The Tale of the Seven Hunters and Kaushika's Curse

Verse 1 (skanda.8.56.1)

व्यास उवाच। । भगवन् यत्त्वयाख्यातं पूर्वं नरकवर्णने

vyāsa uvāca| | bhagavan yattvayākhyātaṁ pūrvaṁ narakavarṇane

Vyasa said: O lord, that which you told before, in the description of the hells...

Verse 2 (skanda.8.56.2)

दुष्कृतं कर्म कृत्वा तु नरा नरकगामिनः

duṣkṛtaṁ karma kṛtvā tu narā narakagāminaḥ

—that men, having done evil deeds, become bound for hell...

Verse 3 (skanda.8.56.3)

भवन्ति सुकृताः सर्वे स्वर्गसौख्यसमायुताः

bhavanti sukṛtāḥ sarve svargasaukhyasamāyutāḥ

and all who perform good deeds become endowed with the joys of heaven...

Verse 4 (skanda.8.56.4)

ब्राह्मणा दुष्कृतं कृत्वा गत्वा दुर्गतिमापदम्

brāhmaṇā duṣkṛtaṁ kṛtvā gatvā durgatimāpadam

But tell me: brahmins who, having done evil, have gone to that calamitous, evil state...

Verse 5 (skanda.8.56.5)

कथं भूयः समायन्ति स्वर्गसौख्यफलं महत् । योनीर्वा कथमागम्य बह्वीः संकरजातिषु । भूयः सुकृतिनो भूत्वा प्राप्नुवन्ति शुभां गतिम्

kathaṁ bhūyaḥ samāyanti svargasaukhyaphalaṁ mahat | yonīrvā kathamāgamya bahvīḥ saṁkarajātiṣu | bhūyaḥ sukṛtino bhūtvā prāpnuvanti śubhāṁ gatim

—how do they come once more to that great fruit of heavenly happiness? Or, passing through many wombs among mixed castes, how, becoming virtuous again, do they attain a good destiny?

Verse 6 (skanda.8.56.6)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । शृणु व्यास पुरावृत्तं दशार्णेषु तु यच्छ्रुतम्

sanatkumāra uvāca| | śṛṇu vyāsa purāvṛttaṁ daśārṇeṣu tu yacchrutam

Sanatkumara said: Hear, O Vyasa, an ancient tale, as it was heard, in the land of the Dasharnas.

Verse 7 (skanda.8.56.7)

सप्तानां द्विजशिप्याणामशुभं शुभमेव च

saptānāṁ dvijaśipyāṇāmaśubhaṁ śubhameva ca

—of the seven brahmin disciples, both their misfortune and their eventual good fortune.

Verse 8 (skanda.8.56.8)

आसीत् सुपर्वा विख्यातः कौशिको ब्राह्मणः शुचिः । धार्मिकश्च वदान्यश्च विद्वान् विप्रैः सपूजितः

āsīt suparvā vikhyātaḥ kauśiko brāhmaṇaḥ śuciḥ | dhārmikaśca vadānyaśca vidvān vipraiḥ sapūjitaḥ

There was a renowned brahmin, pure, of noble lineage, named Kaushika; righteous, generous, learned, and honored by other brahmins.

Verse 9 (skanda.8.56.9)

तस्य शिष्या बभूवुर्हि सप्त दुर्मेधसश्च ते

tasya śiṣyā babhūvurhi sapta durmedhasaśca te

He had seven disciples, and they were dull of understanding.

Verse 10 (skanda.8.56.10)

गुरुशुश्रूषणेसक्ता नामतस्तान्निबोध मे

guruśuśrūṣaṇesaktā nāmatastānnibodha me

devoted to serving their guru; hear their names from me.

Verse 11 (skanda.8.56.11)

आत्रेयः कण्डरो नाम उपमन्युश्च दामनः

ātreyaḥ kaṇḍaro nāma upamanyuśca dāmanaḥ

Kandara of the Atreya line, and Upamanyu, and Damana...

Verse 12 (skanda.8.56.12)

शाण्डिल्यश्चैव हालोभूद् गार्ग्यश्च विदलस्तथा

śāṇḍilyaścaiva hālobhūd gārgyaśca vidalastathā

and Hala of the Shandilya lineage, and Vidala of the Gargya lineage...

Verse 13 (skanda.8.56.13)

शैशिरो गौतमश्चैव दण्डकीलश्च काश्यपः । विदर्भश्चैव हारीत इतीमे सप्त विश्रुताः

śaiśiro gautamaścaiva daṇḍakīlaśca kāśyapaḥ | vidarbhaścaiva hārīta itīme sapta viśrutāḥ

and Gautama of the Shaishira lineage, and Dandakila of the Kashyapa lineage, and Vidarbha of the Harita lineage — these seven were renowned.

Verse 14 (skanda.8.56.14)

उपाध्यायोथ तान्विप्रान् प्रोवाचेदं महातपाः । अचिराद् गामितो गत्वा याज्यदत्तां सुरूपिणीम्

upādhyāyotha tānviprān provācedaṁ mahātapāḥ | acirād gāmito gatvā yājyadattāṁ surūpiṇīm

Then the teacher, of great austerity, said this to those brahmins: Go quickly from here, and fetch that beautiful cow given by a sacrificer...

Verse 15 (skanda.8.56.15)

गत्वानयत होमार्थे शीघ्रं माहिष्मतीं पुरीम् । त एवमुक्तास्तेनैव माहिष्मत्यास्त्वतन्द्रिताः

gatvānayata homārthe śīghraṁ māhiṣmatīṁ purīm | ta evamuktāstenaiva māhiṣmatyāstvatandritāḥ

—go and bring her quickly from the city of Mahishmati, for the fire-offering. Thus instructed by him, they, without delay, set off from Mahishmati...

Verse 16 (skanda.8.56.16)

गामादाय निवर्तन्तो मृत्तिकावतिमन्तशः

gāmādāya nivartanto mṛttikāvatimantaśaḥ

taking the cow and returning, they at last reached the place called Mrittikavati.

Verse 17 (skanda.8.56.17)

अनावृष्ट्या ततस्तेतु दुर्भिक्षे परिवर्तति

anāvṛṣṭyā tatastetu durbhikṣe parivartati

Then, since there was no rain, and famine prevailed there...

Verse 18 (skanda.8.56.18)

क्षुधापरिगताः सर्वे किंभक्षाः संबभूविरे । सप्तमेहनि संजाते निराहाराः सुदुःखिताः

kṣudhāparigatāḥ sarve kiṁbhakṣāḥ saṁbabhūvire | saptamehani saṁjāte nirāhārāḥ suduḥkhitāḥ

—all of them, overcome by hunger, fell to wondering what they might eat. When the seventh day came, without any food, in great distress...

Verse 19 (skanda.8.56.19)

अमन्त्रयन्त गामेतां भक्षयाम किमास्यते । तेषां यः कण्डरो नाम आत्रेयकुलसंभवः

amantrayanta gāmetāṁ bhakṣayāma kimāsyate | teṣāṁ yaḥ kaṇḍaro nāma ātreyakulasaṁbhavaḥ

—they deliberated among themselves: Let us eat this cow; why do we just sit here? Among them, the one named Kandara, born of the Atri lineage...

Verse 20 (skanda.8.56.20)

स तानुवाच मा धेनुं भक्षयाम गुरोरिमाम् । गुरोरर्थे हि नः श्लाघ्या मृत्युरप्यविचक्षणाः

sa tānuvāca mā dhenuṁ bhakṣayāma gurorimām | gurorarthe hi naḥ ślāghyā mṛtyurapyavicakṣaṇāḥ

—said to them: Let us not eat this cow of our guru's. For the guru's sake, even death would be praiseworthy for us, O unwise ones.

Verse 21 (skanda.8.56.21)

मा गुरोः क्रोधनिर्दग्धा यास्याम निधनं वयम् । ते यदा तद्वचो नैव जगृहुः क्षुत्प्रपीडिताः

mā guroḥ krodhanirdagdhā yāsyāma nidhanaṁ vayam | te yadā tadvaco naiva jagṛhuḥ kṣutprapīḍitāḥ

Let us not, burned by our guru's wrath, bring about our own ruin. But when they, tormented by hunger, would not heed his words at all...

Verse 22 (skanda.8.56.22)

स तदोवाच भूयस्तानिदं वचनमर्थवत् । यदि वोवधृतं विप्रा भक्षणेस्यास्तपोधनाः

sa tadovāca bhūyastānidaṁ vacanamarthavat | yadi vovadhṛtaṁ viprā bhakṣaṇesyāstapodhanāḥ

—then he spoke to them once more this meaningful word: If, O brahmins, rich in austerity, your minds are fixed on eating her...

Verse 23 (skanda.8.56.23)

मा वृथा भक्षयामैनां पित्रर्थे प्रोक्षयामहे । मा नो दोषद्वयेनेह लोपो भवतु शोभनाः

mā vṛthā bhakṣayāmaināṁ pitrarthe prokṣayāmahe | mā no doṣadvayeneha lopo bhavatu śobhanāḥ

—let us not eat her needlessly; let us consecrate her in the name of the ancestors. Let there be no ruin for us, good friends, through a double fault.

Verse 24 (skanda.8.56.24)

एवं ह्यल्पेन दोषेण वयं योक्ष्येम सर्वथा । त एवमुक्ताः सम्यक्तु वचस्तस्यावधार्य च

evaṁ hyalpena doṣeṇa vayaṁ yokṣyema sarvathā | ta evamuktāḥ samyaktu vacastasyāvadhārya ca

Thus, with only a slight fault, shall we be bound in every way. Thus addressed, and having duly accepted his words...

Verse 25 (skanda.8.56.25)

प्रोक्षयामासुरव्यग्रा पित्रर्थे तां पयस्विनीम् । ततः संस्कृत्य विधिवद् निवेद्य च महामुने

prokṣayāmāsuravyagrā pitrarthe tāṁ payasvinīm | tataḥ saṁskṛtya vidhivad nivedya ca mahāmune

—undisturbed, they consecrated that milk-giving cow in the name of the ancestors. Then, O great sage, having duly prepared her by rite and offered her...

Verse 26 (skanda.8.56.26)

हुताग्नयस्ततो भूत्वा प्रत्येकमुपभुज्य च । वत्समेकं गले बद्ध्वा आनिन्युर्गुरवे तदा

hutāgnayastato bhūtvā pratyekamupabhujya ca | vatsamekaṁ gale baddhvā āninyurgurave tadā

—having offered the fire-sacrifice, and each having partaken of his share, they tied one calf by the neck and brought it to their guru.

Verse 27 (skanda.8.56.27)

अथ दृष्टवा स तं वत्सं धेनुं पप्रच्छ तान्द्विजः । त ऊचुः पथि शार्दूलोवधीत्तामिति निर्घृणाः

atha dṛṣṭavā sa taṁ vatsaṁ dhenuṁ papraccha tāndvijaḥ | ta ūcuḥ pathi śārdūlovadhīttāmiti nirghṛṇāḥ

Then, seeing that calf, the brahmin asked them about the cow. Those merciless ones said: A tiger killed her on the way.

Verse 28 (skanda.8.56.28)

अथ तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा शंकया च दुरात्मनाम् । दिव्येन चक्षुषापश्यद् भक्षितां तैर्महातपाः

atha teṣāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā śaṁkayā ca durātmanām | divyena cakṣuṣāpaśyad bhakṣitāṁ tairmahātapāḥ

Then, hearing their words, and growing suspicious of those evil-souled ones, that great ascetic saw with his divine eye that she had indeed been eaten by them.

Verse 29 (skanda.8.56.29)

सतः स रोषाद् रक्ताक्षो निर्दहन्निव ताँस्तदा

sataḥ sa roṣād raktākṣo nirdahanniva tā~stadā

Then, his eyes red with rage, as if burning them up with his gaze...

Verse 30 (skanda.8.56.30)

उवाच वत्सं दृष्टवा च कृपया भृशदुःखितः

uvāca vatsaṁ dṛṣṭavā ca kṛpayā bhṛśaduḥkhitaḥ

—yet, seeing the calf, and moved by pity, deeply grieved, he spoke:

Verse 31 (skanda.8.56.31)

युष्माभिर्भक्षिता सा हि तथ्यं न कथितं च मे । कर्मणा तेन तस्माद्वो गतिः कष्टा भविष्यति

yuṣmābhirbhakṣitā sā hi tathyaṁ na kathitaṁ ca me | karmaṇā tena tasmādvo gatiḥ kaṣṭā bhaviṣyati

She was indeed eaten by you, and you did not tell me the truth. Therefore, because of that deed, your destiny shall be a harsh one.

Verse 32 (skanda.8.56.32)

प्रसादितः स तैः शिष्यैर्ब्राह्मणः सुमहाद्युतिः

prasāditaḥ sa taiḥ śiṣyairbrāhmaṇaḥ sumahādyutiḥ

Propitiated by those disciples, that brahmin of very great splendor...

Verse 33 (skanda.8.56.33)

कृपया स च तानाह भूयः सर्वानिदं वचः

kṛpayā sa ca tānāha bhūyaḥ sarvānidaṁ vacaḥ

—out of compassion, spoke again this word to them all:

Verse 34 (skanda.8.56.34)

यदुक्तं तन्मया तथ्यं न तन्मिथ्या भविष्यति । येषां तु कृतवन्तः स्थस्तेध्यवस्यन्ति यच्छुभम्

yaduktaṁ tanmayā tathyaṁ na tanmithyā bhaviṣyati | yeṣāṁ tu kṛtavantaḥ sthastedhyavasyanti yacchubham

What I have said is true; it shall not prove false. But those ancestors for whose sake you performed this rite — they shall determine what good may yet come to you.

Verse 35 (skanda.8.56.35)

मत्समीपे च न स्थेयमिदानीं वः कथञ्चन । दृष्टवा वत्समिमं बालं मा वो धक्ष्यामि गच्छत

matsamīpe ca na stheyamidānīṁ vaḥ kathañcana | dṛṣṭavā vatsamimaṁ bālaṁ mā vo dhakṣyāmi gacchata

You must not remain in my presence any longer now, in any way. Having seen this young calf, I shall not burn you with my wrath — go.

Verse 36 (skanda.8.56.36)

अथ ते सहिताः सर्वे नष्टसंज्ञा विचेतसः

atha te sahitāḥ sarve naṣṭasaṁjñā vicetasaḥ

Then all of them together, their senses gone, bewildered...

Verse 37 (skanda.8.56.37)

कालेन समयुज्यन्त चिन्तयन्तो गुरोर्वचः

kālena samayujyanta cintayanto gurorvacaḥ

—in time met their end, pondering their guru's words.

Verse 38 (skanda.8.56.38)

दशार्णा नाम सा व्यास सरित् पुण्यजला शुभा

daśārṇā nāma sā vyāsa sarit puṇyajalā śubhā

That river, O Vyasa, named Dasharna, was auspicious, its waters sacred.

Verse 39 (skanda.8.56.39)

तस्यास्तीरे वनं दिव्यं विश्रुतं तत् सुभास्वरम्

tasyāstīre vanaṁ divyaṁ viśrutaṁ tat subhāsvaram

On its bank was a divine forest, renowned, exceedingly radiant.

Verse 40 (skanda.8.56.40)

तत्र व्याधोभवच्छूरः क्षुपको नाम वीर्यवान् । तस्य पुत्राभवँस्ते वै चितकायां महाबलाः

tatra vyādhobhavacchūraḥ kṣupako nāma vīryavān | tasya putrābhava~ste vai citakāyāṁ mahābalāḥ

There lived a valiant, mighty hunter named Kshupaka. They became his sons, mighty in strength, born of his wife Chitaka.

Verse 41 (skanda.8.56.41)

चितका संप्रसूता तु पुत्राँस्तान् सप्त संमतान् । व्याधाः सर्वेभवंस्ते वै चैतका इति विश्रुताः

citakā saṁprasūtā tu putrā~stān sapta saṁmatān | vyādhāḥ sarvebhavaṁste vai caitakā iti viśrutāḥ

Chitaka gave birth to those seven esteemed sons; all of them became hunters, known by the name Chaitakas.

Verse 42 (skanda.8.56.42)

चरन्ति सधनुष्कास्ते निघ्नन्तो मृगपक्षिणः । सिंहान् व्याघ्रान् गजाँश्चैव वराहादीँश्च सर्वशः

caranti sadhanuṣkāste nighnanto mṛgapakṣiṇaḥ | siṁhān vyāghrān gajā~ścaiva varāhādī~śca sarvaśaḥ

They roamed about, bows in hand, killing deer and birds, lions, tigers, elephants, boars, and every kind of creature.

Verse 43 (skanda.8.56.43)

तेषां नामानि यानि स्म व्याधत्वे तानि मे शृणु । काण्डारोर्जुनको नाम दमनः सिंहकोभवत्

teṣāṁ nāmāni yāni sma vyādhatve tāni me śṛṇu | kāṇḍārorjunako nāma damanaḥ siṁhakobhavat

Hear from me the names they bore as hunters: Kandara became Arjunaka, Damana became Simhaka...

Verse 44 (skanda.8.56.44)

हालोभूद् व्याघ्रकश्चैव विदलः शरभस्तथा । शैशिरो हिमवाँश्चैव हस्तिको दण्डकीलकः

hālobhūd vyāghrakaścaiva vidalaḥ śarabhastathā | śaiśiro himavā~ścaiva hastiko daṇḍakīlakaḥ

Hala became Vyaghraka, and Vidala became Sharabha; Shaishira became Himavan, and Dandakila became Hastika...

Verse 45 (skanda.8.56.45)

विदर्भो वज्रकश्चैव नामान्येतानि तेषु हि

vidarbho vajrakaścaiva nāmānyetāni teṣu hi

and Vidarbha became Vajraka — these were indeed their names.

Verse 46 (skanda.8.56.46)

एकश स्तेटवीं घोरां चरन्ति पिशिताशनाः

ekaśa steṭavīṁ ghorāṁ caranti piśitāśanāḥ

Together they roamed that terrible forest, eaters of flesh.

Verse 47 (skanda.8.56.47)

हिंस्राः सत्वान्तकाः सर्वे योनिं दुष्टामुपागताः । कदाचिद्विचरन्तस्ते मृगान् घ्नन्तस्तथैव च

hiṁsrāḥ satvāntakāḥ sarve yoniṁ duṣṭāmupāgatāḥ | kadācidvicarantaste mṛgān ghnantastathaiva ca

—violent, destroyers of living beings, all fallen into a wretched birth. Once, while roaming about killing deer...

Verse 48 (skanda.8.56.48)

उपाध्यायाश्रमं प्राप्ताः कर्मणा सुकृतेन ह । तत्र तेषां भयोद्विग्नाः सर्व एवाभवन् मृगाः

upādhyāyāśramaṁ prāptāḥ karmaṇā sukṛtena ha | tatra teṣāṁ bhayodvignāḥ sarva evābhavan mṛgāḥ

—by some good fortune from a former deed, they came upon their old teacher's hermitage. There, all the deer became panic-stricken with fear of them.

Verse 49 (skanda.8.56.49)

मृगान् भीतान् समालक्ष्य स विप्रः सुमहातपाः । न्यवैक्षत दिशः सर्वा व्याधाँश्चापश्यदागतान्

mṛgān bhītān samālakṣya sa vipraḥ sumahātapāḥ | nyavaikṣata diśaḥ sarvā vyādhā~ścāpaśyadāgatān

Seeing the deer terrified, that brahmin of very great austerity looked about in every direction and beheld the hunters who had arrived.

Verse 50 (skanda.8.56.50)

स्वशिष्याँस्तान् परिज्ञाय ध्यानाद् व्याधत्वमागतान्

svaśiṣyā~stān parijñāya dhyānād vyādhatvamāgatān

Recognizing through meditation that these were his own former disciples, now come to the state of hunters...

Verse 51 (skanda.8.56.51)

प्रोवाच करुणाविष्टस्तेषामेव शुभेप्सया

provāca karuṇāviṣṭasteṣāmeva śubhepsayā

—filled with compassion, and wishing for their welfare, he spoke.

Verse 52 (skanda.8.56.52)

शुश्रूषितः पुरा विप्रैर्युष्माभिरहमादरात्

śuśrūṣitaḥ purā viprairyuṣmābhirahamādarāt

Formerly, you brahmins served me with reverence...

Verse 53 (skanda.8.56.53)

कर्मणा तेन चेदानीं गोबध्याकृतशापतः

karmaṇā tena cedānīṁ gobadhyākṛtaśāpataḥ

—and now, because of that deed, through the curse brought upon you for the killing of the cow...

Verse 54 (skanda.8.56.54)

व्याधत्वमिह संप्राप्ताः कुत्सितं हिंस्रवृत्ति यत्

vyādhatvamiha saṁprāptāḥ kutsitaṁ hiṁsravṛtti yat

—you have here attained the state of hunters, that despised and violent way of life.

Verse 55 (skanda.8.56.55)

सा च गौः पितृकार्येण भक्षिता वो न हिंसया

sā ca gauḥ pitṛkāryeṇa bhakṣitā vo na hiṁsayā

Yet that cow was eaten by you for the sake of the ancestral rite, not out of cruelty.

Verse 56 (skanda.8.56.56)

तस्माद् यूयमितो भ्रष्टा जातिस्मरणसंयुताः । मृगाः कालञ्जरे भूत्वा चक्रवाकाः पुनः सरे

tasmād yūyamito bhraṣṭā jātismaraṇasaṁyutāḥ | mṛgāḥ kālañjare bhūtvā cakravākāḥ punaḥ sare

Therefore, when you fall from this state, still endowed with memory of your past births, you shall become deer on Mount Kalanjara, and then chakravaka birds again upon a lake...

Verse 57 (skanda.8.56.57)

द्वीपे ततः पुनर्हंसा भूत्वा वै मानसे ह्रदे । भूयश्च मानुषा भूत्वा जातौ जातौ सचेतनाः

dvīpe tataḥ punarhaṁsā bhūtvā vai mānase hrade | bhūyaśca mānuṣā bhūtvā jātau jātau sacetanāḥ

—then, on an island, becoming swans upon Lake Manasa; and then, becoming human once more, remaining conscious birth after birth...

Verse 58 (skanda.8.56.58)

योगयुक्ता महात्मानो मत्प्रसादादतन्द्रिताः । सर्वकिल्बिषनिर्मुक्ता ब्रह्मलोकमवाप्स्यथ

yogayuktā mahātmāno matprasādādatandritāḥ | sarvakilbiṣanirmuktā brahmalokamavāpsyatha

—joined with yoga, great of soul, unwearied through my grace, freed from all sin, you shall attain the world of Brahma.

Verse 59 (skanda.8.56.59)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा ततस्तेषां पूर्वा स्मृतिरजायत । उपाध्यायोयमस्माकमिति बुद्धौ तदा भवत्

etacchrutvā tatasteṣāṁ pūrvā smṛtirajāyata | upādhyāyoyamasmākamiti buddhau tadā bhavat

Having heard this, memory of their past life arose in them; and the thought then came to their minds: This is our very own teacher.

Verse 60 (skanda.8.56.60)

ततः कर्म जुगुप्सन्तः पूर्वजातिकृतं च यत्

tataḥ karma jugupsantaḥ pūrvajātikṛtaṁ ca yat

Then, loathing the deed committed in their former birth...

Verse 61 (skanda.8.56.61)

प्रदक्षिणमुपावृत्य दशार्णामभितो ययुः

pradakṣiṇamupāvṛtya daśārṇāmabhito yayuḥ

—having circled him in reverence, they went off toward the Dasharna river.

Verse 62 (skanda.8.56.62)

दशार्णातीरमासाद्य संमन्त्र्य च परस्परम् । जातिं पूर्वां स्मरन्तस्ते मृत्युमेव प्रवव्रिरे

daśārṇātīramāsādya saṁmantrya ca parasparam | jātiṁ pūrvāṁ smarantaste mṛtyumeva pravavrire

Reaching the bank of the Dasharna, and taking counsel among themselves, remembering their former birth, they resolved upon death itself.

Verse 63 (skanda.8.56.63)

निश्चितानां ततस्तेषां काण्डरो योभवद् द्विजः । व्याधोर्जुनकनामा स इदं वचनमब्रवीत्

niścitānāṁ tatasteṣāṁ kāṇḍaro yobhavad dvijaḥ | vyādhorjunakanāmā sa idaṁ vacanamabravīt

When they had thus resolved, the one who had been the brahmin Kandara, now the hunter named Arjunaka, spoke this word:

Verse 64 (skanda.8.56.64)

भवन्तो यन्मया पूर्वमुक्तास्तन्न कृतं हि वः । इदानीं समनुप्राप्तं मावमन्यत मे वचः

bhavanto yanmayā pūrvamuktāstanna kṛtaṁ hi vaḥ | idānīṁ samanuprāptaṁ māvamanyata me vacaḥ

What I told you before, you did not heed; now it has come to pass. Do not disregard my word now.

Verse 65 (skanda.8.56.65)

श्रेयो वोहं प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुध्वं कुरुतैव च । जातिमेतां विमोक्ष्याम येन हास्याम न स्मृतिम्

śreyo vohaṁ pravakṣyāmi śṛṇudhvaṁ kurutaiva ca | jātimetāṁ vimokṣyāma yena hāsyāma na smṛtim

I shall now tell you what is best; hear it and do it, so that we may cast off this birth without losing our memory.

Verse 66 (skanda.8.56.66)

पुत्रानिच्छन्ति पितरः पुष्ट्यर्थं तारणाय च । वयं च जनितास्तेन व्याधेन सुमहात्मना

putrānicchanti pitaraḥ puṣṭyarthaṁ tāraṇāya ca | vayaṁ ca janitāstena vyādhena sumahātmanā

Fathers desire sons for their support and for their own deliverance; and we were begotten by that great-souled hunter.

Verse 67 (skanda.8.56.67)

संवर्द्धिताश्च क्लेशेन मात्रा पित्रा तथैव च । अनापृच्छ्य कथं तौ तु मृत्युमिच्छामहे वयम्

saṁvarddhitāśca kleśena mātrā pitrā tathaiva ca | anāpṛcchya kathaṁ tau tu mṛtyumicchāmahe vayam

We were raised, too, with great hardship, by our mother and likewise by our father; how could we desire death without first asking their leave?

Verse 68 (skanda.8.56.68)

ते यूयं यदि मन्यध्वं तावापृच्छ्य विसर्जिताः

te yūyaṁ yadi manyadhvaṁ tāvāpṛcchya visarjitāḥ

If you all agree, once we have asked their leave and been released by them...

Verse 69 (skanda.8.56.69)

योक्ष्याम श्रेयसात्मानमेतद्वो हितमुत्तमम्

yokṣyāma śreyasātmānametadvo hitamuttamam

—we shall then join ourselves to the supreme good; this is the best course for us all.

Verse 70 (skanda.8.56.70)

न चेद्विसर्जयेतां तौ तयोः शुश्रूषणे रताः । ततस्तावद्धि तिष्ठामो यावत् कालेन तौ मृतौ

na cedvisarjayetāṁ tau tayoḥ śuśrūṣaṇe ratāḥ | tatastāvaddhi tiṣṭhāmo yāvat kālena tau mṛtau

And if the two of them do not grant their leave, we shall remain, devoted to their service, until such time as they both pass away.

Verse 71 (skanda.8.56.71)

ततो वयं कृतात्मानो ह्यनृणाः सर्वथापि च । गमिष्यामो गतिं पुण्यामेतन्नः श्रेय उत्तमम्

tato vayaṁ kṛtātmāno hyanṛṇāḥ sarvathāpi ca | gamiṣyāmo gatiṁ puṇyāmetannaḥ śreya uttamam

Then, our purpose achieved, and free of debt in every way, we shall go to a blessed destiny; this is the best good for us.

Verse 72 (skanda.8.56.72)

एवमस्त्विति ते सर्वे गृहीत्वा तस्य तद्वचः । चिन्तयन्तः पुरो जन्म गृहानेवाभिजग्मिरे

evamastviti te sarve gṛhītvā tasya tadvacaḥ | cintayantaḥ puro janma gṛhānevābhijagmire

So be it, said all of them, accepting his word; and, pondering their former birth, they went straight home.

Verse 73 (skanda.8.56.73)

तानागतान् पिता दृष्ट्वा माता च चितका तदा । तुष्ट्या परमया युक्ता इदं तानूचतुर्वचः

tānāgatān pitā dṛṣṭvā mātā ca citakā tadā | tuṣṭyā paramayā yuktā idaṁ tānūcaturvacaḥ

Seeing them arrive, their father, and their mother Chitaka, filled with the greatest joy, spoke this word to them:

Verse 74 (skanda.8.56.74)

पुत्रकाः सुचिरादद्य यूयमभ्यागता गृहम्

putrakāḥ sucirādadya yūyamabhyāgatā gṛham

My sons, after so long, you have come home today.

Verse 75 (skanda.8.56.75)

अद्यावां सुदृढं मूढौ किं चिरं कृतमित्युत

adyāvāṁ sudṛḍhaṁ mūḍhau kiṁ ciraṁ kṛtamityuta

Today we feel truly at ease. Foolish ones, why did you take so long?

Verse 76 (skanda.8.56.76)

चितकोवाच क्षुधाविष्टः पिता वोद्य पुत्रस्नेहेन पुत्रकाः । नात्ति मांसमिदं पक्बं सुराञ्च न पिबत्ययम्

citakovāca kṣudhāviṣṭaḥ pitā vodya putrasnehena putrakāḥ | nātti māṁsamidaṁ pakbaṁ surāñca na pibatyayam

Chitaka said: Today, my sons, your father, though famished with hunger, out of love for you has not eaten this cooked meat, nor drunk this liquor.

Verse 77 (skanda.8.56.77)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । तेपि जातिं जुगुप्सन्तः सर्वे वै पापयोनयः । इदमूचुः क्षुपं चैव चितकाञ्च शुभं वचः

sanatkumāra uvāca| | tepi jātiṁ jugupsantaḥ sarve vai pāpayonayaḥ | idamūcuḥ kṣupaṁ caiva citakāñca śubhaṁ vacaḥ

Sanatkumara said: They too, loathing their birth, all born of a sinful womb, spoke this gentle word to Kshupaka and Chitaka:

Verse 78 (skanda.8.56.78)

भवन्तोश्नन्त्वविघ्नेन पुष्टये शान्तयेपि च । नाश्नीमो वयमद्येह श्वो भोक्ष्यामो न संशयः

bhavantośnantvavighnena puṣṭaye śāntayepi ca | nāśnīmo vayamadyeha śvo bhokṣyāmo na saṁśayaḥ

You two eat freely, for your nourishment and your comfort; we shall not eat today — tomorrow, without doubt, we shall.

Verse 79 (skanda.8.56.79)

ततस्तौ वृद्धभावेन न बुभुक्षासहौ तदा । आहारयेतामाहारं सुतुष्टौ च बभूवतुः

tatastau vṛddhabhāvena na bubhukṣāsahau tadā | āhārayetāmāhāraṁ sutuṣṭau ca babhūvatuḥ

Then those two, being aged and unable to bear their hunger any longer, ate their food, and became well satisfied.

Verse 80 (skanda.8.56.80)

तौ तु तुष्टौ समालक्ष्य सर्वेथ शिरसा नताः । ऊचुः प्रयत्नतो वाक्यमैकमत्येन ते तदा

tau tu tuṣṭau samālakṣya sarvetha śirasā natāḥ | ūcuḥ prayatnato vākyamaikamatyena te tadā

Seeing the two of them satisfied, all the sons, bowing their heads, spoke then, with one accord, these carefully chosen words:

Verse 81 (skanda.8.56.81)

पितरौ परिनिर्विण्णा वयमेतेन जन्मना । इच्छामस्तत् परित्यक्तुं तन्नः संमन्तुमर्हथः

pitarau parinirviṇṇā vayametena janmanā | icchāmastat parityaktuṁ tannaḥ saṁmantumarhathaḥ

O our parents, we have grown utterly weary of this birth; we wish to give it up — you should grant us your consent for this.

Verse 82 (skanda.8.56.82)

तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा पिता तानिदमब्रवीत्

teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā pitā tānidamabravīt

Hearing that word of theirs, their father said this to them:

Verse 83 (skanda.8.56.83)

परिष्वज्य सुतान् सर्वान् बाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणः

pariṣvajya sutān sarvān bāṣpaparyākulekṣaṇaḥ

—embracing all his sons, his eyes brimming with tears...

Verse 84 (skanda.8.56.84)

अहमासं पुरा पुत्रा ब्राह्मणः शंसितव्रतः

ahamāsaṁ purā putrā brāhmaṇaḥ śaṁsitavrataḥ

My sons, I was once a brahmin, one of firmly kept vows.

Verse 85 (skanda.8.56.85)

दिवोदासस्य राजर्षेः सखा परमसंमतः

divodāsasya rājarṣeḥ sakhā paramasaṁmataḥ

—a most esteemed friend of the royal sage Divodasa.

Verse 86 (skanda.8.56.86)

स कदाचिद्वने रम्ये धनुषा कुरुते भृशम्

sa kadācidvane ramye dhanuṣā kurute bhṛśam

Once, in a lovely forest, he was practicing intently with his bow.

Verse 87 (skanda.8.56.87)

योग्यात्तमहमाहेदं न त्वं वेत्सि धनुर्नृप । अजानन् किमिदं क्लेशं व्यर्थमेव करोषि च

yogyāttamahamāhedaṁ na tvaṁ vetsi dhanurnṛpa | ajānan kimidaṁ kleśaṁ vyarthameva karoṣi ca

I said to him fittingly: You do not really know archery, O king; not knowing it, why do you exert yourself so, all in vain?

Verse 88 (skanda.8.56.88)

प्रोवाच राजा विप्राणां मन्त्रज्ञानं विधीयते । आमन्त्रणे भोजने च वाचा च कुशला द्विजाः

provāca rājā viprāṇāṁ mantrajñānaṁ vidhīyate | āmantraṇe bhojane ca vācā ca kuśalā dvijāḥ

The king replied: Knowledge of sacred formulas is ordained for brahmins; the twice-born are skilled in matters of invitation, feasting, and speech...

Verse 89 (skanda.8.56.89)

स मया हसता प्रोक्त आनयस्व धनुर्मम

sa mayā hasatā prokta ānayasva dhanurmama

...the source text is fragmentary here... Laughing, he said to me: Bring me my bow.

Verse 90 (skanda.8.56.90)

यावत् क्षिपामि लक्ष्याय शरं यत्र ब्रवीषि माम्

yāvat kṣipāmi lakṣyāya śaraṁ yatra bravīṣi mām

—so that I may loose an arrow at whatever target you name to me.

Verse 91 (skanda.8.56.91)

स तथोक्तस्तदा मह्यं सशरं धनुरर्पयत्

sa tathoktastadā mahyaṁ saśaraṁ dhanurarpayat

Thus challenged in turn, he then handed me the bow together with an arrow.

Verse 92 (skanda.8.56.92)

तेनोक्तं लक्ष्यमुद्दिश्य शरः क्षिप्तो मया ततः । तत्राभवत् स्थितो विप्रो मृगचारी दृढव्रतः

tenoktaṁ lakṣyamuddiśya śaraḥ kṣipto mayā tataḥ | tatrābhavat sthito vipro mṛgacārī dṛḍhavrataḥ

Aiming at the target he had indicated, I then let the arrow fly. There, unseen, stood a brahmin of firm vows, moving about among the deer.

Verse 93 (skanda.8.56.93)

स तेन विद्धस्तेजस्वी ममार सहसैव च । सोहं तं मृतमालक्ष्य राज्ञा तेन विसर्जितः

sa tena viddhastejasvī mamāra sahasaiva ca | sohaṁ taṁ mṛtamālakṣya rājñā tena visarjitaḥ

Struck by that arrow, that radiant one died instantly. Seeing him dead, I was then dismissed by the king.

Verse 94 (skanda.8.56.94)

ब्रह्मवध्याभयाद् घोरात् पितरं परिपृष्टवान् । प्रोवाच न भयं तेस्ति ब्रह्मवध्या कुतस्तव

brahmavadhyābhayād ghorāt pitaraṁ paripṛṣṭavān | provāca na bhayaṁ testi brahmavadhyā kutastava

Out of terrible fear of the sin of killing a brahmin, I questioned my father. He said: There is no need for fear; how could the sin of brahmin-slaying be yours?

Verse 95 (skanda.8.56.95)

जात्यन्तरशतं गत्वा दृष्टमेतत् स्वयंभुवा । ततोहं परया भक्त्या पितृशुश्रूषणे रतः

jātyantaraśataṁ gatvā dṛṣṭametat svayaṁbhuvā | tatohaṁ parayā bhaktyā pitṛśuśrūṣaṇe rataḥ

This was foreseen by the Self-born One, across a hundred other births. Then I, with the utmost devotion, remained devoted to serving my father.

Verse 96 (skanda.8.56.96)

अनया भार्यया सार्धं स्थितो वै बहुलाः समाः । स कदाचित् पिता चापि मम कालेन संयुतः

anayā bhāryayā sārdhaṁ sthito vai bahulāḥ samāḥ | sa kadācit pitā cāpi mama kālena saṁyutaḥ

Together with this wife of mine, I dwelt for many years. Then, at one time, my father too, overtaken by death...

Verse 97 (skanda.8.56.97)

अवतस्थे च तत्रैव अनयैव सहानघाः । अथ कालेन महता गवाहं विनिपातितः

avatasthe ca tatraiva anayaiva sahānaghāḥ | atha kālena mahatā gavāhaṁ vinipātitaḥ

—remained right there, together with her. O sinless ones, then, after a long time, I was struck down by a cow.

Verse 98 (skanda.8.56.98)

अग्निस्थं चावरूढैषा रुदन्ती मां शुभेक्षणा । सोहं गवा हतश्चेति मृगचारिवधेन च

agnisthaṁ cāvarūḍhaiṣā rudantī māṁ śubhekṣaṇā | sohaṁ gavā hataśceti mṛgacārivadhena ca

This lovely-eyed one came weeping to where I lay by the fire. Thus was I struck down by a cow — and this, together with the slaying of that deer-wandering brahmin...

Verse 99 (skanda.8.56.99)

व्याधजन्मनि विप्रत्वाद् भ्रष्टः पापेन जज्ञिवान् । जातोस्मि जन्मनां पुत्राः सहस्रं भृशदारुणम्

vyādhajanmani vipratvād bhraṣṭaḥ pāpena jajñivān | jātosmi janmanāṁ putrāḥ sahasraṁ bhṛśadāruṇam

—fallen from my brahminhood through that sin, I was born into a hunter's life. I have been born, my sons, through a thousand most dreadful births.

Verse 100 (skanda.8.56.100)

पितृभक्त्या च हि तया सम्यगाराधनेन च । नानशन्मे स्मृतिः पुत्रा ज्ञानं चापि प्रवर्तते

pitṛbhaktyā ca hi tayā samyagārādhanena ca | nānaśanme smṛtiḥ putrā jñānaṁ cāpi pravartate

Yet, through that devotion to my father, and through my due worship of him, my memory has not perished, my sons, and knowledge too has continued in me.

Verse 101 (skanda.8.56.101)

जानामि ब्राह्मणान् भ्रष्टान् सर्वान् वै गोकृतेन वः

jānāmi brāhmaṇān bhraṣṭān sarvān vai gokṛtena vaḥ

I know that all of you brahmins fell from your state because of the cow.

Verse 102 (skanda.8.56.102)

गुरोश्चैवानुशापेन भ्रष्टसज्ञाँस्तथैव च

guroścaivānuśāpena bhraṣṭasajñā~stathaiva ca

—and, through your guru's curse, you likewise lost your right awareness.

Verse 103 (skanda.8.56.103)

पश्चात्तदाज्ञया पुत्रान् सर्वान्वै मुक्तचेतसः । लब्धसंज्ञाँस्तथा चैव सर्वानद्य महाबलाः

paścāttadājñayā putrān sarvānvai muktacetasaḥ | labdhasaṁjñā~stathā caiva sarvānadya mahābalāḥ

Afterward, by his very command, all you sons, your minds set free, likewise regained your true awareness today, O mighty ones.

Verse 104 (skanda.8.56.104)

माता चेयं हि वो वेत्ति साध्वी नित्यं पतिव्रता । यदहं वो ब्रवीम्यद्य तत्कुरुध्वं मम प्रियम

mātā ceyaṁ hi vo vetti sādhvī nityaṁ pativratā | yadahaṁ vo bravīmyadya tatkurudhvaṁ mama priyama

And this mother of yours, virtuous and ever devoted to her husband, knows this too. Do what I now tell you, as a favor to me.

Verse 105 (skanda.8.56.105)

अवाप्स्यथ ततः श्रेयः सर्वे यूयमतन्द्रिताः

avāpsyatha tataḥ śreyaḥ sarve yūyamatandritāḥ

Then, all of you, remaining unwearied, shall attain what is truly best.

Verse 106 (skanda.8.56.106)

अनामया विशोकाश्च न च संज्ञां प्रहास्यथ

anāmayā viśokāśca na ca saṁjñāṁ prahāsyatha

—free from illness and sorrow, and you shall never again lose your awareness.

Verse 107 (skanda.8.56.107)

पुत्रा जन्मेदमन्त्यं मे मनुष्येषु न संशयः । इतो मृतेन गन्तव्यं मया ब्रह्मसदः शुभम्

putrā janmedamantyaṁ me manuṣyeṣu na saṁśayaḥ | ito mṛtena gantavyaṁ mayā brahmasadaḥ śubham

My sons, this is my last birth among men, without doubt; when I die from this life, I am to go to the blessed assembly of Brahma.

Verse 108 (skanda.8.56.108)

ते यूयं मां प्रतीक्षध्वं कंचित्कालमतन्द्रिताः

te yūyaṁ māṁ pratīkṣadhvaṁ kaṁcitkālamatandritāḥ

So wait for me a little while longer, remaining unwearied.

Verse 109 (skanda.8.56.109)

स्वर्गते मयि यच्छ्रेयस्तत्करिष्यथ मा शुचः

svargate mayi yacchreyastatkariṣyatha mā śucaḥ

Once I have gone to heaven, do what is best for yourselves; do not grieve.

Verse 110 (skanda.8.56.110)

अवश्यञ्च सुतैर्माता पिता चैव सुदुःखितौ

avaśyañca sutairmātā pitā caiva suduḥkhitau

And indeed, one's mother and father, when sorely grieved, must be served by their sons...

Verse 111 (skanda.8.56.111)

शुश्रूषितव्यौ नान्योस्ति धर्मोस्माद् बलवत्तरः

śuśrūṣitavyau nānyosti dharmosmād balavattaraḥ

—they must be attended upon; there is no dharma more powerful than this.

Verse 112 (skanda.8.56.112)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । ततस्ते विस्मिता भूत्वा नष्टशोका विमत्सराः । तं कालं पर्युपासन्त यावत्तौ जहतुस्त्वसून्

sanatkumāra uvāca| | tataste vismitā bhūtvā naṣṭaśokā vimatsarāḥ | taṁ kālaṁ paryupāsanta yāvattau jahatustvasūn

Sanatkumara said: Then they, filled with wonder, their grief gone, free of envy, waited through that time until the two of them gave up their lives.

Verse 113 (skanda.8.56.113)

तयोरतीतयोः सम्यक् कृत्वा ते ह्यौर्ध्वदेहिकम्

tayoratītayoḥ samyak kṛtvā te hyaurdhvadehikam

When the two had passed away, having duly performed the funeral rites for them...

Verse 114 (skanda.8.56.114)

दशार्णायां महानद्यां विधिनानशनेन ह

daśārṇāyāṁ mahānadyāṁ vidhinānaśanena ha

—on the great river Dasharna, by proper rite, through fasting...

Verse 115 (skanda.8.56.115)

असाधयन्त आत्मानं व्याधाः सप्तापि ते तदा

asādhayanta ātmānaṁ vyādhāḥ saptāpi te tadā

—those seven hunters then brought their own lives to their end.

Verse 116 (skanda.8.56.116)

कालञ्जरे गिरौ भूयो मृगाः सप्तैव जज्ञिरे

kālañjare girau bhūyo mṛgāḥ saptaiva jajñire

On Mount Kalanjara they were born again as seven deer.

Verse 117 (skanda.8.56.117)

स्मरन्तस्तत्र ते जातिं मरुत्प्रपतनेन ह । साधयित्वा तदात्मानं चक्रवाकेषु जज्ञिरे

smarantastatra te jātiṁ marutprapatanena ha | sādhayitvā tadātmānaṁ cakravākeṣu jajñire

There, remembering their birth, they ended their lives by leaping from the mountain, and were then born among chakravaka birds.

Verse 118 (skanda.8.56.118)

मृगत्वे यानि नामानि तेषां तानि निबोध मे । दीर्घजीवी ह्यनाधृष्टो वायुवेगोभिकम्पनः

mṛgatve yāni nāmāni teṣāṁ tāni nibodha me | dīrghajīvī hyanādhṛṣṭo vāyuvegobhikampanaḥ

Learn from me the names they bore as deer: Dirghajivin, Anadhrishta, Vayuvega, Abhikampana...

Verse 119 (skanda.8.56.119)

श्रीपार्श्वः शंखपाच्चैव सोमलक्ष्यश्च सप्तमः । जातिं स्मरन्तस्ते पूर्वामन्योन्यमभिमान्य च

śrīpārśvaḥ śaṁkhapāccaiva somalakṣyaśca saptamaḥ | jātiṁ smarantaste pūrvāmanyonyamabhimānya ca

—Shripārśva, Shankhapa, and Somalakshya the seventh. Remembering their former births, and honoring one another...

Verse 120 (skanda.8.56.120)

सहिताः सहसा प्राणान् मरुत्प्रपतनाज्जहुः । ते सप्तसंख्या व्याधेषु मृगेषु च तथा पुनः

sahitāḥ sahasā prāṇān marutprapatanājjahuḥ | te saptasaṁkhyā vyādheṣu mṛgeṣu ca tathā punaḥ

—together they suddenly gave up their lives by leaping down. Those seven, having thus passed through the state of hunters and then of deer...

Verse 121 (skanda.8.56.121)

जन्म प्राप्य पुनर्जाताः शरद्वीपे खगास्ततः । शरद्वीपमिति ख्यातं काम्पिल्येषु सरः शुभम्

janma prāpya punarjātāḥ śaradvīpe khagāstataḥ | śaradvīpamiti khyātaṁ kāmpilyeṣu saraḥ śubham

—obtaining birth once more, they were then born as birds on Sharadvipa, an auspicious, renowned lake among the Kampilya lands.

Verse 122 (skanda.8.56.122)

तत्रापि चक्रवाकास्ते सप्ताजायन्त सोदराः । मरुद्देवः शिखंडी च रथनेमिस्वरस्तथा

tatrāpi cakravākāste saptājāyanta sodarāḥ | maruddevaḥ śikhaṁḍī ca rathanemisvarastathā

There too, those seven brothers were born as chakravaka birds: Marudeva, Shikhandi, and Rathanemisvara...

Verse 123 (skanda.8.56.123)

शिखी जीवोथ वृक्षश्च ध्वज इत्येव ते स्मृताः

śikhī jīvotha vṛkṣaśca dhvaja ityeva te smṛtāḥ

—Shikhi, Jiva, Vriksha, and Dhvaja — thus they are remembered.

Verse 124 (skanda.8.56.124)

तेषां तत्रोपपन्नानां कदाचिदणुहः स्वयम् । काम्पिल्यको महातेजा राजा तं देशमागमत्

teṣāṁ tatropapannānāṁ kadācidaṇuhaḥ svayam | kāmpilyako mahātejā rājā taṁ deśamāgamat

While they dwelt there, once, of his own accord, the mighty king of Kampilya came to that land.

Verse 125 (skanda.8.56.125)

स तत्सरः समासाद्य स्त्रीभिः सहः मुदान्वितः । रेमे मन्दाकिनीं प्राप्य अप्सरोभिरिवामरः

sa tatsaraḥ samāsādya strībhiḥ sahaḥ mudānvitaḥ | reme mandākinīṁ prāpya apsarobhirivāmaraḥ

Reaching that lake, together with his women, filled with joy, he sported there, like a god disporting himself with the Apsarases upon the Mandakini.

Verse 126 (skanda.8.56.126)

तं क्रीडमानं संदृश्य मरुद्देवस्य तत्र वै । चक्रवाकस्य तस्यासीत् स्पृहा तान् विषयान् प्रति

taṁ krīḍamānaṁ saṁdṛśya maruddevasya tatra vai | cakravākasya tasyāsīt spṛhā tān viṣayān prati

Seeing him at play, a longing for those pleasures arose in the chakravaka Marudeva.

Verse 127 (skanda.8.56.127)

यद्यस्याहं सुतः स्यां वै प्राप्नुयां राज्यमेव च

yadyasyāhaṁ sutaḥ syāṁ vai prāpnuyāṁ rājyameva ca

If only I might be his son, and thereby gain the kingdom itself...

Verse 128 (skanda.8.56.128)

ततोहं विषयानेतान् प्राप्नुयां नात्र संशयः

tatohaṁ viṣayānetān prāpnuyāṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

—then I should surely obtain all these pleasures; there is no doubt of it.

Verse 129 (skanda.8.56.129)

तस्य तच्चिन्तितं ज्ञात्वा द्वितीयश्चक्रसाह्वयः । शिखंडीति समाख्यातः स तमाह तदा हसन्

tasya taccintitaṁ jñātvā dvitīyaścakrasāhvayaḥ | śikhaṁḍīti samākhyātaḥ sa tamāha tadā hasan

Knowing that thought of his, the second brother, one of the chakravaka birds, named Shikhandi, said to him laughingly:

Verse 130 (skanda.8.56.130)

भवता राजपुत्रत्वं राज्यं चैव विचिन्तितम् । तत्राहं ते पुरोधाः स्यां ममाप्येष मनोरथः

bhavatā rājaputratvaṁ rājyaṁ caiva vicintitam | tatrāhaṁ te purodhāḥ syāṁ mamāpyeṣa manorathaḥ

You have set your mind on becoming a prince, and on the kingdom too; then let me become your chief priest — this is my wish as well.

Verse 131 (skanda.8.56.131)

ताभ्यां तच्चिन्तितं ज्ञात्वा रथनेमिस्वरस्ततः

tābhyāṁ taccintitaṁ jñātvā rathanemisvarastataḥ

Knowing what those two had thought, Rathanemisvara then...

Verse 132 (skanda.8.56.132)

अचिन्तयत तत्राहं सचिवः स्यां तव प्रभो

acintayata tatrāhaṁ sacivaḥ syāṁ tava prabho

—thought to himself: Then let me become your minister, my lord.

Verse 133 (skanda.8.56.133)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । तेषां तथा चिन्तयतां त्रयाणामितरे ततः

sanatkumāra uvāca| | teṣāṁ tathā cintayatāṁ trayāṇāmitare tataḥ

Sanatkumara said: As those three were thinking thus, the others then...

Verse 134 (skanda.8.56.134)

चक्राह्वयास्तदा क्रुद्धा इदं तानब्रुवन् वचः

cakrāhvayāstadā kruddhā idaṁ tānabruvan vacaḥ

—those other chakravakas, now angered, spoke this word to them:

Verse 135 (skanda.8.56.135)

अचिन्तनीयं युष्माभिश्चिन्तितं विषयार्थिभिः । तस्माद् यूयमितो मुक्ता अवाप्स्यथ मनोरथम्

acintanīyaṁ yuṣmābhiścintitaṁ viṣayārthibhiḥ | tasmād yūyamito muktā avāpsyatha manoratham

You, in your longing for sensual objects, have thought what ought not to be thought. Therefore, cast off from us, you shall go and attain your own desire.

Verse 136 (skanda.8.56.136)

ताञ्छप्त्वा दीनमनसः समालक्ष्य पुनश्च ते । येन तद्राजपुत्रत्वं चिन्तितं राज्यमेव च

tāñchaptvā dīnamanasaḥ samālakṣya punaśca te | yena tadrājaputratvaṁ cintitaṁ rājyameva ca

Having cursed them, and then seeing them dispirited, those other brothers, who had not entertained that desire for princehood and kingship...

Verse 137 (skanda.8.56.137)

कृपया तमिदं वाक्यमब्रुवन्नष्टचेतसम् । बहुसान्त्वगुणोपेतं स्वयं दुःखितवद्यथा

kṛpayā tamidaṁ vākyamabruvannaṣṭacetasam | bahusāntvaguṇopetaṁ svayaṁ duḥkhitavadyathā

—out of compassion, spoke this word to him whose mind was now shattered, full of gentle, comforting kindness, as though grieving themselves.

Verse 138 (skanda.8.56.138)

वयं तव प्रभावेण तीर्णाः कृच्छ्रमिदं प्रभो । भवान् मतिप्रदोस्माकं सेतुभूतो मतो हि नः

vayaṁ tava prabhāveṇa tīrṇāḥ kṛcchramidaṁ prabho | bhavān matipradosmākaṁ setubhūto mato hi naḥ

By your power, my lord, we have crossed over this hardship; you have been the giver of wisdom to us, regarded by us as a bridge across.

Verse 139 (skanda.8.56.139)

भवान् यदि हि न ब्रूयात् पितॄणां गौर्निवेद्यताम् । शुश्रूषेमश्च न पितॄन् न स्म संज्ञा ततो भवेत्

bhavān yadi hi na brūyāt pitṝṇāṁ gaurnivedyatām | śuśrūṣemaśca na pitṝn na sma saṁjñā tato bhavet

Had you not told us that the matter of the cow should be confessed to our fathers, we would not have served our fathers, and we would then never have regained our right awareness.

Verse 140 (skanda.8.56.140)

तव प्रभावादेतन्नो यौगैश्वर्यप्रवर्तनम् । ततो वयं पुनः श्रेयस्तव ब्रूमः शृणुष्व नः

tava prabhāvādetanno yaugaiśvaryapravartanam | tato vayaṁ punaḥ śreyastava brūmaḥ śṛṇuṣva naḥ

It is through your very power that this attainment of yogic lordship has come to us. So we now speak once more for your own good; hear us.

Verse 141 (skanda.8.56.141)

तावत्त्वं सक्तहृदयो भविष्यसि नराधिप । यावदस्मद्वचस्तत्थ्यं न श्रोष्यसि सहायवान् । योगज्ञानमवाप्यैव प्राप्स्यसे च गतिं शुभाम

tāvattvaṁ saktahṛdayo bhaviṣyasi narādhipa | yāvadasmadvacastatthyaṁ na śroṣyasi sahāyavān | yogajñānamavāpyaiva prāpsyase ca gatiṁ śubhāma

You shall remain, O lord of men, with your heart still attached to desire, for just so long as you, together with your companion, do not heed this true word of ours; only by attaining the knowledge of yoga shall you attain a blessed destiny.

Verse 142 (skanda.8.56.142)

सनत्कुमार उवाच। । ततस्ते सहिताः सर्वे युक्तात्मानो महाखगाः । खगत्वं संपरित्यज्य योनिमन्यां प्रपेदिरे

sanatkumāra uvāca| | tataste sahitāḥ sarve yuktātmāno mahākhagāḥ | khagatvaṁ saṁparityajya yonimanyāṁ prapedire

Sanatkumara said: Then all of them together, those great birds, their souls disciplined, cast off their bird-nature and passed on to another birth.

Verse 143 (skanda.8.56.143)

सर्वे ततस्ते मुनिकोपदग्धा व्याधा मृगाश्चक्रसमाह्वयाश्च । जाताः पुनर्मानुषविग्रहेषु योगेश्वरास्ते त्रय एव राज्ये

sarve tataste munikopadagdhā vyādhā mṛgāścakrasamāhvayāśca | jātāḥ punarmānuṣavigraheṣu yogeśvarāste traya eva rājye

Thus all of them, seared by the sage's curse — as hunters, as deer, and as those called chakravakas — were born again in human bodies; and those three alone became masters of yoga even amid the kingdom.