देवपूजां व्रतं दानं ध्यानं स्वाध्यायसत्क्रियाम्
He performed worship of the gods, vows, charity, meditation, and the noble act of self-study—
स प्रजाः पालयामास पुत्रवत्परिपालिताः
He protected his subjects as if they were his own children, caring for them completely—
पुत्रिणो धनधान्याढ्याः सर्वकामसमन्विताः
They had children, were rich in wealth and grain, and possessed every desire—
एतस्मिन्नंतरे पृथ्वीं तस्मिञ्छासति पार्वति विना चोज्जयिनीं गंतुं न रतिं प्राप कुत्रचित्
Meanwhile, as he ruled the earth, O Pārvatī, he found no pleasure anywhere except in going to Ujjayinī—
तदा मया गणेशस्तु शिवसंज्ञो गणाग्रणीः
Then by me, Gaṇeśa, known as Śiva, the chief of the hosts—
मयाप्युक्तो गणेशो हि गच्छ पुत्र मम प्रियम्
I also said to Gaṇeśa: 'Go, my son, to my beloved—'
इत्युक्तः स मया देवि तथेत्युक्ता कृतांजलिः
Thus addressed by me, O goddess, he replied, 'So be it,' with joined palms—
गते शिवगणे देवि संतुष्टोऽहं शुचिस्मिते 5.2.37.
When the host of Śiva departed, O fair-smiling one, I was satisfied—
ततः स भिक्षु रूपेण बह्वोषधिपरिग्रहः
Then, in the form of a mendicant, possessing many herbs—
कश्च भूतविषग्रस्तो नानादोषैः समाश्रितः
Someone afflicted by spirits and poison, beset by various ailments—
कोऽपुत्रः पुत्रवानस्तु मन्मंत्रबलमाश्रितः
Whoever was childless became one with children, relying on the power of my mantra—
तस्य वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य कौतूहलसमन्वितः
Hearing his words, filled with curiosity—
तेषां स नाशयामास व्याधिं दुर्जयमप्यति हेमरत्नांबरधनैर्धान्यग्रामपुरादिभिः
He dispelled their most formidable disease by means of gold, jewels, fine garments, and with gifts of grain, villages, towns, and the like.
एवं स न्यवसत्तत्र वर्षाणि च चतुर्द्दश
In this way, he dwelled there for fourteen years.
अहोऽतिदुष्करो राजा अहो लोकपरायणः
Ah, what a supremely difficult task for a king! Ah, how devoted he is to the welfare of his people!
एवं स चिंतयंस्तत्र भिक्षु रूपी शिवो गणः
Thus, as he was reflecting there, Śiva, in the form of a mendicant, together with his attendants, appeared.
अत्रांतरे तु नृपतेस्तस्य लोकव्रतस्य तु
Meanwhile, concerning that king who was devoted to the people's welfare,
रूपेणाप्रतिमा लोके सा चापुत्रा सुतार्थिनी 5.2.37.
A woman of incomparable beauty, yet childless and longing for a son, was present in the world.
सर्वकामप्रदं ज्ञात्वा नाग राणां सकौतुकम्
Knowing that he was able to grant all desires, the nāga women approached with curiosity.
भिक्षोरायतने गुप्तमंतःपुरमतंद्रिता उवाच चिंतापरमं भिक्षुं भिक्षासमन्वितम्
Within the mendicant’s dwelling, the queen, attentive and undistracted, spoke to the mendicant, who was absorbed in thought and engaged in alms.
प्रणम्य प्रांजलिर्भूत्वा कार्यार्थं विगतव्यथा वंध्या पुत्रार्थिनी देवी गुप्तं त्वां द्रष्टुमिच्छति
Having bowed with joined palms, free from anxiety and intent on her purpose, the queen, longing for a son though barren, wishes to see you in secret.
भवान्कृपाकरः प्रायः प्रजानामीहितप्रदः
You are indeed a source of compassion, generally bestowing the desired ends upon the people.
अविज्ञातो नरपतेर्गृहमेहीति भाषसे
You say you enter the king’s house unknown.
एवं मत्वा व्रज क्षिप्रं स्वमेवांतःपुरं शुभे
Therefore, considering this, quickly go to your own inner chambers, O auspicious one.
सा तु तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा भिक्षोः क्षुभितमानसा
But upon hearing the words of the mendicant, her mind became agitated.
सखीवचस्तु सा श्रुत्वा देवी दीना उवाच ताम् भिक्षोरानयने क्षिप्रं यावन्नासौ व्रजेत्क्वचित्
Hearing the words of her companion, the distressed queen said to her, 'Quickly bring the mendicant before he departs elsewhere.'
उवाच सा तां युक्त्यैव सुनंदा युक्तभाषिणी
Then Sunandā, who spoke fittingly, addressed her accordingly.
तस्मादस्वस्थचित्तत्वं राज्ञः स्वं संप्रदर्शय 5.2.37.
Therefore, reveal your troubled state of mind to the king.
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु देव्या दर्शनलालसः तामपृच्छत्ततो राजा स्नेहार्द्रीकृतमानसः
At that very moment, as the queen longed for an audience, the king, his heart softened with affection, asked her.
राजोवाच किमिदं देवि ते रूपं विमनस्केव भाषसे
The king said: 'What is this, O queen? Why do you appear so, and why do you speak as if your mind is disturbed?'