ता आपदो ऽपि भूपाल धन्या याः सत्यकारिकाः
even such calamities, O king, are blessed when they are for the sake of truthfulness.
कीर्तिसंस्तरणार्थाय कर्त्तव्यं मनुजैः सदा
For the sake of spreading one's fame, one must always act accordingly, O humans.
तदलं परितापेन सत्यं पालय भूपते
Therefore, enough of grief; uphold the truth, O king.
देवैरुत्पादिता ह्येषा निकषा ते विमोहिनी
This deluding touchstone has indeed been produced by the gods to test you.
पुत्रव्य पादनाद्देवा भविष्यन्ति ह्यवाङ्मुखाः
If you do not fulfill your promise regarding your son, the gods will turn their faces away from you.
विष्णोरुद्वहतां भक्तिं देवताः परिपन्थिनः
The gods become obstacles to those who bear devotion to Viṣṇu.
विरुद्धा विबुधा भूप सेश्वरास्तव चेष्टितैः
O king, the gods, along with their lord, have become opposed to you because of your actions.
स त्वं भूप दृढो भूत्वा घातयस्व सुतं प्रियम्
Therefore, O king, be firm and have your beloved son slain.
मोहिन्याः कुरु वाक्यं तु आत्मनः सत्यपालनात्
Follow the words of Mohinī, in order to uphold your own truthfulness.
तन्तासि लोके शमनस्य भूप यशःप्रणो भविता धरायाम्
You will become, in this world, the thread of peace, O king, and your fame will live on the earth.
संध्यावलीमुवाचेदं मोहिन्याः सन्निधौ नृप
In the presence of Mohinī, the king spoke these words to Saṃdhyāvalī:
घातयित्वा सुतं लोके का गतिर्म्मे भविष्यति
Having slain my son in this world, what fate will be mine?
धर्माङ्गदविनाशाय देवि कालप्रिया त्वियम्
O goddess, this is for the destruction of Dharmaṅgada; she is dear to Time.
अप्रजं च सुतं हत्वा का गतिर्मे भविष्याति
And if I kill my son, who is without offspring, what fate will be mine?
कुपुत्रस्यापि हननाद्देवि दुःखं भवेत्पितुः
O goddess, even the killing of a bad son brings sorrow to the father.
जम्बूद्वीपमिदं भुक्तं मया तु वरवर्णिनि
O woman of excellent complexion, I have enjoyed this Jambudvīpa.
विष्णोरंशो वरारोहे पितुरप्यधिको भवेत्
O beautiful one, a son who is a portion of Viṣṇu may even surpass the father.
यो ऽयमत्यधिकः पुत्रो धर्माङ्गद इति क्षितौ
This son, renowned on earth as Dharmāṅgada, is truly exceptional.
अहो दुःखमनुप्राप्तं पुत्रादप्यधिकं मया
Alas, I have encountered suffering greater even than that caused by my own son.
मोहिनीं मोहसंप्राप्तां मम दुःखप्रदायिनीम्
I have come under the spell of Mohinī, the bringer of my sorrow.
समीपमागत्य नृपो मोहिनीक्षिदमब्रवीत्
The king approached and spoke these words to Mohinī.
आत्मानं दारयिष्यामि देवीं सन्ध्यावलीं तथा
I will destroy myself, and also the queen Sandhyāvalī.
दुष्टाग्रहमिमं सुभ्रु परित्यज सुतं प्रति
O fair-browed one, give up this wicked resolve concerning your son.
भोजयित्वा दिने विष्णोः को लाभो भविता वद
Tell me, what benefit will come from feeding Viṣṇu for a day?
अन्यं याचस्व सुभगे वरं त्वां शरणं गतः
O fortunate one, ask for another boon; I have taken refuge in you.
अन्यत्प्रयोजनं किञ्चित्कर्त्तास्मि वशगस्तव
If there is any other purpose, I will fulfill it; I am under your control.
दुर्लभो गुणवान्पुत्रो दुर्लभो हरिवासरः
A virtuous son is rare, and so too is the sacred day of Hari.
दुर्लभं हि कुले जन्म दुर्लभा वंशजा प्रिया
Birth in a noble family is rare, and so is a beloved descendant.
दुर्लभा वैष्णवी दीक्षा दुर्लभः स्मृतिसंग्रहः
Vaiṣṇava initiation is rare, and so is the collection of sacred memories.
दुर्लभो जागरो विष्णोर्दुर्लभा ह्यात्मसत्क्रिया
Vigil for Viṣṇu is rare, and so too is true self-discipline.