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.
भोगः परिजनैः सार्धं दानावंध्यदिनागमः
She enjoys pleasures with her companions, and her days are never barren of charity.
यशसः संचयो नित्यं नित्यं धर्मस्य संचयः
She ever accumulates fame, and ever gathers merit.
सद्भिश्च संगतिर्नित्यं मैत्री च पितृमित्रकैः
She always associates with the virtuous, and maintains friendship with her elders and friends.
विपद्यपि परं धैर्यं स्थैर्यं संपत्समागमे
Even in adversity she remains steadfast, and in prosperity she is composed.
देहे परैका कृशता तपोभिर्नियमैर्यमैः
Her body is slender from austerity, discipline, and restraint.
तस्मादल्पतपस्त्वाद्वै त्वं चाहं च महामते
Therefore, because of insufficient austerity, O wise one, both you and I—
मानापमानयोस्तस्मात्स्वकृतं कारणं परम् मा शोचस्त्वमतः पुत्र दिष्टमिष्टं समर्पयेत् ।।4.1.19.
Thus, honor and dishonor arise from one's own actions, not from others; do not grieve, my son, for what is destined and desired should be offered up.
इत्याकर्ण्य सुनीत्यास्तन्महावाक्यं सुनीतिमत्
Hearing this great teaching from Sunīti, the wise Sunīti's son—
ध्रुव उवाच जनयित्रि सुनीते मे शृणु वाक्यमनाकुलम्
Dhruva said: Mother Sunīti, listen calmly to my words.
यद्यहं मानवे वंशे जातोस्म्यत्यंत पावने
If I am born in the lineage of Manu, supremely pure—