कथासरित्सागरः — तृतीयस्तरङ्गः

तृतीयस्तरङ्गः ।

एवं तत्रासितगिरौ साध्वीं सुरतमञ्जरीम् ।
इत्यकापहृतां तस्मात्स्यालादप्यपभर्त्सितात् ॥

Summary AI On Mount Asitagiri, the virtuous Suratamañjarī was rescued after being abducted by her wicked brother-in-law, Itaka.

१६.३.२

हृत्वा समर्प्य भर्त्रे च मुनिमध्ये व्यवस्थितम् ।
नरवाहनदत्तं तं कश्यपर्षिरभाषत ॥

Summary AI After Naravāhanadatta restored the lady to her husband and sat among the sages, the great Sage Kaśyapa addressed him.

१६.३.३

नाभून्न भविता राजंश्चक्रवर्ती समस्तव ।
यस्य धर्भासनस्थस्य न रागादिवशा मतिः ॥

Summary AI O King! No emperor equal to you has ever existed or will ever exist, for your mind remains free from passion even while you are seated upon the sacred darbha grass.

१६.३.४

धन्यास्ते ऽपि च पश्यन्ति ये त्वां सुकृतिनं सदा ।
ईदृशे ऽपि हि साम्राज्ये नावद्यं किंचिदस्ति ते ॥

Summary AI Blessed are those who always behold you, a man of great merit. Even in such vast sovereignty, there is not the slightest fault to be found in you.

१६.३.५

आसन्नृषभकाद्या हि पुरान्ये चक्रवर्तिनः ।
नानाविधैश्च दोषैस्ते ग्रस्ता नष्टाः श्रियश्च्युताः ॥

Summary AI In ancient times, there were other emperors like Ṛṣabhaka, but they were consumed by various vices, leading to their downfall and the loss of their royal fortune.

१६.३.६

ऋषभः सर्वदमनस्तृतीयो बन्धुजीवकः ।
अतिदर्पेण ते सर्वे शक्रान्निग्रहमागताः ॥

Summary AI Ṛṣabha, Sarvadamana, and the third, Bandhujīvaka, all suffered divine punishment from Śakra because of their excessive pride.

१६.३.७

जीमूतवाहनो ऽप्येत्य पृष्टो विद्याधरेश्वरः ।
चक्रवर्तिपदप्राप्तिकारणं नारदर्षिणा ॥

Summary AI Sage Nārada once approached the Vidyādhara lord Jīmūtavāhana and questioned him about the reason he had attained the rank of a universal emperor.

१६.३.८

आचख्यौ कल्पवृक्षस्य दानं निजतनोस्तथा ।
तेनाभ्रश्यत्पदात्स्वस्मात्सुकृतोदीरणेन सः ॥

Summary AI Jīmūtavāhana explained that it was due to the gift of the wish-granting tree and his own body; however, by boasting of his merits, he fell from his high position.

१६.३.९

विश्वान्तराख्यो यश्चासीच्चक्रवर्तीह सो ऽपि च ।
इन्द्रीवराक्षे तनये हते चेदिमहीभृता ॥

Summary AI The emperor named Viśvāntara also met his end here; after his son Indrīvarākṣa was killed by Vasantatilaka, the King of Cedi.

१६.३.१०

वसन्ततिलकाख्येन तद्दारध्वंसकारिणी ।
कुपुत्रशोकमोहेन धैर्यहीनो व्यपद्यत ॥

Summary AI Overcome by the deluding grief for his wicked son, who had caused the ruin of his wife, Viśvāntara lost all his fortitude and perished.

१६.३.११

एकसारावलोकस्तु भूत्वा राजेन्द्र मानुषः ।
विद्याधराणां संप्राप्य सुकृतैश्चक्रवर्तिताम् ॥

Summary AI O great King, Ekasārāvaloka, though born as a mortal, attained the status of an emperor among the Vidyādharas through his past meritorious deeds.

१६.३.१२

अनासादितदोषः संश्चिरं साम्राज्यसंपदम् ।
भुक्त्वावसाने वैराग्यात्स्वयं त्यक्त्वा वनं गतः ॥

Summary AI Remaining free from vice, he enjoyed imperial prosperity for a long time, until finally, out of detachment, he renounced his kingdom and retired to the forest.

१६.३.१३

इत्थं विद्याधराः प्रायः स्वपदप्राप्तिमोहिताः ।
नोचिते पथि तिष्ठन्ति रागाद्यन्धाः पतन्ति च ॥

Summary AI Thus, many Vidyādharas, deluded by the acquisition of their status and blinded by passions, fail to remain on the righteous path and consequently fall from grace.

१६.३.१४

तत्त्वं न्याय्यात्पथः शश्वद्रक्षेः स्खलितमात्मनः ।
विद्याधरप्रजा चेयं रक्ष्या धर्मव्यतिक्रमात् ॥

Summary AI Therefore, you must always guard yourself against straying from the path of justice and protect these Vidyādhara subjects from deviating from righteousness.

१६.३.१५

कश्यपेनैवमुक्तस्तु सम्राट्श्रद्धिततद्वचः ।
नरवाहनदत्तस्तमिदं पप्रच्छ सादरम् ॥

Summary AI Addressed thus by Kaśyapa, Emperor Naravāhanadatta, placing full faith in the sage's words, respectfully asked him this question.

१६.३.१६

कथं तारावलोकेन मानुषेण सता पुरा ।
प्राप्तं विद्याधरैश्वर्यं भगवन्वर्णयस्व नः ॥

Summary AI O Blessed One, please describe to us how Tārāvaloka, while being a mere mortal, managed to attain the sovereignty of the Vidyādharas in ancient times.

१६.३.१७

तच्छ्रुत्वा कश्यपो ऽवादीच्छ्रूयतां कथयामि वः ।
चन्द्रावलोक इत्यासीन्नाम्ना शिबिषु भूपतिः ॥

Summary AI Hearing that request, Kaśyapa said: "I shall tell you, listen. There was once a king among the Śibis named Candrāvaloka."

१६.३.१८

तस्येश्वरस्या मूर्धन्या चन्द्रलेखेत्यभूत्प्रिया ।
दुग्धाब्धिनिर्मलकुला शुद्धा गङ्गासमस्थितिः ॥

Summary AI That lord had a chief queen named Candralekhā, who hailed from a lineage as pure as the Ocean of Milk and whose conduct was as holy as the Gaṅgā.

१६.३.१९

अभूच्च वारणस्तस्य परसेनाविमर्दनः ।
महान्कुवलयापीड इति ख्यातो महीतले ॥

Summary AI He also possessed a magnificent elephant, famous throughout the earth as Kuvalayāpīḍa, which was capable of crushing the armies of his enemies.

१६.३.२०

तत्प्रभावेण भूपालो बलिनापि न शत्रुणा ।
स पौरस्वामिके राज्ये पर्यभूयत केनचित् ॥

Summary AI Due to the power of that elephant, the king was never overcome by any enemy, however strong, within his kingdom which was governed by loyal citizens.

१६.३.२१

यौवनापगमे चास्य पुत्र एको महीपतेः ।
उत्पेदे चन्द्रलेखायां देव्यां कल्याणलक्षणः ॥

Summary AI When the king's youth had passed, a son endowed with auspicious marks was born to him by Queen Candralekhā.

१६.३.२२

तारावलोकनामा च क्रमाद्वृद्धिं जगाम सः ।
दानधर्मविवेकाद्यैः सहजातैर्गुणैः सह ॥

Summary AI Named Tārāvaloka, the prince grew up gradually along with innate virtues such as charity, piety, and discernment.

१६.३.२३

अशिक्षत च निःशेषं वाङ्मयार्थं महामतिः ।
नाशिक्षत न शब्दार्थमेकं कामप्रदो ऽर्थिषु ॥

Summary AI The highly intelligent prince mastered all literature and sciences; however, as a fulfiller of desires for seekers, he never learned the meaning of the single word 'no'.

१६.३.२४

क्रमाद्युवापि वयसा स्थविरः स विचेष्टितैः ।
तेजसा सूर्यसंकाशो ऽप्यत्यर्थं सौम्यदर्शनः ॥

Summary AI Although young in age, he was mature in his actions, and despite being brilliant like the sun in luster, he was exceedingly pleasing to behold.

१६.३.२५

राकाचन्द्र इवाशेषकलासंदोहसुन्दरः ।
कंदर्प इव विश्वस्य लोकस्यौत्सुक्यदायकः ॥

Summary AI He was beautiful like the full moon with the assembly of all arts and caused longing in all the world like Kamadeva himself.

१६.३.२६

संजज्ञे पितृशुश्रूषाजितजीमूतवाहनः ।
अभिव्यक्तमहाचक्रवर्तिलक्षणलाञ्छितः ॥

Summary AI He surpassed Jīmūtavāhana in service to his father and was marked by the distinct signs of a great universal emperor (Cakravartin).

१६.३.२७

ततस्तस्य कृते सूनोः कन्या मद्रेश्वरात्मजा ।
चन्द्रावलोकेनाजह्रे माद्रीनाम महीभृता ॥

Summary AI Then, for the sake of that son, King Candrāvaloka brought the daughter of the King of Madra, named Mādrī, to be his bride.

१६.३.२८

कृतोद्वाहं पिता तं च तद्गुणोत्कर्षतोषितः ।
यौवराज्ये महाराजस्तदैवाभिषिषेच सः ॥

Summary AI Pleased by the excellence of his virtues, the great king anointed him as the crown prince immediately after his marriage.

१६.३.२९

अभिषिक्तश्च पित्रात्र युवराजस्तदाज्ञया ।
तारावलोकः सो ऽन्नादिदानसत्त्राण्यकारयत् ॥

Summary AI Once consecrated as the crown prince by his father, Tārāvaloka, following his father's command, established charitable houses for the distribution of food and other gifts.

१६.३.३०

शय्योत्थायं च पात्राणि तानि स्वयमवेक्षितुम् ।
सदा कुवलयापीडमारुह्य गजमभ्रमीत् ॥

Summary AI To personally inspect those charitable vessels, he would always mount the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa immediately upon rising from bed and make his rounds.

१६.३.३१

यो यदर्थितवांस्तस्मै तद्ददावपि जीवितम् ।
तेन तस्य यशो दिक्षु युवराजस्य पप्रथे ॥

Summary AI He gave whatever was requested to whoever asked, even his very life; thus, the fame of that crown prince spread in all directions.

१६.३.३२

अथ तस्य सुतौ माद्र्यां जायेते स्म यमावुभौ ।
तौ च नाम्ना करोति स्म स पिता रामलक्ष्मणौ ॥

Summary AI Then, twin sons were born to him by Mādrī, and the father named them Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa.

१६.३.३३

अवर्धेतां च तौ पित्रोः स्नेहानन्दाविवार्भकौ ।
स्वपितामहयोश्चैव प्राणेभ्यो ऽप्यधिकप्रियौ ॥

Summary AI Those two children grew like the personified love and joy of their parents, and were dearer than life itself to their grandparents.

१६.३.३४

आरोपितगुनावेतौ तत्कोदण्डाविवानतौ ।
तारावलोको माद्री च न पश्यन्तावतृप्यताम् ॥

Summary AI Tārāvaloka and Mādrī never tired of looking at them, who, endowed with virtues and humble, resembled his own strung and bent bows.

१६.३.३५

ततः कुवलयापीडं गजं दातृयशः सुतौ ।
दृष्ट्वा तारावलोकस्य विप्रान्स्वान्रिपवो ऽब्रुवन् ॥

Summary AI Then his enemies, seeing Tārāvaloka's elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa, his fame as a donor, and his two sons, said to their own Brāhmaṇas:

१६.३.३६

गत्वा कुवलयापीडं गजं तारावलोकतः ।
याचध्वं यदि तावत्तं युष्मभ्यं स प्रदास्यति ॥

Summary AI "Go and beg the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa from Tārāvaloka; perhaps he will give it to you."

१६.३.३७

हरिष्यामस्ततो राज्यं तद्विहीनस्य तस्य तत् ।
न दास्यत्यथ दातृत्वयशस्तस्य विनङ्क्ष्यति ॥

Summary AI "Then we shall seize the kingdom from him once he is deprived of that elephant; or, if he does not give it, his reputation for generosity will perish."

१६.३.३८

इत्युक्तास्तैस्तथेत्युक्त्वा गत्वा ते ब्राह्मणास्ततः ।
राज्ञस्तारावलोकात्तं दानवीराद्ययाचिरे ॥

Summary AI Being thus addressed, those Brāhmaṇas agreed, went, and begged the elephant from King Tārāvaloka, the hero of charity.

१६.३.३९

को नामार्थो गजेन्द्रेण याचितेन द्विजन्मनाम् ।
तज्जाने निश्चितमिमे प्रयुक्ता मम केनचित् ॥

Summary AI "What use do Brāhmaṇas have for a requested elephant-king? Therefore, I know for certain that these men have been sent against me by someone."

१६.३.४०

तद्यदस्तु मया तावद्दातव्यो ऽयं गजोत्तमः ।
अप्राप्तकामो ह्यर्थी मे कथं यास्यति जीवतः ॥

Summary AI "Be that as it may, I must give this best of elephants; for while I live, how can a seeker depart with his desires unfulfilled?"

१६.३.४१

इति संचिन्त्य तेभ्यस्तं द्विजेभ्यो वारणोत्तमम् ।
तारावलोकः स ददौ निष्कम्पेनैव चेतसा ॥

Summary AI Thinking thus, Tārāvaloka gave that excellent elephant to the brāhmaṇas with an unwavering mind.

१६.३.४२

ततस्तैर्नीयमानं तं दृष्ट्वा करिवरं द्विजैः ।
पौराश्चन्द्रावलोकस्य क्रुद्धा राज्ञो ऽन्तिकं ययुः ॥

Summary AI Then, seeing that superior elephant being led away by those brāhmaṇas, the enraged citizens approached King Candrāvaloka.

१६.३.४३

ऊचुश्च ते सुतेनेदं राज्यं त्यक्तं तवाधुना ।
मुनिधर्मो गृहीतश्च सर्वसंन्यासकारिणा ॥

Summary AI They said, "Your son has now abandoned this kingdom; practicing total renunciation, he has adopted the duties of a sage."

१६.३.४४

यदेतेन श्रियो मूलं गन्धभग्नान्यवारणः ।
दत्तः कुवलयापीडः पश्यार्थिभ्यो महागजः ॥

Summary AI "Look! He has given the great elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa, the source of prosperity and a subduer of rival elephants, to supplicants."

१६.३.४५

तदेतं तपसे पुत्रं वनं प्रस्थापयाथवा ।
गजं प्रत्याहरान्यं वा राजानं कुर्महे वयम् ॥

Summary AI "Therefore, either send this son to the forest for penance or bring back the elephant; otherwise, we shall appoint another king."

१६.३.४६

इति चन्द्रावलोकस्तैह्पौरैरुक्तस्तथैव तत् ।
स पुत्रं श्रावयामास प्रतीहारमुखेन तम् ॥

Summary AI Addressed thus by the citizens, Candrāvaloka conveyed those exact words to his son through the mouth of a doorkeeper.

१६.३.४७

सो ऽपि तारावलोकस्तच्छ्रुत्वा तत्तनयो ऽब्रवीत् ।
हस्ती तावन्मया दत्तो नास्त्यदेयं च मे ऽर्थिषु ॥

Summary AI Hearing this, the son Tārāvaloka replied, "The elephant has already been given by me, and there is nothing I would refuse to supplicants."

१६.३.४८

ईदृशेन तु राज्येन पौरायत्तेन किं मम ।
किं चान्यानुपयोगिन्या लक्ष्म्या विद्युद्विलोलया ॥

Summary AI "What use is a kingdom dependent on citizens to me? And what is the value of wealth, as flickering as lightning and useless to others?"

१६.३.४९

तन्मे श्रेयो वने वासः सर्वभोज्यफलश्रियाम् ।
मध्ये तरूनां न पुनर्नृपशूनामिहेदृशाम् ॥

Summary AI "Therefore, living in the forest among trees rich with edible fruits is better for me than staying here among such human-beasts."

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