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.
अपोथसमुपस्पृश्य तांबूलं परिगृह्य च
He wiped his tears and took some betel in his hand.
संपृच्छे जननि त्वाहं सम्यक्शंस ममाग्रतः
Mother, I ask you—tell me everything clearly before me.
कथं न भवती मातः प्रिया क्षितिपतेरसि
Mother, why are you not dear to the king?
कुमारत्वेपि सामान्ये कथं त्वहमनुत्तमः
Even though I am a prince like the others, why am I not the best?
कथं नृपासनं योग्यमुत्तमस्य कथं न मे
Why is the royal throne, fit for the best, not meant for me?
इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य सुनीतिर्नीतिमच्छिशोः
Hearing these words from the wise child, Suniti—
स्वभावमधुरां वाणीं वक्तुं समुपचक्रमे 4.1.19.
—began to speak words naturally sweet.
निवेदयामि ते सर्वं माऽपमाने मतिं कृथाः
I will tell you everything; do not let your mind dwell on dishonor.
तया यदुक्तं तत्सर्वं तथ्यमेव न चान्यथा
All that she said is entirely true, and not otherwise.
तया जन्मांतरे तात यत्पुण्यं समुपार्जितम्
Whatever merit was earned, my son, by her in a previous birth—