इत्युक्ता सा ततो बाला वस्त्रांतपि हितानना २३.
Thus addressed, the young girl, her face partly covered by her garment,
ततो विस्मितचित्तोहमुपचारविदांवरः २३.
Then, my mind filled with wonder, foremost among those who know proper conduct,
रत्नक्रीडनकं रम्यं स्तापितं सुचिरं मया २३.
I placed before her a beautiful jeweled toy, crafted by me over a long time.
वंदमाना च मे पादौ मया नीतांक मात्मनः २३.
As she bowed to my feet, I drew her close to myself.
न तत्पश्यामि यत्तुभ्यं दद्म्याशीः का तवोचिता २३.
I do not see what blessing I could give you that would be fitting.
नोदयामास मां मंदमानशीःशंकिता तदा २३.
Then, hesitating, she did not ask me for a blessing.
तदहं ज्ञातुमिच्छामि कीदृशोऽस्याः पतिर्भवेत् २३.
Therefore, I wish to know what kind of husband she will have.
न जातोऽस्याः पतिर्भद्रे वर्तते च कुलक्षणः २३.
Her husband has not yet been born, O gentle one, and he possesses the marks of a noble lineage.
श्रुत्वेति संभ्रमाविष्टो ध्वस्तवीर्यो हिमाचलः २३.
Hearing this, Himācala was seized with anxiety and his strength was shattered.
अहो विचित्रः सं सारो दुर्वेद्यो महतामपि २३.
Ah, how strange is this world-cycle, difficult to comprehend even for the great.
यत्नेन महता तावत्पुण्यैर्बहुविधैरपि २३.
Even with great effort and many kinds of meritorious deeds,
अध्रुवं तद्ध्रवत्वे च कथंचित्परिकल्प्यते २३.
It remains uncertain, and even its certainty is somehow imagined.
साध्वी महाकुलोत्पन्ना भार्याया स्यात्पतिव्रता २३.
A virtuous woman, born in a great family, may become a devoted wife.
सह वेदपुराणोक्तं जगत्त्रयहितावहम् २३.
Together with what is spoken in the Vedas and Purāṇas, it brings benefit to the three worlds.
तदपत्यमपत्यार्थं संसारे किल नारद २३.
Her offspring is indeed for the sake of progeny in this world, O Nārada.
सर्वमेतदवाप्नोति स कोपि यदिवा न वा २३.
One may attain all this, or perhaps not, whoever it may be.
अथ संसारिको दोषः स्वकृतं यत्र भुज्यते २३.
Then, the worldly fault is that one must experience what one has done.
नेति केचित्तत्र पुनः कथं ते यदि नो गृही २३.
Some say, 'Not so.' Then how is it, if they do not accept this?
पुनश्चसृष्टिवृद्ध्यर्थं नरकत्राणनाय च २३.
Again, for the sake of creation's growth and for the protection from hell,
सा च जातिप्रकृत्यैव कृपणा दैन्यभागिनी शास्त्रेषूक्तमसंदिग्धं वाक्यमेतन्महात्फलम्॥ २३.
She, by her birth and nature, is pitiable and destined for misery; this statement in the scriptures is undoubted and yields great fruit.
दशपुत्रसमा कन्या दशपुत्रान्प्रवर्द्धयन् २३.
A daughter is equal to ten sons, and she raises ten sons.
तस्मात्कन्या पितुः शोच्या सदा दुःखविवर्धिनी॥ २३.
Therefore, a daughter is always to be mourned by her father, for she increases sorrow.
यापि स्यात्पूर्णसर्वार्था पतिपुत्रधनान्विता २३.
Even she who is complete in all respects, endowed with husband, sons, and wealth,
केन दोषेण मे पुत्री न योग्या आशिषामता २३.
By what fault is my daughter not worthy of blessings?
निर्धनश्च मुने कस्मात्सर्वेषां सर्वदः कुतः २३.
O sage, why is he destitute, yet always the giver to all? How can this be?
इति तं पुत्रवात्सल्यात्सभार्यं शोकसंप्लुतम् २३.
Thus, out of affection for his son, to him who was overwhelmed by grief along with his wife—
मा शुचः शैलराज त्वं हर्षस्थानेऽतिपुण्यभाक् २३.
Do not grieve, O King of Mountains; you are the recipient of great merit in this place of joy.
जगन्माता त्वियं बाला पुत्री ते सर्वसिद्धिदा २३.
This child of yours is the Mother of the Universe, your daughter who grants all accomplishments.
तदस्याः किमहं दद्मि रवेर्दीपमिवाल्पकः २३.
So what could I possibly give her, as insignificant as a lamp before the sun?
न जातोऽभवद्भार्या पतिश्चेति वर्तते च भवो हि सः २३.
She has not yet become a wife, nor has he become a husband; and indeed, he is Bhava.