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.
स्वस्थो भव महाभाग मा स्म शोके मनः कृथाः
Be at peace, O highly fortunate one; do not let your mind fall into sorrow.
तस्य तद्वचनं हृद्यं शुकमोक्षप्रदायकम्
Those words, pleasing to the heart, bestowed liberation upon Śuka.
तस्यां वसाम्यहं भद्र वाणिज्यार्थमिहागतः ।। पुनरिच्छामहे तत्र भाण्डं गृह्य यथासुखम् ।170.
I am residing there, O gentle one, having come here for the purpose of trade; again, we wish to return there, taking our goods as we please.
मथुरावासिनं श्रुत्वा गोकर्णं स शुकस्तदा
Hearing that Gokarna was a resident of Mathura, the parrot then—
एवं च वदतस्तस्य शबरी शयनोत्थिता
As he was speaking thus, Shabari arose from her bed.
भृत्यैः परिवृतं चारुदर्शनीयस्वरूपकम्
Surrounded by attendants, possessing a charming and beautiful form—
प्रियातिथिं च संप्राप्तं मातः पूज्यतमं शुचिम्
She received the dear guest, O mother, most worthy of honor and pure.
शुकस्य वचनाद्यावत्पूजार्थमुपकल्पितम्
According to the words of the parrot, arrangements were made for his worship.
तस्याग्रे तु पुनस्तेन शुकेनातिथिपूजनम्
In her presence, again, by that parrot, the honoring of the guest was performed.
फलानि मांसयुक्तानि मधूनि सुरभीणि च
Fruits mixed with meat, and fragrant honey as well—