अत्यद्भुतं महाप्राज्ञ रोमहर्षणमर्जुनः। भवेन सह संग्रामं चकाराप्रतिमं किल। पुरा प्रहरतांश्रेष्ठः संग्रामेष्वपराजितः
'Most wondrous, O wise one, is the unparalleled battle Arjuna fought with Bhava. Formerly, he was the foremost among warriors, undefeated in battle.'
यच्छ्रुत्वा नरसिंहानां दैन्यहर्षातिविस्मयात्। शूराणामपि पार्थानां हृदयानि चकम्पिरे
'Hearing this, from amazement, joy, and awe, even the hearts of the lion-like Parthas, heroes, trembled.'
यद्यच्च कृतवानन्यत्पार्थस्तदस्विलं वद
'And whatever else Partha did, tell me all of that as well.'
न ह्यस् निन्दितं जिष्णोः सुसूक्ष्ममपि लक्षये। चरितं यस्य शूरस्य तन्मे सर्वं प्रकीर्तय
'I do not perceive anything blameworthy, not even the slightest, in Jishnu's conduct. Tell me all of the deeds of that hero.'
कथयिष्यामि ते तात कथामेतां महात्मनः। दिव्यां कौरवशार्दूल महतीमद्भुतोपमाम्
'I shall tell you, dear one, this story of the great-souled one, wondrous and immense, O tiger of the Kurus.'
गात्रसंस्पर्शसंबद्धां त्र्यम्बकेण महाहवे। पार्थस्य देवदेवेन शृणु सम्यक्समागमम्
'Hear of the proper meeting between Partha and the god of gods, Tryambaka, in the great battle, bound by bodily contact.'
युधिष्ठिरनियोगात्स जगामामितविक्रमः। शक्रं सुरेश्वरं द्रष्टुं देवदेवं च शंकरम्
At Yudhishthira’s command, he of immeasurable valor set out to see Indra, lord of the gods, and Shankara, god of gods.
दिव्यं तद्धनुरादाय खङ्गं च पुरुषर्षभः। महाबलो महाबाहुरर्जुनः कार्यसिद्धये
Taking up that divine bow and his sword, the mighty and strong-armed Arjuna, bull among men, went forth to accomplish his purpose.
दिशं ह्युदीचीं कौरव्यो हिमवच्छिखरं प्रति। ऐन्द्रिः स्थिरमना राजन्सर्वलोकमहारथः
With steady mind, the son of Kuru, wielder of Indra’s power and great chariot-warrior of all the worlds, journeyed north toward the peaks of the Himalaya.
त्वरया परया युक्तस्तपसे धृतनिश्चयः। वनं कण्टकितं घोरमेक एवान्वपद्यत
Endowed with utmost speed and firm resolve for austerity, he entered alone a dreadful forest bristling with thorns.
नानापुष्पफलोपेतं नानापक्षिनिनादितम्। नानामृगगणाकीर्णं सिद्धचारणसेवितम्
That forest was filled with various flowers and fruits, resounded with the cries of many birds, teemed with diverse beasts, and was frequented by Siddhas and Charanas.
ततः प्रयाते बीभत्सौ वनं मानुषवर्जितम्। शङ्खानां पटहानां च शब्दः समभवद्दिवि
When Vibhatsu entered that forest devoid of people, a sound of conches and drums arose in the sky.
पुष्पवर्षं च सुमहन्निपपात महीतले। मेघजालं च सततं छादयामास सर्वतः
A great shower of flowers fell upon the earth, and masses of clouds continually covered everything on all sides.
सोतीत्य वनदुर्गाणि सन्निकर्षे महागिरेः। शुशुभे हिमवत्पृष्ठे वसमानोऽर्जुनस्तदा
Traversing the difficult forest regions near the great mountain, Arjuna shone as he dwelled upon the slopes of Himavat.
तत्रतत्र द्रुमान्फुल्लान्विहगैर्वल्गुनादितान्। नदीश्च विपुलावर्ता वैदूर्यनीलसंनिभाः
Here and there he saw blossoming trees filled with sweetly singing birds, and rivers with broad eddies, shining like beryl and sapphire.
हंसकारण्डवोद्गीताः सारसाभिरुतास्तथा। पुंस्कोकिलरुताश्चैव क्रौञ्चबर्हिणनादिताः
There were swans and cranes singing, and the cries of sarasa birds, as well as the calls of male cuckoos, and the sounds of curlews and peacocks.
मनोहरवनोपेतास्तस्मिन्नतिरथोऽर्जुनः। पुण्यशीतामलजलाः पश्यन्प्रीतमनाऽभवत्
In that enchanting forest, Arjuna, the mighty chariot-warrior, beheld pure, cool, spotless waters and became joyful at heart.
रमणीये वनोद्देशे रममाणोऽर्जुनस्तदा। तपस्युग्रे वर्तमान उग्रतेजा महामनाः
Delighting in that beautiful part of the forest, Arjuna, possessed of great energy and mind, engaged in severe austerities.
दर्भचीरं निवस्याथ दण्डाजिनबिभूषितः। शीर्णं च पतितं भूमौ पर्णं समुपभुक्तवान्
Clad in grass-garments, adorned with staff and deer-skin, he ate fallen and withered leaves lying on the ground.
पूर्णेपूर्णे त्रिररात्रे तु मासमेकं फलाशनः। द्विगुणेनैव कालेन द्वितीयं मासमत्ययात्
For a month, eating only fruits every third night, he completed the period; then, for twice that time, he continued with even greater restraint.
तृतीयमपि मासं स क्रमेणाहारमाचरन्। चतुर्थे त्वथ संप्राप्ते मासे भरतसत्तमः
He practiced his regimen through the third month as well; and when the fourth month arrived, O best of the Bharatas—
वायुभक्षो महाबाहुरभवत्पाण्डुनन्दनः। ऊर्ध्वबाहुर्निरालम्बः पादाङ्गुष्ठाग्रधिष्ठितः
The mighty-armed son of Pandu became one who lived on air alone, standing with arms raised, unsupported, balanced on the tips of his toes.
सदोपस्पर्शनाच्चास्य बभूवुरमितौजसः। विद्युदम्भोरुहनिभा जटास्तस्य महात्मनः
Because of his constant contact with water, the matted locks of that great-souled one, radiant with immeasurable energy, resembled lightning and blue lotuses.
ततो महर्षयः सर्वे जग्मुर्देवं पिनाकिनम्। विवेदयिषवः पार्थं तपस्युग्रे समास्थितम्
Then all the great sages went to the god Pinākin, and informed him that Partha was engaged in severe austerities.
नीलकण्ठं महादेवमभिवाद्य प्रणम्य च। सर्वे निवेदयामासुः कर्म तत्फल्गुनस्य ह
Having saluted and bowed to the great god Nīlakaṇṭha, all of them reported to him the actions of Phalguna.
एकः पार्थो महातेजा हिमवत्पृष्ठमाश्रितः। उग्रे तपरसि दुष्पारे स्थितो धूमापयन्दिशः
That one Partha, possessed of great energy, has taken refuge on the slopes of Himavat; he stands firm in severe and difficult austerity, causing the quarters to be filled with smoke.
तस्य देवेश न वयं विद्मः सर्वे चिकीर्षितम्। संतापयति नः सर्वानसौ साधु निवार्यताम्
O Lord of the gods, none of us knows what he intends; he is tormenting us all—let him be restrained, if it is proper.
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा मुननां भावितात्मनाम्। उमापतिर्भूतपतिर्वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह
Hearing those words of the sages, whose souls are purified, the Lord of Uma, the Lord of beings, spoke these words.
न वो विषादः कर्तव्यः फल्गुनं प्रति सर्वशः। शीघ्रं गच्छत संहृष्टा यथागतमतन्द्रिताः
You should not be troubled at all regarding Phalguna; go quickly, delighted and untiring, just as you came.
अहमस्य विजानामि संकल्पं मनसि स्थितम्। नास्य स्वर्गस्पृहा काचिन्नैश्वर्यस्य न चायुषः। यत्तस्य काङ्क्षितं प्राप्तुं तत्करिष्येऽहमद्य वै
I know the resolve that is fixed in his mind; he has no desire for heaven, nor for sovereignty, nor for long life. What he seeks to obtain, I shall surely grant him today.