भीष्म उवाच गिरिशृङ्ग समारुह्य सुतो व्यासस्य भारत। समे देशे विविक्ते स निःशलाक उपाविशत्॥
Bhishma said. Having got upon the summit of the mountain, O Bharata, the son of Vyasa sat down upon a level place free from blades of grass and secluded.
धारयामास चात्मानं यथाशास्त्रं यथाविधि। पादप्रभृतिगात्रेषु क्रमेण क्रमयोगवित्॥
According to the direction of the scriptures and to the ordinances laid down, that ascetic, who knew the successive processes of Yoga, held his soul first in one place and then in another, beginning from his feet and proceeding through all the limbs.
ततः स प्राङ्मुखो विद्वानादित्ये नचिरोदिते। पाणिपादं समादाय विनीतवदुपाविशत्॥
Then when the Sun, had not risen long, Shuka sat, with his face turned towards the East, and hands and feet drawn in an humble posture.
न तत्र पक्षिसंघातो न शब्दो नातिदर्शनम्। यत्र वैयासकिधीमान् योक्तुं समुपचक्रमे॥
In that spot where the intelligent son of Vyasa sat prepared to practise Yoga, there were no flocks of birds, no sound, and no sight that was repulsive or fearful.
स ददर्श तदाऽऽत्मानं सर्वसंगविनिःसृतम्। प्रजहास ततो हासं शुकः सम्प्रेक्ष्य तत्परम्॥
He then saw his own Soul freed from all attachments. Seeing that highest of all things, he laughed in joy.
स पुनर्योगमास्थाय मोक्षमार्गोपलब्धये। महायोगेश्वरो भूत्वा सोऽत्यकामद् विहायसम्॥
He once more set himself to Yoga for acquiring the path of Liberation. Becoming the great master of Yoga he got over the element of ether.
ततः प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा देवर्षि नारदं ततः। निवेदयामास च तं स्वं योगं परमर्षये।॥
He then went round the celestial Rishi Naradas, and informed him of the fact of his having begun to practise the highest Yoga.
शुक उवाच दृष्टो मार्गः प्रवृत्तोऽस्मि स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु तपोधन। त्वत्प्रसादाद् गमिष्यामि गतिमिष्टां महाद्युते॥
I have succeeded in seeing the path (of Emancipation). I have addressed myself to it. Blessed be you, O you having penances for your wealth. I shall through your favour, O you of great splendour, acquire an end that is highly desirable.
नारदेनाभ्यनुज्ञात: शुको द्वैपायनात्मजः। अभिवाद्य पुनर्योगमास्थायाकाशमाविशत्॥
Bhishma said Having received the order of Naradas, Shuka the son of the Island-born Vyasa saluted the celestial Rishi and once more set himself to Yoga and entered the element of ether.
कैलासपृष्ठादुत्पत्य स पपात दिवं तदा। अन्तरिक्षचरः श्रीमान् वायुभूतः सुनिश्चितः॥
Ascending then from the breast of the Kailasa mountain, he soared into the sky. Capable of passing through the sky, the blessed Shuka of fixed conclusion, then made himself at one with the element of Wind.
तमुद्यन्तं द्विजश्रेष्ठं वैनतेयसमद्युतिम्। ददृशुः सर्वभूतानि मनोमारुतरंहसम्॥
As that foremost of twice-born ones, effulgent like Garuda, was passing through the skies with the speed of the wind or thought, all creatures directed their eyes towards him.
व्यवसायेन लोकांस्त्रीन् सर्वान् सोऽथ विचिन्तयन्। आस्थितो दीर्घमध्वानं पावकार्कसमप्रभः॥
Gifted with the splendour of fire or the Sun, Shuka then considered the three worlds as one Brahma, and went along that lengthy path.
तमेकमनसं यान्तमव्यग्रमकुतोभयम्। ददृशुः सर्वभूतानि जङ्गमानि चराणि च॥
Indeed, all creatures, mobile and immobile, cast their eyes upon him as he went with rapt attention, and a tranquil and fearless soul.
यथाशक्ति यथान्यायं पूजां वै चक्रिरे तदा। पुष्पवर्षेच दिव्यैस्तमवचक्रुर्दिवौकसः॥
All creatures, according to the ordinance and according to their power, adored him with respect. The celestials poured showers of celestial flowers upon him.
तं दृष्ट्वा विस्मिताः सर्वे गन्धर्वाप्सरसां गणाः। ऋषयश्चैव संसिद्धाः परं विस्मयमागताः।१५॥
Seeing hiin, all the tribes of Apsaras and Gandharvas became filled with wonder. The Rishis also, that were crowned with success, became equally surprised.
अन्तरिक्षगतः कोऽयं तपसा सिद्धिमागतः। अध:कायोर्ध्ववक्त्रश्च नेत्रैः समभिरज्यते॥
And they asked themselves,Who is this one who has acquired success by his penances? With looks withdrawn from his own body but turned upwards, he is delighting us all with his glances.
ततः परमधर्मात्मा त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतः। भास्करं समुदीक्षन् स प्राङ्मुखो वाग्यतोऽगमत्॥ शब्देनाकाशमखिलं पूरयन्निव सर्वशः।
Of highly righteous soul and celebrated throughout the three worlds, Shuka went silently, his face turned towards the East and look directed towards the Sun. As he went, along he seemed to fill the entire sky with an all-pervading noise.
तमापतन्तं सहसा दृष्ट्वा सर्वाप्सरोगणाः॥ सम्भ्रान्तमनसो राजन्नासन् परमविस्मिताः।
Seeing him coming in that way, all the tribes of the Apsaras, struck with fear O king, became filled with surprise. Heáeçet[eDeYerle-ees Ye=MeceglHeÂguueesdeveeim~19~~
दैवतं कतमं ह्येतदुत्तमां गतिमास्थितम्। सुनिश्चितमिहायाति विमुक्तमिव निःस्पृहम्॥
Headed by Panchachuda and others, they looked at Shuka with eyes expanded by surprise. And they asked one one another, saying,-What god is this one who has acquired such a high end? Forsooth, he comes here, freed from all attachments and desire.
ततः समभिचक्राम मलयं नाम पर्वतम्। उर्वशी पूर्वचित्तिश्च यं नित्यमुपसेवतः॥
Shuka then went to the Malaya mountains where Urvashi and Purvachitti used to always live.
तस्य ब्रह्मर्षि पुत्रस्य विस्मयं ययतुः परम्। अहो बुद्धिसमाधानं वेदाभ्यासरते द्विजे॥ अचिरेणैव कालेन नभश्चरति चन्द्रवत्। पितृशुश्रूषया बुद्धिं सम्प्राप्तोऽयमनुत्तमाम्॥
Both of them, seeing the energy of the son of the great twice-born Rishi, became filled with wonder. And they said,-Wonderful is this concentration of attention of a twice-born youth who was accustomed to the recitation and study of the Vedas! Soon will he pass through the entire sky like the Moon. It was by dutiful service and humble ministrations towards his father that he gained this excellent understanding.
पितृभक्तो दृढतपा: पितुः सुदयितः सुतः। अनन्यमनसा तेन कथं पित्रा विसर्जितः॥
He is firmly devoted his father, endued with austere penances, and is very much loved by his father. Alas, why has he been dismissed by his inattentive father to go along a way whence no one returns.
उर्वश्या वचनं श्रुत्वा शुकः परमधर्मवित्। उदैक्षत दिशः सर्वा वचने गतमानसः॥ सोऽन्तरिक्षं महीं चैव सशैलवनकाननाम्। विलोकयामास तदा सरांसि सरितस्तथा।॥
Hearing these words of Urvashi, and attending to their meaning, Shuk:a, that foremost of all persons conversant with duties, looked on all sides, and once more saw the entire sky, the whole Earth with her mountains and waters and forests, and also all the lakes and rivers.
ततो द्वैपायनसुतं बहुमानात् समन्ततः। कृताञ्जलिपुटाः सर्वा निरीक्षन्ते स्म देवताः॥
All the gods also, of both sexes, joining their hands, paid respect to the son of Island bonr Rishi and looked act him with wonder and reverence.
अब्रवीत् तास्तदा वाक्यं शुकः परमधर्मवित्। पिता यद्यनुगच्छेन्मां क्रोशमानः शुकेति वै॥ ततः प्रतिवचो देयं सवेरेव समाहितः। एतन्मे स्नेहतः सर्वे वचनं कर्तुमर्हथ॥
Shuka, addressing all of them, that foremost of all pious men, said these words-If my father follow me and repeatedly call after me by my name, do all of you in a body return him an answer for me. Moved by the affection all of you have for me, do you satisfy this request of mine!
शुकस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा दिशः सर्वाः सकाननाः। समुद्राः सरितः शैलाः प्रत्यूचुस्तं समन्ततः॥ यथाऽऽज्ञापयसे विप्र बाढमेवं भविष्यति। ऋषेळहरतो वाक्यं प्रतिवक्ष्यामहे वयम्॥
Hearing these words of Shuka, all the points of the horizon, all the forests, all the seas, all the rivers, and all the mountains answered him from all sides, saying,.-We accept your command, O twice-born one! It shall be as you say! It is thus that we answer the words spoken by the Rishi.