कश्चिद्धि पन्नगी भूय फटाटोपभयानकः
Someone, indeed, as a serpent, terrifying with the sound of his hood,
कश्चिच्च महिषाकारः क्षिपञ्शृंगाग्रतो गिरोन्
And another, in the form of a buffalo, hurling the tips of his horns at the mountain,
कश्चिद्दावानलालीढ खर्जूरद्रुमसन्निभम्
Someone, scorched by a forest fire, resembled a date palm tree.
मौलिजैरभ्रसंघर्षं कुर्वन्दीर्घकृशोदरः
With matted hair scraping against the clouds, long and gaunt of belly.
कृपाणपाणिर्भग्नास्यो वामहस्तकपालधृत्
Holding a sword in hand, mouth broken, bearing a skull in the left hand.
विशाल सालमादाय कुर्वन्किल किलारवम्
Seizing a great sala tree, he made a loud, resounding cry.
तमः संकेतसदनं व्याघ्रं वै वदनं महत्
Darkness was his secret dwelling, and his vast mouth was like a tiger's.
उलूकाकारतां धृत्वा फूत्कारैरतिदारुणैः
Assuming the form of an owl, with exceedingly dreadful screeches.
यक्षिणी काचिदानीय रुदंतं कस्यचिच्छिशुम्
A certain yakshini, having seized a weeping child of someone,
पिपासिताद्य रुधिरं तेपि पास्याम्यहं धुव 4.1.20.
said, 'Today, thirsty for blood, I will surely drink yours.'
अनीय तृणदारूणि परिस्तीर्य समंततः
Bringing grass and wood, she spread them all around.
वेताली रूपमास्थाय भंक्त्वा काचित्तरून्गिरीन्
A vetali, having assumed a form, broke mountains and trees.
अन्या सुनीतिरूपेण तमभिप्रेक्ष्य दूरतः
Another, taking the form of Suniti, looked at him from afar.
उवाच च वचश्चाटु बहुमाया विनिर्मितम्
And she spoke words, sweet but woven with many illusions.
त्वदेकशरणां वत्स बत मृत्युर्जिघांसति
'Alas, child, death seeks to slay me, who has no refuge but you.'
प्रतिग्रामं प्रतिपुरं प्रत्यध्वं प्रतिकाननम्
From village to village, from town to town, along every road and forest,
यदा प्रभृति रे बाल निरगात्तपसे भवान्
'Ever since, O boy, you departed for asceticism—'
तैस्तैः सपत्नीदुर्वाक्यैर्दुनोपि त्वं यथार्भक
'—with those harsh words of your co-wife, you are tormented like a child.'
न निद्रामि न जागर्मि नाश्नामि न पिबाम्यहम्
'I neither sleep nor wake, I neither eat nor drink.'
निद्रादरिद्रनयना स्वप्नेपि न तवाननम् 4.1.20.
'My eyes are deprived of sleep; even in dreams, I do not see your face.'
त्वदाननप्रतिनिधिर्विधुर्विधुरया मया
Without the sight of your face, I have become as desolate as the moon bereft of its radiance.
त्वदालापसमालापं कलयन्किलकाकलीम्
Uttering words in imitation of your speech, I murmur softly, like the cooing of a cuckoo.
त्वदंगसंगमधुरो ध्रुवधूपितयामया
Longing for the sweetness of your embrace, I am consumed by constant yearning.
के देशाः काश्च सरितः के शैलास्त्वत्कृते ध्रुव
O steadfast one, what lands, what rivers, what mountains would I not cross for your sake?
अध्रुवं सर्वमेवैतत्पश्यंत्यंधीकृतास्म्यहम्
Seeing that all these things are impermanent, I have become indifferent to them.
मृदुलानि तवांगानि क्वेमानि क्व तपस्त्विदम्
Your limbs are tender—how could they endure such austerity as this?
अनेन तपसा वत्स त्वयाऽऽप्यं किमनेनसा
My child, what will you gain by this penance, and what is the use of it for you?
अनेन वयसा बाल खेलनीयं त्वयाऽनिशम्
At your age, dear child, you should be playing all the time.
ततः कौमारमासाद्य वयोऽभिध्यानशीलिना
Then, upon reaching youth, one should devote oneself to study and contemplation.
वयोथ चतुरं प्राप्य योषास्रक्चंदनादिकान् 4.1.20.
And when you attain mature adulthood, you should enjoy the pleasures of sandalwood, garlands, and the company of women.