निद्रया लं महाबुद्धे प्रतिवुध्यस्व सांप्रतम्
O great-minded one, now leave sleep and awaken at this very moment.
क्षीराब्दौ शेषशयनाद्यथापङ्कजलोचनः
Just as the lotus-eyed one rises from his serpent couch in the ocean of milk—
चकारावहितः सम्यग्जयादिकमशेषतः
He performed, with full attention, all the acts of victory and auspiciousness.
कृत्वा दूर्वाञ्जनादर्शमङ्गल्यालम्बनानि च
He made offerings of sacred grass, black ointment, mirrors, and other auspicious articles.
निष्क्रम्य च पुरात्तस्मादुपतस्थे च भास्करम्
He departed from that city and approached the Sun.
रचिताञ्जलयो राजन्नेमुश्च नृपसत्तमम्
With hands joined in reverence, O King, they bowed to the foremost among rulers.
ननाम पादयोस्तस्य किरीटेनार्कवर्चसा
He bowed at his feet, his crown shining with the radiance of the sun.
प्रश्रयावनतं साम्ना तमुवाचास्यतामिति
With humility, he addressed him gently, saying, 'Be seated.'
उवाच रजनी व्युष्टा सुखेन तव किं नृप
He said, 'The night has passed; is everything well with you, O King?'
शक्यं मृगसधर्माणां येन केनापि वर्त्तितुम्
It is possible for those who live like beasts to subsist by any means.
अनभ्यस्तं हि राजेन्द्र ननु सर्वं हि दुष्करम्
Indeed, O King of kings, anything unpracticed is difficult for all.
आप्तस्तु भवतो नूनं सा गौरवसमुन्नतिः
Certainly, you have attained that exalted dignity and honor.
प्रहसन्निव तं भूयो वचनं प्रत्यभाषत
Smiling, he again replied to him with these words.
अस्माभिमहिमा येन विस्मितं सकलं जगत्
By whose greatness the entire world stands amazed.
इतो न गन्तुमिच्छन्ति सैनिका मे महामुने
My soldiers, O great sage, do not wish to depart from here.
ध्रियन्ते सर्वदा नूनमचिन्त्यं ब्रह्मवर्चसम्
Surely, the inconceivable brilliance of Brahman is always sustained.
ध्रुवं कर्त्तुं हि लोकानामवस्थात्रितयं क्रमात्
Certainly, the threefold states of the worlds must be established in order.
गमिष्यामि पुरीं ब्रह्मन्ननुजानातु मां भवान्
O Brahman, I will go to the city; please grant me permission.
संभावयित्वा नितरां तथेति प्रत्यभाषत
After honoring him thoroughly, he replied, 'So be it.'
सैन्यैः परिवृतः सर्वैः संप्रतस्थे पुरीं प्रति
Surrounded by all his soldiers, he set out toward the city.
अहो ऽस्य तपसः सिद्धिर्लोक विस्मयदायिनी
Ah, the accomplishment of his austerity is astonishing to the world.
किं मे सकलराज्येन योगर्द्ध्या वाप्यनल्पया
What use have I for the entire kingdom, or even for great yogic prosperity?
अनयोत्पादिता नूनं संपत्स्वर्गसदामपि
Surely, even the prosperity of those who dwell in heaven has been produced by her.
अस्या धेनोरहं मन्ये कलां नार्हति षोडशीम्
I think that I am not worthy of even a sixteenth part of this cow.
चन्द्रगुप्तो ऽब्रवीन्मन्त्री कृताञ्जलि पुटस्तदा
Then Cāṇakya, with joined palms, spoke to him.
रक्षितेन च राज्येन पुर्या वा किं फलं तव
What benefit is there for you in a kingdom or city that is protected?
वर्त्तते नार्द्धमपि ते राज्यं शून्यं तव प्रभो
O lord, your kingdom is empty; not even half remains to you.
भवनानि मनोज्ञानि मनोज्ञाश्च तथा स्त्रियः
The palaces are delightful, and likewise the women are charming.
धेनो तस्यां क्षणेनैव विलीनं पश्यतो मम
But before my eyes, all of that was absorbed into that cow in a single moment.
एवंप्रभावा सा यस्य तस्य किं दुर्लं भवेत्
For one whose power is such, what could be difficult to obtain?