कथासरित्सागरः — द्वितीयस्तरङ्गः

द्वितीयस्तरङ्गः ।

एवं वेश्यास्वसद्भावे कथिते मरुभूतिना ।
आचख्यौ गोमुखो धीमांस्तद्वत्कुमुदिकाकथाम् ॥

Summary AI When Marubhūti spoke about the lack of virtue in courtesans, the wise Gomukha related the story of Kumudikā in a similar vein.

१०.२.२

आसीद्विक्रमसिंहाख्यः प्रतिष्ठाने महीपतिः ।
व्यधायि विधिनान्वर्थो यः सिंह इव विक्रमे ॥

Summary AI In the city of Pratiṣṭhāna, there was a king named Vikramasiṃha, whom fate had made true to his name, for he was like a lion in valor.

१०.२.३

यस्येश्वरस्य सुभगा नदीनप्रभवा प्रिया ।
अलंकारतनुर्देवी शशिलेखेति चाभवत् ॥

Summary AI That lordly king had a beautiful queen of noble origin named Śaśilekhā, whose very body was like an ornament.

१०.२.४

तमेकदा स्वनगरे स्थितं संभूय गोत्रजाः ।
पञ्चषा गृहमागत्य राजानं पर्यवेष्टयन् ॥

Summary AI Once, while he was in his own city, five or six of his kinsmen gathered together, went to his palace, and besieged him.

१०.२.५

महाभटो वीरबाहुः सुबाहुः सुभटस्तथा ।
नृपः प्रतापादित्यश्च सर्वे ऽप्येते महाबलाः ॥

Summary AI These mighty kinsmen included Mahābhaṭa, Vīrabāhu, Subāhu, Subhaṭa, and King Pratāpāditya, all of whom possessed immense strength.

१०.२.६

तेषु सामादि युञ्जानं निराकृत्य स्वमन्त्रिणम् ।
राजा विक्रमसिंहो ऽसौ युद्धायैषां विनिर्ययौ ॥

Summary AI Disregarding his minister who advised the use of diplomacy (sāma) and other means, King Vikramasiṃha marched out to give them battle.

१०.२.७

प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसंपाते स नृपः सैन्ययोर्द्वयोः ।
शौर्यदर्पाद्गजारूढः प्रविवेशाहवं स्वयम् ॥

Summary AI As the clash of weapons began between the two armies, the king, mounted on an elephant and filled with pride in his valor, personally entered the battle.

१०.२.८

धनुर्द्वितीयं दृष्ट्वा तं दलयन्तं द्विषच्चमूम् ।
महाभटाद्याः पञ्चापि राजानो ऽभ्यपतन्समम् ॥

Summary AI Seeing him crushing the enemy host with only his bow as a companion, the five kings, led by Mahābhaṭa, attacked him simultaneously.

१०.२.९

तद्बले च समं भूयस्यखिले ऽप्यभिधावति ।
बलं विक्रमसिंहस्य तदतुल्यमभज्यत ॥

Summary AI When the entire massive enemy force charged together, Vikramasiṃha’s army, unable to withstand the assault, was broken.

१०.२.१०

ततो ऽनन्तगुणाख्यस्तं मन्त्री पार्श्वस्थितो ऽब्रवीत् ।
भग्नमस्मद्बलं तावज्जयो नास्तीह सांप्रतम् ॥

Summary AI Then his minister, Anantaguṇa, who was by his side, said to him, "Our forces are now broken; there is no hope of victory here at present."

१०.२.११

विधूयास्मान्कृतश्चायं बलवद्विग्रहस्त्वया ।
तच्छिवायाधुनापीदं मदीयं वचनं कुरु ॥

Summary AI "You engaged in this conflict with a powerful foe after disregarding us; nevertheless, even now, follow my advice for your own welfare."

१०.२.१२

अवरुह्य द्विपादस्मादारुह्य च तुरङ्गमम् ।
एह्यन्यविषयं यावो जीवञ्जेतास्यरीन्पुनः ॥

Summary AI "Dismount from this elephant, mount a horse, and let us go to another land; if you remain alive, you will surely conquer your enemies again."

१०.२.१३

इति मन्त्रिगिरा स्वैरमवतीर्य स वारणात् ।
हयारूढः समं तेन स्वबालान्निर्ययौ पुनः ॥

Summary AI Following the minister's advice, he quietly dismounted from the elephant, mounted a horse, and escaped with him, leaving behind his own children.

१०.२.१४

ययौ च वेषच्छन्नः सन्सहितस्तेन मन्त्रिणा ।
राजा विक्रमसिंहो ऽसौ क्रमादुज्जयिनीं पुरीम् ॥

Summary AI Disguised and accompanied by that minister, King Vikramasiṃha eventually reached the city of Ujjayinī.

१०.२.१५

तस्यां कुमुदिकाख्यायाः प्रख्यातवसुसंपदः ।
मन्त्रिद्वितीयो वसतिं विलासिन्या विवेश सः ॥

Summary AI In that city, accompanied by his minister, he entered the residence of a courtesan named Kumudikā, who was famous for her vast wealth.

१०.२.१६

अकस्मात्तं गृहायातं दृष्ट्वा सापि व्यचिन्तयत् ।
पुरुषातिशयः कोऽपि ममायं गृहमागतः ॥

Summary AI Seeing him arrive at her house unexpectedly, she thought, "Some extraordinary man has come to my home."

१०.२.१७

तेजसा लक्षणैश्चैष महान्राजेति सूच्यते ।
तन्मे यथेप्सितं सिध्येदीदृक्चेत्स्वीकृतो भवेत् ॥

Summary AI "By his luster and auspicious marks, he appears to be a great king; if such a man were won over, my desires would be fulfilled."

१०.२.१८

इत्यालोच्य तमुत्थाय स्वागतेनाभिनन्द्य च ।
चकार महदातिथ्यं राज्ञः कुमुदिकास्य सा ॥

Summary AI Thinking thus, Kumudikā rose, welcomed him with greetings, and offered the king grand hospitality.

१०.२.१९

विश्रान्तं च जगादैनं राजानं सा क्षणान्तरे ।
धन्याहमद्य सुकृतं प्राक्तनं फलितं मम ॥

Summary AI After a moment, once the king was rested, she said to him, "Today I am blessed, for my past meritorious deeds have finally borne fruit."

१०.२.२०

देवेन स्वयमागत्य यद्गृहं मे पवित्रितम् ।
तदनेन प्रसादेन क्रीता दासीयमस्मि ते ॥

Summary AI "Since your lordship has personally come and sanctified my home, by this favor, I have become your devoted slave."

१०.२.२१

यदस्ति मे हस्तिशतं हयानां द्वे तथायुते ।
मन्दिरं पूर्णरत्नं च तदायत्तमिदं तव ॥

Summary AI Kumudikā said, "My hundred elephants, twenty thousand horses, and palace filled with jewels are all at your disposal."

१०.२.२२

इत्युक्त्वा सा कुमुदिका राजानं तमुपाचरत् ।
स्नानादिनोपचारेण महार्हेण समन्त्रिकम् ॥

Summary AI Having spoken thus, Kumudikā served King Vikramasiṃha and his minister with expensive hospitality, including baths and other comforts.

१०.२.२३

ततस्तन्मन्दिरे साकं तया तत्रार्पितस्वया ।
राजा विक्रमसिंहो ऽसौ खिन्नस्तस्थौ यथासुखम् ॥

Summary AI In her palace, King Vikramasiṃha, though distressed by his situation, lived comfortably with her as she offered him all her possessions.

१०.२.२४

बुभुजे द्रविणं तस्या याचकेभ्यो ददौ च सः ।
न च सादर्शयत्तस्य विकारं तुष्यति स्म तु ॥

Summary AI The King enjoyed her wealth and gave it away to beggars; yet she showed no sign of resentment and remained pleased with him.

१०.२.२५

अहो मय्यनुरक्तेयमिति तुष्टं ततो नृपम् ।
तं सो ऽनन्तगुणो मन्त्री रहो ऽवादीत्सहस्थितः ॥

Summary AI When the King felt satisfied, thinking her truly devoted, his minister Anantaguṇa, who was staying with him, spoke to him in private.

१०.२.२६

वेश्यानां देव सद्भावो नास्त्येव कुरुते पुनः ।
यत्ते कुमुदिका भक्तिं न जाने तत्र कारणम् ॥

Summary AI The minister said, "O King, courtesans never possess true affection. I do not understand the real reason behind Kumudikā's devotion to you."

१०.२.२७

एतत्तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा स राजा निजगाद तम् ।
मैवं कुमुदिका प्राणानपि मुञ्चति मत्कृते ॥

Summary AI Hearing this, the King replied, "Do not say that; Kumudikā would even sacrifice her life for my sake."

१०.२.२८

न चेत्प्रत्येषि तदहं प्रत्ययं दर्शयामि ते ।
इत्युक्त्वा तं स्वसचिवं राजा व्याजमिमं व्यधात् ॥

Summary AI "If you do not believe me, I will show you proof," the King said to his minister, and he then devised a clever plan.

१०.२.२९

शनैः कृशीकृत्य तनुं मितपानो ऽल्पभोजनः ।
चकार मृतमात्मानं निश्चेष्टं लुठिताङ्गकम् ॥

Summary AI By eating and drinking very little, he made his body thin and then feigned death, lying motionless with limp limbs.

१०.२.३०

ततो ऽधिरोप्य शिबिकां निन्ये परिजनेन सः ।
श्मशानं शोचतानन्तगुणे कृतकदुःखिते ॥

Summary AI While Anantaguṇa lamented with feigned grief, the King's attendants placed him on a litter and carried him to the cremation ground.

१०.२.३१

सा च शोकाकुमुदिका वार्यमाणापि बान्धवैः ।
आगत्य तेनैव समं समारोहच्चितोपरि ॥

Summary AI Distraught with grief and ignoring the restraints of her relatives, Kumudikā arrived at the site and ascended the funeral pyre with the King.

१०.२.३२

यावन्न दीप्यते वह्निस्तावदन्वागतां स ताम् ।
बुद्ध्वा कुमुदिकां राज समुत्तस्थौ सजृम्भिकम् ॥

Summary AI Before the fire was lit, the King, realizing Kumudikā had followed him, woke up with a yawn and rose from the pyre.

१०.२.३३

प्रत्युज्जीवित एषो ऽत्र दिष्ट्या दिष्ट्येति वादिनः ।
सर्वे कुमुदिकायुक्तं निन्युस्तं स्वगृहं मुदा ॥

Summary AI Exclaiming "He has returned to life! What fortune!", everyone joyfully led the King and Kumudikā back to their home.

१०.२.३४

अथोत्सवे कृते प्राप्तः स राजा प्रकृतिं रहः ।
कच्चिद्दृष्टो ऽनुरागो ऽस्या इति तं स्माह मन्त्रिणम् ॥

Summary AI After the celebrations, the King returned to his normal state and asked the minister in private, "Did you see her devotion now?"

१०.२.३५

ततस्तं सो ऽब्रवीन्मन्त्री न प्रत्येम्येवमप्यहम् ।
अस्त्यत्र कारणं नूनं तत्पश्यामो ऽत्र निश्चयम् ॥

Summary AI The minister replied, "I still do not believe it. There must be a hidden motive; let us find out the truth."

१०.२.३६

प्रकाशयामस्त्वात्मानमस्यै येनैतदर्पितम् ।
बलं मित्त्रबलं चान्यत्प्राप्य हन्मो रिपून्रणे ॥

Summary AI "Let us reveal your identity to her, so we can use the forces she offered along with other allies to defeat our enemies in battle."

१०.२.३७

एवं तस्मिन्वदत्येव मन्त्रिण्यत्राययौ पुनः ।
स गुप्तप्रहितश्चारः स च पृष्टो ऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥

Summary AI While the minister was speaking, a spy who had been secretly sent out returned and, upon being questioned, gave his report.

१०.२.३८

वैरिभिर्विषयो व्याप्तः शशिलेखा तु लोकतः ।
देवी राज्ञो मृषा श्रुत्वा विपत्तिं वह्निमाविशत् ॥

Summary AI He reported that the kingdom was overrun by enemies, and Queen Śaśilekhā, hearing a false rumor of the King's death, had entered the fire.

१०.२.३९

एतच्चारवचः श्रुत्वा शोकाशनिहतस्तदा ।
हा देवि हा सतीत्यादि विललाप स भूपतिः ॥

Summary AI Struck by the news like a thunderbolt, the King lamented loudly, crying out, "O Queen! O virtuous lady!"

१०.२.४०

ततः क्रमेण विज्ञाततत्त्वा कुमुदिकात्र सा ।
एत्य विक्रमसिंहं तमाश्वास्योवाच भूपतिम् ॥

Summary AI After gradually learning the true state of affairs, Kumudikā approached King Vikramasiṃha and consoled him.

१०.२.४१

प्रागेव मम नादिष्टं किं देवेनाधुनापि यत् ।
धनैर्मदीयैः सबलैः क्रियतामरिनिग्रहः ॥

Summary AI Kumudikā asked the King why he had not commanded her earlier, suggesting that even now he should use her wealth and forces to subdue his enemies.

१०.२.४२

इत्युक्तः स तया कृत्वा तद्धनैरधिकं बलम् ।
ययौ राजा स्वमित्त्रस्य राज्ञो बलवतो ऽन्तिकम् ॥

Summary AI Thus addressed by her, the King increased his army using her wealth and went to the presence of his powerful ally, another king.

१०.२.४३

तद्बलैः स्वबलैस्तैश्च सह गत्वा निहत्य तान् ।
पञ्चाप्यरिनृपान्युद्धे तद्राज्यान्यप्यवाप सः ॥

Summary AI Accompanied by his own troops and the ally's forces, the King went and slew those five enemy kings in battle and captured their kingdoms.

१०.२.४४

ततस्तुष्टः कुमुदिकां सो ऽब्रवीत्तां सह स्थिताम् ।
प्रीतो ऽस्मि ते तवाभीष्टं किं करोम्युच्यतामिति ॥

Summary AI Pleased with the outcome, the King said to Kumudikā, who was with him, "I am satisfied with you; tell me, what desire of yours can I fulfill?"

१०.२.४५

अथावोचत्कुमुदिका सत्यं तुष्टो ऽसि चेत्प्रभो ।
तदुद्धरेदं हृच्छल्यमेकं मम चिरस्थितम् ॥

Summary AI Then Kumudikā replied, "O Lord, if you are truly pleased, then remove this single thorn that has long remained in my heart."

१०.२.४६

उज्जयिन्यां द्विजसुतं श्रीधरं नाम मे प्रियम् ।
राज्ञाल्पेनापराधेन बद्धं तस्माद्विमोचय ॥

Summary AI "In Ujjayinī, there is a brahmin's son named Śrīdhara, my beloved; he has been imprisoned by the King for a minor offense. Please release him."

१०.२.४७

दृष्ट्वा त्वां भाविकल्याणमुत्तमै राजलक्षणैः ।
एतत्कार्यक्षमं देव भक्त्या सेवितवत्यहम् ॥

Summary AI "Seeing you possessed of the auspicious marks of a great king and destined for prosperity, O Lord, I served you with devotion, knowing you were capable of this task."

१०.२.४८

अभीष्टसिद्धिनैराश्यादारोहं त्वच्चितामपि ।
विफलं जीवितं मत्वा विना तं विप्रपुत्रकम् ॥

Summary AI "Considering life useless without that son of a brahmin, and having lost hope of fulfilling my desire, I even mounted your funeral pyre."

१०.२.४९

एवमुक्तवतीं तां स राजावोचद्विलासिनीम् ।
साधयिष्याम्यहं तत्ते धीरा सुवदने भव ॥

Summary AI The King said to that charming woman who spoke thus, "O fair-faced one, be firm; I shall accomplish that task for you."