Mahisha Tells the Story of Princess Mandodari

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.5.17.1)

व्यास उवाच । इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य देवी पप्रच्छ दानवम् । का सा मन्दोदरी नारी कोऽसौ त्यक्तो नृपस्तया

vyāsa uvāca | iti śrutvā vacastasya devī papraccha dānavam | kā sā mandodarī nārī ko'sau tyakto nṛpastayā

Vyasa said: Hearing his words, the Goddess asked the danava: "Who is this woman Mandodari, and who is that king abandoned by her?"

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.5.17.2)

शठः को वा नृपः पश्चात्तन्मे ब्रूहि कथानकम् । विस्तरेण यथा प्राप्तं दुःखं वनितया पुनः

śaṭhaḥ ko vā nṛpaḥ paścāttanme brūhi kathānakam | vistareṇa yathā prāptaṁ duḥkhaṁ vanitayā punaḥ

"And who was the deceitful man afterward? Tell me this story in full — how that woman came, in the end, to suffer sorrow."

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.5.17.3)

महिष उवाच । सिंहलो नाम देशोऽस्ति विख्यातः पृथिवीतले । घनपादपसंयुक्तो धनधान्यसमृद्धिमान्

mahiṣa uvāca | siṁhalo nāma deśo'sti vikhyātaḥ pṛthivītale | ghanapādapasaṁyukto dhanadhānyasamṛddhimān

Mahisha said: "There is a land named Simhala, renowned upon the earth, thick with trees, and abounding in wealth and grain."

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.5.17.4)

चन्द्रसेनाभिधस्तत्र राजा धर्मपरायणः । न्यायदण्डधरः शान्तः प्रजापालनतत्परः

candrasenābhidhastatra rājā dharmaparāyaṇaḥ | nyāyadaṇḍadharaḥ śāntaḥ prajāpālanatatparaḥ

"There ruled a king named Chandrasena, devoted to dharma, who wielded the rod of justice righteously, peaceful, and intent upon protecting his subjects."

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.5.17.5)

सत्यवादी मृदुः शूरस्तितिक्षुर्नीतिसागरः । शास्त्रवित्सर्वधर्मज्ञो धनुर्वेदेऽतिनिष्ठितः

satyavādī mṛduḥ śūrastitikṣurnītisāgaraḥ | śāstravitsarvadharmajño dhanurvede'tiniṣṭhitaḥ

"He was truthful, gentle, valiant, forbearing, an ocean of statecraft, learned in the scriptures, knower of all dharma, and deeply devoted to the science of archery."

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.5.17.6)

तस्य भार्या वरारोहा सुन्दरी सुभगा शुभा । सदाचारातिसुमुखी पतिभक्तिपरायणा

tasya bhāryā varārohā sundarī subhagā śubhā | sadācārātisumukhī patibhaktiparāyaṇā

"His wife was lovely, beautiful, fortunate, and auspicious, of excellent conduct and fair countenance, devoted wholly to her husband."

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.5.17.7)

नाम्ना गुणवती कान्ता सर्वलक्षणसंयुता । सुषुवे प्रथमे गर्भे पुत्रीं सा चातिसुन्दरीम्

nāmnā guṇavatī kāntā sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutā | suṣuve prathame garbhe putrīṁ sā cātisundarīm

"Named Gunavati, that beloved, endowed with every auspicious mark, gave birth in her first pregnancy to an exceedingly beautiful daughter."

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.5.17.8)

पिता चातीव सन्तुष्टः पुत्रीं प्राप्य मनोरमाम् । मन्दोदरीति नामास्याः पिता चक्रे मुदान्वितः

pitā cātīva santuṣṭaḥ putrīṁ prāpya manoramām | mandodarīti nāmāsyāḥ pitā cakre mudānvitaḥ

"Her father, overjoyed to have obtained such a charming daughter, gave her, with great delight, the name Mandodari."

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.5.17.9)

इन्दोः कलेव चात्यर्थं ववृधे सा दिने दिने । दशवर्षा यदा जाता कन्या चातिमनोहरा

indoḥ kaleva cātyarthaṁ vavṛdhe sā dine dine | daśavarṣā yadā jātā kanyā cātimanoharā

"Like a digit of the moon, she grew day by day; and when the exceedingly lovely girl had reached ten years of age —"

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.5.17.10)

वरार्थं नृपतिश्चिन्तामवाप च दिने दिने । मद्रदेशाधिपः शूरः सुधन्वा नाम पार्थिवः

varārthaṁ nṛpatiścintāmavāpa ca dine dine | madradeśādhipaḥ śūraḥ sudhanvā nāma pārthivaḥ

"— the king began, day after day, to think about finding her a suitable groom. There was a valiant king of the land of Madra, named Sudhanva."

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.5.17.11)

तस्य पुत्रोऽतिमेधावी कम्बुग्रीवोऽतिविश्रुतः । ब्राह्मणैः कथितो राज्ञे स युक्तोऽस्या वरः शुभः

tasya putro'timedhāvī kambugrīvo'tiviśrutaḥ | brāhmaṇaiḥ kathito rājñe sa yukto'syā varaḥ śubhaḥ

"His son, exceedingly intelligent, named Kambugriva, was widely renowned. He was declared by brahmins to the king to be a fitting and auspicious match for her."

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.5.17.12)

सर्वलक्षणसम्पन्नः सर्वविद्यार्थपारगः । राज्ञा पृष्टा तदा राज्ञी नाम्ना गुणवती प्रिया

sarvalakṣaṇasampannaḥ sarvavidyārthapāragaḥ | rājñā pṛṣṭā tadā rājñī nāmnā guṇavatī priyā

"Endowed with every auspicious mark, and versed in the meaning of every branch of learning — the king then asked his beloved queen, named Gunavati:"

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.5.17.13)

कम्बुग्रीवाय कन्यां स्वां दास्यामि वरवर्णिनीम् । सा तु पत्युर्वचः श्रुत्वा पुत्रीं पप्रच्छ सादरम्

kambugrīvāya kanyāṁ svāṁ dāsyāmi varavarṇinīm | sā tu patyurvacaḥ śrutvā putrīṁ papraccha sādaram

"'I shall give our lovely daughter to Kambugriva.'" Hearing her husband's words, she respectfully asked their daughter —

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.5.17.14)

विवाहं ते पिता कर्तुं कम्बुग्रीवेण वाञ्छति । तच्छ्रुत्वा मातरं प्राह वाक्यं मन्दोदरी तदा

vivāhaṁ te pitā kartuṁ kambugrīveṇa vāñchati | tacchrutvā mātaraṁ prāha vākyaṁ mandodarī tadā

"'Your father wishes to marry you to Kambugriva.'" Hearing this, Mandodari then said these words to her mother:

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.5.17.15)

नाहं पतिं करिष्यामि नेच्छा मेऽस्ति परिग्रहे । कौमारं व्रतमास्थाय कालं नेष्यामि सर्वथा

nāhaṁ patiṁ kariṣyāmi necchā me'sti parigrahe | kaumāraṁ vratamāsthāya kālaṁ neṣyāmi sarvathā

"'I shall not take a husband; I have no wish for marriage. Taking up the vow of maidenhood, I shall pass my time in no other way whatsoever.'"

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.5.17.16)

स्वातन्त्र्येण चरिष्यामि तपस्तीव्रं सदैव हि । पारतन्त्र्यं परं दुःखं मातः संसारसागरे

svātantryeṇa cariṣyāmi tapastīvraṁ sadaiva hi | pāratantryaṁ paraṁ duḥkhaṁ mātaḥ saṁsārasāgare

"'I shall live independently, ever practicing intense austerity. Dependence upon another, O mother, is the greatest sorrow in this ocean of worldly existence.'"

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.5.17.17)

स्वातन्त्र्यान्मोक्षमित्याहुः पण्डिताः शास्त्रकोविदाः । तस्मान्मुक्ता भविष्यामि पत्या मे न प्रयोजनम्

svātantryānmokṣamityāhuḥ paṇḍitāḥ śāstrakovidāḥ | tasmānmuktā bhaviṣyāmi patyā me na prayojanam

"'The wise, learned in the scriptures, say that liberation comes through independence. Therefore I shall remain free; I have no need of a husband.'"

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.5.17.18)

विवाहे वर्तमाने तु पावकस्य च सन्निधौ । वक्तव्यं वचनं सम्यक्त्वदधीनास्मि सर्वदा

vivāhe vartamāne tu pāvakasya ca sannidhau | vaktavyaṁ vacanaṁ samyaktvadadhīnāsmi sarvadā

"'For once the marriage takes place, in the presence of the sacred fire, I would have to properly declare: I am ever subject to you.'"

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.5.17.19)

श्वश्रूदेवरवर्गाणां दासीत्वं श्वशुरालये । पतिचित्तानुवर्तित्वं दुःखाद्दुःखतरं स्मृतम्

śvaśrūdevaravargāṇāṁ dāsītvaṁ śvaśurālaye | paticittānuvartitvaṁ duḥkhādduḥkhataraṁ smṛtam

"'Servitude to one's mother-in-law and to the circle of brothers-in-law in one's husband's house, and constant compliance with a husband's wishes — this is remembered as sorrow beyond sorrow.'"

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.5.17.20)

कदाचित्पतिरन्यां वा कामिनीं च भजेद्यदि । तदा महत्तरं दुःखं सपत्नीसम्भवं भवेत्

kadācitpatiranyāṁ vā kāminīṁ ca bhajedyadi | tadā mahattaraṁ duḥkhaṁ sapatnīsambhavaṁ bhavet

"'And should a husband ever come to love another woman, then a still greater sorrow arises — that born of a rival wife.'"

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.5.17.21)

तदेर्ष्या जायते पत्यौ क्लेशश्चापि भवेदथ । संसारे क्व सुखं मातर्नारीणां च विशेषतः

taderṣyā jāyate patyau kleśaścāpi bhavedatha | saṁsāre kva sukhaṁ mātarnārīṇāṁ ca viśeṣataḥ

"'Then jealousy arises toward the husband, and affliction as well. Where, O mother, is there happiness in this world, especially for women —'"

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.5.17.22)

स्वभावात्परतन्त्राणां संसारे स्वप्नधर्मिणि । श्रुतं मया पुरा मातरुत्तानचरणात्मजः

svabhāvātparatantrāṇāṁ saṁsāre svapnadharmiṇi | śrutaṁ mayā purā mātaruttānacaraṇātmajaḥ

"'— who by their very nature are dependent, in this world that is by nature like a dream? I have heard before, O mother, of the son of Uttanacharana —'"

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.5.17.23)

उत्तमः सर्वधर्मज्ञो ध्रुवादवरजो नृपः । पत्नीं धर्मपरां साध्वीं पतिभक्तिपरायणाम्

uttamaḥ sarvadharmajño dhruvādavarajo nṛpaḥ | patnīṁ dharmaparāṁ sādhvīṁ patibhaktiparāyaṇām

"'— the excellent king, knower of all dharma, the younger brother of Dhruva, who abandoned his beloved wife — righteous, virtuous, devoted wholly to her husband —'"

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.5.17.24)

अपराधं विना कान्तां त्यक्तवान्विपिने प्रियाम् । एवंविधानि दुःखानि विद्यमाने तु भर्तरि

aparādhaṁ vinā kāntāṁ tyaktavānvipine priyām | evaṁvidhāni duḥkhāni vidyamāne tu bhartari

"'— abandoned her, without any fault of hers, in the forest. Such are the sorrows that occur even while a husband lives.'"

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.5.17.25)

कालयोगान्मृते तस्मिन्नारी स्याद्दुःखभाजनम् । वैधव्यं परमं दुःखं शोकसन्तापकारकम्

kālayogānmṛte tasminnārī syādduḥkhabhājanam | vaidhavyaṁ paramaṁ duḥkhaṁ śokasantāpakārakam

"'And should he die, in the course of time, the woman becomes a vessel of sorrow; widowhood is the greatest suffering, the cause of grief and torment.'"

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.5.17.26)

परोषितपतित्वेऽपि दुःखं स्यादधिकं गृहे । मदनाग्निविदग्धायाः किं सुखं पतिसङ्गजम्

paroṣitapatitve'pi duḥkhaṁ syādadhikaṁ gṛhe | madanāgnividagdhāyāḥ kiṁ sukhaṁ patisaṅgajam

"'Even when her husband merely lives abroad, there is greater sorrow at home — for one burning in the fire of desire, what happiness can be born of union with a husband?'"

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.5.17.27)

तस्मात्पतिर्न कर्तव्यः सर्वथेति मतिर्मम । एवं प्रोक्ता तदा माता पतिं प्राह नृपात्मजा

tasmātpatirna kartavyaḥ sarvatheti matirmama | evaṁ proktā tadā mātā patiṁ prāha nṛpātmajā

"'Therefore a husband should never be taken — this is my firm conviction.'" Thus addressed, the mother then reported this to her husband, the king, on behalf of their daughter:

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.5.17.28)

न च वाञ्छति भर्तारं कौमारव्रतधारिणी । व्रतजाप्यपरा नित्यं संसाराद्विमुखी सदा

na ca vāñchati bhartāraṁ kaumāravratadhāriṇī | vratajāpyaparā nityaṁ saṁsārādvimukhī sadā

She does not desire a husband, holding fast to her vow of maidenhood; ever devoted to her vows and recitations, always averse to worldly life.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.5.17.29)

न काङ्क्षति पतिं कर्तुं बहुदोषविचक्षणा । भार्याया भाषितं श्रुत्वा तथैव संस्थितो नृपः

na kāṅkṣati patiṁ kartuṁ bahudoṣavicakṣaṇā | bhāryāyā bhāṣitaṁ śrutvā tathaiva saṁsthito nṛpaḥ

She does not wish to take a husband, well aware of its many faults. Hearing his wife's words, the king let the matter rest as it was.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.5.17.30)

विवाहो न कृतः पुत्र्या ज्ञात्वा भावविवर्जिताम् । वर्तमाना गृहेष्वेव पित्रा मात्रा च रक्षिता

vivāho na kṛtaḥ putryā jñātvā bhāvavivarjitām | vartamānā gṛheṣveva pitrā mātrā ca rakṣitā

No marriage was arranged for the daughter, knowing her to be without any desire for it; she remained in the household itself, protected by her father and mother.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.5.17.31)

यौवनस्याङ्कुरा जाता नारीणां कामदीपकाः । तथापि सा वयस्याभिः प्रेरितापि पुनः पुनः

yauvanasyāṅkurā jātā nārīṇāṁ kāmadīpakāḥ | tathāpi sā vayasyābhiḥ preritāpi punaḥ punaḥ

The first shoots of youth arose in her — those very kindlers of desire in women — yet even though urged again and again by her companions,

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.5.17.32)

चकमे न पतिं कर्तुं ज्ञानार्थपदभाषिणी । एकदोद्यानदेशे सा विहर्तुं बहुपादपे

cakame na patiṁ kartuṁ jñānārthapadabhāṣiṇī | ekadodyānadeśe sā vihartuṁ bahupādape

she did not wish to take a husband, speaking always words full of wisdom and meaning. One day, she went to a garden thick with trees to enjoy herself —

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.5.17.33)

जगाम सुमुखी प्रेम्णा सैरन्ध्रीगणसेविता । रेमे कृशोदरी तत्रापश्यत्कुसुमिता लताः

jagāma sumukhī premṇā sairandhrīgaṇasevitā | reme kṛśodarī tatrāpaśyatkusumitā latāḥ

— that fair-faced one, with affection, attended by her band of maidservants. There the slender-waisted one delighted herself, and beheld the flowering creepers.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.5.17.34)

पुष्पाणि चिन्वती रम्या वयस्याभिः समावृता । कोसलाधिपतिस्तत्र मार्गे दैववशात्तदा

puṣpāṇi cinvatī ramyā vayasyābhiḥ samāvṛtā | kosalādhipatistatra mārge daivavaśāttadā

Charming, gathering flowers, surrounded by her companions — meanwhile, on that road, by the working of fate, the lord of Kosala —

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.5.17.35)

आजगाम महावीरो वीरसेनोऽतिविश्रुतः । एकाकी रथमारूढः कतिचित्सेवकैर्वृतः

ājagāma mahāvīro vīraseno'tiviśrutaḥ | ekākī rathamārūḍhaḥ katicitsevakairvṛtaḥ

— the great hero, widely renowned, named Virasena, came along, alone upon his chariot, attended by a few servants.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.5.17.36)

सैन्यं च पृष्ठतस्तस्य समायाति शनैः शनैः । दृष्टस्तस्या वयस्याभिर्दूरतः पार्थिवस्तदा

sainyaṁ ca pṛṣṭhatastasya samāyāti śanaiḥ śanaiḥ | dṛṣṭastasyā vayasyābhirdūrataḥ pārthivastadā

His army followed behind him slowly; and that king was seen from a distance by her companions.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.5.17.37)

मन्दोदर्यै तथा प्रोक्तं समायाति नरः पथि । रथारूढो महाबाहू रूपवान्मदनोऽपरः

mandodaryai tathā proktaṁ samāyāti naraḥ pathi | rathārūḍho mahābāhū rūpavānmadano'paraḥ

They said to Mandodari: "A man is coming along the road, mounted on a chariot, mighty-armed, handsome — like another god of love!"

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.5.17.38)

मन्येऽहं नृपतिः कश्चित्प्राप्तो भाग्यवशादिह । एवं ब्रुवत्यां तत्रासौ कोसलेन्द्रः समागतः

manye'haṁ nṛpatiḥ kaścitprāpto bhāgyavaśādiha | evaṁ bruvatyāṁ tatrāsau kosalendraḥ samāgataḥ

"I think some king has come here, by chance of fortune." While she was speaking thus, that lord of Kosala arrived there.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.5.17.39)

दृष्ट्वा तामसितापाङ्गीं विस्मयं प्राप भूपतिः । उत्तीर्य स रथात्तूर्णं पप्रच्छ परिचारिकाम्

dṛṣṭvā tāmasitāpāṅgīṁ vismayaṁ prāpa bhūpatiḥ | uttīrya sa rathāttūrṇaṁ papraccha paricārikām

Seeing her, dark-eyed, the king was filled with wonder; quickly descending from his chariot, he asked one of her attendants:

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.5.17.40)

केयं बाला विशालाक्षी कस्य पुत्री वदाशु मे । एवं पृष्टा तु सैरन्ध्री तमुवाच शुचिस्मिता

keyaṁ bālā viśālākṣī kasya putrī vadāśu me | evaṁ pṛṣṭā tu sairandhrī tamuvāca śucismitā

"Who is this large-eyed maiden? Whose daughter is she — tell me at once." Thus asked, the maidservant, sweetly smiling, said to him:

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.5.17.41)

प्रथमं ब्रूहि मे वीर पृच्छामि त्वां सुलोचन । कोऽसि त्वं किमिहायातः किं कार्यं वद साम्प्रतम्

prathamaṁ brūhi me vīra pṛcchāmi tvāṁ sulocana | ko'si tvaṁ kimihāyātaḥ kiṁ kāryaṁ vada sāmpratam

"First tell me, O hero, O fair-eyed one — I ask you: who are you, why have you come here, and for what purpose? Tell me now."

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.5.17.42)

इति पृष्टस्तु सैरन्ध्र्या तामुवाच महीपतिः । कोसलो नाम देशोऽस्ति पृथिव्यां परमाद्भुतः

iti pṛṣṭastu sairandhryā tāmuvāca mahīpatiḥ | kosalo nāma deśo'sti pṛthivyāṁ paramādbhutaḥ

Thus questioned by the maidservant, the king said to her: "There is a land upon the earth named Kosala, most wondrous."

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.5.17.43)

तस्य पालयिता चाहं वीरसेनाभिधः प्रिये । वाहिनी पृष्ठतः कामं समायाति चतुर्विधा

tasya pālayitā cāhaṁ vīrasenābhidhaḥ priye | vāhinī pṛṣṭhataḥ kāmaṁ samāyāti caturvidhā

"Its ruler am I, named Virasena, O dear one. My fourfold army indeed follows behind me."

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.5.17.44)

मार्गभ्रमादिह प्राप्तं विद्धि मां कोसलाधिपम् । सैरन्ध्र्युवाच । चन्द्रसेनसुता राजन्नाम्ना मन्दोदरी किल

mārgabhramādiha prāptaṁ viddhi māṁ kosalādhipam | sairandhryuvāca | candrasenasutā rājannāmnā mandodarī kila

"Know me to be the lord of Kosala, arrived here having lost my way." The maidservant said: "O king, she is the daughter of Chandrasena, named Mandodari."

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.5.17.45)

उद्याने रन्तुकामेयं प्राप्ता कमललोचना । श्रुत्वा तद्भाषितं राजा प्रत्युवाच प्रसाधिकाम्

udyāne rantukāmeyaṁ prāptā kamalalocanā | śrutvā tadbhāṣitaṁ rājā pratyuvāca prasādhikām

"This lotus-eyed one has come to the garden, desiring to sport there." Hearing this, the king replied to the attendant:

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.5.17.46)

सैरन्ध्रि चतुरासि त्वं राजपुत्रीं प्रबोधय । ककुत्स्थवंशजश्चाहं राजास्मि चारुलोचने

sairandhri caturāsi tvaṁ rājaputrīṁ prabodhaya | kakutsthavaṁśajaścāhaṁ rājāsmi cārulocane

"O maidservant, you are clever — persuade the princess for me. I am born of the Kakutstha lineage, and I am a king, O lovely-eyed one."

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.5.17.47)

गान्धर्वेण विवाहेन पतिं मां कुरु कामिनि । न मे भार्यास्ति सुश्रोणि वयसोऽद्भुतयौवनाम्

gāndharveṇa vivāhena patiṁ māṁ kuru kāmini | na me bhāryāsti suśroṇi vayaso'dbhutayauvanām

"By the gandharva form of marriage, make me your husband, O desirable one. I have no wife, O fair one, though I am in the wondrous bloom of youth."

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.5.17.48)

वाञ्छामि रूपसम्पन्नां सुकुलां कामिनीं किल । अथवा ते पिता मह्यं विधिना दातुमर्हति

vāñchāmi rūpasampannāṁ sukulāṁ kāminīṁ kila | athavā te pitā mahyaṁ vidhinā dātumarhati

"I desire indeed a beautiful woman of good family. Or else, let your father give you to me according to proper rite."

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.5.17.49)

अनुकूलः पतिश्चाहं भविष्यामि न संशयः । महिष उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य सैरन्ध्री प्राह तां तदा

anukūlaḥ patiścāhaṁ bhaviṣyāmi na saṁśayaḥ | mahiṣa uvāca | ityākarṇya vacastasya sairandhrī prāha tāṁ tadā

"I shall be a devoted and agreeable husband — of that there is no doubt." Mahisha said: Hearing his words, the maidservant then said to her:

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.5.17.50)

प्रहस्य मधुरं वाक्यं कामशास्त्रविशारदा । मन्दोदरि नृपः प्राप्तः सूर्यवंशसमुद्भवः

prahasya madhuraṁ vākyaṁ kāmaśāstraviśāradā | mandodari nṛpaḥ prāptaḥ sūryavaṁśasamudbhavaḥ

— laughing, sweet words, she who was skilled in the science of love: "O Mandodari, a king has arrived, born of the Solar dynasty."

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.5.17.51)

रूपवान्बलवान्कान्तो वयसा त्वत्समः पुनः । प्रीतिमान्नृपतिर्जातस्त्वयि सुन्दरि सर्वथा

rūpavānbalavānkānto vayasā tvatsamaḥ punaḥ | prītimānnṛpatirjātastvayi sundari sarvathā

"Handsome, powerful, charming, and moreover of an age equal to your own; that king has become, O beautiful one, entirely enamored of you."

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.5.17.52)

पितापि ते विशालाक्षि परितप्यति सर्वथा । विवाहकालं ते ज्ञात्वा त्वां च वैराग्यसंयुताम्

pitāpi te viśālākṣi paritapyati sarvathā | vivāhakālaṁ te jñātvā tvāṁ ca vairāgyasaṁyutām

"Your father too, O large-eyed one, is greatly distressed on every account, knowing that the time for your marriage has come, while you remain filled with renunciation."

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.5.17.53)

इत्याहास्मान्स नृपतिर्विनिःश्वस्य पुनः पुनः । पुत्रीं प्रबोधयन्त्वेतां सैरन्ध्र्यः सेवने रताः

ityāhāsmānsa nṛpatirviniḥśvasya punaḥ punaḥ | putrīṁ prabodhayantvetāṁ sairandhryaḥ sevane ratāḥ

"So this king has said to us, sighing again and again: 'Let the maidservants, devoted to service, persuade this daughter.'"

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.5.17.54)

वक्तुं शक्ता वयं न त्वां हठधर्मरतां पुनः । भर्तुः शुश्रूषणं स्त्रीणां परो धर्मोऽब्रवीन्मनुः

vaktuṁ śaktā vayaṁ na tvāṁ haṭhadharmaratāṁ punaḥ | bhartuḥ śuśrūṣaṇaṁ strīṇāṁ paro dharmo'bravīnmanuḥ

"We are unable to persuade you, so devoted are you to your obstinate vow. Manu has declared that service to a husband is the highest duty for women."

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.5.17.55)

भर्तारं सेवमाना वै नारी स्वर्गमवाप्नुयात् । तस्मात्कुरु विशालाक्षि विवाहं विधिपूर्वकम्

bhartāraṁ sevamānā vai nārī svargamavāpnuyāt | tasmātkuru viśālākṣi vivāhaṁ vidhipūrvakam

"A woman who serves her husband attains heaven itself. Therefore, O large-eyed one, undertake marriage according to proper rite."

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.5.17.56)

मन्दादर्युवाच । नाहं पतिं करिष्यामि चरिष्ये तप अद्भुतम् । निवारय नृपं बाले किं मां पश्यति निस्त्रपः

mandādaryuvāca | nāhaṁ patiṁ kariṣyāmi cariṣye tapa adbhutam | nivāraya nṛpaṁ bāle kiṁ māṁ paśyati nistrapaḥ

Mandodari said: "I shall not take a husband; I shall practice a wondrous austerity. Turn the king away, O girl — why does he stare at me so shamelessly?"

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.5.17.57)

सैरन्ध्र्युवाच । दुर्जयो देवि कामोऽसौ कालोऽसौ दुरतिक्रमः । तस्मान्मे वचनं पथ्यं कर्तुमर्हसि सुन्दरि

sairandhryuvāca | durjayo devi kāmo'sau kālo'sau duratikramaḥ | tasmānme vacanaṁ pathyaṁ kartumarhasi sundari

The maidservant said: "O lady, desire is hard to conquer, and time is hard to overcome. Therefore, O beautiful one, you ought to heed my wholesome advice."

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.5.17.58)

अन्यथा व्यसनं नूनमापतेदिति निश्चयः । इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा कन्योवाचाथ तां सखीम्

anyathā vyasanaṁ nūnamāpatediti niścayaḥ | iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā kanyovācātha tāṁ sakhīm

"Otherwise, calamity will surely befall you — this is certain." Hearing her words, the maiden then said to her companion:

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.5.17.59)

यद्यद्भवेत्तद्भवतु दैवयोगादसंशयम् । न विवाहं करिष्येऽहं सर्वथा परिचारिके

yadyadbhavettadbhavatu daivayogādasaṁśayam | na vivāhaṁ kariṣye'haṁ sarvathā paricārike

"Whatever is to happen, let it happen, by the working of fate, without doubt. I shall not marry, O attendant, under any circumstance."

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.5.17.60)

महिष उवाच । इति तस्यास्तु निर्बन्धं ज्ञात्वा प्राह नृपं पुनः । गच्छ राजन् यथाकामं नेयमिच्छति सत्पतिम्

mahiṣa uvāca | iti tasyāstu nirbandhaṁ jñātvā prāha nṛpaṁ punaḥ | gaccha rājan yathākāmaṁ neyamicchati satpatim

Mahisha said: Knowing her firm resolve, the maidservant then said to the king again: "Go, O king, as you please; she does not desire even a good husband."

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.5.17.61)

नृपस्तु तद्वचः श्रुत्वा निर्गतः सह सेनया । कोसलान्विमना भूत्वा कामिनीं प्रति निःस्पृहः

nṛpastu tadvacaḥ śrutvā nirgataḥ saha senayā | kosalānvimanā bhūtvā kāminīṁ prati niḥspṛhaḥ

Hearing these words, the king departed with his army, going back to Kosala, dejected, having given up all longing for that woman.