कथं प्रवर्षेत्पर्जन्य उपायः परिमृश्यताम्। तमूचुश्चोदितास्ते तु स्वमतानि मनीषिणः
'How might the clouds bring rain? Let a method be considered.' Thus urged, the wise men spoke their opinions.
तत्र त्वेको रमुनिवरस्तं राजानमुवाच ह। कुपितास्तव राजेन्द्र ब्राह्मणा निष्कृतिं चर
Then, among them, one eminent sage said to the king, 'O king of kings, the Brāhmaṇas are angry with you; perform atonement.'
ऋश्यशृङ्गं मुनिसुतमानयस्व च पार्थिव। ऐणेयमनभिज्ञं च नारीणामार्जवे रतम्
'Bring Ṛśyaśṛṅga, the sage’s son, O ruler, the one with antelope features, unacquainted with women, devoted to innocence.'
स चेदवतरेद्राजन्विषयं ते महातपाः। सद्यः प्रवर्षेत्पर्जन्य इति मे नास्ति संशयः
'If that great ascetic enters your realm, O King, the clouds will immediately bring rain—of this I have no doubt.'
एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचो राजन्कृत्वा निष्कृतिमात्मनः। स गत्वा पुनरागच्छत्प्रसन्नेषु द्विजातिषु
Hearing these words, the king performed atonement for himself, and, having gone, returned once more when the Brāhmaṇas were appeased.
राजानमागतं ज्ञात्वा प्रतिसंजगृहुः प्रजाः। `स च ता प्रतिजग्राह पितेव हितकृत्सदा
When the people learned that the king had returned, they welcomed him; and he, in turn, accepted them, always acting for their welfare like a father.
ततोऽङ्गपतिराहूय सचिवान्मन्त्रकोविदान्। ऋश्यशृङ्गागमे यत्नमकरोन्मन्त्रनिश्चये
Then the lord of Anga summoned his ministers, skilled in counsel, and made every effort to determine the proper course upon the arrival of Rishyasringa.
सोऽध्यगच्छदुपायं तु तैरमात्यैः सहाच्युतः। शास्त्रज्ञैरलमर्थज्ञौर्नीत्यां च परिनिष्ठितैः
He, accompanied by those wise and accomplished ministers—versed in scripture, well-versed in matters, and firmly established in policy—found a means.
ततश्चानाययामास वारमुख्या महीपतिः। वेश्याः सर्वत्रनिष्णातास्ता उवाच स पार्थिवः
Afterwards, the king brought together the chief courtesans, all thoroughly skilled, and addressed them.
ऋश्यशृङ्गमृषेः पुत्रमानयध्वमुपायतः। लोभयित्वाऽभिविश्चास्य विषयं मम शोभनाः
Bring the son of the sage Rishyasringa here by some means; entice him, and show him the delights of my realm.
ता राजभयभीताश्च शापभीताश्च योषितः। अशक्यमूचुस्तत्कार्यं विषण्णा गतचेतसः
Those women, fearful of the king and of a curse, replied, disheartened and with troubled minds, that the task was impossible.
तत्र त्वेका जरद्योषा राजानमिदमब्रवीत्। प्रयतिष्ये महाराज तमानेतुं तपोधनम्
Then one aged woman spoke to the king: 'O great king, I will strive to bring that ascetic here.'
अभिप्रेतांस्तु मे कामांस्त्वमनुज्ञातुमर्हसि। ततः शक्ष्याम्यानयितुमृश्यशृङ्गमृषेः सुतम्
'You should grant me my desired wishes; then I will be able to bring the son of the sage Rishyasringa.'
तस्याः सर्वमभिप्रेतमन्वजानात्स पार्थिवः। धनं च प्रददौ भूरि रत्नानि विविधानि च
The king granted all her wishes and gave her abundant wealth and various jewels.
ततो रूपेण सपन्ना वयसा च महीपते। स्त्रिय आदाय काश्चित्सा जगाम वनमञ्जसा
Then, adorned with beauty and youth, she took some women and went straight to the forest.
सा तु नाव्याश्रमं चक्रे राजकार्यार्थसिद्धये। संदेशाच्चैव नृपतेः स्वबुद्ध्या चैव भारत
She constructed a boat hermitage for the accomplishment of the king's purpose, both by his instruction and by her own intelligence, O Bharata.
नानापुष्पफलैर्वृक्षैः कृत्रिमैरुपशोभितैः। नानागुल्मलतोपेतैः स्वादुकामफलप्रदैः
It was adorned with artificial trees bearing various flowers and fruits, surrounded by diverse shrubs and vines, yielding sweet and desirable fruits.
अतीव रमणीयं तदतीव च मनोहरम्। चक्रे नाव्याश्रमं रम्यमद्भुतोपमदेर्शनम्
That boat hermitage was exceedingly delightful and captivating, made beautiful and wondrous to behold.
ततो निवध्य सा नावमदूरे काश्यपाश्रमात्। चारयामास पुरुषैर्विहारं तस्य वै मुनेः
Then she anchored the boat not far from Kashyapa's hermitage and had her attendants create amusements for the sage.
ततो दुहितरं वेश्यां समाधायेतिकार्यताम्। दृष्ट्वाऽन्तरं काशय्पस्य प्राहिणोद्बुद्धिसंमताम्
Then, having instructed a courtesan to carry out the task, and perceiving an opportunity with Kashyapa, she sent the clever one.
सा तत्र गत्वा कुशला तपोनित्यस्य संनिधौ। आश्रमं तं समासाद्य ददर्श तमृषेः सुतम्
She, skilled and arriving at the presence of the ever-ascetic, reached the hermitage and saw the sage's son.
कच्चिन्मुने कुशलं तापसानां कच्चिच्च वो मूलफलं प्रभूतम्। कच्चिद्भवान्रमते चाश्रेऽस्मिं- स्त्वां वै द्रष्टुं सांप्रतमागतास्मि
O sage, is all well with the ascetics? Is there an abundance of roots and fruits for you? Do you find pleasure in this hermitage? I have come now to see you.
कच्चित्तपो वर्धते तापसानां पिता च ते कच्चिदहीनतेजाः। कच्चित्त्वया प्रीयतेचैव विप्र कच्चित्स्वाध्यायः क्रियते चर्श्यशृङ्गः
Is the ascetics' austerity increasing? Is your father still possessed of his vigor? Does he delight in you, O Brahmin? Is your study and practice maintained, O Rishyasringa?
ऋद्ध्या भवाञ्ज्योतिरिव प्रकाशते मन्ये चाहं त्वामभिवादनीयम्। पाद्यं वै ते संप्रदास्यामि कामा- द्यथाधर्मं फलमूलानि चैव
You shine with prosperity like a radiant light; I consider you worthy of reverence. I will offer you water for washing your feet, as well as roots and fruits according to proper conduct.
कौश्यां बृस्यामास्स्व यथोपजोषं कृष्णाजिनेनावृतायां सुखाय। क्व चाश्रमस्तव किं नाम चेदं व्रतंब्रह्मंश्चरसि हि देववत्त्वम्
Rest here on the grass mat as you wish, covered with this black antelope skin for comfort. Where is your hermitage, and what is its name? What vow, O Brahmin, do you observe here, for you seem to live like a god?
ममाश्रमः काश्यपपुत्र रम्य- स्त्रियोजनं शैलमिमं परेण। तत्रस्वधर्मोऽनभिवादनं नो न चोदकं पाद्यमुपस्पृशामः
My hermitage, O son of Kasyapa, is delightful and lies three yojanas beyond this mountain. There, our custom is not to offer greetings, nor do we provide water for washing the feet or for sipping.
भवता नाभिवाद्योऽहमभिवाद्यो भवान्मया। व्रतमेतादृशं ब्रह्मन्परिष्वज्यो भवान्मया
You are not to be greeted by me, nor am I to be greeted by you; such is our vow, O Brahmin. Instead, you are to be embraced by me.
फलानि पक्वानि ददानि तेऽहं भल्लातकान्यामलकानि चैव। करूषकानीङ्गुदधन्वनानि प्रियालानां काङ्क्षितं वै कुरुष्व
I shall give you ripe fruits—bhallataka, amalaki, karushaka, inguda, and dhanvana fruits. Please take whatever you desire among these priyala fruits.
सा तानि सर्वाणि विसर्जयित्वा भक्ष्याण्यनर्हाणि ददौ ततोऽस्मै। तान्यृश्यशृङ्गाय महारसानि भृशं सुरूपाणि च मोदकानि
She set aside all those unfit to be eaten and then gave him the best, most delicious, and beautiful sweets to Rishyasringa.
ददौ च माल्यानि सुगन्धवन्ति चित्राणि वासांसि च भानुमन्ति। पेयानि चाग्र्याणि ततो मुमोद चिक्रीड चैव प्रजहास चैव
She also gave him fragrant garlands, splendid and colorful garments, and excellent drinks. Then she rejoiced, played, and laughed with delight.