CHAPTER – 66
MARKANDEYA said: – Hearing those female deer thus repulsed by the deer, Swarochi began to feel himself even as a fallen being. (1) He, who was thus spoken of by the Chakravaka and the deer, and who was the subject of the disdainful speech of the deer, resolved, O thou most superior Muni, to forsake them (his wives). (2) But on being met by them again his desire grew, and the instructions for renunciation were thrown away and he enjoyed life with them for six hundred years. (3) But the charitable-minded Swarochi enjoyed objects of pleasure with them, while performing all religious duties, and without violating the injunctions of the Law. (4) Then were born of him – Swarochi, three sons, Vijaya, Merunanda, and Prabhava, of great strength. (5) Manorama, the daughter of Indivara, gave birth to Vijaya, and Vibhavari gave birth to Merunanda and Kalavati to Prabhava. (6) He, their father Swarochi, by power of that knowledge called Padmini which secures all objects of enjoyment, made for them three cities. (7) On the east, on the top of the mountain Kamarupa, the excellent city by name Vijaya, he gave to his son Vijaya. (8) On the north he made the city of Merunanda, known by the name of Nandavati, adorned with high table lands, and walls. (9) For the son of Kalavati, Prabhava, was built a city, called Tala situate on the Southern country – (Deccan). (10) That foremost among men, having in this way established the sons in three cities, roved about, O Brahmana, with them in pleasant lands. (11) Once that holder of the bow while walking about in the forest, seeing a boar running fast before him, drew his bow. (12) At that time some female deer coming near him said, repeatedly – “On me do thou send thy arrow, be gracious unto me. (13) What good wilt thou gain by killing this (boar) today? Soon kill me; the arrow discharged by thee shall deliver me from misery.” (14)
SWAROCHI said: – Thy body is not found to be full of disease by us. What then is that cause, for which thou desirest to kill thy life. (15)
THE DEER said: – My heart has made one, whose heart is attached to another person, its object. Without him, death is my remedy. What greater medicine is there?
SWAROCHI said: – Who is he who does not desire thee, O thou timid one, and to whom art thou moved by love, by not gaining whom thou art resolved to give up thy own life? (17)
THE DEER said: – May good befall thee, even thee I desire. By thee has my mind been carried away. Therefore I shall embrace death. Do thou discharge the arrow on me. (18)
SWAROCHI said: – O thou of lovely glance, we are of the form of men, and thou art a deer, how can there be any connection with thee of persons like ourselves. (19)
THE DEER said: – If thy heart is set on me, then do thou embrace me. If thy heart be good, I shall do whatever is desired by thee, and shall be most glorified. (20)
MARKANDEYA said: – Then Swarochi embraced that female deer; and embraced by him she at once became invested with a most bright and beautiful body. (21) He, then struck with wonder, said “who art thou?” She too told him (this) in accents stricken with loving modesty.
(22) “I am goddess of this forest, honoured by the gods. O thou high-souled one, Manu is to be produced on me by thee. (23) I say this to thee according to the instruction of the gods; do thou beget on me, who am full of love for thee, a son who shall be the ruler of this world.” (24)
MARKANDEYA said: – He then begat even at that moment on her a son, marked by all the auspicious marks, full of energy, and like unto himself. (25) As soon as he was born the musicians of the gods struck (pleasant) notes, and the lords of the Gandharvas began to sing, and the Apsaras began to dance. (26) The Rishis, and those whose wealth is their penance, and the gods showered flowers from all sides. (27) Seeing his effulgence his father himself made his name, – Dyutiman, because by his effulgence even all the quarters illumined. (28) That boy, named Dyutiman, full of great strength and prowess, because he was the son of Swarochi, therefore became Swarochisha. (29) He Swarochi, while walking about a pleasant mountain streamlet, saw a duck with his mate. (30) That duck said to the female duck who was repeatedly expressing her desire for him: – “Restrain thyself; long hast thou enjoyed with me. (31) What is the good of indulging in enjoyments at all periods of life? Thy last days are near. O thou rover on the water, the time has come when both thou and I should renounce (all pleasures). (32)
The Female Duck said: – What time is there which is not fit for pleasure? The whole world is for enjoyment. Even the self-restrained Brahmanas perform sacrifices for the sake of the enjoyment. (33) And those, who have attained the power of discrimination, desirous of enjoyments both seen and unseen, perform works of charity and other meritorious works. (34) Why then dost thou not desire enjoyment? Enjoyment is the result of human exertions, – as much of those that have gained the power of discrimination and those that are self-restrained. Why then shall it not be good for birds and beasts? (35)
The Duck said: – The mind of those, whose heart is attached to pleasure, and who are eager for the association of friends, is rarely moved towards God. (36) Attached to sons, friends, wives, people’s minds languish, even like the elephant sinking in the slough of the lake. (37) Dost thou not see, good lady, that Swarochi, being overcome by attachment even from his boyhood being moved by desire, has sunk in the mire of worldly affection. (38) In youth exceedingly attached to his wives, now to his sons and grandsons, the mind of Swarochi is sunk (in the mire of this world) – how shall he find deliverance? (39) O thou who movest in water, I am not like Swarochi, subject to women. Presently I have attained to discrimination, and have withdrawn myself from enjoyments. (40)
MARKANDEYA said: – Hearing the speech of the bird, being uneasy and taking his wives he went to another forest for practising penance. (41) There the charitable-minded one, having performed most austere penances, and having repelled all sins, went to the most pure region. (42)