एवं निन्दति चात्मानं धिक्कुर्वन् साधुदूषितम्
In this way, he reproaches himself, condemning his own faults as one who has corrupted virtue.
निषादस्य कुले जातो भक्ष्याभक्ष्याश्च भक्षिताः
Born in the family of a Niṣāda, I have eaten both what is fit and unfit to eat.
पेयापेयं च मे पीतं विक्रीताश्चाप्यविक्रेयाः 125.
I have drunk what is fit and unfit to drink, and I have sold and bought what should not be traded.
वेश्मन्यभोज्यभोज्यं च भुक्तं चैव न संशयः
In the house, I have eaten both permitted and forbidden foods—of this there is no doubt.
ततः किंचापराधं वा केन वा तद्विचिन्तये
Then I consider what other offense, or by whom, might have been committed.
एतस्मिन्नंतरे भूमे निषादः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः
Meanwhile, on the earth, the Niṣāda, overcome by anger,
ततो मृगयते भार्यां भक्तियुक्तां शुभेक्षणाम्
Then searches for his wife, devoted and of auspicious appearance.
क्व गतासि प्रियेऽस्माकं त्यक्त्वा पुत्रान् गृहे च माम्
Where have you gone, dear one, leaving behind our children and me at home?
किं नु पश्यथ भार्यां मे गङ्गातीरमुपागता
Have you seen my wife, who has come to the bank of the Ganges?
तत्रैव च नराः सर्वे मायातीर्थमुपागताः
There, indeed, all the people have come to the sacred Māyā-tīrtha.
इदं वासश्च कुम्भश्च नदीकूले च तिष्ठति
Here her garment and water pot remain on the riverbank.
अथ केनापि ग्राहेण स्नायमाना तपस्विनी 125.
Then, as she was bathing, the ascetic woman was seized by some crocodile.
न चाप्रियं मयाऽस्युक्ता कदाचिदपि वाचकम्
Never have I spoken a harsh or unpleasant word to her.
अथवापि पिशाचेन भक्षिता भूतराक्षसैः
Or perhaps she was devoured by a piśāca or by evil spirits.
किं कृतं दुष्कृतं पूर्वं मया कर्म सुसङ्कटम्
What sinful deed did I commit in the past, what terrible act?
एहि मे सुभगे कान्ते मम चित्तानुवर्त्तिनि
Come to me, O fortunate and beloved one, who always follows my heart.
मां पश्य त्वं वरारोहे त्रीन्पुत्रानतिबालकान्
Look upon me, O fair-hipped one, and these three sons of mine, still but young children.
मम पुत्रा रुदन्त्येते बालकास्तव लालसा
My sons are weeping here, these children who are dear to you.
कामं मां क्षुधितं चैव ज्ञास्यसे त्वं पिपासितम्
Surely, you will know me as hungry and thirsty.
एवं विलपमानस्य निषादस्य त्वितस्ततः
Thus, as the Niṣāda lamented in this way, here and there—
सुखं योगं च ते नीत्वा सा गता ह्यनिवृत्तये
She, having lived with you in happiness and union, has now departed, never to return.
निषादं भाषते तत्र गच्छ किं परिक्लिश्यसे 125.
To the Niṣāda he spoke there: 'Go; why do you torment yourself?'
एते न त्यजनीयास्ते कदाचिदपि पुत्रकाः
These sons must never be abandoned, not at any time.
उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं दुःखशोकपरिप्लुतः
Overwhelmed by grief and sorrow, he spoke gentle words.
सान्त्वितोऽस्मि त्वया विप्र वचनैर्मधुराक्षरैः
I have been comforted by you, O brāhmaṇa, by your words of sweet syllables.
निषदास्य वचः श्रुत्वा स मुनिः संशितव्रतः
Hearing the words of the Niṣāda, that sage of firm vows—
मा रोदीर्वच्मि भद्रं ते तवाहं सा प्रियाऽभवत्
Do not weep—I say to you, may good be yours; she who was dear to you has become me.
परिव्राजवचः श्रुत्वा निषादो विगतज्वरः
Hearing the words of the wandering ascetic, the Niṣāda was relieved of his distress.
किमिदं भाषसे विप्र अव्यक्तं यत्कदाचन
What is this you say, O brāhmaṇa, that is so indistinct and strange?
निषादस्य वचः श्रुत्वा ब्राह्मणो दुःखमूर्च्छितः
Hearing the words of the Niṣāda, the brāhmaṇa fell into a faint from sorrow.