पिता तस्या महाप्राज्ञः सर्वशास्त्रार्थतत्त्व वित्
Her father was exceedingly wise, a knower of the essence of all scriptures.
पिंगलोनाम विप्रेंद्रो भार्या तस्य पतिव्रता
Pingala was the name of the chief Brahmin; his wife was devoted to her husband.
ततस्तेन स दुःखेन गृहस्थाश्रमनिःस्पृहः
Then, afflicted by sorrow, he lost all desire for the householder's life.
ऋषिभिः सेवितं पुण्यं शाकमूल फलाशनैः 5.2.81.
He made his dwelling in a sacred place frequented by sages, subsisting on vegetables, roots, and fruits.
निवासं कृतवान्देवि पिंगलायाश्च रक्षणम्
There, O Devi, he provided shelter and protection for Pingala.
तामेव सततं साध्वी मन्यमानो महातपाः
Constantly regarding her as virtuous, the great ascetic honored her.
विरक्तोऽपि महाभाग संसारा त्सर्वधर्म्मवित्
Though detached, O noble one, he was learned in all dharmas and remained in worldly life.
अथ संरक्षयन्बालां मातृहीनां तपस्विनीम्
He protected the young girl, motherless and devoted to austerity.
ततः सा र्पिगला दीना हीना पित्रा सुदुःखिता
Then Pingala, bereft and deeply distressed by the loss of her father,
पिंगलोवाच अद्य मे च पिता दैवात्कालधर्ममुपेयिवान्
Pingala said: Today, by fate, my father has departed according to the law of time.
स समः सर्वभूतेषु ममात्यंतं हिते रतः
He was impartial to all beings and always devoted to my welfare.
साऽहं परमदुःखार्ता पितृशोकेन विह्वला
I am overwhelmed with intense sorrow, shaken by grief for my father.
ब्रह्मज्ञोपि हि तातो मे शांतो दांतो जितेंद्रियः
My father was a knower of Brahman, peaceful, self-controlled, and master of his senses.
येन संरक्षिता बाल्ये येनास्मि परिवर्धिता 5.2.81.
He protected me in childhood and by him I was raised.
नद्यां वा निपतिष्यामि समिद्धे वा हुताशने
I shall throw myself into the river or into blazing fire.
इति शोकातुरा बाला विलपंती पुनःपुनः
Thus, tormented by grief, the girl lamented again and again.
कन्यकाभी रुदंतीभिर्वयस्याभिः समंततः आगत्य करुणाविष्टो धर्मः परहिते रतः
Surrounded by her companions, all weeping, the compassionate Dharma, devoted to the welfare of others, arrived.
स्थविरो ब्राह्मणो भूत्वा प्रोवाचेदं वचस्तदा न भूयः प्राप्यते तातस्तस्मान्नार्हसि शोचितुम्
Assuming the form of an aged Brahmin, he spoke these words: Your father will not return; therefore, you should not grieve.
अनित्यं यौवनं रूपं जीवितं द्रव्यसंचयः
Youth, beauty, life, and the accumulation of wealth are all impermanent.
त्वया वै तत्कृतं कर्म पूर्वजन्मनि शोभने
O auspicious one, the actions you performed in a previous birth have brought this about.
त्वां विहाय गतः क्वापि पश्य बाले विधेर्बलम्
Having left you, he has gone somewhere—see, O girl, the power of fate.
एवमीहा समासक्तं मृत्युः प्रकुरुते वशे
Thus, while one is attached here, death brings him under its control.
पितृभ्यां च वियोगश्च येनाभूत्तव कर्मणा
And by your actions, you were separated from your parents.
नृत्यगेयादि निपुणा वीणावेणुविचक्षणा 5.2.81.
Skilled in dance and song, and expert with the lute and flute.
तां दृष्ट्वा रूपसंपन्नां सुवेषां सुविभूषिताम्
Seeing her, endowed with beauty, well dressed and well adorned,
तं विदित्वा तथाभूतं ब्राह्मणं मदनातुरम्
Recognizing that brāhmaṇa, thus afflicted by love,
सोऽथ पापरतिर्मूढो ब्राह्मणो विषयात्मकः
Then that brāhmaṇa, deluded, intent on sin, given to sense pleasures,
विहाय भार्यामप्रौढां शुभां द्वादशवार्षिकीम्
Abandoning his virtuous, youthful wife of twelve years,
ततस्तस्य पिता विद्वान्मातातीव च दुःखिता
Then his father, wise, and his mother, exceedingly distressed,
यदस्माकं वियोगाय वंचितो दुष्टचारिणि
Because of this wicked conduct, he has been deprived for our separation.