The Tale of the Princess Ekavali

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.6.21.1)

व्यास उवाच । जातकर्मादिसंस्कारांश्चकार नृपतिस्तदा । दिने दिने जगामाशु वृद्धिं बालः सुलालितः

vyāsa uvāca | jātakarmādisaṁskārāṁścakāra nṛpatistadā | dine dine jagāmāśu vṛddhiṁ bālaḥ sulālitaḥ

Vyasa said: The king then performed the jatakarma and other sacraments; day by day, that lovingly cherished boy quickly grew.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.6.21.2)

नृपः संसारजं प्राप्य सुखं पुत्रसभुद्भवम् । ऋणत्रयविमोक्षं च मेने तेन महात्मना

nṛpaḥ saṁsārajaṁ prāpya sukhaṁ putrasabhudbhavam | ṛṇatrayavimokṣaṁ ca mene tena mahātmanā

The king, having attained the worldly happiness that arises from a son, considered himself, through that great-souled child, freed from the three debts.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.6.21.3)

षष्ठेऽन्नप्राशनं तस्य कृत्वा मासि यथाविधि । तृतीयेऽथ तथा वर्षे चूडाकरणमुत्तमम्

ṣaṣṭhe'nnaprāśanaṁ tasya kṛtvā māsi yathāvidhi | tṛtīye'tha tathā varṣe cūḍākaraṇamuttamam

He duly performed the annaprashana rite for him in the sixth month, and, likewise, the excellent chudakarana (tonsure) rite in the third year.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.6.21.4)

चकार ब्राह्मणान् द्रव्यैः सम्पूज्य विविधैर्धनैः । गोभिश्च विविधैर्दानैर्याचकानितरानपि

cakāra brāhmaṇān dravyaiḥ sampūjya vividhairdhanaiḥ | gobhiśca vividhairdānairyācakānitarānapi

He honored the brahmins with various riches, and satisfied petitioners and others too with cows and manifold gifts.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.6.21.5)

वर्षे चैकादशे तस्य मौञ्जीबन्धनकर्म वै । कारयित्वा धनुर्वेदमध्यापयत पार्थिवः

varṣe caikādaśe tasya mauñjībandhanakarma vai | kārayitvā dhanurvedamadhyāpayata pārthivaḥ

In his eleventh year, having had the girdle-investiture rite performed for him, the king had him taught the science of archery.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.6.21.6)

अधीतवेदं पुत्रं तं राजधर्मविशारदम् । दृष्ट्वा तस्याभिषेकाय मतिं चक्रे जनाधिपः

adhītavedaṁ putraṁ taṁ rājadharmaviśāradam | dṛṣṭvā tasyābhiṣekāya matiṁ cakre janādhipaḥ

Seeing that son, who had studied the Veda and grown skilled in royal dharma, the ruler resolved to have him consecrated.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.6.21.7)

पुष्यार्कयोगसंयुक्ते दिवसे नृपसत्तमः । कारयामास सम्भारानभिषेकार्थमादरात्

puṣyārkayogasaṁyukte divase nṛpasattamaḥ | kārayāmāsa sambhārānabhiṣekārthamādarāt

On a day marked by the auspicious conjunction of Pushya and the sun, that best of kings, with reverence, had the materials for the consecration prepared.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.6.21.8)

द्विजानाहूय वेदज्ञान् सर्वशास्त्रविचक्षणान् । अभिषेकं चकारासौ विधिवत् स्वात्मजस्य ह

dvijānāhūya vedajñān sarvaśāstravicakṣaṇān | abhiṣekaṁ cakārāsau vidhivat svātmajasya ha

Summoning brahmins learned in the Veda and skilled in all the scriptures, he duly performed the consecration of his own son.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.6.21.9)

जलमानीय तीर्थेभ्यः सागरेभ्यश्च पार्थिवः । स्वयं चकार विथिवदभिषेकं शुभे दिने

jalamānīya tīrthebhyaḥ sāgarebhyaśca pārthivaḥ | svayaṁ cakāra vithivadabhiṣekaṁ śubhe dine

The king, having brought water from the sacred tirthas and from the oceans, himself duly performed the consecration on that auspicious day.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.6.21.10)

धनं दत्त्वाथ विप्रेभ्यो राज्यं पुत्रे निवेश्य सः । जगाम वनमेवाशु स्वर्गकामः स भूपतिः

dhanaṁ dattvātha viprebhyo rājyaṁ putre niveśya saḥ | jagāma vanamevāśu svargakāmaḥ sa bhūpatiḥ

Having given wealth to the brahmins and established his son in the kingdom, that king, desiring heaven, went at once to the forest.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.6.21.11)

एकवीरं नृपं कृत्वा सम्मान्य सचिवानथ । भार्यया सह भूपालः प्रविवेश वनं वशी

ekavīraṁ nṛpaṁ kṛtvā sammānya sacivānatha | bhāryayā saha bhūpālaḥ praviveśa vanaṁ vaśī

Having made Ekavira king and duly honored his ministers, that self-controlled king entered the forest together with his queen.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.6.21.12)

मैनाकशिखरे राजा कृत्वा तार्तीयमाश्रमम् । नित्यं पत्रफलाहारश्चिन्तयामास पार्वतीम्

mainākaśikhare rājā kṛtvā tārtīyamāśramam | nityaṁ patraphalāhāraścintayāmāsa pārvatīm

Taking up the third stage of life on the peak of Mount Mainaka, living always on leaves and fruit, the king meditated upon Parvati.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.6.21.13)

एवं स नृपतिः कृत्वा दिष्टान्ते सह भार्यया । मृतोऽसौ वासवं लोकं गतः पुण्येन कर्मणा

evaṁ sa nṛpatiḥ kṛtvā diṣṭānte saha bhāryayā | mṛto'sau vāsavaṁ lokaṁ gataḥ puṇyena karmaṇā

Thus that king, at the end of his allotted span, died together with his queen, and, through the fruit of his meritorious deeds, went to the world of Vasava (Indra).

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.6.21.14)

इन्द्रलोकं पिता प्राप्त इति श्रुत्वाथ हैहयः । चकार वेदनिर्दिष्टं कर्म चैवौर्ध्वदैहिकम्

indralokaṁ pitā prāpta iti śrutvātha haihayaḥ | cakāra vedanirdiṣṭaṁ karma caivaurdhvadaihikam

Hearing that his father had attained Indra's world, the Haihaya, Ekavira, performed the funerary rites prescribed by the Veda.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.6.21.15)

कृत्वोत्तराः क्रियाः सर्वाः पितुः पार्थिवनन्दनः । राज्यं चकार मेधावी पित्रा दत्तं सुसम्मतम्

kṛtvottarāḥ kriyāḥ sarvāḥ pituḥ pārthivanandanaḥ | rājyaṁ cakāra medhāvī pitrā dattaṁ susammatam

Having performed all the subsequent rites for his father, that wise prince ruled the well-approved kingdom given to him by his father.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.6.21.16)

एकवीरोऽथ धर्मज्ञः प्राप्य राज्यमनुत्तमम् । बुभुजे विविधान् भोगान्सचिवैश्च सुमानितः

ekavīro'tha dharmajñaḥ prāpya rājyamanuttamam | bubhuje vividhān bhogānsacivaiśca sumānitaḥ

Ekavira, knower of dharma, having obtained the peerless kingdom, enjoyed manifold pleasures, well honored by his ministers.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.6.21.17)

एकस्मिन् दिवसे राजा मन्त्रिपुत्रैः समन्वितः । जगाम जाह्नवीतीरे हयारूढः प्रतापवान्

ekasmin divase rājā mantriputraiḥ samanvitaḥ | jagāma jāhnavītīre hayārūḍhaḥ pratāpavān

One day the mighty king, accompanied by the sons of his ministers, went, mounted on horseback, to the bank of the Ganga.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.6.21.18)

सम्पश्यन् पादपान् रम्यान् कोकिलालापसंयुतान् । पुष्पितान् फलसंयुक्तान् षट्पदालिविराजितान्

sampaśyan pādapān ramyān kokilālāpasaṁyutān | puṣpitān phalasaṁyuktān ṣaṭpadālivirājitān

Gazing at the lovely trees, filled with the calls of cuckoos, in blossom, laden with fruit, resplendent with rows of bees,

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.6.21.19)

मुनीनामाश्रमान्दिव्यान् वेदध्वनिनिनादितान् । होमधूमावृताकाशान् मृगशावसमावृतान्

munīnāmāśramāndivyān vedadhvaninināditān | homadhūmāvṛtākāśān mṛgaśāvasamāvṛtān

at the divine hermitages of the sages, resounding with Vedic recitation, their skies veiled with the smoke of homa fires, thronged with fawns,

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.6.21.20)

केदाराञ्छालिसम्पक्वान् गोपिकाभिः सुरक्षितान् । प्रफुल्लपङ्कजारामान्निकुञ्जांश्च मनोरमान्

kedārāñchālisampakvān gopikābhiḥ surakṣitān | praphullapaṅkajārāmānnikuñjāṁśca manoramān

at fields of rice ripe with grain, guarded by cowherd girls, at gardens of blossoming lotuses and enchanting bowers,

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.6.21.21)

प्रेक्षमाणः प्रियालांस्तु चम्पकान् पनसद्रुमान् । बकुलांस्तिलकान्नीपान्मन्दारांश्च प्रफुल्लितान्

prekṣamāṇaḥ priyālāṁstu campakān panasadrumān | bakulāṁstilakānnīpānmandārāṁśca praphullitān

at priyala, champaka, and jackfruit trees, at bakula, tilaka, nipa, and blossoming mandara trees,

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.6.21.22)

शालांस्तालांस्तमालांश्च जम्बूचूतकदम्बकान् । स गच्छञ्जाह्नवीतोये प्रफुल्लं शतपत्रकम्

śālāṁstālāṁstamālāṁśca jambūcūtakadambakān | sa gacchañjāhnavītoye praphullaṁ śatapatrakam

at sala, tala, and tamala trees, at clusters of jambu, mango, and kadamba — as he went along the waters of the Ganga, he saw a blossoming lotus of a hundred petals —

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.6.21.23)

पङ्कजं चातिगन्धाढ्यमपश्यदवनीपतिः । दक्षिणे जलजस्याथ पार्श्वे कमललोचनाम्

paṅkajaṁ cātigandhāḍhyamapaśyadavanīpatiḥ | dakṣiṇe jalajasyātha pārśve kamalalocanām

that most fragrant lotus the king beheld; and, on the southern side of that lotus, a lotus-eyed maiden —

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.6.21.24)

कनकाभां सुकेशीं च कम्बुग्रीवां कृशोदरीम् । बिम्बोष्ठी सुन्दरीं किञ्चित्समुद्यत्सुपयोधराम्

kanakābhāṁ sukeśīṁ ca kambugrīvāṁ kṛśodarīm | bimboṣṭhī sundarīṁ kiñcitsamudyatsupayodharām

golden-hued, of lovely hair, a neck like a conch shell, slender-waisted, her lips red as the bimba fruit, beautiful, her bosom just beginning to rise,

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.6.21.25)

सुनासां चारुसर्वाङ्गीमपश्यत् कन्यकां नृपः । रुदतीं तां सखीं त्यक्त्वा विह्वलां दुःखपीडिताम्

sunāsāṁ cārusarvāṅgīmapaśyat kanyakāṁ nṛpaḥ | rudatīṁ tāṁ sakhīṁ tyaktvā vihvalāṁ duḥkhapīḍitām

fine-nosed, lovely in every limb — the king saw that maiden, weeping, distraught at having lost her companion, afflicted with sorrow —

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.6.21.26)

साश्रुनेत्रां क्रन्दमानां विजने कुररीमिव । संवीक्ष्य राजा पप्रच्छ कन्यकां शोककारणम्

sāśrunetrāṁ krandamānāṁ vijane kurarīmiva | saṁvīkṣya rājā papraccha kanyakāṁ śokakāraṇam

her eyes full of tears, wailing in that lonely place like an osprey. Beholding her, the king asked the maiden the cause of her sorrow —

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.6.21.27)

सुनसे ब्रूहि कासि त्वं कस्य पुत्री शुभानने । गन्धर्वी देवकन्याथ कथं रोदिषि सुन्दरि

sunase brūhi kāsi tvaṁ kasya putrī śubhānane | gandharvī devakanyātha kathaṁ rodiṣi sundari

'O fine-nosed one, tell me — who are you, O auspicious-faced one? Whose daughter are you? Are you a gandharva woman or a daughter of the gods? Why do you weep, O beautiful one?'

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.6.21.28)

कथमेकाकिनी बाले त्यक्ता केन पिकस्वरे । पतिस्ते क्व गतः कान्ते पिता वा ब्रूहि साम्प्रतम्

kathamekākinī bāle tyaktā kena pikasvare | patiste kva gataḥ kānte pitā vā brūhi sāmpratam

'O girl of cuckoo-sweet voice, how are you alone, and by whom were you left? My dear, where has your husband gone, or your father — tell me now.'

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.6.21.29)

किं ते दुःखमरालभ्रु कथयाद्य ममान्तिके । करोमि दुःखनाशं ते सर्वथैव कृशोदरि

kiṁ te duḥkhamarālabhru kathayādya mamāntike | karomi duḥkhanāśaṁ te sarvathaiva kṛśodari

'O curved-browed one, what is your sorrow? Tell me now, before me. O slender-waisted one, I shall utterly remove your sorrow.'

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.6.21.30)

न राज्ये मम तन्वङ्गि पीडां कोऽपि करोत्यलम् । न भयं चौरजं कान्ते न राक्षसभयं तथा

na rājye mama tanvaṅgi pīḍāṁ ko'pi karotyalam | na bhayaṁ caurajaṁ kānte na rākṣasabhayaṁ tathā

'O slender-limbed one, in my kingdom no one at all can cause you the least distress; there is no fear of thieves, my dear, nor of rakshasas.'

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.6.21.31)

मयि शासति भूपाले नोत्पाता दारुणा भुवि । भयं न व्याघ्रसिंहेभ्यो न भयं कस्यचिद्भवेत्

mayi śāsati bhūpāle notpātā dāruṇā bhuvi | bhayaṁ na vyāghrasiṁhebhyo na bhayaṁ kasyacidbhavet

'While I rule, no terrible calamities befall the earth; there is no fear from tigers or lions, nor fear from anyone at all.'

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.6.21.32)

वद वामोरु कस्मात्त्वं विलापं जाह्नवीतटे । करोषि त्राणहीनात्र किं ते दुःखं वदस्व मे

vada vāmoru kasmāttvaṁ vilāpaṁ jāhnavītaṭe | karoṣi trāṇahīnātra kiṁ te duḥkhaṁ vadasva me

'Tell me, O fair-thighed one, why you lament here on the bank of the Ganga, unprotected. What is your sorrow? Tell me.'

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.6.21.33)

हन्म्यहं दुःखमत्युग्रं प्राणिनां पृथिवीतले । दैवं च मानुषं कान्ते व्रतमेतन्ममाद्भुतम्

hanmyahaṁ duḥkhamatyugraṁ prāṇināṁ pṛthivītale | daivaṁ ca mānuṣaṁ kānte vratametanmamādbhutam

'I destroy the most terrible sorrow of beings on this earth, whether it comes from fate or from man, my dear — this is my wondrous vow.'

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.6.21.34)

विशाललोचने ब्रूहि करोमि तव चिन्तितम् । इत्युक्ते वचने राज्ञा श्रुत्वोवाच मृदुस्वना

viśālalocane brūhi karomi tava cintitam | ityukte vacane rājñā śrutvovāca mṛdusvanā

'Speak, O wide-eyed one; I shall grant what troubles your mind.' Hearing the king's words, she replied in a gentle voice —

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.6.21.35)

शृणु राजेन्द्र वक्ष्यामि मम शोकस्य कारणम् । विपत्तिरहितः प्राणी कथं रुदति भूपते

śṛṇu rājendra vakṣyāmi mama śokasya kāraṇam | vipattirahitaḥ prāṇī kathaṁ rudati bhūpate

'Listen, O lord of kings, I shall tell the cause of my grief. How, O king, could a being free of calamity ever weep?'

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.6.21.36)

प्रब्रवीमि महाबाहो यदर्थं रुदती त्वहम् । तव राज्यादन्यदेशे राजा परमधार्मिकः

prabravīmi mahābāho yadarthaṁ rudatī tvaham | tava rājyādanyadeśe rājā paramadhārmikaḥ

'O mighty-armed one, I shall tell you why I am weeping. In a land other than your own kingdom, there is a most righteous king —'

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.6.21.37)

रैभ्यो नाम महाराजः सन्तानरहितो भृशम् । तस्य भार्या सुविख्याता रुक्मरेखेति नामतः

raibhyo nāma mahārājaḥ santānarahito bhṛśam | tasya bhāryā suvikhyātā rukmarekheti nāmataḥ

'a great king named Raibhya, entirely without offspring. His well-known wife is called by the name Rukmarekha.'

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.6.21.38)

सुरूपा चतुरा साध्वी सर्वलक्षणसंयुता । अपुत्रा दुःखिता कान्तमित्युवाच पुनः पुनः

surūpā caturā sādhvī sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutā | aputrā duḥkhitā kāntamityuvāca punaḥ punaḥ

'Of lovely form, clever, virtuous, endowed with every auspicious mark — sonless and sorrowing, she said to her husband again and again —'

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.6.21.39)

किं जीवितेन मे नाथ धिग्वृथा जीवितं मम । वन्ध्यायाः सुखहीनाया ह्यपुत्राया धरातले

kiṁ jīvitena me nātha dhigvṛthā jīvitaṁ mama | vandhyāyāḥ sukhahīnāyā hyaputrāyā dharātale

'"My lord, what use is my life? Shame on this vain life of mine — barren, joyless, and sonless upon this earth."'

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.6.21.40)

इत्येवं भार्यया भूपः प्रेरितो मखमुत्तमम् । चकार ब्राह्मणांस्तज्ज्ञानाहूय विधिवत्तदा

ityevaṁ bhāryayā bhūpaḥ prerito makhamuttamam | cakāra brāhmaṇāṁstajjñānāhūya vidhivattadā

'Thus urged by his wife, the king, summoning brahmins learned in that art, duly performed an excellent sacrifice.'

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.6.21.41)

पुत्रकामो धनं भूरि ददावथ यथोदितम् । हूयमाने घृतेऽत्यर्थं पावकादतिसुप्रभात्

putrakāmo dhanaṁ bhūri dadāvatha yathoditam | hūyamāne ghṛte'tyarthaṁ pāvakādatisuprabhāt

'Desiring a son, he gave abundant wealth as prescribed; and as clarified butter was being offered, from that exceedingly radiant fire —'

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.6.21.42)

आविर्बभूव चार्वङ्गी कन्यका शुभलक्षणा । बिम्बोष्ठी सुदती सुभ्रूः पूर्णचन्द्रनिभानना

āvirbabhūva cārvaṅgī kanyakā śubhalakṣaṇā | bimboṣṭhī sudatī subhrūḥ pūrṇacandranibhānanā

'there appeared a lovely-limbed maiden of auspicious marks — her lips red as the bimba fruit, fine of teeth and brow, her face like the full moon,'

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.6.21.43)

कनकाभा सुकेशान्ता रक्तपाणितला मृदुः । सुरक्तनयना तन्वी रक्तपादतला भृशम्

kanakābhā sukeśāntā raktapāṇitalā mṛduḥ | suraktanayanā tanvī raktapādatalā bhṛśam

'golden-hued, of lovely tresses, the palms of her hands tinged red, soft, her eyes a deep red, slender, the soles of her feet a deep red.'

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.6.21.44)

हुताशनात्समुद्भूता होत्रा सा स्वीकृता तदा । होता प्रोवाच राजानं गृहीत्वा तां सुमध्यमाम्

hutāśanātsamudbhūtā hotrā sā svīkṛtā tadā | hotā provāca rājānaṁ gṛhītvā tāṁ sumadhyamām

'Arisen from the sacred fire, that maiden was then received by the officiating priest; taking that slender-waisted girl, the priest said to the king —'

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.6.21.45)

राजन् पुत्रीं गृहाणेमां सर्वलक्षणसंयुताम् । एकावलीव सम्भूता हूयमानाद्धुताशनात्

rājan putrīṁ gṛhāṇemāṁ sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutām | ekāvalīva sambhūtā hūyamānāddhutāśanāt

'"O king, take this daughter, endowed with every auspicious mark; she has arisen from this offered fire like a single strand of pearls (ekavali)."'

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.6.21.46)

नाम्ना चैकावली लोके ख्याता पुत्री भविष्यति । सुखितो भव भूपाल पुत्र्या पुत्रसमानया

nāmnā caikāvalī loke khyātā putrī bhaviṣyati | sukhito bhava bhūpāla putryā putrasamānayā

'"This daughter shall become known in the world by the name Ekavali. Be happy, O king, having obtained this daughter, the equal of a son."'

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.6.21.47)

सन्तोषं कुरु राजेन्द्र दत्ता देवेन विष्णुना । होतुर्वाक्यं नृपः श्रुत्वा दृष्ट्वा तां कन्यकां शुभाम्

santoṣaṁ kuru rājendra dattā devena viṣṇunā | hoturvākyaṁ nṛpaḥ śrutvā dṛṣṭvā tāṁ kanyakāṁ śubhām

'"Be content, O lord of kings; she has been given by the god Vishnu himself." Hearing the priest's words, and seeing that auspicious maiden, the king —'

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.6.21.48)

जग्राह परमप्रीतो होत्रा दत्तां सुसम्मताम् । गृहीत्वा नृपतिस्तां तु ददौ पत्न्यै वराननाम्

jagrāha paramaprīto hotrā dattāṁ susammatām | gṛhītvā nṛpatistāṁ tu dadau patnyai varānanām

'greatly pleased, received that girl, given by the priest and duly accepted; and, having received her, the king gave that fair-faced girl to his queen —'

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.6.21.49)

आभाष्य रुक्मरेखायै गृहाण सुभगे सुताम् । सा तां कमलपत्राक्षीं प्राप्य कन्यां मनोरमाम्

ābhāṣya rukmarekhāyai gṛhāṇa subhage sutām | sā tāṁ kamalapatrākṣīṁ prāpya kanyāṁ manoramām

'saying to Rukmarekha: "O fortunate one, take this daughter." She, having received that lotus-petal-eyed, enchanting girl —'

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.6.21.50)

जहर्ष मुदिता राज्ञी पुत्रं प्राप्य यथासुखम् । चकार मङ्गलं कर्म जातकर्मादिकं शुभम्

jaharṣa muditā rājñī putraṁ prāpya yathāsukham | cakāra maṅgalaṁ karma jātakarmādikaṁ śubham

'rejoiced; the queen was as pleased as though she had happily obtained a son; she performed the jatakarma and other auspicious rites.'

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.6.21.51)

पुत्रजन्मसमुत्थं यत्तत्सर्वं विधिवत्ततः । समाप्य च मखं राजा द्विजेभ्यो दक्षिणां शुभाम्

putrajanmasamutthaṁ yattatsarvaṁ vidhivattataḥ | samāpya ca makhaṁ rājā dvijebhyo dakṣiṇāṁ śubhām

'Whatever rites are performed at a son's birth, all of these were duly carried out. And the king, at the conclusion of the sacrifice, gave the brahmins auspicious sacrificial fees —'

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.6.21.52)

दत्त्वा विसृज्य विप्रेन्द्रान् मुदं प्राप महीपतिः । दिने दिनेऽसितापाङ्गी पुत्रवृद्।ह्ध्या भृशं बभौ

dattvā visṛjya viprendrān mudaṁ prāpa mahīpatiḥ | dine dine'sitāpāṅgī putravṛd|hdhyā bhṛśaṁ babhau

'and, having given the gifts and taken leave of the foremost brahmins, the king was filled with joy. That dark-eyed girl grew day by day and shone ever more radiant.'

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.6.21.53)

मुदं च परमां प्राप नृपभार्या सुतान्विता । उत्सवस्तद्दिने तस्य प्रवृत्तः सुतजन्मजः

mudaṁ ca paramāṁ prāpa nṛpabhāryā sutānvitā | utsavastaddine tasya pravṛttaḥ sutajanmajaḥ

'The king's queen, blessed with this daughter, attained supreme joy; on that day a festival was held for her, as though for the birth of a son.'

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.6.21.54)

पुत्री पुत्रसमात्यर्थं बभूव वल्लभा किल । राज्ञो मन्त्रिसुता चाहं सुबुद्धे मन्मथाकृते

putrī putrasamātyarthaṁ babhūva vallabhā kila | rājño mantrisutā cāhaṁ subuddhe manmathākṛte

'This daughter truly became as dear as a son. O wise one, I am the daughter of the king's minister, as though fashioned by Manmatha himself —'

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.6.21.55)

यशोवती च मे नाम समानं वय आवयोः । वयस्याहं कृता राज्ञा क्रीडनाय तया सह

yaśovatī ca me nāma samānaṁ vaya āvayoḥ | vayasyāhaṁ kṛtā rājñā krīḍanāya tayā saha

'and my name is Yashovati; the two of us are the same age. The king made me her companion, to play together with her.'

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.6.21.56)

सदा सहचरी जाता प्रेमयुक्ता दिवानिशम् । एकावली गन्धवन्ति यत्र पद्मानि पश्यति

sadā sahacarī jātā premayuktā divāniśam | ekāvalī gandhavanti yatra padmāni paśyati

'I became her constant companion, ever full of affection, day and night. Wherever Ekavali sees fragrant lotuses —'

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.6.21.57)

तत्र सा रमते बाला नान्यत्र सुखमाप्नुयात् । सुदूरे जाह्नवीतीरे भवन्ति कमलान्यपि

tatra sā ramate bālā nānyatra sukhamāpnuyāt | sudūre jāhnavītīre bhavanti kamalānyapi

'there that girl delights; nowhere else does she find joy. Even far away, on the banks of the Ganga, there are lotuses too —'

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.6.21.58)

रममाणा तत्र याता मत्समेता सखीयुता । मया निवेदितं राजन् पुत्री ते कमलाकरान्

ramamāṇā tatra yātā matsametā sakhīyutā | mayā niveditaṁ rājan putrī te kamalākarān

'to delight in them she went there, together with me, her friend. I had reported to the king, her father, that his daughter goes toward the lotus-ponds —'

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.6.21.59)

प्रेक्षमाणातिदूरे सा प्रयाति निर्जने वने । निषेधिताथ पित्रासौ गृहे कृत्वा जलाशयान्

prekṣamāṇātidūre sā prayāti nirjane vane | niṣedhitātha pitrāsau gṛhe kṛtvā jalāśayān

'watching them from a great distance, she wanders off into the lonely forest.' Then, forbidden by her father, he had ponds built at home instead —

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.6.21.60)

कमलान् वापयित्वाथ पुष्पितान् भ्रमरावृतान् । तथापि निर्ययौ बाला कमलासक्तचेतना

kamalān vāpayitvātha puṣpitān bhramarāvṛtān | tathāpi niryayau bālā kamalāsaktacetanā

'having had blossoming lotuses planted there, thronged with bees; yet still that girl, her mind fixed on lotuses, would go out.'

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.6.21.61)

तदा राज्ञा रक्षपालाः प्रेरिताः शस्त्रपाणयः । एवं रक्षायुता तन्वी मत्समेता सखीयुता । क्रीडार्थं जाह्नवीतोये नित्यमायाति याति च

tadā rājñā rakṣapālāḥ preritāḥ śastrapāṇayaḥ | evaṁ rakṣāyutā tanvī matsametā sakhīyutā | krīḍārthaṁ jāhnavītoye nityamāyāti yāti ca

'Then the king sent armed guards to protect her. Thus guarded, that slender girl, together with me, her friend, comes and goes daily to the waters of the Ganga for play.'