अयं स राजा लक्ष्मीवान् यो ममापि प्रियः पतिः । हृदि मोहघुणक्षुण्णाम् इमाम् अद्यागतो दशाम्
This is that very king, endowed with fortune, who was also my beloved husband—now he has come to this condition, his heart gnawed by the worm of delusion.
तद् अवश्यम् इहैवाद्य नाथं विदितवेद्यताम् । नयाम्य् एनं न सन्देहो भोगमोक्षश्रियं तथा
Therefore, today itself, I must certainly bring my lord here to the knowledge that is to be known—there is no doubt, along with the prosperity of enjoyment and liberation.
इदं रूपं परित्यज्य रूपेणान्येन केनचित् । सकाशम् अस्य गच्छामि बोधं दातुम् अनुत्तमम्
Leaving aside this form, I shall go to him in another form, to impart the highest knowledge.
बालेयं मम कान्तेति मदुक्तं न करोत्य् अयम् । तस्मात् तापसरूपेण बोधयामि पतिं क्षणात्
This child does not heed my words, thinking of me as his beloved; therefore, I will instruct my husband instantly in the form of an ascetic.
भर्ता कषायपाकेन परिपक्वमतिस् स्थितः । चेतस्य् अस्याद्य विमले स्वं तत्त्वं प्रतिबिम्बति
My husband, matured by the fire of inner purification, now stands with a mind fully ripened; today, in his pure mind, his true nature will be reflected.
इति सञ्चिन्त्य चूडाला बभूव द्विजदारकः । ईषद्ध्यानाद् गतान्यत्वं क्षणाद् अम्बुतरङ्गवत्
Thinking thus, Chudala became the form of a young brahmin boy; through slight meditation, she assumed another identity in a moment, like a wave on water.
पपात विपिने तस्मिन् द्विजपुत्रकरूपिणी । भर्तुर् अभ्याजगामाग्रं मन्दस्मितलसन्मुखी
She descended in that forest, taking the form of a brahmin boy, and approached her husband, her face shining with a gentle smile.
ददर्श द्विजपुत्रं तं पुरो यातं शिखिध्वजः । वनान्तराद् उपगतं तपोमूर्तिम् इवास्थितम्
Shikhidhvaja saw that brahmin boy standing before him, who had come from the depths of the forest, appearing as the very embodiment of asceticism.
द्रवत्कनकगौराङ्गं मुक्ताहारविभूषितम् । शुक्लयज्ञोपवीताङ्गं शुक्लाम्बरयुगावृतम्
His body shone with the luster of molten gold, adorned with a necklace of pearls, wearing a white sacred thread and draped in two white garments.
कमण्डलुधरं कान्तं शान्तं दान्तम् अनामयम् । व्याप्तप्रकोष्ठं द्विगुणेनाक्षसूत्रेण चारुणा
He held a water pot, was handsome, serene, self-controlled, free from affliction, his forearms adorned with a beautiful double string of prayer beads.
भूमाव् अलग्नचरणं किष्कुमात्रोपरि स्थितम् । कुन्तलव्याप्तमूर्धानं सालिमालम् इवाम्बुजम्
Standing on the ground without his feet soiled, upon a small patch of grass, his head covered with hair like a lotus adorned with rice garlands.
भासयन्तं प्रदेशं तं शारीरैर् दीप्तिमण्डलैः । कुण्डलाभूषितमुखं नवम् अर्कम् इवोदितम्
Illuminating that place with radiant circles from his body, his face adorned with earrings, like the newly risen sun.
शिखासम्प्रोतमन्दारं शृङ्गस्थेन्दुम् इवाचलम् । कान्तोपशान्तवपुषम् ऊर्जितं विजितेन्द्रियम्
With a topknot entwined with mandāra flowers, like a mountain crowned with the moon; possessing a lovely, tranquil form, strong and with senses mastered.
हिमाभभस्मतिलकभूषितालिकसुन्दरम् । मेरुं हेमतटालीनपूर्णेन्दुम् इव चञ्चलम्
Beautiful with a forehead marked by white ash and sandal paste, like Mount Meru adorned with golden slopes and a full, wavering moon.
तम् आलोक्य द्विजसुतं समुत्तस्थौ शिखिध्वजः । देवपुत्रागमधिया सम्परित्यक्तपादुकः
Seeing that twice-born youth, Śikhidhvaja rose up, having set aside his sandals, with the thought that a divine being had arrived.
देवपुत्र नमस्कार इदम् आसनम् आस्यताम् । इत्य् अस्य दर्शयाम् आस पाणिना पत्त्रविष्टरम्
He said, 'O divine one, salutations to you. Here is a seat—please be seated,' and with his hand indicated a spread of leaves.
ददौ च द्विजपुत्रस्य पुष्पवृष्टिं करोदरे । चन्द्रः कुमुदषण्डस्य प्रालेयम् इव पल्लवे
And he offered the twice-born youth a shower of flowers in the hollow of his hand, like the moon offering coolness to a bed of lotuses.
हे राजर्षे नमस् तुभ्यम् इति द्विजसुतो वदन् । गृहीत्वा कुसुमान्य् अस्माद् विवेश दलविष्टरे
The twice-born youth, saying, 'O royal sage, salutations to you,' accepted the flowers and sat upon the leaf-seat.
देवपुत्र महाभाग कुत आगमनं कृतम् । दिवसस् सफलो ऽयं मे यत् त्वाम् अद्यास्मि दृष्टवान्
O noble son of the gods, from where have you come? This day has become fruitful for me, for today I have seen you.
इदम् अर्घ्यम् इदं पाद्यं पुष्पानीमानि मानद । इमाः प्रग्रथिता माला गृह्यन्तां भद्रम् अस्तु ते
Here is water for your feet, here is the arghya offering, and these flowers, O honorable one; please accept these woven garlands—may all be well for you.
इत्य् उक्त्वा पाद्यम् अर्घ्यं च मालाः पुष्पाणि चानघ । शिखिध्वजस् तदिष्टायै ददौ देव्यै यथाखिलम्
Having spoken thus, O sinless one, Śikhidhvaja offered to the goddess, for her satisfaction, the water for the feet, the arghya, the garlands, and the flowers, just as prescribed.
सुबहूनि परिभ्रान्तो भूतलायतनान्य् अहम् । त्वत्तः पूजा यथा प्राप्ता मयेयं न तथान्यतः
I have wandered through many earthly abodes, but the worship I have received from you here, I have not obtained elsewhere.
पेशलेनानुरूपेण प्रश्रयेणामुनानघ । मन्ये ऽहं नूनम् अत्यन्तचिरजीवी भविष्यसि
Because of this gentle, fitting, and respectful hospitality, O sinless one, I think you will surely live a very long life.
शान्तेन मनसोदारम् आराद् उन्मुक्तकल्पनम् । निर्वाणार्हं तपस् साधो कच्चित् सम्भृतवान् असि
With a peaceful mind, noble and free from all imaginings, O holy one, have you accomplished the ascetic practice worthy of liberation?
असिधारासमं सोम्य शान्तं व्रतम् इदं तव । स्फीतं यद् राज्यम् उत्सृज्य महावननिषेवणम्
Gentle one, your calm vow is like walking on a razor's edge, for you have abandoned a flourishing kingdom to dwell in the great forest.
जानासि भगवन् सर्वं देवस् त्वं को ऽत्र विस्मयः । श्रियैव लोकोत्तरया ज्ञायसे चिह्नभूतया
O venerable one, you know everything—are you not a god? What cause for wonder is there here? You are recognized by your very mark: that transcendent splendor.
एतान्य् अङ्गानि ते चन्द्राद् घटितानीति मे मतिः । अन्यथा किं समालोकाद् अमृतेनेव सिञ्चसि
I believe these limbs of yours are formed from the moon; otherwise, why do you sprinkle me with nectar merely by your gaze?
अस्ति मे दयिता कान्ता पाति मे राज्यम् अद्य तत् । तवेव तस्या दृष्टानि तान्य् अङ्गान्य् अद्य सुन्दर
I have a beloved wife, and today she rules my kingdom; yet, O beautiful one, today I see those very limbs in you.
उपशान्तं च कान्तं च वपुर् आपादमस्तकम् । शृङ्गं शुभ्राम्बुदेनेव पुष्पेणाच्छादयामुना
Your body, peaceful and lovely from head to toe, should be adorned with this flower, as a white cloud crowns a mountain peak.
निष्कलङ्केन्दुसङ्काशम् अङ्गम् आदित्यतेजसा । मन्ये ते म्लानिम् आयाति सुमनःपत्त्रपेलवम्
Your limb, spotless and radiant like the moon, seems to fade under the sun’s brilliance, as a delicate flower petal wilts.