Critical Edition
युधिष्ठिर उवाच हीने परमके धर्मे सर्वलोकातिलङ्घिनि अधर्मे धर्मतां नीते धर्मे चाधर्मतां गते
AI Translation: Yudhiṣṭhira said: When the supreme Dharma has declined, when all the worlds have transgressed it, When unrighteousness has become righteousness and righteousness has become unrighteousness,
मर्यादासु प्रभिन्नासु क्षुभिते धर्मनिश्चये राजभिः पीडिते लोके चोरैर्वापि विशां पते
AI Translation: When the boundaries are violated, when the determination of dharma is disturbed, when the world is oppressed by kings or thieves, O Lord of the People,
सर्वाश्रमेषु मूढेषु कर्मसूपहतेषु च कामान्मोहाच्च लोभाच्च भयं पश्यत्सु भारत
AI Translation: In all the hermitages, among the foolish, among those who have been struck by karma, among those who see fear due to desire, delusion, and greed, O descendant of Bharata,
अविश्वस्तेषु सर्वेषु नित्यभीतेषु पार्थिव निकृत्या हन्यमानेषु वञ्चयत्सु परस्परम्
AI Translation: When all are untrustworthy, always afraid, O king, when they are killed by treachery, deceiving each other,
संप्रदीप्तेषु देशेषु ब्राह्मण्ये चाभिपीडिते अवर्षति च पर्जन्ये मिथो भेदे समुत्थिते
AI Translation: When the country is on fire, when the Brahmanas are oppressed, when the rain does not fall, when dissension has arisen,
सर्वस्मिन्दस्युसाद्भूते पृथिव्यामुपजीवने केन स्विद्ब्राह्मणो जीवेज्जघन्ये काल आगते
AI Translation: In this world, which is full of thieves, and where there is no livelihood, By what means should a Brāhman live in this evil time?
अतित्यक्षुः पुत्रपौत्राननुक्रोशान्नराधिप कथमापत्सु वर्तेत तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह
AI Translation: O lord of men, out of compassion, you have given up your sons and grandsons. How should one behave in times of adversity? Tell me that, O grandfather.
कथं च राजा वर्तेत लोके कलुषतां गते कथमर्थाच्च धर्माच्च न हीयेत परंतप
AI Translation: How should a king behave when the world has become corrupt? How should one not be deprived of wealth and dharma, O scorcher of enemies?
भीष्म उवाच राजमूला महाराज योगक्षेमसुवृष्टयः प्रजासु व्याधयश्चैव मरणं च भयानि च
M. N. Dutt: 'O mighty-armed one, the peace and prosperity of subjects, profuse and seasonable rain, disease, death, and other calamities, all depend on the king.
कृतं त्रेता द्वापरश्च कलिश्च भरतर्षभ राजमूलानि सर्वाणि मम नास्त्यत्र संशयः
M. N. Dutt: I have no doubt also in this, O foremost of Bharata's race, that the setting of Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali, all depend on the king's conduct.
तस्मिंस्त्वभ्यागते काले प्रजानां दोषकारके विज्ञानबलमास्थाय जीवितव्यं तदा भवेत्
M. N. Dutt: When such a time of calamity as has been described by you sets in, virtuous men should support themselves by the help of judgement.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् विश्वामित्रस्य संवादं चण्डालस्य च पक्कणे
M. N. Dutt: Regarding it is cited the old story of the conversation between Vishvamitra and the Chandala in a village of Chandalas.
त्रेताद्वापरयोः संधौ पुरा दैवविधिक्रमात् अनावृष्टिरभूद्घोरा राजन्द्वादशवार्षिकी
M. N. Dutt: Towards the end of Treta and the commencement of Dvapara, a dreadful drought took place, extending for twelve years, in consequence of what the gods had ordained.
प्रजानामभिवृद्धानां युगान्ते पर्युपस्थिते त्रेतानिर्मोक्षसमये द्वापरप्रतिपादने
AI Translation: When the end of the yuga is approaching, for the increase of the subjects, at the time of the liberation of treta, in the teaching of dvapara,
न ववर्ष सहस्राक्षः प्रतिलोमोऽभवद्गुरुः जगाम दक्षिणं मार्गं सोमो व्यावृत्तलक्षणः
AI Translation: The thousand-eyed one did not rain. The preceptor became contrary. The moon, with averted characteristics, went to the southern path.
नावश्यायोऽपि रात्र्यन्ते कुत एवाभ्रराजयः नद्यः संक्षिप्ततोयौघाः क्वचिदन्तर्गताभवन्
M. N. Dutt: Not even could a dew-drop be seen, what to speak of the gathering clouds? The rivers were all reduced into narrow streamlets.
सरांसि सरितश्चैव कूपाः प्रस्रवणानि च हतत्विट्कान्यलक्ष्यन्त निसर्गाद्दैवकारितात्
M. N. Dutt: Everywhere, lakes, well and springs disappeared and lost their beauty for that change brought about by the gods.
उपशुष्कजलस्थाया विनिवृत्तसभाप्रपा निवृत्तयज्ञस्वाध्याया निर्वषट्कारमङ्गला
M. N. Dutt: Water becoming scarce, the places for the distribution of charities became desolate. The Brahmanas abstained from the celebration of sacrifices and recitation of the Vedas. They did no longer utter Vashats and performed other propitiatory rites.
उत्सन्नकृषिगोरक्ष्या निवृत्तविपणापणा निवृत्तपूगसमया संप्रनष्टमहोत्सवा
M. N. Dutt: Agriculture and tending of cattle were given up. Markets and shops were abandoned. Stakes for binding sacrificial animals disappeared. People no longer collected various sorts of articles for sacrifices. All festivals and amusements died.
अस्थिकङ्कालसंकीर्णा हाहाभूतजनाकुला शून्यभूयिष्ठनगरा दग्धग्रामनिवेशना
M. N. Dutt: Everywhere heaps of bones were seen and every place was filled with the shrill cries and yells of terrific creatures. The cities and towns of the Earth were shorn of inhabitants. Villages and hamlets were burnt down.
क्वचिच्चोरैः क्वचिच्छस्त्रैः क्वचिद्राजभिरातुरैः परस्परभयाच्चैव शून्यभूयिष्ठनिर्जना
M. N. Dutt: Some assailed by robbers, some, by weapons and some, by bad kings, and in fear of one another, began to fly away.
गतदैवतसंकल्पा वृद्धबालविनाकृता गोजाविमहिषैर्हीना परस्परहराहरा
M. N. Dutt: Temples and places of worship became desolate. The aged were forcibly turned out of their houses. Kine, goats, sheep and buffaloes fought (for food) and died in large numbers. The Brahmanas began to die on all sides.
हतविप्रा हतारक्षा प्रनष्टौषधिसंचया श्यावभूतनरप्राया बभूव वसुधा तदा
M. N. Dutt: Protection was at an end. Herbs and plants were dried up. The Earth was divested of all her beauty and looked highly awful like the trees in a crematorium.
तस्मिन्प्रतिभये काले क्षीणे धर्मे युधिष्ठिर बभ्रमुः क्षुधिता मर्त्याः खादन्तः स्म परस्परम्
M. N. Dutt: In that dreadful period, when righteousness was lost, O Yudhishthira, men in hunger, lost their senses and began to eat one another.
ऋषयो नियमांस्त्यक्त्वा परित्यक्ताग्निदैवताः आश्रमान्संपरित्यज्य पर्यधावन्नितस्ततः
M. N. Dutt: The very Rishis, giving up their vows and their fires and deities, and deserting their forest-retreats, began to walk about in quest of food.
विश्वामित्रोऽथ भगवान्महर्षिरनिकेतनः क्षुधा परिगतो धीमान्समन्तात्पर्यधावत
M. N. Dutt: The holy and great Rishi Vishvamitra, endued with great intelligence, wandered homeless and stricken with hunger.
Supplementary Passages:
12.139.26 After 26, K5 V1 B Da Dn1.n3 D2.3.5.8 ins.: *348 त्यक्त्वा दारांश्च पुत्रांश्च कस्मिंश्चिज्जनसंसदि भक्ष्याभक्ष्यसमो भूत्वा निरग्निरनिकेतनः
स कदाचित्परिपतञ्श्वपचानां निवेशनम् हिंस्राणां प्राणिहन्तॄणामाससाद वने क्वचित्
M. N. Dutt: One day he arrived at a hamlet, in the midst of a forest, inhabited by cruel hunters given to the destruction of living creatures.
विभिन्नकलशाकीर्णं श्वचर्माच्छादनायुतम् वराहखरभग्नास्थिकपालघटसंकुलम्
M. N. Dutt: The little hamlet was filled with broken jars, and pots made of earth. Dog-skins were seen here and there. Heaps of bones and skulls, of boars and asses, lay in various places.
मृतचेलपरिस्तीर्णं निर्माल्यकृतभूषणम् सर्पनिर्मोकमालाभिः कृतचिह्नकुटीमठम्
M. N. Dutt: Clothes of the dead lay here and there, and the huts were adorned with garlands of used up flowers. Many of the denizens again were dressed with sloughs cast off by snakes.
Supplementary Passages:
12.139.29 After 29, K5 V1 (marg.) B Da Dn1. n3 D2.3.5.8 ins.: *349 कुक्कुटारावबहुलं गर्दभध्वनिनादितम् तद्योषिद्भिः खरैर्वाक्यैः कलहद्भिः परस्परम्
उलूकपक्षध्वजिभिर्देवतायतनैर्वृतम् लोहघण्टापरिष्कारं श्वयूथपरिवारितम्
M. N. Dutt: There were temples of gods on all sides bearing emblems of owls and other birds. Resounding with the sound of iron bells, the hamlet was filled with dogs standing or lying on every side.
तत्प्रविश्य क्षुधाविष्टो गाधेः पुत्रो महानृषिः आहारान्वेषणे युक्तः परं यत्नं समास्थितः
M. N. Dutt: Stricken with hunger and engaged in search after food, the great Rishi Vishvamitra entered that hamlet and tried his level best to find something to eat.
न च क्वचिदविन्दत्स भिक्षमाणोऽपि कौशिकः मांसमन्नं मूलफलमन्यद्वा तत्र किंचन
M. N. Dutt: Though the son of Kushila begged again and again, yet he could not get any meat or rice or fruit or root or any other kind of food.
अहो कृच्छ्रं मया प्राप्तमिति निश्चित्य कौशिकः पपात भूमौ दौर्बल्यात्तस्मिंश्चण्डालपक्कणे
M. N. Dutt: The then, exclaiming-Alas, great is my suffering!-dropped down from weakness in that hamlet of the Chandalas.
चिन्तयामास स मुनिः किं नु मे सुकृतं भवेत् कथं वृथा न मृत्युः स्यादिति पार्थिवसत्तम
M. N. Dutt: The sage began to reflect, aside,-What is best for me to do now?-Indeed, O best of kings, he then thought oniy of the means by which he could avoid immediate death.
स ददर्श श्वमांसस्य कुतन्तीं विततां मुनिः चण्डालस्य गृहे राजन्सद्यः शस्त्रहतस्य च
M. N. Dutt: He saw, O king, a huge piece of flesh, of a dog that had recently been killed with a weapon, spread on the floor of a Chandala's hut.
स चिन्तयामास तदा स्तेयं कार्यमितो मया न हीदानीमुपायोऽन्यो विद्यते प्राणधारणे
M. N. Dutt: The sage thought and decided that he should steal that meat. And he said to himself, I have no means now of keeping up my life.
आपत्सु विहितं स्तेयं विशिष्टसमहीनतः परं परं भवेत्पूर्वमस्तेयमिति निश्चयः
M. N. Dutt: Theft is sanctioned in an hour of distress for even a great man. It will not divest him of his eminence. Even a Brahmana for saving his life may do it. This is certain.
हीनादादेयमादौ स्यात्समानात्तदनन्तरम् असंभवादाददीत विशिष्टादपि धार्मिकात्
M. N. Dutt: First of all one should steal from a degraded person. Failing such a person one may steal from one's equal. Failing an equal, one may steal from even a great and virtuous man.
सोऽहमन्तावसानानां हरमाणः परिग्रहात् न स्तेयदोषं पश्यामि हरिष्याम्येतदामिषम्
M. N. Dutt: I shall then, at this time when my life itself is almost gone, steal this meat. I do not see sin in such theft. I shall, therefore, steal this haunch of dog's meat.
एतां बुद्धिं समास्थाय विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः तस्मिन्देशे प्रसुष्वाप पतितो यत्र भारत
M. N. Dutt: Having thus resolved this resolution, the great sage Vishvamitra lay down for sleep where the Chandala was.
स विगाढां निशां दृष्ट्वा सुप्ते चण्डालपक्कणे शनैरुत्थाय भगवान्प्रविवेश कुटीमठम्
M. N. Dutt: Seeing sometime after that the night had advanced and that the whole Chandala hamlet were in sleep, the holy Vishvamitra, quietly rising up, entered that hut.
स सुप्त एव चण्डालः श्लेष्मापिहितलोचनः परिभिन्नस्वरो रूक्ष उवाचाप्रियदर्शनः
M. N. Dutt: The Chandala who was the owner of it, with eyes covered with pleghm, was lying like one asleep. Of disagreeable look, he said these harsh words in a broken and discordant voice.
कः कुतन्तीं घट्टयति सुप्ते चण्डालपक्कणे जागर्मि नावसुप्तोऽस्मि हतोऽसीति च दारुणः
M. N. Dutt: The Chandala said Who is there, busy with opening up the latch? The whole Chandala hamlet is asleep. I, however, am awake and not asleep. Whoever you are, you are about to be killed!-These were the harsh words that met the sage's ears.
विश्वामित्रोऽहमित्येव सहसा तमुवाच सः सहसाभ्यागतभयः सोद्वेगस्तेन कर्मणा
AI Translation: He suddenly said to him, "I am Vishvamitra." He was suddenly frightened by the unexpected arrival, and was distressed by that act.
Supplementary Passages:
12.139.44 After 44, K5 V1 B Da Dn1.n3 D2.3.5.8 ins.: *350 विश्वामित्रोऽहमायुष्मन्नागतोऽहं बुभुक्षितः मा वधीर्मम सद्बुद्धेर्यदि सम्यक्प्रपश्यसि
चण्डालस्तद्वचः श्रुत्वा महर्षेर्भावितात्मनः शयनादुपसंभ्रान्त इयेषोत्पतितुं ततः
M. N. Dutt: Hearing these words of that great Rishi of pure soul the Chandala rose up in fear from his bed and approached the sage.
स विसृज्याश्रु नेत्राभ्यां बहुमानात्कृताञ्जलिः उवाच कौशिकं रात्रौ ब्रह्मन्किं ते चिकीर्षितम्
M. N. Dutt: Clasping his hands from respect and with eyes bathed in tears, he addressed Kushika's son, saying,-What do you seek here in the night, O Brahmana?
विश्वामित्रस्तु मातङ्गमुवाच परिसान्त्वयन् क्षुधितोऽहं गतप्राणो हरिष्यामि श्वजाघनीम्
M. N. Dutt: Conciliating the Chandala, Vishvamitra said, I am greatly hungry and about to die of starvation. I wise to take away that haunch of dog's meat.
अवसीदन्ति मे प्राणाः स्मृतिर्मे नश्यति क्षुधा स्वधर्मं बुध्यमानोऽपि हरिष्यामि श्वजाघनीम्
M. N. Dutt: My life is on the point of departure. Hunger has sullied my Vedic learning. I am weak and have lost my senses. I have no scruple about pure and impure food. Although I know it is sinful still I wish to take away that haunch of dog's meat.
Supplementary Passages:
12.139.48 After 48a, K3 D4 G1 ins.: *351 तृषितः परमस्म्यहम् After 48ab, K5 V1 B Da Dn1.n3 D2.5 ins.: *352 दुर्बलो नष्टसंज्ञश्च भक्ष्याभक्ष्यविवर्जितः
अटन्भैक्षं न विन्दामि यदा युष्माकमालये तदा बुद्धिः कृता पापे हरिष्यामि श्वजाघनीम्
M. N. Dutt: After I had failed to secure any alms, having wandered from house to house in this your hamlet, I determined to perpetrate this sinful act of taking away this haunch of dog's meat.
तृषितः कलुषं पाता नास्ति ह्रीरशनार्थिनः क्षुद्धर्मं दूषयत्यत्र हरिष्यामि श्वजाघनीम्
AI Translation: A thirsty man drinks even dirty water; there is no shame for one who is hungry. Here, hunger defiles the Dharma. I shall eat a dog's entrails.
अग्निर्मुखं पुरोधाश्च देवानां शुचिपाद्विभुः यथा स सर्वभुग्ब्रह्मा तथा मां विद्धि धर्मतः
M. N. Dutt: Fire is the mouth of the gods. He is also their priest. He should, therefore, take nothing save pure and clean things. At times, however, that great god becomes a consuiner of everythings. Know that I have now become like him.
तमुवाच स चण्डालो महर्षे शृणु मे वचः श्रुत्वा तथा समातिष्ठ यथा धर्मान्न हीयसे
AI Translation: The Cāṇḍāla said to him: "Great sage, listen to my words. Having heard, act accordingly so that you do not deviate from Dharma."
Supplementary Passages:
12.139.52 After 52, K5 B4 Dn1.n3 D2.3.8 T2 ins.: *353 धर्मं तवापि विप्रर्षे शृणु यत्ते ब्रवीम्यहम्
मृगाणामधमं श्वानं प्रवदन्ति मनीषिणः तस्याप्यधम उद्देशः शरीरस्योरुजाघनी
M. N. Dutt: Hear, O regenerate Rishi, What I say to you about your duty. The wise say that a dog is impurer than a jackal. The haunch, again, of a dog is impurer then any other part of his body.
नेदं सम्यग्व्यवसितं महर्षे कर्म वैकृतम् चण्डालस्वस्य हरणमभक्ष्यस्य विशेषतः
M. N. Dutt: This is not wise resolution of yours, therefore, O great Rishi, this act, this theft of what belongs to a Chandala this theft, moreover of impure food, is not right.
साध्वन्यमनुपश्य त्वमुपायं प्राणधारणे न मांसलोभात्तपसो नाशस्ते स्यान्महामुने
M. N. Dutt: Blessed to you, do you look out for some other means for keeping your life. O great sage, let not your penances suffer destruction for this your strong desire for dog's meat.
जानतोऽविहितो मार्गो न कार्यो धर्मसंकरः मा स्म धर्मं परित्याक्षीस्त्वं हि धर्मविदुत्तमः
M. N. Dutt: Knowing as you do the duties sanctioned in the scriptures, you should not do a act which leads to a confusion of duties. Do not renounce righteousness, for you are the foremost of all pious persons.
विश्वामित्रस्ततो राजन्नित्युक्तो भरतर्षभ क्षुधार्तः प्रत्युवाचेदं पुनरेव महामुनिः
AI Translation: Then, O king, the great sage, afflicted by hunger, again spoke to Vishvamitra, who had been addressed as "O bull among the Bharatas."
निराहारस्य सुमहान्मम कालोऽभिधावतः न विद्यतेऽभ्युपायश्च कश्चिन्मे प्राणधारणे
AI Translation: The time of me who am running away is very long, without food. There is no means for me to sustain my life.
येन तेन विशेषेण कर्मणा येन केनचित् अभ्युज्जीवेत्सीदमानः समर्थो धर्ममाचरेत्
M. N. Dutt: One should, when he is about to die, keep up his life by any means in his power without judging of their charter. Afterwards, when able, he should seek the acquisition of merit.
ऐन्द्रो धर्मः क्षत्रियाणां ब्राह्मणानामथाग्निकः ब्रह्मवह्निर्मम बलं भक्ष्यामि समयं क्षुधा
M. N. Dutt: The Kshatriyas should follow the conduct of Indra. It is the duty of the Brahmanas to behave like Agni. The Vedas are fire. They form my strength. I shall, therefore, eat even this impure food for satisfying my appetite.
यथा यथा वै जीवेद्धि तत्कर्तव्यमपीडया जीवितं मरणाच्छ्रेयो जीवन्धर्ममवाप्नुयात्
M. N. Dutt: That by which life may be preserved should, forsooth, be done unhesitatingly. Life is better than death. By living, one may acquire virtue.
सोऽहं जीवितमाकाङ्क्षन्नभक्षस्यापि भक्षणम् व्यवस्ये बुद्धिपूर्वं वै तद्भवाननुमन्यताम्
M. N. Dutt: Seeking to preserve my life, I wish, with my perfect sense, to eat this impure food. You just order me.
जीवन्धर्मं चरिष्यामि प्रणोत्स्याम्यशुभानि च तपोभिर्विद्यया चैव ज्योतींषीव महत्तमः
M. N. Dutt: Continuing to live I shall try to acquire virtue and shall dissipate by penances and by knowledge the calamities which have befallen me, like the luminaries of the sky destroying even the thickest darkness.
श्वपच उवाच नैतत्खादन्प्राप्स्यसे प्राणमन्यं; नायुर्दीर्घं नामृतस्येव तृप्तिम् भिक्षामन्यां भिक्ष मा ते मनोऽस्तु; श्वभक्षणे श्वा ह्यभक्षो द्विजानाम्
M. N. Dutt: The Chandala said By eating this food one like yourself cannot live long. Nor can one (like you) get strength (from such food), nor that gratification which ambrosia yields. Do you beg for some other kind of alms. Be not bent upon eating dog's imeat. The meat of dog is, forsooth, an impure food for the twice-born ones.
विश्वामित्र उवाच न दुर्भिक्षे सुलभं मांसमन्य;च्छ्वपाक नान्नं न च मेऽस्ति वित्तम् क्षुधार्तश्चाहमगतिर्निराशः; श्वमांसे चास्मिन्षड्रसान्साधु मन्ये
M. N. Dutt: Vishvamitra said Any other sort of meat cannot be easily had during a famine like this.Besides, OChandala, I have no money. I am very much hungry. I cannot move any longer. I am utterly hopeless. I think that all the six sorts of taste exist in that piece of dog's meat.
श्वपच उवाच पञ्च पञ्चनखा भक्ष्या ब्रह्मक्षत्रस्य वै द्विज यदि शास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते माभक्ष्ये मानसं कृथाः
M. N. Dutt: The Chandala said Only five sorts of meat are clean food for Brahmanas and Kshatriyas and Vaishyas, as sanctioned in the scriptures. Do not wish to have forbidden food.
Supplementary Passages:
12.139.66 After 66ab, D7 ins. on marg. (sec. m.): *354 शल्यकः श्वाविधो गोधाः शशः कूर्मश्च पञ्चमः
विश्वामित्र उवाच अगस्त्येनासुरो जग्धो वातापिः क्षुधितेन वै अहमापद्गतः क्षुब्धो भक्षयिष्ये श्वजाघनीम्
M. N. Dutt: Vishvamitra said While hungry, the great Rishi Agastya ate up the Asura named Vatapi. I am in distress. I am hungry. I shall, therefore, eat that haunch of dog's meat.
श्वपच उवाच भिक्षामन्यामाहरेति न चैतत्कर्तुमर्हसि न नूनं कार्यमेतद्वै हर कामं श्वजाघनीम्
M. N. Dutt: The Chandala said Do you beg for something else. You should not do such a thing. Verily you should not do such an act. If, however, you like, you may take away this piece of dog's meat.
विश्वामित्र उवाच शिष्टा वै कारणं धर्मे तद्वृत्तमनुवर्तये परां मेध्याशनादेतां भक्ष्यां मन्ये श्वजाघनीम्
M. N. Dutt: Vishvamitra said The good are the authorities in matters of duty. I am following their example. I now consider this dog's haunch to be better food than any other pure food.
श्वपच उवाच असता यत्समाचीर्णं न स धर्मः सनातनः नावृत्तमनुकार्यं वै मा छलेनानृतं कृथाः
M. N. Dutt: The act of an impious man can never be regarded as an eternal practice. An improper act can never be a proper one. Do not commit a sin by deception.
विश्वामित्र उवाच न पातकं नावमतमृषिः सन्कर्तुमर्हसि समौ च श्वमृगौ मन्ये तस्माद्भक्ष्या श्वजाघनी
M. N. Dutt: Vishvamitra said A man who is a Rishi cannot commit a sin. In the present case, deer and dog, I think, are the same. I shall, therefore, eat this dog's haunch.
श्वपच उवाच यद्ब्राह्मणार्थे कृतमर्थितेन; तेनर्षिणा तच्च भक्ष्याधिकारम् स वै धर्मो यत्र न पापमस्ति; सर्वैरुपायैर्हि स रक्षितव्यः
M. N. Dutt: The Chandala said Begged by the Brahmans, the Rishi (Agastya) did that act. Under the circumstances it could not be a sin. Righteousness is that in which there is no sin. Besides, the Brahmanas, who are the preceptors of the three other orders, should be protected and maintained by all means.
विश्वामित्र उवाच मित्रं च मे ब्राह्मणश्चायमात्मा; प्रियश्च मे पूज्यतमश्च लोके तं भर्तुकामोऽहमिमां हरिष्ये; नृशंसानामीदृशानां न बिभ्ये
M. N. Dutt: I am a Brahman. This my body is my friend. It is very dear to me and deserves the highest respect from me. In order to keep up the body I wish to take away that dog's haunch. I have become so eager that I do not fear you and your dreadful brother any longer.
श्वपच उवाच कामं नरा जीवितं संत्यजन्ति; न चाभक्ष्यैः प्रतिकुर्वन्ति तत्र सर्वान्कामान्प्राप्नुवन्तीह विद्व;न्प्रियस्व कामं सहितः क्षुधा वै
M. N. Dutt: Men give up their lives but still they do not seek impure food. All their wishes are fulfilled who can conquer appetite in this world. Do you also conquer your hunger and obtain those rewards.
विश्वामित्र उवाच स्थाने तावत्संशयः प्रेत्यभावे; निःसंशयं कर्मणां वा विनाशः अहं पुनर्वर्त इत्याशयात्मा; मूलं रक्षन्भक्षयिष्याम्यभक्ष्यम्
M. N. Dutt: Vishvamitra said About myself, I always observe rigid vows and my heart is set on peace. For preserving the root of all religious merit, I shall eat impure food.
Supplementary Passages:
12.139.75 After niḥsaṃ, Da2 ins.: *355 * * मूलर्तुंलस्त्रित्तिपुण्यं (sic) मोहात्मके यत्र यथा स्वभक्षे
बुद्ध्यात्मके व्यस्तमस्तीति तुष्टो; मोहादेकत्वं यथा चर्म चक्षुः यद्यप्येनः संशयादाचरामि; नाहं भविष्यामि यथा त्वमेव
M. N. Dutt: It is clear that such an act would be considered moral for a person of pure soul. To a person, however, of impure soul the eating of dog's flesh would appear sinful. Even if my conclusion be wrong (and if I eat this dog's ineat) I shall not, for that act, become one like you.
Supplementary Passages:
12.139.76 After 76ab, K3 D4 ins.: *356 यथा चक्षुः शब्दतत्त्वं न बुध्येद् रूपं पश्येच्चक्षुरेवं तथैव
श्वपच उवाच पतनीयमिदं दुःखमिति मे वर्तते मतिः दुष्कृती ब्राह्मणं सन्तं यस्त्वामहमुपालभे
M. N. Dutt: The Chandala said It is my settled conclusion that I should try my best to prevent you from this sin. By doing a wicked act a Brahmana goes down from his elevated station. It is for this that I am remonstrating with you.
विश्वामित्र उवाच पिबन्त्येवोदकं गावो मण्डूकेषु रुवत्स्वपि न तेऽधिकारो धर्मेऽस्ति मा भूरात्मप्रशंसकः
M. N. Dutt: Vishvamitra said Kine go on drinking without caring for the croaking of the frogs. You have no right to decide what is right (and what, not). Do not speak highly of yourself.
श्वपच उवाच सुहृद्भूत्वानुशास्मि त्वा कृपा हि त्वयि मे द्विज तदेवं श्रेय आधत्स्व मा लोभाच्छ्वानमादिथाः
M. N. Dutt: The Chandala said I have become your friend, therefore, I am speaking thus to you. Do what is good. Do not, from temptation, do what is sinful.
विश्वामित्र उवाच सुहृन्मे त्वं सुखेप्सुश्चेदापदो मां समुद्धर जानेऽहं धर्मतोऽऽत्मानं श्वानीमुत्सृज जाघनीम्
M. N. Dutt: Vishvamitra said If you be a friend who wishes me happiness, do you then extricate me from this distress. In that case, casting off this dog's haunch, I may think myself saved by the help of righteousness (and not by that of sinfulness).
श्वपच उवाच नैवोत्सहे भवते दातुमेतां; नोपेक्षितुं ह्रियमाणं स्वमन्नम् उभौ स्यावः स्वमलेनावलिप्तौ; दाताहं च त्वं च विप्र प्रतीच्छन्
M. N. Dutt: The Chandala said I dare not present this piece of meat to you, nor can I quietly allow you to rob me of my own food. If I give you this meat and if you take it, yourself being a Brahmana, both of us will go down to regions of misery in the next world.
विश्वामित्र उवाच अद्याहमेतद्वृजिनं कर्म कृत्वा; जीवंश्चरिष्यामि महापवित्रम् प्रपूतात्मा धर्ममेवाभिपत्स्ये; यदेतयोर्गुरु तद्वै ब्रवीहि
M. N. Dutt: Vishvamitra said By committing this sin to-day I shall certainly save my life which is very sacred. Having saved my life I shall afterwards practice virtue and purify my soul. Tell me which of these two is preferable.
श्वपच उवाच आत्मैव साक्षी किल लोककृत्ये; त्वमेव जानासि यदत्र दुष्टम् यो ह्याद्रियेद्भक्ष्यमिति श्वमांसं; मन्ये न तस्यास्ति विवर्जनीयम्
M. N. Dutt: The Chandala said One's own self is the best judge, while discharging the duties of his own caste or family. You yourself know which of those two acts is sinful. He who would consider dog's meat as pure food, I think, would not shrink from taking anything and everything.
विश्वामित्र उवाच उपादाने खादने वास्य दोषः; कार्यो न्यायैर्नित्यमत्रापवादः यस्मिन्न हिंसा नानृते वाक्यलेशो; भक्ष्यक्रिया तत्र न तद्गरीयः
M. N. Dutt: Vishvamitra said There is sin in accepting (an unclean present) or in eating (unclean food). When one's life is in peril, there is no sin in accepting such a present or eating such food. Besides, the eating of unclean food, when it does not involve destruction and deception and when the act will excite only mild rebuke, is not a very important matter.
श्वपच उवाच यद्येष हेतुस्तव खादनस्य; न ते वेदः कारणं नान्यधर्मः तस्मादभक्ष्ये भक्षणाद्वा द्विजेन्द्र; दोषं न पश्यामि यथेदमात्थ
M. N. Dutt: The Chandala said If this be your argument for taking impure food, it is then evident you do not respect the Veda and Aryan morality. Taught by what you are about to do, I see, O foremost of Brahmanas, there is no sin in neglecting the difference between pure and impure food.
विश्वामित्र उवाच न पातकं भक्षणमस्य दृष्टं; सुरां पीत्वा पततीतीह शब्दः अन्योन्यकर्माणि तथा तथैव; न लेशमात्रेण कृत्यं हिनस्ति
M. N. Dutt: Vishvamitra said It is not seen that a person commits a grave sin by taking interdicted food. It is only an oral precept which says that one becomes fallen by drinking wine. The other forbidden acts,-in fact, every sin,-cannot destroy one's merit.
श्वपच उवाच अस्थानतो हीनतः कुत्सिताद्वा; तं विद्वांसं बाधते साधुवृत्तम् स्थानं पुनर्यो लभते निषङ्गा;त्तेनापि दण्डः सहितव्य एव
M. N. Dutt: The Chandala Said That learned man who takes away dog's meat from an unworthy place like this), from an impure wretch (like me), from a wicked man (like me), commits an act which is never done by the good. On the other hand, for his connection with such act, he is sure to undergo the pangs of repentance.
भीष्म उवाच एवमुक्त्वा निववृते मातङ्गः कौशिकं तदा विश्वामित्रो जहारैव कृतबुद्धिः श्वजाघनीम्
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Having said these words to Kushika's son, the Chandala became silent, Vishvamitra then, of refined understanding, took away that haunch of dog's meat.
ततो जग्राह पञ्चाङ्गीं जीवितार्थी महामुनिः सदारस्तामुपाकृत्य वने यातो महामुनिः
M. N. Dutt: Having secured the piece of dog's meat for saving his life, the great ascetic took it away into the forest and wished with his wife to eat it.
Supplementary Passages:
12.139.89 After 89, K3-5 V1 B Da Dn1.n3 D2.3.5.8 ins.: *357 तथास्य बुद्धिरभवद्विधिनाहं श्वजाघनीम् भक्षयामि यथाकामं पूर्वं संतर्प्य देवताः ततोऽग्निमुपसंहृत्य ब्राह्मेण विधिना मुनिः ऐन्द्राग्नेयेन विधिना चरुं श्रपयत स्वयम् ततः समारभत्कर्म दैवं पित्र्यं च भारत आहूय देवानिन्द्रादीन्भागं भागं विधिक्रमात्
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु प्रववर्षाथ वासवः संजीवयन्प्रजाः सर्वा जनयामास चौषधीः
M. N. Dutt: Meanwhile, the king of the gods began to pour profusely. Reviving all creatures by those showers, he made plants and herbs grow once more.
विश्वामित्रोऽपि भगवांस्तपसा दग्धकिल्बिषः कालेन महता सिद्धिमवाप परमाद्भुताम्
M. N. Dutt: However, having completed the rites in honour of the gods and the Pitris and having pleased them duly, Vishvamitra, himself took that meat.
Supplementary Passages:
12.139.91 After 91, K5 V1 B Da Dn1.n3 D2.3.5.8 ins.: *358 स संहृत्य च तत्कर्म अनास्वाद्य च तद्धविः तोषयामास देवांश्च पितॄंश्च द्विजसत्तमः
एवं विद्वानदीनात्मा व्यसनस्थो जिजीविषुः सर्वोपायैरुपायज्ञो दीनमात्मानमुद्धरेत्
M. N. Dutt: Thus, having the preservation of life itself in view, a high-souled person, endued with learning and acquainted with means, should rescue his own cheerless self when fallen into distress, by all means in his power.
एतां बुद्धिं समास्थाय जीवितव्यं सदा भवेत् जीवन्पुण्यमवाप्नोति नरो भद्राणि पश्यति
M. N. Dutt: With such a view one should always preserve his life. person, if alive, can acquire religious merit and enjoy happiness and prosperity.
तस्मात्कौन्तेय विदुषा धर्माधर्मविनिश्चये बुद्धिमास्थाय लोकेऽस्मिन्वर्तितव्यं यतात्मना
M. N. Dutt: Therefore, O son of Kunti, a person of purified soul and endued with learning should live and act in this world, depending upon his own intelligence in ascertaining virtue and vice. With such a view one should always preserve his life. person, if alive, can acquire religious merit and enjoy happiness and prosperity.