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महाभारतः       mahābhārataḥ - book-13, chapter-12

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युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।
स्त्रीपुंसयोः संप्रयोगे स्पर्शः कस्याधिको भवेत् ।
एतन्मे संशयं राजन्यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि ॥१॥
1. yudhiṣṭhira uvāca ,
strīpuṁsayoḥ saṁprayoge sparśaḥ kasyādhiko bhavet ,
etanme saṁśayaṁ rājanyathāvadvaktumarhasi.
1. yudhiṣṭhiraḥ uvāca strīpuṃsayoḥ saṃprayoge sparśaḥ kasya
adhikaḥ bhavet etat me saṃśayam rājan yathāvat vaktum arhasi
1. yudhiṣṭhiraḥ uvāca strīpuṃsayoḥ saṃprayoge kasya adhikaḥ
sparśaḥ bhavet rājan etat me saṃśayam yathāvat vaktum arhasi
1. Yudhiṣṭhira said: 'In the union of a woman and a man, whose touch would be greater (more pleasurable)? O king, you ought to explain this doubt to me accurately.'
भीष्म उवाच ।
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् ।
भङ्गाश्वनेन शक्रस्य यथा वैरमभूत्पुरा ॥२॥
2. bhīṣma uvāca ,
atrāpyudāharantīmamitihāsaṁ purātanam ,
bhaṅgāśvanena śakrasya yathā vairamabhūtpurā.
2. bhīṣmaḥ uvāca atra api udāharanti imam itihāsam
purātanam bhaṅgaśvanena śakrasya yathā vairam abhūt purā
2. bhīṣmaḥ uvāca atra api imam purātanam itihāsam udāharanti
yathā purā bhaṅgaśvanena śakrasya vairam abhūt
2. Bhīṣma said: 'In this regard, they also narrate this ancient story (itihāsa), how there was once enmity between Bhangaśvana and Śakra.'
पुरा भङ्गाश्वनो नाम राजर्षिरतिधार्मिकः ।
अपुत्रः स नरव्याघ्र पुत्रार्थं यज्ञमाहरत् ॥३॥
3. purā bhaṅgāśvano nāma rājarṣiratidhārmikaḥ ,
aputraḥ sa naravyāghra putrārthaṁ yajñamāharat.
3. purā bhaṅgāśvanaḥ nāma rājarṣiḥ atidharmikaḥ
aputraḥ saḥ naravyāghraḥ putrārtham yajñam āharat
3. purā nāma atidharmikaḥ rājarṣiḥ bhaṅgāśvanaḥ
aputraḥ saḥ naravyāghraḥ putrārtham yajñam āharat
3. Long ago, there was an extremely righteous royal sage named Bhaṅgāśvana. That tiger among men (naravyāghra), being without a son, performed a Vedic ritual (yajña) for the purpose of obtaining a son.
अग्निष्टुं नाम राजर्षिरिन्द्रद्विष्टं महाबलः ।
प्रायश्चित्तेषु मर्त्यानां पुत्रकामस्य चेष्यते ॥४॥
4. agniṣṭuṁ nāma rājarṣirindradviṣṭaṁ mahābalaḥ ,
prāyaścitteṣu martyānāṁ putrakāmasya ceṣyate.
4. agniṣṭum nāma rājarṣiḥ indradviṣṭam mahābalaḥ
prāyaścitteṣu martyānām putrakāmasya ca iṣyate
4. mahābalaḥ rājarṣiḥ agniṣṭum nāma indradviṣṭam
martyānām prāyaścitteṣu ca putrakāmasya iṣyate
4. The royal sage, who is very powerful, (performs) the Agniṣṭut (Vedic ritual), which is hated by Indra. This ritual (yajña) is prescribed for the expiation of mortals and for those desiring a son.
इन्द्रो ज्ञात्वा तु तं यज्ञं महाभागः सुरेश्वरः ।
अन्तरं तस्य राजर्षेरन्विच्छन्नियतात्मनः ॥५॥
5. indro jñātvā tu taṁ yajñaṁ mahābhāgaḥ sureśvaraḥ ,
antaraṁ tasya rājarṣeranvicchanniyatātmanaḥ.
5. indraḥ jñātvā tu tam yajñam mahābhāgaḥ sureśvaraḥ
antaram tasya rājarṣeḥ anvicchan niyatātmanaḥ
5. mahābhāgaḥ sureśvaraḥ indraḥ tu tam yajñam jñātvā
niyatātmanaḥ tasya rājarṣeḥ antaram anvicchan
5. Indra, the lord of gods (sūreśvara), who was greatly glorious, having learned of that Vedic ritual (yajña), sought a vulnerability in that royal sage, who had a controlled self (ātman).
कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य मृगयामटतो नृप ।
इदमन्तरमित्येव शक्रो नृपममोहयत् ॥६॥
6. kasyacittvatha kālasya mṛgayāmaṭato nṛpa ,
idamantaramityeva śakro nṛpamamohayat.
6. kasyacit tu atha kālasya mṛgayām aṭataḥ nṛpa
idam antaram iti eva śakraḥ nṛpam amohayat
6. atha kasyacit tu kālasya mṛgayām aṭataḥ nṛpa
idam antaram iti eva śakraḥ nṛpam amohayat
6. O King, then, after some time, while (Bhaṅgāśvana) was roaming for hunting, Śakra (Indra), thinking 'this is the opportune moment', deluded the king.
एकाश्वेन च राजर्षिर्भ्रान्त इन्द्रेण मोहितः ।
न दिशोऽविन्दत नृपः क्षुत्पिपासार्दितस्तदा ॥७॥
7. ekāśvena ca rājarṣirbhrānta indreṇa mohitaḥ ,
na diśo'vindata nṛpaḥ kṣutpipāsārditastadā.
7. ekaśvena ca rājarṣiḥ bhrāntaḥ indreṇa mohitaḥ
na diśaḥ avindata nṛpaḥ kṣutpipāsārditaḥ tadā
7. Then, the royal sage, bewildered and deluded by Indra with his single horse, and afflicted by hunger and thirst, could not find his way.
इतश्चेतश्च वै धावञ्श्रमतृष्णार्दितो नृपः ।
सरोऽपश्यत्सुरुचिरं पूर्णं परमवारिणा ।
सोऽवगाह्य सरस्तात पाययामास वाजिनम् ॥८॥
8. itaścetaśca vai dhāvañśramatṛṣṇārdito nṛpaḥ ,
saro'paśyatsuruciraṁ pūrṇaṁ paramavāriṇā ,
so'vagāhya sarastāta pāyayāmāsa vājinam.
8. itaḥ ca itaḥ ca vai dhāvan
śramatṛṣṇārditaḥ nṛpaḥ saraḥ apaśyat
suruciram pūrṇam paramavāriṇā saḥ avagāhya
saraḥ tāta pāyayāmāsa vājinam
8. Running hither and thither, indeed, the king, afflicted by fatigue and thirst, then saw a very beautiful and full lake with excellent water. Having entered that lake, my dear (son), he made his horse drink.
अथ पीतोदकं सोऽश्वं वृक्षे बद्ध्वा नृपोत्तमः ।
अवगाह्य ततः स्नातो राजा स्त्रीत्वमवाप ह ॥९॥
9. atha pītodakaṁ so'śvaṁ vṛkṣe baddhvā nṛpottamaḥ ,
avagāhya tataḥ snāto rājā strītvamavāpa ha.
9. atha pīta-udakam saḥ aśvam vṛkṣe baddhvā nṛpa-uttamaḥ
avagāhya tataḥ snātaḥ rājā strītvam avāpa ha
9. Then, after his horse had drunk water, the best of kings tied it to a tree. Having then immersed himself and bathed (in the lake), the king indeed attained womanhood.
आत्मानं स्त्रीकृतं दृष्ट्वा व्रीडितो नृपसत्तमः ।
चिन्तानुगतसर्वात्मा व्याकुलेन्द्रियचेतनः ॥१०॥
10. ātmānaṁ strīkṛtaṁ dṛṣṭvā vrīḍito nṛpasattamaḥ ,
cintānugatasarvātmā vyākulendriyacetanaḥ.
10. ātmānam strīkṛtam dṛṣṭvā vrīḍitaḥ nṛpasattamaḥ
cintānugatasarvātmā vyākulendriyacetanaḥ
10. Having seen himself transformed into a woman, the best of kings was ashamed; his entire inner self (ātman) was overwhelmed by anxiety, and his senses and consciousness were agitated.
आरोहिष्ये कथं त्वश्वं कथं यास्यामि वै पुरम् ।
अग्निष्टुं नाम इष्टं मे पुत्राणां शतमौरसम् ॥११॥
11. ārohiṣye kathaṁ tvaśvaṁ kathaṁ yāsyāmi vai puram ,
agniṣṭuṁ nāma iṣṭaṁ me putrāṇāṁ śatamaurasam.
11. ārohiṣye katham tu aśvam katham yāsyāmi vai puram
agniṣṭum nāma iṣṭam me putrāṇām śatam aurasam
11. katham aśvam ārohiṣye katham vai puram yāsyāmi
me aurasam putrāṇām śatam agniṣṭum nāma iṣṭam
11. How shall I mount the horse? How indeed shall I go to the city? A hundred legitimate sons of mine were born, for whom an Agniṣṭut (Vedic ritual) was performed by me.
जातं महाबलानां वै तान्प्रवक्ष्यामि किं त्वहम् ।
दारेषु चास्मदीयेषु पौरजानपदेषु च ॥१२॥
12. jātaṁ mahābalānāṁ vai tānpravakṣyāmi kiṁ tvaham ,
dāreṣu cāsmadīyeṣu paurajānapadeṣu ca.
12. jātam mahābalānām vai tān pravakṣyāmi kim tu
aham dāreṣu ca asmadīyeṣu paurajānapadeṣu ca
12. aham tu kim vai tān jātam mahābalānām pravakṣyāmi
ca asmadīyeṣu dāreṣu ca paurajānapadeṣu
12. What, then, shall I indeed say to them, my powerful sons who are born? And (what shall I say) to our wives, and to the citizens and countryfolk?
मृदुत्वं च तनुत्वं च विक्लवत्वं तथैव च ।
स्त्रीगुणा ऋषिभिः प्रोक्ता धर्मतत्त्वार्थदर्शिभिः ।
व्यायामः कर्कशत्वं च वीर्यं च पुरुषे गुणाः ॥१३॥
13. mṛdutvaṁ ca tanutvaṁ ca viklavatvaṁ tathaiva ca ,
strīguṇā ṛṣibhiḥ proktā dharmatattvārthadarśibhiḥ ,
vyāyāmaḥ karkaśatvaṁ ca vīryaṁ ca puruṣe guṇāḥ.
13. mṛdutvam ca tanutvam ca viklavatvam
tathā eva ca strīguṇāḥ ṛṣibhiḥ proktāḥ
dharmatattvārthadarśibhiḥ vyāyāmaḥ
karkaśatvam ca vīryam ca puruṣe guṇāḥ
13. mṛdutvam ca tanutvam ca viklavatvam ca
tathā eva ca strīguṇāḥ
dharmatattvārthadarśibhiḥ ṛṣibhiḥ proktāḥ vyāyāmaḥ
karkaśatvam ca vīryam ca puruṣe guṇāḥ
13. Softness, slenderness, and timidity - these are feminine qualities, and they have been declared thus by sages who perceive the true meaning of natural law (dharma). Exertion, toughness, and vigor are qualities in a man.
पौरुषं विप्रनष्टं मे स्त्रीत्वं केनापि मेऽभवत् ।
स्त्रीभावात्कथमश्वं तु पुनरारोढुमुत्सहे ॥१४॥
14. pauruṣaṁ vipranaṣṭaṁ me strītvaṁ kenāpi me'bhavat ,
strībhāvātkathamaśvaṁ tu punarāroḍhumutsahe.
14. pauruṣam vipranaṣṭam me strītvam kena api me abhavat
strībhāvāt katham aśvam tu punaḥ āroḍhum utsahe
14. me pauruṣam vipranaṣṭam kena api me strītvam abhavat
tu strībhāvāt katham aśvam punaḥ āroḍhum utsahe
14. My manliness is utterly lost, and femininity has come upon me by some means. How, then, in this state of being a woman, can I again dare to mount a horse?
महता त्वथ खेदेन आरुह्याश्वं नराधिपः ।
पुनरायात्पुरं तात स्त्रीभूतो नृपसत्तम ॥१५॥
15. mahatā tvatha khedena āruhyāśvaṁ narādhipaḥ ,
punarāyātpuraṁ tāta strībhūto nṛpasattama.
15. mahatā tu atha khedena āruhya aśvam narādhipaḥ
punaḥ āyāt puram tāta strībhūtaḥ nṛpasattama
15. tāta nṛpasattama atha tu mahatā khedena aśvam
āruhya strībhūtaḥ narādhipaḥ punaḥ puram āyāt
15. Then, with great sorrow, O best of kings, that ruler, having mounted his horse, returned to the city, having been transformed into a woman.
पुत्रा दाराश्च भृत्याश्च पौरजानपदाश्च ते ।
किं न्विदं त्विति विज्ञाय विस्मयं परमं गताः ॥१६॥
16. putrā dārāśca bhṛtyāśca paurajānapadāśca te ,
kiṁ nvidaṁ tviti vijñāya vismayaṁ paramaṁ gatāḥ.
16. putrāḥ dārāḥ ca bhṛtyāḥ ca paurajānapadāḥ ca te
kim nu idam tu iti vijñāya vismayam paramam gatāḥ
16. putrāḥ ca dārāḥ ca bhṛtyāḥ ca paurajānapadāḥ ca te
"kim nu idam tu" iti vijñāya paramam vismayam gatāḥ
16. His sons, wives, servants, and the citizens and country folk, realizing 'What indeed is this?', became greatly astonished.
अथोवाच स राजर्षिः स्त्रीभूतो वदतां वरः ।
मृगयामस्मि निर्यातो बलैः परिवृतो दृढम् ।
उद्भ्रान्तः प्राविशं घोरामटवीं दैवमोहितः ॥१७॥
17. athovāca sa rājarṣiḥ strībhūto vadatāṁ varaḥ ,
mṛgayāmasmi niryāto balaiḥ parivṛto dṛḍham ,
udbhrāntaḥ prāviśaṁ ghorāmaṭavīṁ daivamohitaḥ.
17. atha uvāca saḥ rājarṣiḥ strībhūtaḥ
vadatām varaḥ mṛgayām asmi niryātaḥ
balaiḥ parivṛtaḥ dṛḍham udbhrāntaḥ
prāviśam ghorām aṭavīm daivamohitaḥ
17. atha saḥ strībhūtaḥ vadatām varaḥ rājarṣiḥ uvāca: "balaiḥ dṛḍham parivṛtaḥ mṛgayām niryātaḥ asmi.
udbhrāntaḥ daivamohitaḥ ghorām aṭavīm prāviśam.
"
17. Then, that royal sage, who had become a woman and was the best of speakers, said: 'I set out for hunting, strongly surrounded by troops. Bewildered and deluded by divine will (daiva), I entered a dreadful forest.'
अटव्यां च सुघोरायां तृष्णार्तो नष्टचेतनः ।
सरः सुरुचिरप्रख्यमपश्यं पक्षिभिर्वृतम् ॥१८॥
18. aṭavyāṁ ca sughorāyāṁ tṛṣṇārto naṣṭacetanaḥ ,
saraḥ suruciraprakhyamapaśyaṁ pakṣibhirvṛtam.
18. aṭavyām ca sughorāyām tṛṣṇārtaḥ naṣṭacetanaḥ
saraḥ suruciraprakhyam apaśyam pakṣibhiḥ vṛtam
18. ca sughorāyām aṭavyām tṛṣṇārtaḥ naṣṭacetanaḥ
pakṣibhiḥ vṛtam suruciraprakhyam saraḥ apaśyam
18. And in that very dreadful forest, I, afflicted by thirst and having lost consciousness, saw a lake of splendid appearance, surrounded by birds.
तत्रावगाढः स्त्रीभूतो व्यक्तं दैवान्न संशयः ।
अतृप्त इव पुत्राणां दाराणां च धनस्य च ॥१९॥
19. tatrāvagāḍhaḥ strībhūto vyaktaṁ daivānna saṁśayaḥ ,
atṛpta iva putrāṇāṁ dārāṇāṁ ca dhanasya ca.
19. tatra avagāḍhaḥ strībhūtaḥ vyaktaṃ daivāt na
saṃśayaḥ atṛptaḥ iva putrāṇām dārāṇām ca dhanasya ca
19. avagāḍhaḥ tatra strībhūtaḥ vyaktaṃ daivāt saṃśayaḥ
na iva atṛptaḥ putrāṇām dārāṇām ca dhanasya ca
19. Having plunged into it, he clearly became a woman, undoubtedly due to fate, as if still unsatisfied with sons, wives, and wealth.
उवाच पुत्रांश्च ततः स्त्रीभूतः पार्थिवोत्तमः ।
संप्रीत्या भुज्यतां राज्यं वनं यास्यामि पुत्रकाः ।
अभिषिच्य स पुत्राणां शतं राजा वनं गतः ॥२०॥
20. uvāca putrāṁśca tataḥ strībhūtaḥ pārthivottamaḥ ,
saṁprītyā bhujyatāṁ rājyaṁ vanaṁ yāsyāmi putrakāḥ ,
abhiṣicya sa putrāṇāṁ śataṁ rājā vanaṁ gataḥ.
20. uvāca putrān ca tataḥ strībhūtaḥ
pārthivottamaḥ saṃprītyā bhujyatām
rājyam vanam yāsyāmi putrakāḥ abhiṣicya
sa putrāṇām śatam rājā vanam gataḥ
20. tataḥ strībhūtaḥ pārthivottamaḥ putrān
ca saṃprītyā uvāca putrakāḥ rājyam
bhujyatām vanam yāsyāmi sa putrāṇām
śatam abhiṣicya rājā vanam gataḥ
20. Then, having become a woman, that excellent king said to his sons with affection: "May the kingdom be enjoyed (by you). O sons, I will go to the forest." Having consecrated his hundred sons, the king went to the forest.
तामाश्रमे स्त्रियं तात तापसोऽभ्यवपद्यत ।
तापसेनास्य पुत्राणामाश्रमेऽप्यभवच्छतम् ॥२१॥
21. tāmāśrame striyaṁ tāta tāpaso'bhyavapadyata ,
tāpasenāsya putrāṇāmāśrame'pyabhavacchatam.
21. tām āśrame striyam tāta tāpasaḥ abhyavapadyata
tāpasena asya putrāṇām āśrame api abhavat śatam
21. tāta āśrame tāpasaḥ tām striyam abhyavapadyata
asya tāpasena āśrame api putrāṇām śatam abhavat
21. O dear one, in the hermitage (āśrama), an ascetic approached that woman. Through that ascetic, a hundred sons were born to her in the hermitage (āśrama) as well.
अथ सा तान्सुतान्गृह्य पूर्वपुत्रानभाषत ।
पुरुषत्वे सुता यूयं स्त्रीत्वे चेमे शतं सुताः ॥२२॥
22. atha sā tānsutāngṛhya pūrvaputrānabhāṣata ,
puruṣatve sutā yūyaṁ strītve ceme śataṁ sutāḥ.
22. atha sā tān sutān gṛhya pūrvaputrān abhāṣata
puruṣatve sutāḥ yūyam strītve ca ime śatam sutāḥ
22. atha sā tān sutān gṛhya pūrvaputrān abhāṣata
yūyam puruṣatve sutāḥ ca ime strītve śatam sutāḥ
22. Then she, having acquired those (new) sons, spoke to her former sons: "You are sons from (my) masculine state, and these hundred are sons from (my) feminine state."
एकत्र भुज्यतां राज्यं भ्रातृभावेन पुत्रकाः ।
सहिता भ्रातरस्तेऽथ राज्यं बुभुजिरे तदा ॥२३॥
23. ekatra bhujyatāṁ rājyaṁ bhrātṛbhāvena putrakāḥ ,
sahitā bhrātaraste'tha rājyaṁ bubhujire tadā.
23. ekatra bhujyatām rājyam bhrātṛbhāvena putrakāḥ
sahitāḥ bhrātaraḥ te atha rājyam bubhujire tadā
23. My sons, let the kingdom be enjoyed together, with a feeling of brotherhood. Subsequently, those brothers, united, then enjoyed the kingdom.
तान्दृष्ट्वा भ्रातृभावेन भुञ्जानान्राज्यमुत्तमम् ।
चिन्तयामास देवेन्द्रो मन्युनाभिपरिप्लुतः ।
उपकारोऽस्य राजर्षेः कृतो नापकृतं मया ॥२४॥
24. tāndṛṣṭvā bhrātṛbhāvena bhuñjānānrājyamuttamam ,
cintayāmāsa devendro manyunābhipariplutaḥ ,
upakāro'sya rājarṣeḥ kṛto nāpakṛtaṁ mayā.
24. tān dṛṣṭvā bhrātṛbhāvena bhuñjānān
rājyam uttamam cintayāmāsa devendraḥ
manyunā abhipariplutaḥ upakāraḥ
asya rājarṣeḥ kṛtaḥ na apakṛtam mayā
24. Seeing them enjoying the excellent kingdom with a feeling of brotherhood, the lord of gods (devendra), overwhelmed with indignation, thought: 'A favor has been done for this royal sage, but no harm has been inflicted by me.'
ततो ब्राह्मणरूपेण देवराजः शतक्रतुः ।
भेदयामास तान्गत्वा नगरं वै नृपात्मजान् ॥२५॥
25. tato brāhmaṇarūpeṇa devarājaḥ śatakratuḥ ,
bhedayāmāsa tāngatvā nagaraṁ vai nṛpātmajān.
25. tataḥ brāhmaṇarūpeṇa devarājaḥ śatakratuḥ
bhedayāmāsa tān gatvā nagaram vai nṛpātmajān
25. Then, in the guise of a brahmin, the king of gods, Śatakratu, went to the city and caused dissension among those sons of the king.
भ्रातॄणां नास्ति सौभ्रात्रं येऽप्येकस्य पितुः सुताः ।
राज्यहेतोर्विवदिताः कश्यपस्य सुरासुराः ॥२६॥
26. bhrātṝṇāṁ nāsti saubhrātraṁ ye'pyekasya pituḥ sutāḥ ,
rājyahetorvivaditāḥ kaśyapasya surāsurāḥ.
26. bhrātṝṇām na asti saubhrātram ye api ekasya pituḥ
sutāḥ rājyahetoḥ vivaditāḥ kaśyapasya surāsurāḥ
26. There is no true brotherhood among siblings, even among those who are sons of the same father. For the sake of a kingdom, the gods and demons, children of Kaśyapa, famously quarreled.
यूयं भङ्गाश्वनापत्यास्तापसस्येतरे सुताः ।
कश्यपस्य सुराश्चैव असुराश्च सुतास्तथा ।
युष्माकं पैतृकं राज्यं भुज्यते तापसात्मजैः ॥२७॥
27. yūyaṁ bhaṅgāśvanāpatyāstāpasasyetare sutāḥ ,
kaśyapasya surāścaiva asurāśca sutāstathā ,
yuṣmākaṁ paitṛkaṁ rājyaṁ bhujyate tāpasātmajaiḥ.
27. yūyam bhaṅgāśvanāpatyāḥ tāpasasya
itare sutāḥ kaśyapasya surāḥ ca eva
asurāḥ ca tathā sutāḥ yuṣmākam
paitṛkam rājyam tāpasātmajaiḥ bhujyate
27. O descendants of Bhanga and the Aśvins! You are counted among the other sons of the ascetic. The devas and asuras are, moreover, Kaśyapa's sons. Your ancestral kingdom is now being enjoyed by the ascetic's sons.
इन्द्रेण भेदितास्ते तु युद्धेऽन्योन्यमपातयन् ।
तच्छ्रुत्वा तापसी चापि संतप्ता प्ररुरोद ह ॥२८॥
28. indreṇa bheditāste tu yuddhe'nyonyamapātayan ,
tacchrutvā tāpasī cāpi saṁtaptā praruroda ha.
28. indreṇa bheditāḥ te tu yuddhe anyonyam apātayan
tat śrutvā tāpasī ca api saṃtaptā praruroda ha
28. Divided by Indra, they killed each other in battle. Hearing this, the female ascetic, greatly distressed, indeed wept aloud.
ब्राह्मणच्छद्मनाभ्येत्य तामिन्द्रोऽथान्वपृच्छत ।
केन दुःखेन संतप्ता रोदिषि त्वं वरानने ॥२९॥
29. brāhmaṇacchadmanābhyetya tāmindro'thānvapṛcchata ,
kena duḥkhena saṁtaptā rodiṣi tvaṁ varānane.
29. brāhmaṇacchadmanā abhyetya tām indraḥ atha anvapṛcchat
kena duḥkhena saṃtaptā rodiṣi tvam varānanane
29. Then Indra, approaching her in the disguise of a brahmin, asked, "By what sorrow are you distressed, O beautiful-faced one, that you are weeping?"
ब्राह्मणं तु ततो दृष्ट्वा सा स्त्री करुणमब्रवीत् ।
पुत्राणां द्वे शते ब्रह्मन्कालेन विनिपातिते ॥३०॥
30. brāhmaṇaṁ tu tato dṛṣṭvā sā strī karuṇamabravīt ,
putrāṇāṁ dve śate brahmankālena vinipātite.
30. brāhmaṇam tu tataḥ dṛṣṭvā sā strī karuṇam abravīt
putrāṇām dve śate brahman kālena vinipātite
30. Upon seeing the brahmin, that woman then spoke piteously: "O brahmin, two hundred of my sons have been killed by (kāla)!"
अहं राजाभवं विप्र तत्र पुत्रशतं मया ।
समुत्पन्नं सुरूपाणां विक्रान्तानां द्विजोत्तम ॥३१॥
31. ahaṁ rājābhavaṁ vipra tatra putraśataṁ mayā ,
samutpannaṁ surūpāṇāṁ vikrāntānāṁ dvijottama.
31. aham rājā abhavam vipra tatra putraśatam mayā
samutpannam surūpāṇām vikrāntānām dvijottama
31. vipra dvijottama aham rājā abhavam tatra mayā
surūpāṇām vikrāntānām putraśatam samutpannam
31. O brahmin, I was a king. There, a hundred handsome and valiant sons were born to me, O best among the twice-born.
कदाचिन्मृगयां यात उद्भ्रान्तो गहने वने ।
अवगाढश्च सरसि स्त्रीभूतो ब्राह्मणोत्तम ।
पुत्रान्राज्ये प्रतिष्ठाप्य वनमस्मि ततो गतः ॥३२॥
32. kadācinmṛgayāṁ yāta udbhrānto gahane vane ,
avagāḍhaśca sarasi strībhūto brāhmaṇottama ,
putrānrājye pratiṣṭhāpya vanamasmi tato gataḥ.
32. kadācit mṛgayām yātaḥ udbhrāntaḥ
gahane vane avagāḍhaḥ ca sarasi
strībhūtaḥ brāhmaṇottama putrān rājye
pratiṣṭhāpya vanam asmi tataḥ gataḥ
32. brāhmaṇottama kadācit mṛgayām yātaḥ
gahane vane udbhrāntaḥ ca sarasi avagāḍhaḥ
strībhūtaḥ (abhuvaṃ) tataḥ putrān
rājye pratiṣṭhāpya vanam gataḥ asmi
32. Once, having gone hunting, bewildered in a dense forest, and having plunged into a lake, I became a woman, O best of brahmins. Having established my sons in the kingdom, I then went to the forest.
स्त्रियाश्च मे पुत्रशतं तापसेन महात्मना ।
आश्रमे जनितं ब्रह्मन्नीतास्ते नगरं मया ॥३३॥
33. striyāśca me putraśataṁ tāpasena mahātmanā ,
āśrame janitaṁ brahmannītāste nagaraṁ mayā.
33. striyāḥ ca me putraśatam tāpasena mahātmanā
āśrame janitam brahman nītāḥ te nagaram mayā
33. brahman ca striyāḥ me tāpasena mahātmanā āśrame
putraśatam janitam mayā te nagaram nītāḥ
33. And to me, while I was a woman, a hundred sons were born in the hermitage (āśrama) by a great-souled (mahātman) ascetic, O brahmin. I led them to the city.
तेषां च वैरमुत्पन्नं कालयोगेन वै द्विज ।
एतच्छोचामि विप्रेन्द्र दैवेनाभिपरिप्लुता ॥३४॥
34. teṣāṁ ca vairamutpannaṁ kālayogena vai dvija ,
etacchocāmi viprendra daivenābhipariplutā.
34. teṣām ca vairam utpannam kālayogena vai dvija
etat śocāmi viprendra daivena abhipariplutā
34. dvija viprendra vai teṣām kālayogena ca vairam utpannam
(tasmāt) etat śocāmi daivena abhipariplutā (aham)
34. And enmity arose among them through the course of time, O twice-born. I lament this, O chief of brahmins, being overwhelmed by destiny.
इन्द्रस्तां दुःखितां दृष्ट्वा अब्रवीत्परुषं वचः ।
पुरा सुदुःसहं भद्रे मम दुःखं त्वया कृतम् ॥३५॥
35. indrastāṁ duḥkhitāṁ dṛṣṭvā abravītparuṣaṁ vacaḥ ,
purā suduḥsahaṁ bhadre mama duḥkhaṁ tvayā kṛtam.
35. indraḥ tām duḥkhitām dṛṣṭvā abravīt paruṣam vacaḥ
purā sudussaham bhadre mama duḥkham tvayā kṛtam
35. indraḥ tām duḥkhitām dṛṣṭvā paruṣam vacaḥ abravīt bhadre,
purā tvayā mama sudussaham duḥkham kṛtam
35. Seeing her distressed, Indra spoke harsh words: "Formerly, O good lady, you caused me unbearable suffering."
इन्द्रद्विष्टेन यजता मामनादृत्य दुर्मते ।
इन्द्रोऽहमस्मि दुर्बुद्धे वैरं ते यातितं मया ॥३६॥
36. indradviṣṭena yajatā māmanādṛtya durmate ,
indro'hamasmi durbuddhe vairaṁ te yātitaṁ mayā.
36. indradviṣṭena yajatā mām anādṛtya durmate indraḥ
aham asmi durbuddhe vairam te yātitam mayā
36. durmate,
indradviṣṭena yajatā mām anādṛtya durbuddhe,
aham indraḥ asmi; mayā te vairam yātitam
36. "O evil-minded one, you performed a Vedic ritual (yajña) for one hostile to Indra, disregarding me! O foolish one, I am Indra; I have inflicted enmity upon you."
इन्द्रं तु दृष्ट्वा राजर्षिः पादयोः शिरसा गतः ।
प्रसीद त्रिदशश्रेष्ठ पुत्रकामेन स क्रतुः ।
इष्टस्त्रिदशशार्दूल तत्र मे क्षन्तुमर्हसि ॥३७॥
37. indraṁ tu dṛṣṭvā rājarṣiḥ pādayoḥ śirasā gataḥ ,
prasīda tridaśaśreṣṭha putrakāmena sa kratuḥ ,
iṣṭastridaśaśārdūla tatra me kṣantumarhasi.
37. indram tu dṛṣṭvā rājarṣiḥ pādayoḥ
śirasā gataḥ prasīda tridaśaśreṣṭha
putrakāmena sa kratuḥ iṣṭaḥ
tridaśaśārdūla tatra me kṣantum arhasi
37. tu rājarṣiḥ indram dṛṣṭvā śirasā pādayoḥ gataḥ tridaśaśreṣṭha,
prasīda sa kratuḥ putrakāmena iṣṭaḥ tridaśaśārdūla,
tatra me kṣantum arhasi
37. But seeing Indra, the royal sage bowed his head at his feet and said: "Be gracious, O best of gods! That Vedic ritual (kratu) was performed by me desiring a son. O tiger among gods, you should forgive me for that."
प्रणिपातेन तस्येन्द्रः परितुष्टो वरं ददौ ।
पुत्रा वै कतमे राजञ्जीवन्तु तव शंस मे ।
स्त्रीभूतस्य हि ये जाताः पुरुषस्याथ येऽभवन् ॥३८॥
38. praṇipātena tasyendraḥ parituṣṭo varaṁ dadau ,
putrā vai katame rājañjīvantu tava śaṁsa me ,
strībhūtasya hi ye jātāḥ puruṣasyātha ye'bhavan.
38. praṇipātena tasya indraḥ parituṣṭaḥ
varam dadau putrā vai katame rājan
jīvantu tava śaṃsa me strībhūtasya
hi ye jātāḥ puruṣasya atha ye abhavan
38. tasya praṇipātena indraḥ parituṣṭaḥ varam dadau rājan,
vai tava katame putrāḥ jīvantu? me śaṃsa hi ye strībhūtasya jātāḥ,
atha ye puruṣasya abhavan
38. Satisfied by his prostration, Indra gave a boon: "O King, tell me which of your sons should live – indeed, those born when you were a woman, or those who became yours when you were a man (puruṣa)?"
तापसी तु ततः शक्रमुवाच प्रयताञ्जलिः ।
स्त्रीभूतस्य हि ये जातास्ते मे जीवन्तु वासव ॥३९॥
39. tāpasī tu tataḥ śakramuvāca prayatāñjaliḥ ,
strībhūtasya hi ye jātāste me jīvantu vāsava.
39. tāpasī tu tataḥ śakram uvāca prayatāñjaliḥ
strībhūtasya hi ye jātāḥ te me jīvantu vāsava
39. tataḥ tāpasī prayatāñjaliḥ śakram uvāca
vāsava strībhūtasya hi ye jātāḥ te me jīvantu
39. Then, with folded hands, the female ascetic spoke to Śakra: 'O Vāsava, may those children who were born to me when I was a woman indeed live.'
इन्द्रस्तु विस्मितो हृष्टः स्त्रियं पप्रच्छ तां पुनः ।
पुरुषोत्पादिता ये ते कथं द्वेष्याः सुतास्तव ॥४०॥
40. indrastu vismito hṛṣṭaḥ striyaṁ papraccha tāṁ punaḥ ,
puruṣotpāditā ye te kathaṁ dveṣyāḥ sutāstava.
40. indraḥ tu vismitaḥ hṛṣṭaḥ striyam papraccha tām
punaḥ puruṣotpāditāḥ ye te katham dveṣyāḥ sutāḥ tava
40. tu vismitaḥ hṛṣṭaḥ indraḥ punaḥ tām striyam papraccha
ye puruṣotpāditāḥ te tava sutāḥ katham dveṣyāḥ
40. Indra, both surprised and delighted, questioned the woman again: 'How is it that those sons born when you were a man are disliked by you?'
स्त्रीभूतस्य हि ये जाताः स्नेहस्तेभ्योऽधिकः कथम् ।
कारणं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तन्मे वक्तुमिहार्हसि ॥४१॥
41. strībhūtasya hi ye jātāḥ snehastebhyo'dhikaḥ katham ,
kāraṇaṁ śrotumicchāmi tanme vaktumihārhasi.
41. strībhūtasya hi ye jātāḥ snehaḥ tebhyaḥ adhikaḥ katham
kāraṇam śrotum icchāmi tat me vaktum iha arhasi
41. hi strībhūtasya ye jātāḥ tebhyaḥ snehaḥ katham adhikaḥ
kāraṇam śrotum icchāmi tat me iha vaktum arhasi
41. How is it that the affection for those born when you were a woman is greater (than for those born when you were a man)? I wish to hear the reason for this; you ought to explain that to me now.
स्त्र्युवाच ।
स्त्रियास्त्वभ्यधिकः स्नेहो न तथा पुरुषस्य वै ।
तस्मात्ते शक्र जीवन्तु ये जाताः स्त्रीकृतस्य वै ॥४२॥
42. stryuvāca ,
striyāstvabhyadhikaḥ sneho na tathā puruṣasya vai ,
tasmātte śakra jīvantu ye jātāḥ strīkṛtasya vai.
42. strī uvāca striyāḥ tu abhyadhikaḥ snehaḥ na tathā puruṣasya
vai tasmāt te śakra jīvantu ye jātāḥ strīkṛtasya vai
42. strī uvāca tu striyāḥ abhyadhikaḥ snehaḥ tathā puruṣasya
na vai tasmāt śakra ye strīkṛtasya jātāḥ te vai jīvantu
42. The woman replied: 'Indeed, a woman's affection is far greater than a man's. Therefore, O Śakra, may those children live who were born when I was a woman.'
भीष्म उवाच ।
एवमुक्ते ततस्त्विन्द्रः प्रीतो वाक्यमुवाच ह ।
सर्व एवेह जीवन्तु पुत्रास्ते सत्यवादिनि ॥४३॥
43. bhīṣma uvāca ,
evamukte tatastvindraḥ prīto vākyamuvāca ha ,
sarva eveha jīvantu putrāste satyavādini.
43. bhīṣmaḥ uvāca evam ukte tataḥ tu indraḥ prītaḥ vākyam
uvāca ha sarve eva iha jīvantu putrāḥ te satyavādini
43. bhīṣmaḥ uvāca evam ukte tataḥ tu indraḥ prītaḥ ha vākyam uvāca he satyavādini,
te putrāḥ sarve eva iha jīvantu
43. Bhishma spoke: When this was said, then Indra, being pleased, indeed uttered these words: 'O truthful one, may all your sons live here!'
वरं च वृणु राजेन्द्र यं त्वमिच्छसि सुव्रत ।
पुरुषत्वमथ स्त्रीत्वं मत्तो यदभिकाङ्क्षसि ॥४४॥
44. varaṁ ca vṛṇu rājendra yaṁ tvamicchasi suvrata ,
puruṣatvamatha strītvaṁ matto yadabhikāṅkṣasi.
44. varam ca vṛṇu rājendra yam tvam icchasi suvrata
puruṣatvam atha strītvaṃ mattaḥ yat abhīkāṅkṣasi
44. he rājendra he suvrata,
tvam yam varam ca icchasi (tat) vṛṇu atha mattaḥ yat puruṣatvam strītvaṃ abhīkāṅkṣasi
44. Choose a boon, O exalted one, O lady of excellent vows, whatever you desire. (Choose) either manhood (puruṣatva) or womanhood (strītva), that which you long for from me.
स्त्र्युवाच ।
स्त्रीत्वमेव वृणे शक्र प्रसन्ने त्वयि वासव ॥४५॥
45. stryuvāca ,
strītvameva vṛṇe śakra prasanne tvayi vāsava.
45. strī uvāca strītvaṃ eva vṛṇe
śakra prasanne tvayi vāsava
45. strī uvāca he śakra he vāsava,
tvayi prasanne (sati),
strītvaṃ eva vṛṇe
45. The woman replied: 'O Śakra, O Vāsava, when you are pleased, I choose womanhood (strītva) alone.'
एवमुक्तस्तु देवेन्द्रस्तां स्त्रियं प्रत्युवाच ह ।
पुरुषत्वं कथं त्यक्त्वा स्त्रीत्वं रोचयसे विभो ॥४६॥
46. evamuktastu devendrastāṁ striyaṁ pratyuvāca ha ,
puruṣatvaṁ kathaṁ tyaktvā strītvaṁ rocayase vibho.
46. evam uktaḥ tu devendraḥ tām striyam prati uvāca ha
puruṣatvam kathaṃ tyaktvā strītvaṃ rocayase vibho
46. evam uktaḥ tu devendraḥ tām striyam ha prati uvāca he vibho,
kathaṃ puruṣatvam tyaktvā strītvaṃ rocayase
46. When thus addressed, the lord of the gods, Devendra, then indeed spoke to that woman: 'O almighty one, having abandoned manhood (puruṣatva), why do you desire womanhood (strītva)?'
एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच स्त्रीभूतो राजसत्तमः ।
स्त्रियाः पुरुषसंयोगे प्रीतिरभ्यधिका सदा ।
एतस्मात्कारणाच्छक्र स्त्रीत्वमेव वृणोम्यहम् ॥४७॥
47. evamuktaḥ pratyuvāca strībhūto rājasattamaḥ ,
striyāḥ puruṣasaṁyoge prītirabhyadhikā sadā ,
etasmātkāraṇācchakra strītvameva vṛṇomyaham.
47. evam uktaḥ prati uvāca strībhūtaḥ
rājasattamaḥ striyāḥ puruṣasaṃyoge
prītiḥ abhyadhikā sadā etasmāt
kāraṇāt śakra strītvam eva vṛṇomi aham
47. evam uktaḥ prati uvāca strībhūtaḥ
rājasattamaḥ striyāḥ puruṣasaṃyoge
prītiḥ abhyadhikā sadā etasmāt
kāraṇāt śakra strītvam eva vṛṇomi aham
47. Thus addressed, the one who had transformed into a woman, the foremost of kings, replied: 'The delight a woman experiences in union with a man (puruṣa) is always exceedingly great. For this very reason, O Śakra, I choose only the state of womanhood.'
रमे चैवाधिकं स्त्रीत्वे सत्यं वै देवसत्तम ।
स्त्रीभावेन हि तुष्टोऽस्मि गम्यतां त्रिदशाधिप ॥४८॥
48. rame caivādhikaṁ strītve satyaṁ vai devasattama ,
strībhāvena hi tuṣṭo'smi gamyatāṁ tridaśādhipa.
48. rame ca eva adhikam strītve satyam vai devasattama
strībhāvena hi tuṣṭaḥ asmi gamyatām tridaśādhipa
48. rame ca eva adhikam strītve satyam vai devasattama
strībhāvena hi tuṣṭaḥ asmi gamyatām tridaśādhipa
48. And indeed, O best of gods, I find greater delight in the state of womanhood, truly. I am verily content with the female state; you may now depart, O lord of the gods.
एवमस्त्विति चोक्त्वा तामापृच्छ्य त्रिदिवं गतः ।
एवं स्त्रिया महाराज अधिका प्रीतिरुच्यते ॥४९॥
49. evamastviti coktvā tāmāpṛcchya tridivaṁ gataḥ ,
evaṁ striyā mahārāja adhikā prītirucyate.
49. evam astu iti ca uktvā tām āpṛcchya tridivam
gataḥ evam striyā mahārāja adhikā prītiḥ ucyate
49. evam astu iti ca uktvā tām āpṛcchya tridivam
gataḥ evam mahārāja striyā adhikā prītiḥ ucyate
49. And having said, 'So be it,' and taken leave of her, he departed to heaven. Thus, O great king, is the superior delight of a woman declared.