The Birth of Marutta

Verse 1 (markandeya.124.1)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा स्मृत्वा पितृवचः शुभम् । किमिच्छके प्रतिज्ञाते यदुक्तं तेन भूभृता ॥ 124.1 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā smṛtvā pitṛvacaḥ śubham kimicchake pratijñāte yaduktaṁ tena bhūbhṛtā

Markandeya said: Having heard these words of hers, and remembering the auspicious words of his father — the vow declared as kimicchaka, and what had been said by that king —

Verse 2 (markandeya.124.2)

प्रत्युवाच स तां कन्यामविक्षिन्नृपतेः सुतः । सानुरागमनाः कन्यां त्यक्तभोगां च तत्कृते ॥ 124.2 ॥

pratyuvāca sa tāṁ kanyāmavikṣinnṛpateḥ sutaḥ sānurāgamanāḥ kanyāṁ tyaktabhogāṁ ca tatkṛte

— that son of the king, Avikshit, replied to that maiden, his mind now inclined with affection toward her, whom he had once renounced along with her company.

Verse 3 (markandeya.124.3)

यदाहं त्यक्तवांस्तन्वीं त्वामरातिपराजितः । विजित्य शत्रून्सम्प्राप्ता त्वं मयात्र करोमि किम् ॥ 124.3 ॥

yadāhaṁ tyaktavāṁstanvīṁ tvāmarātiparājitaḥ vijitya śatrūnsamprāptā tvaṁ mayātra karomi kim

"Since I abandoned you, slender one, defeated by my foes — now that you have come to me, my enemies having been conquered, what shall I do?"

Verse 4 (markandeya.124.4)

कन्योवाच मम पाणिं गृहाण त्वं रमणीयेऽत्र कानने । सकामायाः सकामेन सङ्गमो गुणवान्भवेत् ॥ 124.4 ॥

kanyovāca mama pāṇiṁ gṛhāṇa tvaṁ ramaṇīye ’tra kānane sakāmāyāḥ sakāmena saṅgamo guṇavānbhavet

The maiden said: "Take my hand here in this delightful forest; the union of one who desires with one who is desired shall be full of merit."

Verse 5 (markandeya.124.5)

राजपुत्र उवाच एवं भवतु भद्रं ते विधिरेवात्र कारणम् । अन्यथा कथमन्यत्र त्वामहं च समागतः ॥ 124.5 ॥

rājaputra uvāca evaṁ bhavatu bhadraṁ te vidhirevātra kāraṇam anyathā kathamanyatra tvāmahaṁ ca samāgataḥ

The prince said: "So be it, may good befall you; destiny alone is the cause here — otherwise, how could I have come upon you in any other place?"

Verse 6 (markandeya.124.6)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच एतस्मिन्नन्तरे प्राप्तो गन्धर्वतनयो मुने । वराप्सरोभिः सहितो गन्धर्वैरपरैर्वृतः ॥ 124.6 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca etasminnantare prāpto gandharvatanayo mune varāpsarobhiḥ sahito gandharvairaparairvṛtaḥ

Markandeya said: Meanwhile, O sage, the son of a gandharva arrived, accompanied by excellent apsarases and surrounded by other gandharvas.

Verse 7 (markandeya.124.7)

गन्धर्व उवाच राजपुत्र सुतेयं मे भामिनी नाम मानिनी । अभिशापादगस्त्यस्य विशालतनयाऽभवत् ॥ 124.7 ॥

gandharva uvāca rājaputra suteyaṁ me bhāminī nāma māninī abhiśāpādagastyasya viśālatanayā ’bhavat

The gandharva said: "O prince, this proud one, named Bhamini, is my daughter; through a curse of Agastya she became the daughter of Vishala."

Verse 8 (markandeya.124.8)

बालभावेन योऽगस्त्यः कोपितः क्रीडमानया । ततस्तेन तदा शप्ता मानुषी त्वं भविष्यसि ॥ 124.8 ॥

bālabhāvena yo ’gastyaḥ kopitaḥ krīḍamānayā tatastena tadā śaptā mānuṣī tvaṁ bhaviṣyasi

"Agastya, provoked by her childlike playfulness, then and there cursed her: 'You shall become a human woman.'"

Verse 9 (markandeya.124.9)

प्रसादितः स चास्माभिर्बालेयमविवेकिनी । तवापराद्धा विप्रर्षे प्रसादः क्रियतामिति ॥ 124.9 ॥

prasāditaḥ sa cāsmābhirbāleyamavivekinī tavāparāddhā viprarṣe prasādaḥ kriyatāmiti

"'This is a foolish child; she has offended you, O sage among brahmins — let favor be shown,' saying this, we propitiated him."

Verse 10 (markandeya.124.10)

प्रसाद्यमानः सोऽस्माभिरिदमाह महामुनिः । बालेति मत्वा शापोऽल्पो दत्तोऽस्या नान्यथैव तत् ॥ 124.10 ॥

prasādyamānaḥ so ’smābhiridamāha mahāmuniḥ bāleti matvā śāpo ’lpo datto ’syā nānyathaiva tat

"Being propitiated by us, that great sage said this: 'Considering her a child, I have given her a light curse — nothing beyond that.'"

Verse 11 (markandeya.124.11)

इति शापादगस्त्यस्य विशालभवने शुभा । जातेयं मत्सुता सुभ्रूर्भामिनी नाम नामतः ॥ 124.11 ॥

iti śāpādagastyasya viśālabhavane śubhā jāteyaṁ matsutā subhrūrbhāminī nāma nāmataḥ

"Thus, by the curse of Agastya, this auspicious, fair-browed daughter of mine was born in the household of Vishala, under the name Bhamini."

Verse 12 (markandeya.124.12)

तदस्याहं कृते प्राप्तो गृहाणेमां नृपात्मजाम् । ममात्मजा सुतस्तेऽत्र चक्रवर्ती भविष्यति ॥ 124.12 ॥

tadasyāhaṁ kṛte prāpto gṛhāṇemāṁ nṛpātmajām mamātmajā sutaste ’tra cakravartī bhaviṣyati

"For her sake I have come; accept this daughter of a king. By this daughter of mine, your son here shall become a universal emperor."

Verse 13 (markandeya.124.13)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच तथेत्युक्त्वेति तस्याश्च स पाणिं पार्थिवात्मजः । जग्राह विधिवद्धोमं चक्रे तत्र च तुम्बुरुः ॥ 124.13 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca tathetyuktveti tasyāśca sa pāṇiṁ pārthivātmajaḥ jagrāha vidhivaddhomaṁ cakre tatra ca tumburuḥ

Markandeya said: Saying "So be it," that son of the earth's lord then took her hand; and Tumburu performed the sacred fire-rite there, according to rule.

Verse 14 (markandeya.124.14)

प्रजगुर्देवगन्धर्वा ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः । पुष्पाणि ससृजुर्मेघा देववाद्यानि सस्वनुः ॥ 124.14 ॥

prajagurdevagandharvā nanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ puṣpāṇi sasṛjurmeghā devavādyāni sasvanuḥ

The gods and gandharvas sang, and the hosts of apsarases danced; the clouds rained down flowers, and divine instruments resounded.

Verse 15 (markandeya.124.15)

विवाहे राजपुत्रस्य तया तत्र समेयुषः । समस्तवसुधात्राणकर्तृकारणभूतया ॥ 124.15 ॥

vivāhe rājaputrasya tayā tatra sameyuṣaḥ samastavasudhātrāṇakartṛkāraṇabhūtayā

At the marriage of the prince with her, who was to become the cause of the protection of the entire earth, all assembled there.

Verse 16 (markandeya.124.16)

ततो गन्धर्वलोकं ते सह तेन महात्मना । निःशेषेण ययुः सा च स राजसुतो मुने ॥ 124.16 ॥

tato gandharvalokaṁ te saha tena mahātmanā niḥśeṣeṇa yayuḥ sā ca sa rājasuto mune

Then, together with that great-souled one, O sage, they all went entirely to the world of the gandharvas — she, and that son of the king.

Verse 17 (markandeya.124.17)

भामिन्या मुमुदे सार्द्धमविक्षिन्नृपनन्दनः । सा च तेन समं तत्र भोगसम्पत्समन्विता ॥ 124.17 ॥

bhāminyā mumude sārddhamavikṣinnṛpanandanaḥ sā ca tena samaṁ tatra bhogasampatsamanvitā

Avikshit, joy of his king, delighted together with Bhamini; and she too, endowed with fullness of enjoyment, rejoiced there with him.

Verse 18 (markandeya.124.18)

कदाचिदतिरम्येऽसौ नगरोपवने तया । विक्रीडति समं तन्व्या कदाचिदुपपर्वते ॥ 124.18 ॥

kadācidatiramye ’sau nagaropavane tayā vikrīḍati samaṁ tanvyā kadācidupaparvate

Sometimes he sported with that slender one in the exceedingly delightful city-garden, sometimes on a nearby mountain slope.

Verse 19 (markandeya.124.19)

कदाचित्पुलिने नद्या हंससारसशोभिते । कदाचिद्भवनस्यान्ते प्रासादे चातिशोभने ॥ 124.19 ॥

kadācitpuline nadyā haṁsasārasaśobhite kadācidbhavanasyānte prāsāde cātiśobhane

Sometimes on a river-sandbank adorned with swans and cranes, sometimes at the far end of the palace, in an exceedingly beautiful mansion.

Verse 20 (markandeya.124.20)

विहारदेशेष्वन्येषु रमणीयेष्वहर्निशम् । स रेमे सहितस्तन्व्या सा च तेन महात्मना ॥ 124.20 ॥

vihāradeśeṣvanyeṣu ramaṇīyeṣvaharniśam sa reme sahitastanvyā sā ca tena mahātmanā

In other delightful pleasure-grounds, day and night, he sported together with that slender one, and she with that great-souled one.

Verse 21 (markandeya.124.21)

भक्ष्यानुलेपनं वस्त्रं स्रक्पानादिकमुत्तमम् । उपाजह्रुस्तयोस्तत्र मुनिगन्धर्वकिन्नराः ॥ 124.21 ॥

bhakṣyānulepanaṁ vastraṁ srakpānādikamuttamam upājahrustayostatra munigandharvakinnarāḥ

Sages, gandharvas, and kinnaras brought to the two of them there food, unguents, garments, garlands, drink, and other excellent things.

Verse 22 (markandeya.124.22)

तया च रमतस्तस्य भामिन्या सह दुर्लभे । गन्धर्वलोके वीरस्य पुत्रं सा सुषुवे शुभा ॥ 124.22 ॥

tayā ca ramatastasya bhāminyā saha durlabhe gandharvaloke vīrasya putraṁ sā suṣuve śubhā

While that hero sported with Bhamini in that rare gandharva world, she, the auspicious one, gave birth to his son.

Verse 23 (markandeya.124.23)

तस्मिञ्जाते महावीर्ये गन्धर्वाणां महोत्सवः । बभूव मनुजव्याघ्रे तेन कार्यमवेक्षताम् ॥ 124.23 ॥

tasmiñjāte mahāvīrye gandharvāṇāṁ mahotsavaḥ babhūva manujavyāghre tena kāryamavekṣatām

O tiger among men, when that son of great valor was born, a great festival arose among the gandharvas, who attended to his ceremony.

Verse 24 (markandeya.124.24)

जगुः केचित्तथैवान्ये मृदङ्गपटहानकान् । अवादयन्त चैवान्ये वेणुवीणादिकांस्तथा ॥ 124.24 ॥

jaguḥ kecittathaivānye mṛdaṅgapaṭahānakān avādayanta caivānye veṇuvīṇādikāṁstathā

Some sang, and others in the same way played mridangas, drums, and anakas; others played flutes, veenas, and other instruments.

Verse 25 (markandeya.124.25)

ननृतुश्च तथा तत्र बहवोऽप्सरसां गणाः । पुष्पवृष्टिमुचो मेघा जगर्जुर्मृदुनिस्वनाः ॥ 124.25 ॥

nanṛtuśca tathā tatra bahavo ’psarasāṁ gaṇāḥ puṣpavṛṣṭimuco meghā jagarjurmṛdunisvanāḥ

Many hosts of apsarases danced there too, and the clouds, releasing showers of flowers, thundered with soft sounds.

Verse 26 (markandeya.124.26)

तथा कोलाहले तस्मिन्वर्तमानेऽथ तुम्बुरुः । प्रणयेन स्मृतोऽभ्येत्य जातकर्माकरोन्मुनिः ॥ 124.26 ॥

tathā kolāhale tasminvartamāne ’tha tumburuḥ praṇayena smṛto ’bhyetya jātakarmākaronmuniḥ

While that tumult was going on, Tumburu, remembered out of affection, then came and performed the birth-rites, that sage.

Verse 27 (markandeya.124.27)

देवाः समाययुः सर्वे तथा देवर्षयोऽमलाः । पातालात्पन्नगेन्द्राश्च शेषवासुकितक्षकाः ॥ 124.27 ॥

devāḥ samāyayuḥ sarve tathā devarṣayo ’malāḥ pātālātpannagendrāśca śeṣavāsukitakṣakāḥ

All the gods came, and the stainless divine sages too, and from the netherworld the lords of the serpents — Shesha, Vasuki, and Takshaka.

Verse 28 (markandeya.124.28)

तथा देवासुराणां च ये प्रधाना द्विजोत्तम । यक्षाणां गुह्यकानां च वायवश्च तथाऽखिलाः ॥ 124.28 ॥

tathā devāsurāṇāṁ ca ye pradhānā dvijottama yakṣāṇāṁ guhyakānāṁ ca vāyavaśca tathā ’khilāḥ

And, O best of brahmins, those who are chief among gods and asuras, among yakshas and guhyakas, and all the wind-deities as well.

Verse 29 (markandeya.124.29)

तदाऽऽगतैरशेषर्षिदेवदानवपन्नगैः । मुनिभिश्चाकुलमभूद्गन्धर्वाणां महत्पुरम् ॥ 124.29 ॥

tadā ’ ’gatairaśeṣarṣidevadānavapannagaiḥ munibhiścākulamabhūdgandharvāṇāṁ mahatpuram

With all those sages, gods, demons, and serpents having thus arrived, the great city of the gandharvas became thronged.

Verse 30 (markandeya.124.30)

ततः स तुम्बुरुः कृत्वा जातकर्मादिकाः क्रियाः । चक्रे स्वस्त्ययनं तस्य बालस्य स्तुतिपूर्वकम् ॥ 124.30 ॥

tataḥ sa tumburuḥ kṛtvā jātakarmādikāḥ kriyāḥ cakre svastyayanaṁ tasya bālasya stutipūrvakam

Then that Tumburu, having performed the birth-rites and other ceremonies, pronounced a blessing over that child, together with a hymn of praise.

Verse 31 (markandeya.124.31)

चक्रवर्ती महावीर्यो महाबाहुर्महाबलः । महान्तं कालमीशित्वमशेषायाः क्षितेः कुरु ॥ 124.31 ॥

cakravartī mahāvīryo mahābāhurmahābalaḥ mahāntaṁ kālamīśitvamaśeṣāyāḥ kṣiteḥ kuru

"May you become a universal emperor of great valor, mighty-armed and mighty in strength; may you hold sovereignty over the whole earth for a long time."

Verse 32 (markandeya.124.32)

इमे शक्रादयः सर्वे लोकपालस्तथर्षयः । स्वस्ति कुर्वन्तु त वीर वीर्यं चारिविनाशनम् ॥ 124.32 ॥

ime śakrādayaḥ sarve lokapālastatharṣayaḥ svasti kurvantu ta vīra vīryaṁ cārivināśanam

"May all these — Indra and the rest, the guardians of the worlds, and the sages — grant you blessing, O hero, and valor that destroys your enemies."

Verse 33 (markandeya.124.33)

मरुत्तव शिवायास्तु वाति पूर्वेण योऽरजाः । मरुत्ते विमलोऽक्षीणोऽवैषम्यायास्तु दक्षिणः ॥ 124.33 ॥

maruttava śivāyāstu vāti pūrveṇa yo ’rajāḥ marutte vimalo ’kṣīṇo ’vaiṣamyāyāstu dakṣiṇaḥ

"May the eastern wind, free of dust, bring you well-being through 'Marut'; may the southern wind, stainless and unfailing, keep you free of adversity through 'Marut.'"

Verse 34 (markandeya.124.34)

पश्चिमस्ते मरुद्वीर्यमुत्तमं ते प्रयच्छतु । बलं यच्छतु चोत्कृष्टं मरुत्ते च तथोत्तरः ॥ 124.34 ॥

paścimaste marudvīryamuttamaṁ te prayacchatu balaṁ yacchatu cotkṛṣṭaṁ marutte ca tathottaraḥ

"May the western wind grant you supreme valor through 'Marut'; and may the northern wind likewise bestow upon you excellent strength through 'Marut.'"

Verse 35 (markandeya.124.35)

इति स्वस्त्ययनस्यान्ते वागुवाचाशरीरिणी । मरुत्तवेति बहुशो यदिदं गुरुरब्रवीत् ॥ 124.35 ॥

iti svastyayanasyānte vāguvācāśarīriṇī maruttaveti bahuśo yadidaṁ gururabravīt

At the end of that benediction, a bodiless voice spoke — since the guru had so often uttered this word, "marutte" ["through Marut"] —

Verse 36 (markandeya.124.36)

मरुत्त इति तेनायं भुवि ख्यातो भविष्यति । भुवि चास्य महीपाला यास्यन्याब्ज्ञावशा यतः ॥ 124.36 ॥

marutta iti tenāyaṁ bhuvi khyāto bhaviṣyati bhuvi cāsya mahīpālā yāsyanyābjñāvaśā yataḥ

"— for that reason this child shall become known on earth by the name Marutta; and the kings of the earth shall come under his command."

Verse 37 (markandeya.124.37)

एष सर्वक्षितीशानां वीरः स्थास्यति मूर्द्धनि । चक्रवर्त्ती महावीर्यः सप्तद्वीपवतीं महीम् ॥ 124.37 ॥

eṣa sarvakṣitīśānāṁ vīraḥ sthāsyati mūrddhani cakravarttī mahāvīryaḥ saptadvīpavatīṁ mahīm

"This hero shall stand at the head of all the lords of the earth; a universal emperor of great valor, over the seven-continented earth —"

Verse 38 (markandeya.124.38)

आक्रम्य पृथिवीपालानयं भोक्ष्यत्यवारितः । प्रधानः पृथिवीशानां भविष्यत्येष यज्विनाम् । आधिक्यं शौर्यवीर्येण भविष्यत्यस्य राजसु ॥ 124.38 ॥

ākramya pṛthivīpālānayaṁ bhokṣyatyavāritaḥ pradhānaḥ pṛthivīśānāṁ bhaviṣyatyeṣa yajvinām ādhikyaṁ śauryavīryeṇa bhaviṣyatyasya rājasu

"— having subdued the kings of the earth, he shall enjoy it unopposed; he shall become foremost among earthly lords and sacrificers, and shall exceed all other kings in valor and might."

Verse 39 (markandeya.124.39)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच इत्याकर्ण्य वचः सर्वे केनाप्युक्तं दिवौकसाम् । तुतुषुर्विप्रगन्धर्वाश्चास्य माता तथा पिता ॥ 124.39 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca ityākarṇya vacaḥ sarve kenāpyuktaṁ divaukasām tutuṣurvipragandharvāścāsya mātā tathā pitā

Markandeya said: Hearing these words spoken by someone among the celestials, all — the brahmins and gandharvas, and his mother and father — rejoiced.