinara; and among those who perform sacrifice, he shall spread the fame of his own line, like the son of Dushyanta.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.1.12.21)

धन्विनामग्रणीरेष तुल्यश्चार्जुनयोर्द्वयोः । हुताश इव दुर्धर्षः समुद्र इव दुस्तरः ॥ २१ ॥

dhanvinām agraṇīr eṣa tulyaś cārjunayor dvayoḥ hutāśa iva durdharṣaḥ samudra iva dustaraḥ

He shall be foremost among archers, the equal of both the Arjunas; as irresistible as fire, and as unfathomable as the ocean.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.1.12.22)

मृगेन्द्र इव विक्रान्तो निषेव्यो हिमवानिव । तितिक्षुर्वसुधेवासौ सहिष्णुः पितराविव ॥ २२ ॥

mṛgendra iva vikrānto niṣevyo himavān iva titikṣur vasudhevāsau sahiṣṇuḥ pitarāv iva

Valiant as the lion, a refuge worth seeking as the Himalaya; enduring as the earth, and as tolerant as his own parents.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.1.12.23)

पितामहसमः साम्ये प्रसादे गिरिशोपमः । आश्रयः सर्वभूतानां यथा देवो रमाश्रयः ॥ २३ ॥

pitāmaha-samaḥ sāmye prasāde giriśopamaḥ āśrayaḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ yathā devo ramāśrayaḥ

Equal to his grandfather in evenness of mind, gracious as Girisha; a refuge for all beings, as the Lord is the refuge of the goddess of fortune herself.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.1.12.24)

सर्वसद्गुणमाहात्म्ये एष कृष्णमनुव्रतः । रन्तिदेव इवोदारो ययातिरिव धार्मिकः ॥ २४ ॥

sarva-sad-guṇa-māhātmye eṣa kṛṣṇam anuvrataḥ rantideva ivodāro yayātir iva dhārmikaḥ

In the greatness of every fine quality, this one shall be a devoted follower of Krishna; as generous as Rantideva, and as righteous as Yayati.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.1.12.25)

धृत्या बलिसमः कृष्णे प्रह्राद इव सद्ग्रहः । आहर्तैषोऽश्वमेधानां वृद्धानां पर्युपासकः ॥ २५ ॥

dhṛtyā bali-samaḥ kṛṣṇe prahrāda iva sad-grahaḥ āhartaiṣo ’śvamedhānāṁ vṛddhānāṁ paryupāsakaḥ

In steadfastness the equal of Bali, of unwavering devotion to Krishna like Prahlada; a performer of horse-sacrifices, and one who waits upon his elders.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.1.12.26)

राजर्षीणां जनयिता शास्ता चोत्पथगामिनाम् । निग्रहीता कलेरेष भुवो धर्मस्य कारणात् ॥ २६ ॥

rājarṣīṇāṁ janayitā śāstā cotpatha-gāminām nigrahītā kaler eṣa bhuvo dharmasya kāraṇāt

He shall be the father of royal sages, and the chastiser of those who stray from the path — the one who holds Kali in check, for the sake of dharma upon this earth.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.1.12.27)

तक्षकादात्मनो मृत्युं द्विजपुत्रोपसर्जितात् । प्रपत्स्यत उपश्रुत्य मुक्तसङ्गः पदं हरेः ॥ २७ ॥

takṣakād ātmano mṛtyuṁ dvija-putropasarjitāt prapatsyata upaśrutya mukta-saṅgaḥ padaṁ hareḥ

On hearing of his coming death — brought about by Takshaka at the instigation of a brahmin's son — he shall let go of every attachment, and attain the very abode of Hari.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.1.12.28)

जिज्ञासितात्मयाथार्थ्यो मुनेर्व्याससुतादसौ । हित्वेदं नृप गङ्गायां यास्यत्यद्धाकुतोभयम् ॥ २८ ॥

jijñāsitātma-yāthārthyo muner vyāsa-sutād asau hitvedaṁ nṛpa gaṅgāyāṁ yāsyaty addhākutobhayam

Having inquired into the true nature of the self from the sage Vyasa's son, O king, he shall renounce all of this by the Ganga, and pass truly beyond all fear.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.1.12.29)

इति राज्ञ उपादिश्य विप्रा जातककोविदाः । लब्धापचितयः सर्वे प्रतिजग्मुः स्वकान् गृहान् ॥ २९ ॥

iti rājña upādiśya viprā jātaka-kovidāḥ labdhāpacitayaḥ sarve pratijagmuḥ svakān gṛhān

Having thus instructed the king, the brahmins skilled in reading the birth-chart, each duly honored, returned to their own homes.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.1.12.30)

स एष लोके विख्यातः परीक्षिदिति यत्प्रभुः । पूर्वं दृष्टमनुध्यायन् परीक्षेत नरेष्विह ॥ ३० ॥

sa eṣa loke vikhyātaḥ parīkṣid iti yat prabhuḥ pūrvaṁ dṛṣṭam anudhyāyan parīkṣeta nareṣv iha

This same child, the Lord, would become known in the world by the name Parikshit — one who examines — because, ever recalling the vision he had seen before his birth, he would go searching for it among the men of this world.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.1.12.31)

स राजपुत्रो ववृधे आशु शुक्ल इवोडुपः । आपूर्यमाणः पितृभिः काष्ठाभिरिव सोऽन्वहम् ॥ ३१ ॥

sa rāja-putro vavṛdhe āśu śukla ivoḍupaḥ āpūryamāṇaḥ pitṛbhiḥ kāṣṭhābhir iva so ’nvaham

That royal prince grew swiftly, like the bright waxing moon, nourished day by day by his elders, just as the moon grows fuller with each passing phase.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.1.12.32)

यक्ष्यमाणोऽश्वमेधेन ज्ञातिद्रोहजिहासया । राजा लब्धधनो दध्यौ नान्यत्र करदण्डयोः ॥ ३२ ॥

yakṣyamāṇo ’śvamedhena jñāti-droha-jihāsayā rājā labdha-dhano dadhyau nānyatra kara-daṇḍayoḥ

Wishing to be freed from the sin of warring against his own kinsmen, the king resolved to perform a horse-sacrifice; yet even with the wealth already gained, he fell to brooding, for he saw no way to raise more, short of taxation or fines.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.1.12.33)

तदभिप्रेतमालक्ष्य भ्रातरोऽच्युतचोदिताः । धनं प्रहीणमाजह्रुरुदीच्यां दिशि भूरिशः ॥ ३३ ॥

tad abhipretam ālakṣya bhrātaro ’cyuta-coditāḥ dhanaṁ prahīṇam ājahrur udīcyāṁ diśi bhūriśaḥ

Perceiving his intent, his brothers, at the prompting of the infallible Krishna, gathered abundant wealth lying unclaimed in the northern lands.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.1.12.34)

तेन सम्भृतसम्भारो धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः । वाजिमेधैस्त्रिभिर्भीतो यज्ञैः समयजद्धरिम् ॥ ३४ ॥

tena sambhṛta-sambhāro dharma-putro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ vājimedhais tribhir bhīto yajñaiḥ samayajad dharim

With that wealth, Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, gathered all that was needed and, still fearful over the war's sin, worshiped Hari through three horse-sacrifices.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.1.12.35)

आहूतो भगवान् राज्ञा याजयित्वा द्विजैर्नृपम् । उवास कतिचिन्मासान् सुहृदां प्रियकाम्यया ॥ ३५ ॥

āhūto bhagavān rājñā yājayitvā dvijair nṛpam uvāsa katicin māsān suhṛdāṁ priya-kāmyayā

Invited by the king, the Lord, having ensured that the sacrifices were duly carried out by learned brahmins, remained there for several months, wishing to please his kinsmen.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.1.12.36)

ततो राज्ञाभ्यनुज्ञातः कृष्णया सह बन्धुभिः । ययौ द्वारवतीं ब्रह्मन् सार्जुनो यदुभिर्वृतः ॥ ३६ ॥

tato rājñābhyanujñātaḥ kṛṣṇayā saha-bandhubhiḥ yayau dvāravatīṁ brahman sārjuno yadubhir vṛtaḥ

Then, O brahmin, taking leave of the king, of Draupadi, and of his kinsmen, he departed for Dvaravati, accompanied by Arjuna, surrounded by the Yadus.