The Story of Vishvamitra, and the Prince's Attainment of the Kama-Bija

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.3.17.1)

व्यास उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य मुनेस्तत्रावनीपतिः । मन्त्रिवृद्धं समाहूय पप्रच्छ तमतन्द्रितः

vyāsa uvāca ityākarṇya vacastasya munestatrāvanīpatiḥ mantrivṛddhaṁ samāhūya papraccha tamatandritaḥ

Vyasa said: Hearing these words of the sage, that lord of the earth then summoned his elder minister and, without delay, questioned him.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.3.17.2)

किं कर्तव्यं सुबुद्धेऽत्र मयाऽद्य वद सुव्रत । बलान्नयामि तां कामं सपुत्राञ्च सुभाषिणीम्

kiṁ kartavyaṁ subuddhe'tra mayā'dya vada suvrata balānnayāmi tāṁ kāmaṁ saputrāñca subhāṣiṇīm

"What should I do here, O wise and virtuous one? Tell me — shall I take her away by force today, that sweet-speaking woman, together with her son, as I wish?"

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.3.17.3)

रिपुरल्पोऽपि नोपेक्ष्यः सर्वथा शुभमिच्छता । राजयक्ष्मेव संवृद्धो मृत्यवे परिकल्पयेत्

ripuralpo'pi nopekṣyaḥ sarvathā śubhamicchatā rājayakṣmeva saṁvṛddho mṛtyave parikalpayet

"An enemy, even a small one, should never be disregarded by one who desires his own welfare — like consumption grown strong, it leads surely to death."

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.3.17.4)

नात्र सैन्यं न योद्धास्ति यो मामत्र निवारयेत् । गृहीत्वा हन्मि तं तत्र दौहित्रस्य रिपुं किल

nātra sainyaṁ na yoddhāsti yo māmatra nivārayet gṛhītvā hanmi taṁ tatra dauhitrasya ripuṁ kila

"Here there is no army, no warrior who could stop me. I shall seize and kill him there — that enemy indeed of my grandson."

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.3.17.5)

निष्कण्टकं भवेद्राज्यं यताम्यद्य बलादहम् । हते सुदर्शने नूनं निर्भयोऽसौ भवेदिति

niṣkaṇṭakaṁ bhavedrājyaṁ yatāmyadya balādaham hate sudarśane nūnaṁ nirbhayo'sau bhavediti

"The kingdom will become free of thorns if I strive by force today; once Sudarshana is slain, he will surely become free from fear."

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.3.17.6)

प्रधान उवाच । साहसं न हि कर्तव्यं श्रुतं राजन् मुनेर्वचः । विश्वामित्रस्य दृष्टान्तः कथितस्तेन मारिष

pradhāna uvāca sāhasaṁ na hi kartavyaṁ śrutaṁ rājan munervacaḥ viśvāmitrasya dṛṣṭāntaḥ kathitastena māriṣa

The minister said: "Rashness should not be resorted to, O king — hear the sage's words. He told the example of Vishvamitra, O worthy one."

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.3.17.7)

पुरा गाधिसुतः श्रीमान्विश्वामित्रोऽतिविश्रुतः । विचरन्स नृपश्रेष्ठो वसिष्ठाश्रममभ्यगात्

purā gādhisutaḥ śrīmānviśvāmitro'tiviśrutaḥ vicaransa nṛpaśreṣṭho vasiṣṭhāśramamabhyagāt

"Long ago the glorious and most renowned Vishvamitra, son of Gadhi, that best of kings, while wandering, came to Vasishtha's hermitage.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.3.17.8)

नमस्कृत्य च तं राजा विश्वामित्रः प्रतापवान् । उपविष्टो नृपश्रेष्ठो मुनिना दत्तविष्टरः

namaskṛtya ca taṁ rājā viśvāmitraḥ pratāpavān upaviṣṭo nṛpaśreṣṭho muninā dattaviṣṭaraḥ

Bowing to him, King Vishvamitra, mighty in valor, that best of kings, sat down upon the seat given by the sage.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.3.17.9)

निमन्त्रितो वसिष्ठेन भोजनाय महात्मना । ससैन्यश्च स्थितो राजा गाधिपुत्रो महायशाः

nimantrito vasiṣṭhena bhojanāya mahātmanā sasainyaśca sthito rājā gādhiputro mahāyaśāḥ

Invited by the great-souled Vasishtha to a meal, the king, son of Gadhi, of great renown, remained there together with his army.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.3.17.10)

नन्दिन्याऽऽसादितं सर्वं भक्ष्यभोज्यादिकं च यत् । भुक्त्वा राजा ससैन्यश्च वाञ्छितं तत्र भोजनम्

nandinyā''sāditaṁ sarvaṁ bhakṣyabhojyādikaṁ ca yat bhuktvā rājā sasainyaśca vāñchitaṁ tatra bhojanam

Having eaten there, the king together with his army partook of every desired dish, all the food and delicacies produced by Nandini.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.3.17.11)

प्रतापं तञ्च नन्दिन्याः परिज्ञाय स पार्थिवः । ययाचे नन्दिनीं राजा वसिष्ठं मुनिसत्तमम्

pratāpaṁ tañca nandinyāḥ parijñāya sa pārthivaḥ yayāce nandinīṁ rājā vasiṣṭhaṁ munisattamam

And having learned of Nandini's power, that king begged Vasishtha, the greatest of sages, for the cow Nandini.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.3.17.12)

विश्वामित्र उवाच । मुने धेनुसहस्रं ते घटोध्नीनां ददाम्यहम् । नन्दिनीं देहि मे धेनुं प्रार्थयामि परन्तप

viśvāmitra uvāca mune dhenusahasraṁ te ghaṭodhnīnāṁ dadāmyaham nandinīṁ dehi me dhenuṁ prārthayāmi parantapa

Vishvamitra said: "O sage, I shall give you a thousand cows with pitcher-like udders; give me the cow Nandini — I beg it of you, O scorcher of foes."

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.3.17.13)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । होमधेनुरियं राजन्न ददामि कथञ्चन । सहस्रञ्चापि धेनूनां तवेदं तव तिष्ठतु

vasiṣṭha uvāca homadhenuriyaṁ rājanna dadāmi kathañcana sahasrañcāpi dhenūnāṁ tavedaṁ tava tiṣṭhatu

Vasishtha said: "O king, this is my sacrificial cow; I shall not give her under any circumstance. Let your gift of a thousand cows remain with you."

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.3.17.14)

विश्वामित्र उवाच । अयुतं वाथ लक्ष्यं वा ददामि मनसेप्सितम् । द्देहि मे नन्दिनीं साधो ग्रहीष्यामि बलादथ

viśvāmitra uvāca ayutaṁ vātha lakṣyaṁ vā dadāmi manasepsitam ddehi me nandinīṁ sādho grahīṣyāmi balādatha

Vishvamitra said: "Or I shall give ten thousand, or even a hundred thousand, whatever you desire in mind. Give me Nandini, O virtuous one — otherwise I shall take her by force."

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.3.17.15)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । कामं गृहाण नृपते बलादद्य यथारुचि । नाहं ददामि ते राजन्स्वेच्छया नन्दिनीं गृहात्

vasiṣṭha uvāca kāmaṁ gṛhāṇa nṛpate balādadya yathāruci nāhaṁ dadāmi te rājansvecchayā nandinīṁ gṛhāt

Vasishtha said: "Take her by force today, O king, as you please, if you wish; but I shall not willingly give you Nandini from my house, O king."

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.3.17.16)

तच्छ्रुत्वा नृपतिर्भृत्यानादिदेश महाबलान् । नयघ्वं नन्दिनीं धेनुं बलदर्पसुसंस्थिताः

tacchrutvā nṛpatirbhṛtyānādideśa mahābalān nayaghvaṁ nandinīṁ dhenuṁ baladarpasusaṁsthitāḥ

Hearing this, the king ordered his mighty servants: "Take away the cow Nandini!" — and they, filled with the pride of strength, stood ready.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.3.17.17)

ते भृत्या जगृहुस्तां तु हठादाक्रम्य यन्त्रिताम् । वेपमाना मुनिं प्राह सुरभिः साश्रुलोचना

te bhṛtyā jagṛhustāṁ tu haṭhādākramya yantritām vepamānā muniṁ prāha surabhiḥ sāśrulocanā

Those servants seized her forcibly, binding her by constraint; and Surabhi, the divine cow, trembling, her eyes filled with tears, spoke to the sage.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.3.17.18)

मुने त्यजसि मां कस्मात्कर्षयन्ति सुयन्त्रिताम् । मुनिस्तां प्रत्युवाचेदं त्यजे नाहं सुदुग्धदे

mune tyajasi māṁ kasmātkarṣayanti suyantritām munistāṁ pratyuvācedaṁ tyaje nāhaṁ sudugdhade

"O sage, why do you abandon me? They are dragging me away, tightly bound!" The sage replied to her thus: "I do not abandon you, O giver of good milk.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.3.17.19)

बलान्नयति राजाऽसौ पूजितोऽद्य मया शुभे । किं करोमि न चेच्छामि त्यक्तुं त्वां मनसा किल

balānnayati rājā'sau pūjito'dya mayā śubhe kiṁ karomi na cecchāmi tyaktuṁ tvāṁ manasā kila

This king, whom I honored today, is taking you by force, O auspicious one. What can I do? In my heart, I do not wish to abandon you."

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.3.17.20)

इत्युक्ता मुनिना धेनुः क्रोधयुक्ता बभूव ह । हम्भारवं चकाराशु क्रूरशब्दं सुदारुणम्

ityuktā muninā dhenuḥ krodhayuktā babhūva ha hambhāravaṁ cakārāśu krūraśabdaṁ sudāruṇam

Thus addressed by the sage, the cow became filled with anger; she at once let out a fierce, most terrible lowing sound.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.3.17.21)

उद्गतास्तत्र देहात्तु दैत्या घोरतरास्तदा । सायुधास्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति ब्रुवन्तः कवचावृताः

udgatāstatra dehāttu daityā ghoratarāstadā sāyudhāstiṣṭha tiṣṭheti bruvantaḥ kavacāvṛtāḥ

Then from her body there emerged most terrible demon-warriors, armed and clad in armor, crying, "Stand! Stand!"

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.3.17.22)

सैन्यं सर्वं हतं तैस्तु नन्दिनी प्रतिमोचिता । एकाकी निर्गतो राजा विश्वामित्रोऽतिदुःखितः

sainyaṁ sarvaṁ hataṁ taistu nandinī pratimocitā ekākī nirgato rājā viśvāmitro'tiduḥkhitaḥ

By them the entire army was slain, and Nandini was set free. Vishvamitra, greatly grieved, went forth alone.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.3.17.23)

हन्त पापोऽतिदीनात्मा निन्दन् क्षात्रबलं महत् । ब्राह्मं बलं दुराराध्यं मत्वा तपसि संस्थितः

hanta pāpo'tidīnātmā nindan kṣātrabalaṁ mahat brāhmaṁ balaṁ durārādhyaṁ matvā tapasi saṁsthitaḥ

Alas — utterly wretched and stricken at heart, condemning the great strength of Kshatriya power, and judging the power of the Brahmin to be hard to attain, he devoted himself to austerity.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.3.17.24)

तप्त्वा बहूनि वर्षाणि तपो घोरं महावने । ऋषित्वं प्राप गाधेयस्त्यक्त्वा क्षात्रं विधिं पुनः

taptvā bahūni varṣāṇi tapo ghoraṁ mahāvane ṛṣitvaṁ prāpa gādheyastyaktvā kṣātraṁ vidhiṁ punaḥ

Having performed terrible austerity for many years in the great forest, the son of Gadhi attained the state of a seer, forsaking once more the Kshatriya path.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.3.17.25)

तस्मात्त्वमपि राजेन्द्र मा कृथा वैरमद्भुतम् । कुलनाशकरं नूनं तापसैः सह संयुगम्

tasmāttvamapi rājendra mā kṛthā vairamadbhutam kulanāśakaraṁ nūnaṁ tāpasaiḥ saha saṁyugam

"Therefore you too, O lord of kings, should not create this strange enmity; conflict with ascetics surely brings ruin upon one's lineage.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.3.17.26)

मुनिवर्यं व्रजाद्य त्वं समाश्वास्य तपोनिधिम् । सुदर्शनोऽपि राजेन्द्र तिष्ठत्वत्र यथासुखम्

munivaryaṁ vrajādya tvaṁ samāśvāsya taponidhim sudarśano'pi rājendra tiṣṭhatvatra yathāsukham

Go today to that foremost of sages, that treasury of austerity, and console him; and let Sudarshana too, O lord of kings, remain there as he pleases.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.3.17.27)

बालोऽयं निर्धनः किं ते करिष्यति नृपाहितम् । वृथा ते वैरभावोऽयमनाथे दुर्बले शिशौ

bālo'yaṁ nirdhanaḥ kiṁ te kariṣyati nṛpāhitam vṛthā te vairabhāvo'yamanāthe durbale śiśau

This boy is but a child, without resources — what harm can he do to you, O king? This enmity of yours is in vain, against a helpless, powerless infant.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.3.17.28)

दया सर्वत्र कर्तव्या दैवाधीनमिदं जगत् । ईर्ष्यया किं नृपश्रेष्ठ यद्भाव्यं तद्भविष्यति

dayā sarvatra kartavyā daivādhīnamidaṁ jagat īrṣyayā kiṁ nṛpaśreṣṭha yadbhāvyaṁ tadbhaviṣyati

Compassion should be shown everywhere; this world is subject to fate. What is the use of envy, O best of kings? Whatever is destined will come to pass.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.3.17.29)

वज्रं तृणायते राजन् दैवयोगान्न संशयः । तृणं वज्रायते क्वापि समये दैवयोगतः

vajraṁ tṛṇāyate rājan daivayogānna saṁśayaḥ tṛṇaṁ vajrāyate kvāpi samaye daivayogataḥ

By the working of fate, O king, without doubt, even a thunderbolt may become as a blade of grass; and sometimes, by that same working, a blade of grass may become as a thunderbolt.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.3.17.30)

शशको हन्ति शार्दूलं मशको वै तथा गजम् । साहसं मुञ्च मेधाविन् कुरु मे वचनं हितम्

śaśako hanti śārdūlaṁ maśako vai tathā gajam sāhasaṁ muñca medhāvin kuru me vacanaṁ hitam

A hare may slay a tiger, and a gnat may slay an elephant. Abandon rashness, O wise one; follow my beneficial counsel."

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.3.17.31)

व्यास उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य युधाजिन्नृपसत्तमः । प्रणम्य तं मुनिं मूर्घ्ना जगाम स्वपुरं नृपः

vyāsa uvāca tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya yudhājinnṛpasattamaḥ praṇamya taṁ muniṁ mūrghnā jagāma svapuraṁ nṛpaḥ

Vyasa said: Hearing his words, Yudhajit, that best of kings, bowing his head to the sage, went to his own city.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.3.17.32)

मनोरमाऽपि स्वस्थाऽभूदाश्रमे तत्र संस्थिता । पालयामास पुत्रं तं सुदर्शनमृतव्रतम्

manoramā'pi svasthā'bhūdāśrame tatra saṁsthitā pālayāmāsa putraṁ taṁ sudarśanamṛtavratam

Manorama too became at peace, remaining there in the hermitage; she cared for her son, Sudarshana, who was devoted to his vows.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.3.17.33)

दिने दिने कुमारोऽसौ जगामोपचयं ततः । मुनिबालगतः क्रीडन्निर्भयः सर्वतः शुभः

dine dine kumāro'sau jagāmopacayaṁ tataḥ munibālagataḥ krīḍannirbhayaḥ sarvataḥ śubhaḥ

Day by day that prince grew in strength, playing among the sages' children, fearless, auspicious in every way.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.3.17.34)

एकस्मिन्समये तत्र विदल्लं समुपागतम् । क्लीबेति मुनिपुत्रस्तमामन्त्रयत्तदन्तिके

ekasminsamaye tatra vidallaṁ samupāgatam klībeti muniputrastamāmantrayattadantike

On one occasion, when Vidalla came there, that sage's son called out to him nearby, saying, "You eunuch!"

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.3.17.35)

सुदर्शनस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा दधारैकाक्षरं स्फुटम् । अनुस्वारयुतं तच्च प्रोवाचापि पुनः पुनः

sudarśanastu tacchrutvā dadhāraikākṣaraṁ sphuṭam anusvārayutaṁ tacca provācāpi punaḥ punaḥ

But Sudarshana, hearing that, held clearly onto that single syllable, joined it with the anusvara, and repeated it again and again.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.3.17.36)

बीजं वै कामराजाख्यं गृहीतं मनसा तदा । जजाप बालकोऽत्यर्थं धृत्वा चेतसि सादरम्

bījaṁ vai kāmarājākhyaṁ gṛhītaṁ manasā tadā jajāpa bālako'tyarthaṁ dhṛtvā cetasi sādaram

That seed-syllable, known as the Kama-raja bija, was thus taken up in his mind; the boy, holding it reverently in his heart, repeated it constantly.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.3.17.37)

भावियोगान्महाराज कामराजाख्यमद्भुतम् । स्वभावेनैव तेनेत्थं गृहीतं बालकेन वै

bhāviyogānmahārāja kāmarājākhyamadbhutam svabhāvenaiva tenetthaṁ gṛhītaṁ bālakena vai

By the working of destiny, O great king, that wondrous seed-mantra called Kamaraja was thus taken up by the boy quite spontaneously, of his own nature.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.3.17.38)

तदाऽसौ पञ्चमे वर्षे प्राप्य मन्त्रमनुत्तमम् । ऋषिच्छन्दोविहीनञ्च ध्यानन्यासविवर्जितम्

tadā'sau pañcame varṣe prāpya mantramanuttamam ṛṣicchandovihīnañca dhyānanyāsavivarjitam

Then, at the age of five, having obtained that most excellent mantra — though devoid of its seer and meter, and without the prescribed meditation and ritual assignment —

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.3.17.39)

प्रजपन्मनसा नित्यं क्रीडत्यपि स्वपित्यपि । विसस्मार न तं मन्त्रं ज्ञात्वा सारमिति स्वयम्

prajapanmanasā nityaṁ krīḍatyapi svapityapi visasmāra na taṁ mantraṁ jñātvā sāramiti svayam

he continually repeated it mentally — while playing, even while sleeping — he never forgot that mantra, knowing it himself to be its very essence.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.3.17.40)

वर्षे चैकादशे प्राप्ते कुमारोऽसौ नृपात्मजः । मुनिना चोपनीतोऽथ वेदमध्यापितस्तथा

varṣe caikādaśe prāpte kumāro'sau nṛpātmajaḥ muninā copanīto'tha vedamadhyāpitastathā

When he reached the age of eleven, that prince was invested with the sacred thread by the sage, and then taught the Vedas.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.3.17.41)

धनुर्वेदं तथा साङ्गं नीतिशास्त्रं विधानतः । अभ्यस्ताः सकला विद्यास्तेन मन्त्रबलादिना

dhanurvedaṁ tathā sāṅgaṁ nītiśāstraṁ vidhānataḥ abhyastāḥ sakalā vidyāstena mantrabalādinā

Likewise Dhanurveda with its branches, and the science of statecraft, were duly taught; by the power of that mantra and other means, he mastered every branch of learning.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.3.17.42)

कदाचित्सोऽपि प्रत्यक्षं देवीरूपं ददर्श ह । रक्ताम्बरं रक्तवर्णं रक्तसर्वाङ्गभूषणम्

kadācitso'pi pratyakṣaṁ devīrūpaṁ dadarśa ha raktāmbaraṁ raktavarṇaṁ raktasarvāṅgabhūṣaṇam

Once he beheld, directly before his eyes, the form of the Goddess — clad in red garments, red in color, adorned over her whole body with red ornaments.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.3.17.43)

गरुडे वाहने संस्थां वैष्णवीं शक्तिमद्भुताम् । दृष्ट्वा प्रसन्नवदनः स बभूव नृपात्मजः

garuḍe vāhane saṁsthāṁ vaiṣṇavīṁ śaktimadbhutām dṛṣṭvā prasannavadanaḥ sa babhūva nṛpātmajaḥ

Seated upon her vehicle Garuda, that wondrous Vaishnavi Shakti — beholding her, the prince's face filled with joy.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.3.17.44)

वने तस्मिंस्थितः सोऽथ सर्वविद्यार्थतत्त्ववित् । मातरं सेवमानस्तु विजहार नदीतटे

vane tasmiṁsthitaḥ so'tha sarvavidyārthatattvavit mātaraṁ sevamānastu vijahāra nadītaṭe

Dwelling there in the forest, now knowing the essence and meaning of all learning, and attending upon his mother, he took his ease on the riverbank.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.3.17.45)

शरासनञ्च सम्प्राप्तं विशिखाश्च शिलाशिताः । तूणीरकवचं तस्मै दत्तं चाम्बिकया वने

śarāsanañca samprāptaṁ viśikhāśca śilāśitāḥ tūṇīrakavacaṁ tasmai dattaṁ cāmbikayā vane

A bow was obtained, and arrows sharpened on stone; and Ambika gave him, there in the forest, a quiver and armor as well.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.3.17.46)

एतस्मिन्समये पुत्री काशिराजस्य सुप्रिया । नाम्ना शशिकला दिव्या सर्वलक्षणसंयुता

etasminsamaye putrī kāśirājasya supriyā nāmnā śaśikalā divyā sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutā

At this time, the beloved daughter of the King of Kashi — divine, endowed with every auspicious mark, named Shashikala —

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.3.17.47)

शुश्राव नृपपुत्रं तं वनस्थञ्च सुदर्शनम् । सर्वलक्षणसम्पन्नं शूरं काममिवापरम्

śuśrāva nṛpaputraṁ taṁ vanasthañca sudarśanam sarvalakṣaṇasampannaṁ śūraṁ kāmamivāparam

heard of that prince Sudarshana, dwelling in the forest, endowed with every auspicious mark, a hero like another god of love.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.3.17.48)

बन्दीजनमुखाच्छ्रुत्वा राजपुत्रं सुसङ्गतम् । चकमे मनसा तं वै वरं वरयितुं धिया

bandījanamukhācchrutvā rājaputraṁ susaṅgatam cakame manasā taṁ vai varaṁ varayituṁ dhiyā

Having heard from the mouths of bards of that most excellent prince, she desired him in her heart, resolving in her mind to choose him as her husband.

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.3.17.49)

स्वप्ने तस्याः समागम्य जगदम्बा निशान्तरे । उवाच वचनं चेदं समाश्वास्य सुसंस्थिता

svapne tasyāḥ samāgamya jagadambā niśāntare uvāca vacanaṁ cedaṁ samāśvāsya susaṁsthitā

In her dream, in the depth of night, the Mother of the Universe came to her, and, steady and composed, spoke these consoling words:

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.3.17.50)

वरं वरय सुश्रोणि मम भक्तः सुदर्शनः । सर्वकामप्रदस्तेऽस्तु वचनान्मम भामिनि

varaṁ varaya suśroṇi mama bhaktaḥ sudarśanaḥ sarvakāmapradaste'stu vacanānmama bhāmini

"Choose him as your husband, O lovely one — Sudarshana is my devotee. By my word, O beautiful one, let him be the fulfiller of all your desires."

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.3.17.51)

एवं शशिकला दृष्टा स्वप्ने रूपं मनोहरम् । अम्बाया वचनं स्मृत्वा जहर्ष भृशभामिनी

evaṁ śaśikalā dṛṣṭā svapne rūpaṁ manoharam ambāyā vacanaṁ smṛtvā jaharṣa bhṛśabhāminī

Thus Shashikala, having seen that enchanting form in her dream, and remembering the Mother's words, that lovely woman rejoiced greatly.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.3.17.52)

उत्थिता सा मुदा युक्ता पृष्टा मात्रा पुनः पुनः । प्रमोदे कारणं बाला नोवाचातित्रपान्विता

utthitā sā mudā yuktā pṛṣṭā mātrā punaḥ punaḥ pramode kāraṇaṁ bālā novācātitrapānvitā

Rising, filled with joy, she was asked again and again by her mother the reason for her delight; but the maiden, overcome with shyness, did not tell it.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.3.17.53)

जहास मुदमापन्ना स्मृत्वा स्वप्नं मुहुर्मुहुः । सखीं प्राह तदान्यां वै स्वप्नवृत्तं सविस्तरम्

jahāsa mudamāpannā smṛtvā svapnaṁ muhurmuhuḥ sakhīṁ prāha tadānyāṁ vai svapnavṛttaṁ savistaram

Filled with joy, she smiled again and again, remembering her dream; then she told another of her friends the full account of the dream, in detail.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.3.17.54)

कदाचित्सा विहारार्थमवापोपवनं शुभम् । सखीयुक्ता विशालाक्षी चम्पकैरुपशोभितम्

kadācitsā vihārārthamavāpopavanaṁ śubham sakhīyuktā viśālākṣī campakairupaśobhitam

Once, that large-eyed maiden, together with her friend, went for recreation to a lovely garden, adorned with champaka trees.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.3.17.55)

पुष्पाणि चिन्वती बाला चम्पकाधःस्थिताबला । अपश्यद्ब्राह्मणं मार्गे आगच्छन्तं त्वरान्वितम्

puṣpāṇi cinvatī bālā campakādhaḥsthitābalā apaśyadbrāhmaṇaṁ mārge āgacchantaṁ tvarānvitam

While that maiden was gathering flowers, standing beneath a champaka tree, she saw a Brahmin coming along the path in haste.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.3.17.56)

तं प्रणम्य द्विजं श्यामा बभाषे मधुरं वचः । कुतो देशान्महाभाग कृतमागमनं त्वया

taṁ praṇamya dvijaṁ śyāmā babhāṣe madhuraṁ vacaḥ kuto deśānmahābhāga kṛtamāgamanaṁ tvayā

Bowing to that Brahmin, the dark-eyed one spoke sweet words: "From what land, O fortunate one, have you come?"

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.3.17.57)

द्विज उवाच । भारद्वाजाश्रमाद्बाले नूनमागमनं मम । जातं वै कार्ययोगेन किं पृच्छसि वदस्व मे

dvija uvāca bhāradvājāśramādbāle nūnamāgamanaṁ mama jātaṁ vai kāryayogena kiṁ pṛcchasi vadasva me

The Brahmin said: "O child, my coming is indeed from Bharadvaja's hermitage, occasioned by some errand. Why do you ask? Tell me."

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.3.17.58)

शशिकलोवाच । तत्राश्रमे महाभाग वर्णनीयं किमस्ति वै । लोकातिगं विशेषेण प्रेक्षणीयतमं किल

śaśikalovāca tatrāśrame mahābhāga varṇanīyaṁ kimasti vai lokātigaṁ viśeṣeṇa prekṣaṇīyatamaṁ kila

Shashikala said: "O fortunate one, is there anything worth describing in that hermitage — something beyond the ordinary, especially most worth seeing?"

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.3.17.59)

ब्राह्मण उवाच । ध्रुवसन्धिसुतः श्रीमानास्ते सुदर्शनो नृपः । यथार्थनामा सुश्रोणि वर्तते पुरुषोत्तमः

brāhmaṇa uvāca dhruvasandhisutaḥ śrīmānāste sudarśano nṛpaḥ yathārthanāmā suśroṇi vartate puruṣottamaḥ

The Brahmin said: "There dwells the glorious King Sudarshana, son of Dhruvasandhi — O lovely one, he lives up to his name, that foremost of men."

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.3.17.60)

तस्य लोचनमत्यन्तं निष्फलं प्रतिभाति मे । येन दृष्टो न वामोरु कुमारस्तु सुदर्शनः

tasya locanamatyantaṁ niṣphalaṁ pratibhāti me yena dṛṣṭo na vāmoru kumārastu sudarśanaḥ

That person's eyes, O fair-limbed one, seem to me utterly fruitless — the eyes that have not seen that prince Sudarshana.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.3.17.61)

एकत्र निहिता धात्रा गुणाः सर्वे सिसृक्षुणा । गुणानामाकरं द्रष्टुं मन्ये तेनैव कौतुकात्

ekatra nihitā dhātrā guṇāḥ sarve sisṛkṣuṇā guṇānāmākaraṁ draṣṭuṁ manye tenaiva kautukāt

The Creator, wishing to fashion him, placed every virtue in one place; I think it was out of that very curiosity, to behold a mine of virtues.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.3.17.62)

तव योग्यः कुमारोऽसौ भर्ता भवितुमर्हति । योगोऽयं विहितोऽप्यासीन्मणिकाञ्चनयोरिव

tava yogyaḥ kumāro'sau bhartā bhavitumarhati yogo'yaṁ vihito'pyāsīnmaṇikāñcanayoriva

That prince is worthy of you, and deserves to become your husband; this union is fated, like that of a gem and gold."