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,
परितः परिवेषाभं सूर्यस्योच्चैः स्फुरत्प्रभम्
Surrounded on all sides, shining with a brilliance like the sun at its zenith,
भूतावली तमालोक्य स्फुरच्चक्रसुदर्शनम्
That host of spirits, seeing him with the blazing Sudarshana discus,
अतीव निष्कंपहृदं गोविदार्पितचेतसम्
With a heart utterly unmoved, his mind fixed on Govinda,
सापि प्रत्युतभीतातं ध्रुवं ध्रुवविनिश्चयम् 4.1.20.
She too, seeing Dhruva's unwavering resolve, became even more afraid.
गर्जत्कादंबिनीजालं व्योम्नि वै व्याकुलं यथा
Like a tumultuous mass of thunderclouds roaring in the sky,
अथ जंभारिणा सार्धं भीताः सर्वे दिवौकसः
Then, together with Indra, all the gods became afraid.
नत्वा विज्ञापयामासुः परिष्टुत्या पितामहम्
Having bowed, they addressed and praised the Grandfather (Brahma).
तपता तापिताः सर्वे त्रिलोकी तलवासिनः
All the inhabitants of the three worlds were tormented by his austerity.
सम्यक्संविद्महे तात धुवस्य न मनीषितम्
We know well, dear one, that Dhruva's intention is not ours.
इति विज्ञापितो देवैर्विहस्य चतुराननः
Thus addressed by the gods, Four-faced Brahma laughed.