The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 12.192: dvinavatyadhikaśatatamo'dhyāyaḥ

12.192.1

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
kālamṛtyuyamānāṃ ca brāhmaṇasya ca sattama |
vivādo vyāhṛtaḥ pūrvaṃ tadbhavānvaktumarhati || 1 ||

"Yudhishthira said, 'Thou hadst referred to the dispute between Time, Mrityu, Yama, Ikshvaku, and a Brahmana. It behoveth thee to narrate the story in full.'

12.192.2

bhīṣma uvāca |
atrāpyudāharantīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam |
ikṣvākoḥ sūryaputrasya yadvṛttaṃ brāhmaṇasya ca || 2 ||

"Bhishma said, 'In connection with this subject that I am discoursing upon, is cited the old history of what transpired between Surya's son Ikshvaku and a certain Brahmana, and Time and Mrityu. Listen to me as to what occurred, and what was the conversation that took place between them, and the place where it happened. There was a certain Brahmana of great fame and pious behaviour. He was a Reciter. Possessed of great wisdom, he was conversant with the six Angas (of the Vedas). He was of the Kusika race and son of Pippalada. He acquired (by his austerities) spiritual insight into the Angas. Residing at the foot of Himavat, he was devoted to the Vedas. Silently reciting the Gayatri composition, he practised severe austerities for attaining to Brahma. A thousand years passed over his head while he was engaged in the observance of vows and fasts. The goddess (of Gayatri or Savitri) showed herself to him and said, 'I am gratified with thee.' Continuing to recite the sacred mantra, the Brahmana remained silent and spoke not a word to the goddess. The goddess felt compassion for him and became highly gratified. Then that progenitrix of the Vedas applaud that recitation in which the Brahmana had been engaged. After finishing his recitation (for that day) the Brahmana stood up and, bending his head, prostrated himself before the goddess's feet. The righteous-souled Reciter, addressing the goddess, said, 'By good luck, O goddess, thou hast been gratified with me and shown thyself to me. If, indeed, thou art gratified with me, the boon I ask is that my heart may take pleasure in act of recitation.'

12.192.3

kālasya mṛtyośca tathā yadvṛttaṃ tannibodha me |
yathā sa teṣāṃ saṃvādo yasminsthāne'pi cābhavat || 3 ||

12.192.4

brāhmaṇo jāpakaḥ kaściddharmavṛtto mahāyaśāḥ |
ṣaḍaṅgavinmahāprājñaḥ paippalādiḥ sa kauśikaḥ || 4 ||

12.192.5

tasyāparokṣaṃ vijñānaṃ ṣaḍaṅgeṣu tathaiva ca |
vedeṣu caiva niṣṇāto himavatpādasaṃśrayaḥ || 5 ||

12.192.6

so'ntyaṃ brāhmaṃ tapastepe saṃhitāṃ saṃyato japan |
tasya varṣasahasraṃ tu niyamena tathā gatam || 6 ||

12.192.7

sa devyā darśitaḥ sākṣātprītāsmīti tadā kila |
japyamāvartayaṃstūṣṇīṃ na ca tāṃ kiṃcidabravīt || 7 ||

12.192.8

tasyānukampayā devī prītā samabhavattadā |
vedamātā tatastasya tajjapyaṃ samapūjayat || 8 ||

12.192.9

samāptajapyastūtthāya śirasā pādayostathā |
papāta devyā dharmātmā vacanaṃ cedamabravīt || 9 ||

12.192.10

diṣṭyā devi prasannā tvaṃ darśanaṃ cāgatā mama |
yadi vāpi prasannāsi japye me ramatāṃ manaḥ || 10 ||

12.192.11

sāvitryuvāca |
kiṃ prārthayasi viprarṣe kiṃ ceṣṭaṃ karavāṇi te |
prabrūhi japatāṃ śreṣṭha sarvaṃ tatte bhaviṣyati || 11 ||

"Savitri said, 'What dost thou ask, O regenerate Rishi? What wish of thine shall I accomplish? Tell me, O foremost of Reciters, everything will be as thou wishest.' Thus addressed by the goddess, the Brahmana, conversant with duties, replied, saying, 'Let my wish about continuing my recitations go on increasing every moment. Let also, O auspicious goddess, the absorption of my mind into Samadhi be more complete.' The goddess sweetly said, 'Let it be as thou wishest.' Desiring to do good to the Brahmana, the goddess once again addressed him, saying, 'Thou shalt not have to go to hell, i.e., thither where great Brahmanas go. Thou shalt go into the region of Brahma which is uncreate and free from every fault. I go hence, but that which thou hast asked me shall happen. Go on reciting with restrained soul and rapt attention. The god Dharma will in person come to thee. Time, Mrityu. and Yama also will all approach thy presence. There will be a dispute here between them and thee on a question of morality.'

12.192.12

bhīṣma uvāca |
ityuktaḥ sa tadā devyā vipraḥ provāca dharmavit |
japyaṃ prati mameccheyaṃ vardhatviti punaḥ punaḥ || 12 ||

12.192.13

manasaśca samādhirme vardhetāharahaḥ śubhe |
tattatheti tato devī madhuraṃ pratyabhāṣata || 13 ||

12.192.14

idaṃ caivāparaṃ prāha devī tatpriyakāmyayā |
nirayaṃ naiva yātāsi yatra yātā dvijarṣabhāḥ || 14 ||

12.192.15

yāsyasi brahmaṇaḥ sthānamanimittamaninditam |
sādhaye bhavitā caitadyattvayāhamihārthitā || 15 ||

12.192.16

niyato japa caikāgro dharmastvāṃ samupaiṣyati |
kālo mṛtyuryamaścaiva samāyāsyanti te'ntikam |
bhavitā ca vivādo'tra tava teṣāṃ ca dharmataḥ || 16 ||

12.192.17

evamuktvā bhagavatī jagāma bhavanaṃ svakam |
brāhmaṇo'pi japannāste divyaṃ varṣaśataṃ tadā || 17 ||

'Bhishma continued, 'Having said these words, the goddess went back to her own abode. The Brahmana. continued engaged in recitation for a thousand celestial years. Restraining wrath, and always controlling self, he passed his time, firmly devoting himself to truth and freed from malice. Upon the completion of his observance by the intelligent Brahmana, Dharma, gratified with him, showed his person unto that regenerate individual.'

12.192.18

samāpte niyame tasminnatha viprasya dhīmataḥ |
sākṣātprītastadā dharmo darśayāmāsa taṃ dvijam || 18 ||

12.192.19

dharma uvāca |
dvijāte paśya māṃ dharmamahaṃ tvāṃ draṣṭumāgataḥ |
japyasya ca phalaṃ yatte saṃprāptaṃ tacca me śṛṇu || 19 ||

'Dharma said, 'O regenerate one, behold me who am Dharma. I have come here for seeing thee. Thou hast won the reward of this recitation in which thou hadst been engaged. Listen to ma as to what that reward is. Thou hast won all the regions of felicity which appertain to either gods or men. O good man, thou shalt ascend above all the abodes of the deities. O ascetic, cast off thy vital breaths then, and go unto whatever regions thou pleasest. By casting off thy body thou wilt win many regions of felicity.'

12.192.20

jitā lokāstvayā sarve ye divyā ye ca mānuṣāḥ |
devānāṃ nirayānsādho sarvānutkramya yāsyasi || 20 ||

12.192.21

prāṇatyāgaṃ kuru mune gaccha lokānyathepsitān |
tyaktvātmanaḥ śarīraṃ ca tato lokānavāpsyasi || 21 ||

12.192.22

brāhmaṇa uvāca |
kṛtaṃ lokairhi me dharma gaccha ca tvaṃ yathāsukham |
bahuduḥkhasukhaṃ dehaṃ notsṛjeyamahaṃ vibho || 22 ||

"The Brahmana said, 'What business have I with those regions of felicity of which thou speakest? O Dharma, go whithersoever thou pleasest. I will not, O puissant lord, cast off this body which is subject to much happiness and misery.'

12.192.23

dharma uvāca |
avaśyaṃ bhoḥ śarīraṃ te tyaktavyaṃ munipuṃgava |
svarga ārohyatāṃ vipra kiṃ vā te rocate'nagha || 23 ||

"Dharma said, 'Thy body, O foremost of ascetics, should certainly be cast off. Do thou ascend to heaven, O Brahmana! Or, tell us what else should please thee, O sinless one!'

12.192.24

brāhmaṇa uvāca |
na rocaye svargavāsaṃ vinā dehādahaṃ vibho |
gaccha dharma na me śraddhā svargaṃ gantuṃ vinātmanā || 24 ||

"The Brahmana said, 'I do not, O puissant lord, wish to reside in heaven itself without this body of mine. Leave me, O Dharma! I have no desire to go to heaven itself without my own body.'

12.192.25

dharma uvāca |
alaṃ dehe manaḥ kṛtvā tyaktvā dehaṃ sukhī bhava |
gaccha lokānarajaso yatra gatvā na śocasi || 25 ||

"Dharma said, 'Without (thus) setting thy heart on thy body, cast it off and be happy Go into regions that are free from the attribute of Passion. Indeed, going thither, thou shalt never have to feel any misery.'

12.192.26

brāhmaṇa uvāca |
rame japanmahābhāga kṛtaṃ lokaiḥ sanātanaiḥ |
saśarīreṇa gantavyo mayā svargo na vā vibho || 26 ||

"The Brahmana said, 'O highly-blessed one, I take great pleasure in recitation. What need have I for those eternal regions of which thou speakest? Indeed, O puissant lord, I do not desire to go to heaven with even this body of mine.'

12.192.27

dharma uvāca |
yadi tvaṃ necchasi tyaktuṃ śarīraṃ paśya vai dvija |
eṣa kālastathā mṛtyuryamaśca tvāmupāgatāḥ || 27 ||

"Dharma said, 'If thou dost not wish to cast off thy body, behold, O regenerate one, there is Time, and there is Mrityu, and there is Yama, who are all approaching thee!'

12.192.28

bhīṣma uvāca |
atha vaivasvataḥ kālo mṛtyuśca tritayaṃ vibho |
brāhmaṇaṃ taṃ mahābhāgamupāgamyedamabruvan || 28 ||

'Bhishma continued, 'After Dharma had said this, Vivaswat's son (Yama), Time, and Mrityu,--the trio (who snatch away all creatures from the earth), approached that Brahmana, O blessed king, and addressed him thus.'

12.192.29

tapaso'sya sutaptasya tathā sucaritasya ca |
phalaprāptistava śreṣṭhā yamo'haṃ tvāmupabruve || 29 ||

"Yama said, 'I am Yama. I say unto thee that a high reward awaits thee for these well-performed penances of thine, and for this pious conduct that thou hast observed.'

12.192.30

yathāvadasya japyasya phalaṃ prāptastvamuttamam |
kālaste svargamāroḍhuṃ kālo'haṃ tvāmupāgataḥ || 30 ||

"Time said, 'Thou hast won a high reward which is, indeed, commensurate with this course of recitation that thou hast finished. The time is come for thee to ascend to heaven.. I am Time and I have come to thee.'

12.192.31

mṛtyuṃ mā viddhi dharmajña rūpiṇaṃ svayamāgatam |
kālena coditaṃ vipra tvāmito netumadya vai || 31 ||

"Mrityu said, 'O thou that art conversant with righteousness, know me for Mrityu herself in her proper form. I have come to thee in person, urged by Time, for bearing thee hence, O Brahmana.'

12.192.32

brāhmaṇa uvāca |
svāgataṃ sūryaputrāya kālāya ca mahātmane |
mṛtyave cātha dharmāya kiṃ kāryaṃ karavāṇi vaḥ || 32 ||

"The Brahmana said, 'Welcome to Surya's son, to Time possessed of high soul, to Mrityu, and to Dharma! What shall I accomplish for you all.

12.192.33

bhīṣma uvāca |
arghyaṃ pādyaṃ ca dattvā sa tebhyastatra samāgame |
abravītparamaprītaḥ svaśaktyā kiṃ karomi vaḥ || 33 ||

"Bhishma continued, 'In that meeting, the Brahmana gave them water to wash their feet, and the usual articles of the Arghya. Highly gratified, he then addressed them, saying, 'What shall I do for you all by exerting my own might?' Just at that time, 01 monarch, (king) Ikshvaku, who had set out on a sojourn to holy waters and shrines, came to that spot where those deities had been assembled together. 'The royal sage Ikshvaku bowed his head and worshipped them all. That best of kings then enquired after the welfare of all of them. The Brahmana gave the king a seat, as also water to wash his feet, and the usual Arghya. Having next made the usual enquiries of courtesy, he said, 'Thou art welcome, O great monarch! Tell me all this thy wishes! Let thy noble self tell me what I shall have to accomplish for thee by putting forth my might.'

12.192.34

tasminnevātha kāle tu tīrthayātrāmupāgataḥ |
ikṣvākuragamattatra sametā yatra te vibho || 34 ||

12.192.35

sarvāneva tu rājarṣiḥ saṃpūjyābhipraṇamya ca |
kuśalapraśnamakarotsarveṣāṃ rājasattamaḥ || 35 ||

12.192.36

tasmai so'thāsanaṃ dattvā pādyamarghyaṃ tathaiva ca |
abravīdbrāhmaṇo vākyaṃ kṛtvā kuśalasaṃvidam || 36 ||

12.192.37

svāgataṃ te mahārāja brūhi yadyadihecchasi |
svaśaktyā kiṃ karomīha tadbhavānprabravītu me || 37 ||

12.192.38

rājovāca |
rājāhaṃ brāhmaṇaśca tvaṃ yadi ṣaṭkarmasaṃsthitaḥ |
dadāmi vasu kiṃcitte prārthitaṃ tadvadasva me || 38 ||

"The king said, 'I am a king. Thou art a Brahmana in the observance of the six well-known duties. (1 cannot ask), I will give thee some wealth. That is well-known. Tell me how much I shall give thee.'

12.192.39

brāhmaṇa uvāca |
dvividhā brāhmaṇā rājandharmaśca dvividhaḥ smṛtaḥ |
pravṛttaśca nivṛttaśca nivṛtto'smi pratigrahāt || 39 ||

"The Brahmana said, 'There are two kinds of Brahmanas, O monarch! Morality of righteousness also is of two kinds; addiction to work, and abstention from work. As regards myself, I have abstained from acceptance of gifts. Give presents unto them, O, king, that are addicted to the duty of work and acceptance. I shall not, therefore, accept anything in gift. On the other hand, I ask thee, what is for thy good? What, indeed, shall I give thee? Tell me, O foremost of kings, and I shall accomplish it with the aid of my penances.'

12.192.40

tebhyaḥ prayaccha dānāni ye pravṛttā narādhipa |
ahaṃ na pratigṛhṇāmi kimiṣṭaṃ kiṃ dadāni te |
brūhi tvaṃ nṛpatiśreṣṭha tapasā sādhayāmi kim || 40 ||

12.192.41

rājovāca |
kṣatriyo'haṃ na jānāmi dehīti vacanaṃ kvacit |
prayaccha yuddhamityevaṃ vādinaḥ smo dvijottama || 41 ||

"The king said, 'I am a Kshatriya. I do not know how to say the word 'Give.' The only thing, O best of regenerate persons, that we can say (by way of asking) is Give (us) battle.'

12.192.42

brāhmaṇa uvāca |
tuṣyasi tvaṃ svadharmeṇa tathā tuṣṭā vayaṃ nṛpa |
anyonyasyottaraṃ nāsti yadiṣṭaṃ tatsamācara || 42 ||

"The Brahmana said, 'Thou art content with the observance of the duties of thy order. Similarly, I am content with the duties of mine, O king! There is, therefore, little difference between us. Do as thou pleasest!'

12.192.43

rājovāca |
svaśaktyāhaṃ dadānīti tvayā pūrvaṃ prabhāṣitam |
yāce tvāṃ dīyatāṃ mahyaṃ japyasyāsya phalaṃ dvija || 43 ||

"The king said, 'Thou saidst these words first, viz., 'I shall give thee according to my might.' I, therefore, solicit thee, O regenerate one. Give me the fruits of this recitation (which thou hast gone through).'

12.192.44

brāhmaṇa uvāca |
yuddhaṃ mama sadā vāṇī yācatīti vikatthase |
na ca yuddhaṃ mayā sārdhaṃ kimarthaṃ yācase punaḥ || 44 ||

"The Brahmana said, 'Thou wert boasting that thy utterances always solicit battle. Why then dost thou not solicit battle with me?'

12.192.45

rājovāca |
vāgvajrā brāhmaṇāḥ proktāḥ kṣatriyā bāhujīvinaḥ |
vāgyuddhaṃ tadidaṃ tīvraṃ mama vipra tvayā saha || 45 ||

"The king said, 'It has been said that Brahmanas are armed with the thunder of speech, and that Kshatriyas have might of arms. Hence, learned Brahmana, this wordy warfare has set in between thee and me.'

12.192.46

brāhmaṇa uvāca |
saivādyāpi pratijñā me svaśaktyā kiṃ pradīyatām |
brūhi dāsyāmi rājendra vibhave sati māciram || 46 ||

"The Brahmana said, 'As regards myself, even that is my resolution today. What shall I give thee according to my might? Tell me, O king of kings, and I shall give thee, having wealth of my own. Do not tarry.'

12.192.47

rājovāca |
yattadvarṣaśataṃ pūrṇaṃ japyaṃ vai japatā tvayā |
phalaṃ prāptaṃ tatprayaccha mama ditsurbhavānyadi || 47 ||

"The king said, 'If, indeed, thou desirest to give me anything, then give me the fruits thou hast earned by practising recitation for these thousand years.'

12.192.48

brāhmaṇa uvāca |
paramaṃ gṛhyatāṃ tasya phalaṃ yajjapitaṃ mayā |
ardhaṃ tvamavicāreṇa phalaṃ tasya samāpnuhi || 48 ||

"The Brahmana said, 'Take the highest fruit of the recitations I have gone through. Indeed, take half, without any scruple, of that fruit. Or, O king, if thou wishest, take without any scruple the entire fruits of my recitations.'

12.192.49

atha vā sarvameveha japyakaṃ māmakaṃ phalam |
rājanprāpnuhi kāmaṃ tvaṃ yadi sarvamihecchasi || 49 ||

12.192.50

rājovāca |
kṛtaṃ sarveṇa bhadraṃ te japyaṃ yadyācitaṃ mayā |
svasti te'stu gamiṣyāmi kiṃ ca tasya phalaṃ vada || 50 ||

"The king said, 'Blessed be thou, I have no need for the fruits of thy recitations which I solicited. Blessings on thy head. I am about to leave thee. Tell me, however, what those fruits are (of thy recitations).'

12.192.51

brāhmaṇa uvāca |
phalaprāptiṃ na jānāmi dattaṃ yajjapitaṃ mayā |
ayaṃ dharmaśca kālaśca yamo mṛtyuśca sākṣiṇaḥ || 51 ||

"The Brahmana said, 'I have no knowledge of the fruits I have won. I have, however, given thee those fruits that I have acquired by recitation. These, viz., Dharma and Time, and Yama, and Mrityu, are witnesses (of the act of gift).'

12.192.52

rājovāca |
ajñātamasya dharmasya phalaṃ me kiṃ kariṣyati |
prāpnotu tatphalaṃ vipro nāhamicche sasaṃśayam || 52 ||

"The king said, 'What will the fruits, that are unknown, of these thy observances, do for me? If thou dost not tell me what the fruits are of thy recitations, let those fruits be thine, for without doubt I do not wish for them.'

12.192.53

brāhmaṇa uvāca |
nādade'paravaktavyaṃ dattaṃ vācā phalaṃ mayā |
vākyaṃ pramāṇaṃ rājarṣe mamāpi tava caiva hi || 53 ||

"The Brahmana said, 'I will not accept any other utterance (from thee). I have given thee the fruits of my recitations. Let, O royal sage, both thy words and mine become true. As regards my recitations, I never cherished any specific desire to accomplish. How then, O tiger among kings, should I have any knowledge of what the fruits are of those recitations? Thou saidst, 'Give!' I said 'I give!' I shall not falsify these words. Keep the truth. Be calm! If thou request to keep my word, O king, great will be thy sin due to falsehood. O chastiser of foes, it does not become thee to utter what is untrue. Similarly, I dare not falsify what I have uttered. I have, before this, unhesitatingly said, 'I give!' If, therefore, thou art firm in truth, accept my gift. Coming here, O king, thou didst solicit of me the fruits of my recitations. Therefore, take what I have given away, if, indeed, thou art firm in truth. He who is addicted to falsehood had neither this world nor the next. Such a person fails to rescue his (deceased) ancestors. How again shall he succeed in doing good to his (unborn) progeny? The rewards of sacrifices and gifts, as also of fasts and religious observances, are not so efficacious in rescuing (a person from evil and hell) as Truth, O bull among men, in both this and the next world. All the penances that have been undergone by thee and all those that thou wilt undergo in the future for hundreds and thousands of years do not possess efficacy greater than that of Truth. Truth is one un deteriorating Brahma. Truth is the one undeteriorating Penance. Truth is the one undeteriorating sacrifice. Truth is the one undeteriorating Veda. Truth is awake in the Vedas. The fruits attached to Truth have been said to be the highest. From Truth arise Righteousness and Self-restraint. Everything rests on Truth. Truth is the Vedas and their branches. Truth is Knowledge. Truth is the Ordinance. Truth is the observance of vows and fasts. Truth is the Primeval Word Om. Truth is the origin of creatures. Truth is their progeny. It is by Truth that the Wind moves. It is by Truth that the Sun gives heat. It is by Truth that Fire burns. It is on Truth that Heaven rests. Truth is Sacrifice, Penance, Vedas, the utterance of Samans, Mantras, and Saraswati. It hath been heard by us that once on a time Truth and all religious observances were placed on a pair of scales. When both were weighed, that scale on which Truth was, seen to be heavier. There is Truth where Righteousness is. Everything increaseth through Truth. Why, O king, dost thou wish to do an act that is stained with falsehood? Be firm in Truth. Do not act falsely, O monarch! Why wouldst thou falsify thy words 'Give (me),' which thou hast uttered? If thou refusest, O monarch, to accept the fruits that I have given thee of my recitations, thou shalt then have to wander over the world, fallen away from Righteousness! That person who does not give after having promised, and he also that does not accept after having solicited, are both stained with falsehood. It behoveth thee, therefore, not to falsify thy own words.'

12.192.54

nābhisaṃdhirmayā japye kṛtapūrvaḥ kathaṃcana |
japyasya rājaśārdūla kathaṃ jñāsyāmyahaṃ phalam || 54 ||

12.192.55

dadasveti tvayā coktaṃ dadāmīti tathā mayā |
na vācaṃ dūṣayiṣyāmi satyaṃ rakṣa sthiro bhava || 55 ||

12.192.56

athaivaṃ vadato me'dya vacanaṃ na kariṣyasi |
mahānadharmo bhavitā tava rājanmṛṣākṛtaḥ || 56 ||

12.192.57

na yuktaṃ tu mṛṣā vāṇī tvayā vaktumariṃdama |
tathā mayāpyabhyadhikaṃ mṛṣā vaktuṃ na śakyate || 57 ||

12.192.58

saṃśrutaṃ ca mayā pūrvaṃ dadānītyavicāritam |
tadgṛhṇīṣvāvicāreṇa yadi satye sthito bhavān || 58 ||

12.192.59

ihāgamya hi māṃ rājañjāpyaṃ phalamayācithāḥ |
tanmannisṛṣṭaṃ gṛhṇīṣva bhava satye sthiro'pi ca || 59 ||

12.192.60

nāyaṃ loko'sti na paro na ca pūrvānsa tārayet |
kuta evāvarānrājanmṛṣāvādaparāyaṇaḥ || 60 ||

12.192.61

na yajñādhyayane dānaṃ niyamāstārayanti hi |
tathā satyaṃ pare loke yathā vai puruṣarṣabha || 61 ||

12.192.62

tapāṃsi yāni cīrṇāni cariṣyasi ca yattapaḥ |
samāḥ śataiḥ sahasraiśca tatsatyānna viśiṣyate || 62 ||

12.192.63

satyamekākṣaraṃ brahma satyamekākṣaraṃ tapaḥ |
satyamekākṣaro yajñaḥ satyamekākṣaraṃ śrutam || 63 ||

12.192.64

satyaṃ vedeṣu jāgarti phalaṃ satye paraṃ smṛtam |
satyāddharmo damaścaiva sarvaṃ satye pratiṣṭhitam || 64 ||

12.192.65

satyaṃ vedāstathāṅgāni satyaṃ yajñastathā vidhiḥ |
vratacaryāstathā satyamoṃkāraḥ satyameva ca || 65 ||

12.192.66

prāṇināṃ jananaṃ satyaṃ satyaṃ saṃtatireva ca |
satyena vāyurabhyeti satyena tapate raviḥ || 66 ||

12.192.67

satyena cāgnirdahati svargaḥ satye pratiṣṭhitaḥ |
satyaṃ yajñastapo vedāḥ stobhā mantrāḥ sarasvatī || 67 ||

12.192.68

tulāmāropito dharmaḥ satyaṃ caiveti naḥ śrutam |
samāṃ kakṣāṃ dhārayato yataḥ satyaṃ tato'dhikam || 68 ||

12.192.69

yato dharmastataḥ satyaṃ sarvaṃ satyena vardhate |
kimarthamanṛtaṃ karma kartuṃ rājaṃstvamicchasi || 69 ||

12.192.70

satye kuru sthiraṃ bhāvaṃ mā rājannanṛtaṃ kṛthāḥ |
kasmāttvamanṛtaṃ vākyaṃ dehīti kuruṣe'śubham || 70 ||

12.192.71

yadi japyaphalaṃ dattaṃ mayā neṣiṣyase nṛpa |
svadharmebhyaḥ paribhraṣṭo lokānanucariṣyasi || 71 ||

12.192.72

saṃśrutya yo na ditseta yācitvā yaśca necchati |
ubhāvānṛtikāvetau na mṛṣā kartumarhasi || 72 ||

12.192.73

rājovāca |
yoddhavyaṃ rakṣitavyaṃ ca kṣatradharmaḥ kila dvija |
dātāraḥ kṣatriyāḥ proktā gṛhṇīyāṃ bhavataḥ katham || 73 ||

"The king said, 'To fight and protect (subjects) are the duties of Kshatriyas. It is said that Kshatriyas are givers (of presents). How then shall I take anything from thee (in gift)?'

12.192.74

brāhmaṇa uvāca |
na chandayāmi te rājannāpi te gṛhamāvrajam |
ihāgamya tu yācitvā na gṛhṇīṣe punaḥ katham || 74 ||

"The Brahmana said, 'I never insisted on thee, O king (for accepting anything from me in the first instance). I did not seek thy house. Thyself, coming here, didst solicit me. Why then dost thou not take?'

12.192.75

dharma uvāca |
avivādo'stu yuvayorvittaṃ māṃ dharmamāgatam |
dvijo dānaphalairyukto rājā satyaphalena ca || 75 ||

"Dharma said, 'Know ye both that I am Dharma himself. Let there be no dispute between you. Let the Brahmana become endued with the reward attaching to gift, and let the monarch also obtain the merit of Truth.'

12.192.76

svarga uvāca |
svargaṃ māṃ viddhi rājendra rūpiṇaṃ svayamāgatam |
avivādo'stu yuvayorubhau tulyaphalau yuvām || 76 ||

"Heaven said, 'Know, O great king, that I am Heaven's self in my embodied form, come hither in person. Let this dispute between you cease. You are both equal in respect of the merit or rewards earned.'

12.192.77

rājovāca |
kṛtaṃ svargeṇa me kāryaṃ gaccha svarga yathāsukham |
vipro yadīcchate dātuṃ pratīcchatu ca me dhanam || 77 ||

"The king said, 'I have no use with Heaven. Go, O Heaven, to the place you have come from. If this learned Brahmana desires to repair to thee, let him take the rewards that I have won (by my acts in life).'

12.192.78

brāhmaṇa uvāca |
bālye yadi syādajñānānmayā hastaḥ prasāritaḥ |
nivṛttilakṣaṇaṃ dharmamupāse saṃhitāṃ japan || 78 ||

"The Brahmana said, 'In my younger days I had, through ignorance, stretched my hand (for acceptance of gifts). At present, however, I recite the Gayatri, observing the duty of abstention. Why dost thou, O king, tempt me thus, me who have for a long time observed the duty of abstention? I shall myself do what my duty is. I do not wish to have any share of the rewards won by thee, O monarch! I am devoted to penances and to study of the [paragraph continues] Vedas, and I have abstained from acceptance.'

12.192.79

nivṛttaṃ māṃ ciraṃ rājanvipraṃ lobhayase katham |
svena kāryaṃ kariṣyāmi tvatto necche phalaṃ nṛpa |
tapaḥsvādhyāyaśīlo'haṃ nivṛttaśca pratigrahāt || 79 ||

12.192.80

rājovāca |
yadi vipra nisṛṣṭaṃ te japyasya phalamuttamam |
āvayoryatphalaṃ kiṃcitsahitaṃ nau tadastviha || 80 ||

"The king said, 'If, O Brahmana, thou art really to give me the excellent reward of thy recitation, then let half that reward be mine, thyself taking at the same time half the reward that I myself have won by my acts. Brahmanas are engaged in the duty of acceptance. Persons born in the royal order are engaged in the duty of giving. If thou art not unaware of the duties (laid down for both the orders), let our fruits be equal (according to the suggestion I have made). Or, if thou dost not wish to be my equal in respect of our rewards, take then the whole of the rewards that I may have won. Do take the merit I have won, if thou wishest to show me grace.'

12.192.81

dvijāḥ pratigrahe yuktā dātāro rājavaṃśajāḥ |
yadi dharmaḥ śruto vipra sahaiva phalamastu nau || 81 ||

12.192.82

mā vā bhūtsahabhojyaṃ nau madīyaṃ phalamāpnuhi |
pratīccha matkṛtaṃ dharmaṃ yadi te mayyanugrahaḥ || 82 ||

12.192.83

bhīṣma uvāca |
tato vikṛtaceṣṭau dvau puruṣau samupasthitau |
gṛhītvānyonyamāveṣṭya kucelāvūcaturvacaḥ || 83 ||

"Bhishma continued, 'At this time, two individuals of very ungainly aspect came there. Each had his arm upon the other's shoulder; both were ill-dressed. They said these words, 'Thou owest me nothing. I really owe thee. If we dispute in this way, here is the king who ruleth individuals. I say truly, thou owest me nothing! Thou speakest falsely. I do owe thee a debt. Both of them, waxing very hot in dispute, then addressed the king, saying, 'See, O monarch, that none of us may become stained with sin.'

12.192.84

na me dhārayasītyeko dhārayāmīti cāparaḥ |
ihāsti nau vivādo'yamayaṃ rājānuśāsakaḥ || 84 ||

12.192.85

satyaṃ bravīmyahamidaṃ na me dhārayate bhavān |
anṛtaṃ vadasīha tvamṛṇaṃ te dhārayāmyaham || 85 ||

12.192.86

tāvubhau bhṛśasaṃtaptau rājānamidamūcatuḥ |
parīkṣyatāṃ yathā syāva nāvāmiha vigarhitau || 86 ||

12.192.87

virūpa uvāca |
dhārayāmi naravyāghra vikṛtasyeha goḥ phalam |
dadataśca na gṛhṇāti vikṛto me mahīpate || 87 ||

"Virupa said, 'I woe my companion, Vikrita, O monarch, the merits of the gift of a cow. I am willing to pay off that debt. This Vikrita, however, refuses to take repayment.'

12.192.88

vikṛta uvāca |
na me dhārayate kiṃcidvirūpo'yaṃ narādhipa |
mithyā bravītyayaṃ hi tvā mithyābhāsaṃ narādhipa || 88 ||

"Vikrita said, 'This Virupa, O monarch, oweth me nothing. He speaks a falsehood with the appearance of truth, O king.'

12.192.89

rājovāca |
virūpa kiṃ dhārayate bhavānasya vadasva me |
śrutvā tathā kariṣyāmītyevaṃ me dhīyate matiḥ || 89 ||

"The king said, "Tell me, O Virupa, what is that which thou owest thy friend here. It is my resolution to hear thee and then do what is proper.'

12.192.90

virūpa uvāca |
śṛṇuṣvāvahito rājanyathaitaddhārayāmyaham |
vikṛtasyāsya rājarṣe nikhilena nararṣabha || 90 ||

"Virupa said, 'Hear attentively, O king, all the circumstances in detail, about how I owe my companion, viz., this Vikrita, O ruler of men. This Vikrita had, in bygone days, for the sake of winning merit, O sinless one, given away an auspicious cow, O royal sage, unto a Brahmana devoted to penances as the study of the Vedas. Going unto him, O king, I begged of him the reward of that act. With a pure heart, Vikrita made a gift to me of that reward. I then, for my purification, did some good acts. I also purchased two kapila cows with calves, both of which used to yield large quantities of milk. I then made a present, according to due rites and with proper devotion, of those two cows unto a poor Brahmana living by the Unchha method. Having formerly accepted the gift from my companion, I desire, O lord, even here, to give him return twice the reward! The circumstances being such, O tiger among men, who amongst us two shall be innocent and who guilty (according to your judgment)? Disputing with each other about this, we have both come to thee, O monarch! Whether thou judgest rightly or wrongly, establish both of us in peace. If this my companion does not wish to take from me in return a gift equal to what he gave me, thou shalt have to judge patiently and set us both on the right track.'

12.192.91

anena dharmaprāptyarthaṃ śubhā dattā purānagha |
dhenurviprāya rājarṣe tapaḥsvādhyāyaśīline || 91 ||

12.192.92

tasyāścāyaṃ mayā rājanphalamabhyetya yācitaḥ |
vikṛtena ca me dattaṃ viśūddhenāntarātmanā || 92 ||

12.192.93

tato me sukṛtaṃ karma kṛtamātmaviśuddhaye |
gāvau hi kapile krītvā vatsale bahudohane || 93 ||

12.192.94

te coñchavṛttaye rājanmayā samapavarjite |
yathāvidhi yathāśraddhaṃ tadasyāhaṃ punaḥ prabho || 94 ||

12.192.95

ihādya vai gṛhītvā tatprayacche dviguṇaṃ phalam |
ekasyāḥ puruṣavyāghra kaḥ śuddhaḥ ko'tra doṣavān || 95 ||

12.192.96

evaṃ vivadamānau svastvāmihābhyāgatau nṛpa |
kuru dharmamadharmaṃ vā vinaye nau samādhaya || 96 ||

12.192.97

yadi necchati me dānaṃ yathā dattamanena vai |
bhavānatra sthiro bhūtvā mārge sthāpayatu prabhuḥ || 97 ||

12.192.98

rājovāca |
dīyamānaṃ na gṛhṇāsi ṛṇaṃ kasmāttvamadya vai |
yathaiva te'bhyanujñātaṃ tathā gṛhṇīṣva māciram || 98 ||

"The king said, 'Why do you not accept payment that is sought to be made of the debt that is owing to thee? Do not delay, but accept payment of what thou knowest is thy due.'

12.192.99

vikṛta uvāca |
dīyatāmityanenoktaṃ dadānīti tathā mayā |
nāyaṃ me dhārayatyatra gamyatāṃ yatra vāñchati || 99 ||

"Vikrita said, 'This one says that he owes me. I say unto him that what I gave I gave away. He doth not, therefore, owe me anything. Let him go whithersoever he wishes.'

12.192.100

rājovāca |
dadato'sya na gṛhṇāsi viṣamaṃ pratibhāti me |
daṇḍyo hi tvaṃ mama mato nāstyatra khalu saṃśayaḥ || 100 ||

"The king said, 'He is ready to give thee. Thou., however, art unwilling to take. This does not seem proper to me. I think that thou deservest punishment for this. There is little doubt in this.'

12.192.101

vikṛta uvāca |
mayāsya dattaṃ rājarṣe gṛhṇīyāṃ tatkathaṃ punaḥ |
kāmamatrāparādho me daṇḍyamājñāpaya prabho || 101 ||

"Vikrita said, 'I made a gift to him, O royal sage! How can I take it back? If I am guilty in this, do thou pronounce the punishment, O puissant one.'

12.192.102

virūpa uvāca |
dīyamānaṃ yadi mayā neṣiṣyasi kathaṃcana |
niyaṃsyati tvā nṛpatirayaṃ dharmānuśāsakaḥ || 102 ||

"Virupa said, 'If thou refusest to take when I am ready to give, this king will certainly punish thee, for he is an upholder of justice.'

12.192.103

vikṛta uvāca |
svaṃ mayā yāciteneha dattaṃ kathamihādya tat |
gṛhṇīyāṃ gacchatu bhavānabhyanujñāṃ dadāni te || 103 ||

"Vikrita said, 'Solicited by him I gave him what was my own. How shall I now retake that? Thou mayst go away. Thou hast my leave.'

12.192.104

brāhmaṇa uvāca |
śrutametattvayā rājannanayoḥ kathitaṃ dvayoḥ |
pratijñātaṃ mayā yatte tadgṛhāṇāvicāritam || 104 ||

"The Brahmana said, 'Thou hast heard, O king, the words of these two. Do thou take without scruple that which I have pledged myself to give thee.'

12.192.105

rājovāca |
prastutaṃ sumahatkāryamāvayorgahvaraṃ yathā |
jāpakasya dṛḍhīkāraḥ kathametadbhaviṣyati || 105 ||

"The king said, 'This matter is, indeed, as deep (in importance) as an unfathomable pit. How will the pertinacity of this Reciter end? If I do not accept what has been given by this Brahmana, how shall I avoid being stained with a great sin?' The royal sage then said unto the two disputants, 'Go ye both, having won your respective objects. I should see that kingly duties, vested in me, may not become futile. It is settled that kings should observe the duties laid down for them. To my misfortune, however, the course of duties prescribed for Brahmanas has possessed my wretched self.'

12.192.106

yadi tāvanna gṛhṇāmi brāhmaṇenāpavarjitam |
kathaṃ na lipyeyamahaṃ doṣeṇa mahatādya vai || 106 ||

12.192.107

bhīṣma uvāca |
tau covāca sa rājarṣiḥ kṛtakāryau gamiṣyathaḥ |
nedānīṃ māmihāsādya rājadharmo bhavenmṛṣā || 107 ||

12.192.108

svadharmaḥ paripālyaśca rājñāmeṣa viniścayaḥ |
vipradharmaśca sugururmāmanātmānamāviśat || 108 ||

12.192.109

brāhmaṇa uvāca |
gṛhāṇa dhāraye'haṃ te yācitaṃ te śrutaṃ mayā |
na cedgrahīṣyase rājañśapiṣye tvāṃ na saṃśayaḥ || 109 ||

"The Brahmana said, 'Accept, O king! I owe thee. Thou didst solicit it, and I also have become pledged (to give thee). If, however, thou refuse to take, O monarch, I shall without doubt curse thee.'

12.192.110

rājovāca |
dhigrājadharmaṃ yasyāyaṃ kāryasyeha viniścayaḥ |
ityarthaṃ me grahītavyaṃ kathaṃ tulyaṃ bhavediti || 110 ||

"The king said, 'Fie on kingly duties, the settled conclusion about the operation of which is even such. I should, however, take what thou givest, for only this reason, viz., rendering the two courses of duty exactly equal. This is my hand, that was never before (stretched forth for acceptance of gifts), is now stretched forth (for acceptance as also) for giving away. Give me what thou owest me.'

12.192.111

eṣa pāṇirapūrvaṃ bho nikṣepārthaṃ prasāritaḥ |
yanme dhārayase vipra tadidānīṃ pradīyatām || 111 ||

12.192.112

brāhmaṇa uvāca |
saṃhitāṃ japatā yāvānmayā kaścidguṇaḥ kṛtaḥ |
tatsarvaṃ pratigṛhṇīṣva yadi kiṃcidihāsti me || 112 ||

"The Brahmana said, 'If I have won any fruits by reciting the Gayatri, accept them all.'

12.192.113

rājovāca |
jalametannipatitaṃ mama pāṇau dvijottama |
samamastu sahaivāstu pratigṛhṇātu vai bhavān || 113 ||

"The king said, 'These drops of water, behold, O foremost of Brahmanas, have fallen upon my hand. I also desire to give thee. Accept my gift. Let there be equality between us (through thy accepting my gift as I have accepted thine).'

12.192.114

virūpa uvāca |
kāmakrodhau viddhi nau tvamāvābhyāṃ kārito bhavān |
sameti ca yaduktaṃ te samā lokāstavāsya ca || 114 ||

"Virupa said, 'Know, O king, that we two are Desire and Wrath. It hath been by us that thou hast been induced to act in this way. Thou hast made a gift in return to the Brahmana. Let there be equality between thee and this regenerate person in respect of regions--of felicity in the next world. This Vikrita really does not owe me anything. We appealed to thee for thy own sake. Time, Dharma, Mrityu, and we two, have examined everything about thee, here in thy very presence, by producing this friction between thee and that Brahmana. Go now, as thou choosest, to those regions of felicity which thou hast won by means of thy deeds.'

12.192.115

nāyaṃ dhārayate kiṃcijjijñāsā tvatkṛte kṛtā |
kālo dharmastathā mṛtyuḥ kāmakrodhau tathā yuvām || 115 ||

12.192.116

sarvamanyonyanikaṣe nighṛṣṭaṃ paśyatastava |
gaccha lokāñjitānsvena karmaṇā yatra vāñchasi || 116 ||

12.192.117

bhīṣma uvāca |
jāpakānāṃ phalāvāptirmayā te saṃprakīrtitā |
gatiḥ sthānaṃ ca lokāśca jāpakena yathā jitāḥ || 117 ||

"Bhishma continued, 'I have now told thee how Reciters obtain the fruits (of their recitation) and what, indeed, is their end, what the spot, and what the regions, that a Reciter may win. A Reciter of Gayatri goes to the supreme god Brahman, or repairs to Agni or enters the region of Surya. If he sports there in his (new) energetic form, then stupefied by such attachment, he catches the attributes of those particular regions. The same becomes the case with him if he goes to Soma, or Vayu, or Earth, or Space. The fact is, he dwells in all these, with attachment, and displays the attributes peculiar to those regions. If, however, he goes to those regions after having freed himself from attachments, and feels a. mistrust (respecting the felicity he enjoys) and wishes for That Which is Supreme and Immutable, he then enters even That. In that case he attains to the ambrosia of ambrosia, to a state free from desire and destitute of separate consciousness. He becomes Brahma's self freed from the influence of opposites, happy, tranquil, and without pain. Indeed, he attains to, that condition which is free from pain, which is tranquillity's self, which is; called Brahma, whence there is no return, and which is styled the One and Immutable. He becomes freed from the four means of apprehension, the six conditions, and also the other six and ten attributes. Transcending the Creator (Brahman), he attains to absorption into the One Supreme Soul. Or, if under the influence of attachments, he wishes not for such absorption, but desires to have a separate existence as dependent on that Supreme Cause of everything, then obtains the fruition of everything for which he cherishes a wish. Or, if he looks (with aversion) upon all regions of felicity, which have been (as previously stated)

12.192.118

prayāti saṃhitādhyāyī brahmāṇaṃ parameṣṭhinam |
atha vāgniṃ samāyāti sūryamāviśate'pi vā || 118 ||

12.192.119

sa taijasena bhāvena yadi tatrāśnute ratim |
guṇāṃsteṣāṃ samādatte rāgeṇa pratimohitaḥ || 119 ||

12.192.120

evaṃ some tathā vāyau bhūmyākāśaśarīragaḥ |
sarāgastatra vasati guṇāṃsteṣāṃ samācaran || 120 ||

12.192.121

atha tatra virāgī sa gacchati tvatha saṃśayam |
paramavyayamicchansa tamevāviśate punaḥ || 121 ||

12.192.122

amṛtāccāmṛtaṃ prāptaḥ śītībhūto nirātmavān |
brahmabhūtaḥ sa nirdvaṃdvaḥ sukhī śānto nirāmayaḥ || 122 ||

12.192.123

brahmasthānamanāvartamekamakṣarasaṃjñakam |
aduḥkhamajaraṃ śāntaṃ sthānaṃ tatpratipadyate || 123 ||

12.192.124

caturbhirlakṣaṇairhīnaṃ tathā ṣaḍbhiḥ saṣoḍaśaiḥ |
puruṣaṃ samatikramya ākāśaṃ pratipadyate || 124 ||

12.192.125

atha vecchati rāgātmā sarvaṃ tadadhitiṣṭhati |
yacca prārthayate tacca manasā pratipadyate || 125 ||

12.192.126

atha vā vīkṣate lokānsarvānnirayasaṃsthitān |
niḥspṛhaḥ sarvato muktastatraiva ramate sukhī || 126 ||

called hells, he then, driving off desire and freed from everything, enjoys supreme felicity even in those very regions. Thus, O monarch, I have discoursed to thee about the end attained by Reciters. I have told thee everything. What else thou wishest to hear?'"

12.192.127

evameṣā mahārāja jāpakasya gatiryathā |
etatte sarvamākhyātaṃ kiṃ bhūyaḥ śrotumicchasi || 127 ||