निशुंभदैत्यसंहारे शुंभदैत्यविनाशिनि
In the destruction of the demon Niśuṃbha, O destroyer of the demon Śuṃbha,
इति स्तुत्वा च सुष्वाप स वीरः परमासने चकार प्रत्यहं देवी वरदाभयकारिणी
Thus having praised her, that hero slept upon the supreme seat; daily he worshipped the goddess, granter of boons and remover of fear.
एवं गते चतुर्मासे जलवृष्टिकरे मुने
When the four months of the rainy season had passed in this way, O sage,
कार्तिके कृष्णपक्षे तु गतोऽसौ देवसंयुतः
In the dark fortnight of Kārtika, he departed, accompanied by the gods.
पुष्पागृहमुपागम्य तत्र वासमचीकरत्
He went to the flower-house and took up residence there.
एकदा सुंदरं हार कृष्णांशेनैव गुंठितम् गृहीत्वा प्रययौ पुष्पा पुष्पवत्याश्च मंदिरे
Once, taking a beautiful necklace entwined with a portion of Krishna, Pushpa went to the house of Pushpavati.
सा तु ग्रैवेयकं दृष्ट्वा त्वष्ट्रेव रचितं प्रियम्
She, seeing the necklace, dear and crafted as if by Tvashtar,
अये सखि महामाये सत्यं कथय मेऽग्रतः
"O friend, O great enchantress, tell me the truth before me,"
इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्या मकरंदभयातुरा
Hearing her words, Makaramda, seized with fear,
जीवदानं च मे देहि तर्हि ते कथयाम्यहम् 3.3.21.
"Give me a promise of life, then I will tell you," she said.
कृष्णा नाम महारम्या सर्वलोकविमोहिनी तया विरचितं सुभूर्ग्रैवेयकमनुत्तमम्
"There is a most beautiful woman named Krishna, who enchants all the worlds; by her this excellent necklace was made."
इति श्रुत्वा तु वचनं देवी पुष्पवती स्वयम्
Hearing these words, the goddess Pushpavati herself
मकरंदभयाद्देवास्तथान्ये पुरुषा भुवि
Out of fear of Makaramda, the gods and other men on earth likewise
इति श्रुत्वा वचो घोरं पुष्पा तु भयकातरा
Hearing these dreadful words, Pushpa became filled with fear.
तदा पुष्पवती प्राह किं ते भयमुपागतम्
Then Pushpavati said, "What fear has come upon you?"
मोहितः पुरुषः कश्चिद्बलात्तां हि भजिष्यति
"Some man, deluded, will forcibly enjoy her."
इति श्रुत्वा पुष्पवती पुनः प्रोवाच धर्मिणी अयोग्यं ये करिष्यंति ते यास्यंति यमालयम्
Hearing this, Pushpavati, righteous, spoke again: "Those who do what is improper will go to the abode of Yama."
अतस्त्वं शीघ्रमादाय तद्दोलां च मदंतिके
"Therefore, quickly bring that swing to me."
तथेति मत्वा सा शूद्री गृहमागत्य भामिनी
Thinking 'so be it,' that Shudra woman, radiant, came home.
इति श्रुत्वा वचो रम्यं कृष्णांशो बलवत्तरः जगाम पुष्पया सार्द्धं दोलामारुह्य वीर्यवान् ।। 3.3.21.
Hearing these pleasant words, the powerful portion of Krishna mounted the swing together with Pushpa.
तदा पुष्पवती देवी दृष्ट्वा कृष्णां मनोरमाम्
Then the goddess Puṣpavatī, seeing the enchanting dark-skinned woman,
यादृशीयं शुभा नारी तादृशः पुरुषो मया
thought, 'As this auspicious woman is, so is the man whom I have seen.'
कृष्णांशश्च स तामाह देशराजसुतो वरः
And the one with a portion of Kṛṣṇa, the excellent son of the regional king, spoke to her.
प्रत्यहं रचितं हारमथ पूजनहेतवे
Every day, a necklace was made for the purpose of worship.
एकदा प्रस्थितं वीरं पुष्पमध्ये शनैःशनैः
Once, as the hero set out, slowly, amidst the flowers,
मोहोऽयं ते कुतः प्राप्तः स त्वं कथय मा चिरम्
"From where has this delusion come to you? Tell me at once, do not delay."
मया दृष्टा शुभा नारी रूपयौवनशालिनी
"I have seen an auspicious woman, endowed with beauty and youth."
इति श्रुत्वा पुष्पवती तामाह रुचिराननाम्
Hearing this, Puṣpavatī spoke to her, the one with a lovely face.
तदा त्वां तर्पयिष्यामि बहुद्रव्यैः शुभानने
"Then I will satisfy you with much wealth, O auspicious-faced one."
इति श्रुत्वा तु तद्वाचं पुष्पा प्रेमसमन्विता 3.3.21.
Hearing those words, Puṣpā, filled with love,