कथासरित्सागरः — प्रथमस्तरङ्गः

प्रथमस्तरङ्गः ।

निशासु ताण्डवोद्दण्डशुण्डासीत्कास्रशीकरैः ।
ज्योतींषि पुष्णन्निव वस्तमो मुष्णातु विघ्नजित् ॥

Summary AI May the overcomer of obstacles, Vighnajit, destroy your darkness. He appears to nourish the stars during the nights with the spray from the hissing sound of his trunk, which is raised high in his wild dance.

१५.१.२

ततो गोविन्दकूटे ऽत्र स्थितमास्थानवर्तिनम् ।
नरवाहनदत्तं तं चक्रवर्तिनमाययौ ॥

Summary AI Then, a certain being approached Emperor Naravāhanadatta, who was seated in his court on the peak of Govindakūṭa.

१५.१.३

विद्याधरो द्युमार्गेण सो ऽमृतप्रभसंज्ञकः ।
येनैष रक्षितः पूर्वं शत्रुक्षिप्तो ऽग्निपर्वते ॥

Summary AI That Vidyādhara, named Amṛtaprabha, arrived through the sky. He was the one who had previously rescued the King when he was cast onto the Fire Mountain by his enemies.

१५.१.४

आगत्यावेदितात्मा च प्रणतश्चक्रवर्तिना ।
तेन प्रीतिकृतातिथ्यः स तं विद्याधरो ऽब्रवीत् ॥

Summary AI Having arrived and announced himself, the Vidyādhara was saluted by the Emperor. After receiving affectionate hospitality, he spoke to him.

१५.१.५

अस्ति दक्षिणदिग्वर्ती मलयाख्यो महागिरिः ।
तत्राश्रमपदे चास्ते वामदेवो महानृषिः ॥

Summary AI In the southern region lies the great mountain named Malaya. In a hermitage there dwells the great sage Vāmadeva.

१५.१.६

स त्वां कस्यापि कार्यस्य हेतोरेकाकिनं प्रभो ।
आह्वयत्येतदर्थं च तेनाहं प्रेषितो ऽद्य ते ॥

Summary AI O Lord, he summons you alone for some specific purpose. For this reason, I have been sent by him to you today.

१५.१.७

पूर्वार्जितः प्रभुस्त्वं च मम तेनास्मि चागतः ।
तदेहि सिद्ध्यै गच्छावः शीघ्रं तस्यान्तिकं मुनेः ॥

Summary AI You are my master from a former life, and thus I have come. Therefore, come; let us go quickly to the presence of that sage for the sake of success.

१५.१.८

एवमुक्तवता तेन सह विद्याधरेण सः ।
तत्रैव भार्याः सेनाश्च स्थापयित्वा तथेति ताः ॥

Summary AI Having agreed with the Vidyādhara who spoke thus, Naravāhanadatta left his wives and armies there, telling them, 'So be it.'

१५.१.९

उत्पत्य नभसा क्षिप्रं प्राप्यैव मलयाचलम् ।
नरवाहनदत्तस्तं वामदेवर्षिमभ्यगात् ॥

Summary AI Flying quickly through the sky and reaching the Malaya mountain, Naravāhanadatta approached the sage Vāmadeva.

१५.१.१०

ददर्श तं च जरसा पाण्डुरं प्रांशुविग्रहम् ।
निर्मांसनेत्रकुहरस्फुरत्तारकसन्मणिम् ॥

Summary AI He saw the sage, whose tall frame was pale with age, and whose pupils shone like excellent jewels within the hollows of his fleshless eyes.

१५.१.११

विद्याधरेन्द्ररत्नानां स्थानं वेल्लज्जटालतम् ।
हिमाद्रिं सिद्धिसाहाय्यहेतोरिव सहागतम् ॥

Summary AI He appeared like the Himālaya mountain come to assist in his success, a repository of the jewels of the Vidyādhara lords, with his moving matted locks resembling creepers.

१५.१.१२

ततो ववन्दे चरणौ मुनेस्तस्य स सो ऽपि तम् ।
राजानं रचितातिथ्यो मुनिरेवमभाषत ॥

Summary AI Then he prostrated at the feet of the sage. The sage, having offered him hospitality, spoke to the King in this manner.

१५.१.१३

पुरा दग्धो ऽपि कामस्त्वं रत्यास्तुष्टेन शंभुना ।
सर्वविद्याधरेन्द्राणां चक्रवर्ती विनिर्मितः ॥

Summary AI Though you were formerly burnt as Kāma, you have been ordained as the Emperor of all the Vidyādhara lords by Śambhu, who was pleased with Rati.

१५.१.१४

तदाश्रमे ममैतस्मिन्गम्भीरान्तर्गुहान्तरे ।
सन्ति रत्नानि तानि त्वं मदादिष्टानि साधय ॥

Summary AI In this hermitage of mine, within the depths of a deep cave, those jewels exist. You must attain them as directed by me.

१५.१.१५

जेयो मन्दरदेवो हि सिद्धरत्नस्य ते भवेत् ।
एतदर्थं त्वमाहूतो मयेह गिरिशाज्ञया ॥

Summary AI Once you have acquired the jewels, Mandaradeva will indeed be conquerable by you. For this purpose, you have been summoned here by me at the command of Giriśa.

१५.१.१६

इत्युक्त्वा तेन मुनिनैवोपदिष्टविधिश्च सः ।
नरवाहनदत्तस्तां प्रहृष्टः प्राविशद्गुहाम् ॥

Summary AI Having been told this and instructed in the procedure by the sage, the delighted Naravāhanadatta entered that cave.

१५.१.१७

तस्यां विजित्य विघ्नौघांस्तांस्तान्वीरो ददर्श सः ।
गजेन्द्रमभिधावन्तं मत्तं सगलगर्जितम् ॥

Summary AI Having overcome various obstacles in that cave, the hero saw a furious lordly elephant charging at him with a gurgling roar.

१५.१.१८

मुखे मुष्टिप्रहारं च दत्त्वा पादौ च दन्तयोः ।
आरुरोह च तं मत्तगजं राजा स लाघवास्त् ॥

Summary AI Striking it on the face with his fist and placing his feet on its tusks, the King nimbly mounted that intoxicated elephant.

१५.१.१९

साधु सिद्धं महाहस्तिरत्नं ते चक्रवर्तिनः ।
इति वाणी गुहामध्यादशरीरोदभूत्तदा ॥

Summary AI 'Well achieved is the great Elephant-Jewel by you, the Emperor!'—thus a bodiless voice arose from the midst of the cave at that time.

१५.१.२०

ततः खड्गमहीन्द्राभं स ददर्श निपत्य च ।
चक्रवर्तित्वलक्ष्म्यास्तं केशपाशमिवाग्रहीत् ॥

Summary AI Then he saw a sword shining like a great serpent. Dismounting, he grasped it as if it were the lovely tresses of the Goddess of Sovereignty.

१५.१.२१

साधु भोः खड्गरत्नं ते सिद्धं जैत्रमरिंदम ।
इति वागुदभूद्भूयो ऽप्यशरीरा गुहान्तरे ॥

Summary AI 'O conqueror of foes! Your excellent, victorious sword-jewel has been won,' a bodiless voice arose again from within the cave.

१५.१.२२

ततः स चन्द्रिकारत्नं कामिनीरत्नमत्र च ।
विध्वंसिनीति नाम्ना च विद्यारत्नमसाधयस्त् ॥

Summary AI Then he acquired there the jewel of moonlight, the jewel of a lovely woman, and the jewel of knowledge named Vidhvaṃsinī.

१५.१.२३

एवं द्वाभ्यां सहाद्याभ्यां सरसा चन्दनेन च ।
कार्यकालोपयुक्तानि सप्त माहात्म्यदानि च ॥

Summary AI Thus, along with the two initial jewels, the lake, and the sandalwood tree, there were seven majesty-bestowing jewels useful for the time of action.

१५.१.२४

साधयित्वा स रत्नानि गुहाया निर्गतस्ततः ।
वामदेवर्षये तस्मै सिद्धं सर्वं शशंस तत् ॥

Summary AI Having acquired the jewels, he emerged from the cave and reported all that success to the sage Vāmadeva.

१५.१.२५

ततः स मुनिराह स्म तं प्रीत्या चक्रवर्तिनम् ।
पुत्र सिद्धमहाचक्रवर्तिरत्नो व्रजाधुना ॥

Summary AI Then the sage affectionately said to that emperor, 'O son, now that you have acquired the jewels of a great emperor, depart now.'

१५.१.२६

जय मन्दरदेवं तं कैलासोत्तरपार्श्वगम् ।
भुङ्क्ष्व चोभयतत्पार्श्वसाम्राज्यश्रियमूर्जिताम् ॥

Summary AI 'Conquer Mandaradeva, who dwells on the northern side of Kailāsa, and enjoy the powerful imperial glory of both sides.'

१५.१.२७

इत्युक्तस्तेन मुनिना सिद्धकार्यः प्रणम्य तम् ।
चक्रवर्ती ततो व्योम्ना स ययौ सामृतप्रभः ॥

Summary AI Addressed thus by the sage, the emperor, his task accomplished, bowed to him and departed through the air with Amṛtaprabha.

१५.१.२८

प्राप गोविन्दकूटस्थं तच्च स्वशिबिरं क्षणात् ।
महाप्रभावया श्वश्र्वा धनवत्याभिरक्षितम् ॥

Summary AI In a moment, he reached his own camp at Govindakūṭa, which was protected by his highly powerful mother-in-law Dhanavatī.

१५.१.२९

तत्र मार्गोन्मुखैर्दृष्टा निजैर्विद्याधराधिपैः ।
भार्याभिः सचिवैश्चैव प्रहृष्टैः सो ऽभ्यनन्द्यत ॥

Summary AI There he was joyfully welcomed by his own Vidyādhara chiefs, wives, and ministers, who were looking out for his return.

१५.१.३०

अथोपविष्टः पृच्छद्भ्यो वामदेवर्षिदर्शनम् ।
गुहाप्रवेशं रत्नानां सिद्धिं चैभ्यः शशंस सः ॥

Summary AI Then, being seated, he related to those who asked about his meeting with the sage Vāmadeva, his entry into the cave, and the acquisition of the jewels.

१५.१.३१

ततस्तत्र हतानन्ददिव्यतूर्यो महोत्सवः ।
नृत्यद्विद्याधरीको ऽभूत्पानमत्तजनस्तथा ॥

Summary AI Then a great festival took place there, with celestial drums sounding joyfully, Vidyādharī women dancing, and people intoxicated with drink.

१५.१.३२

अन्येद्युश्च रिपुस्थानस्थितासौम्यग्रहेण सः ।
आक्रान्तकण्टकस्थानसौम्येनात्मसमर्द्धिना ॥

Summary AI On the following day, at a time when unfavorable planets were in the enemy's house and obstacles were overcome by his own growing prosperity,

१५.१.३३

सर्वान्यसंपद्युक्तेन लग्नेन कृतमङ्गलः ।
आरुह्य शर्वदत्तं तद्विमानं ब्रह्मनिर्मितम् ॥

Summary AI and at an ascendant endowed with all other prosperities, having performed auspicious rites, he ascended the celestial chariot Śarvadatta created by Brahmā.

१५.१.३४

जेतुं मन्दरदेवं तं ससैन्यो ऽन्तःपुरान्वितः ।
नरवाहनदत्तो ऽत्र प्रतस्थे नभसा ततः ॥

Summary AI Naravāhanadatta then set out through the sky with his army and the ladies of his harem to conquer Mandaradeva.

१५.१.३५

चेलुश्चानुचरास्ते ते प्रवीराः परिवार्य तम् ।
भक्ता भीताश्च गन्धर्वराजविद्याधराधिपाः ॥

Summary AI His devoted and awestruck followers—various heroes, Gandharva kings, and Vidyādhara lords—moved along surrounding him.

१५.१.३६

सेनापतेर्हरिशिखस्यादेशानुविधायिनः ।
चण्डसिंहः समं मात्रा धनवत्या सुमेधसा ॥

Summary AI Following the orders of the commander Hariśikha, Caṇḍasiṃha with his wise mother Dhanavatī,

१५.१.३७

वीरः पिङ्गलगान्धारस्तथा वायुपथो बली ।
विद्युत्पुञ्जो ऽमितगतिः कालकूटपतिश्च सः ॥

Summary AI the hero Piṅgalagāndhāra, the strong Vāyupatha, Vidyutpuñja, Amitagati, and the lord of Kālakūṭa,

१५.१.३८

मन्दरः समहादंष्ट्रः स्वसखा चामृतप्रभः ।
समं सागरदत्तेन वीरश्चित्राङ्गदो ऽपि सः ॥

Summary AI Mandara with Mahādaṃṣṭra, his friend Amṛtaprabha, and the hero Citrāṅgada along with Sāgaradatta,

१५.१.३९

एते चान्ये च ये ऽत्रासन्गौरिमुण्डव्यपाश्रिताः ।
समग्रास्ते ऽन्वधावंस्तं विजिगीषुं बलान्विताः ॥

Summary AI these and all others who were formerly dependents of Gaurimuṇḍa, being full of strength, pursued the ambitious king.

१५.१.४०

तदा तत्सेनया छन्ने गगने क्वापि भास्करः ।
ममज्ज लज्जयेवात्र तत्तेजोनिह्नुतप्रभः ॥

Summary AI Then, the sky being covered by that army, the sun, its light hidden by their splendor, seemed to sink somewhere as if out of shame.

१५.१.४१

अथ मानसमुल्लङ्घ्य देवर्षिव्रातसेवितम् ।
अतीत्य गण्डशैलं च लीलोद्यानं द्युयोषिताम् ॥

Summary AI Then the Emperor Naravāhanadatta, crossing Lake Mānasa which is frequented by hosts of divine sages, passed beyond the boundary peak that serves as the pleasure garden of celestial nymphs.

१५.१.४२

स चक्रवर्ती संप्राप स्फटिकापाण्डुरत्विषः ।
मूलं निजयशोराशेरिव कैलासभूभृतः ॥

Summary AI The sovereign reached the foot of Mount Kailāsa, which gleamed with the white brilliance of crystal, appearing like the very root of his own accumulated fame.

१५.१.४३

तत्र मन्दाकिनीतीरे निषण्णं निजगाद तम् ।
विद्याधराधिपो धीमान्मन्दरो बन्धुरं वचः ॥

Summary AI There, as the Emperor sat on the banks of the Mandākinī river, the wise Vidyādhara King Mandara addressed him with these charming and appropriate words.

१५.१.४४

इहैव तावद्देवाद्य स्थीयतां द्युनदीतटे ।
न युक्तमिममुल्लङ्घ्य कैलासं गन्तुमग्रतः ॥

Summary AI O Lord, let us stay right here on the banks of the celestial river for today. It is not proper to fly over Mount Kailāsa to proceed further.

१५.१.४५

हरास्पदस्य ह्येतस्य विद्या नश्यन्ति लङ्घनात् ।
त्रिशीर्षगुहया तस्य गन्तव्यं पार्श्वमुत्तरम् ॥

Summary AI Indeed, one's magic sciences perish if they fly over this abode of Śiva. One must reach its northern side by passing through the Triśīrṣaguhā cave.

१५.१.४६

देवमायाभिधानेन सा च राज्ञाभिरक्ष्यते ।
स चातिदृप्तस्तस्मात्तमजित्वा गम्यते कथम् ॥

Summary AI That cave is guarded by a king named Devamāya, who is exceedingly arrogant. Therefore, how can we proceed without first conquering him?

१५.१.४७

मन्दरेणैवमुदिते धनवत्यानुमोदिते ।
नरवाहनदत्तस्तं तत्रैवासीत्स वासरम् ॥

Summary AI When Mandara spoke thus and Dhanavatī approved, Naravāhanadatta remained at that very spot for the remainder of the day.

१५.१.४८

तत्रस्थो देवमायाय दूतं साम्ना व्यसर्जयत् ।
स च सान्त्वेन नैवास्य शासनं प्रत्यपद्यत ॥

Summary AI While staying there, he dispatched a messenger to Devamāya with peaceful overtures, but the latter would not accept the Emperor's command through such conciliatory means.

१५.१.४९

ततो ऽपरेद्युः संनद्धैस्तैस्तैः स्वै राजभिः सह ।
स चक्रवर्ती तं प्रायाद्देवमायं प्रति प्रभुः ॥

Summary AI The following day, the powerful sovereign set out against Devamāya, accompanied by his various vassal kings who were fully prepared for battle.

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