ततः सौभद्रमासाद्य महर्षेस्तीर्थुमुत्तमम् १.
Then, reaching Saubhadra, the foremost sacred ford of the great sage—
अथ तं पुरुषव्याघ्रमंतर्जलचरो महान् १.
Then, a great aquatic creature approached that tiger among men.
तमादायैव कौतेयो विस्फुरंतं जलेचरम् १.
Taking hold of that thrashing water-dweller, the son of Kunti—
उद्धृतश्चैव तु ग्राहः सोऽर्जुनेन यशस्विना १.
That crocodile was pulled out by the glorious Arjuna.
दीप्यमानशिखा विप्रा दिव्यरूपा मनोरमा १.
O Brahmins, she shone with blazing flames, possessing a divine and enchanting form.
तां स्त्रियं परमप्रीत इदं वचनमब्रवीत् १.
To that woman, filled with utmost affection, he spoke these words.
किमर्थं च महात्पापमिदं कृतवती ह्यसि नार्युवाच १.
For what reason, O lady, have you committed this great sin?
इष्टा धनपतेर्नित्यं वर्चानाम महाबल १.
Desired were wealth, sons, and enduring fame, O mighty one.
ताभिः सार्धं प्रयातास्मि देवराजनिवेशनात् १.
Together with them, I departed from the abode of the king of the gods.
रूपवंतमधीयानमेकमेकांतचारिणम् १.
A handsome, learned man, dwelling alone, was there.
आदित्य इव तं देशं कृत्स्नमेवान्व भासयत् १.
Like the sun, he illuminated that entire place.
अवतीर्णास्ति तं देशं तपोविघ्नचिकीर्षया १.
We descended to that place with the intention of disturbing his austerities.
यौगपद्येन तं विप्रमभ्यगच्छाम भारत १.
All at once, O Bharata, we approached that Brahmin.
स च नास्मासु कृतवान्मनोवीरः कथंचन १.
But that resolute man did not pay any attention to us.
सोऽशपत्कुपितोऽस्मासु ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियर्षभ १.
Then, enraged, that Brahmin cursed us, O best of the Kshatriyas.
ततो वयं प्रव्यथिताः सर्वा भरतसत्तम १.
Thereupon, O best of the Bharatas, we all became greatly distressed.
रूपेण वयसा चैव कंदर्पेण च दर्पिताः १.
Proud of our beauty, youth, and charm, we were overcome by desire.
एष एव वधोऽस्माकं स पर्याप्तस्तपोधन १.
This very punishment is sufficient for us, O ascetic rich in austerity.
अवध्याश्च स्त्रियः सृष्टा मन्यंते धर्मचिंतकाः १.
Those who reflect on righteousness consider women to be inviolable.
शरणं च प्रपन्नानां शिष्टाः कुर्वंति पालनम् १.
And the virtuous protect those who have sought their refuge.
एवमुक्तस्तु धर्मात्मा ब्राह्मणः शुभकर्मकृत् १.
Thus addressed, the righteous Brahmin, performer of auspicious deeds,
भवतीनां चरित्रेण परिमुह्यामि चेतसि १.
I am bewildered in my mind by your conduct, O ladies.
मस्त कस्थायिनं मृत्युं यदि पश्येदयं जनः १.
If people were to see death as a being made of wood and clay.
आहो मानुष्यकं जन्म सर्वजन्मसु दुर्लभम् १.
Indeed, human birth is rare among all births.
तान्वयं समपृच्छामो जनिर्वः किंनिमित्ततः १.
We now ask you: for what reason does your birth occur?
न चैताः परिनिन्दामो जनिर्यार्भ्यः प्रवर्तते १.
Nor do we disparage those whose birth arises from childhood.
यतः पद्मभुवा सृष्टं मिथुनं विश्ववृद्धये १.
For the pair was created by the Lotus-born for the growth of the world.
या बांधवैः प्रदत्ता स्याद्वह्निद्विजसमागमे १.
That which is given by relatives at the meeting of fire and twice-born.
यथाप्रकृति पुंयोमो यत्नेनापि परस्परम् १.
According to their nature, men and women strive together, even with effort.
एवं यत्नात्साध्यमानं स्वकं गार्हस्थ्यमुत्तमम् १.
Thus, through effort, one's own excellent household life is accomplished.