Devi Bhagavata Purana — Skandha 7 — Chapter 16

DB 7 16.1

यज्ञपशुभूतस्य ब्राह्मणपुत्रस्य वधकरणाय विश्वामित्रनिषेधवर्णनम् व्यास उवाच - गतेऽथ वरुणे राजा रोगेणातीव पीडितः । दुःखाद्दुःखं परं प्राप्य व्यथितोऽभूद् भृशं तदा

yajñapaśubhūtasya brāhmaṇaputrasya vadhakaraṇāya viśvāmitraniṣedhavarṇanam vyāsa uvāca - gate'tha varuṇe rājā rogeṇātīva pīḍitaḥ | duḥkhādduḥkhaṃ paraṃ prāpya vyathito'bhūd bhṛśaṃ tadā

[Chapter title:] The description of Viśvāmitra's prohibition regarding the killing of the brahmin's son, who had become the sacrificial victim. Vyāsa said: Then, when Varuṇa had gone, the king, sorely afflicted by the disease, passing from sorrow to further sorrow, was then greatly distressed.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.2

कुमारोऽसौ वने श्रुत्वा पितरं रोगपीडितम् । गमनाय मतिं राजंश्चकार स्नेहयन्त्रितः

kumāro'sau vane śrutvā pitaraṃ rogapīḍitam | gamanāya matiṃ rājaṃścakāra snehayantritaḥ

That prince, in the forest, hearing that his father was afflicted by disease, made up his mind to go, O king, being bound by affection.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.3

संवत्सरे व्यतीते तु पितरं द्रष्टुमादरात् । गन्तुकामं तु तं ज्ञात्वा शक्रस्तत्राजगाम ह

saṃvatsare vyatīte tu pitaraṃ draṣṭumādarāt | gantukāmaṃ tu taṃ jñātvā śakrastatrājagāma ha

But when a year had passed, (he wished) to see his father out of respect; and knowing him to be desirous of going, Śakra came there.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.4

वासवस्तु तदा रूपं कृत्वा विप्रस्य सत्वरः । वारयामास युक्त्या वै कुमारं गन्तुमुद्यतम्

vāsavastu tadā rūpaṃ kṛtvā viprasya satvaraḥ | vārayāmāsa yuktyā vai kumāraṃ gantumudyatam

Then Vāsava, quickly assuming the form of a brahmin, held back by argument the prince who was ready to go.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.5

इन्द्र उवाच - राजपुत्र न जानासि राजनीतिं सुदुर्लभाम् । अतः करोषि मूढस्त्वं गमनाय मतिं वृथा

indra uvāca - rājaputra na jānāsi rājanītiṃ sudurlabhām | ataḥ karoṣi mūḍhastvaṃ gamanāya matiṃ vṛthā

Indra said: Prince, you do not know statecraft, which is very hard to grasp; therefore, being deluded, you make up your mind to go in vain.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.6

पिता तव महाभाग ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः । कारयिष्यति होमं ते ज्वलितेऽथ विभावसौ

pitā tava mahābhāga brāhmaṇairvedapāragaiḥ | kārayiṣyati homaṃ te jvalite'tha vibhāvasau

Your father, O greatly fortunate one, will have brahmins versed in the Vedas perform the oblation with you (as offering), when the fire is kindled.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.7

आत्मा हि वल्लभस्तात सर्वेषां प्राणिनां खलु । तदर्थे वल्लभाः सन्ति पुत्रदारधनादयः

ātmā hi vallabhastāta sarveṣāṃ prāṇināṃ khalu | tadarthe vallabhāḥ santi putradāradhanādayaḥ

Indeed, dear one, the self is what is dear to all living beings; it is for its sake that sons, wives, wealth and the rest are dear.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.8

आत्मनो देहरक्षार्थं हत्वा त्वां वल्लभं सुतम् । हवनं कारयित्वासौ रोगमुक्तो भविष्यति

ātmano deharakṣārthaṃ hatvā tvāṃ vallabhaṃ sutam | havanaṃ kārayitvāsau rogamukto bhaviṣyati

For the sake of protecting his own body, having killed you, his dear son, and having had the oblation performed, he will become free of the disease.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.9

तस्मात्त्वया न गन्तव्यं राजपुत्र पितुर्गृहे । मृते पितरि गन्तव्यं राज्यार्थे सर्वथा पुनः

tasmāttvayā na gantavyaṃ rājaputra piturgṛhe | mṛte pitari gantavyaṃ rājyārthe sarvathā punaḥ

Therefore, prince, you must not go to your father's house; when your father is dead, then indeed you should go, for the sake of the kingdom.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.10

एवं निषेधितस्तत्र वासवेन नृपात्मजः । वनमध्ये स्थितः कामं पुनः संवत्सरं नृप

evaṃ niṣedhitastatra vāsavena nṛpātmajaḥ | vanamadhye sthitaḥ kāmaṃ punaḥ saṃvatsaraṃ nṛpa

Thus forbidden there by Vāsava, the king's son stayed on in the middle of the forest at will for another year, O king.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.11

अत्यन्तं दुःखितं श्रुत्वा हरिश्चन्द्रं तदाऽऽत्मजः । गमनाय मतिं चक्रे मरणे कृतनिश्चयः

atyantaṃ duḥkhitaṃ śrutvā hariścandraṃ tadā''tmajaḥ | gamanāya matiṃ cakre maraṇe kṛtaniścayaḥ

Then, hearing that Hariścandra was exceedingly miserable, the son made up his mind to go, having resolved upon death.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.12

तुषाराड् द्विजरूपेण तत्रागत्य च रोहितम् । निवारयामास सुतं युक्तिवाक्यैः पुनः पुनः

tuṣārāḍ dvijarūpeṇa tatrāgatya ca rohitam | nivārayāmāsa sutaṃ yuktivākyaiḥ punaḥ punaḥ

The lord of frost (Indra), coming there in the form of a brahmin, again and again restrained Rohita, the son, with reasoned words.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.13

हरिश्चन्द्रोऽतिदुःखार्तो वसिष्ठं स्वपुरोहितम् । पप्रच्छ रोगनाशाय तत्रोपायं सुनिश्चितम्

hariścandro'tiduḥkhārto vasiṣṭhaṃ svapurohitam | papraccha roganāśāya tatropāyaṃ suniścitam

Hariścandra, sorely stricken with grief, asked Vasiṣṭha, his own family priest, for a well-determined means there for the destruction of the disease.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.14

तमाह ब्रह्मणः पुत्रो यज्ञं कुरु नृपोत्तम । क्रयक्रीतेन पुत्रेण शापमोक्षो भविष्यति

tamāha brahmaṇaḥ putro yajñaṃ kuru nṛpottama | krayakrītena putreṇa śāpamokṣo bhaviṣyati

Brahmā's son said to him: Perform the sacrifice, best of kings; with a son bought by purchase there will be release from the curse.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.15

पुत्रा दशविधां प्रोक्ता ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः । द्रव्येणानीय तस्मात्त्वं पुत्रं कुरु नृपोत्तम

putrā daśavidhāṃ proktā brāhmaṇairvedapāragaiḥ | dravyeṇānīya tasmāttvaṃ putraṃ kuru nṛpottama

Sons of ten kinds have been declared by brahmins versed in the Vedas; therefore, best of kings, bring one with wealth and make him your son.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.16

वरुणोऽपि प्रसन्नः सन्सुखकारी भविष्यति । लोभात्कोऽपि द्विजः पुत्रं प्रदास्यति स्वराष्ट्रजः सप्तमस्कन्धे यज्ञपशुभूतस्य ब्राह्मणपुत्रस्य वधकरणाय विश्वामित्रनिषेधवर्णनं नाम षोडशोऽध्यायः

varuṇo'pi prasannaḥ sansukhakārī bhaviṣyati | lobhātko'pi dvijaḥ putraṃ pradāsyati svarāṣṭrajaḥ saptamaskandhe yajñapaśubhūtasya brāhmaṇaputrasya vadhakaraṇāya viśvāmitraniṣedhavarṇanaṃ nāma ṣoḍaśo'dhyāyaḥ

Varuṇa too, being pleased, will become a giver of happiness; out of greed some brahmin born in your own kingdom will give his son. [Colophon:] In the seventh book, the sixteenth chapter, named the description of Viśvāmitra's prohibition regarding the killing of the brahmin's son who had become the sacrificial victim.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.17

एवं प्रमोदितो राजा वसिष्ठेन महामना । प्रधानं प्रेरयामास तदन्वेषणकाम्यया

evaṃ pramodito rājā vasiṣṭhena mahāmanā | pradhānaṃ prerayāmāsa tadanveṣaṇakāmyayā

Thus gladdened by Vasiṣṭha, the great-minded king urged his chief minister on, wishing that (such a boy) be sought out.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.18

अजीगर्तो द्विजः कश्चिद्विषये तस्य भूपतेः । तस्यासंश्च त्रयः पुत्रा निर्धनस्य विशेषतः

ajīgarto dvijaḥ kaścidviṣaye tasya bhūpateḥ | tasyāsaṃśca trayaḥ putrā nirdhanasya viśeṣataḥ

There was a certain brahmin named Ajīgarta in the realm of that king, and he had three sons — and he was especially destitute.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.19

प्रधानेनाप्यसौ पृष्टः पुत्रार्थं दुर्बलो द्विजः । गवां शतं ददामीति देहि पुत्रं मखाय वै

pradhānenāpyasau pṛṣṭaḥ putrārthaṃ durbalo dvijaḥ | gavāṃ śataṃ dadāmīti dehi putraṃ makhāya vai

That feeble brahmin was asked by the minister for (one of) his sons: "I shall give a hundred cows; give me a son for the sacrifice."

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.20

शुनःपुच्छः शुनःशेपः शुनोलांगूल इत्यमी । तेषामेकतमं देहि ददामि तु गवां शतम्

śunaḥpucchaḥ śunaḥśepaḥ śunolāṃgūla ityamī | teṣāmekatamaṃ dehi dadāmi tu gavāṃ śatam

"These (are my sons): Śunaḥpuccha, Śunaḥśepa and Śunolāṅgūla." "Give one of them, and I shall give a hundred cows."

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.21

अजीगर्तस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा क्षुधया पीडितो भृशम् । पुत्रं च कतमं तेभ्यो विक्रेतुं वै मनो दधे

ajīgartastu tacchrutvā kṣudhayā pīḍito bhṛśam | putraṃ ca katamaṃ tebhyo vikretuṃ vai mano dadhe

Ajīgarta, hearing that, sorely afflicted by hunger, set his mind on selling one or another of those sons.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.22

कार्याधिकारिणं ज्येष्ठं मत्वा नासावदादमुम् । कनिष्ठं नाप्यदान्माता ममैष इति वादिनी

kāryādhikāriṇaṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ matvā nāsāvadādamum | kaniṣṭhaṃ nāpyadānmātā mamaiṣa iti vādinī

Considering the eldest to be the one charged with (family) duties, he did not give him; nor did he give the youngest, since the mother said, "This one is mine."

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.23

मध्यमं च शुनःशेपं ददौ गवां शतेन च । आनिनाय पशुं चक्रे नरमेधे नराधिपः

madhyamaṃ ca śunaḥśepaṃ dadau gavāṃ śatena ca | ānināya paśuṃ cakre naramedhe narādhipaḥ

So he gave the middle one, Śunaḥśepa, for a hundred cows; and the king brought him and made him the sacrificial victim in the human sacrifice.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.24

रुदन्तं दुःखितं दीनं वेपमानं भृशातुरम् । यूपे बद्धं निरीक्ष्यामुं चुक्रुशुर्मुनयस्तदा

rudantaṃ duḥkhitaṃ dīnaṃ vepamānaṃ bhṛśāturam | yūpe baddhaṃ nirīkṣyāmuṃ cukruśurmunayastadā

Seeing him bound to the sacrificial post, weeping, grieving, wretched, trembling, greatly afflicted, the sages then cried out.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.25

शामित्राय पशुं चक्रे नरमेधे नराधिपः । शमिता नाददे शस्त्रं तमालम्भयितुं शिशुम्

śāmitrāya paśuṃ cakre naramedhe narādhipaḥ | śamitā nādade śastraṃ tamālambhayituṃ śiśum

The king made the victim ready for the slaughtering in the human sacrifice, (but) the slaughterer did not take up the knife to kill that child.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.26

नाहं द्विजसुतं दीनं रुदन्तं करुणं भृशम् । हनिष्यामि स्वलोभार्थमित्युवाचाप्यसौ तदा

nāhaṃ dvijasutaṃ dīnaṃ rudantaṃ karuṇaṃ bhṛśam | haniṣyāmi svalobhārthamityuvācāpyasau tadā

"I will not, for the sake of my own greed, kill this wretched brahmin's son who weeps so pitiably" — thus he too spoke then.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.27

इत्युक्त्वा विररामासौ कर्मणो दुष्करादथ । राजा आभासदः प्राह किं कर्तव्यमिति द्विजाः

ityuktvā virarāmāsau karmaṇo duṣkarādatha | rājā ābhāsadaḥ prāha kiṃ kartavyamiti dvijāḥ

Having said this, he desisted from the deed hard to do. The king (turned to) those seated (there) and said, "What is to be done, O brahmins?"

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.28

जातः किलकिलाशब्दो जनानां क्रोशतां तदा । क्रन्दमाने शुनःशेपे सभायां भृशमद्भुतम्

jātaḥ kilakilāśabdo janānāṃ krośatāṃ tadā | krandamāne śunaḥśepe sabhāyāṃ bhṛśamadbhutam

Then, as Śunaḥśepa wailed in the assembly, there arose an exceedingly astonishing shrill clamour of the people crying out.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.29

अजीगर्तस्तदोत्थाय तमुवाच नृपोत्तमम् । राजन् कार्यं करिष्यामि तवाहं सुस्थिरो भव

ajīgartastadotthāya tamuvāca nṛpottamam | rājan kāryaṃ kariṣyāmi tavāhaṃ susthiro bhava

Then Ajīgarta rose and said to that best of kings: "O king, I shall do the work for you; be at ease.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.30

वेतनं द्विगुणं देहि हनिष्यामि पशुं किल । कर्तव्यं मखकार्यं वै मया तेऽद्य धनार्थिना

vetanaṃ dviguṇaṃ dehi haniṣyāmi paśuṃ kila | kartavyaṃ makhakāryaṃ vai mayā te'dya dhanārthinā

Give me double the fee and I will indeed kill the victim; the sacrificial task must be done by me for you today, since I want money.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.31

दुःखितस्य धनार्थस्य सदासूया प्रसूयते । व्यास उवाच - तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य हरिश्चन्द्रो मुदान्वितः

duḥkhitasya dhanārthasya sadāsūyā prasūyate | vyāsa uvāca - tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya hariścandro mudānvitaḥ

In one who is distressed and bent on money, ill-will is always bred. Vyāsa said: Hearing that speech of his, Hariścandra, filled with joy,

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.32

तमुवाच ददाम्यद्य गवां शतमनुत्तमम् । तदाकर्ण्य पिता तस्य पुत्रं हन्तुं समुद्यतः

tamuvāca dadāmyadya gavāṃ śatamanuttamam | tadākarṇya pitā tasya putraṃ hantuṃ samudyataḥ

said to him, "I shall give you today a hundred excellent cows." Hearing that, the father made ready to kill his son.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.33

लोभेनाकुलचित्तोऽसौ शामित्रे कृतनिश्चयः । समुद्यतं च तं दृष्ट्वा जनाः सर्वे सभासदः

lobhenākulacitto'sau śāmitre kṛtaniścayaḥ | samudyataṃ ca taṃ dṛṣṭvā janāḥ sarve sabhāsadaḥ

His mind confounded by greed, he was resolved upon the slaughter; and seeing him ready (for it), all the people, the members of the assembly,

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.34

चुक्रुशुर्भृशदुःखार्ता हाहेति जगदुर्वचः । पिशाचोऽयं महापापी क्रूरकर्मा द्विजाकृतिः

cukruśurbhṛśaduḥkhārtā hāheti jagadurvacaḥ | piśāco'yaṃ mahāpāpī krūrakarmā dvijākṛtiḥ

cried out, sorely stricken with grief, and uttered the words "Alas, alas! This is a demon, a great sinner, of cruel deeds, with a brahmin's form,

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.35

यत्स्वयं स्वसुतं हन्तुमुद्यतः कुलपांसनः । धिक्चाण्डाल किमेतत्ते पापकर्म चिकीर्षितम्

yatsvayaṃ svasutaṃ hantumudyataḥ kulapāṃsanaḥ | dhikcāṇḍāla kimetatte pāpakarma cikīrṣitam

since this disgrace of his family is himself ready to kill his own son. Shame on you, outcaste! What is this sinful deed you mean to do?

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.36

हत्वा सुतं धनं प्राप्य किं सुखं ते भविष्यति । आत्मा वै जायते पुत्र अङ्गाद्वै वेदभाषितम्

hatvā sutaṃ dhanaṃ prāpya kiṃ sukhaṃ te bhaviṣyati | ātmā vai jāyate putra aṅgādvai vedabhāṣitam

Having killed your son and got wealth, what happiness will be yours? "The son is born as one's own self from one's own body" — so the Veda has said.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.37

तत्कथं पापबुद्धे त्वमात्मानं हन्तुमिच्छसि । एवं कोलाहले तत्र जाते कुशिकनन्दनः

tatkathaṃ pāpabuddhe tvamātmānaṃ hantumicchasi | evaṃ kolāhale tatra jāte kuśikanandanaḥ

"So how, you of sinful mind, do you wish to kill your own self?" While such an uproar was arising there, the son of Kuśika

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.38

समीपं नृपतेर्गत्वा तमुवाच दयापरः । विश्वामित्र उवाच - राजन्नमुं शुनःशेपं रुदन्तं भृशदुःखितम्

samīpaṃ nṛpatergatvā tamuvāca dayāparaḥ | viśvāmitra uvāca - rājannamuṃ śunaḥśepaṃ rudantaṃ bhṛśaduḥkhitam

went up to the king and, full of compassion, said to him. Viśvāmitra said: "O king, this Śunaḥśepa, weeping and exceedingly grieved—

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.39

क्रतुस्ते भविता पूर्णो रोगनाशश्च सर्वथा । दयासमं नास्ति पुण्यं पापं हिंसासमं नहि

kratuste bhavitā pūrṇo roganāśaśca sarvathā | dayāsamaṃ nāsti puṇyaṃ pāpaṃ hiṃsāsamaṃ nahi

(release him, and) your sacrifice will become complete and your disease utterly destroyed. There is no merit equal to compassion, and no sin equal to injury.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.40

रागिणां रोचनार्थाय नोदनेयं विचारय । आत्मदेहस्य रक्षार्थं परदेहनिकृन्तनम्

rāgiṇāṃ rocanārthāya nodaneyaṃ vicāraya | ātmadehasya rakṣārthaṃ paradehanikṛntanam

(Such scriptural) injunction is for the sake of pleasing those (still) full of passion—consider this. The cutting down of another's body for the sake of protecting one's own body

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain

DB 7 16.41

न कर्तव्यं महाराज सर्वतः शुभमिच्छता । दयया सर्वभूतेषु सन्तुष्टो येन केन च

na kartavyaṃ mahārāja sarvataḥ śubhamicchatā | dayayā sarvabhūteṣu santuṣṭo yena kena ca

is not to be done, great king, by one who wishes good from every side. By compassion toward all beings, and being content with whatever (comes),

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.42

सर्वेन्द्रियोपशान्त्या च तुष्यत्याशु जगत्पतिः । आत्मवत्सर्वभूतेषु चिन्तनीयं नृपोत्तम

sarvendriyopaśāntyā ca tuṣyatyāśu jagatpatiḥ | ātmavatsarvabhūteṣu cintanīyaṃ nṛpottama

and by the quieting of all the senses, the Lord of the world is quickly pleased. One should think of all beings as of oneself, O best of kings.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.43

जीवितव्यं प्रियं नूनं सर्वेषां सर्वदा किल । त्वमिच्छसि सुखं कर्तुं देहे हत्वा त्वमुं द्विजम्

jīvitavyaṃ priyaṃ nūnaṃ sarveṣāṃ sarvadā kila | tvamicchasi sukhaṃ kartuṃ dehe hatvā tvamuṃ dvijam

Surely life is dear to all beings always. You wish to produce ease in your body by killing this twice-born;

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.44

कथं नेच्छेदसौ देहं रक्षितुं स्वसुखास्पदम् । पूर्वजन्मकृतं वैरं नानेन सह ते नृप

kathaṃ necchedasau dehaṃ rakṣituṃ svasukhāspadam | pūrvajanmakṛtaṃ vairaṃ nānena saha te nṛpa

how then should he not wish to protect his own body, the seat of his own happiness? You have no enmity with him made in a former birth, O king,

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.45

येनामुं हन्तुकामस्त्वं द्विजपुत्रं निरागसम् । यो यं हन्ति विना वैरं स्वकामः सततं पुनः

yenāmuṃ hantukāmastvaṃ dvijaputraṃ nirāgasam | yo yaṃ hanti vinā vairaṃ svakāmaḥ satataṃ punaḥ

by reason of which you would desire to kill this blameless son of a brahmin. Whoever kills someone without enmity, out of his own desire, again and always

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.46

हन्तारं हन्ति तं प्राप्य जननं जननान्तरे । जनकोऽस्य सुदुष्टात्मा येनासौ ते समर्पितः

hantāraṃ hanti taṃ prāpya jananaṃ jananāntare | janako'sya suduṣṭātmā yenāsau te samarpitaḥ

kills the killer, having obtained birth in another birth. His father is an exceedingly wicked soul, by whom he was handed over to you—

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.47

स्वात्मजो धनलोभेन पापाचारः सुदुर्मतिः । एष्टव्या बहवः पुत्रा यद्येकोऽपि गयां व्रजेत्

svātmajo dhanalobhena pāpācāraḥ sudurmatiḥ | eṣṭavyā bahavaḥ putrā yadyeko'pi gayāṃ vrajet

his own son, out of greed for wealth—a man of sinful conduct, of very evil mind. Many sons should be desired, in the hope that even one might go to Gayā,

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.48

यजेत चाश्वमेधेन नीलं वा वृषमुत्सृजेत् । देशमध्ये च यः कश्चित्पापकर्म समाचरेत्

yajeta cāśvamedhena nīlaṃ vā vṛṣamutsṛjet | deśamadhye ca yaḥ kaścitpāpakarma samācaret

or sacrifice with a horse-sacrifice, or release a blue bull. And if anyone within the realm commits a sinful deed,

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.49

षष्ठांशस्तस्य पापस्य राजा भुङ्क्ते न संशयः । निषेधनीयो राज्ञासौ पापं कर्तुं समुद्यतः

ṣaṣṭhāṃśastasya pāpasya rājā bhuṅkte na saṃśayaḥ | niṣedhanīyo rājñāsau pāpaṃ kartuṃ samudyataḥ

the king enjoys a sixth part of that sin—there is no doubt. He who is set upon doing sin must be restrained by the king.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.50

न निषिद्धस्त्वया कस्मात्पुत्रं विक्रेतुमुद्यतः । सूर्यवंशे समुत्पन्नस्त्रिशङ्कुतनयः शुभः

na niṣiddhastvayā kasmātputraṃ vikretumudyataḥ | sūryavaṃśe samutpannastriśaṅkutanayaḥ śubhaḥ

Why was he not restrained by you, when he was set upon selling his son? Born in the solar line, the noble son of Triśaṅku,

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.51

आर्यस्त्वनार्यवत्कर्म कर्तुमिच्छसि पार्थिव । मोचनान्मुनिपुत्रस्य करणाद्वचनस्य मे

āryastvanāryavatkarma kartumicchasi pārthiva | mocanānmuniputrasya karaṇādvacanasya me

you, a noble man, wish to do a deed like an ignoble man's, O prince. By the release of the sage's son and by the doing of my word,

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.52

तव देहे सुखं राजन् भविष्यत्यविचारणात् । पिता ते शापयोगेन चाण्डालत्वमुपागतः

tava dehe sukhaṃ rājan bhaviṣyatyavicāraṇāt | pitā te śāpayogena cāṇḍālatvamupāgataḥ

there will be ease in your body, O king, without deliberation (needed). Your father, through the operation of a curse, came to the state of a Cāṇḍāla;

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.53

मयासौ तेन देहेन स्वर्लोकं प्रापितः किल । तेनैव प्रीतियोगेन कुरु मे वचनं नृप

mayāsau tena dehena svarlokaṃ prāpitaḥ kila | tenaiva prītiyogena kuru me vacanaṃ nṛpa

by me he was brought to heaven with that very body, as is known. By that very bond of affection, do my word, O king.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.54

मुञ्चैनं बालकं दीनं रुदन्तं भृशमातुरम् । याचितोऽसि मया नूनं यज्ञेऽस्मिन् राजसूयके

muñcainaṃ bālakaṃ dīnaṃ rudantaṃ bhṛśamāturam | yācito'si mayā nūnaṃ yajñe'smin rājasūyake

Release this wretched boy, weeping and exceedingly afflicted. I have indeed made a request of you at this Rājasūya sacrifice;

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.55

प्रार्थनाभङ्गजं दोषं कथं त्वं नावबुध्यसे । प्रार्थितं सर्वदा देयं मखेऽस्मिन्नृपसत्तम

prārthanābhaṅgajaṃ doṣaṃ kathaṃ tvaṃ nāvabudhyase | prārthitaṃ sarvadā deyaṃ makhe'sminnṛpasattama

how do you not recognize the fault that arises from breaking a request? What is asked for must always be given at this sacrifice, O best of kings;

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.56

अन्यथा पापमेव स्यात्तव राजन्न संशयः । व्यास उवाच - इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा कौशिकस्य नृपोतमः

anyathā pāpameva syāttava rājanna saṃśayaḥ | vyāsa uvāca - iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā kauśikasya nṛpotamaḥ

otherwise it would be sin for you, O king—no doubt of it." Vyāsa said: Hearing that speech of Kauśika, the best of kings

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.57

प्रत्युवाच महाराज कौशिकं मुनिसत्तमम् । जलोदरेण गाधेय दुःखितोऽहं भृशं मुने

pratyuvāca mahārāja kauśikaṃ munisattamam | jalodareṇa gādheya duḥkhito'haṃ bhṛśaṃ mune

The best of kings replied, great king, to Kauśika, the foremost of sages: "Son of Gādhi, I am exceedingly afflicted by dropsy, O sage."

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.58

तस्मान्न मोचयाम्येनमन्यत्प्रार्थय कौशिक । न त्वया विग्रहः कार्यः कार्येऽस्मिन्मम सर्वथा

tasmānna mocayāmyenamanyatprārthaya kauśika | na tvayā vigrahaḥ kāryaḥ kārye'sminmama sarvathā

"Therefore I will not release him; ask for something else, Kauśika. You must not in any way pick a quarrel with me in this matter of mine."

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

DB 7 16.59

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं राज्ञो विश्वामित्रोऽतिकोपनः । बभूव दुःखसन्तप्तो वीक्ष्य दीनं द्विजात्मजम्

tacchrutvā vacanaṃ rājño viśvāmitro'tikopanaḥ | babhūva duḥkhasantapto vīkṣya dīnaṃ dvijātmajam

Hearing that speech of the king, Viśvāmitra grew exceedingly angry, and became scorched with grief as he looked upon the wretched son of the brahmin.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition