किमर्थमेतद्वृत्तान्तं यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि
For what reason is this event? You ought to tell it as it truly is.
आश्चर्यभूतं लोकानामावयोश्चरितं त्विह
The deeds of both of us here are indeed a wonder to the worlds.
कुमार्गगनिरतो नित्यं सर्वलोकाहिके रतः
Always devoted to wicked conduct, delighting in the harm of all beings.
गोध्नश्च ब्रह्महा चौरः सर्वप्राणिवधे रतः
A killer of cows, a slayer of Brahmins, a thief, intent on the destruction of all living beings.
एवं स्थितः कियत्कालमनाहत्यं महदृचः
Thus situated, for how long did I remain, not being struck down, O great seer?
मृगमांसाशनो नित्यं तथा पान्थाविल्लम्पकः
Always eating the flesh of animals, and robbing travelers as well.
एकदा क्षुत्परिश्रान्तो निदाघार्त्तः पिपासितः
Once, exhausted by hunger, scorched by the summer, and tormented by thirst—
हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णं तत्समीपे महत्सरः
Near there was a great lake, filled with swans and waterfowl.
अपिबं तत्र पानीयं तत्तीरे विगतश्रमः
There I drank the water, and on the bank, my fatigue left me.
तस्मिञ्जीर्णीलये विष्णोनर्निवासं कृतकवानहम्
In that ruined abode of Vishnu, I made a shelter for myself.
पर्णैस्तृणैश्च काष्ठैघैर् गृहं सम्यक् प्रकल्पितम्
With leaves, grass, and pieces of wood, I properly constructed a hut.
तत्राहं व्याधवृत्तिस्थो हत्वा बहुविधान्मृगान्
There, living as a hunter, I killed many kinds of animals.
अथेयमागता साध्वी विन्ध्यदेशसमुद्भवा
Then she arrived, that virtuous woman, born in the region of the Vindhyas.
बन्धुवर्गपरित्यक्ता दुःखिता जीर्णविग्रहा
Abandoned by her relatives, afflicted, her body worn and aged.
दैवयोगाकत्समायाताभ्रमन्ती विजने वने
By the will of fate, she came wandering alone in the desolate forest.
इमां दुःखार्दितां दृष्ट्वा जाता मे विपुला दया
Seeing her tormented by sorrow, great compassion arose in me.
गतश्रमात्वियं ब्रह्मन्मया पृष्टा यथा तयम्
O Brahmin, when she was weary from wandering, I questioned her as follows.
नान्मावकोकिला चाहं निषादकुलसभ्भवा
"I am not a cuckoo, but born in the family of hunters.
परस्वहारिणी नित्यं सदा पैशुन्यवादिनी
I always stole the wealth of others and constantly spoke maliciously.
कियत्कालं ततः पत्या भृताहं लोकनिन्दिता
For some time, I was maintained by my husband, though condemned by the world.
कान्तारे विजने चैका भ्रमन्ती दुःखपीडिता
Alone, afflicted by suffering, I wandered in the lonely wilderness.
इत्येवं स्वकृतं कर्म मह्यं सर्वं न्यवेदयत्
Thus, she revealed to me all the deeds she herself had committed.
स्थितौ वर्षाणि दश च आवां मांसफलाशिनौ
We two remained there for ten years, living on flesh and fruit.
तत्र देवालये राघत्रौ मुदितौ मांसभोजनात्
There, in the temple, we rejoiced at night, feasting on meat.
प्रारब्धकर्म भोगान्तमावां युगपदागतौ
When the enjoyment of our destined karma ended, we both departed at the same time.
नेतुमावां नृत्यरतौ सुधोरां यमयातनाम्
As we delighted in dance, fierce messengers came to take us to Yama's abode.
देवावसथसंस्कारसंज्ञितेन कृतेन नः
But because of the rite known as 'sanctification of the temple,' performed by us—
ते दूता देवदेवस्य शङ्खचक्र गदाधराः
Those messengers of the Lord of gods, bearing conch, discus, and mace,
किरीटकुण्डलधरा हारिणो वनमालिनः
Wearing crowns and earrings, adorned with garlands and forest wreaths,
भयङ्करान्याशहस्तान्दंष्ट्रिणो यमकिङ्करान्
Frightening, with weapons in hand and fangs, they drove away Yama's attendants.