कथासरित्सागरः — प्रथमस्तरङ्गः

निर्विघ्नविश्वनिर्माणसिद्धये यदनुग्रहम् ।
मन्ये स वव्रे धातापि तस्मै विघ्नजिते नमः ॥

Summary AI Salutations to Lord Gaṇeśa, the vanquisher of obstacles, whose grace even the Creator, Brahmā, is believed to have sought for the successful and unimpeded creation of the universe.

३.१.२

आश्लिष्यमाणः प्रियया शंकरो ऽपि यदाज्ञया ।
उत्कम्पते स भुवनं जयत्यसमसायकः ॥

Summary AI Victory to the god of love, Kāmadeva, the one with peerless arrows, by whose command even Lord Śaṅkara trembles when being embraced by his beloved Pārvatī.

३.१.३

एवं स राजा वत्सेशः क्रमेण सुतरामभूत् ।
प्राप्तवासवदत्तस्तत्सुखासक्तैकमानसः ॥

Summary AI Thus, in due course, King Udayana, the Lord of Vatsa, having obtained Vāsavadattā, became entirely absorbed in the pleasure of her company, with his mind focused solely on her.

३.१.४

यौगन्धरायणश्चास्य महामन्त्री दिवानिशम् ।
सेनापती रुमण्वांश्च राज्यभारमुदूहतुः ॥

Summary AI Meanwhile, his great minister Yaugandharāyaṇa and his commander-in-chief Rumaṇvān carried the heavy burden of the kingdom's administration day and night.

३.१.५

स कदाचिच्च चिन्तावानानीय रजनौ गृहम् ।
निजगाद रुमण्वन्तं मन्त्री यौगन्धरायणः ॥

Summary AI One night, the anxious minister Yaugandharāyaṇa summoned Rumaṇvān to his house and spoke to him privately.

३.१.६

पाण्डवान्वयजातो ऽयं वत्सेशो ऽस्य च मेदिनी ।
कुलक्रमागता कृत्स्ना पुरं च गजसाह्वयम् ॥

Summary AI This King of Vatsa is born of the noble Pāṇḍava lineage; the entire earth and the city of Hastināpura belong to him by ancestral succession.

३.१.७

तत्सर्वमजिगीषेण त्यक्तमेतेन भूभृता ।
इहैव चास्य संजातं राज्यमेकत्र मण्डले ॥

Summary AI However, because this king lacks the desire for conquest, he has abandoned all those territories, and his sovereignty has become confined to just this single region.

३.१.८

स्त्रीमद्यमृगयासक्तो निश्चिन्तो ह्येष तिष्ठति ।
अस्मासु राज्यचिन्ता च सर्वानेन समर्पिता ॥

Summary AI He remains carefree, addicted to women, wine, and hunting, having entrusted the entire responsibility of the state's affairs to us.

३.१.९

तदस्माभिः स्वबुद्ध्यैव तथा कार्यं यथैव तत् ।
समग्रपृथिवीराज्यं प्राप्नोत्येव क्रमागतम् ॥

Summary AI Therefore, we must act using our own intelligence in such a way that he regains the entire ancestral kingdom of the whole earth.

३.१.१०

एवं कृते हि भक्तिश्च मन्त्रिता च कृता भवेत् ।
सर्वं च साध्यते बुद्ध्या तथा चैतां कथां शृणु ॥

Summary AI By doing so, we shall fulfill our devotion and ministerial duty; everything can be accomplished through wisdom. In this regard, listen to this story.

३.१.११

आसीत्कश्चिन्महासेन इति नाम्ना पुरा नृपः ।
स चान्येनाभियुक्तो ऽभून्नृपेणातिबलीयसा ॥

Summary AI Long ago, there was a king named Mahāsena. He was once attacked by another king who was exceedingly powerful.

३.१.१२

ततः समेत्य सचिवैः स्वकार्यभ्रंशरक्षिभिः ।
दापितः स महासेनो दण्डं तस्मै किल द्विषे ॥

Summary AI Then, his ministers, wishing to protect their affairs from ruin, deliberated together and compelled King Mahāsena to pay a tribute to that enemy.

३.१.१३

दत्तदण्डश्च राजासौ मानी भृशमतप्यत ।
किं मया विहितः शत्रोः प्रणाम इति चिन्तयन् ॥

Summary AI Having paid the tribute, the proud king suffered intensely, constantly brooding, "Why did I bow down and submit to my enemy?"

३.१.१४

तेनैव चास्य गुल्मो ऽन्तः शोकेन ह्युदपद्यत ।
गुल्माक्रान्तश्च शोकेन स मुमूर्षरभून्नृपः ॥

Summary AI Due to that deep-seated grief, an internal tumor (gulma) developed within him; afflicted by both the disease and his sorrow, the king reached the point of death.

३.१.१५

ततस्तदौषधासाध्यं मत्वैको मतिमान्भिषक् ।
मृता ते देव देवीति मिथ्या वक्ति स्म तं नृपम् ॥

Summary AI Realizing the condition was incurable by medicine alone, a wise physician told the king a lie: "O King, your Queen is dead."

३.१.१६

तच्छ्रुत्वा सहसा भूमौ पततस्तस्य भूपतेः ।
शोकावेगेन बलिना स गुल्मः स्वयमस्फुटत् ॥

Summary AI Upon hearing this, the king suddenly collapsed to the ground, and by the sheer force of his intense grief, the tumor burst on its own.

३.१.१७

रोगोत्तिर्णश्चिरं देव्या तयैव च सहेप्सितान् ।
भोगान्स बुभुजे राजा जिगाय च रिपून्पुनः ॥

Summary AI Once recovered from the illness, the king enjoyed all his desired pleasures with that very queen for a long time and eventually conquered his enemies once again.

३.१.१८

तद्यथा स भिषग्बुद्ध्या चक्रे राजहितं तथा ।
वयं राजहितं कुर्मः साधयामो ऽस्य मेदिनीम् ॥

Summary AI Just as that physician secured the king's welfare through his wit, we shall ensure our king's well-being and win back the earth for him.

३.१.१९

परिपन्थी च तत्रैकः प्रद्योतो मगधेश्वरः ।
पार्ष्णिग्राहः स हि सदा पश्चात्कोपं करोति नः ॥

Summary AI There is one major obstacle: Pradyota, the King of Magadha. He is a constant threat from the rear, always ready to attack us from behind.

३.१.२०

तत्तस्य कन्यकारत्नमस्ति पद्मावतीति यत् ।
तदस्य वत्सराजस्य कृते याचामहे वयम् ॥

Summary AI He has a jewel of a daughter named Padmāvatī; let us seek her hand in marriage for the sake of our King of Vatsa.

३.१.२१

छन्नां वासवदत्तां च स्थापयित्वा स्वबुद्धितः ।
दत्त्वाग्निं वासके ब्रूमो देवी दग्धेति सर्वतः ॥

Summary AI Having hidden Vāsavadattā through our own cleverness and setting fire to the dwelling, let us proclaim everywhere that the Queen has been burnt.

३.१.२२

नान्यथा तां सुतां राज्ञे ददाति मगधाधिपः ।
एतदर्थं स हि मया प्रार्थितः पूर्वमुक्तवान् ॥

Summary AI Otherwise, the King of Magadha will not give his daughter to the King. Indeed, when requested by me previously, he spoke to this effect.

३.१.२३

नाहं वत्सेश्वरायैतां दास्याम्यात्माधिकां सुताम् ।
तस्य वासवदत्तायां स्नेहो हि सुमहानिति ॥

Summary AI "I will not give this daughter, who is dearer to me than life, to the King of Vatsa, for his love for Vāsavadattā is exceedingly great," he said.

३.१.२४

सत्यां देव्यां च वत्सेशो नैवान्यां परिणेष्यति ।
देवी दग्धेति जातायां ख्यातौ सर्वं तु सेत्स्यति ॥

Summary AI While the Queen is alive, the King of Vatsa will certainly not marry another. However, once the rumor that the Queen is burnt has spread, everything will be accomplished.

३.१.२५

पद्मावत्यां च लब्धायां संबन्धी मगधाधिपः ।
पश्चात्कोपं न कुरुते सहायत्वं च गच्छति ॥

Summary AI When Padmāvatī is obtained, the King of Magadha will become a relative; he will not harbor anger later and will become an ally.

३.१.२६

ततः पूर्वा दिशं जेतुं गच्छामो ऽन्याश्च तत्क्रमात् ।
इत्थं वत्सेश्वरस्यैतां साधयामो ऽखिलां भुवम् ॥

Summary AI Then we shall set out to conquer the eastern quarter, and others in due order. In this manner, we shall secure this entire earth for the King of Vatsa.

३.१.२७

कृतोद्योगेषु चास्मासु पृथिवीमेष भूपतिः ।
प्राप्नुयादेव पूर्वं हि दिव्या वागेवमब्रवीत् ॥

Summary AI With our efforts exerted, this King will surely obtain the earth, for a divine voice previously spoke thus.

३.१.२८

श्रुत्वेति मन्त्रिवृषभाद्वचो यौगन्धरायणात् ।
साहसं चैतदाशङ्क्य रुमण्वांस्तमभाषत ॥

Summary AI Hearing these words from the chief of ministers, Yaugandharāyaṇa, and fearing the risk involved in this venture, Rumaṇvān spoke to him.

३.१.२९

व्याजः पद्मावतीहेतोः क्रियमाणः कदाचन ।
दोषायास्माकमेव स्यात्तता ह्यत्र कथां शृणु ॥

Summary AI A trick performed for the sake of Padmāvatī might eventually lead to our own misfortune. Therefore, hear a story on this subject.

३.१.३०

अस्ति माकन्दिका नाम नगरी जाह्नवीतटे ।
तस्यां मौनव्रतः कश्चिदासीत्प्रव्राजकः पुरा ॥

Summary AI There is a city named Mākandikā on the banks of the Ganges. Long ago, there lived a certain ascetic who observed a vow of silence.

३.१.३१

स च भिक्षाशनो ऽनेकपरिव्राट्परिवारितः ।
आस्त देवकुलस्यान्तर्मठिकायां कृतस्थितिः ॥

Summary AI Subsisting on alms and surrounded by many wandering monks, he resided in a small hut built within a temple complex.

३.१.३२

प्रविष्टो जातु भिक्षार्थमेकस्य वणिजो गृहे ।
स ददर्श शुभां कन्यां भिक्षामादाय निर्गताम् ॥

Summary AI Once, having entered the house of a merchant for alms, he saw a beautiful maiden who had come out carrying the alms.

३.१.३३

दृष्ट्वा चाद्भुतरूपां तां स कामवशगः शठः ।
हा हा कष्टमिति स्माह वणिजस्तस्य शृण्वतः ॥

Summary AI Seeing her of wonderful beauty, that rogue fell under the power of lust and cried out, "Alas! Alas!" within the hearing of the merchant.

३.१.३४

गृहीतभिक्षश्च ततो जगाम निलयं निजम् ।
ततस्तं स वणिग्गत्वा रहः पप्रच्छ विस्मयात् ॥

Summary AI Having received the alms, he then went to his own abode. The merchant then approached him and, out of wonder, questioned him in private.

३.१.३५

किमद्यैवमकस्मात्त्वं मौनं त्यक्त्वोक्तवानिति ।
तच्छ्रुत्वा वणिजं तं च परिव्राडेवमब्रवीत् ॥

Summary AI "Why did you today suddenly break your silence and speak thus?" Hearing this, the wandering ascetic replied to the merchant in this manner.

३.१.३६

दुर्लक्षणेयं कन्या ते विवाहो ऽस्या यदा भवेत् ।
तदा ससुतदारस्य क्षयः स्यात्तव निश्चितम् ॥

Summary AI "This daughter of yours possesses inauspicious marks. When her marriage takes place, it will certainly cause the destruction of you along with your children and wife."

३.१.३७

तदेतां वीक्ष्य दुःखं मे जातं भक्तो हि मे भवान् ।
तेनैवमुक्तवानस्मि त्यक्त्वा मौनं भवत्कृते ॥

Summary AI "Seeing her, I felt grief, for you are my devotee. For that reason, I broke my silence for your sake and spoke thus."

३.१.३८

तदेषा कन्यका नक्तं मञ्जूषायां निवेशिता ।
उपरि न्यस्तदीपायां गङ्गायां क्षिप्यतां त्वया ॥

Summary AI "Therefore, let this girl be placed in a chest at night, and with a lamp placed on top, let it be cast by you into the Ganges."

३.१.३९

तथेति प्रतिपद्यैतद्गत्वा सो ऽथ वणिग्भयात् ।
नक्तं चक्रे तथा सर्वं निर्विमर्शा हि भीरवः ॥

Summary AI Agreeing with "So be it," the merchant went and, out of fear, did everything accordingly at night; for the fearful lack reflection.

३.१.४०

प्रव्राजको ऽपि तत्कालमुवाचानुचरान्निजान् ।
गङ्गां गच्छत तत्रान्तर्वहतीं यां च पश्यथ ॥

Summary AI The ascetic also spoke to his followers at that time: "Go to the Ganges, and whatever you see floating within it..."

३.१.४१

पृष्ठंस्थदीपां मञ्जूषां गुप्तमानयतेह ताम् ।
उद्घाटनीया न च सा श्रुते ऽप्यन्तर्ध्वनाविति ॥

Summary AI Bring that chest, which has a lamp placed on top, here secretly. It must not be opened even if a sound is heard from within.

३.१.४२

तथेति चागता यावद्गङ्गां न प्राप्नुवन्ति ते ।
राजपुत्रः किमप्येकस्तावत्तस्यामवातरत् ॥

Summary AI Agreeing to do so, they set out; however, before they could reach the Gaṅgā, a certain prince happened to descend into the river.

३.१.४३

सो ऽत्र तां वणिजा क्षिप्तां मञ्जूषां वीक्ष्य दीपतः ।
भृत्यैरानाय्य सहसा कौतुकादुदघाटयत् ॥

Summary AI Seeing the chest thrown in by the merchant by the light of the lamp, the prince had his servants fetch it and immediately opened it out of curiosity.

३.१.४४

ददर्श चान्तः कन्यां तां हृदयोन्मादकारिणीम् ।
उपमेये च गान्धर्वविधिना तां च तत्क्षणम् ॥

Summary AI Inside, he saw a maiden who drove his heart wild with desire, and he married her instantly according to the Gāndharva rite.

३.१.४५

मञ्जूषां तां च गङ्गायां तथैवोर्ध्वस्थदीपिकाम् ।
कृत्वा तत्याज निःक्षिप्य घोरं वानरमन्तरे ॥

Summary AI He then placed a fierce monkey inside the chest, restored the lamp on top just as it was, and cast it back into the Gaṅgā.

३.१.४६

गते ऽथ तस्मिन्संप्राप्तकन्यारत्ने नृपात्मजे ।
आययुस्तस्य चिन्वन्तः शिष्याः प्रव्राजकस्य ते ॥

Summary AI After the prince had departed with that jewel of a maiden, the disciples of the ascetic arrived, searching for the chest.

३.१.४७

ददृशुस्तां च मञ्जूषां गृहीत्वा तस्य चान्तिकम् ।
निन्युः प्रव्राजकस्यैनां सो ऽथ हृष्टो जगाद तान् ॥

Summary AI They spotted the chest and brought it to the ascetic. Overjoyed, he spoke to them.

३.१.४८

एको ऽहं साधये मन्त्रमादायैतामिहोपरि ।
अधस्तूष्णीं च युष्माभिः शयितव्यमिमां निशाम् ॥

Summary AI I shall take this chest to the roof and practice my mantra alone. You must all sleep silently below throughout the night.

३.१.४९

इत्युक्त्वा तां स मञ्जूषामारोप्य मठिकोपरि ।
स परिव्राड्विवृतवान्वणिक्कन्याभिलाषुकः ॥

Summary AI Saying this, the ascetic, lusting after the merchant's daughter, carried the chest to the top of his hut and opened it.

३.१.५०

ततश्च तस्या निर्गत्य वानरो भीषणाकृतिः ।
तमभ्यधावत्स्वकृतो मूर्तिमानिव दुर्नयः ॥

Summary AI From the chest emerged a monkey of terrifying appearance, who rushed at him like his own personified wickedness.

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