The Account of Paravasu's Penance

Verse 1 (skanda.6.197.1)

सूत उवाच एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु नागरो द्विजसत्तमाः विश्वावसुरिति ख्यातो वेदवेदांगपारगः

sūta uvāca etasminneva kāle tu nāgaro dvijasattamāḥ viśvāvasuriti khyāto vedavedāṁgapāragaḥ

Suta said: At this very time, O best of brahmins, there was a Nagara brahmin renowned as Vishvavasu, who had mastered the Veda together with its ancillary sciences.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.197.2)

पश्चिमे वयसि प्राप्ते तस्य पुत्रो बभूव ह परावसुरिति ख्यातस्तस्य प्राणसमः सदा

paścime vayasi prāpte tasya putro babhūva ha parāvasuriti khyātastasya prāṇasamaḥ sadā

When he had reached his later years, a son was born to him, known as Paravasu, ever as dear to him as his own life.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.197.3)

स वेदाध्ययनं चक्रे यौवने समुपस्थिते वयस्यैः संमतैः सार्धं सदा हास्यपरायणैः

sa vedādhyayanaṁ cakre yauvane samupasthite vayasyaiḥ saṁmataiḥ sārdhaṁ sadā hāsyaparāyaṇaiḥ

When he came to youth, he pursued the study of the Veda, together with companions of his own age who were always given to jesting.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.197.4)

कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य माघमास उपस्थिते रात्रौ सोऽध्ययनं चक्र उपाध्यायगृहं गतः

kasyacittvatha kālasya māghamāsa upasthite rātrau so'dhyayanaṁ cakra upādhyāyagṛhaṁ gataḥ

Then, on a certain occasion, when the month of Magha had come, he went at night to his teacher's house to pursue his studies.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.197.5)

निशीथे स समुत्थाय सर्वैर्मित्रैश्च रक्षितः वेश्यागृहं समासाद्य प्रसुप्तो वेश्यया सह

niśīthe sa samutthāya sarvairmitraiśca rakṣitaḥ veśyāgṛhaṁ samāsādya prasupto veśyayā saha

At midnight, he rose and, escorted by all his friends, went to the house of a courtesan and lay down to sleep there with her.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.197.6)

जलपूर्णं समाधाय जलपात्रं समीपगम् निजाचमनयोग्यं च जलपानार्थमेव च

jalapūrṇaṁ samādhāya jalapātraṁ samīpagam nijācamanayogyaṁ ca jalapānārthameva ca

He had set a vessel filled with water nearby, fit for his own sipping-rite and for drinking.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.197.7)

निशाशेषे तु संप्राप्ते स पिपासासमाकुलः निद्रालस्यसमोपेतः शय्यां त्यक्त्वा समुत्थितः

niśāśeṣe tu saṁprāpte sa pipāsāsamākulaḥ nidrālasyasamopetaḥ śayyāṁ tyaktvā samutthitaḥ

When the night was drawing to its end, overcome with thirst and heavy with the languor of sleep, he rose from the bed.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.197.8)

वेश्याया मद्यपात्रं तु ह्यधस्तात्संव्यवस्थितम् तदादाय पपौ मद्यं जलभ्रांत्या यदैव सः

veśyāyā madyapātraṁ tu hyadhastātsaṁvyavasthitam tadādāya papau madyaṁ jalabhrāṁtyā yadaiva saḥ

Now the courtesan's wine-vessel stood just there below. Mistaking it for water, he took it up and drank the wine.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.197.9)

तदा मद्यं परिज्ञाय पात्रं त्यक्त्वा सुदुःखितः वैराग्यं परमं गत्वा प्रलापानकरो द्बहून्

tadā madyaṁ parijñāya pātraṁ tyaktvā suduḥkhitaḥ vairāgyaṁ paramaṁ gatvā pralāpānakaro dbahūn

Then, recognizing it to be wine, he dropped the vessel, deeply distressed; overcome with utter revulsion, he broke into many a lament.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.197.10)

अहो निद्रान्वितेनाद्य किं मया विकृतं कृतम् यदद्य मद्यमापीतं जलभ्रांत्या विगर्हितम्

aho nidrānvitenādya kiṁ mayā vikṛtaṁ kṛtam yadadya madyamāpītaṁ jalabhrāṁtyā vigarhitam

'Alas, what a terrible thing I, still heavy with sleep, have done today — that I have drunk this abominable wine, mistaking it for water!'

Verse 11 (skanda.6.197.11)

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि कथं शुद्धिर्भवेन्मम प्रायश्चित्तं करिष्यामि यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुष्करम्

kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi kathaṁ śuddhirbhavenmama prāyaścittaṁ kariṣyāmi yadyapi syātsuduṣkaram

'What shall I do? Where shall I go? How shall I be purified? I will perform whatever penance is needed, however difficult it may be.'

Verse 12 (skanda.6.197.12)

एवं निश्चित्य मनसा प्रभाते समुपस्थिते शंखतीर्थं समासाद्य कृत्वा स्नानं तथा परम्

evaṁ niścitya manasā prabhāte samupasthite śaṁkhatīrthaṁ samāsādya kṛtvā snānaṁ tathā param

Having resolved thus in his mind, when morning had come, he went to the Shankha-tirtha and, having bathed there,

Verse 13 (skanda.6.197.13)

सशिखं वपनं पश्चात्कारयित्वा त्वरावितः गतश्च तिष्ठते यत्र ब्रह्मघोषपरायणः

saśikhaṁ vapanaṁ paścātkārayitvā tvarāvitaḥ gataśca tiṣṭhate yatra brahmaghoṣaparāyaṇaḥ

had his head shaved, leaving only the tuft, and then, in haste, went to where his teacher stood, ever intent upon the recitation of the Veda.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.197.14)

उपाध्यायः सशिष्यश्च ब्रह्मस्थानं समाश्रितः स गत्वा दूरतः स्थित्वा संनिविष्टो यथान्त्यजः

upādhyāyaḥ saśiṣyaśca brahmasthānaṁ samāśritaḥ sa gatvā dūrataḥ sthitvā saṁniviṣṭo yathāntyajaḥ

His teacher was there, surrounded by his pupils, seated at the place of Vedic recitation. He went there and sat down at a distance, like an outcaste.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.197.15)

श्मश्रुमूर्धजहीनस्तु यदा मित्रैर्विलोकितः तदा हास्याद्धतो मूर्ध्नि हस्ताग्रैश्च मुहुर्मुहुः

śmaśrumūrdhajahīnastu yadā mitrairvilokitaḥ tadā hāsyāddhato mūrdhni hastāgraiśca muhurmuhuḥ

When his friends saw him thus, shorn of beard and hair, they struck him lightly on the head with their fingertips, again and again, in mirth.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.197.16)

उपाध्यायस्तु तं दृष्ट्वा दीनं बाष्पपरिप्लुतम् श्मश्रुमूर्धजसंत्यक्तं ततः प्रोवाच सादरम्

upādhyāyastu taṁ dṛṣṭvā dīnaṁ bāṣpapariplutam śmaśrumūrdhajasaṁtyaktaṁ tataḥ provāca sādaram

But the teacher, seeing him wretched, drowned in tears, shorn of beard and hair, then spoke to him with concern.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.197.17)

किमद्य वत्स दूरे त्वमुपविष्टस्तु दैन्यधृक् एहि मे संनिधौ ब्रूहि पराभूतोऽसि केन वा

kimadya vatsa dūre tvamupaviṣṭastu dainyadhṛk ehi me saṁnidhau brūhi parābhūto'si kena vā

'Why, my child, do you sit so far off today, wearing such wretchedness? Come near me and tell me — by whom have you been wronged?'

Verse 18 (skanda.6.197.18)

परावसुरुवाच अयोग्योऽहं गुरो जातः सेवायास्तव सांप्रतम् वेश्याया मंदिरस्थेन ज्ञात्वा निजकमंडलुम्

parāvasuruvāca ayogyo'haṁ guro jātaḥ sevāyāstava sāṁpratam veśyāyā maṁdirasthena jñātvā nijakamaṁḍalum

Paravasu said: 'O teacher, I have now become unworthy of your service — for, taking it to be my own water-pot while I lay in a courtesan's house,

Verse 19 (skanda.6.197.19)

वेश्याया मद्यपात्रं तु मद्यपूर्णं प्रगृह्य च तस्माद्देहि विभो मह्यं प्रायश्चित्तं विशुद्धये

veśyāyā madyapātraṁ tu madyapūrṇaṁ pragṛhya ca tasmāddehi vibho mahyaṁ prāyaścittaṁ viśuddhaye

I took up the courtesan's vessel, full of wine, and drank from it. Therefore, O lord, grant me a penance for my purification.'

Verse 20 (skanda.6.197.20)

धर्मद्रोणेषु यत्प्रोक्तं तत्करिष्याम्यसंशयम्

dharmadroṇeṣu yatproktaṁ tatkariṣyāmyasaṁśayam

'Whatever has been prescribed in the treatises on sacred law, that I shall undoubtedly perform.'

Verse 21 (skanda.6.197.21)

अथ तं बटवः प्रोचुर्वयस्यास्तस्य ये स्थिताः हास्यं कृत्वा प्रकामाश्च वेश्या या गुरुसंनिधौ

atha taṁ baṭavaḥ procurvayasyāstasya ye sthitāḥ hāsyaṁ kṛtvā prakāmāśca veśyā yā gurusaṁnidhau

Then the young students, his companions who stood there, made great sport of it and, right before the teacher, spoke in jest —

Verse 22 (skanda.6.197.22)

या एषा नृपतेः कन्या ख्याता रत्नावती जने अस्याः स्तनौ गृहीत्वा त्वमधरं पिबसि द्रुतम् ततस्ते स्याद्विशुद्धिश्च नान्यथा प्रभविष्यति

yā eṣā nṛpateḥ kanyā khyātā ratnāvatī jane asyāḥ stanau gṛhītvā tvamadharaṁ pibasi drutam tataste syādviśuddhiśca nānyathā prabhaviṣyati

'That daughter of the king, known among the people as Ratnavati — if you take hold of her two breasts and quickly taste her lower lip, then your purification shall come about, and in no other way!'

Verse 23 (skanda.6.197.23)

परावसुरुवाच न वयस्या नर्मकालो विषमे मम संस्थिते ममोपरि यदि स्नेहो वालमित्रत्वसंभवः तदानीय द्विजानन्यान्वदध्वं निष्कृतिं मम

parāvasuruvāca na vayasyā narmakālo viṣame mama saṁsthite mamopari yadi sneho vālamitratvasaṁbhavaḥ tadānīya dvijānanyānvadadhvaṁ niṣkṛtiṁ mama

Paravasu said: 'Friends, this is no time for jesting, when I am placed in such dire straits. If you truly bear me affection born of our friendship since childhood, then go and bring other brahmins and let them declare my expiation.'

Verse 24 (skanda.6.197.24)

अथ ते नर्ममुत्सृज्य तद्दुःखेन च दुःखिताः विश्वावसुं समासाद्य तद्वृत्तांतमथाब्रुवन्

atha te narmamutsṛjya tadduḥkhena ca duḥkhitāḥ viśvāvasuṁ samāsādya tadvṛttāṁtamathābruvan

Then, setting aside their jesting and themselves grieved by his sorrow, they went to Vishvavasu and told him the whole matter.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.197.25)

सोऽपि तेषां समाकर्ण्य तत्कर्णकटुकं वचः सभार्यः प्रययौ तत्र यत्र पुत्रो व्यवस्थितः

so'pi teṣāṁ samākarṇya tatkarṇakaṭukaṁ vacaḥ sabhāryaḥ prayayau tatra yatra putro vyavasthitaḥ

He too, hearing from them that word so harsh to the ear, set out at once, together with his wife, to where his son was.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.197.26)

दुःखेन महता युक्तः स्खलमानः पदेपदे वृद्धभावात्तथा शोकात्पुत्राकृत्यसमुद्भवात्

duḥkhena mahatā yuktaḥ skhalamānaḥ padepade vṛddhabhāvāttathā śokātputrākṛtyasamudbhavāt

Overcome with great sorrow, he stumbled at every step — both from old age and from grief arising from his son's misdeed.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.197.27)

ततस्तौ प्रोचतुः पुत्रं बाष्पगद्गदया गिरा दंपती बहुशोकार्तौ हा पुत्र किमिदं कृतम् सोऽपि सर्वं समाचख्यौ ताभ्यां वृतांतमात्मनः

tatastau procatuḥ putraṁ bāṣpagadgadayā girā daṁpatī bahuśokārtau hā putra kimidaṁ kṛtam so'pi sarvaṁ samācakhyau tābhyāṁ vṛtāṁtamātmanaḥ

Then that couple, greatly afflicted with sorrow, said to their son, their voices choked with tears: 'Alas, son, what is this you have done?' And he too related the whole matter to them, exactly as it had happened.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.197.28)

प्रायश्चित्तं करिष्यामि तस्मादात्मविशुद्धये ततो विश्वावसुर्विप्रान्स्मार्ताञ्छ्रुतिसमन्वितान् तदर्थमानयामास वेदविद्याविचक्षणान्

prāyaścittaṁ kariṣyāmi tasmādātmaviśuddhaye tato viśvāvasurviprānsmārtāñchrutisamanvitān tadarthamānayāmāsa vedavidyāvicakṣaṇān

'I shall perform a penance for my own purification.' Then Vishvavasu, for this very purpose, brought together brahmins learned in the codes of law and versed in the scriptures, skilled in the science of the Veda.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.197.29)

ततः परावसुस्तेषां पुरः स्थित्वा कृतांजलिः प्रोवाच स्वादितं मद्यं मया रात्रावजानता वेश्या भांडं समादाय ज्ञात्वा निजकमंडलुम्

tataḥ parāvasusteṣāṁ puraḥ sthitvā kṛtāṁjaliḥ provāca svāditaṁ madyaṁ mayā rātrāvajānatā veśyā bhāṁḍaṁ samādāya jñātvā nijakamaṁḍalum

Then Paravasu, standing before them with joined palms, declared: 'Unwittingly, at night, taking it to be my own water-pot, I tasted the wine from the courtesan's vessel.'

Verse 30 (skanda.6.197.30)

एवं ज्ञात्वा यदर्हं च प्रायश्चित्तं प्रदीयताम् येन मे जायते शुद्धिः प्रसादाद्वो द्विजोत्तमाः

evaṁ jñātvā yadarhaṁ ca prāyaścittaṁ pradīyatām yena me jāyate śuddhiḥ prasādādvo dvijottamāḥ

'Knowing this, let whatever penance is fitting be prescribed for me, so that, by your grace, O best of brahmins, purification may come to me.'

Verse 31 (skanda.6.197.31)

एवमुक्तास्ततस्तेन विप्रास्ते स्मृतिवादिनः धर्मशास्त्रं समालोक्य ततः प्रोचुश्च तं द्विजाः

evamuktāstatastena viprāste smṛtivādinaḥ dharmaśāstraṁ samālokya tataḥ procuśca taṁ dvijāḥ

Thus addressed by him, those brahmins learned in the law-books, having examined the scriptures on sacred law, then spoke to him.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.197.32)

अतिमानादतिक्रोधात्स्नेहाद्वा यदि वा भयात् प्रायश्चित्तमनर्हं तु ददत्तत्पापमश्नुते

atimānādatikrodhātsnehādvā yadi vā bhayāt prāyaścittamanarhaṁ tu dadattatpāpamaśnute

'Whoever, out of excessive pride, excessive anger, affection, or fear, prescribes a penance that is not fitting, incurs that very sin himself.'

Verse 33 (skanda.6.197.33)

प्रायश्चित्तं प्रदास्यामस्तस्माद्युक्तं वयं तव यदि शक्नोषि तत्कर्तुं तत्कुरुष्व समाहितः

prāyaścittaṁ pradāsyāmastasmādyuktaṁ vayaṁ tava yadi śaknoṣi tatkartuṁ tatkuruṣva samāhitaḥ

'Therefore we shall give you a penance that is truly fitting. If you are able to perform it, then do so with a composed mind.'

Verse 34 (skanda.6.197.34)

परावसुरुवाच करोमि वो न चेद्वाक्यं तत्पृच्छामि कुतो द्विजाः नाहं केनापि संदृष्टो मद्यपानं समाचरन्

parāvasuruvāca karomi vo na cedvākyaṁ tatpṛcchāmi kuto dvijāḥ nāhaṁ kenāpi saṁdṛṣṭo madyapānaṁ samācaran

Paravasu said: 'If I do not carry out your word, then of what use is my asking, O brahmins? No one has actually seen me drinking the wine —

Verse 35 (skanda.6.197.35)

तस्माद्ब्रूत यथार्हं मे प्रायश्चित्तं विशुद्धये अपि प्राणहरं रौद्रं नो चेत्पापमवाप्स्यथ

tasmādbrūta yathārhaṁ me prāyaścittaṁ viśuddhaye api prāṇaharaṁ raudraṁ no cetpāpamavāpsyatha

nonetheless, tell me the penance truly fitting for my purification, even if it be terrible and life-threatening; otherwise you yourselves shall incur the sin.'

Verse 36 (skanda.6.197.36)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः बुध्यमानो द्विजो यस्तु मद्यपानं समाचरेत् तावन्मात्रं हिरण्यं च तप्तं पीत्वा विशुध्यति

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ budhyamāno dvijo yastu madyapānaṁ samācaret tāvanmātraṁ hiraṇyaṁ ca taptaṁ pītvā viśudhyati

The brahmins said: 'Whatever brahmin knowingly drinks wine is purified by drinking molten gold to that same measure.'

Verse 37 (skanda.6.197.37)

अज्ञानतो यदा पीतं मद्यं विप्रेण कर्हिचित् अग्नितुल्यं घृतं पीत्वा तावन्मात्रं विशुध्यति

ajñānato yadā pītaṁ madyaṁ vipreṇa karhicit agnitulyaṁ ghṛtaṁ pītvā tāvanmātraṁ viśudhyati

'But when a brahmin has ever drunk wine unknowingly, he is purified by drinking clarified butter, heated like fire, to that same measure.'

Verse 38 (skanda.6.197.38)

एवं ते सर्वमाख्यातं प्रायश्चित्तं विशुद्धये यदि शक्तोषि चेत्कर्तुं कुरुष्व त्वं द्विजोत्तम

evaṁ te sarvamākhyātaṁ prāyaścittaṁ viśuddhaye yadi śaktoṣi cetkartuṁ kuruṣva tvaṁ dvijottama

'Thus we have declared to you the entire penance for purification. If you are able to perform it, O best of brahmins, then do so.'

Verse 39 (skanda.6.197.39)

परावसुरुवाच गंडूषमेकं मद्यस्य मया पीतं द्विजोत्तमाः तावन्मात्रं पिबाम्येव घृतं वह्निसमं कृतम्

parāvasuruvāca gaṁḍūṣamekaṁ madyasya mayā pītaṁ dvijottamāḥ tāvanmātraṁ pibāmyeva ghṛtaṁ vahnisamaṁ kṛtam

Paravasu said: 'O best of brahmins, I drank a single mouthful of the wine. That same measure of ghee, heated to be like fire, I shall now drink,

Verse 40 (skanda.6.197.40)

युष्मदादेशतोऽद्यैव स्वशरीरविशुद्धये विश्वावसुश्च तच्छ्रुत्वा वज्रपातोपमं वचः

yuṣmadādeśato'dyaiva svaśarīraviśuddhaye viśvāvasuśca tacchrutvā vajrapātopamaṁ vacaḥ

this very day, by your command, for the purification of my own body.' And Vishvavasu, hearing that word, like the fall of a thunderbolt —

Verse 41 (skanda.6.197.41)

विप्राणां चाथ पुत्रस्य तदोवाच सुदुःखितः कृत्वाश्रुमोक्षणं भूरि बाष्पगद्गदया गिरा

viprāṇāṁ cātha putrasya tadovāca suduḥkhitaḥ kṛtvāśrumokṣaṇaṁ bhūri bāṣpagadgadayā girā

— spoken by his son before the brahmins, then, overcome with sorrow, shedding a great flood of tears, spoke in a voice choked with weeping.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.197.42)

सर्वस्वमपि दास्यामि पुत्रस्यास्य विशुद्धये प्रायश्चित्तं समाचर्तुं न दास्यामि कथंचन

sarvasvamapi dāsyāmi putrasyāsya viśuddhaye prāyaścittaṁ samācartuṁ na dāsyāmi kathaṁcana

'I shall give up my very all for the purification of this son of mine — but I shall never, under any circumstance, allow him to perform this penance.'

Verse 43 (skanda.6.197.43)

अश्राद्धेयो विपांक्तेयः सपुत्रो वा भवाम्यहम् स्थानं वा संत्यजाम्येतत्पुत्र मैवं समाचर

aśrāddheyo vipāṁkteyaḥ saputro vā bhavāmyaham sthānaṁ vā saṁtyajāmyetatputra maivaṁ samācara

'Let me become unfit to receive shraddha-offerings, excluded from the assembly, together with my son, or let me abandon this place altogether — but, my son, do not do this!'

Verse 44 (skanda.6.197.44)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य पितुर्विघ्नकरं परम् प्रायश्चित्तस्य सस्नेहं पुत्रो वचनमब्रवीत्

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya piturvighnakaraṁ param prāyaścittasya sasnehaṁ putro vacanamabravīt

Hearing his father's words, which stood as the greatest obstacle to his penance, the son, with affection, spoke this reply.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.197.45)

त्यज तात मम स्नेहं मा विघ्नं मे समाचर प्रायश्चित्तं करिष्यामि निश्चयोऽयं मया कृतः

tyaja tāta mama snehaṁ mā vighnaṁ me samācara prāyaścittaṁ kariṣyāmi niścayo'yaṁ mayā kṛtaḥ

'Father, set aside your love for me — do not stand in my way. I shall perform this penance; this is my firm resolve.'

Verse 46 (skanda.6.197.46)

मातोवाच यदि पुत्र त्वया कार्यं प्रायश्चित्तं विशुद्धये तदहं पतिना सार्धं प्रवेक्ष्यामि पुरोऽनलम्

mātovāca yadi putra tvayā kāryaṁ prāyaścittaṁ viśuddhaye tadahaṁ patinā sārdhaṁ pravekṣyāmi puro'nalam

The mother said: 'If, my son, you must perform this penance for your purification, then I, together with your father, shall enter the fire before your very eyes.'

Verse 47 (skanda.6.197.47)

त्वां द्रष्टुं नैव शक्रोमि पिबंतमग्निवद्घृतम् पश्चात्प्राणपरित्यक्तं सत्येनात्मानमालभे

tvāṁ draṣṭuṁ naiva śakromi pibaṁtamagnivadghṛtam paścātprāṇaparityaktaṁ satyenātmānamālabhe

'I truly cannot bear to see you drink that ghee, hot as fire; I swear by the truth that afterward I shall give up my own life.'

Verse 48 (skanda.6.197.48)

पितोवाच युक्तं पुत्रानया प्रोक्तं मात्रा तव हितं तथा ममापि संमतं ह्येतत्करिष्यामि न संशयः

pitovāca yuktaṁ putrānayā proktaṁ mātrā tava hitaṁ tathā mamāpi saṁmataṁ hyetatkariṣyāmi na saṁśayaḥ

The father said: 'What your mother has said, my son, is right and truly for your good — and I too approve of it; I shall undoubtedly do the same.'

Verse 49 (skanda.6.197.49)

सूत उवाच एतस्मिन्नंतरे सर्वे सुहृदस्तस्य ये स्थिताः तच्छ्रुत्वा तं समायाता वृत्तांतं दुःखसंयुताः

sūta uvāca etasminnaṁtare sarve suhṛdastasya ye sthitāḥ tacchrutvā taṁ samāyātā vṛttāṁtaṁ duḥkhasaṁyutāḥ

Suta said: Meanwhile, all his friends who stood by, having heard of this matter, came to him, sharing in his sorrow.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.197.50)

प्रोचुश्च विविधैर्वाक्यैः सपत्नीकं विभावसुम् पुत्रशोकेन संतप्तं मरणे कृतनिश्चयम्

procuśca vividhairvākyaiḥ sapatnīkaṁ vibhāvasum putraśokena saṁtaptaṁ maraṇe kṛtaniścayam

With many kinds of words, they spoke to Vishvavasu and his wife, who were consumed with grief for their son and had resolved upon death.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.197.51)

पुत्रं प्रबोधयामासुः प्रायश्चित्तनिवृत्तये तदा न शक्नुवंति स्म निवर्तयितुमंजसा

putraṁ prabodhayāmāsuḥ prāyaścittanivṛttaye tadā na śaknuvaṁti sma nivartayitumaṁjasā

They tried to persuade the son to give up his penance, but they were not able to turn him from it in any way.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.197.52)

तावुभौ च पितापुत्रौ प्राणत्यागकृतादरौ

tāvubhau ca pitāputrau prāṇatyāgakṛtādarau

Both father and son remained equally determined upon giving up their lives.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.197.53)

ततो वास्तुपदं जग्मुः सर्वज्ञो यत्र तिष्ठति भर्तृयज्ञो महाभागः सर्वसंदेहवारकः

tato vāstupadaṁ jagmuḥ sarvajño yatra tiṣṭhati bhartṛyajño mahābhāgaḥ sarvasaṁdehavārakaḥ

Then they went to the settlement where the all-knowing, most fortunate Bhartriyajna dwelt, the dispeller of every doubt.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.197.54)

तस्य सर्वं समाचख्युः परावसुसमुद्भवम् वृत्तांतं मद्यपानोत्थं यन्मित्रैस्तस्य कीर्तितम्

tasya sarvaṁ samācakhyuḥ parāvasusamudbhavam vṛttāṁtaṁ madyapānotthaṁ yanmitraistasya kīrtitam

They related to him everything — the whole affair that had arisen concerning Paravasu, born from his drinking of the wine, as it had been spoken of by his friends —

Verse 55 (skanda.6.197.55)

प्रायश्चित्तं तु हास्येन यच्च स्मार्तैः प्रकीर्तितम् विश्वावसोश्च संकल्पं वह्निसाधनसंभवम्

prāyaścittaṁ tu hāsyena yacca smārtaiḥ prakīrtitam viśvāvasośca saṁkalpaṁ vahnisādhanasaṁbhavam

— and the penance declared in jest, and that which was declared by the scholars of the law-codes, and Vishvavasu's own resolve, arising from the intent to perform the fire-rite —

Verse 56 (skanda.6.197.56)

सपत्नीकस्य मित्राणां यच्च दुःखमुपस्थितम् निवेद्य तत्तथा प्रोचुर्भूयोऽपि विनयान्वितम्

sapatnīkasya mitrāṇāṁ yacca duḥkhamupasthitam nivedya tattathā procurbhūyo'pi vinayānvitam

— together with his wife, and the sorrow that had befallen their friends. Having related all this, they then spoke to him again, with the utmost humility.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.197.57)

अतीतं वर्तमानं च भविष्यद्वापि यद्भवेत् न तेऽस्त्यविदितं किंचित्सर्वं जानीमहे वयम्

atītaṁ vartamānaṁ ca bhaviṣyadvāpi yadbhavet na te'styaviditaṁ kiṁcitsarvaṁ jānīmahe vayam

'There is nothing unknown to you, whether past, present, or that which is yet to come — this we all know well.'

Verse 58 (skanda.6.197.58)

एतच्च नगरं सर्वं विश्वावसुकृतेऽधुना संशयं परमं प्राप्तं तेन प्राप्तास्तवांतिकम्

etacca nagaraṁ sarvaṁ viśvāvasukṛte'dhunā saṁśayaṁ paramaṁ prāptaṁ tena prāptāstavāṁtikam

'And now this entire city has fallen into the deepest uncertainty over the matter of Vishvavasu; for this reason we have come to your presence.'

Verse 59 (skanda.6.197.59)

तस्माद्ब्रूहि महाभाग यद्यस्त्यपरमेव हि प्रायश्चित्तं द्विजस्यास्य मद्यपानविशुद्धये

tasmādbrūhi mahābhāga yadyastyaparameva hi prāyaścittaṁ dvijasyāsya madyapānaviśuddhaye

'Therefore, O most fortunate one, tell us if there is indeed some other penance for this brahmin's purification from his drinking of the wine.'

Verse 60 (skanda.6.197.60)

न ते ह्यविदितं किंचित्तव वेदसमुद्भवम् भर्तृयज्ञो विहस्योच्चैस्ततो वचनमब्रवीत्

na te hyaviditaṁ kiṁcittava vedasamudbhavam bhartṛyajño vihasyoccaistato vacanamabravīt

'Nothing at all, born of the Veda, is unknown to you.' Then Bhartriyajna, laughing aloud, spoke these words.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.197.61)

ब्राह्मणस्यास्य शुद्ध्यर्थमप्ययुपायः सुखावहः विद्यमानोऽपि नास्त्येव मतिरेषा स्थिता मम

brāhmaṇasyāsya śuddhyarthamapyayupāyaḥ sukhāvahaḥ vidyamāno'pi nāstyeva matireṣā sthitā mama

'For the purification of this brahmin, even though a comfortable means exists, it is as if it does not exist — such is my settled opinion.'

Verse 62 (skanda.6.197.62)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः पूर्वापरविरोधे न वाक्यमेतन्महामते कथमस्ति कथं नास्ति तस्मात्त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि विस्मयोऽयं महाञ्जातः सर्वेषां च द्विजन्मनाम्

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ pūrvāparavirodhe na vākyametanmahāmate kathamasti kathaṁ nāsti tasmāttvaṁ vaktumarhasi vismayo'yaṁ mahāñjātaḥ sarveṣāṁ ca dvijanmanām

The brahmins said: 'O wise one, this statement of yours seems to contradict itself — how can it both exist and not exist? You should therefore explain this to us. This has caused great astonishment among us all.'

Verse 63 (skanda.6.197.63)

भर्तृयज्ञ उवाच जपच्छिद्रं तपश्छिद्रं यच्छिद्रं यज्ञकर्मणि सर्वं भवति निश्छिद्रं यस्य चेच्छंति ब्राह्मणाः

bhartṛyajña uvāca japacchidraṁ tapaśchidraṁ yacchidraṁ yajñakarmaṇi sarvaṁ bhavati niśchidraṁ yasya cecchaṁti brāhmaṇāḥ

Bhartriyajna said: 'Whatever flaw exists in one's japa, in one's austerity, or in one's sacrificial rite — all of it becomes flawless, if brahmins so will it.'

Verse 64 (skanda.6.197.64)

अच्छिद्रमिति यद्वाक्यं वदंति क्षितिदेवताः विशेषान्नागरोद्भूतास्तत्तथैव न चान्यथा

acchidramiti yadvākyaṁ vadaṁti kṣitidevatāḥ viśeṣānnāgarodbhūtāstattathaiva na cānyathā

'Whatever declaration the gods of the earth pronounce as flawless — especially those born as Nagaras — it becomes so, exactly as declared, and never otherwise.'

Verse 65 (skanda.6.197.65)

तथा च ब्रह्मशालायां संस्थितैर्यदुदाहृतम् नान्यथा तत्परिज्ञेयं हास्येनापि स्मृतिं विना

tathā ca brahmaśālāyāṁ saṁsthitairyadudāhṛtam nānyathā tatparijñeyaṁ hāsyenāpi smṛtiṁ vinā

'And so, whatever has been declared by those assembled in the hall of the brahmins is to be understood as being exactly so — even if spoken in jest, without reference to the law-books.'

Verse 66 (skanda.6.197.66)

स एष हास्यभावेन प्रोक्तो मित्रैः परावसुः

sa eṣa hāsyabhāvena prokto mitraiḥ parāvasuḥ

'That very thing which was said to Paravasu by his friends in jest —'

Verse 67 (skanda.6.197.67)

रत्नवत्याः स्तनौ गृह्य यद्यास्वादयतेऽधरम् तद्भविष्यति मे शुद्धिर्मद्यपानसमुद्भवा

ratnavatyāḥ stanau gṛhya yadyāsvādayate'dharam tadbhaviṣyati me śuddhirmadyapānasamudbhavā

'— that, if he takes hold of Ratnavati's breasts and tastes her lower lip, his purification from the drinking of the wine shall thereby come about.'

Verse 68 (skanda.6.197.68)

तदुपायो मया प्रोक्तो विप्रस्यास्य सुखावहः पराशरमतेनैव करोति यदि शुध्यति

tadupāyo mayā prokto viprasyāsya sukhāvahaḥ parāśaramatenaiva karoti yadi śudhyati

'That is the comfortable means I have declared for this brahmin. If he carries it out precisely according to the teaching of Parashara, he shall become pure.'

Verse 69 (skanda.6.197.69)

ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः यद्येतच्छुणुते राजा वाक्यमीर्ष्यापरायणः तत्सर्वेषां वधं कुर्याद्विप्राणामन्यथा भवेत्

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ yadyetacchuṇute rājā vākyamīrṣyāparāyaṇaḥ tatsarveṣāṁ vadhaṁ kuryādviprāṇāmanyathā bhavet

The brahmins said: 'If the king, prone to jealousy, hears this proposal, he will surely put all of us brahmins to death — matters could go quite otherwise than we wish.'

Verse 70 (skanda.6.197.70)

तस्मात्करोतु चाभीष्टमेष विप्रः परावसुः मातापितृसमोपेतो वयं यास्यामहे गृहम्

tasmātkarotu cābhīṣṭameṣa vipraḥ parāvasuḥ mātāpitṛsamopeto vayaṁ yāsyāmahe gṛham

'Therefore, let this brahmin Paravasu do as he wishes, together with his father and mother — as for us, we shall simply go home.'

Verse 71 (skanda.6.197.71)

भर्तृयज्ञ उवाच स राजा नीतिमान्विज्ञः सर्वधर्मपरायणः भक्तो देवद्विजानां च सर्वशास्त्रविचक्षणः

bhartṛyajña uvāca sa rājā nītimānvijñaḥ sarvadharmaparāyaṇaḥ bhakto devadvijānāṁ ca sarvaśāstravicakṣaṇaḥ

Bhartriyajna said: 'That king is versed in statecraft, wise, devoted to all dharma, a devotee of the gods and of brahmins, and learned in every branch of scripture.'

Verse 72 (skanda.6.197.72)

तस्मान्मया समं सर्वे नागरायांतु तद्ग्रहे

tasmānmayā samaṁ sarve nāgarāyāṁtu tadgrahe

'Therefore let all of you Nagaras come with me to his house.'

Verse 73 (skanda.6.197.73)

मध्यगं पुरतः कृत्वा तद्वक्त्रेण च तत्पुरः कथयंतु च वृत्तांतं मद्यपानसमुद्भवम्

madhyagaṁ purataḥ kṛtvā tadvaktreṇa ca tatpuraḥ kathayaṁtu ca vṛttāṁtaṁ madyapānasamudbhavam

'Placing him at the centre, before the king, let it be told, through his own mouth, in the king's very presence, the whole matter that arose from his drinking of the wine —'

Verse 74 (skanda.6.197.74)

परावसोश्च यत्प्रोक्तं वयस्यैर्हास्यमाश्रितैः पराशरसमुत्थं च यद्वाक्यं तत्स्मृतेः परम्

parāvasośca yatproktaṁ vayasyairhāsyamāśritaiḥ parāśarasamutthaṁ ca yadvākyaṁ tatsmṛteḥ param

'— and what was said to Paravasu by his companions in jest, and that teaching arising from Parashara, which stands supreme among the law-books.'

Verse 75 (skanda.6.197.75)

तच्छ्रुत्वा यदि भूपाल ईर्ष्यालोभसमन्वितः भविष्यति ततोऽहं तं धारयिष्यामि सत्पथे

tacchrutvā yadi bhūpāla īrṣyālobhasamanvitaḥ bhaviṣyati tato'haṁ taṁ dhārayiṣyāmi satpathe

'And if, upon hearing this, the king should indeed be overcome with jealousy or greed, then I myself shall keep him firmly upon the right path.'

Verse 76 (skanda.6.197.76)

सूत उवाच ततस्ते नागराः सर्वे सन्तोषं परमं गताः साधुवादैः समभ्यर्च्य भर्तृयज्ञं पृथग्विधैः

sūta uvāca tataste nāgarāḥ sarve santoṣaṁ paramaṁ gatāḥ sādhuvādaiḥ samabhyarcya bhartṛyajñaṁ pṛthagvidhaiḥ

Suta said: Then all those Nagaras were filled with the deepest satisfaction, and honoured Bhartriyajna with cries of 'Well said!' of every kind.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.197.77)

तेनैव सहितं तूर्णं मध्ये कृत्वा च मध्यगम् गर्त्तातीर्थसमुद्भूतं वेदवेदांगपारगम्

tenaiva sahitaṁ tūrṇaṁ madhye kṛtvā ca madhyagam garttātīrthasamudbhūtaṁ vedavedāṁgapāragam

Together with him, swiftly, having placed at the centre that presiding one who dwelt at the Garta-tirtha, mastered in the Veda and its ancillary sciences,

Verse 78 (skanda.6.197.78)

स्मृतिज्ञं लक्षणज्ञं तमाहिताग्निं यशस्विनम् यष्टारं बहुयज्ञानां भर्तृयज्ञमते स्थितम्

smṛtijñaṁ lakṣaṇajñaṁ tamāhitāgniṁ yaśasvinam yaṣṭāraṁ bahuyajñānāṁ bhartṛyajñamate sthitam

— learned in the law-books, versed in grammar, one who maintained the sacred fires, renowned, the performer of many sacrifices, established in Bhartriyajna's teaching —

Verse 79 (skanda.6.197.79)

आनर्तेनापि भूपेन स्वर्गभ्रष्टेन वै पुरा कर्णोत्पलाजनित्रेण यश्च पूर्वं चिरन्तनः

ānartenāpi bhūpena svargabhraṣṭena vai purā karṇotpalājanitreṇa yaśca pūrvaṁ cirantanaḥ

— he who, in ancient times, was born from Karnotpala, most ancient, and had, by King Anarta himself, who had of old fallen from heaven,

Verse 80 (skanda.6.197.80)

चमत्कारपुरे न्यस्तः स्थानेऽस्मिन्विप्रगौरवात् येन सिध्यंति कार्याणि सर्वेषां च द्विजन्मनाम्

camatkārapure nyastaḥ sthāne'sminvipragauravāt yena sidhyaṁti kāryāṇi sarveṣāṁ ca dvijanmanām

— been established in this very place, in Chamatkarapura, out of reverence for brahmins, and by whose power the affairs of all brahmins are accomplished —

Verse 81 (skanda.6.197.81)

तथा चैव तु चान्यानि चमत्कारपुरस्य च हरिभद्राभिधानं तं भर्तृयज्ञसमन्वितम्

tathā caiva tu cānyāni camatkārapurasya ca haribhadrābhidhānaṁ taṁ bhartṛyajñasamanvitam

— as well as other affairs of Chamatkarapura — that one, named Haribhadra, together with Bhartriyajna,

Verse 82 (skanda.6.197.82)

कृत्वा ते नागराः सर्वे राजद्वारमुपागताः परावसुं समादाय मातापितृसमन्वितम्

kṛtvā te nāgarāḥ sarve rājadvāramupāgatāḥ parāvasuṁ samādāya mātāpitṛsamanvitam

— having brought along, all those Nagaras, bringing Paravasu together with his father and mother, arrived at the king's gate.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.197.83)

अथ द्वाःस्थो द्रुतं गत्वा भूपतेस्तान्न्यवेदयत् ब्राह्मणान्भर्तृयज्ञेन हरिभद्रेण संयुतान्

atha dvāḥstho drutaṁ gatvā bhūpatestānnyavedayat brāhmaṇānbhartṛyajñena haribhadreṇa saṁyutān

Then the gatekeeper went swiftly and announced to the king the arrival of the brahmins, together with Bhartriyajna and Haribhadra.

Verse 84 (skanda.6.197.84)

आनर्तोऽपि च ताञ्छ्रुत्वा राजद्वारसमागतान् पुरोधसा समायुक्तः संमुखं प्रययौ तदा

ānarto'pi ca tāñchrutvā rājadvārasamāgatān purodhasā samāyuktaḥ saṁmukhaṁ prayayau tadā

King Anarta, too, hearing that they had come to the palace gate, together with his royal priest, went out at once to meet them.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.197.85)

दत्त्वार्घं मधुपर्कं च विष्टरं गां तथा नृपः प्रथमं भर्तृयज्ञाय हरिभद्राय वै ततः

dattvārghaṁ madhuparkaṁ ca viṣṭaraṁ gāṁ tathā nṛpaḥ prathamaṁ bhartṛyajñāya haribhadrāya vai tataḥ

The king offered the guest-water, the honey-offering, a seat, and a cow — first to Bhartriyajna, and then to Haribhadra.

Verse 86 (skanda.6.197.86)

चतुर्णां मुद्गहस्तानां तथान्येषां द्विजन्मनाम् आद्यऋग्यजुःसाम्नां च प्रगृह्याशीर्वचः परम्

caturṇāṁ mudgahastānāṁ tathānyeṣāṁ dvijanmanām ādyaṛgyajuḥsāmnāṁ ca pragṛhyāśīrvacaḥ param

— and to the four holding sprigs of mudga-grass, and to the other brahmins foremost in the Rig, Yajur, and Sama Vedas — and, receiving their supreme blessing,

Verse 87 (skanda.6.197.87)

सभामंडपमासाद्य सर्वान्समुपवेशयत् वरासनेषु हैमेषु यथावदनुपूर्वशः

sabhāmaṁḍapamāsādya sarvānsamupaveśayat varāsaneṣu haimeṣu yathāvadanupūrvaśaḥ

— he led them all to the assembly-pavilion, and seated them, each in due order, upon excellent golden seats.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.197.88)

तथा तेषूपविष्टेषु सर्वेषु पृथिवीपतिः उपविश्य धरापृष्ठे कृतांजलिरभाषत

tathā teṣūpaviṣṭeṣu sarveṣu pṛthivīpatiḥ upaviśya dharāpṛṣṭhe kṛtāṁjalirabhāṣata

When all of them were thus seated, the lord of the earth himself sat down upon the ground, and, with joined palms, spoke.

Verse 89 (skanda.6.197.89)

धन्योऽस्म्यनुगृहीतोऽस्मि यन्मे गृहमुपागतः सर्वोऽयं नागरो लोको भर्तृयज्ञसमन्वितः

dhanyo'smyanugṛhīto'smi yanme gṛhamupāgataḥ sarvo'yaṁ nāgaro loko bhartṛyajñasamanvitaḥ

'I am blessed, I am truly favoured, that this entire community of Nagaras, together with Bhartriyajna, has come to my house.'

Verse 90 (skanda.6.197.90)

तदादिशतु मां लोको यत्कृत्यं प्रकरोमि वः अदेयमपि यच्छामि गृहायातस्य सांप्रतम्

tadādiśatu māṁ loko yatkṛtyaṁ prakaromi vaḥ adeyamapi yacchāmi gṛhāyātasya sāṁpratam

'Let this assembly now command me — whatever service I may perform for you. Even what should not be given, I shall now give, since you have come to my house.'

Verse 91 (skanda.6.197.91)

अगम्यमपि यास्यामि करिष्येऽकृत्यमेव च तच्छ्रुत्वा हरिभद्रः स समुत्थाय त्वरान्वितः

agamyamapi yāsyāmi kariṣye'kṛtyameva ca tacchrutvā haribhadraḥ sa samutthāya tvarānvitaḥ

I shall go even where I should not go, and do even what should not be done.' Hearing this, Haribhadra rose at once, with haste,

Verse 92 (skanda.6.197.92)

पप्रच्छाद्यांस्तदर्थं च बह्वृचांस्तदनंतरम् अध्वर्यूंश्चैव छांदोग्याननुज्ञातश्च तैस्तदा

papracchādyāṁstadarthaṁ ca bahvṛcāṁstadanaṁtaram adhvaryūṁścaiva chāṁdogyānanujñātaśca taistadā

— and, for that purpose, questioned first the Rig-Vedic priests, and then the Adhvaryu priests and the Chandogyas, and, being given leave by them,

Verse 93 (skanda.6.197.93)

प्राणरुद्रान्वदंत्वाद्या जीवसूक्तं च बह्वृचाः एषां चैव पृथिव्यादिसवनं यत्पुरा कृतम्

prāṇarudrānvadaṁtvādyā jīvasūktaṁ ca bahvṛcāḥ eṣāṁ caiva pṛthivyādisavanaṁ yatpurā kṛtam

[instructed:] 'let the Rig-Vedic priests first recite the Prana-Rudra hymns and the Jiva-sukta, and also that libation to the earth and the other elements which was performed of old for these two —'

Verse 94 (skanda.6.197.94)

पठन्त्वध्वर्यवः सर्वे छांदोग्याश्च पृथक्पृथक् मधुच्युतेन संयुक्तं प्रपठन्तु च सिद्धये

paṭhantvadhvaryavaḥ sarve chāṁdogyāśca pṛthakpṛthak madhucyutena saṁyuktaṁ prapaṭhantu ca siddhaye

'— let all the Adhvaryu priests and the Chandogyas recite each their own portion, and let them recite, joined with the Madhu-chyut hymn, for the accomplishment of the rite.'

Verse 95 (skanda.6.197.95)

भर्तृयज्ञमतेनैवं तेन प्रोक्ता द्विजोत्तमाः पप्रच्छुश्चैव तत्सर्वं यत्प्रोक्तं तेन धीमता

bhartṛyajñamatenaivaṁ tena proktā dvijottamāḥ papracchuścaiva tatsarvaṁ yatproktaṁ tena dhīmatā

Thus instructed by him, in accordance with Bhartriyajna's own teaching, those best of brahmins then asked him about everything that had been declared by that wise one.

Verse 96 (skanda.6.197.96)

ततः पाठावसाने तु मध्यगः प्राह सादरम् परावसुसमुद्भूतं वृत्तांतं तस्य भूपतेः

tataḥ pāṭhāvasāne tu madhyagaḥ prāha sādaram parāvasusamudbhūtaṁ vṛttāṁtaṁ tasya bhūpateḥ

Then, when the recitation was concluded, Haribhadra, the one placed at the centre, respectfully related to that king the entire matter that had arisen concerning Paravasu —

Verse 97 (skanda.6.197.97)

यथा तेनाऽऽसवः पीतो यथा मित्रैः प्रजल्पितम् प्रायश्चित्तं समादिष्टं यथा स्मार्तैर्घृतोद्भवम्

yathā tenā''savaḥ pīto yathā mitraiḥ prajalpitam prāyaścittaṁ samādiṣṭaṁ yathā smārtairghṛtodbhavam

— how he had drunk the wine, what his friends had jested, and the penance prescribed by the scholars of the law-codes, involving the drinking of ghee —

Verse 98 (skanda.6.197.98)

भर्तृयज्ञेन चानीता यथा सर्वे द्विजातयः तच्छ्रुत्वा पार्थिवो हृष्टः कृतांजलिपुटोऽब्रवीत्

bhartṛyajñena cānītā yathā sarve dvijātayaḥ tacchrutvā pārthivo hṛṣṭaḥ kṛtāṁjalipuṭo'bravīt

— and how all the brahmins had been brought there by Bhartriyajna. Hearing this, the king, delighted, spoke with joined palms.

Verse 99 (skanda.6.197.99)

धन्योहं कृतपुण्योऽस्मि यस्य मे नागरैर्द्विजैः विप्रत्रयप्ररक्षार्थं प्रसादोऽयं महान्कृतः

dhanyohaṁ kṛtapuṇyo'smi yasya me nāgarairdvijaiḥ vipratrayaprarakṣārthaṁ prasādo'yaṁ mahānkṛtaḥ

'I am blessed, I have truly earned merit, that the Nagara brahmins have shown me this great favour, for the protection of these three brahmins —'

Verse 100 (skanda.6.197.100)

धन्या मे कन्यका चेयं रक्षयिष्यति च स्वयम् ब्राह्मणत्रितयं ह्येतन्मरणे कृतनिश्चयम्

dhanyā me kanyakā ceyaṁ rakṣayiṣyati ca svayam brāhmaṇatritayaṁ hyetanmaraṇe kṛtaniścayam

'— and blessed is this daughter of mine, who shall herself save these very three brahmins who had resolved upon death.'

Verse 101 (skanda.6.197.101)

अथाऽसावानयामास तां कन्यां तत्क्षणाद्द्विजाः उपविष्टं सभामध्ये ब्राह्मणेभ्यो न्यवेदयत्

athā'sāvānayāmāsa tāṁ kanyāṁ tatkṣaṇāddvijāḥ upaviṣṭaṁ sabhāmadhye brāhmaṇebhyo nyavedayat

Then he had that daughter brought at once, O brahmins, and, as she sat in the midst of the assembly, presented her to the brahmins.

Verse 102 (skanda.6.197.102)

एषा कन्या मयानीता युष्मद्वाक्याद्द्विजोत्तमाः भर्तृयज्ञेन यत्प्रोक्तं तत्करोतु च स द्विजः

eṣā kanyā mayānītā yuṣmadvākyāddvijottamāḥ bhartṛyajñena yatproktaṁ tatkarotu ca sa dvijaḥ

'O best of brahmins, this daughter I have brought here at your word. Let that brahmin now do whatever Bhartriyajna has prescribed.'

Verse 103 (skanda.6.197.103)

ततस्तत्र समानीय ब्राह्मणं तं परावसुम् भर्तृयज्ञ इदं वाक्यं कन्यायाः पुरतोऽब्रवीत्

tatastatra samānīya brāhmaṇaṁ taṁ parāvasum bhartṛyajña idaṁ vākyaṁ kanyāyāḥ purato'bravīt

Then, having had the brahmin Paravasu brought there, Bhartriyajna spoke these words before the maiden.

Verse 104 (skanda.6.197.104)

इमां त्वं कन्यकां चित्ते जननीं यदि मन्यसे अधरास्वादनं कुर्वंस्ततः सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि

imāṁ tvaṁ kanyakāṁ citte jananīṁ yadi manyase adharāsvādanaṁ kurvaṁstataḥ siddhimavāpsyasi

'If in your heart you regard this maiden as your own mother, then, tasting her lower lip, you shall attain success.'

Verse 105 (skanda.6.197.105)

अनुरागपरो भूत्वा यद्यास्वादनतत्परः भविष्यति ततो रक्तं तव वक्त्रे परावसो

anurāgaparo bhūtvā yadyāsvādanatatparaḥ bhaviṣyati tato raktaṁ tava vaktre parāvaso

'But if, O Paravasu, overcome by passion, you engage in the tasting with desire, then blood shall appear upon your mouth —'

Verse 106 (skanda.6.197.106)

शुद्धस्य त्वथ दुग्धं च भविष्यति न संशयः

śuddhasya tvatha dugdhaṁ ca bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

'— whereas, if you are pure, milk shall appear instead, without doubt.'

Verse 107 (skanda.6.197.107)

स्तनाभ्यां तव हस्ताभ्यां स्पर्शात्क्षीरं भवेद्यदि तत्ते शुद्धिः परिज्ञेया रक्तं वा न भविष्यति

stanābhyāṁ tava hastābhyāṁ sparśātkṣīraṁ bhavedyadi tatte śuddhiḥ parijñeyā raktaṁ vā na bhaviṣyati

'And if, at the touch of your hands upon her breasts, milk appears rather than blood, then your purity is to be known for certain.'

Verse 108 (skanda.6.197.108)

एवमुक्त्वाथ तं कन्यां ततः प्रोवाच स द्विजः एनं त्वं पुत्रवत्पश्य पुत्रि ब्राह्मणसत्तमम्

evamuktvātha taṁ kanyāṁ tataḥ provāca sa dvijaḥ enaṁ tvaṁ putravatpaśya putri brāhmaṇasattamam

Having said this, that brahmin then spoke to the maiden: 'My daughter, regard this excellent brahmin as your own son.'

Verse 109 (skanda.6.197.109)

येन शुद्धिमवाप्नोति त्वदोष्ठास्वादने कृते स्पर्शिताभ्यां स्तनाभ्यां च प्रायश्चित्तं यतः स्मृतम्

yena śuddhimavāpnoti tvadoṣṭhāsvādane kṛte sparśitābhyāṁ stanābhyāṁ ca prāyaścittaṁ yataḥ smṛtam

'By this — the tasting of your lip, and the touching of your two breasts — he shall attain purity, for this is the penance declared in the law-books —'

Verse 110 (skanda.6.197.110)

एतदस्य द्विजेंद्रस्य वयस्यैर्हास्यसंयुतैः येन शुद्धिमवाप्नोति नो चेन्मृत्युमवाप्स्यति

etadasya dvijeṁdrasya vayasyairhāsyasaṁyutaiḥ yena śuddhimavāpnoti no cenmṛtyumavāpsyati

'— this very thing that was spoken to this foremost of brahmins by his laughing companions; by it he shall attain purity, or else he shall meet with death.'

Verse 111 (skanda.6.197.111)

सूत उवाच सा तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय सव्रीडं तमुवाच ह एहि वत्स कुरुष्व त्वं प्रायश्चित्तं विशुद्धये

sūta uvāca sā tatheti pratijñāya savrīḍaṁ tamuvāca ha ehi vatsa kuruṣva tvaṁ prāyaścittaṁ viśuddhaye

Suta said: She, having promised 'So be it,' spoke to him with modesty: 'Come, my child, and perform this penance for your purification.'

Verse 112 (skanda.6.197.112)

मातृभावं समाधाय मया त्वं कल्पितः सुतः सोऽपि तां मातृवन्मत्वा तस्याः सांनिध्यमागतः

mātṛbhāvaṁ samādhāya mayā tvaṁ kalpitaḥ sutaḥ so'pi tāṁ mātṛvanmatvā tasyāḥ sāṁnidhyamāgataḥ

'Having taken up the disposition of a mother, I have made you my son.' He too, regarding her as his mother, approached her presence.

Verse 113 (skanda.6.197.113)

स्पृष्टवांश्च स्तनौ तस्याः सर्वलोकस्य पश्यतः स्पृष्टाभ्यां च स्तनाभ्यां च तत्क्षणाद्द्विजसत्तमाः

spṛṣṭavāṁśca stanau tasyāḥ sarvalokasya paśyataḥ spṛṣṭābhyāṁ ca stanābhyāṁ ca tatkṣaṇāddvijasattamāḥ

He touched her two breasts, before the eyes of all present. And the instant those two breasts were touched, O best of brahmins,

Verse 114 (skanda.6.197.114)

क्षीरधारे विनिष्क्रांते कुन्देंदुहिमसंनिभे

kṣīradhāre viniṣkrāṁte kundeṁduhimasaṁnibhe

— two streams of milk, white as jasmine, the moon, and snow, flowed forth.

Verse 115 (skanda.6.197.115)

अथौष्ठास्वादनं यावत्तस्याः स कुरुते द्विजः तावत्क्षीरं विनिष्क्रांतं तादृग्रूपं तदाननात्

athauṣṭhāsvādanaṁ yāvattasyāḥ sa kurute dvijaḥ tāvatkṣīraṁ viniṣkrāṁtaṁ tādṛgrūpaṁ tadānanāt

Then, the moment that brahmin tasted her lip as well, milk of that very same kind flowed forth from her mouth.

Verse 116 (skanda.6.197.116)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे सर्वैस्ताला दत्ता द्विजातिभिः राज्ञाऽयं ब्राह्मणः शुद्धो वदमानैर्मुहुर्मुहुः

etasminnaṁtare sarvaistālā dattā dvijātibhiḥ rājñā'yaṁ brāhmaṇaḥ śuddho vadamānairmuhurmuhuḥ

At that, all the brahmins clapped their hands together, again and again, declaring to the king: 'This brahmin is pure!'

Verse 117 (skanda.6.197.117)

सोऽपि प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य तां च कन्यां मुहुर्मुहुः नमस्कृत्य क्षमस्वेति त्वं मातः पुत्रवत्सले

so'pi pradakṣiṇīkṛtya tāṁ ca kanyāṁ muhurmuhuḥ namaskṛtya kṣamasveti tvaṁ mātaḥ putravatsale

He too circumambulated that maiden again and again, and, bowing to her, said: 'Forgive me, O mother, so loving toward your child!'

Verse 118 (skanda.6.197.118)

तद्दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्यमानर्तो विस्मयान्वितः शशंस भतृयज्ञं तं प्रायश्चित्तप्रदायकम्

taddṛṣṭvā mahadāścaryamānarto vismayānvitaḥ śaśaṁsa bhatṛyajñaṁ taṁ prāyaścittapradāyakam

Beholding this great wonder, King Anarta, filled with astonishment, praised Bhartriyajna, the giver of that penance.

Verse 119 (skanda.6.197.119)

अहोऽतीव सुभाग्योऽहं यस्य मे गृहमागताः ईदृशा ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे चमत्कारपुरोद्भवाः

aho'tīva subhāgyo'haṁ yasya me gṛhamāgatāḥ īdṛśā brāhmaṇāḥ sarve camatkārapurodbhavāḥ

'Ah, how truly fortunate am I, that such brahmins as these, born of Chamatkarapura, have all come to my house!'

Verse 120 (skanda.6.197.120)

तथा चैतादृशी कन्या ह्यसामान्यप्रवर्तिनी रत्नावती महाभागा सत्यशौचसमन्विता

tathā caitādṛśī kanyā hyasāmānyapravartinī ratnāvatī mahābhāgā satyaśaucasamanvitā

'And such a daughter too — Ratnavati, most fortunate, endowed with truth and purity, one whose conduct is beyond the ordinary!'

Verse 121 (skanda.6.197.121)

तथाऽयं नैव सामान्यो ब्राह्मणश्च परावसुः यश्चेदृशीं समासाद्य कन्यां नो विकृतः स्थितः

tathā'yaṁ naiva sāmānyo brāhmaṇaśca parāvasuḥ yaścedṛśīṁ samāsādya kanyāṁ no vikṛtaḥ sthitaḥ

'And this brahmin Paravasu, too, is no ordinary man — for, having come so close to such a maiden, he remained wholly untouched by any impure thought!'

Verse 122 (skanda.6.197.122)

एवमुक्त्वा विसृज्याथ तान्विप्रान्पार्थिवोत्तमाः तां च कन्यां समादाय ततश्चांतःपुरं ययौ

evamuktvā visṛjyātha tānviprānpārthivottamāḥ tāṁ ca kanyāṁ samādāya tataścāṁtaḥpuraṁ yayau

Having said this, that best of kings then took leave of the brahmins, and, taking his daughter with him, went into the inner apartments.

Verse 123 (skanda.6.197.123)

अथ ते नागराः सर्वे मर्यादां चक्रिरे ततः अद्यप्रभृति या वेश्या स्थानेऽस्मिन्वासमेष्यति

atha te nāgarāḥ sarve maryādāṁ cakrire tataḥ adyaprabhṛti yā veśyā sthāne'sminvāsameṣyati

Then all those Nagaras thereafter established a rule: 'From this day forward, whatever courtesan shall come to dwell in this place —

Verse 124 (skanda.6.197.124)

तया नैव गृहे धार्यं सुरामांसं कथंचन दूषयंति सदा दुष्टा नागराणां सुतानिह

tayā naiva gṛhe dhāryaṁ surāmāṁsaṁ kathaṁcana dūṣayaṁti sadā duṣṭā nāgarāṇāṁ sutāniha

'— she shall never, under any circumstance, keep wine or meat in her house; for such wicked women ever corrupt the sons of the Nagaras here.'

Verse 125 (skanda.6.197.125)

अथ व्यवस्थामुत्क्रम्य या हि तद्धारयिष्यति सा दण्ड्यास्माच्च निर्वास्या प्रेत्य स्यात्पापभागिनी

atha vyavasthāmutkramya yā hi taddhārayiṣyati sā daṇḍyāsmācca nirvāsyā pretya syātpāpabhāginī

'And whichever woman transgresses this rule and keeps such things, she shall be fined and banished from this place, and after death shall share in sin.'

Verse 126 (skanda.6.197.126)

औदुम्बर्या मध्यगेन दत्तं तालत्रयं तदा

audumbaryā madhyagena dattaṁ tālatrayaṁ tadā

Then, under the udumbara tree, at its centre, the three ceremonial claps were given, sealing the decree.