The Avanikūrmaśataka from Dhār

Avanikūrmaśatakam (provisional Sanskrit chāyā & English Translation)

Verse 1

oṃ namaḥ śivāya || icchayaiva yasya bhuvanaṃ dhṛtam ekayā asamaśaktyā | upanayatu sa sukhāni yuṣmākaṃ pārvatīnāthaḥ || 1 ||

Oṃ namaḥ Śivāya. May Śiva, the Lord of Pārvatī, confer on you happiness (welfare, prosperity) — that Śiva by whose will and supreme unequalled power the world (the earth) is supported.

Verse 2

sa kūrmo vo rakṣatu kanakādrikaḍāradehavistāraḥ | yo jaraṭhabhuvanavallīkandacchāyāṃ samudvahati || 2 ||

May that Tortoise, the vast expanse of whose body is tawny like the golden mountain (Meru) and who resembles the bulbous root of the Creeper of the old (ancient) world, protect you!

Verse 3

yasya bhaṇitena bhuvanaṃ kūrmapramukhā api dhārayanti imām | so ‘kalitasvarūpaḥ śaśicūḍo dadātu saukhyāni || 3 ||

May that Śiva (śaśicūda, who wears the moon as crest-jewel) whose nature is incomprehensible, and at whose word the Chief Tortoise and others support this world (earth) confer happiness (bliss) on you!

Verse 4

kamaṭhakuṭumbe vipule ‘pi prasavitrī paśyatātra sā ekā | bhuvanabharasyāpi pṛṣṭhī yasyā jātena oḍḍāpitā (arpitā) || 4 ||

Although the family of Tortoises was so very large, look! that one (and only one) was born here on earth who bore (lit. carried) the burden (or weight) of the earth on its back!

Verse 5

kūrmeṇa ko nu sadṛśo vināpi kāryeṇa yenaikena | yathā nijasukhasya pṛṣṭhī tathā dattā bhuvanabhārasya || 5 ||

Who indeed can match that Tortoise, who by himself without any motive whatever turned his back on his own happiness (simply ignored his personal well-being) and in that manner (tathā) bore the burden of the (whole) world (earth) on his back?

Verse 6

ekaiva sā dhanyā madhye mahilānāṃ prasavitrī kamaṭhī | atidurvaho ‘pyūḍho bhuvanabharo yasyā jātena || 6 ||

That female Tortoise alone among females is indeed blessed, who gave birth to a male offspring that bore the (whole) burden of the earth, although extremely difficult to bear.

Verse 7

kamaṭhakule ke na bhūtā ātmāpi khalu durvahaḥ paraṃ teṣām | aviralaṃ bhuvanabhara udūḍhas tena ekena || 7 ||

In the family of Tortoises who were not born? But for them even their own self was hard to bear! That Tortoise, however, alone bore the burden of the earth quietly (without argument or murmur) (avirolam).

Verse 8

kamaṭhakule jātānāṃ saṅkhyāṃ kaḥ śṛṇoti kiṃ tu sa ekaḥ | ājanma bhuvanabhara udūḍho yena ekena || 8 ||

Who knows the number of Tortoises born in the family of Tortoises? (Innumerable Tortoises indeed were born!) Among them he alone was indeed born who alone since (or from) birth bore the burden of the earth!

Verse 9

yaḥ kathaṃ vā parigṛhīto bhāraḥ kūrmeṇa paśyata tasya gatim | jīvitena samaṃ paśyata pramuktaḥ pralayaparyante || 9 ||

Look, how indeed the Tortoise bore the (unbearable) burden (of the earth)! Look at his [extremely slow] gait! That burden he laid down along with his life at the time of universal destruction (pralaya—the final end of the Universe).

Verse 10

pātāle majjad bhuvanam skandhaṃ dattvoddhṛtam | tena kamaṭhena sadṛśo na ca jāto naiva janiṣyate || 10 ||

The Tortoise supported and lifted up the earth which was sinking into the la (nethermost region under the earth). None else like that Tortoise was ever born, nor will be born hereafter (in future).

Verse 11

nijasukhakārye janma yeṣāṃ saṅkhyām api teṣāṃ ko jānāti | parakāryaikaraśīlaḥ kamaṭhakuṭumbe paraṃ dṛṣṭaḥ || 11 ||

Does anyone know the number of persons (—their number is infinite) who are born only to seek their own happiness? Have you seen any other Tortoise born in the family of Tortoises, solely devoted to doing good to others?

Verse 12

dhanyāsi kacchapi tvaṃ madhye mahilānāṃ prasavitrī tvam asi | viśrāmo ‘pi jāto yasyā jātasya na khalu bhuvane || 12 ||

Blessed are you, O female Tortoise, among females on this earth who gave birth to the offspring who does not find rest (even for a second since its birth).

Verse 13

ye ‘pi khalu dhārayanti dharaṇīṃ tair api samaṃ dhāryate sāpi | itīdṛśavyavasāyaḥ kūrma evātrotpannaḥ || 13 ||

Those who support the earth, along with them she (earth) too is supported. With such a determination the Tortoise alone is born here on the earth.

Verse 14

yadi janmāpi khalu jāyate tadā jāyatāṃ kamaṭha tava sadṛk | paropakāraphalaḥ paryantaṃ yāvad yaḥ prāptaḥ || 14 ||

If one has to take birth let that birth be, O Tortoise, like yours—the birth which to the last breath is exclusively devoted to doing good to others.

Verse 15

nijajātīyasadṛśaṃ caritaṃ nirvartate ‘tra puruṣāṇām | nijaparajātiviruddhaṃ dṛśyate ekasya kūrmasya || 15 ||

The behaviour of people here is just similar to their class-species. The behaviour of the Tortoise alone is dissimilar to that of its own or other species!

Verse 16

nijaprasavasya garvam ekaiva kamaṭhinī samudvahatu | yasyās tanayasya sadṛśo na ca jāto naiva janiṣyate || 16 ||

Let the female Tortoise alone be proud of her/its offspring-child since no other child similar to her child has been born nor will be born in future too!

Verse 17

adyāvadhi aniṣṭo dvitīyo bhuvane ‘pi naivotpannaḥ | ekalayugena bhuvanaṃ kūrma eka eva vahati || 17 ||

We searched to this day [but alas!] we did not find anyone equal to him in the whole world. The ‘one-yoked’ Tortoise quite alone carries the burden of the earth (the world). [Note: ‘one-yoked’ (ekkalajua=ekayuga), i.e., quite alone].

Verse 18

sa evohyate bhāro dvitīyaḥ skandhaṃ na yasya oḍḍayati | kūrmaḥ anyena samaṃ paśyata yadi bhāram udvahatha || 18 ||

He alone (really speaking) carries the burden which another’s shoulder (skandha) does not carry. You see whether the Tortoise carries the burden like any other person (—that is, the Tortoise is simply incomparable in carrying the huge burden of the earth).

Verse 19

sa evohyate bhāro ‘nyair yāti yo na parikalayitum | anyena samaṃ ūḍho ‘pi khalu sa anirūḍhaḥ || 19 ||

He alone, in fact, carries the burden which is not understood as such by others. If the burden is carried out like an ordinary person even if it is completely carried out, it is as good as not carried.

Verse 20

jātir daivāyattā caritaṃ punar bhavati puruṣasvādhīnam | adhyavasāyaṃ paśyata kīdṛśakaḥ sa khalu kūrmasya || 20 ||

Birth is dependent on fate but good ideas depend on man. As regards determination or perseverence (adhyavasaya) see! how commendable is the determination of the Tortoise!

Verse 21

re daiva tvaṃ viḍambayasva puruṣaḥ kiṃ yāti tava viḍambayitum | kūrmaḥ kṛtaḥ kathaṃ tvayā tasyāpi caritāni kathaṃ paśya || 21 ||

O Fate, you ridicule—mock at—human effort (puruṣa, here must be understood as puruṣakāra = human effort). What do you lose in ridiculing (human effort)? See, how you have fashioned the Tortoise and how are his deeds!

Verse 22

kūrmeṇa dharā dhṛtā loko jalpati nātha ityeva vrīḍitaḥ | aṅgāni aṅgeṣu nijakāni paśyata nihnute || 22 ||

The Tortoise supported the ‘sinking’ earth. [With reference to this feat] people say: It (the Tortoise) is, as it were, ashamed! [For] it conceals its limbs within its shell! [Note: nāi (Apabhraṃśa) is used to convey the sense of iva (utprekṣārthe)].

Verse 23

parikalayituṃ na śakyate adhyavasāyaḥ khalvatra puruṣāṇām | kūrmasya tat khalu rūpaṃ vyavasāyaḥ sa khalu punas tasya || 23 ||

It is not possible to know the determination of people here on earth. In the case of the Tortoise, however, its form is the same as well as its determination remains the same forever!

Verse 24

caṅkramaṇavirahitānāṃ nidarśanaṃ vyavasitasya sa eva | paśyata kamaṭhe dve api paryantaṃ yāvat prāpte || 24 ||

The Tortoise serves as a standard of comparison – is an instance of comparison for persons who are extremely slow in walking or moving about and for a firm determination. In the Tortoise, look! We find that both these qualities are ever present (lit. till the Universal destruction).

Verse 25

upamānaṃ kathaṃ labhyatāṃ paśyata kūrmasyāsamacaritasya | na ca jāto na ca dṛśyate na ca bhaviṣyati yasya sadṛk || 25 ||

Look! How can one find a comparison for the Tortoise of unequalled (matchless, unsurpassed) behaviour? For none like him was born (before in the past), is seen (today) nor will be born (in future).

Verse 26

anyena manasā tvayā kūrmo hatadaiva so ‘pi nirmitaḥ | apahastayitvā tad api khalu caritaṃ tasyānyathā jātam || 26 ||

With a different intention, O luckless Fate, you created that Tortoise! But contrary to it its behaviour turned to be altogether different!

Verse 27

ākāraḥ sa racito ‘nacaṅkramaṇaṃ ca daiva tad dattam | kūrmasya vyavasitena sakalaṃ tava mastake patitam || 27 ||

The form (āyāra, Skt. ākāra) or way of living (āyāra: ācāra) was fixed and O Fate, you assigned to it a very slow gait! But by the sheer determination of the Tortoise ‘everything fell on your head’! i.e. you got all the blame!

Verse 28

parikalayituṃ na śakyate adhyavasāyaḥ khalvatra puruṣāṇām | kūrmeṇa tat khalu kalitaṃ hṛdaye ‘pi khalu yan na sammāti || 28 ||

It is not possible for any one to divine–to discover by guessing–the determination (adhyavasaya) of other people. This Tortoise, however, knew [even] the determination which was not contained even in the minds of others.

Verse 29

kūrmo vahati bhuvanaṃ dhruvaṃ hi bhuvanasyopari karoṣi | hatadaiva sādhucaritaṃ pūjyatāṃ kiṃ bhaṇyate ‘nyat || 29 ||

The Tortoise bears the earth (on its back). But O accursed (or wretched) Fate, you put the Pole Star (Dhruva) above the earth! You should have honoured proper (or right-sadhu) behaviour or conduct (carita)! What else can we say? (=What else can be said?).

Verse 30

ākāro jātir vā vyavasāye kāraṇaṃ na paśyāmaḥ | munikacchapān nibhālayata vyavasāyaṃ teṣāṃ paśyata || 30 ||

We do not see that good behaviour (or right conduct) or birth is the cause (deciding factor) of one’s determination (or resolution). Look at a muni (sage, holy man) and the Tortoise (kacchapa) and see their determination.

Verse 31

saukhyaṃ tyaktvā nijaṃ bhuvanabharasyāpi oḍḍitas tathā skandhaḥ | re sādhu sādhu kacchapa anyad vaḍatvanaṃ (mahattvaṃ) labdham || 31 ||

Sacrificing one’s own happiness you are bearing in that indescribable manner the burden of the world (the earth), O Tortoise, well done, well done (very nice bravo)! You have achieved unique greatness [anyad mahattvam (Skt.)]!

Verse 32

durjanajanaḥ khalu jalpati pṛṣṭhī kūrmeṇa oḍḍitā bhāre | etad api khalu tena kṛtaṃ dvitīyena bhaṇa yadi bhaṇasi || 32 ||

A wicked person says [derisively]: the Tortoise has carried the burden (of the earth) on its back! Even this is done by telling us, tell us if any one else has done it. [Of course none else has done this feat.]

Verse 33

durjanajanaḥ khalu jalpati pṛṣṭhī kūrmeṇa oḍḍitā bhāre | pṛṣṭhī api khalu oḍḍīyate etan nirvartate kūrmasya || 33 ||

A wicked person says [scornfully] that the Tortoise is carrying the burden [of the earth] on its back! This (statement) makes it clear that even the back of the Tortoise carries the burden (of the) earth.

Verse 34

nijasukhakārye sarva iha vyavasyati taṃ khalu kamaṭha tena vinā | cintayadbhir api kacchapa na jñātas (ānītas) tavābhiprāyaḥ || 34 ||

Here (in this world) everyone strives to secure one’s own happiness. You alone, O Tortoise, strive without any such motive (or purpose). Even after thinking (for a long time), O Tortoise we do not know (we cannot fathom) what your motive could be.

Verse 35

riktaṃ bhuvanakaṭitram āste rekhābhir varjitaṃ paśyata | mahattvasya rekhā ekā kamaṭhasya tatra param || 35 ||

The surface (kaṭitram) of the earth is blank, devoid of lines (rekhās) drawn to indicate greatness (of eminent personages). But look! there is only one single line indicating the greatness of the Tortoise.

Verse 36

vidhinā tādṛśaka eva no vihito dharatu kenānyena | iti kūrmeṇa pṛṣṭhī oḍḍāpitā bhuvanabhārasya || 36 ||

The creator created the weighty earth, lo behold! without any support whatsoever! Who also would support it? None else can possibly support it—with this thought the Tortoise supported it on its back.

Verse 37

bhavadbhir avayavaiḥ pṛṣṭhīm oḍḍayati yadi na tat sādhu | tair vināpi pṛṣṭhiṃ kūrma oḍḍayati bhuvanabharasya || 37 ||

When limbs (avayavas) are there, it would have been very nice if the back were not to carry the burden! The Tortoise even without them carries (the burden of) the earth.

Verse 38

kenāpi yo na dṛṣṭaḥ kṣuṇṇo na kadāpi atra suṣṭhu navaḥ | paropakaraṇe mārgaḥ prathamaḥ kūrmeṇa nirmitaḥ || 38 ||

A truly new path of doing good to others, which was not seen by anybody (before) and which was never before cut (? khunna) here on earth, was for the first time made by the Tortoise.

Verse 39

re kūrma tvaṃ hi jāto ‘nyair mudhā kim atra jātaiḥ | yasya samarpitabhāraṃ sukhair bhuvanam api nivasati || 39 ||

That you, O Tortoise, were born, was [good]. What is the use of others who are born in vain? By entrusting the burden of the earth to you the people live happily.

Verse 40

adhyavasitaṃ khalu tad eva yan na khalu kadāpi ko ‘py anusariṣyati | tat kūrme eva sthitam itarā itara eva varākāḥ || 40 ||

That indeed is a real resolver of determination (adhyavasaya) which nobody else would ever follow or pursue. It stops…stands still (thakka sthita) with the Tortoise itself. Others remain others only, poor creatures!

Verse 41

nijakārye yeṣāṃ tanus teṣāṃ saṅkhyām apy atra ko jānātu | jīvitam api khalu parakārye yasya punaḥ sa khalu kamaṭhapatiḥ || 41 ||

Who would know the correct number of beings here on earth whose bodies (tanu), are intent on accomplishing it, it is the leader of the Tortoises only, whose not only body but soul also is intent on doing good to others.

Verse 42

saṅkhyārahitā jātā bhuvane ‘nye ‘pi tvam api tathā kūrma | bhaṅgyā punar bhedo ‘nya eva yuṣmākaṃ nirvṛttaḥ || 42 ||

Others too, whose number is countless, are born in this world. You too, Tortoise, are born like them. But the way you act-behave—distinguishes you from all others.

Verse 43

āstāṃ bhuvanodvahanaṃ hṛdayenāpi tan na yāti cintayitum | tad api khalu kamaṭhena kṛtaṃ gurūṇāṃ gatir asāmānyā || 43 ||

Set the supporting (or carrying) of the earth aside; it is not possible even to think of it in one’s mind. Even that inconceivable thing the Tortoise has done. The course (of conduct or behaviour) of the great is extraordinary!

Verse 44

pṛṣṭhyā oḍḍāpane lokaḥ cuhucuhāyate kamaṭharājasya | bhārasya durvahattvaṃ bhagno na khalu jānāti kīdṛśam || 44 ||

The people applaud the carrying or supporting the earth (on its back) by the Chief of Tortoises. Of what sort is the difficultness or heaviness of the burden? The Tortoise is never known to have his back fractured or broken!

Verse 45

ke ke nātra jātā ke na khalu bhavantaḥ kṣaṇe tasminn api janāḥ | muktvā kamaṭharājaṃ bhaṇa bhuvanaṃ kenoddhṛtam || 45 ||

Were not many (great) people born here (on the earth)? Are not many born at the same time (with the Tortoise Chief)? Excepting the Chief of Tortoises, tell me, who else has carried the burden of the earth (or supported the earth) (on its back)?

Verse 46

śvāsena yasya bhuvanaṃ sakalam ucchvasiti kamaṭharājasya | kas tena bhavatu sadṛśo jāto jananyāḥ sa eva || 46 ||

The whole world breathes with the breathing of the chief of the Tortoises. Who can equal him? He alone (the chief of the Tortoises alone) was (really speaking) born of his mother!

Verse 47

bahavo ‘py atra jātās tais api khalu kim api kim apy atra kṛtam | bhuvanoddharaṇasamartha eka eva kacchapaḥ || 47 ||

Many were born here (on this earth) They too, each one according to his might, did a little (kimapi, a little, somewhat) here (in this world). There was (however) born one and only one Tortoise who was able to support the earth!

Verse 48

ke ke nātra jātāś caritācāraiḥ santi teṣāṃ samāḥ | kacchapa sadṛkchāyena na ca jāto naiva janiṣyate || 48 ||

Many, many illustrious men have been born here. Today we have their equals in respect of their life histories (carita) and (good) conduct. But none is born today who can equal the Tortoise, nor will be born in future.

Verse 49

susthaṃ bhuvanam api kṛtaṃ śaṅkā dharaṇyās tathā samuddhṛtā | kiṃ kiṃ na kiṃ na vihitaṃ kūrma tvayā atra jātena || 49 ||

You made, O Tortoise, the world firm (steady) so also (tathā), you removed the fear (misgivings, śaṅkā) of the earth. What, what is all that you did not do? (That is you did everything) [for the good of the world-the people)!

Verse 50

khedaḥ kukṣyabhyadhiko bhārodvahane vibhāti kūrmasya | gurūṇāṃ vyavasitānāṃ ko madhyaṃ jñātuṃ tarati || 50 ||

In carrying the burden of the earth the Tortoise experiences more fatigue than happiness, it seems! Who is able (‘tarai’ = śaknoti in Sanskrit) to know the (mysterious) inward reason or motive (majjha=madhya [Skt.]) of the undertakings (vyavasita) of the great?

Verse 51

bhuvanabharodvahanenāpy anyat saukhyaṃ vibhāti kamaṭhasya | yad rocate tat sukhaṃ anyā khalu gatir na saukhyasya || 51 ||

The Tortoise finds an altogether different pleasure (satisfaction) even in carrying the burden of the earth (on its back). What is liked by one (as in the present case, bhuvanabharodvahana) gives him pleasure (when being done.) There is no other meaning (gati, means course) of the term saukhya (pleasure)!

Verse 52

parivartamāne kāle ke ke khalu kṣaṇā nātrotpannāḥ | sa khalu kṣaṇa eka eva yasmin kūrmaḥ samutpannaḥ || 52 ||

Have not countless auspicious moments arisen with the continuing movement of Time? That one moment alone, was, however, really auspicious when the Tortoise was born.

Verse 53

dhanyāsi kacchapi tvaṃ dhanyo jāto ‘pi tava sa ekaḥ | tathā vidhure yena tathā jagataḥ śaktiḥ samutproñchitā || 53 ||

You are indeed fortunate, O female Tortoise, and blessed indeed is that one Tortoise alone that was born of you! When the world (or earth) was in distress in that manner (tathā) who (that incomparable Tortoise) has wiped off, i.e. has removed in that (indescribable) way the distress (by supporting it on its back).

Verse 54

upakāro gaṇitānāṃ yo ‘pi khalu so ‘pi khalu karoti iha loke | bhuvanabharasyāpy upakṛtaṃ kūrmeṇa paraṃ khalv ekena || 54 ||

Whatever is to be done to the meritorious in this world he indeed does it. But it is the Tortoise alone who has done good to the whole world!

Verse 55

jātaḥ sa evocyate janma saphalaṃ khalu tasyaikasya | yasya sadṛśo bhuvane na ca jāto naiva janiṣyate || 55 ||

He alone is said to be really born and only his life (janma) is said to be successful, the like of whom was not born (earlier) nor will be born in future!

Verse 56

janmaphalo khalu janma yo jāyate bhavatu bhavatu kiṃ tena | paropakaraṇasya kṛte yo janma sa khalu phalajanmā || 56 ||

That life (lit. birth) (of a person) is said to be successful or fruitful; let it be so; but what is its use (to others)? When one is born for doing good to others, his life is indeed successful.

Verse 57

udarabharaṇasya kārye ye jātās te mṛtāḥ khalu tasmin kṣaṇe | paropakaraṇasya kṛte yeṣāṃ janma khalu te dhanyāḥ || 57 ||

Those who are born only to feed their own belly, are, in fact, dead at that moment itself. Blessed indeed are they who devote their life to doing good to others.

Verse 58

kamaṭhapatiḥ tvaṃ asi jāto jātair apy atra kim artham anyaiḥ | tat kim api yena vihitaṃ anyeṣāṃ manasi na yan māti || 58 ||

O chief of Tortoises, you [alone] are really born. What is the use of others (simply) being born here on earth? That is something that you do-you show by example the true path whereby others are not born again here in this world.

Verse 59

kamaṭhapatiḥ kiṃ bhaṇyatāṃ dhanyaṃ janma khalu tavaikasya | paropakaraṇasya kṛte ātmā yena tathā kṣapitaḥ || 59 ||

What can be said, O Chief of Tortoises, the birth (life) of you alone is blessed! (or) Your birth alone is fruitful (successful)! You who, in that indescribable manner, spent your whole life given as it is – devoted as it is to doing good to others!

Verse 60

nijopakaraṇasya kṛte sakalo vastūnām ādaraṃ karoti | paropakaraṇam ātmā kūrma tvayaiva iha vihitaḥ || 60 ||

One and all (everyone) care (cares) for (worldly) things with a view to serving their own interests. You alone O Tortoise, gave your self (devoted entirely your own self to do good to others).

Verse 61

kadāpi yo na dṛṣṭo na ca niśruto naiva anubhavaṃ prāptaḥ | sa mārgaḥ prathamaṃ eva karmaṇā (kūrmeṇa) atra kalpitaḥ || 61 ||

That path, which was never seen before, was never heard of before, nor was ever directly perceived-experienced-was for the first time, found (discovered or shown) by you alone.

Verse 62

jātaḥ kūrma tvam eva anyair mudhā kim atra jātaiḥ | pātāle majjad bhuvanam api khalu yenoddhṛtam || 62 ||

You alone, O Tortoise, are really born! What is the use of others who are (merely) born here on earth to no purpose, in vain (mudhā). For it was you who saved the earth-the world-that was sinking down in the nether world (pātāla) by supporting it on your back!

Verse 63

ke ke nātra jātās teṣāṃ mārgo ‘py eṣa na khalu sphuritaḥ | paropakaraṇodyata ekaḥ kūrmaḥ khalu niṣpannaḥ || 63 ||

How many great (eminent) men were not born here on earth! This path, however, did not strike to any one of them. It is the Tortoise alone who indeed was born giving instruction for doing good to others.

Verse 64

paropakaraṇe vartman prathamaṃ kūrmeṇātra kāḍhitā (kṛṣṭā) | gurubhiḥ kṛtā mārgāḥ paścāt sukhena gamyante || 64 ||

It was the Tortoise who, for the first time, discovered here the path of doing good to others. The paths are first shown-discovered by the great. Later other people follow them happily, joyfully (sukhena, at ease, comfortably).

Verse 65

dantikiṭipannagair dekhāvekkhyā (spardhayā) dhāritā dharaṇī | caṅkramaṇamanomārge nivṛttam atra kūrmasya || 65 ||

The elephant (dig-gaja or dantin-one of the eight elephants said to guard and preside over the eight cardinal points). kiri (=Varāha, a boar, name of Viṣṇu in the third or Boar incarnation) and the serpent (pannaga, Śeṣa, a celebrated serpent, said to have one thousand hoods and represented as forming the couch of Viṣṇu or supporting the entire world on his head), in order that it may be seen (dekkhavekkhie = Skt. darśanāpekṣayā) supported the earth (or world). Moving about where there was no path, fell to the lot of the Tortoise.

Verse 66

anacaṅkramaṇā itare prathamo vyavasāyinām iha karma | yena racite khalu mārge vartman itareṣāṃ saṃpannā || 66 ||

Here (on this earth) it was the Tortoise who was the first among those who made any move (who moved about) (Vyavasayins). Others then did not move (at all) as there was no path (caṅkramaṇam amārge?). He first made the path which provided a path (vartman) for others to follow!

Verse 67

anacalitānāṃ prathamo vidhinā kūrmaḥ khalv atra nirmitaḥ | vyavasāyināṃ prathamaḥ sa eva paśyata kathaṃ jātaḥ || 67 ||

The Creator created here (on this earth) the Tortoise among those who did not move (at all). See! how he became the first among those who moved about (vyavasāyins-vyavasāyikas) here (on earth)!

Verse 68

dhanyāsi kacchapi tvaṃ dhanyā jātir api yuşmākaṃ niṣpannā | yasyā jātena kṛtaṃ tat kim api na yāti yad bhaṇitum || 68 ||

Blessed are you, O female Tortoise (kacchapi)! Indeed blessed became your offspring who immediately after birth did something which is indescribable — beyond description (his unique feat of bearing the burden of the earth.)

Verse 69

re dharata dharām uddharata tribhuvanaṃ prakaṭayata tathā śaktim | dekhāvekkhyā kṛtaṃ kiṭipramukhāḥ ko nopahasati || 69 ||

You support, O Tortoise, the earth. You save the three worlds and manifest your (divine) power in that manner! Who does not ridicule the Boar (Kiri) and others who support the earth in order that their deeds may be noticed (dekkhāvekkṃe=darśanāpekṣayā Pischel)?

Verse 70

kūrmo dhārayati bhuvanaṃ tvayā samaṃ kathaṃ tvam asi dhruvaṃ kathaya | lajjase na visphuran athavā ayaśasāṃ kathaṃ lajjā || 70 ||

The Tortoise along with you O Dhruva! supports the world. Why are you alone called Dhruva (O Pole Star!) tell us. You do not feel ashamed shinning brightly in the sky! Or rather, how can the stark naked feel ashamed?

Verse 71

anamārgeṇa api calantaḥ dhanyāḥ prāpnuvanti ke ‘pi gurutvam | anamārgacalitena api kūrmeṇa kathaṃ yaśaḥ prāptam || 71 ||

Some fortunate ones, moving about where there was no path, attain greatness. See! how the Tortoise who moved about where there was no path attained fame!

Verse 72

anukūlena vidhinā dhruvaṃ tvaṃ jāteṣu upari bhuvanabharasya | kūrmeṇa vyavasitaiḥ sarve yūyaṃ tale vihitāḥ || 72 ||

On account of favourable fate, O Dhruva, you of all the beings attained a position at the top of the world! But the Tortoise floored you all by its determination (vyavasita).

Verse 73

kacchapi tvaṃ prasūtā anyāḥ prasavitryo bandhyāḥ | yasyās tanayena tulitaṃ trailokyaṃ dvitīyanirapekṣam || 73 ||

O female Tortoise (kacchapi) you alone really speaking gave birth to an offspring! Other females although they delivered offspring are really speaking barren! For your offspring alone without any support from others has been carrying-bearing-the (heavy burden of) the three worlds!

Verse 74

yadi bhāro ‘pi khalu uhyate tadā uhyate atra kūrmabhāgasamaḥ | ekalayugena ūḍho yena sadā dvitīyanirapekṣaḥ || 74 ||

If a burden is really to be carried, then let it be of the size of the burden that the Tortoise carries! Since he (the Tortoise) all alone, without expecting help from others has been for ever carrying the (exceptionally heavy) burden of the (entire) earth.

Verse 75

kāryeṇa atra upari yo jāyate sa khalu tatra dhruvaṃ satyam | upariṣṭhito ‘pi hetuḥ yo vyavasāyena pramuktaḥ || 75 ||

By achieving the task (assigned) one who reaches the top, really attains a permanent/stable position/place, O Dhruva! One although is elevated to the top without any achievement to his credit is regarded as fallen down below from that elevated [position].

Verse 76

tvaṃ kūrma atra jātas tvayā jītaṃ tvam asi atra re dhanyaḥ | dvitīyadhuriṇena skandho yasya na kenāpy uddhṛtaḥ || 76 ||

You are, O Tortoise, born here (on earth), you are victorious, you are blessed/fortunate here (on earth) (you) “Whose shoulder has not been freed from the burden by a second one able to bear a burden.”

Verse 77

bandhyāḥ prasavitryo ‘pi sakalā api atra anyamahilāḥ | vihitāḥ kacchapena anyad bhaṇituṃ na sammāti || 77 ||

All other females (women), although they have delivered offspring, are rendered barren by the Tortoise. It is not possible to describe the situation otherwise!

Verse 78

anye vahanti bhāraṃ vinā na dvitīyena te khalu kadāpi | ekalayugena bhāram ekaḥ kūrma eva vahati || 78 ||

Others carry a burden, but never do they carry it without the help of another dhurya (a beast of burden like a bullock or a horse). Only the Tortoise carries the burden (of the earth) on his shoulder all alone.

Verse 79

dṛṣṭvā kamaṭharūpaṃ janma udvijate ātmano ‘pi iha | dṛṣṭvā vyavasitāni tasya punar adhikam udvijate || 79 ||

Seeing the form or figure of the Tortoise we (lit. our own life here) feel [dejected]. Seeing his unique feat of carrying the heavy burden of the earth (dṛṣtvā vyavasitāni) we feel all the more dejected!

Verse 80

janmavināśayoḥ kṛte yo janma sa khalu kasya na khalu atra | janmaphalaṃ punar janma jātam ekasya kūrmasya || 80 ||

Who does not take birth here-birth which ends in death? Only in the case of the unique Tortoise, however, the birth has been really fruitful (lit. birth which yields its fruit)!

Verse 81

dvitīyena vinā ūḍhaṃ yad ūḍhaṃ tat khalv atra satyamayam | anyamukhaṃ dṛṣṭvā yad uhyate tat khalu yātu drahe (garte) || 81 ||

What is carried without the help of another quite all alone is true-real-here (satyamaya). Whatever is carried with another’s help (lit. looking at another’s face [for help]), let it go to hell (lit. hrda a deep hole or cavity)!

Verse 82

caṅkramitaṃ tad ucyate yena mārge ‘pi darśite itarāḥ | na śaknuvanti padaṃ dātuṃ mārge yathā kamaṭhanirmite || 82 ||

That is called caṅkramita (=camkramaṇa) moving about or going about [where there was no path] if the rest of the people others — (itarāḥ) — are not able to set their foot on the path shown, for instance, by the Tortoise.

Verse 83

dharaṇidharaṇe hṛdayaṃ yeṣāṃ jātaṃ khalu taiḥ samayam api | udūḍho bhuvanabharaḥ paśyata ekena kūrmeṇa || 83 ||

They all simultaneously thought of supporting the earth/world. But see! only the Tortoise all alone supported the (heavy) burden of the earth/the world!

Verse 84

kamaṭhini tvaṃ asi prasūtā yasyā jātena sakalamahilāḥ | bhavadbhir api prasavair bandhyā api haṭhena vihitāḥ || 84 ||

You alone, O female Tortoise, really delivered, offspring for by your offspring all other females (lit. women) though they had offsprings were forcibly (haṭhāt=forcibly or suddenly) rendered barren women (vandhyāḥ)!

Verse 85

ke ke nātra jātāḥ ke na khalv āsan ke na bhaviṣyanti | tathāpi tava kūrmatulyo na ca jāto naiva janiṣyate || 85 ||

Were not countless born here (on this earth) in the past? Are not many born in the present? Will not many be born in the future too? Never-the-less (tathāpi=even then, still, yet), none equal to you has been born nor will be born!

Verse 86

kāryaśataiḥ kṛtair api kiṃ taiḥ kṛtaiḥ sārarahitaiḥ | ekam api khalu tat kriyate yathā vihitam atra kūrmeṇa || 86 ||

What is the use of doing hundreds of works? What is the use of doing those worthless (sāra-rahita) works? Let them do at least one single work as the Tortoise did here!

Verse 87

dṛḍhe mārge yo ‘pi khalu so ‘pi khalu prakaṭayati nijavyavasāyam | kenāpi khalu ca sthāyī … kūrma eva pravṛttaḥ || 87 ||

[This verse shows (gaps/missing portion or) lacunae in the second half of this verse. The poet perhaps wants to convey the idea that when a path is laid down by a path finder, anybody can easily undertake his journey.]

Verse 88

jātir atiśayahīnā rūpaṃ punar vaktum api na khalu yāti | kūrmeṇa vyavasitais tathāpi khalu laghūkṛtā pṛthvī || 88 ||

Birth in a very low caste! As regards his form-figure — (rūpa), again (punaḥ), [it is so unpleasing, repulsive that] it defies description — it is not possible to speak about it. Even then [one will have to admit that] the Tortoise by his unique feat has rendered the earth diminutive (has surpassed all the people on the earth)! by his unique heroic feat [of supporting the earth.]

Verse 89

dhavalānāṃ gatir eṣā mṛtā api na muñcanti paśyata dhavalatvam | kūrmasya mṛtasyāpi karparam api bhuvanaṃ samudvahati || 89 ||

This is the nature (gati) of the excellent ones (lit. of the excellent bulls). Look! even in (or after) death they do not give up their nature (with excellent men), do not give up their whiteness (dhavalatva) [with reference to bulls]. The Tortoise, even when dead, its shell supports or carries the earth!

Verse 90

gurūṇāṃ gatir eṣā ante ‘pi muñcanti naivātmānam | kūrmo mṛto ‘pi pṛṣṭhīṃ na khalu karṣati katham vā dharaṇyāḥ || 90 ||

This is the nature (gati) of the great (the good). Even at the time of death they do not abandon their own nature (lit. self). The Tortoise although dead, on no account withdraws its shell (pṛṣṭha) from below the bottom of the earth!

Verse 91

udūḍho bhuvanabharaḥ sukhitā dharaṇī kṛtā janena samam | asmin tair api yad rocate bhavatu tat kūrme || 91 ||

The burden of the earth was carried; the earth along with the people was made happy. Now along with them (the people) whatever you like may it happen, in the case of the Tortoise along with them!

Verse 92

udūḍho ‘nyair api bhāro dharaṇyāḥ kiṃ tu militaiḥ | ekalayugasya ghaṭanā ślāghyā api kūrmasyotpannā || 92 ||

Others too carried the heavy burden of the earth but unitedly. [Note : the meaning of the second half is not clear and is obscure.] It possibly wants to say: Although the Tortoise was ‘one-yoked’ (is quite alone) it carried the earth on its back.

Verse 93

śeṣakiṭikūrmadiggajapramukhāṇāṃ nibhālayata vyavasitaṃ lokāḥ | ātmā parasya kārye ājanma yais tathā kṣapitaḥ || 93 ||

Look at the performance (vyavasita — determination, performance), O men, of the Serpent Śeṣa (who supports the earth on his hoods), the Boar, kiri (in the third incarnation of Viṣṇu who raised up the earth which was dragged to the bottom of the sea by the demon Hiraṇiyākṣa), the diggaja one of the eight elephants said to guard and preside over the eight cardinal points. [diggaja, quarter elephant] etc. who exerted themselves for the sake of others right from their birth.

Verse 94

kiṭiśeṣakamaṭhadiggajapramukhāṇāṃ nibhālayata vyavasitaṃ lokāḥ | tyaktvā nijasukham ātmā yais tathā kṣapitaḥ || 94 ||

Look, O men, at the performance of the Boar (kiri), the Serpent Śeṣa, the Tortoise the Diggaja [the quarter elephant-one of the eight elephants, said to guard and preside over the eight cardinal points, etc.] (lit. headed by, having as chief or at the head — pramukha–) who, sacrificing their own happiness spend their own life in that manner.

Verse 95

kūrmeṇa kim atra vihitaṃ lokaḥ ślāghate lokabhaṇitena | yena saśeṣā pṛthvī ūḍhā na khalu paśyata niḥśeṣā || 95 ||

What has the Tortoise done here, on account of which the people at large praise him in the popular maxim ‘who supported the whole earth (niḥśeṣa) with the Serpent Śeṣa (saśeṣa)’ — in ‘saśeṣa’ the Serpent Śeṣa is meant and nīśeṣa (Skt. niḥśeṣā qualifying the earth — niḥśeṣa meaning complete, without any remainder (śeṣa) and (ii) without Śeṣa.)

Verse 96

lokānāṃ kūrmasya ca janma janmaphalaṃ vibhāti mahat | kāryeṇa punar dvayor api viparītam antaraṃ gurukam || 96 ||

The birth of the Tortoise attaining its ‘fruit’ appears to the people a great event (mahat?) As regards their success, however, there is great difference between the two (the Tortoise and Dhruva) [The meaning of this verse is uncertain doubtful]

Verse 97

viracayatu dhurāṃ daivo bhuvanabharasyāpy upari tathāpi balāt | nijacaritaiḥ paśyata kūrma eva upari jātaḥ || 97 ||

Let Fate place Dhruva (Pole Star) at the top of the world! However, it was Kūrma (Tortoise) only look, by his actions or deeds secured a still higher, position at the top. [Note: The word ‘bala’ — Skt. ‘balat’ — means ‘perforce’, ‘forcibly’ ‘violently’] against his will? [Here ‘forcibly’ does not suit the context.]

Verse 98

yadi janmaiva labhyate tadā labhyatāṃ kamaṭha janmasadṛk | aphalena anyena labdhena vā bhavatu na khalu kāryam || 98 ||

If a birth be inevitable, let it be like that of the Tortoise. If another birth is to be ‘fruitless’ (unsuccessful), of what use is it? (What is the use of it?)

Verse 99

re kamaṭha tava gotre ke na bhūtāḥ ke na santi bhaviṣyanti | satyena punar bhaṇāmas tava sadṛśas tvañceti || 99 ||

In your family, O Tortoise, who were not born? (Many were born.) who are not born? (many are born) and who will not be born? (Many will be born). To tell the truth, you alone are like your ownself! (you are like yourself! In other words you are incomparable).

Verse 100

sa kamaṭha eva jāto jātair api kiṃ janair anyaiḥ | janmanaḥ kim api sadṛśaṃ jīvadbhir na yaiḥ kṛtam || 100 ||

Oh! the Tortoise alone is truly born! What is the use of other people who are born? – Who in their whole life did nothing befitting their birth?

Verse 101

yadi janmaiva labhyate tadā labhyatāṃ kamaṭhajanmasadṛk | labdhena vā anyena na khalu kāryaṃ tena na khalu kāryam || 101 ||

If a birth be inevitable, let it be like that of the Tortoise. It is no use getting another. It is indeed no use with such a birth!

Verse 102

prasavacchalena garbhāḥ srutāḥ sakalānām atra mahilānām | satyamayaḥ punaḥ prasavo jātaḥ kamaṭhasya jananyāḥ || 102 ||

What all other women here have had, under the guise of delivery, are really miscarriages! To tell the truth (satyena), the mother of the Tortoise, however, had a real normal delivery!

Verse 103

itarāsāṃ prasavitrīnām api garbhāḥ srutāḥ khalu sakalamahilānām | satyena prasavitrī punar ekaiva kamaṭha tava jananī || 103 ||

All other women who delivered had (in fact) miscarriages! Your mother alone, O Tortoise, had a real-natural-delivery!

Verse 104

anyāḥ prasavitryo ‘pi naiva prasūtās tāsāṃ garbhacyutiḥ | jātā satyaprasavā ekaiva kamaṭhinī bhuvane || 104 ||

Other women, although they delivered had no ‘real’ delivery! They had miscarriages! In the whole world only one female Tortoise had a true/real delivery!

Verse 105

bhuvanatale ‘pi yāvan na jātaḥ sadṛśas tat kiṃ karotu sa varākaḥ | eka eva vahati bharaṃ kūrmo dvitīyam aprāpnuvan || 105 ||

So long as his (this Tortoise’s) equal is not born in the whole world, what can this poor Tortoise do? Not finding his equal he, all alone, carries the heavy burden (of the earth).

Verse 106

ekaladhurīṇaḥ sa eva bhāreṇa samaṃ api atra yo dvitīyam | udvahati paśyata bhāram anyo ‘nyaṃ ūḍhaṃ bhaṇitamātreṇa || 106 ||

Here he (this Tortoise) alone is the one and only one who bears the burden (of the earth). The other one who bears the burden, look! bears it only by his speech/words.

Verse 107

kūrmasyāpi viśrāmo dattaḥ ekena bhojarājena | hṛtvā vairāśāṃ kūrmaśataṃ viracayatā || 107 ||

“Even to the Tortoise rest has been granted by king Bhoja alone. By him this Kūrmaśataka has been composed after he had taken away all hope from the enemies.”

Verse 108

gāthāśataṃ na etat gāthānāṃ śataiḥ kevalaiḥ kṛtam | śatavāram ekaikāṃ paṭhati jano yena tena śatam || 108 ||

This poem is not a century of verses. It is composed of only centuries of gāthās (verses). Men recite a hundred times these gāthās (verses) one by one. That is why it is called a ‘Century.’

Verse 109

etāni śatāni tvayā gāthānāṃ śatair naiva racitāni | śatavāram āvṛttir yeṣām etānāṃ tena śate || 109 ||

There hundreds of gāthās have not been composed by your own self-since each of these gāthās is repeated a hundred times it is called gāthāśata (gāthāśataka).

Colophon

iti mahārājādhirājaparameśvaraśrībhojadeva viracitam avanikūrmaśatam || maṅgalaṃ mahāśrīḥ ||

Here ends Avaṇikūrmasatam composed by Mahārājādhirāja Parameśvara Śrī Bhojadeva.