कथासरित्सागरः — तृतीयस्तरङ्गः

तृतीयस्तरङ्गः ।

ततः सोमप्रभा प्रातस्तद्विनोदोपपादिनीम् ।
न्यस्तदारुमयानेकमायसद्यन्त्रपुत्रिकाम् ॥

Summary AI Then, in the morning, Somaprabhā brought a basket filled with many clever mechanical wooden dolls designed for her friend's amusement.

६.३.२

करण्डिनां समादाय सा नभस्तलचारिणी ।
तस्याः कलिङ्गसेनाया निकटं पुनराययौ ॥

Summary AI Taking the baskets, she, who travels through the sky, returned once more to the presence of Kaliṅgasenā.

६.३.३

कलिङ्गसेनाप्यालोक्य तामानन्दाश्रुनिर्भरा ।
उत्थाय कण्ठे जग्राह पार्श्वासीनामुवाच च ॥

Summary AI Upon seeing her, Kaliṅgasenā, overwhelmed with tears of joy, stood up and embraced her around the neck, speaking to her as she sat by her side.

६.३.४

त्वदीयमुखपूर्णेन्दुदर्शनेन विना सखि ।
तमोमयी त्रियामाद्य शतयामेव मे गता ॥

Summary AI "O friend, without the sight of your full-moon-like face, this night of darkness felt to me as if it lasted a hundred watches."

६.३.५

तज्जन्मान्तरसंबन्धः कीदृशः स्यात्त्वया मम ।
यस्यायं परिणामो ऽद्य त्वं देवी वेत्सि चेद्वद ॥

Summary AI "What kind of past-life connection could there be between us that has resulted in this? O divine lady, if you know, please tell me."

६.३.६

तच्छ्रुत्वा राजपुत्रीं तामेवं सोमप्रभाब्रवीत् ।
ईदृङ्मे नास्ति विज्ञानं न हि जातिं स्मराम्यहम् ॥

Summary AI Hearing this, Somaprabhā replied to the princess: "I do not possess such knowledge, for I do not remember my previous birth."

६.३.७

न चात्र मुनयो ऽभिज्ञाः के चित्तु यदि जानते ।
तैः कृतं तादृशं पूर्वं परतत्त्वविदश्च ते ॥

Summary AI "Even sages are not experts here; however, if some do know, they are knowers of the ultimate reality, as such things were performed by them in the past."

६.३.८

एवमुक्तवतीं भूयः प्रेमविश्रम्भपेशलम् ।
कलिङ्गसेना पप्रच्छ विजने तां सकौतुका ॥

Summary AI When she had spoken thus, Kaliṅgasenā, full of curiosity in that secluded place, questioned her again with words tender with love and trust.

६.३.९

ब्रूहि मे सखि कस्येह देवजातेः पितुस्त्वया ।
जन्मनालंकृतो वंशो मुक्तयेव सुवृत्तया ॥

Summary AI "Tell me, friend, which divine father's lineage has been adorned by your birth, just as a well-rounded pearl adorns a necklace?"

६.३.१०

जगत्कर्णामृतं किं च तव नाम सुलक्षणे ।
करण्डिका किमर्थेयमस्यामस्ति च वस्तु किम् ॥

Summary AI "O auspicious one, what is your name, which is nectar to the ears of the world? What is the purpose of this basket, and what object is inside it?"

६.३.११

एवं कलिङ्गसेनायाः श्रुत्वा सप्रणयं वचः ।
सोमप्रभा सा सर्वं तत्क्रमाद्वक्तुं प्रचक्रमे ॥

Summary AI Hearing these affectionate words from Kaliṅgasenā, Somaprabhā began to relate the entire account in due order.

६.३.१२

अस्ति त्रिजगति ख्यातो मयो नाम महासुरः ।
आसुरं भावमुत्सृज्य शौरिं स शरणं श्रितः ॥

Summary AI "There is a great asura named Maya, famous across the three worlds. Renouncing his demonic nature, he sought refuge in Śauri."

६.३.१३

तेन दत्ताभयश्चक्रे स च वज्रभृतः सभाम् ।
दैत्याश्च देवपक्षो ऽयमिति तं प्रति चुक्रुधुः ॥

Summary AI "Granted protection by Viṣṇu, he built the assembly hall for Vajrabhṛt (Indra). Consequently, the daityas grew angry with him, thinking he had joined the gods."

६.३.१४

तद्भयात्तेन विन्ध्याद्रौ मायाविवरमन्दिरम् ।
अगम्यमसुरेन्द्राणां बह्वाश्चर्यमयं कृतम् ॥

Summary AI "Out of fear of them, he created a wondrous, illusory cave-palace in the Vindhya mountains, which was inaccessible even to the lords of the asuras."

६.३.१५

तस्यावां द्वे दुहितरौ मयस्य ब्रह्मचारिणी ।
ज्येष्ठा स्वयंप्रभा नाम कुमारी तद्गृहस्थिता ॥

Summary AI "We are the two daughters of that Maya. The elder one, named Svayaṃprabhā, is an ascetic maiden who resides in that house."

६.३.१६

अहं सोमप्रभा नाम कनिष्ठा सा त्वहं सखि ।
नलकूबरसंज्ञाय दत्ता धनदसूनवे ॥

Summary AI "I, named Somaprabhā, am the younger daughter. O friend, I was given in marriage to Nalakūbara, the son of Dhanada (Kubera)."

६.३.१७

पित्रा च शिक्षितास्मीह मायायन्त्राण्यनेकधा ।
त्वत्प्रीत्या चेयमानीता पूर्णा तव करण्डिका ॥

Summary AI "I was instructed by my father in various mechanical arts. Out of affection for you, I have brought this full basket."

६.३.१८

इत्युक्त्वादर्शयत्तस्याः प्रोद्घाट्य बहुकौतुकाः ।
सोमप्रभा काष्ठमयीः स्वमायायन्त्रपुत्रिकाः ॥

Summary AI Saying this, Somaprabhā opened the basket and showed her the highly curious mechanical wooden dolls created by her skill.

६.३.१९

कीलिकाहतिमात्रेण काचिद्गत्वा विहायसा ।
तदाज्ञया पुष्पमालामादाय द्रुतमाययौ ॥

Summary AI At the mere touch of a pin, one doll flew through the air, fetched a garland of flowers at her command, and quickly returned.

६.३.२०

काचित्तथैव पानीयमानिनाय यदृच्छया ।
काचिन्ननर्त काचिच्च कथालापमथाकरोत् ॥

Summary AI Similarly, another doll brought water at will, another danced, and yet another engaged in conversation.

६.३.२१

इत्यादिभिर्महाश्चर्यैः कंचित्कालं विनोद्य ताम् ।
सुरक्षितां स्थापयित्वा तां च यन्त्रकरण्डिकाम् ॥

Summary AI Having entertained her for a while with those great wonders, and having safely put away that casket of mechanical toys...

६.३.२२

कलिङ्गसेनामामन्त्र्य सोत्कां सोमप्रभा ततः ।
ययौ भर्तृपरायत्ता नभसा निजमन्दिरम् ॥

Summary AI Then Somaprabhā, who was devoted to her husband, took leave of Kaliṅgasenā and, full of longing, flew through the sky to her own residence.

६.३.२३

कलिङ्गसेनाप्याश्चर्यदर्शनध्वस्तया क्षुधा ।
प्रहृष्टा तदहस्तस्थौ सर्वाहारपराङ्मुखी ॥

Summary AI Kaliṅgasenā, her hunger having vanished due to the sight of those wonders, remained joyful that day, avoiding all food.

६.३.२४

तद्दृष्ट्वा च ततस्तस्या जननी रोगशङ्किनी ।
आनन्दाख्येन भिषजा निरूप्याविकलोदिता ॥

Summary AI Seeing her state, her mother feared she was ill; but after she was examined by a physician named Ānanda, he spoke clearly.

६.३.२५

कुतो ऽपि हेतोर्हर्षेण नष्टास्याः क्षुन्न रोगतः ।
उत्फुल्लनेत्रं वक्त्येतदस्या हसदिवाननम् ॥

Summary AI "Her hunger has vanished due to joy from some cause, not because of illness. Her face, with its wide-open eyes, seems to say this as if smiling."

६.३.२६

इत्युक्ता भिषजा हर्षहेतुं तज्जननी च सा ।
पप्रच्छ तां यथावृत्तं सापि तस्यै तदब्रवीत् ॥

Summary AI Thus addressed by the physician, the mother asked her the cause of her joy, and she told her everything exactly as it happened.

६.३.२७

ततः श्लाघ्यसखी सङ्गहृष्टां मत्वाभिनन्द्य च ।
आहारं कारयामास जननी तां यथोचितम् ॥

Summary AI Then the mother, realizing she was happy in the company of a praiseworthy friend, congratulated her and made her take appropriate food.

६.३.२८

अथान्येद्युरुपागत्य विदितार्था क्रमेण सा ।
कलिङ्गसेनां तामेव रहः सोमप्रभाभ्यधात् ॥

Summary AI The next day, Somaprabhā arrived and, aware of the situation, spoke to Kaliṅgasenā in private.

६.३.२९

मया त्वत्सख्यमावेद्य त्वत्पार्श्वागमने ऽन्वहम् ।
अनुज्ञा ज्ञानिनो भर्तुर्गृहीता विदितार्थतः ॥

Summary AI "I have informed my wise husband of our friendship and, having explained everything, have obtained his permission to visit you every day."

६.३.३०

तस्मात्त्वमप्यनुज्ञाता पितृभ्यां भव सांप्रतम् ।
येन स्वैरं मया साकं निःशङ्का विहरिष्यसि ॥

Summary AI "Therefore, you should also now get permission from your parents, so that you may sport freely with me without any hesitation."

६.३.३१

एवमुक्तवतीं हस्ते तां गृहीत्वैव तत्क्षणम् ।
कलिङ्गसेना स्वपितुर्मातुश्च निकटं ययौ ॥

Summary AI As soon as she said this, Kaliṅgasenā took her by the hand and went to her father and mother.

६.३.३२

तत्र नामान्वयाख्यानपूर्वं चैतामदर्शयत् ।
पित्रे कलिङ्गदत्ताय राज्ञे सोमप्रभां सखीम् ॥

Summary AI There, after first announcing her friend's name and lineage, she presented Somaprabhā to her father, King Kaliṅgadatta.

६.३.३३

मात्रे च तारादत्तायै तथैवैतामदर्शयत् ।
तौ च दृष्ट्वा यथाख्यानमेनामभिननन्दतुः ॥

Summary AI She likewise presented her to her mother Tārādattā; and they, seeing her as described, welcomed her.

६.३.३४

ऊचतुश्चाकृतिप्रीतौ दंपती तावुभौ ततः ।
सत्कृत्य दुहितृस्नेहात्तां महासुरसुन्दरीम् ॥

Summary AI Then the royal couple, pleased with her appearance, honored the beautiful daughter of the great Asura out of love for their own daughter and spoke.

६.३.३५

वत्से कलिङ्गसेनेयं हस्ते तव समर्पिता ।
तदिदानीं यथकाममुभे विहरतां युवाम् ॥

Summary AI "Dear Kaliṅgasenā, she is now entrusted to you; let both of you now sport together as you please."

६.३.३६

एतत्तयोर्वचो द्वे चाप्यभिनन्द्य निरीयतुः ।
समं कलिङ्गसेना च सा च सोमप्रभा ततः ॥

Summary AI Welcoming their words, both Kaliṅgasenā and Somaprabhā then went out together.

६.३.३७

जग्मतुश्च विहाराय विहारं राजनिर्मितम् ।
आनिन्यतुश्च तां तत्र मायायन्त्रकरण्डिकाम् ॥

Summary AI They went to a pleasure-house built by the king for recreation, and they brought the casket of magical mechanical toys there.

६.३.३८

ततो यन्त्रमयं यक्षं गृहीत्वा प्राहिणोत्तदा ।
सोमप्रभा स्वप्रयोगाद्बुद्धार्चानयनाय सा ॥

Summary AI Then Somaprabhā, in order to bring an image of the Buddha, employed her skill and sent forth a mechanical Yakṣa.

६.३.३९

स यक्षो नभसा गत्वा दूरमध्वानमाययौ ।
आदाय मुक्तासद्रत्नहेमाम्बुरुहसंचयम् ॥

Summary AI That Yakṣa traveled a great distance through the sky and returned, bringing a collection of pearls, excellent gems, and golden lotuses.

६.३.४०

तेनाभिपूज्य सुगतान्भसयामास तत्र सा ।
सोमप्रभा सनिलयान्सर्वाश्चर्यप्रदायिना ॥

Summary AI Using those wondrous gifts, Somaprabhā worshipped the Sugatas along with their shrines and made them shine brilliantly.

६.३.४१

तद्बुद्ध्वागत्य दृष्ट्वा च विस्मितो महिषीसखः ।
राजा कलिङ्गदत्तस्तामपृच्छद्यन्त्रचेष्टितम् ॥

Summary AI Upon learning of the mechanical wonders, King Kaliṅgadatta arrived with his queen. Astonished by the sight, he questioned Somaprabhā regarding the workings of the mechanical contrivances.

६.३.४२

ततः सोमप्रभावादीद्राजन्नेतान्यनेकधा ।
मायायन्त्रादिशिल्पानि पित्रा सृष्टानि मे पुरा ॥

Summary AI Somaprabhā replied, "O King, these various crafts consisting of magical machines and other arts were created long ago by my father."

६.३.४३

यथा चेदं जगद्यन्त्रं पञ्चभूतात्मकं तथा ।
यन्त्राण्येतानि सर्वाणि शृणु तानि पृथक्पृथक् ॥

Summary AI Just as this universe-machine is composed of the five elements, so too are these mechanical wonders. Listen as I describe them individually.

६.३.४४

पृथ्वीप्रधानं यन्त्रं यद्द्वारादि पिदधाति तत् ।
पिहितं तेन शक्नोति न चोद्घाटयितुं परः ॥

Summary AI The machine dominated by the element of earth closes doors and barriers. Once shut by this mechanism, no one else is capable of opening them.

६.३.४५

आकारस्तोययन्त्रोत्थः सजीव इव दृश्यते ।
तेजोमयं तु यद्यन्त्रं तज्ज्वलाः परिमुञ्चति ॥

Summary AI A figure produced by a water-based machine appears as if it were alive, while a machine made of fire emits blazing flames.

६.३.४६

वातयन्त्रं च कुरुते चेष्टा गत्यागमादिकाः ।
व्यक्तीकरोति चालापं यन्त्रमाकाशसंभवम् ॥

Summary AI A machine driven by wind performs actions like moving to and fro, and a machine derived from ether makes speech clearly audible.

६.३.४७

मया चैतान्यवाप्तानि तातात्किं त्वम् ऋतस्य यत् ।
रक्षकं चक्रयन्त्रं तत्तातो जानाति नापरः ॥

Summary AI I have acquired these from my father. However, only my father knows the secret of the wheel-machine that protects the amṛta; no one else knows it.

६.३.४८

इति तस्या वदन्त्यास्तद्वचः श्रद्दधतामिव ।
मध्याह्ने पूर्यमाणानां शङ्खानामुदभूद्ध्वनिः ॥

Summary AI As she spoke, the sound of conches being blown at midday arose, as if expressing faith in her words to those who heard them.

६.३.४९

ततः स्वोचितमाहारं दातुं विज्ञाप्य तं नृपम् ।
प्राप्यनुज्ञां विमाने तां सानुगां यन्त्रनिर्मिते ॥

Summary AI After informing the King to provide the princess with proper food and obtaining his permission, Somaprabhā prepared to depart with her and her followers in a machine-made flying chariot.

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नीलकण्ठविजयचम्पूः नीलकण्ठदीक्षितः

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