pari-kulkarni/itihasa-sanskrit-en-filtered huggingface dataset:
Sanskrit: पृष्टश्च कुशलं तेन रामेण वदतां वरः। आसने काश्चने दिव्ये निषसाद महायशाः॥
English: Being asked by Rāma as to his welfare, that foremost of ascetics, skilled in the are of speech, sat on a golden seat.
Sanskrit: तमुवाच ततो रामः स्वागतं ते महामते। प्रापयास्य च वाक्यानि यतो दूतस्त्वमागतः॥
English: There upon welcoming him Rāma said:-Do you communicate to me his words by whom you have been sent.
Sanskrit: चोदितो राजसिंहेन मुनिर्वाक्यमभाषत। द्वन्द्वे ह्येतत्प्रवक्तव्यं हितं वै यद्यवेक्षसे॥
English: Being thus addressed by Rāma, a lion among kings, the ascetic said:-If do you wish to bring about the well-being of the celestials, my earnest desire is that we may talk over it in a solitary place.
Sanskrit: यः शृणोति निरीक्षेद्वा स वध्यो भविता तव। भवेद्वै मुनिमुख्यस्य वचनं यद्यवेक्षसे॥
English: And if you have any regard for the words of that foremost of ascetics, do you so order that whoever shall hear or see us, when we shall converse in a solitary place, shall be slain by you.
Sanskrit: तथेति च प्रतिज्ञाय रामो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्। द्वारि तिष्ठ महाबाहो प्रतिहारं विसर्जय॥
English: There upon Rāma promised that it should be done and said to Lakşmaņa:-O you having long arms, sending away the warder do you wait at the gate.
Sanskrit: स मे वध्यः खलु भवेद्वाचं द्वन्द्वसमीरितम्। ऋषेर्मम च सौमित्रे पश्येद्वा शृणुयाच्च यः॥
English: When I shall talk with this ascetic in this solitary room whoever, shall hear or see us, shall be slain by me.
Sanskrit: ततो निक्षिप्य काकुत्स्थो लक्ष्मणं द्वारि संग्रहम्। तमुवाच मुने वाक्यं कथयस्वेति राघवः॥ तत्ते मनीषितं वाक्यं येन वासि समाहितः। कथयस्वाविशङ्कस्त्वं ममापि हृदि वर्तते॥
English: Having thus piaced Lakşmaņa at the gate Rama said to that Rsis:-O great saint, tell me what he has communicated to you. O Muni, what is your intention and by what high-souled Rșis you have been sent here. Tell me all this without any fear, I have become anxious to hear it.
Sanskrit: विसृज्य लक्ष्मणं रामो दुःखशोकसमन्वितः। पुरोधसो मन्त्रिणश्च नैगमांश्चैदमब्रवीत्॥
English: Having forsaken Lakşmaņa and being stricken with sorrow and grief Råma said to his citizens and ministers.
Sanskrit: अद्य राज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यामि भरतं धर्मवत्सलम्। अयोध्यायाः पतिं वीरं ततो यास्याम्यहं वनम्॥
English: Having placed the pious and heroic Bharata on the throne of Ayodhyā I shall today repair to woods.
Sanskrit: प्रवेशयत संभारान्माभूत्कालात्ययो यथा। अद्यैवाहं गमिष्यामि लक्ष्मणेन गतां गतिम्॥
English: Do you, without any delay collect there all articles of installation. I shall follow the way which has been wended by Lakşmaņa.
Sanskrit: तच्छ्रुत्वा राघवेणोक्तं सर्वाः प्रकृतयो भृशम्। मूर्धभिः प्रणता भूमौ गतसत्त्वा इवाभवन्॥
English: Hearing the words of Raghava, the subjects with their heads downwards remained motionless like so many dead bodies.
Sanskrit: भरतश्च विसंज्ञोऽभूच्छुत्वा राघवभाषितम्। राज्यं विगर्हयामास वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्॥
English: Hearing Rāma's words Bharata was also stupified and speaking ill of the kingdom, said.
Sanskrit: सत्येनाहं शपे राजन्स्वर्गभोगेन चैव हि। न कामये यता राज्यं त्वां विना रघुनन्दन॥ इमौ कुशीलवौ राजननभिषिच्य नराधिप। कोशलेषु कुशं वीरमुत्तरेषु तथा लवम्॥
English: O King, I swear by truth, that far from kingdom I do not wish to live in heaven even without you; O King, of these two princes, Kuśī and Lava do you place Kuśī in Kosala and Lava in North Kosala.
Sanskrit: शत्रुघ्नस्य च गच्छन्तु दूतास्त्वरितविक्रमाः। इदं गमनमस्माकं शीघ्रमाख्यातु मा चिरम्।८।।
English: And let quick-moving emissaries go to Śatrughna and communicate to him the intelligence of our going there.
Sanskrit: तच्छ्रुत्वा भरतेनोक्तं दृष्ट्वा चापि ह्यधोमुखान्। पौरान्दुःखेन संतप्तान्वसिष्ठो वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥
English: Hearing those words of Bharata and beholding the subjects stricken with sorrow having their heads downwards, Vasistha said.
Sanskrit: वत्स राम इमाः पश्य धरणी प्रकृतीर्गताः। ज्ञात्वैषामीप्सितं कार्य मा चैषां विप्रियं कृथाः।।१०
English: Behold, O Rama, the subjects have placed themselves on the ground. Do you, therefore; apprised of their intention, satisfy their desire.
Sanskrit: वसिष्ठस्य तु वाक्येन उत्थाप्य प्रकृतीजनम्। किं करोमीति काकुत्स्थः सर्वान्वचनमब्रवीत्।।११
English: Raising up the subjects according to the words of Vasistha Rama said:-What good can I do for you.
Sanskrit: ततः सर्वाः प्रकृतयो रामं वचनमब्रुवन्। गच्छन्तमनुगच्छामो यत्र राम गमिष्यसि ॥
English: Hearing Rama's words they said:-0 King, we shall follow you wherever you shall go.
Sanskrit: पौरेषु यदि ते प्रीतिर्यदि स्नेहो ह्यनुत्तमः। सपुत्रदाराः काकुत्स्थ समं गच्छाम सत्पथम्॥
English: If you have any love or affection for the citizens do you permit them that they may follow your good path with their wives and children.
Sanskrit: तपोवनं वा दुर्ग वा नदीमम्भोनिधिं तथा। वयं ते यदि न त्याज्याः सर्वान्नो नय ईश्वर॥
English: O lord, if you do not forsake us, let us all go wherever you silt,-be it a forest an intractable tract, a river or an ocean.
Sanskrit: एषा नः परमा प्रीतिरेष नः परमो वरः। हद्गता नः सदा प्रीतिस्तवानुगमने नृप॥
English: O great king, by this we shall be greatly delighted. We pray for this boon only. Our delight consists in following you in everything.
Sanskrit: पौराणां दृढभक्तिं च बाढमित्येव सोऽब्रवीत्। स्वकृतान्तं चान्ववेक्ष्य तस्मिन्नहि राघवः॥ कोशलेषु कुशं वीरमुत्तरेषु तथा लवम्। अभिषिच्य महात्मानावुभौ रामः कुशीलवौ॥ अभिषिक्तौ सुतावङ्के प्रतिष्ठाप्य पुरे ततः। रथानां तु सहस्राणि नागानामयुतानि च। दश चाश्वसहस्राणि एकैकस्य धनं ददौ॥ बहुरत्नौ बहुधनौ हृष्टपुष्टजनाश्रयौ। स्वे पुरे प्रेषयामास भ्रातरौ तौ कुशीलवौ॥ अभिषिच्य ततो वीरौ प्रस्थाप्य स्वपुरे तदा। दूतान्संप्रेषयामास शत्रुघ्नाय महात्मने॥
English: Observing such a firm devotion of the citizens Rāma agreed to that. Thereupon having gone through his duties he installed Kuša in the kingdom of Kosala and Lava in the northern country. Lava and conferred open each of them thousand chariots, Ayuta Nagas, Ayuta horses and various jewels and riches he established them in their respective kingdoms. Having thus settled the princes he despatched an emissary to Śatrughna.
Sanskrit: प्रभातायां तु शर्वर्या-पृथुवक्षा महायशाः। रामः कमलपत्राक्षः पुरोधसमथाब्रवीत्॥
English: After the night had expired the highly illustrious Rāma having a spacious breast and eyes like lotus petals said to the priest.
Sanskrit: अग्निहोत्रं व्रजत्वग्रे दीप्यमानं सह द्विजैः। वाजपेयातपत्रं च शोभमानं महापथे॥
English: Let the brilliant umbrellas Agnihotra, and Vājapeya go with the Brāhmaṇas before, which look well in the great road.
Sanskrit: ततो वसिष्ठस्तेजस्वी सर्व निरवशेषतः। चकार विधिवद्धर्म माहाप्रस्थानिक विधिम्॥
English: There upon the highly effulgent Vasiştha arranged duly all the ceremonies necessary for going to the next world.
Sanskrit: ततः सूक्ष्माम्बरधरो ब्रह्ममावर्तयन्परम्। कुशान्गृहीत्वा पाणिभ्यां सरयूं प्रययावथ॥
English: There upon wearing a thin cloth, holding Kuśa grass by his fingers, and reciting Vedic hymns he proceeded to the banks of Sarayū.
Sanskrit: अव्याहरन्क्वचित्किचिनिश्चेष्टो निःसुखः पथि। निर्जगाम गृहात्तस्माद्दीप्यमानो यथांशुमान्॥
English: Having given up all actions of senses, and suffered the pains of going on foot he issued out of the city speechless like to the burning sun.
Sanskrit: रामस्य दक्षिणे पार्श्वे पद्मा श्रीः समुपाश्रिता। सव्येऽपि च मही देवी व्यवसायस्तथाग्रतः॥ शरा नानाविधाश्चापि धनुरायत्तमुत्तमम्। तथायुधाश्च ते सर्वे ययुः पुरुषविग्रहाः।७।।
English: On his right hand side was the lotus-handed Śrī, on his left hand side was the goddess. Earth and before him was the power of destruction. Various arrows, huge bows, and daggers, assuming forms followed him.
Sanskrit: वेदा ब्राह्मणरूपेण गायत्री सर्वरक्षिणी। ओङ्कारोऽथ वषट्कारः सर्वे राममनुव्रताः॥
English: And also went with him the four Vedas in the shape of the Brāhmaṇas, the all protecting Gayatri, Omkara and Vasatkāra.
Sanskrit: ऋषयश्च महात्मानः सर्व एव महीसुराः। अन्वगच्छन्महात्मानं स्वर्गद्वारमपावृतम्॥
English: The high-souled Rșis and great Asuras followed the high-souled Rāma to the open gates of heaven.
Sanskrit: तं यान्तमनुगच्छन्ति ह्यन्तःपुरचराः स्त्रियः। सवृद्धबालदासीकाः सवर्षवरकिंकराः॥ सान्तःपुरश्च भरतः शत्रुघ्नसहितो ययौ। रामं गतिमुपागम्य साग्निहोत्रमनुव्रताः॥
English: All the female servants, old and young, the damsels of the seraglio accompanied by servants having no manhood, Bharata and Lakşmaņa accompanied by their wives, followed him with Agnihotra.
Sanskrit: ते च सर्वे महात्मानः साग्निहोत्राः समागताः। सपुत्रदाराः काकुत्स्थमनुजग्मुर्महामतिम्॥
English: All those high-souled ones, assembled there with Agnihotra and followed Kākutstha with their wives and children.
Sanskrit: मन्त्रिणो भृत्यवर्गाश्च सपुत्रपशुबान्धवाः। सर्वे सहानुगा राममन्वगच्छन्प्रहृष्टवत्॥
English: The ministers and the servants, with their sons, beasts and friends, followed Rama delightedly.
Sanskrit: ततः सर्वाः प्रकृतयो हृष्टपुष्टजनावृताः। गच्छन्तमनुगछन्ति राघवं गुणरञ्जिताः॥ ततः सस्त्रीपुमांसस्ते सपक्षिपशुबान्धवाः। राघवस्यानुगाः सर्वे हृष्टा विगतकल्मषाः॥
English: There upon all the subjects healthy and delighted went after Raghava, attracted by his accomplishments and cleansed of their sins.
Sanskrit: स्नाताः प्रमुदिताः सर्वे हृष्टपुष्टाश्च वानराः। दृढं किलकिलाशब्दैः सर्वं राममनुव्रतम्॥
English: All the females and males, with their beasts, birds and friends, delightedly followed Raghava. Bathed and delighted all the monkeys, healthy and joyous following Rāma, created a continued tumult.
Sanskrit: न तत्र कश्चिद्दीनो वा ब्रीडितो वापि दुःखितः। हृष्टं समुदितं सर्वं बभूव परमाद्भुतम्॥
English: There was none poorly, aggrieved or miserable—all of them appeared wonderfully happy and delighted.
Sanskrit: द्रष्टकामोऽथ निर्यान्तं रामं जानपदो जनः। यः प्राप्तः सोपिऽ दृष्ट्वैव स्वर्गायानुगतो जनः।।१८
English: When Råma issued out of the city, whoever came to see him followed him being desirous of going to heaven.
Sanskrit: ऋक्षवानररक्षांसि जनाश्च पुरवासिनः। आगच्छन्परया भक्त्या पृष्ठतः सुसमाहिताः॥
English: Bears, monkeys and Räkşasas and all the citizens, followed him with great devotion and collected minds.
Sanskrit: यानि भूतानि नगरेऽप्यन्तर्धानगतानि च। राघवं तान्यनुययुः स्वर्गाय समुपस्थितम्॥
English: And all other animals, that were beyond the view of all in the city went after Rāghava proceeding to heaven.
Sanskrit: यानि पश्यन्ति काकुत्स्थं स्थावराणि चराणि च। सर्वाणि रामगमने अनुजग्मुर्हि तान्यपि॥
English: All creations mobile and immobile, whoever beheld Kakutstha followed him.
Sanskrit: नोच्छ्वसत्तदयोध्यायां सुसूक्ष्ममपि दृश्यते। तिर्यग्योनिगताश्चैव सर्वे राममनुव्रताः॥
English: All beings in Ayodhya, whoever breathe and are very minute, accompanied Rāma.
Sanskrit: अध्ययोजनं गत्वा नदी पश्चान्मुखाश्रिताम्। सरयूं पुण्यसलिलां ददर्श रघुनन्दनः॥
English: Having thus gone for more than a half Yojana, the descendant of Raghu, espied Şurayū of holy waters flowing towards the west.
Sanskrit: तां नदीमाकुलावा सर्वत्रानुसरन्नृपः। आगतः सप्रजो रामस्तं देशं रघुनन्दनः॥
English: And having crossing that river of rising waves to some extent, Răma, with his followers arrived at the place where he should give up his person.
Sanskrit: अथ तस्मिन्मुहूर्ते तु ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः। सर्वैः परिवृतो देवैर्भूषितैश्च महात्मभिः॥ आययौ यत्र काकुत्स्थः स्वर्गाय समुपस्थितः। विमानशतकोटीभिर्दिव्याभिरभिसंवृतः॥
English: There upon at that moment, Brahmă, the grandfather of all encircled by all high-souled deities and with hundred kotis of celestial cars, arrived there where Kākutstha had addressed himself to repair to heaven.
Sanskrit: दिव्यतेजोवृतं व्योम ज्योतिर्भूतमनुत्तमम्। स्वयंप्रभैः स्वतेजोभिः स्वर्गिभिः पुण्यकर्मभिः॥
English: The aerial way was full of lustre but its brilliance was increased the more by the native effulgence of the inhabitants of heavens, always performing pious actions.
Sanskrit: पुण्या वाता ववुश्चैव गन्धवन्तः सुखप्रदाः। पपात पुष्पवृष्टिश्च देवैर्मुक्ता महौघवत्॥
English: There blew the holy, fragrant and delightful winds and there fell profusely celestial flowers from the hands of the deities.
Sanskrit: तस्मिंस्तूर्यशतैः कीर्णे गन्धर्वाप्सरसंकुले। सरयूसलिलं रामः पद्भ्यां समुपचक्रमे॥
English: The place was filled with the noise of hundreds of bugles sounded by Gandharvas and Apsarās. And then Rāma prepared himself to descend to the waters of Sarayů.
Sanskrit: ततः पितामहो वाणी त्वन्तरिक्षादभाषत। आगच्छ विष्णो भद्रं ते दिष्ट्या प्राप्तोऽसि राघव।।। भ्रातृभिः सह देवाभैः प्रविशस्व स्विकां तनुम्। यामिच्छसि महाबाहो तां तनुं प्रविश स्विकाम्।।९ वैष्णवीं तां महातेजो यद्वाकाशं सनातनम्। त्वं हि लोकगतिर्देव न त्वां केचित्प्रजानते॥ ऋते मायां विशालाक्षीं तव पूर्वपरिग्रहाम्। त्वामचिन्त्यं महद्भूतमक्षयं चाजरं तथा। यामिच्छसि महातेजस्तां तनुं प्रविश स्वयम्॥
English: There upon the Patriarch gave vent to the following accents from the welkin:-Come O Visnu; may good betide you; by our good fortune you are coming here; O Raghava hearO you having mighty arms, do you enter here with your brothers, resembling the celestials in brilliance in whatever from you like either in that of the sky or in your own Vişņu form. You are the refuge of the creatures nobody know you. You are above the range of thought; great immortal and imperishable; nobody know you save Maya, having wide eyes, your former spouse. Do you enter here yourself in whatever effulgent form you like.
Sanskrit: पितामहवचः श्रुत्वा विनिश्चित्य महामतिः। विवेश वैष्णवं तेजः सशरीरः सहानुजः॥
English: Hearing the words of the Patriarch and determining everything the high-minded Rāma entered there bodily with his brothers in his Visnu form.
Sanskrit: ततो विष्णुमयं देवं पूजयन्ति स्म देवताः। साध्या मरुद्गणाश्चैव सेन्द्राः साग्निपुरोगमाः॥
English: There upon all the celestials Sådhyas Marutas, headed by Indra and Agni worshipped that deity, Visnu.
Sanskrit: ये च दिव्या ऋषिगणा गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्च याः। सुपर्णनागयक्षाश्च दैत्यदानवराक्षसाः॥ सर्व पुष्टं प्रमुदितं सुसंपूर्णमनोरथम्। साधुसाध्विति तैर्देवैत्रिदिवं गतकल्मषम्॥
English: So did all the celestial Rşis, Gandharvas Apsaras, Suparnas, Nagas, Yaksas, demons, Dånavas and Räkşasas. There upon eulogising him the celestials said: Our region is now freed from sins and all here have been delighted and all their desires have been fulfilled.
Sanskrit: अथ विष्णुर्महातेजाः पितामहमुवाच ह। एषां लोकं जनौघानां दातुमर्हसि सुव्रत॥
English: There upon the highly effulgent Vişņu said to the Patriarch Brahmă:-It behove you, O you of good vows, to allot to those people their proper regions.
Sanskrit: इमे हि सर्वे स्नेहान्मामनुयाता यशस्विनः। भक्ता हि भजितव्याश्च त्यक्तात्मानश्च मत्कृते॥
English: These illustrious ones have followed me out of love. They are worthy of my respect for they are my devotees and have renounced their persons for me.
Sanskrit: तच्छ्रुत्वा विष्णुवचनं ब्रह्मा लोकगुरुः प्रभुः। लोकान्संतानकानाम यास्यन्तीमे समागताः॥
English: Hearing the words of Vişņu, the lord Brahma, father of all creatures, said:-All these people who have come here shall go to the region named Santanaka.
Sanskrit: यच्च तिर्यग्गतं किंचित्त्वामेवमनुचिन्तयत्। प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्यति भक्त्या तत्संतानेषु निवत्स्यति॥ सर्वैर्ब्रह्मगुणैर्युक्ते ब्रह्मलोकादनन्तरे।
English: This region is intended even for him, who though born in the most degraded state, thinks of all objects as Vişnu. There is no question about their attaining to this region who, out of devotion, have followed you and renounced their persons. This region has the attributes of the Brahma region and is next to it.
Sanskrit: वानराश्च स्विकां योनिमृक्षाश्चैव तथा ययुः॥ येभ्यो विनिःसृताः सर्वे सुरेभ्यः सुरसंभवाः। तेषु प्रविविशे चैव सुग्रीवः सूर्यमण्डलम्॥ पश्यतां सर्वदेवानां स्वान्पितॄन्प्रतिपेदिरे।
English: The monkeys and bears shall enter into their respective celestial forms. They shall enter into the deities from whom they had respectively originated. Sugriva shall enter into the Sun's region. And they shall obtain their respective fathers' forms among the celestials present.
Sanskrit: तथा ब्रुवति देवेश गोप्रतारमुपागताः।२२॥ भेजिरे सरयूं सर्वे हर्षपूर्णाश्रुविक्लवाः।
English: The lord of the deities having said this, all those who were present at the holy pilgrimage of Gopratāra descended into the waters of Sarayü with eyes full of tears of joy.
Sanskrit: अवगाह्याप्सु यो यो वै प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा प्रहृष्टवत्॥ मानुषं देहमुत्सृज्य विमानं सोध्यरोहत।
English: Having bathed there, given up their lives delightedly and renounced their human forms they ascended the celestial cars.
Sanskrit: तिर्यग्योनिगतानां च शतानि सरयूजलम्॥ संप्राप्य त्रिदिवं जग्मुः प्रभासुरवपूंषि तु। दिव्या दिव्येन वपुषा देवा दीप्ता इवाभवन्।॥
English: And having obtained the waters of Sarayū, hundreds of those that were born in the race of birds attained to the land of immortals obtaining the respective celestial forms (they had before). And in those celestial forms, they looked effulgent like the deities.
Sanskrit: गत्वा तु सरयूतोयं स्थावराणि चराणि च। प्राप्य तत्तोयविक्लेदं देवलोकमुपागमन्॥
English: And going to the waters of Sarayü all objects, mobile and immobile, having bathed there, repaired to the excellent celestial region.
Sanskrit: तस्मिन्येऽपि समापन्ना ऋक्षवानरराक्षसाः। तेऽपि स्वर्ग प्रविविशुदेहानिक्षिप्य चाम्भसि ।।२७
English: Having renounced their bodies in the water there of all the bears, monkeys and Raksasas attained to the land of deities.
Sanskrit: ततः समागतान्सर्वान्स्थाप्य लोकगुरुर्दिवि। हृष्टैः प्रमुदितैर्देवैर्जगाम त्रिदिवं महत्॥
English: Having thus settled in heaven all those arrived there the father, of creatures with the deities, delighted and happy, repaired to the highest heaven.
Sanskrit: नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम्। देवी सरस्वतीं चैव ततो जयमुदीरयेत्॥
English: Having saluted the Supreme Deity (Narayana) and the highest of all male beings (Nara) and also the Goddess of Learning (Sarasvati), let us cry success!
Sanskrit: लोमहर्षणपुत्र उग्रश्रवाः सौतिः पौराणिको नैमिषारण्ये शौनकस्य कुलपतेर्दादशवार्षिक सत्रे॥ सुखासीनानभ्यगच्छद्ब्रह्मर्षीन् संशितव्रतान्। विनयावनतो भूत्वा कदाचित् सूतनन्दनः॥
English: One day when the great sages of hard austerities, who were present at the twelve years' sacrifice of Kulapati Shaunaka, were comfortably sitting in the Naimisharanya, Rishi Lomaharshana's son, Ugrashrava, popularly known as Sauti, well-read in the Puranas, came to them with all humility.
Sanskrit: तमाश्रममनुप्राप्तं नैमिषारण्यवासिनाम्। चित्राः श्रोतुं कथास्तत्र परिवस्तपस्विनः॥
English: (Thereupon) desirous of hearing his wonderful stories, the ascetics addressed him who had come to their hermitage of Naimisharanya.
Sanskrit: अभिवाद्य मुनींस्तांस्तु सर्वानेव कृताञ्जलिः। अपृच्छत् स तपोवृद्धिं सद्भिश्चैवाभिपूजितः॥
English: Having been welcomed with due respect by those holy Rishis, Sauti, with joined hands, asked them all how their depute penances were progressing.
Sanskrit: अथ तेषूपविष्टेषु सर्वेष्वेव तपस्विषु। निर्दिष्टमासनं भेजे विनयाल्लौमहर्षणिः॥
English: After the Rishis had taken their seats, Lomaharshana's son humbly took the seat assigned to him.
Sanskrit: सुखासीनं ततस्तं तु विश्रान्तमुपलक्ष्य च। अथापृच्छदृषिस्तत्र कश्चित् प्रस्तावयन् कथाः॥
English: Seeing that he had comfortably seated and observing that he had some rest after the fatigue, one of the Rishis started the conversation, saying,
Sanskrit: कुत आगम्यते सौते क्व चायं विहतस्त्वया। कालः कमलपत्राक्ष शंसैतत्पृच्छतो मम॥
English: 'O Lotus-eyed, whence have you came? Where have you been, Sauti? tell me, I ask you, (all the particulars of your travels).'
Sanskrit: एवं पृष्टोऽब्रवीत् सम्यग् यथावल्लौमहर्षणिः। वाक्यं वचनसंपन्नस्तेषां च चरिताश्रयम्॥ तस्मिन् सदसि विस्तीर्णे मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम्।
English: When the accomplished speaker Sauti was thus questioned, he gave before that great assembly of contemplative Rishis a well and proper reply in words becoming their nature.
Sanskrit: सौतिरुवाच जनमेजयस्य राजर्षेः सर्पसत्रे महात्मनः॥ समीपे पार्थिवेन्द्रस्य सम्यक् पारिक्षितस्य च। कृष्णद्वैपायनप्रोक्ताः सुपुण्या विविधाः कथाः॥ कथिताश्चापि विधिवद् या वैशम्पायनेन वै। श्रुत्वाऽहं ता विचित्रार्था महाभारतसंश्रिताः॥
English: Sauti said: After listening to the various sacred and wonderful stories of the Mahabharata composed by Krishna Dvaipayana those that were fully recited by Vaishampayana at the great Snake-sacrifice held by that noblehearted royal sage, the prince of all princes, the son of Parikshit, Janamejaya
Sanskrit: बहूनि संपरिक्रम्य तीर्थान्यायतनानि च। समन्तपञ्चकं नाम पुण्यं द्विजनिषेवितम्॥
English: (O holy Rishis), I wandered about and visited many holy shrines and places of pilgrimages and came (at last) to Samantapanchaka, a place venerated by the twice-born,
Sanskrit: गतवानस्मि तं देशं युद्धं यत्राभवत् पुरा! कुरूणां-पाण्डवानां च सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम्॥
English: And where in the days of yore the sons of Kuru and Pandu had fought a deadly battle, in which all the Chiefs of India joined one side or the other.
Sanskrit: दिदृक्षुरागतस्तस्मात् समीपं भवतामिह। आयुष्मन्तः सर्व एव ब्रह्मभूता हि मे मताः। अस्मिन् यज्ञे महाभागाः सूर्यपावकवर्चसः॥ कृताभिषेकाः शुचयः कृतजप्याहुताग्नयः। भवन्त आसने स्वस्था ब्रवीमि किमहं द्विजाः॥
English: Being anxious to see you (all), I have now come before your (august) presence. O Revered sages, to you who are all to me as Brahma to you who are greatly learned and highly blessed, who shine with the fire of the Sun in this holy place of sacrifice, who are pure by sacred ablutions, who have performed and finished the deep meditation, who have kept up the sacred fire, who are beyond all cares, to you, O twice-born ones, what shall I speak?
Sanskrit: पुराणसंहिताः पुण्याः कथा धर्मार्थसंश्रिताः। इतिवृत्तं नरेन्द्राणामृषीणां च महात्मनाम्॥
English: Shall I repeat to you the sacred stories of the Puranas, bearing on religious merites and worldly prosperity, or shall I recount to you the wonderful deeds of the great sages and saints and the sovereigns of mankind?
Sanskrit: ऋषय ऊचुः द्वैपायनेन यत् प्रोक्तं पुराणं परमर्षिणा। सुरैर्ब्रह्मर्षिभिश्चैव श्रुत्वा यदभिपूजितम्॥
English: The Rishis replied The Purana which was told by the illustrious sage, Dvaipayana and which was greatly esteemed by the celestials and Brahmarshis when they heared it,
Sanskrit: तस्याख्यानवरिष्ठस्य विचित्रपदपर्वण: सूक्ष्मार्थन्याययुक्तस्य वेदार्थैर्भूषितस्य च॥
English: And which, being full of various dictions and divisions, is (undoubtedly) the most eminent narrative (amongst all narratives) that exist, containing (as it does) subtle and logically combined meanings, enriched with (the essence of) the Vedas, is a sacred work.
Sanskrit: भारतस्येतिहासस्य पुण्यां ग्रन्थार्थसंयुताम्। संस्कारोपगतां ब्राह्मीं नानाशास्त्रोपबृंहिताम्॥ जनमेजयस्य यां राज्ञो वैशंपायन उक्तवान्। यथावत् स ऋषिस्तुष्ट्या सत्रे द्वैपायनाज्ञया।॥ वेदैश्चतुर्भिः संयुक्तां व्यासस्याद्भुतकर्मणः। संहितां श्रोतुमिच्छामो ध` पापभयापहाम्॥
English: It is composed in beautiful language and it includes all other works. It is explained by all Shastras and contains the sense of the four Vedas. (But Sauti), we desire to hear Bharata, the sacred history that drives away all fear, the holy composition of great Vyasa, just as it was beautifully narrated in the great Snake-sacrifice of Raja Janamejaya by Rishi Vaishampayana as directed by Krishna Dvaipayana himself.
Sanskrit: सौतिरुवाच आद्यं पुरुषमीशानं पुरुहूतं पुरुष्टुतम्। ऋतमेकाक्षरं ब्रह्म व्यक्ताव्यक्तं सनातनम्॥
English: Sauti then said: Bowing (most reverentially) my head to the original first being Ishana, who is adored by all and to whom all make offerings, who is the true unchangeable One, who is manifested and unmanifested, eternal and everlasting Brahma.
Sanskrit: असच्चसदसच्चैव यद् विश्वं सदसत्परम्। परावराणां स्रष्टारं पुराणं परमव्ययम्॥
English: Who is both non-existing and existing, who is the existing) universe and still distinct from both the existing and the non-existing world, who is the originator of all, both high and low, who is ancient, great and undecaying.
Sanskrit: मङ्गल्यं मङ्गलं विष्णुं वरेण्यमनघं शुचिम्। नमस्कृत्य हृषीकेशं चराचरगुरुं हरिम्॥
English: Vishnu, who is pleasing and auspicious one, who is worthy of all worship, pure and sinless, who is Hari, the lord of the faculties, the guide of all the movable and the immovable.
Sanskrit: महर्षेः पूजितस्येह सर्वलोकैर्महात्मनः। प्रवक्ष्यामि मतं पुण्यं व्यासस्याद्भुतकर्मणः॥
English: (O Rishis), I shall now describe to you the holy thoughts of the great Rishi of the wonderful deeds, (the sage) Vyasa, who is worshipped by all of you here.
Sanskrit: आचख्युः कवयः केचित् संप्रत्याचक्षते परे। आख्यास्यन्ति तथैवान्ये इतिहासमिमं भुवि॥
English: Some bards have already sung this history; and some again are teaching it to others; others will no doubt do the same hereafter on earth.