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.
उत्पाद्याथ बहून्पुत्रान्गुणिनो धर्मवत्सलान्
Afterwards, you should produce many virtuous sons, devoted to righteousness.
इदानीमेव तपसि बाल्ये वयसि कः श्रमः
At this very age, in childhood, what hardship is there in performing austerities?
विपक्षपरिभूतेन हृतमानेन केनचित्
When one has been insulted by an adversary and one's honor is taken away—
हृतमानेन तप्तव्यं निशम्येति वचो ध्रुवः
Hearing the words that one must undergo penance when one's honor is lost, Dhruva—
जनयित्रीमनाभाष्य भूतभीतिं विहाय च
Without replying to his mother and setting aside all fear of beings—
सापि भूतावली भीतिंबहुभीषणभूषणा
That host of spirits, adorned with many terrifying ornaments—
परितः परिवेषाभं सूर्यस्योच्चैः स्फुरत्प्रभम्
Surrounded on all sides, shining with brilliance like the sun at its zenith—
भूतावली तमालोक्य स्फुरच्चक्रसुदर्शनम्
Seeing that host of spirits, blazing with the Sudarshana discus—
अतीव निष्कंपहृदं गोविदार्पितचेतसम्
His heart was utterly unwavering, his mind devoted to the protector of cows.
सापि प्रत्युतभीतातं ध्रुवं ध्रुवविनिश्चयम् 4.1.20.
She too, facing one who was fearless, was certainly firm and resolute.