साब्रवीत्तु विमानस्था साधयन्ती शुभाङ्गना
Standing in the chariot, that auspicious woman with beautiful limbs spoke.
पतिव्रतोवाच मैवमीर्षां कुरुष्व त्वं ब्राह्मणेषु तपस्विसु अचिन्त्याः सर्वभूतानां ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः
The devoted wife said: Do not harbor jealousy toward brahmins engaged in austerity; brahmins who have mastered the Vedas are beyond comprehension for all beings.
ब्राह्मणाः सततं पूज्या ब्राह्मणाः सर्वदेवताः 208.
Brahmins are always to be revered; brahmins are all the deities.
त्वया शुभाशुभं कर्म नित्यं पूजा मनस्विनाम्
By you, good and bad deeds are always offered to the wise.
प्रयाता गगने दृष्टा विद्युत्सौदामिनी यथा
She was seen departing in the sky, like a flash of lightning.
अब्रवीन्नारदस्तत्र धर्मराजं तथागतम्
There, Nārada spoke to Dharmarāja, who had arrived.
नारद उवाच या त्वया पूजिता राजन् हितमुक्त्वा गता पुनः
Nārada said: O King, she whom you worshipped, who spoke what was beneficial and then departed—
एतदिच्छाम्यहं ज्ञातुं परं कौतूहलं हि मे
I wish to know about this; I am extremely curious.
यम उवाच एषा मया यथा तात पूजितापि च कृत्स्नशः
Yama said: My dear, even though I worshipped her fully—
पुरा कृतयुगे तात निमिर्नाम महायशाः
In ancient times, during the Kṛta Yuga, there was a king named Nimi, renowned for his great fame.
तस्य पुत्रो मिथिर्नाम जननाज्जनकोऽभवत्
His son was named Mithi, and Janaka was born from his wife.
सा चाप शुभकर्माणि पतिभक्ता पतिव्रता
She was devoted to her husband, steadfast in virtuous deeds, and faithful.
सोऽपि राजा महाभागः सर्वभूतहिते रतः 208.
That king too was greatly fortunate, always engaged in the welfare of all beings.
य इमां पृथिवीं सर्वां धर्मेण परिपालयन्
He protected this entire earth according to righteousness.
ववर्ष सततं देवस्तस्य राष्ट्रे महाद्युतेः
The god constantly sent rain in the realm of that illustrious king.
न कश्चिद् दृश्यते मर्त्यो रुजार्त्तो दुःखितोऽपि वा
No mortal was seen there who was sick, afflicted, or even unhappy.
उवाच राज्ञी विप्रेन्द्र विनयात्प्रश्रितं वचः
The queen, O best of Brāhmaṇas, spoke humble and respectful words.
राज्ञ्युवाच यदस्ति द्रविणं किंचित्पृथिव्यां यद्गृहे च ते
The queen said: Whatever wealth exists on earth or in your house—
विनियुक्तं तु तत्सर्वं सान्निध्यं तु तथा त्वया
All of it has been distributed, and likewise, you have been present.
नास्ति तन्नियमः कश्चित्पुष्पमूल्यं च नास्ति नः
There is no such regulation for us, nor do we have the price of a flower.
न चैव वार्षिकः कश्चिद्विद्यते भाजनस्य च
Nor is there any annual income or even a vessel.
यत्कर्तव्यं मया वापि तन्मे ब्रूहि नराधिप
O king of men, tell me what I should do.
राजोवाच न च पश्याम्यहं देवि तव चैव जनस्य च ।। 208.
The king said: O queen, I do not see anything for you or for the people.
तद्ब्रवीमि यथाशक्त्या यदि मे मन्यसे प्रिये
Therefore, I will speak according to my ability, if you agree, dear one.
कुद्दालेन हि काष्ठेन क्षेत्रं वै कुर्महे प्रिये
Indeed, dearest, we prepare the field with a wooden spade.
एवमुक्ता ततो राज्ञी राजानमिदमब्रवीत्
Thus addressed, the queen then spoke these words to the king.
देव्युवाच अश्वानां च गजानां च सैरिभानां तथैव च
The queen said: Of horses and elephants, and likewise of camels,
उष्ट्राणां महिषाणां च खराणां च महायशाः
Of camels, buffaloes, and also donkeys, O greatly renowned one,
राजोवाच सर्वकर्माणि कुर्वन्ति ये भृत्या मे वरानने
The king said: All tasks are performed by my servants, O lovely-faced one.
बलीवर्दाः खरा अश्वा गजा उष्ट्रा ह्यनेकशः
Oxen, donkeys, horses, elephants, and camels, in great number,