पप्रच्छ मम योग्या वै शुक काचिद्वरांगना
A certain excellent woman, suitable for me, asked Shuka.
मगधेश्वरभूपस्य कन्या चन्द्रवती शुभा
The daughter of the king of Magadha, the auspicious Chandravati.
इति श्रुत्वा स नृपतिर्गणेशं द्विजसत्तमम्
Hearing thus, that king approached Ganesha, the best of twice-born.
गणेशोपि गतस्तूर्णं देशे मागधके शुभे
Ganesha too quickly went to the auspicious land of Magadha.
नमः शिवाय शांताय सर्वाभीष्टप्रदायिने
Salutations to Shiva, the peaceful one, the giver of all desires.
मृडायानंदरूपाय सर्वदुःखहराय च
To him who is of the form of Mrida and Ananda, the remover of all suffering.
इत्युक्तवति विप्रे च तदा चन्द्रवती शुभा 3.2.4.
When the brahmin had spoken thus, then the auspicious Chandravati—
मम योग्यश्च पुरुषः कश्चिदस्ति महीतले
There is a certain man on earth who is suitable for me.
इति श्रुत्वा तु सा देवी दुर्गां वाञ्छितदायिनीम्
Hearing this, that goddess sought Durga, the granter of desires.
नमोनमो जगन्मातर्मम कार्यप्रदायिनि
Salutations, salutations to the Mother of the Universe, who grants my aims.
त्वं स्वाहा त्वं स्वधा संध्या नमस्तस्यै नमोनमः
You are Svāhā, you are Svadhā, you are Sandhyā; salutations to her, repeated salutations.
इति स्तुत्या प्रसन्नाभूज्जगदंबा जगन्मयी
By this praise, the Mother of the Universe, who is the essence of all, became pleased.
विवाहं कारयामास मासान्ते सिद्धरूपिणी
At the end of the month, she, taking the form of perfection, arranged the marriage.
एकस्मिन्दिवसे राजन्मेनां मदनमंजरीम्
On a certain day, O King, Menā gave Madanamañjarī.
मेनका प्राह भो राजन्विवाहाश्चेदृशो मताः
Menakā said: 'O King, such are the marriages considered proper.'
तथैव त्रिविधा नारी यथा योग्यो वरो भवेत्
In the same way, there are three kinds of women, as is suitable for the groom.
शृणु तत्कारणं राजन्मया दृष्टं यथाऽभवत् 3.2.4.
Hear the reason for that, O King, as I have seen and as it happened.
अनपत्यो देवयाजी तस्य पत्नी पतिव्रता
A man, childless but devoted to the gods, had a wife faithful to her husband.
द्यूतक्रीडापरो नित्यं सुरापाने रतस्सदा
He was always addicted to gambling and constantly engaged in drinking wine.
तस्य धर्मं च पितरौ समालोक्य वनं गतौ
Seeing his conduct, his parents departed to the forest.
मदपालस्तु तनयः कृत्वा सर्वधनव्ययम्
But the son, Madapāla, having squandered all the wealth,
प्राप्तश्चंद्रपुरे रम्ये यत्र हेमपतिः स्थितः
Arrived at the beautiful city of Candrapura, where Hemapati resided.
देवयाजी सुतोऽहं वै स्वल्पं वै धनमाहृतम्
He said, 'I am the son of Devayājī; I have brought only a little wealth.'
महावायु प्रभावेन द्रव्यं तन्मग्नमंभसि
By the force of a great wind, that property was lost in the water.
इति श्रुत्वा हेमपतिः स्वपत्नीं काममंजरीम्
Hearing this, Hemapati spoke to his wife, Kāmamañjarī.
चंद्रकांतिं सुतां दास्ये तद्वराय त्वदाज्ञया
'I will give Candrakānti, my daughter, to that suitor by your command.'
स्वगृहे वासयामास मदपालं सुतापतिम् 3.2.4.
He made Madapāla, the husband of his daughter, reside in his own house.
आज्ञां देहि धनाध्यक्ष स्वगेहं यामि मा चिरम्
'Give the order, O Lord of Wealth, I will go to my own house without delay.'
चंद्रकांतिं सदासीं च तस्मै दत्त्वा गृहं ययौ
He gave him the maid named Candrakanti and then went home.
दासीं हत्वा तदा पत्नीं विसृज्य धनवर्जिताम्
Having killed the maid, he abandoned his wife, who was left without wealth.