Ch 21 Verse 1 Verse

Sanskrit Text

३.२१ एकविंशोऽध्यायः । कन्यया स्वपितरं प्रति सुदर्शनेन सह विवाहार्थकथनम् । व्यास उवाच । सुबाहुरपि तच्छ्रुत्वा युक्तमुक्तं तया तदा । चिन्ताविष्टो बभूवाशु किं कर्तव्यमतः परम् ॥ १ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- On hearing the sound words of his daughter Śaśikalā, pregnant with reason, Subāhu the king of Benares, became very anxious and began to think what he would now, so short a space of time in this momentous occasion, thus :--

Ch 21 Verse 2-3 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सङ्गताः पृथिवीपालाः ससैन्याः सपरिग्रहाः । उपविष्टाश्च मञ्चेषु योद्धुकामा महाबलाः ॥ २ ॥ यदि ब्रवीमि तान्सर्वान्सुता नायाति साम्प्रतम् । तथापि कोपसंयुक्ता हन्युर्मा दुष्टबुद्धयः ॥ ३ ॥

English Translation

“The powerful kings, all, have come here on intention that they would fight and therefore they are all attended with their armies and followers respectively; and they are now sitting on their respective daises in the Svayamvara hall. If I go now and tell them that my daughter Śaśikalā is not willing to come of her own accord in the hall, the evil minded kings will certainly kill me out of their wrath.

Ch 21 Verse 4 Verse

Sanskrit Text

न मे सैन्यबलं तादृङ्न दुर्गबलमद्भुतम् । येनाहं नृपतीन्सर्वान् प्रत्यादेष्टुमिहोत्सहे ॥ ४ ॥

English Translation

I have not so much strength, whether in my army or in forts, as to be able to decline these kings and drive them away from my kingdom.

Ch 21 Verse 5 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सुदर्शनस्तथैकाकी ह्यसहायोऽधनः शिशुः । किं कर्तव्यं निमग्नोऽहं सर्वथा दुःखसागरे ॥ ५ ॥

English Translation

Sudarśana, too is, alone, helpless, wealthless, and a mere boy. What shall I do now? Alas! I am now plunged in deep sorrow.”

Ch 21 Verse 6 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इति चिन्तापरो राजा जगाम नृपसन्निधौ । प्रणम्य तानुवाचाथ प्रश्रयावनतो नृपः ॥ ६ ॥

English Translation

Thinking thus, with head bowed down by humility, the king went to the kings, and said thus :--

Ch 21 Verse 7 Verse

Sanskrit Text

किं कर्तव्यं नृपाः कामं नैति मे मण्डपे सुता । बहुशः प्रेर्यमाणाऽपि सा मात्राऽपि मयाऽपि च ॥ ७ ॥

English Translation

“O Kings! The girl, though requested repeatedly by me and her mother, is not willing to come to this hall. What can I do now?

Ch 21 Verse 8-9 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मूर्घ्ना पतामि पादेषु राज्ञां दासोऽस्मि साम्प्रतम् । पूजादिकं गृहीत्वाऽद्य व्रजन्तु सदनानि वः ॥ ८ ॥ ददामि बहुरत्नानि वस्त्राणि च गजान् रथान् । गृहीत्वाऽद्य कृपां कृत्वा व्रजन्तु भवनान्युत ॥ ९ ॥

English Translation

I am your servant and, bowing my head at the feet of you all, pray to you, to accept my worship and return to your own cities respectively. I am ready to give a sufficient quantity of gems and jewels, clothes, elephants, chariots. Kindly accept these and go back to your own homes.

Ch 21 Verse 10 Verse

Sanskrit Text

न वशे मे सुता बाला म्रियते यदि खेदिता । तदा मे स्यान्महद्दुःखं तेन चिन्तातुरोऽस्म्यहम् ॥ १० ॥

English Translation

My daughter is as yet a girl; if I chastise her, she may commit suicide; and I will be exceedingly sorry; therefore I am very much distressed with this thought.

Ch 21 Verse 11 Verse

Sanskrit Text

भवन्तः करुणावन्तो महाभाग्या महौजसः । किं मे तया दुहित्रा तु मन्दया दुर्विनीतया ॥ ११ ॥

English Translation

You all are fortunate, energetic, and of a merciful disposition; what will it serve you to accept the daughter of mine, who is disobedient and unfortunate?

Ch 21 Verse 12 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अनुग्राह्योऽस्मि वः कामं दासोऽहमिति सर्वथा । सुता सुतेव मन्तव्या भवद्भिः सर्वथा मम ॥ १२ ॥

English Translation

I am your obedient servant; shew your mercy on me and it is your duty to consider my daughter as your own daughter.”

Ch 21 Verse 13 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । श्रुत्वा सुबाहुवचनं नोचुः केचन भूमिपाः । युधाजित्क्रोधताम्राक्षस्तमुवाच रुषान्वितः ॥ १३ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- Hearing Subāhu’s words, the kings did not utter a single word; but Yudhājit, with his eyes reddened out of wrath, began to address the king of Benares in an angry tone :--

Ch 21 Verse 14 Verse

Sanskrit Text

राजन्मूर्खोऽसि किं ब्रूषे कृत्वा कार्य सुनिन्दितम् । स्वयंवरः कथं मोहाद्रचितः संशये सति ॥ १४ ॥

English Translation

“O King! You are a veteran fool; what do you say now after committing a most blameable act? Had you any doubt as to your proceedings, why have you, out of sheer delusion, called this meeting hall of Svayamvara, without thinking the matter before-hand.

Ch 21 Verse 15 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मिलिता भूभुजः सर्वे त्वयाहूताः स्वयंवरे । कथमद्य नृपा गन्तुं योग्यास्ते स्वगृहान्प्रति ॥ १५ ॥

English Translation

You have invited the kings and princes in this marriage ceremony Svayamvara; and they all have assembled here; how can they now go back to their homes?

Ch 21 Verse 16 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अवमान्य नृपान्सर्वांस्त्वं किं सुदर्शनाय वै । दातुमिच्छसि पुत्रीञ्च किमनार्यमतः परम् ॥ १६ ॥

English Translation

Are you going now to insult these? and will you give your daughter in marriage to Sudarśana? Nothing can be more ignoble than this?

Ch 21 Verse 17 Verse

Sanskrit Text

विचार्य पुरुषेणादौ कार्यं वै शुभमिच्छता । आरब्धव्यं त्वया तत्तु कृतं राजन्नजानता ॥ १७ ॥

English Translation

The welfare-seeking person ought to judge before-hand and then to act. But you have started your work without any previous judgment and decision. You will have to reap its fruit; there is no doubt this.

Ch 21 Verse 18 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एतान्विहाय नृपतीन्बलवाहनसंयुतान् । वरं सुदर्शनं कर्तुं कथमिच्छसि साम्प्रतम् ॥ १८ ॥

English Translation

Why are you now thinking of giving your daughter to this helpless, wealthless Sudarśana in the presence of kings that are powerful and that command a great militia.

Ch 21 Verse 19 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अहं त्वां हन्मि पापिष्ठं तथा पश्चात्सुदर्शनम् । दौहित्रायाद्य ते कन्यां दास्यामीति विनिश्चयः ॥ १९ ॥

English Translation

O thou most sinful! Today I will certainly kill you; next I will kill Sudarśana and then give your daughter to my daughter’s son; know that this is my firm resolve.

Ch 21 Verse 20 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मयि तिष्ठति कोऽन्योस्ति यः कन्यां हर्तुमिच्छति । सुदर्शनः कियानद्य निर्धनो निर्बलः शिशुः ॥ २० ॥

English Translation

Who is there, when I am standing, in this assembly that can aspire to carry away the bridegroom elect by force or theft? Nothing to speak of Sudarśana who is powerless, wealthless and a mere boy!

Ch 21 Verse 21 Verse

Sanskrit Text

भारद्वाजाश्रमे पूर्वं मुक्तो मुनिकृते मया । नाद्याहं मोचयिष्यामि सर्वथा जीवितं शिशोः ॥ २१ ॥

English Translation

I spared his life before in the hermitage of Bhāradvāja at the Muni’s request; but today I will not spare the boy under any circumstances whatsoever.

Ch 21 Verse 22 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तस्माद्विचार्य सम्यक्त्वं पुत्र्या च भार्यया सह । दौहित्राय प्रियां कन्यां देहि मे सुभ्रुवं किल ॥ २२ ॥

English Translation

Therefore, please go and consult with your wife and daughter and give your dear beautiful daughter to my daughter’s son.

Ch 21 Verse 23 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सम्बन्धी भव दत्त्वा त्वं पुत्रीमेतां मनोरमाम् । उच्चाश्रयः प्रकर्तव्यः सर्वदा शुभमिच्छता ॥ २३ ॥

English Translation

Be engaged in a marriage tie with me by giving your exquisitely beautiful daughter to my daughter’s son. You can very well judge that it is always proper and advisable that a great man shall come under the protection of another great man.

Ch 21 Verse 24 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सुदर्शनाय दत्त्वा त्वं पुत्रीं प्राणप्रियां शुभाम् । एकाकिनेऽप्यराज्याय किं सुखं प्राप्तुमिच्छसि ॥ २४ ॥

English Translation

What happiness can you expect from this Sudarśana, who is helpless and banished from his kingdom, that you are going to give him your dear and auspicious daughter!

Ch 21 Verse 25 Verse

Sanskrit Text

(कुलं वित्तं बलं रूपं राज्यं दुर्गं सुहृज्जनम् । दृष्ट्वा कन्या प्रदातव्या नान्यथा सुखमृच्छति)॥ परिचिन्तय धर्मं त्वं राजनीतिञ्च शाश्वतीम् । कुरु कार्यं यथायोग्यं मा कृथा मतिमन्यथा ॥ २५ ॥

English Translation

Family, wealth, army, appearance, kingdoms, forts and true friends and other helping persons; these a man should consider when he is going to give away his daughter in marriage to anybody; else there is no surety of happiness. Think over the royal custom and the never failing Dharma and do what is proper. Never it is advisable to do any act, abandoning the path of Dharma and morals.

Ch 21 Verse 26 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सुहृदसि ममात्यर्थं हितं ते प्रब्रवीम्यहम् । समानय सुतां राजन् मण्डपे तां सखीवृताम् ॥ २६ ॥

English Translation

You are my intimate friend; therefore I am telling you these good words. O king! Better bring your daughter, surrounded by her attendant maids, in this hall of Svayamvara.

Ch 21 Verse 27 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सुदर्शनमृते चेयं वरिष्यति यदाऽप्यसौ । विग्रहो मे तदा न स्याद्विवाहोऽस्तु तवेप्सितः ॥ २७ ॥

English Translation

Let this daughter select any man other than Sudarśana; I have got no cause of quarrel; and the marriage will then be celebrated according to your will.

Ch 21 Verse 28 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अन्ये नृपतयः सर्वे कुलीनाः सबलाः समाः । विरोधः कीदृशस्त्वेनं वृणोद्यदि नृपोत्तम ॥ २८ ॥

English Translation

O best of kings! The other kings are all of high descent; and they have armies and are all in positions befitting your connection! If the daughter chooses any one amongst them, then no quarrels would arise.

Ch 21 Verse 29 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अन्यथाऽहं हरिष्येऽद्य बलात्कन्यामिमां शुभाम् । मा विरोधं सुदुःसाध्यं गच्छ पार्थिवसत्तम ॥ २९ ॥

English Translation

But if the daughter chooses Sudarśana, then certainly I will carry her by force. Therefore, O king! act in such a way that no quarrels occur in future.”

Ch 21 Verse 30-31 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । युधाजिता समादिष्टः सुबाहुः शोकसंयुतः । निःश्वसन्भवनं गत्वा भार्यां प्राह शुचावृतः ॥ ३० ॥ पुत्रीं ब्रूहि सुधर्मज्ञे कलहे समुपस्थिते । किं कर्त्तव्यं मया शक्यं त्वद्वशोऽस्मि सुलोचने ॥ ३१ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- Thus addressed by Yudhājit, the king of Benares was very sorrowful, and, after a heavy sigh, went to his palace and told with a grieved heart to his wife, thus :-- “O fair eyed one! Now I am completely under your control; you better explain to Śaśikalā that a dreadful quarrel is now to occur; what am I to do now?”

Ch 21 Verse 32-33 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच । सा श्रुत्वा पतिवाक्यं तु गत्वा प्राह सुतान्तिकम् । वत्से राजातिदुःखार्तः पिता तेऽद्यापि वर्तते ॥ ३२ ॥ त्वदर्थे विग्रहः कामं समुत्पन्नोऽद्य भूभृताम् । अन्यं वरय सुश्रोणि सुदर्शनमृते नृपम् ॥ ३३ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- Hearing her husband’s words, the queen went to her daughter and spoke thus :-- “O child! Quarrels have now ensued amongst the kings for your sake; your father has become very sorrowful; therefore, O fair one! Choose any other man your husband than Sudarśana.

Ch 21 Verse 34-35 Verse

Sanskrit Text

यदि सुदर्शनं वत्से हठात्त्वं वै वरिष्यसि । युधाजित्त्वां च मां चैव हनिष्यति बलान्वितः ॥ ३४ ॥ सुदर्शनं च राजाऽसौ बलमत्तः प्रतापवान् । द्वितीयस्ते पतिः पश्चाद्भविता कलहे सति ॥ ३५ ॥

English Translation

O Child! If you do not judge and rashly choose Sudarśana, then the powerful king Yudhājit, possessing a large army, will no doubt kill you, me and Sudarśana. It might be, if quarrels ensue, you might be married to another husband; therefore better think now and act.

Ch 21 Verse 36 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तस्मात्सुदर्शनं त्यक्त्वा वरयान्यं नृपोत्तमम् । सुखमिच्छसि चेन्मह्यं तुभ्यं वा मृगलोचने । इति मात्रा बोधितां तां पश्चाद्राजाप्यबोधयत् ॥ ३६ ॥

English Translation

O dear eyed! It is now your iñcumbent duty to choose another king for your husband, if you want your and my welfare and happiness. Leave Sudarśana.”

Ch 21 Verse 36 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तस्मात्सुदर्शनं त्यक्त्वा वरयान्यं नृपोत्तमम् । सुखमिच्छसि चेन्मह्यं तुभ्यं वा मृगलोचने । इति मात्रा बोधितां तां पश्चाद्राजाप्यबोधयत् ॥ ३६ ॥

English Translation

The mother thus advised her daughter; the king, too, afterwards explained and tried to convince her. The girl spoke fearlessly.

Ch 21 Verse 37 Verse

Sanskrit Text

उभयोर्वचनं श्रुत्वा निर्भयोवाच कन्यका कन्योवाच । सत्यमुक्तं नृपश्रेष्ठ जानासि च व्रतं मम ॥ ३७ ॥

English Translation

“O king! What you have said is all true; but you know my firm resolve already. I won’t ever select any other king than Sudarśana.

Ch 21 Verse 38-39 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नान्यं वृणोमि भूपाल सुदर्शनमृते क्वचित् । बिभेषि यदि राजेन्द्र नृपेभ्यः किल कातरः ॥ ३८ ॥ सुदर्शनाय दत्त्वा मां विसर्जय पुराद्बहिः । स मां रथे सामारोप्य निर्गमिष्यति ते पुरात् ॥ ३९ ॥

English Translation

O king! If you are afraid and be in agony, then do this thing: better give me in marriage to Sudarśana and then drive us away from your city. He will put me in his chariot and go away out of your city. After that what is inevitable will surely come to pass. There cannot be anything otherwise.

Ch 21 Verse 40 Verse

Sanskrit Text

भवितव्यं तु पश्चाद्वै भविष्यति न चान्यथा । नात्र चिन्ता त्वया कार्या भवितव्ये नृपोत्तम ॥ ४० ॥

English Translation

O king! You need not fear anything about what is kept in the womb of future by Destiny. What is inevitable will happen; there is no doubt in this.”

Ch 21 Verse 41 Verse

Sanskrit Text

यद्भावि तद्भवत्येव सर्वथात्र न संशयः । राजोवाच । न पुत्रि साहसं कार्यं मतिमद्भिः कदाचन ॥ ४१ ॥

English Translation

The king said :-- “O child! The intelligent persons never show too much rashness and insolence. The learned people, versed in the Vedas, say it is never advisable to quarrel with many persons.

Ch 21 Verse 42 Verse

Sanskrit Text

बहुभिर्न विरोद्धव्यमिति वेदविदो विदुः । विस्रक्ष्यामि कथं कन्यां दत्त्वा राजसुताय च ॥ ४२ ॥

English Translation

How can I give my daughter in marriage to one and then banish them both? The kings have turned out enemies. There is no heinous crime, that they cannot commit now.

Ch 21 Verse 43 Verse

Sanskrit Text

राजानो वरसंयुक्ताः किं न कुर्युरसाम्प्रतम् । यदि ते रोचते वत्से पणं संविदधाम्यहम् ॥ ४३ ॥

English Translation

O child! If it be your opinion, I can pledge something as a pawn for your marriage, as the king Janaka pledged in days of yore for her daughter Sitā.

Ch 21 Verse 44-46 Verse

Sanskrit Text

जनकेन यथा पूर्वं कृतः सीतास्वयंवरे । शैवं धनुर्यथा तेन धृतं कृत्वा पणं तथा ॥ ४४ ॥ तथाहमपि तन्वङ्गि करोम्यद्य दुरासदम् । विवादो येन राज्ञां वै कृते सति शमं व्रजेत् ॥ ४५ ॥ पालयिष्यति यः कामं स ते भर्ता भविष्यति । सुदर्शनस्तथाऽन्यो वा यः कश्चिद्बलवत्तरः ॥ ४६ ॥

English Translation

I will also put forward a pawn very difficult to be carried out, as Janaka originally made an offer of the hands of Sitā to whomsoever, who would break the Śiva’s strong bow. Thus the quarrels amongst the kings might be diminished; for he who will be able to fulfill the promise, will be able to accept you. Then, be he Sudarśana or any other king, whoever will be strong to fulfill the promise will take you as his wife.

Ch 21 Verse 47 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पालयित्वा पणं त्वां वै वरयिष्यति सर्वथा । एवं कृते नृपाणां तु विवादः शमितो भवेत् ॥ ४७ ॥

English Translation

Thus the quarrels will cease and I will also be able to perform your marriage ceremony in peace and happiness.”

Ch 21 Verse 48 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सुखेनाहं विवाहं ते करिष्यामि ततः परम् । कन्योवाच । सन्देहे नैव मज्जामि मूर्खकृत्यमिदं यतः ॥ ४८ ॥

English Translation

The daughter said :-- “Father! On hearing from you, I am merged in an ocean of doubt, for it seems to me what you are saying is the act of a fool; already, I have chosen in my mind Sudarśana for my husband; now it cannot be otherwise.

Ch 21 Verse 49 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मया सुदर्शनः पूर्वं धृतश्चेतसि नान्यथा । कारणं पुण्यपापानां मन एव महीपते ॥ ४९ ॥

English Translation

O king! The mind is the source of virtue and vice. When I have mentally selected, how can I now forego him and choose another?

Ch 21 Verse 50-51 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मनसा विधृतं त्यक्त्वा कथमन्यं वृणे पितः । कृते पणे महाराज सर्वेषां वशगा ह्यहम् ॥ ५० ॥ एकः पालयिता द्वौ वा बहवो वा भवन्ति चेत् । किं कर्तव्यं तदा तात विवादे समुपस्थिते ॥ ५१ ॥

English Translation

O king! If you keep any pledge, then I will be subject to any and everybody; if one, two, or more fulfill the same pledge, I will be then subject to any or all of them. Father! in that case quarrels may arise. What shall I do then? I cannot give my vote on this doubtful point.

Ch 21 Verse 52 Verse

Sanskrit Text

संशयाधिष्ठिते कार्ये मतिं नाहं करोम्यतः । मा चिन्तां कुरु राजेन्द्र देहि सुदर्शनाय माम् ॥ ५२ ॥

English Translation

O king! You need not fear anything. Better give me in marriage to Sudarśana according to the prescribed rules; then, in that case, the Goddess Candikā will certainly protect us.

Ch 21 Verse 53 Verse

Sanskrit Text

विवाहं विधिना कृत्वा शं विधास्यति चण्डिका । यन्नामकीर्तनादेव दुःखौघो विलयं व्रजेत् ॥ ५३ ॥

English Translation

O king! Taking Whose Name destroys a whole host of sins, take Her Name and think the Almighty and perform carefully our marriage ceremony.

Ch 21 Verse 54 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तां स्मृत्वा परमां शक्तिं कुरु कार्यमतन्द्रितः । गत्वा वद नृपेभ्यस्त्वं कृताञ्जलिपुटोऽद्य वै ॥ ५४ ॥

English Translation

Better go to the king’s assembly today, and, with folded hands, tell them come tomorrow to the hall of Svayamvara.

Ch 21 Verse 55-56 Verse

Sanskrit Text

आगन्तव्यञ्च श्वः सर्वैरिह भूपैः स्वयंवरे । इत्युक्त्वा त्वं विसृज्याशु सर्वं नृपतिमण्डलम् ॥ ५५ ॥ विवाहं कुरु रात्रौ मे वेदोक्तविधिना नृप । पारिबर्हं यथायोग्यं दत्त्वा तस्मै विसर्जय ॥ ५६ ॥

English Translation

Thus bidding goodbye to the kings, perform in the right spirit, according to the prescribed rites, our marriage ceremony. Next, after giving fit dowries and other articles after the marriage, better tell the prince Sudarśana to depart. The son of Dhruvasandhi will take me away with him.

Ch 21 Verse 57 Verse

Sanskrit Text

गमिष्यति गृहीत्वा मां ध्रुवसन्धिसुतः किल । कदाचित्ते नृपाः क्रुद्धाः सङ्ग्रामं कर्त्तुमुद्यताः ॥ ५७ ॥

English Translation

If, at this, the kings get angry and be ready to quarrel with you, then in that case, the Goddess Bhagavatī will no doubt help us.

Ch 21 Verse 58 Verse

Sanskrit Text

भविष्यति तदा देवी साहाय्यं नः करिष्यति । सोऽपि राजसुतस्तैस्तु सङ्ग्रामं संविधास्यति ॥ ५८ ॥

English Translation

Sudarśana then will fight against those kings; and if he loses his life perchance in the battle, then I will also follow him and die.

Ch 21 Verse 59 Verse

Sanskrit Text

दैवान्मृधे मृते तस्मिन्मरिष्याम्यहमप्युत । स्वस्ति तेस्तु गृहे तिष्ठ दत्त्वा मां सहसैन्यकः ॥ ५९ ॥

English Translation

O king! Let all good come unto you! Better give me in marriage to Sudarśana and remain here with your army. I will go alone with him, the object of my love.”

Ch 21 Verse 60-61 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एकैवाहं गमिष्यामि तेन सार्धं रिरंसया । व्यास उवाच । इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा राजाऽसौ कृतनिश्चयः । मतिं चक्रे तथा कर्तुं विश्वासं प्रतिपद्य च ॥ ६० ॥

Sanskrit Colophon

इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां तृतीयस्कन्धे कन्यया स्वपितरं प्रति सुदर्शनेन सह विवाहार्थकथनं नामैकविंशोऽध्यायः ॥ ३.२१॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- Hearing these words from her daughter, the king Subāhu trusted her, and firmly resolved to act according to that, and to celebrate the marriage of Śaśikalā. Thus ends the 21st chapter on the king of Benares fulfilling the advice of his daughter in Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.