ततः शक्रः समाहूय वीतिहोत्रं पुरःस्थितम्
Then Indra summoned Vītihotra, who stood before him.
हव्यवाहन या मूर्तिस्तव तत्र प्रतिष्ठिता
O Fire, your form is established there as the carrier of offerings.
समागतायां तन्मूर्तौ सर्वानष्टाग्रयः प्रजाः
When all beings, the foremost of the lost, had gathered in that form,
प्रजासु च विरक्तासु राज्यकामदुघासु वै
and when the people, desiring kingdoms that yield all wishes, had become disinterested,
प्रजानां रंजनाद्राजा येयं रूढिरुपार्जिता
The king, by delighting the people, acquires this wealth through bloodshed.
प्रजाविरहितो राजा कोशदुर्गबलादिभिः
A king without people, even with treasury, fortresses, and armies,
त्रिवर्गसाधनाहेतुः प्राक्प्रजैव महीपतेः
For the king, the people are indeed the primary means for attaining the three aims of life.
क्षीणे त्रिवर्गे संक्षीणा गतिर्लोकद्वयात्मिका ।। 4.1.43.
When the three aims are diminished, the path that is of both worlds is also diminished.
इतींद्रवचनाद्वह्निरह्नाय क्षोणिमंडलात्
Thus, at Indra's command, Agni departed from the circle of the earth by day.
निन्ये न केवलं त्रेतां जाठराग्निमपि प्रभुः
The lord took away not only the sacrificial fire but also the digestive fire.
वह्नौ स्वर्लोकमापन्ने जाते मध्यंदिने नृपः
When the fire had gone to heaven, and midday had come, O king,
महानसाधिकृतयो वेपमानास्ततो मुहुः
the chief cooks, trembling again and again,
सूपकारा ऊचुः किंचिद्विज्ञप्तुकामाः स्मोप्यकांडेरणपंडित
the cooks said, wishing to make a request, 'O wise one among kings,'
यदि विश्रुणयेद्राजन्भवानभयदक्षिणाम्
'If you, O king, would grant us the gift of safety...'
भ्रूसंज्ञयाकृतादेशाः प्रशस्तास्येनभूभुजा
By a mere movement of his brow, the king gave commands that were praised.
न जानीमो वयं नाथ त्वत्प्रतापभयार्दितः
We do not know, O Lord, for we are struck with fear by your blazing power.
कृशानौ कृशतां प्राप्ते कथं पाकक्रिया भवेत्
When the fire has become weak, how can the act of cooking take place?
प्रभोरादेशमासाद्य तामिहैवानयामहे 4.1.43.
Having received the command of the Lord, we shall bring her here at once.
श्रुत्वांधसिकवाक्यं स महासत्त्वो महामतिः
Hearing the words of Andhasika, that great-souled, wise one—
क्षणं संशीलयंस्तत्र ददर्श तपसोबलात्
Pausing there for a moment, by the power of his austerity, he saw—
अप्यहासीदितोलोकाज्जगाम च सुरालयम्
He vanished from sight and went to the abode of the gods.
तेषामेवविचाराच्च हानिरेषा सुपर्वणाम्
Because of their lack of discernment, this loss befell the Suparṇas.
पितामहेन महतो गौरवात्प्रतिपादितम्
This was declared by the revered Grandsire, out of great respect.
पौराः समागता द्वारि सह जानपदैर्नरैः
The citizens gathered at the gate, together with men from the countryside.
दत्त्वोपदं यथार्हं ते प्रणेमुः क्षोणिवज्रिणम्
Having offered due gifts, they bowed to the king, wielder of the thunderbolt.
केचिच्च समुदा दृष्ट्या केचिच्च करसंज्ञया
Some greeted with a glance, and some with a gesture of the hand.
तेजिरे भेजिरे सर्वे रत्नार्चिः परिसेविते राज्ञः शतशलाकस्थच्छत्रस्यच्छाययाशुभे
All shone and assembled, adorned with the radiance of jewels, beneath the auspicious shade of the king’s hundred-ribbed parasol.
विशांपतिरथोवाच तन्मुखच्छाययेरितम् 4.1.43.
Then the lord of the people spoke, his face shaded by that parasol.
अस्मत्कुले मूलभूतो भास्करो मान्य एव नः 4.1.43.
In our lineage, the Sun is the very root and always honored by us.
अथ मंदरकंदरोदरोल्लसद समद्युति रत्नमंदिरे
Then, in a palace of jewels, shining like the slopes and caves of Mandara,