Devi Bhagavata Purana — Skandha 6 — Chapter 24
DB 6 24.1
; अम्बिकायाः नियोगात्पुत्रोत्पादनाय गर्भधारणवर्णनम् राजोवाच भगवंस्त्वन्मुखाम्भोजाच्च्युतं दिव्यकथारसम् । न तृप्तिमधिगच्छामि पिबंस्तु सुधया समम्
; ambikāyāḥ niyogātputrotpādanāya garbhadhāraṇavarṇanam rājovāca bhagavaṃstvanmukhāmbhojāccyutaṃ divyakathārasam | na tṛptimadhigacchāmi pibaṃstu sudhayā samam
[Description of the bearing of the womb for the begetting of a son by Ambikā's command] The king said: "Blessed one, the nectar of divine story fallen from the lotus of your mouth — drinking it as though it were ambrosia, I attain no satiety."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.2
विचित्रमिदमाख्यानं कथितं भवता मम । हैहयानां समुत्पत्तिर्विस्तराद्विस्मयप्रदा
vicitramidamākhyānaṃ kathitaṃ bhavatā mama | haihayānāṃ samutpattirvistarādvismayapradā
"This wondrous tale has been told by you to me; the origin of the Haihayas, (recounted) at length, is astonishing."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.3
परं कौतूहलं मेऽत्र यद्विष्णुः कमलापतिः । देवदेवो जगन्नाथः सृष्टिस्थित्यन्तकारकः
paraṃ kautūhalaṃ me'tra yadviṣṇuḥ kamalāpatiḥ | devadevo jagannāthaḥ sṛṣṭisthityantakārakaḥ
"But my curiosity here (is this): that Viṣṇu, the husband of Kamalā, god of gods, lord of the world, the maker of creation, preservation, and end —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.4
सोऽप्यश्वभावमापन्नो भगवान्हरिरच्युतः । परतन्त्रः कथं जातः स्वतन्त्रः पुरुषोत्तमः
so'pyaśvabhāvamāpanno bhagavānhariracyutaḥ | paratantraḥ kathaṃ jātaḥ svatantraḥ puruṣottamaḥ
how did he too, the Lord Hari, the imperishable, come to the state of a horse, and become dependent on another, he who is independent, the highest Person?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.5
एतन्मे संशयं ब्रह्मञ्छेत्तुमर्हसि साम्प्रतम् । सर्वज्ञस्त्वं मुनिश्रेष्ठ ब्रूहि वृत्तान्तमद्भुतम्
etanme saṃśayaṃ brahmañchettumarhasi sāmpratam | sarvajñastvaṃ muniśreṣṭha brūhi vṛttāntamadbhutam
"This doubt of mine, O brahman, you ought now to cut away. You are all-knowing, best of sages; tell (me) the marvellous account."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.6
व्यास उवाच शृणु राजन् प्रवक्ष्यामि सन्देहस्यास्य निर्णयम् । यथा श्रुतं मया पूर्वं नारदान्मुनिसत्तमात्
vyāsa uvāca śṛṇu rājan pravakṣyāmi sandehasyāsya nirṇayam | yathā śrutaṃ mayā pūrvaṃ nāradānmunisattamāt
Vyāsa said: Hear, O king, I shall declare the resolution of this doubt, as it was heard by me formerly from Nārada, the best of sages.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.7
ब्रह्मणो मानसः पुत्रो नारदो नाम तापसः । सर्वज्ञः सर्वगः शान्तः सर्वलोकप्रियः कविः
brahmaṇo mānasaḥ putro nārado nāma tāpasaḥ | sarvajñaḥ sarvagaḥ śāntaḥ sarvalokapriyaḥ kaviḥ
Brahmā's mind-born son, the ascetic named Nārada — all-knowing, going everywhere, tranquil, dear to all the worlds, a seer —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.8
स चैकदा मुनिश्रेष्ठो विचरन्पृथिवीमिमाम् । वादयन्महतीं वीणां स्वरतानसमन्विताम्
sa caikadā muniśreṣṭho vicaranpṛthivīmimām | vādayanmahatīṃ vīṇāṃ svaratānasamanvitām
and he, the best of sages, once, wandering over this earth, playing his great lute furnished with notes and melodic phrasings,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.9
बृहद्रथन्तरादीनां साम्नां भेदाननेकशः । गायन्गायत्रममृतं सम्प्राप्तोऽथ ममाश्रमम्
bṛhadrathantarādīnāṃ sāmnāṃ bhedānanekaśaḥ | gāyangāyatramamṛtaṃ samprāpto'tha mamāśramam
singing the many varieties of the Sāman chants beginning with the Bṛhat and the Rathantara, (and) the deathless Gāyatra, then reached my hermitage —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.10
शम्याप्रासं महातीर्थं सरस्वत्याः सुपावनम् । निवासं मुनिमुख्यानां शर्मदं ज्ञानदं तथा
śamyāprāsaṃ mahātīrthaṃ sarasvatyāḥ supāvanam | nivāsaṃ munimukhyānāṃ śarmadaṃ jñānadaṃ tathā
Śamyāprāsa, the great and highly purifying holy place of the Sarasvatī, the dwelling of the foremost sages, granting welfare and granting knowledge.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.11
तमागतमहं प्रेक्ष्य ब्रह्मपुत्रं महाद्युतिम् । अभ्युत्थानादिकं सर्वं कृतवानर्चनादिकम्
tamāgatamahaṃ prekṣya brahmaputraṃ mahādyutim | abhyutthānādikaṃ sarvaṃ kṛtavānarcanādikam
Seeing him, the son of Brahmā, of great splendour, arrived, I did everything — rising to greet him and the rest, and the worship and so forth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.12
अर्घ्यपाद्यविधिं कृत्वा तस्यासनस्थितस्य च । उपविष्टः समीपेऽहं मुनेरमिततेजसः
arghyapādyavidhiṃ kṛtvā tasyāsanasthitasya ca | upaviṣṭaḥ samīpe'haṃ muneramitatejasaḥ
Having performed the rite of (offering) water for welcome and for the feet to him as he sat on the seat, I sat down near the sage of measureless splendour.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.13
दृष्ट्वा विश्रमिणं शान्तं नारदं ज्ञानपारदम् । तमपृच्छमहं राजन् यत्पृष्टोऽहं त्वयाधुना
dṛṣṭvā viśramiṇaṃ śāntaṃ nāradaṃ jñānapāradam | tamapṛcchamahaṃ rājan yatpṛṣṭo'haṃ tvayādhunā
Seeing Nārada, rested, at peace, one who has crossed to the far shore of knowledge, I asked him, O king, that very thing which you have now asked me.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.14
असारेऽस्मिंस्तु संसारे प्राणिनां किं सुखं मुने । न पश्यामि विनिश्चित्य कदाचित्कुत्रचित्क्वचित्
asāre'smiṃstu saṃsāre prāṇināṃ kiṃ sukhaṃ mune | na paśyāmi viniścitya kadācitkutracitkvacit
"In this sapless round of rebirth, O sage, what happiness is there for living beings? Having considered, I do not see (any) — not ever, not anywhere, not in any place."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.15
द्वीपे जातो जनन्याहं संत्यक्तस्तत्क्षणादपि । अनाश्रयो वने वृद्धिं प्राप्तः कर्मानुसारतः
dvīpe jāto jananyāhaṃ saṃtyaktastatkṣaṇādapi | anāśrayo vane vṛddhiṃ prāptaḥ karmānusārataḥ
"I was born on an island and abandoned by my mother that very moment; without refuge, I grew up in the forest, in accordance with (my past) deeds."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.16
तपस्तप्तं मया चोग्रं पर्वते बहुवार्षिकम् । पुत्रकामेन देवर्षे शङ्करः समुपासितः
tapastaptaṃ mayā cograṃ parvate bahuvārṣikam | putrakāmena devarṣe śaṅkaraḥ samupāsitaḥ
"And fierce austerity was practised by me on a mountain for many years; desiring a son, O divine sage, I worshipped Śaṅkara."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.17
ततो मया शुकः प्राप्तः पुत्रो ज्ञानवतां वरः । पाठितस्तु मया सम्यग्वेदानां सार आदितः
tato mayā śukaḥ prāptaḥ putro jñānavatāṃ varaḥ | pāṭhitastu mayā samyagvedānāṃ sāra āditaḥ
"Then I obtained Śuka as a son, the best of those possessed of knowledge; and he was properly taught by me, from the beginning, the essence of the Vedas."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.18
स त्यक्त्वा मां गतः क्वापि रुदन्तं विरहातुरम् । लोकाल्लोकान्तरं साधो वचनात्तव बोधितः
sa tyaktvā māṃ gataḥ kvāpi rudantaṃ virahāturam | lokāllokāntaraṃ sādho vacanāttava bodhitaḥ
"He abandoned me, weeping and stricken with the pain of separation, and went off somewhere, O good one, from (this) world to another world, awakened by your words."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.19
ततोऽहं पुत्रसन्तप्तस्त्यक्त्वा मेरुं महागिरिम् । मातरं मनसा कृत्वा सम्प्राप्तः कुरुजाङ्गलम्
tato'haṃ putrasantaptastyaktvā meruṃ mahāgirim | mātaraṃ manasā kṛtvā samprāptaḥ kurujāṅgalam
"Then I, burning (with grief) for my son, left Meru, the great mountain, and, keeping my mother in mind, arrived at Kurujāṅgala."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.20
पुत्रस्नेहादतितरां कृशाङ्गः शोकसंयुतः । जानन्मिथ्येति संसारं मायापाशनियन्त्रितः
putrasnehādatitarāṃ kṛśāṅgaḥ śokasaṃyutaḥ | jānanmithyeti saṃsāraṃ māyāpāśaniyantritaḥ
"Out of excessive affection for my son, my limbs wasted, joined with sorrow, though knowing that the round of rebirth is false, (I was) bound by the noose of māyā."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.21
ततो राज्ञा वृतां ज्ञात्वा मातरं वासवीं शुभाम् । स्थितोऽत्रैवाश्रमं कृत्वा सरस्वत्यास्तटे शुभे
tato rājñā vṛtāṃ jñātvā mātaraṃ vāsavīṃ śubhām | sthito'traivāśramaṃ kṛtvā sarasvatyāstaṭe śubhe
"Then, learning that my mother, the auspicious daughter of Vasu, had been chosen by the king, I stayed right here, having made a hermitage on the fair bank of the Sarasvatī."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.22
शन्तनुः स्वर्गतिं प्राप्तो विधुरा जननी स्थिता । पुत्रद्वययुता साध्वी भीष्मेण प्रतिपालिता
śantanuḥ svargatiṃ prāpto vidhurā jananī sthitā | putradvayayutā sādhvī bhīṣmeṇa pratipālitā
"Śantanu attained heaven, and my mother remained a widow; the virtuous woman, together with her two sons, was protected by Bhīṣma."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.23
चित्राङ्गदः कृतो राजा गङ्गापुत्रेण धीमता । कालेन सोऽपि मे भ्राता मृतः कामसमद्युतिः
citrāṅgadaḥ kṛto rājā gaṅgāputreṇa dhīmatā | kālena so'pi me bhrātā mṛtaḥ kāmasamadyutiḥ
"Citrāṅgada was made king by the wise son of Gaṅgā; in time he too, my brother, whose splendour equalled Kāma's, died."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.24
ततः सत्यवती माता निमग्ना शोकसागरे । चित्राङ्गदं मृतं पुत्रं रुरोद भृशमातुरा अम्बिकायां नियोगात्पुत्रोत्पादनाय गर्भधारणवर्णनं नाम चतुर्विंशोऽध्यायः
tataḥ satyavatī mātā nimagnā śokasāgare | citrāṅgadaṃ mṛtaṃ putraṃ ruroda bhṛśamāturā ambikāyāṃ niyogātputrotpādanāya garbhadhāraṇavarṇanaṃ nāma caturviṃśo'dhyāyaḥ
"Then mother Satyavatī, sunk in the ocean of grief, exceedingly stricken, wept for her dead son Citrāṅgada." — the twenty-fourth chapter, called the description of the bearing of the womb, for the begetting of a son by appointment upon Ambikā.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.25
सम्प्राप्तोऽहं महाभाग ज्ञात्वा तां दुःखितां सतीम् । आश्वासिता मयात्यर्थं भीष्मेण च महात्मना
samprāpto'haṃ mahābhāga jñātvā tāṃ duḥkhitāṃ satīm | āśvāsitā mayātyarthaṃ bhīṣmeṇa ca mahātmanā
"Knowing that the good woman was grieving, I came (to her), O greatly fortunate one; she was greatly consoled by me and by the great-souled Bhīṣma."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.26
विचित्रवीर्यस्त्वपरो वीर्यवान्पृथिवीपतिः । कृतो भीष्मेण भ्राता वै स्त्रीराज्यविमुखेन ह
vicitravīryastvaparo vīryavānpṛthivīpatiḥ | kṛto bhīṣmeṇa bhrātā vai strīrājyavimukhena ha
"But the other brother, Vicitravīrya, valorous, was made lord of the earth by Bhīṣma, who had turned away from women and from kingship."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.27
काशिराजसुते रम्ये विजित्य पृथिवीपतीन् । भीष्मेणानीय स्वबलात्कन्यके द्वे समर्पिते
kāśirājasute ramye vijitya pṛthivīpatīn | bhīṣmeṇānīya svabalātkanyake dve samarpite
"Two lovely maidens, daughters of the king of Kāśi, having conquered the lords of the earth by his own strength, were brought by Bhīṣma and handed over,"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.28
सत्यवत्यै शुभे काले विवाहः परिकल्पितः । भ्रातुर्विचित्रवीर्यस्य तदाहं सुखितोऽभवम्
satyavatyai śubhe kāle vivāhaḥ parikalpitaḥ | bhrāturvicitravīryasya tadāhaṃ sukhito'bhavam
"to Satyavatī; at an auspicious time the marriage of my brother Vicitravīrya was arranged. Then I became happy."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.29
पुनः सोऽपि मृतो भ्राता यक्ष्मणा पीडितो भृशम् । अनपत्यो युवा धन्वी माता मे दुःखिताभवत्
punaḥ so'pi mṛto bhrātā yakṣmaṇā pīḍito bhṛśam | anapatyo yuvā dhanvī mātā me duḥkhitābhavat
"Again that brother too died, severely afflicted by consumption — childless, young, a bowman; and my mother became grief-stricken."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.30
काशिराजसुते द्वे तु मृतं दृष्ट्वा पतिं तदा । पतिव्रताधर्मपरे भगिन्यौ सम्बभूवतुः
kāśirājasute dve tu mṛtaṃ dṛṣṭvā patiṃ tadā | pativratādharmapare bhaginyau sambabhūvatuḥ
"But the two daughters of the king of Kāśi, seeing their husband dead, then, the two sisters, became intent on the duty of faithful wives."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.31
ते ऊचतुः सतीं श्वश्रूं रुदतीं भृशदुःखिताम् । पतिना सहगामिन्यौ भविष्यावो हुताशने
te ūcatuḥ satīṃ śvaśrūṃ rudatīṃ bhṛśaduḥkhitām | patinā sahagāminyau bhaviṣyāvo hutāśane
"They said to their good mother-in-law, who was weeping and greatly grieved: 'We two shall go together with our husband into the fire.'"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.32
पुत्रेण सह ते श्वश्रु स्वर्गे गत्वाथ नन्दने । सुखेन विहरिष्यावः पतिना सह संयुते
putreṇa saha te śvaśru svarge gatvātha nandane | sukhena vihariṣyāvaḥ patinā saha saṃyute
"O mother-in-law of yours (ours), having gone to heaven, to the Nandana grove, together with your son, we two shall roam happily, united with our husband."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 6 24.33
निवारिते तदा मात्रा वध्वौ तस्मान्महोद्यमात् । स्नेहभावं समाश्रित्य भीष्मस्य वचनात्तदा
nivārite tadā mātrā vadhvau tasmānmahodyamāt | snehabhāvaṃ samāśritya bhīṣmasya vacanāttadā
When the two daughters-in-law were then restrained by the mother from that great undertaking, relying on affection, and by Bhīṣma's word at that time—
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.34
गाङ्गेयेन च मात्रा मे सम्मन्त्र्य च परस्परम् । कृत्वौर्ध्वदैहिकं सर्वं संस्मृतोऽहं गजाह्वये
gāṅgeyena ca mātrā me sammantrya ca parasparam | kṛtvaurdhvadaihikaṃ sarvaṃ saṃsmṛto'haṃ gajāhvaye
—and when Gāṅgeya (Bhīṣma) and my mother had consulted with each other and performed all the funeral rites, I was called to mind in Hāstinapura (the city named after the elephant).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.35
स्मृतमात्रस्तु मात्रा वै ज्ञात्वा भावं मनोगतम् । तरसैवागतश्चाहं नगरं नागसाह्वयम्
smṛtamātrastu mātrā vai jñātvā bhāvaṃ manogatam | tarasaivāgataścāhaṃ nagaraṃ nāgasāhvayam
And the moment I was thought of by my mother, knowing the intention that was in her mind, I came at once to the city named after the elephant.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.36
प्रणम्य मातरं मूर्ध्ना संस्थितोऽथ कृताञ्जलिः । तामब्रवं सुतप्ताङ्गीं पुत्रशोकेन कर्शिताम्
praṇamya mātaraṃ mūrdhnā saṃsthito'tha kṛtāñjaliḥ | tāmabravaṃ sutaptāṅgīṃ putraśokena karśitām
Having bowed to my mother with my head, I then stood with hands joined, and spoke to her, whose body was much scorched, wasted with grief for her son:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.37
मातस्त्वया किमाहूतो मनसाहं तपस्विनि । आज्ञापय महत्कार्ये दासोऽस्मि करवाणि किम्
mātastvayā kimāhūto manasāhaṃ tapasvini | ājñāpaya mahatkārye dāso'smi karavāṇi kim
"Mother, why have I been summoned by you in thought, O ascetic lady? Command me in the great matter; I am (your) servant—what shall I do?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.38
त्वं मे तीर्थं परं मातर्देवश्च प्रथितः परः । आगतश्चिन्तितश्चात्र ब्रूहि कृत्यं तव प्रियम्
tvaṃ me tīrthaṃ paraṃ mātardevaśca prathitaḥ paraḥ | āgataścintitaścātra brūhi kṛtyaṃ tava priyam
You are my highest place of pilgrimage, mother, and my supreme renowned deity; I have come, having been thought of—tell me the task that pleases you."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.39
व्यास उवाच इत्युक्त्वाहं स्थितस्तत्र मातुरग्रे यदा मुने । तदा सा मामुवाचेदं पश्यन्ती भीष्ममन्तिके
vyāsa uvāca ityuktvāhaṃ sthitastatra māturagre yadā mune | tadā sā māmuvācedaṃ paśyantī bhīṣmamantike
Vyāsa said: Having spoken thus, O sage, when I stood there before my mother, then she, looking at Bhīṣma nearby, said this to me:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.40
पुत्र तेऽद्य मृतो भ्राता पीडितो राजयक्ष्मणा । तेनाहं दुःखिता जाता वंशच्छेदभयादिह
putra te'dya mṛto bhrātā pīḍito rājayakṣmaṇā | tenāhaṃ duḥkhitā jātā vaṃśacchedabhayādiha
"Son, your brother has died today, afflicted by consumption; by that I have become grieved here, out of fear of the cutting off of the line.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.41
तस्मात्त्वमद्य मेधाविन् मयाहूतः समाधिना । गाङ्गेयस्य मतेनात्र पाराशर्यार्थसिद्धये
tasmāttvamadya medhāvin mayāhūtaḥ samādhinā | gāṅgeyasya matenātra pārāśaryārthasiddhaye
Therefore, O wise one, you have today been summoned by me by (the power of) concentration, in accordance with Gāṅgeya's opinion, O son of Parāśara, for the accomplishment of the purpose.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.42
कुलं स्थापय नष्टं त्वं शन्तनोर्नामकारणात् । रक्ष मां दुःखतः कृष्ण वंशच्छेदोद्भवाद्द्रुतम्
kulaṃ sthāpaya naṣṭaṃ tvaṃ śantanornāmakāraṇāt | rakṣa māṃ duḥkhataḥ kṛṣṇa vaṃśacchedodbhavāddrutam
Re-establish the ruined family, for the sake of Śantanu's name; save me quickly from the sorrow arising from the cutting off of the line, O Kṛṣṇa (Dvaipāyana).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.43
काशिराजसुते भार्ये भ्रातुस्तव यवीयसः । साधोर्विचित्रवीर्यस्य रूपयौवनभूषिते
kāśirājasute bhārye bhrātustava yavīyasaḥ | sādhorvicitravīryasya rūpayauvanabhūṣite
The two daughters of the king of Kāśī are the wives of your younger brother, the good Vicitravīrya—adorned with beauty and youth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.44
ताभ्यां सङ्गम्य मेधाविन् पुत्रोत्पादनकं कुरु । रक्षस्व भारतं वंशं नात्र दोषोऽस्ति कर्हिचित्
tābhyāṃ saṅgamya medhāvin putrotpādanakaṃ kuru | rakṣasva bhārataṃ vaṃśaṃ nātra doṣo'sti karhicit
Uniting with those two, O wise one, bring about the begetting of a son; protect the Bhārata line—there is no fault in this at all."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.45
व्यास उवाच इति मातुर्वचः श्रुत्वा जातश्चिन्तातुरो ह्यहम् । लज्जयाऽऽकुलचित्तस्तामब्रवं विनयानतः
vyāsa uvāca iti māturvacaḥ śrutvā jātaścintāturo hyaham | lajjayā''kulacittastāmabravaṃ vinayānataḥ
Vyāsa said: Hearing my mother's words thus, I became distressed with anxiety, and with my mind agitated by shame I said to her, bowed down in humility:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.46
मातः पापाधिकं कर्म परदाराभिमर्शनम् । ज्ञात्वा धर्मपथं सम्यक्करोमि कथमादरात्
mātaḥ pāpādhikaṃ karma paradārābhimarśanam | jñātvā dharmapathaṃ samyakkaromi kathamādarāt
"Mother, touching another's wife is a deed exceedingly sinful; knowing the path of dharma well, how can I do it with (deliberate) regard?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.47
तथा यवीयसो भ्रातुर्वधूः कन्या प्रकीर्तिता । व्यभिचारं कथं कुर्यामधीत्य निगमानहम्
tathā yavīyaso bhrāturvadhūḥ kanyā prakīrtitā | vyabhicāraṃ kathaṃ kuryāmadhītya nigamānaham
Moreover, the wife of a younger brother is declared (to be as) a daughter; how, having studied the scriptures, could I commit transgression?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.48
अन्यायेन न कर्तव्यं सर्वथा कुलरक्षणम् । न तरन्ति हि संसारात्पितरः पापकारिणः
anyāyena na kartavyaṃ sarvathā kularakṣaṇam | na taranti hi saṃsārātpitaraḥ pāpakāriṇaḥ
By no means should the protection of the family be effected by an improper way; for sinful fathers do not cross over from the round of rebirth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.49
लोकानामुपदेष्टा यः पुराणानां प्रवर्तकः । स कथं कुत्सितं कर्म ज्ञात्वा कुर्यान्महाद्भुतम्
lokānāmupadeṣṭā yaḥ purāṇānāṃ pravartakaḥ | sa kathaṃ kutsitaṃ karma jñātvā kuryānmahādbhutam
He who is the instructor of the worlds, the promulgator of the Purāṇas—how should he knowingly do a despicable deed, so utterly monstrous?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.50
पुनरुक्तो ह्यहं मात्रा रुदत्या भृशमन्तिके । पुत्रशोकातितप्ता या वंशरक्षणकाम्यया
punarukto hyahaṃ mātrā rudatyā bhṛśamantike | putraśokātitaptā yā vaṃśarakṣaṇakāmyayā
Then I was addressed again by my mother, weeping bitterly beside me, she who was greatly scorched by grief for her son, out of the wish to protect the line:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.51
पाराशर्य न ते दोषो वचनान्मम पुत्रक । गुरूणां वचनं तथ्यं सदोषमपि मानवैः
pārāśarya na te doṣo vacanānmama putraka | gurūṇāṃ vacanaṃ tathyaṃ sadoṣamapi mānavaiḥ
"Son of Parāśara, there is no fault on your part, since it is by my word, my little son. The word of elders is truthful for men, even when it involves fault—"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.52
कर्तव्यमविचार्यैव शिष्टाचारप्रमाणतः । वचनं कुरु मे पुत्र न ते दोषोऽस्ति मानद
kartavyamavicāryaiva śiṣṭācārapramāṇataḥ | vacanaṃ kuru me putra na te doṣo'sti mānada
"(It) must be done without even deliberating, on the authority of the practice of the learned. Do my bidding, son; there is no fault in you, O giver of honour."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.53
पुत्रस्य जननं कृत्वा सुखिनी कुरु मातरम् । विशेषेण तु सन्तप्तां मग्नां शोकार्णवे सुत
putrasya jananaṃ kṛtvā sukhinī kuru mātaram | viśeṣeṇa tu santaptāṃ magnāṃ śokārṇave suta
"By begetting a son, make your mother happy — especially (one) so scorched (with grief) and sunk in the ocean of sorrow, O son."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.54
इति तां ब्रुवतीं श्रुत्वा तदा सुरनदीसुतः । मामुवाच विशेषज्ञः सूक्ष्मधर्मस्य निर्णये
iti tāṃ bruvatīṃ śrutvā tadā suranadīsutaḥ | māmuvāca viśeṣajñaḥ sūkṣmadharmasya nirṇaye
Hearing her speaking thus, the son of the river of the gods (Bhīṣma), who knew the distinctions in deciding subtle points of dharma, then said to me:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.55
द्वैपायन विचारोऽत्र न कर्तव्यस्त्वयानघ । मातुर्वचनमादाय विहरस्व यथासुखम्
dvaipāyana vicāro'tra na kartavyastvayānagha | māturvacanamādāya viharasva yathāsukham
"Dvaipāyana, no deliberation should be made by you here, O sinless one; take up your mother's word and act as you please."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.56
व्यास उवाच इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा मातुश्च प्रार्थनं तथा । निःशङ्कोऽहं तदा जातः कार्ये तस्मिञ्जुगुप्सिते
vyāsa uvāca iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā mātuśca prārthanaṃ tathā | niḥśaṅko'haṃ tadā jātaḥ kārye tasmiñjugupsite
Vyāsa said: Hearing that speech of his and likewise my mother's entreaty, I then became free of hesitation in that loathsome task.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.57
अम्बिकायां प्रवृत्तोऽहमृतुमत्यां मुदा निशि । मयि विमनसायां तु तापसे कुत्सिते भृशम्
ambikāyāṃ pravṛtto'hamṛtumatyāṃ mudā niśi | mayi vimanasāyāṃ tu tāpase kutsite bhṛśam
By night I proceeded gladly with Ambikā, who was in her fertile season; but she was dispirited towards me, greatly disgusted at the ascetic (that I was).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.58
शप्ता मया सा सुश्रोणी प्रसङ्गे प्रथमे तदा । अन्धस्ते भविता पुत्रो यतो नेत्रे निमीलिते
śaptā mayā sā suśroṇī prasaṅge prathame tadā | andhaste bhavitā putro yato netre nimīlite
Then, at that first union, that fair-hipped woman was cursed by me: "Your son will be blind, since your eyes were shut."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.59
द्वितीयेऽह्नि मुनिश्रेष्ठ पृष्टो मात्रा रहः पुनः । भविष्यति सुतः पुत्र काशिराजसुतोदरे
dvitīye'hni muniśreṣṭha pṛṣṭo mātrā rahaḥ punaḥ | bhaviṣyati sutaḥ putra kāśirājasutodare
On the second day, O best of sages, I was asked again by my mother in private: "Will a son come to be, my child, in the womb of the daughter of the king of Kāśī?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.60
मयोक्ता जननी तत्र व्रीडानम्रमुखेन ह । विनेत्रो भविता पुत्रो मातः शापान्ममैव हि
mayoktā jananī tatra vrīḍānamramukhena ha | vinetro bhavitā putro mātaḥ śāpānmamaiva hi
Then my mother was told by me, my face bowed with shame: "The son will be without eyes, mother, precisely by my curse."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 6 24.61
तया निर्भर्त्सितस्तत्र कठोरवचसा मुने । कथं पुत्र त्वया शप्ता पुत्रस्तेऽन्धो भविष्यति
tayā nirbhartsitastatra kaṭhoravacasā mune | kathaṃ putra tvayā śaptā putraste'ndho bhaviṣyati
Thereupon I was rebuked by her with harsh words, O sage: "How, son, was she cursed by you—'Your son shall be blind'?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition