From Pratipa to Shantanu's Birth

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.2.3.1)

उत्पत्तिस्तु त्वया प्रोक्ता व्यासस्यामिततेजसः । सत्यवत्यास्तथा सूत विस्तरेण त्वयाऽनघ

utpattistu tvayā proktā vyāsasyāmitatejasaḥ satyavatyāstathā sūta vistareṇa tvayā'nagha

O sinless Suta, you have told us in detail the origin of the immeasurably radiant Vyasa, and likewise of Satyavati.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.2.3.2)

तथाऽप्येकस्तु संदेहश्चित्तेऽस्माकं सुसंस्थितः । न निवर्तति धर्मज्ञ कथितेन त्वयाऽनघ

tathā'pyekastu saṁdehaścitte'smākaṁ susaṁsthitaḥ na nivartati dharmajña kathitena tvayā'nagha

Even so, O knower of dharma, one doubt still remains firmly lodged in our minds, which even your telling has not dispelled, O sinless one.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.2.3.3)

माता व्यासस्य या प्रोक्ता नाम्ना सत्यवती शुभा । सा कथं नृपतिं प्राप्ता शंतुनुं धर्मवित्तमम्

mātā vyāsasya yā proktā nāmnā satyavatī śubhā sā kathaṁ nṛpatiṁ prāptā śaṁtunuṁ dharmavittamam

That auspicious woman named Satyavati, said to be Vyasa's mother — how did she come to be won by Shantanu, foremost among the righteous kings?

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.2.3.4)

निषादपुत्रीं स कथं वृतवान्नृपतिः स्वयम् । धर्मिष्ठः पौरवो राजा कुलहीनामसंवृत्ताम्

niṣādaputrīṁ sa kathaṁ vṛtavānnṛpatiḥ svayam dharmiṣṭhaḥ pauravo rājā kulahīnāmasaṁvṛttām

How did that exceedingly righteous king of the Puru lineage himself choose in marriage a fisherman's daughter, one without noble family or refinement?

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.2.3.5)

शंतनोः प्रथमा पत्नी का ह्यभूत्कथयाधुना । भीष्मः पुत्रोऽथ मेधावी वसोरंशः कथं पुनः

śaṁtanoḥ prathamā patnī kā hyabhūtkathayādhunā bhīṣmaḥ putro'tha medhāvī vasoraṁśaḥ kathaṁ punaḥ

Tell us now also who Shantanu's first wife was; and how, again, was the wise son Bhishma born, he who was a portion of a Vasu?

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.2.3.6)

त्वया प्रोक्तं पुरा सूत राजा चित्रांगदः कृतः । सत्यवत्याः सुतो वीरो भीष्मेणामित तेजसा

tvayā proktaṁ purā sūta rājā citrāṁgadaḥ kṛtaḥ satyavatyāḥ suto vīro bhīṣmeṇāmita tejasā

O Suta, you earlier said that the immeasurably radiant Bhishma made Satyavati's valiant son Chitrangada king.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.2.3.7)

चित्रांगदे हते वीरे कृतस्तदनुजस्तथा । विचित्रवीर्यनामाऽसौ सत्यवत्याः सुतो नृपः

citrāṁgade hate vīre kṛtastadanujastathā vicitravīryanāmā'sau satyavatyāḥ suto nṛpaḥ

When the valiant Chitrangada was slain, his younger brother, Satyavati's son named Vichitravirya, was established as king.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.2.3.8)

ज्येष्ठे भीष्मे स्थिते पूर्वे धमिष्ठं रूपवत्यपि । कृतवान्स कथं राज्यं स्थापितस्तेन जानता

jyeṣṭhe bhīṣme sthite pūrve dhamiṣṭhaṁ rūpavatyapi kṛtavānsa kathaṁ rājyaṁ sthāpitastena jānatā

How, while his elder brother Bhishma was still alive, did he — that righteous and knowledgeable man — establish that virtuous and comely (Vichitravirya) upon the throne?

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.2.3.9)

मृते विचित्रवीर्ये तु सत्यवत्यतिदुःखिता । वधूभ्यां गोलकौ पुत्रौ जनयामास सा कथम्

mṛte vicitravīrye tu satyavatyatiduḥkhitā vadhūbhyāṁ golakau putrau janayāmāsa sā katham

When Vichitravirya died, how did the deeply grieving Satyavati cause offspring (golaka, sons by niyoga) to be born through his two widows?

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.2.3.10)

कथं राज्यं न भीष्माय ददौ सा वरवर्णिनी । न कृतस्तु कथं तेन वीरेण दारसंग्रहः

kathaṁ rājyaṁ na bhīṣmāya dadau sā varavarṇinī na kṛtastu kathaṁ tena vīreṇa dārasaṁgrahaḥ

Why did that fair lady not give the kingdom to Bhishma? And why did that hero not himself take a wife?

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.2.3.11)

अधर्मस्तु कृतः कस्माद्व्यासेनामिततेजसा । ज्येष्ठेन भ्रातृभार्यायां पुत्रानुत्पादिताविति

adharmastu kṛtaḥ kasmādvyāsenāmitatejasā jyeṣṭhena bhrātṛbhāryāyāṁ putrānutpāditāviti

For what reason did the immeasurably radiant Vyasa commit this seeming irregularity — begetting sons upon his elder brother's wives?

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.2.3.12)

पुराणकर्ता धर्मात्मा स कथं कृतवान्मुनिः । सेवनं परदाराणां भ्रातुश्चैव विशेषतः

purāṇakartā dharmātmā sa kathaṁ kṛtavānmuniḥ sevanaṁ paradārāṇāṁ bhrātuścaiva viśeṣataḥ

How could that righteous sage, the composer of the Puranas, engage in relations with another's wives — and that too, specifically, with his own brother's wives?

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.2.3.13)

जुगुप्सितमिदं कर्म स कथं कृतवान्मुनिः । शिष्टाचारः कथं सूत वेदानुमितिकारक

jugupsitamidaṁ karma sa kathaṁ kṛtavānmuniḥ śiṣṭācāraḥ kathaṁ sūta vedānumitikāraka

O Suta, how could that sage have performed such a reprehensible act? He was of impeccable conduct and one who reasoned in accordance with the Vedas.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.2.3.14)

व्यास शिष्योऽसि मेधाविन्संदेहं छेत्तुमर्हसि । श्रोतुकामा वयं सर्वे धर्मक्षेत्रे कृतक्षणाः

vyāsa śiṣyo'si medhāvinsaṁdehaṁ chettumarhasi śrotukāmā vayaṁ sarve dharmakṣetre kṛtakṣaṇāḥ

You are the disciple of the wise Vyasa; you ought to resolve this doubt. Having found this occasion here in this field of dharma, all of us are eager to hear it.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.2.3.15)

सूत उवाच । इक्ष्वाकुवंशप्रभवो महाभिष इति स्मृतः । सत्यवान्धर्मशीलश्च चक्रवर्ती नृपोत्तमः

sūta uvāca ikṣvākuvaṁśaprabhavo mahābhiṣa iti smṛtaḥ satyavāndharmaśīlaśca cakravartī nṛpottamaḥ

Suta said: In the Ikshvaku lineage there was renowned a king named Mahabhisha — truthful, righteous, a universal sovereign, and foremost among kings.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.2.3.16)

अश्वमेधसहस्रेण वाजपेयशतेन च । तोषयामास देवेंद्रं स्वर्गं प्राप महामतिः

aśvamedhasahasreṇa vājapeyaśatena ca toṣayāmāsa deveṁdraṁ svargaṁ prāpa mahāmatiḥ

By a thousand Ashvamedha sacrifices and a hundred Vajapeya rites, he pleased Indra; that highly wise king attained heaven.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.2.3.17)

एकदा ब्रह्मसदनं गतो राजा महाभिषः । सुराः सर्वे समाजग्मुः सेवनार्थं प्रजापतिम्

ekadā brahmasadanaṁ gato rājā mahābhiṣaḥ surāḥ sarve samājagmuḥ sevanārthaṁ prajāpatim

Once King Mahabhisha went to the abode of Brahma; all the gods too gathered there to attend upon Prajapati Brahma.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.2.3.18)

गंगा महानदी तत्र संस्थिता सेवितुं विभुम् । तस्या वासः समुद्धूतं मारुतेन तरस्विना

gaṁgā mahānadī tatra saṁsthitā sevituṁ vibhum tasyā vāsaḥ samuddhūtaṁ mārutena tarasvinā

The great river Ganga too was present there in attendance upon Brahma; the swift wind blew her garment awry.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.2.3.19)

अधोमुखाः सुराः सर्वे न विलोक्यैव तां स्थिताः । राजा महाभिषस्तां तु निःशंकः समपश्यत

adhomukhāḥ surāḥ sarve na vilokyaiva tāṁ sthitāḥ rājā mahābhiṣastāṁ tu niḥśaṁkaḥ samapaśyata

All the gods sat with their faces lowered, refraining from looking, but King Mahabhisha, without any restraint, gazed upon her.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.2.3.20)

साऽपि तं प्रेमसंयुक्तं नृपं ज्ञातवती नदी । दृष्ट्वा तौ प्रेमसंयुक्तौ निर्लज्जौ काममोहितौ

sā'pi taṁ premasaṁyuktaṁ nṛpaṁ jñātavatī nadī dṛṣṭvā tau premasaṁyuktau nirlajjau kāmamohitau

The river too recognized that king smitten with love; and seeing the two of them absorbed in passion, shameless, and infatuated with desire —

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.2.3.21)

ब्रह्मा चुकोप तौ तूर्णं शशाप च रुषाऽन्वितः । मर्त्यलोकेषु भूपाल जन्म प्राप्य पुनर्दिवम्

brahmā cukopa tau tūrṇaṁ śaśāpa ca ruṣā'nvitaḥ martyalokeṣu bhūpāla janma prāpya punardivam

Brahma at once became angry and, overcome with wrath, pronounced a curse: "O king, you shall take birth in the mortal world, and thereafter you shall regain heaven,

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.2.3.22)

पुण्येन महताऽऽविष्टस्त्वमवाप्स्यसि सर्वथा । गंगां तथोक्तवान्ब्रह्मा वीक्ष्य प्रेमवतीं नृपे

puṇyena mahatā''viṣṭastvamavāpsyasi sarvathā gaṁgāṁ tathoktavānbrahmā vīkṣya premavatīṁ nṛpe

endowed with great merit — this is wholly certain." Seeing Ganga too smitten with love for the king, Brahma spoke likewise to her.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.2.3.23)

विमनस्कौ तु तौ तूर्णं निःसृतौ ब्रह्मणोंऽतिकात् । स नृपश्चिंतयित्वाऽथ भूलोके धर्मतत्परान्

vimanaskau tu tau tūrṇaṁ niḥsṛtau brahmaṇoṁ'tikāt sa nṛpaściṁtayitvā'tha bhūloke dharmatatparān

Both of them, downcast, at once departed from Brahma's presence. Then that king began to think about righteous men living on earth.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.2.3.24)

प्रतीपं चिंतयामास पितरं पुरुवंशजम् । एतस्मिन्समये चाष्टौ वसवः स्त्रीसमन्विताः

pratīpaṁ ciṁtayāmāsa pitaraṁ puruvaṁśajam etasminsamaye cāṣṭau vasavaḥ strīsamanvitāḥ

He thought of Pratipa, born in the Puru lineage, as a fitting father. Meanwhile, at that very time, the eight Vasus, together with their wives —

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.2.3.25)

वसिष्ठस्याऽऽश्रमं प्राप्ता रममाणा यदृच्छया । पृथ्वादीनां वसूनां च मध्ये कोऽपि वसूत्तमः

vasiṣṭhasyā''śramaṁ prāptā ramamāṇā yadṛcchayā pṛthvādīnāṁ vasūnāṁ ca madhye ko'pi vasūttamaḥ

wandering about at will, happened to arrive at the hermitage of Vasishtha. Among those Vasus, foremost among Prithu and the others, there was one supreme Vasu

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.2.3.26)

द्यौर्नामा तस्य भार्याऽथ नंदिनीं गां ददर्श ह । दृष्ट्वा पतिं सा पप्रच्छ कस्येयं धेनुरुत्तमा

dyaurnāmā tasya bhāryā'tha naṁdinīṁ gāṁ dadarśa ha dṛṣṭvā patiṁ sā papraccha kasyeyaṁ dhenuruttamā

whose wife was named Dyau; she saw there the cow named Nandini. Seeing her, she asked her husband, "Whose is this excellent cow?"

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.2.3.27)

द्यौस्तामाह वसिष्ठस्य गौरियं शृणु सुंदरि । दुग्धमस्याः पिबेद्यस्तु नारी वा पुरषोऽथ वा

dyaustāmāha vasiṣṭhasya gauriyaṁ śṛṇu suṁdari dugdhamasyāḥ pibedyastu nārī vā puraṣo'tha vā

Dyau said to her, "Listen, O beautiful one, this is the cow of the sage Vasishtha. Whatever man or woman drinks her milk

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.2.3.28)

अयुतायुर्भवेन्यूनं सदैवाऽगतयौवनः । तच्छ्रुत्वा सुंदरी प्राह मृत्युलोकेऽस्ति मे सखी

ayutāyurbhavenyūnaṁ sadaivā'gatayauvanaḥ tacchrutvā suṁdarī prāha mṛtyuloke'sti me sakhī

lives for no less than ten thousand years, and remains forever unaged and youthful." Hearing this, that lovely woman said, "In the mortal world I have a dear friend,

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.2.3.29)

उशीनरस्य राजर्षेः पुत्री परमशोभना । तस्या हेतोर्महाभाग सवत्सां गां पयस्विनीम्

uśīnarasya rājarṣeḥ putrī paramaśobhanā tasyā hetormahābhāga savatsāṁ gāṁ payasvinīm

the daughter of the royal sage Ushinara, exceedingly beautiful. For her sake, O illustrious one, that milk-yielding cow with her calf,

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.2.3.30)

आनयस्वाऽऽश्रमश्रेष्ठं नंदिनीं कामदां शुभाम् । यावदस्याः पयः पीत्वा सखी मम सदैव हि

ānayasvā''śramaśreṣṭhaṁ naṁdinīṁ kāmadāṁ śubhām yāvadasyāḥ payaḥ pītvā sakhī mama sadaiva hi

the wish-granting, auspicious Nandini, please bring here from this great hermitage, so that by drinking her milk my friend may forever remain

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.2.3.31)

मानुषेषु भवेदेका जरारोगविवर्जिता । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्या द्यौर्जहार च नंदिनीम्

mānuṣeṣu bhavedekā jarārogavivarjitā tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasyā dyaurjahāra ca naṁdinīm

the one person among mortals free from old age and disease." Hearing her words, Dyau stole Nandini,

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.2.3.32)

अवमन्य मुनिं दांतं पृथ्वाद्यैः सहितोऽनघः । हृतायामथ नंदिन्यां वसिष्ठस्तु महातपाः

avamanya muniṁ dāṁtaṁ pṛthvādyaiḥ sahito'naghaḥ hṛtāyāmatha naṁdinyāṁ vasiṣṭhastu mahātapāḥ

showing disrespect to that self-controlled and blameless sage, in league with Prithu and the other Vasus. When Nandini was thus taken away, the greatly ascetic Vasishtha —

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.2.3.33)

आजगामाऽऽश्रमपदं फलान्यादाय सत्वरः । नापश्यत यदा धेनुं सवत्सां स्वाश्रमे मुनिः

ājagāmā''śramapadaṁ phalānyādāya satvaraḥ nāpaśyata yadā dhenuṁ savatsāṁ svāśrame muniḥ

returned swiftly to his hermitage bearing fruits. When the sage did not find that cow with her calf in his hermitage,

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.2.3.34)

मृगयामास तेजस्वी गह्वरेषु वनेष्वपि । नासादिता यदा धेनुश्चुकोपातिशयं मुनिः

mṛgayāmāsa tejasvī gahvareṣu vaneṣvapi nāsāditā yadā dhenuścukopātiśayaṁ muniḥ

that radiant sage began searching for her in the forest's caves and thickets. When the cow was not to be found, the sage became exceedingly angry.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.2.3.35)

वारुणिश्चापि विज्ञाय ध्यानेन वसुभिर्हृताम् । वसुभिर्मे हृता धेनुर्यस्मान्मामवमन्य वै

vāruṇiścāpi vijñāya dhyānena vasubhirhṛtām vasubhirme hṛtā dhenuryasmānmāmavamanya vai

Vasishtha, son of Varuna, also perceived through meditation that she had been carried off by the Vasus — "Since the Vasus, showing me disrespect, have stolen my cow,

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.2.3.36)

तस्मात्सर्वे जनिष्यंति मानुषेषु न संशयः । एवं शशाप धर्मात्मा वसूंस्तान्वारुणिः स्वयम्

tasmātsarve janiṣyaṁti mānuṣeṣu na saṁśayaḥ evaṁ śaśāpa dharmātmā vasūṁstānvāruṇiḥ svayam

therefore, without any doubt, all of them shall take birth among mortals." Thus that righteous son of Varuna himself cursed those Vasus.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.2.3.37)

श्रुत्वा विमनसः सर्वे प्रययुर्दुःखिताश्च ते । शप्ताः स्म इति जानंत ऋषिं तमुपचक्रमुः

śrutvā vimanasaḥ sarve prayayurduḥkhitāśca te śaptāḥ sma iti jānaṁta ṛṣiṁ tamupacakramuḥ

Hearing this, all of them, downcast and grieving, went away from there. Realizing, "We have been cursed," they returned again to that sage.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.2.3.38)

प्रसादयंतस्तमृषिं वसव शरणं गताः । मुनिस्तानाह धर्मात्मा वसून्दीनान्पुरः स्थितान्

prasādayaṁtastamṛṣiṁ vasava śaraṇaṁ gatāḥ munistānāha dharmātmā vasūndīnānpuraḥ sthitān

Striving to appease that sage, the Vasus took refuge with him. The righteous sage said to those humbled Vasus standing before him —

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.2.3.39)

अनुसंवत्सरं सर्वे शापमोक्षमवाप्स्यथ । येनेयं विहृता धेनुर्नंदिनी मम वत्सला

anusaṁvatsaraṁ sarve śāpamokṣamavāpsyatha yeneyaṁ vihṛtā dhenurnaṁdinī mama vatsalā

"All of you shall obtain release from the curse within a single year; but the one among you who carried off my affectionate Nandini,

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.2.3.40)

तस्माद्द्यौर्मानुषे देहे दीर्घकालं वसिष्यति । ते शप्ताः पथि गच्छतीं गंगां दृष्ट्वा सरिद्वराम्

tasmāddyaurmānuṣe dehe dīrghakālaṁ vasiṣyati te śaptāḥ pathi gacchatīṁ gaṁgāṁ dṛṣṭvā saridvarām

because of him Dyau shall dwell in a human body for a long time." Thus cursed, as they journeyed they beheld the excellent river Ganga passing by —

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.2.3.41)

ऊचुस्तां प्रणताः सर्वे शप्तां चिंतातुरां नदीम् । भविष्यामो वयं देवि कथं देवाः सुधाशनाः

ūcustāṁ praṇatāḥ sarve śaptāṁ ciṁtāturāṁ nadīm bhaviṣyāmo vayaṁ devi kathaṁ devāḥ sudhāśanāḥ

and all of them, bowing to that cursed and troubled river-goddess, said, "O Goddess, how shall we, gods who feed on nectar, become mortals?

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.2.3.42)

मानुषाणां च जठरं चिंतेयं महती हि नः । तस्मात्त्वं मानुषी भूत्वा जनयास्मान्सरिद्वरे

mānuṣāṇāṁ ca jaṭharaṁ ciṁteyaṁ mahatī hi naḥ tasmāttvaṁ mānuṣī bhūtvā janayāsmānsaridvare

Being born from a human womb is a matter of great anxiety for us. Therefore, O excellent river, become a human woman and give birth to us,

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.2.3.43)

शंतनुर्नाम राजर्षिस्तस्य भार्या भवानघे । जाताञ्जाताञ्जले चास्मान्निक्षिपस्व सुरापगे

śaṁtanurnāma rājarṣistasya bhāryā bhavānaghe jātāñjātāñjale cāsmānnikṣipasva surāpage

O sinless one — there is a royal sage named Shantanu; become his wife. O river that flows to the gods, as each of us is born, cast us at once into the water —

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.2.3.44)

एवं शापविनिर्मोक्षो भविता नात्र संशयः । तथेत्युक्ताश्च ते सर्वे जग्मुर्लोकं स्वकं पुनः

evaṁ śāpavinirmokṣo bhavitā nātra saṁśayaḥ tathetyuktāśca te sarve jagmurlokaṁ svakaṁ punaḥ

in this way our release from the curse shall surely come about, of that there is no doubt." Saying "So be it," they all returned once more to their own realms.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.2.3.45)

गंगाऽपि निर्गता देवी चिंत्यमाना पुनः पुनः । महाभिषो नृपो जातः प्रतीपस्य सुतस्तदा

gaṁgā'pi nirgatā devī ciṁtyamānā punaḥ punaḥ mahābhiṣo nṛpo jātaḥ pratīpasya sutastadā

The goddess Ganga too departed from there, reflecting again and again upon this. At that same time King Mahabhisha took birth as the son of Pratipa —

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.2.3.46)

शंतनुर्नाम राजर्षिर्धर्मात्मा सत्यसंगरः । प्रतीपस्तु स्तुतिं चक्रे सूर्यस्यामिततेजसः

śaṁtanurnāma rājarṣirdharmātmā satyasaṁgaraḥ pratīpastu stutiṁ cakre sūryasyāmitatejasaḥ

as the righteous, true-vowed royal sage named Shantanu. Pratipa had once offered praise to the immeasurably radiant Sun (and it was thus that this son was obtained).

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.2.3.47)

तदा च सलिलात्तस्मान्निःसृता वरवर्णिनी । दक्षिणं शालसंकाशमूरुं भेजे शुभानना

tadā ca salilāttasmānniḥsṛtā varavarṇinī dakṣiṇaṁ śālasaṁkāśamūruṁ bheje śubhānanā

Then from those waters that lovely woman (Ganga) emerged, and the fair one seated herself upon the king's right thigh, firm as a sal tree.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.2.3.48)

अंके स्थितां स्त्रियं चाह मापृष्ट्वा किं वरानने । ममोरावास्थिताऽसि त्वं किमर्थं दक्षिणे शुभे

aṁke sthitāṁ striyaṁ cāha māpṛṣṭvā kiṁ varānane mamorāvāsthitā'si tvaṁ kimarthaṁ dakṣiṇe śubhe

The king said to that woman seated in his lap, without first asking anything, "O fair one, why have you come and seated yourself upon my right thigh, O gentle lady?"

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.2.3.49)

सा तमाह वरारोहा यदर्थं राजसत्तम । स्थिताऽस्म्यंके कुरुश्रेष्ठ कामयानां भजस्व माम्

sā tamāha varārohā yadarthaṁ rājasattama sthitā'smyaṁke kuruśreṣṭha kāmayānāṁ bhajasva mām

That lovely woman said to him, "O foremost of kings, the reason I am seated in your lap, O best of the Kurus, is this: I have come overcome with desire — accept me."

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.2.3.50)

तामवोचदथो राजा रूपयौवनशालिनीम् । नाहं परस्त्रियं कामाद्गच्छेयं वरवर्णिनीम्

tāmavocadatho rājā rūpayauvanaśālinīm nāhaṁ parastriyaṁ kāmādgaccheyaṁ varavarṇinīm

The king said to that woman, endowed with beauty and youth, "O fair one, I shall never, out of desire, approach a woman who is another's.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.2.3.51)

स्थिता दक्षिणमूरुं मे त्वमाश्लिष्य च भामिनि । अपत्यानां स्नुषाणां च स्थानं विद्धि शुचिस्मिते

sthitā dakṣiṇamūruṁ me tvamāśliṣya ca bhāmini apatyānāṁ snuṣāṇāṁ ca sthānaṁ viddhi śucismite

You are seated, embracing me, upon my right thigh, O lovely lady — O pure-smiling one, know that this is the place reserved for one's children and daughters-in-law.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.2.3.52)

स्नुषा मे भव कल्याणि जाते पुत्रेऽतिवाञ्छिते । भविष्यति च मे पुत्रस्तव पुण्यान्न संशयः

snuṣā me bhava kalyāṇi jāte putre'tivāñchite bhaviṣyati ca me putrastava puṇyānna saṁśayaḥ

O blessed one, become my daughter-in-law; when my desired son is born, that son of mine shall surely be granted to you through your own merit — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.2.3.53)

तथेत्युक्ता गता सा वै कामिनी दिव्य दर्शना । राजा चापि गृहं प्राप्तश्चिंतयंस्तां स्त्रियं पुनः

tathetyuktā gatā sā vai kāminī divya darśanā rājā cāpi gṛhaṁ prāptaściṁtayaṁstāṁ striyaṁ punaḥ

Saying "So be it," that divinely beautiful, desirous woman departed; and the king too returned to his home, still thinking again and again of that woman.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.2.3.54)

ततः कालेन कियता जाते पुत्रे वयस्विनि । वनं जिगमिषू राजा पुत्रं वृत्तांतमूचिवान्

tataḥ kālena kiyatā jāte putre vayasvini vanaṁ jigamiṣū rājā putraṁ vṛttāṁtamūcivān

After some time had passed, when his son had come to youth, the king, now desirous of going to the forest, related to his son that entire account.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.2.3.55)

वृत्तांतं कथयित्वा तु पुनरूचे निजं सुतम् । यदि प्रयाति सा बाला त्वां वने चारुहासिनी

vṛttāṁtaṁ kathayitvā tu punarūce nijaṁ sutam yadi prayāti sā bālā tvāṁ vane cāruhāsinī

Having told this account, he further said to his own son, "If in the forest that sweetly-smiling maiden should come to you,

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.2.3.56)

कामयाना वरारोहा ता भजेथा मनोरमाम् । न प्रष्टव्या त्वया काऽसि मन्नियोगान्नराधिप

kāmayānā varārohā tā bhajethā manoramām na praṣṭavyā tvayā kā'si manniyogānnarādhipa

moved by desire, then, O lord of men, accept that beautiful and lovely woman. By my command, you shall not ask her who she is.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.2.3.57)

धर्मपत्नीं च तां कृत्वा भविता त्वं सुखी किल । सूत उवाच । एवं संदिश्य तं पुत्रं भूपतिः प्रीतमानसः

dharmapatnīṁ ca tāṁ kṛtvā bhavitā tvaṁ sukhī kila sūta uvāca evaṁ saṁdiśya taṁ putraṁ bhūpatiḥ prītamānasaḥ

Having made her your lawful wife, you shall surely be happy." Suta said: Having thus instructed his son, that king, glad at heart,

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.2.3.58)

दत्त्वा राज्यश्रियं सर्वां वनं राजा विवेश ह । तत्रापि च तपस्तप्त्वा समाराध्य परांबिकाम्

dattvā rājyaśriyaṁ sarvāṁ vanaṁ rājā viveśa ha tatrāpi ca tapastaptvā samārādhya parāṁbikām

having handed over to him the entire glory of the kingdom, entered the forest. There too, having practised austerity and worshipped the Supreme Mother,

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.2.3.59)

जगाम स्वर्गं राजाऽसौ देहं त्यक्त्वा स्वतेजसा । राज्यं प्राप महातेजाः शंतनुः सार्वभौमिकम्

jagāma svargaṁ rājā'sau dehaṁ tyaktvā svatejasā rājyaṁ prāpa mahātejāḥ śaṁtanuḥ sārvabhaumikam

that king, by his own inner radiance, cast off his body and departed for heaven. The greatly splendid Shantanu obtained the sovereign kingdom,

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.2.3.60)

प्रजां वै पालयामास धर्मदंडो महीपतिः

prajāṁ vai pālayāmāsa dharmadaṁḍo mahīpatiḥ

and that king, holding dharma alone as his sceptre, ruled and protected his people.