The Story of Nabhaga

Verse 1 (markandeya.110.1)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच कारुषाः क्षत्रियाः शूराः करुषस्याभवन्सुताः । ते तु सप्तशतं वीरास्तेभ्यश्चान्ये सहस्रशः ॥ 110.1 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca kāruṣāḥ kṣatriyāḥ śūrāḥ karuṣasyābhavansutāḥ te tu saptaśataṁ vīrāstebhyaścānye sahasraśaḥ

Markandeya said: The Karushas were valiant kshatriyas, sons of Karusha; they were seven hundred heroes, and from them arose yet others by the thousand.

Verse 2 (markandeya.110.2)

दिष्टपुत्रस्तु नाभागः स्थितः प्रथमयौवने । ददर्श वैश्यतनयामतीव सुमनोहराम् ॥ 110.2 ॥

diṣṭaputrastu nābhāgaḥ sthitaḥ prathamayauvane dadarśa vaiśyatanayāmatīva sumanoharām

Nabhaga, son of Dishta, in the first bloom of his youth, saw the daughter of a vaishya, exceedingly lovely.

Verse 3 (markandeya.110.3)

तस्यां संदृष्टमात्रायां मदनाक्षिप्तमानसः । बभूव भूपतनयो निःश्वासाक्षेपतत्परः ॥ 110.3 ॥

tasyāṁ saṁdṛṣṭamātrāyāṁ madanākṣiptamānasaḥ babhūva bhūpatanayo niḥśvāsākṣepatatparaḥ

The moment he beheld her, his mind was seized by passion, and the prince fell to sighing restlessly.

Verse 4 (markandeya.110.4)

तस्याः स गत्वा जनकं वव्रे तां वैश्यकन्यकाम् । ततोऽनङ्गपराधीनमनोवृत्तिं नृपात्मजम् ॥ 110.4 ॥

tasyāḥ sa gatvā janakaṁ vavre tāṁ vaiśyakanyakām tato'naṅgaparādhīnamanovṛttiṁ nṛpātmajam

That prince, his heart now given over to Kama, went to her father and asked for that vaishya girl's hand.

Verse 5 (markandeya.110.5)

तं चाह स पिता तस्या राजपुत्रं कृताञ्जलिः । बिभ्यत्तस्य पितुर्विप्र प्रश्रयावनतं वचः ॥ 110.5 ॥

taṁ cāha sa pitā tasyā rājaputraṁ kṛtāñjaliḥ bibhyattasya piturvipra praśrayāvanataṁ vacaḥ

Her father, joining his palms and fearful of the prince's own father, spoke deferential, humble words to that prince:

Verse 6 (markandeya.110.6)

भवन्तो भूभुजो भृत्या वयं वः करदायकाः । कथं सम्बन्धमसमैरस्माभिरभिवाच्छसि ॥ 110.6 ॥

bhavanto bhūbhujo bhṛtyā vayaṁ vaḥ karadāyakāḥ kathaṁ sambandhamasamairasmābhirabhivācchasi

"You lords are our masters, we are your tribute-paying servants; how can you wish for a bond with us, who are your unequals?"

Verse 7 (markandeya.110.7)

राजपुत्र उवाच साम्यं मानुषदेहस्य काममोहादिभिः कृतम् । तथापि काले तैरेव योज्यते मानुषं वपुः ॥ 110.7 ॥

rājaputra uvāca sāmyaṁ mānuṣadehasya kāmamohādibhiḥ kṛtam tathāpi kāle taireva yojyate mānuṣaṁ vapuḥ

The prince said: "Equality among human bodies is fashioned by desire, delusion, and the like; still, in due time the human body becomes joined by those very forces.

Verse 8 (markandeya.110.8)

तथैव चोपकाराय जायन्ते तस्य तान्यपि । अन्यानि चान्ये जीवन्ति भिन्नजातिमतां सताम् ॥ 110.8 ॥

tathaiva copakārāya jāyante tasya tānyapi anyāni cānye jīvanti bhinnajātimatāṁ satām

And likewise other beings too are born for one another's benefit; among those of different castes as well, some live in dependence upon others.

Verse 9 (markandeya.110.9)

तथान्यान्यप्ययोग्यानि योग्यतां यान्ति कालतः । योग्यान्ययोग्यतां यान्ति कालवश्या हि योग्यता ॥ 110.9 ॥

tathānyānyapyayogyāni yogyatāṁ yānti kālataḥ yogyānyayogyatāṁ yānti kālavaśyā hi yogyatā

Likewise other unfit things become fit with time, and fit things become unfit — for fitness is subject to time.

Verse 10 (markandeya.110.10)

आप्याय्यते यच्छरीरमाहारादिभिरीप्सितैः । कालं ज्ञात्वा तथा भुक्तं तदेव परिशिष्यते ॥ 110.10 ॥

āpyāyyate yaccharīramāhārādibhirīpsitaiḥ kālaṁ jñātvā tathā bhuktaṁ tadeva pariśiṣyate

That body which is nourished by desired food and the like — having known the right time and been thus enjoyed, it is that alone which remains in the end.

Verse 11 (markandeya.110.11)

इत्थं ममैषाभिमता तनया दीयतां त्वया । अन्यथा मच्छरीरस्य विपत्तिरुपलक्ष्यते ॥ 110.11 ॥

itthaṁ mamaiṣābhimatā tanayā dīyatāṁ tvayā anyathā maccharīrasya vipattirupalakṣyate

Thus, this daughter is desired by me — let her be given by you; otherwise a calamity to my own body may be foreseen."

Verse 12 (markandeya.110.12)

वैश्य उवाच परतन्त्रा वयं त्वं च परतन्त्रो महीभुजः । पित्रा तेनाभ्यनुज्ञातस्त्वं गृहाण ददाम्यहम् ॥ 110.12 ॥

vaiśya uvāca paratantrā vayaṁ tvaṁ ca paratantro mahībhujaḥ pitrā tenābhyanujñātastvaṁ gṛhāṇa dadāmyaham

The vaishya said: "We are dependents, and you too, O prince, are dependent on your father the king; once permitted by him, take her — I shall give her."

Verse 13 (markandeya.110.13)

राजपुत्र उवाच प्रष्टव्या सर्वकार्येषु गुरवो गुरुवर्तिभिः । न त्वीदृशेष्वकार्येषु गुरूणां वाक्यगोचरः ॥ 110.13 ॥

rājaputra uvāca praṣṭavyā sarvakāryeṣu guravo guruvartibhiḥ na tvīdṛśeṣvakāryeṣu gurūṇāṁ vākyagocaraḥ

The prince said: "In all proper matters, those who follow their elders should ask their elders; but in improper matters such as this, there is no room for the elders' word.

Verse 14 (markandeya.110.14)

क्व मन्मथ कथालापो गुरूणां श्रवणं क्व च । विरुद्धमेतदन्यत्र प्रष्टव्या गुरवो नृभिः ॥ 110.14 ॥

kva manmatha kathālāpo gurūṇāṁ śravaṇaṁ kva ca viruddhametadanyatra praṣṭavyā guravo nṛbhiḥ

What has talk of desire to do with asking, and what with the hearing of elders? These are contradictory; it is in other, proper matters that men should consult their elders."

Verse 15 (markandeya.110.15)

वैश्य उवाच एवमेतत्स्मरालापस्तवायं पृच्छ मा गुरुम् । अहं पृच्छामि नालापो मम कामकथाश्रयः ॥ 110.15 ॥

vaiśya uvāca evametatsmarālāpastavāyaṁ pṛccha mā gurum ahaṁ pṛcchāmi nālāpo mama kāmakathāśrayaḥ

The vaishya said: "So be it — this of yours is mere lovers' talk, so do not ask your elder about it; but I shall ask mine — for me this is no idle chatter, but a matter resting on a serious concern."

Verse 16 (markandeya.110.16)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच इत्युक्तः सोऽभवन्मौनी राजपुत्रः स चापि तत् । तत्पित्रे सर्वमाचष्ट राजपुत्रस्य यन्मतम् ॥ 110.16 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca ityuktaḥ so'bhavanmaunī rājaputraḥ sa cāpi tat tatpitre sarvamācaṣṭa rājaputrasya yanmatam

Markandeya said: Thus addressed, the prince fell silent; and that vaishya related to his own father everything that was the prince's intention.

Verse 17 (markandeya.110.17)

ततस्तस्य पिता विप्रानृचीकादीन्द्विजोत्तमान् । प्रवेश्य राजपुत्रं च यथाख्यानं न्यवेदयत् ॥ 110.17 ॥

tatastasya pitā viprānṛcīkādīndvijottamān praveśya rājaputraṁ ca yathākhyānaṁ nyavedayat

Then his father, having brought in Richika and other excellent twice-born brahmins, along with the prince, reported the whole matter exactly as it had happened.

Verse 18 (markandeya.110.18)

निवेद्य च ततः प्राह मुनीनेवं व्यवस्थिते । यत्कर्तव्यं तदादेष्टुमर्हन्ति द्विजसत्तमाः ॥ 110.18 ॥

nivedya ca tataḥ prāha munīnevaṁ vyavasthite yatkartavyaṁ tadādeṣṭumarhanti dvijasattamāḥ

Having reported it, he then said to the sages, "Given that matters stand thus, may the best of the twice-born be pleased to instruct what ought to be done."

Verse 19 (markandeya.110.19)

ऋषयः ऊचु राजपुत्रानुरागस्ते यद्यस्यां वैश्यसन्ततौ । तदस्तु धर्म एवैष किं तु न्यायक्रमेण सः ॥ 110.19 ॥

ṛṣayaḥ ūcuḥ rājaputrānurāgaste yadyasyāṁ vaiśyasantatau tadastu dharma evaiṣa kiṁ tu nyāyakrameṇa saḥ

The sages said: "If the prince's affection is truly fixed upon this vaishya lineage, then let this indeed be dharma — but only carried out in proper, lawful order.

Verse 20 (markandeya.110.20)

मूर्धाभिषिक्ततनयापाणिग्राहोत्सवः पुरा । भवत्वनन्तरं चेयं तव भार्या भविष्यति ॥ 110.20 ॥

mūrdhābhiṣiktatanayāpāṇigrāhotsavaḥ purā bhavatvanantaraṁ ceyaṁ tava bhāryā bhaviṣyati

Let there first take place the joyous rite of taking the hand of a duly anointed [kshatriya] wife; and immediately thereafter, let this girl become your wife.

Verse 21 (markandeya.110.21)

एवं न दोषो भवति तथेमामुपभुञ्जतः । अन्यथाऽभ्येति ते जातिरुत्कृष्टा बालकानयात् ॥ 110.21 ॥

evaṁ na doṣo bhavati tathemāmupabhuñjataḥ anyathā'bhyeti te jātirutkṛṣṭā bālakānayāt

In this way there will be no fault in his enjoying her; otherwise your superior lineage would be lost, through the children born of this union."

Verse 22 (markandeya.110.22)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच इत्युक्तस्तदपास्येव वचस्तेषां महात्मनाम् । विनिष्क्रम्य गृहीत्वा तामुद्यतासिरथाब्रवीत् ॥ 110.22 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca ityuktastadapāsyeva vacasteṣāṁ mahātmanām viniṣkramya gṛhītvā tāmudyatāsirathābravīt

Markandeya said: Thus addressed, as though casting aside the words of those great souls, he went out, and, seizing her, sword drawn, declared:

Verse 23 (markandeya.110.23)

राक्षसेन विवाहेन मया वैश्यसुता हृता । यस्य सामर्थ्यमत्रास्ति स एतां मोचयत्विति ॥ 110.23 ॥

rākṣasena vivāhena mayā vaiśyasutā hṛtā yasya sāmarthyamatrāsti sa etāṁ mocayatviti

"By a Rakshasa-marriage have I carried off this vaishya's daughter; whoever has the strength for it, let him come and set her free!"

Verse 24 (markandeya.110.24)

ततः स वैश्यस्तां दृष्ट्वा गृहीतां तनयां द्रुतम् । त्राहीति पितरं तस्य प्रययौ शरणं द्विज ॥ 110.24 ॥

tataḥ sa vaiśyastāṁ dṛṣṭvā gṛhītāṁ tanayāṁ drutam trāhīti pitaraṁ tasya prayayau śaraṇaṁ dvija

Then that vaishya, seeing his daughter thus seized, went swiftly, crying "Save me!", O brahmin, for refuge to his own father.

Verse 25 (markandeya.110.25)

ततस्तस्य पिता क्रुद्ध आदिदेश बलं महत् । हन्यतां हन्यतां दुष्टो नाभागो धर्मदूषकः ॥ 110.25 ॥

tatastasya pitā kruddha ādideśa balaṁ mahat hanyatāṁ hanyatāṁ duṣṭo nābhāgo dharmadūṣakaḥ

Then his father, enraged, commanded a great force: "Slay, slay that wicked corrupter of dharma, Nabhaga!"

Verse 26 (markandeya.110.26)

ततस्तद्युयुधे सैन्यं तेन भूभृत्सुतेन वै । कृतास्त्रेण तदास्त्रेण तत्प्राचुर्येण पातितम् ॥ 110.26 ॥

tatastadyuyudhe sainyaṁ tena bhūbhṛtsutena vai kṛtāstreṇa tadāstreṇa tatprācuryeṇa pātitam

Then that army fought with that prince, who was skilled in weapons; by his missiles, that abundant force was struck down.

Verse 27 (markandeya.110.27)

स श्रुत्वा निहतं सैन्यं राजपुत्रेण भूपतिः । स्वयमेव ययौ योद्धुं स्वसैन्यपरिवारितः ॥ 110.27 ॥

sa śrutvā nihataṁ sainyaṁ rājaputreṇa bhūpatiḥ svayameva yayau yoddhuṁ svasainyaparivāritaḥ

Hearing that his army had been slain by the prince, that lord himself, surrounded by his own troops, went forth to fight.

Verse 28 (markandeya.110.28)

ततो युद्धमभूत्तस्य भूभुजः स्वसुतेन यत् । राजपुत्रेण शस्त्रास्त्रैस्तत्रातिशयितः पिता ॥ 110.28 ॥

tato yuddhamabhūttasya bhūbhujaḥ svasutena yat rājaputreṇa śastrāstraistatrātiśayitaḥ pitā

Then a battle took place between that lord, together with his own son [the girl's father], and the prince; there, by weapons and missiles, the elder father [the lord] was overcome.

Verse 29 (markandeya.110.29)

ततोऽन्तरिक्षादागत्य परिव्राट् सहसा मुनिः । प्रत्युवाच महीपालं विरमस्वेति संयुगात् ॥ 110.29 ॥

tato'ntarikṣādāgatya parivrāṭ sahasā muniḥ pratyuvāca mahīpālaṁ viramasveti saṁyugāt

Then, suddenly descending from the sky, a wandering ascetic sage said to the king, "Cease from this combat!

Verse 30 (markandeya.110.30)

त्वत्पुत्रस्य महाभाग विधर्मोऽयं महात्मनः । तवापि वैश्येन सह न युद्धं धर्मवन्नृप ॥ 110.30 ॥

tvatputrasya mahābhāga vidharmo'yaṁ mahātmanaḥ tavāpi vaiśyena saha na yuddhaṁ dharmavannṛpa

O illustrious one, this is a violation of dharma for your great-souled son; and for you too, righteous king, fighting with a vaishya is not proper.

Verse 31 (markandeya.110.31)

ब्राह्मण्या ब्राह्मणः पूर्वं कुर्वन्दारपरिग्रहम् । ब्राह्मण्यात्सर्ववर्णेषु न हानिमुपगच्छति ॥ 110.31 ॥

brāhmaṇyā brāhmaṇaḥ pūrvaṁ kurvandāraparigraham brāhmaṇyātsarvavarṇeṣu na hānimupagacchati

A brahmin who first weds a brahmin wife, and then women of other varnas as well, suffers no loss in status among any of the varnas, because of that first brahmin marriage.

Verse 32 (markandeya.110.32)

तथैव क्षत्रियसुतां क्षत्रियः पूर्वमुद्वहन् । इतरे च ततो राजंश्च्यवते न स्वधर्मतः ॥ 110.32 ॥

tathaiva kṣatriyasutāṁ kṣatriyaḥ pūrvamudvahan itare ca tato rājaṁścyavate na svadharmataḥ

Likewise the kshatriya who first weds a kshatriya's daughter, and others afterward, O king, does not thereby fall from his own dharma.

Verse 33 (markandeya.110.33)

पूर्वं वैश्यस्तथा वैश्यां पश्चाच्छूद्रकुलोद्भवाम् । न हीयते वैश्यकुलादयं न्यायः क्रमोदितः ॥ 110.33 ॥

pūrvaṁ vaiśyastathā vaiśyāṁ paścācchūdrakulodbhavām na hīyate vaiśyakulādayaṁ nyāyaḥ kramoditaḥ

Likewise a vaishya who first weds a vaishya woman and afterward one born in a shudra family — by this order laid down in proper sequence, he does not lose his vaishya standing.

Verse 34 (markandeya.110.34)

ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः सवर्णापाणिसंग्रहम् । अकृत्वाऽन्यभवापाणेः पतन्ति नृप संग्रहात् ॥ 110.34 ॥

brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyāḥ savarṇāpāṇisaṁgraham akṛtvā'nyabhavāpāṇeḥ patanti nṛpa saṁgrahāt

Brahmins, kshatriyas, and vaishyas, without first taking the hand of one of their own varna, fall in status, O king, through taking the hand of one of another varna first.

Verse 35 (markandeya.110.35)

यस्या यस्या हि हीनाया कुरुते पाणिसंग्रहम् । अकृत्वा वर्णसयोगं सोऽपि तद्वर्णभाग्भवेत् ॥ 110.35 ॥

yasyā yasyā hi hīnāyā kurute pāṇisaṁgraham akṛtvā varṇasayogaṁ so'pi tadvarṇabhāgbhavet

Whoever takes the hand of a woman of any lower caste, without first having made a union within his own varna, comes himself to share that lower caste.

Verse 36 (markandeya.110.36)

सोऽयं वैश्यत्वमापन्नस्तव पुत्रः सुमन्दधीः । नास्याधिकारो युद्धाय क्षत्रियेण त्वया सह ॥ 110.36 ॥

so'yaṁ vaiśyatvamāpannastava putraḥ sumandadhīḥ nāsyādhikāro yuddhāya kṣatriyeṇa tvayā saha

This somewhat dull-witted son of yours has thus come to the condition of a vaishya; he has no right to fight against you, a kshatriya.

Verse 37 (markandeya.110.37)

वयमेतन्न जानीमः कारणं नृपनन्दन । यथा भविष्यतीदं च निवर्त्त रणकर्मतः ॥ 110.37 ॥

vayametanna jānīmaḥ kāraṇaṁ nṛpanandana yathā bhaviṣyatīdaṁ ca nivartta raṇakarmataḥ

We do not know the cause of this, O prince; nor how it will turn out — withdraw from this act of battle."