कथासरित्सागरः — चतुर्थस्तरङ्गः

चतुर्थस्तरङ्गः ।

गोमुखीयकथातुष्टं दृष्ट्वा तत्स्पर्धया किल ।
नरवाहनदत्तं तं मरुभूतिरथाब्रवीत् ॥

Summary AI Seeing Naravāhanadatta pleased with the story told by Gomukha, Marubhūti, driven by a spirit of rivalry, spoke to him.

७.४.२

प्रायेण चपलाः कामं स्त्रियो नैकान्ततः पुनः ।
वेश्या अपि च दृश्यन्ते सत्त्वाढ्याः किमुतापराः ॥

Summary AI Women are generally fickle, yet even courtesans are occasionally seen to be endowed with great strength of character; what then can be said of other women?

७.४.३

तथा च देव विख्यातामिमामत्र कथां शृणु ।
विक्रमादित्य इत्यासीद्राजा पाटलिपुत्रके ॥

Summary AI O Lord, hear this famous tale. In the city of Pāṭaliputra, there lived a king named Vikramāditya.

७.४.४

तस्याभूतामभिप्रेते मित्त्रे हयपतिर्नृपः ।
राजा गजपतिश्चोभौ बह्वश्वगजसाधनौ ॥

Summary AI He had two beloved friends, King Hayapati and King Gajapati, both of whom possessed vast armies of horses and elephants respectively.

७.४.५

शत्रुर्नरपतिर्भूरिपादातस्तस्य चाभवत् ।
मानिनो नरसिंहाख्यः प्रतिष्ठानेश्वरो बली ॥

Summary AI His enemy was the proud and powerful King Narasiṃha, the ruler of Pratiṣṭhāna, who commanded a massive force of infantry.

७.४.६

तं रिपुं प्रति सामर्षः स मित्त्रबलगर्वितः ।
चकार विक्रमादित्यः प्रतिज्ञां रभसादिमाम् ॥

Summary AI Incensed by his enemy and emboldened by the strength of his friends' armies, Vikramāditya impulsively made a solemn vow.

७.४.७

तथा मया विजेतव्यो राजा नरपतिर्यथा ।
स बन्दिमागधैर्द्वारि सेवको मे निवेद्यते ॥

Summary AI "I shall conquer King Narasiṃha in such a way that bards and heralds announce him at my door as my humble servant."

७.४.८

एवं कृतप्रतिज्ञस्ते मित्त्रे हयगजाधिपौ ।
समानीय समं ताभ्यां हस्त्यश्वक्षोभितक्षितिः ॥

Summary AI Having made this vow, he summoned his friends, the lords of horses and elephants, and with them, shook the earth with their combined cavalry and elephantry.

७.४.९

अभियोक्तुं नरपतिं नरसिंहं प्रसह्य तम् ।
स ययौ विक्रमादित्यो राजाखिलबलान्वितः ॥

Summary AI Accompanied by his entire host, King Vikramāditya set out to forcefully attack King Narasiṃha.

७.४.१०

प्राप्ते तस्मिन्प्रतिष्ठाननिकटं सो ऽप्यवेत्य तत् ।
नरसिंहो नरपतिः संनह्याग्रे ऽस्य निर्ययौ ॥

Summary AI When Vikramāditya reached the outskirts of Pratiṣṭhāna, King Narasiṃha, learning of his arrival, equipped his forces and marched out to meet him.

७.४.११

ततस्तयोरभूद्युद्धं राज्ञोर्जनितविस्मयम् ।
गजाश्वेन समं यत्र युध्यन्ते स्म पदातयः ॥

Summary AI A wondrous battle then ensued between the two kings, where even the infantry fought valiantly alongside elephants and horses.

७.४.१२

क्रमाच्च नरसिंहस्य कोटिसंख्यपदातिभिः ।
भग्नं तद्विक्रमादित्यबलं नरपतेर्बलैः ॥

Summary AI Gradually, Vikramāditya's forces were shattered by King Narasiṃha's army, which consisted of millions of foot soldiers.

७.४.१३

भग्नश्च विक्रमादित्यः पुरं पाटलिपुत्रकम् ।
ययौ पलाय्य तन्मित्रे स्वं स्वं देशं च जग्मतुः ॥

Summary AI Defeated, Vikramāditya fled back to the city of Pāṭaliputra, while his two friends retreated to their own respective kingdoms.

७.४.१४

नरसिंहो नरपतिर्जितशत्रुर्निजं पुरम् ।
प्रविवेश प्रतिष्ठानं बन्दिभिः स्तुतविक्रमः ॥

Summary AI King Narasiṃha, having vanquished his enemy, returned to his city of Pratiṣṭhāna, his valor being celebrated by bards.

७.४.१५

ततः स विक्रमादित्यो ऽसिद्धकार्यो व्यचिन्तयत् ।
शस्त्रैरजेयं शत्रुं तं जयामि प्रज्ञया वरम् ॥

Summary AI Then Vikramāditya, having failed in his objective, reflected: "It is better that I conquer this enemy, who is invincible by weapons, through wisdom."

७.४.१६

कामं केचिद्विगर्हन्तां मा प्रतिज्ञान्यथा तु भूत् ।
इति संचिन्त्य निक्षिप्य राज्यं योग्येषु मन्त्रिषु ॥

Summary AI Reflecting that he would rather be criticized by some than have his vow prove false, Vikramāditya entrusted his kingdom to capable ministers.

७.४.१७

निर्गत्य नगराद्गुप्तं मुख्येनैकेन मन्त्रिणा ।
सह बुद्धिवराख्येण राजपुत्रवरैस्तथा ॥

Summary AI He secretly departed from the city, accompanied by a chief minister named Buddhivara and several noble princes.

७.४.१८

पञ्चभिः कुलजैः शूरैः स कार्पटिकवेषभृत् ।
भूत्वा पुरं निजरिपोः प्रतिष्ठानं जगाम तत् ॥

Summary AI Accompanied by five brave and high-born men, he disguised himself as a wandering ascetic (kārpaṭika) and traveled to his enemy's city, Pratiṣṭhāna.

७.४.१९

तत्र वारविलासिन्या नरेन्द्रसदनोपमम् ।
ययौ मदनमालेति ख्याताया वरमन्दिरम् ॥

Summary AI There, he went to the magnificent house of a famous courtesan named Madanamālā, which rivaled a royal palace in its grandeur.

७.४.२०

कृताह्वानमिव प्रांशुप्राकारशिखरोच्छ्रितैः ।
ध्वजांशुकैर्मृदुमरुद्विक्षिप्ताक्षिप्तपल्लवैः ॥

Summary AI Her house seemed to beckon him with its silken banners, hoisted atop high walls and fluttering like tender leaves in the gentle breeze.

७.४.२१

प्रधाने पूर्वदिग्द्वारे विविधायुधशालिनाम् ।
गुप्तं सहस्रविंशत्या पदातीनां दिवानिशम् ॥

Summary AI At the main eastern gate, the city was guarded day and night by twenty thousand infantrymen equipped with various weapons.

७.४.२२

अन्यासु दिक्षु तिसृषु द्वारि द्वारि मदोद्धतैः ।
दशभिर्दशभिः शूरसहस्रैरभिरक्षितम् ॥

Summary AI At each gate in the other three directions, the city was protected by ten thousand valiant and high-spirited warriors.

७.४.२३

आवेदितः प्रतीहारैस्तथाभूतः प्रविश्य च ।
क्वचित्प्रविततानेकवराश्वश्रेणिशोभितम् ॥

Summary AI Announced by the doorkeepers, he entered in that state and saw the place adorned in some areas with long rows of numerous excellent horses.

७.४.२४

क्वचिदाबद्धमातङ्गघटासंघट्टसंचरम् ।
क्वचिदायुधसंदर्भगम्भीराकारगुम्भितम् ॥

Summary AI In some places, it was crowded with throngs of tethered elephants, and in others, it was packed with the formidable presence of various arrays of weapons.

७.४.२५

क्वचिद्रत्नप्रभाभास्वद्बहुकोषगृहोज्ज्वलम् ।
क्वचित्सेवकसंघातसंतताबद्धमण्डलम् ॥

Summary AI In some spots, it gleamed with many treasury rooms shining with the brilliance of gems, and in others, it was filled with continuous circles formed by groups of attendants.

७.४.२६

क्वचिदुच्चैः पठद्बन्दिवृन्दकोलाहलाकुलम् ।
क्वचिन्निबद्धसंगीतमृदङ्गध्वनिनादितम् ॥

Summary AI One area was noisy with the loud recitations of groups of bards, while another echoed with the rhythmic sounds of mṛdaṅga drums played during musical performances.

७.४.२७

सप्तकक्ष्याविभक्तं तत्स पश्यन्सपरिच्छदः ।
प्रापन्मदनमालाया वासप्रासादमुन्नतम् ॥

Summary AI Accompanied by his retinue and observing the palace divided into seven courtyards, he reached the lofty residential mansion of Madanamālā.

७.४.२८

सा तं कक्ष्यासु साकूतनिर्वर्णितहयादिकम् ।
श्रुत्वा परिजनान्मत्वा प्रच्छन्नं कंचिदुत्तमम् ॥

Summary AI Having heard from her attendants that he had been closely observing the horses and other things in the courtyards with deep interest, she considered him to be some noble person in disguise.

७.४.२९

प्रत्युद्गम्य प्रणम्याथ साभिलाषं सकौतुकम् ।
राजोचिते प्रवेश्यान्तरुपावेशयदासने ॥

Summary AI Then, with longing and curiosity, she went out to meet him, bowed, led him inside, and seated him on a throne fit for a king.

७.४.३०

सो ऽपि तद्रूपलावण्यविनयाहृतचेतनः ।
तामभ्यनन्ददात्मानमप्रकाश्यैव भूपतिः ॥

Summary AI The king, his heart captivated by her beauty, charm, and humility, greeted her without revealing his true identity.

७.४.३१

ततो मदनमाला सा स्नानपुष्पानुलेपनैः ।
वस्त्रैराभरणैर्भूपं महार्हैस्तममानयत् ॥

Summary AI Then, Madanamālā honored the king with baths, flowers, perfumes, and precious garments and ornaments.

७.४.३२

दत्त्वा दिवसवृत्तिं च तेषां तदनुयायिनाम् ।
आहारैस्तं ससचिवं नानारूपैरुपाचरत् ॥

Summary AI After providing daily provisions for his followers, she served the king and his minister with various kinds of food.

७.४.३३

निनाय च समं तेन दिनं पानादिलीलया ।
आत्मानं चार्पयत्तस्मै सा दर्शनवशीकृता ॥

Summary AI Enchanted just by seeing him, she spent the day with him in pastimes like drinking and offered herself to him.

७.४.३४

तथैवाराध्यमानो ऽथ च्छन्नो ऽप्यहरहस्तया ।
स तस्थौ विक्रमादित्यश्चक्रवर्त्युचितैः क्रमैः ॥

Summary AI Thus worshipped by her day after day, King Vikramāditya, though in disguise, stayed there in a manner befitting an emperor.

७.४.३५

याचकेभ्यो ददौ नित्यं वित्तं यावच्च यच्च सः ।
दृष्टा मदनमाला सा तत्तस्मै स्वमुपानयत् ॥

Summary AI Whatever wealth he gave daily to beggars, Madanamālā, seeing this, would bring her own wealth and offer it to him.

७.४.३६

तेनोपभुज्यमानं च सा शरीरं धनं तथा ।
मेने कृतार्थमन्यस्मिन्पुंस्यर्थे च पराङ्मुखी ॥

Summary AI Considering her body and wealth fulfilled by his enjoyment, she turned away from any other man or purpose.

७.४.३७

तत्प्रेम्णा ह्यपि तत्रत्यमनुरक्तं नराधिपम् ।
आयान्तं नरसिंहं तं वारयामास युक्तिभिः ॥

Summary AI Out of her love for him, she even used various pretexts to turn away the local king, Narasiṃha, who was enamored with her and came to visit.

७.४.३८

एवं तया सेव्यमानः कदाचिन्मन्त्रिणं रहः ।
राजा सहचरं सो ऽत्र तं बुद्धिवरमभ्यधात् ॥

Summary AI Thus served by her, the king once spoke in private to his companion, the minister Buddhīvara.

७.४.३९

अर्थार्थिनी न कामे ऽपि वेश्या रज्यति तं विना ।
तासां लोभो हि विधिना दत्तो निर्माय याचकान् ॥

Summary AI A courtesan, seeking only wealth, does not feel affection even in love without it; for fate, having created beggars, gave greed to such women.

७.४.४०

इयं मदनमाला तु भुज्यमाने धने मया ।
न विरज्यत्यतिस्नेहन्मयि प्रत्युत तुष्यति ॥

Summary AI But this Madanamālā, even as I consume her wealth, does not lose affection; on the contrary, out of great love for me, she is pleased.

७.४.४१

तदस्याः संप्रति कथं करोमि प्रत्युपक्रियाम् ।
येन कामं प्रतिज्ञापि क्रमेण मम सेत्स्यति ॥

Summary AI The king ponders how he might now repay the service rendered by the woman, as doing so would also allow his own vow to be fulfilled in due course.

७.४.४२

तच्छ्रुत्वा तं ब्रवीति स्म मन्त्री बुद्धिवरो नृपम् ।
यद्येवं तदनर्घाणि यानि रत्नान्युपाहरत् ॥

Summary AI Hearing the king's dilemma, the minister Buddhivara suggests that if that is the case, the king should offer her the priceless jewels previously brought by the monk Prapañcabuddhi.

७.४.४३

प्रपञ्चबुद्धिर्भिक्षुस्ते तेभ्यो ऽस्यै देहि कानिचित् ।
इत्युक्तो मन्त्रिणा तेन राजा तं प्रत्यभाषत ॥

Summary AI The minister advises the king to give her some of those jewels. Addressed in this manner by his counselor, the king begins his reply.

७.४.४४

दत्तैः समग्रैरपि तैर्नास्यः किंचित्कृतं भवेत् ।
एतद्वृत्तान्तसंश्लिष्टा किं त्वस्यान्यत्र निष्कृतिः ॥

Summary AI The king replies that even giving all those jewels would not suffice to repay her. He explains that her true recompense is connected to a different part of this story.

७.४.४५

तच्छ्रुत्वा सो ऽब्रवीन्मन्त्री देव किं तेन भिक्षुणा ।
त्वत्सेवा सा कृतेत्येष तद्वृत्तान्तस्त्वयोच्यताम् ॥

Summary AI Curious, the minister asks the king about the significance of the monk and requests the king to narrate the story of how that service was performed.

७.४.४६

इत्युक्तो मन्त्रिणा तेन राजा बुद्धिवरेण सः ।
जगाद शृणु तत्रैतां तत्कथां वर्णयामि ते ॥

Summary AI Addressed by his minister Buddhivara, the king agrees and tells him to listen as he describes the sequence of events regarding that story.

७.४.४७

पूर्वं पाटलिपुत्रे मे प्रविश्यास्थानमन्वहम् ।
भिक्षुः प्रपञ्चबुद्ध्याख्यः समुद्गकमुपानयत् ॥

Summary AI The king narrates that previously in Pāṭaliputra, a monk named Prapañcabuddhi used to enter his royal court every day and present a small casket.

७.४.४८

अहं तथैव सततं वर्षमात्रं समर्पयन् ।
भाण्डागारिकहस्ते तदनुद्घाटितमेव सत् ॥

Summary AI For an entire year, the king received these caskets daily and handed them over to the treasurer to be stored, completely unopened.

७.४.४९

एकदा भिक्षुणा तेन ढौकितं तत्समुद्गकम् ।
दैवात्पाणेर्मम पतद्द्विधाभूतमभूद्भुवि ॥

Summary AI One day, a casket presented by the monk accidentally slipped from the king's hand and broke into two pieces upon hitting the ground.