कथासरित्सागरः — द्वितीयस्तरङ्गः

द्वितीयस्तरङ्गः ।

ततो ऽलंकारवत्या स युक्तो वत्सेश्वरात्मजः ।
नरवाहनदत्तो ऽत्र नववध्वा पितुर्गृहे ॥

Summary AI Then, Naravāhanadatta, the son of the King of the Vatsas, stayed at his father's house, accompanied by his new bride, Alaṅkāravatī.

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तच्चेटिकानां दिव्येन नृत्यगीतेन रञ्जितः ।
आपानं सेवमानश्च सचिवैः सह तस्थिवान् ॥

Summary AI Delighted by the divine music and dance of her attendants, he remained there drinking wine in the company of his ministers.

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एकदा च तमागत्य सा श्वश्रूः काञ्चनप्रभा ।
अलंकारवतीमाता विहितातिथ्यमब्रवीत् ॥

Summary AI One day, his mother-in-law Kāñcanaprabhā, the mother of Alaṅkāravatī, approached him and, after showing him hospitality, spoke.

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आगच्छास्मद्गृहं पश्य तत्सुन्दरपुरं पुरम् ।
रमस्व तत्रोपवनेष्वलंकारवतीयुतः ॥

Summary AI "Come to our home and see the city of Sundarapura; enjoy yourself there in the gardens along with Alaṅkāravatī."

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एतच्छ्रुत्वा तथेत्युक्त्वा पितुरावेद्य तद्गिरा ।
वसन्तकं सहादाय वध्वा सह समन्त्रिकः ॥

Summary AI Hearing this, he agreed, informed his father, and with his permission, set out with his wife, ministers, and Vasantaka.

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श्वश्र्वा विद्याप्रभावेण तयैव स विनिर्मितम् ।
विमानवरमारुह्य प्रतस्थे व्योमवर्त्मना ॥

Summary AI Mounting an excellent celestial chariot created by his mother-in-law through her magical powers, he departed through the path of the sky.

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विमानस्थश्च गगनात्सो ऽधस्तात्प्रविलोकयन् ।
स्थलीपरिमितां पृथ्वीं समुद्रान्परिखालघून् ॥

Summary AI Seated in the chariot and looking down from the sky, he beheld the earth appearing as small as a plot of ground and the oceans like narrow ditches.

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श्वश्रूभार्यादिभिः साकं क्रमात्प्राप हिमाचलम् ।
नादितं किंनरीगीतैः स्वर्वधूसंघसुन्दरम् ॥

Summary AI Accompanied by his mother-in-law, wife, and others, he gradually reached the Himālaya mountains, echoing with the songs of Kinnarīs and beautiful with throngs of celestial nymphs.

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तत्राश्चर्याणि सुबहून्येष पश्यन्नवाप्तवान् ।
नरवाहनदत्तो ऽथ तत्सुन्दरपुरं युवा ॥

Summary AI The youthful Naravāhanadatta, observing many wonders there, finally reached the city of Sundarapura.

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सौवर्णै रत्ननिचितैः प्रासादैर्हिमवत्यपि ।
सुमेरुशिखरभ्रान्तिं कुर्वद्भिरुपशोभितम् ॥

Summary AI Though situated on the Himālayas, the city was adorned with golden palaces studded with gems, creating the illusion of the peaks of Mount Sumeru.

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व्योमावतीर्णश्चोत्तीर्य विमानात्प्रविवेश तत् ।
सानाथ्यदर्शनान्नृत्यदिव लोलैर्ध्वजांशुकैः ॥

Summary AI Descending from the sky and alighting from the chariot, he entered the city, which seemed to dance with its fluttering banners at the sight of its protector.

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प्रविशद्राजधानीं च स श्वश्र्वा कृतमङ्गलः ।
अलंकारवतीयुक्तः सवयस्यवसन्तकः ॥

Summary AI Accompanied by Alaṅkāravatī and his friend Vasantaka, he entered the capital city after his mother-in-law performed auspicious rites for him.

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तत्र तं दिवसं दिव्यैर्भोगैः श्वश्रूप्रभावजैः ।
उवास सुकृती स्वर्ग इव श्वशुरवेश्मनि ॥

Summary AI In his father-in-law's house, the virtuous hero spent that day amidst divine enjoyments created by his mother-in-law's power, as if in heaven itself.

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अन्येद्युस्तं च सा श्वश्रूरवोचत्काञ्चनप्रभा ।
अस्ति स्वयंभूर्भगवान्नगरे ऽस्मिन्नुमापतिः ॥

Summary AI The next day, his mother-in-law Kāñcanaprabhā said to him, "In this city, there is the self-existent Lord Śiva, the husband of Umā."

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स दृष्टपूजितो भोगं मोक्षं चैव प्रयच्छति ।
अलंकारवतीपित्रा तत्रोद्यानं कृतं महत् ॥

Summary AI "When seen and worshipped, He grants both worldly enjoyment and liberation. A great garden has been laid out there by Alaṅkāravatī's father."

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तीर्थं गङ्गासरःसंज्ञमन्वर्थं चावतारितम् ।
तं तत्रार्चयितुं देवं विहर्तुं चाद्य गच्छत ॥

Summary AI "A holy place named Gaṅgāsaras, true to its name, has been brought down there. Go today to worship the God there and to enjoy yourselves."

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एवं श्वश्र्वा तयोक्तस्तु शार्वोद्यानं सहानुगः ।
नरवाहनदत्तो ऽगादलंकारवतीसखः ॥

Summary AI Thus addressed by his mother-in-law, Naravāhanadatta, accompanied by his followers and Alaṅkāravatī, went to the garden sacred to Śiva.

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तरुभिः काञ्चनस्कन्धै रत्नशाखामनोरमैः ।
मुक्तागुच्छाच्छकुसुमैः कान्तं विद्रुमपल्लवैः ॥

Summary AI The garden was beautiful with trees having golden trunks, lovely branches made of gems, clear flowers like clusters of pearls, and coral-like sprouts.

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तत्र गङ्गासरः स्नातः पूजितोमापतिश्च सः ।
बभ्राम रत्नसोपाना वापीः काञ्चनपङ्कजाः ॥

Summary AI There, having bathed in the Gaṅgāsaras lake and worshipped the Lord of Umā, he wandered among the tanks featuring steps made of gems and golden lotuses.

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तासां तीरेषु हृद्येषु कल्पवल्लिगृहेषु च ।
सहालंकारवत्या स विजहारानुगान्वितः ॥

Summary AI Accompanied by Alankāravatī and followed by his attendants, he sported on the charming banks of those rivers and in the houses made of desire-granting creepers.

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दिव्यैरापानसंगीतैः परिहासैश्च पेशलैः ।
मरुभूत्यार्जवकृतै रमते स्म च तेषु सः ॥

Summary AI He enjoyed himself there with divine drinking-parties and music, and with the clever jokes made by Marubhūti in his characteristic simplicity.

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मासमत्रमुवासैवं क्रीडन्नुद्यानभूमिषु ।
नरवाहनदत्तो ऽत्र श्वश्रूविद्याविहूतिभिः ॥

Summary AI Thus playing in the garden grounds, Naravāhanadatta lived there for a month, supported by the supernatural powers of his mother-in-law's magic sciences.

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ततो देवोचितैर्वस्त्रैरलंकारैश्च पूजितः ।
सवधूकः सहामात्यः काञ्चनप्रभया तया ॥

Summary AI Then, along with his bride and ministers, he was honored by Kāñcanaprabhā with garments and ornaments fit for a god.

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आययौ स विमानेन तेनैव सह सानुगः ।
कौशाम्बीं सहितो वध्वा पित्रोर्दत्तेक्षणोत्सवः ॥

Summary AI He, together with his bride and followers, returned to Kauśāmbī in that same celestial chariot, providing a feast for his parents' eyes.

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तत्र वासवदत्ताया वत्सराजस्य चाग्रतः ।
अलंकारवतीमाह माता सा काञ्चनप्रभा ॥

Summary AI There, in the presence of Vāsavadattā and the King of Vatsa, her mother Kāñcanaprabhā spoke to Alankāravatī.

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दुःखं स्थाप्यस्त्वया भर्ता नेर्ष्याकोपेन जातुचित् ।
तत्पापजो हि विरहः पुत्रि गाढानुतापकृत् ॥

Summary AI "O daughter, you must never cause your husband pain through jealous anger; for the separation resulting from that sin brings intense remorse."

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ईर्ष्यावत्या मया पूर्वं दुःखं यत्स्थापितः पतिः ।
ततो ऽद्य पश्चात्तापेन दह्ये तस्मिन्गते वनम् ॥

Summary AI "Because I, in my jealousy, formerly caused my husband pain, I now burn with repentance since he has retired to the forest."

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इत्युक्त्वा तां समाश्लिष्य बाष्पसंरुद्धनेत्रया ।
काञ्चनप्रभया जग्मे खमुत्पत्य निजं पुरम् ॥

Summary AI Having said this and embraced her, Kāñcanaprabhā, her eyes clouded with tears, flew into the air and departed for her own city.

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ततस्तस्मिन्दिने याते प्रातः कृत्वोचिताः क्रियाः ।
नरवाहनदत्ते ऽत्र स्थिते स्वसचिवान्विते ॥

Summary AI After that day had passed and the morning rites were performed, while Naravāhanadatta was seated there with his ministers,

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अलंकारवतीपार्श्वं प्रविश्यैव विलासिनी ।
एकाब्रवीद्भीतभीता देवि स्त्रीं रक्ष रक्ष माम् ॥

Summary AI A beautiful woman entered the presence of Alankāravatī and, trembling with fear, cried out, "O Queen, protect me, protect a woman!"

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एष हि ब्राह्मणो हन्तुमागतो मां बहिः स्थितः ।
एतद्भयात्प्रविष्टाहं पलाय्य शरणैषिणी ॥

Summary AI "For this Brāhmaṇa, who stands outside, has come to kill me; through fear of him, I have fled here seeking refuge."

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मा भैषीर्ब्रूहि वृत्तान्तं को ऽयं किं त्वां जिघांसति ।
इति पृष्टा च सा वक्तुं भूय एव प्रचक्रमे ॥

Summary AI Being asked, "Do not fear, tell your story; who is this man and why does he wish to kill you?" she proceeded to speak further.

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अशोकमाला नामाहस्मस्यामेव पुरि प्रभो ।
बलसेनाभिधानस्य क्षत्रियस्यात्मसंभवा ॥

Summary AI "O Lord, I am named Aśokamālā, the daughter of a Kṣatriya named Balasena, in this very city."

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साहं कन्या सती पूर्वं रूपलुब्धेन याचिता ।
हठशर्माभिधानेन विप्रेणार्थवता पितुः ॥

Summary AI "When I was a maiden, I was asked in marriage from my father by a wealthy Brāhmaṇa named Haṭhaśarman, who was enamored of my beauty."

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नाहं दुराकृतिं घोरमुखमिच्छाम्यमुं पतिम् ।
दत्ता नासे गृहे ऽस्येति पितरं चाहमब्रवम् ॥

Summary AI "I told my father, 'I do not want this man of ugly form and terrible face as my husband; I will not stay in his house even if given to him.'"

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तच्छ्रुत्वाप्यकरोत्तावद्धठशर्मा गृहे पितुः ।
प्रायं यावदहं दत्ता तेनास्मै वधभीरुणा ॥

Summary AI "Despite hearing that, Haṭhaśarman performed a hunger strike in my father's house until my father, fearing the sin of causing a death, gave me to him."

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ततो विवाह्यानिच्छन्तीमप्यनैषीत्स मां द्विजः ।
अहं गता च तं त्यक्त्वैवान्यं क्षत्रियपुत्रकम् ॥

Summary AI "Then that Brāhmaṇa married me against my will and took me away; but I abandoned him and went to another youth of the Kṣatriya caste."

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सो ऽभिभूतो ऽर्थसंदर्पाद्यत्तेन हठशर्मणा ।
तद्द्वितीयो मया क्षत्त्रकुमारो धनवाञ्छ्रितः ॥

Summary AI "Because that youth was overcome by Haṭhaśarman through the pride of his wealth, I then took refuge with a second wealthy Kṣatriya youth."

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तस्य तेनाग्निना रात्रौ गत्वैवोद्दीपितं गृहम् ।
ततस्तेन विमुक्ताहं तृतीयं क्षत्रियं गता ॥

Summary AI "Haṭhaśarman went at night and set fire to his house; consequently, being abandoned by that man, I went to a third Kṣatriya."

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तस्याप्यादीपितं तेन निशि वेश्म द्विजन्मना ।
ततस्तेनाप्यहं त्यक्ता संप्रप्ता कांदिशीकताम् ॥

Summary AI That brāhmaṇa set fire to his house at night. Consequently, he abandoned me, and I fled in utter terror, not knowing where to go.

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जम्बुकादविकेवाथ बिभ्यती हन्तुकामतः ।
हठशर्मद्विजात्तस्मात्पदात्पदममुञ्चतः ॥

Summary AI Just as a sheep fears a jackal, I was terrified of that brāhmaṇa named Haṭhaśarman, who, intent on killing me, followed me step by step without pausing.

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इहैव युष्मद्भृत्यस्य बलिनो वीरशर्मणः ।
राजपुत्रस्य दासीत्वं शरण्यस्याहमाश्रयम् ॥

Summary AI I sought refuge right here, taking up the position of a maidservant to your powerful servant, the prince Vīraśarman, who provides protection to those in need.

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तद्बुद्ध्वा मयि नैराश्यविधुरो विरहातुरः ।
त्वगस्थिशेषः संवृत्तो हठशर्मा निवारितः ॥

Summary AI Upon realizing this, Haṭhaśarman, distressed by despair and tormented by separation, became a mere skeleton of skin and bones after being kept away.

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मद्रक्षार्थं प्रवृत्तश्च बन्धनायेह तस्य सः ।
राजपुत्रो मया देवि वीरशर्मा निवारितः ॥

Summary AI O Queen, when the prince Vīraśarman prepared to imprison him for my protection, I restrained him from doing so.

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अद्य मां निर्गतां दैवाद्दृष्ट्वाकृष्टकृपाणिकः ।
हठशर्मा स हन्तुं मामितो यावत्प्रधावितः ॥

Summary AI Seeing me come out today by chance, that Haṭhaśarman, with his dagger drawn, rushed this way to kill me.

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तेनागता पलाय्येह प्रतीहार्या दयार्द्रया ।
मुक्तद्वारा प्रविष्टाहं स च जाने स्थितो बहिः ॥

Summary AI Fleeing from him, I arrived here and entered through the door opened by a compassionate female doorkeeper. I believe he is still standing outside.

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इत्युक्तवत्यां तस्यां च हठशर्माणमात्मनः ।
नरवाहनदत्तस्तमग्रमानाययद्द्विजम् ॥

Summary AI When she spoke thus, Naravāhanadatta had that brāhmaṇa Haṭhaśarman brought before him.

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क्रोधादशोकमालां तां पश्यन्तं दीप्तया दृशा ।
विकृतं क्षुरिकाहस्तं कोपकम्पाङ्गसंधिकम् ॥

Summary AI He saw the brāhmaṇa looking at Aśokamālā with eyes blazing with rage, deformed, holding a knife, and his limbs trembling with anger.