कथासरित्सागरः — एकत्रिंशस्तरङ्गः

एकत्रिंशस्तरङ्गः ।

ततस्तां तिमिरश्यामां चिताग्निज्वलितेक्षणाम् ।
स्मशाने भीषणे तस्मिन्वीरो रजनिराक्षसीम् ॥

Summary AI Then, the brave King, disregarding the night that appeared like a demoness—dark with shadows and having the burning funeral pyres as its eyes—remained undaunted in that terrifying cemetery.

१२.३१.२

घोरामगणयन्राजा गत्वा तां शिंशपां पुनः ।
स त्रिविक्रमसेनस्तं तस्या वेतालमाददे ॥

Summary AI The King, Trivikramasena, returned once more to the śiṃśapā tree and took hold of the corpse possessed by the vetāla.

१२.३१.३

स्कन्धे कृत्वा च तं यावत्प्रक्रामति स पूर्ववत् ।
तावद्भूयः स वेतालो नरदेवमुवाच तम् ॥

Summary AI As the King placed the vetāla on his shoulder and began to walk as before, the vetāla spoke to the monarch once again.

१२.३१.४

भो राजन्नहमुद्विग्नो न पुनस्त्वं गतागतैः ।
तदेकं मे महाप्रश्नमिमं कथयतः शृणु ॥

Summary AI "O King," said the vetāla, "I am weary, though you seem tireless in these rounds of coming and going. Listen, therefore, to this one great question of mine as I speak."

१२.३१.५

आसीन्माण्डलिकः कोऽपि नृपतिर्दक्षिणापथे ।
धर्माभिधानो धौरेयः साधूनां बहुगोत्रजः ॥

Summary AI In the region of Dakṣiṇāpatha, there lived a certain vassal king named Dharmābhidhāna, who was a leader among the virtuous and born of a noble lineage.

१२.३१.६

तस्य चन्द्रवतीनाम भार्या मालवदेशजा ।
अभून्महाकुलोत्पन्ना वरस्त्रीमौलिमालिका ॥

Summary AI His wife, named Candravatī, hailed from the land of Mālava; she was born of a high family and was the crowning jewel among excellent women.

१२.३१.७

तस्यां च तस्य भार्यायां भूपतेरुदपद्यत ।
एकैव लावण्यवती नामान्वर्थाभिधा सुता ॥

Summary AI To him and his wife was born an only daughter named Lāvaṇyavatī, whose name—meaning 'the lovely one'—perfectly matched her beauty.

१२.३१.८

प्रदेयायां च तस्यां स सुतायां धर्मभूपतिः ।
उन्मूलितो ऽभून्मिलितैर्दायादै राष्ट्रभेदिभिः ॥

Summary AI When that daughter reached marriageable age, King Dharmābhidhāna was uprooted from his kingdom by rebellious kinsmen who had conspired to divide the realm.

१२.३१.९

ततः पलाय्य निरगात्स देशाद्भार्यया सह ।
दुहित्रा च तया रात्रवात्तसद्रत्नसंचयः ॥

Summary AI Consequently, he fled his country at night with his wife and daughter, taking with him a hoard of precious gems.

१२.३१.१०

मालवं प्रति च स्वैरं प्रस्थितः श्वशुरास्पदम् ।
विन्ध्याटवीं तया रात्र्या प्राप भार्यासुतायुतः ॥

Summary AI Traveling toward his father-in-law's home in Mālava, he reached the Vindhya forest during that same night, accompanied by his wife and daughter.

१२.३१.११

तस्यां प्रविष्टस्योदश्रुरिवावश्यायशीकरैः ।
निशानुयात्रां दत्त्वेव ययौ तस्य महीक्षितः ॥

Summary AI As the King entered the forest, the night departed, appearing to weep with tears of dew as if it had finished escorting him.

१२.३१.१२

आरुरोहाथ पूर्वाद्रिमुत्क्षिप्ताग्रकरो रविः ।
मा गाश्चौराटवीमेतामिति तं वारयन्निव ॥

Summary AI Then the sun rose over the eastern mountain, stretching out its rays like hands, as if warning the King not to enter that bandit-infested forest.

१२.३१.१३

ततो ऽत्र ससुताजानिः क्षताङ्घ्रिः कुशकण्टकैः ।
पदातिः स नृपो गच्छन्भिल्लानां प्राप पल्लिकाम् ॥

Summary AI Traveling on foot with their feet wounded by sharp grass and thorns, the King, along with his wife and daughter, eventually reached a Bhilla village.

१२.३१.१४

परेषां प्राणसर्वस्वहारिभिः पुंभिरावृताम् ।
वर्जितां धार्मिकैर्दुर्गां कृतान्तनगरीमिव ॥

Summary AI The village was a fortress of evil, devoid of the righteous and filled with men who robbed others of their lives and wealth, much like the city of Death.

१२.३१.१५

तत्र दृष्ट्वैव तं दूरात्सवस्त्राभरणं नृपम् ।
मोषितुं बहवो ऽधावञ्शबरा विविधायुधाः ॥

Summary AI Upon seeing the King from afar, dressed in fine clothes and jewels, many Śabaras armed with various weapons rushed forward to plunder him.

१२.३१.१६

तान्विलोक्य सुताभार्ये राजा धर्मो जगाद सः ।
पुरा स्पृशन्ति वां म्लेच्छास्तदितो विशतं वनम् ॥

Summary AI Seeing them, King Dharmābhidhāna spoke to his wife and daughter: "Before these barbarians can touch you, go and hide in the thicket of the forest."

१२.३१.१७

इति राज्ञोदिता रज्ञी वनमध्यं विवेश सा ।
लावण्यवत्या सुतया सार्धं चन्द्रवती भयात् ॥

Summary AI Obeying the King's words, Queen Candravatī, along with her daughter Lāvaṇyavatī, entered the heart of the forest out of fear.

१२.३१.१८

राजाप्यभिमुखायातान्खड्गचर्मधरो ऽत्र सः ।
अवधीत्तान्बहूञ्शूरः शबराञ्शरवर्तिणः ॥

Summary AI The brave King, armed with a sword and shield, fought back and slew many of those Śabaras who came within the range of his weapons.

१२.३१.१९

ततस्तेनाखिला पल्ली पत्याज्ञप्ता निपत्य तम् ।
प्रहारक्षतचर्माणमवधीन्नृपमेककम् ॥

Summary AI Then, ordered by their chief, the entire village fell upon the lone King and killed him, his skin already torn by many wounds.

१२.३१.२०

गृहीताभरणे याते दस्युसैन्ये विलोक्य तम् ।
भर्तारं निहतं दूराद्वनगुल्मान्तरस्थिता ॥

Summary AI When the army of bandits had departed with his ornaments, the Queen, watching from a thicket in the woods, saw her husband slain.

१२.३१.२१

राज्ञी चन्द्रवती सात्र दुहित्रा सह विह्वला ।
पलायमाना गहनं दूरमन्वगगाद्वनम् ॥

Summary AI The distressed Queen Candravatī, fleeing with her daughter, wandered deep into the dense forest.

१२.३१.२२

तत्र मध्याह्नतापार्तास्विव मूलानि शाखिनाम् ।
छायास्वपि प्रविष्टासु शिशिराणि सहाध्वगैः ॥

Summary AI It was midday, and the heat was so intense that even the cool shadows seemed to have retreated into the roots of the trees like weary travelers seeking refuge.

१२.३१.२३

एकदेशे ऽब्जसरसस्तीरे ऽशोकतरोस्तले ।
शोकार्ता रुदती श्रान्ता ससुता समुपाविशत् ॥

Summary AI Exhausted and overcome with grief, the weeping queen sat with her daughter beneath an aśoka tree on the banks of a lotus pond.

१२.३१.२४

तावत्तद्वनमभ्यर्णनिवासी मृगयाकृते ।
महामनुष्यः को ऽप्यागादश्वारूढः सपुत्रकः ॥

Summary AI Just then, a nobleman living nearby arrived in that forest on horseback with his son for the sake of hunting.

१२.३१.२५

स चण्डसिंहनामा तं पुत्रं सिंहपराक्रमम् ।
उवाच दृष्ट्वात्र तयोः पांसूत्थे पदपद्धती ॥

Summary AI That nobleman, named Caṇḍasiṃha, seeing two sets of footprints in the dust, spoke to his son, who was named Siṃhaparākrama.

१२.३१.२६

एते सुरेखे सुभगे अनुसृत्याप्नुवो यदि ।
स्त्रीयौ ते तत्तयोरेकां स्वीकुरुष्व यथारुचि ॥

Summary AI "If we follow these beautiful and auspicious footprints and find two women, they shall be our wives. You may choose one of them according to your preference."

१२.३१.२७

इत्युक्तवन्तं तं स्माह पुत्रः सिंहपराक्रमः ।
यस्याः सूक्ष्माविमौ पादौ सा भार्या प्रतिभाति मे ॥

Summary AI To his father who spoke thus, the son Siṃhaparākrama replied, "The one to whom these small feet belong appears to be the right wife for me."

१२.३१.२८

सा हि स्वल्पवया नूनं जाने समुचिता मम ।
बृहत्पादा तु योग्येयमेतज्ज्येष्ठवयास्तव ॥

Summary AI "I am certain she must be young and suitable for me, while the one with the larger feet, being older, is fit for you."

१२.३१.२९

इति सूनोर्वचः श्रुत्वा चण्डसिंहो जगाद तम् ।
कैषा कथा भवन्माता प्रत्यग्रं हि गता दिवम् ॥

Summary AI Hearing his son's words, Caṇḍasiṃha said, "What nonsense is this? Your mother has only recently passed away to heaven."

१२.३१.३०

तादृशे सुकलत्रे च गते कान्यत्र वासना ।
तच्छ्रुत्वा सो ऽपि पुत्रस्तं चण्डसिंहमभाषत ॥

Summary AI "Since such a virtuous wife is gone, what desire could I have for another?" Hearing this, the son spoke to Caṇḍasiṃha.

१२.३१.३१

तात मैवमभार्यं हि शून्यं गृहपतेर्गृहम् ।
अन्यच्च मूलदेवोक्ता गाथा किं न श्रुता त्वया ॥

Summary AI "Father, do not speak so! A householder's home without a wife is empty. Moreover, have you not heard the verse spoken by Mūladeva?"

१२.३१.३२

यत्र घनस्तनजघना नास्ते मार्गावलोकिनी कान्ता ।
अजडः कस्तदनिगडं प्रविशति गृहसंज्ञकं दुर्गम् ॥

Summary AI "Who but a fool would enter that prison called a house, which lacks a beautiful wife with full breasts and hips watching the path for his return?"

१२.३१.३३

तज्जीवितेन मे तात शापितो ऽसि न तां यदि ।
द्वितीयां मदभीष्टायां भार्यार्थे स्वीकरीष्यसि ॥

Summary AI "Therefore, father, I adjure you by my life: you must accept the second woman as your wife, while I take the one I desire."

१२.३१.३४

एतत्पुत्रवचः श्रुत्वा प्रतिपद्य च तत्सखः ।
स चण्डसिंहो ऽनुसरन्पदपङ्क्तिं शनैर्ययौ ॥

Summary AI Hearing these words from his son and agreeing to his request, Caṇḍasiṃha slowly followed the trail of footprints with him.

१२.३१.३५

प्राप्य तच्च सरःस्थानं मुक्तातारौघमण्डिताम् ।
श्यामां चन्द्रवतीं राज्ञीं तां ददर्शावभासिताम् ॥

Summary AI Reaching the lake, he beheld Queen Candravatī, who was dark and radiant, adorned with a multitude of bright pearls.

१२.३१.३६

लावण्यवत्या सुतया ज्योत्स्नयेवावदातया ।
नैशीं द्यामिव मध्याह्ने तरुच्छायामुपाश्रिताम् ॥

Summary AI Accompanied by her daughter Lāvaṇyavatī, who was as fair as moonlight, the queen looked like the night sky seeking refuge in the shade of a tree during midday.

१२.३१.३७

उपाययौ च पुत्रेण साकं तां स सकौतुकः ।
सापि दृष्ट्वा तमुत्तस्थौ वित्रस्ता चौरशङ्किनी ॥

Summary AI Curiously, he approached her with his son; she, however, seeing him, stood up in terror, fearing they were thieves.

१२.३१.३८

अलं त्रासेन नाम्बैतौ चौरौ सौम्याकृती इमौ ।
सुवेषौ कौचिदाखेटकृते नूनमिहागतौ ॥

Summary AI "Mother, enough with fear! These are not thieves. They have handsome forms and fine clothes; surely they have come here for hunting."

१२.३१.३९

इत्युक्ता सुतया राज्ञी यावद्दोलायते ऽत्र सा ।
तावदश्वावतीर्णस्ते चण्डसिंहो ऽब्रवीदुभे ॥

Summary AI While the queen hesitated after her daughter's words, Caṇḍasiṃha dismounted from his horse and addressed them both.

१२.३१.४०

किं संभ्रमेण वामावां प्रणयाद्द्रष्टुमागतौ ।
तद्विस्वस्य निरातङ्के वदतं के युवामिति ॥

Summary AI "O beautiful ones, why this alarm? We have come out of affection to see you. Therefore, trust us and tell us without fear who you are."

१२.३१.४१

हरनेत्रानलज्वालादग्धमन्मथदुःस्थिते ।
रतिप्रीती इवारण्यमिदमेवमुपागते ॥

Summary AI Are you Rati and Prīti, the wives of Manmatha, who have come to this forest in distress because your husband was consumed by the flames of Hara's third eye?

१२.३१.४२

प्रविष्टे स्थः कथं चेह बत निर्मानुषे वने ।
रत्नप्रासादवासार्हमिदं हि युवयोर्वपुः ॥

Summary AI Alas, how have you two entered this desolate forest, when your bodies are worthy of dwelling only in palaces made of gems?

१२.३१.४३

कथं वराङ्गनोत्सङ्गयोग्यौ कण्टकिनीमिमाम् ।
भुवं वां चरणौ भ्रान्ताविति नौ मनसि व्यथा ॥

Summary AI It pains our hearts to see how your feet, deserving to rest on the laps of noble ladies, have wandered upon this thorny ground.

१२.३१.४४

एषा च चित्रं युवयोः पतन्ती धूलिरानने ।
वातोद्धूता हतच्छायमावयोः कुरुते मुखम् ॥

Summary AI Surprisingly, seeing the wind-blown dust falling upon your faces makes our own faces lose their luster.

१२.३१.४५

भवत्योरेष चाङ्गे ऽस्मिन्निपतन्पुष्पपेशले ।
किरणोष्मा दहत्यस्मानुच्चण्डश्चण्डदीधितेः ॥

Summary AI The fierce heat from the rays of the sun, falling upon your bodies as delicate as flowers, burns us as well.

१२.३१.४६

तद्ब्रूतमात्मवृत्तान्तं दूयते हृदयं हि नः ।
द्रष्टुं न शक्नुमो ऽरण्ये स्थितिं वां स्वापदावृते ॥

Summary AI Therefore, please tell us your story, for our hearts ache; we cannot bear to see you staying in this forest filled with wild beasts.

१२.३१.४७

इत्युक्ते चण्डसिंहेन राज्ञी निःस्वस्य सा शनैः ।
लज्जाशोकाकुला तस्मै स्वं वृत्तान्तमवर्णयत् ॥

Summary AI When Caṇḍasiṃha spoke thus, the queen, sighing slowly and overwhelmed with shame and grief, narrated her story to him.

१२.३१.४८

ततो निःस्वामिकां मत्वा तामाश्वास्य च सात्मजाम् ।
स्वीचक्रे मधुरैर्वाक्यैश्चण्डसिंहो ऽनुरञ्जयन् ॥

Summary AI Realizing that she and her daughter were without a protector, Caṇḍasiṃha comforted them with sweet words and won them over, accepting them into his care.

१२.३१.४९

आरोप्य चास्वयोः पृष्ठं सपुत्रस्तां सपुत्रिकाम् ।
निनाय वित्तपपुरीसमृद्धां वसतिं निजाम् ॥

Summary AI Mounting them on horses, he and his son took the mother and daughter to their own residence, which was as prosperous as the city of Kubera.

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