ādiparva - Chapter-9

 

आदिपर्व - ādiparva

अध्यायः – 9  ::Chapter-9 

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
वैशम्पायन उवाच। ततः सत्यवती दीना कृपणा पुत्रगृद्धिनी। पुत्रस्य कृत्वा कार्याणि स्नुषाभ्यां सह भारत॥ 1 समाश्वास्य स्नुषे ते च भर्तृशोकनिपीडिते। धर्मं च पितृवंशं च मातृवंशं च भामिनी। प्रसमीक्ष्य महाभागा गाङ्गेयं वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥ 2 शन्तनोर्धर्मनित्यस्य कौरव्यस्य यशस्विनः।' त्वयि पिण्डश्च कीर्तिश्च संतानश्च प्रतिष्ठितः॥ 3 यथाकर्म शुभं कृत्वा स्वर्गोपगमनं ध्रुवम्। यथा चायुर्ध्रुवं सत्ये त्वयि धर्मस्तथा ध्रुवः॥ 4 वेत्थ धर्मांश्च धर्मज्ञ समासेनेतरेण च। विविधास्त्वं श्रुतीर्वेत्थ वेदाङ्गानि च सर्वशः॥ 5 व्यवस्थानं च ते धर्मे कुलाचारं च लक्षये। प्रतिपत्तिं च कृच्छ्रेषु शुक्राङ्गिरसयोरिव॥ 6 तस्मात्सुभृशमाश्वस्य त्वयि धर्मभृतां वर। कार्ये त्वां विनियोक्ष्यामि तच्छ्रुत्वा कर्तुमर्हसि॥ 7 मम पुत्रस्तव भ्राता वीर्यवान्सुप्रियश्च ते। बाल एव गतः स्वर्गमपुत्रः पुरुषर्षभ॥ 8 इमे महिष्यौ भ्रातुस्ते काशिराजसुते शुभे। रूपयौवनसंपन्ने पुत्रकामे च भारत॥ 9 तयोरुत्पादयापत्यं सन्तानाय कुलस्य नः। मन्नियोगान्महाबाहो धर्मं कर्तुमिहार्हसि॥ 10 राज्ये चैवाभिषिच्यस्व भारताननुशाधि च। दारांश्च कुरु धर्मेण मा निमज्जीः पितामहान्॥ 11 वैशम्पायन उवाच। तथोच्यमानो मात्रा स सुहृद्भिश्च परन्तपः। इत्युवाचाथ धर्मात्मा धर्म्यमेवोत्तरं वचः॥ 12 असंशयं परो धर्मस्त्वया मातरुदाहृतः। त्वमपत्यं प्रति च मे प्रतिज्ञां वेत्थ वै परां॥ 13 जानासि च यथावृत्तं शुल्कहेतोस्त्वदन्तरे। स सत्यवति सत्यं ते प्रतिजानाम्यहं पुनः॥ 14 परित्यजेयं त्रैलोक्यं राज्यं देवेषु वा पुनः। यद्वाऽप्यधिकमेताभ्यां न तु सत्यं कथंचन॥ 15 त्यजेच्च पृथिवी गन्धमापश्च रसमात्मनः। ज्योतिस्तथा त्यजेद्रूपं वायुः स्पर्शगुणं त्यजेत्॥ 16 प्रभां समुत्सृजेदर्को धूमकेतुस्तथोष्मताम्। त्यजेच्छब्दं तथाऽऽकाशं सोमः शीतांशुतां त्यजेत्॥ 17 विक्रमं वृत्रहा जह्याद्धर्मं जह्याच्च धर्मराट्। न त्वहं सत्यमुत्स्रष्टुं व्यवसेयं कथंचन॥ 18 माता सत्यवती भीष्ममुवाच तदनन्तरम्॥ 19 जानामि ते स्थितिं सत्ये परां सत्यपराक्रम। इच्छन्सृजेथास्त्रींल्लोकानन्यांस्त्वं स्वेन तेजसा॥ 20 जानामि चैवं सत्यं तन्मदर्थे यच्च भाषितम्। आपद्धर्मं त्वमावेक्ष्य वह पैतामहीं धुरम्॥ 21 यथा ते कुलतन्तुश्च धर्मश्च न पराभवेत्। सुहृदश्च प्रहृष्येरंस्तथा कुरु परन्तप॥ 22 लालप्यमानां तामेवं कृपणां पुत्रगृद्धिनीम्। धर्मादपेतं ब्रुवतीं भीष्मो भूयोऽब्रवीदिदम्॥ 23 राज्ञि धर्मानवेक्षस्व मा नः सर्वान्व्यनीनशः। सत्याच्च्युतिः क्षत्रियस्य न धर्मेषु प्रशस्यते॥ 24 शान्तनोरपि संतानं यथा स्यादक्षयं भुवि। तत्ते धर्मं प्रवक्ष्यामि क्षात्रं राज्ञि सनातनम्॥ 25 श्रुत्वा तं प्रतिपद्यस्व प्राज्ञैः सह पुरोहितैः। आपद्धर्मार्थकुशलैर्लोकतन्त्रमवेक्ष्य च॥ ॥ 26	26 (553)
Vaisampayana said, 'The unfortunate Satyavati was consumed by sorrow for her son. After performing the funeral rites alongside her daughters-in-law, she did her best to comfort them and Bhishma, the greatest warrior.  Looking to her family’s legacy and moral duties, she then spoke to Bhishma: 'The offerings for the dead, the honour of our lineage, and the legacy of the esteemed Santanu now rest on your shoulders. Just like the path to heaven is paved with good deeds, and long life is tied to truth and faith, so too is virtue inseparable from you. You, O virtuous one, fully understand the principles of righteousness, the diverse scriptures, and every aspect of the Vedas; you are as steadfast in virtue as Sukra and Angiras, with an in-depth knowledge of family customs and a knack for overcoming challenges.  Therefore, renowned for your virtue, I have a request for you. Listen closely and heed my words. My son and your brother, energetic and dear to you, has passed away childless at a young age. His lovely wives, the daughters of the ruler of Kasi, are eager for children. So, with your strength, ensure they bear offspring to continue our lineage. It is your duty to uphold virtue. Take your rightful place on the throne and govern the Bharata kingdom. Marry a wife accordingly and do not bring shame to our ancestors.''  Vaisampayana continued, 'Responding to his mother and his relatives, the noble Bhishma, a fierce protector of righteousness, said, 'Dear mother, what you say aligns with virtue. But you know the vow I took regarding having children. You are also aware of everything that happened concerning your dowry. O Satyavati, I reaffirm my promise: I would give up three realms, even the heavens, for I can never abandon the truth. Earth might lose its fragrance, water may dry up, light might lose its ability to reveal forms, air could lose its touch, the sun could forsake its brightness, fire its warmth, the moon its cool glow, space might not carry sound, Vritra’s slayer might lose his strength, and even the god of justice might waver in fairness; yet, I cannot forsake the truth.'  Hearing her son’s powerful words, Satyavati replied, 'O you who embody truth, I see your unwavering commitment. You have the power, with your strength, to create new worlds. I know your vow concerning me, but in this urgent situation, you must carry out your duty to your ancestors. O slayer of foes, act in a way that preserves our lineage and prevents sorrow for our friends and family.'  Moved by the sorrowful and crying Satyavati, who spoke words that contradicted her morals out of grief for her son, Bhishma addressed her once more, saying, 'O Queen, do not turn your eyes away from what is right. Please, do not bring destruction upon us. A Kshatriya's violation of truth is never praised in our sacred texts. I will soon explain to you, O Queen, the proper Kshatriya practices that can prevent Santanu's lineage from vanishing from this world. Listen to me and consider what actions to take in consultation with wise priests and those familiar with acceptable practices during times of crisis, while also remembering the usual conduct of society.'
भीष्म उवाच। पुनर्भरतवंशस्य हेतुं सन्तानवृद्धये। वक्ष्यामि नियतं मातस्तन्मे निगदतः शृणु॥ 1 ब्राह्मणो गुणवान्कश्चिद्धनेनोपनिमन्त्र्यताम्। विचित्रवीर्यक्षेत्रेषु यः समुत्पादयेत्प्रजाः॥ 2 ततः सत्यवती भीष्मं वाचा संसज्जमानया। विहसन्तीव सव्रीडमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥ 3 सत्यमेतन्महाबाहो यथा वदसि भारत। विश्वासात्ते प्रवक्ष्यामि सन्तानाय कुलस्य नः॥ 4 न ते शक्यमनाख्यातुमापद्धर्मं तथाविधम्। त्वमेव नः कुले धर्मस्त्वं सत्यं त्वं परा गतिः॥ 5 तस्मान्निशम्य सत्यं मे कुरुष्व यदनन्तरम्। धर्मयुक्तस्य धर्मार्थं पितुरासीत्तरी मम।6 सा कदाचिदहं तत्र गता प्रथमयौवनम्॥ अथ धर्मविदां श्रेष्ठः परमर्षिः पराशरः।7 आजगाम तरीं धीमांस्तरिष्यन्यमुनां नदीम्॥ स तार्यमाणो यमुनां मामुपेत्याब्रवीत्तदा।8 सान्त्वपूर्वं मुनिश्रेष्ठः कामार्तो मधुरं वचः। उक्त्वा जन्म कुलं मह्यं नासि दाशसुतेति च॥ 9 तमहं शापभीता च पितुर्भीता च भारत। वरैरसुलभैरुक्ता न प्रत्याख्यातुमुत्सहे॥ 10 अभिभूय स मां बालां तेजसा वशमानयत्। तमसा लोकमावृत्य नौगतामेव भारत॥ 11 मत्स्यगन्धो महानासीत्पुरा मम जुगुप्सितः। तमपास्य शुभं गन्धमिमं प्रादात्स मे मुनिः॥ 12 ततो मामाह स मुनिर्गर्भमुत्सृज्य मामकम्। द्वोपेऽस्या एव सरितः कन्यैव त्वं भविष्यसि॥ 13 पाराशर्यो महायोगी स बभूव महानृषिः। कन्यापुत्रो मम पुरा द्वैपायन इति श्रुतः॥ 14 सत्यवादी शमपरस्तपस्वी दग्धकिल्बिषः। सद्योत्पन्नः स तु महान्सह पित्रा ततो गतः॥ 15 स नियुक्तो मया व्यक्तं त्वया चाप्रतिमद्युतिः। भ्रातुः क्षेत्रेषु कल्याणमपत्यं जनयिष्यति॥ 16 स हि मामुक्तवांस्तत्र स्मरेः कृच्छ्रेषु मामिति। तं स्मरिष्ये महाबाहो यदि भीष्म त्वमिच्छसि॥ 17 तव ह्यनुमते भीष्म नियतं स महातपाः। विचित्रवीर्यक्षेत्रेषु पुत्रानुत्पादयिष्यति॥ 18 वैशम्पायन उवाच। महर्षेः कीर्तने तस्य भीष्मः प्राञ्जलिरब्रवीत्। धर्ममर्थं च कामं च त्रीनेतान्योनुपश्यति॥ 19 अर्थमर्थानुबन्धं च धर्मं धर्मानुबन्धनम्। कामं कामानुबन्धं च विपरीतान्पृथक्पृथक्॥ 20 यो विचिन्त्य धिया धीरो व्यवस्यति स बुद्धिमान्। तदिदं धर्मयुक्तं च हितं चैव कुलस्य नः॥ 21 उक्तं भवत्या यच्छ्रेयस्तन्मह्यं रोचते भृशम्। वैशम्पायन उवाच। ततस्तस्मिन्प्रतिज्ञाते भीष्मेण कुरुनन्दन॥ 22 कृष्णद्वैपायनं काली चिन्तयामास वै मुनिम्। स वेदान्विब्रुवन्धीमान्मातुर्विज्ञाय चिन्तितम्॥ 23 प्रादुर्बभूवाविदितः क्षणेन कुरुनन्दन। तस्मै पूजां ततः कृत्वा सुताय विधिपूर्वकम्॥ 24 परिष्वज्य च बाहुभ्यां प्रस्रवैरभ्यषिञ्चत। मुमोच बाष्पं दाशेयी पुत्रं दृष्ट्वा चिरस्य तु॥ 25 तामद्भिः परिषिच्यार्तां महर्षिरभिवाद्य च। मातरं पूर्वजः पुत्रो व्यासो वचनमब्रवीत्॥ 26 भवत्या यदभिप्रेतं तदहं कर्तुमागतः। शाधि मां धर्मतत्त्वज्ञे करवाणि प्रियं तव॥ 27 तस्मै पूजां ततोऽकार्षीत्पुरोधाः परमर्षये। स च तां प्रतिजग्राह विधिमन्मन्त्रपूर्वकम्॥ 28 पूजितो मन्त्रपूर्वं तु विधिवत्प्रीतिमाप सः। तमासनगतं माता पृष्ट्वा कुशलमव्ययम्॥ 29 सत्यवत्यथ वीक्ष्यैनमुवाचेदमनन्तरम्। मातापित्रोः प्रजायन्ते पुत्राः साधारणाः कवे॥ 30 तेषां पिता यथा स्वीमी तथा माता न संशयः। विधानविहितः स त्वं यथा मे प्रथमः सुतः॥ 31 विचित्रवीर्यो ब्रह्मर्षे तथा मेऽवरजः सुतः। यथैव पितृतो भीष्मस्तथा त्वमपि मातृतः॥ 32 भ्राता विचित्रवीर्यस्य यथा वा पुत्र मन्यसे। अयं शान्तनवः सत्यं पालयन्सत्यविक्रमः॥ 33 बुद्धिं न कुरुतेऽपत्ये तथा राज्याऽनुशासने। स त्वं व्यपेक्षया भ्रातुः सन्तानाय कुलस्य च॥ 34 भीष्मस्य चास्य वचनान्नियोगाच्च ममानघ। अनुक्रोशाच्च भूतानां सर्वेषां रक्षणाय च॥ 35 आनृशंस्याच्च यद्ब्रूयां तच्छ्रुत्वा कर्तुमर्हसि। यवीयसस्व भ्रातुर्भार्ये सुरसुतोपमे॥ 36 रूपयौवनसंपन्ने पुत्रकामे च धर्मतः। तयोरुत्पादयापत्यं समर्थो ह्यसि पुत्रक॥ 37 अनुरूपं कुलस्यास्य संतत्याः प्रसवस्य च। व्यास उवाच। वेत्थ धर्मं सत्यवति परं चापरमेव च॥ 38 तथा तव महाप्राज्ञे धर्मे प्रणिहिता मतिः। तस्मादहं त्वन्नियोगाद्धर्ममुद्दिश्य कारणम्॥ 39 ईप्सितं ते करिष्यामि दृष्टं ह्येतत्सनातनम्। भ्रातुः पुत्रान्प्रदास्यामि मित्रावरुणयोः समान्॥ 40 व्रतं चरेतां ते देव्यौ निर्दिष्टमिह यन्मया। संवत्सरं यथान्यायं ततः शुद्धे भविष्यतः॥ 41 नहि मामव्रतोपेता उपेयात्काचिदङ्गना। सत्यवत्युवाच। सद्यो यथा प्रपद्येते देव्यौ गर्भं तथा कुरु॥ 42 अराजकेषु राष्ट्रेषु प्रजाऽनाथा विनश्यति। नश्यन्ति च क्रियाः सर्वा नास्ति वृष्टिर्न देवता॥ 43 कथं चाराजकं राष्ट्रं शक्यं धारयितुं प्रभो। तस्माद्गर्भं समाधत्स्व भीष्मः संवर्धयिष्यति॥ 44 व्यास उवाच। यदि पुत्रः प्रदातव्यो मया भ्रातुरकालिकः। विरूपतां मे सहतां तयोरेतत्परं व्रतम्॥ 45 यदि मे सहते गन्धं रूपं वेषं तथा वपुः। अद्यैव गर्भं कौसल्या विशिष्टं प्रतिपद्यताम्॥ 46 वैशम्पायन उवाच। एवमुक्त्वा महातेजा व्यासः सत्यवतीं तदा। शयने सा च कौसल्या शुचिवस्त्रा ह्यलङ्कृता॥ 47 समागमनमाकाङ्क्षेदिति सोऽन्तर्हितो मुनिः। ततोऽभिगम्य सा देवी स्नुषां रहसि संगताम्॥ 48 धर्म्यमर्थसमायुक्तमुवाच वचनं हितम्। कौसल्ये धर्मतन्त्रं त्वां यद्ब्रवीमि निबोध तत्॥ 49 भरतानां समुच्छेदो व्यक्तं मद्भाग्यसंक्षयात्। व्यथितां मां च संप्रेक्ष्य पितृवंशं च पीडितम्॥ 50 भीष्मो बुद्धिमदान्मह्यं कुलस्यास्य विवृद्धये। सा च बुद्धिस्त्वय्यधीना पुत्रि प्रापय मां तथा॥ 51 नष्टं च भारतं वंशं पुनरेव समुद्धऱ। पुत्रं जनय सुश्रोणि देवराजसमप्रभम्॥ 52 स हि राज्यधुरं गुर्वीमुद्वक्ष्यति कुलस्य नः। सा धर्मतोऽनुनीयैनां कथंचिद्धर्मचारिणीम्।53 भोजयामास विप्रांश्च देवर्षीनतिथींस्तथा॥ ॥ 54	54 (607)
Bhishma said, 'Listen, Mother, as I share how we can continue the Bharata lineage. Let's invite a skilled Brahmin with a generous offer, and he will father children with Vichitravirya's wives.'  Vaisampayana continued, 'Satyavati, smiling gently and speaking shyly, replied to Bhishma, 'O mighty Bharat, what you say is indeed correct. Trusting you, I will now share how we can carry on our family line. You can’t turn this down, as you know what must be done in difficult times. In our family, you are the embodiment of Virtue and Truth, our only refuge. So; listen to me, and do what is necessary.  My father was a good man. Out of his virtue, he operated a ferry. Once, when I was young, I went to ferry people across the river. The great sage Parasara, the wisest of my time, chose my boat to cross the Yamuna. As I rowed him, he grew desires and spoke to me softly. I was afraid of my father’s values, but in the end, fear of the sage's curse overcame me. I received a precious gift from him, and I couldn't deny his wishes.  The sage brought me completely under his control with his powers and fulfilled his desire right then, after shrouding the area in thick fog. Before that moment, I had a foul, fishy smell on me; but he eliminated it, replacing it with the fragrance I have now. He also assured me that by giving birth to his child on an island in the river, I would remain a virgin. The child born from me in my youth has become a great sage, renowned for his immense ascetic strength, known as Dwaipayana (the island-born). He is truthful, free from desire, a mighty ascetic who has burned all his sins, and left with his father right after his birth. Appointed by both you and me, this magnificent sage will surely father virtuous children with your brother’s wives. Just before he left, he told me, 'Mother, remember me in your time of need.'  Now, if you, O Bhishma, wish for it, I can call him here. I truly believe the great ascetic will father children on Vichitravirya's land.' Meanwhile, Vaisampayana continued, 'When the great sage was mentioned, Bhishma, with joined palms, said, 'A wise person carefully considers virtue, benefit, and joy and acts with patience so that virtue leads to more virtue, benefit to more benefit, and joy to more joy. Thus, what you have said, which is beneficial and aligns with virtue, is indeed the best advice and has my full endorsement.' After Bhishma spoke these words, O descendant of Kuru, Satyavati thought of Muni Dwaipayana. Learning that his mother was calling him, Dwaipayana came to her promptly, unseen by anyone.  Satyavati warmly welcomed her son, wrapping him in her arms, her tears flowing freely as she mourned the separation from him for so long. Her firstborn, the esteemed Vyasa, seeing her tears, washed her with cool water. Bowing to her, he said, 'I have come, dear mother, to fulfill your wishes. So, virtuous one, tell me what you need, and I will make it happen.' The family priest of the Bharatas honoured the great sage appropriately, who accepted the offerings while reciting sacred chants. Satisfied with the worship, he settled down. After exchanging customary greetings, Satyavati spoke to him:   'O wise one, children are born from both their father and mother and belong equally to both. There is no doubt that a mother holds as much authority over her children as a father does. You are, indeed, my eldest son by our traditions, and Vichitravirya is my youngest. Just as Bhishma is Vichitravirya's brother through their father, you are his brother through me. I may not know your thoughts, but this is my belief, dear son. Bhishma, the son of Santanu, is devoted to truth and chooses not to seek children or rule the kingdom for the sake of that truth.  Therefore, out of love for your brother Vichitravirya, to ensure our family's legacy, fulfilling Bhishma's wish and my command, caring for all creatures, protecting our people, and from your generous heart, you must act as I ask. Your younger brother has left behind two widowed wives, radiant like celestial maidens, who long for children for the sake of virtue and righteousness.' You are the best choice for this role. So, have children with them who will honor our heritage and carry on our legacy.' " Vyasa, upon hearing this, replied, 'O Satyavati, you understand what true virtue is, in this life and the next. You, wise one, also value virtue deeply. So, at your request, I will make virtue my guide and fulfill your wishes. I am aware of this righteous practice—ones in accordance with true and lasting faith—and I will provide my brother with children worthy of Mitra and Varuna. Let the women then observe the vow I suggest for a full year. After that, they shall be purified. No woman shall approach me unless she has followed a strict vow.'  Satyavati then responded, 'O pure-hearted one, it shall be as you say. Ensure that the women conceive right away. In a kingdom without a king, the people suffer from lack of protection; sacrifices and sacred duties cease; the clouds do not bring rain, and the gods withdraw. How can a kingdom thrive without its ruler? Therefore, ensure that the women conceive, and Bhishma will guard the children as they grow in their mothers' wombs.'  Vyasa answered, 'If I am to give my brother children at such an inconvenient time, then let the women bear my unattractiveness. That alone will be their greatest penance. If the princess of Kosala can endure my strong smell, my grim appearance, and my rough attire, she shall bear a remarkable child.'"  Vaisampayana continued, 'After speaking to Satyavati, the powerful Vyasa instructed her, saying, 'Let the princess of Kosala, dressed in beautiful clothes and adorned with jewelry, wait for me in her chamber.' With that, the sage vanished.  Satyavati then approached her daughter-in-law and said privately, 'O princess of Kosala, please hear my words. They align with what is right. My misfortunes have led to the downfall of the Bharata lineage. Seeing my suffering and the end of his family line, the wise Bhishma suggested a course of action to ensure our legacy continues, but it relies on you. Fulfill this, my daughter, and help bring back the Bharata bloodline. O beautiful one, bear a child as radiant as the chief of the gods. He will carry the weight of our ancestral kingdom.'  Satyavati, despite the challenge, finally gained her daughter-in-law's consent to this virtuous proposal. Then she hosted Brahmins, sages, and countless guests who came for the occasion.'"

 

इति श्री जयसंहिते आदिपर्वणि नवमोऽध्यायः॥

 

Ādiparva Chapter-8

Ādiparva Chapter-10