The Story of Trishanku

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.7.12.1)

एवं प्रबोधितः पित्रा त्रिशङ्कुः प्रणतो नृपः । तथेति पितरं प्राह प्रेमगद्गदया गिरा

evaṁ prabodhitaḥ pitrā triśaṅkuḥ praṇato nṛpaḥ tatheti pitaraṁ prāha premagadgadayā girā

Thus instructed by his father, King Trishanku, bowing respectfully, said to his father, "So be it," in a voice choked with love.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.7.12.2)

विप्रानाहूय मन्त्रज्ञान्वेदशास्त्रविशारदान् । अभिषेकाय सम्भारान् कारयामास सत्वरम्

viprānāhūya mantrajñānvedaśāstraviśāradān abhiṣekāya sambhārān kārayāmāsa satvaram

Summoning Brahmins learned in mantras and skilled in the Vedas and scriptures, he had the materials for the consecration prepared quickly.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.7.12.3)

सलिलं सर्वतीर्थानां समानाय्य विशाम्पतिः । प्रकृतीश्च समाहूय सामन्तान्भूपतींस्तथा

salilaṁ sarvatīrthānāṁ samānāyya viśāmpatiḥ prakṛtīśca samāhūya sāmantānbhūpatīṁstathā

That lord of subjects, having gathered water from all the sacred fords, and having summoned the ministers, feudatories, and kings —

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.7.12.4)

पुण्येऽह्नि विधिवत्तस्मै ददावासनमुत्तमम् । अभिषिच्य सुतं राज्ये त्रिशङ्कुं विधिवत्पिता

puṇye'hni vidhivattasmai dadāvāsanamuttamam abhiṣicya sutaṁ rājye triśaṅkuṁ vidhivatpitā

— on an auspicious day, duly gave him the excellent throne; the father, having duly consecrated his son Trishanku upon the kingdom,

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.7.12.5)

तृतीयमाश्रमं पुण्यं जग्राह भार्यया युतः । वने त्रिपथगाकूले चचार दुश्चरं तपः

tṛtīyamāśramaṁ puṇyaṁ jagrāha bhāryayā yutaḥ vane tripathagākūle cacāra duścaraṁ tapaḥ

— took up the sacred third stage of life, Vanaprastha, together with his wife, and performed austerity difficult to accomplish on the bank of the Ganga in the forest.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.7.12.6)

काले प्राप्ते ययौ स्वर्गं पूजितस्त्रिदशैरपि । इन्द्रासनसमीपस्थो रराज रविवत्सदा

kāle prāpte yayau svargaṁ pūjitastridaśairapi indrāsanasamīpastho rarāja ravivatsadā

When his time came, he went to heaven, honored even by the thirty gods; standing near Indra's throne, he shone ever like the sun.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.7.12.7)

राजोवाच । पूर्वं भगवता प्रोक्तं कथायोगेन साम्प्रतम् । सत्यव्रतो वसिष्ठेन शप्तो दोग्ध्रीवधात्किल

rājovāca pūrvaṁ bhagavatā proktaṁ kathāyogena sāmpratam satyavrato vasiṣṭhena śapto dogdhrīvadhātkila

The king said: Earlier, in the course of the tale, O blessed one, you told me that Satyavrata was cursed by Vasishtha for the killing of the milk-cow —

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.7.12.8)

कुपितेने पिशाचत्वं प्रापितो गुरुणा ततः । कथं मुक्तः पिशाचत्वादित्येतत्संशयः प्रभो

kupitene piśācatvaṁ prāpito guruṇā tataḥ kathaṁ muktaḥ piśācatvādityetatsaṁśayaḥ prabho

— and was made to reach the condition of a fiend by that angry preceptor. How was he released from that condition of a fiend? This is my doubt, O lord.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.7.12.9)

न सिंहासनयोग्यो हि भवेच्छापसमन्वितः । मुनिना मोचितः शापात्केनान्येन च कर्मणा

na siṁhāsanayogyo hi bhavecchāpasamanvitaḥ muninā mocitaḥ śāpātkenānyena ca karmaṇā

For one still under a curse could not be fit for the throne. Was he released from the curse by the sage himself, or by some other deed?

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.7.12.10)

एतन्मे ब्रूहि विप्रर्षे शापमोक्षणकारणम् । आनीतस्तु कथं पित्रा स्वगृहे तादृशाकृतिः

etanme brūhi viprarṣe śāpamokṣaṇakāraṇam ānītastu kathaṁ pitrā svagṛhe tādṛśākṛtiḥ

Tell me this, O sage among Brahmins, the reason for his release from the curse; and how was he, of such fiendish appearance, brought by his father into his own home?

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.7.12.11)

व्यास उवाच । वसिष्ठेन च शप्तोऽसौ सद्यः पैशाचतां गतः । दुर्वेषश्चातिदुर्धर्षः सर्वलोकभयङ्करः

vyāsa uvāca vasiṣṭhena ca śapto'sau sadyaḥ paiśācatāṁ gataḥ durveṣaścātidurdharṣaḥ sarvalokabhayaṅkaraḥ

Vyasa said: Cursed by Vasishtha, he immediately took on the state of a fiend, ill-appearing, exceedingly formidable, terrifying to all creatures.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.7.12.12)

यदैवोपासिता देवी भक्त्या सत्यव्रतेन ह । तया प्रसन्नया राजन् दिव्यदेहः कृतः क्षणात्

yadaivopāsitā devī bhaktyā satyavratena ha tayā prasannayā rājan divyadehaḥ kṛtaḥ kṣaṇāt

When the Devi was worshipped with devotion by Satyavrata, she, being pleased, O king, in that instant gave him a divine body once more.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.7.12.13)

पिशाचत्वं गतं तस्य पापं चैव क्षयं गतम् । विपाप्मा चातितेजस्वी सम्भूतस्तत्कृपामृतात्

piśācatvaṁ gataṁ tasya pāpaṁ caiva kṣayaṁ gatam vipāpmā cātitejasvī sambhūtastatkṛpāmṛtāt

His condition as a fiend departed, and his sin too was destroyed; he became sinless and exceedingly radiant, through that nectar of her grace.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.7.12.14)

वसिष्ठोऽपि प्रसन्नात्मा जातः शक्तिप्रसादतः । पितापि च बभूवास्य प्रेमयुक्तस्त्वनुग्रहात्

vasiṣṭho'pi prasannātmā jātaḥ śaktiprasādataḥ pitāpi ca babhūvāsya premayuktastvanugrahāt

Vasishtha too, by the grace of the Shakti, became pleased at heart; and his father too, through her favor, became full of love for him.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.7.12.15)

राज्यं शशास धर्मात्मा मृते पितरि पार्थिवः । ईजे च विविधैर्यज्ञैर्देवदेवीं सनातनीम्

rājyaṁ śaśāsa dharmātmā mṛte pitari pārthivaḥ īje ca vividhairyajñairdevadevīṁ sanātanīm

When his father passed away, that righteous king ruled the kingdom, and worshipped the eternal Devi of the gods with various sacrifices.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.7.12.16)

तस्य पुत्रो बभूवाथ हरिश्चन्द्रः सुशोभनः । लक्षणैः शास्त्रनिर्दिष्टैः संयुतश्चातिसुन्दरः

tasya putro babhūvātha hariścandraḥ suśobhanaḥ lakṣaṇaiḥ śāstranirdiṣṭaiḥ saṁyutaścātisundaraḥ

His son was Harishchandra, of excellent glory, endowed with the marks prescribed by the scriptures, and exceedingly handsome.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.7.12.17)

युवराजं सुतं कृत्वा त्रिशङ्कुः पृथिवीपतिः । मानुषेण शरीरेण स्वर्गं भोक्तुं मनो दधे

yuvarājaṁ sutaṁ kṛtvā triśaṅkuḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ mānuṣeṇa śarīreṇa svargaṁ bhoktuṁ mano dadhe

Having made his son the crown prince, King Trishanku, lord of the earth, resolved in his mind to enjoy heaven in his own human body.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.7.12.18)

वसिष्ठस्याश्रमं गत्वा प्रणम्य विधिवन्नृपः । उवाच वचनं प्रीतः कृताञ्जलिपुटस्तदा

vasiṣṭhasyāśramaṁ gatvā praṇamya vidhivannṛpaḥ uvāca vacanaṁ prītaḥ kṛtāñjalipuṭastadā

Going to Vasishtha's hermitage and duly bowing, the king, pleased, spoke these words, his hands folded in reverence:

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.7.12.19)

राजोवाच - ब्रह्मपुत्र महाभाग सर्वमन्त्रविशारद । विज्ञप्तिं मे सुमनसा श्रोतुमर्हसि तापस

rājovāca - brahmaputra mahābhāga sarvamantraviśārada vijñaptiṁ me sumanasā śrotumarhasi tāpasa

The king said: "O son of Brahma, greatly fortunate one, skilled in all mantras — you should hear my petition with a good heart, O ascetic."

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.7.12.20)

इच्छा मेऽद्य समुत्पन्ना स्वर्गलोकसुखाय च । अनेनैव शरीरेण भोगान्भोक्तुममानुषान्

icchā me'dya samutpannā svargalokasukhāya ca anenaiva śarīreṇa bhogānbhoktumamānuṣān

"A desire has arisen in me today for the happiness of the heavenly world — to enjoy superhuman pleasures with this very human body of mine."

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.7.12.21)

अप्सरोभिश्च संवासः क्रीडितुं नन्दने वने । देवगन्धर्वगानं च श्रोतव्यं मधुरं किल

apsarobhiśca saṁvāsaḥ krīḍituṁ nandane vane devagandharvagānaṁ ca śrotavyaṁ madhuraṁ kila

"I wish to dwell with the Apsarases, to sport in the Nandana grove, and truly to hear the sweet singing of the Gandharvas of the gods."

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.7.12.22)

याजय त्वं मखेनाशु तादृशेन महामुने । यथानेन शरीरेण वसे लोकं त्रिविष्टपम्

yājaya tvaṁ makhenāśu tādṛśena mahāmune yathānena śarīreṇa vase lokaṁ triviṣṭapam

"Perform for me such a sacrifice at once, O great sage, that by this very body I may dwell in the world of heaven."

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.7.12.23)

समर्थोऽसि मुनिश्रेष्ठ कुरु कार्यं ममाधुना । प्रापयाशु मखं कृत्वा देवलोकं दुरासदम्

samartho'si muniśreṣṭha kuru kāryaṁ mamādhunā prāpayāśu makhaṁ kṛtvā devalokaṁ durāsadam

"You are capable, O best of sages; accomplish this task of mine now — by performing the sacrifice, bring me quickly to that world of the gods, so hard to attain."

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.7.12.24)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । राजन् मानुषदेहेन स्वर्गे वासः सुदुर्लभः । मृतस्य हि ध्रुवं स्वर्गः कथितः पुण्यकर्मणा

vasiṣṭha uvāca rājan mānuṣadehena svarge vāsaḥ sudurlabhaḥ mṛtasya hi dhruvaṁ svargaḥ kathitaḥ puṇyakarmaṇā

Vasishtha said: "O king, dwelling in heaven with a human body is exceedingly difficult to attain; it is only for one who has died, and only through meritorious deeds, that heaven is certainly proclaimed."

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.7.12.25)

तस्माद् बिभेमि सर्वज्ञ दुर्लभाच्च मनोरथात् । अप्सरोभिश्च संवासो जीवमानस्य दुर्लभः

tasmād bibhemi sarvajña durlabhācca manorathāt apsarobhiśca saṁvāso jīvamānasya durlabhaḥ

"Therefore, O all-knowing one, I fear undertaking this difficult wish of yours; dwelling with the Apsarases is difficult for one still living."

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.7.12.26)

कुरु यज्ञान्महाभाग मृतः स्वर्गमवाप्स्यसि । व्यास उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य राजा परमदुर्मनाः

kuru yajñānmahābhāga mṛtaḥ svargamavāpsyasi vyāsa uvāca ityākarṇya vacastasya rājā paramadurmanāḥ

"Perform sacrifices instead, O greatly fortunate one; after death you shall attain heaven." Vyasa said: Hearing his words, the king, exceedingly displeased,

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.7.12.27)

उवाच वचनं भूयो वसिष्ठं पूर्वरोषितम् । न त्वं याजयसे ब्रह्मन् गर्वावेशाच्च मां यदि

uvāca vacanaṁ bhūyo vasiṣṭhaṁ pūrvaroṣitam na tvaṁ yājayase brahman garvāveśācca māṁ yadi

— spoke again to Vasishtha, already provoked: "If you, O Brahmin, will not perform this sacrifice for me, out of the fullness of your pride —"

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.7.12.28)

अन्यं पुरोहितं कृत्वा यक्ष्येऽहं किल साम्प्रतम् । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य वसिष्ठः कोपसंयुतः

anyaṁ purohitaṁ kṛtvā yakṣye'haṁ kila sāmpratam tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya vasiṣṭhaḥ kopasaṁyutaḥ

"— then, appointing another priest, I shall now indeed perform the sacrifice." Hearing these words of his, Vasishtha, filled with anger,

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.7.12.29)

शशाप भूपतिं चेति चाण्डालो भव दुर्मते । अनेन त्वं शरीरेण श्वपचो भव सत्वरम्

śaśāpa bhūpatiṁ ceti cāṇḍālo bhava durmate anena tvaṁ śarīreṇa śvapaco bhava satvaram

— cursed the king thus: "Become a Chandala, O evil-minded one! In this very body, become an outcaste at once —"

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.7.12.30)

स्वर्गकृन्तन पापिष्ठ सुरभीवधदूषित । ब्रह्मपत्नीहरोच्छिन्न धर्ममार्गविदूषक

svargakṛntana pāpiṣṭha surabhīvadhadūṣita brahmapatnīharocchinna dharmamārgavidūṣaka

"— O destroyer of heaven-worthiness, O most sinful one, O one tainted by the killing of a divine cow, O one already blighted by the abduction of a Brahmin's wife, O corrupter of the path of dharma!"

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.7.12.31)

न ते स्वर्गगतिः पाप मृतस्यापि कथञ्चन । व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्तो गुरुणा राजंस्त्रिशङ्कुस्तत्क्षणादपि

na te svargagatiḥ pāpa mṛtasyāpi kathañcana vyāsa uvāca ityukto guruṇā rājaṁstriśaṅkustatkṣaṇādapi

"There shall be no passage to heaven for you, O sinner, even after your death, under any circumstance." Vyasa said: Thus cursed by his preceptor, O king, Trishanku at that very instant —

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.7.12.32)

तत्र तेन शरीरेण बभूव श्वपचाकृतिः । कुण्डलेऽश्ममये वापि जाते तस्य च तत्क्षणात्

tatra tena śarīreṇa babhūva śvapacākṛtiḥ kuṇḍale'śmamaye vāpi jāte tasya ca tatkṣaṇāt

— became there, in that very body, one of the form of an outcaste; his earrings, too, turned to stone at that same moment,

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.7.12.33)

देहे चन्दनगन्धश्च विगन्धो ह्यभवत्तदा । नीलवर्णेऽथ सञ्जाते दिव्ये पीताम्बरे तनौ

dehe candanagandhaśca vigandho hyabhavattadā nīlavarṇe'tha sañjāte divye pītāmbare tanau

— and the sandal fragrance on his body turned foul at once; and his divine yellow garment upon his body turned dark blue.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.7.12.34)

राजवर्णोऽभवद्देहः शापात्तस्य महात्मनः । शक्त्युपासकरोषेण फलमेतदभून्नृप

rājavarṇo'bhavaddehaḥ śāpāttasya mahātmanaḥ śaktyupāsakaroṣeṇa phalametadabhūnnṛpa

His royal complexion was transformed by that great soul's curse; this was the fruit of the anger of a worshipper of the Shakti, O king.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.7.12.35)

तस्माच्छ्रीशक्तिभक्तो हि नावमान्यः कदाचन । गायत्रीजपनिष्ठो हि वसिष्ठो मुनिसत्तमः

tasmācchrīśaktibhakto hi nāvamānyaḥ kadācana gāyatrījapaniṣṭho hi vasiṣṭho munisattamaḥ

Therefore a devotee of the blessed Shakti should never be treated with contempt; Vasishtha, that best of sages, was ever devoted to the recitation of the Gayatri.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.7.12.36)

दृष्ट्वा निन्द्यं निजं देहं राजा दुःखमवाप्तवान् । न जगाम गृहे दीनो वनमेवाभितो ययौ

dṛṣṭvā nindyaṁ nijaṁ dehaṁ rājā duḥkhamavāptavān na jagāma gṛhe dīno vanamevābhito yayau

Seeing his own body so despicable, the king fell into sorrow; wretched, he did not go home, but went straight into the forest.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.7.12.37)

चिन्तयामास दुःखार्तास्त्रिशङ्कुः शोकविह्वलः । किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि देहो मेऽतीव निन्दितः

cintayāmāsa duḥkhārtāstriśaṅkuḥ śokavihvalaḥ kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi deho me'tīva ninditaḥ

Sorrow-stricken, overwhelmed with grief, Trishanku thought: "What shall I do, where shall I go? My body has become utterly despicable."

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.7.12.38)

कर्तव्यं नैव पश्यामि येन मे दुःखसङ्क्षयः । गृहे गच्छामि चेत्पुत्रः पीडितोऽद्य भविष्यति

kartavyaṁ naiva paśyāmi yena me duḥkhasaṅkṣayaḥ gṛhe gacchāmi cetputraḥ pīḍito'dya bhaviṣyati

"I see nothing I can do to bring an end to my sorrow. If I go home, my son will today be distressed;"

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.7.12.39)

भार्यापि श्वपचं दृष्ट्वा नाङ्गीकारं करिष्यति । सचिवा नादरिष्यन्ति वीक्ष्य मामीदृशं पुनः

bhāryāpi śvapacaṁ dṛṣṭvā nāṅgīkāraṁ kariṣyati sacivā nādariṣyanti vīkṣya māmīdṛśaṁ punaḥ

"— my wife too, seeing me an outcaste, will not accept me; my ministers will not honor me, seeing me once more in such a state."

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.7.12.40)

ज्ञातयो बन्धुवर्गश्च सङ्गतो न भजिष्यति । सर्वैस्तक्तस्य मे नूनं जीवितान्मरणं वरम्

jñātayo bandhuvargaśca saṅgato na bhajiṣyati sarvaistaktasya me nūnaṁ jīvitānmaraṇaṁ varam

"My relatives and circle of kinsmen will not associate with or honor me. Abandoned by all, surely death is preferable to life for me."

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.7.12.41)

विषं वा भक्षयित्वाद्य पतित्वा वा जलाशये । कृत्वा वा कण्ठपाशं च देहत्यागं करोम्यहम्

viṣaṁ vā bhakṣayitvādya patitvā vā jalāśaye kṛtvā vā kaṇṭhapāśaṁ ca dehatyāgaṁ karomyaham

"Whether by swallowing poison today, or by casting myself into a body of water, or by tying a noose about my neck, let me end my life —"

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.7.12.42)

अग्नौ वा ज्वलिते देहं जुहोमि विधिवद् बलात् । कृत्वा वानशनं प्राणांस्त्यजामि दूषितान्भृशम्

agnau vā jvalite dehaṁ juhomi vidhivad balāt kṛtvā vānaśanaṁ prāṇāṁstyajāmi dūṣitānbhṛśam

"— or, forcefully, let me offer my body into a kindled fire according to rite; or, undertaking fasting, let me abandon this severely tainted life."

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.7.12.43)

आत्महत्या भवेन्नूनं पुनर्जन्मनि जन्मनि । श्वपचत्वं च शापश्च हत्यादोषाद्भवेदपि

ātmahatyā bhavennūnaṁ punarjanmani janmani śvapacatvaṁ ca śāpaśca hatyādoṣādbhavedapi

[But then he thought:] "Self-killing would surely lead to outcaste birth in life after life; and the sin of the curse would also fall upon me from the fault of that killing."

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.7.12.44)

पुनर्विचार्य भूपालश्चेतसा समचिन्तयत् । आत्महत्या न कर्तव्या सर्वथैव मयाधुना

punarvicārya bhūpālaścetasā samacintayat ātmahatyā na kartavyā sarvathaiva mayādhunā

Reflecting again, the king thought within himself: "Self-killing must by no means be done by me now."

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.7.12.45)

भोक्तव्यं स्वकृतं कर्म देहेनानेन कानने । भोगेनास्य विपाकस्य भविता सर्वथा क्षयः

bhoktavyaṁ svakṛtaṁ karma dehenānena kānane bhogenāsya vipākasya bhavitā sarvathā kṣayaḥ

"I must endure the fruits of my own deeds with this body, in this forest; only by enduring this ripening of karma shall it entirely come to its end."

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.7.12.46)

प्रारब्धकर्मणां भोगादन्यथा न क्षयो भवेत् । तस्मान्मयात्र भोक्तव्यं कृतं कर्म शुभाशुभम्

prārabdhakarmaṇāṁ bhogādanyathā na kṣayo bhavet tasmānmayātra bhoktavyaṁ kṛtaṁ karma śubhāśubham

"There is no destruction of prarabdha karma except through its being experienced; therefore I must here endure the deeds I have done, both good and bad —"

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.7.12.47)

कुर्वन्पुण्याश्रमाभ्याशे तीर्थानां सेवनं तथा । स्मरणं चाम्बिकायास्तु साधूनां सेवनं तथा

kurvanpuṇyāśramābhyāśe tīrthānāṁ sevanaṁ tathā smaraṇaṁ cāmbikāyāstu sādhūnāṁ sevanaṁ tathā

"— while dwelling near sacred hermitages, and serving at the holy fords, remembering the Devi Ambika, and serving the good."

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.7.12.48)

एवं कर्मक्षयं नूनं करिष्यामि वने वसन् । भाग्ययोगात्कदाचित्तु भवेत्साधुसमागमः

evaṁ karmakṣayaṁ nūnaṁ kariṣyāmi vane vasan bhāgyayogātkadācittu bhavetsādhusamāgamaḥ

"Thus shall I surely bring about the destruction of my karma, dwelling in the forest; and perhaps by good fortune I may sometime meet with holy men."

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.7.12.49)

इति सञ्चिन्त्य मनसा त्यक्त्वा स्वनगरं नृपः । गङ्गातीरे गतः कामं शोचंस्तत्रैव संस्थितः

iti sañcintya manasā tyaktvā svanagaraṁ nṛpaḥ gaṅgātīre gataḥ kāmaṁ śocaṁstatraiva saṁsthitaḥ

Thinking thus in his mind, the king abandoned his own city and went to the bank of the Ganga, grieving, and remained there.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.7.12.50)

हरिश्चन्द्रस्तदा ज्ञात्वा पितुः शापस्य कारणम् । दुःखितः सचिवांस्तत्र प्रेषयामास पार्थिवः

hariścandrastadā jñātvā pituḥ śāpasya kāraṇam duḥkhitaḥ sacivāṁstatra preṣayāmāsa pārthivaḥ

Harishchandra, then learning the reason for his father's curse, sorrowfully, that king, sent ministers there.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.7.12.51)

सचिवास्तत्र गत्वाऽऽशु तमूचुः प्रश्रयान्विताः । प्रणम्य श्वपचाकारं निःश्वसन्तं मुहुर्मुहुः

sacivāstatra gatvā''śu tamūcuḥ praśrayānvitāḥ praṇamya śvapacākāraṁ niḥśvasantaṁ muhurmuhuḥ

The ministers, going there quickly, humbly bowed to him, who bore the form of an outcaste and sighed again and again, and spoke to him:

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.7.12.52)

राजन् पुत्रेण ते नूनं प्रेषितान्समुपागतान् । अवेहि सचिवांस्त्वं नो हरिश्चन्द्राज्ञया स्थितान्

rājan putreṇa te nūnaṁ preṣitānsamupāgatān avehi sacivāṁstvaṁ no hariścandrājñayā sthitān

"O king, know that we are ministers, indeed sent by your son and now arrived, present here by the command of Harishchandra."

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.7.12.53)

युवराजसुतः प्राह यत्तच्छृणु नराधिप । आनयध्वं नृपं यूयं सम्मान्य पितरं मम

yuvarājasutaḥ prāha yattacchṛṇu narādhipa ānayadhvaṁ nṛpaṁ yūyaṁ sammānya pitaraṁ mama

"Hear what your son, the crown prince, has said, O lord of men: 'Bring the king back with due honor, my father —'"

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.7.12.54)

तस्माद्राजन् समागच्छ राज्यं प्रति गतव्यथः । सेवां सर्वे करिष्यन्ति सचिवाश्च प्रजास्तथा

tasmādrājan samāgaccha rājyaṁ prati gatavyathaḥ sevāṁ sarve kariṣyanti sacivāśca prajāstathā

"'— therefore, O king, return to the kingdom, your distress now past; all your ministers and subjects shall serve you.'"

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.7.12.55)

गुरुं प्रसादयिष्यामः स यथा तु दयेत वै । प्रसन्नोऽसौ महातेजा दुःखस्यान्तं करिष्यति

guruṁ prasādayiṣyāmaḥ sa yathā tu dayeta vai prasanno'sau mahātejā duḥkhasyāntaṁ kariṣyati

"'We shall appease the preceptor, so that he may show mercy; that greatly radiant one, once pleased, will bring an end to your sorrow.'"

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.7.12.56)

इति पुत्रेण ते राजन् कथितं बहुधा किल । तस्माद् गमनमेवाशु रोचतां निजसद्मनि

iti putreṇa te rājan kathitaṁ bahudhā kila tasmād gamanamevāśu rocatāṁ nijasadmani

"This is what your son has said to you, O king, many times over; therefore let it please you now to return at once to your own home."

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.7.12.57)

व्यास उवाच । इति तेषां नृपः श्रुत्वा भाषितं श्वपचाकृतिः । स्वगृहं गमनायासौ न मतिं कृतवानतः

vyāsa uvāca iti teṣāṁ nṛpaḥ śrutvā bhāṣitaṁ śvapacākṛtiḥ svagṛhaṁ gamanāyāsau na matiṁ kṛtavānataḥ

Vyasa said: Hearing their words, that king, now of outcaste form, did not resolve to go to his own home for that reason.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.7.12.58)

तानुवाच तदा वाक्यं व्रजन्तु सचिवाः पुरम् । गत्वा पुरं महाभागा ब्रुवन्तु वचनाच्च मे

tānuvāca tadā vākyaṁ vrajantu sacivāḥ puram gatvā puraṁ mahābhāgā bruvantu vacanācca me

He spoke this word to them: "Let my ministers go back to the city; going there, O greatly fortunate ones, speak these words on my behalf —"

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.7.12.59)

नागमिष्याम्यहं पुत्र कुरु राज्यमतन्द्रितः । मानयन्ब्राह्मणान्देवान्यजन्यज्ञैरनेकशः

nāgamiṣyāmyahaṁ putra kuru rājyamatandritaḥ mānayanbrāhmaṇāndevānyajanyajñairanekaśaḥ

"'I shall not return, my son; rule the kingdom without slackening, honoring the Brahmins and the gods, performing many sacrifices.'"

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.7.12.60)

नाहं श्वपचवेषेण गर्हितेन महात्मभिः । आगमिष्याम्ययोध्यायां सर्वे गच्छन्तु मा चिरम्

nāhaṁ śvapacaveṣeṇa garhitena mahātmabhiḥ āgamiṣyāmyayodhyāyāṁ sarve gacchantu mā ciram

"'I shall not come to Ayodhya in this despised outcaste form, censured by the great souls. Let all of you go back without delay.'"

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.7.12.61)

पुत्रं सिंहासने स्थाप्य हरिश्चन्द्रं महाबलम् । कुर्वन्तु राज्यकर्माणि यूयं तत्र ममाज्ञया

putraṁ siṁhāsane sthāpya hariścandraṁ mahābalam kurvantu rājyakarmāṇi yūyaṁ tatra mamājñayā

"'Establish my son, the mighty Harishchandra, upon the throne; and you all, by my command, carry out the affairs of the kingdom there.'"

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.7.12.62)

इत्यादिष्टास्ततस्ते तु रुरुदुश्चातुरा भृशम् । सचिवा निर्ययुस्तूर्णं नत्वा तं च वनाश्रमात्

ityādiṣṭāstataste tu ruruduścāturā bhṛśam sacivā niryayustūrṇaṁ natvā taṁ ca vanāśramāt

Thus instructed, those ministers, greatly distressed, wept aloud, and, bowing to him, departed quickly from his forest hermitage.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.7.12.63)

अयोध्यायामुपागत्य पुण्येऽह्नि विधिपूर्वकम् । अभिषेकं तदा चक्रुर्हरिश्चन्द्रस्य मूर्ध्नि ते

ayodhyāyāmupāgatya puṇye'hni vidhipūrvakam abhiṣekaṁ tadā cakrurhariścandrasya mūrdhni te

Arriving at Ayodhya, on an auspicious day, they duly performed the consecration then upon the head of Harishchandra.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.7.12.64)

अभिषिक्तस्तु तेजस्वी सचिवैश्च नृपाज्ञया । राज्यं चकार धर्मिष्ठः पितरं चिन्तयन्भृशम्

abhiṣiktastu tejasvī sacivaiśca nṛpājñayā rājyaṁ cakāra dharmiṣṭhaḥ pitaraṁ cintayanbhṛśam

Consecrated by the ministers at the command of the king, that radiant, most righteous one ruled the kingdom, thinking constantly and deeply of his father.