Devi Bhagavata Purana — Skandha 7 — Chapter 15
DB 7 15.1
हरिश्चन्द्रस्य जलोदरव्याधिप्राप्तिवर्णनम् व्यास उवाच - प्रवृत्ते सदने तस्य राज्ञः पुत्रमहोत्सवे । आजगाम तदा पाशी विप्रवेषधरः शुभः
hariścandrasya jalodaravyādhiprāptivarṇanam vyāsa uvāca - pravṛtte sadane tasya rājñaḥ putramahotsave | ājagāma tadā pāśī vipraveṣadharaḥ śubhaḥ
The description of Hariścandra's contracting the disease of dropsy. Vyāsa said: While the great festival for the son was going on in that king's house, the noose-bearer then came, fair, wearing the guise of a brahmin.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.2
स्वस्तीत्युक्त्वा नृपं प्राह वरुणोऽहं निशामय । पुत्रो जातस्तवाधीश यजानेन नृपाशु माम्
svastītyuktvā nṛpaṃ prāha varuṇo'haṃ niśāmaya | putro jātastavādhīśa yajānena nṛpāśu mām
Having said "Hail!", he spoke to the king: "I am Varuṇa—listen. A son has been born to you, O lord; sacrifice to me quickly with him, O king."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.3
सत्यं कुरु वचो राजन् यत्प्रोक्तं भवतः पुरा । वन्ध्यत्वं तु गतं तेऽद्य वरदानेन मे किल
satyaṃ kuru vaco rājan yatproktaṃ bhavataḥ purā | vandhyatvaṃ tu gataṃ te'dya varadānena me kila
"Make your word true, O king, that which you spoke formerly; for indeed your childlessness has now been removed by my granting of the boon."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.4
इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा राजा चिन्तां चकार ह । कथं हन्मि सुतं जातं जलजेन समाननम्
iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā rājā cintāṃ cakāra ha | kathaṃ hanmi sutaṃ jātaṃ jalajena samānanam
Having heard that speech of his, the king fell to brooding: "How shall I kill the son (just) born, whose face is like a lotus?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.5
लोकपालः समायातो विप्रवेषेण वीर्यवान् । न देवहेलनं कार्यं सर्वथा शुभमिच्छता
lokapālaḥ samāyāto vipraveṣeṇa vīryavān | na devahelanaṃ kāryaṃ sarvathā śubhamicchatā
"The mighty guardian of the world has come in the guise of a brahmin; slighting a god must not be done at all by one who desires his own good.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.6
पुत्रस्नेहः सुदुश्छेद्यः सर्वथा प्राणिभिः सदा । किं करोमि कथं मे स्यात्सुखं सन्ततिसम्भवम्
putrasnehaḥ suduśchedyaḥ sarvathā prāṇibhiḥ sadā | kiṃ karomi kathaṃ me syātsukhaṃ santatisambhavam
"Affection for a son is very hard for living beings ever to sever, in any way. What shall I do? How may I have the happiness that arises from offspring?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.7
धैर्यमालम्ब्य भूपालस्तं नत्वा प्रतिपूज्य च । उवाच वचनं श्लक्ष्णं युक्तं विनयपूर्वकम्
dhairyamālambya bhūpālastaṃ natvā pratipūjya ca | uvāca vacanaṃ ślakṣṇaṃ yuktaṃ vinayapūrvakam
Taking hold of his firmness, the king bowed to him and honoured him in return, and spoke a smooth, fitting word, prefaced with courtesy.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.8
राजोवाच - देवदेव तवानुज्ञां करोमि करुणानिधे । वेदोक्तेन विधानेन मखं च बहुदक्षिणम्
rājovāca - devadeva tavānujñāṃ karomi karuṇānidhe | vedoktena vidhānena makhaṃ ca bahudakṣiṇam
The king said: "God of gods, treasury of compassion, with your permission I shall perform the sacrifice with abundant gifts, by the rite laid down in the Veda.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.9
पुत्रे जाते दशाहेन कर्मयोग्यो भवेत्पिता । मासेन शुध्येज्जननी दम्पती तत्र कारणम्
putre jāte daśāhena karmayogyo bhavetpitā | māsena śudhyejjananī dampatī tatra kāraṇam
"When a son is born, the father becomes fit for ritual acts after ten days; the mother becomes pure after a month — the married pair are the cause (of the impurity) in that matter.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.10
सर्वज्ञोऽसि प्रचेतस्त्वं धर्मं जानासि शाश्वतम् । कृपां कुरु त्वं वारीश क्षमस्व परमेश्वर
sarvajño'si pracetastvaṃ dharmaṃ jānāsi śāśvatam | kṛpāṃ kuru tvaṃ vārīśa kṣamasva parameśvara
"You are all-knowing, Pracetas; you know the eternal law. Show favour, lord of the waters; be forgiving, supreme lord."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.11
व्यास उवाच - इत्युक्तस्तु प्रचेतास्तं प्रत्युवाच जनाधिपम् । स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि कुरु कार्याणि पार्थिव
vyāsa uvāca - ityuktastu pracetāstaṃ pratyuvāca janādhipam | svasti te'stu gamiṣyāmi kuru kāryāṇi pārthiva
Vyāsa said: Addressed thus, Pracetas replied to that ruler of men: "May it be well with you; I shall go. Do your duties, O prince.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.12
आगमिष्यामि मासान्ते यष्टव्यं सर्वथा त्वया । कृत्वौत्थानिकमाचारं पुत्रस्य नृपसत्तम
āgamiṣyāmi māsānte yaṣṭavyaṃ sarvathā tvayā | kṛtvautthānikamācāraṃ putrasya nṛpasattama
"I shall come at the end of the month; the sacrifice must be performed by you without fail, once you have carried out the rite of the son's first rising up, O best of kings."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.13
इत्युक्त्वा श्लक्ष्णया वाचा राजानं यादसां पतिः । हरिश्चन्द्रो मुदं प्राप गते पाशिनि पार्थिवः
ityuktvā ślakṣṇayā vācā rājānaṃ yādasāṃ patiḥ | hariścandro mudaṃ prāpa gate pāśini pārthivaḥ
Having spoken thus to the king in a smooth voice, the lord of water-creatures (departed); and when the noose-bearer had gone, King Hariścandra was glad.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.14
कोटिशः प्रददौ गास्ता घटोध्नीर्हेमपूरिताः । विप्रेभ्यो वेदविद्भ्यश्च तथैव तिलपर्वतान्
koṭiśaḥ pradadau gāstā ghaṭodhnīrhemapūritāḥ | viprebhyo vedavidbhyaśca tathaiva tilaparvatān
He gave away cows by the tens of millions, with udders like pots, (their horns) covered with gold, to brahmins learned in the Veda, and likewise mountains of sesame.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.15
राजा पुत्रमुखं दृष्ट्वा सुखमाप महत्तरम् । नामास्य रोहितश्चेति चकार विधिपूर्वकम् हरिश्चन्द्रस्य जलोदरव्याधिप्राप्तिवर्णनं नाम पञ्चदशोऽध्यायः
rājā putramukhaṃ dṛṣṭvā sukhamāpa mahattaram | nāmāsya rohitaśceti cakāra vidhipūrvakam hariścandrasya jalodaravyādhiprāptivarṇanaṃ nāma pañcadaśo'dhyāyaḥ
The king, looking at his son's face, attained a still greater happiness, and gave him the name Rohita according to the prescribed rite. — The fifteenth chapter, called the account of Hariścandra's contracting the disease of dropsy.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.16
पूर्णे मासे ततः पाशी विप्रवेषेण भूपतेः । आजगाम गृहे सद्यो यजस्वेति ब्रुवन्मुहुः
pūrṇe māse tataḥ pāśī vipraveṣeṇa bhūpateḥ | ājagāma gṛhe sadyo yajasveti bruvanmuhuḥ
Then, when the month was full, the noose-bearer came at once, in the guise of a brahmin, to the king's house, saying again and again, "Sacrifice!"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.17
वीक्ष्य तं नृपतिर्देवं निमग्नः शोकसागरे । प्रणिपत्य कृतातिथ्यं तमुवाच कृताञ्जलिः
vīkṣya taṃ nṛpatirdevaṃ nimagnaḥ śokasāgare | praṇipatya kṛtātithyaṃ tamuvāca kṛtāñjaliḥ
Seeing that god, the king was plunged in an ocean of grief; bowing down and offering him hospitality, he spoke to him with joined palms.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.18
दिष्ट्या देव त्वमायातो गृहं मे पावितं प्रभो । मखं करोमि वारीश विधिवद्वाञ्छितं तव
diṣṭyā deva tvamāyāto gṛhaṃ me pāvitaṃ prabho | makhaṃ karomi vārīśa vidhivadvāñchitaṃ tava
"By good fortune you have come, O god; my house has been purified, lord. I shall perform the sacrifice, lord of the waters, according to the rule, as you desire.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.19
अदन्तो न पशुः श्लाघ्य इत्याहुर्वेदवादिनः । तस्माद्दन्तोद्भवे तेऽहं करिष्यामि महामखम्
adanto na paśuḥ ślāghya ityāhurvedavādinaḥ | tasmāddantodbhave te'haṃ kariṣyāmi mahāmakham
"A toothless animal is not praiseworthy — so say the reciters of the Veda; therefore, when his teeth have come up, I shall perform the great sacrifice for you."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.20
व्यास उवाच - इत्युक्तस्तेन वरुणस्तथेत्युक्त्वा ययावथ । हरिश्चन्द्रो मुदं प्राप्य विजहार गृहाश्रमे
vyāsa uvāca - ityuktastena varuṇastathetyuktvā yayāvatha | hariścandro mudaṃ prāpya vijahāra gṛhāśrame
Vyāsa said: Thus addressed by him, Varuṇa said "So be it" and then went away; and Hariścandra, having obtained joy, took his pleasure in his household life.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.21
पुनर्दन्तोद्भवं ज्ञात्वा प्रचेता द्विजरूपवान् । आजगाम गृहे तस्य कुरु कार्यमिति ब्रुवन्
punardantodbhavaṃ jñātvā pracetā dvijarūpavān | ājagāma gṛhe tasya kuru kāryamiti bruvan
Again, learning that the teeth had come up, Pracetas, in the form of a brahmin, came to his house, saying, "Perform the rite!"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.22
भूपालोऽपि जलाधीशं वीक्ष्य प्राप्तं द्विजाकृतिम् । प्रणम्यासनसम्मानैः पूजयामास सादरम्
bhūpālo'pi jalādhīśaṃ vīkṣya prāptaṃ dvijākṛtim | praṇamyāsanasammānaiḥ pūjayāmāsa sādaram
And the king, seeing the lord of the waters arrived in brahmin form, bowed and worshipped him respectfully with a seat and marks of honour.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.23
स्तुत्वा प्रोवाच वचनं विनयानतकन्धरः । करोमि विधिवत्कामं मखं प्रबलदक्षिणम्
stutvā provāca vacanaṃ vinayānatakandharaḥ | karomi vidhivatkāmaṃ makhaṃ prabaladakṣiṇam
Having praised (him), his neck bent in humility, he spoke these words: "I shall perform the sacrifice as prescribed, with abundant priestly fees."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.24
बालोऽप्यकृतचौलोऽयं गर्भकेशो न सम्मतः । यज्ञार्थे पशुकरणे मया वृद्धमुखाच्छ्रुतम्
bālo'pyakṛtacaulo'yaṃ garbhakeśo na sammataḥ | yajñārthe paśukaraṇe mayā vṛddhamukhācchrutam
"But this one is a child whose tonsure has not been done; one with the hair of the womb (still on him) is not approved. So I have heard from the mouths of elders concerning the making of a victim for a sacrifice."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.25
तावत्क्षमस्व वारीश विधिं जानासि शाश्वतम् । कर्तव्यः सर्वथा यज्ञो मुण्डनान्ते शिशोः किल
tāvatkṣamasva vārīśa vidhiṃ jānāsi śāśvatam | kartavyaḥ sarvathā yajño muṇḍanānte śiśoḥ kila
"So be patient until then, lord of the waters — you know the eternal rule. The sacrifice is in every way to be performed after the shaving of the child, surely."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.26
तस्येति वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रचेताः प्राह तं पुनः । प्रतारयसि मां राजन् पुनः पुनरिदं ब्रुवन्
tasyeti vacanaṃ śrutvā pracetāḥ prāha taṃ punaḥ | pratārayasi māṃ rājan punaḥ punaridaṃ bruvan
Hearing these words of his, Pracetas (Varuṇa) spoke to him again: "You are putting me off, O king, saying this again and again."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.27
अपि ते सर्वसामग्री वर्तते नृपतेऽधुना । पुत्रस्नेहनिबद्धस्त्वं वञ्चयस्येव साम्प्रतम्
api te sarvasāmagrī vartate nṛpate'dhunā | putrasnehanibaddhastvaṃ vañcayasyeva sāmpratam
"Indeed, O king, all the materials are at hand for you now; bound by affection for your son, you are as it were deceiving (me) at present."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.28
क्षौरकर्मविधिं कृत्वा न कर्तासि मखं यदि । तदाहं दारुणं शापं दास्ये कोपसमन्वितः
kṣaurakarmavidhiṃ kṛtvā na kartāsi makhaṃ yadi | tadāhaṃ dāruṇaṃ śāpaṃ dāsye kopasamanvitaḥ
"If, having performed the rite of shaving, you will not perform the sacrifice, then I, filled with anger, shall lay a terrible curse (upon you)."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.29
अद्य गच्छामि राजेन्द्र वचनात्तव मानद । न मृषा वचनं कार्यं त्वयेक्ष्वाकुकुलोद्भव
adya gacchāmi rājendra vacanāttava mānada | na mṛṣā vacanaṃ kāryaṃ tvayekṣvākukulodbhava
"Today I go, best of kings, on account of your word, O giver of honour; the word must not be made false by you, O scion of the Ikṣvāku line."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.30
इत्याभाष्य ययावाशु प्रचेता नृपतेर्गृहात् । राजा परमसन्तुष्टो ननन्द भवने तदा
ityābhāṣya yayāvāśu pracetā nṛpatergṛhāt | rājā paramasantuṣṭo nananda bhavane tadā
Having spoken thus, Pracetas swiftly went from the king's house; the king, supremely satisfied, then rejoiced in his palace.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.31
चूडाकरणकाले तु प्रवृत्ते परमोत्सवे । सम्प्राप्तस्तरसा पाशी भवनं नृपतेः पुनः
cūḍākaraṇakāle tu pravṛtte paramotsave | samprāptastarasā pāśī bhavanaṃ nṛpateḥ punaḥ
But when the time of the tonsure rite came and the great festivity was under way, the noose-bearer (Varuṇa) swiftly arrived again at the king's house.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.32
यदाङ्के सुतमादाय राज्ञी नृपतिसन्निधौ । उपविष्टा क्रियाकाले तदैव वरुणोऽभ्यगात्
yadāṅke sutamādāya rājñī nṛpatisannidhau | upaviṣṭā kriyākāle tadaiva varuṇo'bhyagāt
When the queen, taking the son on her lap, had sat down in the king's presence at the time of the rite, just then Varuṇa approached,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.33
कुरु कर्मेति विस्पष्टं वचनं कथयन्नृपम् । विप्ररूपधरः श्रीमान् प्रत्यक्ष इव पावकः
kuru karmeti vispaṣṭaṃ vacanaṃ kathayannṛpam | viprarūpadharaḥ śrīmān pratyakṣa iva pāvakaḥ
saying to the king in plain words, "Perform the act!" — he, glorious, bearing the form of a brahmin, like fire made visible.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.34
नृपतिस्त्वं समालोक्य बभूवातीव विह्वलः । नमश्चकार तं भीत्या कृताञ्जलिपुटः पुरः
nṛpatistvaṃ samālokya babhūvātīva vihvalaḥ | namaścakāra taṃ bhītyā kṛtāñjalipuṭaḥ puraḥ
And the king, seeing him, became exceedingly agitated; out of fear he made obeisance to him, hands folded before (him).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.35
विधिवत्पूजयित्वा तं राजोवाच विनीतवान् । स्वामिन् कार्यं करोम्यद्य मखस्य विधिपूर्वकम्
vidhivatpūjayitvā taṃ rājovāca vinītavān | svāmin kāryaṃ karomyadya makhasya vidhipūrvakam
Having worshipped him as prescribed, the king, being humble, said: "Master, today I shall do the work of the sacrifice according to rule."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.36
वक्तव्यमस्ति तत्रापि शृणुष्वैकमना विभो । युक्तं चेन्मन्यसे स्वामिंस्तद् ब्रवीमि तवाग्रतः
vaktavyamasti tatrāpi śṛṇuṣvaikamanā vibho | yuktaṃ cenmanyase svāmiṃstad bravīmi tavāgrataḥ
"There is something to be said about that too; listen with a single mind, O mighty one. If you think it fitting, master, then I speak it before you."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.37
ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यस्त्रयो वर्णा द्विजातयः । संस्कृताश्चान्यथा शूद्रा एवं वेदविदो विदुः
brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyo vaiśyastrayo varṇā dvijātayaḥ | saṃskṛtāścānyathā śūdrā evaṃ vedavido viduḥ
"The brahmin, the kṣatriya, the vaiśya — these three classes are twice-born when they have been consecrated; otherwise they are śūdras. So those who know the Veda understand."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.38
तस्मादयं सुतो मेऽद्य शुद्रवद्वर्तते शिशुः । उपनीतः क्रियार्हः स्यादिति वेदेषु निर्णयः
tasmādayaṃ suto me'dya śudravadvartate śiśuḥ | upanītaḥ kriyārhaḥ syāditi vedeṣu nirṇayaḥ
"Therefore this son of mine, the child, is at present in the condition of a śūdra; once invested (with the sacred thread) he would be fit for the rite — such is the decision in the Vedas."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.39
राज्ञामेकादशे वर्षे सदोपनयनं स्मृतम् । अष्टमे ब्राह्मणानां च वैश्यानां द्वादशे किल
rājñāmekādaśe varṣe sadopanayanaṃ smṛtam | aṣṭame brāhmaṇānāṃ ca vaiśyānāṃ dvādaśe kila
"For kings the investiture is always laid down in the eleventh year, for brahmins in the eighth, and for vaiśyas in the twelfth."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.40
दयसे यदि देवेश दीनं मां सेवकं तव । तदोपनीय कर्तास्मि पशुना यज्ञमुत्तमम्
dayase yadi deveśa dīnaṃ māṃ sevakaṃ tava | tadopanīya kartāsmi paśunā yajñamuttamam
"If you have compassion, lord of the gods, on me, your wretched servant, then having had him invested I shall perform the highest sacrifice with the victim."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.41
लोकपालोऽसि धर्मज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद । मन्यसे मद्वचः सत्यं तद् गच्छ भवनं विभो
lokapālo'si dharmajña sarvaśāstraviśārada | manyase madvacaḥ satyaṃ tad gaccha bhavanaṃ vibho
"You are a guardian of the world, knower of dharma, versed in all the scriptures. If you consider my word true, then go to your abode, O mighty one."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.42
व्यास उवाच - इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा दयावान् यादसां पतिः । ओमित्युक्त्वा ययावाशु प्रसन्नवदनो नृपः
vyāsa uvāca - iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā dayāvān yādasāṃ patiḥ | omityuktvā yayāvāśu prasannavadano nṛpaḥ
Vyāsa said: Hearing his words, the compassionate lord of the waters said "Om" and swiftly departed; (and) the king's face (became) serene.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 7 15.43
गतेऽथ वरुणो राजा बभूवातिमुदान्वितः । सुखं प्राप्य सुतस्यैवं राजा मुदमवाप ह
gate'tha varuṇo rājā babhūvātimudānvitaḥ | sukhaṃ prāpya sutasyaivaṃ rājā mudamavāpa ha
When (Varuṇa) had gone, the king became filled with the greatest joy; having thus obtained the happiness of a son, the king indeed felt delight.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.44
चकार राजकार्याणि हरिश्चन्द्रस्तदा नृपः । कालेन व्रजता पुत्रो बभूव दशवार्षिकः
cakāra rājakāryāṇi hariścandrastadā nṛpaḥ | kālena vrajatā putro babhūva daśavārṣikaḥ
Then King Hariścandra carried out the affairs of the kingdom; and as time passed, the son became ten years old.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.45
तस्योपवीतसामग्रीं विभूतिसदृशीं नृपः । चकार ब्राह्मणैः शिष्टैरन्वितः सचिवैस्तथा
tasyopavītasāmagrīṃ vibhūtisadṛśīṃ nṛpaḥ | cakāra brāhmaṇaiḥ śiṣṭairanvitaḥ sacivaistathā
The king, together with learned brahmins and with his ministers, made ready for him the materials for the investiture with the sacred thread, befitting his wealth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.46
एकादशे सुतास्याब्दे व्रतबन्धविधौ नृपः । विदधे विधिवत्कार्यं चित्ते चिन्तातुरः पुनः
ekādaśe sutāsyābde vratabandhavidhau nṛpaḥ | vidadhe vidhivatkāryaṃ citte cintāturaḥ punaḥ
In the boy's eleventh year the king performed the rite of the binding of the vow (initiation) according to the prescribed manner, his mind again afflicted with anxiety.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.47
वर्तमाने तथा कार्ये उपनीते कुमारके । आजगामाथ वरुणो विप्रवेषधरस्तदा
vartamāne tathā kārye upanīte kumārake | ājagāmātha varuṇo vipraveṣadharastadā
While the rite was in progress and the boy was being initiated, Varuṇa then came, wearing the guise of a brahmin.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.48
तं वीक्ष्य नृपतिस्तूर्णं प्रणम्य पुरतः स्थितः । कृताञ्जलिपुटः प्रीतः प्रत्युवाच सुरोत्तमम्
taṃ vīkṣya nṛpatistūrṇaṃ praṇamya purataḥ sthitaḥ | kṛtāñjalipuṭaḥ prītaḥ pratyuvāca surottamam
Seeing him, the king at once bowed and stood before him; with palms joined, pleased, he replied to the best of the gods.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.49
देव दत्तोपवीतोऽयं पशुयोग्योऽस्ति मे सुतः । प्रसादात्तव मे शोको गतो वन्ध्यापवादजः
deva dattopavīto'yaṃ paśuyogyo'sti me sutaḥ | prasādāttava me śoko gato vandhyāpavādajaḥ
"O god, this son of mine has been given the sacred thread and is fit to be the sacrificial victim; by your grace my sorrow, born of the reproach of barrenness, is gone.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.50
कर्तुमिच्छाम्यहं यज्ञं प्रभूतवरदक्षिणम् । समये शृणु धर्मज्ञ सत्यमद्य ब्रवीम्यहम्
kartumicchāmyahaṃ yajñaṃ prabhūtavaradakṣiṇam | samaye śṛṇu dharmajña satyamadya bravīmyaham
I wish to perform the sacrifice with abundant and excellent gifts to the priests. Hear the terms, O knower of dharma; today I speak the truth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.51
समावर्तनकर्मान्ते करिष्यामि तवेप्सितम् । ममोपरि दयां कृत्वा तावत्त्वं क्षन्तुमर्हसि
samāvartanakarmānte kariṣyāmi tavepsitam | mamopari dayāṃ kṛtvā tāvattvaṃ kṣantumarhasi
At the conclusion of the samāvartana rite (the return from studentship) I shall do what you desire; showing mercy upon me, you ought to be patient till then."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.52
वरुण उवाच - प्रतारयसि मां राजन् पुत्रप्रेमाकुलो भृशम् । मुहुर्मुहुर्मतिं कृत्वा युक्तियुक्तां महामते
varuṇa uvāca - pratārayasi māṃ rājan putrapremākulo bhṛśam | muhurmuhurmatiṃ kṛtvā yuktiyuktāṃ mahāmate
Varuṇa said: You are putting me off, O king, being greatly overcome by love for your son, framing again and again, O great-minded one, a reasoning that fits the case.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.53
गच्छाम्यद्य महाराज वचसा तव नोदितः । आगमिष्यामि समये समावर्तनकर्मणि
gacchāmyadya mahārāja vacasā tava noditaḥ | āgamiṣyāmi samaye samāvartanakarmaṇi
I go today, O great king, urged by your words; I shall come at the proper time, at the samāvartana rite.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.54
इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ पाशी तपापृच्छ्य विशांपते । राजा प्रमुदितः कार्यं चकार च यथोत्तरम्
ityuktvā prayayau pāśī tapāpṛcchya viśāṃpate | rājā pramuditaḥ kāryaṃ cakāra ca yathottaram
Having said this the noose-bearer took leave and departed, O lord of peoples; and the king, delighted, performed the rite in due order.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.55
आगतं वरुणं दृष्ट्वा कुमारोऽतिविचक्षणः । यज्ञस्य समयं ज्ञात्वा तदा चिन्तातुरोऽभवत्
āgataṃ varuṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā kumāro'tivicakṣaṇaḥ | yajñasya samayaṃ jñātvā tadā cintāturo'bhavat
Seeing that Varuṇa had come, the exceedingly shrewd boy, understanding the agreement about the sacrifice, then became stricken with worry.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.56
शोकस्य कारणं राज्ञः पर्यपृच्छदितस्ततः । ज्ञात्वात्मवधमायुष्मन् गमनाय मतिं दधौ
śokasya kāraṇaṃ rājñaḥ paryapṛcchaditastataḥ | jñātvātmavadhamāyuṣman gamanāya matiṃ dadhau
He asked here and there about the cause of the king's grief; and learning of his own slaying, O long-lived one, he set his mind on going away.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.57
निश्चयं परमं कृत्वा सम्मन्त्र्य सचिवात्मजैः । प्रययौ नगरात्तस्मान्निर्गत्य वनमप्यसौ
niścayaṃ paramaṃ kṛtvā sammantrya sacivātmajaiḥ | prayayau nagarāttasmānnirgatya vanamapyasau
Having made a firm resolve, after taking counsel with the ministers' sons, he departed from that city and went out into the forest.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.58
गते पुत्रे नृपः कामं दुःखितोऽभूद् भृशं तदा । प्रेरयामास दूतान्स्वांस्तस्यान्वेषणकाम्यया
gate putre nṛpaḥ kāmaṃ duḥkhito'bhūd bhṛśaṃ tadā | prerayāmāsa dūtānsvāṃstasyānveṣaṇakāmyayā
When the son had gone, the king was then exceedingly grieved indeed; he sent out his own messengers with the wish of searching for him.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.59
एवं गतेऽथ कालेऽसौ वरुणस्तद्गृहं गतः । राजानं शोकसन्तप्तं कुरु यज्ञमिति ब्रुवन्
evaṃ gate'tha kāle'sau varuṇastadgṛhaṃ gataḥ | rājānaṃ śokasantaptaṃ kuru yajñamiti bruvan
When time had thus passed, that Varuṇa went to his house, saying to the king, who was scorched with grief, "Perform the sacrifice!"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.60
राजा प्रणम्य तं प्राह देवदेव करोमि किम् । न जाने क्वापि पुत्रो मे गतस्त्वद्य भयाकुलः
rājā praṇamya taṃ prāha devadeva karomi kim | na jāne kvāpi putro me gatastvadya bhayākulaḥ
The king bowed to him and said: "God of gods, what am I to do? I do not know where my son has gone today, overcome with fear.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.61
सर्वत्र गिरिदुर्गेषु मुनीनामाश्रमेषु च । अन्वेषितो मे दूतैस्तु न प्राप्तो यादसांपते
sarvatra giridurgeṣu munīnāmāśrameṣu ca | anveṣito me dūtaistu na prāpto yādasāṃpate
Everywhere, in mountain fastnesses and in the hermitages of sages, he has been searched for by my messengers, but he has not been found, O lord of the waters.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.62
आज्ञापय महाराज किं करोमि गते सुते । न मे दोषोऽत्र सर्वज्ञ भाग्यदोषस्तु सर्वथा
ājñāpaya mahārāja kiṃ karomi gate sute | na me doṣo'tra sarvajña bhāgyadoṣastu sarvathā
Command me, great king: what am I to do, my son being gone? In this there is no fault of mine, O all-knowing one; it is altogether a fault of fate."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.63
व्यास उवाच - इति भूपवचः श्रुत्वा प्रचेताः कुपितो भृशम् । शशाप च नृपं क्रोधाद्वञ्चितस्तु पुनः पुनः
vyāsa uvāca - iti bhūpavacaḥ śrutvā pracetāḥ kupito bhṛśam | śaśāpa ca nṛpaṃ krodhādvañcitastu punaḥ punaḥ
Vyāsa said: Hearing the king's words thus, Pracetas (Varuṇa) became exceedingly angry, and out of wrath he cursed the king, having been deceived again and again.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.64
नृपतेऽहं त्वया यस्माद्वचसा च प्रवञ्चितः । तस्माज्जलोदरो व्याधिस्त्वां तुदत्वतिदारुणः
nṛpate'haṃ tvayā yasmādvacasā ca pravañcitaḥ | tasmājjalodaro vyādhistvāṃ tudatvatidāruṇaḥ
"O king, since I have been deceived by you with words, therefore let the disease of dropsy, most terrible, torment you."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.65
व्यास उवाच - इति शप्तो महीपालः कुपितेन प्रचेतसा । पीडितोऽभूत्तदा राजा व्याधिना दुःखदेन तु
vyāsa uvāca - iti śapto mahīpālaḥ kupitena pracetasā | pīḍito'bhūttadā rājā vyādhinā duḥkhadena tu
Vyāsa said: Thus cursed by the angered Pracetas, the ruler of the earth, the king, was then afflicted by that pain-giving disease.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 15.66
एवं शप्त्वा नृपं पाशी जगाम निजमास्पदम् । राजा प्राप्य महाव्याधिं बभूवातीव दुःखितः
evaṃ śaptvā nṛpaṃ pāśī jagāma nijamāspadam | rājā prāpya mahāvyādhiṃ babhūvātīva duḥkhitaḥ
Having cursed the king thus, the noose-bearer (Varuṇa) went to his own abode; and the king, having contracted the great disease, became exceedingly wretched.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition