येन दृष्ट्वा स्वयं पश्चात्प्रकरोमि यथोदितम्
So that, having seen it myself afterwards, I may act as prescribed.
मया दूरे विनिर्मुक्ता तत्कथं तामिहानये
Since she was released by me far away, how can I bring her here?
न हि धक्ष्यति तस्मात्त्वं शीघ्रं द्विजवराऽऽनय
She will not be harmed; therefore, quickly bring the excellent Brahmins.
एवमुक्तस्ततस्तेन विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना
Thus addressed by the mighty Vishnu, he then spoke.
अथासौ प्रणिपत्योच्चैर्ब्राह्मणो मधुसूदनम् ६.८१.
Then the Brahmin, bowing deeply, addressed Madhusudana.
सापि कन्या वरारोहा बाल्यभावादनिन्दिता
That maiden, of excellent form, was blameless due to her childhood innocence.
अथ कोपपरीतांगी महिष्याधर्ममाश्रिता
Then, her body overcome by anger, the queen resorted to unrighteousness.
यस्मान्मे पुरतः पापे कांतस्य मम हर्षिता तस्मादश्वमुखी नूनं विकृता त्वं भविष्यसि
Because, O sinner, before me you rejoiced with my beloved, therefore you shall certainly become deformed, having the face of a horse.
एवं शापे श्रिया दत्ते हाहाकारो महानभूत्
When the curse was pronounced by Shri, a great outcry arose.
वाङ्मात्रेण न तस्याः स्यात्पत्नीभावः कथंचन
By mere words, she can never attain the status of a wife.
यावन्नाग्निद्विजातीनां प्रत्यक्षं गुरुसंनिधौ
Until the fire and the twice-born are present before the teacher.
एवमुक्त्वा स विप्रेंद्रस्ततः प्रोवाच केशवम् तस्मात्तत्र प्रयास्यामि यत्र स्यात्तादृशी सुता
Having spoken thus, the foremost of Brahmins then said to Keshava: 'Therefore, I shall go there where such a daughter may be found.'
तस्मान्नाश्वमुखी ह्येषा जन्मन्यस्मिन्भविष्यति ६.८१.
Therefore, she will not be horse-faced in this birth.
सेयं तव सुता विप्र बंधुस्थानं समाश्रिता
This is your daughter, O Brahmin, established in the place of kinship.
अवतीर्णस्य भूपृष्ठे देवकार्येण केनचित्
Having descended upon the earth for some divine purpose.
ततोऽहं सुमहत्कृत्वा तपश्चैवानया सह
Then, having performed great austerities together with her.
एवं स भगवान्विप्रं तं सन्तोष्य तदा गिरा
Thus, having satisfied that sage with his words, the Blessed Lord at that time—
अथ तस्मिन्कथांते स गरुडः पुरुषोत्तमम्
Then, at the end of that conversation, Garuḍa addressed the Supreme Person—
अपूर्वेयं सुरश्रेष्ठ स्त्री वृद्धा तव पार्श्वगा
This woman by your side, O best of gods, is unprecedented and elderly.
शांडिलीनाम सर्वज्ञा ब्रह्मचर्यपरायणा
She is called Śāṇḍilī, all-knowing, devoted to celibacy.
तपोवीर्यसमोपेता सर्वदेवाभिवंदिता
Endowed with the power of austerity, honored by all the gods.
प्रोवाच वासुदेवं च तां विलोक्य चिरं द्विजाः ॥ ६.८१.
The twice-born, having gazed at her for a long time, spoke to Vāsudeva.
यथा च दीयते दानं यच्च तत्रास्ति चाद्भुतम्
As gifts are given, and whatever wonder is there—
नाश्चर्यं चित्रमेतच्च ब्रह्मचर्यं तदद्भुतम्
This is not astonishing or marvelous; but celibacy—that is truly wondrous.
विशेषेण च नारीभिरत्र न श्रद्दधाम्यहम्
Especially among women, I do not believe this here.
विकारः खलु कर्तव्यो नाधि काराय यौवनम्
Indeed, change must occur; youth is not to be relied upon.
अन्योन्यं मैथुनं चक्रुः कामबाणप्रपीडिताः अप्येताः पुरुषाभावे मन्यंते पंचसायकम्
Afflicted by the arrows of desire, they have engaged in intercourse with each other; even in the absence of men, they consider the god of love with five arrows.
नाग्निस्तृप्यति काष्ठानां नापगानां महोदधिः
Just as fire is never satisfied with wood, nor the great ocean with rivers—
न परत्र भयादेता मर्यादां विदधुः स्त्रियः
Not out of fear for the next world do these women maintain restraint.
मौनव्रतधराऽप्येवं हृदि कोपं दधार सा
Even though she observed the vow of silence, she harbored anger in her heart.