स्वयं व्यापारयामास रक्षार्थं शशिशेखरः
The moon-crested Lord himself took action to protect it.
ते प्रवेशं प्रयच्छंति नान्येषां हि कदाचन आश्चर्यकारिपरमं काशीभक्तिप्रवर्धनम्
They grant entry only to some, never to others, for it is truly wondrous and increases devotion to Kāśī.
वणिग्धनंजयो नाम मातृभक्तिसमन्वितः
There was a merchant named Dhanaṃjaya, endowed with devotion to his mother.
पुण्यमार्गार्जित धनो धनतोषितमार्गणः
He acquired his wealth through righteous means and sought satisfaction through wealth.
समुन्नतोपि संपत्त्या विनयानतकंधरः
Though elevated by prosperity, he bore the mark of humility.
रूपसंपदुदारोपि परदारपराङ्मुखः
Though endowed with beauty and wealth, he turned away from others' wives.
ससत्यानृतवृत्तिश्च प्रायः सत्यप्रियो मुने
He who lives by both truth and falsehood is, for the most part, fond of truth, O sage.
सदाचरणगोप्येष सुखयानचरः कृती
He keeps his good conduct concealed, travels the path of comfort, and is accomplished.
तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य कदाचित्कालपर्ययात् 4.1.30.
As he was living in this way, after some time had passed,
तया च यौवनं प्राप्य मेघच्छायातिचंचलम्
and when she attained youth, as fickle as the shadow of a cloud,
दिन त्रिचतुरस्थायि या नारी प्राप्य यौवनम्
a woman who, upon reaching youth, remains steady for only three or four days,
शीलभंगेन नारीणां भर्ताधर्मपरोपि हि
Even a husband who is devoted to unrighteousness causes the downfall of women by breaking their virtue.
विष्ठागर्ते च निरये स्वयं पतति दुर्मतिः
The wicked-minded one himself falls into a pit of excrement, into hell.
स्वविष्ठापायिनी चाथ वल्गुली वृक्षलंबिनी
She then drinks her own excrement, is naked, and hangs from a tree.
रक्षणीयं महायत्नादिदं सुकृतभाजनम्
This vessel of merit must be protected with great effort.
अनेनैव शरीरेण भर्तृसाद्विहितेन हि
Indeed, with this very body, as ordained by her husband,
अत्रिपत्न्यनसूया किं भर्तृभक्तिप्रभावतः
What jealousy can there be in a wife who, through the power of devotion to her husband, is without envy?
इह कीर्तिश्च विपुला स्वर्गेवासस्तथाऽक्षयः
Here, great fame and an eternal abode in heaven are attained.
सादुर्वृत्त्या परित्यज्य पतिधर्मं सनातनम् 4.1.30.
Having abandoned good conduct, she forsakes the eternal duty of a wife.
धनंजयोपि च मुने केनचिच्छिवयोगिना
Even Dhanaṃjaya, O sage, by some ascetic devoted to Śiva,
धनंजयोपि धर्मात्मा मातृभक्तिपरायणः
Dhanaṃjaya too was righteous, wholly devoted to his mother.
पंचगव्येन संस्नाप्य ततः पंचामृतेन वै
He was bathed with pañcagavya, and then with pañcāmṛta indeed.
आवेष्ट्य नेत्रवस्त्रेण ततः पट्टांबरेण वै
He was wrapped with a cloth for the eyes, and then with a silk garment.
नेपालकंबलेनाथ मृदाचाऽथ विशुद्धया
Then with a Nepalese blanket, with pure clay thereafter.
अस्पृष्टहीनजातिः स शुचिष्मान्स्थंडिलेशयः
He was of pure conduct, untouched by low birth, possessing cleanliness, and lay upon the bare ground.
भारवाहः कृतस्तेन कश्चिद्दत्त्वोचितां भृतिम्
By him, a bearer of burdens was appointed, and some wages suitable to a gift were given.
धृत्वा संभृतिरक्षार्थं भारवाहं धनंजयः
Dhanaṃjaya, having taken up the collected goods for their protection, employed the bearer of burdens.
भारवाह्यंतरं प्राप्य तस्य संभृतिमध्यतः
Having reached the interior of the place for bearing burdens, he placed the collected goods in the midst.
वासस्थानमथागत्य तमदृष्ट्वा धनंजयः 4.1.30.
Then, coming to his dwelling place and not seeing him there, Dhanaṃjaya—
हाहेत्याताड्य हृदयं चक्रंद बहुशो भृशम्
Cried out 'Alas!' and struck his heart, lamenting greatly and repeatedly.