By the Chandala's Command, Harishchandra Takes Up the Sword

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.7.25.1)

सूत उवाच । एकदा तु गतो रन्तुं बालकैः सहितो बहिः । वाराणस्या नातिदूरे रोहिताख्यः कुमारकः

sūta uvāca ekadā tu gato rantuṁ bālakaiḥ sahito bahiḥ vārāṇasyā nātidūre rohitākhyaḥ kumārakaḥ

Suta said: Once that young prince named Rohita went out with other boys to play, not far from Varanasi.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.7.25.2)

क्रीडां कृत्वा ततो दर्भान् ग्रहीतुमुपचक्रमे । कोमलानल्पमूलांश्च साग्राञ्छक्त्यनुसारतः

krīḍāṁ kṛtvā tato darbhān grahītumupacakrame komalānalpamūlāṁśca sāgrāñchaktyanusārataḥ

After playing, he began to gather, to the best of his strength, tender darbha grass with thick roots and its tips intact.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.7.25.3)

आर्यप्रीत्यर्थमित्युक्त्वा हस्तयुग्मेन यत्नतः । सलक्षणाश्च समिधो बर्हिरिध्मं सलक्षणम्

āryaprītyarthamityuktvā hastayugmena yatnataḥ salakṣaṇāśca samidho barhiridhmaṁ salakṣaṇam

Saying, 'This is for the pleasure of my noble father,' with both hands and great care he gathered auspicious sacrificial sticks, kusha grass, and fitting fuel-wood as well,

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.7.25.4)

पलाशकाष्ठान्यादाय त्वग्निहोमार्थमादरात् । मस्तके भारकं कृत्वा खिद्यमानः पदे पदे

palāśakāṣṭhānyādāya tvagnihomārthamādarāt mastake bhārakaṁ kṛtvā khidyamānaḥ pade pade

and reverently took also branches of the palasha tree for the fire-oblation; placing them upon his head as a burden, growing weary at every step,

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.7.25.5)

उदकस्थानमासाद्य तदा बालस्तृषान्वितः । भुवि भारं विनिक्षिप्य जलस्थाने तदा शिशुः

udakasthānamāsādya tadā bālastṛṣānvitaḥ bhuvi bhāraṁ vinikṣipya jalasthāne tadā śiśuḥ

the thirsty boy then reached a place of water, and, setting his burden down upon the ground, there beside that pool —

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.7.25.6)

कामतः सलिलं पीत्वा विश्रम्य च मुहूर्तकम् । वल्मीकोपरि विन्यस्तभारो हर्तुं प्रचक्रमे

kāmataḥ salilaṁ pītvā viśramya ca muhūrtakam valmīkopari vinyastabhāro hartuṁ pracakrame

having drunk water to his heart's content and rested a moment, that child set his burden down upon an anthill and began to lift it once more.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.7.25.7)

विश्वामित्राज्ञया तावत्कृष्णसर्पो भयावहः । महाविषो महाघोरो वल्मीकान्निर्गतस्तदा

viśvāmitrājñayā tāvatkṛṣṇasarpo bhayāvahaḥ mahāviṣo mahāghoro valmīkānnirgatastadā

Just then, by Vishvamitra's own decree, a most terrifying black serpent, of the deadliest venom, most dreadful, emerged from that anthill.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.7.25.8)

तेनासौ बालको दष्टस्तदैव च पपात ह । रोहिताख्यं मृतं दृष्ट्वा ययुर्बाला द्विजालयम्

tenāsau bālako daṣṭastadaiva ca papāta ha rohitākhyaṁ mṛtaṁ dṛṣṭvā yayurbālā dvijālayam

In that same instant the boy was bitten by it and fell there at once; and, seeing Rohita dead, his companions ran to the brahmin's house.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.7.25.9)

त्वरिता भयसंविग्नाः प्रोचुस्तन्मातुरग्रतः । हे विप्रदासि ते पुत्रः क्रीडां कर्तुं बहिर्गतः

tvaritā bhayasaṁvignāḥ procustanmāturagrataḥ he vipradāsi te putraḥ krīḍāṁ kartuṁ bahirgataḥ

Frightened and hurried, they said before his mother: O slave-woman of the brahmin, your son had gone outside to play,

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.7.25.10)

अस्माभिः सहितस्तत्र सर्पदष्टो मृतस्ततः । इति सा तद्वचः श्रुत्वा वज्रपातोपमं तदा

asmābhiḥ sahitastatra sarpadaṣṭo mṛtastataḥ iti sā tadvacaḥ śrutvā vajrapātopamaṁ tadā

he was with us there, and just then a serpent bit him, and he died. Hearing these words, as though struck by a thunderbolt at that very moment,

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.7.25.11)

पपात मूर्च्छिता भूमौ छिन्नेव कदली यथा । अथ तां ब्राह्मणो रुष्टः पानीयेनाभ्यषिञ्चत

papāta mūrcchitā bhūmau chinneva kadalī yathā atha tāṁ brāhmaṇo ruṣṭaḥ pānīyenābhyaṣiñcata

she fell upon the ground in a swoon, like a plantain tree cut down; then that brahmin, filled with anger, sprinkled water upon her.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.7.25.12)

मुहूर्ताच्चेतनां प्राप्ता ब्राह्मणस्तामथाब्रवीत् । ब्राह्मण उवाच । अलक्ष्मीकारकं निन्द्यं जानती त्वं निशामुखे

muhūrtāccetanāṁ prāptā brāhmaṇastāmathābravīt brāhmaṇa uvāca alakṣmīkārakaṁ nindyaṁ jānatī tvaṁ niśāmukhe

After a moment, when she had regained her senses, that brahmin said to her. The brahmin said: You know full well this to be an ill-omened, blameworthy thing, at this dead hour of night,

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.7.25.13)

रोदनं कुरुषे दुष्टे लज्जा ते हृदये न किम् । ब्राह्मणेनैवमुक्ता सा न किञ्चिद्वाक्यमब्रवीत्

rodanaṁ kuruṣe duṣṭe lajjā te hṛdaye na kim brāhmaṇenaivamuktā sā na kiñcidvākyamabravīt

and yet, O wicked one, you weep — have you no shame at all in your heart? When the brahmin had said this to her, she said nothing at all in reply,

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.7.25.14)

रुरोद करुणं दीना पुत्रशोकेन पीडिता । अश्रुपूर्णमुखी दीना धूसरा मुक्तमूर्धजा

ruroda karuṇaṁ dīnā putraśokena pīḍitā aśrupūrṇamukhī dīnā dhūsarā muktamūrdhajā

but, afflicted by grief for her son, wretched, began to weep most piteously; her face streaming with tears, wretched, dust-grey, and her hair undone.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.7.25.15)

अथ तां कुपितो विप्रो राजपत्नीमभाषत । धिक्त्वां दुष्टे क्रयं गृह्य मम कार्यं विलुम्पसि

atha tāṁ kupito vipro rājapatnīmabhāṣata dhiktvāṁ duṣṭe krayaṁ gṛhya mama kāryaṁ vilumpasi

Then the angry brahmin said to that royal wife: Shame upon you, wicked woman — having been bought for a price, you now disrupt my work.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.7.25.16)

अशक्ता चेत्कथं तर्हि गृहीतं मम तद्धनम् । एवं निर्भर्त्सिता तेन क्रूरवाक्यैः पुनः पुनः

aśaktā cetkathaṁ tarhi gṛhītaṁ mama taddhanam evaṁ nirbhartsitā tena krūravākyaiḥ punaḥ punaḥ

If you were unable to perform this duty, then why was that wealth of mine ever accepted? Thus rebuked again and again with such harsh words,

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.7.25.17)

रुदिता कारणं प्राह विप्रं गद्गदया गिरा । स्वामिन् मम सुतो बालः सर्पदष्टो मृतो बहिः

ruditā kāraṇaṁ prāha vipraṁ gadgadayā girā svāmin mama suto bālaḥ sarpadaṣṭo mṛto bahiḥ

weeping, in a voice choked with grief, she told the brahmin the reason: O lord, my child, my son, has died outside from a serpent's bite.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.7.25.18)

अनुज्ञां मे प्रयच्छस्व द्रष्टुं यास्यामि बालकम् । दुर्लभं दर्शनं तेन सञ्जातं मम सुव्रत

anujñāṁ me prayacchasva draṣṭuṁ yāsyāmi bālakam durlabhaṁ darśanaṁ tena sañjātaṁ mama suvrata

Grant me leave — I wish to go and see my child; O keeper of good vows, his very sight has now become impossible for me to obtain again.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.7.25.19)

इत्युक्त्वा करुणं बाला पुनरेव रुरोद ह । पुनस्तां कुपितो विप्रो राजपत्नीमभाषत

ityuktvā karuṇaṁ bālā punareva ruroda ha punastāṁ kupito vipro rājapatnīmabhāṣata

So saying, that young woman once more wept most piteously. Then the angry brahmin spoke again to that royal wife —

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.7.25.20)

ब्राह्मण उवाच । शठे दुष्टसमाचारे किं न जानासि पातकम् । यः स्वामिवेतनं गृह्य तस्य कार्यं विलुम्पति

brāhmaṇa uvāca śaṭhe duṣṭasamācāre kiṁ na jānāsi pātakam yaḥ svāmivetanaṁ gṛhya tasya kāryaṁ vilumpati

The brahmin said: O foolish one, of wicked conduct, do you not know this sin — that whoever takes wages from a master and yet disrupts that master's work,

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.7.25.21)

नरके पच्यते सोऽथ महारौरवपूर्वके । उषित्वा नरके कल्पं ततोऽसौ कुक्कुटो भवेत्

narake pacyate so'tha mahārauravapūrvake uṣitvā narake kalpaṁ tato'sau kukkuṭo bhavet

is cooked in the hells beginning with Maharaurava, and, after passing an entire cosmic age in hell, is born again as a rooster.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.7.25.22)

किमनेनाथवा कार्यं धर्मसङ्कीर्तनेन मे । यस्तु पापरतो मूर्खः क्रूरो नीचोऽनृतः शठः

kimanenāthavā kāryaṁ dharmasaṅkīrtanena me yastu pāparato mūrkhaḥ krūro nīco'nṛtaḥ śaṭhaḥ

But what use is it for me to lecture on dharma to one such as you? For whoever is sunk in sin, foolish, cruel, base, false-speaking, and wicked,

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.7.25.23)

तद्वाक्यं निष्फलं तस्मिन्भवेद् बीजमिवोषरे । एहि ते विद्यते किञ्चित्परलोकभयं यदि

tadvākyaṁ niṣphalaṁ tasminbhaved bījamivoṣare ehi te vidyate kiñcitparalokabhayaṁ yadi

for him this speech is as fruitless as a seed sown in barren soil. Come now, if you have even the slightest fear of the world beyond.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.7.25.24)

एवमुक्ताथ सा विप्रं वेपमानाब्रवीद्वचः । कारुण्यं कुरु मे नाथ प्रसीद सुमुखो भव

evamuktātha sā vipraṁ vepamānābravīdvacaḥ kāruṇyaṁ kuru me nātha prasīda sumukho bhava

When this was said, she, trembling, spoke this word to the brahmin: O lord, show compassion upon me, be gracious, be merciful,

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.7.25.25)

प्रस्थापय मुहूर्तं मां यावद् द्रक्ष्यामि बालकम् । एवमुक्त्वाथ सा मूर्ध्ना निपत्य द्विजपादयोः

prasthāpaya muhūrtaṁ māṁ yāvad drakṣyāmi bālakam evamuktvātha sā mūrdhnā nipatya dvijapādayoḥ

send me forth for just one moment, until I may see my child. So saying, that young woman placed her head at that brahmin's feet,

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.7.25.26)

रुरोद करुणं बाला पुत्रशोकेन पीडिता । अथाह कुपितो विप्रः क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनः

ruroda karuṇaṁ bālā putraśokena pīḍitā athāha kupito vipraḥ krodhasaṁraktalocanaḥ

and began to weep most piteously, tormented by grief for her son. Then that brahmin, his eyes reddened with anger, said —

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.7.25.27)

विप्र उवाच । किं ते पुत्रेण मे कार्यं गृहकर्म कुरुष्व मे । किं न जानासि मे क्रोधं कशाघातफलप्रदम्

vipra uvāca kiṁ te putreṇa me kāryaṁ gṛhakarma kuruṣva me kiṁ na jānāsi me krodhaṁ kaśāghātaphalapradam

The brahmin said: What business have you with your son now? Go and do my household work; do you not know that my anger bears the fruit of the lash?

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.7.25.28)

एवमुक्ता स्थिता धैर्याद् गृहकर्म चकार ह । अर्धरात्रो गतस्तस्याः पादाभ्यङ्गादिकर्मणा

evamuktā sthitā dhairyād gṛhakarma cakāra ha ardharātro gatastasyāḥ pādābhyaṅgādikarmaṇā

When this was said, she remained there with forced patience and performed the household work; in massaging his feet and such tasks, half the night passed away.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.7.25.29)

ब्राह्मणेनाथ सा प्रोक्ता पुत्रपार्श्वं व्रजाधुना । तस्य दाहादिकं कृत्वा पुनरागच्छ सत्वरम्

brāhmaṇenātha sā proktā putrapārśvaṁ vrajādhunā tasya dāhādikaṁ kṛtvā punarāgaccha satvaram

Then that brahmin said to her: Now go to your son's side; having performed the cremation and the like, return again at once,

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.7.25.30)

न लुप्येत यथा प्रातर्गृहकर्म ममेति च । ततस्त्वेकाकिनी रात्रौ विलपन्ती जगाम ह

na lupyeta yathā prātargṛhakarma mameti ca tatastvekākinī rātrau vilapantī jagāma ha

so that my household work is not neglected in the morning. Thereupon she set out there alone, in the night, weeping as she went.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.7.25.31)

दृष्ट्वा मृतं निजं पुत्रं भृशं शोकेन पीडिता । यूथभ्रष्टा कुरङ्गीव विवत्सा सौरभी यथा

dṛṣṭvā mṛtaṁ nijaṁ putraṁ bhṛśaṁ śokena pīḍitā yūthabhraṣṭā kuraṅgīva vivatsā saurabhī yathā

Seeing her dead son, overwhelmed with the deepest grief, like a doe strayed from her herd, or a cow parted from her calf —

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.7.25.32)

वाराणस्या बहिर्गत्वा क्षणाद् दृष्ट्वा निजं सुतम् । शयानं रङ्कवद्भूमौ काष्ठदर्भतृणोपरि

vārāṇasyā bahirgatvā kṣaṇād dṛṣṭvā nijaṁ sutam śayānaṁ raṅkavadbhūmau kāṣṭhadarbhatṛṇopari

going outside Varanasi, in an instant beholding her own son lying upon the earth, on wood and darbha grass and straw, like a pauper's child,

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.7.25.33)

विललापातिदुःखार्ता शब्दं कृत्वा सुनिष्ठुरम् । एहि मे सम्मुखं कस्माद्रोषितोऽसि वदाधुना

vilalāpātiduḥkhārtā śabdaṁ kṛtvā suniṣṭhuram ehi me sammukhaṁ kasmādroṣito'si vadādhunā

she, overwhelmed with the greatest sorrow, began to lament in a most piercing voice — Come before me, why are you so angry with me, tell me now.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.7.25.34)

आयास्यभिमुखो नित्यमम्बेत्युक्त्वा पुनः पुनः । गत्वा स्खलत्पदा तस्य पपातोपरि मूर्छिता

āyāsyabhimukho nityamambetyuktvā punaḥ punaḥ gatvā skhalatpadā tasya papātopari mūrchitā

Crying, 'Mother, mother,' you would always come running toward me — thus speaking again and again, she went to him with faltering steps and fell in a swoon upon his body.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.7.25.35)

पुनः सा चेतनां प्राप्य दोर्भ्यामालिङ्ग्य बालकम् । तन्मुखे वदनं न्यस्य रुरोदार्तस्वनैस्तदा

punaḥ sā cetanāṁ prāpya dorbhyāmāliṅgya bālakam tanmukhe vadanaṁ nyasya rurodārtasvanaistadā

Then, regaining her senses, embracing that boy with both her arms, pressing her face against his, she began to weep with cries of the deepest anguish.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.7.25.36)

कराभ्यां ताडनं चक्रे मस्तकस्योदरस्य च । हा बाल हा शिशो वत्स हा कुमारक सुन्दर

karābhyāṁ tāḍanaṁ cakre mastakasyodarasya ca hā bāla hā śiśo vatsa hā kumāraka sundara

With her own hands she began to strike her head and her chest — Alas, my boy! Alas, my child! O dear one! Alas, my beautiful young prince!

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.7.25.37)

हा राजन् क्व गतोऽसि त्वं पश्येमं बालकं निजम् । प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयांसं भूतले पतितं मृतम्

hā rājan kva gato'si tvaṁ paśyemaṁ bālakaṁ nijam prāṇebhyo'pi garīyāṁsaṁ bhūtale patitaṁ mṛtam

Alas, O king, where have you gone? Look upon this, your own child, dearer to you than your very life, fallen dead upon this earth.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.7.25.38)

तथापश्यन्मुखं तस्य भूयो जीवितशङ्कया । निर्जीववदनं ज्ञात्वा मूर्छिता निपपात ह

tathāpaśyanmukhaṁ tasya bhūyo jīvitaśaṅkayā nirjīvavadanaṁ jñātvā mūrchitā nipapāta ha

Still she kept gazing upon his face, in the faint hope that he yet lived; but knowing his face to be lifeless, she fell down once more in a swoon.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.7.25.39)

हस्तेन वदनं गृह्य पुनरेवमभाषत । शयनं त्यज हे बाल शीघ्रं जागृहि भीषणम्

hastena vadanaṁ gṛhya punarevamabhāṣata śayanaṁ tyaja he bāla śīghraṁ jāgṛhi bhīṣaṇam

Taking his face in her hand, she spoke again in this way: O child, abandon this sleep of yours, wake at once — this place is dreadful.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.7.25.40)

निशार्धं वर्धते चेदं शिवाशतनिनादितम् । भूतप्रेतपिशाचादिडाकिनीयूथनादितम्

niśārdhaṁ vardhate cedaṁ śivāśatanināditam bhūtapretapiśācādiḍākinīyūthanāditam

The midnight hour is now growing deeper, resounding with the howls of a hundred jackals, filled with the cries of the throngs of bhutas, pretas, pishachas, and dakinis.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.7.25.41)

मित्राणि ते गतान्यस्तात्त्वमेकस्तु कुतः स्थितः । सूत उवाच । एवमुक्त्वा पुनस्तन्वी करुणं प्ररुरोद ह

mitrāṇi te gatānyastāttvamekastu kutaḥ sthitaḥ sūta uvāca evamuktvā punastanvī karuṇaṁ praruroda ha

O dear one, all your friends have gone away — why do you alone remain here? Suta said: So saying, that frail woman began once more to weep most piteously.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.7.25.42)

हा शिशो बाल हा वत्स रोहिताख्य कुमारक । रे पुत्र प्रतिशब्दं मे कस्मात्त्वं न प्रयच्छसि

hā śiśo bāla hā vatsa rohitākhya kumāraka re putra pratiśabdaṁ me kasmāttvaṁ na prayacchasi

Alas, my child! Alas, my boy! Alas, dear one! O prince Rohita! O son, why do you not answer me?

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.7.25.43)

तवाहं जननी वत्स किं न जानासि पश्य माम् । देशत्यागाद्राज्यनाशात्पुत्र भर्त्रा स्वविक्रयात्

tavāhaṁ jananī vatsa kiṁ na jānāsi paśya mām deśatyāgādrājyanāśātputra bhartrā svavikrayāt

O dear one, I am your own mother — do you not know me? Look at me: by exile from my land, by the loss of my kingdom, O son, by my husband's own selling of me,

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.7.25.44)

यद्दासीत्वाच्च जीवामि त्वां दृष्ट्वा पुत्र केवलम् । ते जन्मसमये विप्रैरादिष्टं यत्त्वनागतम्

yaddāsītvācca jīvāmi tvāṁ dṛṣṭvā putra kevalam te janmasamaye viprairādiṣṭaṁ yattvanāgatam

and by servitude too — it is only by the sight of you that I have gone on living, O son. And all that the brahmins foretold at the time of your birth has now come to nothing —

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.7.25.45)

दीर्घायुः पृथिवीराजः पुत्रपौत्रसमन्वितः । शौर्यदानरतिः सत्त्वो गुरुदेवद्विजार्चकः

dīrghāyuḥ pṛthivīrājaḥ putrapautrasamanvitaḥ śauryadānaratiḥ sattvo gurudevadvijārcakaḥ

that you would be long-lived, a king of the earth, blessed with sons and grandsons, devoted to valor and generosity, of true nobility, a worshipper of your guru, of the gods, and of brahmins.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.7.25.46)

मातापित्रोस्तु प्रियकृत्सत्यवादी जितेन्द्रियः । इत्यादि सकलं जातमसत्यमधुना सुत

mātāpitrostu priyakṛtsatyavādī jitendriyaḥ ityādi sakalaṁ jātamasatyamadhunā suta

That you would be devoted to your mother and father, truthful, and master of your senses — O son, all of this has now proved false.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.7.25.47)

चक्रमत्स्यावातपत्रश्रीवत्सस्वस्तिकध्वजाः । तव पाणितले पुत्र कलशश्चामरं तथा

cakramatsyāvātapatraśrīvatsasvastikadhvajāḥ tava pāṇitale putra kalaśaścāmaraṁ tathā

The marks of the discus, the fish, the parasol, the shrivatsa, and the svastika, O son, were upon your palm, and the marks of the vessel and the fly-whisk too,

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.7.25.48)

लक्षणानि तथान्यानि त्वद्धस्ते यानि सन्ति च । तानि सर्वाणि मोघानि सञ्जातान्यधुना सुत

lakṣaṇāni tathānyāni tvaddhaste yāni santi ca tāni sarvāṇi moghāni sañjātānyadhunā suta

and whatever other auspicious marks were upon your hand — O son, all of them have now proved in vain.

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.7.25.49)

हा राजन्पृथिवीनाथ क्व ते राज्यं क्व मन्त्रिणः । क्व ते सिंहासनं छत्रं क्व ते खड्गः क्व तद्धनम्

hā rājanpṛthivīnātha kva te rājyaṁ kva mantriṇaḥ kva te siṁhāsanaṁ chatraṁ kva te khaḍgaḥ kva taddhanam

Alas, O king, O lord of the earth, where now is your kingdom, where are your ministers? Where is your throne, your royal parasol, where is your sword, where is all that wealth?

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.7.25.50)

क्व सायोध्या क्व हर्म्याणि क्व गजाश्वरथप्रजाः । सर्वमेतत्तथा पुत्र मां त्यक्त्वा क्व गतोऽसि रे

kva sāyodhyā kva harmyāṇi kva gajāśvarathaprajāḥ sarvametattathā putra māṁ tyaktvā kva gato'si re

Where is Ayodhya, where are those palaces, where are the elephants, horses, chariots, and the people? All of this, O son, abandoning me, where have you gone?

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.7.25.51)

हा कान्त हा नृपागच्छ पश्येमं स्वसुतं प्रियम् । येन ते रिङ्गता वक्षः कुङ्कुमेनावलेपितम्

hā kānta hā nṛpāgaccha paśyemaṁ svasutaṁ priyam yena te riṅgatā vakṣaḥ kuṅkumenāvalepitam

Alas, beloved! Alas, O king, come, look upon this dear son of yours, whose chest you would smear with vermilion as he crawled and touched you.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.7.25.52)

स्वशरीररजःपङ्कैर्विशालं मलिनीकृतम् । येन ते बालभावेन मृगनाभिविलेपितः

svaśarīrarajaḥpaṅkairviśālaṁ malinīkṛtam yena te bālabhāvena mṛganābhivilepitaḥ

whose broad little body would grow soiled with the very dust of your own body, whom you would anoint with musk in his infancy,

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.7.25.53)

भ्रंशितो भालतिलकस्तवाङ्कस्थेन भूपते । यस्य वक्त्रं मृदा लिप्तं स्नेहाद्वै चुम्बितं मया

bhraṁśito bhālatilakastavāṅkasthena bhūpate yasya vaktraṁ mṛdā liptaṁ snehādvai cumbitaṁ mayā

who, seated in your lap, O lord of the earth, would smudge the very tilaka from his forehead — that face, smeared with earth, which I once kissed with such tenderness —

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.7.25.54)

तन्मुखं मक्षिकालिङ्ग्यं पश्ये कीटैर्विदूषितम् । हा राजन् पश्य तं पुत्रं भुविस्थं रङ्कवन्मृतम्

tanmukhaṁ makṣikāliṅgyaṁ paśye kīṭairvidūṣitam hā rājan paśya taṁ putraṁ bhuvisthaṁ raṅkavanmṛtam

that very face I now see swarmed by flies and defiled by worms. Alas, O king, look upon this son of yours, lying dead upon the ground like a pauper's child.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.7.25.55)

हा देव किं मया कृत्यं कृतं पूर्वभवान्तरे । तस्य कर्मफलस्येह न पारमुपलक्षये

hā deva kiṁ mayā kṛtyaṁ kṛtaṁ pūrvabhavāntare tasya karmaphalasyeha na pāramupalakṣaye

Alas, O god, what deed did I commit in some former life? I can see no end anywhere to the fruit of that deed.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.7.25.56)

हा पुत्र हा शिशो वत्स का कुमारक सुन्दर । एवं तस्या विलापं ते श्रुत्वा नगरपालकाः

hā putra hā śiśo vatsa kā kumāraka sundara evaṁ tasyā vilāpaṁ te śrutvā nagarapālakāḥ

Alas, my son! Alas, my child! O dear one! O beautiful young prince! Hearing this lament of hers, the city's night-watchmen —

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.7.25.57)

जागृतास्त्वरितास्तस्याः पार्श्वमीयुः सुविस्मिताः । जना ऊचुः । का त्वं बालस्य कस्यायं पतिस्ते कुत्र तिष्ठति

jāgṛtāstvaritāstasyāḥ pārśvamīyuḥ suvismitāḥ janā ūcuḥ kā tvaṁ bālasya kasyāyaṁ patiste kutra tiṣṭhati

wide awake and greatly astonished, hurried to her side. The people said: Who are you, whose child is this, and where is your husband?

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.7.25.58)

एकैव निर्भया रात्रौ कस्मात्त्वमिह रोदिषि । एवमुक्ताथ सा तन्वी न किञ्चिद्वाक्यमब्रवीत्

ekaiva nirbhayā rātrau kasmāttvamiha rodiṣi evamuktātha sā tanvī na kiñcidvākyamabravīt

Alone at night, unafraid, why do you weep here? When this was said, that frail woman said nothing at all.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.7.25.59)

भूयोऽपि पृष्टा सा तूष्णीं स्तब्धीभूता बभूव ह । विललापातिदुःखार्ता शोकाश्रुप्लुतलोचना

bhūyo'pi pṛṣṭā sā tūṣṇīṁ stabdhībhūtā babhūva ha vilalāpātiduḥkhārtā śokāśruplutalocanā

Even when questioned again, she remained silent, as though struck dumb; she went on lamenting, overwhelmed with the deepest sorrow, her eyes streaming with tears of grief.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.7.25.60)

अथ ते शङ्कितास्तस्यां रोमाञ्चिततनूरुहाः । सन्त्रस्ताः प्राहुरन्योन्यमुद्धृतायुधपाणयः

atha te śaṅkitāstasyāṁ romāñcitatanūruhāḥ santrastāḥ prāhuranyonyamuddhṛtāyudhapāṇayaḥ

Then, seeing her, they grew suspicious, and the hair on their bodies stood on end; terrified, weapons drawn, they said to one another —

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.7.25.61)

नूनं स्त्री न भवत्येषा यतः किञ्चिन्न भाषते । तस्माद्वध्या भवेदेषा यत्नतो बालघातिनी

nūnaṁ strī na bhavatyeṣā yataḥ kiñcinna bhāṣate tasmādvadhyā bhavedeṣā yatnato bālaghātinī

Surely this is no ordinary woman, for she speaks not a word; therefore this child-slaying witch must be carefully put to death.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.7.25.62)

शुभा चेत्तर्हि किं ह्यत्र निशार्धे तिष्ठते बहिः । भक्षार्थमनया नूनमानीतः कस्यचिच्छिशुः

śubhā cettarhi kiṁ hyatra niśārdhe tiṣṭhate bahiḥ bhakṣārthamanayā nūnamānītaḥ kasyacicchiśuḥ

If she were an ordinary, harmless woman, why would she stand here outside at the dead of night? Surely she has brought some child here to devour.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.7.25.63)

इत्युक्त्वा तैर्गृहिता सा गाढं केशेषु सत्वरम् । भुजयोरपरैश्चैव कैश्चापि गलके तथा

ityuktvā tairgṛhitā sā gāḍhaṁ keśeṣu satvaram bhujayoraparaiścaiva kaiścāpi galake tathā

So saying, they seized her at once, in a tight grip — some by her hair, others by both her arms, and some even by her throat.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.7.25.64)

खेचरी यास्यतीत्युक्तं बहुभिः शस्त्रपाणिभिः । आकृष्य पक्कणे नीता चाण्डालाय समर्पिता

khecarī yāsyatītyuktaṁ bahubhiḥ śastrapāṇibhiḥ ākṛṣya pakkaṇe nītā cāṇḍālāya samarpitā

Many, weapons in hand, cried out, 'She will fly off into the sky at once!' — thus dragged, she was taken into the settlement and handed over to the Chandala.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.7.25.65)

हे चाण्डाल बहिर्दृष्टा ह्यस्माभिर्बालघातिनी । वध्यतां वध्यतामेष शीघ्रं नीत्वा बहिःस्थले

he cāṇḍāla bahirdṛṣṭā hyasmābhirbālaghātinī vadhyatāṁ vadhyatāmeṣa śīghraṁ nītvā bahiḥsthale

O Chandala, we found this woman outside — she is a child-murderess; kill her, kill her, take her quickly to the place beyond.

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.7.25.66)

चाण्डालः प्राह तां दृष्ट्वा ज्ञातेयं लोकविश्रुता । न दृष्टपूर्वा केनापि लोकडिम्भान्यनेकधा

cāṇḍālaḥ prāha tāṁ dṛṣṭvā jñāteyaṁ lokaviśrutā na dṛṣṭapūrvā kenāpi lokaḍimbhānyanekadhā

The Chandala, seeing her, said: This one is well known, notorious throughout the land; she has devoured countless people's children, as no one has ever witnessed before.

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.7.25.67)

भक्षितान्यनया भूरि भवद्भिः पुण्यमार्जितम् । ख्यातिर्वः शाश्वती लोके गच्छध्वं च यथासुखम्

bhakṣitānyanayā bhūri bhavadbhiḥ puṇyamārjitam khyātirvaḥ śāśvatī loke gacchadhvaṁ ca yathāsukham

By seizing her, you have earned great merit; your fame shall endure forever in this world — now go your way in peace.

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.7.25.68)

द्विजस्त्रीबालगोघाती स्वर्णस्तेयी च यो नरः । अग्निदो वर्त्मघाती च मद्यपो गुरुतल्पगः

dvijastrībālagoghātī svarṇasteyī ca yo naraḥ agnido vartmaghātī ca madyapo gurutalpagaḥ

Whatever man slays a brahmin, a woman, a child, or a cow, whoever steals gold, sets fires, robs on the highway, drinks intoxicants, or lies with his guru's wife,

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.7.25.69)

महाजनविरोधी च तस्य पुण्यप्रदो वधः । द्विजस्यापि स्त्रियो वापि न दोषो विद्यते वधे

mahājanavirodhī ca tasya puṇyaprado vadhaḥ dvijasyāpi striyo vāpi na doṣo vidyate vadhe

and whoever sets himself against the community — the slaying of such a one bears merit; be that person a brahmin or a woman, there is no fault at all in that killing.

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.7.25.70)

अस्या वधश्च मे योग्य इत्युक्त्वा गाडबन्धनैः । बद्ध्वा केशेष्वथाकृष्य रज्जुभिस्तामताडयत्

asyā vadhaśca me yogya ityuktvā gāḍabandhanaiḥ baddhvā keśeṣvathākṛṣya rajjubhistāmatāḍayat

It is fitting that she be slain by me — so saying, he seized her by the hair, bound her fast, dragged her by ropes, and struck her.

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.7.25.71)

हरिश्चन्द्रमथोवाच वाचा परुषया तदा । रे दास वध्यतामेषा दुष्टात्मा मा विचारय

hariścandramathovāca vācā paruṣayā tadā re dāsa vadhyatāmeṣā duṣṭātmā mā vicāraya

Then he said to Harishchandra in a harsh voice: O slave, slay this wicked-souled woman — do not deliberate.

Verse 72 (devibhagavatam.7.25.72)

तद्वाक्यं भूपतिः श्रुत्वा वज्रपातोपमं तदा । वेपमानोऽथ चाण्डालं प्राह स्त्रीवधशङ्कितः

tadvākyaṁ bhūpatiḥ śrutvā vajrapātopamaṁ tadā vepamāno'tha cāṇḍālaṁ prāha strīvadhaśaṅkitaḥ

The king, hearing his words, as though struck by a thunderbolt, began to tremble; and, dreading the killing of a woman, he said to the Chandala —

Verse 73 (devibhagavatam.7.25.73)

न शक्तोऽहमिदं कर्तुं प्रेष्यं देहि ममापरम् । असाध्यमपि यत्कर्म तत्करिष्ये त्वयोदितम्

na śakto'hamidaṁ kartuṁ preṣyaṁ dehi mamāparam asādhyamapi yatkarma tatkariṣye tvayoditam

I am not able to do this — give me some other task; whatever task, however impossible, that you command, that I shall perform.

Verse 74 (devibhagavatam.7.25.74)

श्रुत्वा तदुक्तं वचनं श्वपचो वाक्यमब्रवीत् । मा भैषीस्त्वं गृहाणासिं वधोऽस्याः पुण्यदो मतः

śrutvā taduktaṁ vacanaṁ śvapaco vākyamabravīt mā bhaiṣīstvaṁ gṛhāṇāsiṁ vadho'syāḥ puṇyado mataḥ

Hearing these words of his, that Chandala said: Do not fear — take up the sword; the slaying of this woman is held to be an act of merit.

Verse 75 (devibhagavatam.7.25.75)

बालानामेव भयदा नेयं रक्ष्या कदाचन । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत्

bālānāmeva bhayadā neyaṁ rakṣyā kadācana tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya rājā vacanamabravīt

She is a terror to children alone, and she must never, under any circumstance, be spared. Hearing this word, the king replied thus —

Verse 76 (devibhagavatam.7.25.76)

स्त्रियो रक्ष्याः प्रयत्नेन न हन्तव्याः कदाचन । स्त्रीवधे कीर्तितः पापं मुनिभिर्धर्मतत्परैः

striyo rakṣyāḥ prayatnena na hantavyāḥ kadācana strīvadhe kīrtitaḥ pāpaṁ munibhirdharmatatparaiḥ

Women must ever be protected with all care; they must never, under any circumstance, be slain — the killing of a woman has been declared a sin by the sages devoted to dharma.

Verse 77 (devibhagavatam.7.25.77)

पुरुषो यः स्त्रियं हन्याज्ज्ञानतोऽज्ञानतोऽपि वा । नरके पच्यते सोऽथ महारौरवपूर्वके

puruṣo yaḥ striyaṁ hanyājjñānato'jñānato'pi vā narake pacyate so'tha mahārauravapūrvake

Whatever man slays a woman, whether knowingly or unknowingly, is cooked in the hells beginning with Maharaurava.

Verse 78 (devibhagavatam.7.25.78)

चाण्डाल उवाच । मा वदासिं गृहाणैनं तीक्ष्णं विद्युत्समप्रभम् । यत्रैकस्मिन्वधं नीते बहूनां तु सुखं भवेत्

cāṇḍāla uvāca mā vadāsiṁ gṛhāṇainaṁ tīkṣṇaṁ vidyutsamaprabham yatraikasminvadhaṁ nīte bahūnāṁ tu sukhaṁ bhavet

The Chandala said: Speak no more — take up the sword, sharp as lightning; where the death of one brings happiness to many,

Verse 79 (devibhagavatam.7.25.79)

तस्य हिंसा कृतं नूनं बहुपुण्यप्रदा भवेत् । भक्षितान्यनया भूरि लोके डिम्भानि दुष्टया

tasya hiṁsā kṛtaṁ nūnaṁ bahupuṇyapradā bhavet bhakṣitānyanayā bhūri loke ḍimbhāni duṣṭayā

there that killing is, without doubt, a source of the greatest merit; this wicked woman has devoured countless children throughout this world.

Verse 80 (devibhagavatam.7.25.80)

तत्क्षिप्रं वध्यतामेषा लोकः स्वस्थो भविष्यति । राजोवाच । चाण्डालाधिपते तीव्रं व्रतं स्त्रीवधवर्जनम्

tatkṣipraṁ vadhyatāmeṣā lokaḥ svastho bhaviṣyati rājovāca cāṇḍālādhipate tīvraṁ vrataṁ strīvadhavarjanam

Therefore slay her at once, and the world shall find peace. The king said: O chief of the Chandalas, the abstention from the slaying of a woman is my most solemn vow,

Verse 81 (devibhagavatam.7.25.81)

आजन्मतस्ततो यत्नं न कुर्यां स्त्रीवधे तव । चाण्डाल उवाच । स्वामिकार्यं विना दुष्ट किं कार्यं विद्यतेऽपरम्

ājanmatastato yatnaṁ na kuryāṁ strīvadhe tava cāṇḍāla uvāca svāmikāryaṁ vinā duṣṭa kiṁ kāryaṁ vidyate'param

from my very birth until this day I have never done, nor will I do, such a deed as to slay a woman at your command. The Chandala said: O wicked one, what other task is there for you besides your master's own command?

Verse 82 (devibhagavatam.7.25.82)

गृहीत्वा वेतनं मेऽद्य कस्मात्कार्यं विलुम्पसि । यः स्वामिवेतनं गृह्य स्वामिकार्यं विलुम्पति

gṛhītvā vetanaṁ me'dya kasmātkāryaṁ vilumpasi yaḥ svāmivetanaṁ gṛhya svāmikāryaṁ vilumpati

Having taken my wages this day, why do you now obstruct my task? Whoever takes his master's wages and yet obstructs his master's own work,

Verse 83 (devibhagavatam.7.25.83)

नरकान्निष्कृतिस्तस्य नास्ति कल्पायुतैरपि । राजोवाच । चाण्डालनाथ मे देहि प्राप्यमन्यत्सुदारुणम्

narakānniṣkṛtistasya nāsti kalpāyutairapi rājovāca cāṇḍālanātha me dehi prāpyamanyatsudāruṇam

for him there is no release from hell even after ten thousand cosmic ages. The king said: O lord of the Chandalas, give me any other task, however dreadful,

Verse 84 (devibhagavatam.7.25.84)

स्वशत्रुं ब्रूहि तं क्षिप्रं घातयिष्याम्यसंशयम् । घातयित्वा तु तं शत्रुं तव दास्यामि मेदिनीम्

svaśatruṁ brūhi taṁ kṣipraṁ ghātayiṣyāmyasaṁśayam ghātayitvā tu taṁ śatruṁ tava dāsyāmi medinīm

tell me of any enemy of your own, and I shall most certainly slay him at once; having slain that enemy, I shall even give you the whole earth in return.

Verse 85 (devibhagavatam.7.25.85)

देव देवोरगैः सिद्धैर्गन्धर्वैरपि संयुतम् । देवेन्द्रमपि जेष्यामि निहत्य निशितैः शरैः

deva devoragaiḥ siddhairgandharvairapi saṁyutam devendramapi jeṣyāmi nihatya niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ

Even Indra, king of the gods, with his army arrayed with gods, serpent-kings, siddhas, and gandharvas, I shall vanquish, slaying him with my sharpened arrows.

Verse 86 (devibhagavatam.7.25.86)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा ततो वाक्यं हरिश्चन्द्रस्य भूपतेः । चाण्डालः कुपितः प्राह वेपमानं महीपतिम्

etacchrutvā tato vākyaṁ hariścandrasya bhūpateḥ cāṇḍālaḥ kupitaḥ prāha vepamānaṁ mahīpatim

Hearing this speech of King Harishchandra, the enraged Chandala said to that trembling lord of the earth —

Verse 87 (devibhagavatam.7.25.87)

चाण्डाल उवाच । (नैतद्वाक्यं सुघटितं यद्वाक्यं दासकीर्तितम्) चाण्डालदासतां कृत्वा सुराणां भाषसे वचः । दास किं बहुना नूनं शृणु मे गदतो वचः

cāṇḍāla uvāca (naitadvākyaṁ sughaṭitaṁ yadvākyaṁ dāsakīrtitam) cāṇḍāladāsatāṁ kṛtvā surāṇāṁ bhāṣase vacaḥ dāsa kiṁ bahunā nūnaṁ śṛṇu me gadato vacaḥ

The Chandala said: (This speech does not befit the mouth of one such as you, a mere slave) — even in the servitude of a Chandala, you speak as though you were a god! O slave, enough of this — now hear my word.

Verse 88 (devibhagavatam.7.25.88)

निर्लज्ज तव चेदस्ति किञ्चित्पापभयं हृदि । किमर्थं दासतां यातश्चाण्डालस्य तु वेश्मनि

nirlajja tava cedasti kiñcitpāpabhayaṁ hṛdi kimarthaṁ dāsatāṁ yātaścāṇḍālasya tu veśmani

O shameless one, if even a shred of fear of sin remains in your heart, then why have you come to servitude in this Chandala's house at all?

Verse 89 (devibhagavatam.7.25.89)

गृहाणैनं ततः खड्गमस्याश्छिन्धि शिरोऽम्बुजम् । एवमुक्त्वाथ चाण्डालो राज्ञे खड्गं न्यवेदयत्

gṛhāṇainaṁ tataḥ khaḍgamasyāśchindhi śiro'mbujam evamuktvātha cāṇḍālo rājñe khaḍgaṁ nyavedayat

Take up this sword and sever her lotus-like head. So saying, the Chandala handed the sword over to the king.