The history of Udapana (ch36)

MAHABHARATA

CHAPTER 36
(GADAYUDDHA PARVA)-Continued

The history of Udapana

SYNOPSIS

Vaishampayana narrates the story of the great ascetic Trita, who once fell into a well near the Sarasvati River. Baladeva, the mighty hero, visited this sacred spot, offered wealth, performed rituals, and bathed joyfully. The tale reveals Trita's extraordinary penance and tragic fall into the well.

Trita and his two brothers, Ekata and Dwita, were renowned sages revered for their ascetic practices and devotion to righteousness. After their father Gautama's ascension to heaven, the brothers continued their father's teachings and gained great respect from other ascetics. However, it happened so that Ekata and Dwita, motivated by greed and fear, abandoned Trita, leaving him trapped in a well after being scared by a wolf. They selfishly took the sacrificial animals and left.

Trita, filled with despair, mentally performed a sacrificial ritual in the well, visualizing water, fire, and the Soma plant. His dedication was so immense that it reached the heavens, attracting the gods, including Brihaspati. The gods arrived to witness Trita's sacrifice and received offerings while trapped in the well. Pleased with his sacrifice, they granted him the boon of escaping the well, and the waters of Sarasvati rose, lifting him out.

Trita then returned to confront his two brothers, enraged by their betrayal. He cursed them to become dreadful wolves and to live as predators in the forest, their descendants transforming into other wild animals. The curse was swiftly fulfilled, and Ekata and Dwita were transformed into tigers, their fate sealed by their sinful actions.

Finally, having completed his rituals at the sacred Udapana, Baladeva continued his journey, leaving a legacy of devotion and justice.

CHAPTER 36

वैशम्पायन उवाच
तस्मान्नदीगतांचापि ह्युदपानं यशस्विनः।
त्रितस्य च महाराजजगामाथ हलायुधः ॥१॥

vaiśampāyana uvāca
tasmānnadīgatāṃ cāpi hyudapānaṃ yaśasvinaḥ |
tritasya ca mahārāja jagāmātha halāyudhaḥ || 1||

Vaishampayana said

Baladeva proceeded next to the tirtha Udapana on the Sarasvati, which had formerly been the habitation, O king, of the illustrious ascetic Trita.

तत्र दत्त्वा बहु द्रव्यंपूजयित्वा तथा द्विजान्।
उपस्पृश्य च तत्रैवप्रहृष्टो मुसलायुधः ॥ २ ॥

tatra dattvā bahu dravyaṃ pūjayitvā tathā dvijān |
upaspṛśya ca tatraiva prahṛṣṭo musalāyudhaḥ || 2 ||

Having distributed profuse wealth and worshipped the Brahmanas, the hero, having the plow for his weapon, bathed there and was filled with joy.

तत्र धर्मपरो भूत्वा त्रितःस सुमहातपाः ।
कूपे च वसतातेन सोमः पीतोमहात्मना ॥ ३॥

tatra dharmaparo bhūtvā tritaḥ sa sumahātapāḥ |
kūpe ca vasatā tena somaḥ pīto mahātmanā || 3 ||

Being devoted to righteousness, the great ascetic Tritha, filled with immense penance, fell into the well, where the noble soul drank Soma (divine nectar).

तत्र चैनं समुत्सृज्यभ्रातरौ जग्मतुर्गृहान् ।
ततस्तौ वै शशापाथत्रितो ब्राह्मणसत्तमः ॥४॥

tatra cainaṃ samutsṛjya bhrātarau jagmaturgṛhān |
tatastau vai śaśāpātha trito brāhmaṇasattamaḥ || 4||

There, his two brothers abandoned him and returned home. Then, the noble Brahmin Trita cursed them.

जनमेजय उवाच
उदपानं कथं ब्रह्मन्कथं च सुमहातपाः।
पतितः किं चसंत्यक्तो भ्रातृभ्यां द्विजसत्तम ॥५ ॥

janamejaya uvāca
udapānaṃ kathaṃ brahman kathaṃ ca sumahātapāḥ |
patitaḥ kiṃ ca saṃtyakto bhrātṛbhyāṃ dvijasattama || 5 ||

"What is the origin of Udapana? How did the great ascetic Trita fall into a well there? Why was that foremost of Brahmanas left into that well by his brothers?

कूपे कथं चहित्वैनं भ्रातुरौ जग्मुतुर्गृहान् ।
कथं च याजयामासपपौ सोमं त वै कथम्॥ ६ ॥
एतदाचक्ष्व मे ब्रह्मञ्श्रोतव्यंयदि मन्यसे ।

kūpe kathaṃ ca hitvainaṃ bhrāturau jagmuturgṛhān |
kathaṃ ca yājayāmāsa papau somaṃ ta vai katham || 6 ||
etadācakṣva me brahmañśrotavyaṃ yadi manyase |

How did they leave him in the well and return home? How did he perform the sacrifice, and how did he drink the Soma? Describe all this, O Brahmana, if you think I am worthy of listening to it.

वैशम्पायन उवाच
आसन् पूर्वयुगे राजन् मुनयोभ्रातरस्त्रयः ॥ ७॥
एकतश्च द्वितश्चैव त्रितश्चादित्य संनिभाः।

vaiśampāyana uvāca
āsan pūrvayuge rājan munayo bhrātarastrayaḥ || 7 ||
ekataśca dvitaścaiva tritaścāditya saṃnibhāḥ |

Vaishampayana said

In ancient times, O King, there were three brothers who were sages, Ekata, Dwita, and Trita, radiant like the sun.

सर्वे प्रजापतिसमाः प्रजावन्तस्तथैव च॥ ८ ॥
ब्रह्मलोकजिताःसर्वे तपसा ब्रह्मवादिनः।
तेषां तु तपसाप्रीतो नियमेन दमेनच ॥ ९ ॥

sarve prajāpatisamāḥ prajāvantastathaiva ca || 8 ||
brahmalokajitāḥ sarve tapasā brahmavādinaḥ |
teṣāṃ tu tapasā prīto niyamena damena ca || 9 ||

All of them were like the Prajapatis, possessing progeny, conquerors of Brahmaloka, ascetics, and followers of Brahma's teachings. Pleased by their penance, they adhered to rules, discipline, and self-control.

अभवद् गौतमो नित्यंपिता धर्मरतः सदा।
स तु दीर्घेणकालेन तेषां प्रीतिमवाप्यच ॥ १० ॥

abhavad gautamo nityaṃ pitā dharmarataḥ sadā |
sa tu dīrgheṇa kālena teṣāṃ prītimavāpya ca || 10 ||

For their penances, vows, and self-restraint, their father, the virtuous Gautama, became highly pleased with them.

जगाम् भगवान् स्थानमनुरूपमिवात्मन: ।
राजानस्तस्य ये ह्यासान्याज्या राजन् महात्मनः॥ ११॥

jagām bhagavān sthānamanurūpamivātmana: |
rājānastasya ye hyāsān yājyā rājan mahātmanaḥ || 11||

Exceptionally pleased with his sons, the worshipful Gautama finally left this world for a region fit for him after living a long life here.

ते सर्वे स्वर्गतेतस्मिंस्तस्य पुत्रानपूजयन् ।
तेषां तु कर्मणाराजंस्तथा चाध्ययनेन च ॥ १२ ॥

te sarve svargate tasmiṃstasya putrānapūjayan |
teṣāṃ tu karmaṇā rājaṃstathā cādhyayanena ca || 12 ||

Those kings, however, O king, who were the disciples of Gautama, continued to worship Gautama's sons after his ascension to heaven.

त्रितः स श्रेष्ठतांप्राप यथैवास्य पितातथा ।

tritaḥ sa śreṣṭhatāṃ prāpa yathaivāsya pitā tathā |

However, Trita, through his acts and Vedic studies, O king became the foremost, even like his father, Gautama.

तथा सर्वे महाभागमुनयः पुण्यलक्षणा ॥१३ ॥
अपूजयन् महाभागं यथास्य पितरंतथा ।

tathā sarve mahābhāga munayaḥ puṇyalakṣaṇā || 13 ||
apūjayan mahābhāgaṃ yathāsya pitaraṃ tathā |

Then, all the great and pious ascetics began to worship Trita as they had worshipped his father, Gautama, before him.

कदाचिद्धि ततो राजन्भ्रातरवेकतद्वितौ ।। १४।।
यज्ञार्थं चक्रतुश्चिन्तां तथा वित्तार्थमेवच।

kadāciddhi tato rājan bhrātaravekatadvitau || 14 ||
yajñārthaṃ cakratuścintāṃ tathā vittārthameva ca|

Once upon a time, the two brothers Ekata and Dwita considered celebrating a sacrifice and became anxious for wealth.

तयोर्बुद्धिःसमभवत् त्रितं गृह्यपरंतप ॥ १५ ॥
याज्यान् सर्वानुपादाय प्रतिगृह्य पशूंस्ततः।
सोमं पास्यामहे हृष्टाः प्राप्ययज्ञं महाफलम् ॥१६ ॥
चक्रुश्चैवं तथा राजन्भ्रातरस्त्रय एव च।

tayorbuddhiḥ samabhavat tritaṃ gṛhya paraṃtapa || 15 ||
yājyān sarvānupādāya pratigṛhya paśūṃstataḥ |
somaṃ pāsyāmahe hṛṣṭāḥ prāpya yajñaṃ mahāphalam || 16 ||
cakruścaivaṃ tathā rājan bhrātarastraya eva ca|

Between them arose the thought, O tormentor of enemies, to perform the sacrifice, they collected all the necessary materials and animals. They said joyfully, 'We shall drink Soma and attain the great fruits of the sacrifice.' Thus, the three brothers decided, O King.

तथा ते तुपरिक्रम्य याज्यान् सर्वान् पशून्प्रति ॥ १७ ॥
याजयित्वा ततो याज्याँल्लळवातु सुबहून पशून्।
याज्येन कर्मणा तेनप्रतिगृह्य विधानतः ॥ १८ ॥
प्राचीं दिशं महात्मानआज्गमुस्ते महर्षयः ।

tathā te tu parikramya yājyān sarvān paśūn prati || 17 ||
yājayitvā tato yājyāṁllaḻavā tu subahūna paśūn|
yājyena karmaṇā tena pratigṛhya vidhānataḥ || 18 ||
prācīṃ diśaṃ mahātmāna ājgamuste maharṣayaḥ |

Calling upon all their disciples for animals, helping them in their sacrifices, and receiving many animals as gifts for their priestly services, those high-souled and great Rishis came towards the east.

त्रितस्तेषांमहाराज पुरस्ताद् यातिहृष्टवत् ॥ १९॥
एकतश्च द्वितश्चैव पृष्टतः कालयन्पशून् ।

tritasteṣāṃ mahārāja purastād yāti hṛṣṭavat || 19 ||
ekataśca dvitaścaiva pṛṣṭataḥ kālayan paśūn |

Trita, O king, was cheerfully walking before them. Ekata and Dwita were in his rear, conducting the animals.

तयोश्चिन्ता समभवद् दृष्ट्वापशुगणं महत् ॥ २०॥
कथं च स्युरिमागाव आवाभ्यां हिविना त्रितम् ।

tayościntā samabhavad dṛṣṭvā paśugaṇaṃ mahat || 20||
kathaṃ ca syurimā gāva āvābhyāṃ hi vinā tritam |

Seeing that large herd of animals, they began to consider how they could appropriate that property without giving Trita a share.

तावन्योन्यं समाभाष्य एकतश्च द्वितश्चह ।। २१ ।
यदूचतुर्मिथःपापौ तन्निबोध जनेश्वर।

tāvanyonyaṃ samābhāṣya ekataśca dvitaśca ha || 21 |
yadūcaturmithaḥ pāpau tannibodha janeśvara |

Hear, O king, what those two sinful wretches, Ekata and Dwita, said to each other.

त्रितो यज्ञेषु कुशलस्त्रितो वेदेषुनिष्ठितः ॥ २२॥
अन्यास्तु बहुला गावस्त्रितःसमुपलप्स्यते ।

trito yajñeṣu kuśalastrito vedeṣu niṣṭhitaḥ || 22||
anyāstu bahulā gāvastritaḥ samupalapsyate |

They said, "Trita is a clever priest. Trita is well-read in the Vedas. Trita is capable of earning many other kine.

तदावां सहितौ भूत्वागाः प्रकाल्य व्रजावहे॥ २३ ॥
त्रितोऽपि गच्छतां कममावभ्यां वैविना कृतः ।

tadāvāṃ sahitau bhūtvā gāḥ prakālya vrajāvahe || 23 ||
trito'pi gacchatāṃ kamamāvabhyāṃ vai vinā kṛtaḥ |

Let us two, therefore, go away, taking the kine with us. Let Trita go wherever he likes without being in our company."

तेषामागच्छतांरात्रौ पथिस्थानां वृकोऽभवत्॥ २४ ॥
तत्र कूपोऽविदूरेऽभूत् सरस्वत्यास्तटे महान्।

teṣāmāgacchatāṃ rātrau pathisthānāṃ vṛko'bhavat || 24 ||
tatra kūpo'vidūre'bhūt sarasvatyāstaṭe mahān|

On their way, during the night, a wolf appeared on the path. Nearby was a well on the great bank of the Sarasvati River.

अद्य त्रितो वृकंदृष्ट्वा पथि तिष्ठन्तमग्रतः॥ २५ ॥
तद्भयादपसर्पन्वै तस्मिन् कूपेपपात ह ।

adya trito vṛkaṃ dṛṣṭvā pathi tiṣṭhantamagrataḥ || 25 ||
tadbhayādapasarpan vai tasmin kūpe papāta ha |

Trita, who was going in front, saw the wolf, ran in fear, and fell into that well.

अगाधे सुमहाघोरे सर्वभूतभयंकरे ॥२६ ॥
त्रितस्ततो महाराज कूपस्थोमुनिसत्तमः ।

agādhe sumahāghore sarvabhūtabhayaṃkare || 26 ||
tritastato mahārāja kūpastho munisattamaḥ |

That hole was deep, terrible, and capable of terrifying all creatures. Then Trita, O king, that best of ascetics, from within that hole, began to bewail.

आर्तनाद ततश्चक्रे तौ तु शुश्रुवतुर्मुनी ॥ २७ ॥
तं ज्ञात्वा पतितं कूपे भ्रातरावेकतद्वितौ।
वृकत्रासाच लोभाच्च समुत्सृज्य प्रजग्मतुः ॥ २८ ॥

ārtanāda tataścakre tau tu śuśruvaturmunī || 27 ||
taṃ jñātvā patitaṃ kūpe bhrātarāvekatadvitau|
vṛkatrāsāca lobhācca samutsṛjya prajagmatuḥ || 28 ||

Upon hearing the loud cry, the two brothers, Ekata and Dwita, realized their brother had fallen into the well. They abandoned him out of fear of the wolf and greed and quickly left.

भ्रातृभ्यां पशुलुब्धाभ्यामुत्सृष्टः स महातपाः ।
उदपाने तदा राजन् निर्जले पांसुसंवृते ॥ २९ ॥
त्रित आत्मानमालक्ष्य कूपे वीरुतृणावृते ।

bhrātṛbhyāṃ paśulubdhābhyāmutsṛṣṭaḥ sa mahātapāḥ |
udapāne tadā rājan nirjale pāṃsusaṃvṛte || 29 ||
trita ātmānamālakṣya kūpe vīrutṛṇāvṛte |

Thus, he was left behind by his two brothers, who were tempted to appropriate those animals, the great ascetic Trita, O king, while they were within that lonely pit covered with dust.

निमग्नं भरतश्रेष्ट नरके दुष्कृती यथा ॥ ३० ॥
स बुद्ध्यागणयत् प्राज्ञो मृत्योर्भीतो ह्यसोमपः ।

nimagnaṃ bharataśreṣṭa narake duṣkṛtī yathā || 30 ||
sa buddhyāgaṇayat prājño mṛtyorbhīto hyasomapaḥ |

O best of the Bharatas, just as a sinner sinks into hell, the wise one, afraid of death, considered his fate, for he had not drunk Soma.

सोमः कथं तु पातव्य इहस्थेन मया भवेत् ॥ ३१ ॥
स एवमभिनिश्चित्य तस्मिन् कूपे महातपाः ।

somaḥ kathaṃ tu pātavya ihasthena mayā bhavet || 31 ||
sa evamabhiniścitya tasmin kūpe mahātapāḥ |

How could someone drink Soma by being here like I am? Is it possible? Thinking so, the great ascetic became determined.

ददर्श वीरुधं तत्र लम्बमानां यदृच्छया ॥ ३२॥

dadarśa vīrudhaṃ tatra lambamānāṃ yadṛcchayā || 32||

While thinking thus, the tremendous ascetic, standing in that pit, beheld a creeper hanging down into it.

पांग्रस्ते ततः कूपे विचन्त्य सलिलं मुनिः ।

अग्नीन् संकल्पयामास होतॄनात्मानमेव च॥ ३३ ॥

pāṃgraste tataḥ kūpe vicantya salilaṃ muniḥ |
agnīn saṃkalpayāmāsa hotṝnātmānameva ca|| 33 ||

Although the pit was dry, the sage perceived the existence of water and sacrificial fires there, imagining himself the sacrificial priest.

ततस्तां वीरुधं सोमं संकल्प्य सुमहातपाः ।
ऋचो यजूंषि सामानि मनसा चिन्तयन् मुनिः ॥ ३४ ॥

tatastāṃ vīrudhaṃ somaṃ saṃkalpya sumahātapāḥ |
ṛco yajūṃṣi sāmāni manasā cintayan muniḥ || 34 ||

Then, contemplating the Soma plant, the great ascetic, with his mind focused, meditated on the hymns of the Rig, Yajur, and Sama Vedas.

ग्रावाणः शर्कराः कृत्वा प्रचक्रेऽभिषवं नृप ।
आज्यं च सलिलं चक्रे भागांश्च त्रिदिवौकसाम् ॥ ३५ ॥

grāvāṇaḥ śarkarāḥ kṛtvā pracakre'bhiṣavaṃ nṛpa |
ājyaṃ ca salilaṃ cakre bhāgāṃśca tridivaukasām || 35 ||

Trita converted pebbles lying there into sugar grains (in imagination). He, then, O king, (mentally) performed his ablutions. He took the water for the clarified butter.

ससोमस्याभिषवं कृत्वा चकार विपुल ध्वनिम् ।
चाविशद् दिवं राजन् पुनः शब्दस्त्रितस्य वै ॥ ३६॥
समवाप्य च तं यज्ञ यथोक्तं ब्रह्मावादिभिः ।

sasomasyābhiṣavaṃ kṛtvā cakāra vipula dhvanim |
cāviśad divaṃ rājan punaḥ śabdastritasya vai || 36||
samavāpya ca taṃ yajña yathoktaṃ brahmāvādibhiḥ |

He distributed their respective shares (of those sacrificial offerings) amongst the celestials. Having next mentally drunk Soma, he began to make a great noise. Those sounds, O king, first uttered by the sacrificing Rishi, entered into heaven, and Trita performed that sacrifice after the manner laid down by Brahmavadins.

वर्तमाने महायज्ञे त्रितस्य सुमहात्मनः ।। ३७ ।।
आविग्नं त्रिदिवं सर्वं कारणं च न बुद्ध्यते ।
ततः सुतुमुलं शब्दं शुश्रावाथ बृहस्पतिः ॥ ३८ ॥

vartamāne mahāyajñe tritasya sumahātmanaḥ || 37 ||
āvignaṃ tridivaṃ sarvaṃ kāraṇaṃ ca na buddhyate |
tataḥ sutumulaṃ śabdaṃ śuśrāvātha bṛhaspatiḥ || 38 ||

During the celebration of the great Trita's sacrifice, the entire region of the celestials was agitated. None knew the cause, however. Brihaspati heard that loud noise.

या चैवाब्रवीत सर्वान् देवान् देवपुरोहितः ।
त्रितस्य वर्तते यज्ञस्तत्र गच्छामहे सुराः ॥ ३९ ॥

yā caivābravīta sarvān devān devapurohitaḥ |
tritasya vartate yajñastatra gacchāmahe surāḥ || 39 ||

The priest of the celestials said to them:- "Trita is performing a sacrifice. We must go there, you celestials.

स हि क्रुद्धः सृजेदन्यान् देवानपि महातपाः ।
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य सहिताः सर्वदेवताः ॥ ४० ॥

sa hi kruddhaḥ sṛjedanyān devānapi mahātapāḥ |
tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya sahitāḥ sarvadevatāḥ || 40 ||

He is gifted with great ascetic merit. If willing, he can create other celestials."

प्रययुस्तत्र यत्रासौ त्रितयज्ञः प्रवर्तते ।
ते तत्र गत्वा विबुधास्तं कूपं यत्र स त्रितः ॥४१॥

prayayustatra yatrāsau tritayajñaḥ pravartate |
te tatra gatvā vibudhāstaṃ kūpaṃ yatra sa tritaḥ ||41||

They went there, where yagya was performed. Having arrived at that place, the wise beings approached the well where Trita was.

ददृशुस्तं महात्मानं दीक्षितं यज्ञकर्मसु ।
दृष्ट्वा चैनं महात्मानं श्रिया परमया युतम् ॥ ४२ ॥

dadṛśustaṃ mahātmānaṃ dīkṣitaṃ yajñakarmasu |
dṛṣṭvā cainaṃ mahātmānaṃ śriyā paramayā yutam || 42 ||

Having proceeded to that spot, the gods beheld the great ascetic performing his sacrifice.

ऊचुश्चैनं महाभागं प्राप्ता भागार्थिनो वयम् ।
अथाब्रवीदृषिर्देवान् पश्यध्वं मां दिवौकसः ॥ ४३ ॥

ūcuścainaṃ mahābhāgaṃ prāptā bhāgārthino vayam |
athābravīdṛṣirdevān paśyadhvaṃ māṃ divaukasaḥ || 43 ||

Beholding that tremendous beautiful ascetic, the gods addressed him, saying - "We have come for our shares (in your offerings).

अस्मिन् प्रतिभये कूपे निमग्नं नष्टचेतसम् ।
ततस्त्रितो महाराज भागांस्तेषां यथाविधि ॥ ४४॥

asmin pratibhaye kūpe nimagnaṃ naṣṭacetasam |
tatastrito mahārāja bhāgāṃsteṣāṃ yathāvidhi || 44||

The Rishi said to them - "Behold me, you denizens of heaven, fallen into this terrible pit almost deprived of my senses.'

मन्त्रयुक्तान् समददत् ते च प्रीतास्तदाभवन् ।

mantrayuktān samadadat te ca prītāstadābhavan |

Then Trita, O monarch, duly allotted their shares with proper mantras to them. The gods took them and were incredibly delighted. Having duly received their respective shares, the denizens of heaven, pleased with him, granted him the boons he wanted.

ततो यथाविधि प्राप्तान् भागान् प्राप्य दिवौकसः ॥ ४५॥
प्रीतात्मानो ददुस्तस्मै वरान् यान् मनसेच्छति ।

tato yathāvidhi prāptān bhāgān prāpya divaukasaḥ || 45||
prītātmāno dadustasmai varān yān manasecchati |

The boon, however, that he prayed for was that the gods should relieve him from his painful condition.

स तु वव्रे वरं देवांस्त्रातुमर्हथ मामितः ॥ ४६ ॥
यश्चेहोपस्पृशेत् कूपे स सोमपगतिं लभेत्।

sa tu vavre varaṃ devāṃstrātumarhatha māmitaḥ || 46 ||
yaścehopaspṛśet kūpe sa somapagatiṃ labhet|

He also said, "Let him that bathes in this well achieve the end attained by persons that have drunk Soma.'

तत्र चोर्मिमती राजन्नुत्पपात सरस्वती ॥ ४७ ॥
तयोत्क्षिप्तः समुत्तस्थौ पूजयंस्त्रिदिवौकसः ।

tatra cormimatī rājannutpapāta sarasvatī || 47 ||
tayotkṣiptaḥ samuttasthau pūjayaṃstridivaukasaḥ |

Thereat, O king, the Sarasvati with her waves, appeared within that well. Raised above by her, Trita came up and worshipped the celestials.

तथेति चोक्त्वा विबुधा जग्मू राजन् यथागताः ॥ ४८ ॥
त्रितश्चाभ्यागमत् प्रीतः स्वमेव निलयं तदा ।

tatheti coktvā vibudhā jagmū rājan yathāgatāḥ || 48 ||
tritaścābhyāgamat prītaḥ svameva nilayaṃ tadā |

The gods said to him - "Be it as you wish." Then, O king, all of them returned to their respective habitations, and Trita, filled with joy, proceeded to his abode.

क्रुद्धस्तु स समासाद्य तावृषी भ्रातरौ तदा ॥ ४९ ॥
उवाच परुषं वाक्यं शशाप च महातपाः ।

kruddhastu sa samāsādya tāvṛṣī bhrātarau tadā || 49 ||
uvāca paruṣaṃ vākyaṃ śaśāpa ca mahātapāḥ |

Meeting with those two Rishi brothers, he became enraged with them. Endued with ascetic merit, he spoke harshly to them and cursed them, saying.

पशुलुब्धौ युवां यस्मान्मामुत्सृज्य प्रधावितौ ॥ ५० ॥
तस्माद् वृकाकृती रौद्रौ दंष्ट्रिणावभितश्च ।
भवितारौ मया शप्तौ पापेनानेन कर्मणा ॥ ५१||

paśulubdhau yuvāṃ yasmānmāmutsṛjya pradhāvitau || 50 ||
tasmād vṛkākṛtī raudrau daṃṣṭriṇāvabhitaśca |
bhavitārau mayā śaptau pāpenānena karmaṇā || 51||

Acting by selfishness, you ran away, leaving me. Therefore, you shall become dreadful wolves with sharp teeth and range the forest I cursed because of your sinful act.

प्रसवश्चैव युवयोर्गोलाङ्गलर्क्षवानराः ।
इत्युक्तेन तदा तेन क्षणादेव विशाम्पते ॥ ५२ ॥
तथाभूतावदृश्येतां वचनात् सत्यवादिनः।

prasavaścaiva yuvayorgolāṅgalarkṣavānarāḥ |
ityuktena tadā tena kṣaṇādeva viśāmpate || 52 ||
tathābhūtāvadṛśyetāṃ vacanāt satyavādinaḥ|

Your offspring will also be leopards and bears and apes!' After Trita had said these words, O monarch and his two brothers were soon transformed into tigers because of the curse of that truthful sage.

तत्राप्यमितविक्रान्तः स्पृष्ट्वा तोयं हलायुधः ॥ ५३ ॥
दत्त्वा च विविधान् दायान् पूजयित्वा च वै द्विजान् ।
उदपानं च तं वीक्ष्य प्रशस्य च पुनः पुनः ॥ ५४ ॥

tatrāpyamitavikrāntaḥ spṛṣṭvā toyaṃ halāyudhaḥ || 53 ||
dattvā ca vividhān dāyān pūjayitvā ca vai dvijān |
udapānaṃ ca taṃ vīkṣya praśasya ca punaḥ punaḥ || 54 ||

The mighty Baladeva touched the waters of Udapana, gave away various wealth there, and worshipped many Brahmanas.

नदीगतमदीनात्मा प्राप्तो विनशनं तदा ॥ ५५ ॥

nadīgatamadīnātmā prāpto vinaśanaṃ tadā || 55 ||

Beholding Upadana and praising it repeatedly, Baladeva proceeded to Vinashana, also on the Sarasvati.