नवाब्दिकस्य व्रतबन्धनं च वेदे च शास्त्रे विधिपारगो ऽबूत्
At the age of nine, he underwent the rite of initiation, and became thoroughly versed in the Veda and the scriptures.
ख्यातः पृथिव्यां पुरुषोत्तमो ऽसौ नाम्ना कुरुः संवरणस्य पुत्रः
He became renowned on earth as Puruṣottama, named Kuru, the son of Samvaraṇa.
दारक्रियार्थमकरोद् यत्नं शुभकुले ततः
He made efforts to arrange a marriage within a noble family.
कुरोरर्थाय वतवान् स प्रादात् कुरवे ऽपि ताम्
For Kuru's sake, he requested her and gave her also to Kuru.
रेमे तन्व्या सह तया पौलोम्या मघवानिव
He enjoyed happiness together with that slender-waisted Paulomī, like Maghavan (Indra) with his consort.
विदित्वा योवराज्याय विधानेनाभ्यषेचयत्
Knowing this, he anointed him for the kingdom according to the prescribed rites.
पालयामास स महीं पुत्रवच्च स्वयं प्रजाः
He protected the earth and its people as a father cares for his own children.
स सर्वपालकश्चासीत् प्रजापालो महाबलः
He was the protector of all, a mighty guardian of the people.
यावत्कीर्तिः सुसंस्था हि तावद्वासः सुरैः सह
As long as his fame was firmly established, he dwelt among the gods.
विचचार महीं सर्वां कीर्त्यर्थं तु नराधिपः
The king traveled across the whole earth for the sake of fame.
तदासाद्य सुसंतुष्टो विवेशाभ्यान्तरं ततः
Having attained that, fully satisfied, he then entered within.
प्लक्षजां ब्रह्मणः पुत्रीं हरिजिह्वां सरस्वतीम्
He approached Sarasvatī, daughter of Brahmā, born of the Plakṣa tree, whose tongue is dear to Hari.
स्थितां भगवतीं कूले तीर्थकोटिभिराप्लुताम्
The blessed goddess stood on the bank, bathed by countless sacred fords.
समाजगाम च पुनः ब्रह्मणो वेदिमुत्तराम्
And again he came to the northern altar of Brahmā.
आकमन्ताद् योजनानि पञ्च च सर्वतः
He approached from all sides, five yojanas in extent.
येनोत्तरतया वेदिर्गादिता सर्वपञ्चका
By which, because it is to the north, the altar is called 'the northern altar' by all the learned.
यासु यष्टं सुरेशेन लोकनाथेन शंभुना
In which sacrifices were performed by Śaṃbhu, the lord of the gods and protector of the worlds,
विरजा दक्षिणा वेदिरनन्तफलदायिनी
Virajā is the southern altar, bestower of endless fruits.
समन्तपञ्चका चोक्ता वेदिरेवोत्तराव्यया
The Samantapañcaka is also said to be an altar, the supreme and imperishable northern one.
करिष्यामि कृषिष्यामि सर्वान् कामान् यथेप्सितान्
I shall do, I shall cultivate, all desires as you wish.
चक्रे कीर्त्यर्थमतुलं संस्थानं पार्थिवर्षभः पौण्ड्रकं याम्यमहिषं स्वयं कर्षितुमुद्यतः
For the sake of fame, the bull among kings created the unparalleled Pauṇḍraka Yāmyamahiṣa, preparing himself to plough it.
प्रोवाच राजन् किमिदं भवान् कर्तुमिहोद्यतः
He said, 'O king, what is it that you are preparing to do here?'
प्रोवाच राजन् किमिदं भवान् कर्तुमिहोद्यतः
He said, 'O king, what is it that you are preparing to do here?'
कृषामि शौचं दानं च योगं च ब्रह्मचारिताम्
I cultivate purity, charity, yoga, and celibacy.
लब्धो ऽष्टाङ्गेति सहसा अवहस्य गतस्ततः
Having suddenly obtained the eightfold (yoga), he laughed and departed from there.
कृषते ऽन्यान् समन्ताच्च सप्तक्रोशान् महीपतिः
The king ploughed the surrounding land for seven krośas on all sides.
तदाष्टाङ्गं महाधर्मं समाख्यातं नृपेण हि
Then the great eightfold dharma was declared by the king.
देह्यहं वापयिष्यामि सीरं कृषतु वै भवान्
Give (the land); I will cause the furrow to be made, let you plough the field.
प्रसृतं तं भुजं दृष्ट्वा मया चक्रेण वेगतः
Seeing that outstretched arm, I struck it swiftly with my discus.
ततः सव्यो भुजो राज्ञा दत्तश् छिन्नो ऽप्यसौ मया
Then, though the king's left arm was given and cut off, still it was by me.