ततः प्रोवाच ताः सर्वा गत्वाऽरण्यं द्विजोत्तमाः
Afterwards, she addressed them all, having gone to the forest, O best of twice-born.
बहुले चंपके दामे वसुधारे घटस्रवे ६.५१.
In the abundant grove of champaka, at the stream of earth and the flowing pot.
तथान्या धेनवो याश्च संस्थिता गोकुलांतिके अद्याहं निजयूथस्य भ्रमंती नातिदूरतः
Likewise, other cows stationed near Gokula today, I wander not far from my own herd.
ततश्च गहनं प्राप्ता वनं मानुषवर्जितम्
Then they reached the dense forest, devoid of humans.
युष्माकं दर्शनार्थाय सुतसंभाषणाय च
For the sake of seeing you and conversing with my son.
दृष्टः संभाषितः पुत्रः शासितश्च मया हि सः
My son has been seen, spoken to, and indeed instructed by me.
अज्ञानाज्ज्ञानतो वापि भवतीनां मया कृतम्
Whether from ignorance or knowledge, I have acted for you all.
अनाथो ह्यबलो दीनः क्षीरपो मम बालकः
My child is helpless, weak, distressed, and nourished by milk.
भ्रममाणोऽसमे स्थाने व्रजमानोऽन्यगोकुले
Wandering in an unfamiliar place, proceeding toward another cowherd village,
अहं तत्र गमिष्यामि स व्याघ्रो यत्र संस्थितः
I will go there, to the place where that tiger is stationed.
आपद्धर्मं न वेत्सि त्वं नूनं येन प्रगच्छसि
You surely do not know the law of adversity, by which you are proceeding.
न नर्मयुक्तं वचनं हिनस्ति न स्त्रीषु जातिर्न विवाहकाले ६.५१.
Words spoken in jest do not harm; nor is there fault among women, nor at the time of marriage.
तस्मात्तत्र न गंतव्यं दोषो नास्त्यत्र ते शुभे
Therefore, you should not go there; there is no fault in this for you, O auspicious one.
आत्मप्राणहितार्थाय न साधूनां प्रशस्यते
Actions done for one's own life and benefit are not praised among the virtuous.
सत्ये प्रतिष्ठितो लोको धर्मः सत्ये प्रतिष्ठितः
The world is established upon truth; righteousness is established upon truth.
विष्णवे पृथिवीं दत्त्वा बलिः पातालमाश्रितः
Having given the earth to Vishnu, Bali took refuge in the netherworld.
यः स्वं वाक्यं प्रतिज्ञाय न करोति यथोदितम्
He who, having made a promise, does not act as declared,
या त्वं सत्यप्रतिष्ठार्थं प्राणांस्त्यजसि दुस्त्यजान्
You, for the sake of truth, are abandoning your life, which is so hard to give up.
किं त्वां कल्याणि वक्ष्यामः स्वयं धर्मार्थवादिनीम्
What shall we say to you, O blessed one, who yourself speak of righteousness and purpose?
तस्माद्गच्छ महाभागे न शोच्यः पुत्रकस्तव
Therefore, depart, O highly fortunate one; your son is not to be mourned.
एतत्पुनर्वयं विद्मः सदा सत्यवतां नृणाम्
This, again, we always know of men devoted to truth.
प्रस्थिता व्याघ्रमुद्दिश्य पुत्रशोकेन पीडिता ॥ ६.५१.
She set out, aiming for the tiger, afflicted by grief for her son.
शोकाग्निनापि संतप्ता निराशा पुत्रदर्शने
Tormented even by the fire of sorrow, hopeless of seeing her son,
अंधेव दृष्टिनिर्मुक्ता प्रस्खलंती पदेपदे
Like one blind, deprived of sight, stumbling at every step,
प्रसुप्तं भ्रममाणं वा मम पुत्रं सुबालकम्
My son, whether sleeping or wandering, so young,
एवं प्रलप्य मनसा संप्राप्ता तत्र यत्र सः
Thinking thus in her mind, she arrived there, where he was.
व्याघ्रः क्षुत्क्षामकण्ठश्च तस्या मार्गावलोककः
A tiger, its throat parched with hunger, watched her path.
कुरु तृप्तिं यथाकामं मम मांसेन सांप्रतम्
Now satisfy your hunger as you wish with my flesh.
तां दृष्ट्वा सोऽपि दुष्टात्मा वैराग्यं परमं गतः
Seeing her, that wicked-hearted one too attained supreme detachment.
न हि सत्यवतां किंचिदशुभं विद्यते क्वचित्
Indeed, nothing inauspicious ever befalls those who are truthful.