सुमतिर्नास्ति ते सत्यं ज्ञातं नन्दव्रजेश्वरि
Your understanding is lacking, truly it is known, O Nanda, queen of Vraja,
पुत्रं बद्ध्वा गव्यहेतोर्वृक्षमूले च निष्ठुरे 4.14.
Binding the son for the sake of milking cows, at the harsh root of the tree,
वृक्षस्य पतनाद्गोपी भाग्याद्बालोऽपि जीवितः
By the falling of the tree, the boy survived by fortune, though he was young,
आशिषं युयुजुर्विप्रा बन्दिनश्च शुभावहाम्
The Brahmins and bards bestowed auspicious blessings,
एवं कृत्वा जनाः सर्वे प्रययुर्निजमन्दिरम्
Having done so, all the people departed to their own homes,
नन्द उवाच अथवा त्वं गृहाद्गच्छ त्वया मे किं प्रयोजनम्
Nanda said: Or else, you go from the house; what purpose do you serve for me?
शतकूपाधिका वापी शतवापीसमं सरः
A well exceeding a hundred, a lake equal to a hundred wells,
तपोदानोद्भवं पुण्यं जन्मान्तरसुखप्रदम्
A holy place born of austerity and charity, bestowing happiness in future births,
पुत्रादपि परो बन्धुर्न भूतो न भविष्यति यशोदा रोहिणी चैव नियुक्ता गृहकर्मणि
A friend greater than a son has never been nor will be; Yashoda and Rohini are engaged in household duties,
नारद उवाच भगवन्हेतुना केन वृक्षत्वं समवाप ह
Narada said: O Lord, by what cause did he attain the state of a tree?
कुबेरतनयः श्रीमान्नाम्ना यो नलकूबरः
The illustrious son of Kubera, named Nalakubara,
निर्जने सरसस्तीरे पुष्पोद्याने मनोहरे 4.14.
In a solitary place on the bank of the lake, in a charming flower garden,
विधाय पुष्पशयने रत्नदीपैश्च दीपितम्
Having prepared a bed of flowers, illuminated with jeweled lamps,
परितः पुष्पमाल्यैश्च क्षौमवस्त्रैश्च वेष्टितम्
Surrounded with garlands of flowers and wrapped in silk garments all around,
शृङ्गाराष्टप्रकारं च विपरीतादिकं सुखम्
The eight forms of amorous play, as well as the pleasure of reversed positions,
अङ्ग प्रत्यङ्गसंयोगत्रिविधाश्लेषणं मुदा
The joyful union of limbs and bodies, and the threefold embrace,
जलात्स्थले स्थलात्तोये कामशास्त्रविशारदः
Whether in water or on land, or from land to water, the one skilled in the art of love,
नग्नां रम्भां मुक्तकेशीं पीनश्रोणिपयोधराम्
Saw Rambha naked, with loose hair, full hips, and rounded breasts,
पश्यन्तीं प्राणनाथं च पश्यन्तं सस्मितं मुदा
Looking at her beloved, and he, smiling with delight, gazed at her,
रत्नकुण्डलयुग्मेन गण्डस्थलविराजिताम्
Her cheeks adorned with a pair of jeweled earrings,
किङ्किणीजालसंयुक्तां सिन्दूर बिन्दुसंयुताम्
Adorned with a girdle of tinkling bells and marked with a spot of vermilion,
वृक्षत्वं याहि पापिष्ठेत्युवाच मुनिपुंगवः 4.14.
The eminent sage said, 'O most sinful one, become a tree!'
जन्मेजयस्य सुभगा भविता कामिनीति च
She will become the fortunate and passionate wife of Janamejaya,
श्रीकृष्ण स्पर्शमात्रेण पुनरायास्यसि गृहम्
By the mere touch of Shri Krishna, you will return home again.
इत्येवमुक्त्वा स मुनिर्जगाम निजमन्दिरम्। कुबेरतनयः श्रीमान्स जगाम निजालयम्
Having spoken thus, the sage went to his own abode, and the illustrious son of Kubera returned to his own house.
इत्येवं कथितं विप्र रम्भाख्यानं वदामि ते
Thus, O Brahmin, I have told you the story of Rambha.
कन्या लक्ष्मीस्वरूपा च बभूव सुन्दरी वरा
The maiden, beautiful and excellent, became the very form of Lakshmi.
नानाकौतुकसंयुक्तां ददौ जन्मेजयाय च
Endowed with various wonders, she was given to Janamejaya.
स्थानेस्थाने निर्जने च राजा रेमे तया सह
In every place, and in solitude, the king enjoyed her company.
अश्वसंगोपनं कृत्वा तस्थौ शक्रश्च मन्दिरे
Having entrusted the horse, Indra remained in the palace.