बलाका हि त्वया दग्धा रोषात्तद्विदितं मया। क्रोधः शत्रुः शरीरस्थो मनुष्याणां द्विजोत्तम
It is known to me that you burned the heron in anger; anger is an enemy dwelling in the body of humans, O best of Brahmins.
मास्म क्रुध्यो बलाकेव न वध्याऽस्मि पतिव्रता'। यः क्रोधमोहौ त्यजति तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः
Do not be angry like you were with the heron; I am not to be slain, for I am devoted to my husband. The gods recognize as a Brahmin one who abandons anger and delusion.
यो वदेदिह सत्यानि गुरुं संतोषयेत च। हिंसितश्च त हिंसेत तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः
He who speaks truth here and pleases his teacher, and does not harm even when harmed—him the gods know as a Brahmin.
जितेन्द्रियो धर्मपरः स्वाध्यायनिरतः शुचिः। कामक्रोधौ वशौ यस्य तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः
He who has mastered his senses, is devoted to righteousness, engaged in self-study, pure, and has desire and anger under control—him the gods know as a Brahmin.
यस्य चात्मसमो लोको धर्मज्ञस्य मनस्विनः। सर्वधर्मेषु चरतस्तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः
He to whom the world is equal to himself, who knows righteousness, who is wise, and who acts according to all duties—him the gods know as a Brahmin.
योऽध्यापयेदधीयीत यजेद्वा याजयीत वा। दद्याद्वाऽपि यथाशक्ति तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः
He who teaches or studies, who performs or causes sacrifices, or who gives as he is able—him the gods know as a Brahmin.
ब्राह्मचारी वदान्यो योप्यधीयाद्द्विजपुङ्गवः। स्वाध्यायवानमत्तो वै तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः
Even a celibate, generous, and learned Brahmin, devoted to self-study and free from pride—him the gods know as a Brahmin.
यद्ब्राह्मणानां कुशलं तदेषां परिकीर्तयेत्। सत्यं तथा व्याहरतां नानृते रमते मनः
Whatever is beneficial for Brahmins, that he should proclaim for them; and his mind does not delight in falsehood, but in speaking truth.
धनं तु ब्राह्मणस्याहुः स्वाध्यायं दममार्जवम्। इन्द्रियाणां निग्रहं च शाश्वतं द्विजसत्तम
The wealth of a Brahmin, they say, is self-study, self-restraint, and honesty, and the constant control of the senses, O best of twice-born.
सत्यार्जवे धर्ममाहुः परं धर्मविदो जनाः। दुर्ज्ञेयः शाश्वतो धर्मः स च सत्ये प्रतिष्ठितः
Those who know righteousness declare that supreme righteousness is in truth and honesty; eternal righteousness is difficult to know, and it is established in truth.
श्रुतिप्रमाणो धर्मः स्यादिति वृद्धानुशासनम्। बहुधा दृश्यते धर्मः सूक्ष्म एव द्विजोत्तम
The elders instruct that the authority for righteousness is the scriptures; righteousness is seen in many forms, O best of Brahmins, and is indeed subtle.
भगवानपि धर्मज्ञः स्वाद्यायनिरतः शुचिः। न तु तत्त्वेन भगवन्दर्मं वेत्सीति मे मतिः
Even the blessed one, who knows righteousness, who is devoted to self-study and pure, does not truly know righteousness in its entirety, O blessed one—so I think.
यदि विप्र न जानीषे धर्मं परमकं द्विज। धर्मव्याधं तत पृच्छ गत्वा तु मिथिलां पुरीम्
If, O Brahmin, you do not know the supreme dharma, then go to the city of Mithila and ask the righteous hunter about it.
मातापितृभ्यां शुश्रूपुः सत्यवादी जितेन्द्रियः। मिथिलायां वसेद्व्याधः स ते धर्मान्प्रवक्ष्यति
There lives in Mithila a hunter who serves his mother and father, speaks the truth, and has mastered his senses; he will explain dharma to you.
तत्र गच्छस्व भद्रं ते यथाकामं द्विजोत्तम। `व्याधः परमधर्मात्मा स ते छेत्स्यति संशयम्
Go there, best of Brahmins, and may good fortune be yours; that hunter, whose soul is established in the highest dharma, will resolve your doubts.
अत्युक्तमपि मे सर्वं क्षन्तुमर्हस्यनिन्दित। स्त्रियो ह्यवध्याः सर्वेषां ये धर्ममभिविन्दते
Even if I have spoken too harshly, O blameless one, you should forgive me; for women are not to be slain by anyone who understands dharma.
प्रीतोस्मि तव भद्रं ते गतः क्रोधश्च शोभने। उपालम्भस्त्वया प्रोक्तो मम निश्रेयसं परम्
I am pleased with you, O auspicious one, may good come to you; my anger has departed, and your reproach has brought me the highest good.
स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि साधयिष्यामि शोभने। `धन्या त्वमसि कल्याणि यस्याः स्याद्वृत्तमीदृशम्
May blessings be yours, I will go now and accomplish this, O beautiful one; you are truly blessed and virtuous, whose conduct is such as this.
तया विसृष्टो निर्गत्य स्वमेव भवनं ययौ। विनिन्दन्स स्वमात्मानं कौशिको द्विजसत्तमः ।। वस्त्रिणो वस्त्रदा यान्ति अवस्त्रा यान्त्यवस्त्रदाः
Dismissed by her, the best of Brahmins, Kauśika, left and went to his own house, blaming himself; those with clothes give to the unclothed, and the unclothed go to those with clothes.
चिन्तयित्वा तदाश्चर्यं स्त्रिया प्रोक्तमशेपतः। विनिन्दन्स द्विजोऽऽत्मानमागस्कृत इवाबभौ
Reflecting on the wondrous words spoken by the woman, the Brahmin reproached himself, feeling as if he had committed a fault.
चिन्तयानः स धर्मस्य सूक्ष्मां गतिमथाब्रवीत्। श्रद्दधानेन वै भाव्ये गच्छामि मिथिलामहम्
Thinking on the subtle path of dharma, he said: 'With faith, I will go to Mithila.'
कृतात्मा धर्मवित्तस्यां व्याधो निवसते किल। तं गच्चाम्यहमद्यैव धर्मं प्रष्टुं तपोधनम्
It is said that in that city dwells a hunter who knows dharma and is self-controlled; today I will go to him, the ascetic, to ask about dharma.
इतिसंचिन्त्य मनसा श्रद्दधानः स्त्रिया वचः। बलाकाप्रत्ययेनासौ धर्म्यैश्च वचनैः शुभैः
Thus pondering the woman's words with faith and the trustworthy words of the crane, he set his mind on dharma.
संप्रतस्थे स मिथिलां कौतूहलसमन्वितः। अतिक्रामन्नरण्यानि ग्रामांश्च नगराणि च
He set out for Mithila, filled with curiosity, passing through forests, villages, and cities.
ततो जगाम मिथिलां जनकेन सुरक्षिताम्। धर्मसेतुसमाकीर्णां यज्ञोत्सववतीं शुभाम्
Then he reached Mithila, protected by Janaka, filled with the bridge of dharma, and adorned with sacrificial festivals.
गोपुराट्टालकवतीं हर्म्यप्राकारशोभनाम्। प्रविश्य नगरीं रम्यां विमानैर्बहुभिर्युताम्
He entered the beautiful city, adorned with gates, towers, splendid mansions, and many palaces.
पण्यैश्च बहुभिर्युक्तां सुविभक्तमहापथाम्। अश्वै रथैस्तथा नागैर्योधैश्च बहुभिर्युताम्
The city was filled with many goods for sale, had well-divided main roads, and was crowded with horses, chariots, elephants, and many warriors.
हृष्टपुष्टजनाकीर्णां नित्योत्सवसमाकुलाम्। सोऽपस्यद्बहुवृत्तान्तां ब्राह्मणः समतिक्रमन्
It was thronged with joyful, prosperous people, always busy with festivals; the Brahmin saw many events as he passed through.
धर्मव्याधमपृच्छच्च स चास्य कथितो द्विजैः। अपश्यत्तत्रगत्वा तं सूनामध्ये व्यवस्थितम्
He inquired about the righteous hunter, and the Brahmins there told him; going there, he saw him standing among his sons.
मार्गमाहिपमांसानि विक्रीणन्तं तपस्विनम्। आकुलत्वाच्च क्रेतृणामेकान्ते संस्थितो द्विजः
He saw the ascetic selling the flesh of snakes and other animals, and, because of the crowd of buyers, the Brahmin stood aside.