उल्लिखन्तं हि शिखरैः खमध्यं स्वात्मनस्त्रिभिः
With peaks scraping the middle of the sky, as if with three of their own selves.
आरुरोह मुदायुक्तो वित्ताकाङ्क्षी सुलोचने
He climbed up, filled with joy, desiring wealth, O beautiful-eyed one.
तत उत्थाय भक्ष्यार्थं वृक्षांस्तत्र व्यलोकयत्
Then rising up to seek food, he looked at the trees there.
शान्तिं प्राप्तस्ततो ऽपश्यत्सालमेकं सुनिर्मलम्
Having found peace, he saw a single, perfectly pure sāla tree.
तस्याधस्तात्स सुष्वाप स्वोत्तरीयं प्रसार्य च
Beneath it, he slept, spreading out his upper garment.
तावत्सुप्तो ऽतिखिन्नो ऽसौ यावत्सूर्यो ऽस्ततां गतः
While he slept, exhausted, the sun set.
अभ्यगाद्राक्षसो घोरो गर्जमानो यथा घनः
A fierce rākṣasa approached, roaring like a thundercloud.
शुभां काशीपतेः पुत्रीं नाम्ना रत्नावलीं शुभाम्
The beautiful daughter of the king of Kāśī, named Ratnāvalī.
पतिकामा कुमारी सा नाविन्दत्सदृशं पतिम्
That maiden, longing for a husband, did not find a suitable match.
पिता तस्याः प्रदाने तु चिन्ताविष्टो ह्यहर्न्निशम्
Her father, anxious about her marriage, was troubled day and night.
अटमानेन पापेन दृष्टा सा रूपशालिनी
While wandering, the wicked one saw her, radiant in form.
उभयोर्दश रत्नानि निष्के च दशपञ्च च
Ten gems from both sides, and fifteen gold coins.
एवं रत्नाचितां बालां शातकुम्भसमप्रभाम्
Thus, the girl adorned with gems, shining like pure gold.
वायुमार्गं समाश्रित्य क्षणात्प्राप्तः स्वमालयम्
Taking the path of the wind, he reached his home in an instant.
तत्र तस्य गुहां दृष्ट्वा सुवर्णसदृशप्रभाम्
There, seeing his cave, shining like gold.
अनेकैर्मणिविन्यासैः संयुक्तां चित्रमन्दिराम्
A wondrous palace, adorned with many arrangements of jewels.
भोजनैः पानपात्रैश्च भक्ष्यभोज्यैरनेकधा
With various foods, drinking vessels, and many kinds of edible and enjoyable things,
रुदतीमतिसंत्रस्तां पीनश्रोणिपयोधराम्
She, weeping and greatly terrified, with full hips and swelling breasts,
आजगाम त्वरायुक्ता यत्रासौ राक्षसः स्थितः
Came quickly to where that Rākṣasa was standing.
पप्रच्छ निजभर्तारं क्रुद्धा निर्भर्त्सती सती
Angry and reproaching, the virtuous wife questioned her own husband:
अन्यां समीहसे भार्यां नाहं भार्यां भवामि ते
You desire another wife; I will not be your wife.
उवाच राक्षसो हर्षात्स्वां प्रियां चारुलोचनाम्
The Rākṣasa, delighted, spoke to his beloved with beautiful eyes:
दैवोपपादितं द्वारि द्वितीयं मम तिष्ठति
By fate, a second one stands at the door for me.
तमानय त्वरायुक्ता येनाहं भक्ष्यमाचरे
Bring her here quickly, so that I may enjoy eating.
मिथ्या राक्षसि भर्ता ते भाषते त्वद्भयादयम्
Your husband, O Rākṣasī, speaks falsely out of fear of you.
सुप्तां पितृगृहे रात्रौ मां समासाद्य कामतः
Having come to me, asleep in my father's house at night, as he wished,
इतीरितमुपाकर्ण्य वचनं राजकन्यया
Hearing these words spoken by the royal maiden,
तस्याश्च रूपमालोक्य सत्यमेवावधारयत्
And seeing her form, he understood it to be true.
अवश्यं मूर्घ्निं कीलं मे रोषयिष्यति राक्षसः
Surely, the Rākṣasa will drive a stake into my head.
या सापत्न्येन दुःखेन पीड्यमाना हि जीवति
She who lives, afflicted by the sorrow of a co-wife,