Devavrata's (Bhishma's) Birth

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.2.4.1)

सूत उवाच । प्रतीपेऽथ दिवं याते शंतनुः सत्यविक्रमः । बभूव मृगयाशीलो निघ्नन्व्याघ्रान्मृगान्नृपः

sūta uvāca pratīpe'tha divaṁ yāte śaṁtanuḥ satyavikramaḥ babhūva mṛgayāśīlo nighnanvyāghrānmṛgānnṛpaḥ

Suta said: When Pratipa had departed for heaven, Shantanu of true valour became king, a monarch fond of the chase, given to slaying tigers and deer.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.2.4.2)

स कदाचिद्वने घोरे गंगातीरे चरन्नृपः । ददर्श मृगशावाक्षीं सुंदरीं चारुभूषणाम्

sa kadācidvane ghore gaṁgātīre carannṛpaḥ dadarśa mṛgaśāvākṣīṁ suṁdarīṁ cārubhūṣaṇām

Once, wandering in a fearsome forest along the bank of the Ganga, the king caught sight of a beautiful woman, her eyes like a fawn's, adorned with lovely ornaments.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.2.4.3)

दृष्ट्वा तां नृपतिर्मग्नः पित्रोक्तेयं वरानना । रूपयौवनसंपन्ना साक्षाल्लक्ष्मीरिवापरा

dṛṣṭvā tāṁ nṛpatirmagnaḥ pitrokteyaṁ varānanā rūpayauvanasaṁpannā sākṣāllakṣmīrivāparā

Seeing her, the king became enraptured — thinking, "This is the very fair one my father spoke of" — he became absorbed in her, endowed as she was with beauty and youth, like Lakshmi herself come again.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.2.4.4)

पिबन्मुखांबुजं तस्या न तृप्तिमग्मन्नृपः । हृष्टरोमाऽभवत्तत्र व्याप्तचित्त इवानघ

pibanmukhāṁbujaṁ tasyā na tṛptimagmannṛpaḥ hṛṣṭaromā'bhavattatra vyāptacitta ivānagha

The king, drinking in the beauty of her lotus face with his eyes, could not have his fill; O sinless ones, his very hairs stood on end with joy, as if his whole mind had been overtaken.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.2.4.5)

महाभिषं साऽपि मत्वा प्रेमयुक्ता बभूव ह । किंचिन्मंदस्मितं कृत्वा तस्थावग्रे नृपस्य च

mahābhiṣaṁ sā'pi matvā premayuktā babhūva ha kiṁcinmaṁdasmitaṁ kṛtvā tasthāvagre nṛpasya ca

She too, recognizing Mahabhisha in him, was filled with love, and stood before the king wearing a faint smile.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.2.4.6)

वीक्ष्य तामसितापांगीं राजा प्रीतमना भृशम् । उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं सांत्वयञ्छ्लक्ष्णया गिरा

vīkṣya tāmasitāpāṁgīṁ rājā prītamanā bhṛśam uvāca madhuraṁ vākyaṁ sāṁtvayañchlakṣṇayā girā

Beholding that dark-eyed woman, the king, exceedingly delighted at heart, spoke sweet words to her, soothing her with gentle speech.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.2.4.7)

देवी वा त्वं च वामोरु मानुषी वा वरानने । गंधर्वी वाऽथ यक्षी वा नागकन्याऽप्सराऽपि वा

devī vā tvaṁ ca vāmoru mānuṣī vā varānane gaṁdharvī vā'tha yakṣī vā nāgakanyā'psarā'pi vā

"O fair-limbed one, are you a goddess, or a mortal woman, O beautiful one? Or a gandharvi, a yakshi, a naga-maiden, or an apsara?

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.2.4.8)

याऽसि काऽसि वरारोहे भार्या मे भव सुंदरि । प्रेमयुक्तस्मितैव त्वं धर्मपत्नी भवाद्य मे

yā'si kā'si varārohe bhāryā me bhava suṁdari premayuktasmitaiva tvaṁ dharmapatnī bhavādya me

O lovely one, whoever and whatever you are — become my wife, O beautiful woman; with that loving smile, become my lawful wife this very day."

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.2.4.9)

सूत उवाच । राजा तां नाभिजानाति गंगेयमिति निश्चितम् । महाभिषं समुत्पन्नं नृपं जानाति जाह्नवी

sūta uvāca rājā tāṁ nābhijānāti gaṁgeyamiti niścitam mahābhiṣaṁ samutpannaṁ nṛpaṁ jānāti jāhnavī

Suta said: The king did not certainly know that this was Ganga herself; but Jahnavi knew that king to be Mahabhisha, now reborn.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.2.4.10)

पूर्वप्रेमसमायोगाच्छ्रुत्वा वाचं नृपस्य ताम् । उवाच नारी राजानं स्मितपूर्वमिदं वचः

pūrvapremasamāyogācchrutvā vācaṁ nṛpasya tām uvāca nārī rājānaṁ smitapūrvamidaṁ vacaḥ

Because of that love which bound them from an earlier birth, hearing the king's words, that woman, smiling, spoke these words to the king.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.2.4.11)

स्त्र्युवाच । जानामि त्वां नृपश्रेष्ठ प्रतीपतनयं शुभम् । का न वांछति चार्वंगी भावित्वात्सदृशं पतिम्

stryuvāca jānāmi tvāṁ nṛpaśreṣṭha pratīpatanayaṁ śubham kā na vāṁchati cārvaṁgī bhāvitvātsadṛśaṁ patim

The woman said: "O foremost of kings, I know you, that you are the fair son of Pratipa. What lovely-limbed woman would not, by her very nature, desire so fitting a husband?

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.2.4.12)

वाग्बंधेन नृपश्रेष्ठ चरिष्यामि पतिं किल । शृणु मे समयं राजन्वृणोमि त्वां नृपोत्तम

vāgbaṁdhena nṛpaśreṣṭha cariṣyāmi patiṁ kila śṛṇu me samayaṁ rājanvṛṇomi tvāṁ nṛpottama

O foremost of kings, only under a certain bond of promise shall I accept you as my husband. O king, hear my condition — only then shall I choose you, O best of monarchs.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.2.4.13)

यच्च कुर्यामहं कार्यं शुभं वा यदि वाऽशुभम् । न निषेध्या त्वया राजन्न वक्तव्यं तथाऽप्रियम्

yacca kuryāmahaṁ kāryaṁ śubhaṁ vā yadi vā'śubham na niṣedhyā tvayā rājanna vaktavyaṁ tathā'priyam

Whatever I do, be it good or ill, O king, you must not forbid it, nor must you say anything unpleasant to me about it.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.2.4.14)

यदा च त्वं नृपश्रेष्ठ न करिष्यसि मे वचः । तदा मुक्त्वा गमिष्यामि यथेष्टं देश मारिष

yadā ca tvaṁ nṛpaśreṣṭha na kariṣyasi me vacaḥ tadā muktvā gamiṣyāmi yatheṣṭaṁ deśa māriṣa

And, O foremost of kings, the very moment you fail to honour this word of mine, at that moment I shall leave you and depart wherever I wish, O lord."

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.2.4.15)

स्मृत्वा जन्म वसूनां सा प्रार्थनापूर्वकं हृदि । महाभिषस्य प्रेमार्थं विचिंत्यैव च जाह्नवी

smṛtvā janma vasūnāṁ sā prārthanāpūrvakaṁ hṛdi mahābhiṣasya premārthaṁ viciṁtyaiva ca jāhnavī

Recalling in her heart the birth of the Vasus, remembering their entreaty, and considering that earlier love for Mahabhisha, Jahnavi set this condition.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.2.4.16)

तथेत्युक्ताऽथ सा देवी चकार नृपतिं पतिम् । एवं वृता नृपेणाथ गंगा मानुषरूपिणी

tathetyuktā'tha sā devī cakāra nṛpatiṁ patim evaṁ vṛtā nṛpeṇātha gaṁgā mānuṣarūpiṇī

Saying "So be it," that goddess accepted the king as her husband. Thus chosen by the king, Ganga, now in human form,

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.2.4.17)

नृपस्य मंदिरं प्राप्ता सुभगा वरवर्णिनी । नृपतिस्तां समासाद्य चिक्रीडोपवने शुभे

nṛpasya maṁdiraṁ prāptā subhagā varavarṇinī nṛpatistāṁ samāsādya cikrīḍopavane śubhe

fortunate and beautiful, arrived at the king's palace; the king began to sport with her in the lovely gardens.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.2.4.18)

साऽपि तं रमयामास भावज्ञा वै वरांगना । न बुबोध नृपः क्रीडन्गतान्वर्षगणानथ

sā'pi taṁ ramayāmāsa bhāvajñā vai varāṁganā na bubodha nṛpaḥ krīḍangatānvarṣagaṇānatha

That excellent woman, well versed in the ways of love, delighted him in turn; the king, absorbed in such delight, did not even notice the passing of the years.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.2.4.19)

स तया मृगशावाक्ष्या शच्या शतक्रतुर्यथा । सा सर्वगुणसंपन्न सोऽपि कामविचक्षणः

sa tayā mṛgaśāvākṣyā śacyā śatakraturyathā sā sarvaguṇasaṁpanna so'pi kāmavicakṣaṇaḥ

With that fawn-eyed woman the king sported just as Indra sports with Shachi; she was endowed with every virtue, and he too was skilled in the arts of love.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.2.4.20)

रेमाते मंदिरे दिव्ये रमाना रायणाविव । एवं गच्छति काले सा दधार नृपतेस्तदा

remāte maṁdire divye ramānā rāyaṇāviva evaṁ gacchati kāle sā dadhāra nṛpatestadā

As they two disported themselves in that divine palace, they shone like Narayana and Rama (Lakshmi) themselves. Thus, as time passed, Ganga conceived a child by the king.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.2.4.21)

गर्भं गंगा वसुं पुत्रं सुषुवे चारुलोचना । जातमात्रं सुतं वारि चिक्षेपैवं द्वितीयके

garbhaṁ gaṁgā vasuṁ putraṁ suṣuve cārulocanā jātamātraṁ sutaṁ vāri cikṣepaivaṁ dvitīyake

That fair-eyed Ganga gave birth to a son who was one of the Vasus; the very moment he was born she cast that son into the water. So it happened again with the second son,

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.2.4.22)

तृतीयेऽथ चतुर्थेऽथ पंचमे षष्ठ एव च । सप्तमे वा हते पुत्रे राजा चिंतापरोऽभवत्

tṛtīye'tha caturthe'tha paṁcame ṣaṣṭha eva ca saptame vā hate putre rājā ciṁtāparo'bhavat

and with the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and when the seventh son too was killed in the same way, the king became consumed with anxiety.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.2.4.23)

किं करोम्यद्य वंशो मे कथं स्यात्सुस्थिरो भुवि । सप्त पुत्रा हता नूनमनया पापरूपया

kiṁ karomyadya vaṁśo me kathaṁ syātsusthiro bhuvi sapta putrā hatā nūnamanayā pāparūpayā

"What am I to do now? How shall my lineage remain secure on this earth? By this sinful woman, seven of my sons have surely already been slain.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.2.4.24)

निवारयामि यदि मां त्यक्त्वा यास्यति सर्वथा । अष्टमोऽयं सुसंप्राप्तो गर्भो मे मनसीप्सितः

nivārayāmi yadi māṁ tyaktvā yāsyati sarvathā aṣṭamo'yaṁ susaṁprāpto garbho me manasīpsitaḥ

If I stop her now, she will surely abandon me and leave altogether. This eighth conception is now most dear to my heart, my one hope.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.2.4.25)

न वारयामि चेदद्य सर्वथेयं जले क्षिपेत् । भविता वा न वा चाग्रे संशयोऽयं ममाद्भुतः

na vārayāmi cedadya sarvatheyaṁ jale kṣipet bhavitā vā na vā cāgre saṁśayo'yaṁ mamādbhutaḥ

If I do not stop her today, she will surely cast this one too into the water; whether or not this will happen — this strange doubt torments me.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.2.4.26)

संभवेऽपि च दुष्टेयं रक्षयेद्वा न रक्षयेत् । एवं संशयिते कार्ये किं कर्तव्यं मयाऽधुना

saṁbhave'pi ca duṣṭeyaṁ rakṣayedvā na rakṣayet evaṁ saṁśayite kārye kiṁ kartavyaṁ mayā'dhunā

And even should this one be born, whether this fearsome woman will protect it or not — with the matter thus so uncertain, what am I now to do?

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.2.4.27)

वंशस्य रक्षणार्थं हि यत्नः कार्यः परो मया । ततः काले यदा जातः पुत्रोऽयमष्टमो वसुः

vaṁśasya rakṣaṇārthaṁ hi yatnaḥ kāryaḥ paro mayā tataḥ kāle yadā jātaḥ putro'yamaṣṭamo vasuḥ

For the sake of preserving my lineage I must indeed make the utmost effort" — thinking thus, in time, when this eighth son, a portion of a Vasu,

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.2.4.28)

मुनेर्येन हृता धेनुर्नंदिनी स्त्रीजितेन हि । तं दृष्ट्वा नृपतिः पुत्रं तामुवाच पतन्पदे

muneryena hṛtā dhenurnaṁdinī strījitena hi taṁ dṛṣṭvā nṛpatiḥ putraṁ tāmuvāca patanpade

was born — the same Vasu who, ruled by his wife, had stolen the sage's cow Nandini — seeing that child, the king fell at the woman's feet and spoke.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.2.4.29)

दासोऽस्मि तव तन्वंगि प्रार्थयामि शुचिस्मिते । पुत्रमेकं पुषाम्यद्य देहि जीवंतमद्य मे

dāso'smi tava tanvaṁgi prārthayāmi śucismite putramekaṁ puṣāmyadya dehi jīvaṁtamadya me

"O slender-waisted one, I am your servant; O pure-smiling one, I entreat you — I ask for only one son today; let this one live for me.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.2.4.30)

हिंसिताः सप्त पुत्रा मे करभोरु त्वया शुभाः । अष्टमं रक्ष सुश्रोणि पतामि तव पादयोः

hiṁsitāḥ sapta putrā me karabhoru tvayā śubhāḥ aṣṭamaṁ rakṣa suśroṇi patāmi tava pādayoḥ

O woman of tapering thighs, you have slain my seven fair sons. O well-formed one, protect this eighth one — I fall at your feet.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.2.4.31)

अन्यद्वै प्रार्थितं तेऽद्य ददाम्यथ च दुर्लभम् । वंशो मे रक्षणीयोऽद्य त्वया परमशोभने

anyadvai prārthitaṁ te'dya dadāmyatha ca durlabham vaṁśo me rakṣaṇīyo'dya tvayā paramaśobhane

Whatever else you now ask, even the rarest thing, I shall give you. O supremely beautiful one, you must this day preserve this lineage of mine.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.2.4.32)

अपुत्रस्य गतिर्नास्ति स्वर्गे वेदविदो विदुः । तस्मादद्य वरारोहे प्रार्थयाम्यष्टमं सुतम्

aputrasya gatirnāsti svarge vedavido viduḥ tasmādadya varārohe prārthayāmyaṣṭamaṁ sutam

Those versed in the Veda declare that a man without a son has no path to heaven; therefore, O lovely one, I beg of you today this eighth son."

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.2.4.33)

इत्युक्ताऽपि गृहीत्वा तं यदा गंतुं समुत्सुका । तदाऽपि कुपितो राजा तामुवाचातिदुःखितः

ityuktā'pi gṛhītvā taṁ yadā gaṁtuṁ samutsukā tadā'pi kupito rājā tāmuvācātiduḥkhitaḥ

Even after being thus entreated, when she, having taken the child, seemed eager to depart, the king, now angry and deeply grieved, spoke to her.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.2.4.34)

पापिष्ठे किं करोम्यद्य निरयान्न बिभेषि किम् । काऽसि पापकराणां त्वं पुत्री पापरता सदा

pāpiṣṭhe kiṁ karomyadya nirayānna bibheṣi kim kā'si pāpakarāṇāṁ tvaṁ putrī pāparatā sadā

"O most wicked one, what am I to do now? Do you not fear hell at all? Who are you, who like the daughter of sinners remain ever devoted to sin?

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.2.4.35)

यथेच्छं गच्छ वा तिष्ठ पुत्रो मे स्थीयतामिह । किं करोमि त्वया पापे वंशांतकरयाऽनया

yathecchaṁ gaccha vā tiṣṭha putro me sthīyatāmiha kiṁ karomi tvayā pāpe vaṁśāṁtakarayā'nayā

Go or stay, as you please, but my son must remain here. O sinful woman, destroyer of my lineage, what more am I to do with you?"

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.2.4.36)

एवं वदति भूपाले सा गृहीत्वा सुतं शिशुम् । गच्छंती वचनं कोपसंयुक्ता तमुवाच ह

evaṁ vadati bhūpāle sā gṛhītvā sutaṁ śiśum gacchaṁtī vacanaṁ kopasaṁyuktā tamuvāca ha

As the king spoke thus, she, taking the infant son and filled with anger, said these words to the king as she departed.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.2.4.37)

पुत्रकामा सुतं त्वेनं पालयामि वने गता । समयो मे गमिष्यामि वचनं ह्यन्यथा कृतम्

putrakāmā sutaṁ tvenaṁ pālayāmi vane gatā samayo me gamiṣyāmi vacanaṁ hyanyathā kṛtam

"Desiring this son, I go to the forest to raise him myself. Your promise has now been broken, and so I now depart.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.2.4.38)

गगां मां वै विजानीहि देवकार्यार्थमागताम् । वसवस्तु पुरा शप्ता वसिष्ठेन महात्मना

gagāṁ māṁ vai vijānīhi devakāryārthamāgatām vasavastu purā śaptā vasiṣṭhena mahātmanā

Know me to be Ganga, who came here for the sake of the gods' purpose. In earlier times, the Vasus, cursed by the great soul Vasishtha,

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.2.4.39)

व्रजंतु मानुषी योनिं स्थितां चिंतातुरास्तु माम् । दृष्ट्वेदं प्रार्थयामासुर्जननी नो भवानघ

vrajaṁtu mānuṣī yoniṁ sthitāṁ ciṁtāturāstu mām dṛṣṭvedaṁ prārthayāmāsurjananī no bhavānagha

were forced to enter a human womb; and, troubled in mind, seeing me, they entreated me, O sinless one, to become their mother.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.2.4.40)

तेभ्यो दत्त्वा वरं जाता पत्नी ते नृपसत्तम । देवकार्यार्थसिद्ध्यर्थ जानीहि संभवो मम

tebhyo dattvā varaṁ jātā patnī te nṛpasattama devakāryārthasiddhyartha jānīhi saṁbhavo mama

Having granted them that boon, O foremost of kings, I became your wife solely for the accomplishment of that divine purpose — know this to be the cause of my birth.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.2.4.41)

सप्त ते वसवः पुत्रा मुक्ताः शापादृषेस्तु ते । कियंतं कालमेकोऽयं तव पुत्रो भविष्यति

sapta te vasavaḥ putrā muktāḥ śāpādṛṣestu te kiyaṁtaṁ kālameko'yaṁ tava putro bhaviṣyati

Those seven sons of yours were themselves the Vasus, and they have now been released from the sage's curse. This one son alone shall remain your son for some further time.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.2.4.42)

गंगादत्तमिमं पुत्रं गृहाण शंतनो स्वयम् । वसु देवं विदित्वैनं सुखं भुंक्ष्व सुतोद्भवम्

gaṁgādattamimaṁ putraṁ gṛhāṇa śaṁtano svayam vasu devaṁ viditvainaṁ sukhaṁ bhuṁkṣva sutodbhavam

O Shantanu, accept yourself this son given by Ganga; knowing him to be a divine Vasu, enjoy the happiness that comes from this son of yours.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.2.4.43)

गांगेयोऽयं महाभाग भविष्यति बलाधिकः । अद्य तत्र नयाम्येनं यत्र त्व वै मया वृतः

gāṁgeyo'yaṁ mahābhāga bhaviṣyati balādhikaḥ adya tatra nayāmyenaṁ yatra tva vai mayā vṛtaḥ

This son of Ganga, O illustrious one, shall become exceedingly mighty. I take him today to the place I have chosen for him.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.2.4.44)

दास्यामि यौवनप्राप्तं पालयित्वा महीपते । न मातृरहितः पुत्रो जीवेन्न च सुखी भवेत्

dāsyāmi yauvanaprāptaṁ pālayitvā mahīpate na mātṛrahitaḥ putro jīvenna ca sukhī bhavet

O lord of the earth, having reared him, when he attains youth I shall deliver him to you; for a son deprived of his mother can neither live well nor be happy.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.2.4.45)

इत्युक्ताऽन्तर्दधे गंगा तं गृहीत्वा च बालकम् । राजा चातीव दुःखार्तः संस्थितो निजमंदिरे

ityuktā'ntardadhe gaṁgā taṁ gṛhītvā ca bālakam rājā cātīva duḥkhārtaḥ saṁsthito nijamaṁdire

Having spoken thus, Ganga vanished, taking the child with her. The king too, overwhelmed with grief, remained there in his own palace.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.2.4.46)

भार्याविरहजं दुःखं तथा पुत्रस्य चाद्भुतम् । सर्वदा चिंतयन्नास्ते राज्यं कुर्वन्महीपतिः

bhāryāvirahajaṁ duḥkhaṁ tathā putrasya cādbhutam sarvadā ciṁtayannāste rājyaṁ kurvanmahīpatiḥ

Ever brooding on the grief that came from separation from his wife and the strange loss of his son, that lord of the earth carried on the governance of his kingdom.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.2.4.47)

एवं गच्छति कालेऽथ नृपतिर्मृगयां गतः । निघ्नन्मृगगणान्बाणैर्महिषान्सूकरानपि

evaṁ gacchati kāle'tha nṛpatirmṛgayāṁ gataḥ nighnanmṛgagaṇānbāṇairmahiṣānsūkarānapi

So time passed on; once the king went out hunting, slaying with his arrows herds of deer, buffalo, and boar.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.2.4.48)

गंगातीरमनुप्राप्तः स राजा शंतनुस्तदा । नदीं स्तोकजलां दृष्ट्वा विस्मितः स महीपतिः

gaṁgātīramanuprāptaḥ sa rājā śaṁtanustadā nadīṁ stokajalāṁ dṛṣṭvā vismitaḥ sa mahīpatiḥ

Arriving at the bank of the Ganga, King Shantanu then saw the river reduced to a mere trickle of water, and was struck with great wonder.

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.2.4.49)

तत्रापश्यत्कुमारं तं मुंचंतं विशिखान्बहून् । आकृष्य च महाचापं क्रीडंतं सरितस्तटे

tatrāpaśyatkumāraṁ taṁ muṁcaṁtaṁ viśikhānbahūn ākṛṣya ca mahācāpaṁ krīḍaṁtaṁ saritastaṭe

There he beheld a young boy, releasing arrow after arrow, drawing a mighty bow and sporting upon the riverbank.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.2.4.50)

तं वीक्ष्य विस्मितो राजा न स्म जानाति किंचन । नोपलेभे स्मृतिं भूपः पुत्रोऽयं मम वा न वा

taṁ vīkṣya vismito rājā na sma jānāti kiṁcana nopalebhe smṛtiṁ bhūpaḥ putro'yaṁ mama vā na vā

Beholding him, the astonished king could recall nothing at all; the king could not tell whether or not this boy was his own son.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.2.4.51)

दृष्ट्वाऽप्यमानुषं कर्म बाणेषु लघुहस्तताम् । विद्यां वाऽप्रतिमां रूपं तस्य वै स्मरसन्निभम्

dṛṣṭvā'pyamānuṣaṁ karma bāṇeṣu laghuhastatām vidyāṁ vā'pratimāṁ rūpaṁ tasya vai smarasannibham

Yet seeing his more-than-human skill in archery, his light-fingered swiftness, his matchless learning, and his form as beautiful as the god of love himself —

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.2.4.52)

पप्रच्छ विस्मितो राजा कस्य पुत्रोऽसि चानघ । नोवाच किंचिद्वीरोऽसौ मुंचञ्छिलीमुखानथ

papraccha vismito rājā kasya putro'si cānagha novāca kiṁcidvīro'sau muṁcañchilīmukhānatha

the astonished king asked, "O sinless one, whose son are you?" But that heroic boy simply kept loosing arrows and said nothing at all.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.2.4.53)

अंतर्धानं गतः सोऽथ राजा चिंतातुरोऽभवत् । कोऽयं मम सुतो बालः किं करोमि व्रजामि कम्

aṁtardhānaṁ gataḥ so'tha rājā ciṁtāturo'bhavat ko'yaṁ mama suto bālaḥ kiṁ karomi vrajāmi kam

Then he vanished from sight, and the king became consumed with anxious thoughts — "Who is this? Is he my son or not? What am I to do now, to whom shall I turn?"

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.2.4.54)

गंगां तुष्टाव भूपालः स्थितस्तत्र समाहितः । दर्शनं सा ददौ चाथ चारुरूपा यथा पुरा

gaṁgāṁ tuṣṭāva bhūpālaḥ sthitastatra samāhitaḥ darśanaṁ sā dadau cātha cārurūpā yathā purā

The king, standing there with a focused mind, praised Ganga. Then she, assuming her lovely form just as before, granted him a vision of herself.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.2.4.55)

दृष्ट्वा तां चारुसर्वांगीं बभाषे नृपतिः स्वयम् । कोऽयं गंगे गतो बालो मम त्वं दर्शयाधुना

dṛṣṭvā tāṁ cārusarvāṁgīṁ babhāṣe nṛpatiḥ svayam ko'yaṁ gaṁge gato bālo mama tvaṁ darśayādhunā

Seeing her, beautiful in every limb, the king himself spoke: "O Ganga, that boy who just now departed from here — is he indeed my son? Show him to me now."

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.2.4.56)

गंगोवाच ।। पुत्रोऽयं तव राजेन्द्र रक्षितश्चाष्टमो वसुः । ददामि तव हस्ते तु गांगेयोऽयं महातपाः

gaṁgovāca putro'yaṁ tava rājendra rakṣitaścāṣṭamo vasuḥ dadāmi tava haste tu gāṁgeyo'yaṁ mahātapāḥ

Ganga said: "O king of kings, this is indeed your own son, that eighth Vasu whom I have raised. I now place him — this son of Ganga, of great austerity — into your own hands.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.2.4.57)

कीर्तिकर्ता कुलस्यास्य भविता तव सुव्रतः । पाठितस्त्वखिलान्वेदान्धनुर्वेदं च शाश्वतम्

kīrtikartā kulasyāsya bhavitā tava suvrataḥ pāṭhitastvakhilānvedāndhanurvedaṁ ca śāśvatam

This one, devoted to good vows, shall bring glory to your lineage. I have had him taught the entire Vedas and the eternal science of archery.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.2.4.58)

वसिष्ठस्याश्रमे दिव्ये संस्थितोऽयं सुतस्तव । सर्वविद्याविधानज्ञः सर्वार्थकुशलः शुचिः

vasiṣṭhasyāśrame divye saṁsthito'yaṁ sutastava sarvavidyāvidhānajñaḥ sarvārthakuśalaḥ śuciḥ

This son of yours has dwelt in Vasishtha's divine hermitage; he is versed in the discipline of every branch of learning, skilled in every purpose, and pure.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.2.4.59)

यद्वेद जामदग्न्योऽसौ तद्वेदायं सुतस्तव । गृहाण गच्छ राजेंद्र सुखी भव नराधिप

yadveda jāmadagnyo'sau tadvedāyaṁ sutastava gṛhāṇa gaccha rājeṁdra sukhī bhava narādhipa

Whatever Jamadagnya (Parashurama) knows, this son of yours knows equally. O king of kings, take him and go; be happy, O lord of men."

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.2.4.60)

इत्युक्वांऽतर्दधे गंगा दत्त्वा पुत्रं नृपाय वै । नृपतिस्तु मुदा युक्तो बभूवातिसुखान्वितः

ityukvāṁ'tardadhe gaṁgā dattvā putraṁ nṛpāya vai nṛpatistu mudā yukto babhūvātisukhānvitaḥ

Having spoken thus, and having given her son over to the king, Ganga vanished. The king too, filled with joy, became exceedingly happy.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.2.4.61)

समालिंग्य सुतं राजा समाघ्राय च मस्तकम् । समारोप्य रथे पुत्रं स्वपुरं स प्रचक्रमे

samāliṁgya sutaṁ rājā samāghrāya ca mastakam samāropya rathe putraṁ svapuraṁ sa pracakrame

The king, embracing his son and smelling the crown of his head, seated him upon his chariot and set out for his own city.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.2.4.62)

गत्वा गजाह्वयं राजा चकारोत्सवमुत्तमम् । दैवज्ञं च समाहूय पप्रच्छ च शुभं दिनम्

gatvā gajāhvayaṁ rājā cakārotsavamuttamam daivajñaṁ ca samāhūya papraccha ca śubhaṁ dinam

Reaching Hastinapura, the king held a grand celebration, and summoning an astrologer, inquired of him for an auspicious day.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.2.4.63)

समाहृत्य प्रजाः सर्वाः सचिवान्सर्वशः शुभान् । यौवराज्येऽथ गांगेयं स्थापयामास पार्थिवः

samāhṛtya prajāḥ sarvāḥ sacivānsarvaśaḥ śubhān yauvarājye'tha gāṁgeyaṁ sthāpayāmāsa pārthivaḥ

Having gathered all his subjects and all his auspicious ministers, that king established Gangeya (Bhishma) in the office of crown prince.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.2.4.64)

कृत्वा तं युवराजानं पुत्रं सर्वगुणान्वितम् । सुखमास स धर्मात्मा न सस्मार च जाह्नवीम्

kṛtvā taṁ yuvarājānaṁ putraṁ sarvaguṇānvitam sukhamāsa sa dharmātmā na sasmāra ca jāhnavīm

Having made his all-virtuous son the crown prince, that righteous king dwelt happily thereafter, and ceased to dwell in thought upon Jahnavi.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.2.4.65)

सूत उवाच । एतद्वः कथितं सर्वं कारणं वसुशापजम् । गांगेयस्य तथोत्पत्तिं जाह्नव्याः संभवं तथा

sūta uvāca etadvaḥ kathitaṁ sarvaṁ kāraṇaṁ vasuśāpajam gāṁgeyasya tathotpattiṁ jāhnavyāḥ saṁbhavaṁ tathā

Suta said: I have thus related to you the entire cause arising from the Vasus' curse, the birth of Gangeya, and likewise the account of Jahnavi's descent into human form.

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.2.4.66)

गंगावतरणं पुण्यं वसूनां संभवं तथा । यः शृणोति नरः पापान्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः

gaṁgāvataraṇaṁ puṇyaṁ vasūnāṁ saṁbhavaṁ tathā yaḥ śṛṇoti naraḥ pāpānmucyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Whatever person hears this account of Ganga's holy descent and the origin of the Vasus is freed from sin — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.2.4.67)

पुण्यं पवित्रमाख्यानं कथितं मुनिसत्तमः । यथाश्रुतं व्यासात्पुराणं वेदसंमितम्

puṇyaṁ pavitramākhyānaṁ kathitaṁ munisattamaḥ yathāśrutaṁ vyāsātpurāṇaṁ vedasaṁmitam

This pure and holy narrative has been told by the foremost of sages, just as it was heard from Vyasa — a Purana equal in authority to the Veda.

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.2.4.68)

श्रीमद्भागवतं पुण्यं नानाख्यानकथान्वितम् । द्वैपायनमुखोद्भूतं पंच लक्षणसंयुतम्

śrīmadbhāgavataṁ puṇyaṁ nānākhyānakathānvitam dvaipāyanamukhodbhūtaṁ paṁca lakṣaṇasaṁyutam

This holy Bhagavata (Purana), replete with many tales and narratives, arose from the very mouth of Dvaipayana, and is endowed with the five defining marks (of a Purana).

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.2.4.69)

शृण्वतां सर्वपापघ्नं शुभदं सुखदं तथा । इतिहासमिमं पुण्यं कीर्तितं मुनिसत्तमः

śṛṇvatāṁ sarvapāpaghnaṁ śubhadaṁ sukhadaṁ tathā itihāsamimaṁ puṇyaṁ kīrtitaṁ munisattamaḥ

Destroying all sins of those who hear it, bringing auspiciousness and joy — this sacred history (Purana) has been proclaimed by the foremost of sages.