Critical Edition
गन्धर्व उवाच कल्माषपाद इत्यस्मिँल्लोके राजा बभूव ह इक्ष्वाकुवंशजः पार्थ तेजसासदृशो भुवि
M. N. Dutt: The Gandharva said : O Partha there was a king named Kalmashapada in this world. He belonged to the race of Ikshaku and he was matchless in prowess.
Supplementary Passages:
1.166 Before 1, D4 (marg. sec. m.) S (G5 om. lines 3-6; D4 M om. lines 7) ins.: *1774 अर्जुनः ऋष्योस्तु यत्कृते वैरं विश्वामित्रवसिष्ठयोः बभूव गन्धर्वपते ब्रूहि तत्सर्वमेव च माहात्म्यं च वसिष्ठस्य ब्राह्मण्यं ब्रह्मतेजसः विश्वामित्रस्य च तथा क्षत्रियस्य महात्मनः न शृण्वानस्त्वहं तृप्तिमुपगच्छामि खेचर आख्याहि गन्धर्वपते विचित्राणीह भाषसे माहात्म्यं च वसिष्ठस्य विश्वामित्रस्य भाषसे 1.166.1 After 1, T1 G6 ins.: *1775 नास्ति तत्र महाराज वैश्वानरसमद्युतेः
स कदाचिद्वनं राजा मृगयां निर्ययौ पुरात् मृगान्विध्यन्वराहांश्च चचार रिपुमर्दनः
M. N. Dutt: One day the king came out of his capital for the purpose of hunting. That chastiser of foes pierced (with his arrows) many deer and boars.
Supplementary Passages:
1.166.2 After 2, K3.4 Ñ1.2 V1 B D ins.: *1776 तस्मिन्वने महाघोरे खड्गांश्च बहुशोऽहनत् हत्वा च सुचिरं श्रान्तो राजा निववृते ततः K3.4 Ñ1.2 V1 B D cont.: Ś1 K0.1 Ñ3 ins. after 2: *1777 अकामयत्तं याज्यार्थे विश्वामित्रः प्रतापवान्
स तु राजा महात्मानं वासिष्ठमृषिसत्तमम् तृषार्तश्च क्षुधार्तश्च एकायनगतः पथि
AI Translation: The king, afflicted by thirst and hunger, was on the path, going in the same direction as the great-souled Vasishtha, the best of sages,
अपश्यदजितः संख्ये मुनिं प्रतिमुखागतम् शक्तिं नाम महाभागं वसिष्ठकुलनन्दनम् ज्येष्ठं पुत्रशतात्पुत्रं वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः
AI Translation: He saw the sage approaching him in battle, the greatly fortunate Shakti, the delight of the family of Vasishtha. He was the eldest son of the hundred sons of the great-souled Vasishtha.
अपगच्छ पथोऽस्माकमित्येवं पार्थिवोऽब्रवीत् तथा ऋषिरुवाचैनं सान्त्वयञ्श्लक्ष्णया गिरा
M. N. Dutt: The king said, Stand out of our way." Thereupon the Rishi spoke thus in a conciliatory manner and in sweet words,
Supplementary Passages:
1.166.5 After 5, K0.3.4 Ñ1.2 V1 D (except Da) S ins.: *1778 मम पन्था महाराज धर्म एष सनातनः राज्ञा सर्वेषु धर्मेषु देयः पन्था द्विजातये K4 Ñ1.2 V1 Dn D1.2.4.5 cont.: B Da ins. after 5: *1779 एवं परस्परं तौ तु पथोऽर्थं वाक्यमूचतुः अपसर्पापसर्पेति वागुत्तरमकुर्वताम्
ऋषिस्तु नापचक्राम तस्मिन्धर्मपथे स्थितः नापि राजा मुनेर्मानात्क्रोधाच्चापि जगाम ह
M. N. Dutt: The Rishi, being in the right, did not yield; the king also did not yield out of anger and pride.
अमुञ्चन्तं तु पन्थानं तमृषिं नृपसत्तमः जघान कशया मोहात्तदा राक्षसवन्मुनिम्
M. N. Dutt: Being enraged on seeing the Rishi decline to yield the way to him, that best of kings, acted like a Rakshasa and he struck him violently with his whips.
कशाप्रहाराभिहतस्ततः स मुनिसत्तमः तं शशाप नृपश्रेष्ठं वासिष्ठः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः
M. N. Dutt: That best of Rishis, the son of Vasishtha, being thus struck by the whip, was deprived of his (good) senses and out of anger, cursed that best of kings.
हंसि राक्षसवद्यस्माद्राजापसद तापसम् तस्मात्त्वमद्य प्रभृति पुरुषादो भविष्यसि
AI Translation: Since you have killed the ascetic, who was like a demon, O king's servant, therefore from now on you will become a man-eater.
मनुष्यपिशिते सक्तश्चरिष्यसि महीमिमाम् गच्छ राजाधमेत्युक्तः शक्तिना वीर्यशक्तिना
AI Translation: Addicted to human flesh, you will roam this earth. Go, O lowest of kings," said Śakti, the powerful one.
ततो याज्यनिमित्तं तु विश्वामित्रवसिष्ठयोः वैरमासीत्तदा तं तु विश्वामित्रोऽन्वपद्यत
M. N. Dutt: At this time Vishvamitra, with whom Vasishtha had a great quarrel on the matter of becoming the priest (of the king Kalmashapada), came to the place (where Vasishtha's son and the king were.)
तयोर्विवदतोरेवं समीपमुपचक्रमे ऋषिरुग्रतपाः पार्थ विश्वामित्रः प्रतापवान्
M. N. Dutt: O Partha, the Rishi of severe ascetic penances, the powerful Vishvamitra, came there where they were both quarrelling.
ततः स बुबुधे पश्चात्तमृषिं नृपसत्तमः ऋषेः पुत्रं वसिष्ठस्य वसिष्ठमिव तेजसा
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon after the curse on the excellent king (had been uttered) he came to know that the Rishi was the son of Vasishtha as powerful as Vasishtha himself.
अन्तर्धाय तदात्मानं विश्वामित्रोऽपि भारत तावुभावुपचक्राम चिकीर्षन्नात्मनः प्रियम्
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, being desirous of benefiting himself, Vishvamitra remained there concealed from the sight of both by making himself invisible.
स तु शप्तस्तदा तेन शक्तिना वै नृपोत्तमः जगाम शरणं शक्तिं प्रसादयितुमर्हयन्
M. N. Dutt: Then that best of kings, (Kalmashapada), having been thus cursed by Shakti, asked the protection of Shakti by humbly beseeching him.
Supplementary Passages:
1.166.15 After 15ab, K4 ins.: *1780 तस्थौ तत्र च राजा तु सविषादो बभूव ह After 15, K4 D5 ins.: *1781 शापान्तो द्वादशे वर्षे तव राजन्भविष्यति उक्तस्तु शक्त्रिणा राजा स तु तत्रैव संस्थितः
तस्य भावं विदित्वा स नृपतेः कुरुनन्दन विश्वामित्रस्ततो रक्ष आदिदेश नृपं प्रति
M. N. Dutt: O best of the Kuru race, knowing the disposition of the king, Vishvamitra ordered a Rakshasas to enter the king's body.
स शापात्तस्य विप्रर्षेर्विश्वामित्रस्य चाज्ञया राक्षसः किंकरो नाम विवेश नृपतिं तदा
M. N. Dutt: Obedient to Shakti's curse and Vishvamitra's order, a Rakshasas, named Kinkara, then entered the king body.
रक्षसा तु गृहीतं तं विदित्वा स मुनिस्तदा विश्वामित्रोऽप्यपक्रामत्तस्माद्देशादरिंदम
M. N. Dutt: O chastiser of foes, knowing that the Rakshasas had entered the body of the king, that best of Rishis, Vishvamitra, left the place and went away.
ततः स नृपतिर्विद्वान्रक्षन्नात्मानमात्मना बलवत्पीड्यमानोऽपि रक्षसान्तर्गतेन ह
AI Translation: Then that wise king, protecting himself by himself, though oppressed by the powerful demon within,
ददर्श तं द्विजः कश्चिद्राजानं प्रस्थितं पुनः ययाचे क्षुधितश्चैनं समांसं भोजनं तदा
M. N. Dutt: A certain Brahmana saw the king roaming in the forest. being hungry, he begged of the king some food with meat.
तमुवाचाथ राजर्षिर्द्विजं मित्रसहस्तदा आस्स्व ब्रह्मंस्त्वमत्रैव मुहूर्तमिति सान्त्वयन्
M. N. Dutt: The royal sage (Kalmashapada) with his friends said to the Brahmana, “O Brahmana, Stay here for a moment,
निवृत्तः प्रतिदास्यामि भोजनं ते यथेप्सितम् इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ राजा तस्थौ च द्विजसत्तमः
M. N. Dutt: On my return I shall give you whatever food you desire to have." Having said this, the king went away, but that excellent Brahmana remained there.
अन्तर्गतं तु तद्राज्ञस्तदा ब्राह्मणभाषितम् सोऽन्तःपुरं प्रविश्याथ संविवेश नराधिपः
AI Translation: But the king kept in his heart the words of the Brāhman. Then the king entered the inner apartments and lay down.
Supplementary Passages:
1.166.23 For 23, K2 Ñ2 V1 B D subst.: *1782 ततो राजा परिक्रम्य यथाकामं यथासुखम् निवृत्तोऽन्तःपुरं पार्थ प्रविवेश महामनाः
ततोऽर्धरात्र उत्थाय सूदमानाय्य सत्वरम् उवाच राजा संस्मृत्य ब्राह्मणस्य प्रतिश्रुतम्
M. N. Dutt: Waking at midnight and remembering his promise to the Brahmana, the king soon summoned his cook and spoke to him thus. The King said:
गच्छामुष्मिन्नसौ देशे ब्राह्मणो मां प्रतीक्षते अन्नार्थी त्वं तमन्नेन समांसेनोपपादय
M. N. Dutt: Go at once to the forest where a Brahmana is waiting for me in the hope of getting food. Go and entertain him with food and meat.
एवमुक्तस्तदा सूदः सोऽनासाद्यामिषं क्वचित् निवेदयामास तदा तस्मै राज्ञे व्यथान्वितः
M. N. Dutt: The Gandharva said : Having been thus addressed, the cook (went away in search of meat), but having failed to procure any meat, he sorrowfully informed the king (of his failure).
राजा तु रक्षसाविष्टः सूदमाह गतव्यथः अप्येनं नरमांसेन भोजयेति पुनः पुनः
M. N. Dutt: The king, possessed as he was by the Rakshasas, again said to the cook without any scruple, “Feed him with human flesh."
तथेत्युक्त्वा ततः सूदः संस्थानं वध्यघातिनाम् गत्वा जहार त्वरितो नरमांसमपेतभीः
M. N. Dutt: Saying "Be it so," the cook went to the place where the executioners were and he soon took from them human flesh.
स तत्संस्कृत्य विधिवदन्नोपहितमाशु वै तस्मै प्रादाद्ब्राह्मणाय क्षुधिताय तपस्विने
M. N. Dutt: He washed it and then properly cooked it and then covering it with boiled rice, he gave it to the hungry ascetic Brahmana.
स सिद्धचक्षुषा दृष्ट्वा तदन्नं द्विजसत्तमः अभोज्यमिदमित्याह क्रोधपर्याकुलेक्षणः
M. N. Dutt: That excellent Brahmana, seeing by his ascetic eye that the food was unworthy of being eaten, thus spoke with his eyes red in anger.
यस्मादभोज्यमन्नं मे ददाति स नराधिपः तस्मात्तस्यैव मूढस्य भविष्यत्यत्र लोलुपा
M. N. Dutt: The Brahmana said : Because that worst of kings offers me unworthy food, therefore that fool himself will be fond of such food.
सक्तो मानुषमांसेषु यथोक्तः शक्तिना पुरा उद्वेजनीयो भूतानां चरिष्यति महीमिमाम्
M. N. Dutt: Becoming fond of human flesh as cursed by Shakti before, he shall wander over the earth, persecuting all creatures.
द्विरनुव्याहृते राज्ञः स शापो बलवानभूत् रक्षोबलसमाविष्टो विसंज्ञश्चाभवत्तदा
M. N. Dutt: The Gandharva said : The curse on the king, thus repeated for the second time, became very strong. And the king being possessed of the Rakshasas disposition, soon lost all his senses.
ततः स नृपतिश्रेष्ठो राक्षसोपहतेन्द्रियः उवाच शक्तिं तं दृष्ट्वा नचिरादिव भारत
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, O descendant of Bharata, that best of kings, having been deprived of all his senses by the Rakshasas within him and having seen before him Shakti who had cursed him, said,
यस्मादसदृशः शापः प्रयुक्तोऽयं त्वया मयि तस्मात्त्वत्तः प्रवर्तिष्ये खादितुं मानुषानहम्
M. N. Dutt: "Because you have inflicted upon me this extraordinary curse, therefore, shall commence my life of cannibalism by eating you.
एवमुक्त्वा ततः सद्यस्तं प्राणैर्विप्रयुज्य सः शक्तिनं भक्षयामास व्याघ्रः पशुमिवेप्सितम्
M. N. Dutt: Having said this, the king immediately killed Shakti and ate him up as a tiger eats up the animal it is fond of.
शक्तिनं तु हतं दृष्ट्वा विश्वामित्रस्ततः पुनः वसिष्ठस्यैव पुत्रेषु तद्रक्षः संदिदेश ह
M. N. Dutt: Having seen Shakti thus killed. Vishvamitra again urged that Rakshasas (within the king) to kill the other sons of Vasishtha.
स ताञ्शतावरान्पुत्रान्वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः भक्षयामास संक्रुद्धः सिंहः क्षुद्रमृगानिव
M. N. Dutt: He (the Rakshasas) devoured in anger all the sons of the illustrious Vasishtha, the younger brothers of Shakti as a lion devours smali animals.
वसिष्ठो घातिताञ्श्रुत्वा विश्वामित्रेण तान्सुतान् धारयामास तं शोकं महाद्रिरिव मेदिनीम्
M. N. Dutt: Having learnt that his sons had been caused to be killed by Vishvamitra, Vasishtha patiently bore his grief, as the great mountain bears the earth.
चक्रे चात्मविनाशाय बुद्धिं स मुनिसत्तमः न त्वेव कुशिकोच्छेदं मेने मतिमतां वरः
M. N. Dutt: That best of Rishis, that foremost of all intelligent men (Vasishtha), resolved rather to sacrifice his own life than to exterminate the race of the Kushikas.
स मेरुकूटादात्मानं मुमोच भगवानृषिः शिरस्तस्य शिलायां च तूलराशाविवापतत्
M. N. Dutt: The illustrious Rishi threw himself down from the summit of the Meru mountain, but he descended on the stony ground as if it was a heap of cotton.
न ममार च पातेन स यदा तेन पाण्डव तदाग्निमिद्ध्वा भगवान्संविवेश महावने
M. N. Dutt: O son of Pandu, when the illustrious (Rishi) found that he was not killed by that fall, he made a huge fire in that great forest and entered it.
तं तदा सुसमिद्धोऽपि न ददाह हुताशनः दीप्यमानोऽप्यमित्रघ्न शीतोऽग्निरभवत्ततः
M. N. Dutt: The fire, through blazing fearfully, did not consume him. O chastiser of foes, that blazing fire seemed to him cool.
स समुद्रमभिप्रेत्य शोकाविष्टो महामुनिः बद्ध्वा कण्ठे शिलां गुर्वीं निपपात तदम्भसि
M. N. Dutt: Then seeing the sea (before him), the great Rishi, affected with grief, tied a heavy stone to his neck and threw himself into its waters.
स समुद्रोर्मिवेगेन स्थले न्यस्तो महामुनिः जगाम स ततः खिन्नः पुनरेवाश्रमं प्रति
M. N. Dutt: The great Rishi was with great force brought by the waves to the shore. He then returned to his hermitage with a sorrowful heart.
Supplementary Passages:
1.166.45 After 45ab, Ñ3 D4 (marg. sec. m.) ins.: *1783 न ममार तदा विप्रः कथंचित्संशितव्रतः