Shashikala's Words to Her Father

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.3.20.1)

व्यास उवाच । इतिवादिनि भूपाले केरलाधिपतौ तदा । प्रत्युवाच महाभाग युधाजिदपि पार्थिवः

vyāsa uvāca itivādini bhūpāle keralādhipatau tadā pratyuvāca mahābhāga yudhājidapi pārthivaḥ

Vyasa said: When the King of Kerala had thus spoken, then King Yudhajit too, O fortunate one, replied.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.3.20.2)

नीतिरेषा महीपाल यद्ब्रवीति भवानिह । समाजे पार्थिवानां वै सत्यवाग्विजितेन्द्रियः

nītireṣā mahīpāla yadbravīti bhavāniha samāje pārthivānāṁ vai satyavāgvijitendriyaḥ

"This is the counsel, O king, which you speak here, in this assembly of kings — the words of a truthful and self-controlled speaker.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.3.20.3)

योग्येषु वर्तमानेषु कन्यारत्नं कुलोद्वह । अयोग्योऽर्हति भूपाल न्यायोऽयं तव रोचते

yogyeṣu vartamāneṣu kanyāratnaṁ kulodvaha ayogyo'rhati bhūpāla nyāyo'yaṁ tava rocate

O foremost of your lineage, while worthy men are present, should this jewel of a maiden go to an unworthy one? Is this the justice, O king, that pleases you?

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.3.20.4)

भागं सिंहस्य गोमायुर्भोक्तुमर्हति वा कथम् । तथा सुदर्शनोऽयं वै कन्यारत्नं किमर्हति

bhāgaṁ siṁhasya gomāyurbhoktumarhati vā katham tathā sudarśano'yaṁ vai kanyāratnaṁ kimarhati

How could a jackal deserve to enjoy the lion's share? In the same way, how could this Sudarshana deserve the jewel of a maiden?

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.3.20.5)

बलं वेदो हि विप्राणां भूभुजां चापजं बलम् । किमन्याय्यं महाराज ब्रवीम्यहमिहाधुना

balaṁ vedo hi viprāṇāṁ bhūbhujāṁ cāpajaṁ balam kimanyāyyaṁ mahārāja bravīmyahamihādhunā

The strength of Brahmins is the Veda, and the strength of kings is that born of the bow. What injustice, O great king, do I speak here now?

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.3.20.6)

बलं शुल्कं यथा राज्ञां विवाहे परिकीर्तितम् । बलवानेव गृह्णातु नाबलस्तु कदाचन

balaṁ śulkaṁ yathā rājñāṁ vivāhe parikīrtitam balavāneva gṛhṇātu nābalastu kadācana

As force is proclaimed to be the bride-price for kings in marriage, let only the strong take her — never the weak, under any circumstance.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.3.20.7)

तस्मात्कन्यापणं कृत्वा नीतिरत्र विधीयताम् । अन्यथा कलहः कामं भविष्यति महीभुजाम्

tasmātkanyāpaṇaṁ kṛtvā nītiratra vidhīyatām anyathā kalahaḥ kāmaṁ bhaviṣyati mahībhujām

Therefore, let a wager be made for the maiden, and let justice be established here accordingly; otherwise, conflict among the kings will surely arise."

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.3.20.8)

एवं विवादे संवृत्ते राज्ञां तत्र परस्परम् । आहूतस्तु सभामध्ये सुबाहुर्नृपसत्तमः

evaṁ vivāde saṁvṛtte rājñāṁ tatra parasparam āhūtastu sabhāmadhye subāhurnṛpasattamaḥ

Thus, when a dispute had arisen there among the kings, Subahu, that best of kings, was summoned into the midst of the assembly.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.3.20.9)

समाहूय नृपाः सर्वे तमूचुस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः । राजन्नीतिस्त्वया कार्या विवाहेऽत्र समाहिता

samāhūya nṛpāḥ sarve tamūcustattvadarśinaḥ rājannītistvayā kāryā vivāhe'tra samāhitā

Summoning him, all those truth-perceiving kings said to him: "O king, the proper course must be established by you here, with care, for this marriage.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.3.20.10)

किं ते चिकीर्षितं राजंस्तद्वदस्व समाहितः । पुत्र्याः प्रदानं कस्मै ते रोचते नृप चेतसि

kiṁ te cikīrṣitaṁ rājaṁstadvadasva samāhitaḥ putryāḥ pradānaṁ kasmai te rocate nṛpa cetasi

What is your intention, O king? Tell us, with a composed mind. To whom do you wish, in your heart, O king, to give your daughter?"

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.3.20.11)

सुबाहुरुवाच । पुत्र्या मे मनसा कामं वृतः किल सुदर्शनः । मया निवारितोऽत्यर्थं न सा प्रत्येति मे वचः

subāhuruvāca putryā me manasā kāmaṁ vṛtaḥ kila sudarśanaḥ mayā nivārito'tyarthaṁ na sā pratyeti me vacaḥ

Subahu said: "My daughter has, in her heart, indeed already chosen Sudarshana as she wished; I have tried hard to dissuade her, but she does not heed my words.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.3.20.12)

किं करोमि सुताया मे न वशे वर्तते मनः । सुदर्शनस्तथैकाकी सम्प्राप्तोऽस्ति निराकुलः

kiṁ karomi sutāyā me na vaśe vartate manaḥ sudarśanastathaikākī samprāpto'sti nirākulaḥ

What shall I do? My daughter's mind is not under my control. And Sudarshana too has come here alone, undisturbed."

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.3.20.13)

व्यास उवाच । सम्पन्ना भूभुजः सर्वे समाहूय सुदर्शनम् । ऊचुः समागतं शान्तमेकाकिनमतन्द्रिताः

vyāsa uvāca sampannā bhūbhujaḥ sarve samāhūya sudarśanam ūcuḥ samāgataṁ śāntamekākinamatandritāḥ

Vyasa said: All the assembled kings, without delay, summoned Sudarshana, and spoke to him — calm, alone, as he had come there —

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.3.20.14)

राजपुत्र महाभाग केनाहूतोऽसि सुव्रत । एकाकी यः समायातः समाजे भूभृतामिह

rājaputra mahābhāga kenāhūto'si suvrata ekākī yaḥ samāyātaḥ samāje bhūbhṛtāmiha

"O prince, O fortunate one, O man of good vows, by whom were you summoned here, who has come alone into this assembly of kings?

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.3.20.15)

न वै सैन्यं न सचिवा न कोशो न बृहद्बलम् । किमर्थञ्च समायातस्तत्त्वं ब्रूहि महामते

na vai sainyaṁ na sacivā na kośo na bṛhadbalam kimarthañca samāyātastattvaṁ brūhi mahāmate

You have no army, no ministers, no treasury, no great strength — for what purpose have you come? Tell us the truth, O wise one.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.3.20.16)

युद्धकामा नृपतयो वर्तन्तेऽत्र समागमे । कन्यार्थं सैन्यसम्पन्नाः किं त्वं कर्तुमिहेच्छसि

yuddhakāmā nṛpatayo vartante'tra samāgame kanyārthaṁ sainyasampannāḥ kiṁ tvaṁ kartumihecchasi

Kings eager for battle are present at this gathering, equipped with armies for the sake of the maiden — what do you intend to do here?

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.3.20.17)

भ्राता ते सुबलः शूरः सम्प्राप्तोऽस्ति जिघृक्षया । युधाजिच्च महाबाहुः साहाय्यं कर्तुमागतः

bhrātā te subalaḥ śūraḥ samprāpto'sti jighṛkṣayā yudhājicca mahābāhuḥ sāhāyyaṁ kartumāgataḥ

Your own brother, mighty and heroic, has come here desiring to seize her; and Yudhajit too, the mighty-armed, has come to render him assistance.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.3.20.18)

गच्छ वा तिष्ठ राजेन्द्र याथातथ्यमुदाहृतम् । त्वयि सैन्यविहीने च यथेष्टं कुरु सुव्रत

gaccha vā tiṣṭha rājendra yāthātathyamudāhṛtam tvayi sainyavihīne ca yatheṣṭaṁ kuru suvrata

Go, or stay, O lord of kings — the truth has been told to you as it is; you, being without an army, may do as you please, O man of good vows."

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.3.20.19)

सुदर्शन उवाच । न बलं न सहायो मे न कोशो दुर्गसंश्रयः । न मित्राणि न सौहार्दी न नृपा रक्षका मम

sudarśana uvāca na balaṁ na sahāyo me na kośo durgasaṁśrayaḥ na mitrāṇi na sauhārdī na nṛpā rakṣakā mama

Sudarshana said: "I have no army, no ally, no treasury, no fortress for refuge; no friends, no well-wisher, no king to protect me.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.3.20.20)

अत्र स्वयंवरं श्रुत्वा द्रष्टुकाम इहागतः । स्वप्ने देव्या प्रेरितोऽस्मि भगवत्या न संशयः

atra svayaṁvaraṁ śrutvā draṣṭukāma ihāgataḥ svapne devyā prerito'smi bhagavatyā na saṁśayaḥ

Hearing of this svayamvara, I have come here desiring to see it; I was sent in a dream by the Goddess herself — there is no doubt of this.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.3.20.21)

नान्यच्चिकीर्षितं मेऽद्य मामाह जगदीश्वरी । तया यद्विहितं तच्च भविताऽद्य न संशयः

nānyaccikīrṣitaṁ me'dya māmāha jagadīśvarī tayā yadvihitaṁ tacca bhavitā'dya na saṁśayaḥ

I have no other purpose today; the Ruler of the Universe herself spoke to me. Whatever has been ordained by her will indeed come to pass — there is no doubt of it.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.3.20.22)

न शत्रुरस्ति संसारे कोऽप्यत्र जगतीश्वराः । सर्वत्र पश्यतो मेऽद्य भवानीं जगदम्बिकाम्

na śatrurasti saṁsāre ko'pyatra jagatīśvarāḥ sarvatra paśyato me'dya bhavānīṁ jagadambikām

There is no enemy at all for me in this world, O rulers of the earth; today, everywhere I look, I see only Bhavani, the Mother of the Universe.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.3.20.23)

यः करिष्यति शत्रुत्वं मया सह नृपात्मजाः । शास्ता तस्य महाविद्या नाहं जानामि शत्रुताम्

yaḥ kariṣyati śatrutvaṁ mayā saha nṛpātmajāḥ śāstā tasya mahāvidyā nāhaṁ jānāmi śatrutām

O princes, whoever shows enmity toward me — the Great Wisdom herself will be his chastiser; I myself do not know enmity at all.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.3.20.24)

यद्भावि तद्वै भविता नान्यथा नृपसत्तमाः । का चिन्ता ह्यत्र कर्तव्या दैवाधीनोऽस्मि सर्वथा

yadbhāvi tadvai bhavitā nānyathā nṛpasattamāḥ kā cintā hyatra kartavyā daivādhīno'smi sarvathā

Whatever is destined will surely come to be, not otherwise, O best of kings; what worry, then, is there to be had here? I am wholly subject to fate.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.3.20.25)

देवभूतमनुष्येषु सर्वभूतेषु सर्वदा । सर्वेषां तत्कृता भक्तिर्नान्यथा नृपसत्तमाः

devabhūtamanuṣyeṣu sarvabhūteṣu sarvadā sarveṣāṁ tatkṛtā bhaktirnānyathā nṛpasattamāḥ

Among gods, spirits, and men, in all beings, always — devotion to her alone is what is offered by all; there is no other way, O best of kings.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.3.20.26)

सा यं चिकीर्षते भूपं तं करोति नृपाधिपाः । निर्धनं वा नरं कामं का चिन्ता वै तदा मम

sā yaṁ cikīrṣate bhūpaṁ taṁ karoti nṛpādhipāḥ nirdhanaṁ vā naraṁ kāmaṁ kā cintā vai tadā mama

Whomever she wishes to make a king, O rulers, she makes so — whether he be a penniless man or otherwise; what worry, then, could I have?

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.3.20.27)

तामृते परमां शक्तिं ब्रह्मविष्णुहरादयः । न शक्ताः स्पन्दितुं देवाः का चिन्ता मे तदा नृपाः

tāmṛte paramāṁ śaktiṁ brahmaviṣṇuharādayaḥ na śaktāḥ spandituṁ devāḥ kā cintā me tadā nṛpāḥ

Without that supreme power, even the gods — Brahma, Vishnu, Hara and the rest — are unable even to stir; what worry, then, O kings, could I have?

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.3.20.28)

अशक्तो वा सशक्तो वा यादृशस्तादृशस्त्वहम् । तदाज्ञया नृपाद्यैव सम्प्राप्तोऽस्मि स्वयंवरे

aśakto vā saśakto vā yādṛśastādṛśastvaham tadājñayā nṛpādyaiva samprāpto'smi svayaṁvare

Whether powerless or powerful, whatever I am, I am — by her command alone, O king, I have come to this svayamvara today.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.3.20.29)

सा यदिच्छति तत्कुर्यान्मम किं चिन्तनेन वै । नात्र शङ्का प्रकर्तव्या सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीम्यहम्

sā yadicchati tatkuryānmama kiṁ cintanena vai nātra śaṅkā prakartavyā satyametadbravīmyaham

Whatever she wishes, let her do; what use is there in my worrying? No doubt need be entertained here — this I speak truthfully.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.3.20.30)

जये पराजये लज्जा न मेऽत्राण्वपि पार्थिवाः । भगवत्यास्तु लज्जास्ति तदधीनोऽस्मि सर्वथा

jaye parājaye lajjā na me'trāṇvapi pārthivāḥ bhagavatyāstu lajjāsti tadadhīno'smi sarvathā

In victory or in defeat, I feel not even a trace of shame, O kings; it is the Goddess's honor that is at stake — I am wholly subject to her."

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.3.20.31)

व्यास उवाच । इति तस्य तदाकर्ण्य वचनं राजसत्तमाः । ऊचुः परस्परं प्रेक्ष्य निश्चयज्ञा नराधिपाः

vyāsa uvāca iti tasya tadākarṇya vacanaṁ rājasattamāḥ ūcuḥ parasparaṁ prekṣya niścayajñā narādhipāḥ

Vyasa said: Hearing these words of his, those best of kings, looking at one another, those rulers skilled in judgment, said among themselves:

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.3.20.32)

सत्यमुक्तं त्वया साधो न मिथ्या कर्हिचिद्भवेत् । तथाप्युज्जयनीनाथस्त्वां हन्तुं परिकाङ्क्षति

satyamuktaṁ tvayā sādho na mithyā karhicidbhavet tathāpyujjayanīnāthastvāṁ hantuṁ parikāṅkṣati

"Truly you have spoken, O virtuous one, and it could never be false; yet still, the lord of Ujjayini desires to kill you.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.3.20.33)

त्वत्कृते न दयादिष्टा त्वां ब्रवीमो महामते । यद्युक्तं तत्त्वया कार्यं विचार्य मनसाऽनघ

tvatkṛte na dayādiṣṭā tvāṁ bravīmo mahāmate yadyuktaṁ tattvayā kāryaṁ vicārya manasā'nagha

No mercy is shown for your sake; we tell you this, O wise one. Whatever is fitting, do it, having considered it well in your mind, O sinless one."

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.3.20.34)

सुदर्शन उवाच । सत्यमुक्तं भवद्भिश्च कृपावद्भिः सुहृज्जनैः । किं ब्रवीमि पुनर्वाक्यमुक्त्वा नृपतिसत्तमाः

sudarśana uvāca satyamuktaṁ bhavadbhiśca kṛpāvadbhiḥ suhṛjjanaiḥ kiṁ bravīmi punarvākyamuktvā nṛpatisattamāḥ

Sudarshana said: "True indeed is what you, compassionate and well-wishing people, have spoken; what more shall I say, having already spoken, O best of kings?

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.3.20.35)

न मृत्युः केनचिद्भाव्यः कस्यचिद्वा कदाचन । दैवाधीनमिदं सर्वं जगत्स्थावरजङ्गमम्

na mṛtyuḥ kenacidbhāvyaḥ kasyacidvā kadācana daivādhīnamidaṁ sarvaṁ jagatsthāvarajaṅgamam

Death cannot be brought about by anyone for anyone, outside its own appointed time; this entire world, moving and unmoving, is subject to fate.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.3.20.36)

स्ववशोऽयं न जीवोऽस्ति स्वकर्मवशगः सदा । तत्कर्म त्रिविधं प्रोक्तं विद्वद्भिस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः

svavaśo'yaṁ na jīvo'sti svakarmavaśagaḥ sadā tatkarma trividhaṁ proktaṁ vidvadbhistattvadarśibhiḥ

This soul is not its own master — it is ever subject to its own karma; and that karma has been declared threefold by the wise, the seers of truth.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.3.20.37)

सञ्चितं वर्तमानञ्च प्रारब्धञ्च तृतीयकम् । कालकर्मस्वभावैश्च ततं सर्वमिदं जगत्

sañcitaṁ vartamānañca prārabdhañca tṛtīyakam kālakarmasvabhāvaiśca tataṁ sarvamidaṁ jagat

Accumulated, present, and the third — that already begun to bear fruit; by time, karma, and inherent nature, this entire world is pervaded.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.3.20.38)

न देवो मानुषं हन्तुं शक्तः कालागमं विना । हतं निमित्तमात्रेण हन्ति कालः सनातनः

na devo mānuṣaṁ hantuṁ śaktaḥ kālāgamaṁ vinā hataṁ nimittamātreṇa hanti kālaḥ sanātanaḥ

Not even a god is able to kill a man before his time has come; eternal Time alone kills, using an apparent slayer only as its instrument.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.3.20.39)

यथा पिता मे निहतः सिंहेनामित्रकर्षणः । तथा मातामहोऽप्येवं युद्धे युधाजिता हतः

yathā pitā me nihataḥ siṁhenāmitrakarṣaṇaḥ tathā mātāmaho'pyevaṁ yuddhe yudhājitā hataḥ

As my father, that tormentor of foes, was slain by a lion, so too my maternal grandfather was slain in battle by Yudhajit.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.3.20.40)

यत्नकोटिं प्रकुर्वाणो हन्यते दैवयोगतः । जीवेद्वर्षसहस्राणि रक्षणेन विना नरः

yatnakoṭiṁ prakurvāṇo hanyate daivayogataḥ jīvedvarṣasahasrāṇi rakṣaṇena vinā naraḥ

Though making a myriad efforts to survive, one is slain by the working of fate; while a man may live a thousand years even without any protection, if fate wills it.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.3.20.41)

नाहं बिभेमि धर्मिष्ठाः कदाचिच्च युधाजितः । दैवमेव परं मत्वा सुस्थितोऽस्मि सदा नृपाः

nāhaṁ bibhemi dharmiṣṭhāḥ kadācicca yudhājitaḥ daivameva paraṁ matvā susthito'smi sadā nṛpāḥ

I have no fear whatsoever of Yudhajit, O righteous ones; regarding fate alone as supreme, I remain, O kings, ever composed.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.3.20.42)

स्मरणं सततं नित्यं भगवत्याः करोम्यहम् । विश्वस्य जननी देवी कल्याणं सा करिष्यति

smaraṇaṁ satataṁ nityaṁ bhagavatyāḥ karomyaham viśvasya jananī devī kalyāṇaṁ sā kariṣyati

I constantly, ever, keep remembrance of the Goddess; she who is the Mother of the universe will surely bring about my welfare.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.3.20.43)

पूर्वार्जितं हि भोक्तव्यं शुभं वाप्यशुभं तथा । स्वकृतस्य च भोगेन कीदृक्शोको विजानताम्

pūrvārjitaṁ hi bhoktavyaṁ śubhaṁ vāpyaśubhaṁ tathā svakṛtasya ca bhogena kīdṛkśoko vijānatām

What has been earned before must indeed be experienced, whether good or bad; and for one who understands, in the mere experiencing of one's own deeds, what grief can there be?

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.3.20.44)

स्वकर्मफलयोगेन प्राप्य दुःखमचेतनः । निमित्तकारणे वैरं करोत्यल्पमतिः किल

svakarmaphalayogena prāpya duḥkhamacetanaḥ nimittakāraṇe vairaṁ karotyalpamatiḥ kila

Obtaining sorrow through the operation of the fruit of his own deeds, the unthinking, small-minded man harbors enmity toward the mere instrumental cause.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.3.20.45)

न तथाऽहं विजानामि वैरं शोकं भयं तथा । निःशङ्कमिह सम्प्राप्तः समाजे भूभृतामिह

na tathā'haṁ vijānāmi vairaṁ śokaṁ bhayaṁ tathā niḥśaṅkamiha samprāptaḥ samāje bhūbhṛtāmiha

I do not, therefore, know enmity, or grief, or fear; I have come here, without any hesitation, into this assembly of kings.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.3.20.46)

एकाकी द्रष्टुकामोऽहं स्वयंवरमनुत्तमम् । भविष्यति च यद्भाव्यं प्राप्तोऽस्मि चण्डिकाज्ञया

ekākī draṣṭukāmo'haṁ svayaṁvaramanuttamam bhaviṣyati ca yadbhāvyaṁ prāpto'smi caṇḍikājñayā

Alone, I desired to see this most excellent svayamvara; and whatever is destined will come to pass — I have come here by the command of Chandika.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.3.20.47)

भगवत्याः प्रमाणं मे नान्यं जानामि संयतः । तत्कृतञ्च सुखं दुःखं भविष्यति च नान्यथा

bhagavatyāḥ pramāṇaṁ me nānyaṁ jānāmi saṁyataḥ tatkṛtañca sukhaṁ duḥkhaṁ bhaviṣyati ca nānyathā

The Goddess's authority alone is my standard; restrained, I know no other. Whatever happiness or sorrow she brings about will come to be, and not otherwise.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.3.20.48)

युधाजित्सुखमाप्नोतु न मे वैरं नृपोत्तमाः । यः करिष्यति मे वैरं स प्राप्स्यति फलं तथा

yudhājitsukhamāpnotu na me vairaṁ nṛpottamāḥ yaḥ kariṣyati me vairaṁ sa prāpsyati phalaṁ tathā

Let Yudhajit obtain happiness; I bear him no enmity, O best of kings. Whoever bears enmity toward me will likewise reap its fruit."

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.3.20.49)

व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्तास्ते तथा तेन सन्तुष्टा भूभुजः स्थिताः । सोऽपि स्वमाश्रमं प्राप्य सुस्थितः सम्बभूव ह

vyāsa uvāca ityuktāste tathā tena santuṣṭā bhūbhujaḥ sthitāḥ so'pi svamāśramaṁ prāpya susthitaḥ sambabhūva ha

Vyasa said: Thus addressed by him, those kings, satisfied, remained there; and he too, returning to his own dwelling, became settled and at ease.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.3.20.50)

अपरेऽह्नि शुभे काले नृपाः सम्मन्त्रिताः किल । सुबाहुना नृपेणाथ रुचिरे वै स्वमण्डपे

apare'hni śubhe kāle nṛpāḥ sammantritāḥ kila subāhunā nṛpeṇātha rucire vai svamaṇḍape

On the next day, at an auspicious hour, the kings were summoned by King Subahu into his own splendid pavilion.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.3.20.51)

दिव्यास्तरणयुक्तेषु मञ्चेषु रचितेषु च । उपविष्टाश्च राजानः शुभालङ्करणैर्युताः

divyāstaraṇayukteṣu mañceṣu raciteṣu ca upaviṣṭāśca rājānaḥ śubhālaṅkaraṇairyutāḥ

On seats furnished with divine coverings, elaborately arranged, the kings sat, adorned with auspicious ornaments.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.3.20.52)

दिव्यवेषधराः कामं विमानेष्वमरा इव । दीप्यमानाः स्थितास्तत्र स्वयंवरदिदृक्षया

divyaveṣadharāḥ kāmaṁ vimāneṣvamarā iva dīpyamānāḥ sthitāstatra svayaṁvaradidṛkṣayā

Clad in splendid garments, radiant, they sat there like gods in their celestial cars, desiring to witness the svayamvara.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.3.20.53)

इति चिन्तापराः सर्वे कदा साप्यागमिष्यति । भाग्यवन्तं नृपश्रेष्ठं श्रुतपुण्यं वरिष्यति

iti cintāparāḥ sarve kadā sāpyāgamiṣyati bhāgyavantaṁ nṛpaśreṣṭhaṁ śrutapuṇyaṁ variṣyati

All were absorbed in this thought: "When will she come, and which fortunate, most excellent, blessed and renowned king will she choose?"

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.3.20.54)

यदा सुदर्शनं दैवात्स्रजा सम्भूषयेदिह । विवादो वै नृपाणां च भविता नात्र संशयः

yadā sudarśanaṁ daivātsrajā sambhūṣayediha vivādo vai nṛpāṇāṁ ca bhavitā nātra saṁśayaḥ

"If by fate she should garland Sudarshana here, then there will surely be a dispute among the kings — there is no doubt of it."

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.3.20.55)

इत्येवं चिन्त्यमानास्ते भूपा मञ्चेषु संस्थिताः । वादित्रघोषः सुमहानुत्थितो नृपमण्डपे

ityevaṁ cintyamānāste bhūpā mañceṣu saṁsthitāḥ vāditraghoṣaḥ sumahānutthito nṛpamaṇḍape

While the kings, seated on their thrones, were thinking thus, a great sound of musical instruments arose in the royal pavilion.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.3.20.56)

अथ काशीपतिः प्राह सुतां स्नातां स्वलङ्कृताम् । मधूकमालासंयुक्तां क्षौमवासोविभूषिताम्

atha kāśīpatiḥ prāha sutāṁ snātāṁ svalaṅkṛtām madhūkamālāsaṁyuktāṁ kṣaumavāsovibhūṣitām

Then the lord of Kashi addressed his daughter, who had bathed and was well adorned, wearing a garland of mahua flowers, adorned in fine silk garments,

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.3.20.57)

विवाहोपस्करैर्युक्तां दिव्यां सिन्धुसुतोपमाम् । चिन्तापरां सुवसनां स्मितपूर्वमिदं वचः

vivāhopaskarairyuktāṁ divyāṁ sindhusutopamām cintāparāṁ suvasanāṁ smitapūrvamidaṁ vacaḥ

equipped with all the marriage accessories, radiant, like the daughter of the ocean, lost in thought, finely dressed — he spoke these words to her, with a smile:

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.3.20.58)

उत्तिष्ठ पुत्रि सुनसे करे धृत्वा शुभां स्रजम् । व्रज मण्डपमध्येऽद्य समाजं पश्य भूभुजाम्

uttiṣṭha putri sunase kare dhṛtvā śubhāṁ srajam vraja maṇḍapamadhye'dya samājaṁ paśya bhūbhujām

"Rise, my daughter, O lovely-nosed one, and taking the auspicious garland in your hand, go now into the pavilion; behold the assembly of kings.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.3.20.59)

गुणवान् रूपसम्पन्नः कुलीनश्च नृपोत्तमः । तव चित्ते वसेद्यस्तु तं वृणुष्व सुमध्यमे

guṇavān rūpasampannaḥ kulīnaśca nṛpottamaḥ tava citte vasedyastu taṁ vṛṇuṣva sumadhyame

O slender-waisted one, whichever excellent king — virtuous, endowed with beauty, and well-born — dwells in your heart, choose him.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.3.20.60)

देशदेशाधिपाः सर्वे मञ्चेषु रचितेषु च । संविष्टाः पश्य तन्वङ्गि वरयस्व यथारुचि

deśadeśādhipāḥ sarve mañceṣu raciteṣu ca saṁviṣṭāḥ paśya tanvaṅgi varayasva yathāruci

O slender-limbed one, behold all the rulers of various lands, seated upon the arranged thrones, and choose according to your own liking."

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.3.20.61)

व्यास उवाच । तं तथा भाषमाणं वै पितरं मितभाषिणी । उवाच वचनं बाला ललितं धर्मसंयुतम्

vyāsa uvāca taṁ tathā bhāṣamāṇaṁ vai pitaraṁ mitabhāṣiṇī uvāca vacanaṁ bālā lalitaṁ dharmasaṁyutam

Vyasa said: To her father speaking thus, that maiden, sparing of speech, replied with a graceful and righteous word:

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.3.20.62)

शशिकलोवाच । नाहं दृष्टिपथे राज्ञां गमिष्यामि पितः किल । कामुकानां नरेशानां गच्छन्त्यन्याश्च योषितः

śaśikalovāca nāhaṁ dṛṣṭipathe rājñāṁ gamiṣyāmi pitaḥ kila kāmukānāṁ nareśānāṁ gacchantyanyāśca yoṣitaḥ

Shashikala said: "O father, I shall not go into the sight of these kings; other women may go before lustful rulers, but I shall not.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.3.20.63)

धर्मशास्त्रे श्रुतं तात मयेदं वचनं किल । एक एव वरो नार्या निरीक्ष्यः स्यान्न चापरः

dharmaśāstre śrutaṁ tāta mayedaṁ vacanaṁ kila eka eva varo nāryā nirīkṣyaḥ syānna cāparaḥ

O father, I have indeed heard this saying in the scriptures of dharma: a woman should look upon one husband alone, and no other.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.3.20.64)

सतीत्वं निर्गतं तस्या या प्रयाति बहूनथ । सङ्कल्पयन्ति ते सर्वे दृष्ट्वा मे भवतात्त्विति

satītvaṁ nirgataṁ tasyā yā prayāti bahūnatha saṅkalpayanti te sarve dṛṣṭvā me bhavatāttviti

A woman's chastity departs from her who goes before many men, each of whom, having seen her, resolves in his own mind, 'Let her become mine.'

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.3.20.65)

स्वयंवरे स्रजं धृत्वा यदागच्छति मण्डपे । सामान्या सा तदा जाता कुलटेवापरा वधूः

svayaṁvare srajaṁ dhṛtvā yadāgacchati maṇḍape sāmānyā sā tadā jātā kulaṭevāparā vadhūḥ

When, holding the garland, a bride comes into the pavilion at a svayamvara before all the assembled suitors, she then becomes as though common, like an unchaste woman.

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.3.20.66)

वारस्त्री विपणे गत्वा यथा वीक्ष्य नरांस्थितान् । गुणागुणपरिज्ञानं करोति निजमानसे

vārastrī vipaṇe gatvā yathā vīkṣya narāṁsthitān guṇāguṇaparijñānaṁ karoti nijamānase

As a courtesan, going to the market, having looked upon the men standing there, forms in her own mind a judgment of their merits and faults —

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.3.20.67)

नैकभावा यथा वेश्या वृथा पश्यति कामुकम् । तथाऽहं मण्डपे गत्वा कुर्वे वारस्त्रिया कृतम्

naikabhāvā yathā veśyā vṛthā paśyati kāmukam tathā'haṁ maṇḍape gatvā kurve vārastriyā kṛtam

as a courtesan of many attachments looks in vain upon each eager lover, so too, going into the pavilion, would I be doing what a courtesan does.

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.3.20.68)

वृद्धैरेतैः कृतं धर्मं न करिष्यामि साम्प्रतम् । पत्नीव्रतं तथा कामं चरिष्येऽहं धृतव्रता

vṛddhairetaiḥ kṛtaṁ dharmaṁ na kariṣyāmi sāmpratam patnīvrataṁ tathā kāmaṁ cariṣye'haṁ dhṛtavratā

I shall not now follow this custom practiced by these elders; rather, holding fast to my vow, I shall faithfully observe the vow of a devoted wife.

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.3.20.69)

सामान्या प्रथमं गत्वा कृत्वा सङ्कल्पितं बहु । वृणोति चैकं तद्वद्वै वृणोमि कथमद्य वै

sāmānyā prathamaṁ gatvā kṛtvā saṅkalpitaṁ bahu vṛṇoti caikaṁ tadvadvai vṛṇomi kathamadya vai

A common woman first goes and, after much resolving in her mind, chooses just one — how, then, should I make my choice today in that same manner?

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.3.20.70)

सुदर्शनो मया पूर्वं वृतः सर्वात्मना पितः । तमृते नान्यथा कर्तुमिच्छामि नृपसत्तम

sudarśano mayā pūrvaṁ vṛtaḥ sarvātmanā pitaḥ tamṛte nānyathā kartumicchāmi nṛpasattama

O father, I have already, with my whole soul, chosen Sudarshana before this; O best of kings, apart from him I have no wish to do otherwise.

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.3.20.71)

विवाहविधिना देहि कन्यादानं शुभे दिने । सुदर्शनाय नृपते यदीच्छसि शुभं मम

vivāhavidhinā dehi kanyādānaṁ śubhe dine sudarśanāya nṛpate yadīcchasi śubhaṁ mama

If you desire my welfare, O king, then give me in marriage, according to the rites, on an auspicious day, to Sudarshana — the gift of the maiden."