हास्तिनेऽ भूत्पुरे श्रीमाञ्छंतनुर्नृपसत्तमः
In the city of Hastinapura there was a glorious king named Shantanur, foremost among rulers.
स चाद्भुतमहावीर्यो वज्रसंहननो युवा
He was wondrously mighty, youthful, and firm as a thunderbolt.
बलेन विष्णुसदृशस्तेजसा भास्करोपमः
In strength he was like Vishnu, in brilliance like the sun.
स कदाचिन्महाबाहुः प्रभूत बलवाहनः
Once, that mighty-armed one, with a great force of troops,
गत्वा तत्र मृगान्व्याघ्रान्घातयामास लीलया
went there and, with ease, slew deer and tigers.
स कदाचिद्वने तस्मिन्ददर्श परमां स्त्रियम्
Once, in that forest, he beheld a most excellent woman.
तां दृष्ट्वा हृष्टरोमाभूद्विस्मितो रूपसंपदा
Seeing her, his hair stood on end, astonished by her beauty and grace.
सा दृष्ट्वैव च राजानं विचरंतं महाद्युतिम्
She, upon seeing the king wandering, radiant with great splendor,
तामुवाच ततो राजा सांत्वयञ्छ्लक्ष्णया गिरा 5.2.71.
Then the king spoke to her, comforting her with gentle words.
यक्षी वा पन्नगी वा त्वं मानुषी वा सुमध्यमे
Are you a Yakṣī, a serpent-woman, or a human, O slender-waisted one?
एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचो राज्ञः संस्तुतं मृदु वल्गु च
Hearing the king’s words, praised, soft and charming,
वारिता विप्रिये वापि त्यजेयं त्वामसंशयम्
If you forbid me or dislike me, I will surely leave you, without doubt.
एवमस्त्विति तेनोक्तं सत्येन सुकृतेन च
‘So be it,’ she replied to him, with truth and virtue.
उपचारेण च रहस्तुतोष जगतीपतिः
With courtesy and in private, the lord of the earth was pleased.
मानुषं विग्रहं कृत्वा श्रीमंतं वरवर्णिनि
Assuming a human form, splendid and of excellent complexion,
स राजा रति सक्तत्वादुत्तमस्त्रीगुणैर्हृतः
The king, absorbed in pleasure, was captivated by her supreme feminine qualities.
रममाणस्तया सार्द्धं यथाकामं नरेश्वरः
The lord of men enjoyed with her as he wished.
जातं जातं च सा पुत्रं क्षिपत्यंभसि मुक्तये
Each time a son was born, she cast him into the water for liberation.
नास्य तत्तु प्रियं राज्ञः शंतनोर्ह्यभवत्तदा 5.2.71.
This was not pleasing to King Śantanu at that time.
अथैनामष्टमे पुत्रे जाते प्रहसतीमिव
Then, when the eighth son was born, as she smiled,
मा वधीः कस्य कासीति किं विध्वंसि सुतानिति
He said, ‘Do not kill! Whose are you? Why do you destroy your sons?’
जीर्णस्तु मम वासोऽयं यथा मे समयः कृतः
‘My time is fulfilled, as my vow was made; this garment of mine is worn out.’
अहं गंगा जह्नुसुता महर्षिगणसेविता
‘I am Gaṅgā, daughter of Jahnu, honored by hosts of great sages.’
इमेऽष्टौ वसवो देवा महाभीमा महौजसः
‘These eight are the Vasus, mighty gods, of great power and awe.’
तेषामानयिता नान्यस्त्वदृते भुवि विद्यते
There is no one else on earth who can bring them here except you.
तस्मात्तज्जननीहेतोर्मानुषत्वमुपागता
Therefore, for the sake of giving birth to them, I have taken human birth.
सैवमुक्त्वा तदा गङ्गा विष्णुमायाविमोहिता
Having spoken thus, at that time, Ganga, deluded by Vishnu's maya,
अहो बत महत्कष्टं यदमी घातिताः सुताः
Alas, what great suffering it is that these sons have been slain!
हा वत्सा हा सुताः पुत्रा हा तातास्तनयाः क्व वै 5.2.71.
Ah, my children! Ah, my sons! My dear ones! Where are you now, my sons?
मातर्मातेति करुणं ब्रुवाणाः स्वयमागता
Crying out piteously, 'Mother! Mother!' they themselves came forth.