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.
पिशाचयोनिमद्यैव याहि पुत्रसमन्विता
Now, together with your son, go at once to a birth among the spirits.
क्षुधार्ता सुस्वरं भीमारुरोदापत्यसंयुता
Hungry, with a dreadful voice, she wailed terribly, surrounded by her children.
जग्मतुर्नर्मदातीरे वनं राक्षससेवितम्
They went to a forest on the bank of the Narmada, frequented by demons.
तत्रास्ते दुःखसंतत्पः कश्चिल्लोकविरोधकृत्
There dwelt someone, tormented by sorrow, who acted in opposition to the world.
उवाच क्रोधबहुलो वटस्थो ब्रह्मराक्षसः
A brahma-rakshasa, full of rage, standing beneath a banyan tree, spoke.
ईदृशौ केन पापेन जातौ मे ब्रुवतां ध्रुवम्
By what sin, tell me truly, have such as these been born to me?
सर्वं निवेदयित्वास्मै पश्चादेतदुवाच ह
After telling him everything, he then spoke as follows.
सख्युर्ममाति स्नेहेन तत्सर्वं वक्तुमर्हसि
Out of great affection for my friend, you should tell me all of this.
स हि पापपालं भुङ्क्ते यातनास्तु युगायुतम्
He who commits a sinful act endures torment for ten thousand ages.
तस्मान्मित्रेषु मतिमान्न कुर्याद्वंयनं कदा
Therefore, a wise man should never deceive his friends.