युधिष्ठिर उवाच कच्चित् पितामहेनासीच्छुतं वा दृष्टमेव च। कच्चिन्मो मृतो राजन् पुनरुज्जीवितोऽभवत्॥
Yudhishthira said Have you, O grandfather, ever seen or heard of any mortal restored to life after having met with death.
भीष्म उवाच शृणु पार्थ यथावृत्तमितिहासं पुरातनम्। गृध्रजम्बुकसंवादं यो वृत्तो नैमिषे पुरा॥
'Listen, O king, to the discourse between a vulture and a jackal as it took place in days of yore. This incident happened in the forest of Naimisha.
कस्यचिद् ब्राह्मणस्यासीद् दुःखलब्धः सुतो मृतः। बाल एव विशालाक्षो बालग्रहनिपीडितः॥
Once upon a time a Brahmana had, after great difficulties, got a son of large eyes. The child died of infantile convulsions.
दुःखिताः केचिदादाय बालमप्राप्तयौवनम्। कुलसर्वस्वभूतं वै रुदन्तः शोकविह्वला:॥
Violently agitated by grief and bewailing aloud, some of his kinsmen took up the little boy who was the only wealth of his family.
बालं मृतं गृहीत्वाथ श्मशानाभिमुखाः स्थिताः। अङ्केनैव च संक्रम्य रुरुदुर्भृशदुःखिताः॥
Taking the dead child they went in the direction of the crematorium. Going there they began to take the child from one another's breast and cry more bitterly in sorrow.
शोचन्तस्तस्य पूर्वोक्तान् भाषितांश्चासकृत् पुनः। तं बालं भूतले क्षिप्य प्रतिगन्तुं न शक्नुयुः॥
Remembering with sorrowful hearts the former speeches of their minion again and again, they could not return home casting the body on the naked earth.
तेषां रुदितशब्देन गृध्रोऽभ्येत्य वचोऽब्रवीत्। एकात्मजमिमं लोके त्यक्त्वा गच्छत मा चिरम्॥
Hearing their cries, a vulture came there and said-Go away, and do not delay, you who have to cast off but one child!
इह पुंसां सहस्राणि स्त्रीसहस्राणि चैव ह। समानीतानि कालेन हित्वा वै यान्ति बान्धवाः॥
Kinsmen always go away leaving here thousands of men and women brought here in course of time.
सम्पश्यत जगत् सर्वं सुखदुःखैरधिष्ठितम्। संयोगो विप्रयोगश्च पर्यायेणोपलभ्यते॥
See, the entire universe is subject to happiness and misery. Union and disunion are seen in turns.
गृहीत्वा ये च गच्छन्ति ये न यान्ति च तान् मृतान्। तेऽप्यायुषः प्रमाणेन स्वेन गच्छन्ति जन्तवः॥
They who have come to the crematorium with the dead bodies of their relatives, and they who sit by those bodies themselves go away from the world for their own acts when the allotted periods of their own lives expire.
अलं स्थित्वा श्मशानेऽस्मिन् गृध्रगोमायुसंकुले। कङ्कालबहुले रौद्रे सर्वप्राणिभयङ्करे॥
There is no necessity of your waiting in the crematorium, this dreadful place, which abounds with vultures, jackals and skeletons and fills every creature with fear.
न पुनर्जीवितः कश्चित् कालधर्ममुपागतः। प्रियो वा यदि वा द्वेष्यः प्राणिनां गतिरीदृशी॥
Whether friend or enemy, no one becomes alive having once yielded to the power of Time. Such, indeed, is the destiny of all creatures.
सर्वेण खलु मर्तव्यं मर्त्यलोके प्रसूयता। कृतान्तविहिते मार्ग मृतं को जीवयिष्यति॥
In this world of mortals, everyone who is born is sure to die. Who shall restore to life one that is dead and gone on the way ordained by the destroyer?
कर्मान्तविरते लोके अस्तं गच्छति भास्करे। गम्यतां स्वमधिष्ठानं सुतस्नेहं विसृज्य वै॥
At this hour when men are about to terminate their daily labours, the Sun is retiring to the setting hills. Go to your homes, renouncing this love for the child.
ततो गृध्रवचः श्रुत्वा प्राक्रोशन्तस्तदा नृप। बान्धवास्तेऽभ्यगच्छन्त पुत्रमुत्सृज्य भूतले॥
Hearing these words of the vulture, the grief of the kinsmen seemed to decrease, and placing the child on the naked earth they were about to go away.
विनिश्चित्याथ च तदा विक्रोशन्तस्ततस्ततः। मृतमित्येव गच्छन्तो निराशास्तस्य दर्शने॥
Knowing very well that the child had died and giving up every hope to see him again, they began to go back, bewailing loudly.
निश्चितार्थाश्च ते सर्वे संत्यजन्तः स्वमात्मजम्। निराशा जीविते तस्य मार्गमावृत्य धिष्ठिताः॥
Firmly assured, and giving up all hopes of restoring the dead to life, they cast off that offspring of their family and prepared to turn back from that spot.
ध्वांक्षपक्षसवर्णस्तु विलानिःसृत्य जम्बुकः। गच्छमानान् स्म तानाह निघृणाः खलु मानुषाः॥
At this time a jackal, black as a raven, came out of his hole and said to those departing kinsmen, forsooth, you who are kinsmen of that dead child have no affection.
आदित्योऽयं स्थितो मूढाः स्नेहं कुरुत मा भयम्। बहुरूपो मुहूर्तश्च जीवेदपि कदाचन॥
There the Sun still shines in the sky, ye fools! Give vent to your feelings, fearlessly! Many are the virtues of the hour. This child may regain its life.
यूयं भूमौ विनिक्षिप्य पुत्रस्नेहविनाकृताः। श्मशाने सुतमुत्सृज्य कस्माद् गच्छत निघृणाः॥
Spreading a few blades of Kusha grass on the ground and leaving that dear child on the crematorium, why do you go away with hearts of steel and renouncing every affection for the darling.
न वोऽस्त्यस्मिन् सुते स्नेहो बाले मधुरभाषिणि। यस्य भाषितमात्रेण प्रसादमधिगच्छत॥
Surely, you have no love for that sweetspeeched little child, whose words, as soon as they left his lips, used to please you greatly!
ते पश्यत सुतस्नेहो यादृशः पशुपक्षिणाम्। न तेषां धारयित्वा तान् कश्चिदस्ति फलागमः॥
Mark the affection that even birds and beasts cherish for their young ones. They get no return for rearing up their young ones!
चतुष्पात्पक्षिकीटानां प्राणिनां स्नेहसङ्गिनाम्। परलोकगतिस्थानां मुनियज्ञक्रिया इव॥
Like the sacrifice of the Rishis, the love of quadrupeds, of birds, and insects, yields no reward in heaven.
तेषां पुत्राभिरामाणामिहलोके परत्र च। न गुणो दृश्यते कश्चित् प्रजाः संधारयन्ति च॥
Though they love their children, they are never seen to derive any benefit from the latter either in this world or in the next. Yet they love their young ones.
अपश्यतां प्रियान् पुत्रांस्तेषां शोको न तिष्ठति। न च पुष्णन्ति संवृद्धास्ते मातापितरौ क्वचित्॥
Growing up, their children never maintain them in age. Still do they not feel pained when they do not see their title ones?
मानुषाणां कुतः स्नेहो येषां शोको भविष्यति। इमं कुलकरं पुत्रं त्यक्त्वा क्व न गमिष्यथ॥
How is affection to be seen in human beings since they only indulge in grief? Where would you go leaving here this child who is the perpetuator of his family.
चिरं मञ्चत बाष्पं च चिरं स्नेहेन पश्यत। एवंविधानि हीष्टानि दुस्त्यजानि विशेषतः॥
Do you shed tears for him for some time, and look at him a little longer with affection. It is difficult to cast off objects which are so dear.
क्षीणस्याभियुक्तस्य श्मशानाभिमुखस्य च। बान्धवा यत्र तिष्ठन्ति तत्रान्यो नाधितिष्ठति॥
It is friends and not others who wait by the side of the weak, of the prosecuted in a court of law, and of him who is borne towards the burning place.
सर्वस्य दयिताः प्राणाः सर्वः स्नेहं च विन्दति। तिर्यग्योनिष्वपि सतां स्नेहं पश्यत यादृशम्॥
Life is dear to all, and all feel the influence of love. See the affection that is cherished by beasts and birds.
त्यक्त्वा कथं गच्छथेमं पद्मलोलायताक्षिकम्। यथा नवोद्वाहकृतं स्नानमाल्यविभूषितम्॥
How can you go away, casting off this boy having eyes large as the lotus petal, and beautiful as a newly-wedded youth washed clean and bedecked with garlands.
जम्बुकस्य वचः श्रुत्वा कृपणं परिदेवतः। न्यवर्तन्त तदा सर्वे शवार्थं ते स्म मानुषाः॥
Hearing these words of the jackal who had been thus giving vent to expressions of grief, the men turned back for the sake of the dead body.
गृध्र उवाच अहो वत नृशंसेन जम्बुकेनाल्पमेधसा। क्षुद्रेणोक्ता हीनसत्त्वा मानुषाः किं निवर्तथ॥
The Vulture said Alas, you men shorn of strength of mind, why do you turn back at the call of a cruel, nmean and little-witted jackal.
पञ्चेन्द्रियपरित्यक्तं शुष्कं काष्ठत्वमागतम्। कस्माच्छोवथ तिष्ठन्तमात्मानं किं न शोचथ॥
Why do you lament for that compound of five elements deserted by their presiding gods, no longer occupied (by the soul), motionless, and stiff as a piece of wood? Why do you not grieve for your own selves.
तपः कुरुत वै तीव्र मुच्यध्वं येन किल्बिषात्। तपसा लभ्यते सर्वं विलापः किं करिष्यति॥
Do you practise austerities by which you will succeed in purifying yourselves from sin! Everything may be got by penances. What will lamentations do?
अनिष्टानि च भाग्यानि जातानि सह मूर्तिना। येन गच्छति बालोऽयं दत्त्वा शोकमनन्तकम्॥
Death is born with the body. It is for ill-luck that this boy has departed, plunging you into infinite grief!
धनं गावः सुवर्णं च मणिरत्नमथापि च। अपत्यं च तपोमूलं तपोयोगाच्च लभ्यते॥
Wealth, kine, gold, precious gems, children, all originate from penances. Penances again are the outcome of Yoga.
यथाकृता च भूतेषु प्राप्यते सुखदुःखिता। गृहीत्वा जायते जन्तुर्दुःखानि च सुखानि च॥
Amongst creatures, the measure of happiness or misery depends on pristine deeds. Every creature is born in the world, taking with him his own measure of happiness and misery.
न कर्मणा पितुः पुत्रः पिता वा पुत्रकर्मणा। मार्गेणान्येन गच्छन्ति वद्धाः सुकृतदुष्कृतैः॥
The son is not fettered by the acts of the father, or the father by those of the son. Fettered by their own acts good and bad, all have to wend this common road.
धर्मं चरत यत्नेन न चाधर्मे मनः कृथाः। वर्तध्वं च यथाकालं दैवतेषु द्विजेषु च॥
Duly follow all the duties, and abstain from acts of unrighteousness! Reverentially wait, according to scriptural injunctions, upon the gods and the Brahmanas!
शोकं त्यजत दैन्यं च सुतस्नेहान्निवर्तत। त्यज्यतामयमाकाशे ततः शीघ्रं निवर्तत॥
Shake off sorrow and cheerlessness, and abstain from parental affection! Lcave the child on this open ground, and go away forthwith.
यत् करोति शुभं कर्म तथा कर्म सुदारुणम्। तत् कतैव समश्नाति बान्धवानां किमत्र ह॥
The doer alone reaps the fruits of his good or bad acts. What concern have kinsmen with them.
इह त्यक्त्वा न तिष्ठन्ति बान्धवा बान्धवं प्रियम्। स्नेहमुत्सृज्य गच्छन्ति बाष्पपूर्णाविलेक्षणाः॥
Leaving dead kinsman however dear, kinsman leave this spot. With eyes full of tcars, they go away, ccasing to show affection for the dead.
प्राज्ञो वा यदि वा मूर्खः सधनो निर्धनोऽपि वा। सर्वः कालवशं याति शुभाशुभसमन्वितः॥
Wise or ignorant, rich or poor, every one yields to Time, endued with good and bad acts.
किं करिष्यथ शोचित्वा मृतं किमनुशोचथ। सर्वस्य हि प्रभुः कालो धर्मतः समदर्शनः॥
Of what use is mourning? Why do you grieve for the dead? Time is the master of all, and he by his very nature looks impartially on all things.
यौवनस्थांश्च बालांश्च वृद्धान् गर्भगतानपि। सर्वानाविशते मृत्युरेवंभूतमिदं जगत्॥
In proud youth or in helpless infancy, in age or while lying in the mother's womb, every one is subject to be attacked by Death. Such is the course of the world.
जम्बुक उवाच अहो मन्दीकृतः स्नेहो गृध्रेणेहाल्पबुद्धिना। पुत्रस्नेहाभिभूतानां युष्माकं शोचतां भृशम्॥
Alas, the love which you entertain for your dead child, and manifested in your sorrowing cyes and mournful looks, has been lessened by that foolish vulture.
समैः सम्यक्प्रयुक्तैश्च वचनैः प्रत्ययोत्तरैः। यद्गच्छति जनश्चायं स्नेहमुत्सृज्य दुस्त्यजम्॥
It is, indeed, so, since influenced by his well-applied words teaching tranquility and capable of producing conviction, that man there returns to the town, casting off affection that is so hard to throw off.
अहो पुत्रवियोगेन मृतशून्योपसेवनात्। क्रोशतां सुभृशं दुःखं विवत्सानां गवामिव॥
Alas, I had thought that the grief felt by men bewailing aloud for the death of a child and for the corpse on a creinatorium, is great like that of kine bereft of calves.
अद्य शोकं विजानामि मानुषाणां महीतले। स्नेहं हि कारणं कृत्वा ममाप्यश्रूण्यथापतन्॥
To-day, however, I perceive the extent of grief of human beings on earth. Seeing their great affection I had shed tears myself.
यत्लो हि सततं कार्यस्ततो दैवेन सिद्ध्यति। दैवं पुरुषकारश्च कृतान्तेनोपपद्यते॥
One should always exert. From it and through destiny one succeeds. Exertion and destiny, joining together, yield fruits.
अनिर्वेदः सदा कार्यो निर्वेदाद्धि कुतः सुखम्। प्रयत्नात् प्राप्यते ह्यर्थः कस्माद् गच्छथ निर्दयम्॥
One should always exert hopefully. How can happiness be secured from despondency? Objects of desire may be acquired by resolution. Why then do you return so heartlessly?
आत्ममांसोपवृत्तं च शरीरार्धमयीं तनुम्। पितृणां वंशकर्तारं वने त्यक्त्वा क्व यास्यथ॥
Where do you go, leaving in the forest this your own begotten son, this perpetuator of the race of his father.
अथवास्तंगते सूर्ये संध्याकाल उपस्थिते। ततो नेष्यथ वा पुत्रमिहस्था वा भविष्यथ॥
Stay here till the sun sets and the evening comes. You may then take away this boy with yourselves or remain here with him.
गृध्र उवाच अद्य वर्षसहस्रं मे साग्रं जातस्य मानुषाः। न च पश्यमि जीवन्तं मृतं स्त्रीपुंनपुंसकम्॥
I am, Ye men, thousand years old this day, but I have never seen a dead creature, male or female or eunuch, revive after death.
मृता गर्भेषु जायन्ते जातमात्रा म्रियन्ति च। चङ्क्रमन्तो म्रियन्ते च यौवनस्थास्तथा परे॥
Some die in the womb; some die soon after birth; some die while crawling; some die in youth; and some in old age.
अनित्यानीह भाग्यानि चतुष्पात्यक्षिणामपि। जङ्गमानां नगानां वाप्यायुरग्रेऽवतिष्ठते॥
The fortunes of all creatures, including beasts and birds, are fickle. The extent of life of all mobile and immobile creatures is fixed beforehand.
इष्टदारवियुक्ताश्च पुत्रशोकान्वितास्तथा। दह्यमानाः स्म शोकेन गृहं गच्छन्ति नित्यशः॥
Shorn of wives and dear ones and filled with sorrow for children, men leave this spot every day with aggrieved hearts for returning home.
अनिष्टानां सहस्राणि तथेष्टानां शतानि च। उत्सृज्येह प्रयाता वै बान्धवा भृशदुःखिताः॥
Leaving here thousands of both friends and enemies, kinsmen stricken with grief go back to their homes.
त्यज्यतामेष निस्तेजाः शून्यः काष्ठत्वमागतः। अन्यदेहविषक्तं हि शावं काष्ठत्वमागतम्॥ त्यक्तजीवस्य चैवास्य कस्माद्धित्वा न गच्छत।
Leave off this dead body which has no longer any animal heat in it and which is as stiff as a piece of wood. Why then do you not go away, leaving the body of this child which is like a piece of wood and whose life had entered a new body?
निरर्थको ह्ययं स्नेहो निष्फलश्च परिश्रमः॥ चक्षुर्त्यां न च कर्णाभ्यां सं शृणोति समीक्षते।
This your love has no meaning, and this caressing of the child is useless. He does not see with his eyes or hear with ears.
कस्मादेनं समुत्सृज्य न गृहान् गच्छताशु वै॥ मोक्षधर्माश्रितैर्वाक्यैर्हेतुमद्भिः सुनिष्ठुरैः। मयोक्ता गच्छत क्षिप्रं स्वं स्वमेव निवेशनम्॥
Leaving him here go away forthwith. Thus addressed by me in words which are seemingly cruel but which in reality are reasonable and are directly connected with the great religion of emancipation, return he to your respective homes.
प्रज्ञाविज्ञानयुक्तेन बुद्धिसंज्ञाप्रदायिना। वचनं श्राविता नूनं मानुषाः संनिवर्तत। शोको द्विगुणतां याति दृष्ट्वा स्मृत्वा च चेष्टितम्॥
Addressed thus by the vulture gifted with wisdom and knowledge and capable of giving intelligence and awakening the understanding, those men were about to go away from the crematorium. Grief becomes two-fold two-fold on seeing its object and on remembering the acts of that object (in life).
इत्येतद् वचनं श्रुत्वा संनिवृत्तास्तु मानुषाः। अपश्यत् तं तदा सुप्तं द्रुतमागत्य जम्बुकः॥
Having heard these words of the vulture, the men resolved to leave that place. Just at that time the jackal, coming there quickly, spied the child lying in the sleep of death.
जम्बुक उवाच इमं कनकवर्णाभं भूषणैः समलंकृतम्। गृध्रवाक्यात् कथं पुत्रं त्यजध्वं पितृपिण्डदम्॥
Why, indeed, do you leave, at the vulture's suggestion, this child bearing golden hue, adorned with ornaments, and capable of giving the obsequial cake to his departed manes?
न स्नेहस्य च विच्छेदो विलापरुदितस्य च। मृतस्यास्य परित्यागात् तापो वै भविता ध्रुवम्॥
If you abandon him, your love will not terminate, nor these piteous cries. On the other hand, your grief will multiply itself.
श्रूयते शम्बुके शूद्रे हते ब्राह्मणदारकः। जीवितो धर्ममासाद्य रामात् सत्यपराक्रमात्॥
We have heard that a Shudra named Shambuka having been killed and virtue having been upheld by the powerful Rama, a (dead, Brahmana child was restored to life.
तथा श्वेतस्य राजर्षेर्बालो दृष्टान्तमागतः। श्वेतेन धर्मनिष्ठेन मृतः संजीवितः पुनः॥
Likewise the son of the royal sage Shveta had died (prematurely). But the virtuous monarch succeeded in reviving his dead child.
तथा कश्चिल्लभेत् सिद्धो मुनिर्वा देवतापि वा। कृपणानामनुक्रोशं कुर्याद् वो रुदतामिह॥
Similarly, in your case also, some sage or god may be willing to grant your desire and show mercy to you that are crying piteously.
इत्युक्तास्ते न्यवर्तन्त शोकार्ताः पुत्रवत्सलाः। अङ्के शिरः समाधाय रुरुदुर्बहुविस्तरम्। तेषां रुदितशब्देन गृध्रोऽभ्येत्य वचोऽब्रवीत्॥
Thus accosted by the jackai, the men, stricken with grief and full of affection for the child, returned, and placing the child's head on their laps one after another, began the bewail piteously. Hearing their cries, the vulture, coming there, once more spoke to them as follows.
गृध्र उवाच अश्रुपातपरिक्लिन्नः पाणिस्पर्शप्रपीडितः। धर्मराजप्रयोगाच्च दीर्घनिद्रां प्रवेशितः॥
The Vulture said Why are you bathing this child with your tears? Why are you pressing him with your palms in this way? At the behest of the grim king of justice the child has been sent to that sleep which will never be broken.
तपसापि हि संयुक्ता धनवन्तो महाधियः। सर्वे मृत्युवशं यान्ति तदिदं प्रेतपत्तनम्॥
Those who have acquired the merit of penances, those who are gifted with wealth, those who are endued with great intelligence, in fact, all yield to death. This is the place intended for the dead.
बालवृद्धसहस्राणि सदा संत्यज्य बान्धवाः। दिनानि चैव रात्रीश्च दुःखं तिष्ठन्ति भूतले॥
It is always seen that casting off thousands of kinsmen, young and old kinsmen pass their nights and days in grief, rolling on the naked earth.
अलं निर्बन्धमागत्य शोकस्य परिधारणे। अप्रत्ययं कुतो ह्यस्य पुनरोह जीवितम्॥
Stop this ardour in putting on the trappings of woe. It is impossible that this child would be restored to life again.
मृतस्योत्सृष्टदेहस्य पुनर्देहो न विद्यते। नैव मूर्तिप्रदानेन जम्बुकस्य शतैरपि॥
He will not regain his life ai the call of the jackal. If a person once dies and deserts his body, this body never regains animation.
शक्यं जीवयितुं ह्येष बालो वर्षशतैरपि।
By sacrificing their own lives, hundreds of jackals will not be able to revive this child in hundreds of years.
अथ रुद्रः कुमारो वा ब्रह्मा वा विष्णुरेव च॥ वरमस्मै प्रयच्छेयुस्ततो जीवेदयं शिशुः।
If, however, Rudra, Kumara, Brahma, or Vishnu, grant him a boon, then only may this child be restored to life.
नैव बाष्पविमोक्षेण न वा श्वासकृते न च॥ न दीर्घरुदितेनायं पुनर्जीवं गमिष्यति।
Neither the shedding of tears, nor the heaving of long sighs, nor profuse lamentations, will restore this one to life.
अहं च क्रोष्टकश्चैव यूयं ये चास्य बान्धवाः॥ धर्माधर्मो गृहीत्वेह सर्वे वर्तामहेऽध्वनि। अप्रियं परुषं चापि परद्रोहं परस्त्रियम्॥ अधर्ममनृतं चैव दूरात् प्राज्ञो विवर्जयेत्। धर्मं सत्यं श्रुतं न्याय्यं महतीं प्राणिनां दयाम्॥ अजिह्मत्वमशाठ्यं च यत्नतः परिमार्गत। मातरं पितरं वापि बान्धवान् सुहृदस्तथा॥ जीवतो ये न पश्यन्ति तेषां धर्मविपर्ययः।
Myself, the jackal, you all, and all the relatives of this one, with all our virtues and sins, are vending the same way. Seek with care virtue, truth, the good of others justice, mercy for all creature, sincerity and honesty. They incur sin who, while living, do not take care of their parents, kinsmen and friends.
यो न पश्यति चक्षुर्त्यां नेङ्गते च कथञ्चन॥ तस्य निष्ठावसानान्ते रुदन्तः किं करिष्यथ।
What will you profit by crying, for him after death, who does not see with his eyes and stir in the least.
इत्युक्तास्ते सुतं त्यक्त्वा भूमौ शोकपरिप्लुताः। दह्यमानाः सुतस्नेहात् प्रययुर्बान्धवा गृहम्॥
Thus addressed, the men, laden with sorrow and burning with grief on account of their love for the child, departed for their homes, leaving the body.
जम्बुक उवाच दारुणो मर्त्यलोकोऽयं सर्वप्राणिविनाशनः। इष्टबन्धुवियोगश्च तथेहाल्पं च जीवितम्॥
The jackal said Alas, dreadful is this world of mortals! Here no creature can escape. Every creature's life is short. Beloved friends are always going.
बह्वलीकमसत्यं चाप्यतिवादाप्रियंवदम्। इमं प्रेक्ष्य पुनर्भावं दुःखशोकविवर्धनम्॥ न मे मानुषलोकोऽयं मुहूर्तमपि रोचते।
It is full of vanities and falsehoods, accusations and evil reports! Witnessing again this incident which increases pain and grief, I do not for a moment like this world of men.
अहो धिग् गृध्रवाक्येन यथैवाबुद्धयस्तथा॥ कथं गच्छत निःस्नेहाः सुतस्नेहं विसृज्य च। प्रदीप्ताः पुत्रशोकेन संनिवर्तत मानुषाः॥ श्रुत्वा गृध्रस्य वचनं पापस्येहाकृतात्मनः।
Alas, shame on you, you men, who thus return like foolish persons, on hearing the vulture's words, though you are burning with grief on account of the death of this child. You cruel men, how can you go away, renouncing parental affection upon hearing the words of a sinful vulture of impure soul.
सुखस्यानन्तरं दुःखं दुःखस्यानन्तरं सुखम्॥ सुखदुःखावृते लोके नेहास्त्येकमनन्तरम्। इमं क्षितितले त्यक्त्वा बालं रूपसमन्वितम्॥ कुलशोभाकरं मूढाः पुत्रं त्यक्त्वा क्व यास्यथा रूपयौवनसम्पन्नं द्योतमानमिव श्रिया॥ जीवन्तमेव पश्यामि मनसा नात्र संशयः।
Happiness is followed by misery, and misery by happiness. In this world which has both happiness and misery, none of these two exists without break. You little-witted men, where will go, casting off on the naked earth this beautiful child, this son who is a13 ornament of your family. Verily, I cannot conceive that this child endued with grace, youth and beauty is dead.
विनाशो नास्य न हि वै सुखं प्राप्स्यथ मानुषाः॥ पुत्रशोकाभितप्तानां मृतानामद्य वः क्षमम्।
It is not proper that he should die. It seems that you are sure to gain happiness. You who are stricken with grief for the death of this child will, forsooth, have good luck to-day.
सुखसम्भावनं कृत्वा धारयित्वा सुखं स्वयम्। त्यक्त्वा गमिष्यथ क्वाद्य समुत्सृज्याल्पबुद्धिवत्॥
Anticipating inconvenience and pain and seeking your own comfort, where will you, like persons of little intelligence, go, leaving this darling.
भीष्म उवाच तथा धर्मविरोधेन प्रियमिथ्याभिधायिना। श्मशानवासिना नित्यं रात्रिं मृगयता नृप॥ ततो मध्यस्थतां नीता वचनैरमृतोपमैः। जम्बुकेन स्वकार्यार्थं बान्धवास्तस्य धिष्ठिताः॥
Bhishma said Thus, O king, the kinsmen of the dead child, unable to settle what they should do, were, for fulfilling his own purpose, induced by that sinful jackal who uttered sweet falsehoods-that dweller of the crematorium who went there every night in search of food.
गृध्र उवाच अयं प्रेतसमाकीर्णो यक्षराक्षससेवितः। दारुणः काननोद्देशः कौशिकैरभिनादितः॥
Dreadful is that spot, this wilderness, which resounds with the screams of owls and is filled with spirits and Yakshas and Rakshasas.
भीमः सुघोरश्च तथा नीलमेघसमप्रभः। अस्मिञ्छवं परित्यज्य प्रेतकार्याण्युपासत॥
It appears dreadful like a mass of blue clouds. Casting off the body, perform the funeral rites.
भानुवत् प्रयात्यस्तं यावच्च विमला दिशः। तावदेनं परित्यज्य प्रेतकार्याण्युपासत॥
Throwing away the body, perform those rites before the sun sets and before the points of compass are covered with darkness.
नदन्ति परुषं श्येना: शिवाः क्रोशन्ति दारुणम्। मृगेन्द्राः प्रतिनन्दन्ति रविरस्तं च गच्छति॥
The hawks are uttering hideous cries. Jackals are howling hideously. Lions are roaring. The sun is setting.
चिताधूमेन नीलेन संरज्यन्ते च पादपाः। श्मशाने च निराहारा: प्रतिनर्दन्ति देहिनः॥
The trees on the crematorium are appearing dark for the blue smoke of the funeral pyres. Stricken with hunger the carnivorous animals are yelling in rage.
सर्वे विकृतदेहाश्चाप्यस्मिन् देशे सुदारुणे। युष्मान् प्रधर्षयिष्यन्ति विकृता मांसभोजिनः॥१००।
All those creatures of dreadful forms which live in this fearful place, all those grim-visaged animals that haunt this desert, will soon attack you.
क्रूरश्चायं वनोद्देशो भयमद्य भविष्यति। त्यज्यतां काष्ठभूतोऽयं मृष्यतां जाम्बुकं वचः॥ यदि जम्बुकवाक्यानि निष्फलान्यनृतानि च। श्रोष्यथ भ्रष्टविज्ञानास्ततः सर्वे विनइक्ष्यथ॥
This forest is certainly dreadful. Danger will beset you. The child is like a dry wood. Indeed, if you listen to these false and useless words of the jackal against your own good sense, all of your will surely meet with death.
जम्बुक उवाच स्थीयतां नेह भेतव्यं यावत् तपति भास्करः। तावदस्मिन् सुते स्नेहादनिर्वेदेन वर्तत॥
Remain where you are. There is no fear even in this desert as long as the sun shines. Do you remain herc hopefully, moved by parental affection till the sun sets.
स्वैरं रुदन्तो विश्रब्धाश्चिरं स्नेहेन पश्यत। (दारुणेऽस्मिन् वनोद्देशे भयं वो न भरिष्यति। अयं सौम्यो वनोद्देशः पितॄणां निधनाकरः।) स्थीयतां यावदादित्यः किं च क्रव्यादभाषितैः॥
Without any fear, bewailing as you please, continue to look at this child with loving eyes. Though this forest is dreadful, no danger will overtake you. In sooth, this wilderness is quiet and peaceful. It is here that the Pitris by thousands departed from the world. Wait as long as the sun shines. Of what avail are this vulture's words to you?
यदि गृध्रस्य वाक्यानि तीव्राणि रभसानि च। गृह्णीत मोहितात्मानः सुतो वो न भविष्यति॥
If, being stupefied, you follow the cruel and harsh words of the vulture, then your child will never regain life.
भीष्म उवाच गृध्रोऽस्तमित्याह गतो गतो नेति च जम्बुकः। मृतस्य तं परिजनमूचतुस्तौ क्षुधान्वितौ॥
Bhishma said The vulture then said to those men, that the sun had set. The jackal said that it was not so. Both the vulture and the jackal fell hungry and thus addressed thc kinsmen of the dead child.
स्वकार्यबद्धकक्षौ तौ राजन् गृध्रोऽथ जम्बुकः। क्षुत्पिपासापरिश्रान्तौ शास्त्रमालम्ब्य जल्पतः॥
Both of them were deterinined upon accomplishing their respective purposes. Exhausted with hunger and thirst, they thus quarrelled, taking advantage of the scriptures.
तयोविज्ञानविदुषोईयोर्मुगपतत्रिणोः। वाक्यैरमृतकल्पैस्तैः प्रतिष्ठन्ति व्रजन्ति च॥
Moved by these words, sweet as ambrosia, of those two creatures, viz., the bird and the beast, both of whom had wisdom and knowledge, the kinsmen at one time desired to go away and at another to remain there.
शोकदैन्यसमाविष्टा रुदन्तस्तस्थिरे तदा। स्वकार्यकुशलाभ्यां ते सम्भ्राम्यन्ते ह नैपुणात्॥
At last, actuated by sorrow and depression, they waited there, bewailing piteously. They did not know that the beast and the bird, very clever in achieving their ends, had only stupefied them (by their words).
तथा तयोर्विवदतोर्विज्ञानविदुषोईयोः। बान्धवानां स्थितानां चाप्युपातिष्ठत शङ्करः॥
While both the bird and the beast were thus disputing and while the kinsmen of the dead child sat listening to them, the great god Shankara, urged by his divine consort (Uma), arrived there with eyes bathed in tears of mercy.
देव्या प्रणोदितो देवः कारुण्यार्दीकृतेक्षणः। ततस्तानाह मनुजान वरदोऽस्मीति शङ्करः॥ ते प्रत्यूचुरिदं वाक्यं दुःखिताः प्रणताः स्थिताः। एकपुत्रविहीनानां सर्वेषां जीवितार्थिनाम्॥ पुत्रस्य नो जीवदानाज्जीवितं दातुमर्हसि।
Addressing the kinsmen of the dead child, the god said,-I am Shankara the granter of boons!-With hearts laden with grief, those men laid themselves low before the great god and said to him in reply,-Bereft of this our only child, all of us are on the brink of death. Be you pleased to grant us life by granting life to this our son.
एवमुक्तः स भगवान् वारिपूर्णेन चक्षुषा॥ जीवितं स्म कुमाराय प्रादाद् वर्षशतानि वै।
Thus begged, the illustrious god, taking up some water in his hands, granted to that dead child life extending for a hundred years.
तथा गोमायुगृध्राभ्यां प्राददत् क्षुद्विनाशनम्॥ वरं पिनाकी भगवान् सर्वभूतहिते रतः।
Ever engaged in the behoof of all creatures, the illustrious holder of Pinaka granted a boon to both the jackal and the vulture for which their hunger was appeased.
कृतकृत्याः सुखं हृष्टाः प्रातिष्ठन्त तदा विभो। अनिर्वेदेन दीर्पण निश्चयेन ध्रुवेण च॥ देवदेवप्रसादाच्च क्षिप्रं फलमवाप्यते। ततः प्रणम्य ते देवं प्रायो हर्षसमन्विताः॥
Filled with joy and having gained great prosperity, the men bowed to the god. Gaining success, they then, O king, left that spot in great glee. Through continued hopefulness and firm determination and the grace of the great god, the fruits of one's acts are gained forthwith.
पश्य दैवस्य संयोगं बान्धवानां च निश्चयम्॥ कृपणानां तु रुदतां कृतमश्रुप्रमार्जनम्।
Mark the combination of circumstances and the determination of those kinsmen. While crying with heavy hearts, their tears were wiped and dried up.
पश्य चाल्पेन कालेन निश्चयान्वेषणेन च॥ प्रसादं शङ्करात् प्राप्य दुःखिताः सुखमाप्नुवन्।
See, how within only a short time, through their firmness of resolution, they gained the grace of Shankara, and their sorrows removed, they were made happy.
ते विस्मिताः प्रहृष्टाश्च पुत्रसंजीवनात् पुनः॥ बभूवुर्भरतश्रेष्ठ प्रसादाच्छङ्करस्य वै।
Indeed, through Shankara's favour, O chief of the Bharatas, those sorrowing kinsmen were filled with wonder and joy at the restoration of their child to life.
ततस्ते त्वरिता राजंस्त्यक्त्वा शोकं शिशूद्भवम्॥ विविशुः पुत्रमादाय नगरं हृष्टमानसाः। एषा बुद्धिः समस्तानां चातुर्वण्र्ये निदर्शिता॥
Then, O king, shaking off that grief caused by their child, those Brahmanas, filled with joy, quickly returned to their town; taking the restored child with them. Such a conduct has been laid down for all the four castes.
धर्मार्थमोक्षसंयुक्तमितिहासमिमं शुभम्। श्रुत्वा मनुष्यः सततमिहामुत्र च मोदते॥
By frequently listening to this auspicious story fraught with virtue, profit, and emancipation, a man acquires happiness both in this world and the next.'