The Sacred Ford's Grace, Mrityu's Daughter Sunitha, and Anga's Longing for a Son

Verse 1 (padma.2.30.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः- योऽसौ वेनस्त्वयाख्यातः पापाचारेण वर्तितः । तस्य पापस्य का वृत्तिः किं फलं प्राप्तवान्द्विज

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ- yo'sau venastvayākhyātaḥ pāpācāreṇa vartitaḥ tasya pāpasya kā vṛttiḥ kiṁ phalaṁ prāptavāndvija

The sages said: 'That Vena of whom you spoke, who conducted himself through sinful ways — what was the course of his sin, and what fruit did he obtain, O brahmin?'

Verse 2 (padma.2.30.2)

चरित्रं तस्य वेनस्य समाख्याहि यथा पुरा । विस्तरेण विदां श्रेष्ठ त्वं न एतन्महामते

caritraṁ tasya venasya samākhyāhi yathā purā vistareṇa vidāṁ śreṣṭha tvaṁ na etanmahāmate

'Declare to us the character of that Vena, just as it was of old, in full, O foremost of the learned, O great-minded one.'

Verse 3 (padma.2.30.3)

सूत उवाच- चरित्रं तस्य वेनस्य वैन्यस्यापि महात्मनः । प्रवक्ष्यामि सुपुण्यं च यथान्यायं श्रुतं पुरा

sūta uvāca- caritraṁ tasya venasya vainyasyāpi mahātmanaḥ pravakṣyāmi supuṇyaṁ ca yathānyāyaṁ śrutaṁ purā

Suta said: I shall relate the character of Vena, and of that great soul, his son Prithu too, most meritorious, just as it was rightly heard of old.

Verse 4 (padma.2.30.4)

जाते पुत्रे महाभागस्तस्मिन्पृथौ महात्मनि । विमलत्वं गतो राजा धर्मत्वं गतवान्पुनः

jāte putre mahābhāgastasminpṛthau mahātmani vimalatvaṁ gato rājā dharmatvaṁ gatavānpunaḥ

When that greatly fortunate, great-souled Prithu was born as his son, the king became free of stain, and returned once more to a state of dharma.

Verse 5 (padma.2.30.5)

महापापानि सर्वाणि अर्जितानि नराधमैः । तीर्थसंगप्रसंगेन तेषां पापं प्रयाति च

mahāpāpāni sarvāṇi arjitāni narādhamaiḥ tīrthasaṁgaprasaṁgena teṣāṁ pāpaṁ prayāti ca

All the great sins accumulated by the vilest of men — through contact and connection with sacred fords, their sin departs.

Verse 6 (padma.2.30.6)

सतां संगात्प्रजायेत पुण्यमेव न संशयः । पापानां तु प्रसंगेन पापमेव प्रजायते

satāṁ saṁgātprajāyeta puṇyameva na saṁśayaḥ pāpānāṁ tu prasaṁgena pāpameva prajāyate

From association with the righteous, merit alone is born, no doubt of it; but from connection with sinners, sin alone is born.

Verse 7 (padma.2.30.7)

संभाषाद्दर्शनात्स्पर्शादासनाद्भोजनात्किल । पापिनां संगमाच्चैव किल्बिषं परिसंचरेत्

saṁbhāṣāddarśanātsparśādāsanādbhojanātkila pāpināṁ saṁgamāccaiva kilbiṣaṁ parisaṁcaret

Through conversation, through sight, through touch, through sitting together, through eating together indeed, and through association with sinners, sin surely spreads.

Verse 8 (padma.2.30.8)

तथा पुण्यात्मकानां च पुण्यमेव प्रसंचरेत् । महातीर्थप्रसंगेन पापाः शुध्यंति नान्यथा

tathā puṇyātmakānāṁ ca puṇyameva prasaṁcaret mahātīrthaprasaṁgena pāpāḥ śudhyaṁti nānyathā

And likewise, from those of meritorious soul, merit alone spreads. Through connection with a great sacred ford, sinners are purified, and by no other means.

Verse 9 (padma.2.30.9)

पुण्यां गतिं प्रयान्त्येते निर्द्धूताशेष कल्मषाः । ऋषय ऊचुः- तत्कथं यांति ते पापाः परां सिद्धिं द्विजोत्तम

puṇyāṁ gatiṁ prayāntyete nirddhūtāśeṣa kalmaṣāḥ ṛṣaya ūcuḥ- tatkathaṁ yāṁti te pāpāḥ parāṁ siddhiṁ dvijottama

These go to a meritorious state, their every stain shaken off. The sages said: 'How, then, do sinners attain supreme accomplishment, O best of brahmins?'

Verse 10 (padma.2.30.10)

तन्नो विस्तरतो ब्रूहि श्रोतुं श्रद्धा प्रवर्तते

tanno vistarato brūhi śrotuṁ śraddhā pravartate

'Tell us this in full; our faith is roused to hear it.'

Verse 11 (padma.2.30.11)

सूत उवाच- लुब्धकाश्च महापापाः संजाता दासधीवराः । रेवा च यमुना गंगास्तासामंभसि संस्थिताः

sūta uvāca- lubdhakāśca mahāpāpāḥ saṁjātā dāsadhīvarāḥ revā ca yamunā gaṁgāstāsāmaṁbhasi saṁsthitāḥ

Suta said: There were hunters, great sinners, and slave-fishermen, who dwelt in the very waters of the Reva, the Yamuna, and the Ganga.

Verse 12 (padma.2.30.12)

ज्ञानतोऽज्ञानतः स्नात्वा संक्रीडंति च वै जले । महानद्याः प्रसंगेन ते यांति परमां गतिम्

jñānato'jñānataḥ snātvā saṁkrīḍaṁti ca vai jale mahānadyāḥ prasaṁgena te yāṁti paramāṁ gatim

Whether knowingly or unknowingly, having bathed, they would sport in the water; through their connection with the great river, they go to the supreme state.

Verse 13 (padma.2.30.13)

दासत्वं पापसंघातं परित्यज्य व्रजंति ते । पुण्यतोयप्रसंगाच्च ह्याप्लुताः सर्व एव ते

dāsatvaṁ pāpasaṁghātaṁ parityajya vrajaṁti te puṇyatoyaprasaṁgācca hyāplutāḥ sarva eva te

Abandoning their servitude and their mass of sin, they depart; through connection with the meritorious water, all of them indeed, having bathed—

Verse 14 (padma.2.30.14)

महानद्याः प्रसंगाच्च अन्यासां नैव सत्तमाः । महापुण्यजनस्यापि पापं नश्यति पापिनाम्

mahānadyāḥ prasaṁgācca anyāsāṁ naiva sattamāḥ mahāpuṇyajanasyāpi pāpaṁ naśyati pāpinām

—through connection with the great river, but not with other, lesser waters, O worthy ones; the sin of sinners, even of those of great merit, is destroyed.

Verse 15 (padma.2.30.15)

प्रसंगाद्दर्शनात्स्पर्शान्नात्र कार्या विचारणा । अत्रार्थे श्रूयते विप्रा इतिहासोऽघनाशनः

prasaṁgāddarśanātsparśānnātra kāryā vicāraṇā atrārthe śrūyate viprā itihāso'ghanāśanaḥ

Through connection, through sight, through touch — there should be no doubt here about this. On this matter, O brahmins, a sin-destroying legend is heard.

Verse 16 (padma.2.30.16)

तं वो अद्य प्रवक्ष्यामि बहुपुण्यप्रदायकम् । कश्चिदस्ति मृगव्याधः सुलोभाख्यो महावने

taṁ vo adya pravakṣyāmi bahupuṇyapradāyakam kaścidasti mṛgavyādhaḥ sulobhākhyo mahāvane

I shall now relate it to you, the giver of much merit. There was a certain deer-hunter named Sulobha in a great forest—

Verse 17 (padma.2.30.17)

श्वभिर्वागुरिजालैश्च धनुर्बाणैस्तथैव च । मृगान्घातयते नित्यं पिशितास्वादलंपटः

śvabhirvāgurijālaiśca dhanurbāṇaistathaiva ca mṛgānghātayate nityaṁ piśitāsvādalaṁpaṭaḥ

—with dogs, with snares and nets, and likewise with bow and arrows, he ever slew deer, greedy for the taste of flesh.

Verse 18 (padma.2.30.18)

एकदा तु सुदुष्टात्मा बाणपाणिर्धनुर्धरः । श्वभिः परिवृतो दुर्गं वनं विंध्यस्य वै गतः

ekadā tu suduṣṭātmā bāṇapāṇirdhanurdharaḥ śvabhiḥ parivṛto durgaṁ vanaṁ viṁdhyasya vai gataḥ

One day that most wicked-souled one, arrow in hand, bow-bearer, surrounded by his dogs, went to the impenetrable forest of the Vindhyas.

Verse 19 (padma.2.30.19)

मृगान्रुरून्वराहांश्च भीतान्सूदितवान्बहून् । रेवातीरं समासाद्य कश्चिच्छफरघातकः

mṛgānrurūnvarāhāṁśca bhītānsūditavānbahūn revātīraṁ samāsādya kaścicchapharaghātakaḥ

He slew many terrified deer, antelope, and boars; reaching the bank of the Reva, there was a certain fish-slayer too.

Verse 20 (padma.2.30.20)

शफरान्सूदयित्वा स निर्जगाम बहिर्जलात् । मृगव्याधस्य लोभस्य भयत्रस्ता ततो मृगी

śapharānsūdayitvā sa nirjagāma bahirjalāt mṛgavyādhasya lobhasya bhayatrastā tato mṛgī

Having slain fish, he came out of the water. Terrified by fear of the deer-hunter Lobha, a doe—

Verse 21 (padma.2.30.21)

जीवत्राणपरा सार्ता भीता चलितचेतना । त्वरमाणा पलायंती रेवातीरं समाश्रिता

jīvatrāṇaparā sārtā bhītā calitacetanā tvaramāṇā palāyaṁtī revātīraṁ samāśritā

—intent solely on saving her life, distressed, frightened, her mind reeling, fled in haste and took refuge on the bank of the Reva.

Verse 22 (padma.2.30.22)

श्वभिश्च चालिता सा तु बाणघातक्षतातुरा । श्वसनस्यापि वेगेन सुलभो मृगघातकः

śvabhiśca cālitā sā tu bāṇaghātakṣatāturā śvasanasyāpi vegena sulabho mṛgaghātakaḥ

Driven on by the dogs, wounded and tormented by the blow of an arrow, with speed like the very wind, that deer-slayer Sulobha—

Verse 23 (padma.2.30.23)

पृष्ठ एव समायाति पुरतो याति सा मृगी । दृष्टवांस्तां शफरहा बाणपाणिः समुद्यतः

pṛṣṭha eva samāyāti purato yāti sā mṛgī dṛṣṭavāṁstāṁ śapharahā bāṇapāṇiḥ samudyataḥ

—came right behind her, while the doe fled before. That fish-slayer, arrow in hand, ready, saw her—

Verse 24 (padma.2.30.24)

धनुरानम्य वेगेन अनुरुध्य च तां मृगीम् । तावल्लुब्धक लोभाख्यः श्वभिः सार्द्धं समागतः

dhanurānamya vegena anurudhya ca tāṁ mṛgīm tāvallubdhaka lobhākhyaḥ śvabhiḥ sārddhaṁ samāgataḥ

—and, bending his bow with speed, laid claim to that doe. At that very moment the hunter named Lobha, together with his dogs, arrived—

Verse 25 (padma.2.30.25)

न हंतव्या मदीयेयं मृगयां मे समागता । तस्य वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य मीनहा मांसलंपटः

na haṁtavyā madīyeyaṁ mṛgayāṁ me samāgatā tasya vākyaṁ samākarṇya mīnahā māṁsalaṁpaṭaḥ

—and said: 'She should not be slain — she is mine, come into my hunt.' Hearing his word, that fish-killer, greedy for flesh—

Verse 26 (padma.2.30.26)

बाणं मुमोच दुष्टात्मा तामुद्दिश्य महाबलः । निहता मृगलुब्धेन बाणेन निशितेन च

bāṇaṁ mumoca duṣṭātmā tāmuddiśya mahābalaḥ nihatā mṛgalubdhena bāṇena niśitena ca

—that wicked-souled, mighty one, released his arrow at her regardless. She was struck by that sharp arrow of the deer-hunter—

Verse 27 (padma.2.30.27)

प्रमृता सा मृगी तत्र बाणाभ्यां पापचेतसोः । श्वभिर्दंतैः समाक्रांता त्वरमाणा पपात सा

pramṛtā sā mṛgī tatra bāṇābhyāṁ pāpacetasoḥ śvabhirdaṁtaiḥ samākrāṁtā tvaramāṇā papāta sā

—and that doe died there, from the two arrows of those two sinful-minded ones; overwhelmed by the fangs of the dogs, she fell hastily—

Verse 28 (padma.2.30.28)

शिखराच्च ह्रदे पुण्ये रेवायाः पापनाशने । श्वानश्च त्वरमाणास्ते पतिता विमले ह्रदे

śikharācca hrade puṇye revāyāḥ pāpanāśane śvānaśca tvaramāṇāste patitā vimale hrade

—from a rocky height into the sacred, sin-destroying pool of the Reva. And those hasty dogs too fell into that spotless pool.

Verse 29 (padma.2.30.29)

मृगव्याधो वदत्येव धीवरं क्रोधमूर्च्छितः । मदीयेयं मृगी दुष्ट कस्माद्बाणैर्हता त्वया

mṛgavyādho vadatyeva dhīvaraṁ krodhamūrcchitaḥ madīyeyaṁ mṛgī duṣṭa kasmādbāṇairhatā tvayā

The deer-hunter, overcome with rage, said to the fisherman: 'She was mine, wicked one — why did you strike her with your arrows?'

Verse 30 (padma.2.30.30)

तमुवाच पुनः सोऽपि मीनहा मृगघातकम् । मदीयेयं न संदेहो अवलिप्त प्रभाषसे

tamuvāca punaḥ so'pi mīnahā mṛgaghātakam madīyeyaṁ na saṁdeho avalipta prabhāṣase

He, the fish-slayer, said again to that deer-killer: 'She is mine, no doubt of it; you speak arrogantly.'

Verse 31 (padma.2.30.31)

युध्यमानौ ततस्तौ तु द्वावेतौ तु परस्परम् । क्रोधलोभान्महाभागौ पतितौ विमले जले

yudhyamānau tatastau tu dvāvetau tu parasparam krodhalobhānmahābhāgau patitau vimale jale

Then, fighting with one another out of anger and greed, those two, both greatly caught up, fell into that spotless water.

Verse 32 (padma.2.30.32)

तस्मिन्काले महापर्व वर्तते गतिदायकम् । अमावास्या समायोगं महापुण्यफलप्रदम्

tasminkāle mahāparva vartate gatidāyakam amāvāsyā samāyogaṁ mahāpuṇyaphalapradam

At that time there occurred a great holy occasion, the bestower of a supreme destiny: the new-moon day, joined together, granting the fruit of great merit.

Verse 33 (padma.2.30.33)

वेलायां पतिताः सर्वे पर्वणस्तस्य सत्तम । जपध्यानविहीनास्ते भावसत्यविवर्जिताः

velāyāṁ patitāḥ sarve parvaṇastasya sattama japadhyānavihīnāste bhāvasatyavivarjitāḥ

All of them fell at the very hour of that sacred occasion, O worthy one, though they were devoid of prayer and meditation, devoid of true feeling and truth.

Verse 34 (padma.2.30.34)

तीर्थस्नानप्रसंगेन मृगी श्वा च स लुब्धकः । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तास्ते गताः परमां गतिम्

tīrthasnānaprasaṁgena mṛgī śvā ca sa lubdhakaḥ sarvapāpavinirmuktāste gatāḥ paramāṁ gatim

Through the mere connection of bathing at that tirtha, the doe, the dogs, and that hunter — freed of every sin, all of them went to the supreme state.

Verse 35 (padma.2.30.35)

तीर्थानां च प्रभावेण सतां संगाद्द्विजोत्तमाः । नाशयेत्पापिनां पापं दहेदग्निरिवेंधनम्

tīrthānāṁ ca prabhāveṇa satāṁ saṁgāddvijottamāḥ nāśayetpāpināṁ pāpaṁ dahedagniriveṁdhanam

By the power of sacred fords, and through association with the righteous, O best of brahmins, the sin of sinners is destroyed, just as fire burns fuel.

Verse 36 (padma.2.30.36)

सूत उवाच- तेषामेवं हि संसर्गादृषीणां च महात्मनाम् । संभाषाद्दर्शनान्नष्टं स्पर्शाच्चैव नृपस्य च

sūta uvāca- teṣāmevaṁ hi saṁsargādṛṣīṇāṁ ca mahātmanām saṁbhāṣāddarśanānnaṣṭaṁ sparśāccaiva nṛpasya ca

Suta said: Thus, indeed, through association with them, the great-souled sages, through conversation, through sight, and through touch too, was the king Vena's own—

Verse 37 (padma.2.30.37)

वेनस्य कल्मषं नष्टं सतां संगात्पुरा किल । अत्युग्रपुण्यसंसर्गात्पापं नश्यति पापिनाम्

venasya kalmaṣaṁ naṣṭaṁ satāṁ saṁgātpurā kila atyugrapuṇyasaṁsargātpāpaṁ naśyati pāpinām

—stain destroyed of old indeed, through association with the righteous. Through connection with those of exceedingly great merit, the sin of sinners is destroyed.

Verse 38 (padma.2.30.38)

अत्युग्रपापिनां संगात्पापमेव प्रसंचरेत् । मातामहस्य दोषेण संलिप्तो वेन एव सः

atyugrapāpināṁ saṁgātpāpameva prasaṁcaret mātāmahasya doṣeṇa saṁlipto vena eva saḥ

Through association with exceedingly great sinners, sin alone spreads. Through the fault of his maternal grandfather was Vena himself tainted.

Verse 39 (padma.2.30.39)

ऋषय ऊचुः- मातामहस्य को दोषस्तं नो विस्तरतो वद । स मृत्युः स च वै कालः स यमो धर्म एव च

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ- mātāmahasya ko doṣastaṁ no vistarato vada sa mṛtyuḥ sa ca vai kālaḥ sa yamo dharma eva ca

The sages said: 'What was the fault of his maternal grandfather? Tell us this in full. He was Mrityu, and he was indeed Kala; he was Yama, and Dharma itself.'

Verse 40 (padma.2.30.40)

न हिंसको हि कस्यापि पदे तस्मिन्प्रतिष्ठितः । चराचराश्च ये लोकाः स्वकर्मवशवर्तिनः

na hiṁsako hi kasyāpi pade tasminpratiṣṭhitaḥ carācarāśca ye lokāḥ svakarmavaśavartinaḥ

'He is no harmer of anyone, established as he is in that very station; and all the moving and unmoving beings, subject to the sway of their own deeds—'

Verse 41 (padma.2.30.41)

जीवंति च म्रियंते च भुंजंत्येवं स्वकर्मभिः । पापाः पश्यंति तं घोरं तेषां कर्मविपाकतः

jīvaṁti ca mriyaṁte ca bhuṁjaṁtyevaṁ svakarmabhiḥ pāpāḥ paśyaṁti taṁ ghoraṁ teṣāṁ karmavipākataḥ

—'live and die and thus experience the fruits of their own deeds; sinners see him as terrible, owing to the ripening of their own deeds.'

Verse 42 (padma.2.30.42)

निरयेषु च सर्वेषु कर्मणैवं सुपुण्यवान् । योजयेत्ताडयेत्सूत यम एष दिनेदिने

nirayeṣu ca sarveṣu karmaṇaivaṁ supuṇyavān yojayettāḍayetsūta yama eṣa dinedine

'In all the hells, that greatly meritorious one, according to their deeds, assigns and chastises — that Yama, day after day.'

Verse 43 (padma.2.30.43)

सर्वेष्वेव सुपुण्येषु कर्मस्वेवं सपुण्यवान् । योजयत्येव धर्मात्मा तस्य दोषो न दृश्यते

sarveṣveva supuṇyeṣu karmasvevaṁ sapuṇyavān yojayatyeva dharmātmā tasya doṣo na dṛśyate

'And in all meritorious deeds likewise, that meritorious, righteous soul assigns reward; no fault of his is ever seen.'

Verse 44 (padma.2.30.44)

स मृत्योः केन दोषेण पापी वेनस्त्वजायत । सूत उवाच- स मृत्युः शासको नित्यं पापानां दुष्टचेतसाम्

sa mṛtyoḥ kena doṣeṇa pāpī venastvajāyata sūta uvāca- sa mṛtyuḥ śāsako nityaṁ pāpānāṁ duṣṭacetasām

'By what fault of Mrityu's, then, was that sinner Vena born?' Suta said: 'That Mrityu is ever the punisher of sinners, of evil mind—'

Verse 45 (padma.2.30.45)

वर्तते कालरूपेण तेषां कर्म विमृश्यति । दुष्कृतं कर्म यस्यापि कर्मणा तेन घातयेत्

vartate kālarūpeṇa teṣāṁ karma vimṛśyati duṣkṛtaṁ karma yasyāpi karmaṇā tena ghātayet

—'he acts in the very form of Time, weighing their deeds; whoever has done ill deeds, by that very deed he strikes down.'

Verse 46 (padma.2.30.46)

तस्य पापं विदित्वाऽसौ नयत्येवं हि तं यमः । सुकृतात्मा लभेत्स्वर्गं कर्मणा सुकृतेन वै

tasya pāpaṁ viditvā'sau nayatyevaṁ hi taṁ yamaḥ sukṛtātmā labhetsvargaṁ karmaṇā sukṛtena vai

'Knowing his sin, that Yama thus leads him accordingly; one of good deeds obtains heaven, through good deeds indeed.'

Verse 47 (padma.2.30.47)

योजयत्येष तान्सर्वान्मृत्युरेव सुदूतकैः । महता सौख्यभावेन गीतमंगलकारिणा

yojayatyeṣa tānsarvānmṛtyureva sudūtakaiḥ mahatā saukhyabhāvena gītamaṁgalakāriṇā

'Mrityu himself assigns them all, through his own excellent messengers, with great happiness, amid singing and auspicious rites.'

Verse 48 (padma.2.30.48)

दानभोगादिभिश्चैव योजयेच्च कृतात्मकान् । पीडाभिर्विविधाभिश्च क्लेशैः काष्ठैश्च दारुणैः

dānabhogādibhiścaiva yojayecca kṛtātmakān pīḍābhirvividhābhiśca kleśaiḥ kāṣṭhaiśca dāruṇaiḥ

'With gifts, enjoyments and the rest, he rewards those of accomplished deeds; and with various torments, afflictions, and dreadful staves—'

Verse 49 (padma.2.30.49)

त्रासयेत्ताडयेद्विप्रान्स क्रोधो मृत्युरेव तान् । कर्मण्येवं हि तस्यापि व्यापारः परिवर्तते

trāsayettāḍayedviprānsa krodho mṛtyureva tān karmaṇyevaṁ hi tasyāpi vyāpāraḥ parivartate

—'he terrifies and strikes those who have wronged brahmins, that Mrityu, wrathful toward them. Thus, indeed, does his own function proceed according to their deeds.'

Verse 50 (padma.2.30.50)

मृत्योश्चापि महाभाग लोभात्पुण्यात्प्रजायते । सुनीथा नाम वै कन्या संजातैषा महात्मनः

mṛtyoścāpi mahābhāga lobhātpuṇyātprajāyate sunīthā nāma vai kanyā saṁjātaiṣā mahātmanaḥ

'And from Mrityu too, O greatly fortunate one, out of desire and through merit, was born a daughter named Sunitha, born of that great soul.'

Verse 51 (padma.2.30.51)

पितुःकर्म विमृश्यैव क्रीडमाना सदैव सा । प्रजानां शास्ति कर्तारं पुण्यपापनिरीक्षणम्

pituḥkarma vimṛśyaiva krīḍamānā sadaiva sā prajānāṁ śāsti kartāraṁ puṇyapāpanirīkṣaṇam

Considering her father's very work, ever at play, she came to understand the doer of the discipline of subjects, the overseer of merit and sin.

Verse 52 (padma.2.30.52)

सा तु कन्या महाभागा सुनीथा नाम तस्य सा । रममाणा वनं प्राप्ता सखीभिः परिवारिता

sā tu kanyā mahābhāgā sunīthā nāma tasya sā ramamāṇā vanaṁ prāptā sakhībhiḥ parivāritā

That greatly fortunate daughter of his, named Sunitha, while sporting, came to a forest, surrounded by her companions.

Verse 53 (padma.2.30.53)

तत्रापश्यन्महाभागं गंधर्वतनयं वरम् । गीतकोलाहलस्यापि सुशंखं नाम सा तदा

tatrāpaśyanmahābhāgaṁ gaṁdharvatanayaṁ varam gītakolāhalasyāpi suśaṁkhaṁ nāma sā tadā

There she beheld a greatly fortunate, excellent son of a gandharva, named Sushankha, master even of the tumult of song, at that time.

Verse 54 (padma.2.30.54)

ददर्श चारुसर्वांगं तप्यंतं सुमहत्तपः । गीतविद्यासु सिद्ध्यर्थं ध्यायमानं सरस्वतीम्

dadarśa cārusarvāṁgaṁ tapyaṁtaṁ sumahattapaḥ gītavidyāsu siddhyarthaṁ dhyāyamānaṁ sarasvatīm

She saw him, lovely in every limb, performing very great austerity, meditating upon Sarasvati for the sake of accomplishment in the art of song.

Verse 55 (padma.2.30.55)

तस्योपघातमेवासौ सा चकार दिने दिने । सुशंखः क्षमते नित्यं गच्छगच्छेति सोऽब्रवीत्

tasyopaghātamevāsau sā cakāra dine dine suśaṁkhaḥ kṣamate nityaṁ gacchagaccheti so'bravīt

She began to disturb him day after day; Sushankha bore with it always, saying to her: 'Go, go away.'

Verse 56 (padma.2.30.56)

प्रेषिता नैव गच्छेत्सा विघ्नमेव समाचरेत् । तेनाप्युक्ता सा हि क्रुद्धा ताडयत्तपसि स्थितम्

preṣitā naiva gacchetsā vighnameva samācaret tenāpyuktā sā hi kruddhā tāḍayattapasi sthitam

Though sent away, she would not go, and continued only to disturb him. Told this by him, she, angered, struck at him as he sat in austerity.

Verse 57 (padma.2.30.57)

तामुवाच ततः क्रुद्धः सुशंखः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः । दुष्टे पापसमाचारे कस्माद्विघ्नस्त्वया कृतः

tāmuvāca tataḥ kruddhaḥ suśaṁkhaḥ krodhamūrcchitaḥ duṣṭe pāpasamācāre kasmādvighnastvayā kṛtaḥ

Then Sushankha, angered, overcome with wrath, said to her: 'O wicked one, of sinful conduct, why have you disturbed me?'

Verse 58 (padma.2.30.58)

ताडनात्ताडनं दुष्टे न कुर्वंति महाजनाः । आक्रुष्टा नैव कुप्यंति इति धर्मस्य संस्थितिः

tāḍanāttāḍanaṁ duṣṭe na kurvaṁti mahājanāḥ ākruṣṭā naiva kupyaṁti iti dharmasya saṁsthitiḥ

'Great souls do not return a blow for a blow, O wicked one; even when reviled, they do not grow angry — such is the very foundation of dharma.'

Verse 59 (padma.2.30.59)

त्वयाहं घातितः पापे निर्दोषस्तपसान्वितः । एवमुक्त्वा स धर्मात्मा सुनीथां पापचारिणीम्

tvayāhaṁ ghātitaḥ pāpe nirdoṣastapasānvitaḥ evamuktvā sa dharmātmā sunīthāṁ pāpacāriṇīm

'By you have I been struck, O sinful one, though I was innocent, engaged in austerity.' Having said this to Sunitha, of sinful conduct, that righteous soul—

Verse 60 (padma.2.30.60)

विरराम महाक्रोधाज्ज्ञात्वा नारीं निवर्तितः । ततः सा पापमोहाद्वा बाल्याद्वा तमिहैव च

virarāma mahākrodhājjñātvā nārīṁ nivartitaḥ tataḥ sā pāpamohādvā bālyādvā tamihaiva ca

—fell silent, out of great anger, and, recognizing her as a woman, restrained himself. Then she, whether from sinful delusion or from mere childishness—

Verse 61 (padma.2.30.61)

समुवाच महात्मानं सुशंखं तपसि स्थितम् । त्रैलोक्यवासिनां तातो ममैव परिघातकः

samuvāca mahātmānaṁ suśaṁkhaṁ tapasi sthitam trailokyavāsināṁ tāto mamaiva parighātakaḥ

—said to that great soul Sushankha, established in austerity: 'My father is the very destroyer of all who dwell in the three worlds—'

Verse 62 (padma.2.30.62)

असतो घातयेन्नित्यं सत्यान्स परिपालयेत् । नैव दोषो भवेत्तस्य महापुण्येन वर्तयेत्

asato ghātayennityaṁ satyānsa paripālayet naiva doṣo bhavettasya mahāpuṇyena vartayet

'—he ever slays the wicked and fully protects the righteous. No fault ever attaches to him; he conducts himself with great merit.'

Verse 63 (padma.2.30.63)

एवमुक्त्वा गता सा तु पितरं वाक्यमब्रवीत् । मया हि ताडितस्तात गंधर्वतनयो वने

evamuktvā gatā sā tu pitaraṁ vākyamabravīt mayā hi tāḍitastāta gaṁdharvatanayo vane

Having said this, she went and spoke this word to her father: 'By me, father, a gandharva's son was struck, in the forest—'

Verse 64 (padma.2.30.64)

तपस्तपन्सदैकांते कामक्रोधविवर्जितः । स मामुवाच धर्मात्मा क्रोधरागसमन्वितः

tapastapansadaikāṁte kāmakrodhavivarjitaḥ sa māmuvāca dharmātmā krodharāgasamanvitaḥ

—'while he performed austerity alone, free of desire and anger. That righteous soul, joined with anger and passion, said to me—'

Verse 65 (padma.2.30.65)

ताडयेन्नैव ताडंतं क्रोशंतं नैव क्रोशयेत् । इत्युवाच स मां तात तन्मे त्वं कारणं वद

tāḍayennaiva tāḍaṁtaṁ krośaṁtaṁ naiva krośayet ityuvāca sa māṁ tāta tanme tvaṁ kāraṇaṁ vada

'"One should never strike back one who strikes, nor revile one who reviles." Thus did he speak to me, father; tell me the reason for this.'

Verse 66 (padma.2.30.66)

एवमुक्तः स वै मृत्युः सुनीथां द्विजसत्तमाः । किंचिन्नोवाच धर्मात्मा प्रश्नप्रत्युत्तरं ततः

evamuktaḥ sa vai mṛtyuḥ sunīthāṁ dvijasattamāḥ kiṁcinnovāca dharmātmā praśnapratyuttaraṁ tataḥ

Thus addressed, that Mrityu, O worthy brahmins, that righteous soul, said nothing at all in answer to Sunitha's question.

Verse 67 (padma.2.30.67)

वनं प्राप्ता पुनः सा हि सुशंखो यत्र संस्थितः । कराघातैस्ततो दौष्ट्याद्घातितस्तपतां वरः

vanaṁ prāptā punaḥ sā hi suśaṁkho yatra saṁsthitaḥ karāghātaistato dauṣṭyādghātitastapatāṁ varaḥ

She went again to the forest, to where Sushankha remained; and out of malice she then struck that excellent ascetic with blows of her hand.

Verse 68 (padma.2.30.68)

सुशंखस्ताडितो विप्रा मृत्योश्चैव हि कन्यया । ततः क्रुद्धो महातेजाः शशाप तनुमध्यमाम्

suśaṁkhastāḍito viprā mṛtyoścaiva hi kanyayā tataḥ kruddho mahātejāḥ śaśāpa tanumadhyamām

Sushankha, O brahmins, was struck by that daughter of Mrityu; then, enraged, that greatly splendorous one cursed that slender-waisted woman:

Verse 69 (padma.2.30.69)

निर्दोषो हि यतो दुष्टे त्वयैव परिताडितः । अहमत्र वने संस्थस्तस्माच्छापं ददाम्यहम्

nirdoṣo hi yato duṣṭe tvayaiva paritāḍitaḥ ahamatra vane saṁsthastasmācchāpaṁ dadāmyaham

'Since, though innocent, I have been struck by you, O wicked one, here in this forest where I abide — for that I now pronounce a curse upon you:'

Verse 70 (padma.2.30.70)

गार्हस्थ्यं च समास्थाय सह भर्त्रा यदा शृणु । पापाचारमयः पुत्रो देवब्राह्मणनिंदकः

gārhasthyaṁ ca samāsthāya saha bhartrā yadā śṛṇu pāpācāramayaḥ putro devabrāhmaṇaniṁdakaḥ

'When you take up the householder's life together with a husband — hear this — a son wholly given to sinful conduct, a reviler of gods and brahmins—'

Verse 71 (padma.2.30.71)

सर्वपापरतो दुष्टे तव गर्भे भविष्यति । एवं शप्त्वा गतः सोपि तप एव समाश्रितः

sarvapāparato duṣṭe tava garbhe bhaviṣyati evaṁ śaptvā gataḥ sopi tapa eva samāśritaḥ

—'wholly devoted to every sin, O wicked one, shall be born of your womb.' Having thus cursed her, he too went and took refuge in his austerity once more.

Verse 72 (padma.2.30.72)

गते तस्मिन्महाभागे सा सुनीथा गृहं गता । समाचष्ट महात्मानं पितरं तप्तमानसा

gate tasminmahābhāge sā sunīthā gṛhaṁ gatā samācaṣṭa mahātmānaṁ pitaraṁ taptamānasā

When that greatly fortunate one had gone, Sunitha went home, and, her mind tormented, related it to her great-souled father—

Verse 73 (padma.2.30.73)

यथा शप्ता तदा तेन गंधर्वतनयेन सा । तत्सर्वं संश्रुतं तेन मृत्युना परिभाषितम्

yathā śaptā tadā tena gaṁdharvatanayena sā tatsarvaṁ saṁśrutaṁ tena mṛtyunā paribhāṣitam

—how she had been cursed then by that son of a gandharva. All of this was heard fully by Mrityu, and he then said:

Verse 74 (padma.2.30.74)

कस्मात्कृतस्त्वयाघातस्तपति दोषवर्जिते । युक्तं नैव कृतं पुत्रि सत्यस्यैव हि ताडनम्

kasmātkṛtastvayāghātastapati doṣavarjite yuktaṁ naiva kṛtaṁ putri satyasyaiva hi tāḍanam

'Why did you strike that ascetic, free of fault? It was not at all fitting, my daughter, to strike one so truthful.'

Verse 75 (padma.2.30.75)

एवमाभाष्य धर्मात्मा मृत्युः परमदुःखितः । बभूव स हि तत्तस्यादिष्टमेवं विचिंतयन्

evamābhāṣya dharmātmā mṛtyuḥ paramaduḥkhitaḥ babhūva sa hi tattasyādiṣṭamevaṁ viciṁtayan

Having spoken thus, that righteous Mrityu became greatly grieved, pondering thus what had been decreed for her.

Verse 76 (padma.2.30.76)

सूत उवाच- अत्रिपुत्रो महातेजा अंगो नाम प्रतापवान् । एकदा तु गतो विप्रा नंदनं प्रति स द्विजः

sūta uvāca- atriputro mahātejā aṁgo nāma pratāpavān ekadā tu gato viprā naṁdanaṁ prati sa dvijaḥ

Suta said: The son of Atri, greatly splendorous, named Anga, mighty — one day, O brahmins, that brahmin went to the Nandana grove.

Verse 77 (padma.2.30.77)

तत्र दृष्ट्वा देवराजं तमिंद्रं पाकशासनम् । अप्सरसां गणैर्युक्तं गंधर्वैः किन्नरैस्तथा

tatra dṛṣṭvā devarājaṁ tamiṁdraṁ pākaśāsanam apsarasāṁ gaṇairyuktaṁ gaṁdharvaiḥ kinnaraistathā

There he saw the king of the gods, that Indra, Pakashasana, joined with hosts of apsarases, and with gandharvas and kinnaras likewise—

Verse 78 (padma.2.30.78)

गीयमानं गीतगैश्च सुस्वरैः सप्तकैस्तथा । वीज्यमानं सुगंधैश्च व्यजनैः सर्व एव सः

gīyamānaṁ gītagaiśca susvaraiḥ saptakaistathā vījyamānaṁ sugaṁdhaiśca vyajanaiḥ sarva eva saḥ

—sung to by singers, in sweet, seven-noted melodies; fanned all around with fragrant fans by all of them—

Verse 79 (padma.2.30.79)

योषिद्भी रूपयुक्ताभिश्चामरैर्हंसगामिभिः । छत्रेण हंसवर्णेन चंद्रबिंबानुकारिणा

yoṣidbhī rūpayuktābhiścāmarairhaṁsagāmibhiḥ chatreṇa haṁsavarṇena caṁdrabiṁbānukāriṇā

—by beautiful women, with chowries, themselves swan-gaited, and with a parasol of swan-white hue, resembling the very orb of the moon—

Verse 80 (padma.2.30.80)

राजमानं सहस्राक्षं सर्वाभरणभूषितम् । कामक्रीडागतं देवं दृष्टवानमितौजसम्

rājamānaṁ sahasrākṣaṁ sarvābharaṇabhūṣitam kāmakrīḍāgataṁ devaṁ dṛṣṭavānamitaujasam

—shining forth, the thousand-eyed one, adorned with every ornament, that god of boundless splendor, come for the play of love—he saw.

Verse 81 (padma.2.30.81)

तस्य पार्श्वे महाभागां पौलोमीं चारुमंगलाम् । रूपेण तेजसा चैव तपसा च यशस्विनीम्

tasya pārśve mahābhāgāṁ paulomīṁ cārumaṁgalām rūpeṇa tejasā caiva tapasā ca yaśasvinīm

—and at his side, that greatly fortunate Paulomi, Shachi, most auspicious, renowned for her beauty, splendor, and austerity—

Verse 82 (padma.2.30.82)

सौभाग्येन विराजंतीं पातिव्रत्येन तां सतीम् । तया सह सहस्राक्षः स रेमे नंदने वने

saubhāgyena virājaṁtīṁ pātivratyena tāṁ satīm tayā saha sahasrākṣaḥ sa reme naṁdane vane

—shining with good fortune, that virtuous lady devoted to her husband; with her the thousand-eyed one sported in the Nandana forest.

Verse 83 (padma.2.30.83)

तस्य लीलां समालोक्य अंगश्चैव द्विजोत्तमः । धन्यो वै देवराजोऽयमीदृशैः परिवारितः

tasya līlāṁ samālokya aṁgaścaiva dvijottamaḥ dhanyo vai devarājo'yamīdṛśaiḥ parivāritaḥ

Beholding this sport of his, Anga, that best of brahmins, thought: 'Blessed indeed is this king of the gods, surrounded by such as these—'

Verse 84 (padma.2.30.84)

अहोऽस्य तपसो वीर्यं येन प्राप्तं महत्पदम् । यदा ममेदृशः पुत्रः सर्वलोकप्रधारकः

aho'sya tapaso vīryaṁ yena prāptaṁ mahatpadam yadā mamedṛśaḥ putraḥ sarvalokapradhārakaḥ

—'ah, how great the power of his austerity, by which he obtained this great station! When shall I too have such a son—'

Verse 85 (padma.2.30.85)

भवेत्तदा महत्सौख्यं प्राप्स्यामीह न संशयः । इति चिंतापरो भूत्वा त्वरमाणो गृहागतः

bhavettadā mahatsaukhyaṁ prāpsyāmīha na saṁśayaḥ iti ciṁtāparo bhūtvā tvaramāṇo gṛhāgataḥ

—'the sustainer of every world, then indeed shall I obtain great happiness here, no doubt of it.' Thus absorbed in this thought, he hastened and returned home.