जनमेजय उवाच पितामह मे यज्ञे धर्मराजस्य धीमतः। यदाश्चर्यमभूत् किंचित् तद् भवान् वक्तुमर्हति॥
Janamejaya said. You should tell me of any wonderful incident which took place in the sacrifice of my grandsire.
वैशम्पायन उवाच श्रूयतां राजशार्दूल महदाश्चर्यमुत्तमम्। अश्वमेधे महायज्ञे निवृत्ते यदभूत् प्रभो॥
Vaishampayana said Hear, O chief of kings, of a most wonderful event which took place, O powerful monarch, at the conclusion of that great Horse-Sacrifice.
तर्पितेषु द्विजाग्येषु ज्ञातिसम्बन्धिबन्धुषु। दीनान्धकृपणे वापि तदा भरतसत्तम॥ घुष्यमाणे महादाने दिक्षु सर्वासु भारत। पतत्सु पुष्पवर्षेषु धर्मराजस्य मूर्धनि॥ नीलाक्षस्तत्र नकुलो रुक्मपार्श्वस्तदानघ। वज्राशनिसमं नादममुञ्चद वसुधाधिप॥
On all the foremost of Brahmanas and all the kinsmen and relatives and friends, and all the poor, the blind, and the helpless ones, being gratified, O chief of Bharata's race, when the gifts made in profusion were being spoken of on all sides, indeed, when flowers were rained down on the head of king Yudhishthira the just, a blue-eyed mungoose, O sinless one, with one side of his body converted into gold, came there and spoke a voice that was as loud and deep as thunder.
सकृदुत्सृज्य तन्नादं त्रासयानो मृगद्विजान्। मानुषं वचनं प्राह धृष्टो विलशयो महान्॥ सक्तुप्रस्थेन वो नायं यज्ञस्तुल्यो नराधिपाः। उच्छवृत्तेर्वदान्यस्य कुरुक्षेत्रनिवासिनः॥
Repeatedly uttering such deep sounds and thereby frightening all animals and birds, that proud dweller of a hole, with large body, spoke in a human voice and said, “You kings, this great sacrifice is not equal to a prastha of powdered daily given away by a liberal Brahmana of Kurukshetra who was observing the Unchcha vow.
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा नकुलस्य विशाम्पते। विस्मयं परमं जग्मुः सर्वे ते ब्राह्मणर्षभाः॥
Hearing these words of the mongoose, o king, all those foremost of Brahmanas became stricken with wonder.
ततः समेत्य नकुलं पर्यपृच्छन्त ते द्विजाः। कुतस्त्वं समनुप्राप्तो यज्ञं साधुसमागमम्॥
Approaching the mongoose, they then asked him, saying, 'Whence have you come to this sacrifice this resort of the good and the pious?
किं बलं परमं तुभ्यं किं श्रुतं किं परायणम्। कथं भवन्तं विद्याम यो नो यज्ञं विगर्हसे।।१०
What is the extent of your power? What you learning? And what your refuge? How should we know you who thus censure this our sacrifice?
अविलुप्यागमं कृत्स्नं विविधैर्यज्ञियैः कृतम्। यथागमं यथान्यायं कर्तव्यं च तथा कृतम्॥
Without having disregarded any portion of the scriptures, everything that should be done has been done here according to the scriptures and according to reason, with the help of various sacrificial rites.
पूजार्हाः पूजिताश्चाव विधिवच्छास्त्रदर्शनात्। मन्त्राहुतिहुतश्चाग्निर्दत्तं देयममत्सरम्॥
Those who are deserving of adoration, have been duly adored here according to the way pointed out by the scriptures. Libations have bcen poured on the sacred fire with the help of proper Mantras. That which should be given, has been given away without pride.
तुष्टा द्विजातयश्चात्र दानैर्बहुविधैरपि। क्षत्रियाश्च सुयुद्धेन श्राद्धैश्चापि पितामहाः॥
The twice-born class have been pleased with gifts of various kinds. The Kshatriyas have been pleased with battles fought according to just methods. The grandfathers have been pleased with Sharaddhas,
पालनेन विशस्तुष्टाः कामैस्तुष्टा वरस्त्रियः। अनुक्रोशैस्तथा शूद्रा दानशेषैः पृथग्जनाः॥
The Vaishyas have been pleased by the protection offered to them, and many foremost of women have been pleased by accomplishing their desires. The Shudras have been pleased b y kind speeches, and others with the residue of the profuse wealth collected on the spot.
ज्ञातिसम्बन्धिनस्तुष्टाः शौचेन च नृपस्य नः। देवा हविर्भिः पुण्यैश्च रक्षणैः शरणागताः॥
Kinsmen and relatives have been pleased by the purity of conduct shown by our king. The celestials have been pleased by libations of clarified butter and acts of merit, and dependents and followers by protection.
यदत्र तथ्यं तद् ब्रूहि सत्यं सत्यं द्विजातिषु। यथाश्रुतं यथादृष्टं पृष्टो ब्राह्मणकाम्यया॥
That, therefore, which is true, do you truly declare to these Brahmanas. Indeed, do you declare what is according to the scriptures and to actual experience, asked by the Brahmanas who are eager to know.
श्रद्धेयवाक्यः प्राज्ञस्त्वं दिव्यं रूपं बिभर्षि च। समागतश्च विप्रैस्त्वं तद् भवान् वक्तुमर्हति॥
Your words are creditable. You are wise. You have have, also, a celestial form. You have come into the midst of learned Brahmanas. You should explain yourself.'
इति पृष्टो द्विजैस्तैः स प्रहसन् नकुलोऽब्रवीत्। नैषा मृषा मया वाणी प्रोक्ता दर्पण वा द्विजाः॥
Thus addressed by those twice-born persons, the mungoose, siniling, answered them as follows. “You twice-born ones, the words I have uttered are not false. Neither have I spoken them from pride.
यन्मयोक्तमिदं वाक्यं युष्माभिश्चाप्युपश्रुतम्। सक्तुप्रस्थेन वो नायं यज्ञस्तुल्यो द्विजर्षभाः॥
You have all heard what I have said. You foremost of twice-born persons, this sacrifice is not equal in merit to the gift of a prastha of powdered barley.
इत्यवश्यं मयैतद् वो वक्तव्यं द्विजसत्तमाः। शृणुताव्यग्रमनसः शंसतो मे यथातथम्॥
Forsooth, I should say this, O focmost of Brahmanas. Listen to me with rapt attention as I truly describe to you what took place.
अनुभूतं च दृष्टं च यन्मयादुतमुत्तमम्। उच्छवृत्तेर्वदान्यस्य कुरुक्षेत्रनिवासिनः॥
Wonderful and excellent was the event that happened. It was seen by me and its consequences were felt by me. The incident relates to a liberal Brahmana living in Kurukshetra in the observance of the Unchcha VOW.
स्वर्ग येन द्विजाः प्राप्तः सभार्यः ससुतस्नुषः। यथा चाघ शरीरस्य ममेदं काञ्चनीकृतम्॥
On account of that incident he attained to Heaven, O twice-born ones, along with his wife and son and daughter-in-law. And in consequence of what then took place half my body became changed into gold.
नकुल उवाच हन्त वो वर्तयिष्यामि दानस्य फलमुत्तमम्। न्यायलब्धस्य सूक्ष्मस्य विप्रदत्तस्य यद् द्विजाः॥
The Mungoose continued : O twice-born ones, I shall presently tell you what the excellent fruit was of the gift, made by a Brahmana, of a very little measure (of powdered barley) acquired by fair means.
धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे धर्मज्ञैर्बहुभिर्वृते। उच्छवृत्तिर्द्विजः कश्चित् कापोतिरभवत् तदा॥
On that righteous spot of ground known by the name of Kurukshetra, which is the habitation of many righteous persons, there lived a Brahmana observing the Unchcha vow. That mode of living is like that of the pigeon.
सभार्यः सह पुत्रेण सस्नुषस्तपसि स्थितः। बभूव शुक्वृत्तः स धर्मात्मा नियतेन्द्रियः॥
He lived there with his wife and son and daughter-in-law and practiced penances. Of righteous soul and with senses completely controlled, he adopted the mode of living which is followed by a parrot.
षष्ठे काले सदा विप्रो भुडन्तै तैः सह सुव्रतः। षष्ठे काले कदाचित् तु तस्याहारो न विद्यते॥ भुक्तेऽन्यस्मिन् कदाचित् स षष्ठे काले द्विजोत्तमः। कदाचिद् धर्मिणस्तस्य दुर्भिक्षे सति दारुणे॥ नाविद्यत तदा विप्राः संचयस्तन्निबोधता क्षीणौषधिसमावेशे द्रव्यहीनोऽभवत् तदा॥
Of excellent vows, he used to cat every day at the sixth division. If there was nothing to eat at the sixth division of the day, that excellent Brahmana would fast for that day and eat the next day at the sixth division. On one occasion, you Brahmanas, there took place a dreadful famine in the land. During that time there was nothing stored in the abode of that righteous Brahmana. The herbs and plants were all dried up and the whole kingdom became void of food-stores.
काले कालेऽस्य सम्प्राप्ते नैव विद्येत भोजनम्। क्षुधापरिगताः सर्वे प्रातिष्ठन्त तदा तु ते॥
When the habitual hours came for eating, the Brahmana had nothing to eat. This happened day after day. All the members of his family were stricken with hunger but were obliged to pass the days as best they could.
उच्छं तदा शुक्लपक्षे मध्यं तपति भास्करे। उष्णार्तश्च क्षुधार्तश्च विप्रस्तपसि संस्थितः॥
One day, in the month of Jyaishtha, while the Sun was in the meridian, the Brahman was engaged, in picking up grains of corn. Afflicted by heat and hunger, he was practicing this penance.
उज्छमप्राप्तवानेव ब्राह्मणः क्षुच्छ्रमान्वितः। स तथैव क्षुधाविष्टः सार्धं परिजनेन ह॥
Unable to obtain of corn, the Brahmana soon became exhausted with hunger and toil. Indeed, with all the members of his family, he had no food to eat.
क्षपयामास तं कालं कृच्छ्रप्राणो द्विजोत्तमः। अथ षष्ठे गते काले यवप्रस्थमुपार्जयन्॥
That best of Brahmanas passed the days in terrible suffering. One day, after the sixth division came, he succeeded in getting a prastha of barley.
यवप्रस्थं तु तं सक्तूनकुर्वन्त तपस्विनः। कृतजप्याह्निकास्ते तु हुत्वा चार्नि यथाविधि॥ कुडवं कुडवं सर्वे व्यभजन्त तपस्विनः। अथागच्छद् द्विजः कश्चिदतिथिर्भुञ्जतां तदा।॥
That barley was then reduced by those ascetics to powder for making what is called Saktu of it. Having finished their silent recitations and other daily rites, and having duly poured libations on the sacred fire, those ascetics divided that little quantity of powdered barley amongst them selves so that the share of each came up to the measure of Kudava (twelve double handfuls). As they were about to sit down for cating, there came to their abode a guest.
ते तं दृष्ट्वातिथिं प्राप्तं प्रहृष्टमनसोऽभवन्। तेऽभिवाद्य सुखप्रश्न पृष्ट्वा तमतिथि तदा॥
Seeing the person who came as a guest, all of them became highly pleased. Indeed, seeing him, they saluted him and made the usual inquiries of health and happiness.
विशुद्धमनसो दान्ताः श्रद्धादमसमन्विताः। अनसूयवो विक्रोधाः साधवो वीतमत्सराः॥
They were of pure minds, self-controlled, and gifted with faith and control over the passions. Freed from malice, they all conquered anger. Possessed of piety, they were never pained at seeing other people's happiness.
त्यक्तमानमदक्रोधा धर्मज्ञा द्विजसत्तमाः। स ब्रह्मचर्यं गोत्रं ते तस्य ख्यात्वा परस्परम्॥ कुटी प्रवेशयामासुः क्षुधार्तमतिथिं तदा। इदमर्थ्य च पाद्यं च वृसी चेयं तवानघ॥
They had renounced pride and haughtiness and anger. Indeed, they knew every duty, O foremost of twice-born ones! Informing their guest of their own penances and of the race or family to which they belonged, and ascertaining from him in return those particulars, they caused that hungry guest of theirs to enter their cottage. Addressing him they said, This is the Arghya for you. This water is for washing your feet. There are scattered some Kusha grass for your seat, O sinless one.
शुचयः सक्तवश्चमे नियमोपार्जिताः प्रभो। प्रतिगृह्णीष्व भद्रं ते मया दत्ता द्विजर्षभ॥
Here is some clean Saktu acquired by lawful means, O powerful one! Given by us, O foremost of twice-born persons, do you accept it.
इत्युक्तः प्रतिगृह्याथ सक्तूनां कुडवं द्विजः। भक्षयामास राजेन्द्र न च तुष्टि जगाम सः॥
Thus addressed by them, that Brahmana accepted the Kudava (twelve double handfuls) of powdered barley which was offered to him and ate it all. But his hunger, O king, was not satisfied with what he ate.
स उच्छवृत्तिस्तं प्रेक्ष्य क्षुधापरिगतं द्विजम्। आहारं चिन्तयामास कथं तुष्टो भवेदिति॥
The Brahmana while observing the Unchcha vow, seeing that his guest's hunger was still unsatisfied, began to think of what other food he could place before him for pleasing him.
तस्य भार्याब्रवीद् वाक्यं मद्भागो दीयतामिति। गच्छत्वेष यथाकामं परितुष्टो द्विजोत्तमः॥
Then his wife said to him. Let my share be given to him! Let this foremost of twice-born persons be pleased and let him then go wherever he will.
इति ब्रुवन्तीं तां साध्वी भार्यां स द्विजसत्तमः। क्षुधापरिगतां ज्ञात्वा तान् सक्तून् नाभ्यनन्दत॥
Knowing that his chaste wife who said so, was herself stricken with hunger, that best of Brahmanas could not approve of her share of the powdered barley being given to the guest.
आत्मानुमायो विद्वान् स तु विप्रर्षभस्तदा। जानन् वृद्धां क्षुधा” च श्रान्तां ग्लानां तपस्विनीम्।४४ त्वगस्थिभूतां वेपन्तीं ततो भार्यामुवाच ह। अपि कीटपतङ्गानां मृगाणां चैव शोभने॥ स्त्रियो रक्ष्याश्च पोषयाश्च न त्वेवं वक्तुमर्हसि। अनुकम्प्यो नरः पल्या पुष्टो रक्षित एव च॥
Indeed, that best of Brahmanas endued with learning, knowing from his own state that his aged, toil-worn, cheerless, and helpless wife was herself afflicted by hunger, and seeing that lady who had been emaciated into mere skin and bones, was quivering with weakness, addressed her and said, 'O beautiful one, with even animals, with even worms and insects, wives are fed and protected. You should not, therefore, say so. The wife treats her husband with kindness and feeds and protects him.
प्रपतेद् यशसे दीप्तात् स च लोकान् न चाप्नुयात्। धर्मकामार्थकार्याणि शुश्रूषा कुलसंततिः॥
Everything connected with religion, pleasure, and wealth, careful nursing, offspring for perpetuating the race, are all dependent on the wife. Indeed, the merits of a person himself as also of his deceased ancestors depend also on her.
दारेष्वधीनो धर्मश्च पितॄणामात्मनस्तथा। न वेत्ति कर्मतो भार्यारक्षणे योऽक्षमः पुमान्॥ अयशो महदाप्नोति नरकांश्चैव गच्छति।
The wife should know her husband by his deeds. Indeed, that man who fails to protect his wife, carns great infamy here and goes into Hell hereafter. Such a man falls down from even a position of great fame and never succeeds in acquiring happy regions hereafter.
इत्युक्ता सा ततः प्राह धर्माथौ नौ समौ द्विज॥ सक्तुप्रस्थचतुर्भागं गृहाणेमं प्रसीद मे।
Thus addressed, she answered him, saying, O twice-born one, our religions acts and wealth are united. Do you take a fourth of this barley! Indeed, be pleased with me.
सत्यं रतिश्च धर्मश्च स्वर्गश्च गुणनिर्जितः॥ स्त्रीणां पतिसमाधीनं कांक्षितं च द्विजर्षभ।
Truth, pleasure, religious merit, and Heaven, as acquirable by good qualities, of women, as also all the objects of their desire, O foremost of twice-born ones, depend on the husband.
ऋतुर्मातुः पितुर्बीजं दैवतं परमं पतिः॥ भर्तुः प्रसादान्नारीणां रतिपुत्रफलं तथा।
In the production of children the mother contributes her blood. The father contributes his sced. The husband is the highest deity of the wife. Through the favour of the husband, women get both pleasure and offspring as the reward.
पालनाद्धि पतिस्त्वं मे भर्तासि भरणाच्च मे॥ पुत्रप्रदानाद् वरदस्तस्मात् सक्तून् प्रयच्छ मे।
You are my Pati (lord) for the protection you give me. You are my Bhartri for the means of sustenance you give me. You are, again, boon-giver to me one account of your having presented me a son. Do you, therefore, take my share of the barley and give it to the guest.
जरापरिगतो वृद्धः क्षुधार्तो दुर्बलो भृशम्॥ उपवास परिश्रान्तो यदा त्वमपि कर्शितः।
Overcome by decrepitude, you are of advanced years. Afflicted by hunger, you are greatly weakened. Worn out with fasts, you are very much emaciated.
इत्युक्तः स तया सक्तून् प्रगृह्येदं वचोऽब्रवीत्॥ द्विज सक्तूनिमान भूयः प्रतिगृह्णीष्व सत्तम।
Thus addressed by her, he took her share of the powdered barley and addressing his guest, said, 'O twice-bom one, O best of men, do you accept this quantity of powdered barley as well.
स तान् प्रगृह्य भुक्त्वा च र तुष्टिमगमद् द्विजः। तमुच्छवृत्तिरालक्ष्य ततश्चिन्तापरोऽभवत्॥
The Brahmana, having accepted that quantity, immediately ate it up, but his hunger was not yet satisfied. Secing him ungratified, the Brahmana in the observance of the Unchcha vow became thoughtful.
सक्तूनिमान् प्रगृह्य त्वं देहि विप्राय सत्तम। इत्येव सुकृतं मन्ये तस्मादेतत् करोम्यहम्॥
His son then said to him 'O best of men, taking my share of the barley do you give it to the guest! I consider this act of mine as one of great merit. Therefore, I do it.
भवान् हि परिपाल्यो मे सर्वदैव प्रयत्नतः। साधूनां काक्षितं यस्मात् पितुर्वृद्धस्य पालनम्॥
You should be always maintained by me with great care. Maintenance of the father is a duty which the good always covet.
पुत्रार्थो विहितो ह्येष वार्धके परिपालनम्। श्रुतिरेषा हि विप्रर्षे त्रिषु लोकेषु शाश्वती॥
The maintenance of the father in his old age is the duty laid down for the son. This is the eternal Shruti (audition) current in the three worlds, O learned Rishi.
प्राणधारणमात्रेण शक्यं कर्तुं तपस्त्वया। प्राणो हि परमो धर्मः स्थितो देहेषु देहिनाम्॥
By living on barely you are capable of practicing penances. The life-breath is the great deity which lives in the bodies of all embodied creatures.'
पितोवाच अपि वर्षसहस्री त्वं बाल एव मतो मम। उत्पाद्य पुत्रं हि पिता कृतकृत्यो भवेत् सुतात्॥
The Father said If you attain to the age of even a thousand year, You will still seem to me to be only a little child. Having begotten a son, the father achieves success through him.
बालानां क्षुद् बलवती जानाम्येतदहं प्रभो। वृद्धोऽहं धारयिष्यामि त्वं बली भव पुत्रका६१।।
O powerful me, I know that the hunger of children is very strong. I am old. I shall somehow succeed in holding my life-breaths. Do you, O son, become strong.
न मां जीर्णेन वयसा पुत्र क्षुद् बाधतेऽपि च। दीर्घकालं तपस्तप्तं न मे मरणतो भयम्॥
Old and decrepit as I am, O son, hunger scarcely afflicts me. I have, again, for many years, practiced penances. I have no fear of death.
पुत्र उवाच अपत्यमस्मि ते पुंसस्त्राणात् पुत्र इति स्मृतः। आत्मा पुत्रः स्मृतस्तस्मात् बाह्यात्मानमिहात्मना॥
The Son said-I am your offspring. The Shruti declare that one's offspring is called Putra, because one is rescued by him. One's own self, again, takes birth as his son. Do you, therefore, rescue yourself by your own self.
पितोवाच रूपेण सदृशस्त्वं मे शीलेन च दमेन च। परीक्षितश्च बहुधा सक्तूनादह्यि ते सुत॥
The Father said In forin you are like me. In conduct and in self-control, also you are my like. You have been examined on various occasions by me. I shall, therefore, accept your share of the barley, O son!
इत्युक्त्वाऽऽदाय तान् सक्तून् प्रीतात्मा द्विजसत्तमः। प्रहसन्निव विप्राय स तस्मै प्रददौ तदा॥
Having said this, that foremost of twiceborn persons cheerfully took his son's share of the barley and smilingly presented it to his twice-born guest.
भुक्त्वा तानपि सक्तूत् स नैव तुष्टो बभूव ह। उच्छवृत्तिस्तु धर्मात्मा व्रीडामनुजगाम ह॥
Having eaten that barley also, the guest's hunger was not satisfied. The righteous-should host in the observance of the Unchcha vow became asharmed.
तं वै वधूः स्थिता साध्वी ब्राह्मणप्रियकाम्यया। सक्तूनादाय संहृष्टा श्वशुरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥ संतानात् तव संतानं मम विप्र भविष्यति। सक्तूनिमानतिथये गृहीत्वा सम्प्रयच्छ मे॥
Desirous of doing what was agreeable to him, his chaste daughter-in-law then, bearing her share of the barley, approached him and said, Through your son, O learned Brahmana, I shall obtain a son. Do you, therefore, take my share of the barley and give it to this guest.
तव प्रसादान्निर्वृत्ता मम लोकाः किलाक्षयाः। पुत्रेण तानवाप्नोति यत्र गत्वा न शोचति॥
Through your grace, numerous regions of beatitude will be mine for eternity Through a grandson one obtains those regions going where one has not to suffer any kind of misery.
धर्माद्या हि यथा त्रेता वह्निनेता तथैव च। तथैव पुत्रपौत्राणां स्वर्गस्त्रेता किलाक्षयः॥
Like the three-fold objects of life beginning with Religion, or the three-fold sacred fires, there is a triple aggregate of everlasting Heavens, depending upon the son, the grandson, and the great-grandson.
पितृन्णात् तारयति पुत्र इत्यनुशुश्रुमा पुत्रपौत्रेश्च नियतं साधुलोकानुपाश्नुते॥
The son is called Putra because he frees his ancestor's debt. Through sons and grandsons one always enjoys the happiness of those regions which are reserved for the pious and the good.
श्वशुर उवाच वातातपविशीर्णाङ्गी त्वां विवर्णो निरीक्ष्य वै। कर्षितां सुव्रताचारे क्षुधविह्वलचेतसम्॥ कथं सक्तून् ग्रहन्यामि भूत्वा धर्मोपघातकः। कल्याणवृत्ते कल्याणि नैवं त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि॥
The Father-in-law said-O you of excellent vows and conduct, seeing you wasted by wind and sun, deprived of your very complexion, emaciated, and almost destitute of consciousness through hunger, how can I be such a transgressor against the rules of virtue as to take your share of the barley? O auspicious damsel, you should not say so, for the sake of those auspicious results for which every family must try.
षष्ठे काले व्रतवती शौचशीलतपोऽन्विताम्। कृच्छ्रवृत्तिं निराहारां द्रक्ष्यामि त्वां कथं शुभे॥
O auspicious lady, how can I hold you at even this the sixth division of the day abstaining from food and observing vows? You are gifted with purity and good conduct and penances. Alas, even you have to pass your days in so much misery.
बाला क्षुधार्ता नारी च रक्ष्या त्वं सततं मया। उपवासपरिश्रान्ता त्वं हि बान्धवनन्दिनी॥
You are a child, afflicted by hunger, and belong to the softer sex. You should be always protected by mc! Alas, I have to see you worn out with fasts, O you who are the delighter of all your kinsmen.
स्नुषोवाच गुरोर्मम गुरुस्त्वं वै यतो दैवतदैवतम्। देवातिदेवस्तस्मात् त्वं सक्तूनादत्स्व मे प्रभो॥
The Daughter-in-law said You are the senior of my senior, since you are the deity of my deity. You are, indeed, the god of my god. Do you, therefore, O powerful one, take my share of the barley.
देहः प्राणश्च धर्मश्च शुश्रूषार्थमिदं गुरोः। तव विप्र प्रसादेन लोकान् प्राप्स्यामहे शुभान्॥
My body, life-breaths, and religious rites, have all one objects viz., the service of iny elder. through your favour, O learned Brahmana, I shall obtain many regions of happiness hereafter.
अवेक्ष्या इति कृत्वाहं दृढभक्तेति वा द्विजा चिन्त्या ममेयमिति वा सक्तूनादातुमर्हसि॥
I deserve to be looked after by you. Know, o twice-born one, that I am wholly devoted to you. Cherishing also this thought, viz., that my happiness is your concern, you should take this my share of the barley.
श्वशुर उवाच अनेन नित्यं साध्वी त्वं शीलवृत्तेन शोभसे। या त्वं धर्मव्रतोपेता गुरुवृत्तिमवेक्षसे॥
O chaste lady, on account of such conduct of yours you will for ever shine in glory, for endued with vows and steadiness in rcligious rites, your eyes are directed to that conduct which should be observed towards elders.
तस्मात् सक्तून् ग्रहीष्यामि वधु नार्हसि वञ्चनाम्। गणयित्वा महाभागे त्वां हि धर्मभृतां वरे॥
Therefore, O daughter-in-law, I shall take your share of the barley. You deserve not to be deceived by me, considering all your virtues. You are truly, O blessed damsel, the foremost of all persons observing the duties of righteousness.
इत्युक्त्वा तानुपादाय सक्तून् प्रादाद् द्विजातये। ततस्तष्टोऽभवद् विप्रस्तस्य साधोर्महात्मनः॥८शा
Having said so to her, the Brahmana took her share of the barley and gave it to his guest. At this the guest became pleased with that great Brahmana gifted with great piety.
प्रीतात्मा स तु तं वाक्यमिदमाह द्विजर्षभम्। वाग्मी तदा द्विजश्रेष्ठो धर्मः पुरुषविग्रहः॥ शुद्धेन तव दानेन न्यायोपात्तेन धर्मतः। यथाशक्ति विसृष्टेन प्रीतोऽस्मि द्विजसत्तम।
With gratified soul, that first of twice-bom persons, endued with great eloquence, who was none else than the deity of Virtue in a human form, then addressed that foremost of Brahmanas and said, 'O best of twice-born oncs, I am highly pleased with this pure gift of yours, this gift of what was acquired by fair mcans by you, and which you did freely part with, accordingly to the rules of virtue.
अहो दानं घुष्यते ते स्वर्गे स्वर्गनिवासिभिः॥ गगनात् पुरुषवर्षं च पश्येदं पतितं भुवि।
Indeed, this gift of yours is being bruited about in Heaven by the dwellers of that happy region. Mark, flowers have been rained down from the sky on the Earth.
सुरर्षिदेवगन्धर्वा ये च देवपुरःसराः॥ स्तुवन्तो देवदूताश्च स्थिता दानेन विस्मिताः।
The celestial Rishis, the deities, the Gandharvas, those who walk before the deities, and the celestial messengers, are all lauding you, struck with wonder at your gift.
ब्रह्मर्षयो विमानस्था ब्रह्मलोकचराश्च ये॥ कासन्ते दर्शनं तुभ्यं दिवं व्रज द्विजर्षभ।
The twice-bom Rishis who live in the regions of Brahma, seated on their cars, are anxious to see you. O foremost of twice-born persons, go to Heaven.
पितृलोकगताः सर्वे तारिताः पितरस्त्वया॥ अनागताश्च बहवः सुबहूनि युगान्युत।
The Pitris living in their own region, have all been rescued by them. Others, also, who have not attained to the position of Pitris, have equally been rescued by you for countless cycles.
ब्रह्मचर्येण दानेन यज्ञेन तपसा तथा॥ असंकरेण धर्मेण तस्माद् गच्छ दिवं द्विज।
For your Brahmacharya, your gifts, your sacrifices, your penances, and your acts of piety done with a pure heart, go you to Heaven.
श्रद्धया परया यस्त्वं तपश्चरसि सुव्रत॥ तस्माद् देवाश्च दानेन प्रीता ब्राह्मणसत्तम।
you of excellent vows, you practice penances with great devotion. Your gifts have, therefore, pleased the deities highly, O best of twice-borm ones.
सर्वमेतद्धि यस्मात् ये दत्तं शुद्धेन चेतसा॥ कृच्छ्रकाले ततः स्वर्गो विजितः कर्मणा त्वया।
Since you have made this gift, in a season of great difficulty, with a pure heart, you have, by this act of yours, conquered the celestial region.
क्षुधा निर्मुदति प्रज्ञां धर्मबुद्धिं व्यपोहति॥ क्षुधापरिगतज्ञानो धृतिं त्यजति चैव ह।
Hunger destroys one's wisdom and drives off one's righteous understanding. One whose intelligence is overwhelmed by hunger renounces all fortitude.
बुभुक्षां जयते यस्तु स स्वर्ग जयते ध्रुवम्॥ यदा दानरुचिः स्याद् वै तदा धर्मो न सीदति।
He, therefore, who conquers hunger, conquers Heaven, forsooth. One's righteousness is never destroyed as long as he cherishes the inclination of making gifts.
अनवेक्ष्य सुतस्नेहं कलत्रस्नेहमेव च॥ धर्ममेव गुरुं ज्ञात्वा तृष्णा न गणिता त्वया।
Disregarding filial affection, disregarding the affection one feels for his wife, and reckoning virtue as the foremost, you have paid no attention to the cravings of nature.
द्रव्यागमो नृणां सूक्ष्मः पात्रे दानं ततः परम्॥ कालः परतरो दानाच्छ्रद्धा चैव ततः परा।
The acquisition of riches is an act of slight mcrit. Its gift to a worthy person is fraught with greater merit. Of still greater merit is the (proper) time. Lastly, devotion is fraught with the highest merit.
स्वर्गद्वारं सुसूक्ष्मं हि नरैर्मोहान्न दृश्यते॥ स्वर्गार्गलं लोभबीजं रामगुप्तं दुरासदम्।
The door of Heaven is very difficult to see. Through carelessness men cannot see it. The bar of Heaven's door has cupidity for its seed. That bar is kept fastened by desire and affection. Indeed, Heaven's door is unapproachable.
तं तु पश्यन्ति पुरुषा जितक्रोधा जितेन्द्रियाः॥ ब्राह्मणास्तपसा युक्ता यथाशक्ति प्रदायिनः।
Those men who have subdued anger and conquered their passions, those Brahmanas who are gifted with penances and who make gifts according to the extent of their ability, succeed in seeing it.
सहस्रशक्तिश्च शतं शतशक्तिर्दशापि च॥ दद्यादपश्च यः शक्त्या सर्वे तुल्यफलाः स्मृताः।
It has been said that be who gives away a hundred, having a thousand, he who gives away ten, having a hundred, and he who gives a handful of water, having no moncy, are all equal as regards the merit they acquire.
रन्तिदेवो हि नृपतिरपः प्रादादकिंचनः॥ शुद्धेन मनसा विप्र नाकपृष्ठं ततो गतः।
King Rantideva, when divested of all his riches, gave a small quantity of water with a pure a small quantity of water with a pure heart. Through this gift, O learned Brahmana, he went to the celestial region.
न धर्मः प्रीयते तात दानैर्दत्तैर्महाफलैः॥ न्यायलब्धैर्यथा सूक्ष्मैः श्रद्धापूतैः स तुष्यति।
The deity of righteousness is never pleased so much with large gifts of costly things as with gifts of even worthless things, if acquired lawfully and given away with devotion and faith.
गोप्रदानसहस्राणि द्विजेभ्योऽदान्नृगो नृपः॥ एकां दत्त्वा स पारक्यां नरकं समपद्यत।
King Nriga had made gifts of thousands of kine to the twice-born class. By giving away only one cow which did not belong to him, he fell into Hell.
आत्ममांसप्रदानेन शिबिरौशीनरो नृपः।।१०० प्राप्य पुण्यकुताल्लोकान् मोदते दिवि सुव्रतः।
Ushinara's son Shibi of excellent vows, by giving away the flesh of his own body, is rejoicing in the celestial region, having attained to the regions of the pious.
विभवो न नृणां पुण्यं स्वशक्त्या स्वर्जितं सताम्।। न यज्ञैर्विविधैर्विप्र यथान्यायेन संचितैः।
Mere wealth is not merit. Good men acquire merit by exerting to the best of their power and with the help of righteousness. One does not acquire such merit by means of even various sacrifices as with even a little wealth that has been acquired by fair means.
क्रोधाद् दानफलं हन्ति लोभात् स्वर्ग न गच्छति।। न्यायवृत्तिर्हि तपसा दानवित् स्वर्गमश्नुते।
Through anger, the fruits of gifts are destroyed. Through cupidity one fails to go to the celestial region. One conversant with the merits of gifts, and leading a just course of conduct, succeeds, through penances, in enjoying the celestial region.
न राजसूयैर्वहुभिरिष्ट्वा विपुलदक्षिणैः॥ न चाश्वमेधैर्बहुभिः फलं सममिदं तव।
The fruit, O Brahmana, of this gift made by you (of a prastha of powdered barley) is much greater than what one acquires by many Rajasuya-Sacrifices with profuse gifts or many Horse-Sacrifices.
सक्तुप्रस्थेन विजितो ब्रह्मलोकस्त्वयाक्षयः॥ विरजो ब्रह्मसदनं गच्छ विप्र यथासुखम्।
With this prastha of powdered barley you have conquered the eternal region of Brahman. Go you in happiness, O learned Brahmana, to the house of Brahman who is without the stain of darkness.
सर्वेषां वो द्विजश्रेष्ठ दिव्यं यानमुपस्थितम्॥ आरोहत यथाकामं धर्मोऽस्मि द्विज पश्य माम्।
O foremost of twice-born persons, a celestial car is here for all of you. Do you ascend it as you please! O Brahmana, I am the deity of Righteousness. Behold me!
तारितो हि त्वया देहो लोके कीर्तिः स्थिरा च ते॥ सभार्यः सहपुत्रश्च सस्नुषश्च दिवं व्रजा
You have rescued your body. The fame of your achievement will least in the world. With your wife, your son, and your daughter-in-law, go now to the celestial region.
इत्युक्तवाक्ये धर्मे तु यानमारुह्य स द्विजः॥ सदारः ससुतश्चैव सस्नुषश्च दिवं गतः।
After the deity of Righteousness had said these words, that Brahmana, with his wife, son, daughter-in-law, proceeded to the celestial region.
तस्मिन् विप्रे गते स्वर्ग ससुते सस्नुषे तदा॥ भार्याचतुर्थे धर्मज्ञे ततोऽहं निःसृतो बिलात्।
After that learned Brahmana knowing all duties, had thus ascended to the celestial region with his son, daughter-in-law, and wife numbering the fourth, I came out of my hole.
ततस्तु सक्तुगन्धेन क्लेदेन सलिलस्य च॥ दिव्यपुष्पविमर्दाच्च साधोनलवैश्च तैः। विप्रस्य तपसा तस्य शिरो मे काञ्चनीकृतम्॥ तस्य सत्याभिसंधस्य सक्तुदानेन चैव ह। शरीरार्धं च मे विप्राः शातकुम्भमयं कृतम्॥ पश्यतेमं सुविपुलं तपसा तस्य धीमतः।
There with the scent of that powdered barley, with the mire caused by the water (with the Brahmana had given or his guest), with the contact (of my body) with the cclestial flowers which had been rained down, with the particles of the barley powder which that good man had given away, and the penances of that Brahmana, my head became gold. See, on account of the gift of that Brahmana who was firm in truth, and his penances half of this my ample body has become golden.
कथमेवंविधं स्याद् वै पार्श्वमन्यदिति द्विजाः॥ तपोवनानि यज्ञांश्च हृष्टोऽभ्येमि पुनः पुनः!
O twice-born ones, for converting the rest of my body into gold I repeatedly go, with a cheerful heart, to the hermitages of ascetics and sacrifices performed by kings.
यज्ञं त्वहमिमं श्रुत्वा कुरुराजस्य धीमतः॥ आशया परया प्राप्तो न चाहं काञ्चनीकृतः।
Hearing of this sacrifice of the Kuru king, gifted with great wisdom, I came here with hopes. I have not, however, been made gold.
ततो मयोक्तं तद् वाक्यं प्रहस्य ब्राह्मणर्षभाः॥ सक्तुप्रस्थेन यज्ञोऽयं सम्मितो नेति सर्वथा।
O foremost of Brahmanas, it was for this that I uttered those words, viz., that this sacrifice can by no means compare with (the gift of) that prastha of powdered barley.
सक्तुप्रस्थलवैस्तैर्हि तदाहं काञ्चनीकृतः॥ नहि यज्ञो महानेष सदृशस्तैर्मतो मम।
With the grains of that prastha of powdered barley, I was made gold on that occasion. This great sacrifice, however, is not equal to those grains. This is my opinion.
इत्युक्त्वा नकुलः सर्वान् यज्ञे द्विजवरांस्तदा॥ जगामादर्शनं तेषां विप्रास्ते च ययुर्ग्रहान्॥
Having said those words to all those foremost of Brahmanas, the mungoose disappeared from their view. Those Brahmanas then returned to their respective homes.
वैशम्पायन उवाच एतत् ते सर्वमाख्यातं मया परपुरंजय। यदाश्चर्यमभूत् तत्र वाजिमेधे महाक्रतौ॥
Vaishmpayana said O conquerer of hostile towns, I have now told you all about that wonderful incident which took place in that great Horse-Sacrifice.
न विस्मयस्ते नृपते यज्ञे कार्यः कथंचन। ऋषिकोटिसहस्राणि तपोभिर्ये दिवं गताः॥
You should not, o king, think highly of sacrifice. Million of Rishis have ascended to the celestial region with the help of only their penances.
अद्रोहः सर्वभूतेषु संतोषः शीलमार्जवम्। तपो दमश्च सत्यं च प्रदानं चेति सम्मितम्॥
Abstention from injury to all creatures, contentment, conduct, sincerity, penances, selfcontrol, truthfulness, and gifts, are each equal in point of merit to sacrifice.