कथासरित्सागरः — अष्टमस्तरङ्गः

अष्टमस्तरङ्गः ।

ततः कलिङ्गसेनायाः स्मरन्ननुपमं वपुः ।
एकदा मन्मथाविष्टो निशि वत्सेश्वरो ऽभवत् ॥

Summary AI Then, one night, remembering the peerless form of Kaliṅgasenā, Vatsēśvara became overwhelmed by desire.

उत्थाय खड्गहस्तः सन्गत्वैव प्रविवेश सः ।
एकाकी मन्दिरं तस्याः कृतातिथ्यादरस्तया ॥

Summary AI Rising with sword in hand, he went alone and entered her palace, where she received him with the hospitality and respect due to a guest.

६.८.३

तत्र प्रार्थयमानस्तां भार्यार्थे स महीपतिः ।
परपत्न्यहमस्मीति प्रत्याख्यातस्तयाब्रवीत् ॥

Summary AI While the King was pleading for her to be his wife, she rejected him, saying, "I am the wife of another," whereupon he replied to her.

६.८.४

तृतीयं पुरुषं प्राप्ता यतस्त्वमसि बन्धकी ।
परदारगतो दोषो न मे त्वद्गमने ततः ॥

Summary AI "Since you have already known a third man and are thus an unchaste woman, there is no sin of adultery for me in approaching you."

६.८.५

एवं कलिङ्गसेना सा राज्ञोक्ता प्रत्युवाच तम् ।
त्वदर्थमागता राजन्नहं विद्याधरेण हि ॥

Summary AI Addressed thus by the King, Kaliṅgasenā replied: "O King, I indeed came for your sake, but I was married by a Vidyādhara."

६.८.६

व्यूढा मदनवेगेन स्वैरं त्वद्रूपधारिणा ।
स एवैकश्च भर्ता मे तत्कस्मादस्मि बन्धकी ॥

Summary AI "I was married willfully by one who took your form through the impulse of love. He alone is my one husband; why then am I unchaste?"

६.८.७

किं वातिक्रान्तबन्धूनां स्वेच्छाचारहतात्मनाम् ।
इमास्ता विपदः स्त्रीणां कुमारीणां कथैव का ॥

Summary AI "What more? Such are the calamities of women who disregard their kin and are ruined by their own willful conduct; what then can be said of maidens?"

६.८.८

दृष्टाशकुनया सख्या निषिद्धापि व्यसर्जयम् ।
त्वत्पार्श्वं यदहं दूतं तस्य चेदं फलं मम ॥

Summary AI "Even though I was forbidden by my friend who saw ill omens, I sent a messenger to you; this is now the fruit of that action for me."

६.८.९

तत्स्पृश्यसि बलान्मां चेत्प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्याम्यहं ततः ।
का नाम कुलजा हि स्त्री भर्तृद्रोहं करिष्यति ॥

Summary AI "Therefore, if you touch me by force, I shall give up my life; for what woman of noble birth would ever betray her husband?"

६.८.१०

तथा च कथयाम्यत्र तव राजन्कथां शृणु ।
पुराभूदिन्द्रदत्ताख्यश्चेदिदेशमहीपतिः ॥

Summary AI "O King, I shall tell you a story regarding this; listen. Formerly, there was a King of the Cedi country named Indradatta."

६.८.११

स पापशोधने तीर्थे कीर्त्यै देवकुलं महत् ।
चक्रे यशःशरीरार्थी शरीरं वीक्ष्य भङ्गुरम् ॥

Summary AI Desiring a body of fame and seeing his physical body to be transitory, he built a great temple for renown at the holy site of Pāpaśodhana.

६.८.१२

तच्च भक्तिरसाच्छश्वदीक्षितुं स ययौ नृपः ।
सर्वश्च तीर्थस्नानाय सदा तत्राययौ जनः ॥

Summary AI The King went there constantly to behold it out of devotion, and all people always came there to bathe in the holy waters.

६.८.१३

एकदा च ददर्शैकां तीर्थस्नानार्थमागताम् ।
स राजात्र वणिग्भार्यां प्रवासस्थितभर्तृकाम् ॥

Summary AI Once, the King saw a merchant’s wife who had come there for a holy bath while her husband was away on a journey.

६.८.१४

स्वच्छकान्तिसुधासिक्तां चित्ररूपविभूषणाम् ।
जङ्गमामिव कंदर्पराजधानीं मनोरमाम् ॥

Summary AI He saw her, sprinkled with the nectar of pure loveliness and adorned with wonderful beauty, like a moving and delightful capital of Kandarpa.

६.८.१५

त्वयाहं विजये विश्वमिति प्रीत्येव पादयोः ।
आश्लिष्टां पञ्चबाणस्य तूणीरद्वयशोभया ॥

Summary AI She appeared as if embraced at her feet by the two beautiful quivers of Pañcabāṇa, as if he said out of affection, "By you, I conquer the universe."

६.८.१६

सा दृष्टैव मनस्तस्य जहार नृपतेस्तथा ।
यथान्विष्य गृहं तस्याः स ययौ विवशो निशि ॥

Summary AI As soon as she was seen, she so captivated the King's mind that, losing self-control, he searched for her house and went there at night.

६.८.१७

तां च प्रार्थयमानः सञ्जगदे स तया नृपः ।
रक्षिता त्वं न युक्तं ते परदाराभिमर्शनम् ॥

Summary AI As he was pleading with her, she said to the King, "You are the protector; it is not proper for you to touch another man's wife."

६.८.१८

हठात्स्पृशसि वा मां चेदधर्मस्ते महान्भवेत् ।
मरिष्यामि च सद्यो ऽहं न सहिष्ये च दूषणम् ॥

Summary AI "If you touch me by force, it will be a great sin for you; I shall die immediately, for I will not endure dishonor."

६.८.१९

इत्युक्ते ऽपि तया तस्मिन्बलं राज्ञि चिकीर्षति ।
शीलभ्रंशभयात्तस्याः सद्यो हृदयमस्फुटत् ॥

Summary AI Though she spoke thus, when the King attempted to use force, her heart burst instantly out of the fear of losing her virtue.

६.८.२०

तद्दृष्ट्वा सपदि ह्रीतः स गत्वैव यथागतम् ।
दिनैस्तेनानुतापेन राजा पञ्चत्वमाययौ ॥

Summary AI Seeing that, the King, suddenly filled with shame, returned exactly as he had come; and within a few days, he died from the weight of that remorse.

६.८.२१

इत्याख्याय कथामेतां सभयप्रश्रयानता ।
भूयः कलिङ्गसेना सा वत्सेश्वरमभाषत ॥

Summary AI Having narrated this story, Kaliṅgasenā, bowing with a mixture of fear and humility, addressed the Lord of Vatsa once again.

६.८.२२

तस्मादधर्मे मत्प्राणहरणे मा मतिं कृथाः ।
इहाश्रिताया वस्तुं मे देहि याम्यन्यतो ऽन्यथा ॥

Summary AI Therefore, do not set your mind on the unrighteous act of taking my life. Allow me to live here as your dependent; otherwise, I shall depart elsewhere.

६.८.२३

एतत्कलिङ्गसेनातः श्रुत्वा वत्सेश्वरो ऽथ सः ।
विचार्य विरतो भूत्वा धर्मज्ञस्तामभाषत ॥

Summary AI After hearing these words from Kaliṅgasenā, the righteous Lord of Vatsa reflected, desisted from his previous intent, and spoke to her.

६.८.२४

राजपुत्रि वस स्वेच्छं भर्त्रा सममिहाधुना ।
नाहं वक्ष्यामि ते किंचिदिदानीं मा भयं कृथाः ॥

Summary AI O Princess, live here now as you wish along with your husband. I shall say nothing to oppose you; do not be afraid anymore.

६.८.२५

इत्युक्त्वैव गते तस्मिन्स्वैरं राज्ञि स्वमन्दिरम् ।
श्रुत्वा मदनवेगस्तन्नभसो ऽवततार सः ॥

Summary AI When the King had spoken thus and retired freely to his own palace, Madanavega, having overheard the conversation, descended from the sky.

६.८.२६

प्रिये साधु कृतं नैवमकरिष्यः शुभे यदि ।
नाभविष्यच्छुभं यस्मान्नासहिष्यत तन्मया ॥

Summary AI O beloved, you have done well. O auspicious one, had you not acted thus, I could not have endured it, and no good would have resulted.

६.८.२७

इत्युक्त्वा सान्त्वयित्वा तां निशां नीत्वा तया सह ।
तत्रैव गच्छन्नागच्छन्नासीद्विद्याधरो ऽथ सः ॥

Summary AI Having spoken and consoled her, the Vidyādhara spent the night with her; henceforth, he continued to visit her regularly at that place.

६.८.२८

कलिङ्गसेनापि च सा पत्यौ विद्याधरेश्वरे ।
तत्रास्त मर्त्यभावे ऽपि दिव्यभोगसुखान्विता ॥

Summary AI Kaliṅgasenā also, despite being in a mortal condition, remained there enjoying divine pleasures in the company of her husband, the Lord of the Vidyādharas.

६.८.२९

वत्सराजो ऽपि तच्चिन्तां मुक्त्वा मन्त्रिवचः स्मरन् ।
ननन्द लब्धं मन्वानो देवीं राज्यं सुतं तथा ॥

Summary AI The King of Vatsa, remembering the advice of his minister, cast aside his anxieties and rejoiced, considering his Queen, kingdom, and son to be finally secure.

६.८.३०

देवी वासवदत्ता च मन्त्री यौगन्धरायणः ।
अभूतां निर्वृतौ सिद्धे नीतिकल्पलताफले ॥

Summary AI When the fruit of the wish-granting creeper of political wisdom was realized, Queen Vāsavadattā and the minister Yaugandharāyaṇa became deeply content.

६.८.३१

अथ गच्छत्सु दिवसेष्वापाण्डुमुखपङ्कजा ।
दध्रे कलिङ्गसेना सा गर्भमुत्पन्नदोहदा ॥

Summary AI As the days passed, Kaliṅgasenā conceived a child, her lotus-like face becoming pale as she experienced the longings of pregnancy.

६.८.३२

तुङ्गौ विरेजतुस्तस्याः स्तनावाश्यामचूचुकौ ।
निधानकुम्भौ कामस्य मदमुद्राङ्किताविव ॥

Summary AI Her high breasts with dark nipples shone like two treasure-jars of Kāma, marked, as it were, with the seal of intoxication.

६.८.३३

ततो मदनवेगस्तामुपेत्य पतिरभ्यधात् ।
कलिङ्गसेने दिव्यानामस्माकं समयो ऽस्त्ययम् ॥

Summary AI Then her husband Madanavega approached her and said: "O Kaliṅgasenā, this is the established custom among us divine beings."

६.८.३४

जातं मानुषगर्भं यन्मुक्त्वा यामो विदूरतः ।
कण्वाश्रमे न तत्याज मेनका किं शकुन्तलाम् ॥

Summary AI "We must abandon a human offspring and depart to a distance. Did Menakā not leave Śakuntalā behind in the hermitage of Kaṇva?"

६.८.३५

त्वं यद्यप्यप्सराः पूर्वं तदप्यविनयान्निजात् ।
शक्रशापेन संप्राता मानुष्यं देवि सांप्रतम् ॥

Summary AI "O Queen, though you were formerly an Apsaras, you have attained this human state now because of your own indiscretion and the curse of Śakra."

६.८.३६

तेनैव बन्धकीशब्दो जातः साध्व्या अपीह ते ।
तस्मादपत्यं रक्षेस्त्वं स्थानं यास्याम्यहं निजम् ॥

Summary AI "Because of this, the word 'unchaste' has been applied to you here despite your virtue. Therefore, protect the child; I shall return to my own abode."

६.८.३७

स्मरिष्यसि यदा मां च संनिधास्ये तदा तव ।
एवं कलिङ्गसेनां तामुक्त्वा साश्रुविलोचनाम् ॥

Summary AI "Whenever you remember me, I shall appear before you." Having spoken thus to Kaliṅgasenā, whose eyes were brimming with tears,

६.८.३८

समाश्वास्याथ दत्त्वा च तस्यै तद्रत्नसंचयम् ।
तच्चित्तः समयाकृष्टो ययौ विद्याधरेश्वरः ॥

Summary AI and having consoled her and given her a heap of jewels, the Lord of the Vidyādharas, with his heart still fixed on her, departed, compelled by the laws of his race.

६.८.३९

कलिङ्गसेनाप्यत्रासीदपत्याशां सखीमिव ।
आलम्ब्य वत्सराजस्य भुजच्छायामपाश्रिता ॥

Summary AI Kaliṅgasenā remained there, taking shelter under the protection of the King of Vatsa, clinging to the hope of her child as if to a dear friend.

६.८.४०

अत्रान्तरे कृतवतीं साङ्गभर्त्राप्तये तपः ।
आदिदेश रतिं भर्यामनङ्गस्याम्बिकापतिः ॥

Summary AI In the meantime, the Lord of Ambikā gave a command to Rati, the wife of Anaṅga, who had performed penance to regain her husband in embodied form.

६.८.४१

वत्सराजगृहे जातो दग्धपूर्वः स ते पतिः ।
नरवाहनदत्ताख्यो ऽयोनिजो मद्विलङ्घनात् ॥

Summary AI Your husband, who was previously burnt, has been born in the house of King Vatsarāja as Naravāhanadatta. He is not born from a womb, due to his transgression against me.

६.८.४२

मदाराधनतस्त्वं तु मर्त्यलोके ऽप्ययोनिजा ।
जनिष्यसे ततस्तेन भर्त्रा साङ्गेन योक्ष्यसे ॥

Summary AI Due to your propitiation of me, you too shall be born in the mortal world without a womb. Then, you will be reunited with your husband, who will possess a physical body.

६.८.४३

एवमुक्त्वा रतिं शंभुः प्रजापतिमथादिशत् ।
कलिङ्गसेना तनयं सोष्यते दिव्यसंभवम् ॥

Summary AI Having spoken thus to Rati, Śambhu then commanded Brahmā, noting that Kaliṅgasenā was about to give birth to a son of divine origin.

६.८.४४

तं हृत्वा मायया तस्यास्तत्स्थाने त्वमिमां रतिम् ।
निर्माय मानुषीं कन्यां त्यक्तदिव्यतनुं क्षिपेः ॥

Summary AI Brahmā was instructed to carry away the son by magic and, in his place, substitute Rati, transformed into a human maiden who has abandoned her divine form.

६.८.४५

इतीश्वराज्ञामादाय मूर्ध्नि वेधस्यथो गते ।
कलिङ्गसेना प्रसवं प्राप्ते काले चकार सा ॥

Summary AI After Brahmā departed, carrying the Lord's command on his head, Kaliṅgasenā gave birth when the time was ripe.

६.८.४६

जातमात्रं सुतं तस्या हृत्वैवात्र स्वमायया ।
रतिं तां कन्यकां कृत्वा न्यधाद्विधिरलक्षितम् ॥

Summary AI As soon as her son was born, Brahmā stole him away using his magic and substituted Rati, transformed into a baby girl, without being noticed.

६.८.४७

सर्वश्च तत्र तामेव कन्यां जातामलक्षत ।
दिवाप्यकाण्डप्रतिपच्चन्द्रलेखामिवोदिताम् ॥

Summary AI Everyone there beheld only that newborn girl, who appeared like the crescent moon of the first day rising unexpectedly during the day.

६.८.४८

कान्तिद्योतिततद्वासगृहां निर्जित्य कुर्वतीम् ।
रत्नदीपशिखाश्रेणीर्लज्जिता इव निष्प्रभाः ॥

Summary AI Her radiance illuminated the birth chamber, making the rows of jeweled lamp-flames appear dull and lightless, as if overcome with shame.

६.८.४९

कलिङ्गसेना तां दृष्ट्वा जातामसदृशीं सुताम् ।
पुत्रजन्माधिकं तोषादुत्सवं विततान सा ॥

Summary AI Seeing that incomparable daughter born to her, Kaliṅgasenā, out of joy, organized a celebration even greater than that for the birth of a son.

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