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,
तालनाद्याश्च ते शूराः स्वंस्वं वाहनमाश्रिताः
Those valiant ones, beginning with Talana, mounted their respective vehicles.
वंगदेशं समुल्लंघ्य शीघ्रं प्राप्ता हिमालयम्
Crossing the land of Vanga, they swiftly reached the Himalaya.
गच्छ त्वं वीर कवची करालाश्वं समास्थितः
Go, O hero, armed with armor, mounted on the fierce horse Karala.
युद्धचिह्नं तनौ कृत्वा मामागच्छ त्वरान्वितः
Having marked the sign of battle on your body, come to me with haste.
स ददर्श सभां राज्ञो बहुशूरसमन्विताम्
He saw the king's assembly, attended by many valiant heroes.
स उवाच नृपश्रेष्ठं नेत्रसिंहं महाबलम् सप्तलक्षबलैर्गुप्तः संप्राप्तस्तव राष्ट्रके
He spoke to the foremost of kings, Netra-simha, mighty in strength: 'Guarded by seven lakhs of warriors, I have arrived in your kingdom.'
तस्मात्त्वं स्वसुतां शीघ्रमाह्लादाय समर्पय 3.3.13.
Therefore, quickly give your daughter to Ahlada.
इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य स राजा क्रोधमूर्छितः अरुधत्स कपाटं च तस्य बंधनहेतवे
Hearing these words, the king, overcome by anger, closed the gate to imprison him.
पाशहस्ताञ्छूरशतं पट्टनाधिपरक्षितान्
With nooses in hand, a hundred valiant warriors, protected by the city lord,
हत्वा तन्मुकुटं राज्ञो गृहीत्वाकाशगो बली
Having slain them, the mighty one seized the king’s crown and ascended into the sky.