The Account of Madhava's Illusion

Verse 1 (padma.6.14.1)

युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।इति मायामहेशेन मोहिता गिरिजा यदा । अतः किं समभूद्ब्रह्मन्तन्ममाख्यातुमर्हसि

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca iti māyāmaheśena mohitā girijā yadā ataḥ kiṁ samabhūdbrahmantanmamākhyātumarhasi

Yudhishthira said: O Brahmin, when Girija was thus bewildered by that illusion-Mahesha, what happened after that? You should tell me.

Verse 2 (padma.6.14.2)

नारद उवाच ।क्षीराब्धौ तु शयानस्य चुक्षोभ हृदयं हरेः । अकस्मादेव राजेंद्र नयनेऽश्रुपरिप्लुते

nārada uvāca kṣīrābdhau tu śayānasya cukṣobha hṛdayaṁ hareḥ akasmādeva rājeṁdra nayane'śrupariplute

Narada said: As Hari lay in the Ocean of Milk, his heart suddenly grew troubled, O king of kings, and his eyes filled with tears.

Verse 3 (padma.6.14.3)

दृष्ट्वा तन्महदुत्पातलक्षणं भगवांस्ततः । उत्थाय शेषपर्यंकान्मां च वायुं विलोक्य च

dṛṣṭvā tanmahadutpātalakṣaṇaṁ bhagavāṁstataḥ utthāya śeṣaparyaṁkānmāṁ ca vāyuṁ vilokya ca

Seeing that great, ominous sign, the Lord rose from his serpent-couch, and, looking at me and at Vayu,

Verse 4 (padma.6.14.4)

किं कार्यमिति गोविंदस्तन्नागारिमथास्मरत् । स चाग्रे स्मृतिमात्रेण तस्थौ बद्धांजलिः प्रभो

kiṁ kāryamiti goviṁdastannāgārimathāsmarat sa cāgre smṛtimātreṇa tasthau baddhāṁjaliḥ prabho

wondering 'What is to be done?', Govinda remembered the enemy of serpents; and he, by that very act of remembrance, stood before him at once, hands joined, O Lord.

Verse 5 (padma.6.14.5)

विनतानंदनं दृष्ट्वा पुरतः प्राह केशवः । सुपर्ण तत्र गच्छ त्वं यत्र युद्धं प्रवर्तते

vinatānaṁdanaṁ dṛṣṭvā purataḥ prāha keśavaḥ suparṇa tatra gaccha tvaṁ yatra yuddhaṁ pravartate

Seeing Vinata's son before him, Keshava said: 'O Suparna, go there, where the battle is raging.

Verse 6 (padma.6.14.6)

हतो जालंधरो वीरो हरो वा तेन मोहितः । दृष्ट्वा तं शीघ्रमागत्य कथयस्व ममाखिलम्

hato jālaṁdharo vīro haro vā tena mohitaḥ dṛṣṭvā taṁ śīghramāgatya kathayasva mamākhilam

'Whether the hero Jalandhara has been slain, or Hara has been bewitched by him — having seen, come back quickly and tell me everything.

Verse 7 (padma.6.14.7)

जालंधरेशयोर्युद्धं द्रष्टुं शक्तस्त्वमेव हि । कोऽन्यो महाहवे तस्मिन्ज्ञात्वा याति शरीरवान्

jālaṁdhareśayoryuddhaṁ draṣṭuṁ śaktastvameva hi ko'nyo mahāhave tasminjñātvā yāti śarīravān

'You alone are capable of witnessing the battle between Jalandhara and Ishvara; what other embodied being, understanding that great battle, could go there?

Verse 8 (padma.6.14.8)

कदाचिद्दुर्गमं तत्र युद्धं शस्त्रास्त्रवृष्टिभिः । अथ त्वं बाणसंचारं गत्वापि हितविग्रहः

kadāciddurgamaṁ tatra yuddhaṁ śastrāstravṛṣṭibhiḥ atha tvaṁ bāṇasaṁcāraṁ gatvāpi hitavigrahaḥ

'That battle there may sometimes become impassable, with its rain of weapons and missiles; so, going amid that shower of arrows, taking care for your own safety,

Verse 9 (padma.6.14.9)

संदृष्ट्वा पार्वतीवृत्तिं शीघ्रमायातुमर्हसि । दैत्यमायानिरासार्थं विचिंत्य भगवांस्त्वरन्

saṁdṛṣṭvā pārvatīvṛttiṁ śīghramāyātumarhasi daityamāyānirāsārthaṁ viciṁtya bhagavāṁstvaran

'having observed Parvati's own condition, you should return swiftly.' Having pondered a way to counter the demon's illusion, the Lord swiftly —

Verse 10 (padma.6.14.10)

गुटिकां सर्वसिद्धां च गरुडाय ददौ हरिः । अनया न भ्रमो वीर तथेत्युक्त्वा मुखेक्षिपत्

guṭikāṁ sarvasiddhāṁ ca garuḍāya dadau hariḥ anayā na bhramo vīra tathetyuktvā mukhekṣipat

gave Garuda a pill possessing every power: 'With this, hero, there shall be no confusion for you.' Saying, 'So be it,' he put it in his mouth.

Verse 11 (padma.6.14.11)

एवं संप्रेरितः पत्री हरिं कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणम् । निश्चक्राम खमाविश्य जगामाद्भुतवेगवान्

evaṁ saṁpreritaḥ patrī hariṁ kṛtvā pradakṣiṇam niścakrāma khamāviśya jagāmādbhutavegavān

Thus commissioned, the winged one, having circled Hari in reverence, entered the sky and flew forth with wondrous speed.

Verse 12 (padma.6.14.12)

तत्र गत्वा रणं घोरं दैत्यसंघैः स दुःसहम् । दृष्टवानखिलेनासौ न किंचिज्ज्ञातवान्किल

tatra gatvā raṇaṁ ghoraṁ daityasaṁghaiḥ sa duḥsaham dṛṣṭavānakhilenāsau na kiṁcijjñātavānkila

Going there, he beheld that terrible battle, unbearable with its hordes of demons; though he saw it all completely, he yet understood nothing of it.

Verse 13 (padma.6.14.13)

तस्मादुत्पत्य वेगेन गतोऽसौ मानसोत्तरम् । शैलं तुंगतरं दुर्गमगम्यं मरुतामपि

tasmādutpatya vegena gato'sau mānasottaram śailaṁ tuṁgataraṁ durgamagamyaṁ marutāmapi

From there he flew up swiftly and went to Mount Manasottara, most lofty and hard to reach even for the winds.

Verse 14 (padma.6.14.14)

विलोकयन्न ददृशे गौरीस्थानं पतंगराट् । तत्रागत्य भुजंगारिर्ध्वनिं संश्रुतवान्किल

vilokayanna dadṛśe gaurīsthānaṁ pataṁgarāṭ tatrāgatya bhujaṁgārirdhvaniṁ saṁśrutavānkila

Searching, the king of birds could not find Gauri's place; going there, the enemy of serpents heard a sound.

Verse 15 (padma.6.14.15)

गत्वा समीपे ददृशे मायापशुपतिं ततः । गरुडो गुटिकां क्षिप्य मुखेन भ्रममाप सः

gatvā samīpe dadṛśe māyāpaśupatiṁ tataḥ garuḍo guṭikāṁ kṣipya mukhena bhramamāpa saḥ

Going near, he then beheld the illusory Pashupati; Garuda, dropping that pill into his mouth, became confused himself at first —

Verse 16 (padma.6.14.16)

ज्ञात्वा बुद्ध्वाथ दैत्योऽयमिति नायं वृषध्वजः । हा कष्टमिति चोक्त्वा च रुदन्नागत्य चार्णवम्

jñātvā buddhvātha daityo'yamiti nāyaṁ vṛṣadhvajaḥ hā kaṣṭamiti coktvā ca rudannāgatya cārṇavam

but then, understanding and realizing, 'This is a demon, not the Bull-bannered one' — crying, 'Alas, what a calamity!' he went, weeping, to the Ocean,

Verse 17 (padma.6.14.17)

कथयामास वृत्तांतं पुरतः कैटभद्विषः । देव जालंधरेणायं हरो देवो विडंबितः

kathayāmāsa vṛttāṁtaṁ purataḥ kaiṭabhadviṣaḥ deva jālaṁdhareṇāyaṁ haro devo viḍaṁbitaḥ

and told the whole matter before the enemy of Kaitabha: 'O God, the god Hara has been mocked and made a spectacle by Jalandhara;

Verse 18 (padma.6.14.18)

उमा प्रतारिता तेन पापेन छद्मरूपिणा । सुरस्त्वं यदि गोविंद समरं प्रतियाह्यतः

umā pratāritā tena pāpena chadmarūpiṇā surastvaṁ yadi goviṁda samaraṁ pratiyāhyataḥ

'Uma has been deceived by that sinner in a false form. O Govinda, if you truly are a god, go to that battle now.

Verse 19 (padma.6.14.19)

मायायुद्धं तु देवेश कुरु जालंधरं प्रति । तस्य राज्ञी मया दृष्टा पीठे जालंधरे शुभे

māyāyuddhaṁ tu deveśa kuru jālaṁdharaṁ prati tasya rājñī mayā dṛṣṭā pīṭhe jālaṁdhare śubhe

'O Lord of gods, wage a battle of illusion yourself against Jalandhara. I have seen his queen at the auspicious Jalandhara-seat,

Verse 20 (padma.6.14.20)

प्रासादभूम्यां क्रीडंती वाद्यगीतादिवर्त्तनैः । सा सुंदरतरा गौर्या रंभोर्वश्योः शतादपि

prāsādabhūmyāṁ krīḍaṁtī vādyagītādivarttanaiḥ sā suṁdaratarā gauryā raṁbhorvaśyoḥ śatādapi

'playing on the palace grounds amid music and song; she is more beautiful than even a hundred Rambhas and Urvashis.

Verse 21 (padma.6.14.21)

नेदानीं मानुषे लोके न पातालेषु तत्समा । भार्या तेन समा वेश्या नारीणां का कथा हरे

nedānīṁ mānuṣe loke na pātāleṣu tatsamā bhāryā tena samā veśyā nārīṇāṁ kā kathā hare

'There is none like her now in the world of men, nor even in the netherworlds. What courtesan, what other woman at all, could compare to her, O Hari?

Verse 22 (padma.6.14.22)

यस्तां स्पृशति देहेन सकृतार्थः पुमान्भवेत् । तव श्यालकपत्नी च हर त्वं तां रम प्रियाम् । शंकरस्योपकारं च कुरु चैवात्मनः सुखम्

yastāṁ spṛśati dehena sakṛtārthaḥ pumānbhavet tava śyālakapatnī ca hara tvaṁ tāṁ rama priyām śaṁkarasyopakāraṁ ca kuru caivātmanaḥ sukham

'Whatever man merely touches her body with his own becomes fulfilled in that instant. She is as if your own sister-in-law — carry her off, and enjoy that beloved; thereby you shall do Shankara a service, and gain your own pleasure too.'

Verse 23 (padma.6.14.23)

नारद उवाच ।श्रुत्वा तार्क्ष्यस्य वचनं तं निर्भर्त्स्य रमाप्रियः । सम्यग्व्यवस्य चोपायं विससर्ज द्रुतं द्विजम्

nārada uvāca śrutvā tārkṣyasya vacanaṁ taṁ nirbhartsya ramāpriyaḥ samyagvyavasya copāyaṁ visasarja drutaṁ dvijam

Narada said: Hearing Garuda's words, Ramapati, rebuking him, yet having well resolved upon his own plan, swiftly sent the bird away.

Verse 24 (padma.6.14.24)

श्रियंपतार्य्य संछाद्य मंचके पीतवाससा । निर्गतोऽन्येन रूपेण योगि मायाबलेन च

śriyaṁpatāryya saṁchādya maṁcake pītavāsasā nirgato'nyena rūpeṇa yogi māyābalena ca

Concealing Sri upon her couch, covered with a yellow garment, he himself set forth in another form — that of a yogi, by the power of illusion —

Verse 25 (padma.6.14.25)

वृंदारिकानुरागेण मोहितो मधुसूदनः । दृष्ट्वा हरिं तु गच्छंतं प्रतिछन्नं युधिष्ठिर

vṛṁdārikānurāgeṇa mohito madhusūdanaḥ dṛṣṭvā hariṁ tu gacchaṁtaṁ pratichannaṁ yudhiṣṭhira

as if bewitched by longing for Vrinda; thus Madhusudana set out. O Yudhishthira, seeing Hari go thus, in disguise,

Verse 26 (padma.6.14.26)

शेषोप्यन्यतमेनासौ रूपेणागत्य केशवम् । जगाद भक्त्या त्वं तिष्ठ ममानुज्ञातुमर्हसि

śeṣopyanyatamenāsau rūpeṇāgatya keśavam jagāda bhaktyā tvaṁ tiṣṭha mamānujñātumarhasi

Shesha too, taking on another form, came to Keshava and said with devotion: 'Wait — you should give me leave as well.

Verse 27 (padma.6.14.27)

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि ब्रूहि कार्यं जनार्दन । सदा तव मुखं दृष्ट्वा भोक्ष्यामीति भवेत्सुखम्

kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi brūhi kāryaṁ janārdana sadā tava mukhaṁ dṛṣṭvā bhokṣyāmīti bhavetsukham

'What shall I do, where shall I go — tell me my task, O Janardana; my happiness lies only in ever gazing upon your face.'

Verse 28 (padma.6.14.28)

श्रीभगवानुवाच ।जालंधरस्त्रियं रम्यां हरिष्ये हरकारणात् । पार्वत्याश्चोपकाराय संछाद्य स्वात्मनस्तनुम्

śrībhagavānuvāca jālaṁdharastriyaṁ ramyāṁ hariṣye harakāraṇāt pārvatyāścopakārāya saṁchādya svātmanastanum

Sri Bhagavan said: 'For Hara's sake, and for Parvati's benefit, concealing my own form, I shall carry off Jalandhara's lovely wife.

Verse 29 (padma.6.14.29)

एहि यामो वयं बंधो कांतारं दुरतिक्रमम् । वृंदाकर्षणसिद्ध्यर्थमित्युक्त्वा तौ वनं गतौ

ehi yāmo vayaṁ baṁdho kāṁtāraṁ duratikramam vṛṁdākarṣaṇasiddhyarthamityuktvā tau vanaṁ gatau

'Come, my friend, let us go into that well-nigh impassable forest, for the purpose of drawing Vrinda away.' Having said this, the two went to the forest.

Verse 30 (padma.6.14.30)

ततो विष्णुश्च शेषश्च जटावल्कलधारिणौ । आश्रमं चक्रतुः पुण्यं सर्वकामफलप्रदम्

tato viṣṇuśca śeṣaśca jaṭāvalkaladhāriṇau āśramaṁ cakratuḥ puṇyaṁ sarvakāmaphalapradam

Then Vishnu and Shesha, wearing matted locks and bark garments, built there a sacred hermitage, granting the fruit of every desire.

Verse 31 (padma.6.14.31)

तयोः शिष्याः प्रशिष्याश्च बभूवुः कामरूपिणः । सिंहव्याघ्रवराहाश्च ऋक्षवानरमर्कटाः

tayoḥ śiṣyāḥ praśiṣyāśca babhūvuḥ kāmarūpiṇaḥ siṁhavyāghravarāhāśca ṛkṣavānaramarkaṭāḥ

Their disciples and sub-disciples became beings able to assume any form at will — lions, tigers, boars, bears, monkeys, and apes.

Verse 32 (padma.6.14.32)

अथ तस्मिन्वने वृंदां मंत्रेणाकर्षयद्धरिः । तस्या हृदयसंतापं चकार मधुसूदनः

atha tasminvane vṛṁdāṁ maṁtreṇākarṣayaddhariḥ tasyā hṛdayasaṁtāpaṁ cakāra madhusūdanaḥ

Then, in that forest, Hari drew Vrinda to himself by mantra; Madhusudana kindled a burning distress within her heart.

Verse 33 (padma.6.14.33)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे राज्ञी तापमुग्रमुपागता । चामरांश्चालयामास दिव्यस्त्रीकरचालितान्

etasminnaṁtare rājñī tāpamugramupāgatā cāmarāṁścālayāmāsa divyastrīkaracālitān

Meanwhile the queen too was overcome by a terrible affliction; she had her fly-whisks waved by the hands of divine women,

Verse 34 (padma.6.14.34)

प्रियस्यागमनं तन्वीं चिंतयंती मुहुर्मुहुः । चंदनागुरुलिप्तांगी मूर्च्छां याति हि सत्वरम्

priyasyāgamanaṁ tanvīṁ ciṁtayaṁtī muhurmuhuḥ caṁdanāguruliptāṁgī mūrcchāṁ yāti hi satvaram

constantly thinking of her beloved's return; that slender lady, her body anointed with sandal and aloe-wood, would quickly fall into a swoon.

Verse 35 (padma.6.14.35)

तुर्ययामे विभावर्याश्चतुर्दश्यां नृपांगना । स्वप्नं ददर्श भयदं वैधव्यभयसूचकम्

turyayāme vibhāvaryāścaturdaśyāṁ nṛpāṁganā svapnaṁ dadarśa bhayadaṁ vaidhavyabhayasūcakam

In the fourth watch of the night, on the fourteenth tithi, the queen had a terrifying dream, foreboding the fear of widowhood.

Verse 36 (padma.6.14.36)

जालंधरशिरः शुष्कं मर्दितं पांडुभस्मना । गृध्रेण कृष्टनयनं छिन्नकर्णाग्रनासिकम्

jālaṁdharaśiraḥ śuṣkaṁ marditaṁ pāṁḍubhasmanā gṛdhreṇa kṛṣṭanayanaṁ chinnakarṇāgranāsikam

Jalandhara's head, withered, smeared with pale ashes, its eyes torn out by a vulture, its ears and the tip of its nose cut off —

Verse 37 (padma.6.14.37)

मुक्तकेशी करालास्या कृष्णवर्णारुणांबरा । चखाद काली रक्तास्या हस्ते विधृतखर्परा

muktakeśī karālāsyā kṛṣṇavarṇāruṇāṁbarā cakhāda kālī raktāsyā haste vidhṛtakharparā

a loose-haired, gaping-mouthed, black-hued figure in a red garment — red-mouthed Kali, a skull-bowl in her hand — devoured it.

Verse 38 (padma.6.14.38)

ईदृशं ददृशे स्वप्नं तथात्मानं विडंबितम् । दैत्यक्षयगुणोपेतं सा ददर्श नृपांगना

īdṛśaṁ dadṛśe svapnaṁ tathātmānaṁ viḍaṁbitam daityakṣayaguṇopetaṁ sā dadarśa nṛpāṁganā

Such a dream, and herself thus mocked besides — the queen saw all this, marked with the very signs of the demon's destruction.

Verse 39 (padma.6.14.39)

ततः प्रबुद्धाऽसुरराजपत्नी गीतेन वाद्येन च मागधानाम् । गेयप्रबंधैः स्तवनैर्व चोभिर्वं शस्तवैः किंपुरुषप्रपाठितैः

tataḥ prabuddhā'surarājapatnī gītena vādyena ca māgadhānām geyaprabaṁdhaiḥ stavanairva cobhirvaṁ śastavaiḥ kiṁpuruṣaprapāṭhitaiḥ

Then the demon-king's wife was awakened by the songs and music of the bards, by hymns of praise, and by eulogies of her lineage recited by Kimpurushas.

Verse 40 (padma.6.14.40)

ततस्तान्सकलान्श्रांतान्धनं दत्वा प्रसादजम् । निवार्य विप्रानाहूय स्वप्नं दृष्टं न्यवेदयत् । तं स्वप्नं ब्राह्मणाः श्रुत्वा तामूचुः शास्त्रपारगाः

tatastānsakalānśrāṁtāndhanaṁ datvā prasādajam nivārya viprānāhūya svapnaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ nyavedayat taṁ svapnaṁ brāhmaṇāḥ śrutvā tāmūcuḥ śāstrapāragāḥ

Then, giving wealth graciously to all those weary performers, dismissing them, and calling the brahmins, she told them the dream she had seen. Those brahmins, versed in scripture, hearing that dream, said to her —

Verse 41 (padma.6.14.41)

द्विजा ऊचुः ।देवि दुःस्वप्नमत्युग्रमचिंत्यं भयदायकम् । देहि दानं द्विजातिभ्यो ह्यचिंत्य भयनाशकम्

dvijā ūcuḥ devi duḥsvapnamatyugramaciṁtyaṁ bhayadāyakam dehi dānaṁ dvijātibhyo hyaciṁtya bhayanāśakam

The twice-born said: 'O queen, this is a most terrible, unimaginable, fear-bringing evil dream — give gifts to the twice-born, which destroy even unimaginable fear.'

Verse 42 (padma.6.14.42)

धेनुर्वासांसि रत्नानि गजांश्चाभरणानि च । ब्राह्मणाः परिसंतुष्टाः सिषिचुस्तां नृपस्त्रियम्

dhenurvāsāṁsi ratnāni gajāṁścābharaṇāni ca brāhmaṇāḥ parisaṁtuṣṭāḥ siṣicustāṁ nṛpastriyam

Cows, garments, jewels, elephants, and ornaments — the brahmins, fully satisfied, sprinkled that royal lady with blessed water.

Verse 43 (padma.6.14.43)

अभिषिक्तापि सा वृंदा ज्वरेण परितप्यते । विसृज्य विप्रप्रवरान्प्रासादमगमत्तदा

abhiṣiktāpi sā vṛṁdā jvareṇa paritapyate visṛjya viprapravarānprāsādamagamattadā

Even after being thus blessed, Vrinda remained burning with fever; having taken leave of the foremost brahmins, she then went to her palace.

Verse 44 (padma.6.14.44)

तत्र स्थितापि स्वपुरं ददृशे दीप्तमंगला । ततः स्वकर्मणा राजन्नाकृष्टा हरिणा तु सा

tatra sthitāpi svapuraṁ dadṛśe dīptamaṁgalā tataḥ svakarmaṇā rājannākṛṣṭā hariṇā tu sā

Even standing there, her own auspicious city seemed to her as if ablaze; then, O king, drawn by Hari's own working,

Verse 45 (padma.6.14.45)

न शशाक गृहे स्थातुं ततो राज्ञी वनं ययौ । रथमश्वतरीयुक्तं स्मरदूतीसखीवहम्

na śaśāka gṛhe sthātuṁ tato rājñī vanaṁ yayau rathamaśvatarīyuktaṁ smaradūtīsakhīvaham

she was unable to remain in her house, and so the queen went off toward the forest, on a chariot yoked with mules, driven by her friend Smaraduti,

Verse 46 (padma.6.14.46)

समारुह्य क्षणात्तन्वी प्राप्ता सौभाग्यकाननम् । नानावृक्षसमायुक्तं नानापक्षिगणान्वितम्

samāruhya kṣaṇāttanvī prāptā saubhāgyakānanam nānāvṛkṣasamāyuktaṁ nānāpakṣigaṇānvitam

and, mounting it, that slender lady reached the Sobhagya forest in a moment, filled with many kinds of trees and thronged with many kinds of birds,

Verse 47 (padma.6.14.47)

पुष्पप्रस्रवणोपेतं स्वर्गनारीविभूषितम् । मंदानिलप्रवेशोऽस्ति यत्र नान्यस्य कस्यचित्

puṣpaprasravaṇopetaṁ svarganārīvibhūṣitam maṁdānilapraveśo'sti yatra nānyasya kasyacit

abounding in flowers and springs, adorned with celestial women, where only a gentle breeze ever entered, unlike anywhere else.

Verse 48 (padma.6.14.48)

वनं वृंदारिका दृष्ट्वा सस्मार पतिमात्मनः । कथं जालंधरं वीरं द्रक्ष्यामि प्राप्तमग्रतः

vanaṁ vṛṁdārikā dṛṣṭvā sasmāra patimātmanaḥ kathaṁ jālaṁdharaṁ vīraṁ drakṣyāmi prāptamagrataḥ

Seeing that forest, Vrindarika remembered her own husband: 'How shall I see the hero Jalandhara come before me?'

Verse 49 (padma.6.14.49)

सा तत्र न सुखं लेभे विवेशान्यतमं वनम् । सखीरथसमायुक्ता विष्णुमायाविमोहिता

sā tatra na sukhaṁ lebhe viveśānyatamaṁ vanam sakhīrathasamāyuktā viṣṇumāyāvimohitā

She found no happiness there, and, bewildered by Vishnu's illusion, together with her friend in the chariot, entered another part of the forest.

Verse 50 (padma.6.14.50)

ततो विलोकयामास विपिनं तरुसंकुलम् । उरुपाषाणसंरुद्धं कुरंगाक्षी भयावहम्

tato vilokayāmāsa vipinaṁ tarusaṁkulam urupāṣāṇasaṁruddhaṁ kuraṁgākṣī bhayāvaham

Then that doe-eyed lady beheld a wilderness thick with trees, blocked with huge boulders, altogether terrifying.

Verse 51 (padma.6.14.51)

सिंहव्याघ्रभयाकीर्णंशृगालव्यालसेवितम् । द्रुमैः स्पृशच्छिखाकाशैर्गुहासु ध्वांतपूरितम्

siṁhavyāghrabhayākīrṇaṁśṛgālavyālasevitam drumaiḥ spṛśacchikhākāśairguhāsu dhvāṁtapūritam

thronged with the fear of lions and tigers, frequented by jackals and serpents, its trees touching the very sky with their crests, its caves filled with darkness —

Verse 52 (padma.6.14.52)

वनं विलोक्य सा भीमं चकिता चपलेक्षणा । स्मरदूतीं सखीं वृंदा जगाद रथवाहिनीम् । रथं प्रेषय मे शीघ्रं स्मरदूति गृहं प्रति

vanaṁ vilokya sā bhīmaṁ cakitā capalekṣaṇā smaradūtīṁ sakhīṁ vṛṁdā jagāda rathavāhinīm rathaṁ preṣaya me śīghraṁ smaradūti gṛhaṁ prati

Seeing that terrifying forest, startled, her eyes darting, Vrinda said to her friend Smaraduti, who drove the chariot: 'Smaraduti, send my chariot swiftly home.'

Verse 53 (padma.6.14.53)

स्मरदूतिरुवाच ।नाहं जानामि दिग्भागं न यामि क्व रथं सखि । श्रांता अश्व्यः प्रवर्तंते मार्गश्चात्र न विद्यते

smaradūtiruvāca nāhaṁ jānāmi digbhāgaṁ na yāmi kva rathaṁ sakhi śrāṁtā aśvyaḥ pravartaṁte mārgaścātra na vidyate

Smaraduti said: 'My friend, I do not know the direction, nor where to take the chariot; the mares, tired, are moving on their own, and there is no path here at all.

Verse 54 (padma.6.14.54)

प्रेरितो दैवकेनापि स्यंदनो यातु यत्र च । अत्र कोपि च मांसादो भक्षयिष्यति नान्यथा

prerito daivakenāpi syaṁdano yātu yatra ca atra kopi ca māṁsādo bhakṣayiṣyati nānyathā

'Whatever fate drives this chariot to do, let it be so; here some flesh-eater will devour us — there is no other way.'

Verse 55 (padma.6.14.55)

इत्युक्ता सा द्रुततरा रथं शीघ्रमवाहयत् । स रथो वेगतः प्राप्तो यत्र सिद्धा मुदान्विताः

ityuktā sā drutatarā rathaṁ śīghramavāhayat sa ratho vegataḥ prāpto yatra siddhā mudānvitāḥ

Thus addressed, she urged the chariot on with great speed; that chariot, at speed, arrived at a place where joyful Siddhas were —

Verse 56 (padma.6.14.56)

तत्र सिद्धाश्च दृश्यंते काननं च भयावहम् । न यत्र प्रबलो वायुर्न शब्दः पक्षिणामपि

tatra siddhāśca dṛśyaṁte kānanaṁ ca bhayāvaham na yatra prabalo vāyurna śabdaḥ pakṣiṇāmapi

there Siddhas could be seen, and also a terrifying forest, where no strong wind blew, nor was there any sound of birds.

Verse 57 (padma.6.14.57)

न च तेजः प्रकाशोऽस्ति न जलं प्रदिशो दिशः । तत्र प्राप्तरथस्यापि लक्षणेऽभूद्विपर्ययः

na ca tejaḥ prakāśo'sti na jalaṁ pradiśo diśaḥ tatra prāptarathasyāpi lakṣaṇe'bhūdviparyayaḥ

There was no light or radiance, nor water in any direction; and there, even the very characteristics of the arrived chariot became reversed.

Verse 58 (padma.6.14.58)

अश्वतर्यो न हेषंते न च शब्दश्च नेमिजः । न चलंति पताकास्ता घंटिका न क्वणंति च

aśvataryo na heṣaṁte na ca śabdaśca nemijaḥ na calaṁti patākāstā ghaṁṭikā na kvaṇaṁti ca

The mules did not neigh, and there was no sound from the wheel-rims; the banners did not stir, and the little bells did not ring.

Verse 59 (padma.6.14.59)

न स्वनंति महाघंटा ध्वजस्तंभे निवेशिताः । विलोक्यैवंविधं प्राह तत्र वृंदा सखीं प्रति

na svanaṁti mahāghaṁṭā dhvajastaṁbhe niveśitāḥ vilokyaivaṁvidhaṁ prāha tatra vṛṁdā sakhīṁ prati

Even the great bells fixed upon the flagpole made no sound. Seeing this, Vrinda said there to her friend —

Verse 60 (padma.6.14.60)

स्मरदूति क्व यास्यामो व्याघ्रसिंहभयं वनम् । न गृहे न सुखं राज्ये मम जातं वने सखि

smaradūti kva yāsyāmo vyāghrasiṁhabhayaṁ vanam na gṛhe na sukhaṁ rājye mama jātaṁ vane sakhi

'Smaraduti, where shall we go — this forest is full of the fear of tigers and lions? My friend, neither in my house nor in my kingdom have I known such misery as I have found in this forest.'

Verse 61 (padma.6.14.61)

स्मरदूतिरुवाच ।शृणुष्व देवि पश्य त्वं पुरः शैलोऽतिदारुणः । दृष्ट्वाग्रतो न गच्छंति तुरंग्यो भयविह्वलाः

smaradūtiruvāca śṛṇuṣva devi paśya tvaṁ puraḥ śailo'tidāruṇaḥ dṛṣṭvāgrato na gacchaṁti turaṁgyo bhayavihvalāḥ

Smaraduti said: 'Listen, O queen — look, there ahead is a most terrible mountain; the mares, seeing it, overwhelmed with fear, will go no further.'

Verse 62 (padma.6.14.62)

तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा संत्रस्ता सा नृपांगना । दृष्ट्वा हारं स्वकंठस्थं स्यंदनाच्छीघ्रमुत्थिता

tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā saṁtrastā sā nṛpāṁganā dṛṣṭvā hāraṁ svakaṁṭhasthaṁ syaṁdanācchīghramutthitā

Hearing her words, the terrified queen, seeing the necklace resting on her own neck, swiftly rose up from the chariot.

Verse 63 (padma.6.14.63)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्तो राक्षसो भीषणाकृतिः । त्रिपादः पंचहस्तश्च सप्तनेत्रोऽतिदारुणः

etasminnaṁtare prāpto rākṣaso bhīṣaṇākṛtiḥ tripādaḥ paṁcahastaśca saptanetro'tidāruṇaḥ

Meanwhile a rakshasa of terrifying form arrived there — three-footed, five-handed, seven-eyed, most fearsome,

Verse 64 (padma.6.14.64)

पिंगलो व्याघ्रकर्णश्च सिंहस्कंधस्तथाननः । विहंगेशसमाः केशा लंबंते रुधिरारुणाः

piṁgalo vyāghrakarṇaśca siṁhaskaṁdhastathānanaḥ vihaṁgeśasamāḥ keśā laṁbaṁte rudhirāruṇāḥ

tawny-colored, with tiger's ears, a lion's shoulder and face; his hair, like the wings of the king of birds, hung down, blood-red.

Verse 65 (padma.6.14.65)

तं दृष्ट्वा पद्मकोशांगी सहसा सभयाभवत् । नेत्रे कराभ्यामाच्छाद्य चकंपे कदलीव सा

taṁ dṛṣṭvā padmakośāṁgī sahasā sabhayābhavat netre karābhyāmācchādya cakaṁpe kadalīva sā

Seeing him, that lotus-bud-limbed woman was suddenly seized with fear; covering her eyes with both hands, she trembled like a plantain tree.

Verse 66 (padma.6.14.66)

प्रतिहारी प्रतोदं तु त्यक्त्वा राज्ञीमभाषत । भीतां मां त्राहि देवि त्वमयं धावति भक्षितुम्

pratihārī pratodaṁ tu tyaktvā rājñīmabhāṣata bhītāṁ māṁ trāhi devi tvamayaṁ dhāvati bhakṣitum

The chariot's female gatekeeper, dropping the goad, said to the queen: 'Save me, terrified as I am, O queen — this thing rushes to devour me!'

Verse 67 (padma.6.14.67)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्तो राक्षसो रथसंनिधौ । रथमुत्क्षिप्य हस्तेन भ्रामयंश्चाश्विनीयुतम्

etasminnaṁtare prāpto rākṣaso rathasaṁnidhau rathamutkṣipya hastena bhrāmayaṁścāśvinīyutam

Meanwhile that rakshasa reached the very side of the chariot, and, lifting it with one hand, whirled it about, mules and all.

Verse 68 (padma.6.14.68)

सा राज्ञी पतिता भूमौ मृगी व्याघ्रभयादिव । स्मरदूती तरोर्मूले छिन्नाशोकलता यथा

sā rājñī patitā bhūmau mṛgī vyāghrabhayādiva smaradūtī tarormūle chinnāśokalatā yathā

The queen fell to the ground, like a doe fallen from fear of a tiger; and Smaraduti fell like an ashoka-creeper cut down at the foot of a tree.

Verse 69 (padma.6.14.69)

ततस्ताश्चाश्विनीः सर्वाः भक्षयामास राक्षसः । तेन राज्ञी धृता हस्ते सिंहेनैणवधूरिव

tatastāścāśvinīḥ sarvāḥ bhakṣayāmāsa rākṣasaḥ tena rājñī dhṛtā haste siṁhenaiṇavadhūriva

Then that rakshasa devoured all those mules; and he seized the queen in his hand, as a lion seizes a young doe.

Verse 70 (padma.6.14.70)

तामुवाच ततो रक्षः प्राणैस्ते कारणं यदि । तव भर्ता हतः संख्ये हरेणेति श्रुतं मया

tāmuvāca tato rakṣaḥ prāṇaiste kāraṇaṁ yadi tava bhartā hataḥ saṁkhye hareṇeti śrutaṁ mayā

Then that rakshasa said to her: 'If life is what you wish for, listen — I have heard that your husband has been slain in battle by Hara.

Verse 71 (padma.6.14.71)

मामासाद्याद्य भर्तारं चिरंजीवाकुतोभया । पिबाथ वारुणीं स्वाद्वीं महामांससमन्विताम् । शृण्वंतीति वचो राज्ञी गतसत्वा इवाभवत्

māmāsādyādya bhartāraṁ ciraṁjīvākutobhayā pibātha vāruṇīṁ svādvīṁ mahāmāṁsasamanvitām śṛṇvaṁtīti vaco rājñī gatasatvā ivābhavat

'Obtaining me today as your husband, live long, free of all fear; drink this sweet wine, together with rich meat.' Hearing these words, the queen became as if lifeless.