गते बहुतिथे काले हयमेधमखं नृपः
After a long time had passed, the king performed an Aśvamedha sacrifice.
तत्र ब्रह्मादिदेवेभ्यो हविर्दत्त्वा यथाविधि
There, he offered oblations to Brahmā and the other gods, according to the prescribed rites.
कर्तुं प्रतिक्रियां राज्ञे समायातोरुषान्वितः
Then, filled with anger, he came to the king to demand recompense.
राजानमभ्येत्य जगाद भोक्ष्ये मांसं समिच्छाम्यहमित्युवाच
Approaching the king, he said: 'I wish to eat meat.'
स्थितश्च राजापि हरि यपात्रे धृत्वा गुरोरागमनं प्रतीक्षन्
The king stood holding the offering vessel for Hari, awaiting the arrival of his guru.
समागताय गुरुवे ददौ तस्मौ ससादरम्
When the guru arrived, he respectfully gave it to him.
तं दृष्ट्वा चिन्तयामास गुरुः किमिति विस्मितः
Seeing that, the guru wondered, astonished: 'Why is this so?'
अहो ऽस्य राज्ञो दौःशील्यमभक्ष्यं दत्तवान्मम
Alas, this king has acted wickedly—he has given me what is unfit to eat.
अभो ऽज्यं मद्विघाताय दत्त हि पृथिवीपते
O lord of the earth, you have given me impure food to harm me.
नृमांसं रक्षसामेव भोज्यं दत्तं मम त्वया
You have given me human flesh, which is food only for demons.
इति शापं ददत्यस्मिन्सौदासो भयविह्वूलः
Thus, as the curse was being pronounced, Saudāsa, overcome by fear, stood trembling.
भूराशृ चिन्तयामास वशिष्टस्तेन नोदितः
Vasiṣṭha, not prompted by him, began to reflect deeply.
राजापि जलमादाय वशिष्टं शप्तुमुद्यतः
The king also, taking up water, prepared to curse Vasiṣṭha.
मदयन्ती प्रियातस्य प्रत्युवाचाथ सुव्रता
Then Madayantī, his virtuous wife, addressed him as he was about to act.
त्वया यत्कर्म भोक्तव्यं तत्प्रात्पं नात्र संशयः
Whatever deed you are destined to experience, that will certainly come to pass—there is no doubt of this.
अरण्ये निर्जले देश स भवेद्धह्यराक्षसः
In a waterless wilderness, he will become a dreadful rākṣasa.
प्रयान्ति ब्रह्मसदनमिति शास्त्रेषु निश्चयः
It is established in the scriptures that such ones go to the abode of Brahmā.
जलं कुत्र क्षिपामीति चिन्तयामास चात्मना
He wondered to himself, 'Where should I pour this water?'
इति मत्वा जलं तत्तु पादयोर्न्यक्षिपत्स्वयम्
Thinking thus, he poured that water at his own feet.
कल्माषपाद इत्येवं ततः प्रभृति विस्तृतः
From that time onward, he became widely known as Kalmāṣapāda.
मनसा सो ऽतिभीतस्तु ववन्दे चरणं गुरोः
Greatly frightened in his mind, he bowed to the feet of his teacher.
क्षमस्व भगवन्सर्वं नापराधः कृतो मया
Forgive everything, O venerable one; I have committed no offense.
आत्मानं गर्हयामास ह्यविवेकपरायणम्
He reproached himself, being devoted to lack of discernment.
विवेकरहितो लोके पशुरेव न संशयः
One without discernment in this world is truly like a beast—there is no doubt.
विवेकरहितो ऽज्ञो ऽहं यतः पापं समाचरेत्
Because I am ignorant and lack discernment, I have committed this sin.
विवेकहीनमान्पोति को वा यो वाप्यनिर्वृतिम्
Who, having no discernment, attains happiness—who indeed, or who finds no distress?
नात्यन्तिङ्कं भवेदेतद्दादशाब्दं भविष्यति
This will not be an endless condition; it will last for twelve years.
पूर्वरुपं त्वमापन्नो भोक्ष्यसे मेदिनीमिमाम्
You will regain your former state and enjoy this earth.
राजापि दुःखसंपन्नो राक्षसीं तानुमाश्रितः
Even the king, afflicted by suffering, had taken on the form of a demoness.
कृष्णक्षपाद्युतिर्भीमो बभ्राम विजने वने
With a terrifying appearance, dark as night, she wandered alone in the desolate forest.