७.६९.१
भुक्त्वा तु भाषितं वाक्यं मम राम शुभाक्षरम् ।
प्राञ्जलिः प्रत्युवाचेदं स स्वर्गी रघुनन्दन ॥
प्राञ्जलिः प्रत्युवाचेदं स स्वर्गी रघुनन्दन ॥
Summary
AI
O Rāma, delight of the Raghu dynasty, having received my auspiciously worded speech, that heavenly being replied thus with joined palms.
M N Dutt
O Rāma, hearing my words pregnant with sound reasoning, that heavenly being, with folded hands, said.
७.६९.२
शृणु ब्रह्मन्यथावृत्तं ममैतत्सुखदुःखयोः ।
दुरतिक्रमणीयं हि यथा पृच्छसि मां द्विज ॥
दुरतिक्रमणीयं हि यथा पृच्छसि मां द्विज ॥
Summary
AI
O Brāhmaṇa, listen to the account of my joys and sorrows as they occurred, just as you ask me, O twice-born one; for destiny is indeed difficult to overcome.
M N Dutt
Hear, O Brāhmaṇa, from what unavoidable cause has proceeded this happy and again painful incident.
७.६९.३
पुरा वैदर्भको राजा पिता मम महायशाः ।
सुदेव इति विख्यातस्त्रिषु लोकेषु वीर्यवान् ॥
सुदेव इति विख्यातस्त्रिषु लोकेषु वीर्यवान् ॥
Summary
AI
Formerly, my father was the highly famous and powerful King of Vidarbha, known as Sudeva throughout the three worlds.
M N Dutt
There flourished in the days of yore a highly illustratious and powerful Vidarbha king under the name of Sudeva known over three worlds. He was my father.
७.६९.४
तस्य पुत्रद्वयं ब्रह्मन्द्वाभ्यां स्त्रीभ्यामजायत ।
अहं श्वेत इति ख्यातो यवीयान्सुरथोऽभवत् ॥
अहं श्वेत इति ख्यातो यवीयान्सुरथोऽभवत् ॥
Summary
AI
O Brāhmaṇa, two sons were born to him from his two wives. I am known as Śveta, and my younger brother was Suratha.
M N Dutt
His two queens gave birth to two sons. My name is Sveta and the name of my youngest brother was Suratha.
७.६९.५
ततः पितरि स्वर्याते पौरा मामभ्यषेचयन् ।
तत्राहं कृतवान्राज्यं धर्मेण सुसमाहितः ॥
तत्राहं कृतवान्राज्यं धर्मेण सुसमाहितः ॥
Summary
AI
After my father ascended to heaven, the citizens consecrated me. I then ruled the kingdom righteously with great focus and composure.
M N Dutt
After the decease of my sire the subjects installed me on the throne and I governed them piously and carefully for a thousand years.
७.६९.६
एवं वर्षसहस्राणि समतीतानि सुव्रत ।
राज्यं कारयतो ब्रह्मन्प्रजा धर्मेण रक्षतः ॥
राज्यं कारयतो ब्रह्मन्प्रजा धर्मेण रक्षतः ॥
Summary
AI
O virtuous Brāhmaṇa, thousands of years passed while I governed the kingdom and protected the subjects according to dharma.
M N Dutt
After the decease of my sire the subjects installed me on the throne and I governed them piously and carefully for a thousand years.
७.६९.७
सोऽहं निमित्ते कस्मिंश्चिद्विज्ञातायुर्द्विजोत्तम ।
कालधर्मं हृदि न्यस्य ततो वनमुपागमम् ॥
कालधर्मं हृदि न्यस्य ततो वनमुपागमम् ॥
Summary
AI
O best of the twice-born, having learned the end of my life span through some cause and keeping death in mind, I then retired to the forest.
M N Dutt
By some reason I was informed of the extent of my life. And when I perceived that the lease of my life had well-night expired I entered into the life of Vānaprastha.
७.६९.८
सोऽहं वनमिदं दुर्गं मृगपक्षिविवर्जितम् ।
तपश्चर्तुं प्रविष्टोऽस्मि समीपे सरसः शुभे ॥
तपश्चर्तुं प्रविष्टोऽस्मि समीपे सरसः शुभे ॥
Summary
AI
I entered this impenetrable forest, devoid of beasts and birds, near a beautiful lake to perform penance.
M N Dutt
And having placed my brother Suratha on the throne I entered into a dense forest devoid of men and animals at no distance from this pond to perform devout penances. And I performed austerities for a long time near this pond.
७.६९.९
भ्रातरं सुरथं राज्ये अभिषिच्य नराधिपम् ।
इदं सरः समासाद्य तपस्तप्तं मया चिरम् ॥
इदं सरः समासाद्य तपस्तप्तं मया चिरम् ॥
Summary
AI
Having consecrated my brother Suratha as the king of the realm and reaching this lake, I performed penance for a long time.
७.६९.१०
सोऽहं वर्षसहस्राणि तपस्त्रीणि महामुने ।
तप्त्वा सुदुष्करं प्राप्तो ब्रह्मलोकमनुत्तमम् ॥
तप्त्वा सुदुष्करं प्राप्तो ब्रह्मलोकमनुत्तमम् ॥
Summary
AI
O great sage, having performed difficult penance for three thousand years, I attained the unsurpassed realm of Brahmā.
M N Dutt
Having performed hard penances in this forest, for three thousand years I at last attained to the region of Brahmā.
७.६९.११
ततो मां स्वर्गसंस्थं वै क्षुत्पिपासे द्विजोत्तम ।
बाधेते परमोदार ततोऽहं व्यथितेन्द्रियः ॥
बाधेते परमोदार ततोऽहं व्यथितेन्द्रियः ॥
Summary
AI
O best of the twice-born, O most generous one, even while staying in heaven, hunger and thirst afflicted me, causing my senses to become distressed.
M N Dutt
And albeit I had reached the Brahmā region I was still being assailed by hunger and thirst. And gradually I grew tired therewith.
७.६९.१२
गत्वा त्रिभुवणश्रेष्ठं पितामहमुवाच ह ।
भगवन्ब्रह्मलोकोऽयं क्षुत्पिपासाविवर्जितः ॥
भगवन्ब्रह्मलोकोऽयं क्षुत्पिपासाविवर्जितः ॥
Summary
AI
Approaching the Grandfather, the lord of the three worlds, I said, "O Blessed Lord, this realm of Brahmā is meant to be free from hunger and thirst."
M N Dutt
There upon approaching the patriarch Brahma, the lord of three worlds, I said: O lord, here there is no hunger or thirst; still why have I been brought to their control? Of what iniquity of mine is this fruit? O deity, tell me upon what I shall live.
७.६९.१३
कस्येयं कर्मणः प्राप्तिः क्षुत्पिपासावशोऽस्मि यत् ।
आहारः कश्च मे देव तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥
आहारः कश्च मे देव तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥
Summary
AI
"O Grandfather, due to what action have I come under the power of hunger and thirst? O God, tell me, what shall be my food?"
७.६९.१४
पितामहस्तु मामाह तवाहारः सुदेवज ।
स्वादूनि स्वानि मांसानि तानि भक्षय नित्यशः ॥
स्वादूनि स्वानि मांसानि तानि भक्षय नित्यशः ॥
Summary
AI
The Grandfather then said to me, "O son of Sudeva, your food shall be the delicious flesh of your own body; eat that daily."
M N Dutt
Whereto the patriarch replied: O son of Sudeva, do you live upon sweet savoured meat everyday.
७.६९.१५
स्वशरीरं त्वया पुष्टं कुर्वता तप उत्तमम् ।
अनुप्तं रोहते श्वेत न कदाचिन्महामते ॥
अनुप्तं रोहते श्वेत न कदाचिन्महामते ॥
Summary
AI
"O wise Śveta, while performing great penance, you only nourished your own body. What is not sown never sprouts."
M N Dutt
O Śveta, you did only look to the growth of your person when you did perform rigid penances. O you of a great mind, nothing grows, when nothing is sown. You did only perform ascetic penances, but you did not make any gift of charity. It is for that reason, O my son, that you are, even in heaven, being assailed by hunger and thirst.
७.६९.१६
दत्तं न तेऽस्ति सूक्ष्मोऽपि वने सत्त्वनिषेविते ।
तेन स्वर्गगतो वत्स बाध्यसे क्षुत्पिपासया ॥
तेन स्वर्गगतो वत्स बाध्यसे क्षुत्पिपासया ॥
Summary
AI
"O child, you gave nothing, not even a little, while in the forest inhabited by living beings. Therefore, though you have attained heaven, you are afflicted by hunger and thirst."
M N Dutt
O Śveta, you did only look to the growth of your person when you did perform rigid penances. O you of a great mind, nothing grows, when nothing is sown. You did only perform ascetic penances, but you did not make any gift of charity. It is for that reason, O my son, that you are, even in heaven, being assailed by hunger and thirst.
७.६९.१७
स त्वं सुपुष्टमाहारैः स्वशरीरमनुत्तमम् ।
भक्षयस्वामृतरसं सा ते तृप्तिर्भविष्यति ॥
भक्षयस्वामृतरसं सा ते तृप्तिर्भविष्यति ॥
Summary
AI
"Therefore, consume your own excellent body, well-nourished by foods; it will taste like nectar and provide you with satisfaction."
M N Dutt
Thereupon do you now live upon your own dead body fostered by various food. By this you shall keep up your being.
७.६९.१८
यदा तु तद्वनं श्वेत अगस्त्यः सुमहानृषिः ।
आक्रमिष्यति दुर्धर्षस्तदा कृच्छाद्विमोक्ष्यसे ॥
आक्रमिष्यति दुर्धर्षस्तदा कृच्छाद्विमोक्ष्यसे ॥
Summary
AI
"O Śveta, when the invincible and great sage Agastya enters that forest, then you shall be released from this misery."
M N Dutt
O Sveta, you shall be relived from this affliction when the irrepressible, great Saint Agastya shall reach that forest.
७.६९.१९
स हि तारयितुं सौम्य शक्तः सुरगणानपि ।
किं पुनस्त्वां महाबाहो क्षुत्पिपासावशं गतम् ॥
किं पुनस्त्वां महाबाहो क्षुत्पिपासावशं गतम् ॥
Summary
AI
"O gentle one, he is capable of delivering even the hosts of gods; how much more so you, O mighty-armed one, who have fallen under the power of hunger and thirst?"
M N Dutt
O gentle one, even to the immortals he can give salvation; what wonder it is that he shall relieve you from the miseries of hunger and thirst.
७.६९.२०
सोऽहं भगवतः श्रुत्वा देवदेवस्य निश्चयम् ।
आहारं गर्हितं कुर्मि स्वशरीरं द्विजोत्तम ॥
आहारं गर्हितं कुर्मि स्वशरीरं द्विजोत्तम ॥
Summary
AI
O best of the twice-born, having heard the decision of the blessed God of gods, I consume my own body as this despicable food.
M N Dutt
O foremost of twice-born ones, from the time of hearing those words of the great Brahma, the god of gods, I have been engaged in this cursed work of feeding upon my own dead body.
७.६९.२१
बहून्वर्षगणान्ब्रह्मन्भुज्यमानमिदं मया ।
क्षयं नाभ्येति ब्रह्मर्षे तृप्तिश्चापि ममोत्तमा ॥
क्षयं नाभ्येति ब्रह्मर्षे तृप्तिश्चापि ममोत्तमा ॥
Summary
AI
O Brāhmaṇa! Although I have been consuming this body for many cycles of years, O Brahmarṣi, it does not diminish, and my satisfaction remains supreme.
M N Dutt
O Brāhmaṇa, for many long years I have been living upon this corpse still I have not done with it. O Saint, I, too, derive satisfaction from it; I now understand that you are the illustrious Agastya born of a Kumbha; for none else is capable of coming here; do you therefore save me from this pain, who am afflicted with great miseries.
७.६९.२२
तस्य मे कृच्छ्रभूतस्य कृच्छ्रादस्माद्विमोक्षय ।
अन्येषामगतिर्ह्यत्र कुम्भयोनिमृते द्विजम् ॥
अन्येषामगतिर्ह्यत्र कुम्भयोनिमृते द्विजम् ॥
Summary
AI
Release me, who is in a state of suffering, from this misery; for indeed, there is no recourse for anyone else here except for the twice-born *Kumbhayoni*.
७.६९.२३
इदमाभरणं सौम्य तारणार्थं द्विजोत्तम ।
प्रतिगृह्णीष्व ब्रह्मर्षे प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि ॥
प्रतिगृह्णीष्व ब्रह्मर्षे प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि ॥
Summary
AI
O gentle one, best of the twice-born! Please accept this ornament for the sake of my deliverance; O Brahmarṣi, you should grant me this favor.
M N Dutt
O foremost of twice-born ones, O gentle one, do you take this ornament; may good betide you. Do you be propitiated with me.
७.६९.२४
तस्याहं स्वर्गिणो वाक्यं श्रुत्वा दुःखसमन्वितम् ।
तारणायोपजग्राह तदाभरणमुत्तमम् ॥
तारणायोपजग्राह तदाभरणमुत्तमम् ॥
Summary
AI
Upon hearing the sorrowful words of that resident of heaven, I accepted that excellent ornament for the purpose of his salvation.
M N Dutt
Hearing those words of the heavenly being, exciting pity, I accepted this ornament for saving him.
७.६९.२५
मया प्रतिगृहीते तु तस्मिन्नाभरणे शुभे ।
मानुषः पूर्वको देहो राजर्षेः स ननाश ह ॥
मानुषः पूर्वको देहो राजर्षेः स ननाश ह ॥
Summary
AI
Upon my acceptance of that auspicious ornament, the former human body of that *Rājarṣi* vanished completely.
M N Dutt
And as soon as I took this ornament that human body of the royal saint disappeared.
७.६९.२६
प्रनष्टे तु शरीरेऽसौ राजर्षिः परया मुदा ।
तृप्तः प्रमुदितो राजा जगाम त्रिदिवं पुनः ॥
तृप्तः प्रमुदितो राजा जगाम त्रिदिवं पुनः ॥
Summary
AI
When the body had disappeared, the King, that *Rājarṣi*, filled with supreme joy, satisfied and delighted, returned to heaven once more.
M N Dutt
And the body being dissolved, the royal saint Śveta, greatly delighted, happily went to the land of immortals.
७.६९.२७
तेनेदं शक्रतुल्येन दिव्यमाभरणं मम ।
तस्मिन्निमित्ते काकुत्स्थ दत्तमद्भुतदर्शनम् ॥
तस्मिन्निमित्ते काकुत्स्थ दत्तमद्भुतदर्शनम् ॥
Summary
AI
O *Kākutstha*, this divine ornament of wonderful appearance was given to me by him, who is equal to *Śakra*, on that account.
M N Dutt
It is for this reason, O Kākutstha, that royal saint, resembling Indra, conferred upon me this wondrous, celestial ornament.
॥ इति उत्तरकाण्डे एकोनसप्ततितमः सर्गः ॥
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