कथं मां वेत्सि चंडालं यायावरकुलोद्भवम्
How do you know me, a Caṇḍāla, born in the lineage of wanderers?
ततस्त्वमसि चांडालो ब्राह्मण्यं तेन ते गतम्
Therefore, you are a Caṇḍāla; by that, your Brāhmaṇahood is lost.
एवमुक्तो मतंगस्तु पितरं वाक्यमब्रवीत् 5.2.60.
Thus addressed, Mataṅga spoke these words to his father.
गर्दभ्या कथितं सम्यक्तस्मात्तप्स्ये महत्तपः
The she-ass has spoken rightly; therefore, I shall undertake great austerity.
स गत्वा च ततोऽरण्यमतप्यत महत्तपः
Then, having gone to the forest, he performed severe austerity.
तं तथा तपसा युक्तमुवाच हरिवाहनः वरं ददामि तेऽहं तं वृणीष्व त्वं यदिच्छसि
As he was thus engaged in austerity, the bearer of the discus spoke to him: 'I grant you a boon; choose whatever you desire.'
देहि मे शाश्वतं शक्र वर एष वृतो मया
'O Śakra, grant me eternal status—this is the boon I have chosen.'
एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं तमुवाच पुरंदरः
Hearing these words, Purandara spoke to him.
नाशमेष्यसि दुर्बुद्धे तदुपारम मा चिरम्
'You will perish, O wicked-minded one; therefore, cease at once.'
एवमुक्तो मतंगस्तु संशितात्मा यत व्रतः
Thus addressed, Mataṅga, resolute and firm in his vow,
तमुवाच ततः शक्रः पुनरेव महायशाः
Then Śakra, renowned among the great, spoke to him again.
न हि शक्यं प्राप्तुमेवमचिरान्नाशमेष्यसि
'It is not possible to obtain this; soon you will perish.'
एवमुक्तो मतंगस्तु संशितात्मा दृढव्रतः 5.2.60.
Thus addressed, Mataṅga, resolute and steadfast in his vow,
तदेव च पुनर्वाक्यमुवाच बलवृत्रहा
Again, the slayer of Vṛtra spoke those very words.
अन्यं वरं वृणीष्व त्वं मा कृथास्तत्स्वयं श्रमम्
'Choose another boon; do not undergo this hardship for that.'
अतिष्ठत गयां गत्वा सोंगुष्ठेन शतं समाः
He stood at Gayā for a hundred years on his big toe.
त्वगस्थिभूतो धर्मात्मा तताप परमं तपः
Having become skin and bones, righteous in spirit, he performed supreme austerity.
वराणामीश्वरो दाता सर्वभूतहिते रतः
The lord of boons, the bestower, devoted to the welfare of all beings,
ब्राह्मण्यं दुर्ल्लभं तात ह्यसतां पापशीलिनाम्
O dear one, brahminhood is difficult to attain for the wicked and sinful.
ब्राह्मणे सर्वभूतानां योगक्षेमः समाहितः
In the brahmin, the welfare and sustenance of all beings is established.
अन्यं वरं वृणीष्व त्वं दुर्लभोऽयं हि ते वरः
Choose another boon, for this boon is difficult for you to obtain.
तं तु शोचामि यो लब्ध्वा ब्राह्मण्यं नानुपालयेत्
But I grieve for the one who, having gained Brahminhood, does not uphold it.
ब्राह्मण्यं यदि दुष्प्राप्यं त्रिभिर्वर्णैः शतक्रतो 5.2.60.
If Brahminhood is hard to attain for the three castes, O wielder of the thunderbolt,
वीतहव्यश्च राजर्षिस्तपसा विप्रतां गतः
Even the royal sage Vītahavya attained Brahminhood through austerity.
अहिंसादमसत्यस्थः कथं नार्हामि विप्रताम्
How am I, who stand in nonviolence and truth, not worthy of Brahminhood?
एतामवस्थां संप्राप्तो दैवयोगात्पुरंदर
By the conjunction of fate, O Purandara, I have come to this condition.
यदहं यत्नवानेवं न लभे विप्रतां विभो
If, despite my efforts, I do not obtain Brahminhood, O Lord,
यदि तेऽहमनुग्राह्यः किंचिद्वा सुकृतं मम
If I am worthy of your favor, and if I have any merit at all,
यथा ममाक्षया कीत्तिर्भवेद्वापि पुरंदर ।। कर्तुमर्हसि तद्देव शिरसा त्वां प्रसादये
Grant, O Purandara, that my fame may be imperishable; I beseech you, bowing my head.
इत्युक्तो हि मतंगेन वासवो बलवृत्रहा
Thus addressed by Matanga, Vāsava, the slayer of Vritra,