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.
पुण्येन यशसा बुद्ध्या संपन्नोस्ति भवान्यथा
You possess virtue, fame, and wisdom, as no other does.
सुधिया त्वां गुरुं मन्ये प्रसादेन सुधाकरम्
With your intelligence, I regard you as a teacher, a moon by your grace.
प्रभंजनो बलेनासि श्रीदोसि श्रीसमर्पणैः
You are a destroyer by strength, a bestower of prosperity by your offerings of wealth.
दुष्टपाशयिता पाशी यमो नियमनेऽसताम् 4.2.56.
You bind the wicked like a noose-bearer; you are Yama in restraining the unrighteous.
मर्यादया भवानब्धिर्महत्त्वे हिमवानसि
By propriety you are like the ocean; in greatness, you are like the Himalaya.
संतापहर्तांबुदवत्पवित्रो गांगनामवत्
Like a cloud that removes heat, you are pure, like the river Ganga by name.
रुद्रः संहाररूपेण पालनेन चतुर्भुजः
You are Rudra in the form of destruction, and four-armed in the act of protection.
त्वत्पाणिपद्मे कमला त्वत्क्रोधेस्ति हलाहलः
Lakshmi is in your lotus-like hand; from your wrath comes the deadly poison.
तत्किं यत्त्वयि भूजानौ सर्वदेवमयो ह्यसि
What then can be said, since you, O mighty-armed one, are indeed the embodiment of all the gods?
आरभ्याद्य दिनाद्भूप ब्राह्मणोऽष्टादशेहनि
From today onward, O king, for eighteen days, a Brāhmaṇa shall begin (the rite).