कथासरित्सागरः — सप्तदशस्तरङ्गः

सप्तदशस्तरङ्गः ।

स त्रिविक्रमसेनो ऽथ गत्वा तं शिंशपातरोः ।
राजा जग्राह वेतालं पुनरंसे चचाल च ॥

Summary AI King Trivikramasena went to the śiṃśapā tree, seized the vetāla, and once again placing him on his shoulder, began to walk.

१२.१७.२

प्रयान्तं च तमाह स्म वेतालः सो ऽंसपृष्ठगः ।
श्रान्तो ऽसि राजंस्तदिमां शृणु श्रमहरां कथाम् ॥

Summary AI As the King traveled, the vetāla on his shoulder spoke, "O King, you are exhausted; listen to this story that dispels weariness."

१२.१७.३

अभूत्सकलभूपालमस्तकन्यस्तशासनः ।
वीरबाहुरिति ख्यातो नाम्ना पार्थिवसत्तमः ॥

Summary AI There lived an excellent king named Vīrabāhu, whose commands were placed upon the heads of all other monarchs.

१२.१७.४

तस्यानङ्गपुरं नाम बभूव नगरोत्तमम् ।
तत्रासीदर्थदत्ताख्यः सार्थवाहो महाधनः ॥

Summary AI His capital was a magnificent city named Anaṅgapura, where lived a very wealthy merchant named Arthadatta.

१२.१७.५

तस्यासीद्धनदत्ताख्यज्येष्ठपुत्रकनीयसी ।
सुता मदनसेनेति कन्यारत्नं वणिक्पतेः ॥

Summary AI That merchant-chief had a daughter named Madanasenā, a gem among maidens and the younger sister of his eldest son Dhanadatta.

१२.१७.६

तामेकदा निजोद्याने क्रीडन्तीं ससखीजनाम् ।
ददर्श धर्मदत्ताख्यो भ्रातृमित्रं वणिक्सुतः ॥

Summary AI One day, a merchant's son named Dharmadatta, a friend of her brother, saw her playing with her friends in her own garden.

१२.१७.७

स तामालोक्य लावण्यरसनिर्भरनिर्झराम् ।
आलक्ष्य कुचकुम्भाग्रां वलित्रयतरङ्गिताम् ॥

Summary AI Beholding her, who was like a cascade of the essence of beauty, with prominent jar-like breasts and wavy folds on her abdomen...

१२.१७.८

यौवनद्विरदस्येव क्रीडामज्जनवापिकाम् ।
सद्यो ऽभूत्स्मरबाणौघसंतापहृतचेतनः ॥

Summary AI ...resembling a pleasure-pool for the elephant of youth to bathe in, he instantly lost consciousness from the torment of Kāmadeva's shower of arrows.

१२.१७.९

अहो धाराधिरूढेन रूपेण द्योतितामुना ।
इयं मे मानसं भेत्तुं भल्ली मारेण निर्मिता ॥

Summary AI He thought, "Aha! Created by Māra and shining with this sharp-edged beauty, she is a spear fashioned to pierce my heart."

१२.१७.१०

इत्यादि यावद्ध्यायन्स निर्वर्णयति तां चिरम् ।
तावत्तस्यातिचक्राम चक्राह्वस्येव वासरः ॥

Summary AI While he stood there for a long time contemplating and gazing at her, the day passed away for him as it does for a cakravāka bird.

१२.१७.११

ततो मदनसेना सा विवेश स्वगृहान्तरम् ।
चित्तं च धर्मदत्तस्य तदनालोकनव्यथा ॥

Summary AI Then Madanasenā entered her house, and the pain of not being able to see her entered Dharmadatta's heart.

१२.१७.१२

तददर्शनदुःखाग्निसंतापेनेव च ज्वलन् ।
लोहितो निपपाताशु भास्वानप्यपराम्बुधौ ॥

Summary AI As if burning with the heat of the fire of grief at not seeing her, the sun also turned red and quickly sank into the western ocean.

१२.१७.१३

तां विज्ञायैव सुमुखीं नक्तमभ्यन्तरे गताम् ।
उदियाय शनैश्चन्द्रस्तन्मुखाब्जविनिर्जितः ॥

Summary AI Knowing that the fair-faced one had gone indoors for the night, the moon, previously defeated by the lotus of her face, slowly rose.

१२.१७.१४

तावद्गत्वा गृहं तां स धर्मदत्तो ऽनुचिन्तयन् ।
तस्थौ निपत्य शयने चन्द्रपादाहतो लुठन् ॥

Summary AI Meanwhile, Dharmadatta went home and, constantly thinking of her, lay tossing on his bed, tormented by the rays of the moon.

१२.१७.१५

यत्नेन पृच्छ्यमानो ऽपि सखिभिर्बन्धुभिस्तथा ।
न किंचित्कथयामास स्मरग्रहविमोहितः ॥

Summary AI Though questioned persistently by his friends and relatives, he said nothing, being completely deluded by the spirit of love.

१२.१७.१६

निशि कृच्छ्राच्च संप्राप्तनिद्रः स्वप्ने तथैव ताम् ।
पश्यन्ननुनयन्कान्तां किं किं चक्रे न सोत्सुकः ॥

Summary AI Falling asleep with difficulty during the night, he saw and entreated his beloved in his dreams; in his longing, what did he not do?

१२.१७.१७

प्रातः प्रबुद्धो गत्वा च ददर्शैकाकिनीं रहः ।
सखीं प्रतीक्षमानां तां तत्रोद्यानस्थितां पुनः ॥

Summary AI Waking at dawn, he returned and saw her again in the garden, alone in a secluded spot, waiting for her friend.

१२.१७.१८

उपेत्य च परिष्वङ्गलालसः प्रेमपेशलैः ।
तामुपच्छन्दयामास वचोभिश्चरणानतः ॥

Summary AI Approaching her and longing for an embrace, he bowed at her feet and tried to win her over with affectionate words.

१२.१७.१९

कन्याहं परदाराश्च न तवास्मीह संप्रतम् ।
पित्रा समुद्रदत्ताय दत्ताहं वणिजे यतः ॥

Summary AI She replied, "I am a maiden and not your wife; I have already been betrothed by my father to the merchant Samudradatta."

१२.१७.२०

दिनैः कतिपयैरेव विवाहो भविता च मे ।
तद्गच्छ तूष्णीं मा कश्चित्पश्येद्दोषो भवेत्ततः ॥

Summary AI "My marriage will take place in just a few days. Therefore, go away quietly; let no one see you, or trouble will arise."

१२.१७.२१

इत्युक्तः स तयात्यर्थं धर्मदत्तो जगाद ताम् ।
यदस्तु मे न जीवेयं विना हि भवतीमहम् ॥

Summary AI Being thus told by her, Dharmadatta spoke to her, "So be it; for I indeed cannot live without you."

१२.१७.२२

तच्छ्रुत्वा सा वणिक्कन्या बलात्कारभयाकुला ।
तमुवाच विवाहो मे तावत्संपद्यतामिह ॥

Summary AI Hearing that, the merchant's daughter, distressed by the fear of violation, said to him, "In the meantime, let my marriage take place here."

१२.१७.२३

कन्यादानफलं तातः प्राप्नोतु चिरकाङ्क्षितम् ।
ततो ऽहं त्वामुपैष्यामि निश्चितं प्रणयार्जिता ॥

Summary AI "Let my father obtain the long-desired merit of giving away a daughter; then, won by your love, I will certainly come to you."

१२.१७.२४

श्रुत्वैतत्सो ऽब्रवीन्नेष्टा ह्यन्यपूर्वा मम प्रिया ।
परभुक्ते हि कमले किमलेर्जायते रतिः ॥

Summary AI Hearing this, he said, "I do not desire a beloved who has belonged to another; does a bee find pleasure in a lotus already enjoyed by another?"

१२.१७.२५

इत्युक्ता तेन सावादीत्कृतोद्वाहैव तर्ह्यहम् ।
पूर्वं त्वामुपयास्यामि ततो ऽभ्येष्यामि तं पतिम् ॥

Summary AI Addressed thus by him, she replied, "Then, even after being married, I will come to you first, and only afterwards will I go to that husband."

१२.१७.२६

एवमुक्तवतीं तस्मिन्नोज्झति प्रत्ययं विना ।
वणिक्पुत्रे सशपथं सत्यवाचं बबन्ध सा ॥

Summary AI When the merchant's son would not release her even though she spoke thus, she bound herself with an oath to keep her word.

१२.१७.२७

ततस्तेनोज्झता विग्ना सा विवेश स्वमन्दिरम् ।
प्राप्ते च लग्नदिवसे निर्वृत्तोद्वाहमङ्गला ॥

Summary AI Released by him, the agitated girl entered her own house, and when the wedding day arrived, the marriage ceremony was completed.

१२.१७.२८

गत्वा पतिगृहं नीत्वा सोत्सवेन च तद्दिनम् ।
सा पत्या सममध्यास्त शयनीयगृहं निशि ॥

Summary AI Having gone to her husband's house and spent that day in celebration, she occupied the bedchamber with her husband at night.

१२.१७.२९

तत्र शय्यानिषण्णापि न तस्य प्रत्यपद्यत ।
पत्युः समुद्रदत्तस्य परिष्वङ्गमसंमुखी ॥

Summary AI Although reclining on the bed there, she remained averted and did not return the embrace of her husband, Samudradatta.

१२.१७.३०

तेनानुनीयमानापि यदुदश्रुर्बभूव सा ।
तत्स नाभिमतो ऽस्म्यस्या नूनमित्यकरोद्धृदि ॥

Summary AI Even though entreated by him, since she remained tearful, he thought in his heart, "Surely I am not liked by her."

१२.१७.३१

जगाद चानभिमतो यद्यहं तव सुन्दरि ।
तन्मे नार्थस्त्वया गच्छ यः प्रियस्तव तं प्रति ॥

Summary AI And he said, "O beautiful one, if I am not pleasing to you, then I have no use for you; go to him who is your beloved."

१२.१७.३२

तच्छ्रुत्वा सा नतमुखी शनैरेवमुवाच तम् ।
त्वं मे प्राणाधिकः प्रेयान्विज्ञप्तिं किं तु मे शृणु ॥

Summary AI Hearing that, with a downcast face, she slowly spoke to him thus, "You are dearer to me than my life, but please listen to my petition."

१२.१७.३३

अनुतिष्ठ सहर्षं च प्रयच्छ च ममाभयम् ।
कुरुष्व शपथं यावदार्यपुत्र वदामि ते ॥

Summary AI "Kindly agree and grant me fearlessness; O noble husband, make an oath while I speak to you."

१२.१७.३४

एवमुक्तवती कृच्छ्रात्तथा तेन कृते पुनः ।
सलज्जं सविषादं च सभयं च जगाद सा ॥

Summary AI When she had spoken thus and he had reluctantly agreed, she spoke again with shame, sorrow, and fear.

१२.१७.३५

एकाकिनीं गृहोद्याने दृष्ट्वा मामेकदा युवा ।
अरुणद्धर्मदत्ताख्यः सखा भ्रातुः स्मरातुरः ॥

Summary AI "Once, seeing me alone in the house garden, a young man named Dharmadatta, a friend of my brother, overcome with love, detained me."

१२.१७.३६

रक्षन्त्या सपरीवादं कन्यादानफलं पितुः ।
मया हठप्रवृत्तस्य तस्य वाक्संयमः कृतः ॥

Summary AI "Guarding against scandal and my father's merit of giving a daughter, I restrained him by a promise when he attempted force."

१२.१७.३७

पूर्वं कृतविवाहा त्वामुपैष्यामि ततः प्रियम् ।
तन्मे सत्यवचः पाल्यमनुमन्यस्व तत्प्रभो ॥

Summary AI "I promised to come to him first after being married, and only then to my beloved; therefore, O Lord, permit me to keep my word."

१२.१७.३८

यावत्तन्निकटं गत्वा क्षणेनोपैमि ते ऽन्तिकम् ।
न हि शक्नोम्यतिक्रान्तुं सत्यमाबाल्य सेवितम् ॥

Summary AI "Let me go to him for a moment and then return to your presence; I cannot violate the truth I have practiced since childhood."

१२.१७.३९

इति तस्या वचोवज्रपातेन सहसा हतः ।
समुद्रदत्तः सत्येन बद्धः क्षणमचिन्तयत् ॥

Summary AI Thus suddenly struck by the thunderbolt of her words, Samudradatta, bound by his promise, reflected for a moment.

१२.१७.४०

अहो धिगन्यरक्तेयं गन्तव्यं ध्रुवमेतया ।
तत्सत्यं हन्मि किं यातु को ऽस्याः परिणयग्रहः ॥

Summary AI "Alas, she is in love with another and must go; why should I destroy my truth? Let her go; what is the use of holding her by marriage?"

१२.१७.४१

इत्यालोच्यानुमेने तां यथेष्टगमनाय सः ।
साप्युत्थाय ततस्तस्मान्निर्ययौ पतिवेश्मनः ॥

Summary AI Thinking thus, her husband permitted her to depart as she wished. She then arose and left his house.

१२.१७.४२

तावदत्रोदयाद्रीन्द्रहर्म्याग्रं हिमदीधितिः ।
आरुरोह कराक्रान्तहसत्पूर्वदिगङ्गनः ॥

Summary AI Meanwhile, the moon, whose rays cheered the lady of the eastern quarter, ascended the summit of the lordly eastern mountain.

१२.१७.४३

ततस्तमःस्वप्याश्लिष्य स्थितेष्वद्रिदरी प्रियाः ।
सेवमानेषु भृङ्गेष्वप्यपरं कुमुदाकरम् ॥

Summary AI Then, while darkness remained embracing the mountain caves and the bees sought out the beds of night-blooming lotuses...

१२.१७.४४

यान्ती मदनसेना सा मार्गे दृष्ट्वैकका निशि ।
चौरेणाधाव्य केनापि रुरुधे वसनाञ्चले ॥

Summary AI While Madanasenā was walking alone at night, she was intercepted by a thief who ran toward her and seized her by the hem of her garment.

१२.१७.४५

का त्वं ब्रूहि क्व यासीति तेनोक्ता बिभ्यती च सा ।
उवाच किं तवानेन मुञ्च कार्यमिहास्ति मे ॥

Summary AI When the thief asked who she was and where she was going, the terrified woman replied, "What is it to you? Let me go; I have business here."

१२.१७.४६

ततश्चौरो ऽब्रवीन्मत्तश्चौरात्त्वं मुच्यसे कथम् ।
तच्छ्रुत्वा सावदत्तं च गृहाणाभरणानि मे ॥

Summary AI The thief asked how she could expect to be released by a robber. Hearing this, she offered him her ornaments.

१२.१७.४७

अथ चौरो ऽभ्यधान्मुग्धे किमेभिरुपलैर्मम ।
चन्द्रकान्ताननां तार्क्ष्यरत्नासितशिरोरुहाम् ॥

Summary AI Then the thief said, "O simple girl, what use have I for these stones? I will not release you, whose face is like the moon and whose hair is dark as emeralds..."

१२.१७.४८

वज्रमध्यां सुवर्णाङ्गीं पद्मरागाङ्घ्रिहारिणीम् ।
जगदाभरणं नैव मोक्ष्यामि भवतीमहम् ॥

Summary AI "...you, who possess a diamond-like waist, golden limbs, and ruby-like feet; you are the ornament of the world, and I will never let you go."

१२.१७.४९

इत्युक्ता तेन चौरेण विवशा सा वणिक्सुता ।
आख्याय निजवृत्तान्तमेवं प्रार्थयते स्म तम् ॥

Summary AI Spoken to thus by the thief, the helpless merchant's daughter recounted her story and pleaded with him.

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