Devi Bhagavata Purana — Skandha 5 — Chapter 17
DB 5 17.1
राजपुत्रीमन्दोदरीवृत्तवर्णनम् व्यास उवाच ।। इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य देवी पप्रच्छ दानवम् ।। का सा मंदोदरी नारी कोऽसौ त्यक्तो नृपस्तया
rājaputrīmandodarīvṛttavarṇanam vyāsa uvāca || iti śrutvā vacastasya devī papraccha dānavam || kā sā maṃdodarī nārī ko'sau tyakto nṛpastayā
A description of the story of the princess Mandodarī. Vyāsa said: Having heard his words thus, the Goddess asked the demon: Who was that woman Mandodarī? Who was that king rejected by her?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.2
शठः को वा नृपः पश्चात्तन्मे ब्रूहि कथानकम् ।। विस्तरेण यथा प्राप्तं दुःखं वनितया पुनः
śaṭhaḥ ko vā nṛpaḥ paścāttanme brūhi kathānakam || vistareṇa yathā prāptaṃ duḥkhaṃ vanitayā punaḥ
And who was the deceitful king afterwards? Tell me that story at length — how the woman came to grief again.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.3
महिष उवाच ।। सिंहलो नाम देशो ऽस्ति विख्यातः पृथिवीतले ।। घनपादपसंयुक्तो धनधान्यसमृद्धिमान्
mahiṣa uvāca || siṃhalo nāma deśo 'sti vikhyātaḥ pṛthivītale || ghanapādapasaṃyukto dhanadhānyasamṛddhimān
Mahiṣa said: There is a country named Siṃhala, renowned on the face of the earth, furnished with dense trees, abounding in wealth and grain.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.4
चंद्रसेनाऽभिधस्तत्र राजा धर्मपरायणः ।। न्यायदंडधरः शांतः प्रजापालनतत्परः
caṃdrasenā'bhidhastatra rājā dharmaparāyaṇaḥ || nyāyadaṃḍadharaḥ śāṃtaḥ prajāpālanatatparaḥ
There (was) a king named Candrasena, devoted to dharma, wielding the rod of justice, tranquil, intent on protecting his subjects.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.5
सत्यवादी मृदुः शूरस्तितिक्षुर्नीतिसागरः ।। शास्त्रवित्सर्वधर्मज्ञो धनुर्वेदेऽतिनिष्ठितः वरार्थं नृपतिश्चिन्तामवाप च दिनेदिने ।। मद्रदेशाधिपः शूरः सुधन्वा नाम पार्थिवः कदाचित्पतिरन्यां वा कामिनीं च भजेद्यदि ।। तदा महत्तरं दुःखं सपत्नीसंभवं भवेत् विवाहो न कृतः पुत्र्या ज्ञात्वा भाववि वर्जिताम् ।। वर्तमाना गृहेष्वेवं पित्रा मात्रा च रक्षिता केयं बाला विशालाक्षी कस्य पुत्री वदाशु मे ।। एवं पृष्टा तु सैरंध्री तमुवाच शुचिस्मिता प्रहस्य मधुरं वाक्यं कामशास्त्रविशारदा ।। मन्दोदरि नृपः प्राप्तः सूर्यवंशसमुद्भवः महिष उवाच ।। इति तस्यास्तु निर्बंधं ज्ञात्वा प्राह नृपं पुनः ।। गच्छ राजन्यथा कामं नेयमिच्छति सत्पतिम्
satyavādī mṛduḥ śūrastitikṣurnītisāgaraḥ || śāstravitsarvadharmajño dhanurvede'tiniṣṭhitaḥ varārthaṃ nṛpatiścintāmavāpa ca dinedine || madradeśādhipaḥ śūraḥ sudhanvā nāma pārthivaḥ kadācitpatiranyāṃ vā kāminīṃ ca bhajedyadi || tadā mahattaraṃ duḥkhaṃ sapatnīsaṃbhavaṃ bhavet vivāho na kṛtaḥ putryā jñātvā bhāvavi varjitām || vartamānā gṛheṣvevaṃ pitrā mātrā ca rakṣitā keyaṃ bālā viśālākṣī kasya putrī vadāśu me || evaṃ pṛṣṭā tu sairaṃdhrī tamuvāca śucismitā prahasya madhuraṃ vākyaṃ kāmaśāstraviśāradā || mandodari nṛpaḥ prāptaḥ sūryavaṃśasamudbhavaḥ mahiṣa uvāca || iti tasyāstu nirbaṃdhaṃ jñātvā prāha nṛpaṃ punaḥ || gaccha rājanyathā kāmaṃ neyamicchati satpatim
Truthful, gentle, valiant, patient, an ocean of statecraft, learned in the scriptures, knowing all dharmas, thoroughly accomplished in the science of archery. And the king came to worry day after day about a bridegroom. (There was) a valiant king named Sudhanvā, lord of the Madra country. "If at some time a husband should resort to another woman, then there would be very great sorrow arising from a co-wife." The daughter's marriage was not performed, since (they) knew her to be without inclination. Living thus in the house, she was guarded by her father and mother. "Who is this large-eyed girl? Whose daughter? Tell me quickly." Thus questioned, the maidservant, bright-smiling and skilled in the science of love, laughed and spoke sweet words to him: "Mandodarī, a king has come, born of the solar line." Mahiṣa said: Knowing her insistence thus, she spoke to the king again: "Go, O king, as you please; she does not want even a good husband."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 5 17.6
तस्य भार्या वरारोहा सुन्दरी सुभगा शुभा ।। सदाचाराऽतिसुमुखीं पतिभक्तिपरायणा
tasya bhāryā varārohā sundarī subhagā śubhā || sadācārā'tisumukhīṃ patibhaktiparāyaṇā
His wife was of excellent form, beautiful, fortunate, auspicious, of good conduct, very fair-faced, wholly devoted to her husband,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.7
नाम्ना गुणवती कांता सर्वलक्षणसंयुता ।। सुषुवे प्रथमे गर्भे पुत्रीं सा चातिसुन्दरीम्
nāmnā guṇavatī kāṃtā sarvalakṣaṇasaṃyutā || suṣuve prathame garbhe putrīṃ sā cātisundarīm
a lovely woman named Guṇavatī, endowed with all auspicious marks. In her first pregnancy she bore a daughter, and an exceedingly beautiful one.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.8
पिता चातीव संतुष्टः पुत्रीं प्राप्य मनोरमाम् ।। मन्दोदरीति नामास्याः पिता चक्रे मुदान्वितः
pitā cātīva saṃtuṣṭaḥ putrīṃ prāpya manoramām || mandodarīti nāmāsyāḥ pitā cakre mudānvitaḥ
And the father, greatly pleased at obtaining a delightful daughter, joyfully gave her the name Mandodarī.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.9
इंदोः कलेव चात्यर्थं ववृधे सा दिनेदिने ।। दशवर्षा यदा जाता कन्या चातिमनोहरा
iṃdoḥ kaleva cātyarthaṃ vavṛdhe sā dinedine || daśavarṣā yadā jātā kanyā cātimanoharā
Like a digit of the moon she grew abundantly day by day; when the exceedingly charming girl had reached ten years,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.11
तस्य पुत्रोऽतिमेधावी कंबुग्रीवोऽतिविश्रुतः ।। ब्राह्मणैः कथितो राज्ञे स युक्तोऽस्या वरः शुभः
tasya putro'timedhāvī kaṃbugrīvo'tiviśrutaḥ || brāhmaṇaiḥ kathito rājñe sa yukto'syā varaḥ śubhaḥ
his son, exceedingly intelligent and very famous, Kambugrīva, was named to the king by the brahmins as a fitting and auspicious bridegroom for her,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.12
सर्वलक्षणसंपन्नः सर्वविद्यार्थपारगः ।। राज्ञा पृष्टा तदा राज्ञा नाम्ना गुणवती प्रिया
sarvalakṣaṇasaṃpannaḥ sarvavidyārthapāragaḥ || rājñā pṛṣṭā tadā rājñā nāmnā guṇavatī priyā
(He is) endowed with all (auspicious) marks and has mastered all branches of learning and their meanings. Then (the queen) was asked by the king — the beloved one named Guṇavatī:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 5 17.13
कंबुग्रीवाय कन्यां स्वां दास्यामि वरवर्णिनीम् ।। सा तु पत्युर्वचः श्रुत्वा पुत्रीं पप्रच्छ सादरम्
kaṃbugrīvāya kanyāṃ svāṃ dāsyāmi varavarṇinīm || sā tu patyurvacaḥ śrutvā putrīṃ papraccha sādaram
"I shall give my daughter, of lovely complexion, to Kambugrīva." But she, having heard her husband's words, respectfully asked her daughter:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.14
विवाहं ते पिता कर्तुं कंबुग्रीवेण वांछति ।। तच्छ्रुत्वा मातरं प्राह वाक्यं मन्दोदरी तदा
vivāhaṃ te pitā kartuṃ kaṃbugrīveṇa vāṃchati || tacchrutvā mātaraṃ prāha vākyaṃ mandodarī tadā
"Your father wishes to arrange your marriage with Kambugrīva." Hearing that, Mandodarī then spoke (these) words to her mother:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.15
नाहं पतिं करिष्यामि नेच्छा मेऽस्ति परिग्रहे ।। कौमारं व्रतमास्थाय कालं नेष्यामि सर्वथा स्वातंत्र्येण चरिष्यामि तपस्तीव्रं सदैव हि ।। पारतंत्र्य परंदुःखं मातः संसारसागरे
nāhaṃ patiṃ kariṣyāmi necchā me'sti parigrahe || kaumāraṃ vratamāsthāya kālaṃ neṣyāmi sarvathā svātaṃtryeṇa cariṣyāmi tapastīvraṃ sadaiva hi || pārataṃtrya paraṃduḥkhaṃ mātaḥ saṃsārasāgare
"I will not take a husband; I have no desire for marriage. Undertaking the vow of maidenhood, I shall pass my time in every way; I shall live in independence and always practise severe austerity. Dependence on another is the greatest suffering, mother, in the ocean of worldly existence.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.17
स्वातंत्र्या न्मोक्षमित्याहुः पण्डिताः शास्त्रकोविदा ।। तस्मान्मुक्ता भविष्यामि पत्या मे न प्रयोजनम्
svātaṃtryā nmokṣamityāhuḥ paṇḍitāḥ śāstrakovidā || tasmānmuktā bhaviṣyāmi patyā me na prayojanam
The learned, well versed in the scriptures, say that liberation comes from independence; therefore I shall be free — I have no need of a husband.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.18
विवाहे वर्तमाने तु पावकस्य च सन्निधौ ।। वक्तव्यं वचनं सम्यक्त्वदधीनाऽस्मि सर्वदा
vivāhe vartamāne tu pāvakasya ca sannidhau || vaktavyaṃ vacanaṃ samyaktvadadhīnā'smi sarvadā
For in the course of the wedding, in the presence of the fire, the words that must be spoken are: 'I am wholly subject to you, always.'
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.19
श्वश्रूदेवरवर्गाणां दासीत्वं श्वशुरालये ।। पतिचिंत्तानुवर्तित्वं दुःखादुः खतरं स्मृतम्
śvaśrūdevaravargāṇāṃ dāsītvaṃ śvaśurālaye || paticiṃttānuvartitvaṃ duḥkhāduḥ khataraṃ smṛtam
Servitude to the mother-in-law and the company of the husband's younger brothers in the father-in-law's house, and having to conform to the husband's wishes — that is reckoned more painful than pain.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.21
तदेर्ष्या जायते पत्यौ क्लेशश्चापि भवेदथ ।। संसारे क्व सुखं मातर्नारीणां च विशेषतः
taderṣyā jāyate patyau kleśaścāpi bhavedatha || saṃsāre kva sukhaṃ mātarnārīṇāṃ ca viśeṣataḥ
Then jealousy arises toward the husband, and affliction too may come. Where is there happiness in worldly existence, mother — and especially for women,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.22
स्वभावात्परतन्त्राणां संसारे स्वप्नधर्मिणि ।। श्रुतं मया पुरा मातरुत्तानचरणात्मजः
svabhāvātparatantrāṇāṃ saṃsāre svapnadharmiṇi || śrutaṃ mayā purā mātaruttānacaraṇātmajaḥ
who by their very nature are dependent on others, in this worldly existence that has the character of a dream? I have heard before, mother, that the son of Uttānacaraṇa (Uttānapāda) —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.23
उत्तमः सर्वधर्मज्ञो धुवादवरजो नृपः ।। पत्नीं धर्मपरां साध्वीं पतिभक्तिपरायणाम्
uttamaḥ sarvadharmajño dhuvādavarajo nṛpaḥ || patnīṃ dharmaparāṃ sādhvīṃ patibhaktiparāyaṇām
Uttama, knower of all duties, a king, the younger brother of Dhruva — (abandoned) his wife, devoted to dharma, virtuous, wholly given to devotion to her husband,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.24
अपराधं विना कांतां त्यक्तवान्विपिने प्रियाम् ।। एवंविधानि दुःखानि विद्यमाने तु भर्तरि
aparādhaṃ vinā kāṃtāṃ tyaktavānvipine priyām || evaṃvidhāni duḥkhāni vidyamāne tu bhartari
he abandoned his beloved wife in the forest without any offence (on her part). Such are the sufferings while the husband is still alive;
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.25
कालयोगान्मृते तस्मिन्नारी स्याद् दुःखभाजनम्।। वैधव्यं परमं दुःखं शोक संतापकारकम्
kālayogānmṛte tasminnārī syād duḥkhabhājanam|| vaidhavyaṃ paramaṃ duḥkhaṃ śoka saṃtāpakārakam
and when he dies through the working of time, a woman becomes a vessel of grief. Widowhood is the supreme suffering, producing sorrow and torment.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.26
परोषि(पि?)तपतित्वेऽपि दुःखं स्यादधिकं गृहे ।। मदनाग्निविदग्धायाः किं सुख पति संगजम्
paroṣi(pi?)tapatitve'pi duḥkhaṃ syādadhikaṃ gṛhe || madanāgnividagdhāyāḥ kiṃ sukha pati saṃgajam
And even when the husband is away abroad, the suffering at home would be greater still. For a woman scorched by the fire of desire, what happiness is there that comes from union with a husband?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
DB 5 17.27
तस्मात्पतिर्न कर्तव्यः सर्वथेति मतिर्मम ।। एवं प्रोक्ता तदा माता पतिं प्राह नृपात्मजा
tasmātpatirna kartavyaḥ sarvatheti matirmama || evaṃ proktā tadā mātā patiṃ prāha nṛpātmajā
Therefore no husband is to be taken by me at all — such is my resolve." Thus addressed, the mother then spoke to her husband about the king's daughter:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.28
न च वांछति भर्तारं कौमारव्रतधारिणी ।। व्रतजाप्यपरा नित्यं संसाराद्विमुखी सदा
na ca vāṃchati bhartāraṃ kaumāravratadhāriṇī || vratajāpyaparā nityaṃ saṃsārādvimukhī sadā
"She does not want a husband; she holds to the vow of maidenhood, always intent on vows and recitation, ever turned away from worldly existence.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.29
न कांक्षति पतिं कर्तुं बहुदोषविचक्षणा ।। भार्याया भाषितं श्रुत्वा तथैव संस्थितो नृपः
na kāṃkṣati patiṃ kartuṃ bahudoṣavicakṣaṇā || bhāryāyā bhāṣitaṃ śrutvā tathaiva saṃsthito nṛpaḥ
She does not wish to take a husband, being well aware of the many faults (in it)." Hearing his wife's words, the king remained just as (he was).
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.31
यौवनस्यांकुरा जाता नारीणां काम दीपकाः ।। तथाऽपि सा वयस्याभिः प्रेरिताऽपि पुनः पुनः
yauvanasyāṃkurā jātā nārīṇāṃ kāma dīpakāḥ || tathā'pi sā vayasyābhiḥ preritā'pi punaḥ punaḥ
The first shoots of youth appeared, which kindle desire in women; even so, though urged again and again by her companions,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.32
चकमे न पतिं कर्तुं ज्ञानार्थपद भाषिणी ।। एकदोद्यानदेशे सा विहर्तुं बहुपादपे
cakame na patiṃ kartuṃ jñānārthapada bhāṣiṇī || ekadodyānadeśe sā vihartuṃ bahupādape
she had no wish to take a husband, uttering only words about knowledge and (its) purpose. Once, (she went) to a garden with many trees, to amuse herself —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.33
जगाम सुमुखी प्रेम्णा सैरंध्रीगणसेविता ।। रेमे कृशोदरी तत्रापश्यत्कुसुमिता लताः
jagāma sumukhī premṇā sairaṃdhrīgaṇasevitā || reme kṛśodarī tatrāpaśyatkusumitā latāḥ
the fair-faced one went there gladly, attended by her retinue of maidservants; the slender-waisted one enjoyed herself there and saw the flowering creepers,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.34
पुष्पाणि चिन्वती रम्या वयस्याभिः समावृता ।। कोसलाधिपतिस्तत्र मार्गे दैववशात्तदा
puṣpāṇi cinvatī ramyā vayasyābhiḥ samāvṛtā || kosalādhipatistatra mārge daivavaśāttadā
and, lovely, she gathered flowers, surrounded by her companions. At that time the lord of Kosala, by the force of fate, (came) there along the road —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.35
आजगाम महावीरो वीरसेनोऽतिविश्रुतः ।। एकाकी रथमारूढः कतिचित्सेवकैर्वृतः
ājagāma mahāvīro vīraseno'tiviśrutaḥ || ekākī rathamārūḍhaḥ katicitsevakairvṛtaḥ
There came the great hero Vīrasena, exceedingly famous, alone, mounted on his chariot, attended by a few servants.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.36
सैन्यं च पृष्ठतस्तस्य समायाति शनैः शनैः ।। दृष्टस्तस्या वयस्या तु दूरतः पार्थिवस्तदा
sainyaṃ ca pṛṣṭhatastasya samāyāti śanaiḥ śanaiḥ || dṛṣṭastasyā vayasyā tu dūrataḥ pārthivastadā
And his army was coming along behind him, slowly, slowly. The king was then seen from afar by her friend,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.37
मंदोदर्यै तथा प्रोक्तं समायाति नरः पथि ।। रथारूढो महाबाहू रूपवान्मदनोऽपरः
maṃdodaryai tathā proktaṃ samāyāti naraḥ pathi || rathārūḍho mahābāhū rūpavānmadano'paraḥ
and (she) spoke thus to Mandodarī: "A man is coming along the road, mounted on a chariot, mighty-armed, handsome — a second Madana.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.38
मन्येऽहं नृपतिः कश्चित्प्राप्तो भाग्यवशादिह ।। एवं ब्रुवत्यां तत्रासौ कोशलेन्द्रः समागतः
manye'haṃ nṛpatiḥ kaścitprāpto bhāgyavaśādiha || evaṃ bruvatyāṃ tatrāsau kośalendraḥ samāgataḥ
I think some king has arrived here by the force of (good) fortune." While she was speaking thus, the lord of Kosala arrived there.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.39
दृष्ट्वा तामसितापांगीं विस्मयं प्राप भूपतिः ।। उत्तीर्य स रथात्तूर्णं पप्रच्छ परिचारिकाम्
dṛṣṭvā tāmasitāpāṃgīṃ vismayaṃ prāpa bhūpatiḥ || uttīrya sa rathāttūrṇaṃ papraccha paricārikām
Seeing her, the dark-cornered-eyed one, the king was filled with wonder; descending quickly from the chariot, he questioned the attendant woman:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.41
प्रथमं ब्रूहि मे वीर पृच्छामि त्वां सुलोचनम् ।। कोऽसि त्वं किमिहायातः किं कार्यं वद सांप्रतम्
prathamaṃ brūhi me vīra pṛcchāmi tvāṃ sulocanam || ko'si tvaṃ kimihāyātaḥ kiṃ kāryaṃ vada sāṃpratam
"First tell me, hero — I ask you, fair-eyed one: who are you, why have you come here, what is your business? Speak now."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.42
इति पृष्टस्तु सैरंध्र्या तामु वाच महीपतिः ।। कोसलो नाम देशोऽस्ति पृथिव्यां परमाद्भुतः
iti pṛṣṭastu sairaṃdhryā tāmu vāca mahīpatiḥ || kosalo nāma deśo'sti pṛthivyāṃ paramādbhutaḥ
Thus questioned by the maidservant, the king said to her: "There is a land named Kosala on the earth, supremely wonderful.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.43
तस्य पालयिता चाहं वीरसेनाभिधः प्रिये ।। वाहिनी पृष्ठतः कामं समायाति चतुर्विधा
tasya pālayitā cāhaṃ vīrasenābhidhaḥ priye || vāhinī pṛṣṭhataḥ kāmaṃ samāyāti caturvidhā
And I am its protector, named Vīrasena, dear one; my fourfold army follows behind me at will.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.44
मार्गभ्रमादिह प्राप्तं विद्धि मां कोसलाधिपम् ।। सैरंध्र्युवाच ।। चन्द्रसेनसुता राजन्नाम्ना मन्दोदरी किल
mārgabhramādiha prāptaṃ viddhi māṃ kosalādhipam || sairaṃdhryuvāca || candrasenasutā rājannāmnā mandodarī kila
Know me, the lord of Kosala, to have come here through losing my way." The maidservant said: "O king, she is the daughter of Candrasena, Mandodarī by name,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.45
उद्याने रंतुकामेयं प्राप्ता कमल लोचना ।। श्रुत्वा तद्भाषितं राजा प्रत्युवाच प्रसाधिकाम्
udyāne raṃtukāmeyaṃ prāptā kamala locanā || śrutvā tadbhāṣitaṃ rājā pratyuvāca prasādhikām
and this lotus-eyed one has come to the garden wishing to enjoy herself." Hearing what she said, the king replied to the attendant:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.46
सैरंध्रि चतुराऽसि त्वं राजपुत्रीं प्रबोधय ।। ककुत्स्थवंशजश्चाहं राजाऽस्मि चारुलोचने
sairaṃdhri caturā'si tvaṃ rājaputrīṃ prabodhaya || kakutsthavaṃśajaścāhaṃ rājā'smi cārulocane
"Maidservant, you are clever; persuade the princess. I am of the lineage of Kakutstha, and I am a king, O lovely-eyed one.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.47
गांधर्वेण विवाहेन पतिं मां कुरु कामिनि ।। न मे भार्याऽस्ति सुश्रोणि वयसोऽद्भुतयौवनाम्
gāṃdharveṇa vivāhena patiṃ māṃ kuru kāmini || na me bhāryā'sti suśroṇi vayaso'dbhutayauvanām
Make me your husband by a gāndharva marriage, O passionate one. I have no wife, fair-hipped one, (a woman) of wondrous youth in age.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.48
वांछामि रूपसंपन्नां सुकुलां कामिनीं किल ।। अथवा ते पिता मह्यं विधिना दातुमर्हति
vāṃchāmi rūpasaṃpannāṃ sukulāṃ kāminīṃ kila || athavā te pitā mahyaṃ vidhinā dātumarhati
I do indeed desire a lovely woman endowed with beauty and of good family. Or else your father ought to give (her) to me according to the rite.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.49
अनुकूल पतिश्चाहं भविष्यामि न संशयः ।। महिष उवाच ।। इत्याऽऽकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य सैरंध्री प्राह तां तदा
anukūla patiścāhaṃ bhaviṣyāmi na saṃśayaḥ || mahiṣa uvāca || ityā''karṇya vacastasya sairaṃdhrī prāha tāṃ tadā
I shall be an agreeable husband, there is no doubt." The buffalo(-demon) said: Having heard his words, the maidservant then said to her:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.51
रूपवान्बलवान्कांतो वयसा त्वत्समः पुनः ।। प्रीतिमान्नृपतिर्जातस्त्वयि सुन्दरि सर्वथा
rūpavānbalavānkāṃto vayasā tvatsamaḥ punaḥ || prītimānnṛpatirjātastvayi sundari sarvathā
"He is handsome, strong, charming, and moreover equal to you in age; the king has become altogether enamoured of you, O beautiful one.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.52
पिताऽपि ते विशालाक्षि परितप्यति सर्वथा ।। विवाहकालं ते ज्ञात्वा त्वां च वैराग्यसंयुताम्
pitā'pi te viśālākṣi paritapyati sarvathā || vivāhakālaṃ te jñātvā tvāṃ ca vairāgyasaṃyutām
Your father too, wide-eyed one, grieves in every way, knowing that your time for marriage (has come) and that you are given over to renunciation.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.54
वक्तुं शक्ता वयं न त्वां हठधर्मरतां पुनः ।। भर्तुः शुश्रूषणं स्त्रीणां परो धमोंऽब्रवीन्मनुः
vaktuṃ śaktā vayaṃ na tvāṃ haṭhadharmaratāṃ punaḥ || bhartuḥ śuśrūṣaṇaṃ strīṇāṃ paro dhamoṃ'bravīnmanuḥ
But we cannot speak to you, who are devoted to a stubborn (self-imposed) duty. Manu declared that service to the husband is the highest duty of women.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.55
भर्तारं सेवमाना वै नारी स्वर्गमवाप्नुयात् ।। तस्मात्कुरु विशालाक्षि विवाहं विधिपूर्वकम्
bhartāraṃ sevamānā vai nārī svargamavāpnuyāt || tasmātkuru viśālākṣi vivāhaṃ vidhipūrvakam
A woman who serves her husband would surely attain heaven; therefore, wide-eyed one, make the marriage according to the rite."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.56
मन्दोदर्युवाच ।। नाऽहं पतिं करिष्यामि चरिष्ये तपमद्भुतम् ।। निवारय नृपं बाले किं मां पश्यति निस्त्रपः ।।
mandodaryuvāca || nā'haṃ patiṃ kariṣyāmi cariṣye tapamadbhutam || nivāraya nṛpaṃ bāle kiṃ māṃ paśyati nistrapaḥ ||
Mandodarī said: "I will not take a husband; I shall perform wondrous austerity. Hold the king off, girl — why does the shameless one look at me?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.57
सैरंध्र्युवाच ।। दुर्जयो देवि कामोऽसौ कालोऽसौ दुरतिक्रमः ।। तस्मान्मे वचनं पथ्यं कर्तुमर्हसि सुंदरि
sairaṃdhryuvāca || durjayo devi kāmo'sau kālo'sau duratikramaḥ || tasmānme vacanaṃ pathyaṃ kartumarhasi suṃdari
The maidservant said: "This Kāma, goddess, is hard to conquer; this Time is hard to overcome. Therefore, beautiful one, you ought to act on my salutary words."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.58
इत्याहाऽस्मान्स नृपतिर्विनिःश्वस्य पुनः पुनः ।। पुत्रीं प्रबोधयत्वेतां सैरंध्र्यः सेवने रताः अन्यथा व्यसनं नूनमा पतेदिति निश्चयः ।। इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा कन्यो वाचाथ तां सखीम्
ityāhā'smānsa nṛpatirviniḥśvasya punaḥ punaḥ || putrīṃ prabodhayatvetāṃ sairaṃdhryaḥ sevane ratāḥ anyathā vyasanaṃ nūnamā patediti niścayaḥ || iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā kanyo vācātha tāṃ sakhīm
Thus the king spoke to us, sighing again and again: "Let the maidservants, who are devoted to (her) service, bring this daughter of mine to her senses; otherwise calamity will surely fall (upon us)" — such is (his) firm conviction. Having heard her words, the maiden then said to that companion:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.59
यद्यद्भवेत्तद्भवतु दैवयोगादसंशयम् ।। न विवाहं करिष्येऽहं सर्वथा परिचारिके
yadyadbhavettadbhavatu daivayogādasaṃśayam || na vivāhaṃ kariṣye'haṃ sarvathā paricārike
"Whatever is to be, let it be, by the conjunction of fate, without doubt; I shall not marry at all, O attendant."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
DB 5 17.61
नृपस्तु तद्वचः श्रुत्वा निर्गतः सह सेनया ।। कोशलान्विमना भूत्वा कामिनीं प्रति निःस्पृहः
nṛpastu tadvacaḥ śrutvā nirgataḥ saha senayā || kośalānvimanā bhūtvā kāminīṃ prati niḥspṛhaḥ
But the king, hearing that speech, departed with his army to the Kośalas, dejected in mind and without longing for the woman.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition