कथासरित्सागरः — द्वितीयस्तरङ्गः

द्वितीयस्तरङ्गः ।

अथापरेद्युरुत्थाय ततः कैलाससानुतः ।
नरवाहनदत्तो ऽसौ चक्रवर्ती बलान्वितः ॥

Summary AI The next day, the mighty Emperor Naravāhanadatta rose from the slopes of Mount Kailāsa.

राज्ञः काञ्चनदंष्ट्रस्य वचनादग्रगामिनः ।
प्रायान्मन्दरदेवीयं पुरं विमलसंज्ञकम् ॥

Summary AI Following the advice of King Kāñcanadaṃṣṭra, who led the way, he proceeded to the city named Vimala, which belonged to Mandaradeva.

१५.२.३

संप्राप तच्च सौवर्णप्रांशुप्राकारसुन्दरम् ।
सुमेरुमिव कैलासं सभाजयितुमागतम् ॥

Summary AI He reached that city, beautiful with its high golden ramparts, appearing like Mount Sumeru itself having come to pay homage to Mount Kailāsa.

१५.२.४

विवेश चातिगम्भीरमच्युतश्रीविराजितम् ।
अनन्तरत्ननिलयं निस्तोयमिव सागरम् ॥

Summary AI He entered the city, which was exceedingly profound, resplendent with undying prosperity, and a repository of endless gems, looking like a waterless ocean.

१५.२.५

तत्रास्थानोपविष्टं तं राजभिर्द्युचरैर्वृतम् ।
सम्राजमेत्य राजान्तःपुरवृद्धा व्यजिज्ञपन् ॥

Summary AI There, the elder women of the royal harem approached the Emperor, who was seated in the assembly hall surrounded by celestial kings, and made a request.

१५.२.६

गते मन्दरदेवे ऽत्र वनं युष्मत्पराजिते ।
तद्देव्यो ऽग्निं विविक्षन्ति श्रुत्वा वेत्त्यधुना प्रभुः ॥

Summary AI They informed him that since Mandaradeva, defeated by him, had retired to the forest, his queens desired to enter the fire. The Lord, having heard this, should now decide.

१५.२.७

इत्युक्तस्तैः स मरणाच्चक्रवर्ती निवार्य ताः ।
संविभेजे निवासादिदानेन भगिनीरिव ॥

Summary AI Addressed thus, the Emperor restrained the queens from death and supported them with dwellings and other provisions as if they were his own sisters.

१५.२.८

तेन विद्याधराधीशवर्गं निखिलमेव तम् ।
दत्तानुरागनिगडं स सम्राट्समपादयत् ॥

Summary AI By that act, the Emperor bound the entire group of Vidyādhara lords with the chains of devotion and affection.

१५.२.९

तं च तत्रामितगतिं राजानं पूर्वकल्पितम् ।
राज्ये मन्दरदेवस्य कृतज्ञः सो ऽभिषिक्तवान् ॥

Summary AI Grateful, he then consecrated the previously designated King Amitagati to the kingdom of Mandaradeva.

१५.२.१०

अर्पयामास तस्मै च तदीयांस्तान्महीक्षितः ।
राज्ञे काञ्चनदंष्ट्रादीन्भक्तायाव्यभिचारिणे ॥

Summary AI He then entrusted those kings, including Kāñcanadaṃṣṭra, to that loyal and steadfast king.

१५.२.११

रेमे च तत्र सप्ताहमुद्यानेषु महर्द्धिषु ।
कैलासोत्तरदिक्पार्श्वलक्ष्म्याश्लिष्टो नवोढया ॥

Summary AI He enjoyed himself there for a week in magnificent gardens, embraced by the beauty of the northern slopes of Kailāsa as if by a newlywed bride.

१५.२.१२

ततश्चोभयवेद्यर्धविद्याधरमहीक्षिताम् ।
चक्रवर्तित्वमासद्याप्यधिकेच्छुर्बभूव सः ॥

Summary AI Although he had attained the status of Emperor over the Vidyādhara kings of both halves of the mountain ranges, he still desired even more.

१५.२.१३

गन्तुं प्रववृते जेतुं वारितो ऽपि स मन्त्रिभिः ।
तद्दिग्व्यवस्थितालङ्घ्यमेरुभूमीः सुराश्रयाः ॥

Summary AI Though restrained by his ministers, he set out to conquer the unassailable lands of Mount Meru located in that direction, which were the abode of the gods.

१५.२.१४

अत्यर्थोपचिताः कामं विशेषासादनं विना ।
तेजस्विनो न तिष्ठन्ति दीप्रा दावानला इव ॥

Summary AI For those possessed of great power, when highly increased, do not remain still without seeking further distinction, just like blazing forest fires.

१५.२.१५

ततस्तं नारदो ऽभ्येत्य मुनिरेवमभाषत ।
नीतिज्ञस्यास्पि ते को ऽयं राजन्नविषयोद्यमः ॥

Summary AI Then Sage Nārada approached him and spoke: "O King, even for one wise in policy like you, what is this effort towards an unattainable object?"

१५.२.१६

प्रवर्तमानो ह्र्युत्सेकादसाध्ये परिभूयते ।
दशास्य इव दर्पेण कैलासोन्मूलनोद्यतः ॥

Summary AI "One who, out of arrogance, engages in an impossible task, is defeated, just like the ten-faced Rāvaṇa who attempted to uproot Kailāsa out of pride."

१५.२.१७

दुर्लङ्घ्यो ह्यर्कचन्द्राभ्यामपिमेरुस्तवेह च ।
विद्याहरेन्द्रतादिष्टा शर्वेण न सुरेन्द्रता ॥

Summary AI "Even the sun and moon cannot overstep Mount Meru; moreover, Lord Śiva ordained for you the sovereignty over the Vidyādharas, not over the gods."

१५.२.१८

विद्याधराणां भूमिर्हि हिमवान्विजितस्त्वया ।
तन्मेरौ देवभूमौ ते किं कार्यं मुञ्च दुर्ग्रहम् ॥

Summary AI "You have already conquered the Himālaya, the land of the Vidyādharas. What business do you have with Meru, the land of the gods? Abandon this stubborn resolve."

१५.२.१९

पिता मन्दरदेवस्य यस्त्वकम्पनसंज्ञकः ।
स द्रष्टव्यस्त्वया गत्वा वनस्थः शिवमिच्छता ॥

Summary AI "Instead, if you desire welfare, you should go and visit Akampana, the father of Mandaradeva, who is now dwelling in the forest."

१५.२.२०

इत्युक्त्वा नारदमुनिः प्रतिपन्नं तथेति तम् ।
चक्रवर्तिनमामन्त्र्य जगाम स यथागतम् ॥

Summary AI Having spoken thus, Sage Nārada took leave of the Emperor, who accepted his advice, and departed as he had come.

१५.२.२१

चक्रवर्त्यपि कार्यज्ञो नारदेन च वारितः ।
ऋषभस्य तथा नाशं देवमायाच्छ्रुतं स्मरन् ॥

Summary AI The Emperor, wise in action and restrained by Nārada, remained mindful of the destruction of Ṛṣabha, which he had heard was brought about by divine illusion.

१५.२.२२

स विमृश्य स्वयं बुद्ध्या विनिवृत्त्य ततो ययौ ।
तपोवनस्थितं द्रष्टुं राजर्षिं तमकम्पनम् ॥

Summary AI Reflecting with his own intellect and turning back from there, he went to visit the royal sage Akampana, who was staying in a penance grove.

१५.२.२३

प्रापत्तपोवनं चास्य योगनिष्ठैर्महर्षिभिः ।
पद्मासनोपविष्टैश्च ब्रह्मलोकमिवावृतम् ॥

Summary AI He reached the sage's penance grove, which was filled with great rishis seated in the lotus posture and devoted to yoga, resembling the world of Brahmā.

१५.२.२४

तत्र वृद्धं ददर्शैतं जटावल्कलधारिणम् ।
अकम्पनं मुनिजनैर्महाद्रुममिवाश्रितम् ॥

Summary AI There he saw the aged Akampana, wearing matted hair and bark garments, surrounded by forest-dwelling ascetics like a great sheltering tree.

१५.२.२५

ववन्दे चोपसृत्यात्र पादावत्य तपस्विनः ।
असावपि कृतातिथ्यो राजर्षिर्निजगाद तम् ॥

Summary AI Approaching, he bowed at the feet of the ascetic; and that royal sage, having offered him hospitality, spoke to him.

१५.२.२६

युक्तं कृतं त्वया राजन्निममागच्छताश्रमम् ।
उल्लङ्घ्य गच्छतस्ते हि दद्युः शापं महर्षयः ॥

Summary AI "O King! You have done well by coming to this hermitage; for had you passed it by, the great sages would surely have pronounced a curse upon you."

१५.२.२७

इति ब्रुवति राजर्षौ तस्मिंस्तं चक्रवर्तिनम् ।
तिष्ठंस्तपोवने तत्र स गृहीतमुनिव्रतः ॥

Summary AI While the royal sage was thus addressing the Emperor, Mandaradeva, who had adopted the vows of a monk, was dwelling in that penance grove.

१५.२.२८

आगान्मन्दरदेवो ऽपि पितुस्तस्य तदान्तिकम् ।
स्वस्रा मन्दरदेव्यात्र कुमार्या सहितस्तया ॥

Summary AI Then Mandaradeva also arrived in the presence of his father, accompanied by his sister, the maiden Mandaradevī.

१५.२.२९

नरवाहनदत्तश्च दृष्ट्वा कण्ठे तमग्रहीत् ।
जितशान्तेषु धीराणां स्नेह एवोचितो ऽरिषु ॥

Summary AI Upon seeing him, Naravāhanadatta embraced him by the neck; for toward enemies who have been conquered and pacified, affection is the only appropriate response for the wise.

१५.२.३०

अथ मन्दरदेवीं तां भ्रात्रा सममुपागताम् ।
दृष्ट्वाकम्पनराजर्षिः स सम्राजमुवाच तम् ॥

Summary AI Then, seeing Mandaradevī arrive with her brother, the royal sage Akampana spoke to the Emperor.

१५.२.३१

इयं मन्दरदेवीति नाम्ना राजन्सुता मम ।
उक्ता च दिव्यवाचैषा महिषी चक्रवर्तिनः ॥

Summary AI "O King, this is my daughter named Mandaradevī; a divine voice has declared that she is to be the consort of the Emperor."

१५.२.३२

तदेतामुपयच्छस्व चक्रवर्तिन्मयार्पिताम् ।
इत्युक्तवति राजर्षौ सा जगाद तदात्मजा ॥

Summary AI "Therefore, O Emperor, accept her as she is offered by me." When the royal sage spoke thus, his daughter then said:

१५.२.३३

इह सन्ति चतस्रो मे वयस्या वरकन्यकाः ।
एका कनकवत्याख्या कन्या काञ्चनदंष्ट्रजा ॥

Summary AI "I have four excellent maidens as my friends here: one is Kanakavatī, the daughter of Kāñcanadaṃṣṭra."

१५.२.३४

द्वितीया कालजिह्वस्य नाम्ना कालवती सुता ।
तृतीया दीर्घदंष्ट्रस्य श्रुता नाम तनूद्भवा ॥

Summary AI "The second is the daughter of Kālajihva named Kālavatī, and the third is the daughter of Dīrghadaṃṣṭra named Śrutā."

१५.२.३५

चतुर्थी प्रोत्रराजस्य पुत्री नाम्नाम्बरप्रभा ।
विद्याधरेन्द्रकन्यानामहं तासां च पञ्चमी ॥

Summary AI "The fourth is Ambaraprabhā, the daughter of Protrarāja; and I am the fifth among these daughters of the Vidyādhara lords."

१५.२.३६

भ्रमन्त्यस्ता वयं पञ्च दृष्ट्वा पूर्वं तपोवने ।
आर्यपुत्रमिमं सोत्का व्यदध्म समयं मिथः ॥

Summary AI "Previously, while wandering in the penance grove, the five of us saw this noble prince and, filled with longing, we made a mutual pact."

१५.२.३७

सममस्माभिराहार्यो भर्तायं या पृथक्त्वमुम् ।
भजेदुद्दिश्य तामात्मा हन्तव्यो ऽन्याभिराश्विति ॥

Summary AI "We agreed that this husband must be taken by all of us together; if any one should approach him alone, the others must immediately kill themselves on her account."

१५.२.३८

तत्सखीबिर्विना ताभिर्युक्तः परिणयो न मे ।
मादृश्यो हि कथं कुर्युः सत्वोल्लङ्घनसाहसम् ॥

Summary AI "Therefore, my marriage without those friends is not proper; for how could those like me commit the rash act of violating their word of honor?"

१५.२.३९

एवं तया प्रौढयोक्ते तत्पिताकम्पनः स तान् ।
विद्याधरेन्द्रांश्चतुरो ऽप्याह्वयत्कन्यकापितृन् ॥

Summary AI When she spoke so boldly, her father Akampana summoned those four lords of the Vidyādharas who were the fathers of the other maidens.

१५.२.४०

शशंस च यथातत्त्वं स तेभ्यस्ते ऽपि तत्क्षणम् ।
कृतार्थमानिनः कन्यास्तनयास्ताः समानयन् ॥

Summary AI He explained the situation to them truthfully; and they, immediately feeling successful, brought their daughters there.

१५.२.४१

ततो मन्दरदेवीतः प्रभृत्येताः क्रमेण सः ।
नरवाहनदत्तो ऽन्याः पञ्चात्र परिणीतवान् ॥

Summary AI Then, starting with Mandaradevī, Naravāhanadatta sequentially married five other maidens there.

१५.२.४२

ताभिः सह च तत्रासीद्वासराणि बहूनि सः ।
ऋषींस्त्रिसंध्यं प्रणमन्कृतोत्सवपरिच्छदः ॥

Summary AI Accompanied by them and surrounded by festive attire, he remained there for many days, bowing to the sages thrice daily.

१५.२.४३

राजन्महाभिषेकार्थमृषभाद्रिं व्रजाधुना ।
इत्युक्ते ऽकम्पनेनाथ देवमायो ऽप्युवाच तम् ॥

Summary AI When Akampana said, "O King, go now to Mount Ṛṣabha for the great consecration," Devamāya also spoke to him.

१५.२.४४

देवैवमेव कार्यं ते यस्मादृषभकादयः ।
अभ्यषिच्यन्त तत्राद्रौ प्राक्तनाश्चक्रवर्तिनः ॥

Summary AI "O Lord, you must do exactly so, for on that mountain, ancient emperors like Ṛṣabhaka and others were consecrated."

१५.२.४५

तच्छ्रुत्वा निकटे श्लाघ्ये मन्दराद्रौ प्रशंसति ।
अभिषेकं हरिशिखे वागेवमुदभूद्दिवः ॥

Summary AI Hearing that, while the praiseworthy Hariśikha was commending the consecration on the nearby Mount Mandara, a voice arose from the sky.

१५.२.४६

महाभिषेकं सर्वे हि राजन्न् ऋषभपर्वते ।
पूर्वे प्राप्तास्त्वमप्यद्य गच्छ सिद्धपदं ह्यदः ॥

Summary AI "O King, all former emperors attained their great consecration on Mount Ṛṣabha; you too should go there today, for it is a place of spiritual perfection."

१५.२.४७

इत्युक्तो दिव्यया वाचा नत्वा साकम्पनानृषीन् ।
नरवाहनदत्तो ऽतः स प्रतस्थे शुभे ऽहनि ॥

Summary AI Thus addressed by the divine voice, Naravāhanadatta bowed to the sages including Akampana and set out from there on an auspicious day.

१५.२.४८

प्राप तच्च त्रिशीर्षाख्यगुहाय द्वारमुत्तरम् ।
सहामितगतिप्रष्ठैः सर्वविद्याधरेश्वरैः ॥

Summary AI Accompanied by the lords of all the vidyādharas, led by Amitagati, he reached the northern entrance of the cave named Triśīrṣa.

१५.२.४९

तत्र संपूजितां कालरास्त्रिं द्वारेण तेन सः ।
प्रविश्य तां गुहां सम्राड्दक्षिणेन विनिर्ययौ ॥

Summary AI After worshipping Goddess Kālarātri there, the emperor entered the cave through that door and emerged through the southern exit.