स चचार सहामात्यो मृगयां गहने वने। मृगान्विध्यन्वराहांश्च रम्येषु मरुधन्वसु
He, along with his ministers, went hunting in the dense forest, shooting deer and boars in the delightful wilderness.
व्यायामकर्शितः सोऽथ मृगलिप्सुः पिपासितः। आजगाम नरश्रेष्ठ वसिष्ठस्याश्रमं प्रति
Exhausted from exertion, desiring game and thirsty, he, O best of men, came to the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha.
तमागतमभिप्रेक्ष्य वसिष्ठः श्रेष्ठभागृषिः। विश्वामित्रं नरश्रेष्ठं प्रतिजग्राह पूजया
Seeing him arrive, Vasiṣṭha, the foremost of great sages, received Viśvāmitra, best among men, with honor.
पाद्यार्घ्याचमनीचैस्तं स्वागतेन च भारत। तथैव परिजग्राह वन्येन हविषा तदा
He welcomed him, O Bhārata, with water for washing the feet, offerings, and water for sipping, and likewise received him with forest produce as sacrificial food.
तस्याथ कामधुग्धेनुर्वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः। उक्ता कामान्प्रयच्छेति सा कामान्दुदुहे ततः
Then, Vasiṣṭha, the great-souled one, instructed his wish-fulfilling cow to grant desires, and she produced whatever was wished for.
बाष्पाढ्यस्योदनस्यैव राशयः पर्वतोपमाः। निष्ठानानि च सूपांश्च दधिकुल्यास्तथैव च
Heaps of fragrant rice, resembling mountains, various dishes, and curd preparations were produced.
कूपांश्च घृतसंपूर्णान्गौड्यान्नानि सहस्रशः। इक्षून्मधूनि लाजांश्च मैरेयांश्च वरासवान्
Wells filled with ghee, thousands of sweet rice dishes, sugarcanes, honey, parched grains, and excellent wines appeared.
ग्राम्यारण्याश्चौषधीश्च दुदुहे पय एव च। षड्रसं चामृतनिभं रसायनमनुत्तमम्
She yielded village and forest herbs, milk, and also the six tastes, nectar-like, and unsurpassed elixirs.
भोजनीयानि पेयानि भक्ष्याणि विविधानि च। लेह्यान्यमृतकल्पानि चोष्याणि च तथार्जुना
Foods to eat, drinks, various delicacies, lickables like ambrosia, and suckables, O Arjuna, were produced.
रत्नानि च महार्हाणि वासांसि विविधानि च। तैः कामैः सर्वसंपूर्णैः पूजितश्च महिपतिः
Precious jewels of great value and various garments also appeared; with all these fulfilled desires, the king was honored.
सामात्यः सबलश्चैव तुतोष स भृशं तदा। षडुन्नतां सुपार्श्वोरुं पृथुपञ्चसमावृताम्
With his ministers and army, the king was greatly satisfied then; he beheld her, tall, broad-flanked, and surrounded by five attendants.
मण्डूकनेत्रां स्वाकारां पीनोधसमनिन्दिताम्। सुवालघिं शङ्कुकर्णां चारुशृङ्गां मनोरमाम्
With frog-like eyes, her own form, plump body, faultless, with fine hair, conch-shaped ears, lovely horns, and charming appearance.
पुष्टायतशिरोग्रीवां विस्मितः सोऽभिवीक्ष्यताम्। अभिनन्द्य स तां राजा नन्दिनीं गाधिनन्दनः
Well-nourished, with broad head and neck, he gazed at her in wonder; the king, son of Gādhi, joyfully greeted Nandinī.
अब्रवीच्च भृशं तुष्टः स राजा तमृषिं तदा। अर्बुदेन गवां ब्रह्मन्मम राज्येन वा पुनः
Then, greatly pleased, the king said to the sage: 'O Brāhman, give me Nandinī, either for a crore of cows or for my kingdom.'
नन्दिनीं संप्रयच्छस्व भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं महामुने
O great sage, give me Nandinī and enjoy the kingdom.
रत्नं हि भगवन्नेतद्रत्नहारी च पार्थिवः।' क्षत्रियोऽहं भवान्विप्रस्तपःस्वाध्यायसाधनः
For, O venerable one, that is a jewel, and the king is the taker of jewels; I am a Kṣatriya, you are a Brāhman, devoted to austerity and study.
ब्राह्णेषु कुतो वीर्यं प्रशान्तेषु धृतात्मसु। अर्बुदेन गवां यस्त्वं न ददासि ममेप्सितम्
How can there be strength in Brāhmans, who are peaceful and self-controlled? Though I offer you a crore of cows, you do not give me what I desire.
स्वधर्मं न प्रहास्यामि नेष्यामि च बलेन गाम्
I will not abandon my own duty, nor will I seize the cow by force.
यथेच्छसि तथा क्षिप्रं कुरु मा त्वं विचारय
Do as you wish, quickly; do not hesitate.
हंसचन्द्रप्रतीकाशां नन्दिनीं तां जहार गाम्। `सा तदा ह्रियमाणा च विश्वामित्रबलैर्बलात्।' कशादण्डप्रणुदिता काल्यमाना इतस्ततः
He seized that cow Nandinī, shining like the moon and a swan, by force with Viśvāmitra's men; she, being dragged away, was beaten with whips and sticks, driven here and there.
हंभायमाना कल्याणी वसिष्ठस्याथ नन्दिनी। आगम्याभिमुखी पार्थ तस्थौ भगवदुन्मुखी
Nandinī, the auspicious one of Vasiṣṭha, lowing loudly, approached and stood facing the venerable sage, O Pārtha.
शृणोमि ते रवं भद्रे विनदन्त्याः पुनः पुनः
O blessed one, I hear your cry, resounding again and again.
ह्रियसे त्वं बलाद्भद्रे विश्वामित्रेण नन्दिनि। किं कर्तव्यं मया तत्र क्षमावान्ब्राह्मणो ह्यहम्
You are being taken by force, O blessed Nandinī, by Viśvāmitra; what should I do in this matter? For I am a brāhmaṇa, steadfast in forbearance.
सा भयान्नन्दिनी तेषां बलानां भरतर्षभ। विश्वामित्रभयोद्विग्ना वसिष्ठं समुपागमत्
Out of fear of those mighty men, O bull among the Bharatas, Nandinī, agitated by fear of Viśvāmitra, approached Vasiṣṭha.
कशाग्रदण्डाभिहतां क्रोशन्तीं मामनाथवत्। विश्वामित्रबलैर्घोरैर्भगवन् किमुपेक्षसे
Struck with whips and sticks, crying out like one without a protector, O venerable one, why do you tolerate these terrible forces of Viśvāmitra?
एवं तस्यां तदा पार्थ धर्षितायां महामुनिः। न चुक्षुभे तदा धैर्यान्न चचाल धृतव्रतः
Even as she was thus violated, O Pārtha, the great sage did not become agitated at that time, nor did he waver from his firm vow.
क्षत्रियाणां बलं तेजो ब्राह्मणानां क्षमा बलम्। क्षमा मां भजते यस्माद्गम्यतां यदि रोचते
The strength and energy of kṣatriyas is their power; the strength of brāhmaṇas is forbearance. Since forbearance is my support, go if you wish.
किं नु त्यक्ताऽस्मि भगवन्यदेवं त्वं प्रभाषसे। अत्यक्ताऽहं त्वया ब्रह्मन्नेतुं शक्या न वै बलात्
O venerable one, am I abandoned that you speak thus? I am not abandoned by you, O brāhmaṇa, nor can I be taken away by force.
न त्वां त्यजामि कल्याणि स्थीयतां यदि शक्यते। दृढेन दाम्ना बद्ध्वैष वत्सस्ते हियते बलात्
I do not abandon you, O auspicious one; remain if you are able. This calf of yours is being taken away by force, bound with a strong rope.
स्थीयतामिति तच्छ्रुत्वा वसिष्ठस्य पयस्विनी। ऊर्ध्वाञ्चितशिरोग्रीवा प्रबभौ रौद्रदर्शना
Hearing 'remain' from Vasiṣṭha, the cow of abundant milk, with head and neck raised, shone forth with a terrible appearance.