युधिष्ठिर उवाच श्रुतं मे महदाख्यानमेतत् कुरुकुलोद्वह। सुदुष्प्रापं यद् ब्रवीषि ब्राह्मण्यं वदतां वरा॥
Yudhishthira said I have heard this great description, 0, perpetuater of Kuru's race. You, O foremost of eloquent men, have said that the dignity of a Brahmana is greatly difficult of acquisition.
विश्वामित्रेण च पुरा ब्राह्मण्यं प्राप्तमित्युत। श्रूयते वदसे तच्च दुष्प्रापमिति सत्तम॥
It is heard, however, that in former times the dignity of a Brahmana had been acquired by Vishvamitra. You, however, O best of men, tell us that dignity is incapable of being won.
वीतहव्यश्च नृपतिः श्रुतो मे विप्रतां गतः। तदेव तावद् गाङ्गेय श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यहं विभो॥
I have also heard that formerly king Vitahavya had succeeded in acquiring the dignity of a Brahmana. O powerful one, I wish to hear, O son of Ganga, the story of king Vitahavya's promotion.
सकेन कर्मणा प्राप्तो ब्राह्मण्यं राजसत्तमः। वरेण तपसा वापि तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि॥
By what acts did that best of kings succeed in acquiring the dignity of a Brahmana? Was it through some boon or was it through the virtue of penances? You should tell me everything.
भीष्म उवाच शृणु राजन् यथा राजा वीतहव्यो महायशाः। राजर्षिर्दुर्लभं प्राप्तो ब्राह्मण्यं लोकसत्कृतम्॥
Bhishma said Hear, O king, how the highly illustrious royal sage Vitahavya succeeded formerly in acquiring the dignity of a Brahmana that is so difficult to attain and that is held in such high esteem by all the world.
मनोर्महात्मनस्तात प्रजा धर्मेण शासतः। बभूव पुत्रो धर्मात्मा शर्यातिरिति विश्रुतः॥
While the great Manu in days of yore was employed in ruling righteously his subjects, he obtained a son of righteous soul who become celebrated under the name of Sharyati.
तस्यान्ववाये द्वौ राजन् राजानौ सम्वभूवतुः। हैहयस्तालजंघश्च वत्सस्य जयतां वर॥
In Sharyati's family, O monarch, two kings were born viz., Haihaya and Talajangha. Both of them were sons of Vatsa, O foremost of victorious kings.
हैहयस्य तु राजेन्द्र दशसु स्त्रीषु भारत। शतं बभूव पुत्राणां शूराणामनिवर्तिनाम्॥
Haihaya, O monarch, had ten wives. Upon them he beget, O Bharata, hundred sons all of whom were heroes who never returned from the battle field.
तुल्यरूपप्रभावाणां बलिनां युद्धशालिनाम्। धनुर्वेदे च वेदे च सर्वत्रैव कृतश्रमाः॥
All of them resembled one another in features and prowess. All of them were gifted with great strength and all of them were possessed of great skill in battle. They all studied the Vedas and the science of weapons thoroughly.
काशिष्वपि नृपो राजन् दिवोदासपितामहः। हर्यश्व इति विख्यातो बभूव जयतां वरः॥
In Kashi also, O monarch, there was a king who was the grandfather of Divodasa. The foremost of victorious men, he passed by the name of Haryashva.
स वीतहव्यदायादैरागत्य पुरुषर्षभ। गङ्गायमुनयोर्मध्ये संग्रामे विनिपातितः॥
The sons of king Haihaya, O chief of men, invaded the kingdom of Kashi, and advancing to the country that lies between the rivers Ganga and Yamuna fought a battle with king Haryashva and killed him in it.
तं तु हत्वा नरपति हैहयास्ते महारथाः। प्रतिजग्मुः पुरी रम्यां वत्सानामकुतोभया:॥
Having killed king Haryashva thus, the sons of Haihaya, those great car warriors fearlessly returned to their own charming city in the country of the Vatsas.
हर्यश्वस्य च दायादः काशिराजोऽभ्यषिच्यता सुदेवो देवसंकाशः साक्षाद् धर्म इवापरः॥
Meanwhile Haryashva's son Sudeva who looked like a celestial in splendour and who was a second god of virtue, was installed on the throne of Kashi as its king.
स पालयामास महीं धर्मात्मा काशिनन्दनः। तैर्वीतहव्यैरागत्य युधि सर्वैर्विनिर्जितः॥
The delighter of Kashi, the righteous-souled prince ruled his kingdom for some time when the hundred sons of Vitihavya once more attacked his territories and defeated him in battle.
तमथाजौ विनिर्जित्य प्रतिजग्मुर्यथागतम्। सौदेवस्त्वथ काशीशो दिवोदासोऽभ्यषिच्यत॥
Having defeated king Sudeva thus, the victors returned to their own city. After this, Divodasa, the son of Sudeva, became installed on the throne of Kashi as its king.
दिवोदासस्तु विज्ञाय वीर्यं तेषां यतात्मनाम्। वाराणसी महातेजा निर्ममे शक्रशासनात्॥
Understanding the prowess of those great princess viz., the sons of Vitihavya, king Divodasa, gifted with great energy, rebuilt and fortified the city of Varanasi at the command of Indra.
विप्रक्षत्रियसम्बाधां वैश्यशूद्रसमाकुलाम्। नैकद्रव्योच्चयवती समृद्धविपणापणाम्॥ गङ्गाया उत्तरे कूले वप्रान्ते राजसत्तमा गोमत्या दक्षिणे कूले शक्रस्येवामरावतीम्॥
The territories of Divodasa were full of Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. and they teemed with all sorts of articles and provisions, and were adorned with prosperous shops and marts. Those territories O best of kings, extended northwards from the banks of Ganga to the southern Banks of Gomati, and resembled a second Amaravati (the city of Indra).
तत्र तं राजशार्दूलं निवसन्तं महीपतिम्। आगत्य हैहया भूयः पर्थधावन्त भारत॥
The Haihayas once again, O Bharata, attacked that foremost of kings as he ruled his kingdom.
स निष्क्रम्य ददौ युद्धं तेभ्यो राजा महाबलः। देवासुरसमं घोरं दिवोदासो महाद्युतिः॥
The powerful king Divodasa gifted with great splendour, issuing out of his capital, gave them battle. The engagement between the two parties terrible like the encounter in days of old between the celestials and the Asuras.
स तु युद्धे महाराज दिनानां दशतीर्दश। हतवाहनभूयिष्ठस्ततो दैन्यमुपागमत्॥
King Divodasa fought the enemy for a thousand days at the end of which, having lost a large number of followers and animals, he became greatly distressed.
हतयोधस्ततो राजन् क्षीणकोशश्च भूमिपः। दिवोदासः पुरीं त्यक्त्वा पलायनपरोऽभवत्॥
King Divodasa, O king, having lost his army and seeing his treasury exhausted left his capital and fled away.
गत्वाऽऽश्रमपदं रम्यं भरद्वाजस्य धीमतः। जगाम शरणं राजा कृताञ्जलिररिन्दम॥
Going to the charming herinitage of the wise Bharadvaja, the king, O chastiser of foes, joining his hands in respect sought the Rishi's protection.
तमुवाच भरद्वाजो ज्येष्ठः पुत्रो बृहस्पतेः। पुरोधाः शीलसम्पन्नो दिवोदासं महीपतिम्॥ किमागमनकृत्यं ते सर्वे प्रब्रूहि मे नृप। यत् ते प्रिय तत् करिष्ये न मेऽत्रास्ति विचारणा।।२५
Seeing king Divodasa before him, the eldest son of Brihaspati, viz., Bharadvaja of excellent conduct, who was the monarch's priest, said to him What is the reason of your coming here? Tell me everything, o king! I shall do that which is agreeable to you, without any scruple.
राजोवाच भगवन् वैतहव्यैर्मे युद्धे वंशः प्रणाशितः। अहमेकः परियूनो भवन्तं शरणं गतः॥
The king said O holy one, the sons of Vitahavya have killed all the children and men of my house. I only have escaped with life, totally discomfited by the enemy, I seek refuge with you.
शिष्यस्नेहेन भगवंस्त्वं मां रक्षितुमर्हसि। एकशेषः कृतो वंशो मम तैः पापकर्मभिः॥
You should, O holy one, protect me with such affection as you have for a disciple! Those princes of sinful deeds have killed my whole family, leaving myself only alive.
भीष्म उवाच तमुवाच महाभागो भरद्वाजः प्रतापवान्। न भेतव्यं न भेतव्यं सौदेव व्येतु ते भयम्॥
Bhishma said Bharadvaja of great energy said to him who pleaded so piteously Do not fear! Do not fear! O son of Sudeva, let your fears be gone.
अहमिष्टिं करिष्यामि पुत्रार्थं ते विशाम्पते। वीतहव्यसहस्राणि येन त्वं प्रहरिष्यसि॥
son on I shall perform a sacrifice, O monarch, in order that you may have a son through whom you will be able to smite thousand upon thousands of Vitahavya's party.
तत इष्टिं चकारर्षिस्तस्य वै पुत्रकामिकीम्। अथास्य तनयो जज्ञे प्रतर्दन इति श्रुतः॥
After this, the Rishi performed a sacrifice with the object of bestowing a Divodasa. As the result thereof, to Divodasa was born a son named Pratarddana.
स जातमात्रो ववृधे समाः सद्यस्त्रयोदश। वेदं चापि जगौ कृत्स्नं धनुर्वेदं च भारत॥
As soon as he was born, he grew into a child of full three and ten years, and quickly mastered the entire Vedas and the whole sciences of arms.
योगेन च समाविष्टो भरद्वाजेन धीमता। तेजो लोक्यं स संगृह्य तस्मिन् देशे समाविशत्॥३२
Helped by his Yoga powers, the highly intelligent Bharadvaja had entered into the prince. Indeed, collecting all the energy of the objects of the universe, Bharadvaja caused it to enter the body of prince Pratarddana.
तत: स कवची धन्वी स्तूयमानः सुरर्षिभिः। वन्दिभिर्वन्द्यमानश्च बभौ सूर्य इवोदितः॥
Casing his person in shining mail and armed with the bow, Pratarddana, his praises lauded by bards and the celestial Rishi, shone resplendent like the Sun.
स रथी बद्धनिस्त्रिंशो बभौ दीप्त इवानलः। प्रययौ स धनुर्छन्वन् खड्गी चर्मी शरासनी॥
Mounted on his car and with the scimitar tied to his belt, he shone like a burning fire. With scimitar and shield and whirling his shield, as he went, he proceeded to the presence of his father.
तं दृष्ट्वा परमं हर्षे सुदेवतनयो ययौ। मेने च मनसा दग्धान् वैतहव्यान् स पार्थिवः॥
Seeing the prince, the son of Sudeva, viz., king Divodasa become filled with joy. Indeed, the old king thought the sons of his enemy Vitahavya as already killed.
ततोऽसौ यौवराज्ये च स्थापयित्वा प्रतर्दनम्। कृतकृत्यं तदाऽऽत्मानं स राजा अभ्यनन्दत॥
Divodasa then installed his son Pratarddana as the heirapparent, and considering himself crowned with success became highly happy.
ततस्तु वैतहव्यानां वधाय स महीपतिः। पुत्रं प्रस्थापयामास प्रतर्दनमरिंदमम्॥
After this, the old king commanded that chastiser of foes, viz., prince Pratarddana, to march against the sons of Vitahavya and kill them in battle.
सरथः स तु संतीर्य गङ्गामाशु पराक्रमी। प्रययौ वीतहव्यानां पुरी परपुरंजयः॥
Gifted with great prowess Pratarddana, that subjugator of hostile cities, speedily crossed Ganga on his car and proceeded against the city of the Vitahavyas.
वैतहव्यास्तु संश्रुत्य रथघोषं समुद्धतम्। निर्ययुर्नगराकारै रथैः पररथारुजैः॥
Hearing the clatter of the wheels of his car, the sons of Vitahavya riding on their own cars that looked fortified citadels and that were capable of destroying hostile vehicles, issued out of their city.
निष्क्रम्य ते नरव्याघ्रा दंशिताश्चित्रयोधिनः। प्रतर्दनं समाजग्मुः शरवर्षेरुदायुधाः॥
Coming out of their capital. those foremost of men., viz., the sons of Vitahavya, who were all skilful warriors cased in mail rushed with uplifted weapons towards Pratarddana, covering him with showers of arrows.
शस्त्रैश्च विविधाकारै रथौरैच युधिष्ठिर। अभ्यवर्षन्त राजानं हिमवन्तमिवाम्बुदाः॥
Surrounding him with numberless cars, O Yudhishthira, the Vitahavyas poured upon Pratarddana showers of weapons of various sorts like the clouds pouring torrents of rain on the breast of Himavat.
अस्त्रैरस्त्राणि संवार्य तेषां राजा प्रतर्दनः। जघान तान् महातेजा वज्रानलसमैः शरैः॥
Baffling their weapons with his own, prince Pratarddana gifted with great energy killed them all with arrows that resembled the thunder bolt of Indra.
कृत्तोत्तमाङ्गास्ते राजन् भल्लैः शतसहस्रशः। अपतन् रुधिरार्द्राङ्गा निकृत्ता इव किंशुकाः॥
Their heads cut off, O king, with hundreds and thousands of broad headed arrows, the warriors of Vitahavya dropped down with blood dyed bodies like Kinshuka trees felled on every side by woodmen with their axes.
हतेषु तेषु सर्वेषु वीतहव्यः सुतेष्वथा प्राद्रवन्नगरं हित्वा भृगोराश्रममप्युत॥
After all his warriors and sons had been killed in battle, king Vitahavya fled away from his capital to the hermitage of Bhrigu.
ययौ भृगुं च शरणं वीतहव्यो नराधिपः। अभयं च ददौ तस्मै राज्ञे राजन् भृगुस्तदा॥
Indeed, arrived there the royal fugitive sought refuge with Bhrigu. The Rishi Bhrigu, O monarch, assured the defeated king of his protection.
अथानुपदमेवाशु तत्रागच्छत् प्रतर्दनः। स प्राप्य चाश्रमपदं दिवोदासात्मजोऽब्रवीत्॥ भो भो केऽत्राश्रमे सन्ति भृगोः शिष्या महात्मनः। द्रष्टुमिच्छे मुनिमहं तस्याचक्षत मामिति॥
Pratarddana followed in the footsteps of Vitahavya. Arrived at the Rishi's hermitage, the son of Divodasa said in a loud voice Ho, listen ye disciples of the great Bhrigu that may happen to be present! I wish to see the sage, Go and inform him of this.
स तं विदित्वा तु भृगुनिश्चक्रामाश्रमात् तदा। पूजयामास च ततो विधिना नृपसत्तमम्॥
Knowing that it was Pratarddana who had come, the Rishi Bhrigu himself came out of his hermitage and adored that best of kings according to due rites.
उवाच चैन राजेन्द्र किं कार्यं ब्रूहि पार्थिव। स चोवाच नृपस्तस्मै यदागमनकारणम्॥
Addressing him then, the Rishi said: Tell me, o king, what is your business! The king, at this informed the Rishi of the reason of his arrival.
राजोवाच अयं ब्रह्मन्नितो राजा वीतहव्यो विसर्ग्यताम्। तस्य पुत्रैर्हि मे कृत्स्नो ब्रह्मन् वंशःप्रणाशितः॥
The king said King Vitahavya has come here, O Brahmana! Do you surrender him. His sons, O Brahmana, had destroyed my family.
उत्सादितश्च विषयः काशीनां रत्नसंचयः। एतस्य वीर्यदृप्तस्य हतं पुत्रशतं मया॥
They had devastated the territories and the wealth of the Kashis. Those hundred sons, however, of this king proud of his power, have all been killed by me.
अस्येदानी वधादद्य भविष्याम्यनृणः पितुः। तमुवाच कृपाविष्टो भृगुर्धर्मभृतां वरः॥ नेहास्ति क्षत्रियः कश्चित् सर्वे हीमे द्विजातयः। एतत् तु वचनं श्रुत्वा भृगोस्तथ्यं प्रतर्दनः॥ पादावुपस्पृश्य शनैः प्रहृष्टो वाक्यमब्रवीत्। एवमप्यस्मि भगवन् कृतकृत्या न संशयः॥ य एष राजा वीर्येण स्वजातिं त्याजितो मया। अनुजानीहि मां ब्रह्मन् ध्यायस्व च शिवेन माम्।।५५
By killing that king himself I shall today satisfy the debt I owe to my father! To him that foremost of righteous men, viz., the Rishi Bhrigu, stricken with mercy, replied by saying There is no Kshatriya in this hermitage. They who are here, are all Brahmanas! Hearing these words of Bhrigu, that must he thought be consonant with truth Pratarddana touched the Rishi's feet slowly and filled with joy said By this, O holy one, I am forsooth crowned with success, since this king becomes divested of the very order of his birth on account of my prowess! Give me your permission O Brahmana, to leave you and let me solicit you to pray for my wellbeing.
त्याजितो हि मया जातिमेष राजा भृगूद्वह। ततस्तेनाभ्यनुज्ञातो ययौ राजा प्रतर्दनः॥ यथागतं महाराज मुक्त्वा विषमिवोरगः। भृगोर्वचनमात्रेण स च ब्रह्मर्षितां गतः॥
cause. This king, O founder of the family that goes by your name becomes divested of the very order of his birth, on account of my might! Dismissed by the Rishi Bhrigu, king Pratarddana then left that hermitage, and went to the place he had come from, having, in the way I have described, voinited forth the poison of specch even as a snake vomits forth its real poison. Meanwhile, king Vitahavya, acquired the dignity of the twice born sage by virtue of the worth only of Bhrigu.
वीतहव्यो महाराज ब्रह्मवादित्वमेव च। तस्य गृत्समदः पुत्रो रूपेणेन्द्र इवापरः॥
And he acquired also a complete mastery of all the Vedas through the same Vitahavya had a son named Gritsamada who in beauty of person was a second Indra.
शक्रस्त्वमिति यो दैत्यैर्निगृहीतः किलाभवत्। ऋग्वेदे वर्तते चाग्र्या श्रुतिर्यस्य महात्मनः॥ यत्र गृत्समदो राजन् ब्राह्मणैः स महीयते। स ब्रह्मचारी विप्रर्षिः श्रीमान् गृत्समदोऽभवत्॥
Once on a time the Daityas afflicted him much taking him for none else than Indra. With regard to that great Rishi, there is this foremost of Shrutis in the Richs viz., There where Gritsamada is, O Brahmana, he is held in high respect by all twice born persons! Gifted with great intelligence, Gritsamada became a twice born Rishi in the observance of Brahmacharya.
पुत्रो गृत्समदस्यापि सुचेता अभवद् द्विजः। वर्चाः सुतेजसः पुत्रो विहव्यस्तस्य चात्मजः॥
Gritsamada had a regenerate son of the name of Sutejas. Sutejas had a son of the name of Varchas and the son of Varchas was known by the name of Vihavya.
विहव्यस्य तु पुत्रस्तु वितत्यस्तस्य चात्मजः। वितत्यस्य सुतः सत्यः संतः सत्यस्य चात्मजः॥
Vihavya had a own begotten son who was named Vitatya, and Vitatya had a son of name Satya. Satya had a son of name Santa.
श्रवास्तस्य सुतश्चर्षिः श्रवसश्चाभवत् तमः। तमसश्च प्रकाशोऽभूत् तनयो द्विजसत्तमः। प्रकाशस्य च वागिन्द्रो बभूव जयतां वरः॥
Santa had a son viz., the Rishi Shravas. Shravas begot a son named Tama. Tama begot a son named Prakasha who was a very great Brahmana.
तस्यात्मजश्च प्रमितिर्वेदवेदाङ्गपारगः। घृताच्यां तस्य पुत्रस्तु रुरुर्नामोदपद्यत॥
Prakasha had a son named Vagindra who was the foremost of all silent reciters of sacred Mantras. Vagindra begot a son named Pramati who was a perfect master of all the Vedas and their auxiliaries. Pramati begot upon the Apsara Ghritachi a son who was named Ruru.
प्रमद्वरायां तु रुरोः पुत्रः समुदपद्यत। शुनको नाम विप्रर्षिर्यस्य पुत्रोऽथ शौनकः॥
Ruru begot a son upon his wife Pramadvara. That son was the regenerate Rishi Shunaka. Shunaka begot a son who is named Shaunaka.
एवं विप्रत्वमगमद् वीतहव्यो नराधिपः। भृगोः प्रसादाद् राजेन्द्र क्षत्रियः क्षत्रियर्षभ॥
It was thus, O foremost of monarchs that king Vitahavya, though a Kshatriya by the order of his birth, acquired the dignity of a Brahmana, O chief of Kshatriyas, through the grace of Bhrigu.
तथैव कथितो वंशो मया गार्समदस्तव। विस्तरेण महाराज किमन्यदनुपृच्छसि॥
I have also told you the genealogy of the race that originated from his son Gritsamada. What else would you ask?