The Line of Ikshvaku and the Story of Saubhari

Verse 1 (vishnu.4.2.1)

श्रीपराशर उवाच यावच्च ब्रह्मलोकात् सः ककुद्मी रैवतो नाभ्येति तावत् पुण्यजनसंज्ञा राक्षसाः ताम् अस्य पुरीं कुशस्थलीं निजघ्नुः

śrīparāśara uvāca yāvacca brahmalokāt saḥ kakudmī raivato nābhyeti tāvat puṇyajanasaṁjñā rākṣasāḥ tām asya purīṁ kuśasthalīṁ nijaghnuḥ

Sri Parashara said: While that Kakudmi Raivata had not yet returned from Brahmaloka, rakshasas called Punyajanas destroyed his city of Kushasthali.

Verse 2 (vishnu.4.2.2)

तच्चास्य भ्रातृशतं पुण्यजनत्रासात् दिशो भेजे

taccāsya bhrātṛśataṁ puṇyajanatrāsāt diśo bheje

And his hundred brothers, out of fear of the Punyajanas, scattered in every direction.

Verse 3 (vishnu.4.2.3)

तदन्वयाश्च क्षत्रियाः सर्वदिक्षु अभवन्

tadanvayāśca kṣatriyāḥ sarvadikṣu abhavan

The kshatriyas of that line spread in every direction.

Verse 4 (vishnu.4.2.4)

धृष्टस्यापि धार्ष्टकं क्षत्रमभवत्

dhṛṣṭasyāpi dhārṣṭakaṁ kṣatramabhavat

From Dhrishta too came the Dharshtaka kshatriyas.

Verse 5 (vishnu.4.2.5)

नाभागस्यात्मजो नाभागसंज्ञोऽभवत्

nābhāgasyātmajo nābhāgasaṁjño'bhavat

The son of Nabhaga was likewise named Nabhaga.

Verse 6 (vishnu.4.2.6)

तस्याप्यम्बरीषः

tasyāpyambarīṣaḥ

His son was Ambarisha.

Verse 7 (vishnu.4.2.7)

अम्बरीषस्यापि विरूपोऽभवत्

ambarīṣasyāpi virūpo'bhavat

Ambarisha's son was Virupa.

Verse 8 (vishnu.4.2.8)

विरूपात् पृषदश्वो जज्ञे

virūpāt pṛṣadaśvo jajñe

From Virupa, Prishadashva was born.

Verse 9 (vishnu.4.2.9)

ततश्च रथीतरः

tataśca rathītaraḥ

And from him, Rathitara.

Verse 10 (vishnu.4.2.10)

अत्रायं श्लोकः – एते क्षत्रप्रसूता वै पुनश्चाङ्गिरसाः स्मृताः । रथीतराणां प्रवराः क्षत्रोपेता द्विजातयः

atrāyaṁ ślokaḥ – ete kṣatraprasūtā vai punaścāṅgirasāḥ smṛtāḥ | rathītarāṇāṁ pravarāḥ kṣatropetā dvijātayaḥ

Here is a verse: 'These, though born of kshatriya stock, are remembered again as Angirasas; the foremost descendants of Rathitara are twice-born, though endowed with kshatriya nature.'

Verse 11 (vishnu.4.2.11)

क्षुवतश्च मनोः इक्ष्वाकुः पुत्रो जज्ञे घ्राणतः

kṣuvataśca manoḥ ikṣvākuḥ putro jajñe ghrāṇataḥ

As Manu sneezed, a son named Ikshvaku was born from his nostril.

Verse 12 (vishnu.4.2.12)

तस्य पुत्रशतप्रधाना विकुक्षिनिमिदण्डाख्याः त्रयः पुत्रा बभूवुः

tasya putraśatapradhānā vikukṣinimidaṇḍākhyāḥ trayaḥ putrā babhūvuḥ

His hundred sons were headed by three named Vikukshi, Nimi, and Danda.

Verse 13 (vishnu.4.2.13)

शकुनिप्रमुखाः पञ्चाशत् पुत्राः उत्तरापथरक्षितारो बभूवुः

śakunipramukhāḥ pañcāśat putrāḥ uttarāpatharakṣitāro babhūvuḥ

Fifty sons, headed by Shakuni, became guardians of the northern region.

Verse 14 (vishnu.4.2.14)

चत्वारिंशदष्टौ च दक्षिणापथभूपालाः

catvāriṁśadaṣṭau ca dakṣiṇāpathabhūpālāḥ

And forty-eight became kings of the southern region.

Verse 15 (vishnu.4.2.15)

स चेक्ष्वाकुः अष्टकायाः श्राद्धम् उत्पाद्य श्राद्धार्हं मांसमानयेति विकुक्षिम् आज्ञापयामास

sa cekṣvākuḥ aṣṭakāyāḥ śrāddham utpādya śrāddhārhaṁ māṁsamānayeti vikukṣim ājñāpayāmāsa

That Ikshvaku, undertaking the Ashtaka shraddha rite, commanded Vikukshi to bring meat fit for the offering.

Verse 16 (vishnu.4.2.16)

स तथेति गृहीताज्ञो विधृतशरासनो वनमभ्येत्य, अनेकशो मृगान् हत्वा, श्रान्तः अतिक्षुत्परीतो विकुक्षिः एकं शशम् अभक्षयत् । शेषं च मांसमानीय पित्रे निवेदयामास

sa tatheti gṛhītājño vidhṛtaśarāsano vanamabhyetya, anekaśo mṛgān hatvā, śrāntaḥ atikṣutparīto vikukṣiḥ ekaṁ śaśam abhakṣayat | śeṣaṁ ca māṁsamānīya pitre nivedayāmāsa

Saying 'so be it,' Vikukshi took up his bow and went to the forest; slaying many deer, exhausted and overcome with hunger, he ate one hare, and brought the rest of the meat to his father.

Verse 17 (vishnu.4.2.17)

इक्ष्वाकुकुलाचार्यो वसिष्ठस्तत्प्रोक्षणाय चोदितः प्राह - “अलमनेन अमेध्येन आमिषेण । दुरात्मना तव पुत्रेण एतन्मांसम् उपहतं यतोऽनेन शशो भक्षितः”

ikṣvākukulācāryo vasiṣṭhastatprokṣaṇāya coditaḥ prāha - “alamanena amedhyena āmiṣeṇa | durātmanā tava putreṇa etanmāṁsam upahataṁ yato'nena śaśo bhakṣitaḥ”

Vasishtha, priest of the Ikshvaku family, when asked to consecrate it, said: 'Enough of this impure meat — it has been defiled by your wicked son, since he has eaten a hare from it.'

Verse 18 (vishnu.4.2.18)

ततश्चासौ विकुक्षिः गुरुणा एवम् उक्तः शशादसंज्ञाम् अवाप, पित्रा च परित्यक्तः

tataścāsau vikukṣiḥ guruṇā evam uktaḥ śaśādasaṁjñām avāpa, pitrā ca parityaktaḥ

Thus addressed by the guru, Vikukshi obtained the name Shashada, and was disowned by his father.

Verse 19 (vishnu.4.2.19)

पितर्युपरते च असौ अखिलामेतां पृथ्वीं धर्मतः शशास

pitaryuparate ca asau akhilāmetāṁ pṛthvīṁ dharmataḥ śaśāsa

When his father passed away, he ruled this entire earth righteously.

Verse 20 (vishnu.4.2.20)

शशादस्य तस्य पुरञ्जयो नाम पुत्रोऽभवत्

śaśādasya tasya purañjayo nāma putro'bhavat

To that Shashada was born a son named Puranjaya.

Verse 21 (vishnu.4.2.21)

तस्येदं चान्यत्

tasyedaṁ cānyat

Regarding him, there is this further account —

Verse 22 (vishnu.4.2.22)

पुरा हि त्रेतायां देवासुरयुद्धम् अतिभीषणम् अभवत्

purā hi tretāyāṁ devāsurayuddham atibhīṣaṇam abhavat

Long ago, in the Treta age, there was an exceedingly terrible war between gods and demons.

Verse 23 (vishnu.4.2.23)

तत्र चातिबलिभिः असुरैः अमराः पराजिताः, ते भगवन्तं विष्णुम् आराधयाञ्चक्रुः

tatra cātibalibhiḥ asuraiḥ amarāḥ parājitāḥ, te bhagavantaṁ viṣṇum ārādhayāñcakruḥ

The gods, defeated there by the exceedingly powerful demons, worshipped the Lord Vishnu.

Verse 24 (vishnu.4.2.24)

प्रसन्नश्च देवानाम् अनादिनिधनः अखिलजगत्परायणो नारायणः प्राह

prasannaśca devānām anādinidhanaḥ akhilajagatparāyaṇo nārāyaṇaḥ prāha

And Narayana, beginningless and endless, the refuge of the whole universe, being pleased, said:

Verse 25 (vishnu.4.2.25)

“ज्ञातमेतन्मया युष्माभिः यदभिलषितं तदर्थमिदं श्रूयताम्

“jñātametanmayā yuṣmābhiḥ yadabhilaṣitaṁ tadarthamidaṁ śrūyatām

'This is known to me — what you desire; hear now what is to be done for it.'

Verse 26 (vishnu.4.2.26)

पुरञ्जयो नाम राजर्षेः शशादस्य तनयः क्षत्रियवरो यः, तस्य शरीरेऽहमंशेन स्वयमेव अवतीर्य, तान् अशेषान् असुरान् निहनिष्यामि, तद्भवद्भिः पुरञ्जयः असुरवधार्थम् उद्योगं कार्यताम्” इति

purañjayo nāma rājarṣeḥ śaśādasya tanayaḥ kṣatriyavaro yaḥ, tasya śarīre'hamaṁśena svayameva avatīrya, tān aśeṣān asurān nihaniṣyāmi, tadbhavadbhiḥ purañjayaḥ asuravadhārtham udyogaṁ kāryatām” iti

'There is a foremost kshatriya, the royal sage Puranjaya, son of Shashada — into his body I myself shall descend in part, and slay all those demons; therefore let Puranjaya be roused by you to the demons' destruction.'

Verse 27 (vishnu.4.2.27)

एतच्च श्रुत्वा प्रणम्य भगवन्तं विष्णुममराः पुरञ्जयसकाशम् आजमुः ऊचुश्चैनम्

etacca śrutvā praṇamya bhagavantaṁ viṣṇumamarāḥ purañjayasakāśam ājamuḥ ūcuścainam

Hearing this, the gods bowed to the Lord Vishnu, went to Puranjaya, and said to him —

Verse 28 (vishnu.4.2.28)

“भो भो क्षत्रियवर्य अस्माभिः अभ्यर्थितेन भवता अस्माकम् अरातिवधोद्यतानां कर्तव्यं साहाय्यम् इच्छामः तद्भवता अस्माकम् अभ्यागतानां प्रणयभङ्गो न कार्य” इत्युक्तः पुरञ्जयः प्राह

“bho bho kṣatriyavarya asmābhiḥ abhyarthitena bhavatā asmākam arātivadhodyatānāṁ kartavyaṁ sāhāyyam icchāmaḥ tadbhavatā asmākam abhyāgatānāṁ praṇayabhaṅgo na kārya” ityuktaḥ purañjayaḥ prāha

'O foremost of kshatriyas, we ask that you help us destroy our enemies; do not disappoint us who have come to you.' Thus addressed, Puranjaya said —

Verse 29 (vishnu.4.2.29)

“त्रैलोक्यनाथो योऽयं युष्माकमिन्द्रः शतक्रतुः अस्य यदि अहं स्कन्धाधिरूढो युष्माकम् अरातिभिः सह योत्स्ये तदहं भवतां सहायः स्याम”

“trailokyanātho yo'yaṁ yuṣmākamindraḥ śatakratuḥ asya yadi ahaṁ skandhādhirūḍho yuṣmākam arātibhiḥ saha yotsye tadahaṁ bhavatāṁ sahāyaḥ syāma”

'If, mounted upon the shoulders of your Indra, lord of the three worlds, I may fight your enemies, then I shall be your helper.'

Verse 30 (vishnu.4.2.30)

इत्याकर्ण्य समस्तदेवैः इन्द्रेण च बाढमित्येवं समन्वीप्सितम्

ityākarṇya samastadevaiḥ indreṇa ca bāḍhamityevaṁ samanvīpsitam

Hearing this, all the gods and Indra agreed, saying 'so be it.'

Verse 31 (vishnu.4.2.31)

ततश्च शतक्रतोः वृषरूपधारिणः ककुदि स्थितः अतिरोषसमन्वितो भगवतः चराचरगुरोः अच्युतस्य तेजसा आप्यायितो देवासुरसङ्ग्रामे समस्तानेव असुरान् निजघान

tataśca śatakratoḥ vṛṣarūpadhāriṇaḥ kakudi sthitaḥ atiroṣasamanvito bhagavataḥ carācaraguroḥ acyutasya tejasā āpyāyito devāsurasaṅgrāme samastāneva asurān nijaghāna

Then, seated on the hump of Indra who had taken the form of a bull, filled with wrath and empowered by the energy of the Lord Achyuta, he slew all the demons in the battle of gods and demons.

Verse 32 (vishnu.4.2.32)

यतश्च वृषभककुदि स्थितेन राज्ञा दैतेयबलं निषूदितम् अतश्चासौ ककुत्स्थसंज्ञाम् अवाप

yataśca vṛṣabhakakudi sthitena rājñā daiteyabalaṁ niṣūditam ataścāsau kakutsthasaṁjñām avāpa

Because, seated on the hump (kakud) of the bull, he destroyed the Daitya host, he obtained the name Kakutstha.

Verse 33 (vishnu.4.2.33)

ककुत्स्थस्याप्यनेनाः पुत्रोऽभवत्

kakutsthasyāpyanenāḥ putro'bhavat

Kakutstha's son was Anena.

Verse 34 (vishnu.4.2.34)

पृथुरनेनसः

pṛthuranenasaḥ

Anena's son was Prithu.

Verse 35 (vishnu.4.2.35)

पृथोर्विष्टराश्वः

pṛthorviṣṭarāśvaḥ

Prithu's son was Vishtarashva.

Verse 36 (vishnu.4.2.36)

तस्यापि चान्द्रो युवनाश्वः

tasyāpi cāndro yuvanāśvaḥ

His son too was Yuvanashva, called Chandra.

Verse 37 (vishnu.4.2.37)

चान्द्रस्य तस्य युवनाश्वस्य शावस्तः यः पुरीं शावस्तीं निवेशयामास

cāndrasya tasya yuvanāśvasya śāvastaḥ yaḥ purīṁ śāvastīṁ niveśayāmāsa

That Yuvanashva's son was Shavasta, who founded the city of Shavasti.

Verse 38 (vishnu.4.2.38)

शावस्तस्य बृहदश्वः

śāvastasya bṛhadaśvaḥ

Shavasta's son was Brihadashva.

Verse 39 (vishnu.4.2.39)

तस्यापि कुवलयाश्वः

tasyāpi kuvalayāśvaḥ

His son too was Kuvalayashva.

Verse 40 (vishnu.4.2.40)

योऽसौ उदकस्य महर्षेः अपकारिणं धुन्धुनामानम् असुरं वैष्णवेन तेजसा आप्यायितः पुत्रसहस्रैः एकविंशद्भिः परिवृतो जघान धुन्धुमारसंज्ञाम् अवाप

yo'sau udakasya maharṣeḥ apakāriṇaṁ dhundhunāmānam asuraṁ vaiṣṇavena tejasā āpyāyitaḥ putrasahasraiḥ ekaviṁśadbhiḥ parivṛto jaghāna dhundhumārasaṁjñām avāpa

He, empowered by Vishnu's own energy and surrounded by twenty-one thousand sons, slew the demon Dhundhu, who harassed the great sage Uttanka, and obtained the name Dhundhumara.

Verse 41 (vishnu.4.2.41)

तस्य च तनयास्समस्ता एव धुन्धुमुखनिःश्वासाग्निना विप्लुष्टा विनेशुः

tasya ca tanayāssamastā eva dhundhumukhaniḥśvāsāgninā vipluṣṭā vineśuḥ

All his sons were burned by the fire of Dhundhu's breath and perished.

Verse 42 (vishnu.4.2.42)

दृढाश्वचन्द्राश्वकपिलाश्वाश्च त्रयः केवलं शेषिताः

dṛḍhāśvacandrāśvakapilāśvāśca trayaḥ kevalaṁ śeṣitāḥ

Only Dridhashva, Chandrashva, and Kapilashva — these three — were left.

Verse 43 (vishnu.4.2.43)

दृढाश्वात् हर्यश्वः

dṛḍhāśvāt haryaśvaḥ

From Dridhashva came Haryashva.

Verse 44 (vishnu.4.2.44)

तस्माच्च निकुम्भः

tasmācca nikumbhaḥ

From him, Nikumbha.

Verse 45 (vishnu.4.2.45)

निकुम्भस्यामिताश्वः

nikumbhasyāmitāśvaḥ

Nikumbha's son was Amitashva.

Verse 46 (vishnu.4.2.46)

ततश्च कृशाश्वः

tataśca kṛśāśvaḥ

From him, Krishashva.

Verse 47 (vishnu.4.2.47)

तस्माच्च प्रसेनजित्

tasmācca prasenajit

From him, Prasenajit.

Verse 48 (vishnu.4.2.48)

प्रसेनजितो युवनाश्वोऽभवत्

prasenajito yuvanāśvo'bhavat

Prasenajit's son was Yuvanashva.

Verse 49 (vishnu.4.2.49)

तस्य च अपुत्रस्य अतिनिर्वेदात् मुनीनाम् आश्रममण्डले निवसतो दयालुभिः मुनिभिः अपत्योत्पादनाय इष्टिः कृता

tasya ca aputrasya atinirvedāt munīnām āśramamaṇḍale nivasato dayālubhiḥ munibhiḥ apatyotpādanāya iṣṭiḥ kṛtā

Being sonless and greatly despondent, he came to dwell in the hermitage-grounds of sages; the compassionate sages then performed a sacrifice for him to obtain offspring.

Verse 50 (vishnu.4.2.50)

तस्यां च मध्यरात्रौ निवृत्तायां मन्त्रपूतजलपूर्णं कलशं वेदिमध्ये निवेश्य ते मुनयः सुषुपुः

tasyāṁ ca madhyarātrau nivṛttāyāṁ mantrapūtajalapūrṇaṁ kalaśaṁ vedimadhye niveśya te munayaḥ suṣupuḥ

When that rite ended at midnight, placing a mantra-consecrated pitcher of water in the middle of the altar, those sages fell asleep.

Verse 51 (vishnu.4.2.51)

सुप्तेषु तेषु अतीव तृट्परीतः स भूपालः तमाश्रमं विवेश

supteṣu teṣu atīva tṛṭparītaḥ sa bhūpālaḥ tamāśramaṁ viveśa

While they slept, that king, overcome with thirst, entered the hermitage.

Verse 52 (vishnu.4.2.52)

सुप्तांश्च तान् ऋषीन् नैव उत्थापयामास

suptāṁśca tān ṛṣīn naiva utthāpayāmāsa

He did not wake the sleeping sages.

Verse 53 (vishnu.4.2.53)

तच्च कलशम् अपरिमेयमाहात्म्यमन्त्रपूतं पपौ

tacca kalaśam aparimeyamāhātmyamantrapūtaṁ papau

And he drank from that pitcher, consecrated by mantras of immeasurable power.

Verse 54 (vishnu.4.2.54)

प्रबुद्धाश्च ऋषयः पप्रच्छुः “केनैतन्मन्त्रपूतं वारि पीतम्

prabuddhāśca ṛṣayaḥ papracchuḥ “kenaitanmantrapūtaṁ vāri pītam

When the sages awoke, they asked: 'Who has drunk this mantra-consecrated water?'

Verse 55 (vishnu.4.2.55)

अत्र हि राज्ञो युवनाश्वस्य पत्नी महाबलपराक्रमं पुत्रं जनयिष्यति” । इत्याकर्ण्य स राजा अजानता मया पीतमित्याह

atra hi rājño yuvanāśvasya patnī mahābalaparākramaṁ putraṁ janayiṣyati” | ityākarṇya sa rājā ajānatā mayā pītamityāha

'It was meant for King Yuvanashva's wife, that she might bear a son of great strength.' Hearing this, the king said: 'It was drunk by me, unknowingly.'

Verse 56 (vishnu.4.2.56)

गर्भश्च युवनाश्वस्योदरे अभवत् क्रमेण च ववृधे

garbhaśca yuvanāśvasyodare abhavat krameṇa ca vavṛdhe

Then a foetus formed in Yuvanashva's own body and gradually grew.

Verse 57 (vishnu.4.2.57)

प्राप्तसमयश्च दक्षिणं कुक्षिमवनिपतेर्निर्भिद्य निश्चक्राम

prāptasamayaśca dakṣiṇaṁ kukṣimavanipaternirbhidya niścakrāma

When the time came, it emerged, splitting the king's right side.

Verse 58 (vishnu.4.2.58)

स चासौ राजा ममार

sa cāsau rājā mamāra

And that king died.

Verse 59 (vishnu.4.2.59)

जातो नामैष कं धास्यतीति ते मुनयः प्रोचुः

jāto nāmaiṣa kaṁ dhāsyatīti te munayaḥ procuḥ

'This child has been born — who will nurse him?' said those sages.

Verse 60 (vishnu.4.2.60)

अथागत्य देवराजोऽब्रवीत् मामयं धास्यतीति

athāgatya devarājo'bravīt māmayaṁ dhāsyatīti

Then Indra, king of the gods, came and said: 'He shall be nursed by me' (mām dhāsyati).

Verse 61 (vishnu.4.2.61)

ततो मान्धातृनामा सोऽभवत् । वक्त्रे चास्य प्रदेशिनी देवेन्द्रेण न्यस्ता तां पपौ

tato māndhātṛnāmā so'bhavat | vaktre cāsya pradeśinī devendreṇa nyastā tāṁ papau

So he was named Mandhata; Indra placed his forefinger in the child's mouth, which he sucked.

Verse 62 (vishnu.4.2.62)

तां चामृतस्राविणीम् आस्वाद्य अह्नैव स व्यवर्धत

tāṁ cāmṛtasrāviṇīm āsvādya ahnaiva sa vyavardhata

Tasting that nectar-flowing finger, he grew to full size in a single day.

Verse 63 (vishnu.4.2.63)

ततस्तु मान्धाता चक्रवर्ती सप्तद्वीपां महीं बुभुजे

tatastu māndhātā cakravartī saptadvīpāṁ mahīṁ bubhuje

Then Mandhata, a universal emperor, ruled over the earth with its seven continents.

Verse 64 (vishnu.4.2.64)

तत्रायं श्लोकः

tatrāyaṁ ślokaḥ

Here is a verse regarding this —

Verse 65 (vishnu.4.2.65)

यावत्सूर्य उदेत्यस्तं यावच्च प्रतितिष्ठति । सर्वं तद्यौवनाश्वस्य मान्धातुः क्षेत्रमुच्यते

yāvatsūrya udetyastaṁ yāvacca pratitiṣṭhati | sarvaṁ tadyauvanāśvasya māndhātuḥ kṣetramucyate

'As far as the sun rises and as far as it sets — all that is called the domain of Mandhata, son of Yuvanashva.'

Verse 66 (vishnu.4.2.66)

मान्धाता शतबिन्दोर्दुहितरं बिन्दुमतीम् उपयेमे

māndhātā śatabindorduhitaraṁ bindumatīm upayeme

Mandhata married Bindumati, the daughter of Shatabindu.

Verse 67 (vishnu.4.2.67)

पुरुकुत्सम् अम्बरीषं मुचुकुन्दं च तस्यां पुत्रत्रयम् उत्पादयामास

purukutsam ambarīṣaṁ mucukundaṁ ca tasyāṁ putratrayam utpādayāmāsa

By her he begot three sons: Purukutsa, Ambarisha, and Muchukunda.

Verse 68 (vishnu.4.2.68)

पञ्चाशद्दुहितरः तस्यामेव तस्य नृपतेः बभूवुः

pañcāśadduhitaraḥ tasyāmeva tasya nṛpateḥ babhūvuḥ

By her also that king had fifty daughters.

Verse 69 (vishnu.4.2.69)

तस्मिन्नन्तरे बह्वृचश्च सौभरिर्नाम महर्षिः अन्तर्जले द्वादशाब्दं कालमुवास

tasminnantare bahvṛcaśca saubharirnāma maharṣiḥ antarjale dvādaśābdaṁ kālamuvāsa

Meanwhile, a great sage of the Bahvricha school named Saubhari dwelt underwater for twelve years.

Verse 70 (vishnu.4.2.70)

तत्र चान्तर्जले सम्मदो नाम अतिबहुप्रजः अतिमात्रप्रमाणः मीनाधिपतिः आसीत्

tatra cāntarjale sammado nāma atibahuprajaḥ atimātrapramāṇaḥ mīnādhipatiḥ āsīt

There, in that water, was a lord of fish named Sammada, of enormous size and countless offspring.

Verse 71 (vishnu.4.2.71)

तस्य च पुत्रपौत्रदौहित्राः पृष्ठतोऽग्रतः पार्श्वयोः पक्षपुच्छशिरसां चोपरि भ्रमन्तः तेनैव सदा अहर्निशम् अतिनिर्वृत्ता रेमिरे

tasya ca putrapautradauhitrāḥ pṛṣṭhato'grataḥ pārśvayoḥ pakṣapucchaśirasāṁ copari bhramantaḥ tenaiva sadā aharniśam atinirvṛttā remire

His sons, grandsons, and daughters' sons, swimming behind, before, at his sides, and over his fins, tail, and head, sported with him always, day and night, in the greatest delight.

Verse 72 (vishnu.4.2.72)

स च अपत्य-स्पर्श-उपचीयमान-प्रहर्ष-प्रकर्षो बहुप्रकारं तस्य ऋषेः पश्यतः तैः आत्मजपुत्रपौत्रदौहित्रादिभिः सह अनुदिनं सुतरां रेमे

sa ca apatya-sparśa-upacīyamāna-praharṣa-prakarṣo bahuprakāraṁ tasya ṛṣeḥ paśyataḥ taiḥ ātmajaputrapautradauhitrādibhiḥ saha anudinaṁ sutarāṁ reme

And he, his joy ever increasing through the touch of his offspring, sported day after day with his sons, grandsons, and daughters' sons, in full view of that sage.

Verse 73 (vishnu.4.2.73)

अथ अन्तर्जल-अवतः सौभरिः एकाग्रतः समाधिम् अपहाय अनुदिनं तस्य मत्स्यस्य आत्मजपुत्रपौत्रदौहित्रादिभिः सह अतिरमणीयम् ललितम् अवेक्ष्य अचिन्तयत्

atha antarjala-avataḥ saubhariḥ ekāgrataḥ samādhim apahāya anudinaṁ tasya matsyasya ātmajaputrapautradauhitrādibhiḥ saha atiramaṇīyam lalitam avekṣya acintayat

Then Saubhari, dwelling underwater, abandoning his one-pointed meditation, watching day after day that fish's delightful play with his offspring, began to think —

Verse 74 (vishnu.4.2.74)

“अहो धन्योऽयमीदृशम् अनभिमतं योन्यन्तरम् अवाप्य एभिः आत्मजपुत्रपौत्रदौहित्रादिभिः सह रममाणोऽतीव अस्माकं स्पृहाम् उत्पादयति

“aho dhanyo'yamīdṛśam anabhimataṁ yonyantaram avāpya ebhiḥ ātmajaputrapautradauhitrādibhiḥ saha ramamāṇo'tīva asmākaṁ spṛhām utpādayati

'Ah, how fortunate is this creature — having attained so lowly a birth, yet sporting with his sons, grandsons, and daughters' sons, he stirs up such longing within me!'

Verse 75 (vishnu.4.2.75)

वयमप्येवं पुत्रादिभिस्सह ललितं रंस्यामहे” इत्येवमभिकाङ्क्षन् स तस्मादन्तर्जलान्निष्क्रम्य सन्तानाय निवेष्टुकामः कन्यार्थं मान्धातारं राजानमगच्छत्

vayamapyevaṁ putrādibhissaha lalitaṁ raṁsyāmahe” ityevamabhikāṅkṣan sa tasmādantarjalānniṣkramya santānāya niveṣṭukāmaḥ kanyārthaṁ māndhātāraṁ rājānamagacchat

'We too shall thus sport delightfully with sons and the rest.' Longing thus, he came out from that underwater dwelling, and, wishing to marry for offspring, went to King Mandhata for a daughter.

Verse 76 (vishnu.4.2.76)

आगमनश्रवणसमनन्तरं चोत्थाय तेन राज्ञा सम्यगर्घ्यादिना सम्पूजितः कृतासनपरिग्रहः सौभरिरुवाच राजानम्

āgamanaśravaṇasamanantaraṁ cotthāya tena rājñā samyagarghyādinā sampūjitaḥ kṛtāsanaparigrahaḥ saubhariruvāca rājānam

As soon as the king heard of his arrival, he rose and duly honored Saubhari with arghya and the like; and having taken a seat, Saubhari said to the king —

Verse 77 (vishnu.4.2.77)

सौभरिरुवाच निवेष्टुकामोऽस्मि नरेन्द्र कन्यां प्रयच्छ मे मा प्रणयं विभाङ्क्षीः । न ह्यर्थिनः कार्यवशादुपेताः ककुत्स्थवंशे विमुखाः प्रयान्ति

saubhariruvāca niveṣṭukāmo'smi narendra kanyāṁ prayaccha me mā praṇayaṁ vibhāṅkṣīḥ | na hyarthinaḥ kāryavaśādupetāḥ kakutsthavaṁśe vimukhāḥ prayānti

Saubhari said: 'O king, I wish to marry — give me a daughter; do not break my trust. For petitioners who come with a request, driven by necessity, do not go away disappointed from the line of Kakutstha.'

Verse 78 (vishnu.4.2.78)

अन्येऽपि सन्त्येव नृपाः पृथिव्यां मान्धातरेषां तनयाः प्रसूताः । किं त्वर्थिनामर्थितदानदीक्षाकृतव्रतं श्लाघ्यमिदं कुलं ते

anye'pi santyeva nṛpāḥ pṛthivyāṁ māndhātareṣāṁ tanayāḥ prasūtāḥ | kiṁ tvarthināmarthitadānadīkṣākṛtavrataṁ ślāghyamidaṁ kulaṁ te

'There are other kings on earth, and other sons too have been born to Mandhata; but this family of yours is praiseworthy for its vow of granting what petitioners ask.'

Verse 79 (vishnu.4.2.79)

शतार्धसंख्यास्तव सन्ति कन्यास्तासां ममैकां नृपते प्रयच्छ । यत्प्रार्थनाभङ्गभयाद्बिभेमि तस्मादहं राजवरातिदुःखात्

śatārdhasaṁkhyāstava santi kanyāstāsāṁ mamaikāṁ nṛpate prayaccha | yatprārthanābhaṅgabhayādbibhemi tasmādahaṁ rājavarātiduḥkhāt

'You have fifty daughters; give me, O king, one of them. For I greatly fear the sorrow of having my request refused, O best of kings.'

Verse 80 (vishnu.4.2.80)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । इति ऋषिवचनमाकर्ण्य स राजा जराजर्जरितदेहम् ऋषिमालोक्य प्रत्याख्यानकातरः तस्माच्च शापभीतो बिभ्यत्किञ्चिदधोमुखः चिरं दध्यौ च

śrīparāśara uvāca | iti ṛṣivacanamākarṇya sa rājā jarājarjaritadeham ṛṣimālokya pratyākhyānakātaraḥ tasmācca śāpabhīto bibhyatkiñcidadhomukhaḥ ciraṁ dadhyau ca

Sri Parashara said: Hearing this speech, and looking at the sage's body worn out by age, the king — distressed at refusing him, yet fearing his curse — pondered a long while, his head bowed.

Verse 81 (vishnu.4.2.81)

सौभरिरुवाच नरेन्द्र कस्मात्समुपैषि चिन्तामसह्यमुक्तं न मयात्र किञ्चित् । यावश्यदेया तनया तयैव कृतार्थता नो यदि किं न लब्धा

saubhariruvāca narendra kasmātsamupaiṣi cintāmasahyamuktaṁ na mayātra kiñcit | yāvaśyadeyā tanayā tayaiva kṛtārthatā no yadi kiṁ na labdhā

Saubhari said: 'O king, why fall into such unbearable distress? I have said nothing unreasonable here. If a daughter who must be given away is given to me — well and good; if not, what is lost?'

Verse 82 (vishnu.4.2.82)

श्रीपराशर उवाच अथ तस्य भगवतः शापभीतः सप्रश्रयः तमुवाच असौ राजा

śrīparāśara uvāca atha tasya bhagavataḥ śāpabhītaḥ sapraśrayaḥ tamuvāca asau rājā

Sri Parashara said: Then, fearing that lord's curse, the king, with due deference, said to him —

Verse 83 (vishnu.4.2.83)

राजोवाच “भगवन् अस्मत्कुलस्थितिरियं, य एव कन्याया अभिरुचितोऽभिजनवान् वरः, तस्मै कन्यां प्रदीयते । भगवद्याच्ञा चास्मन्मनोरथानाम् अपि अतिगोचरवर्त्तिनी कथमप्येषा सञ्जाता । तदेवमुपस्थिते न विद्मः किं कुर्म इत्येतन्मया चिन्त्यत” इत्यभिहिते च तेन भूभुजा मुनिरचिन्तयत्

rājovāca “bhagavan asmatkulasthitiriyaṁ, ya eva kanyāyā abhirucito'bhijanavān varaḥ, tasmai kanyāṁ pradīyate | bhagavadyācñā cāsmanmanorathānām api atigocaravarttinī kathamapyeṣā sañjātā | tadevamupasthite na vidmaḥ kiṁ kurma ityetanmayā cintyata” ityabhihite ca tena bhūbhujā muniracintayat

The king said: 'O Lord, this is the custom of our family — a daughter is given only to that well-born groom whom she herself desires. Your request has arisen quite beyond our expectation. In this situation we do not know what to do — this is what I was pondering.' When the king said this, the sage thought —

Verse 84 (vishnu.4.2.84)

“अयम् अन्यः अस्मत्प्रत्याख्यानोपायो – वृद्धोऽयम् अनभिमतः स्त्रीणां किमुत कन्याकानाम् इत्यमुना सञ्चिन्त्य एतदभिहितम् । एवमस्तु तथा करिष्यामि” इति सञ्चिन्त्य मान्धातारमुवाच

“ayam anyaḥ asmatpratyākhyānopāyo – vṛddho'yam anabhimataḥ strīṇāṁ kimuta kanyākānām ityamunā sañcintya etadabhihitam | evamastu tathā kariṣyāmi” iti sañcintya māndhātāramuvāca

'This is just another way of refusing me, thinking this old man unwelcome to women, let alone young girls. So be it, I shall act accordingly.' Thinking this, he said to Mandhata —

Verse 85 (vishnu.4.2.85)

“यद्येवं तदादिश्यताम् अस्माकं प्रवेशाय कन्यान्तःपुरवर्षवरः । यदि कन्यैव काचिन्मामभिलषति तदाहं दारसङ्ग्रहं करिष्यामि । अन्यथा चेत् तदलम् अस्माकम् एतेन अतीतकालारम्भणेन” इत्युक्त्वा विरराम

“yadyevaṁ tadādiśyatām asmākaṁ praveśāya kanyāntaḥpuravarṣavaraḥ | yadi kanyaiva kācinmāmabhilaṣati tadāhaṁ dārasaṅgrahaṁ kariṣyāmi | anyathā cet tadalam asmākam etena atītakālārambhaṇena” ityuktvā virarāma

'If that is so, let the keeper of your daughters' inner apartments be instructed to admit me. If any daughter desires me of her own accord, I shall marry her; otherwise, enough of this long undertaking.' Having said this, he fell silent.

Verse 86 (vishnu.4.2.86)

ततश्च मान्धात्रा मुनिशापशङ्कितेन कन्यान्तःपुरवर्षधरः समाज्ञप्तः

tataśca māndhātrā muniśāpaśaṅkitena kanyāntaḥpuravarṣadharaḥ samājñaptaḥ

Then Mandhata, fearing the sage's curse, instructed the keeper of the inner apartments accordingly.

Verse 87 (vishnu.4.2.87)

तेन सह कन्यान्तःपुरं प्रविशन्नेव भगवान् अखिलसिद्धगन्धर्वेभ्यः अतिशयेन कमनीयं रूपमकरोत्

tena saha kanyāntaḥpuraṁ praviśanneva bhagavān akhilasiddhagandharvebhyaḥ atiśayena kamanīyaṁ rūpamakarot

As soon as he entered the inner apartments with the keeper, that lord assumed a form more beautiful than that of all siddhas and gandharvas.

Verse 88 (vishnu.4.2.88)

प्रवेश्य च तमृषिम् अन्तःपुरे वर्षवरः ताः कन्याः प्राह

praveśya ca tamṛṣim antaḥpure varṣavaraḥ tāḥ kanyāḥ prāha

Having brought the sage into the inner apartments, the keeper said to the princesses —

Verse 89 (vishnu.4.2.89)

भवतीनां जनयिता महाराजः समाज्ञापयति

bhavatīnāṁ janayitā mahārājaḥ samājñāpayati

'Your father the great king commands you —'

Verse 90 (vishnu.4.2.90)

“अयमस्मान् ब्रह्मर्षिः कन्यार्थं समभ्यागतः

“ayamasmān brahmarṣiḥ kanyārthaṁ samabhyāgataḥ

'This brahmarshi has come to us seeking a daughter.'

Verse 91 (vishnu.4.2.91)

मया चास्य प्रतिज्ञातं – यद्यस्मत्कन्या या काचिद्भगवन्तं वरयति, तत्कन्याच्छन्दे नाहं परिपन्थानं करिष्यामि” । इत्याकर्ण्य सर्वा एव ताः कन्याः सानुरागाः सप्रमदाः करेणव इव इभयूथपतिं तमृषिम् अहमहमिकया वरयाम्बभूवुः ऊचुश्च

mayā cāsya pratijñātaṁ – yadyasmatkanyā yā kācidbhagavantaṁ varayati, tatkanyācchande nāhaṁ paripanthānaṁ kariṣyāmi” | ityākarṇya sarvā eva tāḥ kanyāḥ sānurāgāḥ sapramadāḥ kareṇava iva ibhayūthapatiṁ tamṛṣim ahamahamikayā varayāmbabhūvuḥ ūcuśca

'And I have promised him — whichever of my daughters chooses this lord, in her choice I shall place no obstacle.' Hearing this, all the princesses, filled with love and delight, like female elephants vying for the lord of the herd, each competed to choose that sage, saying —

Verse 92 (vishnu.4.2.92)

अलं भगिन्योऽहमिमं वृणोमि वृणोम्यहं नैष तवानुरूपः । ममैष भर्त्ता विधिनैव सृष्टस्सृष्टाहमस्योपशमं प्रयाहि

alaṁ bhaginyo'hamimaṁ vṛṇomi vṛṇomyahaṁ naiṣa tavānurūpaḥ | mamaiṣa bharttā vidhinaiva sṛṣṭassṛṣṭāhamasyopaśamaṁ prayāhi

'Enough, sisters — I choose him! I choose him! He is not suited to you! This husband was made by fate for me alone, and I for him — withdraw!'

Verse 93 (vishnu.4.2.93)

वृतो मयायं प्रथमं मयायं गृहं विशन्नेव विहन्यसे किम् । मया मयेति क्षितिपात्मजानां तदर्थमत्यर्थकलिर्बभूव

vṛto mayāyaṁ prathamaṁ mayāyaṁ gṛhaṁ viśanneva vihanyase kim | mayā mayeti kṣitipātmajānāṁ tadarthamatyarthakalirbabhūva

'I chose him first! I chose him first! Why are you thwarted even as you enter this house?' 'By me! By me!' — thus a fierce quarrel arose among the king's daughters over this.

Verse 94 (vishnu.4.2.94)

यदा मुनिस्ताभिरतीव हार्दाद्वृतस्स कन्याभिरनिन्द्यकीर्तिः । तदा स कन्याधिकृतो नृपाय यथावदाचष्ट विनम्रमूर्त्तिः

yadā munistābhiratīva hārdādvṛtassa kanyābhiranindyakīrtiḥ | tadā sa kanyādhikṛto nṛpāya yathāvadācaṣṭa vinamramūrttiḥ

When the sage of unblemished fame had thus been chosen most affectionately by all those princesses, the keeper in charge of them reported the matter accurately to the king, bowing with humility.

Verse 95 (vishnu.4.2.95)

श्रीपराशर उवाच तदवगमात् “किमेतत्, कथमेतत्, किं किं करोमि, किं मयाभिहितम्” इत्याकुलमतिः अनिच्छन्नपि कथमपि राजा अनुमेने

śrīparāśara uvāca tadavagamāt “kimetat, kathametat, kiṁ kiṁ karomi, kiṁ mayābhihitam” ityākulamatiḥ anicchannapi kathamapi rājā anumene

Sri Parashara said: On learning this, the king, his mind troubled — 'What is this? How has this happened? What am I to do? What have I said?' — though unwilling, somehow gave his consent.

Verse 96 (vishnu.4.2.96)

कृतानुरूपविवाहश्च महर्षिः सकला एव ताः कन्याः स्वमाश्रमम् अनयत्

kṛtānurūpavivāhaśca maharṣiḥ sakalā eva tāḥ kanyāḥ svamāśramam anayat

And the great sage, having performed a fitting marriage, led all those princesses to his own hermitage.

Verse 97 (vishnu.4.2.97)

तत्र च अशेषशिल्पकल्पप्रणेतारं धातारमिवान्यं विश्वकर्माणम् आहूय सकलकन्यानाम् एकैकस्याः प्रोत्फुल्लपङ्कजाः कूजत्-कलहंस-कारण्डवादि-विहङ्गम-अभिराम-जलाशयाः सोपधानाः सावकाशाः साधुशय्यापरिच्छदाः प्रासादाः क्रियन्ताम् इत्यादिदेश

tatra ca aśeṣaśilpakalpapraṇetāraṁ dhātāramivānyaṁ viśvakarmāṇam āhūya sakalakanyānām ekaikasyāḥ protphullapaṅkajāḥ kūjat-kalahaṁsa-kāraṇḍavādi-vihaṅgama-abhirāma-jalāśayāḥ sopadhānāḥ sāvakāśāḥ sādhuśayyāparicchadāḥ prāsādāḥ kriyantām ityādideśa

There, summoning Vishvakarma, master of all arts and crafts, as if a second Creator, he ordered palaces built for each princess, each with lotus-filled lakes charming with swans and karandava-ducks, furnished with cushions, open spaces, and fine bedding.

Verse 98 (vishnu.4.2.98)

ततः परमर्षिणा सौभरिणाज्ञप्तः तेषु गृहेषु अनिवार्यानन्दनामा महानिधिः आसाञ्चक्रे

tataḥ paramarṣiṇā saubhariṇājñaptaḥ teṣu gṛheṣu anivāryānandanāmā mahānidhiḥ āsāñcakre

Then, at the command of the great sage Saubhari, a great treasure named Anivaryananda ('unstoppable delight') was established in those houses.

Verse 99 (vishnu.4.2.99)

ततः अनवरतेन भक्ष्य-भोज्य-लेह्यादि-उपभोगैः आगतानुगतभृत्यादीन् अहर्निशम् अशेषगृहेषु ताः क्षितीशदुहितरो भोजयामासुः

tataḥ anavaratena bhakṣya-bhojya-lehyādi-upabhogaiḥ āgatānugatabhṛtyādīn aharniśam aśeṣagṛheṣu tāḥ kṣitīśaduhitaro bhojayāmāsuḥ

Then, with an unceasing supply of foods, those daughters of the king fed the attendants and retinues day and night in every one of the houses.

Verse 100 (vishnu.4.2.100)

एकदा तु दुहितृस्नेहाकृष्टहृदयः स महीपतिः अतिदुःखिताः ता उत सुखिता वा इति विचिन्त्य तस्य महर्षेः आश्रमसमीपम् उपेत्य स्फुरदंशुमालाललामां स्फटिकमयप्रासादमालाम् अतिरम्योपवनजलाशयां ददर्श

ekadā tu duhitṛsnehākṛṣṭahṛdayaḥ sa mahīpatiḥ atiduḥkhitāḥ tā uta sukhitā vā iti vicintya tasya maharṣeḥ āśramasamīpam upetya sphuradaṁśumālālalāmāṁ sphaṭikamayaprāsādamālām atiramyopavanajalāśayāṁ dadarśa

One day, that king, his heart drawn by love for his daughters, wondering whether they were unhappy or happy, went to that great sage's hermitage and beheld a row of gleaming crystal palaces amid exceedingly lovely groves and lakes.

Verse 101 (vishnu.4.2.101)

प्रविश्य चैकं प्रासादम् आत्मजां परिष्वज्य कृतासनपरिग्रहः प्रवृद्धस्नेहनयनाम्बुगर्भनयनः अब्रवीत्

praviśya caikaṁ prāsādam ātmajāṁ pariṣvajya kṛtāsanaparigrahaḥ pravṛddhasnehanayanāmbugarbhanayanaḥ abravīt

Entering one palace, embracing his daughter, and taking his seat, his eyes brimming with tears of affection, he said —

Verse 102 (vishnu.4.2.102)

“अप्यत्र वत्से भवत्याः सुखम् उत किञ्चिदसुखम् । अपि ते महर्षिः स्नेहवान् उत न स्मर्यते अस्मद्गृहवास” इत्युक्ता तं तनया पितरमाह

“apyatra vatse bhavatyāḥ sukham uta kiñcidasukham | api te maharṣiḥ snehavān uta na smaryate asmadgṛhavāsa” ityuktā taṁ tanayā pitaramāha

'My child, are you happy here, or is there some sorrow? Is the great sage affectionate to you, or do you still recall our household?' Thus asked, the daughter said to her father —

Verse 103 (vishnu.4.2.103)

“तात अतिरमणीयः प्रासादः अत्र, अतिमनोज्ञम् उपवनम्, एते कल-वाक्य-विहङ्गम-अभिरुताः प्रोत्फुल्ल-पद्माकर-जलाशयाः, मनो-अनुकूल-भक्ष्य-भोज्यानुलेपन-वस्त्र-भूषणादि-भोगः, मृदूनि शयनासनानि सर्वसम्पत्समेतं मे गार्हस्थ्यम्

“tāta atiramaṇīyaḥ prāsādaḥ atra, atimanojñam upavanam, ete kala-vākya-vihaṅgama-abhirutāḥ protphulla-padmākara-jalāśayāḥ, mano-anukūla-bhakṣya-bhojyānulepana-vastra-bhūṣaṇādi-bhogaḥ, mṛdūni śayanāsanāni sarvasampatsametaṁ me gārhasthyam

'Father, the palace here is exceedingly lovely, the grove exceedingly delightful, these lakes are filled with blossoming lotuses and ring with sweet birdsong; my food, drink, unguents, garments, and ornaments are all to my liking; my bed and seats are soft — my household is furnished with every kind of wealth.'

Verse 104 (vishnu.4.2.104)

तथापि केन वा जन्मभूमिर्न स्मर्यते

tathāpi kena vā janmabhūmirna smaryate

'And yet, who ever forgets their birthplace?'

Verse 105 (vishnu.4.2.105)

त्वत्प्रसादात् इदमशेषम् अतिशोभनम्

tvatprasādāt idamaśeṣam atiśobhanam

'By your grace, all of this is exceedingly splendid.'

Verse 106 (vishnu.4.2.106)

किं त्वेकं ममैतद्दुःखकारणं यदस्मद्गृहान्महर्षिः अयं मद्भर्त्ता न विष्क्रामति ममैव केवलमतिप्रीत्या समीपपरिवर्ती नान्यासाम् अस्मद्भगिनीनाम्

kiṁ tvekaṁ mamaitadduḥkhakāraṇaṁ yadasmadgṛhānmaharṣiḥ ayaṁ madbharttā na viṣkrāmati mamaiva kevalamatiprītyā samīpaparivartī nānyāsām asmadbhaginīnām

'But I have one cause of sorrow — this great sage, my husband, never leaves our house; out of great affection he stays close by me alone, never by any of my other sisters.'

Verse 107 (vishnu.4.2.107)

एवं च मम सोदर्योऽतिदुःखिता इत्येवम् अतिदुःखकारणम्” इत्युक्तः तया, द्वितीयं प्रासादमुपेत्य स्वतनयां परिष्वज्यो उपविष्टः तथैव पृष्टवान्

evaṁ ca mama sodaryo'tiduḥkhitā ityevam atiduḥkhakāraṇam” ityuktaḥ tayā, dvitīyaṁ prāsādamupetya svatanayāṁ pariṣvajyo upaviṣṭaḥ tathaiva pṛṣṭavān

'And so my sisters too are greatly grieved on this account.' When she said this, the king went to a second palace, embraced his daughter there, sat down, and asked the very same question.

Verse 108 (vishnu.4.2.108)

तयापि च “सर्वमेतत् प्रासादादि-उपभोग-सुखं भृशम् आख्यातं ममैव केवलमतिप्रीत्या पार्श्वपरिवर्त्ती नान्यासाम् अस्मद्भगिनीनाम्” इत्येवमादि श्रुत्वा समस्तप्रासादेषु राजा प्रविवेश तनयां तनयां तथैवापृच्छत्

tayāpi ca “sarvametat prāsādādi-upabhoga-sukhaṁ bhṛśam ākhyātaṁ mamaiva kevalamatiprītyā pārśvaparivarttī nānyāsām asmadbhaginīnām” ityevamādi śrutvā samastaprāsādeṣu rājā praviveśa tanayāṁ tanayāṁ tathaivāpṛcchat

She too described all the joys of the palace, saying: 'Out of great affection he stays close by me alone, never by any of my other sisters.' Hearing such things repeated, the king entered every palace and asked each daughter the same question.

Verse 109 (vishnu.4.2.109)

सर्वाभिश्च ताभिः तथैवाभिहितः परितोष-विस्मय-निर्भर-विवश-हृदयो भगवन्तं सौभरिम् एकान्तावस्थितम् उपेत्य कृतपूजः अब्रवीत्

sarvābhiśca tābhiḥ tathaivābhihitaḥ paritoṣa-vismaya-nirbhara-vivaśa-hṛdayo bhagavantaṁ saubharim ekāntāvasthitam upetya kṛtapūjaḥ abravīt

Getting the same answer from every one, his heart overwhelmed with satisfaction and astonishment, he went to that lord Saubhari, seated alone, and, having paid him homage, said —

Verse 110 (vishnu.4.2.110)

“दृष्टस्ते भगवन् सुमहानेष सिद्धिप्रभावः, नैवंविधम् अन्यस्य कस्यचित् अस्माभिः विभूतिभिः विलसितम् उपलक्षितं यदेतद्भगवतः तपसः फलम्” इत्यभिपूज्य तमृषिं तत्रैव तेन ऋषिवर्येण सह किञ्चित्कालम् अभिमतोपभोगान् बुभुजे स्वपुरं च जगाम

“dṛṣṭaste bhagavan sumahāneṣa siddhiprabhāvaḥ, naivaṁvidham anyasya kasyacit asmābhiḥ vibhūtibhiḥ vilasitam upalakṣitaṁ yadetadbhagavataḥ tapasaḥ phalam” ityabhipūjya tamṛṣiṁ tatraiva tena ṛṣivaryeṇa saha kiñcitkālam abhimatopabhogān bubhuje svapuraṁ ca jagāma

'O Lord, I have witnessed this exceedingly great power of your spiritual attainment; never have we seen such splendor in anyone else — this is the fruit of your austerity.' Having thus honored the sage, he enjoyed various pleasures there with him for some time, and then returned to his own city.

Verse 111 (vishnu.4.2.111)

कालेन गच्छता तस्य तासु राजतनयासु पुत्रशतं सार्धमभवत्

kālena gacchatā tasya tāsu rājatanayāsu putraśataṁ sārdhamabhavat

As time passed, one hundred and fifty sons were born to him by those princesses.

Verse 112 (vishnu.4.2.112)

अनुदिनानुरूढस्नेहप्रसरश्च स तत्र अतीव ममताकृष्टहृदयोऽभवत्

anudinānurūḍhasnehaprasaraśca sa tatra atīva mamatākṛṣṭahṛdayo'bhavat

And day by day his affection grew, until his heart became utterly bound by attachment to them.

Verse 113 (vishnu.4.2.113)

“अप्येतेऽस्मत्पुत्राः कलभाषिणः पद्भ्यां गच्छेयुः, अप्येते यौवनिनो भवेयुः, अपि कृतदारानेतान् पश्येयम्, अप्येषां पुत्रा भवेयुः, अप्येतत्पुत्रान् पुत्रसमन्वितान् पश्यामि” इत्यादिमनोरथान् अनुदिनं कालसम्पत्तिप्रवृद्धान् उपेक्ष्य एतच्चिन्तयामास

“apyete'smatputrāḥ kalabhāṣiṇaḥ padbhyāṁ gaccheyuḥ, apyete yauvanino bhaveyuḥ, api kṛtadārānetān paśyeyam, apyeṣāṁ putrā bhaveyuḥ, apyetatputrān putrasamanvitān paśyāmi” ityādimanorathān anudinaṁ kālasampattipravṛddhān upekṣya etaccintayāmāsa

'Might these babbling sons of mine someday walk on their own feet? Might they come of age? Might I see them married? Might they have sons? Might I see even those sons' sons?' — watching such desires grow with the passing of time, he came to reflect —

Verse 114 (vishnu.4.2.114)

“अहो मे मोहस्यातिविस्तारः

“aho me mohasyātivistāraḥ

'Ah, how vast has my delusion grown!'

Verse 115 (vishnu.4.2.115)

मनोरथानां न समाप्तिरस्ति वर्षायुतेनापि तथाब्दलक्षैः । पूर्णेषु पूर्णेषु मनोरथानामुत्पत्तयस्सन्ति पुनर्नवानाम्

manorathānāṁ na samāptirasti varṣāyutenāpi tathābdalakṣaiḥ | pūrṇeṣu pūrṇeṣu manorathānāmutpattayassanti punarnavānām

'Desires have no end, not even in ten thousand years, nor in a hundred thousand. As each desire is fulfilled, new ones arise again.'

Verse 116 (vishnu.4.2.116)

पद्भ्यां गता यौवनिनश्च जाता दारैश्च संयोगमिताः प्रसूताः । दृष्टाः सुतास्तत्तनयप्रसूतिं द्रष्टुं पुनर्वाञ्छति मेऽन्तरात्मा

padbhyāṁ gatā yauvaninaśca jātā dāraiśca saṁyogamitāḥ prasūtāḥ | dṛṣṭāḥ sutāstattanayaprasūtiṁ draṣṭuṁ punarvāñchati me'ntarātmā

'They have learned to walk, come of age, been married, and had children of their own — I have seen even my sons' sons, yet my inner self still longs to see the offspring of those very grandsons.'

Verse 117 (vishnu.4.2.117)

द्रक्ष्यामि तेषामिति चेत् प्रसूतिं मनोरथो मे भविता ततोऽन्यः । पूर्णेऽपि तत्राप्यपरस्य जन्म निवार्यते केन मनोरथस्य

drakṣyāmi teṣāmiti cet prasūtiṁ manoratho me bhavitā tato'nyaḥ | pūrṇe'pi tatrāpyaparasya janma nivāryate kena manorathasya

'And if I resolve to see their offspring too, yet another desire will then arise; even when that is fulfilled, who will restrain the birth of yet another?'

Verse 118 (vishnu.4.2.118)

आमृत्युतो नैव मनोरथानामन्तोऽस्ति विज्ञातमिदं मयाद्य । मनोरथासक्तिपरस्य चित्तं न जायते वै परमार्थसङ्गि

āmṛtyuto naiva manorathānāmanto'sti vijñātamidaṁ mayādya | manorathāsaktiparasya cittaṁ na jāyate vai paramārthasaṅgi

'Desires have no end, even up to death — this I have now understood. The mind absorbed in attachment to desires never becomes attached to the highest truth.'

Verse 119 (vishnu.4.2.119)

स मे समाधिर्जलवासमित्रमत्स्यस्य सङ्गात् सहसैव नष्टः । परिग्रहः सङ्गकृतो मयायं परिग्रहोत्था च ममातिलिप्सा

sa me samādhirjalavāsamitramatsyasya saṅgāt sahasaiva naṣṭaḥ | parigrahaḥ saṅgakṛto mayāyaṁ parigrahotthā ca mamātilipsā

'That meditation of mine was suddenly destroyed through attachment to my friend, the fish in the water. This entanglement I made for myself, and from it has arisen my excessive greed.'

Verse 120 (vishnu.4.2.120)

दुःखं यदैवैकशरीरजन्म शतार्धसङ्ख्याकमिदं प्रसूतम् । परिग्रहेण क्षितिपात्मजानां सुतैरनेकैर्बहुलीकृतं तत्

duḥkhaṁ yadaivaikaśarīrajanma śatārdhasaṅkhyākamidaṁ prasūtam | parigraheṇa kṣitipātmajānāṁ sutairanekairbahulīkṛtaṁ tat

'Suffering began the moment fifty children were born from this single body; through attachment to the king's daughters it multiplied through many sons.'

Verse 121 (vishnu.4.2.121)

सुतात्मजैस्तत्तनयैश्च भूयो भूयश्च तेषां च परिग्रहेण । विस्तारमेष्यत्यतिदुःखहेतुः परिग्रहो वै ममताभिधानः

sutātmajaistattanayaiśca bhūyo bhūyaśca teṣāṁ ca parigraheṇa | vistārameṣyatyatiduḥkhahetuḥ parigraho vai mamatābhidhānaḥ

'Through sons' sons and their sons again, and attachment to them, this ever-multiplying entanglement called "mine-ness," the cause of great suffering, will go on spreading.'

Verse 122 (vishnu.4.2.122)

चीर्णं तपो यत्तु जलाश्रयेण तस्यर्द्धिरेषा तपसोऽन्तरायः । मत्स्यस्य सङ्गादभवच्च यो मे सुतादिरागो मुषितोऽस्मि तेन

cīrṇaṁ tapo yattu jalāśrayeṇa tasyarddhireṣā tapaso'ntarāyaḥ | matsyasya saṅgādabhavacca yo me sutādirāgo muṣito'smi tena

'The very prosperity that came from the austerity practiced in the water has become an obstacle to that austerity. Through attachment to that fish arose my passion for sons and the rest, and by it I have been robbed.'

Verse 123 (vishnu.4.2.123)

निस्सङ्गता मुक्तिपदं यतीनां सङ्गादशेषाः प्रभवन्ति दोषाः । आरूढयोगो विनिपात्यतेऽधः सङ्गेन योगी किमुताल्पबुद्धिः

nissaṅgatā muktipadaṁ yatīnāṁ saṅgādaśeṣāḥ prabhavanti doṣāḥ | ārūḍhayogo vinipātyate'dhaḥ saṅgena yogī kimutālpabuddhiḥ

'Freedom from attachment is the path of liberation for ascetics; from attachment arise all faults. Even a yogi established in yoga is cast down by attachment — how much more so one of feeble understanding!'

Verse 124 (vishnu.4.2.124)

अहं चरिष्यामि तदात्मनोऽर्थे परिग्रहग्राहगृहीतबुद्धिः । यदा हि भूयः परिहीनदोषो जनस्य दुःखैर्भविता न दुःखी

ahaṁ cariṣyāmi tadātmano'rthe parigrahagrāhagṛhītabuddhiḥ | yadā hi bhūyaḥ parihīnadoṣo janasya duḥkhairbhavitā na duḥkhī

'I, whose understanding was seized by the crocodile of attachment, shall now act for my own true good, so that, once more free of every fault, I shall no longer be pained by the sufferings that afflict people.'

Verse 125 (vishnu.4.2.125)

सर्वस्य धातारमचिन्त्यरूपमणोरणीयांसमतिप्रमाणम् । सितासितं चेश्वरमीश्वराणामाराधयिष्ये तपसैव विष्णुम्

sarvasya dhātāramacintyarūpamaṇoraṇīyāṁsamatipramāṇam | sitāsitaṁ ceśvaramīśvarāṇāmārādhayiṣye tapasaiva viṣṇum

'I shall worship, through austerity alone, Vishnu — creator of all, of inconceivable form, subtler than the subtlest yet vaster than the vast, both bright and dark, Lord of lords.'

Verse 126 (vishnu.4.2.126)

तस्मिन्नशेषौजसि सर्वरूपिण्यव्यक्तविस्पष्टतनावनन्ते । ममाचलं चित्तमपेतदोषं सदास्तु विष्णावभवाय भूयः

tasminnaśeṣaujasi sarvarūpiṇyavyaktavispaṣṭatanāvanante | mamācalaṁ cittamapetadoṣaṁ sadāstu viṣṇāvabhavāya bhūyaḥ

'In him, of boundless power, of every form, whose body is both unmanifest and manifest, infinite — may my mind, ever unwavering and free of fault, remain fixed on Vishnu, for release from further birth.'

Verse 127 (vishnu.4.2.127)

समस्तभूतादमलादनन्तात् सर्वेश्वरादन्यदनादिमध्यात् । यस्मान्न किञ्चित् तमहं गुरूणां परं गुरुं संश्रयमेमि विष्णुम्

samastabhūtādamalādanantāt sarveśvarādanyadanādimadhyāt | yasmānna kiñcit tamahaṁ gurūṇāṁ paraṁ guruṁ saṁśrayamemi viṣṇum

'Beyond that stainless, infinite Lord of all, source of every being, without beginning or middle, there is nothing at all — I take refuge in Vishnu, the supreme teacher of teachers.'

Verse 128 (vishnu.4.2.128)

श्रीपराशर उवाच इत्यात्मानम् आत्मनैव अभिधाय असौ सौभरिः अपहाय पुत्रगृहासनपरिच्छदादिकम् अशेषमर्थजातं सकलभार्यासमन्वितो वनं प्रविवेश

śrīparāśara uvāca ityātmānam ātmanaiva abhidhāya asau saubhariḥ apahāya putragṛhāsanaparicchadādikam aśeṣamarthajātaṁ sakalabhāryāsamanvito vanaṁ praviveśa

Sri Parashara said: Having thus addressed himself, Saubhari, abandoning his sons, house, seats, furnishings, and every possession, entered the forest together with all his wives.

Verse 129 (vishnu.4.2.129)

तत्राप्यनुदिनं वैखानसनिष्पाद्यम् अशेषक्रियाकलापं निष्पाद्य क्षपितसकलपापः परिपक्वमनोवृत्तिः आत्मनि अग्नीन् समारोप्य भिक्षुः अभवत्

tatrāpyanudinaṁ vaikhānasaniṣpādyam aśeṣakriyākalāpaṁ niṣpādya kṣapitasakalapāpaḥ paripakvamanovṛttiḥ ātmani agnīn samāropya bhikṣuḥ abhavat

There too, day after day, performing all the rites prescribed for forest hermits, burning away all his sins, his mind now fully matured, he took the sacrificial fires into himself and became a mendicant.

Verse 130 (vishnu.4.2.130)

भगवति आसज्य अखिलं कर्मकलापं हित्व अनन्तम् अजम् अनादिनिधनम् अविकारमरणादिधर्मम् अवाप परमनन्तं परवताम् अच्युतं पदम्

bhagavati āsajya akhilaṁ karmakalāpaṁ hitva anantam ajam anādinidhanam avikāramaraṇādidharmam avāpa paramanantaṁ paravatām acyutaṁ padam

Fixing all his works upon the Lord and abandoning them, he attained the supreme, infinite, unchanging, undying station of Achyuta, beyond birth, death, and change.

Verse 131 (vishnu.4.2.131)

इत्येतन्मान्धातृदुहितृसम्बन्धादाख्यातम्

ityetanmāndhātṛduhitṛsambandhādākhyātam

Thus has this account been told, in connection with the daughters of Mandhata.

Verse 132 (vishnu.4.2.132)

यश्चैतत् सौभरिचरितम् अनुस्मरति पठति पाठयति शृणोति श्रावयति धरति अवधारयति लिखति लेखयति शिक्षयति अध्यापयति उपदिशति वा तस्य षड् जन्मानि दुस्सन्ततिः असद्धर्मो वाङ्मनसयोः असन्मार्गाचरणम् अशेषहेतुषु वा ममत्वं न भवति

yaścaitat saubharicaritam anusmarati paṭhati pāṭhayati śṛṇoti śrāvayati dharati avadhārayati likhati lekhayati śikṣayati adhyāpayati upadiśati vā tasya ṣaḍ janmāni dussantatiḥ asaddharmo vāṅmanasayoḥ asanmārgācaraṇam aśeṣahetuṣu vā mamatvaṁ na bhavati

Whoever recollects, recites, causes to be recited, hears, causes to be heard, retains, comprehends, writes, causes to be written, teaches, or expounds this account of Saubhari — for six births that person shall have no evil offspring, no unrighteousness of speech or mind, no walking in wrong paths, and no attachment to anything whatsoever.