मात्रातन्मार्गरक्षार्थं तदा तदनुगीकृताः
For the purpose of protecting the path to his mother, they were then accepted.
स्वसौधात्स विनिर्गत्य बालोऽबालपराक्रमः
Leaving his own palace, the child, though young, possessed extraordinary courage.
समरुत्तरुशाखाग्र प्रसारणमिषेण सः
He, with the intention of advancing, extended himself to the tip of the highest tree branch.
समातृदैवतोभिज्ञः केवलं राजवर्त्मनि
Fully aware of his mother and the divine, he proceeded solely along the royal path.
यावदुन्मील्य नयने पुरः पश्यति स ध्रुवः
As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw clearly before him that steadfast one.
वालिशेष्वसहायेषु भवेद्भाग्यं सहायकृत्
When there are no helpers among the remaining children, fortune itself becomes a helper.
क्व राजतनयो बालो गहनं क्व च तद्वनम् 4.1.19.
Where is the king’s young son, and where is that dense forest?
यत्र यस्य हि यद्भाव्यं शुभं वाऽशुभमेव च
Wherever and whatever is destined for someone, whether auspicious or inauspicious,
अन्यथा विदधात्येष मानवो बुद्धिवैभवात्
Otherwise, this person acts according to the excellence of his intellect.
नवयो न च वै चित्र्यं न चित्रं विदधेहितम्
For the young, there is nothing remarkable; nor is anything extraordinary accomplished.
अथ दृष्ट्वा स सप्तर्षीन्सप्तसप्त्यतितेजसः
Then, seeing the seven sages, whose brilliance surpassed that of seven suns,
तिलकांकित सद्भालान्कुशोपग्रहितांगुलीन्
Distinguished by tilaka marks, noble children, with fingers adorned by elephant goads,
साक्षसूत्रकरान्किंचिद्विनिमीलितलो चनान्
Some holding rosaries, others with slightly closed eyes,
अकांडेपि महाभागान्मिलितान्सप्तनीरधीन्
Even without a staff, those greatly fortunate ones, gathered together like seven oceans,
उपगम्य विनम्रः स प्रबद्धकरसंपुटः
Approaching them, he bowed, with hands joined in reverence.
उत्तानपादतनयं ध्रुवं निर्विण्णमानसम्
He, Dhruva, son of Uttānapāda, his mind distressed,
इदं वनमनुप्राप्तं सनाथं युष्मदंघ्रिभिः 4.1.19.
I have entered this forest, now blessed by your feet, with a protector.
ते दृष्ट्वोर्जस्वलं बालं स्वभाव मधुराकृतिम्
They saw the radiant child, whose nature and appearance were sweet.
उपोपवेश्य शिशुकं प्रोचुर्वै विस्मिता भृशम्
They seated the child nearby and, greatly astonished, spoke to him.
विचार्यापि न जानीमो वद निर्वेदकारणम्
Even after considering, we do not know—tell us the reason for your dispassion.
नीरुक्छरीरसंपत्तिर्निवेदे किं नु कारणम्
Though your body is healthy and well-formed, what indeed is the cause for this?
सप्तद्वीपपतेराज्ञः कुमारस्त्वं तथा कथम्
How is it that you, the son of the king who rules the seven continents, are thus?
अवगंतुं हि शक्येत यूनो वृद्धस्य वा शिशोः
For it is possible to understand the mind of a youth or an old man, but not of a child.
वाचं जग्राह स तदा शिशुः प्रांशुमनोरथः
Then that child, whose mind was lofty in aspiration, took up speech.
राजांकमारुरुक्षुर्हि सुरुच्या परिभर्त्सितः
Desiring to ascend the king’s lap, he was scolded by Suruci.
धिक्कृत्य प्रशशंस स्वं निर्वेदे कारणं त्विदम्
Condemning her, he explained himself—this indeed is the reason for my dispassion.
क्षात्रमेव शशंसुस्तदहो बालेपि न क्षमा।। 4.1.19.
They said it was the nature of a kṣatriya—alas, even in a child there is no forbearance.
अत्रिरुवाच मनोरथपथातीतं स्फीतं नाकलयेत्पदम् ।। 4.1.19.
Atri said: One should not consider as great that which has passed beyond the path of desire.
पुत्रान्कलत्रमित्राणि राज्यं स्वर्गापवर्गकम् 4.1.19.
Sons, wife, friends, kingdom—even those that grant heaven or liberation—
इत्युक्त्वांऽतर्हिताः सर्वे महात्मानो मुनीश्वराः
Having spoken thus, all the great sages and seers vanished.