Mahabharata — Volume IX (Dutt edition) — Chapter 2

MBh 9 2.1

युधिष्ठिर उवाच पितामह महाप्राज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद। श्रुतं मे महदाख्यानमिदं मतिमतां वर॥

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca pitāmaha mahāprājña sarvaśāstraviśārada| śrutaṃ me mahadākhyānamidaṃ matimatāṃ vara||

Yudhishthira said O grandfather, O wisest of men, O you who are learned in all the scriptures, I have heard, this great story, O foremost of intelligent men!

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.2

भूयस्तु श्रोतुमिच्छामि धर्मार्थसहितं नृप। कथ्यमानं त्वया किञ्चित् तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि॥

bhūyastu śrotumicchāmi dharmārthasahitaṃ nṛpa| kathyamānaṃ tvayā kiñcit tanme vyākhyātumarhasi||

I am desirous of again listening to the recital of some history full of religious instruction, and you should satisfy me.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.3

केन मृत्युर्गृहस्थेन धर्ममाश्रित्य निजितः। इत्येतत् सर्वमाचक्ष्व तत्त्वेनापि च पार्थिव॥

kena mṛtyurgṛhasthena dharmamāśritya nijitaḥ| ityetat sarvamācakṣva tattvenāpi ca pārthiva||

O king, tell me if any householder has ever succeeded in conquering Death by the practice of virtue! Do you recite this to me in full.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.4

भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। यथा मृत्युर्गृहस्थेन धर्ममाश्रित्य निर्जितः॥

bhīṣma uvāca atrāpyudāharantīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam| yathā mṛtyurgṛhasthena dharmamāśritya nirjitaḥ||

Bhishma said This ancient history is narrated describing the subject of the conquest, by a householder, of Death, by the practice of virtue.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.5

मनोः प्रजापते राजनिक्ष्वाकुरभवत् सुतः। तस्य पुत्रशतं जज्ञे नृपतेः सूर्यवर्चसः॥

manoḥ prajāpate rājanikṣvākurabhavat sutaḥ| tasya putraśataṃ jajñe nṛpateḥ sūryavarcasaḥ||

The Prajapati Manu had a son, O king, named Ikshvaku. That king, illustrious as the Sun, begat a hundred sons.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.6

दशमस्तस्य पुत्रस्तु दशाश्वो नाम भारत। माहिष्मत्यामभूद् राजा धर्मात्मा सत्यविक्रमः॥

daśamastasya putrastu daśāśvo nāma bhārata| māhiṣmatyāmabhūd rājā dharmātmā satyavikramaḥ||

His tenth son, O Bharata, was named Dashashva, and this virtuous prince of infallible prowess became the king of Mahismati.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.7

दशाश्वस्य सुतस्त्वासीद् राजा परमधार्मिकः। सत्ये तपसि दाने च यस्य नित्यं रतं मनः॥

daśāśvasya sutastvāsīd rājā paramadhārmikaḥ| satye tapasi dāne ca yasya nityaṃ rataṃ manaḥ||

Dashashva's son, o king, was a pious prince whose mind was continually devoted to the practice of truth and charity and devotion.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.8

मदिराश्व इति ख्यातः पृथिव्यां पृथिवीपतिः। धनुर्वेदे च वेदे च निरतो योऽभवत् सदा॥

madirāśva iti khyātaḥ pṛthivyāṃ pṛthivīpatiḥ| dhanurvede ca vede ca nirato yo'bhavat sadā||

He was known by the name of Madirashva and ruled the Earth as her master. He was continually given to the study of the Vedas as also of the science of arms.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.9

मदिराश्वस्य पुत्रस्तु द्युतिमान् नाम पार्थिवः। महाभागो महातेजा महासत्त्वो महाबलः॥

madirāśvasya putrastu dyutimān nāma pārthivaḥ| mahābhāgo mahātejā mahāsattvo mahābalaḥ||

Madirashva's son was the king named Dyutimat who was ended with great good fortune and power and strength and energy.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.10

पुत्रो द्युतिमतस्त्वासीद् राजा परमधार्मिकः। सर्वलोकेषु विख्यातः सुवीरो नाम नामतः॥

putro dyutimatastvāsīd rājā paramadhārmikaḥ| sarvalokeṣu vikhyātaḥ suvīro nāma nāmataḥ||

Dyutimat's son was the highly devout and pious king who was celebrated in all the worlds by the name of Suvira. His soul was intent on religion and he possessed riches like another Indra the king of the gods.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.11

धर्मात्मा कोषवांश्चापि देवराज इवापरः। सुवीरस्य तु पुत्रोऽभूत् सर्वसंग्रामदुर्जयः॥

dharmātmā koṣavāṃścāpi devarāja ivāparaḥ| suvīrasya tu putro'bhūt sarvasaṃgrāmadurjayaḥ||

Suvira too had a son who was invincible in battle, and who was the best of all warriors and known by the name of Sudurjaya.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.12

स दुर्जय इति ख्यातः सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः। दुर्जयस्येन्द्रवपुषः पुत्रोऽश्विसदृशद्युतिः॥

sa durjaya iti khyātaḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ| durjayasyendravapuṣaḥ putro'śvisadṛśadyutiḥ||

And Durjaya too, endued with a body like that of Indra, had a son who was radiant with the effulgence of fire. He was the great king named Duryodhana who was one of the foremost of royal sages.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.13

दुर्योधनो नाम महान् राजा राजर्षिस्तमः। तस्येन्द्रसमवीर्यस्य संग्रामेष्वनिवर्तिनः॥

duryodhano nāma mahān rājā rājarṣistamaḥ| tasyendrasamavīryasya saṃgrāmeṣvanivartinaḥ||

Indra used to pour rain profusely in the kingdom of this king, who never fled from the battle field and was gifted with valour like unto Indra himself.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.14

विषये वासवस्तस्य सम्यगेव प्रवर्षति। रत्नैर्धनैश्च पशुभिः सस्येश्चापि पृथग्विधैः॥

viṣaye vāsavastasya samyageva pravarṣati| ratnairdhanaiśca paśubhiḥ sasyeścāpi pṛthagvidhaiḥ||

The cities and the kingdom of this king were filled with wealth and gems and cattle and various sorts of grain.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.15

नगरं विषयश्चास्य प्रतिपूर्णस्तदाभवत्। न तस्य विषये चाभूत् कृपणो नापि दुर्गतः॥

nagaraṃ viṣayaścāsya pratipūrṇastadābhavat| na tasya viṣaye cābhūt kṛpaṇo nāpi durgataḥ||

There was no miser in his kingdom nor any person afflicted with distress or suffering from poverty. Nor was there in his kingdom any person who was weak in body or afflicted with disease.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.16

व्याधितो वा कृशो वाऽपि तस्मिन् नाभृन्नरः क्वचित्। सुदक्षिणो मधुरवागनसूयुर्जितेन्द्रियः। धर्मात्मा चानृशंसश्च विक्रान्तोऽथाविकस्थनः॥

vyādhito vā kṛśo vā'pi tasmin nābhṛnnaraḥ kvacit| sudakṣiṇo madhuravāganasūyurjitendriyaḥ| dharmātmā cānṛśaṃsaśca vikrānto'thāvikasthanaḥ||

This king was very intelligent, mild in speech, without envy, a master of his passions, of a righteous soul, full of mercy, gifted with prowess, and not given to boasting.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.17

यज्वा च दान्तो मेधावी ब्रह्मण्यः सत्यसङ्गरः। न चावमन्ता दाता च वेदवेदाङ्गपारगः॥

yajvā ca dānto medhāvī brahmaṇyaḥ satyasaṅgaraḥ| na cāvamantā dātā ca vedavedāṅgapāragaḥ||

He celebrated sacrifices, and was selfcontrolled and intelligent, devoted to Brahmanas and Truth. He never humiliated others, and was charitable, and wellread in the Vedas and the Vedanta.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.18

तं नर्मदा देवनदी पुण्या शीतजला शिवा। चकमे पुरुषव्याघ्रं स्वेन भावेन भारत।॥

taṃ narmadā devanadī puṇyā śītajalā śivā| cakame puruṣavyāghraṃ svena bhāvena bhārata|||

Auspicious and sacred and of cool waters, the celestial stream Narmada, in her own nature, O Bharata, courted him.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.19

तस्यां जज्ञे तदा नद्यां कन्या राजीवलोचना। नाम्ना सुदर्शना राजन् रूपेण च सुदर्शना॥

tasyāṃ jajñe tadā nadyāṃ kanyā rājīvalocanā| nāmnā sudarśanā rājan rūpeṇa ca sudarśanā||

He begot upon that river, a lotus eyed daughter, named Sudarshana, who was, O king, gifted with great beauty.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.20

तादृग्रूपा न नारीषु भूतपूर्वा युधिष्ठिर। दुर्योधनसुता यादृगभवद् वरवर्णिनी॥

tādṛgrūpā na nārīṣu bhūtapūrvā yudhiṣṭhira| duryodhanasutā yādṛgabhavad varavarṇinī||

No woman, O Yudhishthira, had been born before, who was so very beautiful as that excellent lady the daughter of Duryodhana.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.21

तामग्निश्चकमे साक्षाद् राजकन्यां सुदर्शनाम्। भूत्वा च ब्राह्मणो राजन् वरयामास तं नृपम्॥

tāmagniścakame sākṣād rājakanyāṃ sudarśanām| bhūtvā ca brāhmaṇo rājan varayāmāsa taṃ nṛpam||

The god Agni himself courted the beautiful princess Sudarshana, and assuming the shape of a Brahmana, O king, sought her hand from the king.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.22

दरिद्रश्चासवर्णश्च ममायमिति पार्थिवः। न दित्सति सुतां तस्मै तां विप्राय सुदर्शनाम्॥

daridraścāsavarṇaśca mamāyamiti pārthivaḥ| na ditsati sutāṃ tasmai tāṃ viprāya sudarśanām||

The king was reluctant to give his daughter in marriage to the Brahmana who was poor and not of equal rank with himself.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.23

ततोऽस्य वितते यज्ञे नष्टोऽभूद्धव्यवाहनः। ततःसुदुःखितो राजा वाक्यमाह द्विजांस्तदा॥

tato'sya vitate yajñe naṣṭo'bhūddhavyavāhanaḥ| tataḥsuduḥkhito rājā vākyamāha dvijāṃstadā||

Thereupon Agni disappeared from his great sacrifice. The king, grieved at heart, then addressed the Brahmanas, saying,

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.24

दुष्कृतं मम किं नु स्याद् भवतां वा द्विजर्षभाः। येन नाशं जगामाग्निः कृतं कुपुरुषेष्विव॥

duṣkṛtaṃ mama kiṃ nu syād bhavatāṃ vā dvijarṣabhāḥ| yena nāśaṃ jagāmāgniḥ kṛtaṃ kupuruṣeṣviva||

What sin have, I you excellent Brahmanas, or you, have committed, that Agni should disappear from this sacrifice, as good done to wicked men vanishes from their estimation.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.25

न ह्यल्पं दुष्कृतं नोऽस्ति येनाग्नि शमागतः। भवतां चाथवा मह्यं तत्त्वेनैतद् विमृश्यताम्॥

na hyalpaṃ duṣkṛtaṃ no'sti yenāgni śamāgataḥ| bhavatāṃ cāthavā mahyaṃ tattvenaitad vimṛśyatām||

Indeed, we have committed a great iniquity for which Agni has thus disappeared! Either you have committed the sin, or I. Do you fully enquire into the matter.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.26

तत्र राज्ञो वचः श्रुत्वा विप्रास्ते भरतर्षभ। नियता वाग्यताश्चैव पावकं शरणं ययुः॥

tatra rājño vacaḥ śrutvā viprāste bharatarṣabha| niyatā vāgyatāścaiva pāvakaṃ śaraṇaṃ yayuḥ||

Then hearing the king's words, O foremost prince of Bharata's race, the Brahmanas, controlling speech, sought with concentrated faculties the help of the god of fire.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.27

तान् दर्शयामास तदा भगवान् हव्यवाहनः। स्वं रूपं दीप्तिमत् कृत्वा शरदर्कसमद्युतिः॥

tān darśayāmāsa tadā bhagavān havyavāhanaḥ| svaṃ rūpaṃ dīptimat kṛtvā śaradarkasamadyutiḥ||

The divine carrier of oblations, effugent as the autumnal Sun, appeared before them, covering his self in glorious refulgence.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.28

ततो महात्मा तानाह दहनो ब्राह्मणर्षभान्। वरयाम्यात्मनोऽर्थाय दुर्योधनसुतामिति॥

tato mahātmā tānāha dahano brāhmaṇarṣabhān| varayāmyātmano'rthāya duryodhanasutāmiti||

The great Agni then addressed those excellent Brahmanas, saying, I seek the daughter of Duryodhana for my own self.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.29

ततस्ते कल्पमुत्थाय तस्मै राज्ञे न्यवेदयन्। ब्राह्मणा विस्मिताः सर्वे यदुक्तं चित्रभानुना॥

tataste kalpamutthāya tasmai rājñe nyavedayan| brāhmaṇā vismitāḥ sarve yaduktaṃ citrabhānunā||

At this, all those Brahmanas were struck with surprise and rising on the morrow, they told the king what had been said by the firegod.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.30

ततः स राजा तच्छुत्वा वचनं ब्रह्मवादिनाम्। अवाप्य परमं हर्षं तथेति प्राह बुद्धिमान्॥

tataḥ sa rājā tacchutvā vacanaṃ brahmavādinām| avāpya paramaṃ harṣaṃ tatheti prāha buddhimān||

Hearing the words of those Brahmavadins, the wise king was delighted at heart, and said, Be it so! The king sought a boon of Do you, O Agni, be pleased to remain always with us here!

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.31

अयाचत च तं शुल्कं भगवन्तं विभावसुम्। नित्यं सांनिध्यमिह ते चित्रभानो भवेदिति॥ तमाह भगवानग्निरेवमस्त्विति पार्थिवम्। ततः सांनिध्यमद्यापि माहिष्मत्यां विभावसोः॥

ayācata ca taṃ śulkaṃ bhagavantaṃ vibhāvasum| nityaṃ sāṃnidhyamiha te citrabhāno bhavediti|| tamāha bhagavānagnirevamastviti pārthivam| tataḥ sāṃnidhyamadyāpi māhiṣmatyāṃ vibhāvasoḥ||

Be it so! said the divine Agni to that king. For this reason Agni has always been present in the kingdom of Mahismati to this day, and was seen by Sahadeva in his conquering expedition to the south.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.32

दृष्टं हि सहदेवेन दिशं विजयता तदा। ततस्तां समलंकृत्य कन्यामाहृतवाससम्॥ ददौ दुर्योधनो राजा पावकाय महात्मने। प्रतिजग्राह चाग्निस्तु राजकन्यां सुदर्शनाम्॥ विधिना वेददृष्टेन वसोर्धारामिवाध्वरे। तस्या रूपेण शीलेन कुलेन वपुषा श्रिया॥ अभवत् प्रीतिमानग्निर्गर्भे चास्या मनो दधे। तस्याः समभवत्पुत्रो नाम्नाऽऽग्नेयः सुदर्शनः॥

dṛṣṭaṃ hi sahadevena diśaṃ vijayatā tadā| tatastāṃ samalaṃkṛtya kanyāmāhṛtavāsasam|| dadau duryodhano rājā pāvakāya mahātmane| pratijagrāha cāgnistu rājakanyāṃ sudarśanām|| vidhinā vedadṛṣṭena vasordhārāmivādhvare| tasyā rūpeṇa śīlena kulena vapuṣā śriyā|| abhavat prītimānagnirgarbhe cāsyā mano dadhe| tasyāḥ samabhavatputro nāmnā''gneyaḥ sudarśanaḥ||

Then the king gave his daughter, dressed in new raiments and decked with jewels, to the great god, and Agni too accepted, according to Vedic rites, the princess Sudarshana as his bride, as he accepts libations of clarified butter at sacrifices. Agni was well pleased with her look, her beauty, grace, character, and nobility of birth, and thought of begetting offspring upon her. And she soon gave birth to a son by Agni, of the name of Sudarshana.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.33

सुदर्शनस्तु रूपेण पूर्णेन्दुसदृशोपमः। शिशुरेवाध्यगात् सर्वं परं ब्रह्म सनातनम्॥

sudarśanastu rūpeṇa pūrṇendusadṛśopamaḥ| śiśurevādhyagāt sarvaṃ paraṃ brahma sanātanam||

Sudarshana, also, was, as beautiful as the full moon, and even in his childhood he acquired a knowledge of the supreme and eternal Brahma.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.34

अथौघवान् नाम नृपो नृगस्यासीत् पितामहः। तस्याथौघवती कन्या पुत्रश्चौवरथोऽभवत्॥

athaughavān nāma nṛpo nṛgasyāsīt pitāmahaḥ| tasyāthaughavatī kanyā putraścauvaratho'bhavat||

There was also a king named Oghavat, who was the grandfather of Nriga. He had a daughter named Oghavati, and a son, too, of the name of Ogharatha born to him.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.35

तामोघवान् ददौ तस्मै स्वयमोघवतीं सुताम्। सुदर्शनाय विदुषे भार्यार्थं देवरूपिणीम्॥

tāmoghavān dadau tasmai svayamoghavatīṃ sutām| sudarśanāya viduṣe bhāryārthaṃ devarūpiṇīm||

King Oghavat gave his daughter Oghavati, beautiful as a goddess, 10 the learned Sudarshana, for wife.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.36

स गृहस्थाश्रमरतस्तया सह सुदर्शनः। कुरुक्षेत्रेऽवसद् राजन्नोघवत्या समन्वितः॥

sa gṛhasthāśramaratastayā saha sudarśanaḥ| kurukṣetre'vasad rājannoghavatyā samanvitaḥ||

Sudarshana, o king, leading the domestic mode of life with Oghavati, used to live in Kurukshetra with her.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.37

गृहस्थश्चावजेष्यामि मृत्युमित्येव स प्रभो। प्रतिज्ञामकरोद् धीमान् दीप्ततेजा विशाम्पते।॥

gṛhasthaścāvajeṣyāmi mṛtyumityeva sa prabho| pratijñāmakarod dhīmān dīptatejā viśāmpate|||

This intelligent prince of fiery energy took the vow, O lord, of conquering Death by leading the life of a householder.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.38

तामथौघवतीं राजन् स पावकसुतोऽब्रवीत्। अतिथेः प्रतिकूलं ते न कर्तव्यं कथंचन॥

tāmathaughavatīṃ rājan sa pāvakasuto'bravīt| atitheḥ pratikūlaṃ te na kartavyaṃ kathaṃcana||

The son of Agni, O king, said to Oghavati Do you never act against the wishes of those who seek our hospitality.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.39

येन येन च तुष्येत नित्यमेव त्वयाऽतिथिः। अप्यात्मनः प्रदानेन न ते कार्या विचारणा॥

yena yena ca tuṣyeta nityameva tvayā'tithiḥ| apyātmanaḥ pradānena na te kāryā vicāraṇā||

You should ungrudgingly welcome the guests, even if you have to offer your own body.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.40

एतद् व्रतं मम सदा हृदि सम्परिवर्तते। गृहस्थानां च सुश्रोणि नातिथेर्विद्यते परम्॥

etad vrataṃ mama sadā hṛdi samparivartate| gṛhasthānāṃ ca suśroṇi nātithervidyate param||

O beautiful one, I always remember this vow, since for householders, there is no higher virtue than hospitality to guests.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.41

प्रमाणं यदि वामोरु वचस्ते मम शोभने। इदं वचनमव्यग्रा हृदि त्वं धारयेः सदा॥

pramāṇaṃ yadi vāmoru vacaste mama śobhane| idaṃ vacanamavyagrā hṛdi tvaṃ dhārayeḥ sadā||

Do you always remember without ever doubting it, if my words be any authority with you.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.42

निष्क्रान्ते मयि कल्याणि तथा संनिहितेऽनघे। नातिथिस्तेऽवमन्तव्यः प्रमाणं यद्यहं तव॥

niṣkrānte mayi kalyāṇi tathā saṃnihite'naghe| nātithiste'vamantavyaḥ pramāṇaṃ yadyahaṃ tava||

O sinless and blessed one, if you have any faith in me, do you never disregard a guest whether I be at your side or at a distance from you.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.43

तमब्रवीदोघवती तथा मूर्ध्नि कृताञ्जलिः। न मे त्वद्वचनात् किंचिन्न कर्तव्यं कथंचन॥

tamabravīdoghavatī tathā mūrdhni kṛtāñjaliḥ| na me tvadvacanāt kiṃcinna kartavyaṃ kathaṃcana||

Oghavati placing her clasped hands on her forehead, replied, saying, I shall leave nothing indone of what you order me.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.44

जिगीषमाणस्तु गृहे तदा मृत्युः सुदर्शनम्। पृष्ठतोऽन्वगमद् राजन् रन्ध्रान्वेषी तदा सदा॥

jigīṣamāṇastu gṛhe tadā mṛtyuḥ sudarśanam| pṛṣṭhato'nvagamad rājan randhrānveṣī tadā sadā||

Then, O king, desiring to overreach Sudarshana, Mrityu began to watch him for Ginding out his short comings.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.45

इध्मार्थं तु गते तस्मिन्नग्निपुत्रे सुदर्शने। अतिथिळह्मणः श्रीमांस्तामाहौघवतीं तदा॥

idhmārthaṃ tu gate tasminnagniputre sudarśane| atithil̤ahmaṇaḥ śrīmāṃstāmāhaughavatīṃ tadā||

Once on a time, when the son of Agni went out fetch fuel from the forest, a graceful Brahmana sought the hospitality of Oghavati with these words.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.46

आतिथ्यं कृतमिच्छामि त्वयाऽद्य वरवर्णिनि। प्रमाणं यदि धर्मस्ते गृहस्थाश्रमसम्मतः॥

ātithyaṃ kṛtamicchāmi tvayā'dya varavarṇini| pramāṇaṃ yadi dharmaste gṛhasthāśramasammataḥ||

O beautiful lady, if you have any faith in the virtue of hospitality as laid down for householders, then I would request you to extend the rites of hospitality to me today.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.47

इत्युक्ता तेन विप्रेण राजपुत्री यशस्विनी। विधिना प्रतिजग्राह वेदोक्तेन विशाम्पते॥

ityuktā tena vipreṇa rājaputrī yaśasvinī| vidhinā pratijagrāha vedoktena viśāmpate||

Thus addressed by that Brahmana, O king, the illustrious princess welcomed him according to the rites laid down in the Vedas.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.48

आसनं चैव पाद्यं च तस्मै दत्त्वा द्विजातये। प्रोवाचौघवती विप्रं केनार्थः किं ददामि ते॥

āsanaṃ caiva pādyaṃ ca tasmai dattvā dvijātaye| provācaughavatī vipraṃ kenārthaḥ kiṃ dadāmi te||

Having offered him a seat, and water to wash his feet, she enquired, saying, What is your business? What can I offer you?

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.49

तामब्रवीत् ततो विप्रो राजपुत्री सुदर्शनाम्। त्वया ममार्थः कल्याणि निर्विशङ्कतदाचर॥

tāmabravīt tato vipro rājaputrī sudarśanām| tvayā mamārthaḥ kalyāṇi nirviśaṅkatadācara||

The Brahmana said to her, my business is with your body, O blessed one! Do you act accordingly without any hesitation whatever.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.50

यदि प्रमाणं धर्मस्ते गृहस्थाश्रमसम्मतः। प्रदानेनात्मनो राज्ञि कर्तुमर्हसि मे प्रियम्॥

yadi pramāṇaṃ dharmaste gṛhasthāśramasammataḥ| pradānenātmano rājñi kartumarhasi me priyam||

If the duties prescribed for householders be acceptable to you, do you, O princess, satisfy me by offering up your body to me.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.51

स तया छन्द्यमानोऽन्यैरीप्सितैर्नृपकन्यया। नान्यमात्मप्रदानात् स तस्या ववे वरं द्विजः॥

sa tayā chandyamāno'nyairīpsitairnṛpakanyayā| nānyamātmapradānāt sa tasyā vave varaṃ dvijaḥ||

Though tempted by the princess witi, offers of various other things, the Brahmana, however, did not seek the Brahmana, however, did not seek any thing else than the offer of her own person.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.52

सा तु राजसुता स्मृत्वा भर्तुर्वचनमादितः। तथेति लज्जमाना सा तमुवाच द्विजर्षभम्॥

sā tu rājasutā smṛtvā bharturvacanamāditaḥ| tatheti lajjamānā sā tamuvāca dvijarṣabham||

Finding him determined, that lady, recollecting the directions given to her by her husband, but filled with shame, said to that excellent Brahmana Be it so.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.53

ततो विहस्य विप्रर्षिः सा चैवाथ विवेश ह। संस्मृत्य भर्तुर्वचनं गृहस्थाश्रमकाङ्क्षिणः॥

tato vihasya viprarṣiḥ sā caivātha viveśa ha| saṃsmṛtya bharturvacanaṃ gṛhasthāśramakāṅkṣiṇaḥ||

Recollecting the words of her husband who was desirous of acquiring the virtue of householders, she cheerfully approached the i twiceborn Rishi.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.54

अथेध्मानमुपादाय स पावकिरुपागमत्। मृत्युना रौद्रभावेन नित्यं बन्धुरिवान्वितः॥

athedhmānamupādāya sa pāvakirupāgamat| mṛtyunā raudrabhāvena nityaṃ bandhurivānvitaḥ||

Meanwhile, the son of Agni, having collected fuel, returned to his home. Mrityu, with his dreadful and inexorable nature, was always by his side, as one attends upon his devoted friend.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.55

ततस्त्वाश्रममागम्य स पावकसुतस्तदा। तां व्याजहारौघवतीं क्वासि यातेति चासकृत्॥

tatastvāśramamāgamya sa pāvakasutastadā| tāṃ vyājahāraughavatīṃ kvāsi yāteti cāsakṛt||

When the son of Pavaka returned to his own asylum, he called out for Oghavati by name, and repeatedly exclaimed Where are you gone?

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.56

तस्मै प्रतिवचः सा तु भर्त्रे न प्रददौ तदा। कराभ्यां तेन विप्रेण स्पृष्टा भर्तृव्रता सती॥

tasmai prativacaḥ sā tu bhartre na pradadau tadā| karābhyāṃ tena vipreṇa spṛṣṭā bhartṛvratā satī||

But the chaste lady, devoted to her husband, being then in the arms of that Brahmana, gave no reply to her husband.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.57

उच्छिष्टाऽस्मीति मन्वाना लज्जिता भर्तुरेव च। तूष्णीं भूताऽभवत् साध्वी चोवाचाथ किंचन॥

ucchiṣṭā'smīti manvānā lajjitā bhartureva ca| tūṣṇīṃ bhūtā'bhavat sādhvī covācātha kiṃcana||

Indeed, considering herself sullied, that chaste woman became speechless, overcome with shame.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.58

अथ तां पुनरेवेदं प्रोवाच स सुदर्शनः। क्व सा साध्वी क्व सा याता गरीयः किमतो मम।।

atha tāṃ punarevedaṃ provāca sa sudarśanaḥ| kva sā sādhvī kva sā yātā garīyaḥ kimato mama||

Sudarshana, addressing her again, exclaimed Where can my chaste wife be? Where has she gone? Nothing can be so very important to me than this.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.59

पतिव्रता सत्यशीला नित्यं चैवार्जवे रता। कथं न प्रत्युदेत्यद्य स्मयमाना यथा पुरा॥

pativratā satyaśīlā nityaṃ caivārjave ratā| kathaṃ na pratyudetyadya smayamānā yathā purā||

Why does not that simple and truthful lady, devoted to her husband, alas reply as she used to do before with sweet smiles.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.60

उटजस्थस्तु तं विप्रः प्रत्युवाच सुदर्शनम्। अतिथिं विद्धि सम्प्राप्तं ब्राह्मणं पावके च माम्।।६४। अनया छन्द्यमानोऽहं भार्यया तव सत्तम। तैस्तैरतिथिसत्कारैर्ब्रह्मन्नेषाा वृता मया॥ अनेन विधिना सेयं मामर्छति शुभानना। अनुरूपं यदनान्यत् तद् भवान् कर्तुमर्हति॥

uṭajasthastu taṃ vipraḥ pratyuvāca sudarśanam| atithiṃ viddhi samprāptaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ pāvake ca mām||64| anayā chandyamāno'haṃ bhāryayā tava sattama| taistairatithisatkārairbrahmanneṣāā vṛtā mayā|| anena vidhinā seyaṃ māmarchati śubhānanā| anurūpaṃ yadanānyat tad bhavān kartumarhati||

Then that Brahmana, who was within the hut, thus replied to Sudarshana Know, O son of fire, that a Brahmana guest has arrived, and though tempted by your wife with various other offers of welcome, I have, O best of Brahmanas, desired only her body and this fair lady is engaged in welcoming me with due rites! You can do whatever you think proper on this occasion.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.61

कूटमुद्ररहस्तस्तु मृत्युस्तं वै समन्वगात्। हीनप्रतिज्ञमत्रैनं वधिष्यामीति चिन्तयन्॥

kūṭamudrarahastastu mṛtyustaṃ vai samanvagāt| hīnapratijñamatrainaṃ vadhiṣyāmīti cintayan||

Armed with the iron club, death pursued the Rishi at that moment, desirous of bringing about the destruction of one who would, he thought, deviate from his promise.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.62

सुदर्शनस्तु मनसा कर्मणा चक्षुषा गिरा। त्यक्तेति॒स्त्यक्तमन्युश्च स्मयमानोऽब्रवीदिदम्॥ सुरतं तेऽस्तु विप्राय्य प्रीतिर्हि परमा मम। गृहस्थस्य हि धर्मोऽत्र्यः सम्प्राप्तातिथिपूजनम्॥

sudarśanastu manasā karmaṇā cakṣuṣā girā| tyakteti॒styaktamanyuśca smayamāno'bravīdidam|| surataṃ te'stu viprāyya prītirhi paramā mama| gṛhasthasya hi dharmo'tryaḥ samprāptātithipūjanam||

Sudarshana was struck with wonder, but renouncing all, jealousy and anger by look, word, deed, or thought, said Do you enjoy yourself, O Brahmana! It is a great pleasure to me! A householder acquires the highest merit by honouring a guest.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.63

अतिथिः पूजितो यस्य गृहस्थस्य तु गच्छति। नान्यस्तस्मात् परो धर्म इति प्राहुर्मनीषिणः॥

atithiḥ pūjito yasya gṛhasthasya tu gacchati| nānyastasmāt paro dharma iti prāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ||

The learned say that to the householders, there is no higher merit than what comes from a guest leaving his house after having been duly honoured by him.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.64

प्राणा हि मम दाराश्च यच्चानद् विद्यते वसु। अतिथिभ्यो मया देयमिति मे व्रतमाहितम्॥

prāṇā hi mama dārāśca yaccānad vidyate vasu| atithibhyo mayā deyamiti me vratamāhitam||

My life, my wife and all my earthly belongings, are all dedicated to the use of my guests! This is the vow that I have taken.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.65

नि:संदिग्धं यथा वाक्यमेतन्मे समुदाहृतम्। तेनाहं विप्र सत्येन स्वयमात्मानमालभे॥

ni:saṃdigdhaṃ yathā vākyametanme samudāhṛtam| tenāhaṃ vipra satyena svayamātmānamālabhe||

As I have truly made this statement, by that truth, O Brahmana, I shall acquire the knowledge of Self.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.66

पृथिवी वायुराकाशमापो ज्योतिश्च पञ्चमम्। बुद्धिरात्मा मनः कालो दिशश्चैव गुणा दश॥ नित्यमेव हि पश्यन्ति देहिनां देहसंश्रिताः। सुकृतं दुष्कृतं चापि कर्म धर्मभृतां वर॥

pṛthivī vāyurākāśamāpo jyotiśca pañcamam| buddhirātmā manaḥ kālo diśaścaiva guṇā daśa|| nityameva hi paśyanti dehināṃ dehasaṃśritāḥ| sukṛtaṃ duṣkṛtaṃ cāpi karma dharmabhṛtāṃ vara||

O foremost of the virtuous, the five elements, viz., fire, air, earth, water, and sky, and the mind, the intellect and the Soul, and time and space and the ten organs of sense, are all in the bodies of men and always witness the good and evil deeds of men.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.67

यथैषा नानृता वाणी मयाऽद्य समुदीरिता। तेन सत्येन मां देवाः पालयन्तु दहन्तु वा॥

yathaiṣā nānṛtā vāṇī mayā'dya samudīritā| tena satyena māṃ devāḥ pālayantu dahantu vā||

This truth I have spoken today, and let the gods bless me for it or destroy me if I have spoken an untruth.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.68

ततो नादः समभवद् दिक्षु सर्वासु भारत। असकृत् सत्यमित्येवं नैतन्मिथ्येति सर्वतः॥

tato nādaḥ samabhavad dikṣu sarvāsu bhārata| asakṛt satyamityevaṃ naitanmithyeti sarvataḥ||

At this, O Bharata, there arose from all sides, in repeated echoes, a voice, crying This is true, this is not false.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.69

उटजात् तु ततस्तस्मान्निश्रकाम स वै द्विजः। वपुषा द्यां च भूमिं च व्याप्य वायुरिवोद्यतः॥ स्वरेण विप्रः शैक्षेण त्रीन्लोकाननुनादयन्। उवाच चैनं धर्मज्ञं पूर्वमामन्त्र्य नामतः॥ ते

uṭajāt tu tatastasmānniśrakāma sa vai dvijaḥ| vapuṣā dyāṃ ca bhūmiṃ ca vyāpya vāyurivodyataḥ|| svareṇa vipraḥ śaikṣeṇa trīnlokānanunādayan| uvāca cainaṃ dharmajñaṃ pūrvamāmantrya nāmataḥ|| te

Then that Brahmana came out of the hovel, and like the wind rising and covering both Earth and sky, and making the three worlds echo with Vedic recitations, and calling that virtuous man by name, and congratulating him, said:

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.70

धर्मोऽहमस्मि भद्रं ते जिज्ञासार्थं तवानघ। प्राप्तः सत्यं च ज्ञात्वा प्रीतिर्मे परमा त्वयि॥

dharmo'hamasmi bhadraṃ te jijñāsārthaṃ tavānagha| prāptaḥ satyaṃ ca jñātvā prītirme paramā tvayi||

O sinless one, I am Dharma! All glory to you! I came here, O truthloving one, to try you, and I am well pleased with you by knowing you to be virtuous.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.71

विजितश्च त्वया मृत्युर्योऽयं त्वामनुगच्छति। रन्ध्रान्वेषी तव सदा त्वया धृत्या वशी कृतः॥

vijitaśca tvayā mṛtyuryo'yaṃ tvāmanugacchati| randhrānveṣī tava sadā tvayā dhṛtyā vaśī kṛtaḥ||

You have controlled and conquered Death who always has pursued you, seeking your shortcomings.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.72

न चास्ति शक्तिस्त्रैलोक्ये कस्यचित् पुरुषोत्तम। पतिव्रतामिमां साध्वीं तवोद्वीक्षितुमप्युत॥

na cāsti śaktistrailokye kasyacit puruṣottama| pativratāmimāṃ sādhvīṃ tavodvīkṣitumapyuta||

O best of men, no one in the three worlds has the power to insult, even with looks, this chaste lady devoted to her husband, far less to touch her body.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.73

रक्षिता त्वद्गुणैरेषा पतिव्रतगुणैस्तथा। अधृष्या यदियं ब्रूयात् तथा तन्नान्यथा भवेत्॥

rakṣitā tvadguṇaireṣā pativrataguṇaistathā| adhṛṣyā yadiyaṃ brūyāt tathā tannānyathā bhavet||

She has been saved from contamination by your virtue and by her own chastity. There can be nothing against what this proud lady will say.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.74

एषा हि तपसा स्वेन संयुक्ता ब्रह्मवादिनी। पावनार्थं च लोकस्य सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा भविष्यति॥

eṣā hi tapasā svena saṃyuktā brahmavādinī| pāvanārthaṃ ca lokasya saricchreṣṭhā bhaviṣyati||

This Brahmavadin, gifted with austere penances, shall, for the salvation of the world, be changed into a powerful river.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.75

अर्धेनौघवती नाम त्वामधेनानुयास्यति। शरीरेण महाभाग योगो ह्यस्या वशे स्थितः॥

ardhenaughavatī nāma tvāmadhenānuyāsyati| śarīreṇa mahābhāga yogo hyasyā vaśe sthitaḥ||

And you will acquire all the worlds in this your body, and because the science of Yoga is within her control, this highly blessed lady will follow you with only half her body, and with the other half will she be celebrated as the river Oghavati.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.76

अनया सह लोकांश्च गन्ताऽसि तपसार्जितान्। यत्र नावृत्तिमभ्येति शाश्वतांस्तान् सनातनान्॥

anayā saha lokāṃśca gantā'si tapasārjitān| yatra nāvṛttimabhyeti śāśvatāṃstān sanātanān||

And you will acquire with her all the worlds that are acquired by penances.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.77

अनेन चैव देहेन लोकांस्त्वमभिपत्स्यसे। निर्जितश्च त्वया मृत्युरैश्वर्ये च तवोत्तमम्॥

anena caiva dehena lokāṃstvamabhipatsyase| nirjitaśca tvayā mṛtyuraiśvarye ca tavottamam||

You will acquire even in this material body those eternal and everlasting worlds from which none return.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.78

पञ्चभूतान्यतिक्रान्तः स्ववीर्याञ्च मनोजवः गृहस्थधर्मेणानेन कामक्रोधौ च ते जितौ॥

pañcabhūtānyatikrāntaḥ svavīryāñca manojavaḥ gṛhasthadharmeṇānena kāmakrodhau ca te jitau||

You have conquered Death, "and acquired the highest happiness and by your own power (of mind), attaining to the speed of thought, you have transcended the five elements.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.79

स्नेहो राश्च तन्द्री च मोहो द्रोहश्च केवलः। तव शुश्रूषया राजन् राजपुत्र्या विनिर्जिताः॥

sneho rāśca tandrī ca moho drohaśca kevalaḥ| tava śuśrūṣayā rājan rājaputryā vinirjitāḥ||

By thus following the duties of a householder, you have conquered your passions, desires, and anger and this princess, O best of virtuous men, has by serving you, conquered affliction, desire, illusion, enmity and lassitude of mind.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.80

भीष्म उवाच शुल्कानां तु सहस्त्रेण वाजिनां रथमुत्तमम्। युक्तं प्रगृह्य भगवान् वासवोऽप्याजगाम तम्॥

bhīṣma uvāca śulkānāṃ tu sahastreṇa vājināṃ rathamuttamam| yuktaṃ pragṛhya bhagavān vāsavo'pyājagāma tam||

Bhishma said Then, riding in a fine chariot drawn by a thousand white steeds, the glorious Vasava approached that Brahmana.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.81

मृत्युरात्मा च लोकाश्च जिता भूतानि पञ्च च। बुद्धिः कालो मनो व्योम कामक्रोधौ तथैव च॥

mṛtyurātmā ca lokāśca jitā bhūtāni pañca ca| buddhiḥ kālo mano vyoma kāmakrodhau tathaiva ca||

Therefore, O best of men, do you remember that a to householder there is no greater god than the guest.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.82

तस्माद् गृहाश्रमस्थस्य नान्यद् दैवतमस्ति वै। ऋतेऽतिथिं नरव्याघ्र मनसैतद् विचारय॥ अतिथिः पूजितो यद्धि ध्यायते मनसा शुभम्। न तत् क्रतुशतेनापि तुल्यमाहुर्मनीषिणः॥

tasmād gṛhāśramasthasya nānyad daivatamasti vai| ṛte'tithiṃ naravyāghra manasaitad vicāraya|| atithiḥ pūjito yaddhi dhyāyate manasā śubham| na tat kratuśatenāpi tulyamāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ||

The learned say that the blessings of an honoured guest are more fruitful than the merit of a hundred sacrifices.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.83

पात्रं त्वतिथिमासाद्य शीलाढ्यं यो न पूजयेत्। स दत्त्वा दुष्कृतं तस्मै पुण्यमादाय गच्छति॥

pātraṃ tvatithimāsādya śīlāḍhyaṃ yo na pūjayet| sa dattvā duṣkṛtaṃ tasmai puṇyamādāya gacchati||

Whenever a deserving guest seeks the hospitality of a householder and is not respected by him, he takes away all the virtues of the latter giving him his sins.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.84

एतत् ते कथितं पुत्र मयाऽऽख्यानमनुत्तमम्। यथा हि विजितो मृत्युर्गृहस्थेन पुराभवत्॥

etat te kathitaṃ putra mayā''khyānamanuttamam| yathā hi vijito mṛtyurgṛhasthena purābhavat||

I have now recited to you, my son, this excellent story as to how Death was conquered in days of yore by a householder.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.85

धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यमिदमाख्यानमुत्तमम्। बुभूषताभिमन्तव्यं सर्वदुश्चरितापहम्॥

dhanyaṃ yaśasyamāyuṣyamidamākhyānamuttamam| bubhūṣatābhimantavyaṃ sarvaduścaritāpaham||

The recital of this excellent story gives glory, fame, and longevity. The man who seeks worldly prosperity should consider it as powerful in removing all evil.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 9 2.86

इदं यः कथयेद् विद्वानहन्यहनि भारत। सुदर्शनस्य चरितं पुण्याँल्लोकानवाप्नुयात्॥

idaṃ yaḥ kathayed vidvānahanyahani bhārata| sudarśanasya caritaṃ puṇyā~llokānavāpnuyāt||

And, O Bharata, the learned man who daily recites this story of the life of Sudarshana acquires blessed regions.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)