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—
मादृश्यो मंदभाग्यायाः प्रमदासु प्रतिष्ठिताः
—has established her among women, while I, of lesser fortune, remain.
महा सुकृतसंभारैरुत्तमश्चोत्तमोदरे
By the great accumulation of good deeds, the best is born from the best womb.
आतपत्रं च चंद्राभं शुभे चापि च चामरे
The white parasol, shining like the moon, and the auspicious fly-whisks—
तुरंगमाश्च तुरगास्त्वनाधिव्याधिजीवितम्
—and horses, steeds whose lives are free from affliction—
विपुलं च कलाज्ञानमधीतमपराजितम्
And vast is her knowledge of the arts, thoroughly studied and unconquered.
दृष्टिः कारुण्यसंपूर्णा वाणी मधुरभाषिणी
Her gaze is filled with compassion, her speech gentle and sweet.
सर्वत्र शुचिता तात सा परोपकृतिः सदा ।। 4.1.19.
Everywhere, dear one, she is pure, and always devoted to helping others.
सदोजिरे च पांडित्यं प्रागल्भ्यं चरणांगणे
In the assembly she displays learning, and on the path, confidence.
मार्दवं स्त्रीप्रयोगेषु वत्सलत्वं प्रजासु च
She is tender in dealings with women, and affectionate toward her children.
वासो भागीरथीतीरे तीर्थे वा मरणं रणे
She dwells on the bank of the Ganges, or dies at a sacred place, or in battle.