कथासरित्सागरः — प्रथमस्तरङ्गः

प्रथमस्तरङ्गः ।

पातु वस्ताण्डवोड्डीनगण्डसिन्दूरमण्डनः ।
वान्ताभिपीतप्रत्यूहप्रताप इव विघ्नजित् ॥

Summary AI May Vighnajit (Gaṇeśa), decorated with red lead from his cheeks during his dance, and whose radiance is like the vomit of swallowed obstacles, protect you.

१६.१.२

एवं तस्मिन्नृषभके पर्वते तस्य तिष्ठतः ।
नरवाहनदत्तस्य सभार्यस्य समन्त्रिणः ॥

Summary AI While Naravāhanadatta resided on Mount Ṛṣabhaka along with his wives and ministers...

१६.१.३

प्राप्य विद्याधराधीशचक्रवर्तिश्रियं पराम् ।
भुञ्जानस्याययौ पुष्णन्सुखानि मधुरेकदा ॥

Summary AI ...having attained the supreme glory of being the emperor of the Vidyādharas, the spring season once arrived, increasing his happiness.

१६.१.४

प्रससाद चिराच्चारु चन्द्रिका मृगलक्ष्मणः ।
नवीनशाद्वलाश्लिष्टा सस्वेदाभूद्वसुंधराः ॥

Summary AI The beautiful moonlight of the moon shone after a long time, and the earth, embraced by fresh green grass, appeared as if sweating with joy.

१६.१.५

आसन्नालिङ्ग्यमानाश्च मुहुर्मलयमारुतैः ।
कम्पाकुलाः कण्टकिताः सरसा वानराजयः ॥

Summary AI The rows of forest trees, repeatedly embraced by the Malaya breezes, became agitated, bristling with buds like horripilation, and full of sap.

१६.१.६

पुष्पचापप्रतीहारश्चूतयष्टिं बिलोकयन् ।
क्वणन्मानवतीमानं निषिषेधेव कोकिलः ॥

Summary AI The cuckoo, acting as the gatekeeper of the flower-bowed god, seemed to forbid the pride of haughty women with its cooing while gazing at the mango tree.

१६.१.७

निष्पेतुः पुपवल्लीभ्यः सशब्दा भृङ्गराजयः ।
मारवीरधनुर्मुक्ता इव नाराचपङ्क्तयः ॥

Summary AI Buzzing swarms of bees flew from the flowering creepers like rows of iron arrows shot from the bow of the heroic Māra.

१६.१.८

एवं मधुप्रवृत्तिं तां तदा वीक्ष्य व्यजिज्ञपन् ।
नरवाहनदत्तं तं सचिवा गोमुखादयः ॥

Summary AI Observing the arrival of the spring season, Gomukha and other ministers then addressed Naravāhanadatta in this way.

१६.१.९

देव पश्यान्य एवायं जातः पुष्पमयो ऽधुना ।
ऋषभाद्रिर्मधूत्फुल्लकाननालीनिरन्तरः ॥

Summary AI O King, look! Mount Ṛṣabhaka has now become completely transformed, covered by continuous rows of blossoming forests and filled with flowers.

१६.१.१०

अन्योन्यघट्टितैः पुष्पैः कांस्यतालवतीरिव ।
संगीता इव भृङ्गीनां विरुतैर्वातवेपिताः ॥

Summary AI Trembling in the wind, the creepers seem to play cymbals with their clashing flowers, accompanied by the musical humming of the bees.

१६.१.११

वसन्तसज्जितोद्यानमन्मथास्थानगामिनीः ।
विलोकय लता राजन्परागपटमालिनीः ॥

Summary AI O King, behold the creepers wearing veils of pollen as they move toward the assembly hall of Manmatha in the garden prepared by Spring.

१६.१.१२

अलिमालाश्लथज्येयं दृश्यतां चूतमञ्जरी ।
विश्रान्तस्य जगज्जित्वा कामस्येव धनुर्लता ॥

Summary AI Observe this mango blossom; it appears like the bow of Kāma, who is resting after conquering the world, with its string of bees loosened.

१६.१.१३

तदत्र रुचिरोद्याने देव मन्दाकिनीतटे ।
मधूत्सवमिमं तावदेहि गत्वोपभुञ्ज्महे ॥

Summary AI Therefore, O King, come; let us go to the beautiful garden on the banks of the Mandākinī and enjoy this spring festival.

१६.१.१४

इत्युक्तः सचिवैः सो ऽथ सावरोधवधूजनः ।
नरवाहनदत्तस्तद्ययौ मन्दाकिनीतटम् ॥

Summary AI Being thus addressed by his ministers, Naravāhanadatta then went to the banks of the Mandākinī with the ladies of his harem.

१६.१.१५

तत्र चिक्रीड चोद्याने नानाविहगनादिते ।
एलालवङ्गबकुलाशोकमन्दारमण्डिते ॥

Summary AI There he sported in the garden, which resounded with the calls of various birds and was adorned with cardamom, clove, Bakula, Aśoka, and Mandāra trees.

१६.१.१६

उपविष्टश्च विपुले चन्द्रकान्तशिलातले ।
पार्श्वे कृत्वा महादेवीं वामे मदनमञ्चुकाम् ॥

Summary AI He sat upon a vast slab of moonstone (candrakānta), having placed the chief queen Madanamañcukā on his left side.

१६.१.१७

अन्यावरोधसहितस्तैस्तैर्विद्याधरेश्वरैः ।
चण्डसिंहामितगतिप्रमुखैः परिवारितः ॥

Summary AI Accompanied by his other wives, he was surrounded by various Vidyādhara lords, including Caṇḍasiṃha and Amitagati.

१६.१.१८

आपानं सेवमानो ऽत्र तास्ताः कुर्वन्कथास्तथा ।
विचार्य तम् ऋतुं सम्राट्सचिवान्स्वानुवाच सः ॥

Summary AI While enjoying the drinking party and engaging in various conversations, the emperor, reflecting on the season, spoke to his ministers.

१६.१.१९

सुखस्पर्शो मृदुर्वातो दक्षिणो विमला दिशः ।
पुष्पितानि सुगन्धीनि काननानि पदे पदे ॥

Summary AI The southern breeze is soft and pleasant, the quarters are clear, and at every step, the forests are fragrant and in full bloom.

१६.१.२०

मधुराः कोकिलालापाः पानलीलासुखानि च ।
सुखं किं न मधौ प्रेयोवियोगस्त्वत्र दुःसहः ॥

Summary AI In spring, the calls of the cuckoos are sweet and the pleasures of the drinking festivities abound. What is not joyful? Yet, separation from a loved one is unbearable here.

१६.१.२१

अन्यस्यास्तां तिरश्चामप्यत्र कष्टा वियोगिता ।
तथा च विरहक्लान्तामेतां पश्यत कोकिलाम् ॥

Summary AI Let others be; even for animals here, separation is painful. Look at this female cuckoo, exhausted by the pangs of separation.

१६.१.२२

एषा हि नष्टमन्विष्य कूजन्ती सुचिरं प्रियम् ।
अप्राप्य तं स्थिता चूते मृतेवालीय निःस्वना ॥

Summary AI Having searched for her lost beloved and cried out for a long time, and not finding him, she stays silent on a mango tree as if she were dead.

१६.१.२३

इत्युक्तवन्तं सम्राजं मन्त्री तं गोमुखो ऽब्रवीत् ।
सत्यं काले ऽत्र विरहो दुःसहः सर्वदेहिनाम् ॥

Summary AI To the emperor who spoke thus, the minister Gomukha replied, 'It is true, at this time, separation is unbearable for all living beings.'

१६.१.२४

तथाहि देव श्रावस्यां यद्वृत्तं वच्मि तच्छृणु ।
तत्रैको राजपुत्रो ऽभूद्ग्रामभुग्राजसेवकः ॥

Summary AI Indeed, O King, listen to what happened in Śrāvastī. There lived a certain prince who was a royal servant and the lord of a village.

१६.१.२५

शूरसेनाभिधानस्य तस्य मालवदेशजा ।
अनुरूपा सुषेणेति भार्याभूज्जीविताधिका ॥

Summary AI That man named Śūrasena had a suitable wife from the Mālava country named Suṣeṇā, who was dearer to him than his own life.

१६.१.२६

स जातु भूपेनाहूतः कटकं गन्तुमुद्यतः ।
शूरसेनो ऽनुरागिण्या जगदे भार्यया तया ॥

Summary AI Once, summoned by the king and preparing to go to the camp, Śūrasena was addressed by his devoted wife.

१६.१.२७

आर्यपुत्र न मुक्त्वा मामेककां गन्तुमर्हसि ।
नहि शक्ष्याम्यहं स्थातुं क्षणमत्र त्वया विना ॥

Summary AI 'O noble husband, you should not go leaving me alone. I will not be able to stay here even for a moment without you.'

१६.१.२८

एवं तयोक्तः प्रियया शूरसेनो जगाद ताम् ।
राजाहूतो न गच्छामि कथं तन्वि न वेत्सि किम् ॥

Summary AI Addressed thus by his beloved, Śūrasena said to her, 'O slender one, summoned by the king, how can I not go? Do you not know?'

१६.१.२९

राजपुत्रः परायत्तवृत्तिरस्मि हि सेवकः ।
तच्छ्रुत्वा साश्रुनयना सा भार्या तमभाषत ॥

Summary AI 'I am a prince and a servant whose livelihood is dependent on others.' Hearing that, his wife spoke to him with tearful eyes.

१६.१.३०

गन्तव्यं यद्यवश्यं ते सत्सहिष्ये कथंचन ।
दिनमप्यनतिक्रामन्नुपैष्यसि मधौ यदि ॥

Summary AI 'If you must go, I will somehow endure it, provided you return in the month of Madhu without letting even a single day pass.'

१६.१.३१

श्रुत्वैतत्सो ऽप्यवादीत्तामन्ततो निश्चितं प्रिये ।
त्यक्त्वापि कार्यमेष्यामि चैत्रस्य प्रथमे ऽहनि ॥

Summary AI Upon hearing this, he said to her, 'O beloved, it is finally decided; even if I have to abandon my work, I shall return on the first day of Caitra.'

१६.१.३२

इत्युक्तवान्कथमपि प्रिययानुमतस्तया ।
राज्ञः समीपं कटकं शूरसेनो जगाम सः ॥

Summary AI Having said this, Śūrasena, somehow permitted by his beloved, went to the military camp to be near the king.

१६.१.३३

तद्भार्याप्याशया तस्थौ गणयन्ती दिनानि सा ।
तदागमावधिमधुप्रारम्भदिवसेक्षिणी ॥

Summary AI His wife also remained there, counting the days in hope, looking forward to the start of spring, the deadline for his arrival.

१६.१.३४

गतेष्वथ दिनेष्वागात्स मधूत्सववासरः ।
मन्मथाह्वानमन्त्राभविलसत्कोकिलध्वनिः ॥

Summary AI As the days passed, the spring festival arrived, accompanied by the playful sound of cuckoos, which resembled the mantra for summoning Manmatha.

१६.१.३५

शुश्रुवे कुसुमामोदमाद्यन्मधुकरारवः ।
कामेनारोप्यमाणस्य कार्मुकस्येव निःस्वनः ॥

Summary AI The buzzing of the bees, intoxicated by the fragrance of flowers, was heard like the sound of the bow being strung by Kāma.

१६.१.३६

सो ऽयं मधूत्सवः प्राप्तो ध्रुवमद्यैष्यति प्रियः ।
इति तस्मिन्दिने तस्य शूरसेनस्य सा वधूः ॥

Summary AI On that day, the wife of Śūrasena thought, 'This spring festival has arrived, and surely my beloved will return today.'

१६.१.३७

विचिन्त्य विहितस्नाना सुषेणाभ्यर्चितस्मरा ।
उद्वीक्ष्यमाणा तन्मार्गं तस्थौ रचितमण्डना ॥

Summary AI Having thought thus, Suṣeṇā, having bathed, adorned herself, and worshiped Kāma, stood looking expectantly down the path for him.

१६.१.३८

दिनात्यये ऽपि न यदा स तस्याः पतिराययौ ।
तदा सा निशि नैराश्यविधुरा समचिन्तयत् ॥

Summary AI When her husband did not arrive even by the end of the day, she became overwhelmed by despair at night and thought:

१६.१.३९

मृत्योः कालो ऽयमायातो न त्वायातः पतिः स मे ।
परसेवैकसक्तानां को हि स्नेहो निजे जने ॥

Summary AI 'The time of my death has come, but my husband has not. What affection do those solely devoted to serving others have for their own kin?'

१६.१.४०

इत्येवं चिन्तयन्त्याश्च तस्यास्तद्गतचेतसः ।
निर्ययुः स्मरदावाग्निदह्यमाना इवासवः ॥

Summary AI As she was thinking thus, with her mind fixed on him, her life-breaths departed as if being consumed by the forest fire of love.

१६.१.४१

तावच्च भूपात्कथमप्यात्मानं प्रतिमोच्य सः ।
शूरसेनो ऽनतिक्रामन्दिनं तद्दयितोत्सुकः ॥

Summary AI Meanwhile, Śūrasena, having somehow managed to free himself from the king, was eager to see his beloved. Without letting even that day pass, he set out to reach her.

१६.१.४२

आरुह्य करभश्रेष्ठमुल्लङ्घ्याध्वानमायतम् ।
आगतः पश्चिमे यामे रात्रेः प्राप निजं गृहम् ॥

Summary AI Mounting an excellent camel and traversing a long distance, he arrived at his own home during the last watch of the night.

१६.१.४३

तत्रापश्यद्गतप्राणां प्रियां तां कृतमण्डनाम् ।
लतामुत्फुल्लकुसुमां वातेनोन्मूलितामिव ॥

Summary AI There, he beheld his beloved, who had lost her life while fully adorned, resembling a flowering creeper uprooted by the wind.

१६.१.४४

दृष्ट्वैव विह्वलस्यैतां कुर्वतो ऽङ्के विनिर्ययुः ।
प्रलापैः सह तस्यापि प्राणा विरहिणः क्षणात् ॥

Summary AI At the mere sight of her, the distraught and lonely Śūrasena, taking her into his lap, breathed his last in an instant, his life departing along with his lamentations.

१६.१.४५

तथा विपन्नौ दृष्ट्वा तौ दंपती कुलदेवता ।
कृपया जीवयामास देवी चण्डी वरप्रदा ॥

Summary AI Seeing the couple thus deceased, the boon-granting family deity, Goddess Caṇḍī, restored them to life out of compassion.

१६.१.४६

ततः प्रत्यागतप्राणौ ततः प्रभृति तावुभौ ।
दृष्टानुरागावन्योन्यमवियुक्तौ बभूवतुः ॥

Summary AI Then, having regained their lives, the two of them, whose mutual affection was evident, remained inseparable from that time forward.

१६.१.४७

इत्थं वसन्तसमये मलयानिलवीजितः ।
केषां न देहिनां देव दुःसहो विरहानलः ॥

Summary AI O Lord, in this manner, the fire of separation, fanned by the Malaya breeze during the spring season, is unbearable for all living beings.

१६.१.४८

इत्येवं गोमुखेनोक्ते तदेव किल भावयन् ।
नरवाहनदत्तो ऽभूत्सो ऽकस्माद्विमना इव ॥

Summary AI After Gomukha had spoken thus, Naravāhanadatta, reflecting on that very matter, suddenly became as if distracted in mind.

१६.१.४९

महात्मनां विना हेतोर्दुःस्थितः सुस्थितो ऽपि वा ।
सूचयन्त्यन्तरात्मा हि पुरो भावि शुभाशुभम् ॥

Summary AI Indeed, the inner soul of great beings, whether they are in a happy or unhappy state, portends future good or evil without any apparent cause.

Other texts to read

कादम्बरीसंग्रहः कृष्णमाचार्यः

पञ्चतन्त्रम् विष्णुशर्मा

About

Resources

Connect