पुरामसंहितां चक्रे पुराणार्थविशारदः
Long ago, the one skilled in the meaning of the Puranas composed the Purana Samhita.
यजनात्स यजुर्वेद इति शास्त्रविनिश्चयः
Because it is used in sacrifice, it is called the Yajur Veda—so the scripture is determined.
शतेनोद्धतवीर्यस्तु ऋत्विग्भिर्वेदपारगैः
Endowed with a hundredfold vigor, he, along with the priests learned in the Veda—
ऋचो गृहीत्वा पैलस्तु व्यभजत्तु द्विधा पुनः
Paila, having received the Rig verses, divided them again into two.
इन्द्रप्रमत्तये चैकां द्वितीयां बाष्कलाय च
One was for Indrapramatta, and the second for Bashkala.
शिष्यानध्यापया मास शुश्रुषाभिरतान्हितान्
He taught his disciples for a month, those devoted to service and welfare.
पाराशरीं तृतीयां तु या५वल्क्यामथापराम्
The third was for Parashara, and another for Yajnavalkya.
अध्यापयन्महाभागं माण्डूकेयं यशस्विनम्
He instructed the illustrious Manduka, the highly fortunate one.
सत्यस्रवाः सत्यहितं पुत्रमध्यापयद्विभुः
The exalted one taught his son Satyasrava, who was truthful and devoted to righteousness.
सत्यश्रियं महात्मानं सत्य धर्मपरायणम्
He taught Satyaśri, the great-souled one, devoted to truth and dharma.
सत्यश्रियाश्च विद्वांसः शास्त्रग्रहणतत्पराः
And the learned followers of Satyaśri were devoted to the study of scripture.
बाष्कलिश्च भरद्वाज इति शाखाप्रवर्त्तकाः
Bashkala and Bharadvaja were the founders of branches.
जनकस्य स यज्ञे वै विनाशामगमद्द्विजाः
At Janaka’s sacrifice, the twice-born gathered, and destruction befell them.
जनकस्याश्वमेधे तु कथ वादाभ्यजायत
At Janaka’s Ashvamedha, a debate arose.
एतत्सर्वं यथा वृत्तमाचक्ष्त्र विदितं तव
All this, as it happened, I have told you, as you know.
ऋषीणां हि सहस्राणि तत्राजग्मुरनेकशः
Thousands of sages arrived there in many groups.
आगतान्ब्राह्मणान्दृष्ट्वा जिज्ञासास्याभवत्ततः
Seeing the assembled Brahmanas, curiosity arose.
इति निश्चित्य मनसा बुद्धिं चक्रे जनाधिपः
Having resolved in his mind, the king made his decision.
ग्रामान्रत्नानि दासीस्छ मुनीन्प्राह नराधिपः
The king offered villages, jewels, and maidservants to the sages.
यदेतदाहृतं वित्तं यो वा श्रेष्ठतमो भवेत्
Whatever wealth was brought, whoever proved to be the best among them—
जनकस्य वचः श्रुत्वा ऋषयस्ते श्रुतिक्षमाः
Hearing Janaka’s words, the sages, patient with the Vedas—
आह्वयाञ्चक्रिरे ऽन्योन्यं वेदज्ञानमदोल्बणान्
They challenged one another, displaying their formidable knowledge of the Vedas.
ममैतन्न तवेत्यन्यो ब्रूहि वा किं विकत्थसे
This is mine, not yours; so speak otherwise—why do you boast?
अथान्यस्तत्रवै विद्वान्ब्रह्मणस्तु सुतः कविः
Then another, learned and a poet, son of Brahma, was present there.
ब्रह्मणोंऽशसमुत्पन्नो वाक्यं प्रोवाच सुस्वरम्
Born from a portion of Brahma, he spoke words in a melodious voice.
नयस्व च गृहंवत्स ममैतन्नात्र संशयः
Take this home, child; this is mine, there is no doubt about it.
यो वा न प्रीयते विद्वान्समाह्वयतु माचिरम्
If any learned one is not pleased, let him summon me without delay.
तानुवाच ततः स्वस्थो याज्ञवल्क्यो हसन्निव
Then Yājñavalkya, composed, spoke to them, as if smiling.
वदामहे यथाशक्ति जिज्ञासंतः परस्परम्
Let us speak according to our ability, questioning each other.
सहस्रधा शुभैरर्थैः सुक्ष्मदर्शनसंभवैः
In a thousand ways, with auspicious meanings arising from subtle insight.