Devi Bhagavata Purana — Skandha 7 — Chapter 26
DB 7 26.1
हरिश्चन्द्रोपाख्याने राज्ञो हुताशनप्रवेशोद्योगवर्णनम् सूत उवाच - ततोऽथ भूपतिः प्राह राज्ञीं स्थित्वा ह्यधोमुखः । अत्रोपविश्यतां बाले पापस्य पुरतो मम
hariścandropākhyāne rājño hutāśanapraveśodyogavarṇanam sūta uvāca - tato'tha bhūpatiḥ prāha rājñīṃ sthitvā hyadhomukhaḥ | atropaviśyatāṃ bāle pāpasya purato mama
In the tale of Hariścandra, the description of the king's readiness to enter the fire. Sūta said: Then the lord of the earth, standing with his face downcast, said to the queen: Sit down here, young woman, before me, a sinner.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.2
शिरस्ते छेदयिष्यामि हन्तुं शक्नोति चेत्करः । एवमुक्त्वा समुद्यम्य खड्गं हन्तुं गतो नृपः
śiraste chedayiṣyāmi hantuṃ śaknoti cetkaraḥ | evamuktvā samudyamya khaḍgaṃ hantuṃ gato nṛpaḥ
I shall have your head cut off, if my hand is able to strike. Having said this, the king raised the sword and went to kill (her).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.3
न जानाति नृपः पत्नीं सा न जानाति भूपतिम् । अब्रवीद् भृशदुःखार्ता स्वमृत्युमभिकाङ्क्षति
na jānāti nṛpaḥ patnīṃ sā na jānāti bhūpatim | abravīd bhṛśaduḥkhārtā svamṛtyumabhikāṅkṣati
The king did not recognize his wife, nor did she recognize the king. Sorely stricken with grief, longing for her own death, she spoke.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.4
स्त्र्युवाच - चाण्डाल शृणु मे वाक्यं किञ्चित्त्वं यदि मन्यसे । मृतस्तिष्ठति मे पुत्रो नातिदूरे बहिः पुरात्
stryuvāca - cāṇḍāla śṛṇu me vākyaṃ kiñcittvaṃ yadi manyase | mṛtastiṣṭhati me putro nātidūre bahiḥ purāt
The woman said: Caṇḍāla, hear my words, if you will regard them at all. My son lies dead not too far off, outside the city.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.5
तं दहामि हतं यावदानयित्वा तवान्तिकम् । तावत्प्रतीक्ष्यतां पश्चादसिना घातयस्व माम्
taṃ dahāmi hataṃ yāvadānayitvā tavāntikam | tāvatpratīkṣyatāṃ paścādasinā ghātayasva mām
Let (you) wait only until I bring the slain one near you and burn him; afterwards strike me down with the sword.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.6
तेनाथ बाढमित्युक्त्वा प्रेषिता बालकं प्रति । सा जगामातिदुःखार्ता विपलन्ती सुदारुणम्
tenātha bāḍhamityuktvā preṣitā bālakaṃ prati | sā jagāmātiduḥkhārtā vipalantī sudāruṇam
Then, saying "So be it," she was sent by him to the boy; and she went, sorely stricken with grief, wailing most piteously.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.7
भार्या तस्य नरेन्द्रस्य सर्पदष्टं हि बालकम् । हा पुत्र हा वत्स शिशो इत्येवं वदती मुहुः
bhāryā tasya narendrasya sarpadaṣṭaṃ hi bālakam | hā putra hā vatsa śiśo ityevaṃ vadatī muhuḥ
The wife of that lord of men (went to) the boy who had been bitten by a snake, saying again and again, "Alas, my son! Alas, child, little one!"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.8
कृशा विवर्णा मलिना पांसुध्वस्तशिरोरुहा । श्मशानभूमिमागत्य बालं स्थाप्याविशद्भुवि
kṛśā vivarṇā malinā pāṃsudhvastaśiroruhā | śmaśānabhūmimāgatya bālaṃ sthāpyāviśadbhuvi
Gaunt, pale, soiled, her hair fouled with dust, she came to the cremation ground, laid the boy down and sank to the earth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.9
(राजन्नद्य स्वबालं तं पश्यसीह महीतले । रममाणं स्वसखिभिर्दष्टं दुष्टाहिना मृतम् ॥) तस्या विलापशब्दं तमाकर्ण्य स नराधिपः । शवसन्निधिमागत्य वस्त्रमस्याक्षिपत्तदा
(rājannadya svabālaṃ taṃ paśyasīha mahītale | ramamāṇaṃ svasakhibhirdaṣṭaṃ duṣṭāhinā mṛtam ||) tasyā vilāpaśabdaṃ tamākarṇya sa narādhipaḥ | śavasannidhimāgatya vastramasyākṣipattadā
("O king, do you see today that boy of yours here on the ground, who was playing with his playmates, bitten by a wicked snake and dead?") Hearing that sound of her lamentation, the lord of men came near the corpse and then pulled away its cloth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.10
तां तथा रुदतीं भार्यां नाभिजानाति भूमिपः । चिरप्रवाससन्तप्तां पुनर्जातामिवाबलाम्
tāṃ tathā rudatīṃ bhāryāṃ nābhijānāti bhūmipaḥ | cirapravāsasantaptāṃ punarjātāmivābalām
The lord of the earth did not recognize that wife of his weeping so, worn out by long exile, the frail woman as if born again.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.11
सापि तं चारुकेशान्तं पुरो दृष्ट्वा जटालकम् । नाभ्यजानान्नृपवरं शुष्कवृक्षत्वचोपमम्
sāpi taṃ cārukeśāntaṃ puro dṛṣṭvā jaṭālakam | nābhyajānānnṛpavaraṃ śuṣkavṛkṣatvacopamam
And she too, seeing before her that man of matted locks whose hair had once been beautiful, did not recognize the best of kings, who was like the bark of a withered tree.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.12
भूमौ निपतितं बालं दृष्ट्वाशीविषपीडितम् । नरेन्द्रलक्षणोपेतमचिन्तयदसौ नृपः
bhūmau nipatitaṃ bālaṃ dṛṣṭvāśīviṣapīḍitam | narendralakṣaṇopetamacintayadasau nṛpaḥ
Seeing the boy fallen on the ground, afflicted by a venomous snake, endowed with the marks of a king of men, that king reflected:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.13
अस्य पूर्णेन्दुवद्वक्त्रं शुभमुन्नसमव्रणम् । दर्पणप्रतिमोत्तुङ्गकपोलयुगशोभितम्
asya pūrṇenduvadvaktraṃ śubhamunnasamavraṇam | darpaṇapratimottuṅgakapolayugaśobhitam
His face is like the full moon, auspicious, with a high nose, unblemished, adorned by a pair of high cheeks resembling mirrors,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.14
नीलान्केशान्कुञ्चिताग्रान् सान्द्रान्दीर्घांस्तरङ्गिणः । राजीवसदृशे नेत्रे ओष्ठौ बिम्बफलोपमौ
nīlānkeśānkuñcitāgrān sāndrāndīrghāṃstaraṅgiṇaḥ | rājīvasadṛśe netre oṣṭhau bimbaphalopamau
(His) hairs are dark, with curling tips, thick, long, and wavy; (his) two eyes are like lotuses, and (his) lips resemble the bimba fruit.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.15
विशालवक्षा दीर्घाक्षो दीर्घबाहून्नतांसकः । विशालपादो गम्भीरःसूक्ष्माङ्गुल्यवनीधरः
viśālavakṣā dīrghākṣo dīrghabāhūnnatāṃsakaḥ | viśālapādo gambhīraḥsūkṣmāṅgulyavanīdharaḥ
Broad-chested, with long eyes, long arms and high shoulders; broad-footed, deep (of voice/nature), with delicate fingers, a supporter of the earth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 7 26.16
मृणालपादो गम्भीरनाभिरुद्धतकन्धरः । अहो कष्टं नरेन्द्रस्य कस्याप्येष कुले शिशुः
mṛṇālapādo gambhīranābhiruddhatakandharaḥ | aho kaṣṭaṃ narendrasya kasyāpyeṣa kule śiśuḥ
With feet (soft) as lotus stalks, with a deep navel and an upraised neck. Alas, what a calamity! This child (must be) in the family of some king.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.17
जातो नीतः कृतान्तेन कालपाशाद्दुरात्मना । सूत उवाच - एवं दृष्ट्वाथ तं बालं मातुरङ्के प्रसारितम्
jāto nītaḥ kṛtāntena kālapāśāddurātmanā | sūta uvāca - evaṃ dṛṣṭvātha taṃ bālaṃ māturaṅke prasāritam
Born (there), he has been carried off by Death, by the evil-souled one, with the noose of time. Sūta said: Then, seeing the boy thus laid out on his mother's lap,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.18
स्मृतिमभ्यागतो राजा हाहेत्यश्रूण्यपातयत् । सोऽप्युवाच च वत्सो मे दशामेतामुपागतः
smṛtimabhyāgato rājā hāhetyaśrūṇyapātayat | so'pyuvāca ca vatso me daśāmetāmupāgataḥ
the king came to remembrance and, crying "Alas, alas!", let his tears fall; and he said: "My child has come to this state,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.19
नीतो यदि च घोरेण कृतान्तेनात्मनो वशम् । विचारयित्वा राजासौ हरिश्चन्द्रस्तथा स्थितः
nīto yadi ca ghoreṇa kṛtāntenātmano vaśam | vicārayitvā rājāsau hariścandrastathā sthitaḥ
if indeed he has been brought under his own power by dreadful Death." Having reflected, that king Hariścandra stood so (as he was).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.20
ततो राज्ञी महादुःखावेशादिदमभाषत । राज्ञ्युवाच - हा वत्स कस्य पापस्य त्वपध्यानादिदं महत्
tato rājñī mahāduḥkhāveśādidamabhāṣata | rājñyuvāca - hā vatsa kasya pāpasya tvapadhyānādidaṃ mahat
Then the queen, out of an onset of great grief, spoke thus. The queen said: "Alas, child! Through the ill-will of what sinful person has this great
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.21
दुःखमापतितं घोरं तद्रूपं नोपलभ्यते । हा नाथ राजन् भवता मामपास्य सुदुःखिताम्
duḥkhamāpatitaṃ ghoraṃ tadrūpaṃ nopalabhyate | hā nātha rājan bhavatā māmapāsya suduḥkhitām
dreadful sorrow befallen (us)? Its form cannot be discerned. Alas, lord, O king, having abandoned me, so deeply grieved, by you —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 7 26.22
कस्मिन्संस्थीयते स्थाने विश्रब्धं केन हेतुना । राज्यनाशं सुहृत्त्यागो भार्यातनयविक्रयः
kasminsaṃsthīyate sthāne viśrabdhaṃ kena hetunā | rājyanāśaṃ suhṛttyāgo bhāryātanayavikrayaḥ
in what place is (one) to remain at ease, and for what reason? Loss of kingdom, abandonment of friends, the selling of wife and son —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.23
हरिश्चन्द्रस्य राजर्षेः किं विधातः कृतं त्वया । इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा राजा स्थानच्युतस्तदा
hariścandrasya rājarṣeḥ kiṃ vidhātaḥ kṛtaṃ tvayā | iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā rājā sthānacyutastadā
O Ordainer, why have you done (this) to the royal sage Hariścandra?" Hearing that speech of hers, the king, then fallen from his station,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.24
प्रत्यभिज्ञाय देवीं तां पुत्रं च निधनं गतम् । कष्टं ममैव पत्नीयं बालकश्चापि मे सुतः
pratyabhijñāya devīṃ tāṃ putraṃ ca nidhanaṃ gatam | kaṣṭaṃ mamaiva patnīyaṃ bālakaścāpi me sutaḥ
recognized that queen and the son who had gone to death: "Alas, this is indeed my own wife, and the boy is my son too" —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.25
ज्ञात्वा पपात सन्तप्तो मूर्च्छामतिजगाम ह । सा च तं प्रत्यभिज्ञाय तामवस्थामुपागतम्
jñātvā papāta santapto mūrcchāmatijagāma ha | sā ca taṃ pratyabhijñāya tāmavasthāmupāgatam
knowing (this), scorched (with grief), he fell and passed into a swoon. And she too, recognizing him come to that condition,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.26
मूर्च्छिता निपपातार्ता निश्चेष्टा धरणीतले । चेतनां प्राप्य राजेन्द्रो राजपत्नी च तौ समम् हरिश्चन्द्रोपाख्याने राज्ञो हुताशनप्रवेशोद्योगवर्णनं नाम षड्विंशोऽध्यायः
mūrcchitā nipapātārtā niśceṣṭā dharaṇītale | cetanāṃ prāpya rājendro rājapatnī ca tau samam hariścandropākhyāne rājño hutāśanapraveśodyogavarṇanaṃ nāma ṣaḍviṃśo'dhyāyaḥ
fell down stricken, swooning, motionless on the ground. The lord of kings, having regained consciousness, and the king's wife, the two together — [In the tale of Hariścandra, the twenty-sixth chapter, called the description of the king's preparation to enter the fire.]
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.27
विलेपतुः सुसन्तप्तौ शोकभारेण पीडितौ । राजोवाच - हा वत्स सुकुमारं ते वदनं कुञ्चितालकम्
vilepatuḥ susantaptau śokabhāreṇa pīḍitau | rājovāca - hā vatsa sukumāraṃ te vadanaṃ kuñcitālakam
both greatly scorched, oppressed by the weight of grief, lamented. The king said: "Alas, child! Your face, so tender, with its curling locks —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.28
पश्यतो मे मुखं दीनं हृदयं किं न दीर्यते । तात तातेति मधुरं ब्रुवाणं स्वयमागतम्
paśyato me mukhaṃ dīnaṃ hṛdayaṃ kiṃ na dīryate | tāta tāteti madhuraṃ bruvāṇaṃ svayamāgatam
why does my heart not burst as I look upon (your) piteous face? When shall I embrace (you), come of your own accord and sweetly saying 'Father, father',
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.29
उपगुह्य कदा वक्ष्ये वत्सवत्सेति सौहृदात् । कस्य जानुप्रणीतेन पिङ्गेन क्षितिरेणुना
upaguhya kadā vakṣye vatsavatseti sauhṛdāt | kasya jānupraṇītena piṅgena kṣitireṇunā
and say out of affection, 'Child, dear child'? By whose knees will the tawny dust of the earth be brought
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 7 26.30
ममोत्तरीयमुत्सङ्गं तथाङ्गं मलमेष्यति । न वालं मम सम्भूतं मनो हृदयनन्दन
mamottarīyamutsaṅgaṃ tathāṅgaṃ malameṣyati | na vālaṃ mama sambhūtaṃ mano hṛdayanandana
so that my upper garment, my lap, and my body will become soiled? Not a hair of mine has come to be (?), my mind, O delight of (my) heart —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 7 26.31
(मयासि पितृमान्पित्रा विक्रीतो येन वस्तुवत् ।) गतं राज्यमशेषं मे सबान्धवधनं महत् । (हीनदैवान्नृशंसेन दृष्टो मे तनयस्ततः ।) अहं महाहिदष्टस्य पुत्रस्याननपङ्कजम्
(mayāsi pitṛmānpitrā vikrīto yena vastuvat |) gataṃ rājyamaśeṣaṃ me sabāndhavadhanaṃ mahat | (hīnadaivānnṛśaṃsena dṛṣṭo me tanayastataḥ |) ahaṃ mahāhidaṣṭasya putrasyānanapaṅkajam
My whole kingdom is gone, and my great wealth together with my kinsmen. I, now, (look upon) the lotus-face of my son bitten by a great snake,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 7 26.32
निरीक्षन्नद्य घोरेण विषेणाधिकृतोऽधुना । एवमुक्त्वा तमादाय बालकं बाष्पगद्गदः
nirīkṣannadya ghoreṇa viṣeṇādhikṛto'dhunā | evamuktvā tamādāya bālakaṃ bāṣpagadgadaḥ
gazing (upon it) today, now overcome by the dreadful poison. Having said this, taking up the boy, his voice choked with tears,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.33
परिष्वज्य च निश्चेष्टो मूर्च्छया निपपात ह । ततस्तं पतितं दृष्ट्वा शैव्या चैवमचिन्तयत्
pariṣvajya ca niśceṣṭo mūrcchayā nipapāta ha | tatastaṃ patitaṃ dṛṣṭvā śaivyā caivamacintayat
and embracing (him), he fell down motionless in a swoon. Then, seeing him fallen, Śaivyā thought thus:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.34
अयं स पुरुषव्याघ्रः स्वरेणैवोपलक्ष्यते । विद्वज्जनमनश्चन्द्रो हरिश्चन्द्रो न संशयः
ayaṃ sa puruṣavyāghraḥ svareṇaivopalakṣyate | vidvajjanamanaścandro hariścandro na saṃśayaḥ
This is that tiger among men — he is recognized by his voice alone: it is Hariścandra, the moon of the minds of learned people; there is no doubt.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.35
तथास्य नासिका तुङ्गा तिलपुष्पोपमा शुभा । दन्ताश्च मुकुलप्रख्याः ख्यातकीर्तेर्महात्मनः
tathāsya nāsikā tuṅgā tilapuṣpopamā śubhā | dantāśca mukulaprakhyāḥ khyātakīrtermahātmanaḥ
So too his nose is high and fair, like a sesame flower, and his teeth are like buds — (the teeth) of the great-souled one whose fame is renowned.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.36
श्मशानमागतः कस्माद्यद्येवं स नरेश्वरः । विहाय पुत्रशोकं सा पश्यन्ती पतितं पतिम्
śmaśānamāgataḥ kasmādyadyevaṃ sa nareśvaraḥ | vihāya putraśokaṃ sā paśyantī patitaṃ patim
If that is so, why has this lord of men come to the cremation ground? — She, setting aside her grief for her son, looking at her fallen husband,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.37
प्रहृष्टा विस्मिता दीना भर्तृपुत्रार्तिपीडिता । वीक्षती सा तदापतन्मूर्च्छया धरणीतले
prahṛṣṭā vismitā dīnā bhartṛputrārtipīḍitā | vīkṣatī sā tadāpatanmūrcchayā dharaṇītale
delighted, amazed, wretched, afflicted by the pain (of the loss) of husband and son, as she gazed she then fell to the ground in a swoon.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.38
प्राप्य चेतश्च शनकैः सा गद्गदमभाषत । धिक्त्वां दैव ह्यकरुण निर्मर्याद जुगुप्सित
prāpya cetaśca śanakaiḥ sā gadgadamabhāṣata | dhiktvāṃ daiva hyakaruṇa nirmaryāda jugupsita
And regaining consciousness little by little, she spoke with a faltering voice: "Shame on you, Fate — pitiless, without measure, loathsome,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.39
येनायममरप्रख्यो नीतो राजा श्वपाकताम् । राज्यनाशं सुहृत्त्यागं भार्यातनयविक्रयम्
yenāyamamaraprakhyo nīto rājā śvapākatām | rājyanāśaṃ suhṛttyāgaṃ bhāryātanayavikrayam
by whom this king, like an immortal, has been brought to the state of a dog-cooker — loss of kingdom, abandonment by friends, the selling of wife and son —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.40
प्रापयित्वापि येनाद्य चाण्डालोऽयं कृतो नृपः । नाद्य पश्यामि ते छत्रं सिंहासनमथापि वा
prāpayitvāpi yenādya cāṇḍālo'yaṃ kṛto nṛpaḥ | nādya paśyāmi te chatraṃ siṃhāsanamathāpi vā
and by whom, having brought (him) even to that, today this king has been made a Caṇḍāla. Today I do not see your parasol, nor your lion-throne,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.41
चामरव्यजने वापि कोऽयं विधिविपर्ययः । यस्यास्य व्रजतः पूर्वं राजानो भृत्यतां गताः
cāmaravyajane vāpi ko'yaṃ vidhiviparyayaḥ | yasyāsya vrajataḥ pūrvaṃ rājāno bhṛtyatāṃ gatāḥ
nor even the yak-tail whisk and fan. What is this reversal of destiny! — he, at whose going in former times kings became servants,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.42
स्वोत्तरीयैः प्रकुर्वन्ति विरजस्कं महीतलम् । सोऽयं कपालसंलग्ने घटीपटनिरन्तरे
svottarīyaiḥ prakurvanti virajaskaṃ mahītalam | so'yaṃ kapālasaṃlagne ghaṭīpaṭanirantare
and with their own upper garments made the surface of the earth free of dust — this same man (now walks) in (a place) strewn with skulls, packed with (broken) pots and cloths,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.43
मृतनिर्माल्यसूत्रान्तर्लग्नकेशसुदारुणे । वसानिष्पन्दसंशुष्कमहापटलमण्डिते
mṛtanirmālyasūtrāntarlagnakeśasudāruṇe | vasāniṣpandasaṃśuṣkamahāpaṭalamaṇḍite
most terrible with hair caught among the threads of the discarded offerings of the dead, adorned with great sheets (of cloth) dried stiff with congealed fat,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 7 26.44
भस्माङ्गारार्धदग्धास्थिमज्जासंघट्टभीषणे । गृध्रगोमायुनादार्ते पुष्टक्षुद्रविहङ्गमे
bhasmāṅgārārdhadagdhāsthimajjāsaṃghaṭṭabhīṣaṇe | gṛdhragomāyunādārte puṣṭakṣudravihaṅgame
frightful with the grinding together of ashes, coals, half-burnt bones and marrow, tormented by the cries of vultures and jackals, (a place) where small birds are well-fed,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.45
चिताधूमायतपटे नीलीकृतदिगन्तरे । कुणपास्वादनमुदा सम्प्रकृष्टनिशाचरे
citādhūmāyatapaṭe nīlīkṛtadigantare | kuṇapāsvādanamudā samprakṛṣṭaniśācare
with a broad canopy of smoke from the pyres, its horizons made dark blue, where the night-roamers are drawn on by the joy of tasting corpses —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.46
चरत्यमेध्ये राजेन्द्रः श्मशाने दुःखपीडितः । एवमुक्त्वाथ संश्लिष्य कण्ठे राज्ञो नृपात्मजा
caratyamedhye rājendraḥ śmaśāne duḥkhapīḍitaḥ | evamuktvātha saṃśliṣya kaṇṭhe rājño nṛpātmajā
in such an impure cremation ground the lord of kings walks, afflicted with sorrow." Having spoken thus, the king's daughter, clasping the king's neck,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.47
कष्टं शोकसमाविष्टा विललापार्तया गिरा । राजन् स्वप्नोऽथ तथ्यं वा यदेतन्मन्यते भवान्
kaṣṭaṃ śokasamāviṣṭā vilalāpārtayā girā | rājan svapno'tha tathyaṃ vā yadetanmanyate bhavān
overcome with grief, lamented painfully with a stricken voice: "O king, this that you think — is it a dream or the truth?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.48
तत्कथ्यतां महाभाग मनो वै मुह्यते मम । यद्येतदेव धर्मज्ञ नास्ति धर्मे सहायता
tatkathyatāṃ mahābhāga mano vai muhyate mama | yadyetadeva dharmajña nāsti dharme sahāyatā
Let it be told, O greatly fortunate one; indeed my mind is bewildered. If this is really so, O knower of dharma, then there is no help in dharma,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.49
तथैव विप्रदेवादिपूजने सत्यपालने । नास्ति धर्मः कुतः सत्यं नार्जवं नानृशंसता
tathaiva vipradevādipūjane satyapālane | nāsti dharmaḥ kutaḥ satyaṃ nārjavaṃ nānṛśaṃsatā
nor likewise in honouring brahmins and gods and the rest, nor in keeping truth. There is no dharma — whence then truth, or uprightness, or freedom from cruelty —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.50
यत्र त्वं धर्मपरमः स्वराज्यादवरोपितः । सूत उवाच - इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा निःश्वस्योष्णं सगद्गदः
yatra tvaṃ dharmaparamaḥ svarājyādavaropitaḥ | sūta uvāca - iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā niḥśvasyoṣṇaṃ sagadgadaḥ
when you, supremely devoted to dharma, have been cast down from your own kingdom?" The Sūta said: Hearing her words, sighing hotly, with faltering voice
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.51
कथयामास तन्वङ्ग्यै यथा प्राप्तः श्वपाकताम् । रुदित्वा सा तु सुचिरं निःश्वस्योष्णं सुदुःखिता
kathayāmāsa tanvaṅgyai yathā prāptaḥ śvapākatām | ruditvā sā tu suciraṃ niḥśvasyoṣṇaṃ suduḥkhitā
he told the slender-limbed woman how he had come to the state of a dog-cooker. And she, weeping for a long while, sighing hotly, deeply grieved,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.52
स्वपुत्रमरणं भीरुर्यथावत्तं न्यवेदयत् । श्रुत्वा राजा तथा वाक्यं निपपात महीतले
svaputramaraṇaṃ bhīruryathāvattaṃ nyavedayat | śrutvā rājā tathā vākyaṃ nipapāta mahītale
the timid woman reported to him, just as it happened, the death of her son. Hearing such words, the king fell to the ground.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.53
मृतपुत्रं समानीय जिह्वया विलिहन्मुहुः । हरिश्चन्द्रमथो प्राह शैव्या गद्गदया गिरा
mṛtaputraṃ samānīya jihvayā vilihanmuhuḥ | hariścandramatho prāha śaivyā gadgadayā girā
Having brought her dead son and licking him again and again with her tongue, Śaivyā then said to Hariścandra with a faltering voice:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.54
कुरुष्व स्वामिनः प्रेष्यं छेदयित्वा शिरो मम । स्वामिद्रोहो न तेऽस्त्वद्य मासत्यो भव भूपते
kuruṣva svāminaḥ preṣyaṃ chedayitvā śiro mama | svāmidroho na te'stvadya māsatyo bhava bhūpate
"Perform your master's errand: cut off my head. Let there be no betrayal of your master by you today — do not become untruthful, O king!
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.55
मासत्यं तव राजेन्द्र परद्रोहस्तु पातकम् । एतदाकर्ण्य राजा तु पपात भुवि मूर्च्छितः
māsatyaṃ tava rājendra paradrohastu pātakam | etadākarṇya rājā tu papāta bhuvi mūrcchitaḥ
"Untruthfulness on your part, O best of kings, and harm to another — that is sin." Hearing this, the king fell to the ground in a swoon.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.56
क्षणेन चेतनां प्राप्य विललापातिदुःखितः । राजोवाच - कथं प्रिये त्वया प्रोक्तं वचनं त्वतिनिष्ठुरम्
kṣaṇena cetanāṃ prāpya vilalāpātiduḥkhitaḥ | rājovāca - kathaṃ priye tvayā proktaṃ vacanaṃ tvatiniṣṭhuram
Regaining consciousness in a moment, he lamented, exceedingly grieved. The king said: How, beloved, has such an utterly cruel speech been spoken by you?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.57
यदशक्यं भवेद्वक्तुं तत्कर्म क्रियते कथम् । पत्न्युवाच - मया च पूजिता गौरी देवा विप्रास्तथैव च
yadaśakyaṃ bhavedvaktuṃ tatkarma kriyate katham | patnyuvāca - mayā ca pūjitā gaurī devā viprāstathaiva ca
"When a thing would be impossible even to speak of, how is that deed to be done?" The wife said: "By me Gaurī has been worshipped, and the gods and the brahmins likewise —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.58
भविष्यसि पतिस्त्वं मे ह्यन्यस्मिञ्जन्मनि प्रभो । श्रुत्वा राजा तदा वाक्यं निपपात महीतले
bhaviṣyasi patistvaṃ me hyanyasmiñjanmani prabho | śrutvā rājā tadā vākyaṃ nipapāta mahītale
"— (so) you shall be my husband also in another birth, O lord." Hearing that speech, the king then fell down upon the ground.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.59
मृतस्य पुत्रस्य तदा चुचुम्ब दुःखितो मुखम् । राजोवाच - प्रिये न रोचते दीर्घं कालं क्लेशं मयाशितुम्
mṛtasya putrasya tadā cucumba duḥkhito mukham | rājovāca - priye na rocate dīrghaṃ kālaṃ kleśaṃ mayāśitum
Then, grieving, he kissed the face of his dead son. The king said: Beloved, it does not please me to endure this torment for a long time.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.60
नात्मायत्तोऽहं तन्वङ्गि पश्य मे मन्दभाग्यताम् । चाण्डालेनाननुज्ञातः प्रवेक्ष्ये ज्वलनं यदि
nātmāyatto'haṃ tanvaṅgi paśya me mandabhāgyatām | cāṇḍālenānanujñātaḥ pravekṣye jvalanaṃ yadi
"I am not my own master, slender-limbed one; see my ill fortune. If, unpermitted by the Caṇḍāla, I enter the fire,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.61
चाण्डालदासतां यास्ये पुनरप्यन्यजन्मनि । नरकं च वरं प्राप्य खेदं प्राप्स्यामि दारुणम्
cāṇḍāladāsatāṃ yāsye punarapyanyajanmani | narakaṃ ca varaṃ prāpya khedaṃ prāpsyāmi dāruṇam
"I shall go into slavery to a Caṇḍāla again in another birth, and, obtaining hell as my lot, I shall suffer dreadful anguish.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.63
तापं प्राप्स्यामि सम्प्राप्य महारौरवरौरवे । मग्नस्य दुःखजलधौ वरं प्राणैर्वियोजनम् एकोऽपि बालको योऽयमासीद्वंशकरः सुतः । मम दैवानुयोगेन मृतो सोऽपि बलीयसा
tāpaṃ prāpsyāmi samprāpya mahārauravaraurave | magnasya duḥkhajaladhau varaṃ prāṇairviyojanam eko'pi bālako yo'yamāsīdvaṃśakaraḥ sutaḥ | mama daivānuyogena mṛto so'pi balīyasā
"I shall suffer burning, having come to the Mahāraurava and Raurava (hells). For one sunk in the ocean of sorrow, separation from life is better. Even the one boy who was my son, the continuer of the line — he too, by the working of fate, is dead, (killed) by a stronger power.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.64
कथं प्राणान्विमुञ्चामि परायत्तोऽस्मि दुर्गतः । तथापि दुःखबाहुल्यात्त्यक्ष्यामि तु निजां तनुम्
kathaṃ prāṇānvimuñcāmi parāyatto'smi durgataḥ | tathāpi duḥkhabāhulyāttyakṣyāmi tu nijāṃ tanum
"How shall I give up my life? I am dependent on another, fallen into misery. Yet even so, from the sheer weight of my sorrow, I shall abandon my own body.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.65
त्रैलोक्ये नास्ति तद्दुःखं नासिपत्रवने तथा । वैतरण्यां कुतस्तद्वद्यादृशं पुत्रविप्लवे
trailokye nāsti tadduḥkhaṃ nāsipatravane tathā | vaitaraṇyāṃ kutastadvadyādṛśaṃ putraviplave
"In the three worlds there is no such pain, not in the Asipatra forest, and how (could there be) the like in the Vaitaraṇī, such as (there is) in the loss of a son.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.66
सोऽहं सुतशरीरेण दीप्यमाने हुताशने । निपतिष्यामि तन्वङ्गि क्षन्तव्यं तन्ममाधुना
so'haṃ sutaśarīreṇa dīpyamāne hutāśane | nipatiṣyāmi tanvaṅgi kṣantavyaṃ tanmamādhunā
"So I shall fall, along with my son's body, into the blazing fire, slender-limbed one; therefore I must now be forgiven by you.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.67
न वक्तव्य त्वया किञ्चिदतः कमललोचने । मम वाक्यं च तन्वङ्गि निबोधाहतमानसा
na vaktavya tvayā kiñcidataḥ kamalalocane | mama vākyaṃ ca tanvaṅgi nibodhāhatamānasā
"Nothing is to be said by you about this, lotus-eyed one; and hear my word, slender-limbed one, with an unstricken mind.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.68
अनुज्ञाताथ गच्छ त्वं विप्रवेश्म शुचिस्मिते । यदि दत्तं यदि हुतं गुरवो यदि तोषिताः
anujñātātha gaccha tvaṃ vipraveśma śucismite | yadi dattaṃ yadi hutaṃ guravo yadi toṣitāḥ
"Being given leave, then, go you to the brahmin's house, O you of pure smile. If (ever) gifts were given, if offerings were made, if the elders were satisfied (by me) —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.69
सङ्गमः परलोके मे निजपुत्रेण चेत्त्वया । इहलोके कुतस्त्वेतद्भविष्यति समीप्सितम्
saṅgamaḥ paraloke me nijaputreṇa cettvayā | ihaloke kutastvetadbhaviṣyati samīpsitam
"— then in the other world there will be union for me with my own son and with you; for how in this world shall this longed-for thing come about?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.70
यन्मया हसता किञ्चिद्रहसि त्वां शुचिस्मिते । अशेषमुक्तं तत्सर्वं क्षन्तव्यं मम यास्यतः
yanmayā hasatā kiñcidrahasi tvāṃ śucismite | aśeṣamuktaṃ tatsarvaṃ kṣantavyaṃ mama yāsyataḥ
"Whatever little I said to you in private while joking, O you of pure smile — all that, without exception, is to be forgiven me as I depart.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.71
राजपत्नीति गर्वेण नावज्ञेयः स मे द्विजः । सर्वयत्नेन तोष्यं स्यात्स्वामी दैवतवच्छुभे
rājapatnīti garveṇa nāvajñeyaḥ sa me dvijaḥ | sarvayatnena toṣyaṃ syātsvāmī daivatavacchubhe
"That brahmin of mine is not to be slighted out of pride that you are a king's wife; a master is to be pleased with every effort, like a deity, O fair one."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.72
राज्ञ्युवाच अहमप्यत्र राजर्षे निपतिष्ये हुताशने । दुःखभारासहा देव सह यास्यामि वै त्वया
rājñyuvāca ahamapyatra rājarṣe nipatiṣye hutāśane | duḥkhabhārāsahā deva saha yāsyāmi vai tvayā
The queen said: I too, O royal sage, shall fall here into the fire; unable to bear the burden of grief, O lord, I shall indeed go together with you.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 7 26.73
त्वया सह मम श्रेयो गमनं नान्यथा भवेत् । सह स्वर्गं च नरकं त्वया भोक्ष्यामि मानद । श्रुत्वा राजा तदोवाच एवमस्तु पतिव्रते
tvayā saha mama śreyo gamanaṃ nānyathā bhavet | saha svargaṃ ca narakaṃ tvayā bhokṣyāmi mānada | śrutvā rājā tadovāca evamastu pativrate
"For me, going together with you is the good; it cannot be otherwise. Together with you I shall experience both heaven and hell, O giver of honour." Hearing (this), the king then said: "So be it, faithful wife."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition