Ch 14 Verse 1-2 Verse

Sanskrit Text

३.१४ चतुर्दशोऽध्यायः । युधाजिद्वीरसेनयोर्युद्धार्थं सज्जीभवनम् । जनमेजय उवाच । श्रुतो वै हरिणा क्लृप्तो यज्ञो विस्तरतो द्विज । महिमानं तथाम्बाया वद विस्तरतो मम ॥ १ ॥ श्रुत्वा देव्याश्चरित्रं वै कुर्वे मखमनुत्तमम् । प्रसादात्तव विप्रेन्द्र भविष्यामि च पावनः ॥ २ ॥

English Translation

Janamejaya spoke :-- O Dvīja! I have heard in detail the Devī Yajña, performed by Śrī Viṣṇu. Now describe Her Glory and glorious deeds. After hearing these, the Devī’s glorious deeds, I will also perform that, the best of all sacrifices. Thereby I will no doubt be pure through your favour.

Ch 14 Verse 3 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । शृणु राजन्प्रवक्ष्यामि देव्याश्चरितमुत्तमम् । इतिहासं पुराणञ्च कथयामि सुविस्तरम् ॥ ३ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O king! Hear, I am describing to you the history of the most auspicious mighty deeds of the Devī, according to the Purāṇas.

Ch 14 Verse 4-5 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कोसलेषु नृपश्रेष्ठः सूर्यवंशसमुद्भवः । पुष्यपुत्रो महातेजा ध्रुवसन्धिरिति स्मृतः ॥ ४ ॥ धर्मात्मा सत्यसन्धश्च वर्णाश्रमहिते रतः । अयोध्यायां समृद्धायां राज्यं चक्रे शुचिव्रतः ॥ ५ ॥

English Translation

In days of yore, there reigned in the country of Kosala, the king Dhruvasandhi of the Solar Dynasty. He was the son of Puṣpa and celebrated on account of his great prowess. He was truthful, religious, engaged in doing good to his subjects, obeying the laws of the four castes and Āśramas. He being pure, performed his regal duties in the flourishing city of Ayodhyā.

Ch 14 Verse 6 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्राश्चान्ये तथा द्विजाः । स्वां स्वां वृत्तिं समास्थाय तद्राज्ये धर्मतोऽभवन् ॥ ६ ॥

English Translation

The Brāhmaṇas, Kṣattriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras and other good persons all lived religiously under his rule, each abiding by his own profession.

Ch 14 Verse 7 Verse

Sanskrit Text

न चौराः पिशुना धूर्तास्तस्य राज्ये च कुत्रचित् । दम्भाः कृतघ्ना मूर्खाश्च वसन्ति किल मानवाः ॥ ७ ॥

English Translation

No thieves, cheats, cunning persons, vain and arrogant persons, treacherous and illiterate men were allowed to remain in his kingdom.

Ch 14 Verse 8 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एवं वै वर्तमानस्य नृपस्य कुरुसत्तम । द्वे पत्न्यौ रूपसम्पन्ने ह्यासतुः कामभोगदे ॥ ८ ॥

English Translation

O host of Kurus! Thus ruling virtuously, the king had two wives, both of them young, fair and beautiful and well able to give delights and enjoyments to the king.

Ch 14 Verse 9 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मनोरमा धर्मपत्नी सुरूपाऽतिविचक्षणा । लीलावती द्वितीया च साऽपि रूपगुणान्विता ॥ ९ ॥

English Translation

The first and lovely wife was Manoramā, and the second was Līlāvatī. Both of them were exceedingly handsome, intelligent and qualified.

Ch 14 Verse 10 Verse

Sanskrit Text

विजहार सपत्नीभ्यां गृहेषूपवनेषु च । क्रीडागिरौ दीर्घिकासु सौधेषु विविधेषु च ॥ १० ॥

English Translation

The king enjoyed much with them in palaces, gardens, romantic hills, lakes, and various beautiful mansions.

Ch 14 Verse 11 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मनोरमा शुभे काले सुषुवे पुत्रमुत्तमम् । सुदर्शनाभिधं पुत्रं राजलक्षणसंयुतम् ॥ ११ ॥

English Translation

In the auspicious moment, Manoramā gave birth to a beautiful child, endowed with all royal qualifications. The child was named, in due course, Sudarśana.

Ch 14 Verse 12 Verse

Sanskrit Text

लीलावत्यपि तत्पत्नी मासेनैकेन भामिनी । सुषुवे सुन्दरं पुत्रं शुभे पक्षे दिने तथा ॥ १२ ॥

English Translation

Next within one month, his second wife the fair Līlāvatī in the auspicious fortnight and in the auspicious day, gave birth to an excellent child.

Ch 14 Verse 13 Verse

Sanskrit Text

चकार नृपतिस्तत्र जातकर्मादिकं द्वयोः । ददौ दानानि विप्रेभ्यः पुत्रजन्मप्रमोदितः ॥ १३ ॥

English Translation

The King then performed the Jāta-Karma (ceremonies on the birth of a child) and being very glad, made lots of presents, wealth, etc., to the Brāhmaṇas.

Ch 14 Verse 14 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्रीतिं तयोः समां राजा चकार सुतयोर्नृप । नृपश्चकार सौहार्देष्वन्तरं न कदाचन ॥ १४ ॥

English Translation

The King shewed affection equally to the two children; never he made any distinction between them.

Ch 14 Verse 15 Verse

Sanskrit Text

चूडाकर्म तयोश्चक्रे विधिना नृपसत्तमः । यथाविभवमेवासौ प्रीतियुक्तः परन्तपः ॥ १५ ॥

English Translation

The king, the tormenter of the foes, was very glad and performed duly the cuḍā karaṇa ceremony according to his position and wealth.

Ch 14 Verse 16 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कृतचूडौ सुतौ कामं जह्रतुर्नृपतेर्मनः । क्रीडमानावुभौ कान्तौ लोकानामनुरञ्जकौ ॥ १६ ॥

English Translation

The sight of these two sons delighted very much the people. Now seeing these Kritacūḍas, and playing, the king was merged in the ocean of pleasure.

Ch 14 Verse 17-18 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तयोः सुदर्शनो ज्येष्ठो लीलावत्याः सुतः शुभः । शत्रुजित्संज्ञकः कामं चाटुवाक्यो बभूव ह ॥ १७ ॥ नृपतेः प्रीतिजनको मञ्जुवाक्चारुदर्शनः । प्रजानां वल्लभः सोऽभूत्तथा मन्त्रिजनस्य वै ॥ १८ ॥

English Translation

Sudarśana was the eldest; but Satrujit, the second beautiful son by Līlāvatī was of sweet and persuasive speech. His beautiful figure and sweet words gave very much delight to the king, and for these qualities, the child Satrujit turned out also a favourite of the people and ministers.

Ch 14 Verse 19 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तथा तस्मिन्नृपः प्रीतिञ्चकार गुणयोगतः । मन्दभाग्यान्मन्दभावो न तथा वै सुदर्शने ॥ १९ ॥

English Translation

The king could not show so much affection to the unfortunate Sudarśana as he showed to Satrujit.

Ch 14 Verse 20-21 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एवं गच्छति काले तु ध्रुवसन्धिर्नृपोत्तमः । जगाम वनमध्येऽसौ मृगयाभिरतः सदा ॥ २० ॥ निघ्नन्मृगान् रुरून्कम्बून्सूकरान्गवयाञ्छशान् । महिषाञ्छरभान्खड्गांश्चिक्रीड नृपतिर्वने ॥ २१ ॥

English Translation

Thus some days having passed, one day the king Dhruvasandhi went out on an hunting expedition to the forest. He killed in the forest many deer, Ruru (a kind of deer), elephants, boar, hare, buffaloes, rhinoceros, camels and amused himself very much with this hunting affair.

Ch 14 Verse 22-23 Verse

Sanskrit Text

क्रीडमाने नृपे तत्र वने घोरेऽतिदारुणे । उदतिष्ठन्निकुञ्जात्तु सिंहः परमकोपनः ॥ २२ ॥ राज्ञा शिलीमुखेनादौ विद्धः क्रोधवशं गतः । दृष्ट्वाग्रे नृपतिं सिंहो ननाद मेघनिःस्वनः ॥ २३ ॥

English Translation

While he was hunting thus, a lion got very much enraged, and, from a bush, suddenly jumped and came upon the king. That king of the beasts was already struck with arrows; now seeing the king in front, he loudly roared.

Ch 14 Verse 24-25 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कृत्वा चोर्ध्वं स लाङ्गूलं प्रसारितबृहत्सटः । हन्तुं नृपतिमाकाशादुत्पपातातिकोपनः ॥ २४ ॥ नृपतिस्तरसा वीक्ष्य दधारासिं करे तदा । वामे चर्म समादाय स्थितः सिंह इवापरः ॥ २५ ॥

English Translation

He angrily lifted his long tail high up in the air and, puffing up his manes, jumped up high in the air to attack and to take the life of the king. Seeing this, instantly the king took sword in his right hand and shield in his left and stationed himself like another lion before him.

Ch 14 Verse 26 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सेवकास्तस्य ये सर्वे तेऽपि बाणान्पृथक्पृथक् । अमुञ्चन्कुपिताः कामं सिंहोपरि रुषान्विताः ॥ २६ ॥

English Translation

The king’s followers, one and all, angrily shot arrows on the lion.

Ch 14 Verse 27 Verse

Sanskrit Text

हाहाकारो महानासीत्सम्प्रहारश्च दारुणः । उत्पपात ततः सिंहो नृपस्योपरि दारुणः ॥ २७ ॥

English Translation

Then a loud uproar ensued; and all began to hurl arrows as best as they could. But, after all, that dangerous lion fell upon the king.

Ch 14 Verse 28-29 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तं पतन्तं समालोक्य खड्गेनाभ्यहनन्नृपः । सोऽपि क्रूरैर्नखाग्रैश्च तत्रागत्य विदारितः ॥ २८ ॥ स नखैराहतो राजा पपात च ममार वै । चुक्रुशुः सैनिकास्ते तु निर्जघ्नुर्विशिखैस्तदा ॥ २९ ॥

English Translation

Seeing thus, the king struck him with his sword, but the lion also tore asunder the king, with his sharp nails. The king thus struck by the lion, fell on the spot and died. The soldiers cried aloud and killed the lion with arrows.

Ch 14 Verse 30 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मृतः सिंहोऽपि तत्रैव भूपतिश्च तथा मृतः । सैनिकैर्मन्त्रिमुख्याश्च तत्रागत्य निवेदिताः ॥ ३० ॥

English Translation

Thus both the king and lion lay dead on the spot; and the soldiers turned back to the palace and gave all the informations to the royal ministers.

Ch 14 Verse 31 Verse

Sanskrit Text

परलोकगतं भूपं श्रुत्वा ते मन्त्रिसत्तमाः । संस्कारं कारयामासुर्गत्वा तत्र वनान्तिके ॥ ३१ ॥

English Translation

When the munis heard the demise of the king, they went to the forest, performed the burning of the dead body of the king.

Ch 14 Verse 32 Verse

Sanskrit Text

परलोकक्रियां सर्वां वसिष्ठो विधिपूर्वकम् । कारयामास तत्रैव परलोकसुखावहम् ॥ ३२ ॥

English Translation

The Maharṣi Vaśiṣṭha performed duly on the same spot, all the funeral ceremonies, thus ensuring the king the safe journey to the next world.

Ch 14 Verse 33 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्रजाः प्रकृतयश्चैव वसिष्ठश्च महामुनिः । सुदर्शनं नृपं कर्तुं मन्त्रं चक्रुः परस्परम् ॥ ३३ ॥

English Translation

All the subjects and the citizens and the Muni Vaśiṣṭha counselled each other to install Sudarśana on the throne as the king.

Ch 14 Verse 34-35 Verse

Sanskrit Text

धर्मपत्नीसुतः शान्तः पुरुषश्च सुलक्षणः । अयं नृपासनार्हश्च ह्यब्रुवन्मन्त्रिसत्तमाः ॥ ३४ ॥ वसिष्ठोऽपि तथैवाह योग्योऽयं नृपतेः सुतः । बालोऽपि धर्मवान् राजा नृपासनमिहार्हति ॥ ३५ ॥

English Translation

The minister-in-chief as well as the other members proposed that as Sudarśana is the son of the legal wife, calm and quiet, beautiful and endowed with all the royal qualifications, he is fit for the throne. Maharṣi Vaśiṣṭha said, the royal son, though not attained to proper age is still religious; therefore he is really fit be installed as king on the royal throne.

Ch 14 Verse 36 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कृते मन्त्रे मन्त्रिवृद्धैर्युधाजिन्नाम पार्थिवः । तत्राजगाम तरसा श्रुत्वा तूज्जयिनीपतिः ॥ ३६ ॥

English Translation

When the wise aged ministers thus decided, Yudhājit, the king of Ujjain, on hearing the decision hastened to the spot.

Ch 14 Verse 37 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मृतं जामातरं श्रुत्वा लीलावत्याः पिता तदा । तत्राजगाम त्वरितो दौहित्रप्रियकाम्यया ॥ ३७ ॥

English Translation

He was the father of Līlāvatī; on hearing the demise of his son-in-law he came there, so that his daughter’s son might get the kingdom.

Ch 14 Verse 38 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वीरसेनस्तथाऽऽयातः सुदर्शनहितेच्छया । कलिङ्गाधिपतिश्चैव मनोरमापिता नृपः ॥ ३८ ॥

English Translation

Next, Vīrasena, the king of the country of Kaliṅga and the father of Manoramā, came there also with the object that his daughter’s son Sudarśana be the Emperor.

Ch 14 Verse 39 Verse

Sanskrit Text

उभौ तौ सैन्यसंयुक्तौ नृपौ साध्वससंस्थितौ । चक्रतुर्मन्त्रिमुख्यैस्तैर्मन्त्रं राज्यस्य कारणात् ॥ ३९ ॥

English Translation

The two kings, accompanied respectively by their own army and soldiers, began to counsel with the aged ministers, each trying so that his daughter’s son may get the throne.

Ch 14 Verse 40 Verse

Sanskrit Text

युधाजित्तु तदाऽपृच्छज्ज्येष्ठः कः सुततोर्द्वयोः । राज्यं प्राप्नोति ज्येष्ठो वै न कनीयान्कदाचन ॥ ४० ॥

English Translation

Yudhājit made the question :-- “Who is the eldest of the two sons? Is it always the case that the eldest will inherit the kingdom? Will not the youngest ever be able to acquire it?”

Ch 14 Verse 41 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वीरसेनोऽपि तत्राह धर्मपत्नीसुतः किल । राज्यार्हः स यथा राजन् शास्त्रज्ञेभ्यो मया श्रुतम् ॥ ४१ ॥

English Translation

Vīrasena said :-- O king! He who is the son of the legal wife inherits the kingdom; this I have heard from the learned who are proficient in the knowledge of the Śāstras.

Ch 14 Verse 42 Verse

Sanskrit Text

युधाजित्पुनराहेदं ज्येष्ठोऽयं च यथा गुणैः । राजलक्षणसंयुक्तो न तथायं सुदर्शनः ॥ ४२ ॥

English Translation

Hearing Vīrasena, Yudhājit repeated “Sudarśana is not so qualified with royal qualifications and other matters as this son of the late king, Satrujit. How can then Sudarśana inherit the throne?”

Ch 14 Verse 43 Verse

Sanskrit Text

विवादोऽत्र सुसम्पन्नो नृपयोस्तत्र लुब्धयोः । कः सन्देहमपाकर्तुं क्षमः स्यादतिसङ्कटे ॥ ४३ ॥

English Translation

O King! Then quarrels ensued amongst the two kings. Now, at this critical juncture, who is able to solve their doubts?

Ch 14 Verse 44 Verse

Sanskrit Text

युधाजिन्मन्त्रिणः प्राह यूयं स्वार्थपराः किल । सुदर्शनं नृपं कृत्वा धनं भोक्तुं किलेच्छथ ॥ ४४ ॥

English Translation

Yudhājit then addressed the ministers :-- “You all are prompted by selfish ends; you want to acquire a good deal of money by making Sudarśana the king.

Ch 14 Verse 45-46 Verse

Sanskrit Text

युष्माकं तु विचारोऽयं मया ज्ञातस्तथेङ्गितैः । शत्रुजित्सबलस्तस्मात्सम्मतो वो नृपासने ॥ ४५ ॥ मयि जीवति कः कुर्यात्कनीयांसं नृपं किल । त्यक्त्वा ज्येष्ठं गुणार्हञ्च सेनया च समन्वितम् ॥ ४६ ॥

English Translation

I have come to know by your gestures and postures that your decision is to the above affect. After all, as Satrujit possesses many more qualifications than Sudarśana, he has more claims to the throne; and therefore he is fit to occupy the throne and no other. Morever, let me see as long as I live who can set aside the claims of a qualified prince, in possession of an army, and put forward the claims of a prince who has no qualifications it all.

Ch 14 Verse 47 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नूनं युद्धं करिष्यामि तस्मिन्खड्गस्य मेदिनी । धारया च द्विधा भूयाद्युष्माकं तत्र का कथा ॥ ४७ ॥

English Translation

I am ready to fight and I will tear the earth into two pieces by my sword. What more have you to say on this?”

Ch 14 Verse 48 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वीरसेनस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा युधाजितमभाषत । बालौ द्वौ सदृशप्रज्ञौ को भेदोऽत्र विचक्षण ॥ ४८ ॥

English Translation

Hearing this, Vīrasena addressed Yudhājit “I see the two boy’s intelligence the same. You are intelligent; kindly mention where is the difference?”

Ch 14 Verse 49 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एवं विवदमानौ तौ संस्थितौ नृपती तदा । प्रजाश्च ऋषयश्चैव बभूवुर्व्यग्रमानसाः ॥ ४९ ॥

English Translation

O king! The two kings quarrelling with each other, remained there; the subjects and the Ṛṣis, seeing this, were very anxious.

Ch 14 Verse 50 Verse

Sanskrit Text

समाजग्मुश्च सामन्ताः ससैन्याः क्लेशतत्पराः । विग्रहञ्चाभिकाङ्क्षन्तः परस्परमतन्द्रिताः ॥ ५० ॥

English Translation

Hundreds of tributary princes wanting that the two kings might be involved into quarrels with each other, came to the spot, with their soldiers, though they had to undergo great hardships in doing so.

Ch 14 Verse 51 Verse

Sanskrit Text

निषादा ह्याययुस्तत्र शृङ्गवेरपुराश्रयाः । राजद्रव्यमपाहर्तुं मृतं श्रुत्वा महीपतिम् ॥ ५१ ॥

English Translation

Many aborigines, from the inhabitants of Sriṅgaverpur, hearing the demise of the late king, also appeared on the scene with the sole object to plunder.

Ch 14 Verse 52 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पुत्रौ च बालकौ श्रुत्वा विग्रहं च परस्परम् । चौरास्तत्र समाजग्मुर्देशदेशान्तरादपि ॥ ५२ ॥

English Translation

The two princes are minors; and hearing their parties at war with each other, many robbers from various adjoining countries came also there.

Ch 14 Verse 53 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सम्मर्दस्तत्र सञ्जातः कलहे समुपस्थिते । युधाजिद्वीरसेनश्च युद्धकामौ बभूवतुः ॥ ५३ ॥

Sanskrit Colophon

इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां तृतीयस्कन्धे युधाजिद्वीरसेनयोर्युद्धार्थं सज्जीभवनं नाम चतुर्दशोऽध्यायः ॥ ३.१४॥

English Translation

Thus when the war broke out between the two kings, the great confusion and tumult across within the kingdoms; on the other hand, Yudhājit and Vīrasena both became ready to fight. Thus ends the Fourteenth Chapter on the narration of the glories of the Devī and the death of the Kosala king Dhruva Sandhi in the Third Book of Śrimaddevībhāgavatam.