Vishvamitra Renounces His Kingdom

Verse 1 (skanda.6.167.1)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ ॥ गाधेस्तु याऽथ पत्नी च प्राशनाच्चरुकस्य वै ॥ सापि गर्भं दधे तत्र वासरे मन्त्रतः शुभा

sūta uvāca gādhestu yā'tha patnī ca prāśanāccarukasya vai sāpi garbhaṁ dadhe tatra vāsare mantrataḥ śubhā

Suta said: And Gadhi's wife too, by partaking of that cake, conceived that very day, made auspicious through the power of the mantra.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.167.2)

सा च गर्भसमोपेता यदा जाता द्विजोत्तमाः ॥ तीर्थयात्रापरा साध्वी जाता व्रतपरायणा

sā ca garbhasamopetā yadā jātā dvijottamāḥ tīrthayātrāparā sādhvī jātā vrataparāyaṇā

O best of brahmins, when she had conceived, that virtuous woman became devoted to pilgrimage and given wholly to vows.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.167.3)

वेदध्वनिर्भवेद्यत्र तत्र हर्षसमन्विता ॥ पुलकांचितसर्वांगी सा शुश्राव च सर्वदा ॥ त्यक्त्वा राज्योचितान्सर्वानलंकारान्सुखानि च

vedadhvanirbhavedyatra tatra harṣasamanvitā pulakāṁcitasarvāṁgī sā śuśrāva ca sarvadā tyaktvā rājyocitānsarvānalaṁkārānsukhāni ca

Wherever the sound of the Veda arose, there, filled with joy, her whole body thrilling, she would always listen — having renounced all the ornaments and comforts befitting royalty.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.167.4)

अथ सापि द्विजश्रेष्ठा दशमे मासि संस्थिते ॥ सुषुवे सुप्रभं पुत्रं ब्राह्म्या लक्ष्म्या समावृतम्

atha sāpi dvijaśreṣṭhā daśame māsi saṁsthite suṣuve suprabhaṁ putraṁ brāhmyā lakṣmyā samāvṛtam

Then she too, O best of brahmins, when the tenth month had come, gave birth to a radiant son endowed with brahminical splendour.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.167.5)

विश्वामित्रस्तथा ख्यातस्त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे ॥ ववृधे स महाभागो नित्यमेवाधिकं नृणाम्

viśvāmitrastathā khyātastrailokye sacarācare vavṛdhe sa mahābhāgo nityamevādhikaṁ nṛṇām

He became renowned throughout the three worlds, moving and unmoving alike, as Vishvamitra; and that most fortunate one grew ever greater among men with each passing day.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.167.6)

शुक्लपक्षं समासाद्य तारापतिरिवांबरे ॥ यदासौ यौवनोपेतः संजातो द्विजसत्तमाः

śuklapakṣaṁ samāsādya tārāpatirivāṁbare yadāsau yauvanopetaḥ saṁjāto dvijasattamāḥ

O best of brahmins, like the moon waxing through the bright fortnight in the sky, when he had come into the fullness of youth,

Verse 7 (skanda.6.167.7)

राज्यक्षमस्तदा राज्ये गाधिना स नियोजितः ॥ अनिच्छमानः स्वं राज्यं पितृपैतामहं महत्

rājyakṣamastadā rājye gādhinā sa niyojitaḥ anicchamānaḥ svaṁ rājyaṁ pitṛpaitāmahaṁ mahat

then, being fit for kingship, he was installed on the throne by Gadhi — though he himself had no wish for that great ancestral kingdom.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.167.8)

वेदाध्ययनसंपन्नो नित्यं च पठते हि सः ॥ ब्राह्मणोचितमार्गेण गच्छमानो दिवानिशम्

vedādhyayanasaṁpanno nityaṁ ca paṭhate hi saḥ brāhmaṇocitamārgeṇa gacchamāno divāniśam

Accomplished in the study of the Veda, he studied continually, following day and night the path proper to a brahmin.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.167.9)

संस्थाप्याथ सुतं राज्ये बभूव वनगोचरः ॥ सकलत्रो महाभागो वानप्रस्थाश्रमे रतः

saṁsthāpyātha sutaṁ rājye babhūva vanagocaraḥ sakalatro mahābhāgo vānaprasthāśrame rataḥ

Thus, having established his son upon the throne, that most fortunate one, together with his wife, took to dwelling in the forest, devoted to the Vanaprastha stage of life.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.167.10)

विश्वामित्रोऽपि राज्यस्थो द्विजसंपूजने रतः ॥ द्विजैः सर्वैश्चचाराथ स्नानजाप्यपरायणः

viśvāmitro'pi rājyastho dvijasaṁpūjane rataḥ dvijaiḥ sarvaiścacārātha snānajāpyaparāyaṇaḥ

Vishvamitra too, established upon the throne, devoted to honouring brahmins, moved about together with all the brahmins, given to bathing and japa.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.167.11)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य पापर्द्धिं समुपागतः ॥ प्रविवेश वनं रौद्रं नानामृगसमाकुलम्

kasyacittvatha kālasya pāparddhiṁ samupāgataḥ praviveśa vanaṁ raudraṁ nānāmṛgasamākulam

But after some time, overtaken by a surfeit of ill fortune, he entered a dreadful forest, teeming with creatures of every kind.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.167.12)

जघान स वने तत्र वराहान्संबरान्गजान् ॥ तरक्षांश्च रुरून्खड्गानारण्यान्महिषांस्तथा

jaghāna sa vane tatra varāhānsaṁbarāngajān tarakṣāṁśca rurūnkhaḍgānāraṇyānmahiṣāṁstathā

There in that forest he slew boars, sambar deer, elephants, hyenas, antelope, rhinoceroses, and wild buffaloes.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.167.13)

सिंहान्व्याघ्रान्महासर्पाञ्छरभांश्च द्विजोत्तमाः ॥ मृगयासक्तचित्तः स भ्रममाणो महावने

siṁhānvyāghrānmahāsarpāñcharabhāṁśca dvijottamāḥ mṛgayāsaktacittaḥ sa bhramamāṇo mahāvane

— lions, tigers, great serpents, and sharabhas, O best of brahmins, his mind absorbed in the hunt as he roamed through that great forest.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.167.14)

मध्याह्नसमये प्राप्ते वृषस्थे च दिवाकरे ॥ क्षुत्पिपासापरिश्रांतो विश्वामित्रो द्विजोत्तमाः

madhyāhnasamaye prāpte vṛṣasthe ca divākare kṣutpipāsāpariśrāṁto viśvāmitro dvijottamāḥ

When midday arrived and the sun stood in Taurus, Vishvamitra, O best of brahmins, wearied with hunger and thirst,

Verse 15 (skanda.6.167.15)

आससादाश्रमं पुण्यं वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः ॥ वसिष्ठोऽपि समालोक्य विश्वामित्रं नृपोत्तमम्

āsasādāśramaṁ puṇyaṁ vasiṣṭhasya mahātmanaḥ vasiṣṭho'pi samālokya viśvāmitraṁ nṛpottamam

arrived at the sacred hermitage of the great-souled Vasishtha; and Vasishtha too, seeing Vishvamitra, that foremost of kings,

Verse 16 (skanda.6.167.16)

निजाश्रमे तु संप्राप्तं सानन्दं सम्मुखो ययौ ॥ दत्त्वा तस्मै तदार्घ्यं च मधुपर्कं च भूभुजे

nijāśrame tu saṁprāptaṁ sānandaṁ sammukho yayau dattvā tasmai tadārghyaṁ ca madhuparkaṁ ca bhūbhuje

come to his own hermitage, went out joyfully to meet him, and offered that king the arghya and the madhuparka.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.167.17)

अब्रवीच्च ततो वाक्यं स्वागतं ते महीपते ॥ वद कृत्यं करोम्येव गृहायातस्य यच्च ते

abravīcca tato vākyaṁ svāgataṁ te mahīpate vada kṛtyaṁ karomyeva gṛhāyātasya yacca te

And he then spoke: 'Welcome, O king; tell me what I may do for you, now that you have come to my dwelling.'

Verse 18 (skanda.6.167.18)

॥ विश्वामित्र उवाच ॥ ॥ मृगयायां परिश्रांतः पिपासाव्याकुलेन्द्रियः ॥ पानार्थमिह संप्राप्त आश्रमे ते मुनीश्वर

viśvāmitra uvāca mṛgayāyāṁ pariśrāṁtaḥ pipāsāvyākulendriyaḥ pānārthamiha saṁprāpta āśrame te munīśvara

Vishvamitra said: Exhausted from the hunt, my senses distressed with thirst, I have come here, O lord of sages, to your hermitage in search of drink.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.167.19)

तत्पीतं शीतलं तोयं वितृष्णोऽहं व्यवस्थितः ॥ अनुज्ञां देहि मे ब्रह्मन्येन गच्छामि मंदिरम्

tatpītaṁ śītalaṁ toyaṁ vitṛṣṇo'haṁ vyavasthitaḥ anujñāṁ dehi me brahmanyena gacchāmi maṁdiram

Having drunk that cool water, I now stand free of thirst; grant me leave, O brahmin, that I may return to my palace.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.167.20)

॥ वसिष्ठ उवाच ॥ ॥ मध्याह्नसमयो रौद्रः सूर्योऽतीव सुतापदः ॥ तत्कृत्वा भोजनं राजन्नपराह्णे व्यवस्थिते ॥ गन्तासि निजमावासं भुक्त्वान्नं मम चाश्रमे

vasiṣṭha uvāca madhyāhnasamayo raudraḥ sūryo'tīva sutāpadaḥ tatkṛtvā bhojanaṁ rājannaparāhṇe vyavasthite gantāsi nijamāvāsaṁ bhuktvānnaṁ mama cāśrame

Vasishtha said: The midday hour is fierce, the sun exceedingly scorching; having taken your meal, O king, you shall depart for your own dwelling only once the afternoon has set in, after eating food here in my hermitage.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.167.21)

॥ राजोवाच ॥ ॥ चतुरंगेण सैन्येन मृगयामहमागतः

rājovāca caturaṁgeṇa sainyena mṛgayāmahamāgataḥ

The king said: I have come on this hunt accompanied by a fourfold army.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.167.22)

तवाश्रमस्य द्वारस्थं मम सैन्यं व्यवस्थितम् ॥ बुभुक्षितेषु भृत्येषु यः स्वामी कुरुतेऽशनम्

tavāśramasya dvārasthaṁ mama sainyaṁ vyavasthitam bubhukṣiteṣu bhṛtyeṣu yaḥ svāmī kurute'śanam

My army stands stationed at the gate of your hermitage; a master who takes his own meal while his servants remain hungry —

Verse 23 (skanda.6.167.23)

स याति नरकं घोरं त्यज्यते च गुणैर्द्रुतम् ॥ तस्मादाज्ञापय क्षिप्रं मां मुने स्वगृहाय भोः

sa yāti narakaṁ ghoraṁ tyajyate ca guṇairdrutam tasmādājñāpaya kṣipraṁ māṁ mune svagṛhāya bhoḥ

— he goes to a terrible hell, and is swiftly stripped of all his virtues; therefore, O sage, give me leave at once to go home.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.167.24)

॥ वसिष्ठ उवाच ॥ ॥ यदि ते सेवकाः संति द्वारदेशे बुभुक्षिताः ॥ सर्वानिहानय क्षिप्रं तृप्तिं नेष्याम्यहं परम्

vasiṣṭha uvāca yadi te sevakāḥ saṁti dvāradeśe bubhukṣitāḥ sarvānihānaya kṣipraṁ tṛptiṁ neṣyāmyahaṁ param

Vasishtha said: If your servants stand hungry at the gate, bring them all here at once; I myself shall bring every one of them to full satisfaction.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.167.25)

अस्ति मे नन्दिनीनाम कामधेनुः सुशोभना ॥ वांछितं यच्छते सर्वं तपसा पार्थिवोत्तम

asti me nandinīnāma kāmadhenuḥ suśobhanā vāṁchitaṁ yacchate sarvaṁ tapasā pārthivottama

I have a beautiful wish-granting cow named Nandini, who, through the power of austerity, gives whatever is desired, O best of kings.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.167.26)

तृप्तिं नेष्यति ते सर्वं सैन्यं पार्थिवसत्तम ॥ तस्मादानीयतां क्षिप्रं पश्य मे धेनुजं फलम्

tṛptiṁ neṣyati te sarvaṁ sainyaṁ pārthivasattama tasmādānīyatāṁ kṣipraṁ paśya me dhenujaṁ phalam

She shall satisfy your entire army, O best of kings; therefore let her be brought at once — behold the fruit born of my cow.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.167.27)

तच्छ्रुत्वा चानयामास सर्वं सैन्यं महीपतिः ॥ स्नातश्च कृतजप्यश्च सन्तर्प्य पितृदेवताः

tacchrutvā cānayāmāsa sarvaṁ sainyaṁ mahīpatiḥ snātaśca kṛtajapyaśca santarpya pitṛdevatāḥ

Hearing this, the king summoned his whole army; and having bathed, performed japa, and offered libations to the ancestral gods,

Verse 28 (skanda.6.167.28)

ब्राह्मणान्वाचयित्वा च सिंहासनसमाश्रितः ॥ एतस्मिन्नंतरे धेनुः समाहूता च नंदिनी

brāhmaṇānvācayitvā ca siṁhāsanasamāśritaḥ etasminnaṁtare dhenuḥ samāhūtā ca naṁdinī

having the brahmins recite their blessings, he took his seat upon the throne; and meanwhile the cow Nandini was summoned.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.167.29)

वसिष्ठेन समाहूता विश्वामित्रपुरःस्थिता ॥ अब्रवीच्च ततो वाक्यं वसिष्ठमृषिसत्तमम्

vasiṣṭhena samāhūtā viśvāmitrapuraḥsthitā abravīcca tato vākyaṁ vasiṣṭhamṛṣisattamam

Summoned by Vasishtha, she stood before Vishvamitra; and then she spoke these words to Vasishtha, best of sages:

Verse 30 (skanda.6.167.30)

आदेशो दीयतां मह्यं किं करोमि प्रशाधि माम्

ādeśo dīyatāṁ mahyaṁ kiṁ karomi praśādhi mām

'Give me your command; what shall I do? Direct me.'

Verse 31 (skanda.6.167.31)

॥ वसिष्ठ उवाच ॥ ॥ पादप्रक्षालनाद्यं तु कुरुष्व वचनान्मम ॥ विश्वामित्रस्य राजर्षेर्यावद्भोजनसंस्थितिम्

vasiṣṭha uvāca pādaprakṣālanādyaṁ tu kuruṣva vacanānmama viśvāmitrasya rājarṣeryāvadbhojanasaṁsthitim

Vasishtha said: By my word, first perform the washing of feet, and provide the arrangements for the meal, for the royal sage Vishvamitra —

Verse 32 (skanda.6.167.32)

खाद्यैः सर्वैस्तथा लेह्यैश्चोष्यैः पेयैः पृथग्विधैः ॥ कुरुष्व तृप्तिपर्यन्तं ससैन्यस्य महीपतेः ॥ अश्वानां च गजानां च घासादिभिर्यथाक्रमम्

khādyaiḥ sarvaistathā lehyaiścoṣyaiḥ peyaiḥ pṛthagvidhaiḥ kuruṣva tṛptiparyantaṁ sasainyasya mahīpateḥ aśvānāṁ ca gajānāṁ ca ghāsādibhiryathākramam

with every kind of food to be eaten, licked, sucked, and drunk, satisfy the king and his entire army to their full content, and provide fodder and the like for his horses and elephants in due order.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.167.33)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ ॥ बाढमित्येव साप्युक्त्वा ततस्तत्ससृजे क्षणात् ॥ यत्प्रोक्तं तेन मुनिना भृत्यानां चायुतं तथा

sūta uvāca bāḍhamityeva sāpyuktvā tatastatsasṛje kṣaṇāt yatproktaṁ tena muninā bhṛtyānāṁ cāyutaṁ tathā

Suta said: Saying 'so be it,' she at that very instant produced everything the sage had declared, together with ten thousand attendants.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.167.34)

ततस्ते सर्वमादाय भृत्या भोज्यं ददुस्तथा ॥ एकैकस्य पृथक्त्वेन प्रतिपत्तिपुरःसरम्

tataste sarvamādāya bhṛtyā bhojyaṁ dadustathā ekaikasya pṛthaktvena pratipattipuraḥsaram

Then those attendants, taking up everything, served the food to each person separately, with proper courtesy.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.167.35)

एवं तया क्षणेनैव तृप्तिं नीतो महीपतिः ॥ ससैन्यः सपरीवारो गजोष्ट्राश्वैर्वृषैः सह

evaṁ tayā kṣaṇenaiva tṛptiṁ nīto mahīpatiḥ sasainyaḥ saparīvāro gajoṣṭrāśvairvṛṣaiḥ saha

Thus, in a single instant, the king was brought to complete satisfaction, together with his army and retinue, and along with his elephants, camels, horses, and bulls.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.167.36)

ततस्तु कौतुकं दृष्ट्वा विश्वामित्रो महीपतिः ॥ सामात्यो विस्मयाविष्टो मन्त्रयामास च द्विजाः

tatastu kautukaṁ dṛṣṭvā viśvāmitro mahīpatiḥ sāmātyo vismayāviṣṭo mantrayāmāsa ca dvijāḥ

Then, O brahmins, King Vishvamitra, beholding this marvel, filled with astonishment along with his ministers, took counsel with them.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.167.37)

अहो चित्रमहो चित्रं ययाऽकस्माद्वरूथिनी ॥ तृप्तिं नीतेयमस्माकं क्षुत्पिपासासमाकुला

aho citramaho citraṁ yayā'kasmādvarūthinī tṛptiṁ nīteyamasmākaṁ kṣutpipāsāsamākulā

'Oh wondrous, oh wondrous! By whom has our entire army, hungry and thirsty, been so suddenly satisfied!'

Verse 38 (skanda.6.167.38)

तस्मात्संनीयतामेषा स्वगृहं धेनुरुत्तमा ॥ किं करिष्यति विप्रोऽयं निर्भृत्यो वनसंस्थितः

tasmātsaṁnīyatāmeṣā svagṛhaṁ dhenuruttamā kiṁ kariṣyati vipro'yaṁ nirbhṛtyo vanasaṁsthitaḥ

'Therefore let this excellent cow be brought back to our own house; what use has this servantless forest-dwelling brahmin for her?'

Verse 39 (skanda.6.167.39)

ततो वसिष्ठमाहूय वाक्यमेतदुवाच सः ॥ नंदिनी दीयतां मह्यं किं करिष्यसि चानया

tato vasiṣṭhamāhūya vākyametaduvāca saḥ naṁdinī dīyatāṁ mahyaṁ kiṁ kariṣyasi cānayā

Then, summoning Vasishtha, he spoke these words: 'Give Nandini to me; what use have you for her?'

Verse 40 (skanda.6.167.40)

त्वमेको वनसंस्थस्तु निर्द्वन्द्वो निष्परिग्रहः ॥ अथवा तव दास्यामि व्ययार्थे मुनिसत्तम ॥ वरान्ग्रामांश्च हस्त्यश्वानन्यांश्चापि यथेप्सितान्

tvameko vanasaṁsthastu nirdvandvo niṣparigrahaḥ athavā tava dāsyāmi vyayārthe munisattama varāngrāmāṁśca hastyaśvānanyāṁścāpi yathepsitān

'You alone dwell in the forest, beyond the pairs of opposites and without possessions; or else, O best of sages, in exchange I shall give you fine villages, elephants and horses, and whatever else you desire.'

Verse 41 (skanda.6.167.41)

॥ वसिष्ठ उवाच ॥ ॥ होमधेनुरियं राजन्नस्माकं कामदोहिनी ॥ अदेया गौर्महाराज सामान्यापि द्विजन्मनाम्

vasiṣṭha uvāca homadhenuriyaṁ rājannasmākaṁ kāmadohinī adeyā gaurmahārāja sāmānyāpi dvijanmanām

Vasishtha said: This is our sacrificial cow, O king, our fulfiller of desires; O great king, even an ordinary cow may not be given away by a brahmin.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.167.42)

किं पुनर्नंदिनी यैषा सर्वकामप्रदायिनी ॥ अपरं शृणु राजेंद्र स्मृतिवाक्यमनुत्तमम्

kiṁ punarnaṁdinī yaiṣā sarvakāmapradāyinī aparaṁ śṛṇu rājeṁdra smṛtivākyamanuttamam

How much more so this Nandini, who grants every desire! Hear further, O lord of kings, this supreme word of the smriti:

Verse 43 (skanda.6.167.43)

गवां हि विक्रयार्थे च यदुक्तं मनुना स्वयम् ॥ गवां विक्रयजं वित्तं यो गृह्णाति द्विजोत्तमः

gavāṁ hi vikrayārthe ca yaduktaṁ manunā svayam gavāṁ vikrayajaṁ vittaṁ yo gṛhṇāti dvijottamaḥ

for concerning the sale of cows, this was declared by Manu himself: that best of brahmins who accepts wealth born from the sale of a cow —

Verse 44 (skanda.6.167.44)

अन्त्यजः स परिज्ञेयो मातृविक्रयकारकः ॥ तस्मान्नाहं प्रदास्यामि नन्दिनीं तां महीपते

antyajaḥ sa parijñeyo mātṛvikrayakārakaḥ tasmānnāhaṁ pradāsyāmi nandinīṁ tāṁ mahīpate

— is to be reckoned an outcaste, one who sells his own mother; therefore, O king, I shall not give away that Nandini.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.167.45)

न साम्ना नैव भेदेन न दानेन कथंचन ॥ न दण्डेन महाराज तस्माद्गच्छ निजालयम्

na sāmnā naiva bhedena na dānena kathaṁcana na daṇḍena mahārāja tasmādgaccha nijālayam

Not by conciliation, not by division, not by any gift, and not even by force, O great king — therefore go to your own home.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.167.46)

॥ विश्वामित्र उवाच ॥ ॥ यत्किंचिद्विद्यते रत्नं पार्थिवस्य क्षितौ द्विज ॥ तत्सर्वं राजकीयं स्यादिति वित्तविदो विदुः

viśvāmitra uvāca yatkiṁcidvidyate ratnaṁ pārthivasya kṣitau dvija tatsarvaṁ rājakīyaṁ syāditi vittavido viduḥ

Vishvamitra said: O brahmin, whatever treasure exists upon this earth belongs to the king; all of it is royal property — so say those learned in matters of wealth.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.167.47)

रत्नभूता ततो धेनुर्ममेयं नंदिनी स्थिता ॥ दण्डेनापि ग्रहीष्यामि साम्ना यच्छसि नो यदि

ratnabhūtā tato dhenurmameyaṁ naṁdinī sthitā daṇḍenāpi grahīṣyāmi sāmnā yacchasi no yadi

Therefore this cow Nandini, being a treasure, belongs to me; and if you do not give her willingly, I shall take her by force.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.167.48)

एवमुक्त्वा वसिष्ठं स विश्वामित्रो महीपतिः ॥ आदिदेश ततो भृत्यान्नंदिनीयं प्रगृह्यताम्

evamuktvā vasiṣṭhaṁ sa viśvāmitro mahīpatiḥ ādideśa tato bhṛtyānnaṁdinīyaṁ pragṛhyatām

Having said this to Vasishtha, King Vishvamitra then commanded his servants: 'Let this Nandini be seized.'

Verse 49 (skanda.6.167.49)

अथ सा भृत्यवर्गेण नीयमाना च नंदिनी ॥ हन्यमाना प्रहारैश्च पाषाणैर्लकुटैरपि

atha sā bhṛtyavargeṇa nīyamānā ca naṁdinī hanyamānā prahāraiśca pāṣāṇairlakuṭairapi

Then Nandini, being led away by that band of servants, being struck with blows, with stones and cudgels as well,

Verse 50 (skanda.6.167.50)

अश्रुपूर्णेक्षणा दीना प्रहारैर्जर्जरीकृता ॥ कृच्छ्रादुपेत्य तं प्राह वसिष्ठं मुनिसत्तमम्

aśrupūrṇekṣaṇā dīnā prahārairjarjarīkṛtā kṛcchrādupetya taṁ prāha vasiṣṭhaṁ munisattamam

her eyes brimming with tears, wretched, and battered by the blows, made her way with difficulty to Vasishtha, best of sages, and spoke to him:

Verse 51 (skanda.6.167.51)

किं दत्तास्मि मुनिश्रेष्ठ त्वयाहं चास्य भूपतेः ॥ येन मां कालयंत्यस्य पुरुषाः स्वामिनो यथा

kiṁ dattāsmi muniśreṣṭha tvayāhaṁ cāsya bhūpateḥ yena māṁ kālayaṁtyasya puruṣāḥ svāmino yathā

'Have I, O best of sages, been given by you to this king, that his men now drive me along as though he were my master?'

Verse 52 (skanda.6.167.52)

॥ वसिष्ठ उवाच ॥ ॥ न त्वां यच्छाम्यहं धेनो प्राणत्यागेऽपि संस्थिते ॥ तद्रक्षस्व स्वयं धेनो आत्मानं मत्प्रभावतः

vasiṣṭha uvāca na tvāṁ yacchāmyahaṁ dheno prāṇatyāge'pi saṁsthite tadrakṣasva svayaṁ dheno ātmānaṁ matprabhāvataḥ

Vasishtha said: I shall not give you up, O cow, even if it costs me my life; therefore, O cow, protect yourself by my own power.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.167.53)

एवमुक्ता तदा धेनुर्वसिष्ठेन महात्मना ॥ कोपाविष्टा ततश्चक्रे हुंकारान्दारुणांस्तथा

evamuktā tadā dhenurvasiṣṭhena mahātmanā kopāviṣṭā tataścakre huṁkārāndāruṇāṁstathā

Thus addressed by the great-souled Vasishtha, that cow, filled with fury, then let out terrible bellowing roars.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.167.54)

तस्या हुंकारशब्दैश्च निष्क्रांताः सायुधा नराः ॥ शबराश्च पुलिंदाश्च म्लेच्छाः संख्याविवर्जिताः

tasyā huṁkāraśabdaiśca niṣkrāṁtāḥ sāyudhā narāḥ śabarāśca puliṁdāśca mlecchāḥ saṁkhyāvivarjitāḥ

From the sound of her roaring there sprang forth armed warriors — Shabaras and Pulindas, barbarian tribes beyond number.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.167.55)

तैश्च भृत्या हताः सर्वे विश्वामित्रस्यभूपतेः ॥ ततः कोपाभिभूतोऽसौ विश्वामित्रो महीपतिः

taiśca bhṛtyā hatāḥ sarve viśvāmitrasyabhūpateḥ tataḥ kopābhibhūto'sau viśvāmitro mahīpatiḥ

By them all the servants of King Vishvamitra were slain; then King Vishvamitra, overcome with rage,

Verse 56 (skanda.6.167.56)

सज्जं कृत्वा स्वसैन्यं तु चतुरंगं प्रकोपतः ॥ युद्धं चक्रे च तैः सार्धं मरणे कृतनिश्चयः

sajjaṁ kṛtvā svasainyaṁ tu caturaṁgaṁ prakopataḥ yuddhaṁ cakre ca taiḥ sārdhaṁ maraṇe kṛtaniścayaḥ

in his fury made ready his own fourfold army, and fought against them, resolved to fight even unto death.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.167.57)

अथ ते सैनिकास्तस्य ते गजास्ते च वाजिनः ॥ पश्यतो निहताः सर्वे पुरुषैर्धेनुसंभवैः

atha te sainikāstasya te gajāste ca vājinaḥ paśyato nihatāḥ sarve puruṣairdhenusaṁbhavaiḥ

Then his soldiers, his elephants, and his horses — all of them, before his very eyes, were slain by the men born of the cow.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.167.58)

विश्वामित्रं परित्यज्य शेषं सर्वं निपातितम् ॥ तं दृष्ट्वा वेष्टितं म्लेच्छैर्युध्यमानं महीपतिम्

viśvāmitraṁ parityajya śeṣaṁ sarvaṁ nipātitam taṁ dṛṣṭvā veṣṭitaṁ mlecchairyudhyamānaṁ mahīpatim

Sparing only Vishvamitra himself, all the rest were struck down; and seeing that king, surrounded by the barbarians, still fighting on,

Verse 59 (skanda.6.167.59)

कृपां कृत्वा वसिष्ठस्तु नन्दिनीमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ रक्ष नंदिनि भूपालं म्लेच्छैरेतैः समावृतम्

kṛpāṁ kṛtvā vasiṣṭhastu nandinīmidamabravīt rakṣa naṁdini bhūpālaṁ mlecchairetaiḥ samāvṛtam

Vasishtha, moved by compassion, said this to Nandini: 'O Nandini, protect the king, surrounded as he is by these barbarians.'

Verse 60 (skanda.6.167.60)

राजा हि यत्नतो रक्ष्यो यत्प्रसादादिदं जगत् ॥ सन्मार्गे वर्तते सर्वं न चामार्गे प्रवर्तते

rājā hi yatnato rakṣyo yatprasādādidaṁ jagat sanmārge vartate sarvaṁ na cāmārge pravartate

'For a king must be carefully protected, since by his grace this whole world walks the righteous path and does not turn to the wrong one.'

Verse 61 (skanda.6.167.61)

ततस्तु नंदिनीं यावन्निषेधयितुमागताम् ॥ विश्वामित्रोऽसिमुद्यम्य प्रहर्तुमुपचक्रमे

tatastu naṁdinīṁ yāvanniṣedhayitumāgatām viśvāmitro'simudyamya prahartumupacakrame

Then, as Nandini came forward to restrain him, Vishvamitra, raising his sword, made ready to strike her down.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.167.62)

वसिष्ठोऽपि समालोक्य वध्यमानां च तां तदा ॥ बाहुं संस्तंभयामास खड्गं तस्य च भूपतेः

vasiṣṭho'pi samālokya vadhyamānāṁ ca tāṁ tadā bāhuṁ saṁstaṁbhayāmāsa khaḍgaṁ tasya ca bhūpateḥ

Vasishtha too, seeing her about to be struck down, then froze that king's arm and his sword motionless.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.167.63)

अथ वैलक्ष्यमापन्नो विश्वामित्रो महीपतिः ॥ प्रोवाच व्रीडया युक्तो वसिष्ठं मुनिसत्तमम्

atha vailakṣyamāpanno viśvāmitro mahīpatiḥ provāca vrīḍayā yukto vasiṣṭhaṁ munisattamam

Then Vishvamitra, the king, overcome with mortification, spoke, filled with shame, to Vasishtha, best of sages:

Verse 64 (skanda.6.167.64)

रक्ष मां त्वं मुनिश्रेष्ठ वध्यमानं सुदारुणैः ॥ म्लेच्छैः कुरुष्व मे बाहुं स्तम्भेन तु विवर्जितम्

rakṣa māṁ tvaṁ muniśreṣṭha vadhyamānaṁ sudāruṇaiḥ mlecchaiḥ kuruṣva me bāhuṁ stambhena tu vivarjitam

'Protect me, O best of sages, from being slain by these fearsome barbarians; release my arm from this paralysis.'

Verse 65 (skanda.6.167.65)

ममापराधात्संनष्टं सर्वं सैन्यमनन्तकम् ॥ तस्माद्यास्याम्यहं हर्म्यं न युद्धेन प्रयोजनम्

mamāparādhātsaṁnaṣṭaṁ sarvaṁ sainyamanantakam tasmādyāsyāmyahaṁ harmyaṁ na yuddhena prayojanam

'Through my own fault my entire vast army has been destroyed; therefore I shall now return to my palace — I have no more need of battle.'

Verse 66 (skanda.6.167.66)

दुर्विनीतः श्रियं प्राप्य विद्यामैश्वर्यमेव च ॥ न तिष्ठति चिरं युद्धे यथाहं मदगर्वितः

durvinītaḥ śriyaṁ prāpya vidyāmaiśvaryameva ca na tiṣṭhati ciraṁ yuddhe yathāhaṁ madagarvitaḥ

'One who is ill-disciplined, having gained prosperity, learning, and lordship, does not long endure in battle — as I have now found, puffed up as I was with pride.'

Verse 67 (skanda.6.167.67)

॥ सूत उवाच ॥ ॥ एवमुक्तो वसिष्ठस्तु विश्वामित्रेण भूभुजा ॥ चकार तं भुजं तस्य स्तंभदोषविवर्जितम्

sūta uvāca evamukto vasiṣṭhastu viśvāmitreṇa bhūbhujā cakāra taṁ bhujaṁ tasya staṁbhadoṣavivarjitam

Suta said: Thus addressed by King Vishvamitra, Vasishtha released his arm from the affliction of that paralysis.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.167.68)

अब्रवीत्प्रहसन्वाक्यं विधाय स शुभं करम् ॥ गच्छ राजन्विमुक्तोऽसि स्तंभदोषेण वै मया

abravītprahasanvākyaṁ vidhāya sa śubhaṁ karam gaccha rājanvimukto'si staṁbhadoṣeṇa vai mayā

And having restored his arm, he spoke with a smile: 'Go, O king; I have now freed you from the affliction of paralysis.'

Verse 69 (skanda.6.167.69)

माकार्शीर्ब्राह्मणैः सार्धं विरोधं भूय एव हि ॥ अनुज्ञातः स तेनाथ विश्वामित्रो महीपतिः

mākārśīrbrāhmaṇaiḥ sārdhaṁ virodhaṁ bhūya eva hi anujñātaḥ sa tenātha viśvāmitro mahīpatiḥ

'Do not enter into conflict with brahmins ever again.' Then, having thus been given leave by him, King Vishvamitra —

Verse 70 (skanda.6.167.70)

सव्रीडं प्रययौ हर्म्यं पद्भ्यामेव द्विजोत्तमाः ॥ स्वपुरद्वारमासाद्य सुगुप्ते रजनीमुखे

savrīḍaṁ prayayau harmyaṁ padbhyāmeva dvijottamāḥ svapuradvāramāsādya sugupte rajanīmukhe

O best of brahmins, went on foot, filled with shame, to his palace, and reached the gate of his own city, in deep secrecy, as night was falling.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.167.71)

प्रलापमकरोत्तत्र बाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणः ॥ धिग्बलं क्षत्रियाणां च धिग्वीर्यं धिक्प्रजीवितम्

pralāpamakarottatra bāṣpaparyākulekṣaṇaḥ dhigbalaṁ kṣatriyāṇāṁ ca dhigvīryaṁ dhikprajīvitam

There, his eyes clouded with tears, he lamented: 'Shame on the strength of kshatriyas! Shame on valour! Shame on this life of mine!'

Verse 72 (skanda.6.167.72)

श्लाघ्यं ब्रह्मबलं चैकं ब्राह्म्यं तेजश्च केवलम्

ślāghyaṁ brahmabalaṁ caikaṁ brāhmyaṁ tejaśca kevalam

'Praiseworthy is brahmin-strength alone; brahminical splendour alone is worthy of glory.'

Verse 73 (skanda.6.167.73)

एतत्कर्म मया कार्यं यथा स्याद्ब्रह्मजं बलम् ॥ त्यक्त्वा चैव निजं राज्यं चरिष्यामि महत्तपः ॥ एवं स निश्चयं कृत्वा राज्ये संस्थाप्य वै सुतम् ॥ नाम्ना विश्वसहं ख्यातं प्रजगाम तपोवनम्

etatkarma mayā kāryaṁ yathā syādbrahmajaṁ balam tyaktvā caiva nijaṁ rājyaṁ cariṣyāmi mahattapaḥ evaṁ sa niścayaṁ kṛtvā rājye saṁsthāpya vai sutam nāmnā viśvasahaṁ khyātaṁ prajagāma tapovanam

'I must undertake this task, that I may attain the strength born of brahminhood; renouncing my own kingdom, I shall perform great austerity.' Having made this resolve, he established his son, known by the name Vishvasaha, upon the throne, and set out for the forest of austerities.