The Description of Mohinī’s Love Episode

Verse 1

वसिष्ठ उवाच । सोऽनुज्ञातो महीपालः प्रियाभिः प्रियकामुकः । प्रहर्षमतुलं लेभे धर्मांगदमुवाच ह ॥ १ ॥

Vasiṣṭha said: Thus permitted, the king—cherishing his beloved queens and devoted to their wishes—attained incomparable joy, and then addressed Dharmāṅgada.

Verse 2

एतां द्वीपवतीं पृथ्वीं परिपालय पुत्रक । कृत्वा दुष्टवधं त्वादावप्रमत्तः सदोद्यतः ॥ २ ॥

My son, protect this earth with its continents. First, destroy the wicked; remain ever vigilant and constantly ready to act.

Verse 3

सदावसरसंयुक्तः सदाचारनिरीक्षकः । सदा चेतनसंयुक्तः सदा वाणिज्यवल्लभः ॥ ३ ॥

He is ever endowed with timely opportunity, ever a guardian of righteous conduct; ever joined with wakeful consciousness, and ever dear to trade and commerce.

Verse 4

सदा भ्रमणशीलश्च सदा दानरतिर्भव । सदा कौटिल्यहीनश्च सदाचाररतः सदा ॥ ४ ॥

Be ever inclined to wholesome activity and movement; be ever devoted to charity. Be always free from crookedness, and always dedicated to righteous conduct.

Verse 5

अपरं श्रृणु मे पुत्र यत्कर्त्तव्यं त्वयाधुना । अविश्वासस्तु सर्वत्र भूमिपानां प्रशस्यते ॥ ५ ॥

Hear further from me, my son, what you should do now. For kings, caution—not placing trust too readily—is praised in every situation.

Verse 6

कोषस्य च परिज्ञानं जनानां जनवल्लभ । रसवद्द्रव्यमाकर्षेः पुष्पेभ्य इव षट्पदः ॥ ६ ॥

O beloved of the people, understand well the treasury and the condition of the populace; and, like a bee drawing nectar from flowers, attract what is valuable and essence-bearing from all resources.

Verse 7

त्वया पुत्रेण संप्राप्तं पुनरेवेह यौवनम् ॥ ७ ॥

Through you—my son—I have again attained youthfulness here itself.

Verse 8

इमामपूर्वां वररूपमोहिनीं संप्राप्य भार्यां द्विजराजवक्त्राम् । सुखेन संयोज्य च तेऽद्य भारं सप्तोदधिद्वीपभवं प्ररंस्ये ॥ ८ ॥

Having obtained this unprecedented, enchanting bride of excellent beauty—whose face is like the king of birds—today I shall, with ease, unite you with the burden born of the seven oceans and continents, and then proclaim your praise.

Verse 9

व्रीडाकरस्तात मनुष्यलोके समर्थपुत्रे सुरताभिकामी । भवेत्पिता चेद्ब्रलिभिश्च युक्तो जीर्णद्विजः श्वेतशिरोरुहश्च ॥ ९ ॥

O dear one, in the human world it is a cause of shame when a father—an aged twice-born, wrinkled and with white hair—still longs for sexual pleasure, even though he has capable sons.

Verse 10

जीर्णोऽप्यजीर्णस्तव सौख्यवृद्धो वांछे इमां लोकवरां वरार्हाम् । संत्यज्य देवान्मम हेतुमागतामनंगबाणाभिहतां सुनेत्राम् ॥ १० ॥

Though I am aged, I feel as if I were not old; through you my happiness has increased. I desire this most excellent, worthy maiden of the world—Sunetrā—who, struck by Kāma’s arrows, has come to me as the very cause of my longing, even abandoning the gods.

Verse 11

कामं रमिष्ये द्रुतकां चनाभां ह्येकांतशीलः परिपूर्णचेताः । भूत्वा तु गुप्तो वननिर्झरेषु रम्येषु दिव्येषु नदीतटेषु ॥ ११ ॥

With a tranquil, fulfilled mind and a taste for solitude, I shall gladly take delight in that swift, golden-hued one—remaining hidden by forest-streams, in lovely, divine places along the banks of rivers.

Verse 12

इयं पुरंध्री मम जीविताधिका सुखेन धार्या त्रिदिवैकनारी । अस्यास्तु हेतोर्विबुधा विमूढा यथा रमायै धरणीशसंघाः ॥ १२ ॥

This beloved wife is dearer to me than my very life; she should be cherished with ease, for she is the one unrivalled woman of heaven. For her sake even the gods become deluded—just as hosts of kings are bewildered for the sake of Ramā (Lakṣmī).

Verse 13

तद्वाक्यमाकर्ण्य पितुः सुबुद्धिः प्रणम्य भक्त्या जननीसमेतम् । नृपोत्तमं तं नृपनन्दनोऽसौ दिदेश भोगार्थमनेकवित्तम् ॥ १३ ॥

Hearing his father’s words, the wise prince bowed with bhakti before both parents together. Then the king’s son furnished that foremost ruler with abundant wealth, meant for enjoyment and royal comforts.

Verse 14

आज्ञाविधेयांस्तु पितुर्नियोज्य दासांश्च दासीश्च हिरण्यकंठीः । मत्स्यध्वजार्त्तस्य सुखाय पुत्रस्ततो महीरक्षणमाचचार ॥ १४ ॥

Having appointed male and female attendants obedient to his father’s command, adorned with golden ornaments, the son—seeking the comfort of the afflicted Matsyadhvaja—then set about the protection of the earth.

Verse 15

नृपैस्तुतो धर्मविभूषणोऽसौ समावृतो द्वीपवतीं समग्राम् । तस्येत्थमुर्वीं चरतश्च भूप न पापबुद्धिं कुरुते जनौघः ॥ १५ ॥

Praised by kings, he—an ornament of Dharma—moves about, encompassing the whole earth with its continents and lands. O King, as he thus traverses the world, the multitude of people forms no sinful intent.

Verse 16

न चापि वृक्षः फलपुष्पहीनो न क्षेत्रमासीद्यवशालिहीनम् । स्रवंति गावो घटपूरदुग्धं घृताधिकं शर्करवत्सुमिष्टम् ॥ १६ ॥

No tree was without fruits and blossoms, and no field lacked barley or rice. The cows poured forth milk that filled the pots—rich in ghee and sweet as though mixed with sugar.

Verse 17

क्षीरं सुपेयं सकलार्तिनाशनं पापापहं पुष्टिविवर्धनं च । जनो न कश्चिद्विभवस्य गोप्ता भर्तुहिं भार्या न कटूक्तिवादिनी ॥ १७ ॥

Milk is wholesome to drink: it destroys all afflictions, removes sin, and increases nourishment. Yet no one truly safeguards one’s wealth—only a wife who speaks no harsh words is the husband’s true support.

Verse 18

पुत्रो विनीतः पितृशासने रतो वधूः स्थिता हस्तपुटे च श्वश्रोः । द्विजोपदेशे हि जनो व्यवस्थितो वेदोक्तधर्माचरणाद्द्विजोत्तमाः ॥ १८ ॥

A son is disciplined and delights in his father’s instruction; a daughter-in-law stands with folded hands before her mother-in-law. People remain established in the guidance of the twice-born; and by practicing dharma as enjoined in the Veda, the best among the twice-born—the Brahmanas—arise.

Verse 19

न भुंजते माधववासरे जना न यांति शोषं भुविः निम्नगास्तु । संभुज्य माना नहि यांति संपदः संभोगयुक्तैरपि मानवैः क्षयम् ॥ १९ ॥

When people do not eat on Mādhava’s day, the earth and its rivers do not dry up. Wealth, when enjoyed with due honor and right conduct, does not perish—even for those who partake of worldly pleasures.

Verse 20

विवृद्धिमायांति जलैरिवोर्द्ध्वं दूर्वातृणं शाद्वलतामुपैति । कृती च लोको ह्यभवत्समस्तो धर्मांगदे पालनसंप्रवृत्ते ॥ २० ॥

As dūrvā grass, when watered, grows upward and becomes a lush lawn, so too did everything prosper. For when Dharmāṅgada began the work of protecting and governing, the entire world became successful and well ordered.

Verse 21

भुक्त्वा तु सौख्यानि च यांति मानवा हरेः पदं तद्दिनसेवनेन । द्वाराणि सध्वान्तनिशासु भूप गुप्तानि कुर्वंति न दस्यु भीताः ॥ २१ ॥

Even after enjoying worldly comforts, people ultimately attain the abode of Hari through service performed on that sacred day. O king, on nights of deep darkness they do not even secure their doors, for they are not afraid of thieves.

Verse 22

न चापि गोपेषु ददंति वृत्तिं स्वेच्छाचरा मंदिरमाव्रजंति । क्षीरं क्षरंत्यो घटवत्सुभूरिशो वत्सप्रियाः शांतिकराश्च गावः ॥ २२ ॥

They do not even depend on the cowherds for their upkeep; roaming as they please, they come to the temple on their own. Pouring forth abundant milk into the pots, those cows—fond of their calves—also become causes of peace and auspiciousness.

Verse 23

अकृष्टपच्या धरणी समस्ता प्ररूढसस्या किल लांगलं विना । मातुः पयोभिः शिशवः सुपुष्टा भर्तुः प्रयोगैः प्रमदाः सुपुष्टाः ॥ २३ ॥

It is said that the whole earth yields grain without being ploughed—indeed, without the plough. Infants are well nourished by their mothers’ milk, and women are well provided for by their husbands’ efforts.

Verse 24

नृपैः सुगुप्तास्तु जनाः सुपुष्टाः सत्याभियुक्तो हि वृषः सुपुष्टः । एवंविधे धर्मरतिप्रधाने जने प्रवृत्ते हरिभक्तियुक्ते । संरक्ष्यमाणे हि नृपात्मजेन जगाम कालः सुखहे तुभूतः ॥ २४ ॥

When the people were well protected by the kings, they became well nourished; and when the Bull of Dharma was firmly yoked to truth, it too became strong. In such a society—foremost in delighting in righteousness and actively engaged in devotion to Hari—being safeguarded by the king’s son, time passed by as though it existed only for happiness.

Verse 25

निरामयो भूतिसमन्वितश्च सभूरिवर्षोत्सवकारकश्च । पृथ्वीपतिश्चातिविमोहितश्च विमोहिनीचेष्टितसौख्ययुक्तः ॥ २५ ॥

He becomes free from disease and endowed with prosperity; he becomes a cause of abundant rains and festive celebrations. He becomes a ruler of the earth, though greatly deluded—finding pleasure in the enticing, bewildering play of Māyā.

Verse 26

दिनं न जानाति न चापि रात्रिं मासं च पक्षं च स वत्सरं च । अतीव मुग्धः सुरतेन तस्या विरंचिपुत्र्याः शुभचेष्टितायाः ॥ २६ ॥

He no longer knew day or night, nor month, fortnight, or even year—so utterly was he bewitched by union with her, that daughter of Virāñci (Brahmā), whose alluring actions seemed auspicious and charming.

Verse 27

विमोहिनीसंगमने नृपस्य बभूव शक्तिस्त्वधिका मनोजे । यथा यथा सेवत एव भूपस्तथा तथा वृद्धिमियर्ति वीर्यम् । पक्षेषु शुक्लेष्विव शीतभानुर्न क्षीयते संततसेवनेन ॥ २६ ॥

When the king consorted with Vimohinī, his power in erotic desire became even greater. The more the ruler indulged, the more his virility increased; like the moon in the bright fortnight, it does not diminish through continual enjoyment.

Verse 28

वृंदारकः पीतसुधारसो यथा संस्पृश्य संस्पृश्य पुनर्नवोऽसौ । पिबंस्तु पानं सुमनोहरं हि श्रृण्वंस्तु गीतं सुपदप्रयुक्तम् ॥ २७ ॥

Just as a deva, having tasted the essence of nectar, becomes ever fresh again and again by touching it repeatedly, so too one who drinks a truly delightful draught—and one who listens to a song set in well-chosen words—finds renewed freshness of mind time after time.

Verse 29

पश्यंश्च रूपं स नितंबिनीनां स्पृशन्स्पृशन्मोहिनिवक्त्रचंद्रम् । विमर्द्दमानस्तु करेण तुंगौ सुखेन पीनौ पिशितोपरूढौ ॥ २९ ॥

Gazing upon the beauty of those full-hipped women, again and again touching the moon-like face of the enchanting one, he fondled with his hand her lofty, full breasts—fleshly and well-formed—with ease.

Verse 30

घनस्तनौ कांचनकुंभतुल्यौ प्रच्छादितौ हारविभूषणेन । वलित्रयं नातिविवर्द्धमानं मनोहरं लोमशराजिशोभम् ॥ ३० ॥

Her full breasts, like golden water-jars, were covered with a necklace as an ornament; and her three waist-folds were not overly pronounced—charming, and beautified by a lovely line of fine body-hair.

Verse 31

स्तनस्य रूपं परितो विलोक्य दध्रे वरांग्याः शुभलोचनायाः । नहीदृशं चारुतरं नितांतं नितंबिनीनां मनसोऽभिरामम् ॥ ३१ ॥

Gazing all around at the form of the breasts of that fair-limbed, beautiful-eyed woman, he was struck with wonder—never indeed had he seen anything so exceedingly lovely, so utterly enchanting to the mind, among women with shapely hips.

Verse 32

यादृग्विधं मोहिनमोहनार्थं विनिर्मितं यद्विधिना स्वरूपम् । मृगेंद्रशत्रोःकरसन्निकाशे जंघे विलोमे द्रुतकांचनाभे ॥ ३२ ॥

Such was the form that the Ordainer fashioned—intended to enchant even Mohinī the Enchantress: its shanks were like the forearms of the foe of the lord of beasts, with the hair lying contrary, and gleaming like molten gold.

Verse 33

शशांककांतिर्द्दशनस्य पंक्तिर्निगूढगुल्फे जनमोहनार्थम् । आपादशीर्षं किल तत्स्वरूपं संपश्यतच्चारुविशालनेत्र्याः ॥ ३३ ॥

Her row of teeth shone with moonlike radiance; her ankles were gently concealed, as though to enchant the world. From her feet up to her head, he beheld the entire form of that lovely, large-eyed maiden.

Verse 34

मेने सुराणामधिकं हि राजा कृतार्थमात्मानमतीव हर्षात् । अहो सुतन्वी विपुलेक्षणेयं याचिष्यते यच्च तदेव देयम् ॥ ३४ ॥

Overjoyed, the king deemed himself even more fulfilled than the gods. “Ah! This slender-waisted, large-eyed lady—whatever she asks, that alone must be granted,” he thought.

Verse 35

अस्यास्तु रम्ये सुरते शुभाया दास्यामि चांते निजवित्तजातम् । सुदुर्लभं देयमदेयमन्यैर्दास्यामि चास्या यदि वाप्यदेयम् ॥ ३५ ॥

At the end of this auspicious and delightful union with her, I shall give her what arises from my own wealth. Even what is exceedingly rare—whether others would give it or would not give it—I shall bestow upon her, even if it is ordinarily not to be given.

Verse 36

यद्यप्यदेयं मम जीवितं हि याचिष्यते चेद्यदि हेमवर्णा । दास्यामि चेदं न विचारयिष्ये पुत्रं विना नास्ति नदेयमस्याः ॥ ३६ ॥

Even if my very life is not something to be given away—should the golden-hued lady ask for it, I will give it without hesitation. For apart from her son, there is nothing of hers that is not to be granted.

Verse 37

इति श्रीबृहन्नारदीयपुराणोत्तरभागे मोहिनीप्रणयवर्णनं नामैकोनविंशोऽध्यायः ॥ १९ ॥

Thus ends the nineteenth chapter, entitled “The Description of Mohinī’s Love Episode,” in the Uttara-bhāga (later section) of the sacred Bṛhan-Nāradīya Purāṇa.