कथासरित्सागरः — प्रथमस्तरङ्गः

प्रथमस्तरङ्गः ।

चन्द्राननार्धदेहाय चन्द्रांशुसितभूतये ।
चन्द्रार्कनलनेत्राय चन्द्रार्धशिरसे नमः ॥

Summary AI Salutations to Śiva, whose body is half-shared with the moon-faced Pārvatī, whose sacred ash is white like moonbeams, whose eyes are the moon, sun, and fire, and whose head bears the crescent moon.

१८.१.२

करेण कुञ्चिताग्रेण लीलयोन्नमितेन यः ।
भाति सिद्धीरिव ददत्स पायाद्वो गजाननः ॥

Summary AI May Gajānana protect you, who appears as if granting all successes with his gracefully raised trunk, the tip of which is slightly curved.

१८.१.३

ततो ऽसितगिरौ तत्र कश्यपस्याश्रमे मुनेः ।
नरवाहनदत्तस्तान्मुनीनेवमभाषत ॥

Summary AI Then, at the hermitage of Sage Kaśyapa on Mount Asita, Naravāhanadatta spoke to the sages in this manner.

१८.१.४

अन्यच्च देवीविरहे नीत्वाहं सानुरागया ।
वेगवत्या यदा न्यस्तो विद्याहस्ते ऽभिरक्षितुम् ॥

Summary AI "Furthermore, when I was separated from the Queen and placed in the care of the vidyā by the affectionate Vegavatī for my protection..."

१८.१.५

तदा शरीरत्यागैषी विरही परदेशगः ।
वनान्ते दृष्टवानस्मि भ्रमन्कण्वं महामुनिम् ॥

Summary AI "...then, wandering on the edge of the forest in a foreign land, grieving and desiring to end my life, I saw the great sage Kaṇva."

१८.१.६

स मां पादानतं दृष्ट्वा प्रणिधानादवेत्य च ।
दुःखितं स्वाश्रमं नीत्वा सदयो मुनिरभ्यधात् ॥

Summary AI "Seeing me bowed at his feet and perceiving my sorrow through meditation, that compassionate sage led me to his hermitage and spoke."

१८.१.७

सोमवंशोद्भवो वीरो भूत्वा किं नाम मुह्यसि ।
देवादेशे ध्रुवे ऽनास्था का भार्यासंगमे तव ॥

Summary AI "Born in the Somavaṃśa and a hero, why are you deluded? Why do you lack faith in the certain reunion with your wife, as ordained by divine decree?"

१८.१.८

असंभाव्या अपि नृणां भवन्तीह समागमाः ।
तथा हि विक्रमादित्यकथामाख्यामि ते शृणु ॥

Summary AI "In this world, even impossible reunions occur for men. In that regard, I shall tell you the story of Vikramāditya; listen."

१८.१.९

अस्त्यवन्तिषु विख्याता युगादौ विश्वकर्मणा ।
निर्मितोज्जयिनी नाम पुरारिवसतिः पुरी ॥

Summary AI In the land of Avanti, there is a famous city named Ujjayinī, built by Viśvakarman at the start of the age, which serves as the abode of Purāri.

१८.१.१०

सतीव या पराधृष्या पद्मिनीवाश्रिता श्रिया ।
सतां धीरिव धर्माढ्या पृथ्वीव बहुकौतुका ॥

Summary AI That city is as inviolable as a chaste woman, graced by prosperity like a lotus-pool, rich in virtue like the mind of the righteous, and full of wonders like the earth.

१८.१.११

महेन्द्रादित्य इत्यासीद्राजा तस्यां जगज्जयी ।
मघवेवामरावत्यां विपक्षबलसूदनः ॥

Summary AI In that city lived King Mahendrāditya, a conqueror of the world and destroyer of enemy forces, like Indra in Amarāvatī.

१८.१.१२

नानाशस्त्रायुधः शौर्ये रूपे तु कुसुमायुधः ।
यो ऽभून्मुक्तकरस्त्यागे बद्धमुष्टिकरस्त्वसौ ॥

Summary AI Equipped with various weapons in valor and like Kusumāyudha in beauty, he was open-handed in charity but held a firm grip in battle.

१८.१.१३

तस्य पृथ्वीपतेर्भार्या नाम्नाभूत्सौम्यदर्शना ।
शचीवेन्द्रस्य गौरीव शंभोः श्रीरिव शार्ङ्गिणः ॥

Summary AI That lord of the earth had a wife named Saumyadarśanā, who was like Śacī to Indra, Gaurī to Śambhu, and Śrī to Śārṅgin.

१८.१.१४

महामन्त्री च सुमतिर्नाम तस्याभवत्प्रभोः ।
वज्रायुधाभिधानश्च प्रतीहारः क्रमागतः ॥

Summary AI The lord had a great minister named Sumati and a hereditary doorkeeper named Vajrāyudha.

१८.१.१५

तैः समं स नृपः शासद्राज्यमाराधयन्हरम् ।
नानाव्रतधरः शश्वदभवत्पुत्रकाम्यया ॥

Summary AI Governing the kingdom with them, the king, desiring a son, constantly worshipped Hara while observing various religious vows.

१८.१.१६

अत्रान्तरे च गीर्वाणगणसंश्रितकंदरे ।
अन्यदिग्जयसानन्दकौबेरीहाससुन्दरे ॥

Summary AI Meanwhile, on Mount Kailāsa, whose caves are inhabited by hosts of gods and which is beautiful like the joyful laughter of the North after the conquest of other directions...

१८.१.१७

स्थितं कैलासशैलेन्द्रे पुरारिं पार्वतीयुतम् ।
उपाजग्मुः सुराः सेन्द्रा म्लेच्छोपद्रवदुःस्थिताः ॥

Summary AI ...the gods, including Indra, distressed by the harassment of the Mlecchas, approached Purāri, who was seated with Pārvatī on that sovereign mountain.

१८.१.१८

प्रणामानन्तरासीनास्ते कृतस्तुतयो ऽमराः ।
पृष्टागमनकार्यास्ते देवमेवं व्यजिज्ञपन् ॥

Summary AI Seated after bowing and offering praises, those immortals, when asked the reason for their visit, informed the Lord of their purpose.

१८.१.१९

ये त्वया देव निहता असुरा ये च विष्णुना ।
ते जाता म्लेच्छरूपेण पुनरद्य महीतले ॥

Summary AI "O Lord, the Asuras who were formerly slain by you and by Viṣṇu have now been reborn on the earth in the form of Mlecchas."

१८.१.२०

व्यापादयन्ति ते विघ्नान्घ्नन्ति यज्ञादिकाः क्रियाः ।
हरन्ति मुनिकन्याश्च पापाः किं किं न कुर्वते ॥

Summary AI "Those wicked ones create obstacles, destroy sacrifices and other rites, and abduct the daughters of sages; what evil do they not commit?"

१८.१.२१

भूलोकाद्देवलोकश्च शश्वदाप्यायते प्रभो ।
ब्राह्मणैर्हुतमग्नौ हि हविस्तृप्त्यै दिवौकसाम् ॥

Summary AI O Lord, the celestial realm is constantly nourished by the earthly world; for the oblations offered into the fire by Brahmins serve to satisfy the gods.

१८.१.२२

म्लेच्छाक्रान्ते च भूलोके निर्वषट्कारमङ्गले ।
यज्ञभागादिविच्छेदाद्देवलोको ऽवसीदति ॥

Summary AI However, when the earth is overrun by Mlecchas and deprived of auspicious sacrificial calls, the celestial realm suffers due to the cessation of sacrificial portions and other offerings.

१८.१.२३

तदुपायं कुरुष्वात्र तं कंचिदवतारय ।
प्रवीरं भूतले यस्तान्म्लेच्छानुत्सादयिष्यति ॥

Summary AI Therefore, devise a remedy for this; incarnate some great hero on the earth who will destroy those Mlecchas.

१८.१.२४

इति देवैः स विज्ञप्तः पुरारातिरुवाच तान् ।
यात यूयं न चिन्तात्र कार्या भवत निर्वृताः ॥

Summary AI Requested thus by Śiva, the enemy of Tripura, he spoke to the gods: "Go now; do not worry about this matter and remain at peace."

१८.१.२५

अचिरेण करिष्ये ऽहमत्रोपायमसंशयम् ।
इत्युक्त्वा व्यसृजद्देवान्स्वधिष्ण्यान्यम्बिकापतिः ॥

Summary AI "I shall certainly provide a remedy for this soon," saying this, the husband of Ambikā dismissed the gods to their respective abodes.

१८.१.२६

गतेषु तेषु चाहूय माल्यवत्संज्ञकं गणम् ।
सपर्वतीको भगवानेवमादिशति स्म सः ॥

Summary AI After they had departed, the Lord, accompanied by Pārvatī, summoned his attendant named Mālyavān and commanded him as follows.

१८.१.२७

पुत्रावतार मानुष्ये जायस्व च महापुरि ।
उज्जयिन्यां सुतः शूरो महेन्द्रादित्यभूपतेः ॥

Summary AI "O son, descend and be born in the human world; become the heroic son of King Mahendrāditya in the great city of Ujjayinī."

१८.१.२८

स च राजा ममैवांशस्तद्भार्या चाम्बिकांशजा ।
तयोर्गृहे समुत्पद्य कुरु कार्यं दिवौकसाम् ॥

Summary AI "That king is a portion of myself, and his wife is born from a portion of Ambikā. Having been born in their house, perform the work of the gods."

१८.१.२९

म्लेच्छान्व्यापादयाशेषांस्त्रयीधर्मविघातिनः ।
सप्तद्वीपेश्वरो राजा मत्प्रसादाच्च भाव्यसि ॥

Summary AI "Destroy all the Mlecchas who hinder the Vedic dharma; by my grace, you shall become the sovereign king of the seven islands."

१८.१.३०

यक्षराक्षसवेताला अपि स्थास्यन्ति ते वशे ।
भुक्त्वा मानुषभोगांश्च पुनरस्मनुपैष्यसि ॥

Summary AI "Even the Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, and Vetālas shall be under your control. After enjoying human pleasures, you shall return to us."

१८.१.३१

इत्यादिष्टः पुरजिता मल्यवान्सो ऽब्रवीद्गणः ।
अलङ्घ्या युष्मदाज्ञा मे भोगा मानुष्यके तु के ॥

Summary AI Commanded thus by Śiva, the attendant Mālyavān replied: "Your command is inviolable for me; but what pleasures are there in the human world?"

१८.१.३२

यत्र बन्धुसुहृद्भृत्यविप्रयोगाः सुदुःसहाः ।
धननाशजरारोगाद्युद्भवा यत्र च व्यथा ॥

Summary AI "Where there are unbearable separations from kin, friends, and servants, and where there is agony arising from loss of wealth, old age, and disease."

१८.१.३३

इति तेन गणेनोक्तो धूर्जटिः प्रत्युवाच तम् ।
गच्छ नैतानि दुःखानि भविष्यन्ति तवानघ ॥

Summary AI Spoken to thus by the attendant, Śiva (Dhūrjaṭi) replied to him: "Go, O sinless one; these sorrows shall not befall you."

१८.१.३४

मत्प्रसादेन सुखितः सर्वकालं भविष्यसि ।
इत्युक्तः शंभुना सो ऽभूददृश्यो माल्यवांस्ततः ॥

Summary AI "By my grace, you shall be happy at all times." Having been told this by Śambhu, Mālyavān then became invisible.

१८.१.३५

गत्वा चोज्जयिनीं तस्य महेन्द्रादित्यभूभुजः ।
देव्या ऋतुजुषो गर्भे समभूत्स गणोत्तमः ॥

Summary AI Having gone to Ujjayinī, that best of attendants entered the womb of the queen of King Mahendrāditya after her season.

१८.१.३६

तत्कालं च निशाकान्तकलाकलितशेखरः ।
देवो महेन्द्रादित्यं तं नृपं स्वप्ने समादिशत् ॥

Summary AI At that time, the Lord (Śiva), whose crest is adorned with a digit of the moon, commanded King Mahendrāditya in a dream.

१८.१.३७

तुष्टो ऽस्मि तव तद्राजन्स ते पुत्रो भविष्यति ।
आक्रमिष्यति सद्वीपां पृथिवीं विक्रमेण यः ॥

Summary AI "O King, I am pleased with you; therefore, he shall be your son, who will conquer the earth with its islands through his prowess."

१८.१.३८

यक्षरक्षः पिशचादीन्पातालाकाशगानपि ।
वीरः करिष्यति वशे म्लेच्छसंघान्हनिष्यति ॥

Summary AI "The hero will bring under his control the Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Piśācas, and others dwelling in the underworld and the sky, and he shall slay the hosts of Mlecchas."

१८.१.३९

भविष्यत्यत एवैष विक्रमादित्यसंज्ञकः ।
तथा विषमशीलश्च नाम्ना वैषम्यतो ऽरिषु ॥

Summary AI "For this reason, he shall be known as Vikramāditya, and also by the name Viṣamaśīla due to his unrelenting attitude toward his enemies."

१८.१.४०

इत्युक्त्वान्तर्हिते देवे प्रबुध्य स महीपतिः ।
प्रातः स्वसचिवेभ्यस्तं हृष्टः स्वप्नं न्यवेदयत् ॥

Summary AI After the Lord vanished having spoken thus, the king woke up and, filled with joy, related that dream to his ministers in the morning.

१८.१.४१

ते ऽपि स्वप्ने हरादेशं पुत्रप्राप्तिफलं क्रमात् ।
तस्मै शशंसुः सचिवा राज्ञे प्रमुदितास्तदा ॥

Summary AI Then those joyful ministers also informed the king of the command given by Hara in their dreams, which foretold the fruit of obtaining a son.

१८.१.४२

तावदेत्य फलं साक्षाद्राज्ञे ऽन्तःपुरचेटिकाः ।
अदर्शयदिदं देव्यै स्वप्ने शंभुरदादिति ॥

Summary AI Meanwhile, the chambermaids of the harem arrived and showed the king a fruit, explaining that Śambhu had personally given it to the queen in a dream.

१८.१.४३

ततः स राजा मुमुदे सचिवैरभिनन्दितः ।
सत्यं मम सुतो दत्तः शर्वेणेति मुहुर्वदन् ॥

Summary AI Congratulated by his ministers, the king rejoiced, repeatedly saying, "Śarva has truly granted me a son."

१८.१.४४

अथ राज्ञी सगर्भा सा जज्ञे तस्योर्जितद्युतिः ।
प्रची प्रातरिवोदेष्यत्सहस्रकरमण्डला ॥

Summary AI Then that queen of great splendor became pregnant, appearing like the eastern quarter at dawn about to give birth to the thousand-rayed sun.

१८.१.४५

चकाशे सा च कुचयोः श्यामया चूचुकत्विषा ।
गर्भस्थस्येव सम्राजः स्तन्यरक्षणमुद्रया ॥

Summary AI With the dark luster of her nipples, she shone as if marked by a seal to protect the milk for the future emperor residing within her womb.

१८.१.४६

स्वप्ने सप्तापि जलधीनुत्ततार च सा तदा ।
प्रणम्यमाना निखिलैर्यक्षवेतालरक्षसैः ॥

Summary AI In her dreams, she crossed all seven oceans while being saluted by all the yakṣas, vetālas, and rākṣasas.

१८.१.४७

प्राप्ते च समये पुत्रं सा सूते स्म महस्विनम् ।
नभो ऽर्केणेव बालेन येनाभास्यत वासकम् ॥

Summary AI When the time arrived, she gave birth to a glorious son who illuminated the dwelling like the young sun lighting up the sky.

१८.१.४८

जाते च तस्मिन्निपतत्पुष्पवृष्टिप्रहासिनी ।
द्यौरराजत गीर्वाणदुन्दुभिध्वनिनादिनी ॥

Summary AI Upon his birth, the heavens shone, smiling with a falling rain of flowers and resounding with the beat of celestial drums.

१८.१.४९

क्षीबेव भूताविष्टेव वातक्षोभावृतेव च ।
तत्कालमुत्सवानन्दव्याकुला साभवत्पुरी ॥

Summary AI At that moment, the city became so overwhelmed with the joy of the festival that it appeared intoxicated, possessed by spirits, or tossed by a whirlwind.

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