Critical Edition
बृहदश्व उवाच सा तच्छ्रुत्वानवद्याङ्गी सार्थवाहवचस्तदा अगच्छत्तेन वै सार्धं भर्तृदर्शनलालसा
M. N. Dutt: Brihadashva said: Thereupon that beauteous lady, hearing the words of the leader of the caravan, went away with the company of travellers, hoping to find out her lord.
अथ काले बहुतिथे वने महति दारुणे तडागं सर्वतोभद्रं पद्मसौगन्धिकं महत्
AI Translation: Then, after many days, in a great and terrible forest, a pond with all good qualities, fragrant with lotuses, and great,
ददृशुर्वणिजो रम्यं प्रभूतयवसेन्धनम् बहुमूलफलोपेतं नानापक्षिगणैर्वृतम्
AI Translation: The merchants saw a beautiful forest, with plenty of fodder and fuel, abounding in roots and fruits, and surrounded by flocks of various birds.
तं दृष्ट्वा मृष्टसलिलं मनोहरसुखावहम् सुपरिश्रान्तवाहास्ते निवेशाय मनो दधुः
AI Translation: Seeing that water, pure and delightful, bringing happiness, Those who were very tired gave their minds to settling down.
संमते सार्थवाहस्य विविशुर्वनमुत्तमम् उवास सार्थः सुमहान्वेलामासाद्य पश्चिमाम्
M. N. Dutt: The caravan dispersed itself into the forest at the behest of its leader. But when the day (i.e., the sun) slanted down the west, that great company took its quarters there.
अथार्धरात्रसमये निःशब्दस्तिमिते तदा सुप्ते सार्थे परिश्रान्ते हस्तियूथमुपागमत् पानीयार्थं गिरिनदीं मदप्रस्रवणाविलाम्
M. N. Dutt: Then, at midnight, when cverything was hushed and silence prevailed, the travellers fell into sleep, while there came a multitude of elephants. And while going to the mountain stream to drink its water, soiled by their own exudations, they saw the merchants as well as a good number of other elephants possessed by them.
Supplementary Passages:
3.62.6 Dn1.n2 ins. after 6: D6, after 10: *284 अथापश्यत सार्थं तं सार्थजान्सुबहून्गजान् ते तान्ग्राम्यगजान्दृष्ट्वा सर्वे वनगजास्तदा समाद्रवन्त वेगेन जिघांसन्तो मदोत्कटाः तेषामापततां वेगः करिणां दुःसहोऽभवत् नगाग्रादिव शीर्णानां शृङ्गाणां पततां क्षितौ स्पन्दतामपि नागानां मार्गा नष्टा वनोद्भवैः
मार्गं संरुध्य संसुप्तं पद्मिन्याः सार्थमुत्तमम् सुप्तं ममर्द सहसा चेष्टमानं महीतले
AI Translation: Having blocked the road, he crushed the excellent caravan of Padmini, who was sleeping, and the one who was moving about on the ground, while asleep.
हाहारवं प्रमुञ्चन्तः सार्थिकाः शरणार्थिनः वनगुल्मांश्च धावन्तो निद्रान्धा महतो भयात् केचिद्दन्तैः करैः केचित्केचित्पद्भ्यां हता नराः
M. N. Dutt: The elephants, all on a sudden, crushed the caravan, which was sleeping in the ground. Then the merchants, uttering the cries of Ah! and Alas! sought for protection. Blinded by sleep, they all rushed towards the bushes and the forest (for protection). But some of them were killed by the tusks of those elephants and some by trunks, as also some were killed by their legs.
गोखरोष्ट्राश्वबहुलं पदातिजनसंकुलम् भयार्तं धावमानं तत्परस्परहतं तदा
AI Translation: Filled with cows, donkeys, camels, horses, and crowds of foot soldiers, Terrified, running, killing each other at that time,
घोरान्नादान्विमुञ्चन्तो निपेतुर्धरणीतले वृक्षेष्वासज्य संभग्नाः पतिता विषमेषु च तथा तन्निहतं सर्वं समृद्धं सार्थमण्डलम्
AI Translation: They fell to the ground, releasing terrible cries. Some were crushed against trees, others fell in uneven places. Thus the entire prosperous caravan was destroyed.
Supplementary Passages:
3.62.10 K2 Dn ins. after 10cd: D5, before 10ef: *285 एवं प्रकारैर्बहुभिर्दैवेनाक्रम्य हस्तिभिः
अथापरेद्युः संप्राप्ते हतशिष्टा जनास्तदा वनगुल्माद्विनिष्क्रम्य शोचन्तो वैशसं कृतम् भ्रातरं पितरं पुत्रं सखायं च जनाधिप
AI Translation: Then, on the next day, the survivors of the slain people came out of the forest thicket, lamenting the destruction that had been done. "O lord of men, they lamented their brothers, fathers, sons, and friends, saying, ""Where are they?"" " "
Supplementary Passages:
3.62.11 After 11, T G ins.: *286 हन्यमाने तथा सार्थे दमयन्ती शुचिस्मिता ब्राह्मणैः सहिता तत्र वने तु न विनाशिता
अशोचत्तत्र वैदर्भी किं नु मे दुष्कृतं कृतम् योऽपि मे निर्जनेऽरण्ये संप्राप्तोऽयं जनार्णवः हतोऽयं हस्तियूथेन मन्दभाग्यान्ममैव तु
M. N. Dutt: The daughter of the king of the Vidharbhas again lamented, saying, 'What a misdeed I had committed in the past! As the result of my misfortune, the crowd of men, whose company I have found in this solitary wood, was all destroyed by elephants. As it seems, surely I shall have to suffer certain distresses for a pretty long period.
प्राप्तव्यं सुचिरं दुःखं मया नूनमसंशयम् नाप्राप्तकालो म्रियते श्रुतं वृद्धानुशासनम्
AI Translation: I must have suffered for a long time, no doubt, I have not died before my time. I have heard the instruction of the elders.
यन्नाहमद्य मृदिता हस्तियूथेन दुःखिता न ह्यदैवकृतं किंचिन्नराणामिह विद्यते
AI Translation: I am not crushed today by the herd of elephants, I am not distressed. For nothing is done by chance; nothing is done by men here.
न च मे बालभावेऽपि किंचिद्व्यपकृतं कृतम् कर्मणा मनसा वाचा यदिदं दुःखमागतम्
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, there exists nothing of men that does not fall within the category of destiny. I had committed no crime even in my childhood, either in action, thought or speech, for which reason this great calamity might befall me.
मन्ये स्वयंवरकृते लोकपालाः समागताः प्रत्याख्याता मया तत्र नलस्यार्थाय देवताः नूनं तेषां प्रभावेन वियोगं प्राप्तवत्यहम्
M. N. Dutt: On the occasion of the Svayamvara, the assembled divine guardians of the worlds were neglected by me, for the sake of king Nala; and surely I think. it is through their potent interference, that I have been suffering from this separation.' That fair complexioned Damayanti, devoted to her husband, uttering these words of grief, became greatly afflicted with sorrows and looked pale.
एवमादीनि दुःखानि सा विलप्य वराङ्गना हतशिष्टैः सह तदा ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः अगच्छद्राजशार्दूल दुःखशोकपरायणा
AI Translation: Thus lamenting, the beautiful lady, together with the remaining Brahmins who had mastered the Vedas, went, O best of kings, overwhelmed by grief and sorrow,
Supplementary Passages:
3.62.17 After 17ab, K2 Dn D5 ins.: *287 प्रलापानि तदा तानि दमयन्ती पतिव्रता
गच्छन्ती सा चिरात्कालात्पुरमासादयन्महत् सायाह्ने चेदिराजस्य सुबाहोः सत्यवादिनः वस्त्रार्धकर्तसंवीता प्रविवेश पुरोत्तमम्
AI Translation: After a long time, she reached a great city In the evening, she entered the excellent city clothed in half a garment, of the truthful king of Chedi, Subahu.
Supplementary Passages:
3.62.18 Before 18, D1-3 ins.: *288 बृहदश्व उवाच एवं सा दुःखसंतप्ता भर्तृव्यसनकर्शिता After 18cd, S ins.: *289 सा तु तच्चारुसर्वाङ्गी सुबाहोस्तुङ्गगोपुरम्
तां विवर्णां कृशां दीनां मुक्तकेशीममार्जनाम् उन्मत्तामिव गच्छन्तीं ददृशुः पुरवासिनः
AI Translation: They saw her, pale, emaciated, miserable, with loose hair, unwashed, walking like a madwoman, the inhabitants of the city.
प्रविशन्तीं तु तां दृष्ट्वा चेदिराजपुरीं तदा अनुजग्मुस्ततो बाला ग्रामिपुत्राः कुतूहलात्
AI Translation: Seeing her enter the city of the king of Chedi, then the children of the villagers followed out of curiosity.
सा तैः परिवृतागच्छत्समीपं राजवेश्मनः तां प्रासादगतापश्यद्राजमाता जनैर्वृताम्
AI Translation: She, surrounded by them, went near the royal palace. The queen mother, surrounded by people, saw her in the palace.
Supplementary Passages:
3.62.21 After 21, K1-3 B D (except D1.2) ins.: *290 धात्रीमुवाच गच्छैनामानयेह ममान्तिकम् जनेन क्लिश्यते बाला दुःखिता शरणार्थिनी यादृग्रूपां च पश्यामि विद्योतयति मे गृहम् उन्मत्तवेषप्रच्छन्ना श्रीरिवायतलोचना
सा जनं वारयित्वा तं प्रासादतलमुत्तमम् आरोप्य विस्मिता राजन्दमयन्तीमपृच्छत
AI Translation: Having restrained the people, she made him ascend the excellent terrace of the palace. And, O king, she asked Damayanti in astonishment,
एवमप्यसुखाविष्टा बिभर्षि परमं वपुः भासि विद्युदिवाभ्रेषु शंस मे कासि कस्य वा
AI Translation: Even so, you bear the supreme form, afflicted by suffering. You shine like lightning in the clouds. Tell me, who are you, or whose are you?
न हि ते मानुषं रूपं भूषणैरपि वर्जितम् असहाया नरेभ्यश्च नोद्विजस्यमरप्रभे
AI Translation: You are not a human being, even though you are without ornaments. You are not afraid of men, O goddess with the lustre of the gods.
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्या भैमी वचनमब्रवीत् मानुषीं मां विजानीहि भर्तारं समनुव्रताम्
AI Translation: Hearing those words, Bhima spoke these words: "Know me to be a human woman, devoted to my husband.
सैरन्ध्रीं जातिसंपन्नां भुजिष्यां कामवासिनीम् फलमूलाशनामेकां यत्रसायंप्रतिश्रयाम्
AI Translation: a female slave, a female servant, a female slave who is a female servant, a female slave who is a female servant and who is born in the same caste, a female slave who is a female servant and who is born in the same caste and who is a lover, who eats fruits
असंख्येयगुणो भर्ता मां च नित्यमनुव्रतः भर्तारमपि तं वीरं छायेवानपगा सदा
AI Translation: My husband has countless virtues and always follows me. That hero, my husband, is always like a shadow that never leaves.
तस्य दैवात्प्रसङ्गोऽभूदतिमात्रं स्म देवने द्यूते स निर्जितश्चैव वनमेकोऽभ्युपेयिवान्
AI Translation: By chance he had a great deal of contact with gambling. He was defeated in gambling and went to the forest alone.
तमेकवसनं वीरमुन्मत्तमिव विह्वलम् आश्वासयन्ती भर्तारमहमन्वगमं वनम्
AI Translation: I followed my husband into the forest, comforting him, though he was dressed in a single garment, like a madman, and distraught.
Supplementary Passages:
3.62.29 T1 G1 ins. after 29ab: M2 (which om. 28a-29b) ins. after 27: *291 स केनचिदमेयात्मा कारणेन वराङ्गने दुःखितः सर्वमुत्सृज्य प्रविवेश महावनम् ततस्तं दुःखितं दृष्ट्वा प्रविशन्तं च काननम्
स कदाचिद्वने वीरः कस्मिंश्चित्कारणान्तरे क्षुत्परीतः सुविमनास्तदप्येकं व्यसर्जयत्
AI Translation: Once, for some reason, the hero was in the forest. He was very unhappy due to hunger, and he gave away that one thing as well.
तमेकवसनं नग्नमुन्मत्तं गतचेतसम् अनुव्रजन्ती बहुला न स्वपामि निशाः सदा
AI Translation: I follow him, who is naked, mad, and without sense, who wears only one garment. I do not sleep at night, for I am always following him.
ततो बहुतिथे काले सुप्तामुत्सृज्य मां क्वचित् वाससोऽर्धं परिच्छिद्य त्यक्तवान्मामनागसम्
AI Translation: Then, after a long time, he abandoned me somewhere, leaving me asleep, and, having cut off half of my garment, he abandoned me, the innocent one.
तं मार्गमाणा भर्तारं दह्यमाना दिनक्षपाः न विन्दाम्यमरप्रख्यं प्रियं प्राणधनेश्वरम्
AI Translation: Searching for my husband, burning day and night, I do not find my beloved, the lord of my life and wealth, who is like the gods.
Supplementary Passages:
3.62.33 After 33ab, K1 B D (except D1-3.5) ins.: *292 साहं कमलगर्भाभमपश्यन्ती हृदि प्रियम् After 33, S (except M1) ins.: *293 इत्युक्त्वा सानवद्याङ्गी राजमातरमप्युत स्थिताश्रुपरिपूर्णाक्षी वेपमाना सुदुःखिता
तामश्रुपरिपूर्णाक्षीं विलपन्तीं तथा बहु राजमाताब्रवीदार्तां भैमीमार्ततरा स्वयम्
AI Translation: Seeing her eyes filled with tears, lamenting so much, The queen, herself more afflicted, said to Bhīma's afflicted mother:
वसस्व मयि कल्याणि प्रीतिर्मे त्वयि वर्तते मृगयिष्यन्ति ते भद्रे भर्तारं पुरुषा मम
AI Translation: "O fortunate one, dwell in me. I have affection for you. " "O fortunate one, men will seek you as my wife."
अथ वा स्वयमागच्छेत्परिधावन्नितस्ततः इहैव वसती भद्रे भर्तारमुपलप्स्यसे
M. N. Dutt: It may so happen that he shall come here of himself in course of his roving about in the forest. O gentle one! do you live here now; and you shall get your husband back.'
राजमातुर्वचः श्रुत्वा दमयन्ती वचोऽब्रवीत् समयेनोत्सहे वस्तुं त्वयि वीरप्रजायिनि
AI Translation: Hearing the words of the queen-mother, Damayanti spoke these words: "I am willing to live by the rule, O you who give birth to heroes.
उच्छिष्टं नैव भुञ्जीयां न कुर्यां पादधावनम् न चाहं पुरुषानन्यान्संभाषेयं कथंचन
AI Translation: I shall not eat leftovers, nor wash my feet. I shall not speak to any other man.
प्रार्थयेद्यदि मां कश्चिद्दण्ड्यस्ते स पुमान्भवेत् भर्तुरन्वेषणार्थं तु पश्येयं ब्राह्मणानहम्
AI Translation: If anyone should ask me, he would be the man to be punished by you. In order to find my husband, I shall see the Brahmanas.
Supplementary Passages:
3.62.39 After 39ab, K1.2 B D (except D1-3) ins.: *294 वध्यश्च तेऽसकृन्मन्द इति मे व्रतमाहितम्
यद्येवमिह कर्तव्यं वसाम्यहमसंशयम् अतोऽन्यथा न मे वासो वर्तते हृदये क्वचित्
AI Translation: If it is to be done like this, I will certainly stay here. Otherwise, I will not stay anywhere in my heart.
तां प्रहृष्टेन मनसा राजमातेदमब्रवीत् सर्वमेतत्करिष्यामि दिष्ट्या ते व्रतमीदृशम्
AI Translation: With a delighted mind, he said this to his mother: "I shall do all this. By good fortune, your vow is like this."
एवमुक्त्वा ततो भैमीं राजमाता विशां पते उवाचेदं दुहितरं सुनन्दां नाम भारत
AI Translation: Having spoken thus to Bhima's daughter, O lord of the earth, the queen spoke to her daughter named Sunanda.
सैरन्ध्रीमभिजानीष्व सुनन्दे देवरूपिणीम् एतया सह मोदस्व निरुद्विग्नमनाः स्वयम्
AI Translation: Recognize this as the wife of a hunter, Sunanda, in the form of a god. Be happy with her, free from anxiety.
Supplementary Passages:
3.62.43 K2 B D (except D1-3) ins. after 43ab: K1, after 43cd: *295 वयसा तुल्यतां प्राप्ता सखी तव भवत्वियम् K2 B Dn D4.6 ins. after 43: K1, after 43ab: *296 ततः परमसंहृष्टा सुनन्दा गृहमागमत् दमयन्तीमुपादाय सखीभिः परिवारिता सा तत्र पूज्यमाना वै दमयन्ती व्यनन्दत सर्वकामैः सुविहितैर्निरुद्वेगावसत्तदा On the other hand, Dc (Dc2 om. lines 3-4) D5 ins. after 43: *297 ततः सुनन्दा राजेन्द्र संप्रहृष्टमनाकृती सैरन्ध्रीसहितागच्छत्स्वमेवावसथं तदा ततः सुनन्दया सार्धं दमयन्त्यवसत्सुखम् सर्वकामैः समुदिता पतिदर्शनलालसा And finally, S ins. after 43: *298 सह सा न्यवसद्राजन्राजपुत्र्या सुनन्दया चिन्तयन्ती नलं वीरमनिशं वामलोचना