न ह्युत्सहे स्वनगरं प्रतियातुं तपोधन । अपमानभयाच्चैव व्रीडया च महामुने
O sage rich in austerity, I am not able to return to my own city, out of fear of disgrace and shame, O great ascetic.
यत्तु मां भगवान्रामो वक्ष्यति द्विजसत्तम । तन्मे कार्यतमं कार्यमिति मे भगवन्मतिः
Whatever the revered Rama will say to me, O best of twice-born, that I consider to be the most proper course of action, O venerable one.
दुःख द्वयोरिदं भद्रे कतरस्य चिकीर्षसि। प्रतिकर्तव्यमबले तत्त्वं वत्से वदस्व मे
O gentle one, here are two kinds of sorrow; which one do you wish to address? Tell me truly, child, what you would have me do.
यदि सौभपतिर्भद्रे नियोक्तव्यो मतस्तव । नियोक्ष्यति महात्मा स रामस्त्वद्धितकाम्यया
If, O gentle lady, you think the lord of the Saubha people should be appointed, then the great-souled Rama will appoint him, desiring your welfare.
अथापगेयं भीष्मं त्वं रामेणेच्छसि धीमता । रणे विनिर्जितं द्रष्टुं कुर्यात्तदपि भार्गवः
Or, if you wish to see Bhishma, the wise one, defeated in battle by Rama, then Bhargava will do that as well.
सृञ्जयस्य वचः श्रुत्वा तव चैव शुचिस्मिते। यदत्र ते भृशं कार्यं तदद्यैव विचिन्त्यताम्
Having heard the words of Srnjaya and yours as well, O fair-smiling one, whatever is most pressing for you, let it be considered today.
अपनीतास्मि भीष्मेण भगवन्नविजानता। नाभिजानाति मे भीष्मो ब्रह्मन्साल्वगतं मनः
I was taken away by Bhishma, O venerable one, without his knowing; Bhishma does not know, O Brahman, that my heart is with Salva.
एतद्विचार्य मनसा भवानेतद्विनिश्चयम्। विचिनोतु यथान्यायं विधानं क्रियतां तथा
Let your mind consider this, and let your decision be made; let the proper arrangement be devised and carried out accordingly.
भीष्मे वा कुरुशार्दूले शाल्वराजेऽथवा पुनः। उभयोरेव वा ब्रह्मन्युक्तं यत्तत्समाचर
Whether it is Bhishma, O tiger among the Kurus, or the king of Salva, or even both, whatever is proper, O Brahman, do that.
निवेदितं मया ह्येतद्दुःखमूलं यथातथम् । विधानं तत्र भगवन्कर्तुमर्हसि युक्तितः
I have truly explained to you the root of this sorrow; you, O venerable one, ought to make the proper arrangement in this matter.
उपपदमिदं भद्रे यदेवं वरवर्णिनि । धर्मं प्रतिवचो ब्रूयाः श्रृणु चदं वचो मम
This is fitting, O fair-complexioned one, that you speak thus in reply concerning dharma; now hear my words.
यदि त्वामापगेयो वै न नयेद्गजसाह्वयम् । साल्वस्त्वा शिरसा भीरु गृह्णीयाद्रामचोदितः
If Bhishma, son of the river, does not lead you to Hastinapura, then Salva, urged by Rama, should take you with due honor, O timid one.
तेन त्वं निर्जिता भद्रे यस्मान्नीतासि भामिनि । संशयः साल्वराजस्य तेन त्वयि सुमध्यमे
Since you have been taken in this way, O gentle lady, by him, the doubt now rests with the king of Salva regarding you, O slender-waisted one.
भीष्मः पुरुषमानी च जितकाशी तथैव च। तस्मात्प्रतिक्रिया युक्ता भीष्मे कारयितुं तव
Bhishma, proud of his manliness, and likewise the conqueror of the Kashi princess, therefore it is proper for you to seek redress from Bhishma.
ममाप्येष सदा ब्रह्मन्हृदि कामोऽभिवर्तते। घातयेयं यदि रणे भीष्ममित्येव नित्यदा
This desire always arises in my heart as well, O Brahman: that I might slay Bhishma in battle—this is ever my wish.
भीष्मं वा साल्वराजं वा यं वा दोषेण गच्छसि । प्रशाधि तं महाबाहोयत्कृतेऽहं सुदुःखिता
Whether it is Bhishma or the king of Salva, or whomever you hold at fault, O mighty-armed one, command him, for whose sake I am greatly distressed.
एवं कथयतामेव तेषां स दिवसो गतः । रात्रिश्च भरतश्रेष्ठ सुखशीतोष्णमारुता
Thus, as they continued speaking, that day passed; and the night, O best of the Bharatas, was graced with gentle, pleasant breezes.
ततो रामः प्रादुरासीत्प्रज्वलन्निव तेजसा । शिष्यैः परिवृतो राजञ्जटाचीरधरो मुनिः
Then Rama appeared, shining as if blazing with energy, surrounded by his disciples, O King, the sage bearing matted locks and bark garments.
धनुष्पाणिरदीनात्मा खङ्गं बिभ्रत्परश्वधी । विरजा राजशार्दूल सृञ्जयं सोऽभ्ययान्नृपम्
Holding his bow in hand, steadfast in spirit, carrying a sword and axe, pure, O tiger among kings, he approached King Sṛñjaya.
ततस्तं तापसा दृष्ट्वा स च राजा महातपाः । तस्थुः प्राञ्जलयो राजन्सा च कन्या तपस्विनी
Then, seeing him, both the ascetics and the great ascetic king, along with the devoted maiden, stood with joined palms, O King.
पूजयामासुरव्यग्रा मधुपर्केण भार्गवम्। अर्चितश्च यथान्यायं निषसाद सहैव तैः
They eagerly honored Bhargava with the traditional offering of honey and curds; and, having been duly worshipped, he sat down together with them.
ततः पूर्वव्यतीतानि कथयन्तौ स्म तावुभौ । आसातां जामदग्न्यश्च सृञ्जयश्चैव भारत
Then, as the two conversed about past events, O descendant of Bharata, Jamadagni's son and Sṛñjaya came together.
तथा कथान्ते राजर्षिर्भृगुश्रेष्ठं महाबलम् । उवाच मधुरं काले रामं वचनमर्थवत्
At the end of their conversation, the royal sage addressed the mighty descendant of Bhrigu, Rama, with sweet and meaningful words at the proper time.
रामेयं मम दौहित्री काशिराजसुता प्रभो । अस्याः श्रृणु यथातत्त्वं कार्यं कार्यविशारद
O Rama, this is my granddaughter, the daughter of the King of Kashi, O lord; listen in truth, you who are skilled in duty, to what must be done for her.
परमं कथ्यतां चेति तां रामः प्रत्यभाषत । ततः साभ्यवदद्रामं ज्वलन्तमिव पावकम्
"Let the highest be spoken," said Rama in reply; then she addressed Rama, who blazed like fire.
ततोऽभिवाद्य चरणौ रामस्य शिरसा शुभौ । स्पृष्ट्वा पद्मदलाभाभ्यां पाणिभ्यामग्रतः स्थिता
Then, bowing with her head to Rama's auspicious feet, touching them with her lotus-petal-like hands, she stood before him.
रुरोद सा शोकवती बाष्पव्याकुललोचना। प्रपेदे शरणं चैव शरण्यं भृगुनन्दनम्
She wept, filled with sorrow, her eyes brimming with tears; and she sought refuge in Rama, the protector, descendant of Bhrigu.
यथा त्वं सृंजयस्यास्य तथा मे त्वं नृपात्मजे । ब्रूहि यत्ते मनोदुःखं करिष्ये वचनं तव
Just as you are for this Sṛñjaya, so be for me, O prince among kings; speak what sorrow is in your heart, I will do as you say.
भगवञ्शरणं त्वाद्य प्रपन्नाऽस्मि महाव्रतम् । शोकपङ्कार्णवान्मग्नं घोरादुद्धर मां विभो
O lord, today I have sought refuge in you, the great vow-holder; lift me, O mighty one, from the dreadful ocean of sorrow in which I am sunk.
तस्याश्च दृष्ट्वा रूपं च वपुश्चाभिनवं पुनः। सौकुमार्यं परं चैव रामश्चिन्तापरोऽभवत्
Seeing her form and her ever-fresh beauty, and her utmost delicacy, Rama became absorbed in thought.