द्रष्टुं श्रिकण्ठमव्यक्तं गालवो नाम नामतः
To see Śrīkaṇṭha, the unmanifest, there was one named Gālava.
प्रविवेश शुचिः स्नात्वा कालिन्द्या विमले जले
Having bathed in the pure waters of the Kālindī, the pure one entered.
गायेते सुस्वरं गीतं यक्षासुरसुते ततः
Then the daughters of Yakṣas and Asuras sang a song in sweet tones.
गन्धर्वकन्येक चैते संदेहो नात्र विद्यते
And these were Gandharva maidens; there is no doubt about this.
कृतजप्यः समध्यास्ते कन्याभ्यामबिवादितः
Having completed his recitation, he sat in meditation, honored by the two maidens.
कुलालङ्कारणे भक्तियुक्ते भवस्य हि
With devotion, he adorned the family of Bhava indeed.
जातो विदितवृत्तान्तो गालवस्तपतां वरः
Gālava, best among ascetics, having learned the circumstances, was born.
प्रातरुत्थाय गौरीसं संपूज्य च विधानतः
Rising in the morning, he duly worshipped Gaurī's Lord.
आमन्त्रयामि वां कन्ये समनुज्ञातुमर्हथः
I invite you, O maidens; you should grant your permission.
किमर्थं पुष्करारण्यं भवान् यास्यत्यथादरात्
For what purpose does the reverend one wish to go to Puṣkara forest with respect?
कार्तिकी पुण्यदा भाविमासान्ते पुष्करेषु हि
The month of Kārtik bestows merit, especially at the end of the month, at the sacred lakes.
न त्वया स्म विना ब्रह्मन्निह चस्थातुं हि शक्नुवः
But, O Brahmin, without you, we are truly unable to remain here.
गते ते ऋषिणा सार्द्धू पुष्करारण्यमादरात्
When you had departed together with the sage, you entered the forest of Puṣkara with reverence.
पार्थिवा जानपद्याश्च मुक्त्वैकं तमृतध्वजम्
The kings and the people of the land, leaving behind only that one, the righteous-bannered one,
राजानश्च महाभागा नाभागेक्ष्वाकुसंयुताः
And the great and noble kings, associated with Nābhāga and Ikṣvāku,
स्नातुं स पुष्करे तीर्थे मध्यमे धनुषाकृतौ
Went to bathe at the sacred ford of Puṣkara, in the middle, shaped like a bow.
बह्वीभिर्मत्स्यकन्याभिः प्रीयमाणं पुनः पुनः
Delighted again and again by many daughters of the fish, he—
जनापवादं घोरं हि न शक्तः सोढुमुल्बणम्
Was unable to endure the fierce and terrible slander of the people.
तापसं कन्यकाभ्यां वै विचरन्तं यथेच्छया
The ascetic, wandering as he pleased with the maidens,
जनापवादात् तत्किं त्वं बिभेषु जलमध्यगः
Why do you, who are in the midst of the water, fear public reproach?
रागान्धो नापि च भयं विजानाति सुबालिशः
Blinded by passion, the very foolish one does not even recognize fear.
नोत्तत्तार निमग्नो ऽपि तस्थौ स विजितेन्द्रियः
Though submerged, he did not rise up; he remained, having conquered his senses.
ऋषयः पार्थिवाश्चान्ये नाना जानपदस्तदा
At that time, other sages and kings from various lands,
चित्राङ्गदा सुचार्वङ्गी वीक्षन्ती तनुमध्यमे
Citrāṅgadā, of beautiful limbs, gazing at the slender-waisted one,
संस्थिते निर्जने तीर्थे गालवो ऽन्तर्जले तथा
When the sacred ford was deserted, Gālava too was beneath the water.
पर्जन्यतनया साध्वी घृताचीर्गर्भसंभवा
The virtuous daughter of Parjanya, born from Ghṛtācī,
ददर्श कन्यात्रितयमुभयोस्तटयोः स्थितम्
Saw three maidens standing on both banks.
कासि केन च कार्येण निर्जने स्थितवत्यसि
Who are you, and for what purpose have you remained here in this deserted place?
चित्राङ्गदेति सुश्रेणि विख्यातां विश्वकर्मणः
O Suśreṇi, Citrāṅgadā, renowned as the daughter of Viśvakarman,
नैमिषे काञ्चनाक्षीं तु विख्यातां धर्ममातरम्
In Naimiṣa, the golden-eyed one, famed as the mother of Dharma,