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.
शीघ्रं गच्छ स्वकं देशमेतान् गृह्य स्वबालकान्
Go quickly to your own place, taking these your children.
स तेन चोदितो ह्येवं निषादो नावगच्छति 125.
Thus urged by him, the Niṣāda did not understand.
किं त्वया दुष्कृतं कर्म कृतं पूर्वं पुरातनम्
What evil deed was done by you in the ancient past?
केन दोषेण प्राप्तस्त्वं स्त्रीत्वं भूत्वा पुमान् पुनः
By what fault have you come to be a woman, having formerly been a man?
एवं तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा स ऋषिः संशितव्रतः
Hearing these words, that sage of firm vows
निषाद शृणु तत्त्वेन मत्कथां च प्रजल्पतः
said: 'Nishada, listen attentively as I recount my story.'
एकभक्तं मयाचारे अभक्ष्यं चैव वर्जितम् कर्मभिर्बहुभिश्चैव मया दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणा
I practiced taking only one meal a day, avoided forbidden foods, and performed many acts, desiring a vision.
अथ दीर्घेण कालेन मया दृष्टो जनार्द्दनः
Then, after a long time, I beheld Janardana.
मया नाभीप्सितस्तस्माद्दीयमानो वरस्ततः
Since I did not seek any boon, the boon offered was not desired by me.
ततो मां भाषते विष्णुर्मायां दृष्ट्वा ह्यलं द्विज
Then Vishnu spoke to me, saying, 'Having seen the illusion, enough, O twice-born.'