अतस्त्वं विक्रमादित्य धर्मज्ञ कथयस्व मे
Therefore, Vikramāditya, knower of dharma, tell me,
योग्या मधुमती नारी वामनाय द्विजन्मने
The worthy woman Madhumatī is for Vāmana, the twice-born.
प्राणदाता तु यो विप्रः पितेव गुणतत्परः
The brāhmaṇa who gives life, intent on virtue, is like a father.
वैतालो भूपतिश्रेष्ठं पुनर्विक्रममब्रवीत्
The Vetāla again spoke to the best of kings, Vikrama.
वर्द्धवन्नगरे रम्ये नानाजननिषेविते
In the beautiful city of Varddhavan, attended by people of many kinds,
विद्वन्माला प्रिया तस्य पतिसेवापरायणा
There was a learned garland-maker, whose beloved wife was devoted to serving her husband.
पुत्रकन्यासपत्नीको वृत्त्यर्थं समुपागतः
With his son, daughter, and wife, he came seeking a livelihood.
किंचिच्छ्रुत्वा ददौ स्वर्णं सहस्रं प्रत्यहं नृप
Hearing a little of his story, the king gave him a thousand gold coins every day.
व्ययं कृत्वा तु तच्छेषं स कुल्ये भुक्तवान्स्वयम्
After spending some, he himself enjoyed the remainder with his family.
परीक्षार्थं स्मशाने च रोदनं बहु कुर्वती
To test her, in the cremation ground, she wept greatly.
गच्छ वीरवर त्वं वै यतोऽसौ श्रूयते रवः
Go, O best of heroes, to the place where that sound is heard.
इति श्रुत्वा वीरवरः शस्त्रास्त्रकुशलो बली
Hearing this, the best of heroes, skilled in weapons and mighty,
श्लक्ष्णं वचश्च तामाह किमर्थं रोदने स्थिता 3.2.3.
Spoke gently to her, saying, 'For what reason are you standing here weeping?'
इति श्रुत्वा राजलक्ष्मीर्वीरसेनं तमब्रवीत्
Hearing this, the royal lady spoke to Vīrasena:
मासान्ते प्रलयं यास्ये तस्माच्छोचामि भो बलिन् केन पुण्येन दीर्घायुस्त्वं भवेः कारणं वद
'At the end of the month I will meet my destruction; therefore I grieve, O strong one. By what merit do you have long life? Tell me the reason.'
दीर्घायुर्भविता चाहं स्वामिकार्यं प्रसाधय
'I too shall become long-lived; accomplish your master's task.'
इति श्रुत्वा वीरवरो मंदिरं स्वयमागतः
Hearing this, the best of heroes himself went to the house.
तथेत्युक्त्वा तु सा साध्वी तनयं प्राह निर्भया
Saying 'So be it,' that virtuous woman fearlessly spoke to her son.
तथा मत्वा तु तत्पुत्रो भगिन्या मातृसंयुतः
Thinking thus, that son, together with his sister and mother,
भोस्तात मे कपालं च चंडिकायै समर्पय
'O dear father, offer my skull to Caṇḍikā.'
इति श्रुत्वा वीरसेनः शिरश्छित्त्वा समार्पयत्
Hearing this, Vīrasena cut off his head and offered it.
दृष्ट्वा तद्रूप सेनस्तु कारणं सर्वमादितः 3.2.3.
Seeing that form, the army chief understood the entire reason from the beginning.
तदा प्रसन्ना सा देवी नृपमुजीव्य साब्रवीत्
Then, pleased, that goddess, granting the king life, spoke.
स आह वीरसेनस्तु सकुलो जीवमाप्नुयात्
Virasena said: May his whole lineage attain long life.
रूपसेनः प्रसन्नात्मा स्वसुतां कामरूपिणीम् मुख्यस्नेहं कृतं केन तेषां मध्ये वदस्व मे
Rupasena, with a serene mind, and his daughter, who could assume any form, asked: Among them, who has shown the greatest affection? Tell me.
मुख्यस्नेहं कृतं राज्ञा दासार्थे स्वतनुं ददौ बंधुप्रीतिश्च भगिनी पितृस्नेही तु पुत्रकः
The greatest affection was shown by the king, who gave his own body for the sake of a servant; the sister showed love as a relative, and the son as a dutiful child.
महान्स्नेहः कृतो राज्ञा रूपसेनेन धीमता
The wise Rupasena showed great affection to the king.
काचिद्भोगावती नाम्ना नगरी परमाद्भुता
There was a certain city named Bhogavati, most wondrous.
रूपवर्मा च नृपतिस्तत्र राज्यं करोति वै
There, King Rupavarma indeed ruled the kingdom.
तस्य भूपस्य गेहे च निवसनञ्च्छुभपंजरे
In the house of that king, within an auspicious enclosure, he resided.