Prakarana 13

Verse 258 (दोहा/सोरठा)

असुर मारि थापहिं सुरन्ह राखहिं निज श्रुति सेतु। जग बिस्तारहिं बिसद जस राम जन्म कर हेतु।।121।।

asura māri thāpahiṁ suranha rākha-hiṁ nija śruti setu | jaga bistārahiṁ bisada jasa rāma janma kara hetu ||121||

羅刹を討ち、神々を再び立て、ヴェーダの正しき堤を護る。世に無垢なる名声を遍く弘める――これぞラーマ降誕のまことの目的である。

Verse 259 (चौपाई)

सोइ जस गाइ भगत भव तरहीं। कृपासिंधु जन हित तनु धरहीं।। राम जनम के हेतु अनेका। परम बिचित्र एक तें एका।। जनम एक दुइ कहउँ बखानी। सावधान सुनु सुमति भवानी।। द्वारपाल हरि के प्रिय दोऊ। जय अरु बिजय जान सब कोऊ।। बिप्र श्राप तें दूनउ भाई। तामस असुर देह तिन्ह पाई।। कनककसिपु अरु हाटक लोचन। जगत बिदित सुरपति मद मोचन।। बिजई समर बीर बिख्याता। धरि बराह बपु एक निपाता।। होइ नरहरि दूसर पुनि मारा। जन प्रहलाद सुजस बिस्तारा।।

soi jasa gāi bhagata bhava tarahīṁ | kṛpāsiṁdhu jana-hita tanu dharahīṁ || rāma janama ke hetu anekā | parama bicitra eka tēṁ ekā || janama eka dui kahuṁ bakhānī | sāvadhāna sunu sumati bhavānī || dvārapāla hari ke priya doū | jaya aru vijaya jāna saba koū || bipra śrāpa tēṁ dūnau bhāī | tāmasa asura deha tinh pāī || kanakakasipu aru hāṭaka-locana | jagata bidita surapati mada mocana || vijayī samara bīra bikhyātā | dhari barāha bapu eka nipātā || hoi narahari dūsara puni mārā | jana prahalāda sujasa bistārā ||

Singing that very glory, the devotees cross the ocean of becoming; the Ocean of Mercy assumes a body for the welfare of His own. The causes for Rāma’s birth are many—each most wondrous, each surpassing the other. One or two births I shall now relate: listen with a steady mind, O Bhavānī of good understanding. Hari had two beloved gatekeepers—Jaya and Vijaya—known to all. By a brahmin’s curse, both brothers obtained demonic bodies, dark of nature. They became Hiraṇyakaśipu and Hiraṇyākṣa, renowned in the world, and occasions for the Lord to humble the pride of the king of gods. Vijaya, famed as a hero in battle—taking the form of Varāha, the Lord struck one down. Becoming Nṛsiṁha, He then slew the other, and spread abroad the fair renown of His servant Prahlāda.

Verse 260 (दोहा/सोरठा)

भए निसाचर जाइ तेइ महाबीर बलवान। कुंभकरन रावण सुभट सुर बिजई जग जान।।122 ।

bhae nisācara jāi tei mahābīra balavāna | kumbhakarana rāvaṇa subhaṭa sura-bijayī jaga jāna ||122||

かの夜にさまよう羅刹どもは、ひとたび世に出でるや、大いなる力を備えた勇士となった――クンバカルナとラーヴァナ、剛勇の覇者として、神々を征する者と世に名高かった。

Verse 261 (चौपाई)

मुकुत न भए हते भगवाना। तीनि जनम द्विज बचन प्रवाना।। एक बार तिन्ह के हित लागी। धरेउ सरीर भगत अनुरागी।। कस्यप अदिति तहाँ पितु माता। दसरथ कौसल्या बिख्याता।। एक कलप एहि बिधि अवतारा। चरित्र पवित्र किए संसारा।। एक कलप सुर देखि दुखारे। समर जलंधर सन सब हारे।। संभु कीन्ह संग्राम अपारा। दनुज महाबल मरइ न मारा।। परम सती असुराधिप नारी। तेहि बल ताहि न जितहिं पुरारी।।

mukuta na bhae hate bhagavānā | tīni janama dvija bacana pravānā || eka bāra tinha ke hita lāgī | dhareu sarīra bhagata anurāgī || kaśyapa aditi tahā̃ pitu mātā | dasaratha kausalya bikhyātā || eka kalapa ehi bidhi avatārā | caritra pavitra kie saṃsārā || eka kalapa sur dekhi dukhāre | samara jalaṃdhara sana saba hāre || saṃbhu kīnha saṅgrāma apārā | danuja mahābala marai na mārā || parama satī asurādhipa nārī | tehi bala tāhi na jitahiṃ purārī ||

Though the Lord had slain him, release was not granted—for the brahmin’s word had been made binding through three births. Once, for their welfare, the devotee-loving One assumed a body. There He had Kashyapa and Aditi as father and mother; and (again) He became famed as Dasharatha and Kaushalya’s son. In one aeon He thus descended, and by His holy deeds made the world pure. In another aeon, the gods, seeing their distress, all were defeated in war by Jalandhara. Shambhu waged an immeasurable battle, yet the mighty demon could not be slain though struck. For the demon-king’s wife was supremely chaste; by the power of that chastity even Purari (Shiva) could not overcome him.

Verse 262 (दोहा/सोरठा)

छल करि टारेउ तासु ब्रत प्रभु सुर कारज कीन्ह।। जब तेहि जानेउ मरम तब श्राप कोप करि दीन्ह।।123।।

chala kari ṭāreu tāsu brata prabhu sura kāraja kīnhā || jaba tehi jāneu marama taba śrāpa kopa kari dīnhā ||123||

主は周到なる御計らいによって、かの者の誓願をくじき、神々に定められた御業を成就された。内なる因縁を悟るや、彼は憤り、呪いを宣した。

Verse 263 (चौपाई)

तासु श्राप हरि दीन्ह प्रमाना। कौतुकनिधि कृपाल भगवाना।। तहाँ जलंधर रावन भयऊ। रन हति राम परम पद दयऊ।। एक जनम कर कारन एहा। जेहि लागि राम धरी नरदेहा।। प्रति अवतार कथा प्रभु केरी। सुनु मुनि बरनी कबिन्ह घनेरी।। नारद श्राप दीन्ह एक बारा। कलप एक तेहि लगि अवतारा।। गिरिजा चकित भई सुनि बानी। नारद बिष्नुभगत पुनि ग्यानि।। कारन कवन श्राप मुनि दीन्हा। का अपराध रमापति कीन्हा।। यह प्रसंग मोहि कहहु पुरारी। मुनि मन मोह आचरज भारी।।

tāsu śrāpa hari dīnha pramānā. kautuka-nidhi kṛpāla bhagavānā.. tahā̃ jalaṃdhara rāvaṇa bhayū. rana hati rāma parama pada dayū.. eka janama kara kārana ehā. jehi lāgi rāma dharī nara-dehā.. prati avatāra kathā prabhu kerī. sunu muni baranī kabi-nha ghanerī.. nārada śrāpa dīnha eka bārā. kalapa eka tehi lagi avatārā.. girijā cakita bhaī suni bānī. nārada biṣṇu-bhagata puni gyānī.. kārana kavan śrāpa muni dīnhā. kā aparādha ramā-pati kīnhā.. yaha prasaṅga mohi kahahu purārī. muni mana moha ācaraja bhārī..

The Lord accepted her curse as a true ordinance—He, the compassionate Blessed One, a treasury of divine play. In that connection Jalandhara became (the cause leading onward to) Ravana; slain in battle, Rama granted him the supreme state. This was the reason for a single birth—on whose account Rama assumed a human body. The Lord’s tale in each incarnation has been told in many ways by many poets; listen, O sage. Narada once pronounced a curse; for one whole aeon that became the occasion for the Lord’s descent. Girija, hearing these words, was astonished: Narada is a devotee of Vishnu, and yet also a knower. For what reason did the sage give a curse? What offence did the Lord of Lakshmi commit? Tell me this episode, O Purari; the sage’s mind was deeply bewildered—an amazing matter indeed.

Verse 264 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बोले बिहसि महेस तब ग्यानी मूढ़ न कोइ। जेहि जस रघुपति करहिं जब सो तस तेहि छन होइ।।124(क)।। कहउँ राम गुन गाथ भरद्वाज सादर सुनहु। भव भंजन रघुनाथ भजु तुलसी तजि मान मद।।124(ख)।।

bole bihasi mahesa taba gyānī mūṛha na koi | jehi jasa raghupati karahiṃ jaba so tasa tehi chana hoi ||124(ka)|| kahauṃ rāma guna gātha bharadvāja sādara sunahu | bhava-bhañjana raghunātha bhaju tulasī taji māna mada ||124(kha)||

そのときマヘーシャ（シヴァ）はやさしく微笑みつつ語った――真に賢き者もなく、真に愚かなる者もない。 ラグ族の主がいかなるありさまに衆生をお造りになるか、その瞬間に、その者はまさにそのとおりとなるのだ。 今より我は、ラーマの徳の物語を語ろう。バラドヴァージャよ、敬虔なる心で聴け。 輪廻の絆を断ち切るラグナータ（ラーマ）を礼拝せよ。トゥルシよ、慢心と我執の酔いを捨てよ。

Verse 265 (चौपाई)

हिमगिरि गुहा एक अति पावनि। बह समीप सुरसरी सुहावनि।। आश्रम परम पुनीत सुहावा। देखि देवरिषि मन अति भावा।। निरखि सैल सरि बिपिन बिभागा। भयउ रमापति पद अनुरागा।। सुमिरत हरिहि श्राप गति बाधी। सहज बिमल मन लागि समाधी।। मुनि गति देखि सुरेस डेराना। कामहि बोलि कीन्ह सनमाना।। सहित सहाय जाहु मम हेतू। चकेउ हरषि हियँ जलचरकेतू।। सुनासीर मन महुँ असि त्रासा। चहत देवरिषि मम पुर बासा।। जे कामी लोलुप जग माहीं। कुटिल काक इव सबहि डेराहीं।।

himagiri guhā eka ati pāvani | baha samīpa surasarī suhāvani || āśrama parama punīta suhāvā | dekhi devar̥ṣi mana ati bhāvā || nirakhi saila sari bipina bibhāgā | bhayu ramāpati pada anurāgā || sumirata harihi śrāpa gati bādhī | sahaja bimala mana lāgi samādhī || muni gati dekhi sureśa ḍerānā | kāmahi boli kīnha sanamānā || sahita sahāya jāhu mama hetū | cakeu haraṣi hiyaṁ jalacaraketū || sunāsīra mana mahuṁ asi trāsā | cahata devar̥ṣi mama pura bāsā || je kāmī lolupa jaga māhīṁ | kuṭila kāka iva sabahi ḍerāhīṁ ||

There was a cave on Himagiri, most purifying; and near it flowed the lovely Surasari. A hermitage, supremely holy and fair—on seeing it the divine seer’s heart was greatly pleased. Gazing on the mountain, the river, and the ordered reaches of the forest, he grew enamored of the Lotus-feet of the Lord of Rama. As he remembered Hari, the binding course of a curse was checked; his naturally stainless mind entered absorption. Seeing the sage’s state, Indra was alarmed; he summoned Kama and showed him honor. “Go, with your helpers, for my purpose.” Hearing this, the Fish-bannered one was amazed and inwardly delighted. In Indra’s mind arose such fear: “The divine seer desires to dwell in my city.” Those in the world who are lustful and greedy—like crooked crows—go about frightening everyone.

Verse 266 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सुख हाड़ लै भाग सठ स्वान निरखि मृगराज। छीनि लेइ जनि जान जड़ तिमि सुरपतिहि न लाज।।125।।

sukha hāṛa lai bhāga saṭha svāna nirakhi mṛgarāja | chīni lei jani jāna jaṛa timi surapatihi na lāja ||125||

卑しき犬は、ただの骨ひとつに喜び、獅子を見れば逃げ去る。愚か者よ、獅子がそれを奪い取ると思うな――同じく、神々の主は、そのような些末なものを争うことに、恥も要もない。

Verse 267 (चौपाई)

तेहि आश्रमहिं मदन जब गयऊ। निज मायाँ बसंत निरमयऊ।। कुसुमित बिबिध बिटप बहुरंगा। कूजहिं कोकिल गुंजहि भृंगा।। चली सुहावनि त्रिबिध बयारी। काम कृसानु बढ़ावनिहारी।। रंभादिक सुरनारि नबीना । सकल असमसर कला प्रबीना।। करहिं गान बहु तान तरंगा। बहुबिधि क्रीड़हि पानि पतंगा।। देखि सहाय मदन हरषाना। कीन्हेसि पुनि प्रपंच बिधि नाना।। काम कला कछु मुनिहि न ब्यापी। निज भयँ डरेउ मनोभव पापी।। सीम कि चाँपि सकइ कोउ तासु। बड़ रखवार रमापति जासू।।

tehi āśramahiṁ madana jaba gayaū | nija māyāṁ basanta niramayaū || kusumita bibidha biṭapa bahuraṅgā | kūjahiṁ kokila guṁjahi bhṛṅgā || calī suhāvani tribidha bayārī | kāma kṛsānu baṛhāvanihārī || raṁbhādika suranāri nabīnā | sakala asamasara kalā prabīnā || karahiṁ gāna bahu tāna taraṅgā | bahubidhi krīṛahi pāni pataṅgā || dekhi sahāya madana haraṣānā | kīnhesi puni prapaṁca bidhi nānā || kāma kalā kachu munihi na byāpī | nija bhayaṁ ḍareu manobhava pāpī || sīma ki cāṁpi sakai kou tāsu | baṛa rakhavāra ramāpati jāsu ||

When Cupid entered that hermitage, he conjured, by his own enchantment, the very spring. Trees of many kinds stood in flower, many-hued; cuckoos warbled and bees droned. A pleasing threefold breeze began to move, kindling the fire of desire. Rambhā and other heavenly nymphs, fresh in youth, peerless and accomplished in every grace, sang in waves of varied melodies; water-birds sported in many ways. Seeing such allies, Cupid exulted and again devised manifold artifices. Yet the sage was not touched in the least by the arts of love; the sinful mind-born god trembled in his own fear. Who can hem in one whose guardian is the Lord of Lakṣmī? Who can press a limit upon him?

Verse 268 (दोहा/सोरठा)

सहित सहाय सभीत अति मानि हारि मन मैन। गहेसि जाइ मुनि चरन तब कहि सुठि आरत बैन।।126।।

sahita sahāya sabhīta ati māni hāri mana maina | gahesi jāi muni carana taba kahi suṭhi ārata baina ||126||

供の者や従者を伴い、恐れに震えつつ――恋（カーマ）の騒ぎに心底打ち負かされたと思い定め――彼は行って仙人の御足を抱き、ふさわしくも痛切な言葉で語った。

Verse 269 (चौपाई)

भयउ न नारद मन कछु रोषा। कहि प्रिय बचन काम परितोषा।। नाइ चरन सिरु आयसु पाई। गयउ मदन तब सहित सहाई।। मुनि सुसीलता आपनि करनी। सुरपति सभाँ जाइ सब बरनी।। सुनि सब कें मन अचरजु आवा। मुनिहि प्रसंसि हरिहि सिरु नावा।। तब नारद गवने सिव पाहीं। जिता काम अहमिति मन माहीं।। मार चरित संकरहिं सुनाए। अतिप्रिय जानि महेस सिखाए।। बार बार बिनवउँ मुनि तोहीं। जिमि यह कथा सुनायहु मोहीं।। तिमि जनि हरिहि सुनावहु कबहूँ। चलेहुँ प्रसंग दुराएडु तबहूँ।।

bhayu na nārada mana kachu roṣā | kahi priya bacana kāma paritoṣā || nāi carana siru āyasu pāī | gayu madana taba sahita sahāī || muni susīlatā āpani karanī | surapati sabhā̃ jāi saba baranī || suni saba keṁ mana acaraju āvā | munihi prasaṁsi harihi siru nāvā || taba nārada gavane siva pāhī̃ | jitā kāma ahamiti mana māhī̃ || māra carita saṅkarahi sunāe | atipriya jāni mahesa sikhāe || bāra bāra binavaũ muni tohī̃ | jimi yaha kathā sunāyahu mohī̃ || timi jani harihi sunāvahu kabahū̃ | calehũ prasaṅga durāeḍu tabahū̃ ||

No anger at all arose in Narada’s mind. He spoke pleasing words and thus gave satisfaction to Kama. Bowing his head at the feet and receiving leave, Kama then departed, with his attendant ally. The sage’s gentle nature and his own manner of conduct he went and described in full in Indra’s court. Hearing it, wonder filled every heart; praising the sage, they bowed their heads to Hari. Then Narada went to Shiva, thinking in his heart, “I have conquered Kama.” He recounted to Shankara the doings of Madan; knowing what was most dear, Mahesha instructed him: “Again and again I entreat you, O sage—just as you have told this tale to me, so never tell it to Hari at any time.” Yet Narada then proceeded, concealing the circumstance, and went on with the episode.

Verse 270 (दोहा/सोरठा)

संभु दीन्ह उपदेस हित नहिं नारदहि सोहान। भारद्वाज कौतुक सुनहु हरि इच्छा बलवान।।127।।

Śambhu dīnha upadesa hita nahiṁ Nārada-hi sohāna. Bhāradvāja kautuka sunahu Hari icchā balavāna. ||127||

シャンブ（シヴァ）がひたすら彼の益のために諭したにもかかわらず、それはナーラダの心にかなわなかった。 バラドヴァージャよ、この不思議なる転回を聴け――主の御意志は、まことに大いなる力を有する。

Verse 271 (चौपाई)

राम कीन्ह चाहहिं सोइ होई। करै अन्यथा अस नहिं कोई।। संभु बचन मुनि मन नहिं भाए। तब बिरंचि के लोक सिधाए।। एक बार करतल बर बीना। गावत हरि गुन गान प्रबीना।। छीरसिंधु गवने मुनिनाथा। जहँ बस श्रीनिवास श्रुतिमाथा।। हरषि मिले उठि रमानिकेता। बैठे आसन रिषिहि समेता।। बोले बिहसि चराचर राया। बहुते दिनन कीन्हि मुनि दाया।। काम चरित नारद सब भाषे। जद्यपि प्रथम बरजि सिवँ राखे।। अति प्रचंड रघुपति कै माया। जेहि न मोह अस को जग जाया।।

rāma kīnha cāhahĩ soi hoī | karai anyathā asa nahĩ koī || śambhu bacana muni mana nahĩ bhāe | taba birañci ke loka sidhāe || eka bāra karatala bara bīnā | gāvata hari guna gāna prabīnā || chīrasindhu gavane munināthā | jahã basa śrīnivāsa śrutimāthā || haraṣi mile uṭhi ramāniketā | baiṭhe āsana riṣihi sametā || bole bihasi carācara rāyā | bahute dinana kīnha muni dāyā || kāma carita nārada saba bhāṣe | jadyapi prathama baraji sivam̐ rākhē || ati pracaṇḍa raghupati kai māyā | jehi na moha asa ko jaga jāyā ||

What Rama has willed—so it comes to pass; none has the power to make it otherwise. Shambhu’s words did not please the sage’s heart; therefore he set forth to Brahma’s realm. Once, with a noble vina in his hand, skilled in singing the Lord’s praise, he went on. To the Ocean of Milk the lordly seer proceeded, where abides Shri-nivasa, crowned by the Vedas. The abode of Rama (with Lakshmi) rose in gladness to meet him; and together with the rishi He seated him upon an honored seat. Smiling, the King of all that moves and stands spoke: “Sage, you have shown kindness after many days.” Then Narada related the entire tale of desire—though at first Shiva had restrained and warned him. So exceedingly mighty is Raghupati’s maya that none in this world escapes its power to delude.

Verse 272 (दोहा/सोरठा)

रूख बदन करि बचन मृदु बोले श्रीभगवान । तुम्हरे सुमिरन तें मिटहिं मोह मार मद मान।।128।।

rūkh badana kari bacana mṛdu bole śrī-bhagavāna | tumhare sumirana tē miṭahiṃ moha māra mada māna ||128||

尊き御方は厳然たる御面持ちながら、なお言葉はやさしく仰せられた。 「汝を念ずれば迷妄は晴れ、虚栄・驕慢の酔い・我執もまた共に滅する。」

Verse 273 (चौपाई)

सुनु मुनि मोह होइ मन ताकें। ग्यान बिराग हृदय नहिं जाके।। ब्रह्मचरज ब्रत रत मतिधीरा। तुम्हहि कि करइ मनोभव पीरा।। नारद कहेउ सहित अभिमाना। कृपा तुम्हारि सकल भगवाना।। करुनानिधि मन दीख बिचारी। उर अंकुरेउ गरब तरु भारी।। बेगि सो मै डारिहउँ उखारी। पन हमार सेवक हितकारी।। मुनि कर हित मम कौतुक होई। अवसि उपाय करबि मै सोई।। तब नारद हरि पद सिर नाई। चले हृदयँ अहमिति अधिकाई।। श्रीपति निज माया तब प्रेरी। सुनहु कठिन करनी तेहि केरी।।

sunu muni moha hoi mana tākeṁ | gyāna birāga hṛdaya nahiṁ jākeṁ || brahmacaraja brata rata mati-dhīrā | tumhahi ki karai manobhava pīrā || nārada kaheu sahita abhimānā | kṛpā tumhāri sakala bhagavānā || karuṇānidhi mana dīkha bicārī | ura aṅkureu garaba taru bhārī || begi so mai ḍārihauṁ ukhārī | pana hamāra sevaka hitakārī || muni kara hita mama kautuka hoī | avasi upāya karabi mai soī || taba nārada hari pada sira nāī | cale hṛdayaṁ ahamiti adhikāī || śrīpati nija māyā taba prerī | sunahu kaṭhina karanī tehi केरī ||

“Hear, O sage: his mind is seized by delusion—he in whose heart knowledge and dispassion do not abide. Steadfast in the vow of continence and firm of intellect, how should the pang of Cupid assail you? Narada spoke, pride clinging to his words: ‘Your grace, O Lord of all, is over all.’ The Ocean of compassion perceived the thought within him; in his heart the heavy tree of arrogance had begun to sprout. ‘Quickly shall I uproot and cast it down—yet my resolve is ever to further my servant’s good. For the sage’s welfare this is my sportive act; surely I shall contrive the very remedy.’ Then Narada bowed his head at Hari’s feet and departed, the “I”-sense swelling within his heart. Thereupon the Lord of Fortune set his own Maya in motion—listen now to the hard consequence of it.”

Verse 274 (दोहा/सोरठा)

बिरचेउ मग महुँ नगर तेहिं सत जोजन बिस्तार। श्रीनिवासपुर तें अधिक रचना बिबिध प्रकार।।129।।

biraceu maga mahũ nagara tehĩ sata jojana bistāra | śrīnivāsapura tẽ adhika racanā bibidha prakāra ||129||

道すがら王は一つの都を築かせ、その広がりは百由旬に及んだ。 その多彩な意匠と幾重のしつらえは、シュリーニヴァースプルにさえ勝っていた。

Verse 275 (चौपाई)

बसहिं नगर सुंदर नर नारी। जनु बहु मनसिज रति तनुधारी।। तेहिं पुर बसइ सीलनिधि राजा। अगनित हय गय सेन समाजा।। सत सुरेस सम बिभव बिलासा। रूप तेज बल नीति निवासा।। बिस्वमोहनी तासु कुमारी। श्री बिमोह जिसु रूपु निहारी।। सोइ हरिमाया सब गुन खानी। सोभा तासु कि जाइ बखानी।। करइ स्वयंबर सो नृपबाला। आए तहँ अगनित महिपाला।। मुनि कौतुकी नगर तेहिं गयऊ। पुरबासिन्ह सब पूछत भयऊ।। सुनि सब चरित भूपगृहँ आए। करि पूजा नृप मुनि बैठाए।।

basahiṁ nagara sundara nara nārī | janu bahu manasija rati tanu-dhārī || tēhiṁ pura basai sīla-nidhi rājā | aganita haya gaya sēna samājā || sata surēsa sama bibhava bilāsā | rūpa tēja bala nīti nivāsā || biswa-mōhinī tāsu kumārī | śrī bimōha jisu rūpu nihārī || soi hari-māyā saba guna khānī | sōbhā tāsu ki jāi bakhānī || karai svayaṁbara sō nṛpa-bālā | āē tahaṁ aganita mahi-pālā || muni kautukī nagara tēhiṁ gayau | pura-bāsinha saba pūchata bhayau || suni saba carita bhūpa-gṛhaṁ āē | kari pūjā nṛpa muni baiṭhāē ||

In that fair city dwelt comely men and women, as though many Cupids and Ratis had taken bodily form. Within that town lived a king, a very treasury of good conduct, with countless horses and elephants and a full array of armies. In splendor and lordly state he rivalled Indra; he was an abode of beauty, majesty, strength, and righteous policy. A daughter was his, a bewitcher of the whole world; her loveliness, once seen, would bewilder even Fortune herself. She was, as it were, Hari’s own wondrous power—an inexhaustible mine of virtues; who can adequately tell her radiance? That royal maiden held her svayaṁvara, and innumerable kings came there. The sage, moved by curiosity, went to that city; all the townsfolk questioned him. Hearing the whole account, they came to the king’s palace; and the king, after due worship, seated the sage with honor.

Verse 276 (दोहा/सोरठा)

आनि देखाई नारदहि भूपति राजकुमारि। कहहु नाथ गुन दोष सब एहि के हृदयँ बिचारि।।130।।

āni dekhāī nāradahi bhūpati rājakumāri | kahahu nātha guna doṣa saba ehi ke hṛdayã bicāri ||130||

王は姫君を伴い、聖仙ナーラダにお目通しさせて申し上げた。 「尊師よ、御心にてよくお量りのうえ、この姫の徳と過（あやまち）とを、余すところなくお示しください。」

Verse 277 (चौपाई)

देखि रूप मुनि बिरति बिसारी। बड़ी बार लगि रहे निहारी।। लच्छन तासु बिलोकि भुलाने। हृदयँ हरष नहिं प्रगट बखाने।। जो एहि बरइ अमर सोइ होई। समरभूमि तेहि जीत न कोई।। सेवहिं सकल चराचर ताही। बरइ सीलनिधि कन्या जाही।। लच्छन सब बिचारि उर राखे। कछुक बनाइ भूप सन भाषे।। सुता सुलच्छन कहि नृप पाहीं। नारद चले सोच मन माहीं।। करौं जाइ सोइ जतन बिचारी। जेहि प्रकार मोहि बरै कुमारी।। जप तप कछु न होइ तेहि काला। हे बिधि मिलइ कवन बिधि बाला।।

dekhi rūpa muni birati bisārī | baṛī bāra lagi rahe nihārī || lacchana tāsu biloki bhulāne | hṛdayaṁ haraṣa nahiṁ pragaṭa bakhāne || jo ehi barai amara soi hoī | samarabhūmi tehi jīta na koī || sevahiṁ sakala carācara tāhī | barai sīlanidhi kanyā jāhī || lacchana saba bicāri ura rākhe | kacchuka banāi bhūpa sana bhāṣe || sutā sulacchana kahi nṛpa pāhīṁ | nārada cale soca mana māhīṁ || karauṁ jāi soi jatana bicārī | jehi prakāra mohi barai kumārī || japa tapa kacchu na hoi tehi kālā | he bidhi milai kavan bidhi bālā ||

Beholding her beauty, the sage forgot his dispassion; for a long while he stood and stared. Seeing her auspicious marks, he was bewildered; the gladness in his heart he could not openly declare. “Whoever weds her shall be as one deathless in renown; on the field of battle none shall conquer him. All that moves and all that is still shall serve him—he whom the maiden, that treasury of virtue, shall choose.” Weighing all her signs, he kept the thought within, and, composing himself a little, he spoke to King Janaka. Saying, “Your daughter is most auspicious,” Narada departed, his mind filled with restless pondering: “I must go and contrive the very means by which the maiden may choose me for her husband. At such a time neither repetition nor austerity avails—O Providence, by what device shall I obtain the girl?”