128 - Marutta’s exploits. 

 Canto cxxix in the Calcutta edition. 

Avikshit returned and presented his son to his father Karandhama, and there was great rejoicing—The hoy grew up, learned in sacred lore and skilful with all weapons—Karandhama resigned the kingdom, but Avikshit refused it because of the sha/me of his former captivity—Marutta was made king, and Karandhama retired to the forest. 

Markandeya spoke:

1 Then the prince, taking that beloved son and followed by his wife †† and the brahmans and Gandharvas,’ went to his

†† For padbyam read patnya, as in the Poona edition. 

2 city. Reaching his father’s palace he extolled his father-’s feet with respect; and so did his slender-limbed wife, the’ bashful

3 princess. And the prince holding his infant son addressed king Karandhama, who was seated on the tbrone of justice in 

4 the midst of kings,— “Behold this face of thy grandson wlio rests in my lap, as I promised formerly to thee for my mother’s

5 sake at the ‘What-want-ye?’ vow.” So saying he laid that son then on his father’s lap, and related to him everything as 

 6 it had occurred. The king embracing his grandson, -wliile his eyes Were beclouded with tears of joy, felicitated himself again

7 and again in saying “Fortiinate am I!”  Then he duly paid honour to the assembled Grandharvas with the arghya offering and other presents* forgetting other needs by reason of his joy.† 

* For ‘rdhyadina read ‘rghyadina, as in the Poona edition. 

† The Poona edition amplifies this and, instead of the second line as in the Calcutta edition, reads- “Then he duly paid honour to the assembled. Gandharvas with the arghya offering and other presents joyfully, and dismissed them with propriety. He continues playing with his grandson, forgetful of other needs.” 

8 In the city then there was great rejoicing in the houses of the citizens, who exclaimed— “A son has been born to our master!

9 O great muni. In that glad and opulent city sportive courtesans of the prettiest forms danced an exquisite dance to the

10 accompaniment of songs and musical instruments. And the king with glad mind bestowed on the chief brahmans both gems and riches, cattle, clothing awd ornaments. 

11      The boy grew thenceforward, as the moon waxes in its bright fortnight. He was the source of pleasure to his parents, and

12 the desire of the people. He acquired the Vedas first from, the religious teachers, O muni, then skill in all kinds of weapons,

13 then complete knowledge of archery. When he had completed his efforts in the use of the sword and bow, he next overcame toil like a hero in learning the use of other weapons also.

14 Then he obtained weapons from Bhargava,†† descendant of Bhrigu,—bowing modestly and intent on pleasing his guru, O

††That is Shukra Acharya (comment). He was the preceptoc of the Asuras.

15 brahman. Accomplished in the use of weapons, skilled in the Veda, thoroughly master of the knowledge of archery, deeply versed in- all sciences—none such, had there been before hini. 

16 Vishala also, on hearing all this story of his daughter and of the ability of his daughter’s son, rejoiced exceedingly in mind.

17 Now the king Karandhama had attained his wishes, in that he had seen his son’s son and had offered many sacrifices, and had

18 bestowed! gifts on those who asked. He had performed all ceremonies; he was united with his fellow-kings *; having safe-guarded the earth righteously, he had conquered his enemies;

*Sa-varnair, - mándalika-nripaih (comment.),” with his provincial kings,” “with his vassal kings.”

19 he was endowed with strength and intelligence. Being desirous of departing to the forest he addressed his son Avíkshit –

“My son, I am old, I am going to the forest, take over the

20 kingdom from me. I have done what ought to be done; nothing remains but to anoint thee. Do thou who art highly accomplished in thy opinions take the kingdom which I have

 21 transfered to thee.” Being addressed thus, Avíkshit the prince, respectfully bowing down, said to his father who was desirous of going† to the forest to perform austerities, -

† For yiyásus read yiyasum, as in the Poona edition. 

22 “I will not, dear father, do the safeguarding of the earth; 

shame departs not from my mind; do thon appoint some one

23 else to the kingdom. Since I when captured was delivered by 

my dear father and not by my own valour, how mnch manliness

24 then have I? The earth is protected by real men. I who was 

not sufficient to protect even myself, how shall I, being such,

25 protect the earth? Cast the kingdom on some one else. On 

the same level as a woman†† is the man who is downright injured§ by another. And my soul has been delivered from delusion by thee, sir|| who hast delivered me from bondage. How shall I, being such, who am on the same level as a woman, become king?”

†† For mantri sa-dharmah read sa stri-sadharmah, as in the Poona edition.

§ Ava-druhyate; the verb ava-druh is not in the dictionary. 

|| For átmá moháya bhavato the Poona edition reads átmá 'mohás su bhavata; and the comment, says amohat= snehat (which seems strange). The meaning then would be, “Since I myself have been delivered from bondage by thee, sir, out of affection, how shall I & c.” But I have ventured to read átma mohás sa bhavatá. 

The father spoke:

 26 Not distinct¶ in sooth is the father from the son, nor the son from the father. Not delivered by any one else then west thou, who was delivered by thy father. 

¶ Na bhinnu; according to the comment, this means putra      -nirupita-bheda-chishishto na. 

The son spoke:

27 I cannot direct my heart in any other wise, O king. There is exceeding shame in my heart- I, who was delivered by thee.

28 Hé who has been rescued by his father consumes the glory acquired by his father; and let not the man, who is known by

29 reason of his father, exist in the family. Let mine be that course, which is thó course of those who have themselves amassed riches, who have themselves attained to fame, who have themselves come forth safe out of difficulties! 

Márkandeya spoke:

30 When he, although exhorted* often by his father, spoke thus, O mani, the king then appointed his† son Marutta to

31 the kingdom. Receiving from his grandfather the sovereignty as authorized by his father, he ruled well, inspiring gladness among his friends. 

* For yadapy ukto read yadá prokto, as in the Poona edition. Avikshit is mentioned in the Maha-Bh., Ashvam -p. iv. 80-85, but rarely elsewhere. His name chiefly occurs in the patronymic form Avikshita applied to Marutta. There was another Avikshit, a son of Kuru, Aur-p. xciv, 3740. 

         †Tasya i.e., Avikshit’s

32 And king Karandhama, taking Virá also, departed to the forest to practise austerities with voice, body and mind restrained.

33 After practising very arduous austerities there & thousand years, the king quitted his body and gained the

34 world†† of Indra. His wife Vírá then practised austerities a hundred years longer, with her hair matted and her body

††For sa lokatom read sa-lokatam. 

35 covered with dirt and mud, desirous of gaining the same world as her high-souled lord who had reached Svarga, making fruits and roots her food, dwelling in Bhárgava's hermitage. encircled by wives of twice-born men, and sustained by the devoted attendance of the twice-born.