वैशंपायन उवाच ।
३.१७७.१
युधिष्ठिरस्तमासाद्य सर्पभोगाभिवेष्टितम् ।
दयितं भ्रातरं वीरमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥
दयितं भ्रातरं वीरमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥
M N Dutt
Vaishampayana said : The intellectual Yudhishthira, beholding his dear brother coiled by the body of the snake addressed him thus.
३.१७७.२
कुन्तीमातः कथमिमामापदं त्वमवाप्तवान् ।
कश्चायं पर्वताभोगप्रतिमः पन्नगोत्तमः ॥
कश्चायं पर्वताभोगप्रतिमः पन्नगोत्तमः ॥
M N Dutt
“O son of Kunti, how have you met with this disaster? And who is this best of serpents endued with a body (huge) as a mountain.
३.१७७.३
स धर्मराजमालक्ष्य भ्राता भ्रातरमग्रजम् ।
कथयामास तत्सर्वं ग्रहणादि विचेष्टितम् ॥
कथयामास तत्सर्वं ग्रहणादि विचेष्टितम् ॥
M N Dutt
beholding his elder brother Dharmaraja, he narrated to him fully as to how he came into the clutches of the serpent.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।
३.१७७.४
देवो वा यदि वा दैत्य उरगो वा भवान्यदि ।
सत्यं सर्प वचो ब्रूहि पृच्छति त्वां युधिष्ठिरः ॥
सत्यं सर्प वचो ब्रूहि पृच्छति त्वां युधिष्ठिरः ॥
M N Dutt
Yudhishthira said: O serpent, Yudhishthira asks you to tell (him) truly whether you are a god or a demon or a uraga. What have you seized Bhimasena for?
३.१७७.५
किमाहृत्य विदित्वा वा प्रीतिस्ते स्याद्भुजंगम ।
किमाहारं प्रयच्छामि कथं मुञ्चेद्भवानिमम् ॥
किमाहारं प्रयच्छामि कथं मुञ्चेद्भवानिमम् ॥
M N Dutt
O snake, by obtaining or knowing what will you be satisfied? What food shall I provide for you? Under what conditions will you let him off?
सर्प उवाच ।
३.१७७.६
नहुषो नाम राजाहमासं पूर्वस्तवानघ ।
प्रथितः पञ्चमः सोमादायोः पुत्रो नराधिप ॥
प्रथितः पञ्चमः सोमादायोः पुत्रो नराधिप ॥
M N Dutt
The snake replied O sinless being, O monarch, I was your ancestor, the son of Ayu and fifth in descent from Soma and was known by the name of king Nahusha.
३.१७७.७
क्रतुभिस्तपसा चैव स्वाध्यायेन दमेन च ।
त्रैलोक्यैश्वर्यमव्यग्रं प्राप्तो विक्रमणेन च ॥
त्रैलोक्यैश्वर्यमव्यग्रं प्राप्तो विक्रमणेन च ॥
M N Dutt
By sacrifices, asceticism, study of the Vedas, self-control and prowess I easily gained mastery over the three worlds.
३.१७७.८
तदैश्वर्यं समासाद्य दर्पो मामगमत्तदा ।
सहस्रं हि द्विजातीनामुवाह शिबिकां मम ॥
सहस्रं हि द्विजातीनामुवाह शिबिकां मम ॥
M N Dutt
Having attained to such an eminence I was elated with pride. Thousands of Brahmanas carried my palanquin.
३.१७७.९
ऐश्वर्यमदमत्तोऽहमवमन्य ततो द्विजान् ।
इमामगस्त्येन दशामानीतः पृथिवीपते ॥
इमामगस्त्येन दशामानीतः पृथिवीपते ॥
M N Dutt
Intoxicated with the drink of prosperity I then insulted the twice-born ones; and was, (therefore), O monarch, brought to this (miserable) plight by Agastya,
३.१७७.१०
न तु मामजहात्प्रज्ञा यावदद्येति पाण्डव ।
तस्यैवानुग्रहाद्राजन्नगस्त्यस्य महात्मनः ॥
तस्यैवानुग्रहाद्राजन्नगस्त्यस्य महात्मनः ॥
M N Dutt
But, O Pandava, even till now I have not lost my memory. And it is by the grace of the highsouled Agastya,
३.१७७.११
षष्ठे काले ममाहारः प्राप्तोऽयमनुजस्तव ।
नाहमेनं विमोक्ष्यामि न चान्यमभिकामये ॥
नाहमेनं विमोक्ष्यामि न चान्यमभिकामये ॥
M N Dutt
After a long period (of abstinence) I have got this your younger brother for my food. I will not (therefore) release him. Nor do I want any other meal.
३.१७७.१२
प्रश्नानुच्चारितांस्तु त्वं व्याहरिष्यसि चेन्मम ।
अथ पश्चाद्विमोक्ष्यामि भ्रातरं ते वृकोदरम् ॥
अथ पश्चाद्विमोक्ष्यामि भ्रातरं ते वृकोदरम् ॥
M N Dutt
But if today you answer the questions put by me, I will then liberate your brother Vrikodara.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।
३.१७७.१३
ब्रूहि सर्प यथाकामं प्रतिवक्ष्यामि ते वचः ।
अपि चेच्छक्नुयां प्रीतिमाहर्तुं ते भुजंगम ॥
अपि चेच्छक्नुयां प्रीतिमाहर्तुं ते भुजंगम ॥
M N Dutt
Yudhishthira said: Ask (me), O serpent whatever you like. In order to cause your satisfaction I shall, if I can, answer your questions.
३.१७७.१४
वेद्यं यद्ब्राह्मणेनेह तद्भवान्वेत्ति केवलम् ।
सर्पराज ततः श्रुत्वा प्रतिवक्ष्यामि ते वचः ॥
सर्पराज ततः श्रुत्वा प्रतिवक्ष्यामि ते वचः ॥
M N Dutt
You are no doubt aware what ought to be known by the Brahmanas. Therefore, O king of snakes, on hearing your words I shall answer them.
सर्प उवाच ।
३.१७७.१५
ब्राह्मणः को भवेद्राजन्वेद्यं किं च युधिष्ठिर ।
ब्रवीह्यतिमतिं त्वां हि वाक्यैरनुमिमीमहे ॥
ब्रवीह्यतिमतिं त्वां हि वाक्यैरनुमिमीमहे ॥
M N Dutt
The snake said : O king, whom can we call a Brahmana and O Yudhishthira, what is it that ought to be known? From what you have said I deem you to be endowed with very high intelligence.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।
३.१७७.१६
सत्यं दानं क्षमा शीलमानृशंस्यं दमो घृणा ।
दृश्यन्ते यत्र नागेन्द्र स ब्राह्मण इति स्मृतः ॥
दृश्यन्ते यत्र नागेन्द्र स ब्राह्मण इति स्मृतः ॥
M N Dutt
Yudhishthira said : O monarch of snakes, it is said that he is a Brahmana in whom are found (the qualities of) truthfulness, charity, forgiveness, good conduct, benevolence, asceticism and mercy.
३.१७७.१७
वेद्यं सर्प परं ब्रह्म निर्दुःखमसुखं च यत् ।
यत्र गत्वा न शोचन्ति भवतः किं विवक्षितम् ॥
यत्र गत्वा न शोचन्ति भवतः किं विवक्षितम् ॥
M N Dutt
And, O serpent, that which ought to be . known is the Supreme Brahma (universal soul) devoid of the feelings of) pleasure and pain and attaining access to which creatures are past all misery.
सर्प उवाच ।
३.१७७.१८
चातुर्वर्ण्यं प्रमाणं च सत्यं च ब्रह्म चैव ह ।
शूद्रेष्वपि च सत्यं च दानमक्रोध एव च ।
आनृशंस्यमहिंसा च घृणा चैव युधिष्ठिर ॥
शूद्रेष्वपि च सत्यं च दानमक्रोध एव च ।
आनृशंस्यमहिंसा च घृणा चैव युधिष्ठिर ॥
M N Dutt
The serpent said : O Yudhishthira, even in the Shudras are found truthfulness, charity, forgiveness, benevolence, mercy, kindness and knowledge of the Veda which promotes the welfare of the four orders, which is true and which is the guide in religious matters.
३.१७७.१९
वेद्यं यच्चात्थ निर्दुःखमसुखं च नराधिप ।
ताभ्यां हीनं पदं चान्यन्न तदस्तीति लक्षये ॥
ताभ्यां हीनं पदं चान्यन्न तदस्तीति लक्षये ॥
M N Dutt
And, O king of men, that which is to be known is asserted by you as devoid of pleasure and pain; but I do not find any such thing in which these feelings are absent,
युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।
३.१७७.२०
शूद्रे चैतद्भवेल्लक्ष्यं द्विजे तच्च न विद्यते ।
न वै शूद्रो भवेच्छूद्रो ब्राह्मणो न च ब्राह्मणः ॥
न वै शूद्रो भवेच्छूद्रो ब्राह्मणो न च ब्राह्मणः ॥
M N Dutt
Yudhishthira said : Thc Shudra in whom these characteristics are present is no Shudra (i.e.) something higher, a Brahma and the Brahmana in whom these are wanting is no Brahmana at all (i.e.) a Shudra.
३.१७७.२१
यत्रैतल्लक्ष्यते सर्प वृत्तं स ब्राह्मणः स्मृतः ।
यत्रैतन्न भवेत्सर्प तं शूद्रमिति निर्दिशेत् ॥
यत्रैतन्न भवेत्सर्प तं शूद्रमिति निर्दिशेत् ॥
M N Dutt
And, O serpent, it is asserted that he who is distinguished by these qualities is a Brahmana and he who does not posses them is a Shudra.
३.१७७.२२
यत्पुनर्भवता प्रोक्तं न वेद्यं विद्यतेति ह ।
ताभ्यां हीनमतीत्यात्र पदं नास्तीति चेदपि ॥
ताभ्यां हीनमतीत्यात्र पदं नास्तीति चेदपि ॥
M N Dutt
Again, as regards your remark that the object to be known does not exist, for, nothing that is devoid of these (feelings) of pleasure and pain can have any existence.
३.१७७.२३
एवमेतन्मतं सर्प ताभ्यां हीनं न विद्यते ।
यथा शीतोष्णयोर्मध्ये भवेन्नोष्णं न शीतता ॥
यथा शीतोष्णयोर्मध्ये भवेन्नोष्णं न शीतता ॥
M N Dutt
It seems (at indeed first sight) that existence is impossible without these (feelings). But as cold is characterised by an absence of heat and heat cold,
३.१७७.२४
एवं वै सुखदुःखाभ्यां हीनमस्ति पदं क्वचित् ।
एषा मम मतिः सर्प यथा वा मन्यते भवान् ॥
एषा मम मतिः सर्प यथा वा मन्यते भवान् ॥
M N Dutt
So cannot there exist an object characterised by the absence of both these feelings (of pleasure and pain). O Serpent, this is my opinion, what do you say?
सर्प उवाच ।
३.१७७.२५
यदि ते वृत्ततो राजन्ब्राह्मणः प्रसमीक्षितः ।
व्यर्था जातिस्तदायुष्मन्कृतिर्यावन्न दृश्यते ॥
व्यर्था जातिस्तदायुष्मन्कृतिर्यावन्न दृश्यते ॥
M N Dutt
The serpent said : If, O monarch, as you assert, a Brahmana is recognised by certain virtues, then, O longlived one, the distinction of castes is to no purpose so long as he does not posses these qualities.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।
३.१७७.२६
जातिरत्र महासर्प मनुष्यत्वे महामते ।
संकरात्सर्ववर्णानां दुष्परीक्ष्येति मे मतिः ॥
संकरात्सर्ववर्णानां दुष्परीक्ष्येति मे मतिः ॥
M N Dutt
Yudhishthira said : O highly intelligent and mighty snake, I think, here in this world it is very difficult to ascertain one's caste on account of promiscuous intercourse of all the orders.
३.१७७.२७
सर्वे सर्वास्वपत्यानि जनयन्ति यदा नराः ।
वाङ्मैथुनमथो जन्म मरणं च समं नृणाम् ॥
वाङ्मैथुनमथो जन्म मरणं च समं नृणाम् ॥
M N Dutt
Men of all the four orders are without restriction constantly begetting children on women of all the castes. And speech, cohabitation, birth and death of men of all the orders are similar in all respects.
३.१७७.२८
इदमार्षं प्रमाणं च ये यजामह इत्यपि ।
तस्माच्छीलं प्रधानेष्टं विदुर्ये तत्त्वदर्शिनः ॥
तस्माच्छीलं प्रधानेष्टं विदुर्ये तत्त्वदर्शिनः ॥
M N Dutt
The proof of this, i.e. the difficulty of ascertaining one's caste is found in such expressions, made use of by the Rishis, as *whatever caste may belong to, we celebrate the sacrifice." It is, on this account, that the wise have asserted that the character is the chief and needful thing.
३.१७७.२९
प्राङ्नाभिवर्धनात्पुंसो जातकर्म विधीयते ।
तत्रास्य माता सावित्री पिता त्वाचार्य उच्यते ॥
तत्रास्य माता सावित्री पिता त्वाचार्य उच्यते ॥
M N Dutt
The natal ceremony of a male person is performed even before the severance of the navel chord. On that occasion his mother is designated Savitri and his father Acharya (priest).
३.१७७.३०
वृत्त्या शूद्रसमो ह्येष यावद्वेदे न जायते ।
अस्मिन्नेवं मतिद्वैधे मनुः स्वायम्भुवोऽब्रवीत् ॥
अस्मिन्नेवं मतिद्वैधे मनुः स्वायम्भुवोऽब्रवीत् ॥
M N Dutt
Before initiation into the Vedas every man is regarded as a Shudra. There being a difference of opinion on the point Svyambhuva Manu has laid down;
३.१७७.३१
कृतकृत्याः पुनर्वर्णा यदि वृत्तं न विद्यते ।
संकरस्तत्र नागेन्द्र बलवान्प्रसमीक्षितः ॥
संकरस्तत्र नागेन्द्र बलवान्प्रसमीक्षितः ॥
M N Dutt
That if having gone through the purificatory rites (as laid down in the Vedas) the first three orders do not regulate their conduct, according to thein, in that case, O mightiest of serpents, the mixed castes should be considered as superior to them
३.१७७.३२
यत्रेदानीं महासर्प संस्कृतं वृत्तमिष्यते ।
तं ब्राह्मणमहं पूर्वमुक्तवान्भुजगोत्तम ॥
तं ब्राह्मणमहं पूर्वमुक्तवान्भुजगोत्तम ॥
M N Dutt
O great Snake, O excellent Serpent, I have ere now designated him as a Brahmana who observes the principles of good behaviour.
सर्प उवाच ।
३.१७७.३३
श्रुतं विदितवेद्यस्य तव वाक्यं युधिष्ठिर ।
भक्षयेयमहं कस्माद्भ्रातरं ते वृकोदरम् ॥
भक्षयेयमहं कस्माद्भ्रातरं ते वृकोदरम् ॥
M N Dutt
The snake said: O Yudhishthira, I have listened to your words. You are acquainted with what ought to be known. (Therefore) how can I (now) devour your brother Vrikodara?
॥ इति ३.१७७ ॥
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