मुने सर्वं सुविस्तार्य वद संदेहभञ्जन
O sage, explain everything in detail and dispel my doubts.
श्रीनारायण उवाच पुरा श्रुतं धर्मवक्त्रात्पर्वते गन्धमादने
Śrī Nārāyaṇa said: Long ago, I heard from the mouth of Dharma, on Mount Gandhamādana,
पाद्मकल्पे च वृत्तान्तं विचित्रं सुमनोहरम्
In the Padma Kalpa, there was a marvelous and most delightful event.
यत्र कल्पे कथा चेयं तत्र त्वमुपबर्हणः
In that kalpa, this very story occurred, and you were the chief participant there.
पंचाशत्कामिनीनां च पतिः शृङ्गारतत्परः
You were the husband of fifty desirous women, wholly devoted to love.
अनुक्षणं पपुस्तास्ते सुन्दरं मुखपङ्कजम्
At every moment, they drank in your beautiful lotus-like face.
तासां प्राणैश्च घटितो विधिना त्वमिव श्रुतम्
By fate, you were joined to them by their very life-breaths, as has been heard.
पुष्पोद्याने च रहसि स्थानेस्थाने मनोरमे 4.23.
In the flower gardens, in secret, in various charming places—
काननेषु च रम्येषु श्मशाने जन्तुवर्जिते
And in delightful forests, and in cremation grounds deserted by living beings—
तदा दैवाद्विधेः शापाद्भूत्वा दासीसुतो भवान्
Then, by the curse of fate, you became the son of a maidservant.
असंख्यकल्पजीवी च वैष्णवप्रवरो महान्
You lived through countless kalpas, a great and foremost devotee of Viṣṇu.
तस्य कल्पस्य वृत्तान्तं मुने मत्तो निशामय
O sage, now listen to the account of that kalpa from me.
एकदैव बलेः पुत्रो नाम्ना साहसिको बली
Once, there was a son of Bali, named Sāhasika, who was strong.
चन्देनोक्षितसर्वाङ्गो रत्नभूषणभूषितः
His entire body was anointed with sandal paste and adorned with jeweled ornaments.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तेन पथा याति तिलोत्तमा
At that very moment, Tilottamā was traveling along that path.
चारुचम्पकवर्णाभा रत्नाभरणभूषिता
She shone with the radiance of a beautiful campaka flower, adorned with jeweled ornaments.
स्तनमूरुं मुखेन्दुं च दृष्ट्वा साहसिको युवा 4.23.
Seeing her breasts, thighs, and moon-like face, Sāhasika, the young man—
सा ददर्श बलेः पुत्रमतीव सुमनोहरम्
She beheld the son of Bali, exceedingly handsome.
शरत्पार्वणचन्द्रास्यं सुस्मितं सुमनोहरम्
Her face was like the autumn full moon, with a beautiful smile, most enchanting.
क्रीडायै चन्द्रलोकं च गच्छन्ती चन्द्रकामुकी
For play, she would go to the realm of the moon, desiring the moon.
दर्शंदर्शं च तस्यास्य प्रहस्य वक्रचक्षुषा
Again and again, she would look at him, laughing with her sidelong glances.
पुलकांकितसर्वाङ्गं धर्मकर्मसमन्वितम्
Her whole body was marked with goosebumps, endowed with righteousness and action.
विसस्मार शशधरं बलिपुत्रमनोरथा
She forgot the moon, absorbed in the desires of Bali's son.
पुंश्चल्यां यो हि विश्वस्तो विधिना स विडम्बितः
He who trusts a wanton woman is deceived by fate.
वाञ्छितं नूतनं प्राप्य विनश्यति पुरातनम्
Having obtained something new that is desired, the old is destroyed.
दैवे कर्मणि पैत्र्ये च पुत्रे बन्धौ न भर्तरि
In destiny, in action, in ancestry, in son, in kin, but not in husband.
प्राणाधिकं रतिज्ञं साऽमृतदृष्ट्या च पुंश्चली 4.23.
The wanton woman regards the lover, who knows pleasure, as dearer than life, and with nectar-like vision.
सर्वेषां स्थलमस्त्येव पुंश्चलीनां न कुत्रचित्
There is a place for everyone, but for wanton women, there is none anywhere.
निष्कृतिः सर्वभोगान्ते सर्वेषामस्ति निश्चितम्
At the end of all enjoyments, atonement is certain for everyone.
अन्यासां कामिनीनां च कीटं हन्तुं च या दया
The compassion to kill a worm is found in other women and those who desire.