गृहे जप्त्वा महामंत्रं चामुण्डाबीजसंयुतम्
In the house, he recited the great mantra, joined with the seed-syllable of Cāmuṇḍā.
एकया सुंदरी कन्या द्वादशाब्दमयी शुभा
There was a single beautiful maiden, auspicious and twelve years old.
द्वौ गतौ राजसदने नृपमाशीर्भिरर्च्य तम् 3.2.14.
The two went to the royal palace and worshipped the king with blessings.
पलायितौ सुतः पत्नी तावन्वेष्टुं समाययौ
The son and wife, having fled, came together to search for them.
यावदहं न गच्छामि स्वगेहे रक्ष धर्मतः तस्यै समर्प्य तां पश्चात्स द्विजो गेहमाययौ
Until I return to my own house, protect her righteously; after entrusting her to that woman, the twice-born went home.
सुदेवस्तु निशीथे वै रमणीं प्राह निर्भयः
Then, in the middle of the night, Sudeva spoke to the woman without fear.
साह मे हृदये नित्यं सुदेवो ब्राह्मणोत्तमः
She said, 'Sudeva, the best of Brahmins, is always in my heart.'
सुदेवश्चाह भोः सुभूर्यदि ते ब्राह्मणोत्तमम् साह ते सर्वदा दासी भवामि द्विजभामिनि
And Sudeva said, 'O Subhū, if you desire the best of Brahmins, I shall always be your servant, O twice-born lady.'
इति श्रुत्वा सुदेवस्तु मुखान्निष्कृष्य यंत्रकम्
Hearing this, Sudeva removed the device from her mouth.
चतुर्मास्यो भवद्गर्भस्तस्मिन्काले तु भो नृप
O king, at that time, after four months, she became pregnant.
अमात्यतनयो विप्रस्त्रीरूपं प्रति मोहितः
The minister's son, deluded by the form of the Brahmin woman—
मन्त्री स्नेहाच्च बहुधा सञ्चित्य हृदि पंडितैः 3.2.14.
Because of affection, the minister, after much deliberation in his heart with the learned—
साह भोमात्यतनय त्रिमासं तीर्थमण्डले
That minister's son stayed for three months in the region of holy places.
तथा मत्वा मंत्रिसुतो नम्रात्मा मदनालसः
Thinking thus, the minister's son, with a humble mind and languid from love—
भूपकांतिं कामवशां चालिलिंग स कामुकः
Driven by desire, that lover embraced the king's beloved, who was overcome by passion.
सुदेवो मानुषो भूत्वा मूलदेवगृहं ययौ
Sudeva, having become human, went to the house of Mūladeva.
मूलदेवः प्रसन्नात्मा शशिनं नाम मित्रकम्
Mūladeva, with a pleased heart, had a friend named Śaśin.
राज्ञे निवेद्य तत्सर्वं वधूं मे देहि भूपते
Having reported everything to the king, he said, 'Give me the bride, O king.'
मन्त्री राजकरो नाम तत्पुत्रो मदनालसः
The minister, named Rājakara, had a son called Madanālasa.
स्वपुत्रस्य वियोगेन स मन्त्री च तथेदृशः
Because of separation from his own son, the minister was in such a state.
यथा प्रसन्नो हि भवान्कुरु त्वं च तथाविधम्
As you are indeed pleased, act accordingly.
देहि भूप सुतां मह्यं तत्पुत्रस्य सुरताय वै 3.2.14.
O king, give me your daughter for the pleasure of that son.
दत्त्वा च वेदविधिना बहुधा द्रव्यसंयुताम्
Having given, according to the Vedic injunction, many gifts accompanied by wealth,
शशी तु भूपतेः कन्यां गृहीत्वा स्वगृहं ययौ
Śaśī took the king’s daughter and went to his own house.
मदीयेयं नृपसुता भोगपत्नी महोत्तमा
This princess is mine, a most excellent wife for enjoyment.
इत्युक्त्वा नृपतिं प्राह वैतालो रुद्रकिंकरः
Having spoken thus, the Vaitāla, servant of Rudra, addressed the king.
राजोवाच पितामात्राज्ञया पुत्री देवानां सन्मुखे स्थिता
The king said: By the command of her father and mother, the daughter stood before the gods.
शास्त्रेषु कथितं देव स्त्रीरत्नं सर्वदैव हि
It is stated in the scriptures, O god, that a woman is always a precious jewel.
तत्क्षेत्रं कृषिकारस्य बीजदातुर्न चैव ह
That field belongs to the cultivator, not to the one who gives the seed.
सुदेवस्य वै तनयो योग्यत्वं हि गमिष्यति
The son of Sudeva will indeed attain worthiness.