उवाह शिबिकामस्य क्षत्तुर्वचनचोदितः
He carried the palanquin, prompted by the words of the attendant.
गृहीतो विष्टिना विप्र सर्वज्ञानैकभाजनम्
The Brahmin, the sole vessel of all knowledge, was seized by the palanquin-bearer.
ययौ जडगतिस्तत्र युगमात्रावलोकनम्
He moved with sluggish gait there, glancing only for a moment.
विलोक्य नृपतिः सो ऽथ विषमं शिबिकागतम्
The king then observed the uneven movement of the palanquin.
पुनस्तथैव शिबिकां विलोक्य विषमां हसन्
Again, seeing the palanquin uneven, he laughed.
शिबिकावाहकाः प्रोचुरयं यातीत्यसत्वरम्
The palanquin-bearers said, 'He is proceeding, but not swiftly.'
किमायाससहो न त्वं पीवा नासि निरीक्ष्यसे
'Why do you not endure the effort? You are not stout, nor do you appear strong.'
न श्रान्तो ऽस्मि न चायासो वोढान्यो ऽस्ति महीपते
'I am not tired, nor is there any strain; there is no other carrier, O king.'
श्रमश्च भारो द्वहने भवत्येव हि देहिनाम्
Fatigue and burden in carrying indeed arise for embodied beings.
बलवानबलश्चेति वाच्यं पश्चाद्विशेषणम्
To say one is strong or weak is only a subsequent distinction.
मिथ्या तदप्यत्र भवान् शृणोतु वचनं मम
Even that is false; but you, sir, listen to my words.
ऊरु जङ्घाद्वयावस्थौ तदाधारं तथोदरम्
The thighs and the two shanks are the supports, as is the abdomen.
स्कन्धाश्रितयें शिबिका ममाधारो ऽत्र किङ्कृतः
This palanquin is supported by the shoulders; what role do I play here as its bearer?
तत्र त्वमहमप्यत्रेत्युच्यते चेदमन्यथा
If it is said that you and I are both present here, then this must be explained differently.
गुणप्रवाहपतितो भूतवर्गो ऽपि यात्ययम्
Even the multitude of beings, caught in the current of qualities, proceeds in this way.
अविद्यासंचितं कर्मतश्चाशेषेषु जन्तुषु
Because of ignorance and actions accumulated, countless beings are thus bound.
प्रवृद्ध्यपचयौ न स्त एकस्याखिलजन्तुषु
Increase and decrease do not occur in the same way for all beings.
तदापि बालिशो ऽसि त्वं कया युक्त्या त्वयेरितम्
Still, you are childish; by what reasoning have you spoken thus?
शिबिकेयं यदा स्कन्धे तदा भारः समस्त्वया
When this palanquin is on your shoulder, then the burden is entirely yours.
शैलद्रुमगृहोत्थो ऽपि पृथिवीसंभवो ऽपि च
Whether it is made of mountain, tree, or house, or even if it arises from the earth,
सोढव्यः सुमहान्भारः कतमो नृप ते मया
Which great burden among these, O king, have I not borne?
भवतो मे ऽखिलस्यास्य समत्वेनोपबृंहितः
By you, the entirety of this has been equally increased for me.
सो ऽपि राजावतीर्योर्व्यां तत्पादौ जगृहे त्वरन्
Then the king quickly descended to the earth and grasped his feet.
कथ्यतां को भवानत्र जाल्मरुपधरः स्थितः
Tell me, who are you here, standing in the guise of a servant?
तत्सर्वं कथ्यतां विद्वन्मह्यं शुश्रूषवे त्वया
Tell me all of this, O wise one, for I am eager to hear from you.
उपयोगनिमित्तं च सर्वत्रागमनक्रिया
The reason for coming and acting everywhere is for the sake of utility.
धर्माधर्मोद्भवौ भोक्तुं जन्तुर्देहादिमृच्छति
A being desires to obtain body and so on, to experience the results of virtue and vice.
धर्माधर्मौं यतस्तस्मात्कारणं पृच्छ्यते कुतः
Since virtue and vice arise from that, the cause is asked: from where?
उपभोगनिमित्तं च देहाद्देहान्तरागमः
The transmigration from one body to another is for the purpose of enjoyment.
वक्तुं न शक्यते श्रोतुं तन्ममेच्चा प्रवर्तते
It cannot be spoken or heard; yet my desire to know arises.