Critical Edition
वैशंपायन उवाच स एवं शंतनुर्धीमान्देवराजर्षिसत्कृतः धर्मात्मा सर्वलोकेषु सत्यवागिति विश्रुतः
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : The king Shantanu, adored of the celestials and the royal sages, was famous in all the worlds as being virtuous-minded and truthful.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.1 T G M5 ins. after 1: Ś1 K Ñ1 V1, after 2: *961 शंतनोः कीर्तयिष्यामि सर्वानेव गुणानहम्
दमो दानं क्षमा बुद्धिर्ह्रीर्धृतिस्तेज उत्तमम् नित्यान्यासन्महासत्त्वे शंतनौ पुरुषर्षभे
M. N. Dutt: Self-control, liberality, forgiveness, intelligence, modesty, patience and superior energy ever dwelt in that best of men, Shantanu.
एवं स गुणसंपन्नो धर्मार्थकुशलो नृपः आसीद्भरतवंशस्य गोप्ता साधुजनस्य च
M. N. Dutt: That king endued with such accomplishments. He was learned in both Dharma and Artha. He was both the protector of the Bharata race and all the people,
कम्बुग्रीवः पृथुव्यंसो मत्तवारणविक्रमः धर्म एव परः कामादर्थाच्चेति व्यवस्थितः
AI Translation: He has a conch-like neck, broad shoulders, and the gait of an intoxicated elephant. He has determined that Dharma alone is superior to desire and wealth.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.4 N ins. after 4ab: T G1-5 M6-8 (G2.4.5 om. line 2), after 4: *962 अन्वितः परिपूर्णार्थैः सर्वैर्नृपतिलक्षणैः तस्य कीर्तिमतो वृत्तमवेक्ष्य सततं नराः
एतान्यासन्महासत्त्वे शंतनौ भरतर्षभ न चास्य सदृशः कश्चित्क्षत्रियो धर्मतोऽभवत्
M. N. Dutt: These accomplishments were all in that best of men, Shantanu and no other king was to equal him in virtue.
वर्तमानं हि धर्मे स्वे सर्वधर्मविदां वरम् तं महीपा महीपालं राजराज्येऽभ्यषेचयन्
M. N. Dutt: All the kings of the earth, seeing him devoted to all kinds of virtues, installed him as the king of kings.
वीतशोकभयाबाधाः सुखस्वप्नविबोधनाः प्रति भारतगोप्तारं समपद्यन्त भूमिपाः
M. N. Dutt: All the kings were free from misery, fear and anxiety of all kinds during the reign of that lord-protector of the Bharata race. They all slept in peace and rose in peace after happy dreams,
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.7 After 7, Dn S ins.: *963 तेन कीर्तिमता शिष्टाः शक्रप्रतिमतेजसा यज्ञदानतपःशीलाः समपद्यन्त पार्थिवाः
शंतनुप्रमुखैर्गुप्ते लोके नृपतिभिस्तदा नियमात्सर्ववर्णानां ब्रह्मोत्तरमवर्तत
M. N. Dutt: When the earth was ruled by Shantanu and other kings like him, the religious merits of every order greatly increased.
ब्रह्म पर्यचरत्क्षत्रं विशः क्षत्रमनुव्रताः ब्रह्मक्षत्रानुरक्ताश्च शूद्राः पर्यचरन्विशः
M. N. Dutt: The Brahmanas were served by the Kshatriyas; the Kshatriyas were served by the Vaishyas; the Shudras, adoring both the Brahmanas and the Kshatriyas, served the Vaishyas.
स हास्तिनपुरे रम्ये कुरूणां पुटभेदने वसन्सागरपर्यन्तामन्वशाद्वै वसुंधराम्
M. N. Dutt: Shantanu lived in Hastinapur, the beautiful capital of the Kurus; he ruled over the whole earth bounded by the sea.
स देवराजसदृशो धर्मज्ञः सत्यवागृजुः दानधर्मतपोयोगाच्छ्रिया परमया युतः
M. N. Dutt: He was truthful and virtuous like the king of the celestial; and from his liberality, virtues and asceticism he acquired great fortune.
अरागद्वेषसंयुक्तः सोमवत्प्रियदर्शनः तेजसा सूर्यसंकाशो वायुवेगसमो जवे अन्तकप्रतिमः कोपे क्षमया पृथिवीसमः
M. N. Dutt: He was free from anger and malice, he was as handsome as Soma himself. He was as effulgent as the sun and as courageous as the Vayu. He was like Yama in anger and like Earth in patience.
वधः पशुवराहाणां तथैव मृगपक्षिणाम् शंतनौ पृथिवीपाले नावर्तत वृथा नृप
M. N. Dutt: O king, when Shantanu ruled the earth, no deer, beers, birds or other animals were needlessly killed.
धर्मब्रह्मोत्तरे राज्ये शंतनुर्विनयात्मवान् समं शशास भूतानि कामरागविवर्जितः
M. N. Dutt: The virtue of kindness reigned in the kingdom of Shantanu, who himself was full of mercy and free from anger. He equally protected all creatures.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.14 After 14, D4 (marg. sec. m.) S ins.: *964 चकोरनेत्रस्ताम्रास्यः सिंहर्षभगतिर्युवा गुणैरनुपमैर्युक्तः समस्तैरभिकामिकैः गम्भीरः सत्त्वसंपन्नः पूर्णचन्द्रनिभाननः
देवर्षिपितृयज्ञार्थमारभ्यन्त तदा क्रियाः न चाधर्मेण केषांचित्प्राणिनामभवद्वधः
M. N. Dutt: The sacrifices in honour of the celestials, Rishis and Pitris were performed but no creature was sinfully deprived of its life.
असुखानामनाथानां तिर्यग्योनिषु वर्तताम् स एव राजा भूतानां सर्वेषामभवत्पिता
M. N. Dutt: That king became a father of those that were miserable, of those that had not protectors, nay even of birds and beasts and all creatures.
तस्मिन्कुरुपतिश्रेष्ठे राजराजेश्वरे सति श्रिता वागभवत्सत्यं दानधर्माश्रितं मनः
M. N. Dutt: During the reign of that best of the Kuru kings, the king of all kings, (Shantanu) the speech was mixed with truth and mind was devoted to liberality and virtue.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.17 After 17, G4.5 ins.: *965 यज्ञार्थं पशवः सृष्टाः संतानार्थं च मैथुनम्
स समाः षोडशाष्टौ च चतस्रोऽष्टौ तथापराः रतिमप्राप्नुवन्स्त्रीषु बभूव वनगोचरः
M. N. Dutt: Having enjoyed the companionship of women thirty six years, he retired into a forest.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.18 After 18, M ins.: *966 तपसा कर्षितोग्रेण जपध्यानरतः सदा
तथारूपस्तथाचारस्तथावृत्तस्तथाश्रुतः गाङ्गेयस्तस्य पुत्रोऽभून्नाम्ना देवव्रतो वसुः
M. N. Dutt: Shantanu's son, the Vasu, born of Ganga, named Devavrata, resembled his father in beauty, in conduct, in habits and in learning.
सर्वास्त्रेषु स निष्णातः पार्थिवेष्वितरेषु च महाबलो महासत्त्वो महावीर्यो महारथः
M. N. Dutt: He was expert in all sorts of weapons belonging to heaven and earth. He was greatly strong and vastly energetic; he was a great carwarrior; and he was a great beauty.
स कदाचिन्मृगं विद्ध्वा गङ्गामनुसरन्नदीम् भागीरथीमल्पजलां शंतनुर्दृष्टवान्नृपः
M. N. Dutt: Once on a time, he (Shantanu) wounded a beer and pursued it along the banks of the Ganges. The king Shantanu saw that the Bhagirathi (Ganga) had became shallow.
तां दृष्ट्वा चिन्तयामास शंतनुः पुरुषर्षभः स्यन्दते किं न्वियं नाद्य सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा यथा पुरा
M. N. Dutt: Having seen this, the best of men, Shantanu began to reflect, "Why, does not the best of rivers run as before?"
ततो निमित्तमन्विच्छन्ददर्श स महामनाः कुमारं रूपसंपन्नं बृहन्तं चारुदर्शनम्
AI Translation: Then, seeking a sign, the great-minded one saw the prince, endowed with beauty, tall, and of charming appearance.
दिव्यमस्त्रं विकुर्वाणं यथा देवं पुरंदरम् कृत्स्नां गङ्गां समावृत्य शरैस्तीक्ष्णैरवस्थितम्
AI Translation: Like the god Purandara, who is wielding a divine weapon, Standing with sharp arrows covering the entire Ganges.
तां शरैरावृतां दृष्ट्वा नदीं गङ्गां तदन्तिके अभवद्विस्मितो राजा कर्म दृष्ट्वातिमानुषम्
M. N. Dutt: The king, seeing this wonderful feat (of the youth), namely the checking of Ganga in her course by arrows, was very much surprised.
जातमात्रं पुरा दृष्टं तं पुत्रं शंतनुस्तदा नोपलेभे स्मृतिं धीमानभिज्ञातुं तमात्मजम्
M. N. Dutt: Shantanu had seen him only once, a few minutes after his birth; therefore, he had not sufficient recollection to identify that youth with his son.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.26 After 26, M6-8 ins.: *967 न स्मृतिः शंतनोरासीदभिज्ञातुं स्वमात्मजम्
स तु तं पितरं दृष्ट्वा मोहयामास मायया संमोह्य तु ततः क्षिप्रं तत्रैवान्तरधीयत
M. N. Dutt: But the youth, as soon as he saw his father, clouded the king's perception by Maya (delusion) and instantly disappeared before his very sight.
तदद्भुतं तदा दृष्ट्वा तत्र राजा स शंतनुः शङ्कमानः सुतं गङ्गामब्रवीद्दर्शयेति ह
M. N. Dutt: The king Shantanu, being much surprised with what he saw and believing the youth to be his own son, said to Ganga, "Show me the child."
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.28 G2.4.5 ins. after 28ab: T2 G1, after 30: *968 शङ्कमानः सुतं प्राप्य गङ्गा वचनमब्रवीत्
दर्शयामास तं गङ्गा बिभ्रती रूपमुत्तमम् गृहीत्वा दक्षिणे पाणौ तं कुमारमलंकृतम्
M. N. Dutt: Ganga, assuming a beautiful form, showed him the youth decked in ornaments, holding him by his right hand.
अलंकृतामाभरणैररजोम्बरधारिणीम् दृष्टपूर्वामपि सतीं नाभ्यजानात्स शंतनुः
M. N. Dutt: Shantanu could not recognise that beautiful lady, bedecked with ornaments and attired in fine robes, though he had seen her before.
गङ्गोवाच यं पुत्रमष्टमं राजंस्त्वं पुरा मय्यजायिथाः स तेऽयं पुरुषव्याघ्र नयस्वैनं गृहान्तिकम्
M. N. Dutt: Ganga said : O king, O best of men, the eighth son whom you formerly begot on me, is this, Know that this excellent child is expert in all the weapons.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.31 After 31c, Ś1 K D (except Da) ins.: *969 सर्वास्त्रविदनुत्तमः गृहाणेमं महाराज मया संवर्धितं सुतम् आदाय पुरुषव्याघ्र
वेदानधिजगे साङ्गान्वसिष्ठादेव वीर्यवान् कृतास्त्रः परमेष्वासो देवराजसमो युधि
M. N. Dutt: This greatly energetic boy has studied with Vasistha all the Vedas with their Angas. He is skillful in all the weapons, he is a great bowman, he is like Indra himself in battle.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.32 After 32ab, M ins.: *970 स खिलान्सोपनिषदान्साङ्गोपाङ्गान्यथाविधि
सुराणां संमतो नित्यमसुराणां च भारत उशना वेद यच्छास्त्रमयं तद्वेद सर्वशः
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of the Bharata race, both the celestial and the Asuras look on him with favour. Whatever the Vedas and Shastras are known to Ushanas (Shukra) are all known to this boy.
तथैवाङ्गिरसः पुत्रः सुरासुरनमस्कृतः यद्वेद शास्त्रं तच्चापि कृत्स्नमस्मिन्प्रतिष्ठितम् तव पुत्रे महाबाहौ साङ्गोपाङ्गं महात्मनि
AI Translation: Similarly, the son of Angiras, revered by gods and demons, The entire Vedic scripture is also established in him. In your son, the mighty-armed one, the great-souled one,
ऋषिः परैरनाधृष्यो जामदग्न्यः प्रतापवान् यदस्त्रं वेद रामश्च तदप्यस्मिन्प्रतिष्ठितम्
AI Translation: The sage who is not overcome by others, the powerful son of Jamadagni, The weapon that Rama knows is also established in him.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.35 After 35ab, M5 ins.: *971 सर्वशास्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञः स्मृतिमान्प्रतिभानवान्
महेष्वासमिमं राजन्राजधर्मार्थकोविदम् मया दत्तं निजं पुत्रं वीरं वीर गृहान्नय
AI Translation: O king, this great archer, skilled in the ways of royal dharma, I give you my own son, a hero. O hero, take him home.
वैशंपायन उवाच तयैवं समनुज्ञातः पुत्रमादाय शंतनुः भ्राजमानं यथादित्यमाययौ स्वपुरं प्रति
AI Translation: Vaishmapayana said Thus permitted by her, Shantanu, taking his son, Shone like the sun as he went back to his city.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.37 Before 37, D4 (marg. sec. m.) S ins.: *972 इत्युक्त्वा सा महाभागा तत्रैवान्तरधीयत
पौरवः स्वपुरं गत्वा पुरंदरपुरोपमम् सर्वकामसमृद्धार्थं मेने आत्मानमात्मना पौरवेषु ततः पुत्रं यौवराज्येऽभ्यषेचयत्
AI Translation: Having gone to his own city, which was like the city of Indra, and which was full of all desired objects, Puru, considered himself to be equal to himself. Then he consecrated his son as the crown prince in the city of Puru.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.38 After 38e, K3 Dn ins.: *973 राज्यार्थमभयप्रदम् गुणवन्तं महात्मानं
पौरवाञ्शंतनोः पुत्रः पितरं च महायशाः राष्ट्रं च रञ्जयामास वृत्तेन भरतर्षभ
AI Translation: The son of Shantanu, the descendant of the Pauravas, and the father of the very illustrious one, delighted the kingdom with his conduct, O bull of the Bharatas.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.39 After 39, D4 (marg. sec. m.) S ins.: *974 तथावृत्तसमाचारस्तथाधर्मस्तथाश्रुतः पुत्रो देवव्रतो नाम शंतनोरधिको गुणैः सर्वास्त्रेष्वभ्यनुज्ञातः पार्थिवेष्वितरेषु च गुणैर्विशिष्टो बहुभिः पुत्रो देवव्रतोऽभवत्
स तथा सह पुत्रेण रममाणो महीपतिः वर्तयामास वर्षाणि चत्वार्यमितविक्रमः
AI Translation: Thus the king, together with his son, enjoyed himself, and spent four years in this way, without any loss of vigor.
स कदाचिद्वनं यातो यमुनामभितो नदीम् महीपतिरनिर्देश्यमाजिघ्रद्गन्धमुत्तमम्
AI Translation: Once, while going to the forest near the river Yamuna, the king smelled an indescribable, excellent fragrance.
तस्य प्रभवमन्विच्छन्विचचार समन्ततः स ददर्श तदा कन्यां दाशानां देवरूपिणीम्
AI Translation: Seeking his origin, he wandered everywhere. Then he saw a girl among the servants, who was of divine form.
तामपृच्छत्स दृष्ट्वैव कन्यामसितलोचनाम् कस्य त्वमसि का चासि किं च भीरु चिकीर्षसि
AI Translation: Seeing the girl with dark eyes, he asked her: "Who are you? What are you? What do you desire, O timid one?"
साब्रवीद्दाशकन्यास्मि धर्मार्थं वाहये तरीम् पितुर्नियोगाद्भद्रं ते दाशराज्ञो महात्मनः
AI Translation: She said, "I am a fisherwoman's daughter, and I am driving this chariot for the sake of Dharma. By the command of my father, the great king of the fishermen, for your welfare.
रूपमाधुर्यगन्धैस्तां संयुक्तां देवरूपिणीम् समीक्ष्य राजा दाशेयीं कामयामास शंतनुः
AI Translation: Seeing her, who was endowed with beauty, sweetness, and fragrance, and who was of divine form, King Shantanu desired the fisherwoman.
स गत्वा पितरं तस्या वरयामास तां तदा पर्यपृच्छत्ततस्तस्याः पितरं चात्मकारणात्
AI Translation: He went and asked her father for her hand in marriage. Then he asked her father about his own reasons.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.46 After 46, D4 marg. sec. m. ins.: *975 इच्छामि दाशदत्तां मे सुतां भार्यामनिन्दिताम्
स च तं प्रत्युवाचेदं दाशराजो महीपतिम् जातमात्रैव मे देया वराय वरवर्णिनी हृदि कामस्तु मे कश्चित्तं निबोध जनेश्वर
M. N. Dutt: He desired to know whether he was willing to give her in marriage. The chief of the fishermen replied to the king saying, “As soon as that best of beautiful girls was born it, it was understood by me that she should be bestowed (on some one). But, О king, hear the desire that I have in my heart.
यदीमां धर्मपत्नीं त्वं मत्तः प्रार्थयसेऽनघ सत्यवागसि सत्येन समयं कुरु मे ततः
M. N. Dutt: O sinless one, if you desire to makes her your lawful wife, you are truthful, then truly give me a pledge.
समयेन प्रदद्यां ते कन्यामहमिमां नृप न हि मे त्वत्समः कश्चिद्वरो जातु भविष्यति
M. N. Dutt: O king, if you give me the pledge, I shall then bestow my daughter on you, for I can never obtain a husband for her like you."
शंतनुरुवाच श्रुत्वा तव वरं दाश व्यवस्येयमहं न वा दातव्यं चेत्प्रदास्यामि न त्वदेयं कथंचन
M. N. Dutt: Shantanu said : O fisherman, after hearing what you ask, I can then say whether I will be able to grant it or not. If it is capable of being granted, I shall certainly grant it.
दाश उवाच अस्यां जायेत यः पुत्रः स राजा पृथिवीपतिः त्वदूर्ध्वमभिषेक्तव्यो नान्यः कश्चन पार्थिव
M. N. Dutt: The fisherman said: O king, the son that will be born of this girl shall be installed on your throne and none else shall you make your successor.
वैशंपायन उवाच नाकामयत तं दातुं वरं दाशाय शंतनुः शरीरजेन तीव्रेण दह्यमानोऽपि भारत
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : O descendant of Bharata race, Shantanu became unwilling to grant the wish of the fisherman, thought his body was being burnt by the fire of desire.
स चिन्तयन्नेव तदा दाशकन्यां महीपतिः प्रत्ययाद्धास्तिनपुरं शोकोपहतचेतनः
M. N. Dutt: That lord of the earth returned to Hastinapur, thinking of the daughter of the fisherman and his heart afflicted by desire.
ततः कदाचिच्छोचन्तं शंतनुं ध्यानमास्थितम् पुत्रो देवव्रतोऽभ्येत्य पितरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: One day when he was thus meditating over (the girl) in sorrow, his son Devavrata came to him and said-
सर्वतो भवतः क्षेमं विधेयाः सर्वपार्थिवाः तत्किमर्थमिहाभीक्ष्णं परिशोचसि दुःखितः ध्यायन्निव च किं राजन्नाभिभाषसि किंचन
M. N. Dutt: "All is prosperity with you; all chiefs and potentates obey you, why then you grieve thus in sorrow?
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.55 After 55ab, S ins.: *976 स कस्माद्राजशार्दूल शोचंस्तु परिदह्यसे After 55, Dn D2.4 (both marg. sec. m.) S ins.: *977 न चाश्वेन विनिर्यासि विवर्णो हरिणः कृशः व्याधिमिच्छामि ते ज्ञातुं प्रतिकुर्यां हि तत्र वै D4 (marg. sec. m.) S cont.: *978 वैशंपायनः स तं काममवाच्यं वै दाशकन्यां प्रतीदृशम् विवृतं नाशकत्तस्मै पिता पुत्राय शंसितुम्
एवमुक्तः स पुत्रेण शंतनुः प्रत्यभाषत असंशयं ध्यानपरं यथा मात्थ तथास्म्युत
AI Translation: Thus addressed by his son, Shantanu replied: "Undoubtedly, I am as you have described me, intent on meditation.
अपत्यं नस्त्वमेवैकः कुले महति भारत अनित्यता च मर्त्यानामतः शोचामि पुत्रक
AI Translation: You alone, O son, are the only offspring in this great family. O son, I grieve because of the impermanence of mortals.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.57 After 57ab, V1 B D (except D5) ins.: *979 शस्त्रनित्यश्च सततं पौरुषे धुर्यवस्थितः
कथंचित्तव गाङ्गेय विपत्तौ नास्ति नः कुलम् असंशयं त्वमेवैकः शतादपि वरः सुतः
M. N. Dutt: O son of Ganga, if anything happens to you, we shall be sonless and we shall have no descendants. Truly you alone are equal to one hundred best sons.
न चाप्यहं वृथा भूयो दारान्कर्तुमिहोत्सहे संतानस्याविनाशाय कामये भद्रमस्तु ते अनपत्यतैकपुत्रत्वमित्याहुर्धर्मवादिनः
M. N. Dutt: I do not, therefore, desire to marry again. I only desire that prosperity may always attend on you, SO that our dynasty may be perpetuated.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.59 After 59, D2.4 (both marg. sec. m.) S ins.: *980 चक्षुरेकं च पुत्रं च अस्ति नास्ति च भारत चक्षुर्नाशे तनोर्नाशः पुत्रनाशे कुलक्षयः
अग्निहोत्रं त्रयो वेदा यज्ञाश्च सहदक्षिणाः सर्वाण्येतान्यपत्यस्य कलां नार्हन्ति षोडशीम्
AI Translation: The Agnihotra, the three Vedas, sacrifices with gifts, all these are not worth a sixteenth part of a son.
एवमेव मनुष्येषु स्याच्च सर्वप्रजास्वपि यदपत्यं महाप्राज्ञ तत्र मे नास्ति संशयः एषा त्रयी पुराणानामुत्तमानां च शाश्वती
M. N. Dutt: I have no doubt that he who has got a son gains heaven. The three Vedas, which are the roots of the Puranas and which authoritative even to the celestials, contain many proofs of this.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.61 After 61cd, D4 (marg. sec. m.) S ins.: *981 अपत्येनानृणो लोके पितॄणां नास्ति संशयः After 61ef, D4 (marg. sec. m.) S ins.: *982 अपत्यं कर्म विद्या च त्रीणि ज्योतींषि भारत यदिदं कारणं तात सर्वमाख्यातमञ्जसा
त्वं च शूरः सदामर्षी शस्त्रनित्यश्च भारत नान्यत्र शस्त्रात्तस्मात्ते निधनं विद्यतेऽनघ
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of the Bharata race, you are a hero of excitable temper; and you are always engaged in the exercises of arms. There is every likelihood of your being killed on the field of battle.
सोऽस्मि संशयमापन्नस्त्वयि शान्ते कथं भवेत् इति ते कारणं तात दुःखस्योक्तमशेषतः
M. N. Dutt: "If it so happens, what would be the state of our race! For this reason I am melancholy. I have now told you the cause of my sorrow!” are
ततस्तत्कारणं ज्ञात्वा कृत्स्नं चैवमशेषतः देवव्रतो महाबुद्धिः प्रययावनुचिन्तयन्
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Having heard the cause (of his grief) from the king, the greatly intelligent and wise Devavrata thought for a while.
अभ्यगच्छत्तदैवाशु वृद्धामात्यं पितुर्हितम् तमपृच्छत्तदाभ्येत्य पितुस्तच्छोककारणम्
M. N. Dutt: He then went to the old minister, devoted to his father's welfare. He asked him the cause of his father's sorrow.
तस्मै स कुरुमुख्याय यथावत्परिपृच्छते वरं शशंस कन्यां तामुद्दिश्य भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: O best of the Bharata race, that foremost of the Kurus asked him all about it and he then heard from him about the pledge regarding the maiden.
ततो देवव्रतो वृद्धैः क्षत्रियैः सहितस्तदा अभिगम्य दाशराजानं कन्यां वव्रे पितुः स्वयम्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, Devavrata, accompanied with many venerable Kshatriya chiefs, went to the chief of the fishermen and begged his daughter for his father.
तं दाशः प्रतिजग्राह विधिवत्प्रतिपूज्य च अब्रवीच्चैनमासीनं राजसंसदि भारत
M. N. Dutt: The fisherman received him with all due adorations. O descendant of the Bharata race, when the prince was seated, he addressed him thus-
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.68 S ins. after 68: K4, after 69: *983 उच्चैःश्रवाः राज्यशुल्का प्रदातव्या कन्येयं याचतां वर अपत्यं यद्भवेदस्याः स राजास्तु पितुः परम्
त्वमेव नाथः पर्याप्तः शंतनोः पुरुषर्षभ पुत्रः पुत्रवतां श्रेष्ठः किं नु वक्ष्यामि ते वचः
M. N. Dutt: "O best of the Bharata race, you are the lord of great prowess, you are the best of wielders of arms. You are the only son of Shantanu, But I have something to tell you.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.69 After 69, S ins.: *984 कुमारिकायाः शुल्केन किंचिद्वक्ष्यामि भारत
को हि संबन्धकं श्लाघ्यमीप्सितं यौनमीदृशम् अतिक्रामन्न तप्येत साक्षादपि शतक्रतुः
M. N. Dutt: If the bride's father be Indra himself, still he is to repent for rejecting such an exceedingly honourable and desirable proposal of marriage.
अपत्यं चैतदार्यस्य यो युष्माकं समो गुणैः यस्य शुक्रात्सत्यवती प्रादुर्भूता यशस्विनी
M. N. Dutt: The great man from whose seed was born this most beautiful maiden Satyavati is equal to you in virtue.
तेन मे बहुशस्तात पिता ते परिकीर्तितः अर्हः सत्यवतीं वोढुं सर्वराजसु भारत
M. N. Dutt: He has many times recounted to me the great achievements of your father. He has told me that, that virtuous king is worthy of marrying Satyavati.
असितो ह्यपि देवर्षिः प्रत्याख्यातः पुरा मया सत्यवत्या भृशं ह्यर्थी स आसीदृषिसत्तमः
AI Translation: Formerly, the celestial sage Asita was rejected by me. That best of sages was very much desirous of Satyavati.
कन्यापितृत्वात्किंचित्तु वक्ष्यामि भरतर्षभ बलवत्सपत्नतामत्र दोषं पश्यामि केवलम्
AI Translation: O bull among the Bharatas, I will say something, because I am the father of a daughter. Here I see only the fault of having a powerful rival.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.74 After 74, S ins.: *985 भूयांसं त्वयि पश्यामि तं दोषमपराजित
यस्य हि त्वं सपत्नः स्या गन्धर्वस्यासुरस्य वा न स जातु सुखं जीवेत्त्वयि क्रुद्धे परंतप
M. N. Dutt: O chastiser of foes, he is not safe, even he be an Asura or a Gandharva, who is your foe. He will never live long if you grow angry.
एतावानत्र दोषो हि नान्यः कश्चन पार्थिव एतज्जानीहि भद्रं ते दानादाने परंतप
M. N. Dutt: O king, this is the only objection in the marriage. There is no other. O chastiser of foes, know, this is all I have to say in the matter of bestowal (of Satyavati)"
एवमुक्तस्तु गाङ्गेयस्तद्युक्तं प्रत्यभाषत शृण्वतां भूमिपालानां पितुरर्थाय भारत
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : O descendant of the Bharata race, having been thus addressed, the son of Ganga (Devavrata) replied to him in the hearing of all the chiefs and potentates for the sake of his father.
इदं मे मतमादत्स्व सत्यं सत्यवतां वर नैव जातो न वाजात ईदृशं वक्तुमुत्सहेत्
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of truthful men, listen to the vow I take today. There is none born or will be born who will have the courage to take to take such a vow.
एवमेतत्करिष्यामि यथा त्वमनुभाषसे योऽस्यां जनिष्यते पुत्रः स नो राजा भविष्यति
M. N. Dutt: I shall do what you demand. The son that will be born of this maiden will be our king.
इत्युक्तः पुनरेवाथ तं दाशः प्रत्यभाषत चिकीर्षुर्दुष्करं कर्म राज्यार्थे भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: O best of the Bharata race, having been thus addressed (by Bhishma), the chief of the fishermen, desirous of achieving the difficult matter of making his daughter's son king, thus spoke to him.
त्वमेव नाथः पर्याप्तः शंतनोरमितद्युतेः कन्यायाश्चैव धर्मात्मन्प्रभुर्दानाय चेश्वरः
M. N. Dutt: The Fisherman said : "O virtuous-minded man, you have come here as the full manager of your greatly glorious father. But also the sole manager on my behalf in the matter of the bestowal of this girl.
इदं तु वचनं सौम्य कार्यं चैव निबोध मे कौमारिकाणां शीलेन वक्ष्याम्यहमरिंदम
M. N. Dutt: O Gentle Sir, there is something else to be said and something else to be done. O chastiser of foes, those that have daughter must say what I say.
यत्त्वया सत्यवत्यर्थे सत्यधर्मपरायण राजमध्ये प्रतिज्ञातमनुरूपं तवैव तत्
M. N. Dutt: O devotee of the religion of truth, the pledge that you have taken in the midst of these chiefs for the sake of Satyavati is worthy of you.
नान्यथा तन्महाबाहो संशयोऽत्र न कश्चन तवापत्यं भवेद्यत्तु तत्र नः संशयो महान्
M. N. Dutt: I have not the least doubt that it will never be violated by you. But I have great doubt in respect of your sons.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.84 After 84ab, S ins.: *986 नास्ति तस्यान्यथा भावस्त्वत्तो रिपुनिबर्हणः विद्यते पुरुषव्याघ्र त्वयि सत्यं महाव्रत
तस्य तन्मतमाज्ञाय सत्यधर्मपरायणः प्रत्यजानात्तदा राजन्पितुः प्रियचिकीर्षया
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : O king, the devotee of religion of truth,(Devavrata), knowing the scruple of the fisherman and being moved by the desire of doing good to his father then said.
देवव्रत उवाच दाशराज निबोधेदं वचनं मे नृपोत्तम शृण्वतां भूमिपालानां यद्ब्रवीमि पितुः कृते
M. N. Dutt: O chief of the fishermen, O best of chiefs, hear what I say for the sake of my father before all these chiefs and potentates.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.86 After 86ab, D4 (marg. sec. m.) S ins.: *987 ऋषयो वाथ वा देवा भूतान्यन्तर्हितानि च यानि तानीह शृण्वन्तु नास्ति वक्तास्य मत्समः इदं वचनमाधत्स्व सत्येन मम जल्पतः
राज्यं तावत्पूर्वमेव मया त्यक्तं नराधिप अपत्यहेतोरपि च करोम्येष विनिश्चयम्
M. N. Dutt: O chiefs and potentates, I relinquished my right to the throne a few moments before. I shall now settle the doubt that has arisen in respect to my sons.
अद्य प्रभृति मे दाश ब्रह्मचर्यं भविष्यति अपुत्रस्यापि मे लोका भविष्यन्त्यक्षया दिवि
M. N. Dutt: O fisherman, from this day I adopt the vow of Brahmacharya. If I die sonless, still I shall ascend to the rejoins of the everlasting bliss.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.88 After 88, D4 (marg. sec. m.) S ins.: *988 न हि जन्मप्रभृत्युक्तं मया किंचिदिहानृतम् यावत्प्राणा ध्रियन्ते वै मम देहं समाश्रिताः तावन्न जनयिष्यामि पित्रे कन्यां प्रयच्छ मे परित्यजाम्यहं राज्यं मैथुनं चापि सर्वशः ऊर्ध्वरेता भविष्यामि दाश सत्यं ब्रवीमि ते
वैशंपायन उवाच तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहः ददानीत्येव तं दाशो धर्मात्मा प्रत्यभाषत
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Having heard those words, the hair of the fisherman stood erect in delight and he said, “I bestowed my daughter."
ततोऽन्तरिक्षेऽप्सरसो देवाः सर्षिगणास्तथा अभ्यवर्षन्त कुसुमैर्भीष्मोऽयमिति चाब्रुवन्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon the Apsaras, the celestial and the various classes of Rishis, began to pour down flowers from the firmament (upon the head of Devavrata) and they all exclaimed "This man is Bhishma (the terrible.)"
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.90 After 90ab, S ins.: *989 तं दृष्ट्वा दुष्करं कर्म प्रशशंसुश्च पार्थिवाः
ततः स पितुरर्थाय तामुवाच यशस्विनीम् अधिरोह रथं मातर्गच्छावः स्वगृहानिति
M. N. Dutt: He (Bhishma) them for the sake of his father, addressed the illustrious (lady) thus, “O mother, ascend this chariot and let us go to our home."
एवमुक्त्वा तु भीष्मस्तां रथमारोप्य भामिनीम् आगम्य हास्तिनपुरं शंतनोः संन्यवेदयत्
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Having said this, Bhishma made the beautiful maiden ascend his car. Then coming to Hastinapur, he told Shantanu all that had happened.
तस्य तद्दुष्करं कर्म प्रशशंसुर्नराधिपाः समेताश्च पृथक्चैव भीष्मोऽयमिति चाब्रुवन्
M. N. Dutt: All the assembled chiefs and potentates applauded him jointly and individually for his great act. They exclaimed, “He is (really) Bhishma."
तद्दृष्ट्वा दुष्करं कर्म कृतं भीष्मेण शंतनुः स्वच्छन्दमरणं तस्मै ददौ तुष्टः पिता स्वयम्
M. N. Dutt: Having heard the great deed performed by his son Bhishma, Shantanu gave that illustrious man the boon of dying at will.
Supplementary Passages:
1.94.94 After 94ab, D4 (marg. sec. m.) S ins.: *990 बभूव दुःखितो राजा चिररात्राय भारत स तेन कर्मणा सूनोः प्रीतस्तस्मै वरं ददौ After 94, K4 Ñ2.3 D2.4 (marg.) S ins.: *991 न ते प्रभविता मृत्युर्यावदिच्छसि जीवितुम् K4 Ñ2.3 D2 cont.: *992 त्वत्तो ह्यनुज्ञां संप्राप्य मृत्युः प्रभवितानघ while D4 (marg. sec. m.) S cont.: *993 स्वेन कामेन कर्तासि नाकामस्त्वं कथंचन