कथासरित्सागरः — एकादशस्तरङ्गः

एकादशस्तरङ्गः ।

ततो गत्वा पुनस्तस्य निकटं शिंशपातरोः ।
स त्रिविक्रमसेनो ऽत्र श्मशानं निशि भूपतिः ॥

Summary AI King Trivikramasena returned once again to the śiṃśapā tree in the cemetery during the night.

लब्ध्वा मुक्तात्तहासं तं वेतालं नृशरीरगम् ।
निःकम्पः स्कन्धमारोप्य तूष्णीमुदचलत्ततः ॥

Summary AI Having captured the Vetāla, who was laughing loudly inside a human corpse, the steady King placed him on his shoulder and silently departed.

१२.११.३

चलन्तं च तमंसस्थो वेतालः सो ऽब्रवीत्पुनः ।
राजन्कुभिक्षोरेतस्य कृते को ऽयं तव श्रमः ॥

Summary AI While being carried on his shoulder, the Vetāla spoke again to the King, questioning why he was undergoing such labor for the sake of a wicked mendicant.

१२.११.४

आयासे निष्फले ऽमुष्मिन्विवेको बत नास्ति ते ।
तदिमां शृणु मत्तस्त्वं कथां पथि विनोदिनीम् ॥

Summary AI Remarking that the King lacked wisdom in this fruitless endeavor, the Vetāla invited him to listen to an entertaining story during their walk.

१२.११.५

अस्ति शोभावती नाम सत्याख्या नगरी भुवि ।
तस्यां च शूद्रकाख्यो ऽभूद्भूपतिः प्राज्यविक्रमः ॥

Summary AI On this earth, there is a city named Śobhāvatī, where once lived a king of immense valor named Śūdraka.

१२.११.६

यस्य जज्वाल जयिनः प्रतापज्वलनो निशम् ।
बन्दीकृतारिललनाधूतचामरमारुतैः ॥

Summary AI The fire of that victorious King's majesty burned incessantly, fanned by the breezes from the fans held by the wives of his captured enemies.

१२.११.७

अलुप्तधर्मचरणस्फीता मन्थे वसुंधरा ।
राज्ञि यस्मिन्विसस्मार रामादीनपि भूपतीन् ॥

Summary AI Under his rule, the earth flourished with such uninterrupted practice of dharma that it seemed to forget even legendary kings like Rāma.

१२.११.८

तं कदाचिन्महीपालं प्रियशूरमुपाययौ ।
सेवार्थं मालवादेको नम्ना वीरवरो द्विजः ॥

Summary AI Once, a brāhmaṇa named Vīravara came from Mālavā to seek service under that King, who was known to be fond of brave men.

१२.११.९

यस्य धर्मवती नाम भार्या सत्ववरः सुतः ।
कन्या वीरवती चेति त्रयं गृहपरिच्छदः ॥

Summary AI Vīravara’s entire household consisted of only three members: his wife Dharmavatī, his son Sattvavara, and his daughter Vīravatī.

१२.११.१०

सेवापरिच्छदश्चान्यत्त्रयं कट्यां कृपाणिका ।
करे करतलैकत्र चारु चर्म परत्र च ॥

Summary AI His equipment for service was also threefold: a dagger at his waist, a sword in one hand, and a beautiful shield in the other.

१२.११.११

तावन्मात्रपरीवारो दीनारशतपञ्चकम् ।
प्रत्यहं प्रार्थयामास राज्ञस्तस्मात्स वृत्तये ॥

Summary AI With only this small retinue, he requested five hundred dīnāras daily from the King for his maintenance.

१२.११.१२

राजापि स तमाकारसूचितोदारपौरुषम् ।
वीक्ष्य तस्मै ददौ वृत्तिं सूद्रकस्तां यथेप्सिताम् ॥

Summary AI Observing Vīravara’s noble and courageous appearance, King Śūdraka granted him the requested daily allowance.

१२.११.१३

अल्पे परिकरे ऽप्येभिरियद्भिः स्वर्णरूपकैः ।
किमेष व्यसनं पुष्णात्यथ कंचन सद्व्ययम् ॥

Summary AI The King wondered whether Vīravara spent such a large amount of gold on vices or on some worthy cause, given his small family.

१२.११.१४

इत्यन्वेष्टुं समाचारं कौतुकात्स महीपतिः ।
प्रच्छन्नान्स्थापयामास चारानस्यात्र पृष्ठतः ॥

Summary AI To discover the truth, the curious King appointed secret spies to follow Vīravara and observe his daily conduct.

१२.११.१५

स च वीरवरः प्रातः कृत्वा भूपस्य दर्शनम् ।
स्थित्वा च तस्या मध्याह्नं सिंहद्वारे धृतायुधः ॥

Summary AI Every morning, Vīravara would pay his respects to the King and then stand armed at the palace gate until midday.

१२.११.१६

गत्वा स्ववृत्तिलब्धानां दीनाराणां शतं गृहे ।
भोजनार्थं स्वभार्याया हस्ते प्रादात्किलान्वहम् ॥

Summary AI Every day, he would give one hundred of his earned dīnāras to his wife at home for the family's food.

१२.११.१७

वस्त्राङ्गरागताम्बूलं क्रीणाति स्म शतेन च ।
शतं स्नात्वा च पूजार्थं व्यधाद्विष्णोः शिवस्य च ॥

Summary AI He spent one hundred on clothes, ointments, and betel, and after bathing, dedicated another hundred to the worship of Viṣṇu and Śiva.

१२.११.१८

विप्रेभ्यः कृपणेभ्यश्च ददौ दानं शतद्वयम् ।
एवं विभेजे पञ्चापि तानि नित्यं शतान्यसौ ॥

Summary AI He gave two hundred dīnāras in charity to brāhmaṇas and the needy, thus distributing all five hundred coins every single day.

१२.११.१९

ततः कृत्वाग्निकार्यादि भूक्त्वा गत्वैकको निशि ।
सिंहद्वारे पुनस्तस्थौ पाणौ करतलां दधत् ॥

Summary AI After performing his evening rituals and eating, he would return alone to the palace gate at night, standing guard with his sword.

१२.११.२०

एतां सततचर्यां च तस्य वीरवरस्य सः ।
राजा चारमुखाच्छ्रुत्वा तुतोष हृदि शुद्रकः ॥

Summary AI Hearing of Vīravara’s virtuous and disciplined routine from his spies, King Śūdraka was deeply pleased in his heart.

१२.११.२१

निवारयामास च तांश्चारांस्तस्यानुमार्गगान् ।
मेने विशेषपूजार्हं पुरुषातिशयं च तम् ॥

Summary AI Śūdraka dismissed the spies who were following Vīravara and regarded him as an extraordinary man worthy of special honors.

१२.११.२२

अथ यातेषु दिवसेष्ववहेलावलङ्घिते ।
ग्रीष्मे वीरवरेणात्र सुप्रचण्डार्कतेजसि ॥

Summary AI After some days had passed, during which Vīravara had easily endured the summer season and the fierce brilliance of the sun's heat.

१२.११.२३

तदीर्ष्यात इवोद्भूतविद्युत्करतलां दधत् ।
धाराप्रहारी निनदन्नाजगाम घनागमः ॥

Summary AI As if envious of his endurance, the monsoon arrived, roaring and striking with torrents while wielding lightning like palms.

१२.११.२४

तदा च घोर मेघौघे प्रवर्षति दिवानिशम् ।
सिंहद्वारे तथैवासीत्सो ऽत्र वीरवरो ऽचलः ॥

Summary AI Even when formidable masses of clouds rained day and night, Vīravara remained steadfast and immovable at the palace gate.

१२.११.२५

तं च दृष्ट्वा दिवा राजा प्रासादाग्रात्स शूद्रकः ।
निशि भूयस्तदारोहज्जिज्ञासुस्तस्य तां स्थितिम् ॥

Summary AI Having observed him during the day from the palace roof, King Śūdraka climbed up again at night, curious to see his persistent condition.

१२.११.२६

जगाद च ततः को नु सिंहद्वारे स्थितो ऽत्र भोः ।
तच्छ्रुत्वाहं स्थितो ऽत्रेति सो ऽपि वीरवरो ऽब्रवीत् ॥

Summary AI The King called out, "Who stands there at the gate?" Vīravara replied, "I am standing here."

१२.११.२७

अहो सुदृढसत्त्वो ऽयं भक्तो वीरवरो मयि ।
तदेष प्रापणीयो मे ऽवश्यमेव महत्पदम् ॥

Summary AI The King thought, "Aha! This Vīravara is so courageous and devoted to me. He must certainly be elevated to a high position."

१२.११.२८

इति संचिन्त्य नृपतिः प्रासादादवतीर्य सः ।
शूद्रकः शयनं भेजे प्रविश्यान्तःपुरं ततः ॥

Summary AI Reflecting thus, King Śūdraka descended from the palace roof, entered the inner apartments, and retired to his bed.

१२.११.२९

अन्येद्युश्च भृशं मेघे धारासारेण वर्षति ।
प्रदोषे गुप्तभवने काले तमसि जृम्भिते ॥

Summary AI On another day, while the clouds rained down in heavy torrents and thick darkness spread during the evening twilight.

१२.११.३०

पुनः स राजा जिज्ञासुः प्रासादमधिरुह्य तम् ।
सिंहद्वारे स्थितः को ऽत्रेत्येकाकी प्राह तं स्फुटम् ॥

Summary AI Curious again, the King climbed the palace roof alone and called out clearly, "Who is standing here at the gate?"

१२.११.३१

अहं स्थित इति प्रोक्ते पुनर्वीरवरेण च ।
यावद्विस्मयते सो ऽत्र राजा तद्धैर्यदर्शनात् ॥

Summary AI When Vīravara again replied that he was standing there, the King was struck with amazement at his remarkable fortitude.

१२.११.३२

तावद्विदूरे शुश्राव सहसा रुदतीं स्त्रियम् ।
विषादविकलामेकां प्रलापकरुणस्वनम् ॥

Summary AI Just then, he suddenly heard the pitiful lamentations of a solitary woman in the distance, weeping and distraught with grief.

१२.११.३३

न मे राष्ट्रे पराभूतो न दरिद्रो न दुःखितः ।
कश्चिदस्ति तदेषा का रोदित्येकाकिनी निशि ॥

Summary AI The King thought, "In my kingdom, no one is oppressed, poor, or unhappy. Who then is this woman weeping alone at night?"

१२.११.३४

इति चाचिन्तयच्छ्रुत्वा स जातकरुणो नृपः ।
आदिदेश च तं वीरवरमेकमधः स्थितम् ॥

Summary AI Filled with compassion upon hearing her, the King reflected and gave an order to the solitary Vīravara standing below.

१२.११.३५

भो वीरवर शृण्वेषा दूरे स्त्री कापि रोदिति ।
कासौ रोदिति किं चेति त्वया गत्वा निरूप्यताम् ॥

Summary AI "O Vīravara, listen! Some woman is weeping in the distance. Go and find out who she is and why she is crying."

१२.११.३६

तच्छ्रुत्वा स तथेत्युक्त्वा गन्तुं वीरवरस्ततः ।
प्रावर्तत निबद्धासिधेनुः करतलाकरः ॥

Summary AI Hearing the command, Vīravara said, "So be it," and set out, having fastened his dagger and holding his sword.

१२.११.३७

न च मेघान्धकारं तज्ज्वलद्विद्युद्विलोचनम् ।
स्थूलधाराशिलावार्षि रक्षोरूपमजीगणत् ॥

Summary AI He disregarded the cloud-darkness, which appeared like a demon with flashing lightning eyes, showering thick rain like stones.

१२.११.३८

प्रस्थितं वीक्ष्य तादृश्यां तस्यां रात्रौ तमेककम् ।
करुणाकौतुकाविष्टो राजा प्रासादपृष्ठतः ॥

Summary AI Seeing him depart alone on such a night, King Śūdraka, filled with compassion and curiosity, watched from the palace roof.

१२.११.३९

आवतीर्य गृहीतासिरेकाकी तस्य पृष्ठतः ।
सो ऽपि प्रतस्थे तत्रैव शुद्रको ऽनुपलक्षितः ॥

Summary AI Descending and grasping his sword, the King also set out alone and unobserved, following closely behind Vīravara.

१२.११.४०

स च वीरवरो गत्वा रुदितानुसृतिक्रियः ।
बहिर्नगर्याः प्रापैकं सरस्तत्र ददर्श च ॥

Summary AI Following the sound of the weeping, Vīravara went outside the city and reached a lake, where he saw a woman.

१२.११.४१

हा शूर हा कृपालो हा त्यागिञ्शून्या त्वया कथम् ।
वत्स्यामीत्यादि रुदतीं तां स्त्रियं वारिमध्यगाम् ॥

Summary AI A woman is seen wailing in the midst of the water, lamenting, "O hero, O compassionate one, O generous one! How shall I live without you?"

१२.११.४२

का त्वं रोदिषि किं चैवमित्यन्वक्प्राप्तभूपतिः ।
पप्रच्छ तां च साश्चर्यस्ततः साप्येवमभ्यधात् ॥

Summary AI King Śūdraka, having followed Vīravara, asks the weeping woman in astonishment about her identity and the reason for her sorrow. She then replies to him.

१२.११.४३

भो वीरवर जानीहि वत्स मां पृथिवीमिमाम् ।
तस्या ममाधुना राजा शूद्रको धार्मिकः पतिः ॥

Summary AI The woman reveals her identity, saying, "O Vīravara, know me to be the Earth. Currently, the righteous King Śūdraka is my husband and protector."

१२.११.४४

तृतीये च दिने तस्य राज्ञो मृत्युर्भविष्यति ।
तादृशं च पतिं प्राप्स्याम्यहमन्यं नृपं कुतः ॥

Summary AI She foretells that the King will die on the third day and despairs, wondering where she will ever find another such noble ruler to be her lord.

१२.११.४५

अतस्तमनुशोचामि दुःखितात्मानमेव च ।
एतच्छ्रुत्वा स तां त्रस्त इव वीरवरो ऽब्रवीत् ॥

Summary AI Earth explains that she grieves for the King and her own miserable state. Hearing this, Vīravara, visibly shaken, begins to speak.

१२.११.४६

हे देवि कच्चिदप्यस्ति को ऽप्युपायः स तादृशः ।
येनास्य न भवेन्मृत्युर्जगद्रक्षामणेः प्रभोः ॥

Summary AI Vīravara asks, "O Goddess, is there any possible remedy by which the death of this Lord, the jewel of the world's protection, can be averted?"

१२.११.४७

इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सा जगाद वसुंधरा ।
एको ऽस्त्युपायस्तं चैकः कर्तुं शक्तो भवानिति ॥

Summary AI Hearing his words, the Earth goddess replies that there is indeed one remedy, and only Vīravara is capable of performing it.

१२.११.४८

ततो वीरवरो ऽवादीत्तर्हि देवि वद द्रुतम् ।
यावत्तत्साधयाम्याशु को ऽर्थः प्राणैर्ममान्यथा ॥

Summary AI Vīravara urges her to speak quickly so he may accomplish the task immediately, stating that his life would otherwise be of no use.

१२.११.४९

तच्छ्रुत्वोवाच वसुधा विरः को ऽन्यस्त्वया समः ।
स्वामिभक्तस्तदेतस्य शर्मोपायमिमं शृणु ॥

Summary AI Earth praises his unparalleled devotion, asking who else is as heroic and loyal as he, and then tells him the remedy for the King's well-being.

Other texts to read

कादम्बरीसंग्रहः कृष्णमाचार्यः

नीलकण्ठविजयचम्पूः नीलकण्ठदीक्षितः

About

Resources

Connect