The Panchala King's Victory and the Destruction of Poverty

Verse 1 (skanda.2.169.1)

श्रुतदेव उवाच । भूयः शृणुष्व भूपाल माहात्म्यं पापनाशनम् । वैशाखस्य च मासस्य वल्लभस्य मधुद्विषः

śrutadeva uvāca bhūyaḥ śṛṇuṣva bhūpāla māhātmyaṁ pāpanāśanam vaiśākhasya ca māsasya vallabhasya madhudviṣaḥ

Shrutadeva said: Hear further, O king, this sin-destroying greatness of the month of Vaishakha, dear to the slayer of Madhu.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.169.2)

पुरा पांचालदेशे तु राजा पुरुयशोऽभवत् । तनयो भूरियशसः पुण्यशीलस्य धीमतः

purā pāṁcāladeśe tu rājā puruyaśo’bhavat tanayo bhūriyaśasaḥ puṇyaśīlasya dhīmataḥ

Once, in the land of Panchala, there was a king named Puruyashas, son of the wise and virtuous Bhuriyashas,

Verse 3 (skanda.2.169.3)

पितर्युपरते भूप राज्यस्थो धर्मलालसः । शौर्यौदार्यगुणोपेतो धनुर्विद्याविशारदः

pitaryuparate bhūpa rājyastho dharmalālasaḥ śauryaudāryaguṇopeto dhanurvidyāviśāradaḥ

who, on his father's passing, remained on the throne, eager for dharma, endowed with valor and generosity, and skilled in archery.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.169.4)

शशास पृथिवीं सर्वां स्वधर्मेण महामतिः । पूर्वजन्मजलादानाद्दोषेण महता वृतः

śaśāsa pṛthivīṁ sarvāṁ svadharmeṇa mahāmatiḥ pūrvajanmajalādānāddoṣeṇa mahatā vṛtaḥ

That great-minded king ruled the whole earth according to his own dharma — yet he was beset by a grave fault arising from his failure to give water in a past birth.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.169.5)

संपद्धानिमवापाऽसौ कालेन कियताऽनघ । हया गजा मृतिं याता महद्रोगेण पीडिताः

saṁpaddhānimavāpā’sau kālena kiyatā’nagha hayā gajā mṛtiṁ yātā mahadrogeṇa pīḍitāḥ

O sinless one, after some time his prosperity waned; afflicted by a great disease, his horses and elephants met death.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.169.6)

दुर्भिक्षमतुलं चासीन्निर्मानुष्यविधायकम् । राज्यं कोशं तदा चाऽऽसीद्गजभुक्तकपित्थवत्

durbhikṣamatulaṁ cāsīnnirmānuṣyavidhāyakam rājyaṁ kośaṁ tadā cā’’sīdgajabhuktakapitthavat

An unparalleled famine emptied the land of people; the kingdom and treasury became like an elephant-eaten wood-apple, hollow and worthless.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.169.7)

बलहीनं नृपं ज्ञात्वा कोशराष्ट्रविवर्जितम् । तं जेतुमेष समय इति निश्चितमानसाः

balahīnaṁ nṛpaṁ jñātvā kośarāṣṭravivarjitam taṁ jetumeṣa samaya iti niścitamānasāḥ

Knowing the king to be powerless and bereft of treasury and realm, his enemy kings, resolved that now was the time to conquer him,

Verse 8 (skanda.2.169.8)

आजग्मुः शतशो भूपा रिपवस्तस्य भूपतेः । जिग्युर्युद्धेन तं भूपं पांचालविषयाधिपम्

ājagmuḥ śataśo bhūpā ripavastasya bhūpateḥ jigyuryuddhena taṁ bhūpaṁ pāṁcālaviṣayādhipam

came in their hundreds and defeated in battle that lord of the Panchala realm.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.169.9)

पराजितस्ततो राजा विवेश गिरिगह्वरे । शिखिन्या भार्यया साकं धात्र्यादिगणसंयुतः

parājitastato rājā viveśa girigahvare śikhinyā bhāryayā sākaṁ dhātryādigaṇasaṁyutaḥ

Defeated, the king entered a mountain cave together with his wife Shikhini and a retinue of nurses and attendants.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.169.10)

अज्ञातपद्धतिश्चान्यैर्बहुदुःखसमाकुलः । त्रिपंचाशत्समाश्चैव नीतास्तेन विलीयता

ajñātapaddhatiścānyairbahuduḥkhasamākulaḥ tripaṁcāśatsamāścaiva nītāstena vilīyatā

Unknown to others, his whereabouts hidden, beset by much sorrow, he passed fifty-three years there, wasting away.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.169.11)

चिन्तयामास भूपालः किमेतदिति भूरिशः । कर्मणा जन्मशुद्धोऽहं मातृपितृहिते रतः

cintayāmāsa bhūpālaḥ kimetaditi bhūriśaḥ karmaṇā janmaśuddho’haṁ mātṛpitṛhite rataḥ

The king pondered again and again: 'What is this misfortune? By my deeds I am pure from birth, devoted to the welfare of my parents,

Verse 12 (skanda.2.169.12)

गुरुभक्तः सदाक्षिण्यो ब्रह्मण्यो धर्मतत्परः । दयावान्सर्वभूतेषु देवभक्तो जितेन्द्रियः

gurubhaktaḥ sadākṣiṇyo brahmaṇyo dharmatatparaḥ dayāvānsarvabhūteṣu devabhakto jitendriyaḥ

devoted to my guru, ever considerate, a patron of brahmins, intent on dharma, compassionate to all beings, devoted to the gods, and master of my senses;

Verse 13 (skanda.2.169.13)

न भ्राता मे न पुत्रो मे न च मे सुहृदो हिताः । दयापौरुषविख्याताः कुलीनस्याऽपि मे कुतः

na bhrātā me na putro me na ca me suhṛdo hitāḥ dayāpauruṣavikhyātāḥ kulīnasyā’pi me kutaḥ

yet I have no brother, no son, no well-wishing friend renowned for kindness and valor — how can this be, for one so well-born as I?

Verse 14 (skanda.2.169.14)

केन वा कर्मणा चाप्तं दारिद्र्यं भूरिदुःखदम् । केन वाऽपजयो मेऽद्य केन वा वनवासिता

kena vā karmaṇā cāptaṁ dāridryaṁ bhūriduḥkhadam kena vā’pajayo me’dya kena vā vanavāsitā

By what deed have I obtained this misery-bringing poverty? By what deed this defeat today? By what deed this dwelling in the forest?'

Verse 15 (skanda.2.169.15)

इति चिन्ताकुलो राजा गुरुं सस्मार खिन्नधीः। याजोपयाजकौ नाम सर्वज्ञौ मुनिसत्तमौ

iti cintākulo rājā guruṁ sasmāra khinnadhīḥ yājopayājakau nāma sarvajñau munisattamau

Thus troubled with thought, the distressed king remembered his guru — the two omniscient great sages named Yaja and Upayaja.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.169.16)

आजग्मतुर्मुनीद्रौ तौ राज्ञाहूतौ महामती । तौ दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय राजा पांचालवल्लभः

ājagmaturmunīdrau tau rājñāhūtau mahāmatī tau dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya rājā pāṁcālavallabhaḥ

Those two great, wise sages, summoned by the king, arrived. Seeing them, the lord of Panchala rose up at once,

Verse 17 (skanda.2.169.17)

ननाम शिरसा भक्त्या प्रवासेनाऽतिपीडितः । राजचिह्नविहीनश्च केनाप्यज्ञातपद्धतिः

nanāma śirasā bhaktyā pravāsenā’tipīḍitaḥ rājacihnavihīnaśca kenāpyajñātapaddhatiḥ

and, greatly afflicted by his exile, bereft of royal insignia, his whereabouts unknown to anyone, he bowed his head to them with devotion.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.169.18)

तूष्णीं तस्थौ मुहूर्तं हि पतित्वा भुवि पादयोः । दोर्भ्यामुत्थापितस्ताभ्यां परिमृष्टाऽश्रुलोचनः

tūṣṇīṁ tasthau muhūrtaṁ hi patitvā bhuvi pādayoḥ dorbhyāmutthāpitastābhyāṁ parimṛṣṭā’śrulocanaḥ

Falling at their feet upon the ground, he remained silent a moment; raised up by their own arms, his tear-filled eyes were wiped clean.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.169.19)

विधिवत्पूजयामास वन्यैरेवाऽर्हणैः शुभैः । सूपविष्टौ तु तौ विप्रौ पप्रच्छाऽऽनतकन्धरः

vidhivatpūjayāmāsa vanyairevā’rhaṇaiḥ śubhaiḥ sūpaviṣṭau tu tau viprau papracchā’’natakandharaḥ

He duly honored them with such fitting, auspicious offerings as the forest provided; and when the two brahmins were seated, he, with bowed head, asked—

Verse 20 (skanda.2.169.20)

ब्राह्मणौ वदतं दुःखकारणं च क्षितीशितुः । कर्मणा जन्मशुद्धस्य पितृदेवप्रियस्य च

brāhmaṇau vadataṁ duḥkhakāraṇaṁ ca kṣitīśituḥ karmaṇā janmaśuddhasya pitṛdevapriyasya ca

'O brahmins, tell the cause of this king's suffering, who is pure of birth by his deeds and dear to his ancestors and to the gods,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.169.21)

पापभीरोः कृपालोश्च गुरुभक्तस्य मे कुतः । दारिद्र्यं कोशहानिश्च रिपुभिश्च पराभवः

pāpabhīroḥ kṛpālośca gurubhaktasya me kutaḥ dāridryaṁ kośahāniśca ripubhiśca parābhavaḥ

who fears sin, is compassionate, and devoted to his guru — whence has come to me this poverty, loss of treasury, and defeat by enemies?

Verse 22 (skanda.2.169.22)

कस्मादरण्यवासश्च कुत एकाकिता मम । न पुत्रो न च मे भ्राता न हिताः सुहृदश्च मे

kasmādaraṇyavāsaśca kuta ekākitā mama na putro na ca me bhrātā na hitāḥ suhṛdaśca me

Why this dwelling in the forest? Whence this solitude — no son, no brother, no well-wishing friend?

Verse 23 (skanda.2.169.23)

दुर्भिक्षं वा कुतश्चासीद्देशे मत्पालितेऽनघे । एतद्विस्तार्य मे ब्रूतं कारणं मुनिपुंगवौ

durbhikṣaṁ vā kutaścāsīddeśe matpālite’naghe etadvistārya me brūtaṁ kāraṇaṁ munipuṁgavau

And why did famine come upon this land, though sinlessly governed by me? Tell me this reason in full, O foremost of sages.'

Verse 24 (skanda.2.169.24)

इत्युक्तौ तौ मुनिश्रेष्ठौ भूतेनात्यन्तदुःखिना । प्रत्यूचतुर्महात्मानौ किंचिद्ध्यानपरायणौ

ityuktau tau muniśreṣṭhau bhūtenātyantaduḥkhinā pratyūcaturmahātmānau kiṁciddhyānaparāyaṇau

Thus questioned by the utterly sorrowful king, those two greatest of sages, having briefly entered meditation, replied—

Verse 25 (skanda.2.169.25)

याजोपयाजकावूचतुः । शृणु भूप प्रवक्ष्यावस्तव दुःखस्य कारणम् । पुरा भूप महापापी व्याधस्त्वं दशजन्मसु

yājopayājakāvūcatuḥ śṛṇu bhūpa pravakṣyāvastava duḥkhasya kāraṇam purā bhūpa mahāpāpī vyādhastvaṁ daśajanmasu

Yaja and Upayaja said: 'Listen, O king, we shall tell you the cause of your suffering. Long ago, O king, for ten births you were a great sinner, a hunter,

Verse 26 (skanda.2.169.26)

निष्ठुरः सर्वलोकानां सदा हिंसापरायणः । धर्मलेशाकरः क्वापि न दमो न च वै शमः

niṣṭhuraḥ sarvalokānāṁ sadā hiṁsāparāyaṇaḥ dharmaleśākaraḥ kvāpi na damo na ca vai śamaḥ

cruel toward all beings, ever intent on violence, without even a trace of dharma anywhere — no self-restraint, no inner calm.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.169.27)

न जिह्वा वक्ति नामानि विष्णोर्वापि कथंचन । चेतः स्मरति गोविन्दचरणांबुरुहद्वयम्

na jihvā vakti nāmāni viṣṇorvāpi kathaṁcana cetaḥ smarati govindacaraṇāṁburuhadvayam

Your tongue never once uttered the names of Vishnu; your mind never once recalled the two lotus feet of Govinda.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.169.28)

न प्रणामः कृतः क्वापि शिरसा परमात्मने । नवजन्मानि ते भूप गतान्येवं दुरात्मनः

na praṇāmaḥ kṛtaḥ kvāpi śirasā paramātmane navajanmāni te bhūpa gatānyevaṁ durātmanaḥ

Never once did you bow your head to the Supreme Soul. Thus, O king, nine such births passed for you, evil-souled as you were.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.169.29)

दशमे जन्मनि प्राप्ते व्याधस्त्वं सह्य भूधरे । निष्ठुरः सर्वलोकानां नराणां त्वं नरांतकः

daśame janmani prāpte vyādhastvaṁ sahya bhūdhare niṣṭhuraḥ sarvalokānāṁ narāṇāṁ tvaṁ narāṁtakaḥ

When the tenth birth came, you were a hunter on the Sahya mountain, cruel to all beings, a slayer of men among men,

Verse 30 (skanda.2.169.30)

दयाहीनः शस्त्रजीवी सदा हिंसापरायणः । निर्गुणः सकलत्रस्त्वं मार्गपीडाकरः शठः

dayāhīnaḥ śastrajīvī sadā hiṁsāparāyaṇaḥ nirguṇaḥ sakalatrastvaṁ mārgapīḍākaraḥ śaṭhaḥ

devoid of compassion, living by the weapon, ever intent on violence, worthless, married, a deceitful tormentor of travelers on the road,

Verse 31 (skanda.2.169.31)

प्रजानां गौडदेश्यानां राक्षसो मानुषाशनः । एवं चाब्दान्यतीतानि नैजं हितमजानतः

prajānāṁ gauḍadeśyānāṁ rākṣaso mānuṣāśanaḥ evaṁ cābdānyatītāni naijaṁ hitamajānataḥ

a very demon devouring men among the people of the Gauda country. Thus, ignorant of your own true good, your years passed away.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.169.32)

बालापत्यमृगाणां च पक्षिणां च वधात्तव। दयाहीनस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्जन्मन्यस्मिन्नपुत्रता

bālāpatyamṛgāṇāṁ ca pakṣiṇāṁ ca vadhāttava dayāhīnasya durbuddherjanmanyasminnaputratā

Because of your killing of the young of deer and of birds, O merciless and ill-minded one, in this birth you have been without a son;

Verse 33 (skanda.2.169.33)

विश्वासघातकत्वेन भ्रातरो नैव सोदराः । मार्गपीडाकरत्वेन सुहृज्जनविवर्जितः

viśvāsaghātakatvena bhrātaro naiva sodarāḥ mārgapīḍākaratvena suhṛjjanavivarjitaḥ

because of your betrayal of trust, you have no brothers born of the same womb; because of your tormenting of travelers, you are bereft of well-wishing friends;

Verse 34 (skanda.2.169.34)

साधूनां च तिरस्काराच्छत्रुभिस्ते पराजयः । कदाप्यदत्तदोषेण दारिद्यं पतितं गृहे

sādhūnāṁ ca tiraskārācchatrubhiste parājayaḥ kadāpyadattadoṣeṇa dāridyaṁ patitaṁ gṛhe

because of your scorn for the virtuous, your defeat at the hands of enemies has come; because you never once gave in charity, poverty has fallen upon your house;

Verse 35 (skanda.2.169.35)

सदैवोद्वेगकारित्वात्प्रवासस्ते दुरासदः । सर्वेषामप्रियत्वाच्च दुःखमत्यंतदुःसहम्

sadaivodvegakāritvātpravāsaste durāsadaḥ sarveṣāmapriyatvācca duḥkhamatyaṁtaduḥsaham

because you were ever a cause of terror, this hard-to-bear exile has come upon you; because you were disliked by all, this unbearable suffering has come;

Verse 36 (skanda.2.169.36)

निराहारोप्यतः पूर्वं सदा क्रूरेण कर्मणा । तस्माद्राज्यापहारस्ते जन्मन्यस्मिन्महामते

nirāhāropyataḥ pūrvaṁ sadā krūreṇa karmaṇā tasmādrājyāpahāraste janmanyasminmahāmate

and because, through your cruel deeds, you were ever one who kept others from food — for that, O great-minded one, your kingdom has been seized in this birth.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.169.37)

अथ ते सत्कुलीनत्वे हेतूंश्चापि ब्रवीम्यहम् । यदाऽभूर्गौडदेशीयो ह्यंतिमे व्याधजन्मनि

atha te satkulīnatve hetūṁścāpi bravīmyaham yadā’bhūrgauḍadeśīyo hyaṁtime vyādhajanmani

Now I shall also tell you the reasons for your noble birth. When, in your final birth as a hunter, you were of the Gauda country,

Verse 38 (skanda.2.169.38)

स्वकर्मनिरते क्रूरे विपिने कण्टकाविले । तिष्ठत्येवं दयाहीने सर्वभूतांतके पथि

svakarmanirate krūre vipine kaṇṭakāvile tiṣṭhatyevaṁ dayāhīne sarvabhūtāṁtake pathi

intent on your own cruel work, in that thorny forest, devoid of compassion, a slayer of all beings, standing there upon the road—

Verse 39 (skanda.2.169.39)

वैश्यावाजग्मतुर्दिव्यौ धनाढ्यौ घर्मपीडितौ । मुनिश्च कर्षणोनाम वेदवेदांगपारगः

vaiśyāvājagmaturdivyau dhanāḍhyau gharmapīḍitau muniśca karṣaṇonāma vedavedāṁgapāragaḥ

there came two wealthy, splendid merchants oppressed by the heat, and also a sage named Karshana, learned in the Vedas and Vedangas, wearing matted hair and bark-cloth, holy, carrying a water-pot.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.169.40)

जटाचीरधरः पुण्यः कमण्डलुपरिग्रहः । तान्दृष्ट्वा धनुरादाय मार्गं रुद्ध्वा व्यवस्थितः

jaṭācīradharaḥ puṇyaḥ kamaṇḍaluparigrahaḥ tāndṛṣṭvā dhanurādāya mārgaṁ ruddhvā vyavasthitaḥ

Seeing them, you took up your bow and blocked the road,

Verse 41 (skanda.2.169.41)

अनुद्रुत्य शरी वैश्यौ कृत्वा छिन्नशरीरकौ । तयोरेकं च त्वं हत्वा गृहीत्वाऽखिल तत्पणम्

anudrutya śarī vaiśyau kṛtvā chinnaśarīrakau tayorekaṁ ca tvaṁ hatvā gṛhītvā’khila tatpaṇam

pursued the two merchants with arrows and wounded their bodies, killed one of them, and seized all his money.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.169.42)

अपरं हन्तुमुद्युक्ते स दुद्राव भयाद्द्रुतम् । पणं गुल्मे विनिक्षिप्य भीतः प्राणपरीप्सकः

aparaṁ hantumudyukte sa dudrāva bhayāddrutam paṇaṁ gulme vinikṣipya bhītaḥ prāṇaparīpsakaḥ

As you set about to kill the other, he fled swiftly in fear, and terrified, desiring only to save his life, threw his money into a thicket.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.169.43)

कर्षणोऽपि मुनिः शीघ्रं व्याधान्मृतिविशंकया । आतपे धावमानः संस्तृषाघर्मप्रपीडितः

karṣaṇo’pi muniḥ śīghraṁ vyādhānmṛtiviśaṁkayā ātape dhāvamānaḥ saṁstṛṣāgharmaprapīḍitaḥ

The sage Karshana too, in fear of death from the hunter, fled swiftly, running in the scorching sun, tormented by thirst and heat,

Verse 44 (skanda.2.169.44)

मूर्च्छामाप गलत्स्वेदः संज्ञामात्रावशेषितः । विहायैनं दुद्रुवे च वैश्यो जीवनतत्परः

mūrcchāmāpa galatsvedaḥ saṁjñāmātrāvaśeṣitaḥ vihāyainaṁ dudruve ca vaiśyo jīvanatatparaḥ

and, dripping with sweat, fell into a swoon, only a trace of consciousness left; and the merchant, intent only on saving his life, abandoned him and fled.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.169.45)

त्वं तावनुद्रुतौ दृष्ट्वा मूर्छितं पथि भूसुरम् । पणं कुत्र विनिक्षिप्तं कियद्दूरं गतो वणिक्

tvaṁ tāvanudrutau dṛṣṭvā mūrchitaṁ pathi bhūsuram paṇaṁ kutra vinikṣiptaṁ kiyaddūraṁ gato vaṇik

You, having pursued the two, saw the brahmin lying fainted on the road, and asked: 'Where was the money thrown? How far has the merchant gone?'

Verse 46 (skanda.2.169.46)

इति पृष्टं द्विजं श्रांतमुज्जीवयितुमुद्यतः । फूत्कृत्वा कर्णयोस्तस्य नागरं स्मृतिकारणम्

iti pṛṣṭaṁ dvijaṁ śrāṁtamujjīvayitumudyataḥ phūtkṛtvā karṇayostasya nāgaraṁ smṛtikāraṇam

Thus questioning the exhausted brahmin, you then set about reviving him — blowing into his ears, applying a restorative to bring back his memory,

Verse 47 (skanda.2.169.47)

पल्वलस्थोदकेनैव कृमिकर्दमसंयुजा । नेत्रे संमृज्य श्रांतस्य पर्णैः संवीज्य तन्मुखे

palvalasthodakenaiva kṛmikardamasaṁyujā netre saṁmṛjya śrāṁtasya parṇaiḥ saṁvījya tanmukhe

and with the very water of a pond, mixed with worms and mud, wiped clean the exhausted man's eyes, and fanned his face with leaves.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.169.48)

ससंज्ञं च मुनिं कृत्वा त्वमात्थ स्वस्थमानसः । मा शंका ते मुने कार्या मत्तः शस्त्रभृतो वने

sasaṁjñaṁ ca muniṁ kṛtvā tvamāttha svasthamānasaḥ mā śaṁkā te mune kāryā mattaḥ śastrabhṛto vane

Having restored the sage to consciousness, you said, your mind now composed: 'You need have no fear of me, O sage, weapon-bearer though I am here in the forest.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.169.49)

निष्किंचनः सुखी लोके कुतस्ते भयमुल्बणम् । भिन्नपात्रेण जीर्णेन न मे किंचिद्भविष्यति

niṣkiṁcanaḥ sukhī loke kutaste bhayamulbaṇam bhinnapātreṇa jīrṇena na me kiṁcidbhaviṣyati

A man of nothing is happy in this world — why this excessive fear of yours? From a broken, worn-out vessel, I can gain nothing at all.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.169.50)

एतावद्वद मे विद्वन्वणिक्कुत्र पलायितः । कुत्र गुल्मे धनं क्षिप्तं तेन शीघ्रं पलायता

etāvadvada me vidvanvaṇikkutra palāyitaḥ kutra gulme dhanaṁ kṣiptaṁ tena śīghraṁ palāyatā

Only tell me this, O wise one: where has the merchant fled? In which thicket did he throw his money, as he fled in haste?

Verse 51 (skanda.2.169.51)

अन्यथा त्वां हनिष्यामि यदि मिथ्या वदिष्यसि । कर्षण उवाच । धनं गुल्मे विनिक्षिप्तं मार्गादस्मात्पलायितः

anyathā tvāṁ haniṣyāmi yadi mithyā vadiṣyasi karṣaṇa uvāca dhanaṁ gulme vinikṣiptaṁ mārgādasmātpalāyitaḥ

Otherwise, if you speak falsely, I shall kill you.' Karshana said: 'The money was thrown into a thicket; he has fled from this road—

Verse 52 (skanda.2.169.52)

इति प्राह भयात्सोपि पृष्टः प्राणपरीप्सया। गच्छ विप्र सुखं मार्गं मत्तो भीतिं विहाय व

iti prāha bhayātsopi pṛṣṭaḥ prāṇaparīpsayā gaccha vipra sukhaṁ mārgaṁ matto bhītiṁ vihāya va

— thus he spoke out of fear, questioned as he was, desiring to save his life. The hunter said: 'Go on your way in peace, brahmin, casting off your fear of me.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.169.53)

इतो विदूरे सलिलं तडागे वर्तते शुभम् । तत्पीत्वा सलिलं पुण्यं गच्छ ग्रामं गतश्रमः

ito vidūre salilaṁ taḍāge vartate śubham tatpītvā salilaṁ puṇyaṁ gaccha grāmaṁ gataśramaḥ

'Not far from here there is good water in a pond; having drunk that pure water, go on to the village, your fatigue gone.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.169.54)

अधुनैवागमिष्यंति राजकीयाः पथा जनाः । मत्पदान्वेषणे सक्ताः श्रुत्वा रावं वणिक्पतेः

adhunaivāgamiṣyaṁti rājakīyāḥ pathā janāḥ matpadānveṣaṇe saktāḥ śrutvā rāvaṁ vaṇikpateḥ

Even now the king's men will come along this road, having heard the merchant-lord's outcry, intent on tracking me down.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.169.55)

तृषार्तमनुगंतुं मे न शक्यं त्वां ततो द्विज । वीजयानेन पर्णेन घर्मः किंचिद्गमिष्यति

tṛṣārtamanugaṁtuṁ me na śakyaṁ tvāṁ tato dvija vījayānena parṇena gharmaḥ kiṁcidgamiṣyati

Thirsty as I am, O brahmin, I cannot go with you; but fanning yourself with this leaf, your heat will somewhat abate.'

Verse 56 (skanda.2.169.56)

तस्मै दत्त्वा पलाशं च त्वमागा विपिनं पुनः । तेन पुण्यप्रभावेन वैशाखे घर्मघर्घरे

tasmai dattvā palāśaṁ ca tvamāgā vipinaṁ punaḥ tena puṇyaprabhāvena vaiśākhe gharmagharghare

Having given him a palasha leaf, you went back into the forest. By the power of that merit, gained amid the roaring heat of Vaishakha—

Verse 57 (skanda.2.169.57)

स्वकार्यार्थं कृतेनापि मुनेस्त्राणाय पद्धतौ । जन्मासीत्ते महापुण्ये राजवंशेऽतिविस्तृते

svakāryārthaṁ kṛtenāpi munestrāṇāya paddhatau janmāsītte mahāpuṇye rājavaṁśe’tivistṛte

— though done for your own purpose, that act served the sage's protection — by this, O great-minded one, you obtained birth in this vast and most meritorious royal lineage.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.169.58)

यदीच्छसि सुखं राज्यं धनधान्यादिसंपदः । स्वर्गापवर्गौ यदि वा सायुज्यं वा हरेः पदम्

yadīcchasi sukhaṁ rājyaṁ dhanadhānyādisaṁpadaḥ svargāpavargau yadi vā sāyujyaṁ vā hareḥ padam

If you desire a happy kingdom, wealth, grain and other riches, or heaven and liberation, or union with, or the very abode of, Hari—

Verse 59 (skanda.2.169.59)

कुरु वैशाखधर्मांस्त्वं सर्वसौख्यमवाप्स्यसि । मासोऽयं माधवो नाम तृतीया चाक्षयाह्वया

kuru vaiśākhadharmāṁstvaṁ sarvasaukhyamavāpsyasi māso’yaṁ mādhavo nāma tṛtīyā cākṣayāhvayā

then perform the vows of Vaishakha, and every happiness shall be yours. This month is called Madhava; its third tithi is known as Akshaya, the imperishable.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.169.60)

गां च सकृत्प्रसूताख्यां देहि विप्राय सीदते । तेन ते कोशपूर्तिः स्याच्छय्यां देहि सुखं भवेत्

gāṁ ca sakṛtprasūtākhyāṁ dehi viprāya sīdate tena te kośapūrtiḥ syācchayyāṁ dehi sukhaṁ bhavet

Give a newly-calved cow to a suffering brahmin; by that your treasury shall be filled. Give a bed, and happiness shall come.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.169.61)

कुरु च्छत्रप्रदानं च साम्राज्यं ते भविष्यति । स्नानं कुरु यथान्यायं तथैवार्चय माधवम्

kuru cchatrapradānaṁ ca sāmrājyaṁ te bhaviṣyati snānaṁ kuru yathānyāyaṁ tathaivārcaya mādhavam

Give the gift of an umbrella, and sovereignty shall be yours. Bathe according to rule, and likewise worship Madhava.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.169.62)

देहि त्वं प्रतिमां दिव्यां कृत्वा तेन जयो भवेत् । आत्मतुल्यगुणान्पुत्रान्यदि कामयसे नृप

dehi tvaṁ pratimāṁ divyāṁ kṛtvā tena jayo bhavet ātmatulyaguṇānputrānyadi kāmayase nṛpa

Give a divine image, having had it made, and by that victory shall be yours. If you desire sons equal to yourself in virtue, O king,

Verse 63 (skanda.2.169.63)

सर्वभूतहितार्थाय प्रपादानं च त्वं कुरु । वैशाखोक्तानिमान्धर्मान्सम्यगाचर भूमिप

sarvabhūtahitārthāya prapādānaṁ ca tvaṁ kuru vaiśākhoktānimāndharmānsamyagācara bhūmipa

then, for the welfare of all beings, establish a water-shed. Properly observe these Vaishakha vows, O lord of the earth.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.169.64)

तेन ते सकला लोका वशं यांति न संशयः । निष्कामकेन चित्तेन यदि धर्मान्करिष्यसि

tena te sakalā lokā vaśaṁ yāṁti na saṁśayaḥ niṣkāmakena cittena yadi dharmānkariṣyasi

By this, all the world shall come under your sway, without doubt — if you perform these vows with a mind free of desire.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.169.65)

वैशाखे पुण्यमासेऽस्मिन्प्रीतये मधुघातिनः । प्रत्यक्षो भविता विष्णुस्तवनिर्मलचेतसः

vaiśākhe puṇyamāse’sminprītaye madhughātinaḥ pratyakṣo bhavitā viṣṇustavanirmalacetasaḥ

In this sacred month of Vaishakha, for the pleasure of the slayer of Madhu, Vishnu himself shall become manifest before you, your mind now purified.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.169.66)

येन चाचरिताः पुंसा धर्माह्येते शुभावहाः । तेषां च ह्यक्षया लोकाः पुराणे कवयो विदुः

yena cācaritāḥ puṁsā dharmāhyete śubhāvahāḥ teṣāṁ ca hyakṣayā lokāḥ purāṇe kavayo viduḥ

By the man who has practiced these auspicious vows, imperishable worlds are attained — thus the sage-poets have declared in the Purana.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.169.67)

एतत्सर्वं तव प्रोक्तं यथादृष्टं यथाश्रुतम् । इति राजानमामंत्र्य ब्राह्मणौ च पुरोधसौ

etatsarvaṁ tava proktaṁ yathādṛṣṭaṁ yathāśrutam iti rājānamāmaṁtrya brāhmaṇau ca purodhasau

All this has been told to you exactly as seen and as heard.' Having thus taken leave of the king, the two brahmin chaplains,

Verse 68 (skanda.2.169.68)

याजोपयाजकौनाम जग्मतुस्तौ यथागतौ । ततो राजा महावीर्यः पुरोधोभ्यां च बोधितः

yājopayājakaunāma jagmatustau yathāgatau tato rājā mahāvīryaḥ purodhobhyāṁ ca bodhitaḥ

named Yaja and Upayaja, departed the way they had come. Then the king, of great valor, enlightened by his two chaplains,

Verse 69 (skanda.2.169.69)

वैशाखधर्मात्सकलांश्चकार श्रद्धयाऽन्वितः । यथोपदिष्टं च तथा मधुसूदनमर्चयत्

vaiśākhadharmātsakalāṁścakāra śraddhayā’nvitaḥ yathopadiṣṭaṁ ca tathā madhusūdanamarcayat

performed all the Vaishakha vows with faith, and worshipped Madhusudana exactly as instructed.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.169.70)

ततो लब्धप्रभावः सन्बंधुभिः सकलैर्वृतः । पांचालनगरीं प्राप हतशेषबलान्वितः

tato labdhaprabhāvaḥ sanbaṁdhubhiḥ sakalairvṛtaḥ pāṁcālanagarīṁ prāpa hataśeṣabalānvitaḥ

Then, having regained his power, surrounded by all his kinsmen, with his remaining forces, he reached the city of Panchala.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.169.71)

ततस्तु शत्रवो भूपा उपश्रुत्य च भूपतेः । प्रवेशं च पुरस्याऽथ पुनराजग्मुरुद्धताः

tatastu śatravo bhūpā upaśrutya ca bhūpateḥ praveśaṁ ca purasyā’tha punarājagmuruddhatāḥ

Then the enemy kings, hearing of the king's entry into the city, again came in their arrogance to attack.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.169.72)

तदा पांचालभूपेन नृपाणामभवद्रणम्। जिग्ये सर्वान्महाबाहूनेक एव महारथः

tadā pāṁcālabhūpena nṛpāṇāmabhavadraṇam jigye sarvānmahābāhūneka eva mahārathaḥ

Then a battle took place between the king of Panchala and those kings. That mighty warrior alone conquered all those great-armed rivals.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.169.73)

पलायितेषु भूपेषु नानादेशपथिष्वपि । राज्ञां कोशगजानश्वान्स्वयं जग्राह वीर्यवान्

palāyiteṣu bhūpeṣu nānādeśapathiṣvapi rājñāṁ kośagajānaśvānsvayaṁ jagrāha vīryavān

As the kings fled along roads to various lands, that valiant king himself seized their treasuries, elephants, and horses.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.169.74)

अश्वानां निर्बुदं चैव गजानां च त्रिकोटिकम् । रथानामर्बुदं चैव दीर्घग्रीवायुतं तथा

aśvānāṁ nirbudaṁ caiva gajānāṁ ca trikoṭikam rathānāmarbudaṁ caiva dīrghagrīvāyutaṁ tathā

Ten billion horses, thirty million elephants, a hundred million chariots, and ten thousand long-necked camels,

Verse 75 (skanda.2.169.75)

रासभाणां त्रिलक्षाणि प्रापयामास तां पुरीम् । वैशाखधर्ममाहात्म्यात्क्षणात्सर्वे च भूभृतः

rāsabhāṇāṁ trilakṣāṇi prāpayāmāsa tāṁ purīm vaiśākhadharmamāhātmyātkṣaṇātsarve ca bhūbhṛtaḥ

and three hundred thousand donkeys, he had all brought to that city. By the greatness of the Vaishakha dharma, in an instant, all those kings—

Verse 76 (skanda.2.169.76)

करदा भग्नसंकल्पाः पादाक्रांता बभूविरे । सुभिक्षमतुलं चासीत्पांचालविषयेषु च

karadā bhagnasaṁkalpāḥ pādākrāṁtā babhūvire subhikṣamatulaṁ cāsītpāṁcālaviṣayeṣu ca

became tribute-payers, their resolve broken, and bowed at his feet. Unparalleled abundance came to the land of Panchala.

Verse 77 (skanda.2.169.77)

एकच्छत्रमभूद्राज्यं प्रसादान्मधुघातिनः । पुत्राः पंचाऽपि तस्यासञ्च्छौर्य्यौदार्यगुणान्विताः

ekacchatramabhūdrājyaṁ prasādānmadhughātinaḥ putrāḥ paṁcā’pi tasyāsañcchauryyaudāryaguṇānvitāḥ

By the grace of the slayer of Madhu, his kingdom became a single sovereign realm; and his five sons too became endowed with the virtues of valor and generosity—

Verse 78 (skanda.2.169.78)

धृष्टकीर्तिर्धृष्टकेतुर्धृष्टद्युम्नस्तथाऽपरे । विजयश्चित्रकेतुश्च मयूरध्वजसन्निभाः

dhṛṣṭakīrtirdhṛṣṭaketurdhṛṣṭadyumnastathā’pare vijayaścitraketuśca mayūradhvajasannibhāḥ

Dhrishtakirti, Dhrishtaketu, Dhrishtadyumna, and also Vijaya and Chitraketu — resplendent like Mayuradhvaja.

Verse 79 (skanda.2.169.79)

अनुरक्ताः प्रजाश्चासन्धर्मेण प्रतिपालिताः । वैशाखस्य प्रतापेन प्रत्ययस्तत्क्षणादभूत्

anuraktāḥ prajāścāsandharmeṇa pratipālitāḥ vaiśākhasya pratāpena pratyayastatkṣaṇādabhūt

His subjects, devoted to him, were protected according to dharma. By the power of Vaishakha, this became evident that very instant.

Verse 80 (skanda.2.169.80)

पुनश्चकार तान्धर्मान्पांचालनगरीश्वरः । अकामुकेन चित्तेन प्रीतये मधुघातिनः

punaścakāra tāndharmānpāṁcālanagarīśvaraḥ akāmukena cittena prītaye madhughātinaḥ

The lord of the city of Panchala again performed those vows, with a mind free of desire, for the pleasure of the slayer of Madhu.

Verse 81 (skanda.2.169.81)

धर्मेणानेन संतुष्टो भगवान्मधुसूदनः । अक्षयायां तृतीयायां प्रत्यक्षः समजायत

dharmeṇānena saṁtuṣṭo bhagavānmadhusūdanaḥ akṣayāyāṁ tṛtīyāyāṁ pratyakṣaḥ samajāyata

Pleased by this observance, the Lord Madhusudana became manifest in person on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.

Verse 82 (skanda.2.169.82)

तं दृष्ट्वा विस्मितो भूत्वा परमात्मानमच्युतम् । नारायणं चतुर्बाहुं शंखचकगदाधरम्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā vismito bhūtvā paramātmānamacyutam nārāyaṇaṁ caturbāhuṁ śaṁkhacakagadādharam

Seeing him — astonished — the imperishable Narayana, four-armed, bearing conch, discus, and mace,

Verse 83 (skanda.2.169.83)

पीतांबरधरं देवं वनमालाविभूषितम् । सलक्ष्मीकं सानुगं च गरुडोपरि संस्थितम्

pītāṁbaradharaṁ devaṁ vanamālāvibhūṣitam salakṣmīkaṁ sānugaṁ ca garuḍopari saṁsthitam

the god clad in yellow garments, adorned with a forest garland, accompanied by Lakshmi and his attendants, seated upon Garuda—

Verse 84 (skanda.2.169.84)

निरीक्ष्य दुःसहं तेजः सद्यो मीलितलोचनः । उत्पतन्संपतन्हर्षान्मत्तोन्मत्त इव भ्रमन्

nirīkṣya duḥsahaṁ tejaḥ sadyo mīlitalocanaḥ utpatansaṁpatanharṣānmattonmatta iva bhraman

beholding that unbearable radiance, he at once closed his eyes; leaping up and falling in joy, he wandered about as if drunk or mad,

Verse 85 (skanda.2.169.85)

पुलकांकितसर्वांगो गलद्वाष्पाकुलेक्षणः । तुष्टाव परया भक्त्या प्रांजलिः प्रणतो भुवि

pulakāṁkitasarvāṁgo galadvāṣpākulekṣaṇaḥ tuṣṭāva parayā bhaktyā prāṁjaliḥ praṇato bhuvi

his whole body thrilled with horripilation, his eyes clouded with streaming tears; with palms folded and prostrate on the ground, he praised the Lord with supreme devotion.