कथासरित्सागरः — पञ्चदशस्तरङ्गः

पञ्चदशस्तरङ्गः ।

गत्वा तां शिंशपां भूयो वेतालं प्राप्य भूमिपः ।
तं त्रिविक्रमसेनो ऽत्र स्कन्धे कृत्वोच्चचाल सः ॥

Summary AI King Trivikramasena returned to the śiṃśapā tree, captured the vetāla, and placing him on his shoulder, set out once again.

१२.१५.२

प्रयान्तं स पुनस्तं च वेतालः स्कन्धतो ऽब्रवीत् ।
श्रमविस्मृतये राजन्मत्तः प्रश्नमिमं शृणु ॥

Summary AI As he proceeded, the vetāla spoke from the King's shoulder: "O King, to relieve your weariness, listen to this question from me."

१२.१५.३

अङ्गदेशे ऽग्रहारो ऽस्ति महान्वृक्षघटाभिधः ।
विष्णुस्वामीति तत्रासीद्द्विजो यज्वा महाधनः ॥

Summary AI In the land of Aṅga, there was a large agrahāra named Vṛkṣaghaṭa. There lived a wealthy Brāhmaṇa priest named Viṣṇusvāmī.

१२.१५.४

तस्य च स्वानुरूपायां पत्न्यां जाताः क्रमात्त्रयः ।
बभूवुस्तरुणाः पुत्रा दिव्यवैदग्ध्यशालिनः ॥

Summary AI To him and his worthy wife were born three sons in succession, who grew into youths endowed with divine skill and intelligence.

१२.१५.५

ते पित्रा प्रेषितास्तेन कूर्महेतोः कदाचन ।
प्रारब्धयज्ञेन ययुस्ते त्रयो भ्रातरो ऽम्बुधिम् ॥

Summary AI Once, sent by their father who had commenced a sacrifice, those three brothers went to the ocean to obtain a turtle.

१२.१५.६

प्राप्य कूर्मं ततो ज्यायान्कनिष्ठौ तावभाषत ।
गृह्णातु युवयोरेकः कूर्मं क्रतुकृते पितुः ॥

Summary AI Upon reaching the turtle, the eldest said to the two younger ones: "Let one of you take the turtle for our father's sacrifice."

१२.१५.७

अहमेतं न शक्नोमि ग्रहीतुं विस्रपिच्छलम् ।
इत्युक्तवन्तं तं ज्येष्ठं कनिष्ठौ ताववोचताम् ॥

Summary AI "I cannot touch this foul-smelling, slimy thing," said the eldest. The two younger brothers replied to him.

१२.१५.८

तवात्र विचिकित्सा चेन्नावयोरपि सा कथम् ।
तच्छ्रुत्वा सो ऽब्रवीज्ज्येष्ठो गृह्णीतं गच्छतं युवाम् ॥

Summary AI "If you have such an aversion, why should we not have it too?" Hearing that, the eldest said: "You two go and take it."

१२.१५.९

पितुर्यज्ञक्रियालोपो भवेद्युष्मत्कृतो ऽन्यथा ।
ततो नरकपातः स्याद्युवयोस्तस्य च ध्रुवम् ॥

Summary AI "Otherwise, the failure of father's sacrifice will be due to you, and surely hell awaits him and both of you."

१२.१५.१०

इत्युक्तावनुजौ तेन तौ विहस्य तमूचतुः ।
धर्मं वेत्स्यावयोरेव समानमपि नात्मनः ॥

Summary AI Addressed thus, the younger brothers laughed and said: "Do you only recognize this duty for us, though it is the same for yourself?"

१२.१५.११

ततो ज्येष्ठो ऽब्रवीत्किं मे जानीथो नैव चङ्गताम् ।
अहं भोजनचङ्गो ऽस्मि नार्हः स्प्रष्टुं जुगुप्सितम् ॥

Summary AI Then the eldest said: "Do you not know my refinement? I am a food-connoisseur (bhojana-caṅga) and cannot touch such a disgusting thing."

१२.१५.१२

एतत्तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा भ्रातरं मध्यमो ऽब्रवीत् ।
अहं तर्ह्यधिकश्चङ्गो नारीचङ्गो विचक्षणः ॥

Summary AI Hearing his words, the middle brother said: "Then I am more refined, for I am a wise woman-connoisseur (nārī-caṅga)."

१२.१५.१३

मध्यमेनैवमुक्ते तु ज्यायान्पुन उवाच सः ।
कूर्मं गृह्णातु तर्ह्येष कनीयानावयोरिति ॥

Summary AI When the middle one spoke thus, the eldest said: "Then let this youngest of us take the turtle."

१२.१५.१४

ततः स भ्रुकुटिं कृत्वा कनीयानप्युवाच तौ ।
हे मूर्खौ तूलिकाचङ्गश्चङ्गो ऽहं हि विशेषतः ॥

Summary AI Then the youngest, frowning, said to them: "O fools, I am even more refined, for I am a mattress-connoisseur (tūlikā-caṅga)."

१२.१५.१५

एवं ते कलहासक्तास्त्रयो ऽपि भ्रातरो मिथः ।
निर्णयायाभिमानैकग्रस्ताः कूर्मं विहाय तम् ॥

Summary AI Thus the three brothers, gripped by pride and engaged in mutual quarrel, abandoned the turtle to seek a judgment.

१२.१५.१६

राज्ञः प्रसेनजिन्नाम्नस्तत्प्रदेशभुवो ऽन्तिकम् ।
नगरं सहसा जग्मुर्विटङ्कपुरनामकम् ॥

Summary AI They quickly arrived at the city of Viṭaṅkapura, located in that region and ruled by King Prasenajit.

१२.१५.१७

तत्र प्रतीहारमुखेनावेद्यान्तः प्रविश्य च ।
नृपं विज्ञापयामासुः स्ववृत्तान्तं तथैव ते ॥

Summary AI Announcing themselves through the gatekeeper and entering within, they related their story to the King exactly as it happened.

१२.१५.१८

तिष्ठतेहैव यावद्वः परीक्षिष्ये क्रमादहम् ।
इत्युक्तस्तेन राज्ञा च तस्थुस्तत्र तथेति ते ॥

Summary AI "Stay right here while I test you one by one," said the King, and they stayed there agreeing to his command.

१२.१५.१९

स्वाहारकाले चानाय्य तेभ्यः सो ऽग्रासनं नृपः ।
राजार्हं दापयामास षड्रसं स्वादुभोजनम् ॥

Summary AI At mealtime, the King provided them with seats of honor and a royal feast of six flavors and delicious food.

१२.१५.२०

भुञ्जानेषु च सर्वेषु तदैको बुभुजे न सः ।
विप्रो भोजनचङ्गो ऽत्र जुगुप्साकूणिताननः ॥

Summary AI While everyone else ate, that one Brāhmaṇa, the food-connoisseur (bhojana-caṅga), did not eat, his face contorted with disgust.

१२.१५.२१

कथं न भोजनं भुङ्क्ते ब्रह्मन्स्वादु सुगन्ध्यपि ।
इति रज्ञा स्वयं पृष्टः शनैर्विप्रो जगाद सः ॥

Summary AI When the King himself asked, "O Brāhmaṇa! Why do you not eat the food even though it is tasty and fragrant?" the Brāhmaṇa slowly replied.

१२.१५.२२

शवधूमदुरामोदः शालिभक्ते ऽत्र विद्यते ।
तेन नाहमिदं भोक्तुमुत्सहे स्वाद्वपि प्रभो ॥

Summary AI "O Lord! The smell of funeral pyre smoke lingers in this rice. Therefore, despite it being delicious, I cannot bring myself to eat it."

१२.१५.२३

इत्युक्ते तेन सर्वे ऽपि तत्राघ्राय नृपाज्ञया ।
ऊचुः कलमशाल्यन्नमदोषं तत्सुगन्धि च ॥

Summary AI After he said this, everyone else present, having smelled the rice at the King's command, declared that the fine kalam-śāli rice was faultless and fragrant.

१२.१५.२४

स तु भोजनचङ्गस्तन्नाश्नात्पिहितनासिकः ।
ततः स राजा संचिन्त्य यावदन्विष्यति क्रमात् ॥

Summary AI However, the food-connoisseur (bhojana-caṅga) covered his nose and did not eat it. Then, the King thought it over and began a systematic investigation.

१२.१५.२५

तावन्नियोगिजनतस्तदन्नं बुबुधे तथा ।
ग्रामश्मशाननिकटक्षेत्रसंभवशालिजम् ॥

Summary AI He soon learned from his officials that the rice had indeed grown in a field located near the village cremation ground.

१२.१५.२६

ततो ऽतिविस्मितस्तुष्टः स राजा तमभाषत ।
सत्यं भोजनचङ्गस्त्वं तदन्यद्भुज्यतामिति ॥

Summary AI Greatly amazed and satisfied, the King said to him, "You are truly a food-connoisseur (bhojana-caṅga); therefore, please eat some other food."

१२.१५.२७

कृताहारश्च स नृपो विप्रान्वासगृहेषु तान् ।
विसृज्यानाययामास स्वमेकां गणिकोत्तमाम् ॥

Summary AI Having finished his meal, the King sent the Brāhmaṇas to their lodgings and summoned an excellent courtesan.

१२.१५.२८

तां च तस्मै द्वितीयस्मै प्राहिणोत्कृतमण्डनाम् ।
विप्राय नारिचङ्गाय सायं सर्वाङ्गसुन्दरीम् ॥

Summary AI In the evening, he sent that exquisitely beautiful and well-adorned woman to the second Brāhmaṇa, who was a connoisseur of women (nāri-caṅga).

१२.१५.२९

सा च वासगृहं तस्य राजभृत्यान्विता ययौ ।
राकानिशेव पुर्णेन्दुमुखी कंदर्पदीपिनी ॥

Summary AI Accompanied by royal servants, she went to his chamber; with her face like a full moon, she resembled a full-moon night that inflames Kandarpa.

१२.१५.३०

प्रविष्टायां च तस्यां स प्रभाभासितवेश्मनि ।
उत्पन्नमूर्च्छः संरुद्धनासाग्रो वामपाणिना ॥

Summary AI When she entered the chamber illuminated by her radiance, he covered the tip of his nose with his left hand and fell into a faint.

१२.१५.३१

नारीचङ्गो ऽब्रवीद्राजभृत्यान्निष्कास्यतामिति ।
न चेन्मृतो ऽहं निर्याति गन्धो ऽस्याश्छागलो यतः ॥

Summary AI The nāri-caṅga told the royal servants, "Take her away! If not, I shall die, for a goat-like smell emanates from her."

१२.१५.३२

इत्युक्तास्तेन निन्युस्ते विग्नां तां राजपूरुषाः ।
राज्ञो ऽन्तिकं वारवधूं वृत्तान्तं जगदुश्च तम् ॥

Summary AI Thus addressed, the royal servants took the distressed courtesan back to the King and reported the entire incident to him.

१२.१५.३३

राजाप्यानाय्य तत्कालं नारीचङ्गमुवाच तम् ।
येयं श्रीखण्डकर्पूरकालागुरुमदोत्तमैः ॥

Summary AI The King then summoned the nāri-caṅga and spoke of the woman who was adorned with sandalwood, camphor, and black aloe.

१२.१५.३४

कृतप्रसाधना दिक्षु प्रसरच्चारुसौरभा ।
तस्या वारविलासिन्या गन्धः स्याच्छागलः कुतः ॥

Summary AI He questioned how that courtesan, whose lovely fragrance spread in all directions, could possibly have a goat-like smell.

१२.१५.३५

इत्युक्तो ऽपि स राज्ञा तन्नारीचङ्गस्तदा न यत् ।
प्रतिपेदे तदा राजा विचारपतितो ऽभवत् ॥

Summary AI Even when the King spoke thus, the nāri-caṅga did not relent. Consequently, the King fell into deep reflection.

१२.१५.३६

पृच्छंश्च युक्त्या बुबुधे तामजक्षीरवर्धिताम् ।
तन्मुखादेव बालत्वे मातृधात्रीवियोगतः ॥

Summary AI Upon inquiring skillfully, he learned from her own mouth that she had been raised on goat's milk as an infant due to the loss of her mother.

१२.१५.३७

ततो ऽतिविस्मितस्तस्य नारीचङ्गस्य चङ्गताम् ।
प्रशंसन्नृपतिस्तस्मै तृतीयाय द्विजन्मने ॥

Summary AI Greatly astonished and praising the expertise of the nāri-caṅga, the King then ordered a bed for the third Brāhmaṇa.

१२.१५.३८

तद्रसात्तूलिकाचङ्गायाशु शय्यामदापयत् ।
पर्यङ्कोपरि विन्यस्तसप्तसंख्याकतूलिकाम् ॥

Summary AI Out of curiosity, he quickly provided a bed for the bed-connoisseur (tūlikā-caṅga), consisting of seven mattresses placed upon a couch.

१२.१५.३९

तस्यां च तूलिकाचङ्गो महार्हे वासवेस्मनि ।
सुष्वाप धौतसुश्लक्ष्णपटप्रच्छदवाससि ॥

Summary AI The tūlikā-caṅga slept on that bed, covered with a clean and very smooth cloth, within a costly bedchamber.

१२.१५.४०

यामार्ध एव च गते स रात्रौ शयनात्ततः ।
उत्तस्थौ पाण्यवष्टब्धपार्श्वः क्रन्दन्व्यथार्दितः ॥

Summary AI When only half a yāma of the night had passed, he rose from the bed crying out in pain, clutching his side with his hand.

१२.१५.४१

ददृशे तस्य पार्श्वे च तत्रत्यै राजपूरुषैः ।
गाढलग्नस्य बालस्य मुद्रेव कुटिलारुणा ॥

Summary AI The king's officials noticed a curved red mark on the youth's side, resembling the impression of a hair that had been pressed deeply against his skin.

१२.१५.४२

गत्वा च तैस्तदाख्यातं राज्ञे राजाप्युवाच तान् ।
तूलिकानां तले किंचिन्मा स्यात्तद्वीक्ष्यतामिति ॥

Summary AI They reported this to the king, who then commanded them to inspect the underside of the mattresses, suspecting that something might be hidden there.

१२.१५.४३

गत्वेक्षन्ते च ते यावदेकैकं तूलिकातलम् ।
तावत्सर्वतलादापुर्वालं पर्यङ्कपृष्टतः ॥

Summary AI As they searched beneath each mattress one by one, they discovered a single hair on the surface of the bedstead, located underneath the entire stack of seven mattresses.

१२.१५.४४

नीत्वा चादर्शयन्राज्ञे सो ऽप्यानीतस्य वीक्ष्य तत् ।
तद्रूपं तूलिकाचङ्गस्याङ्गं राजा विसिस्मिये ॥

Summary AI The men brought the hair and showed it to the king. Upon seeing the hair and the delicate physical condition of the mattress expert, the king was filled with astonishment.

१२.१५.४५

सप्तभ्यस्तूलिकाभ्यो ऽस्य वालो लग्नस्तनौ खतम् ।
इति चित्रीयमाणस्तां राजा रात्रिं निनाय सः ॥

Summary AI The king spent the rest of the night in wonder, marveling at how a single hair had managed to leave a mark on the man's body through seven layers of mattresses.

१२.१५.४६

प्रातश्चाद्भुतवैदग्ध्यसौकुमार्या अमी इति ।
तेभ्यस्त्रिभ्यो ऽपि चङ्गेभ्यो हेमलक्षत्रयं ददौ ॥

Summary AI In the morning, recognizing their extraordinary skill and sensitivity, the king rewarded each of the three fastidious experts with one hundred thousand gold pieces.

१२.१५.४७

ततस्ते सुखितास्तत्र तस्थुर्विस्मृतकच्छपाः ।
पितुर्विघ्नितयज्ञार्थफलोपार्जितपातकाः ॥

Summary AI Having been freed from the sin incurred by the interruption of their father's sacrifice, the brothers remained there happily, having forgotten their previous troubles regarding the tortoise.

१२.१५.४८

इत्याख्याय कथाद्भुतमंसनिषण्णः पुनः स वेतालः । पप्रच्छ तं त्रिविक्रमसेनं पृथ्वीपतिं प्रश्नम् ॥

Summary AI After recounting this marvelous tale, the Vetāla, seated upon the king's shoulder, once again posed a challenging question to King Trivikramasena.

१२.१५.४९

राजन्विचिन्त्य शापं पूर्वोक्तं ब्रूहि मे त्वमेतेषाम् ।
भोजननारीशय्याचङ्गानां को ऽधिकश्चङ्गः ॥

Summary AI "O King, reflecting on the curse mentioned before, tell me: among these experts in food, women, and beds, who is truly the most fastidious?"

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