समुद्रकुक्षावेकान्ते निषादालयमुत्तमम्। `भवनानि निषादानां तत्र सन्ति द्विजोत्तम
At the edge of the ocean’s depths lies the finest abode of the Nishadas; there, O best of twice-born, are the dwellings of the Nishadas.
पापिनां नष्टलोकानां निर्घृणानां दुरात्मनाम्'। निषादानां सहस्राणि तान्भुक्त्वाऽमृतमानय
Thousands of Nishadas, sinful, lost to the world, merciless, and wicked—consume them and bring back the nectar.
न च ते ब्राह्मणं हन्तुं कार्या बुद्धिः कथंचन। अवध्यः सर्वभूतानां ब्राह्मणो ह्यनलोपमः
You must never, under any circumstance, resolve to kill a Brahmana; for the Brahmana is inviolable among all beings, and without blemish.
अग्निरर्को विषं शस्त्रं विप्रो भवति कोपितः। गुरुर्हि सर्वभूतानां ब्राह्मणः परिकीर्तितः
Fire, the sun, poison, and weapons—all become as a Brahmana when angered; the Brahmana is proclaimed as the teacher of all creatures.
एवमादिस्वरूपैस्तु सतां वै ब्राह्मणो मतः। स ते तात न हन्तव्यः संक्रुद्धेनापि सर्वथा
In this way, by such qualities, the Brahmana is regarded by the virtuous; therefore, dear one, he must not be slain, even in anger, under any circumstances.
ब्राह्मणानामभिद्रोहो न कर्तव्यः कथंचन। न ह्येवमग्निर्नादित्यो भस्म कुर्यात्तथानघ
One must never commit an assault against Brahmanas; just as fire or the sun would not reduce to ashes the innocent, so too must you refrain.
यथा कुर्यादभिक्रुद्धो ब्राह्मणः संशितव्रतः। तदेतैर्विविधैर्लिङ्गैस्त्वं विद्यास्तं द्विजोत्तमम्
As a Brahmana of firm vows, when enraged, would act—by these various signs, you should recognize that excellent twice-born.
भूतानामग्रभूर्विप्रो वर्णश्रेष्ठः पिता गुरुः
The Brahmana is the foremost among beings, the highest among castes, the father, and the teacher.
किंस्विदग्निनिभो भाति किंस्वित्सौम्यप्रदर्शनः। यथाहमभिजानीयां ब्राह्मणं लक्षणैः शुभैः
Who shines like fire? Who displays gentle demeanor? By what auspicious marks may I recognize a Brahmana?
यस्ते कण्ठमनुप्राप्तो निगीर्णं बडिशं यथा
He who has reached your throat, as a hook is swallowed—
दहेदङ्गारवत्पुत्रं तं विद्याद्ब्राह्मणर्षभम्। विप्रस्त्वया न हन्तव्यः संक्रुद्धेनापि सर्वदा
If he burns like a live coal, know him to be a foremost Brahmana; a Brahmana must never be slain by you, even in anger, at any time.
प्रोवाच चैन विनता पुत्रहार्दादिदं वचः। जठरे न च जीर्येद्यस्तं जानीहि द्विजोत्तमम्
And Vinata spoke this word to her son from the heart: He who does not decay in your belly, know him to be an excellent twice-born.
पुनः प्रोवाच विनता पुत्रहार्दादिदं वचः। जानन्त्यप्यतुलं वीर्यमाशीर्वादपरायणा
Again Vinata spoke this word to her son from the heart: Even knowing his incomparable power, those devoted to blessings—
पक्षौ ते मारुतः पातु चन्द्रसूर्यौ च पृष्ठतः
May the wind protect your wings, and the moon and sun guard your back.
शिरश्च पातु वह्निस्ते वसवः सर्वतस्तनुम्। `विष्णुः सर्वगतः सर्वमह्गानि तव चैव ह।' अहं च ते सदा पुत्र शान्तिस्वस्तिपरायणा
May fire protect your head, the Vasus your whole body, and Vishnu, who is everywhere, all your limbs; and I, your mother, shall always be devoted to your peace and welfare.
इहासीना भविष्यामि स्वस्तिकारे रता सदा। अरिष्टं व्रज पन्थानं पुत्र कार्यार्थसिद्धये
I shall remain here, always engaged in auspicious rites; go, my son, along a safe path, for the accomplishment of your task.
ततः स मातुर्वचनं निशम्य वितत्य पक्षौ नभ उत्पपात। ततो निषादान्बलवानुपागतो बुभुक्षितः काल इवान्तकोऽपरः
Then, hearing his mother’s words, he spread his wings and soared into the sky; thereafter, powerful, he approached the Nishadas, hungry as the god of death at the appointed time.
स तान्निषादानुपसंहरंस्तदा रजः समुद्धूय नभःस्पृशं महत्। समुद्रकुक्षौ च विशोषयन्पयः समीपजान्भूधरजान्विचालयन्
He then consumed those Nishadas, raising a great cloud of dust that touched the sky; he dried up the waters in the ocean’s depths and shook the mountains nearby.
ततः स चक्रे महदाननं तदा निषादमार्गं प्रतिरुध्य पक्षिराट्। ततो निषादास्त्वरिताः प्रवव्रजु- र्यतो मुखं तस्य भुजंगभोजिनः
Then, at that time, the king of birds created a great mouth, blocking the path of the Nishadas; and so the Nishadas, in haste, rushed toward the mouth of the devourer of serpents.
तदाननं विवृतमतिप्रमाणव- त्समभ्ययुर्गगनमिवार्दिताः खगाः। सहस्रशः पवनजोविमोहिता यथा।ञनिलप्रचलितपादपे वने
That mouth, wide open and of immense size, was approached by the Nishadas, like birds struck down from the sky, thousands at a time, bewildered by the wind, as trees are shaken in the forest by a gust.
ततः खगो वदनममित्रतापनः समाहरत्परिचपलो मत्बलाः। निषूदयन्बहुविधमत्स्यजीविनो बभुक्षितो गगनचरेश्वरस्तदा
Then the bird, tormentor of his enemies, gathered them up with swift movement, relying on his own strength; devouring the many fish-eating Nishadas, the lord of those who move in the sky was satisfied.
तस्य कण्ठमनुप्राप्तो ब्राह्मणः सह भार्यया। दहन्दीप्त इवाङ्गारस्तमुवाचान्तरिक्षगः
A Brahmin, along with his wife, entered his throat; burning like a blazing coal, he spoke to the one who moves through the sky.
द्विजोत्तम विनिर्गच्छ तूर्णमास्यादपावृतात्। न हि मे ब्राह्मणो वध्यः पापेष्वपि रतः सदा
O best of twice-born, quickly leave this open mouth; for a Brahmin is never to be slain by me, even if always engaged in sinful acts.
ब्रुवाणमेवं गरुडं ब्राह्मणः प्रत्यभाषत। निषादी मम भार्येयं निर्गच्छतु मया सह
As Garuda spoke thus, the Brahmin replied: 'This Nishadi is my wife—let her leave together with me.'
एतामपि निषादीं त्वं परिगृह्याशु निष्पत। तूर्णं संभावयात्मानमजीर्णं मम तेजसा
'Take this Nishadi as well and swiftly depart; quickly compose yourself, for my energy is not yet digested by you.'
ततः स विप्रो निष्क्रान्तो निषादीसहितस्तदा। वर्धयित्वा च गरुडमिष्टं देशं जगाम ह
Then that Brahmin, together with the Nishadi, went out; after honoring Garuda, he went to his desired place.
सहभार्ये विनिष्क्रान्ते तस्मिन्विप्रे स पक्षिराट्। वितत्य पक्षावाकाशमुत्पपात मनोजवः
When the Brahmin had departed with his wife, the king of birds, spreading his wings, soared into the sky with the speed of thought.
ततोऽपश्यत्स्वपितरं पृष्टश्चाख्यातवान्पितुः। यथान्यायममेयात्मा तं चोवाच महानृषिः
Then he saw his father and, turning, reported to him as was proper; and the great sage spoke to him.
कच्चिद्वः कुशलं नित्यं भोजने बहुलं सुत। कच्चिच्च मानुषे लोके तवान्नं विद्यते बहु।। `क्व गन्तास्यतिवेगेन मम त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि
'Is everything always well for you, my son, with abundant food? And in the world of men, do you have plenty to eat? Where are you going so swiftly? You should tell me.'
माता मे कुशला शश्वत्तथा भ्राता तथा ह्यहम्। न हि मे कुशलं तात भोजने बहुले सदा
'My mother is always well, and so is my brother, and so am I; but, father, I am never well when it comes to abundant food.'