Introduction

Sage Vishvamitra starts to narrate Kusha’s legend. Vishvamitra is the offspring of Kusha’s dynasty. Brahma gives boon to Kusha to beget four sons and one among them is Kushanaabha. Kushanabha begets a hundred daughters of excellent beauty. When Vayu, Air-god cherishes them all, those girls refuse him, as they prefer an arranged marriage by their father. Then Air-god in his indignation disfigures them all.

Verse 1

ब्रह्मयोनिर्महानासीत् कुशो नाम महातपाः |
अक्लिष्टव्रतधर्मज्ञः सज्जनप्रतिपूजकः || १-३२-१

“Once there was a highly righteous kingly sage who is the brainchild of Brahma, whose ascesis is of higher order, who has never flouted the rules of rituals or his vows, and who revered the knowers of virtue by name Kusha.” Thus Sage Vishvamitra commenced narration. [1-32-1]

1. brahmayoniH = Brahma as causation – Brahma’s brainchild; mahaatapaaH = ascesis on with higher order; akliSTavratadharmaj~naH = one who has – without hampered vows and knower of their virtue – who has never flouted the rules of rituals and vows; sajjanapratipuujakaH = knowers of virtue and one who reveres virtue knowers; mahaan = highly righteous – kingly sage; kushaH naama = Kusha, named; aasiit = [once upon a time] was there.

Verse 2 & 3a

स महात्मा कुलीनायां युक्तायां सुमहाबलान् |
वैदर्भ्यां जनयामास चतुरः सदृशान् सुतान् || १-३२-२
कुशाम्बं कुशनाभं च अधूर्तरजसं वसुम् |

“That great-souled Kusha begot four selfsame and mighty sons, namely Kushamba, Kushanaabha, Adhuurtarajasa also called as Asuurtarajasa, and Vasu through the princess of Vidarbha, which princess is of noble birth and an eligible wife of Kusha. [1-32-2, 3a]

2, 3a. saH mahaatmaa = he, great soul; kuliinaayaam = one with noble birth; yuktaayaam = an eligible one [as wife]; vaidarbhyaam = in the princess from Vidarbha; kushaambam kushanaabham adhuurtarajasam vasum = Kushamba, Kushanaabha, Adhuurtarajasa, Vasu; sumahaabalaan = very great mighty ones; sadR^ishaan = selfsame ones; caturaH sutaan janayaamaasa = he begot four sons.

Verse 3b & 4

दीप्तियुक्तान् महोत्साहान् क्षत्रधर्मचिकीर्षया || १-३२-३
तानुवाच कुशः पुत्रान् धर्मिष्ठान् सत्यवादिनः |
क्रियतां पालनं पुत्रा धर्मं प्राप्स्यथ पुष्कलम् || १-३२-४

“With an aspiration that his sons shall uphold the principles of Kshatriya-s, Kusha spoke to them who are brilliant, highly enthusiastic, virtue abiding, and the advocators of truth saying, ‘establish your rulership, sons, and achieve righteousness abundantly.’ [1-32-3b, 4]

3b, 4. kushaH = Kusha; diiptiyuktaan = having brilliance ; mahotsaahaan = highly enthusiastic ones; dharmiSThaan = virtue abiding; satyavaadinaH = advocators of truth; taan putraan = to those, sons; kSatradharmacikiirSayaa = with an aspiration to uphold principles of Kshatriya-s; uvaaca = spoke to them; putraa = oh sons; paalanam kriyataam = let it be done ruling over [kingdom] – establish your rulership; puSkalam dharmam praapsyatha = you achieve righteousness in abundance.

Verse 5

कुशस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा चत्वारो लोकसत्तमाः |
निवेशं चक्रिरे सर्वे पुराणां नृवरास्तदा || १-३२-५

“On hearing the words of Kusha those four sons that are the formidable ones in the world and the best men among people initiated to build four cities. [1-32-5]

5. tadaa = then; kushasya vacanam shrutvaa = on hearing Kusha’s words; lokasattamaaH = formidable ones in world; catvaaraH = four of them; nR^ivaraaH = best ones among people ; sarve = all of them; puraaNaam nivesham cakrire = initiation of building cities – they started to do.

Verse 6

कुशाम्बस्तु महातेजाः कौशांबीमकरोत् पुरीम् |
कुशनाभस्तु धर्मात्मा पुरं चक्रे महोदयम् || १-३२-६

“Great-resplendent Kushamba built the city named Kaushambii for his part, and for his part the virtue-souled Kushanaabha built a city named Mahodaya. [1-32-6]

6. mahaatejaaH kushaambaH tu = great-resplendent one, Kushamba, for his part; kaushaambiim puriim akarot = built the city Kaushaambi ; dharmaatmaa kushanaabhaH tu = virtue-souled, Kushanaatha, for his part; mahodayam puram cakre = built Mahodaya [named] city.

Verse 7

अधूर्तरजसो राम धर्मारण्यं महामतिः |
चक्रे पुरवरं राजा वसुर्नाम गिरिव्रजम् || १-३२-७

“Oh, Rama, noble-minded Adhuurtarajasa built a city named Dharmaaranya, and king Vasu built a city in the name of Girivraja. [1-32-7]

7. raama = oh Rama; mahaamatiH adhuurtarajasaH = noble-minded, Asuurtarajasa; dharmaaraNyam = DharmaaraNya – namely; puravaram = the best city; cakre = built; raajaa vasuH = king, Vasu; girivrajam naama = Girivraja named – city he built.

Verse 8

एषा वसुमती नाम वसोस्तस्य महात्मनः |
एते शैलवराः पंच प्रकाशन्ते समंततः || १-३२-८

“This land on which we are presently staying is known as the land of virtue-souled Vasu, all around which these five best mountains are standing high. [1-32-8]

8. eSaa = this one; tasya mahaatmanaH vasoH = of that, virtue-souled one, Vasu’s; vasumatii naama = land, known as; samantataH = all around; ete panca shailavaraaH = these, five best mountains; prakaashante = shine forth – standing high.

Verse 9

सुमागधी नदी रम्या मागधान् विश्रुताययौ |
पंचानां शैलमुख्यानां मध्ये मालेव शोभते || १-३२-९

“This charming river that enters and exits Magadha province is well known as the worthy River Maagadhi, and flowing amid the five of these elevated mountains it shines forth like a garland enwreathing them. [1-32-9]

9. ramyaa = charming one; vishrutaa = well known; sumaagadhii nadii = Maagadhii river; – worthy River Sona which took birth in Magadha country; maagadhaan = into Magadha country; aayayau = coming, going – on entering and exiting; pancaanaam shailamukhyaanaam madhye = five of, important mountains – elevated ones, amid; maalaa iva shobhate = shines forth like garland.

Verse 10

धनुषस्तस्य वीर्यं हि जिज्ञासन्तो महीक्षितः |
न शेकुरारोपयितुं राजपुत्रा महाबलाः ||

“Though many kings were inquisitive about the power of that bow, all of those great mighty princes are rendered incapable to string its bowstring.

. [bahavaH = many]; raajaputraaH mahaabalaaH = king’s sons, great mighty ones; mahiikSitaH = kings; tasya dhanuSaH = of that, bow’s; viiryam jij~naasantaH = inquisitive about power; [te sarve = all of them]; aaropayitum na shekuH = not capable to string bowstring.

Verse 11

सैषा हि मागधी राम वसोस्तस्य महात्मनः |
पूर्वाभिचरिता राम सुक्षेत्रा सस्यमालिनी || १-३२-१०

“This Maagadhi is that river which pertains to the developmental works of the great-souled king Vasu and oh, Rama, flowing towards east to its confluence in Ganga, this river garlands best farmlands and their crops on its way. [1-32-10]

11. raama = oh Rama; saa eSaa maagadhii = this, that, river Maagadhi; mahaatmanaH tasya vasoH = of his the great-souled one Vasu [this is that river which pertains to the developmental works of king Vasu]; puurvaabhicaritaa = while going – flowing towards east ; sukSetraa = she has best farmlands; sasyamaalinii = garland of crops.

Verse 12 & 13

तास्तु यौवनशालिन्यो रूपवत्यः स्वलंकृताः |
उद्यानभूमिमागम्य प्रावृषीव शतह्रदाः || १-३२-१२
गायन्त्यो नृत्यमानाश्च वादयन्त्यश्च राघव |
आमोदं परमं जग्मुर्वराभरणभूषिताः || १-३२-१३

“Those girls when attained youthfulness they are lovely and on an occasion they have gone to gardens and moved there about like one lightning with a hundred streaks during rainy season, and while those girls that are decorated with select ornaments are singing, dancing and playing musical instruments, they got into a fantastic felicity. [1-32-12, 13]

12. raaghava = oh, Raghava; yauvanashaalinyaH = having youthfulness ; ruupavatyaH = having loveliness; taaH = those girls; svaalankR^itaaH = decorating well themselves; udyaanabhuumim aagamya = arriving at park lands; praavR^iSi = in rainy season; shatahradaaH iva = flowing in hundred way – like hundred streaked lightning; gaayantyaH nR^ityamaanaaH ca vaadayantyaH ca = singing, dancing, also, playing instruments; varaabharaNabhuuSitaaH = decorated with selected ornaments; paramam aamodam jagmuH = they went into fantastic felicity.

Verse 14

अथ ताश्चारुसर्वांग्यो रूपेणाप्रतिमा भुवि |
उद्यानभूमिमागम्य तारा इव घनान्तरे || १-३२-१४

“On their coming to parklands those girls whose all limbs are pretty and whose looks are unparalleled on earth, they looked like stars amid clouds within the cloudy thickets of garden bushes. [1-32-14]

14. atha = then; caarusarvaangyaH = whose all limbs are pretty; ruupeNa bhuvi apratimaa = unparalleled on earth by aspect; taaH = those girls; udyaanabhuumim aagamya = on coming to park lands; ghanaantare = amid in clouds; taaraa iva = stars, like; they shone forth among thick bushes.

Verse 15

ताः सर्वगुणसंपन्ना रूपयौवनसंयुताः |
दृष्ट्वा सर्वात्मको वायुरिदं वचनमब्रवीत् || १-३२-१५

“On seeing them who are flourishing with all their aspects together with comeliness and ripeness, the all pervading Air-god, Vayu, spoke this word to them. [1-32-15]

15. sarvaatmakaH vaayuH = all pervading, Air-god; sarvaguNasampannaaH = well off in all aspects; ruupayauvanasamyutaaH = together with comeliness and ripeness; taaH = them; dR^iSTvaa = on seeing; idam vacanam abraviit = spoke this word.

Verse 16

अहं वः कामये सर्वा भार्या मम भविष्यथ |
मानुषस्त्यज्यतां भावो दीर्घमायुरवाप्स्यथ || १-३२-१६

” ‘I have a desire for you all, hence leaving off the notions pertaining to human beings you all become my wives, thereby you too will acquire longevity like divinities. [1-32-16]

16. aham vaH sarvaaH kaamaye = I have a desire for all of you; mama bhaaryaaH bhaviSyatha = you become my wives; maanuSaH tyajyataam bhaavaH = leave off notion pertaining to humans; diirgham aayuH avaapsyatha = long, life, you acquire – like divinities.

Verse 17

चलं हि यौवनं नित्यं मानुषेषु विशेषतः |
अक्षय्यं यौवनं प्राप्ता अमर्यश्च भविष्य्थ || १-३२-१७

” ‘Teenage is always transitory, expressly in humans, but on marrying me you will achieve undiminished youthfulness and forever you can be youthful like immortal females.’ Thus Air-god said to those girls. [1-32-17]

17. nityam yauvanam calam hi = always, teenage, is moving, indeed; maanuSeSu visheSataH = expressly in humans; akShayyam yauvanam praaptaaH = on achieving undiminishing youthfulness; amaryaH ca bhaviSyatha = you can also become as immortal females.

Verse 18

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा वायोरक्लिष्टकर्मणः |
अपहास्य ततो वाक्यं कन्याशतमथाब्रवीत् || १-३२-१८

“On hearing that proposal of Vayu, the Air-god whose strives are unimpeded, then those hundred girls spoke this sentence laughing off his proposal. [1-32-18]

18. tataH = then; akliSTakarmaNaH = one with un impeded strives; tasya vaayoH = of that, Air-god; tat vacanam shrutvaa = that, sentence – proposal, on hearing; apahaasya = laughing off – his proposal; kanyaashatam = hundred maidens; atha vaakyam abraviit = then, spoke sentence.

Verse 19

अन्तश्चरसि भूतानां सर्वेषां त्वं सुरसत्तम |
प्रभावज्ञाश्च ते सर्वाः किमर्थमवमन्यसे || १-३२-१९

” ‘we are aware that you inspirit all the living beings from inside, oh, the ablest divinity, we are also aware of your uniqueness. But, what for you are dishonouring all of us. [1-32-19]

19. surasattama = oh the ablest divinity; tvam sarveSaam bhuutaanaam = you, in all of the beings; antaH carasi = inside, you move – you inspirit; sarvaaH te prabhaavaj~naaH ca = all of us, knowers of your uniqueness, also; [asmaan = us]; kimartham avamanyase = for what reason, you dishonour us.

Verse 20

कुशनाभसुताः देवं समस्ता सुरसत्तम |
स्थानाच्च्यावयितुं देवं रक्षामस्तु तपो वयम् || १-३२-२०

” ‘We are the daughters of Kushanaabha, oh, best divinity, and we are all capable of displacing you from your realm, but oh, god, we are restraining ourselves in doing so only to conserve our ascetic values. [1-32-20]

20. surasattama = oh the best divinity; samastaaH vayam = all, of us are; kushanaabhasutaaH = Kushanaabha’s daughters; devam = as god; sthaanaat cyaavayitum = to displace from your realm; samarthaaH = we are capable]; deva = oh god; tu = but we are; tapaH rakSaamaH = we are conserving [our] asceticism.

Verse 21

मा भूत्सकालो दुर्मेधः पितरं सत्यवादिनम् |
अवमन्य स्वधर्मेण स्वयंवरमुपास्महे || १-३२-२१

” ‘That time shall never come, oh, god with sordid thinking, when we, at our liberty, may look up for our grooms overlooking our veracious father.’ [1-32-21]

21. durmedhaH = evil minded one – god with sordid thinking; satyavaadinam = advocate of truth – veracious; pitaram = father; avamanya = disregarding – overlooking; svadharmeNa = at our liberty; svayamvaram upaasmahe = independently selecting groom, [at which time we] look up; saH kaalaH maa bhuut = that, time, not, to come.

Verse 22

पिता हि प्रभुरस्माकं दैवतं परमं च सः |
यस्य नो दास्यति पिता स नो भर्ता भविष्यति || १-३२-२२

” ‘Our father is indeed our lord and for us he is the ultimate god too. To whomever we are offered by our father in marriage he alone becomes our husband.’ So said hundred girls to Air-god. [1-32-22]

22. asmaakam = for us; pitaa prabhuH hi = father [alone is,] lord, indeed; saH paramam daivatam ca = he [alone,] ultimate, god, also; pitaa = father; naH yasya daasyati = us, to whom [he] gives; saH naH bhartaa bhaviSyati = he [alone,] becomes our husband.

Verse 23

तासां तु वचनं श्रुत्वा हरिः परमकोपनः |
प्रविश्य सर्वगात्राणि बभंज भगवान् प्रभुः || १-३२-२३

On hearing their sentence of rejection, Vayu, the Air-god whose impact is powerful, very angrily entered into all of the limbs of those girls only to disfigure them. [1-32-23]

23. taasaam tu vacanam shrutvaa = but on hearing their sentence ; bhagavaan prabhuH = god, who has high impact; hariH [vaayuH] paramakopanaH = Air god, very angrily; sarvagaatraaNi pravishya = on entering all body-parts; babhanja = crooked [disfigured].

Verse 24

ताः कन्या वायुना भग्ना विविशुर्नृपतेर्गृहम् |
प्रविश्य च सुसंभ्रान्ताः सलज्जाः साश्रुलोचनाः || १-३२-२४

“Those girls whom Air-god disfigured in that way have entered palace-chambers of the king, but they have entered diffidently, embarrassedly, and tearfully. [1-32-24]

24. vaayunaa bhagnaaH = disfigured by Air-god; taaH kanyaaH = those, girls; nR^ipateH gR^iham vivishuH = entered king’s house [palace] ; susambhraantaaH = very highly diffident; salajjaaH = with embarrassment; saashrulocanaaH = with tears in eyes; pravishya = entered.

Verse 26

किमिदं कथ्यतां पुत्र्यः को धर्ममवमन्यते |
कुब्जाः केन कृताः सर्वा चेष्टन्त्यो नाभिभाषथ |
एवं राजा विनिःश्वस्य समाधिं संदधे ततः || १-३२-२६

26. putryaH = oh daughters; idam kim = what is this ; kaH dharmam avamanyate = who is not regarding probity; kathyataam = let it be said; sarvaaH kubjaaH = all of you, dwarfed [with hunchbacks, disfigured]; kena kR^itaaH = by whom, made; ceSTantyaH na abhibhaaSatha = you gesticulate, not saying; raajaa evam = king, this way [on saying]; tataH = then; viniHshvasya = sighed; samaadhim samdadhe = imposed upon himself rumination – remained silent for their reply.

” ‘Oh, daughters, what all is this? Who disregarded probity? Who disfigured you all? Let it be said! Why you gesticulate saying nothing.’ asking thus that king sighed and quietened down waiting for a reply.” Thus Sage Vishvamitra continued his narration. [1-32-26]

Verse 25

स च ता दयिता भग्नाः कन्याः परमशोभनाः |
दृष्ट्वा दीनास्तदा राजा संभ्रांत इदमब्रवीत् || १-३२-२५

“That king on seeing his dear and attractive daughters as disfigured and despondent girls he is highly perturbed and said this. [1-32-25]

25. saH raajaa = he, the king; tadaa = then; dayitaaH = dear ones; diinaaH = despondent ones; paramashobhanaaH = [once] very attractive ones; taaH kanyaaH = those, girls; bhagnaaH = disfigured; dR^iSTvaa = on seeing; sambhraantaH = he is highly perturbed; idam abraviit = said this.