Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.264
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12.264.1
विनीय दुःखमबला साऽऽत्मनैवायतेक्षणा ।
उवाच प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा तमेवावर्जिता तदा ॥ १२.२६४.१ ॥
Having suppressed her grief, the large-eyed weak one, folding her hands, bowing to him, spoke herself at that moment.
12.264.2
त्वया सृष्टा कथं नारी मादृशी वदतां वर ।
रौद्रकर्माभिजायेत सर्वप्राणिभयंकरी ॥ १२.२६४.२ ॥
O best of speakers, how could a woman like me, created by you, be born for cruel deeds, a terror to all living beings?
12.264.3
विभेम्यहमधर्मस्य धर्म्यमादिश कर्म मे ।
त्वं मां भीतामवेक्षस्व शिवेनेश्वरचक्षुषा ॥ १२.२६४.३ ॥
I fear unrighteousness; prescribe for me a righteous task. Look upon me, frightened, with a kindly, lordly eye.
12.264.4
बालान्वृद्धान्वयस्थांश्च न हरेयमनागसः ।
प्राणिनः प्राणिनामीश नमस्तेऽस्तु प्रसीद मे ॥ १२.२६४.४ ॥
I should not take away children, the aged, those in middle age, or innocent living beings. O lord of living beings, homage to you; be gracious to me.
12.264.5
प्रियान्पुत्रान्वयस्यांश्च भ्रातॄन्मातॄः पितृनपि ।
अपध्यास्यन्ति यद्येवं मृतास्तेभ्यो विभेम्यहम् ॥ १२.२६४.५ ॥
If my beloved sons, companions, brothers, mothers and fathers, dead, were to curse me thus, I fear them.
12.264.6
कृपणाश्रुपरिक्लेदो दहेन्मां शाश्वतीः समाः ।
तेभ्योऽहं बलवद्भीता शरणं त्वामुपागता ॥ १२.२६४.६ ॥
The curse, soaked with the tears of the wretched, would burn me for countless years. Greatly afraid of them, I have come to you for refuge.
12.264.7
यमस्य भवने देव पात्यन्ते पापकर्मिणः ।
प्रसादये त्वां वरद प्रसादं कुरु मे प्रभो ॥ १२.२६४.७ ॥
O god, in the abode of Yama the sinners are cast down. I beseech you, O giver of boons; O lord, grant me your favour.
12.264.8
एतदिच्छाम्यहं कामं त्वत्तो लोकपितामह ।
इच्छेयं त्वत्प्रसादाच्च तपस्तप्तुं महेश्वर ॥ १२.२६४.८ ॥
This is the wish I make of you, O grandfather of the worlds: by your grace I desire to perform austerity, O great lord.
12.264.9
त्वं हिं संहारबुद्ध्या मे चिन्तिता रुषितेन च ।
तस्मात्संहर सर्वास्त्वं प्रजा मा च विचारय ॥ १२.२६४.९ ॥
I had conceived you in anger, with the intent of destruction. Therefore destroy all creatures, and do not hesitate.
12.264.10
एतदेवमवश्यं हि भविता नैतदन्यथा ।
क्रियतामनवद्याङ्गि यथोक्तं मद्वचोऽनघे ॥ १२.२६४.१० ॥
This will surely come to pass in this way, and not otherwise. O faultless-limbed one, do as I have said, in accordance with my word, O sinless one.
12.264.11
एवमुक्ता महाबाहो मृत्युः परपुरंजय ।
न व्याजहार तस्थौ च प्रह्वा भगवदुन्मुखी ॥ १२.२६४.११ ॥
Thus addressed, O mighty-armed one, conqueror of enemy cities, Death did not speak; she stood humbly, facing the blessed lord.
12.264.12
पुनः पुनरथोक्ता सा गतसत्त्वेव भामिनी ।
तूष्णीमासीत्ततो देवो लोकानामीश्वरेश्वरः ॥ १२.२६४.१२ ॥
Though addressed again and again, the radiant woman stayed silent, as if lifeless. Then the god, lord of the lords of the worlds, fell silent.
12.264.13
प्रससाद किल ब्रह्मा स्वयमेवात्मनाऽऽत्मनि ।
स्मयमानश्च लोकेशो लोकान्सर्वानवैक्षत ॥ १२.२६४.१३ ॥
Brahmā himself grew calm within his own self. The lord of the worlds, smiling, looked upon all the worlds.
12.264.14
निवृत्तरोषे तस्मिंस्तु भगवत्यपराजिते ।
सा कन्याऽथ जगामास्य समीपादिति नःश्रुतम् ॥ १२.२६४.१४ ॥
When the anger of that venerable unconquered one had ceased, the maiden, so we have heard, went away from his presence.
12.264.15
अपसृत्याप्रतिश्रुत्य प्रजासंहरणं तदा ।
त्वरमाणेव राजेन्द्र मृत्युर्धेनुकमभ्यगात् ॥ १२.२६४.१५ ॥
Withdrawing without having given assent to the destruction of creatures, O lord of kings, Death then went hastily, as it were, to Dhenuka.
12.264.16
सा तत्र परमं देवी तपोऽचरत दुश्चरम् ।
समा ह्येकपदे तस्थौ दशपद्मानि पञ्च च ॥ १२.२६४.१६ ॥
There that goddess performed the supreme and very difficult austerity; she stood upon one foot for ten padmas and five periods of time.
12.264.17
तां तथा कुर्वतीं तत्र तपः परमदुश्चरम् ।
पुनरेव महातेजा ब्रह्मा वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ १२.२६४.१७ ॥
As she was thus performing the most difficult austerity there, the greatly radiant Brahmā again spoke these words to her.
12.264.18
कुरुष्व मे वचो मृत्यो तदनादृत्य सत्वरा ।
तथैवैकपदे तात पुनरन्यानि सप्त सा ॥ १२.२६४.१८ ॥
"O Death, do my bidding, disregarding that and quickly." Dear one, in just the same way she stood on one foot for seven more periods.
12.264.19
तस्थौ पद्मानि षट् चैव पञ्च द्वे चैव मानद ।
भूयः पद्मायुतं तात मृगैः सह चचार सा ॥ १२.२६४.१९ ॥
She stood for six, five and two lotus-periods, O giver of honour, dear one; and again for ten thousand lotus-periods she roamed with the deer.
12.264.20
द्वे चायुते नरश्रेष्ठ वाय्वाहारा महामते ।
पुनरेव ततो राजन्मौनमातिष्ठदुत्तमम् ॥ १२.२६४.२० ॥
For two ayutas, O best of men, she lived on air alone, O great-minded one; then again, O king, she took up supreme silence.
12.264.21
अप्सु वर्षसहस्राणि सप्त चैकं च पार्थिव ।
ततो जगाम सा कन्या कौशिकीं नृपसत्तम ॥ १२.२६४.२१ ॥
In the waters she spent seven thousand years and one more, O king; then that maiden went to the river Kauśikī, O best of kings.
12.264.22
तत्र वायुजलाहारा चचार नियमं पुनः ।
ततो ययौ महाभागा गङ्गां मेरुं च केवलम् ॥ १२.२६४.२२ ॥
There, living on air and water, she again practised her discipline; then, O greatly fortunate one, she went to the Gaṅgā and to Meru alone.
12.264.23
तस्थौ दार्विव निश्चेष्टा प्रजानां हितकाम्यया ।
ततो हिमवतो मूर्ध्निं यत्र देवाः समीजिरे ॥ १२.२६४.२३ ॥
Motionless as a log of wood, desiring the welfare of creatures, she stood; then on the summit of the Himālaya, where the gods had gathered.
12.264.24
तत्राङ्गुष्ठेन राजेन्द्र निखर्वमचरत्तपः ।
तस्थौ पितामहं चैव तोषयामास यत्नतः ॥ १२.२६४.२४ ॥
There, O lord of kings, on one toe she performed austerity for a nikharva; and standing she earnestly pleased the grandfather.
12.264.25
ततस्तामब्रवीत्तत्र लोकानां प्रपितामहः ।
किमिदं वर्तसे पुत्रि क्रियतां मम तद्वचः ॥ १२.२६४.२५ ॥
Then the great-grandfather of the worlds said to her there: "Daughter, what is this you are doing? Let my word be done."
12.264.26
ततोऽब्रवीत्पुनर्मृत्युर्भगवन्तं पितामहम् ।
न हरेयं प्रजा देव पुनस्त्वाऽहं प्रसादये ॥ १२.२६४.२६ ॥
Then Death spoke again to the venerable grandfather: "God, I shall not take away the creatures; again I entreat you."
12.264.27
तामधर्मभयाद्भीतां पुनरेव प्रयाचतीम् ।
तदाऽब्रवीद्देवदेवो निगृह्येदं वचस्ततः ॥ १२.२६४.२७ ॥
To her, frightened by fear of unrighteousness and again entreating, the god of gods then, restraining himself, spoke these words.
12.264.28
अधर्मो नास्ति ते मृत्यो संयच्छेमाः प्रजाः शुभे ।
मयाऽप्युक्तं मृषा भद्रे भविता नेह किंचन ॥ १२.२६४.२८ ॥
"O Death, there is no unrighteousness for you. O auspicious one, restrain these creatures. Let what I said also be false, O gentle one; nothing shall come to be here."
12.264.29
धर्मः सनातनश्च त्वामिहैवानुप्रवेक्ष्यति ।
अहं च विबुधाश्चैव त्वद्धिते निरताः सदा ॥ १२.२६४.२९ ॥
"Eternal dharma itself shall enter into you here; and I and the gods are always intent upon your welfare."
12.264.30
इमन्यं च ते कामं ददानि मनसेप्सितम् ।
न त्वां दोषेण यास्यन्ति व्याधिसंपीडिताः प्रजाः ॥ १२.२६४.३० ॥
"And I grant you this other wish that your mind desires: the creatures afflicted by disease shall not go to you through fault."
12.264.31
पुरुषेषु च रूपेण पुरुषस्त्वं भविष्यसि ।
स्त्रीषु स्त्रीरूपिणी चैव तृतीयेषु नपुंसकम् ॥ १२.२६४.३१ ॥
Among males you will be male in form, among females you will take a female form, and among the third sex you will be neuter.
12.264.32
सैवमुक्ता महाराज कृताञ्जलिरुवाच ह ।
पुनरेव महात्मानं नेति देवेशमव्ययम् ॥ १२.२६४.३२ ॥
Thus addressed, O great king, she folded her hands and again said to that great soul, the imperishable lord of the gods: "No."
12.264.33
तामब्रवीत्तदा देवो मृत्यो संहर मानवान् ।
अधर्मस्ते न भविता यथा ध्यास्याम्यहं शुभे ॥ १२.२६४.३३ ॥
Then the god said to her: "O Death, destroy human beings. No sin will be yours, as I shall consider it, O auspicious one."
12.264.34
त्वं हि शक्ता च युक्ता च पूर्वोत्पन्ना च भामिनि ।
अनुशिष्टा च निर्दोषा तस्मात्त्वं कुरु मे मतम् ॥ १२.२६४.३४ ॥
You are capable and fit, born before all, O lady; instructed and blameless. Therefore, carry out my wish.
12.264.35
यानश्रुबिन्दून्पतितानपश्यं ।
ये पाणिभ्यां धारितास्ते पुरस्तात्।
ते व्याधयो मानवान्घोररूपाः ।
प्राप्ते काले पीडयिष्यन्ति मृत्यो ॥ १२.२६४.३५ ॥
The drops of tears that I saw fall, and which were held in the hands, those are the diseases of terrible form that, when the proper time comes, will afflict human beings, O Death.
12.264.36
सर्वेषां त्वं प्राणिनामन्तकाले ।
कामक्रोधौ सहितौ योजयेथाः।
एवं धर्मस्त्वामुपैष्यत्यमोघो ।
न चाधर्मं लप्स्यसे तुल्यवृत्तिः ॥ १२.२६४.३६ ॥
At the time of death of all living beings, you shall join desire and anger together. Thus the unfailing dharma will approach you, and you, of even conduct, will obtain no sin.
12.264.37
एवं धर्मं पालयिष्यस्यथो त्वं ।
न चात्मानं मञ्जयिष्यस्यधर्मे।
तस्मात्कामं रोचयाभ्यागतं त्वं ।
सा त्वं साधो संहरस्वेह जन्तून् ॥ १२.२६४.३७ ॥
Thus you will uphold dharma, and you will not sink yourself into adharma. Therefore accept the desire that has come to you. O good one, here destroy living beings.
12.264.38
सा वै तदा मृत्युसंज्ञा कृतास्त्री ।
शापाद्भीता बाढमित्यब्रवीत्तम्।
अथो प्राणान्प्राणिनामन्तकाले ।
कामक्रोधौ प्राप्य नित्यं निहन्ति ॥ १२.२६४.३८ ॥
Then that woman named Death, armed with weapons, afraid because of the curse, said to him, 'Very well.' And then, at the time of death of living beings, having obtained desire and wrath, she always strikes down their breaths of life.
12.264.39
मृत्योर्ये ते व्याधयश्चाश्चुपाता ।
मनुष्याणां युज्यते यैः शरीरम्।
सर्वेषां वै प्राणिनां प्राणनान्ते ।
तस्माच्छोकं मा कृथा बुद्ध्य बुद्ध्या ॥ १२.२६४.३९ ॥
Those diseases of death, and falls like those from a horse, by which the body of men is bound, come to all living beings at the end of their breath. Therefore, understanding with your intellect, do not grieve.
12.264.40
सर्वे देवाः प्राणिनां प्राणनान्ते ।
गत्वा वृत्ताः सन्निवृत्तास्तथैव।
एवं सर्वे मानवाः प्राणनान्ते ।
गत्वा वृत्ता देववद्राजसिंह ॥ १२.२६४.४० ॥
All the gods too, at the end of the breath of living beings, go away and return again; likewise. Thus all men, at the end of their breath, go away like gods, O lion among kings.
12.264.41
वायुर्भीमो भीमनादो महौजाः ।
सर्वेषां च प्राणिनां प्राणभूतः।
अनावृत्तिर्देहिनां देहपाते ।
तस्माद्वायुर्देवदेवो विशिष्टः ॥ १२.२६४.४१ ॥
Vāyu is terrible, of terrifying roar and great might. He is the life-breath of all living beings. For embodied beings there is no return at the fall of the body. Therefore Vāyu is the god of gods, the supreme one.
12.264.42
सर्वे देवा मर्त्यसंज्ञाविशिष्टाः ।
सर्वे मर्त्या देवसंज्ञाविशिष्टाः।
तस्मात्पुत्रं मा शुचो राजसिंह ।
पुत्रः स्वर्गं प्राप्यते मोदते हे ॥ १२.२६४.४२ ॥
All gods are distinguished by the name of mortals, and all mortals are distinguished by the name of gods. Therefore, lion among kings, do not grieve for the son. The son attains heaven and rejoices.
12.264.43
एवं मृत्युर्देवसृष्टा प्रजानां ।
प्राप्ते काले संहरन्ती यथावत्।
तस्याश्चैव व्याधयस्तेऽश्रुपाताः ।
प्राप्ते काले संहरन्तीह जन्तून् ॥ १२.२६४.४३ ॥
Thus death, created by the gods, carries off creatures duly when the time has come. Diseases and tears are also its own. When the time comes, it carries off living beings here.