Adhyaya 58

Verse 1

विष्णुरुवाच । क्रीडाप्रयुक्तासु वनं प्रविष्टा वैश्यस्य भार्या सुकला सुतन्वी । ददर्श सर्वं गहनं मनोरमं तामेव पप्रच्छ सखीं सती सा

Viṣṇu said: Urged on by play, Sukalā—the slender, virtuous wife of a Vaiśya—entered the forest. Seeing it wholly dense and delightful, that chaste woman questioned her very friend.

Verse 2

अरण्यमेतत्प्रवरं सुपुण्यं दिव्यं सखे कस्य मनोभिरामम् । सिद्धंसुकामैः प्रवरैः समस्तैः पप्रच्छ हर्षात्सुकला सखीं ताम्

“This forest is foremost—most holy and divine, O friend—whose delightful grove is it?” In her joy, Sukalā asked that friend about it, a place perfected and cherished by the best of Siddhas and by those whose desires are fulfilled.

Verse 3

क्रीडोवाच । एतद्वनं दिव्यगुणैः प्रयुक्तं सिद्धस्वभावैः परिभावनेन । पुष्पाकुलं कामफलोपयुक्तं विपश्य सर्वं मकरध्वजस्य

Krīḍa said: “Behold this forest, endowed with divine qualities and brought to perfection by the innate powers of the accomplished. It is filled with blossoms and fit to bestow the fruits of desire; see—this all belongs to Makaradhvaja (Kāma).”

Verse 4

एवं वाक्यं ततः श्रुत्वा हर्षेण महतान्विता । समालोक्य महद्वृत्तं कामस्य च दुरात्मनः

Hearing those words, she was filled with great joy; and, observing the grave turn of events brought about by the wicked-natured Kāma, she took note of what had occurred.

Verse 5

वायुना नीयमानं तं समाघ्राति न सौरभम् । वाति वायुः स्वभावेन सौरभेण समन्वितः

Carried along by the wind, it does not itself smell the fragrance. The wind blows by its very nature, though it is infused with perfume.

Verse 6

तद्बाणो विशतेनासां यथा तथा सुलीलया । सा गंधं नैव गृह्णाति पुष्पाणां च वरानना

His arrow enters her nostrils in one way and another, playfully; yet that fair-faced lady does not at all perceive the fragrance of flowers.

Verse 7

न चास्वादयते सा तु सुरसान्सा महासती । स सखा कामदेवस्य रममाणो विनिर्जितः

But that great chaste lady Surasānsā did not partake of it. And he—Kāmadeva’s companion—though sporting in delight, was overcome.

Verse 8

लज्जितः पराङ्मुखो भूत्वा भूं पपात लवच्छदैः । फलेभ्यो हि सुपक्वेभ्यः पुष्पमंजरिसंस्कृतः

Ashamed, he turned his face away and fell to the ground, his body covered with tender leaves—adorned with flower-clusters and bearing fruits that were fully ripe.

Verse 9

लवरूपोपतद्भूमौ रसस्त्वेष तया जितः । मकरंदः सुदीनात्मा फलाद्भूमिं ततः पुनः

When the essence fell to the ground as a single drop, she overcame it. Then Makaraṃda, downcast at heart, again fell from the fruit to the earth.

Verse 10

भक्ष्यते मक्षिकाभिश्च यथामृतो रणे तथा । मक्षिकाभक्ष्यमाणस्तु प्रवाहेन प्रयाति सः

He is devoured by flies, like a man slain in battle. And even as the flies feed on him, the current carries him away.

Verse 11

मंदंमंदं प्रयात्येव तं हसंति च पक्षिणः । नानारुतैः प्रचलंति सुखमानंदनिर्भरैः

As he moved along ever so slowly, the birds laughed at him; with their many calls they flitted about at ease, brimming with joy.

Verse 12

प्रीत्या शकुनयस्तत्र वनमध्यनगस्थिताः । सुकलया जितो ह्येष निम्नं पंथानमाश्रितः

There the birds—dwelling on the mountain amid the forest—were filled with affection. Truly, conquered by Sukalā, he took to the lower path.

Verse 13

प्रीत्या समेता रतिः कामभार्या गत्वाब्रवीत्सा सुकलां विहस्य । स्वस्त्यस्तु ते स्वागतमेव भद्रे रमस्व प्रीत्या नयनाभिरामम्

Rati, Kāma’s beloved wife, went joyfully to Sukalā and, smiling, said: “May auspiciousness be yours, dear one—welcome indeed! Delight yourself with joy in this lovely place, so pleasing to the eyes.”

Verse 14

ते रूपमिष्टममलमिंद्रस्यापि महात्मनः । यदेष्टं ते तदा ब्रूहि समानेष्ये न संशयः

That pure and cherished form of yours is dear even to great-souled Indra. Therefore tell me what you desire; I shall bring it to you—without doubt.

Verse 15

सूत उवाच । वदंत्यौ ते स्त्रियौ दृष्ट्वा श्रुत्वोवाच सुभाषितम् । रतिं प्रतिगृहीत्वा मे गतो भर्त्ता महामतिः

Sūta said: Seeing those two women speaking, he listened and then replied with well-spoken words. Having accepted my love, my husband—the great-minded one—departed.

Verse 16

यत्र मे तिष्ठते भर्त्ता तत्राहं पतिसंयुता । तत्र कामश्च मे प्रीतिरयं कायो निराश्रयः

Where my husband abides, there am I, united with my lord. There alone are my longing and my joy; otherwise this body is without refuge.

Verse 17

द्वे अप्युक्तं समाकर्ण्य रतिप्रीती विलज्जिते । व्रीडमाने गते ते द्वे यत्र कामो महाबलः

Hearing what was said, both Rati and Prīti grew embarrassed; and, feeling shy, the two of them went away to where mighty Kāma was.

Verse 18

ऊचतुस्तं महावीरमिंद्रकाय समाश्रितम् । चापमाकर्षमाणं तं नेत्रलक्ष्यं महाबलम्

They spoke to that great hero, mighty in strength, who had assumed Indra’s form; he was drawing his bow, unwavering in aim, his very gaze fixing the target.

Verse 19

दुर्जयेयं महाप्राज्ञ त्यज पौरुषमात्मनः । पतिकामा महाभागा पतिव्रता सदैव सा

“O great sage, she is unconquerable—abandon your self-assertion. That blessed woman, ever devoted as a pativratā, desires only her husband.”

Verse 20

काम उवाच । अनया लोक्यते रूपमिंद्रस्यास्य महात्मनः । यदि देवि तदा चाहं हनिष्यामि न संशयः

Kāma said: “Through her, the form of this great-souled Indra is beheld. If you consent, O Goddess, then I shall strike him—of this there is no doubt.”

Verse 21

अथ वेषधरो देवो महारूपः सुराधिपः । स तयानुगतस्तूर्णं परया लीलया तदा

Then the Lord—disguised, of magnificent form, the ruler of the gods—swiftly followed her at that moment, with supreme, playful ease.

Verse 22

सर्वभोगसमाकीर्णः सर्वाभरणशोभितः । दिव्यमाल्यांबरधरो दिव्यगंधानुलेपनः

Abounding in every enjoyment, adorned with all ornaments, he wore divine garlands and garments, and was anointed with heavenly fragrances.

Verse 23

तया रत्या समायातो यत्रास्ते पतिदेवता । प्रत्युवाच महाभागां सुकलां सत्यचारिणीम्

Accompanied by Rati, he came to the place where the husband-devoted lady was staying; and Sukalā, virtuous and true in conduct, replied to that noble woman.

Verse 24

पूर्वं दूती समक्षं ते प्रीत्या च प्रहिता मया । कस्मान्न मन्यसे भद्रे भजंतं त्वामिहागतम्

Formerly, out of affection, I sent a female messenger to you in your very presence. Why, O gracious lady, do you not accept me—who have come here seeking you in devotion?

Verse 25

सुकलोवाच । रक्षायुक्तास्मि भद्रं ते भर्तुः पुत्रैर्महात्मभिः । एकाकिनीसहायैश्च नैव कस्य भयं मम

Sukalā said: “I am well protected—blessings upon you—by my husband’s noble sons, great-souled men, and also by companions who are not alone. Therefore I fear no one.”

Verse 26

शूरैश्च पुरुषाकारैः सर्वत्र परिरक्षिता । नाति प्रस्तावये वक्तुं व्यग्रा कर्मणि तस्य च

Everywhere she was guarded by brave, manly warriors. I found no fitting opening to speak, and she too was engrossed in her duties.

Verse 27

यावत्प्रस्यंदते नेत्रं तावत्कालं महामते । भवान्न लज्जते कस्माद्रममाणो मया सह

So long as your eye continues to stream with tears, for all that time, O great-minded one—why do you not feel ashamed, sporting with me?

Verse 28

भवान्को हि समायातो निर्भयो मरणादपि । इंद्र उवाच । त्वामेवं हि प्रपश्यामि वनमध्ये समागताम्

“Who are you that have come here, fearless even in the face of death?” Indra said: “I see you thus, arrived here in the midst of the forest.”

Verse 29

समाख्यातास्त्वया शूरा भर्तुश्च तनयाः पुनः । कथं पश्याम्यहं तावद्दर्शयस्व ममाग्रतः

You have spoken to me again of those heroic ones—my husband’s sons. But how am I to see them? Please show them to me here, before my eyes.

Verse 30

सुकलोवाच । सनिजसकलवर्गस्याधिपत्ये निवेश्य धृतिमतिगतिबुद्ध्य्ख्यैस्तु संन्यस्य सत्यम् । अचलसकलधर्मो नित्ययुक्तो महात्मा मदनसबलधर्मात्मा सदामां जुगोप

Sukala said: Having installed his entire retinue in positions of authority, and truly renouncing all claim to firmness, thought, movement, and even intellect itself, that great soul—steadfast in every virtue and ever united with yoga—though stirred by Kāma (desire), always protected me.

Verse 31

मामेवं परिरक्षते दमगुणैः शौचैस्तु धर्मः सदा सत्यं पश्य समागतं मम पुरः शांतिक्षमाभ्यांयुतम् । बोधश्चातिमहाबलः पृथुयशा यो मां न मुंचेत्कदा बद्धाहं दृढबंधनैः स्वगुणजैः सांनिध्यमेवं गतः

Thus am I protected by the virtues of self-restraint. Through purity, Dharma ever abides; behold—Truth itself has come before me, endowed with peace and forbearance. And mighty Understanding, of wide renown, never releases me. I am bound fast by firm bonds born of my own qualities, and so I have come into this state of close attendance.

Verse 32

रक्षायुक्ताः कृताः सर्वे सत्याद्या मम सांप्रतम् । धर्मलाभादिकाः सर्वे दमबुद्धिपराक्रमाः

Now all of them—beginning with Satya—have been placed under my protection. All of them, endowed with righteousness and its gains, possess self-control, sound judgment, and valor.

Verse 33

मामेवं हि प्ररक्षंति किं मां प्रार्थयसे बलात् । को भवान्निर्भयो भूत्वा दूत्या सार्धं समागतः

“They are indeed guarding me in this very manner—so why do you press your suit upon me by force? Who are you, who—becoming fearless—have come here together with a female messenger?”

Verse 34

सत्यं धर्मस्तथा पुण्यं ज्ञानाद्याः प्रबलास्तथा । मम भर्तुः सहायाश्च ते मां रक्षंति वेश्मनि

Truth, Dharma, merit (puṇya), and knowledge and the like are indeed mighty; they are my husband’s allies, and they protect me within this home.

Verse 35

अहं रक्षायुता नित्यं दमशांतिपरायणा । न मां जेतुं समर्थश्च अपि साक्षाच्छचीपतिः

I am ever guarded and always devoted to self-control and peace; even Indra himself, Śacī’s lord, is not capable of conquering me.

Verse 36

यदि वा मन्मथो वापि समागच्छति वीर्यवान् । दंशिताहं सदा सत्यं सत्यकेनैव नान्यथा

Even if Manmatha himself, mighty in power, were to come before me—truly, I have always been stung/bitten, and that indeed only by Satyaka, not by anyone else.

Verse 37

निरर्थकास्तस्य बाणा भविष्यंति न संशयः । त्वामेवं हि हनिष्यंति धर्मादयो महाभटाः

His arrows will become futile—of this there is no doubt. In this very manner, the great warriors led by Dharma will surely slay you.

Verse 38

दूरं गच्छ पलायत्वमत्र मा तिष्ठ सांप्रतम् । वार्यमाणो यदा तिष्ठेर्भस्मीभूतो भविष्यसि

Go far away—flee from here at once. Do not remain here now. If, though being warned, you still stay, you will be reduced to ashes.

Verse 39

भर्त्रा विना निरीक्षेत मम रूपं यदा भवान् । यथा दारु दहेदग्निस्तथा धक्ष्यामि नान्यथा

If you gaze upon my form when my husband is not present, then—just as fire burns wood—so shall I burn you; it will be no other way.

Verse 40

एवं श्रुत्वा सहस्राक्षो मन्मथस्यापि सम्मुखम् । पश्य पौरुषमेतस्या युध्यस्व निजपौरुषैः

Hearing this, Sahasrākṣa (Indra), even in Manmatha’s very presence, said: “Behold her valor; fight with your own manly strength.”

Verse 41

यथागतास्तथा सर्वे महाशापभयातुराः । स्वंस्वं स्थानं महाराज इंद्राद्याः प्रययुस्तदा

Just as they had come, so they all departed, distressed by fear of a great curse. Then Indra and the other gods returned to their respective abodes, O great king.

Verse 42

गतेषु तेषु सर्वेषु सुकला सा पतिव्रता । स्वगृहं पुण्यसंयुक्ता पतिध्यानेन चागता

When all of them had departed, Sukalā—the devoted wife, a pativrata—returned to her own home, endowed with merit, absorbed in meditation upon her husband.

Verse 43

स्वगृहं पुण्यसंयुक्तं सर्वतीर्थमयं तदा । सर्वयज्ञमयं राजन्संप्राप्ता पतिदेवता

Then, O King, her own home—endowed with merit—became filled with the power of all sacred tīrthas and the fruit of all yajñas, for the wife who reveres her husband as a deity had arrived there.

Verse 58

इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे भूमिखंडे वेनोपाख्याने सुकलाचरित्रेष्टपंचाशत्तमोऽध्यायः

Thus ends the fifty-eighth chapter—the account of Sukalā—within the Vena episode, in the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa of the revered Padma Purāṇa.