ताडितो हदयेत्यर्थं चरणैर्वज्रसंनिभैः
Struck in the chest, as if with feet resembling thunderbolts.
करालैः कंटकैः कृष्णैः पुरुषैरुद्यतायुधैः
By fierce, dark men, armed and brandishing weapons with thorns.
एवमेतन्मया दृष्टमिमांरात्रिं भयावहाम्
Thus, I witnessed this terrifying night.
इमां तु दुःस्वप्नगतिं निरीक्ष्य वै ह्यनेकरूपामविचिंतितां पुरा
Having observed this dreadful dream journey, with its many forms and unimagined aspects,
नृपस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा अमात्या भृशदुःखिताः
Hearing the king's words, the ministers were deeply distressed.
सौरि सूर्यकुजाक्रांतं नगरं दृश्यतेऽधुना
Now the city appears to be overtaken by Saturn, the Sun, and Mars.
करणानि न शस्यंते मुहूर्त्ता दारुणाभवन्
The senses do not function well; moments have become harsh.
आश्वासयंतो राजानमिदं वचनमब्रुवन्
They comforted the king, speaking these words.
दृश्यंते भाविताः पुंसि स्वप्ने धातुवशेन हि 5.2.80.
Such visions arise in a person during dreams, due to the influence of bodily elements.
एभिस्ततो मोक्ष्यसे त्वं मानसादधिविभ्रमात्
From these, you will be freed from the disturbance of the mind.
एवमाश्वासितो भूपो ह्यमात्यैर्धर्मकोविदैः
Thus the king was consoled by his ministers, who were well-versed in righteousness.
वशिष्ठस्य सुतो ज्येष्ठः शक्ति र्वै भक्षितो मया
The eldest son of Vasiṣṭha, Śakti, was indeed devoured by me.
तेन पापेन संतप्तः कथं स्वस्थो भवामि वै
Afflicted by that sin, how can I possibly find peace?
मया पुनर्नृशंसेन सा तथा न तु वर्जिता राक्षसोऽहमनेनैव शरीरेण कुलांतकृत्
Again, through my own cruelty, she too was not spared; by this very body I have become a Rākṣasa, the destroyer of my lineage.
जातः कुले रघूणां वै पापात्मा पापसंभवः
Born in the race of the Raghus, I am a wicked soul, sprung from sin.
इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सौदासस्य सुविस्मिताः
Hearing these words of Saudāsa, they were utterly astonished.
अहो पापमिदं भूरि कृतं पापेन सर्वथा
Alas, this great sin has been committed in every way by the sinner.
तस्मादद्यैव गंतव्यमस्य भूपस्य कारणात्
Therefore, for the sake of this king, we must depart at once today.
इत्युक्त्वा सहितास्तेन तेऽमात्या भृशदुःखिताः 5.2.80.
Having spoken thus, those ministers, deeply distressed, departed together with him.
अदृश्यंतीं वधूं दीनां यत्राश्वासयति प्रभुः भयसंविग्नया वाचा वशिष्ठमिदमब्रवीत्
There, where the lord was consoling his sorrowful wife, who was unseen, he spoke these words to Vasiṣṭha in a voice trembling with fear.
असौ मृत्युरिवोग्रेण दण्डेन वहुगर्वितः
He is as proud as Death himself, wielding a terrible rod.
तन्निवारयितुं शक्तो नान्यो वै भुवि कश्चन
No one else on earth is able to restrain him.
त्राहि मां भग वन्पापादस्माद्दारुणदर्शनात्
O Lord, save me from this dreadful, fearsome sinner.
नैतद्रक्षो भयं यस्मात्पश्यसि त्वमुपस्थितम्
You need not fear this, for you see the danger that has arisen.
स एषोऽस्मिन्वनोद्देशे समा यातो ममांतिकम् वारयामास तेजस्वी हुंकारेण नृपोत्तमम्
He, having come near me in this part of the forest for a year, was checked by the powerful one with a roar, that best of kings.
मन्त्रपूतेन च ततः समभ्युक्ष्य च वारिणा
Then, having sprinkled him with water purified by mantra,
प्रतिलभ्य ततः संज्ञामभिवाद्य कृतांजलिः
Regaining consciousness, he saluted with joined palms.
सौदासोऽहं महाभाग दासोऽहं तव सुव्रत
O highly fortunate one, I am Saudāsa; O virtuous one, I am your servant.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा नृपस्य द्विजसत्तमः राजानं प्रत्युवाचेदं विनयावनतं तथा ।। 5.2.80.
Hearing those words of the king, the best of twice-born replied to the king, who was thus humbly bowed.
ज्ञातमेव यथाकालं गच्छ राजन्कुश स्थलीम्
It is already known; at the proper time, O King, go to the Kuśa sanctuary.