कथयिष्यामि ते गुह्यं कोका येन विशिष्यते
I shall tell you the secret by which Kokā is distinguished.
एते पाशुपताश्चैषां कोका भागवतस्य ह
These are the Pāśupata rites; Kokā belongs indeed to the Bhāgavata.
कृतं कोकामुखे चैव मम क्षेत्रे हि सुन्दरि 122.
A rite was performed at the entrance to Kokā, in my sacred field, O beautiful one.
तत्राल्पेनाम्बुना युक्ते ह्रदे मत्स्यस्तु तिष्ठति तस्य हस्ताच्च बलवान्मत्स्यस्तूर्णं विनिर्गतः
There, in a pond with little water, a fish remained; from its mouth, a strong fish quickly emerged.
निपत्य तं गृहीत्वैव प्रोड्डीनस्त्वरयान्वितः
Falling down, seizing it, he hurriedly leapt away.
तत्क्षेत्रस्य प्रभावेण राजपुत्रोऽभवत्प्रभुः
By the power of that field, the prince became a lord.
अथ कालेन तस्यैव मृगव्याधस्य चाङ्गना
Then, in time, the hunter's wife—
एका चिल्ली मांसलुब्धा तद्धस्तान्मांसगर्द्धिनी
A certain shrew, greedy for flesh, eager for meat from his hand—
मृगव्याधा बलान्मांसं हर्तुकामां तु चिल्लिकाम्
The hunter, by force, sought to take the shrew who desired the meat.
आकाशात्पातिता भद्रे कोकायां मम सन्निधौ
O good lady, she fell from the sky into Kokā, in my presence.
सा व्यवर्द्धत कन्या तु वयोरूपगुणान्विता
She grew up as a maiden, endowed with youth, beauty, and virtues.
रूपवान्गुणवाञ्छूरो युद्धकार्यार्थनिश्चितः
He was handsome, virtuous, brave, and resolute in the pursuit of battle.
रूपवान्गुणवाञ्छूरो युदकार्यार्थनिष्ठितः 122.
He was handsome, virtuous, brave, and steadfast in the purpose of battle.
अथ केनचित्कालेन शक आनन्दपूरके
Then, after some time, in the era filled with joy—
तथा तु तौ समासाद्य परस्परमथ क्रमात्
Thus, the two met each other in due course.
स वै तथा समं नित्यं सा च तेन समं शुभा
He always remained with her, and she, the auspicious one, with him.
गच्छत्येवं बहुतरे काले चैवाप्यनिंदिता
Thus, as much time passed, she remained blameless.
भजमाना विनीता च सौहृदाच्च विशेषतः
She was devoted, humble, and especially affectionate.
राजपुत्रस्तस्तोऽप्यत्र शकानां नंदवर्द्धनः
There stood also the prince, the one who increased the glory of the Śakas.
ये केचिद्भिषजस्तत्र गदेषु कुशलाः शुभे
All the physicians present there who were skilled in treating diseases,
ननाश नैव संयातः कालो बहुतिथस्ततः
None of them succeeded, and much time passed by in vain.
अयने गत एतेषां वृत्तं कौतूहलं भुवि 122.
When the season had passed, the story of their conduct became a matter of curiosity in the world.
ततः सर्वानवद्याङ्गी भर्त्तारमिदमब्रवीत्
Then, she who was flawless in all her limbs spoke these words to her husband:
एतदाचक्ष्व तत्त्वेन यद्यहं च तव प्रिया
Tell me this truthfully, if indeed I am dear to you.
कुर्वन्ति तव कर्माणि वेदना च न गच्छति
You perform your duties, yet your pain does not subside.
इदं किं विस्मृता भद्रे सर्वव्याधिसमन्वितम्
What is this, O gentle one? Have you forgotten, though afflicted by every disease?
संसारसागरारूढं नातिप्रष्टुं त्वमर्हसि
One who has mounted the ocean of worldly existence should not be questioned too much by you.
ततः कदाचिच्छयने सुप्तौ तौ दम्पती किल
Then, once, as the couple lay together on their bed, it is said,
कथयस्व तमेवार्थं यन्मया पूर्वपृच्छितम्
Tell me that very matter which I asked you about before.
गोप्यं वा किंचिदस्तीह किं गोपयसि मे पुरः
Is there something here that must be kept secret? Why do you conceal it from me?