यदियं स्थेयसी भक्तिर्भवतो भूतनायके
If this devotion of yours to the Lord of beings is steadfast—
वक्ष्ये वज्रांगदोदंतं वृत्तं विद्याभृतोरपि
I shall tell the tale of Vajrāṅgada, and also the deeds of the knower of knowledge.
आसीद्वज्रांगदोनाम पुरा पांड्येषु पार्थिवः
Once, there was a king among the Pāṇḍyas named Vajrāṅgada.
धार्मिको न्यायविज्ज्ञाता गंभीरो दक्षिणम् क्षमः
He was righteous, learned in justice, profound, generous, and patient.
शिवपूजार्चनरतः श्रीमाञ्छीलवतां वरः
Devoted to worship and service of Śiva, he was prosperous and the best among the virtuous.
कदाचिन्मृगयाव्याजात्स चरन्सुतुरंगमः
Once, under the pretext of hunting, he rode out on a fine horse.
स तत्र बहलामोदं कंचित्कस्तूरिकामृगम् 1.3.2.22.
There, he saw a musk deer, exuding a strong fragrance.
स मृगोऽनुद्रुतस्तेन अभितः शोणपर्वतम्
That deer, pursued by him, ran toward the Śoṇa mountain.
ततः स भग्नसारोपि राजा जातश्रमश्चरन्
Then, the king, with his bow broken and exhausted from wandering, continued on.
अज्ञातकारणेनैवं मातंगेनेव पीडितः
Afflicted for reasons unknown, as if tormented by an elephant.
अचिंतयच्च कोयं मे निर्हेतुः सत्त्वविप्लवः
He thought, 'What is this causeless turmoil of my mind?'
इति चिंताकुले तस्मिंस्तज्ज्ञानेप्यपटीयसि
While he was thus troubled and unable to discern the cause,
निरीक्षमाण एवास्मिन्हित्वा तिर्यक्कलेवरम्
He saw, as he was observing, two beings who had abandoned their animal bodies.
किरीटिनौ कुण्डलिनौ हारकेयूरधारिणौ
They wore crowns and earrings, adorned with necklaces and armlets.
अवोचतां च नृपतिमाश्चर्याकृष्टमानसम्
They spoke to the king, whose mind was captivated by wonder.
राजन्नलं विषादेन शोणाद्रीशप्रभावतः
O king, do not grieve; it is due to the power of the lord of Śoṇa mountain.
तदोवाच तयोः किंचिदाश्वस्तइव पार्थिवः 1.3.2.22.
Then, somewhat reassured by them, the king spoke.
कौ युवां निर्मितो याभ्यामभिषंगो ममेदृशः
Who are you two, by whom such an encounter has happened to me?
इति तेन कृते प्रश्ने तमुवाच कलाधरः
When he asked this question, Kalādhara replied to him.
अवेहि राजन्नावां हि पुराविद्याधरेश्वरौ
Know, O king, that we were once lords among the Vidyādharas.
एकदा तु सुवर्णाद्रेः पार्श्वे दुर्वाससो मुनेः
Once, beside the golden mountain, at the hermitage of the sage Durvāsas,
क्रोशेद्धां तपसस्तस्य शिवाराधनसाधनीम्
We loudly performed austerities there, as a means of worshipping Shiva.
विनीतावप्यसंजातौ तत्त्वोचितसुधीगणौ
Though disciplined, we became arrogant, despite possessing wisdom suited to truth.
स्थलस्य तस्य सौहार्दात्कांतिशाल्यतिगर्वितः
Because of the affection for that place, and excessive pride in its splendor.
अहं तु तत्र पुष्पाणां गंधातिशयमोहितः
I, however, was utterly captivated by the extraordinary fragrance of those flowers.
ततः शांडिल्यमूलस्थो व्याघ्रचर्मासने स्थितः
Then, seated at the root of the Śāṇḍilya tree upon a tiger skin,
अमर्षोत्कर्षनीरंध्रस्पंदमानाधरच्छदः 1.3.2.22.
His lips quivered with intense agitation, overwhelmed by the surge of indignation.
सरोषोऽभूत्तेजसाढ्यो घर्मदंतुरविग्रहः
He became enraged, his body radiating fierce heat, his form tense and burning.
आः पापौ प्रच्युताचारौ कौ युवामतिगर्वितौ
Ah! You two are wicked, your conduct fallen, who are you, so excessively arrogant?
तपोवनमिदं मत्कं पावनं भूतभावनम्
This is my hermitage, a sacred place, the abode of beings, purifying and holy.