Vamana's Pilgrimage: The Loyal Parrot

Verse 1 (skanda.8.118.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तथा स पाप्मया व्यास आसुर्या संगतस्तदा । तदेव रूपं संप्राप्तो वामनं देवसत्तमः

sanatkumāra uvāca | tathā sa pāpmayā vyāsa āsuryā saṅgatastadā | tadeva rūpaṁ saṁprāpto vāmanaṁ devasattamaḥ

Sanatkumara said: O Vyasa, thus overtaken by that demonic, sinful influence, that best of gods reverted once more to his very form of Vamana, the dwarf.

Verse 2 (skanda.8.118.2)

तं तथा वर्तमानं तु देवास्सर्वे सवासवाः । अब्रुवन् किमिदं देव तव वैकृतमीदृशम्

taṁ tathā vartamānaṁ tu devāssarve savāsavāḥ | abruvan kimidaṁ deva tava vaikṛtamīdṛśam

Seeing him thus altered, all the gods, together with Vasava, said: O God, what is this strange transformation that has come upon you?

Verse 3 (skanda.8.118.3)

तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ऋषयः शंसितव्रताः । मरीचिर्भृगुरत्रिश्च अङ्गिरा क्रतुरेव च

teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā ṛṣayaḥ śaṁsitavratāḥ | marīcirbhṛguratriśca aṅgirā kraturevaca

Hearing their words, the sages of praised vows - Marichi, Bhrigu, Atri, Angiras, and Kratu,

Verse 4 (skanda.8.118.4)

वसिष्ठश्च पुलस्त्यश्च पुलहो रुचिरेव च । विश्वामित्रो वामदेवो भरद्वाजस्तथौशिजः

vasiṣṭhaśca pulastyaśca pulaho rucireva ca | viśvāmitro vāmadevo bharadvājastathauśijaḥ

Vasishtha, Pulastya, Pulaha, Ruchi, Vishvamitra, Vamadeva, Bharadvaja, and the son of Ushij,

Verse 5 (skanda.8.118.5)

गौतमश्च शरद्वाँश्च कश्यपश्चोद्दलस्तथा । वत्सारो नैध्रुवश्चैव च्यवनश्चात्मवानपि

gautamaśca śaradvām̐śca kaśyapaścoddalastathā | vatsāro naidhruvaścaiva cyavanaścātmavānapi

Gautama, Sharadvan, Kashyapa, Uddala, Vatsara, Naidhruva, and the self-controlled Chyavana,

Verse 6 (skanda.8.118.6)

दधीचश्च ऋचीकश्च जमदग्निश्च विश्रुतः । जामदग्न्यस्तथा रामो ह्यगस्तिश्च महातपाः

dadhīcaśca ṛcīkaśca jamadagniśca viśrutaḥ | jāmadagnyastathā rāmo hyagastiśca mahātapāḥ

Dadhichi, Richika, the renowned Jamadagni, Jamadagni's son Rama (Parashurama), and Agastya of great austerity,

Verse 7 (skanda.8.118.7)

बृहस्पतिश्च शुक्रश्च शक्तिश्च सपराशरः । कुणिश्च कुणिबाहश्च तथा सारस्वतश्च यः

bṛhaspatiśca śukraśca śaktiśca saparāśaraḥ | kuṇiśca kuṇibāhaśca tathā sārasvataśca yaḥ

Brihaspati, Shukra, Shakti along with Parashara, Kuni, Kunibaha, and he who is called Sarasvata -

Verse 8 (skanda.8.118.8)

एते चान्ये च ऋषयो नारदश्च सपर्वतः । ऊचुर्देवांस्तदा व्यास ब्रह्मणा संप्रचोदिताः

ete cānye ca ṛṣayo nāradaśca saparvataḥ | ūcurdevāṁstadā vyāsa brahmaṇā saṁpracoditāḥ

These and other sages, and Narada together with Parvata - O Vyasa, all of these, urged on by Brahma, then spoke to the gods -

Verse 9 (skanda.8.118.9)

ऋषय ऊचुः । वयं देवाद्य संप्राप्ता ब्रह्मलोकात् सुरेश्वराः । आज्ञप्ता ब्रह्मणा क्षिप्रं देवस्यास्य कृतेन ह

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | vayaṁ devādya saṁprāptā brahmalokāt sureśvarāḥ | ājñaptā brahmaṇā kṣipraṁ devasyāsya kṛtena ha

The sages said: O lords of the gods, we have come today from the world of Brahma, swiftly commanded by Brahma because of what has happened to this god.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.118.10)

यदनेन परित्यज्य स्वधर्मं देवबन्धुना । प्रतिग्रहः कृतो राज्यं वैकुण्ठेन महात्मना

yadanena parityajya svadharmaṁ devabandhunā | pratigrahaḥ kṛto rājyaṁ vaikuṇṭhena mahātmanā

Because this friend of the gods, the great-souled Vaikuntha, forsaking his own proper conduct, accepted the kingdom as a gift,

Verse 11 (skanda.8.118.11)

ततः पाप्मासुराणां या सर्वप्राणिभयंकरी । सासुरान् संपरित्यज्य केशवं संविवेश ह

tataḥ pāpmāsurāṇāṁ yā sarvaprāṇibhayaṅkarī | sāsurān saṁparityajya keśavaṁ saṁviveśa ha

therefore that sinful influence of the demons, terrifying to all living beings, abandoning the demons, entered into Keshava himself.

Verse 12 (skanda.8.118.12)

तथाभिभूतो देवोयमशक्तः शत्रुबाधने । न चास्य तेजः सर्वे वै पश्यध्वं पूर्ववच्छुभम्

tathābhibhūto devoyamaśaktaḥ śatrubādhane | na cāsya tejaḥ sarve vai paśyadhvaṁ pūrvavacchubham

Thus overwhelmed, this god is now unable to trouble his enemies, and you can all see that his once auspicious splendour is no longer as it was.

Verse 13 (skanda.8.118.13)

स एष यदि मन्यध्वं तीर्थेषु सुसमाहितः । स्नात्वाश्वमेधेन पुनर्यजतां दैवतैस्सह

sa eṣa yadi manyadhvaṁ tīrtheṣu susamāhitaḥ | snātvāśvamedhena punaryajatāṁ daivataissaha

If you agree, let him, with focused mind, bathe in the sacred fords, and let him, together with the gods, again perform sacrifice through the Ashvamedha.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.118.14)

ततः पिनाकिनं दृष्टवा तेन पूतश्च सर्वशः । भविता पाप्मया मुक्त एवमाह पितामहः

tataḥ pinākinaṁ dṛṣṭavā tena pūtaśca sarvaśaḥ | bhavitā pāpmayā mukta evamāha pitāmahaḥ

Then, beholding the wielder of the Pinaka bow, and being wholly purified thereby, he shall be freed of that sinful influence - so has the Grandsire Brahma declared.

Verse 15 (skanda.8.118.15)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्ते सहितास्सर्वे देवा मुनिजनैस्सह । तीर्थयात्रामकुर्वन् तं गृहीत्वा विष्णुमव्ययम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | tataste sahitāssarve devā munijanaissaha | tīrthayātrāmakurvan taṁ gṛhītvā viṣṇumavyayam

Sanatkumara said: Then all those gods, together with the company of sages, taking the imperishable Vishnu with them, set out upon a pilgrimage to the sacred fords.

Verse 16 (skanda.8.118.16)

ते तु पुष्करिणीं रम्यां सुषुम्णेति सुविश्रुताम् । नलिनीवनसंछन्नां प्रहृष्टाण्डजनादिताम्

te tu puṣkariṇīṁ ramyāṁ suṣumṇeti suviśrutām | nalinīvanasaṁchannāṁ prahṛṣṭāṇḍajanāditām

They came to a lovely pool, renowned by the name Sushumna, covered over with groves of lotuses, resounding with the joyful calls of birds,

Verse 17 (skanda.8.118.17)

बहुवृक्षवनोपेतां फुल्लपङ्कजशोभिताम् । बहूपवनवृक्षाढ्यां सूक्ष्मकाञ्चनबालुकाम्

bahuvṛkṣavanopetāṁ phullapaṅkajaśobhitām | bahūpavanavṛkṣāḍhyāṁ sūkṣmakāñcanabālukām

thronged with many groves of trees, adorned with blossoming lotuses, rich with the trees of many gardens, its sands fine as powdered gold,

Verse 18 (skanda.8.118.18)

वज्रवैदूर्यनीलाङ्कामिन्द्रनीललतोपलाम् । विविधाण्डजशब्दाढ्यां सिद्धचारणसेविताम्

vajravaidūryanīlāṅkāmindranīlalatopalām | vividhāṇḍajaśabdāḍhyāṁ siddhacāraṇasevitām

marked with diamond, cat's-eye, and sapphire, laced with veins of sapphire-blue stone, rich with the calls of birds of every kind, frequented by siddhas and charanas,

Verse 19 (skanda.8.118.19)

किन्नरोद्गीतमधुरामप्सरोभिश्च सेविताम् । मत्तभ्रमरगीताढ्यां श्रीनिकेतननिकेतनाम्

kinnarodgītamadhurāmapsarobhiśca sevitām | mattabhramaragītāḍhyāṁ śrīniketananiketanām

sweet with the songs of kinnaras, frequented by apsaras, rich with the humming of intoxicated bees - a dwelling place, as it were, for the very abode of Shri.

Verse 20 (skanda.8.118.20)

यस्यां स्नात्वा नरो मर्त्यः स्वशरीरेण सुव्रत । विमानेनार्कभासेन गच्छन्ति ह्यमरालयम्

yasyāṁ snātvā naro martyaḥ svaśarīreṇa suvrata | vimānenārkabhāsena gacchanti hyamarālayam

Bathing in which, O one of good vows, a mortal man, in his very own body, goes to the abode of the immortals upon a chariot bright as the sun.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.118.21)

तामासाद्य तदा देवाः सुषुम्नामृषिभिस्सह । पद्मानि जगृहुश्चैव मृणालानि बिसानि च

tāmāsādya tadā devāḥ suṣumnāmṛṣibhissaha | padmāni jagṛhuścaiva mṛṇālāni bisāni ca

Arriving at that Sushumna pool, the gods, together with the sages, began to gather lotuses, lotus-stalks, and lotus-roots.

Verse 22 (skanda.8.118.22)

अथ तत्र महापद्मं विकचं सुमनोहरम् । सहस्रपत्रसंछन्नमगस्त्योद्धृत्य गृह्य तत्

atha tatra mahāpadmaṁ vikacaṁ sumanoharam | sahasrapatrasaṁchannamagastyoddhṛtya gṛhya tat

There Agastya drew out and took hold of a great lotus, fully blossomed, exceedingly lovely, with a thousand petals -

Verse 23 (skanda.8.118.23)

तस्यास्तीरे निचिक्षेप ततः सस्नौ यथासुखम् । जग्राह तच्च देवेन्द्र अदृष्टः केनचिद्विभुः

tasyāstīre nicikṣepa tataḥ sasnau yathāsukham | jagrāha tacca devendra adṛṣṭaḥ kenacidvibhuḥ

laid it upon the bank of that pool, and then bathed at his ease. Meanwhile the mighty Indra, unseen by anyone, took it up.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.118.24)

अथागस्त्यः समुत्तीर्णो न तत्पद्ममपश्यत । सर्वांश्च तानुपामन्त्र्य इदमाह महामनाः

athāgastyaḥ samuttīrṇo na tatpadmamapaśyat | sarvāṁśca tānupāmantrya idamāha mahāmanāḥ

When Agastya emerged from the water, he did not see that lotus. Then that great-minded one, addressing them all, said this -

Verse 25 (skanda.8.118.25)

अगस्त्य उवाच । मम पद्म महद्देवाः केनादत्तं सुपुष्पितम् । सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्त ऋषयस्सर्वे देवाश्चापि ऋषेस्तदा । प्रत्ययान् विविधाँश्चक्रुरेकैकश्येन सुव्रत

agastya uvāca | mama padma mahaddevāḥ kenādattaṁ supuṣpitam | sanatkumāra uvāca | tatasta ṛṣayassarve devāścāpi ṛṣestadā | pratyayān vividhām̐ścakrurekaikaśyena suvrata

Agastya said: O great gods, who has taken my beautifully blossomed lotus? Sanatkumara said: Then, O one of good vows, all those sages and the gods too gave that sage, one after another, various assurances of their own innocence.

Verse 26 (skanda.8.118.26)

इन्द्र उवाच । स यज्ञैर्यजतामिष्टैर्बहुभिश्चाप्तदक्षिणैः । वसेत् स्वर्गे च नियतं यस्ते हरति पङ्कजम्

indra uvāca | sa yajñairyajatāmiṣṭairbahubhiścāptadakṣiṇaiḥ | vaset svarge ca niyataṁ yaste harati paṅkajam

Indra said: Whoever it is that has taken your lotus - may he, through many desired sacrifices with ample gifts to priests, surely dwell in heaven.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.118.27)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्ते मेनिरे सर्वे देवेन्द्रेण महात्मना । गृहीतं पङ्कजं व्यास इन्द्रश्चैनमुवाच ह

sanatkumāra uvāca | tataste menire sarve devendreṇa mahātmanā | gṛhītaṁ paṅkajaṁ vyāsa indraścainamuvāca ha

Sanatkumara said: O Vyasa, then all of them understood that it was the great-souled Indra himself who had taken the lotus, and Indra then said to him -

Verse 28 (skanda.8.118.28)

इन्द्र उवाच । ऋषीणां धर्मतत्त्वानि शृणुयाय वयं कथम् । उपायोयं कृतस्तस्माद् गृहाणेदं जलोद्भवम्

indra uvāca | ṛṣīṇāṁ dharmatattvāni śṛṇuyāya vayaṁ katham | upāyoyaṁ kṛtastasmād gṛhāṇedaṁ jalodbhavam

Indra said: This device was employed only so that we might come to know the very truth of the sages' righteousness. Therefore, take back this lotus, born of the water.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.118.29)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततस्ते तत्र संपूज्य अग्नीन् देवान् पितॄनपि । ब्राह्मणांस्तर्पयित्वा च विष्णोः कृत्वा तथाशिषः

sanatkumāra uvāca | tataste tatra saṁpūjya agnīn devān pitṝnapi | brāhmaṇāṁstarpayitvā ca viṣṇoḥ kṛtvā tathāśiṣaḥ

Sanatkumara said: Then, having there worshipped the sacred fires, the gods, and the ancestors, and having satisfied the brahmins, and having pronounced blessings for Vishnu -

Verse 30 (skanda.8.118.30)

जग्मुरन्यानि तीर्थानि सुपुण्यानि शुभानि च । बहूनि व्यास मुनयो देवाश्च सुसमाहिताः

jagmuranyāni tīrthāni supuṇyāni śubhāni ca | bahūni vyāsa munayo devāśca susamāhitāḥ

O Vyasa, the sages and the gods, with fully focused minds, then went on to many other most sacred and auspicious fords.

Verse 31 (skanda.8.118.31)

अथापश्यन्त ते वृक्षमेकं शुष्कं महातरुम् । कोटरे च शुकं तस्य शुष्यन्तं व्याकुलेन्द्रियम्

athāpaśyanta te vṛkṣamekaṁ śuṣkaṁ mahātarum | koṭare ca śukaṁ tasya śuṣyantaṁ vyākulendriyam

Then they saw one great tree, withered and dead, and in its hollow a parrot, itself wasting away, its senses in distress.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.118.32)

ते दृष्टवा तमपृच्छन्त महेन्द्रेण दिवौकसः । दिव्येन चक्षुषा दृष्ट्वा शुकं तुष्ट्वा यशस्विनः

te dṛṣṭavā tamapṛcchanta mahendreṇa divaukasaḥ | divyena cakṣuṣā dṛṣṭvā śukaṁ tuṣṭvā yaśasvinaḥ

Seeing this, the heaven-dwelling gods, together with great Indra, began to question him. Beholding that parrot with their divine sight, those illustrious gods were moved.

Verse 33 (skanda.8.118.33)

इन्द्र उवाच । खगेश्वर मृते ह्यस्मिन् कस्मात्तिष्ठसि पादपे । अपुष्पफलपत्रे त्वं शुष्के निरुपजीविते

indra uvāca | khageśvara mṛte hyasmin kasmāttiṣṭhasi pādape | apuṣpaphalapatre tvaṁ śuṣke nirupajīvite

Indra said: O lord of birds, why do you remain upon this dead tree, bereft of flowers, fruit, and leaves, withered and beyond life's use?

Verse 34 (skanda.8.118.34)

शुक उवाच । एष वृक्षः पुरा ह्यासीत् सुमहान् कल्पवृक्षवत् । फलैरमृतकल्पैश्च चिरश्चाप्युपजीवितः

śuka uvāca | eṣa vṛkṣaḥ purā hyāsīt sumahān kalpavṛkṣavat | phalairamṛtakalpaiśca ciraścāpyupajīvitaḥ

Shuka said: This tree was once exceedingly great, like the wish-fulfilling tree of paradise, and for a long time I have lived, sustained by its fruits, sweet as nectar.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.118.35)

दशामिमां पुनः प्राप्तः कालेन च वनस्पतिः । जह्यादेनं कथं प्राज्ञः कृतज्ञो मादृशः पुनः

daśāmimāṁ punaḥ prāptaḥ kālena ca vanaspatiḥ | jahyādenaṁ kathaṁ prājñaḥ kṛtajño mādṛśaḥ punaḥ

Now, by the passage of time, this forest lord has come again to this state. How could one as wise and grateful as I ever abandon him?

Verse 36 (skanda.8.118.36)

कृतघ्नः स्यामहं देव भृतमेनं परित्यजन् । ये लोका ह्यस्य वृक्षस्य ते मे सन्तु शचीपते

kṛtaghnaḥ syāmahaṁ deva bhṛtamenaṁ parityajan | ye lokā hyasya vṛkṣasya te me santu śacīpate

O God, were I to abandon him, who nourished and sustained me, I would become an ingrate. O lord of Shachi, whatever worlds await this tree, let those be mine as well.

Verse 37 (skanda.8.118.37)

इन्द्र उवाच । प्रज्ञावानसि मेधावी महात्मा नयतत्त्ववित् । कथं मूढमिवात्मानं करोषि खगपार्थिव

indra uvāca | prajñāvānasi medhāvī mahātmā nayatattvavit | kathaṁ mūḍhamivātmānaṁ karoṣi khagapārthiva

Indra said: You are wise, intelligent, great of soul, and versed in the truths of right conduct. Then why, O king among birds, do you make yourself out to be a fool?

Verse 38 (skanda.8.118.38)

वनस्पतिरयं साधो धर्म एषोस्य नित्यदा । अबुद्धिपूर्वं पक्षीन्द्र स्वभावाच्चात्र कारितः

vanaspatirayaṁ sādho dharma eṣosya nityadā | abuddhipūrvaṁ pakṣīndra svabhāvāccātra kāritaḥ

O virtuous one, this is but a plant, and this is ever its way - acting, O lord of birds, without any deliberate intelligence, but by mere natural instinct alone.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.118.39)

नास्येयं बुद्धिरभवद्वयांसि मयि नित्यशः । वसन्तु मम खादन्तु फलानि च यथासुखम्

nāsyeyaṁ buddhirabhavadvayāṁsi mayi nityaśaḥ | vasantu mama khādantu phalāni ca yathāsukham

This tree never harboured the thought, 'Let birds dwell upon me always, and eat my fruit at their pleasure.'

Verse 40 (skanda.8.118.40)

अचेतनो यथा हद्यग्निरापो वायुश्च तत्त्वतः । भूतानामुपकाराय स्वभावान्नान्यथा हि ते

acetano yathā hyagnirāpo vāyuśca tattvataḥ | bhūtānāmupakārāya svabhāvānnānyathā hi te

Just as fire, water, and wind are in truth without consciousness, yet exist for the benefit of all beings - that is simply their nature, and nothing more.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.118.41)

तद्वत् त्वं खग वृक्षस्य बुद्ध्वा कर्म स्वभावजम् । परित्यज्येममन्यत्र गच्छ यत्र सुखं भवेत्

tadvat tvaṁ khaga vṛkṣasya buddhvā karma svabhāvajam | parityajyemamanyatra gaccha yatra sukhaṁ bhavet

Just so, O bird, understanding that this tree's conduct is merely a product of its own nature, leave it behind and go elsewhere, wherever happiness may be found.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.118.42)

शुक उवाच । न मूढोस्मि सुरेशान मावमंस्था वचो मम । शृणुष्व च यथाप्रज्ञा मम देवेश्वर प्रभो

śuka uvāca | na mūḍhosmi sureśāna māvamaṁsthā vaco mama | śṛṇuṣva ca yathāprajñā mama deveśvara prabho

Shuka said: O lord of the gods, I am not foolish - do not disdain my words. Listen, O master of the divinities, O lord, to what my understanding tells me.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.118.43)

अचेतनो यथा ह्यग्निरापो वायुश्च तत्त्वतः । न तथा सुरशार्दूल वृक्षगुल्मलतादयः

acetano yathā hyagnirāpo vāyuśca tattvataḥ | na tathā suraśārdūla vṛkṣagulmalatādayaḥ

O tiger among gods, as fire, water, and wind are truly without consciousness, trees, shrubs, and creepers are not the same in this regard.

Verse 44 (skanda.8.118.44)

विहितो ह्येष संसारः सर्वेषामेव कर्मिणाम् । तस्मादचेतनत्वन्ते न वृक्षेषु सुरेश्वर

vihito hyeṣa saṁsāraḥ sarveṣāmeva karmiṇām | tasmādacetanatvante na vṛkṣeṣu sureśvara

This cycle of existence is ordained precisely for all beings who act through deeds. Therefore, O lord of gods, there is in the end no true unconsciousness in trees.

Verse 45 (skanda.8.118.45)

यथा च बुद्धिर्वृक्षाणां कथं कुर्याम सर्वशः । उपकारास्तु भूतानामिति मे तन्निशामय

yathā ca buddhirvṛkṣāṇāṁ kathaṁ kuryāma sarvaśaḥ | upakārāstu bhūtānāmiti me tanniśāmaya

How it is that trees possess the awareness 'let us in every way benefit all living beings' - hear this from me.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.118.46)

स्वयम्भुरेतानवदत् सृष्ट्वा मुख्यान्महायशाः । प्रजानामुपकाराय वर्तध्वमिति सर्वशः

svayaṁbhuretānavadat sṛṣṭvā mukhyānmahāyaśāḥ | prajānāmupakārāya vartadhvamiti sarvaśaḥ

The illustrious Self-born One, having created these foremost of plants, said to them: Ever exist, all of you, for the benefit of all creatures.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.118.47)

ततस्ते फलपुष्पत्वक्प्रबालादिभिरन्तशः । उपकाराय वर्तन्ते सर्वभूतेषु लोकप

tataste phalapuṣpatvakprabālādibhirantaśaḥ | upakārāya vartante sarvabhūteṣu lokapa

Since then, O guardian of the world, they exist, down to their fruit, flowers, bark, and tender shoots, for the benefit of all beings without exception.

Verse 48 (skanda.8.118.48)

वायुरग्निस्तथापश्च किन्तवाविदितं प्रभो । बुद्धिपूर्वं प्रवर्तन्ते यथावद्धि नगाः शुभाः

vāyuragnistathāpaśca kintavaviditaṁ prabho | buddhipūrvaṁ pravartante yathāvaddhi nagāḥ śubhāḥ

Wind, fire, and water as well - but is it not known to you, O lord, that these auspicious trees act precisely as they do with real, deliberate purpose?

Verse 49 (skanda.8.118.49)

इन्द्र उवाच । कथं तवेदं विज्ञानं को धर्मः कश्च ते श्रमः । एतद्वेदितुमिच्छामः कथयस्व खगेश्वर

indra uvāca | kathaṁ tavedaṁ vijñānaṁ ko dharmaḥ kaśca te śramaḥ | etadveditumicchāmaḥ kathayasva khageśvara

Indra said: How have you come by this knowledge? What is your dharma, what is your discipline? We wish to know this - tell us, O lord of birds.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.118.50)

शुक उवाच । जन्मप्रभृति देवेश न मित्रद्रुहणे मम । बुद्धिः समभवन्नित्यं मृत्यावपि समागते

śuka uvāca | janmaprabhṛti deveśa na mitradruhaṇe mama | buddhiḥ samabhavannityaṁ mṛtyāvapi samāgate

Shuka said: O lord of the gods, from birth until now, never once has the thought of betraying a friend arisen in me - not even were death itself to come.

Verse 51 (skanda.8.118.51)

मातापितृपरश्चाहं स्वदारनिरतस्तथा । नावमन्ये च भूतानि ऋतुकाले व्रजामि च

mātāpitṛparaścāhaṁ svadāraniratastathā | nāvamanye ca bhūtāni ṛtukāle vrajāmi ca

I am devoted to my mother and father, faithful to my own mate alone, I never disdain any living being, and I approach my mate only in her proper season.

Verse 52 (skanda.8.118.52)

न भक्षयामि धान्यानि परेषां देवताधिप । तेन मे ज्ञानममलं प्रवृत्तं सुरसत्तम

na bhakṣayāmi dhānyāni pareṣāṁ devatādhipa | tena me jñānamamalaṁ pravṛttaṁ surasattama

O lord of the gods, I do not eat the grain of others. Because of this, O best of gods, this untainted knowledge has arisen within me.

Verse 53 (skanda.8.118.53)

इन्द्र उवाच । तुष्टोस्मि तव सद्बुद्ध्या अनया खगसत्तम । वरं वृणु प्रदास्यामि यद् भवान्मन्यते शुभम्

indra uvāca | tuṣṭosmi tava sadbuddhyā anayā khagasattama | varaṁ vṛṇu pradāsyāmi yad bhavānmanyate śubham

Indra said: O best of birds, I am pleased with this good judgment of yours. Ask a boon - whatever auspicious thing you think fit - and I shall grant it.

Verse 54 (skanda.8.118.54)

शुक उवाच । जीवतामेष देवेन्द्र त्वत्प्रसादाद् वनस्पतिः । अतो नान्यमहं देव वृणुयां वरमुत्तमम्

śuka uvāca | jīvatāmeṣa devendra tvatprasādād vanaspatiḥ | ato nānyamahaṁ deva vṛṇuyāṁ varamuttamam

Shuka said: O lord of the gods, by your grace let this tree live once more. O God, I shall ask for no other, greater boon than this.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.118.55)

इन्द्र उवाच । कर्मणा स्वेन जन्तूनां गतयः संप्रकीर्तिताः । स्वेनैव कर्मणा पातः किन्तवानेन बुद्धिमन्

indra uvāca | karmaṇā svena jantūnāṁ gatayaḥ saṁprakīrtitāḥ | svenaiva karmaṇā pātaḥ kintavānena buddhiman

Indra said: It is declared that the destinies of creatures are determined by their own deeds, and by their own deeds too they may fall. But because of this, O wise one -

Verse 56 (skanda.8.118.56)

इदं विमानमारुह्य मया दत्तं खगोत्तम । मम लोकं व्रज क्षिप्रं स्तूयमानो यथा नर

idaṁ vimānamāruhya mayā dattaṁ khagottama | mama lokaṁ vraja kṣipraṁ stūyamāno yathā naraḥ

O best of birds, mounting this chariot given by me, go swiftly to my world, honoured and praised, just as a worthy man would be.

Verse 57 (skanda.8.118.57)

शुक उवाच । न लोकानहमिच्छामि न विमानं न वै सुखम् । प्रयाचितं प्रयच्छस्व जीवतामेष वै नगः

śuka uvāca | na lokānahamicchāmi na vimānaṁ na vai sukham | prayācitaṁ prayacchasva jīvatāmeṣa vai nagaḥ

Shuka said: I desire neither worlds, nor a chariot, nor happiness. Grant only what I have asked - let this tree live.

Verse 58 (skanda.8.118.58)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । सद्भावं तस्य तं ज्ञात्वा सर्वं च सुरसत्तमः । चकार स यथापूर्वं वृक्षं सर्वगुणान्वितम्

sanatkumāra uvāca | sadbhāvaṁ tasya taṁ jñātvā sarvaṁ ca surasattamaḥ | cakāra sa yathāpūrvaṁ vṛkṣaṁ sarvaguṇānvitam

Sanatkumara said: Recognizing his entire sincerity of heart, that best of gods restored the tree, just as it had been before, endowed once more with all its excellences.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.118.59)

शुकश्च कर्मणा तेन दृढभक्तितयापि च । दीनेष्वभ्युपपत्त्या च ब्रह्मलोकं जगाम ह

śukaśca karmaṇā tena dṛḍhabhaktitayāpi ca | dīneṣvabhyupapattyā ca brahmalokaṁ jagāma ha

And Shuka too, through that deed, through his steadfast devotion, and through his compassion for the afflicted, thereby attained the world of Brahma.