Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.333
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12.333.1
स मोक्षमनुचिन्त्यैव शुकः पितरमभ्यगात् ।
प्राहाभिवाद्य च गुरुं श्रेयोर्थी विनयान्वितः ॥ १२.३३३.१ ॥
Having thought well upon liberation, Śuka went to his father. Desiring the highest good and endowed with humility, he greeted his teacher and spoke.
12.333.2
मोक्षधर्मेषु कुशलो भगवान्प्रब्रवीतु मे ।
यथा मे मनसः शान्तिः परमा संभवेत्प्रभो ॥ १२.३३३.२ ॥
May the venerable lord, skilled in the teachings of liberation, instruct me, so that supreme peace may arise in my mind, O lord.
12.333.3
श्रुत्वा पुत्रस्य तु वचः परमर्षिरुवाच तम् ।
अधीहि पुत्र मोक्षं वै धर्मांश्च विविधानपि ॥ १२.३३३.३ ॥
Having heard the words of his son, the supreme sage said to him: 'Learn, my son, liberation and also the various duties.'
12.333.4
पितुर्नियोगाज्जग्राह शुको धर्मभृतां वरः ।
योगशास्त्रं च निखिलं कापिलं चैव भारत ॥ १२.३३३.४ ॥
At his father's command, Śuka, best of those who uphold dharma, took up the whole of the treatise on yoga and the teaching of Kapila, O Bhārata.
12.333.5
स तं ब्राह्नया श्रियः युक्तं ब्रह्मतुल्यपराक्रमम् ।
मेने पुत्रं यदा व्यासो मोक्षधर्मविशारदम् ॥ १२.३३३.५ ॥
When Vyāsa regarded his son as endowed with the splendour of Brahmā, equal to Brahmā in valour, and skilled in the teachings of liberation, then he esteemed him so.
12.333.6
उवाच गच्छेति तदा जनकं मिथिलेश्वरम् ।
स ते वक्ष्यति मोक्षार्थं निखिलं मिथिलेश्वरः ॥ १२.३३३.६ ॥
Then he said, 'Go to Janaka, lord of Mithilā. That lord of Mithilā will tell you everything concerning liberation.'
12.333.7
पितुर्नियोगादगमन्मैथिलं जनकं नृपम् ।
प्रष्टुं धर्मस्य निष्ठां वै मोक्षस्य च परायणम् ॥ १२.३३३.७ ॥
By his father's command he went to the king Janaka, lord of Mithilā, to ask about the firm basis of dharma and the supreme goal of liberation.
12.333.8
उक्तश्च मानुषेण त्वं पथा गच्छेत्यविस्मितः ।
न प्रभावेण गन्तव्यमन्तरिक्षचरेण वै ॥ १२.३३३.८ ॥
You were told to go by the human path; go without wonder. One must not go by the power of one who moves in the sky.
12.333.9
आर्जवेनैव गन्तव्यं न सुखान्वेषिणा तथा ।
नान्वेष्टव्या विशेषास्तु विशेषा हि प्रसङ्गिनः ॥ १२.३३३.९ ॥
One must go only with straightforwardness, not like one seeking comfort; nor should one seek special advantages, for special things cling to attachment.
12.333.10
अहंकारो न कर्तव्यो याज्ये तस्मिन्नराधिपे ।
स्यातव्यं च वशे तस्य स ते छेत्स्यति संशयम् ॥ १२.३३३.१० ॥
Toward that lord of men, whom you serve as priest, you must not show pride; you should remain under his sway. He will cut away your doubt.
12.333.11
स धर्मकुशलो राजा मोक्षशास्त्रविशारदः ।
याज्यो मम स यद्ब्रूयात्तत्कार्यमविशङ्कया ॥ १२.३३३.११ ॥
That king, skilled in dharma and expert in the teachings of liberation, is my priestly charge. Whatever he tells you, do it without hesitation.
12.333.12
एवमुक्तः स धर्मात्मा जगाम मिथिलां मुनिः ।
पद्भ्यां शक्तोन्तरिक्षेण क्रान्तुं पृथ्वीं ससागराम् ॥ १२.३३३.१२ ॥
Thus told, that righteous-souled sage went to Mithilā. Though able to cross the earth with its oceans through the sky, he went on foot.
12.333.13
स गिरींश्चाप्यतिक्रम्य नदीतीर्थसरांसि च ।
बहुव्यालमृगाकीर्णा ह्यटवीश्च वनानि च ॥ १२.३३३.१३ ॥
Crossing mountains, river fords and lakes, and forests and woods crowded with many snakes and wild beasts, he went on.
12.333.14
मेहोर्हरेश्च द्वे वर्षे वर्षं हैमवतं ततः ।
क्रमेणैवं व्यतिक्रम्य भारतं वर्षमासदत् ॥ १२.३३३.१४ ॥
Having crossed in order the two regions of Meru and Hari, and then the Haimavata region, he reached the land of Bhārata.
12.333.15
स देशान्विविधान्पश्यंश्चीनहूणनिषेवितान् ।
आर्यावर्तमिमं देशमाजगाम महामुनिः ॥ १२.३३३.१५ ॥
Seeing the many lands frequented by the Chinese and the Hūṇas, that great sage came to this land of Āryāvarta.
12.333.16
पितुर्वचनमाज्ञाय तमेवार्थं विचिन्तयन् ।
अध्वानं सोऽतिचक्राम खचरः खे पतविव ॥ १२.३३३.१६ ॥
Knowing his father's command and pondering that very purpose, he traversed the road, like a bird flying through the sky.
12.333.17
पत्तनानि च रम्याणि स्फीतानि नगराणि च ।
रत्नानि च विचित्राणि पश्यन्नपि न पश्यति ॥ १२.३३३.१७ ॥
Though he looked upon the lovely towns, the prosperous cities and the wondrous jewels, yet he did not truly see them.
12.333.18
उद्यावानि च रम्याणि तथैवायतनानि च ।
पुण्यानि चैव तीर्थानि सोत्यक्रामदथाध्वगः ॥ १२.३३३.१८ ॥
Lovely gardens, likewise shrines and sacred fords, that wayfarer passed by.
12.333.19
सोचिरेणैव कालेन विदेहानाससाद ह ।
रक्षितान्धर्मराजेन जनकेन महात्मना ॥ १२.३३३.१९ ॥
After a while he reached the land of the Videhas, which was protected by Janaka, the king of dharma, the great-souled one.
12.333.20
तत्र ग्रामान्बहून्पश्यन्बह्वन्नरसभोजनान् ।
पल्लीघोषान्समृद्धांश्च बहुगोकुलसंकुलान् ॥ १२.३३३.२० ॥
There he saw many villages, full of abundant food and feasting, prosperous with hamlets and cowherd settlements, crowded with many herds of cows.
12.333.21
स्फीतांश्च शालियवसर्हंससारससेवितान् ।
पद्मिनीभिश्च शतशः श्रीमतीभिरलकृतान् ॥ १२.३३३.२१ ॥
They were thriving, full of rice and barley, frequented by swans and cranes, adorned by hundreds of splendid lotus-ponds.
12.333.22
स विदेहानतिक्रम्य समृद्धजनसेवितान् ।
मिथिलोपवनं रम्यमाससाद समृद्धिमत् ॥ १२.३३३.२२ ॥
Having passed through the lands of the Videhas, frequented by prosperous people, he reached the delightful and flourishing garden of Mithilā.
12.333.23
हस्त्यश्वरथसंकीर्णं नरनारीसमाकुलम् ।
पश्यन्नपश्यन्निव तत्समतिक्रामदच्युतः ॥ १२.३३३.२३ ॥
Though seeing that city, crowded with elephants, horses and chariots, thronged with men and women, the unfallen one passed through as if not seeing it.
12.333.24
मनसा तं बहन्भारं तमेवार्थं विचिन्तयन् ।
आत्मारामः प्रसन्नात्मा मिथिलामाससाद ह ॥ १२.३३३.२४ ॥
Pondering in his mind that great purpose, delighting in his own self, serene of mind, he reached Mithilā.
12.333.25
तस्या द्वारं समासाद्य द्वारपालैर्निवारितः ।
स्थितो ध्यानपरो मुक्तो विदितः प्रविवेश ह ॥ १२.३३३.२५ ॥
Having reached its gate, held back by the gatekeepers, he stood intent on meditation, freed; then, recognized, he entered.
12.333.26
स राजमार्गमासाद्य समृद्धजनकसंकुलम् ।
पार्थिवक्षयमासाद्य निःशङ्कः प्रविवेश ह ॥ १२.३३३.२६ ॥
He reached the royal road, crowded with prosperous people, and having reached the abode of kings, he entered fearlessly.
12.333.27
तत्रापि द्वारपलास्तमुग्रवाचा न्यषेधयन् ।
तथैव च शुक्रस्तत्र निर्मन्युः समतिष्ठत ॥ १२.३३३.२७ ॥
There too the gatekeepers forbade him with harsh words; and likewise Śuka stood there, free of anger.
12.333.28
न चातपाध्वसंतप्तः क्षुत्पिपासाश्रमान्वितः ।
प्रताम्यति ग्लायति वा नापैति च तथाऽऽतपात् ॥ १२.३३३.२८ ॥
Though scorched by the heat of the road and afflicted by hunger, thirst and fatigue, he neither grows exhausted nor weary, nor does he turn away from the sun's heat.
12.333.29
तेषां तु द्वारपालानामेकः शोकसमन्वितः ।
मध्यंगतमिवादित्यं दृष्ट्वा शुकमवस्थितम् ॥ १२.३३३.२९ ॥
Then one of those gatekeepers, filled with sorrow, having seen Śuka standing like the sun at midday in the sky.
12.333.30
पूजयित्वा यथान्यायमभिवाद्य कृताञ्जलिः ।
प्रावेशयत्ततः कक्ष्यां प्रथमां राजवेश्मनः ॥ १२.३३३.३० ॥
Having honored him as is proper and greeted him with folded hands, he then led him into the first courtyard of the royal palace.
12.333.31
तत्रासीनः शुकस्तात मोक्षमेवान्वचिन्तयत् ।
छायायामातपे चैव समदर्शी समद्युतिः ॥ १२.३३३.३१ ॥
There, seated, Śuka, dear son, was contemplating only liberation; in shade or in sunlight he was one who sees all alike, of equal radiance.
12.333.32
तं मुहूर्तादिवागम्य राज्ञो मन्त्री कृताञ्जलिः ।
प्रावेशयत्ततः कक्ष्यां द्वितीयां राजवेश्मनः ॥ १२.३३३.३२ ॥
Presently the king's minister came to him with folded hands and led him into the second courtyard of the royal palace.
12.333.33
तत्रान्तः पुरसंबद्धं महच्चैत्ररथोपमम् ।
सुविभक्तजलाक्रीडं रम्यं पुष्पितपादपम् ॥ १२.३३३.३३ ॥
There was a great pleasure-garden joined to the inner apartments, like the Caitraratha grove, with well-divided places for water-sport and trees in flower.
12.333.34
तं दर्शयित्वा स शुकं मन्त्री जनकमुत्तमम् ।
अर्हमासनमादिश्य निश्चक्रामः ततः पुनः ॥ १२.३३३.३४ ॥
Having shown him that place and pointed out a seat fit for an excellent king, the minister went out again from there.
12.333.35
तं चारुवेषाः सुश्रोण्यस्तरुण्यः प्रियदर्शनाः ।
सूक्ष्मरक्ताम्बरधरास्तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणाः ॥ १२.३३३.३५ ॥
Around him were young women of graceful dress, fine hips and pleasing appearance, wearing fine red garments and adorned with refined gold ornaments.
12.333.36
संलापालापकुशला नृत्तगीतविशारदाः ।
स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषिण्यो रूपेणाप्सरसां समाः ॥ १२.३३३.३६ ॥
Skilled in conversation and talk, expert in dance and song, they spoke to him beginning with smiles, equal in beauty to the apsarases.
12.333.37
भावोपचारकुशला भावज्ञाः सत्वकोविदाः ।
परं पञ्चाशतं नार्यो वारमुख्याः समाद्रवन् ॥ १२.३३३.३७ ॥
Skilled in the courtesies of feeling and conduct, knowing the inner moods and expert in temperament, more than fifty foremost women came forward.
12.333.38
पाद्यादीनि प्रतिग्राह्य पूजया परयाऽर्चयन् ।
कालोपपन्नेन तदा स्वाद्वन्नेनाभ्यतर्पयन् ॥ १२.३३३.३८ ॥
Having made him accept water for the feet and the like, they worshipped him with supreme honour, and with savoury food suited to the time they fully satisfied him.
12.333.39
तस्य भुक्तवतस्तात तदन्तः पुरकाननम् ।
सुरम्यं दर्शयामासुरेकैकश्येन भारत ॥ १२.३३३.३९ ॥
After he had eaten, dear one, they showed him the very lovely grove of the inner palace, one by one, O Bhārata.
12.333.40
क्रीडन्त्यश्च हसन्त्यश्च गायन्त्यश्चापि ताः शुभम् ।
उदारसत्वं सत्वज्ञाः स्त्रियः पर्यचरंस्तथा ॥ १२.३३३.४० ॥
Playing, laughing and singing auspiciously, those women who knew his noble nature attended upon him in the same way.
12.333.41
आरणेयस्तु शुद्धात्मा निःसंदेहस्त्रिकर्मकृत् ।
वश्येन्द्रियो जितक्रोधो न हृष्यति न कुप्यति ॥ १२.३३३.४१ ॥
But that Āraṇeya, pure-souled, free of doubt, performing the three duties, with his senses subdued and anger conquered, neither rejoices nor grows angry.
12.333.42
तस्मै शय्यासनं दिव्यं वरार्हः रत्नभूषितम् ।
स्पर्ध्यास्तरणसंकीर्णं ददुस्ताः परमस्त्रियः ॥ १२.३३३.४२ ॥
To him those most excellent women gave a divine bed and seat, worthy of the best, adorned with jewels and crowded with enviable coverlets.
12.333.43
पादशौचं तु कृत्वैव शुक्रः संध्यामुपास्य च ।
निषसादासने पुण्ये तमेवार्थं विचिन्तयन् ॥ १२.३३३.४३ ॥
Having washed his feet and performed the twilight rite, Śukra sat down on a sacred seat, pondering that very matter.
12.333.44
पूर्वरात्रे तु तत्रासौ हुत्वा ध्यानपरायणः ।
मध्यरात्रे यथान्यायं निद्रामाहारयत्प्रभुः। ॥ १२.३३३.४४ ॥
In the early night he offered oblations there, intent on meditation; then at midnight, as prescribed, the lord took his rest in sleep.
12.333.45
ततो मुहूर्तादुत्थाय कृत्वा शौचमनन्तरम् ।
स्त्रीभिः परिवृतो धीमान्ध्यानमेवान्वपद्यत ॥ १२.३३३.४५ ॥
Then, after a moment, having risen and performed his purification at once, the wise one, surrounded by women, took up meditation.
12.333.46
अनेन विधिना कर्ष्णिस्तदहः शेषमच्युतः ।
तां च रात्रिं नृपकुले वर्तयामास भारत ॥ १२.३३३.४६ ॥
In this manner the unfallen one, a descendant of Kṛṣṇi, spent the rest of that day, and he passed that night too in the royal household, O Bhārata.