नैकभावा यथा वेश्या वृथा पश्यति कामुकम् । तथाऽहं मण्डपे गत्वा कुर्वे वारस्त्रिया कृतम्
As a prostitute, with divided mind, looks in vain upon her lovers, so too, if I enter the pavilion, I would act as a courtesan does.
वृद्धैरेतैः कृतं धर्मं न करिष्यामि साम्प्रतम् । पत्नीव्रतं तथा कामं चरिष्येऽहं धृतव्रता
I will not follow this custom established by the elders; I am firmly vowed to the path of a devoted wife.
सामान्या प्रथमं गत्वा कृत्वा सङ्कल्पितं बहु । वृणोति चैकं तद्वद्वै वृणोमि कथमद्य वै
At first, she becomes common by going and making many choices, then selects one; how then can I choose today in the same way?
सुदर्शनो मया पूर्वं वृतः सर्वात्मना पितः । तमृते नान्यथा कर्तुमिच्छामि नृपसत्तम
Father, I have already chosen Sudarśana with all my heart; apart from him, I do not wish to act otherwise, O best of kings.
विवाहविधिना देहि कन्यादानं शुभे दिने । सुदर्शनाय नृपते यदीच्छसि शुभं मम
If you desire my welfare, O king, then give me in marriage to Sudarśana on an auspicious day, according to the proper rites.
कन्यया स्वपितरं प्रति सुदर्शनेन सह विवाहार्थकथनम् व्यास उवाच सुबाहुरपि तच्छ्रुत्वा युक्तमुक्तं तया तदा । चिन्ताविष्टो बभूवाशु किं कर्तव्यमतः परम्
Vyāsa said: Hearing her words, which were appropriate and well-spoken, Subāhu became troubled, pondering what should be done next.
सङ्गताः पृथिवीपालाः ससैन्याः सपरिग्रहाः । उपविष्टाश्च मञ्चेषु योद्धुकामा महाबलाः
The assembled kings, with their armies and retinues, were seated on the platforms, eager for battle, possessing great strength.
यदि ब्रवीमि तान्सर्वान्सुता नायाति साम्प्रतम् । तथापि कोपसंयुक्ता हन्युर्मा दुष्टबुद्धयः
If I tell them all now that my daughter will not come, those wicked-minded ones, filled with anger, might kill me.
न मे सैन्यबलं तादृङ्न दुर्गबलमद्भुतम् । येनाहं नृपतीन्सर्वान् प्रत्यादेष्टुमिहोत्सहे
I do not possess such military strength, nor an extraordinary fortified force, by which I could dare to oppose all these kings here.
सुदर्शनस्तथैकाकी ह्यसहायोऽधनः शिशुः । किं कर्तव्यं निमग्नोऽहं सर्वथा दुःखसागरे
Sudarshana is alone, without allies, without wealth, and still a child; what can be done? I am utterly submerged in an ocean of sorrow.
इति चिन्तापरो राजा जगाम नृपसन्निधौ । प्रणम्य तानुवाचाथ प्रश्रयावनतो नृपः
Thus, absorbed in thought, the king went into the assembly of kings; bowing to them, he spoke with humility, his head lowered in respect.
किं कर्तव्यं नृपाः कामं नैति मे मण्डपे सुता । बहुशः प्रेर्यमाणाऽपि सा मात्राऽपि मयाऽपि च
O kings, what should be done? My daughter does not come to the pavilion, though she has been urged many times by her mother and by me as well.
मूर्घ्ना पतामि पादेषु राज्ञां दासोऽस्मि साम्प्रतम् । पूजादिकं गृहीत्वाऽद्य व्रजन्तु सदनानि वः
I fall at your feet with my head; I am now your servant. Please accept the honors and gifts, and today return to your homes.
ददामि बहुरत्नानि वस्त्राणि च गजान् रथान् । गृहीत्वाऽद्य कृपां कृत्वा व्रजन्तु भवनान्युत
I will give abundant jewels, garments, elephants, and chariots; please accept these today, show me your kindness, and return to your palaces.
न वशे मे सुता बाला म्रियते यदि खेदिता । तदा मे स्यान्महद्दुःखं तेन चिन्तातुरोऽस्म्यहम्
My young daughter is not under my control; if she is distressed, she may die. Then I would suffer great grief—this is why I am so troubled.
भवन्तः करुणावन्तो महाभाग्या महौजसः । किं मे तया दुहित्रा तु मन्दया दुर्विनीतया
You are compassionate, highly fortunate, and mighty; what use have I for such a foolish and ill-behaved daughter?
अनुग्राह्योऽस्मि वः कामं दासोऽहमिति सर्वथा । सुता सुतेव मन्तव्या भवद्भिः सर्वथा मम
I am to be regarded as your dependent, truly your servant in every way; my daughter should be considered by you all as your own child.
व्यास उवाच श्रुत्वा सुबाहुवचनं नोचुः केचन भूमिपाः । युधाजित्क्रोधताम्राक्षस्तमुवाच रुषान्वितः
Vyasa said: Hearing Subahu's words, none of the kings replied; but Yudhajit, his eyes red with anger, spoke to him in wrath.
राजन्मूर्खोऽसि किं ब्रूषे कृत्वा कार्य सुनिन्दितम् । स्वयंवरः कथं मोहाद्रचितः संशये सति
King, you are a fool! What are you saying, having committed such a blameworthy act? How could you, in your delusion, arrange a svayamvara when there was uncertainty?
मिलिता भूभुजः सर्वे त्वयाहूताः स्वयंवरे । कथमद्य नृपा गन्तुं योग्यास्ते स्वगृहान्प्रति
All the kings have gathered here at your invitation for the svayamvara; how can it be proper for the kings to return to their homes today?
अवमान्य नृपान्सर्वांस्त्वं किं सुदर्शनाय वै । दातुमिच्छसि पुत्रीञ्च किमनार्यमतः परम्
Having insulted all the kings, why do you wish to give your daughter to Sudarshana? What could be more unworthy than this?
विचार्य पुरुषेणादौ कार्यं वै शुभमिच्छता । आरब्धव्यं त्वया तत्तु कृतं राजन्नजानता
A man who desires good results should first consider carefully before acting; but you, O king, have undertaken this without understanding.
एतान्विहाय नृपतीन्बलवाहनसंयुतान् । वरं सुदर्शनं कर्तुं कथमिच्छसि साम्प्रतम्
How do you now wish to choose Sudarshana as the groom, abandoning these kings, all equipped with armies and power?
अहं त्वां हन्मि पापिष्ठं तथा पश्चात्सुदर्शनम् । दौहित्रायाद्य ते कन्यां दास्यामीति विनिश्चयः
I will kill you, most wicked one, and then Sudarshana as well; today I am determined to give your daughter to my grandson.
मयि तिष्ठति कोऽन्योस्ति यः कन्यां हर्तुमिच्छति । सुदर्शनः कियानद्य निर्धनो निर्बलः शिशुः
While I am present, who else is there who would dare to take the maiden? What is Sudarshana today but a poor, powerless child?
भारद्वाजाश्रमे पूर्वं मुक्तो मुनिकृते मया । नाद्याहं मोचयिष्यामि सर्वथा जीवितं शिशोः
Once, at the Bharadvaja hermitage, I spared the boy's life for the sage's sake; but today I will not spare his life under any circumstances.
तस्माद्विचार्य सम्यक्त्वं पुत्र्या च भार्यया सह । दौहित्राय प्रियां कन्यां देहि मे सुभ्रुवं किल
Therefore, having carefully considered what is proper, together with your daughter and wife, give your beloved, beautiful-browed daughter to my grandson.
सम्बन्धी भव दत्त्वा त्वं पुत्रीमेतां मनोरमाम् । उच्चाश्रयः प्रकर्तव्यः सर्वदा शुभमिच्छता
By giving this charming daughter, you will become related to me; one who desires auspiciousness should always establish a strong alliance.
सुदर्शनाय दत्त्वा त्वं पुत्रीं प्राणप्रियां शुभाम् । एकाकिनेऽप्यराज्याय किं सुखं प्राप्तुमिच्छसि
Give your dear and virtuous daughter to Sudarshana; what happiness do you seek in ruling alone, without a kingdom?
( कुलं वित्तं बलं रूपं राज्यं दुर्गं सुहृज्जनम् । दृष्ट्वा कन्या प्रदातव्या नान्यथा सुखमृच्छति) ॥ परिचिन्तय धर्मं त्वं राजनीतिञ्च शाश्वतीम् । कुरु कार्यं यथायोग्यं मा कृथा मतिमन्यथा
(A daughter should be given after considering family, wealth, strength, beauty, kingdom, fortress, and friends; otherwise, happiness is not attained.) Reflect on righteousness and eternal royal policy, and act as is proper; do not let your mind stray otherwise.