तमः संकेतसदनं व्याघ्रं वै वदनं महत्
A great tiger’s mouth, like a house of darkness and secrecy.
उलूकाकारतां धृत्वा फूत्कारैरतिदारुणैः
Assuming the form of an owl, with exceedingly harsh screeches.
यक्षिणी काचिदानीय रुदंतं कस्यचिच्छिशुम्
A certain yakshini brought a crying child belonging to someone.
पिपासिताद्य रुधिरं तेपि पास्याम्यहं धुव 4.1.20.
Today, thirsty, I shall surely drink your blood.
अनीय तृणदारूणि परिस्तीर्य समंततः
Having brought grass and wood, she spread them all around.
वेताली रूपमास्थाय भंक्त्वा काचित्तरून्गिरीन्
A vetali, assuming a form, broke various mountain peaks.
अन्या सुनीतिरूपेण तमभिप्रेक्ष्य दूरतः
Another, in the form of Suniti, looked at him from afar.
उवाच च वचश्चाटु बहुमाया विनिर्मितम्
She spoke words of flattery, crafted with much deception.
त्वदेकशरणां वत्स बत मृत्युर्जिघांसति
Alas, child, death seeks to destroy you, who have taken refuge in me alone.
प्रतिग्रामं प्रतिपुरं प्रत्यध्वं प्रतिकाननम्
From village to village, from city to city, from road to road, from forest to forest,
यदा प्रभृति रे बाल निरगात्तपसे भवान्
From the time, O boy, you departed for asceticism,
तैस्तैः सपत्नीदुर्वाक्यैर्दुनोपि त्वं यथार्भक
You have been distressed by the harsh words of co-wives, just as a child.
न निद्रामि न जागर्मि नाश्नामि न पिबाम्यहम्
I neither sleep nor wake, I neither eat nor drink.
निद्रादरिद्रनयना स्वप्नेपि न तवाननम् 4.1.20.
With eyes deprived of sleep, not even in dreams do I see your face.
त्वदाननप्रतिनिधिर्विधुर्विधुरया मया
The moon, as your substitute, has been made desolate by me.
त्वदालापसमालापं कलयन्किलकाकलीम्
Uttering your words and mine, I make soft, cooing sounds.
त्वदंगसंगमधुरो ध्रुवधूपितयामया
The sweetness of union with your body is certainly burned by my fever.
के देशाः काश्च सरितः के शैलास्त्वत्कृते ध्रुव
Which lands, which rivers, which mountains are there for your sake, indeed?
अध्रुवं सर्वमेवैतत्पश्यंत्यंधीकृतास्म्यहम्
All this is impermanent; seeing it, I am blinded.
मृदुलानि तवांगानि क्वेमानि क्व तपस्त्विदम्
Your limbs are gentle—where are these, and where is this austerity?
अनेन तपसा वत्स त्वयाऽऽप्यं किमनेनसा
My child, what is the use of this austerity for you?
अनेन वयसा बाल खेलनीयं त्वयाऽनिशम्
At this age, child, you should be playing all the time.
ततः कौमारमासाद्य वयोऽभिध्यानशीलिना
Then, upon reaching youth, one should be devoted to study.
वयोथ चतुरं प्राप्य योषास्रक्चंदनादिकान् 4.1.20.
And when you attain mature age, adorned with garlands and sandal paste,
उत्पाद्याथ बहून्पुत्रान्गुणिनो धर्मवत्सलान्
Then you should produce many sons, virtuous and devoted to righteousness.
इदानीमेव तपसि बाल्ये वयसि कः श्रमः
What is the point of austerity now, in childhood—what effort is this?
विपक्षपरिभूतेन हृतमानेन केनचित्
When one has been insulted by an enemy, and one's honor has been taken away,
हृतमानेन तप्तव्यं निशम्येति वचो ध्रुवः
It is then that one should undertake austerity, having heard these words, O Dhruva.
जनयित्रीमनाभाष्य भूतभीतिं विहाय च
Without speaking to his mother, and casting off fear of beings,
सापि भूतावली भीतिंबहुभीषणभूषणा
That host of spirits, adorned with many terrifying ornaments,