Kuvalayashva's Descent to Patala

Verse 1 (markandeya.23.1)

पुत्रावूचतुः स राजपुत्रः संप्राप्य वेगादात्मपुरं ततः । पित्रोर्ववन्दिषुः पादौ दिदृक्षुश्च मदालसाम्॥ 23.1 ॥

putrāvūcatuḥ sa rājaputraḥ saṁprāpya vegādātmapuraṁ tataḥ pitrorvavandiṣuḥ pādau didṛkṣuśca madālasām

Swiftly reaching his own city, the prince pressed on, eager to bow at his parents' feet and to see Madalasa again.

Verse 2 (markandeya.23.2)

ददर्श जनमुद्विग्नमप्रहृष्टमुखं पुरः । पुनश्च विस्मिताकारं प्रहृष्टवदनं ततः॥ 23.2 ॥

dadarśa janamudvignamaprahṛṣṭamukhaṁ puraḥ punaśca vismitākāraṁ prahṛṣṭavadanaṁ tataḥ

He saw some townsfolk anxious, their faces downcast, and others, by contrast, astonished yet beaming with joy.

Verse 3 (markandeya.23.3)

अन्यमुत्फुल्लनयनं दिष्ट्या दिष्ट्येतिवादिनम् । परिष्वजन्तमन्योन्यमतिकौतूहलान्वितम्॥ 23.3 ॥

anyamutphullanayanaṁ diṣṭyā diṣṭyetivādinam pariṣvajantamanyonyamatikautūhalānvitam

Some, their eyes wide with wonder, cried out, 'What fortune, what fortune!', embracing one another in great excitement.

Verse 4 (markandeya.23.4)

चिरं जीवोरुकल्याण ! हतास्ते परिपन्थिनः । पित्रोः प्रह्लादय मनस्तथास्माकमकण्टकम्॥ 23.4 ॥

ciraṁ jīvorukalyāṇa ! hatāste paripanthinaḥ pitroḥ prahlādaya manastathāsmākamakaṇṭakam

'O bringer of great fortune, may you live long! Your enemies are slain; gladden the hearts of your parents, and free us too from every thorn of trouble.'

Verse 5 (markandeya.23.5)

पुत्रावूचतुः इत्येवं वादिभिः पौरैः पुरः पृष्ठे च संवृतः । तत्क्षणप्रभवानन्दः प्रविवेश पितुर्गृहम्॥ 23.5 ॥

putrāvūcatuḥ ityevaṁ vādibhiḥ pauraiḥ puraḥ pṛṣṭhe ca saṁvṛtaḥ tatkṣaṇaprabhavānandaḥ praviveśa piturgṛham

Surrounded thus, before and behind, by townsfolk speaking such words, filled with a joy that had sprung up in that very instant, he entered his father's house.

Verse 6 (markandeya.23.6)

पिता च तं परिष्वज्य माता चान्ये च बान्धवाः । चिरं जीवेति कल्याणीर्ददुस्तस्मै तदाशिषः॥ 23.6 ॥

pitā ca taṁ pariṣvajya mātā cānye ca bāndhavāḥ ciraṁ jīveti kalyāṇīrdadustasmai tadāśiṣaḥ

His father embraced him, as did his mother and other kinsmen, and all gave him their blessings, saying, 'May you live long.'

Verse 7 (markandeya.23.7)

प्रणिपत्य ततः सोऽथ किमेतदिति विस्मितः । पप्रच्छ पितरं तात ! सोऽस्मै सम्यक् तदुक्तवान्॥ 23.7 ॥

praṇipatya tataḥ so ’tha kimetaditi vismitaḥ papraccha pitaraṁ tāta ! so ’smai samyak taduktavān

Having bowed, he asked his father in astonishment, 'Father, what is all this?' And his father then told him everything, exactly as it had happened.

Verse 8 (markandeya.23.8)

स भार्यां तां मृतां श्रुत्वा हृदयेष्टां मदालसाम् । पितरौ च पुरो दृष्ट्वा लज्जाशोकाब्धिमध्यगः॥ 23.8 ॥

sa bhāryāṁ tāṁ mṛtāṁ śrutvā hṛdayeṣṭāṁ madālasām pitarau ca puro dṛṣṭvā lajjāśokābdhimadhyagaḥ

Hearing that his dearly beloved wife Madalasa had died, and seeing his parents before him, he sank into an ocean of shame and grief.

Verse 9 (markandeya.23.9)

चिन्तयामास सा बाला मां श्रुत्वा निधनं गतम् । तत्याज जीवितं साध्वी धिङ्मां निष्ठुरमानसम्॥ 23.9 ॥

cintayāmāsa sā bālā māṁ śrutvā nidhanaṁ gatam tatyāja jīvitaṁ sādhvī dhiṅmāṁ niṣṭhuramānasam

He reflected, 'On hearing that I had died, that virtuous girl gave up her own life; shame upon this hard, unfeeling heart of mine.'

Verse 10 (markandeya.23.10)

नृशंसोऽहमनार्योऽहं विना तां मृगलोचनाम् । मत्कृते निधनं प्राप्तां यज्जीवाम्यतिनिर्घृणः॥ 23.10 ॥

nṛśaṁso ’hamanāryo ’haṁ vinā tāṁ mṛgalocanām matkṛte nidhanaṁ prāptāṁ yajjīvāmyatinirghṛṇaḥ

'I am cruel, I am base, that I, utterly without pity, still live on without that doe-eyed girl, who met her death because of me.'

Verse 11 (markandeya.23.11)

पुनः स चिन्तयामास परिसंस्तभ्य मानसम् । मोहोद्गममपास्याशु निः श्वस्योच्छवस्य चातरः॥ 23.11 ॥

punaḥ sa cintayāmāsa parisaṁstabhya mānasam mohodgamamapāsyāśu niḥ śvasyocchavasya cātaraḥ

Then, steadying his mind and quickly setting aside the rising tide of grief, he sighed heavily in his distress and reflected once more —

Verse 12 (markandeya.23.12)

मृतेति सा मन्नमित्तं त्यजामि यदि जीवितम् । किं मयोपकृतं तस्याः श्लाघ्यमेतत्तु योषिताम्॥ 23.12 ॥

mṛteti sā mannamittaṁ tyajāmi yadi jīvitam kiṁ mayopakṛtaṁ tasyāḥ ślāghyametattu yoṣitām

'If, thinking "she is dead," I too give up my life for her sake, what good would that do her? Such a course is praiseworthy for women, not for men.'

Verse 13 (markandeya.23.13)

यदि रोदिमि वा दीनो हा प्रियेति ! वदन्मुहुः । तथाप्यश्लाघ्यमेतन्नो वयं हि पुरुषाः किल॥ 23.13 ॥

yadi rodimi vā dīno hā priyeti ! vadanmuhuḥ tathāpyaślāghyametanno vayaṁ hi puruṣāḥ kila

'And even if, in my misery, I weep and cry "Oh, my beloved!" again and again, that too is unworthy of praise; for we, after all, are men.'

Verse 14 (markandeya.23.14)

अथ शोकजडो दीनो स्त्रजा हीनो मलान्वितः । विपक्षस्य भविष्यामि ततः परिभवास्पदम्॥ 23.14 ॥

atha śokajaḍo dīno strajā hīno malānvitaḥ vipakṣasya bhaviṣyāmi tataḥ paribhavāspadam

'And if I remain stunned by grief, wretched, without garlands, unkempt and soiled, I shall only become an object of scorn to my enemies.'

Verse 15 (markandeya.23.15)

मयारिशातनं कार्यं राज्ञः शुश्रुषणं पितुः । जीवितं तस्य चायत्तं सन्त्याज्यं तत्कथं मया॥ 23.15 ॥

mayāriśātanaṁ kāryaṁ rājñaḥ śuśruṣaṇaṁ pituḥ jīvitaṁ tasya cāyattaṁ santyājyaṁ tatkathaṁ mayā

'I still have enemies to destroy and a father, the king, to serve; his very life depends upon me — how then could I abandon mine?'

Verse 16 (markandeya.23.16)

किन्त्वत्र मन्ये कर्तव्यस्त्यागो भागस्य योषितः । स चापि नोपकाराय तन्वङ्ग्याः किन्तु सर्वथा॥ 23.16 ॥

kintvatra manye kartavyastyāgo bhāgasya yoṣitaḥ sa cāpi nopakārāya tanvaṅgyāḥ kintu sarvathā

'But I do believe I must give up, entirely, my own share in the pleasures of women — even though this can do that slender girl no good at all.'

Verse 17 (markandeya.23.17)

मया नृशंस्यं कर्तव्यं नोपकार्यपकारि च । या मदर्थेऽत्यजत् प्राणांस्तदर्थेऽल्पमिदं मम॥ 23.17 ॥

mayā nṛśaṁsyaṁ kartavyaṁ nopakāryapakāri ca yā madarthe ’tyajat prāṇāṁstadarthe ’lpamidaṁ mama

'I too must be harsh with myself, though it neither helps nor harms her; for she who gave up her very life for my sake — this small renunciation of mine is little enough in return.'

Verse 18 (markandeya.23.18)

पुत्रावूचतुः इति कृत्वा मतिं सोऽथ निष्पाद्योदकदानिकम् । क्रियाश्चानन्तरं कृत्वा प्रत्युवाच ऋतध्वजः॥ 23.18 ॥

putrāvūcatuḥ iti kṛtvā matiṁ so ’tha niṣpādyodakadānikam kriyāścānantaraṁ kṛtvā pratyuvāca ṛtadhvajaḥ

Having resolved thus, and having performed the water-offering and the other rites that followed, Ritadhvaja spoke —

Verse 19 (markandeya.23.19)

ऋतध्वज उवाच यदि सा मम तन्वङ्गी न स्याद्भार्या मदालसा । अस्मिन् जन्मनि नान्या मे भवित्री सहचारिणी॥ 23.19 ॥

ṛtadhvaja uvāca yadi sā mama tanvaṅgī na syādbhāryā madālasā asmin janmani nānyā me bhavitrī sahacāriṇī

'If that slender wife of mine, Madalasa, cannot be with me, then in this life I shall have no other companion.'

Verse 20 (markandeya.23.20)

तामृते मृगशावाक्षीं गन्धर्वतनयामहम् । न भोक्ष्ये योषितं काञ्चिदिति सत्यं मयोदितम्॥ 23.20 ॥

tāmṛte mṛgaśāvākṣīṁ gandharvatanayāmaham na bhokṣye yoṣitaṁ kāñciditi satyaṁ mayoditam

'Save for that doe-eyed daughter of the gandharvas, I shall never take pleasure in any other woman — this I declare in all truth.'

Verse 21 (markandeya.23.21)

सद्धर्मचारिणीं पत्नीं तां मुक्त्वा गजगामिनीम्,। काञ्चिन्नाङ्गीकरिष्यामीत्येतत् सत्यं मयोदितम्॥ 23.21 ॥

saddharmacāriṇīṁ patnīṁ tāṁ muktvā gajagāminīm, kāñcinnāṅgīkariṣyāmītyetat satyaṁ mayoditam

'Save for that righteous wife of mine, graceful as an elephant in her gait, I shall accept no other as my wife — this I declare in all truth.'

Verse 22 (markandeya.23.22)

पुत्रावूचतुः परित्यज्य च स्त्रीभोगान् तात ! सर्वंस्तया विना । क्रीडन्नास्ते समं तुल्यैर्वयस्यैः शीलसम्पदा॥ 23.22 ॥

putrāvūcatuḥ parityajya ca strībhogān tāta ! sarvaṁstayā vinā krīḍannāste samaṁ tulyairvayasyaiḥ śīlasampadā

So, father, giving up all pleasure with women in her absence, he now spends his time only among companions of his own age, virtuous like himself.

Verse 23 (markandeya.23.23)

एतत्तस्य परं कार्यं तात ! तत् केन शक्यते । कर्तुमत्यर्थदुष्प्राप्यमीश्वरैः किमुतेतरैः॥ 23.23 ॥

etattasya paraṁ kāryaṁ tāta ! tat kena śakyate kartumatyarthaduṣprāpyamīśvaraiḥ kimutetaraiḥ

This, father, is now the one great task before him; and who could accomplish it, so exceedingly difficult as it is — even the mighty could scarcely manage it, let alone lesser men.

Verse 24 (markandeya.23.24)

जड उवाच इति वाक्यं तयोः श्रुत्वा विमर्शमगमत्पिता । विमृश्य चाह तौ पुत्रौ नागराट् प्रहसन्निव॥ 23.24 ॥

jaḍa uvāca iti vākyaṁ tayoḥ śrutvā vimarśamagamatpitā vimṛśya cāha tau putrau nāgarāṭ prahasanniva

Hearing these words of the two of them, the father fell into thought; and having reflected, the king of serpents, almost smiling, said to his two sons —

Verse 25 (markandeya.23.25)

नागराडश्वतर उवाच यद्यशक्यमिति ज्ञात्वा न करिष्यन्ति मानवाः । कर्मण्युद्यममुद्योगहान्या हानिस्ततः परम्॥ 23.25 ॥

nāgarāḍaśvatara uvāca yadyaśakyamiti jñātvā na kariṣyanti mānavāḥ karmaṇyudyamamudyogahānyā hānistataḥ param

'If men, judging a task impossible, make no effort at all, an even greater loss follows from the very abandonment of the endeavor.'

Verse 26 (markandeya.23.26)

आरभेत नरः कर्म स्वपौरुषमहापयन् । निष्पत्तिः कर्मणो दैवे पौरुषे च व्यवसथिता॥ 23.26 ॥

ārabheta naraḥ karma svapauruṣamahāpayan niṣpattiḥ karmaṇo daive pauruṣe ca vyavasathitā

'A man should undertake his task without letting his own effort flag; the success of any endeavor rests upon both fate and human striving.'

Verse 27 (markandeya.23.27)

तस्मादहं तथा यत्नं करिष्ये पुत्रकावितः । तपश्चर्यां समास्थाय यथैतत् साध्यतेऽचिरात्॥ 23.27 ॥

tasmādahaṁ tathā yatnaṁ kariṣye putrakāvitaḥ tapaścaryāṁ samāsthāya yathaitat sādhyate ’cirāt

'Therefore, my sons, I too shall make such an effort, undertaking austerities, so that this task may be accomplished before long.'

Verse 28 (markandeya.23.28)

जड उवाच एवमुक्त्वा स नागेन्द्रः प्लक्षावतरणं गिरेः । तीर्थं हिमवतो गत्वा तपस्तेपे सुदुश्चरम्॥ 23.28 ॥

jaḍa uvāca evamuktvā sa nāgendraḥ plakṣāvataraṇaṁ gireḥ tīrthaṁ himavato gatvā tapastepe suduścaram

Having said this, the king of serpents went to the sacred site of Plakshavatarana on Mount Himavat, and undertook the most arduous austerities there.

Verse 29 (markandeya.23.29)

तुष्टाव गीर्भिश्च ततस्तत्र देवीं सरस्वतीम् । तन्मना नियताहारो भूत्वा त्रिषवणाप्लुतः॥ 23.29 ॥

tuṣṭāva gīrbhiśca tatastatra devīṁ sarasvatīm tanmanā niyatāhāro bhūtvā triṣavaṇāplutaḥ

There, his mind fixed wholly upon her, taking regular food, and bathing three times each day, he praised the goddess Sarasvati with hymns.

Verse 30 (markandeya.23.30)

अश्वतर उवाच जगद्धात्रीमहं देवीमारिराधयिषुः शुभाम् । स्तोष्ये प्रणम्य शिरसा ब्रह्मयोनिं सरस्वतीम्॥ 23.30 ॥

aśvatara uvāca jagaddhātrīmahaṁ devīmārirādhayiṣuḥ śubhām stoṣye praṇamya śirasā brahmayoniṁ sarasvatīm

'Desiring to worship the auspicious goddess who sustains the universe, I bow my head and offer this hymn to Sarasvati, the very source of Brahma.'

Verse 31 (markandeya.23.31)

सदसद्देवि ! सय् किञ्चिन्मोक्षवच्चार्थवत् पदम् । तत्सर्वं त्वय्यसंयोगं योगवद्देवि ! संस्थितम्॥ 23.31 ॥

sadasaddevi ! say kiñcinmokṣavaccārthavat padam tatsarvaṁ tvayyasaṁyogaṁ yogavaddevi ! saṁsthitam

'O goddess, whatever exists as being or as non-being, every meaningful word — even one that speaks of liberation — all of it, though seemingly apart from you, in truth rests joined within you, O goddess.'

Verse 32 (markandeya.23.32)

त्वमक्षरं परं देवि ! यत्र सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम् । अक्षरं परमं देवि ! संस्थितं परमाणुवत्॥ 23.32 ॥

tvamakṣaraṁ paraṁ devi ! yatra sarvaṁ pratiṣṭhitam akṣaraṁ paramaṁ devi ! saṁsthitaṁ paramāṇuvat

'You, O goddess, are the imperishable Absolute in which everything is established; that supreme imperishable reality abides, subtle as an atom, O goddess.'

Verse 33 (markandeya.23.33)

अक्षरं परमं ब्रह्म विश्वञ्चैतत् क्षरात्मकम् । दारुण्यवस्थितो वह्निर्भौमाश्च परमाणवः॥ 23.33 ॥

akṣaraṁ paramaṁ brahma viśvañcaitat kṣarātmakam dāruṇyavasthito vahnirbhaumāśca paramāṇavaḥ

'That imperishable is the supreme Brahman, while this whole universe is of a perishable nature — just as fire lies latent within wood, and earthly atoms pervade the earth.'

Verse 34 (markandeya.23.34)

तथा त्वयि स्थितं ब्रह्म जगच्चेदमशेषतः । ओङ्काराक्षरसंस्थानं यत्तु देवि ! स्थिरास्थिरम्॥ 23.34 ॥

tathā tvayi sthitaṁ brahma jagaccedamaśeṣataḥ oṅkārākṣarasaṁsthānaṁ yattu devi ! sthirāsthiram

'In just the same way, Brahman and this entire universe rest within you; and, O goddess, whatever is fixed or fleeting stands established within the syllable Om.'

Verse 35 (markandeya.23.35)

तत्र मात्रात्रयं सर्वमस्ति यद्देवि नास्ति च । त्रयो लोकास्त्रयो वेदास्त्रैविद्यं पावकत्रयम्॥ 23.35 ॥

tatra mātrātrayaṁ sarvamasti yaddevi nāsti ca trayo lokāstrayo vedāstraividyaṁ pāvakatrayam

'Within it, O goddess, lie the three syllabic units, in which all that is and all that is not are contained — the three worlds, the three Vedas, the threefold sacred knowledge, and the three sacred fires.'

Verse 36 (markandeya.23.36)

त्रीणि ज्योतींषि वर्णाश्च त्रयो धर्मागमास्तथा । त्रयो गुणास्त्रयः शब्दस्त्रयो वेदास्तथाश्रमाः॥ 23.36 ॥

trīṇi jyotīṁṣi varṇāśca trayo dharmāgamāstathā trayo guṇāstrayaḥ śabdastrayo vedāstathāśramāḥ

'The three luminaries, the three social orders, the three scriptures of dharma, the three gunas, the three tones of speech, the three Vedas, and the stages of life —'

Verse 37 (markandeya.23.37)

त्रयः कालास्तथावस्थाः पितरोऽहर्निशादयः । एतन्मात्रात्रयं देवि ! तव रूपं सरस्वति॥ 23.37 ॥

trayaḥ kālāstathāvasthāḥ pitaro ’harniśādayaḥ etanmātrātrayaṁ devi ! tava rūpaṁ sarasvati

'—the three times, the three states of life, the ancestors, day and night and the rest — all this, O goddess Sarasvati, is your very form, the threefold syllable itself.'

Verse 38 (markandeya.23.38)

विभिन्नदर्शिनामाद्या ब्रह्मणो हि सनातनाः । सोमसंस्था हविः संस्थाः पाकसंस्थाश्च सप्त याः॥ 23.38 ॥

vibhinnadarśināmādyā brahmaṇo hi sanātanāḥ somasaṁsthā haviḥ saṁsthāḥ pākasaṁsthāśca sapta yāḥ

'For those of differing views, you are the primal, eternal Brahman; and those seven sacrificial orders — the Soma rites, the oblation rites, and the cooked-offering rites —'

Verse 39 (markandeya.23.39)

तास्त्वदुच्चारणाद्देवि ! क्रियन्ते ब्रह्मवादिभिः । अनिर्देश्यं तथा चान्यदर्धमात्रान्वितं परम्॥ 23.39 ॥

tāstvaduccāraṇāddevi ! kriyante brahmavādibhiḥ anirdeśyaṁ tathā cānyadardhamātrānvitaṁ param

'—are performed by the reciters of the Veda only through the uttering of you, O goddess; and beyond this there lies that other, supreme reality, joined to the half-measure, which cannot even be described.'

Verse 40 (markandeya.23.40)

अविकार्यक्षयं दिव्यं परिणामविवर्जितम् । तवैतत्परमं रूपं यन्न शक्यं मयोदितुम्॥ 23.40 ॥

avikāryakṣayaṁ divyaṁ pariṇāmavivarjitam tavaitatparamaṁ rūpaṁ yanna śakyaṁ mayoditum

'Unchanging, imperishable, divine, free from all transformation — this is your supreme form, which I am powerless to describe.'

Verse 41 (markandeya.23.41)

न चास्ये न च तज्जिह्वा ताम्रोष्ठादिभिरुच्यते । इन्द्रोऽपि वसवो ब्रह्मा चन्द्राकौ ज्योतिरेव च॥ 23.41 ॥

na cāsye na ca tajjihvā tāmroṣṭhādibhirucyate indro ’pi vasavo brahmā candrākau jyotireva ca

'It cannot be uttered by mouth, by tongue, or by red lips and the like — Indra too, the Vasus, Brahma, the moon and sun, and all radiance itself, are but forms of that one reality.'

Verse 42 (markandeya.23.42)

विश्वावासं विश्वरूपं विश्वेशं परमेश्वरम् । सांख्यवेदान्तवादोक्तं बहुशाखास्थिरीकृतम्॥ 23.42 ॥

viśvāvāsaṁ viśvarūpaṁ viśveśaṁ parameśvaram sāṁkhyavedāntavādoktaṁ bahuśākhāsthirīkṛtam

'That reality is the dwelling of the universe, the form of the universe, the lord of the universe, the Supreme Lord; it is spoken of in the doctrines of Samkhya and Vedanta, and established firmly through many branches of teaching.'

Verse 43 (markandeya.23.43)

अनादिमध्यनिधनं सदसन्न सदेव यत् । एकन्त्वनेकं नाप्येकं भवभेदसमाश्रैतम्॥ 23.43 ॥

anādimadhyanidhanaṁ sadasanna sadeva yat ekantvanekaṁ nāpyekaṁ bhavabhedasamāśraitam

'It is without beginning, middle or end; it is being and non-being, yet not simply being; it is one and yet many, yet not simply one — appearing to rest within the many divisions of existence.'

Verse 44 (markandeya.23.44)

अनाख्यं षड्गुणाख्यञ्च वर्गाख्यं त्रिगुणाश्रयम् । नानाशक्तिमतामेकं शक्तिवैभविकं परम्॥ 23.44 ॥

anākhyaṁ ṣaḍguṇākhyañca vargākhyaṁ triguṇāśrayam nānāśaktimatāmekaṁ śaktivaibhavikaṁ param

'It is nameless, yet is spoken of by the name of the six divine attributes; it is called by the name of category, and is the ground of the three gunas; among the many possessors of power it is the one, and it is supreme in the very majesty of power.'

Verse 45 (markandeya.23.45)

सुखासुखं महासौख्यरूपं त्वयि विभाव्यते । एवं देवि ! त्वया व्याप्तं सकलं निष्कलञ्च यत् । अद्वैतावस्थितं ब्रह्म यच्च द्वैते व्यवस्थितम्॥ 23.45 ॥

sukhāsukhaṁ mahāsaukhyarūpaṁ tvayi vibhāvyate evaṁ devi ! tvayā vyāptaṁ sakalaṁ niṣkalañca yat advaitāvasthitaṁ brahma yacca dvaite vyavasthitam

'Both pleasure and pain, and the very form of supreme bliss, are made manifest in you. Thus, O goddess, all that is with parts and all that is without parts is pervaded by you — the Brahman that abides in non-duality, and that which stands within duality alike.'

Verse 46 (markandeya.23.46)

येर्ऽथा नित्या ये विनश्यन्ति चान्ये ये वा स्थूला ये च सूक्ष्मातिसूक्ष्माः । ये वा भूमौ येऽन्तरीक्षेऽन्यतो वा तेषां तेषां त्वत्त एवोपलब्धिः॥ 23.46 ॥

yer ’thā nityā ye vinaśyanti cānye ye vā sthūlā ye ca sūkṣmātisūkṣmāḥ ye vā bhūmau ye ’ntarīkṣe ’nyato vā teṣāṁ teṣāṁ tvatta evopalabdhiḥ

'Whatever things are eternal, and whatever perish; whatever are gross, and whatever are subtlest of the subtle; whatever exist upon the earth, in the sky, or anywhere else — of all of these, it is through you alone that knowledge is attained.'

Verse 47 (markandeya.23.47)

यच्चामूर्तं यच्च मूर्तं समस्तं यद्वा भूतेष्वेकमेकञ्च किञ्चित् । यद्दिव्यस्ति क्ष्मातले खेऽन्यतो वा त्वत्सम्बद्धं त्वत्स्वरैर्व्यञ्जनैश्च॥ 23.47 ॥

yaccāmūrtaṁ yacca mūrtaṁ samastaṁ yadvā bhūteṣvekamekañca kiñcit yaddivyasti kṣmātale khe ’nyato vā tvatsambaddhaṁ tvatsvarairvyañjanaiśca

'Whatever is formless, and whatever entire is possessed of form; whatever, one by one, exists among created beings; whatever is divine, whether on the surface of the earth, in the sky, or elsewhere — all of it is bound up with you, fashioned from your own vowels and consonants.'

Verse 48 (markandeya.23.48)

जड उवाच एवं स्तुता तदा देवी विष्णोर्जिह्वा सरस्वती । प्रत्युवाच महात्मानं नागमश्वतरं ततः॥ 23.48 ॥

jaḍa uvāca evaṁ stutā tadā devī viṣṇorjihvā sarasvatī pratyuvāca mahātmānaṁ nāgamaśvataraṁ tataḥ

Thus praised, the goddess Sarasvati, who is Vishnu's very tongue, then made reply to that great-souled serpent Ashvatara —

Verse 49 (markandeya.23.49)

सरस्वत्युवाच वरं ते कम्बलभ्रातः प्रयच्छाम्युरगाधिप ! । तदुच्यतां प्रदास्यामि यत्ते मनसि वर्तते॥ 23.49 ॥

sarasvatyuvāca varaṁ te kambalabhrātaḥ prayacchāmyuragādhipa ! taducyatāṁ pradāsyāmi yatte manasi vartate

'O brother of Kambala, O lord of serpents, I grant you a boon; speak whatever is in your heart, and I shall grant it to you.'

Verse 50 (markandeya.23.50)

अश्वतर उवाच सहायं देहि देवि ! त्वं पूर्वं कम्बलमेव मे । समस्तस्वरसम्बन्धमुभयोः संप्रयच्छ च॥ 23.50 ॥

aśvatara uvāca sahāyaṁ dehi devi ! tvaṁ pūrvaṁ kambalameva me samastasvarasambandhamubhayoḥ saṁprayaccha ca

'O goddess, first grant me my brother Kambala as my companion in this; and bestow upon the two of us together mastery of every note.'

Verse 51 (markandeya.23.51)

सरस्वत्युवाच सप्त स्वरा ग्रामरागाः सप्त पन्नगसत्तम ! । कीतकानि च सप्तैव तावतीश्चापि मूर्च्छनाः॥ 23.51 ॥

sarasvatyuvāca sapta svarā grāmarāgāḥ sapta pannagasattama ! kītakāni ca saptaiva tāvatīścāpi mūrcchanāḥ

'O foremost of serpents, the seven notes, the seven grama-ragas, seven kitakas likewise, and just as many murchhanas —'

Verse 52 (markandeya.23.52)

तालाश्चैकोनपञ्चाशत्तथा ग्रामत्रयञ्च यत् । एतत्सर्वं भवान् गाता कम्बलश्च तथानघ !॥ 23.52 ॥

tālāścaikonapañcāśattathā grāmatrayañca yat etatsarvaṁ bhavān gātā kambalaśca tathānagha !

'—the forty-nine talas, and the three gramas as well — all of this, O sinless one, you and Kambala shall both know as accomplished singers.'

Verse 53 (markandeya.23.53)

ज्ञास्यसे मत्प्रसादेन भुजगेन्द्रापरं तथा । चतुर्विधं पदं तालं त्रिः प्रकारं लयत्रयम्॥ 23.53 ॥

jñāsyase matprasādena bhujagendrāparaṁ tathā caturvidhaṁ padaṁ tālaṁ triḥ prakāraṁ layatrayam

'By my grace, O king of serpents, you shall know yet more besides: the four kinds of pada, the threefold division of tala, and the three kinds of laya.'

Verse 54 (markandeya.23.54)

यदित्रयं तथाऽतोद्यं मया दत्तं चतुर्विधम् । एतद्भवान् मत्प्रसादात् पन्नगेन्द्रापरञ्च यत्॥ 23.54 ॥

yaditrayaṁ tathā ’todyaṁ mayā dattaṁ caturvidham etadbhavān matprasādāt pannagendrāparañca yat

'This threefold division, and the fourfold instrumental music I have granted — all this, O lord of serpents, you shall know by my grace, and more besides.'

Verse 55 (markandeya.23.55)

अस्यान्तर्गतमायत्तं स्वरव्यञ्जनसंमितम् । तदशेषं मया दत्तं भवतः कम्बलस्य च॥ 23.55 ॥

asyāntargatamāyattaṁ svaravyañjanasaṁmitam tadaśeṣaṁ mayā dattaṁ bhavataḥ kambalasya ca

'Whatever lies within this art, bound up with vowel and consonant alike, all of it — without exception — I have granted to you and to Kambala.'

Verse 56 (markandeya.23.56)

तथा नान्यस्य भूर्लोके पाताले चापि पन्नग । प्रणेतारौ भवन्तौ च सर्वस्यास्य भविष्यतः । पाताले देवलोके च भूर्लोके चैव पन्नगौ॥ 23.56 ॥

tathā nānyasya bhūrloke pātāle cāpi pannaga praṇetārau bhavantau ca sarvasyāsya bhaviṣyataḥ pātāle devaloke ca bhūrloke caiva pannagau

'And no one else, O serpent, whether in the world of men or in Patala, shall possess this; you two alone shall be the future teachers of this entire art — in Patala, in the world of the gods, and in the world of men, O pair of serpents.'

Verse 57 (markandeya.23.57)

जड उवाच इत्युक्त्वा सा तदा देवी सर्वजिह्वा सरस्वती । जगामादर्शनं सद्यो नागस्य कमलेक्षणा॥ 23.57 ॥

jaḍa uvāca ityuktvā sā tadā devī sarvajihvā sarasvatī jagāmādarśanaṁ sadyo nāgasya kamalekṣaṇā

So saying, that lotus-eyed goddess Sarasvati, whose tongue is present in all beings, vanished from the serpent's sight at once.

Verse 58 (markandeya.23.58)

तयोश्च तद्यथावृत्तं भ्रात्रोः सर्वमजायत । विज्ञानमुभयोरग्र्यं पदतालस्वरादिकम्॥ 23.58 ॥

tayośca tadyathāvṛttaṁ bhrātroḥ sarvamajāyata vijñānamubhayoragryaṁ padatālasvarādikam

And everything came to pass for the two brothers just as it had been promised; both attained the finest mastery of pada, tala, svara and the rest.

Verse 59 (markandeya.23.59)

ततः कैलासशैलेन्द्र-शिखरस्थितमीश्वरम् । गीतकैः स्प्तभिर्नागौ तन्त्रीलयसमन्वितौ॥ 23.59 ॥

tataḥ kailāsaśailendra-śikharasthitamīśvaram gītakaiḥ sptabhirnāgau tantrīlayasamanvitau

Then, with seven melodies accompanied by lute and rhythm, those two serpents set out to please the Lord who dwells upon the peak of Mount Kailasa —

Verse 60 (markandeya.23.60)

आरिराधयिषू देवमनङ्गाङ्गहरं हरम् । प्रचक्रतुः परं यत्नमुभौ संहतवाक्कलौ॥ 23.60 ॥

ārirādhayiṣū devamanaṅgāṅgaharaṁ haram pracakratuḥ paraṁ yatnamubhau saṁhatavākkalau

—Hara, the god who consumed the body of the bodiless Kama; desiring to worship him, the two of them, their voices joined in harmony, made the utmost effort in their art.

Verse 61 (markandeya.23.61)

प्रातर्निशायां मध्याह्ने सन्ध्ययोश्चापि तत्परौ । तयोः कालेन महता स्तूयमानो वृषध्वजः॥ 23.61 ॥

prātarniśāyāṁ madhyāhne sandhyayoścāpi tatparau tayoḥ kālena mahatā stūyamāno vṛṣadhvajaḥ

Devoted at dawn, at night, at midday and at both twilights, that bull-bannered god, praised by the two of them for a very long time —

Verse 62 (markandeya.23.62)

तुतोष गीतकैस्तौ च प्राहेशो गृह्यतां वरः । ततः प्रणम्याश्वतरः कम्बलेन समं तदा॥ 23.62 ॥

tutoṣa gītakaistau ca prāheśo gṛhyatāṁ varaḥ tataḥ praṇamyāśvataraḥ kambalena samaṁ tadā

—became pleased with their songs, and the Lord said, 'Ask for a boon.' Then Ashvatara, together with Kambala, bowed —

Verse 63 (markandeya.23.63)

व्यज्ञापयन्महादेवं शितिकण्ठमुमापतिम् । यदि नौ भगवान् प्रीतो देवदेवस्त्रिलोचनः॥ 23.63 ॥

vyajñāpayanmahādevaṁ śitikaṇṭhamumāpatim yadi nau bhagavān prīto devadevastrilocanaḥ

—and petitioned the great god, blue-throated Shiva, lord of Uma, saying, 'If the three-eyed Lord of Lords, the Divine One, is truly pleased with the two of us —'

Verse 64 (markandeya.23.64)

ततो यथाभिलषितं वरमेनं प्रयच्छ नौ । मृता कुवलयाश्वस्य पत्नी देव ! मदालसा॥ 23.64 ॥

tato yathābhilaṣitaṁ varamenaṁ prayaccha nau mṛtā kuvalayāśvasya patnī deva ! madālasā

'—then, O Lord, grant us this boon that we desire: Kuvalayashva's wife Madalasa has died —'

Verse 65 (markandeya.23.65)

तेनैव वयसा सद्यो दुहितृत्वं प्रयातु मे । जातिस्मरा यथा पूर्वं तद्वत्कान्तिसमन्विता । योगिनी योगमाता च मद्गेहे जायतां भव॥ 23.65 ॥

tenaiva vayasā sadyo duhitṛtvaṁ prayātu me jātismarā yathā pūrvaṁ tadvatkāntisamanvitā yoginī yogamātā ca madgehe jāyatāṁ bhava

'—may she, at that very same age, at once become my daughter; may she, remembering her past life just as before, retain her former radiance, and be born in my house as a yogini, the very mother of yoga, O Lord.'

Verse 66 (markandeya.23.66)

महादेव उवाच यथोक्तं पन्नगश्रेष्ठ ! सर्वेमेतद्भविष्यति । मत्प्रसादादसन्दिग्धं श्रुणु चेदं भुजङ्गम॥ 23.66 ॥

mahādeva uvāca yathoktaṁ pannagaśreṣṭha ! sarvemetadbhaviṣyati matprasādādasandigdhaṁ śruṇu cedaṁ bhujaṅgama

'O foremost of serpents, all that you have asked shall come to pass by my grace, beyond any doubt; but hear this too, O serpent —'

Verse 67 (markandeya.23.67)

श्राद्धे तु समनुप्राप्ते मध्यमं पिण्डमात्मना । भक्षयेथाः फणिश्रेष्ठ ! शुचिः प्रयतमानसः॥ 23.67 ॥

śrāddhe tu samanuprāpte madhyamaṁ piṇḍamātmanā bhakṣayethāḥ phaṇiśreṣṭha ! śuciḥ prayatamānasaḥ

'O foremost of hooded ones, when the shraddha rite is duly performed, you yourself, pure and with a controlled mind, must eat the middle rice-ball.'

Verse 68 (markandeya.23.68)

भक्षिते तु ततस्तस्मिन् भवतो मध्यमात् फणात् । समुत्पत्स्यति कल्याणी तथारूपा यथामृता॥ 23.68 ॥

bhakṣite tu tatastasmin bhavato madhyamāt phaṇāt samutpatsyati kalyāṇī tathārūpā yathāmṛtā

'Once that rice-ball has been eaten, from your middle hood shall arise that fortunate girl, in exactly the same form she had before she died.'

Verse 69 (markandeya.23.69)

कामञ्चेममभिध्याय कुरु त्वं पितृतर्पणम् । तत्क्षणादेव सा सुभ्रूः श्वसतो मध्यमात् फणात्॥ 23.69 ॥

kāmañcemamabhidhyāya kuru tvaṁ pitṛtarpaṇam tatkṣaṇādeva sā subhrūḥ śvasato madhyamāt phaṇāt

'Meditate upon this very wish as you perform the ancestral offering; and that very instant, from your breathing middle hood, that fair-browed girl —'

Verse 70 (markandeya.23.70)

समुत्पत्स्यति कल्याणी तथारूपा यथामृता । एतच्छ्रुत्वा ततस्तौ तु प्रणिपत्य महेश्वरम्॥ 23.70 ॥

samutpatsyati kalyāṇī tathārūpā yathāmṛtā etacchrutvā tatastau tu praṇipatya maheśvaram

'—that fortunate girl shall arise, in the very form she had before she died.' Hearing this, the two of them bowed to the great Lord —

Verse 71 (markandeya.23.71)

रसातलं पुनः प्राप्तौ परितोषसमन्वितौ । तथा च कृतवान् श्राद्धं स नागः कम्बलानुजः॥ 23.71 ॥

rasātalaṁ punaḥ prāptau paritoṣasamanvitau tathā ca kṛtavān śrāddhaṁ sa nāgaḥ kambalānujaḥ

—and, filled with satisfaction, returned once more to Rasatala. Then that serpent, Kambala's younger brother, duly performed the shraddha rite.

Verse 72 (markandeya.23.72)

पिण्डञ्च मध्यमं तद्वद्यथावदुपभुक्तवान् । तञ्चापि ध्यायः कामं ततः सा तनुमध्यमा॥ 23.72 ॥

piṇḍañca madhyamaṁ tadvadyathāvadupabhuktavān tañcāpi dhyāyaḥ kāmaṁ tataḥ sā tanumadhyamā

He duly ate the middle rice-ball as prescribed, and, meditating upon that wish, then that slender-waisted girl —

Verse 73 (markandeya.23.73)

जज्ञे निश्वसतः सद्यस्तद्रूपा मध्यमात् फणात् । न चापि कथयामास कंस्यचित् स भुजङ्गमः॥ 23.73 ॥

jajñe niśvasataḥ sadyastadrūpā madhyamāt phaṇāt na cāpi kathayāmāsa kaṁsyacit sa bhujaṅgamaḥ

—was born at that very instant from his breathing middle hood, in that same form; and the serpent told no one at all of this.

Verse 74 (markandeya.23.74)

अन्तर्गृहे तां सुदतीं स्त्रीभिर्गुप्तामधारयत् । तौ चानुदिनमागम्य पुत्रौ नागपतेः सुखम्॥ 23.74 ॥

antargṛhe tāṁ sudatīṁ strībhirguptāmadhārayat tau cānudinamāgamya putrau nāgapateḥ sukham

He kept that lovely, fine-toothed girl hidden within the inner apartments, guarded by women. And the two sons of the serpent-king, coming there each day, happily —

Verse 75 (markandeya.23.75)

ऋतध्वजेन सहितौ चिक्रीडातेऽमराविव । एकदा तु सुतौ प्राह नागराजौ मुदान्वितः॥ 23.75 ॥

ṛtadhvajena sahitau cikrīḍāte ’marāviva ekadā tu sutau prāha nāgarājau mudānvitaḥ

—played together with Ritadhvaja, like gods at their sport. One day the king of serpents, delighted, said to his two sons —

Verse 76 (markandeya.23.76)

यन्मया पूर्वमुक्तन्तु क्रियते किं न तत्तथा । स राजपुत्रो युवयोरुपकारी ममान्तिकम्॥ 23.76 ॥

yanmayā pūrvamuktantu kriyate kiṁ na tattathā sa rājaputro yuvayorupakārī mamāntikam

'Is what I told you before being carried out as it should be? That prince, who has done a service to the two of you, is dear also to me —'

Verse 77 (markandeya.23.77)

कस्मान्नानीयते वत्सावुपकाराय मानदः । एवमुक्तौ ततस्तेन पित्रा स्नेहवता तु तौ॥ 23.77 ॥

kasmānnānīyate vatsāvupakārāya mānadaḥ evamuktau tatastena pitrā snehavatā tu tau

'—so, my sons, why is that generous benefactor not being brought here?' Addressed thus by their affectionate father, the two of them —

Verse 78 (markandeya.23.78)

गत्वा तस्य पुरं सख्यू रेमाते तेन धीमता । ततः कुवलयाश्वं तौ कृत्वा किञ्चित्कथान्तरम्॥ 23.78 ॥

gatvā tasya puraṁ sakhyū remāte tena dhīmatā tataḥ kuvalayāśvaṁ tau kṛtvā kiñcitkathāntaram

—the two friends went to his city and spent time happily with that wise prince. Then, after some conversation with Kuvalayashva —

Verse 79 (markandeya.23.79)

अब्रूतां प्रणयोपेतं स्वगेहगमनं प्रति । तावाह नृपपुत्रोऽसौ नन्विदं भवतोर्गृहम्॥ 23.79 ॥

abrūtāṁ praṇayopetaṁ svagehagamanaṁ prati tāvāha nṛpaputro ’sau nanvidaṁ bhavatorgṛham

—they lovingly invited him to their own home. The prince said to them, 'Why, this house here is as much yours as mine.'

Verse 80 (markandeya.23.80)

धनवाहनवस्त्रादि यन्मदीयं तदेव वाम् । यत्तु वां वाञ्छितं दातुं धनं रत्नमथापि वा॥ 23.80 ॥

dhanavāhanavastrādi yanmadīyaṁ tadeva vām yattu vāṁ vāñchitaṁ dātuṁ dhanaṁ ratnamathāpi vā

'Whatever is mine — wealth, conveyances, garments and the rest — is equally yours; and whatever wealth or jewel you might wish for —'

Verse 81 (markandeya.23.81)

तद्दोयतां द्विजसुतौ यदि वां प्रणयो मयि । एतावताहं दैवेन वञ्चितोऽस्मि दुरात्मना॥ 23.81 ॥

taddoyatāṁ dvijasutau yadi vāṁ praṇayo mayi etāvatāhaṁ daivena vañcito ’smi durātmanā

'—let it be given, O sons of brahmanas, if indeed you hold me dear. On this account alone I feel that cruel fate has cheated me —'

Verse 82 (markandeya.23.82)

यद्भवद्भ्यां ममत्वं नो मदीये क्रियते गृहे । यदि वां मत्प्रियं कार्यमनुग्राह्योऽस्मि वां यदि॥ 23.82 ॥

yadbhavadbhyāṁ mamatvaṁ no madīye kriyate gṛhe yadi vāṁ matpriyaṁ kāryamanugrāhyo ’smi vāṁ yadi

'—since the two of you will not regard my house as your own. If it is my pleasure you wish, if I am worthy of your favor —'

Verse 83 (markandeya.23.83)

तद्धने मम गेहे च ममत्वमनुकल्प्यताम् । युवयोर्यन्मदीयं तन्मामकं युवयोः स्वकम्॥ 23.83 ॥

taddhane mama gehe ca mamatvamanukalpyatām yuvayoryanmadīyaṁ tanmāmakaṁ yuvayoḥ svakam

'—then let a sense of belonging be extended to my wealth and my house as well. Whatever is yours is mine, and whatever is mine is truly yours.'

Verse 84 (markandeya.23.84)

एतत् सत्यं विजानीतं युवां प्राणा बहिश्चराः । पुनर्नैवं विभिन्नार्थं वक्तव्यं द्विजसत्तमौ॥ 23.84 ॥

etat satyaṁ vijānītaṁ yuvāṁ prāṇā bahiścarāḥ punarnaivaṁ vibhinnārthaṁ vaktavyaṁ dvijasattamau

'Know this to be true: the two of you are my very life-breath, walking about outside my body. O foremost of brahmanas, never again speak of us as separate from one another.'

Verse 85 (markandeya.23.85)

मत्प्रसादपरौ प्रीत्या शापितौ हृदयेन मे । ततः स्नेहार्द्रवदनौ तावुभौ नागनन्दनौ॥ 23.85 ॥

matprasādaparau prītyā śāpitau hṛdayena me tataḥ snehārdravadanau tāvubhau nāganandanau

'If you wish for my good favor, then, out of love, I bind you both by an oath upon my very heart never to speak so again.' Then those two serpent-princes, their faces softened with affection —

Verse 86 (markandeya.23.86)

ऊचतुर्नृपतेः पुत्रं किञ्चित् प्रणयकोपितौ । ऋतध्वज ! न सन्देहो यथैवाह भवानिदम्॥ 23.86 ॥

ūcaturnṛpateḥ putraṁ kiñcit praṇayakopitau ṛtadhvaja ! na sandeho yathaivāha bhavānidam

—somewhat piqued out of sheer affection, said to the prince, 'O Ritadhvaja, there is no doubt at all in what you have just said —'

Verse 87 (markandeya.23.87)

तथैव चास्मन्मनसि नात्र चिन्त्यमतोऽन्यथा । किन्त्वावयोः स्वयं पित्रा प्रोक्तमेतन्महात्मना॥ 23.87 ॥

tathaiva cāsmanmanasi nātra cintyamato ’nyathā kintvāvayoḥ svayaṁ pitrā proktametanmahātmanā

'—and our own hearts feel exactly the same; think nothing otherwise of it. But our own great father himself has told the two of us —'

Verse 88 (markandeya.23.88)

द्रष्टुं कुवलयाश्वं तमिच्छामीति पुनः पुनः । ततः कुवलयाश्वोऽसौ समुत्थाय वरासनात् । यथाह तातेति वदन् प्रणाममकरोद्भुवि॥ 23.88 ॥

draṣṭuṁ kuvalayāśvaṁ tamicchāmīti punaḥ punaḥ tataḥ kuvalayāśvo ’sau samutthāya varāsanāt yathāha tāteti vadan praṇāmamakarodbhuvi

'—again and again, "I wish to see this Kuvalayashva."' Then Kuvalayashva rose at once from his fine seat and, saying, 'As my father commands,' bowed down to the ground.

Verse 89 (markandeya.23.89)

कुवलयाश्व उवाच धन्योऽहमतिपुण्योऽहं कोऽन्योऽस्ति सदृशो मया । यत्तातो मामभिद्रष्टुं करोति प्रवणं मनः॥ 23.89 ॥

kuvalayāśva uvāca dhanyo ’hamatipuṇyo ’haṁ ko ’nyo ’sti sadṛśo mayā yattāto māmabhidraṣṭuṁ karoti pravaṇaṁ manaḥ

'I am fortunate indeed, I am truly blessed; who else could be my equal, that your own father's heart should incline so eagerly to see me?'

Verse 90 (markandeya.23.90)

तदुत्तिष्ठत गच्छामस्ताताज्ञां क्षणमप्यहम् । नातिक्रान्तुमिहेच्छामि पदेभ्यां तस्य शपाम्यहम्॥ 23.90 ॥

taduttiṣṭhata gacchāmastātājñāṁ kṣaṇamapyaham nātikrāntumihecchāmi padebhyāṁ tasya śapāmyaham

'So rise, let us go; I have no wish to disobey your father's command even for a moment — I swear it upon his very feet.'

Verse 91 (markandeya.23.91)

जड उवाच एवमुक्त्वा ययौ सोऽथ सह ताभ्यां नृपात्मजः । प्राप्तश्च गोमतीं पुण्यां निर्गम्य नगराद्वहिः॥ 23.91 ॥

jaḍa uvāca evamuktvā yayau so ’tha saha tābhyāṁ nṛpātmajaḥ prāptaśca gomatīṁ puṇyāṁ nirgamya nagarādvahiḥ

Having said this, the prince set out together with the two of them, and, leaving the city, reached the sacred river Gomati.

Verse 92 (markandeya.23.92)

तन्मध्येन ययुस्ते वे नागेन्द्रनृपनन्दनाः । मेने च राजपुत्रोऽसौ पारे तस्यास्तयोर्गृहम्॥ 23.92 ॥

tanmadhyena yayuste ve nāgendranṛpanandanāḥ mene ca rājaputro ’sau pāre tasyāstayorgṛham

Through the midst of that river the two sons of the serpent-king and the prince made their way; and the prince supposed their home lay on the far bank.

Verse 93 (markandeya.23.93)

ततश्चाकृष्य पातालं ताभ्यां नीतो नृपात्मजः । पाताले ददृशे चोभौ स पन्नगकुमारकौ॥ 23.93 ॥

tataścākṛṣya pātālaṁ tābhyāṁ nīto nṛpātmajaḥ pātāle dadṛśe cobhau sa pannagakumārakau

But then the two of them drew the prince down and led him into Patala; and there he beheld those two serpent-princes —

Verse 94 (markandeya.23.94)

फणामणिकृतोद्योतौ व्यक्तस्वस्तिकलक्षणौ । विलोक्य तौ सुरूपाङ्गौ विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनः॥ 23.94 ॥

phaṇāmaṇikṛtodyotau vyaktasvastikalakṣaṇau vilokya tau surūpāṅgau vismayotphullalocanaḥ

—their hoods shining with jewels, marked plainly with the sign of the swastika, their forms beautiful; and seeing them, the prince, his eyes wide with astonishment —

Verse 95 (markandeya.23.95)

विहस्य चाब्रवीत् प्रेम्णा साधु भो द्विजसत्तमौ । कथयामासतुस्तौ च पितरं पन्नगेश्वरम्॥ 23.95 ॥

vihasya cābravīt premṇā sādhu bho dvijasattamau kathayāmāsatustau ca pitaraṁ pannageśvaram

—laughed and said affectionately, 'Well done, my fine brahmana friends!' Then the two of them told him of their father, the lord of serpents —

Verse 96 (markandeya.23.96)

शान्तमश्वतरं नाम माननीयं दिवौकसाम् । रमणीयं ततोऽपस्यत् पातालं स नृपात्मजः॥ 23.96 ॥

śāntamaśvataraṁ nāma mānanīyaṁ divaukasām ramaṇīyaṁ tato ’pasyat pātālaṁ sa nṛpātmajaḥ

—the tranquil one named Ashvatara, honored even by the gods dwelling in heaven. Then the prince beheld the beautiful realm of Patala —

Verse 97 (markandeya.23.97)

कुमारैस्तरुणैर्वृद्धैरुरगैरुपशोभितम् । तथैव नागकन्याभिः क्रीडन्तीभिरितस्ततः॥ 23.97 ॥

kumāraistaruṇairvṛddhairuragairupaśobhitam tathaiva nāgakanyābhiḥ krīḍantībhiritastataḥ

—adorned with serpent-youths, both young and old, and further graced by serpent-maidens sporting here and there —

Verse 98 (markandeya.23.98)

चारुकुण्डलहाराभिस्ताराभिर्गगनं यथा । गीतशब्दैस्तथान्यत्र वीणावेणुस्वनानुगैः॥ 23.98 ॥

cārukuṇḍalahārābhistārābhirgaganaṁ yathā gītaśabdaistathānyatra vīṇāveṇusvanānugaiḥ

—decked with lovely earrings and necklaces, as the sky is adorned with stars; and elsewhere, filled with the sound of songs accompanied by the strains of lute and flute —

Verse 99 (markandeya.23.99)

मृदङ्गपणवातोद्यं हारिवेश्मशताकुलम् । वीक्षमाणः स पातालं ययौ शत्रुजितः सुतः॥ 23.99 ॥

mṛdaṅgapaṇavātodyaṁ hāriveśmaśatākulam vīkṣamāṇaḥ sa pātālaṁ yayau śatrujitaḥ sutaḥ

—resounding with mridangas and panava-drums, and crowded with hundreds of enchanting mansions. Gazing all about him, Shatrujit's son went on through Patala —

Verse 100 (markandeya.23.100)

सह ताभ्यामभीष्टाभ्यां पन्नगाभ्यामरिन्दमः । ततः प्रविश्य ते सर्वे नागराजनिवेशनम्॥ 23.100 ॥

saha tābhyāmabhīṣṭābhyāṁ pannagābhyāmarindamaḥ tataḥ praviśya te sarve nāgarājaniveśanam

—that vanquisher of foes, together with those two dear serpents. Then all of them entered the palace of the serpent-king —

Verse 101 (markandeya.23.101)

ददृशुस्ते महात्मानमुरगाधिपतिं स्थितम् । दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधरं मणिकुण्डलभूषणम्॥ 23.101 ॥

dadṛśuste mahātmānamuragādhipatiṁ sthitam divyamālyāmbaradharaṁ maṇikuṇḍalabhūṣaṇam

—and there they saw that great-souled king of serpents, seated in state, arrayed in divine garlands and garments, adorned with jeweled earrings —

Verse 102 (markandeya.23.102)

स्वच्छमुक्ताफललताहारिहारोपशोभितम् । केयूरिणं महाभागमासने सर्वकाञ्चने॥ 23.102 ॥

svacchamuktāphalalatāhārihāropaśobhitam keyūriṇaṁ mahābhāgamāsane sarvakāñcane

—graced with a lovely garland like a vine of clear pearls, wearing armlets, that most fortunate one seated upon a throne made wholly of gold —

Verse 103 (markandeya.23.103)

मणिविद्रुमवैदूर्य-जालान्तरितरूपके । स ताभ्यां दर्शितस्तस्य तातोऽस्माकमसाविति॥ 23.103 ॥

maṇividrumavaidūrya-jālāntaritarūpake sa tābhyāṁ darśitastasya tāto ’smākamasāviti

—inlaid with a lattice of gems, coral and cat's-eye. The two of them pointed him out, saying, 'This is our father.'

Verse 104 (markandeya.23.104)

वीरः कुवलयाश्वोऽयं पित्रे चासौ निवेदितः । ततो ननाम चरणौ नागेन्द्रस्य ऋतध्वजः॥ 23.104 ॥

vīraḥ kuvalayāśvo ’yaṁ pitre cāsau niveditaḥ tato nanāma caraṇau nāgendrasya ṛtadhvajaḥ

And they in turn announced to their father, 'This is the hero Kuvalayashva.' Then Ritadhvaja bowed at the feet of the king of serpents.

Verse 105 (markandeya.23.105)

तमुत्थाप्य बलाद्गाढं नागेन्द्रः परीषस्वजे । मूर्ध्नि चैनमुपाघ्राय चिरं जीवेत्युवाच सः॥ 23.105 ॥

tamutthāpya balādgāḍhaṁ nāgendraḥ parīṣasvaje mūrdhni cainamupāghrāya ciraṁ jīvetyuvāca saḥ

The serpent-king raised him up by force and embraced him tightly, and, smelling his head in blessing, said, 'May you live long.'

Verse 106 (markandeya.23.106)

निहतामित्रवर्गश्च पित्रोः सुश्रूषणं कुरु । वत्स ! धन्यस्य कथ्यन्ते परोक्षस्यापि ते गुणाः॥ 23.106 ॥

nihatāmitravargaśca pitroḥ suśrūṣaṇaṁ kuru vatsa ! dhanyasya kathyante parokṣasyāpi te guṇāḥ

'Slay your enemies, and continue to serve your parents well. My child, the virtues of a blessed man are spoken of even when he is not present.'

Verse 107 (markandeya.23.107)

भवतो मम पुत्राभ्यामसामान्या निवेदिताः । त्वमेवानेन वर्धेथा मनोवाक्कायचेष्टितैः॥ 23.107 ॥

bhavato mama putrābhyāmasāmānyā niveditāḥ tvamevānena vardhethā manovākkāyaceṣṭitaiḥ

'My two sons here have told me of your extraordinary qualities. May you go on flourishing just so, in thought, word and deed.'

Verse 108 (markandeya.23.108)

जीवितं गुणिनः श्लाघ्यं जीवन्नेव मृतोऽगुणः । गुणवान् निर्वृतिं पित्रोः शत्रुणां हृदयज्वरम्॥ 23.108 ॥

jīvitaṁ guṇinaḥ ślāghyaṁ jīvanneva mṛto ’guṇaḥ guṇavān nirvṛtiṁ pitroḥ śatruṇāṁ hṛdayajvaram

'The life of a virtuous man alone is worthy of praise; the man without virtue is as good as dead even while he lives. It is the virtuous man who brings his parents contentment, and kindles a burning fever in the hearts of his enemies —'

Verse 109 (markandeya.23.109)

करोत्यात्महितं कुर्वन् विश्वासञ्च महाजने । देवताः पितरो विप्रा मित्रार्थिविकलादयः॥ 23.109 ॥

karotyātmahitaṁ kurvan viśvāsañca mahājane devatāḥ pitaro viprā mitrārthivikalādayaḥ

'—and in working his own good, he wins the trust of the great as well. Gods, ancestors, brahmanas, friends, petitioners, the helpless and the rest —'

Verse 110 (markandeya.23.110)

बान्धवाश्च तथेच्छन्ति जीवितं गुणिनश्चिरम् । परिवादनिवृत्तानां दुर्गतेषु दयावताम् । गुणिनां सफलं जन्म संश्रितानां विपद्गतैः॥ 23.110 ॥

bāndhavāśca tathecchanti jīvitaṁ guṇinaściram parivādanivṛttānāṁ durgateṣu dayāvatām guṇināṁ saphalaṁ janma saṁśritānāṁ vipadgataiḥ

'—and one's kinsmen too wish the virtuous man a long life. The birth of virtuous men alone is truly fruitful — men who refrain from slander, who show compassion to those in distress, and who protect those who take refuge with them in adversity.'

Verse 111 (markandeya.23.111)

जड उवाच एवमुक्त्वा स तं वीरं पुत्राविदमथाब्रवीत् । पूजां कुवलयाश्वस्य कर्तुकामो भुजङ्गमः॥ 23.111 ॥

jaḍa uvāca evamuktvā sa taṁ vīraṁ putrāvidamathābravīt pūjāṁ kuvalayāśvasya kartukāmo bhujaṅgamaḥ

Having said this, that serpent, wishing to honor Kuvalayashva, said this to the hero and to his own two sons —

Verse 112 (markandeya.23.112)

स्नानादिकक्रमं कृत्वा सर्वमेव यथाक्रमम् । मधुपानादिसम्भोगमाहारञ्च यथेप्सितम्॥ 23.112 ॥

snānādikakramaṁ kṛtvā sarvameva yathākramam madhupānādisambhogamāhārañca yathepsitam

'First perform the whole round of bathing and the rest, each in its due order; then enjoy the drinking of honey-wine and such pleasures, and eat as you please.'

Verse 113 (markandeya.23.113)

ततः कुवलयाश्वेन हृदयोत्सवभूतया । कथया स्वल्पकं कालं स्थास्यामो हृष्टचेतसः॥ 23.113 ॥

tataḥ kuvalayāśvena hṛdayotsavabhūtayā kathayā svalpakaṁ kālaṁ sthāsyāmo hṛṣṭacetasaḥ

'Then we shall all sit together a while, our hearts gladdened, in conversation with Kuvalayashva that delights the very soul.'

Verse 114 (markandeya.23.114)

अनुमेन च तन्मौनो वचः शत्रुजितः सुतः । तथा चकार नृपतिः पन्नगानामुदारधीः॥ 23.114 ॥

anumena ca tanmauno vacaḥ śatrujitaḥ sutaḥ tathā cakāra nṛpatiḥ pannagānāmudāradhīḥ

Silently assenting, Shatrujit's son did just as he had said, and the noble-minded king of serpents did likewise.

Verse 115 (markandeya.23.115)

समेत्य तैरात्मजभूपनन्दनैर् महोरगाणामधिपः स सत्यवाक् । मुदान्वितोऽन्नानि मधूनि चात्मवान् यथोपयोगं बुभुजे स भोगभुक्॥ 23.115 ॥

sametya tairātmajabhūpanandanair mahoragāṇāmadhipaḥ sa satyavāk mudānvito ’nnāni madhūni cātmavān yathopayogaṁ bubhuje sa bhogabhuk

That truthful lord of the great serpents, joined together with his own sons and with the prince, partook joyfully and with self-command of food and honeyed drink, in due measure, like one well versed in the enjoyment of pleasure.