कथासरित्सागरः — सप्तमस्तरङ्गः

सप्तमस्तरङ्गः ।

ततः स रत्नप्रभया समं तद्वासवेश्मनि ।
स्थितो ऽन्येद्युः कथाः कुर्वंस्तास्ताः स सचिवैः सह ॥

Summary AI Then, on another day, he remained in his residence along with Ratnaprabhā and his ministers, engaging in various conversations.

७.७.२

नरवाहनदत्तो ऽत्र मन्दिरप्राङ्गणे बहिः ।
अकस्मात्पुरुषस्येव शुश्रावाक्रन्दितध्वनिम् ॥

Summary AI There, Naravāhanadatta suddenly heard the sound of someone wailing, like that of a man, outside in the courtyard of the palace.

७.७.३

किमेवमिति कस्मिंश्चित्पृच्छत्यागत्य चेटिकाः ।
अब्रुवन्कञ्चुकी क्रन्दत्येष धर्मगिरिः प्रभो ॥

Summary AI When someone asked what the matter was, the maidservants arrived and said, "O Lord, this chamberlain Dharmagiri is weeping."

७.७.४

इहागत्य हि मूर्खेण मित्त्रेण कथितो ऽधुना ।
तीर्थयात्रागतो ऽमुष्य भ्राता देशान्तरे मृतः ॥

Summary AI Indeed, a foolish friend came here just now and informed him that his brother, who had gone on a pilgrimage, has died in another land.

७.७.५

तेन राजकुलस्थो ऽस्मीत्यस्मरञ्शोकमोहितः ।
साक्रन्दः सन्गृहं नीतः संप्रत्येष बहिर्जनैः ॥

Summary AI Overwhelmed by grief and forgetting that he was in the royal palace, he began wailing and has now been led outside to his home by the people.

७.७.६

तच्छ्रुत्वा युवराजे ऽस्मिञ्जातदुःखे ऽनुकम्पया ।
राज्ञी रत्नप्रभा तत्र विषण्णेव जगाद सा ॥

Summary AI Hearing this, while the prince was moved to sorrow by compassion, Queen Ratnaprabhā spoke there as if dejected.

७.७.७

प्रियबन्धुवियोगोत्थमहो दुःखं दुरुत्सहम् ।
कष्टं किं न कृतो धात्रा जनो ऽयमजरामरः ॥

Summary AI "Oh, the sorrow arising from the separation of dear kinsmen is difficult to endure! Alas, why did the Creator not make people free from old age and death?"

७.७.८

इति राज्ञीवचः श्रुत्वा मरुभूतिरुवाच ताम् ।
मर्त्येष्वेतत्कुतो देवि तथाहीमां कथां शृणु ॥

Summary AI Hearing the Queen's words, Marubhūti said to her, "O Queen, how can this be among mortals? Listen to this story regarding that."

७.७.९

चिरायुर्नाम्नि नगरे चिरायुर्नाम भूपतिः ।
पूर्वं चिरायुरेवासीत्केतनं सर्वसंपदाम् ॥

Summary AI Formerly, in the city named Cirāyu, there was a king named Cirāyu, who lived a long life and was the abode of all riches.

७.७.१०

तस्य नागार्जुनो नाम बोधिसत्त्वांशसंभवः ।
दयालुर्दानशीलश्च मन्त्री विज्ञानवानभूत् ॥

Summary AI He had a wise minister named Nāgārjuna, born from a portion of a Bodhisattva, who was compassionate and generous.

७.७.११

यः सर्वौषधियुक्तिज्ञश्चक्रे सिद्धरसायनः ।
आत्मानं तं च राजानं विजरं चिरजीवितम् ॥

Summary AI He, being knowledgeable in the application of all medicinal herbs and having mastered alchemy, made himself and the King free from old age and long-lived.

७.७.१२

कदाचिन्मन्त्रिणस्तस्य बालः पञ्चत्वमाययौ ।
नागार्जुनस्य पुत्रेषु सर्वेषु दयितः सुतः ॥

Summary AI Once, the minister Nāgārjuna's young son, the most beloved among all his sons, passed away.

७.७.१३

स तेन दृष्टसंतापो मर्त्यानां मृत्युशान्तये ।
अमृतं संदधे द्रव्यैस्तपोदानप्रभावतः ॥

Summary AI Afflicted by that grief, he prepared nectar using various substances through the power of his penance and charity to bring an end to the death of mortals.

७.७.१४

शेषौषधस्य त्वेकस्य कालयोगं स मेलने ।
यावत्प्रतीक्षते तावदिन्द्रेण तदबुध्यत ॥

Summary AI While he was waiting for the auspicious time to add the one remaining herb to the mixture, Indra became aware of it.

७.७.१५

इन्द्रः समामन्त्र्य सुरैरश्विनावेवमादिशत् ।
गत्वा नागार्जुनं ब्रूतमिदं मद्वचनाद्भुवि ॥

Summary AI After consulting with the gods, Indra commanded the Aśvins thus: "Go to the earth and say this to Nāgārjuna on my behalf."

७.७.१६

को ऽयं कर्तुमिहारब्धो मन्त्रिणाप्यनयस्त्वया ।
किं त्वं प्रजापतिं जेतुमुद्यतो बत सांप्रतम् ॥

Summary AI "What is this improper act that even you, a minister, have begun here? Alas, are you now striving to conquer Prajāpati?"

७.७.१७

मर्त्या मरणधर्माणस्तेन ये किल निर्मिताः ।
साधयित्वामृतं यत्तानमरान्कर्तुमिच्छसि ॥

Summary AI "Do you wish to make those mortals immortal by creating nectar, even though they were created by Him with the nature of death?"

७.७.१८

एवं कृते विशेषो हि कः स्याद्देवमनुष्ययोः ।
यष्टव्ययाजकाभावाद्भज्यते च जगत्स्थितिः ॥

Summary AI "If this is done, what distinction would remain between gods and men? Moreover, the order of the world would be destroyed due to the absence of deities to be worshipped and the sacrificers."

७.७.१९

तदस्मद्वचनादेतत्संहरामृतसाधनम् ।
अन्यथा कुपिता देवाः शापं दास्यन्ति ते ध्रुवम् ॥

Summary AI "Therefore, at our command, stop this preparation of nectar. Otherwise, the angered gods will surely cast a curse upon you."

७.७.२०

यच्छोकादेष यत्नस्ते स स्वर्गे त्वत्सुतः स्थितः ।
इति संदिश्य शक्रस्तौ प्रजिघायाश्विनावुभौ ॥

Summary AI "Your son, out of grief for whom you make this effort, is residing in heaven." Having sent this message, Śakra dispatched both of the Aśvins.

७.७.२१

तौ चागत्य गृहीतार्घौ तदागमनतोषिणे ।
ऊचतुः शक्रसंदेशं तस्मै नागार्जुनाय तम् ॥

Summary AI After arriving and receiving the hospitable offerings, the two Aśvins delivered Indra's message to Nāgārjuna, who was delighted by their arrival.

७.७.२२

पुत्रं जगदतुश्चास्य दिवि देवैः समं स्थितम् ।
ततो नागार्जुनः सो ऽत्र विषण्णः सन्नचिन्तयत् ॥

Summary AI They also informed him that his son was dwelling in heaven among the gods. Thereupon, Nāgārjuna became dejected and began to reflect.

७.७.२३

न करोमीन्द्रवक्यं चेद्देवास्तत्तावदासताम् ।
इमावेव न किं शापमश्विनौ मे प्रयच्छतः ॥

Summary AI He thought, 'If I do not obey Indra's command, let alone the other gods, will not these two Aśvins themselves certainly curse me?'

७.७.२४

तदेतदास्ताममृतं न सिद्धो मे मनोरथः ।
पुत्रश्च मे प्राक्सुकृतैरशोच्यां स गतो गतिम् ॥

Summary AI 'Therefore, let this elixir be abandoned; my desire is not fulfilled. My son, through his past meritorious deeds, has already reached an enviable state.'

७.७.२५

इत्यालोच्याश्विनौ देवौ सो ऽत्र नागार्जुनो ऽब्रवीत् ।
अनुष्ठिता मयेन्द्राज्ञा संहराम्यमृतक्रियाम् ॥

Summary AI Having reflected thus, Nāgārjuna said to the divine Aśvins, 'I have obeyed Indra's command; I am now abandoning the preparation of the elixir.'

७.७.२६

पञ्चाहेनामृते सिद्धे कृतैवैषाजरामरा ।
मयाभविष्यत्पृथिवी युवां चेन्नागमिष्यतम् ॥

Summary AI 'If you two had not come, this earth would have been made free from old age and death by me in five days, once the elixir was perfected.'

७.७.२७

इत्युक्त्वा तत्समक्षं तत्तद्वाख्यान्निचखान सः ।
धरण्याममृतं सिद्धप्रायं नागार्जुनस्तदा ॥

Summary AI After saying this, Nāgārjuna, following their instructions, buried that nearly-perfected elixir in the earth right in their presence.

७.७.२८

ततो ऽश्विनौ तमापृच्छ्य गत्वा शक्राय तद्दिवि ।
आचख्यतुः कृतं कार्यं ननन्दाथ च देवराट् ॥

Summary AI Then the Aśvins, taking leave of him, went to Indra in heaven and reported the completed task, and the king of gods rejoiced.

७.७.२९

तावच्चार चिरायुः स राजा नागार्जुनप्रभुः ।
पुत्रं जीवहरं नाम यौवराज्ये ऽभिषिक्तवान् ॥

Summary AI Meanwhile, King Cirāyu, whose minister was Nāgārjuna, anointed his son named Jīvahara as the crown prince.

७.७.३०

अभिषिक्तं च तं माता प्राणामार्थमुपागतम् ।
राज्ञी धनपरा नाम हृष्टं दृष्ट्वाब्रवीत्सुतम् ॥

Summary AI Seeing her son anointed and filled with great joy, his mother, the queen named Dhanaparā, spoke to him.

७.७.३१

यौवराज्यमिदं प्राप्य पुत्र हृष्यसि किं मृषा ।
राज्यप्राप्त्यै क्रमो ह्येष तपसा च न विद्यते ॥

Summary AI 'O son, why do you rejoice in vain upon attaining this crown-princeship? This path to attaining the kingdom does not exist even through penance.'

७.७.३२

युवराजा हि बहवो गताः पुत्राः पितुस्तव ।
न राज्यं केनचित्प्राप्तं प्राप्तं सर्वैर्विडम्बनम् ॥

Summary AI 'Indeed, many sons of your father have passed away as crown princes; none of them ever obtained the kingdom, but all met with only frustration.'

७.७.३३

नागार्जुनेन दत्तं हि तद्राज्ञे ऽस्मै रसायनम् ।
वयो वर्षशतं येन प्राप्तमस्येदमष्टमम् ॥

Summary AI 'For Nāgārjuna gave an elixir to this king, by which he has now reached his eighth century of life.'

७.७.३४

को जानाति कियन्त्यन्यान्यपि प्राप्स्यन्ति च क्रमात् ।
युवराजान्नृपस्यास्य कुर्वतो ऽल्पायुषः सुतान् ॥

Summary AI 'Who knows how many more centuries this king will attain in succession, while continuing to make his short-lived sons crown princes?'

७.७.३५

एतच्छ्रुत्वा विषण्णं तं पुत्रं सा पुनरब्रवीत् ।
यदि राज्येन ते कृत्यं तदुपायमिमं कुरु ॥

Summary AI Hearing this, her son became dejected, so she said to him again, 'If you have any need for the kingdom, then adopt this plan.'

७.७.३६

एष नागार्जुनो मन्त्री प्रत्यहं विहिताह्निकः ।
आहारसमये दाता करोत्युद्घोषणामिमाम् ॥

Summary AI 'This minister Nāgārjuna, after performing his daily rites, acts as a donor at mealtime and makes this public proclamation:'

७.७.३७

को ऽर्थी प्रार्थयते कः किं तस्मै किं दीयतामिति ।
स्वशिरो मे प्रयच्छेति तत्कालं ब्रुहि गच्छ तम् ॥

Summary AI '"Who is the solicitor? Who asks for what? What should be given to him?" At that time, go to him and say, "Give me your own head!"'

७.७.३८

सत्यवाचि ततस्तस्मिंश्छिन्नमूर्ध्नि मृते नृपः ।
तच्छोकात्पञ्चतां यायाद्वनं वैष समाश्रयेत् ॥

Summary AI 'Then, when that truthful man dies with his head severed, the king will either die from grief for him or retire to the forest.'

७.७.३९

ततः प्राप्स्यसि राज्यं त्वमुपायो ऽन्यो ऽत्र नास्ति ते ।
इति मातुर्वचः श्रुत्वा राजपुत्रस्तुतोष सः ॥

Summary AI 'Then you will obtain the kingdom; there is no other way for you.' Hearing his mother's words, the prince was satisfied.

७.७.४०

तथेति तद्विधातुं च चकारैव स निश्चयम् ।
कष्टो हि बान्धवस्नेहं राज्यलोभो ऽतिवर्तते ॥

Summary AI Saying 'So be it,' he resolved to carry out that plan. Indeed, the wretched greed for a kingdom overrides even the affection for one's kinsmen.

७.७.४१

अथ राजसुतो ऽन्येद्युः स्वैरं जीवहरो ययौ ।
तस्य भोजनवेलायां गृहं नागार्जुनस्य सः ॥

Summary AI One day, Prince Jīvahara went out freely and arrived at the house of the minister Nāgārjuna just at the time of his meal.

७.७.४२

कः किं याचत इत्यादि तदा तत्र च मन्त्रिणम् ।
वदन्तं तं प्रविश्यैव स मूर्धानमयाचत ॥

Summary AI Entering the house while the minister was asking, "Who requests what?", the prince immediately asked for his head.

७.७.४३

आश्चर्यं वत्स शिरसा किं करोषि ममामुना ।
मांसास्थिकेशसंघो हि क्वोपयुज्यत एष ते ॥

Summary AI Nāgārjuna replied, "My child, this is surprising! What will you do with my head? Of what use to you is this heap of flesh, bone, and hair?"

७.७.४४

तथाप्यर्थस्तवानेन यदि च्छित्त्वा गृहाण तत् ।
इत्युक्त्वोपानयत्तस्मै स च मन्त्री शिरोधराम् ॥

Summary AI "Nevertheless, if you have a need for it, then take it by cutting it off." Having said this, the minister offered his neck to the prince.

७.७.४५

रसायनदृढायां च तस्यां प्रहरतश्चिरम् ।
राजसूनोर्ययुः खड्गा बहवस्तस्य खण्डशः ॥

Summary AI As the prince struck repeatedly for a long time at that neck, which was hardened by alchemy, many of his swords shattered into pieces.

७.७.४६

तावद्बुद्ध्वैतदायान्तं राजानं तं चिरायुषम् ।
वारयन्तं शिरोदानात्सो ऽत्र नागार्जुनो ऽब्रवीत् ॥

Summary AI Meanwhile, having learned of this, King Cirāyu arrived and tried to prevent the sacrifice. To him, Nāgārjuna spoke.

७.७.४७

जातिस्मरो ऽहं नृपते नवतिं च नवाधिकाम् ।
जन्मानि स्वशिरो दत्तं मया जन्मनि जन्मनि ॥

Summary AI "O King, I remember my past lives. In ninety-nine previous births, I have given away my own head in every single incarnation."

७.७.४८

इदं शततमं जन्म शिरोदानाय मे प्रभो ।
तन्मा स्म वोचः किंचित्त्वं विमुखो ऽर्थी न याति मे ॥

Summary AI "O Lord, this is my hundredth birth for the sake of giving my head. Therefore, do not say anything; no requester ever leaves me disappointed."

७.७.४९

तदिदानीं ददाम्यस्यै त्वत्पुत्राय निजं शिरः ।
त्वन्मुखालोकनायैष कृपाणं तेन तस्य सः ॥

Summary AI "So now, I give my own head to this son of yours for the sake of seeing your face."

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