The Story of Avikshit (III)

Verse 1 (markandeya.121.1)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच ततः शुश्राव तं बद्धं तनयं स करन्धमः । तस्य पत्नी तथा वीरा अन्ये चापि महीभृतः ॥ 121.1 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca tataḥ śuśrāva taṁ baddhaṁ tanayaṁ sa karandhamaḥ tasya patnī tathā vīrā anye cāpi mahībhṛtaḥ

Markandeya said: Then Karandhama heard that his son had been bound; and so did his wife Vira, and other kings as well.

Verse 2 (markandeya.121.2)

तमधर्मेण तनयं बद्धं श्रुत्वा महीपतिः । समन्तैः पृथिवीपालैश्चिरं दध्यौ महामुने ॥ 121.2 ॥

tamadharmeṇa tanayaṁ baddhaṁ śrutvā mahīpatiḥ samantaiḥ pṛthivīpālaiściraṁ dadhyau mahāmune

Having heard that his son had been unrighteously bound, that lord of the earth, together with all the surrounding rulers, pondered for a long time, O great sage.

Verse 3 (markandeya.121.3)

केचिदूचुर्महीपाला वध्याः सर्वे महीभृतः । यैरेकः संयुगे बद्धः समस्तैस्तैरधर्मतः ॥ 121.3 ॥

kecidūcurmahīpālā vadhyāḥ sarve mahībhṛtaḥ yairekaḥ saṁyuge baddhaḥ samastaistairadharmataḥ

Some kings said: "All those kings deserve death, by whom one man was unrighteously bound, together, in battle."

Verse 4 (markandeya.121.4)

युज्यतां वाहिनी शीघ्रमूचुरन्ये किमास्यते । विशालो बध्यतां दुष्टस्तत्र येऽन्ये समागताः ॥ 121.4 ॥

yujyatāṁ vāhinī śīghramūcuranye kimāsyate viśālo badhyatāṁ duṣṭastatra ye ’nye samāgatāḥ

Others said: "Let the army be mustered at once — why do we sit idle? Let the wicked Vishala be slain, and all others who gathered there with him."

Verse 5 (markandeya.121.5)

अन्ये तथोचुर्धर्मोऽत्र त्यक्तः पूर्वमहीक्षिता । अन्यायेन बलाद्येन गृहीता तमवाच्छती ॥ 121.5 ॥

anye tathocurdharmo ’tra tyaktaḥ pūrvamahīkṣitā anyāyena balādyena gṛhītā tamavācchatī

Others spoke thus: "Righteousness was here abandoned first by that earlier lord of the earth, by whom that unwilling maiden was seized through unjust force."

Verse 6 (markandeya.121.6)

स्वयंवरेष्वशेषेषु तेन राजसुतास्तदा । खिलीकृतास्ततः सर्वे समेत्य स वशीकृतः ॥ 121.6 ॥

svayaṁvareṣvaśeṣeṣu tena rājasutāstadā khilīkṛtāstataḥ sarve sametya sa vaśīkṛtaḥ

"By him, at all the svayamvaras, the princes were reduced to failure, one after another; then, gathering together, they overpowered him."

Verse 7 (markandeya.121.7)

तेषामेतद्वचः श्रुत्वा वीरा वीरप्रजावती । वीरगोत्रसमुद्भूता वीरपत्नी प्रहर्षिता ॥ 121.7 ॥

teṣāmetadvacaḥ śrutvā vīrā vīraprajāvatī vīragotrasamudbhūtā vīrapatnī praharṣitā

Hearing these words of theirs, Vira, mother of heroes, born of a heroic lineage, wife of a hero, greatly delighted —

Verse 8 (markandeya.121.8)

उवाच भर्त्तुः प्रत्यक्षमन्येषां च महीक्षिताम् । भद्रं कृतं भद्रभुजा मम पुत्रेण पार्थिवाः ॥ 121.8 ॥

uvāca bharttuḥ pratyakṣamanyeṣāṁ ca mahīkṣitām bhadraṁ kṛtaṁ bhadrabhujā mama putreṇa pārthivāḥ

— spoke, in the presence of her husband and the other kings: "Well done indeed, O kings, by my auspicious-armed son!"

Verse 9 (markandeya.121.9)

गृहीता यद्बलात्कन्या जित्वा सर्वमहीक्षितः । तदर्थं युध्यमानोऽयं बद्ध एको न धर्मतः ॥ 121.9 ॥

gṛhītā yadbalātkanyā jitvā sarvamahīkṣitaḥ tadarthaṁ yudhyamāno ’yaṁ baddha eko na dharmataḥ

"That the maiden was taken by force, having conquered all the kings — for that cause this one fought alone and was bound; there was no lapse of righteousness in it."

Verse 10 (markandeya.121.10)

तदप्यस्मत्सुतस्याजौ मन्ये नापचयप्रदम् । एतदेवहि पौरुष्यं यदमर्षवशान्नरः ॥ 121.10 ॥

tadapyasmatsutasyājau manye nāpacayapradam etadevahi pauruṣyaṁ yadamarṣavaśānnaraḥ

"Even that, I think, brings no diminishment to my son in the fight; for this indeed is true manliness, that a man, moved by indignation —"

Verse 11 (markandeya.121.11)

नीतिं न गणयत्येवं जिघांसुरिव केसरी । स्वयंवराय विन्यस्ता मम पुत्रेण कन्यका ॥ 121.11 ॥

nītiṁ na gaṇayatyevaṁ jighāṁsuriva kesarī svayaṁvarāya vinyastā mama putreṇa kanyakā

"— does not reckon consequence, like a lion bent on killing. A maiden was set forth for a svayamvara by my son —"

Verse 12 (markandeya.121.12)

बह्व्यो गृहीता भूपानां पश्यतामतिमानिनाम् । क्व क्षत्रियकुले जन्म क्व याञ्चा हीनसेविता ॥ 121.12 ॥

bahvyo gṛhītā bhūpānāṁ paśyatāmatimāninām kva kṣatriyakule janma kva yāñcā hīnasevitā

"— and many were taken, before the very eyes of proud kings; where is birth in the Kshatriya lineage, and where is servile begging?"

Verse 13 (markandeya.121.13)

बलादेव समादत्ते क्षत्रियो बलिनां पुरः । लोहशृंखलबद्धा वा न वशं यान्ति कातराः ॥ 121.13 ॥

balādeva samādatte kṣatriyo balināṁ puraḥ lohaśṛṁkhalabaddhā vā na vaśaṁ yānti kātarāḥ

"A Kshatriya takes by force alone, before the eyes of the mighty; the timid, even bound with iron chains, do not submit."

Verse 14 (markandeya.121.14)

प्रसह्यकारिणो यान्ति राजानो धर्मशालिनः । तदलं दौर्मनस्येन श्लाघ्यमेवास्य बन्धनम् ॥ 121.14 ॥

prasahyakāriṇo yānti rājāno dharmaśālinaḥ tadalaṁ daurmanasyena ślāghyamevāsya bandhanam

"Righteous kings proceed by force alone; enough then of this despondency — this very bondage of his is praiseworthy."

Verse 15 (markandeya.121.15)

युष्माकमपि ये पूर्वे कृत्वारीणां निपातनम् । हृत्वैव पृथिवीशानां पृथ्वीपुत्रादिकं वसु ॥ 121.15 ॥

yuṣmākamapi ye pūrve kṛtvārīṇāṁ nipātanam hṛtvaiva pṛthivīśānāṁ pṛthvīputrādikaṁ vasu

"Even those of you who in the past struck down enemies, and seized from the lords of the earth the wealth born of the earth —"

Verse 16 (markandeya.121.16)

भार्यावीर्यनिमित्तानि ततो यातातिगौरवम् । तत्त्वर्यतां रणायाशु स्यन्दनान्यधिरोहत ॥ 121.16 ॥

bhāryāvīryanimittāni tato yātātigauravam tattvaryatāṁ raṇāyāśu syandanānyadhirohata

"— for the sake of a wife or of valor, went forth to face the gravest danger — arise then quickly for battle, mount your chariots."

Verse 17 (markandeya.121.17)

सज्जीकुरुत नागाश्वमचिरेण ससारथिम् । मन्यध्वं किं महीपालैर्बहुभिः सह विग्रहम् ॥ 121.17 ॥

sajjīkuruta nāgāśvamacireṇa sasārathim manyadhvaṁ kiṁ mahīpālairbahubhiḥ saha vigraham

"Make ready without delay the elephants and horses along with their charioteers; do you think it a great matter to war against many kings?"

Verse 18 (markandeya.121.18)

प्रभूता एव तोषाय शूरस्याल्परणे क्रियाः । कस्य नाल्पेषु सामर्थ्यं नरेन्द्रादिषु जायते ॥ 121.18 ॥

prabhūtā eva toṣāya śūrasyālparaṇe kriyāḥ kasya nālpeṣu sāmarthyaṁ narendrādiṣu jāyate

"For a hero, deeds even in a small battle are enough for satisfaction; in whom, among kings and the like, does capability not arise even in small things?"

Verse 19 (markandeya.121.19)

येभ्यो न विद्यते भीतिर्विक्रान्तस्यापि शत्रुषु । व्याप्य लोभान्समस्तान्यो ह्यभिभूय यतो नरः । व्यरोचतेऽतिशूरः स तमांसीव दिवाकरः ॥ 121.19 ॥

yebhyo na vidyate bhītirvikrāntasyāpi śatruṣu vyāpya lobhānsamastānyo hyabhibhūya yato naraḥ vyarocate ’tiśūraḥ sa tamāṁsīva divākaraḥ

"He from whom no fear arises even among valorous foes — who, pervading and overcoming all covetous rivals, shines forth exceedingly heroic, like the sun amid darkness."

Verse 20 (markandeya.121.20)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच इत्थमुद्धर्षितो राजाऽनया पत्न्या करन्धमः । चकार स बलोद्योगं हन्तुं पुत्राहितान्मुने ॥ 121.20 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca itthamuddharṣito rājā ’nayā patnyā karandhamaḥ cakāra sa balodyogaṁ hantuṁ putrāhitānmune

Markandeya said: Thus roused by this speech of his wife, King Karandhama made ready his forces to slay those who had wronged his son, O sage.

Verse 21 (markandeya.121.21)

ततस्तस्य समं भूपैर्विशालेन च सङ्गरः । बभूव बद्धपुत्रस्य तैरशेषैर्महामुने ॥ 121.21 ॥

tatastasya samaṁ bhūpairviśālena ca saṅgaraḥ babhūva baddhaputrasya tairaśeṣairmahāmune

Then, O great sage, a great conflict arose between him — whose son had been bound — and King Vishala together with all those other kings.

Verse 22 (markandeya.121.22)

दिनत्रयमभूद्युद्धं तेन राज्ञा समं तदा । करन्धमेन भूपानां विशालस्यानुकुर्वताम् ॥ 121.22 ॥

dinatrayamabhūdyuddhaṁ tena rājñā samaṁ tadā karandhamena bhūpānāṁ viśālasyānukurvatām

A battle went on for three days then, between that King Karandhama and the kings who sided with Vishala.

Verse 23 (markandeya.121.23)

यदा पराजितप्रायं तत्सर्वं भूपमण्डलम् । तदा विशालोऽर्घ्यकरः करन्धममुपस्थितः ॥ 121.23 ॥

yadā parājitaprāyaṁ tatsarvaṁ bhūpamaṇḍalam tadā viśālo ’rghyakaraḥ karandhamamupasthitaḥ

When that entire assembly of kings had been almost defeated, then Vishala, bearing an offering of respect, approached Karandhama.

Verse 24 (markandeya.121.24)

करन्धमोऽपि सम्प्रीत्या तेन राज्ञाभिपूजितः । विमुक्ते तनये तत्र निशान्तां सुखमावसत् ॥ 121.24 ॥

karandhamo ’pi samprītyā tena rājñābhipūjitaḥ vimukte tanaye tatra niśāntāṁ sukhamāvasat

Karandhama too, honored affectionately by that king, once his son had been released, spent that night there happily.

Verse 25 (markandeya.121.25)

तां च कन्यामुपादाय विशालं समुपस्थितम् । अविक्षित्प्राह विप्रर्षे विवाहार्थं पितुः पुरः ॥ 121.25 ॥

tāṁ ca kanyāmupādāya viśālaṁ samupasthitam avikṣitprāha viprarṣe vivāhārthaṁ pituḥ puraḥ

And before Vishala, who had come bringing that maiden, Avikshit spoke, O sage among brahmins, in his father's presence, concerning the marriage.

Verse 26 (markandeya.121.26)

नाहमेतां ग्रहीष्यामि न चान्यां योषितं नृप । परैर्यस्या निरीक्षन्त्याः संग्रामेऽहं पराजितः ॥ 121.26 ॥

nāhametāṁ grahīṣyāmi na cānyāṁ yoṣitaṁ nṛpa parairyasyā nirīkṣantyāḥ saṁgrāme ’haṁ parājitaḥ

"I shall not accept her, O king, nor any other woman; for I was defeated in battle by others while she looked on —"

Verse 27 (markandeya.121.27)

अन्यस्मै सम्प्रयच्छेमामियं चान्यं वृणोतु तम् । अखण्डितयशो वीर्यो यः परैर्नापमानितः ॥ 121.27 ॥

anyasmai samprayacchemāmiyaṁ cānyaṁ vṛṇotu tam akhaṇḍitayaśo vīryo yaḥ parairnāpamānitaḥ

"— let her be given to another, and let her choose that other one, whose fame and valor remain unbroken, who has not been dishonored by others."

Verse 28 (markandeya.121.28)

परैः पराजितोऽहं यत्कातरेयं यथाऽबला । किमत्र मानुषत्वं मे नैतस्या मम चान्तरम् ॥ 121.28 ॥

paraiḥ parājito ’haṁ yatkātareyaṁ yathā ’balā kimatra mānuṣatvaṁ me naitasyā mama cāntaram

"Since I was defeated by others, as timid as a helpless woman — what manliness is there in me? There is then no difference between her and me."

Verse 29 (markandeya.121.29)

स्वतन्त्रता मनुष्याणां परतन्त्रा सदाऽबला । नरोऽपि परतन्त्रो यस्तस्य कीदृङ्मनुष्यता ॥ 121.29 ॥

svatantratā manuṣyāṇāṁ paratantrā sadā ’balā naro ’pi paratantro yastasya kīdṛṅmanuṣyatā

"Independence belongs to men; a woman is ever dependent on another. But a man too who is dependent on another — what manhood is his?"

Verse 30 (markandeya.121.30)

सोऽहमस्या मुखं भूयो दृष्टं दर्शयिता कथम् । योऽहमस्याः पुरो भूमौ परैर्भूपैः खिलीकृतः ॥ 121.30 ॥

so ’hamasyā mukhaṁ bhūyo dṛṣṭaṁ darśayitā katham yo ’hamasyāḥ puro bhūmau parairbhūpaiḥ khilīkṛtaḥ

"How then shall I, who was thrown down and defeated before her by other kings, ever again show my face to her?"

Verse 31 (markandeya.121.31)

इत्युक्ते तेन तनयामुवाच जगतीपतिः । श्रुतं ते वचनं वत्से वदतोऽस्य महात्मनः । वरयान्यं पतिं यत्र मनस्ते रमते शुभे ॥ 121.31 ॥

ityukte tena tanayāmuvāca jagatīpatiḥ śrutaṁ te vacanaṁ vatse vadato ’sya mahātmanaḥ varayānyaṁ patiṁ yatra manaste ramate śubhe

Markandeya said: When he had spoken thus, the lord of the earth said to his daughter: "You have heard, my child, the words spoken by this great-souled one; choose another husband, wherever your mind delights, O auspicious one."

Verse 32 (markandeya.121.32)

वयं वा सम्प्रयच्छामो यस्मिंस्तस्मिंस्तवादृतिः । एतयोर्ह्येकमातिष्ठ मार्गयो रुचिरानने ॥ 121.32 ॥

vayaṁ vā samprayacchāmo yasmiṁstasmiṁstavādṛtiḥ etayorhyekamātiṣṭha mārgayo rucirānane

"Or we shall give you to whomever you hold in regard; take up one of these two paths, O lovely-faced one."

Verse 33 (markandeya.121.33)

कन्योवाच पराजितोऽयं बहुभिर्न सम्यक्सम्यगाचरन् । संग्रामे तद्यशो वीर्यहानिकारि न पार्थिव ॥ 121.33 ॥

kanyovāca parājito ’yaṁ bahubhirna samyaksamyagācaran saṁgrāme tadyaśo vīryahānikāri na pārthiva

The maiden said: "This one was overcome by many, not through any wrongdoing of his own; that defeat in battle, O king, does no harm to his fame or valor."

Verse 34 (markandeya.121.34)

एको बहूनां युद्धाय गजानामिव केसरी । यत्संस्थितः परं शौर्यं तेनास्य प्रकटीकृतम् ॥ 121.34 ॥

eko bahūnāṁ yuddhāya gajānāmiva kesarī yatsaṁsthitaḥ paraṁ śauryaṁ tenāsya prakaṭīkṛtam

"Alone against many for battle, like a lion before elephants — that he stood his ground at all reveals his supreme valor."

Verse 35 (markandeya.121.35)

न केवलमयं तस्थौ युद्धे तेप्यखिला जिताः । बहुशोऽनेन यत्नेन विक्रमोऽपि प्रकाशितः ॥ 121.35 ॥

na kevalamayaṁ tasthau yuddhe tepyakhilā jitāḥ bahuśo ’nena yatnena vikramo ’pi prakāśitaḥ

"Not only did he stand his ground in battle — by that same effort, though they were all in the end victorious, his prowess too was displayed many times over."

Verse 36 (markandeya.121.36)

शौर्यविक्रमसंयुक्तमिमं सर्वमहीक्षितः । धर्मयुद्धमधर्मेण जितवन्तोऽत्र का त्रपा ॥ 121.36 ॥

śauryavikramasaṁyuktamimaṁ sarvamahīkṣitaḥ dharmayuddhamadharmeṇa jitavanto ’tra kā trapā

"That all the kings together conquered by unrighteous means this righteous warrior, endowed with valor and prowess — what shame is there in this for him?"

Verse 37 (markandeya.121.37)

न चापि रूपमात्रेऽहं लोभमस्य गता पितः । शौर्यविक्रमधैर्याणि हरन्त्यस्य मनो मम ॥ 121.37 ॥

na cāpi rūpamātre ’haṁ lobhamasya gatā pitaḥ śauryavikramadhairyāṇi harantyasya mano mama

"Nor, father, have I been drawn by mere covetousness of his beauty; it is his valor, prowess, and steadfastness that captivate my heart."

Verse 38 (markandeya.121.38)

तत्किमुक्तेन बहुना याच्यतां मत्कृते नृपः । त्वया महानुभावोऽयं नान्यो मे भविता पतिः ॥ 121.38 ॥

tatkimuktena bahunā yācyatāṁ matkṛte nṛpaḥ tvayā mahānubhāvo ’yaṁ nānyo me bhavitā patiḥ

"What use is much speech? Let the king be entreated on my behalf; this great-souled one alone, and no other, shall be my husband."

Verse 39 (markandeya.121.39)

विशाल उवाच राजपुत्रसुता प्राह ममैतच्छोभनं वचः । एवं चैव त्वया तुल्यः कुमारो न महीतले ॥ 121.39 ॥

viśāla uvāca rājaputrasutā prāha mamaitacchobhanaṁ vacaḥ evaṁ caiva tvayā tulyaḥ kumāro na mahītale

Vishala said: "My daughter has spoken these fair words to me; and indeed there is no prince equal to you on this earth."

Verse 40 (markandeya.121.40)

अविसंवादिते शौर्यमतीव च पराक्रमः । पावयास्मत्कुलं वीर दुहितुर्मे परिग्रहात् ॥ 121.40 ॥

avisaṁvādite śauryamatīva ca parākramaḥ pāvayāsmatkulaṁ vīra duhiturme parigrahāt

"Your valor and your prowess are beyond dispute; O hero, sanctify our lineage by accepting my daughter."

Verse 41 (markandeya.121.41)

राजपुत्र उवाच नाहमेतां ग्रहाष्यामि न चान्यां योषितं नृप । आत्मन्येव हि मे बुद्धिः स्त्रीमयी मनुजेश्वर ॥ 121.41 ॥

rājaputra uvāca nāhametāṁ grahāṣyāmi na cānyāṁ yoṣitaṁ nṛpa ātmanyeva hi me buddhiḥ strīmayī manujeśvara

The prince said: "I shall not accept her, O king, nor any other woman; my resolve concerning women, O lord of men, rests wholly within myself."

Verse 42 (markandeya.121.42)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच ततः करन्धमः प्राह पुत्रेयं गृह्यतां त्वया । विशालतनया सुभ्रूस्त्वयि हार्दवती दृढम् ॥ 121.42 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca tataḥ karandhamaḥ prāha putreyaṁ gṛhyatāṁ tvayā viśālatanayā subhrūstvayi hārdavatī dṛḍham

Markandeya said: Then Karandhama said: "My son, accept her; this fair-browed daughter of Vishala is firmly devoted to you in heart."

Verse 43 (markandeya.121.43)

राजपुत्र उवाच नाज्ञाभङ्गः कदाचित्ते कृतः पूर्वं मया प्रभो । तथाऽऽज्ञापय मां तात यथाज्ञां करवाणि ते ॥ 121.43 ॥

rājaputra uvāca nājñābhaṅgaḥ kadācitte kṛtaḥ pūrvaṁ mayā prabho tathā ’ ’jñāpaya māṁ tāta yathājñāṁ karavāṇi te

The prince said: "Never before, O lord, have I broken your command; so command me now, father, that I may act according to your bidding."

Verse 44 (markandeya.121.44)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच अत्यन्तनिश्चितमतौ तस्मिन्राजसुते सुताम् । तामुवाच विशालोऽपि व्याकुलीकृतमानसः ॥ 121.44 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca atyantaniścitamatau tasminrājasute sutām tāmuvāca viśālo ’pi vyākulīkṛtamānasaḥ

Markandeya said: When that prince's mind was thus utterly fixed, Vishala too, his mind thrown into distress, spoke to his daughter.

Verse 45 (markandeya.121.45)

निवर्त्यतां मनः पुत्रि एतस्माच्च प्रयोजनात् । अन्यं वरय भर्त्तारं सन्त्यनेके नृपात्मजाः ॥ 121.45 ॥

nivartyatāṁ manaḥ putri etasmācca prayojanāt anyaṁ varaya bharttāraṁ santyaneke nṛpātmajāḥ

"Turn your mind back, my daughter, from this purpose; choose another husband — there are many princes."

Verse 46 (markandeya.121.46)

कन्योवाच वरं वृणोम्यहं तात मामेष यदि नेच्छति । तपसाऽन्यो न मे भर्त्ता जन्मन्यस्मिन्भविष्यति ॥ 121.46 ॥

kanyovāca varaṁ vṛṇomyahaṁ tāta māmeṣa yadi necchati tapasā ’nyo na me bharttā janmanyasminbhaviṣyati

The maiden said: "I have already chosen my husband, father; if this one does not desire me, then even through austerity, no other shall become my husband in this birth."

Verse 47 (markandeya.121.47)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच ततः करन्धमो राजा विशालेन समं मुदा । स्थित्वा दिनत्रयं तत्र निजमभ्याययौ पुरम् ॥ 121.47 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca tataḥ karandhamo rājā viśālena samaṁ mudā sthitvā dinatrayaṁ tatra nijamabhyāyayau puram

Markandeya said: Then King Karandhama, having stayed there joyfully for three days together with Vishala, returned to his own city.

Verse 48 (markandeya.121.48)

अविक्षितोपि तेनैव पित्रान्यैश्च नराधिपैः । निदर्शनैः पुरावृत्तैः सान्त्वितोऽभ्यागमत्पुरम् ॥ 121.48 ॥

avikṣitopi tenaiva pitrānyaiśca narādhipaiḥ nidarśanaiḥ purāvṛttaiḥ sāntvito ’bhyāgamatpuram

Avikshit too, comforted by that same father of his and by the other kings with illustrations drawn from times past, returned to the city.

Verse 49 (markandeya.121.49)

सापि कन्या वनं गत्वा निसृष्टा निजबान्धवैः । तपस्तेपे निराहारा वैराग्यं परमास्थिता ॥ 121.49 ॥

sāpi kanyā vanaṁ gatvā nisṛṣṭā nijabāndhavaiḥ tapastepe nirāhārā vairāgyaṁ paramāsthitā

That maiden too, having gone to the forest, as though released by her own kin, practiced austerity without food, established in utmost renunciation.

Verse 50 (markandeya.121.50)

निराहारा यदा सा तु मासत्रयमवस्थिता । सम्प्राप परमामार्त्तिं कृशाधमनिसन्तता ॥ 121.50 ॥

nirāhārā yadā sā tu māsatrayamavasthitā samprāpa paramāmārttiṁ kṛśādhamanisantatā

When she had remained without food for three months, she reached the extremity of affliction, her body emaciated and her very veins withered.

Verse 51 (markandeya.121.51)

मन्दोत्साहातितन्वङ्गी मुमूर्षुरपि बालिका । देहत्यागाय सा चक्रे तदा बुद्धिं नृपात्मजा ॥ 121.51 ॥

mandotsāhātitanvaṅgī mumūrṣurapi bālikā dehatyāgāya sā cakre tadā buddhiṁ nṛpātmajā

That girl, her energy failing, her body wasted thin, close to death, that princess, then resolved in her mind to abandon her body.

Verse 52 (markandeya.121.52)

आत्मत्यागाय तां ज्ञात्वा कृतबुद्धिं सुरास्ततः । समेत्य प्रेषयामासुर्देवदूतं तदन्तिकम् ॥ 121.52 ॥

ātmatyāgāya tāṁ jñātvā kṛtabuddhiṁ surāstataḥ sametya preṣayāmāsurdevadūtaṁ tadantikam

Knowing that she had resolved on self-abandonment, the gods then assembled and sent a divine messenger to her presence.

Verse 53 (markandeya.121.53)

समुपेत्य स तां प्राह दूतोऽहं पार्थिवात्मजे । प्रेषितस्त्रिदशैस्तुभ्यं यत्कार्यं तन्निशामय ॥ 121.53 ॥

samupetya sa tāṁ prāha dūto ’haṁ pārthivātmaje preṣitastridaśaistubhyaṁ yatkāryaṁ tanniśāmaya

Approaching her, that messenger said: "I am a messenger, O princess, sent to you by the gods; hear what task it is."

Verse 54 (markandeya.121.54)

न भवत्या परित्याज्यं शरीरमतिदुर्लभम् । त्वं भविष्यसि कल्याणि जननी चक्रवर्तिनः ॥ 121.54 ॥

na bhavatyā parityājyaṁ śarīramatidurlabham tvaṁ bhaviṣyasi kalyāṇi jananī cakravartinaḥ

"This body of yours, exceedingly rare to obtain, should not be abandoned by you; you shall become, O auspicious one, the mother of a universal emperor."

Verse 55 (markandeya.121.55)

पुत्रेण च महाभागे भोक्तव्यानि हतारिणा । अव्याहताज्ञेन चिरं सप्तद्वीपवती मही ॥ 121.55 ॥

putreṇa ca mahābhāge bhoktavyāni hatāriṇā avyāhatājñena ciraṁ saptadvīpavatī mahī

"And by your son, O most fortunate one, who shall have slain his foes and whose command shall be unimpeded, the seven-continented earth shall long be enjoyed."

Verse 56 (markandeya.121.56)

हन्तव्यस्तेन तरुजिद्देवानां पुरतो रिपुः । अयःशंकुस्तथा क्रूरो धर्मे स्थाप्यास्ततः प्रजाः ॥ 121.56 ॥

hantavyastena tarujiddevānāṁ purato ripuḥ ayaḥśaṁkustathā krūro dharme sthāpyāstataḥ prajāḥ

"By him shall be slain that tree-conquering, cruel, iron-spiked enemy set before the gods; and thereafter the people shall be established in righteousness."

Verse 57 (markandeya.121.57)

परिपालनीयमखिलं चातुर्वर्ण्यं स्वधर्मतः । हन्तव्या दस्यवो म्लेच्छा ये चान्ये दुष्टचेष्टिताः ॥ 121.57 ॥

paripālanīyamakhilaṁ cāturvarṇyaṁ svadharmataḥ hantavyā dasyavo mlecchā ye cānye duṣṭaceṣṭitāḥ

"The entire fourfold order shall be protected according to its own proper duty; robbers, barbarians, and others of wicked conduct shall be slain."

Verse 58 (markandeya.121.58)

यष्टव्यं विविधैर्यज्ञैः समाप्तवरदक्षिणैः । वाजिमेधादिभिर्भद्रे षट्सहस्रैश्च संख्यया ॥ 121.58 ॥

yaṣṭavyaṁ vividhairyajñaiḥ samāptavaradakṣiṇaiḥ vājimedhādibhirbhadre ṣaṭsahasraiśca saṁkhyayā

"He shall offer sacrifice with various rites, complete with excellent sacrificial gifts — with the horse-sacrifice and others, O gracious one, numbering six thousand."

Verse 59 (markandeya.121.59)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच तं दृष्ट्वा साऽन्तरिक्षस्थं दिव्यस्रगनुलेपनम् । देवदूतमुवाचेदं राजपुत्री ततो मृदु ॥ 121.59 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca taṁ dṛṣṭvā sā ’ntarikṣasthaṁ divyasraganulepanam devadūtamuvācedaṁ rājaputrī tato mṛdu

Markandeya said: Seeing that messenger stationed in the sky, adorned with divine garlands and unguents, the princess then gently spoke this to the divine messenger.

Verse 60 (markandeya.121.60)

सत्यं त्वमागतः स्वर्गाद्देवदूतो न संशयः । किन्तु भर्त्रा विना पुत्रः स कथं मे भविष्यति ॥ 121.60 ॥

satyaṁ tvamāgataḥ svargāddevadūto na saṁśayaḥ kintu bhartrā vinā putraḥ sa kathaṁ me bhaviṣyati

"It is true, you have come from heaven, a divine messenger, without doubt; but without a husband, how shall that son of mine come to be?"

Verse 61 (markandeya.121.61)

अविक्षितमृते भर्त्ता मम नान्योऽत्र जन्मनि । भवितेति प्रतिज्ञातं मयैतत्सन्निधौ पितुः ॥ 121.61 ॥

avikṣitamṛte bharttā mama nānyo ’tra janmani bhaviteti pratijñātaṁ mayaitatsannidhau pituḥ

"Other than Avikshit, no other husband of mine shall come to be in this birth — this I have vowed, in the presence of my father."

Verse 62 (markandeya.121.62)

स च नेच्छति मां प्रोक्तो मत्पित्रा जनकेन च । करन्धमेनाथ सम्यग्याचितश्च मया तथा ॥ 121.62 ॥

sa ca necchati māṁ prokto matpitrā janakena ca karandhamenātha samyagyācitaśca mayā tathā

"And he does not desire me, though told so by my own father, and by Karandhama, and though duly entreated by me as well."

Verse 63 (markandeya.121.63)

देवदूत उवाच किमनेन महाभागे बहुनोक्तेन ते सुतः । समुत्पत्स्यति मा त्याक्षीस्त्वमात्मानमधर्मतः ॥ 121.63 ॥

devadūta uvāca kimanena mahābhāge bahunoktena te sutaḥ samutpatsyati mā tyākṣīstvamātmānamadharmataḥ

The divine messenger said: "What use, O most fortunate one, is much speech about this? Your son shall indeed be born; do not abandon yourself through wrongdoing."

Verse 64 (markandeya.121.64)

अत्रैव कानने तिष्ठ तनुं क्षीणां च पोषय । तपःप्रभावादेतत्ते सर्वं साधु भविष्यति ॥ 121.64 ॥

atraiva kānane tiṣṭha tanuṁ kṣīṇāṁ ca poṣaya tapaḥprabhāvādetatte sarvaṁ sādhu bhaviṣyati

"Remain right here in this forest, and nourish your wasted body; by the power of your austerity, all this shall come to good for you."

Verse 65 (markandeya.121.65)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच इत्युक्त्वा देवदूतोऽसौ यथागतमगच्छत । चकारानुदिनं सुभ्रूः साप्यात्मतनुपोषणम् ॥ 121.65 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca ityuktvā devadūto ’sau yathāgatamagacchata cakārānudinaṁ subhrūḥ sāpyātmatanupoṣaṇam

Markandeya said: Having spoken thus, that divine messenger departed as he had come; and that fair-browed one too, day by day, began to nourish her own body.