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—
एवं निषेधितश्चाहं गुरुणा मुनिसत्तमैः
Thus, I was restrained by my teacher and the eminent sages.
शुकेन कोपाच्छापो मे दत्तोऽयं जल्पको बटुः
Out of anger, Śuka pronounced this curse upon me: 'This boy is a mere prattler.'
इत्युक्तमात्रे वचने तत्रैवाहं शुकोदरः 170.
As soon as these words were spoken, there I became Śuka’s younger brother.
मुनयस्तं महात्मानं शुकं तत्त्वार्थवित्तमम्
The sages regarded that great soul Śuka as the foremost knower of the true meaning.
आगामिकाले दास्यामि वरमस्मै शुकाय भो
In a future time, O good one, I shall grant a boon to this Śuka.
अयं भविष्यति सदा सद्भावहितभावनः
He will always be devoted to the welfare of the good.
मथुरायां मृतः पश्चाद्ब्रह्मलोकं गमिष्यति
After dying in Mathurā, he will go to the world of Brahmā.
मथुरामथुरोच्चारं कुर्वन्नित्यमतन्द्रितः
Constantly, without fatigue, he will utter 'Mathurā' and 'Mathura' aloud.
प्राप्तोऽहं शबरेणैव येनाहं पञ्जरे धृतः
I was captured by a Śabara, by whom I was kept in a cage.
मुनेः प्रसादान्मे ज्ञानं न जहाति कदाचन
By the sage’s grace, knowledge never abandons me at any time.