एतस्मिन्रक्षिते वीर्ये परिस्कन्ने त्वदीक्षणात्
When this energy is preserved, and purified by your gaze,
इत्युक्ता तेन मुनिना पुनर्जातेव साप्सराः
Thus addressed by that sage, she, the Apsaras, seemed as if reborn.
अथ कालेन दिव्यस्त्री कन्यारत्नमजीजनत्
Then, in due course, that divine woman gave birth to a jewel among maidens.
तस्यैव वेदशिरस आश्रमे तां निधाय सा 4.2.59.
She placed her in the very hermitage of Vedashiras.
तां च वेदशिराः कन्यां स्नेहेन समवर्धयत्
And Vedashiras raised that girl with affection.
मुनिर्नाम ददौ तस्यै धूतपापेति चार्थवत्
The sage gave her the meaningful name Dhūtapāpā, 'She whose sins are washed away.'
सर्वलक्षणशोभाढ्यां सर्वावयव सुंदरीम्
Endowed with all auspicious marks, and beautiful in every limb,
दिनेदिने वर्धमानां तां पश्यन्मुमुदे भृशम्
Seeing her grow day by day, he rejoiced greatly.
अथाष्टवार्षिकीं दृष्ट्वा तां कन्यां स मुनीश्वरः
Then, seeing that maiden at the age of eight, the great sage—
कस्मै दद्यावराय त्वां त्वमेवाख्याहि तं वरम्
To whom should I give you, O excellent one? You yourself tell me your chosen husband.
अतिस्नेहार्द्रचित्तस्य जनेतुश्चेति भाषितम्
This was spoken by her father, whose heart was softened by deep affection.
तदा तस्मै प्रयच्छ त्वं यमहं कथयामि ते
At that time, give her to the one whom I shall tell you.
तुभ्यं च रोचते तात शृणोत्ववहितो भवान् ४९ . कदाचिद्यो न नश्येत यः सदैवानुवर्तते ।। 4.2.59.
And if this pleases you, dear one, listen attentively: He who never perishes, who always acts righteously—
इहामुत्रापि यो रक्षेन्महापदुदयाद्ध्रुवम्
He who protects both here and hereafter from the arising of great dangers, surely—
दिनेदिने च सौभाग्यं वर्धते यस्य सन्निधौ
In whose presence, day by day, good fortune increases—
यन्नामग्रहणादेव केपि वाधां न कुर्वते
By merely uttering whose name, no one causes any harm—
एवमाद्या गुणा यस्य वरस्य वरचेष्टितम्
Such are the foremost qualities of the husband whose conduct is excellent.
एतच्छ्रुत्वापि ता तस्या भृशं मुदमवाप ह
Even upon hearing this, she felt great joy.
ध्रुवा हि धूतपापासौ यस्या ईदृग्विधा मतिः
Surely, she is purified of sin whose mind is thus disposed.
अथवा स कथं लभ्यो विना पुण्यभरोदयम्
Otherwise, how could such a one be attained without the rise of abundant merit?
ज्ञानेन तं समालोच्य वरमीदृग्गुणोदयम्
Considering with knowledge that such a husband is endowed with these virtues—
एषां गुणानामाधारो वरोस्तीति विनिश्चितम्
It is certain that the husband is the foundation of these qualities.
परं स सुखलभ्यो न नितरां सुभगाकृतिः 4.2.59.
He is truly attainable by great happiness, not merely by a charming appearance.
तीर्थभारैः स सुलभो न कौलीन्येन कन्यके
He is easily attained by the weight of holy acts, not by noble lineage, O maiden.
न सौंदर्येण वपुषा न बुद्ध्या न पराक्रमैः
Not by beauty, nor by form, nor by intelligence, nor by valor—
महातपः सहायेन दमदानदयायुजा
But with the companion of great austerity, joined with self-control, charity, and compassion.
इति श्रुत्वाथ सा कन्या पितरं प्रणिपत्य च
Hearing this, the maiden then bowed to her father.
तपस्तताप परमं यदसाध्यं तपस्विभिः
She undertook the highest austerity, which even ascetics could not accomplish.
क्व सा बालातिमृद्वंगी क्व च तत्तादृशं तपः
How could that tender, delicate girl perform such severe penance?
धारासारा सुवर्षासु महावातवतीष्वलम्
In torrents of rain and fierce winds, she endured without faltering.