अहो यादृगसौ विप्रः सर्वत्रातिविचक्षणः
Ah, how remarkable is this Brahmin, so exceedingly wise in all matters!
अलोलुप उदारश्च सदाचारो जितेंद्रियः
He is not greedy, generous, of good conduct, and master of his senses.
जितक्रोधः प्रसन्नास्यस्त्वनसूयुरवंचकः
He has conquered anger, his face is serene, he is free from envy, and does not deceive.
पुण्योपदेष्टा पुण्यात्मा सर्वव्रतपरायणः ।। 4.2.56.
He is a teacher of virtue, virtuous in soul, and wholly devoted to all sacred observances.
धीरः पुण्येतिहासज्ञः सर्वदृक्सर्वसंमतः
He is steadfast, knowledgeable in sacred histories, all-seeing, and esteemed by all.
क्षमी कुलीनोऽकृपणो भोक्ता निर्मलमानसः
He is patient, of noble lineage, not pitiable, a worthy enjoyer, and his mind is pure.
इत्थं तास्तद्गुणग्रामं वर्णयंत्यः पदेपदे
Thus, at every step, they described that multitude of his virtues.
एकदावसरं प्राप्य दिवोदासस्य भूभुजः
Once, finding an opportunity, King Divodāsa—lord of the earth—
राजन्वृद्धो गुणैर्वृद्धो ब्राह्मणः सुविचक्षणः
A king advanced in years and virtues, a Brahmin of great discernment,
राज्ञी राज्ञा कृतानुज्ञा सखीं प्रेष्य विचक्षणाम्
The queen, with the king’s permission, sent a wise companion.
राजापि दूरादायांतं त विलोक्यमहीसुरम्
The king, too, seeing him—the lord of the earth—approaching from afar,
पदैर्द्वित्रैर्नृपतिना कृताभ्युत्थानसत्कृतिः
With a few steps, the king rose and honored him with due respect.
कृतप्रणामो राज्ञा स सादरं दत्तमासनम्
He bowed to the king, and the king offered him a seat with reverence.
परस्परं कुशलिनौ कुशलौ च कथागमे 4.2.56.
They inquired after each other's welfare and conversed pleasantly.
कथावसाने राज्ञाथ गेहं विससृजे द्विजः
At the end of their conversation, the Brahmin took leave of the king and departed for home.
गतेऽथ स्वाश्रमं विप्रे दिवोदासो नरेश्वरः
After the Brahmin had gone to his own hermitage, King Divodāsa—lord of men—
महादेवि महाप्राज्ञे लीलावति गुणप्रिये
O great goddess, O supremely wise, O Līlāvatī, lover of virtue,
अतीतं वेत्ति सकलं वर्तमानमवैति च
He knows all that is past and perceives what is present.
महाविभव संभारैर्महाभोगैरनेकधा
With abundant wealth and many great enjoyments,
सत्कृत्य तं द्विजं भक्त्या दुकूलादि प्रदानतः
He honored that Brahmin with devotion, giving him fine cloth and other gifts.
यथातत्त्ववती ते धीर्न तथान्यस्य मे मतिः
Your understanding is as it truly is; my mind does not regard anyone else in this way.
दृष्ट्वा त्वां तु महाप्राज्ञं शांतं दांतं तपोनिधिम्
Seeing you, O great sage—peaceful, self-controlled, a treasury of austerity—
शासितेयं मया पृथ्वी न तथान्यैस्तु पार्थिवैः
This earth has been governed by me, not in the same way as by other kings.
निजौरसेभ्योप्यधिकं रात्रिंदिवमतंद्रितम् 4.2.56.
With tireless effort, day and night, even more than by my own sons.
द्विजपादार्चनात्किंचित्सुकृतं वेद्मि नापरम्
From worshipping the feet of the twice-born, I know a little merit; nothing else.
निर्विस्ममिव मे चेतः सांप्रतं सर्वकर्मसु
Now my mind is undisturbed, as if indifferent, regarding all actions.
एकांते तत्तु पृष्टेन वक्तव्यं सुधिया सदा
That, however, should always be spoken in private, when asked, by a wise person.
अमात्येनाप्यपृष्टेन न वक्तव्यं नृपाग्रतः
Even by a minister, if not asked, it should not be spoken in the presence of the king.
पृष्टश्चेत्कथयामीह मा तत्र कुरु संशयम्
But if asked, I will speak here; do not doubt about that.
शृणु राजन्महाबुद्धे नायथार्थं ब्रवीम्यहम्
Hear, O king of great intellect, I do not speak untruth.