असकृत्स मृकण्डेन यावत्पृष्टो द्विजोत्तमः
The best of twice-borns was repeatedly questioned by Mṛkaṇḍa.
अस्य बालस्य चिह्नानि यानि काये द्विजोत्तम
O best of twice-borns, what are the marks on this child's body?
षण्मासेनास्य बालस्य नूनं मृत्युर्भविष्यति अनृतं नोक्तपूर्वं मे वैरिष्वपि कदाचन
Within six months, this child will surely die; I have never spoken a falsehood, not even to my enemies.
मृकंडेनाभ्यनुज्ञात इष्टं देशं जगाम ह ॥ 7.3.41.
Having been permitted by Mṛkaṇḍa, he went to the desired place.
मृकंडोपि सुतं ज्ञात्वा ततः क्षीणायुषं नृप
Mṛkaṇḍa, knowing then that his son had a short lifespan, O king—
श्रुताध्ययनसंपन्नं यंयं पश्यसि चाग्रतः
Whomever you see before you, endowed with study and learning—
ततश्चक्रे ब्रह्मचारी पितुर्वाक्यं विशेषतः
Then, as a celibate student, he especially followed his father's words.
बालं वृद्धं युवानं च यंयं पश्यति चक्षुषा
Whomever he saw with his eyes—child, old man, or youth—
कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य तस्याश्रमसमीपतः
Then, after some time, near his hermitage—
अथ तान्सत्वरं गत्वा वंदयामास पार्थिव
Then, going quickly to them, he offered his respects, O king.
दीर्घायुर्भव तैरुक्तः स बालस्तुष्टितत्परैः
He was told by them, 'May you have a long life,' and the boy was pleased by their devotion.
तेषां मध्येंऽगिरानाम दिव्यज्ञानसमन्वितः
Among them was one named Aṅgirā, endowed with divine knowledge.
अथ तानब्रवीत्सर्वान्मुनीन्किंचित्सविस्मयः
Then, with some wonder, he addressed all the sages.
गमिष्यति कुमारोऽयं निधनं पंचमे दिने 7.3.41.
This boy will meet his end on the fifth day.
यथाऽयं चिरजीवी स्यात्तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम्
Let a means be devised so that he may live long.
बालकं तं समादाय ब्रह्मलोकं गतास्तदा
Then, taking the boy, they went to the world of Brahmā.
तेषामनंतरं तेन बालके नाभिवादितः
Immediately after them, the boy did not greet him.
ततः सप्तर्षयो हृष्टाः स्वचित्ते नृपसत्तम
Then the seven sages, delighted in their hearts, O best of kings—
अर्बुदं पर्वतं नाम तस्य तीर्थेषु वै गताः
Those who went to the holy places of the mountain called Arbuda,
अथागत्य द्रुतं दूराद्बालेनानेन वंदिताः पंचमे दिवसेऽस्यापि मृत्युर्देव भविष्यति
Then, having arrived quickly from afar, honored by this boy, on the fifth day, O god, his death will also occur.
यथा वयं त्वया सार्द्धमसत्या न चतुर्मुख
Just as we, together with you, are not false, O Four-faced One,
अथ ब्रह्मा प्रहृष्टात्मा दृष्ट्वा तं मुनिदारकम्
Then Brahmā, his heart gladdened, upon seeing that young sage,
ततस्ते मुनयो हृष्टास्तमादाय गृहं प्रति 7.3.41.
Then those delighted sages, taking him, went towards their home.
अथ तस्य पिता तत्र मृकंडो मुनिसत्तमः
Then his father, the eminent sage Mṛkaṇḍu, was there.
हा पुत्रपुत्र करुणं रुदित्वा धर्मवत्सलः
Alas, my son, my son! he cried out in grief, full of righteousness.
अकृत्वापि क्रियाः कार्याः कथं मृत्युवशं गतः
How has he, without even performing the necessary rites, fallen under the power of death?
एवं विलपतस्तस्य बहुधा नृपसत्तम
Thus, as he lamented in many ways, O best of kings,
अथासौ प्रययौ बालः प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना
Then that boy, with a heart filled with joy, departed.
पप्रच्छांकं समारोप्य चिरागमन कारणम् दर्शनं ब्रह्मलोकस्य पद्मयोनेर्वरं तथा
He asked, after seating him on his lap, the reason for his long absence and also the boon of seeing Brahmā’s world, the lotus-born.
तस्मात्सत्यं मदर्थे ते व्येत्वसौ मानसो ज्वरः
Therefore, for my sake, speak the truth, so that this mental anguish may subside.