भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। शक्रशम्बरसंवाद तन्निबोध युधिष्ठिर।।।।
Bhishma said Regarding it is cited the old history of the discourse between Shakra and Shambara. Do you listen to it, О Yudhishthira.
शको ह्यज्ञातरूपेण जटी भूत्वा रजोगुणः। विरूपं रथमास्थाय प्रश्न पप्रच्छ शम्बरम्॥
Once upon a time Shakra, assuming the guise of an ascetic with matted locks on his head and body covered with ashes all over, rode on an ugly car and went to the Asura Shambara.
शक्र उवाच केन शम्बर वृत्तेन स्वजात्यानधितिष्ठसि। श्रेष्ठं त्वां केन मन्यन्ते तद् वै प्रब्रूहि तत्त्वतः॥
Shakra said Through what conduct, O Shambara, you have been able to become the head of your family? Why do all people consider you as superior? Do you tell me this truly and fully.
शम्बर उवाच नासूयामि यदा विप्रान् ब्राह्ममेव च मे मतम्। शास्त्राणि वदतो विप्रान् सम्मन्यामि यथासुखम्॥
Shambara said I never entertain any ill feelings towards the Brahmanas. Whatever instructions they give, I accept with unqualified reverence. When the Brahmanas are engaged in explaining the scriptures, I listen to them with great happiness.
श्रुत्वा च नावजानामि नापराध्यामि कर्हिचित्। अभ्याभ्यनुपृच्छामि पादौ गृह्णामि धीमताम्॥
Having heard their interpretations I never disregard them. Nor do I ever offend against the Brahmanas in any way. I always adore intelligent Brahmanas. I always seek information from them. I always adore their feet.
ते विश्रब्धाः प्रभाषन्ते सम्पृच्छन्ते च मां सदा। प्रमत्तेष्वप्रमत्तोऽस्मि सदा सुप्तेषु जागृमि॥
Approaching me with confidence, they always address me with affection and enquire after my wellbeing. If they ever happen to be careless, I am always careful. If they happen to sleep, I always remain awake.
ते मां शास्त्रपथे युक्तं ब्रह्मण्यमनसूयकम्। समासिञ्चन्ति शास्तारः क्षौद्रं मध्विव मक्षिकाः॥
Like bees drenching the cells of the comb with honey, the Brahmanas, who are my zstructors and rulers, always drench me with the nectar of knowledge who am always devoted to the path pointed out by the scriptures, wlw am devoted to the Brahmanas and who am perfectly shorn of malice or evil passion.
यच्च भाषन्ति संतुष्टास्तच्च गृह्णामि मेधया। समाधिमात्मनो नित्यमनुलोममचिन्तयम्॥
I always accept with cheerful hearts whatever they say. Helped by memory and understanding. I am always careful of my own faith in them and I always think of my own inferiority to them.
सोऽहं वागग्रमृष्टानां रसानामवलेहकः। स्वजात्यानधितिष्ठामि नक्षत्राणीव चन्द्रमा:॥
I always lick the nectar that is at the end of their tongue, and it is for this reason that I occupy a position far above that of all others of my family like the Moon transcending all the stars.
एतत् पृथिव्याममृतमेतच्चक्षुरनुत्तमम्। यद् ब्राह्मणमुखाच्छास्त्रमिह श्रुत्वा प्रवर्तते॥
The scriptural interpretations which fall from the lips of the Brahmanas and listening to which every wise man acts in the world, form nectar on Earth and may, also be likened to most excellent.
एतत् कारणमाज्ञाय दृष्ट्वा देवासुरं पुरा। युद्धं पिता मे हृष्टात्मा विस्मितः समपद्यत॥
Seeing the battle between the celestials and the Asuras in days of old, and understanding the power of the instructions that fell from the Brahmanas, my father became filled with delight and wonder.
दृष्ट्वा च ब्राह्मणानां तु महिमानं महात्मनाम्। पर्यपृच्छत् कथममी सिद्धा इति निशाकरम्॥
Seeing the power of great Brahmanas, my father asked the Moon the question-How do the Brahmanas acquire success?
सोम उवाच ब्राह्मणास्तपसा सर्वे सिध्यन्ते वाग्बलाः सदा। भुजबीर्याश्च राजानो वागस्त्राश्च द्विजातयः॥
Soma said The Brahmanas become crowned with success by virtue of their penances. Their strength consists in speech. The power of Kshatriyas is in their arms. The Brahmanas, however, have words for their weapons.
प्रणवं चाप्यधीयीत ब्राह्मीर्दुर्वसतीर्वसन्। निर्मन्युरपि निर्वाणो यदि स्यात् समदर्शनः॥
Undergoing the discomforts of a residence into the house of his preceptor, the Brahmana should study the Vedas or at least the Pranava. Freeing himself of anger and renouncing earthly attachments, he should become a Yati, regarding all things and all creatures with equal eyes.
अपि च ज्ञानसम्पन्नः सर्वान् वेदान् पितुर्गुहे। श्लाघमान इवाधीयाद् ग्राम्य इत्येव तं विदुः॥
If remaining in the house of his father he masters all the Vedas and acquiring great knowledge acquires a position that should command respect, people still condemn him as untravelled or home-keeping.
भूमिरेतौ निगिरति सर्पो बिलशयानिव। राजानं चाप्ययोद्धारं ब्राह्मणं चाप्रवासिनम्॥
Like a snake swallowing mice, the Earth swallows up these two, viz., a king that is unwilling to fight and a Brahmana who is reluctant to leave home for acquiring knowiedge.
अभिमानः श्रियं हन्ति पुरुषस्याल्पमेधसः। गर्भेण दुष्यते कन्या गृहवासेन च द्विजः॥
Pride destroys the prosperity of persons of little wit. A maiden, if she conceives, becomes stained. A Brahmana incurs reproach by remaining at home.
इत्येतन्मे पिता श्रुत्वा सोमादद्भुतदर्शनात्। ब्राह्मणान् पूजयामास तथैवाहं महाव्रतान॥
This is what my father heard from the revered Soma. My father, on account of this, began to adore and respect the Brahmanas. Like him, I also worship and adore all Brahmanas of high vows!
भीष्म उवाच श्रुत्वैतद् वचनं शक्रो दाग्वेन्द्रमुखाच्च्युतम्। द्विजान् सम्पूजयामास महेन्द्रत्वमवाप च ॥
Bhishma said Hearing these words that fell from the mouth of that prince of Danavas, Shakra began to adore the Brahmanas, and as a result thereof he succeeded in acquiring the kingship of the celestials.