शुनःशेपं नरश्रेष्ठ गृहीत्वा तु महायशाः | व्यश्रामत् पुष्करे राजा मध्याह्ने रघुनंदन || १-६२-१
shunaHshepam narashreShTha gR^ihiitvaa tu mahaayashaaH | vyashraamat puShkare raajaa madhyaahne raghunaMdana || 1-62-1
"Oh, Rama, the best one among men and the legatee of Raghu, on taking Shunashepa that highly renowned king Ambariisha took rest at noontime on the lakeside of Holy Lake." Thus Sage Shataananda continued the legend of Shunashepa, as a part of Vishvamitra's legend. [1-62-1]
तस्य विश्रममाणस्य शुनःशेपो महायशाः | पुष्करं ज्येष्ठमागम्य विश्वामित्रं ददर्श ह || १-६२-२ तप्यन्तमृषिभिः सार्धं मातुलं परमातुरः |
tasya vishramamaaNasya shunaHshepo mahaayashaaH | puShkaram jyeShTham aagaMya vishvaamitram dadarsha ha || 1-62-2 tapyantam R^iShibhiH saartham maatulam parama aaturaH |
While the king Ambariisha is taking rest that highly brilliant Shunashepa came to the lakeside of main Holy Lake with high anxiety, and there he indeed saw his maternal uncle Sage Vishvamitra who is performing ascesis along with other sages. [1-62-2, 3a]
विषण्णवदनो दीनस्तृष्णया च श्रमेण च || १-६२-३ पपाताङ्के मुने राम वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह |
viShaNNa vadano diinaH tR^iShNayaa ca shrameNa ca || 1-62-3 papaata anke mune raama vaakyam ca idam uvaaca ha |
Shunashepa became pitiable and sulky faced by strain and thirst, oh, Rama, and he immediately fell in the lap of saint Vishvamitra saying this sentence. [1-62-3b, 4a]
न मेऽस्ति माता न पिता ज्ञातयो बान्धवाः कुतः || १-६२-४ त्रातुमर्हसि मां सौम्य धर्मेण मुनिपुंगव |
na me asti maataa na pitaa j~naatayo baandhavaaH kutaH || 1-62-4 traatum ar.hhasi maam sauMya dharmeNa munipuMgava |
I have no mother or a father to save me. Then wherefore cousins or relatives will be there to protect me. Oh, peaceable saint the eminent, it will be apt of you to protect me according to saintliness. [1-62-4b, 5a]
त्राता त्वं हि नरश्रेष्ठ सर्वेषां त्वं हि भावनः || १-६२-५ राजा च कृतकार्यः स्यादहं दीर्घायुरव्ययः | स्वर्गलोकमुपाश्नीयां तपस्तप्त्वा ह्यनुत्तमम् || १-६२-६
traataa tvam hi narashreShTha sarveShaam tvam hi bhaavanaH || 1-62-5 raajaa ca kR^itakaaryaH syaat aham diirgha aayuH avyayaH | svarga lokam upaashniiyaam tapaH taptvaa hi anuttamam || 1-62-6
Oh, illustrious sage, you alone are the saviour to each and every one, isn't it! You alone are the guardian angel, isn't it! Hence, let the purpose of the king Ambariisha be achieved, and let longevity come to me, and I on becoming imperishable and indeed on performing an unexcelled ascesis, I wish to enjoy in heavenly worlds. [1-62-5b, 6]
स मे नाथो ह्यनाथस्य भव भव्येन चेतसा | पितेव पुत्रं धर्मात्मंस्त्रातुमर्हसि किल्बिषात् || १-६२-७
tasya tat vacanam shrutvaa vishvaamitro mahaatapaaH | saantvayitvaa bahu vidham putraan idam uvaaca ha || 1-62-8
' You shall be my providence with a providential sentiment as I stand unprotected, and oh, virtue souled one, it will be apt of you to protect me from misfortune, like a father protecting his own son.' Thus Shunashepa appealed to Vishvamitra. [1-62-7]
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा विश्वामित्रो महातपाः | सान्त्वयित्वा बहुविधं पुत्रानिदमुवाच ह || १-६२-८
yat kR^ite pitaraH putraan janayanti shubha arthinaH | para loka hita arthaaya tasya kaalo ayam aagataH || 1-62-9
On hearing that sentence of Shunashepa and on pacifying him in many ways, Vishvamitra of higher ascesis, indeed said this to his sons. [1-62-8]
यत्कृते पितरः पुत्रान् जनयन्ति शुभार्थिनः | परलोकहितार्थाय तस्य कालोऽयमागतः || १-६२-९
ayam muni suto baalo mattaH sharaNam icChati | asya jiivita maatreNa priyam kuruta putrakaaH || 1-62-10
For what reason parents engender sons, desiring positivity and for the purpose of welfare in the other worlds, this is the time that has come for fulfilling that reason. [1-62-9]
अयं मुनिसुतो बालो मत्तः शरणमिच्छति | अस्य जीवितमात्रेण प्रियं कुरुत पुत्रकाः || १-६२-१०
sarve sukR^ita karmaaNaH sarve dharma paraayaNaaH | pashu bhuutaa narendrasya tR^iptim agneH prayacChata || 1-62-11
This youngster is the son of sage and he aspires shelter from me. Hence, oh, sons, give him satisfaction just by giving life to him. [1-62-10]
सर्वे सुकृतकर्माणः सर्वे धर्मपरायणाः | पशुभूता नरेन्द्रस्य तृप्तिमग्नेः प्रयच्छत || १-६२-११
naathanaan ca shunaHshepo yaj~naH ca avighnato bhavet | devataaH tarpitaaH ca syuH mama ca api kR^itam vacaH || 1-62-12
You all have done very good pious deeds and you all abide by probity. Hence, you bestow appeasement to Fire-god on your becoming the ritual-animals of king Ambariisha in lieu of this boy Shunashepa. [1-62-11]
नाथनान् च शुनःशेपो यज्ञश्चाविघ्नतो भवेत् | देवतास्तर्पिताश्च स्युर्मम चापि कृतं वचः || १-६२-१२
muneH tu vacanam shrutvaa madhuShyanda aadayaH sutaaH | sa abhimaanam narashreShTha sa liilam idam abruvan || 1-62-13
'As a result, Shunashepa will have protectors, Vedic-ritual will be unimpeded, gods will be oblated, and my word too will be actualised.' Thus Vishvamitra said to his sons. [1-62-12]
मुनेस्तु वचनं श्रुत्वा मधुष्यन्दादयः सुताः | साभिमानं नरश्रेष्ठ सलीलमिदमब्रुवन् || १-६२-१३
katham aatma sutaan hitvaa traayase anya sutam vibho | akaaryam iva pashyaamaH shva maaMsam iva bhojane || 1-62-14
But on hearing the saying of the sage, oh, Rama, the best of men, Madhushyanda and the other sons of Vishvamitra said this, haughtily and disparagingly. [1-62-13]
कथमात्मसुतान् हित्वा त्रायसेऽन्यसुतं विभो | अकार्यमिव पश्यामः श्वमांसमिव भोजने || १-६२-१४
teShaam tat vacanam shrutvaa putraaNaam munipuMgavaH | krodha saMrakta nayano vyaahartum upacakrame || 1-62-15
'On sacrificing your own sons how can you save another's son, oh, lordly father, we deem this as a wrongdoing and as good as dog's meat in a dinner.' Thus the sons of Vishvamitra replied their father. [1-62-14]
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा पुत्राणां मुनिपुंगवः | क्रोधसंरक्तनयनो व्याहर्तुमुपचक्रमे || १-६२-१५
niHsaadhvasam idam proktam dharmaat api vigarhitam | atikraMya tu mat vaakyam daaruNam roma harShaNam || 1-62-16
On listening that saying of his sons that eminent sage Vishvamitra started to curse them while fury reddened his eyes. [1-62-15]
निःसाध्वसमिदं प्रोक्तं धर्मादपि विगर्हितम् | अतिक्रम्य तु मद्वाक्यं दारुणं रोमहर्षणम् || १-६२-१६
shva maaMsa bhojinaH sarve vaasiShThaa iva jaatiShu | puurNam varSha sahasram tu pR^ithivyaam anuvatsyatha || 1-62-17
You all have not only transgressed my word, but pertly replied me in an impudent manner which is abhorrent and hair-raising, and recriminatory according to probity. [1-62-16]
श्वमांसभोजिनः सर्वे वासिष्ठा इव जातिषु | पूर्णं वर्षसहस्रं तु पृथिव्यामनुवत्स्यथ || १-६२-१७
kR^itvaa shaapa samaayuktaan putraan munivaraH tadaa | shunaHshepam uvaaca aartam kR^itvaa rakShaam niraamayaam || 1-62-18
'You all will be whirling around the earth totally for a thousand years taking birth in the race that subsists on dog's meat, like the sons of Vashishta.' Thus Vishvamitra cursed his sons. [1-62-17]
कृत्वा शापसमायुक्तान् पुत्रान् मुनिवरस्तदा | शुनःशेपमुवाचार्थं कृत्वा रक्षां निरामयाम् || १-६२-१८
pavitra paashair baddho rakta maalya anulepanaH | vaiShNavam yuupam aasaadya vaagbhiH agnim udaahara || 1-62-19
On making his sons bounden by curse, then that best saint spoke to the pitiable Shunashepa, on making unharmed invulnerability to him with sanctifying hymns. [1-62-18]
पवित्रपाशैर्बद्धो रक्तमाल्यानुलेपनः | वैष्णवं यूपमासाद्य वाग्भिरग्निमुदाहर || १-६२-१९
ime ca gaathe dve divye gaayethaa muni putraka | aMbariiShasya yaj~ne asmin tataH siddhim avaapsyasi || 1-62-20
When you are fastened with sacred fastener to the sacrificial post of Vishnu, smeared with red paste and garlanded with red garlands, you praisefully address the Fire-god with the words I going to impart to you in Vedic hymns. [1-62-19]
इमे च गाथे द्वे दिव्ये गायेथा मुनिपुत्रक | अंबरीषस्य यज्ञेऽस्मिंस्ततः सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि || १-६२-२०
shunaHshepo gR^ihiitvaa te dve gaathe susamaahitaH | tvarayaa raaja siMham tam aMbariiSham uvaaca ha || 1-62-21
'These two divine hymns, oh, son of saint, shall be chanted in the Vedic-ritual of Ambariisha, then you will obtain your aspiration.' Thus Vishvamitra taught two Vedic hymns to the boy. [1-62-20]
शुनःशेपो गृहीत्वा ते द्वे गाथे सुसमाहितः | त्वरया राजसिंहं तमंबरीषमुवाच ह || १-६२-२१
raaja siMha mahaabuddhe shiighram gacChaavahe vayam | nivartayasva raajendra diikShaam ca samudaahara || 1-62-22
Shunashepa having taken those two hymns from Vishvamitra very attentively has instantly gone to that lion-king Ambariisha and indeed spoke to him. [1-62-21]
राजसिंह महाबुद्धे शीघ्रं गच्छावहे वयम् | निवर्तयस्व राजेन्द्र दीक्षां च समुदाहर || १-६२-२२
tat vaakyam R^iShi putrasya shrutvaa harSha samanvitaH | jagaama nR^ipatiH shiighram yaj~na vaaTam atandritaH || 1-62-23
'Oh, the lion-king, let us go promptly to your ritual place, oh, best king, you may apply yourself to your pledge in completing the ritual, with me as its sacrificial animal,' thus the boy said. [1-62-22]
तद्वाक्यमृषिपुत्रस्य श्रुत्वा हर्षसमन्वितः | जगाम नृपतिः शीघ्रं यज्ञवाटमतन्द्रितः || १-६२-२३
sadasya anumate raajaa pavitra kR^ita lakShaNam | pashum rakta aMbaram kR^itvaa yuupe tam samabandhayat || 1-62-24
On listening that sentence of the son of sage, the king Ambariisha is gladdened and proceeded to the ritual hall immediately and spiritedly. [1-62-23]
सदस्यानुमते राजा पवित्रकृतलक्षणम् | पशुं रक्ताम्बरं कृत्वा यूपे तं समबन्धयत् || १-६२-२४
sa baddho vaagbhiH agryaabhiH abhituShTaava vai surau | indram indra anujam caiva yathaavat muni putrakaH || 1-62-25
The king with the permission of officiators of ritual got the boy prepared as a ritual animal with sanctified bodily features and clad him in red clothes and got him securely fastened to the sacrificial post. [1-62-24]
स बद्धो वाग्भिरग्र्याभिरभितुष्टाव वै सुरौ | इन्द्रमिन्द्रानुजं चैव यथावन्मुनिपुत्रकः || १-६२-२५
tataH priitaH sahasra akSho rahasya stuti toShitaH | diirgham aayuH tadaa praadaat shunaHshepaaya raaghava || 1-62-26
When Shunashepa is tied to ritual post he immensely pleased two gods, namely Indra and Upendra as well, with those two hymns he got from Vishvamitra. [1-62-25]
ततः प्रीतः सहस्राक्षो रहस्यस्तुतितोषितः | दीर्घमायुस्तदा प्रादाच्छुनःशेपाय राघव || १-६२-२६
sa ca raajaa narashreShTha yaj~nasya ca samaaptavaan | phalam bahu guNam raama sahasraakSha prasaadajam || 1-62-27
Then the Thousand-eyed Indra who is satisfied with esoteric laudation is gladdened, and oh, Raghava, then he bestowed longevity to Shunashepa. [1-62-26]
स च राजा नरश्रेष्ठ यज्ञस्य च समाप्तवान् | फलं बहुगुणं राम सहस्राक्षप्रसादजम् || १-६२-२७
vishvaamitro api dharmaatmaa bhuuyaH tepe mahaatapaaH | puShkareShu narashreShTha dasha varSha shataani ca || 1-62-28
Oh, Rama, the best one among men, he that king Ambariisha also obtained the fruits of that Vedic-ritual in manyfold, resulted from the grace of Thousand-eyed Indra. [1-62-27]
विश्वामित्रोऽपि धर्मात्मा भूयस्तेपे महातपाः | पुष्करेषु नरश्रेष्ठ दशवर्षशतानि च || १-६२-२८
"Oh, Rama, the best among men, even the virtue-souled great ascetic Vishvamitra again performed ascesis at the same Holy lakeside for another thousand years." Thus Sage Shataananda continued the narration of Vishvamitra's legend. [1-62-28]
