कथासरित्सागरः — द्वात्रिंशस्तरङ्गः

द्वात्रिंशस्तरङ्गः ।

ततस्तस्यान्तिकं भिक्षोः क्षान्तिशीलस्य भूपतिः ।
स त्रिविक्रमसेनो ऽत्र प्राप स्कन्धे शवं वहन् ॥

Summary AI Carrying the corpse on his shoulder, King Trivikramasena arrived in the presence of the mendicant Kṣāntiśīla.

१२.३२.२

ददर्श तं च श्रमणं मार्गाभिमुखमेककम् ।
कृष्णपक्षक्षपारौद्रे श्मशाने तरुमूलगम् ॥

Summary AI In that cemetery, terrifying during the dark half of the lunar month, the King saw the lone mendicant sitting at the foot of a tree, facing the path.

१२.३२.३

असृग्लिप्तस्थले गौरेणास्थिचूर्णेन निर्मिते ।
मण्डले दिक्षु विन्यस्तपूर्णशोणितकुम्भके ॥

Summary AI The mendicant was in a ritual circle prepared on ground smeared with blood, made with white bone-powder, and surrounded by pots filled with blood in every direction.

१२.३२.४

महातैलप्रदीपाढ्ये हुतपार्श्वस्थवह्निनि ।
संभृतोचितसंभारे स्वेष्टदैवतपूजने ॥

Summary AI The ritual space was filled with large oil lamps, with a sacrificial fire burning nearby, and all necessary materials gathered for the worship of his chosen deity.

१२.३२.५

उपागाच्च स तं राजा सो ऽपि भिक्षुर्विलोक्य तम् ।
आनीतमटकं हर्षादुत्थायोवाच संस्तुवन् ॥

Summary AI As the King approached, the mendicant rose in joy upon seeing the brought corpse and spoke while praising the monarch.

१२.३२.६

दुःकरो मे महाराज विहितो ऽनुग्रहस्त्वया ।
त्वा दृशाः क्व क्व चेष्टेयं देशकालौ क्व चेदृशौ ॥

Summary AI The mendicant exclaimed, "O Great King, you have bestowed a difficult favor upon me. Where are those like you, where is such an endeavor, and where are such a place and time?"

१२.३२.७

निःकम्पं सत्यमेवाहुर्मुख्यं त्वां कुलभूभृताम् ।
एवमात्मानपेक्षेण परार्थो येन साध्यते ॥

Summary AI Wise men truly call you the foremost among noble kings, steady and unwavering, for you accomplish the goals of others without any regard for your own self.

१२.३२.८

एतदेव महत्त्वं च महतामुच्यते बुधैः ।
प्रतिपन्नादचलनं प्राणानामत्यये ऽपि यत् ॥

Summary AI Scholars declare that the true greatness of the great consists in not wavering from a promise once undertaken, even at the cost of one's life.

१२.३२.९

इति ब्रुवन्स सिद्धार्थमानी भिक्षुर्महीपतेः ।
तस्यावतारयामास स्कन्धात्तं मटकं तदा ॥

Summary AI Saying this, the mendicant, considering his objective achieved, lowered the corpse from the shoulder of the King.

१२.३२.१०

स्नपयित्वा समालभ्य बद्धमाल्यं विधाय च ।
मटकं मण्डलस्यान्तः स्थापयामास तस्य तत् ॥

Summary AI After bathing the corpse, anointing it, and adorning it with a garland, he placed it inside the ritual circle.

१२.३२.११

भस्मोद्धूलितगात्रश्च केशयज्ञोपवीतभृत् ।
प्रावृतप्रेतवसनो भूत्वा ध्यानस्थितः क्षणम् ॥

Summary AI His body smeared with ashes, wearing a sacred thread made of hair and clad in the garment of a corpse, he remained in meditation for a moment.

१२.३२.१२

तस्मिन्मन्त्रबलाहूतं प्रवेश्य नृकलेवरे ।
तं वेतालवरं भिक्षुः पूजयामास स क्रमात् ॥

Summary AI Having invoked the noble Vetāla by the power of mantras and caused him to enter the human carcass, the mendicant worshipped him in due order.

१२.३२.१३

ददौ तस्मै कपालार्घपात्रेणार्घ्यं सुनिर्मलैः ।
नरदन्तैस्ततः पुष्पं सुगान्धि च विलेपनम् ॥

Summary AI Using a skull as an offering-vessel, he presented the Arghya, followed by flowers made of pure human teeth and fragrant unguents.

१२.३२.१४

दत्त्वा मानुषनेत्रैश्च धूपं मांसैर्बलिं तथा ।
समाप्य पूजां राजानं तमुवाच स पार्श्वगम् ॥

Summary AI Offering human eyes as incense and flesh as an oblation, he completed the worship and spoke to the King standing by his side.

१२.३२.१५

राजन्निहास्य मन्त्राधिराजस्य कृतसंविधेः ।
प्रणाममङ्गैरष्टाभिर्निपत्य कुरु भूतले ॥

Summary AI The mendicant said, "O King, prostrate yourself here on the ground with all eight limbs to this Sovereign of Mantras for whom these preparations have been made."

१२.३२.१६

येनाभिप्रेतसिद्धिं ते दास्यत्येष वरप्रदः ।
श्रुत्वैतत्स्मृतवेतालवचा राजाब्रवीत्स तम् ॥

Summary AI The mendicant added that by doing so, the granter of boons would fulfill the King's desires. Hearing this and recalling the words of the Vetāla, the King replied.

१२.३२.१७

नाहं जानामि तत्पूर्वं प्रदर्शयतु मे भवान् ।
ततस्तथैव तदहं करिष्ये भगवन्निति ॥

Summary AI The King said, "O Holy One, I do not know how to do that; please show me first, and then I shall do exactly as you have shown."

१२.३२.१८

ततो दर्शयितुं यावत्स भिक्षुः पतितो भुवि ।
तावत्खड्गप्रहारेण स राजास्य शिरो ऽच्छिनत् ॥

Summary AI As soon as the mendicant threw himself on the ground to demonstrate the prostration, the King struck with his sword and severed the monk's head.

१२.३२.१९

आचकर्ष च हृत्पद्ममुदरादस्य पाटितम् ।
वेतालाय च तस्मै तच्छिरोहृत्कमलं ददौ ॥

Summary AI The King tore out the heart-lotus from the mendicant's split-open belly and offered both the head and the heart-lotus to the Vetāla.

१२.३२.२०

साधुवादे ततो दत्ते प्रीतैर्भूतगणैस्ततः ।
तुष्टो ऽब्रवीत्स वेतालो नृपं तं नृकलेवरात् ॥

Summary AI Amidst the shouts of approval from the gratified hosts of spirits, the pleased Vetāla spoke to the King from within the human carcass.

१२.३२.२१

राजन्विद्याधरेन्द्रत्वं भिक्षोरासीद्यदीप्सितम् ।
तत्तावद्भूमिसाम्राज्यभोगान्ते ते भविष्यति ॥

Summary AI O King, the status of the Lord of the Vidyādharas, which was desired by the mendicant, will surely be yours after your enjoyment of the empire of the earth is complete.

१२.३२.२२

क्लेशितो ऽसि मया यत्त्वं तदभीष्टं वरं वृणु ।
इत्युक्तवन्तं वेतालं स राजा तमभाषत ॥

Summary AI The Vetāla said, "Since you have been troubled by me, choose a desired boon." To the Vetāla who spoke thus, the King replied.

१२.३२.२३

त्वं चेत्प्रसन्नः को नाम न सिद्धो ऽभिमतो वरः ।
तथाप्यमोघवचनादिदं त्वत्तो ऽहमर्थये ॥

Summary AI The King said, "If you are pleased, what desired boon is not already accomplished? Nevertheless, because your word is unfailing, I ask this of you."

१२.३२.२४

आद्याः प्रश्नकथा एता नानाख्यानमनोरमाः ।
चतुर्विंशतिरेषा च पञ्चविंशी समाप्तिगा ॥

Summary AI "These initial twenty-four riddle-stories, charming with various narratives, and this twenty-fifth one which brings the end—"

१२.३२.२५

सर्वाः ख्याता भवन्त्वेताः पूजनीयाश्च भूतले ।
इति तेनार्थितो राज्ञा वेतालो निजगाद सः ॥

Summary AI "—may all these become famous and venerable on this earth." Requested thus by the King, that Vetāla replied.

१२.३२.२६

एवमस्तु विशेषं च शृणु वच्म्यत्र भूतले ।
याश्चतुर्विंशतिः पूर्वा यैषा चैका समापिनी ॥

Summary AI "So be it! And listen, I will tell you something special regarding this earth. These previous twenty-four stories and this one final story—"

१२.३२.२७

कथावलीयं वेतालपञ्चविंशतिकाख्यया ।
ख्याता जगति पूज्या च शिवा चैव भविष्यति ॥

Summary AI "—this series of stories shall become famous in the world as the Vetālapañcaviṃśatikā; it will be revered and auspicious."

१२.३२.२८

यः श्लोकमात्रमप्यस्याः कथयिष्यति सादरः ।
यो वा श्रोष्यति तौ सद्यो मुक्तपापौ भविष्यतः ॥

Summary AI "Whoever respectfully recites even a single verse of this, or whoever listens to it, both shall immediately be freed from their sins."

१२.३२.२९

यक्षवेतालकूष्माण्डडाकिनीराक्षसादयः ।
न तत्र प्रभविष्यन्ति यत्रैषा कीर्तयिष्यते ॥

Summary AI "Yakṣas, Vetālas, Kūṣmāṇḍas, Ḍākinīs, Rākṣasas, and others will have no power wherever this collection is recited."

१२.३२.३०

इत्युक्त्वा स ययौ तस्मान्निर्गत्य नृकलेवरात् ।
यथाभिरुचितं धाम वेतालो योगमायया ॥

Summary AI Having spoken thus and emerged from the human corpse, the Vetāla went to his favorite abode by means of his yogic power.

१२.३२.३१

ततस्तत्र सुरैः सार्धं राज्ञस्तस्य महेश्वरः ।
साक्षादाविरभूत्तुष्टः प्रणतं चादिदेश तम् ॥

Summary AI Then, Maheśvara appeared there in person along with the gods; pleased, He commanded the King, who bowed before Him.

१२.३२.३२

साधु वत्स हतो ऽद्यायं यत्त्वया कूटतापसः ।
विद्याधरमहाचक्रवर्तिताहठकामुकः ॥

Summary AI "Well done, my child! Today you have slain this deceptive ascetic who stubbornly lusted after the position of the Great Emperor of the Vidyādharas."

१२.३२.३३

त्वमादौ विक्रमादित्यः सृष्टो ऽभूः स्वांशतो मया ।
म्लेच्छरूपावतीर्णानामसुराणां प्रशान्तये ॥

Summary AI "In the beginning, you were created by me from my own portion as Vikramāditya, for the suppression of demons who had descended in the form of barbarians."

१२.३२.३४

अद्य चोद्दामदुर्वृत्तदमनाय मया पुनः ।
त्वं त्रिविक्रमसेनाख्यो हीरः सृष्टो ऽत्र भूपतिः ॥

Summary AI "And now, for the subduing of unrestrained evildoers, you have been created by me again as the heroic King named Trivikramasena."

१२.३२.३५

अतः सद्वीपपातालां स्थापयित्वा महीं वशे ।
विद्याधराणमचिरादधिराजो भविष्यसि ॥

Summary AI "Therefore, after bringing the earth, including its islands and the underworld, under your control, you will soon become the overlord of the Vidyādharas."

१२.३२.३६

भुक्त्वा दिव्यांश्चिरं भोगानुद्विग्नः स्वेच्छयैव तान् ।
त्यक्त्वा ममैव सायुज्यमन्ते यास्यस्यसंशयम् ॥

Summary AI "After enjoying celestial pleasures for a long time, having become weary of them, you will abandon them of your own will and ultimately attain union with me without a doubt."

१२.३२.३७

अपराजितनामानं खड्गं चैतं गृहाण मे ।
यस्य प्रसादात्सर्वं त्वं प्राप्स्यस्येतद्यथोदितम् ॥

Summary AI "Take this sword of mine named Aparājita; by its grace, you shall obtain all that has been mentioned."

१२.३२.३८

इत्युक्त्वा खड्गरत्नं तद्दत्त्वा तस्मै महीभृते ।
वाक्पुष्पाभ्यर्चितस्तेन देवः शंभुस्तिरोदधे ॥

Summary AI Having spoken thus and given that jewel of a sword to the King, Lord Śambhu, worshipped by him with flowers of speech, vanished.

१२.३२.३९

अथ दृष्ट्वैव समाप्तं कार्यमशेषं निशि प्रभातायाम् ।
प्रविवेश स त्रिविक्रमसेनः स्वपुरं नृपः प्रतिष्ठानम् ॥

Summary AI Then, seeing that the entire task was completed as the night turned to dawn, King Trivikramasena entered his own city, Pratiṣṭhāna.

१२.३२.४०

तत्र क्रमावगतरात्रिविचेष्टिताभि-
रभ्यर्चितः प्रकृतिभिर्विततोत्सवाभिः ।
स्नानप्रदानगिरिशार्चननृत्तगीत-
वाद्यादिभिस्तदखिलं स दिनं निनाय ॥

Summary AI There, honored by his subjects who had learned of his nocturnal exploits and were celebrating, he spent the entire day in ritual bathing, charity, worshipping Giriśa, and enjoying dance, song, and music.

१२.३२.४१

अल्पैरेव च वासरैः स नृपतिः शार्वस्य वीर्यादसेः
सद्वीपां सरसा तलां च बुभुजे निःकण्टकां मेदिनीम् ।
संप्राप्याथ हराज्ञया सुमहतीं विद्याधराधीशतां
भुक्त्वा तां सुचिरं जगाम भगवत्सायुज्यमन्ते कृती ॥

Summary AI Within a few days, that king, by the power of Śiva's sword, enjoyed the entire earth including its islands and oceans, free of obstacles. Then, by the command of Hara, having attained the great sovereignty over the Vidyādharas and enjoying it for a long time, the virtuous king finally attained union with the Lord.

१२.३२.४२

इति विक्रमकेसरी स मन्त्री चिरमिलितः पथि शापविप्रयोगात् । अभिधाय पुनर्मृगाङ्कदत्तं प्रकृतार्थं निजगाद राजपुत्रम् ॥

Summary AI Thus spoke Vikramakesarī, the minister who had been reunited on the path after a long separation caused by the curse. Having addressed Mṛgāṅkadatta, he spoke further to the prince regarding the matter at hand.

१२.३२.४३

एवं देव स वृद्धो विप्रो वेतालपञ्चविंशतिकाम् ।
एतामाख्याय कथां ग्रामे तस्मिन्नुवाच मां भूयः ॥

Summary AI "O Lord, after narrating this collection of twenty-five stories of the Vetāla, that old Brāhmaṇa spoke to me again in that village."

१२.३२.४४

तत्पुत्र स त्रिविक्रमसेनो राजा किलैवमक्लीबः ।
वेतालानुग्रहतः किमिव न यत्प्राप्तवानिष्टम् ॥

Summary AI "Therefore, my son, that King Trivikramasena was indeed so brave that, by the favor of the Vetāla, there was nothing desired that he did not obtain."

१२.३२.४५

तस्मादिह त्वमपि मन्त्रमिमं गृहीत्वा
मत्तः प्रसादय विमुक्तविषादवृत्तिः ।
वेतालमुख्यममुना प्रभुणा मृगाङ्क-
दत्तेन संगममवाप्स्यसि वीर येन ॥

Summary AI "Therefore, you too should receive this mantra from me here, abandon your state of despair, and propitiate the chief of the Vetālas. O hero, by the power of this lordly mantra, you shall attain union with Mṛgāṅkadatta."

१२.३२.४६

नह्यप्राप्यं किंचिदुत्साहभाजां
भग्नोत्साहो वत्स को नावसीदेत् ।
तत्ते प्रीत्या वच्मि यत्तत्कुरुष्व
त्वं मे बन्धुः सर्पदंशार्तिहर्ता ॥

Summary AI "Nothing is unattainable for those endowed with energy. O child, who would not perish if their courage is broken? Therefore, I speak to you out of affection; do what I say, for you are my friend and the remover of the pain from the serpent's bite."

१२.३२.४७

इत्युक्तवतस्तस्माद्विप्रादादाय सक्रियं मन्त्रम् ।
तं चामन्त्र्य ततो ऽहं देवोज्जयिनीं गतो ऽभूवम् ॥

Summary AI Having received the potent mantra from the Brāhmaṇa who spoke thus, and having taken leave of him, I then went to the city of Ujjayinī, O Lord.

१२.३२.४८

तत्र श्मशाने मटकं रजन्या-
माहृत्य कृत्वा स्नपनादि तस्य ।
आहूय मन्त्रेण च तेन तस्मि-
न्वेतालमस्म्यर्चितवान्यथावत् ॥

Summary AI There, in the cremation ground at night, I brought a corpse, performed its bathing and other rites, and having summoned a Vetāla into it using that mantra, I worshipped him duly.

१२.३२.४९

भोज्यं महामांसमदायि तस्मै
तृप्त्यै तदा सो ऽपि तदाशु जग्ध्वा ।
तृप्तो ऽस्मि नैवान्यदुपानयेति
मामभ्यधान्मानुषमांसगृध्रुः ॥

Summary AI Then, human flesh was offered to him for his satisfaction. Having quickly devoured it, that creature, greedy for human flesh, said to me, "I am not satisfied; bring more."

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