कथासरित्सागरः — प्रथमस्तरङ्गः

प्रथमस्तरङ्गः ।

कर्णतालबलाघातसीमन्तितकुलाचलः ।
पन्थानमिव सिद्धीनां दिशञ्जयति विघ्नजित् ॥

Summary AI The conqueror of obstacles, Vighnajit, whose ear-flapping divides the mountain ranges as if showing the path to all accomplishments, reigns supreme.

४.१.२

ततो वत्सेश्वरो राजा स कौशाम्ब्यामवस्थितः ।
एकातपत्रां बुभुजे जितामुदयनो महीम् ॥

Summary AI Thereafter, King Udayana, the lord of the Vatsas, established in Kauśāmbī, enjoyed the conquered earth under a single royal umbrella.

४.१.३

विधाय सरुमण्वत्के भारं यौगन्धरायणे ।
विहारैकरसश्चाभूद्वसन्तकसखः सुखी ॥

Summary AI Entrusting the burden of the kingdom to Rumaṇvat and Yaugandharāyaṇa, the king, happy in the company of Vasantaka, became devoted solely to pleasures.

४.१.४

स्वयं स वादयन्वीणां देव्या वासवदत्तया ।
पद्मावत्या च सहितः संगीतकमसेवत ॥

Summary AI Himself playing the vīṇā, he enjoyed musical performances in the company of Queen Vāsavadattā and Padmāvatī.

४.१.५

देवीकाकलिगीतस्य तद्वीणानिनदस्य च ।
अभेदे वादनाङ्गुष्ठकम्पो ऽभूद्भेदसूचकः ॥

Summary AI Because the queen's sweet singing and the sound of the vīṇā were indistinguishable, only the trembling of the thumb while playing revealed the difference.

४.१.६

हर्म्याग्रे निजकीर्त्येव ज्योत्स्नया धवले च सः ।
धाराविगलितं सीधु पपौ मदमिव द्विषाम् ॥

Summary AI On the palace roof, white with moonlight like his own fame, he drank the flowing wine as if it were the pride of his enemies.

४.१.७

आजह्रुः स्वर्णकलशैस्तस्य वाराङ्गना रहः ।
स्मरराज्याभिषेकाम्भ इव रागोज्ज्वलं मधु ॥

Summary AI In private, courtesans brought him honey-wine, bright with passion, in golden jars, as if it were the water for the coronation of the God of Love.

४.१.८

आरक्तसुरसस्वच्छमन्तःस्फुरिततन्मुखम् ।
उपनिन्ये द्वयोर्मध्ये स स्वचित्तमिवासवम् ॥

Summary AI Between the two queens, he held the wine—red, flavorful, clear, and reflecting their faces—as if it were his own heart.

४.१.९

ईर्ष्यारुषामभावे ऽपि भङ्गुरभ्रुणि रागिणि ।
न मुखे तत्तयो राज्ञ्योस्तद्दृष्टिस्तृप्तिमाययौ ॥

Summary AI Even without anger from jealousy, his gaze found no satiety in the faces of the two queens, which were flushed with passion and had arched eyebrows.

४.१.१०

समधुस्फटिकानेकचषका तस्य पानभूः ।
बभौ बालातपारक्तसितपद्मेव पद्मिनी ॥

Summary AI Filled with numerous crystal goblets of wine, his drinking hall shone like a lotus pond with white and red lotuses touched by the morning sun.

४.१.११

अन्तरा च मिलद्व्याधः पलाशश्यामकञ्चुकः ।
स सबाणासनो भेजे स्वोपमं मृगकाननम् ॥

Summary AI Occasionally, accompanied by hunters and wearing a dark green jacket like a leaf, he went with his bow to the deer forest which resembled him.

४.१.१२

जघान पङ्ककलुषान्वराहनिवहाञ्शरैः ।
तिमिरौघानविरलैः करैरिव मरीचिमान् ॥

Summary AI Like the sun dispelling masses of darkness with dense rays, he killed herds of boars, soiled with mud, using his arrows.

४.१.१३

वित्रस्तप्रसृतास्तस्मिन्कृष्णसाराः प्रधाविते ।
बभुः पूर्वाभिभूतानां कटाक्षाः ककुभामिव ॥

Summary AI When he charged, the black-spotted deer scattered in fear, looking like the side-long glances of the directions he had previously conquered.

४.१.१४

रेजे रक्तारुणा चास्य मही महिषघातिनः ।
सेवागतेव तच्छृङ्गपातमुक्ता वनाब्जिनी ॥

Summary AI Red with blood as he slaughtered buffaloes, the earth shone like a forest lotus pond that had approached to serve him, freed from the trampling of their horns.

४.१.१५

व्यात्तवक्त्रपतत्प्रासप्रोतेष्वपि मृगारिषु ।
सान्तर्गर्जितनिष्क्रान्तजीवितेषु तुतोष सः ॥

Summary AI He rejoiced as lions were pierced by spears falling into their open mouths, their lives departing along with their internal roars.

४.१.१६

श्वानः श्वभ्रे वने तस्मिंस्तस्य वर्त्मसु वागुराः ।
सा स्वायुधैकसिद्धे ऽभूत्प्रक्रिया मृगयारसे ॥

Summary AI In his passion for hunting, dogs in the pits and nets on the paths were mere formalities, for his success was achieved solely by his own weapons.

४.१.१७

एवं सुखोपभोगेषु वर्तमानं तमेकदा ।
राजानमास्थानगतं नारदो मुनिरभ्यगात् ॥

Summary AI Once, while the king was seated in court enjoying such pleasures, the sage Nārada approached him.

४.१.१८

निजदेहप्रभाबद्धमण्डलो मण्डनं दिवः ।
कृतावतारस्तेजस्विजातिप्रीत्यांशुमानिव ॥

Summary AI Surrounded by a circle of light from his own body, the ornament of heaven descended like the sun out of affection for the race of brilliant beings.

४.१.१९

स तेन रचितातिथ्यो मुहुः प्रह्वेण भूभृता ।
प्रीतः क्षणमिव स्थित्वा राजानं तमभाषत ॥

Summary AI Having been offered hospitality by the king who repeatedly bowed low, the sage, pleased, rested for a moment and then addressed the king.

४.१.२०

शृणु संक्षिप्तमेतत्ते वत्सेश्वर वदाम्यहम् ।
बभूव पाण्डुरिति ते राजा पूर्वपितामहः ॥

Summary AI "O Lord of the Vatsas, listen as I tell you this in brief: your great-grandfather was the king named Pāṇḍu."

४.१.२१

तवेव तस्य द्वे एव भव्ये भार्ये बभूवतुः ।
एका कुन्ती द्वितीया च माद्री नाम महौजसः ॥

Summary AI Just like your own case, the great-spirited Pāṇḍu had only two noble wives; one was named Kuntī and the second was Mādrī.

४.१.२२

स पाण्डुः पृथिवीमेतां जित्वा जलधिमेखलाम् ।
सुखी कदाचित्प्रययौ मृगयाव्यसनी वनम् ॥

Summary AI Having conquered the entire earth girdled by the oceans, the happy King Pāṇḍu once went to the forest, being addicted to the sport of hunting.

४.१.२३

तत्र किन्दमनामानं स मुनिं मुक्तसायकः ।
जघान मृगरूपेण सभार्यं सुरतस्थितम् ॥

Summary AI In that forest, he released an arrow and killed a sage named Kindama, who, in the form of a deer, was engaged in sexual union with his wife.

४.१.२४

स मुनिर्मृगरूपं तत्त्यक्त्वा कण्ठविवर्तिभिः ।
प्राणैः शशाप तं पाण्डुं विषण्णं मुक्तकार्मुकम् ॥

Summary AI Leaving his deer form, with his life-breaths lingering in his throat, that sage cursed Pāṇḍu, who stood despondent having dropped his bow.

४.१.२५

स्वैरस्थो निर्विमर्शेन हतो ऽहं यत्त्वया ततः ।
भार्यासंभोगकाले ते मद्वन्मृत्युर्भविष्यति ॥

Summary AI Since I was killed by you without reflection while in my private state, you shall likewise meet your death during sexual union with your wife.

४.१.२६

इत्याप्तशापस्तद्भीत्या त्यक्तभोगस्पृहो ऽथ सः ।
पत्नीभ्यामन्वितः पाण्डुस्तस्थौ शान्ते तपोवने ॥

Summary AI Thus cursed and fearing its fruition, Pāṇḍu abandoned all desire for enjoyment and stayed in a peaceful penance grove accompanied by his two wives.

४.१.२७

तत्रस्थो ऽपि स शापेन प्रेरितस्तेन चैकदा ।
अकस्माच्चकमे माद्रीं प्रियां प्राप च पञ्चताम् ॥

Summary AI Even while staying there, he was once impelled by that curse and suddenly desired his beloved Mādrī, whereupon he passed away.

४.१.२८

तदेवं मृगया नाम प्रमादो नृप भूभृताम् ।
क्षपिता ह्यनयान्ये ऽपि नृपास्ते ते मृगा इव ॥

Summary AI Therefore, O King, hunting is a grave error for monarchs; for many other kings have been destroyed by it, just like those very deer.

४.१.२९

घोरनादामिषैकाग्रा रूक्षा धूम्रोर्ध्वमूर्धजा ।
कुन्तदन्ता कथं कुर्याद्राक्षसीव हि सा शिवम् ॥

Summary AI With its terrible roar and singular focus on meat, harsh, with smoky upright hair and spear-like teeth, how can hunting, like a demoness, bring any good?

४.१.३०

तस्माद्विफलमायासं जहीहि मृगयारसम् ।
वन्यवाहनहन्तॄणां समानः प्राणसंशयः ॥

Summary AI Therefore, abandon the fruitless passion for hunting; for those who slay wild creatures, the risk to their own lives is identical.

४.१.३१

त्वं च त्वत्पूर्वजप्रीत्या प्रियः कल्याणपात्र मे ।
पुत्रश्च तव कामांशो यथा भावी तथा शृणु ॥

Summary AI Because of my love for your ancestors, you are dear to me and a recipient of welfare. Listen to how your son shall be an incarnation of Kāma.

४.१.३२

पुरानङ्गाङ्गसंभूत्यै रत्या स्तुतिभिरर्चितः ।
तुष्टो रहसि संक्षेपमिदं तस्याः शिवो ऽभ्यधात् ॥

Summary AI Formerly, worshipped with hymns by Rati for the rebirth of Anaṅga's body, a pleased Śiva spoke this brief message to her in private.

४.१.३३

अवतीर्य निजांशेन भूमावाराध्य मां स्वयम् ।
गौरी पुत्रार्थिनी कामं जनयिष्यत्यसाविति ॥

Summary AI Śiva told her that Gaurī, descending to earth as a portion of herself and worshipping him, would, out of a desire for a son, give birth to Kāma.

४.१.३४

अतश्चण्डमहासेनसुता देवी नरेन्द्र सा ।
जाता वासवदत्तेयं संपन्ना महिषी च ते ॥

Summary AI Therefore, O King, this Queen Vāsavadattā, daughter of Caṇḍamahāsena, has been born and has become your consort.

४.१.३५

तदेषा शंभुमाराध्य कामांशं सोष्यते सुतम् ।
सर्वविद्याधराणां यश्चक्रवर्ती भविष्यति ॥

Summary AI She will worship Śambhu and bear a son who is a portion of Kāma, and he shall become the emperor of all the Vidyādharas.

४.१.३६

इत्युक्तेनादृतवचा राज्ञा पृथ्वीं तदर्पिताम् ।
प्रत्यर्प्य तस्मै स ययौ नारदर्षिरदर्शनम् ॥

Summary AI Having been addressed thus, the King honored the sage's words; Sage Nārada then restored the earth to him and vanished from sight.

४.१.३७

तस्मिन्गते वत्सराजः स तद्वासवदत्तया ।
जातपुत्रेच्छया साकं निन्ये तच्चिन्तया दिनम् ॥

Summary AI After the sage departed, Vatsarāja spent the day with Vāsavadattā, both desiring a son and reflecting upon the sage's prophecy.

४.१.३८

अन्येद्युस्तं स वत्सेशमुपेत्यास्थानवर्तिनम् ।
नित्योदिताख्यः प्रवरः प्रतीहारो व्यजिज्ञपत् ॥

Summary AI On another day, a noble doorkeeper named Nityodita approached Vatsarāja as he sat in the assembly hall and made an announcement.

४.१.३९

शिशुकद्वयसंयुक्ता ब्राह्मणी कापि दुर्गता ।
द्वारि स्थिता महाराज देवदर्शनकाङ्क्षिणी ॥

Summary AI He informed the King that a certain poor Brāhmaṇa woman, accompanied by two small children, was standing at the gate, desiring an audience.

४.१.४०

तच्छ्रुत्वैवाभ्यनुज्ञाते तत्प्रवेशे महीभृता ।
ब्राह्मणी सा विवेशात्र कृशपाण्डुरधूसरा ॥

Summary AI Upon hearing this, the King granted her permission to enter; the Brāhmaṇa woman, thin, pale, and covered in dust, then entered the court.

४.१.४१

मानेनेव विशीर्णेन वाससा विधुरीकृता ।
दुःखदैन्यनिभावङ्के विभ्रती बालकावुभौ ॥

Summary AI Distressed by her tattered clothing, which seemed like her torn pride, she appeared as the embodiment of sorrow and misery, carrying two young boys in her lap.

४.१.४२

कृतोचितप्रणामा च सा राजानं व्यजिज्ञपत् ।
ब्राह्मणी कुलजा चाहमीदृशीं दुर्गतिं गता ॥

Summary AI Having performed the appropriate salutations, she informed the King that she was a brāhmaṇī of noble birth who had fallen into such a state of misfortune.

४.१.४३

दैवाद्युगपदेतौ च जातौ द्वौ तनयौ मम ।
तद्देव नास्ति मे स्तन्यमेतयोर्भोजनं विना ॥

Summary AI "By fate, these two sons were born to me at the same time. Therefore, O King, I have no breast milk to nourish them without proper food for myself."

४.१.४४

तेनेह कृपणा नाथ शरणागतवत्सलम् ।
प्राप्तास्मि देवं शरणं प्रमाणमधुना प्रभुः ॥

Summary AI "O Lord, for this reason, I, a miserable woman, have sought refuge in Your Majesty, who is compassionate toward those seeking shelter. Now, the King is the ultimate authority."

४.१.४५

तच्छ्रुत्वा सदयो राजा स प्रतीहारमादिशत् ।
इयं वासवदत्तायै देव्यै नीत्वार्प्यतामिति ॥

Summary AI Hearing her plea, the compassionate King commanded his doorkeeper, "Take this woman and hand her over to Queen Vāsavadattā."

४.१.४६

ततश्च कर्मणा स्वेन शुभेनेवाग्रयायिना ।
नीताभून्निकटं देव्याः प्रतीहारेण तेन सा ॥

Summary AI Then, led by that doorkeeper—as if guided by her own auspicious past deeds preceding her—she was brought into the presence of the Queen.

४.१.४७

राज्ञा विसृष्टां बुद्ध्वा तां प्रतीहारादुपागताम् ।
देवी वासवदत्ता सा ब्राह्मणीं श्रद्दधेतराम् ॥

Summary AI Understanding that the woman had been sent by the King and had arrived through the doorkeeper, Queen Vāsavadattā treated the brāhmaṇī with great respect.

४.१.४८

युग्मापत्यां च पश्यन्ती दीनामेतां व्यचिन्तयत् ।
अहो वामैकवृत्तित्वं किमप्येतत्प्रजापतेः ॥

Summary AI Observing this miserable woman with her twin offspring, the Queen thought, "Alas! How perverse and incomprehensible is the behavior of the Creator, Prajāpati."

४.१.४९

अहो वस्तुनि मात्सर्यमहो भक्तिरवस्तुनि ।
नाद्याप्येको ऽपि मे जातो जातौ त्वस्यां यमाविमौ ॥

Summary AI "Oh, what envy toward the worthy and what devotion toward the unworthy! Not even one child has been born to me yet, while these two twins have been born to her."

Other texts to read

कादम्बरीसंग्रहः कृष्णमाचार्यः

नीलकण्ठविजयचम्पूः नीलकण्ठदीक्षितः

About

Resources

Connect