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?
अस्मिन्वापि कृतं कर्म कथं गुणकरं भवेत्
Even if work is done here, how will it become fruitful?
शुभं सानुनयं वाक्यं भूतानां गुणवत्सलः
He who is affectionate to beings, speaks auspicious and gentle words.
पानीयस्य तु पार्श्वेन सन्निकृष्टेन सुन्दरि 208.
O beautiful one, near the water's edge,
अयं गृहो महादेवि न च बाधाऽत्र कस्यचित्
This is a dwelling, O great goddess, and here no one is troubled.
वियन्मध्ये तथोग्रश्च सविता तपते सदा
In the midst of the sky, the fierce Sun always blazes.
प्रवृद्धो दारुणो घर्मः कालश्चैवातिदारुणः
The intense, harsh heat grows, and the season is exceedingly severe.
स्निग्धौ ताम्रतलौ पादौ तस्यां सन्तापमागतौ
His feet, smooth and coppery, are scorched by the heat there.
सूर्यस्य पादा मध्याह्ने तापयन्त्यग्निसन्निभाः
At midday, the Sun's feet, blazing like fire, burn intensely.
तृषितास्मि महाराज भृशमुष्णेन पीडिता
I am thirsty, O great king, tormented greatly by the heat.
इत्युक्त्वा पतिता देवी विह्वला दुःखपीडिता
Having spoken thus, the goddess, distressed and overwhelmed by suffering, fell down.