ऋषयो मनुजा देवाः शिवब्रह्ममुखा अपि १४.
The sages, men, gods—even Śiva and Brahmā—
इति चिंत्य विरिंचोऽपि तत्रैवांतरधीयत १४.
Thus reflecting, Viṣṇu also vanished from that very place.
आहारमिच्छन्स्वां भार्यां न ददर्शाश्रमे स्वके १४.
Desiring food, he did not see his wife in his own hermitage.
विलोकयन्स्वकां भार्यां विधित्सुः कर्म नैत्यकम् १४.
Looking for his wife, wishing to perform his daily rites—
रुदन्तीं स्वां प्रियां दीनां तरुप्रच्छादिताननाम् १४.
He saw his beloved, distressed, her face hidden by tree branches, weeping.
केन तेऽपकृतं भीरु वर्तंत्यास्तपसि स्वके कं वा कामं प्रयच्छामि शीघ्रं प्रब्रूहि भामिनि॥ १४.
Who has wronged you, fearful one, as you pursue your own austerity? Or what desire shall I grant you? Quickly tell me, beautiful one.
गृहेश्वरीं सद्गुणभूषितां शुभां पंग्वंधयोगेन पतिं समेताम् १४.
A mistress of the house, adorned with noble qualities, auspicious, united with her husband through the bond of marriage—
नाशितास्म्यपविद्धास्मि त्रासिता पीडितास्मि च १५.
I have been destroyed, cast aside, terrified, and tormented.
दुःखपारमपश्यंती प्राणांस्त्यक्तुं व्यवस्थिता १५.
Seeing no end to my suffering, I am resolved to give up my life.
एवमुक्तस्तु दैत्येंद्रो दुःखितोऽचिंतयद्धृदि १५.
Thus addressed, the lord of the Daityas became sorrowful and pondered in his heart.
तथापि मन्ये शास्त्रैभ्यस्त्वनुकंप्या प्रियेति यत् १५.
Still, I think, according to the scriptures, that she is to be pitied, for she is dear.
व्यसनार्णवमत्येति जलयानैरिवार्णवम् १५.
One crosses the ocean of misfortune as with boats crossing the sea.
गेहिनो हेलया जिग्युर्दस्यून्दूर्ग पतिर्यथा १५.
Householders, through carelessness, are overcome by thieves, just as a fortress lord is.
अथायुषा वा कार्त्स्न्येन धर्मे दित्सुर्यथैव च १५.
Or, just as one gives away all one's life or righteousness in its entirety.
भर्तव्या एव यस्माच्च तस्माद्भार्येति सा स्मृता १५.
Because she must be supported, she is therefore called 'wife.'
संसारकल्मषात्त्रात्री कलत्रमिति सा ततः १५.
And because she rescues from the impurity of worldly existence, she is called 'kalatra.'
त्रीणि ज्योतींषि पुरुष इति वै देवलोऽब्रवीत् १५.
Devala said: 'There are three lights in a man.'
तदेनां पीडितां चेद्यः पतिर्भूत्वा न पालये १५.
If, having become her husband, he does not protect her when she is afflicted—
अह मप्येनमिंद्रं वै शक्तो जेतुं यथाऽनृणाम् १५.
—then I am able to conquer even Indra, as one free from debt.
इति संचिंत्य वज्रांगः कोपव्याकुललोचनः १५.
Thinking thus, Vajranga, his eyes agitated with anger—
ज्ञात्वा तु तस्य संकल्पं ब्रह्मा क्रूरतरं पुनः १५.
Brahma, knowing his intention, which was again exceedingly cruel—
उवाचैनं स भगवान्प्रभुर्मधुरया गिरा॥ १५.
That blessed Lord addressed him with gentle words.
किमर्थं भूय एव त्वं नियमं क्रूरमिच्छसि १५.
For what reason do you again desire such a harsh vow?
यावदब्दसहस्रेण निराहारेण वै फलम् १५.
Even with a thousand years of fasting, the fruit—
त्यागो ह्यप्राप्तकामानां न तथा च गुरुः स्मृतः श्रुत्वैतद्ब्रह्मणो वाक्यं दैत्यः प्रांजलिरब्रवीत्॥ १५.
Renunciation is not considered great for those whose desires are unfulfilled. Hearing these words of Brahma, the demon, with joined palms, spoke:
पत्न्यर्थेऽहं करिष्यामि तपो घोरं पितामह १५.
For the sake of my wife, O Grandfather, I will perform terrible austerity.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचो देवः पद्मगर्भोद्भवस्तदा १५.
Hearing these words, the god born from the lotus then—
अलं ते तपसा वत्स मा क्लेशे विस्तरे विश १५.
Enough of your austerity, child; do not enter into excessive hardship.
देवसीमंतिनीकाम्यधम्मिल्लकविमोक्षणः १५.
The god released the knot of Dhammillaka, desiring Sīmantinī.
विसृज्य गत्वा महिषीं नंदया मास तां मुदा १५.
Having let her go, he went to his queen and delighted her with joy.