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.
द्रष्टुं जगाम सा साध्वी चाश्वमेकाकिनी मुदा
That virtuous lady, alone and with joy, went to see the horse.
तया निवार्यमाणश्च रेमे तत्र तया सह 4.14.
Though she tried to prevent him, he enjoyed her there.
सा च संभोगमात्रेण देहं तत्याज योगतः
And she, by union alone, abandoned her body through yogic power.
राजा श्रुत्वा मृतां दृष्ट्वा विललाप भृशं मुहुः
The king, hearing and seeing that she had died, wept bitterly again and again.
रम्भा च मानवं देहं त्यक्त्वा स्वर्गं जगाम ह
And Rambhā, having left her human body, went to heaven.
नलकूबरमोक्षश्च रम्भायाश्च महामुने इत्येवं कथितं सर्वमपरं कथयामि ते
O great sage, the liberation of Nalakūbara and of Rambhā has been told; now I will tell you the rest.
श्रीनारायण उवाच तत्रोपवनभाण्डीरे चारयामास गोधनम्
Śrī Nārāyaṇa said: There, in the banyan grove, he grazed the cattle.
सरः सुस्वादुतोयं च पाययामास तत्पपौ
He let them drink from a lake of very sweet water, and he drank from it himself.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे कृष्णो मायामानुषविग्रहः
At that moment, Kṛṣṇa, whose form was a magical human guise—
मेघावृतं नभो दृष्ट्वा श्यामलं काननान्तरम्
—saw the sky covered with clouds and the forest interior darkened.