कृत्यास्वरूपं तद्यत्तु स्वर्वेश्यादिकमेव च
That which is the essence of action, and whatever is chief among goddesses—
सत्त्वप्रधानं यद्रूपं तच्च शुद्धं स्वभावतः
The form which is dominated by purity is naturally pure.
तद्वास्तवं च विज्ञेयं प्रवदन्ति मनीषिणः
Know that as the true form; the wise declare it so.
स्थानाभावात्क्षणाभावान्मध्यवृत्तेरभावतः
Due to absence of place, absence of moment, and absence of intermediate state—
बहुगोष्ठा वृतेनैव रिपुराजभयेन च
Because of many discussions, and due to fear of enemy kings—
इदं मध्यमरूपं च प्रवदन्ति मनीषिणः
The wise declare this as the intermediate form.
न पृच्छति कुले जातः पण्डितश्च परस्त्रियम्
A wise man born in a good family does not question another's wife.
आगच्छामि त्वत्समीपमाज्ञया ब्रह्मणोऽधुना 2.16.
Now, by the command of Brahmā, I have come into your presence.
अहमेव शङ्खचूडो देवविद्रावकारकः
I myself am Shankhachuda, the one who drives away the gods.
अहमष्टसु गोपेषु गोगोपीपार्षदेषु च
Among the eight groups of cowherds, and among the attendants of cows and cowherd women, I am present.
जातिस्मरोऽहं जानामि कृष्णमन्त्रप्रभावतः
I remember my previous births; I know this by the power of the Krishna-mantra.
त्वमेव राधिकाकोपाज्जाताऽसि भारते भुवि
You yourself have been born on the earth of Bharata because of Radhika's anger.
इत्येवमुक्त्वा स पुमान्विरराम महामुने
Having spoken thus, that man became silent, O great sage.
तुलस्युवाच कान्तमेवंविधं कान्ता शश्वदिच्छति कामतः
Tulasi said: A beloved always desires such a lover, out of passion.
त्वयाऽहमधुना सत्यं विचारेण पराजिता
Now, by your reasoning, I have truly been defeated.
निन्दन्ति पितरो देवा बान्धवाः स्त्रीजितं जनम्
Fathers, gods, and relatives reproach a man who is conquered by a woman.
शुध्येद्विप्रो दशाहेन जातके मृतके तथा
A brahmin becomes pure in ten days, whether at a birth or a death.
शूद्रो मासेन वेदेषु मातृवद्वर्णसङ्करः 2.16.
A shudra in a month, and in the Vedas, one born of mixed castes is like a mother.
न गृह्णन्तीच्छया तस्य पितरः पिण्डतर्पणम्
His ancestors do not willingly accept the offering of rice-balls from him.
किं तस्य ज्ञानतपसा जपहोमप्रपूजनैः
What use are his knowledge, austerity, recitation, sacrifice, and worship?
विद्याप्रभावज्ञानार्थं मया त्वं च परीक्षितः
You too have been tested by me for the sake of knowledge, to understand the power of learning.
वराय गुणहीनाय वृद्धायाज्ञानिने तथा
To one lacking in virtues, to an old man, or to an ignorant one—
अत्यन्तकोपयुक्ताय चात्यन्तदुर्मुखाय च
To one filled with excessive anger, or to one with a very unpleasant face,
जडाय चैव मूकाय क्लीबतुल्याय पापिने
To one who is dull, mute, like a eunuch, or sinful—
शान्ताय गुणिने चैव यूने च विदुषेऽपि च
To one who is peaceful, virtuous, youthful, and learned,
यः कन्यापालनं कृत्वा करोति विक्रयं यदि
If someone, after protecting a maiden, sells her,
कन्यामूत्रपुरीषं च तत्र भक्षति पातकी
That sinner eats the urine and feces of the maiden in that context.
तदन्ते व्याधयोनौ च लभते जन्म निश्चितम् 2.16.
Afterwards, he certainly obtains birth among disease-ridden species.
इत्येवमुक्त्वा तुलसी विरराम तपोवने
Having spoken thus, Tulasī ceased in the forest of austerity.
मूर्ध्ना ननाम तुलसी शङ्खचूडश्च नारद
Tulasī, Śaṅkhacūḍa, and Nārada bowed their heads.