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,
स गत्वा पुष्पविपिनं महावतिपुरीस्थितम्
He went to the flower-garden situated in the great city of Avati.
वीर तेऽवरजो बंधुर्नाम्नाह्लादो महाबलः
O hero, your younger brother and kinsman is named Ahlada, mighty in strength.
तां ज्ञात्वा च पुनस्तस्या उत्तरं देहि मत्प्रियम्
Knowing this, again give her a reply that is dear to me.
इति श्रुत्वोदयो वीरो गृहीत्वा पत्रमुत्तमम्
Hearing this, the heroic Udaya took up the excellent letter.
जम्बुकश्च नृपो वीरो रुद्रदत्तवरो बली
And Jambuka, the heroic king, powerful and favored by Rudradatta,
तथाविधं मत्पितरमिंद्रदत्तवरं रिपुम्
likewise my father, the enemy blessed by Indradatta, of such a kind—
इति ज्ञात्वा स आह्लादस्तामाश्वास्य हृदि स्थिताम् 3.3.13.
Knowing this, Ahlada comforted her, who was steadfast in heart.
स शुकः पन्नगः पूर्वं पुंडरीकेन शापितः
That Shuka, formerly a serpent, was cursed by Pundarika.
मृते तस्मिञ्छुके रम्ये देवी स्वर्णवती तदा
When that delightful Shuka died, then the goddess Svarnavati—
माघमासि च संप्राप्ते पंचम्यां कृष्णपक्षके
When the month of Magha arrived, on the fifth day of the dark fortnight,