नियुक्ता सा पितुर्गेहे ब्राह्मणातिथिपूजने। उग्रं पर्यचरत्तत्र ब्राह्मणं संशितब्रतम्
She was assigned in her father's house to the service of Brahmin guests, and there she attended upon a fierce and resolute Brahmin.
निगूढनिश्चयं धर्मे यं तं दुर्वाससं विदुः। तमुग्रं संशितात्मानं सर्वयत्नैरतोषयत्
That fierce sage, known as Durvāsas, whose intentions were hidden in dharma, she satisfied with all her efforts, for he was steadfast in his vows.
दध्याज्यकादिभिर्नित्यं व्यञ्जनैः प्रत्यहं शुभा। सहस्रसङ्ख्यैर्योगीन्द्रमुपचारदनुत्तमा
With curds, ghee, and other daily delicacies, in countless varieties, she constantly honored the yogi with unsurpassed hospitality.
दुर्वासा वत्सरस्यान्ते ददौ मन्त्रमनुत्तमम्'। यशस्विन्यै पृथायै तदापद्धर्मान्ववेक्षया। अभिचाराभिसंयुक्तमब्रवीच्चैव तां मुनिः
At the end of the year, Durvāsas gave the illustrious Pṛthā an excellent mantra, considering her adherence to dharma in adversity, and instructed her in its use for special purposes.
यं यं देवं त्वमेतेन मन्त्रेणावाहयिष्यसि। तस्य तस्य प्रभावेण तव पुत्रो भविष्यति
Whichever god you invoke with this mantra, by the power of that god, a son will be born to you.
तथोक्ता सा तु विप्रेण कुन्ती कौतूहलान्विता। कन्या सती देवमर्कमाजुहाव यशस्विनी
Thus instructed by the sage, Kuntī, filled with curiosity, invoked the god of the sun, remaining chaste and renowned.
ततो घनान्तरं कृत्वा स्वमार्गं तपनस्तदा। उपतस्थे स तां कन्यां पृथां पृथुललोचनाम्
Then, making his way through the clouds, the sun god approached that maiden, Pṛthā of broad eyes.
सा ददर्श तमायान्तं भास्करं लोकभावनम्। विस्मिता चानवद्याङ्गी दृष्ट्वा तन्महदद्भुतम्
She saw the radiant sun, the creator of the worlds, approaching; and, flawless in form, she was astonished at that great marvel.
आहूतोपस्थितं भद्रे ऋषिमन्त्रेण चोदितम्। विद्धि मां पुत्रलाभाय देवमर्कं शुचिस्मिते
Summoned and present, prompted by the sage's mantra, the sun god spoke: 'Know me, O pure-smiling one, to be the sun, come for the purpose of granting you a son.'
पुत्रस्ते निर्मितः सुभ्रु शृणु महादृक्छुभानने। आदित्ये कुण्डले बिभ्रत्कवचं चैव मामकम्
Your son, O beautiful-browed one, has been created—listen, O fair-faced one with great vision: he will bear my earrings and armor, born from the sun.
शस्त्रास्त्राणामभेद्यश्च भविष्यति शुचिस्मिते। नास्य किंचिददेयं च ब्राह्मणेभ्यो भविष्यति
He will be invulnerable to weapons and missiles, O pure-smiling one, and nothing of his will ever be refused to Brahmins.
चोद्यमानो मया चापि न क्षमं चिन्तयिष्यति। दास्यत्येव हि विप्रेभ्यो मानी चैव भविष्यति
Even if urged by me, he will not consider refusal; he will always give to Brahmins, and he will be proud as well.
एवमुक्ता ततः कुन्ती गोपतिं प्रत्युवाच ह। कन्या पितृसा चाहं पुरुषार्थो न चैव मे
Thus addressed, Kuntī replied to the lord of light: 'I am a maiden, given by my father, and I have no husband.'
कश्चिन्मे ब्राह्मणः प्रादाद्वरं विद्यां च शत्रुहन्। तद्विजिज्ञासयाऽऽह्वानं कृतवत्यस्मि ते विभो
'A Brahmin gave me a boon and knowledge, O destroyer of foes; out of curiosity about that, I have invoked you, O lord.'
एतस्मिन्नपराधे त्वां शिरसाऽहं प्रसादये। योषितो हि सदा रक्ष्यास्त्वपराधेऽपि नित्यशः
'For this unintended offense, I beg your pardon with bowed head; women must always be protected, even when they err.'
वेदाहं सर्वमेवैतद्यद्दुर्वासा वरं ददौ। संत्यज्य भयमेवेह क्रियतां सङ्गमो मम
'I know all that Durvāsas granted with his boon; setting aside fear, let our union take place here.'
अमोघं दर्शनं मह्यमाहूतश्चास्मि ते शुभे। वृथाऽऽह्वानेऽपि ते भीरु दोषः स्यान्नात्र संशयः
My appearance is unfailing, and you have summoned me, O auspicious one. Even if your call was in vain, timid one, blame would surely fall upon you—there is no doubt in this.
यद्येवं मन्यसे भीरु किमाह्वयसि भास्करम्। यदि मामवजानासि ऋषिः स न भविष्यति
If you think so, timid one, why did you call upon the Sun? If you disregard me, the sage's blessing will not come to pass.
मन्त्रदानेन यस्मात्त्वमवलेपेन दर्पिता। कुलं च तेऽद्य धक्ष्यामि क्रोधदीप्तेन चक्षुषा
Because you are proud from receiving the mantra, and filled with arrogance, today I will burn your lineage with my anger-ignited gaze.
एवमुक्ता बहुविधं सान्त्वपूर्वं विवस्वता। सा तु नैच्छद्वरारोहा कन्याहमिति भारत
Thus addressed in many ways, with gentle words by Vivasvat, she, the maiden, did not consent, saying, 'I am a virgin,' O Bharata.
बन्धुपक्षभयाद्भीता लज्जया च यशस्विनी। तामर्कः पुनरेवेदब्रवीद्भरतर्षभ।।?
Frightened by fear for her relatives and by modesty, the illustrious maiden hesitated; then the Sun spoke again, O bull among Bharatas.
मत्प्रसादान्न ते राज्ञि भविता दोष इत्युत
By my grace, O queen, no fault will befall you.
प्रसीद भगवन्मह्यमवलेपो हि नास्ति मे। त्वयैव परिहार्यं स्यात्कन्याभावस्य दूषणम्
Be gracious, O Lord, for I have no arrogance. The blemish of losing virginity should be removed by you alone.
व्यपयातु भयं तेऽद्य कुमारं प्रसमीक्षसे। मया त्वं चाप्यनुज्ञाता पुनः कन्या भविष्यसि
Let your fear depart today; you will see the child. By my permission, you will again become a maiden.
एवमुक्ता ततः कुन्ती संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहा। सङ्गताऽभूत्तदा सुभ्रूरादित्येन महात्मना
Thus addressed, Kunti, her body thrilled with joy, was united then with the great-souled Aditya, her beautiful brows radiant.
प्रकाशकर्मा तपनः कन्यागर्भं ददौ पुनः।' तत्र वीरः समभवत्सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः
The shining Sun, whose deeds are manifest, again placed a child in the maiden's womb; there a hero was born, foremost among all bearers of weapons.
आमुक्तकवचः श्रीमान्देवगर्भः श्रियान्वितः। सहजं कवचं बिभ्रत्कुण्डलोद्द्योतिताननः
Born with armor, glorious, divine in origin and endowed with splendor, he wore natural armor and his face was bright with earrings.
अजायत सुतः कर्णः सर्वलोकेषु विश्रुतः। प्रादाच्च तस्यै कन्यात्वं पुनः स परमद्युतिः
A son was born, Karna, renowned throughout all worlds; and that radiant one granted her virginity again.
दत्त्वा च तपतां श्रेष्ठो दिवमाचक्रमे ततः। दृष्ट्वा कुमारं जातं सा वार्ष्णेयी दीनमानसा
Having given the child, the best among those who burn, then ascended to heaven; seeing the boy born, she, the Vārṣṇeya, was distressed in mind.
एकाग्रं चिन्तयामास किं कृत्वा सुकृतं भवेत्। गूहमानापचारं सा बन्धुपक्षभयात्तदा
She began to ponder with single-mindedness, 'What should I do so that virtue may result?' Concealing her transgression, she feared for her relatives.