Pañcatantra · Chapter 3

iti śrī-viṣṇu-śarma-viracite pañcatantre mitra-samprāptir nāma
dvitīyaṃ tantraṃ samāptam
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tṛtīyaṃ tantram
atha kākolūkīyam
prastāvanā kathā
meghavarṇārimardana-vṛttāntaḥ
athedam ārabhyate kākolūkīyaṃ nāma tṛtīyaṃ tantram | yasyāyam ādyaḥ ślokaḥ-
na viśvaset pūrva-virodhitasya
śatroś ca mitratvam upāgatasya |
dagdhāṃ guhāṃ paśya ulūka-pūrṇāṃ
kāka-praṇītena hutāśanena

tad yathānuśruyate-asti dakṣiṇātye janapade mahilāropyaṃ nāma nagaram | tasya samīpastho 'neka-śākhāsanātho 'tighanatara-patra-cchanno nyagrodha-pādapo 'sti | tatra ca megha-varṇo nāma vāyasa-rājo 'neka-kāka-parivāraḥ prativasati sma | sa tatra vihita-durga-racanaḥ saparijanaḥ kālaṃ nayati | tathānyo 'ri-mardano nāmolūka-rājo 'saṅkhyolūka-parivāro giri-guhā-durgāśrayaḥ prativasati sma | sa ca rātrāv abhyetya sadaiva tasya nyagrodhasya samantāt paribhramati | atholūkarājaḥ pūrva-virodha-vaśādyaṃ kañcid vāyasa-samāsādayati | taṃ vyāpādya gacchati | evaṃ nityābhigamanāc chanaiḥ śanais tan nyagrodha-pādapad-durgaṃ tena samantān nirvāyasaṃ kṛtam | athavā bhavaty evam | uktaṃ ca-
ya upekṣeta śatruṃ svaṃ prasarantaṃ yadṛcchayā |
rogaṃ cālasya-saṃyuktaḥ sa śanais tena hanyate

tathā ca-
jāta-mātraṃ na yaḥ śatruṃ vyādhiṃ ca praśamaṃ nayet |
mahābalo 'pi tenaiva vṛddhiṃ prāpya sa hanyate

athānyedyuḥ sa vāyasa-rājaḥ sarvān sacivān āhūya provāca-bhoḥ ! utkaṭas tāvad asmākaṃ śatrur udyama-sampannaś ca kālavic ca nityam eva niśāgame sametyāsmat-pakṣa-kadanaṃ karoti | tat katham asya prativighātavyam ? vayaṃ tāvad rātrau na paśyāmaḥ | na ca divā durgaṃ vijānīmo yena gatvā praharāmaḥ | tad atra kiṃ yujyate sandhi-vigraha-yānāsana-saṃśraya-dvaidhī-bhāvānāṃ madhyāt | atha te procuḥ-yuktam abhihitaṃ devena yad eṣa praśnaḥ kṛtaḥ | uktaṃ ca-
apṛṣṭenāpi vaktavyaṃ sacivenātra kiṃcana |
pṛṣṭena tu viśeṣeṇa vācyaṃ pathyaṃ mahīpateḥ

yo na pṛṣṭo hitaṃ brūte pariṇāme sukhāvaham |
mantro na priya-vaktā ca kevalaṃ sa ripuḥ smṛtam

tasmād ekāntam āsādya kāryo mantro mahīpate |
yena tasya vayaṃ kurmo niyamaṃ kāraṇaṃ tathā

uktaṃ ca-
balīyasi praṇamatāṃ kāle praharatām api |
sampado nāvagacchanti pratīpam iva nimnagāḥ

satyāḍhyo dhārmikaś cāryo bhrātṛ-saṅghātavān balī |
aneka-vijayī caiva sandheyaḥ sa ripur bhavet

sandhiḥ kāryo 'py anāryeṇa vijñāya prāṇa-saṃśayam |
prāṇaiḥ saṃrakṣitaiḥ sarvaṃ yato bhavati rakṣitam

aneka-yuddha-vijayī sandhānaṃ yasya gacchati |
tat-prabhāveṇa tasyāśu vaśaṃ gacchanty arātayaḥ

sandhim icchet samenāpi sandigdho vijayī yudhi |
na hi sāṃśayikaṃ kuryād ity uvāca bṛhaspatiḥ

sandigdho vijayo yuddhe janānām iha yuddhyatām |
upāya-tritayād ūrdhvaṃ tasmād yuddhaṃ samācaret

asandadhāno mānāndhaḥ samenāpi hato bhṛśam |
āmakumbham ivābhittvā nāvatiṣṭheta śaktimān

samaṃ śaktimatā yuddham aśaktasya hi mṛtyave |
vṛṣatkumbhaṃ yathā bhittvā tāvat tiṣṭhati śaktimān

anyac ca-
bhūmir mitraṃ hiraṇyaṃ vā vigrahasya phala-trayam |
nāsty ekam api yady eṣāṃ vigrahaṃ na samācaret

khanann ākhu-bilaṃ siṃhaḥ pāṣāṇa-śakalākulam |
prāpnoti nakha-bhaṅgaṃ hi phalaṃ vā mūṣako bhavet

tasmān na syāt phalaṃ yatra puṣṭaṃ yuddhaṃ tu kevalam |
na hi tat svayam utpādyaṃ kartavyaṃ na kathañcana

balīyasā samākrānto vaitasīṃ vṛttim āśrayet |
vāñchann abhraṃśinīṃ lakṣmīṃ na bhaujaṅgī kadācana

kurvan hi vaitasīṃ vṛttiṃ prāpnoti mahatīṃ śriyam |
bhujaṅga-vṛttim āpanno vadham arhati kevalam

kaurmaṃ saṅkocam āsthāya prahārān api marṣayet |
kāle kāle ca matimān uttiṣṭhet kṛṣṇa-sarpavat

āgataṃ vigrahaṃ vidvān upāyaiḥ praśamaṃ nayet |
vijayasya hy anityatvād rabhasena na sampatet

balinā saha yoddhavyam iti nāsti nidarśanam |
prativātaṃ na hi ghanaḥ kadācid upasarpati

śatruṇā na hi sandadhyāt suśliṣṭenāpi sandhinā |
sutaptam api pānīyaṃ śamayaty eva pāvakam

uktaṃ ca-
satya-dharma-vihīnena na sandadhyāt kathañcana |
sugandhito 'py asādhutvād acirād yāti vikriyām

tasmāt tena yoddhavyam iti me matiḥ | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-
krūro lubdho 'laso 'satyaḥ pramādī bhīrur asthiraḥ |
mūḍho yodhāvamantā ca sukhocchedyo bhaved ripuḥ

aparaṃ tena parābhūtā vayam | tad yadi sandhāna-kīrtanaṃ kariṣyāmas tad bhūyo 'tyantaṃ kopaṃ kariṣyati | uktaṃ ca-
caturthopāya-sādhye tu ripau sāntvam apakriyā |
svedyam āma-jvaraṃ prājñaḥ ko 'mbhasā pariṣiñcati

sāmavādāḥ sakopasya śatroḥ pratyuta dīpikāḥ |
prataptasyeva sahasā sarpiṣas toya-bindavaḥ

pramāṇābhyadhikasyāpi mahat-sattvam adhiṣṭhitaḥ |
padaṃ mūrdhni samādhatte kesarī matta-dantinaḥ

utsāha-śakti-sampanno hanyāc chatruṃ laghur gurum |
yathā kaṇṭhīravo nāgaṃ bhāradvājaḥ pracakṣate

māyayā śatravo vadhyā avadhyāḥ syur balena ye |
yathā strī-rūpam āsthāya hato bhīmena kīcakaḥ

tathā ca-
mṛtyor ivogra-daṇḍasya rājño yānti vaśaṃ dviṣaḥ |
sarvaṃsahaṃ tu manyante tṛṇāya ripavaś ca tam

na jātu śamanaṃ yasya tejas tejasvi-tejasām |
vṛthā jātena kiṃ tena mātur yauvana-hāriṇā

yā lakṣmīr nānuliptāṅgī vair-śoṇita-kuṅkumaiḥ |
kāntāpi manasaḥ prītiṃ na sā dhatte manasvinām

ripu-raktena saṃsiktā tat-strī-netrāmbubhis tathā |
na bhūmir yasya bhūpasya kā ślāghā tasya jīvite

balotkaṭena duṣṭena maryādā-rahitena ca |
na sandhi-vigrahau naiva vinā yānaṃ praśasyate

dvidhākāraṃ bhaved yānaṃ bhavet prāṇārtha-rakṣaṇam |
ekam anyaj jigīṣoś ca yātrālakṣaṇam ucyate

kārttike vātha caitre vā vijigīṣoḥ praśasyate |
yānam utkṛṣṭa-vīryasya śatru-deśe na cānyadā

avaskanda-pradānasya sarve kālāḥ prakīrtitāḥ |
vyasane vartamānasya śatrocchidrānvitasya ca

svasthānaṃ sudṛḍhaṃ kṛtvā śūraiś cātair mahābalaiḥ |
para-deśaṃ tato gacchet praṇidhi-vyāptam agrataḥ

ajñātavī-vadhāsāra-toya-śasyo vrajet tu yaḥ |
para-rāṣṭraṃ na bhūyaḥ sa sva-rāṣṭram adhigacchati

tat te yuktaṃ kartum apasaraṇam | anyac ca-
tan na yuktaṃ prabho kartuṃ dvitīyaṃ yānam eva ca |
na vigraho na sandhānaṃ balinā tena pāpinā

aparaṃ kāraṇāpekṣayāpasaraṇaṃ kriyate budhaiḥ | uktaṃ ca-
yad apasarati meṣaḥ kāraṇaṃ tat prahartuṃ
mṛga-patir api kopāt saṅkucaty utpatiṣṇuḥ |
hṛdaya-nihita-bhāvā gūḍha-mantra-pracārāḥ
kim api vigaṇayanto buddhimantaḥ sahante

anyac ca-
balavantaṃ ripuṃ dṛṣṭvā deśa-tyāgaṃ karoti yaḥ |
yudhiṣṭhira ivāpnoti punar jīvan sa medinīm

yudhyate'haṅkṛtiṃ kṛtvā durbalo yo balīyasā |
sa tasya vāñchitaṃ kuryād ātmanaś ca kula-kṣayam

tad balavatābhiyuktsyāpasaraṇa-samayo 'yaṃ na sandher vigrahasya ca | evam anujīvi-mantro 'pasaraṇasya |
atha tasya vacanam ākarṇya prajīvanam āha-bhadra ! tvam apy ātmano 'bhiprāyaṃ vada |
so 'bravīt-deva ! mama sandhi-vigraha-yānāni trīṇy api na pratibhānti | viśeṣataś cāsanaṃ pratibhāti | uktaṃ ca-
nakraḥ sva-sthānam āsādya gajendram api karṣati |
sa eva pracyutaḥ sthānāc chunāpi paribhūyate

tathā-
abhiyukto balavatā tiṣṭhan durge prayatnavān |
tatrasthaḥ suhṛdāhvānaṃ kurvītātma-vimuktaye

yo ripor āgamaṃ śrutvā bhaya-santrasta-mānasaḥ |
sva-sthānaṃ hi tyajet tatra na tu bhūyo viśec ca saḥ

daṃṣṭrā-virahitaḥ sarpo mada-hīno yathā gajaḥ |
sthāna-hīnas tathā rājā gamyaḥ syāt sarva-jantuṣu

nija-sthāna-sthito 'py ekaḥ śataṃ yoddhuṃ sahen naraḥ |
śaktānām api śatrūṇāṃ tasmāt sthānaṃ na santyajet

tasmād durgaṃ dṛḍhaṃ kṛtvā subhaṭāsāra-saṃyutam |
prākāra-parikhā-yuktaṃ śastrādibhir alaṅkṛtam

tiṣṭhen madhya-gato nityaṃ yuddhāya kṛta-niścayaḥ |
jīvan samprāptsyati rājyaṃ mṛto vā svargam eṣyati

(yugmakam)
anyac ca-
balināpi na bādhyante laghavo 'py eka-saṃśrayāḥ |
vipakṣeṇāpi marutā yathaika-sthāna-vīrudhāḥ

mahān apy ekajo vṛkṣaḥ balavān supratiṣṭhitaḥ |
prasahya iva vātena śakyo dharṣayituṃ yataḥ

atha ye saṃhatā vṛkṣā sarvataḥ supratiṣṭhitāḥ |
te na raudrānilenāpi hanyante hy eka-saṃśrayāt

evaṃ manuṣyam apy ekaṃ śauryeṇāpi samanvitam |
śakyaṃ dviṣanto manyante hiṃsanti ca tataḥ param

evaṃ prajīva-mantraḥ | idam āsana-saṃjñakam |
etat samākarṇya cirañjīvinaṃ prāha-bhadra ! tvam api svābhiprāyaṃ vada |
so 'bravīt-deva ! ṣāḍguṇya-madhye mama saṃśrayaḥ samyak pratibhāti | tat tasyānuṣṭhānaṃ kāryam | uktaṃ ca-
asahāyaḥ samartho 'pi tejasvī kiṃ kariṣyati |
nirvāte jvalito vahniḥ svayam eva praśāmyati

saṅgatiḥ śreyasī puṃsāṃ sva-pakṣe ca viśeṣataḥ |
tuṣair api paribhraṣṭā na prarohanti taṇḍulāḥ

tad atraiva sthitena tvayā kaścit samarthaḥ samāśrayaṇīyaḥ, yo vipat-pratikāraṃ karoti | yadi punas tvaṃ sva-sthānaṃ tyaktvānyatra yāsyasi | tat ko 'pi te vāṅ-mātreṇāpi sahāyatvaṃ na kariṣyati | uktaṃ ca, yataḥ-
vanāni dahato vahneḥ sakhī bhavati mārutaḥ |
sa eva dīpa-nāśāya kṛśe kasyāsti sauhṛdam

athavā naitad ekāntaṃ yad balinam ekaṃ samāśrayet | laghūnām api saṃśrayo rakṣāyai eva bhavati | uktaṃ ca, yataḥ-
saṅghātavān yathā veṇur niviḍair veṇubhir vṛtaḥ |
na śakyeta samucchettuṃ durbalo 'pi yathā nṛpaḥ

yadi punar uttama-saṃśrayo bhavati tat kim ucyate ? uktaṃ ca-
mahājanasya samparkaḥ kasya nonnati-kārakaḥ |
padma-patra-sthitaṃ toyaṃ dhatte muktā-phala-śriyam

tad evaṃ saṃśrayaṃ vinā na kaścit pratīkāro bhavati iti me'bhiprāyaḥ | evaṃ cirañjīvi-mantraḥ |
athaivam abhihite sa meghavarṇo rājā cirantanaṃ pitṛ-sacivaṃ dīrghāyuṣaṃ sakala-nīti-śāstra-pāraṅgataṃ sthirajīvi-nāmānaṃ praṇamya provāca-tāta ! yad ete mayā pṛṣṭāḥ sacivās tāvad atra-sthitasyāpi tava tat-parīkṣārtham, yena tvaṃ sakalaṃ śrutvā yad ucitaṃ tan me samādiśasi | tad yady uktaṃ bhavati tas samādeśyam |
sa āha-vatsa ! sarvair apy etair nīti-śāstrāśrayam uktaṃ sacivaiḥ | tad upayujyate sva-kālocitaṃ sarvam eva | param eṣa dvaidhībhāvasya kālaḥ | uktaṃ ca-
aviśvāsaṃ sadā tiṣṭhet sandhinā vigraheṇa ca |
dvaidhī-bhāvaṃ samāśritya pāpe śatrau balīyasi

tac chatruṃ viśvāsyāviśvastair lobhaṃ darśayadbhiḥ sukhenocchidyate ripuḥ | uktaṃ ca-
ucchedyam api vidvāṃso vardhayanty arim ekadā |
guḍena vardhitaḥ śleṣmā yato niḥśeṣatāṃ vrajet

tathā ca-
strīṇāṃ śatroḥ kumitrasya paṇya-strīṇāṃ viśeṣataḥ |
yo bhaved eka-bhāvo 'tra na sa jīvati mānavaḥ

kṛtyaṃ deva-dvijātīnām ātmanaś ca guros tathā |
eka-bhāvena kartavyaṃ śeṣaṃ dvaidha-samāśritam

eko bhāvaḥ sadā śasto yatīnāṃ bhāvitātmanām |
śrī-lubdhānāṃ na lokānāṃ viśeṣeṇa mahī-bhujām

tad dvaidhībhāvaṃ saṃśritasya tava sva-sthāne vāso bhaviṣyati, lobhāśrayāc ca śatrum uccāṭayiṣyasi aparaṃ-yadi kiñcic chidraṃ tasya paśyasi, tad gatvā vyāpādayiṣyasi |
meghavarṇa āha-tāta mayā so 'vidita saṃśrayaḥ | tat kathaṃ tasya chidraṃ jñāsyāmi ?
sthirajīvy āha-vatsa ! na kevalaṃ sthānaṃ, chidrāṇy api tasya prakaṭīkariṣyāmi praṇadhibhiḥ | uktaṃ ca-
gāvo gandhena paśyanti vedaiḥ paśyanti vai dvijāḥ |
cārai paśyanti rājānaś cakṣurbhyām itare janāḥ

uktaṃ cātra viṣaye-
yas tīrthāni nije pakṣe para-pakṣe viśeṣataḥ |
guptaiś cārair nṛpo vetti na sa durgatim āpnuyāt

meghavarṇa āha-tāta, kāni tīrthāny ucyante ? kati saṅkhyāni ca ? kīdṛśā guptacarāḥ ? tat sarvaṃ nivedyatām iti |
sa āha-atra viṣaye bhagavatā nāradena yudhiṣṭhiraḥ proktaḥ | yac chatru-pakṣe'ṣṭādaśa-tīrthāni, sva-pakṣe pañcadaśa | tribhis tribhir guptacarais tāni jñeyāni | tair jñātaiḥ sva-pakṣaḥ para-pakṣaś ca vaśyo bhavati | uktaṃ ca nāradena yudhiṣṭhiraṃ prati-
kaccid aṣṭadaśāny eṣu sva-pakṣe daśa pañca ca |
tribhis tribhir avijñātair vetsi tīrthāni cārakaiḥ

tīrtha-śabdenāyukta-karmābhidhīyate | tad yadi teṣāṃ kutsitaṃ bhavati tat svāmino 'bhighātāya, yadi pradhānaṃ bhavati tad-vṛddhaye syād iti | tad yathā-mantrī, purohitaḥ, senāpatiḥ, yuvarājaḥ, dauvārikaḥ, antarvāsikaḥ, praśāsakaḥ, samāhartṛ-sannidhātṛ-pradeṣṭṛ-jñāpakāḥ, sādhanādhyakṣaḥ, gajādhyakṣaḥ, kośādhyakṣaḥ, durgapāla-karapāla-sīmāpāla-protkaṭa-bhṛtyāḥ | eṣāṃ bhedena drāg ripuḥ sādhyate | sva-pakṣe ca devī, jananī, kañcukī, mālikaḥ, śayyā-pālakaḥ, spaśādhyakṣaḥ, sāṃvatsarikaḥ, bhiṣag, tāmbūla-vāhakaḥ, ācāryaḥ, aṅga-rakṣakaḥ, sthāna-cintakaḥ, chatradharaḥ, vilāsinī | eṣāṃ vaira-dvāreṇa sva-pakṣe vighātaḥ | tathā ca-
vaidya-sāṃvatsarācāryāḥ sva-pakṣe'dhikṛtāś carāḥ |
tathāhi-tuṇḍikonmattāḥ sarvaṃ jānanti śatruṣu

tathā ca-
kṛtvā kṛtya-vidas tīrtheṣv antaḥ praṇidhayaḥ padam |
vidāṅkurvantu mahatas talaṃ vidviṣad-ambhasaḥ

evaṃ mantri-vākyam ākarṇyātrāntare meghavarṇa āha-tāta ! atha kiṃ nimittam evaṃvidhaṃ prāṇāntikaṃ sadaiva vāyasolūkānāṃ vairam ?
sa āha-vatsa ! kadācid dhaṃsa-śuka-kokila-cātaka-ulūka-mayūra-kapāta-pārāvata-viṣkira-prabhṛtayaḥ sarve'pi pakṣiṇaḥ sametya sodvegaṃ mantrayitum ārabdhāḥ | aho asmākaṃ tāvad vainateyo rājā, sa ca vāsudeva-bhakto na kām api cintām asmākaṃ karoti | tat kiṃ tena vṛthāsvāminā ? yo lubdhaka-pāśair nityaṃ nibadhyamānānāṃ na rakṣāṃ vidhatte | uktaṃ ca-
yo na rakṣati vitrastān pīḍyamānān paraiḥ sadā |
jantūn pārthiva-rūpeṇa sa kṛtānto na saṃśayaḥ

yadi na syān narapatiḥ samyaṅ netāḥ tataḥ prajāḥ |
akarṇadhārā jaladhau viplaveteha naur iva

ṣaḍ imān puruṣo jahyād bhinnāṃ nāvam ivārṇave |
apravaktāram ācāryam anadhīyānam ṛtvijam

arakṣitāraṃ rājānaṃ bhāryāṃ cāpirya-vādinīm |
grāma-kāmaṃ ca gopālaṃ vana-kāmaṃ ca nāpitam

(yugmam)
tat, sañcityānyaḥ kaścid rājā vihaṅgamānāṃ kriyatām iti | atha tair bhadrākāram ulūkam avalokya sarvair abhihitam-yad eṣa ulūko rājāsmākaṃ bhaviṣyati, tad ānīyantāṃ nṛpābhiṣeka-sambandhinaḥ sambhārāḥ iti |
atha sādhite vividha-tīrthodake, praguṇīkṛte'ṣṭottara-śata-mūlikā-saṅghāte pradatte siṃhāsane, vartite saptadvīpa-samudra-bhūdhara-vicitre dharitrī-maṇḍale, prastārite vyāghra-carmaṇi āpūriteṣu hema-kumbheṣu dīpeṣu vādyeṣu ca sajjīkṛteṣu darpaṇādiṣu māṅgalya-vastuṣu, paṭhatsu vandi-mukhyeṣu, vedoccāraṇa-pareṣu samudita-mukheṣu brāhmaṇeṣu, gīta-pare yuvati-jane, ānītāyām agra-mahiṣyāṃ kṛkālikāyām, ulūko 'bhiṣekārthaṃ yāvat siṃhāsane upaviśati tāvat kuto 'pi vāyasaḥ samāyātaḥ so 'cintayat-aho ! kim eṣa sakala-pakṣi-samāgamo mahotsavaś ca ? atha te pakṣiṇas taṃ dṛṣṭvā mithaḥ procuḥ | pakṣiṇāṃ madhye vāyasaś caturaḥ śrūyate | uktaṃ ca-
narāṇāṃ nāpito dhūrtaḥ pakṣiṇāṃ caiva vāyasaḥ |
daṃṣṭriṇāṃ ca śṛgālas tu śvebhikṣus tapasvinām

tad asyāpi vacanaṃ grāhyam | uktaṃ ca-
bahudhā bahubhiḥ sārdhaṃ cintitāḥ sunirūpitāḥ |
kathañcin na vilīyante vidvadbhiś cintitā nayāḥ

atha vāyasaḥ sametya tān āha-aho ! kiṃ mahājana-samāgamo 'yaṃ parama-mahotsavaś ca |
te procuḥ-bhoḥ ! nāsti kaścid vihaṅgamānāṃ rājā, tad asyolūkasya vihaṅga-rājyābhiṣeko nirūpitas tiṣṭhati samasta-pakṣibhiḥ | tattvam api sva-mataṃ dehi | prastāve samāgato 'si |
athāsau kāko vihasyāha-aho ! na yuktam etat | yan mayūra-haṃsa-kokila-cakravāka-śuka-kāraṇḍava-hārīta-sārasādiṣu pakṣi-pradhāneṣu vidyamāneṣu divāndhasyāsya karāla-vaktrasyābhiṣekaḥ kriyate | tatraitan mama matam | yataḥ-
vakra-nāsaṃ sujihmākṣaṃ krūram apriya-darśanam |
akruddhasyedṛśaṃ vaktraṃ bhavet kruddhasya kīdṛśam

svabhāva-raudram atyugraṃ krūram apriya-vādinam |
ulūkaṃ nṛpatiṃ kṛtvā kā naḥ siddhir bhaviṣyati

aparaṃ vainateye svāmini sthite kim eṣa divāndhaḥ kriyate rājā ? tad yadyapi guṇavān bhavati, tathāpy ekasmin svāmini sthite nānyo bhūpaḥ praśasyate |
eka eva hitārthāya tejasvī pārthivo bhuvaḥ |
yugānta iva bhāsvanto bahavo 'tra vipattaye

tat tasya nāmnāpi yūyaṃ pareṣām agamyā bhaviṣyatha | uktaṃ ca-
gurūṇāṃ nāma-mātre'pi gṛhīte svāmi-sambhave |
duṣṭānāṃ purataḥ kṣemaṃ tat-kṣaṇād eva jāyate

tathā ca-
vyapadeśena mahatāṃ siddiḥ sañjāyate parā |
śaśino vyapadeśena vasanti śaśakāḥ sukham

pakṣiṇa ūcuḥ-katham etat ?
sa āha-
kathā 1
caturdanta-nāma-mahā-gaja-kathā
kasmiṃścid vane caturdanto nāma mahā-gajo yūthādhipaḥ prativasati sma | tatra kadācin mahaty anāvṛṣṭiḥ sañjātā prabhūta-varṣāṇi yāvat | tayā taḍāga-hrada-palvala-sarāṃsi śoṣam upagatāni | atha taiḥ samasta-gajaiḥ sa gajarājaḥ proktaḥ-deva ! pipāsākulā gaja-kalabhā mṛta-prāyā apare mṛtāś ca | tad anviṣyatāṃ kaścij jalāśayo yatra jala-pānena svasthatāṃ vrajanti |
tataś ciraṃ dhyātvā tenābhihitam-asti mahā-hrado vivikte pradeśe sthala-madhya-gataḥ pātāla-gaṅgā-jalena sadaiva pūrṇaḥ | tat tatra gamyatāṃ iti |
tathānuṣṭḥite pañcarātram upasarpadbhiḥ samāsāditas taiḥ sa hradaḥ | tatra svecchayā jalam avagāhyās tam anavelāyāṃ niṣkrāntāḥ | tasya ca hradasya samantāc chaśaka-bilāni asaṅkhyāni sukomala-bhūmau tiṣṭhanti | tāny api samastair api tair gajair itas tato bhramadbhiḥ paribhagnāni | bahavaḥ śaśakāḥ bhagna-pāda-śiro-grīvā vihitāḥ | kecin mṛtāḥ kecij jīva-śeṣā jātāḥ |
atha gate tasmin gaja-yūthe śaśakāḥ sodvegā gajapāda-kṣuṇṇa-samāvāsāḥ kecid bhagna-pādāḥ | anye jarjarita-kalevarā rudhira-plutāḥ | anye hata-śiśavo bāṣpa-pihita-locanāḥ sametya mitho mantraṃ cakruḥ-aho vinaṣṭā vayam | nityam evaitad gaja-yūtham āgamiṣyati yato nānyatra jalam asti | tat sarveṣāṃ nāśo bhaviṣyati | uktaṃ ca-
spṛśann api gajo hanti jighrann api bhujaṅgamaḥ |
hasann api nṛpo hanti mānayann api durjanaḥ

tac cintyatāṃ kaścid upāyaḥ | tatraikaḥ provāca-gamyatāṃ deśa-tyāgena | kim anyat ? uktaṃ ca manunā vyāsena ca-
tyajed ekaṃ kulasyārthe grāmasyārthe kulaṃ tyajet |
grāmaṃ janapadasyārthe ātmārthe pṛthivīṃ tyajet

kṣemyāṃ śasya-pradāṃ nityaṃ paśu-vṛddhi-karīm api |
parityajen nṛpo bhūmim ātmārtham avicārayan

āpad-arthe dhanaṃ rakṣed dārān rakṣed dhanair api |
ātmānaṃ satataṃ rakṣed dārair api dhanair api

tataś cānye procuḥ-bhoḥ ! pitṛ-paitāmahaṃ sthānaṃ na śakyate sahasā tyaktum | tat kriyatāṃ teṣāṃ kṛte kācid vibhīṣikā | yat katham api daivān na samāyānti | uktaṃ ca-
nirviṣeṇāpi sarpeṇa kartavyā mahatī phaṭā |
viṣaṃ bhavatu mā vāstu phaṭāṭopo bhayaṅkaraḥ

athānye procuḥ-yady evaṃ tatas teṣāṃ mahad-vibhīṣikā-sthānam asti yena nāgamiṣyanti | sā ca catura-dūtāyattā vibhīṣikā | yato vijayadatto nāmāsmat-svāmī śaśakaś candra-maṇḍale nivasati | tat preṣyatāṃ kaścin mithyā-dūto yūthādhipa-sakāśaṃ yac candras tvām atra hrada āgacchantaṃ niṣedhayati, yato 'smat-parigraho 'sya samantād vasati | evam abhihite śraddheya-vacanāt kadāpi nivartate | athānye procuḥ-yady evaṃ tad asti lambakarṇo nāma śaśakaḥ | sa ca vacana-racanā-caturo dūta-karmajñaḥ | sa tatra preṣyatām iti | uktaṃ ca-
sākāro niḥspṛho vāgmī nānā-śāstra-vicakṣaṇaḥ |
para-cittāvagantā ca rājño dūtaḥ sa iṣyate

anyac ca-
yo mūrkhaṃ laulya-sampannaṃ rāja-dvārikam ācaret |
mithyā-vādaṃ viśeṣeṇa tasya kāryaṃ na sidhyati

tad anviṣyatāṃ yady asmād vyasanād ātmanāṃ sunirmuktiḥ |
athānye procuḥ-aho yuktam etat | nānyaḥ kaścid upāyo 'smākaṃ jīvitasya | tathaiva kriyatām |
atha lambakarṇo gaja-yūthādhipa-samīpe nirūpito gataś ca | tathānuṣṭhite lambakarṇo 'pi gaja-mārgam āsādyāgamyaṃ sthalam āruhya taṃ gajam uvāca-bhoḥ bhoḥ duṣṭa-gaja ! kim evaṃ līlayā niḥśaṅkayātra candra-hrada āgacchasi ? tan nāgantavyaṃ nivartyatām iti |
tad ākarṇya vismita-manā gaja āha-bhoḥ ! kas tvam ?
sa āha-ahaṃ lambakarṇo nāma śaśakaś candra-maṇḍale vasāmi | sāmprataṃ bhagavatā candramasā tava pārśve prahito dūtaḥ | jānāty eva bhavān | yathārtha-vādino dūtasya na doṣaḥ karaṇīyaḥ | dūta-mukhā hi rājānaḥ sarva eva | uktaṃ ca-
udyateṣv api śastreṣu bandhu-varga-vadheṣv api |
puruṣāṇy api jalpanto vadhyā dūtā na bhūbhujā

tac chrutvā sa āha-bhoḥ śaśaka ! tat kathaya bhagavataś candramasaḥ sandeśam | yena satvaraṃ kriyate |
sa āha-bhavatātīta-divase yūthena sahāgacchatā prabhūtāḥ śaśakā nipātitāḥ | tat kiṃ na vetti bhavān | yan mama parigraho 'yam | tad yadi jīvitena te prayojanaṃ tadā kenāpi prayojanenāpy atra hrade nāgantavyam iti sandeśaḥ |
gaja āha-atha kva vartate bhagavān svāmī candraḥ |
sa āha-atra hrade sāmprataṃ śaśakānāṃ bhavad-yūtha-mathitānāṃ hata-śeṣāṇāṃ samāśvāsanāya samāyātas tiṣṭhati | ahaṃ punas tavāntikaṃ preṣitaḥ |
gaja āha-yady evaṃ tad darśaya me taṃ svāminaṃ yena praṇamyānyatra gacchāmi |
śaśaka āha-āgaccha mayā sahaikakī yena darśayāmi |
tathānuṣṭhite śaśako niśā-samaye taṃ hrada-tīre nītvā jala-madhye sthitaṃ candra-bimbam adarśayat | āha ca-bhoḥ eṣa naḥ svāmī jala-madhye samādhisthas tiṣṭhati tan-nibhṛtaṃ praṇamya vrajeti | no cet, samādhi-bhaṅga-bhayād bhūyo 'pi prabhūtaṃ kopaṃ kariṣyati |
atha gajo 'pi trasta-manās taṃ praṇamya punar gamanāya prasthitaḥ | śaśakaś ca tad-dinād ārabhya sa-parivārāḥ sukhena sveṣu sthāneṣu tiṣṭhanti sma |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi vyapadeśena mahatām iti | api ca-
kṣudram alasaṃ kāpuruṣaṃ vyasaninam akṛtajñaṃ jīvita-kāmaḥ |
pṛṣṭha-pralapana-śīlaṃ svāmitve nābhiyojayet

tathā ca-
kṣudram arthapatiṃ prāpya nyāyānveṣaṇa-tat-parau |
ubhāv api kṣayaṃ prāptau purā śaśaka-piñjalau

te procuḥ-katham etat ?
sa āha-
kathā 2
śaśa-kapiñjala-kathā
kasmiṃścid vṛkṣe purāham avasam | tatrādhastāt koṭare kapiñjalo nāma caṭakaḥ prativasati sma | atha sadaivāstam anavelāyām āgatayor dvayor aneka-subhāṣita-goṣṭhyā devarṣi-brahmarṣi-rājarṣi-purāṇa-carita-kīrtanena ca paryaṭana-dṛṣṭāneka-kautūhala-prakathanena ca parama-sukham anubhavatoḥ kālo vrajati | atha kadācit kapiñjalaḥ prāṇa-yātrārtham anyaiś caṭakaiḥ sahānyaṃ pakva-śāli-prāñaṃ deśaṃ gataḥ | tato yāvan niśā-samaye'pi nāyātas tāvad ahaṃ sodvega-manās tad-viprayoga-duḥkhitaś cintitavān-aho kim adya kapiñjalo nāyātaḥ | kiṃ kenāpi pāśena baddhaḥ ? āho svit kenāpi vyāpāditaḥ ? sarvathā yadi kuśalo bhavati, yan māṃ vinā na tiṣṭhati |
evaṃ me cintayato bahūny anyāni vyatikrāntāni | tataś ca tatra koṭare kadācic chīghrago nāma śaśako 'stam anavelāyām āgatya praviṣṭaḥ | mayāpi kapiñjala-nirāśatvena na nivāritaḥ | athānyasminn ahani kapiñjalaḥ śāli-bhakṣaṇād atīva pīvara-tanuḥ svāśrayaṃ smṛtvā bhūyo 'py atraiva samāyātaḥ | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
na tādṛg jāyate saukhyam api svarge śarīriṇām |
dāridrye'pi hi yādṛk syāt sva-deśe sva-pure gṛhe

athāsau koṭarāntargataṃ śaśakaṃ dṛṣṭvā sākṣepam āha-bhoḥ śaśaka ! na tvayā sundaraṃ kṛtaṃ, yan mamāvasatha-sthāne praviṣṭo 'si | tac chīghraṃ niṣkramyatām |
śaśaka āha-na tavedaṃ gṛham, kintu mamaiva | tat kiṃ mithyā paruṣāṇi jalpasi ? uktaṃ ca-
vāpī-kūpa-taḍāgānāṃ devālaya-kujanmanām |
utsargāt parataḥ svāmyam api kartuṃ na śakyate

tathā ca-
pratyakṣaṃ yasya yad bhuktaṃ kṣetrādyaṃ daśa vatsarān |
tatra bhuktiḥ pramāṇaṃ syād na sākṣī nākṣarāṇi vā

mānuṣāṇām ayaṃ nyāyo munibhiḥ parikīrtitaḥ |
tiraścāṃ ca vihaṅgānāṃ yāvad eva samāśrayaḥ

tan mamaitad gṛham, na taveti |
kapiñjala āha-bhoḥ ! yadi smṛtiṃ pramāṇīkaroṣi, tad āgaccha mayā saha yena smṛti-pāṭhakaṃ pṛṣṭvā sa yasya dadāti sa gṛhṇātu |
tathānuṣṭhite mayāpi cintitaṃ-kim atra bhaviṣyati ? mayā draṣṭavyo 'yaṃ nyāyaḥ | tataḥ kautukād aham api tāv anuprasthitaḥ | atrāntare tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭro nāmāraṇya-mārjāras tayor vivādaṃ śrutvā mārgāsannaṃ nadī-taṭam āsādya kṛta-kuśopagraho nimīlita-nayana ūrdhva-bāhur ardha-pāda-spṛṣṭa-bhūmiḥ śrī-sūryābhimukha imāṃ dharmopadeśanām akarot-aho ! asāro 'yaṃ saṃsāraḥ | kṣaṇa-bhaṅgurāḥ prāṇāḥ | svapna-sadṛśaḥ priya-samāgamaḥ | indra-jālavat kuṭumba-parigraho 'yam | tad dharmaṃ muktvā nānyā gatir asti | uktaṃ ca-
anityāni śarīrāṇi vibhavo naiva śāśvataḥ |
nityaṃ saṃnihito mṛtyuḥ kartavyo dharma-saṃgrahaḥ

yasya dharma-vihīnāni dināny āyānti yānti ca |
sa lohakāra-bhastreva śvasann api na jīvati

nācchādayati kaupīnaṃ na daṃśa-maśakāpaham |
śunaḥ-puccham iva vyarthaṃ pāṇḍityaṃ dharma-varjitam

anyac ca-
pulākā iva dhānyeṣu pūtikā iv pakṣiṣu |
maśakā iva martyeṣu yeṣāṃ dharmo na kāraṇam

śreyaḥ puṣpa-phalaṃ vṛkṣād dadhnaḥ śreyo ghṛtaṃ smṛtam |
śreyas tailaṃ ca puṇyākāc chreyān dharmas tu mānuṣāt

sṛṣṭā mūtra-purīṣārtham āhārāya ca kevalam |
dharma-hīnāḥ parārthāya puruṣāḥ paśavo yathā

sthairyaṃ sarveṣu kṛtyeṣu śaṃsanti naya-paṇḍitāḥ |
bahv-antarāya-yuktasya dharmasya tvaritā gatiḥ

saṅkṣepāt kathyate dharmo janāḥ kiṃ vistareṇa vaḥ |
paropakāraḥ puṇyāya pāpāya para-pīḍanam

śrūyatāṃ dharma-sarvasvaṃ śrutvā caivāvadhāryatām |
ātmanaḥ pratikūlāni pareṣāṃ na samācaret

atha tasya tāṃ dharmopadeśanāṃ śrutvā śaśaka āha-bhoḥ bhoḥ kapiñjala ! eṣa nadī-tīre tapasvī dharma-vādī tiṣṭhati | tad enaṃ pṛcchāvaḥ |
kapiñjala āha-nanu svabhāvato 'yam asmākaṃ śatru-bhūtaḥ | tad dūre sthitvā pṛcchāvaḥ | kadācid asya vrata-vaikalyaṃ sampadyeta | tato dūrastho tāv ūcatuḥ-bhos tapasvin ! dharmopadeśaka ! āvayor vivādo vartate | tad dharma-śāstra-dvāreṇāsmākaṃ nirṇayaṃ kuru | yo hīnavādī sa te bhakṣya iti |
sa āha-bhadrau ! mā maivaṃ vadatam | nivṛtto 'haṃ naraka-mārgād dhiṃsā-karmaṇaḥ | ahiṃsaiva dharma-mārgaḥ | uktaṃ ca-
ahiṃsā-pūrvako dharmo yasmāt sarva-hite rataḥ |
yūkā-mat-kuṇa-daṃśādīṃs tasmāt tān api rakṣayet

hiṃsakāny api bhūtāni yo hiṃsati sa nirghṛṇaḥ |
sa yāti narakaṃ ghoraṃ kiṃ punar yaḥ śubhāni ca

ete'pi ye yājñikā yajña-karmaṇi paśūn vyāpādayanti, te mūrkhāḥ | paramārthaṃ śruter na jānanti | tatra kilaitad uktam-ajayaiṣṭavyam | ajā vrīhayas tāvat sapta-vārṣikāḥ kathyante na punaḥ paśu-viśeṣaḥ | uktaṃ ca-
vṛkṣāṃś chittvā paśūn hatvā kṛtvā rudhira-kardamam |
yady evaṃ gamyate svargaṃ narakaṃ kena gamyate

tan nāhaṃ bhakṣayāmi | paraṃ jaya-parājaya-nirṇayaṃ kariṣyāmi | kintv ahaṃ vṛddho dūrān na yathāvac chṛṇomi | evaṃ jñātvā mama samīpa-vartino bhūtvā mamāgre nyāyaṃ vadataṃ, yena vijñāya, vivāda-paramārthaṃ vaco vadato me para-loka-bādhā na bhavati | uktaṃ ca-
mānād vā yadi vā lobhāt krodhād vā yadi vā bhayāt |
yo nyāyam anyathā brūte sa yāti narakaṃ naraḥ

pañca paśv-anṛte hanti daśa hanti gavānṛte |
śataṃ kanyānṛte hanti sahasraṃ puruṣānṛte

upaviṣṭaḥ sabhā-madhye yo na vakti sphuṭaṃ vacaḥ |
tasmād dūreṇa sa tyājyo na yo vā kīrtayed ṛtam

tasmād viśrabdhau mama karṇopāntike sphuṭaṃ nivedayatam | kiṃ bahunā, tena kṣudreṇa tathā tau pūrṇaṃ viśvāsitau yathā tasyotsaṅga-vartinau jātau | tataś ca tenāpi sama-kālam evaikaḥ pādāntenākrānto 'nyo daṃṣṭrākrakacena ca tato gata-prāṇau bhakṣitāv iti | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-kṣudram artha-patiṃ prāpya (91) iti |
bhavanto 'py enaṃ divāndhaṃ kṣudram artha-patim āsādya rātry-andhāḥ santaḥ śaśaka-piñjala-mārgeṇa yāsyanti | evaṃ jñātvā yad ucitaṃ tad vidheyam | atha tasya tad-vacanam ākarṇya sādhv anenābhihitam ity uktā, bhūyo 'pi pārthivāthaṃ sametya mantrayiṣyāmahe iti bruvāṇāḥ sarve pakṣiṇo yathābhimataṃ jagmuḥ | kevalam avaśiṣṭo bhadrāsanopaviṣṭo 'bhiṣekābhimukho divāndhaḥ kṛkālikayā sahāste | āha ca-kaḥ ko 'tra bhoḥ ! kim adyāpi na kriyate mamābhiṣekaḥ ?
iti śrutvā kṛkālikayābhihitam-bhadra ! kuto 'yaṃ vighnas te kākena ? gatāś ca sarve'pi vihagā yathepsitāsu dikṣu kevalam eko 'yaṃ vāyaso 'vaśiṣṭas tiṣṭhati kenāpi kāraṇena | tat tvaritam uttiṣṭha, yena tvāṃ svāśrayaṃ prāpayāmi |
tac chrutvā sa-viṣādam ulūko vāyasam āha-bho bho duṣṭātman ! kiṃ mayā te'pakṛtaṃ yad rājyābhiṣeko me vighnitaḥ ? tad adya-prabhṛti sānvayam āvayor vairaṃ sañjātam | uktaṃ ca-
rohate sāyakair viddhaṃ chinnaṃ rohati cāsinā |
vaco duruktaṃ bībhatsaṃ na prarohati vāk-kṣatam

ity evam abhidhāya kṛkālikayā saha svāśramaṃ gataḥ | atha bhaya-vyākulo vāyaso vyacintayat-aho ! akāraṇaṃ vairam āsāditaṃ mayā | kim idaṃ vyāhṛtam ? uktaṃ ca-
adeśa-kālajñam anāyati-kṣamaṃ
yad apriyaṃ lāghava-kāri cātmanaḥ |
yo 'trābravīt kāraṇa-varjitaṃ vaco
na tad vacaḥ syād viṣam eva tad bhavet

balopapanno 'pi hi buddhimān naraḥ
pare nayen na svayam eva vairitām |
bhiṣaṅ mamāstīti vicintya bhakṣayed
akāraṇāt ko hi vicakṣaṇo viṣam

parivādaḥ pariṣadi na kathañcit paṇḍitena vaktavyaḥ |
satyam api tan na vācyaṃ yad uktam asukhāvahaṃ bhavati

suhṛdbhir āptair asakṛd-vicāritaṃ
svayaṃ hi buddhyā pravicāritāśrayam |
karoti kāryaṃ khalu yaḥ sa buddhimān
sa eva lakṣmyā yaśasāṃ ca bhājanam

evaṃ vicintya kāko 'pi prayātaḥ | tadā-prabhṛty asmābhiḥ saha kauśikānām anvayā-gataṃ vairam asti |
meghavarṇa āha-tāta ! evaṃ gate'smābhiḥ kiṃ kriyate ?
sa āha-vatsa ! evaṃ gate'pi ṣāḍguṇyād aparaḥ sthūlo 'bhiprāyo 'sti | tam aṅgīkṛtya svayam evāhaṃ tad-vijayāya yāsyāmi | ripūn vañcayitvā vadhiṣyāmi | uktaṃ ca-
bahu-buddhi-samāyuktāḥ suvijñānā balotkaṭān |
śaktā vañcayituṃ dhūrtā brāhmaṇaṃ chāgalad iva

meghavarṇa āha-katham etat ?
so 'bravīt-
kathā 3
mitra-śarma-brāhmaṇa-kathā
kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne mitraśarmā nāma brāhmaṇaḥ kṛtāgnihotra-parigrahaḥ prativasati sma | tena kadācin māgha-māse saumyānile pravāti, meghācchādite gagane mandaṃ mandaṃ pravarṣati parjanye, paśu-prārthanārthaṃ kiñcid grāmāntaraṃ gatvā, kaścid yajamāno yācitaḥ-bho yajamāna ! āgāminyām amāvāsyāyām ahaṃ yakṣyāmi yajñam | tad dehi me paśum ekam |
atha tena yasya śāstroktaḥ pīvara-tanuḥ paśuḥ pradattaḥ | so 'pi taṃ samartham itaś cetaś ca gacchantaṃ vijñāya skandhe kṛtvā satvaraṃ sva-purābhimukhaḥ pratasthe |
atha tasya gacchato mārge trayo dhūrtāḥ kṣut-kṣāma-kaṇṭhāḥ saṃmukhā babhūvuḥ | taiś ca tādṛśaṃ pīvara-tanuṃ skandha ārūḍham ālokya, mitho 'bhihitaṃ-aho ! asya paśor bhakṣaṇād adyatanīyo hima-pāto vyarthatāṃ nīyate | tad enaṃ vañcayitvā paśum ādāya śīta-trāṇaṃ kurmaḥ |
atha teṣām ekatamo veśa-parivartanaṃ vidhāya saṃmukho bhūtvāpamārgeṇa tam āhitāgnim ūce-bho bhoḥ ! bālāgnihotrin ! kim evaṃ jana-viruddhaṃ hāsya-kāryam anuṣṭhīyate ? yad eṣa sārameyo 'pavitraḥ skandhādhirūḍho nīyate | uktaṃ ca yataḥ |
śvāna-kukkuṭa-cāṇḍālāḥ sama-sparśāḥ prakīrtitāḥ |
rāsabhoṣṭrau viśeṣeṇa tasmāt tān naiva saṃspṛśet

tataś ca tena kopābhibhūtenābhihitam-aho ! kim andho bhavān ? yat paśuṃ sārameyatvena pratipādayasi ?
so 'bravīt-brahman ! kopas tvayā na kāryaḥ | yathecchaṃ gamyatām |
atha yāvat kiñcid adhvano 'ntaraṃ gacchati, tāvad dvitīyo dhūrtaḥ sammukham abhyupetya tam uvāca-bhoḥ brahman ! kaṣṭaṃ kaṣṭam ! yadyapi vallabho 'yaṃ te mṛta-vatsas tathāpi skandham āropayitum ayuktam | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-
tiryañcaṃ mānuṣaṃ vāpi yo mṛtaṃ saṃspṛśet kudhīḥ |
pañca-gavyena śuddhiḥ syāt tasya cāndrāyaṇena vā

athāsau sa-kopam idam āha-bhoḥ ! kim andho bhavān ? yat paśuṃ mṛta-vatsaṃ vadati |
so 'bravīt-bhagavan ! mā kopaṃ kuru | ajñānān mayābhihitam | tat tvam ātma-ruciṃ samācara iti |
atha yāvat stokaṃ vanāntaraṃ gacchati tāvat tṛtīyo 'nya-veśa-dhārī dhūrtaḥ sammukhaḥ samupetya tam uvāca-bhoḥ ! ayuktam etat, yad rāsabhaṃ skandhādhirūḍhaṃ nayasi | tat tyajyatām eṣaḥ | uktaṃ ca-
yaḥ spṛśed rāsabhaṃ martyo jñānād ajñānato 'pi vā |
sa-cailaṃ snānam uddiṣṭaṃ tasya pāpa-praśāntaye

tat tyajainaṃ yāvad anyaḥ kaścin na paśyati |
athāsau taṃ paśuṃ rāsabhaṃ manyamāno bhayād bhūmau prakṣipya sva-gṛham uddiśya palāyituṃ prārabdhaḥ | tatas te'pi trayo militvā paśum ādāya yathecchaṃ bhakṣitum ārabdhāḥ |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-bahu-buddhi-samāyuktāḥ (116) iti | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
abhinava-sevaka-vinayaiḥ prāghuṇakoktair vilāsinīr uditaiḥ |
dhūrta-jana-vacana-nikarair iha kaścid avañcito nāsti

kiṃ ca-durbalair api bahubhiḥ saha virodho na yuktaḥ | uktaṃ ca-
bahavo na viroddhavyā durjayā hi mahājanāḥ |
sphurantam api nāgendraṃ bhakṣayanti pipīlikāḥ

meghavarṇa āha-katham etat ?
sthirajīvī kathayati-
kathā 4
atidarpa-nāma-sarpa-kathā
asti kasmiṃścid valmīke mahā-kāyaḥ kṛṣṇa-sarpo 'tidarpo nāma | sa kadācid vilānusāri-mārgam utsṛjyānyena laghu-dvāreṇa niṣkramitum ārabdhaḥ | niṣkrāmataś ca tasya mahā-kāyatvād daiva-vaśatayā laghu-vivaratvāc ca śarīre vraṇaḥ samutpannaḥ | atha vraṇa-śoṇita-gandhānusāriṇībhiḥ pipīlikābhiḥ sarvato vyāpto vyākulīkṛtaś ca | kati vyāpādayati kati vā tāḍayati ? atha prabhūtatvād vistārita-bahu-vraṇaḥ kṣata-sarvāṅgo 'tidarpaḥ pañcatvam upāgataḥ |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-bahavo na viroddhavyā (121) iti | tad atrāsti me kiñcid vaktavyam eva | tad avadhārya yathoktam anuṣṭhīyatām |
meghavarṇa āha-tat samādeśaya | tavādeśo nānyathā kartavyaḥ |
sthirajīvī prāha-vatsa ! samākarṇaya tarhi | sāmādīn atikramya yo mayā pañcama upāyo nirūpitaḥ | tan māṃ vipakṣa-bhūtaṃ kṛtvāni niṣṭhura-vacanair nirbhartsya | yathā vipakṣa-praṇidhīnāṃ pratyayo bhavati, tathā samāhṛta-rudhirair ālipyāsyaiva nyagrodhasyādhastāt prakṣipya māṃ gamyatāṃ parvatam ṛṣyamūkaṃ prati | tatra sa-parivāras tiṣṭha, yāvad ahaṃ samastān sapatnān supraṇītena vidhinā viśvāsyābhimukhān kṛtvā kṛtārtho jñāta-durga-madhyo divase tān andhatāṃ prāptāṃs tvāṃ nītvā vyāpādayāmi | jñātaṃ mayā samyak nānyathāsmākaṃ siddhir asti | yato durgam etad apasāra-rahitaṃ kevalaṃ vadhāya bhaviṣyati | uktaṃ ca-
apasāra-samāyuktaṃ na yajñair durgam ucyate |
apasāra-parityaktaṃ durga-vyājena bandhanam

na ca tvayā mad-arthaṃ kṛpā kāryā | uktaṃ ca-
api prāṇa-samān iṣṭān pālitān lālitān api |
bhṛtyān yuddhe samutpanne paśyec chuṣkam ivendhanam

tathā ca-
prāṇavad rakṣayed bhṛtyān svakāyam iva poṣayet |
sadaika-divasasyārthe yatra syād ripu-saṅgamaḥ

tat tvayāhaṃ nātra viṣaye pratiṣedhanīyaḥ | ity uktvā tena saha śuṣka-kalahaṃ kartum ārabdhaḥ | athānye tasya bhṛtyāḥ sthirajīvinam ucchṛṅkhala-vacanair jalpantam avalokya tasya vadhāyodyatā meghavarṇenābhihitāḥ-aho ! nivartadhvaṃ yūyam | aham evāsya śatru-pakṣapātino durātmanaḥ svayaṃ nigrahaṃ kariṣyāṃi | ity abhidhāya tasyopari samāruhya, laghubhiś cañcu-prahārais taṃ nihatyāhṛta-rudhireṇa plāvayitvā tad-upadiṣṭam ṛṣyamūka-parvataṃ sa-parivāro gataḥ |
etasminn antare kṛkālikayā dviṣat-praṇidhī-bhūtayā tat sarvaṃ tad-amātya-vyasanaṃ kvacit pracalitaḥ sa-parivāra iti |
atholūkādhipas tad ākarṇyāstam anavelāyāṃ sāmātyaḥ sa-parijano vāyasa-vadhārthaṃ pracalitaḥ | prāha ca-tvaryatāṃ tvaryatāṃ bhītaḥ śatruḥ palāyana-paraḥ puṇyair labhyate | uktaṃ ca-
śatroḥ pracalane chidram ekam anyaṃ ca saṃśrayam |
kurvāṇo jāyate vaśyo vyagratve rāja-sevinām

evaṃ bruvāṇaḥ samantān nyagrodha-pādapam adhaḥ pariveṣṭya vyavasthitaḥ | yāvan na kaścid vāyaso dṛśyate, tāvac chākhāgram adhirūḍho hṛṣṭa-manā vandibhir abhiṣṭūyamāno 'rimardanas tān parijanān provāca-aho ! jñāyatāṃ teṣāṃ mārgaḥ | katamena mārgeṇa pranaṣṭāḥ kākāḥ ? tad yāvan na durgaṃ samāśrayanti, tāvad eva pṛṣṭhato gatvā vyāpādyā bhavanti | uktaṃ ca-
vṛttim apy āśritaḥ śatrur avadhyaḥ syāj jigīṣuṇā |
kiṃ punaḥ saṃśrito durgaṃ sāmagryā parayā yutam

athaitasmin prastāve sthirajīvī cintayāmāsa-yad ete'smac chatravo 'nulabdhāsmad-vṛttāntā yathāgatam eva yānti tato mayā na kiñcit kṛtaṃ bhavati | uktaṃ ca-
anārambho hi kāryāṇāṃ prathamaṃ buddhi-lakṣaṇam |
ārabdhasyānta-gamanaṃ dvitīyaṃ buddhi-lakṣaṇam

tad varam anārambho na cārambha-vighātaḥ | tad aham etān śabdaṃ saṃśrāvya ātmānaṃ darśayāmi iti vicārya mandaṃ mandaṃ śabdam akarot | tac chrutvā te sakalā apy ulūkās tad-vadhāya prajagmuḥ | atha tenoktaṃ-aho ! ahaṃ sthirajīvī nāma meghavarṇasya mantrī | meghavarṇenaivedṛśīm avasthāṃ nītaḥ | tan nivedayatātma-svāmine | tena saha bahu vaktavyam asti |
atha tair niveditaḥ sa ulūka-rājo vismayāviṣṭas tat-kṣaṇāt tasya sakāśaṃ gatvā provāca-bhoḥ bhoḥ ! kim etāṃ daśāṃ gatas tvam, tat kathyatām |
sthirajīvī prāha-deva ! śrūyatāṃ tad-avasthā-kāraṇam | atīta-dine sa durātmā meghavarṇo yuṣmad-vyāpādita-prabhūta-vāyasānāṃ pīḍayā yuṣmākam upari kopa-śoka-grasto yuddhārthaṃ pracalita āsīt | tato mayābhihitaṃ-svāmin ! na yuktaṃ bhavatas tad-upari gantum | balavanta ete, bala-hīnāś ca vayam | uktaṃ ca-
balīyasā hīna-balo virodhaṃ
na bhūti-kāmo manasāpi vāñchet |
na vadhyate vetasa-vṛttir atra
vyaktaṃ praṇāśo 'sti pataṅga-vṛtteḥ

tat tasyoāyana-pradānena sandhir eva yuktaḥ | uktaṃ ca-
balavantaṃ ripuṃ dṛṣṭvā sarvasvam api buddhimān |
dattvā hi rakṣayet prāṇān rakṣitais tair dhanaṃ punaḥ

tac chrutvā durjana-kopitena tvat-pakṣa-pātinaṃ mām āśaṅkamānenemāṃ daśāṃ nītaḥ | tat tava pādau sāmprataṃ me śaraṇaṃ | kiṃ bahunā vijñaptena ? yāvad ahaṃ pracalituṃ śaknomi tāvat tvāṃ tasyāvāsaṃ nītvā sarva-vāyasa-kṣayaṃ vidhāsyāmi iti |
athārimardanas tad ākarṇya pitṛ-pitāmaha-kramāgata-mantribhiḥ sārdhaṃ mantrayāṃcakre | tasya ca pañca mantriṇaḥ | tad yathā-raktākṣaḥ, krūrākṣaḥ, dīptākṣaḥ, vakranāsaḥ, prākārakarṇaś ceti | tatrādau raktākṣam apṛcchat-bhadra ! eṣa tāvat tasya ripor mantrī mama hasta-gataḥ | tat kiṃ kriyatām ? iti |
raktākṣa āha-deva ! kim atra cintyate ? avicāritam ayaṃ hantavyaḥ, yataḥ-
hīnaḥ śatrur nihantavyo yāvan na balavān bhavet |
prāpta-sva-pauruṣa-balaḥ paścād bhavati durjayaḥ

kiṃ ca svayam upāgatā śrīs tyajyamānā śapatīti loke pravādaḥ | uktaṃ ca-
kālo hi sakṛd abhyeti yan naraṃ kāla-kāṅkṣiṇam |
durlabhaḥ sa punas tena kāla-karmācikīrṣatā

śrūyate ca yathā-
kaścit kṣudra-samācāraḥ prāṇināṃ kāla-sannibhaḥ |
vicacāra mahāraṇye ghoraḥ śuni-lubdhakaḥ

arimardanaḥ prāha-katham etat ?
raktākṣaḥ kathayati-
kathā 5
brāhmaṇa-sarpa-kathā
asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne haridatto nāma brāhmaṇaḥ | tasya ca kṛṣiṃ kurvataḥ sadaiva niṣphalaḥ kālo 'tivartate | athaikasmin divase sa brāhmaṇa uṣṇa-kālāvasāne gharmārtaḥ sva-kṣetra-madhye vṛkṣa-cchāyāyāṃ prasupto 'natidūre valmīkopari prasāritaṃ bṛhat-phaṭā-yuktaṃ bhīṣaṇaṃ bhujaṅgaṃ dṛṣṭvā cintayāmāsa-nūnam eṣā kṣetra-devatā mayā kadācid api na pūjitā | tenedaṃ me kṛṣi-karma viphalībhavati | tad asyā ahaṃ pūjām adya kariṣyāmi | ity avadhārya kuto 'pi kṣīraṃ yācitvā śarāve nikṣipya valmīkāntikam upagatyovāca-bhoḥ kṣetra-pāla ! mayaitvāvantaṃ kālaṃ na jñātaṃ yat tvam atra vasasi | tena pūjā na kṛtā | tat sāmprataṃ kṣamasveti |
evam uktvā dugdhaṃ ca nivedya gṛhābhimukhaṃ prāyāt | atha prātar yāvad āgatya paśyati, tāvad dīnāram ekaṃ śarāve dṛṣṭavān | evaṃ ca pratidinam ekākī samāgatya tasmai kṣīraṃ dadāti, ekaikaṃ ca dīnāraṃ gṛhṇāti | athaikasmin divase kṣīra-nayanāya putraṃ nirūpya brāhmaṇo grāmāntaraṃ jagāma | putro 'pi kṣīraṃ tatra nītvā saṃsthāpya ca punar gṛhaṃ samāyātaḥ | dināntare tatra gatvā dīnārakaṃ dṛṣṭvā gṛhītvā ca cintitavān-nūnaṃ sauvarṇa-dīnāra-pūrṇo valmīkaḥ | tad enaṃ hatvā sarvam eka-vāraṃ grahīṣyāmi ity evaṃ sampradhāryānyedyuḥ kṣīraṃ dadatā brāhmaṇa-putreṇa sarpo laguḍena tāḍitaḥ | tataḥ katham api daiva-vaśād amukta-jīvit eva roṣāt tam eva tīvra-viṣada-śanais tathādaśat, yathā
sadyaḥ pañcatvam upāgataḥ | svajanaiś ca nātidūre kṣetrasya kāṣṭha-sañcayaiḥ saṃskṛtaḥ |
atha dvitīya-dine tasya pitā samāyātaḥ | svajanebhyaḥ suta-vināśa-kāraṇaṃ śrutvā tathaiva samarthitavān | abravīc ca-
bhūtān yo nānugṛhṇāti hy ātmanaḥ śaraṇāgatān |
bhūtārthās tasya naśyanti haṃsāḥ padma-vane yathā

puruṣair uktaṃ-katham etat ?
brāhmaṇaḥ kathayati-
kathā 6
haima-haṃsa-kathā
asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne citraratho nāma rājā | tasya yodhaiḥ surakṣyamāṇaṃ padmasaro nāma saras tiṣṭhati tatra ca prabhūtā jāmbūnada-mayā haṃsās tiṣṭhanti | ṣaṇmāse ṣaṇmāse piccham ekaikaṃ parityajanti | atha tatra sarasi sauvarṇo bṛhat-pakṣī samāyātaḥ | taiś coktaḥ-asmākaṃ madhye tvayā na vastavyam | yena kāraṇenāsmābhiḥ ṣaṇmāsānte picchaikaika-dānaṃ kṛtvā gṛhītam etat saraḥ | evaṃ ca kiṃ bahunā, parasparaṃ dvaidham utpannam | sa ca rājñaḥ śaraṇaṃ gato 'bravīt-deva ! ete pakṣiṇa evaṃ vadanti, yad asmākaṃ rājā kiṃ kariṣyati ? na kasyāpy āvāsaṃ dadmaḥ |
mayā coktaṃ-na śobhanaṃ yuṣmābhir abhihitam | ahaṃ gatvā rājñe nivedayiṣyāmi | evaṃ sthite devaḥ pramāṇam |
tato rājā bhṛtyān abravīt-bho bhoḥ gacchata | sarvān pakṣiṇo gatāsūn kṛtvā śīghram ānayata | rājādeśānantaram eva pracelus te |
atha laguḍa-hastān rāja-puruṣān dṛṣṭvā tatraikena pakṣiṇā vṛddhenoktam-bhoḥ svajanāḥ ! na śobhanam āpatitam | tataḥ sarvair eka-matī-bhūyotpatitavyam | taiś ca tathānuṣṭhitam |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-bhūtān yo nānugṛhṇāti (133) iti |
ity uktvā punar api brāhmaṇaḥ pratyūṣe kṣīraṃ gṛhītvā tatra gatvā tāra-svareṇa sarpam astaut | tadā sarpaś ciraṃ valmīka-dvārāntar-līna eva brāhmaṇaṃ pratyuvāca-tvaṃ lobhād atrāgataḥ putra-śokam api vihāya | ataḥ paraṃ tava mama ca prītir nocitā | tava putreṇa yauvanonmādenāhaṃ tāḍito mayā sa dṛṣṭaḥ | kathaṃ mayā laguḍa-prahāro vismartavyaḥ | tvayā ca putra-śoka-duḥkhaṃ kathaṃ vismartavyam iti punar uktvā vivarāntar-gataḥ | brāhmaṇaś ca maṇiṃ gṛhītvā putra-buddhiṃ nindan sva-gṛham āgataḥ | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-citikāṃ dīpitāṃ paśya iti | tad asmin hate'yatnād eva rājyam akaṇṭakaṃ bhavato bhavati |
tasyaitad-vacanaṃ śrutvā krūrākṣaṃ papraccha-bhadra ! tvaṃ tu kiṃ manyase ?
so 'bravīt-deva ! nirdayam etad yad anenābhihitam | yat kāraṇaṃ śaraṇāgato na vadhyate suṣṭhu | khalv idam ākhyānam-
śrūyate hi kapotena śatruḥ śaraṇam āgataḥ |
pūjitaś ca yathā-nyāyaṃ svaiś ca māṃsair nimantritaḥ

arimardano 'bravīt-katham etat ?
krūrākṣaḥ kathayati-
kathā 7
kapota-lubdhaka-kathā
kaścid kṣudra-samācāraḥ prāṇināṃ kāla-sannibhaḥ |
vicacāra mahāraṇye ghoraḥ śakuni-lubdhakaḥ

naiva kaścit suhṛt tasya na sambandhī na bāndhavaḥ |
sa taiḥ sarvaiḥ parityaktas tena raudreṇa karmaṇā

athavā-
ye nṛśaṃsā durātmanaḥ prāṇināṃ prāṇa-nāśakāḥ |
udvejanīyā bhūtānāṃ vyālā iva bhavanti te

sa pañjarakam ādāya pāśaṃ ca laguḍaṃ tathā |
nityam eva vanaṃ yāti sarva-prāṇi-vihiṃsakaḥ

anyedyur bhramatas tasya vane kāpi kapotikā |
jātā hasta-gatā tāṃ sa prākṣipat pañjcarāntare

atha kṛṣṇā diśaḥ sarvā vanasthasyābhavan ghanaiḥ
vāta-vṛṣṭiś ca mahato kṣaya-kāla ivābhavat

tataḥ sa trasta-hṛdayaḥ kampamāno muhur muhuḥ |
anveṣayan paritrāṇam āsasāda vanaspatim

muhūrtaṃ paśyate yāvad viyad vimala-tārakam |
prāpya vṛkṣaṃ vadaty evaṃ yo 'tra tiṣṭhati kaścana

tasyāhaṃ śaraṇaṃ prāptaḥ sa paritrātu mām iti |
śītena bhidyamānaṃ ca kṣudhayā gata-cetanam

atha tasya taroḥ skandhe kapotaḥ suciroṣitaḥ |
bhāryā-virahitas tiṣṭhan vilalāpa suduḥkhitaḥ

vāta-varṣo mahān āsīn na cāgacchati me priyā |
tayā virahitaṃ hy etac chūnyam adya gṛhaṃ mama

pativratā pati-prāṇā patyuḥ priya-hite ratā |
yasya syād īdṛśī bhāryā dhanyaḥ sa puruṣo bhuvi

na gṛhaṃ gṛham ity āhur gṛhiṇī gṛham ucyate |
gṛhaṃ tu gṛhiṇī-hīnam araṇya-sadṛśaṃ matam

pañjara-sthā tataḥ śrutvā bhartur duḥkhānvitaṃ vacaḥ |
kapotikā susantuṣṭā vākyaṃ cedam athāha sā

na sā strīty abhimantavyā yasyāṃ bhartā na tuṣyati |
tuṣṭe bhartari nārīṇāṃ tuṣṭāḥ syuḥ sarva-devatāḥ

dāvāgninā vidagdheva sa-puṣpa-stavakā latā |
bhasmībhavatu sā nārī yasyāṃ bhartā na tuṣyati

mitaṃ dadāti hi pitā mitaṃ bhrātā mitaṃ sutaḥ |
amitasya hi dātāraṃ bhartāraṃ kā na pūjayet

punaś cābravīt-
śṛṇuṣvāvahitaḥ kānta yat te vakṣyāmy ahaṃ hitam |
prāṇair api tvayā nityaṃ saṃrakṣyaḥ śaraṇāgataḥ

eṣa śākunikaḥ śete tavāvāsaṃ samāśritaḥ |
śītārtaś ca kṣudhārtaś ca pūjām asmai samācara

śrūyate ca-
yaḥ sāyam atithiṃ prāptaṃ yathā-śakti na pūjayet |
tasyāsau duṣkṛtaṃ dattvā sukṛtaṃ cāpakarṣati

mā cāsmai tvaṃ kṛthā dvaiṣaṃ baddhāneneti mat-priyā |
sva-kṛtair eva baddhāhaṃ prāktanaiḥ karma-bandhanaiḥ

dāridrya-roga-duḥkhāni bandhana-vyasanāni ca |
ātmāparādha-vṛkṣasya phalāny etāni dehinām

tasmāt tvaṃ dveṣam utsṛjya mad-bandhana-samudbhavam |
dharme manaḥ samādhāya pūjayainaṃ yathā-vidhi

tasyās tad-vacanaṃ śrutvā dharma-yukti-samanvitam |
upagamya tato 'dhṛṣṭaḥ kapotaḥ prāha lubdhakam

bhadra susvāgataṃ te'stu brūhi kiṃ karavāṇi te |
santāpaś ca na kartavyaḥ sva-gṛhe vartate bhavān

tasya tad-vacanaṃ śrutvā pratyuvāca vihaṅgamam |
kapota khalu śītaṃ me hima-trāṇaṃ vidhīyatām

sa gatvāṅgārakaṃ nītvā pātayāmāsa pāvakam |
tataḥ śuṣkeṣu parṇeṣu tam āśu samadīpayat

susandīptaṃ tataḥ kṛtvā tam āha śaraṇāgatam |
pratāpayasva viśrabdhaṃ sva-gātrāṇy atra nirbhayaḥ

udgatena ca jīvāmo vayaṃ sarve vanaukasaḥ |
na cāsti vibhavaḥ kaścin nāśaye yena te kṣudham

sahasraṃ bharate kaścic chatamanyo daśāparaḥ |
mama tv akṛta-puṇyasya kṣudrasyātmāpi durbharaḥ

ekasyāpy atither annaṃ yaḥ pradātuṃ na śaktimān |
tasyāneka-parikleśe gṛhe kiṃ vasataḥ phalam

tat tathā sādhayāmy etac charīraṃ duḥkha-jīvitam |
yathā bhūyo na vakṣyāmi nāstīty arthi-samāgame

sa ninindi kilātmānaṃ na tu taṃ lubdhakaṃ punaḥ |
uvāca tarpayiṣye tvāṃ muhūrtaṃ pratipālaya

evam uktvā sa dharmātmā prahṛṣṭenāntarātmanā |
tam agniṃ samparikramya praviveśa sva-veśmavat

tatas taṃ lubdhako dṛṣṭvā kṛpayā pīḍito bhṛśam |
kapotam agnau patitaṃ vākyam etad abhāṣata

yaḥ karoti naraḥ pāpaṃ na tasyātmā dhruvaṃ priyaḥ |
ātmanā hi kṛtaṃ pāpam ātmanaiva hi bhujyate

so 'haṃ pāpa-matiś caiva pāpa-karma-rataḥ sadā |
patiṣyāmi mahā-ghore narake nātra saṃśayaḥ

nūnaṃ mama nṛśaṃsasya pratyādarśaḥ sudarśitaḥ |
prayacchatā sva-māṃsāni kapotena mahātmanā

adya-prabhṛti dehaṃ svaṃ sarva-bhoga-vivarjitam |
toyaṃ svalpaṃ yathā grīṣmaḥ śoṣayiṣyāmy ahaṃ punaḥ

śīta-vātātapa-sahaḥ kṛśāṅgo malinas tathā |
upavāsair bahuvidhaiś cariṣye dharmam uttamam

tato yaṣṭiṃ śalākāṃ ca jālakaṃ pañjaraṃ tathā |
babhañja lubdhako dīnāṃ kāpotīṃ ca mumoca tām

lubdhakena tato muktā dṛṣṭvāgnau patitaṃ patim |
kapotī vilalāpārtā śoka-santapta-mānasā

na kāryam adya me nātha jīvitena tvayā vinā |
dīnāyāḥ pati-hīnāyāḥ kiṃ nāryā jīvite phalam

māno darpas tv ahaṅkāraḥ kulaṃ pūjā ca bandhuṣu |
dāsa-bhṛtya-janeṣv ājñā vaidhavyena praṇaśyati

evaṃ vilapya bahuśaḥ kṛpaṇaṃ bhṛśa-duḥkhitā |
pativratā susandīptaṃ tam evāgniṃ viveśa sā

tato divyāmbara-dharā divyābharaṇa-bhūṣitā |
bhartāraṃ sā vimānasthaṃ dadarśa svaṃ kapotikā

so 'pi divya-tanur bhūtvā yathārtham idam abravīt |
aho mām anugacchantyā kṛtaṃ sādhu śubhe tvayā

tisraḥ koṭyo 'rdha-koṭī ca yāni romāṇi mānuṣe |
tāvat kālaṃ vaset svarge bhartāraṃ yānugacchati

kapota-dehaḥ sūryāste pratyahaṃ sukham anvabhūt |
kapota-dehavatsāsīt prāk puṇya-prabhavaṃ hitam

harṣāviṣṭas tato vyādho viveśa ca vanaṃ dhanam |
prāṇi-hiṃsāṃ parityajya bahu-nirvedavān bhṛśam

tatra dāvānalaṃ dṛṣṭvā viveśa viratāśayaḥ |
nirdagdha-kalmaṣo bhūtvā svarga-saukhyam avāptavān

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-śrūyate hi kapotena (134) ity ādi |
tac chrutvārimardano dīptākṣaṃ pṛṣṭavān-evam avasthite kiṃ bhavān manyate ?
so 'bravīt-deva ! na hantavya evāyam | yataḥ-
yā mamodvijate nityaṃ sā mamādyāvagūhate |
priya-kāraka bhadraṃ te yan mamāsti harasva tat

coreṇa cāpy uktam-
hartavyaṃ te na paśyāmi hartavyaṃ ced bhaviṣyati |
punar apy āgamiṣyāmi yadīyaṃ nāvagūhate

arimardanaḥ pṛṣṭavān-kā ca nāvagūhate ? kaś cāyaṃ cauraḥ ? iti vistarataḥ śrotum icchāmi |
dīptākṣaḥ kathayati-
kathā 8
kāmātura-vaṇik-kathā
asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne kāmāturo nāma vṛddha-vaṇik | tena ca kāmopahṛta-cetasā, mṛta-bhāryeṇa kācin nirdhana-vaṇik-sutā, prabhūtaṃ dhanaṃ dattvodvāhitā | atha sā duḥkhābhibhūtā taṃ vṛddha-vaṇijaṃ draṣṭum api na śaśāka | yuktaṃ caitat-
śvetaṃ padaṃ śirasi yat tu śiroruhāṇāṃ
sthānaṃ paraṃ paribhavasya tad eva puṃsām |
āropitāsthi-śakalaṃ parihṛtya yānti
cāṇḍāla-kūpam iva dūrataraṃ taruṇyaḥ

tathā ca-
gātraṃ saṅkucitaṃ gatir vigalitā dantāś ca nāśaṅgatā
dṛṣṭir bhrāmyati rūpam apy upahataṃ vaktraṃ ca lālāyate |
vākyaṃ naiva karoti bāndhava-janaḥ patnī na śuśrūṣate
dhik kaṣṭaṃ jarayābhibhūta-pūruṣaṃ putro 'py avajñāyate

atha kadācit sā tena sahaikaśayane parāṅmukhī yāvat tiṣṭhati tāvad gṛhe cauraḥ praviṣṭaḥ | sāpi taṃ cauraṃ dṛṣṭvā bhaya-vyākulitā vṛddham api taṃ patiṃ gāḍhaṃ samāliliṅga | so 'pi vismayāt pulakāñcita-sarva-gātraś cintayāmāsa-aho kim eṣā mām adyāvagūhate ? yāvan nipuṇatayā paśyati tāvat gṛha-koṇaika-deśe cauraṃ dṛṣṭvā vyacintayat-nūnam eṣāsya bhayān mām āliṅgati iti jñātvā taṃ cauram āha-yā mamodvijate (186) ity ādi |
tac chrutvā cauro 'py āha-hartavyaṃ te na paśyāmi (187) ity ādi | tasmāc caurasyāpy upakāraḥ śreyaś cintyate kiṃ punaḥ śaraṇāgatasya | api cāyaṃ tair viprakṛto 'smākam eva puṣṭaye bhaviṣyati tadīya-randhra-darśanāya ceti anena kāraṇenāyam avadhya iti |
etad ākarṇyārimardano 'nyaṃ sacivaṃ vakranāsaṃ papraccha-bhadra ! sāmpratam evaṃ sthite kiṃ karaṇīyam iti ?
so 'bravīt-deva ! avadhyo 'yam | yataḥ-
śatravo 'pi hitārthaiva vivadantaḥ parasparam |
caureṇa jīvitaṃ dattaṃ rākṣasena tu go-yugam

arimardanaḥ prāha-katham etat ?
vakranāsaḥ kathayati-
kathā 10
droṇākhya-brāhmaṇa-kathā
asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne daridro droṇa-nāmā brāhmaṇaḥ, pratigraha-dhanaḥ satataṃ viśiṣṭa-vastrānulepana-gandha-mālyālaṅkāra-tāmbūlādi-bhoga-parivarjitaḥ, prarūḍha-keśa-śmaśru-nakha-romopacitaḥ, śītoṣṇa-vāta-varṣādibhiḥ pariśoṣita-śarīraḥ, tasya ca kenāpi yajamānenānukampayā śiśu-go-yugaṃ dattam | brāhmaṇena ca bāla-bhāvād ārabhya yācita-ghṛta-taila-yavasādibhiḥ saṃvardhya supuṣṭaṃ kṛtam | tac ca dṛṣṭvā sahasaiva kaścic cauraś cintitavān-aham asya brāhmaṇasya go-yugam idam apahariṣyāmi | iti niścitya niśāyāṃ bandhana-pāśaṃ gṛhītvā, yāvat prasthitas tāvad ardha-mārge pravirala-tīkṣṇa-danta-paṅktir unnata-nāsā-vaṃśaḥ, prakaṭa-raktānta-nayanaḥ upacita-snāyu-santatanata-gātraḥ śuṣka-kapolaḥ
suhuta-hutavaha-piṅgala-śmaśru-keśa-śarīraḥ kaścid dṛṣṭaḥ | dṛṣṭvā ca taṃ tīvra-bhaya-trasto cauro 'bravīt-ko bhavān ? iti |
so 'bravīt-ahaṃ krūra-karmā cauro daridra-brāhmaṇasya go-yugaṃ hartuṃ prasthito 'smi |
atha jāta-pratyayo rākṣaso 'bravīt-bhadra ! ṣaṣṭhāhna-kāliko 'ham | atas tam eva brāhmaṇam adya bhakṣayiṣyāmi |
atha tau tatra gatvaikānte kānlam anveṣayantau sthitau | prasupte ca brāhmaṇe tad-bhakṣaṇārthaṃ prasthitaṃ rākṣasaṃ dṛṣṭvā cauro 'bravīt-bhadra ! naiṣanyāyo yato go-yuge mayāpahṛte paścāt tvam enaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ bhakṣaya |
so 'bravīt-kadācid ayaṃ brāhmaṇo go-śabdena budhyeta tadānarthako 'yaṃ mamārambhaḥ syāt |
cauro 'py abravīt-tavāpi yadi bhakṣaṇāyopasthitasya eko 'py antarāyaḥ syāt | tadāham api na śaknomi go-yugam apahartum | ataḥ prathamaṃ mayāpahṛte go-yuge paścāt tvayā brāhmaṇo bhakṣitavyaḥ | itthaṃ cāham ahamikayā tayor vivadatoḥ samutpanne dvaidhe pratirava-vaśād brāhmaṇo jajāgāra |
atha taṃ cauro 'bravīt-brāhmaṇa ! tvām evāyaṃ rākṣaso bhakṣayitum icchati iti |
rākṣaso 'py āha-brāhmaṇa ! cauro 'yaṃ go-yugaṃ te'pahartum icchati |
evaṃ śrutvotthāya brāhmaṇaḥ sāvadhāno bhūtveṣṭa-devatā-mantra-dhyānenātmānaṃ rākṣasād udgūrṇa-laguḍena caurād go-yugaṃ rarakṣa |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-śatravo 'pi hitārthaiva (190) iti |
atha tasya vacanam avadhāryārimardanaḥ punar api prākārakarṇam apṛcchat-kathaya, kim atra manyate bhavān ?
so 'bravīt-deva ! avadhya evāyam, yato rakṣitenānena kadācit paraspara-prītyā kālaḥ sukhena gacchati | uktaṃ ca-
parasparasya marmāṇi ye na rakṣanti jantavaḥ |
ta eva nidhanaṃ yānti valmīkodara-sarpavat

arimardano 'bravīt-katham etat ?
prākārakarṇaḥ kathayati-
kathā 10
valmīkodara-gata-sarpa-kathā
asti kasmiṃścin nagare devaśaktir nāma rājā | tasya ca putro jaṭhara-valmīkāśrayeṇorageṇa pratidinaṃ pratyaṅgaṃ kṣīyate | anekopacāraiḥ sad-vaidyaiḥ sac-chāstropadiṣṭauṣadha-yuktyāpi cikitsyamāno na svāsthyam eti | athāsau rājaputro nirvedād deśāntaraṃ gataḥ |
kasmiṃścin nagare bhikṣāṭanaṃ kṛtvā mahati devālaye kālaṃ yāpayati | atha tatra nagare balir nāma rājāste | tasya ca dve duhitarau yauvana-sthe tiṣṭhataḥ | te ca pratidivasam ādityodaye pituḥ pādāntikam āgatya namaskāraṃ cakratuḥ | tatra caikābravīt-vijayasva mahārāja ! yasya prasādāt sarvaṃ sukhaṃ labhyate |
dvitīyā tu-vihitaṃ bhuṅkṣva mahārāja ! iti bravīti |
tac chrutvā prakupito rājābravīt-bho mantriṇaḥ ! enāṃ duṣṭa-bhāṣiṇīṃ kumārikāṃ kasyacid vaideśikasya prayacchata tena nija-vihitam iyam eva bhuṅkte |
atha tatheti pratipadyālpa-parivārā sā kumārikā mantribhis tasya deva-kulāśrita-rāja-putrasya pratipāditā | sāpi prahṛṣṭa-manasā taṃ patiṃ devavat pratipadyādāya cānya-viṣayaṃ gatā |
tataḥ kasmiṃścid dūratara-nagara-pradeśe taḍāga-taṭe rāja-putram āvāsa-rakṣāyai nirūpya svayaṃ ca ghṛta-taila-lavaṇa-taṇḍulādi-kraya-nimittaṃ sa-parivārā gatā | kṛtvā ca kraya-vikrayaṃ yāvad āgacchati tāvat sa rāja-putro valmīkopari kṛta-mūrdhā prasuptaḥ | tasya ca mukhād bhujagaḥ phaṇāṃ niṣkāsya vāyum aśnāti | tatraiva ca valmīke'paraḥ sarpo niṣkramya tathaivāsīt |
atha tayoḥ paraspara-darśanena krodha-saṃrakta-locanayor madhyād valmīkasthena sarpeṇoktam-bho bho durātman ! kathaṃ sundara-sarvāṅgaṃ rāja-putram itthaṃ kadarthayasi ?
mukhastho 'rir abravīt-bho bhoḥ ! tvayāpi durātmanāsya valmīkasya madhye katham idaṃ dūṣitaṃ hāṭaka-pūrṇaṃ kalaśa-yugalam ity evaṃ parasparasya marmāṇy udghāṭitavantau |
punar valmīkastho 'hir abravīt-bho durātman ! bheṣajam idaṃ te kiṃ ko 'pi na jānāti yaj jīrṇotkālita-kāñjikā-rājikā-pānena bhavān vināśam upayāti |
athodarastho 'hir abravīt-tavāpy etad bheṣajaṃ kiṃ kaścid api na vetti yad uṣṇa-tailena mahoṣṇodakena vā tava vināśaḥ syād iti | evaṃ ca sā rāja-kanyā viṭapāntaritā tayoḥ parasparālāpān marma-mayān ākarṇya tathaivānuṣṭhitavatī |
vidhāya vyaṅgaṃ nīrogaṃ bhartāraṃ nidhiṃ ca paramam āsādya svadeśābhimukhaṃ prāyāt | pitṛ-mātṛ-svajanaiḥ pratipūjitā vihitopabhogaṃ prāpya sukhenāvasthitā | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-parasparasya marmāṇi iti |
tac ca śrutvā svayam arirdano 'py evaṃ samarthitavān | tathā cānuṣṭhitam | dṛṣṭvāntar-līnaṃ vihasya raktākṣaḥ punar abravīt-kaṣṭam | vināśito 'yaṃ bhavadbhir anyāyena svāmī | uktaṃ ca-
apūjyā yatra pūjyante pūjyānāṃ tu vimānanā |
trīṇi tatra pravartante durbhikṣaṃ maraṇaṃ bhayam

tathā ca-
pratyakṣe'pi kṛte pāpe mūrkhaḥ sāmnā praśāmyati |
ratha-kāraḥ svakāṃ bhāryāṃ sajārāṃ śirasāvahat

mantriṇaḥ prāhuḥ-katham etat ?
raktākṣaḥ kathayati-
kathā 11
vīravara-rathakāra-tat-patnī-kathā
asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne vīravaro nāma rathakāraḥ | tasya bhāryā kāmadamanī | sā puṃścalī janāpavāda-saṃyuktā | so 'pi tasyāḥ parīkṣaṇārthaṃ vyacintayat-atha mayāsyāḥ parīkṣaṇaṃ kartavyam | uktaṃ ca-
yadi syāt pāvakaḥ śītaḥ proṣṇī vā śaśa-lāñchanaḥ |
strīṇāṃ tadā satītvaṃ syād yadi syād durjano hitaḥ

jānāmi caināṃ loka-vacanād asatīm | uktaṃ ca-
yac ca vedeṣu śāstreṣu na dṛṣṭaṃ na ca saṃśrutam |
tat sarvaṃ vetti loko 'yaṃ yat syād brahmāṇḍa-madhyagam

evaṃ sampradhārya bhāryām avocat-priye ! prabhāte'haṃ grāmāntaraṃ yāsyāmi | tatra katicid dināni lagiṣyanti | tat tvayā kim api pātheyaṃ mama yogyaṃ vidheyam |
sāpi tad-vacanaṃ śrutvā harṣita-cittā | autsukyāt sarva-kāryāṇi santyajya siddham annaṃ ghṛta-śarkarā-prāyam akarot | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
durdivase ghana-timire varṣati jalade mahāṭavī-prabhṛtau |
patyur videśa-gamane parama-sukhaṃ jaghana-capalāyāḥ

athāsau pratyūṣe utthāya sva-gṛhān nirgataḥ sāpi taṃ prasthitaṃ vijñāya prahasita-vadanāṅga-saṃskāraṃ kurvāṇā kathañcit taṃ divasam atyavāhayat | atha pūrva-paricita-viṭa-gṛhe gatvā taṃ pratyuktavatī-sa durātmā me patir grāmāntaraṃ gataḥ | tat tvayāsmad-gṛhe prasupte jane samāgantavyam |
tathānuṣṭhite sa rathakāro 'raṇye dinam ativāhya pradoṣe sva-gṛhe'padvāreṇa praviśya śayyādhas-tale nibhṛto bhūtvā sthitaḥ | etasminn antare sa devadattaḥ samāgatya tatra śayane upaviṣṭaḥ | dṛṣṭvā roṣāviṣṭa-citto rathakāro vyacintayat-kim enam utthāya hanmi ? athavā helayaiva prasuptau dvāv apy etau vyāpādayāmi ? paraṃ paśyāmi tāvad asyāś ceṣṭitam | śṛṇomi cānena sahālāpam |
atrāntare sā gṛha-dvāraṃ nibhṛtaṃ pidhāya śayana-talam ārūḍhā | tasyās tatrārohayantyā rathakāra-śarīre pādo vilagnaḥ | tataḥ sā vyacintayat-nūnam etena durātmanā rathakāreṇa mat-parīkṣaṇārthaṃ bhāvyam | tataḥ strī-caritra-vijñānaṃ kim api karomi |
evaṃ tasyāś cintayanyā sa devadattaḥ sparśotsuko babhūva | atha tayā kṛtāñjali-puṭayābhihitaṃ-bhoḥ mahānubhāva ! na me śarīraṃ tvayā sparśanīyaṃ yato 'haṃ pativratā mahāsatī ca | no cec chāpaṃ dattvā tvāṃ bahsmasātkariṣyāmi |
sa āha-yady evaṃ tarhi tvayā kim aham āhūtaḥ ?
sābravīt-bhoḥ śṛṇuṣvaikāgra-manāḥ | aham adya pratyūṣe devatā-darśanārthaṃ caṇḍkāyatanaṃ gatā tatrākasmāt khe vāṇī sañjātā-putri kiṃ karomi ? bhaktāsi me tvaṃ, paraṃ ṣaṇmāsābhyantare vidhi-niyogād vidhavā bhaviṣyasi |
tato mayābhihitaṃ-bhagavati ! yathā tvam āpadaṃ vetsi, tathā tat-pratīkāram api jānāsi | tad asti kaścid upāyo yena me patiḥ śata-saṃvatsara-jīvī bhavati ?
tatas tayābhihitam-vatse, sann api nāsti, yatas tavāyattaḥ sa pratīkāraḥ |
tac chrutvā mayābhihitam-devi ! yadi tan mama prāṇair bhavati tad ādeśaya yena karomi |
atha devyābhihitam-yady adya para-puruṣeṇa sahaikasmin śayane samāruhyāliṅganaṃ karoṣi tat tava bhartṛ-sakto 'pamṛtyus tasya sañcarati | bhartāpi tena punar varṣa-śataṃ jīvati | tena tvaṃ mayābhyarthitaḥ | tad yat kiñcit kartu-manās tat kuruṣva | na hi devatā-vacanam anyathā bhaviṣyatīti niścayaḥ | tato 'ntarhāsa-vikāsa-mukhaḥ sa tad-ucitam ācacāra |
so 'pi rathakāro mūrkhas tasyās tad-vacanam ākarṇya pulakāñcita-tanuḥ śayyādhastalān niṣkramya tām uvāca-sādhu pativrate ! sādhu kula-nandini ! ahaṃ durjana-vacana-śaṅkita-hṛdayas tvat-parīkṣā-nimittaṃ grāmāntara-vyājaṃ kṛtvā khaṭvādhas-tale nibhṛtaṃ līnaḥ | tad ehi, āliṅga mām | tvaṃ sva-bhartṛ-bhaktānāṃ mukhyā nārīṇāṃ, yad evaṃ brahma-vrataṃ para-saṅge'pi pālitavatī | yad āyur buddhi-kṛte'pamṛtyu-vināśārthaṃ catvam evaṃ kṛtavatī | tām evam uktvā sasneham āliṅgitavān |
sva-skandhe tām āropya tām api devadattam uvāca-bho mahānubhāva ! mat-puṇyais tvam ihāgataḥ | tvat-prasādān mayā prāptaṃ varṣa-śata-pramāṇam āyuḥ | tat tvam api mām āliṅgya mat-skandhe samāroha iti jalpann anicchantam api devadattam āliṅgya balāt svakīya-skandhe āropitavān |
tataś ca nṛtyaṃ kṛtvā-he brahma-vrata-dharāṇāṃ dhurīṇa ! tvayāpi mayy upakṛtam ity ādy uktvā skandhād uttārya yatra yatra svajana-gṛha-dvārādiṣu babhrāma tatra tatra tayor ubhayor api tad-guṇa-varṇanam akarot |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-pratyakṣe'pi kṛte pāpe (193) iti |
tat sarvathā mūlotkhātā vayaṃ vinaṣṭāḥ smaḥ | suṣṭhu khalv idam ucyate-
mitra-rūpā hi ripavaḥ sambhāvyante vicakṣaṇaiḥ |
ye hitaṃ vākyam utsṛjya viparītopasevinaḥ

tathā ca-
santo 'py arthā vinaśyanti deśa-kāla-virodhinaḥ |
aprājñān mantriṇaḥ prāpya tamaḥ sūryodaye yathā

tatas tad-vaco 'nādṛtya sarve te sthirajīvinam utkṣipya sva-durgam ānetum ārabdhāḥ | athānīyamānaḥ sthirajīvy āha-deva ! adyākiñcitkareṇaitad avasthena kiṃ mayopasaṅgṛhītena ? yat kāraṇam icchāmi dīptaṃ vahnim anupraveṣṭum | tad arhasi mām agni-pradānena samuddhartum |
atha raktākṣasyāntargata-bhāvaṃ jñātvāha-kim-artham agni-patanam icchasi ?
so 'bravīt-ahaṃ tāvad yuṣmad-artham imām āpadaṃ meghavarṇena prāpitaḥ | tad icchāmi teṣāṃ vaira-yātanārtham ulūkatvam iti |
tac ca śrutvā rājanīti-kuśalo raktākṣaḥ prāha-bhadra ! kuṭilas tvaṃ kṛtaka-vacana-caturaś ca | tāvad ulūka-yoni-gato 'pi svakīyām eva vāyasa-yoniṃ bahu manyase | śrūyate caitad ākhyānakam |
sūryaṃ bhartāram utsṛjya parjanyaṃ mārutaṃ girim |
sva-jātiṃ mūṣikā prāptā svajātir duratikramā

mantriṇaḥ procuḥ--katham etat ?
raktākṣaḥ kathayati-
kathā 11
śālaṅkāyana-rakṣita-mūṣikā-kathā
asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne śālaṅkāyano nāma tapodhano jāhnavyāṃ snānārthaṃ gataḥ | tasya ca sūryopasthānaṃ kurvatas tatra pradeśe mūṣikā kācit kharatara-nakhāgra-puṭena śyenena gṛhītā | dṛṣṭvā sa muniḥ karuṇārdra-hṛdayo muñca muñceti kurvāṇas tasyopari pāṣāṇa-khaṇḍaṃ prākṣipat | so 'pi pāṣāṇa-khaṇḍa-prahāra-vyākulendriyo bhraṣṭa-mūṣiko bhūmau nipapāta mūṣikāpi bhaya-trastā kartavyam ajānantī rakṣa rakṣeti jalpantī muni-caraṇāntikam upāviśat | śyenenāpi cetanaṃ labdhvā munir ukto, yad-bho mune ! na yuktam anuṣṭhitaṃ bhavatā yad ahaṃ pāṣāṇena tāḍitaḥ | kiṃ tvam adharmān na bibheṣi ? tat samarpaya mām enām mūṣikām | no cet prabhūtaṃ pātakam avāpsyasi |
iti bruvāṇaṃ śyenaṃ provāca saḥ-bho vihaṅgādhama ! rakṣaṇīyāḥ prāṇināṃ prāṇāḥ | daṇḍanīyā duṣṭāḥ | sammānanīyāḥ sādhavaḥ | pūjanīyā guravaḥ | stutyā devāḥ | tat kim asambaddhaṃ prajalpasi ?
śyena āha-mune ! na tvaṃ sūkṣma-dharmaṃ vetsi | iha hi sarveṣāṃ prāṇināṃ vidhinā sṛṣṭiṃ kurvatāhāro 'pi vinirmitaḥ | tato yathā bhavatām annaṃ tathāsmākaṃ mūṣikādayo vihitāḥ | tat svāhāra-kāṅkṣiṇaṃ māṃ kiṃ dūṣayasi ? uktaṃ ca-
yady asya vihitaṃ bhojyaṃ na tat tasya praduṣyati |
abhakṣye bahu-doṣaḥ syāt tasmāt kāryo na vyatyayaḥ

bhakṣyaṃ yathā dvijātīnāṃ madyapānāṃ yathā haviḥ |
abhakṣyaṃ bhakṣyatām eti tathānyeṣām api dvija

bhakṣyaṃ bhakṣyatāṃ śreya abhakṣyaṃ tu mahad agham |
tat kathaṃ māṃ vṛthācāra tvaṃ daṇḍayitum arhasi

aparaṃ munīnāṃ na caiṣa dharmo yatas tair dṛṣṭaṃ śrutam aśrutam alaulyatvam aśatrutvaṃ praśasyate | uktaṃ ca-
samaḥ śatrau ca mitre ca sama-loṣṭāśma-kāñcanaḥ |
suhṛn-mitre hy udāsīno madhyastho dveṣya-bandhuṣu |
sādhuṣv api ca pāpeṣu sama-buddhir viśiṣyate

sādhūnāṃ niravadyānāṃ sadācāra-vicāriṇām |
yogī yuñjīta satataṃ satatam ātmānaṃ rahasi sthitaḥ

tat tvam anena karmaṇā bhraṣṭa-tapāḥ sañjātaḥ | uktaṃ ca-
muñca muñca pataty eko mā muñceti dvitīyakaḥ |
ubhayoḥ patanaṃ dṛṣṭvā maunaṃ sarvārtha-sādhanam

śālaṅkāyana āha--katham etat ?
śyena āha-
kathā 12
?
kasmiṃścid nadī-taṭa ekata-dvita-tritābhidhānās trayo 'pi bhrātaro munayas tapaḥ kurvanti | teṣāṃ ca tapaḥ-prabhāvād ākāśasthā dhauta-potikā nirālambā jalārdrā bhū-sparśana-bhayena snāna-samaye tiṣṭhanti | athānye-dyur mamaiva kācin maṇḍūkikā kenāpi gṛdhreṇa balena nītā | atha tāṃ gṛhītā vilokya teṣāṃ jyeṣṭhena karuṇārdra-hṛdayena bhavateva vyāhṛtaṃ-muñca muñceti | atrāntare tasya dhauta-potikākāśād bhūmau patitā | tāṃ patitāṃ dṛṣṭvā dvitīyena tad-bhayārtena mā muñcety abhihitaṃ yāvat tasyāpi papāta | tatas tṛtīyo dvayor api dhauta-potikāṃ bhūmau patitāṃ dṛṣṭvā tūṣṇīṃ babhūva |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-muñca muñca pataty eka ity ādi |
tac chrutvā munir vihasyāha-bho mūrkha vihaṅgama ! kṛta-yuge dharmaḥ sa āsīt, yataḥ kṛta-yuge pāpālāpato 'pi pāpaṃ jāyate tena dhauta-potike patite aśiṣṭālāpena na sad-apavacana-doṣataḥ | eṣa punaḥ kali-yugaḥ | atra sarvo 'pi pāpātmā | tat karma kṛtaṃ vinā pāpaṃ na lagati | uktaṃ ca-
sañcarantīha pāpāni yugeṣv anyeṣu dehinām |
kalau tu pāpa-saṃyukte yaḥ karoti sa lipyate

uktaṃ ca-
āsanāc chayanād yānāt saṃgateś cāpi bhojanāt |
kṛte sañcarate pāpaṃ taila-bindur ivāmbhasi

tat kiṃ vṛthā pralapitena ? gaccha tvam | no cec chāpayiṣyāmi | atha gate śyene mūṣikayā sa munir abhihitaḥ-bhagavan ! naya māṃ svāśrayam | no ced anyo duṣṭa-pakṣī māṃ vyāpādayiṣyati | tad ahaṃ tatraivāśrame tvad-dattānnāhāra-muṣṭyā kālaṃ neṣyāmi |
so 'pi dākṣiṇyavān sa-karuṇo vyacintayat-kathaṃ mayā mūṣikā haste dhṛtvā neyā jana-hāsya-kāriṇī | tad enāṃ kumārikāṃ kṛtvā nayāmi | evaṃ sā kanyakā kṛtā | tathānuṣṭhite kanyā-sahitaṃ munim avalokya patnī papraccha-bhagavan ! kuta iyaṃ kanyā ?
sa āha-eṣā mūṣikā śyena-bhayāc charaṇārthinī kanyā-rūpeṇa tava gṛham ānītā | tat tvayā yatnena rakṣaṇīyā | bhūyo 'py enāṃ mūṣikāṃ kariṣyāmi |
sā prāha-bhagavan ! maivaṃ kārṣīḥ | asyās tvaṃ dharma-pitā | uktaṃ ca-
janitā copanetā ca yas tu vidyāṃ prayacchati |
anna-dātā bhaya-trātā pañcaite pitaraḥ smṛtāḥ

tat tvayāsyāḥ prāṇa-pradattā | aparaṃ mamāpy apatyaṃ nāsti | tasmād eṣā mama sutā bhaviṣyati |
tathānuṣṭhite sā kanyā śukla-pakṣa-candra-kalikeva nityaṃ vṛddhiṃ prāpnoti | sāpi tasya muneḥ śuśrūṣāṃ kurvatī sapatnīkasya yauvanam āśv ayāt | atha tāṃ yauvanonmukhīm avalokya śālaṅkāyanaḥ sva-patnīm uvāca-priye ! yauvanonmukhī vartata iyaṃ kanyā | anarhā sa sāmprataṃ mad-gṛha-vāsasya | uktaṃ ca-
anūḍhā mandire yasya rajaḥ prāpnoti kanyakā |
patanti pitaras tasya svarga-sthā api tair guṇaiḥ

varaṃ varayate kanyā mātā vittaṃ pitā śrutam |
bāndhavāḥ kulam icchanti miṣṭānnam itare janāḥ

tathā ca-
yāvan na lajjate kanyā yāvat krīḍati pāṃsunā |
yāvat tiṣṭhati go-mārge tāvat kanyāṃ vivāhayet

mātā caiva pitā caiva jyeṣṭha-bhrātā tathaiva ca |
trayas te narakaṃ yānti dṛṣṭvā kanyāṃ rajasvalām

kulaṃ ca śīlaṃ ca sanāthatāṃ ca
vidyāṃ ca vittaṃ ca vapur vayaś ca |
etān guṇān saptān sapta parīkṣya deyā
kanyā budhaiḥ śeṣam acintanīyam

tad yad yasyā rocate tad bhagavantaṃ ādityam ākārya tasmai prayacchāmi | uktaṃ ca-
aniṣṭaḥ kanyakāyā yo varo rūpānvito 'pi yaḥ |
yadi syāt tasya no deyā kanyā śreyo 'bhivāñchatā

sā prāha-ko doṣo 'tra viṣaye ? evaṃ kriyatām |
atha muninā ravir āhūtaḥ | veda-mantrāmantraṇa-prabhāvāt tat-kṣaṇād evābhyupagamyādityaḥ provāca-bhagavan ! vada drutaṃ kim-artham āhūtaḥ ?
sa āha-eṣā madīyā kanyakā tiṣṭhati | yady eṣā tvāṃ vṛṇoti tarhy udvahasva tām iti | evam uktvā bhagavāṃs tasyā darśitaḥ | provāca-putri ! kiṃ tava rocata eṣa bhagavāṃs trailokya-dīpaḥ ?
sā prāha-tāta ! atidahanātmako 'yam | nāham enam abhilaṣāmi | asmād api ya utkṛṣṭataraḥ sa āhūyatām |
atha tasyās tad-vacanam ākarṇya bhāsvaro 'pi tāṃ mūṣikāṃ viditvā niḥspṛhas tam uvāca-bhagavan ! asti mamāpy adhiko megho yenācchāditasya me nāmāi na jñāyate ?
atha muninā megham apy āhūya kanyābhihitā-eṣa te rocate ?
sā prāha-kṛṣṇa-varṇo 'yaṃ jaḍātmā ca | tad asmād anyasya kasyacit pradhānasya māṃ prayaccha |
atha muninā megho 'pi pṛṣṭaḥ-bhoḥ ! tvatto 'py adhikaḥ ko 'py asti ?
sa āha-matto 'py adhiko 'sti vāyuḥ | vāyunā hato 'haṃ sahasradhā yāmi |
tac chrutvā muninā vāyur āhūtaḥ, āha ca-putrike kim eṣa vāyus te vivāhāya uttamaḥ pratibhāti ?
sā āha-prabalo 'py ayaṃ cañcalaḥ | tad abhyadhikaḥ kaścid āhūyatām |
munir āha-bho vāyo ! tvatto 'py adhiko 'sti kaścit ?
sa āha-matto 'py adhiko 'sti parvato yena saṃstabhya balavān apy ahaṃ dhriye |
atha muniḥ parvatam āhūya kanyāyā adarśayat-putrike ! tvām asmai prayacchāmi ?
sā āha-tāta ! kaṭhinātmako 'yaṃ stabdhaś ca | tad anyasmai dehi mām |
atha sa muninā pṛṣṭaḥ, yad-bhoḥ parvata-rāja ! tvatto 'py adhiko 'sti kaścit ?
sa āha-santi matto 'py adhikā mūṣikāḥ, ye mad-dehaṃ balāt sarvato bhedayanti |
tad ākarṇya munir mūṣakam āhūya tasyā adarśayat-putrike ! eṣa te pratibhāti mūṣaka-rājo yena yathocitam anuṣṭhīyate | sāpi taṃ dṛṣṭvā sva-jātīya eṣa iti manyamānā pulakodbhūṣita-śarīrā provāca-tāta ! māṃ mūṣikāṃ kṛtvāsmai prayaccha yena svajāti-vihitaṃ gṛha-dharmam anutiṣṭhāmi |
tac chrutvā tena strī-dharma-vicakṣaṇena tāṃ mūṣikāṃ kṛtvā mūṣakāya pradattā |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-sūryaṃ bhartāram utsṛjya ityādi |
atha raktākṣa-vacanam anādṛtya taiḥ sva-vaṃśa-vināśāya sa sva-durgam upanītaḥ | nīyamānaś cāntar-līnam avahasya sthirajīvy acintayat-
hanyatām iti yenoktaṃ svāmino hita-vādinā |
sa evaiko 'tra sarveṣāṃ nīti-śāstrārtha-tattva-vit

tad yadi tasya vacanam acariṣyann ete, tato na svalpo 'py anartho 'bhaviṣyad eteṣām |
atha durga-dvāraṃ prāpyārimardano 'bravīt-bho bho hitaiṣiṇo 'sya sthirajīvino yathā-samīhitaṃ sthānaṃ prayacchata |
tac ca śrutvā sthirajīvī vyacintayat-mayā tāvad eteṣāṃ vadhopāyaś cintanīyaḥ | sa mayā madhyasthena na sādhyate | yato madīyam iṅgitādikaṃ vicārayantas te'pi sāvadhānā bhaviṣyanti | tad durga-dvāram adhiśrito 'bhipretaṃ sādhayāmi | iti niścityolūka-patim āha-deva ! yuktam idaṃ yat svāminā proktam | param aham api nītijñas te'hitaś ca | yadyapy anuraktaḥ śucis tathāpi durga-madhye āvāso nārhaḥ | tad ahaṃ atraiva durga-dvāra-sthaḥ pratyahaṃ bhavat-pāda-padma-rajaḥ pavitrī-kṛta-tanuḥ sevāṃ kariṣyāmi |
tatheti pratipanne pratidinam ulūka-pati-sevakās te prakāmam āhāraṃ kṛtvolūka-rājādeśāt prakṛṣṭa-māṃsāhāraṃ sthirajīvine prayacchanti | atha katipayair evāhobhir mayūra iva sa balavān saṃvṛttaḥ | atha raktākṣaḥ sthirajīvinaṃ poṣyamāṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā sa-vismayo mantri-janaṃ rājānaṃ ca praty āha-aho mūrkho 'yaṃ mantri-jano bhavāṃś cety evam aham avagacchāmi | uktaṃ ca-
pūrvaṃ tāvad ahaṃ mūrkho dvitīyaḥ paśu-bandhakaḥ |
tato rājā ca mantrī ca sarvaṃ vai mūrkha-maṇḍalam

te prāhuḥ-katham etat ?
raktākṣaḥ kathayati-
kathā 13
svarṇa-ṣṭhīvī-sindhuka-pakṣī-kathā
asti kasmiṃścit parvataika-deśe mahān vṛkṣaḥ | tatra ca sindhuka-nāmā ko 'pi pakṣī prativasati sma | tasya purīṣe suvarṇam utpadyate | atha kadācit tam uddiśya vyādhaḥ ko 'pi samāyayau | sa ca pakṣī tad-agrata eva purīṣam utsasarja | atha pāta-sama-kālam eva tat-suvarṇībhūtaṃ dṛṣṭvā vyādho vismayam agamat-aho mama śiśu-kālād ārabhya śakuni-bandha-vyasanino 'śīti-varṣāṇi samabhūvan,na ca kadācit pakṣi-purīṣe suvarṇaṃ dṛṣṭam iti vicintya tatra vṛkṣe pāśaṃ babandha | athāsāv api pakṣī mūrkhas tatraiva viśvasta-citto yathā-pūrvam upaviṣṭas tat-kālam eva pāśena baddhaḥ | vyādhas tu taṃ pāśād unmucya pañjarake saṃsthāpya nijāvāsaṃ nītavān | atha cintayāmāsa-kim anena sāpāyena pakṣiṇāhaṃ kariṣyāmi ? yadi kadācit ko
'py amum īdṛśaṃ jñātvā rājñe nivedayiṣyati tan nūnaṃ prāṇa-saṃśayo me bhavet | ataḥ svayam eva pakṣiṇaṃ rājñe nivedayāmi | iti vicārya tathaivānuṣṭhitavān |
atha rājāpi taṃ pakṣiṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā vikasita-nayana-vadana-kamalaḥ parāṃ tuṣṭim upagataḥ | prāha caivaṃ-haṃho rakṣā-puruṣāḥ ! enaṃ pakṣiṇaṃ yatnena rakṣata | aśana-pānādikaṃ cāsya yathecchaṃ prayacchata |
atha mantriṇābhihitam-kim anenāśraddheya-vyādha-vacana-mātra-parigṛhītenāṇḍajena ? kiṃ kadācit pakṣī-purīṣe suvarṇaṃ sambhavati ? tan mucyatāṃ pañjara-bandhanād ayaṃ pakṣī | iti mantri-vacanād rājñā mocito 'sau pakṣy unnata-dvāra-toraṇe samupaviśya suvarṇa-mayīṃ viṣṭhāṃ vidhāya-pūrvaṃ tāvad ahaṃ mūrkhaḥ iti ślokaṃ paṭhitvā yathā-sukham ākāśa-mārgeṇa prāyāt |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-pūrvaṃ tāvad ahaṃ mūrkhaḥ iti |
atha te punar api pratikūla-daivatayā hitam api raktākṣa-vacanam anādṛtya bhūyas taṃ prabhūta-māṃsādi-vividhāhāreṇa poṣayāmāsuḥ | atha raktākṣaḥ sva-vargam āhūya rahaḥ provāca-aho ! etāvad evāsmad-bhūpateḥ kuśalaṃ durgaṃ ca | tad upadiṣṭaṃ mayā yat kula-kramāgataḥ sacivo 'bhidhatte | tad vayam anyat parvata-durgaṃ samprati samāśrayāmaḥ | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-
anāgataṃ yaḥ kurute sa śobhate
sa śocate yo na karoty anāgatam |
vane vasann eva jarām upāgato
bilasya vācā na kadāpi hi śrutā

te procuḥ-katham etat ?
raktākṣaḥ kathayati-
kathā 14
kharanakhara-siṃha-kathā
kasmiṃścid vanoddeśe kharanakharo nāma siṃhaḥ prativasati sma | sa kadācid itaś cetaś ca paribhraman kṣutkṣāma-kaṇṭho na kiñcid api sattvam āsasāda | tataś cāstam anasamaye mahatīṃ giri-guhām āsādya praviṣṭaś cintayāmāsa-nūnam etasyāṃ guhāyāṃ rātrau kenāpi sattvenāgantavyam | tan nibhṛto bhūtvā tiṣṭhāmi |
etasminn antare tat-svāmī dadhipuccho nāma śṛgālaḥ samāyātaḥ | sa ca yāvat paśyati tāvat siṃha-pada-paddhatir guhāyāṃ praviṣṭaḥ, na ca niṣkrāntā iti dṛṣṭavān | tataś cācintayat-aho vinaṣṭo 'smi, nūnam asyāntargatena siṃhena bhāvyam | tat kiṃ karomi ? kathaṃ jñāsyāmi ? evaṃ vicintya dvārasthaḥ phūtkartum ārabdhaḥ-aho bila ! aho bila ! ity uktvā tūṣṇīṃbhūya bhūyo 'pi tathaiva pratyabhāṣata-bhoḥ ! kiṃ na smarasi yan mayā tvayā saha samayaḥ kṛto 'sti ? yan mayā bāhyāt samāgatena tvaṃ vaktavyaḥ, tvayā cāham ākaraṇīyaḥ iti | tad yadi māṃ nāhvayasi tato 'haṃ dvitīyaṃ bilaṃ yāsyāmi |
atha tac chrutvā siṃhaś cintitavān-nūnam eṣā guhāsya samāgatasya sadā samāhvānaṃ karoti | param adya mad-bhayān na kiṃcid brūte | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
bhaya-santrasta-manasāṃ hasta-pādādikāḥ kriyāḥ |
pravartante na vāṇī ca vepathuś cādhiko bhavet

tad aham asyāhvānaṃ karomi yena tad-anusāreṇa praviṣṭo 'yaṃ me bhojyatāṃ yāsyati | evaṃ sampradhārya siṃhas tasyāhvānam akarot | atha siṃha-śabdena sā guhā pratirava-sampūrṇā anyān api dūra-sthān araṇya-jīvāṃs trāsayāmāsa | śṛgālo 'pi palāyamāna imaṃ ślokam apaṭhat-anāgataṃ yaḥ kurute sa śobhate ity ādi |
tad evaṃ matvā yuṣmābhir mayā saha gantavyam iti | evam abhidhāyātmānuyāyi-parivārānugato dūra-deśāntaraṃ raktākṣo jagāma |
atha raktākṣe gate sthirajīvy atihṛṣṭa-manā vyacintayat-aho ! kalyāṇam asmākam upasthitam, yad raktāṃśo gataḥ sa dīrghadarśī ete ca mūḍha-manasaḥ | tato mama sukha-ghātyāḥ sañjātāḥ | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-
na dīrgha-darśino yasya mantriṇaḥ syur mahīpateḥ |
kramāyātā dhruvaṃ tasya na cirāt syāt parikṣayaḥ

athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
mantri-rūpā hi ripavaḥ sambhāvyās te vicakṣaṇaiḥ |
ye santaṃ nayam utsṛjya sevante pratilomataḥ

evaṃ vicintya sva-kulāya ekaikāṃ vana-kāṣṭhikāṃ guhā-pradīpanārthaṃ dine dine prakṣipati | na ca te mūrkhā ulūkā vijānanti, yad eṣa kulāyam asmad-dāhāya vṛddhiṃ nayati | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
amitraṃ kurute mitraṃ mitraṃ dveṣṭi hinasti ca |
śubhaṃ vetty aśubhaṃ pāpaṃ bhadraṃ daiva-hato naraḥ

atha kulāya-vyājena durga-dvāre kṛte kāṣṭha-nicaye, sañjāte sūryodaye, andhatāṃ prāpteṣūlūkeṣu satsu sthirajīvī śīghram ṛṣyamūkaṃ gatvā meghavarṇam āha-svāmin ! dāha-sādhyā kṛtā ripu-guhāḥ | tat saparivāraḥ sametyaikaikā vana-kāṣṭhikāṃ jvalantī gṛhītvā guhā-dvāre'smat-kulāye prakṣipa yena sarve śatravaḥ kumbhīpāka-naraka-prāyeṇa duḥkhena mriyante |
tac chrutvā prahṛṣṭo meghavarṇa āha-tāta ! kathayātma-vṛttāntam | cirād adya dṛṣṭo 'si |
sa āha-vatsa ! nāyaṃ kathanasya kālaḥ | yataḥ kadācit tasya ripo kaścit praṇidhir mamehāgamanaṃ nivedayiṣyati | yaj jñānād andho 'nyatrāpasaraṇaṃ kariṣyati | tat tvaryatām | uktaṃ ca-
śīghra-kṛtyeṣu kāryeṣu vilambayati yo naraḥ |
tat kṛtyaṃ devatās tasya kopād vighnanty asaṃśayam

tathā ca-
yasya yasya hi kāryasya phalitasya viśeṣataḥ |
kṣipram akriyamāṇasya kālaḥ pibati tat-phalam

tad-guhāyām āyātasya te hata-śatroḥ sarvaṃ savistaraṃ nirvyākulatayā kathayiṣyāmi athāsau tad-vacanam ākarṇya sa-parijana ekaikāṃ jvalantīṃ vana-kāṣṭhikāṃ cañcv-agreṇa gṛhītvā tad-guhā-dvāraṃ prāpya sthirajīvi-kulāye prākṣipat | tataḥ sarve te divāndhā raktākṣa-vākyāni smaranto dvārasyāvṛtatvād aniḥsaranto guhā-madhye kumbhīpāka-nyāyam āpannā mṛtāś ca | evaṃ śatrūn niḥśeṣatāṃ nītvā bhūyo 'pi meghavarṇas tad eva nyagrodha-pādapa-durgaṃ jagāma | tataḥ siṃhāsana-stho bhūtvā sabhā-madhye pramudita-manāḥ sthirajīvinam apṛcchat-tāta ! kathaṃ tvayā śatru-madhye gatena etāvat-paryantaṃ kālo nītaḥ ? tad atra kautukam asmākaṃ vartate, tat kathyatām | yataḥ-
vara-magnau pradīpte tu prapātaḥ puṇya-karmaṇām |
na cārijana-saṃsargo muhūrtam api sevitaḥ

tad ākarṇya sthirajīvy āha-bhadra ! āgāmi-phala-vāñchayā kaṣṭam api sevako na jānāti | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-
kāryasyāpekṣayā bhuktaṃ viṣam apy amṛtāyate |
sarveṣāṃ prāṇināṃ yatra nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

upanata-bhaye yo yo mārgo hitārtha-karo bhavet- sa sa nipuṇayā buddhyā sevyo mahān kṛpaṇo 'pi vā |
karikara-nibhau jyāghātā kau mahāstra-viśāradau valaya-racitau strīvad bāhū kṛtau na kirīṭinā

śaktenāpi satā janena viduṣā kālāntarāpekṣiṇā
vastavyaṃ khalu vākya-vajra-viṣame kṣudre'pi pāpe jane |
darvī-vyagra-kareṇa dhūma-malinenāyāsa-yukte ca
bhīmenātibalena matsya-bhavane kiṃ noṣitaṃ sūdavat

yad vā tad vā viṣama-patitaḥ sādhu vā garhitaṃ vā
kālāpekṣī hṛdaya-nihitaṃ buddhimān karma kuryāt |
kiṃ gāṇḍīva-sphurad-uru-guṇāsphālana-krūra-pāṇir
nāsīl līlā-naṭana-vilasan mekhalī savyasācī

siddhiṃ prārthayatā janena viduṣā tejo nigṛhya svakaṃ
sattvotsāhavatāpi daiva-vidhiṣu sthairyaṃ prakārya kramāt |
devendra-draviṇeśvarāntaka-samair apy anvito bhrātṛbhiḥ
kiṃ kliṣṭaḥ suciraṃ virāṭa-bhavane śrīmān na dharmātmajaḥ

rūpābhijana-sampanno mādrī-putrau balānvitau |
gokarma-rakṣā-vyāpāre virāṭa-preṣyatāṃ gatau

rūpeṇāpratimena yauvana-guṇaiḥ śreṣṭhe kule janmanā
kāntyā śrīr iva yātra sāpi vidaśāṃ kāla-kramād āgatā |
sairandhrīti sa-garvitaṃ yuvatibhiḥ sākṣepam ākhyātayā
draupadyā nanu matsya-rāja-bhavane dhṛṣṭaṃ na kiṃ candanam

meghavarṇa āha-tāta ! asi-dhārā-vratam idaṃ manye yad ariṇā saha saṃvāsaḥ |
so 'bravīt-deva ! evam etat | paraṃ na tādṛṅ-mūrkha-samāgamaḥ kvāpi mayā dṛṣṭaḥ | na ca mahāprajñam aneka-śāstreṣv apratima-buddhiṃ raktākṣaṃ vinā dhīmān | yat-kāraṇaṃ tena madīyaṃ yathāvasthitaṃ cittaṃ jñātam | ye punar anye mantriṇas te mahā-mūrkhā mantri-mātra-vyapadeśopajīvino 'tattva-kuśalā, yair idam api na jñātam | yataḥ-
arito 'bhyāgato bhṛtyo duṣṭas tat-saṅga-tat-paraḥ |
apasarpa-sadharmatvān nityodvegī ca dūṣitaḥ

āsane śayane yāne pāna-bhojana-vastuṣu |
dṛṣṭvāntaraṃ pramatteṣu praharanty arayo 'riṣu

tasmāt sarva-prayatnena trivarga-nilayaṃ budhaḥ |
ātmānam ādṛto rakṣet pramādād dhi vinaśyati

sādhu cedam ucyate-
santāpayanti kam apathya-bhujaṃ na rogā
durmantriṇaṃ kam upayānti na nīti-doṣāḥ |
kaṃ śrīr na darpayati kaṃ na nihanti mṛtyuḥ
kaṃ svīkṛtā na viṣayā paripīḍayanti

lubdhasya naśyati yaśaḥ piśunasya maitrī
naṣṭa-kriyasya kula artha-parasya dharmaḥ |
vidyā-phalaṃ vyasaninaḥ kṛpaṇasya saukhyaṃ
rājyaṃ pramatta-sacivasya narādhipasya

tad rājan ! asi-dhārā-vrataṃ mayācaritam aritam ari-saṃsargād iti yad bhavatoktaṃ, tan mayā sākṣād evānubhūtam | uktaṃ ca-
apamānaṃ puraskṛtya mānaṃ kṛtvā tu pṛṣṭhataḥ |
svārtham abhyuddharet prājñaḥ kārya-dhvaṃso hi mūrkhatā

skandhenāpi vahec chatruṃ kālam āsādya buddhimān |
mahatā kṛṣṇa-sarpeṇa maṇḍūkā bahavo hatāḥ

meghavarṇa āha-katham etat ?
sthirajīvī kathayati-
kathā 15
mandaviṣa-sarpa-kathā
asti varuṇādri-samīpa ekasmin pradeśe pariṇata-vayā manda-viṣo nāma kṛṣṇa-sarpaḥ | sa evaṃ citte sañcintitavān-kathaṃ nāma mayā sukhopāya-vṛttyā vartitavyam iti | tato bahu-maṇḍūkaṃ hradam upagamya dhṛti-parītam ivātmānaṃ darśitavān |
atha tathā sthite saudaka-prānta-gatenaikena maṇḍūkena pṛṣṭaḥ-māma ! kim adya yathā-pūrvam āhārārthaṃ na viharasi |
so 'bravīt-bhadra ! kuto me manda-bhāgyasyāhārābhilāṣaḥ ? yat kāraṇam adya rātrau pradoṣa eva mayāhārārthaṃ viharamāṇena dṛṣṭa eko maṇḍūkaḥ | tad-grahaṇārthaṃ mayā kramaḥ sajjitaḥ | so 'pi māṃ dṛṣṭvā mṛtyu-bhayena svādhyāya-prasaktānāṃ brāhmaṇānām antaram apakrānto na vibhāvito mayā kvāpi gataḥ | tat-sādṛśya-mohita-cittena mayā kasyacid brāhmaṇasya sūnor hrada-taṭa-jalāntaḥ-stho 'ṅguṣṭho daṣṭaḥ | tato 'sau sapadi pañcatvam upāgataḥ |
atha tasya pitrā duḥkhitenāhaṃ śapto yathā-durātman ! tvayā niraparādho mat-suto daṣṭaḥ | tad anena doṣeṇa tvaṃ maṇḍūkānāṃ vāhanaṃ bhaviṣyasi, tat-prasāda-labdha-jīvikayā vartiṣye iti | tato 'haṃ yuṣmākaṃ vāhanārtham āgato 'smi |
tena ca sarva-maṇḍūkānām idam āveditam | tatas taiḥ prahṛṣṭa-manobhiḥ sarvair eva gatvā jala-pāda-nāmno dardura-rājasya vijñaptam | athāsāv api mantri-parivṛto 'tyadbhutam idam iti manyamāno sa-sambhramaṃ hradād uttīrya manda-viṣasya phaṇinaḥ phaṇā-pradeśam adhirūḍhaḥ | śeṣā api yathā-jyeṣṭhaṃ tat-pṛṣṭhopari samāruruhuḥ | kiṃ bahunā, uparita-sthānam aprāptavantas tasyānupadaṃ dhāvanti | mandaviṣo 'pi teṣāṃ tuṣṭy-artham aneka-prakārān gati-viśeṣān adarśayat | atha jalapādo labdha-sukhas tam āha-
na tathā kariṇā yānaṃ turageṇa rathena vā |
nara-yānena vā yānaṃ yathā mandaviṣeṇa me

athānyedyur manda-viṣaś chadmanā mandaṃ mandaṃ visarpati | tac ca dṛṣṭvā jalapādo 'bravīt-bhadra ! mandaviṣa ! yathā-pūrvaṃ kim adya sādhu nohyate ?
mandaviṣo 'bravīt-deva adyāhāra-vaikalyān na me voḍhuṃ śaktir asti |
athāsāv abravīt-bhadra ! bhakṣaya kṣudra-maṇḍūkān |
tac chrutvā praharṣita-sarva-gātro mandaviṣaḥ sa-sambhramam abravīt-mamāyam eva vipra-śāpo 'sti | tat tavānenānujñā-vacanena prīto 'smi |
tato 'sau nairantaryeṇa maṇḍūkān bhakṣayan katipayair evāhobhir balavān saṃvṛttaḥ | prahṛṣṭaś cāntar-līnam avahasyedam abravīt-
maṇḍūkā vividhā hy ete chala-pūrvopasādhitāḥ |
kiyantaṃ kālam akṣīṇā bhaveyuḥ khāditā mama

jala-pādo 'pi mandaviṣeṇa kṛta-kavaca-navyāmohita-cittaḥ kim api nāvabudhyate | atrāntare'nyo mahākāyaḥ kṛṣṇa-sarpas tam uddeśaṃ samāyātaḥ | taṃ ca maṇḍūkair vāhyamānaṃ dṛṣṭvā vismaya-gatam | āha ca-vayasya ! yad asmākam aśanaṃ taiḥ kathaṃ vāhyase | viruddham etat |
mandaviṣo 'bravīt-
sarvam etad vijānāmi yathā vāhyo 'smi darduraiḥ |
kiñcit kālaṃ pratīkṣe'haṃ ghṛtāndho brāhmaṇo yathā

so 'bravīt-katham etat ?
mandaviṣaḥ kathayati-
kathā 16
ghṛtāndha-brāhmaṇa-kathā
asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne yajñadatto nāma brāhmaṇaḥ | tasya bhāryā puṃścaly anyāsakta-manā ajasraṃ viṭāyasa-khaṇḍa-ghṛtān ghṛta-pūrān kṛtvā bhartuś caurikayā prayacchati | atha kadācid bhartā dṛṣṭvābravīt-bhadre ! kim etat paripacyate ? kutra vājasraṃ nayasīdam ? tat kathaya satyam |
sā cotpanna-pratibhā kṛtaka-vacanair bhartāram abravīt-asty atra nātidūre bhagavatyā devyā āyatanam | tatrāham upoṣitā satī baliṃ bhakṣya-viśeṣāṃś cāpūrvān nayāmi |
atha tat paśyatā gṛhītvā tat sakalaṃ devyāyatanābhimukhī pratasthe | yat kāraṇaṃ devyā niveditenānena madīyo bhartaivaṃ maṃsyate yat mama brāhmaṇī bhagavatyāḥ kṛte nadyām avatīrya yāvat snānaṃ karoti tāvat tad bhartāpi mārgāntareṇāgatya devyāḥ pṛṣṭhato 'dṛśyo 'vatasthe |
atha sā brāhmaṇī snātvā devy-āyatanam āgatya snānānulepana-mālya-dhūpa-bali-kriyādikaṃ kṛtvā devīṃ praṇamya vyajijñapat-bhagavati ! kena prakāreṇa mama bhartāndho bhaviṣyati ?
tac chrutvā svara-bhedena devī-pṛṣṭha-sthito brāhmaṇo jagāda-yadi tvam ajasraṃ ghṛta-pūrādi-bhakṣyaṃ tasmai bhartre prayacchasi, tataḥ śīghram andho bhaviṣyati |
sā tu bandhakī kṛtaka-vacana-vañcita-mānasā tasmai brāhmaṇāya tad eva nityaṃ pradadau | athānyedyur brāhmaṇenābhihitam-bhadre, nāhaṃ sutarāṃ paśyāmi |
tac chrutvā cintitam anayā-devyāḥ prasādo 'yaṃ prāpta iti | atha tasyā hṛdaya-vallabho viṭas tat-sakāśam-andhībhūto 'yaṃ brāhmaṇaḥ kiṃ mama kariṣyatīti niḥśaṅkaṃ pratidinam abhyeti | athānyedyus taṃ praviśantam abhyāśa-gataṃ dṛṣṭvā keśair gṛhītvā laguḍa-pārṣṇi-prabhṛti-prahārais tāvad atāḍayat yāvad asau pañcatvam āpa | tām api puṣṭa-patnīṃ vicchanna-nāsikāṃ kṛtvā visasarja |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-skandhenāpi vahec chatrum (238) ity ādi |
atha rājan ! yathā mandaviṣeṇa buddhi-balena maṇḍūkā nihatās tathā mayāpi sarve vairiṇaḥ | sādhu cedam ucyate-
vane prajvalito vahnir dahan mūlāni rakṣati |
samūlonmūlanaṃ kuryād vāyur yo mṛdu-śītalaḥ

meghavarṇa āha-tāta ! satyam evaitat | ye mahātmāno bhavanti te mahā-sattvā āpad-gatā api prārabdhaṃ na tyajanti | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-
mahattvam etan mahatāṃ nayālaṅkāra-dhāriṇām |
na muñcanti yad ārabdhaṃ kṛcchre'pi vyasanodaye

tathā ca-
prārabhyate na khalu vighna-bhayena nīcaiḥ
prārabhya vighna-vihatā viramanti madhyāḥ |
vighnaiḥ sahasra-guṇitair api hanyamānāḥ
prārabdham uttama-guṇā na parityajanti

tat kṛtaṃ niṣkaṇṭakaṃ mama rājyaṃ śatrūn niḥśeṣatāṃ nayatā tvayā | athavā yuktam etan naya-vedinām | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-
ṛṇa-śeṣaṃ cāgni-śeṣaṃ ca śatru-śeṣaṃ tathaiva ca |
vyādhi-śeṣaṃ ca niḥśeṣaṃ kṛtvā prājño na sīdati

so 'bravīt-deva ! bhāgyavān tvam evāsi, yasyārabdhaṃ sarvam eva saṃsiddhyati | tan na kevalaṃ śauryaṃ kṛtyaṃ sādhayati, kintu prajñayā yat kriyate tad eva vijayāya bhavati | uktaṃ ca-
śastrair hatā na hi hatā ripavo bhavanti
prajñā-hatās tu ripavaḥ suhatā bhavanti |
śastaṃ nihanti puruṣasya śarīram ekaṃ
prajñā kulaṃ ca vibhavaś ca yaśaś ca hanti

tad evaṃ prajñā-puruṣakārābhyāṃ yuktasyāyatnena kārya-siddhayaḥ sambhavanti | uktaṃ ca-
prasarati matiḥ kāryārambhe dṛḍhībhavati smṛtiḥ
svayam upanayann arthān mantro na gacchati viplavam |
sphurati saphalas tarkaś cittaṃ samunnatim aśnute
bhavati ca ratiḥ ślāghye kṛtye narasya bhaviṣyataḥ

tathā ca naya-tyāga-śaurya-sampanne puruṣe rājyam iti | uktaṃ ca-
tyāgini śūre viduṣi ca saṃsarga-rucir jano guṇī bhavati |
guṇavati dhanaṃ dhanāc chrīḥ śrīmaty ājñā tato rājyam

meghavarṇa āha-nūnaṃ sadyaḥ-phalāni nīti-śāstrāṇi yat tvayānukṛtyenānupraviśyāri-mardanaḥ saparijano niḥśeṣitaḥ |
sthirajīvy āha-
tīkṣṇopāya-prāpti-gamyo 'pi yo 'rthas
tasyāpy ādau saṃśrayaḥ sādhu yuktaḥ |
uttuṅgāgraḥ sāra-bhūto vanānāṃ
mānyābhyarcya cchidyate pādapendraḥ

athavā svāmin ! kiṃ tenābhihitena ? yad anantara-jāle kriyā-rahitam asukha-sādhyaṃ vā bhavati | sādhu cedam ucyate-
aniścitair adhyavasāya-bhīrubhir
yatheṣṭa-saṃlāpa-rati-prayojanaiḥ |
phale visaṃvādam upāgatā giraḥ
prayānti loke parihāsa-vastutām

na ca laghuṣv api kartavyeṣu dhīmadbhir anādaraḥ kartavyaḥ | yataḥ-
śakṣyāmi kartum idam alpam ayatna-sādhyam
anādaraḥ ka iti kṛtyam upekṣamāṇāḥ |
kecit pramatta-manasaḥ paritāpa-duḥkham
āpat-prasaṅga-sulabhaṃ puruṣā prayānti

tad adya jitārer mad-vibhor yathā-pūrvaṃ nidrā-lābho bhaviṣyati | ucyate caitat-
niḥsarpe baddha-sarpe vā bhavane suṣyate sukham |
sadā dṛṣṭa-bhujaṅge tu nidrā duḥkhena labhyate

tathā ca-
vistīrṇa-vyavasāya-sādhya-mahatāṃ snighdopayuktāśiṣāṃ
kāryāṇāṃ naya-sāhasonnati-matām icchāpad-ārohiṇām |
mānotseka-parākrama-vyasaninaḥ pāraṃ na yāvad-gatāḥ
sāmarṣe hṛdaye'vakāśa-viṣayā tāvat kathaṃ nirvṛtiḥ

tad avasita-kāryārambhasya viśrāmyatīva me hṛdayam | tad idam adhunā nihata-kaṇṭakaṃ rājyaṃ prajā-pālana-tatparo bhūtvā putra-pautrādi-krameṇācala-cchatrāsana-śrīḥ ciraṃ bhuṅkṣva | api ca-
prajā na rañjayed yas tu rājā rakṣādibhir guṇaiḥ |
ajāgala-stanasyeva tasya rājyaṃ nirarthakam

guṇeṣu rāgo vyasaneṣv anādaro
ratiḥ subhṛtyeṣu ca yasya bhūpateḥ |
ciraṃ sa bhuṅkte cala-cāmarāṃśukāṃ
sitātapatrābharaṇāṃ nṛpa-śriyam

na ca tvayā prāpta-rājyo 'ham iti matvā śrī-madenātmā vyasayitavyaḥ | yat kāraṇam-calā hi rājño vibhūtayaḥ vaṃśārohaṇavad rājya-lakṣmī-durārohā, kṣaṇa-vinipāta-ratā, prayatna-śatair api dhāryamāṇā durdharā, praśastārādhitāpy ante vipralambhinī, vānara-jātir iva vidrutāneka-cittā, padma-patram ivāghaṭita-saṃśleṣā, pavana-gatir ivāticapalā, anārya-saṅgatir ivāsthirā, āśīviṣa iva durupacārā, sandhyābhra-lekheva muhūrta-rāgā, jala-budbudāvalīva svabhāva-bhaṅgurā, śarīra-prakṛtir iva kṛtaghnā, svapna-labdha-dravya-rāśir iva kṣaṇa-dṛṣṭa-naṣṭā | api ca-
yadaiva rājye kriyate'bhiṣekas
tadaiva buddhir vyasaneṣu yojyā |
ghaṭā hi rājñām abhiṣeka-kāle
sahāmbhasaivāpadam udgiranti

na ca kaścid anadhigamanīyo nāmāsty āpadām | uktaṃ ca-
rāmasya vrajanaṃ vane nivasanaṃ pāṇḍoḥ sutānāṃ vane
vṛṣṇīnāṃ nidhanaṃ nalasya nṛpate rājyāt paribhraṃśanam |
nāṭyācāryakam arjunasya patanaṃ sañcintya laṅkeśvare
sarve kāla-vaśāj jano 'tra sahate kaḥ kaṃ paritrāyate

kva sa daśarathaḥ svarge bhūtvā mahendra-suhṛd gataḥ
kva sa jalanidher velāṃ baddhvā nṛpaḥ sagaras tathā |
kva sa karatalāj jāto vainyaḥ kva sūrya-tanur manuḥ
nanu balavatā kālenaite prabodhya nimīlitāḥ

māndhātā kva gatas triloka-vijayī rājā kva satyavrataḥ
devānāṃ nṛpatir gataḥ kva nahuṣaḥ sac-chāstravān keśavaḥ |
manyante sarathāḥ sa-kuñjara-varāḥ śakrāsanādhyāsinaḥ
kālenaiva mahātmanā tv anukṛtāḥ kālena nirvāsitāḥ

api ca-
sa ca nṛpatis te sacivās tāḥ pramadās tāni kānana-vanāni |
sa ca te ca tāś ca tāni ca kṛtānta-dṛṣṭāni naṣṭāni