pari-kulkarni/itihasa-sanskrit-en-filtered huggingface dataset:
Sanskrit: सुदेव उवाच विदर्भराजोधर्मात्मा भीमो नाम महाद्युतिः। सुतेयं तस्य कल्याणी दमयन्तीति विश्रुता॥
English: Sudeva said: There is a virtuous and illustrious king of the Vidharbhas, named Bhima, whose daughter is this blessed lady, known by the name of Damayanti.
Sanskrit: राजा तु नैषधो नाम वीरसेनसुतो नलः। भार्येयं तस्य कल्याणी पुण्यश्लोकस्यधीमतः॥
English: Also there is the king of the Nishadhas, named Nala, who is the son of Virasena. This blessed damsel is the daughter of that virtuous and intelligent monarch.
Sanskrit: स घृतेन जितो भ्रात्रा हृतराज्यो महीपतिः। दमयन्त्या गतः सार्धं न प्राज्ञायत कस्यचित्॥
English: That ruler of the earth was defeated at dice by his brother; and, thereby deprived of his kingdom, went away with Damayanti without the knowledge of any body.
Sanskrit: ते वयं दमयन्त्यर्थे चरामः पृथिवीमिमाम्। सेयमासादिताः बाला तव पुत्रनिवेशने॥
English: We (the Brahmanas) are roving over the whole world for the sake of Damayanti, which lady is at last discovered in the palace of your son.
Sanskrit: अस्या रूपेण सदृशी मानुषी न हि विद्यते। अस्या ह्येष भ्रवोर्मध्ये सहज: पिप्लुरुत्तमः॥ श्यामाया: पद्मसंकाशो लक्षितोऽन्तर्हितो मया। मलेन संवृतो ह्यस्याश्छन्नोऽभ्रेणेव चन्द्रमाः॥
English: There exists no woman like her in beauty. This maiden of unchanging youth has a beautiful mark, from her birth, resembling a lotus. This freckle was seen by me; but now it has disappeared, owing to its being soiled with dust, even as the moon seems to vanish when covered over with clouds.
Sanskrit: चिह्नभूतो विभूत्यर्थमयंधात्रा विनिर्मितः। प्रतिपत्कलुषस्येन्दोर्लेखा नातिविराजते॥ न चास्य नश्यते रूपं वपुर्मलसमाचितम्। असंस्कृतमभिव्यक्तं भाति काञ्चनसंनिभम्॥ अनेन वपुषा बाला पिप्लुनानेन सूचिता। लक्षितेयं मया देवी निभृतोऽग्निरिवोष्मणा॥
English: That mark of prosperity and wealth, made and given to her by God, is now faintly seen, even as the crescent of the new moon does faintly shine, in the evening of the first day. Although her body is soiled with dust, yet her beauty has not suffered. And again her person, though not washed, is conspicuous and shines like gold. This celestials lady was ascertained by me by my identifying her form as well as that mark (between the eye-brows), even as fire though hid (in ashes) is ascertained by its heat.
Sanskrit: तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य सुदेवस्य विशाम्पते। सुनन्दा शोधयामास पिप्लुप्रच्छादनं मलम्॥
English: O monarch! Sunanda, having heard the words of Sudeva, cleaned the dust that soiled ile freckle (between the eye-brows of Damayanti).
Sanskrit: स मलेनापकृष्टेन पिप्लुस्तस्या व्यरोचत। दमयन्त्या यथा व्यभ्रे नभसीव निशाकरः॥
English: The mole of Damayanti, having been cleared of the bad dust, became conspicuous like the moon, which appears in the sky when the clouds are dispersed.
Sanskrit: पिप्लुं दृष्ट्वा सुनन्दा च राजमाता च भारत। रुदत्यौ तां परिष्वज्य मुहूर्तमिव तस्थतुः॥
English: O Bharata! seeing that mark, Sunanda as well as the mother of the king, wept; and, embracing her, stood there for some time.
Sanskrit: उत्सृज्य बाष्पं शनकै राजमातेदमब्रवीत्। भगिन्या दुहिता मेऽसि पिप्लुनानेन सूचिता॥
English: Shedding tcars and in a low voice, the Queen-mother said, 'Know by this your mole, you are the daughter of my sister.
Sanskrit: अहं च तव माता च राज्ञस्तस्य महात्मनः। सुते दशार्णाधिपतेः सुदाम्नश्चारुदर्शने॥
English: O handsome looking one! myself and your mother are the daughters of that illustrious king, Sudaman, who is the ruler of the Dasharnas.
Sanskrit: भीमस्य राज्ञः सा दत्ता वीरबाहोरहं पुनः। त्वं जाता मया दृष्टा दशार्णेषु पितुहे॥
English: She was given to king Bhima and myself was given to Virabahu. I saw you were born at our father's palace in the country of the Dasharmas.
Sanskrit: यथैव ते पितुर्गेहं तथैव मम भामिनि। यथैव च ममैश्वर्यं दमयन्ति तथा तव॥
English: O beauteous lady! as is your father's house, so is mine, to you. O Damayanti! my wealth is to you, cven as your own.
Sanskrit: तां प्रहप्टेन मनसा दमयन्ती विशाम्पते। प्रणम्य मातुर्भगिनीमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
English: O monarch! thereupon Damayanti, having bowed down unto her with a delightful heart,
Sanskrit: अज्ञायमानापि सती सुखमसम्युषिता त्वयि। सर्वकामैः सुविहिता रक्ष्यमाणा सदा त्वया॥ तु
English: “Although I stayed here unrecognised, still I lived with your happily and supplied with all the objects of my desire and ever protected by you.
Sanskrit: सुखात् सुखतरो वासो भविष्यति न संशयः। चिरविप्रोषितां मातामनुज्ञातुमर्हसि॥
English: Undoubtedly I shall have a happier abode than this. Therefore, O mother, grant permission unto me, who am ever living in exile.
Sanskrit: दारकौ च हि मे नीतौ वसतस्तत्र बालकौ। पित्रा विहीनौ शोकातॊ मया चैव कथं नु तौ॥
English: My children, the son and daughter, were led to my father's palace, where they are living now, hard pressed with sorrow on account of their separation from their father and mother.
Sanskrit: यदि चापि प्रियं किंचिन्मयि कर्तुमिहेच्छसि। विदर्भान् यातुमिच्छामि शीघ्रं मे यानमादिश॥ बाढमित्येव तामुक्त्वा हृष्टा मातृष्वसा नृप। गुप्तां बलेन महता पुत्रस्यानुमते ततः॥ प्रास्थापयद् राजमाता श्रीमती नरवाहिना। यानेन भरतश्रेष्ठ स्वन्नपानपरिच्छदाम्॥
English: Should you wish to do me some good order at once a vehicle; for I am desirous to go to the country of the Vidharbhas.” Thereupon, O monarch, saying, “So be it,” the sister of Damayanti's mother, the queen-mother highly satisfied and with the permission of her son, sent away Damayanti in a beautiful vehicle conveyed by men and guarded by a strong force, as also the lady, O the foremost of the descendants of Bharata, was provided with tasteful food and drink and valuable dresses.
Sanskrit: ततः सा न चिरादेव विदर्भानगमत् पुनः। तु बन्धुजनः सर्वः प्रहृष्टः समपूजयत्॥
English: Then the lady immediately went away to the country of the Vidharbhas, where all her friends and relatives, satisfied with her arrival, offered praises to her.
Sanskrit: सर्वान् कुशलिनो दृष्ट्वा बान्धवान् दारकौ च तौ मातरं पितरं चोभौ सर्वं चैव सखीजनम्॥ देवताः पूजयामास ब्राह्मणांश्च यशस्विनी। परेण विधिना देवी दमयन्ती विशाम्यते॥
English: O king, beholding that her relatives, her son and daughter, father and mother and all her companions were at peace, the goddess-like and all-glorious Damayanti worshipped the gods and the Brahmanas in the best way.
Sanskrit: अतर्पयत् सुदेवं च गोसहस्रेण पार्थिवः। प्रीतो दृष्ट्वैव तनयां ग्रामेण द्रविणेन च॥
English: The king, beholding his daughter, became gratified and presented to Sudeva a thousand kine, immense fortune and a village.
Sanskrit: सा व्युष्टा रजनीं तत्र पितुर्वेश्मनि भाविनी। विश्रान्ता मातरं राजन्निदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
English: O monarch! the handsome lady having spent there the whole night at her father's palace and taken perfect rest, addressed her mother thus:
Sanskrit: दमयन्त्युवाच मां चेदिच्छसि जीवन्ती मातः सत्यं ब्रवीमि ते। नलस्य नरवीरस्य यतस्वानयने पुनः॥
English: Damayanti said : O mother! should you desire me to live, I tell the truth, take care to bring here that hero among men, viz., Nala.
Sanskrit: दमयन्त्या तथोक्ता सा देवी भृशदुःखिता। बाष्पेणापिहिता राज्ञी नोत्तरं किंचिदब्रवीत्॥
English: Thus addressed by Damayanti,"the goddesslike queen became greatly afflicted with grief and was suffused with tears and spoke nothing to her in reply.
Sanskrit: तदवस्थां तु तां दृष्ट्वा सर्वमन्तःपुरं तदा। हाहाभूतमतीवासीद् भृशं च प्ररुरोद ह॥
English: Thereupon all the inmates of the king's harem uttered the exclamations of 'Oh'! and 'Alas'! at this dangerous situation of Damayanti and also wept most bitterly.
Sanskrit: ततो भीमं महाराजं भार्या वचनमब्रवीत्। दमयन्ती तव सुता भर्तारमनुशोचति॥
English: Then the queen spoke to the illustrious king, Bhima, thus: 'Your daughter, Damayanti, is lamenting, for her husband.
Sanskrit: अपकृष्य च लज्जां सा स्वयमुक्तवती नृप। प्रयतन्तां तव प्रेष्याः पुण्यश्लोकस्य मार्गणे॥
English: O monarch! unblushed with shame, Damayanti herself said that my men should try to find out the whereabouts of that virtuous king (Nala).
Sanskrit: तया प्रदेशितो राजा ब्राह्मणान् वशवर्तिनः। प्रास्थापयद् दिशः सर्वा यतध्वं नलमार्गणे॥
English: Thus urged by the queen, the king sent out the dependant Brahmanas in all directions; and enjoined them to strive to find out the whereabouts of king Nala.
Sanskrit: ततो विदर्भाधियतेर्नियोगाद् ब्राह्मणास्तदा। दमयन्तीमथो सृत्वा प्रस्थिता:स्मेत्यथाब्रुवन्।॥
English: Thereupon, at the injunction of the king of the Vidharbhas, all the Brahmanas approached Damayanti and told her that they were going away (for searching Nala).
Sanskrit: अथ तानब्रवीद् भैमी सर्वराष्ट्रेष्विदं वचः। ब्रुवध्वं जनसंसत्सु तत्र तत्र पुनः पुनः॥
English: Then the daughter of Bhima asked them to repeat, in all countries and before all crowds of men, these words.
Sanskrit: सा वै यथा त्वया दृष्टा तथाऽऽस्ते त्वत्प्रतीक्षिणा दह्यमाना भृशं वाला वस्त्रार्थेनाभिसंवृता॥
English: 'Indeed, in obedience to your command that lady, covered in half a piece of cloth and greatly burning with woe, is ever expecting you.
Sanskrit: तस्या रुदत्याः सततं तेन शोकेन पार्थिव। प्रसादं कुरु वै वीर प्रतिवाक्यं ददस्व च॥
English: 'O monarch, O mighty one, do you answer; and do you show favour to her, who is ever weeping on account of that woe.'
Sanskrit: एवमन्यच्च वक्तव्यं कृपां कुर्याद् यथा मयि) वायुनाधूयमानो हि वनं दहति पावकः॥
English: Do you cry, saying this and the like, viz., fire (here compared with grief of Damayanti), led by the wind (compared with time), consumes the forest (compared with the body of Damayanti); and then the lord will pity me.
Sanskrit: भर्तव्या रक्षणीया च पत्नी पत्या हि सर्वदा। तन्नष्टमुभयं कस्माद्धर्मज्ञस्य सतस्तव॥
English: Further do you cry, saying: "The wife is always to be maintained and protected by the husband. You are righteous and honest as well. Why, therefore, these virtues of yours are being neglected by you.
Sanskrit: ख्यातः प्राज्ञः कुलीनश्च सानुक्रोशो भवान् सदा। संवृत्तो निरनुक्रोशः शङ्के मद्भाग्यसंक्षयात्॥
English: You are well reputed, wise, respectable and always kind. But why now have you become unkind; and that is perhaps for the reason of my adverse fortune.
Sanskrit: तत् कुरुष्व नरव्याघ्र दयां मयि नरर्षभ। आनृशंस्यं परोधर्मस्त्वत्त एव हि मे श्रुतः॥
English: O foremost of men, O the most excellent of persons, be you kind to me. For I have heard from you, that kindness is the chief virtue.”
Sanskrit: एवं ब्रुवाणान् यदि वः प्रतिब्रूयात् कथंचन। स नरः सर्वथा ज्ञेयः कश्चासौ क्व नु वर्तते॥
English: If anybody answer you, as you would speak in this way, that man should be known by you in every way; and also it should be learnt what is he and where does he live.
Sanskrit: यश्चैवं वचनं श्रुत्वा ब्रूयात् प्रतिवचो नरः। तदादाय वचस्तस्य ममावेद्यं द्विजोत्तमाः॥
English: O excellent of the regenerate ones! do you convey to me the words of that man who, hearing these words of yours, will answer you.
Sanskrit: यथा च वो न जानीयाद् ब्रुवतो मम शासनात्। पुनरागमनं चैव तथा कार्यमतन्द्रितैः॥
English: Do you take care that no body should know that these words are uttered by you at my behest; neither do you do such to return to me.
Sanskrit: यदि वासौ समृद्धः स्याद् यदि वाप्यधनो भवेत्। यदि वाप्यसमर्थः स्याज्ज्ञेयमस्य चिकीर्षितम्॥
English: You should know whether the man is rich or poor or powerless; and know also his desires.
Sanskrit: एवमुक्तास्त्वगच्छंस्ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वतो दिशम्। ते पुराणि नलं मृगयितुं राजंस्तदा व्यसनिनं तथा॥ सराष्ट्राणि ग्रामान् घोषांस्तथाऽऽश्रमान्। अन्वेषन्तो नलं राजन् नाधिजग्मुर्द्विजातयः॥
English: O king, thus advised, the Brahmanas departed in all directions in order to search for Nala, who had fallen into such great calamity. O monarch, the regenerate ones wandered in the cities, kingdoms, villages, the dwellings of the cowherds and the retreats of he sages in search of king Nala.
Sanskrit: तच्च वाक्यं तथा सर्वे तत्र तत्र विशाम्यते। श्रावयांचक्रिरे विप्रा दमयन्त्या यथेरितम्॥
English: O ruler of the earth, all the Brahmanas repeated the words, wherever they wandered, which Damayanti had enjoined them to do.
Sanskrit: बृहदश्व उवाच अथ दीर्घस्य कालस्य पर्णादो नाम वै द्विजः। प्रत्येत्य नगरं भैमीमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
English: Brihadashva said : After a very long time, a Brahmana, Parnada by name, came back to the city of the king of the Vidharbhas and spoke to the daughter of king Bhima these words:
Sanskrit: नैषधं मृगयानेन दमयन्ति मया नलम्। अयोध्या नगरी गत्वा भाङ्गासुरिमुपस्थितः॥
English: “O Damayanti, searching Nala, the king of the Nishadhas, at last I went to the city of the Ayodhya and presented myself to Vangasuri.
Sanskrit: श्रावितश्च मया वाक्यं त्वदीयं स महाजने। ऋतुपर्णो महाभागो यथोक्तं वरवर्णिनि॥ तच्छुत्वा नाब्रवीत् किंचिदृतुपर्णो नराधिपः। न च पारिषदः कश्चिद् भाष्यमाणो मयासकृत्॥
English: O fair-complexioned one, O best of women, I recited the very words of yours before that illustrious Rituparna. Hearing these words, which I had repeatedly uttered to them, neither king Rituparna, nor any one of his courtiers, said anything in reply.
Sanskrit: अनुज्ञातं तु मां राज्ञा विजने कश्चिदब्रवीत्। ऋतुपर्णस्य पुरुषो बाहुको नाम नामतः॥
English: When I was dismissed by the king, some person in the service of Rituparna, Bahuka by name, told me in private.
Sanskrit: सूतस्तस्य नरेन्द्रस्य विरूपो ह्रस्वबाहुकः। शीघ्रयानेषु कुशलो मृष्टकर्ता च भोजने॥
English: That Bahuka is the charioteer of that foremost of monarchs. He is also possessed of extraordinary appearance and short arms; and is skilled in driving with speed and also in cooking sweet food.
Sanskrit: स विनिःश्वस्य बहुशो रुदित्वा च पुनः पुनः। कुशलं चैव मां पृष्ट्वा पश्चादिदमभाषत।॥
English: Sighing heavily and frequently and weeping incessantly, he asked about my welfare; and then addressed me with these words:
Sanskrit: वैषम्यमपि सम्प्राप्ता गोपायन्ति कुलस्त्रियः। आत्मानमात्मना सत्यो जित: स्वर्गो न संशयः॥
English: 'Although fallen into great calamity, the chaste women guard themselves by their own efforts; and thus undoubtedly obtain heaven (heavenly blessings).
Sanskrit: रहिता भर्तृभिश्चैव न कुप्यन्ति कदाचन। प्राणांश्चारित्रकवचान्धारयन्ति वरस्त्रियः॥
English: Again, chaste women, even if they be forsaken by their husbands, do never become angry (with them); rather they hold their lives shielded by virtuous behaviours.
Sanskrit: विषमस्थेन मूढेन परिभ्रष्टसुखेन च। यत् सा तेन परित्यक्ता तत्र न क्रोद्भुमर्हति॥
English: She should not be angry, forsaken as she was by a person, who himself was foolish, overtaken by distress and also destitute of all happiness.
Sanskrit: सत्कृतासत्कृता वापि पतिं दृष्ट्वा तथागतम्। भ्रष्टराज्यं श्रिया हीनं क्षुधितं व्यसनाप्लुतम्॥
English: Also, it behoves the lady, treated fairly or unfairly, not to be angry with her husband, seeing him in that miserable condition, in which he was deprived of both wealth and kingdom and oppressed with hunger and overwhelmed with distress.
Sanskrit: तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा त्वरितोऽहमिहागतः। श्रुत्वा प्रमाणं भवती राज्ञश्चैव निवेदय॥
English: Hearing these words of his, I instantly came here. Do you, therefore, inform the king all about these words, which you have heard.”
Sanskrit: एतच्छ्रुत्वाश्रुपूर्णाक्षी पर्णादस्य विशाम्पते। दमयन्ती रहोऽभ्येत्य मातरं प्रत्यभाषत॥
English: O monarch, hearing these words of Parnada, Damayanti, with her eyes filled with tears, repaired to her mother and said to her these words,
Sanskrit: अयमर्थो न संवेद्यो भीमे मातः कदाचन। त्वत्संनिधौ नियोक्ष्येऽहं सुदेवं द्विजसत्तमम्॥ यथा न नृपतिर्भीमः प्रतिपद्येत मे मतम्। तथा त्वया प्रकर्तव्यं मम चेत् प्रियमिच्छसि॥
English: "O mother, let not king Bhima, by any means, know my object. I like to employ that foremost of the Brahmanas, Sudeva, in your presence. Should you desire my welfare, do you act in such a manner that king Bhima will not come to know this purpose of mine.
Sanskrit: यथा चाहं समानीता सुदेवेनाशु बान्धवान्। तेनैव मङ्गलेनाशु सुदेवो यातु मा चिरम्॥ समानेतुं नलं मातरयोध्यां नगरीमितः।
English: Let Sudeva go at once, with the performance of the same auspicious ceremonies, by the doing of which I was brought to my relatives instantly by him. O mother, let him go hence to the city of Ayodhya in order to bring Nala here."
Sanskrit: विश्रान्तं तु ततः पश्चात् पर्णादं द्विजसत्तमम्॥ अर्चयामास वैदर्भाधनेनातीव भाविनी। नले चेहागते तत्र भूयो दास्यामि ते वसु॥
English: Thereupon the beauteous lady, the daughter of the king of the Vidharbhas, worshipped, with the bestowal of immense riches, the foremost of the regenerate ones, who has now taken perfect rest. And she said to him, “O Brahmana, I will, again, give you much wealth at the arrival of Nala here.
Sanskrit: त्वया हि मे बहु कृतं यदन्यो न करिष्यति। यद् भाहं समेष्यामि शीघ्रमेव द्विजोत्तम॥
English: O foremost of the regenerate ones, indeed you have done much for me, which none else will do; and for this reason only that I will soon regain my husband.”
Sanskrit: स एवमुक्तोऽथाश्वास्य आशीर्वादैः सुमङ्गलैः। गृहानुपययौ चापि कृतार्थः सुमहामनाः॥
English: Thus addressed by her, that high-souled Brahmana solaced Damayanti by the expression of auspicious benedictions, and then he returned home, thinking himself successful in his endeavours.
Sanskrit: ततः सुदेवमाभाष्य दमयन्ती युधिष्ठिर। अब्रवीत् संनिधौ मातुर्दुःखशोकसमन्विता॥
English: Thereupon, O Yudhishthira, Damayanti summoned Sudeva; and overwhelmed with grief and calamity, she addressed him in the presence of her mother thus,
Sanskrit: गत्वा सुदेव नगरीमयोध्यावासिनं नृपम्। ऋतुपर्णं वचो ब्रूहि सम्पतन्निव कामगः॥
English: “O Sudeva, like a bird which falls straight, do you at once depart to the city of Ayodhya and tell king Ritupara, Who dwells in it, these words:
Sanskrit: आस्थास्यति पुनर्भमी दमयन्ती स्वयंवरम्। तत्र गच्छन्ति राजानो राजपुत्राश्च सर्वशः॥
English: 'Damayanti, the daughter of king Bhima, will again hold the Svayamvara, to which all the kings and princes are rushing from all directions.
Sanskrit: तथा च गणितः कालः श्वोभूते स भविष्यति। यदि सम्भावनीयं ते गच्छ शीघ्रमरिंदम्॥
English: Calculating the time, this will beheld tomorrow. So, if possible, O chastiser of foes, go at once.
Sanskrit: सूर्योदये द्वितीयं सा भर्तारं वरयिष्यति। न हि स ज्ञायते वीरो नलो जीवति वा न वा॥
English: At the next sun-rise she will accept a second husband; as it is not known whether heroic Nala is still living or otherwise.'
Sanskrit: एवं तया यथोक्तो वै गत्वा राजानमब्रवीत्। ऋतुपर्ण महाराज सुदेवो ब्राह्मणस्तदा।॥
English: O monarch, thus addressed by her, the Brahmana, Sudeva by name, started at once. He spoke to king Rituparna what he was ordered by her to do.
Sanskrit: बृहदश्व उवाच श्रुत्वा वचः सुदेवस्य ऋतुपर्णो नराधिपः। सान्त्वयश्लक्ष्णया वाचा बाहुकं प्रत्यभाषत॥
English: Brihadashva said : Hearing these words of Sudeva, king Rituparna comforted Bahuka with sweet speeches and addressed him thus,
Sanskrit: विदर्भान् यातुमिच्छामि दमयन्त्याः स्वयंवरम्। एकाला हयतत्त्वज्ञ मन्यसे यदि बाहुक॥
English: "O Bahuka, O you who are well-versed in the knowledge of horses, if you are willing, I desire to go, in course of a day, to the country of the Vidharbhas, where will be held the Svayamvara of Damayanti."
Sanskrit: एवमुक्तस्य कौन्तेय तेन राज्ञा नलस्य ह। व्यदीर्यत मनो दुःखात् प्रदध्यौ च महामनाः॥
English: O descendant of Kunti, thus addressed by that king, Nala had his mind bursting with grief and that lofty-minded one also burned with sorrow.
Sanskrit: दमयन्ती वदेदेतत् कुर्याद् दुःखेन मोहिता। अस्मदर्थे भवेद् वायमुपायश्चिन्तितो महान्॥
English: He thought “It may be that Damayanti, afflicted by sorrow, does this; or, perhaps, by doing this, she has conceived a great policy for my sake.
Sanskrit: नृशंसं बत वैदर्भी भर्तृकामा तपस्विनी। मया क्षुद्रेण निकृता कृपणा पापबुद्धिना॥ स्त्रीस्वभावश्चलो लोके मम दोषश्च दारुणः। स्यादेवभपि कुयात् सा विवासाद् गतसौहृदा॥
English: That virtuous lady, the daughter of the king of the Vidharbhas, is willing to do this, is, indeed, very cruel; and that is for the reason of my deceiving her, who am an insignificant, sinful and senseless one. In this world, the nature of women is very subtle. My fault is also very great. She works out this end; for she no longer entertains any love for me, on account of my long separation from her.
Sanskrit: मम शोकेन संविग्ना नैराश्यात् तनुमध्यमा। नैवं सा कर्हिचित् कुर्यात् सापत्या च विशेषतः॥
English: The lady, possessing slender waist, oppressed as she is by sorrow for me, will, as a matter of fact, not be able to do this; especially because she has got children (by me).
Sanskrit: यदत्र सत्यं वासत्यं गत्वा वेत्स्यामि निश्चयम्। ऋतुपर्णस्य वै काममात्मार्थं च करोम्यहम्॥
English: I will go there and know for certain whether there is any truth in this; or the fact is unreal. I will surely fulfill the desire of Rituparna; for in doing this I will serve my own purpose."
Sanskrit: इति निश्चित्य मनसा बाहुको दीनमानसः। कृताञ्जलिरुवाचेदमृतुपर्णं जनाधिपम्॥ प्रतिजानामि ते वाक्यं गमिष्यामि नराधिप। एकाह्रा पुरुषव्याघ्र विदर्भनगरी नृप॥
English: Having thus settled his mind, Bahuka, whose mind was filled with sorrow, folded his hands and said these words to king Rituparna, "O best of kings, O foremost of men, O monarch, I am determined at your command to go to the city of Ayodhya in course of a single day.”
Sanskrit: ततः परीक्षामश्वानां चक्रे राजन् स बाहुकः। अश्वशालामुपागम्य भागासुरिनृपाज्ञया॥
English: O king, thereupon Bahuka went, at the behest of the royal son of Vangasura, to the stables; and there he examined the horses.
Sanskrit: स त्वर्यमाणो बहुश ऋतुपर्णेन बाहुकः। अश्वाञ्जिज्ञासमानो वै विचार्य च पुनः पुनः। अभ्यगच्छत् कृशानश्वान् समर्थानध्वनि क्षमान्॥ तेजोबलसमायुक्तान् कुलशीलसमन्वितान्। वर्जिताँल्लक्षणैर्हनिः पृथुप्रोथान् महाहनून्॥
English: Bahuka, having been repeatedly asked by Rituparna, examined the horses and balanced in his mind over and over again. Then, at last, he selected such horses that were very lean but able; and also that are capable of bearing hardhips of a long journey and endued with strength and energy; well bred and gentle and unmarked by inauspicious marks; possessed of broad nostrils and swelling cheeks.
Sanskrit: शुद्धान् दशभिरावर्तेः सिन्धुजान् वातरंहसः। दृष्ट्वा तानब्रवीद् राजा किंचित् कोपसमन्वितः॥
English: These horses were also faultless as regards 'the ten hairy curls' and born in the country called) Sindhu and swift as the wind. The king, seeing these steeds, became a little angry and said,
Sanskrit: किमिदं प्रार्थितं कर्तुं प्रलब्धव्या न ते वयम्। कथमल्पबलप्राणा वक्ष्यन्तीमे हया मम। महदध्वानमपि च गन्तव्यं कथमीदृशैः॥
English: "What do you want to do? You should not jest with me. How these weak and breathless steeds will carry us? How this long way we would travel with the help of these horses?"
Sanskrit: बाहुक उवाच एको ललाटे द्वौ मूर्ध्नि द्वौ द्वौ पार्थोपपार्श्वयोः। द्वौ द्वौ वक्षसि विज्ञेयौ प्रयाणे चैक एव तु॥ एते हया गमिष्यन्ति विदर्भान् नात्र संशयः॥ यानन्यान् मन्यसे राजन् ब्रूहि तान् योजयामि ते॥
English: Bahuka said: These horses, respectively bearing one curl on the forehead, two on the temples, four on the sides, four on the breast and one on the back, will, without doubt, reach the country of the Vidharbhas. But, O monarch, should you like others, tell me and I will yoke them for you.
Sanskrit: ऋतुपर्ण उवाच त्वमेव हयतत्त्वज्ञः कुशलो ह्यसि बाहुक। यान् मन्यसे समर्थांस्त्वं क्षिप्रं तानेव योजय॥
English: Rituparna said: O Bahuka, you are well conversant with the knowledge and guiding of horses. Soon yoke those that you think fit.
Sanskrit: ततः सदश्वांश्चतुरु कुलशीलसमन्वितान्। योजयामास कुशलो जवयुक्तान् रथे नलः॥
English: Thereupon clever and skillful Nala yoked to the car high-bred, gentle and swift steeds.
Sanskrit: ततो युक्तं रथं राजा समारोहत् त्वरान्वितः। अथ पर्यपतन् भूमौ जानुभिस्ते हयोत्तमाः॥
English: Then the monarch most speedily mounted the car, to which such horses had been yoked. But these best of horses fell down upon the ground on their knees.
Sanskrit: ततो नरवरः श्रीमान् नलो राजा विशाम्पते। सान्त्वयामास तानश्वांस्तेजोबलसमन्वितान्॥
English: O monarch, thereupon that most auspicious and best of men, king Nala, comforted the horse, that were endued with strength and energy.
Sanskrit: रश्मिभिश्च समुद्यम्य नलो यातुमियेष सः। सूतमारोप्य वार्ष्णेयं जवमास्थाय वै परम्॥ ते चोद्यमाना विधिवद् बाहुकेन हयोत्तमाः। समुत्पेतुरथाकाशं रथिनं मोहयन्निव॥
English: Nala, then raising the steeds by the reins and making Varshneya, the charioteer, sit on the car, commanded great speed and set out. Thereafter those foremost of horses, having been conducted by Bahuka according to the rules, rose to the sky and confounded the occupant of the car.
Sanskrit: तथा तु दृष्ट्वा तानश्वान् वहतो वातरंहसः। अयोध्याधिपतिः श्रीमान् विस्मयं परमं ययौ॥
English: The blessed king of Ayodhya, having seen these horses carrying him with the speed of winds, was struck with great astonishment.