markandeya-purana - f. eden pargiter - en - ocr - 1904

8/20/2019 Markandeya-purana - F. Eden Pargiter - En - OCR - 1904

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THE

MÁRKANDEYA PURÁNATRANSLATED BY

F. EDEN PARGITER, B A.

The powerful ascetic Shia !efe"!s his !eotee #$r%a"!e&a fro' Ya'a,the (o! of !eath

Sr) #$r%a"!e&a was a" a"cie"t *i"!u rishi +sa(e, a"! a!eotee of Lor! Shia a"! Lor! -ish"u. *e was or" i" thecla" of Bri(u Rishi. #$r%a"!e&a Pur$"a is o"e of /0 #ah$

Pur$"as.


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CONTENTS

1a"tos /23, i" which 4ai'i"i is referre! & #$r%a"!e&a to the wise Bir!s.

1a"tos /5266, where 4ai'i"i propou"!s further 7uestio"s to the Bir!s.

1a"tos 682059 here 4ai'i"i a"! the Bir!s are the "o'i"al spea%ers.

1a"tos 0/23:, the De)2'$h$t'&a.

1a"tos 362/:;, where #$r%a"!e&a a"! 1R of the sca""e! ersio"of this tra"slatio" with purpose to propa(ate the -e!icteachi"(s. The oo% is "ow !ow"loa!ale i" PDF for'at as

te=t a"! free for eer&o!&.This tra"slatio" of #$r%a"!e&a Pur$"a ca" e iewe! o"li"e+as i'a(es i" the Di(ital Lirar& of I"!ia+http9??www.!li.er"et.i"?. *oweer, the a!a"ta(e of thissca""e! ersio" is that &ou 'a& easil& !ow"loa! it, se"! it to&our frie"!s, put it i" a"& !i(ital lirar&, o"to a 1D, or iew iti" e'e!!e! !eices +'oile pho"es or iPa!s 2 ut &ou 'ust'a%e it accessile, which 'ea"s that eer& pa(e will fit o" thescree" of &our 'oile !eice whether &ou @oo' i" or @oo'out the oo%. To 'a%e it accessile, search for the file#a%eAccessilePlu(I".e=e 2 a"& I"ter"et search e"(i"e will

poi"t &our wa& to the A!oe wesite that has i"structio"s o"how to 'a%e a PDF !ocu'e"t accessile.

A"other ersio" of #$r%a"!e&a Pur$"a freel& aailale is the Prose English Translation +/03;, which is, u"fortu"atel&, "oter& (oo!. It is, too, aailale i" the Di(ital Lirar& of I"!ia+http9??www.!li.er"et.i"?.

The tra"slator of this oo% 'a!e 'a"& co''e"ts to it, ut I!elete! the', as the& cause! a lot of prole's !uri"( the >1R process. The tra"slator use! arious 'ar%s for "otes +such as, etc., which were "ot u"!erstoo! & the >1R software er&

well. This sca""e! ersio", too, was chec%e! for spelli"(errors, which was a reall& ti'e2co"su'i"( wor%. I spe"t aoutfie 'o"ths wor%i"( o" it +C2: hours eer&!a&. I chec%e!al'ost eer& i"sta"ce of easil& sustitutale letters a"! wor!ssuch as e 2 he, hill 2 %ill, etc. +howeer, occurre"cesof " replace! & u, or replace! & h a"! ice ersaca" possil& still e scarcel& fou"! i" the te=t, as so'e partsof the ori(i"al te=t were "ot er& well u"!erstoo! & the >1Rsoftware.

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Pronunciation

#a"& +"ot all Sa"s%rit wor!s i" this tra"slatio" hae a"apostrophe li%e i" the wor! Sia +pro"ou"ce as Shia 1aitra2ratha pro"ou"ce as 1haitra2ratha, etc..

I am looking for a sponsor

I tra"slate! De) #$h$t'&a' to Sloa% o" the asis of thisE!e" Par(iters tra"slatio", ut also with help of '& past assets+a"! perso"al co"tacts. I a' loo%i"( for a spo"sor ecause Iwa"t to (et this oo% +De) #$h$t'&a' pulishe! here. The prole' is that i" this part of the worl! Sa"ata"a Dhar'a is"ot a 'ai"strea' reli(io" a"! it is er& har! to fi"! a pulisher here. >" the o"e ha"!, we hae pulicatio"s ofthousa"!s of oo%s aout 1hrist eer&where here o" the other

ha"!, this "o"2'ulticultural part of Europe !oes "ot show'uch loe to people who are !iffere"t. After e'aili"( !o@e"sof pulishers I hae o"l& 'et with i("ora"ce. But if atra"slator +author (ies so'e of his fi"a"cial resources to pulishers, his or her path to oo%stores is easier . If &ou ca"offer so'e !o"atio" to help 'e pulish the oo% De)#$h$t'&a' here, I woul! appreciate it.

The (oo! &o(i is o"e i" a hu"!re!, the wise 'a" is o"e i" athousa"!, ut the #other is o"l& >"e +her cari"( a"! (ii"(so"s a"! !au(hters are still er& rare.

Loo% at '& wesite a"! see where 'ost of '& e"er(& has(o"e9

#& wesite9 http9??www.frees!."fo.s%?hi"!uis'?

e2'ail /9 'ahisasura AT laait D>T co'

e2'ail C9 i"a&a% AT chello D>T s%

I hae also other proects relate! to Sa"ata"a Dhar'a9

/ 'ultiple %e&oar!s i" "i= +E"(lish, IAST, Dea"a(ari...o" the asis of H'o!'ap solutio"9 http9??www.frees!."fo.s%?

'aheshae"(.ht' 2 up!atesC #aheshaBSD 2 a *i"!u Lie 1D ase! o" FreeBSD +it alsospea%s9 http9??www.frees!."fo.s%?'aheshae"(.ht'

Possible errors in this book

I ha! to chec% so'e of the wor!s i" other sources, too 2 fore=a'ple, the wor! Sau"a"!a +a clu or 'ace appeare! to

iii

http://www.freebsd.nfo.sk/hinduism/http://www.freebsd.nfo.sk/maheshaeng.htm#updateshttp://www.freebsd.nfo.sk/maheshaeng.htm#updateshttp://www.freebsd.nfo.sk/maheshaeng.htm#updateshttp://www.freebsd.nfo.sk/maheshaeng.htmhttp://www.freebsd.nfo.sk/maheshaeng.htmhttp://www.freebsd.nfo.sk/hinduism/http://www.freebsd.nfo.sk/maheshaeng.htm#updateshttp://www.freebsd.nfo.sk/maheshaeng.htm#updateshttp://www.freebsd.nfo.sk/maheshaeng.htm


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hae ee" !efor'e! & i"correct reco("itio" of letter u+reco("i@e! as Sa""a"!a.

As I state! efore, u 'a& e scarcel& so'ewhere sustitute!with " the sa'e applies to 2 h +possil&, &ou 'a& fi"!so'e scarce i"sta"ces of e sustitute! with he,a"! ice ersa. Juotatio" 'ar%s, !ots, or co''as +, . ca"

e so'ewhere fou"! o" i"correct places, as the ori(i"al oo%ha! so'e i'purities o" so'e parts of the te=t. You 'a& possil& also fi"! scarce sustitutio"s of letter c with o+a"! ice ersa, letter e with c, etc.

Conclusion

You 'a& use this oo% for a"& purpose, ut please !o "ot pulicl& !istriute it without this little i"tro!uctio" of 'i"e 2i" such a case &ou will har' '& future pulicatio" pla"s a"! possil& other proects I 'a& start wor%i"( o" later.

The followi"( te=t is the te=t that I opticall& reco("i@e!. Theco''e"ts I 'a!e later i" the te=t are prece!e! & the wor!"ote9 a"! the si@e of the fo"t is re!uce! to /5 +for e=a'ple9

Note9 here the ori(i"al oo% co"tai"s all the te=ts i" italics.

That is all. E"o&K

4ura Sipos

http9??www.frees!."fo.s%?hi"!uis'?

i

http://www.freebsd.nfo.sk/hinduism/http://www.freebsd.nfo.sk/hinduism/


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Cornell University Library

THE GIFT OF

Asiatic Society of Bengal

Cornell University

Library

The original of this book is in the Cornell UniversityLibrary

There are no kno!n co"yright restrictions in the Unite#States on the $se of the te%t


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BIBLIOTHECA INDICA:A COLLECTION OF ORIENTAL WORKS, PUBLISHEDBY THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL.

NEW SERISE, NOS. 700, 706, 810, 87, 8!0, !"7, 10#8,1076,

$ 110".

%%%%%%%%%%

THE

MÁRKANDEYA PURÁNA

TRANSLATED BY

F. EDEN PARGITER, B A.

Indian Civil Service;

Judge of the High Court of Judicature, Calcutta;

ate !oden Sanskrit Scholar "#ford$

1AL1TTA9

PRINTED AT T*E BAPTIST #ISSI>N PRESS,

AND PBLIS*ED BY

T*E ASIATI1 S>1IETY, 8, PAR< STREET.

/356.

i


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PREFA1E.

This tra"slatio" of the #$r%a"!e&a Pur$"a was u"!erta%e" &'e for the Asiatic Societ& of Be"(al 'a"& &ears a(o, whe" Ihope! to e ale to carr& it throu(h i" "o lo"( perio! uto"erous official !uties left little leisure, a"! for &ears re'oe!'e to a !ista"ce fro' the Societ&s Lirar& a"! other 'ea"s of

refere"ce. The Societ& was relucta"t that the tra"slatio" shoul! e !roppe!, a"! it has therefore ee" co"ti"ue! as well asleisure per'itte!. It is hope! that i" spite of these !ifficultiesthe tra"slatio", 'a& e of serice to scholars, a"! the "oteswith all their shortco'i"(s "ot u"welco'e.

1AL1TTA9 F. E. P.

:r! Dece'er, /356.

ii


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INTRODUCTION

This tra"slatio" of the #$r%a"!e&a Pur$"a ei"( 'a!e for theAsiatic Societ& of Be"(al "aturall& follows the e!itio" of thiswor% prepare! & the Re. Dr.


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7uestio"s to the Bir!s a"! the& "o'i"all& e=pou"! the', &etthe real spea%ers are Su'ati, "ic%"a'e! 4a!a, a"! his father.

1a"tos 6820/9 here, thou(h 4ai'i"i a"! the Bir!s are the"o'i"al spea%ers, &et the real spea%ers are #$r%a"!e&a a"!his !isciple


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'ore proale that the& ha! ee" u"ite! efore the& were prefi=e!. There is a 'ar%e! si'ilarit& etwee" the'.

The prefi=i"( of the !iscourses !eliere! & the Bir!s to thePur$"a proper raise! the Bir!s to the pri'ar& a"! chief positio" a"! te"!e! to !ero(ate fro' #$r%a"!e&as pre2e'i"e"ce ut clashi"( was aoi!e! a"! #$r%a"!e&as

supre'ac& was presere! & two e=pe!ie"ts first, he wasi"tro!uce! at the er& e(i""i"( i" or!er that he 'i(hte=pressl& !eclare the wis!o' a"! authorit& of the Bir!s a"!seco"!l&, the ori(i"al Pur$"a was i"terfere! with as little as possile & 'a%i"( the Bir!s repeat it i" its e"tiret& as#$r%a"!e&as teachi"(, co"clusie upo" the suects !ealtwith i" it. The Bir!s o" e(i""i"( it retire fro' further "otice, ut reappear with 4ai'i"i i" the fi"al ca"to to co"clu!e their!iscourse a"! (ie co"siste"c& to the co'i"e! i"structio".This was a ter'i"atio" re"!ere! "ecessar& & the prefi=i"( ofthe first two parts to the ori(i"al Pur$"a.

The seco"! part appears to hae ee" a'plifie! e&o"! its pri'ar& scope. It !iscourses aout irth a"! !eath, aout thehells, aout si"s a"! their pu"ish'e"ts a"! aout &o(a orreli(ious !eotio". All these suects are riefl& !ealt with,thou(h the !escriptio" of the !iffere"t hells is a'pler tha" i"other Pur$"as, ut the last suect lea!s to a !iscursiee=positio". If !ealt with li%e the other suects, the e=positio"woul! pass fro' ca"to /;, erse /C i''e!iatel& to ca"to :,where %i"( Alar%a is !rie" & a!ersit& to see% Datt$tre&asa!ice a"! that rsi e=pou"!s the !octri"es of &o(a to hi' i"ca"tos :0 to 6:, a"! the stor& "aturall& closes with ca"to 66.But the refere"ce to that %i"( a"! that rsi was co"si!ere! tore7uire so'e eluci!atio" at ca"to /;, erse /:, he"ce the stor&of Dattatre&a a"! the stor& of Alar%as pare"ts Rta!haa a"!#a!$las$ are 'a!e the i"tro!uctio" to the !irect e=positio" of&o(a, with the result that the !i(ressio" is so lo"( that, whe"the suect of &o(a is reache!, its co""e=io" with 4ai'i"is7uestio"s has ee" lost to si(ht a"! ee" the passa(e fro' thestor& of Datt$tre&a to that of Alar%a at the e"! of ca"to /3 isi"apt a"! arupt.

Both these stories 'oreoer appear i" their tur" to hae ee"

e=pa"!e! e&o"! their "atural course. The stor& of the rah'a" a"! his !eote! wife i" ca"to /;, which fur"ishes a"u""ecessar& e=pla"atio" of the irth of Datt$tre&a, is a stor& ofco''o" tow" life, a" asur! a"achro"is' co'pare! withwhat it e=plai"s a"! it see's with its refere"ce to a te'ple!e!icate! to A"as&$ !uri"( her life2ti'e to e a"i"terpolatio" i"te"!e! for her (lorificatio". The stor& ofRta!haa a"! #a!$las$ is a char'i"( o"e of si'ple 'arela"! ru"s its "atural course i" ca"tos C5 to C as far as

=


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#a!$las$s i"structio" of her so" Alar%a i" %i"(l& !uties utthe followi"( ca"tos C0 to :8, i" which she e=pou"!s the lawsre(ar!i"( rah'a"s, sr$!!has, custo', Oc., har!l& accor!with the stor& or with her positio" a"! %"owle!(e, a"! see'to e a" i"terpolatio". So'e teachi"( o" such 'atters ei"(!ee'e! !esirale, here was the o"l& place where the a!!itio"

was possile.The De)2'$h$t'&a sta"!s e"tirel& & itself as a lateri"terpolatio". It is a poe' co'plete i" itself. Its suect a"!the character attriute! to the (o!!ess shew that it is the pro!uct of a later a(e which !eelope! a"! too% pleasure i"the sa"(ui"ar& features of popular reli(io". The praise of the(o!!ess #ah$2'$&$ i" ca"to 0/ is i" the or!i"ar& st&le. *erspecial (lorificatio" e(i"s i" ca"to 0C, a"! is elaorate! withthe 'ost e=traa(a"t lau!atio" a"! the 'ost 'iraculousi'a(i"atio". So'e of the h&'"s reathe !eep reli(iousfeeli"(, e=press e"thusiastic a!oratio", a"! ei"ce fere"t

spiritual 'e!itatio". >" the other ha"!, the !escriptio"s of the attles aou"! with wil! a"! repulsie i"ci!e"ts, a"! reel i"(ross a"! a'a@i"( fa"cies. The De)2'$h$t'&a is aco'pou"! of the 'ost opposite characters. The reli(ious out2 pouri"(s are at ti'es pure a"! eleate!9 the 'aterial!escriptio"s are asur! a"! !ease!.

The e"!i"( of the Pur$"a !eseres "otice. It closes with thee=ploits of %i"( Da'a. Accor!i"( to the Gau!i&a or Be"(al#SS., which Dr. Ba"erea followe!, the Pur$"a e"!s aruptl&i" ca"to /:;, leai"( Da'a ac7uiesci"( ta'el& i" the fli(ht ofhis fathers 'ur!erer -apus'at. The up2cou"tr& ersio" +thee"!i"( of which he place! i" a" appe"!i= is fou"! i" theBo'a& a"! Poo"a e!itio"s a"! carries the stor& o" till Da'ata%es e"(ea"ce o" -apus'at. Dr. Ba"erea co"si!ere! thearupt"ess a"! i"co'plete"ess were stro"( ei!e"ce of the(e"ui"e"ess of the Be"(al e"!i"( a"! "o !out that is a fairar(u'e"t, ut it oerloo%s the character of the two e"!i"(s.The pusilla"i'it& which that e"!i"( ascries to Da'a arswith the whole to"e of his threat i" ca"to /:8 which othersio"s accou"t (e"ui"e. >" the other ha"! the up2cou"tr&e"!i"( "arrates the fulfil'e"t of that threat, a"! the saa(ea"! ee" i"hu'a" i"ci!e"ts which it 'e"tio"s are har!l&

e=plicale if it is spurious, for Da'a after %illi"( -apus'atuse! -apus'ats loo! a"! flesh for the olatio"s !ue to his'ur!ere! father, a"! also +it is i'plie! (ae certai" !e(ra!e! rah'a"s a ca""ial feast. A for(er woul! "ot wish "or !are toi"e"t i" his eulo(& of o"e of the %i"(s such repulsiei"ci!e"ts, !esecrati"( the 'ost sacre! rites a"! te"ets of hisreli(io", "or if we ca" i'a(i"e such a for(er& !i! occur, coul!it hae eer otai"e! ee" tolera"ce. It is i'possile,therefore, to thi"% that the up2cou"tr& e"!i"( is a for(er& a"!

=i


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if it e the true ori(i"al, o"e ca" easil& u"!ersta"! wh& sucha" e"!i"( shoul! hae ee" struc% out, a"! how the reiser,u"ale to i"e"t or pal' off a "ew e"!i"(, ha! to ri"( thestor& to the arupt a"! eu"e co"clusio" of the Be"(alersio". The up2cou"tr& e"!i"( has, therefore, ee" a!opte! asthe true ersio" i" this tra"slatio", a"! the Be"(al e"!i"( has

ee" "otice! separatel&. The for'er !iscloses, li%e stra& passa(es elsewhere, that saa(er& was "ot ase"t fro' theearliest 'e'ories of the Ar&a"s i" I"!ia.

For the purpose of !iscussi"( the Pur$"a further, it will eco"e"ie"t to co"si!er the first a"! seco"! parts as co'posi"(o"e Sectio", a"! the thir! a"! fifth parts as co'posi"( a"otherSectio" a"! this !iisio" will e osere! i" what follows.The De)2'$h$t'&a co"stitutes a Sectio" & itself.

Place of "rigin$

Mith re(ar! to the 7uestio" of the place of its ori(i", thePur$"a i" oth its Sectio"s professes to hae e'a"ate! fro'Mester" I"!ia.

The seco"! Sectio" as the ol!est 'a& e co"si!ere! first. I"ca"to 68, s. C6 a"! C8, #$r%a"!e&a sa&s positiel& that1&aa"a was the rsi who first !eclare! it9 1&aa"a otai"e! itfro' Bhr(u a"! !eclare! it to the rsis, the& repeate! it toDa%sa a"! #$r%a"!e&a lear"t it fro' Da%sa. Now 1&aa"a isi"ti'atel& associate! with the west of I"!ia, especiall& withthe re(io" aout the 'ouths of the riers Nar'a!$ a"! Tapti.

*is father Bhr(u a"! their !esce"!a"ts Rc)%a, 4a'a!a("i a"!Parasu R$'a are co""ecte! i" 'a"& a le(e"! with all thecou"tr& "orth, east a"! south of that re(io". That was theterritor& of the Bh$r(aa race +see pp. :/5 a"! :;0. As1&aa"a settle! "ear the 'ouths of those riers, the Pur$"aitself clai's to hae ee" first !eclare! & hi' i" that re(io".

#$r%a"!e&a hi'self was a Bh$r(aa. This is state! i" ca"to68, . /0 a"! ca"to 8C s. /62/ a"! also i" the #ah$2h$rata,-a"a2p. cc=i. /6/5628. The Bh$r(aas sprea! fro' 1&aa"asre(io", especiall& eastwar! alo"( the alle&s of the Nar'a!$a"! Tapti, as those alle&s were (ra!uall& wreste! fro' the

hill races & the Y$!a2as a"! *aiha&as, the 'ost fa'ousco"7uerors of which race were Aru"a


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special ao!e appears to hae ee" o" the rier Pa&os") +the'o!e' Pur"$ a"! its co"ti"uatio" i" the Tapti, see p. C33 +i!.l===iii. 0::5. Both & li"ea(e a"! & resi!e"ce therefore he elo"(e! to that wester" cou"tr&, a"! the ori(i"al Pur$"a 'usthae ee" co'pose! there. Bh$r(aas are co"ti"uall& allu!e!to throu(hout the Pur$"a.

As re(ar!s the first Sectio", it is sai! the Bir!s, to who'4ai'i"i was referre!, were lii"( i" the -i"!h&a 'ou"tai"s,a"! it was there that the& !eliere! the Pur$"a to hi'. The&are e=plai"e! of course to e four rah'a" rothers i" a stateof tra"s'i(ratio", a"! it appears to e i'plie! i" ca"to :, s.CC2C6, that their father, the 'u"i Su%rsa, !welt o" or "ear the-i"!h&as. *e ha! a rother "a'e! Tu'uru. There were other perso"s of this "a'e, such as Tu'uru who was a (uru a'o"(the Ga"!haras +see pp. 8/, ;6, ;60, a"! //0 as correcte!a"! #. Bh., Sah$2p. li. /00/. ut it see's per'issile toco""ect this rother Tu'uru with the tries of the "a'es

Tu'ura a"! Tu'ula who !welt o" the slopes of the-i"!h&as +p. :6:.

The Bir!s are sai! to hae !welt i" the -i"!h&as i" a cae,where the water was er& sacre! +p. /, a"! which wasspri"%le! with !rops of water fro' the rier Nar'a!$ +p. /3a"! it is "o !out allowale to i"fer the situatio" fro' thesei"!icatio"s, "a'el&, so'e cliffs of the -i"!h&a hills wherethose hills aut o" the rier Nar'a!$ at a er& sacre! tirtha.Such a spot ca""ot e sou(ht aoe the 'o!er" *osha"(aa!,for the rier aoe that was e"co'passe! i" earl& ti'es &hills, !e"se forest a"! wil! tries. A'o"( the er& sacre! places where the -i"!h&a hills o" the "orth approach close tothe rier, "o"e satisfies the co"!itio"s etter that the roc%&isla"! a"! tow" of #a"!h$ta, which is to e i!e"tifie! with#$his2'at), the a"cie"t a"! fa'ous *aiha&a capital. The'o!er" tow" of #ahesar, so'e fift& 'iles lower !ow" therier, clai's to e the a"cie"t #$his'at), ut !oes "ot satisf&the allusio"s. #$his'at) was situate! o" a" isla"! i" the riera"! the palace loo%e! out o" the rushi"( strea' +Ra(hu2-., i,6:. This !escriptio" a(rees o"l& with #a"!h$ta. #$his'at)was sacre! to A("i i" the earliest ti'es +#. Bh., Sah$2p.//C82;:. #a"!h$ta has special clai's to sa"ctit& it has er&

a"cie"t re'ai"s it has eco'e sacre! to Sia, a"! the fa'ousshri"e of >'%$ra a"! other te'ples !e!icate! to hi' are here+*u"ter, I'pl. Ga@., #a"!h$ta.. The hills close i" o" therier here, a"! o" the "orth a"% are 4ai" te'ples. I" thesehills o" the "orth a"% oerloo%i"( the rier at #a"!h$ta we'a& place the alle(e! cae where the first part of the Pur$"a professes that it was !eliere! a"! this i!e"tificatio" will efou"! to e=plai" 'a"& further features of the Pur$"a

=iii


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Mith re(ar! to the seco"! part it 'a& e "otice! that Su'ati4a!a, whose wor!s the Bir!s repeat, elo"(e! also to thefa'il& of Bhr(u +p. ;:. *e"ce this part elo"(e! to the sa'ere(io" where the Bh$r(aas pre!o'i"ate!. Mith this iewa(rees the state'e"t that the rai"& seaso" lasts four 'o"thsa"! the !r& seaso" ei(ht 'o"ths +p. /6, as I u"!ersta"! is

the rule i" this re(io". It is further worth& of "ote that e&es of lue colour, li%e the lue water2lil& +")lotpala are (ie" toLa%s') +p. /56 a"! to #a!$las$ +p. //6 a"! such aco'pariso" is rare, I eliee, i" Sa"s%rit. It was +'a& it ei"ferre! i" Mester" I"!ia that people with lue e&es coul!hae ee" see" as isitors i" circu'sta"ces of suchappreciatio" that their features eca'e a 'o!el of eaut&.

There are so'e other 'atters that 'i(ht hae ee" e=pecte! to&iel! i"for'atio" of a local character, such as the lists ofarious trees, pla"ts, ir!s a"! a"i'als +pp. C62:, /;62; a"!C6628 a"! the peculiar e=positio" of the co"structio" a"!

"o'e"clature of fortresses +pp. C652C. I hae, howeer, ee"u"ale to !e!uce a"& !efi"ite co"clusio" fro' the latter, a"!the lists etra& "o special local character, ut rather ai' at ei"( as co'prehe"sie i" their wa& as the (eo(raphicalca"tos +8 a"! 80.

Both the first a"! seco"! Sectio"s, therefore, plai"l& e'a"ate!fro' Mester" I"!ia, a"! i"!icate the 'i!!le portio" of the Nara!$ a"! Tapti alle&s as their place of ori(i". It re'ai"sto co"si!er the De)2'$h$t'&a, a"! the followi"(co"si!eratio"s poi"t to the sa'e place of ori(i", especiall& to#a"!h$ta.

The De)2'$h$t'&a 'ust hae ori(i"ate! i" so'e place!e!icate! to the (o!!ess i" her terrile for'. The poe' has"ow eco'e a te=t2oo% of the worshippers of


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Pur$"a a"! elsewhere. The Sa%tis of the (o!s are 'a!eseparate e'a"atio"s fro' the (o!s, a"! are calle! the#others, m&tr'gana +pp. 85C, 856. The poe' is therefore a(lorificatio" of Dur($ i" her terrile aspect, with '%$ra, was Sia or Dur($worshippe! with sa"(ui"ar& rites, as far as I ca" fi"!.

I" the #ah$2h$rata Dur($ has the "a'es #ah$%$l),Bha!ra%$l), 1a"!$ a"! 1a"!) a"! she is also calle!


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ai", the (o!!ess at the shri"e of #ah$%$la woul! hae ee"referre! to i" this 'a""er. *e"ce this passa(e 'ore proal&co"e&s o"l& a co''e"!ator& allusio" a"! it see's 'ore"atural a"! appropriate to co""ect the poe' with #a"!h$ta,where this phase of sa"(ui"ar& worship was particularl&stro"(.

The worship of 1$'u"!$ poi"ts to the sa'e co"clusio".*u'a" sacrifices ha! lo"( ee" aolishe! i" the ciili@e!cou"tries of I"!ia, a"! the offeri"( of such sacrifices atPa!'$at) coul! har!l& hae ee" a surial ut 'ust hae ee" i"tro!uce! fro' elsewhere. Such a practice woul!"aturall& e cla"!esti"e. *u'a" sacrifices were offere! i"those ti'es o"l& a'o"( the ru!e tries of 1e"tral I"!ia,a'o"( who' such sacrifices surie! till the last ce"tur&he"ce it 'a& e i"ferre! that such offeri"(s to 1$'u"!$ atPa!'$at) 'ust hae ee" i"tro!uce! fro' places which or!ere! o" those tries a"! were affecte! & their rites. The

'i!!le portio" of the Nara!a alle& was e'i"e"tl& such a place. Poi"ti"( i" the sa'e !irectio" is the state'e"t i" the#ah$2h$rata that Dur($ ha! her eter"al ao!e o" the-i"!h&as a"! was fo"! of i"to=icati"( li7uor, flesh a"! cattle+-ir$ta2p. i. /38. It see's reaso"ale the" to co"clu!e thatthe De)2'$h$t'&a is earlier tha" the #$lati2'$!haa a"! ifso, the "a'e 1$'u"!$ a"! the for' 1a"!i%$ occur appare"tl&the first ti'e i" this poe'.

#a"!h$ta was a fa'ous a"cie"t tirtha a"! appears to haefalle" i"to "e(lect a"! ee" al'ost !eserte! i" the //th a"!/Cth ce"turies A.D., ut its (lor& was reie!. Aout the &ear//;8 a Gos$i", "a'e! Dar&$o N$th, was the o"l& worshipperof >'%$r o" the isla"!, which pil(ri's coul! "ot isit for fearof a terrile (o! calle!


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!eote! to their serice a"! it is eas& to u"!ersta"! how sucha sa"(ui"ar& for' of reli(io" coul! ta%e shape here. Thisre(io" of the Nara!$ alle& was speciall& co""ecte! with!e'o" le(e"!s, such as the !e'o" stro"(hol! of Tripura a"!the !e'o" #ahisa, after which the tow"s Tewar a"! #ahesarare sai! to e "a'e!. It also or!ere! o" the N$(a cou"tr&.

#a"!h$ta, with such associatio"s, woul! e the 'ost proale irth2place of this poe', a"! the rief allusio" to #ah$%$lawoul! the" e o"l& a collateral o"e &et, ee" if the poe' wasco'pose! at ai", the co"clusio" woul! still re'ai" (oo!that the poe' ori(i"ate! i" this re(io" of Mester" I"!ia.

(ate of the Pur&na$

The 7uestio" of the !ate of the Pur$"a is 'ore !ifficult, si"ceall 7uestio"s of chro"olo(& i" Sa"s%rit writi"(s are 'ostu"certai". >"e !efi"ite a"! i'porta"t !ate 'a& e first

"otice!. #ah$'ahop$!h&$&a *arapras$! S$stri fou"! a cop&of the De)2'$h$t'&a i" ol! Newari characters i" the Ro&alLirar& i" Nepal, a"! it is !ate! 330 A.D. +See his 1atalo(ue.It 'a& e safel& i"ferre! therefro', that this poe' 'ust hae ee" co'pose! efore the e(i""i"( of the /5th ce"tur& at thelatest. The De)2'$h$t'&a ca""ot therefore e later tha" the3th ce"tur& a"! 'a& e co"si!eral& earlier. Si"ce it is thelatest part of the Pur$"a, the other parts 'ust hae ee"co'pose! earlier, a"! the 7uestio" for co"si!eratio" is, how'uch earlier

Prof. Milso" i" his preface to his Tra"slatio" of the -is"u

Pur$"a poi"te! out that this Pur$"a is later tha" the#ah$h$rata ut a"terior to the Brah'a, Pa!'a, N$ra!i&a a"!Bh$(aata Pur$"as, a"! co"ecture! that it 'a& e place! i"the "i"th or te"th ce"tur& A.D. This, as alrea!& "otice!, is toorece"t, 'oreoer it has ee" !iscoere! si"ce that hisesti'ates of the co'positio" of the seeral Pur$"as u"!er2rec%o" their a(e, a"! that the perio!s assi("e! & hi' shoul! e 'oe! so'e ce"turies earlier. For i"sta"ce, he co"ecture!the collectie writi"(s %"ow" as the S%a"!a Pur$"a to e'o!er" a"! the (reater part of the co"te"ts of the


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shoul! e 'a!e, a"! that woul! place it aout the 6th ce"tur&A.D.

Further ei!e"ce is otai"e! fro' 4ai" writi"(s that thePur$"as are 'uch earlier tha" Prof. Milso" esti'ate!. Thusthe Pa!'a Pur$"a of the 4ai"s, which was writte" & Raise"ai" i'itatio" of the *i"!u Pa!'a Pur$"a, co"tai"s, I

u"!ersta"!, a couplet showi"( that it was co'pose! i" the&ear ;0 A.D a"! that Pur$"a 'e"tio"s all the Pur$"as. Allare 'e"tio"e! a(ai" i" the 4ai" Q!l Pur$"a of 4i"ase"a wholie! aout a ce"tur& later. This ei!e"ce woul! !e'o"stratethat all the *i"!u Pur$"as ha! ee" co'pose! efore the e"!of the si=th a"! proal& & the e"! of the fifth ce"tur& A.D.thou(h of course it leaes roo' ope" for suse7ue"t a!!itio"sa"! i"terpolatio"s i" the'.

A co''o" 'etho! of esti'ati"( the a(e of a Sa"s%ritco'positio" is to co"si!er the reli(ious a"! philosophicali!eas e'o!ie! i" it &et to !iscuss 7uestio"s of chro"olo(& o"the asis of such i!eas see's to e 'ore i"teresti"( tha"co"i"ci"(. Such i!eas hae passe! alo"( a course of!eelop'e"t i" I"!ia, ut it is !outful how far (e"erali"fere"ces therefro' ca" e safel& applie! to fi= the !ate of a particular wor%. Mhere such i!eas are fou"!e! o" sacre!co'positio"s, which are the suect of reere"t stu!&, there'ust e flows, e!!ies a"! i"terals of sta("atio", a"! ee"rapi!s a"! ac% curre"ts, i" the strea' of such i!eas. Theircourse 'a& e co'pare! with si'ilar speculatio"s, "ot i" asi"(le Europea" cou"tr&, ut i" the whole of Europe, for I"!iahas alwa&s co'prise! 'a"& cou"tries a"! the histor& ofEurope !uri"( the last four hu"!re! &ears shews, whether itwoul! e eas& to !eter'i"e the !ate of a writi"( o" suchsuects i" Lati" solel& fro' its co"te"ts, for the pro(ress ofthou(ht i" the !iffere"t cou"tries has ee" "eithersi'ulta"eous "or u"ifor'. Si'ilarl& i" I"!ia, there ca" e "o!out that, while reli(io" a"! philosoph& hae ha! their(e"eral course of !eelop'e"t, the course has ee" er&u"e7ual i" the !iffere"t cou"tries, so that it woul! "ot eu"reaso"ale to suspect that at the sa'e ti'e o"e cou"tr& wasa!a"ci"(, a"other was statio"ar&, a"! a thir! was ee"!e(e"erati"( u"!er political a!ersit&. The !eelop'e"t of

reli(io" a"! philosoph& i" I"!ia the" is "ot so clear that o"eca" !o 'ore tha" e"ture to co"ecture upo" such (rou"!s, atwhat perio! or perio!s this Pur$"a, which was writte" i"Mester" I"!ia, was co'pose!. A"!, as alrea!& 'e"tio"e!, ithas so little of a sectaria" spirit or of special !octri"es that the asis for co"ecture is 'ea(re. Suect to this cautio" thefollowi"( features 'a& e "otice!.

A'o"( the !eities, I"!ra a"! Brah'$ are 'e"tio"e! ofte"est

=iii


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"e=t sta"! -is"u a"! Sia the" the Su" a"! A("i a"! lastl&Dhar'a a"! others. I"!ra is 'e"tio"e! 'ost ofte" i" the firsta"! fifth parts, a"! Brah'$ i" the thir! a"! fifth parts while-is"u a"! Sia !o "ot show a"& particular prepo"!era"ce. Ifthe De)2'$h$t'&a is put asi!e, the Su" is the !eit& thatreceies the 'ost special a!oratio", a"! his stor& is relate!

twice, first, riefl& i" ca"tos a"! 0, a"! afterwar!s withfull"ess i" ca"tos /5C2//5. To this 'a& e a!!e! the co("ateworship of A("i i" ca"tos 33 a"! /55. Such 'ar%e! reere"cefor A("i a"! the Su" woul! e "atural i" such a place as#$his'at), which +as alrea!& 'e"tio"e! was speciall& sacre!to A("i efore the worship of Sia otai"e! supre'ac& there.


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iolatio" occurre! to his "ature. The seco"! 7uestio" is sole! & the assertio", that ecause of I"!ras tra"s(ressio"s fie portio"s of his esse"ce eca'e i"car"ate i" the P$"!aas, a"!his wife eca'e i"car"ate as Draupa!), so that she was stillthe wife of o"l& o"e perso". The thir! 7uestio" see's to tur"o" the i!eas, that rah'a"ici!e was a hei"ous si" e=piale &

!eath a"! that pil(ri'a(e was a pious u"!erta%i"( howtherefore coul! such a si" e e=piate! & such actio" Thea"swer see's to e that the si" was u"i"te"tio"al, ei"( !ue tooerpoweri"( se"sual i"flue"ces, a"! !i! "ot call for the fullri(our of pu"ish'e"t, while the real pe"a"ce co"siste! i"co"fessio". The fourth 7uestio" is sole! & a stor& oftra"s'i(ratio" Draupa!)s so"s were fie -ise De$s whowere curse! & -is$'itra to assu'e hu'a" for' for a rief perio!.

The first two 7uestio"s a"! a"swers call for so'e "otice a"!throw so'e li(ht o" the a(e of the first Sectio" of the Pur$"a.

Mith re(ar! to the first 7uestio", Dr. Ba"erea has re'ar%e! i"his I"tro!uctio" that the !escriptio" of -$su!ea elo"(s tothe school N$ra!a2pa"car$tra, to which Sa"%ar$c$r&a has(ie" a" elaorate repl& i" his co''e"tar& o" the Brah'aSutras while "o trace of this !octri"e is to e fou"! i" theseco"! Sectio" of the Pur$"a. As Sa"%ara lie! i" the 0thce"tur& A.D., that school e=iste! efore hi'. The first part ofthis Pur$"a was, therefore, proal& prior to his ti'e &et it'a& possil& hae ee" later. This co'pariso" the" &iel!s"othi"( !efi"ite.

The seco"! a"swer prese"ts so'e re'ar%ale peculiaritieswhe" co'pare! with the #ah$2h$rata. That wor% (ies twoe=pla"atio"s aout Draupa!)s wifehoo!, first, wh& she was!esti"e! to hae fie husa"!s, a"! seco"!l&, wh& the fieP$"!aas eca'e her husa"!s.

The first e=pla"atio" is (ie" twice i" the Q!i2para", i@., i"cl=i=. ;6C;2:6 a"! i" c=cii. :/32C0. She ha! ee" a rsis!au(hter a"! u"'arrie! i" or!er to otai" a husa"! she propitiate! Sia with austerities, a"! he offere! her a oo".She e((e! for a husa"!, a"! i" her ea(er"ess 'a!e there7uest fie ti'es, he"ce he pro'ise! her fie husa"!s, a"!

i" spite of her oectio" a!here! to his wor! a"! pro'ise!the' to her i" a"other life. *e"ce she was or" as Drupa!as!au(hter. I" the latter of these two passa(es a"! i" li"e :/5she is 'a!e a" i"car"atio" of La%s').

The seco"! e=pla"atio" is (ie" i" Q!i2para" c=cii. C82:/5. I"!ra we"t to Sia o" #ou"t *i'aat a"! accoste! hi'ru!el&, ut Sia awe! hi' a"! poi"te! to a cae i" the'ou"tai" wherei" were four prior I"!ras. Sia sai! that I"!ra

==


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a"! those four prior I"!ras shoul! e or" i" hu'a" shape i"or!er to re!uce the oer2populatio" of the worl!, a"! thatLa%s') shoul! e or" a"! e their co''o" wife.Accor!i"(l& I"!ra was or" as Aru"a a"! the prior I"!ras asthe other P$"!aas, a"! La%s') was or" as Draupa!).

Now these stories i" the #ah$2h$rata itself fur"ishe! so'e

e=pla"atio", a"! wh& 4ai'i"i shoul! hae felt a"& perple=it&,if he ha! these e=pla"atio"s efore hi', is at first si(htstra"(e. This su((ests a !out whether the& were the" i" the#ah$2h$rata, or whether the& were i"serte! there afterwar!sto 'eet this er& 7uestio". >" the other ha"!, it 'a& e "ote!that these e=pla"atio"s !i! "ot reall& sole the !ifficult&, forthe fie I"!ras who eca'e the P$"!aas were "ot the sa'e!eit&, a"! thus Draupa!)s husa"!s were still separate perso"s. >" this poi"t, therefore, the !ifficult& re'ai"e!, a"!the a"swer (ie" & the Bir!s re'oes it +thou(h at aria"cewith the #ah$2h$rata & !eclari"( that the P$"!aas were

all i"car"atio"s of portio"s of the sa'e !eit&, I"!ra, a"! werethus reall& o"l& o"e perso". The #ah$2h$rata, howeer, prese"te! a further !ifficult&, for wh& shoul! La%s') hae eco'e i"car"ate to e the wife of i"car"atio"s of I"!ra TheBir!s alter this & !eclari"( +a(ai" at -aria"ce with the #ah$2 h$rata that it was I"!ras ow" wife who eca'e i"car"ate asDraupa!). Both these co"tra!ictio"s are left u""otice! &et it issai! er& trul& that there was er& (reat perple=it& aout this'atter +p. /3.

This i"co"(ruit& of La%s')s eco'i"( i"car"ate to e wife toi"car"atio"s of other !eities su((ests a further speculatio". I"the #ah$2h$rata as it "ow sta"!s,


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of I"!ia &et it 'a& e poi"te! out that all the stories "arrate!i" the first Sectio" relate to #a!h&a2!esa, the *i'$la&as a"!Mester" I"!ia, while "o 'e"tio" occurs of Souther", Easter"or North2Mester" I"!ia. I" the seco"! Sectio", few illustratiestories occur apart fro' the 'ai" !iscourse o" the #a"us a"!the ro&al (e"ealo(ies. >"l& o"e !&"ast& is treate! of, that i"

which the chief pri"ces were -atsapri,


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24/548

ascrie the i"tro!uctio" of these Bir!s as dramatis personae i"this Pur$"a to a"& i'itatio" of those le(e"!s, ecause the"ature of the stories is wholl& !iffere"t. The use of the Bir!ssee's rather to e the applicatio" of a class of i!eas co''o"i" the a"i'al2tales of fol%2lore to reli(ious teachi"(, a"! to esi'ilar to the 'achi"er& e'plo&e! & B$"a i" his stor& of


25/548

THE MÁRKANDEYAPURÁNA.

THE MÁRKANDEYA PURÁNA.

>#K RE-EREN1E T> T*E AD>RABLE -IS*NK

#a& -ish"us lotus2feet, which power hae

To !issipate the woes wrou(ht & the fear

>f e=iste"ce, a"! which are lau!e! hi(h

B& ascetics, assi!uous, whose 'i"!s

Fro' all thi"(s else are rapt 2 'a& those sa'e feet,

Mhose steps the earth, the s%&, a"! heae" oerpasse!,

To si(ht appeari"(, purif& &our soulsK

#a& *e protect &ou, who is s%ille! to sae

I" eer& %i"! of si" i'pure whose for'

Mithi" the oso' of the sea of 'il% po" the hoo!e! s"a%e recli"es a"! at

Mhose touch the sea (rows 'ou"tai"ous, its spra&

p2tossi"( fro' its waters & his reath Disture!, a"! i"tosee'i"( !a"ci"( rea%sK

CANTO I.

The Curse on *apu$

&ai'ini a""lies to ()rkan#eya for instr$ction regar#ingcertain #iffic$lties in the (ah)bh)rata * ()rkan#eya

refers hi' to fo$r learne# Bir#s+ the sons of ,rona+ an#narrates their history * Their 'other -a"$+ an# A"saras+!as con#e'ne# by the ($ni ,$rv)sas to beco'e a bir#

for te'"ting hi'

*ai"( a!ore! N$r$&a"a, a"! Nara the est of 'e", the

/


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(o!!ess Sarasat), a"! the" -&$sa, let hi' utter the erse of-ictor&K

/ The illustrious 4ai'i"i, the !isciple of -&$sa, i"terro(ate!the (reat #u"i #$r%a"!e&a, who was e"(a(e! i" the perfor'a"ce of austerities a"! the stu!& of the -e!a.

C SirK the hi(h2soile! -&$sa relate! the stor& of the#ah$h$rata, which is replete with sple"!i! spotlesscollectio"s

: of arious S$stras, which is characteri@e! & accurac&re(ar!i"( the !iffere"t classes, is e'ellishe! with eautifulwor!s, a"! co"tai"s co'plete %"owle!(e of prim& facieassertio"s, a"!

6 estalishe! co"clusio"s. As -ish"u is chief a'o"( the (o!s,as the rah'a" chief a'o"( 'e", a"! as the crest2ewel chief

8 a'o"( all !ecoratio"s, as the a=e is the est a'o"(

weapo"s, as the 'i"! est a'o"( the or(a"s, so i" this worl!is the

; #ah$h$rata the est a'o"( all the S$stras. *ere are!escrie! oth Mealth a"! -irtue, Loe, a"! Fi"ale'a"cipatio" fro' tra"s'i(ratio" these hae oth reciprocala"! peculiar

co"se7ue"ces. It is the est Dhar'a2s$stra, it is the 'oste'i"e"t Artha2s$stra it too is the fore'ost


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*al$&u!ha e=piate his rah'a"ici!e & e"(a(i"( i" a

/; pil(ri'a(e A"! how was it that the u"'arrie! heroichi(h2soule! so"s of Draupa!i, whose protector was P$"!u,were slai", as

/ if the& ha! "o protector Dei(" to recou"t all this to 'ehere at le"(th for sa(es li%e thee are eer the i"structors of thei("ora"t.

/0 *ai"( thus hear! his speech, the (reat #u"i #$r%a"!e&a,!eoi! of the ei(htee" !efects, e(a" to spea%.

#$r%a"!e&a spo%e9

/3 The ti'e for '& e"(a(i"( i" reli(ious rites has "owarrie!, 'ost irtuous #u"iK a"! this is "ot estee'e! the

seaso"C5 for a lo"( !iscourse. But I will "ow tell thee, > 4ai'i"i, ofthose ir!s who will spea% to thee a"! so resole th&

C/ !outs. The& are Pi"($%sha a"! -io!ha, Supatra, a"!Su'u%ha, the so"s of Dro"a, the "olest of ir!s, erse! i" the pri"ciples of philosoph&, a"! 'e!itators o" the S$stras.

CC Their 'i"! is u"clou!e! i" the %"owle!(e of the 'ea"i"(of the -e!a a"! S$stras. The& !well i" a cae of the -i"!h&a'ou"tai"s, isit a"! 7uestio" the'.

C: The", thus a!!resse! & the wise #$r%a"!e&a, replie! the

#u"i pre2e'i"e"t, his e&es wi!e ope" with asto"ish'e"t.

4ai'i"i spo%e9

C6 -er& wo"!erful is this, > rah'a"K that those ir!s hae(ai"e! %"owle!(e 'ost !ifficult to e ac7uire!, as if ir!s

C8 possesse! hu'a" speech. If their irth is of the rutecreatio", whe"ce hae the& the %"owle!(e A"! how is it thatthose

C; wi"(e! o"es are calle! the chil!re" of Dro"a A"! whowas this fa'ous Dro"a, who ha! those four so"s. Do thoseirtuous hi(h2soule! ir!s possess the %"owle!(e ofri(hteous"ess

#$r%a"!e&a spo%e9

:


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C Liste" atte"tiel& to what happe"e! of &ore i" Na"!a"a atthe 'eeti"( of I"!ra a"! the Apsarases a"! N$ra!a.

C0 N$ra!a saw I"!ra the %i"( of the (o!s i" Na"!a"a,surrou"!e! & a a"! of those wa"to" 'ai!e"s, with e&esfaste"e!

C3 o" their faces. Sacis lor!, i''e!iatel& he was see" & that est of Rishis, rose up, a"! respectfull& (ae hi' his ow"

:5 seat. Those heae"l& 'ai!e"s, o" seei"( hi', the sla&er ofBala a"! -ritra, rise up, prostrate! the'seles efore the

:/ Dearshi a"! stoo! reere"tl& e"!i"(. *e the",worshippe! & the', !ul& (reete! I"!ra, whe" he ha! seate!hi'self, a"! co"erse! pleasa"tl& with hi'.

:C The" i" the course of their tal%, I"!ra sai! to the (reat#u"i 2 Declare, which of these !a"cers pleases thee 'ost. Is

:: it Ra'h$, or


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6/ *a&i"( hear! that his se"te"ce, the& all e=clai'e!, withtre'li"( "ec%s, this is i'possile for usK

6C A'o"( the' a" Apsaras "a'e! -apu, co"fi!e"t of perturi"( the #u"i, replie!, I will follow where the #u"i!wells

6: "ow will I 'a%e that ta'er of his o!&, who has &o%e! thehorses of his or(a"s, ut a poor charioteer whose rei"s

66 !rop efore the weapo"s of loe. Mhether it e Brah'$, or4a"$r!a"a or the purple Sia, his heart will I "ow pierce withthe arrow of loe.

68 *ai"( thus spo%e" -apu !eparte! the" to the S"ow&'ou"tai" to the #u"is her'ita(e, where the easts of pre&

6; were 7uelle! & the 'i(ht of his austerities. Stoppi"( at the!ista"ce of a call fro' where the (reat #u"i is seate!,

6 the loel& Apsaras sa"( the cuc%oos 'elo!&. *eari"( thestrai"s of her so"(, the #u"i asto"ishe! i" 'i"! we"t

60 to where sits that eauteous2face! 'ai!e". >" seei"( her, eautiful i" eer& li', the #u"i, su''o"i"( his resolutio",was fille! with a"(er a"! rese"t'e"t, %"owi"(

63 that she ha! co'e to pertur hi'. The" the (reat Rishi, the perfor'er of 'i(ht& austerities, pro"ou"ce! this se"te"ce.

85 Si"ce thou hast co'e here, > 'ai!e"K i"to=icate! with pri!e, to cause 'e pai"

8/ & ostructi"( '& austerities, which are acco'plishe! with!ifficult&, > Apsaras, therefore shalt thou, pollute! & '&wrath, e or" i" the foolish race of ir!s

8C for the space of si=tee" &ears, losi"( thi"e ow" for', a"!ta%i"( the for' of a ir! a"! four so"s shall e or" to

8: thee, > ilest of Apsarases a"! without hai"( (ai"e!affectio" a'o"( the', asole! fro' (uilt & !&i"( i" thefiel! of attle, thou shalt re(ai" th& !welli"( i" the s%&. Neer'a%e a"& repl&.

86 The Br$h'a", re!2e&e! with a"(er, hai"( pro"ou"ce! this(rieous se"te"ce o" that prou! 'ai!e", whose ti"%li"( racelets were tre'li"(, aa"!o"e! the earth, whose waeswere er& tre'ulous, a"! !eparte! to the heae"l& Ga"(eswhose strea' co"sists of a 'ultitu!e of re"ow"e! 7ualities.

8


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CANTO II.

The !irth of the Sparro+s$

The story of the Bir#s contin$e# * .an#hara+ king of thebir#s kille# a /)khasa -i#y$#*r0"a for killing his brother+

an#+ 'arrying the /)khasa1s !ife+ ha# a #a$ghter byher na'e# T)rksh2 !ho !as the A"saras -a"$ * She

'arrie# ,rona * 3hen "regnant by hi' she !as kille# atthe battle of the .a$ravas an# 4)n#avas+ an# there lai#

fo$r eggs fro' !hich the fo$r Bir#s !ere born * TheBir#s !ere no$rishe# by the ($ni S1a'ika

#$r%a"!e&a spo%e9

/ The %i"( of the ir!s, Garu!a & "a'e, was the so" of

C Arishta"e'i9 Garu!as so" was re"ow"e! as Sa'p$ti9 a"!his so" was Sup$rsa, heroic, 'i(ht& as -$&u9 Sup$rsas so"

: was " the top of


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thus, spea%i"(, who fell !efile! with the strea'i"( loo!,7uieri"( a"! se"seless.

/5 *ai"( hear! that ilest of ir!s.

Thus he spo%e a"! sei@e! his ri(ht swor! that rese'le!


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C: a 'ass of coll&riu'. The" too% place a 'arellous attle etwee" the %i"( of the ir!s a"!


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sa'e ti'e that the& fell, fell the (reat ell, the cor! of whichwas cut & a" arrow, fro' the "ole elepha"t Suprat)%a.

65 It reache! the (rou"! ee"l& all arou"!, cutti"( i"to thesurface of the (rou"!, a"! coeri"( the e((s of the ir! whichla& upo" flesh.

6/ A"! after %i"( Bha(a!atta, ruler of 'e", was slai", thefi(ht etwee" the ar'ies of the f &ore, I"!ra hurle! his thu"!erolt a(ai"stSa'ara, &et that !e'o", thou(h pierce! there& to the heart,

86 !i! "ot perish. B& that er& thu"!erolt, i"!ee!, a"! & thesa'e I"!ra, whe" their ti'e was co'e, the D$"aas

88 were slai", the Dait&as forthwith perishe!. Perceii"( this,

3


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&e shoul! "ot fear9 retur" &e. The" those Dait&as, aa"!o"i"(

8; the fear of !eath, tur"e! ac%. This speech of sa"as is proe! true & these 'ost "ole ir!s, which ee" i" thesuperhu'a" attle !i! "ot 'eet with !estructio".

8 Mhe"ce co'es the la&i"( of the e((s, > rah'a"sMhe"ce co'es the ee" fall of the ell A"! how co'es itthat the

80 (rou"! is coere! with flesh, fat, a"! loo! 1ertai"l&these 'ust e so'e rah'a"s the& are "ot or!i"ar& ir!s. Thefaour of !esti"& shows (reat (oo!2fortu"e i" the worl!.

83 *ai"( spo%e" thus he loo%e! at the' a"! spo%e a(ai",Retur", (o to the her'ita(e, ta%i"( the &ou"( ir!s with &ou.

;5 Mhere these e((2or" 'a& hae "o fear of cat, or rat, of

;/ haw% or ich"eu'o", there let the ir!s e place!. > !ias,what is the use of (reat care All creatures are !estro&e! or

presere! & their ow" actio"s, as hae ee" these &ou"(;C ir!s. Neertheless 'e" 'ust e=ert the'seles i" all'atters he who !oes a 'a"l& act (ai"s co''e"!atio" fro'us, the (oo!.

;: Thus ur(e! & that illustrious #u"i, those &ou"( #u"is,ta%i"( those ir!s, we"t the" to their ow" her'ita(e,!eli(htful to ascetics, where clusters of ees settle! o" the ou(hs of

;6 the trees. A"! he, the "olest of !ias, (atheri"( wil!roots, flowers, fruits, (rasses, such as his 'i"! loe!, perfor'e!

;8 the arious reli(ious cere'o"ies or!ai"e! & the -e!a to allthe !eities, to -ish"u, Ru!ra, a"! the 1reator, to I"!ra, Ya'a,a"! A("i, to -aru"a, to -rihaspati a"!


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CANTO III.

The *isit to the *indh)a ountain$

The Story of the Bir#s contin$e# * The Bir#s+ !hen f$ll* gro!n+ !ere en#o!e# !ith s"eech+ an# e%"laine# that

!on#er to the ($ni Sa'ika * They !ere the fo$r sons ofa /ishi S$krisha * In#ra a""eare# to the /ishi in the

for' of an age# bir#+ an# aske# for h$'an flesh * The/ishi or#ere# his fo$r sons to sacrifice the'selves *They ref$se#+ an# he c$rse# the' to be born in thebr$te creation+ b$t+ 'ove# !ith co'"assion at their

entreaty+ besto!e# on the' "erfect kno!le#ge * Hencethey !ere born as bir#s

#$r%a"!e&a spo%e9

/ Thus he, the 'ost irtuous #u"i, > pri"cel& rah'a","ourishe! the' !a& & !a& with foo! a"! water, a"! i" safet&.

C After a 'o"th the& resorte! to the su"s chariot2roa!, ei"((a@e! at & the #u"is so"s, whose e&es were tre'ulous

: with curiosit&. After seei"( the earth, with its cities, a"! withits ocea" a"! "ole riers, which appeare! of the si@e

6 of a chariot wheel, the& retur"e! to the her'ita(e. The

spirite! ir!s were wearie! i" their souls with their toil9 a"!their %"owle!(e was !eelope! there throu(h their e"er(&.

8 The& all perfor'e! the reere"tial circu'a'ulatio" arou"!the Rishi, who was e=pou"!i"( the truths of the law i"co'passio" for his !isciples, a"! respectfull& salute! his feet

; a"! sai!, Me hae ee" !eliere! & thee, > #u"iK fro'!rea!ful !eath thou hast (ie" us shelter, foo!, a"! water

thou art our father a"! spiritual (ui!e. >ur 'other !ie!,whe" we were still i" the wo' "or hae we ee" "ourishe! & a father9 thou, & who' we were presere! whe" &ou"(,

0 hast (ie" us life. Thou, of perfect sple"!our o" the earth,lifti"( hi(h up the elepha"ts ell, !i!st pur(e awa& eil

3 fro' us who were witheri"( li%e wor's. *ow 'a& thesestre"(th2less o"es (row Mhe" shall I see the' fl&i"( i" thes%& Mhe" shall I see the' ali(hti"( o" a tree of the

/5 earth, settli"( withi" the trees Mhe" shall '& "aturalcolour e oliterate! & the !ust which the wi"! fro' their

//


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// wi"(s raises, as the& flit aout "ear 'e Thou, !ear Sir,thus thi"%i"(, !i!st "ourish us "ow we, those er& ir!s, are(row" up a"! hae eco'e wise, what ou(ht we to !o

/C *ai"( clearl& hear! this their perfectl& articulate! speech,the Rishi, surrou"!e! & all his !isciples, a"! acco'pa"ie!

/: & his so" Sri"(i", ei"( full of ea(er curiosit&, a"!coere! with horripilatio" as with a (ar'e"t, sai!, Tell 'etrul& the

/6 cause of &our power of speech. Throu(h whose curse !i!&ou i"cur this wo"!rous tra"sfor'atio" oth i" for' a"!speech Dei(" here to tell 'e that.

The ir!s spo%e9

/8 There was of &ore a 'ost irtuous #u"i "a'e!-ipulasat.

/; To hi' were or" two so"s Su%risha a"! Tu'uru. Me arethe four so"s of soul2su!ue! Su%risha to that Rishi we wereeer su'issie i" reere"ce, reli(ious practices a"! faith.

/ As he !esire!, who was !ili(e"t i" the perfor'a"ce ofausterities, a"! who co"sta"tl& %ept his or(a"s u"!er co"trol,

/0 we at o"ce pro!uce! fuel, flowers a"! eer&thi"( else, a"!whateer was "ee!e! for suste"a"ce.

/3 Now while he a"! we thus !welt i" the forest, there ca'e

the %i"( of the (o!s i" the appeara"ce of a ir!, 'i(ht& i"si@e, with ro%e" wi"(s, stric%e" with a(e, with e&es of a

C5 copperish colour, !ow"2cast i" soul !esirous to proe thate"erale Rishi, who practise! truth, purit&, a"! patie"ce, a"!who was e=cee!i"(l& loft& i" 'i"! a"! for the co'i"( of thecurse upo" us.

The ir! spo%e9

C/ > e=alte! !ia, !ei(" here to sae 'e, who a' co"su'e!with hu"(er. I see% for foo!, "ole SirK e thou '&

CC i"co'parale refu(e. As I was sta"!i"( o" a su''it of the-i"!h&a #ou"tai"s, I fell, Sir, at a" e=cee!i"(l& swift lastse"t

C: & the wi"(s of a ir!. So there I la& o" the (rou"!, lost

C6 i" u"co"scious"ess, without 'e'or&, for see" !a&s with

/C


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the ei(hth !a& I re(ai"e! co"scious"ess. Now full& co"scious presse! & hu"(er, I hae co'e for help to thee I a' see%i"(for foo!, !eprie! of all pleasure, a"! with a 'i"! i"

C8 pai". Therefore tur", pure2'i"!e! sa(e, th& stea!fast 'i"!to '& rescue (ie 'e, > Brah'arshi, foo! suitale to support'& life.

C; *e, thus i"o%e!, a"swere! hi', I"!ra i" ir!2li%e shape,I will (ie thee the foo! thou !esirest for the support of th&

C life. Thus hai"( spo%e", that est of !ias further as%e!hi', Mhat foo! shall I prepare for th& use a"! he replie!,#& chiefest !eli(ht is i" hu'a" flesh.

The Rishi spo%e9

C0 Th& chil!hoo! is past th& &outh, too, (o"e thou artC3 assure!l& i" the !ecli"e of life, > e((2or". Mh& art thou'ost 'ali("2hearte! ee" i" ol! a(e, thou i" who' of all

:5 'a"%i"! eer& !esire has cease! Mhat has th& last sta(eof life to !o with hu'a" flesh Assure!l& "o o"e is create!

:/ fore'ost a'o"( eil2ei"(sK >r what "ee! hast thou toa!!ress 'e, ei"( what I a' >"e shoul! alwa&s (ie whe"o"e has pro'ise! 2 such is our professe! opi"io".

:C *ai"( thus spo%e" to hi', the Brah'arshi resole! thatit shoul! e so. 1alli"( us 7uic%l& a"! co''e"!i"( us

accor!i"(:: to our (oo! 7ualities, the #u"i, a(itate! at heart, a!!resse!a 'ost seere speech to us all, who were respectfull&

:6 owi"(, full of faith, with ha"!s reere"tl& oi"e!. Ye"ole !ias, whose 'i"!s are i'proe!, are ou"! &oli(atio"s e7uall& with 'e. A (lorious pro(e"& has spru"(fro' &ou, ust

:8 as &e, > twice2or", hae spru"( fro' 'e. If a father is!ee'e! & &ou a (uru worth& of reere"ce a"! 'ost e=alte!, perfor' &e the" '& pro'ise with cheerful 'i"!.

:; Mhilst he so spo%e we e=clai'e! respectfull&, Mhat thoushalt sa&, co"si!er that i" truth as alrea!& acco'plishe!.

The Rishi spo%e9

: >f 'e has this ir! sou(ht protectio" oppresse! with

/:


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hu"(er a"! thirst wherefore let hi' e strai(htwa& satisfie!

:0 with &our flesh, a"! let his thirst e 7uic%l& assua(e! with&our loo!. The" we, afflicte!, our terror isile i" ourtre'li"(,

:3 e=clai'e!, Alas, alasK a"! sai!, "ot this !ee!K *ow for thesa%e of a"others o!& ca" a wise 'a" !estro& or i"ure

65 his ow" o!& for a so" is ee" as o"es ow" self. A so" pa&s those !ets, i"!ee!, that hae ee" !eclare! !ue to the pitris, the (o!s, a"! 'e" a so" !oes "ot offer up his o!&.

6/ Therefore we will "ot !o this we hae !o"e as has ee"!o"e & 'e" of ol!. Mhile alie o"e receies (oo! thi"(s,

6C a"! while alie o"e !oes hol& acts. Mhe" o"e is !ea!, the o!& perishes, a"! there is a" e"! of ri(hteous"ess, Oc. #e"s%ille! i" hol& law hae !eclare! that o"e ou(ht & all 'ea"sto presere o"es self.

6: *ai"( hear! us spea% thus, the #u"i, ur"i"( as it werewith a"(er, a(ai" a!!resse! us, scorchi"( us, as it were, with

66 his e&es. Si"ce &e will "ot perfor' this '& pli(hte! wor!for 'e, therefore, laste! & '& curse, &e shall e or" a'o"(the rute creatio"K

68 *ai"( thus a!!resse! us, he "e=t sai! to that ir!, Mhe"I hae perfor'e! for '&self the fi"al sacrifice, a"! '&ose7uies,

6; accor!i"( to the S$stras, !o thou u"hesitati"(l& eat 'ehere, +> est of !ias9 this '& o!& I here (ra"t thee for

6 foo!. The rah'a"hoo! of a rah'a" is !ee'e! such, sofar i"!ee! as he 'ai"tai"s his truthful"ess, > chief of thefeathere!

60 race. Not & sacrifices acco'pa"ie! with prese"ts, "or &a"& other act, !o rah'a"s ac7uire such (reat irtue as & theosera"ce of truth.

63 *ai"( thus hear! the Rishis speech, I"!ra, i" ir!2li%efor', his soul fille! with asto"ish'e"t, the" replie! to the

85 #u"i, Appl&i"( th&self to !eep 'e!itatio", > lor! of

rah'a"s, 7uit this th& o!& for lii"( thi"( I "eer eat, >lor! of rah'a"s.

8/ *ai"( hear! this his speech, the #u"i co"ce"trate!hi'self i" !eep 'e!itatio". Perceii"( that his fi=e!resolutio", I"!ra,

8C further, resu'i"( his ow" for' sai!, *oK pri"cel& rah'a", u"!ersta"! with th& u"!ersta"!i"( what is to eu"!erstoo!, > 'a" of u"!ersta"!i"(K To proe thee hae I

/6


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thus

8: tra"s(resse!, > si"less o"eK Par!o" 'e the", > pure2'i"!e! o"e9 a"! what wish is there of thi"e that 'a& e(ra"te! Please! 'ost hi(hl& a' I with thee, for 'ai"tai"i"(th& true

86 wor!. *e"ceforth, %"owle!(e li%e I"!ras shall e reeale!to thee, a"! "o ostacle shall withsta"! thee i" austerities a"!hol& law.

88 But whe" I"!ra after spea%i"( thus ha! !eparte!, we prostrate o" our faces thus i'plore! our father, the re"ow"e!

8; #u"i, who was fille! with a"(er. Dear father, hi(h2'i"!e!, !ei(" to par!o" us 'iserale o"es who !rea! !eathfor life

8 is !ear to us. I" a" a((re(ate of s%i" o"es a"! flesh, fille!with pus a"! loo!, wherei" o"e shoul! ta%e "o !eli(ht,

therei"80 !o we fi"! this !eli(ht. *ear too, Sir, how people are e(uile! whe" oerco'e & those powerful e"e'ies, theirfaults,

83 loe, a"(er a"! so forth. Great is the fortress which hasMis!o' for its ra'part, the o"es for its pillars, the s%i" for

;5 its walls a"! a"%s, the flesh a"! loo! for its plaster. Ni"e(ates it has it is capale of (reat effort it is e"close! o" allsi!es with si"ews a"! there the Se"tie"t Soul sits fir' as

;/ %i"(. *e has two rial 'i"isters, the I"telli(e"ce a"! the"!ersta"!i"( those two strie to !estro& each other as

;C foes. Four e"e'ies !esire the !estructio" of that %i"(,Desire,

;: A"(er, a"! 1oetous"ess a"! Foll& is the other e"e'&. Butwhe" that %i"( closes those (ates a"! sta"!s fir', the" he eco'es i"!ee! oth happil& stro"( a"! free fro' alar'

;6 he !ispla&s his affectio"s he is "ot oerco'e & hise"e'ies.

;8 But whe" he leaes all the (ates ope", the" the e"e'&

"a'e!;; Passio" assails the (ates of the e&es, etc. Gai"i"( a"e"tra"ce & the fie (ates, he pe"etrates eer&where a"!sprea!s wi!el&9 the" i"!ee! e"ter, followi"( o" his trac%, thethree other

; terrile e"e'ies. That er& e"e'&, Passio", hai"( e"tere!there, for's a close u"io" with the "!ersta"!i"(, to(ether

;0 with the other (ates which are %"ow" as the or(a"s. *e,

/8


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!ifficult to e approache!, hai"( re!uce! i"to suectio" theor(a"s a"! the "!ersta"!i"(, a"! hai"( re!uce!, i"to

;3 suectio" the (ates, the" !estro&s the ra'part. TheI"telli(e"ce, seei"( the "!ersta"!i"( the !epe"!e"t of thate"e'&, perishes forthwith. A"! there, !eprie! of his 'i"istersa"! aa"!o"e!

5 & his suects, the %i"(, his strate(ical poi"ts (ai"e! &the e"e'ies, perishes. Ee" so Passio", Foll&, 1oetous"essa"!

/ A"(er preail, eil i" their "ature, wrec%i"( the 'e'or& of'a"%i"!. Fro' Passio" spri"(s A"(er fro' A"(er is or"

C 1oetous"ess fro' 1oetous"ess arises Foll& fro' Foll&errors of 'e'or& fro' loss of 'e'or& loss of the i"tellectthrou(h

: loss of the i"tellect 'a" perishes. Shew faour, > thou

'ost irtuousK to us who hae thus lost our i"tellects, who areco'plia"t to Passio" a"! 1oetous"ess, a"! who coet life.

6 A"! let "ot this curse ta%e effect, which thou hast pro"ou"ce!, SirK Let us "ot trea! the 'iserale path of!ar%"ess, > est of #u"isK

The Rishi spo%e9

8 Mhat I hae uttere!, will "eer eco'e false '& oice

; has "ot spo%e" u"truth hitherto, > so"sK Fate is heresupre'e, I thi"%. Fie o" worthless 'a"hoo!, where& I hae ee" thou(htlessl& force! to !o a !ee! that ou(ht "ot to e!o"eK

A"! si"ce I a' esou(ht reere"tl& & &ou, therefore,whe" e"!owe! with the "ature of rutes, &e shall otai" thehi(hest

0 %"owle!(e. A"! &e, hai"( &our paths illu'i"ate! &%"owle!(e, with the stai"s of pai" re'oe!, free fro' !out,shall throu(h '& faour (ai" the hi(hest perfectio".

3 Thus, Sir, we were curse! of ol! & our father throu(h the power of !esti"& he"ce we hae !esce"!e! to a lower (ra!eof

05 create! ei"(s for a lo"( ti'e a"! we were or" o" thefiel! of attle we were "ourishe! & thee9 thus hae weac7uire! the "ature of ir!s, > r$h'a". There is "o 'a" i"this worl! who is "ot ou"! & fate.

/;


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#$r%a"!e&a spo%e9

0/ *ai"( hear! this their speech, the e"erale a"! e'i"e"t#u"i Sa'i%a a"swere! those !ias who stoo! "ear hi'.

0C Ee" efore !i! I 'a%e this re'ar% i" &our prese"ce,

These are "ot or!i"ar& ir!s these 'ust e so'e rah'a"s,who ee" i" the superhu'a" attle escape! !estructio".

0: The" the&, per'itte! & that affectio"ate hi(h2soule! #u"i,we"t to the -i"!h&a, the (oo!liest of 'ou"tai"s, cla! with

06 trees a"! creepers. *itherto hae the ri(hteous ir!sre'ai"e! o" that 'ou"tai", e"(a(e! i" austerities a"! thestu!&

08 of the -e!as, a"! resolute i" 'e!itatio". Thus those #u"isso"s (ai"e! the hospitalit& of the "ole #u"i, ac7uire! theshape of ir!s, a"! are !welli"( o" the -i"!h&a ra"(e, i" a

cae of the "ole 'ou"tai", where the water is er& sacre!,with their 'i"!s su!ue!.

CANTO IV.

The Incarnation of the -our'formed .od$

&ai'ini visits the Bir#s+ an# e%"laining the reason of hisvisit+ "$ts the' the fo$r 5$estions that "er"le%e# hi' * After invoking -ishn$+ Brah') an# S1iva+ they e%"lain

the first 5$estion+ !hy -ishn$+ tho$gh #evoi# of

5$alities+ is en#$e# !ith h$'anity

#$r%a"!e&a spo%e9

/ Thus those ir!s, the so"s of Dro"a, eca'e lear"e! a"!the& !well o" the -i"!h&a 'ou"tai"9 isit the' a"! as% the'.

C 4ai'i"i, hai"( hear! this speech of the Rishi #$r%a"!e&a,we"t to the -i"!h&a 'ou"tai", where !welt those ri(hteous

: ir!s. A"! whe" 4ai'i"i reache! that 'ou"tai", he hear!their oices as the& were rea!i"(, a"! hai"( hear!

6 fille! with surprise, he reflecte!. The r$h'a"s are rea!i"(,oseri"( the eauties of the arious passa(es, re(ulati"( their reath, without a"& i"ter'issio", !isti"ctl& a"!

8 without faults9 wo"!rous is this, 'ethi"%s, that Sarasat)!oes "ot forsa%e these #u"is so"s, althou(h the& are or" i"

; the rute creatio". >"es circle of relaties a"! a frie"! a"!

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whateer else is !esire! i" o"es ho'e 2 all that forsa%es o"e

a"! !eparts Sarasat) !oes "ot aa"!o" o"e. Thi"%i"( ee"thus, he e"tere! the 'ou"tai" cae a"! e"teri"( saw those

0 !ias sta"!i"( o" a le!(e of the roc%. Loo%i"( at the' asthe& were rea!i"(, their faces free fro' le'ish, he the"a!!resse! the' all, with 'i"(le! sorrow a"! o&.

3 *ail to &ou, > rah'a"sK r$h'a". Me trust thatall is well i" th& her'ita(e a'o"( the !eer a"! ir!s, a'o"(the trees too, a"! the arious %i"!s of creepers, shrus,

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C5 ree!s, a"! (rasses. >r perhaps we thou(h respectful hae"ot spo%e" this fitti"(l& Mhe"ce ca" eil efall those who

C/ hae 'et with thee A"! here, shew us faour, tell us thecause of th& isit u"io" with thee, as with the (o!s, is (reat prosperit& & who', powerful for our (oo! fortu"e, hast thou ee" rou(ht to our iew

4ai'i"i spo%e9

CC Let the reaso" e hear!, > r$h'a"s, wh& I hae co'ehere to the -i"!h&a 'ou"tai"s !eli(htful cae, which isspri"%le!

C: with !rops of water fro' the rier Nar'a!$. At first I7uestio"e! the (reat #u"i #$r%a"!e&a, a scio" of Bhri(usrace, si"ce I fou"! !ifficulties i" co""e=io" with the

C6 #ah$h$rata. A"! he, whe" as%e! & 'e, replie!, Dro"ashi(h2soule! so"s are lii"( o" the 'i(ht& -i"!h&a 'ou"tai"

C8 the& will !eclare the fall 'ea"i"( to thee. A"! I, i'pelle! & his speech, hae co'e to this (reat 'ou"tai"9 thereforehear 'e full& hai"( hear!, !ei(" to (ie a" e=pla"atio".

The ir!s spo%e9

C; The 'atter ei"( o"e speciall& %"ow" to us, we will!eclare it liste" the", free fro' !istrust wh& shoul! we "ottell

C thee that of which our i"tellects are co("i@a"t For ee" i"the four -e!as, for i" the Dhar'a2sastras also, a"! i" all theA"(as a"! whateer else is co"for'ale to the -e!as 2

C0 i" these !oes our i"tellect ra"(e, > est of r$h'a"s ut

C3 "eertheless we are "ot ale to (ie a pro'ise. Therefore!eclare fearlessl& what is !outful i" the #ah$h$rata we will!eclare it to thee, > thou who art wise i" the law if "ot there

will e ewil!er'e"t.

4ai'i"i spo%e9

:5 *ear, > &e pure o"esK the 'atters i" co""e=io" with the#ah$h$rata, which are !outful to 'e here hai"( hear!,

:/ !ei(" to e=plai" the'. Mh& is 4a"$r!a"a -$su!ea, who is

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the support of eer&thi"( a"! the cause of all causes,

:C althou(h !eoi! of 7ualities, e"!ue! with hu'a"it& A"!wh& was Drupa!as !au(hter " this poi"t there is er& (reat perple=it&.

:: Mh& !i! the 'i(ht& Bala!ea *al$&u!ha e=piate his

:6 rah'a"ici!e & e"(a(i"( i" a. pil(ri'a(e A"! how wasit that the u"'arrie! heroic hi(h2soule! so"s of Draupa!),whose protector was P$"!u, were slai", as if the& ha! "o protector

:8 Let all these !outful poi"ts i" co""e=io" with the#ah$h$rata e e=plai"e! to 'e that I hai"( attai"e! '&oect, 'a& retur" to '& her'ita(e i" co'fort.

The ir!s spo%e9

:; *ai"( pai! a!oratio" to -ish"u, the lor! of the (o!s, the pre2e'i"e"t, the u"iersal soul, the i''easurale, the eter"al,

: a"! the cha"(eless to hi' who susists i" four for's, possesse! of the three 7ualities, a"! !eoi! of 7ualities, the'ost choice,

:0 the 'ost e"erale, the 'ost e=celle"t, a"! the i''ortalto hi' tha" who' there is "othi"( 'ore 'i"ute, tha" who'there is "othi"( 'ore i''e"se, & who' 2 the u"or" o"e, the

:3 e(i""i"( of the worl!s 2 this u"ierse is per'eate!, 2 thisu"ierse which, characteri@e! & appeara"ce a"!!isappeara"ce, & isiilit& a"! i"isiilit&, has, 'e" sa&, ee"create! a"! also ee"

65 !estro&e! i" the e"!9 a"! hai"( pai! a!oratio", with profou"! 'e!itatio" to Brah'$, the creator, who purifies thethree worl!s with his 'ouths as he utters the Ric a"! S$'a

6/ h&'"s9 also hai"( prostrate! ourseles efore the lor!,co"7uere! & o"e of whose arrows the a"!s of the Asuras !o

6C "ot i"terrupt the sacrifices of the sacrificers9 we will!eclare the whole !octri"e of -&$sa, who was wo"!erful i" hisactio"s, & who', i" !elieri"( the #ah$h$rata, ustice a"!the other irtues were 'a!e 'a"ifest.

6: The waters were calle! N$ra & #u"is co"ersa"t withtruth the& were ori(i"all& his place of 'oe'e"t he"ce he

66 is calle! N$r$&a"a. The a!orale (o!, the lor! N$r$&a"a, pera!i"( all thi"(s, lies, > rah'a", i" a 7ua!ruple for'9 he

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68 is possesse! as well as !eoi! of attriutes. *is first for' isi"scrutale the wise ehol! it ri(ht it is coere! with

6; (arla"!s of fla'e it is the ac'e of perfectio" to !eoteesit is oth far a"! it is "ear it is to e u"!erstoo! astra"sce"!i"( attriutes whe" calle! -$su!ea, it is see"!eoi! of e(ois'

6 its shape, colour, etc., are "ot real ut i'a(i"ar& it isi"!ee!

60 alwa&s pure it is the sole for' of pre2e'i"e"ce. *isseco"! for', calle! Sesha, supports the earth elow with itshea! it is !escrie! as ei"( characteri@e! & the 7ualit& of!ar%"ess

63 it elo"(s to the rute creatio". *is thir! for' is actie, a"!!eote! to the preseratio" of creatures it is to e co"si!ere!as co"sisti"( chiefl& of the 7ualit& of (oo!"ess it is the

85 fashio"er of irtue. *is fourth for' ai!es i" water it lieso" a serpe"t as its e! its attriute is passio" a"! it is alwa&si"!ee! actie.

8/ The thir! for' of -ish"u, which is assi!uousl& i"te"t o"the preseratio" of creatures, alwa&s 'ai"tai"s ri(hteous"esso" the

8C earth. It !estro&s the hau(ht& Asuras, the e=ter'i"ators ofri(hteous"ess it protects the (o!s, a"! hol& 'e", who are

8: !eote! to the preseratio" of ri(hteous"ess. Mhe"soeer,> 4ai'i"i, the wa"e of ri(hteous"ess occurs a"! the rise of

86 i"i7uit&, the" it creates itself. *ai"( for'erl& eco'ee=iste"t, as a wil! oar it repelle! the water with its s"out, a"!

88 lifte! out the earth li%e a lotus with o"e of its tushes.*ai"( ta%e" the for' of the 'a"2lio", it slew *ira"&a2%asipu, a"!

8; !estro&e! -ipracitti a"! other D$"aas. I ca""ot "owe"u'erate its other i"car"atio"s, those of the !warf, etc.9 his

8 rece"t i"car"atio" here was this o"e i" #athur$. Thus thatfor', which is characteri@e! & (oo!"ess, eco'es i"car"ate

a"! it is !esi("ate! Pra!&u'"a it is occupie! i" the wor% of 80 preseratio". A"! eer & -$su!eas will, it e=ists i"!ii"e for', hu'a" for', a"! rute for', a"! parta%es oftheir seeral "atures.

83 Thus this has ee" !eclare! to thee, how that the lor!-ish"u, thou(h all2successful, assu'e! hu'a" for'. *eara(ai" the se7uel thereof.

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CANTO V.

India/s Transformations$

The Bir#s e%"lain the secon# 5$estion * ,ra$"a#2 !asthe !ife of the five 4)n#avas+ beca$se they !ere "artialincarnations of In#ra+ an# she !as the incarnation of his

!ife

The ir!s spo%e9

/ >f ol!, > rah'a"K whe" the so" of Tashtri was slai",I"!ras sple"!our, oppresse! & the rah'a"ici!e, suffere!

C a (rieous !ecli"e. The" ecause of his wro"( co"!uctI"!ras sple"!our e"tere! Dhar'a a"!, his ri(hteous"ess a"!sple"!our ei"( (o"e, I"!ra eca'e sple"!ourless.

: The" heari"( that his so" was slai", the pra$pati Tashtrie"ra(e!, teari"( out a si"(le 'atte! loc% of hair, uttere! this

6 speech. Let the three worl!s a"! the (o!s thereof see '&'i(ht this !a&, a"! let I"!ra the pererse rah'a"ici!e see,

8 & who' '& so" whe" e"(a(e! i" his ow" usi"ess was!estro&e!. Thus hai"( spo%e", he, his e&es re! with a"(er,sacrifice! that loc% of hair i" the fire.

; The" uprose -ritra, the 'i(ht& Asura, e"circle! with fla'e,hu(e i" o!&, with (reat teeth, rese'li"( a 'ass of ro%e"

coll&riu'. *e, the e"e'& of I"!ra, of i''easurale soul,surpassi"( the 'i(ht of Tashtri, 'i(ht& i" alour, i"crease!

0 !ail& a ow2shot i" stature. A"! I"!ra, hai"( see" the'i(ht& Asura -ritra ea(er for his slau(hter, u""ere! &

3 fear, se"t see" Rishis, !esiri"( peace. The" the affectio"ate2'i"!e! Rishis, who !eli(hte! i" e"eole"ce towar!s allcreatures, rou(ht aout frie"!ship a"! treaties etwee" hi'a"!

/5 -ritra. Mhe" I"!ra iolati"( the rules of the treat& slew-ritra, the" his 'i(ht oerwhel'e! & the si" of the slau(hter

// wa"e! a"! that 'i(ht which 7uitte! I"!ras o!& e"tere!the wi"!, which pera!es eer&thi"(, is i'perceptile, a"! isthe supre'e !eit& of power.

/C A"! whe" I"!ra, assu'i"( the for' of Gauta'a, iolate!

/: Ahal&$, the" the lor! of the (o!s lost his for'. Thereupo"his eaut& of li' a"! feature, which was e=cee!i"(l&captiati"(, forsoo% the wic%e! lor! of the (o!s a"! we"t to

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the Asi"s.

/6 Perceii"( the lor! of the (o!s to hae lost his upri(ht"essa"! (lor&, to e powerless a"! for'less, the Dait&ase"!eaoure!

/8 to co"7uer hi'. Dait&as of e=cee!i"( 'i(ht, !esirous toco"7uer the lor! of the (o!s, were or" i" the fa'ilies of%i"(s

/; of surpassi"( alour, > (reat #u"i. The" the Earth,afflicte! with their wei(ht, o"ce we"t to the su''it of #eru,where is

/ the ao!e of the heae"2!welli"( (o!s. Afflicte! with theire=cessie wei(ht, she !eclare! that the cause of her !istress

/0 arose fro' the D$"aas a"! Dait&as. These Asuras, wi!el&resple"!e"t, hae ee" slai" & &ou the& hae all ee" or" i"

/3 the worl! of 'e" i" the fa'ilies of %i"(s their ar'ies are

"u'erous i"!ee!9 oppresse! & their wei(ht, I a' si"%i"(!ow"war! !o &e, > &e thirt& (o!s, !eise how tra"7uillit&'a& e attai"e! for 'e.

The ir!s spo%e9

C5 The" the (o!s !esce"!e! with portio"s of their (lor& fro'heae" to earth, to e"efit the creatures a"! to alleiate the

C/ ur!e" of the Earth. Dhar'a hi'self reli"7uishe! the (lor&

which is i""ate i" the o!& of I"!ra, the" was or"CC of


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!aladeva/s brahmanicide$

The Bir#s e%"lain the thir# 5$estion * Bala#eva+ in or#erto avoi# si#ing !ith the 4)n#avas an# .a$ravas+ !ent tothe /aivata forest * Overco'e by into%ication+ love+ an#

the infl$ences of the "lace+ he kille# S0ta for notsal$ting hi' * To e%"iate that sin he $n#ertook the

"ilgri'age

The ir!s spo%e9

/ The plou(h2ar'e! R$'a, %"owi"( the perfect affectio" of


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/: trees, cu'i", po'e(ra"ates, citro"s, ac% trees, 'o"%e&2 ac% trees, pla"tai" trees, a"! er& char'i"( %a!a' trees, a"! p$r$ata trees, %a"%ola trees, "ali"a

/6 trees, !oc%s, 'ar%i"(2"ut trees, e'lic '&roala"s, a"!($ trees eari"( lar(e fruits, al'o"! trees, %ara'cha trees,&ellow '&roala"s, +"ote9 here o"e wor! prece!i"( the seco"!

i"sta"ce of '&roala"s i" the ori(i"al te=t is "ot rea!ale'&roala"s.

/8 *e, Ya!us !esce"!a"t, saw these a"! other trees, a"! also

/; aso%as, pu""$(as, screw2pi"es, a"! a%ulas, ca'pa%as,saptapar"as, %ar"i%$ras, a"! Spa"ish as'i"es, p$ri$ta trees,%oi!$ras, 'a"!$ras, a"! uue

/ trees, !eli(htso'e Bi("o"ia trees i" losso', a"! !e!$rtrees, s$l trees, pal'&ra pal's, a"!

/0 ta'$las, %i'su%as, a"! fi"e a"ula trees9 2 i"haite! &cha%ors, a"! woo!pec%ers, shri%es, a"! parrots, %o)ls, a"!

/3 sparrows, (ree" pi(eo"s, a"! )a)a%a pheasa"ts, & pri&aputras, a"! pie!2creste! cuc%oos, a"! & arious other ir!s,

C5 warli"( pleasi"(l& a"! er& 'elo!iousl&9 2 a"! the la%es, eautiful a"! placi!, crow!e! o" all si!es with the lotus water2lilies, a"! lotuses, a"! the rillia"t lue

C/ water2lilies, with water2lilies, a"! lotuses a"! thro"(e!with %$!a'a (eese, a"! ru!!& shiel!ra%es a"! water2fowl,

CC with %$ra"!aa !uc%s, pelica"s, (eese, tortoises, a"!

!iers thro"(e! with these a"! other ir!s swi''i"( i" thewater all arou"!.

C: So (a@i"( o" the !eli(htful forest, Sauri acco'pa"ie! &the 'ai!e"s (ra!uall& procee!e! o"war!s to a" i"co'parale

C6 ower of creepers. There he saw rah'a"s, !eepl& rea! i"the -e!as a"! -e!$"(as, elo"(i"( to the fa'ilies of


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with ra(e, the 'i(ht& plou(h2earer, who cause! all theD$"aas to 7ua%e, rolli"( his e&e, s'ote Sta.

:5 Mhe" that ar! was slai" while repeati"( the wor!s of the-e!a, all those rah'a"s, cla! i" lac% a"telope s%i"s,!eparte!

:/ fro' the woo!. A"! the plou(h2ar'e! hero, perceii"(hi'self !isre(ar!e!, thou(ht, This is a er& (rieous si"

:C that I hae co''itte! for si"ce I hae co'e here to a rah'a"s ao!e a"! hae slai" Sta, these !ias perceii"(

:: 'e hae all !eparte!. A"! '& o!& has a !is(usti"( o!our,as it were of loo!, a"! I perceie that I a' co"te'"e! as

:6 a rah'a"ici!e. Fie o" '& ra(e, a"! the wi"e, '&arro(a"ce, '& cruelt&K Possesse! & the', I hae co''itte!this 'ost

:8 (rieous si". To e=piate it I will perfor' a twele2&ear

ow, 'a%i"( the co"fessio" of '& !ee! the utter'ost pe"a"ce.:; This the" is the pil(ri'a(e which I hae "ow u"!erta%e" I

: will (o to the Pratilo'$ Sarasat) itself. *e"ce he, R$'a,we"t to the Pratilo'$ Sarasat).

Ne=t liste" to this refere"ce to the stor& of the P$"!ae&as.

CANTO VII.

The !irth of the Sons of (raupad0$

The Bir#s e%"lain the fo$rth 5$estion * .ing Haris* c1an#ra inc$rre# -isv)'itra1s anger+ an# to a""ease hi'

gives $" to hi' his king#o' an# all his !ealth *-isv)'itra ill*treats the 5$een+ an# five -isve ,evascens$re hi' for his br$tality * He c$rses the' to be

born as 'en+ b$t e%e'"ts the' fro' 'arriage * They!ere born as the five sons of ,ra$"a#2+ an# #ie# yo$ng

The ri(hteous ir!s spo%e9

/ There lie! for'erl& i" the Tret$ A(e a 'ost e=alte!R$arshi "a'e! *aris2ca"!ra, irtuous i" soul, a ruler of theearth,

C rillia"t i" fa'e. No fa'i"e, "or sic%"ess, "or u"ti'el&!eath occurre! a'o"( 'e", "or !i! the citi@e"s !eli(ht i" eil,while

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: he rule! as %i"( "or, further, !i! the people eco'euproarious throu(h wealth, alour, austerities or spirituousli7uors "or were a"& fe'ales or" who faile! to reachwo'a"hoo!.

6 A"! he, of 'i(ht& ar', whe" o"ce chasi"( a !eer i" the

8 forest, hear! wo'e" repeate!l& cr&i"(, sae usK The %i"(,(ii"( oer the !eer, calle! out fear "otK who is this pererse

; ei"( that, u"!er '& rule, ehaes with i"ustice At thisi"teral also the Rau!ra -i(h"a2r$, the oppo"e"t of eer&

u"!erta%i"(, who was followi"( that cr&, !elierate!9 2 This-is$'itra, full of herois', u"!erta%i"( i"co'paraleausterities, %eepi"( a ow, is 'asteri"( the scie"ces of Siaa"! others, which hae "ot ee" perfecte! efore. Thosescie"ces

0 ei"( 'astere! & this 'a", who (oer"s his 'i"! i"

patie"ce a"! sile"ce, are eril& la'e"ti"(, afflicte! with !rea!.*ow

3 ca" I 'a"a(e this Glorious is this "olest of the


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/0 A %i"(, co"ersa"t with his !uties, 'ust (ie (ifts, a"!'ust affor! protectio", a"! lifti"( his ow 'ust wa(e war,accor!i"( to the Dhar'a2s$stras.

-is$'itra spo%e9

/3 To who', > %i"(, 'ust thou (ie (ifts, who' 'ust thou protect, a"! with who' 'ust thou wa(e war Spee!il& !eclarethis, if thou fearest u"ri(hteous"ess.

*aris2ca"!ra spo%e9

C5 I 'ust alwa&s (ie (ifts to rah'a"s pri"cipall&, a"! toothers who are straite"e! i" their 'ea"s I 'ust protect those

i" fear I 'ust 'a%e war with e"e'ies.

-is$'itra spo%e9

C/ If &our hi(h"ess, a %i"(, !ul& re(ar!s the !uties of %i"(s 2I a' a rah'a" !esirous of a rewar!, let the !esire! fee e(ie" 'e.

The ir!s spo%e9

CC The Raa, hai"( hear! this speech with (la!!e"e! soul,!ee'e! hi'self as it were or" a"ew, a"! a!!resse! the sa(e

C: of the %i"(K this prese"t has ee" accepte!, which thou hast(ie"9 first, howeer, estow the fee appertai"i"( to the R$a2s&a sacrifice.

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The Raa spo%e9

C; > rah'a"K I will i"!ee! (ie &our ho"our that fee.1hoose, > chief of the !ias, whateer prese"t thou !esirest.

-is$'itra spo%e9

C Gie 'e this earth, with its ocea", a"! with its 'ou"tai"s,illa(es a"! tow"s a"! th& e"tire %i"(!o', > warrior, with

C0 its 'ultitu!e of chariots, horses, a"! elepha"ts also th&treasur& a"! treasure a"! whateer else thou possessest,e=cepti"(

C3 th& wife, a"! so" a"! o!&, > si"less o"eK a"! e=cepti"(th& irtue, which, > thou that %"owest all the irtues, follows

its possessor whe" he 'oes. Mhat "ee! for 'e to sa& 'oreLet all this e (ra"te! 'e.

The ir!s spo%e9

:5 Mith (la!!e"e! 'i"! the %i"(, u"perture! i"cou"te"a"ce, hai"( hear! the Rishis speech, oi"i"( hisha"!s respectfull& replie!, So e itK

-is$'itra spo%e9

:/ If all th& propert& is (ie" 'e, th& %i"(!o', the earth, th&ar'&, th& wealth, 2 whose is the lor!ship, > R$arshiK whe" Ithe ascetic a' seate! i" the %i"(!o'

*aris2ca"!ra spo%e9

:C At what ti'e I hae &iel!e! up the earth to thee, > rah'a"K at that ti'e thou, Sir, art the ow"er how 'uch 'ore"ow the %i"(.

-is$'itra spo%e9

:: If > %i"(K the whole earth has ee" (ie 'e & thee, thou

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'ust !ei(" to !epart fro' the real' where I hol! swa&,

:6 u"faste"i"( all th& or"a'e"ts, such as th& waist2a"! a"!eer& thi"( else, a"! clothi"( th&self with the ar% of trees,to(ether with th& wife a"! so".

The ir!s spo%e9

:8 *ai"( sai! So e itK a"! hai"( so !o"e, the %i"( starte!to (o, i" co'pa"& with his wife Sai&$ a"! his &ou"( so".

:; The" he a!!resse! the %i"(, hai"( ostructe! the roa! ashe was 'oi"( 2 Mhere wilt thou (o, without (ii"( 'e thefee appertai"i"( to the R$a2s&a sacrifice

*aris2ca"!ra spo%e9

: A!orale SirK this %i"(!o' has ee" (ie" thee free fro'a!ersaries9 these our three o!ies, > Brah'a"K are all thatre'ai" to 'e this !a&.

-is$'itra spo%e9

:0 Neertheless thou 'ust assure!l& (ie 'e the sacrificialfee a pro'ise u"fulfille!, especiall& to rah'a"s, proesi"urious.

:3 As lo"( as rah'a"s !eli(ht, > %i"(K i" the R$a2s&asacrifice, so lo"( i"!ee! 'ust the fee for the R$a2s&asacrifice e

65 (ie". After 'a%i"( a pro'ise, o"e 'ust estow the (ifta"! o"e 'ust fi(ht a(ai"st assaila"ts so too the afflicte! 'ust e protecte! thus hast thou alrea!& a(ree!.

*aris2ca"!ra spo%e9

6/ A!orale Sir, I hae "ou(ht at prese"t I will (ie thee thefee after a while9 a"! show 'e faour, > Brah'arshiK eari"(i" 'i"! "ole ehaiour.

-is$'itra spo%e9

6C Mhat le"(th of ti'e 'ust I wait for thee, > (uar!ia" of

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'e"K Tell 'e spee!il&, or the fire of '& curse shall co"su'ethee.

*aris2ca"!ra spo%e9

6: I" a 'o"th will I (ie thee the fee2'o"e&, > Brah'arshiKAt prese"t I hae "o 'ea"s !ei(" to (ra"t 'e this per'issio".

-is$'itra spo%e9

66 Go, (o, >, "ole %i"( osere th& !ut& a"! 'a& th& wa& e auspiciousK #a& there e "o e"e'iesK

The ir!s spo%e9

68 Per'itte! to (o, the %i"( !eparte! his 7uee", who was

6; u"use! to wal% afoot, followe! hi'. Seei"( that 'ost "ole%i"( !eparti"( fro' the cit& with his wife a"! so", the citi@e"sraise! a cr& a"! followe! the %i"(, e=clai'i"( 2

6 Alas, > 'asterK wh& leaest thou us, who are afflicte!with co"ti"ual sufferi"(s Thou, > %i"(, art !eote! tori(hteous"ess, a"! thou art the e"efactor of the citi@e"s.

60 Lea! us also, > R$arshiK if thou re(ar!est ri(hteous"ess.Sta& a 'o'e"t, > %i"( of 'o"archsK >ur e&es as ees !ri"%

63 th& lotus2li%e 'outh. Mhe" a(ai" shall we ehol! thee,who, whe" thou (oest forth, art prece!e! a"! followe! &%i"(s

85 *ere is th& wife, hol!i"( her &ou"( so" i" her ha"!,followi"( thee, efore who', whe" thou (oest forth, (o th&sera"ts seate!

8/ o" elepha"tsK *ere (oes to2!a& wal%i"( afoot the %i"( of

'o"archs, *aris2ca"!raK Alas, > %i"(, what will th&8C er& &outhful, eautiful2rowe!, soft2s%i""e!, fi"e2"ose!face eco'e, whe" i"ure! & the !ust o" the roa! Sta&, sta&,

8: > est of %i"(s, osere th& ow" !ut&. #il!"ess is a er&"ole irtue, especiall& a'o"( %shatri&as what "ee! hae weof wife, what "ee! of chil!re", or of wealth, or of (rai",

86 > 'aster Aa"!o"i"( all this, we hae eco'e 'eresha!ows of thee. Alas 'asterK alas #ah$r$$K alas, > lor!K

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88 wh& !ost thou aa"!o" us Mhere thou art, there i"!ee!will we e. That is o&, where thou i"!ee! art. That is our cit&where thou art. That is Sar(a where thou, our %i"(, art.

8; *ai"( thus hear! the citi@e"s a!!ress the %i"(,oerwhel'e! with (rief, stoo! the" i" the roa! throu(h er&co'passio" for

8 the'. Still -is$'itra, seei"( hi' !istresse! & theciti@e"s e=cla'atio"s, approachi"( hi', with e&es rolli"( i"a"(er

80 a"! i'patie"ce, spo%e9 Fie o" thee, ile i" th& co"!uctfalse, croo%e! i" th& speechK who also, after (ii"( 'e th&

83 %i"(!o', wishest a(ai" to with!raw it. The %i"( thusrou(hl& accoste! & hi' replie! thus tre'li"(, I a' (oi"(,a"! !eparte!

;5 hastil& !rawi"( his wife i" his ha"!. Thereupo" the sa(e of

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P$"!ae&as !i! "ot ta%e to the'seles wies, throu(h thecurse of that (reat #u"i.

;3 All this has ee" !eclare! to thee with refere"ce to the taleof the P$"!ae&as. Th& four 7uestio"s hae ee" a"swere! i"so"(. Mhat else !ost thou wish to hear

CANTO VIII.

The Stor) of Haris'c/andra 1continued2$

-isv)'itra not satisfie# #e'an#s f$rther fees+ an#Haris*c1an#ra in #es"eration sells his !ife an# his son to

a brah'an an# hi'self to a c1an#)la+ an# gives-isv)'itra all the "rice * Haris*c1an#ra earns his

livelihoo# as the c1an#)la1s servant at a b$rning*gro$n#in the 'ost ab6ect state for a year * Then he sees avision of his f$t$re trans'igrations !ith a "ro'ise of

ha""iness $lti'ately * His son is bitten by a snake+ an#the 5$een brings the cor"se to the b$rning*gro$n# *

They recognise each other an# be!ail their 'isfort$nes* Both resolve to i''olate the'selves on their son1s

f$neral "ile7 b$t the go#s inter"ose an# restore his sonto life * ,har'a e%"lains that he ha# "ersonate# the

c1an#)la * In#ra calls the king to Svarga+ b$t he ref$sesto go !itho$t his faithf$l "eo"le * He+ an# his 5$een an#

"eo"le ascen# to Svarga in "erfect bliss

4ai'i"i spo%e9

/ Ye hae !eclare! this i" or!er accor!i"( to '& 7uestio"s9(reat is '& curiosit& re(ar!i"( the stor& of *aris2ca"!ra.

C AhK passi"( (reat was the woe i"curre! & that'a("a"i'ous %i"( I trust he otai"e! a happi"ess full&co''e"surate, > rah'a"sK

The ir!s spo%e9

: *eari"( -is$'itras speech, the %i"( 'oe! o" slowl&, fullof sorrow, followe! & his wife Sai&$ with her &ou"( o&.

6 The %i"( hai"( reache! the !ii"e cit& of Be"ares 2 thechoice of Sia who pro"ou"ce! that it was "ot to e e"o&e!

8 & 'e". Distresse! with sorrow, he traelle! afoot with hisco'plia"t wife. >" e"teri"( the cit&, he saw -is$'itra

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; prese"t. Seei"( he ha! alrea!& arrie!, *aris2ca"!ra owe!reere"tl& a"!, oi"i"( his ha"!s respectfull&, a!!resse! the

(reat #u"i9 2 *ere is '& life, a"! this is '& so", a"! this is'& wife, > #u"iK Ta%e that as the choicest ar(h&a offeri"(

0 with which thou shoul!st 7uic%l& !eal. Mhateer else weshoul! !o, !ei(" to e=cuse that.

-is$'itra spo%e9

3 Go"e is the 'o"th, > R$arshiK let '& fee e (ie" 'e, ifth& wor! re(ar!i"( the R$a2s&a sacrifice he re'e'ere!.

*aris2ca"!ra spo%e9

/5 > rah'a", rich i" fa!eless austeritiesK to2!a& the 'o"thwill, i" truth, e co'plete!9 await this half2!a& which re'ai"s, ut "ot lo"(.

-is$'itra spo%e9

// Be it so, #ah$r$$K I will co'e a(ai"9 u"less to2!a& thoushall 'a%e the (ift, I will pro"ou"ce a curse o" thee.

The ir!s spo%e9

/C Thus hai"( spo%e" the r$h'a" !eparte!9 a"! the Raathe" too% thou(ht 2 *ow shall I (ie hi' the fee which has

/: ee" pro'ise! Mhe"ce ca" I fi"! p

markandeya-purana - f. eden pargiter - en - ocr - 1904

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