Devavrata's Vow

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.2.5.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । वसूनां सम्भवः सूत कथितः शापकारणात् । गाङ्गेयस्य तथोत्पत्तिः कथिता लोमहर्षणे

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ vasūnāṁ sambhavaḥ sūta kathitaḥ śāpakāraṇāt gāṅgeyasya tathotpattiḥ kathitā lomaharṣaṇe

The sages said: O Suta, the birth of the Vasus arising from the curse, and likewise the birth of Gangeya — this, O son of Lomaharshana, has been told to us.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.2.5.2)

माता व्यासस्य धर्मज्ञ नाम्ना सत्यवती सती । कथं शन्तनुना प्राप्ता भार्या गन्धवती शुभा

mātā vyāsasya dharmajña nāmnā satyavatī satī kathaṁ śantanunā prāptā bhāryā gandhavatī śubhā

O knower of dharma, how was Vyasa's mother, the chaste Satyavati — she who bore also the fair name Gandhavati — obtained by Shantanu as his wife?

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.2.5.3)

तन्ममाचक्ष्व विस्तारं दाशपुत्री कथं धृता । राज्ञा धर्मवरिष्ठेन संशयं छिन्धि सुव्रत

tanmamācakṣva vistāraṁ dāśaputrī kathaṁ dhṛtā rājñā dharmavariṣṭhena saṁśayaṁ chindhi suvrata

Tell me in detail how that fisherman's daughter was chosen by that king, foremost among the righteous. O keeper of good vows, resolve this doubt of mine.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.2.5.4)

सूत उवाच । शन्तनुर्नाम राजर्षिर्मृगयानिरतः सदा । वनं जगाम निघ्नन्वै मृगांश्च महिषान् रुरून्

sūta uvāca śantanurnāma rājarṣirmṛgayānirataḥ sadā vanaṁ jagāma nighnanvai mṛgāṁśca mahiṣān rurūn

Suta said: The royal sage named Shantanu was ever devoted to hunting; he would go into the forest, slaying deer, buffalo, and ruru antelopes.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.2.5.5)

चत्वार्येव तु वर्षाणि पुत्रेण सह भूपतिः । रममाणः सुखं प्राप कुमारेण यथा हरः

catvāryeva tu varṣāṇi putreṇa saha bhūpatiḥ ramamāṇaḥ sukhaṁ prāpa kumāreṇa yathā haraḥ

For four full years the king, sporting together with his son, found such happiness as Shiva finds with his own Kumara.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.2.5.6)

एकदा विक्षिपन्बाणान्विनिघ्नन्खड्गसूकरान् । स कदाचिद्वनं प्राप्तः कालिन्दीं सरितां वराम्

ekadā vikṣipanbāṇānvinighnankhaḍgasūkarān sa kadācidvanaṁ prāptaḥ kālindīṁ saritāṁ varām

Once, loosing his arrows and slaying wild boars with his sword, he came to the forest bordering the excellent river Kalindi (Yamuna).

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.2.5.7)

महीपतिरनिर्देश्यमाजिघ्रद्गन्धमुत्तमम् । तस्य प्रभवमन्विच्छन्सजञ्चचार वनं तदा

mahīpatiranirdeśyamājighradgandhamuttamam tasya prabhavamanvicchansajañcacāra vanaṁ tadā

There the king caught the scent of an indescribable, excellent fragrance; seeking out its source, he then began to wander through that very forest.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.2.5.8)

न मन्दारस्य गन्धोऽयं मृगनाभिमदस्य न । चम्पकस्य न मालत्या न केतक्या मनोहरः

na mandārasya gandho'yaṁ mṛganābhimadasya na campakasya na mālatyā na ketakyā manoharaḥ

"This is neither the fragrance of the coral tree nor of musk; it is not that of champak, nor of jasmine, nor as lovely as that of the ketaki flower.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.2.5.9)

न चानुभूतपूर्वोऽयं वाति गन्धवहः शुभः । कुतोऽयमेति वायुर्वै मम घ्राणविमोहनः

na cānubhūtapūrvo'yaṁ vāti gandhavahaḥ śubhaḥ kuto'yameti vāyurvai mama ghrāṇavimohanaḥ

Such an auspicious fragrance as this I have never before experienced; from whence does this breeze come, bewitching my very sense of smell?"

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.2.5.10)

इति सञ्चिन्त्यमानोऽसौ बभ्राम वनमण्डलम् । मोहितो गन्धलोभेन शन्तनुः पवनानुगः

iti sañcintyamāno'sau babhrāma vanamaṇḍalam mohito gandhalobhena śantanuḥ pavanānugaḥ

So reflecting, allured by that fragrance and following the very breeze that carried it, Shantanu wandered about that expanse of forest.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.2.5.11)

स ददर्श नदीतीरे संस्थितां चारुदर्शनाम् । शृङ्गाररहितां कान्तां सुस्थितां मलिनाम्बराम्

sa dadarśa nadītīre saṁsthitāṁ cārudarśanām śṛṅgārarahitāṁ kāntāṁ susthitāṁ malināmbarām

He saw upon the riverbank a woman of lovely appearance standing there — without adornment, dear, composed, and clad in a simple, unadorned garment.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.2.5.12)

दृष्ट्वा तामसितापाङ्गीं विस्मितः स महीपतिः । अस्या देहस्य गन्धोऽयमिति सञ्जातनिश्चयः

dṛṣṭvā tāmasitāpāṅgīṁ vismitaḥ sa mahīpatiḥ asyā dehasya gandho'yamiti sañjātaniścayaḥ

Beholding that dark-eyed woman, the king was struck with wonder, and became certain that this fragrance was arising from her very body.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.2.5.13)

तदद्भुतं रूपमतीव सुन्दरं । तथैव गन्धोऽखिललोकसम्मतः । वयश्च तादृङ् नवयौवनं शुभं । दृष्ट्वैव राजा किल विस्मितोऽभवत्

tadadbhutaṁ rūpamatīva sundaraṁ tathaiva gandho'khilalokasammataḥ vayaśca tādṛṅ navayauvanaṁ śubhaṁ dṛṣṭvaiva rājā kila vismito'bhavat

That wondrous, exceedingly beautiful form, that fragrance approved of by all the world, and her age like ever-fresh, auspicious youth — beholding all this, the king was truly astonished.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.2.5.14)

केयं कुतो वा समुपागताधुना । देवाङ्गना वा किमु मानुषी वा । गन्धर्वपुत्री किल नागकन्या । जाने कथं गन्धवतीं नु कामिनीम्

keyaṁ kuto vā samupāgatādhunā devāṅganā vā kimu mānuṣī vā gandharvaputrī kila nāgakanyā jāne kathaṁ gandhavatīṁ nu kāminīm

"Who is she, and from whence has she now come? Is she a celestial woman, or a mortal? Or a gandharva's daughter, or a naga-maiden — how am I to know this fragrant, desirable woman?"

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.2.5.15)

सञ्चिन्त्य चैवं मनसा नृपोऽसौ । न निश्चयं प्राप यदा ततः स्वयम् । गङ्गां स्मरन्कामवशं गतोऽथ । पप्रच्छ कान्तां तटसंस्थितां च

sañcintya caivaṁ manasā nṛpo'sau na niścayaṁ prāpa yadā tataḥ svayam gaṅgāṁ smarankāmavaśaṁ gato'tha papraccha kāntāṁ taṭasaṁsthitāṁ ca

Though he thus pondered in his mind, when the king could reach no certainty, remembering Ganga yet overcome by desire, he questioned that lovely woman standing on the bank.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.2.5.16)

कासि प्रिये कस्य सुतासि कस्मा- । दिह स्थिता त्वं विजने वरोरु । एकाकिनी किं वद चारुनेत्रे । विवाहिता वा न विवाहितासि

kāsi priye kasya sutāsi kasmā- diha sthitā tvaṁ vijane varoru ekākinī kiṁ vada cārunetre vivāhitā vā na vivāhitāsi

"O beloved, who are you, whose daughter are you, O fair-thighed one? And why do you stand here all alone in this desolate place, O lovely-eyed one? Tell me, are you married or unmarried?

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.2.5.17)

सञ्जातकामोऽहमरालनेत्रे । त्वां वीक्ष्य कान्तां च मनोरमां च । ब्रूहि प्रिये यासि चिकीर्षसि त्वं । किं चेति सर्वं मम विस्तरेण

sañjātakāmo'hamarālanetre tvāṁ vīkṣya kāntāṁ ca manoramāṁ ca brūhi priye yāsi cikīrṣasi tvaṁ kiṁ ceti sarvaṁ mama vistareṇa

O lotus-eyed one, seeing you, so lovely and desirable, desire has arisen within me. O beloved, tell me — where are you going, what do you mean to do — tell me all this in full."

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.2.5.18)

इत्येवमुक्ता सुदती नृपेण । प्रोवाच तं सस्मितमम्बुजेक्षणा । दाशस्य पुत्रीं त्वमवेहि राजन् । कन्यां पितुः शासनसंस्थितां च

ityevamuktā sudatī nṛpeṇa provāca taṁ sasmitamambujekṣaṇā dāśasya putrīṁ tvamavehi rājan kanyāṁ pituḥ śāsanasaṁsthitāṁ ca

Thus questioned by the king, that lotus-eyed woman of lovely teeth, smiling, said to him, "Know me, O king, to be a fisherman's daughter, a maiden who abides by her father's command.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.2.5.19)

तरीमिमां धर्मनिमित्तमेव । संवाहयामीह जले नृपेन्द्र । पिता गृहे मेऽद्य गतोऽस्ति कामं । सत्यं ब्रवीम्यर्थपते तवाग्रे

tarīmimāṁ dharmanimittameva saṁvāhayāmīha jale nṛpendra pitā gṛhe me'dya gato'sti kāmaṁ satyaṁ bravīmyarthapate tavāgre

O lord of men, it is only for the sake of duty that I row this boat here upon the water. My father has gone home today, of his own accord — O lord, I speak the truth before you."

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.2.5.20)

इत्येवमुक्त्वा विरराम बाला । कामातुरस्तां नृपतिर्बभाषे । कुरुप्रवीरं कुरु मां पतिं त्वं । वृथा न गच्छेन्ननु यौवनं ते

ityevamuktvā virarāma bālā kāmāturastāṁ nṛpatirbabhāṣe kurupravīraṁ kuru māṁ patiṁ tvaṁ vṛthā na gacchennanu yauvanaṁ te

Having spoken thus, the girl fell silent. The desire-stricken king said to her, "Make this foremost hero of the Kurus your husband; this youth of yours should not pass in vain.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.2.5.21)

न चास्ति पत्नी मम वै द्वितीया । त्वं धर्मपत्नी भव मे मृगाक्षि । दासोऽस्मि तेऽहं वशगः सदैव । मनोभवस्तापयति प्रिये माम्

na cāsti patnī mama vai dvitīyā tvaṁ dharmapatnī bhava me mṛgākṣi dāso'smi te'haṁ vaśagaḥ sadaiva manobhavastāpayati priye mām

I have no other wife. O deer-eyed one, become my lawful wife. I am your servant, ever subject to your will; O beloved, the god of love torments me.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.2.5.22)

गता प्रिया मां परिहृत्य कान्ता । नान्या वृताहं विधुरोऽस्मि कान्ते । त्वां वीक्ष्य सर्वावयवातिरम्यां । मनो हि जातं विवशं मदीयम्

gatā priyā māṁ parihṛtya kāntā nānyā vṛtāhaṁ vidhuro'smi kānte tvāṁ vīkṣya sarvāvayavātiramyāṁ mano hi jātaṁ vivaśaṁ madīyam

My beloved left me and departed; I have chosen no other, I am forlorn, O beloved. Seeing you, so lovely in every limb, this mind of mine has become utterly powerless."

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.2.5.23)

श्रुत्वामृतास्वादरसं नृपस्य । वचोऽतिरम्यं खलु दाशकन्या । उवाच तं सात्त्विकभावयुक्ता । कृत्वातिधैर्यं नृपतिं सुगन्धा

śrutvāmṛtāsvādarasaṁ nṛpasya vaco'tiramyaṁ khalu dāśakanyā uvāca taṁ sāttvikabhāvayuktā kṛtvātidhairyaṁ nṛpatiṁ sugandhā

Hearing the king's words, sweet as nectar and exceedingly delightful, that fragrant fisherman's daughter, filled with a composed and virtuous disposition, spoke to the king with great steadiness.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.2.5.24)

यदात्थ राजन् मयि तत्तथैव । मन्येऽहमेतत्तु यथा वचस्ते । नास्मि स्वतन्त्रा त्वमवेहि कामं । दाता पिता मेऽर्थय तं त्वमाशु

yadāttha rājan mayi tattathaiva manye'hametattu yathā vacaste nāsmi svatantrā tvamavehi kāmaṁ dātā pitā me'rthaya taṁ tvamāśu

"O king, whatever you have said to me, I take to be true. But know, O lord, that I am not my own mistress; my father is the one to give me — go and ask of him swiftly.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.2.5.25)

न स्वैरिणीहास्म्यपि दाशपुत्री । पितुर्वशेऽहं सततं चरामि । स चेद्ददाति प्रथितः पिता मे । गृहाण पाणिं वशगास्मि तेऽहम्

na svairiṇīhāsmyapi dāśaputrī piturvaśe'haṁ satataṁ carāmi sa ceddadāti prathitaḥ pitā me gṛhāṇa pāṇiṁ vaśagāsmi te'ham

I am not free to act here on my own, though I be a fisherman's daughter; I always abide by my father's word alone. If my renowned father gives me, then take my hand — I am indeed subject to your will.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.2.5.26)

मनोभवस्त्वां नृप किं दुनोति । यथा पुनर्मां नवयौवनां च । दुनोति तत्रापि हि रक्षणीया । धृतिः कुलाचारपरम्परासु

manobhavastvāṁ nṛpa kiṁ dunoti yathā punarmāṁ navayauvanāṁ ca dunoti tatrāpi hi rakṣaṇīyā dhṛtiḥ kulācāraparamparāsu

O king, just as the god of love torments you, so too he afflicts me, newly come to youth; yet even so, one must guard the steadfastness that belongs to the tradition and conduct of one's family."

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.2.5.27)

सूत उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्या नृपति काममोहितः । गतो दाशपतेर्गेहं तस्या याचनहेतवे

sūta uvāca ityākarṇya vacastasyā nṛpati kāmamohitaḥ gato dāśapatergehaṁ tasyā yācanahetave

Suta said: Hearing her words, the desire-infatuated king went to the house of that chief fisherman, to entreat him for his daughter's hand.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.2.5.28)

दृष्ट्वा नृपतिमायान्तं दाशोऽतिविस्मयं गतः । प्रणामं नृपतेः कृत्वा कृताञ्जलिरभाषत

dṛṣṭvā nṛpatimāyāntaṁ dāśo'tivismayaṁ gataḥ praṇāmaṁ nṛpateḥ kṛtvā kṛtāñjalirabhāṣata

Seeing the king approach, that fisherman was struck with great wonder; bowing to the king, with joined hands he spoke.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.2.5.29)

दाश उवाच । दासोऽस्मि तव भूपाल कृतार्थोऽहं तवागमे । आज्ञां देहि महाराज यदर्थमिह चागमः

dāśa uvāca dāso'smi tava bhūpāla kṛtārtho'haṁ tavāgame ājñāṁ dehi mahārāja yadarthamiha cāgamaḥ

The fisherman said: "O king, I am your servant, and by your coming I am blessed. O great king, tell me the purpose for which you have come here today."

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.2.5.30)

राजोवाच । धर्मपत्नीं करिष्यामि सुतामेतां तवानघ । त्वया चेद्दीयते मह्यं सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि ते

rājovāca dharmapatnīṁ kariṣyāmi sutāmetāṁ tavānagha tvayā ceddīyate mahyaṁ satyametadbravīmi te

The king said: "O sinless one, I wish to make this daughter of yours my lawful wife, if you will give her to me; this I speak to you in all truth."

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.2.5.31)

दाश उवाच । कन्यारत्नं मदीयं चेद्यत्त्वं प्रार्थयसे नृप । दातव्यं तु प्रदास्यामि न त्वदेयं कदाचन

dāśa uvāca kanyāratnaṁ madīyaṁ cedyattvaṁ prārthayase nṛpa dātavyaṁ tu pradāsyāmi na tvadeyaṁ kadācana

The fisherman said: "O king, if you ask for this jewel of a daughter of mine, I am indeed willing to give her — but she cannot be given under any circumstance without one condition.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.2.5.32)

तस्याः पुत्रो महाराज त्वदन्ते पृथिवीपतिः । सर्वथा चाभिषेक्तव्यो नान्यः पुत्रस्तवेति वै

tasyāḥ putro mahārāja tvadante pṛthivīpatiḥ sarvathā cābhiṣektavyo nānyaḥ putrastaveti vai

O great king, after you, it must be her son alone who becomes lord of the earth, and it is he alone who must be consecrated — no other son of yours must be your heir."

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.2.5.33)

सूत उवाच । श्रुत्वावाक्यं तु दाशस्य राजा चिन्तातुरोऽभवत् । गाङ्गेयं मनसा कृत्वा नोवाच नृपतिस्तदा

sūta uvāca śrutvāvākyaṁ tu dāśasya rājā cintāturo'bhavat gāṅgeyaṁ manasā kṛtvā novāca nṛpatistadā

Suta said: Hearing the fisherman's words, the king became consumed with anxiety; thinking of Gangeya (Bhishma), the king at that moment could say nothing at all.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.2.5.34)

कामातुरो गृहं प्राप्तश्चिन्ताविष्टो महीपतिः । न सस्नौ बुभुजे नाथ न सुष्वाप गृहं गतः

kāmāturo gṛhaṁ prāptaścintāviṣṭo mahīpatiḥ na sasnau bubhuje nātha na suṣvāpa gṛhaṁ gataḥ

Tormented by desire and filled with anxiety, the king returned home; he neither bathed, nor ate, nor found sleep once he had returned home.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.2.5.35)

चिन्तातुरं तु तं दृष्ट्वा पुत्रो देवव्रतस्तदा । गत्वापृच्छन्महीपालं तदसन्तोषकारणम्

cintāturaṁ tu taṁ dṛṣṭvā putro devavratastadā gatvāpṛcchanmahīpālaṁ tadasantoṣakāraṇam

Seeing his father so troubled, his son Devavrata went to him and asked the king the cause of his unhappiness.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.2.5.36)

दुर्जयः कोऽस्ति शत्रुस्ते करोमि वशगं तव । का चिन्ता नृपशार्दूल सत्यं वद नृपोत्तम

durjayaḥ ko'sti śatruste karomi vaśagaṁ tava kā cintā nṛpaśārdūla satyaṁ vada nṛpottama

"What unconquerable enemy of yours is there, whom I might subdue for you? O tiger among kings, what is your worry — tell me the truth, O best of kings.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.2.5.37)

किं तेन जातेन सुतेन राजन् । दुःखं न जानाति न नाशयेद्यः । ऋणं ग्रहीतुं समुपागतोऽसौ । प्राग्जन्मजं नात्र विचारणास्ति

kiṁ tena jātena sutena rājan duḥkhaṁ na jānāti na nāśayedyaḥ ṛṇaṁ grahītuṁ samupāgato'sau prāgjanmajaṁ nātra vicāraṇāsti

O king, of what use is that son who neither knows nor is able to remove his own father's sorrow? A son comes only to repay a debt owed from a previous birth — there is no question about this.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.2.5.38)

विमुच्य राज्यं रघुनन्दनोऽपि । ताताज्ञया दाशरथिस्तु रामः । वनं गतो लक्ष्मणजानकीभ्यां । सहैव शैलं किल चित्रकूटम्

vimucya rājyaṁ raghunandano'pi tātājñayā dāśarathistu rāmaḥ vanaṁ gato lakṣmaṇajānakībhyāṁ sahaiva śailaṁ kila citrakūṭam

Rama, the joy of Raghu's line, son of Dasharatha, at his father's command relinquished the kingdom and went to the forest of Mount Chitrakuta together with Lakshmana and Janaki.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.2.5.39)

सुतो हरिश्चन्द्रनृपस्य राजन् । यो रोहितश्चेति प्रसिद्धनामा । क्रीतोऽथ पित्रा विपणोद्यतश्च । दासार्पितो विप्रगृहे तु नूनम्

suto hariścandranṛpasya rājan yo rohitaśceti prasiddhanāmā krīto'tha pitrā vipaṇodyataśca dāsārpito vipragṛhe tu nūnam

O king, King Harishchandra's own son, famed by the name Rohita, was sold by his very father, put up for sale, and delivered as a servant into a brahmin's household.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.2.5.40)

तथाजिगर्तस्य सुतो वरिष्ठो । नाम्ना शुनःशेप इति प्रसिद्धः । क्रीतस्तु पित्राप्यथ यूपबद्धः । सम्मोचितो गाधिसुतेन पश्चात्

tathājigartasya suto variṣṭho nāmnā śunaḥśepa iti prasiddhaḥ krītastu pitrāpyatha yūpabaddhaḥ sammocito gādhisutena paścāt

In the same way the excellent son of Ajigarta, famed by the name Shunahshepa, was sold by his own father and bound to the sacrificial post; he was afterward freed by the son of Gadhi (Vishvamitra).

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.2.5.41)

पित्राज्ञया जामदग्न्येन पूर्वं । छिन्नं शिरो मातुरिति प्रसिद्धम् । अकार्यमप्याचरितं च तेन । गुरोरनुज्ञा च गरीयसी कृता

pitrājñayā jāmadagnyena pūrvaṁ chinnaṁ śiro māturiti prasiddham akāryamapyācaritaṁ ca tena guroranujñā ca garīyasī kṛtā

In earlier times Jamadagnya (Parashurama), at his father's command, severed his own mother's head — this is well known. Though it was an unthinkable act, he performed it, for a guru's (father's) command is held to be the weightiest thing of all.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.2.5.42)

इदं शरीरं तव भूपते न । क्षमोऽस्मि नूनं वद किं करोम्यहम् । न शोचनीयं मयि वर्तमाने- । ऽप्यसाध्यमर्थं प्रतिपादयाम्यदः

idaṁ śarīraṁ tava bhūpate na kṣamo'smi nūnaṁ vada kiṁ karomyaham na śocanīyaṁ mayi vartamāne- 'pyasādhyamarthaṁ pratipādayāmyadaḥ

O lord of the earth, this body of mine belongs to you alone; I am not incapable — tell me, what shall I do? While I live, you need not grieve — even the impossible I shall accomplish.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.2.5.43)

प्रब्रूहि राजंस्तव कास्ति चिन्ता । निवारयाम्यद्य धनुर्गृहीत्वा । देहेन मे चेच्चरितार्थता वा । भवत्वमोघा भवतश्चिकीर्षा

prabrūhi rājaṁstava kāsti cintā nivārayāmyadya dhanurgṛhītvā dehena me ceccaritārthatā vā bhavatvamoghā bhavataścikīrṣā

O king, tell me what troubles you — I shall this very day take up my bow and remove it. If through this body of mine your purpose may be accomplished, then let your wish be fulfilled without fail.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.2.5.44)

धिक् तं सुतं यः पितुरीप्सितार्थं । क्षमोऽपि सन्न प्रतिपादयेद्यः । जातेन किं तेन सुतेन कामं । पितुर्न चिन्तां हि समुद्धरेद्यः

dhik taṁ sutaṁ yaḥ piturīpsitārthaṁ kṣamo'pi sanna pratipādayedyaḥ jātena kiṁ tena sutena kāmaṁ piturna cintāṁ hi samuddharedyaḥ

Cursed be that son who, though capable, fails to fulfil his father's desired purpose. What use is such a son born, who cannot lift away his own father's anxiety?"

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.2.5.45)

सूत उवाच । निशम्येति वचस्तस्य पुत्रस्य शन्तनुर्नृपः । लज्जमानस्तु मनसा तमाह त्वरितं सुतम्

sūta uvāca niśamyeti vacastasya putrasya śantanurnṛpaḥ lajjamānastu manasā tamāha tvaritaṁ sutam

Suta said: Hearing this speech of his son, King Shantanu, feeling ashamed at heart, swiftly said this to his son.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.2.5.46)

राजोवाच । चिन्ता मे महती पुत्र यस्त्वमेकोऽसि मे सुतः । शूरोऽतिबलवान्मानी संग्रामेष्वपराङ्मुखः

rājovāca cintā me mahatī putra yastvameko'si me sutaḥ śūro'tibalavānmānī saṁgrāmeṣvaparāṅmukhaḥ

The king said: "O son, my great worry is only this — that you are my one and only son: heroic, exceedingly mighty, proud, and never one to turn his back in battle.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.2.5.47)

एकापत्यस्य मे तात वृथेदं जीवितं किल । मृते त्वयि मृधे क्वापि किं करोमि निराश्रयः

ekāpatyasya me tāta vṛthedaṁ jīvitaṁ kila mṛte tvayi mṛdhe kvāpi kiṁ karomi nirāśrayaḥ

O son, having but this one child, my life indeed seems in vain. Should you happen to die anywhere in battle, what would I, left without any refuge, then do?

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.2.5.48)

एषा मे महती चिन्ता तेनाद्य दुःखितोऽत्म्यहम् । नान्या चिन्तास्ति मे पुत्र यां तवाग्रे वदाम्यहम्

eṣā me mahatī cintā tenādya duḥkhito'tmyaham nānyā cintāsti me putra yāṁ tavāgre vadāmyaham

This alone is my great worry, O son; it is because of this that I grieve today. I have no other trouble that I might tell you before you."

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.2.5.49)

सूत उवाच । तदाकर्ण्याथ गाङ्गेयो मन्त्रिवृद्धानपृच्छत । न मां वदति भूपालो लज्जयाद्य परिप्लुतः

sūta uvāca tadākarṇyātha gāṅgeyo mantrivṛddhānapṛcchata na māṁ vadati bhūpālo lajjayādya pariplutaḥ

Suta said: Hearing this, Gangeya questioned the elder ministers, saying, "The king, overcome today with shame, tells me nothing.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.2.5.50)

वित्त वार्तां नृपस्याद्य पृष्ट्वा यूयं विनिश्चयात् । सत्यं ब्रुवन्तु मां सर्वं तत्करोमि निराकुलः

vitta vārtāṁ nṛpasyādya pṛṣṭvā yūyaṁ viniścayāt satyaṁ bruvantu māṁ sarvaṁ tatkaromi nirākulaḥ

Go, all of you, and learn the truth of the king's matter, ascertain it, and tell me all in truth; I shall accomplish it without any distress."

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.2.5.51)

तच्छ्रुत्वा ते नृपं गत्वा संविज्ञाय च कारणम् । शशंसुर्विदितार्थस्तु गाङ्गेयस्तदचिन्तयत्

tacchrutvā te nṛpaṁ gatvā saṁvijñāya ca kāraṇam śaśaṁsurviditārthastu gāṅgeyastadacintayat

Hearing this, those ministers went to the king, learned the reason well, understood the whole matter, and, having grasped it, informed Gangeya; Gangeya then reflected upon it.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.2.5.52)

सहितस्तैर्जगामाशु दाशस्य सदनं तदा । प्रेमपूर्वमुवाचेदं विनम्रो जाह्नवीसुतः

sahitastairjagāmāśu dāśasya sadanaṁ tadā premapūrvamuvācedaṁ vinamro jāhnavīsutaḥ

Together with them he went at once to the fisherman's house; there Jahnavi's son, humbling himself, spoke these words with affection.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.2.5.53)

गाङ्गेय उवाच । पित्रे देहि सुतां तेऽद्य प्रार्थयामि सुमध्यमाम् । माता मेऽस्तु सुतेयं ते दासोऽत्म्यस्याः परन्तप

gāṅgeya uvāca pitre dehi sutāṁ te'dya prārthayāmi sumadhyamām mātā me'stu suteyaṁ te dāso'tmyasyāḥ parantapa

Gangeya said: "O father, give your daughter of the lovely waist today (to my father) — this alone I ask. Let her become my mother; O scorcher of foes, I shall be her servant."

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.2.5.54)

दाश उवाच । त्वं गृहाण महाभाग पत्नीं कुरु नृपात्मज । पुत्रोऽस्या न भवेद्राजा वर्तमाने त्वयीति वै

dāśa uvāca tvaṁ gṛhāṇa mahābhāga patnīṁ kuru nṛpātmaja putro'syā na bhavedrājā vartamāne tvayīti vai

The fisherman said: "O illustrious one, O prince, take her yourself and make her your own wife. So long as you live, her son can never become king."

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.2.5.55)

गाङ्गेय उवाच । मातेयं मम दाशेयी राज्यं नैव करोम्यहम् । पुत्रोऽस्याः सर्वथा राज्यं करिष्यति न संशयः

gāṅgeya uvāca māteyaṁ mama dāśeyī rājyaṁ naiva karomyaham putro'syāḥ sarvathā rājyaṁ kariṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

Gangeya said: "She shall be my mother; I shall never take the kingdom myself. Her son alone shall surely rule the kingdom, of this there is no doubt."

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.2.5.56)

दाश उवाच । सत्यं वाक्यं मया ज्ञातं पुत्रस्ते बलवान्भवेत् । सोऽपि राज्यं बलान्नूनं गृह्णीयादिति निश्चयः

dāśa uvāca satyaṁ vākyaṁ mayā jñātaṁ putraste balavānbhavet so'pi rājyaṁ balānnūnaṁ gṛhṇīyāditi niścayaḥ

The fisherman said: "I understand that your words are true — but your own son too shall surely be mighty; he too, by his own strength, might well seize this kingdom — this too is certain."

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.2.5.57)

गाङ्गेय उवाच । न दारसंग्रहं नूनं करिष्यामि हि सर्वथा । सत्यं मे वचनं तात मया भीष्मं व्रतं कृतम्

gāṅgeya uvāca na dārasaṁgrahaṁ nūnaṁ kariṣyāmi hi sarvathā satyaṁ me vacanaṁ tāta mayā bhīṣmaṁ vrataṁ kṛtam

Gangeya said: "O father, I shall never, under any circumstance, at any time, take a wife — this is my true word. This terrible vow I have now taken."

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.2.5.58)

सूत उवाच । एवं कृतां प्रतिज्ञां तु निशम्य झषजीवकः । ददौ सत्यवतीं तस्मै राज्ञे सर्वाङ्गशोभनाम्

sūta uvāca evaṁ kṛtāṁ pratijñāṁ tu niśamya jhaṣajīvakaḥ dadau satyavatīṁ tasmai rājñe sarvāṅgaśobhanām

Suta said: Hearing this terrible vow thus taken, that fisherman gave over Satyavati, lovely in every limb, to the king.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.2.5.59)

अनेन विधिना तेन वृता सत्यवती प्रिया । न जानाति परं जन्म व्यासस्य नृपसत्तमः

anena vidhinā tena vṛtā satyavatī priyā na jānāti paraṁ janma vyāsasya nṛpasattamaḥ

By this means, O foremost of kings, that beloved Satyavati was thus taken in marriage; but the king did not know of that earlier birth of hers — the son Vyasa she had borne before.