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.
प्रपच्य पायसमपि वटवृक्षमुपाश्रितः भोजनं च ततो राजन्सर्पेण गरलीकृतम् ।। 3.2.12.
Having cooked rice pudding, he took shelter beneath a banyan tree; but, O King, the food was poisoned by a snake.
ततो यतिः समायातो भुक्त्वा मदमुपाययौ
Then a mendicant arrived, ate, and became intoxicated.
त्वया प्रदत्तं मूर्खेण पायसं विषमिश्रितम्
You, foolish one, gave rice pudding mixed with poison.
इत्युक्त्वा मरणं प्राप्य शिवलोकमुपाययौ
Having spoken thus, he died and attained the realm of Shiva.
इत्युक्त्वा स तु वेतालो राजानमिदब्रवीत्
Having said this, the Vetala addressed the king.
अतो दोषी हि भुजगो ब्रह्महत्यां न चाप्तवान्
Therefore, the snake is at fault, but did not incur the sin of killing a Brahmin.
बुभुक्षिते ददौ भिक्षां स द्विजो दैवमोहितः
The Brahmin, deluded by fate, gave alms to the hungry.
आत्मना च कृतं पापं भोक्तव्यं सर्वदा जनैः
The sin committed by oneself must always be experienced by people.
ब्रह्महत्या तदा ज्ञेया विषदत्तेन सा तथा
At that time, the killing of a Brahmin should be understood as caused by the one who gave the poison.
यैर्नरैः कथिता वार्ता ब्रह्महत्या त्वया कृता
By those men who narrated the story, the sin of killing a Brahmin has been committed by you.
नगरे चन्द्रहृदये रणधीरो नृपोऽभवत्
In the city of Candrahṛdaya, there was a king named Raṇadhīra.
तत्र वैश्योऽवसद्धर्मी नाम्ना धर्मध्वजो धनी
There, a virtuous and wealthy merchant lived, whose name was Dharmadhvaja.
एकदा नगरे तस्मिन्यातुभक्तो नरोऽभवत्
Once, in that city, there appeared a man who was devoted to eating flesh.
वाशरो नाम तत्रासीद्राक्षसः पुरुषादनः
There was a rākṣasa named Vāśara, a devourer of men.
प्रसन्नो राक्षसो भूत्वा यातुभक्तं तमब्रवीत्
The rākṣasa, having become pleased, spoke to that flesh-eater.
स होवाच वरो मह्यं देयस्ते पुरुषादक
He said, 'Grant me a boon, O devourer of men.'
इति श्रुत्वाकरोद्गर्तं नर बुद्धिविमोहनम्
Hearing this, the man made a pit that would bewilder the mind.
तेन रात्रौ तु चौर्येण नृपदासी वरांगना
By means of theft at night, a royal maidservant, a beautiful woman, was obtained.
सप्तपत्न्योऽभवंस्तस्य चतुर्वर्णस्य योषितः
He had seven wives, women from the four castes.
नृपदुर्गसमं गेहं रचितं तेन रक्षसा 3.2.13.
A house like a royal fortress was constructed by that rākṣasa.