च्यवनोऽप्योमिति प्राह भागदाने वरौजसोः । तदा हृष्टावश्विनौ तमूचतुस्तपतां वरम्
Cyavana replied, 'So be it,' agreeing to give the gods their share; then, delighted, the Aśvins spoke to him, the foremost of ascetics.
निमज्जतां भवानस्मिन्ह्रदे सिद्धविनिर्मिते । इत्युक्तो जरयाग्रस्त देहो धमनिसंततः
'Enter this lake, created by perfected beings,' they said; his body, afflicted by old age and covered with veins, obeyed.
ह्रदं प्रवेशितोऽश्विभ्यां स्वयं चामज्जतां ह्रदे । पुरुषास्त्रय उत्तस्थुरपीच्या वनिताप्रियाः
Cyavana entered the lake with the Aśvins, and as they submerged, three men emerged, all equally pleasing to women.
रुक्मस्रजः कुंडलिनस्तुल्यरूपाः सुवाससः । तान्निरीक्ष्य वरारोहा सुरूपान्सूर्यवर्चसः
They wore golden garlands, earrings, and matching forms, splendidly dressed; seeing them, the beautiful woman beheld radiant men.
अजानती पतिं साध्वी ह्यश्विनौ शरणं ययौ । दर्शयित्वा पतिं तस्यै पातिव्रत्येन तोषितौ
Not knowing which was her husband, the virtuous woman sought refuge with the Aśvins; showing her husband to her, they were pleased by her fidelity.
ऋषिमामंत्र्य ययतुर्विमानेन त्रिविष्टपम् । यक्ष्यमाणे क्रतौ स्वीयभागकार्याशयायुतौ
After bidding farewell to the sage, the Aśvins departed in their celestial chariot to heaven, eager to receive their share at the sacrifice.
कालेन भूयसा क्षामां कर्शितां व्रतचर्यया । प्रेमगद्गदया वाचा पीडितः कृपयाब्रवीत्
Over time, weakened and emaciated by her observance of vows, she spoke with a voice trembling with love; afflicted, he replied with compassion.
तुष्टोऽहमद्य तव भामिनि मानदायाः । शुश्रूषया परमया हृदि चैकभक्त्या । यो देहिनामयमतीव सुहृत्स्वदेहो । नावेक्षितः समुचितः क्षपितुं मदर्थे
'Today I am pleased with you, O beautiful one, who gives honor; by your devoted service and single-minded love, you are truly my greatest friend, my own body. No other is so fitting to endure for my sake.'
ये मे स्वधर्मनिरतस्य तपः समाधि-। विद्यात्मयोगविजिता भगवत्प्रसादाः । तानेव ते मदनुसेवनयाऽविरुद्धान् । दृष्टिं प्रपश्य वितराम्यभयानशोकान्
'Those blessings I have gained through my own dharma—asceticism, meditation, knowledge, and yoga—by the grace of the Lord, I now grant you, through your service to me, unobstructed vision, fearlessness, and freedom from sorrow.'
अन्ये पुनर्भगवतो भ्रुव उद्विजृंभ-। विस्रंसितार्थरचनाः किमुरुक्रमस्य । सिद्धासि भुंक्ष्व विभवान्निजधर्मदोहान् । दिव्यान्नरैर्दुरधिगान्नृपविक्रियाभिः
'Others, whose efforts are scattered by the Lord’s raised brow, what can they accomplish against the mighty? You are accomplished; enjoy prosperity and the rewards of your own dharma, and partake of divine foods, unattainable by mortals, through royal favor.'
एवं ब्रुवाणमबलाखिलयोगमाया । विद्याविचक्षणमवेक्ष्य गताधिरासीत् । संप्रश्रयप्रणयविह्वलया गिरेषद् । व्रीडाविलोकविलसद्धसिताननाह
Hearing him speak thus, the woman, perceiving his mastery of all yoga and knowledge, became calm; overwhelmed with humility and affection, she gazed bashfully, her face bright with a gentle smile.
सुकन्योवाच। राद्धं बत द्विजवृषैतदमोघयोग-। मायाधिपे त्वयि विभो तदवैमि भर्तः । यस्तेऽभ्यधायि समयः सकृदंगसंगो । भूयाद्गरीयसि गुणः प्रसवः सतीनाम्
Sukanyā said: 'Indeed, O best of twice-born, your unfailing mastery of yoga and magic is proven; I know this, O lord. That vow you made, that union of bodies, may it bring forth the highest virtue among faithful women.'
तत्रेति कृत्यमुपशिक्ष्य यथोपदेशं । येनैष कर्शिततमोति रिरंसयात्मा । सिध्येत ते कृतमनोभव धर्षिताया । दीनस्तदीशभवनं सदृशं विचक्ष्व
There, learn what must be done according to instruction; by which, with longing, this soul, worn thin by desire, might be fulfilled. Consider, O wise one, what is fitting for you to do for the one whose mind has been overpowered, and who is destitute and at the lord’s door.
सुमतिरुवाच। प्रियायाः प्रियमन्विच्छंश्च्यवनो योगमास्थितः । विमानं कामगं राजंस्तर्ह्येवाविरचीकरत्
Sumati said: Desiring what was dear to his beloved, Cyavana, established in yoga, at that very moment created a flying palace at will, O King.
सर्वकामदुघं रम्यं सर्वरत्नसमन्वितम् । सर्वार्थोपचयोदर्कं मणिस्तंभैरुपस्कृतम्
It was delightful, granting every wish, adorned with all jewels, bringing increase to all aims, and furnished with pillars of precious stones.
दिव्योपस्तरणोपेतं सर्वकालसुखावहम् । पट्टिकाभिः पताकाभिर्विचित्राभिरलंकृतम्
It was equipped with divine bedding, bestowing comfort at all times, and beautifully decorated with varied cloths and banners.
स्रग्भिर्विचित्रमालाभिर्मंजुसिंजत्षडंघ्रिभिः । दुकूलक्षौमकौशेयैर्नानावस्त्रैर्विराजितम्
Adorned with garlands and intricate wreaths, with the gentle jingling of bees, resplendent with garments of fine linen, silk, and many kinds of cloth.
उपर्युपरि विन्यस्तनिलयेषु पृथक्पृथक् । कॢप्तैः कशिपुभिः कांतं पर्यंकव्यजनादिभिः
On each separate level, one above another, were arranged charming couches, fans, and other delightful furnishings.
तत्रतत्र विनिक्षिप्त नानाशिल्पोपशोभितम् । महामरकतस्थल्या जुष्टं विद्रुमवेदिभिः
Here and there were set various works of art, beautifying the place, with a great emerald floor adorned with coral platforms.
द्वाःसु विद्रुमदेहल्या भातं वज्रकपाटकम् । शिखरेष्विंद्रनीलेषु हेमकुंभैरधिश्रितम्
At the doors, coral thresholds shone with diamond panels, and on the peaks of sapphire towers stood golden urns.
चक्षुष्मत्पद्मरागाग्र्यैर्वज्रभित्तिषु निर्मितैः । जुष्टं विचित्रवैतानैर्मुक्ताहारावलंबितैः
It was adorned with walls inlaid with the finest ruby gems, decorated with marvelous canopies and strings of pearls hanging down.
हंसपारावतव्रातैस्तत्र तत्र निकूजितम् । कृत्रिमान्मन्यमानैस्तानधिरुह्याधिरुह्य च
Flocks of swans and doves cooed here and there, flying up and down, taking the artificial for natural.
विहारस्थानविश्राम संवेश प्रांगणाजिरैः । यथोपजोषं रचितैर्विस्मापनमिवात्मनः
With pleasure grounds, resting places, sleeping chambers, courtyards, and halls, all arranged as desired, it seemed a wonder to the mind.
एवं गृहं प्रपश्यंतीं नातिप्रीतेन चेतसा । सर्वभूताशयाभिज्ञः स्वयं प्रोवाच तां प्रति
As she gazed upon such a house, though not with great delight in her heart, the sage, knower of all beings’ thoughts, himself spoke to her.
निमज्ज्यास्मिन्ह्रदे भीरु विमानमिदमारुह । सुभ्रूर्भर्तुः समादाय वचः कुवलयेक्षणा
‘O timid one, plunge into this lake and ascend this palace; O lovely-browed, lotus-eyed one, take up your husband’s command.’
सरजो बिभ्रती वासो वेणीभूतांश्च मूर्द्धजान् । अंगं च मलपंकेन संछन्नं शबलस्तनम्
Wearing a dust-stained garment, her hair bound in a braid, her body smeared with mud, her breast mottled, she entered.
आविवेश सरस्तत्र मुदा शिवजलाशयम् । सांतःसरसि वेश्मस्थाः शतानि दशकन्यकाः
She entered that lake joyfully, the auspicious reservoir of water; and in the lake, in the palace, were a hundred ten maidens.
सर्वाः किशोरवयसो ददर्शोत्पलगंधयः । तां दृष्ट्वा शीघ्रमुत्थाय प्रोचुः प्रांजलयः स्त्रियः
All were of youthful age, fragrant with lotus, and seeing her, the women quickly rose and, with joined palms, spoke.
वयं कर्मकरीस्तुभ्यं शाधि नः करवाम किम् । स्नानेन ता महार्हेण स्नापयित्वा मनस्विनीम्
‘We are your attendants; command us, what shall we do?’ Bathing that noble lady with the most precious bath,
दुकूले निर्मले नूत्ने ददुरस्यै च मानद । भूषणानि परार्घ्यानि वरीयांसि द्युमंति च
They gave her a new, pure linen garment, O bestower of honor, and ornaments of the highest value, radiant and splendid.