Harishchandra Afflicted with Dropsy

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.7.15.1)

व्यास उवाच । प्रवृत्ते सदने तस्य राज्ञः पुत्रमहोत्सवे । आजगाम तदा पाशी विप्रवेषधरः शुभः

vyāsa uvāca pravṛtte sadane tasya rājñaḥ putramahotsave ājagāma tadā pāśī vipraveṣadharaḥ śubhaḥ

Vyasa said: While that great festival for the king's son was underway in the palace, the noose-bearing god, auspicious, wearing the guise of a Brahmin, arrived there.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.7.15.2)

स्वस्तीत्युक्त्वा नृपं प्राह वरुणोऽहं निशामय । पुत्रो जातस्तवाधीश यजानेन नृपाशु माम्

svastītyuktvā nṛpaṁ prāha varuṇo'haṁ niśāmaya putro jātastavādhīśa yajānena nṛpāśu mām

Having said "All hail," he said to the king: "I am Varuna, listen. A son has been born to you, O lord; worship me now, quickly, O king, with him."

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.7.15.3)

सत्यं कुरु वचो राजन् यत्प्रोक्तं भवतः पुरा । वन्ध्यत्वं तु गतं तेऽद्य वरदानेन मे किल

satyaṁ kuru vaco rājan yatproktaṁ bhavataḥ purā vandhyatvaṁ tu gataṁ te'dya varadānena me kila

"Make true, O king, the word you spoke earlier; your sterility, indeed, has departed today through my granting of the boon."

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.7.15.4)

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा राजा चिन्तां चकार ह । कथं हन्मि सुतं जातं जलजेन समाननम्

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā rājā cintāṁ cakāra ha kathaṁ hanmi sutaṁ jātaṁ jalajena samānanam

Hearing his words, the king fell into deep thought: "How can I slay this son, just born, whose face resembles a lotus?"

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.7.15.5)

लोकपालः समायातो विप्रवेषेण वीर्यवान् । न देवहेलनं कार्यं सर्वथा शुभमिच्छता

lokapālaḥ samāyāto vipraveṣeṇa vīryavān na devahelanaṁ kāryaṁ sarvathā śubhamicchatā

"This mighty guardian of the world has come in the guise of a Brahmin; one who desires good must by no means offend a god."

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.7.15.6)

पुत्रस्नेहः सुदुश्छेद्यः सर्वथा प्राणिभिः सदा । किं करोमि कथं मे स्यात्सुखं सन्ततिसम्भवम्

putrasnehaḥ suduśchedyaḥ sarvathā prāṇibhiḥ sadā kiṁ karomi kathaṁ me syātsukhaṁ santatisambhavam

"A father's love for his son is exceedingly hard to sever for any living being, always. What shall I do? How can my happiness born of offspring come about?"

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.7.15.7)

धैर्यमालम्ब्य भूपालस्तं नत्वा प्रतिपूज्य च । उवाच वचनं श्लक्ष्णं युक्तं विनयपूर्वकम्

dhairyamālambya bhūpālastaṁ natvā pratipūjya ca uvāca vacanaṁ ślakṣṇaṁ yuktaṁ vinayapūrvakam

Summoning his courage, the king, bowing to him and duly honoring him, spoke gentle, fitting words with humility.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.7.15.8)

राजोवाच - देवदेव तवानुज्ञां करोमि करुणानिधे । वेदोक्तेन विधानेन मखं च बहुदक्षिणम्

rājovāca - devadeva tavānujñāṁ karomi karuṇānidhe vedoktena vidhānena makhaṁ ca bahudakṣiṇam

The king said: "O god of gods, O treasury of compassion, I shall obey your command — a sacrifice, with abundant sacrificial fees, according to the rite prescribed in the Vedas —"

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.7.15.9)

पुत्रे जाते दशाहेन कर्मयोग्यो भवेत्पिता । मासेन शुध्येज्जननी दम्पती तत्र कारणम्

putre jāte daśāhena karmayogyo bhavetpitā māsena śudhyejjananī dampatī tatra kāraṇam

"— but when a son is born, it is only after ten days that the father becomes fit for sacred rites; the mother is purified only after a month — such is the accepted rule for the couple."

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.7.15.10)

सर्वज्ञोऽसि प्रचेतस्त्वं धर्मं जानासि शाश्वतम् । कृपां कुरु त्वं वारीश क्षमस्व परमेश्वर

sarvajño'si pracetastvaṁ dharmaṁ jānāsi śāśvatam kṛpāṁ kuru tvaṁ vārīśa kṣamasva parameśvara

"You are all-knowing, O Prachetas, Varuna; you know the eternal dharma. Show me compassion, O lord of the waters; forgive me, O supreme lord."

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.7.15.11)

व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्तस्तु प्रचेतास्तं प्रत्युवाच जनाधिपम् । स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि कुरु कार्याणि पार्थिव

vyāsa uvāca ityuktastu pracetāstaṁ pratyuvāca janādhipam svasti te'stu gamiṣyāmi kuru kāryāṇi pārthiva

Vyasa said: Thus addressed, Prachetas replied to that lord of men: "May all be well with you; I shall go now. Attend to your duties, O king."

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.7.15.12)

आगमिष्यामि मासान्ते यष्टव्यं सर्वथा त्वया । कृत्वौत्थानिकमाचारं पुत्रस्य नृपसत्तम

āgamiṣyāmi māsānte yaṣṭavyaṁ sarvathā tvayā kṛtvautthānikamācāraṁ putrasya nṛpasattama

"I shall come again at the end of the month; you must by all means perform the sacrifice then, O best of kings, once you have completed the rising-up postnatal rite for your son."

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.7.15.13)

इत्युक्त्वा श्लक्ष्णया वाचा राजानं यादसां पतिः । हरिश्चन्द्रो मुदं प्राप गते पाशिनि पार्थिवः

ityuktvā ślakṣṇayā vācā rājānaṁ yādasāṁ patiḥ hariścandro mudaṁ prāpa gate pāśini pārthivaḥ

Having said this to the king in a gentle voice, the lord of the waters departed; and Harishchandra, that king, felt joy when the noose-bearing god had gone.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.7.15.14)

कोटिशः प्रददौ गास्ता घटोध्नीर्हेमपूरिताः । विप्रेभ्यो वेदविद्भ्यश्च तथैव तिलपर्वतान्

koṭiśaḥ pradadau gāstā ghaṭodhnīrhemapūritāḥ viprebhyo vedavidbhyaśca tathaiva tilaparvatān

He gave millions of cows yielding pot-loads of milk, and vessels filled with gold, to Brahmins learned in the Vedas, and likewise mountains of sesame.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.7.15.15)

राजा पुत्रमुखं दृष्ट्वा सुखमाप महत्तरम् । नामास्य रोहितश्चेति चकार विधिपूर्वकम्

rājā putramukhaṁ dṛṣṭvā sukhamāpa mahattaram nāmāsya rohitaśceti cakāra vidhipūrvakam

The king, gazing upon his son's face, felt the greatest happiness; he duly gave him the name Rohita.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.7.15.16)

पूर्णे मासे ततः पाशी विप्रवेषेण भूपतेः । आजगाम गृहे सद्यो यजस्वेति ब्रुवन्मुहुः

pūrṇe māse tataḥ pāśī vipraveṣeṇa bhūpateḥ ājagāma gṛhe sadyo yajasveti bruvanmuhuḥ

When the month was complete, the noose-bearing god, in the guise of a Brahmin, came at once to the king's house, saying repeatedly, "Sacrifice now."

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.7.15.17)

वीक्ष्य तं नृपतिर्देवं निमग्नः शोकसागरे । प्रणिपत्य कृतातिथ्यं तमुवाच कृताञ्जलिः

vīkṣya taṁ nṛpatirdevaṁ nimagnaḥ śokasāgare praṇipatya kṛtātithyaṁ tamuvāca kṛtāñjaliḥ

Seeing that god, the king, though sunk in an ocean of sorrow, bowed low, offered him hospitality, and spoke to him with folded hands:

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.7.15.18)

दिष्ट्या देव त्वमायातो गृहं मे पावितं प्रभो । मखं करोमि वारीश विधिवद्वाञ्छितं तव

diṣṭyā deva tvamāyāto gṛhaṁ me pāvitaṁ prabho makhaṁ karomi vārīśa vidhivadvāñchitaṁ tava

"By good fortune, O god, you have come; my home is sanctified, O lord. I shall perform the sacrifice, O lord of the waters, duly, as is your wish."

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.7.15.19)

अदन्तो न पशुः श्लाघ्य इत्याहुर्वेदवादिनः । तस्माद्दन्तोद्भवे तेऽहं करिष्यामि महामखम्

adanto na paśuḥ ślāghya ityāhurvedavādinaḥ tasmāddantodbhave te'haṁ kariṣyāmi mahāmakham

"'An animal without teeth is not fit to be praised as a sacrificial victim' — so say the expounders of the Vedas; therefore, once his teeth have come, I shall perform the great sacrifice for you."

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.7.15.20)

व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्तस्तेन वरुणस्तथेत्युक्त्वा ययावथ । हरिश्चन्द्रो मुदं प्राप्य विजहार गृहाश्रमे

vyāsa uvāca ityuktastena varuṇastathetyuktvā yayāvatha hariścandro mudaṁ prāpya vijahāra gṛhāśrame

Vyasa said: Thus addressed by him, Varuna, saying "So be it," departed; and Harishchandra, having found relief, took his ease in his household.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.7.15.21)

पुनर्दन्तोद्भवं ज्ञात्वा प्रचेता द्विजरूपवान् । आजगाम गृहे तस्य कुरु कार्यमिति ब्रुवन्

punardantodbhavaṁ jñātvā pracetā dvijarūpavān ājagāma gṛhe tasya kuru kāryamiti bruvan

Learning that the teeth had again come in, Prachetas, in the form of a Brahmin, came again to his house, saying, "Perform the deed now."

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.7.15.22)

भूपालोऽपि जलाधीशं वीक्ष्य प्राप्तं द्विजाकृतिम् । प्रणम्यासनसम्मानैः पूजयामास सादरम्

bhūpālo'pi jalādhīśaṁ vīkṣya prāptaṁ dvijākṛtim praṇamyāsanasammānaiḥ pūjayāmāsa sādaram

The king too, seeing the lord of the waters arrived in the form of a Brahmin, bowed to him and honored him with respect, with a seat and other marks of esteem.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.7.15.23)

स्तुत्वा प्रोवाच वचनं विनयानतकन्धरः । करोमि विधिवत्कामं मखं प्रबलदक्षिणम्

stutvā provāca vacanaṁ vinayānatakandharaḥ karomi vidhivatkāmaṁ makhaṁ prabaladakṣiṇam

Having praised him, and with his neck bowed in humility, he said: "I shall indeed duly perform the sacrifice, with abundant sacrificial fees."

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.7.15.24)

बालोऽप्यकृतचौलोऽयं गर्भकेशो न सम्मतः । यज्ञार्थे पशुकरणे मया वृद्धमुखाच्छ्रुतम्

bālo'pyakṛtacaulo'yaṁ garbhakeśo na sammataḥ yajñārthe paśukaraṇe mayā vṛddhamukhācchrutam

"But this child has not yet had his tonsure ceremony; a child still bearing his birth-hair is not deemed fit to be made a sacrificial victim — I have heard this from the mouths of elders."

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.7.15.25)

तावत्क्षमस्व वारीश विधिं जानासि शाश्वतम् । कर्तव्यः सर्वथा यज्ञो मुण्डनान्ते शिशोः किल

tāvatkṣamasva vārīśa vidhiṁ jānāsi śāśvatam kartavyaḥ sarvathā yajño muṇḍanānte śiśoḥ kila

"Therefore, be patient until then, O lord of the waters; you know the eternal rule — the sacrifice must by all means be performed only after the child's tonsure."

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.7.15.26)

तस्येति वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रचेताः प्राह तं पुनः । प्रतारयसि मां राजन् पुनः पुनरिदं ब्रुवन्

tasyeti vacanaṁ śrutvā pracetāḥ prāha taṁ punaḥ pratārayasi māṁ rājan punaḥ punaridaṁ bruvan

Hearing these words of his, Prachetas said to him again: "You are deceiving me, O king, saying this again and again."

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.7.15.27)

अपि ते सर्वसामग्री वर्तते नृपतेऽधुना । पुत्रस्नेहनिबद्धस्त्वं वञ्चयस्येव साम्प्रतम्

api te sarvasāmagrī vartate nṛpate'dhunā putrasnehanibaddhastvaṁ vañcayasyeva sāmpratam

"Do you have all the necessary materials now, O king? Bound by love for your son, you seem now to be deceiving me."

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.7.15.28)

क्षौरकर्मविधिं कृत्वा न कर्तासि मखं यदि । तदाहं दारुणं शापं दास्ये कोपसमन्वितः

kṣaurakarmavidhiṁ kṛtvā na kartāsi makhaṁ yadi tadāhaṁ dāruṇaṁ śāpaṁ dāsye kopasamanvitaḥ

"If, having performed the tonsure rite, you still do not perform the sacrifice, then I, filled with anger, shall pronounce a terrible curse upon you."

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.7.15.29)

अद्य गच्छामि राजेन्द्र वचनात्तव मानद । न मृषा वचनं कार्यं त्वयेक्ष्वाकुकुलोद्भव

adya gacchāmi rājendra vacanāttava mānada na mṛṣā vacanaṁ kāryaṁ tvayekṣvākukulodbhava

"I depart today, O lord of kings, O honorable one, upon your word; but your word must not be made false, O one born of the Ikshvaku lineage."

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.7.15.30)

इत्याभाष्य ययावाशु प्रचेता नृपतेर्गृहात् । राजा परमसन्तुष्टो ननन्द भवने तदा

ityābhāṣya yayāvāśu pracetā nṛpatergṛhāt rājā paramasantuṣṭo nananda bhavane tadā

Having said this, Prachetas departed quickly from the king's house; and the king, greatly satisfied, rejoiced then in his palace.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.7.15.31)

चूडाकरणकाले तु प्रवृत्ते परमोत्सवे । सम्प्राप्तस्तरसा पाशी भवनं नृपतेः पुनः

cūḍākaraṇakāle tu pravṛtte paramotsave samprāptastarasā pāśī bhavanaṁ nṛpateḥ punaḥ

When the time for the tonsure ceremony had come, that great festival underway, the noose-bearing god swiftly arrived once more at the king's palace.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.7.15.32)

यदाङ्के सुतमादाय राज्ञी नृपतिसन्निधौ । उपविष्टा क्रियाकाले तदैव वरुणोऽभ्यगात्

yadāṅke sutamādāya rājñī nṛpatisannidhau upaviṣṭā kriyākāle tadaiva varuṇo'bhyagāt

Just when the queen, holding her son upon her lap, was seated near the king at the time of the ceremony, Varuna arrived at that very moment,

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.7.15.33)

कुरु कर्मेति विस्पष्टं वचनं कथयन्नृपम् । विप्ररूपधरः श्रीमान् प्रत्यक्ष इव पावकः

kuru karmeti vispaṣṭaṁ vacanaṁ kathayannṛpam viprarūpadharaḥ śrīmān pratyakṣa iva pāvakaḥ

— saying clearly to the king, "Perform the deed now," that illustrious one, wearing the form of a Brahmin, like fire made visible.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.7.15.34)

नृपतिस्त्वं समालोक्य बभूवातीव विह्वलः । नमश्चकार तं भीत्या कृताञ्जलिपुटः पुरः

nṛpatistvaṁ samālokya babhūvātīva vihvalaḥ namaścakāra taṁ bhītyā kṛtāñjalipuṭaḥ puraḥ

The king, beholding him, became utterly overwhelmed; in fear, he bowed to him, standing before him with folded hands.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.7.15.35)

विधिवत्पूजयित्वा तं राजोवाच विनीतवान् । स्वामिन् कार्यं करोम्यद्य मखस्य विधिपूर्वकम्

vidhivatpūjayitvā taṁ rājovāca vinītavān svāmin kāryaṁ karomyadya makhasya vidhipūrvakam

Having duly honored him, the king said humbly: "O lord, I shall indeed today perform the duty of the sacrifice according to rite —"

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.7.15.36)

वक्तव्यमस्ति तत्रापि शृणुष्वैकमना विभो । युक्तं चेन्मन्यसे स्वामिंस्तद् ब्रवीमि तवाग्रतः

vaktavyamasti tatrāpi śṛṇuṣvaikamanā vibho yuktaṁ cenmanyase svāmiṁstad bravīmi tavāgrataḥ

"— but even so, there is something I must say; hear it with an undivided mind, O mighty one. If you think it fitting, O lord, I shall speak it before you."

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.7.15.37)

ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यस्त्रयो वर्णा द्विजातयः । संस्कृताश्चान्यथा शूद्रा एवं वेदविदो विदुः

brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyo vaiśyastrayo varṇā dvijātayaḥ saṁskṛtāścānyathā śūdrā evaṁ vedavido viduḥ

"The Brahmin, Kshatriya, and Vaishya — these three classes are the twice-born, once duly consecrated; otherwise, they are like Shudras — thus the knowers of the Veda declare."

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.7.15.38)

तस्मादयं सुतो मेऽद्य शुद्रवद्वर्तते शिशुः । उपनीतः क्रियार्हः स्यादिति वेदेषु निर्णयः

tasmādayaṁ suto me'dya śudravadvartate śiśuḥ upanītaḥ kriyārhaḥ syāditi vedeṣu nirṇayaḥ

"Therefore this son of mine, this child, remains today like a Shudra; it is only once invested with the sacred thread that he becomes fit for sacred rites — this is the determination in the Vedas."

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.7.15.39)

राज्ञामेकादशे वर्षे सदोपनयनं स्मृतम् । अष्टमे ब्राह्मणानां च वैश्यानां द्वादशे किल

rājñāmekādaśe varṣe sadopanayanaṁ smṛtam aṣṭame brāhmaṇānāṁ ca vaiśyānāṁ dvādaśe kila

"For kings, investiture is prescribed always in the eleventh year; for Brahmins, in the eighth year; and for Vaishyas, indeed, in the twelfth."

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.7.15.40)

दयसे यदि देवेश दीनं मां सेवकं तव । तदोपनीय कर्तास्मि पशुना यज्ञमुत्तमम्

dayase yadi deveśa dīnaṁ māṁ sevakaṁ tava tadopanīya kartāsmi paśunā yajñamuttamam

"If you have compassion, O lord of gods, on me, your humble servant, then, once he is invested, I shall perform the excellent sacrifice with him as the victim."

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.7.15.41)

लोकपालोऽसि धर्मज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद । मन्यसे मद्वचः सत्यं तद् गच्छ भवनं विभो

lokapālo'si dharmajña sarvaśāstraviśārada manyase madvacaḥ satyaṁ tad gaccha bhavanaṁ vibho

"You are the guardian of the world, O knower of dharma, skilled in all the scriptures; if you accept my words as true, then go now to your own abode, O mighty one."

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.7.15.42)

व्यास उवाच । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा दयावान् यादसां पतिः । ओमित्युक्त्वा ययावाशु प्रसन्नवदनो नृपः

vyāsa uvāca iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā dayāvān yādasāṁ patiḥ omityuktvā yayāvāśu prasannavadano nṛpaḥ

Vyasa said: Hearing his words, the compassionate lord of the waters, saying "So be it," departed at once, and the king's face was set at ease.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.7.15.43)

गतेऽथ वरुणो राजा बभूवातिमुदान्वितः । सुखं प्राप्य सुतस्यैवं राजा मुदमवाप ह

gate'tha varuṇo rājā babhūvātimudānvitaḥ sukhaṁ prāpya sutasyaivaṁ rājā mudamavāpa ha

When Varuna had gone, the king became exceedingly joyful; having thus found happiness for his son's sake, the king felt great delight.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.7.15.44)

चकार राजकार्याणि हरिश्चन्द्रस्तदा नृपः । कालेन व्रजता पुत्रो बभूव दशवार्षिकः

cakāra rājakāryāṇi hariścandrastadā nṛpaḥ kālena vrajatā putro babhūva daśavārṣikaḥ

King Harishchandra then attended to the affairs of state; and as time passed, his son turned ten years old.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.7.15.45)

तस्योपवीतसामग्रीं विभूतिसदृशीं नृपः । चकार ब्राह्मणैः शिष्टैरन्वितः सचिवैस्तथा

tasyopavītasāmagrīṁ vibhūtisadṛśīṁ nṛpaḥ cakāra brāhmaṇaiḥ śiṣṭairanvitaḥ sacivaistathā

The king, accompanied by learned Brahmins and by his ministers as well, had the materials for his son's sacred-thread investiture prepared, magnificent as an offering of splendor.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.7.15.46)

एकादशे सुतास्याब्दे व्रतबन्धविधौ नृपः । विदधे विधिवत्कार्यं चित्ते चिन्तातुरः पुनः

ekādaśe sutāsyābde vratabandhavidhau nṛpaḥ vidadhe vidhivatkāryaṁ citte cintāturaḥ punaḥ

In the eleventh year of his son, at the ceremony of the vow-binding investiture, the king duly performed the rite, though again troubled with anxiety in his heart.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.7.15.47)

वर्तमाने तथा कार्ये उपनीते कुमारके । आजगामाथ वरुणो विप्रवेषधरस्तदा

vartamāne tathā kārye upanīte kumārake ājagāmātha varuṇo vipraveṣadharastadā

While that rite was under way, and the boy had just been invested, Varuna then arrived, wearing the guise of a Brahmin.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.7.15.48)

तं वीक्ष्य नृपतिस्तूर्णं प्रणम्य पुरतः स्थितः । कृताञ्जलिपुटः प्रीतः प्रत्युवाच सुरोत्तमम्

taṁ vīkṣya nṛpatistūrṇaṁ praṇamya purataḥ sthitaḥ kṛtāñjalipuṭaḥ prītaḥ pratyuvāca surottamam

Seeing him, the king quickly bowed and stood before him; with folded hands, and with affection, he replied to that best of gods:

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.7.15.49)

देव दत्तोपवीतोऽयं पशुयोग्योऽस्ति मे सुतः । प्रसादात्तव मे शोको गतो वन्ध्यापवादजः

deva dattopavīto'yaṁ paśuyogyo'sti me sutaḥ prasādāttava me śoko gato vandhyāpavādajaḥ

"O god, this son of mine, now given the sacred thread, is fit to be the sacrificial victim; by your grace, my sorrow born of the reproach of sterility has departed."

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.7.15.50)

कर्तुमिच्छाम्यहं यज्ञं प्रभूतवरदक्षिणम् । समये शृणु धर्मज्ञ सत्यमद्य ब्रवीम्यहम्

kartumicchāmyahaṁ yajñaṁ prabhūtavaradakṣiṇam samaye śṛṇu dharmajña satyamadya bravīmyaham

"I wish to perform the sacrifice with abundant excellent sacrificial fees. Hear me at the right time, O knower of dharma; I speak the truth today —"

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.7.15.51)

समावर्तनकर्मान्ते करिष्यामि तवेप्सितम् । ममोपरि दयां कृत्वा तावत्त्वं क्षन्तुमर्हसि

samāvartanakarmānte kariṣyāmi tavepsitam mamopari dayāṁ kṛtvā tāvattvaṁ kṣantumarhasi

"— only after the concluding rite of the Samavartana, the ceremony of return from studenthood, shall I accomplish your desire. Showing compassion upon me, you should be patient until then."

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.7.15.52)

वरुण उवाच । प्रतारयसि मां राजन् पुत्रप्रेमाकुलो भृशम् । मुहुर्मुहुर्मतिं कृत्वा युक्तियुक्तां महामते

varuṇa uvāca pratārayasi māṁ rājan putrapremākulo bhṛśam muhurmuhurmatiṁ kṛtvā yuktiyuktāṁ mahāmate

Varuna said: "You deceive me, O king, greatly troubled by love for your son, again and again devising some reasonable-sounding pretext, O great-minded one."

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.7.15.53)

गच्छाम्यद्य महाराज वचसा तव नोदितः । आगमिष्यामि समये समावर्तनकर्मणि

gacchāmyadya mahārāja vacasā tava noditaḥ āgamiṣyāmi samaye samāvartanakarmaṇi

"I depart today, O great king, urged on by your word; I shall come again at the proper time, at the ceremony of the Samavartana."

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.7.15.54)

इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ पाशी तपापृच्छ्य विशाम्पते । राजा प्रमुदितः कार्यं चकार च यथोत्तरम्

ityuktvā prayayau pāśī tapāpṛcchya viśāmpate rājā pramuditaḥ kāryaṁ cakāra ca yathottaram

Having said this, the noose-bearing god departed, taking leave, O lord of subjects; and the king, greatly pleased, continued to perform his duties as before.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.7.15.55)

आगतं वरुणं दृष्ट्वा कुमारोऽतिविचक्षणः । यज्ञस्य समयं ज्ञात्वा तदा चिन्तातुरोऽभवत्

āgataṁ varuṇaṁ dṛṣṭvā kumāro'tivicakṣaṇaḥ yajñasya samayaṁ jñātvā tadā cintāturo'bhavat

Seeing Varuna's repeated arrivals, and understanding the purpose of the sacrifice, that exceedingly discerning boy became filled with anxiety.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.7.15.56)

शोकस्य कारणं राज्ञः पर्यपृच्छदितस्ततः । ज्ञात्वात्मवधमायुष्मन् गमनाय मतिं दधौ

śokasya kāraṇaṁ rājñaḥ paryapṛcchaditastataḥ jñātvātmavadhamāyuṣman gamanāya matiṁ dadhau

He inquired from various sources the cause of the king's sorrow; and, learning that it concerned his own intended slaying, O long-lived one, he resolved to flee.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.7.15.57)

निश्चयं परमं कृत्वा सम्मन्त्र्य सचिवात्मजैः । प्रययौ नगरात्तस्मान्निर्गत्य वनमप्यसौ

niścayaṁ paramaṁ kṛtvā sammantrya sacivātmajaiḥ prayayau nagarāttasmānnirgatya vanamapyasau

Having made his firm resolve, and having taken counsel with the sons of the ministers, he departed from that city, going forth into the forest.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.7.15.58)

गते पुत्रे नृपः कामं दुःखितोऽभूद् भृशं तदा । प्रेरयामास दूतान्स्वांस्तस्यान्वेषणकाम्यया

gate putre nṛpaḥ kāmaṁ duḥkhito'bhūd bhṛśaṁ tadā prerayāmāsa dūtānsvāṁstasyānveṣaṇakāmyayā

When his son had gone, the king became greatly and deeply distressed; he sent forth his own messengers with the desire to search for him.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.7.15.59)

एवं गतेऽथ कालेऽसौ वरुणस्तद्गृहं गतः । राजानं शोकसन्तप्तं कुरु यज्ञमिति ब्रुवन्

evaṁ gate'tha kāle'sau varuṇastadgṛhaṁ gataḥ rājānaṁ śokasantaptaṁ kuru yajñamiti bruvan

Thus, when the time had come, Varuna went to that house, and said to the king, tormented with sorrow: "Perform the sacrifice."

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.7.15.60)

राजा प्रणम्य तं प्राह देवदेव करोमि किम् । न जाने क्वापि पुत्रो मे गतस्त्वद्य भयाकुलः

rājā praṇamya taṁ prāha devadeva karomi kim na jāne kvāpi putro me gatastvadya bhayākulaḥ

The king bowed to him and said: "O god of gods, what shall I do? I do not know where my son has gone, fleeing today in fear."

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.7.15.61)

सर्वत्र गिरिदुर्गेषु मुनीनामाश्रमेषु च । अन्वेषितो मे दूतैस्तु न प्राप्तो यादसाम्पते

sarvatra giridurgeṣu munīnāmāśrameṣu ca anveṣito me dūtaistu na prāpto yādasāmpate

"He has been searched for by my messengers everywhere — in mountain strongholds, and in the hermitages of sages — but he has not been found, O lord of the waters."

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.7.15.62)

आज्ञापय महाराज किं करोमि गते सुते । न मे दोषोऽत्र सर्वज्ञ भाग्यदोषस्तु सर्वथा

ājñāpaya mahārāja kiṁ karomi gate sute na me doṣo'tra sarvajña bhāgyadoṣastu sarvathā

"Command me, O great king — what shall I do, my son having fled? There is no fault of mine in this, O all-knowing one; it is entirely the fault of fate."

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.7.15.63)

व्यास उवाच । इति भूपवचः श्रुत्वा प्रचेताः कुपितो भृशम् । शशाप च नृपं क्रोधाद्वञ्चितस्तु पुनः पुनः

vyāsa uvāca iti bhūpavacaḥ śrutvā pracetāḥ kupito bhṛśam śaśāpa ca nṛpaṁ krodhādvañcitastu punaḥ punaḥ

Vyasa said: Hearing the king's words, Prachetas grew greatly furious, and, having been deceived again and again, cursed the king in his anger:

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.7.15.64)

नृपतेऽहं त्वया यस्माद्वचसा च प्रवञ्चितः । तस्माज्जलोदरो व्याधिस्त्वां तुदत्वतिदारुणः

nṛpate'haṁ tvayā yasmādvacasā ca pravañcitaḥ tasmājjalodaro vyādhistvāṁ tudatvatidāruṇaḥ

"O king, since I have been deceived by you and your words, therefore may the disease of dropsy, most terrible, afflict you."

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.7.15.65)

व्यास उवाच । इति शप्तो महीपालः कुपितेन प्रचेतसा । पीडितोऽभूत्तदा राजा व्याधिना दुःखदेन तु

vyāsa uvāca iti śapto mahīpālaḥ kupitena pracetasā pīḍito'bhūttadā rājā vyādhinā duḥkhadena tu

Vyasa said: Thus cursed by the angry Prachetas, the king was then afflicted by that sorrow-bringing disease.

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.7.15.66)

एवं शप्त्वा नृपं पाशी जगाम निजमास्पदम् । राजा प्राप्य महाव्याधिं बभूवातीव दुःखितः

evaṁ śaptvā nṛpaṁ pāśī jagāma nijamāspadam rājā prāpya mahāvyādhiṁ babhūvātīva duḥkhitaḥ

Having thus cursed the king, the noose-bearing god went to his own abode; and the king, afflicted with that great disease, became exceedingly sorrowful.