The Sages' Doubt About Prahlada, and Shivasharma's Trial of His Sons

Verse 1 (padma.2.1.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः- शृणु सूत महाभाग सर्वतत्त्वार्थकोविद । संदेहमागतं विद्वन्दारुणं बुद्धिनाशनम्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ- śṛṇu sūta mahābhāga sarvatattvārthakovida saṁdehamāgataṁ vidvandāruṇaṁ buddhināśanam

The sages said: Listen, O greatly fortunate Suta, skilled in the meaning of every truth! A terrible doubt has arisen in us, one that destroys the understanding.

Verse 2 (padma.2.1.2)

केचित्पठंति प्रह्लादं पुराणेषु द्विजोत्तमाः । पंचवर्षान्वितेनापि केशवः परितोषितः

kecitpaṭhaṁti prahlādaṁ purāṇeṣu dvijottamāḥ paṁcavarṣānvitenāpi keśavaḥ paritoṣitaḥ

O best of the twice-born, some read in the Puranas that Prahlada, at only five years of age, brought full satisfaction to Keshava.

Verse 3 (padma.2.1.3)

देवासुरे कथं प्राप्ते हरिणा सह युध्यति । निहतो वासुदेवेन प्रविष्टो वैष्णवीं तनुम्

devāsure kathaṁ prāpte hariṇā saha yudhyati nihato vāsudevena praviṣṭo vaiṣṇavīṁ tanum

Yet when the war of gods and demons came about, how does he fight against Hari himself? Slain by Vasudeva, how did he come to enter Vishnu's own body?

Verse 4 (padma.2.1.4)

सूत उवाच- कश्यपेन पुरा ज्ञातं कृतं व्यासेन धीमता । ब्रह्मणा कथितं पूर्वं व्यासस्याग्रे स्वयं प्रभोः

sūta uvāca- kaśyapena purā jñātaṁ kṛtaṁ vyāsena dhīmatā brahmaṇā kathitaṁ pūrvaṁ vyāsasyāgre svayaṁ prabhoḥ

Suta said: This was known long ago by Kashyapa, set down by the wise Vyasa, and told first by the Lord Brahma himself, before Vyasa.

Verse 5 (padma.2.1.5)

तमेवं हि प्रवक्ष्यामि भवतामग्रतो द्विजाः । संदेहकारणं जातं छिन्नं देवेन वेधसा

tamevaṁ hi pravakṣyāmi bhavatāmagrato dvijāḥ saṁdehakāraṇaṁ jātaṁ chinnaṁ devena vedhasā

That very account, O twice-born, I shall now relate before you — the cause of this doubt was already resolved by the divine Ordainer, Brahma.

Verse 6 (padma.2.1.6)

व्यास उवाचः- शृणु सूत महाभाग ब्रह्मणा परिभाषितम् । प्रह्लादस्य यथा जन्म पुराणेप्यन्यथा श्रुतम्

vyāsa uvācaḥ- śṛṇu sūta mahābhāga brahmaṇā paribhāṣitam prahlādasya yathā janma purāṇepyanyathā śrutam

Vyasa said: Listen, O greatly fortunate Suta, to what Brahma declared — how Prahlada's birth, heard of differently even within the Puranas, truly came about.

Verse 7 (padma.2.1.7)

जातमात्रः सर्वसुखं वैष्णवं मार्गमाश्रितः । महाभागवतश्रेष्ठः प्रह्लादो देवपूजितः

jātamātraḥ sarvasukhaṁ vaiṣṇavaṁ mārgamāśritaḥ mahābhāgavataśreṣṭhaḥ prahlādo devapūjitaḥ

As soon as he was born, possessed of every happiness and having taken refuge in the path of Vishnu, Prahlada, foremost among the great devotees, was honored by the gods.

Verse 8 (padma.2.1.8)

विष्णुना सह युद्धाय सपुत्रः संगरंगतः । निहतो वासुदेवेन प्रविष्टो वैष्णवीं तनुम्

viṣṇunā saha yuddhāya saputraḥ saṁgaraṁgataḥ nihato vāsudevena praviṣṭo vaiṣṇavīṁ tanum

Yet elsewhere it is said that, together with his sons, he went into battle to fight Vishnu, and being slain by Vasudeva, entered Vishnu's own body.

Verse 9 (padma.2.1.9)

सृष्टिभावं शृणुष्व त्वमस्यैव च महात्मनः । संगरं प्राप्य पुत्राद्यैर्विष्णुना सह वीर्यवान्

sṛṣṭibhāvaṁ śṛṇuṣva tvamasyaiva ca mahātmanaḥ saṁgaraṁ prāpya putrādyairviṣṇunā saha vīryavān

Now hear the true origin of that great soul — having joined battle with Vishnu together with his sons, that mighty one—

Verse 10 (padma.2.1.10)

प्रविष्टो वैष्णवं तेजः संप्राप्य स्वेन तेजसा । पुराकल्पे महाभाग यथा जातः स वीर्यवान्

praviṣṭo vaiṣṇavaṁ tejaḥ saṁprāpya svena tejasā purākalpe mahābhāga yathā jātaḥ sa vīryavān

—entered, by his own power, into the very radiance of Vishnu. O greatly fortunate one, hear now how that mighty one was born in a former age.

Verse 11 (padma.2.1.11)

वृत्तांतं तस्य वीरस्य प्रवक्ष्यामि समासतः । पश्चिमे सागरस्यांते द्वारका नाम वै पुरी

vṛttāṁtaṁ tasya vīrasya pravakṣyāmi samāsataḥ paścime sāgarasyāṁte dvārakā nāma vai purī

I shall relate the account of that hero in brief. On the western shore of the ocean there is a city named Dvaraka.

Verse 12 (padma.2.1.12)

सर्वऋद्धिसमायुक्ता सर्वसिद्धिसमन्विता । तस्यामास्ते सदा देवो योगज्ञो योगवित्तमः

sarvaṛddhisamāyuktā sarvasiddhisamanvitā tasyāmāste sadā devo yogajño yogavittamaḥ

Endowed with every prosperity and possessed of every attainment — there always dwelt a divine being, a knower of yoga and foremost among its masters.

Verse 13 (padma.2.1.13)

शिवशर्मेति विख्यातो वेदशास्त्रार्थकोविदः । तस्यापि पंचपुत्रास्तु बभूवुः शास्त्रकोविदाः

śivaśarmeti vikhyāto vedaśāstrārthakovidaḥ tasyāpi paṁcaputrāstu babhūvuḥ śāstrakovidāḥ

He was renowned by the name Shivasharma, skilled in the meaning of the Vedas and scriptures. To him, too, were born five sons, all learned in the scriptures.

Verse 14 (padma.2.1.14)

यज्ञशर्मा वेदशर्मा धर्मशर्मा तथैव च । विष्णुशर्मा महाभागो नूनं तत्कर्मकोविदः

yajñaśarmā vedaśarmā dharmaśarmā tathaiva ca viṣṇuśarmā mahābhāgo nūnaṁ tatkarmakovidaḥ

Yajnasharma, Vedasharma, and likewise Dharmasharma, and the greatly fortunate Vishnusharma — each indeed skilled in his own proper duties.

Verse 15 (padma.2.1.15)

पंचमः सोमशर्मेति पितृभक्तिपरायणः । पितृभक्तिं विना चैव धर्ममन्यं द्विजोत्तमाः

paṁcamaḥ somaśarmeti pitṛbhaktiparāyaṇaḥ pitṛbhaktiṁ vinā caiva dharmamanyaṁ dvijottamāḥ

The fifth, named Somasharma, was ever devoted to devotion toward his father. O best of the twice-born, apart from devotion to one's father, no other dharma—

Verse 16 (padma.2.1.16)

न विदंति महात्मानस्तद्भावेन तु भाविताः । तेषां तु भक्तिं संपश्यञ्छिवशर्मा द्विजोत्तमः

na vidaṁti mahātmānastadbhāvena tu bhāvitāḥ teṣāṁ tu bhaktiṁ saṁpaśyañchivaśarmā dvijottamaḥ

—do great souls truly know; they remain wholly absorbed in that very disposition. Seeing this devotion of theirs, Shivasharma, best of the twice-born—

Verse 17 (padma.2.1.17)

चिंतयामास मेधावी निष्कर्षिष्ये सुरोत्तमान् । पितृभक्तेषु यो भावो नैतेषां मनसि स्थितः

ciṁtayāmāsa medhāvī niṣkarṣiṣye surottamān pitṛbhakteṣu yo bhāvo naiteṣāṁ manasi sthitaḥ

—being wise, reflected: 'I shall put these excellent sons to the test. Whatever true disposition of devotion to a father may be, it has not yet become firmly established in their minds—'

Verse 18 (padma.2.1.18)

यथा जानाम्यहं चाथ करिष्ये बुद्धिपूर्वकम् । विष्णोश्चैव प्रसादात्स सर्वसिद्धिर्बभूव ह

yathā jānāmyahaṁ cātha kariṣye buddhipūrvakam viṣṇoścaiva prasādātsa sarvasiddhirbabhūva ha

—'as I understand it, so shall I act with deliberate purpose.' And by the grace of Vishnu, every success indeed came to him.

Verse 19 (padma.2.1.19)

सद्भावं चिंतयामास अंजनार्थं द्विजोत्तमाः । उपायं ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठस्तपसस्तेजसः किल

sadbhāvaṁ ciṁtayāmāsa aṁjanārthaṁ dvijottamāḥ upāyaṁ brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhastapasastejasaḥ kila

O best of the twice-born, that foremost brahmin devised, through the power of his own austerity, a means for testing them.

Verse 20 (padma.2.1.20)

चकार सोप्युपायज्ञो मायया ब्रह्मवित्तमः । तेषामग्रे ततो व्याजं शिवशर्मा व्यदर्शयत्

cakāra sopyupāyajño māyayā brahmavittamaḥ teṣāmagre tato vyājaṁ śivaśarmā vyadarśayat

Skilled in devising means, foremost among knowers of Brahman, he wrought it through his own maya; then Shivasharma displayed before them a staged deception.

Verse 21 (padma.2.1.21)

महता ज्वररोगेण मृता माता विदर्शिता । तैस्तु दृष्टा मृता माता पितरं वाक्यमब्रुवन्

mahatā jvararogeṇa mṛtā mātā vidarśitā taistu dṛṣṭā mṛtā mātā pitaraṁ vākyamabruvan

He made it appear that their mother had died of a violent fever. Seeing their mother apparently dead, they spoke this word to their father:

Verse 22 (padma.2.1.22)

ययावयं महाभाग गर्भोदरे प्रवर्द्धिताः । कलेवरं परित्यज्य स्वयमेव गता क्षयम्

yayāvayaṁ mahābhāga garbhodare pravarddhitāḥ kalevaraṁ parityajya svayameva gatā kṣayam

'O greatly fortunate one, she by whom we were nurtured and made to grow within the womb has, abandoning her body, gone herself to destruction.'

Verse 23 (padma.2.1.23)

अपहाय गता सेयं स्वर्गे तात किमुच्यते । शिवशर्मोपरिभवं पुत्रं भक्तिपरायणम्

apahāya gatā seyaṁ svarge tāta kimucyate śivaśarmoparibhavaṁ putraṁ bhaktiparāyaṇam

'She has left us and gone — to heaven, father; what more is there to say?' Hearing this, Shivasharma turned toward his devoted son—

Verse 24 (padma.2.1.24)

यज्ञशर्माणमाहूय इत्युवाच द्विजोत्तमः । शिवशर्मोवाच- अनेनापि सुतीक्ष्णेन शस्त्रेण निशितेन वै

yajñaśarmāṇamāhūya ityuvāca dvijottamaḥ śivaśarmovāca- anenāpi sutīkṣṇena śastreṇa niśitena vai

—and summoning Yajnasharma, that best of the twice-born spoke thus. Shivasharma said: 'With this very sharp, keen-edged weapon—'

Verse 25 (padma.2.1.25)

विच्छिद्यांगानि सर्वाणि यत्र तत्र क्षिपस्व ह । तत्कृतं तेन पुत्रेण यथादेशः श्रुतः पितुः

vicchidyāṁgāni sarvāṇi yatra tatra kṣipasva ha tatkṛtaṁ tena putreṇa yathādeśaḥ śrutaḥ pituḥ

—'cut her limbs entirely apart and scatter them here and there.' Hearing his father's command, that son did exactly so.

Verse 26 (padma.2.1.26)

समायातः पुनः पश्चात्पितरं वाक्यमब्रवीत् । यथादिष्टं त्वया तात तत्सर्वं कृतवानहम्

samāyātaḥ punaḥ paścātpitaraṁ vākyamabravīt yathādiṣṭaṁ tvayā tāta tatsarvaṁ kṛtavānaham

Then, returning, he spoke this word to his father: 'Father, all that you commanded, I have carried out.'

Verse 27 (padma.2.1.27)

समादिश ममान्यच्च कार्यकारणमद्य च । तच्च सर्वं करिष्यामि दुर्जयं दुर्लभं पितः

samādiśa mamānyacca kāryakāraṇamadya ca tacca sarvaṁ kariṣyāmi durjayaṁ durlabhaṁ pitaḥ

'Command me in any other task and its purpose this very day; that too I shall accomplish, however hard to conquer or attain it may be, O father.'

Verse 28 (padma.2.1.28)

तमाज्ञाय महाभागं पितृभक्तं स च द्विजः । निश्चयं परमं ज्ञात्वा द्वितीयस्य विचिंतयन्

tamājñāya mahābhāgaṁ pitṛbhaktaṁ sa ca dvijaḥ niścayaṁ paramaṁ jñātvā dvitīyasya viciṁtayan

Recognizing him as greatly fortunate and truly devoted to his father, and understanding his supreme resolve, that brahmin turned his thought to the second son.

Verse 29 (padma.2.1.29)

वेदशर्माणमाहूय गच्छ त्वं मम शासनात् । स्त्रिया विना न शक्नोमि स्थातुं कंदर्पमोहितः

vedaśarmāṇamāhūya gaccha tvaṁ mama śāsanāt striyā vinā na śaknomi sthātuṁ kaṁdarpamohitaḥ

Summoning Vedasharma, he said: 'Go, by my command. Without a wife, bewildered as I am by the arrows of desire, I cannot remain.'

Verse 30 (padma.2.1.30)

मायया दर्शिता नारी सर्वसौभाग्यसंपदा । एनामानय वत्स त्वं ममार्थे कृतनिश्चयः

māyayā darśitā nārī sarvasaubhāgyasaṁpadā enāmānaya vatsa tvaṁ mamārthe kṛtaniścayaḥ

By his maya a woman was shown, endowed with every mark of good fortune. 'My son, bring her to me — go with firm resolve.'

Verse 31 (padma.2.1.31)

एवमुक्तस्तथा प्राह करिष्ये तव सुप्रियम् । पितरं तं नमस्कृत्य तामुवाच गतस्ततः

evamuktastathā prāha kariṣye tava supriyam pitaraṁ taṁ namaskṛtya tāmuvāca gatastataḥ

Thus addressed, he answered likewise: 'I shall do what will please you greatly.' Bowing to his father, he went from there and spoke to her:

Verse 32 (padma.2.1.32)

त्वां देवि याचते तातः कामबाणप्रपीडितः । अतस्त्वं जरया युक्ते प्रसादसुमुखी भव

tvāṁ devi yācate tātaḥ kāmabāṇaprapīḍitaḥ atastvaṁ jarayā yukte prasādasumukhī bhava

'O lady, my father, tormented by the arrows of desire, entreats you. Be gracious, then, and favorably disposed toward him, burdened though he is with old age.'

Verse 33 (padma.2.1.33)

भज त्वं चारुसर्वांगि पितरं मम सुंदरि । एवमाकर्णितं तस्य मायया वेदशर्मणः

bhaja tvaṁ cārusarvāṁgi pitaraṁ mama suṁdari evamākarṇitaṁ tasya māyayā vedaśarmaṇaḥ

'O beautiful one, lovely in every limb, accept my father.' This is what Vedasharma said to that woman conjured by the maya.

Verse 34 (padma.2.1.34)

स्त्र्युवाच- जरया पीडितस्यापि नैवेच्छामि कदाचन । सश्लेष्ममुखरोगस्य व्याधिग्रस्तस्य सांप्रतम्

stryuvāca- jarayā pīḍitasyāpi naivecchāmi kadācana saśleṣmamukharogasya vyādhigrastasya sāṁpratam

The woman said: 'One afflicted by old age, presently diseased, his mouth troubled with phlegm—'

Verse 35 (padma.2.1.35)

शिथिलस्यापि चार्तस्य तस्य वृद्धस्य संगमम् । भवंतं रंतुमिच्छामि करिष्ये तव सुप्रियम्

śithilasyāpi cārtasya tasya vṛddhasya saṁgamam bhavaṁtaṁ raṁtumicchāmi kariṣye tava supriyam

—'feeble and suffering — union with such an old man I would never desire. It is you I wish to enjoy; I shall grant your dearest wish.'

Verse 36 (padma.2.1.36)

भवंतं रूपसौभाग्यैर्गुणरत्नैरलंकृतम् । दिव्यलक्षणसंपन्नं दिव्यरूपं महौजसम्

bhavaṁtaṁ rūpasaubhāgyairguṇaratnairalaṁkṛtam divyalakṣaṇasaṁpannaṁ divyarūpaṁ mahaujasam

'You, adorned with beauty and good fortune, decked with virtues like jewels, possessed of divine marks, of divine form, of great splendor—'

Verse 37 (padma.2.1.37)

किं करिष्यसि तातेन वृद्धेन शृणु मानद । ममांगभोगभावेन सर्वं प्राप्स्यसि दुर्लभम्

kiṁ kariṣyasi tātena vṛddhena śṛṇu mānada mamāṁgabhogabhāvena sarvaṁ prāpsyasi durlabham

—'what have you to do with your aged father? Listen, O giver of honor: through the enjoyment of my person you shall obtain everything, however hard to attain.'

Verse 38 (padma.2.1.38)

यद्यत्त्वमिच्छसे विप्र तद्ददामि न संशयः । एतद्वाक्यं महच्छ्रुत्वा अप्रियं पापसंकुलम्

yadyattvamicchase vipra taddadāmi na saṁśayaḥ etadvākyaṁ mahacchrutvā apriyaṁ pāpasaṁkulam

'Whatever you desire, O brahmin, that I shall give — no doubt of it.' Having heard this grave, unpleasant word laden with sin—

Verse 39 (padma.2.1.39)

वेदशर्मोवाच- अधर्मयुक्तं ते वाक्यमयुक्तं पापमिश्रितम् । नेदृशं मां वदेर्देवि पितृभक्तिमनागसम्

vedaśarmovāca- adharmayuktaṁ te vākyamayuktaṁ pāpamiśritam nedṛśaṁ māṁ vaderdevi pitṛbhaktimanāgasam

Vedasharma said: 'This word of yours is joined with unrighteousness, improper, mixed with sin. Do not speak so to me, O lady, blameless and devoted to my father—'

Verse 40 (padma.2.1.40)

पितुरर्थं समायातस्त्वामहं प्रार्थये शुभे । अन्यदेवं न वक्तव्यं भज त्वं पितरं मम

piturarthaṁ samāyātastvāmahaṁ prārthaye śubhe anyadevaṁ na vaktavyaṁ bhaja tvaṁ pitaraṁ mama

—'I have come for my father's sake alone, O auspicious one; this alone I ask of you. Say nothing further of this kind; accept my father himself.'

Verse 41 (padma.2.1.41)

यद्यत्त्वमिच्छसे देवि त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरम् । तत्तद्दद्मि न संदेहो देवराज्याधिकं शुभे

yadyattvamicchase devi trailokye sacarācaram tattaddadmi na saṁdeho devarājyādhikaṁ śubhe

'Whatever you desire, O lady, in all three worlds, moving or unmoving — that I shall give without doubt, O auspicious one, even more than the kingship of the gods.'

Verse 42 (padma.2.1.42)

स्त्र्युवाच- एवं समर्थो दातुं मे पितुरर्थे यदा भवान् । तदा मे दर्शयाद्यैव सेंद्रास्त्वं समहेश्वरान्

stryuvāca- evaṁ samartho dātuṁ me piturarthe yadā bhavān tadā me darśayādyaiva seṁdrāstvaṁ samaheśvarān

The woman said: 'If you are indeed capable of giving thus for your father's sake, then show me this very day the gods together with Indra, all the great lords.'

Verse 43 (padma.2.1.43)

दातुमेवं समर्थोसि दुर्लभं सांप्रतं किल । किं ते बलं महाभाग दर्शयस्व त्वमात्मनः

dātumevaṁ samarthosi durlabhaṁ sāṁprataṁ kila kiṁ te balaṁ mahābhāga darśayasva tvamātmanaḥ

'You claim to be able to give what is now so hard to obtain — what, then, O greatly fortunate one, is your power? Show it yourself.'

Verse 44 (padma.2.1.44)

वेदशर्मोवाच- पश्य पश्य बलं देवि प्रभावं तपसो मम । मयाहूताः समायाता इंद्राद्याः सुरसत्तमाः

vedaśarmovāca- paśya paśya balaṁ devi prabhāvaṁ tapaso mama mayāhūtāḥ samāyātā iṁdrādyāḥ surasattamāḥ

Vedasharma said: 'Behold, O lady, behold the power and might of my austerity! At my summons the foremost gods, headed by Indra, have come.'

Verse 45 (padma.2.1.45)

वेदशर्माणमूचुस्ते किं कुर्मो हि द्विजोत्तम । यमेवमिच्छसे विप्र तं ददामो न संशयः

vedaśarmāṇamūcuste kiṁ kurmo hi dvijottama yamevamicchase vipra taṁ dadāmo na saṁśayaḥ

They said to Vedasharma: 'O best of the twice-born, what shall we do? O brahmin, whatever you wish, that we shall grant — no doubt.'

Verse 46 (padma.2.1.46)

वेदशर्मोवाच- यदि देवाः प्रसान्ना मे प्रसादसुमुखा यदि । ददंतु विमलां भक्तिं पादयोः पितुरेव मे

vedaśarmovāca- yadi devāḥ prasānnā me prasādasumukhā yadi dadaṁtu vimalāṁ bhaktiṁ pādayoḥ pitureva me

Vedasharma said: 'If the gods are pleased with me, if they are graciously and favorably disposed, let them grant me pure devotion at my own father's feet.'

Verse 47 (padma.2.1.47)

एवमस्तु सुराः सर्वे यथायातास्तथा गताः । तमुवाच तथा दृष्ट्वा दृष्टं ते तपसो बलम्

evamastu surāḥ sarve yathāyātāstathā gatāḥ tamuvāca tathā dṛṣṭvā dṛṣṭaṁ te tapaso balam

'So be it,' said the gods, and as they had come, so they departed. Seeing this, the woman said to him: 'I have seen the power of your austerity.'

Verse 48 (padma.2.1.48)

देवैस्तु नास्ति मे कार्यं यदि दातुमिहेच्छसि । यन्मां नयसि गुर्वर्थं तत्कुरुष्व मम प्रियम्

devaistu nāsti me kāryaṁ yadi dātumihecchasi yanmāṁ nayasi gurvarthaṁ tatkuruṣva mama priyam

'I have no need of the gods. If you truly wish to give here, then, since you would lead me to your father's side, grant me this one dear wish—'

Verse 49 (padma.2.1.49)

देहि त्वं स्वं शिरो विप्र स्वहस्तेन निकृत्य वै । वेदशर्मोवाच- धन्योहमद्य संजातो मुक्तश्चैव ऋणत्रयात्

dehi tvaṁ svaṁ śiro vipra svahastena nikṛtya vai vedaśarmovāca- dhanyohamadya saṁjāto muktaścaiva ṛṇatrayāt

—'give me your own head, O brahmin, cut off with your own hand.' Vedasharma said: 'Today indeed I have become blessed, and freed from the three debts.'

Verse 50 (padma.2.1.50)

स्वशिरो देवि दास्यामि गृह्यतां गृह्यतां शुभे । शितेन तीक्ष्णधारेण शस्त्रेण द्विजसत्तमः

svaśiro devi dāsyāmi gṛhyatāṁ gṛhyatāṁ śubhe śitena tīkṣṇadhāreṇa śastreṇa dvijasattamaḥ

'O lady, I shall give you my head — take it, take it, O auspicious one!' With a sharp, keen-edged weapon, that foremost of brahmins—

Verse 51 (padma.2.1.51)

निकृत्य स्वं शिरश्चाथ दत्तं तस्यै प्रहस्य च । रुधिरेण प्लुतं सा च परिगृह्य गता मुनिम्

nikṛtya svaṁ śiraścātha dattaṁ tasyai prahasya ca rudhireṇa plutaṁ sā ca parigṛhya gatā munim

—cut off his own head and, smiling, gave it to her. She took it, drenched in blood, and went to the sage Shivasharma.

Verse 52 (padma.2.1.52)

स्त्र्युवाच- तवार्थे प्रेषितं विप्र पुत्रेण वेदशर्मणा । एतच्छिरः संगृहाण निकृत्तं चात्मनात्मनः

stryuvāca- tavārthe preṣitaṁ vipra putreṇa vedaśarmaṇā etacchiraḥ saṁgṛhāṇa nikṛttaṁ cātmanātmanaḥ

The woman said: 'O brahmin, this has been sent to you by your own son Vedasharma. Take this head, cut off by his own hands from himself.'

Verse 53 (padma.2.1.53)

उत्तमांगं प्रदत्तं मे पितृभक्तेन तेन ते । तवार्थे द्विजशार्दूल मामेवं परिभुंक्ष्व वै

uttamāṁgaṁ pradattaṁ me pitṛbhaktena tena te tavārthe dvijaśārdūla māmevaṁ paribhuṁkṣva vai

'Out of devotion to you, his father, he gave me his own head. O best of brahmins, accept me now in his stead, in this same manner.'

Verse 54 (padma.2.1.54)

तस्य तैर्भ्रातृभिर्दृष्टं साहसं वेदशर्मणः । वेपितांगत्वमापन्नास्ते बभूवुः परस्परम्

tasya tairbhrātṛbhirdṛṣṭaṁ sāhasaṁ vedaśarmaṇaḥ vepitāṁgatvamāpannāste babhūvuḥ parasparam

Seeing this daring deed of Vedasharma, his brothers trembled in their limbs and spoke among themselves—

Verse 55 (padma.2.1.55)

मृता नो धर्मसाध्वी सा माता सत्यसमाधिना । अयमेव महाभागः पितुरर्थे मृतः शुभः

mṛtā no dharmasādhvī sā mātā satyasamādhinā ayameva mahābhāgaḥ piturarthe mṛtaḥ śubhaḥ

—'Our righteous mother met her death standing firm in truth, and this greatly fortunate one too has died for our father's sake — an auspicious deed indeed.'

Verse 56 (padma.2.1.56)

धन्योयं धन्यतां प्राप्तः पितुरर्थे कृतं शुभम् । एवं संभाषितं तैस्तु भ्रातृभिः पुण्यचारिभिः

dhanyoyaṁ dhanyatāṁ prāptaḥ piturarthe kṛtaṁ śubham evaṁ saṁbhāṣitaṁ taistu bhrātṛbhiḥ puṇyacāribhiḥ

'Blessed is he, he has attained true blessedness; for our father's sake he has done a most auspicious deed.' Thus did those righteous brothers speak among themselves.

Verse 57 (padma.2.1.57)

समाकर्ण्य द्विजो वाक्यं ज्ञात्वा भक्तिपरायणम् । निकृत्तं च शिरस्तेन पुत्रेण वेदशर्मणा

samākarṇya dvijo vākyaṁ jñātvā bhaktiparāyaṇam nikṛttaṁ ca śirastena putreṇa vedaśarmaṇā

Hearing this speech and recognizing his devotion, the brahmin Shivasharma looked upon the head cut off by his son Vedasharma—

Verse 58 (padma.2.1.58)

धर्मशर्माणमाहाथ शिर एतत्प्रगृह्यताम्

dharmaśarmāṇamāhātha śira etatpragṛhyatām

—and then said to Dharmasharma: 'Now let this head be taken up.'