माता व्यासस्य या प्रोक्ता नाम्ना सत्यवती शुभा
The mother of Vyasa, who was named Satyavati, has been mentioned.
निषादपुत्रीं स कथं वृतवान्नृपतिः स्वयम्
How did the king himself choose her, the daughter of a Nishada?
शंतनोः प्रथमा पत्नी का ह्यभूत्कथयाधुना
Who was Shantanu's first wife? Tell us now.
त्वया प्रोक्तं पुरा सूत राजा चित्रांगदः कृतः
You have previously said, O Sūta, that King Chitrangada was born.
चित्रांगदे हते वीरे कृतस्तदनुजस्तथा
When the heroic Chitrangada was killed, his younger brother was then born.
ज्येष्ठे भीष्मे स्थिते पूर्वे धमिष्ठं रूपवत्यपि
While the eldest, Bhishma, remained before, steadfast and handsome.
मृते विचित्रवीर्ये तु सत्यवत्यतिदुःखिता
When Vichitravirya died, Satyavati was greatly afflicted with sorrow.
कथं राज्यं न भीष्माय ददौ सा वरवर्णिनी 2.3.
How did that illustrious woman not give the kingdom to Bhishma?
अधर्मस्तु कृतः कस्माद्व्यासेनामिततेजसा
Why was unrighteousness committed by Vyasa, whose power is immeasurable?
पुराणकर्ता धर्मात्मा स कथं कृतवान्मुनिः
He, the author of the Purana and a soul devoted to righteousness—how did that sage act thus?
जुगुप्सितमिदं कर्म स कथं कृतवान्मुनिः
How did that sage perform this act, which is so reprehensible?
व्यास शिष्योऽसि मेधाविन्संदेहं छेत्तुमर्हसि
Vyasa, you are his disciple and wise; you ought to dispel this doubt.
सूत उवाच सत्यवान्धर्मशीलश्च चक्रवर्ती नृपोत्तमः
Suta said: Satyavat, noble in righteousness, was the supreme king and emperor.
अश्वमेधसहस्रेण वाजपेयशतेन च ।। तोषयामास देवेंद्रं स्वर्गं प्राप महामतिः
With a thousand horse sacrifices and a hundred Vājapeya rituals, he pleased Indra, the lord of the gods, and attained heaven, being of great intelligence.
एकदा ब्रह्मसदनं गतो राजा महाभिषः
Once, King Mahabhisha went to the abode of Brahma.
गंगा महानदी तत्र संस्थिता सेवितुं विभुम्
There, the great river Ganga was present, serving the Lord.
अधोमुखाः सुराः सर्वे न विलोक्यैव तां स्थिताः
All the gods stood with their faces turned downward, not looking at her.
साऽपि तं प्रेमसंयुक्तं नृपं ज्ञातवती नदी 2.3.
That river, recognizing the king who was filled with love, also knew him.
ब्रह्मा चुकोप तौ तूर्णं शशाप च रुषाऽन्वितः
Brahma became angry with them both and swiftly cursed them, filled with wrath.
पुण्येन महताऽऽविष्टस्त्वमवाप्स्यसि सर्वथा
You will surely obtain embodiment, endowed with great merit.
विमनस्कौ तु तौ तूर्णं निःसृतौ ब्रह्मणोंऽतिकात्
The two, distressed in mind, quickly departed from Brahma's presence.
प्रतीपं चिंतयामास पितरं पुरुवंशजम्
He began to ponder Pratipa, his father, descended from the Puru lineage.
वसिष्ठस्याऽऽश्रमं प्राप्ता रममाणा यदृच्छया
They arrived at the hermitage of Vasistha, delighting there by chance.
द्यौर्नामा तस्य भार्याऽथ नंदिनीं गां ददर्श ह
His wife was named Dyau; she saw Nandini, the cow.
द्यौस्तामाह वसिष्ठस्य गौरियं शृणु सुंदरि
Dyau said to her, 'Listen, beautiful one, this is Vasistha’s cow.'
अयुतायुर्भवेन्यूनं सदैवाऽगतयौवनः
Her lifespan will be less than ten thousand years, and she will always remain youthful.
उशीनरस्य राजर्षेः पुत्री परमशोभना
The daughter of the royal sage Ushinara was supremely beautiful.
आनयस्वाऽऽश्रमश्रेष्ठं नंदिनीं कामदां शुभाम् 2.3.
Bring to the foremost hermitage Nandini, the auspicious wish-granting cow.
मानुषेषु भवेदेका जरारोगविवर्जिता
Among humans, she alone would be free from old age and disease.
अवमन्य मुनिं दांतं पृथ्वाद्यैः सहितोऽनघः
Without fault, he, together with the earth and others, disrespected the restrained sage.