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.
कामांधो राक्षसं हत्वा स्वपत्नीं प्राह निर्भयाम्
Blinded by desire, he slew the demon and spoke fearlessly to his wife.
साह भोः शृणु भूपाल विद्याधरसुता ह्यहम्
She said, 'O king, listen! I am indeed the daughter of a Vidyādhara.'
नागता भोजने काले पितृमात्रोश्च मंदिरे
I did not come at the time of the meal, nor to the house of my father and mother.
अद्य कृष्णचतुर्दश्यां त्वां भजिष्यति राक्षसः
Today, on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, the demon will seize you.
तदाहं रोदनं कृत्वा ब्रवीमि पितरं प्रति
Then, weeping, I spoke to my father.
स होवाच कुमारि त्वं वीरभुक्ता भविष्यसि
He said, 'O daughter, you will be enjoyed by a hero.'
त्वदाज्ञयाहं यास्यामि भो राजन्पितृमंदिरे
By your command, O king, I will go to my father's house.
त्वया सार्द्धं गमिष्यामि गृहं विद्याधरस्य तत् 3.2.11.
With you, I will go to the house of the Vidyādhara.
तदा तु नगरे तस्मिन्नृणां जातो महोत्सवः पञ्चत्वमगमत्तूर्णं कुतो हेतोर्हि तद्वद
Then, in that city, a great festival arose among the people; but suddenly, death befell them—tell me, for what reason?
नृपं स हृदि संध्यात्वा राज्यभंगभयातुरः
He reflected in his heart upon the king, troubled by the fear of losing his kingdom.