संप्राप्य तीर्थे पिष्ठन्ति अर्चन्त्यो हाटकेश्वरम्
Having reached the holy place, they sat down, worshipping Hāṭakeśvara.
तासामर्थाय शकुनिर्जाबालिः सऋतध्वजः
For their sake, Śakuni, Jābāli, and Ṛtadhvaja acted.
काले जगाम निर्वेदात् समं पित्रा तु शाकलम्
At the proper time, out of dejection, he went together with his father to Śākala.
समध्यास्ते स विज्ञाय सार्घपात्रो विनिर्ययौ
He, having understood, remained in meditation and then went out with the vessel for offerings.
स चेक्ष्वाकुसुतो धीमान् शकुनिर्भ्रातृजोर्चितः
That wise son of Ikṣvāku, Śakuni, honored by his brothers, indeed—
राजन् नष्टऽबलास्माकं नन्दयन्तीति विश्रुता
O king, it is well known that our beloved has been lost.
तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ मार्गस्व साहाय्यं कर्तुमर्हसि
Therefore, arise, seek her—you ought to give assistance.
नष्टा कृतश्रमस्यापि कस्याहं कथयामि ताम्
Though I have made every effort, she is lost; to whom shall I speak of her?
सिद्धानां वाक्यमाकर्ण्य बाणैश्छिन्नः सहस्रधा
Hearing the words of the Siddhas, he was cut into a thousand pieces by arrows.
न च जानामि सा कुत्र तस्माद् गच्छामि मार्गितुम्
Nor do I know where she is; therefore, I go to search for her.
स्यन्दनानि द्विजाभ्यां स भ्रातृपुत्राय चार्पयत्
He entrusted the chariots to the two Brahmins and to his brother's son.
बदर्याश्रममासाद्य ददृशुस्तपसां निधिम्
Reaching the hermitage at Badarī, they saw the treasure of ascetics.
निःश्वासायासपरमं प्रथमे वयसि स्थितम्
He, supreme in exertion and sighs, was situated in the prime of youth.
तपस्विन् यौवने घोरमास्थितो ऽसि सुदुश्चरम्
O ascetic, in your youth you have undertaken a terrible and most difficult austerity.
सो ऽब्रवीत् को भवान् ब्रूहि ममात्मानं सुहृत्तया
He said: 'Who are you? Tell me, reveal yourself to me as a friend.'
स प्राह राजास्मि विभो तपस्विन् शाकले पुरे
He replied: 'I am a king, O venerable sage, residing in the city of Shakala.'
स चास्मै पूर्वचरितं सर्वं कथितवान् नृपः
And the king recounted to him all his former deeds.
आगच्छ यामि तन्वङ्गीं विचेतुं भ्रातृजो ऽसि मे
'Come, I am going to search for the slender-waisted one; you are my brother.'
समारोप्य रथं तूर्णं तापसाभ्यां न्यवेदयत्
Swiftly mounting the chariot, he informed the two ascetics.
प्रोवाच राजन्नेह्योहि करिष्यामि तव प्रियम्
He said: 'Come here, O King, I will do what pleases you.'
सप्तगोदावरं तीर्थं सा मयैव विसर्जिता
'The holy place of Saptagodavara was abandoned by me.'
तत्रास्माकं समेष्यन्ति कन्यास्तिस्रस्तथापराः
'There our three daughters, as well as others, will meet us.'
शकुनिं पुरतझ कृत्वा सेन्द्रद्युम्नः सपुत्रकः
Placing the bird in front, Indradyumna set out with his sons.
सप्तगोदावरं तीर्थं यत्र ताः कन्यका गताः
To the holy place of Saptagodavara, where those maidens had gone.
विचचारोदयगिरिं विचिन्वन्ती सुतां निजाम्
She wandered about the mountain at dawn, searching for her own daughter.
किं बाला न त्वया दृष्टा कपे सत्यं वदस्व मां
'Child, did you not see her? O monkey, speak the truth to me.'
दृष्टा देववती नाम्ना मया न्यस्ता महाश्रमे
'I saw Devavati by name; I left her at the great hermitage.'
श्रकण्ठायतनस्याग्रे मया सत्यं तवोदितम्
'In front of the shrine of Shrakantha, I have truly told you.'
न हि देववती ख्याता तदाच्छ व्रजावहे
'Devavati is not known there; let us go, I will show you.'
पृष्ठतो ऽस्याः समागच्छन्नदीमन्वेव कौशिकीम्
Following behind her, they proceeded along the river Kaushiki.