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.
यस्माच्च मम पुत्रेण सा वियोगमकारयत्
And because my son caused her separation,
बहिष्कृता विवाहेन पितृहीना भविष्यसि
She will be cast out by marriage, and become fatherless.
इदं दुःखमनुप्राप्ता कन्यका भवती सती
Thus, though being a maiden, she has encountered this suffering.
तस्माद्ब्रूहि भवन्प्रश्नं पृच्छंत्या निश्चयं स्वकम् ।। 5.2.81.
Therefore, tell your question, ask with your own resolve.
इत्थं सुघोरपापाहं पापाचारा तथाऽधमा
Thus, I am a great sinner, of evil conduct and so lowly.
दशसूनासमश्चक्री दशचक्रिसमो ध्वजः
Equal to one with ten sons is the one with ten wheels; the banner is like one with ten wheels.
एवं वदंति धर्मज्ञा ब्राह्मणाः संशितव्रताः
Thus speak the knowers of dharma, the brāhmaṇas firm in their vows.
उत्पन्ना तत्र वक्ष्यामि कारणं शृणु पिंगले
Born there, I will tell you the reason—listen, O Piṅgalā.
ब्राह्मणो विषयासक्तः कश्चिद्बद्धो नृपाज्ञया
A certain Brahmin, attached to worldly pleasures, was bound by the king's command.
मुच्यतां च त्वयाप्युक्तं न चौरो नैव पातकम्
Let him be released, as you have said; he is neither a thief nor sinful.