Pañcatantra · Chapter 4

evaṃ matta-kari-karṇa-cañcalāṃ rājya-lakṣmīm avāpya nyāyaika-niṣṭho bhūtvopabhuṅkṣva |
iti śrī-viṣṇu-śarma-viracite pañcatantre kākolūkīyaṃ nāma
tṛtīyaṃ tantraṃ samāptam
||3||
caturtha-tantram
atha labdha-praṇāśam
athedam ārabhate labdha-praṇāśaṃ nāma caturthaṃ tantram | yasyāyam ādimaḥ ślokaḥ-
samutpanneṣu kāryeṣu buddhir yasya na hīyate |
sa eva durgaṃ tarati jalastho vānaro yathā

tad yathānuśrūyate-
prastāvanā-kathā
vānara-makara-vṛttāntaḥ
asti kasmiṃścit samudropakaṇṭhe mahān jambū-pādapaḥ sadā-phalaḥ | tatra ca raktamukho nāma vānaraḥ prativasati sma | tatra ca tasya taror adhaḥ kadācit karālamukho nāma makaraḥ samudra-salilān niṣkramya sukomala-bālukā-sanāthe tīropānte nyaviśata | tataś ca raktamukhena sa proktaḥ-bhoḥ ! bhavān samabhyāgato 'tithiḥ | tad bhakṣayatu mayā dattāny amṛta-tulyāni jambū-phalāni | uktaṃ ca-
priyo vā yadi vā dveṣyo mūrkho vā yadi paṇḍitaḥ |
vaiśvadevāntam āpannaḥ so 'tithiḥ svarga-saṅkramaḥ

na pṛcchec caraṇaṃ gotraṃ na ca vidyāṃ kulaṃ na ca |
atithiṃ vaiśvadevānte śrāddhe ca manur abravīt

dūra-mārga-śrama-śrāntaṃ vaiśvadevāntam āgatam |
atithiṃ pūjayed yas tu sa yāti paramāṃ gatim

apūjito 'tithir yasya gṛhād yāti viniḥśvasan |
gacchanti pitaras tasya vimukhāḥ saha daivataiḥ

evam uktvā tasmai jambū-phalāni dadau | so 'pi tāni bhakṣayitvā tena saha ciraṃ goṣṭhī-sukham anubhūya bhūyo 'pi sva-bhavanam agāt | evaṃ nityam eva tau vānara-makarau jambū-cchāyā-sthitau vividha-śāstra-goṣṭhyā kālaṃ nayantau sukhena tiṣṭhataḥ | so 'pi makaro bhakṣita-śeṣāṇi jambū-phalāni gṛhaṃ gatvā sva-patnyai prayacchati | athānyatame divase tayā sa pṛṣṭaḥ-nātha ! kvaivaṃvidhāny amṛta-phalāni prāpnoṣi ?
sa āha-bhadre ! mamāsti parama-suhṛd raktamukho nāma vānaraḥ | sa prīti-pūrvakam imāni phalāni prayacchati |
atha tayābhihitam-yaḥ sarvadaivāmṛta-prāyāṇīdṛśāni phalāni bhakṣayati, tasya hṛdayam amṛta-mayaṃ bhaviṣyati | tad yadi bhāryayā te prayojanaṃ, tatas tasya hṛdayaṃ mahyaṃ prayaccha | yena tad bhakṣayitvā jarā-maraṇa-rahitā tvayā saha bhogān bhunajmi |
sa āha-bhadre ! mā maivaṃ vada | yataḥ sa pratipanno 'smākaṃ bhrātā | aparaṃ phala-dātā | tato vyāpādayituṃ na śakyate | tat tyajainaṃ mithāgrahaṇam | uktaṃ ca-
ekaṃ prasūyate mātā dvitīyaṃ vāk prasūyate |
vāg-jātam adhikaṃ procuḥ sodaryād api bāndhavāt

atha makary āha-tvayā kadācid api mama vacanaṃ nānyathā kṛtam | tan nūnaṃ sā vānarī bhaviṣyati, yatas tasyā anurāgataḥ sakalam api dinaṃ tatra gamayasi | tat tvaṃ jñāto mayā samyak | yataḥ-
sāhlādaṃ vacanaṃ prayacchati na me no vāñchitaṃ kiñcana
prāyaḥ procchvasiṣi drutaṃ hutavaha-jvālā samaṃ rātriṣu |
kaṇṭhāśleṣa-parigrahe śithilatā yan nādarāc cumbase
tat te dhūrta hṛdi sthitā priyatamā kācin mamevāparā

so 'pi patnyāḥ pādopasaṅgrahaṃ kṛtvāṅkopari nidhāya tasyāḥ kopa-koṭim āpannāyāḥ sudīnam uvāca-
mayi te pāda-patite kiṅkaratvam upāgate |
tvaṃ prāṇa-vallabhe kasmāt kopane kopam eṣyasi

sāpi tad-vacanam ākarṇyāśru-pluta-mukhī tam uvāca-
sārdhaṃ manoratha-śatais tava dhūrta kāntā
saiva sthitā manasi kṛtrima-bhāva-ramyā |
asmākam asti na kathañcid ihāvakāśaṃ
tasmāt kṛtaṃ caraṇa-pāta-viḍambanābhiḥ

aparaṃ sā yadi tava vallabhā na bhavati, tat kiṃ mayā bhaṇito 'pi tāṃ na vyāpādayasi | atha yadi sa vānaras tat kas tena saha tava snehaḥ ? tat kiṃ bahunā ? yadi tasya hṛdayaṃ na bhakṣayāmi, tan mayā prāyopaveśanaṃ kṛtaṃ viddhi |
evaṃ tasyās tan niścayaṃ jñātvā cintā-vyākulita-hṛdayaḥ sa provāca-athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
vajra-lepasya mūrkhasya nārīṇāṃ karkaṭasya ca |
eko grahas tu mīnānāṃ nīlī-madya-payos tathā

tat kiṃ karomi ? kathaṃ sa me vadhyo bhavati | iti vicintya vānara-pārśvam agamat | vānaro 'pi cirād āyāntaṃ taṃ sodvegam avalokya provāca-bho mitra ! kim adya cira-velāyāṃ samāyāto 'si ? kasmāt sāhlādaṃ nālapasi ? na subhāṣitāni paṭhasi |
sa āha-mitra ! ahaṃ tava bhrātṛ-jāyayā niṣṭhuratarair vākyair abhihitaḥ-bhoḥ kṛtaghna ! mā me tvaṃ svamukhaṃ darśaya, yatas tvaṃ pratidinaṃ mitram upajīvasi | na ca tasya punaḥ pratyupakāraṃ gṛha-darśana-mātreṇāpi karoṣi | tat te prāyaścittam api nāsti | uktaṃ ca-
brahmaghne ca surāpe ca caure bhagna-vrate śaṭhe |
niṣkṛtir vihitā sadbhiḥ kṛtaghne nāsti niṣkṛtiḥ

tat tvaṃ mama devaraṃ gṛhītvādya pratyupakārārthaṃ gṛham ānaya | no cet tvayā saha me para-loke darśanam iti | tad ahaṃ tayaivaṃ proktas tava sakāśam āgataḥ | tad adya tayā saha tvad-arthe kalahāyato mameyatī velā vilagnā | tad āgaccha me gṛham | tava bhrātṛ-patnī racita-catuṣkā praguṇita-vastra-maṇi-māṇikyādy-ucitābharaṇā dvāra-deśa-baddha-vandana-mālā sotkaṇṭhā tiṣṭhati | markaṭa āha-bho mitra ! yuktam abhihitaṃ mad-bhrātṛ-patnyā | uktaṃ ca-
varjayet kaulikākāraṃ mitraṃ prājñataro naraḥ |
ātmanaḥ sammukhaṃ nityaṃ ya ākarṣati lolupaḥ

tathā ca-
dadāti pratigṛhṇāti guhyam ākhyāti pṛcchati |
bhuṅkte bhojayate caiva ṣaḍ-vidhaṃ prīti-lakṣaṇam

paraṃ vayaṃ vanacarāḥ yuṣmadīyaṃ ca jalānte gṛham | tat kathaṃ śakyate tatra gantum | tasmāt tām api me bhrātṛ-patnīm atrānaya yena praṇamya tasyā āśīrvādaṃ gṛhṇāmi |
sa āha-bho mitra ! asti samudrāntare suramye pulina-pradeśe'smad-gṛham æ tan mama pṛṣṭham ārūdhaḥ sukhenākṛta-bhayo gaccha |
so 'pi tac chrutvā sānandam āha-bhadra ! yady evaṃ tat kiṃ vilambyate | tvaryatām | eṣo 'haṃ tava pṛṣṭhām ārūḍhaḥ |
tathānuṣṭhite'gādhe jaladhau gacchantaṃ marakam ālokya bhaya-trasta-manā vānaraḥ provāca-bhrātaḥ ! śanaiḥ śanair gamyatām | jala-kallolaiḥ plāvyate me śarīram |
tad ākarṇya makaraś cintayāmāsa-asāv agādhaṃ jalaṃ prāpto me vaśaḥ sañjātaḥ | mat-pṛṣṭha-gatas tila-mātram api calituṃ na śaknoti | tasmāt kathayāmy asya nijābhiprāyam, yenābhīṣṭa-devatā-smaraṇaṃ karoti | āha ca-mitra, tvaṃ mayā vadhāya samānīto bhāryā-vākyena viśvāsya | tat smaryatām abhīṣṭa-devatā |
sa āha-bhrātaḥ ! kiṃ mayā tasyās tavāpi cāpakṛtaṃ yena me vadhopāyaś cintitaḥ ?
makara āha-bhoḥ ! tasyās tāvat tava hṛdayasyāmṛtamaya-phala-rasāsvādana-mṛṣṭasya bhakṣaṇe dohadaḥ sañjātaḥ | tenaitad anuṣṭhitam |
pratyutpanna-matir vānara āha-bhadra ! yady evaṃ tat kiṃ tvayā mama tatraiva na vyāhṛtam ? yena sva-hṛdayaṃ jambū-koṭare sadaiva mayā suguptaṃ kṛtam | tad bhrātṛ-patnyā arpayāmi | tvayāhaṃ śūnya-hṛdayo 'tra kasmād ānītaḥ ?
tad ākarṇya makaraḥ sānandam āha-bhadra ! yady evaṃ tad arpaya me hṛdayam | yena sā duṣṭa-patnī tad bhakṣayitvānaśanād utthiṣṭhati | ahaṃ tvāṃ tam eva jambū-pādapaṃ prāpayāmi | evam uktvā nivartya jambū-talam agāt | vānaro 'pi katham api jalpita-vividha-devatopacāra-pūjas tīram āsāditavān | tataś ca dīrghatara-caṅkramaṇena tam eva jambū-pādapam ārūḍhaś cintayāmāsa-aho ! labdhās tāvat prāṇāḥ | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
na viśvased aviśvaste viśvaste'pi na viśvaset |
viśvāsād bhayam utpannaṃ mūlāny api nikṛntati

tan mamaitad adya punar janma-dinam iva sañjātam |
iti cintayamānaṃ makara āha-bho mitra ! arpaya tad dhṛdayaṃ yathā te bhrātṛ-patnī bhakṣayitvānaśanād uttiṣṭhati |
atha vihasya nirbhartsayan vānaras tam āha-dhig dhiṅ mūrkha viśvāsa-ghātaka ! kiṃ kasyacid dhṛdaya-dvayaṃ bhavati ? tad āśu gamyatāṃ jambū-vṛkṣasyādhastān na bhūyo 'pi tvayātrāgantavyam | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-
sakṛd duṣṭaṃ ca yo mitraṃ punaḥ sandhātum icchati |
sa mṛtyum upagṛhṇāti garbham aśvatarī yathā

tac chrutvā makaraḥ saṃvilakṣaṃ cintitavān-aho ! mayātimūḍhena kim asya sva-cittābhiprāyo niveditaḥ | tad yady asau punar api kathañcid viśvāsaṃ gacchati, tad bhūyo 'pi viśvāsayāmi | āha ca-mitra ! hāsyena mayā te'bhiprāyo labdhaḥ | tasyā na kiñcit tava hṛdayena prayojanam | tad āgaccha prāghuṇika-nyāyenāsmad-gṛham |
vānara āha-bho duṣṭa ! gamyatām | adhunā nāham āgamiṣyāmi | uktaṃ ca-
bubhukṣitaḥ kiṃ na karoti pāpaṃ
kṣīṇā janā niṣkaruṇā bhavanti |
ākhyāhi bhadre priya-darśanasya
na gaṅgadattaḥ punar eti kūpam

makara āha-katham etat ?
sa āha-
kathā 1
gaṅgadatta-priyadarśana-kathā
kasmiṃścit kūpe gaṅgadatto nāma maṇḍūka-rājaḥ prativasati sma | sa kadācid dāyādair udvejito 'raghaṭṭa-ghaṭīm āruhya niṣkrāntaḥ | atha tena cintitam-yat kathaṃ tesāṃ dāyādānāṃ mayā pratyapakāraḥ kartavyaḥ | uktaṃ ca-
āpadi yenāpakṛtaṃ yena ca hasitaṃ daśāsu viṣamāsu |
apakṛtya tayor ubhayoḥ punar api jātaṃ naraṃ manye

evaṃ cintayan bile praviśantaṃ kṛṣṇasarpam apaśyat | taṃ dṛṣṭvā bhūyo 'py acintayat-yad enaṃ tatra kūpe nītvā sakala-dāyādānām ucchedaṃ karomi | uktaṃ ca-
śatrubhir yojayec chatruṃ balinā balavattaram |
sva-kāryāya yato na syāt kācit pīḍātra tat-kṣaye

tathā ca-
śatrum unmūlayet prājñas tīkṣṇaṃ tīkṣṇena śatruṇā |
vyathā-karaṃ sukhārthāya kaṇṭakenaiva kaṇṭakam

evaṃ sa vibhāvya bila-dvāraṃ gatvā tam āhūtavān-ehy ehi priya-darśana ! ehi !
tac chrutvā sarpaś cintayāmāsa-ya evaṃ mām āhvayati | svajātīyo na bhavati | yato naiṣā sarpa-vāṇī | anyena kenāpi saha mama martya-loke sandhānaṃ nāsti | tad atraiva durge sthitas tāvad vedmi ko 'yaṃ bhaviṣyati | uktaṃ ca-
yasya na jāyate śīlaṃ na kulaṃ na ca saṃśrayaḥ |
na tena saṅgatiṃ kuryād ity uvāca bṛhaspatiḥ

kadācitko 'pi mantravādy auṣadha-caturo vā mām āhūya bandhane kṣipati | athavā kaścit puruṣo vairam āśritya kasyacid bhakṣaṇārthe mām āhvayati | āha ca-bhoḥ ! ko bhavān ?
sa āha-ahaṃ gaṅgadatto nāma maṇḍūkādhipatis tvat-sakāśe maitry-artham abhyāgataḥ |
tac chrutvā sarpa āha-bho ! aśraddheyam etat yat-tṛṇānāṃ vahninā saha saṅgamaḥ | uktaṃ ca-
yo yasya jāyate vadhyaḥ sa svapne'pi kathañcana |
na tat-samīpam abhyeti tat kim evaṃ prajalpasi

gaṅgadatta āha-bhoḥ ! satyam etat | svabhāva-vairī tvam asmākam | paraṃ para-paribhavāt prāpto 'haṃ te sakāśam | uktaṃ ca-
sarva-nāśe ca sañjāte prāṇānām api saṃśaye |
api śatruṃ praṇamyāpi rakṣet prāṇāndhanāni ca

sarpa āha-kathaya kasmāt te paribhavaḥ |
sa āha-dāyādebhyaḥ |
so 'py āha-kva te āśrayo vāpyāṃ kūpe taḍāge hrade vā | tat kathaya svāśrayam |
tenoktam-pāṣāṇa-caya-nibaddhe kūpe |
sarpa āha-aho apadā vayam | tatrāsti tatra me praveśaḥ | praviṣṭasya ca sthānaṃ nāsti | yatra sthitas tava dāyādān vyāpādayāmi | tad gamyatām | uktaṃ ca-
yac chakyaṃ grasituṃ yasya grastaṃ pariṇamec ca yat |
hitaṃ ca pariṇāme yat tad ādyaṃ bhūtim icchatā

gaṅgadatta āha-bhoḥ ! samāgaccha tvam | ahaṃ sukhopāyena tatra tava praveśaṃ kārayiṣyāmi | tathā tasya madhye jalopānte ramyataraṃ koṭaram asti | tatra sthitas tvaṃ līlayā dāyādān vyāpādayiṣyasi |
tac chrutvā sarpo vyacintayat-ahaṃ tāvat pariṇata-vayāḥ | kadācit kathañcin mūṣakam ekaṃ prāpnomi | tat sukhāvaho jīvanopāyo 'yam anena kulāṅgāreṇa darśitaḥ | tad gatvā tān maṇḍūkān bhakṣayāmi iti | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
yo hi prāṇa-parikṣīṇaḥ sahāya-parivarjitaḥ |
sa hi sarva-sukhopāyāṃ vṛttim āracayed budhaḥ

evaṃ vicintya tam āha-bho gaṅgadatta ! yady evaṃ tad-agre bhava | yena tatra gacchāvaḥ |
gaṅgadatta āha-bhoḥ priyadarśana ! ahaṃ tvāṃ sukhopāyena tatra neṣyāmi, sthānaṃ ca darśayiṣyāmi ta eva bhakṣaṇīyāḥ iti |
sarpa āha-sāmprataṃ tvaṃ me mitraṃ jātam | tan na bhetavyam | tava vacanena bhakṣaṇyās te dāyādāḥ |
evam uktvā bilān niṣkramya tam āliṅgya ca tenaiva saha prasthitaḥ | atha kūpam āsādyāra-ghaṭṭa-ghaṭikā-mārgeṇa sarpas tenātmanā svālayaṃ nītaḥ |
gaṅgadatta āha-bhadra ! kutaḥ tvayā mitra-kṛtyam | tat sāmpratam anenaiva ghaṭikā-yantra-mārgeṇa gamyatām iti |
sarpa āha-bho gaṅgadatta ! na samyag abhihitaṃ tvayā | katham ahaṃ tatra gacchāmi ? madīya-bila-durgam anyena ruddhaṃ bhaviṣyati | tasmād atra-sthasya me maṇḍūkam ekaikaṃ sva-vargīyaṃ prayaccha | no cet sarvān api bhakṣayiṣyāmi iti |
tac chrutvā gaṅgadatto vyākula-manā vyācintayat-aho kim etan mayā kṛtaṃ sarpam ānayatā | tad yadi niṣedhayiṣyāmi tat sarvān api bhakṣayiṣyati | athavā yuktam ucyate-
yo 'mitraṃ kurute mitraṃ vīryābhyadhikam ātmanaḥ |
sa karoti na sandehaḥ svayaṃ hi viṣa-bhakṣaṇam

tat prayacchāmy asyaikaikaṃ pratidinaṃ suhṛdam | uktaṃ ca-
sarvasva-haraṇe yuktaṃ śatruṃ buddhi-yutā narāḥ |
toṣayanty alpa-dānena bāḍavaṃ sāgaro yathā

tathā ca-
yo durbalo 'ṇūn api yācyamāno
balīyasā yacchati naiva sāmnā |
prayacchate naiva ca darśyamānaṃ
khārīṃ sa cūrṇasya punar dadāti

tathā ca-
sarva-nāśe samutpanne ardhaṃ tyajati paṇḍitaḥ |
ardhena kurute kāryaṃ sarva-nāśo hi dustaraḥ

na svalpasya kṛte bhūri nāśayen matimān naraḥ |
etad eva hi pāṇḍityaṃ yat svalpād bhūri-rakṣaṇam

evaṃ niścintya nityam ekaikam ādiśati | so 'pi taṃ bhakṣayitvā tasya parokṣe'nyān api bhakṣayati | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
yathā hi malinair vastrair yatra tatropaviśyate |
evaṃ calita-vittas tu vitta-śeṣaṃ na rakṣati

athānya-dine tenāparān maṇḍūkān bhakṣayitvā gaṅgadatta-suto yamunādatto bhakṣitaḥ | taṃ bhakṣitaṃ matvā gaṅgadattas tāra-svareṇa dhig dhik pralāpa-paraḥ kathañcid api na virarāma | tataḥ sva-patnyābhihitaḥ-
kiṃ krandasi durākranda sva-pakṣa-kṣaya-kāraka |
sva-pakṣasya kṣaye jāte ko nas trātā bhaviṣyati

tad adyāpi vicintyatām ātmano niṣkramaṇam asya vadhopāyaś ca | atha gacchatā kālena sakalam api kavalitaṃ maṇḍūka-kulam | kevalam eko gaṅgadattas tiṣṭhati | tataḥ priyadarśanena bhaṇitam-bhoḥ gaṅgadatta ! bubhukṣito 'ham | niḥśeṣitāḥ sarve maṇḍūkāḥ | tad dīyatāṃ me kiñcid bhojanaṃ yato 'haṃ tvayātrānītaḥ |
sa āha-bho mitra ! na tvayātra viṣaye mayāvasthitena kāpi cintā kāryā | tad yadi māṃ preṣayati tato 'nya-kūpa-sthān api maṇḍūkān viśvāsyātrānayāmi |
sa āha-mama tāvat tvam abhakṣyo bhrātṛ-sthāne | tad yady evaṃ karoṣi tat sāmprataṃ pitṛ-sthāne bhavasi | tad evaṃ kriyatām iti |
so 'pi tad ākarṇyāra-ghaṭṭa-ghaṭikām āśritya vividha-devatopakalpita-pūjopayācitas tat-kūpād viniṣkrāntaḥ | priyadarśano 'pi tad-ākāṅkṣayā tatrasthaḥ pratīkṣamāṇas tiṣṭhati | atha cirād anāgate gaṅgadatte priyadarśano 'nya-koṭara-nivāsinīṃ godhām uvāca-bhadre ! kriyatāṃ stokaṃ sāhāyyam | yataś cira-paricitas te gaṅgadattaḥ | tad gatvā tat-sakāśaṃ kutracij jalāśaye'nviṣya mama sandeśaṃ kathaya | yenāgamyatām ekākināpi bhavatā drutataraṃ yady anye maṇḍūkā nāgacchanti | ahaṃ tvayā vinā nātra vastuṃ śaknomi | tathā yady ahaṃ tava viruddham ācarāmi tat sukṛtam antare mayā vidhṛtam |
godhāpi tad-vacanād gaṅgadattaṃ drutataram anviṣyāha-bhadra gaṅgadatta ! sa tava suhṛt-priyadarśanas tava mārgaṃ samīkṣamāṇas tiṣṭhati | tac chīghram āgamyatām iti |
aparaṃ ca tena tava virūpa-karaṇe sukṛtam antare dhṛtam | tan-niḥśaṅena manasā samāgamyatām | tad ākarṇya gaṅgadatta āha-
bubhukṣitaḥ kiṃ na karoti pāpaṃ
kṣīṇā narā niṣkaruṇā bhavanti |
ākhyāhi bhadre priya-darśanasya
na gaṅgadattaḥ punar eti kūpam

evam uktvā sa tāṃ visarjayāmāsa |
tad bho duṣṭa-jalacara ! aham api gaṅgadatta iva tvad-gṛhe na kathañcid api yāsyāmi |
tac chrutvā makara āha-bho mitra ! athavātrāham anaśanāt prāṇa-tyāgaṃ tavopari kariṣyāmi |
vānara āha-mūḍha ! kim ahaṃ lambakarṇo mūrkhaḥ ? dṛṣṭvāpāyo 'pi svayam eva tatra gatvātmānaṃ vyāpādayāmi |
āgataś ca gataś caiva gatvā yaḥ punar āgataḥ |
akarṇa-hṛdayo mūrkhas tatraiva nidhanaṃ gataḥ

makara āha-bhadra ! sa ko lambha-karṇaḥ | kathaṃ dṛṣṭāpāyo 'pi mṛtaḥ ? tan me nivedyatām |
vānara āha-
kathā 2
karāla-kesara-kathā
kasmiṃścid vanoddeśe karāla-kesaro nāma siṃhaḥ prativasati sma | tasya ca dhūsarako nāma śṛgālaḥ sadaivānuyāyī paricārako 'sti | atha kadācit tasya hastinā saha yudhyamānasya śarīre gurutarāḥ prahārāḥ sañjātāḥ | yaiḥ padam ekam api calituṃ na śaknoti | tasyācalanāc ca dhūsarakaḥ kṣutkṣāma-kaṇṭho daurbalyaṃ gataḥ | anyasminn ahani tam avocat-svāmin ! bubhukṣaya pīḍito 'ham | padāt padam api calituṃ na śaknomi | tat kathaṃ te śuśrūṣāṃ karomi ?
siṃha āha-bhoḥ ! gaccha anveṣaya kiñcit sattvam | yenemām avasthāṃ gato 'pi vyāpādayāmi |
tad ākarṇya śṛgālo 'nveṣayan kañcit samīpa-vartinaṃ grāmam āsāditavān | tatra lambakarṇo nāma gardabhas taḍāgopānte pravirala-dūrvāṅkurān kṛcchrād āsvādayan dṛṣṭaḥ | tataś ca samīpa-vartinā bhūtvā tenābhihitaḥ-māma ! namaskāro 'yaṃ madīyaḥ sambhāvyatām | cirād dṛṣṭo 'si | tat kathaya kim evaṃ durbalatāṃ gataḥ |
sa āha-bho bhaginī-putra ! kiṃ kathayāmi | rajako 'tinirdayātibhāreṇa māṃ pīḍayati | ghāsa-muṣṭim api na prayacchati | kevalaṃ dūrvāṅkurān dhūi-miśritān bhakṣayāmi | tat kuto me śarīre puṣṭiḥ ?
śṛgāla āha-māma ! yady evaṃ tad asti marakata-sadṛśa-śaṣpa-prāyo nadī-sanātho ramaṇīyataraḥ pradeśaḥ | tatrāgatya mayā saha subhāṣita-goṣṭhī-sukham anubhavaṃs tiṣṭha |
lambakarṇa āha-bho bhaginī-suta ! yuktam uktaṃ bhavatā | paraṃ vayaṃ grāmyāḥ paśavo 'raṇya-cāriṇāṃ vadhyāḥ | tat kiṃ tena bhavya-pradeśena |
śṛgāla āha- māma ! maivaṃ vada | mad-bhuja-pañjara-parirakṣitaḥ sa deśaḥ | tatrāsti na kaścid aparasya tatra praveśaḥ | paramam anenaiva doṣeṇa rajaka-kadarthitās tatra tisro rāsabhyo 'nāthāḥ santi | tāś ca puṣṭim āpannā yauvanotkaṭā idaṃ mām ūcuḥ-yadi tvam asmākaṃ satyo mātulas tadā kaṃcid grāmāntaraṃ gatvāsmad-yogyaṃ kaścit patim ānaya | tad-arthe tvām ahaṃ tatra nayāmi |
atha śṛgāla-vacanāni śrutvā kāma-pīḍitāṅgas tam avocat-bhadra ! yady evaṃ tad-agre bhava yenāgacchāmi | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
nāmṛtaṃ na viṣaṃ kiñcid ekāṃ muktvā nitambinīm |
yasyāḥ saṅgena jīvyeta mriyate ca viyogataḥ

tathā ca-
yāsāṃ nāmnāpi kāmaḥ syāt saṅgamaṃ darśanaṃ vinā |
tāsāṃ dṛk-saṅgamaṃ prāpya yan na dravati kautukam

tatrānuṣṭhite śṛgālena saha siṃhāntikam āgataḥ | siṃho 'pi vyathākulitas taṃ dṛṣṭvā yāvat samuttiṣṭhati tāvad rāsabhaḥ palāyitum ārabdhavān | atha tasya palāyamānasya siṃhena tala-prahāro dattaḥ | sa ca manda-bhāgyasya vyavasāya iva vyarthatāṃ gataḥ | atrāntare śṛgālaḥ kopāviṣṭas tam uvāca-bhoḥ ! kim evaṃvidhaḥ prahāras te | yad gardabho 'pi tava purato balād gacchati | tat kathaṃ gajena saha yuddhaṃ kariṣyasi ? tad dṛṣṭaṃ te balam |
atha savilakṣa-smitaṃ siṃha āha-bhoḥ ! kim ahaṃ karomi | mayā na kramaḥ sajjīkṛta āsīt | anyathā gajo 'pi mat-kramākrāntā na gacchati |
śṛgāla āha-adyāpy eka-vāraṃ tavāntike tam āneṣyāmi | paraṃ tvayā sajjīkṛta-krameṇa sthātavyam |
siṃha āha-bhadra ! yo māṃ pratyakṣaṃ dṛṣṭvā gataḥ sa punaḥ katham atrāgamiṣyati ? tad anyat kim api sattvam anviṣyatām |
śṛgāla āha-kiṃ tavānena vyāpāreṇa ? tvaṃ kevalaṃ sajjita-kramas tiṣṭha |
tathānuṣṭhite śṛgālo 'pi yāvad rāsabha-mārgeṇa gacchati, tāvat tatraiva sthāne caran dṛṣṭaḥ | atha śṛgālaṃ dṛṣṭvā rāsabhaḥ prāha-bho bhaginī-suta ! śobhana-sthāne tvayāhaṃ nītaḥ | drāṅ mṛtyu-vaśaṃ gataḥ | tat kathaya kiṃ tat sattvaṃ yasyātiraudra-vajra-sadṛśa-kara-prahārād ahaṃ muktaḥ |
tac chrutvā prahasan śṛgāla āha-bhadra ! rāsabhī tvām āyāntaṃ dṛṣṭvā sānurāgam āliṅgituṃ samutthitā | tvaṃ ca kātaratvān naṣṭaḥ | sā punar na śaktā tvāṃ vinā sthātum | tayā tu naśatas te'valambanārthaṃ hastaḥ kṣiptaḥ | nānya-kāraṇena | tad āgaccha | sā tvat-kṛte prāyopaveśanopaviṣṭā tiṣṭhati | etad vadati-yal lambakarṇo yadi me bhartā na bhavati tad aham agnau jalaṃ vā praviśāmi | punas tasya viyogaṃ soḍhuṃ na śaknomi iti | tat prasādaṃ kṛtvā tatrāgamyatām | no cet tava strī-hatyā bhaviṣyati | aparaṃ bhagavān kāma-kopaṃ tavopari kariṣyati | uktaṃ ca-
strī-mudrāṃ makaradhvajasya jayinīṃ sarvārdha-sampat-karīṃ
te mūḍhāḥ pravihāya yānti kudhiyo mithyā-phalānveṣiṇaḥ |
te tenaiva nihatya nirdayataraṃ nagnīkṛtā muṇḍitāḥ
kecid rakta-paṭīkṛtāś ca jaṭilāḥ kāpālikāś cāpare

athāsau tad-vacanaṃ śraddheyatayā śrutvā bhūyo 'pi tena saha prasthitaḥ | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
jānann api naro daivāt prakaroti vigarhitam |
karma kiṃ kasyacil loke garhitaṃ rocate katham

atrāntare sajjita-krameṇa siṃhena sa lambakarṇo vyāpāditaḥ | tatas taṃ hatvā śṛgālaṃ rakṣakaṃ nirūpya svayaṃ snānārthaṃ nadyāṃ gataḥ | śṛgālenāpi laulyotsukyāt tasya karṇa-hṛdayaṃ bhakṣitam | atrāntare siṃho yāvat snātvā kṛte devārcanaḥ pratarpita-pitṛ-gaṇaḥ samāyāti tāvat karṇa-hṛdaya-rahito rāsabhas tiṣṭhati | taṃ dṛṣṭvā kopa-parītātmā siṃhaḥ śṛgālam āha-pāpa ! kim idam anucitaṃ karma samācaritam ? yat karṇa-hṛdaya-bhakṣaṇenāyam ucchiṣṭatāṃ nītaḥ |
śṛgālaḥ sa-vinayam āha-svāmin ! mā maivaṃ vada | yat karṇa-hṛdaya-rahito 'yaṃ rāsabha āsīt, tenehāgatya tvām avalokya bhūyo 'py āgataḥ |
atha tvad-vacanaṃ śraddheyaṃ matvā siṃhas tenaiva saṃvibhajya niḥśaṅkita-manās taṃ bhakṣitavān |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-āgataś ca gataś caiva iti | tan mūrkha ! kapaṭaṃ kṛtaṃ tvayā | paraṃ yudhiṣṭhireṇeva satya-vacanena vināśitam | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
svārtham utsṛjya yo dambhī satyaṃ brūte sumanda-dhīḥ |
sa svārthād bhraśyate nūnaṃ yudhiṣṭhira ivāparaḥ

makara āha-katham etat ?
sa āha-
kathā 3
yudhiṣṭhirākhya-kumbhakāra-kathā
kasmiṃścit adhiṣṭhāne kumbhakāraḥ prativasati sma | sa kadācit pramādād ardha-magna-kharpara-tīkṣṇāgrasyopari mahatā vegena dhāvan patitaḥ | tataḥ khapara-koṭyā pāṭita-lalāī̀oo rudhira-plāvita-tanuḥ kṛcchrād utthāya svāśrayaṃ gataḥ | tataś cāpathya-sevanāt sa prahāras tasya karālatāṃ gataḥ kṛcchreṇa nīrogatāṃ nītaḥ |
atha kadācid durbhikṣa-pīḍite deśe ca kumbhakāraḥ kṣutkṣāma-kaṇṭhaḥ kaiścid rāja-sevakaiḥ saha deśāntaraṃ gatvā kasyāpi rājñaḥ sevako babhūva | so 'pi rājā tasya lalāṭe vikarālaṃ prahāra-kṣataṃ dṛṣṭvā cintayāmāsa, yad-vīraḥ puruṣaḥ kaścid ayam | nūnaṃ tena lalāṭa-paṭṭe sammukha-prahāraḥ |
atas taṃ samānādibhiḥ sarveṣāṃ rāja-putrāṇāṃ madhye viśeṣa-prasādena paśyati sma | te'pi rāja-putrās tasya taṃ prasādātirekaṃ paśyantaṃ paramerṣyā-dharmaṃ vahanto rāja-bhayān na kiñcid ūcuḥ |
athānyasminn ahani tasya bhūpater vīra-sambhāvanāyāṃ kriyamāṇāyāṃ vigrahe samupasthite prakalpyamāneṣu gajeṣu saṃnahyamāneṣu vājiṣu yodheṣu | praguṇīkriyamāṇeṣu tena bhūbhujā sa kumbhakāraḥ prastāvānugataṃ pṛṣṭo nirjane-bho rāja-putra ! kiṃ te nāma ? kā ca jātiḥ ? kasmin saṅgrāme prahāro 'yaṃ te lalāṭe lagnaḥ ?
sa āha-deva ! nāyaṃ śastra-prahāraḥ | yudhiṣṭhirābhidhaḥ kulālo 'haṃ prakṛtyā | mad-gehe'neka-kharparāṇy āsan | atha kadācin madya-pānaṃ kṛtvā nirgataḥ pradhāvan kharparopari patitaḥ | tasya prahāra-vikāro 'yaṃ me lalāṭe evaṃ vikarālatāṃ gataḥ |
tad ākarṇya rājā sa-vrīḍam āha-aho vañcito 'haṃ rājāputrānukāriṇānena kulālena | tad dīyatāṃ drāg etasya candrārdhaḥ |
tathānuṣṭhite kumbhakāra āha-mā maivaṃ kuru | paśya me raṇe hasta-lāghavam |
rājā prāha-sarva-guṇa-sampanno bhavān | tathāpi gamyatām | uktaṃ ca-
śūdraś ca kṛta-vighnaś ca darśanīyo 'si putraka |
yasmin kule tvam utpanno gajas tatra na hanyate

kulāla āha-katham etat ?
rājā kathayati-
kathā 4
siṃha-dampatī-kathā
kasmiṃścid uddeśe siṃha-dampatī prativasataḥ sma | atha siṃhī putra-dvayam ajījanat | siṃho 'pi nityam eva mṛgān vyāpādya siṃhyai dadāti | athānyasmin ahani tena kim api nāsāditam | yena bhramato 'pi tasya ravir astaṃ gataḥ | atha tena sva-gṛham āgacchatā śṛgāla-śiśuḥ prāptaḥ | sa ca bālako 'yam ity avadhārya yatnena daṃṣṭrāmadhya-gataṃ kṛtvā siṃhyā jīvantam eva samarpitavān | tataḥ siṃhyābhihitam-bhoḥ kānta ! tvayānītaṃ kiñcid asmākaṃ bhojanam ?
siṃha āha-priye ! mayādyainaṃ śṛgāla-śiśuṃ parityajya na kiñcit sattvam āsāditam | sa ca mayā bālo 'yam iti matvā na vyāpādito viśeṣāt svajātīyaś ca | uktaṃ ca-
strī-vipraliṅgi-bāleṣu prahartavyaṃ na karhicit |
prāṇa-tyāge'pi sañjāte viśvasteṣu viśeṣataḥ

idānīṃ tvam enaṃ bhakṣayitvā pathyaṃ kuru | prabhāte'nyat kiñcid upārjayiṣyāmi | sā prāha-bhoḥ kānta ! tvayā bālako 'yam iti vicintya na hataḥ | tat katham enam ahaṃ svodarārthe vināśayāmi | uktaṃ ca-
akṛtyaṃ naiva kartavyaṃ prāṇa-tyāge'py upasthite |
na ca kṛtyaṃ parityājyam eṣa dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ

tasmān mamāyaṃ tṛtīyaḥ putro bhaviṣyati | ity evam uktvā tam api svastana-kṣīreṇa parāṃ puṣṭim anayat | evaṃ te trayo 'pi śiśavaḥ parasparam ajñāta-jāti-viśeṣā ekācāra-vihārā bālya-samayaṃ nirvāhayanti | atha kadācit tatra vane bhramann araṇya-gajaḥ samāyātaḥ | taṃ dṛṣṭvā tau siṃha-sutau dvāv api kupitānanau taṃ prati pracalitau yāvat tāvat tena śṛgāla-sutenābhihitam-aho ! gajo 'yaṃ yuṣmat-kula-śatruḥ | tan na gantavyam etasyābhimukham |
evam uktvā gṛhaṃ pradhāvitaḥ | tāv api jyeṣṭha-bāndhava-bhaṅgān nirutsāhatāṃ gatau | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
ekenāpi sudhīreṇa sotsāhena raṇaṃ prati |
sotsāhaṃ jāyate sainyaṃ bhagne bhaṅgam avāpnuyāt

tathā ca-
ata eva vāñchanti bhūpā yodhān mahābalān |
śūrān vīrān kṛtotsāhān varjayanti ca kātarān

atha tau dvāv api gṛhaṃ prāpya pitror agrato jyeṣṭha-bhrātṛ-ceṣṭitam ūcatuḥ-yathā gajaṃ dṛṣṭvā dūrato 'pi naṣṭaḥ |
so 'pi tad ākarṇya kopāviṣṭa-manāḥ prasphuritādhara-pallavas tāmralocanas triśikhāṃ bhrukuṭiṃ kṛtvā tau nirbhartsayan paruṣatara-vacanāny uvāca-tataḥ siṃhyai kānte nītvā prabodhito 'sau-vatsa ! maivaṃ kadācij jalpa | bhavadīya-laghu-bhrātarāv etau |
athāsau prabhūta-kopāviṣṭas tām uvāca-kim aham etābhyāṃ śauryeṇa rūpeṇa vidyābhyāsena kauśalena vā hīnaḥ ? yena mām upahasataḥ | tan mayāvaśyam etau vyāpādanīyau |
tad ākarṇya siṃhī tasya jīvitam icchanty antar vihasya prāha-tat samyak śṛṇu | tvaṃ śṛgālī-sutaḥ | kṛpayā mayā svastana-kṣīreṇa puṣṭiṃ nītaḥ | tad yāvad etau mat-putrau śiśutvāt tvāṃ śṛgālaṃ na jānītaḥ, tāvad drutataraṃ gatvā svajātīyānāṃ madhye bhava | no ced ābhyāṃ hato mṛtyu-pathaṃ sameṣyasi | so 'pi tad-vacanaṃ śrutvā bhaya-vyākula-manāḥ śanaiḥ śanair apasṛtya sva-jātyā militaḥ | tasmāt tvaṃ api yāvad ete rāja-putrās tvāṃ kulālaṃ najānanti, tāvad drutataram apasara | no ced eteṣāṃ sakāśād viḍambanāṃ prāpya mariṣyāmi | kulālo 'pi tad ākarṇya satvaraṃ praṇaṣṭaḥ |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-svārtham utsṛjya yo dambhī (38) iti |
dhiṅ mūrkha ! yat tvayā striyo 'rtha etat-kāryam anuṣṭhātum ārabdham | na hi strīṇāṃ kathañcid viśvāsam upagacchet | uktaṃ ca-
yad-arthe sva-kulaṃ tyaktaṃ jīvitārdhaṃ ca hāritam |
sā māṃ tyajati niḥsnehā kaḥ strīṇāṃ viśvasen naraḥ

makara āha-katham etat ?
vānara āha-
kathā 5
brāhmaṇa-kathā
asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne ko 'pi brāhmaṇaḥ | tasya ca bhāryā prāṇebhyo 'py atipriyāsīt | so 'pi pratidinaṃ kuṭumbena saha kalahaṃ kurvāṇā na viśrāmyati | so 'pi brāhmaṇaḥ kalaham asahamāno bhāryā-vātsalyāt sva-kuṭumbaṃ parityajya brāhmaṇyā saha viprakṛṣṭaṃ deśāntaraṃ gataḥ | atha mahāṭavī-madhye brāhmaṇyābhihitaḥ-ārya-putra ! tṛṣṇā māṃ bādhate | tad udakaṃ kvāpy anveṣaya |
athāsau tad-vacanānantaraṃ yāvad-udakaṃ gṛhītvā samāgacchati tāvat tāṃ mṛtām apaśyat | ativallabhatayā viṣādaṃ kurvan yāvad vilapati tāvad ākāśe vācaṃ śṛṇoti | yathā hi-yadi brāhmaṇa tvaṃ svakīya-jīvitasyārdhaṃ dadāsi tatas te jīvati brāhmaṇī |
tac chrutvā brāhmaṇena śucībhūya tisṛbhir vācobhiḥ svajīvitārdhaṃ dattam | vāk-samam eva ca brāhmaṇī jīvitā sā | atha tau jalaṃ pītvā vana-phalāni bhakṣayitvā gantum ārabdhau | tataḥ krameṇa kasyacin nagarasya pradeśe puṣpa-vāṭikāṃ praviśya brāhmaṇo bhāryām abhihitavān-bhadre, yāvad ahaṃ bhojanaṃ gṛhītvā samāgacchāmi tāvad atra tvayā sthātavyam |
ity abhidhāya brāhmaṇo nagara-madhye jagāma | atha tasyāṃ puṣpa-vāṭikāyāṃ paṅgura ara-ghaṭṭaṃ khelayan divya-girā gītam udgirati | tac ca śrutvā kusumeṣuṇārditā brāhmaṇyā tat-sakāśaṃ gatvābhihitam-bhadra ! yarhi māṃ na kāmayase, tan mat-saktā strī-hatyā tava bhaviṣyati |
paṅgur abravīt-kiṃ vyādhi-grastena mayā kariṣyasi ?
sābravīt-kim anenoktena ? avaśyaṃ tvayā saha mayā saṅgamaḥ kartavyaḥ |
tac chrutvā tathā kṛtavān | suratānantaraṃ sābravīt-itaḥ-prabhṛti yāvaj-jīvaṃ mayātmā bhavate dattaḥ | iti jñātvā bhavān apy asmābhiḥ sahāgacchatu |
so 'bravīt-evam astu |
atha brāhmaṇo bhojanaṃ gṛhītvā samāgatya tayā sahabhoktum ārabdhaḥ sābravīt-eṣa paṅgur bubhukṣitaḥ | tad etasyāpi kiyantam api grāsaṃ dehi iti |
tathānuṣṭhite brāhmaṇyābhihitaṃ-brāhmaṇa, sahāya-hīnas tvaṃ yadā grāmāntaraṃ gacchasi, tadā mama vacana-sahāyo 'pi nāsti | tad enaṃ paṅguṃ gṛhītvā gacchāvaḥ |
so 'bravīt-na śaknomy ātmānam apy ātmanāṃ voḍhum | kiṃ punar enaṃ paṅgum ?
sābravīt-peṭābhyantara-stham enam ahaṃ neṣyāmi |
atha tat-kṛtaka-vacana-vyāmohita-cittena tena pratipannam | tathānuṣṭhite'nyasmin dine kūpopakaṇṭhe viśrānto brāhmaṇas tayā ca paṅgu-puruṣāsaktayā samprerya kūpāntaḥ pātitaḥ | sāpi paṅguṃ gṛhītvā kasmiṃścin nagare praviṣṭā | tatra śulka-caurya-rakṣā-nimittaṃ rāja-puruṣair itas tato bhramadbhis tan-mastaka-sthā peṭī dṛṣṭā balād ācchidya rājāgre nītā | rājā ca yāvat tām udghāṭayati tāvat taṃ paṅguṃ dadarśa | tataḥ sā brāhmaṇī vilāpaṃ kurvatī rāja-puruṣānupadam eva tatrāgatā | rājñā pṛṣṭā-ko vṛttāntaḥ ? iti |
sābravīt-mamaiṣa bhartā vyādhi-bādhito dāyāda-samūhair udvejito mayā sneha-vyākulita-mānasayā śirasi kṛtvā bhavadīya-nagara ānītaḥ |
tac chrutvā rājābravīt-brāhmaṇi ! tvaṃ me bhaginī | grāma-dvayaṃ gṛhītvā bhartā saha bhogān bhuñjānā sukhena tiṣṭha |
atha sa brāhmaṇo daiva-vaśāt kenāpi sādhunā kūpād uttāritaḥ paribhramaṃs tad eva nagaram āyātaḥ | tayā duṣṭa-bhāryayā dṛṣṭā rājñe niveditaḥ-rājan ! ayaṃ mama bhartur vairī samāyātaḥ |
rājñāpi vadha ādiṣṭaḥ | sābravīt-deva, anayā mama saktaṃ kiñcit gṛhītam asti | yadi tvaṃ dharma-vatsalaḥ, tad dāpaya |
rājābravīt-bhadre ! yat tvayāsya saktaṃ kiñcit gṛhītam asti tat samarpaya |
sā prāha-deva, mayā na kiñcid gṛhītam |
brāhmaṇa āha-yan mayā trivācikaṃ sva-jīvitārdhaṃ dattam, tad dehi |
atha sā rāja-bhayāt tatraiva trivācikam eva jīvitārdham anena dattam iti jalpantī prāṇair vimuktā | tataḥ sa-vismayaṃ rājābravīt-kim etat iti | brāhmaṇenāpi pūrva-vṛttāntaḥ sakalo 'pi tasmai niveditaḥ |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-yad-arthe sva-kulaṃ tyaktam (44) iti |
vānaraḥ punar āha-sādhu cedam upākhyānakaṃ śrūyate-
na kiṃ dadyān na kiṃ kuryāt strībhir abhyarthito naraḥ |
anaśvā yatra hreṣante śiraḥ parvaṇi muṇḍitam

makara āha-katham etat ?
vānaraḥ kathayati-
kathā 6
atiprakhyāta-bala-pauruṣo 'neka-narendra-mukuṭa-marīci-jāla-jaṭilī-kṛta-pāda-pīṭhaḥ śarac-chaśāṅka-kiraṇa-nirmala-yaśāḥ samudra-paryantāyāḥ pṛthivyā bhartā nando nāma rājā | yasya sarva-śāstrādhigata-samasta-tattvaḥ sacivo vararucir nāma | tasya ca praṇaya-kalahena jāyā kupitā | sā cātīva vallabhāneka-prakāraṃ paritoṣyamāṇāpi na prasīdati | bravīti ca bhartā-bhadre ! yena prakāreṇa tuṣyati taṃ vada | niścitaṃ karomi |
tataḥ kathañcit tayoktaṃ-yadi śiro muṇḍayitvā mama pādayor nipatasi, tadā prasādābhimukhī bhavāmi |
tathānuṣṭhite prasannāsīt | atha nandasya bhāryāpi tathaiva ruṣṭā prasādyamānāpi na tuṣyati | tenoktam-bhadre ! tvayā vinā muhūrtam api na jīvāmi | pādayoḥ patitvā tvāṃ prasādayāmi |
sābravīt-yadi khalīnaṃ mukhe prakṣityāhaṃ tava pṛṣṭhe samāruhya tvāṃ dhāvayāmi | dhāvitas tu yady aśvavad dhreṣase, tadā prasannā bhavāmi |
rājñāpi tathaivānuṣṭhitam | atha prabhāta-samaye sabhāyām upaviṣṭasya rājñaḥ samīpe vararucir āyātaḥ | taṃ ca dṛṣṭvā rājā papraccha-bho vararuce ! kiṃ parvaṇi muṇḍitaṃ śiras tvayā ?
so 'bravīt-na kiṃ dadyāt (45) ity ādi | tad bho dusṭa makara ! tvam api nanda-vararuci-vat strī-vaśyaḥ | tato bhadra āgatena tvayā māṃ prati vadhopāya-prayāsaḥ prārabdhaḥ | paraṃ sva-vāg-doṣeṇaiva prakaṭībhūtaḥ | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
ātmano mukha-doṣeṇa badhyante śuka-sārikāḥ |
bakās tatra na badhyante maunaṃ sarvārtha-sādhanam

tathā ca-
suguptaṃ rakṣyamāṇo 'pi darśayan dāruṇaṃ vapuḥ |
vyāghra-carma-praticchanno vāk-kṛte rāsabho hataḥ

makara āha-katham etat ?
vānaraḥ kathayati-
kathā 8
śuddhapaṭa-nāma-rajaka-kathā
kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne śuddhapaṭo nāma rajakaḥ prativasati sma | tasya ca gardabha eko 'sti | so 'pi ghāsābhāvād atidurbalatāṃ gataḥ | atha tena rajakenāṭavyāṃ paribhramatā mṛta-vyāghro dṛṣṭaḥ | cintitaṃ ca-aho ! śobhanam āpatitam | anena vyāghra-carmaṇā praticchādya rāsabhaṃ rātrau yava-kṣetreṣūtsrakṣyāmi | yena vyāghraṃ matvā samīpa-vartinaḥ kṣetra-pālā enaṃ na niṣkāsayiṣyanti |
tathānuṣṭhite rāsabho yathecchayā yava-bhakṣaṇaṃ karoti | pratyūṣe bhūyo 'pi rajakaḥ svāśrayaṃ nayati | evaṃ gacchatā kālena sa rāsabhaḥ pīvara-tanur jātaḥ | kṛcchrād bandhana-sthānam api nīyate | athānyasminn ahani sa madhoddhato dūrād rāsabhī-śabdam aśṛṇot | tac-chravaṇa-mātreṇaiva svayaṃ śabdayitum ārabdhaḥ |
atha te kṣetra-pālā rāsabho 'yaṃ vyāghra-carma-praticchanna iti jñātvā laguḍa-śara-pāṣāṇa-prahārais taṃ vyāpāditavantaḥ |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-suguptaṃ rakṣyamāṇo 'pi (47) iti | tat kiṃ śyāmalakavad atyapamāna-sahanād ardha-candra-dānena yāsyasi |
makara āha-katham etat ?
vānara āha-
kathā 9
mahādhana-īśvara-nāma-bhāṇḍapati-kathā
asty atra dharā-pīṭhe vikaṇṭakaṃ nāma puram | tatra mahā-dhana īśvaro nāma bhāṇḍa-patiḥ | tasya catvāro jāmātṛkā avantī-pīṭhāt prāghūrṇikā vikaṇṭaka-pure samāyātāḥ | te ca yena mahatā gauraveṇābhyarcitā bhojānācchādanādibhiḥ | evaṃ teṣāṃ tatra vasatāṃ māsa-ṣaṭkaṃ sañjātam | tata īśvareṇa svabhāryoktā yad ete jāmātaraḥ parama-gauraveṇāvarjitāḥ svāmi gṛhāṇi na gacchanti, tat kiṃ kathyate ? vināpamānaṃ na yāsyanti | tad adya bhojana-velāyāṃ pāda-prakṣālanārthaṃ jalaṃ na deyaṃ yenāpamānaṃ jñātvā parityajya gacchantīti |
tathānuṣṭhite gargaḥ pāda-prakṣālanāpamānāt, somo laghv-āsana-dānāt, dattaḥ kadaśanato yātaḥ | evaṃ te trayo 'pi parityajya gatāḥ | caturthaḥ śyāmalako yāvan na yāti tāvad ardha-candra-pradānena niṣkāsitaḥ |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-
gargo hi pāda-śaucāl laghv-āsana-dānato gataḥ somaḥ |
dattaḥ kadaśana-bhojyāc chyāmalakaś cārdha-candreṇa

tat kim ahaṃ rathakāravan mūrkho yataḥ svayam api dṛṣṭvā te vikāra-paścād viśvasimi | uktaṃ ca-
pratyakṣe'pi kṛte pāpe mūrkhaḥ sāmnā praśāmyati |
rathakāraḥ svakāṃ bhāryāṃ sajārāṃ śirasāvahat
makara āha-katham etat ?
vānaraḥ kathayati-
kathā 10
rathakāra-kathā
kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne kaścid rathakāraḥ prativasati sma | tasya bhāryā puṃśalīti janāpavāda-saṃyuktā | so 'pi tasyāḥ parīkṣārthaṃ vyacintayat-kathaṃ mayāsyāḥ parīkṣaṇaṃ kartavyam | na caitad yujyate kartuṃ, yataḥ-
nadīnāṃ ca kulānāṃ ca munīnāṃ ca mahātmanām |
parīkṣā na prakartavyā strīṇāṃ duścaritasya ca

vasor vīryotpannām abhajata munir matsya-tanayāṃ
tathā jāto vyāso śata-guṇa-nivāsaḥ kim aparam |
svayaṃ vedān vyasyan śamita-kuru-vaṃśa-prasavitā
sa evābhā̆c chrīmān ahaha viṣamā karma-gatayaḥ

kulānām iti pāṇḍavānām api mahātmanāṃ notpattir adhigantavyā yataḥ te kṣetrajā iti | strī-duścaritaṃ sandhukṣyamāṇam aneka-doṣān prakaṭayati strīṇām iti | tathā ca-
yadi syāt pāvakaḥ śītaḥ proṣṇo vā śaśa-lāñchanaḥ |
strīṇāṃ tadā satītvaṃ syād yadi syād durjano hitaḥ

yathāpi śuddhām aśuddhāṃ vāpi jānāmi loka-vacanāt | uktaṃ ca-
yan na vedeṣu śāstreṣu na dṛṣṭaṃ na ca saṃśrutam |
tat sarvaṃ vetti loko 'yaṃ yat syād brahmāṇḍa-madhyagam

evaṃ sampradhārya tām avocata-priye, ahaṃ prātar grāmāntaraṃ yāsyāmi tatra dināni katicil lagiṣyanti | tat tvayā kiñcit pātheyaṃ mama yogyaṃ kāryam |
sāpi tad ākarṇya harṣita-cittautsukyena sarva-kāryāṇi santyajya siddham annaṃ ghṛta-śarkarā-prāyam akarot | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
durdivase ghana-timire duḥkha-cārāsu nagara-vīthīṣu |
patyau videśa-yāte parama-sukhaṃ jaghana-capalāyāḥ

athāsau pratyūṣe utthāya sva-gṛhān nirgataḥ | sāpi taṃ prasthitaṃ vijñāya prahasita-vadanāṅga-satkāraṃ kurvāṇā kathañcit taṃ divasam atyavāhayat | tataś ca pūrva-paricitaṃ viṭa-gṛhaṃ gatvā tam abhyarthoktavatī yad-grāmāntaraṃ gataḥ sa durātmā me patiḥ | tad adya tvayāsmad-gṛhe prasupte jane samāgantavyam |
tathānuṣṭhite sa rathakāro 'py araṇye dinam ativāhya pradoṣe sva-gṛham apara-dvāreṇa praviṣṭaḥ śayyā-tale nibhṛto bhūtvā sthitaḥ | atrāntare sa devadattaḥ śayana āgatyopaviṣṭaḥ | taṃ dṛṣṭvā rathakāro roṣāviṣṭa-citto vyacintayat-kim enam utthāya vināśayāmy athavā dvāv apy etau suptau helayā hanmi | paraṃ paśyāmi tāvac ceṣṭitam asyāḥ śṛṇomi cānena sahālāpān | atrāntare sā gṛha-dvāraṃ nibhṛtaṃ pidhāya śayana-talam ārūḍhā | tasyās tac-chayanam ārohantyā rathakāra-śarīre pādo lagnaḥ | tato vyacintayat-nūnam etena durātmanā rathakāreṇa mat-parīkṣārthaṃ bhāvyam | tat-strī-carita-vijñānaṃ kim api karomi | evaṃ tasyāś cintayantyāḥ sa devadattaḥ sparśotsukyo babhūva | tataś ca tayākṛtāūjali-puṭayābhihitaṃ-bho
mahānubhava ! na me gātraṃ tvayā spraṣṭavyam, yato 'haṃ pativratā mahā-satī ca | no cec chāpaṃ dattvā tvāṃ bhasmasāt kariṣyāmi |
sa āha-yady evaṃ tarhi kim arthaṃ tvayāhūtaḥ ?
sā prāha-bhoḥ ! śṛṇuṣvaikāgra-manāḥ | aham adya pratyūṣe devatā-darśanārthaṃ caṇḍikāyatanaṃ gatā | tatrākasmāt khe vāṇī sañjātā-putri, kiṃ karomi | bhaktāsi me tvam | paraṃ ṣaṇmāsābhyantare vidhi-niyogād vidhavā bhaviṣyasi | tato mayābhihitaṃ-bhagavati ! yayā tvam āpadaṃ vetsi tathā tat-partīkāram api jānāsi | tad asti kaścid upāyo yena me patiḥ śata-saṃvatsara-jīvī bhavati | tatas tayābhihitaṃ-vatse, sann api nāsti yatas tavāyattaḥ sa pratīkāraḥ | tac chrutvā mayābhihitaṃ-devi ! yan mat-prāṇair bhavati tad ādeśaya yena karomi | tato devyābhihitaṃ-yady adya dine para-puruṣeṇa sahaikasmiñ chayane samāruhyāliṅganaṃ karoṣi, tadā tava bhartṛ-sakto 'pamṛtyus tasya sañcarita, tvad-bhartā punar varṣa-śataṃ jīvati | tena mayā tvam abhyarthitaḥ | tayo
yat kiñcit kartum anās tat kuruṣva, nahi devatā-vacanam anyathā bhaviṣyatīti niścayaḥ | tato 'ntarhāsa-vikāsa-mukhaḥ sa tad-ucitam ācacāra |
so 'pi rathakāro mūrkhas tasyās tad-vacanam ākarṇya pulakāṅkita-tanuḥ śayyā-talān niṣkramya tām uvāca-sādhu pativrate ! sādhu kula-nandini ! sādhu ! ahaṃ durjana-vacana-śaṅkita-hṛdayas tvat-parīkṣārthaṃ grāmāntara-vyājaṃ kṛtvātra nibhṛtaṃ khaṭvā-tale līnaḥ sthitaḥ | tad ehi, āliṅgaya mām | tvaṃ sva-bhartṛ-bhaktānāṃ mukhyā nārīṇāṃ, yad evaṃ brahma-vrataṃ para-saṅge'pi pālitavatī | mad-āyur-vṛddhi-kṛte'pamṛtyu-vināśārthaṃ ca tvam evaṃ kṛtavatī | tām evam uktvā sa-sneham āliṅgitavān | sva-skandhe tām āropya tam api devadattam uvāca-bhoḥ mahānubhāva ! mat-puṇyais tvam ihāgataḥ | tvat-prasādāt prāptām adya mayā varṣa-śata-pramāṇam āyuḥ | tatas tvam api māṃ samāliṅgaya skandhaṃ me samāroha | iti jalpann anicchantam
api devadattaṃ balād āliṅgya skandhe samāropitavān | tataś ca tūrya-dhvani-cchandena nṛtyan sakala-gṛha-dvāreṣu babhrāma |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-pratyakṣe'pi kṛte pāpe (49) | tan mūḍha ! dṛṣṭa-vikāras tvam, tat kathaṃ tatra gṛhaṃ gacchāmi | athavā yan māṃ tvaṃ viśvāsayasi tat te doṣo nāsti, yat īdṛśī svabhāva-duṣṭā yuṣmaj-jātir yā śiṣṭa-saṅgād api saumyatvaṃ na yāti | athavā svabhāvo 'yaṃ duṣṭānām | uktaṃ ca-
sadbhiḥ sambodhyamāno 'pi durātmā pāpa-pauruṣaḥ |
ghṛṣyamāṇa ivāṅgāro nirmalatvaṃ na gacchati

tan mūrkha ! strī-lubdha ! strī-jita ! anye'pi ye tvad-vidhā bhavanti te sva-kāryaṃ vibhavaṃ mitraṃ ca parityajanti tat-kṛte | uktaṃ ca-
yā mamodvijate nityaṃ sādya mām avagūhate |
priya-kāraka bhadraṃ te yan mamāsti harasva tat

makara āha-katham etat ?
vānaro 'bravīt-
kathā 11
kāmātura-kathā
asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne kāmāturo nāma mahādhano vṛddha-vaṇik | tena mṛta-bhāryeṇa kāmopahata-cetasā kācin nirdhana-vaṇik-sutā prabhūtaṃ vittaṃ dattvodvāhitā | atha sā duḥkhābhibhūtā taṃ vṛddha-vaṇijaṃ draṣṭum api na śaśāka | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
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 gati-vigalitā dantāś ca nāśaṃ gatāh
dṛṣṭir bhrāmyati rūpam eva hrasate vaktraṃ ca lālāyate |
vākyaṃ naiva karoti bāndhava-janaḥ patnī na śuśrūṣate
hā kaṣṭaṃ jarayābhibhūta-puruṣaḥ putrair avajñāyate

atha kadācit sā tena sahaika-śayane parāṅ-mukhī yāvat tiṣṭhati tāvat tasya gṛhe cauraḥ praviṣṭaḥ | sāpi taṃ cauram avalokya bhaya-vyākulā vṛddham api patiṃ gāḍhaṃ samāliliṅga | so 'pi vismayāt pulakāṅkita-sarva-gātraś cintayāmāsa-aho ! kim eṣā mām adyāvagūhate | aho citram etat ! tataś ca yāvan nipuṇatayāvalokayati tāvat cauraḥ praviṣṭaḥ koṇaika-deśe tiṣṭhati | punar apy acintayat-nūnam eṣā caurasya bhayān mām āliṅgati | taj jñātvā cauram āha-yā mamodvijate nityaṃ sādya (55) iti | bhūyo 'pi nirgacchantam avādīt-bho cora ! nityam eva tvayā rātrāv āgantavyaṃ madīyo 'yaṃ vibhavas tvadīya iti |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-yā mamodvijate ity ādi | kiṃ bahunā, tena ca strī-lubdhena svaṃ sarvaṃ caurasya samarpitam | tvayāpi tathānuṣṭhitam |
athaiva tena saha vadato makarasya jalacareṇaikenāgatyābhihitam-bho makara ! tvadīyā bhāryānaśanopaviṣṭā tvayi cirayati praṇayābhibhavād vipannā | evaṃ tad-vajra-pāta-sadṛśa-vacanam ākarṇyātīvra-vyākulita-hṛdayaḥ pralapitam evaṃ cakāra-aho kim idaṃ sañjātaṃ me manda-bhāgasya | uktaṃ ca-
na gṛhaṃ gṛham ity āhur gṛhiṇī gṛham ucyate |
gṛhaṃ tu gṛhiṇī-hīnaṃ kāntārān nātiricyate

anyac ca-
vṛkṣa-mūle'pi dayitā yatra tiṣṭhati tad gṛham |
prāsādo 'pi tayā hīno 'raṇya-sadṛśaḥ smṛtaḥ

mātā yasya gṛhe nāsti bhāryā ca priya-vādinī |
araṇyaṃ tena gantavyaṃ yathāraṇyaṃ tathā gṛham

tan mitra ! kṣamyatām | mayā te'parādhaḥ kṛtaḥ | sampraty ahaṃ tu strī-viyogād vaiśvānara-praveśaṃ kariṣyāmi | tan mūḍha ! ānande'pi jāte tvaṃ viṣādaṃ gataḥ | tādṛg-bhāryāyāṃ mṛtāyām utsavaḥ kartuṃ yujyate | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-
yā bhāryā duṣṭa-caritrā satataṃ kalaha-priyā |
bhāryā-rūpeṇa sā jñeyā vidagdhair dāruṇā jarā

tasmāt sarva-prayatnena nāmāpi parivarjayet |
strīṇām iha hi sarvāsāṃ ya icchet sukham ātmanaḥ

yad-antas tan na jihvāyāṃ yaj jihvāyāṃ na tad-bahiḥ |
yad-bahis tan na kurvanti vicitra-caritāḥ striyaḥ

ke nāma na vinaśyanti mithyā-jñānān nitambinīm |
ramyāṃ te upasarpanti dīpābhāṃ śalabhā yathā

antar-viṣa-mayā hy etā bahiś caiva manoramāḥ |
guñjā-phala-samākārā yoṣitaḥ kena nirmitāḥ

tāḍitā api daṇḍena śastrair api vikhaṇḍitāḥ |
na vaśaṃ yoṣito yānti na dānair na ca saṃstavaiḥ

āstāṃ tāvat kim anyena daurātmyeneha yoṣitām |
vidhṛtaṃ svodareṇāpi ghnanti putram api svakam

rūkṣāyāṃ sneha-sad-bhāvaṃ kaṭhorāyāṃ sumārdavam |
nīrasāyāṃ rasaṃ bālo bālikāyāṃ vikalpayet

makara āha-bho mitra ! astv etat | paraṃ kiṃ karomi ? mamānartha-dvayam etat sañjātam | ekas tāvad gṛha-bhaṅgaḥ | aparas tvad-vidhena mitreṇa saha citta-viśleṣaḥ | athavā bhavaty evaṃ daiva-yogāt | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-
yādṛśaṃ mama pāṇḍityaṃ tādṛśaṃ dviguṇaṃ tava |
nābhūj jāro na bhartā ca kiṃ nirīkṣasi nagnike

vānara āha-katham etat ?
makaro 'bravīt-
kathā 12
hālika-dampatī-kathā
kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne hālika-dampatī prativasataḥ sma | sā ca hālika-bhāryā patyur vṛddha-bhāvāt sadaivānya-cittā na kathañcid gṛhe sthairyam ālambate | kevalaṃ para-puruṣān anveṣamāṇā paribhramati | atha kenacit para-vittāpahārakeṇa dhūrtena sā lakṣitā vijane proktā ca-subhage ! mṛta-bhāryo 'ham | tvad-darśanena smara-pīḍitaś ca | tad dīyatāṃ me rati-dakṣiṇā |
tatas tayābhihitam-bhoḥ subhaga ! yady evaṃ tad asti me patyuḥ prabhūtaṃ dhanam | sa ca vṛddhatvāt pracalitum apy asamarthaḥ | tatas tad-dhanam ādāyāham āgacchāmi | yena tvayā sahānyatra gatvā yathecchayā rati-sukham anubhaviṣyāmi |
so 'bravīt-rocate mahyam apy etat | tat pratyūṣe'tra sthāne śīghram eva samāgantavyam, yena śubhataraṃ kiñcin nagaraṃ gatvā tvayā saha jīva-lokaḥ saphalīkriyate |
sāpi tatheti pratijñāya prahasita-vadanā sva-gṛhaṃ gatvā rātrau prasupte bhartari sarvaṃ vittam ādāya pratyūṣa-samaye tat-kathita-sthānam upādravat | dhūrto 'pi tām agre vidhāya dakṣiṇāṃ diśam āśritya satvara-gatiḥ prasthitaḥ |
evaṃ tayor vrajator yojana-dvaya-mātreṇāgrataḥ kācin nadī samupasthitā | tāṃ dṛṣṭvā dhūrtaś cintayāmāsa-kim aham anayā yauvana-prānte vartamānayā kariṣyāmi | kiṃ ca kadāpy asyāḥ pṛṣṭhataḥ ko 'pi sameṣyati | tan me mahān anarthaḥ syāt | tat kevalam asyā vittam ādāya gacchāmi |
iti niścitya tām uvāca-priye ! sudustareyaṃ mahānadā | tad ahaṃ dravya-mātrāṃ pāre dhṛtvā samāgacchāmi | tatas tvām ekākinīṃ sva-pṛṣṭham āropya sukhenottārayiṣyāmi |
sā prāha-subhaga ! evaṃ kriyatām | ity uktvāśiṣaṃ vittaṃ tasmai samarpayāmāsa |
atha tenābhihitaṃ-bhadre ! paridhānācchādana-vastram api samarpaya | yena jala-madhye niḥśaṅkaṃ vrajasi | tathānuṣṭhite dhūrto vittaṃ vastra-yugalaṃ cādāya yathācintita-viṣayaṃ gataḥ |
sāpi kaṇṭha-niveśita-hasta-yugalā sodvegā nadī-pulina-deśa upaviṣṭā yāvat tiṣṭhati tāvad etasminn antare kācic chṛgālikā māṃsa-piṇḍa-gṛhīta-vadanā tatrājagāma | āgatya ca yāvat paśyati, tāvan nadī mahān matsyaḥ salilān niṣkramya bahiḥ sthita āste | evaṃ ca dṛṣṭvā sā māṃsa-piṇḍaṃ samutsṛjya taṃ matsyaṃ pratyupādravat | atrāntaraṃ ākāśād āvatīrthaṃ ko 'pi pratyupādravat | atrāntaram ākāśād avatīrya ko 'pi gṛdhras taṃ māṃsa-piṇḍam ādāya punaḥ kham utpatāta | matsyo 'pi śṛgālikāṃ dṛṣṭvā nadyāṃ praviveśa | sā śṛgālikāṃ dṛṣṭvā nadyāṃ praviveśa | sā śṛgālikā vyartha-śramā gṛdhram avalokayantī tayā nagnikayā sa-smitam abhihitā-
gṛdhreṇāpahṛtaṃ māṃsaṃ matsyo 'pi salilaṃ gataḥ |
matsya-māṃsa-paribhraṣṭe kiṃ nirīkṣyasi jambuke

mitraṃ hy amitratāṃ yātam aparaṃ me priyā mitrā |
gṛham anyena ca vyāptaṃ kim adyāpi bhaviṣyati

athavā yuktam idam ucyate-
kṣate prahārā nipatanty abhīkṣṇam anna-kṣaye vardhati jāṭharāgniḥ |
āpatsu vairāṇi samudbhavanti vāme vidhau sarvam idaṃ narāṇām

tat kiṃ karomi ? kim anena saha yuddhaṃ karomi ? kiṃ vā sāmnaiva sambodhya gṛhān niḥsārayāmi ? kiṃ vā bhedaṃ dānaṃ vā karomi ? athavāmum eva vānara-mitraṃ pṛcchāmi ? uktaṃ ca-
yaḥ pṛṣṭvā kurute kāryaṃ praṣṭavyān sva-hitān gurūn |
na tasya jāyate vighnaḥ kasmiṃścid api karmaṇi

evaṃ sampradhārya bhūyo 'pi tam eva jambū-vṛkṣam ārūḍhaṃ kapim apṛcchat-bho mitra ! paśya me manda-bhāgyatām | tat samprati gṛham api me balavattareṇa makareṇa ruddham | tad ahaṃ tvāṃ praṣṭum abhyāgataḥ | kathaya kiṃ karomi ? sāmādīnām upāyānāṃ madhye kasyātra viṣayaḥ ?
sa āha-bhoḥ kṛtaghna pāpa-cārin ! mayā niṣiddho 'pi kiṃ bhūyo mām anusarasi | nāhaṃ tava mūrkhasyopadeśam api dāsyāmi |
tac chrutvā makaraḥ prāha-bho mitra ! sāparādhasya me pūrva-sneham anusmṛtya hitopadeśaṃ dehi |
vānara āha-nāhaṃ te kathayiṣyāmi | yad bhāryā-vākyena bhavatāhaṃ samudre prakṣiptuṃ nītaḥ | tad evaṃ na yuktam | yadyapi bhāryā sarva-lokād api vallabhā bhavati, tathāpi na mitrāṇi bāndhavāś ca bhāryā-vākyena samudre prakṣipyante | tan mūrkha ! mūḍhatvena nāśas tava mayā prāg eva nivedita āsīt, yataḥ-
satāṃ vacanam ādiṣṭaṃ madena na karoti yaḥ |
sa vināśam avāpnoti ghaṇṭoṣṭra iva satvaram

makara āha-katham etat ?
so 'bravīt-
kathā 13
ujjvalaka-rathakāra-kathā
kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne ujjvalako nāma rathakāraḥ prativasati sma | sa cātīva dāridryopahataś cintitavān-aho ! dhig iyaṃ daridratāsmad-gṛhe | yataḥ sarvo 'pi janaḥ sva-karmaṇaiva ratas tiṣṭhati | asmadīyaḥ punar vyāpāro nātrādhiṣṭhāne'rhati | yataḥ sarva-lokānāṃ cirantanāś caturbhūmikā gṛhāḥ santi | mama ca nātra | tat kiṃ madīyena rathakāratvena prayojanam ? iti cintayitvā deśān niṣkrāntaḥ |
yāvat kiñcid vanaṃ gacchati tāvad gahvarākāra-vana-gahana-madhye sūryāstam anavelāyāṃ sva-yūthād bhraṣṭāṃ prasava-vedanayā pīḍyamānām uṣṭrīm apaśyat | sa ca dāseraka-yuktām uṣṭrīṃ gṛhītvā sva-sthānābhimukhaḥ prasthitaḥ | gṛham āsādya rajjuṃ gṛhītvā tām uṣṭrikāṃ babandha | tataś ca tīkṣṇaṃ paraśum ādāya tasyāḥ pallavānayanārthaṃ parvataika-deśe gataḥ | tatra ca nūtanāni komalāni bahūni pallavāni cchittvā śirasi samāropya tasyāgre nicikṣepa | tayā ca tāni śanaiḥ śanair bhakṣitāni | paścāt pallava-bhakṣaṇa-prabhāvād aharniśaṃ pīvara-tanur uṣṭrī sañjātā | so 'pi dāserako mahān uṣṭraḥ sañjātaḥ | tataḥ sa nityam eva dugdhaṃ gṛhītvā sva-kuṭumbaṃ paripālayati |
atha rathakāreṇa vallabhatvād dāseraka-grīvāyāṃ mahatī ghaṇṭā pratibaddhā | paścād rathakāro vyacintayat-aho ! kim anyair duṣkṛta-karmabhiḥ | yāvan mamaitasmād evoṣṭrāparipālanād asya kuṭumbasya bhavyaṃ sañjātam | tat kim anyena vyāpāreṇa ?
evaṃ vicintya gṛham āgatya priyām āha-bhadre ! samīcīno 'yaṃ vyāpāraḥ | tava sammatiś cet kuto 'pi dhanikāt kiñcid dravyam ādāya mayā gurjara-deśe gantavyaṃ kalabha-grahaṇāya | tāvat tvayaitau yatnena rakṣaṇīyau | yāvad aham aparām uṣṭrīṃ nītvā samāgacchāmi |
tataś ca gurjara-deśaṃ gatvoṣṭrīṃ gṛhītvā sva-gṛham āgataḥ | kiṃ bahunā ? tena tathā kṛtaṃ yathā tasya pracurā uṣṭrāḥ karabhāś ca sammilitāḥ | tatas tena mahad uṣṭra-yūthaṃ kṛtvā rakṣā-puruṣo dhṛtaḥ | tasya prativarṣaṃ vṛttyā karabham ekaṃ prayacchati | prativarṣam anyac cāharniśaṃ dugdha-pānaṃ tasya nirūpitam | evaṃ rathakāro 'pi nityam evoṣṭrī-karabha-vyāpāraṃ kurvan sukhena tiṣṭhati |
atha te dāserakā adhiṣṭhānopavanāhārthaṃ gacchanti | komala-vallīr yathecchayā bhakṣayitvā mahati sarasi pānīyaṃ pītvā sāyantana-samaye mandaṃ mandaṃ līlayā gṛham āgacchanti | sa ca pūrva-dāserako madātirekāt pṛṣṭha āgatya milati | tatas taiḥ kalabhair abhihitam-aho ! manda-matir ayaṃ dāserako yathā yūthād bhraṣṭaḥ pṛṣṭhe sthitvā ghaṇṭāṃ vādayann āgacchati | yadi kasyāpi duṣṭa-sattvasya mukhe patiṣyati, tan nūnaṃ mṛtyum avāpsyati |
atha tasya tad-vanaṃ gāhamānasya kaścit siṃho ghaṇṭā-ravam ākarṇya samāyātaḥ | yāvad avalokayati, tāvad uṣṭrī-dāserakāṇāṃ yūthaṃ gacchati | ekas tu punaḥ pṛṣṭhe krīḍāṃ kurvan vallarīś caran yāvat tiṣṭhati, tāvad anye dāserakāḥ pānīyaṃ pītvā sva-gṛhe gatāḥ | so 'pi vanān niṣkramya yāvad diśo 'valokayati, tāvan na kañcin mārgaṃ paśyati vetti ca | yūthād bhraṣṭo mandaṃ mandaṃ bṛhac-chabdaṃ kurvan yāvat kiyad-dūraṃ gacchati, tāvat tac-chabdānusārī siṃho 'pi kramaṃ kṛtvā nibhṛto 'yaṃ vyavasthitaḥ | tato yāvad uṣṭraḥ samīpam āgataḥ, tāvat siṃhena lambhayitvā grīvāyāṃ gṛhīto māritaś ca |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-satāṃ vacanam ādiṣṭam (74) iti |
atha tac chrutvā makaraḥ prāha-
upadeśa-pradātṝṇāṃ narāṇāṃ hitam icchatām |
parasminn iha loke ca vyasanaṃ nopapadyate

tata sarvathā kṛtaghnasyāpi me kuru prasādam upadeśa-pradānena | uktaṃ ca-
upakāriṣu yaḥ sādhuḥ sādhutve tasya ko guṇaḥ |
apakāriṣu yaḥ sādhuḥ sa sādhuḥ sadbhir ucyate

tad ākarṇya vānaraḥ prāha-bhadra ! yady evaṃ tarhi tatra gatvā tena saha yuddhaṃ kuru | uktaṃ ca-
hatas tvaṃ prāpsyasi svargaṃ jīvan gṛham atho yaśaḥ |
yudhyamānasya te bhāvi guṇa-dvayam anuttamam

uttamaṃ praṇipātena śūraṃ bhedena yojayet |
nīcam alpa-pradānena sama-śaktiṃ parākramaiḥ

makara āha-katham etat ?
so 'bravīt-
kathā 14
mahācaturakākhya-śṛgāla-kathā
āsīt kasmiṃścid deśe mahā-caturako nāma śṛgālaḥ | tena kadācid araṇye svayaṃ mṛto gajaḥ samāsāditaḥ | tasya samantāt paribhramati, paraṃ kaṭhināṃ tvacaṃ bhettuṃ na śaknoti | athātrāvasara itaś cetaś ca vicaran kaścit siṃhas tatraiva pradeśe samāyayau |
atha siṃhaṃ samāgataṃ dṛṣṭvā sa kṣiti-tala-vinyasta-mauli-maṇḍalaḥ saṃyojita-kara-yugalaḥ sa-vinayam uvāca-svāmin ! tvadīyo 'haṃ lāguḍikaḥ sthitas tvad-arthe gajam imaṃ rakṣāmi | tad enaṃ bhakṣayatu svāmī |
taṃ praṇataṃ dṛṣṭvā siṃhaḥ prāha-bhoḥ ! nāham anyena hataṃ sattvaṃ kadācid api bhakṣayāmi | tat tavaiva gajo 'yaṃ mayā prasādīkṛtaḥ |
tac chrutvā śṛgālaḥ sānandam āha-yuktam idaṃ svāmino nija-bhṛtyeṣu | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-
antyāvastho 'pi mahān svāmi-guṇān na jahāti śuddhatayā |
na śveta-bhāvam ujjhati śaṅkhaḥ śikhi-bhukta-mukto 'pi

atha siṃhe gate kaścid vyāghraḥ samāyayau | tam api dṛṣṭvāsau vyacintayat-aho ! ekas tāvad durātmā praṇipātenāpavāhitaḥ | tat katham idānīm enam apavāhayiṣyāmi ? nūnaṃ śūro 'yam | na khalu bhedaṃ vinā sādhyo bhaviṣyati | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-
na yatra śakyate kartuṃ sāma dānam athāpi vā |
bhedas tatra prayoktavyo yataḥ sa vaśa-kārakaḥ

kiṃ ca sarva-guṇa-sampanno 'pi bhedena badhyate | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-
antaḥ-sthenāviruddhena suvṛttenāticāruṇā |
antar-bhinnena samprāptaṃ mauktikenāpi bandhanam

evaṃ sampradhārya tasyābhimukho bhūtvā garvād unnata-kandharaḥ sa-sambhramam uvāca-māma ! katham atra bhavān mṛtyu-mukhe praviṣṭaḥ | yenaiṣa gajaḥ siṃhena vyāpāditaḥ | sa ca mām etad rakṣaṇaṃ niyujya nadyāṃ snānārthaṃ gataḥ | tena ca gacchatā mama samādiṣṭam-yadi kaścid iha vyāghraḥ samāyāti, tvayā suguptaṃ mām āvedanīyam | yena vanam idaṃ mayā nirvyāghraṃ kartavyam | yataḥ pūrvaṃ vyāghreṇaikena mayā vyāpādito gajaḥ śūnye bhakṣayitvocchiṣṭatāṃ nītaḥ | tad-dinād ārabhya vyāghrān prati prakupito 'smi |
tac chrutvā vyāghraḥ santrastam āha-bho bhāgineya ! dehi me prāṇa-dakṣiṇām | tvayā tasyātra cirāyāyātasyāpi madīyā kāpi vārtā nākhyeyā | evam abhidhāya satvaraṃ palāyāñcakre |
atha gate vyāghre tatra kaścid dvīpī samāyātaḥ | tam api dṛṣṭvāsau vyacintayat-dṛḍha-daṃṣṭro 'yaṃ citrakaḥ | tad asya pārśvād asya gajasya yathā carma-cchedo bhavati tathā karomi | evaṃ niścitya tam apy uvāca-bho bhaginī-suta ! kim iti cirād dṛṣṭo 'si | kathaṃ ca bubhukṣita iva lakṣyase ? tad atithir asi me | eṣa gajaḥ siṃhena hatas tiṣṭhati | ahaṃ cāsya tad-ādiṣṭo rakṣā-pālaḥ | paraṃ tathāpi yāvat siṃho na samāyāti, tāvad asya gajasya māṃsaṃ bhakṣayitvā tṛptiṃ kṛtvā drutataraṃ vraja |
sa āha-māma, tad evaṃ tan na kāryaṃ me māṃsāśanena, yato jīvan naro bhadra-śatāni paśyati | uktaṃ ca-yac chakyaṃ grasitaṃ yasya grastaṃ pariṇamec ca yat (23) ity ādi | tat sarvathā tad eva bhujyate yad eva pariṇamati | tad aham ito 'payāsyāmi |
śṛgāla āha-bho adhīra ! viśrabdho bhūtvā bhakṣaya tvam | tasyāgamanaṃ dūrato 'pi tavāhaṃ nivedayiṣyāmi | tathānuṣṭhite dīvpinā bhinnāṃ tvacaṃ vijñāya jambūkenābhihitam-bho bhaginī-suta ! gamyatām | eṣa siṃhaḥ samāyāti |
tac chrutvā citrako dūraṃ praṇaṣṭaḥ | atha yāvad asau tad-bheda-kṛta-dvāreṇa kiñcin māṃsaṃ bhakṣayati, tāvad atisaṅkruddho 'paraḥ śṛgālaḥ samāyayau | atha tam ātma-tulya-parākramaṃ dṛṣṭvā-uttamaṃ praṇipātena śūraṃ bhedena yojayet (78) iti ślokaṃ paṭhan tad-abhimukha-kṛta-prayāṇaḥ sva-daṃṣṭrābhis taṃ vidārya diśo bhāgaṃ kṛtvā svayaṃ sukhena cira-kālaṃ hasti-māṃsaṃ bubhuje |
evaṃ tvam api taṃ ripuṃ sva-jātīyaṃ yuddhena paribhūya diśo-bhāgaṃ kuru | no cet paścād baddha-mūlād asmāt tvam api vināśam avāpsyasi | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-
sambhāvyaṃ goṣu sampannaṃ sambhāvyaṃ brāhmaṇe tapaḥ |
sambhāvyaṃ strīṣu cāpalyaṃ sambhāvyaṃ jātito bhayam

anyac ca-
subhikṣāṇi vicitrāṇi śithilāḥ paura-yoṣitaḥ |
eko doṣo videśasya svajātir yad virudhyate

makara āha-katham etat ?
vānaro 'bravīt-
kathā 15
citrāṅga-nāma-sārameya-kathā
asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne citrāṅgo nāma sārameyaḥ | tatra ca cira-kālaṃ durbhikṣaṃ patitam | annābhāvāt sārameyādayo niṣkulatāṃ gantum ārabdhāḥ | atha citrāṅgaḥ kṣutkṣāma-kaṇṭhas tad-bhayād deśāntaraṃ gataḥ | tatra ca kasmiṃścit pure kasyacid gṛha-medhino gṛhiṇyāḥ prasādena pratidinaṃ gṛhaṃ praviśya vividhānnāni bhakṣayan parāṃ tṛptiṃ gacchati | paraṃ tad-gṛhād bahir niṣkrānto 'nyair madoddhata-sārameyaiḥ sarva-dikṣu parivṛtya sarvāṅgaṃ daṃṣṭrābhir vidāryate | tatas tena vicintitavān-aho ! varaṃ sva-deśo yatra durbhikṣe'pi sukhena sthīyate | na ca ko 'pi yuddhaṃ karoti | tad evaṃ sva-nagaraṃ vrajāmi ity avadhārya sva-sthānaṃ prati jagāma |
athāsau deśāntarāt samāyātaḥ sarvair api svajanaiḥ pṛṣṭaḥ-bhoś citrāṅga ! kathayāsmākaṃ deśāntara-vārtām | kīdṛg deśaḥ ? kiṃ ceṣṭitaṃ lokasya ? ka āhāraḥ ? kaś ca vyavahāras tatra iti |
sa āha-kiṃ kathyate videśasya svarūpa-viṣayaḥ ? subhikṣāṇi vicitrāṇi śithilāḥ paura-yoṣitaḥ (83) iti paṭhati |
so 'pi makaras tad-upadeśaṃ śrutvā kṛta-maraṇa-niścayo vānaram anujñāpya svāśrayaṃ gataḥ | tatra ca tena sva-gṛha-praviṣṭenātatāyinā saha vigrahaṃ kṛtvā dṛḍha-sattvāvaṣṭambhanāc ca taṃ vyāpādya svāśrayaṃ ca labdhvā sukhena cira-kālam atiṣṭhat | sādhv idam ucyate-
akṛtvā pauruṣaṃ yā śrīḥ kiṃ tayālasa-bhāgyayā |
kuraṅgo 'pi samaśnāti daivād upanataṃ tṛṇam