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.
किं करोषि शङ्खचूड संवादमनया सह
What are you doing, Śaṅkhacūḍa, conversing with her?
त्वं च पुरुषरत्नं च स्त्रीरत्नं स्त्रीष्वियं सती
You are a jewel among men, and she is a jewel among women; she is virtuous among women.
निर्विरोधसुखं राजन्को वा त्यजति दुर्लभम्
A king abandons rare happiness without conflict or trouble.
किमुपेक्षसि त्वं कान्तमीदृशं गुणिनं सती
Why do you neglect such a beloved, virtuous man, O chaste one?
यथा लक्ष्मीश्च लक्ष्मीशे यथा कृष्णे च राधिका
Just as Lakṣmī is with Lakṣmī's Lord, just as Rādhikā is with Kṛṣṇa,
यथा धरा वराहे च यथा मेना हिमालये
Just as the earth is with Varāha, just as Menā is with Himālaya,
रोहिणी च यथा चन्द्रे यथा कामे रतिः सती
Just as Rohiṇī is with the moon, just as Rati is with Kāma, O chaste one,
यथाऽहल्या गौतमे च देवहूतिश्च कर्दमे 2.16.
Just as Ahalyā is with Gautama, and Devahūti is with Kardama,
यथा च दक्षिणा यज्ञे यथा स्वाहा हुताशने
Just as Dakṣiṇā is in the sacrifice, just as Svāhā is with the fire,
देवसेना यथा स्कन्दे धर्मे मूत्तिर्यथा सती
Just as Devasenā is with Skanda, and Mūttī is with Dharma, O chaste one,