The Wager Between Vasishtha and Vishvamitra

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.7.17.1)

व्यास उवाच । रुदन्तं बालकं वीक्ष्य विश्वामित्रो दयातुरः । शुनःशेपमुवाचेदं गत्वा पार्श्वेऽतिदुःखितम्

vyāsa uvāca rudantaṁ bālakaṁ vīkṣya viśvāmitro dayāturaḥ śunaḥśepamuvācedaṁ gatvā pārśve'tiduḥkhitam

Vyasa said: Seeing the weeping boy, Vishvamitra, overcome with compassion, went near to that greatly sorrowing Shunahshepa and said this to him —

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.7.17.2)

मन्त्रं प्रचेतसः पुत्र मयोक्तं मनसा स्मरन् । जपतस्तव कल्याणं भविष्यति ममाज्ञया

mantraṁ pracetasaḥ putra mayoktaṁ manasā smaran japatastava kalyāṇaṁ bhaviṣyati mamājñayā

O son, if you recall in your mind the mantra to Varuna that I have taught you, and recite it, then by my command your welfare shall come about.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.7.17.3)

विश्वामित्रवचः श्रुत्वा शुनःशेपः शुचाऽऽकुलः । मन्त्रं जजाप मनसा कौशिकोक्तं स्फुटाक्षरम्

viśvāmitravacaḥ śrutvā śunaḥśepaḥ śucā''kulaḥ mantraṁ jajāpa manasā kauśikoktaṁ sphuṭākṣaram

Hearing Vishvamitra's words, Shunahshepa, overwhelmed with grief, recited in his mind, in clear syllables, the mantra taught by Kaushika.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.7.17.4)

जपतस्तत्र तस्याशु प्रचेतास्तु कृपाकरः । प्रादुर्बभूव सहसा प्रसन्नो नृप बालके

japatastatra tasyāśu pracetāstu kṛpākaraḥ prādurbabhūva sahasā prasanno nṛpa bālake

As soon as he recited it, there swiftly appeared, O king, Prachetas (Varuna), the abode of grace, suddenly manifest, pleased, before the boy.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.7.17.5)

दृष्ट्वा तमागतं सर्वे विस्मयं परमं गताः । तुष्टुवुर्वरुणं देवं मुदिता दर्शनेन ते

dṛṣṭvā tamāgataṁ sarve vismayaṁ paramaṁ gatāḥ tuṣṭuvurvaruṇaṁ devaṁ muditā darśanena te

Beholding him arrived, everyone was struck with the greatest wonder; and, rejoicing at the sight of the god Varuna, they all began to praise him.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.7.17.6)

राजातिविस्मितः पादौ प्रणनाम रुजातुरः । बद्धाञ्जलिपुटो देवं तुष्टाव पुरतः स्थितम्

rājātivismitaḥ pādau praṇanāma rujāturaḥ baddhāñjalipuṭo devaṁ tuṣṭāva purataḥ sthitam

The king too, afflicted by his illness and filled with wonder, bowed at his feet; with joined palms he praised the god standing before him.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.7.17.7)

हरिश्चन्द्र उवाच । देवदेव कृपासिन्धो पापात्माहं सुमन्दधीः । कृतापराधः कृपणः पावितः परमेष्ठिना

hariścandra uvāca devadeva kṛpāsindho pāpātmāhaṁ sumandadhīḥ kṛtāparādhaḥ kṛpaṇaḥ pāvitaḥ parameṣṭhinā

Harishchandra said: O God of gods, O ocean of compassion! I am a sinner, dull of mind, an offender, and wretched, yet I have been purified by the Supreme Lord.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.7.17.8)

मया ते पुत्रकामेन दुःखसंस्थेन हेलनम् । कृतं क्षमाप्यं प्रभुणा कोऽपराधः सुदुर्मतेः

mayā te putrakāmena duḥkhasaṁsthena helanam kṛtaṁ kṣamāpyaṁ prabhuṇā ko'parādhaḥ sudurmateḥ

Desiring a son, sunk in sorrow, I showed you disrespect; may the Lord forgive it — for what real fault is there in a man of clouded mind?

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.7.17.9)

अर्थी दोषं न जानाति तस्मात्पुत्रार्थिना मया । वञ्चितस्त्वं देवदेव भीतेन नरकाद्विभो

arthī doṣaṁ na jānāti tasmātputrārthinā mayā vañcitastvaṁ devadeva bhītena narakādvibho

One who is desperate does not recognize his own fault; therefore, O God of gods, O Lord, desiring a son and afraid of hell, I deceived you.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.7.17.10)

अपुत्रस्य गतिर्नास्ति स्वर्गो नैव च नैव च । भीतोऽहं तेन वाक्येन तस्मात्ते हेलनं कृतम्

aputrasya gatirnāsti svargo naiva ca naiva ca bhīto'haṁ tena vākyena tasmātte helanaṁ kṛtam

For one without a son there is no refuge, nor is heaven ever attained — it was fear born of this very saying that made me disrespect you.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.7.17.11)

नाज्ञस्य दूषणं चिन्त्यं नूनं ज्ञानवता विभो । दुःखितोऽहं रुजाक्रान्तो वञ्चितः स्वसुतेन ह

nājñasya dūṣaṇaṁ cintyaṁ nūnaṁ jñānavatā vibho duḥkhito'haṁ rujākrānto vañcitaḥ svasutena ha

O Lord, surely the wise should not dwell on the fault of the ignorant; I am afflicted by illness, sorrowful, and deceived even by my own son.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.7.17.12)

न जानेऽहं महाराज पुत्रो मे क्व गतः प्रभो । वञ्चयित्वा वने भीतो मरणान्मां कृपानिधे

na jāne'haṁ mahārāja putro me kva gataḥ prabho vañcayitvā vane bhīto maraṇānmāṁ kṛpānidhe

O great king, O Lord, I do not know where my son has gone; O treasury of grace, out of fear of death he deceived me and fled into the forest.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.7.17.13)

प्रययौ द्रविणं दत्वा गृहीतो द्विजबालकः । यज्ञोऽयं क्रीतपुत्रेण प्रारब्धस्तव तुष्टये

prayayau draviṇaṁ datvā gṛhīto dvijabālakaḥ yajño'yaṁ krītaputreṇa prārabdhastava tuṣṭaye

Having given wealth and taken up a brahmin boy in his place, this sacrifice was begun with a purchased son, for your satisfaction.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.7.17.14)

दर्शनं तव सम्प्राप्य गतं दुःखं ममाद्भुतम् । जलोदरकृतं सर्वं प्रसन्ने त्वयि साम्प्रतम्

darśanaṁ tava samprāpya gataṁ duḥkhaṁ mamādbhutam jalodarakṛtaṁ sarvaṁ prasanne tvayi sāmpratam

Now, having obtained your sight, my wondrous suffering has departed; all the anguish caused by the dropsy is now ended, now that you are pleased.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.7.17.15)

व्यास उवाच । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा राज्ञो रोगातुरस्य च । दयावान्देवदेवेशः प्रत्युवाच नृपोत्तमम्

vyāsa uvāca iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā rājño rogāturasya ca dayāvāndevadeveśaḥ pratyuvāca nṛpottamam

Vyasa said: Hearing this speech of the disease-afflicted king, the compassionate Lord of gods replied to the best of kings.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.7.17.16)

वरुण उवाच । मुञ्च राजञ्छुनःशेपं स्तुवन्तं मां भृशातुरम् । यज्ञोऽयं परिपूर्णस्ते रोगमुक्तो भवात्मना

varuṇa uvāca muñca rājañchunaḥśepaṁ stuvantaṁ māṁ bhṛśāturam yajño'yaṁ paripūrṇaste rogamukto bhavātmanā

Varuna said: O king, release this Shunahshepa, who has praised me so fervently and so greatly; this sacrifice of yours is now complete — be free of your disease of your own accord.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.7.17.17)

इत्युक्त्वा वरुणस्तूर्णं राजानं विरुजं तथा । चकार पश्यतां तत्र सदस्यानां सुसंस्थितम्

ityuktvā varuṇastūrṇaṁ rājānaṁ virujaṁ tathā cakāra paśyatāṁ tatra sadasyānāṁ susaṁsthitam

So saying, Varuna at once, before the eyes of the assembled sages seated there, made the king free of disease and perfectly whole.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.7.17.18)

विमुक्तोऽसौ द्विजः पाशाद्वरुणेन महात्मना । जयशब्दस्ततस्तत्र सञ्जातो मखमण्डपे

vimukto'sau dvijaḥ pāśādvaruṇena mahātmanā jayaśabdastatastatra sañjāto makhamaṇḍape

That brahmin boy was released from his bonds by the great-souled Varuna; and then, in the sacrificial pavilion, cries of triumph rose up.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.7.17.19)

राजा प्रमुदितः सद्यो रोगान्मुक्तः सुदारुणात् । यूपान्मुक्तः शुनःशेपो बभूवातीव संस्थितः

rājā pramuditaḥ sadyo rogānmuktaḥ sudāruṇāt yūpānmuktaḥ śunaḥśepo babhūvātīva saṁsthitaḥ

The king, at once freed from that most terrible disease, was filled with great joy; Shunahshepa too, released from the sacrificial post, became perfectly well.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.7.17.20)

राजा त्विमं मखं पूर्णं चकार विनयान्वितः । शुनःशेपस्तदा सभ्यानित्युवाच कृताञ्जलिः

rājā tvimaṁ makhaṁ pūrṇaṁ cakāra vinayānvitaḥ śunaḥśepastadā sabhyānityuvāca kṛtāñjaliḥ

The king, filled with humility, then brought this sacrifice to completion; then Shunahshepa, with joined palms, said this to the assembly —

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.7.17.21)

भो भोः सभ्या सुधर्मज्ञाः ब्रुवन्तु धर्मनिर्णयम् । वेदशास्त्रानुसारेण यथार्थवादिनः किल

bho bhoḥ sabhyā sudharmajñāḥ bruvantu dharmanirṇayam vedaśāstrānusāreṇa yathārthavādinaḥ kila

O members of the assembly, well-versed in righteousness, speak the truth in accordance with the Veda and the scriptures, and pronounce a judgment on this matter of dharma.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.7.17.22)

पुत्रोऽहं कस्य सर्वज्ञाः पिता के कोऽग्रतः परम् । भवतां वचनात्तस्य शरणं प्रव्रजाम्यहम्

putro'haṁ kasya sarvajñāḥ pitā ke ko'grataḥ param bhavatāṁ vacanāttasya śaraṇaṁ pravrajāmyaham

O all-knowing ones, whose son am I? Who is my father — and beyond that, whose am I? By your very word I shall take refuge in whoever it is I truly belong to.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.7.17.23)

इत्युक्ते वचने तत्र सभ्याः प्रोचुः परस्परम् । सभ्या ऊचूः । अजीगर्तस्य पुत्रोऽयं कस्यान्यस्य भवेदसौ

ityukte vacane tatra sabhyāḥ procuḥ parasparam sabhyā ūcūḥ ajīgartasya putro'yaṁ kasyānyasya bhavedasau

When this was said, the members of the assembly began discussing among themselves. The assembly said: This is Ajigarta's son — whose else could he be?

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.7.17.24)

अङ्गादङ्गात्समुद्भूतः पालितस्तेन भक्तितः । अन्यस्य कस्य पुत्रोऽसौ प्रभवेदिति निश्चयः

aṅgādaṅgātsamudbhūtaḥ pālitastena bhaktitaḥ anyasya kasya putro'sau prabhavediti niścayaḥ

Born of his very limbs, and reared by him with devotion — how indeed could he be the son of anyone else? This is the settled conclusion.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.7.17.25)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वामदेवस्तु तानुवाच सभासदः । विक्रीतस्तेन तातेन द्रव्यलोभात्सुतः किल

tacchrutvā vāmadevastu tānuvāca sabhāsadaḥ vikrītastena tātena dravyalobhātsutaḥ kila

Hearing this, Vamadeva said to the assembled members: But it was that very father who, out of greed for wealth, sold this son.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.7.17.26)

पुत्रोऽयं धनदातुश्च राज्ञस्तत्र न संशयः । अथवा वरुणस्यैष पाशान्मुक्तोऽस्त्यनेन वै

putro'yaṁ dhanadātuśca rājñastatra na saṁśayaḥ athavā varuṇasyaiṣa pāśānmukto'styanena vai

There is no doubt that he is now the son of the king who gave the wealth — or else, since he was freed from Varuna's bond by his own act, he is Varuna's son.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.7.17.27)

अन्नदाता भयत्राता तथा विद्याप्रदश्च यः । तथा वित्तप्रदश्चैव पञ्चैते पितरः स्मृताः

annadātā bhayatrātā tathā vidyāpradaśca yaḥ tathā vittapradaścaiva pañcaite pitaraḥ smṛtāḥ

One who gives food, one who protects from fear, one who imparts knowledge, and one who gives wealth — together with the natural father, these five are called 'fathers.'

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.7.17.28)

तदा केचित्पितुः प्राहुः केचिद्राज्ञस्तथापरे । वरुणस्येति संवादे निर्णयं न ययुश्च ते

tadā kecitpituḥ prāhuḥ kecidrājñastathāpare varuṇasyeti saṁvāde nirṇayaṁ na yayuśca te

Then some said he belonged to the natural father, some to the king, and yet others to Varuna — in this dispute they could not arrive at any final decision.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.7.17.29)

इत्थं सन्देहमापन्ने वसिष्ठो वाक्यमब्रवीत् । सभ्यान्विवदतस्तत्र सर्वज्ञः सर्वपूजितः

itthaṁ sandehamāpanne vasiṣṭho vākyamabravīt sabhyānvivadatastatra sarvajñaḥ sarvapūjitaḥ

When they had thus fallen into doubt, amid the members disputing there, the all-knowing and universally honored Vasishtha spoke these words.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.7.17.30)

शृणुध्वं भो महाभागा निर्णयं श्रुतिसम्मतम् । निःस्नेहेन यदा पित्रा विक्रीतोऽयं सुतः शिशुः

śṛṇudhvaṁ bho mahābhāgā nirṇayaṁ śrutisammatam niḥsnehena yadā pitrā vikrīto'yaṁ sutaḥ śiśuḥ

He said: O fortunate ones, hear the judgment I give, in accord with the scripture — when this infant son was sold by his father without any affection,

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.7.17.31)

सम्बन्धस्तु गतस्तस्य तदैव धनसङ्ग्रहात् । हरिश्चन्द्रस्य सञ्जातः पुत्रोऽसौ क्रीत एव च

sambandhastu gatastasya tadaiva dhanasaṅgrahāt hariścandrasya sañjātaḥ putro'sau krīta eva ca

the bond with that father was severed then and there, because through that very transaction of wealth he became Harishchandra's son — a son purchased outright.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.7.17.32)

यूपे बद्धो यदा राज्ञा तदा तस्य न वै सुतः । वरुणस्तु स्तुतोऽनेन तेन तुष्टेन मोचितः

yūpe baddho yadā rājñā tadā tasya na vai sutaḥ varuṇastu stuto'nena tena tuṣṭena mocitaḥ

And when the king bound him to the sacrificial post, from that moment he ceased to be even the king's son; then, praised by this boy himself, Varuna, being pleased, released him.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.7.17.33)

तस्मान्नायं महाभागा ह्यसौ पुत्रः प्रचेतसः । यो यं स्तौति महामन्त्रैः सोऽपि तुष्टो ददाति च

tasmānnāyaṁ mahābhāgā hyasau putraḥ pracetasaḥ yo yaṁ stauti mahāmantraiḥ so'pi tuṣṭo dadāti ca

Therefore, O fortunate ones, he does not truly belong even to Varuna, as if a son; for whoever praises another with great mantras, that other too, being pleased, grants in return —

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.7.17.34)

धनं प्राणान्पशून् राज्यं तथा मोक्षं किलेप्सितम् । कौशिकस्य सुतश्चायमरिष्टे येन रक्षितः

dhanaṁ prāṇānpaśūn rājyaṁ tathā mokṣaṁ kilepsitam kauśikasya sutaścāyamariṣṭe yena rakṣitaḥ

wealth, life, cattle, kingdom, and even the liberation one desires. This boy is truly the son of Kaushika (Vishvamitra), who protected him in his danger,

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.7.17.35)

मन्त्रं दत्त्वा महावीर्यं वरुणस्यातिसङ्कटे । व्यास उवाच । श्रुत्वा वाक्यं वसिष्ठस्य बाढमूचुः सभासदः

mantraṁ dattvā mahāvīryaṁ varuṇasyātisaṅkaṭe vyāsa uvāca śrutvā vākyaṁ vasiṣṭhasya bāḍhamūcuḥ sabhāsadaḥ

by giving him, in that most dire peril before Varuna, a mantra of the greatest power. Vyasa said: Hearing this speech of Vasishtha, the assembled members said, 'Well said, indeed,'

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.7.17.36)

विश्वामित्रस्तु जग्राह तं करे दक्षिणे तदा । एहि पुत्र गृहं मे त्वमित्युक्त्वा प्रेमपूरितः

viśvāmitrastu jagrāha taṁ kare dakṣiṇe tadā ehi putra gṛhaṁ me tvamityuktvā premapūritaḥ

and then Vishvamitra, filled with love, took him by his right hand and said: Come, my son, come to my home.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.7.17.37)

शुनःशेपो जगामाशु तेनैव सह सत्वरः । वरुणस्तु प्रसन्नात्मा जगाम च स्वमालयम्

śunaḥśepo jagāmāśu tenaiva saha satvaraḥ varuṇastu prasannātmā jagāma ca svamālayam

Shunahshepa at once went away with him swiftly; and Varuna too, his heart content, departed to his own abode.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.7.17.38)

ऋत्विजश्च तथा सभ्याः स्वगृहान्निर्ययुस्तदा । राजापि रोगनिर्मुक्तो बभूवातिमुदान्वितः

ṛtvijaśca tathā sabhyāḥ svagṛhānniryayustadā rājāpi roganirmukto babhūvātimudānvitaḥ

Then the officiating priests and the members of the assembly too went off to their own homes; the king too, freed of his disease, became exceedingly joyful,

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.7.17.39)

प्रजास्तु पालयामास सुप्रसन्नेन चेतसा । रोहिताख्यस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा वृत्तान्तं वरुणस्य ह

prajāstu pālayāmāsa suprasannena cetasā rohitākhyastu tacchrutvā vṛttāntaṁ varuṇasya ha

and with a heart most content began to rule and protect his subjects. Meanwhile, the son named Rohita, hearing this whole account of Varuna,

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.7.17.40)

आजगाम गृहं प्रीतो दुर्गमाद्वनपर्वतात् । दूता राजानमभ्येत्य प्रोचुः पुत्रं समागतम्

ājagāma gṛhaṁ prīto durgamādvanaparvatāt dūtā rājānamabhyetya procuḥ putraṁ samāgatam

returned home rejoicing from the impassable forest and mountain; messengers went to the king and told him that his son had arrived.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.7.17.41)

मुदितोऽसौ जगामाशु सम्मुखः कोसलाधिपः । दृष्ट्वा पितरमायान्तं प्रेमोद्रिक्तः सुसम्भ्रमः

mudito'sau jagāmāśu sammukhaḥ kosalādhipaḥ dṛṣṭvā pitaramāyāntaṁ premodriktaḥ susambhramaḥ

The lord of Kosala (Harishchandra), rejoicing, went at once to meet him; and seeing his father approaching, the son, overwhelmed with love and greatly agitated,

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.7.17.42)

दण्डवत्पतितो भूमावश्रुपूर्णमुखः शुचा । राजापि तं समुत्थाप्य परिरभ्य मुदान्वितः

daṇḍavatpatito bhūmāvaśrupūrṇamukhaḥ śucā rājāpi taṁ samutthāpya parirabhya mudānvitaḥ

fell prostrate on the ground like a rod, his face streaming with tears of sorrow. The king too raised him up and, filled with joy, embraced him,

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.7.17.43)

तमाघ्राय सुतं मूर्ध्नि पप्रच्छ कुशलं पुनः । उत्सङ्गे तं समारोप्य मुदितो मेदिनीपतिः

tamāghrāya sutaṁ mūrdhni papraccha kuśalaṁ punaḥ utsaṅge taṁ samāropya mudito medinīpatiḥ

and, smelling the top of his son's head, again asked after his welfare; setting him in his own lap, the joyful king

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.7.17.44)

उष्णैर्नेत्रजलैः शीर्षण्यभिषेकमथाकरोत् । राज्यं शशास तेनासौ पुत्रेणातिप्रियेण च

uṣṇairnetrajalaiḥ śīrṣaṇyabhiṣekamathākarot rājyaṁ śaśāsa tenāsau putreṇātipriyeṇa ca

seemed to consecrate his head with his own hot tears; and with that most dear son beside him, he governed the kingdom.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.7.17.45)

वृत्तान्तं नरमेधस्य कथयामास विस्तरात् । राजसूयं क्रतुवरं चकार नृपसत्तमः

vṛttāntaṁ naramedhasya kathayāmāsa vistarāt rājasūyaṁ kratuvaraṁ cakāra nṛpasattamaḥ

He recounted in full detail the whole story of the human sacrifice; and that best of kings then performed the excellent rite called the Rajasuya.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.7.17.46)

वसिष्ठं पूजयित्वाथ होतारमकरोद्विभुः । समाप्ते त्वथ यज्ञेशे वसिष्ठोऽतीव पूजितः

vasiṣṭhaṁ pūjayitvātha hotāramakarodvibhuḥ samāpte tvatha yajñeśe vasiṣṭho'tīva pūjitaḥ

That mighty king honored Vasishtha and appointed him as the officiating hotr priest; and when that king of sacrifices was concluded, Vasishtha was honored most greatly.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.7.17.47)

शक्रस्य सदनं रम्यं जगाम मुनिरादरात् । विश्वामित्रोऽपि तत्रैव वसिष्ठेन च सङ्गतः

śakrasya sadanaṁ ramyaṁ jagāma munirādarāt viśvāmitro'pi tatraiva vasiṣṭhena ca saṅgataḥ

That sage went with reverence to the delightful abode of Indra; and there Vishvamitra too happened to meet Vasishtha.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.7.17.48)

मिलित्वा तौ स्थितौ देवसदने मुनिसत्तम । विश्वामित्रोऽपि पप्रच्छ वसिष्ठं प्रतिपूजितम्

militvā tau sthitau devasadane munisattama viśvāmitro'pi papraccha vasiṣṭhaṁ pratipūjitam

The two of them, O best of sages, stood together in the divine assembly; then Vishvamitra too asked Vasishtha, who was held in such great honor,

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.7.17.49)

वीक्ष्य विस्मयचित्तस्तं सभायां तु शचीपतेः । विश्वामित्र उवाच । क्वेयं पूजा त्वया प्राप्ता महती मुनिसत्तम

vīkṣya vismayacittastaṁ sabhāyāṁ tu śacīpateḥ viśvāmitra uvāca kveyaṁ pūjā tvayā prāptā mahatī munisattama

seeing him so honored in Indra's assembly, his mind filled with wonder. Vishvamitra said: O best of sages, whence have you obtained this so great an honor?

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.7.17.50)

कृता केन महाभाग सत्यं ब्रूहि ममान्तिके । वसिष्ठ उवाच । यजमानोऽस्ति मे राजा हरिश्चन्द्रः प्रतापवान्

kṛtā kena mahābhāga satyaṁ brūhi mamāntike vasiṣṭha uvāca yajamāno'sti me rājā hariścandraḥ pratāpavān

O fortunate one, by whom has it been done — tell me the truth here before me. Vasishtha said: My patron is King Harishchandra, a man of the greatest majesty,

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.7.17.51)

राजसूयः कृतस्तेन राज्ञा प्रवरदक्षिणः । नेदृशोऽस्ति नृपश्चान्यः सत्यवादी धृतव्रतः

rājasūyaḥ kṛtastena rājñā pravaradakṣiṇaḥ nedṛśo'sti nṛpaścānyaḥ satyavādī dhṛtavrataḥ

and it is that very king who has performed the Rajasuya sacrifice with its most excellent gifts. There is no other king so truthful and so firm in his vows as he,

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.7.17.52)

दाता च धर्मशीलश्च प्रजारञ्जनतत्परः । तस्य यज्ञे मया पूजा प्राप्ता कौशिकनन्दन

dātā ca dharmaśīlaśca prajārañjanatatparaḥ tasya yajñe mayā pūjā prāptā kauśikanandana

so generous, so righteous of conduct, and so devoted to the delight of his subjects. O son of Kushika, it is at his sacrifice that I have received this very honor.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.7.17.53)

[ किं पृच्छसि पुनः सत्यं ब्रवीम्यकृत्रिमं द्विज ] हरिश्चन्द्रसमो राजा न भूतो न भविष्यति । सत्यवादी तथा दाता शूरः परमधार्मिकः

[ kiṁ pṛcchasi punaḥ satyaṁ bravīmyakṛtrimaṁ dvija ] hariścandrasamo rājā na bhūto na bhaviṣyati satyavādī tathā dātā śūraḥ paramadhārmikaḥ

[Why do you keep asking me again and again? O brahmin, I tell you the plain truth, without any pretense.] There has never been, nor will there ever be, a king equal to Harishchandra — truthful, generous, valiant, and supremely righteous.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.7.17.54)

व्यास उवाच । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा विश्वामित्रोऽतिकोपनः । बभूव क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनोऽप्यब्रवीच्च तम्

vyāsa uvāca iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā viśvāmitro'tikopanaḥ babhūva krodhasaṁraktalocano'pyabravīcca tam

Vyasa said: Hearing this speech of his, Vishvamitra grew exceedingly angry; his eyes reddened with wrath, and he said to him —

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.7.17.55)

विश्वामित्र उवाच । एवं स्तौषि नृपं मिथ्यावादिनं कपटप्रियम् । वञ्चितो वरुणो येन प्रतिश्रुत्य वरं पुनः

viśvāmitra uvāca evaṁ stauṣi nṛpaṁ mithyāvādinaṁ kapaṭapriyam vañcito varuṇo yena pratiśrutya varaṁ punaḥ

Vishvamitra said: So this is how you praise a false-speaking king who delights in deceit — one who cheated even Varuna, after promising him a boon!

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.7.17.56)

मम जन्मार्जितं पुण्यं तपसः पठितस्य च । त्वदीयं वातितपसो ग्लहं कुरु महामते

mama janmārjitaṁ puṇyaṁ tapasaḥ paṭhitasya ca tvadīyaṁ vātitapaso glahaṁ kuru mahāmate

I stake the merit I have earned since my birth, and the fruit of my studied austerities, O great-minded one; you too, stake the fruit of your austerities.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.7.17.57)

अहं चेत्तं नृपं सद्यो न करोम्यतिसंस्तुतम् । असत्यवादिनं काममदातारं महाखलम्

ahaṁ cettaṁ nṛpaṁ sadyo na karomyatisaṁstutam asatyavādinaṁ kāmamadātāraṁ mahākhalam

If I do not, this very moment, make that king — so extravagantly praised, that false speaker, that miser, that supreme wretch —

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.7.17.58)

आजन्मसञ्चितं सर्वं पुण्यं मम विनश्यतु । अन्यथा त्वत्कृतं सर्वं पुण्यं त्विति पणावहे

ājanmasañcitaṁ sarvaṁ puṇyaṁ mama vinaśyatu anyathā tvatkṛtaṁ sarvaṁ puṇyaṁ tviti paṇāvahe

prove himself so (a liar and a miser), then let all the merit I have accumulated since birth be destroyed; but if I do, then all your merit, O Vasishtha — on these terms, let the two of us make our wager.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.7.17.59)

ग्लहं कृत्वा ततस्तौ तु विवदन्तौ मुनी तदा । स्वाश्रमं स्वर्गलोकाच्च गतौ परमकोपनौ

glahaṁ kṛtvā tatastau tu vivadantau munī tadā svāśramaṁ svargalokācca gatau paramakopanau

Having thus made their wager, the two sages, still disputing, in the greatest wrath, departed from the heavenly world, each to his own hermitage.