The Testing of Dilipa

Verse 1 (padma.6.203.1)

देवल उवाच। अथोषसि नराधीशः पूजितां कुसुमादिभिः । महिष्या नंदिनीं धेनुं नीत्वारण्यं जगाम सः

devala uvāca athoṣasi narādhīśaḥ pūjitāṁ kusumādibhiḥ mahiṣyā naṁdinīṁ dhenuṁ nītvāraṇyaṁ jagāma saḥ

Devala said: Then, at dawn, that lord of men, having worshipped, together with the queen, the cow Nandini with flowers and other offerings, took her and went into the forest.

Verse 2 (padma.6.203.2)

गच्छंतीमनु तां देवीं छायेव नृपतिर्ययौ । खादंतीमनुशष्पादि सोऽपि मूलाद्यभक्षयत्

gacchaṁtīmanu tāṁ devīṁ chāyeva nṛpatiryayau khādaṁtīmanuśaṣpādi so'pi mūlādyabhakṣayat

Like a shadow, the king followed that goddess-cow as she walked; as she ate young grass and the like, he too ate roots and the like.

Verse 3 (padma.6.203.3)

तरुच्छायामुपासीनामनु सोऽप्युपविष्टवान् । पिबंतीमनुपानीयं राजापि सलिलं पपौ

tarucchāyāmupāsīnāmanu so'pyupaviṣṭavān pibaṁtīmanupānīyaṁ rājāpi salilaṁ papau

As she sat in the shade of a tree, he too sat down; as she drank water, the king too drank water.

Verse 4 (padma.6.203.4)

स च राजा मृदुग्रासैर्दंशापनयनेन च । कंडूयनैः कामधेनुं गुरोरेवमसेवत

sa ca rājā mṛdugrāsairdaṁśāpanayanena ca kaṁḍūyanaiḥ kāmadhenuṁ gurorevamasevata

That king served the wish-cow of his guru with soft grasses, by removing biting insects, and by scratching her — thus he served her.

Verse 5 (padma.6.203.5)

अथ प्रत्याश्रमं सायं न्यवर्त्तंत महीपतेः । अंगं पवित्रयंती सा खुरोद्धूतैरजःकणैः

atha pratyāśramaṁ sāyaṁ nyavarttaṁta mahīpateḥ aṁgaṁ pavitrayaṁtī sā khuroddhūtairajaḥkaṇaiḥ

Then, in the evening, they returned toward the hermitage; she, purifying the king's body with the dust-motes stirred up by her hooves—

Verse 6 (padma.6.203.6)

अधोभारेण गुरुणा गच्छंती मंथरं बभौ । महीपालमहत्कार्यभाराक्रांतेव नंदिनी

adhobhāreṇa guruṇā gacchaṁtī maṁtharaṁ babhau mahīpālamahatkāryabhārākrāṁteva naṁdinī

—walking slowly, weighed down by the heaviness of her lowered udder, Nandini appeared as if burdened by the great weight of the king's task.

Verse 7 (padma.6.203.7)

तां मुनेराश्रमाभ्याशे राज्ञी प्रत्युज्जगाम ह । चंदनाक्षतनैवेद्यधूपादीनुपनीय च

tāṁ munerāśramābhyāśe rājñī pratyujjagāma ha caṁdanākṣatanaivedyadhūpādīnupanīya ca

Near the sage's hermitage, the queen went out to meet her, bringing sandalwood, unbroken rice, food-offerings, incense, and the like.

Verse 8 (padma.6.203.8)

तां पूजयित्वा विधिवत्प्रणम्य च पुनः पुनः । कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणं राज्ञी तस्थौ प्रांजलिरग्रतः

tāṁ pūjayitvā vidhivatpraṇamya ca punaḥ punaḥ kṛtvā pradakṣiṇaṁ rājñī tasthau prāṁjaliragrataḥ

Having duly worshipped her and bowed again and again, and having circumambulated her, the queen stood before her with folded hands.

Verse 9 (padma.6.203.9)

सा गृहीत्वा च तां पूजां विहितां श्रद्धया तया । राज्ञा निश्चलमास्थाय ययौ ताभ्यां सहाश्रमम्

sā gṛhītvā ca tāṁ pūjāṁ vihitāṁ śraddhayā tayā rājñā niścalamāsthāya yayau tābhyāṁ sahāśramam

She, accepting that worship performed with faith by her, standing steady with the king, went with the two of them to the hermitage.

Verse 10 (padma.6.203.10)

आराधयति तामेवं दिलीपे तु दृढव्रते । एकाधिका व्यतीयाय दिनानां वैश्य विंशतिः

ārādhayati tāmevaṁ dilīpe tu dṛḍhavrate ekādhikā vyatīyāya dinānāṁ vaiśya viṁśatiḥ

O merchant, as Dilipa, so firm in his vow, worshipped her thus, twenty-one days passed.

Verse 11 (padma.6.203.11)

अथ भूमिपतेस्तस्य भावजिज्ञासया तु सा । विवेश निर्भयस्वांता सशष्पां हिमवद्गुहाम्

atha bhūmipatestasya bhāvajijñāsayā tu sā viveśa nirbhayasvāṁtā saśaṣpāṁ himavadguhām

Then, wishing to test the true feeling of that king, she, her heart free of fear, entered a grass-covered cave of the Himalaya.

Verse 12 (padma.6.203.12)

पश्यता हिमवत्सानु शोभामथ महीभृता । अलक्षितागमः सिंहो बलाज्जग्राह नंदिनीम्

paśyatā himavatsānu śobhāmatha mahībhṛtā alakṣitāgamaḥ siṁho balājjagrāha naṁdinīm

As the king, gazing at the beauty of the Himalayan ridge, watched, a lion, whose approach had gone unnoticed, forcibly seized Nandini.

Verse 13 (padma.6.203.13)

सा चक्रंद भृशं धेनुर्दुःखितेव दयास्वना । चित्ते धनुर्भृतस्तस्य जनयंती दयोदयम्

sā cakraṁda bhṛśaṁ dhenurduḥkhiteva dayāsvanā citte dhanurbhṛtastasya janayaṁtī dayodayam

The cow cried out loudly, as if in pain, with a voice that stirred pity, arousing a surge of compassion in the heart of the bow-bearing king.

Verse 14 (padma.6.203.14)

तदाक्रंदितमाकर्ण्य तस्याः स जगतीपतिः । हिमवत्सानुसंलग्नां निजदृष्टिं न्यवर्त्तयत्

tadākraṁditamākarṇya tasyāḥ sa jagatīpatiḥ himavatsānusaṁlagnāṁ nijadṛṣṭiṁ nyavarttayat

Hearing her cry, that lord of the earth turned back his gaze, which had been fixed upon the Himalayan ridge.

Verse 15 (padma.6.203.15)

उपर्युपरि तां धेनुं स्रवदश्रुमुखीं नृपः । तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रनखं सिंहं दृष्ट्वा स व्यथितोऽभवत्

uparyupari tāṁ dhenuṁ sravadaśrumukhīṁ nṛpaḥ tīkṣṇadaṁṣṭranakhaṁ siṁhaṁ dṛṣṭvā sa vyathito'bhavat

Seeing that cow, her face streaming with tears, and above her, the lion with sharp fangs and claws, the king was seized with anguish.

Verse 16 (padma.6.203.16)

गृहीतां तेन सिंहेन तामालक्ष्य धनुर्द्धरः । निषंगाद्बाणमुद्धर्तुं प्राहिणोद्दक्षिणं भुजम्

gṛhītāṁ tena siṁhena tāmālakṣya dhanurddharaḥ niṣaṁgādbāṇamuddhartuṁ prāhiṇoddakṣiṇaṁ bhujam

Seeing her seized by that lion, the bow-bearer sent his right arm to draw an arrow from his quiver.

Verse 17 (padma.6.203.17)

बाणमुद्धृत्य तूणीरान्निहंतुं तं मृगाधिपम् । गुणेनापूर्णमायोज्य चकर्ष वसुधाधिपः

bāṇamuddhṛtya tūṇīrānnihaṁtuṁ taṁ mṛgādhipam guṇenāpūrṇamāyojya cakarṣa vasudhādhipaḥ

Having drawn the arrow from the quiver, that lord of the earth, in order to slay that king of beasts, fitted it, full-drawn, to the bowstring, and pulled.

Verse 18 (padma.6.203.18)

जडीभूतः समस्तांगस्तत्सिंहालोकनेन सः । नाशकद्बाणमुत्सृष्टुं राजासीद्विस्मितस्ततः

jaḍībhūtaḥ samastāṁgastatsiṁhālokanena saḥ nāśakadbāṇamutsṛṣṭuṁ rājāsīdvismitastataḥ

But, his whole body rendered numb by the very sight of that lion, he was unable to release the arrow; the king was then filled with astonishment.

Verse 19 (padma.6.203.19)

तादृशं नृपमालक्ष्य जगाद स मृगाधिपः । नरवाचा भृशं भूयो विस्मयं प्रापयन्निदम्

tādṛśaṁ nṛpamālakṣya jagāda sa mṛgādhipaḥ naravācā bhṛśaṁ bhūyo vismayaṁ prāpayannidam

Beholding the king in such a state, that king of beasts spoke, in a human voice, this speech, causing even greater astonishment:

Verse 20 (padma.6.203.20)

सिंह उवाच- दिलीपं त्वामहं राजन्जानामि रविवंशजम् । त्वं च जानीहि मां शंभोर्गणं कुंभोदराभिधम्

siṁha uvāca- dilīpaṁ tvāmahaṁ rājanjānāmi ravivaṁśajam tvaṁ ca jānīhi māṁ śaṁbhorgaṇaṁ kuṁbhodarābhidham

The lion said: ‘O king, I know you as Dilipa, born of the solar line; and you should know me as Shambhu's attendant, named Kumbhodara.’

Verse 21 (padma.6.203.21)

देवदारुरयं यस्ते वर्त्तते दृष्टगोचरे । पार्वत्यापुत्रवद्वीर पालितः स्निग्धचित्तया

devadārurayaṁ yaste varttate dṛṣṭagocare pārvatyāputravadvīra pālitaḥ snigdhacittayā

‘This deodar tree, which stands within your sight, O hero, has been tended by Parvati, with an affectionate heart, as if it were her own son.’

Verse 22 (padma.6.203.22)

एकदामुष्यवन्येन गजेनाघर्षता कटम् । उदपाटि महाराज वल्कलं मृदुलं भृशम्

ekadāmuṣyavanyena gajenāgharṣatā kaṭam udapāṭi mahārāja valkalaṁ mṛdulaṁ bhṛśam

‘Once, by some forest elephant scratching its temple against it, O great king, its soft, tender bark was torn away.’

Verse 23 (padma.6.203.23)

एनं तादृशमालक्ष्य मृडानी करुणान्विता । मामत्र स्थापयामास सिंहं कृत्वास्य रक्षणे

enaṁ tādṛśamālakṣya mṛḍānī karuṇānvitā māmatra sthāpayāmāsa siṁhaṁ kṛtvāsya rakṣaṇe

‘Seeing it in such a state, Mridani, filled with compassion, stationed me here, taking the form of a lion, for its protection.’

Verse 24 (padma.6.203.24)

ममाह चेति सा देवी कुंभोदर निशम्यताम् । योऽत्र जंतुः समागच्छेत्तं खादेस्त्वं वसन्निह

mamāha ceti sā devī kuṁbhodara niśamyatām yo'tra jaṁtuḥ samāgacchettaṁ khādestvaṁ vasanniha

‘And that Goddess said to me: “O Kumbhodara, listen — whatever creature comes here, you, dwelling here, shall devour it.”’

Verse 25 (padma.6.203.25)

ततः प्रभृति राजेंद्र तदाज्ञां पालयन्नहम् । पालितां त्रिदशैः सर्वैः कंदरेऽत्र वसाम्यहम्

tataḥ prabhṛti rājeṁdra tadājñāṁ pālayannaham pālitāṁ tridaśaiḥ sarvaiḥ kaṁdare'tra vasāmyaham

‘Since then, O lord of kings, obeying that command of hers, protected by all the gods, I dwell here in this cavern.’

Verse 26 (padma.6.203.26)

जडीभावे स्वदेहस्य त्वया कार्यो न विस्मयः । महती शांभवी माया वर्त्ततेऽत्र हिमाचले

jaḍībhāve svadehasya tvayā kāryo na vismayaḥ mahatī śāṁbhavī māyā varttate'tra himācale

‘You should not be astonished at the numbing of your own body; a great power of Shambhu's Maya operates here in this Himalayan region.’

Verse 27 (padma.6.203.27)

अन्यस्मिन्निव सिंहे त्वं प्रहर्तुं न मयि क्षमः । यतो मत्पृष्ठमारुह्य वृषमारोहति प्रभुः

anyasminniva siṁhe tvaṁ prahartuṁ na mayi kṣamaḥ yato matpṛṣṭhamāruhya vṛṣamārohati prabhuḥ

‘You are not capable of striking at me as you would at any other lion, since the Lord himself rides mounted upon me, as upon his very bull.’

Verse 28 (padma.6.203.28)

निवर्त्तस्व निजं देहं रक्ष सर्वार्थसाधनम् । दैवेनासादिता वीर गौरियं भक्षणाय मे

nivarttasva nijaṁ dehaṁ rakṣa sarvārthasādhanam daivenāsāditā vīra gauriyaṁ bhakṣaṇāya me

‘Turn back; protect your own body, the means to accomplish every goal. This cow, O hero, has been brought by fate for my food.’

Verse 29 (padma.6.203.29)

देवल उवाच- इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य वीरसंबोधनान्वितम् । प्रत्युवाच दिलीपस्तं स जडीभूतविग्रहः

devala uvāca- ityākarṇya vacastasya vīrasaṁbodhanānvitam pratyuvāca dilīpastaṁ sa jaḍībhūtavigrahaḥ

Devala said: Hearing these words of his, addressed to him as ‘hero,’ Dilipa, his body still numb, replied to him:

Verse 30 (padma.6.203.30)

राजोवाच- सर्गस्थितिविसर्गाणां कारणं जगतः शिवम् । अंबिकां जगदंबां च नमामि मृगराज तौ

rājovāca- sargasthitivisargāṇāṁ kāraṇaṁ jagataḥ śivam aṁbikāṁ jagadaṁbāṁ ca namāmi mṛgarāja tau

The king said: ‘O king of beasts, I bow to Shiva and to Ambika, mother of the universe, the cause of the creation, preservation, and dissolution of the world.’

Verse 31 (padma.6.203.31)

त्वं च तत्सेवकत्वेन मान्यो मम मृगाधिप । ब्रवीमि यदहं वाक्यं श्रुत्वा शाधि करोमि किम्

tvaṁ ca tatsevakatvena mānyo mama mṛgādhipa bravīmi yadahaṁ vākyaṁ śrutvā śādhi karomi kim

‘And you, being his servant, are honored by me too, O king of beasts. I shall speak; having heard my words, instruct me what I should do.’

Verse 32 (padma.6.203.32)

वसिष्ठो ब्रह्मणः पुत्रो गुरुर्नो विदितस्तव । तस्येयं नंदिनीनाम धेनुः सर्वार्थसाधिका

vasiṣṭho brahmaṇaḥ putro gururno viditastava tasyeyaṁ naṁdinīnāma dhenuḥ sarvārthasādhikā

‘Vasishtha, son of Brahma, our guru, is surely known to you. This is his cow, named Nandini, who accomplishes every goal.’

Verse 33 (padma.6.203.33)

संतानोत्पत्तये तेन दत्ताराधयितुं मम । येयमाराधिता सम्यक्दिनानि कतिचिन्मया

saṁtānotpattaye tena dattārādhayituṁ mama yeyamārādhitā samyakdināni katicinmayā

‘She was given by him to me, to be worshipped for the sake of begetting offspring. She has been duly worshipped by me for a few days now.’

Verse 34 (padma.6.203.34)

लघुतर्णक मातेयं धृता ते गिरिकंदरे । शुंभुभृत्याद्बलात्त्वत्तोशक्तामोचयितुंमया

laghutarṇaka māteyaṁ dhṛtā te girikaṁdare śuṁbhubhṛtyādbalāttvattośaktāmocayituṁmayā

‘She, the mother of the young calf, has been seized by you here in the mountain cave; I am unable to rescue her forcibly from you, the servant of Shambhu.’

Verse 35 (padma.6.203.35)

अहं तस्य मुनेरग्रे गच्छाम्येनामृते कथम् । कामधेनोस्तु दौहित्री जगत्सेव्या यशस्विनी

ahaṁ tasya muneragre gacchāmyenāmṛte katham kāmadhenostu dauhitrī jagatsevyā yaśasvinī

‘How shall I go before that sage without her? She, the granddaughter of Kamadhenu, worthy of the world's service, renowned—’

Verse 36 (padma.6.203.36)

अनया सदृशी नान्या गौर्यया तोषयामि तम् । तस्माद्विमुच्य गामेनामग्र्यां कुरु निजाशनम्

anayā sadṛśī nānyā gauryayā toṣayāmi tam tasmādvimucya gāmenāmagryāṁ kuru nijāśanam

‘—there is no other cow equal to her, by which I might please him. Therefore, releasing this excellent cow, make me instead your own meal.’

Verse 37 (padma.6.203.37)

ददामि देहमात्मीयमपकीर्तिमलीमसम् । एवं न धर्महानिः स्यादृषेस्तव तु भोजनम् । गवार्थे त्यजतः प्राणान्ममापि गतिरुत्तमा

dadāmi dehamātmīyamapakīrtimalīmasam evaṁ na dharmahāniḥ syādṛṣestava tu bhojanam gavārthe tyajataḥ prāṇānmamāpi gatiruttamā

‘I give you my own body, sullied by shame; thus, there shall be no loss of dharma for the sage, and your meal shall be provided. For me, giving up my life for the sake of a cow, my destiny too shall be excellent.’

Verse 38 (padma.6.203.38)

देवल उवाच- एवमाकर्ण्य सिंहेन कृते मौने विशांपते । तदग्रेऽवाङ्मुखो राजा न्यपतद्धर्मकोविदः

devala uvāca- evamākarṇya siṁhena kṛte maune viśāṁpate tadagre'vāṅmukho rājā nyapataddharmakovidaḥ

Devala said: When the lion had thus fallen silent upon hearing this, O lord of the merchants, the king, versed in dharma, his face bent down, lay before him.

Verse 39 (padma.6.203.39)

तस्य प्रतीक्षमाणस्य सिंहपातं सुदुःसहम् । पपातोपरि पुष्पाणां वृष्टिर्मुक्ता सुरेश्वरैः

tasya pratīkṣamāṇasya siṁhapātaṁ suduḥsaham papātopari puṣpāṇāṁ vṛṣṭirmuktā sureśvaraiḥ

As he awaited the utterly unbearable pounce of the lion, a shower of flowers, released by the lords of the gods, fell upon him.

Verse 40 (padma.6.203.40)

पुत्रोत्तिष्ठेति वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा स उत्थितः । जननीमिव तां धेनुं ददर्श न मृगाधिपम्

putrottiṣṭheti vacanaṁ śrutvā rājā sa utthitaḥ jananīmiva tāṁ dhenuṁ dadarśa na mṛgādhipam

Hearing the words ‘Rise, my son!’ the king rose up, and saw that cow, like a mother, but no king of beasts was to be seen.

Verse 41 (padma.6.203.41)

तं विस्मितमुवाचेदं नंदिनी नृपसत्तमम् । नंदिन्युवाच- मायया सिंहरूपिण्या त्वं मयासि परीक्षितः

taṁ vismitamuvācedaṁ naṁdinī nṛpasattamam naṁdinyuvāca- māyayā siṁharūpiṇyā tvaṁ mayāsi parīkṣitaḥ

Nandini spoke to that astonished, most excellent king thus. Nandini said: ‘By an illusion in the form of a lion, you have been tested by me.’

Verse 42 (padma.6.203.42)

मुनिप्रभावान्मां राजन्गृहीतुं न क्षमोंऽतकः । मनसापि कुतोऽन्येषां यद्ग्रहे शक्तिरंगिनाम्

muniprabhāvānmāṁ rājangṛhītuṁ na kṣamoṁ'takaḥ manasāpi kuto'nyeṣāṁ yadgrahe śaktiraṁginām

‘By the power of the sage, O king, not even Death himself is capable of seizing me — how then, even mentally, could others among embodied beings have the power to seize me?’

Verse 43 (padma.6.203.43)

स्वशरीरस्य दानेन त्वं मां रक्षितुमुद्यतः । अतस्तेऽहं प्रसन्नास्मि वृणीष्व वरमीप्सितम्

svaśarīrasya dānena tvaṁ māṁ rakṣitumudyataḥ ataste'haṁ prasannāsmi vṛṇīṣva varamīpsitam

‘By the gift of your own body, you set about to protect me; therefore I am pleased with you — ask for the boon you desire.’

Verse 44 (padma.6.203.44)

राजोवाच- न गुप्तं देहिनामंतर्वर्तिवृत्तं भवादृशम् । अतो जननि जानासि वांच्छितं मम देहि तत्

rājovāca- na guptaṁ dehināmaṁtarvartivṛttaṁ bhavādṛśam ato janani jānāsi vāṁcchitaṁ mama dehi tat

The king said: ‘Nothing that lies within the hearts of embodied beings is hidden from ones such as you; therefore, O mother, you know my desire — grant it.’

Verse 45 (padma.6.203.45)

मगधेशसुतायां मे वंशकर्तारमात्मजम् । प्रयच्छ किंचित्स्वच्छानां नासाध्यं हि भवादृशाम्

magadheśasutāyāṁ me vaṁśakartāramātmajam prayaccha kiṁcitsvacchānāṁ nāsādhyaṁ hi bhavādṛśām

‘Grant me, through the daughter of the lord of Magadha, a son who shall be the founder of my line; nothing is impossible for ones such as you, so pure of heart.’

Verse 46 (padma.6.203.46)

इत्युक्त्वांजलिमाधाय तत्पुरस्तस्थिवान्नृपः । तूष्णीं तदुत्तरापेक्षी तत्पुरोबद्धलोचनः

ityuktvāṁjalimādhāya tatpurastasthivānnṛpaḥ tūṣṇīṁ taduttarāpekṣī tatpurobaddhalocanaḥ

Having said this, folding his hands, the king stood before her in silence, awaiting her reply, his eyes fixed before her.

Verse 47 (padma.6.203.47)

देवल उवाच- निशम्येति वचस्तस्य भूपतेरिदमब्रवीत् । नंदिनी पितृदेवर्षिनरभूतार्थसाधिका

devala uvāca- niśamyeti vacastasya bhūpateridamabravīt naṁdinī pitṛdevarṣinarabhūtārthasādhikā

Devala said: Hearing these words of the king, Nandini, who accomplishes the desires of ancestors, gods, sages, men, and spirits, spoke thus:

Verse 48 (padma.6.203.48)

नन्दिन्युवाच- पुत्र पत्रपुटे दुग्ध्वा पयो मम पिबेप्सितम् । आश्रमे गुरुणाज्ञप्तः पुनः पास्यसि शेषितम्

nandinyuvāca- putra patrapuṭe dugdhvā payo mama pibepsitam āśrame guruṇājñaptaḥ punaḥ pāsyasi śeṣitam

Nandini said: ‘My son, milk me into a leaf-cup and drink of that milk as you desire; instructed once more by the guru in the hermitage, you shall drink what remains.’

Verse 49 (padma.6.203.49)

भविता वंशकर्ता ते सुतः शस्त्रास्त्रतत्ववित् । देवल उवाच- इत्युक्तः सौरभेय्या तामुवाच विनयेन सः

bhavitā vaṁśakartā te sutaḥ śastrāstratatvavit devala uvāca- ityuktaḥ saurabheyyā tāmuvāca vinayena saḥ

‘The son who shall be the founder of your line shall be a knower of the true nature of weapons and arms.’ Devala said: Thus addressed by the daughter of Surabhi, he replied to her with humility:

Verse 50 (padma.6.203.50)

दिलीप उवाच- मातस्तवैव पास्यामि शेषं सर्वक्रियाविधेः । तृप्तोऽहं मातरासाद्य मिष्टं ते वचनामृतम्

dilīpa uvāca- mātastavaiva pāsyāmi śeṣaṁ sarvakriyāvidheḥ tṛpto'haṁ mātarāsādya miṣṭaṁ te vacanāmṛtam

Dilipa said: ‘O mother, I shall drink your milk only after the completion of all the proper rites. I am already satisfied, mother, having obtained your sweet, nectar-like word.’

Verse 51 (padma.6.203.51)

नान्यदिच्छामि सारंगः कादंबिन्या यथा जलम् । तव शुश्रूषणान्मातरभवं सकलोद्भवः

nānyadicchāmi sāraṁgaḥ kādaṁbinyā yathā jalam tava śuśrūṣaṇānmātarabhavaṁ sakalodbhavaḥ

‘I desire nothing else — as the chataka bird desires only water from the cloud. By serving you, O mother, I have become full, the source of everything.’

Verse 52 (padma.6.203.52)

समस्तजनपूज्याया विद्याया इव मूढधीः । तव मातामही दत्तः शापोऽप्यासीद्वरो मम

samastajanapūjyāyā vidyāyā iva mūḍhadhīḥ tava mātāmahī dattaḥ śāpo'pyāsīdvaro mama

‘Like a dull-witted man before knowledge, worshipped by all people — even the curse given by your grandmother has itself become a boon for me.’

Verse 53 (padma.6.203.53)

तमृते पुत्रलाभो मे कुतस्तव च दर्शनम् । वरायैव तथाप्यंब समाराध्या भवादृशः । न हि कश्चिद्विषाकांक्षी महादेवात्त्रिवर्गदात्

tamṛte putralābho me kutastava ca darśanam varāyaiva tathāpyaṁba samārādhyā bhavādṛśaḥ na hi kaścidviṣākāṁkṣī mahādevāttrivargadāt

‘Without it, how would I have obtained a son, and how would I have obtained sight of you? Even so, O mother, ones such as you are indeed to be worshipped only for a boon — for no one who desires poison seeks it from Mahadeva, the giver of the threefold goal.’

Verse 54 (padma.6.203.54)

देवल उवाच- श्रुत्वेति तद्वचः सा गौः प्रसन्ना साधुसाध्विति । आभाष्य हि महादर्पा ययौ तेन सहाश्रमम्

devala uvāca- śrutveti tadvacaḥ sā gauḥ prasannā sādhusādhviti ābhāṣya hi mahādarpā yayau tena sahāśramam

Devala said: Hearing these words, that cow, pleased, exclaiming ‘Well done, well done!’ — that greatly proud one — went with him to the hermitage.

Verse 55 (padma.6.203.55)

पूर्वेद्युरिव तत्रापि पूजिता राजभार्यया । प्रसन्ना सा बभौ धेनुः कार्यसिद्धिरिवांगभाक्

pūrvedyuriva tatrāpi pūjitā rājabhāryayā prasannā sā babhau dhenuḥ kāryasiddhirivāṁgabhāk

There too, worshipped by the king's wife just as on the previous day, that cow shone forth, pleased, as if the accomplishment of the task itself had taken bodily form.

Verse 56 (padma.6.203.56)

मुखं प्रसन्नमालक्ष्य मृगाक्षी सा क्षितीशितुः । अज्ञासीत्तं निजं कार्यं सिद्धं यत्नस्तु यत्कृते

mukhaṁ prasannamālakṣya mṛgākṣī sā kṣitīśituḥ ajñāsīttaṁ nijaṁ kāryaṁ siddhaṁ yatnastu yatkṛte

That doe-eyed queen, seeing the king's pleased countenance, understood that her own task, for whose sake the effort had been made, had been accomplished.

Verse 57 (padma.6.203.57)

अथ तौ दंपती धेन्वा विधिवद्विहितार्चया । तया सह गुरोरग्रे कृतकृत्यस्य जग्मतुः

atha tau daṁpatī dhenvā vidhivadvihitārcayā tayā saha guroragre kṛtakṛtyasya jagmatuḥ

Then that couple, having duly worshipped the cow, went, together with her, before the guru, their purpose fulfilled.

Verse 58 (padma.6.203.58)

निरीक्ष्य तौ मुनिवरः प्रसन्नमुखपंकजौ । अतींद्रियज्ञाननिधिः प्रोवाचेदं प्रहर्षयन्

nirīkṣya tau munivaraḥ prasannamukhapaṁkajau atīṁdriyajñānanidhiḥ provācedaṁ praharṣayan

Seeing the two of them, their lotus-faces pleased, that excellent sage, a treasury of supra-sensory knowledge, spoke thus, delighting them:

Verse 59 (padma.6.203.59)

वसिष्ठ उवाच- राजञ्जानामि गौरेषा प्रसन्ना वामभूत्किल । अपूर्वा युवयोरद्य मुखकांतिर्हि लक्ष्यते

vasiṣṭha uvāca- rājañjānāmi gaureṣā prasannā vāmabhūtkila apūrvā yuvayoradya mukhakāṁtirhi lakṣyate

Vasishtha said: ‘O king, I know that this cow has become pleased with you both; for an unprecedented radiance is seen in your two faces today.’

Verse 60 (padma.6.203.60)

सुरभिः सुरशाखी च विश्रुतौ कामपूरिणौ । तदपत्यं समाराध्य सिद्धोऽथ स्यात्किमद्भुतम्

surabhiḥ suraśākhī ca viśrutau kāmapūriṇau tadapatyaṁ samārādhya siddho'tha syātkimadbhutam

‘Surabhi and the celestial wish-tree are both renowned as fulfillers of desires; that one who worships their offspring should attain success — what wonder is there in that?’

Verse 61 (padma.6.203.61)

यो ददाति निखिलं मनोरथं कीर्तितेयमनघापि दूरतः । श्रद्धया निकट एव सेविता किं पुनः सुरतरंगिणीव सा

yo dadāti nikhilaṁ manorathaṁ kīrtiteyamanaghāpi dūrataḥ śraddhayā nikaṭa eva sevitā kiṁ punaḥ surataraṁgiṇīva sā

‘She, who bestows every wish even when merely praised from afar, though herself sinless — how much more so, when personally served nearby with faith, is she like the celestial river Ganga.’

Verse 62 (padma.6.203.62)

ज्ञानतो विदितमद्भुतं मया त्वत्कृतं यदनया परीक्षणम् । भूपते त्वमपि धर्ममात्मनो रक्षसि स्म च यथा च तत्

jñānato viditamadbhutaṁ mayā tvatkṛtaṁ yadanayā parīkṣaṇam bhūpate tvamapi dharmamātmano rakṣasi sma ca yathā ca tat

‘Through my knowledge, I have learned of the wondrous test made of you by her, O king, and I know too how you protected your own dharma.’

Verse 63 (padma.6.203.63)

त्वय्यसौ मम मनोऽनुकूलतां भावमात्मनि विबुध्यते तथा । तुष्यति स्म कमला यथा हरेः पार्वतीव गिरिशस्य सज्जते

tvayyasau mama mano'nukūlatāṁ bhāvamātmani vibudhyate tathā tuṣyati sma kamalā yathā hareḥ pārvatīva giriśasya sajjate

‘Toward you, she has come to know within herself a state of mind favorable to me as well; she is as pleased as Kamala with Hari, and as devoted as Parvati to the mountain-dwelling Lord.’

Verse 64 (padma.6.203.64)

रात्रिरत्र सहाभार्ययानया धेनुपूजनपरेण नीयताम् । भूपभव्य भवता गमिष्यते श्वः समाप्तविधिना निजांपुरीम्

rātriratra sahābhāryayānayā dhenupūjanapareṇa nīyatām bhūpabhavya bhavatā gamiṣyate śvaḥ samāptavidhinā nijāṁpurīm

‘Let this night be spent here, together with your wife, devoted to the worship of this cow; O splendid king, tomorrow, your rites completed, you shall go to your own city.’

Verse 65 (padma.6.203.65)

देवल उवाच- वैश्यैवं धेनुमाराध्य सभार्यः प्राप्तवांछितः । प्रातर्युक्तरथः प्राप्य गुरोराज्ञामगाद्गृहम्

devala uvāca- vaiśyaivaṁ dhenumārādhya sabhāryaḥ prāptavāṁchitaḥ prātaryuktarathaḥ prāpya gurorājñāmagādgṛham

Devala said: O merchant, having thus worshipped the cow together with his wife, and having attained his desire, in the morning, his chariot yoked, having obtained the guru's leave, he went to his home.

Verse 66 (padma.6.203.66)

कतिचिद्वासरैस्तस्य दिलीपस्याभवद्रघुः । यस्य नाम्ना रघोर्वंशः पृथिव्यां विश्रुतोऽभवत्

katicidvāsaraistasya dilīpasyābhavadraghuḥ yasya nāmnā raghorvaṁśaḥ pṛthivyāṁ viśruto'bhavat

After a few days, a son, Raghu, was born to that Dilipa, by whose name the Raghu dynasty became renowned upon the earth.

Verse 67 (padma.6.203.67)

यः पठिष्यति भूपस्य दिलीपस्य कथामिमाम् । धनं धान्यं सुतं वैश्य लप्स्यते स पुमानिह

yaḥ paṭhiṣyati bhūpasya dilīpasya kathāmimām dhanaṁ dhānyaṁ sutaṁ vaiśya lapsyate sa pumāniha

O merchant, whatever man shall read this story of King Dilipa shall obtain, in this world, wealth, grain, and a son.

Verse 68 (padma.6.203.68)

शरभवरसुताप्तये स्वबुद्ध्या सममनया परितोषयाशु गौरीम् । त्वमपि कुलधुरं गुणान्वितं सा सुतमनघं खलु दास्यते च तुभ्यम्

śarabhavarasutāptaye svabuddhyā samamanayā paritoṣayāśu gaurīm tvamapi kuladhuraṁ guṇānvitaṁ sā sutamanaghaṁ khalu dāsyate ca tubhyam

‘For the attainment of an excellent son, O Sharabha, with your own good sense, together with her, quickly satisfy Gauri; she shall surely grant you too a virtuous, sinless son, the bearer of your family's burden.’

Verse 69 (padma.6.203.69)

शिवशर्मोवाच- मुनिरिति चरितं दिलीपराज्ञो ललिततरं शरभाय पुण्यमुक्त्वा । अभिमतगतमात्मनः प्रपेदे विधिमुपदिश्य च पूज जनेंबिकायाः

śivaśarmovāca- muniriti caritaṁ dilīparājño lalitataraṁ śarabhāya puṇyamuktvā abhimatagatamātmanaḥ prapede vidhimupadiśya ca pūja janeṁbikāyāḥ

Shivasharma said: The sage, having thus told Sharabha this most delightful and sacred account of King Dilipa's conduct, and having taught him the procedure for the worship of mother Ambika, went his own way, his own desired purpose fulfilled.