The Marriage of Anga and Sunitha and the Birth and Reign of Vena

Verse 1 (padma.2.36.1)

सुनीथोवाच- सत्यमुक्तं त्वया भद्रे एवमेतत्करोम्यहम् । अनया विद्यया विप्रं मोहयिष्यामि नान्यथा

sunīthovāca- satyamuktaṁ tvayā bhadre evametatkaromyaham anayā vidyayā vipraṁ mohayiṣyāmi nānyathā

Sunitha said: What you have said is true, O auspicious one; I shall do just this. By this very spell I shall bewitch the brahmin, and not otherwise.

Verse 2 (padma.2.36.2)

साहाय्यं देहि मे पुण्यं येन गच्छामि सांप्रतम् । एवमुक्ता तया रंभा तामुवाच मनस्विनीम्

sāhāyyaṁ dehi me puṇyaṁ yena gacchāmi sāṁpratam evamuktā tayā raṁbhā tāmuvāca manasvinīm

'Give me your holy help, so that I may go to him now.' Thus addressed, Rambha said to that resolute woman:

Verse 3 (padma.2.36.3)

कीदृग्ददामि साहाय्यं तत्त्वं कथय भामिनि । दूतत्वं गच्छ मे भद्रे एतं प्रति सुसांप्रतम्

kīdṛgdadāmi sāhāyyaṁ tattvaṁ kathaya bhāmini dūtatvaṁ gaccha me bhadre etaṁ prati susāṁpratam

'What kind of help shall I give you? Tell me the truth, O lovely one.' 'Go as my messenger to him, properly, O auspicious one.'

Verse 4 (padma.2.36.4)

एवमुक्तं तया तां तु रंभां प्रति सुलोचनाम् । एवमेव प्रतिज्ञातं रंभया देवयोषिता

evamuktaṁ tayā tāṁ tu raṁbhāṁ prati sulocanām evameva pratijñātaṁ raṁbhayā devayoṣitā

Thus did that lovely-eyed one say to Rambha; and Rambha, that goddess-woman, made this very promise in return:

Verse 5 (padma.2.36.5)

करिष्ये तव साहाय्यमादेशो मम दीयताम् । सद्भावेन विशालाक्षी रूपयौवनशालिनी

kariṣye tava sāhāyyamādeśo mama dīyatām sadbhāvena viśālākṣī rūpayauvanaśālinī

'I shall render you help; only give me your command.' With a sincere heart, that wide-eyed one, resplendent with beauty and youth,

Verse 6 (padma.2.36.6)

मायया दिव्यरूपा सा संबभूव वरानना । रूपेणाप्रतिमालोके मोहयंती जगत्त्रयम्

māyayā divyarūpā sā saṁbabhūva varānanā rūpeṇāpratimāloke mohayaṁtī jagattrayam

assumed, through her power of illusion, a divine form; unrivalled in beauty in all the world, she set about bewitching the three worlds.

Verse 7 (padma.2.36.7)

मेरोश्चैव महापुण्ये शिखरे चारुकंदरे । नानाधातुसमाकीर्णे नानारत्नोपशोभिते

meroścaiva mahāpuṇye śikhare cārukaṁdare nānādhātusamākīrṇe nānāratnopaśobhite

On Meru's most holy peak, in a lovely cave, pervaded with many minerals and adorned with many gems,

Verse 8 (padma.2.36.8)

देववृक्षैः समाकीर्णे बहुपुष्पोपशोभिते । देववृंदसमाकीर्णे गंधर्वाप्सरसेविते

devavṛkṣaiḥ samākīrṇe bahupuṣpopaśobhite devavṛṁdasamākīrṇe gaṁdharvāpsarasevite

filled with celestial trees, adorned with many blossoms, thronged with hosts of gods, and frequented by gandharvas and apsaras,

Verse 9 (padma.2.36.9)

मनोहरे सुरम्ये च शीतच्छायासमाकुले । चंदनानामशोकानां तरूणां चारुहासिनी

manohare suramye ca śītacchāyāsamākule caṁdanānāmaśokānāṁ tarūṇāṁ cāruhāsinī

charming and most delightful, filled with cool shade — there, amid sandal and ashoka trees, scattering sweet smiles,

Verse 10 (padma.2.36.10)

दोलायां सा समारूढा सर्वशृङ्गारशोभिता । कौशेयेन सुनीलेन राजमाना वरानना

dolāyāṁ sā samārūḍhā sarvaśṛṁgāraśobhitā kauśeyena sunīlena rājamānā varānanā

she seated herself upon a swing, adorned with every ornament; clad in deep-blue silk, that fair-faced one shone resplendent,

Verse 11 (padma.2.36.11)

बंधूकपुष्पवर्णेन कंचुकेन द्विजोत्तम । सर्वांगसुंदरी बाला वीणातालकराविला

baṁdhūkapuṣpavarṇena kaṁcukena dvijottama sarvāṁgasuṁdarī bālā vīṇātālakarāvilā

wearing a bodice the color of the bandhuka flower, O best of the twice-born; that maiden, beautiful in every limb, filled the air with the sound of vina and rhythm,

Verse 12 (padma.2.36.12)

गायमाना वरं गीतं सुस्वरं विश्वमोहनम् । ताभिः परिवृता बाला सखीभिः सुमनोहरा

gāyamānā varaṁ gītaṁ susvaraṁ viśvamohanam tābhiḥ parivṛtā bālā sakhībhiḥ sumanoharā

singing an excellent, sweet song that enchanted the whole world; that most charming maiden, surrounded by her friends—

Verse 13 (padma.2.36.13)

अंगस्तु कंदरे पुण्ये एकांते ध्यानमास्थितः । कामक्रोधविहीनस्तु ध्यायमानो जनार्दनम्

aṁgastu kaṁdare puṇye ekāṁte dhyānamāsthitaḥ kāmakrodhavihīnastu dhyāyamāno janārdanam

meanwhile, in that holy cave, Anga sat alone in meditation, free from desire and anger, meditating upon Janardana.

Verse 14 (padma.2.36.14)

स श्रुत्वा सुस्वरं गीतं मधुरं सुमनोहरम् । तालमानक्रियोपेतं सर्वसत्वविकर्षणम्

sa śrutvā susvaraṁ gītaṁ madhuraṁ sumanoharam tālamānakriyopetaṁ sarvasatvavikarṣaṇam

Hearing that sweet, most charming song, joined with rhythm and measure, alluring to every living being,

Verse 15 (padma.2.36.15)

ध्यानाच्चचाल तेजस्वी मायागीतेन मोहितः । समुत्थायासनात्तूर्णं वीक्षमाणो मुहुर्मुहुः

dhyānāccacāla tejasvī māyāgītena mohitaḥ samutthāyāsanāttūrṇaṁ vīkṣamāṇo muhurmuhuḥ

that radiant one was shaken from his meditation, bewitched by that illusory song; rising swiftly from his seat, glancing about again and again,

Verse 16 (padma.2.36.16)

जगाम तत्र वेगेन मायाचलितमानसः । दोलासंस्थां विलोक्यैव वीणादंडकराविलाम्

jagāma tatra vegena māyācalitamānasaḥ dolāsaṁsthāṁ vilokyaiva vīṇādaṁḍakarāvilām

he hastened there swiftly, his mind stirred by that illusion; and beholding her seated on the swing, her hand playing upon the vina's stem,

Verse 17 (padma.2.36.17)

हसमानां सुगायंतीं पूर्णचंद्रनिभाननाम् । मोहितस्तेन गीतेन रूपेणापि महायशाः

hasamānāṁ sugāyaṁtīṁ pūrṇacaṁdranibhānanām mohitastena gītena rūpeṇāpi mahāyaśāḥ

laughing, singing sweetly, her face like the full moon — that renowned one became bewitched, both by her song and by her beauty.

Verse 18 (padma.2.36.18)

तस्या लावण्यभावेन मन्मथस्य शराहतः । आकुलव्याकुलज्ञान ऋषिपुत्रो द्विजोत्तमः

tasyā lāvaṇyabhāvena manmathasya śarāhataḥ ākulavyākulajñāna ṛṣiputro dvijottamaḥ

Pierced by the arrows of the god of love through her loveliness, that son of a sage, that best of the twice-born, his mind grown restless—

Verse 19 (padma.2.36.19)

प्रलपत्यतिमोहेन जृंभते च पुनः पुनः । स्वेदः कंपोथ संतापस्तस्याजायत तत्क्षणात्

pralapatyatimohena jṛṁbhate ca punaḥ punaḥ svedaḥ kaṁpotha saṁtāpastasyājāyata tatkṣaṇāt

began to babble in utter infatuation and yawned again and again; that very instant, sweat, trembling, and burning distress arose within him.

Verse 20 (padma.2.36.20)

मुह्यन्निव महामोहैर्ग्लानश्चलितमानसः । वेपमानस्ततस्त्वंगो दूयमानः समागतः

muhyanniva mahāmohairglānaścalitamānasaḥ vepamānastatastvaṁgo dūyamānaḥ samāgataḥ

As though stupefied by great delusion, weary, his mind shaken, Anga then came trembling and distraught to that place.

Verse 21 (padma.2.36.21)

तामालोक्य विशालाक्षीं मृत्युकन्यां यशस्विनीम् । अथोवाच महात्मा स सुनीथां चारुहासिनीम्

tāmālokya viśālākṣīṁ mṛtyukanyāṁ yaśasvinīm athovāca mahātmā sa sunīthāṁ cāruhāsinīm

Beholding that wide-eyed, illustrious daughter of Mrityu, that great soul spoke thus to Sunitha of the sweet smile:

Verse 22 (padma.2.36.22)

का त्वं कस्य वरारोहे सखीभिः परिवारिता । केन कार्येण संप्राप्ता केन त्वं प्रेषिता वनम्

kā tvaṁ kasya varārohe sakhībhiḥ parivāritā kena kāryeṇa saṁprāptā kena tvaṁ preṣitā vanam

'Who are you, whose daughter are you, O fair-hipped one, surrounded by these friends? For what purpose, and sent by whom, have you come to this forest?

Verse 23 (padma.2.36.23)

तवांगं सुंदरं सर्वमत्र भाति महावने । समाचक्ष्व ममाद्यैव प्रसादसुमुखी भव

tavāṁgaṁ suṁdaraṁ sarvamatra bhāti mahāvane samācakṣva mamādyaiva prasādasumukhī bhava

'This beauty of your whole form shines brightly in this vast forest; tell me the truth now, and turn a gracious face toward me.'

Verse 24 (padma.2.36.24)

मायामोहेन संमुग्धस्तस्याः कर्म न विंदति । मार्गणैर्मन्मथस्यापि परिविद्धो महामुनिः

māyāmohena saṁmugdhastasyāḥ karma na viṁdati mārgaṇairmanmathasyāpi parividdho mahāmuniḥ

Bewildered by the delusion of her illusion, he could not grasp what she was doing; that great sage, himself pierced by the arrows of the god of love—

Verse 25 (padma.2.36.25)

एवंविधं महद्वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य महामतेः । नोवाच किंचित्सा विप्रं समालोक्य सखीमुखम्

evaṁvidhaṁ mahadvākyaṁ samākarṇya mahāmateḥ novāca kiṁcitsā vipraṁ samālokya sakhīmukham

—having heard such great words from that great-minded one, she said nothing to the brahmin, but only looked toward her friend's face.

Verse 26 (padma.2.36.26)

रंभां च प्रेरयामास सुनीथा संज्ञया सखीम् । समुवाच ततो रंभा सादरं तं द्विजं प्रति

raṁbhāṁ ca prerayāmāsa sunīthā saṁjñayā sakhīm samuvāca tato raṁbhā sādaraṁ taṁ dvijaṁ prati

Sunitha, by a gesture, urged her friend Rambha; then Rambha spoke respectfully to that brahmin:

Verse 27 (padma.2.36.27)

इयं कन्या महाभागा मृत्योश्चापि महात्मनः । सुनीथाख्या प्रसिद्धेयं सर्वलक्षणसंपदा

iyaṁ kanyā mahābhāgā mṛtyoścāpi mahātmanaḥ sunīthākhyā prasiddheyaṁ sarvalakṣaṇasaṁpadā

'This maiden is the illustrious daughter of the great soul Mrityu himself; endowed with every auspicious mark, known by the name Sunitha—'

Verse 28 (padma.2.36.28)

पतिमन्विच्छती बाला धर्मवंतं तपोनिधिम् । शांतं दांतं महाप्राज्ञं वेदविद्याविशारदम्

patimanvicchatī bālā dharmavaṁtaṁ taponidhim śāṁtaṁ dāṁtaṁ mahāprājñaṁ vedavidyāviśāradam

'—this maiden seeks a husband endowed with dharma, a treasury of austerity, peaceful, self-disciplined, greatly wise, and skilled in the knowledge of the Vedas.'

Verse 29 (padma.2.36.29)

एवंविधं महद्वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य महामुनिः । तामुवाच ततस्त्वंगो रंभामप्सरसां वराम्

evaṁvidhaṁ mahadvākyaṁ samākarṇya mahāmuniḥ tāmuvāca tatastvaṁgo raṁbhāmapsarasāṁ varām

Having heard such a great word, that great sage Anga then said to Rambha, foremost among the apsaras:

Verse 30 (padma.2.36.30)

मया चाराधितो विष्णुः सर्वविश्वमयो हरिः । तेन दत्तो वरो मह्यं पुत्राख्यः सर्वसिद्धिदः

mayā cārādhito viṣṇuḥ sarvaviśvamayo hariḥ tena datto varo mahyaṁ putrākhyaḥ sarvasiddhidaḥ

'I have worshipped Hari, Vishnu, who pervades the whole universe; and he it was who granted me a boon called "son," a bestower of every accomplishment.

Verse 31 (padma.2.36.31)

तन्निमित्तमहं भद्रे सुतार्थं नित्यमेव च । कस्यचित्पुण्यवीर्यस्य कन्यामेकां प्रचिंतये

tannimittamahaṁ bhadre sutārthaṁ nityameva ca kasyacitpuṇyavīryasya kanyāmekāṁ praciṁtaye

'For that very reason, O auspicious one, I am ever thinking, for the sake of a son, of the daughter of some meritorious and valorous man.

Verse 32 (padma.2.36.32)

सदैवाहं न पश्यामि सुभार्यां सत्यमीदृशीम् । इयं धर्मस्य वै कन्या धर्माचारा वरानना

sadaivāhaṁ na paśyāmi subhāryāṁ satyamīdṛśīm iyaṁ dharmasya vai kanyā dharmācārā varānanā

'Yet I have never before seen so true and worthy a wife as this; this maiden, fair-faced, devoted to dharma and righteous conduct, is indeed such a one.

Verse 33 (padma.2.36.33)

मामेवं हि भजत्वेषा यदि कान्तमिहेच्छति । यं यमिच्छेदियं बाला तं ददामि न संशयः

māmevaṁ hi bhajatveṣā yadi kāntamihecchati yaṁ yamicchediyaṁ bālā taṁ dadāmi na saṁśayaḥ

'If she desires a beloved, let her accept me; whomever this maiden shall desire, to him I would gladly give her, without doubt.

Verse 34 (padma.2.36.34)

अदेयं देयमित्याह अस्याः संगमकारणात् । एकमेवं त्वया देयं श्रूयतां द्विजसत्तम

adeyaṁ deyamityāha asyāḥ saṁgamakāraṇāt ekamevaṁ tvayā deyaṁ śrūyatāṁ dvijasattama

'For union with her, even what is otherwise not to be given must be given; this much alone need be given by you — hear it, O best of the twice-born.'

Verse 35 (padma.2.36.35)

रंभोवाच- विप्रेंद्र त्वं शृणुष्वेह प्रतिज्ञां वच्मि सांप्रतम् । एषा नैव त्वया त्याज्या धर्मपत्नी तवैव हि

raṁbhovāca- vipreṁdra tvaṁ śṛṇuṣveha pratijñāṁ vacmi sāṁpratam eṣā naiva tvayā tyājyā dharmapatnī tavaiva hi

Rambha said: 'O lord of brahmins, hear me now; I shall state a vow here: this maiden is indeed your rightful wife — you must never forsake her.'

Verse 36 (padma.2.36.36)

अस्या दोषो गुणो नैव ग्राह्य एव त्वया कदा । इत्यर्थे प्रत्ययं विप्र प्रत्यक्षं परिदर्शय

asyā doṣo guṇo naiva grāhya eva tvayā kadā ityarthe pratyayaṁ vipra pratyakṣaṁ paridarśaya

'Whatever fault or virtue may be in her, it is never for you to weigh; as proof of this, O brahmin, show me visible confirmation.'

Verse 37 (padma.2.36.37)

स्वहस्तं देहि विप्रेंद्र सत्यप्रत्ययकारकम् । एवमस्तु मया दत्तो ह्यस्या हस्तो न संशयः

svahastaṁ dehi vipreṁdra satyapratyayakārakam evamastu mayā datto hyasyā hasto na saṁśayaḥ

'Give your own hand, O lord of brahmins, as that which confirms the truth.' 'So be it' — thus was her hand given by me, without doubt.

Verse 38 (padma.2.36.38)

सूत उवाच- एवं संबधिकं कृत्वा सत्यप्रत्ययकारकम् । गांधर्वेण विवाहेन सुनीथामुपयेमिवान्

sūta uvāca- evaṁ saṁbadhikaṁ kṛtvā satyapratyayakārakam gāṁdharveṇa vivāhena sunīthāmupayemivān

Suta said: Having thus established this bond, confirming its truth, he took Sunitha as his wife by the Gandharva rite of marriage.

Verse 39 (padma.2.36.39)

तस्मै दत्वा सुनीथां तां रंभा हृष्टेन चेतसा । सा तां चामंत्रयित्वा वै गता गेहं स्वकं पुनः

tasmai datvā sunīthāṁ tāṁ raṁbhā hṛṣṭena cetasā sā tāṁ cāmaṁtrayitvā vai gatā gehaṁ svakaṁ punaḥ

Having given Sunitha into his hands, Rambha, with a joyful heart, took leave of her and returned once more to her own abode.

Verse 40 (padma.2.36.40)

प्रहृष्टचेतसः सख्यः स्वस्थानं परिजग्मिरे । गतासु तासु सर्वासु सखीषु द्विजसत्तमः

prahṛṣṭacetasaḥ sakhyaḥ svasthānaṁ parijagmire gatāsu tāsu sarvāsu sakhīṣu dvijasattamaḥ

The hearts of all those friends, too, were filled with delight, and they returned each to her own home. When all those friends had gone, that best of the twice-born—

Verse 41 (padma.2.36.41)

रेमे त्वंगस्तया सार्धं प्रियया भार्यया सह । तस्यामुत्पाद्य तनयं सर्वलक्षणसंयुतम्

reme tvaṁgastayā sārdhaṁ priyayā bhāryayā saha tasyāmutpādya tanayaṁ sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutam

—took pleasure with Sunitha, his beloved wife; and having begotten upon her a son endowed with every auspicious mark,

Verse 42 (padma.2.36.42)

चकार नाम तस्यैव वेनाख्यं तनयस्य हि । ववृधे स महातेजाः सुनीथातनयस्तदा

cakāra nāma tasyaiva venākhyaṁ tanayasya hi vavṛdhe sa mahātejāḥ sunīthātanayastadā

he gave that son the name Vena. That greatly splendid son of Sunitha then grew to manhood.

Verse 43 (padma.2.36.43)

वेदशास्त्रमधीत्यैव धनुर्वेदं गुणान्वितम् । सर्वासामपि मेधावी विद्यानां पारमेयिवान्

vedaśāstramadhītyaiva dhanurvedaṁ guṇānvitam sarvāsāmapi medhāvī vidyānāṁ pārameyivān

Having studied the Vedas and scriptures, along with the art of archery with all its excellences, that wise one attained mastery over every branch of learning.

Verse 44 (padma.2.36.44)

अंगस्य तनयो वेनः शिष्टाचारेण वर्तते । स वेनो ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठः क्षत्त्राचारपरोऽभवत्

aṁgasya tanayo venaḥ śiṣṭācāreṇa vartate sa veno brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhaḥ kṣattrācāraparo'bhavat

Vena, the son of Anga, conducted himself according to noble custom; that best of brahmins, Vena, became devoted to the conduct proper to a Kshatriya.

Verse 45 (padma.2.36.45)

दिवि चेंद्रो यथा भाति सर्वतेजःसमन्वितः । भात्येवं तु महाप्राज्ञः स्वबलेन पराक्रमैः

divi ceṁdro yathā bhāti sarvatejaḥsamanvitaḥ bhātyevaṁ tu mahāprājñaḥ svabalena parākramaiḥ

As Indra shines in heaven, endowed with all splendor, so did that greatly wise one shine by his own strength and prowess.

Verse 46 (padma.2.36.46)

चाक्षुषस्यांतरे प्राप्ते वैवस्वतसमागते । प्रजापालं विना लोके प्रजाः सीदंति सर्वदा

cākṣuṣasyāṁtare prāpte vaivasvatasamāgate prajāpālaṁ vinā loke prajāḥ sīdaṁti sarvadā

When the Chakshusa era had passed and the Vaivasvata era arrived, the people of the world, lacking a protector, were ever afflicted.

Verse 47 (padma.2.36.47)

ऋषयो धर्मतत्त्वज्ञाः प्रजाहेतोस्तपोधनाः । व्यचिंतयन्महीपालं धर्मज्ञं सत्यपंडितम्

ṛṣayo dharmatattvajñāḥ prajāhetostapodhanāḥ vyaciṁtayanmahīpālaṁ dharmajñaṁ satyapaṁḍitam

The sages, knowers of the truth of dharma, rich in austerity, deliberated for the welfare of the people upon [choosing] a king learned in dharma and skilled in truth.

Verse 48 (padma.2.36.48)

तं वेनमेव ददृशुः संपन्नं लक्षणैर्युतम् । प्राजापत्ये पदे पुण्ये अभ्यषिंचन्द्विजोत्तमाः

taṁ venameva dadṛśuḥ saṁpannaṁ lakṣaṇairyutam prājāpatye pade puṇye abhyaṣiṁcandvijottamāḥ

They saw that very Vena, endowed with auspicious marks; and those best of the twice-born anointed him to the holy office of Prajapati.

Verse 49 (padma.2.36.49)

अभिषिक्ते महाभागे त्वंगपुत्रे तदा नृपे । ते प्रजापतयः सर्वे जग्मुश्चैव तपोवनम्

abhiṣikte mahābhāge tvaṁgaputre tadā nṛpe te prajāpatayaḥ sarve jagmuścaiva tapovanam

When that greatly fortunate son of Anga, that king, had thus been anointed, all those Prajapatis went then to the forest of penance.

Verse 50 (padma.2.36.50)

गतेषु तेषु सर्वेषु वेनो राज्यमकारयत् । सूत उवाच- सा सुनीथा सुतं दृष्ट्वा सर्वराज्यप्रसाधकम्

gateṣu teṣu sarveṣu veno rājyamakārayat sūta uvāca- sā sunīthā sutaṁ dṛṣṭvā sarvarājyaprasādhakam

When all of them had departed, Vena began to rule the kingdom. Suta said: Sunitha, beholding her son now governing the whole realm—

Verse 51 (padma.2.36.51)

विशंकते प्रभावेण शापात्तस्य महात्मनः । मम पुत्रो महाभागो धर्मत्राता भविष्यति

viśaṁkate prabhāveṇa śāpāttasya mahātmanaḥ mama putro mahābhāgo dharmatrātā bhaviṣyati

—remained apprehensive because of the power of that great sage's curse: 'May my greatly fortunate son become, above all, a protector of dharma—'

Verse 52 (padma.2.36.52)

इत्येवं चिंतयेन्नित्यं पूर्वपापाद्विशंकिता । धर्मांगानि सुपुण्यानि सुताग्रे परिदर्शयेत्

ityevaṁ ciṁtayennityaṁ pūrvapāpādviśaṁkitā dharmāṁgāni supuṇyāni sutāgre paridarśayet

—thus, apprehensive because of that former sin, she constantly thought this; and she would ever reveal to her son the holy limbs of dharma.

Verse 53 (padma.2.36.53)

सत्यभावादि कान्पुण्यान्गुणान्सा वै प्रकाशयेत् । इत्युवाच सुतं सा हि अहं धर्मसुता सुत

satyabhāvādi kānpuṇyānguṇānsā vai prakāśayet ityuvāca sutaṁ sā hi ahaṁ dharmasutā suta

She would set before him truthfulness and every other meritorious virtue; and she said to her son: 'I am the daughter of Dharma himself, my son,

Verse 54 (padma.2.36.54)

पिता ते धर्मतत्त्वज्ञस्तस्माद्धर्मं समाचर । इत्येवं बोधयेन्नित्यं पुत्रं वेनं तदा सती

pitā te dharmatattvajñastasmāddharmaṁ samācara ityevaṁ bodhayennityaṁ putraṁ venaṁ tadā satī

'and your father too is a knower of the truth of dharma; therefore practice dharma alone.' Thus did that devoted mother constantly instruct her son Vena.

Verse 55 (padma.2.36.55)

मातापित्रोस्तयोर्वाक्यं प्रजायुक्तं प्रपालयेत् । एवं वेनः प्रजापालः संजातःक्षितिमंडले

mātāpitrostayorvākyaṁ prajāyuktaṁ prapālayet evaṁ venaḥ prajāpālaḥ saṁjātaḥkṣitimaṁḍale

[She would say:] 'The words of both mother and father should be upheld, joined always with the welfare of the people.' Thus did Vena become the protector of the people upon the circle of the earth.

Verse 56 (padma.2.36.56)

सुखेन जीवते लोकःप्रजाधर्मेणरंजिताः । एवं राज्यप्रभावं तु वेनस्यापि महात्मनः

sukhena jīvate lokaḥprajādharmeṇaraṁjitāḥ evaṁ rājyaprabhāvaṁ tu venasyāpi mahātmanaḥ

The people, delighted by righteous rule, lived their lives in happiness; such was the power of the reign of the great-souled Vena—

Verse 57 (padma.2.36.57)

धर्मभावाः प्रवर्तंते तस्मिञ्छासति पार्थिवे

dharmabhāvāḥ pravartaṁte tasmiñchāsati pārthive

—as long as that king ruled, the ways of dharma alone prevailed everywhere.