शृणु तात प्रवक्ष्येऽहमितिहासं पुरातनम्
Listen, dear one, I shall now recount an ancient legend.
एकदैव महेन्द्रश्च पुष्पभद्रां नदीं ययौ
Once, indeed, Mahendra went to the river Puṣpabhadrā.
तत्तीरेऽतिरहःस्थाने पुष्पोद्याने मनोहरे
On its bank, in a most delightful flower-garden, a place for long stays—
भ्रमरध्वनिसंयुक्ते पुंस्कोकिलरुतश्रवे
Where the air was filled with the hum of bees and the calls of cuckoos—
ददर्श रम्भां तत्रैव चन्द्रलोकात्समागताम्
There he saw Rambhā, who had come from the realm of the moon.
इच्छन्तीमीप्सितां क्रीडां गच्छन्तीं मदनाश्रमम्
Desiring her wished-for play, she was going to Madana's hermitage.
सुश्रोणीं सुदतीं श्यामां बिम्बाधरसरोरुहाम्
She was slender-waisted, lovely-toothed, dark-complexioned, with lips like bimba fruit and lotus-like.
सस्मितास्यशरच्चन्द्रां सुकटाक्षं च बिभ्रतीम्
Her face was smiling, like the autumn moon, and she cast charming glances.
वह्निशुद्धांशुकधरां रत्नभूषणभूषिताम्
She wore garments purified by fire and was adorned with jeweled ornaments.
नीलोत्पलदलश्यामकज्जलोज्जललोचनाम्
Her eyes shone with dark collyrium, and her complexion was like the blue petals of a lotus.
अत्युन्नतं सुकठिनं पत्रराजिविराजितम्
Her breasts were exceedingly high, firm, and splendid like the king of leaves.
सर्वशोभां सुवेषाढ्यां सुभगां सुरतोत्सुकाम्
She was endowed with every charm, beautifully dressed, fortunate, and eager for love.
वरामप्सरसां रम्यामतीव स्थिरयौवनाम्
She was the best among the celestial nymphs, exceedingly lovely, and possessed unwavering youth.
दृष्ट्वा तामतिवेषाढ्यां तत्कटाक्षेण पीडितः
Seeing her, so richly adorned, he was afflicted by her sidelong glance.
इन्द्र उवाच मया दृष्टा हि सुचिरात्कल्याणि सुभगेऽधुना
Indra said: O beautiful and fortunate one, I have seen you now after a long time.
तवान्वेषणकर्त्ताऽहं श्रुत्वा वाचिकमग्रतः
I am the one who has come searching for you, having heard your name spoken before.
सुवासितजलार्थी यः किमिच्छेत्पङ्किलं जलम्
Who, desiring fragrant water, would wish for muddy water?
सुधार्थी न सुरामिच्छेद्दुग्धार्थी नाविलं जलम्
One who seeks nectar does not desire liquor; one who seeks milk does not want impure water.
स्वर्गी च नरकं नेच्छेत्सुभोगी दुष्टभोजनम् विहाय रत्नाभरणं कोऽपीच्छेल्लोहभूषणम्
A dweller in heaven does not wish for hell; a lover of pleasures does not desire bad food. Who, abandoning jeweled ornaments, would wish for ornaments of iron?
त्वां नाश्लिष्य महाविज्ञां कां मूढो गन्तुमिच्छति
Who, not embracing you, the greatly wise, would wish, being foolish, to go elsewhere?
इन्द्रियैश्चेन्द्रियरतिं वर्द्धयन्तीं पदे पदे
With her senses, she increased sensual delight at every step.
कामयुक्तश्च पुरतस्तस्थौ तस्याश्च नारद
Filled with desire, he stood before her, and Nārada was also present.
श्रुत्वा तद्वचनं रम्भा महाशृङ्गारलोलुपा
Hearing those words, Rambhā, greatly eager for passion, became restless.
स्मेरानना कटाक्षेण स्तनोर्वोर्दर्शनेन च
With a smiling face, a sidelong glance, and the display of her breasts and thighs.
मितं सारं सुमधुरं सुस्निग्धं कोमलं प्रियम्
She spoke words that were measured, meaningful, very sweet, affectionate, gentle, and pleasing.
रम्भोवाच नाहं सन्तोषजननी धूर्त्तानां दुष्टमित्रता
Rambhā said: I am not the cause of satisfaction for the wicked, nor a friend to evil companions.
यथा मधुकरो लोभात्सर्वपुष्पासवं लभेत्
Just as a bee, out of greed, obtains the nectar of all flowers,
तथैव कामुकी लोके भ्रमेद्भ्रमरवत्सदा
so too does a lustful woman in the world wander always like a bee.
सुपुमानङ्गवत्स्त्रीणां यथा शाखाश्च शाखिषु
A handsome man is for women as branches are for birds.
स्वकार्य्यमुद्धरेद्यावत्तावद्वा स प्रयोजनम्
He fulfills his own purpose with them as long as there is use.