Adhyaya 65

Verse 1

हि न () हि २ 7 पजञज्चषष्टितमो< ध्याय: जंगली हाथियोंद्वारा व्यापारियोंके दलका सर्वनाश तथा दुःखित दमयन्तीका चेदिराजके भवनमें सुखपूर्वक निवास बृहदश्चव उवाच सा तच्छुत्वानवद्याज्ञी सार्थवाहवचस्तदा । जगाम सह तेनैव सार्थेन पतिलालसा

Bṛhadaśva said: O King, having heard the words of the caravan-leader, the blameless and discerning Damayantī—longing to see her husband—set out at once, traveling together with that very company of merchants.

Verse 2

अथ काले बहुतिथे वने महति दारुणे । तडागं सर्वतोभद्रंं पच्मसौगन्धिकं महत्‌

Bṛhadaśva said: After a long time, having come into a vast and formidable forest, those merchants beheld a great lake called Padma-saugandhika. It appeared auspicious on every side—an inviting refuge in the wilderness, rich in the resources needed for life and travel.

Verse 3

ददृशुर्वणिजो रम्यं प्रभूतयवसेन्धनम्‌ । बहुपुष्पफलोपेतं नानापक्षिनिषेवितम्‌

Bṛhadaśva said: The merchants beheld a delightful spot, rich in grass and fuel-wood, abundant with flowers and fruits, and frequented by many kinds of birds.

Verse 4

निर्मलस्वादुसलिलं मनोहारि सुशीतलम्‌ । सुपरिश्रान्तवाहास्ते निवेशाय मनो दधु:

Bṛhadaśva said: “The water of that lake was clear and sweet, delightful to behold and exceedingly cool. Since the merchants’ beasts of burden were utterly worn out, they resolved in their minds to make camp there.”

Verse 5

सम्मते सार्थवाहस्य विविशुर्वनमुत्तमम्‌ । उवास सार्थ: सुमहान्‌ वेलामासाद्य पश्चिमाम्‌,समूहके अधिपतिसे अनुमति लेकर सब लोगोंने उस उत्तम वनमें प्रवेश किया और वह महान्‌ जनसमुदाय सरोवरके पश्चिम तटपर ठहर गया

Bṛhadaśva said: With the caravan-leader’s consent, they entered that excellent forest. Reaching the western bank, the great caravan halted there.

Verse 6

अथार्धरात्रसमये नि:शब्दस्तिमिते तदा । सुप्ते सार्थे परिश्रान्ते हस्तियूथमुपागमत्‌

Then, at the time of midnight—when everything was silent and still—after the caravan had fallen asleep, exhausted, a herd of elephants came up. They had come to drink at a mountain river whose waters were muddied by the streaming ichor of the great tuskers; and the herd noticed the merchants’ sleeping company, along with many elephants that had come with it.

Verse 7

पानीयार्थ गिरिनदीं मदप्रस्रवणाविलाम्‌ । अथापश्यत सरर्थ तं॑ सार्थजान्‌ सुबहून्‌ गजान्‌

Bṛhadaśva said: Seeking water, a herd of wild elephants came to a mountain river whose stream was muddied by the oozing rut-fluid. Then they saw that caravan—its merchants and, along with them, many elephants as well.

Verse 8

ते तान्‌ ग्राम्यगजान्‌ दृष्टवा सर्वे वनगजास्तदा । समाद्रवन्त वेगेन जिघांसन्तो मदोत्कटा:

Bṛhadaśva said: Then all those forest elephants, swollen with rut, saw the village elephants and charged at them at full speed, driven by the desire to kill.

Verse 9

तेषामापततां वेग: करिणां दुःसहो5भवत्‌ | नगाग्रादिव शीर्णानां शुद्रणां पततां क्षितौ

Bṛhadaśva said: The onrushing momentum of those elephants became unbearable for the party, like great mountain-peaks that have broken off and come crashing down upon the earth.

Verse 10

स्पन्दतामपि नागानां मार्गा नष्टा वनोद्धवा: । मार्ग संरुध्य संसुप्तं पद्मिन्या: सार्थमुत्तमम्‌

Though the elephants were in motion, their forest paths were blocked and lost; the road was barred by a great company of merchants, asleep beside the lake’s bank.

Verse 11

ते त॑ ममर्दु: सहसा चेष्टमानं महीतले । हाहाकारं प्रमुड्चन्त: सार्थिका: शरणार्थिन:

Bṛhadaśva said: “Those elephants suddenly trampled him as he struggled upon the ground. The caravan-men, crying out in terror and seeking refuge, raised a great wail.”

Verse 12

वनगुल्मांश्व धावन्तो निद्रान्धा बहवो5भवन्‌ | केचिद्‌ दत्तै: करै: केचित्‌ केचित्‌ पद्धयां हता गजै:

Bṛhadaśva said: Many, blinded by sleep, ran into the thickets of the forest. The elephants struck down some with their tusks, some with their trunks, and some by trampling with their feet—crushing the whole troop in sudden onrush. Men lay writhing on the ground, while others cried out in panic and fled, searching for any place of safety amid the jungle growth.

Verse 13

निहतोष्टाश्वबहुला: पदातिजनसंकुला: । भयादाधावमानाश्ष्‌ परस्परहतास्तदा

Bṛhadaśva said: Many camels and horses were slain, and the host was crowded with foot-soldiers. Stricken by fear, they fled in all directions; in the crush they struck one another and were wounded, and thus, in that panic, they fell as if slain by each other.

Verse 14

घोरान्‌ नादान्‌ विमुञ्चन्तो निपेतुर्धरणीतले । वृक्षेष्वारुह्मु संरब्धा: पतिता विषमेषु च

Uttering dreadful cries, they fell upon the ground. In frantic haste some climbed up into the trees, only to tumble down again onto uneven, treacherous terrain—an image of panic overwhelming order and self-control.

Verse 15

एवं प्रकारैर्बहुभिर्देवेनाक्रम्य हस्तिभि: । राजन्‌ विनिहतं सर्व समृद्ध सार्थमण्डलम्‌

Bṛhadaśva said: “O King, in many such ways, by the force of fate, wild elephants attacked; and thus the entire prosperous caravan-company of merchants was destroyed.”

Verse 16

आराव: सुमहांश्चासीत्‌ त्रलोक्यभयकारक: । एषो<ग्निरुत्थित: कष्टस्त्रायध्वं धावताधुना

Bṛhadaśva said: “A tremendous roar arose, striking fear into the three worlds. A dreadful fire has flared up—save yourselves; run at once!”

Verse 17

सामान्यमेतद्‌ द्रविणं न मिथ्यावचनं मम,तीसरा कहता था--'भाई! इस धनपर सबका समान अधिकार है, मेरी यह बात झूठी नहीं है”

Bṛhadaśva said, “This wealth is common (meant for all), and my statement is not false.”

Verse 18

एवमेवाभिभाषणन्तो विद्रवन्ति भयात्‌ तदा । पुनरेवाभिधास्यामि चिन्तयध्वं सुकातरा:

Thus, while exchanging such words, they fled in fear at that moment. “I will speak to you again,” one would say; “for now, you timid ones, think only of your own protection.”

Verse 19

तस्मिंस्तथा वर्तमाने दारुणे जनसंक्षये । दमयन्ती च बुबुधे भयसंत्रस्तमानसा,इस प्रकार जब वहाँ भयानक नरसंहार हो रहा था, उसी समय दमयन्ती भी जाग उठी। उसका हृदय भयसे संत्रस्त हो उठा

While that dreadful slaughter of people was unfolding there in that manner, Damayantī too awoke; her mind and heart were shaken and overwhelmed by fear.

Verse 20

अपश्यद्‌ वैशसं तत्र सर्वलोकभयंकरम्‌ । अदृष्टपूर्व तद्‌ दृष्टवा बाला पद्मनिभेक्षणा

Bṛhadaśva said: There she beheld a scene of slaughter—terrifying to all beings. Having never seen such a calamity before, the lotus-eyed young girl, on witnessing it, was shaken with fear.

Verse 21

वहाँ उसने वह महासंहार अपनी आँखों देखा

There she witnessed with her own eyes a great slaughter, terrifying to all. Never before had she seen such a calamity. Seeing everything, the lotus-eyed young girl was shaken with fear. From nowhere did she find any consolation. She stood stunned, as though pressed down to the earth. Then, somehow, she rose and stood up. Those members of the party who had escaped that danger and survived uninjured gathered together and said: “What deed of ours has borne this fruit? Surely we did not worship the illustrious Maṇibhadra. Likewise we did not worship Kubera, the splendid king of the Yakṣas, Vaiśravaṇa; nor did we first propitiate the Vināyakas who cause obstacles. Or else this is the perverse outcome of the omens we saw earlier. If our planets were not adverse, for what other reason could such a disaster have fallen upon us?”

Verse 22

तेडब्रुवन्‌ सहिता: सर्वे कस्येदं कर्मण: फलम्‌ । नूनं न पूजितो<स्माभिमणिभद्रो महायशा:

All of them, gathered together, said: “Of what deed of ours is this the result? Surely we have failed to worship the illustrious Maṇibhadra.”

Verse 23

संसक्तवदनाश्चासा उत्तस्थौ भयविद्धला । ये तु तत्र विनिर्मुक्ता: सार्थात्‌ केचिदविक्षता:

Bṛhadaśva said: She rose, her face tense and fixed, pierced by fear and trembling. Those among the caravan who had been released there and who, by chance, remained uninjured, gathered together and reflected: “Surely we did not duly honor the illustrious lord of the Yakṣas—Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera). Nor did we first perform worship of the obstacle-making powers (the Vināyakas).”

Verse 24

शकुनानां फलं वाथ विपरीतमिदं ध्रुवम्‌ । ग्रहा न विपरीतास्तु किमन्यदिदमागतम्‌

Bṛhadaśva said: “Surely this is the contrary outcome of the omens we observed. If the planets are not adverse, then what else could have brought this calamity upon us?”

Verse 25

अपरे त्वब्लुवन्‌ दीना ज्ञातिद्रव्यविनाकृता: । यासावद्य महासार्थ नारी हरुन्मत्तदर्शना

Then others, reduced to misery by the loss of their kinsmen and wealth, began to speak: “Today, within our great caravan, that woman who appeared as if mad came among us. Though she was a fearsome rākṣasī, she assumed an otherworldly beautiful form and slipped into our company. It was she who had already spread this exceedingly dreadful illusion.”

Verse 26

प्रविष्टा विकृताकारा कृत्वा रूपममानुषम्‌ । तयेयं विहिता पूर्व माया परमदारुणा

Bṛhadaśva said: “Having entered among us—though her true form was distorted and inhuman—she assumed an unearthly guise. It was she who had already set in motion this exceedingly dreadful illusion.”

Verse 27

राक्षसी वा ध्रुवं यक्षी पिशाची वा भयंकरी । तस्या: सर्वमिदं पापं नात्र कार्या विचारणा

Bṛhadaśva said: “She is surely a rākṣasī, or a yakṣī, or a fearsome piśācī. All this wrongdoing belongs to her—there is no need for further deliberation here.”

Verse 28

पश्यामो यदि तां पापां सार्थघ्नीं नैकदु:खदाम्‌ । लोष्टभि: पांसुभिश्चैव तृणै: काष्ठैश्न मुष्टिभि:

“If we happen to see that wicked woman—who has destroyed a caravan and brought suffering to many—then with clods of earth, with dust, with grass, with sticks, and with our fists (we shall deal with her).”

Verse 29

अवश्यमेव हन्याम: सार्थस्य किल कृत्यकाम्‌ | “निश्चय ही वह राक्षसी

Bṛhadaśva said: “We will certainly kill her—she has clearly come as a deadly ‘kṛtyā’ against this caravan. There is no need to deliberate: she must be a rākṣasī, a yakṣī, or some terrifying piśācī, for this entire sinful deed has been done by her. She has caused us suffering in many ways and has almost destroyed the whole company. If we catch sight of her, we will surely strike her down—even with clods of earth, dust and straw, sticks, and our fists.” Hearing their extremely cruel words, Damayantī sank with shame and was shaken with fear. Suspecting that their sinful resolve might be carried out, she fled toward the dense forest. Reaching it, she reflected on her plight and began to lament.

Verse 30

ह्वीता भीता च संविग्ना प्राद्रवद्‌ यत्र काननम्‌ । आशड्कमाना तत्पापमात्मानं पर्यदेवयत्‌

Bṛhadaśva said: Shamed, frightened, and deeply agitated, she ran toward the forest. Suspecting that his sinful intent might be carried out, she lamented over her own plight—grieving at the danger that arises when one is pursued by unrighteous desire and left without protection.

Verse 31

अहो ममोपरि विधे: संरम्भो दारुणो महान्‌ । नानुबध्नाति कुशलं कस्येदं कर्मण: फलम्‌

Alas, how fierce and overwhelming is the Creator’s wrath upon me! Nowhere does well-being or security attend me. Of what deed is this the consequence?

Verse 32

न स्मराम्यशुभं किंचित्‌ कृतं कस्यचिदण्वपि । कर्मणा मनसा वाचा कस्येदं कर्मण: फलम्‌

Bṛhadaśva said: “I do not recall having done even the slightest harm to anyone—by deed, by mind, or by speech. Then whose action is this result of karma that is coming to me?”

Verse 33

नूनं जन्मान्तरकृतं पापमापतितं महत्‌ | अपक्रिमामिमां कष्टामापदं प्राप्तवत्यहम्‌,“निश्चय ही यह मेरे दूसरे जन्मोंके किये हुए पापका महान्‌ फल प्राप्त हुआ है, जिससे मैं इस अनन्त कष्टमें पड़ गयी हूँ

Surely a great sin committed in some former birth has now come down upon me. It is the fruit of that wrongdoing that I have fallen into this grievous calamity, an unending misery.

Verse 34

भर्त्राज्यापहरणं स्वजनाच्च पराजय: । भर्त्रां सह वियोगश्व तनयाभ्यां च विच्युति:

Bṛhadaśva said: “My husband’s kingdom was seized away; he was defeated by his own kinsmen. I have been separated from my lord, and I have been cut off even from the sight and company of my two sons.”

Verse 35

निर्नाथता वने वासो बहुव्यालनिषेविते । “इतना ही नहीं, असंख्य सर्प आदि जन्तुओंसे भरे हुए इस वनमें मुझे अनाथकी-सी दशामें रहना पड़ता है” ।।

Bṛhadaśva said: “Bereft of any protector, I must dwell in the forest—haunted and frequented by many fierce creatures.”

Verse 36

देशात्‌ तस्माद्‌ विनिष्क्रम्प शोचन्ते वैशसं कृतम्‌ भ्रातरं पितरं पुत्रं सखायं च नराधिप

Bṛhadaśva said: “When they had come out from that place, the survivors lamented the dreadful slaughter that had been done. O king, some grieved for a brother, some for a father; some mourned a son, and others a friend.”

Verse 37

अशोचत्‌ तत्र वैदर्भी कि नु मे दुष्कृतं कृतम्‌ । योऊपि मे निर्जने5रण्ये सम्प्राप्तोडयं जनार्णव:

There, the princess of Vidarbha lamented: “What wrongdoing have I done? Even this sea-like multitude of people that had come to me in this lonely forest has, by my ill fortune, been destroyed by a herd of elephants. Surely I must still endure sorrow for a long time.”

Verse 38

स हतो हस्तियूथेन मन्दभाग्यान्ममैव तत्‌ | प्राप्तव्यं सुचिरं दु:खं नूनमद्यापि वै मया

Bṛhadaśva said: “That support has been destroyed by a herd of elephants—through my own ill fortune. Surely, even now, a long season of suffering is still to be endured by me.”

Verse 39

नाप्राप्तकालो ग्रियते श्रुतं वृद्धानुशासनम्‌ । या नाहमद्य मृदिता हस्तियूथेन दु:खिता

Bṛhadaśva said: “One whose destined time has not yet arrived cannot die, even if he longs for death. The instruction of the elders that I had heard seems indeed true—for though I am afflicted and in misery today, I could not be crushed to death by the herd of elephants.”

Verse 40

न हादैवकृतं किंचिन्नराणामिह विद्यते | न च मे बालभावे5पि किंचित्‌ पापकृतं कृतम्‌

Bṛhadaśva said: “Here, among human beings, nothing at all is done solely by fate. And as for me, even in my childhood I did not commit any sinful deed whatsoever.”

Verse 41

मन्ये स्वयंवरकृते लोकपाला: समागता:

Bṛhadaśva said: “I think the guardian deities of the worlds had come for the svayaṃvara; yet, because of Nala, I slighted them. Surely, by the power of those very gods, I have now been made to suffer the pain of separation.” Thus, tormented by grief, the beautiful and faithful Damayantī at that time lamented and bewailed in many ways.

Verse 42

प्रत्याख्याता मया तत्र नलस्यार्थाय देवता: । नूनं तेषां प्रभावेण वियोगं प्राप्तवत्यहम्‌

Bṛhadaśva said: “There, for Nala’s sake, I rejected the gods who had come. Surely, by the power of those deities, I have now fallen into the misery of separation.” Thus, tormented by grief, the beautiful and faithful Damayantī lamented and cried out in many ways at that time.

Verse 43

एवमादीनि दु:खार्ता सा विलप्य वराड़ना । प्रलापानि तदा तानि दमयन्ती पतिव्रता

Afflicted by sorrow, that noble lady Damayantī—steadfast in wifely fidelity—lamented in many ways. She voiced anguished cries such as: “I believe that, at the svayaṃvara, I slighted the guardian deities of the worlds who had come there, because of Nala. Surely, by the power of those very gods, I have now been made to suffer the pain of separation.” Thus, overwhelmed by grief, the virtuous Damayantī poured forth varied lamentations at that time.

Verse 44

हतशेषै: सह तदा ब्राह्माणैवेंदपारगै: । अगच्छदू राजशार्दूल चन्द्रलेखेव शारदी

Then, accompanied by the surviving Brahmins who were masters of the Vedas, she set out—O tiger among kings—like the bright crescent of the autumn moon. Before long, as evening approached, that beautiful young woman reached the capital of the Cedi king Subāhu, a ruler famed for discerning truth.

Verse 45

गच्छन्ती साचिरादू्‌ बाला पुरमासादयन्महत्‌ | सायाद्वे चेदिराजस्य सुबाहो: सत्यदर्शिन:

Bṛhadaśva said: After a time, the young maiden, traveling onward and approaching a great city, reached—by evening—the capital of Subāhu, the Cedi king renowned for truthful vision. She journeyed in the company of learned brāhmaṇas, masters of the Vedas, and her beauty was likened to a digit of the autumn moon—suggesting purity, restraint, and auspiciousness amid the uncertainties of travel.

Verse 46

अथ बल्त्रार्थसंवीता प्रविवेश पुरोत्तमम्‌ । त॑ विह्लां कृशां दीनां मुक्तकेशीममार्जिताम्‌

Then, driven by the need for strength and support, she entered that excellent city. She appeared shaken and bewildered, emaciated and wretched; her hair hung loose, and she was unwashed—an outward sign of inner distress and the collapse of ordinary decorum under suffering.

Verse 47

उन्मत्तामिव गच्छन्तीं ददृूश: पुरवासिन: । प्रविशन्तीं तु तां दृष्टवा चेदिराजपुरीं तदा

Bṛhadaśva said: The townspeople saw her walking as if she were mad. And when they saw her entering the city of the Cedi king, many village boys, moved by curiosity, began to follow her. Surrounded by them, Damayantī went up near the royal palace.

Verse 48

अनुजममुस्तत्र बाला ग्रामिपुत्रा: कुतूहलात्‌ । सा तैः परिवृतागच्छत्‌ समीपं राजवेश्मन:

Bṛhadaśva said: Out of sheer curiosity, many village boys followed along behind her. Surrounded by them, Damayantī—seen by the townspeople as if she were deranged—went on and drew near to the royal palace in the city of the king of Cedi.

Verse 49

तां प्रासादगतापश्यद्‌ राजमाता जनैर्व॑ताम्‌ धात्रीमुवाच गच्छैनामानयेह ममान्तिकम्‌,उस समय राजमाताने उसे महलपरसे देखा। वह जनसाधारणसे घिरी हुई थी। राजमाताने धायसे कहा--“जाओ, इस युवतीको मेरे पास ले आओ

From the palace, the queen-mother noticed the young woman, surrounded by common people. She then instructed her nurse, “Go—bring this girl here to me at once.”

Verse 50

जनेन क्लिश्यते बाला दुःखिता शरणार्थिनी । तादग्‌ रूप॑ च पश्यामि विद्योतयति मे गृहम्‌

Bṛhadāśva said: “This young woman is being harassed by people; she is distressed and seeks refuge. And I perceive in her such a radiance of form that it will illuminate my household.”

Verse 51

उन्मत्तवेषा कल्याणी श्रीरिवायतलोचना । सा जन वारयित्वा त॑ं प्रासादतलमुत्तमम्‌

Bṛhadaśva said: “Though her attire looked like that of a madwoman, this auspicious young woman, with long, wide eyes, appeared like Śrī (Lakṣmī) herself.” Having pushed the people aside, the nurse led her up to the finest terrace of the royal palace. Then the queen-mother, astonished, asked Damayantī: “Alas! Though you are crushed by suffering in this way, how do you still bear such beauty?”

Verse 52

आरोप्य विस्मिता राजन्‌ दमयन्तीमपृच्छत । एवमप्यसुखाविष्टा बिभर्षि परमं वपु:

Having lifted her up, the queen-mother, astonished, questioned Damayantī: “O king, though you are overwhelmed by suffering, how do you still bear such supreme beauty?”

Verse 53

भासि विद्युदिवा भ्रेषु शंस मे कासि कस्य वा । नहि ते मानुषं रूपं भूषणैरपि वर्जितम्‌

Bṛhadaśva said: “You shine like lightning among the clouds. Tell me—who are you, and whose are you? For even without ornaments, your form does not seem human.”

Verse 54

असहाया नरेभ्यश्षु नोद्धिजस्यमरप्रभे । “मेघमालामें प्रकाशित होनेवाली बिजलीकी भाँति तुम इस दुःखमें भी कैसी तेजस्विनी दिखायी देती हो। मुझसे बताओ

Bṛhad-aśva said: “O radiant one, why do you not fear people even though you are without protection? Like lightning flashing amid a mass of clouds, you appear strangely brilliant even in this sorrow. Tell me—who are you, and whose wife are you? Though you wear no ornaments, your beauty does not seem of the human world. Dear girl, bearing a divine luster like that of a goddess, how is it that, though alone, you are not afraid of men?” Hearing his words, the maiden Bhīmī replied.

Verse 55

मानुषीं मां विजानीहि भर्तारं समनुव्रताम्‌ सैरन्ध्रीजातिसम्पन्नां भुजिष्यां कामवासिनीम्‌

She said: “Know me to be a human woman—one who follows her husband in faithful conduct. I am of the class of a sairandhrī (a maid skilled in women’s service), a dependent servant-girl, living at another’s pleasure.”

Verse 56

“माताजी! आप मुझे मानव-कन्या ही समझिये। मैं अपने पतिके चरणोंमें अनुराग रखनेवाली एक नारी हूँ। मेरी अन्तःपुरमें काम करनेवाली सैरन्ध्री जाति है। मैं सेविका हूँ और जहाँ इच्छा होती है, वहीं रहती हूँ ।।

She said: “Mother, please regard me as nothing more than a human maiden. I am a woman devoted in love to my husband’s feet. In my inner apartments there are attendants of the Sairandhrī class who perform the household work. I myself live as a servant, staying wherever I choose. Alone, I sustain myself on fruits and roots, and wherever evening finds me, there I take shelter for the night. My lord possesses countless virtues, and he is ever steadfastly devoted to me.”

Verse 57

भक्ताहमपि तं॑ वीरं छायेवानुगता पथि । तस्य दैवात्‌ प्रसज्रो5भूदतिमात्र सुदेवने

She said: “I too was devoted to that heroic man, following him always—just as a shadow follows a traveler along the road. But by the turn of fate, my husband became excessively addicted to gambling.”

Verse 58

द्यूते स निर्जितश्वैव वनमेक उपेयिवान्‌ | तमेकवसन वीरमुन्मत्तमिव विद्धलम्‌

She said: “Defeated in the game of dice, he lost everything and went alone toward the forest. Seeing that heroic lord of mine wearing only a single garment—dazed and as if maddened—I too followed him into the forest, seeking to console him.”

Verse 59

आश्वासयन्ती भर्तारमहमप्यगमं वनम्‌ | स कदाचिद्‌ वने वीर: कस्मिंश्वित्‌ कारणान्तरे

Bṛhadaśva said: “While consoling my husband, I too went to the forest. Once, my heroic lord, for some particular reason, went into the forest.”

Verse 60

क्षुत्परीतस्तु विमनास्तदप्येकं व्यसर्जयत्‌ । तमेकवसना नग्नमुन्मत्तवदचेतसम्‌

Bṛhadaśva said: “Overcome by hunger and sunk in dejection, he let even that single garment go. Thus he became naked and wandered like a madman, bereft of clear awareness.”

Verse 61

अनुव्रजन्ती बहुला न स्वपामि निशास्तदा | ततो बहुतिथे काले सुप्तामुत्सृज्य मां क्वचित्‌

“When she followed after me again and again, I could not sleep at night. Then, after a long time had passed, she would at some point abandon me while I lay asleep.”

Verse 62

वाससोडर्थ परिच्छिद्य त्यक्तवान्‌ मामनागसम्‌ । त॑ मार्गमाणा भर्तारें दहमाना दिवानिशम्‌

“Having cut my garment in half, he abandoned me though I was blameless. Thereafter, as I searched for my husband, I was consumed by anguish day and night—burning inwardly with grief and longing.”

Verse 63

“उस समय वे भूखसे पीड़ित और अनमने हो रहे थे। अतः उन्होंने अपने उस एक वस्त्रको भी कहीं वनमें ही छोड़ दिया। मेरे शरीरपर भी एक ही वस्त्र था। वे नग्न

“I—unable to behold within my heart that beloved one whose radiance is like the inner core of a lotus—cannot find him. My dear husband, godlike in splendor, the lord of my very life and a powerful master, remains undiscovered despite my searching.”

Verse 64

तामश्रुपरिपूर्णाक्षी विलपन्तीं तथा बहु । राजमाताब्रवीदार्ता भैमीमार्तस्वरां स्वयम्‌

Bṛhadaśva said: Seeing Damayantī, the daughter of Bhīma, her eyes brimming with tears and lamenting loudly in a voice of distress, the queen-mother—herself pained by that sorrow—spoke to her.

Verse 65

वसस्व मयि कल्याणि प्रीतिमें परमा त्वयि । मृगयिष्यन्ति ते भद्रे भर्तारं पुरुषा मम

Bṛhadaśva said: “Auspicious lady, stay with me; my affection for you is supreme. Gentle one, my men will search for your husband.”

Verse 66

अपि वा स्वयमागच्छेत्‌ परिधावन्नितस्ततः । इहैव वसती भठद्रे भर्तारमुपलप्स्यसे,“अथवा यह भी सम्भव है, वे इधर-उधर भटकते हुए स्वयं ही इधर आ निकलें। भद्रे! तुम यहीं रहकर अपने पतिको प्राप्त कर लोगी”

Bṛhadaśva said: “Or it may happen that he himself, wandering here and there, will come to this very place. O gentle lady, by staying right here you will regain your husband.”

Verse 67

राजमातुर्वच: श्रुत्वा दमयन्ती वचो<ब्रवीत्‌ । समयेनोत्सहे वस्तुं त्वयि वीरप्रजायिनि,राजमाताकी यह बात सुनकर दमयन्तीने कहा--“वीरमात:! मैं एक नियमके साथ आपके यहाँ रह सकती हूँ

Hearing the words of the king’s mother, Damayantī replied: “O mother of heroes, I am willing to stay with you, but only under a stipulated condition.”

Verse 68

उच्छिष्ट नैव भुज्जीयां न कुर्या पादधावनम्‌ | न चाहं पुरुषानन्यान्‌ प्रभाषेयं कथंचन,“मैं किसीका जूठा नहीं खाऊँगी, किसीके पैर नहीं धोऊँगी और किसी भी दूसरे पुरुषसे किसी तरह भी वार्तालाप नहीं करूँगी

Bṛhadaśva said: “I will not eat what is left over by another; I will not wash anyone’s feet; and I will not, in any manner whatsoever, converse with any other man.”

Verse 69

प्रार्थयेद्‌ यदि मां कश्चिद्‌ दण्ड्यस्ते स पुमान्‌ भवेत्‌ | वध्यश्न तेडसकृन्मन्द इति मे वब्रतमाहितम्‌

“If any man should seek to claim me, let that man be punished by you; and the fool who commits such an offense again and again—deal him even the death penalty. This is my fixed vow.”

Verse 70

भर्तुरन्वेषणार्थ तु पश्येयं ब्राह्मणानहम्‌ । यद्येवमिह वत्स्यामि त्वत्सकाशे न संशय:

Bṛhadaśva said: “To search for my husband, I wish to meet the brāhmaṇas. If that can be arranged here, then I shall stay near you—of that there is no doubt.”

Verse 71

“मैं अपने पतिकी खोजके लिये केवल ब्राह्मणोंसे मिल सकती हूँ। यदि यहाँ ऐसी व्यवस्था हो सके तो निश्चय ही आपके निकट निवास करूँगी। इसमें संशय नहीं है ।।

Bṛhadaśva said: “To search for my husband I can associate only with brāhmaṇas. If such an arrangement can be made here, then I will certainly live near you—there is no doubt of it. Otherwise, my heart will not consent to live anywhere at all.” Hearing this, the queen-mother, her mind delighted, replied: “If anything contrary to this were to happen, then I too would have no resolve to stay anywhere.” Thus, with a pleased heart, the queen-mother spoke to her.

Verse 72

सर्वमेतत्‌ करिष्यामि दिष्ट्या ते व्रतमीदृशम्‌ । एवमुक्‍क्त्वा ततो भैमीं राजमाता विशाम्पते

“My daughter, I will do all this. It is indeed fortunate that your vow is so excellent.” Having spoken thus to Bhīmī (Damayantī), the king’s mother then addressed her own daughter Sunandā: “Sunandā, regard this sairandhrī as one of divine form.”

Verse 73

उवाचेदं दुहितरं सुनन्दां नाम भारत | सैरन्ध्रीमभिजानीष्व सुनन्दे देवरूपिणीम्‌

Bṛhadaśva said: “O Bhārata, she spoke these words to her daughter named Sunandā: ‘Sunandā, recognize this woman as a sairandhrī (a lady-in-waiting). Regard her as one of divine form.’”

Verse 74

वयसा तुल्यतां प्राप्ता सखी तव भवत्वियम्‌ | एतया सह मोदस्व निरुद्धिग्नमना: सदा,“यह अवस्थामें तुम्हारे समान है, अतः तुम्हारी सखी होकर रहे। तुम इसके साथ सदा प्रसन्नचित्त एवं आनन्दमग्न रहो”

Bṛhadaśva said: “She has reached an age equal to yours; therefore let her remain as your companion and friend. Live with her in gladness—ever keeping your mind free from distress and constraint.”

Verse 75

ततः परमसंदहृष्टा सुनन्दा गृहमागमत्‌ | दमयन्तीमुपादाय सखीभि: परिवारिता,तब सखियोंसे घिरी हुई सुनन्दा अत्यन्त हर्षोल्लासमें भरकर दमयन्तीको साथ ले अपने भवनमें आयी

Then Sunandā, filled with the highest delight, returned to her residence. Surrounded by her companions, she brought Damayantī along with her—showing a careful, discreet handling of Damayantī’s situation and the protective role of trusted attendants in times of crisis and transition.

Verse 76

स तत्र पूज्यमाना वै दमयन्ती व्यनन्दत । सर्वकामै: सुविहितैर्निरुद्वेशावसत्‌ तदा

There, being duly honored, Damayantī felt great joy. With every comfort thoughtfully arranged for her, she then lived in that place free from anxiety and disturbance—receiving respectful care and finding calm in her circumstances.

Verse 403

कर्मणा मनसा वाचा यदिदं दुःखमागतम्‌ । “मनुष्योंको इस जगतमें कोई भी सुख या दुःख ऐसा नहीं मिलता

Bṛhadaśva said: “This sorrow that has come upon me—whether through deed, thought, or speech—(I reflect upon its cause). In this world, no human being receives any happiness or suffering that is not allotted by the Disposer; and I have not, even from childhood, committed such sin by mind, word, or action as would deserve this grief.”

Verse 1636

रत्नराशिविंशीर्णो<यं गृह्नी ध्वं कि प्रधावत । उस समय वहाँ तीनों लोकोंको भयमें डालनेवाला महान्‌ आर्तनाद एवं चीत्कार हो रहा था। कोई कहता--'अरे! इधर बड़े जोरकी आग प्रज्वलित हो उठी है। यह भारी संकट आ गया (अब) दौड़ो और बचाओ।' दूसरा कहता--“अरे! ये ढेर-के-ढेर रत्न बिखरे पड़े हैं

Bṛhadaśva said: “Here, a heap of jewels has been scattered—gather them up! Why are you running about?” At that moment, a mighty wail and tumult, terrifying to the three worlds, arose. One cried, “Alas! A fierce fire has flared up here—this is a grave calamity! Run and save (what you can)!” Another cried, “Look—piles of jewels lie strewn about; secure them! Why flee here and there?”