मृत्युं प्रात्युं नरः कामं कृतकृत्यो भवेद्ध्रुवन्
A man who meets death here, by his own wish, is certainly fulfilled.
भोगिनीमपि मोक्षाय किं पुनर्व्रतधारिणाम्
Even a courtesan attains liberation here—how much more so those who observe vows!
वियोजिता तु या पूर्वं तेन दुष्टेन रक्षसा
She who was formerly separated by that wicked demon—
एष प्रभावो ऽपि हितः क्षेत्रस्यास्य द्विजोत्म
This, too, O best of twice-born, is the power of this field.
भूतव्यभविष्याणि ज्ञानाज्ञानकृतानि च
Deeds of the past, present, and future, done knowingly or unknowingly—
यस्यां मृता दुःखमनन्तमुग्रं भुञ्जन्ति मर्त्या यमयातनां नो
One who dies here does not suffer the endless, terrible pain of Yama’s torments, O mortal.
पृष्ठात्करोणुरूपिण्याः सकन्यो ऽवातरद्द्विजः
From behind the woman with the form of a doe, a brāhmaṇa descended, accompanied by a maiden.
क्षपाचरी क्षपानाथवक्त्रा पीनोन्नतस्तनी
A night-wandering woman, with the face of the lord of night, her breasts full and high.
बाह्यरक्षास्थित प्राप्तं पुरपालमुवाच ह
Standing at the outer protection, she addressed the city-guard who had arrived.
ब्रूहि मां समनुप्राप्तां रत्नशालां पुरा हृताम्
Tell me, I have come—where is the jewel-chamber once stolen?
तल्पस्था रक्षसा रात्रौ स्वपुरस्था हृता द्विज
While lying on my bed at night, I was taken from my own city by a demon, O twice-born one.
समाश्वसिहि शोकं त्वं मा कृथा मत्कृते क्वचित्
Take heart; do not grieve for my sake at any time.
तव कीर्तिकरी तद्वन्मातुः सौशील्यसूचिका
This act brings you fame, and likewise reveals the noble character of my mother.
अबाहुरिति विख्यातः प्राप्तः सुद्युम्रसन्निधौ
Known as Abāhu, he arrived in the presence of Sudyumna.
राजन्नुपागता नष्टा दिहिता तव मानद
O king, your lost daughter has returned, O bestower of honor.
पुरबाह्ये स्थिता दृष्टा मया ज्ञाता न चाभवत्
I saw her standing outside the city, but she did not recognize me.
अविप्लुताहं वदति मां जानातु समागताम्
She says, 'I am unharmed; let it be known that I have returned.'
तदद्भुतं वचः श्रुत्वा पुरपालस्य तत्क्षणात्
Hearing those wondrous words of the city-guard at that very moment,
स तु गत्वा पुराद्ब्राह्ये गङ्गातीरे व्यवस्थिताम्
He then went outside the city and found her standing on the bank of the Ganges.
सहजे नैव वेषेण भूषितां भूषणप्रियाम्
She was adorned as usual, fond of ornaments, and dressed in her customary attire.
दूराद्दृष्ट्वान्तिकं गत्वा पर्यष्वजत भूपतिः
Seeing her from afar, the king approached and embraced her.
ततश्च मात्रा संगम्य हृष्टया हर्षितान्तरा
Then, meeting her mother, who was delighted and filled with joy,
सुप्ताहं रत्नशालायां सखीभिः परिवारिता
I was asleep in the jeweled hall, surrounded by my companions.
चिन्तयत्नी भर्तृयोगं निशीथे रक्षसा हृता
Thinking of union with my husband, I was seized by a demon at midnight.
नानारत्नमये तत्र गुहायां स्थापिता ह्यहम्
There, in a cave adorned with various jewels, I was placed.
तस्य भार्या त्वियं सुभ्रूर्या तिष्ठति सुमध्यमा
This beautiful-browed, slender-waisted woman is his wife, standing here.
अनया बुद्धियोगेन शक्त्या शक्रस्य भूपते
By her intelligence and power, O king, she overcame even Indra.
पुरैव मम तं शैलं प्राप्तो देवेन भूसुरः
Long ago, O brahmin, the god himself reached that mountain of mine.
विप्रेण संविदं कृत्वा दांपत्ये निजकर्मणा
Having made an agreement with the Brahmin regarding marriage, according to her own duty,
एवं कृत्वा पतिं विप्रं हस्तिनीरूपधारिणी
Thus having done so, the one assuming the form of an elephant approached the Brahmin as her husband,