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.
विहङ्गमान्प्लवङ्गांश्च प्रशस्तांस्तानभक्षयत्
She devoured birds and monkeys, even those considered excellent.
रक्तान्तप्रेतकेशैशअच चित्रासीद्भूर्भयङ्करी
The earth became dreadful, adorned with blood-stained hair of corpses and ghosts.
कृत्वातिदुःखितां पश्चाद्वनान्तरमुपागमत्
Having caused great distress, she then entered the depths of the forest.
जगाम नर्मदातीरं मुनिसिद्धनिषेवितम्
She reached the banks of the Narmada, frequented by sages and perfected beings.
अपश्यत्कञ्चन मुनिं रमन्तं प्रियया सह
There she saw a certain sage delighting with his beloved.
जाग्राह चातिवेगेन व्याधो मृगशिशं यथा
With great speed, she seized him, as a hunter seizes a young deer.
शिरस्यञ्जलिमाधाय प्रोवाच भयविह्वाला
Placing her joined hands upon her head, she spoke, overcome by fear.
प्राणप्रिय प्रदानेन कुरु पूर्णं मनोरथम्
By granting what is dearest—life itself—fulfill my cherished desire.
न राक्षसस्ततो ऽनाथां पाहि मां विजने वने
Do not let the demon harm me, who am helpless, in this lonely forest.
तथापि बालवैधव्यं किं वक्ष्याम्यरिमर्दन
Yet, O destroyer of foes, what shall I say of my young widowhood?
पतिरेव परो बन्धुः परमं जीवनं मम
My husband alone is my supreme kin, my highest life.
त्रायस्व बन्धुरहितां बालापत्यां जनेश्वर
O lord of people, protect me, bereft of kin, a child with no offspring.
दुहिताहं भगवतस्त्राहि मां पतिदानतः
I am the daughter of the blessed one—save me by granting my husband.
वदन्तीति महाप्राज्ञाः प्राणदानं कुरुष्व मे
The wise declare thus: grant me the gift of life.
एवं संप्रार्थ्यमानो ऽपि ब्राह्मण्या राक्षसो द्विजम् अभक्षयकृष्णसारशिशुं व्याघ्रो यथा बलात्
Even though thus entreated, the demon devoured the twice-born sage, as a tiger seizes a black antelope calf by force.
पूर्वशापहतं भूपमशपत्क्रोधिता पुनः
Enraged, she cursed the king again, who was already afflicted by a previous curse.
तस्मात्स्त्रीसङ्गमं प्रात्पस्त्वमपि प्राप्स्यसे मृतिम्
Therefore, because of union with a woman, you too shall certainly meet death.
राक्षसत्वं ध्रुवं ते ऽस्तु मत्पतिर्भक्षितो यतः
May you surely attain the state of a demon, since my husband was devoured.
प्रमन्युः प्राहि विसृजन्कोपादङ्गारसंचयम्
Pramanyu, filled with anger, released a shower of embers in his wrath.
एकस्यैवापराधस्य शापस्त्वेको ममोचितः
For a single offense, only one curse from me is fitting.