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.
विषयी यो हि भूपालस्तस्य राज्यविनाशनम्
For the king who is given to sensual pleasures, the destruction of his kingdom is certain.
राजंश्चूडापुरे रम्ये भूपश्चूडामणिः स्मृतः
In the beautiful city of Cūḍāpura, there was a king known as Cūḍāmaṇi.
देवस्वामी गुरुस्तस्य वेदवेदांगपारगः
His teacher was Devasvami, accomplished in the Vedas and their branches.
शिवमाराधयामास पुत्रार्थे वरवर्णिनी
The radiant woman worshipped Shiva for the sake of a son.
हरिस्वामीति विख्यातो जातो देवांशवान्बली
A son named Harisvami was born, famed, powerful, and possessing a portion of the gods.
रूपलावण्यिका नाम्ना तत्पत्नी हि सुरांगना
His wife, called Rupalavanyika, was a celestial maiden.
एकदा पतिना सार्द्धं वसन्ते कुसुमाकरे
Once, together with her husband, she dwelled in spring, the season of blossoming flowers.
सुकलो नाम गंधर्वस्तस्या रूपेण मोहितः
A Gandharva named Sukala was captivated by her beauty.
प्रबुद्धः स तु तां नारीं मृगयामास विह्वलः
Awakened, he sought after that woman, overcome with longing.
संन्यस्य विषयान्सर्वान्हरिध्यानपरायणः
Renouncing all sensual pleasures, he devoted himself to meditation on Hari.