इति निश्चित्य मनसा वणिग्भावं हृदि स्थिरम्
Thus, having resolved in his mind, he firmly set his heart on becoming a merchant.
तत्र क्रीत्वा सुपण्यानि उत्तरापथगानि च
There, he bought excellent goods, including those from the northern regions.
क्रीत्वा क्रेयानि वस्तूनि लाभालाभं विचार्य च 170.
He purchased items to be sold, considering profit and loss.
मणिरत्नं ह्यश्वरत्नं पट्टरत्नं समर्थकम्
He acquired precious gems, fine horses, costly cloth, and suitable wares.
एकदा सार्थसम्भारो विश्रान्तुमुपचक्रमे
Once, the caravan prepared to rest.
नद्यास्तीरे सुप्रदेशे आवासांश्च प्रचक्रिरे
On the bank of a river, in a beautiful place, they set up their dwellings.
समादिश्येतिकृत्यं च भृत्यैः कतिपयैर्वृतः
He would instruct what was to be done, surrounded by a few servants.
क्रीडार्थं विहरंस्तत्र सोऽपश्यत् स्थानमुत्तमम्
While wandering there for amusement, he saw an excellent place.
फलवन्तश्च वृक्षाश्च पुष्पाणि सुरभीणि च
There were fruit-bearing trees and fragrant flowers.
तत्रारुह्य दरीद्वारं यावद्दृष्टिर्निपात्यते
Climbing there, he gazed as far as his sight could reach toward the cave entrance.
श्रुत्वापि शब्दप्रभवं किमेतदिति निश्चयम्
Even after hearing the origin of the sound, he wondered, 'What is this?' with certainty.
तेनोक्तं भो इहागच्छ आतिथ्यं करवाणि ते
He said, 'Come here, O guest; I will offer you hospitality.'
फलानीमानि स्वादूनि मधुमांसोदकानि च 170.
Here are these sweet fruits, honey, meat, and water.
आगत्य पितरौ मह्यं विशेषं तौ करिष्यतः
When my parents arrive, they will give you special honor.
गृहस्थस्तस्य पितरो वसन्ति नरके ध्रुवम्
The householder whose parents reside in hell, surely—
अतिथिर्यस्य भग्नाशो गृहात्प्रव्रजते यदि
If a guest, whose hopes are broken, leaves the house—
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन पूज्यो वै गृहमेधिना
Therefore, by every effort, the householder must honor the guest.
एवंविधाः शुभा वाचो वैश्यो धर्मोपदेशकात्
Such auspicious words are spoken by the merchant, instructed in righteousness.
ऋषिः कस्त्वं पुराणज्ञः किं वा देवोऽथ गुह्यकः
Who are you, O sage, knower of ancient lore? Are you a god or a secret being?
कस्त्वं कथय मे सत्यमुत्साहश्चातिथिप्रियः
Who are you? Tell me the truth. You are enthusiastic and fond of guests.
इत्युक्तः स शुकः सर्वं शशंसात्मपुराकृतम्
Thus addressed, the parrot told everything he had done in the past.
शुकस्य विप्रियं यादृङ् महर्षेस्तु तपस्यतः
Whatever was disagreeable to the parrot was also so for the great sage engaged in austerity.
तपश्चचार विपुलं शुको व्याससुतो महान् 170.
The great parrot, son of Vyasa, performed intense austerity.
ऋषयस्तत्र चाजग्मुरसितो देवलस्तदा
The sages arrived there; Asita and Devala at that time.
अङ्गिरास्तैत्तिरी रैभ्यः काण्वो मेधातिथिः कृतः
Aṅgirās, Taittirīya, Raibhya, Kāṇva, Medhātithi, and Kṛta—
वामदेवश्चाश्वशिरास्त्रिशीर्षो गौतमोदरः
Vāmadeva, Āśvaśirā, Triśīrṣa, Gautama, and Udara—
शुकं सम्मुखयामासुः पप्रच्छुर्द्धर्मसंहिताम्
They all approached Śuka and questioned him regarding the code of righteousness.
भ्रष्टः श्रद्धान्वितो बाल्यात्सुनीत्यामग्रतश्चरन्
Though devoted to faith, I strayed in childhood, even while following good conduct before all.
अन्यायवादिनं मां च गुरुर्नित्यं निषेधति
My teacher constantly forbade me, as I spoke unjustly.
पूर्वपक्षाश्च सिद्धान्ताः परस्परजिगीषवः
Both preliminary arguments and established conclusions, each seeking to overcome the other—