उत्तमांगं प्रदत्तं मे पितृभक्तेन तेन ते । तवार्थे द्विजशार्दूल मामेवं परिभुंक्ष्व वै
The highest part has been given to me by him, devoted to his father. For your sake, O tiger among Brahmins, enjoy me thus.
तस्य तैर्भ्रातृभिर्दृष्टं साहसं वेदशर्मणः । वेपितांगत्वमापन्नास्ते बभूवुः परस्परम्
When his brothers saw Vedaśarma's bold act, they became trembling in their limbs and were disturbed among themselves.
मृता नो धर्मसाध्वी सा माता सत्यसमाधिना । अयमेव महाभागः पितुरर्थे मृतः शुभः
Our mother, righteous in dharma, has died with steadfast truth. This highly fortunate one has died for his father's sake, O auspicious one.
धन्योयं धन्यतां प्राप्तः पितुरर्थे कृतं शुभम् । एवं संभाषितं तैस्तु भ्रातृभिः पुण्यचारिभिः
This one is blessed, has attained blessedness, having done what is good for his father. Thus spoke those brothers, who were engaged in virtuous conduct.
समाकर्ण्य द्विजो वाक्यं ज्ञात्वा भक्तिपरायणम् । निकृत्तं च शिरस्तेन पुत्रेण वेदशर्मणा
Hearing the words of the Brahmin, knowing his devotion, and that his head had been severed by his son, Vedaśarma,
धर्मशर्माणमाहाथ शिर एतत्प्रगृह्यताम्
Dharmaśarma then spoke: Take up this head.
सूत उवाच- तदादाय महात्माऽसौ निर्जगाम त्वरान्वितः । पितृभक्त्या तपोभिश्च सत्यार्जवबलेन सः
Sūta said: Taking that, the great-souled one departed swiftly, empowered by devotion to his father, austerity, truth, uprightness, and strength.
धर्ममाकृष्टवांश्चैव धर्मशर्मा ततस्तदा । समाकृष्टस्तु वै धर्मस्तपसा तस्य धीमतः
Then, at that time, Dharmaśarmā drew Dharma toward himself; and Dharma, indeed, was attracted by the austerity of that wise one.
धर्मशर्माणमायातं इदं वचनमब्रवीत् । कस्मात्त्वया समाहूतो धर्मशर्मन्समागतः
Dharma spoke this word to Dharmaśarmā, who had approached: 'For what reason have you summoned me, Dharmaśarmā, and brought me here?'
तन्मे कथय कार्यं त्वं तत्करोमि न संशयः । धर्मशर्मोवाच- यद्यस्ति गुरुशुश्रूषा यदि निष्ठाऽचलं तपः
'Tell me your purpose; I will do it without doubt.' Dharmaśarmā said: 'If there is service to the guru, and if your austerity is steadfast—'
तेन सत्येन मे धर्म वेदशर्मा स जीवतु । धर्म उवाच- दमशौचेन सत्येन तपसा तव सुव्रत
'By that truth, O Dharma, let Vedaśarmā live.' Dharma said: 'By your self-restraint, purity, truth, and austerity, O virtuous one—'
पितृभक्त्या तव भ्राता वेदशर्मा महाभुजः । पुनरेव महात्मासौ जीवनं च लभिष्यति
'By your devotion to your father, your brother Vedaśarmā, mighty-armed, will again obtain life, that great-souled one.'
तपसानेन तुष्टोस्मि पितृभक्त्या महामते । वरं वरय भद्रं ते दुर्लभं धर्मवित्तमैः
'By this austerity and your devotion to your father, O wise one, I am pleased. Choose a boon, O blessed one, rare even among those who know Dharma.'
एवमाकर्णितं तेन सुवाक्यं धर्मशर्मणा । वैवस्वतं महात्मानं समुवाच महायशाः
Having heard these excellent words from Dharmaśarmā, the illustrious one addressed Vaivasvata, the great-souled.
देहि मे त्वचलां भक्तिं पितुः पादार्हणे पुनः । धर्मे रतिं तथा मोक्षं सुप्रसन्नो यदा मम
'Grant me unwavering devotion to serving my father's feet again, delight in Dharma, and liberation, whenever you are well-disposed toward me.'
तमुवाच ततो धर्मो मत्प्रसादाद्भविष्यति । एवमुक्ते महावाक्ये वेदशर्मा तदोत्थितः
Then Dharma said to him, 'By my grace, it shall be so.' When these great words were spoken, Vedaśarmā arose at that moment.
प्रसुप्तवन्महाप्राज्ञो धर्मशर्माणमब्रवीत् । क्व सा देवी गता भ्रातः क्व स तातो भवेदिति
Having awakened, the wise Vedaśarmā spoke to Dharmaśarmā: 'Brother, where has that lady gone? Where is our father?'
समासेन समाख्यातं यथा पित्रा नियोजितः । समाज्ञाय ततो हृष्टो धर्मशर्मा तमब्रवीत्
Briefly, as instructed by their father, it was explained. Then, understanding, Dharmaśarmā joyfully spoke to him.
ममाद्यैव महाभाग शिरसा जीवितेन च । संमुखी भव वै भ्रातः कोन्यो मे त्वादृशो भुवि
'Today, O most fortunate, with my head and my life, be present before me, brother. Who else on earth is like you to me?'
भ्रातरं चैवमाभाष्य उत्सुकः पितरं प्रति । गमनाय मतिं चक्रे भ्रात्रा च धर्मशर्मणा
Having spoken thus to his brother, eager regarding their father, he resolved to go, together with Dharmaśarmā.
द्वावेतौ तु गतौ तत्र पितरं हृष्टमानसौ । द्वाभ्यां तत्र समास्थाय शिवशर्माणमुत्तमम्
The two went there, their minds joyful, to their father; together they approached Śivaśarmā, the excellent one.
धर्मशर्मा तदोवाच पितरं दीप्तिसंयुतम् । ममाद्यैव महाभाग तपसा जीवितेन च
Dharmaśarmā then spoke to his radiant father: 'Today, O most fortunate, by my austerity and my life—'
वेदशर्मा समानीतस्तं पुत्रं प्रगृहाण भोः । शिवशर्मा ततो हृष्टो भक्तिं विज्ञाय तस्य च
'Vedaśarmā has been brought; take your son, O sir.' Śivaśarmā, then, rejoicing and recognizing his devotion—
न किंचिदब्रवीत्तं तु पुनश्चिंतामुपेयिवान् । पुरतो विनयेनापि वर्तमानं महामतिम्
He said nothing, but again fell into thought, seeing his wise son standing before him with humility.
विष्णुशर्माणमाभाषीद्वत्स मे वचनं कुरु । इंद्रलोकं व्रजस्वाद्य तस्मादानय चामृतम्
Viṣṇuśarman was addressed: 'My child, do as I say. Go now to Indra's world and bring back the nectar from there.'
अनया कान्तया सार्द्धं स्थातुमिच्छामि सांप्रतम् । सागराद्यत्समुत्पन्नममृतं व्याधिनाशनम्
At this time, I wish to remain together with this beloved one. The nectar that arose from the ocean destroys disease.
साधुनेच्छति मामेषा यथैनां तु लभाम्यहम् । तथा कुरुष्व शीघ्रं त्वमन्यथान्यं प्रयास्यति
She earnestly desires me; so that I may obtain her, act quickly in this way—otherwise, she will go to another.'
वृद्धं ज्ञात्वावमन्येत इयं बाला सुरूपिणी । अद्य देव्यानया सार्द्धं प्रियया भुवनत्रये
Knowing me to be old, this beautiful young woman disregards me. Today, with this dear goddess, in all three worlds—
निर्दोषो व्याधिनिर्मुक्तो यथा तात भवाम्यहम् । तथा कुरुष्व मे वत्स मद्भक्तोसि यदा भुवि
Make it so, my son, that I become faultless and free from disease, as you are my devotee on earth.
एवमाकर्ण्य तद्वाक्यं पितुस्तस्य महात्मनः । विष्णुशर्मा तदोवाच पितरं दीप्ततेजसम्
Hearing these words of his great-souled father, Viṣṇuśarman then spoke to his radiant father: