The Death of Manibhadra

Verse 1 (skanda.6.158.1)

सूत उवाच। पुष्पोऽपि गुटिके लब्ध्वा भास्कराद्वारितस्करात् ॥ चिराद्भोजनमासाद्य प्रस्थितो वैदिशं प्रति

sūta uvāca puṣpo'pi guṭike labdhvā bhāskarādvāritaskarāt cirādbhojanamāsādya prasthito vaidiśaṁ prati

Suta said: Having obtained from the Sun those pills that ward off thieves, Pushpa, after a long while at last taking food, set out toward Vaidisha.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.158.2)

ततो वैदिशमासाद्य स पुष्पो हृष्टमानसः ॥ शुक्ला तां गुटिकां वक्त्रे चकारद्विजसत्तमाः

tato vaidiśamāsādya sa puṣpo hṛṣṭamānasaḥ śuklā tāṁ guṭikāṁ vaktre cakāradvijasattamāḥ

Then, having reached Vaidisha, that Pushpa, his mind rejoicing — O foremost of brahmins — placed that white pill upon his face.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.158.3)

मणिभद्रसमो जातस्तत्क्षणादेव स द्विजः ॥ हट्टमार्गं गते सोऽथ तस्मिन्गत्वाऽथ मंदिरे ॥ प्रविष्टः सहसा मध्ये प्रहृष्टेनांतरात्मना

maṇibhadrasamo jātastatkṣaṇādeva sa dvijaḥ haṭṭamārgaṁ gate so'tha tasmingatvā'tha maṁdire praviṣṭaḥ sahasā madhye prahṛṣṭenāṁtarātmanā

In that very instant, that brahmin became identical to Manibhadra; going by the market road, and arriving then at that mansion, he entered suddenly right into its midst, with a joyful heart.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.158.4)

ततश्चाकारयामास तं षंढं द्वारमाश्रितम् ॥ तस्य दत्त्वाथ वस्त्राणि पश्चात्षंढमुवाच सः

tataścākārayāmāsa taṁ ṣaṁḍhaṁ dvāramāśritam tasya dattvātha vastrāṇi paścātṣaṁḍhamuvāca saḥ

Then he summoned that eunuch standing at the door, and, having given him garments, he then said to that eunuch —

Verse 5 (skanda.6.158.5)

षंढकश्चित्पुमानत्र सम्यग्वेषकरो हि सः ॥ मम वेषं समाधाय भ्रमते सकले पुरे

ṣaṁḍhakaścitpumānatra samyagveṣakaro hi saḥ mama veṣaṁ samādhāya bhramate sakale pure

"There is some eunuch here, one very skilled at disguise; wearing my own guise, he wanders through the whole city.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.158.6)

सांप्रतं मद्गृहे सोऽथ लोभनायागमिष्यति ॥ स च कृत्रिम वेषेण निषेद्धव्यस्त्वया हि सः ॥ स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय द्वारदेशं समाश्रितः

sāṁprataṁ madgṛhe so'tha lobhanāyāgamiṣyati sa ca kṛtrima veṣeṇa niṣeddhavyastvayā hi saḥ sa tatheti pratijñāya dvāradeśaṁ samāśritaḥ

Now, out of greed, he will come to this very house of mine; wearing that false guise, he must be stopped by you." Saying "so be it," and giving his word, he (the eunuch) took up his place at the doorway.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.158.7)

पुष्पोऽपि चाब्रवीद्भार्यां माहिकाख्यां ततः परम् ॥ माहिकेद्य मया दृष्टः स्वतातः स्वपुरः स्थितः

puṣpo'pi cābravīdbhāryāṁ māhikākhyāṁ tataḥ param māhikedya mayā dṛṣṭaḥ svatātaḥ svapuraḥ sthitaḥ

Pushpa too then said to his wife Mahika: "O Mahika, today I saw your own father standing in this town of ours —

Verse 8 (skanda.6.158.8)

वीरभद्रः सुदुःखार्तो मलिनांबरसंवृतः ॥ अब्रवीच्च ततः कोपान्मामेवं परुषाक्षरम्

vīrabhadraḥ suduḥkhārto malināṁbarasaṁvṛtaḥ abravīcca tataḥ kopānmāmevaṁ paruṣākṣaram

— Virabhadra, clad in soiled garments, greatly sorrowing, spoke these harsh words to me in anger —

Verse 9 (skanda.6.158.9)

धिग्धिक्पाप त्वया कन्यातीव रूपवती सदा ॥ वंचयित्वा जनेतारमुदूढा सा सुमध्यमा

dhigdhikpāpa tvayā kanyātīva rūpavatī sadā vaṁcayitvā janetāramudūḍhā sā sumadhyamā

'Shame, shame upon you, sinner — you took to wife that most beautiful, slender-waisted maiden, deceiving her own father,

Verse 10 (skanda.6.158.10)

न दत्तं तत्पितुः किंचिन्न तस्या अथ पुत्रक ॥ विधवां यादृशीं तां च श्वेतांबरधरां सदा

na dattaṁ tatpituḥ kiṁcinna tasyā atha putraka vidhavāṁ yādṛśīṁ tāṁ ca śvetāṁbaradharāṁ sadā

but, my son, you have given nothing at all to her father, nor anything to her; and, like a widow, you keep her always clad only in white garments.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.158.11)

संधारयसि पापात्मन्नेष्टं भोज्यं प्रयच्छसि ॥ तस्मात्तस्याः पितुर्देहि त्वं सुवर्णायुतं ध्रुवम्

saṁdhārayasi pāpātmanneṣṭaṁ bhojyaṁ prayacchasi tasmāttasyāḥ piturdehi tvaṁ suvarṇāyutaṁ dhruvam

O sinful one, you do not even support her, nor give her the food she desires. Therefore give her father, without fail, ten thousand gold coins,

Verse 12 (skanda.6.158.12)

भूषणं वांछितं तस्या यत्तद्वै रुचिपूर्वकम् ॥ येन संधारयेद्भार्या साऽऽनंदं परमं गता

bhūṣaṇaṁ vāṁchitaṁ tasyā yattadvai rucipūrvakam yena saṁdhārayedbhāryā sā''naṁdaṁ paramaṁ gatā

and whatever ornaments would please her, give her those too willingly, so that your wife, wearing them, may attain the greatest joy.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.158.13)

निरानंदा यतो नारी न गर्भं धारयेत्स्फुटम् ॥ निःसंतानो यतो वंशः स्वर्गादपि क्षितिं व्रजेत्

nirānaṁdā yato nārī na garbhaṁ dhārayetsphuṭam niḥsaṁtāno yato vaṁśaḥ svargādapi kṣitiṁ vrajet

For a woman who remains joyless is plainly unable to conceive; and a lineage without offspring falls from heaven itself down to the earth.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.158.14)

स पतिष्यत्यसंदिग्धं कुलांगारेण च त्वया ॥ सा त्वमानय वस्त्राणि गृहमध्याच्छुभानि च

sa patiṣyatyasaṁdigdhaṁ kulāṁgāreṇa ca tvayā sā tvamānaya vastrāṇi gṛhamadhyācchubhāni ca

That lineage, O blot upon your family, will without doubt perish through you alone; therefore go and bring those fine garments from the house —

Verse 15 (skanda.6.158.15)

यानि दत्तानि भूपेन व्यवहारैस्तदा मम ॥ पञ्चांगश्च प्रसादो यो मया प्राप्तश्च तैः सह

yāni dattāni bhūpena vyavahāraistadā mama pañcāṁgaśca prasādo yo mayā prāptaśca taiḥ saha

which were given to me by the king at that time in return for my dealings, together with the fivefold royal gift too that I received along with them —

Verse 16 (skanda.6.158.16)

त्वं संधारय गात्रैः स्वैः शीघ्रं रसवतीं कुरु ॥ भोजनायैव शीघ्रं तु त्वया सार्धं करोम्यहम्

tvaṁ saṁdhāraya gātraiḥ svaiḥ śīghraṁ rasavatīṁ kuru bhojanāyaiva śīghraṁ tu tvayā sārdhaṁ karomyaham

— wear these upon your own body, and quickly prepare the food; I shall soon eat together with you,

Verse 17 (skanda.6.158.17)

एकस्मिन्नपि पात्रे च तदादेशादसंशयम् ॥ सापि सर्वं तथा चक्रे यदुक्तं तेन हर्षिता

ekasminnapi pātre ca tadādeśādasaṁśayam sāpi sarvaṁ tathā cakre yaduktaṁ tena harṣitā

from a single vessel too.' In accordance with his instruction, without doubt, she too, rejoicing, did everything just as he had said.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.158.18)

भोजनाच्छादनं चैव निर्विकल्पेन चेतसा ॥ ततः कामातुरः पुष्पो मैथुनायोपचक्रमे

bhojanācchādanaṁ caiva nirvikalpena cetasā tataḥ kāmāturaḥ puṣpo maithunāyopacakrame

Thus having given her food and clothing, with an untroubled mind, then Pushpa, overcome with desire, made ready for union with her.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.158.19)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे प्राप्तो मणिभद्रः समुत्सुकः ॥ क्षुत्क्षामः स पिपासार्तो व्यवहारोत्थलिप्सया

etasminnaṁtare prāpto maṇibhadraḥ samutsukaḥ kṣutkṣāmaḥ sa pipāsārto vyavahārotthalipsayā

Meanwhile, that eager Manibhadra, tormented by hunger and thirst, came there wishing to collect the wealth due from his business dealings.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.158.20)

प्रवेशं कुरुते यावद्गृहमध्ये समुत्सुकः ॥ निषिद्धस्तेन षण्ढेन भर्त्सयित्वा मुहुर्मुहुः

praveśaṁ kurute yāvadgṛhamadhye samutsukaḥ niṣiddhastena ṣaṇḍhena bhartsayitvā muhurmuhuḥ

As, in his eagerness, he was about to enter inside the house, that eunuch, scolding him repeatedly, barred his way.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.158.21)

हठाद्यावत्प्रवेशं स चकार निजमंदिरे ॥ तावच्च दण्डकाष्ठेन मस्तके तेन ताडितः

haṭhādyāvatpraveśaṁ sa cakāra nijamaṁdire tāvacca daṇḍakāṣṭhena mastake tena tāḍitaḥ

When he insisted on forcing his way into his own house, he (the eunuch) struck him upon the head with a wooden staff.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.158.22)

अथ संपतितो भूमौ मूर्छया संपरिप्लुतः ॥ कर्तव्यं नैव जानाति तत्प्रहारप्रपीडितः

atha saṁpatito bhūmau mūrchayā saṁpariplutaḥ kartavyaṁ naiva jānāti tatprahāraprapīḍitaḥ

Then, overcome by a swoon, he fell to the ground, and, tormented by that blow, he no longer knew what to do.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.158.23)

ततः कोलाहलो जातस्तस्य द्वारे गृहस्य च ॥ जनस्य संप्रयातस्य हाहाकारपरस्य च

tataḥ kolāhalo jātastasya dvāre gṛhasya ca janasya saṁprayātasya hāhākāraparasya ca

Then a great uproar arose at the door of his house, among the people who had gathered there, crying out in dismay.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.158.24)

पप्रच्छुस्तं जनाः केचि द्धिक्पाप किमिदं कृतम् ॥ वृत्तिभंगः कृतोऽनेन अथ त्वं व्यंतरार्दितः

papracchustaṁ janāḥ keci ddhikpāpa kimidaṁ kṛtam vṛttibhaṁgaḥ kṛto'nena atha tvaṁ vyaṁtarārditaḥ

Some people asked him: "Shame upon you, sinner — what have you done? Has he broken your very livelihood, or are you afflicted by some evil spirit,

Verse 25 (skanda.6.158.25)

इमामवस्थां यन्नीतः संप्राप्तोऽसि नृपाद्वधम्

imāmavasthāṁ yannītaḥ saṁprāpto'si nṛpādvadham

— that you have come to this state, or have you incurred the king's sentence of death?"

Verse 26 (skanda.6.158.26)

षंढ उवाच। न वृत्तिर्गर्हिता तेन नाहं व्यंतरपीडितः ॥ मणिभद्रो न चैष स्यादेष वेषकरः पुमान्

ṣaṁḍha uvāca na vṛttirgarhitā tena nāhaṁ vyaṁtarapīḍitaḥ maṇibhadro na caiṣa syādeṣa veṣakaraḥ pumān

The eunuch said: "Neither is my livelihood disgraced, nor am I afflicted by any spirit; nor is this man Manibhadra — he is some man who has taken on a disguise —

Verse 27 (skanda.6.158.27)

माणिभद्रं वपुः कृत्वा संप्राप्तो याचितुं धनम् ॥ हठात्प्रविश्यमानस्तु स मया मूर्ध्नि ताडितः

māṇibhadraṁ vapuḥ kṛtvā saṁprāpto yācituṁ dhanam haṭhātpraviśyamānastu sa mayā mūrdhni tāḍitaḥ

— assuming Manibhadra's form, he came to demand money; as he tried to force his way in, I struck him upon the head.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.158.28)

मणिभद्रो गृहस्यांतर्भुक्त्वा शयनमाश्रितः ॥ संतिष्ठते न जानाति वृत्तांतमिदमा स्थितम्

maṇibhadro gṛhasyāṁtarbhuktvā śayanamāśritaḥ saṁtiṣṭhate na jānāti vṛttāṁtamidamā sthitam

Manibhadra himself is inside the house, having eaten and now absorbed in sleep — of this whole affair he knows nothing at all."

Verse 29 (skanda.6.158.29)

ततः पुष्पोऽपि तच्छ्रुत्वा तं च कोलाहलं बहिः ॥ मणिभद्रस्य रूपेण द्वारदेशं समागतः

tataḥ puṣpo'pi tacchrutvā taṁ ca kolāhalaṁ bahiḥ maṇibhadrasya rūpeṇa dvāradeśaṁ samāgataḥ

Thereupon Pushpa too, hearing this, and hearing the uproar outside, came to the doorway, still in the very form of Manibhadra.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.158.30)

अब्रवीन्नित्यमभ्येति मम रूपेण चाधमः ॥ एष वेषधरः कश्चिद्याचितुं धनमेव हि

abravīnnityamabhyeti mama rūpeṇa cādhamaḥ eṣa veṣadharaḥ kaścidyācituṁ dhanameva hi

He said: "This base fellow always keeps coming here in my very form; he is some man in disguise, come to beg money —

Verse 31 (skanda.6.158.31)

एतेनापि च षंढेन न च भद्रमनुष्ठितम् ॥ यत्कुब्जोऽयं हतो मूर्ध्नि याचितुं समु पस्थितः

etenāpi ca ṣaṁḍhena na ca bhadramanuṣṭhitam yatkubjo'yaṁ hato mūrdhni yācituṁ samu pasthitaḥ

and this eunuch too has done nothing right, that this hunchback should be struck upon the head, when he had only come to beg."

Verse 32 (skanda.6.158.32)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे सोऽपि चेतनां प्राप्य कृत्स्नशः ॥ वीक्षते पुरतो यावत्तावदात्मसमः पुमान्

etasminnantare so'pi cetanāṁ prāpya kṛtsnaśaḥ vīkṣate purato yāvattāvadātmasamaḥ pumān

Meanwhile he too, regaining consciousness fully, began looking as far as he could see before him — and then saw that man exactly like himself.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.158.33)

सर्वतः स तमालोक्य ततो वचनमब्रवीत्

sarvataḥ sa tamālokya tato vacanamabravīt

Beholding him from every side, he then spoke these words —

Verse 34 (skanda.6.158.34)

क्व चोरः संप्रविष्टो मे मम रूपेण मंदिरे ॥ भेदयित्वा तु षण्डाख्यमेवं दत्त्वा च वाससी

kva coraḥ saṁpraviṣṭo me mama rūpeṇa maṁdire bhedayitvā tu ṣaṇḍākhyamevaṁ dattvā ca vāsasī

"From where has this thief entered my house in my very form? Deceiving this eunuch, giving him these two garments —

Verse 35 (skanda.6.158.35)

यावद्भूपगृहं गत्वा त्वां षंढेन समन्वितम् ॥ वधाय योजयाम्येव तावद्द्रुततरं व्रज

yāvadbhūpagṛhaṁ gatvā tvāṁ ṣaṁḍhena samanvitam vadhāya yojayāmyeva tāvaddrutataraṁ vraja

— until I go to the king's palace and hand you over, together with this eunuch, for execution, flee from here as fast as you can."

Verse 36 (skanda.6.158.36)

पुष्प उवाच। मम रूपं समाधाय त्वमायातो गृहे मम ॥ शून्यं मत्वा ततो ज्ञातस्त्वयाऽहं गृहसंस्थितः

puṣpa uvāca mama rūpaṁ samādhāya tvamāyāto gṛhe mama śūnyaṁ matvā tato jñātastvayā'haṁ gṛhasaṁsthitaḥ

Pushpa said: "Taking on my very form, you have come into my own house; thinking it empty, you crept in here, but I have found you out, sitting here in this house of mine —

Verse 37 (skanda.6.158.37)

ततो नृपाय दास्यामि वधार्थं च न संशयः ॥ नो चेद्गच्छ द्रुतं पाप यदि जीवितुमिच्छसि

tato nṛpāya dāsyāmi vadhārthaṁ ca na saṁśayaḥ no cedgaccha drutaṁ pāpa yadi jīvitumicchasi

therefore now I shall hand you over to the king to be put to death, of this there is no doubt; otherwise, O sinner, if you wish to live, flee at once."

Verse 38 (skanda.6.158.38)

सूत उवाच। एवमुक्त्त्वा ततस्तौ च बाहुयुद्धेन वै मिथः ॥ युध्यमानौ नरैरन्यैः कृच्छ्रेण तु निवारितौ

sūta uvāca evamukttvā tatastau ca bāhuyuddhena vai mithaḥ yudhyamānau narairanyaiḥ kṛcchreṇa tu nivāritau

Suta said: So saying, the two of them then took to fighting each other hand to hand; with great difficulty they were separated by the other people there.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.158.39)

ततस्ते स्वजना ये तु मणिभ द्रस्य चागताः ॥ परिजानंति नो द्वाभ्यां विशेषं माणिभद्रकम्

tataste svajanā ye tu maṇibha drasya cāgatāḥ parijānaṁti no dvābhyāṁ viśeṣaṁ māṇibhadrakam

Then whatever kinsmen of Manibhadra had gathered there were unable to distinguish between the two which was the real Manibhadra.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.158.40)

वालिसुग्रीवयोर्युद्धं तारार्थे युध्यमानयोः ॥ एवं विवदमानौ तु क्रोधताम्रा यतेक्षणौ

vālisugrīvayoryuddhaṁ tārārthe yudhyamānayoḥ evaṁ vivadamānau tu krodhatāmrā yatekṣaṇau

Just as Vali and Sugriva fought each other over Tara, so the two of them, quarreling in this way, became red-eyed with rage.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.158.41)

राजद्वारं समासाद्य स्थितौ स्वजनसंवृतौ ॥ द्वाःस्थेन सूचितौ राज्ञे सभातलमुपस्थितौ

rājadvāraṁ samāsādya sthitau svajanasaṁvṛtau dvāḥsthena sūcitau rājñe sabhātalamupasthitau

They went to the king's gate and stood there, each surrounded by his own kinsmen; the doorkeeper announced them to the king, and both were brought before the assembly hall.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.158.42)

चौरचौरेति जल्पन्तौ पर स्परवधैषिणौ ॥ भूभुजा वीक्षितौ तौ च द्विजौ तु द्विजसत्तमाः

cauracaureti jalpantau para sparavadhaiṣiṇau bhūbhujā vīkṣitau tau ca dvijau tu dvijasattamāḥ

O foremost of brahmins, crying "Thief, thief," each wishing the other's death, the king beheld those two.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.158.43)

न विशेषोऽस्ति विश्लेषस्तयोरेकोपिकायतः ॥ ततश्च व्यवहारेषु समती तेषु वै तदा

na viśeṣo'sti viśleṣastayorekopikāyataḥ tataśca vyavahāreṣu samatī teṣu vai tadā

No difference, no distinction between them could be found anywhere at all; then, in their business dealings too, both were found to be identical.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.158.44)

पृष्टौ गुह्येषु सर्वेषु प्रत्यक्षेषु विशेषतः॥ वदतस्तौ यथावृत्तं पृथक्पृथग्व्यवस्थितम्

pṛṣṭau guhyeṣu sarveṣu pratyakṣeṣu viśeṣataḥ vadatastau yathāvṛttaṁ pṛthakpṛthagvyavasthitam

When both were questioned about all their secret and, in particular, their open affairs, each, standing apart, related exactly the same account.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.158.45)

ततस्तु स्वजनैः सर्वैरेको नीत्व थ चान्यतः ॥ पृष्टो गोत्रान्वयं सर्वं द्वितीयस्तु ततः परम्

tatastu svajanaiḥ sarvaireko nītva tha cānyataḥ pṛṣṭo gotrānvayaṁ sarvaṁ dvitīyastu tataḥ param

Then all their kinsmen took the one aside separately and questioned him fully about his gotra and lineage, and then thereafter questioned the other in the same way.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.158.46)

तेषामपि तथा सर्वं यथासम्यङ्निवेदितम् ॥ अथ राजा बृहत्सेनः सर्वांस्तानि दमब्रवीत्

teṣāmapi tathā sarvaṁ yathāsamyaṅniveditam atha rājā bṛhatsenaḥ sarvāṁstāni damabravīt

The answers of both proved exactly as correct as they should have been; then king Brihatsena said to them all —

Verse 47 (skanda.6.158.47)

पत्नी चानीयतां तस्य मणिभद्रस्य वै गृहात् ॥ निजकान्तस्य विज्ञाने सा प्रमाणं भविष्यति

patnī cānīyatāṁ tasya maṇibhadrasya vai gṛhāt nijakāntasya vijñāne sā pramāṇaṁ bhaviṣyati

"Let Manibhadra's wife be brought here from his house; she will be the proof in recognizing her own husband."

Verse 48 (skanda.6.158.48)

ततो गत्वा च सा प्रोक्ता पुरुषैर्नृपसंभवैः ॥ आगच्छ कांतं जानीहि त्वं प्रमाणं भविष्यसि

tato gatvā ca sā proktā puruṣairnṛpasaṁbhavaiḥ āgaccha kāṁtaṁ jānīhi tvaṁ pramāṇaṁ bhaviṣyasi

Then, going there, the king's messengers said to her: "Come, recognize your own beloved; you alone shall be the proof of this."

Verse 49 (skanda.6.158.49)

ततः सा व्रीडया युक्ता प्रच्छादितशिरास्ततः ॥ नृपाग्रे संस्थिता प्रोचे विद्धिसम्यङ्निजं प्रियम्

tataḥ sā vrīḍayā yuktā pracchāditaśirāstataḥ nṛpāgre saṁsthitā proce viddhisamyaṅnijaṁ priyam

Then, overcome with shame, her head covered, standing before the king, she said: "Recognize well your own beloved —

Verse 50 (skanda.6.158.50)

न वयं निश्चयं विद्मो न चैते स्वजनास्तव

na vayaṁ niścayaṁ vidmo na caite svajanāstava

for we ourselves know no certainty, nor are these your own kinsmen either."

Verse 51 (skanda.6.158.51)

ततः सा चिन्तयामास निजचित्ते वरांगना ॥ मणिभद्रेण दग्धाहमीर्ष्यावह्निगताऽनिशम्

tataḥ sā cintayāmāsa nijacitte varāṁganā maṇibhadreṇa dagdhāhamīrṣyāvahnigatā'niśam

Then that lovely woman thought within her own mind: "I have been continually burned by Manibhadra in the fire of jealousy,

Verse 52 (skanda.6.158.52)

वंचयित्वा तु पितरं गृहीतास्मि ततः परम् ॥ न किंचित्पाप्मना दत्तं जल्पयित्वा धनं बहु

vaṁcayitvā tu pitaraṁ gṛhītāsmi tataḥ param na kiṁcitpāpmanā dattaṁ jalpayitvā dhanaṁ bahu

my own father was deceived and I was taken here, and that sinful man, despite speaking of much wealth, gave nothing at all.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.158.53)

द्वितीयेन तु मे पुंसा मर्त्यलोके सुखं कृतम् ॥ दत्त्वा वस्त्राणि चित्राणि तथैवाभरणानि च

dvitīyena tu me puṁsā martyaloke sukhaṁ kṛtam dattvā vastrāṇi citrāṇi tathaivābharaṇāni ca

This second man has given me happiness here in the mortal world, giving me wondrous garments and ornaments too,

Verse 54 (skanda.6.158.54)

प्रदास्यति च तातस्य सुवर्णं कथितं च यत् ॥ यद्गृह्णामि स्वहस्तेन मणिभद्रं द्वितीयकम्

pradāsyati ca tātasya suvarṇaṁ kathitaṁ ca yat yadgṛhṇāmi svahastena maṇibhadraṁ dvitīyakam

and spoke also of the gold he would give to my father — therefore with my own hand I shall take hold of this second Manibhadra."

Verse 55 (skanda.6.158.55)

एवं निश्चित्य मनसा दृष्ट्वा रक्तपरिप्लुतम् ॥ प्रथमं मणिभद्रं सा जगृहेऽथ द्वितीयकम्

evaṁ niścitya manasā dṛṣṭvā raktapariplutam prathamaṁ maṇibhadraṁ sā jagṛhe'tha dvitīyakam

Having thus resolved in her mind, and seeing the one drenched in blood, she took hold not of the first Manibhadra but of the second.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.158.56)

अब्रवीच्च ततो वाक्यं सर्वलोकस्य शृण्वतः ॥ अहं तातेन दत्तास्य विवाहे अग्निसंनिधौ

abravīcca tato vākyaṁ sarvalokasya śṛṇvataḥ ahaṁ tātena dattāsya vivāhe agnisaṁnidhau

Then, before the whole assembly, she spoke these words: "It was to this very man that my father gave me in marriage in the presence of the sacred fire.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.158.57)

द्वितीयोऽयं दुराचारो वेषकर्ता समा गतः ॥ मां च प्रार्थयते गुप्तां नानाचारैः पृथग्विधैः

dvitīyo'yaṁ durācāro veṣakartā samā gataḥ māṁ ca prārthayate guptāṁ nānācāraiḥ pṛthagvidhaiḥ

This other one is the wicked disguise-maker who has come here, and has secretly, by various deceptions, desired me for himself."

Verse 58 (skanda.6.158.58)

ततस्तु पार्थिवः क्रुद्धस्तस्य शाखावलंबनम् ॥ आदिदेश द्विजश्रेष्ठा मणिभद्रस्य दुर्मतेः

tatastu pārthivaḥ kruddhastasya śākhāvalaṁbanam ādideśa dvijaśreṣṭhā maṇibhadrasya durmateḥ

Then that king, in anger, O foremost of brahmins, ordered that the evil-minded Manibhadra be hanged from a tree branch.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.158.59)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे सोऽथ वधकानां समर्पितः ॥ तं वृक्षं नीयमानस्तु श्लोकानेतांस्तदापठत्

etasminnaṁtare so'tha vadhakānāṁ samarpitaḥ taṁ vṛkṣaṁ nīyamānastu ślokānetāṁstadāpaṭhat

Meanwhile he was handed over to the executioners; as he was being led to that tree, he recited these verses —

Verse 60 (skanda.6.158.60)

निर्दयत्वं तथा द्रोहं कुटिलत्वं विशेषतः ॥ अशौचं निर्घृणत्वं च स्त्रीणां दोषाः स्वभावजाः

nirdayatvaṁ tathā drohaṁ kuṭilatvaṁ viśeṣataḥ aśaucaṁ nirghṛṇatvaṁ ca strīṇāṁ doṣāḥ svabhāvajāḥ

"Cruelty, treachery, deceit above all, impurity, and hard-heartedness — these are the faults inborn in the nature of women.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.158.61)

अन्तर्विषमया ह्येता बहिर्भागे मनोरमाः ॥ गुञ्जाफलसमाकारा योषितः सर्व दैवहि

antarviṣamayā hyetā bahirbhāge manoramāḥ guñjāphalasamākārā yoṣitaḥ sarva daivahi

They are poisonous within, alluring without; women are always like the gunja berry.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.158.62)

उशना वेद यच्छास्त्रं यच्च वेद बृहस्पतिः ॥ मन्वादयस्तथान्येऽपि स्त्रीबुद्धेस्तत्र किंच न

uśanā veda yacchāstraṁ yacca veda bṛhaspatiḥ manvādayastathānye'pi strībuddhestatra kiṁca na

Whatever Ushanas (Shukra) knows of the scriptures, whatever Brihaspati knows, whatever Manu and others besides know — what is lacking in it, in the matter of women's cunning?

Verse 63 (skanda.6.158.63)

पीयूषमधरे वासं हृदि हालाहलं विषम् ॥ आस्वाद्यतेऽधरस्तेन हृदयं च प्रपीड्यते

pīyūṣamadhare vāsaṁ hṛdi hālāhalaṁ viṣam āsvādyate'dharastena hṛdayaṁ ca prapīḍyate

In their lips dwells nectar, in their heart deadly poison; their lips are tasted, but by their heart one is tormented.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.158.64)

अलक्तको यथा रक्तो नरः कामी तथैव च ॥ हृतसारस्तथा सोऽपि पादमूले निपा त्यते

alaktako yathā rakto naraḥ kāmī tathaiva ca hṛtasārastathā so'pi pādamūle nipā tyate

As the lac-dye is red, so too is the lustful man dyed by them; robbed of his very substance, he too falls at their feet.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.158.65)

संसारविषवृक्षस्य कुकर्मकुसुमस्य च ॥ नरकार्तिफलस्योक्ता मूलमेषा नितंबिनी

saṁsāraviṣavṛkṣasya kukarmakusumasya ca narakārtiphalasyoktā mūlameṣā nitaṁbinī

This woman with her ample hips has been called the very root of the poison-tree of samsara, of the flowers that are evil deeds, and of the fruit that is the torment of hell.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.158.66)

कस्य नो जायते त्रासो दृष्ट्वा दूरा दपि स्त्रियम्

kasya no jāyate trāso dṛṣṭvā dūrā dapi striyam

On beholding a woman even from afar, in whom does fear not arise?

Verse 67 (skanda.6.158.67)

संसारभ्रमणं नारी प्रथमेऽपि समागमे ॥ वह्निप्रदक्षिणन्यायव्याजेनैव प्रदर्शयेत्

saṁsārabhramaṇaṁ nārī prathame'pi samāgame vahnipradakṣiṇanyāyavyājenaiva pradarśayet

Even at the very first union, woman, under the pretext of the circling of the sacred fire, reveals nothing but the endless round of samsara to come.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.158.68)

एतास्तु निर्घृणत्वेन निर्दय त्वेन नित्यशः ॥ विशेषाज्जाड्यकृत्येन दूषयंति कुलत्रयम्

etāstu nirghṛṇatvena nirdaya tvena nityaśaḥ viśeṣājjāḍyakṛtyena dūṣayaṁti kulatrayam

These women, ever through hard-heartedness and cruelty, and especially through acts of insensibility, defile the three lineages (of father, mother, and husband).

Verse 69 (skanda.6.158.69)

कुलत्रयगृहं कीर्त्या निजया धवलीकृतम् ॥ कृष्णं करोत्यकृ त्येन नारी दीपशिखेव तु

kulatrayagṛhaṁ kīrtyā nijayā dhavalīkṛtam kṛṣṇaṁ karotyakṛ tyena nārī dīpaśikheva tu

The house of that same threefold lineage, made bright by its own good name, woman blackens by her misdeeds, just as a lamp's flame blackens what it touches.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.158.70)

धर्मवृक्षस्य वाताली चित्तपद्मशशिप्रभा ॥ सृष्टा कामार्णवग्राही केन मोक्षदृढार्गला

dharmavṛkṣasya vātālī cittapadmaśaśiprabhā sṛṣṭā kāmārṇavagrāhī kena mokṣadṛḍhārgalā

A storm-wind to the tree of dharma, moonlight luring the lotus of the mind, the seizer cast into the ocean of desire — for what liberation did the Creator make woman so firm a bolted door?

Verse 71 (skanda.6.158.71)

कारा संतानकूटस्य संसारवनवागुरा ॥ स्वर्गमार्गमहागर्ता पुंसां स्त्री वेधसा कृता

kārā saṁtānakūṭasya saṁsāravanavāgurā svargamārgamahāgartā puṁsāṁ strī vedhasā kṛtā

She is the prison of the fortress of progeny, the snare of the forest of samsara, the great pit blocking the path to heaven — thus did the Creator fashion woman for men.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.158.72)

वेधसा बंधनं किंचिन्नृणामन्यदपश्यता ॥ स्त्रीरूपेण ततः कोऽपि पाशोऽयं सुदृढः कृतः

vedhasā baṁdhanaṁ kiṁcinnṛṇāmanyadapaśyatā strīrūpeṇa tataḥ ko'pi pāśo'yaṁ sudṛḍhaḥ kṛtaḥ

Seeing no other bondage for men, the Creator, wanting nothing else, fashioned this exceedingly firm noose in the very form of woman.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.158.73)

इत्येवं बहुधा सोऽपि विललाप सुदुःखितः ॥ स्त्रीचिन्तां बहुधा कृत्वा आत्मानं चाप्यगर्हयत्

ityevaṁ bahudhā so'pi vilalāpa suduḥkhitaḥ strīcintāṁ bahudhā kṛtvā ātmānaṁ cāpyagarhayat

In this way he too, greatly grieving, began to lament in many ways, and, dwelling much upon such thoughts about women, began to reproach himself as well.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.158.74)

अहो कुबुद्धिना नैव लब्धं संसारजं फलम्॥ न कदाचिन्मया दत्तं तृष्णाव्याकुलचेतसा

aho kubuddhinā naiva labdhaṁ saṁsārajaṁ phalam na kadācinmayā dattaṁ tṛṣṇāvyākulacetasā

"Ah, out of foolishness I have gained no fruit at all, even of what the world offers; with a mind troubled by greed, I never gave any gift at all.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.158.75)

ऐश्वर्येऽपि स्थिते भूरि न मया सुकृतं कृतम् ॥ कदाचिन्नैव जप्तं च न हुतं च हुताशने

aiśvarye'pi sthite bhūri na mayā sukṛtaṁ kṛtam kadācinnaiva japtaṁ ca na hutaṁ ca hutāśane

Even with such wealth, I performed no meritorious deed; I never recited a mantra, nor offered oblation into the fire.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.158.76)

अथवा सत्यमेवोक्तं केनापि च महात्मना ॥ कृपणेन समो दाता न भूतो न भविष्यति ॥ अस्पृष्ट्वापि च वित्तं स्वं यः परेभ्यः प्रयच्छति

athavā satyamevoktaṁ kenāpi ca mahātmanā kṛpaṇena samo dātā na bhūto na bhaviṣyati aspṛṣṭvāpi ca vittaṁ svaṁ yaḥ parebhyaḥ prayacchati

Or else some great soul has spoken truly indeed, that no giver has ever been, nor will be, the equal of the miser — for even without touching his own wealth, he gives it away to others (leaving it behind when he dies).

Verse 77 (skanda.6.158.77)

शरणं किं प्रपन्नानां विषवन्मारयंति किम् ॥ न दीयते न भुज्यंते कृपणेन धनानि च

śaraṇaṁ kiṁ prapannānāṁ viṣavanmārayaṁti kim na dīyate na bhujyaṁte kṛpaṇena dhanāni ca

Is this then a refuge for those who take shelter in it? Does it slay like poison? The miser neither gives, nor himself enjoys — such is his wealth.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.158.78)

दानं भोगो नाशस्तिस्रो गतयो भवंति वित्तस्य ॥ यो न ददाति न भुंक्ते तस्य तृतीया गतिर्भवति

dānaṁ bhogo nāśastisro gatayo bhavaṁti vittasya yo na dadāti na bhuṁkte tasya tṛtīyā gatirbhavati

Giving, enjoyment, and destruction — these are the only three destinies of wealth; whoever neither gives nor enjoys it — for his wealth the third destiny alone remains (destruction).

Verse 79 (skanda.6.158.79)

धनिनोप्यदानविभवा गण्यंते धुरि दरिद्राणाम्॥ नहि हंति यत्पिपासामतः समुद्रोऽपि मरुरेव

dhaninopyadānavibhavā gaṇyaṁte dhuri daridrāṇām nahi haṁti yatpipāsāmataḥ samudro'pi marureva

Even wealthy men who give no gifts are counted foremost among the destitute; for an ocean that quenches no thirst is but a desert.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.158.80)

अत्युपयुक्ताः सद्भिर्गतागतैरहरहः सुनिर्विण्णाः ॥ कृपणजनसंनिकाशं संप्राप्यार्थाः स्वपंतीह

atyupayuktāḥ sadbhirgatāgatairaharahaḥ sunirviṇṇāḥ kṛpaṇajanasaṁnikāśaṁ saṁprāpyārthāḥ svapaṁtīha

Wealth, put to constant use by the good through their daily comings and goings, and grown utterly weary of this, upon reaching the miserly man, falls asleep there (lies inert and unused).

Verse 81 (skanda.6.158.81)

प्राप्तान्न लभंते ते भोगान्भोक्तुं स्वकर्मणा कृपणाः ॥ मुखपाकः किल भवति द्राक्षापाके बलिभुजानाम्

prāptānna labhaṁte te bhogānbhoktuṁ svakarmaṇā kṛpaṇāḥ mukhapākaḥ kila bhavati drākṣāpāke balibhujānām

Misers, even by their own deeds, cannot enjoy the pleasures thus obtained; when the grape ripens, it is the mouths of those who feast on it that grow flushed with joy — not the miser's.

Verse 82 (skanda.6.158.82)

दातव्यं भोक्तव्यं सति विभवे संचयो न कर्तव्यः ॥ पश्येह मधुकरीणां संचितमर्थं हरंत्यन्ये

dātavyaṁ bhoktavyaṁ sati vibhave saṁcayo na kartavyaḥ paśyeha madhukarīṇāṁ saṁcitamarthaṁ haraṁtyanye

When wealth is at hand, one should give and enjoy it, not hoard it — behold, even the honey the bees have gathered is carried off by others.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.158.83)

याचितं द्विजवरे न दीयते संचितं क्रतुवरे न योज्यते ॥ तत्कदर्यपरिरक्षितं धनं चौरपार्थिवगृहेषु भुज्यते

yācitaṁ dvijavare na dīyate saṁcitaṁ kratuvare na yojyate tatkadaryaparirakṣitaṁ dhanaṁ caurapārthivagṛheṣu bhujyate

O foremost of brahmins, wealth that is not given even when begged, nor devoted even to sacrifice — that miser-hoarded wealth is in the end enjoyed only in the houses of thieves and kings.

Verse 84 (skanda.6.158.84)

त्यागो गुणो वित्तवतां वित्तं त्यागवतां गुणः ॥ परस्परवियुक्तौ तु वित्त त्यागौ विडम्बनम्

tyāgo guṇo vittavatāṁ vittaṁ tyāgavatāṁ guṇaḥ parasparaviyuktau tu vitta tyāgau viḍambanam

Generosity is the true ornament of the wealthy; generosity itself is the true wealth of the generous. When wealth and generosity are severed from each other, only mockery remains.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.158.85)

किं तया क्रियते लक्ष्म्या या वधूरिव केवला ॥ या न वेश्येव सामान्या पथिकैरपि भुज्यते

kiṁ tayā kriyate lakṣmyā yā vadhūriva kevalā yā na veśyeva sāmānyā pathikairapi bhujyate

What use is that wealth (Lakshmi) who remains, like a wife, faithful to one alone — who, unlike a courtesan, is not enjoyed even by passersby?

Verse 86 (skanda.6.158.86)

अर्थोष्मणा भवेत्प्राणो भवेद्भक्ष्यैर्विना नृणाम् ॥ यतः संधार्यते भूमिः कृपणस्योष्मणा हि सा

arthoṣmaṇā bhavetprāṇo bhavedbhakṣyairvinā nṛṇām yataḥ saṁdhāryate bhūmiḥ kṛpaṇasyoṣmaṇā hi sā

By the very heat of wealth is the life-breath of men sustained, even without food; for this earth too is upheld by the miser's own heat.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.158.87)

कृपणानां प्रसादेन शेषो धारयते महीम् ॥ यतस्ते भूगतं वित्तं कुर्वते तस्य चोष्मणा

kṛpaṇānāṁ prasādena śeṣo dhārayate mahīm yataste bhūgataṁ vittaṁ kurvate tasya coṣmaṇā

By the very grace of misers does Shesha bear up the earth, for it is their wealth, buried in the ground, that he turns into that sustaining heat.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.158.88)

एवं बहुविधा वाचः प्रलपन्मणिभद्रकः ॥ नीत्वा तैः पार्थिवोद्दिष्टैः पुरुषैः परुषाक्षरम् ॥ बहुधा प्रलपं श्चैव कृतः शाखावलंबनः

evaṁ bahuvidhā vācaḥ pralapanmaṇibhadrakaḥ nītvā taiḥ pārthivoddiṣṭaiḥ puruṣaiḥ paruṣākṣaram bahudhā pralapaṁ ścaiva kṛtaḥ śākhāvalaṁbanaḥ

In this way, being led away by the men appointed by the king, hearing harsh words, lamenting in many such ways, he was hanged from the branch.