मार्कण्डेय उवाच कश्चिद् द्विजातिप्रवरो वेदाध्यायी तपोधनः। तपस्वी धर्मशीलश्च कौशिको नाम भारत॥
Markandeya said : O descendant of the Bharata race, there was a high class Brahmana, known by the name of Kaushika, who was a student of the Vedas and was rich with the wealth of devotion, himself a great devotee and possessed of virtuous behaviour.
साङ्गोपनिषदो वेदानधीते द्विजसत्तमः। स वृक्षमूले कस्मिंश्चिद् वेदानुच्चारयन् स्थितः॥
That foremost of the Brahmanas had finished the study of the Vedas with the Angas and the Upanishadas. On a certain day, he was reciting the Vedas, seated on the root of a tree.
उपरिष्टाच्च वृक्षस्य बलाका संन्यलीयत। तया पुरीषमुत्सृष्टं ब्राह्मणस्य तदोप॥ि३॥
On that occasion there sat on the top of the tree a female crane, which at the time voided excrement on the body of the Brahmana.
तामवेक्ष्य ततः क्रुद्धः समपध्यायत द्विजः। भृशं क्रोधाभिभूतेन बलाका सा निरीक्षिता॥
Thereupon the twice-born one, who was greatly chraged, beholding the female crane, intended to do her an injury. The crane was looked by him, when he became insensible with great rage.
अपध्याता च विप्रेण न्यपतद् धरणीतले। बलाकां पतितां दृष्ट्वा गतसत्त्वामचेतनाम्॥
Having been injured by the Brahmana, the crane fell down upon the ground; and as she fell, the Brahmana, seeing her insensible and lifeless,
कारुण्यादभिसंतप्तः पर्यशोचत तां द्विजः। अकार्यं कृतवानस्मि रोषरागबलात्कृतः॥
Became oppressed with compassion and lamented for her, saying, 'I have committed a crime forced by passion and anger.'
मार्कण्डेय उवाच इत्युक्त्वा बहुशो विद्वान् चामं भक्ष्याय संश्रितः। चामे शुचीनि प्रचरन् कुलानि भरतर्षभ॥
Markandeya said : Having uttered these words several times, the educated Brahmana entered a village for alms and foremost of the Bharata race, after having gone round the sacred families in the village.
प्रविष्टस्तत् कुलं यत्र पूर्वं चरितवांस्तु सः। देहीति याचमानोऽसौ तिष्ठेत्युक्तः स्त्रिया ततः॥
He, at last entered a house where he used to come before. There he asked by saying-'Give'. Thereupon he was answered by a female, saying, 'wait'.
शौचं तु यावत् कुरुते भाजनस्य कुटुम्बिनी। एतस्मिन्नन्तरे राजन् क्षुधासम्पीडितो भृशम्॥
While the matron was cleansing the vessel for giving the alms, then, her husband entered the house all of a sudden. O foremost of the Bharata race, oppressed with great hunger.
भर्ता प्रविष्टः सहसा तस्या भरतसत्तम। सा तु दृष्ट्वा पतिं साध्वी ब्राह्मणं व्यवहाय तम्॥ पाद्यमाचमनीयं वै ददौ भर्तुस्तथाऽऽसनम्। प्रह्वा पर्यचरच्चापि भर्तारमसितेक्षणा॥
Her husband, O foreinost of the Bharat race, entered the house all on a sudden. The chaste house-wife, seeing her husband and neglecting that Brahmana, gave to her husband water for rinsing the feet and mouth, as also a seat.
आहारेणाथ भक्ष्यैश्च भोज्यैः सुमधुरैस्तथा। उच्छिष्टं भाविता भर्तुर्भुङ्क्ते नित्यं युधिष्ठिर॥
Then the black-eyed matron served her husband with sweet food and drink and stood by his side, as if to attend to all what he would want. O Yudhishthira, that lady, devoted to her husband, daily ate the remnants of her husband's dish.
दैवतं च पति मेने भर्तुश्चित्तानुसारिणी। कर्मणा मनसा वाचा नान्यचित्ताभ्यगात् पतिम्॥
That lady, always pursuing the thoughts of her husband, regarded the husband, as a celestial; and either in action, thought or speech, she never considered her husband otherwise.
तं सर्वभावोपगता पतिशुश्रूषणे रता। साध्वाचारा सुचिर्दक्षा कुटुम्बस्य हितैषिणी॥
Her thoughts all turned towards her husband; and she was always engaged in serving her lord. She was virtuous and was skillful in good behaviours; and also was ever beneficent to her relatives.
भर्तुश्चापि हितं यत् तत् सततं सानुवर्तते। देवतातिथिभृत्यानां श्वश्रूश्वशुरयोस्तथा॥ शुश्रूषणपरा नित्यं सततं संयतेन्द्रिया।
She was always attentive to what was beneficial to her husband and with her controlled passions she daily attended to the service of the gods, the guests, the mother-inlaw, the father-in-law and the servants.
सा ब्राह्मणं तदा दृष्ट्वा संस्थितं भैक्ष्यकाक्षिणम्। कुर्वती पतिशुश्रूषां सस्माराथ शुभेक्षणा॥
While thus engaged in the service of her husband, she of beautiful eyes saw the Brahmana, who was still waiting for alms.
वीडिता साभवत् साध्वी तदा भरतसत्तम। भिक्षामादाय विप्राय निर्जगाम यशस्विनी॥
Remembering this she was ashamed. Then, O foremost of the Bharata race, that chaste and famous lady went away to give alms to the Brahmanas.
ब्राह्मण उवाच किमिदं भवति त्वं मां तिष्ठेत्युक्त्वा वराङ्गने। उपरोधं कृतवती न विसर्जितवत्यसि॥
The Brahmana said : O the most excellent of women, what was this, that you requested me to wait and that you have not dismissed me?
मार्कण्डेय उवाच ब्राह्मणं क्रोधसंतप्तं ज्वलन्तमिव तेजसा। दृष्ट्वा साध्वी मनुष्येन्द्र सान्त्वपूर्वं वचोऽब्रवीत्॥
Markandeya said : O foremost of individuals, seeing that Brahmana greatly enraged and effulgent in energy, the chaste lady addressed him in friendly expressions.
स्त्र्युवाच क्षन्तुमर्हसि मे विद्वन् भर्ता मे दैवतं महत्। स चाप क्षुधितः श्रान्तः प्राप्तः शुश्रूषितो मया॥
The Woman said : O learned one, it behoves you to grant me forgiveness. My husband is my chief god. He was very hunger and fatigued. Finding him thus, I served him.
ब्राह्मण उवाच ब्राह्मणा न गरीयांसो गरीयांस्ते पतिः कृतः। गृहस्थधर्मे वर्तन्ती ब्राह्मणानवमन्यसे॥
Brahmana said: The Brahmanas are not regarded by you to be superior, rather you supposed your lord to be superior to all. Living a domestic life you disrespect the Brahmanas.
इन्द्रोऽप्येषां प्रणमते किं पुनर्मानवो भुवि। अवलिप्ते न जानीषे वृद्धानां न श्रुतं त्वया॥ ब्राह्मणा ह्यग्निसदृशा दहेयुः पृथिवीमपि।
Not to mention the men on earth, even Indra bows down to them. O proud one, do you not know or have you not heard from old men that really the Brahmanas are like fire and even can burn the wheel earth.
स्त्र्युवाच नाहं बलाका विप्रर्षे त्यज क्रोधं तपोधन॥ अनया क्रुद्धया दृष्ट्या क्रुद्धः किं मां करिष्यसि। नावजानाम्यहं विप्रान् देवैस्तुल्यान् मनस्विनः॥
The Woman said: O sage-like Brahmana, O you who are possessed of the wealth of asceticism, do not consider that I am the female crane. Wrathful as you are, what will you do to me by this your wrathful look? Really I never disrespect the Brahmanas, who are like the celestials themselves, possessed of great energy.
अपराधमिमं विप्र क्षन्तुमर्हसि मेऽनघ। जानामि तेजो विप्राणां महाभाग्यं च धीमताम्॥
O Brahmanas, O sinless one, you should forgive this fault of mine. I know the energy of the Brahmanas, as also the superior position of those who are possessed of great intelligence.
अपेयः सागरः क्रोधात् कृतो हि लवणोदकः। तथैव दीप्ततपसां मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम्॥ येषां क्रोधाग्निरद्यापि दण्डके नोपशाम्यति।
By their wrath the ocean was made brackish and undrinkable. (I know also the energy of) the sages, blazing with asceticism. and who are possessed of restrained souls. The fire of their wrath has not been appeased us yet in the woods Dandaka.
ब्राह्मणानां परिभवाद् वातापिः सुदुरात्मवान्॥ अगस्त्यमृषिमासाद्य जीर्णः क्रूरो महासुरः।
Owing to his disregard of the Brahmanas, the evil-minded Vatapi, the crooked, but great Asura, having advanced to the sage, Agastya, was digested by him.
बहुप्रभावाः श्रूयन्ते ब्राह्मणानां महात्मनाम्॥ क्रोधः सुविपुलो ब्रह्मन् प्रसादश्च महात्मनाम्। अस्मिंस्त्वतिक्रमे ब्रह्मन् क्षन्तुमर्हसि मेऽनघ॥
Thus the superior energy of the high-souled Brahmanas has been heard. O Brahmana, the high-souled ones possess immense wrath, as also a good deal of forgiveness. O Brahmana, O sinless one, it behoves you to grant me forgiveness in this matter of my transgression.
पतिशुश्रूषया धर्मो य: स मे रोचते द्विज। दैवतेष्वपि सर्वेषु भर्ता मे दैवतं परम्॥
O regenerate one, the merit, that is derived from the worship of my husband, is liked by me. Of all the gods, my husband is my highest deity.
अविशेषेण तस्याहं कुर्यां धर्मं द्विजोत्तम्। शुश्रूषायाः फलं पश्य यत्युाह्मण यादृशम्॥
the most excellent of the Brahmanas, I cultivate that special virtue viz., the serving of my husband as the highest god. O Brahmana, you observe what results from the worship of one's husband.
बलाका हि त्वया दग्धा रोषात् तद् विदितं मया क्रोधः शत्रुः शरीरस्थो मनुष्याणां द्विजोत्तम॥
It is known to me that the female crane was consumed by you with your wrath. But, O best of the Brahmanas, the wrath of persons, that resides in their body, is their mortal enemy.
यः क्रोधमोहौ त्यजति तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः। यो वदेदिह सत्यानि गुरुं संतोषयेत च॥ हिंसितश्च न हिंसेत तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः।
The gods know him to be a Brahmana, who forsakes his wrath and spiritual ignorance; and who also speaks the truth here and comforts the preceptor, who having himself injured, never injures others.
जितेन्द्रियो धर्मपरः स्वाध्यायनिरतः शुचिः॥ कामक्रोधौ वशौ यस्य तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः।
Who again, possesses passions all controlled; and who is holy, virtuous and ever devoted to the studies of the Vedas and who has a control over the wrath and desires. The gods know him to be a Brahmana,
यस्य चात्मसमो लोको धर्मज्ञस्य मनस्विनः॥ सर्वधर्मेषु च रतस्तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः।
Who again, acquainted with virtue and possessed of energy, consider man to be equal to him. Who is conversant with all systems of a religion. The gods know him to be Brahmana.
योऽध्यापयेदधीयीत यजेद् वा याजयीत वा॥ दद्याद् वापि यथाशक्ति तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः।
Who himself studies and teaches others; and who, again, performs sacrifices himself and presides at the sacrifices performed by others, who gives away according to his means. The gods know him to be a Brahmana.
ब्रह्मचारी वदान्यो योऽधीयीत् द्विजपुङ्गवः॥ स्वाध्यायवानमत्तो वै तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः।
Who that foremost of the Brahmanas, is a Brahmachari, possessed of liberality and always attends to the studies, who carefully studies (the Vedas). The gods know him to be a Brahmana.
यद् ब्राह्मणानां कुशलं तदेषां परिकीर्तयेत्॥ सत्यं तथा व्याहरतां नानृते रमते मनः।
What is agreeable to the Brahmanas repeats before them. The mind of those, who always walk in the path of truth, never takes pleasure in untruth.
धर्म तु ब्राह्मणस्याहुः स्वाध्यायं दममार्जवम्॥ इन्द्रियाणां निग्रहं च शाश्वतं द्विजसत्तम।
The virtue of the Brahmana is said to consist in the study of the Vedas, in the repression of all passions and in the simplicity of manners.
सत्यार्जवे धर्ममाहुः परं धर्मविदो जनाः॥ दुर्जेयः शाश्वतो धर्मः स च सत्ये प्रतिष्ठितः। श्रुतिप्रमाणो धर्मः स्यादिति वृद्धानुशासनम्॥
O best of the Brahmanas, the persons, who are versed in morality, consider the subduing of the senses, truth and simplicity of behaviours to be the eternal and highest virtue. Virtue is eternal and difficult of attainment. It is established upon truth. Virtue, again, rests entirely upon Shruti, which is the saying of old men.
बहुधा दृश्यते धर्मः सूक्ष्म एव द्विजोत्तम। भवानपि च धर्मज्ञः स्वाध्यायनिरतः शुचिः॥
O foremost of the Brahmanas, virtue seems to be varied and fine. You, too, are holy, virtuous and devoted to the study of the Vedas.
न तु तत्त्वेन भगवन् धर्मं वेत्सीति मे मतिः। यदि विप्र न जानीघे धर्मं परमकं द्विज॥ धर्मव्याधं ततः पृच्छ गत्वा तु मिथिलां पुरीम्।
O all-powerful one, in my opinion, you do not know the real essence of virtue. O Brahmana, O regenerate one, if you do not know that highest virtue, go to the city of Mithila and there you ask the virtuous Fowler.
मातापितृभ्यां शुश्रूषुः सत्यवादी जितेन्द्रियः॥ मिथिलायां वसेद् व्याधः स ते धर्मान् प्रवक्ष्यति। तत्र गच्छस्व भद्रं ते यथाकामं द्विजोत्तम॥
That fowler lives in Mithila, who is ever ready to serve his father and mother, who is truthful and who has a control over his passions. O foremost of the twice-born ones, He will explain to you the different systems of religion. If you like, you, O blessed one, may go there.
अत्युक्तमपि मे सर्वं क्षन्तुमर्हस्यानिन्दित। स्त्रियो ह्यवध्याः सर्वेषां ये च धर्मविदो जनाः॥
Whatever. I tell you, tell you, is merely merely an exaggeration; and, therefore, O sinless one, you should excuse me. For to them, who really learns virtue, the women are incapable of being injured.
ब्राह्मणं उवाच प्रीतोऽस्मि तव भद्रं ते गतः क्रोधश्च शोभने। उपालम्भस्त्वयात्युक्तो मम निःश्रेयसं परम्। स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि साधयिष्यामि शोभने।॥
The Brahmana said: O beauteous lady, be happy. I am much satisfied with you. My wrath has been appeased. The chiding's uttered by you will prove most beneficial to me. O beautiful one, be happy. I shall go there and perform what is advantageous to me.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच तया विसृष्टो निर्गम्य स्वमेव भवनं ययौ। विनिन्दन् स स्वमात्मानं कौशिको द्विजसत्तमः॥
Markandeya said : Thus dismissed by her, Kaushika, the foremost of the twice-born ones, came out; and, chiding himself, returned to his own house.