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Mahābhārata • Parva 12 (Śāntiparva) • Adhyāya 263

Śāntiparva Adhyāya 263

शान्तिपर्व • अध्यायः 263

Śāntiparva Adhyāya 263 of the classical Mahābhārata with 56 verses.

Total: 56 Verses • Citations: MBh 12.263.1–56 • 250 Lexicon Terms • Page 1 of 2 (Verses 30 shown)
धर्ममर्थं च कामं च वेदाः शंसन्ति भारत । कस्य लाभो विशिष्टोऽत्र तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥
English Translation
Yudhisthira said The Vedas, O Bharata, describe Religion, Profit, and Pleasure. Tell me, however, O grand-father, the attainment of which is considered as superior.
अत्र ते वर्तयिष्यामि इतिहासं पुरातनम् । कुण्डधारेण यत्प्रीत्या भक्तायोपकृतं पुरा ॥
English Translation
Bhishma said About it I shall recite to you the ancient discourse of the benefit which Kundadhara in days of yore had conferred upon one who was devoted to him.
अधनो ब्राह्मणः कश्चित्कामाद्धर्ममवैक्षत । यज्ञार्थं स ततोऽर्थार्थी तपोऽतप्यत दारुणम् ॥
English Translation
Once on a time a Brahmana shorn of riches tried to win virtue, actuated by the desire of fruit. He continually thought of riches for employing it in the celebration of sacrifices. For gaining his end he engaged in the practice of the austerest penances.
स निश्चयमथो कृत्वा पूजयामास देवताः । भक्त्या न चैवाध्यगच्छद्धनं संपूज्य देवताः ॥
English Translation
Determined to achieve his object, he began to adore the gods with great devotion. But he failed to acquire riches by such adoration of the gods.
ततश्चिन्तां पुनः प्राप्तः कतमद्दैवतं नु तत् । यन्मे द्रुतं प्रसीदेत मानुषैरजडीकृतम् ॥
English Translation
He thereupon began to think aside, What is that god, hitherto not worshipped by men, who may be forthwith favourably disposed towards me?
अथ सौम्येन वपुषा देवानुचरमन्तिके । प्रत्यपश्यज्जलधरं कुण्डधारमवस्थितम् ॥
English Translation
While thinking thus with a cool mind, he saw stationed before him that retainer of the gods, viz., the Cloud called Kundadhara.
दृष्ट्वैव तं महात्मानं तस्य भक्तिरजायत । अयं मे धास्यति श्रेयो वपुरेतद्धि तादृशम् ॥
English Translation
As soon as he saw that mighty-armed being, the Brahmana's feelings of devotion were excited, and he said to himself,-This one will surely give me prosperity! Indeed, his form indicates it.
संनिकृष्टश्च देवस्य न चान्यैर्मानुषैर्वृतः । एष मे दास्यति धनं प्रभूतं शीघ्रमेव च ॥
English Translation
He lives near the gods. He has not as yet been worshipped by other man. He will surely give me profuse riches without any delay!
ततो धूपैश्च गन्धैश्च माल्यैरुच्चावचैरपि । बलिभिर्विविधैश्चापि पूजयामास तं द्विजः ॥
English Translation
The Brahmana then, having determined thus, adored that Cloud with incense, perfumes and garlands of flowers of the most superior kind, and with various sorts of offerings.
ततः स्वल्पेन कालेन तुष्टो जलधरस्तदा । तस्योपकारे नियतामिमां वाचमुवाच ह ॥
English Translation
Thus adored, the Cloud became very soon pleased with his worshipper, and uttered these words of benefit to that Brahmana:
ब्रह्मघ्ने च सुरापे च चोरे भग्नव्रते तथा । निष्कृतिर्विहिता सद्भिः कृतघ्ने नास्ति निष्कृतिः ॥
English Translation
The wise have laid down expiation for one guilty of Brahmanicide, or of drinking alcohol, or of stealing, or of neglecting all meritorious vows. There is no expiation, however, for one who is ungrateful.
आशायास्तनयोऽधर्मः क्रोधोऽसूयासुतः स्मृतः । पुत्रो लोभो निकृत्यास्तु कृतघ्नो नार्हति प्रजाम् ॥
English Translation
Expectation has a child named Sin. Anger, again, is considered to be a child of Envy. Cupidity is the child of Deceit. Ingratitude, however, is barnen.
ततः स ब्राह्मणः स्वप्ने कुण्डधारस्य तेजसा । अपश्यत्सर्वभूतानि कुशेषु शयितस्तदा ॥
English Translation
After this, that Brahmana, stretched on a bed of Kusha grass, and penetrated with the energy of Kundadhara, saw all living beings in a dream.
शमेन तपसा चैव भक्त्या च निरुपस्कृतः । शुद्धात्मा ब्राह्मणो रात्रौ निदर्शनमपश्यत ॥
English Translation
Indeed, on account of his absence of passion, penances, and devotion, that Brahmana of purified soul and standing aloof from all enjoyments saw in the night that effect of his devotion to Kundadhara.
मणिभद्रं स तत्रस्थं देवतानां महाद्युतिम् । अपश्यत महात्मानं व्यादिशन्तं युधिष्ठिर ॥
English Translation
Indeed, O Yudhishthira, he saw the great and highly effulgent Manibhadra stationed in the midst of the gods, engaged in giving his orders.
तत्र देवाः प्रयच्छन्ति राज्यानि च धनानि च । शुभैः कर्मभिरारब्धाः प्रच्छिदन्त्यशुभेषु च ॥
English Translation
There the gods seemed to be engaged in granting kingdoms and riches to men, induced by their good deeds, and in taking them away when men deviated from goodness.
पश्यतामथ यक्षाणां कुण्डधारो महाद्युतिः । निष्पत्य पतितो भूमौ देवानां भरतर्षभ ॥
English Translation
Then, O foremost of Bharata's race, the highly effulgent Kundadhara, bending himself low, laid himself down on the ground before the gods in the presences of all the Yakshas.
ततस्तु देववचनान्मणिभद्रो महायशाः । उवाच पतितं भूमौ कुण्डधार किमिष्यते ॥
English Translation
At the command of the gods the Manibhadra said to the prostrate Kundadhara,-What does Kundadhara want?
यदि प्रसन्ना देवा मे भक्तोऽयं ब्राह्मणो मम । अस्यानुग्रहमिच्छामि कृतं किंचित्सुखोदयम् ॥
English Translation
Thereupon Kundadhara replied,-If, indeed, the gods are gratified with me, there, that Brahmana respects me greatly. I pray for some favour being shown to him, something, that may bring him happiness.
ततस्तं मणिभद्रस्तु पुनर्वचनमब्रवीत् । देवानामेव वचनात्कुण्डधारं महाद्युतिम् ॥
English Translation
Hearing this, Manibhadra, ordered by the gods, once more said to the highly intelligent Kundadhara.
उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भद्रं ते कृतकार्यः सुखी भव । यावद्धनं प्रार्थयते ब्राह्मणोऽयं सखा तव । देवानां शासनात्तावदसंख्येयं ददाम्यहम् ॥
English Translation
Rise, Rise up, O Kundadhara; Your prayer has borne success! Be you happy! If this Brahmana seeks riches, let as much wealth be given to him, as he wishes. at the command of the gods I shall give him immeasurable riches.
विचार्य कुण्डधारस्तु मानुष्यं चलमध्रुवम् । तपसे मतिमाधत्त ब्राह्मणस्य यशस्विनः ॥
English Translation
Then, thinking upon the fieeting and unreal character of the humanity, Kundadhara set his heart, O Yudhisthira, upon inclining the Brahmana to penances.
नाहं धनानि याचामि ब्राह्मणाय धनप्रद । अन्यमेवाहमिच्छामि भक्तायानुग्रहं कृतम् ॥
English Translation
Indeed, Kundadhara said,-I do not, O giver of riches, beg for wealth on behalf of this Brahmana. I desire the bestowed of another favour upon him.
पृथिवीं रत्नपूर्णां वा महद्वा धनसंचयम् । भक्ताय नाहमिच्छामि भवेदेष तु धार्मिकः ॥
English Translation
I do not pray for this devotee of mine mountains of pearls and gems, or even the whole Earth with all her riches. I wish, however, that he should be virtuous.
धर्मेऽस्य रमतां बुद्धिर्धर्मं चैवोपजीवतु । धर्मप्रधानो भवतु ममैषोऽनुग्रहो मतः ॥
English Translation
Let his heart find pleasure in virtue! Let him have virtue for his support. Let virtue be the foremost of all his objects. This is the favour which I am inclined to give my support. Manibhadra said
यदा धर्मफलं राज्यं सुखानि विविधानि च । फलान्येवायमश्नातु कायक्लेशविवर्जितः ॥
English Translation
The fruits of virtue are always kingdom and happiness of various sorts. Let this one enjoy those fruits, always freed from all sorts of physical sufferings.
ततस्तदेव बहुशः कुण्डधारो महायशाः । अभ्यासमकरोद्धर्मे ततस्तुष्टास्य देवताः ॥
English Translation
Thus addressed, the highly illustrious Kundadhara, repeatedly prayed for virtue alone for that Brahmana. The gods were highly pleased at it.
प्रीतास्ते देवताः सर्वा द्विजस्यास्य तथैव च । भविष्यत्येष धर्मात्मा धर्मे चाधास्यते मतिः ॥
English Translation
Then Manibhadra said The gods are all pleased with you as also with this Brahmana. This one shall become a virtuous man. He shall devote his mind to virtue.
ततः प्रीतो जलधरः कृतकार्यो युधिष्ठिर । ईप्सितं मनसो लब्ध्वा वरमन्यैः सुदुर्लभम् ॥
English Translation
The Cloud, Kundadhara, became pleased,O Yudhishthira, at thus having been successful in gaining his wish. The boon that he had got was one that could not be acquired by anybody else.
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