इति श्रुत्वा महीराजो बलखानिं महाबलम्
Thus hearing, the king of the earth gathered the mighty army of Balakhani.
अर्द्धकोटिमितं द्रव्यं मत्तः प्राप्य सुखी भव
Receive from me wealth measured as half a crore, and be happy.
वर्षे वर्षे च तद्द्रव्यं गृहाण बलवन्प्रभो
Each year, O powerful lord, take that wealth.
वयस्त्रयोदशाब्दे च कृष्णांशे बलवत्तरे
At the age of thirteen, in the strong portion of Krishna,
भाद्रे शुक्ले त्रयोदश्यां चाह्लादः सानुजो ययौ
On the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight in Bhadra, Ahlada departed with his younger brother.
कृष्णांशो बिन्दुलारूढो वत्सजो हरिणीस्थितः
In the dark portion, Bindula mounted, the son of Vatsa, situated in Harini.
चत्वारो द्विदिनान्ते च गयाक्षेत्रं समाययुः 3.3.13.
Four of them, at the end of two days, arrived at the sacred field of Gaya.
शतं शतं गजांश्चैव भूषितांश्च रथास्तथा
Hundreds and hundreds of elephants, and likewise adorned chariots,
धेनूर्हिरण्यरत्नानि वासांसि विविधानि च
Cows, gold, jewels, and various garments,
लक्षावर्तिस्तु या वेश्या ययौ बदरिकाश्रमम्
Lakshavati, who was a courtesan, went to the Badarika hermitage.
राकां चंद्रे तु संप्राप्तं राहुग्रस्ते तमोमये
When the full moon arrived, eclipsed by Rahu and enveloped in darkness,
हिमालयगिरौ रम्ये नानाधातुविचित्रिते
On the delightful Himalaya mountain, adorned with various minerals,
रत्नभानो हते शूरे नेत्रसिंहो भयातुरः
When Ratnabhānu was slain, the valiant Netrasiṃha was seized by fear.
द्वादशाब्दान्तरे देवो ददौ ढक्कामृतं मुदा
After twelve years, the god joyfully gave the ḍhakkā nectar.
ददौ ढक्कामृतं राज्ञे पुनः प्राह शुभं वचः
He gave the ḍhakkā nectar to the king and again spoke auspicious words.
क्षयं शीघ्रं गमिष्यंति शत्रवस्ते महाभटाः
Your enemies, O great warrior, will soon be destroyed.
नगरं कारयामास तत्र सर्वजनैर्युतम् 3.3.13.
He caused a city to be built there, filled with all people.
नेत्रसिंहगढं नाम्ना विख्यातं भारते भुवि
By the name Netrasiṃhagaḍha, it became renowned on the land of Bhārata.
पालितं नेत्रसिंहेन तत्पुरः पुत्रवन्मुने
It was protected by Netrasiṃha, like a son before him, O sage.
सोऽपि राजा समायातो नेत्रसिंहो महाबलः कामाक्ष्या वरदानेन सर्वमायाविशारदा
That king also arrived—Netrasiṃha, of great strength, skilled in all magic by the boon of Kāmākṣī.
दृष्ट्वा तां सुंदरीं कन्यां बालेन्दुसदृशाननाम्
Seeing that beautiful maiden, whose face was like the young moon,
दृष्ट्वा तां च तथाह्रादः सर्वरत्नविभूषिताम् मूर्च्छितश्चापतद्भूमौ सा तं दृष्ट्वा मुमोह वै
Beholding her, adorned with all jewels, he was filled with delight, fainted, and fell to the ground; seeing him, she too lost consciousness.
दोलामारुह्य तत्सख्यौ नृपान्तिकमुपाययुः
Her companions, mounting a swing, brought her near the king.
दृष्ट्वा तथाविधं बंधुं कृष्णांशः प्राह दुःखितः
Seeing his relative in such a state, Kṛṣṇāṃśa, sorrowful, spoke.
रजो रागात्मकं विद्धि प्रमादं मोहजं तथा
Know that rajas is of the nature of passion, and delusion arises from folly.
इति श्रुत्वा वचो भ्रातुस्त्यक्त्वा मोहं ययौ गृहम्
Hearing his brother’s words, he abandoned delusion and went home.
दुर्गामाराधयामास जप्त्वा मध्यचरित्रकम् 3.3.13.
He worshipped Durgā, reciting the Madhyacaritraka.
मोहयामास तां कन्यां विवाहार्थमनिन्दिता
She, faultless, enchanted that maiden for the purpose of marriage.
प्रातर्बुद्ध्वा तु संचिंत्य महामोहमुपाययौ
But waking in the morning and reflecting, he fell into great delusion.
पौषमासे तु संप्राप्ते शुककंठे सुपत्रिकाम्
When the month of Pauṣa arrived, with auspicious omens and a sweet-voiced parrot,