यस्याः स्मरणमात्रेण गंगास्नान फलं लभेत्
By merely remembering her, one obtains the merit of bathing in the Gaṅgā.
सदा नारायणो देवो यस्याश्चक्रे कथां मुदा
The god Nārāyaṇa always joyfully composed her story.
पतिव्रतास्वरुंधत्याः कमले विमलाशयः
Of the devoted wife Svarūndhatī, pure in heart like a lotus.
न तद्रूपं न तच्छीलं न तत्कौलीन्यमेव च
There is no beauty like hers, nor such character, nor such noble birth.
न माधुर्यं न गांभीर्यं न चार्यपरितोषणम्
No such sweetness, no such depth, nor such satisfaction of elders.
धन्यास्ता योषितो लोके सभाग्याः शुद्धबुद्धयः
Blessed are those women in the world, fortunate and pure in understanding.
यदा पतिव्रतानां तु कथास्मद्भवने भवेत् 4.1.18.३० !। ब्रुवतोरिति संकथां तथा गणयोर्वैष्णवयोर्मुदावहाम्
Whenever, in our house, the stories of devoted wives are told, thus the conversation of the two Vaiṣṇava Gaṇas brings joy.
शिवशर्मोवाच अनेकरशनाव्यग्र हस्ताग्रो व्यग्रलोचनः
Śivaśarman said: His waist was bound with many girdles, his hand's end was like a tiger's, and his gaze was like a tiger's.
त्रिलोकीमंडपस्तंभ सन्निभोभाभिरावृतः
He was surrounded by a radiance like a pillar supporting the hall of the three worlds.
सूत्रधार इव व्योम व्यायामपरिमापकः
Like an architect measuring the expanse, he encompassed the immeasurable sky.
अथवांबरकासारसारयूपस्वरूपधृक्
Or, he assumed the very form of the sacrificial post, the essence of the sky’s pure stream.
निशम्येति वचस्तस्य वयस्यस्य विमानगौ
Hearing these words from his companion in the celestial chariot,
तस्य क्षितिपतेर्विप्र द्वौ सुतौ संबभूवतुः
O Brahmin, that king had two sons who were born to him.
सुरुच्यामुत्तमो ज्येष्ठः सुनीत्यां तु ध्रुवो परः
The elder, Uttama, was born from Suruci; the other, Dhruva, from Sunīti.
सुनीत्या राजसेवायै नियुक्तोऽलंकृतोर्भकः
The boy born to Sunīti was adorned and appointed for royal service.
स गत्वोत्तानचरणं क्षोणीशं प्रणनाम ह
He went and bowed to the king, Uttānapāda, whose feet were turned upward.
प्रोच्चसिंहासनस्थस्य नृपतेर्बाल्यचापलात् 4.1.19.
Because of childish playfulness, he approached the king seated on the high lion-throne.
आरुरुक्षुमवेक्ष्यामुं सुरुचिर्धुवमब्रवीत्
Seeing him wishing to ascend, Suruci spoke to Dhruva.
बालबालिशबुद्धित्वादभाग्या जठरोद्भव
Because of your childish and immature mind, unfortunate one, born from the womb,
यदि स्यात्सुकृतं तत्किं दुर्भगोदरगोऽभवः
If you had merit, why were you born from the womb of the unfortunate?
भूत्वा राजकुमारोपि नालंकुर्या ममोदरम्
Even though you are a prince, you cannot adorn my womb.
अधिजानुधराजानेर्मानेन परिबृंहितम्
Swollen with the pride of being the son of the king who holds his knee high,
कुक्षिं हित्वा किमवसः सुरुचेश्च सुरोचिषम्
Having left the womb, what power do you have, or the brilliance of Suruci?
पतन्निपीतबाष्पांबुर्धैर्यात्किंचिन्न चोक्तवान्
Falling, swallowing his tears, he said nothing, maintaining a little composure.
नियंत्रितो महिष्याश्च तस्याः सौभाग्यगौरवात्
Restrained by the queen, out of respect for her fortune and dignity,
शैशवैः स शिशुर्नत्वा नृपं स्वसदनं ययौ
That child, after bowing to the king in his childhood, went to his own chamber.
सुखलक्ष्म्यैवचाज्ञासीद्ध्रुवं समवमानितम् 4.1.19.
By the very sign of happiness, it was clear that Dhruva had been slighted.
किंचित्परिम्लानमिव ससांत्वं परिषस्वजे
Somewhat withered, as if consoled, he embraced her.
दीर्घं निःश्वस्य बहुशो मातुरग्रे रुरोद ह
He sighed deeply and often, and wept before his mother.
दुकूलांचल संपर्कैर्मृदुलैर्मृदुपाणिना विद्यमाने नरपतौ शिशो केनापमानितः
Though the king was present, by the gentle touch of her soft hand and the edge of her garment, the child was dishonored by someone.