निर्देषमृगयूथानां न युक्तं सूदनं तव
It is not right for you to slaughter innocent herds of animals.
कुर्वन्नपि वृथा धर्मान्यो हिंसामनुवर्तते
Even when performing duties in vain, one follows violence.
षड्विधं नृप ते प्रोक्तं विद्वद्भिर्जीवघातनम्
O king, the learned have described six kinds of killing living beings.
हिं सया संयुतं धर्ममधर्मं च विदुर्बुधाः
The wise recognize that righteousness mixed with violence is unrighteousness.
धर्मं समाश्रयमन्सम्यक्संजातपलितः पिता
A father, having grown gray, should rightly take refuge in righteousness.
मृगशीला हि राजानो विनष्टाः शतशो न-प
Indeed, hundreds of kings with a passion for hunting have perished.
दया वरा मृगे रीज्ञां धर्मिणामपि दृश्यते
Compassion toward animals is seen even among righteous kings.
एवं ब्रुवाणां तां भार्यां नृपो वचनमब्रवीत्
As his wife spoke thus, the king replied to her words.
पर्य्यटिष्ये धनुष्पाणिः कुर्वन्कण्टकशोधनम्
I will roam, bow in hand, carrying out the removal of thorns.
श्वापदेभ्यश्च दस्युभ्यः प्रजा रक्ष्या महीभृता
The ruler must protect his people from beasts of prey and robbers.
प्रजा अरक्षन्नृपतिः सधर्म्मो ऽपि व्रजत्यधः
Even a righteous king who does not protect his people falls into decline.
विमुक्तभावो ऽहमिति मेरुशृङ्गे रविर्यथा
I am detached, like the sun on the peak of Meru.
दोषापतिसमप्रख्यं निर्देषं क्षितिभूषणम्
The earth-adorner, equal to the lord of faults, without blame,
धरामादृत्य भूपालो दत्वा तं दक्षिणं करम्
The king, having honored the earth, gave him the proper tribute.
अशोकपल्लवाकारं वज्राङ्कुशविरोहणम्
With the appearance of fresh ashoka leaves and the ascent of the diamond goad,
साधयानो ययौ देशान्काननं स नृपोत्तमः
Having accomplished his purpose, that best of kings set out for the forests.
पदातयो निपेतुस्ते मूर्च्छिताः क्षितिमण्डले
Their feet collapsed, and they fell unconscious upon the ground.
योजनानां समुत्तीर्य शतमष्टोत्तरं नृप
O King, after traversing one hundred and eight yojanas,
अशोकबकुलोपेतं पुन्नागसरलावृतम्
They reached a place adorned with aśoka and bakula trees, and covered with punnāga and sarala.
नारिकेलैस्तथा तालैः केतकैः सिंदुवारकैः
There were also coconut and palmyra trees, ketaka and sinduvāra shrubs.
क्रमुकैर्दाडिमैश्चैव धात्रीवृक्षैः सहस्रशः
With betel, pomegranate, and thousands of dhātrī trees as well,
परिपक्वफलैर्नम्रैः खगारूढैः समावृतम्
Abundant with drooping branches heavy with ripe fruit, and filled with birds perched upon them.
पश्यमानो मुनिं राजा ददर्श हुतभुक्प्रभम्
Beholding this, the king saw the sage, radiant like fire.
अवरुह्य हयाद्दृष्ट्वा प्रणनाम च सादरम्
Dismounting from his horse and seeing him, he bowed respectfully.
उपविश्यासने कौशे प्राह संहृष्टया गिरा
Seated on a silken seat, he spoke with a joyful voice.
दृष्ट्वा तव पदांभोजं सम्यग्ध्यानपरस्य च
Having seen your lotus feet, you who are wholly absorbed in true meditation,
संपृष्ट्वा कुशलं प्राह वामदेवो मुदान्वितः
After inquiring about his welfare, Vāmadeva spoke with delight.
ममाश्रमो महाभाग पुण्यो जातो धरातले
O greatly fortunate one, my hermitage has become holy upon the earth,
येन वैवस्वतो माग्रो भग्नो निर्जित्य वै यमम्
By which the chief of the sons of Vivasvat was defeated, having conquered Yama.
उपोषयित्वा नृपतेद्वादशीं पापनाशिनीम्
Having observed the twelfth day fast, which destroys sin, O king,