तस्या मूर्च्छा तदा क्षीणा द्वितीयाया अजायत
At that time, her fainting ceased, and a second one arose.
प्रभाते सुंदरे जाते स ताभिर्गृहमाययौ आसां मध्ये महाराज का श्रेष्ठा सुकुमारिका
When the beautiful morning came, he returned home with them; among these, O great king, which maiden was the best?
वायुप्रकृतितश्चासौ पद्मपुष्पेण खंजिता
Due to her nature of wind, she was overcome by the lotus flower.
शीतांशुना द्वितीया तु मूर्च्छिता कफभावतः
The second, afflicted by phlegm, fainted because of the coolness of the moon.
विहस्याह पुनर्देवो भवभक्तं महीपतिम्
Smiling, the god again addressed the king devoted to existence.
स होवाच प्रधानोऽसौ वेदधर्मः सनातनः 3.2.10.
He said, 'That principal one is the eternal Vedic dharma.'
शूद्रो वैश्यस्तथा क्षत्री ब्राह्मणो ब्रह्मचर्यकृत्
The Śūdra, the Vaiśya, the Kṣatriya, and the Brāhmaṇa—each practices celibacy.
यः कृत्वा दारसंसर्गं यतिवद्वर्तते गृही
He who, after uniting with a wife, lives like an ascetic, is a householder.
गृहेषु यतिवद्धर्मो जैनशास्त्रे प्रकीर्तितः
In the Jain scripture, the dharma of living like an ascetic within the household is proclaimed.
राजानमब्रवीद्गाथां धर्मप्रश्नमयीं शुभाम्
He spoke to the king a verse, auspicious and filled with questions of dharma.
राजन्पुण्यपुरे रम्ये नानाजननिषेविते
O king, in the beautiful city of merit, served by people of many kinds—
सत्यप्रकाशस्तन्मंत्री लक्ष्मीश्चामात्यकामिनी
Satyaprakāśa was his minister, and Lakṣmī, the minister's beloved.
आनंदः कतिधा लोके तन्ममाचक्ष्व सत्तम
O noble one, tell me: in how many ways does happiness exist in the world?
ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमे यो वै ब्रह्मानंदो महोत्तमः
In the stage of celibacy, the supreme happiness is called 'brahmānanda.'
वानप्रस्थे महाराज स धर्मानंदकोऽधमः
O great king, in the forest-dweller stage, it is called 'dharmānanda,' though lesser.
संन्यस्ते तु शिवानंदस्स हि सर्वोत्तमोत्तमः
But in renunciation, the bliss of Śiva is the highest of all.
स्त्रियं विना सुखं नास्ति गृहस्थाश्रमके नृप
O king, in the householder's stage, there is no happiness without a wife.
पत्नीमन्वेषयामास स्वयोग्यां धर्मतत्पराम्
He sought a wife suitable for himself, devoted to dharma.
स भूपो मंत्रिणं प्राह नारीमन्वेषयाद्य भोः 3.2.11.
That king said to his minister, 'Seek a woman today, O sir.'
इति श्रुत्वा ययौ मंत्री देशाद्देशांतरं प्रति तुष्टाव मनसा सिंधुं सर्वतीर्थपतिं शुभम्
Hearing this, the minister set out from land to land, and in his mind praised Sindhu, the auspicious lord of all holy places.
अहं ते शरणं प्राप्तः शरणागतवत्सल
I have come to your refuge, O you who cherish those who seek shelter.
स्त्रीरत्नं देहि राज्ञोऽर्थे नो चेत्प्राणांस्त्यजाम्यहम्
Grant a jewel among women for the king's sake—or else, I shall give up my life.
जले वृक्षं सुवर्णांगं पत्रविद्रुमकं महत्
In the water stood a tree with golden trunk and great coral-like leaves.
तस्योपरि स्थिता बाला सुकुमारी मनोरमा
Upon it stood a young girl, delicate and beautiful.
इति दृष्ट्वा महाश्चर्यं नृपांतिकमुपाययौ
Having seen this great wonder, he approached the king.
तथाविधं नृपो दृष्ट्वा सागरांतमुपाययौ
The king, having witnessed such a thing, went as far as the ocean.
तां नारीं प्राह नम्रात्मा त्वदर्थेऽहं समागतः
He addressed that woman with a humble heart, saying, 'I have come here for your sake.'
विहस्य साऽऽह तं भूपं कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दशी 3.2.11.
She laughed and said to the king, 'On the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight...'
इति श्रुत्वा स नृपतिस्तद्दिने स्मरविह्वलः
Hearing this, the king became overwhelmed with longing on that very day.
एतस्मिन्नंतरे तत्र राक्षसो बकवाहनः
Meanwhile, there appeared a demon named Bakavāhana.