Bhalandana and Vatsapri

Verse 1 (markandeya.113.1)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा पुत्रस्य स च पार्थिवः । पुनः प्रोवाच धर्मज्ञस्तां पत्नीं तनयं तथा ॥ 113.1 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā putrasya sa ca pārthivaḥ punaḥ provāca dharmajñastāṁ patnīṁ tanayaṁ tathā

Markandeya said: Having heard those words of his wife, that righteous king again spoke, both to his wife and to his son.

Verse 2 (markandeya.113.2)

यन्मया पितुरादेशात्त्यक्तं राज्यं न तत्पुनः । ग्रहीष्यामि वृथोक्तेन किमात्मा क्लिश्यते त्वया ॥ 113.2 ॥

yanmayā piturādeśāttyaktaṁ rājyaṁ na tatpunaḥ grahīṣyāmi vṛthoktena kimātmā kliśyate tvayā

"That kingdom which I renounced at my father's command, I will not take up again — why speak in vain? Why do you distress yourself?

Verse 3 (markandeya.113.3)

अहं ते सम्प्रदास्यामि करं वैश्यव्रते स्थितः । भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यमशेषं त्वमिच्छया वा परित्यज ॥ 113.3 ॥

ahaṁ te sampradāsyāmi karaṁ vaiśyavrate sthitaḥ bhuṅkṣva rājyamaśeṣaṁ tvamicchayā vā parityaja

I, remaining fixed in my vaishya vow, will pay tribute to you; enjoy this entire kingdom yourself, or abandon it if you wish."

Verse 4 (markandeya.113.4)

इत्युक्तः स तदा पित्रा राजपुत्रो भलनन्दनः । चकार राज्यं धर्मेण तद्वद्दारपरिग्रहम् ॥ 113.4 ॥

ityuktaḥ sa tadā pitrā rājaputro bhalanandanaḥ cakāra rājyaṁ dharmeṇa tadvaddāraparigraham

Thus addressed by his father, that prince Bhalanandana ruled the kingdom righteously, and likewise took a wife.

Verse 5 (markandeya.113.5)

अव्याहतं तस्य चक्रं पृथिव्यामभवद्द्विज । न चाधर्मे मनो भूपास्तस्य सर्वेऽभवन्वशे ॥ 113.5 ॥

avyāhataṁ tasya cakraṁ pṛthivyāmabhavaddvija na cādharme mano bhūpāstasya sarve'bhavanvaśe

His rule moved unopposed over the whole earth, O brahmin; no king's mind turned to unrighteousness — all were under his sway.

Verse 6 (markandeya.113.6)

तेनेष्टो विधिवद्यज्ञः सम्यक्शास्ति वसुन्धराम् । स एवैकोऽभवद्भर्त्ता पृथिव्यामरिशासनः ॥ 113.6 ॥

teneṣṭo vidhivadyajñaḥ samyakśāsti vasundharām sa evaiko'bhavadbharttā pṛthivyāmariśāsanaḥ

He performed sacrifice duly according to rule, and ruled the earth well; he alone became its master, the chastiser of enemies.

Verse 7 (markandeya.113.7)

अजायत सुतस्तस्य वत्सप्रीरिति नामतः । पितातिशयितो येन गुणौघेन महात्मना ॥ 113.7 ॥

ajāyata sutastasya vatsaprīriti nāmataḥ pitātiśayito yena guṇaughena mahātmanā

A son was born to him, named Vatsapri, who, through his abundance of virtues, surpassed even his great-souled father.

Verse 8 (markandeya.113.8)

तस्यापि भार्या सौनन्दा विदूरथसुताऽभवत् । पतिव्रता महाभागा सा प्राप्ता तेन शौर्यतः । । हत्वा पुरन्दररिपुं कुजंभं दितिजेश्वरम् ॥ 113.8 ॥

tasyāpi bhāryā saunandā vidūrathasutā'bhavat pativratā mahābhāgā sā prāptā tena śauryataḥ | hatvā purandararipuṁ kujaṁbhaṁ ditijeśvaram

His wife too was Saunanda, daughter of Viduratha — a devoted, illustrious lady; he won her through valor, by slaying Kujrimbha, lord of the daityas and foe of Purandara.

Verse 9 (markandeya.113.9)

क्रौष्टुकिरुवाच भगवंस्तेन सम्प्राप्ता कुजृंभनिधनात्कथम् । एतदाख्यानमाख्याहि प्रसन्नेनान्तरात्मना ॥ 113.9 ॥

krauṣṭukiruvāca bhagavaṁstena samprāptā kujṛṁbhanidhanātkatham etadākhyānamākhyāhi prasannenāntarātmanā

Kraushtuki said: "Revered one, how was she obtained by him through the slaying of Kujrimbha? Tell me this tale with a gracious heart."

Verse 10 (markandeya.113.10)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच विदूरथोनाम नृपः ख्यातकीर्तिरभूद्भुवि । तस्य पुत्रद्वयं जातं सुनीतिः सुमतिस्तथा ॥ 113.10 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca vidūrathonāma nṛpaḥ khyātakīrtirabhūdbhuvi tasya putradvayaṁ jātaṁ sunītiḥ sumatistathā

Markandeya said: There was on earth a king of renowned fame named Viduratha; two sons were born to him, Suniti and Sumati.

Verse 11 (markandeya.113.11)

एकदा तु वनं यातो मृगयां स विदूरथः । ददर्श गर्तं सुमहद्भूमेर्मुखमिवोद्गतम् ॥ 113.11 ॥

ekadā tu vanaṁ yāto mṛgayāṁ sa vidūrathaḥ dadarśa gartaṁ sumahadbhūmermukhamivodgatam

Once, having gone to the forest to hunt, that Viduratha saw an enormous pit, like the earth's own mouth risen up.

Verse 12 (markandeya.113.12)

तं दृष्ट्वा चिन्तयामास किमेतदिति भैरवम् । पातालविवरं मन्ये नैतद्मूमेश्चिरन्तनम् ॥ 113.12 ॥

taṁ dṛṣṭvā cintayāmāsa kimetaditi bhairavam pātālavivaraṁ manye naitadmūmeścirantanam

Seeing it, he thought, "What fearsome thing is this? I do not think this is any ancient opening of the earth."

Verse 13 (markandeya.113.13)

चिन्तयन्निति तत्रासौ ददर्श विजने वने । ब्राह्मणं सुव्रतं नाम तपस्विनमुपागतम् ॥ 113.13 ॥

cintayanniti tatrāsau dadarśa vijane vane brāhmaṇaṁ suvrataṁ nāma tapasvinamupāgatam

While thus reflecting, he saw there, in that lonely forest, a brahmin ascetic named Suvrata who had approached.

Verse 14 (markandeya.113.14)

स तं पप्रच्छ च नृपः किमेतदिति विस्मितः । अतिगम्भीरमवनेर्दर्शितान्तर्गतोदरम् ॥ 113.14 ॥

sa taṁ papraccha ca nṛpaḥ kimetaditi vismitaḥ atigambhīramavanerdarśitāntargatodaram

That astonished king asked him: "What is this, exceedingly deep, revealing the very inner belly of the earth?"

Verse 15 (markandeya.113.15)

ऋषिरुवाच किन्न वेत्सि महीपाल वागर्थस्त्वं हि मे मतः । ज्ञेयं सर्वं नरेन्द्रेण वर्तते यन्महीतले ॥ 113.15 ॥

ṛṣiruvāca kinna vetsi mahīpāla vāgarthastvaṁ hi me mataḥ jñeyaṁ sarvaṁ narendreṇa vartate yanmahītale

The sage said: "Do you not know this, O king? I take you to be one who understands the meaning of things; whatever occurs on this earth, a king ought to know it all.

Verse 16 (markandeya.113.16)

दानवः सुमहावीर्यो वसत्युग्रो रसातले । स जृम्भयति यत्पृथ्वीं कुजृम्भः प्रोच्यते ततः ॥ 113.16 ॥

dānavaḥ sumahāvīryo vasatyugro rasātale sa jṛmbhayati yatpṛthvīṁ kujṛmbhaḥ procyate tataḥ

A demon of very great might, fierce, dwells in the netherworld; because he makes the earth gape open, he is called Kujrimbha.

Verse 17 (markandeya.113.17)

क्रियते तेन यत्किञ्चिद्रत्नभूतं महीतले । त्रिदिवे वा नरपते तं कथं वेत्ति नो भवान् ॥ 113.17 ॥

kriyate tena yatkiñcidratnabhūtaṁ mahītale tridive vā narapate taṁ kathaṁ vetti no bhavān

Whatever precious thing exists on earth or in the heavens is, in the end, taken by him — how is it, O lord of men, that you do not know him?

Verse 18 (markandeya.113.18)

सुनन्दं नाम मुशलं त्वष्ट्रा यन्निर्मितं पुरा । तज्जहार स दुष्टात्मा तेन हन्ति रणे रिपून् ॥ 113.18 ॥

sunandaṁ nāma muśalaṁ tvaṣṭrā yannirmitaṁ purā tajjahāra sa duṣṭātmā tena hanti raṇe ripūn

Formerly, a mace named Sunanda, fashioned by Tvashtri, was stolen by that evil-souled one; with it he slays his foes in battle.

Verse 19 (markandeya.113.19)

पातालान्तर्गतस्तेन भिनत्ति वसुधामिमाम् । ततोऽसुराणां सर्वेषां द्वाराणि कुरुतेऽसुरः ॥ 113.19 ॥

pātālāntargatastena bhinatti vasudhāmimām tato'surāṇāṁ sarveṣāṁ dvārāṇi kurute'suraḥ

By it he goes into the netherworld and splits open this earth; then he makes doorways there for all the asuras.

Verse 20 (markandeya.113.20)

तेन भिन्नात्र वसुधा सुनन्दमुशलेन तु । भोक्ष्यते वसुधामेतां तमजित्वा कथं भवान् ॥ 113.20 ॥

tena bhinnātra vasudhā sunandamuśalena tu bhokṣyate vasudhāmetāṁ tamajitvā kathaṁ bhavān

By that Sunanda mace the earth here has been split open; he will enjoy this earth — without conquering him, how will you prevent it?

Verse 21 (markandeya.113.21)

यज्ञान्विध्वंसयत्युग्रो देवानामुपरोधकः । आप्याययति दैतेयान्स बली मुशलायुधः ॥ 113.21 ॥

yajñānvidhvaṁsayatyugro devānāmuparodhakaḥ āpyāyayati daiteyānsa balī muśalāyudhaḥ

That fierce one destroys the gods' sacrifices and obstructs them; that mighty, mace-bearing one nourishes the daityas.

Verse 22 (markandeya.113.22)

यद्यरिं घातयस्येनं पातालान्तरगोचरम् । ततः समस्तवसुधापतिस्त्वं परमेश्वरः ॥ 113.22 ॥

yadyariṁ ghātayasyenaṁ pātālāntaragocaram tataḥ samastavasudhāpatistvaṁ parameśvaraḥ

If you should slay this enemy who ranges within the netherworld, then you would become lord of the whole earth, its supreme master.

Verse 23 (markandeya.113.23)

मुशलं तस्य बलिनः सौनन्दं प्रोच्यते जनैः । तथा बलाबलं चैव तं वदन्ति विचक्षणाः ॥ 113.23 ॥

muśalaṁ tasya balinaḥ saunandaṁ procyate janaiḥ tathā balābalaṁ caiva taṁ vadanti vicakṣaṇāḥ

That mighty one's mace is called Saunanda by people; and the wise speak of it also as the measure of his strength and weakness.

Verse 24 (markandeya.113.24)

तत्तु निर्वीर्यतां याति संस्पृष्टं योषिता नृप । तस्मिन्दिने द्वितीयेऽह्नि वीर्यवत्तदुदीर्यते ॥ 113.24 ॥

tattu nirvīryatāṁ yāti saṁspṛṣṭaṁ yoṣitā nṛpa tasmindine dvitīye'hni vīryavattadudīryate

But it becomes powerless when touched by a woman, O king; on the second day thereafter, its potency is again roused.

Verse 25 (markandeya.113.25)

न स वेत्ति दुराचारः प्रभावं मुशलस्य तम् । योषित्कराग्रसंस्पर्शे दोषं वीर्यविशातनम् ॥ 113.25 ॥

na sa vetti durācāraḥ prabhāvaṁ muśalasya tam yoṣitkarāgrasaṁsparśe doṣaṁ vīryaviśātanam

That evil-doer does not know this power of the mace — that the touch of a woman's fingertips is the flaw that drains its potency.

Verse 26 (markandeya.113.26)

एवं तस्य बलं भूप दानवस्य दुरात्मनः । मुशलस्य च ते प्रोक्तं यद्युक्तं तत्समाचर ॥ 113.26 ॥

evaṁ tasya balaṁ bhūpa dānavasya durātmanaḥ muśalasya ca te proktaṁ yadyuktaṁ tatsamācara

Thus, O king, has the strength of that evil-souled demon and of his mace been told to you; do what is fitting.

Verse 27 (markandeya.113.27)

आसन्नमेतद्भवतः पुरस्य पृथिवीपते । कृतं तेन महारन्ध्रं निश्चिन्तः किं भवान्वृथा ॥ 113.27 ॥

āsannametadbhavataḥ purasya pṛthivīpate kṛtaṁ tena mahārandhraṁ niścintaḥ kiṁ bhavānvṛthā

"This peril, lord of the earth, now presses upon your own city; he has made this great chasm — why are you carefree, in vain?"

Verse 28 (markandeya.113.28)

इत्युक्त्वा तु गते तस्मिन्पुरं गत्वा महीपतिः । मन्त्रयामास मन्त्रज्ञैः पुरमध्ये तु मन्त्रिभिः ॥ 113.28 ॥

ityuktvā tu gate tasminpuraṁ gatvā mahīpatiḥ mantrayāmāsa mantrajñaiḥ puramadhye tu mantribhiḥ

Having said this, he departed; then that king, going to his city, took counsel with his wise ministers within the city.

Verse 29 (markandeya.113.29)

यथाश्रुतमशेषं तत्कथयामास मन्त्रिणाम् । मुशलस्य प्रभावं च वीर्यशातनमेव च ॥ 113.29 ॥

yathāśrutamaśeṣaṁ tatkathayāmāsa mantriṇām muśalasya prabhāvaṁ ca vīryaśātanameva ca

He told his ministers everything just as he had heard it — the power of the mace, and the secret of its potency draining away.

Verse 30 (markandeya.113.30)

तं मन्त्रं क्रियमाणं तु मन्त्रिभिस्तेन भूभृता । तत्पार्श्ववर्तिनी कन्या शुश्रावाथ मुदावती ॥ 113.30 ॥

taṁ mantraṁ kriyamāṇaṁ tu mantribhistena bhūbhṛtā tatpārśvavartinī kanyā śuśrāvātha mudāvatī

While that counsel was being held by the king and his ministers, a maiden standing nearby, named Mudavati, overheard it.

Verse 31 (markandeya.113.31)

ततः कतिपयाहे तु तां कन्यां वयसान्विताम् । जहारोपवनाद्दैत्यः कुजृम्भः स सखीवृताम् ॥ 113.31 ॥

tataḥ katipayāhe tu tāṁ kanyāṁ vayasānvitām jahāropavanāddaityaḥ kujṛmbhaḥ sa sakhīvṛtām

Then, after a few days, that maiden, now in the bloom of youth, was carried off from the pleasure-garden, together with her companions, by the demon Kujrimbha.

Verse 32 (markandeya.113.32)

तच्छ्रुत्वा स महीपालः क्रोधपर्याकुलेक्षणः । पुत्रावुवाच त्वरितं गच्छतं वनकोविदौ ॥ 113.32 ॥

tacchrutvā sa mahīpālaḥ krodhaparyākulekṣaṇaḥ putrāvuvāca tvaritaṁ gacchataṁ vanakovidau

Hearing this, the king, his eyes wild with fury, spoke swiftly to his two sons: "Go, you both skilled in the forest,

Verse 33 (markandeya.113.33)

निर्विन्ध्यायास्तटे गर्तस्तेन गत्वा रसातलम् । स हन्यतां योऽपहर्ता मुदावत्याः सुदुर्मतिः ॥ 113.33 ॥

nirvindhyāyāstaṭe gartastena gatvā rasātalam sa hanyatāṁ yo'pahartā mudāvatyāḥ sudurmatiḥ

to the pit on the bank of the Nirvindhya, and, going through it to the netherworld, let that most evil-minded abductor of Mudavati be slain."

Verse 34 (markandeya.113.34)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच ततस्तौ तत्सुतौ प्राप्य तं गर्त्तं तत्पदानुगौ । युयुधाते कुजृम्भेण स्वसैन्येनातिकोपितौ ॥ 113.34 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca tatastau tatsutau prāpya taṁ garttaṁ tatpadānugau yuyudhāte kujṛmbheṇa svasainyenātikopitau

Markandeya said: Then those two sons, having reached that pit and followed his tracks, fought, greatly enraged, together with their own army against Kujrimbha.

Verse 35 (markandeya.113.35)

ततः परिघनिस्त्रिंशशक्तिशूलपरश्वधैः । बाणैश्चाविरतं युद्धं तेषामासीत्सुदारुणम् ॥ 113.35 ॥

tataḥ parighanistriṁśaśaktiśūlaparaśvadhaiḥ bāṇaiścāvirataṁ yuddhaṁ teṣāmāsītsudāruṇam

Then, with maces, swords, spears, tridents, axes, and arrows, an unceasing and most terrible battle raged between them.

Verse 36 (markandeya.113.36)

ततो मायाबलवता तेन दैत्येन तावुभौ । राजपुत्रौ रणे बद्धौ निहताशेषसैनिकौ ॥ 113.36 ॥

tato māyābalavatā tena daityena tāvubhau rājaputrau raṇe baddhau nihatāśeṣasainikau

Then that Daitya, powerful in magic, bound both those princes in battle, all their soldiers having been slain.

Verse 37 (markandeya.113.37)

तच्छ्रुत्वा स महीपालः प्राहेदं सर्वसैनिकान् । बद्धपुत्रः परामार्तिमुपेतो मुनिसत्तम ॥ 113.37 ॥

tacchrutvā sa mahīpālaḥ prāhedaṁ sarvasainikān baddhaputraḥ parāmārtimupeto munisattama

Hearing that, O best of sages, that king, come to the utmost grief over his bound sons, said this to all his soldiers:

Verse 38 (markandeya.113.38)

यस्तं निहत्य दैतेयं मोचयिष्यति मे सुताम् । तस्याहं सम्प्रदास्यामि तामेवायतलोचनाम् ॥ 113.38 ॥

yastaṁ nihatya daiteyaṁ mocayiṣyati me sutām tasyāhaṁ sampradāsyāmi tāmevāyatalocanām

"Whoever, having slain that Daitya, shall free my daughter, to him I shall give this very long-eyed maiden."

Verse 39 (markandeya.113.39)

इत्येवं घोषयांचक्रे स राजा स्वपुरे तदा । निराशः पुत्रतनयाबन्धमोक्षाय वै मुने ॥ 113.39 ॥

ityevaṁ ghoṣayāṁcakre sa rājā svapure tadā nirāśaḥ putratanayābandhamokṣāya vai mune

O sage, thus did that despairing king have this proclaimed in his own city, for the release of his sons and daughter from bondage.

Verse 40 (markandeya.113.40)

ततः शुश्राव वत्सप्रीर्भलन्दनसुतो हि तत् । आघोष्यमाणं बलवान्कृतास्त्रः शौर्यसंयुतः ॥ 113.40 ॥

tataḥ śuśrāva vatsaprīrbhalandanasuto hi tat āghoṣyamāṇaṁ balavānkṛtāstraḥ śauryasaṁyutaḥ

Then Vatsapri, son of Bhalandana, powerful, skilled in weapons, and full of valor, heard that proclamation.

Verse 41 (markandeya.113.41)

स चागम्याभिवाद्यैनं प्राह पार्थिवसत्तमम् । विनयावनतो भूत्वा पितुर्मित्रमनुत्तमम् ॥ 113.41 ॥

sa cāgamyābhivādyainaṁ prāha pārthivasattamam vinayāvanato bhūtvā piturmitramanuttamam

He, coming and greeting him, that peerless friend of his father, that best of kings, said this, bowing low in humility:

Verse 42 (markandeya.113.42)

आज्ञापयाशु मामेव तनयौ मोचयामि ते । तवैव तेजसा हत्वा तं दैत्यं तनयां च ते ॥ 113.42 ॥

ājñāpayāśu māmeva tanayau mocayāmi te tavaiva tejasā hatvā taṁ daityaṁ tanayāṁ ca te

"Command me at once — I shall free your sons, having slain that Daitya through your very own power, and your daughter too."

Verse 43 (markandeya.113.43)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच स तं मुदा परिष्वज्य प्रियसख्युरथात्मजम् । गम्यतामिति संसिद्ध्यै वत्सेत्याह स पार्थिवः ॥ 113.43 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca sa taṁ mudā pariṣvajya priyasakhyurathātmajam gamyatāmiti saṁsiddhyai vatsetyāha sa pārthivaḥ

Markandeya said: Embracing his dear friend's son with joy, that king said, "Go, my child, for the accomplishment of this!

Verse 44 (markandeya.113.44)

स्थाने स्थास्यति मे वत्सो यद्येवं कुरुते विधिम् । वत्सैतत्क्रियतामाशु यद्युत्साहि मनस्तव ॥ 113.44 ॥

sthāne sthāsyati me vatso yadyevaṁ kurute vidhim vatsaitatkriyatāmāśu yadyutsāhi manastava

My son shall remain in his proper place, if you carry out this task; my child, let it be done at once, if your mind is eager for it."

Verse 45 (markandeya.113.45)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच ततः सखड्गः सधनुर्बद्धगोधाङ्गुलित्रवान् । जगाम वीर पातालं तेन गर्तेन सत्वरः ॥ 113.45 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca tataḥ sakhaḍgaḥ sadhanurbaddhagodhāṅgulitravān jagāma vīra pātālaṁ tena gartena satvaraḥ

Markandeya said: Then, girded with sword and bow, his fingers bound with guards of iguana-hide, that hero swiftly went into the netherworld through that same pit.

Verse 46 (markandeya.113.46)

ततो ज्यास्वनमत्युग्रं स चक्रे पार्थिवात्मजः । येन पातालमखिलमासीदापूरितान्तरम् ॥ 113.46 ॥

tato jyāsvanamatyugraṁ sa cakre pārthivātmajaḥ yena pātālamakhilamāsīdāpūritāntaram

Then that prince made an exceedingly fierce twang of his bowstring, by which the entire netherworld was filled within with its sound.

Verse 47 (markandeya.113.47)

ततो ज्यास्वनमाकर्ण्य कुजृम्भो दानवेश्वरः । आजगामातिकोपेन स्वसैन्यपरिवारितः ॥ 113.47 ॥

tato jyāsvanamākarṇya kujṛmbho dānaveśvaraḥ ājagāmātikopena svasainyaparivāritaḥ

Hearing that twang, Kujrimbha, lord of the danavas, came there in utmost fury, surrounded by his own army.

Verse 48 (markandeya.113.48)

ततो युद्धमभूत्तस्य तेन पार्थिवसूनुना । ससैन्यस्य ससैन्येन बलिनो बलशालिना ॥ 113.48 ॥

tato yuddhamabhūttasya tena pārthivasūnunā sasainyasya sasainyena balino balaśālinā

Then a battle took place between that mighty, powerful danava with his army, and that prince, likewise with his army.

Verse 49 (markandeya.113.49)

दिनानि त्रीणि स यदा योधितस्तेन दानवः । ततः कोपपरीतात्मा मुसलायाभ्यधावत ॥ 113.49 ॥

dināni trīṇi sa yadā yodhitastena dānavaḥ tataḥ kopaparītātmā musalāyābhyadhāvata

When that danava had been fought for three days, then, his mind overcome with rage, he rushed toward his mace.

Verse 50 (markandeya.113.50)

गन्धैर्माल्यैस्तथा धूपैः पूज्यमानः स तिष्ठति । अन्तःपुरे महाभाग प्रजापतिविनिर्मितः ॥ 113.50 ॥

gandhairmālyaistathā dhūpaiḥ pūjyamānaḥ sa tiṣṭhati antaḥpure mahābhāga prajāpativinirmitaḥ

That mace, fashioned by Prajapati, O illustrious one, stood within the inner apartments, being worshipped there with perfumes, garlands, and incense.

Verse 51 (markandeya.113.51)

ततो विज्ञातमुशलप्रभावा सा मुदावती । पस्पर्श मुशलश्रेष्ठमतिनम्रशिरोधरा ॥ 113.51 ॥

tato vijñātamuśalaprabhāvā sā mudāvatī pasparśa muśalaśreṣṭhamatinamraśirodharā

Then Mudavati, who knew the power of that mace, bowing her head most humbly, touched that finest of maces.

Verse 52 (markandeya.113.52)

पुनर्यावत्स गृह्णाति मुशलं तं महासुरः । तावत्सा वन्दनव्याजात्पस्पर्शानेकशः शुभा ॥ 113.52 ॥

punaryāvatsa gṛhṇāti muśalaṁ taṁ mahāsuraḥ tāvatsā vandanavyājātpasparśānekaśaḥ śubhā

Even as that great asura was about to seize that mace again, that auspicious lady, on the pretext of paying homage, touched it repeatedly.

Verse 53 (markandeya.113.53)

ततः स गत्वा युयुधे मुसलेनासुरेश्वरः । व्यर्था मुशलपातास्ते संजग्मुस्तेषु शत्रुषु ॥ 113.53 ॥

tataḥ sa gatvā yuyudhe musalenāsureśvaraḥ vyarthā muśalapātāste saṁjagmusteṣu śatruṣu

Then that lord of the asuras, having gone there, fought with the mace; but those blows of the mace fell in vain upon his foes.

Verse 54 (markandeya.113.54)

परमास्त्रे तु निर्वीर्ये सौनन्दे मुशले मुने । अस्त्रैः शस्त्रैश्च दैतेयः सोऽयुध्यत रणेऽरिणा ॥ 113.54 ॥

paramāstre tu nirvīrye saunande muśale mune astraiḥ śastraiśca daiteyaḥ so'yudhyata raṇe'riṇā

That supreme weapon, the Saunanda mace, having become powerless, O sage, that Daitya then fought his enemy in battle with other weapons and missiles.

Verse 55 (markandeya.113.55)

शस्त्रास्त्रैर्नः समस्तस्य राजपुत्रस्य सोऽसुरः । मुशलेन बलं तस्य तच्च तन्व्या निराकृतम् ॥ 113.55 ॥

śastrāstrairnaḥ samastasya rājaputrasya so'suraḥ muśalena balaṁ tasya tacca tanvyā nirākṛtam

With weapons and missiles that asura faced the prince's entire might; but his own strength, through the mace, had already been nullified by that slender-waisted girl.

Verse 56 (markandeya.113.56)

ततः पराजित्य स भूपसूनुरस्त्राणि शस्त्राणि च दानवस्य । चकार सद्यो विरथं ततश्च सचर्मखड्गः पुनरप्यधावत् ॥ 113.56 ॥

tataḥ parājitya sa bhūpasūnurastrāṇi śastrāṇi ca dānavasya cakāra sadyo virathaṁ tataśca sacarmakhaḍgaḥ punarapyadhāvat

Then, having defeated the danava's weapons and missiles, that prince at once rendered him chariotless; then, taking up shield and sword, he charged again.

Verse 57 (markandeya.113.57)

तमापतन्तं रभसाऽभ्युदीर्णं विस्पष्टकोपं त्रिदशेन्द्रशत्रुम् । शस्त्रेण वह्नेर्भुवि राजपुत्रौ जघान कालानलसप्रभेण ॥ 113.57 ॥

tamāpatantaṁ rabhasā'bhyudīrṇaṁ vispaṣṭakopaṁ tridaśendraśatrum śastreṇa vahnerbhuvi rājaputrau jaghāna kālānalasaprabheṇa

As he came rushing forward in violence, his fury plain to see, that foe of the lord of the thirty gods — with a fire-weapon blazing like the fire of universal dissolution, the prince struck him down to the ground.

Verse 58 (markandeya.113.58)

स पावकास्त्रेण हृदि क्षतो भृशं तत्याज देहं त्रिदशारिरात्मनः । बभूव सद्यश्च महोरगाणां रसातलान्तेषु महानथोत्सवः ॥ 113.58 ॥

sa pāvakāstreṇa hṛdi kṣato bhṛśaṁ tatyāja dehaṁ tridaśārirātmanaḥ babhūva sadyaśca mahoragāṇāṁ rasātalānteṣu mahānathotsavaḥ

Grievously wounded in the heart by that fire-weapon, that foe of Indra gave up his own body; and at once a great festival arose among the great serpents in the depths of the netherworld.

Verse 59 (markandeya.113.59)

ततोऽपतत्पुष्पवृष्टिर्महीपालसुतोपरि । जगुर्गन्धर्वपतयो देववाद्यानि सस्वनुः ॥ 113.59 ॥

tato'patatpuṣpavṛṣṭirmahīpālasutopari jagurgandharvapatayo devavādyāni sasvanuḥ

Then a shower of flowers fell upon that prince; the lords of the gandharvas sang, and the instruments of the gods resounded.

Verse 60 (markandeya.113.60)

स चापि राजपुत्रस्तं हत्वा तौ नृपतेः सुतौ । मोचयामास तन्वङ्गी तां च कन्यां मुदावतीम् ॥ 113.60 ॥

sa cāpi rājaputrastaṁ hatvā tau nṛpateḥ sutau mocayāmāsa tanvaṅgī tāṁ ca kanyāṁ mudāvatīm

That prince, having slain him, freed those two princes, and freed also that slender-limbed maiden Mudavati.

Verse 61 (markandeya.113.61)

तच्चापि मुसलं तस्मिन्कुजृम्भे विनिपातिते । जग्राह नागाधिपतिरनन्तः शेषसंज्ञितः ॥ 113.61 ॥

taccāpi musalaṁ tasminkujṛmbhe vinipātite jagrāha nāgādhipatiranantaḥ śeṣasaṁjñitaḥ

And when Kujrimbha had been struck down, that mace too was taken up by the lord of serpents, Ananta, known as Shesha.

Verse 62 (markandeya.113.62)

तस्याश्च परितुष्टोऽसौ शेषः सर्वोरगेश्वरः । मुदावत्या मुदाध्यातमनोवृत्तिस्तपोधनः ॥ 113.62 ॥

tasyāśca parituṣṭo'sau śeṣaḥ sarvorageśvaraḥ mudāvatyā mudādhyātamanovṛttistapodhanaḥ

Shesha, lord of all serpents, rich in austerity, was well pleased with that Mudavati, his mind fixed in delight upon her,

Verse 63 (markandeya.113.63)

सुनन्दमुसलस्पर्शं यच्चकार पुनः पुनः । योषित्करतलस्पर्शप्रभावज्ञातिशोभना ॥ 113.63 ॥

sunandamusalasparśaṁ yaccakāra punaḥ punaḥ yoṣitkaratalasparśaprabhāvajñātiśobhanā

and again and again he had her touch the Sunanda mace; through the power of that woman's palm's touch, she came to be renowned and beautified.

Verse 64 (markandeya.113.64)

मुदावत्यास्ततो नाम नागराजस्तदाकरोत् । सुनन्दामिति सानन्दं सौनन्दगुणजं द्विज ॥ 113.64 ॥

mudāvatyāstato nāma nāgarājastadākarot sunandāmiti sānandaṁ saunandaguṇajaṁ dvija

Then, O brahmin, that serpent-king gladly gave to Mudavati the name "Sunanda," a name born from the qualities of the Saunanda mace.

Verse 65 (markandeya.113.65)

स चापि राजपुत्रस्तां भ्रातृभ्यां सहितां पितुः । समीपमानिनायाशु प्रणिपत्याह चैव तम् ॥ 113.65 ॥

sa cāpi rājaputrastāṁ bhrātṛbhyāṁ sahitāṁ pituḥ samīpamānināyāśu praṇipatyāha caiva tam

That prince too quickly brought her, together with her two brothers, into his own father's presence, and, prostrating himself, said to him:

Verse 66 (markandeya.113.66)

आनीतौ तनयौ तात तथैवेयं मुदावती । तवाज्ञया मयान्यद्यत्कर्तव्यं तत्समादिश ॥ 113.66 ॥

ānītau tanayau tāta tathaiveyaṁ mudāvatī tavājñayā mayānyadyatkartavyaṁ tatsamādiśa

"Father, your two sons have been brought back, and this Mudavati as well; by your command I have done this — instruct me now as to what else must be done."

Verse 67 (markandeya.113.67)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच ततः प्रहर्षसम्पूर्णहृदयः स महीपतिः । साधुसाध्वित्यथाहोच्चैर्वत्स वत्सेति शोभनम् ॥ 113.67 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca tataḥ praharṣasampūrṇahṛdayaḥ sa mahīpatiḥ sādhusādhvityathāhoccairvatsa vatseti śobhanam

Markandeya said: Then that king, his heart filled with joy, cried out loudly, "Well done, well done!" and "My child, my child!" and spoke these gracious words:

Verse 68 (markandeya.113.68)

सभाजितोऽस्मि त्रिदशैर्वत्साहं कारणैस्त्रिभिः । त्वं जामाता च यत्प्राप्तो यच्चारिर्विनिपातितः ॥ 113.68 ॥

sabhājito'smi tridaśairvatsāhaṁ kāraṇaistribhiḥ tvaṁ jāmātā ca yatprāpto yaccārirvinipātitaḥ

"My child, I have been honored by the gods for three reasons: that you have become my son-in-law, that the enemy has been struck down,

Verse 69 (markandeya.113.69)

आगतान्यक्षतान्यत्र यच्चापत्यानि मे पुनः । तद्गृहाणाद्य शस्तेऽह्नि पाणिमस्या मयोदितम् ॥ 113.69 ॥

āgatānyakṣatānyatra yaccāpatyāni me punaḥ tadgṛhāṇādya śaste'hni pāṇimasyā mayoditam

and that my children have returned here unharmed; therefore, on this auspicious day, take her hand — thus I have spoken.

Verse 70 (markandeya.113.70)

त्वं राजपुत्र चार्वङ्ग्याः कन्याया दुहितुर्मम । मुदावत्या मुदा युक्तः सत्यवाक्यं कुरुष्व माम् ॥ 113.70 ॥

tvaṁ rājaputra cārvaṅgyāḥ kanyāyā duhiturmama mudāvatyā mudā yuktaḥ satyavākyaṁ kuruṣva mām

You, O prince, joyfully take the hand of my lovely-limbed daughter Mudavati, and make my word true."

Verse 71 (markandeya.113.71)

राजपुत्र उवाच तातस्याज्ञा मया कार्या यद्ब्रवीषि करोमि तत् । त्वमेव तात जानीषे नैवात्राधिकृता वयम् ॥ 113.71 ॥

rājaputra uvāca tātasyājñā mayā kāryā yadbravīṣi karomi tat tvameva tāta jānīṣe naivātrādhikṛtā vayam

The prince said: "I must obey my father's command; whatever you say, that I shall do; you alone know, father — we are not the ones to decide in this."

Verse 72 (markandeya.113.72)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच ततस्तयोः स राजेन्द्रश्चक्रे वैवाहिकं क्रमम् । मुदावत्याश्च दुहितुर्भलन्दनसुतस्य वै ॥ 113.72 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca tatastayoḥ sa rājendraścakre vaivāhikaṁ kramam mudāvatyāśca duhiturbhalandanasutasya vai

Markandeya said: Then that lord of kings performed the marriage rite for the two of them — his daughter Mudavati and the son of Bhalandana.

Verse 73 (markandeya.113.73)

ततः स तया रेमे वत्सप्रीर्नवयौवनः । रमणीयेषु देशेषु प्रासादशिखरेषु च ॥ 113.73 ॥

tataḥ sa tayā reme vatsaprīrnavayauvanaḥ ramaṇīyeṣu deśeṣu prāsādaśikhareṣu ca

Then Vatsapri, in the freshness of his youth, sported with her in delightful places and upon the tops of the palaces.

Verse 74 (markandeya.113.74)

कालेन गच्छता वृद्धः पिता तस्य भलन्दनः । वनं जगाम वत्सप्रीः स बभूव महीपतिः ॥ 113.74 ॥

kālena gacchatā vṛddhaḥ pitā tasya bhalandanaḥ vanaṁ jagāma vatsaprīḥ sa babhūva mahīpatiḥ

As time passed, his father Bhalandana, grown old, went away to the forest, and Vatsapri became the ruler of the earth.

Verse 75 (markandeya.113.75)

इयाज यज्ञान्सततं प्रजा धर्मेण पालयन् । पुत्रवत्पाल्यमानास्तु प्रजास्तेन महात्मना ॥ 113.75 ॥

iyāja yajñānsatataṁ prajā dharmeṇa pālayan putravatpālyamānāstu prajāstena mahātmanā

He performed sacrifices continually, protecting his subjects with righteousness; and the subjects, protected by that great soul as though they were his own children,

Verse 76 (markandeya.113.76)

ववृधुर्विषये तस्य न चाभूद्वर्णसङ्करः । न दस्युव्यालदुर्वृत्तभयमासीच्च कस्यचित् । । नोपसर्गभयं चैव तस्मिञ्छासति भूपतौ ॥ 113.76 ॥

vavṛdhurviṣaye tasya na cābhūdvarṇasaṅkaraḥ na dasyuvyāladurvṛttabhayamāsīcca kasyacit | nopasargabhayaṁ caiva tasmiñchāsati bhūpatau

flourished within his realm, and there was no mixing of the varnas; no one had fear of thieves, of savage beasts, or of the wicked, nor was there fear of pestilence, while that king ruled.