Critical Edition
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् निदर्शनकरं लोके सज्जनाचरितं सदा
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Regarding it is cited the following ancient history. That history is considered as one of the greatest precedent amongst good and wisemen.
Supplementary Passages:
12.117.1 Before the ref., D7 S (G3 missing) ins.: *268 युधिष्ठिर उवाच न सन्ति कुलजा यत्र सहायाः पार्थिवस्य तु अकुलीनाश्च कर्तव्या न वा भरतसत्तम
अस्यैवार्थस्य सदृशं यच्छ्रुतं मे तपोवने जामदग्न्यस्य रामस्य यदुक्तमृषिसत्तमैः
M. N. Dutt: That history is connected with the present subject. I heard it in the asylum of Rama the son of Jamadagni, recited by many foremost of Rishis.
वने महति कस्मिंश्चिदमनुष्यनिषेविते ऋषिर्मूलफलाहारो नियतो नियतेन्द्रियः
M. N. Dutt: In a certain large forest uninhabited by human beings, there lived an ascetic upon fruits and roots, practising rigid vows and with his senses under restraint.
दीक्षादमपरः शान्तः स्वाध्यायपरमः शुचिः उपवासविशुद्धात्मा सततं सत्पथे स्थितः
M. N. Dutt: Observing strict regulations and selfrestraint, of great and pure soul, always making Vedic recitations, and of heart purified by facts, he treated all creatures with goodness.
तस्य संदृश्य सद्भावमुपविष्टस्य धीमतः सर्वसत्त्वाः समीपस्था भवन्ति वनचारिणः
M. N. Dutt: Highly intelligent, as he was, as he sat on his seat, the goodness of his conduct having been known to all the creatures that dwelt in that forest, they used to approach him with affection.
सिंहव्याघ्राः सशरभा मत्ताश्चैव महागजाः द्वीपिनः खड्गभल्लूका ये चान्ये भीमदर्शनाः
AI Translation: Lions, tigers, and buffaloes, and also intoxicated great elephants, Dwellers in islands, sword-nosed bears, and others of terrible appearance,
ते सुखप्रश्नदाः सर्वे भवन्ति क्षतजाशनाः तस्यर्षेः शिष्यवच्चैव न्यग्भूताः प्रियकारिणः
AI Translation: They are all givers of happiness, eating the flesh of the dead. They are like disciples of that sage, humble and doing what is pleasing.
दत्त्वा च ते सुखप्रश्नं सर्वे यान्ति यथागतम् ग्राम्यस्त्वेकः पशुस्तत्र नाजहाच्छ्वा महामुनिम्
M. N. Dutt: Coming to him they made enquiries, and then went away to their respective habitations. One domestic animal, however, resided there permanently, never, leaving the ascetic at any time.
भक्तोऽनुरक्तः सततमुपवासकृशोऽबलः फलमूलोत्कराहारः शान्तः शिष्टाकृतिर्यथा
M. N. Dutt: He was greatly attached to the saint. Weak and emaciated with fasts, he lived upon fruits and roots and water, and was tranquil and of inoffensive character.
तस्यर्षेरुपविष्टस्य पादमूले महामुनेः मनुष्यवद्गतो भावः स्नेहबद्धोऽभवद्भृशम्
M. N. Dutt: Lying at the feet of that great Rishi as the latter sat, the dog, with a humane heart, become greatly attached to him for the affection with which he was treated.
ततोऽभ्ययान्महावीर्यो द्वीपी क्षतजभोजनः श्वार्थमत्यन्तसंदुष्टः क्रूरः काल इवान्तकः
M. N. Dutt: One day a very strong leopard came there, leaving upon blood. Of a cruel nature and always delighted at the prospect of prey, the dreadful animal looked like a second Yama.
लेलिह्यमानस्तृषितः पुच्छास्फोटनतत्परः व्यादितास्यः क्षुधाभग्नः प्रार्थयानस्तदामिषम्
M. N. Dutt: Licking the corners of his mouth with the tongue, and lashing his tail furiously, the leopard came there, stricken with hunger and thirst, with wide open jaws, desirous of catching the dog as his prey.
तं दृष्ट्वा क्रूरमायान्तं जीवितार्थी नराधिप प्रोवाच श्वा मुनिं तत्र यत्तच्छृणु महामते
M. N. Dutt: Seeing that dreadful animal coming, O king, the dog, in fear of his life, spoke to the ascetic as follows. Listen to them, O king!-
श्वशत्रुर्भगवन्नत्र द्वीपी मां हन्तुमिच्छति त्वत्प्रसादाद्भयं न स्यात्तस्मान्मम महामुने
M. N. Dutt: O Rishi, this leopard is an enemy of the dogs, It wishes to kill me. O great sage, do you so act that all my fears from this animal may be removed through your favour. O you of mighty arms, forsooth, you are omniscient.
Supplementary Passages:
12.117.14 After 14, Dn ins.: *269 तथा कुरु महाबाहो सर्वज्ञस्त्वं न संशयः Dn cont.: K1.4.5 V1 B Da D2.3.5.6.8 ins. after 14: *270 स मुनिस्तस्य विज्ञाय भावज्ञो भयकारणम् रुतज्ञः सर्वसत्त्वानां तमैश्वर्यसमन्वितः
मुनिरुवाच न भयं द्वीपिनः कार्यं मृत्युतस्ते कथंचन एष श्वरूपरहितो द्वीपी भवसि पुत्रक
M. N. Dutt: The sage said You shall have no fear of death from leopards any longer! Let your natural from disappear and be you a leopard, O son!
भीष्म उवाच ततः श्वा द्वीपितां नीतो जाम्बूनदनिभाकृतिः चित्राङ्गो विस्फुरन्हृष्टो वने वसति निर्भयः
M. N. Dutt: Thereat, the dog was metamorphosed into a leopard with skin bright as gold. With stripes on his body and with huge teeth, thenceforth he began to live in that forest fearlessly.
Supplementary Passages:
12.117.16 After 16, K1m.5 V1 B D (except D1.4.7) ins.: *271 तं दृष्ट्वा स पुनर्द्वीपी आत्मनः सदृशं शुभम् अविरुद्धस्ततस्तस्य क्षणेन समपद्यत
ततोऽभ्ययान्महारौद्रो व्यादितास्यः क्षुधान्वितः द्वीपिनं लेलिहद्वक्त्रो व्याघ्रो रुधिरलालसः
M. N. Dutt: Sometime after, there came into that asylum a dreadful and hungry tiger with mouth wide open. Licking the corners of his mouth with the tongue, and eagerly desirous of drinking blood, that tiger began to approach the animal that had been metamorphosed into a leopard.
व्याघ्रं दृष्ट्वा क्षुधाभग्नं दंष्ट्रिणं वनगोचरम् द्वीपी जीवितरक्षार्थमृषिं शरणमेयिवान्
M. N. Dutt: Seeing the hungry tiger of dreadful teeth approach that forest, the leopard sought the Rishi's protection for saving his life.
ततः संवासजं स्नेहमृषिणा कुर्वता सदा स द्वीपी व्याघ्रतां नीतो रिपुभिर्बलवत्तरः ततो दृष्ट्वा स शार्दूलो नाभ्यहंस्तं विशां पते
AI Translation: Then, by the sage who always practiced affection born of association, That demon was made a tiger, more powerful than his enemies. Then, seeing that tiger, O lord of the earth,
स तु श्वा व्याघ्रतां प्राप्य बलवान्पिशिताशनः न मूलफलभोगेषु स्पृहामप्यकरोत्तदा
M. N. Dutt: The tiger seeing a beast of his own species did not injure him, O king. Having in course of time been metamorphosed into a powerful tiger living upon flesh and blood, the dog, abstained from his former food of fruits and roots.
यथा मृगपतिर्नित्यं प्रकाङ्क्षति वनौकसः तथैव स महाराज व्याघ्रः समभवत्तदा
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, from that time, O king, the transformed tiger lived, living upon the other animals of the forest, like a true king of beasts.
व्याघ्रस्तूटजमूलस्थस्तृप्तः सुप्तो हतैर्मृगैः नागश्चागात्तमुद्देशं मत्तो मेघ इवोत्थितः
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Gratified with the flesh of killed beasts, the dog metamorphosed into a tiger, slept at his ease. One day as he lay on the yard of the asylum, an infuriate elephant came there, resembling a cloud.
प्रभिन्नकरटः प्रांशुः पद्मी विततमस्तकः सुविषाणो महाकायो मेघगम्भीरनिस्वनः
M. N. Dutt: Possessed of a huge stature, and rent cheeks, and having signs of the louts of his body, and with broad frontal globes, the animal had huge tusks and a voice deep as the muttering of the clouds.
तं दृष्ट्वा कुञ्जरं मत्तमायान्तं मदगर्वितम् व्याघ्रो हस्तिभयात्त्रस्तस्तमृषिं शरणं ययौ
M. N. Dutt: Seeing that infuriate elephant, proud of his strength, approach him, the tiger, moved with fear, sought refuge with the Rishi.
ततोऽनयत्कुञ्जरतां तं व्याघ्रमृषिसत्तमः महामेघोपमं दृष्ट्वा तं स भीतोऽभवद्गजः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon that foremost of sages transformed the tiger into an elephant. Seeing an animal of his own species, the real elephant, huge as a mass of clouds, became afraid.
ततः कमलषण्डानि शल्लकीगहनानि च व्यचरत्स मुदा युक्तः पद्मरेणुविभूषितः
M. N. Dutt: The Rishi's elephant then, covered with the filaments of lotus, dived gladly into lakes abounding with lotuses and walked by their banks filled with rabbit holes.
कदाचिद्रममाणस्य हस्तिनः सुमुखं तदा ऋषेस्तस्योटजस्थस्य कालोऽगच्छन्निशानिशम्
AI Translation: Sometimes, the elephant, who was wandering, saw the face of the sage, who was in his hut, and the night passed.
अथाजगाम तं देशं केसरी केसरारुणः गिरिकन्दरजो भीमः सिंहो नागकुलान्तकः
AI Translation: Then came a lion, tawny-maned, terrible with the dust of the mountain caves, the destroyer of herds of elephants.
तं दृष्ट्वा सिंहमायान्तं नागः सिंहभयाकुलः ऋषिं शरणमापेदे वेपमानो भयातुरः
M. N. Dutt: Seeing the lion coming, the Rishi's elephant, from fear of life, began to tremble and sought refuge with the sage,
ततः स सिंहतां नीतो नागेन्द्रो मुनिना तदा वन्यं नागणयत्सिंहं तुल्यजातिसमन्वयात्
AI Translation: Then the sage made the lord of elephants into a lion. The lion did not consider the elephant to be of equal status because of the similarity of their species.
दृष्ट्वा च सोऽनशत्सिंहो वन्यो भीसन्नवाग्बलः स चाश्रमेऽवसत्सिंहस्तस्मिन्नेव वने सुखी
AI Translation: And the lion, seeing him, ate him, for the lion was hungry and weak from fear. And the lion lived happily in that very forest in the hermitage.
न त्वन्ये क्षुद्रपशवस्तपोवननिवासिनः व्यदृश्यन्त भयत्रस्ता जीविताकाङ्क्षिणः सदा
AI Translation: But the other small animals, who lived in the hermitage, were seen, always trembling with fear and desiring to live.
कदाचित्कालयोगेन सर्वप्राणिविहिंसकः बलवान्क्षतजाहारो नानासत्त्वभयंकरः
AI Translation: Sometimes, due to the conjunction of time, he becomes a killer of all beings, powerful, eating blood, and frightening various beings.
अष्टपादूर्ध्वचरणः शरभो वनगोचरः तं सिंहं हन्तुमागच्छन्मुनेस्तस्य निवेशनम्
AI Translation: The lion, with eight legs and feet turned upward, the tiger, the forest-roamer, came to kill the lion, to the hermitage of that sage.
Supplementary Passages:
12.117.34 After 34, D7 S (G3 missing) ins.: *272 तं दृष्ट्वा शरभं यान्तं सिंहः परभयातुरः ऋषिं शरणमापेदे वेपमानः कृताञ्जलिः
तं मुनिः शरभं चक्रे बलोत्कटमरिंदम ततः स शरभो वन्यो मुनेः शरभमग्रतः दृष्ट्वा बलिनमत्युग्रं द्रुतं संप्राद्रवद्भयात्
M. N. Dutt: Seeing this, the sage transformed his lion into a very strong Sharabha. Seeing the Rishi's Sharabha before him more powerful than himself, the wild Sharabha forthwith fled away from that forest.
स एवं शरभस्थाने न्यस्तो वै मुनिना तदा मुनेः पार्श्वगतो नित्यं शारभ्यं सुखमाप्तवान्
M. N. Dutt: Having been thus metamorphosed into a Sharabha by the saint, the animal lived happily by the side of his transformer.
ततः शरभसंत्रस्ताः सर्वे मृगगणा वनात् दिशः संप्राद्रवन्राजन्भयाज्जीवितकाङ्क्षिणः
M. N. Dutt: All the animals then that lived in the neighbourhood were stricken with fear of that Sharabha. Their fear and the desire of saving their lives made them all fly away from that forest.
शरभोऽप्यतिसंदुष्टो नित्यं प्राणिवधे रतः फलमूलाशनं शान्तं नैच्छत्स पिशिताशनः
M. N. Dutt: Filled with delight, the Sharabha continued daily to kill animals for his food. Metamorphosed into a carnivorous beast, he no longer liked fruits and roots upon which he had lived before.
ततो रुधिरतर्षेण बलिना शरभोऽन्वितः इयेष तं मुनिं हन्तुमकृतज्ञः श्वयोनिजः
M. N. Dutt: One day that ungrateful beast who had first been a dog but who was now metamorphosed into a Sharabha, eagerly thirsting for blood, wished to kill the sage.
Supplementary Passages:
12.117.39 After 39, D7 S (G3 missing) ins.: *273 चिन्तयामास च तदा शरभः श्वानपूर्वकः अस्य प्रभावात्संप्राप्तो वाङ्मात्रेण तु केवलम् शरभत्वं सुदुष्प्रापं सर्वभूतभयंकरम् अन्येऽप्यत्र भयत्रस्ताः सन्ति सत्त्वा भयार्दिताः मुनिमाश्रित्य जीवन्तो मृगाः पक्षिगणास्तथा तेषामपि कदाचिच्च शरभत्वं प्रयच्छति सर्वसत्त्वोत्तमं लोके बलं यत्र प्रतिष्ठितम् पक्षिणामप्ययं दद्यात्कदाचिद्गारुडं बलम् यावदन्यत्र संप्रीतः कारुण्यं तु समाश्रितः न ददाति बलं तुष्टः सत्त्वस्यान्यस्य कस्यचित् तावदेनमहं विप्रं वधिष्यामि च शीघ्रतः स्थातुं मया शक्यमिह मुनिघातान्न संशयः
ततस्तेन तपःशक्त्या विदितो ज्ञानचक्षुषा विज्ञाय च महाप्राज्ञो मुनिः श्वानं तमुक्तवान्
M. N. Dutt: The latter saw it all by his spiritual vision and ascetic power. Highly wise the sage, having learnt the object of the beast spoke to him these words.
Supplementary Passages:
12.117.40 After 40, D7 S (G3 missing) ins.: *274 मुनिरुवाच अहमग्निप्रभो नाम मुनिर्भृगुकुलान्वयः मनसा निर्दहे सर्वं जगत्संधारयामि च मम वश्यं जगत्सर्वं देवान्वर्ज्य चराचरम् सन्ति देवाश्च मे भीताः स्वधर्मं न त्यजन्ति ये स्वधर्माच्चलितान्सर्वान्वाङ्मात्रेणैव निर्दहे किमङ्ग त्वं मया नीतः शरभत्वमनामयम् क्रूरः स सर्वभूतेषु हीनश्चाशुचिरेव च
श्वा त्वं द्वीपित्वमापन्नो द्वीपी व्याघ्रत्वमागतः व्याघ्रो नागो मदपटुर्नागः सिंहत्वमाप्तवान्
M. N. Dutt: The sage said O dog, you were first metamorphosed into a leopard. From a leopard you were then made a tiger. From a tiger you became an elephant with the temporal juice trickling adown your cheeks. You were then transformed into a lion.
सिंहोऽतिबलसंयुक्तो भूयः शरभतां गतः मया स्नेहपरीतेन न विमृष्टः कुलान्वयः
M. N. Dutt: From a powerful lion, you were then transformed into a Sharabha. Filled with love for you, it was I who transformed you into these various forms You did not, and do not belong by birth, to any of those species.
यस्मादेवमपापं मां पाप हिंसितुमिच्छसि तस्मात्स्वयोनिमापन्नः श्वैव त्वं हि भविष्यसि
M. N. Dutt: Since, however, O sinful wretch, you wish to kill me who have done no injury to you, you will assume the form of your own species and be a dog again.
Supplementary Passages:
12.117.43 After 43, T2 ins.: *275 श्वा पूर्वं द्वीप्यसि व्याघ्रः गजः सिंहस्तथाश्व[ष्ट]पात् निजेन च स्वभावेन पुनः श्वानो भविष्यसि
ततो मुनिजनद्वेषाद्दुष्टात्मा श्वाकृतोऽबुधः ऋषिणा शरभः शप्तः स्वं रूपं पुनराप्तवान्
M. N. Dutt: After this, that mean, foolish, and wicked animal, transformed into a Sharabha, again for the Rishi's curse, put on his own proper form of a dog.