The Glory of Sacred Tirthas and King Harishchandra's Curse

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.6.12.1)

राजोवाच । तीर्थानि भुवि पुण्यानि ब्रूहि मे मुनिसत्तम । गम्यानि मानवैर्देवैः क्षेत्राणि सरितस्तथा

rājovāca | tīrthāni bhuvi puṇyāni brūhi me munisattama | gamyāni mānavairdevaiḥ kṣetrāṇi saritastathā

The king said: O best of sages, tell me of the sacred tirthas on earth, reachable by men and gods, and of the sacred fields and rivers as well.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.6.12.2)

फलं च यादृशं यत्र तीर्थेषु स्नानदानतः । विधिं तु तीर्थयात्रायां नियमांश्च विशेषतः

phalaṁ ca yādṛśaṁ yatra tīrtheṣu snānadānataḥ | vidhiṁ tu tīrthayātrāyāṁ niyamāṁśca viśeṣataḥ

And tell me what fruit is obtained there through bathing and giving gifts at each tirtha, along with the proper procedure of pilgrimage and its particular observances.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.6.12.3)

व्यास उवाच । शृणु राजन् प्रवक्ष्यामि तीर्थानि विविधानि च । येषु तीर्थेषु देवीनां प्रशस्तान्यायनानि च

vyāsa uvāca | śṛṇu rājan pravakṣyāmi tīrthāni vividhāni ca | yeṣu tīrtheṣu devīnāṁ praśastānyāyanāni ca

Vyasa said: Listen, O king, I shall tell of the various tirthas, and among them, of the celebrated abodes of the Goddess.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.6.12.4)

नदीनां जाह्नवी श्रेष्ठा यमुना च सरस्वती । नर्मदा गण्डकी सिन्धुर्गोमती तमसा तथा

nadīnāṁ jāhnavī śreṣṭhā yamunā ca sarasvatī | narmadā gaṇḍakī sindhurgomatī tamasā tathā

Among rivers, the Jahnavi (Ganga) is foremost, and the Yamuna and Sarasvati; likewise the Narmada, Gandaki, Sindhu, Gomati, and Tamasa.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.6.12.5)

कावेरी चन्द्रभागा च पुण्या वेत्रवती शुभा । चर्मण्वती च सरयूस्तापी साभ्रमती तथा

kāverī candrabhāgā ca puṇyā vetravatī śubhā | carmaṇvatī ca sarayūstāpī sābhramatī tathā

The Kaveri and Chandrabhaga, the sacred and auspicious Vetravati; likewise the Charmanvati, Sarayu, Tapi, and Sabhramati.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.6.12.6)

एताश्च कथिता राजन्नन्याश्च शतशः पुनः । तासां समुद्रगाः पुण्याः स्वल्पपुण्या ह्यनब्धिगाः

etāśca kathitā rājannanyāśca śataśaḥ punaḥ | tāsāṁ samudragāḥ puṇyāḥ svalpapuṇyā hyanabdhigāḥ

These have been named, O king, and hundreds of others besides. Among them, those that flow into the ocean are the most sacred; those that do not reach the ocean bear lesser merit.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.6.12.7)

समुद्रगानां ताः पुण्याः सर्वदौघवहास्तु याः । मासद्वयं श्रावणादौ ताश्च सर्वा रजस्वलाः

samudragānāṁ tāḥ puṇyāḥ sarvadaughavahāstu yāḥ | māsadvayaṁ śrāvaṇādau tāśca sarvā rajasvalāḥ

Among the ocean-flowing rivers, those that always bear a full current are held sacred; and for the two months beginning with Shravana, all of them are considered to be in their impure period.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.6.12.8)

भवन्ति वृष्टियोगेन ग्राम्यवारिवहास्तथा । पुष्करं च कुरुक्षेत्रं धर्मारण्यं सुपावनम्

bhavanti vṛṣṭiyogena grāmyavārivahāstathā | puṣkaraṁ ca kurukṣetraṁ dharmāraṇyaṁ supāvanam

Streams that flow only with the coming of rain, carrying mere village water, are of lesser merit. And Pushkara, Kurukshetra, and the highly purifying Dharmaranya —

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.6.12.9)

प्रभासं च प्रयागं च नैमिषारण्यमेव च । विश्रुतं चार्बुदारण्यं शैलाश्च पावनास्तथा

prabhāsaṁ ca prayāgaṁ ca naimiṣāraṇyameva ca | viśrutaṁ cārbudāraṇyaṁ śailāśca pāvanāstathā

Prabhasa and Prayaga, and Naimisharanya as well; the renowned Arbudaranya, and the purifying mountains too —

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.6.12.10)

श्रीशैलश्च सुमेरुश्च पर्वतो गन्धमादनः । सरांसि चैव पुण्यानि मानसं सर्वविश्रुतम्

śrīśailaśca sumeruśca parvato gandhamādanaḥ | sarāṁsi caiva puṇyāni mānasaṁ sarvaviśrutam

Shrishaila and Sumeru, and Mount Gandhamadana; and the sacred lakes too, among which Lake Manasa is renowned above all —

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.6.12.11)

तथा बिन्दुसरः श्रेष्ठमच्छोदं नाम पावनम् । आश्रमास्तु तथा पुण्या मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम्

tathā bindusaraḥ śreṣṭhamacchodaṁ nāma pāvanam | āśramāstu tathā puṇyā munīnāṁ bhāvitātmanām

And the excellent Bindusaras, and the purifying lake named Achchhoda; and likewise the sacred hermitages of sages of purified soul —

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.6.12.12)

विश्रुतस्तु सदा पुण्यः ख्यातो बदरिकाश्रमः । नरनारायणौ यत्र तेपाते तौ मुनी तपः

viśrutastu sadā puṇyaḥ khyāto badarikāśramaḥ | naranārāyaṇau yatra tepāte tau munī tapaḥ

Ever sacred and renowned is the famed hermitage of Badarika, where the two sages Nara and Narayana performed austerities.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.6.12.13)

वामनाश्रम आख्यातः शतयूपाश्रमस्तथा । येन यत्र तपस्तप्तं तस्य नाम्नातिविश्रुतः

vāmanāśrama ākhyātaḥ śatayūpāśramastathā | yena yatra tapastaptaṁ tasya nāmnātiviśrutaḥ

The hermitage of Vamana is spoken of, and likewise the hermitage of Shatayupa; wherever a sage performed austerity, that place became renowned by his own name.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.6.12.14)

एवं पुण्यानि स्थानानि ह्यसङ्ख्यातानि भूतले । मुनिभिः परिगीतानि पावनानि महीपते

evaṁ puṇyāni sthānāni hyasaṅkhyātāni bhūtale | munibhiḥ parigītāni pāvanāni mahīpate

Thus, O king, there are countless sacred and purifying places on earth, which the sages have sung of.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.6.12.15)

एषु स्थानेषु सर्वत्र देवीस्थानानि भूपते । दर्शनात्पापहारीणि वसन्ति नियमेन च

eṣu sthāneṣu sarvatra devīsthānāni bhūpate | darśanātpāpahārīṇi vasanti niyamena ca

O lord of the earth, in all these places, everywhere, abodes of the Goddess dwell by fixed rule, which take away sin by the mere sight of them.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.6.12.16)

कथयिष्यामि तान्यग्रे प्रसङ्गेन च कानिचित् । तीर्थानि नृप दानानि व्रतानि च मखास्तथा

kathayiṣyāmi tānyagre prasaṅgena ca kānicit | tīrthāni nṛpa dānāni vratāni ca makhāstathā

I shall speak of some of them further ahead as occasion arises, O king, along with tirthas, gifts, vows, and sacrifices.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.6.12.17)

तपांसि पुण्यकर्माणि सापेक्षाणि महीपते । द्रव्यशुद्धिं क्रियाशुद्धिं मनःशुद्धिमपेक्ष्य च

tapāṁsi puṇyakarmāṇi sāpekṣāṇi mahīpate | dravyaśuddhiṁ kriyāśuddhiṁ manaḥśuddhimapekṣya ca

O lord of the earth, austerities and meritorious acts depend upon purity of substance, purity of ritual action, and purity of mind.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.6.12.18)

पावनानि हि तीर्थानि तपांसि च व्रतानि च । कदाचिद्द्रव्यशुद्धिः स्यात्क्रियाशुद्धिः कदाचन

pāvanāni hi tīrthāni tapāṁsi ca vratāni ca | kadāciddravyaśuddhiḥ syātkriyāśuddhiḥ kadācana

Tirthas, austerities, and vows are indeed purifying; but sometimes there is purity of substance, and sometimes purity of ritual action —

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.6.12.19)

दुर्लभा मनसः शुद्धिः सर्वेषां सर्वदा नृप । मनस्तु चञ्चलं राजन्ननेकविषयाश्रितम्

durlabhā manasaḥ śuddhiḥ sarveṣāṁ sarvadā nṛpa | manastu cañcalaṁ rājannanekaviṣayāśritam

but purity of mind, O king, is rare for everyone, always; for the mind is fickle, attached to countless objects.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.6.12.20)

कथं शुद्धं भवेद्राजन्नानाभावसमाश्रितम् । कामक्रोधौ तथा लोभो ह्यहङ्कारो मदस्तथा

kathaṁ śuddhaṁ bhavedrājannānābhāvasamāśritam | kāmakrodhau tathā lobho hyahaṅkāro madastathā

How, O king, can it become pure, resting as it does on so many states — desire, anger, greed, egotism, and pride?

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.6.12.21)

सर्वविघ्नकरा ह्येते तपस्तीर्थव्रतेषु च । अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं शौचमिन्द्रियनिग्रहः

sarvavighnakarā hyete tapastīrthavrateṣu ca | ahiṁsā satyamasteyaṁ śaucamindriyanigrahaḥ

All these are, indeed, obstacles in every way to austerity, pilgrimage, and vows. Non-violence, truth, non-stealing, purity, and control of the senses —

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.6.12.22)

स्वधर्मपालनं राजन् सर्वतीर्थफलप्रदम् । नित्यकर्मपरित्यागान्मार्गे संसर्गदोषतः

svadharmapālanaṁ rājan sarvatīrthaphalapradam | nityakarmaparityāgānmārge saṁsargadoṣataḥ

and, O king, the observance of one's own dharma — this grants the fruit of all tirthas. But through abandoning one's daily duties on the road, and through the fault of bad company —

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.6.12.23)

व्यर्थं तीर्थाधिगमनं पापमेवावशिष्यते । क्षालयन्ति हि तीर्थानि सर्वथा देहजं मलम्

vyarthaṁ tīrthādhigamanaṁ pāpamevāvaśiṣyate | kṣālayanti hi tīrthāni sarvathā dehajaṁ malam

the journey to the tirtha becomes fruitless, and only sin remains behind. Tirthas indeed wash away entirely the impurity born of the body,

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.6.12.24)

मानसं क्षालितुं तानि न समर्थानि वै नृप । शक्तानि यदि चेत्तानि गङ्गातीरनिवासिनः

mānasaṁ kṣālituṁ tāni na samarthāni vai nṛpa | śaktāni yadi cettāni gaṅgātīranivāsinaḥ

but they are not capable, O king, of washing away the impurity of the mind. If they were capable of that, then the dwellers on the banks of the Ganga —

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.6.12.25)

मुनयो द्रोहसंयुक्ताः कथं स्युर्भावितेश्वराः । वसिष्ठसदृशाः प्रह्वा विश्वामित्रादयः किल

munayo drohasaṁyuktāḥ kathaṁ syurbhāviteśvarāḥ | vasiṣṭhasadṛśāḥ prahvā viśvāmitrādayaḥ kila

sages given even to malice — how could they truly become knowers of the Lord? Indeed, even ones as humble as Vasishtha, and Vishvamitra and the rest,

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.6.12.26)

रागद्वेषरताः सर्वे कामक्रोधाकुलाः सदा । चित्तशुद्धिमयं तीर्थं गङ्गादिभ्योऽतिपावनम्

rāgadveṣaratāḥ sarve kāmakrodhākulāḥ sadā | cittaśuddhimayaṁ tīrthaṁ gaṅgādibhyo'tipāvanam

all remain forever devoted to attachment and aversion, ever agitated by desire and anger. The tirtha that consists of purity of mind is more purifying even than the Ganga and the rest —

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.6.12.27)

यदि स्याद्दैवयोगेन क्षालयत्यान्तरं मलम् । विशेषेण तु सत्सङ्गो ज्ञाननिष्ठस्य भूपते

yadi syāddaivayogena kṣālayatyāntaraṁ malam | viśeṣeṇa tu satsaṅgo jñānaniṣṭhasya bhūpate

if, by the grace of fate, it arises, it washes away the inner impurity. And especially, O lord of the earth, the company of one established in knowledge —

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.6.12.28)

न वेदा न च शास्त्राणि न व्रतानि तपांसि न । न मखा न च दानानि चित्तशुद्धेस्तु कारणम्

na vedā na ca śāstrāṇi na vratāni tapāṁsi na | na makhā na ca dānāni cittaśuddhestu kāraṇam

neither the Vedas, nor the scriptures, nor vows, nor austerities, nor sacrifices, nor gifts are the cause of purity of mind.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.6.12.29)

वसिष्ठो ब्रह्मणः पुत्रो वेदविद्याविशारदः । रागद्वेषान्वितः कामं गङ्गातीरसमाश्रितः

vasiṣṭho brahmaṇaḥ putro vedavidyāviśāradaḥ | rāgadveṣānvitaḥ kāmaṁ gaṅgātīrasamāśritaḥ

Vasishtha, son of Brahma, learned in Vedic knowledge, though dwelling by the banks of the Ganga, was nonetheless filled with attachment and aversion —

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.6.12.30)

आडीबकं महायुद्धं विश्वामित्रवसिष्ठयोः । जातं निरर्थकं द्वेषाद्देवानां विस्मयप्रदम्

āḍībakaṁ mahāyuddhaṁ viśvāmitravasiṣṭhayoḥ | jātaṁ nirarthakaṁ dveṣāddevānāṁ vismayapradam

(as shown by) the great Adi-Baka battle between Vishvamitra and Vasishtha, born of pointless hatred, which astonished even the gods.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.6.12.31)

विश्वामित्रो बकस्तत्र जातः परमतापसः । शप्तः स तु वसिष्ठेन हरिश्चन्द्रस्य कारणात्

viśvāmitro bakastatra jātaḥ paramatāpasaḥ | śaptaḥ sa tu vasiṣṭhena hariścandrasya kāraṇāt

There the supreme ascetic Vishvamitra, on account of the matter of Harishchandra, was cursed by Vasishtha and became a stork (baka).

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.6.12.32)

कौशिकेन वसिष्ठोऽपि शस्त्वाडीदेहभाक्कृतः । शापादाडीबकौ जातौ तौ मुनी विशदप्रभौ

kauśikena vasiṣṭho'pi śastvāḍīdehabhākkṛtaḥ | śāpādāḍībakau jātau tau munī viśadaprabhau

And Vasishtha too, cursed by Kaushika (Vishvamitra), came to bear the body of an 'adi' (a water-bird). By the curse, those two sages of spotless radiance became the adi and the baka.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.6.12.33)

निवासं प्रापतुस्तीरे सरसो मानसस्य च । चक्रतुर्दारुणं युद्धं नखचञ्चुप्रताडनैः

nivāsaṁ prāpatustīre saraso mānasasya ca | cakraturdāruṇaṁ yuddhaṁ nakhacañcupratāḍanaiḥ

They took up residence on the shore of Lake Manasa, and fought a terrible battle there, striking each other with claws and beaks.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.6.12.34)

वर्षाणामयुतं यावत्तावृषी रोषसंयुतौ । युयुधाते मदोन्मत्तौ सिंहाविव परस्परम्

varṣāṇāmayutaṁ yāvattāvṛṣī roṣasaṁyutau | yuyudhāte madonmattau siṁhāviva parasparam

For ten thousand years the two sages, filled with rage and maddened as though in fury, fought each other like two lions.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.6.12.35)

राजोवाच । कथं तौ मुनिशार्दूलौ तापसौ धर्मतत्परौ । परस्परं वैरपरौ सञ्जातौ केन हेतुना

rājovāca | kathaṁ tau muniśārdūlau tāpasau dharmatatparau | parasparaṁ vairaparau sañjātau kena hetunā

The king said: How, and for what reason, did those two dharma-devoted, tiger-like sages, both ascetics, become mutual enemies?

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.6.12.36)

शापं परस्परं केन कारणेन महामती । दत्तवन्तौ मिथः क्लेशकारकौ दुःखदौ नृणाम्

śāpaṁ parasparaṁ kena kāraṇena mahāmatī | dattavantau mithaḥ kleśakārakau duḥkhadau nṛṇām

O great-minded one, for what reason did they give curses to one another — curses that brought affliction and sorrow to people?

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.6.12.37)

व्यास उवाच । हरिश्चन्द्रो नृपश्रेष्ठस्त्रिशङ्कुतनयः पुरा । बभूव रविवंशीयो रामचन्द्रस्य पूर्वजः

vyāsa uvāca | hariścandro nṛpaśreṣṭhastriśaṅkutanayaḥ purā | babhūva ravivaṁśīyo rāmacandrasya pūrvajaḥ

Vyasa said: Of old there was Harishchandra, best of kings, son of Trishanku, born in the solar dynasty, an ancestor of Ramachandra.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.6.12.38)

अनपत्यः स राजर्षिर्वरुणाय महाक्रतुम् । प्रतिजज्ञे पुत्रकामो नरमेधं दुरासदम्

anapatyaḥ sa rājarṣirvaruṇāya mahākratum | pratijajñe putrakāmo naramedhaṁ durāsadam

That royal sage, being without offspring, and desiring a son, made a vow to Varuna to perform the great and difficult naramedha (man-offering) sacrifice.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.6.12.39)

वरुणस्तस्य सन्तुष्टो यज्ञस्य नियमे कृते । दधार गर्भं राज्ञस्तु भार्या परमसुन्दरी

varuṇastasya santuṣṭo yajñasya niyame kṛte | dadhāra garbhaṁ rājñastu bhāryā paramasundarī

Varuna, pleased when the terms of the sacrifice were fixed, brought it about that the king's most beautiful wife conceived.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.6.12.40)

राजा बभूव सन्तुष्टो दृष्ट्वा भार्यां सदोहदाम् । चकार विधिवत्कर्म गर्भसंस्कारकारकम्

rājā babhūva santuṣṭo dṛṣṭvā bhāryāṁ sadohadām | cakāra vidhivatkarma garbhasaṁskārakārakam

Seeing his wife with the cravings of pregnancy, the king was greatly pleased, and he duly performed the rites for the sanctification of the womb.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.6.12.41)

सुषुवे तनयं नारी सर्वलक्षणसंयुतम् । मुदं प्राप नृपस्तत्र पुत्रे जाते विशाम्पते

suṣuve tanayaṁ nārī sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutam | mudaṁ prāpa nṛpastatra putre jāte viśāmpate

O lord of men, the queen gave birth to a son endowed with all auspicious marks; the king there rejoiced greatly at the son's birth.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.6.12.42)

कृतवाञ्जातकर्मादिसंस्कारविधिमुत्तमम् । ददौ हिरण्यं गा दोग्धीर्ब्राह्मणेभ्यो विशेषतः

kṛtavāñjātakarmādisaṁskāravidhimuttamam | dadau hiraṇyaṁ gā dogdhīrbrāhmaṇebhyo viśeṣataḥ

He duly performed the excellent jatakarma and the other sacraments, and gave gold and milk-giving cows to the brahmins in particular abundance.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.6.12.43)

जन्मोत्सवेऽतिसंवृत्ते गेहे वै यादसाम्पतिः । आजगाम महाराज विप्रवेषधरस्तथा

janmotsave'tisaṁvṛtte gehe vai yādasāmpatiḥ | ājagāma mahārāja vipraveṣadharastathā

When the birth-celebration had been fully accomplished, O great king, the lord of the waters, Varuna, came to that house wearing the guise of a brahmin.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.6.12.44)

पूजितः पार्थिवेनाथ दत्त्वा विधिवदासनम् । कार्ये पृष्टेऽब्रवीद्वाक्यं वरुणोऽस्मीति भूपतिम्

pūjitaḥ pārthivenātha dattvā vidhivadāsanam | kārye pṛṣṭe'bravīdvākyaṁ varuṇo'smīti bhūpatim

Honored by the king, given a seat in due form, and asked his purpose, Varuna spoke to the king these words: 'I am Varuna.'

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.6.12.45)

कुरु यज्ञं सुतं कृत्वा पशुं परमपावनम् । सत्यवाग्भव राजेन्द्र सङ्कल्पस्तु त्वया कृतः

kuru yajñaṁ sutaṁ kṛtvā paśuṁ paramapāvanam | satyavāgbhava rājendra saṅkalpastu tvayā kṛtaḥ

'Perform the sacrifice, making your son the most sacred victim. Be true to your word, O lord of kings, for it was you who made this vow.'

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.6.12.46)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं राजा विह्वलोऽतिव्यथाकुलः । संस्तभ्याधिं नृपः प्राह वरुणं सत्कृताञ्जलिः

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ rājā vihvalo'tivyathākulaḥ | saṁstabhyādhiṁ nṛpaḥ prāha varuṇaṁ satkṛtāñjaliḥ

Hearing that word, the king became greatly agitated and distressed; then, steadying his mind, with folded hands, the king spoke to Varuna —

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.6.12.47)

स्वामिन्करोमि तं यज्ञं सर्वथा विधिपूर्वकम् । मया ते यत्प्रतिज्ञातं भवामि सत्यवागहम्

svāminkaromi taṁ yajñaṁ sarvathā vidhipūrvakam | mayā te yatpratijñātaṁ bhavāmi satyavāgaham

'O lord, I shall perform that sacrifice fully according to rule. What I have promised you, in that I shall remain true to my word.'

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.6.12.48)

पूर्णे मासे विशुध्येत धर्मपत्नी सुरोत्तम । विशुद्धायां तु भार्यायां कर्तव्यः स पशोर्मखः

pūrṇe māse viśudhyeta dharmapatnī surottama | viśuddhāyāṁ tu bhāryāyāṁ kartavyaḥ sa paśormakhaḥ

'O best of gods, when the month is complete, my lawful wife shall become pure; only when my wife is purified shall that sacrifice of the victim be performed.'

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.6.12.49)

व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्ते वचने राज्ञा वरुणः स्वगृहं गतः । राजा बभूव सन्तुष्टः किञ्चिच्चिन्तातुरस्तथा

vyāsa uvāca | ityukte vacane rājñā varuṇaḥ svagṛhaṁ gataḥ | rājā babhūva santuṣṭaḥ kiñciccintāturastathā

Vyasa said: Hearing this word of the king, Varuna departed for his own home; and the king became somewhat relieved yet somewhat anxious.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.6.12.50)

पूर्णे मासि पुनः पाशी परीक्षार्थं नृपालये । आजगाम द्विजो भूत्वा सुवेषः सुष्ठुभाषकः

pūrṇe māsi punaḥ pāśī parīkṣārthaṁ nṛpālaye | ājagāma dvijo bhūtvā suveṣaḥ suṣṭhubhāṣakaḥ

When the month was complete, the noose-bearing Varuna again came to the king's palace to test him, having become a brahmin, finely adorned and sweet of speech.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.6.12.51)

कृतार्हणं सुखासीनं भूपतिस्तं सुरोत्तमम् । उवाच विनयोपेतो हेतुगर्भं वचस्तदा

kṛtārhaṇaṁ sukhāsīnaṁ bhūpatistaṁ surottamam | uvāca vinayopeto hetugarbhaṁ vacastadā

The king, having duly honored that best of gods and having comfortably seated him, spoke to him then with humility, words carrying a hidden pretext —

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.6.12.52)

असंस्कृतं सुतं स्वामिन्यूपे बध्नामि तं कथम् । संस्कत्य क्षत्रियं कृत्वा यजेऽहं यज्ञमुत्तमम्

asaṁskṛtaṁ sutaṁ svāminyūpe badhnāmi taṁ katham | saṁskatya kṣatriyaṁ kṛtvā yaje'haṁ yajñamuttamam

'O lord, how can I bind to the sacrificial post a son who has not yet undergone the purificatory rites? Only after completing his consecration as a kshatriya shall I perform this excellent sacrifice.'

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.6.12.53)

दयसे यदि देव त्वं ज्ञात्वा दीनं स्वसेवकम् । असंस्कृतस्य बालस्य नाधिकारोऽस्ति कुत्रचित्

dayase yadi deva tvaṁ jñātvā dīnaṁ svasevakam | asaṁskṛtasya bālasya nādhikāro'sti kutracit

'O god, if you, knowing your humble servant's distress, will show mercy — an unconsecrated child has no eligibility whatsoever.'

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.6.12.54)

वरुण उवाच । प्रतारयसि राजेन्द्र कृत्वा समयमग्रतः । दुस्त्यजस्तव जानामि सुतस्नेहो ह्यपुत्रिणः

varuṇa uvāca | pratārayasi rājendra kṛtvā samayamagrataḥ | dustyajastava jānāmi sutasneho hyaputriṇaḥ

Varuna said: 'You are deceiving me, O lord of kings, having first made an agreement. I know that for one who was sonless, love for a son is hard to give up.'

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.6.12.55)

गृहं व्रजामि भूपाल वचनात्तव कोमलात् । कियत्कालं प्रतीक्ष्याहमागमिष्यामि ते गृहम्

gṛhaṁ vrajāmi bhūpāla vacanāttava komalāt | kiyatkālaṁ pratīkṣyāhamāgamiṣyāmi te gṛham

'O king, on account of your gentle words I shall go home. After waiting some time, I shall come again to your house.'

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.6.12.56)

भवितव्यं त्वया तात तदा सत्यवचोऽन्वितम् । अन्यथा त्वयि मुञ्चामि कोपं शापसमन्वितम्

bhavitavyaṁ tvayā tāta tadā satyavaco'nvitam | anyathā tvayi muñcāmi kopaṁ śāpasamanvitam

'My son, you must then remain true to your word; otherwise I shall let loose upon you my wrath, accompanied by a curse.'

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.6.12.57)

राजोवाच । समावर्तनकर्मान्ते सर्वथा यादसाम्पते । कृत्वा पुत्रपशुं यज्ञे यजिष्ये विधिपूर्वकम्

rājovāca | samāvartanakarmānte sarvathā yādasāmpate | kṛtvā putrapaśuṁ yajñe yajiṣye vidhipūrvakam

The king said: 'O lord of the waters, at the end of the samavartana rite, I shall in every way make my son the sacrificial victim and duly perform the sacrifice.'

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.6.12.58)

व्यास उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं राज्ञो वरुणः प्रीतमानसः । तथेत्युक्त्वा ययौ तूर्णं नृपस्तु सुस्थितोऽभवत्

vyāsa uvāca | tacchrutvā vacanaṁ rājño varuṇaḥ prītamānasaḥ | tathetyuktvā yayau tūrṇaṁ nṛpastu susthito'bhavat

Vyasa said: Hearing this word of the king, Varuna, glad at heart, said 'so be it' and swiftly departed; and the king became settled at ease.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.6.12.59)

रोहिताख्य इति ख्यातः सुतस्तस्य विवृद्धिमान् । सञ्जातश्चतुरः सर्वविद्यानां च विशारदः

rohitākhya iti khyātaḥ sutastasya vivṛddhimān | sañjātaścaturaḥ sarvavidyānāṁ ca viśāradaḥ

That king's son, growing up, became known by the name Rohita; he became clever and skilled in every branch of learning.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.6.12.60)

यज्ञस्य कारणं तेन ज्ञातं सर्वं सविस्तरम् । भयभीतस्ततः सोऽपि मत्वा मरणमात्मनः

yajñasya kāraṇaṁ tena jñātaṁ sarvaṁ savistaram | bhayabhītastataḥ so'pi matvā maraṇamātmanaḥ

The whole reason for the sacrifice became known to him in full detail; thereupon, thinking of his own death, he too became struck with fear.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.6.12.61)

कृत्वा पलायनं वीरो गतोऽसौ गिरिगह्वरे । अगम्ये नृपतिस्थाने स्थितस्तत्र भयातुरः

kṛtvā palāyanaṁ vīro gato'sau girigahvare | agamye nṛpatisthāne sthitastatra bhayāturaḥ

That hero fled and went into a mountain cave, a place inaccessible to the king, and remained there, tormented by fear.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.6.12.62)

प्राप्ते कालेऽथ वरुणो यज्ञार्थी नृपतेर्गृहम् । गत्वा तमाह भूपालं कुरु यज्ञं विशाम्पते

prāpte kāle'tha varuṇo yajñārthī nṛpatergṛham | gatvā tamāha bhūpālaṁ kuru yajñaṁ viśāmpate

When the time came, Varuna, desiring the sacrifice, went to the king's house and said to that king: 'Perform the sacrifice, O lord of men.'

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.6.12.63)

प्रम्लानवदनो राजा तमाह व्यथितेन्द्रियः । किं करोमि गतः क्वापि सुतो मे सुरसत्तम

pramlānavadano rājā tamāha vyathitendriyaḥ | kiṁ karomi gataḥ kvāpi suto me surasattama

The king, his face downcast, his senses in distress, said to him: 'What am I to do, O best of gods? My son has gone off somewhere.'

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.6.12.64)

श्रुत्वा तद्वचनं राज्ञः कुपितो यादसाम्पतिः । शशाप तं नृपं कोपादसत्यवादिनं भृशम्

śrutvā tadvacanaṁ rājñaḥ kupito yādasāmpatiḥ | śaśāpa taṁ nṛpaṁ kopādasatyavādinaṁ bhṛśam

Hearing this word of the king, the lord of the waters, enraged, cursed that king in fury, sharply, as a breaker of his word —

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.6.12.65)

जलोदराभिधो व्याधिर्देहे भवतु ते नृप । यतः प्रतारितश्चाहं कृत्वा कपटपण्डित

jalodarābhidho vyādhirdehe bhavatu te nṛpa | yataḥ pratāritaścāhaṁ kṛtvā kapaṭapaṇḍita

'O king, let the disease called jalodara (dropsy) arise in your body, since, having become skilled in deceit, you have deceived me!'

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.6.12.66)

इति शप्त्वा ययौ धाम स्वकं पाशधरस्तदा । राजा चिन्तातुरस्तस्थौ भवने व्याधिपीडितः

iti śaptvā yayau dhāma svakaṁ pāśadharastadā | rājā cintāturastasthau bhavane vyādhipīḍitaḥ

Having thus cursed him, the noose-bearing Varuna went to his own abode; and the king, afflicted by the disease, remained anxious in his palace.

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.6.12.67)

यदातिव्याधितो राजा रोगेण शापजेन ह । तदा शुश्राव पुत्रोऽपि पितरं व्याधिपीडितम्

yadātivyādhito rājā rogeṇa śāpajena ha | tadā śuśrāva putro'pi pitaraṁ vyādhipīḍitam

When the king had become extremely afflicted by the disease born of the curse, his son too heard that his father was afflicted with illness.

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.6.12.68)

पान्थिकः प्राह पुत्रं हि पिता ते भृशदुःखितः । जलोदरविकारेण शापजेन नृपात्मज

pānthikaḥ prāha putraṁ hi pitā te bhṛśaduḥkhitaḥ | jalodaravikāreṇa śāpajena nṛpātmaja

A wayfarer said to the son: 'O prince, your father is greatly afflicted by the ailment of jalodara born of a curse.'

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.6.12.69)

विनष्टं जीवितं तेऽद्य वृथा जातस्य दुर्मते । यत्त्यक्त्वा पितरं दुःस्थं प्राप्तोऽसि गिरिगह्वरम्

vinaṣṭaṁ jīvitaṁ te'dya vṛthā jātasya durmate | yattyaktvā pitaraṁ duḥsthaṁ prāpto'si girigahvaram

'Your life today is ruined, O foolish one — born in vain, in that you have abandoned your suffering father and gone to sit in this mountain cave.'

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.6.12.70)

किमनेन शरीरेण प्राप्तं ते जन्मनः फलम् । देहदं दुःखितं कृत्वा स्थितोऽस्यत्र सुताधम

kimanena śarīreṇa prāptaṁ te janmanaḥ phalam | dehadaṁ duḥkhitaṁ kṛtvā sthito'syatra sutādhama

'O worst of sons, what has this body of yours gained you as the fruit of your birth? You sit here having made the one who gave you your body suffer.'

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.6.12.71)

प्राणास्त्याज्याः पितुः कार्ये सत्पुत्रेणेति निश्चयः । त्वदर्थे दुःखितो राजा क्रन्दति व्याधिपीडितः

prāṇāstyājyāḥ pituḥ kārye satputreṇeti niścayaḥ | tvadarthe duḥkhito rājā krandati vyādhipīḍitaḥ

'A true son should give up even his life for his father's sake — this is certain. For your sake the sorrowing king, afflicted by disease, weeps.'

Verse 72 (devibhagavatam.6.12.72)

व्यास उवाच । तदाकर्ण्य वचस्तथ्यं पान्थिकाद्धर्मसंयुतम् । यदा चक्रे मनो गन्तुं द्रष्टुं तातं व्यथातुरम्

vyāsa uvāca | tadākarṇya vacastathyaṁ pānthikāddharmasaṁyutam | yadā cakre mano gantuṁ draṣṭuṁ tātaṁ vyathāturam

Vyasa said: Hearing this true and righteous word from the wayfarer, when he resolved in his mind to go and see his suffering father,

Verse 73 (devibhagavatam.6.12.73)

तदा विप्रवपुर्भूत्वा वासवस्तमुपागमत् । रहः प्राह हितं वाक्यं दयावानिव भारत

tadā vipravapurbhūtvā vāsavastamupāgamat | rahaḥ prāha hitaṁ vākyaṁ dayāvāniva bhārata

then, O Bharata, Vasava (Indra), taking the form of a brahmin, approached him, and as though full of compassion, spoke to him in private words meant for his good.

Verse 74 (devibhagavatam.6.12.74)

मूर्खोऽसि राजपुत्र त्वं गमनाय मतिं वृथा । करोषि पितरं त्वद्य न जानासि व्यथायुतम्

mūrkho'si rājaputra tvaṁ gamanāya matiṁ vṛthā | karoṣi pitaraṁ tvadya na jānāsi vyathāyutam

'You are a fool, O prince, forming this vain resolve to go. Even now, you do not truly understand the trouble your father is in.'