Sarga 62: Sunassepha's Story
Sunassepha Vrittanta
Continuation of Sunassepha's tale and his deliverance through sacred mantras.
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शुन:शेपम् नरश्रेष्ठ गृहीत्वा तु महायशा:। व्यश्रामत् पुष्करे राजा मध्याह्ने रघुनंदन
Meaning
O Foremost of men, O Delight of the Raghus (Rama) the illustrious king (Ambarisha) took Sunassepha with him. (On the way) at Pushkara he took some rest at noon.
तस्य विश्रममाणस्य शुन:शेपो महायशा:। पुष्करम् ज्येष्ठम् आगंय विश्वामित्रम् ददर्श ह। तप्यन्तम् ऋषिभि: सार्थम् मातुलम् परम आतुर:
Meaning
While the king was resting at Pushkara, the famous Sunassepha, very much distressed, happened to see his maternal uncle Viswamitra in the company of other sages performing austerities.
विषण्ण वदनो दीन: तृष्णया च श्रमेण च। पपात अन्के मुने राम वाक्यम् च इदम् उवाच ह
Meaning
With his face discoloured due to thirst and fatigue, he (Sunassepha) immediately fell into the sage's lap in a pitiable condition and said:
न मे अस्ति माता न पिता ज्ञातयो बान्धवा: कुत:। त्रातुम् अर्हसि माम् सौंय धर्मेण मुनिपुंगव
Meaning
O Noble man O Preeminent among ascetics I have no mother nor father nor friends nor relatives. You should protect me according to dharma.
त्राता त्वम् हि नरश्रेष्ठ सर्वेषाम् त्वम् हि भावन:। राजा च कृतकार्य: स्यात् अहम् दीर्घ आयु: अव्यय:। स्वर्ग लोकम् उपाश्नीयाम् तप: तप्त्वा हि अनुत्तमम्
Meaning
O Best among ascetics you are the protecor of everybody. You are promoter of others' welfare. May the king fulfil his purpose. May I live long and become immortal and attain heaven after performing great penance. May I enjoy heaven.
स मे नाथो हि अनाथस्य भव भव्येन चेतसा। पिता इव पुत्रम् धर्माअत्मन् त्रातुम् अर्हसि किल्बिषात्
Meaning
O Virtuous one with a kind heart protect this orphan. Like a father who protects his son, save me from this peril".
तस्य तत् वचनम् श्रुत्वा विश्वामित्रो महातपा:। सान्त्वयित्वा बहु विधम् पुत्रान् इदम् उवाच ह
Meaning
Having heard Sunassepha, mighty ascetic Viswamitra consoled him in many ways and said to his sons:
यत् कृते पितर: पुत्रान् जनयन्ति शुभ अर्थिन:। पर लोक हित अर्थाय तस्य कालो अयम् आगत:
Meaning
For the very reason parents beget sons -- desiring good and for the sake of welfare in other worlds -- that time has now come for me.
अयम् मुनि सुतो बालो मत्त: शरणम् इच्चति। अस्य जीवित मात्रेण प्रियम् कुरुत पुत्रका:
Meaning
O sons of the sage this young boy has sought my protection. O Sons you may grant him his desire by merely offering your life.
सर्वे सुकृत कर्माण: सर्वे धर्म परायणा:। पशु भूता नरेन्द्रस्य तृप्तिम् अग्ने: प्रयच्चत
Meaning
Engaged in the observance of righteousness, all of you have done virtuous deeds. By becoming sacrificial animals for the king, you may satisfy Agni.