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.
कान्तं दृष्ट्वा हिनस्त्येव सोपायेनावलीलया
Seeing her beloved, she certainly harms him, by means of trickery and deceit.
पृथिव्यां यानि पापानि पुंश्चलीष्वेव भारते
All the sins found on earth are present in wanton women in Bharata.
पुंश्चलीपरिपक्वान्नं सर्वपातकनिश्चितम्
Food cooked by wanton women is certainly the cause of all sins.
अन्नं विष्ठा जलं मूत्रं पुंश्चलीनां च निश्चितम्
Food, feces, water, and urine of wanton women are certainly the same.
शतवर्षं कालसूत्रे पचत्येव सुदारुणे
For a hundred years, it is cooked in the dreadful thread of time.
आयुः श्रीयशसां हानिरिह लोके परत्र च 4.23.
Loss of life, wealth, and fame occurs in this world and the next.
पुंश्चलीदर्शने पुण्यं यात्रासिद्धिर्भवेद्ध्रुवम्
By seeing a courtesan, one certainly attains merit and success in one's journey.
स्नानं दानं व्रतं चैव जपश्च देवपूजनम्
Bathing, giving gifts, observing vows, reciting prayers, and worship of the gods—
कथितं कुलटाख्यानं दुर्ज्ञेयं च यथागमम्
The story of the courtesan has been told, difficult to comprehend, as found in the scriptures.
स पुनश्चेतनां प्राप्य तां दृष्ट्वैव बलेः सुतः
Regaining consciousness, the son of Bali, upon seeing her, again—