मन्त्रपूतं महास्त्रं च चिक्षेप पितरं मुदा
He joyfully discharged the great weapon, sanctified by mantra, at his father.
क्षणं निरीक्षणं चक्रे मोहिन्यास्ये पुनःपुनः
He gazed again and again at Mohinī's face for a moment.
बुबुधे मनसा सर्वं चरितं मन्मथस्य च
He understood in his mind all the deeds of Manmatha as well.
हे काम यौवनोन्मत्त मूढैश्वर्येण गर्वित
O Kāma, intoxicated by youth, deluded and proud of your power—
हतोद्यमो जगामाशु मन्मथो मधुना सह
Manmatha, his effort destroyed, quickly departed together with Madhu.
इत्युवाच जगद्धाता मोहिनीं मदनातुराम्
Thus spoke the Creator of the world to Mohinī, afflicted by love.
ब्रह्मोवाच ज्ञातस्तवाभिप्रायश्च नाहं योग्योऽस्य कर्मणः
Brahmā said: Your intention is known to me, but I am not fit for this act.
वेदे जुगुप्सितं कर्म तदेव कर्तुमक्षमः
This act, condemned in the Veda, I am unable to perform.
अकीर्तिं वेदवक्तुश्च निन्द्यं च किमतः परम् 4.32.
What could be more blameworthy than infamy for a Vedic speaker and reproach?
श्रुतौ श्रुतमिति त्याज्या सर्वदैव तपस्विनाम्
Even if heard in the scriptures, it must always be abandoned by ascetics.
धनायुःप्राणयशसां नाशिनी दुःखदायिनी
It destroys wealth, life, breath, and fame, and brings suffering.
निष्ठुरा नवघातिभ्यः सर्वापद्बीजरूपिणी
It is harsh, more deadly than new wounds, and is the seed of all calamities.
परद्रोहाद्यथा संपत्कुलटाप्रेम तत्समम्
Just as harming another brings ruin, so does love for a wanton woman.
यो विश्वसेत्तां संमूढो विपत्तस्य पदेपदे
Whoever trusts her, being deluded, meets with disaster at every step.
यूनां संपत्स्वरूपा च विषतुल्या तपस्विनाम्
For the young, wealth is their very form; for ascetics, it is like poison.
तवैव कर्म योग्यं च युवानं पश्य सुन्दरि
O beautiful one, only actions appropriate to youth are fitting for the young.
विदग्धाया विदग्धेन संगमो गुणवान्भवेत्
The union of a clever woman with a clever man is truly virtuous.
अस्वतन्त्रः पराधीनः का रतिः पुंश्चलीषु मे
What pleasure is there for me with unchaste women, when I am not independent but subject to another?
नात्राऽहं च जगत्स्रष्टा तस्मात्तव पिता सदा 4.32.
Here, I am not the creator of the world; therefore, your father is always your lord.
स्वर्वैद्यौ चंद्रतनयं दितिपुत्रांश्च सुंदरान्
The divine physicians, the son of the moon, and the handsome sons of Diti—
या मां यासि हि तांस्त्यक्त्वा सा विदग्धा च कामुकी
If you leave those who come to me, such a woman is clever and passionate.
स्त्री चेत्प्रयाति पुरुषं विपरीतं विडम्बनम्
If a woman approaches a man in reverse, it is a mockery.
स्वयं प्रार्थयते स्वामी न तु स्वामिनमेव च
The master should seek for himself, not the master be sought by another.
भवेद्दूरं स्वल्पमूल्यं रत्नं स्वयमुपस्थितम्
A jewel that comes on its own is considered far less valuable.
लोकाचारेषु वेदेषु न स्त्री याति परप्रियम्
In worldly custom and in the Vedas, a woman does not go to another's beloved.
स पूज्यो न भवेत्पूज्यो यद्रतिः परवस्तुषु
He is not worthy of honor whose pleasure lies in the possessions of others.
स्वेन्द्रियाः शत्रवः सर्वे शत्रुता यन्निमित्ततः
One's own senses are all enemies, for enmity arises because of them.
कृते वेदविरुद्धे च मित्रं शत्रुर्भवेद्ध्रुवम्
When an action is against the Veda, a friend certainly becomes an enemy.
हरौ तुष्टे जगत्तुष्टं तस्मिन्रुष्टे भवो रिपुः 4.32.
When Hari is pleased, the world is pleased; when he is angry, existence becomes hostile.
स्वकीयाचरणात्सर्वं भवे भवति कर्मणः
Everything in life arises from one's own conduct and actions.