Yayati Weds Ashrubindumati

Verse 1 (padma.2.79.1)

विशालोवाच- शर्मिष्ठा यस्य वै भार्या देवयानी वरानना । सौभाग्यं तत्र वै दृष्टमन्यथा नास्ति भूपते

viśālovāca- śarmiṣṭhā yasya vai bhāryā devayānī varānanā saubhāgyaṁ tatra vai dṛṣṭamanyathā nāsti bhūpate

Vishala said: "O king, the good fortune that is seen where Sharmishtha and the lovely Devayani are already your wives - it cannot be otherwise than what it is."

Verse 2 (padma.2.79.2)

तत्कथं त्वं महाभाग अस्याः कार्यवशो भवेः । सपत्नजेन भावेन भवान्भर्ता प्रतिष्ठितः

tatkathaṁ tvaṁ mahābhāga asyāḥ kāryavaśo bhaveḥ sapatnajena bhāvena bhavānbhartā pratiṣṭhitaḥ

"How then, O great one, could you become bound to her needs, when you are already established as a husband with co-wives?"

Verse 3 (padma.2.79.3)

ससर्पोसि महाराज भूतले चंदनं यथा । सर्पैश्च वेष्टितो राजन्महाचंदन एव हि

sasarposi mahārāja bhūtale caṁdanaṁ yathā sarpaiśca veṣṭito rājanmahācaṁdana eva hi

"Just as a great sandal tree upon the earth is entwined by serpents, O king, so are you entwined by the serpent-like presence of co-wives."

Verse 4 (padma.2.79.4)

तथा त्वं वेष्टितः सर्पैः सपत्नीनामसंज्ञकैः । वरमग्निप्रवेशश्च शिखाग्रात्पतनं वरम्

tathā tvaṁ veṣṭitaḥ sarpaiḥ sapatnīnāmasaṁjñakaiḥ varamagnipraveśaśca śikhāgrātpatanaṁ varam

"Encircled by these nameless serpents that are co-wives, O king - better indeed would be to enter fire, or to fall from a mountain peak."

Verse 5 (padma.2.79.5)

रूपतेजः समायुक्तं सपत्नीसहितं प्रियम् । न वरं तादृशं कांतं सपत्नीविषसंयुतम्

rūpatejaḥ samāyuktaṁ sapatnīsahitaṁ priyam na varaṁ tādṛśaṁ kāṁtaṁ sapatnīviṣasaṁyutam

"Even a beloved endowed with beauty and radiance, if bound to co-wives, is not truly excellent; such a beloved, mixed with the poison of rivalry, is not to be chosen."

Verse 6 (padma.2.79.6)

तस्मान्न मन्यते कांतं भवंतं गुणसागरम् । राजोवाच- देवयान्या न मे कार्यं शर्मिष्ठया वरानने

tasmānna manyate kāṁtaṁ bhavaṁtaṁ guṇasāgaram rājovāca- devayānyā na me kāryaṁ śarmiṣṭhayā varānane

"Therefore she does not accept you, though you are an ocean of virtues." The king said: "O lovely-faced one, I have no need now of either Devayani or Sharmishtha."

Verse 7 (padma.2.79.7)

इत्यर्थं पश्य मे कोशं सत्वधर्मसमन्वितम् । अश्रुबिंदुमत्युवाच- अहं राज्यस्य भोक्त्री च तव कायस्य भूपते

ityarthaṁ paśya me kośaṁ satvadharmasamanvitam aśrubiṁdumatyuvāca- ahaṁ rājyasya bhoktrī ca tava kāyasya bhūpate

"To this end, behold my treasury, filled with strength and dharma." Ashrubindumati said: "O king, I shall become the enjoyer of your kingdom and of your very body."

Verse 8 (padma.2.79.8)

यद्यद्वदाम्यहं भूप तत्तत्कार्यं त्वया ध्रुवम् । इत्यर्थे मम देहि स्वं करं त्वं धर्मवत्सल

yadyadvadāmyahaṁ bhūpa tattatkāryaṁ tvayā dhruvam ityarthe mama dehi svaṁ karaṁ tvaṁ dharmavatsala

"Whatever I say to you, O king, that you must surely do. O lover of dharma, on this condition give me your hand -"

Verse 9 (padma.2.79.9)

बहुधर्मसमोपेतं चारुलक्षणसंयुतम् । राजोवाच- अन्य भार्यां न विंदामि त्वां विना वरवर्णिनि

bahudharmasamopetaṁ cārulakṣaṇasaṁyutam rājovāca- anya bhāryāṁ na viṁdāmi tvāṁ vinā varavarṇini

"- endowed with many virtues and fine marks." The king said: "O fair one, I desire no other wife but you."

Verse 10 (padma.2.79.10)

राज्यं च सकलामुर्वीं मम कायं वरानने । सकोशं भुंक्ष्व चार्वंगि एष दत्तः करस्तव

rājyaṁ ca sakalāmurvīṁ mama kāyaṁ varānane sakośaṁ bhuṁkṣva cārvaṁgi eṣa dattaḥ karastava

"O lovely-limbed one, the kingdom, this whole earth, and my very body - enjoy them all, along with the treasury; this hand of mine is given to you."

Verse 11 (padma.2.79.11)

यदेव भाषसे भद्रे तदेवं तु करोम्यहम् । अश्रुबिंदुमत्युवाच- अनेनापि महाभाग तव भार्या भवाम्यहम्

yadeva bhāṣase bhadre tadevaṁ tu karomyaham aśrubiṁdumatyuvāca- anenāpi mahābhāga tava bhāryā bhavāmyaham

"Whatever you say, O gracious one, that I shall do." Ashrubindumati said: "On this very condition, O great one, I shall become your wife."

Verse 12 (padma.2.79.12)

एवमाकर्ण्य राजेंद्रो हर्षव्याकुललोचनः । गांधर्वेण विवाहेन ययातिः पृथिवीपतिः

evamākarṇya rājeṁdro harṣavyākulalocanaḥ gāṁdharveṇa vivāhena yayātiḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ

Hearing this, the king of kings, his eyes overwhelmed with joy, Yayati, lord of the earth, married her by the gandharva rite.

Verse 13 (padma.2.79.13)

उपयेमे सुतां पुण्यां मन्मथस्य नरोत्तम । तया सार्द्धं महात्मा वै रमते नृपनंदनः

upayeme sutāṁ puṇyāṁ manmathasya narottama tayā sārddhaṁ mahātmā vai ramate nṛpanaṁdanaḥ

O best of men, he took as wife that holy daughter of Manmatha; and that great-souled prince took his delight with her.

Verse 14 (padma.2.79.14)

सागरस्य च तीरेषु वनेषूपवनेषु च । पर्वतेषु च रम्येषु सरित्सु च तया सह

sāgarasya ca tīreṣu vaneṣūpavaneṣu ca parvateṣu ca ramyeṣu saritsu ca tayā saha

On the shores of the ocean, in forests and groves, on lovely mountains and by rivers, with her -

Verse 15 (padma.2.79.15)

रमते राजराजेंद्रस्तारुण्येन महीपतिः । एवं विंशत्सहस्राणि गतानि निरतस्य च

ramate rājarājeṁdrastāruṇyena mahīpatiḥ evaṁ viṁśatsahasrāṇi gatāni niratasya ca

- that king of kings, lord of the earth, absorbed in his youth, took his delight. Thus twenty thousand years passed -

Verse 16 (padma.2.79.16)

भूपस्य तस्य राजेंद्र ययातेस्तु महात्मनः । विष्णुरुवाच- एवं तया महाराजो ययातिर्मोहितस्तदा

bhūpasya tasya rājeṁdra yayātestu mahātmanaḥ viṣṇuruvāca- evaṁ tayā mahārājo yayātirmohitastadā

- for that great-souled King Yayati, O king, who remained ceaselessly absorbed in her. Vishnu said: "Thus the great King Yayati was bewitched by her -"

Verse 17 (padma.2.79.17)

कंदर्पस्य प्रपंचेन इंद्रस्यार्थे महामते । सुकर्मोवाच- एवं पिप्पल राजासौ ययातिः पृथिवीपतिः

kaṁdarpasya prapaṁcena iṁdrasyārthe mahāmate sukarmovāca- evaṁ pippala rājāsau yayātiḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ

"- through Kandarpa's contrivance, for Indra's own purpose, O wise one." Sukarma said: "Thus, O Pippala, that King Yayati, lord of the earth,"

Verse 18 (padma.2.79.18)

तस्या मोहनकामेन रतेन ललितेन च । न जानाति दिनं रात्रिं मुग्धः कामस्य कन्यया

tasyā mohanakāmena ratena lalitena ca na jānāti dinaṁ rātriṁ mugdhaḥ kāmasya kanyayā

- captivated by her enchanting love and charming ways, bewildered by that daughter of Kama, knew no difference between day and night.

Verse 19 (padma.2.79.19)

एकदा मोहितं भूपं ययातिं कामनंदिनी । उवाच प्रणतं नम्रं वशगं चारुलोचना

ekadā mohitaṁ bhūpaṁ yayātiṁ kāmanaṁdinī uvāca praṇataṁ namraṁ vaśagaṁ cārulocanā

One day, Kama's delighted daughter, that lovely-eyed one, spoke to the bewitched King Yayati, who bowed humbly, wholly under her sway -

Verse 20 (padma.2.79.20)

अश्रुबिंदुमत्युवाच- संजातं दोहदं कांत तन्मे कुरु मनोरथम् । अश्वमेधमखश्रेष्ठं यजस्व पृथिवीपते

aśrubiṁdumatyuvāca- saṁjātaṁ dohadaṁ kāṁta tanme kuru manoratham aśvamedhamakhaśreṣṭhaṁ yajasva pṛthivīpate

Ashrubindumati said: "A craving has arisen in me, beloved; fulfil this desire of mine. O lord of the earth, perform the great sacrifice of the Ashvamedha."

Verse 21 (padma.2.79.21)

राजोवाच- एवमस्तु महाभागे करोमि तव सुप्रियम् । समाहूय सुतश्रेष्ठं राज्यभोगे विनिःस्पृहम्

rājovāca- evamastu mahābhāge karomi tava supriyam samāhūya sutaśreṣṭhaṁ rājyabhoge viniḥspṛham

The king said: "So be it, O most fortunate one; I shall do this dear thing for you." He summoned his excellent son, who was without desire for the pleasures of rule.

Verse 22 (padma.2.79.22)

समाहूतः समायातो भक्त्यानमितकंधरः । बद्धांजलिपुटो भूत्वा प्रणाममकरोत्तदा

samāhūtaḥ samāyāto bhaktyānamitakaṁdharaḥ baddhāṁjalipuṭo bhūtvā praṇāmamakarottadā

Summoned, he came, his head bowed in devotion; and, with joined palms, he made his obeisance.

Verse 23 (padma.2.79.23)

तस्याः पादौ ननामाथ भक्त्या नमितकंधरः । आदेशो दीयतां राजन्येनाहूतः समागतः

tasyāḥ pādau nanāmātha bhaktyā namitakaṁdharaḥ ādeśo dīyatāṁ rājanyenāhūtaḥ samāgataḥ

With head bowed in devotion, he touched the king's feet: "Give your command, O king; let me know why you have summoned me."

Verse 24 (padma.2.79.24)

किं करोमि महाभाग दासस्ते प्रणतोस्मि च । राजोवाच- अश्वमेधस्य यज्ञस्य संभारं कुरु पुत्रक

kiṁ karomi mahābhāga dāsaste praṇatosmi ca rājovāca- aśvamedhasya yajñasya saṁbhāraṁ kuru putraka

"O great one, what shall I do? I am your servant, bowed before you." The king said: "My son, arrange all that is needed for the Ashvamedha sacrifice."

Verse 25 (padma.2.79.25)

समाहूय द्विजान्पुण्यानृत्विजो भूमिपालकान् । एवमुक्तो महातेजाः पूरुः परमधार्मिकः

samāhūya dvijānpuṇyānṛtvijo bhūmipālakān evamukto mahātejāḥ pūruḥ paramadhārmikaḥ

"Summon holy brahmins, priests, and the guardians of the land." Thus commanded, that greatly radiant, supremely righteous Puru -

Verse 26 (padma.2.79.26)

सर्वं चकार संपूर्णं यथोक्तं तु महात्मना । तया सार्धं स जग्राह सुदीक्षां कामकन्यया

sarvaṁ cakāra saṁpūrṇaṁ yathoktaṁ tu mahātmanā tayā sārdhaṁ sa jagrāha sudīkṣāṁ kāmakanyayā

- accomplished everything fully, exactly as commanded by the great soul. He, together with that daughter of Kama, took the sacrificial initiation.

Verse 27 (padma.2.79.27)

अश्वमेधयज्ञवाटे दत्वा दानान्यनेकधा । ब्राह्मणेभ्यो महाराज भूरिदानमनंतकम्

aśvamedhayajñavāṭe datvā dānānyanekadhā brāhmaṇebhyo mahārāja bhūridānamanaṁtakam

In the Ashvamedha's sacrificial enclosure, giving many kinds of gifts, O great king, giving boundless, abundant gifts to brahmins -

Verse 28 (padma.2.79.28)

दीनेषु च विशेषेण ययातिः पृथिवीपतिः । यज्ञांते च महाराजस्तामुवाच वराननाम्

dīneṣu ca viśeṣeṇa yayātiḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ yajñāṁte ca mahārājastāmuvāca varānanām

- and especially to the poor, Yayati, lord of the earth, gave. At the yajna's end the great king said to that lovely woman -

Verse 29 (padma.2.79.29)

अन्यत्ते सुप्रियं बाले किं करोमि वदस्व मे । तत्सर्वं देवि कर्तास्मि साध्यासाध्यं वरानने

anyatte supriyaṁ bāle kiṁ karomi vadasva me tatsarvaṁ devi kartāsmi sādhyāsādhyaṁ varānane

"'O maiden, tell me what else pleases you. O goddess, whatever it be, possible or impossible, I shall do it all.'"

Verse 30 (padma.2.79.30)

सुकर्मोवाच- इत्युक्ता तेन सा राज्ञा भूपालं प्रत्युवाच ह । जातो मे दोहदो राजंस्तत्कुरुष्व ममानघ

sukarmovāca- ityuktā tena sā rājñā bhūpālaṁ pratyuvāca ha jāto me dohado rājaṁstatkuruṣva mamānagha

Sukarma said: "Thus addressed by the king, she said to him: 'A craving has arisen in me, O sinless king; fulfil it.'"

Verse 31 (padma.2.79.31)

इंद्रलोकं ब्रह्मलोकं शिवलोकं तथैव च । विष्णुलोकं महाराज द्रष्टुमिच्छामि सुप्रियम्

iṁdralokaṁ brahmalokaṁ śivalokaṁ tathaiva ca viṣṇulokaṁ mahārāja draṣṭumicchāmi supriyam

"'I wish to see, O great king, the world of Indra, the world of Brahma, the world of Shiva, and likewise the world of Vishnu, beloved.'"

Verse 32 (padma.2.79.32)

दर्शयस्व महाभाग यदहं सुप्रिया तव । एवमुक्तस्तया राजा तामुवाच स सुप्रियाम्

darśayasva mahābhāga yadahaṁ supriyā tava evamuktastayā rājā tāmuvāca sa supriyām

"'Show me this, O great one, if I am truly dear to you.'" Thus addressed by her, the king said to his beloved -

Verse 33 (padma.2.79.33)

साधु साधु वरारोहे पुण्यमेव प्रभाषसे । स्त्रीस्वभावाच्च चापल्यात् कौतुकाच्च वरानने

sādhu sādhu varārohe puṇyameva prabhāṣase strīsvabhāvācca cāpalyāt kautukācca varānane

"'Well said, well said, O fair one! You speak indeed of something meritorious - out of a woman's nature, her fickleness, and her curiosity, O lovely-faced one.'"

Verse 34 (padma.2.79.34)

यत्तवोक्तं महाभागे तदसाध्यं विभाति मे । तत्साध्यं पुण्यदानेन यज्ञेन तपसापि च

yattavoktaṁ mahābhāge tadasādhyaṁ vibhāti me tatsādhyaṁ puṇyadānena yajñena tapasāpi ca

"'What you have said, O most fortunate one, appears impossible to me. It is not achievable even through meritorious giving, sacrifice, or austerity.'"

Verse 35 (padma.2.79.35)

अन्यथा न भवेत्साध्यं यत्त्वयोक्तं वरानने । असाध्यं तु भवत्या वै भाषितं पुण्यमिश्रितम्

anyathā na bhavetsādhyaṁ yattvayoktaṁ varānane asādhyaṁ tu bhavatyā vai bhāṣitaṁ puṇyamiśritam

"'What you have said, O fair-faced one, cannot be achieved otherwise. What you have spoken, mixed with merit though it be, is impossible.'"

Verse 36 (padma.2.79.36)

मर्त्यलोकाच्छरीरेण अनेनापि च मानवः । श्रुतो दृष्टो न मेद्यापि गतः स्वर्गं सुपुण्यकृत्

martyalokāccharīreṇa anenāpi ca mānavaḥ śruto dṛṣṭo na medyāpi gataḥ svargaṁ supuṇyakṛt

"'That any man, in this very mortal body, should go to heaven - however meritorious he may be - I have never yet heard nor seen.'"

Verse 37 (padma.2.79.37)

ततोऽसाध्यं वरारोहे यत्त्वया भाषितं मम । अन्यदेव करिष्यामि प्रियं ते तद्वद प्रिये

tato'sādhyaṁ varārohe yattvayā bhāṣitaṁ mama anyadeva kariṣyāmi priyaṁ te tadvada priye

"'Therefore, O fair one, what you have asked of me is impossible. I shall do some other thing dear to you, beloved - tell me that instead.'"

Verse 38 (padma.2.79.38)

देव्युवाच- अन्यैश्च मानुषै राजन्न साध्यं स्यान्न संशयः । त्वयि साध्यं महाराज सत्यंसत्यं वदाम्यहम्

devyuvāca- anyaiśca mānuṣai rājanna sādhyaṁ syānna saṁśayaḥ tvayi sādhyaṁ mahārāja satyaṁsatyaṁ vadāmyaham

The goddess said: "For other men, O king, this may indeed be impossible, without doubt. But for you, O great king, it is possible - I speak the truth, only the truth."

Verse 39 (padma.2.79.39)

तपसा यशसा क्षात्रै र्दानैर्यज्ञैश्च भूपते । नास्ति भवादृशश्चान्यो मर्त्यलोके च मानवः

tapasā yaśasā kṣātrai rdānairyajñaiśca bhūpate nāsti bhavādṛśaścānyo martyaloke ca mānavaḥ

"Through austerity, through fame, through Kshatriya strength, through gifts and sacrifices, O king - there is no other man like you in the mortal world."

Verse 40 (padma.2.79.40)

क्षात्रं बलं सुतेजश्च त्वयि सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम् । तस्मादेवं प्रकर्तव्यं मत्प्रियं नहुषात्मज

kṣātraṁ balaṁ sutejaśca tvayi sarvaṁ pratiṣṭhitam tasmādevaṁ prakartavyaṁ matpriyaṁ nahuṣātmaja

"Kshatriya strength and radiance - all this is established in you, O son of Nahusha. Therefore you must surely do this thing that is dear to me."