Kurmastakadvyam

Author(s): Bhojdev Maharaj
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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Kūrmaśatakadvayam
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! 84. You alone, O female Tortoise, really delivered, offspring for by your
offspring all other females (lit. women) though they had offsprings were forcibly (hathāt=forcibly or suddenly) rendered barren women
(vandhyāḥ) ! 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 ? Neverthe-less (tāthāpi=even then, still, yet), none equal to you has been
born nor will be born ! 86. What is the use of doing hundreds of works ? What is the use of doing
those worthless (sära-rahita) works ? Let them do at least one single
work as the Tortoise did here ! 87. [This verse shows (gaps/missing portion or) lacunae in the second half
of this verse. The poet perhapswants to convey the idea that when a path is laid down by a path finder, anybody can easily undertake his
work.] 38. Birth in a very low caste ! As regards his form-figure-(rūpa), again
(puenah), [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.] 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 referece to bulls]. The Tortoise, even when dead, its shell supports or
carries the earth ! 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 (prstha) from below the bottom of the earth !
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 ! (Note: SEEŞ= 100 ].