नैषधीयचरितम् — त्रयोदशः सर्गः

१३.१

कल्पद्रुमान्परिमला इव भृङ्गमाला-
मात्माश्रयामखिलनिन्दनशाखिवृन्दात् ।
तां राजकादपगमय्य विमानधुर्या
निन्युर्नलाकृतिधरानथ पञ्चवीरान् ॥

Summary AI Then the bearers of the celestial car led her away from the assembly of kings towards the five heroes who bore the form of Nala, just as fragrances lead a swarm of bees that has taken refuge in them away from a grove of ordinary trees to the celestial Kalpa trees.

१३.२

साक्षात्कृताखिलजगज्जनताचरित्रा
तत्राधिनाथमधिकृत्य दिवस्तथा सा ।
ऊचे यथा स च शचीपतिरभ्यधायि
प्राकाशि तस्य न च नैषधकायमाया ॥

Summary AI She (Saraswati), who has witnessed the deeds of all people, spoke about the lord of heaven (Indra) in such a way that he was identified as Shachipati, yet the illusion of him being in Nala's body was not revealed.

१३.३

ब्रूमः किमस्य वरवर्णिनि वीरसेनो-
द्भूतिं द्विषद्बलविजित्वरपौरुषस्य ।
सेनाचरीभवदिभाननदानवारि-
वासेन यस्य जनितासुरभीरणश्रीः ॥

Summary AI "O beautiful lady, what can we say of this one, born of Virasena, whose prowess conquers enemy armies? The splendor of his battlefield is rendered foul-smelling by the overpowering fragrance of the ichor from the faces of his army's elephants."

१३.४

शुभ्रांशुहारगणहारिपयोधराङ्क-
चुम्बीन्द्रचापखचितद्युमणिप्रभाभिः ।
अन्वास्यते समिति चामरवाहिनीभि-
र्यात्रासु चैष बहुलाभरणार्चिताभिः ॥

Summary AI "In battle and on expeditions, this king is attended by female chowrie-bearers adorned with many ornaments. Their splendor is like the sun, inlaid with rainbows that seem to kiss their charming breasts, which are decorated with pearl necklaces as white as the moon."

१३.५

क्षोणीभृतामतुलकर्कशविग्रहाणा-
मुद्दामदर्पहरिकुञ्जरकोटिभाजाम् ।
पक्षच्छिदामयमुदग्रबलो विधाय
मग्नं विपज्जलनिधौ जगदुज्जहार ॥

Summary AI This king of eminent strength, by cutting the 'wings' (allies) of other 'mountains' (kings)—who possessed unequalled hard bodies and crores of fiercely proud lions and elephants—lifted up the world which was sunk in the ocean of calamity.

१३.६

भूमीभृतः समिति जिष्णुमपव्यपायं
जानीहि न त्वमघवन्तममुं कथंचित् ।
गुप्तं घटप्रतिभटस्तनि बाहुनेत्रं
नालोकसेऽतिशयमद्भुतमेतदीयम् ॥

Summary AI "O you whose breasts rival golden pots, know this one to be an unfailingly victorious king in battle, and not by any means Indra. Do you not see his wondrous, special feature—the hidden eye on his arm?"

१३.७

लेखा नितम्बिनि बलादिसमृद्धराज्य-
प्राज्योपभोगपिशुना दधते सरागम् ।
एतस्य पाणिचरणं तदनेन पत्या
सार्धं शचीव हरिणा मुदमुद्वहस्व ॥

Summary AI O beautiful one, the lines on his hands and feet, which indicate the enjoyment of a prosperous kingdom with a strong army, are red. Therefore, like Sachi with Indra, you should experience joy with this husband.

१३.८

आकर्ण्य तुल्यमखिलां सुदती लगन्ती-
माखण्डलेऽपि च नलेऽपि च वाचमेताम् ।
रूपं समानमुभयत्र विगाहमाना
श्रोत्रान्न निर्णयमवापदसौ न नेत्रात् ॥

Summary AI That beautiful lady (Damayanti), hearing this entire speech which applied equally to both Indra and Nala, and observing the identical form in both, could not reach a decision either by hearing or by seeing.

१३.९

शक्रः किमेष निषाधाधिपतिः स वेति
दोलायमानमनसं परिभाव्य भैमीम् ।
निर्दिश्य तत्र पवनस्य सखायमस्यां
भूयोऽसृजद्भगवती वचसः स्रजं सा ॥

Summary AI The divine lady (Saraswati), perceiving Damayanti's mind wavering with the thought, 'Is this Indra, or is he the king of Nishadha?', pointed out the friend of the wind (Agni) among them and once again wove a garland of words for her.

१३.१०

एष प्रतापनिधिरुद्गतिमान्सदाऽयं
किं नाम्नार्जितमनेन धनंजयेन ।
हेम प्रभूतमधिगच्छ शुचेरमुष्मा-
नास्येव कस्यचन भास्वररूपसंपत् ॥

Summary AI This one is a treasure of valor and always ascendant. What has he gained by the name 'Dhananjaya' (conqueror of wealth)? Receive abundant gold from this fire (Agni). The splendor of his radiant form is not like that of any mortal face.

१३.११

अस्यर्थहेतिपटुताकवलीभवत्त-
त्तत्पार्थिवाधिकरणप्रभवाऽस्य भूतिः ।
अप्यङ्गरागजननाय महेश्वरस्य
संजायते रुचिरकर्णि तपस्विनोऽपि ॥

Summary AI O lady with beautiful ears, his (Agni's) sacred ash, produced from the territories of various kings consumed by the prowess of his sword-like flames, serves also as the body-ointment for even the ascetic Lord Shiva.

१३.१२

एतन्मुखा विबुधसंसदसावशेषा
माध्यस्थ्यमस्य यमतोऽपि महेन्द्रतोऽपि ।
एनं महस्विनमुपेहि सदारुणोच्चै-
र्येनामुना पितृमुखि ध्रियते करश्रीः ॥

Summary AI O Damayanti, whose face is turned towards your father, this entire assembly of gods looks up to him (Yama). Such is his impartiality that it extends even to himself and Indra. Approach this glorious one, by whom the splendor of the staff in his hand is held, always terrible and lofty.

१३.१३

नैवाल्पमेधसि पटो रुचिमत्त्वमस्य
मध्येसमिन्निवसतो रिपवस्तृणानि ।
उत्थानवानिह पराभवितुं तरस्वी
शक्यः पुनर्भवति केन विरोधिनायम् ॥

Summary AI The brilliance of a clever person is nothing before one with little intelligence. For this one (Agni) who dwells amidst the sacrificial fire, his enemies are like blades of grass. How can this energetic and powerful one be defeated by any opponent?

१३.१४

साधारणीं गिरमुषर्बुधनैषधाभ्या-
मेतां निपीय न विशेषमवाप्तवत्या ।
ऊचे नलोऽयमिति तं प्रति चित्तमेकं
ब्रूते स्म चान्यदनलोऽयमितीदमीयम् ॥

Summary AI Having heard this common speech from both Agni and Nala, and being unable to find any distinction, she (Damayanti) was conflicted. One part of her mind said towards him, "This is Nala," while the other part said, "This is Anala (Agni, i.e., not Nala)."

१३.१५

एतादृशीमथ विलोक्य सरस्वती तां
संदेहचित्रभयचित्रितचित्तवृत्तिम् ।
देवस्य सूनुमरविन्दविकासिरश्मे-
रुद्दिश्य दिक्पतिमुदीरयितुं प्रचक्रे ॥

Summary AI Then Saraswati, seeing her (Damayanti) in such a state, her mind painted with the varied colors of doubt and fear, began to speak, referring to the lord of the direction (Yama), who is the son of the god whose rays make the lotuses bloom (the Sun).

१३.१६

दण्डं बिभर्त्ययमहो जगतस्ततः स्या-
त्कम्पाकुलस्य सकलस्य न पङ्कपातः ।
स्वर्वैद्ययोरपि मदव्ययदायिनीभि-
रेतस्य रुग्भिरमरः किमु कश्चिदस्ति ॥

Summary AI Oh, this one (Yama) wields the staff of punishment. Therefore, the entire world, trembling in agitation, does not fall into sin. Is there any immortal who is not afflicted by his diseases, which are capable of destroying the pride of even the two celestial physicians (the Ashvins)?

१३.१७

मित्त्रप्रियोपजननं प्रति हेतुरस्य
संज्ञा श्रुतासुहृदयं न जनस्य कस्य ।
छायेदृगस्य च न कुत्रचिदध्यगायि
तप्तं यमेन नियमेन तपोऽमुनैव ॥

Summary AI This verse describes Varuna. His name ('Mitra') is a cause for bringing delight to friends. Upon hearing it, whose enemy's heart is not displeased? A shadow like his has never been perceived anywhere. Indeed, by this one alone, austerity has been performed with self-control and observance.

१३.१८

किंच प्रभावनमिताखिलराजतेजा
देवः पिताम्बरमणी रमणीयमूर्तिः ।
उत्क्रान्तिदा कमनु न प्रतिभाति शक्तिः
कृष्णत्वमस्य च परेषु गदान्नियोक्तुः ॥

Summary AI Moreover, this god (Shani), of charming form, has subdued the glory of all other kings (planets) by his power. His father is the jewel of the sky (the Sun). Towards whom does his power, which brings about death, not shine? And his 'blackness' (both color and malefic nature) in employing disease upon others is well-known.

१३.१९

एकः प्रभावमयमेति परेतराजौ
तज्जीवितेशधियमत्र निधत्स्व मुग्धे ।
भूतेषु यस्य खलु भूरियमस्य वश्य-
भावं समाश्रयति दस्रसहोदरस्य ॥

Summary AI O charming one, among the two (Nala and this god), this one alone attains the majesty of the king of the dead (Yama). Therefore, consider him the lord of life. Indeed, this earth with all its beings is under the control of this brother of the Ashvins.

१३.२०

गुम्फो गिरां शमननैषधयोः समानः
शङ्कामनेकनलदर्शनजातशङ्के ।
चित्ते विदर्भवसुधाधिपतेः सुताया
यन्निर्ममे खलु तदेष पिपेष पिष्टम् ॥

Summary AI The similar style of speech of both Yama and Nala had already created doubt in the mind of the daughter of Vidarbha's king, who was already confused by seeing multiple Nalas. This speech of Saraswati indeed ground what was already ground, reinforcing the existing doubt.

१३.२१

तत्रापि तत्रभवती भृशसंशयालो-
रालोक्य सा विधिनिषेधनिवृत्तिमस्याः ।
यादःपतिं प्रति धृताभिमुखाङ्गुलीक-
पाणिः क्रमोचितमुपाक्रमताभिधातुम् ॥

Summary AI Then, Her Ladyship Saraswati, seeing the indecisiveness of the highly doubtful Damayanti, pointed her finger towards the lord of the waters, Varuna, and began to speak in the appropriate order.

१३.२२

या सर्वतोमुखतया व्यवतिष्ठमाना
यादोरणैर्जयति नैकविदारका या ।
एतस्य भूरितरवारिनिधिश्चमूः सा
यस्याः प्रतीतिविषयः परतो न रोधः ॥

Summary AI His army is that vast ocean, which, being omnipresent and filled with many creatures that tear apart, is victorious with its aquatic warriors. Beyond this army, no shore is known to exist.

१३.२३

नासीरसीमनि घनध्वनिरस्य भूया-
न्कुम्भीरवान्समकरः सहदानवारिः ।
उत्पद्मकाननसखः सुखमातनोति
रत्नैरलंकरणभावमितैर्नदीनः ॥

Summary AI At the forefront of his army, there is a great roar like that of clouds. This lord of rivers (Varuna), possessing crocodiles and makaras, an enemy of the Danavas, and a friend to lotus forests, brings happiness with countless jewels that serve as his ornaments.

१३.२४

सस्यन्दनैः प्रवहणैः प्रतिकूलपातं
का वाहिनी न तनुते पुनरस्य नाम ।
तस्या विलासवति कर्कशताश्रिता या
भूमः कथम्बहुतयासिकता वयं ताः ॥

Summary AI O graceful one, which river (army) does not flow backwards with its chariots and boats towards him (the ocean)? As for the harshness of its sands (swords), which are abundant due to its vastness, how can we even compare to them?

१३.२५

शोणं पदप्रणयिनं गुणमस्य पश्य
किंचास्य सेवनपरैव सरस्वती सा ।
एनं भजस्व सुभगे भुवनाधिनाथं
किं वा भजन्ति तमिमं कमलाशया न ॥

Summary AI O fortunate one, behold his red quality, which is fond of its position. Moreover, the river Saraswati is devoted to serving him. Worship this lord of the worlds. Or is it that those who dwell in lotuses do not serve him?

१३.२६

शङ्कालताततिमनेकनलावलम्बां
वाणी नवर्धयतु तावदभेदिकेयम् ।
भीमोद्भवां प्रति नले च जलेश्वरे च
तुल्यं तथापि यदवर्धयदत्र चित्रम् ॥

Summary AI This non-differentiating speech might not have increased the vine-like cluster of doubts clinging to the many Nalas. However, it is strange that it equally increased her doubt towards both the real Nala and the lord of waters (Varuna).

१३.२७

बालां विलोक्य विबुधैरपि मायिभिस्तै-
रच्छद्मितामियमलीकनलीकृतस्वैः ।
आह स्म तां भगवती निषधाधिनाथं
निर्दिश्य राजपरिषत्परिवेषभाजम् ॥

Summary AI Seeing the young maiden un-deceived even by those magical gods who had disguised themselves as false Nalas, the goddess Saraswati pointed towards the king of Nishadha, who was seated in the assembly of kings, and spoke to her.

१३.२८

अत्याजिलब्धविजयप्रसरस्त्वया किं
विज्ञायते रुचिपदं न महीमहेन्द्रः ।
प्रत्यर्थिदानवशताहितचेष्टयासौ
जीमूतवाहनधियं न करोति कस्य ॥

Summary AI Is this great king of the earth, an object of delight whose victorious prowess is gained in many battles, not recognized by you? By his actions against hundreds of rival Danavas, in whom does he not create the impression of being Indra (Jimutavahana)?

१३.२९

येनामुना बहुविगाढसुरेश्वराध्व-
राज्याभिषेकविकसन्महसा बभूवे ।
आवर्जनं तमनु ते ननु साधु नाम-
ग्राहं मया नलमुदीरितमेवमत्र ॥

Summary AI By him, whose glory expanded from being anointed with ghee in numerous profound sacrifices for Indra, you were indeed attracted. It is that very Nala whose name I have now properly uttered here.

१३.३०

यच्चण्डिमारणविधिव्यसनं च तत्त्वं
बुद्ध्वाशयाश्रितममुष्य च दक्षिणत्वम् ।
सैषा नले सहजरागभरादमुष्मि-
न्नात्मानमर्पयितुमर्हसि धर्मराजे ॥

Summary AI Having understood his addiction to punishing the wicked, his true nature, and his courteousness that depends on one's intentions, you, being who you are, should, out of your natural abundance of love, surrender yourself to this King of Righteousness (Yama), who appears as Nala.

१३.३१

किं ते तथा मतिरमुष्य यथाशयः स्या-
त्त्वत्पाणिपीडनविनिर्मितयेऽनपाशः ।
कान्मानवानवति नो भुवनं चरिष्णू-
न्नासावमुत्र न रता भवतीति युक्तम् ॥

Summary AI Why is your mind not in accordance with his intention, which is straightforwardly aimed at marrying you? Whom among men and what moving world does he not protect? It is not proper that you should not be devoted to him.

१३.३२

श्लोकादिह प्रथमतो हरिणा द्वितीया-
द्धूमध्वजेन शमनेन समं तृतीयात् ।
तुर्याच्च तस्य वरुणेन समानभावं
सा जानती पुनरवादि तया विमुग्धा ॥

Summary AI Knowing his similarity—from the first verse with Indra, from the second with Agni, from the third with Yama, and from the fourth with Varuna—the bewildered Damayanti was again addressed by Saraswati.

१३.३३

त्वं याऽर्थिनी किल नले न शुभाय तस्याः
क्व स्यान्निजार्पणममुष्य चतुष्टये ते ।
इन्द्रानलार्यमतनूजपयःपतीनां
प्राप्यैकरूप्यमिह संसदि दीप्यमाने ॥

Summary AI You who desire Nala, how can you offer yourself to this quartet of Indra, Agni, Yama, and Varuna, who are all shining in this assembly having attained an identical form? This would certainly not be for your good.

१३.३४

देवः पतिर्विदुषि नैष धराजगत्या
निर्णीयते न किमु न व्रियते भवत्या ।
नायं नलः खलु तवातिमहानलाभो
यद्येनमुज्झसि वरः कतरः परस्ते ॥

Summary AI O wise one, is this god not determined to be the lord of the earthly world? Why is he not being chosen by you? If you think this is not Nala, it is indeed your great loss. If you abandon him, which other suitor is there for you?

१३.३५

इन्द्राग्निदक्षिणदिगीश्वरपाशिभिस्तां
वाचं नले तरलिताथ समां प्रमाय ।
सा सिन्धुवेणिरिव वाडववीतिहोत्रं
लावण्यभूः कमपि भीमसुताप तापम् ॥

Summary AI Then, having heard that equally confusing speech from Indra, Agni, Yama, and Varuna regarding Nala, that embodiment of beauty, Bhima's daughter, experienced an indescribable anguish, just as a river's current feels the heat of the submarine fire.

१३.३६

साप्तुं प्रयच्छति न पक्षचतुष्टये तां
तल्लाभशंसिनि न पञ्चमकोटिमात्रे ।
श्रद्धां दधे निषधराड्विमतौ मताना-
मद्वैततत्त्व इव सत्यतरेऽपि लोकः ॥

Summary AI Saraswati's speech did not allow her to attain him within the four options (the gods) who praised the gain of him, nor in the fifth option (the real Nala). Thus, the king of Nishadha placed his faith in her confusion of opinions, just as people lack faith in the truest principle of non-duality.

१३.३७

कारिष्यते परिभवः कलिना नलस्य
तां द्वापरस्तु सुतनूमदुनोत्पुरस्तात् ।
भैमीनलोपयमनं पिशुनौ सहेते
न द्वापरः किल कलिश्च युगे जगत्याम् ॥

Summary AI Humiliation will be inflicted upon Nala by Kali in the future. But Dvapara, beforehand, tormented that beautiful lady. The two slanderous ages, Dvapara and Kali, indeed cannot tolerate the union of Bhima's daughter and Nala in this world.

१३.३८

उत्कण्ठयन्पृथगिमां युगपन्नलेषु
प्रत्येकमेषु परिमोहयमाणबाणः ।
जानीवहे निजशिलीमुखशीलिसंख्या-
साफल्यमाप स तदा यदि पञ्चबाणः ॥

Summary AI If he was indeed the five-arrowed god (Kamadeva), then we understand that he achieved the fulfillment of the number of his arrows by simultaneously making her yearn for each of these Nalas separately, his arrows causing confusion for each one.

१३.३९

देवानियं निषाधराजरुचस्त्यजन्ती
रूपादरज्यत नले न विदर्भसुभ्रूः ।
जन्मान्तराधिगतकर्मविपाकजन्मै-
वोन्मीलति क्वचन कस्यचनानुरागः ॥

Summary AI This beautiful-browed princess of Vidarbha, abandoning the gods who resembled the Nishadha king in splendor, became attached to Nala because of his form, not to them. Indeed, a person's affection sometimes blossoms as a result of the fruition of deeds from a past life.

१३.४०

क्व प्राप्यते स पतगः परिपृच्छ्यते यः
प्रत्येमि तस्य हि पुरेव नलं गिरेति ।
सस्मार सस्मरमतिः प्रति नैषधीयं
तत्रामरालयमरालमरालकेशी ॥

Summary AI "Where can that bird be found, who is to be asked? For by its voice, I can recognize Nala as before." Thinking this, the curly-haired Damayanti, her mind filled with love, remembered the swan, the messenger to Nala, there in the assembly of gods.

१३.४१

एकैकमैक्षत मुहुर्महतादरेण
भेदं विवेद न च पञ्चसु कंचिदेषा ।
शङ्काशतं वितरता हरता पुनस्त-
दुन्मादिनेव मनसेयमिदं तदाह ॥

Summary AI She looked at each one of the five again and again with great attention, but could not perceive any difference among them. Then, with her mind, which was like a madman creating a hundred doubts and then taking them away, she said this.

१३.४२

अस्ति द्विचन्द्रमतिरस्ति जनस्य तत्र
भ्रान्तौ दृगन्तचिपिटीकरणादिरादिः ।
स्वच्छोपसर्पणमपि प्रतिमाभिमाने
भेदभ्रमे पुनरमीषु न मे निमित्तम् ॥

Summary AI "People have the illusion of seeing two moons, and to resolve that doubt, there are methods like squinting. In mistaking a reflection for the real object, approaching it is a solution. But for my illusion of difference among these five, I have no such means to resolve it."

१३.४३

किं वा तनोति मयि नैषध एव काव-
व्यूहं विधाय परिहासमसौ विलासी ।
विज्ञानवैभवभृतः किमु तस्य विद्या
सा विद्यते न तुरगाशयवेदितेव ॥

Summary AI "Or is that playful Nala himself playing a joke on me by creating this magical array of forms? Does he, who possesses the glory of knowledge, not also possess a magical science, just as he possesses the science of understanding the hearts of horses?"

१३.४४

एको नलः किमयमन्यतमः किमैलः
कामोऽपरः किमु किमु द्वयमाश्विनेयौ ।
किं रूपधेयभरसीमतया समेषु
तेष्वेव नेह नलमोहमहं वहे वा ॥

Summary AI "Is one of them Nala? Is another Pururavas? Is another Kamadeva? Or are two of them the Ashvins? Or, because they are all equal, being the very pinnacle of beauty, should I not be deluded about Nala among them here?"

१३.४५

पूर्वं मया विरहनिःसहयापि दृष्टः
सोऽयं प्रियस्तत इतो निषधाधिराजः ।
भूयः किमागतवती मम सा दशेयं
पश्यामि यद्विलसितेन नलानलीकान् ॥

Summary AI "Previously, though unable to bear the separation, I saw this beloved king of Nishadha here and there. Has that same agitated state of mine returned, causing me to now see false Nalas?"

१३.४६

मुग्धा दधामि कथमित्थमथापशङ्कां
संक्रन्दनादिकपटः स्फुटमीदृशोऽयम् ।
देव्यानयैव रचिता हि तथा तथैषां
गाथा यथा दिगधिपानपि ताः स्पृशन्ति ॥

Summary AI "But why do I, a simple woman, entertain such a doubt? This deception by Indra and the other gods is clearly of this nature. For, the goddess Sarasvati herself composed their praises in such a way that the descriptions apply even to the guardians of the directions."

१३.४७

एतन्मदीयमतिवञ्चकपञ्चकस्थे
नाथे कथं नु मनुजस्य चकास्तु चिह्नम् ।
लक्ष्माणि तानि किममी न वहन्ति हन्त
बर्हिर्मुखा धुतरजस्तनुतामुखानि ॥

Summary AI "Among this group of five who are deceiving my mind, how can the sign of a mortal shine on my lord? Alas, have these gods concealed their divine signs—being free from dust, having unwinking eyes, and so on—which they should bear?"

१३.४८

याचे नलं किममरानथवा तदर्थं
नित्यार्चनादपि ममाफलिनैरलं तैः ।
कंदर्पशोषणशिलीमुखपातपीत-
कारुण्यनीरनिधिगह्वरधोरचित्तैः ॥

Summary AI "Should I beseech Nala? Or should I beseech the gods for his sake? Enough of them! They have been fruitless despite my constant worship, their minds deep and firm, their compassion seemingly exhausted by the arrows of Kamadeva."

१३.४९

ईशा दिशां नलभुवं प्रतिपद्य लेखा
वर्णिश्रियं गुणवतामपि वः कथं वा ।
मूर्खान्धकूपपतनादिव पुस्तकाना-
मस्तं गतं बत परोपकृतिव्रतत्वम् ॥

Summary AI "O Lords of the directions, O gods! Having assumed the form of Nala, how is it proper for you, who are virtuous, to take on the guise of supplicants? Alas, your vow of helping others has vanished, just as books are lost when they fall into the dark well of a fool."

१३.५०

यस्येश्वरेण यदलेखि ललाटपट्टे
तत्स्यादयोग्यमपि योग्यमपास्य तस्य ।
का वासनास्तु बिभृयामिह यां हृदाहं
नार्कातपैर्जलजमेति हिमैस्तु दाहम् ॥

Summary AI "Whatever has been written on someone's forehead by God, that will happen, even if it is unsuitable, pushing aside what is suitable. What desire should I hold here in my heart? For a lotus is not burned by the sun's heat, but it is indeed burned by frost."

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