Pippala's Pride and the Crane's Rebuke

Verse 1 (padma.2.61.1)

वेन उवाच- भार्यातीर्थं समाख्यातं सर्वतीर्थोत्तमोत्तमम् । पितृतीर्थं समाख्याहि पुत्राणां तारणं परम्

vena uvāca- bhāryātīrthaṁ samākhyātaṁ sarvatīrthottamottamam pitṛtīrthaṁ samākhyāhi putrāṇāṁ tāraṇaṁ param

Vena said: 'The tirtha of the wife has been declared, the very best among all tirthas. Now tell me of the tirtha of the father, the supreme means of deliverance for sons.'

Verse 2 (padma.2.61.2)

विष्णुरुवाच- कुरुक्षेत्रे महाक्षेत्रे कुंडलो नाम ब्राह्मणः । सुकर्मा नाम सत्पुत्रः कुंडलस्य महात्मनः

viṣṇuruvāca- kurukṣetre mahākṣetre kuṁḍalo nāma brāhmaṇaḥ sukarmā nāma satputraḥ kuṁḍalasya mahātmanaḥ

Vishnu said: In the great field of Kurukshetra there was a brahmin named Kundala; his virtuous son was named Sukarma, son of that great-souled Kundala.

Verse 3 (padma.2.61.3)

गुरू तस्य महावृद्धौ धर्मज्ञौ शास्त्रकोविदौ । द्वावेतौ तु महात्मानौ जरया परिपीडितौ

gurū tasya mahāvṛddhau dharmajñau śāstrakovidau dvāvetau tu mahātmānau jarayā paripīḍitau

His two elders, his parents, were very aged, knowers of dharma, learned in the scriptures; these two great souls were afflicted by old age.

Verse 4 (padma.2.61.4)

तयोः शुश्रूषणं चक्रे भक्त्या च परया ततः । धर्मज्ञो भावसंयुक्तो अहर्निशमनारतम्

tayoḥ śuśrūṣaṇaṁ cakre bhaktyā ca parayā tataḥ dharmajño bhāvasaṁyukto aharniśamanāratam

He served them with the utmost devotion, that knower of dharma, filled with true feeling, day and night without ceasing.

Verse 5 (padma.2.61.5)

तस्माद्वेदानधीते स पितुः शास्त्राण्यनेकशः । सर्वाचारपरो दक्षो धर्मज्ञो ज्ञानवत्सलः

tasmādvedānadhīte sa pituḥ śāstrāṇyanekaśaḥ sarvācāraparo dakṣo dharmajño jñānavatsalaḥ

From him he studied the Vedas, and many of his father's scriptures besides; devoted to right conduct in all things, skilled, a knower of dharma, dear to wisdom.

Verse 6 (padma.2.61.6)

अंगसंवाहनं चक्रे गुर्वोश्च स्वयमेव सः । पादप्रक्षालनं चैव स्नानभोजनकीं क्रियाम्

aṁgasaṁvāhanaṁ cakre gurvośca svayameva saḥ pādaprakṣālanaṁ caiva snānabhojanakīṁ kriyām

He himself performed the massaging of his elders' limbs, the washing of their feet, and the rites of bathing and feeding them.

Verse 7 (padma.2.61.7)

भक्त्या चैव स्वभावेन तद्ध्याने तन्मयो भवेत् । मातापित्रोश्च राजेंद्र उपचर्यां प्रकारयेत्

bhaktyā caiva svabhāvena taddhyāne tanmayo bhavet mātāpitrośca rājeṁdra upacaryāṁ prakārayet

With devotion, by his very nature, he was wholly absorbed in meditation upon them; O foremost of kings, he attended constantly upon his mother and father.

Verse 8 (padma.2.61.8)

सूत उवाच- तद्वर्तमानकाले तु बभूव नृपसत्तम । पिप्पलो नाम वै विप्रः कश्यपस्य महात्मनः

sūta uvāca- tadvartamānakāle tu babhūva nṛpasattama pippalo nāma vai vipraḥ kaśyapasya mahātmanaḥ

Suta said: In that same time, O best of kings, there was a brahmin named Pippala, of the great-souled lineage of Kashyapa.

Verse 9 (padma.2.61.9)

तपस्तेपे निराहारो जितात्मा जितमत्सरः । दयादानदमोपेतः कामं क्रोधं विजित्य सः

tapastepe nirāhāro jitātmā jitamatsaraḥ dayādānadamopetaḥ kāmaṁ krodhaṁ vijitya saḥ

He performed austerity, fasting, with mastery over his self, having conquered envy; endowed with compassion, giving, and self-restraint, he had conquered desire and anger.

Verse 10 (padma.2.61.10)

दशारण्यगतो धीमाञ्ज्ञानशांतिपरायणः । सर्वेंद्रियाणि संयम्य तपस्तेपे महामनाः

daśāraṇyagato dhīmāñjñānaśāṁtiparāyaṇaḥ sarveṁdriyāṇi saṁyamya tapastepe mahāmanāḥ

That wise one, gone to Dasharanya, devoted wholly to knowledge and peace, restraining all his senses, that great-minded one performed austerity.

Verse 11 (padma.2.61.11)

तपःप्रभावतस्तस्य जंतवो गतविग्रहाः । वसंति सुयुगे तत्र एकोदरगता इव

tapaḥprabhāvatastasya jaṁtavo gatavigrahāḥ vasaṁti suyuge tatra ekodaragatā iva

By the power of his austerity, creatures there set aside their natural enmity, dwelling together as though born of a single womb, as in the golden age.

Verse 12 (padma.2.61.12)

तत्तपस्तस्य मुनयो दृष्ट्वा विस्मयमाययुः । नेदृशं केनचित्तप्तं यथासौ तप्यते मुनिः

tattapastasya munayo dṛṣṭvā vismayamāyayuḥ nedṛśaṁ kenacittaptaṁ yathāsau tapyate muniḥ

Seeing his austerity, the sages were filled with wonder: 'No one has ever practiced austerity like this, as this sage now does.'

Verse 13 (padma.2.61.13)

देवाश्च इंद्रप्रमुखाः परं विस्मयमाययुः । अहो अस्य तपस्तीव्रं शमश्चेंद्रियसंयमः

devāśca iṁdrapramukhāḥ paraṁ vismayamāyayuḥ aho asya tapastīvraṁ śamaśceṁdriyasaṁyamaḥ

The gods too, headed by Indra, were filled with the greatest wonder: 'Ah, how intense is his austerity, his tranquility, his mastery over the senses!'

Verse 14 (padma.2.61.14)

निर्विकारो निरुद्वेगः कामक्रोधविवर्जितः । शीतवातातपसहो धराधर इवस्थितः

nirvikāro nirudvegaḥ kāmakrodhavivarjitaḥ śītavātātapasaho dharādhara ivasthitaḥ

Unchanging, undisturbed, free of desire and anger, enduring cold, wind and heat, he stood like a very mountain.

Verse 15 (padma.2.61.15)

विषये विमुखो धीरो मनसोतीतसंग्रहम् । न शृणोति यथा शब्दं कस्यचिद्द्विजसत्तमः

viṣaye vimukho dhīro manasotītasaṁgraham na śṛṇoti yathā śabdaṁ kasyaciddvijasattamaḥ

Steadfast, turned away from sense-objects, his mind gone beyond all grasping — that foremost of brahmins heard no sound at all, as of anyone.

Verse 16 (padma.2.61.16)

संस्थानं तादृशं गत्वा स्थित्वा एकाग्रमानसः । ब्रह्मध्यानमयो भूत्वा सानंदमुखपंकजः

saṁsthānaṁ tādṛśaṁ gatvā sthitvā ekāgramānasaḥ brahmadhyānamayo bhūtvā sānaṁdamukhapaṁkajaḥ

Having gone to such a place and taken his stand there, his mind one-pointed, absorbed wholly in meditation upon Brahman, his lotus face filled with bliss —

Verse 17 (padma.2.61.17)

अश्मकाष्ठमयो भूत्वा निश्चेष्टो गिरिवत्स्थितः । स्थाणुवद्दृश्यते चासौ सुस्थिरो धर्मवत्सलः

aśmakāṣṭhamayo bhūtvā niśceṣṭo girivatsthitaḥ sthāṇuvaddṛśyate cāsau susthiro dharmavatsalaḥ

—he became as if made of stone and wood, motionless, standing like a mountain; he appeared like a mere stump, exceedingly steady, devoted to dharma.

Verse 18 (padma.2.61.18)

तपःक्लिष्टशरीरोति श्रद्धावाननसूयकः । एवं वर्षसहस्रैकं संजातं तस्य धीमतः

tapaḥkliṣṭaśarīroti śraddhāvānanasūyakaḥ evaṁ varṣasahasraikaṁ saṁjātaṁ tasya dhīmataḥ

His body worn by austerity, yet full of faith, free of envy — thus a full thousand years passed for that wise one.

Verse 19 (padma.2.61.19)

पिपीलिकाभिर्बह्वीभिः कृतं मृद्भारसंचयम् । तस्योपरि महाकायं वल्मीकं निजमंदिरम्

pipīlikābhirbahvībhiḥ kṛtaṁ mṛdbhārasaṁcayam tasyopari mahākāyaṁ valmīkaṁ nijamaṁdiram

Many ants built up a great mound of earth upon him, a huge anthill, their own dwelling.

Verse 20 (padma.2.61.20)

वल्मीकोदरमध्यस्थो जडीभूत इवस्थितः । स एवं पिप्पलो विप्रस्तपते सुमहत्तपः

valmīkodaramadhyastho jaḍībhūta ivasthitaḥ sa evaṁ pippalo viprastapate sumahattapaḥ

Established within the midst of the anthill, he stood as though turned inert; thus did the brahmin Pippala perform his very great austerity.

Verse 21 (padma.2.61.21)

कृष्णसर्पैस्तु सर्वत्र वेष्टितो द्विजसत्तमः । तमुग्रतेजसं विप्रं प्रदशंति विषोल्बणाः

kṛṣṇasarpaistu sarvatra veṣṭito dvijasattamaḥ tamugratejasaṁ vipraṁ pradaśaṁti viṣolbaṇāḥ

That foremost of brahmins was entwined all about by black serpents; those laden with venom bit that brahmin of fierce splendor.

Verse 22 (padma.2.61.22)

संप्राप्य गात्रमर्माणि विषं तस्य न भेदयेत् । तेजसा तस्य विप्रस्य नागाः शांतिमथागमन्

saṁprāpya gātramarmāṇi viṣaṁ tasya na bhedayet tejasā tasya viprasya nāgāḥ śāṁtimathāgaman

Though reaching the vital points of his body, their venom could not pierce him at all; by that brahmin's very splendor, the serpents themselves grew calm.

Verse 23 (padma.2.61.23)

तस्य कायात्समुद्भूता अर्चिषो दीप्ततेजसः । नानारूपाः सुबहुशो दृश्यंते च पृथक्पृथक्

tasya kāyātsamudbhūtā arciṣo dīptatejasaḥ nānārūpāḥ subahuśo dṛśyaṁte ca pṛthakpṛthak

From his body arose flames of blazing splendor, of manifold forms, seen in great abundance, each one distinct.

Verse 24 (padma.2.61.24)

यथा वह्नेः खरतरास्तथाविधा नरोत्तम । यथामेघोदरे सूर्यः प्रविष्टो भाति रश्मिभिः

yathā vahneḥ kharatarāstathāvidhā narottama yathāmeghodare sūryaḥ praviṣṭo bhāti raśmibhiḥ

Sharp as the flames of fire, O foremost of men, of just such kind; as the sun, entering within the belly of a cloud, shines through with its rays —

Verse 25 (padma.2.61.25)

वल्मीकस्थस्तथाविप्रः पिप्पलो भाति तेजसा । सर्पा दशंति विप्रं तं सक्रोधा दशनैरपि

valmīkasthastathāvipraḥ pippalo bhāti tejasā sarpā daśaṁti vipraṁ taṁ sakrodhā daśanairapi

—so did the brahmin Pippala, established within the anthill, shine with his splendor. The serpents, filled with fury, kept biting that brahmin with their fangs —

Verse 26 (padma.2.61.26)

न भिंदंति च दंष्ट्राग्राच्चर्म भित्त्वा नृपोत्तम । एवं वर्षसहस्रैकं तप आचरतस्ततः

na bhiṁdaṁti ca daṁṣṭrāgrāccarma bhittvā nṛpottama evaṁ varṣasahasraikaṁ tapa ācaratastataḥ

—yet, O foremost of kings, even piercing his skin with the tips of their fangs, they could not truly wound him. Thus, as he practiced austerity for a full thousand years —

Verse 27 (padma.2.61.27)

गतं तु राजराजेंद्र मुनेस्तस्य महात्मनः । त्रिकालं साध्यमानस्य शीतवर्षातपान्वितः

gataṁ tu rājarājeṁdra munestasya mahātmanaḥ trikālaṁ sādhyamānasya śītavarṣātapānvitaḥ

—O king of kings, that time passed for that great-souled sage, practicing his triple daily observance, enduring cold, rain, and heat.

Verse 28 (padma.2.61.28)

गतः कालो महाराज पिप्पलस्य महात्मनः । तद्वच्च वायुभक्षं तु कृतं तेन महात्मना

gataḥ kālo mahārāja pippalasya mahātmanaḥ tadvacca vāyubhakṣaṁ tu kṛtaṁ tena mahātmanā

O great king, that time passed for the great-souled Pippala; and that great soul then took to living on air alone.

Verse 29 (padma.2.61.29)

त्रीणि वर्षसहस्राणि गतानि तस्य तप्यतः । तस्य मूर्ध्नि ततो देवैः पुष्पवृष्टिः कृता पुरा

trīṇi varṣasahasrāṇi gatāni tasya tapyataḥ tasya mūrdhni tato devaiḥ puṣpavṛṣṭiḥ kṛtā purā

Three thousand years passed as he performed austerity; then, of old, the gods rained down flowers upon his very head.

Verse 30 (padma.2.61.30)

ब्रह्मज्ञोसि महाभाग धर्मज्ञोसि न संशयः । सर्वज्ञानमयोऽसि त्वं संजातः स्वेनकर्मणा

brahmajñosi mahābhāga dharmajñosi na saṁśayaḥ sarvajñānamayo'si tvaṁ saṁjātaḥ svenakarmaṇā

'You are a knower of Brahman, O blessed one; you are a knower of dharma, without doubt; you have become endowed with all knowledge, through your own deeds.'

Verse 31 (padma.2.61.31)

यं यं त्वं वांछसे कामं तं तं प्राप्स्यसि नान्यथा । सर्वकामप्रसिद्धस्त्वं स्वत एव भविष्यसि

yaṁ yaṁ tvaṁ vāṁchase kāmaṁ taṁ taṁ prāpsyasi nānyathā sarvakāmaprasiddhastvaṁ svata eva bhaviṣyasi

'Whatever desire you wish for, that you shall attain, in no other way; you shall become, of your own accord, one accomplished in every desire.'

Verse 32 (padma.2.61.32)

समाकर्ण्य महद्वाक्यं पिप्पलोपि महामनाः । प्रणम्य देवताः सर्वा भक्त्या नमितकंधरः

samākarṇya mahadvākyaṁ pippalopi mahāmanāḥ praṇamya devatāḥ sarvā bhaktyā namitakaṁdharaḥ

Hearing these great words, Pippala too, of great mind, bowing his neck low with devotion, prostrated himself before all the gods.

Verse 33 (padma.2.61.33)

हर्षेण महताविष्टो वचनं प्रत्युवाच सः । इदं विश्वं जगत्सर्वं ममवश्यं यथा भवेत्

harṣeṇa mahatāviṣṭo vacanaṁ pratyuvāca saḥ idaṁ viśvaṁ jagatsarvaṁ mamavaśyaṁ yathā bhavet

Overcome with great joy, he replied with these words: 'Let this whole universe, this entire world, come under my very control.'

Verse 34 (padma.2.61.34)

तथा कुरुध्वं देवेंद्रा विद्याधरो भवाम्यहम् । एवमुक्त्वा स मेधावी विरराम नृपोत्तम

tathā kurudhvaṁ deveṁdrā vidyādharo bhavāmyaham evamuktvā sa medhāvī virarāma nṛpottama

'Grant me this, O lords of the gods; let me become a vidyadhara.' Having said this, that wise man, O foremost of kings, fell silent.

Verse 35 (padma.2.61.35)

एवमस्त्विति ते प्रोचुर्द्विजश्रेष्ठं सुरास्तदा । दत्वा वरं महाभाग जग्मुस्तस्मै महात्मने

evamastviti te procurdvijaśreṣṭhaṁ surāstadā datvā varaṁ mahābhāga jagmustasmai mahātmane

'So be it,' the gods then said to that foremost of brahmins; and having given the boon to that great soul, O blessed one, they departed.

Verse 36 (padma.2.61.36)

गतेषु तेषु देवेषु पिप्पलो द्विजसत्तमः । ब्रह्मण्यं साधयेन्नित्यं विश्ववश्यं प्रचिंतयेत्

gateṣu teṣu deveṣu pippalo dvijasattamaḥ brahmaṇyaṁ sādhayennityaṁ viśvavaśyaṁ praciṁtayet

When those gods had gone, Pippala, that foremost of brahmins, continued ever to accomplish his brahminical practice, thinking constantly of the whole world being subject to his will.

Verse 37 (padma.2.61.37)

तदाप्रभृति राजेंद्र पिप्पलो द्विजसत्तमः । विद्याधरपदं लब्ध्वा कामगामी महीयते

tadāprabhṛti rājeṁdra pippalo dvijasattamaḥ vidyādharapadaṁ labdhvā kāmagāmī mahīyate

From that time on, O foremost of kings, Pippala, that foremost of brahmins, having obtained the rank of a vidyadhara, moved about at will, exalted.

Verse 38 (padma.2.61.38)

एवं स पिप्पलो विप्रो विद्याधरपदं गतः । संजातो देवलोकेशः सर्वशास्त्रविशारदः

evaṁ sa pippalo vipro vidyādharapadaṁ gataḥ saṁjāto devalokeśaḥ sarvaśāstraviśāradaḥ

Thus that brahmin Pippala attained the rank of a vidyadhara, and became a lord in the world of the gods, skilled in every scripture.

Verse 39 (padma.2.61.39)

एकदा तु महातेजाः पिप्पलः पर्यचिंतयत् । विश्ववश्यं भवेत्सर्वं मम दत्तो वरोत्तमः

ekadā tu mahātejāḥ pippalaḥ paryaciṁtayat viśvavaśyaṁ bhavetsarvaṁ mama datto varottamaḥ

Once, that greatly resplendent Pippala reflected: 'The whole world should be subject to my will — this excellent boon has been given to me.'

Verse 40 (padma.2.61.40)

तदर्थं प्रत्ययं कर्तुमुद्यतो द्विजपुंगवः । यं यं चिंतयते कर्तुं तं तं हि वशमानयेत्

tadarthaṁ pratyayaṁ kartumudyato dvijapuṁgavaḥ yaṁ yaṁ ciṁtayate kartuṁ taṁ taṁ hi vaśamānayet

For that reason, that bull among brahmins set out to test it — whatever he thought to do, he would indeed be able to bring it under his sway.

Verse 41 (padma.2.61.41)

एवं स प्रत्यये जाते मनसा पर्यकल्पयत् । द्वितीयो नास्ति वै लोके मत्समः पुरुषोत्तमः

evaṁ sa pratyaye jāte manasā paryakalpayat dvitīyo nāsti vai loke matsamaḥ puruṣottamaḥ

When this had thus been confirmed, he thought within his mind: 'There is no second, in all this world, a man equal to me.'

Verse 42 (padma.2.61.42)

सूत उवाच- एवं हि कल्पमानस्य पिप्पलस्य महात्मनः । ज्ञात्वा मानसिकं भावं सारसस्तमुवाच ह

sūta uvāca- evaṁ hi kalpamānasya pippalasya mahātmanaḥ jñātvā mānasikaṁ bhāvaṁ sārasastamuvāca ha

Suta said: While that great-souled Pippala was thus imagining, a crane, knowing his mental state, spoke to him —

Verse 43 (padma.2.61.43)

सरस्तीरगतो राजन्सुस्वरं व्यंजनान्वितम् । स्वनं सौष्ठवसंयुक्तमुक्तवान्पिप्पलं प्रति

sarastīragato rājansusvaraṁ vyaṁjanānvitam svanaṁ sauṣṭhavasaṁyuktamuktavānpippalaṁ prati

—that crane, having gone to the bank of the lake, O king, spoke to Pippala in a sweet-toned, articulate, well-formed voice —

Verse 44 (padma.2.61.44)

कस्मादुद्वहसे गर्वमेवं त्वं परमात्मकम् । सर्ववश्यात्मिकीं सिद्धिं नाहं मन्ये तवैव हि

kasmādudvahase garvamevaṁ tvaṁ paramātmakam sarvavaśyātmikīṁ siddhiṁ nāhaṁ manye tavaiva hi

'Why do you bear such supreme pride within yourself? I do not think you truly possess the power of bringing all things under your will.'

Verse 45 (padma.2.61.45)

वश्यावश्यमिदं कर्म अर्वाचीनं प्रशस्यते । पराचीनं न जानासि पिप्पल त्वं हि मूढधीः

vaśyāvaśyamidaṁ karma arvācīnaṁ praśasyate parācīnaṁ na jānāsi pippala tvaṁ hi mūḍhadhīḥ

'This matter of what can and cannot be subdued is praised only in the present, near-at-hand sense; you do not know the deeper, further sense, Pippala — you are indeed dull of mind.'

Verse 46 (padma.2.61.46)

वर्षाणां तु सहस्राणि यावत्त्रीणि त्वया तपः । समाचीर्णं ततो गर्वं कुरुषे किं मुधा द्विज

varṣāṇāṁ tu sahasrāṇi yāvattrīṇi tvayā tapaḥ samācīrṇaṁ tato garvaṁ kuruṣe kiṁ mudhā dvija

'For as long as three thousand years you performed austerity — why then, O brahmin, do you bear such pride in vain?'

Verse 47 (padma.2.61.47)

कुंडलस्य सुतो धीरः सुकर्मानाम यः सुधीः । वश्यावश्यं जगत्सर्वं तस्यासीच्छृणु सांप्रतम्

kuṁḍalasya suto dhīraḥ sukarmānāma yaḥ sudhīḥ vaśyāvaśyaṁ jagatsarvaṁ tasyāsīcchṛṇu sāṁpratam

'Kundala's son, that steadfast, wise one named Sukarma — for him, hear now, the whole world, both subdued and unsubdued, was truly his own.'

Verse 48 (padma.2.61.48)

अर्वाचीनं पराचीनं स वै जानाति बुद्धिमान् । लोके नास्ति महाज्ञानी तत्समः शृणु पिप्पल

arvācīnaṁ parācīnaṁ sa vai jānāti buddhimān loke nāsti mahājñānī tatsamaḥ śṛṇu pippala

'That wise one indeed knows both the near and the far sense. There is no greater knower of true wisdom in this world equal to him — hear this, Pippala.'

Verse 49 (padma.2.61.49)

न कुंडलस्य पुत्रेण सदृशस्त्वं सुकर्मणा । न दत्तं तेन वै दानं न ज्ञानं परिचिंतितम्

na kuṁḍalasya putreṇa sadṛśastvaṁ sukarmaṇā na dattaṁ tena vai dānaṁ na jñānaṁ pariciṁtitam

'You are not equal to Kundala's son Sukarma. Yet he gave no formal gift, nor pondered any formal knowledge —'

Verse 50 (padma.2.61.50)

हुतयज्ञादिकं कर्म न कृतं तेन वै कदा । न गतस्तीर्थयात्रायां न च वह्नेरुपासनम्

hutayajñādikaṁ karma na kṛtaṁ tena vai kadā na gatastīrthayātrāyāṁ na ca vahnerupāsanam

'—he never performed the rite of fire-oblation or sacrifice; he never went on any pilgrimage, nor worshipped the sacred fire.'

Verse 51 (padma.2.61.51)

स कदा कृतवान्विप्र धर्मसेवार्थमुत्तमम् । स्वच्छंदचारी ज्ञानात्मा पितृमातृसुहृत्सदा

sa kadā kṛtavānvipra dharmasevārthamuttamam svacchaṁdacārī jñānātmā pitṛmātṛsuhṛtsadā

'When, O brahmin, did he ever perform any excellent act for the sake of religious service? He simply moved about freely, of the very nature of knowledge, ever the true friend of his father and mother.'

Verse 52 (padma.2.61.52)

वेदाध्ययनसंपन्नः सर्वशास्त्रार्थकोविदः । यादृशं तस्य वै ज्ञानं बालस्यापि सुकर्मणः

vedādhyayanasaṁpannaḥ sarvaśāstrārthakovidaḥ yādṛśaṁ tasya vai jñānaṁ bālasyāpi sukarmaṇaḥ

'Accomplished in Vedic study, learned in the meaning of every scripture — such was the knowledge of that boy Sukarma —'

Verse 53 (padma.2.61.53)

तादृशं नास्ति ते ज्ञानं वृथा त्वं गर्वमुद्वहेः । पिप्पल उवाच- को भवान्पक्षिरूपेण मामेवं परिकुत्सयेत्

tādṛśaṁ nāsti te jñānaṁ vṛthā tvaṁ garvamudvaheḥ pippala uvāca- ko bhavānpakṣirūpeṇa māmevaṁ parikutsayet

'—such knowledge you do not have; you bear your pride in vain.' Pippala said: 'Who are you, that, in the form of a mere bird, would revile me thus?'

Verse 54 (padma.2.61.54)

कस्मान्निंदसि मे ज्ञानं पराचीनं तु कीदृशम् । तन्मे विस्तरतो ब्रूहि त्वयि ज्ञानं कथं भवेत्

kasmānniṁdasi me jñānaṁ parācīnaṁ tu kīdṛśam tanme vistarato brūhi tvayi jñānaṁ kathaṁ bhavet

'Why do you censure my knowledge? What indeed is this further sense? Tell me of it in full detail — and how could such knowledge dwell even in you?'

Verse 55 (padma.2.61.55)

अर्वाचीनगतिं सर्वां पराचीनस्य सांप्रतम् । वद त्वमंडजश्रेष्ठ ज्ञानपूर्वं सुविस्तरम्

arvācīnagatiṁ sarvāṁ parācīnasya sāṁpratam vada tvamaṁḍajaśreṣṭha jñānapūrvaṁ suvistaram

'Tell me now the whole way of the near sense, and of the further sense too, O foremost of birds, with prior knowledge, in full detail.'

Verse 56 (padma.2.61.56)

किं वा ब्रह्मा च विष्णुश्च किं वा रुद्रो भविष्यसि । सारस उवाच- नास्ति ते तपसो भावः फलं नास्ति च तस्य तु

kiṁ vā brahmā ca viṣṇuśca kiṁ vā rudro bhaviṣyasi sārasa uvāca- nāsti te tapaso bhāvaḥ phalaṁ nāsti ca tasya tu

'Are you perhaps Brahma, or Vishnu, or will you become Rudra?' The crane said: 'There is no true essence to your austerity, and no fruit of it either.'

Verse 57 (padma.2.61.57)

त्वया न परितप्तस्य तपसः सांप्रतं शृणु । कुंडलस्यापि पुत्रस्य बालस्यापि यथा गुणः

tvayā na paritaptasya tapasaḥ sāṁprataṁ śṛṇu kuṁḍalasyāpi putrasya bālasyāpi yathā guṇaḥ

'Hear now of the austerity that you have not truly performed — such as the virtue that belonged even to Kundala's son, though he was but a boy.'

Verse 58 (padma.2.61.58)

तथा ते नास्ति वै ज्ञानं परिज्ञातं न तत्पदम् । इतो गत्वापि पृच्छ त्वं मम रूपं द्विजोत्तम

tathā te nāsti vai jñānaṁ parijñātaṁ na tatpadam ito gatvāpi pṛccha tvaṁ mama rūpaṁ dvijottama

'Such knowledge you do not have at all; that state is not truly known to you. Go from here, O foremost of brahmins, and ask about my true form.'

Verse 59 (padma.2.61.59)

स वदिष्यति धर्मात्मा सर्वं ज्ञानं तवैव हि । विष्णुरुवाच- एवमाकर्ण्य तत्सर्वं सारसेन प्रभाषितम्

sa vadiṣyati dharmātmā sarvaṁ jñānaṁ tavaiva hi viṣṇuruvāca- evamākarṇya tatsarvaṁ sārasena prabhāṣitam

'That righteous soul will tell you all this knowledge in full.' Vishnu said: Having heard all that was spoken by the crane —

Verse 60 (padma.2.61.60)

निर्जगाम स वेगेन दशारण्यं महाश्रमम्

nirjagāma sa vegena daśāraṇyaṁ mahāśramam

—he set out swiftly toward the great hermitage of Dasharanya.