तथा पित्रा विहीनस्तु बहुदुःखान्वितः सुतः
Thus, a son bereft of his father is afflicted with much sorrow.
संपृष्टं तद्यथावृत्तं सर्वं तस्मै न्यवेदयत्
When asked, he reported everything to him just as it had happened.
हनिष्यामीत्यरातीन्स प्रतिज्ञामकरोत्तदा
Then he made a vow to destroy his enemies.
प्रस्थापितः प्रतस्थे च तेनैव मुनिना वदा
Having been sent forth, he set out together with that very sage.
वशिष्टं स्वकुलाचार्यं प्रात्पः प्रीतिसमन्वितः
He approached Vasiṣṭha, his family preceptor, filled with affection.
सर्वं विज्ञापत्रामास ज्ञानदृष्ट्या विजानते
He presented everything to him, who understood by the vision of knowledge.
तेनैव मुनिनावाप खड्गं वज्रोपमं धनुः
By that very sage he obtained a sword, hard as a thunderbolt, and a bow.
आशीर्भिरर्चितः सद्यः प्रतस्थे प्रणिपत्य तम्
Honored with blessings, he at once set out after bowing to him.
सपुत्रपौत्रान्सगणानकरोत्स्वर्गासिनः
He sent his enemies to heaven along with their sons, grandsons, and followers.
केचिद्विनष्टा संत्रस्तास्तथा चान्ये प्रदुद्रुवुः
Some were destroyed, terrified; others fled away.
तृणान्यभक्षयन्केचिन्नग्राश्च विविशुर्जनलम्
Some ate grass, and some entered the city of the people.
सत्वरं शरणं जग्मुर्वशिष्टं प्राणलोलुपाः
Eager to save their lives, they quickly sought refuge with Vasiṣṭha.
चारैर्विज्ञातवान्सद्यः प्रात्प श्चाचार्यसन्निधिम्
He immediately learned of this through spies and went to the presence of the preceptor.
त्रातुं च शिष्याभिहितं च कर्तुं विवारयामास तदा क्षणेन
Then, in a moment, he forbade both the act of protection and what was said by the disciples.
अन्धांश्च श्मश्रुलान्सर्वान्मुण्डान्वेदवहिष्कृतान्
And all those who are blind, bearded, shaven-headed, and excluded from the Vedas,
प्रहसन्प्राह सगरः स्वगुरुं तपसो निधिम्
Sagara laughed and spoke to his own teacher, the repository of austerity,
सर्वथाहं हनिष्यामि मत्पितुर्देशहारकान्
In every way, I will kill those who have usurped my father's domain.
स एव सर्वनाशाय हेतुभूतो न संशयः
He alone is the cause of total destruction—of this there is no doubt.
त एव बलहीनाश्चेद्भजन्ते ऽत्यन्तसाधुताम्
If those same ones, being weak, display extreme virtue,
तावत्कुर्वन्ति कार्याणि यावत्स्यात्प्रबलं बलम्
They act only as long as their strength is not overpowered.
साधुभावं च सर्पाणां श्रेयस्कामो न विश्वसेत्
One seeking what is best should never trust the goodness of serpents.
तानेव दर्शयन्त्याशु स्वसामर्थ्य विपर्यये
They quickly reveal their true nature when their own power is reversed.
अतीव करुणं वाक्यं वदन्त्येव तथाबलाः
Those who are weak always speak exceedingly pitiful words.
साधुत्वं समभावं च खलानां नैव विश्वसेत्
One should never trust the virtue or impartiality of the wicked.
दुष्टां भार्यां च विश्वस्तो मृत एव न संशयः
A man who trusts an evil wife is as good as dead—there is no doubt.
हत्वैतानखिलान् दुष्टांस्त्वत्प्रसादान्महीं भजे
Having slain all these wicked ones, by your grace I shall enjoy the earth.
कराभ्यां सगस्ययाङ्गं स्पृशन्निदमुवाच ह
Touching Sagara's body with both hands, he spoke these words:
तथापि मद्वचऋ श्रुत्वा परां शान्तिं लभिष्यसि
Even so, by hearing my words, you will attain supreme peace.
हातानां हनवे कीर्तिः का समुत्पद्यते वद
Tell me, what fame arises from killing those who are already defeated?
तथापि पापैर्निहताः किमर्थं हंसि तान्पुनः
Even so, why do you kill them again, though they have already been destroyed by their own sins?