Bala Kanda · Sarga 59 of 77 · 22 verses
Vishvamitra Curses Vasishtha’s Sons
Moved by pity, Vishvamitra welcomes the chandala king: “Welcome, child of Ikshvaku; I know you are righteous. I will give you refuge; do not fear. I will invite all the great sages to help with the sacrifice, and you will go to heaven in your body, even in this form your teacher’s curse has given you. Since you have come for refuge to Kaushika, I think heaven is already in your hand.”
He sends his sons and disciples to invite all the sages, including Vasishtha’s sons, and to report anything said in disrespect. The sages come from every land, except the hundred sons of Vasishtha and the sage Mahodaya, who send back a harsh answer: “How can gods and sages eat the offering at a sacrifice where a kshatriya is the priest, and especially for a chandala? How will great brahmanas who eat a chandala’s food go to heaven, even if Vishvamitra protects them?” Hearing this, Vishvamitra, eyes red with anger, curses them: Vasishtha’s sons will be burned to ash and go to Yama’s realm, and be born for seven hundred births as corpse-eating Mushtikas who live on dog-flesh, ugly and deformed; Mahodaya, who insulted him without cause, will become a Nishada, delighting in killing, without pity, for a long time.
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उक्तवाक्यं तु राजानं कृपया कुशिकात्मजः । अब्रवीन्मधुरं वाक्यं साक्षाच्चण्डालतां गतम् ॥ १ ॥
To the king, who had spoken and had become a chandala before his eyes, the son of Kushika, out of compassion, spoke sweet words:
जिसने बात कही थी और जो आँखों के सामने चांडाल बन गया था, उस राजा से कुशिक-पुत्र ने करुणा से मधुर वचन कहे:
Commentary on the whole sarga
Vishvamitra Curses Vasishtha’s Sons 1 min read.
Read the commentary CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra speaks “out of compassion” and “sweetly”. The sage who was all pride and fury when he lost to Vasishtha shows tenderness to an outcast king.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra welcomes the outcast king with compassion: “I will give you refuge; do not fear.”
इक्ष्वाको स्वागतं वत्स जानामि त्वां सुधार्मिकम् । शरणं ते प्रदास्यामि मा भैषीर्नृपपुंगव ॥ २ ॥
“Welcome, child of Ikshvaku. I know you are most righteous. I will give you refuge; do not fear, bull among kings.
“इक्ष्वाकु-वंशी वत्स, तुम्हारा स्वागत है। मैं जानता हूँ तुम अत्यंत धर्मात्मा हो। मैं तुम्हें शरण दूँगा; राजश्रेष्ठ, डरो मत।
CommentaryNot scripture “Welcome. I know you are righteous. I will give you refuge; do not fear.” These are among the kindest words Vishvamitra speaks in the poem. Refuge (sharana ) given to one whom everyone else has abandoned.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra welcomes the outcast king with compassion: “I will give you refuge; do not fear.”
अहमामन्त्रये सर्वान् महर्षीन् पुण्यकर्मणः । यज्ञसाह्यकरान् राजंस्ततो यक्ष्यसि निर्वृतः ॥ ३ ॥
“I will invite all the great sages of holy deeds who can help with the sacrifice, king; then you will sacrifice in peace.
“राजन, मैं यज्ञ में सहायता कर सकने वाले सब पवित्र कर्मों वाले महर्षियों को बुलाऊँगा; फिर तुम शांति से यज्ञ करोगे।
CommentaryNot scripture He will gather sages to perform the sacrifice. He means to do what Vasishtha called impossible.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra welcomes the outcast king with compassion: “I will give you refuge; do not fear.”
गुरुशापकृतं रूपं यदिदं त्वयि वर्तते । अनेन सह रूपेण सशरीरो गमिष्यसि ॥ ४ ॥
“This form that is on you, made by your teacher’s curse, with this very form you will go to heaven in your body.
“गुरु के शाप से तुम पर जो यह रूप है, इसी रूप में तुम अपने शरीर सहित स्वर्ग जाओगे।
CommentaryNot scripture “With this very form you will go to heaven.” Not after being restored, but as he is now. Vishvamitra does not ask Trishanku to be made “acceptable” first.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra welcomes the outcast king with compassion: “I will give you refuge; do not fear.”
हस्तप्राप्तमहं मन्ये स्वर्गं तव नराधिप । यस्त्वं कौशिकमागम्य शरण्यं शरणागतः ॥ ५ ॥
“I think heaven is already in your hand, lord of men, since you have come to Kaushika, the giver of refuge, for refuge.”
“मनुष्यों के स्वामी, मुझे लगता है स्वर्ग तुम्हारे हाथ में ही है, क्योंकि तुम शरण देने वाले कौशिक की शरण में आए हो।”
CommentaryNot scripture “Heaven is already in your hand, since you have come to me for refuge.” Confidence, and also pride: Vishvamitra wants to prove what his power can do, especially against Vasishtha.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra welcomes the outcast king with compassion: “I will give you refuge; do not fear.”
एवमुक्त्वा महातेजाः पुत्रान् परमधार्मिकान् । व्यादिदेश महाप्राज्ञान् यज्ञसम्भारकारणात् ॥ ६ ॥
Having said this, the radiant one directed his most righteous and wise sons to gather what was needed for the sacrifice.
यह कहकर तेजस्वी विश्वामित्र ने अपने अत्यंत धर्मात्मा और बुद्धिमान पुत्रों को यज्ञ की सामग्री इकट्ठी करने का निर्देश दिया।
CommentaryNot scripture He sets his own sons to gather the materials.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra welcomes the outcast king with compassion: “I will give you refuge; do not fear.”
सर्वान् शिष्यान् समाहूय वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह । सर्वानृषीन् सवासिष्ठानानयध्वं ममाज्ञया ॥ ७ ॥
सशिष्यान् सुहृदश्चैव सर्त्विजः सुबहुश्रुतान् । यदन्यो वचनं ब्रूयान्मद्वाक्यबलचोदितः ॥ ८ ॥
तत् सर्वमखिलेनोक्तं ममाख्येयमनादृतम् । तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा दिशो जग्मुस्तदाज्ञया ॥ ९ ॥
He summoned all his disciples and said: “At my command, bring all the sages, with the sons of Vasishtha, with their disciples and friends, and the very learned priests. If anyone, urged by the force of my words, speaks otherwise, tell me all of it fully, whatever was said in disrespect.” Hearing his words, they went in every direction at his command.
उन्होंने अपने सब शिष्यों को बुलाकर कहा: “मेरी आज्ञा से सब ऋषियों को, वसिष्ठ के पुत्रों सहित, उनके शिष्यों और मित्रों के साथ, और अत्यंत विद्वान ऋत्विजों को लाओ। यदि मेरे वचनों के बल से प्रेरित होकर कोई अन्यथा बोले, तो अनादर में जो कुछ कहा गया हो, वह सब मुझे पूरा बताना।” उनके वचन सुनकर वे उनकी आज्ञा से हर दिशा में गए।
CommentaryNot scripture He sends disciples to invite all the sages, including Vasishtha’s sons. And he asks them to report any disrespect. He expects resistance, and he is watching for it.
Scene 1 of 2 · Vishvamitra welcomes the outcast king with compassion: “I will give you refuge; do not fear.”
आजग्मुरथ देशेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यो ब्रह्मवादिनः । ते च शिष्याः समागम्य मुनिं ज्वलिततेजसम् ॥ १० ॥
ऊचुश्च वचनं सर्वं सर्वेषां ब्रह्मवादिनाम् । श्रुत्वा ते वचनं सर्वे समायान्ति द्विजातयः ॥ ११ ॥
Then the expounders of Brahman came from every land. And those disciples, returning to the sage blazing with energy, reported the words of all the expounders of Brahman: “Hearing your words, all the twice-born are coming,
तब हर देश से ब्रह्मवादी आए। और वे शिष्य तेज से दमकते मुनि के पास लौटकर सब ब्रह्मवादियों के वचन बताने लगे: “आपके वचन सुनकर सब ब्राह्मण आ रहे हैं,
CommentaryNot scripture The learned come from every land. Vishvamitra’s reputation draws them.
Scene 2 of 2 · Hearing the insults of Vasishtha’s sons, Vishvamitra, eyes red with fury, curses them in the assembly of sages.
सर्वदेशेषु चागच्छन् वर्जयित्वा महोदयम् । वासिष्ठं यच्छतं सर्वं क्रोधपर्याकुलाक्षरम् ॥ १२ ॥
यथाह वचनं सर्वं शृणु त्वं मुनिपुंगव । क्षत्रियो याजको यस्य चण्डालस्य विशेषतः ॥ १३ ॥
“and they came from every land, except Mahodaya. Hear, best of sages, everything the hundred sons of Vasishtha said, every syllable stirred with anger: ‘Where a kshatriya is the priest, and especially for a chandala,
“और वे महोदय को छोड़कर हर देश से आए। मुनिश्रेष्ठ, वसिष्ठ के सौ पुत्रों ने जो कुछ कहा, क्रोध से भरे हर अक्षर के साथ, वह सब सुनिए: ‘जहाँ एक क्षत्रिय पुरोहित हो, और वह भी एक चांडाल के लिए,
CommentaryNot scripture All except Mahodaya and Vasishtha’s sons. Their reply: a kshatriya as priest, and for a chandala?
Scene 2 of 2 · Hearing the insults of Vasishtha’s sons, Vishvamitra, eyes red with fury, curses them in the assembly of sages.
कथं सदसि भोक्तारो हविस्तस्य सुरर्षयः । ब्राह्मणा वा महात्मानो भुक्त्वा चाण्डालभोजनम् ॥ १४ ॥
कथं स्वर्गं गमिष्यन्ति विश्वामित्रेण पालिताः । एतद् वचननैष्ठुर्यमूचुः संरक्तलोचनाः ॥ १५ ॥
“’how will the divine sages eat the offering in that assembly? Or how will great brahmanas, having eaten a chandala’s food, go to heaven, even protected by Vishvamitra?’ The sons of Vasishtha, with Mahodaya, said these harsh words with reddened eyes,
“’उस सभा में देवर्षि आहुति कैसे खाएँगे? या महान ब्राह्मण चांडाल का अन्न खाकर, विश्वामित्र की रक्षा में भी, स्वर्ग कैसे जाएँगे?’ महोदय सहित वसिष्ठ के पुत्रों ने लाल आँखों से ये कठोर वचन कहे,
CommentaryNot scripture “How will the gods eat the offering? How will brahmanas eat a chandala’s food and still reach heaven?” They object on two grounds: Vishvamitra’s birth as a kshatriya, and Trishanku’s new state. The rivalry of the two sages has become a quarrel about who may perform sacred rites, and for whom.
Scene 2 of 2 · Hearing the insults of Vasishtha’s sons, Vishvamitra, eyes red with fury, curses them in the assembly of sages.
वासिष्ठा मुनिशार्दूल सर्वे सहमहोदयाः । तेषां तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा सर्वेषां मुनिपुंगवः ॥ १६ ॥
क्रोधसंरक्तनयनः सरोषमिदमब्रवीत् । यद् दूषयन्त्यदुष्टं मां तप उग्रं समास्थितम् ॥ १७ ॥
“tiger among sages.” Hearing all their words, the best of sages, his eyes red with fury, said in anger: “Since they defile me, who am undefiled and devoted to fierce austerity,
“मुनिसिंह।” उनके सब वचन सुनकर मुनिश्रेष्ठ ने क्रोध से लाल आँखों से कहा: “क्योंकि वे मुझे दूषित ठहराते हैं, जो निर्दोष हूँ और कठोर तप में लगा हूँ,
CommentaryNot scripture Vishvamitra hears it, eyes red with anger: “They defile me, who am undefiled.” Their insult strikes at what he is trying to become.
Scene 2 of 2 · Hearing the insults of Vasishtha’s sons, Vishvamitra, eyes red with fury, curses them in the assembly of sages.
भस्मीभूता दुरात्मानो भविष्यन्ति न संशयः । अद्य ते कालपाशेन नीता वैवस्वतक्षयम् ॥ १८ ॥
“those wicked ones will become ash, without doubt. Today they will be led by the noose of Time to the abode of Vivasvat’s son (Yama).
“वे दुष्ट निःसंदेह राख हो जाएँगे। आज काल के पाश से वे विवस्वान के पुत्र (यम) के धाम ले जाए जाएँगे।
CommentaryNot scripture “They will become ash.” He curses them. The same sons who cursed Trishanku are cursed in return. Curses multiply curses.
Scene 2 of 2 · Hearing the insults of Vasishtha’s sons, Vishvamitra, eyes red with fury, curses them in the assembly of sages.
सप्तजातिशतान्येव मृतपाः सम्भवन्तु ते । श्वमांसनियताहारा मुष्टिका नाम निर्घृणाः ॥ १९ ॥
“For seven hundred births let them be born as eaters of corpses, merciless, named Mushtikas, living on the flesh of dogs,
“सात सौ जन्मों तक वे शव खाने वाले, निर्दयी, मुष्टिक नाम वाले, कुत्तों के मांस पर जीने वाले होकर जन्म लें,
CommentaryNot scripture Seven hundred births as Mushtikas, eaters of corpses. The anger here is terrible. Valmiki does not soften Vishvamitra’s fury. His austerity has given him power, but not yet peace.
Scene 2 of 2 · Hearing the insults of Vasishtha’s sons, Vishvamitra, eyes red with fury, curses them in the assembly of sages.
विकृताश्च विरूपाश्च लोकाननुचरन्त्विमान् । महोदयश्च दुर्बुद्धिर्मामदूष्यं ह्यदूषयत् ॥ २० ॥
दूषितः सर्वलोकेषु निषादत्वं गमिष्यति । प्राणातिपातनिरतो निरनुक्रोशतां गतः ॥ २१ ॥
“deformed and ugly, roaming these worlds. And the evil-minded Mahodaya, who defiled me, who am not to be defiled, will be defiled in all the worlds and become a Nishada, devoted to taking life, gone into pitilessness;
“विकृत और कुरूप होकर इन लोकों में घूमें। और दुष्ट बुद्धि वाला महोदय, जिसने मुझ अदूषणीय को दूषित ठहराया, सब लोकों में दूषित होगा और प्राण लेने में लगा, निर्दयता में डूबा निषाद बन जाएगा;
CommentaryNot scripture And Mahodaya will become a Nishada hunter, “devoted to taking life”. The curse imposes the very state the sons scorned. (The poem uses “Nishada” here as a curse; elsewhere Guha, a Nishada king, is Rama’s beloved friend. The poem holds both views.)
Scene 2 of 2 · Hearing the insults of Vasishtha’s sons, Vishvamitra, eyes red with fury, curses them in the assembly of sages.
दीर्घकालं मम क्रोधाद् दुर्गतिं वर्तयिष्यति । एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं विश्वामित्रो महातपाः । विरराम महातेजा ऋषिमध्ये महामुनिः ॥ २२ ॥
“through my anger he will live a wretched life for a long time.” Having spoken these words, the radiant great ascetic Vishvamitra fell silent in the midst of the sages.
“मेरे क्रोध से वह बहुत समय तक दुखी जीवन जिएगा।” ये वचन कहकर तेजस्वी महातपस्वी विश्वामित्र मुनियों के बीच चुप हो गए।
CommentaryNot scripture Having cursed, Vishvamitra falls silent among the sages. His compassion for Trishanku and his rage at Vasishtha’s sons sit side by side. He is not yet a brahmarshi. Anger is the thing he must still conquer.
Scene 2 of 2 · Hearing the insults of Vasishtha’s sons, Vishvamitra, eyes red with fury, curses them in the assembly of sages.
