शत्रुभिर्निर्जितो वृद्धः पलायनपरो ऽ भवत्
Defeated by his enemies, the old man became intent on fleeing.
अन्तर्वत्न्या च ते मात्रा सहितो वनमाविशत्
Accompanied by your mother, he entered the forest while she was pregnant.
शोकामर्षसमाविष्टो वृद्धभावेन च स्वयम्
He was overcome by grief and anger, and himself appeared aged.
अनाथ इव राजेन्द्र स्वर्गलोकमितो गतः
Like one without support, O King, he departed from this world to heaven.
चितामारोपयद्भर्तू रुदती सा कलेवरम्
She, weeping, placed her husband's body upon the funeral pyre.
चकाराग्निप्रवेशाय सुदृढां मतिमात्मनः
She resolved firmly in her mind to enter the fire.
निर्गत्य चाश्रमात्तां च वारयन्निदमब्रवीत्
Coming out from the hermitage, he spoke to her, restraining her thus.
पुत्रस्तिष्ठति सर्वेषां प्रवरश्चवर्त्तिनाम्
A son remains, the foremost among all leaders.
ततः सा सर्वदुःखानि नियम्य त्वन्मुखांबुजम्
Then, controlling all her sorrows, she gazed upon your lotus-like face.
सुषाव च ततः काले सा त्वामौर्वाश्रमे तदा
Then, in due time, she gave birth to you in the hermitage of Aurva.
और्वाश्रमे विवृद्धश्च भवांस्तेनानुकंपितः
You grew up in Aurva's hermitage, and were shown compassion by him.
एवं प्रभावो नृपतिः कार्त्तवीर्यो ऽभवद्भुवि
Thus, King Kārtavīrya became renowned upon the earth.
यद्वंशजैर्जितो युद्धे पिता ते वनमादिशत्
When your father was defeated in battle by the descendants of that lineage, he directed you to the forest.
एतच्च सर्वमाख्यातं व्रतानामुत्तमं तव
All this has been related to you, the supreme vow.
न ह्यस्य कर्त्तुर्नृपतेः पुरुषार्थचतुष्टये
For the performer, O King, there is nothing lacking in the four aims of human life.
जामदग्न्यस्य च मुने किमन्यत्कथयामि ते
O sage, what else shall I tell you about Jamadagni?
ततः स सगरो राजा कृताञ्जलिपुटो मुनिम्
Then King Sagara, with hands joined in reverence, approached the sage.
सम्यक्तमुपदेशेन तत्रानुज्ञां प्रयच्छ मे
With proper instruction, grant me permission here.
इत्युक्तस्तेन राज्ञातु तथेत्युक्त्वा महामुनिः
Thus addressed by the king, the great sage replied, 'So be it.'
स दीक्षितो वसिष्ठेन सगरो राजसत्तमः
King Sagara, the best of kings, was initiated by Vasiṣṭha.
पूजयित्वा जगन्नाथं विधिना तेन पार्थिवः
Having worshipped Jagannatha according to the prescribed rite, the king—
प्रतिज्ञामकरोद्राजा व्रतमेतदनुत्तमम्
The king made a solemn vow, undertaking this supreme observance.
अथानुज्ञाप्य राजानं वसिष्ठो भगवानृषिः
Then, having taken leave of the king, the venerable sage Vasishtha—
सन्निवर्त्यानुगच्छन्तं प्रजगाम निजाश्रमम्
Turned back from following him and returned to his own hermitage.
अयोध्यायामधिवस्न्पालयामास मेदिनीम्
He resided in Ayodhya and governed the land.
वयसैव स बालो ऽभूत्कर्मणा वृद्धसंमतः
Though still a youth in years, by his deeds he was esteemed as mature.
सुदीर्घं निःश्वसित्युष्णमुद्विग्नहृदयो ऽनिशम्
He would often sigh deeply and hotly, his heart troubled night and day.
शोकाविष्टः सरोषं सकलरिपुकुलोच्छित्तये सत्प्रतिज्ञश्चके सद्यः प्रतिज्ञां परिभवमनलं सोढुमिक्ष्वाकुवंश्यः
Overcome by grief and anger, intent on destroying all his enemies, the Ikshvaku scion, steadfast in his vow, at once endured the burning insult to his pledge.
रिपुं जेतुं मनश्चक्रे दिशश्च सकलाः क्रमात्
He resolved in his mind to conquer his foe, and gradually set his sights on all directions.
सर्वतः संवृतो राजा निश्चक्राम पुरोत्तमात्
Surrounded on all sides, the king departed from the great city.