कथासरित्सागरः — त्रयस्त्रिंशस्तरङ्गः | kathāsaritsāgaraḥ

त्रयस्त्रिंशस्तरङ्गः ।

नमो विघ्नजिते यस्य जानुदेशे विवर्तते ।
कुम्भस्रस्तेव नक्षत्रमाला रात्रिषु नृत्यतः ॥

Summary AI Salutations to the conqueror of obstacles, on whose knee-region, while he dances at night, the necklace of stars appears to revolve like a garland slipped from his elephantine frontal globes.

१२.३३.२

ततः कथावसाने स मार्गमध्यात्समुत्थितः ।
मृगाङ्कदत्तो मुदितः प्राप्तविक्रमकेसरी ॥

Summary AI Then, at the conclusion of the story, the joyful Mṛgāṅkadatta rose from the middle of the path, having been reunited with Vikramakesarī.

१२.३३.३

गुणाकरेण सहितस्तथा विमलबुद्धिना ।
सविचित्रकथो भीमपराक्रमसमन्वितः ॥

Summary AI Accompanied by Guṇākara and Vimalabuddhi, and possessed of terrible prowess, he shared various stories during the journey.

१२.३३.४

प्रचण्डशक्तियुक्तश्च श्रुतधिद्विजसंगतः ।
प्राप्तशेषान्विचिन्वानः शापविश्लेषितान्सखीन् ॥

Summary AI Joined by Pracaṇḍaśakti and the brāhmaṇa Śrutadhi, he sought his remaining friends who were separated from him by the curse.

१२.३३.५

शशाङ्कवत्याः संप्राप्त्यै प्रागेवोज्जयिनीं प्रति ।
गन्तुं प्रवृत्तः पुनरप्युच्चचालात्मनाष्टमः ॥

Summary AI For the sake of attaining Śaśāṅkavatī, having already set out toward Ujjayinī, he started off again as the eighth member of his group.

१२.३३.६

क्रमात्प्राप च स ग्रीष्मशुष्कतोयामपादपाम् ।
अटवीं चण्डमार्तण्डतापसंतप्तवालुकाम् ॥

Summary AI Gradually, he reached a forest where the water and trees were dried up by the summer heat, and the sands were scorched by the intense rays of the fierce sun.

१२.३३.७

तस्यां व्रजन्स सचिवान्राजपुत्रो जगाद तान् ।
पश्यतैषाटवी कीदृग्दुर्गमायतभैरवा ॥

Summary AI While walking through it, the prince said to his ministers, "See how this forest is impassable, vast, and terrifying!"

१२.३३.८

एषा हि विभ्रष्टपथा जनत्यक्ता निराश्रया ।
उद्यद्दुःखानलज्वालेवाभिर्मरुमरीचिभिः ॥

Summary AI Indeed, this forest is pathless, abandoned by people, and devoid of shelter; with these desert mirages, it appears like the rising flames of the fire of sorrow.

१२.३३.९

विकीर्णरूक्षकेशेव तृणैरुच्छुष्कमर्मरैः ।
सिंहव्याघ्रादिवित्राससरोमाञ्चेव कण्टकैः ॥

Summary AI With its dry, rustling grass, it seems to have disheveled, coarse hair; and with its thorns, it appears to have its hair standing on end from the fear of lions, tigers, and other beasts.

१२.३३.१०

रुदतीवातपक्लान्तजलाकाङ्क्षीमृगारवैः ।
तदेषा त्वरयास्माभिर्लङ्घनीया विशङ्कटा ॥

Summary AI It seems to be weeping through the cries of deer longing for water and exhausted by the heat; therefore, we must cross this dangerous expanse with haste.

१२.३३.११

इत्यूचिवान्स तैः सार्धं सचिवैः क्षुत्तृषार्दितैः ।
द्रुतं मृगाङ्कदत्तस्तामटवीमुदलङ्घयत् ॥

Summary AI Having spoken thus, Mṛgāṅkadatta, along with those ministers afflicted by hunger and thirst, quickly crossed that forest.

१२.३३.१२

ददर्श चाग्रे सुमहत्स्वच्छशीतजलैर्भृतम् ।
सरो ऽर्कतापगलितस्यामृतांशोरिव द्रवैः ॥

Summary AI And ahead, he saw a very large lake filled with clear, cold water, as if it were formed from the melted essence of the moon dissolved by the sun's heat.

१२.३३.१३

दिगन्तव्यापिविस्तारं प्रतिबिम्बमिवात्मनः ।
द्रष्टुं त्रैलोक्यलक्ष्म्येव विहितं मणिदर्पणम् ॥

Summary AI Its expanse spread to the ends of the quarters, appearing like a jeweled mirror created for the Fortune of the three worlds to behold her own reflection.

१२.३३.१४

धार्तराष्ट्रकृतक्षोभं विचित्रार्जुनविभ्रमम् ।
विश्रान्तिकृत्स्वादुरसं भारतानुकृतिं दधत् ॥

Summary AI The lake resembled the Mahābhārata, for it was agitated by dhārtarāṣṭra (swans), possessed the beauty of arjuna trees, and its sweet water provided rest like poetic rasa.

१२.३३.१५

उपकण्ठमिलन्नीलकण्ठपीतविषोत्तमम् ।
अच्युताश्रितलक्ष्मीकं मन्थकालाब्धिसंनिभम् ॥

Summary AI It resembled the ocean at the time of churning, with peacocks (nīlakaṇṭha) gathered on its banks to drink its water, and having beauty (Lakṣmī) residing in its undying (Acyuta) waters.

१२.३३.१६

सूर्यरश्मिभिरप्राप्तगम्भीरशिशिरान्तरम् ।
अनन्तपद्मनिलयं पातालमिव भूमिगम् ॥

Summary AI With its deep, cool interior unreached by the sun's rays and being the abode of endless lotuses (Anantapadma), it was like the underworld (Pātāla) come to earth.

१२.३३.१७

तस्य तीरे च सरसः पश्चिमे स व्यलोकयत् ।
राजपुत्रः ससचिवो महान्तं दिव्यपादपम् ॥

Summary AI On the western bank of that lake, the prince, along with his ministers, beheld a great divine tree.

१२.३३.१८

वातान्दोलितविस्तारिशाखाभुजकदम्बकम् ।
मूर्धलग्नाभ्रसरितं नृत्यन्तमिव शंकरम् ॥

Summary AI With its mass of wide branches swaying in the wind like many arms and the heavenly river (clouds) touching its top, it appeared like Śaṃkara dancing.

१२.३३.१९

अत्युन्नतेन शिरसा व्योमपृष्ठावगाहिना ।
कौतुकान्नन्दनोद्यानशोभां द्रष्टुमिवोद्यतम् ॥

Summary AI With its very high peak penetrating the surface of the sky, it seemed as if it were straining out of curiosity to see the beauty of the Nandana garden.

१२.३३.२०

शोभमानं फलैर्दिव्यरसैः शाखावलम्बिभिः ।
कल्पद्रुमं सुरानद्धैः पीयूषकलशैरिव ॥

Summary AI It shone with fruits hanging from its branches, full of divine juice, appearing like a Kalpadruma tree decorated by the gods with jars of nectar.

१२.३३.२१

मा मां यथा तथा कश्चित्स्प्राक्षीदिति खगारवैः ।
व्याहरन्तमिव प्रेङ्खत्पल्लवाग्रकरं मुहुः ॥

Summary AI As if warning with the cries of birds, "Let no one touch me in any manner," the tree repeatedly waved its hands made of the tips of trembling leaves.

१२.३३.२२

यावन्मृगाङ्कदत्तस्तं स निर्वर्णयति प्रभुः ।
तावत्तन्मन्त्रिणस्तस्मिन्प्रधाव्य क्षुत्तृषार्दिताः ॥

Summary AI While the lord Mṛgāṅkadatta was observing that tree, his ministers, afflicted by hunger and thirst, rushed toward it.

१२.३३.२३

फलानि भोक्तुमारूढास्तस्य दृष्ट्वैव तानि ते ।
फलत्वं षडपि प्राप्ता मानुषा अप्यशङ्कितम् ॥

Summary AI Having climbed the tree to eat its fruits, those six men, upon merely seeing them, unexpectedly turned into fruits themselves.

१२.३३.२४

ततो मृगाङ्कदत्तस्तानपश्यन्विह्वलः सखीन् ।
एकैकं स तरौ तत्र नामग्राहमशब्दयत् ॥

Summary AI Distraught at not seeing his friends, Mṛgāṅkadatta called out to each of them by name there at the tree.

१२.३३.२५

यदा ददुर्न वचनं न चादृश्यन्त ते क्व चित् ।
तदा हा हा हतो ऽस्मीति नैराश्यविधुरं वदन् ॥

Summary AI When they gave no reply and were nowhere to be seen, he cried out in despair, "Alas! I am undone!"

१२.३३.२६

स राजपुत्रो न्यपतन्मूर्च्छितो ऽत्र महीतले ।
द्रुमानारूढपार्श्वस्थकेवलश्रुतधिद्विजः ॥

Summary AI That prince fell unconscious on the ground, with only the Brāhmaṇa Śrutadhi, who had not climbed the tree and stood by his side, remaining.

१२.३३.२७

श्रुतधिः स च विप्रस्तमुवाचाश्वास्य तत्क्षणम् ।
कृतप्रज्ञो ऽपि किं देव त्यक्तधैर्यो ऽवसीदसि ॥

Summary AI The Brāhmaṇa Śrutadhi consoled him at once and said, "O King, why do you despair and abandon your courage despite being so wise?"

१२.३३.२८

अश्नुते हि स कल्याणं व्यसने यो न मुह्यति ।
नागशापवियुक्तान्किं नैतान्संप्राप्तवानसि ॥

Summary AI "He who is not deluded in times of calamity attains auspiciousness. Did you not regain these ministers after they were separated by the curse of the Nāga?"

१२.३३.२९

तथैव पुनरप्येतान्मन्त्रिणो ऽन्यांश्च लप्स्यसे ।
शशाङ्कवत्या संयोगो ऽप्यचिरात्ते भविष्यति ॥

Summary AI "In the same way, you will recover these ministers and the others too; your union with Śaśāṅkavatī will also happen before long."

१२.३३.३०

एवं श्रुतधिनोक्तः सन्राजपुत्रो जगाद सः ।
कुत एतदिदं धात्रा नाशायासूत्रितं हि नः ॥

Summary AI Addressed thus by Śrutadhi, the prince replied, "How can this be? Surely, Fate has orchestrated all this for our destruction."

१२.३३.३१

क्वान्यथा निशि वेतालः क्व च भीमपराक्रमः ।
क्व शशाङ्कवतीज्ञानं तत्संवादप्रसङ्गतः ॥

Summary AI "Otherwise, how do we explain the encounter with the Vetāla at night, the display of terrible prowess, and the knowledge of Śaśāṅkavatī gained through that conversation?"

१२.३३.३२

तां च प्राप्तुमयोध्यायाः क्व चास्माकं विनिर्गमः ।
विन्ध्याटव्यां क्व चान्योन्यवियोगो नागशापतः ॥

Summary AI "And how do we explain our departure from Ayodhyā to find her, and our mutual separation in the Vindhya forest due to the Nāga's curse?"

१२.३३.३३

ततः कतिपयानां नः क्रमशः क्व च संगमः ।
क्व चाधुना वियोगो ऽयमिष्टत्यागः पुनः सखे ॥

Summary AI "Then, how did some of us gradually reunite, only for this separation and loss of loved ones to occur once more, my friend?"

१२.३३.३४

ते हि वृक्षे ऽत्र भूतेन ग्रस्तास्तैश्च विना मम ।
का शशाङ्कवती किं च जीवितं तदलं भ्रमैः ॥

Summary AI "They have been swallowed by a spirit in this tree; without them, what use is Śaśāṅkavatī or even life itself? Enough of these delusions."

१२.३३.३५

इत्यूचिवाञ्शुचा सो ऽत्र सरस्यात्मानमुज्झितुम् ।
मृगाङ्कदत्त उत्तस्थौ श्रुतधौ वारयत्यपि ॥

Summary AI Saying this, Mṛgāṅkadatta, consumed by grief, rose to throw himself into the lake, even as Śrutadhi tried to restrain him.

१२.३३.३६

तावद्वागत्र गगनादुच्चचाराशरीरिणी ।
मा पुत्र साहसं कार्षीः सर्वं स्वन्तं हि भावि ते ॥

Summary AI Just then, a celestial voice rose from the sky: "O son, do not act rashly; all will end well for you."

१२.३३.३७

अस्मिन्गणपतिर्देवः स्वयं वसति पादपे ।
स च त्वत्सचिवैरेतैरद्याज्ञानाद्विमानितः ॥

Summary AI "Lord Gaṇapati himself resides in this tree, and today he was insulted by these ministers of yours through their ignorance."

१२.३३.३८

ते ह्यशुद्धा अनाचान्ता अक्षालितकराङ्घ्रयः ।
क्षुधार्तास्तन्निवासे ऽस्मिन्नारूढाः फललिप्सवः ॥

Summary AI "Being impure, without having performed ceremonial water-sipping or washing their hands and feet, they climbed into his dwelling, driven by hunger and the desire for fruit."

१२.३३.३९

ततः स्पृष्टेषु तेष्वत्र फलतामेव ते गताः ।
यच्चित्तास्तद्गतिं गच्छन्त्विति विघ्नेशशापतः ॥

Summary AI "When they touched the fruits, they turned into fruits themselves due to the curse of the Lord of Obstacles, who decreed, 'Let them attain the state of that which they have set their minds upon.'"

१२.३३.४०

अन्ये ऽपि ये त्वत्सचिवाश्चत्वारस्ते पथामुना ।
आगता एवमेवास्मिन्नारूढाः फलतां गताः ॥

Summary AI "Your other four ministers also came by this path, climbed the tree in the same manner, and likewise turned into fruits."

१२.३३.४१

तस्मादाराधयैतं त्वं तपोभिर्गणनायकम् ।
एतत्प्रसादात्सर्वेष्टसिद्धिस्तव भविष्यति ॥

Summary AI Therefore, worship this leader of the gaṇas, Gaṇeśa, through penance. By his grace, the accomplishment of all your desires will come to pass.

१२.३३.४२

इत्युक्तः स सुधासारसृजेवाकाशतो गिरा ।
मृगाङ्कदत्तो जातास्थो देहत्यागान्न्यवर्तत ॥

Summary AI Addressed by this voice from the sky, which seemed to pour forth an essence of nectar, Mṛgāṅkadatta regained his hope and desisted from his attempt to abandon his body.

१२.३३.४३

कृत्वा च सरसि स्नानं तरौ तस्मिन्गणाधिपम् ।
अर्चयित्वोज्झिताहारस्तमस्तौषीत्कृताञ्जलिः ॥

Summary AI After bathing in the lake and worshipping the Lord of the gaṇas, Gaṇeśa, at that tree, the prince abandoned food and, with palms joined in reverence, began to praise him.

१२.३३.४४

जय निजताण्डवडम्बर-
मर्दभरन्यञ्चितेन भुवनेन ।
समहीशैलवनेन
प्रणम्यमानेश गजवदन ॥

Summary AI Victory to you, O elephant-faced Lord! You are saluted by the entire world—including its earth, mountains, and forests—which is bent low by the massive weight and pressure of your own fierce tāṇḍava dance.

१२.३३.४५

जय ससुरासुरमानुष-
भुवनत्रयपूजिताङ्घ्रिकमलयुग ।
वरविविधसिद्धिनिर्भ-
रनिधान कुम्भोपमाकार ॥

Summary AI Victory to you, whose pair of lotus feet are worshipped by the three worlds of gods, demons, and humans! O treasure-house filled with various excellent supernatural powers, you whose form resembles a water-pot, victory to you!

१२.३३.४६

जय युगपदुदितचण्ड-
द्वादशदिनकृत्प्रदीप्ततेजस्क ।
हरहरिसुरपतिदुर्ज-
यदितिजकुलाकालकल्पान्त ॥

Summary AI Victory to you, whose radiant energy is like twelve fierce suns rising at once! You are the untimely dissolution for the race of demons who are difficult to conquer even for Hara, Hari, and Indra.

१२.३३.४७

जय भक्तवृजिनवारण
लीलानीराजनोल्मुकेनेव ।
परशुवरेण विराजित-
करतलकलितानलज्वाल ॥

Summary AI Victory to you, the dispeller of the sins of your devotees! You hold a brilliant flame in your palm, made beautiful by an excellent axe that serves as a torch in a divine lustration ceremony.

१२.३३.४८

अभिमतसिद्ध्यै भर्तुस्त्रिपुरावजये गणेश गौर्यापि ।
यः पूजितो ऽसि तं त्वां श्रितो ऽस्मि शरणं नमस्ते ऽस्तु ॥

Summary AI O Gaṇeśa, you were worshipped even by Gaurī for the success of her husband Śiva's victory over Tripura; I have come to you for refuge. Let there be salutations to you!

१२.३३.४९

इति संस्तुतविघ्नेशो निराहारः कुशास्तरे ।
मृगाङ्कदत्तो ऽनैषीत्तां रात्रिं तस्य तरोस्तले ॥

Summary AI Having thus praised Vighneśa, the fasting Mṛgāṅkadatta spent that night on a bed of kuśa grass at the foot of that tree.

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