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.
श्रुत्वा गर्जरवं घोरं दृष्ट्वा विद्युच्चमत्कृतीः
Hearing the terrible roar of thunder and seeing the dazzling flashes of lightning,
तडित्स्फुरंतीत्वसकृत्तमिस्रासु तपोवने
With lightning constantly flickering in the dark forest of penance,
तपर्तुरेव साक्षाच्च कुमारी कैतवात्किल 4.2.59.
The maiden truly performed austerity, without any deceit.
जलाभिलाषिणी बाला न मनागपि सा पिबत्
Though longing for water, the young girl did not drink even a little.
रोमांच कंचुकवती वेपमानतनुच्छदा
Her body shivered, covered with goosebumps like a garment.
निशीथिनीषु शिशिरे श्रयंती सारसं रसम्
On cold nights, she sought the essence of the lotus for shelter.
मनस्विनामपि मनोरागतां सृजते मधौ
Even in spring, which stirs desire in the minds of the resolute,
वसंते निवसंती सा वने बालाचलंमनः
She remained in the forest during spring, her mind unmoved like a child’s.
बंधुजीवेऽधररुचिं कलहंसे कलागतीः
She found the red hue of her lips in the bandhujīva flower, and the grace of her voice in the call of the swan.
अपास्तभोगसंपर्का भोगिनां वृत्तिमाश्रिता
She avoided all contact with pleasures, adopting the way of the serpents.