Critical Edition
अर्जुन उवाच किंनिमित्तमभूद्वैरं विश्वामित्रवसिष्ठयोः वसतोराश्रमे पुण्ये शंस नः सर्वमेव तत्
M. N. Dutt: Arjuna said: How the hostility between Vishvamitra and Vasishtha, both of whom lived in celestials hermitages? Tell us all this in detail. arose
गन्धर्व उवाच इदं वासिष्ठमाख्यानं पुराणं परिचक्षते पार्थ सर्वेषु लोकेषु यथावत्तन्निबोध मे
M. N. Dutt: The Gandharva said : O Partha, this history of Vasishtha is considered as a Purana in all the worlds. Listen to me as I recite it in detail.
कन्यकुब्जे महानासीत्पार्थिवो भरतर्षभ गाधीति विश्रुतो लोके सत्यधर्मपरायणः
M. N. Dutt: O best of the Bharata race, there was a great king in Kanyakubja; known in the world by the name of Gadhi, he was the son of Kushika.
तस्य धर्मात्मनः पुत्रः समृद्धबलवाहनः विश्वामित्र इति ख्यातो बभूव रिपुमर्दनः
M. N. Dutt: His son was know by the name of Vishvamitra. That chastiser of foes, Vishvamitra, was virtuous-minded; and he had a large army of troop and beasts of burdens.
स चचार सहामात्यो मृगयां गहने वने मृगान्विध्यन्वराहांश्च रम्येषु मरुधन्वसु
M. N. Dutt: He wandered with his ministers in the deep forest for the purpose of hunting Killing deer and boars, he roamed through the charming marshes.
व्यायामकर्शितः सोऽथ मृगलिप्सुः पिपासितः आजगाम नरश्रेष्ठ वसिष्ठस्याश्रमं प्रति
M. N. Dutt: Being (one day) fatigued and thirsty by the exercise of the hunt that best of men, came to the hermitage of Vasishtha.
तमागतमभिप्रेक्ष्य वसिष्ठः श्रेष्ठभागृषिः विश्वामित्रं नरश्रेष्ठं प्रतिजग्राह पूजया
M. N. Dutt: Seeing him coming, the illustrious and blessed Rishi, Vasishtha, advanced to salute that best of men, Vishvamitra.
पाद्यार्घ्याचमनीयेन स्वागतेन च भारत तथैव प्रतिजग्राह वन्येन हविषा तथा
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, he (Vasishtha) worshipped him (Vishvamitra) by asking his welfare, by offering Arghya and water to wash his face and feet and by collected forest fruits and ghee.
तस्याथ कामधुग्धेनुर्वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः उक्ता कामान्प्रयच्छेति सा कामान्दुदुहे ततः
M. N. Dutt: The illustrious Rishi had a Kamadhenu, (a cow yielding every thing as desired.) when she was addressed by saying "Give” she always gave what was desired.
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.9 After 9, S ins.: *1753 बाष्पाढ्यस्यौदनस्यैव राशयः पर्वतोपमाः निष्ठान्नानि च सूपांश्च दधिकुल्यास्तथैव च कूपांश्च घृतसंपूर्णान्भक्ष्याणां राशयस्तथा भोजनानि महार्हाणि तत्र तत्र सहस्रशः इक्षून्मधु च लाजांश्च मैरेयांश्च वरासवान् वस्त्राणि च महार्हाणि कम्बलानि सहस्रशः
ग्राम्यारण्या ओषधीश्च दुदुहे पय एव च षड्रसं चामृतरसं रसायनमनुत्तमम्
AI Translation: The herbs of the village and the forest yielded milk and the nectar-like essence of the six tastes, the supreme elixir.
भोजनीयानि पेयानि भक्ष्याणि विविधानि च लेह्यान्यमृतकल्पानि चोष्याणि च तथार्जुन
AI Translation: Food, drink, and various kinds of edibles, And medicinal pastes like nectar, and things to be sucked, O Arjuna.
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.11 After 11, K4 Ñ1.2 V1 B D ins.: *1754 रत्नानि च महार्हाणि वासांसि विविधानि च
तैः कामैः सर्वसंपूर्णैः पूजितः स महीपतिः सामात्यः सबलश्चैव तुतोष स भृशं नृपः
AI Translation: The king was worshipped by them with all those desires fulfilled, and the king, together with his ministers and army, was greatly pleased.
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.12 After 12, K4 (marg.; om. lines 3 and 6) D5 ins.: *1755 शिरो ग्रीवा सक्थिनी च सास्नापुच्छमहस्तनाः शुभान्येतानि धेनूनामायतानि प्रचक्षते पृथुभिः पञ्चभी रङ्गैः समावृत्तां षडायताम् ललाटं श्रवणे चैव नयनद्वितयं तथा पृथून्येतानि शस्यन्ते धेनूनां पञ्च सूरिभिः मण्डूकस्यैवमुच्छूने * * यस्याः षडायताम्
षडायतां सुपार्श्वोरुं त्रिपृथुं पञ्च संवृताम् मण्डूकनेत्रां स्वाकारां पीनोधसमनिन्दिताम्
AI Translation: Six fingers long, with well-formed sides and thighs, three fingers wide, covered with five, With frog-like eyes, of good form, with full hips, not censured.
सुवालधिं शङ्कुकर्णां चारुशृङ्गां मनोरमाम् पुष्टायतशिरोग्रीवां विस्मितः सोऽभिवीक्ष्य ताम्
AI Translation: Seeing her with a beautiful face, a beautiful nose, a beautiful mouth, a beautiful neck, a beautiful body, a beautiful navel, a beautiful waist, a beautiful hip, a beautiful thigh, a beautiful knee, a beautiful calf, a beautiful ankle, a beautiful foot, a beautiful gait, a
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.14 After 14abc, T1 G2.4 ins.: *1756 सुपुष्टाङ्गीं सुयोनिकाम् संभृतोभयपार्श्वोरूं दीर्घवालां पृथूदराम् दृष्ट्वा गृष्टिमृषेर्भूपो
अभिनन्दति तां नन्दीं वसिष्ठस्य पयस्विनीम् अब्रवीच्च भृशं तुष्टो विश्वामित्रो मुनिं तदा
AI Translation: He rejoiced in that cow of Vasishtha, and Vishvamitra, the sage, was greatly pleased and said to him,
अर्बुदेन गवां ब्रह्मन्मम राज्येन वा पुनः नन्दिनीं संप्रयच्छस्व भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं महामुने
M. N. Dutt: "O Brahmana, O great Rishi, give me (your) Nandini (cow) in exchange of ten thousand kine, or of my kingdom. Give her to me and enjoy my kingdom.
वसिष्ठ उवाच देवतातिथिपित्रर्थमाज्यार्थं च पयस्विनी अदेया नन्दिनीयं मे राज्येनापि तवानघ
M. N. Dutt: Vasishtha said: O sinless one, this milk-giving cow is kept by me for the purposes of the celestials, the Pitris and the guests and for my scarifies. Nandini cannot he given to you) in exchange of even your kingdom.
विश्वामित्र उवाच क्षत्रियोऽहं भवान्विप्रस्तपःस्वाध्यायसाधनः ब्राह्मणेषु कुतो वीर्यं प्रशान्तेषु धृतात्मसु
M. N. Dutt: Vishvamitra said : I am a Kshatriya and your respected self is a Brahmana devoted to study and asceticism. Is there prowess in Brahmanas who are peaceful and have their souls under control?
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.18 After viśvā. (resp. its v.l.), D4 (marg. sec. m.) S ins.: *1757 रत्नं हि भगवन्नेतद्रत्नहारी च पार्थिवः
अर्बुदेन गवां यस्त्वं न ददासि ममेप्सिताम् स्वधर्मं न प्रहास्यामि नयिष्ये ते बलेन गाम्
M. N. Dutt: When you do not give me what I desire to have in exchange of ten thousand kine, I shall not abandon the duty of my race (that of the Kshatriya). I will take your cow by force.
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.19 After 19, T G (except G3) ins.: *1758 क्षत्रियोऽस्मि न विप्रोऽहं बाहुवीर्योऽस्मि धर्मतः तस्माद्भुजबलेनेमां हरिष्यामीह पश्यतः
वसिष्ठ उवाच बलस्थश्चासि राजा च बाहुवीर्यश्च क्षत्रियः यथेच्छसि तथा क्षिप्रं कुरु त्वं मा विचारय
M. N. Dutt: Vasishtha said: You are a powerful king, you are a Kshatriya possessing great strength of arms; do what you desire without delay and without stopping to consider over it.
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.20 After vasiṣṭhaḥ, T G (except G2.3) ins.: *1759 अत्र हव्यं च कव्यं च प्राणयात्रा तथैव च आयत्तमग्निहोत्रं च आतिथ्यं च न संशयः बहुना किं प्रलापेन न दास्ये कामदोहिनीम् After 20, T G (except G1.3) ins.: *1760 रत्नद्वयं ब्राह्मणस्य नापहार्यं नृपैर्भुवि अग्निहोत्री च गौः पत्नी प्रजारणिरनुत्तमा
गन्धर्व उवाच एवमुक्तस्तदा पार्थ विश्वामित्रो बलादिव हंसचन्द्रप्रतीकाशां नन्दिनीं तां जहार गाम्
M. N. Dutt: The Gandharva said: O Partha, having been thus addressed, Vishvamitra then sized the cow Nandini as white as the swan or the moon.
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.21 After 21, D4 (marg. sec. m.) S (except G4, which om. 22) ins.: *1761 सा तदा ह्रियमाणा च विश्वामित्रबलैर्बलात्
कशादण्डप्रतिहता काल्यमाना ततस्ततः हम्भायमाना कल्याणी वसिष्ठस्याथ नन्दिनी
M. N. Dutt: He dragged her hither and thither and afflicted her by striking her with a stick. The blessed Nandini cried piteously and came near Vasishtha.
आगम्याभिमुखी पार्थ तस्थौ भगवदुन्मुखी भृशं च ताड्यमानापि न जगामाश्रमात्ततः
M. N. Dutt: O Partha, she stood near him with up-lifted face staring at the illustrious Rishi. Though very much ill-treated, she did not quit the Rishi's hermitage.
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.23 After 23, T1 G2 ins.: *1762 बलानि तेषां निर्धूय छित्वा पाशनिबन्धनम् while T2 G1.4-6 ins.: *1763 आश्रमान्नैव गच्छन्ती हुम्भारावैर्ननाद च
वसिष्ठ उवाच शृणोमि ते रवं भद्रे विनदन्त्याः पुनः पुनः बलाद्ध्रियसि मे नन्दि क्षमावान्ब्राह्मणो ह्यहम्
M. N. Dutt: Vasishtha said: O amiable Nandini, you are crying again and again and I hear your cries. But Vishvamitra is taking you away by force; what can I do? I am a forgiving Brahmana.
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.24 Ñ1.2 V1 B5.6 Da Dn D4.5 ins. after 24c: B1.3 D1.2 (all om. the first half) subst. for 24c: *1764 विश्वामित्रेण नन्दिनि । किं कर्तव्यं मया तत्र
गन्धर्व उवाच सा तु तेषां बलान्नन्दी बलानां भरतर्षभ विश्वामित्रभयोद्विग्ना वसिष्ठं समुपागमत्
M. N. Dutt: The Gandharva said : O best of the Bharata race, being alarmed at the sight of Vishvamitra's troops and being terrified by Vishvamitra himself, Nandini came closer to Vasishtha.
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.25 After gandharva u., Ñ1 B5 ins.: *1765 अथैनां नन्दिनीं भूयो विश्वामित्रस्य सैनिकाः सर्वतः समकाल्यन्त कशापाषाणपाणयः
गौरुवाच पाषाणदण्डाभिहतां क्रन्दन्तीं मामनाथवत् विश्वामित्रबलैर्घोरैर्भगवन्किमुपेक्षसे
M. N. Dutt: Nandini said: O illustrious Sir, I am afflicted by the : stripes of the fearful troops of Vishvamitra I am crying piteously like one who has none; why are you so indifferent to me?
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.26 G1.4.5 ins. after 26ab: T1 G2, after the repetition of 26ab: *1766 उपेक्षसे कथं ब्रह्मन्भक्तां पादाब्जसेविनीम्
गन्धर्व उवाच एवं तस्यां तदा पर्थ धर्षितायां महामुनिः न चुक्षुभे न धैर्याच्च विचचाल धृतव्रतः
M. N. Dutt: The Gandharva said : The great Rishi did not lose his patience, nor did he depart from his vow of forgiveness on hearing the words of the crying and persecuted Nandini.
वसिष्ठ उवाच क्षत्रियाणां बलं तेजो ब्राह्मणानां क्षमा बलम् क्षमा मां भजते तस्माद्गम्यतां यदि रोचते
M. N. Dutt: Vasishtha said : The might of the Kshatriyas lies in their physical strength, that of the Brahmanas lies in their forgiveness. I cannot give up forgiveness. If you like, you can go.
गौरुवाच किं नु त्यक्तास्मि भगवन्यदेवं मां प्रभाषसे अत्यक्ताहं त्वया ब्रह्मन्न शक्या नयितुं बलात्
M. N. Dutt: Nandini said : O illustrious Sir, have you abandoned me that you say so? O Brahmana, if you do not abandon me, I cannot be taken away by force.
वसिष्ठ उवाच न त्वां त्यजामि कल्याणि स्थीयतां यदि शक्यते दृढेन दाम्ना बद्ध्वैष वत्सस्ते ह्रियते बलात्
M. N. Dutt: Vasishtha said : O blessed one, I do not abandon you. Stay if you can. Your calf, tied with a strong rope, is (even now) being carried away by force.
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.30 After 30, S ins.: *1767 येन केनाप्युपायेन त्वया वत्सो निवार्यताम्
गन्धर्व उवाच स्थीयतामिति तच्छ्रुत्वा वसिष्ठस्य पयस्विनी ऊर्ध्वाञ्चितशिरोग्रीवा प्रबभौ घोरदर्शना
M. N. Dutt: The Gandharva said : Having heard the word 'Stay,' that cow of Vasishtha (Nandini) raised up her head and neck and became fearful to look at.
क्रोधरक्तेक्षणा सा गौर्हम्भारवघनस्वना विश्वामित्रस्य तत्सैन्यं व्यद्रावयत सर्वशः
M. N. Dutt: With eyes red in anger and with repeated roars, she then attacked Vishvamitra's troop on all sides.
कशाग्रदण्डाभिहता काल्यमाना ततस्ततः क्रोधदीप्तेक्षणा क्रोधं भूय एव समादधे
M. N. Dutt: Afflicted with their stripes and being dragged hither and thither, her anger (doubly) ! increased and her eyes became red in wrath.
आदित्य इव मध्याह्ने क्रोधदीप्तवपुर्बभौ अङ्गारवर्षं मुञ्चन्ती मुहुर्वालधितो महत्
M. N. Dutt: Blazing in anger, she soon become fearful to look at as the sun at mid day. She began incessantly to shower burning coals from her tail.
असृजत्पह्लवान्पुच्छाच्छकृतः शबराञ्शकान् मूत्रतश्चासृजच्चापि यवनान्क्रोधमूर्च्छिता
AI Translation: From the tail he created the Pahlavas, from the excrement the Sabaras and Shakas, and from urine and blood he created the Yavanas, overwhelmed by anger.
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.35 After 35ab, Ñ2 V1 Dn S ins.: *1768 योनिदेशाच्च यवनाञ्छकृद्देशाच्छकांस्तथा After 35abc, K4 ins.: *1769 बर्बरांश्चैव पार्श्वतः प्राणतः प्रासृजच्चेयं
पुण्ड्रान्किरातान्द्रमिडान्सिंहलान्बर्बरांस्तथा तथैव दरदान्म्लेच्छान्फेनतः सा ससर्ज ह
AI Translation: She created the Pundras, Kiratas, Dramidas, Sinhala, Barbars, and the Daradas, Mlecchas, and Phenas.
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.36 After 36ab, Ñ2 V1 B D ins.: *1770 चिबुकांश्च पुलिन्दांश्च चीनान्हूणान्सकेरलान्
तैर्विसृष्टैर्महत्सैन्यं नानाम्लेच्छगणैस्तदा नानावरणसंछन्नैर्नानायुधधरैस्तथा अवाकीर्यत संरब्धैर्विश्वामित्रस्य पश्यतः
M. N. Dutt: Those large armies of Mlecchas, cloud in various uniforms and armed with various weapons, as soon as they sprang into life, spre Ading all around attacked before his very sight the troops of Vishvamitra, five or seven attacking one.
एकैकश्च तदा योधः पञ्चभिः सप्तभिर्वृतः अस्त्रवर्षेण महता काल्यमानं बलं ततः प्रभग्नं सर्वतस्त्रस्तं विश्वामित्रस्य पश्यतः
M. N. Dutt: Assailed with a great shower of weapons, Vishvamitra's troops before his very sight broke and fled panic stricken in all directions.
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.38 S ins. after 38, (T1, after 37): *1771 तस्य तच्चतुरङ्गं वै बलं परमदुःसहम् प्रभग्नं सर्वतो घोरं पयस्विन्या विवर्जितम्
न च प्राणैर्वियुज्यन्त केचित्ते सैनिकास्तदा विश्वामित्रस्य संक्रुद्धैर्वासिष्ठैर्भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: O best of the Bharata race, though greatly excited with anger, the troops of Vasishtha did not take the life of any of Vishvamitra's troops.
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.39 After 39, Ś1 K1.4 Ñ1.2 V1 B (except B1) Dn D4 (om. posterior half).5 ins.: *1772 सा गौस्तत्सकलं सैन्यं कालयामास दूरतः
विश्वामित्रस्य सैन्यं तु काल्यमानं त्रियोजनम् क्रोशमानं भयोद्विग्नं त्रातारं नाध्यगच्छत
AI Translation: The army of Vishvamitra, which was three yojanas long, was being slaughtered. It was crying out in fear and terror, but could not find a protector.
दृष्ट्वा तन्महदाश्चर्यं ब्रह्मतेजोभवं तदा विश्वामित्रः क्षत्रभावान्निर्विण्णो वाक्यमब्रवीत्
AI Translation: Seeing that great wonder, born from the splendor of Brahma, Vishvamitra, due to his kshatriya nature, became disenchanted and spoke these words:
धिग्बलं क्षत्रियबलं ब्रह्मतेजोबलं बलम् बलाबलं विनिश्चित्य तप एव परं बलम्
AI Translation: Shame on the strength of the Kshatriyas, shame on the strength of the Brahmins, shame on the strength of the Brahmins. Having determined the strength and weakness, asceticism alone is the supreme strength.
स राज्यं स्फीतमुत्सृज्य तां च दीप्तां नृपश्रियम् भोगांश्च पृष्ठतः कृत्वा तपस्येव मनो दधे
AI Translation: Having abandoned his prosperous kingdom and that blazing royal glory, and having placed the pleasures behind, he set his mind on asceticism.
स गत्वा तपसा सिद्धिं लोकान्विष्टभ्य तेजसा तताप सर्वान्दीप्तौजा ब्राह्मणत्वमवाप च अपिबच्च सुतं सोममिन्द्रेण सह कौशिकः
M. N. Dutt: Afflicted all with his effulgence, he became a Brahmana. The son of Kushika, (Vishvamitra) at last drank the Soma (ambrosia) with Indra himself.
Supplementary Passages:
1.165.44 After 44, S ins.: *1773 एवंवीर्यस्तु राजर्षिर्विप्रर्षिः संबभूव ह