कथासरित्सागरः — सप्तविंशस्तरङ्गः

सप्तविंशस्तरङ्गः ।

ततो गत्वा गृहीत्वांसे वेतालं शिंशपातरोः ।
स त्रिविक्रमसेनस्तमुच्चचाल पुनर्नृपः ॥

Summary AI King Trivikramasena went to the śiṃśapā tree, hoisted the vetāla onto his shoulder, and set off once more.

मौनेन प्रस्थितं तं च वेतालो ऽंसादुवाच सः ।
राजन्कस्ते ऽनुबन्धो ऽयं गच्छ रात्रिसुखं भज ॥

Summary AI As the King walked in silence, the vetāla spoke from his shoulder, questioning his persistence and urging him to go enjoy the night's comforts instead.

१२.२७.३

न युक्तं तव नेतुं मां कुभिक्षोस्तस्य गोचरम् ।
ग्रहो वा तत्र चेदस्तु कथामेकामिमां शृणु ॥

Summary AI The vetāla said it was improper to bring him to that wicked beggar, but if the King insisted, he should listen to a tale.

१२.२७.४

अस्ति स्वरेखानुत्क्रान्तवर्णभेदव्यवस्थिति ।
नगरं चित्रकूटाख्यं बिभ्राणं सत्यनामताम् ॥

Summary AI There was a city called Citrakūṭa, which truly lived up to its name and maintained the social order of castes without any transgression.

१२.२७.५

तत्रामृतरसासारवर्षी प्रणयिचक्षुषाम् ।
चन्द्रावलोक इत्यासीद्राजा राजशिखामणिः ॥

Summary AI In that city reigned King Candrāvaloka, a jewel among monarchs, who showered the nectar of joy upon the eyes of his devoted subjects.

१२.२७.६

आलानं शौर्यकरिणस्त्यागस्योत्पत्तिकेतनम् ।
विलासवेश्म रूपस्य शशंसुर्यं विचक्षणाः ॥

Summary AI The wise described the King as the post for the elephant of valor, the source of generosity, and the abode of beauty.

१२.२७.७

सतीषु सर्वसंपत्सु यन्न प्राप निजोचिताम् ।
भार्यां सैका परं चिन्ता यूनस्तस्याभवद्धृदि ॥

Summary AI Despite his immense wealth, the young King’s only sorrow was that he had not yet found a wife suitable for himself.

१२.२७.८

एकदा च तदुद्वेगविनोदाय महाटवीम् ।
जगामाश्वीयसहितो मृगयायै स भूपतिः ॥

Summary AI One day, the King set out for a great forest on a hunt with his cavalry to divert his mind from this anxiety.

१२.२७.९

तत्र सूकरवृन्दानि भिन्दन्बाणैर्निरन्तरैः ।
श्यामलाम्बररोचिष्णुस्तमांसीव रविः करैः ॥

Summary AI Shining in dark attire like the sun, he pierced herds of boars with constant arrows, resembling the sun dispelling darkness with its rays.

१२.२७.१०

शाययञ्शरशय्यासु सिंहान्समरदुर्मदान् ।
मूर्धजैर्धवलैर्भीष्मानर्जुनाधिकविक्रमः ॥

Summary AI Displaying valor greater than Arjuna's, he laid fierce, battle-intoxicated lions on beds of arrows, just as Arjuna laid the venerable Bhīṣma on arrows.

१२.२७.११

विपक्षीकृत्य शरभान्पातयन्पर्वतोपमान् ।
दम्भोलिकर्कशप्रासपातैर्जम्भारिविक्रमः ॥

Summary AI With the prowess of Indra, he struck down mountain-like śarabhas with spear-thrusts as hard as thunderbolts, rendering them powerless.

१२.२७.१२

रसाद्विविक्षुः स नृपो वनाभ्यन्तरमेककः ।
तीव्रपार्ष्णिप्रहारेण प्रेरयामास वाजिनम् ॥

Summary AI Eager to explore the deep forest, the King alone urged his horse forward with a sharp strike of his heels.

१२.२७.१३

स वाजी तेन च कशाघातेनोत्तेजितो भृशम् ।
पार्ष्णिघातेन विषमं समं चागणयन्क्षणात् ॥

Summary AI Greatly excited by the whip and the pressure of the heels, the horse instantly galloped, disregarding whether the ground was rough or level.

१२.२७.१४

वनान्तरं ततो ऽनैषीद्वाताधिकजवो नृपम् ।
मोहितेन्द्रियवृत्तिं तं व्यतीत्य दशयोजनीम् ॥

Summary AI With speed surpassing the wind, the horse carried the dazed King over ten yojanas into the heart of another forest.

१२.२७.१५

तत्र तस्मिन्स्थिते वाहे राजा दिङ्मोहमेत्य सः ।
भ्रमञ्श्रान्तो ददर्शैकमारात्सुविपुलं सरः ॥

Summary AI When the horse finally stopped, the King, disoriented and weary, wandered until he discovered a vast, beautiful lake nearby.

१२.२७.१६

मारुतेनाभिमुख्येन नमितोन्नमितैर्मुहुः ।
इत एहीति हस्ताभैः संज्ञां कुर्वदिवाम्बुजैः ॥

Summary AI The lake seemed to beckon him with its lotus-hands, which the head-on wind repeatedly raised and lowered as if inviting him to approach.

१२.२७.१७

तत्र गत्वा च तुरगं विपर्याणोपवर्तितम् ।
स्नातपीतं तरुच्छायाबद्धं दत्ततृणोत्करम् ॥

Summary AI Reaching the lake, he unsaddled his horse, let it drink and bathe, tied it in the shade, and gave it grass.

१२.२७.१८

कृत्वा स्वयं कृतस्नानः पीताम्बुर्गलितश्रमः ।
रम्येषु तत्प्रदेशेषु ददौ दृष्टिमितस्ततः ॥

Summary AI After bathing and drinking, the King felt refreshed and began to look around at the charming surroundings of the lake.

१२.२७.१९

एकत्र चाशोकतरोरधस्तान्मुनिकन्यकाम् ।
आमुक्तपुष्पाभरणां वल्कलांशुकशोभिनीम् ॥

Summary AI Beneath an aśoka tree, he saw a hermit’s daughter adorned with flowers and dressed in a garment of bark.

१२.२७.२०

मुग्धबद्धजटाजूटसविशेषमनोरमाम् ।
सखीद्वितीयामाश्चर्यरूपां राजा ददर्श सः ॥

Summary AI The King beheld her, accompanied by a friend, possessing wondrous beauty and looking especially enchanting with her hair tied in a simple ascetic knot.

१२.२७.२१

अचिन्तयच्च पुष्पेषोः पतितः शरगोचरे ।
केयं स्यात्सरसि स्नातुं सावित्री किं स्विदागता ॥

Summary AI Falling into the range of the flower-arrows of the God of Love (Puṣpeṣu), the King wondered: "Who could this be? Has Sāvitrī herself come here to bathe in the lake?"

१२.२७.२२

किं हरस्याङ्कविभ्रष्टा गौरी भूयः श्रिता तपः ।
अहन्यस्तंगतस्येन्दोः कान्तिः किं वा धृतव्रता ॥

Summary AI "Is she Gaurī, fallen from the embrace of Hara, performing penance again? Or is she the beauty of the moon, which has set during the day, now observing a vow?"

१२.२७.२३

तदेतामुपसृत्येह शनैरुपलभे वरम् ।
इत्यालोच्य ययौ तस्याः कन्यायाः सो ऽन्तिकं नृपः ॥

Summary AI "Therefore, I shall approach her slowly and learn the truth." Having reflected thus, the King went near that maiden.

१२.२७.२४

सापि दृष्ट्वा तमायान्तं तद्रूपाकुलितेक्षणा ।
पूर्वप्रारब्धपुष्पस्रक्सन्नहस्ता व्यचिन्तयत् ॥

Summary AI She too, seeing him approach, her eyes agitated by his beauty and her hands faltering while weaving the flower-garland she had begun, thought to herself.

१२.२७.२५

को ऽयमीदृगरण्ये ऽस्मिन्सिद्धो विद्याधरो नु किम् ।
बतास्य रूपं विश्वस्य कृतार्थीकरणं दृशोः ॥

Summary AI "Who is this person of such form in this forest? Is he a Siddha or a Vidyādhara? Ah, his beauty makes the eyes of the whole world find their purpose!"

१२.२७.२६

एवं वितर्क्य पश्यन्ती तिर्यक्तं त्रपया ततः ।
उत्थाय सोरुस्तम्भापि गन्तुं प्रावर्ततैव सा ॥

Summary AI Deliberating thus and looking at him askance with modesty, she rose to leave, even though her thighs felt paralyzed with emotion.

१२.२७.२७

अथोपेत्य स राजा तामेवं नागरिको ऽब्रवीत् ।
आस्तां प्रथमदृष्टस्य दर्शनैकफलार्थिनः ॥

Summary AI Then, approaching her, the polite King said: "Let alone the welcome due to a guest, for one who has seen you for the first time and seeks only the fruit of your sight..."

१२.२७.२८

जनस्य दूरायातस्य सुन्दरि स्वागतादिकम् ।
को ऽयं न्वाश्रमिणां धर्मो यदेतस्मात्पलाय्यते ॥

Summary AI "...of a person come from afar, O beautiful one. What kind of righteous conduct is this for hermits, that you flee from such a one?"

१२.२७.२९

इत्युक्ते भूभुजा तस्याः सखी तद्वद्विचक्षणा ।
तत्रोपवेश्य नृपतेश्चकारातिथ्यसत्क्रियाम् ॥

Summary AI When the King spoke thus, her equally clever friend seated him and performed the rites of hospitality for the monarch.

१२.२७.३०

अथ सप्रणयं राजा तां स पप्रच्छ सोत्सुकः ।
भद्रे कः पुण्यवान्वंशस्त्वत्सख्यालंकृतो ऽनया ॥

Summary AI Then, the King eagerly and affectionately asked her: "O lady, what virtuous lineage is adorned by this friend of yours?"

१२.२७.३१

कानि श्रोत्रामृतस्यन्दीन्यस्या नामाक्षराणि च ।
किं चैवमनया पुष्पसुकुमारमिदं वपुः ॥

Summary AI "What are the syllables of her name that pour nectar into the ears? And why is this body, delicate as a flower, being afflicted by her..."

१२.२७.३२

तापसोचितया वृत्त्या विजने ऽस्मिन्कदर्थ्यते ।
इति राज्ञो वचः श्रुत्वा तत्सखी प्रत्युवाच सा ॥

Summary AI "...with conduct suited for an ascetic in this lonely forest?" Hearing the King's words, her friend replied to him.

१२.२७.३३

एषा महर्षेः कण्वस्य दुहिता वर्धिताश्रमे ।
मेनकासंभवा कन्या नाम्ना चेन्दीवरप्रभा ॥

Summary AI "She is the daughter of the great sage Kaṇva, raised in the hermitage; born of Menakā, this maiden is named Indīvaraprabhā."

१२.२७.३४

इहास्मिन्सरसि स्नातुमागतानुज्ञया पितुः ।
इतो ऽत्र नातिदूरे ऽस्ति तस्यैतत्पितुराश्रमः ॥

Summary AI "She has come here to bathe in this lake by her father's permission. Her father's hermitage is not very far from here."

१२.२७.३५

इत्युक्तः स तया हृष्टो राजारुह्य तुरङ्गमम् ।
याचितुं तां सुतां तस्य कण्वर्षेराश्रमं ययौ ॥

Summary AI Told thus by her, the delighted King mounted his horse and went to the hermitage of the sage Kaṇva to ask for his daughter's hand.

१२.२७.३६

विवेश च विनीतस्तं बहिः स्थापितवाहनः ।
जटावल्कलिभिः पूर्णं पादपैरिव तापसैः ॥

Summary AI Leaving his mount outside, he entered humbly. The hermitage was filled with ascetics wearing matted hair and bark garments, appearing like trees themselves.

१२.२७.३७

तन्मध्ये च तमद्राक्षीद् ऋषिभिः परिवारितम् ।
तेजसाह्लादनं कण्वमुनिं चन्द्रमिव ग्रहैः ॥

Summary AI In their midst, he saw the sage Kaṇva, surrounded by ṛṣis like the moon by planets, delighting everyone with his brilliance.

१२.२७.३८

उपेत्य पादयोस्तं च ववन्दे सो ऽपि तं मुनिः ।
कल्पितातिथ्यविश्रान्तं ज्ञानी क्षिप्रादभाषत ॥

Summary AI Approaching, the King bowed at his feet. The wise sage, after the King had rested and received hospitality, quickly addressed him.

१२.२७.३९

वत्स चन्द्रवलोकैतच्छृणु यद्वच्मि ते हितम् ।
जानासि यादृक्संसारे प्राणिनां मृत्युतो भयम् ॥

Summary AI "O child Candravaloka, listen to this beneficial word I speak to you. You know well the kind of fear creatures in this world have of death."

१२.२७.४०

तन्निःकारणमेवैतान्वराकान्हंसि किं मृगान् ।
शस्त्रं हि भीतरक्षार्थं धात्रा क्षत्रस्य निर्मितम् ॥

Summary AI "Then why do you kill these poor deer without cause? For the Creator fashioned the weapon of a Kṣatriya for the protection of those who are afraid."

१२.२७.४१

तत्प्रजा रक्ष धर्मेण समुन्मूलय कण्टकान् ।
हस्त्यश्वास्त्रादियोग्याभिश्चललक्ष्म्यादि साधय ॥

Summary AI Therefore, protect your subjects with righteousness, uproot the thorns of the state, and through proficiency in elephants, horses, and weaponry, secure the fickle Goddess of Fortune and other successes.

१२.२७.४२

भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यसुखं देहि धनं दिक्षु यशः किर ।
कृतान्तक्रीडितं हिंस्रं मृगयाव्यसनं त्यज ॥

Summary AI Enjoy the pleasures of kingship, bestow wealth, and spread your fame in all directions; abandon the violent vice of hunting, which is merely a sport of Death.

१२.२७.४३

हन्तुर्वध्यस्य चान्यस्य यत्र तुल्या प्रमादिता ।
किं तेन बह्वनर्थेन पाण्डोर्वृत्तं न किं श्रुतम् ॥

Summary AI What is the use of that great calamity, hunting, where the killer, the victim, and others are equally heedless? Have you not heard the fate of Pāṇḍu?

१२.२७.४४

एतत्कण्वमुनेर्वाक्यं श्रुत्वा समभिनन्द्य च ।
राजा चन्द्रावलोकस्तमर्थज्ञः प्रत्यभाषत ॥

Summary AI After hearing and applauding these words of the sage Kaṇva, King Candrāvaloka, who understood the essence of all matters, replied to him.

१२.२७.४५

अनुशिष्टो ऽस्मि भगवन्कृतो मे ऽनुग्रहः परः ।
मृगयाया निवृत्तो ऽहं प्राणिनः सन्तु निर्भयाः ॥

Summary AI "O Venerable one, I have been instructed, and a great favor has been done for me. I have desisted from hunting; let all living beings now be free from fear."

१२.२७.४६

तच्छ्रुत्वोवाच स मुनिस्तुष्टो ऽहममुना तव ।
प्राणिष्वभयदानेन तद्वृणीष्वेप्सितं वरम् ॥

Summary AI Hearing that, the sage said, "I am pleased by this grant of safety to living beings by you; therefore, choose any boon you desire."

१२.२७.४७

इत्युक्तस्तेन मुनिना कालज्ञः स नृपो ऽभ्यधात् ।
तुष्टो ऽसि चेत्सुतां देहि मह्यमिन्दीवरप्रभाम् ॥

Summary AI Addressed thus by the sage, the king, who knew the opportune moment, said: "If you are pleased, give me your daughter Indīvaraprabhā in marriage."

१२.२७.४८

इत्यर्थितवते सो ऽस्मै राज्ञे स्नानगतां मुनिः ।
अप्सरःसंभवां कन्यां तां ददावनुरूपिकाम् ॥

Summary AI To the king who made this request, the sage gave that suitable maiden, born of an apsaras, who had just gone to perform her bath.

१२.२७.४९

ततः कृतविवाहस्तां मुनिभार्याप्रसाधिताम् ।
कृतानुयात्रामुद्बाष्पैस्तापसैरा निजाश्रमात् ॥

Summary AI Then, having performed the marriage, the king took her, who was adorned by the sage's wife and escorted from the hermitage by weeping ascetics.

Other texts to read

नीलकण्ठविजयचम्पूः नीलकण्ठदीक्षितः

पञ्चतन्त्रम् विष्णुशर्मा

About

Resources

Connect