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,
आयसं त्रापुषं ताम्रं राजतं कांचनं तथा
Iron, tin, copper, silver, and likewise gold,
ननु पश्याम्यहं देवि किंचिद्धैमं न चायसम्
Indeed, O goddess, I see something golden, but not iron.
एवमुक्ता महादेवी तेन राज्ञा सुशोभना 208.
Thus addressed by that king, the illustrious great queen,
गच्छ राजन्यथाकाममनुयास्यामि पृष्ठतः
Go, O king, as you wish; I shall follow behind.
ततो राजा च देवी च क्षेत्रं मृगयतस्तदा
Then the king and the queen sought out the field at that time.
इदं भद्रं मम क्षेत्रमास्स्वात्र वरवर्णिनि
This, O beautiful one, is my auspicious field; sit here.
अहं छिनद्मि वै देवि त्वमेताञ्छोधय प्रिये
I will indeed cut, O goddess; you, dear one, clear these away.
एवमुक्ता महादेवी तेन राज्ञा तपोधन
Thus addressed by that king, the illustrious great queen,
वृक्षोऽत्र दृश्यते पार्श्वे सौवर्णो गुल्म एव च
A golden tree is seen here at the side, and likewise a golden bush.
कथं क्षेत्रं करिष्यावो हृद्रोगस्य तु कारकम्
How shall we make a field here, which causes heart disease?