या न यच्छति दुर्बुद्धिः काष्ठीला जायते ध्रुवम्
She who, being of wicked mind, does not give, is certainly born as a woman of Kāṣṭhīla.
तुरीयांशमितं पुण्यं यद्यस्ति मयि ते घृणा
If there is any merit in me equal to a fourth part, and if you have compassion for me,
पुण्यं दत्तवती तस्यै पाणौ वारि प्रगृह्य च
Having given merit to her, and taking water in the hand,
तत्तुरीयांशपुण्येन काष्ठीलेयं विमुच्यताम्
By the merit of that fourth portion, let this woman of Kāṣṭhīla be released.
एवमुक्ते तु वचने मया विद्युत्समप्रभा
When I had spoken these words, she shone like lightning.
पतिर्हि दैवतं लोके वञ्चनीयो न भार्यया
In this world, the husband is the deity; he must not be deceived by the wife.
सा त्वं ब्रूहि प्रदास्यामि भर्तुरर्थे तवेप्सितम्
So, tell me what you desire for your husband; I will grant it.
किमन्यद्दैवतं लोके स्त्रीणामेकं पतिं विना
What other deity is there in the world for women besides the one husband?
कल्पकोटिशतं साग्रं विष्णुलोके महीयते
She is honored in the world of Vishnu for a full hundred million kalpas.
पतिं ददौ नैव च याचिता धनं तेनैव पापेन बभूव कीटा
She did not give her husband, nor was she asked; by that very sin she became an insect.
ज्ञात्वा हितं तथ्यमिदं स्वभर्तुर्ददामि सर्वं च गृहाण सुभ्रु
Knowing this true and beneficial thing for your husband, I give all; receive it, O beautiful-browed one.
उवाच तत्परा स्वीये कार्ये मोहकरण्डिका
Then Mohakarandikā, devoted to her own purpose, spoke.
भर्तुरर्थे प्रदात्री च धनजीवितयोरपि
She, who would give even wealth and life for her husband's sake,
देहि पुत्रशिरोः मह्यं यदिष्टं हृदयाधिकम्
Give me the head of your son, if that is your dearest wish.
तदा स्वहस्ते संगृह्य खड्गं राजा पतिस्तव
Then, your husband the king took up his sword with his own hand.
अजातश्मश्रुकं चैव कुण्डलाभ्यां विभूषितम्
He was adorned with earrings and had not yet grown a beard.
एतद्वा कुरुतद्भद्रे यदान्नं न भुनक्ति च
O fortunate one, do this also: when he does not eat food.
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्या मोहिन्याः कटुकाक्षरम्
Hearing those harsh words from that bewildering woman,
संध्यावली ततो धैर्यमास्थाय वरवार्णिनी
Then Saṃdhyāvalī, the beautiful one, composed herself with courage.
श्रूयन्ते हि पुराणेषु गाथाः सुभ्रु समीरिताः
O beautiful-browed one, there are verses spoken in the Purāṇas that are heard.
धनं त्यजेत्त्यजेद्दाराञ्जीवितं च गृहं त्यजेत्
One may abandon wealth, abandon wife, abandon life, and abandon home.
त्यजेत्तीर्थं त्यजेद्धर्मं त्यजेदत्यन्तसुप्रियम्
One may abandon pilgrimage, abandon righteousness, and abandon what is most dearly loved.
तपस्त्यजेत्त्यजेद्विद्यां सिद्धिं मोक्षं त्यजेच्छुभे
One may abandon austerity, abandon knowledge, abandon accomplishment, and even liberation, O auspicious one.
इह संबन्धिनः सर्वे पुत्रभ्रातृसुहृत्प्रियाः
Here, all relatives—sons, brothers, friends, and loved ones—
द्वादश्यास्तु प्रभावेण सर्वं क्षेमं भविष्यति
By the power of the twelfth day, all will be well.
विश्वासं कुरु मे वाक्ये सुखिनी भव शोभने
Trust in my words and be happy, O beautiful one.
कथयिष्यामि ते भद्रे सावधाना श्रुणुष्व मे
I will tell you, O fortunate one; listen to me attentively.
तस्य भार्या विशालाक्षी द्विजपूजनतत्परा
His wife, wide-eyed, devoted herself to the worship of Brahmins.
पादोदकं तस्य सुभ्रु भक्त्या पिबति हृष्टधीः
O beautiful-browed one, with a joyful mind she drank his foot-wash water in devotion.
हिरण्यकशिपौ राज्यं शासति ह्युग्रतेजसि
While Hiraṇyakaśipu, of fierce energy, ruled the kingdom,