Critical Edition
युधिष्ठिर उवाच दानं बहुविधाकारं शान्तिः सत्यमहिंसता स्वदारतुष्टिश्चोक्ता ते फलं दानस्य चैव यत्
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said You have described to us the various kinds of gifts, tranquillity of soul, Truth, mercy, contentment with one's married wife, and the merits of gift.
पितामहस्य विदितं किमन्यत्र तपोबलात् तपसो यत्परं तेऽद्य तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि
M. N. Dutt: You know very well, O grandfather, that there is nothing whose power is superior to that of Penances. You should explain to us what forms the highest penance.
भीष्म उवाच तपः प्रचक्षते यावत्तावल्लोका युधिष्ठिर मतं मम तु कौन्तेय तपो नानशनात्परम्
AI Translation: Bhishma said: As long as they practice austerities, O Yudhishthira, they are in the world. But, O son of Kunti, in my opinion, austerity is not superior to fasting.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् भगीरथस्य संवादं ब्रह्मणश्च महात्मनः
AI Translation: Here I relate an ancient story, the conversation between Bhagiratha and the great-souled Brahma.
अतीत्य सुरलोकं च गवां लोकं च भारत ऋषिलोकं च सोऽगच्छद्भगीरथ इति श्रुतिः
M. N. Dutt: We have heard, O Bharata, that Bhagiratha attained to that region which is superior to that of the celestials of kine, and of the Rishis.
तं दृष्ट्वा स वचः प्राह ब्रह्मा राजन्भगीरथम् कथं भगीरथागास्त्वमिमं देशं दुरासदम्
M. N. Dutt: Seeing this, O monarch, the Grandfather Brahman, addressing Bhagirama, said, How, O Bhagiratha, have you attained to this region that is so hard to get at.
न हि देवा न गन्धर्वा न मनुष्या भगीरथ आयान्त्यतप्ततपसः कथं वै त्वमिहागतः
M. N. Dutt: Neither the celestials, nor Gandharvas, nor mankind, o Bhagiratha, succeed in coming here without having performed the severest austerities. How, indeed, have you come by this region.
भगीरथ उवाच निःशङ्कमन्नमददं ब्राह्मणेभ्यः; शतं सहस्राणि सदैव दानम् ब्राह्मं व्रतं नित्यमास्थाय विद्धि; न त्वेवाहं तस्य फलादिहागाम्
M. N. Dutt: Bhagiratha said I used to make gifts of hundred thousands of gold coins to the Brahmanas practising the vow of celibacy all the while. It is not by dint of the merit of those, gifts, O learned one, that I have acquired this region.
दशैकरात्रान्दश पञ्चरात्रा;नेकादशैकादशकान्क्रतूंश्च ज्योतिष्टोमानां च शतं यदिष्टं; फलेन तेनापि च नागतोऽहम्
M. N. Dutt: I celebrated the Ekaratri (onenight's) sacrifice (consisting of fasts and gifts) for ten times, and the Pancharatri (fivenights) sacrifices for as many times. I performed eleven times the Ekadashratri sacrifice. I performed a hundred times the great sacrifices of Jyotishtoma. It is not, however, through the merits of those sacrifices that I have acquired this region of happiness.
यच्चावसं जाह्नवीतीरनित्यः; शतं समास्तप्यमानस्तपोऽहम् अदां च तत्राश्वतरीसहस्रं; नारीपुरं न च तेनाहमागाम्
M. N. Dutt: For a hundred years I lived continuously by the side of the sacred Jahnavi, all the while performed the severest austerities. There I made gifts to the Brahmanas of thousands of males and numberless female slaves.
दशायुतानि चाश्वानामयुतानि च विंशतिम् पुष्करेषु द्विजातिभ्यः प्रादां गाश्च सहस्रशः
M. N. Dutt: By the side of the Pushkara lake I made gifts to the Brahmanas, for a hundred thousand times, a hundred thousand horses, and two hundred thousand kine.
सुवर्णचन्द्रोडुपधारिणीनां; कन्योत्तमानामददं स्रग्विणीनाम् षष्टिं सहस्राणि विभूषितानां; जाम्बूनदैराभरणैर्न तेन
M. N. Dutt: I also gave away a thousand women of great beauty, each adorned with golden moons, and sixty thousand more, decked with ornaments of pure gold. It is not, however, through the merits of those deeds that I have succeeded in acquiring these regions.
दशार्बुदान्यददं गोसवेज्या;स्वेकैकशो दश गा लोकनाथ समानवत्साः पयसा समन्विताः; सुवर्णकांस्योपदुहा न तेन
M. N. Dutt: O lord of the universe, performing those sacrifices known as Gosava, I gave away ten Arvudas of kine, presenting each Brahmana with ten kine, each of whom was accompanied with her calf, each of whom gave milk at the time, and with each of whom were given a vessel of gold and one white brass for milking her.
अप्तोर्यामेषु नियतमेकैकस्मिन्दशाददम् गृष्टीनां क्षीरदात्रीणां रोहिणीनां न तेन च
M. N. Dutt: Celebrating many Soma sacrifices, I gave away to cach Brahinana ten kine each of whom gave milk, and each of whom had brought forth only her first calf, besides making presents to them of hundreds of kine belonging to that kind which is known by the name of Rohini.
दोग्ध्रीणां वै गवां चैव प्रयुतानि दशैव ह प्रादां दशगुणं ब्रह्मन्न च तेनाहमागतः
M. N. Dutt: I also gave away to the Brahmanas twice ten Prayutas of other kine, all giving milk, It is not through the merit of those gifts, O Brahman, that I have succeeded in acquiring to this region of happiness.
वाजिनां बाह्लिजातानामयुतान्यददं दश कर्काणां हेममालानां न च तेनाहमागतः
M. N. Dutt: I also gave away a hundred thousand horses of the Valhika breed, all of white complexion, and adorned with garlands of gold. It is not, however, through the merits of those deeds that I have acquired this region.
कोटीश्च काञ्चनस्याष्टौ प्रादां ब्रह्मन्दश त्वहम् एकैकस्मिन्क्रतौ तेन फलेनाहं न चागतः
M. N. Dutt: I gave also eight crores of golden coins to the Brahmanas, O Brahmana, and another ten crores also in each sacrifice that I celebrated. It is not, however, through the merits of those deeds that I have acquired this region of happiness.
वाजिनां श्यामकर्णानां हरितानां पितामह प्रादां हेमस्रजां ब्रह्मन्कोटीर्दश च सप्त च
M. N. Dutt: I also gave away seventeen crors of horses, O Grandfather, each of green colour, each having black ears, and each adorned with garlands of gold.
ईषादन्तान्महाकायान्काञ्चनस्रग्विभूषितान् पत्नीमतः सहस्राणि प्रायच्छं दश सप्त च
M. N. Dutt: I also gave away seventeen thousand huge elephants having teeth as large as ploughshares, each having those whirls on its body, which are called Padmas, and each bedecked with garlands of gold.
अलंकृतानां देवेश दिव्यैः कनकभूषणैः रथानां काञ्चनाङ्गानां सहस्राण्यददं दश सप्त चान्यानि युक्तानि वाजिभिः समलंकृतैः
M. N. Dutt: I gave away ten thousand cars, Grandfather, whose parts were made of gold, and which were adorned with various ornaments of gold.
दक्षिणावयवाः केचिद्वेदैर्ये संप्रकीर्तिताः वाजपेयेषु दशसु प्रादां तेनापि नाप्यहम्
AI Translation: Some of the limbs of the right side are proclaimed by the Vedas. I have given them in the ten Vajapeya sacrifices. Even then I am not satisfied.
शक्रतुल्यप्रभावानामिज्यया विक्रमेण च सहस्रं निष्ककण्ठानामददं दक्षिणामहम्
AI Translation: By worshipping and by valour equal to that of Indra, I gave a thousand gold-necked (cows) as Dakshina.
विजित्य नृपतीन्सर्वान्मखैरिष्ट्वा पितामह अष्टभ्यो राजसूयेभ्यो न च तेनाहमागतः
M. N. Dutt: Spending a of money, O Grandfather, and celebrating eight Rajasuya Sacrifices. I gave away to the Brahmanas who officiated in them, a thousand kings whose necks were adorned with garlands of gold, after having defeated them in battle. It is not, however, through the merits of those deeds that I have acquired this region.
स्रोतश्च यावद्गङ्गायाश्छन्नमासीज्जगत्पते दक्षिणाभिः प्रवृत्ताभिर्मम नागां च तत्कृते
AI Translation: From the source of the Ganges, O Lord of the world, up to the Ganges, I have been turned towards the south for that purpose.
वाजिनां च सहस्रे द्वे सुवर्णशतभूषिते वरं ग्रामशतं चाहमेकैकस्य त्रिधाददम् तपस्वी नियताहारः शममास्थाय वाग्यतः
AI Translation: Two thousand horses, adorned with hundreds of gold, I gave each of them a hundred villages as a gift. Ascetic, with controlled diet, having resorted to peace, restrained in speech
दीर्घकालं हिमवति गङ्गायाश्च दुरुत्सहाम् मूर्ध्ना धारां महादेवः शिरसा यामधारयत् न तेनाप्यहमागच्छं फलेनेह पितामह
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, I gave these thrice to each Brahmana obscrvant of penances, living on regulated dict, adopting tranquillity of soul, and controlling speech, I lived for a long time on the breast of Himavat by the side of that Ganga whose irresistible current was borne by Mahadeva on his head. It is not through the merit of these deeds, O grandfather, that I have acquired this region.
शम्याक्षेपैरयजं यच्च देवा;न्सद्यस्कानामयुतैश्चापि यत्तत् त्रयोदशद्वादशाहांश्च देव; सपौण्डरीकान्न च तेषां फलेन
M. N. Dutt: Throwing the Shami, I worshipped the gods in numberless such sacrifices as are completed in course of single day, and such others as take twelve days for completing, and others still as can be completed in thirteen days, besides many Pundarikas. I have not acquired this region through the merits of any of those sacrifices.
अष्टौ सहस्राणि ककुद्मिनामहं; शुक्लर्षभाणामददं ब्राह्मणेभ्यः एकैकं वै काञ्चनं शृङ्गमेभ्यः; पत्नीश्चैषामददं निष्ककण्ठीः
M. N. Dutt: I gave to the Brahmanas eight thousands of white bulls, each possessed of a beautiful hump, and each having one of its horns covered with gold. To them I also gave beautiful wives whose necks were adorned with chains of gold.
हिरण्यरत्ननिचितानददं रत्नपर्वतान् धनधान्यसमृद्धांश्च ग्रामाञ्शतसहस्रशः
M. N. Dutt: I also gave away inasses of gold and wealth of other kinds. I gave away hills of gems and valuable stones. I gave away Villages, thousands in number and filled with wealth and corn.
शतं शतानां गृष्टीनामददं चाप्यतन्द्रितः इष्ट्वानेकैर्महायज्ञैर्ब्राह्मणेभ्यो न तेन च
M. N. Dutt: With all my senses about me, I gave away the Brahmanas a hundred thousand kine each of whom had brought forth only her first calf, at many great sacrifices which I celebrated. It i is not, however, through the merits of those। deeds that I have acquired this region.
एकादशाहैरयजं सदक्षिणै;र्द्विर्द्वादशाहैरश्वमेधैश्च देव आर्कायणैः षोडशभिश्च ब्रह्मं;स्तेषां फलेनेह न चागतोऽस्मि
AI Translation: By performing eleven horse-sacrifices with gifts, twice twelve horse-sacrifices, and by the Arkayana sacrifices, O god, By the sixteen sacrifices, O Brahman, I have not
निष्कैककण्ठमददं योजनायतं; तद्विस्तीर्णं काञ्चनपादपानाम् वनं चूतानां रत्नविभूषितानां; न चैव तेषामागतोऽहं फलेन
M. N. Dutt: I also gave each Branis. 17 a forest of Kanchana trees extending for Yojana on every side, and with each tree adorned with jewels and gems. It is not through the merits of that deed that I have acquired this region.
तुरायणं हि व्रतमप्रधृष्य;मक्रोधनोऽकरवं त्रिंशतोऽब्दान् शतं गवामष्ट शतानि चैव; दिने दिने ह्यददं ब्राह्मणेभ्यः
M. N. Dutt: For thirty years, with heart perfectly freed from anger, I observed the Turayana vow that has very superior merit, and gave away to the Brahmanas every day nine hundred kine.
पयस्विनीनामथ रोहिणीनां; तथैव चाप्यनडुहां लोकनाथ प्रादां नित्यं ब्राह्मणेभ्यः सुरेश; नेहागतस्तेन फलेन चाहम्
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, O Lord of the universe, every one of those kine belonged to the Rohini species and gave milk at the time I gave them away. It is not through the merits of those deeds, O king of the deities, that I have acquired this region.
Supplementary Passages:
13.106.34 After 34, Dn2 D10 S (except T1) ins.: *471 शम्याक्षेपेण पृथिवीं त्रिधा पर्यचरं यजन्
त्रिंशदग्निमहं ब्रह्मन्नयजं यच्च नित्यदा अष्टाभिः सर्वमेधैश्च नरमेधैश्च सप्तभिः
M. N. Dutt: a I adored thirty fires, O Brahman, every day. I worshipped the celestials in eight sacrifices in which the fat of all animals was poured on the fire. I worshipped them in seven sacrifices in which the fat of human beings was poured on the fire.
दशभिर्विश्वजिद्भिश्च शतैरष्टादशोत्तरैः न चैव तेषां देवेश फलेनाहमिहागतः
M. N. Dutt: ored them in thousand and livcrtyeight Vishvajit sacrifices. It is not through the merits of those sacrifices, O king of all the celestials, that I have acquired this region.
सरय्वां बाहुदायां च गङ्गायामथ नैमिषे गवां शतानामयुतमददं न च तेन वै
M. N. Dutt: On the banks of Sarayu and Vahuda and Ganga, as also in the forest of Naimisha, I gave away millions of kine to the Brahmanas. It is not through the merits of those deeds that I have acquired this region.
इन्द्रेण गुह्यं निहितं वै गुहायां; यद्भार्गवस्तपसेहाभ्यविन्दत् जाज्वल्यमानमुशनस्तेजसेह; तत्साधयामास महं वरेण्यम्
M. N. Dutt: The vow of fast had been known to Indra. He had, however, kept it a secret. Shukra, the descendent of Bhrigu, gained a knowledge of it by means of spiritual sight acquired through penances. Burning with energy as he does, it is Ushanas who first made it known to the universe. I observed that vow, O boongiving Deity.
Supplementary Passages:
13.106.38 D10 T2.3 G M ins. after 38: T1 after 37: *472 ब्राह्मणार्थाय कर्माणि रणं चैव करोमि यत्
ततो मे ब्राह्मणास्तुष्टास्तस्मिन्कर्मणि साधिते सहस्रमृषयश्चासन्ये वै तत्र समागताः उक्तस्तैरस्मि गच्छ त्वं ब्रह्मलोकमिति प्रभो
M. N. Dutt: When I finished that very superior vow, the Brahmanas became all pleased with me. A thousand Rishis came there.
Supplementary Passages:
13.106.39 After 39ab, Dn2 D10 S ins.: *473 पूजितैर्ब्राह्मणैर्नित्यं वचनेनाहमागतः
प्रीतेनोक्तः सहस्रेण ब्राह्मणानामहं प्रभो इमं लोकमनुप्राप्तो मा भूत्तेऽत्र विचारणा
M. N. Dutt: All those Brahmanas and Rishis, O powerful lord, pleased with me, said, do you go to the region of Brahman! It is on account of the merits of that vow that I have succeeded in acquiring this region of very superior happiness. There is no doubt in this.
कामं यथावद्विहितं विधात्रा; पृष्टेन वाच्यं तु मया यथावत् तपो हि नान्यच्चानशनान्मतं मे; नमोऽस्तु ते देववर प्रसीद
M. N. Dutt: Asked by the Supreme Creator of all things, I have duly explained the merits of the vow of fast. In my opinion, there is no penance higher than fast. I bow to you, o foremost of all the celestials. Be propitiated with me.
भीष्म उवाच इत्युक्तवन्तं तं ब्रह्मा राजानं स्म भगीरथम् पूजयामास पूजार्हं विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said King Bhagiratha, who had said so and who was worthy of every honour, was, on the conclusion of his speech, honoured by Brahman according to the rites ordained for that purpose.
Supplementary Passages:
13.106.42 After 42, Dn1.n2 S ins.: *474 तस्मादनशनैर्युक्तो विप्रान्पूजय नित्यदा विप्राणां वचनात्सर्वं परत्रेह च सिध्यति वासोभिरन्नैर्गोभिश्च शुभैर्नैवेशिकैरपि शुभैः सुरक्षणैश्चापि तोष्या एव द्विजास्त्वया एतदेव परं गुह्यमलोभेन समाचर