दुर्लभः शिष्टसंसर्गो दुर्लभा भक्तिरुच्यते
Association with the virtuous is rare, and so is devotion, it is said.
कृतं श्राद्धं त्रयोदश्यां दुर्लभं वरवर्णिनि
O woman of excellent complexion, performing śrāddha on the thirteenth day is indeed rare.
धेनुस्तिलमयी सुभ्रु दुर्लभा विप्रगामिनी
O beautiful-browed one, a cow made of sesame seeds, a woman who is difficult to obtain, and one who goes to a Brahmin's house are rare.
दुर्लभं पर्वकाले तु स्नानं शीतलवारिणा
It is rare to bathe in cool water during the time of the lunar or solar fortnight.
यथाशास्त्रोदितं कर्म तद्देवि भुवि दुर्लभम्
O goddess, actions performed as prescribed by the scriptures are indeed rare in this world.
व्याधेर्विघातकरणं दुर्लभं शास्त्रमार्गतः
Scriptural means for removing disease are difficult to obtain.
एवं वचो वरारोहे कुरु मे धर्मरक्षकम्
Thus, O slender-waisted one, do for me what protects righteousness, as I have spoken.
सेविता विषयाः सम्यक्कृतं राज्यमकण्टकम्
Pleasures have been properly enjoyed, and the kingdom has been ruled without trouble.
अदृष्टविषयं पुत्रं नाहं हिंस्ये कदाचन
I would never harm a son who is not involved in wrongdoing.
धर्माङ्गदो न मे शत्रुर्नाहं हन्मि सुतं तव
One who is devoted to righteousness is not my enemy, nor would I slay your son.
वसुधां स्वेच्छया राजंस्त्वं शाधि बहुवत्सरम्
Rule the earth as king according to your own will for many years.
मम भूमिपते कार्यं न पुत्रनिधने तव
O lord of the earth, my purpose is not in the death of your son.
किं विलापैर्महीपाल एतैर्द्धर्मबहिष्कृतैः
O king, what is the use of these lamentations, which are outside the bounds of righteousness?
एवं ब्रुवाणां तां राजन्मोहिनीं तनुमध्यमाम्
O king, as she of enchanting form and slender waist was speaking thus—
एतदेव गृहाण त्वं मा शङ्कां कुरु भामिनि
Accept just this, and do not harbor any doubt, O beautiful one.
आत्मानं च प्रत्युवाच सत्यधर्मव्यवस्थितः
He, established in truth and righteousness, replied to her himself.
मन्मातुर्वचनं सत्यं कुरु भूप प्रतिश्रुतम्
Fulfill the true promise made to my mother, O king.
अपत्यं धर्मकामार्थं श्रेयस्कामस्य भूपतेः
Offspring are for the sake of righteousness, desire, and wealth, for the king who seeks what is best.
तवापि निर्मना लोकाः स्ववाक्यपरिपालनात्
Even for you, O king, the worlds are pure because you keep your own word.
देहत्यागे ममारंभो नरदेहे भविष्यति
For me, the resolve to abandon the body will take place in a human form.
पितुरर्थे हता ये तु मातुरर्थे हतास्तथा
Those who are slain for the sake of their father, or likewise for the sake of their mother,
भूम्यर्थे पार्थिवार्थे वा देवतार्थे तथैव च
for the sake of land, for the sake of a king, or likewise for the sake of the gods,
तदलं परितापेन जहि मां त्वं वरासिना
there is no need for such sorrow; strike me down with your excellent sword.
धर्मार्थे तनयं हन्याद्भार्यां वापि महीपते
For the sake of righteousness, a king may slay his son or even his wife.
अश्वमेघे मखवरे न दोषो जायते नृप
In the great horse sacrifice, O king, no fault arises.
तत्त्वया ह्यविचारेण कर्त्तव्यं वचनं ध्रुवम्
Therefore, without hesitation, you must certainly carry out the command.
विमोचयेथा नृपते सुघोराद्वाक्यानृतान्मोहिनिहस्तयोगात्
You should free, O king, from the terrible snare of false words, born of the enchantress's grasp.
यशः प्काशाद्भविता हि कीर्तिस्तथाक्षया तात न संशयो ऽत्र
From this, fame will shine forth, and your glory will be undying, my dear; there is no doubt in this.
संध्यावलीमुखं प्रेक्ष्य प्रहृष्टकमलोपमम्
Beholding the face of Sandhyāvalī, radiant like a delighted lotus,
मा भुङ्क्ष्व तनयं हिंस चेत्याग्रहसमन्वितम्
Do not harm your son—thus, with insistent urging, she spoke.