कथासरित्सागरः — चतुर्थस्तरङ्गः

चतुर्थस्तरङ्गः ।

ततः स्वसद्म यातायाः पश्चान्मार्गमवेक्षितुम् ।
सोमप्रभायाः स्नेहेन मार्गहर्म्याग्रमास्थिताम् ॥

Summary AI Then, after Somaprabhā had departed for her own home, Kaliṅgasenā stood upon the top of her palace to watch the road out of affection for her friend.

६.४.२

कलिङ्गसेनामारात्तां ददर्श गगनागतः ।
दैवान्मदनवेगाख्यो युवा विद्याधराधिपः ॥

Summary AI A young Vidyādhara prince named Madanavega, arriving from the sky by chance, saw Kaliṅgasenā from a distance.

६.४.३

स तां दृष्ट्वैव रूपेण जगत्त्रितयमोहिनीम् ।
क्षोभं जगाम कामैन्द्रजालिकस्येव पिच्छिकाम् ॥

Summary AI As soon as he saw her, who enchanted the three worlds with her beauty, he became agitated like the peacock-feather fan of the magician Kāma.

६.४.४

अलं विद्याधरस्त्रीभिः का कथाप्सरसामपि ।
यत्रेदृगेतदेतस्या मानुष्या रूपमद्भुतम् ॥

Summary AI Enough with Vidyādhara women! What need is there even for Apsarasas, when this mortal woman possesses such wonderful beauty?

६.४.५

तदेषा यदि मे न स्याद्भार्या किं जीवितेन तत् ।
कथं च मानुषीसङ्गं कुर्यां विद्याधरो ऽपि सन् ॥

Summary AI If she does not become my wife, then what is the use of living? Yet, how can I, being a Vidyādhara, seek union with a human woman?

६.४.६

इत्यालोच्य स दध्यौ च विद्यां प्रज्ञप्तिसंज्ञिकाम् ।
सा चाविर्भूय साकारा तमेवमवदत्तदा ॥

Summary AI Thinking thus, he meditated on the science named Prajñapti; she appeared in personified form and spoke to him in this manner.

६.४.७

तत्त्वतो मानुषी नेयमेषा शापच्युताप्सराः ।
जाता कलिङ्गदत्तस्य गृहे सुभग भूपतेः ॥

Summary AI In truth, she is not a mortal woman; she is an Apsaras fallen by a curse, born in the house of the fortunate King Kaliṅgadatta.

६.४.८

इत्युक्ते विद्यया सो ऽथ हृष्टो गत्वा स्वधामनि ।
विद्याधरो ऽन्यविमुखः कामार्तः समचिन्तयत् ॥

Summary AI When the science had said this, the Vidyādhara rejoiced and returned to his abode; turning away from all else and tormented by love, he reflected.

६.४.९

हठाद्यदि हराम्येतां तदेतन्मे न युज्यते ।
स्त्रीणां हठोपभोगे हि मम शापो ऽस्ति मृत्युदः ॥

Summary AI If I carry her off by force, it would be improper for me; for I have a curse that brings death if I enjoy women against their will.

६.४.१०

तदेतत्प्राप्तये शंभुराराध्यस्तपसा मया ।
तपो ऽधीनानि हि श्रेयांस्युपायो ऽन्यो न विद्यते ॥

Summary AI Therefore, to obtain her, I must worship Śambhu through penance; for all blessings depend on penance, and no other means exists.

६.४.११

इति निश्चित्य चान्येद्युर्गत्वा ऋषभपर्वतम् ।
एकपादस्थितस्तेपे निराहारस्तपांसि सः ॥

Summary AI Having decided thus, he went to Mount Ṛṣabha the next day and performed penances, standing on one leg without food.

६.४.१२

अथ तुष्टो ऽचिरात्तीव्रैस्तपोभिर्दत्तदर्शनः ।
एवं मदनवेगं तमादिदेशाम्बिकापतिः ॥

Summary AI Then, soon satisfied by his intense penances, the Lord of Ambikā appeared and commanded Madanavega in this way.

६.४.१३

एषा कलिङ्गसेनाख्या ख्याता रूपेण भूतले ।
कन्या नास्याश्च भर्तापि सदृशो रूपसंपदा ॥

Summary AI This maiden named Kaliṅgasenā is famous on earth for her beauty; there is no husband equal to her in the excellence of form.

६.४.१४

एकस्तु वत्सराजो ऽस्ति स चैतामभिवाञ्छति ।
किं तु वासवदत्ताया भीत्या नार्थयते स्फुटम् ॥

Summary AI There is one King of Vatsa who desires her, but out of fear of Vāsavadattā, he does not openly seek her hand.

६.४.१५

एषापि रूपलुब्धा तं श्रुत्वा सोमप्रभामुखात् ।
स्वयंवराय वत्सेशं राजपुत्र्यभिवाञ्छति ॥

Summary AI This princess also, enamored of beauty, having heard of him from Somaprabhā, desires the King of Vatsa for her bridegroom.

६.४.१६

तत्र यावद्विवाहो ऽस्या न भवेत्तावदन्तरा ।
कृत्वा कालासहस्येव रूपं वत्सेश्वरस्य तत् ॥

Summary AI Therefore, before her marriage can take place, assume the form of that King of Vatsa, Kālāsaha.

६.४.१७

गत्वा गान्धर्वविधिना भार्यां कुर्याद्भवानिमाम् ।
एवं कलिङ्गसेनासौ तव सेत्स्यति सुन्दरी ॥

Summary AI Go and make her your wife by the Gāndharva rite; in this way, the beautiful Kaliṅgasenā will become yours.

६.४.१८

इत्यादिष्टः स शर्वेण प्रणिपत्याथ तं ययौ ।
गृहं मदनवेगः स्वं कालकूटगिरेस्तटम् ॥

Summary AI Commanded thus by Śarva, Madanavega bowed to Him and went to his own home on the slopes of Mount Kālakūṭa.

६.४.१९

अत्रान्तरे प्रतिनिशं गच्छन्त्या निजमन्दिरम् ।
प्रतिप्रभातमायान्त्या यन्त्रेण व्योमगामिना ॥

Summary AI Meanwhile, Somaprabhā would return to her own palace every night and come back every morning by means of an aerial machine.

६.४.२०

तया तक्षशिलापुर्यां सा सोमप्रभया सह ।
कलिङ्गसेना क्रीडन्ती तां जगादैकदा रहः ॥

Summary AI While playing in the city of Takṣaśilā with Somaprabhā, Kaliṅgasenā once spoke to her in private.

६.४.२१

सखि वाच्यं न कस्यापि त्वया यत्ते ब्रवीम्यहम् ।
विवाहो मम संप्राप्त इति जाने यतः शृणु ॥

Summary AI O friend! Do not tell anyone what I am about to tell you. I know that my marriage is at hand; listen to how I know this.

६.४.२२

इह मां याचितुं दूताः प्रेषिता बहुभिर्नृपैः ।
ते च तातेन संवृत्य तथैव प्रेषिता इतः ॥

Summary AI Many kings sent messengers here to ask for my hand. My father received them but sent them back from here in the same manner.

६.४.२३

यस्तु प्रसेनजिन्नाम श्रावस्त्यामस्ति भूपतिः ।
तदीयः केवलं दूतः सादरं तेन सत्कृतः ॥

Summary AI However, my father respectfully welcomed only the messenger sent by King Prasenajit of Śrāvastī.

६.४.२४

मन्त्रितं चाम्बयाप्येतत्तन्मन्ये मद्वरो नृपः ।
स तातस्य तथाम्बायाः कुलीन इति संमतः ॥

Summary AI My mother also consulted on this, and so I believe that king is my intended husband. He is considered well-born by both my father and my mother.

६.४.२५

स हि तत्र कुले जातो यत्राम्बाम्बालिकादिकाः ।
पितामह्यः कुरूणां च पाण्डवानां च जज्ञिरे ॥

Summary AI He was born into the same lineage as Ambā, Ambālikā, and others, who were the grandmothers of the Kauravas and the Pāṇḍavas.

६.४.२६

तत्प्रसेनजिते तस्मै सखि दत्तास्मि सांप्रतम् ।
तातेन राज्ञे श्रावस्त्यां नगर्यामिति निश्चयः ॥

Summary AI Therefore, friend, it is certain that I have now been given by my father to that King Prasenajit in the city of Śrāvastī.

६.४.२७

एतत्कलिङ्गसेनातः श्रुत्वा सोमप्रभा शुचा ।
सृजन्तीवापरं हारं सद्यो धाराश्रुणारुदत् ॥

Summary AI Hearing this from Kaliṅgasenā, Somaprabhā immediately wept with a stream of tears out of grief, as if she were creating another necklace.

६.४.२८

जगाद चैतां पृच्छन्तीं वयस्यामश्रुकारणम् ।
दृष्टनिःशेषभूलोक सा मयासुरपुत्रिका ॥

Summary AI Somaprabhā, the daughter of the Asura Maya, who had seen the entire world, spoke to her friend who was asking for the reason behind her tears.

६.४.२९

वयो रूपं कुलं शीलं वित्तं चेति वरस्य यत् ।
मृग्यते सखि तत्राद्यं वयो वंशादिकं ततः ॥

Summary AI Friend, when seeking a groom, qualities like age, beauty, lineage, character, and wealth are examined. Among these, age is the first priority, followed by lineage and the rest.

६.४.३०

प्रसेनजिच्च प्रवयाः स दृष्टो नृपतिर्मया ।
जातीपुष्पस्य जात्येव जीर्णस्यास्य कुलेन किम् ॥

Summary AI I have seen King Prasenajit; he is very old. What use is noble lineage to him, just as fine species is of no use to a withered jasmine flower?

६.४.३१

हिमशुभ्रेण तेन त्वं हेमन्तेनेव पद्मिनी ।
परिम्लानाम्बुजमुखी युक्ता शोच्या भविष्यसि ॥

Summary AI United with him, who is as white as snow, you will become pitiable, like a lotus plant in winter with its lotus-face withered.

६.४.३२

अतो जातो विषादो मे प्रहर्षस्तु भवेन्मम ।
यदि स्याद्वत्सराजस्ते कल्याण्युदयनः पतिः ॥

Summary AI This is why I am despondent. However, O auspicious one, if Udayana, the King of Vatsa, were to be your husband, I would be overjoyed.

६.४.३३

तस्य नास्ति हि रूपेण लावण्येन कुलेन च ।
शौर्येण च विभूत्या च तुल्यो ऽन्यो नृपतिर्भुवि ॥

Summary AI Indeed, there is no other king on earth equal to him in beauty, charm, lineage, valor, or majesty.

६.४.३४

तेन चेद्युज्यसे भर्त्रा सदृशेन कृशोदरि ।
धातुः फलति लावण्यनिर्माणं तदिदं त्वयि ॥

Summary AI O slender-waisted one, if you are united with such a worthy husband, then the Creator’s labor in crafting your beauty will truly bear fruit.

६.४.३५

इति सोमप्रभाकॢप्तैर्वक्यैर्यन्त्रैरिवेरितम् ।
ययौ कलिङ्गसेनाया मनो वत्सेश्वरं प्रति ॥

Summary AI Driven by the words spoken by Somaprabhā as if by mechanisms, Kaliṅgasenā’s heart turned towards the Lord of Vatsa.

६.४.३६

ततश्च सा तां पप्रच्छ राजकन्या मयात्मजाम् ।
कथं स वत्सराजाख्यः सखि किंवंशसंभवः ॥

Summary AI Then that princess asked the daughter of Maya: "Friend, who is this King of Vatsa? From what lineage is he descended?"

६.४.३७

कथं चोदयनो नाम्ना त्वया मे कथ्यतामिति ।
साथ सोमप्रभावादीच्छृणु तत्सखि वच्मि ते ॥

Summary AI "And why is he named Udayana? Tell me this." Then Somaprabhā said, "Listen, friend, I will tell you about that."

६.४.३८

वत्स इत्यस्ति विख्यातो देशो भूमेर्विभूषणम् ।
पुरी तत्रास्ति कौशाम्बी द्वितीयेवामरावती ॥

Summary AI There is a famous country called Vatsa, which is an ornament of the earth. In it lies the city of Kauśāmbī, like a second Amarāvatī.

६.४.३९

तस्यां स कुरुते राज्यं यतो वत्सेश्वरस्ततः ।
वंशं च तस्य कल्याणि कीर्त्यमानं मया शृणु ॥

Summary AI He rules there, and for that reason, he is known as the Lord of Vatsa. O auspicious one, listen as I describe his lineage.

६.४.४०

पाण्डवस्यार्जुनस्याभूदभिमन्युः किलात्मजः ।
चक्रव्यूहभिदा येन नीता कुरुचमूः क्षयम् ॥

Summary AI Arjuna, the Pāṇḍava, had a son named Abhimanyu, who destroyed the Kaurava army by breaking through their circular battle formation.

६.४.४१

तस्मात्परीक्षिदभवद्राजा भरतवंशभृत् ।
सर्पसत्त्रप्रणेताभूत्ततो ऽपि जनमेजयः ॥

Summary AI From him was born King Parīkṣit, the sustainer of the Bharata dynasty. From him, in turn, was born Janamejaya, the performer of the snake sacrifice.

६.४.४२

ततो ऽभवच्छतानीकः कौशाम्बीमध्युवास यः ।
यश्च देवासुरगणे दैत्यान्हत्वा व्यपद्यत ॥

Summary AI From him was born Śatānīka, who resided in Kauśāmbī and met his end in the war between gods and demons after slaying the daityas.

६.४.४३

तस्माद्राजा जगच्छ्लाघ्यः सहस्रानीक इत्यभूत् ।
यः शक्रप्रेषितरथो दिवि चक्रे गतागतम् ॥

Summary AI From him was born King Sahasrānīka, praised by the world, who traveled to heaven and back in a chariot sent by Śakra.

६.४.४४

तस्य देव्यां मृगावत्यामसावुदयनो ऽजनि ।
भूषणं शशिनो वंशे जगन्नेत्रोत्सवो नृपः ॥

Summary AI To him and his queen Mṛgāvatī was born Udayana, a king who was an ornament to the Lunar dynasty and a delight to the eyes of the world.

६.४.४५

नाम्नो निमित्तमप्यस्य शृणु सा हि मृगावती ।
अन्तर्वत्नी सति राज्ञो जनन्यस्य सुजन्मनः ॥

Summary AI Hear also the reason for his name: his mother Mṛgāvatī, the queen of that king, while pregnant with this noble-born child...

६.४.४६

उत्पन्नरुधिरस्नानदोहदा पापभीरुणा ।
भर्त्रा रचितलाक्षादिरसवापीकृताप्लवा ॥

Summary AI Having developed a pregnancy longing to bathe in blood, she was immersed in a pool filled with liquid lac and other red substances by her husband, who feared committing a sin.

६.४.४७

पक्षिणा तार्क्ष्यवंश्येन निपत्यामिषशङ्कया ।
नीत्वा विधिवशात्त्यक्ता जीवन्त्येवोदयाचले ॥

Summary AI A bird of Garuḍa's lineage, mistaking her for meat, swooped down and carried her away, but by the power of fate, it left her still alive on the Udaya mountain.

६.४.४८

तत्र चाश्वासिता भूयो भर्तृसंगमवादिना ।
जमदग्न्यर्षिणा दृष्टा स्थितासौ तत्र चाश्रमे ॥

Summary AI There, she was seen and comforted by the sage Jamadagnya, who foretold her reunion with her husband; thus, she remained in that hermitage.

६.४.४९

अवज्ञाजनितेर्ष्यायाः कंचित्कालं हि तादृशः ।
शापस्तिलोत्तमातो ऽभूत्तद्भर्तुस्तद्वियोगदः ॥

Summary AI Indeed, her husband had received a curse from Tilottamā, who was envious due to his neglect; this curse caused their separation for a certain period.

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