The Tale of Sudeva Begins: King Ikshvaku and the Valorous Boar

Verse 1 (padma.2.42.1)

सख्य ऊचुः- सुदेवा का त्वया प्रोक्ता किमाचारा वदस्व नः । त्वया प्रोक्तं महाभागे वद नः सत्यमेव च

sakhya ūcuḥ- sudevā kā tvayā proktā kimācārā vadasva naḥ tvayā proktaṁ mahābhāge vada naḥ satyameva ca

The friends said: 'You spoke of Sudeva - tell us, what was her conduct? Tell us truly what you have said, O illustrious one.'

Verse 2 (padma.2.42.2)

सुकलोवाच- अयोध्यायां महाराजः स आसीद्धर्मकोविदः । मनुपुत्रो महाभागः सर्वधर्मार्थतत्परः

sukalovāca- ayodhyāyāṁ mahārājaḥ sa āsīddharmakovidaḥ manuputro mahābhāgaḥ sarvadharmārthatatparaḥ

Sukala said: 'In Ayodhya there was a great king, learned in dharma; the illustrious son of Manu, devoted wholly to dharma and artha,'

Verse 3 (padma.2.42.3)

इक्ष्वाकुर्नाम सर्वज्ञो देवब्राह्मणपूजकः । तस्य भार्या सदा पुण्या पतिव्रतपरायणा

ikṣvākurnāma sarvajño devabrāhmaṇapūjakaḥ tasya bhāryā sadā puṇyā pativrataparāyaṇā

'named Ikshvaku, all-knowing, worshipper of gods and brahmins. His wife was ever meritorious, devoted wholly to her husband.'

Verse 4 (padma.2.42.4)

तया सार्द्धं यजेद्यज्ञं तीर्थानि विविधानि च । वेदराजस्य वीरस्य काशीशस्य महात्मनः

tayā sārddhaṁ yajedyajñaṁ tīrthāni vividhāni ca vedarājasya vīrasya kāśīśasya mahātmanaḥ

'Together with her he performed sacrifices and made pilgrimage to various tirthas. Of the heroic Vedaraja, lord of Kashi, that great soul—'

Verse 5 (padma.2.42.5)

सुदेवा नाम वै कन्या सत्याचारपरायणा । उपयेमे महाराज इक्ष्वाकुस्तां महीपतिः

sudevā nāma vai kanyā satyācāraparāyaṇā upayeme mahārāja ikṣvākustāṁ mahīpatiḥ

'—there was a daughter named Sudeva, devoted to true conduct. That King Ikshvaku, O great king, married her.'

Verse 6 (padma.2.42.6)

सुदेवा चारुसर्वांगी सत्यव्रतपरायणा । तया सार्द्धं स वै राजा जनानां पुण्यनायकः

sudevā cārusarvāṁgī satyavrataparāyaṇā tayā sārddhaṁ sa vai rājā janānāṁ puṇyanāyakaḥ

'Sudeva, lovely in every limb, devoted to true vows - together with her, that king, the meritorious leader of his people,'

Verse 7 (padma.2.42.7)

स रेमे नृपशार्दूलो नित्यं च प्रियया तया । एकदा तु महाराजस्तया सार्द्धं वनं ययौ

sa reme nṛpaśārdūlo nityaṁ ca priyayā tayā ekadā tu mahārājastayā sārddhaṁ vanaṁ yayau

'that tiger among kings, ever took his pleasure with his beloved. Once, the great king went to the forest with her.'

Verse 8 (padma.2.42.8)

गंगारण्यं समासाद्य मृगयां क्रीडते सदा । सिंहान्हत्वा वराहांश्च गजांश्च महिषांस्तथा

gaṁgāraṇyaṁ samāsādya mṛgayāṁ krīḍate sadā siṁhānhatvā varāhāṁśca gajāṁśca mahiṣāṁstathā

'Having reached the Ganga-forest, he ever sported in the hunt; slaying lions, boars, elephants, and buffaloes.'

Verse 9 (padma.2.42.9)

क्रीडमानस्य तस्याग्रे वराहश्च समागतः । बहुशूकरयूथेन पुत्रपौत्रैरलंकृतः

krīḍamānasya tasyāgre varāhaśca samāgataḥ bahuśūkarayūthena putrapautrairalaṁkṛtaḥ

'As he sported thus, a boar came before him, adorned with sons and grandsons, with a great herd of swine.'

Verse 10 (padma.2.42.10)

एका च शूकरी तस्य प्रियापार्श्वे प्रतिष्ठिता । वराहैः शूकरैस्तस्य तमेव परिवारिता

ekā ca śūkarī tasya priyāpārśve pratiṣṭhitā varāhaiḥ śūkaraistasya tameva parivāritā

'One beloved sow of his stood by his side; he was surrounded by his own boars and swine.'

Verse 11 (padma.2.42.11)

दृष्ट्वा च राजराजेंद्रं दुर्जयं मृगयारतम् । पर्वताधारमाश्रित्य भार्यया सह शूकरः

dṛṣṭvā ca rājarājeṁdraṁ durjayaṁ mṛgayāratam parvatādhāramāśritya bhāryayā saha śūkaraḥ

'Seeing that unconquerable king of kings, intent on the hunt, that boar, taking refuge on the mountainside, together with his wife,'

Verse 12 (padma.2.42.12)

तिष्ठत्येकः सुवीर्येण पुत्रान्पौत्रान्गुरूञ्छिशून् । ज्ञात्वा तेषां महाराज मृगाणां कदनं महत्

tiṣṭhatyekaḥ suvīryeṇa putrānpautrāngurūñchiśūn jñātvā teṣāṁ mahārāja mṛgāṇāṁ kadanaṁ mahat

'stood alone in his own valor, protecting his sons, grandsons, elders, and young ones. Knowing, O great king, of the great slaughter of the deer,'

Verse 13 (padma.2.42.13)

तानुवाच सुतान्पौत्रान्भार्यां तां च स शूकरः । कोशलाधिपतिर्वीरो मनुपुत्रो महाबलः

tānuvāca sutānpautrānbhāryāṁ tāṁ ca sa śūkaraḥ kośalādhipatirvīro manuputro mahābalaḥ

'that boar said this to his sons, grandsons, and his wife: "The lord of Kosala, the hero, the mighty son of Manu,"'

Verse 14 (padma.2.42.14)

क्रीडते मृगयां कांते मृगान्संहरते बहून् । स मां दृष्ट्वा महाराज एष्यते नात्र संशयः

krīḍate mṛgayāṁ kāṁte mṛgānsaṁharate bahūn sa māṁ dṛṣṭvā mahārāja eṣyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

'"—sports in the hunt, my beloved, and slays many deer. Having seen me, O great one, he will surely come - there is no doubt of it."'

Verse 15 (padma.2.42.15)

अन्येषां लुब्धकानां मे नास्ति प्राणभयं ध्रुवम् । ममरूपं नृपो दृष्ट्वा क्षमां नैव करिष्यति

anyeṣāṁ lubdhakānāṁ me nāsti prāṇabhayaṁ dhruvam mamarūpaṁ nṛpo dṛṣṭvā kṣamāṁ naiva kariṣyati

'"From other hunters I have no fear for my life, surely; but having seen my form, this king will show no mercy."'

Verse 16 (padma.2.42.16)

हर्षेण महताविष्टो बाणपाणिर्धनुर्द्धरः । श्वभिर्युक्तो महातेजा लुब्धकैः परिवारितः

harṣeṇa mahatāviṣṭo bāṇapāṇirdhanurddharaḥ śvabhiryukto mahātejā lubdhakaiḥ parivāritaḥ

'"Overcome with great delight, bow and arrow in hand, that greatly splendid one, accompanied by dogs, surrounded by hunters—"'

Verse 17 (padma.2.42.17)

प्रिये करिष्यते घातं ममाप्येवं न संशयः

priye kariṣyate ghātaṁ mamāpyevaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

'"—will surely deal death to my beloved as well - there is no doubt of it."'

Verse 18 (padma.2.42.18)

शूकर्युवाच- यदायदा पश्यसि लुब्धकान्बहून्महावने कांत समायुधान्बहून् । एतैस्तु पुत्रैर्ममपौत्रकैः समं दूरं नु भो यासि पलायमानः

śūkaryuvāca- yadāyadā paśyasi lubdhakānbahūnmahāvane kāṁta samāyudhānbahūn etaistu putrairmamapautrakaiḥ samaṁ dūraṁ nu bho yāsi palāyamānaḥ

The sow said: '"Whenever you see many armed hunters in this great forest, beloved, why do you flee far away with these very sons and grandsons of mine?"'

Verse 19 (padma.2.42.19)

त्यक्त्वा सुधैर्यं बलपौरुषं महन्महाभयेनापि विषण्णचेतनः । दृष्ट्वा नृपेंद्रं पुरुषोत्तमोत्तमं करोषि किं कांत वदस्वकारणम्

tyaktvā sudhairyaṁ balapauruṣaṁ mahanmahābhayenāpi viṣaṇṇacetanaḥ dṛṣṭvā nṛpeṁdraṁ puruṣottamottamaṁ karoṣi kiṁ kāṁta vadasvakāraṇam

'"Abandoning your firm courage and your great strength and manhood, your mind cast down even by great fear, having seen that king, that best of men - what is it you do, beloved? Tell me the reason."'

Verse 20 (padma.2.42.20)

तस्यास्तु वाक्यं सनिशम्य कोल उवाच तां शूकरराजउत्तरम् । यदर्थभीतोस्मि सुलुब्धकात्प्रिये दृष्ट्वा गतो दूर निशम्यशूकरान्

tasyāstu vākyaṁ saniśamya kola uvāca tāṁ śūkararājauttaram yadarthabhītosmi sulubdhakātpriye dṛṣṭvā gato dūra niśamyaśūkarān

Having heard her words, that boar-king spoke this answer to the sow: '"The reason I feared that excellent hunter, my beloved, is this: having seen him from afar, and having heard of the fate of other boars, I went away from there."'

Verse 21 (padma.2.42.21)

सुलुब्धकाः पापकराः शठाः प्रिये कुर्वंति पापं गिरिदुर्गकंदरे । सदैव दुष्टा बहुपापचिंतका जाताश्च सर्वे परिपापिनां कुले

sulubdhakāḥ pāpakarāḥ śaṭhāḥ priye kurvaṁti pāpaṁ giridurgakaṁdare sadaiva duṣṭā bahupāpaciṁtakā jātāśca sarve paripāpināṁ kule

'"Wicked hunters, doers of sin, deceitful ones, my dear, commit sin in the difficult mountain-caves; ever wicked, given to much thought of sin, all of them born into a lineage of sinners."'

Verse 22 (padma.2.42.22)

तेषां हि हस्तान्मरणाद्बिभेमि मृतोपि यास्यामि पुनश्च पापम् । दूरं गिरिं पर्वतकंदरं च व्रजामि कांते अपमृत्युभीतः

teṣāṁ hi hastānmaraṇādbibhemi mṛtopi yāsyāmi punaśca pāpam dūraṁ giriṁ parvatakaṁdaraṁ ca vrajāmi kāṁte apamṛtyubhītaḥ

'"I fear death at their hands; even in death I would go again into sin. I go far, to a mountain cave, my beloved, fearing an untimely death."'

Verse 23 (padma.2.42.23)

अयं हि पुण्यो नरनाथ आगतो विश्वाधिकः केशवरूप भूपः । युद्धं करिष्ये समरे महात्मना सार्द्धं प्रिये पौरुषविक्रमेण

ayaṁ hi puṇyo naranātha āgato viśvādhikaḥ keśavarūpa bhūpaḥ yuddhaṁ kariṣye samare mahātmanā sārddhaṁ priye pauruṣavikrameṇa

'"But this one who has come, this meritorious king, is a form of Keshava, greater than the universe itself. I shall do battle with this great soul, my beloved, with my own manly valor."'

Verse 24 (padma.2.42.24)

जेष्यामि भूपं यदि स्वेन तेजसा भोक्ष्यामि कीर्तिं त्वतुलां पृथिव्याम् । तेनाहतो वीरवरेण संगरे यास्यामि लोकं मधुसूदनस्य

jeṣyāmi bhūpaṁ yadi svena tejasā bhokṣyāmi kīrtiṁ tvatulāṁ pṛthivyām tenāhato vīravareṇa saṁgare yāsyāmi lokaṁ madhusūdanasya

'"If I conquer this king by my own splendor, I shall enjoy unequalled fame upon the earth. And if I am slain by that best of heroes in battle, I shall go to the world of Madhusudana."'

Verse 25 (padma.2.42.25)

ममांगभूतेन पलेनमेदसा तृप्तिं परां यास्यति भूमिनाथः । तृप्ता भविष्यंति सुलोकदेवता अस्मादयंचागतो वज्रपाणिः

mamāṁgabhūtena palenamedasā tṛptiṁ parāṁ yāsyati bhūmināthaḥ tṛptā bhaviṣyaṁti sulokadevatā asmādayaṁcāgato vajrapāṇiḥ

'"By my own body's flesh and fat, this lord of the earth shall attain the highest satisfaction; the gods of the good worlds too shall become content through this, and this wielder of the thunderbolt has come here for their very sake."'

Verse 26 (padma.2.42.26)

अस्यैव हस्तान्मरणं यदाभवेल्लाभश्च मे सुंदरि कीर्तिरुत्तमा । तस्माद्यशो भूमितले जगत्त्रये व्रजामि लोकं मधुसूदनस्य

asyaiva hastānmaraṇaṁ yadābhavellābhaśca me suṁdari kīrtiruttamā tasmādyaśo bhūmitale jagattraye vrajāmi lokaṁ madhusūdanasya

'"If death should come at his very hand, that, O lovely one, would be my gain, my highest fame. Therefore, for glory upon this earth and in the three worlds, I shall go to the world of Madhusudana."'

Verse 27 (padma.2.42.27)

नैवं भीतोस्मि क्षुब्धोस्मि गतोऽहं गिरिसानुषु । पापाद्भीतो गतः कांतेधर्मं दृष्ट्वा स्थितोह्यहम्

naivaṁ bhītosmi kṣubdhosmi gato'haṁ girisānuṣu pāpādbhīto gataḥ kāṁtedharmaṁ dṛṣṭvā sthitohyaham

'"I am not afraid in this way, nor am I troubled; I went to the mountain peaks, my beloved, only out of fear of sin - it is having seen dharma that I remain here."'

Verse 28 (padma.2.42.28)

न जाने पातकं पूर्वमन्यजन्मनि चार्जितम् । येनाहं शौकरीं योनिं गतोऽहं पापसंचयात्

na jāne pātakaṁ pūrvamanyajanmani cārjitam yenāhaṁ śaukarīṁ yoniṁ gato'haṁ pāpasaṁcayāt

'"I do not know what sin I earned before, in some other birth, through the accumulation of which I have come to this boar's womb."'

Verse 29 (padma.2.42.29)

क्षालयिष्याम्यहं घोरं पूर्वपातकसंचयम् । बाणोदकैर्महाघोरैः सुतीक्ष्णैर्निशितैः शतैः

kṣālayiṣyāmyahaṁ ghoraṁ pūrvapātakasaṁcayam bāṇodakairmahāghoraiḥ sutīkṣṇairniśitaiḥ śataiḥ

'"I shall wash away that terrible accumulation of former sin - with the terrible waters of hundreds of sharp, keen arrows."'

Verse 30 (padma.2.42.30)

पुत्रान्पौत्रांस्तु वाराहि कन्यां कुटुंबबालकम् । गिरिं गच्छ गृहीत्वा तु मम मोहमिमं त्यज

putrānpautrāṁstu vārāhi kanyāṁ kuṭuṁbabālakam giriṁ gaccha gṛhītvā tu mama mohamimaṁ tyaja

'"Take our sons, grandsons, our daughter, and the children of the family, O boar-wife, and go to the mountain; abandon this attachment of mine."'

Verse 31 (padma.2.42.31)

ममस्नेहं परित्यज्य हरिरेष समागतः । अस्य हस्तात्प्रयास्यामि तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम्

mamasnehaṁ parityajya harireṣa samāgataḥ asya hastātprayāsyāmi tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padam

'"Give up your love for me - it is Hari himself who has come here; by his very hand shall I go to that supreme abode of Vishnu."'

Verse 32 (padma.2.42.32)

दैवेनापि ममाद्यैव स्वर्गद्वारमनुत्तमम् । उद्घाटितकपाटं तु यास्यामि सुमहादिवम्

daivenāpi mamādyaiva svargadvāramanuttamam udghāṭitakapāṭaṁ tu yāsyāmi sumahādivam

'"By fate itself, this very day, for me the excellent gate of heaven stands with its panels flung open - I shall go to that great heaven."'

Verse 33 (padma.2.42.33)

सुकलोवाच- तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य शूकरस्य महात्मनः । उवाच तत्प्रिया सख्यः सीदमानांतरा तदा

sukalovāca- tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya śūkarasya mahātmanaḥ uvāca tatpriyā sakhyaḥ sīdamānāṁtarā tadā

Sukala said: Having heard this speech of the great-souled boar, his beloved wife spoke this to her companions, her heart then sinking:

Verse 34 (padma.2.42.34)

शूकर्युवाच- यस्मिन्यूथे भवान्स्वामी पुत्रपौत्रैरलंकृतः । मित्रैश्च भ्रातृभिश्चैव अन्यैः स्वजनबांधवैः

śūkaryuvāca- yasminyūthe bhavānsvāmī putrapautrairalaṁkṛtaḥ mitraiśca bhrātṛbhiścaiva anyaiḥ svajanabāṁdhavaiḥ

The sow said: '"In the herd of which you are the lord, adorned with sons and grandsons, with friends, brothers, and other kinsmen and relatives,"'

Verse 35 (padma.2.42.35)

त्वयैवालंकृतो यूथो भवता परिशोभते । त्वां विनायं महाभाग कीदृग्यूथो भविष्यति

tvayaivālaṁkṛto yūtho bhavatā pariśobhate tvāṁ vināyaṁ mahābhāga kīdṛgyūtho bhaviṣyati

'"—by you alone, adorned, this herd shines forth. Without you, O illustrious one, what will become of this herd?"'

Verse 36 (padma.2.42.36)

तवैव स्वबलेनापि गर्जमानाश्च शूकराः । विचरंति गिरौ कांत तनया मम बालकाः

tavaiva svabalenāpi garjamānāśca śūkarāḥ vicaraṁti girau kāṁta tanayā mama bālakāḥ

'"By your own strength these boars, roaring, my beloved, roam upon the mountain - these sons of mine, these children."'

Verse 37 (padma.2.42.37)

कंदान्मूलान्सुभक्षंति निर्भयास्तव तेजसा । दुर्गेषु वनकुंजेषु ग्रामेषु नगरेषु च

kaṁdānmūlānsubhakṣaṁti nirbhayāstava tejasā durgeṣu vanakuṁjeṣu grāmeṣu nagareṣu ca

'"They eat well of roots and bulbs, fearless through your splendor, in inaccessible places, in forest thickets, in villages, and in towns too,"'

Verse 38 (padma.2.42.38)

न कुर्वंति भयं तीव्रं सिंहानामिह पर्वते । मनुष्याणां महाबाहो पालितास्तव तेजसा

na kurvaṁti bhayaṁ tīvraṁ siṁhānāmiha parvate manuṣyāṇāṁ mahābāho pālitāstava tejasā

'"—they feel not even sharp fear of the lions upon this mountain. O mighty-armed one, from men too they are protected by your splendor."'

Verse 39 (padma.2.42.39)

त्वया त्यक्ता अमी सर्वे बालका मम दारकाः । दीनाश्चैवाकुलाश्चैव भविष्यंति विचेतनाः

tvayā tyaktā amī sarve bālakā mama dārakāḥ dīnāścaivākulāścaiva bhaviṣyaṁti vicetanāḥ

'"If forsaken by you, all these children of mine, these offspring, shall become wretched, distraught, and bereft of sense."'

Verse 40 (padma.2.42.40)

नित्यमेव सुखं वर्त्म गत्वा पश्यंति बालकाः । पतिहीना यथा नारी शोभते नैव शोभना

nityameva sukhaṁ vartma gatvā paśyaṁti bālakāḥ patihīnā yathā nārī śobhate naiva śobhanā

'"These children ever look forward to a life of constant happiness. Just as a wife without her husband never shines, however lovely she may be,"'

Verse 41 (padma.2.42.41)

अलंकृता यथा दिव्यैरलंकारैः सकांचनैः । परिच्छदै रत्नवस्त्रैः पितृमातृसहोदरैः

alaṁkṛtā yathā divyairalaṁkāraiḥ sakāṁcanaiḥ paricchadai ratnavastraiḥ pitṛmātṛsahodaraiḥ

'"—though adorned with divine, gold-set ornaments, though clad in fine garments and jewels, though surrounded by father, mother, and brothers,"'

Verse 42 (padma.2.42.42)

श्वश्रूश्वशुरकैश्चान्यैः पतिहीना न भाति सा । चंद्रहीना यथा रात्री पुत्रहीनं यथा कुलम्

śvaśrūśvaśurakaiścānyaiḥ patihīnā na bhāti sā caṁdrahīnā yathā rātrī putrahīnaṁ yathā kulam

'"—though surrounded by mother-in-law, father-in-law, and others, without her husband she does not shine. As a night without the moon, as a family without sons,"'

Verse 43 (padma.2.42.43)

दीपहीनं यथा गेहं नैव भाति कदाचन । त्वां विनायं तथा यूथो नैव शोभेत मानद

dīpahīnaṁ yathā gehaṁ naiva bhāti kadācana tvāṁ vināyaṁ tathā yūtho naiva śobheta mānada

'"—as a house without a lamp never shines at all - so too, without you, this herd shall never shine, O giver of honor."'

Verse 44 (padma.2.42.44)

आचारेण विना मर्त्यो ज्ञानहीनो यतिर्यथा । मंत्रहीनो यथा राजा तथायं नैव शोभते

ācāreṇa vinā martyo jñānahīno yatiryathā maṁtrahīno yathā rājā tathāyaṁ naiva śobhate

'"As a mortal without proper conduct, as an ascetic devoid of knowledge, as a king without counsel does not shine - so too shall this not shine."'

Verse 45 (padma.2.42.45)

कैवर्तेन विना नौर्वा संपूर्णा परिसागरे । न भात्येवं यथा सार्थः सार्थवाहेन वै विना

kaivartena vinā naurvā saṁpūrṇā parisāgare na bhātyevaṁ yathā sārthaḥ sārthavāhena vai vinā

'"As a boat, even fully laden, does not shine upon the ocean without a helmsman, as a caravan does not shine without its leader,"'

Verse 46 (padma.2.42.46)

सेनाध्यक्षेण च विना यथा सैन्यं न भाति च । त्वां विना वै तथा सैन्यं शूकराणां महामते

senādhyakṣeṇa ca vinā yathā sainyaṁ na bhāti ca tvāṁ vinā vai tathā sainyaṁ śūkarāṇāṁ mahāmate

'"—and as an army does not shine without its commander, so too, without you, this army of boars, O great-minded one,"'

Verse 47 (padma.2.42.47)

दीनो भविष्यति तथा वेदहीनो यथा द्विजः । मयि भारं कुटुंबस्य विनिवेश्य प्रगच्छसि

dīno bhaviṣyati tathā vedahīno yathā dvijaḥ mayi bhāraṁ kuṭuṁbasya viniveśya pragacchasi

'"—shall become as wretched as a brahmin without the Vedas. Placing the burden of this family upon me, you are going forth,"'

Verse 48 (padma.2.42.48)

मरणं सुलभं ज्ञात्वा का प्रतिज्ञा तवेदृशी । त्वां विनाहं न शक्नोमि धर्तुं प्राणान्प्रियेश्वर

maraṇaṁ sulabhaṁ jñātvā kā pratijñā tavedṛśī tvāṁ vināhaṁ na śaknomi dhartuṁ prāṇānpriyeśvara

'"—knowing death to be so easily met - what sort of vow is this of yours? Without you I cannot sustain my own life, O lord of my heart."'

Verse 49 (padma.2.42.49)

त्वयैव सहिता स्वर्गं भूमिं वाथ महामते । नरकं वापि भोक्ष्यामि सत्यंसत्यं वदाम्यहम्

tvayaiva sahitā svargaṁ bhūmiṁ vātha mahāmate narakaṁ vāpi bhokṣyāmi satyaṁsatyaṁ vadāmyaham

'"Together with you alone shall I experience heaven, or this earth, O great-minded one, or even hell - I speak to you nothing but the truth."'

Verse 50 (padma.2.42.50)

त्वं वा पुत्रांस्तुपौत्रांस्तु गृहीत्वा यूथमुत्तमम् । आवां व्रजाव यूथेश दुर्गमेवं सुकंदरम्

tvaṁ vā putrāṁstupautrāṁstu gṛhītvā yūthamuttamam āvāṁ vrajāva yūtheśa durgamevaṁ sukaṁdaram

'"Or else, taking our sons and grandsons and this excellent herd, let the two of us go together, O lord of the herd, to some such difficult mountain-cave."'

Verse 51 (padma.2.42.51)

जीवितव्यं परित्यज्य रणाय परिगम्यते । तत्र को दृश्यते लाभो मरणे वद सांप्रतम्

jīvitavyaṁ parityajya raṇāya parigamyate tatra ko dṛśyate lābho maraṇe vada sāṁpratam

'"To abandon life and go forth to battle - what gain is to be seen in death? Tell me this now."'

Verse 52 (padma.2.42.52)

वाराह उवाच- वीराणां त्वं न जानासि सुधर्मं शृणु सांप्रतम् । युद्धार्थिना हि वीरेण वीरं गत्वा प्रयाचितम्

vārāha uvāca- vīrāṇāṁ tvaṁ na jānāsi sudharmaṁ śṛṇu sāṁpratam yuddhārthinā hi vīreṇa vīraṁ gatvā prayācitam

The boar said: '"You do not know the excellent dharma of heroes; hear it now. When a hero, seeking battle, goes and makes his request to another hero,"'

Verse 53 (padma.2.42.53)

देहि मे योधनं संख्ये युद्धार्थ्यहं समागतः । परेण याचितं युद्धं न ददाति यदा नरः

dehi me yodhanaṁ saṁkhye yuddhārthyahaṁ samāgataḥ pareṇa yācitaṁ yuddhaṁ na dadāti yadā naraḥ

'"—[saying:] Give me combat on the field of battle; I have come seeking a fight - if, when battle is thus requested by another, a man does not give it,"'

Verse 54 (padma.2.42.54)

कामाल्लोभाद्भयाद्वापि मोहाद्वा शृणु वल्लभे । कुंभीपाके तु नरके वसेद्युगसहस्रकम्

kāmāllobhādbhayādvāpi mohādvā śṛṇu vallabhe kuṁbhīpāke tu narake vasedyugasahasrakam

'"—whether from desire, from greed, from fear, or from delusion, hear this, my beloved - he shall dwell in the Kumbhipaka hell for a thousand ages."'

Verse 55 (padma.2.42.55)

क्षत्रियाणां परो धर्मो युद्धं देयं न संशयः । तद्युद्धं दीयमानेन रणभूमिगतेन वै

kṣatriyāṇāṁ paro dharmo yuddhaṁ deyaṁ na saṁśayaḥ tadyuddhaṁ dīyamānena raṇabhūmigatena vai

'"For Kshatriyas the highest dharma is this: battle must always be given, without doubt. When that battle is given by one who has gone to the field of war,"'

Verse 56 (padma.2.42.56)

निर्जितं तु परं तत्र यशःकीर्त्तिं प्रभुंजते । स वा हतो युध्यमानः पौरुषेणातिनिर्भयः

nirjitaṁ tu paraṁ tatra yaśaḥkīrttiṁ prabhuṁjate sa vā hato yudhyamānaḥ pauruṣeṇātinirbhayaḥ

'"—having won there, they enjoy the highest fame and renown. And he who, fighting, is slain, utterly fearless in his manly valor,"'

Verse 57 (padma.2.42.57)

वीरलोकमवाप्नोति दिव्यान्भोगान्प्रभुंजते । यावद्वर्षसहस्राणां विंशत्येकां प्रिये शृणु

vīralokamavāpnoti divyānbhogānprabhuṁjate yāvadvarṣasahasrāṇāṁ viṁśatyekāṁ priye śṛṇu

'"—attains the world of heroes, and enjoys divine pleasures. Hear, my beloved - for twenty-one thousand years,"'

Verse 58 (padma.2.42.58)

वीरलोके वसेत्तावद्देवाचारैर्महीयते । मनुपुत्रः समायात अयं वीरो न संशयः

vīraloke vasettāvaddevācārairmahīyate manuputraḥ samāyāta ayaṁ vīro na saṁśayaḥ

'"—he dwells in the world of heroes, honored with the ways of the gods. This son of Manu who has come is indeed a hero, there is no doubt of it—"'

Verse 59 (padma.2.42.59)

संग्रामं याचमानस्तु युद्धं देयं मया ध्रुवम् । युद्धातिथिः समायातो विष्णुरूपः सनातनः

saṁgrāmaṁ yācamānastu yuddhaṁ deyaṁ mayā dhruvam yuddhātithiḥ samāyāto viṣṇurūpaḥ sanātanaḥ

'"—he is seeking combat; battle must surely be given by me. This guest for battle who has come is the eternal form of Vishnu himself."'

Verse 60 (padma.2.42.60)

सत्कारो युद्धरूपेण कर्तव्यश्च मया शुभे । शूकर्युवाच- यदा युद्धं त्वया देयं राज्ञे चैव महात्मने

satkāro yuddharūpeṇa kartavyaśca mayā śubhe śūkaryuvāca- yadā yuddhaṁ tvayā deyaṁ rājñe caiva mahātmane

'"By battle alone must I honor him, O auspicious one."' The sow said: '"If you must indeed give battle to this king, this great soul,"'

Verse 61 (padma.2.42.61)

ततोऽहं पौरुषं कांत पश्यामि तव कीदृशम् । एवमुक्त्वा प्रियान्पुत्रान्समाहूय त्वरान्विता

tato'haṁ pauruṣaṁ kāṁta paśyāmi tava kīdṛśam evamuktvā priyānputrānsamāhūya tvarānvitā

'"—then I shall see, beloved, what your manly valor is like."' Having said this, hastily summoning his beloved sons,'

Verse 62 (padma.2.42.62)

उवाच पुत्रका यूयं शृणुध्वं वचनं मम । युद्धातिथिः समायातो विष्णुरूपः सनातनः

uvāca putrakā yūyaṁ śṛṇudhvaṁ vacanaṁ mama yuddhātithiḥ samāyāto viṣṇurūpaḥ sanātanaḥ

he said: '"My sons, hear my word. This guest for battle who has come is the eternal form of Vishnu."'

Verse 63 (padma.2.42.63)

मया तत्र प्रगंतव्यं यत्रायं हि गमिष्यति । यावत्तिष्ठति वै नाथो भवतां प्रतिपालकः

mayā tatra pragaṁtavyaṁ yatrāyaṁ hi gamiṣyati yāvattiṣṭhati vai nātho bhavatāṁ pratipālakaḥ

'"I must go there, wherever he shall go. As long as your protector-lord remains,"'

Verse 64 (padma.2.42.64)

यूयं गच्छत वै दूरं दुर्गं गिरिगुहामुखम् । सुखं जीवत मे वत्सा वर्जयित्वा सुलुब्धकान्

yūyaṁ gacchata vai dūraṁ durgaṁ giriguhāmukham sukhaṁ jīvata me vatsā varjayitvā sulubdhakān

'"—all of you must go far away, to the mouth of a mountain cave. Live happily, my children, and beware of wicked hunters."'

Verse 65 (padma.2.42.65)

मया तत्रैव गंतव्यं यत्रैष हि गमिष्यति । भवतां श्रेष्ठोऽयं भ्राता यूथरक्षां करिष्यति

mayā tatraiva gaṁtavyaṁ yatraiṣa hi gamiṣyati bhavatāṁ śreṣṭho'yaṁ bhrātā yūtharakṣāṁ kariṣyati

'"I alone must go there, wherever he shall go. This eldest brother of yours shall protect the herd."'

Verse 66 (padma.2.42.66)

एते पितृव्यकाः सर्वे भवतां त्राणकारकाः । दूरं प्रयात वै सर्वे मां विहाय सुपुत्रकाः

ete pitṛvyakāḥ sarve bhavatāṁ trāṇakārakāḥ dūraṁ prayāta vai sarve māṁ vihāya suputrakāḥ

'"All these your uncles shall become your protectors. Go far away, all of you, leaving me here, my beloved sons."'

Verse 67 (padma.2.42.67)

पुत्रा ऊचुः- अयं हि पर्वतश्रेष्ठो बहुमूलफलोदकः । भयं तु कस्य वै नास्ति सुखं जीवनमस्ति वै

putrā ūcuḥ- ayaṁ hi parvataśreṣṭho bahumūlaphalodakaḥ bhayaṁ tu kasya vai nāsti sukhaṁ jīvanamasti vai

The sons said: '"This is the best of mountains, rich in roots, fruits, and water; whose fear can there be here? Life here is truly happy."'

Verse 68 (padma.2.42.68)

युवाभ्यां हि अकस्माद्वै इदमुक्तं भयंकरम् । तन्नो हि कारणं मातर्वद सत्यमिहैव हि

yuvābhyāṁ hi akasmādvai idamuktaṁ bhayaṁkaram tanno hi kāraṇaṁ mātarvada satyamihaiva hi

'"Why have you both suddenly spoken this frightening thing? Tell us, mother, the true reason for it, here and now."'

Verse 69 (padma.2.42.69)

शूकर्युवाच-। अयं राजा महारौद्रः कालरूपः समागतः । क्रीडते मृगया लुब्धो मृगान्हत्वा बहून्वने

śūkaryuvāca- ayaṁ rājā mahāraudraḥ kālarūpaḥ samāgataḥ krīḍate mṛgayā lubdho mṛgānhatvā bahūnvane

The sow said: '"This king is exceedingly terrible, come in the very form of Death; eager for the hunt, he sports, slaying many deer in the forest."'

Verse 70 (padma.2.42.70)

इक्ष्वाकुर्नाम दुर्धर्षो मनुपुत्रो महाबलः । संहरिष्यति कालोऽयं दूरं यात सुपुत्रकाः

ikṣvākurnāma durdharṣo manuputro mahābalaḥ saṁhariṣyati kālo'yaṁ dūraṁ yāta suputrakāḥ

'"Named Ikshvaku, unassailable, the mighty son of Manu - this very Death shall destroy your father; go far away, my beloved sons."'

Verse 71 (padma.2.42.71)

पुत्रा ऊचुः-। मातरं पितरं त्यक्त्वा यः प्रयाति स पापधीः । महारौद्रं सुघोरं तु नरकं प्रतिपद्यते

putrā ūcuḥ- mātaraṁ pitaraṁ tyaktvā yaḥ prayāti sa pāpadhīḥ mahāraudraṁ sughoraṁ tu narakaṁ pratipadyate

The sons said: '"He who abandons mother and father and goes away is of sinful mind; he attains a most terrible and dreadful hell."'

Verse 72 (padma.2.42.72)

मातुः पुण्यं पयः पीत्वा पुष्टो भवति निर्घृणः । मातरं पितरं त्यक्त्वा यः प्रयाति सुदुर्बलः

mātuḥ puṇyaṁ payaḥ pītvā puṣṭo bhavati nirghṛṇaḥ mātaraṁ pitaraṁ tyaktvā yaḥ prayāti sudurbalaḥ

'"He who has grown strong by drinking his mother's holy milk, and yet abandons mother and father and goes, is utterly merciless and weak of soul."'

Verse 73 (padma.2.42.73)

पूयं नरकमेतीह कृमिदुर्गंधसंकुलम् । मातुस्तस्मान्न यास्यामो गुरुं त्यक्त्वा इहैव च

pūyaṁ narakametīha kṛmidurgaṁdhasaṁkulam mātustasmānna yāsyāmo guruṁ tyaktvā ihaiva ca

'"He goes from here to a foul hell, filled with worms and stench. Therefore we shall never go, forsaking our mother and our father here."'

Verse 74 (padma.2.42.74)

एवं विषादः संजातस्तेषां धर्मार्थसंयुतः । व्यूहं कृत्वा स्थिताः सर्वे बलतेजः समाकुलाः

evaṁ viṣādaḥ saṁjātasteṣāṁ dharmārthasaṁyutaḥ vyūhaṁ kṛtvā sthitāḥ sarve balatejaḥ samākulāḥ

Thus this sorrow, joined with dharma and its purpose, arose within them; and, filled with strength and splendor, they all stood, arrayed in formation.

Verse 75 (padma.2.42.75)

साहसोत्साहसंपन्नाः पश्यंति नृपनंदनम् । नदंतः पौरुषैर्युक्ताः क्रीडमाना वने तदा

sāhasotsāhasaṁpannāḥ paśyaṁti nṛpanaṁdanam nadaṁtaḥ pauruṣairyuktāḥ krīḍamānā vane tadā

Endowed with courage and resolve, they watched that royal prince; roaring, filled with manly valor, they gazed upon the king as he then sported in the forest.