Yoga Vasistha

जगाम तत्र यत्रासौ विश्वामित्रो महामुनिः । ददर्श मुनिशार्दूलं द्वारभूमाव् अधिष्ठितम्

He went to the place where the great sage Viśvāmitra was, and saw that tiger among sages standing on the threshold.

केनापि कारणेनोर्वीतलम् अर्कम् इवागतम् । ब्राह्मेण तेजसाक्रान्तं क्षात्रेण च महौजसा

For some reason, he had come to the earth like the sun, filled with Brahminical brilliance and the mighty energy of a warrior.

जराजरढया नित्यं तपःप्रसररूक्षया । जटावल्ल्या वृतस्कन्धं ससन्ध्याभ्रम् इवाचलम्

His shoulders were encircled by matted locks, always rough from the intensity of ascetic practice and aged by time, resembling a mountain wreathed in twilight clouds.

उपशान्तं च कान्तं च दीप्तम् अप्रतिघं तथा । निभृतं चोर्जिताकारं दधानं भास्वरं वपुः

He was tranquil and handsome, radiant and unimpeded, composed and majestic in form, bearing a resplendent body.

पेशलेनातिभीमेन प्रसन्नेनाकुलेन च । गम्भीरेणातिपूर्णेन तेजसा रञ्जितप्रजम्

With a gracious yet awe-inspiring, serene yet intense presence, and a profound, overflowing brilliance that inspired the people.

अनन्तजीवितदशासखीम् एकाम् अनिन्दिताम् । धारयन्तं करे श्लक्ष्णां वीणाम् अम्लानमानसम्

Holding in his hand a smooth lute, his mind unwithering, he was accompanied by the one blameless friend—endless duration of life.

करुणाक्रान्तचेतस्त्वात् प्रसन्नमधुरेक्षितैः । ईक्षणैर् अमृतेनेव संसिञ्चन्तम् इमाः प्रजाः

His heart overcome with compassion, with clear and gentle eyes he seemed to sprinkle these people with nectar by his very gaze.

सितासितततापाङ्गं धवलप्रोन्नतभ्रुवम् । आनन्दं च भयं चान्तः प्रयच्छन्तम् अवेक्षितुः

With glances both bright and dark, with shining, elevated brows, he bestowed both joy and fear within the hearts of those who beheld him.

मुनिम् आलोक्य भूपालो दूराद् एवानताकृतिः । प्रणनाम गलन्मौलिमणिमालितभूतलम्

Seeing the sage from afar, the king, his posture bowed, paid homage, his jeweled crown touching the earth.

मुनिर् अप्य् अवनेर् ईशं भास्वान् इव शतक्रतुम् । तत्राभिवादयां चक्रे मधुरोदारया गिरा

The sage, too, greeted the lord of the earth there, as the sun greets Indra, with words sweet and noble.

ततो वसिष्ठप्रमुखास् सर्व एव द्विजातयः । स्वागतादिक्रमेणैनं पूजयाम् आसुर् आदृताः

Then all the twice-born, led by Vasiṣṭha, honored him with due welcome and respect.

अशङ्कितोपनीतेन भास्वता दर्शनेन ते । साधो स्वनुगृहीतास् स्मो रविणेवाम्बुजाकराः

By your radiant and unhesitating presence, O noble one, we are blessed, just as lotuses are by the sun.

यद् अनादि यद् अक्षुब्धं यद् अपायविवर्जितम् । तद् आनन्दसुखं प्राप्ता अद्य त्वद्दर्शनान् मुने

That which is beginningless, undisturbed, and free from decline—that blissful happiness we have attained today by seeing you, O sage.

अद्य वर्तामहे नूनं धर्म्याणां धुरि धर्मतः । भवदागमनस्येमे यद् वयं लक्ष्यतां गताः

Surely today we have come to be regarded among the foremost of the righteous, for by virtue of righteousness, we have become the focus of your arrival.

एवं प्रकथयन्तो ऽत्र राजानो ऽथ महर्षयः । आसनेषु सभास्थानम् आस्थाय समुपाविशन्

Thus conversing among themselves, the kings and the great sages then took their seats in the assembly hall.

स दृष्ट्वा ज्वलितं लक्ष्म्या भीतस् तम् ऋषिम् आगतम् । प्रहृष्टवदनो राजा स्वयम् अर्घ्यं न्यवेदयत्

Seeing that sage arrive, radiant with splendor and somewhat fearful, the king, his face beaming with delight, personally offered him the welcoming water.

स राज्ञः प्रतिगृह्यार्घ्यं शास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा । प्रदक्षिणं प्रकुर्वन्तं राजानं पर्यपूजयत्

He accepted the welcoming water from the king, performing the ritual as prescribed in the scriptures, and then honored the king as he circumambulated him.

स राज्ञा पूजितस् तेन प्रहृष्टवदनस् तदा । कुशलं चाप्ययं चैव पर्यपृच्छन् नराधिपम्

Having been honored by the king, the sage, his face bright with joy, then inquired after the king’s welfare and security.

वसिष्ठेन समागम्य प्रहस्य मुनिपुङ्गवः । यथार्हं चार्चयित्वैनं पप्रच्छानामयं ततः

Having met with Vasiṣṭha, the foremost among sages, and having greeted him with a smile and honored him as appropriate, he then asked after his well-being.

क्षणं यथार्हम् अन्योऽन्यं पूजयित्वा समेत्य च । ते सर्वे हृष्टमनसो महाराजनिवेशने

After mutually honoring each other as was fitting, and gathering together for a moment, they all, with joyful hearts, entered the royal palace.

यथोचितासनगता मिथस् संवृद्धतेजसः । परस्परेण पप्रच्छुस् सर्वे ऽनामयम् आदरात्

Seated upon their respective seats, their brilliance mutually enhanced, they all respectfully inquired after each other's welfare.

उपविष्टाय तस्मै स विश्वामित्राय धीमते । पाद्यम् अर्घ्यं च गाश् चैव भूयो भूयो न्यवेदयत्

To that wise Viśvāmitra, who had taken his seat, he offered water for washing the feet, water for welcoming, and cows, again and again.

अर्चयित्वा च विधिवद् विश्वामित्रम् अभाषत । प्राञ्जलिः प्रयतो वाक्यम् इदं प्रीतमना नृपः

Having duly honored Viśvāmitra, the king, with joined palms and a pure heart, joyfully spoke these words.

यथामृतस्य सम्प्राप्तिर् यथा वर्षम् अवर्षके । यथान्धस्येक्षणप्राप्तिर् भवदागमनं तथा

Just as the arrival of nectar, as rain in a drought, or as sight to the blind, so is your coming here.

यथेष्टधनसम्पर्कः पुत्रजन्माप्रजावतः । स्वप्नदृष्टार्थलाभश् च भवदागमनं तथा

Just as the gain of desired wealth, the birth of a son to the childless, or obtaining in waking what was seen in a dream, so is your arrival.

यथेप्सितेन संयोग इष्टस्यागमनं यथा । प्रणष्टस्य यथा लाभो भवदागमनं तथा

Just as union with what is wished for, the arrival of a beloved one, or the recovery of what was lost, so is your coming here.

यथा हर्षो नभोगत्या मृतस्य पुनर् आगमात् । तथा त्वदागमाद् ब्रह्मन् स्वागतं ते महामुने

Just as joy arises from ascending to the sky, or from the return of one thought dead, so, O Brahman, is my welcome to you, great sage, at your arrival.

ब्रह्मलोकनिवासो हि कस्य न प्रीतिम् आवहेत् । मुने तवागमस् तद्वत् सत्यम् एव ब्रवीमि ते

For who would not feel delight at the presence of one dwelling in Brahmaloka? O sage, your arrival is just so; I speak the truth to you.

कश् च ते परमः कामः किं च ते करवाण्य् अहम् । पात्रभूतो ऽसि मे विप्र प्राप्तः परमधार्मिकः

What is your highest wish, and what shall I do for you? You are worthy of honor to me, O Brahmin, and you have come, supremely righteous.