Adhyaya 51

Verse 1

ब्राह्मण्युवाच । गते तस्मिन्दुराचारे गोभिले पापचेतसि । पद्मावती रुरोदाथ दुःखेन महतान्विता

The Brāhmaṇī said: When that wicked Gobhila, of evil conduct and sinful mind, had departed, Padmāvatī wept, overwhelmed by great sorrow.

Verse 2

तस्यास्तु रुदितं श्रुत्वा सख्यः सर्वा द्विजोत्तम । पप्रच्छुस्तां राजकन्यां ताः सर्वाश्च वराननाः

O best of brāhmaṇas, hearing her weeping, all her friends—those fair-faced maidens—questioned that princess.

Verse 3

कस्माद्रोदिषि भद्रं ते कथयस्व हि चेष्टितम् । क्व गतोऽसौ महाराजो माथुराधिपतिस्तव

Why do you weep? Blessings to you—tell what has occurred. Where has that great king, your lord of Mathurā, gone?

Verse 4

येन त्वं हि समाहूता प्रियेत्युक्त्वा वदस्व नः । ता उवाच सुदुःखेन रोदमाना पुनः पुनः

“Tell us why you were summoned, being addressed as ‘Beloved.’” Thus questioned, she replied in deep sorrow, weeping again and again.

Verse 5

तया आवेदितं सर्वं यज्जातं दोषसंभवम् । ताभिर्नीता पितुर्गेहं वेपमाना सुदुःखिता

She related everything that had happened—whatever had arisen from fault and wrongdoing. Then those women took her to her father’s house, while she trembled, overwhelmed with sorrow.

Verse 6

मातुः समक्षं तस्यास्तु आचचक्षुस्तदा स्त्रियः । समाकर्ण्य ततो देवी गता सा भर्तृमंदिरम्

Then, in her mother’s presence, the women reported the matter to her. Hearing it, the lady went to her husband’s residence.

Verse 7

भर्तारं श्रावयामास सुतावृत्तांतमेव हि । समाकर्ण्य ततो राजा महादुःखी अजायत

Indeed, she informed her husband of the entire account concerning their son. Hearing it, the king then became deeply sorrowful.

Verse 8

यानाच्छादनकं दत्वा परिवारसमन्विताम् । मथुरां प्रेषयामास गता सा प्रियमंदिरम्

After giving her a conveyance and a covering, and sending her along with her attendants to Mathurā, she then went to her beloved’s residence.

Verse 9

सुतादोषं समाच्छाद्य पितामाता द्विजोत्तम । उग्रसेनस्तु धर्मात्मा पद्मावतीं समागताम्

O best of the twice-born, the father and mother concealed their daughter’s fault; and righteous Ugrasena then met Padmāvatī, who had arrived.

Verse 10

स दृष्ट्वा मुमुदे चाशु उवाचेदं वचः पुनः । त्वया विना न शक्तोस्मि जीवितुं हि वरानने

Seeing her, he at once rejoiced and again spoke these words: “Without you, O beautiful-faced one, I am truly not able to live.”

Verse 11

बहुप्रभासि मे प्रीता गुणशीलैस्तु सर्वदा । भक्त्या सत्येन ते कांते पतिदैवत्यकैर्गुणैः

O radiant one, you are ever dear to me for your virtuous nature—through your devotion and your truthfulness, O beloved, and through those qualities by which you hold your husband as your very deity.

Verse 12

समाभाष्य प्रियां भार्यां पद्मावतीं नरेश्वरः । तया सार्धं स वै रेमे उग्रसेनो नृपोत्तमः

Having spoken affectionately with his beloved wife Padmāvatī, the lord of men—King Ugrasena, best of rulers—took delight in her company.

Verse 13

ववृधे दारुणो गर्भः सर्वलोकभयप्रदः । पद्मावती विजानाति तस्य गर्भस्य कारणम्

The dreadful embryo grew, becoming a source of fear to all the worlds. Padmāvatī, however, understood the cause behind that pregnancy.

Verse 14

स्वोदरे वर्द्धमानस्य चिंतयंती दिवानिशम् । अनेन किमु जातेन लोकनाशकरेण वै

Day and night she worried about the one growing within her womb: “What is the use of giving birth to this one—truly a destroyer of the world?”

Verse 15

अनेनापि न मे कार्यं दुष्टपुत्रेण सांप्रतम् । औषधीं पृच्छते सा तु गर्भपातस्य सर्वतः

“Even with him I have no business now—with that wicked son.” Thus she asked everywhere for a medicinal herb to bring about a miscarriage.

Verse 16

नारी महौषधीं सा हि विंदंती च दिने दिने । गर्भस्य पातनायैव उपाया बहुशः कृताः

That woman, indeed, kept finding potent medicinal herbs day after day; and many measures were repeatedly undertaken solely to bring about the fall of the womb and end the pregnancy.

Verse 17

ववृधे दारुणो गर्भः सर्वलोकभयंकरः । तामुवाच ततो गर्भः पद्मावतीं च मातरम्

The dreadful embryo grew, terrifying to all the worlds. Then the embryo spoke to Padmāvatī, his mother.

Verse 18

कस्मात्त्वं व्यथसे मातरौषधीभिर्दिनेदिने । पुण्येन वर्द्धते चायुः पापेनाल्पं तु जीवितम्

Mother, why do you grieve day after day over medicines? Through merit (puṇya) the span of life increases, but through sin (pāpa) one’s life becomes short.

Verse 19

आत्मकर्मविपाकेन जीवंति च म्रियंति च । आमगर्भाः प्रयांत्यन्ये अपक्वास्तु महीतले

By the ripening of the results of one’s own deeds (karma), beings live and also die. Some depart while still in the womb, while others—still unripe—remain upon the earth.

Verse 20

जातमात्रा म्रियंतेऽन्ये कति ते यौवनान्विताः । बाला वृद्धाश्च तरुणा आयुषोवशतां गताः

Some die the very moment they are born; how few are those who attain youth. Children, the old, and the young alike are carried away under the dominion of lifespan and Time.

Verse 21

सर्वे कर्मविपाकेन जीवंति च म्रियंति च । ओषध्यो मंत्रदेवाश्च निमित्ताः स्युर्न संशयः

All beings live and die as the ripening of their karma; medicines, mantras, and deities are only instrumental causes—of this there is no doubt.

Verse 22

मामेव हि न जानासि भवती यादृशो ह्यहम् । दृष्टः श्रुतस्त्वया पूर्वं कालनेमिर्महाबलः

Indeed, you do not recognize me—who I truly am. Earlier you had seen and heard of the mighty Kālanemi.

Verse 23

दानवानां महावीर्यस्त्रैलोक्यस्य भयप्रदः । देवासुरे महायुद्धे हतोहं विष्णुना पुरा

I was a mighty hero among the Dānavas, a bringer of fear to the three worlds. In the great war between the Devas and Asuras, I was once slain by Viṣṇu.

Verse 24

साधयितुं च तद्वैरमागतोऽस्मि तवोदरम् । साहसं च श्रमं मातर्मा कुरुष्व दिन दिने

And to accomplish that enmity, I have come into your womb. Mother, do not undertake rash exertion and hardship day after day.

Verse 25

एवमुक्त्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठ मातरं विरराम सः । मातोद्यमं परित्यज्य महादुःखादभूत्तदा

Having spoken thus, O best of brāhmaṇas, he fell silent before his mother; abandoning her effort, she then became overwhelmed with great sorrow.

Verse 26

दशाब्दाश्च गता यावत्तावद्वृद्धिमवाप्तवान् । पश्चाज्जज्ञे महातेजाः कंसोभूत्स महाबलः

When ten years had passed, he had attained full growth; thereafter was born the greatly radiant Kaṃsa, mighty in strength.

Verse 27

येन संत्रासिता लोकास्त्रैलोक्यस्य निवासिनः । यो हतो वासुदेवेन गतो मोक्षं न संशयः

He by whom the inhabitants of the three worlds were terrorized—when slain by Vāsudeva—attains liberation; of this there is no doubt.

Verse 28

एवं श्रुतं मया कांत भविष्यं तु भविष्यति । पुराणेष्वेव सर्वेषु निश्चितं कथितं तव

Thus have I heard, O beloved; what is destined to occur will indeed occur. In all the Purāṇas this has been declared to you as a settled certainty.

Verse 29

पितृगेहेस्थिता कन्या नाशमेवं प्रयाति सा । गृहावासाय मे कांत कन्या मोहं न कारयेत्

A maiden who remains in her father’s house comes to ruin in this way. Therefore, my beloved, for the sake of household life, one should not let a daughter become a cause of delusion or attachment.

Verse 30

इमां दुष्टां महापापां परित्यज्य स्थिरो भव । प्राप्तव्यं तु महापापं दुःखं दारुणमेव च

Abandon this wicked woman of great sin, and remain steadfast; otherwise, you will surely incur great sin and dreadful suffering.

Verse 31

लोके श्रेयःकरं कांत तद्भुंक्ष्व त्वं मया सह । शूकर्युवाच । एतद्वाक्यं सुमंत्रं तु श्रुत्वा स हि द्विजोत्तमः

“Beloved, partake of this with me—it brings welfare in this world,” said Śūkarī. Hearing these words of Sumantra, that excellent brāhmaṇa…

Verse 32

त्यागे मतिं चकारासौ समाहूता ह्यहं तदा । सकलं वस्त्रशृंगारं मम दत्तं शुभे शृणु

She then resolved to renounce everything. At that time I was summoned; listen, O auspicious one—she gave me all her garments and ornaments.

Verse 33

तवैव दुर्नयैर्विप्रः शिवशर्मा द्विजोत्तमः । गतो वै मतिमान्दुष्टे कुलदुष्टप्रचारिणि

Because of your very misconduct, the excellent brāhmaṇa Śivaśarmā—though wise—has indeed been driven away, O wicked woman who spreads disgrace in the family.

Verse 34

यत्र ते तिष्ठते भर्ता तत्र गच्छ न संशयः । तव यद्रोचते स्थानं यथादिष्टं तथा कुरु

Wherever your husband resides, go there—without doubt. And in the place that pleases you, do exactly as you have been instructed.

Verse 35

एवमुक्त्वा महाभागे पितृमातृकुटुंबकैः । परित्यक्ता गता शीघ्रं निर्लज्जाहं वरानने

“Having spoken thus, O noble lady, I was cast off by my father, mother, and family. Quickly I went away—shameless, O fair-faced one.”

Verse 36

न लभाम्यहमेवापि वासस्थानं सुखं शुभे । भर्त्सयंति च मां लोकाः पुंश्चलीयं समागता

O auspicious lady, I do not obtain even a comfortable, wholesome place to dwell; and the people who gather revile me, calling me a wanton woman.

Verse 37

अटमाना गता देशात्कुलमानेन वर्जिता । देशे गुर्जरके पुण्ये सौराष्ट्रे शिवमंदिरे

Wandering about, she left her homeland, cast out because of pride in lineage; and in the sacred land of Gurjara, in Saurāṣṭra, she came to a temple of Śiva.

Verse 38

वनस्थलेति विख्यातं नगरं वृद्धिसंकुलम् । अतीव पीडिता देवि क्षुधयाहं तदा शृणु

There was a city renowned as Vanasthalā, crowded with prosperity and growth. O Goddess, at that time I was severely afflicted by hunger—listen to what happened.

Verse 39

कर्परं हि करे गृह्य भिक्षार्थमुपचक्रमे । गृहिणां द्वारदेशेषु प्रविशामि सुदुःखिता

Taking a begging-bowl in my hand, I set out to seek alms; deeply afflicted, I go to the doorways of householders.

Verse 40

मम रूपं विपश्यंति लोकाः कुत्संति भामिनि । न ददंते च मे भिक्षां पापा चेयं समागता

Seeing my appearance, people despise me, O fair lady. They do not even give me alms—this sinful fate has come upon me.

Verse 41

एवं दुःखसमाहारा दारिद्र्यपरिपीडिता । अटंत्या च मया दृष्टं गृहमेकमनुत्तमम्

Thus, overwhelmed by a mass of sorrows and tormented by poverty, as I wandered about I beheld one house unsurpassed.

Verse 42

तुंगप्राकारसंवेष्टं वेदशालासमन्वितम् । वेदध्वनिसमाकीर्णं बहुविप्रसमाकुलम्

It was enclosed by lofty ramparts and furnished with halls for Vedic study; filled with the resonance of Vedic recitation and thronged with many brāhmaṇas.

Verse 43

धनधान्यसमाकीर्णं दासीदासैरलंकृतम् । प्रविवेश गृहं रम्यं लक्ष्मीमुदितमेव तत्

He entered a lovely house, filled with wealth and grain, adorned with maidservants and servants—indeed, that home seemed gladdened by prosperity, as though by Lakṣmī herself.

Verse 44

तद्गृहं सर्वतोभद्रं तस्यैव शिवशर्मणः । भिक्षां देहीत्युवाचाथ सुदेवा दुःखपीडिता

Then she came to the auspicious house of that very Śivaśarman. Afflicted by sorrow, Sudevā said, “Grant me alms.”

Verse 45

शिवशर्माथ शुश्राव भिक्षाशब्दं द्विजोत्तमः । मंगलां नाम वै भार्यां लक्ष्मीरूपां वराननाम्

Then Śivaśarmā, the best of brāhmaṇas, heard the cry for alms. His wife was named Maṅgalā—Lakṣmī-like in form, and of a most beautiful face.

Verse 46

तां हसन्प्राह धर्मात्मा शिवशर्मा महामतिः । इयं हि दुर्बला प्राप्ता भिक्षार्थं द्वारमागता

Smiling, the righteous and wise Śivaśarmā said to her: “This woman has come here—weak and helpless—arriving at our door to beg for alms.”

Verse 47

समाहूय प्रिये चैनां देहि त्वं भोजनं शुभे । कृपया परयाविष्टा ज्ञात्वा मां तु समागताम्

“Beloved, call her here and give her food, O auspicious one. Filled with the highest compassion, knowing that I have arrived, do this.”

Verse 48

प्रोवाच मंगला कांतं दास्यामि प्रिय भोजनम् । एवमुक्त्वा च भर्तारं मंगला मंगलान्विता

Maṅgalā said to her beloved, “I will serve you the food you love.” Having spoken thus to her husband, Maṅgalā—endowed with auspiciousness—proceeded accordingly.

Verse 49

पुनर्मां भोजयामास मिष्टान्नेन सुदुर्बलाम् । मामुवाच स धर्मात्मा शिवशर्मा महामुनिः

Again he fed me—though I was extremely weak—with sweet food. Then that righteous great sage, Śivaśarmā, spoke to me.

Verse 50

का त्वमत्र समायाता कस्य वा भ्रमसे जगत् । केन कार्येण सर्वत्र कथयस्व ममाग्रतः

“Who are you, who have come here? And for whose sake do you wander through the world? For what purpose do you go everywhere? Tell me plainly, here before me.”

Verse 51

इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे भूमिखंडे वेनोपाख्याने सुकलाचरित्रे । एकपंचाशत्तमोऽध्यायः

Thus ends the fifty-first chapter in the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa of the Śrī Padma Purāṇa, in the episode of Vena, concerning the narrative of Sukalā.

Verse 52

व्रीडयाधोमुखीजाता दृष्टो भर्ता यदा मया । मंगला चारुसर्वांगी भर्तारमिदमब्रवीत्

When I saw my husband, I became downcast, my face lowered in shame. Then Maṅgalā—lovely-limbed and beautiful in every part—spoke these words to her husband.

Verse 53

का चेयं हि समाचक्ष्व त्वां दृष्ट्वा हि विलज्जति । कथयस्व प्रसादेन का च एषा भविष्यति

Who indeed is this woman? Tell me clearly—on seeing you she becomes bashful. Kindly explain: who is she, and what will become of her?