विदेहदेशे भूपाल नगरी मिथिलावती
In the land of Videha, O king, was the city called Mithilavati.
गुणाधिपस्तत्र राजा धनधान्यसमन्वितः
There, the king named Gunadhipa possessed great wealth and grain.
वृत्त्यर्थं मिथिलादेशे तत्र वासं चकार सः
For the sake of livelihood, he took up residence in the region of Mithila.
मृगयार्थे वनं प्राप्तस्तत्र शार्दूलमुत्तमम्
For the purpose of hunting, he entered the forest and there encountered an excellent tiger.
व्याघ्र मार्गेण भूपालो वनान्तरमुपाययौ
Following the path of the tiger, the king went deeper into the forest.
क्षुत्क्षामकण्ठो नृपतिः श्रमसन्तापपीडितः
The king, his throat parched with hunger, was afflicted by fatigue and distress.
इति श्रुत्वा स राजन्यो हत्वा हरिणमुत्तमम्
Having heard this, the Kshatriya king killed an excellent deer.
वांछितं ते ददाम्याशु स होवाच महीपतिम्
"I will quickly grant you what you desire," he said to the king.
त्वया सहस्रमुद्राश्च खादिता मम भूपते
O king, you have consumed a thousand coins of mine.
शतमुद्रास्तु मासान्ते मह्यं देहि कुटुंबिने 3.2.8.
At the end of the month, give me a hundred coins, householder.
एकस्मिन्दिवसे राजन्स च राजा गुणाधिपः
On a certain day, O king, that king Gunadhipa—
स गत्वा सागरतटे देवीमूर्तिं ददर्श ह
Having gone to the seashore, he beheld the image of the goddess.
गन्धर्वतनयां सुभ्रूं पूजयित्वा प्रसन्नधीः।। प्रांजलिः पुरतस्तस्थौ तदा देवी समागता
He worshipped the Gandharva maiden with beautiful brows, his mind pleased; with joined palms he stood before her, and then the goddess appeared.
वरं वरय तं प्राह चिरंदेवस्तु चाब्रवीत्
"Choose a boon," she said; and the long-lived one spoke.
इति श्रुत्वा तु सा देवी विहस्योवाच कामिनम्
Hearing this, the goddess laughed and spoke to the desirous one.
तथेत्युक्त्वा गतस्तोये प्लावितो मिथिलां ययौ
Saying 'so be it,' he entered the water, floated away, and went to Mithila.
गुणाधिपस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा स्वभृत्येन समन्वितः
Hearing that, the lord of virtues, accompanied by his servant, [responded].
गांधर्वेण विवाहेन मां गृहाण गुणाधिप
Accept me, O lord of virtues, in a Gandharva marriage.
पुण्यदे त्वं गृहाणाद्य तर्हि त्वां संभजाम्यहम्
O Punyade, accept me today; then I will unite with you.
स होवाच शृणु त्वं भो मम भृत्यं चिरं सुरम् 3.2.8.
He said, 'Listen, O you, and my servant, for a long time, O Suram.'
व्रीडिता तु कथां कृत्वा भूपतिं प्राह कामिनी
Feeling ashamed, the passionate woman, after telling her story, spoke to the king.
चिरंदेवं तु संप्राप्य कामांधा त्वां समागता शापिता देवदेवेन नरभोगकरी ह्यहम्
Having reached the god for a long time, blinded by desire, I came to you; I was cursed by the lord of gods to become one who enjoys men.
इति श्रुत्वा स भूपालो धर्मात्मा शीलविग्रहः
Hearing this, the king, righteous and the embodiment of good conduct, [responded].
चिरंदेवस्तु राजन्यो मत्पुत्र इव वर्तते
Ciramdeva, the Kshatriya, behaves like my own son.
लज्जिता सा तदा देवी स्नुषेवः च ववर्त वै
Then the goddess, feeling ashamed, behaved like a daughter-in-law.
इत्युक्त्वा भूपतिं प्राह वैतालो रुद्रकिंकरः
Having said this, the vetala, servant of Rudra, spoke to the king.
सत्यं धर्मश्च वेताल शृणु तत्कारणं शुभम्
O Vetala, truth and righteousness—listen to the auspicious reason for that.
नृपाणां परमो धर्मः सर्वोपकरणं स्मृतः
The highest duty of kings is remembered as benefiting all.
भृत्येन च कृतं कर्म तच्छृणुष्व वदाम्यहम् सेवा वृत्तिः कृता सर्वा यथान्यैर्न नरैः कृता
Hear the deed done by the servant, which I will tell you; all service and livelihood were performed, as by others, not by men.
पश्चाद्भूपतिना ज्ञातः संकटे बृहदागते 3.2.8.
Afterwards, the king came to know, in a great crisis that had arisen.