श्वश्रूदेवरवर्गाणां दासीत्वं श्वशुरालये
Serving as a maid to the group of mothers-in-law and gods in the house of the father-in-law.
कदाचित्पतिरन्यां वा कामिनीं च भजेद्यदि 5.17.
If at any time the husband should desire another woman or a lover.
तदेर्ष्या जायते पत्यौ क्लेशश्चापि भवेदथ
Then jealousy arises towards the husband, and distress also occurs.
स्वभावात्परतन्त्राणां संसारे स्वप्नधर्मिणि
By nature, those dependent on others in worldly life are like those in a dream.
उत्तमः सर्वधर्मज्ञो धुवादवरजो नृपः
The best is the one who knows all dharmas, the king who is steadfast and younger.
अपराधं विना कांतां त्यक्तवान्विपिने प्रियाम्
Without fault, he abandoned his beloved wife in the forest.
कालयोगान्मृते तस्मिन्नारी स्याद् दुःखभाजनम्
When he died by the force of time, the woman became a recipient of suffering.
परोषि(पि?)तपतित्वेऽपि दुःखं स्यादधिकं गृहे
Even if she becomes the wife of another, her suffering at home is even greater.
तस्मात्पतिर्न कर्तव्यः सर्वथेति मतिर्मम
Therefore, a husband should not be taken under any circumstances; this is my opinion.
न च वांछति भर्तारं कौमारव्रतधारिणी
One who observes the vow of maidenhood does not desire a husband.
न कांक्षति पतिं कर्तुं बहुदोषविचक्षणा
She does not wish to take a husband, being wise about many faults.
विवाहो न कृतः पुत्र्या ज्ञात्वा भाववि वर्जिताम् 5.17.
Marriage was not arranged for the daughter, knowing she was devoid of worldly inclination.
यौवनस्यांकुरा जाता नारीणां काम दीपकाः
The sprouts of youth arise in women, kindling the lamp of desire.
चकमे न पतिं कर्तुं ज्ञानार्थपद भाषिणी
She did not wish to take a husband, speaking words aimed at knowledge.
जगाम सुमुखी प्रेम्णा सैरंध्रीगणसेविता
The beautiful-faced one went with love, attended by a group of maidservants.
पुष्पाणि चिन्वती रम्या वयस्याभिः समावृता
Gathering flowers, lovely, surrounded by her companions.
आजगाम महावीरो वीरसेनोऽतिविश्रुतः
The great hero, Virasena, renowned far and wide, arrived.
सैन्यं च पृष्ठतस्तस्य समायाति शनैः शनैः
His army followed behind him, advancing slowly and steadily.
मंदोदर्यै तथा प्रोक्तं समायाति नरः पथि
It was thus foretold by Mandodari: a man will arrive on the path.
मन्येऽहं नृपतिः कश्चित्प्राप्तो भाग्यवशादिह
I think some king has come here by the force of destiny.
दृष्ट्वा तामसितापांगीं विस्मयं प्राप भूपतिः
Seeing her, with her dark, sidelong glances, the king was filled with wonder.
केयं बाला विशालाक्षी कस्य पुत्री वदाशु मे 5.17.
Who is this girl with wide eyes? Tell me quickly, whose daughter is she?
प्रथमं ब्रूहि मे वीर पृच्छामि त्वां सुलोचनम्
First, O hero with beautiful eyes, tell me—I ask you.
इति पृष्टस्तु सैरंध्र्या तामु वाच महीपतिः
Thus questioned by the maid, the king spoke to her.
तस्य पालयिता चाहं वीरसेनाभिधः प्रिये
I am her guardian, dear one, known as Vīrasena.
मार्गभ्रमादिह प्राप्तं विद्धि मां कोसलाधिपम् चन्द्रसेनसुता राजन्नाम्ना मन्दोदरी किल
Know me to be the king of Kosala, who has arrived here lost on the road; O king, this is Mandodari by name, daughter of Candrasena.
उद्याने रंतुकामेयं प्राप्ता कमल लोचना
This lotus-eyed girl came here, wishing to play in the garden.
सैरंध्रि चतुराऽसि त्वं राजपुत्रीं प्रबोधय
O clever maid, awaken the princess.
गांधर्वेण विवाहेन पतिं मां कुरु कामिनि
O lovely one, make me your husband by a Gandharva marriage.
वांछामि रूपसंपन्नां सुकुलां कामिनीं किल
I desire a beautiful, well-born woman.