Pañcatantra · Chapter 5

iti śrī-viṣṇu-śarma-viracite pañcatantre labdha-praṇāśaṃ nāma
caturthaṃ tantraṃ samāptam
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pañcamaṃ tantram
aparīkṣita-kārakam
kṣapaṇaka-kathā
athedam ārabhyate'parīkṣita-kārakaṃ nāma pañcamaṃ tantram | tasyāyam ādimaḥ ślokaḥ-
kudṛṣṭaṃ kuparijñātaṃ kuśrutaṃ kuparīkṣitam |
tan nareṇa na kartavyaṃ nāpitenātra yat kṛtam

tad yathānuśrūyate-asti dākṣiṇātye janapade pāṭaliputraṃ nāma nagaram | tatra maṇibhadro nāma śreṣṭhī prativasati sma | tasya ca dharmārtha-kāma-mokṣa-karmāṇi kurvato vidhi-vaśād dhana-kṣayaḥ sañjātaḥ | tato vibhava-kṣayād apamāna-paramparayā paraṃ viṣādaṃ gataḥ | athānyadā rātrau suptiś cintitavān-aho dhig iyaṃ daridratā | uktaṃ ca-
śīlaṃ śaucaṃ kṣāntir dākṣiṇyaṃ madhuratā kule janma |
na virājanti hi sarve vitta-vihīnasya pusuṣasya

māno vā darpo vā vijñānaṃ vibhramaḥ subuddhir vā |
sarvaṃ praṇaśyati samaṃ vitta-vihīno yadā puruṣaḥ

pratidivasaṃ yāti layaṃ vasanta-vātāhateva śiśira-śrīḥ |
buddhir buddhimatām api kuṭumba-bhara-cintayā satatam

naśyati vipulamater api buddhiḥ puruṣasya manda-vibhavasya |
ghṛta-lavaṇa-taila-taṇḍula-vastrendhana-cintayā satatam

gaṇanam iva naṣṭa-tārakaṃ
suṣkam iva saraḥ śmaśānam iva raudram |
priya-darśanam api rūkṣaṃ
bhavati gṛhaṃ dhana-vihīnasya

na vibhāvyante laghavo vitta-vihīnāḥ puro 'pi nivasantaḥ |
satataṃ jāta-vinaṣṭāḥ payasām iva budbudāḥ payasi

sukulaṃ kuśalaṃ sujanaṃ vihāya kula-kuśala-śīla-vikale'pi |
āḍhye kalpa-tarāv iva nityaṃ rajyanti jana-nivahāḥ

viphalam iha pūrva-sukṛtaṃ vidyāvanto 'pi kula-samudbhūtāḥ |
yasya yadā vibhavaḥ syāt tasya tadā dāsatāṃ yānti

laghur ayam āha na lokaḥ kāmaṃ garjantam api patiṃ payasām |
sarvam alajjākaram iha yad yat kurvanti paripūrṇāḥ

evaṃ sampradhārya bhūyo 'py acintayat-tad aham anaśanaṃ kṛtvā prāṇān utsṛjāmi | kim anena vyartha-jīvita-vyasanena ? evaṃ niścayaṃ kṛtvā suptaḥ | atha tasya svapne padmanidhiḥ kṣapaṇaka-rūpo darśanaṃ dattvā provāca-bhoḥ śreṣṭhin ! mā tvaṃ vairāgyaṃ gaccha | ahaṃ padmanidhis tava pūrva-puruṣopārjitaḥ | tad anenaiva rūpeṇa prātas tvad-gṛham āgamiṣyāmi | tat tvayāhaṃ laguḍa-prahāreṇa śirasi tāḍanīyaḥ, yena kanaka-mayo bhūtvākṣayo bhavāmi |
atha prātaḥ prabuddhaḥ san svapnaṃ smaraṃś cintā-cakram ārūḍhas tiṣṭhati-aho satyo 'yaṃ svapnaḥ kiṃ vā asatyo bhaviṣyati, na jñāyate | athavā nūnaṃ mithyānena bhāvyam | yato 'ham ahar-niśaṃ kevalaṃ vittam eva cintayāmi | uktaṃ ca-
vyādhitena sa-śokena cintā-grastena jantunā |
kāmārtenātha mattena dṛṣṭaḥ svapno nirarthakaḥ

etasminn antare tasya bhāryayā kaścin nāpitaḥ pāda-prakṣālanāyāhūtaḥ atrāntare ca yathā-nirdiṣṭaḥ kṣapaṇakaḥ sahasā prādurbabhūva | atha sa tam ālokya prahṛṣṭa-manā yathāsanna-kāṣṭha-daṇḍena taṃ śirasy atāḍayat | so 'pi suvarṇa-mayo bhūtvā tat-kṣaṇāt bhūmau nipatitaḥ | atha taṃ sa śreṣṭhī nibhṛtaṃ sva-gṛha-madhye kṛtvā nāpitaṃ santoṣya provāca-tad etad dhanaṃ vastrāṇi ca mayā dattāni gṛhāṇa | bhadra ! punaḥ kasyacin nākhyeyo 'yaṃ vṛttāntaḥ |
nāpito 'pi sva-gṛhaṃ gatvā vyacintayat-nūnam ete sarve'pi nagnakāḥ śirasi tāḍitāḥ kāñcana-mayā bhavanti | tad aham api prātaḥ prabhūtān āhūya laguḍaiḥ śirasi hanmi, yena prabhūtaṃ hāṭakaṃ me bhavati | evaṃ cintayato mahatā kaṣṭena niśāticakrāma |
atha prabhāte'bhyutthāya bṛhal laguḍam ekaṃ praguṇīkṛtya, kṣapaṇaka-vihāraṃ gatvā jinendrasya pradakṣiṇa-trayaṃ vidhāya, jānubhyām avaniṃ gatvā vaktra-dvāra-nyastottarīyāñcalas tāra-svareṇemaṃ ślokam apaṭhat-
jayanti te jinā yeṣāṃ kevala-jñāna-śālinām |
ā janmanaḥ smarotpattau mānasenoṣarāyitam

anyac ca-
sā jihvā yā jinaṃ stauti tac-cittaṃ yaj jine ratam |
tau eva tu karau ślāghyau yau tat-pūjā-karau karau

tathā ca-
dhyāna-vyājam upetya cintayasi kām unmīlya cakṣuḥ kṣaṇaṃ
paśyānaṅga-śarāturaṃ janam imaṃ trātāpi no rakṣasi |
mithyā-kāruṇiko 'si nirghṛṇataras tvattaḥ kuto 'nyaḥ pumān
serṣyaṃ māra-vadhūbhir ity abhihito bauddho jinaḥ pātu vaḥ

evaṃ saṃstūya, tataḥ pradhāna-kṣapaṇakaṇam āsādya kṣiti-nihita-jānu-caraṇaḥ-namo 'stu vande ity uccārya, labdha-dharma-vṛddhy-āśīrvādaḥ sukha-mālikānugraha-labdha-vratādeśa uttarīya-nibaddha-granthiḥ sapraśrayam idam āha-bhagavan adya viharaṇa-kriyā samasta-muni-sametenāsmad-gṛhe kartavyā |
tac chrutvā nāpita āha-bhagavan ! vedmy ahaṃ yuṣmad-dharmam | paraṃ bhavato bahu-śrāvakā āhvayanti | sāmprataṃ punaḥ pustakācchādana-yogyāni karpaṭāni bahu-mūlyāni praguṇīkṛtāni | tathā pustakānāṃ lekhanārthaṃ lekhakānāṃ ca vittaṃ sañcitam āste tat sarvathā kālocitaṃ kāryam |
tato nāpito 'pi sva-gṛhaṃ gataḥ | tatra ca gatvā khadira-mayaṃ laguḍaṃ sajjīkṛtya kapāṭa-yugalaṃ dvāri samādhāya sārdha-praharaika-samaye bhūyo 'pi vihāra-dvāram āśritya sarvān bhakti-yuktān api paricita-śrāvakān parityajya prahṛṣṭa-manasas tasya pṛṣṭhato yayuḥ | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
ekākī gṛha-santyaktaḥ pāṇi-pātro digambaraḥ |
so 'pi sambādhyate loke tṛṣṇayā paśya kautukam

jīryante jīryataḥ keśā dantā jīryanti jīryataḥ |
cakṣuḥ śrotre ca jīryete tṛṣṇaikā taruṇāyate
tataḥ paraṃ gṛha-madhye tān praveśya dvāraṃ nibhṛtaṃ pidhāya, laguḍa-prahāraiḥ śirasy atāḍayat | te'pi tāḍyamānā eke mṛtāḥ, anye bhinna-mastakā phūtkartum upacakramire | atrāntare tam ākrandam ākarṇya koṭara-kṣapālenābhihitam-bho bhoḥ kim ayaṃ kolāhalo nagara-madhye ? tad gamyatām |
te sa sarve tadādeśakāriṇas tat-sahitā vegāt tad-gṛhaṃ gatā yāvat paśyanti tāvad rudhira-plāvita-dehāḥ palāyamānā nagnakā dṛṣṭāḥ pṛṣṭāś ca-bhoḥ kim etat ? te procur yathāvasthitaṃ nāpita-vṛttam |
tair api sa nāpito baddho hata-śeṣaiḥ saha dharmādhiṣṭhānaṃ nītaḥ | tair nāpitaḥ pṛṣṭaḥ-bhoḥ ! kim etat bhavatā kukṛtyam anuṣṭhitam ?
sa āha-kiṃ karomi ? mayā śreṣṭhi-maṇibhadra-gṛhe dṛṣṭa evaṃvidho vyatikaraḥ | so 'pi sarvaṃ maṇiprabha-vṛttāntaṃ yathā-dṛṣṭam akathayat |
tataḥ śreṣṭhinam āhūya te bhaṇitavantaḥ-bhoḥ śreṣṭhin ! kiṃ tvayā kaścit kṣapaṇako vyāpāditaḥ ?
tataḥ tenāpi sarvaḥ kṣapaṇaka-vṛttāntas teṣāṃ niveditaḥ | atha tair abhihitam-aho śūlam āropyatām asau duṣṭātmā kuparikṣitakārī nāpitaḥ | tathānuṣṭhite tair abhihitam-
kukkuṭaṃ kuparijñātaṃ kuśrutaṃ kuparīkṣitam |
tan nareṇa na kartavyaṃ nāpitenātra yat kṛtam

athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
aparīkṣya na kartavyaṃ kartavyaṃ suparīkṣitam |
paścād bhavati santāpo brāhmaṇī nakulaṃ yathā

maṇibhadra āha-katham etat ?
te dharmādhikāriṇaḥ procuḥ-
kathā 1
brāhmaṇī-nakula-kathā
kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne devaśarmā nāma brāhmaṇaḥ prativasati sma | tasya bhāryā prasūtā sutam ajanayat | tasminn eva dine nakulī nakulaṃ prasūya sṛtā | atha sā suta-vatsalā dārakavattam api nakulaṃ stanya-dānābhyaṅga-mardanādibhiḥ pupoṣa, paraṃ tasya na viśvasiti | apatya-snehasya sarva-snehātiriktatayā satatam evam āśaṅkate yat kadācid eṣa sva-jāti-doṣa-vaśād asya dārakasya viruddham ācariṣyati iti | uktaṃ ca-
kuputro 'pi bhavet puṃsāṃ hṛdayānanda-kārakaḥ |
durvinītaḥ kurūpo 'pi mūrkho 'pi vyasanī khalaḥ

evaṃ ca bhāṣate lokaś candanaṃ kila śītalam |
putra-gātrasya saṃsparśaś candanād atiricyate

sauhṛdasya na vāñchanti janakasya hitasya ca |
lokāḥ prapālakasyāpi yathā putrasya bandhanam

atha sā kadācic chayyāyāṃ putraṃ śāyayitvā jala-kumbham ādāya patim uvāca-brāhmaṇa, jalārtham ahaṃ taḍāge yāsyāmi | tvayā putro 'yaṃ nakulād rakṣaṇīyaḥ |
atha tasyāṃ gatāyāṃ, pṛṣṭhe brāhmaṇo 'pi śūnyaṃ gṛhaṃ muktvā bhikṣārthaṃ kvacin nirgataḥ | mātāpi taṃ rudhira-klinna-mukham ālokya śaṅkita-cittā nūnam anena durātmanā dārako bhakṣitaḥ iti niścintya kopāt tasyopari taṃ jala-kumbhaṃ cikṣepa |
evaṃ sā nakulaṃ vyāpādya yāvat pralapantī gṛhe āgacchati, tāvat sutas tathaiva suptas tiṣṭhati | samīpe kṛṣṇa-sarpaṃ khaṇḍaśaḥ kṛtam avalokya putra-vadha-śokenātma-śiro vakṣaḥ-sthalaṃ ca tāḍitum ārabdhā |
atrāntare brāhmaṇo gṛhīta-nirvāpaḥ samāyāto yāvat paśyati tāvat putra-śoko 'bhitaptā brāhmaṇī pralapati-bho bho lobhātman ! lobhābhibhūtena tvayā na kṛtaṃ mad-vacaḥ | tad anubhava sāmprataṃ putra-mṛtyu-duḥkha-vṛkṣa-phalam | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
atilobho na kartavyaḥ kartavyas tu pramāṇataḥ |
atilobhaja-doṣeṇa jambuko nidhanaṃ gataḥ

brāhmaṇa āha-kim etat ?
sā prāha-
kathā 2
lobhāviṣṭa-cakra-dhara-kathā
kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne catvāro brāhmaṇa-putrāḥ parasparaṃ mitratāṃ gatā vasanti sma | te cāpi dāridryopahatāḥ parasparaṃ mantraṃ cakruḥ-aho dhig iyaṃ daridratā ! uktaṃ ca-
varaṃ vanaṃ vyāghra-gajādi-sevitaṃ
janena hīnaṃ bahu-kaṇṭakāvṛtam |
tṛṇāni śayyā paridhāna-valkalaḥ
na bandhu-madhye dhana-hīna-jīvitam

tathā ca-
svāmī dveṣṭi susevito 'pi sahasā projjhanti sad-bāndhavāḥ
rājante na guṇās tyajanti tanujāḥ sphārībhavanty āpadaḥ |
bhāryā sādhu suvaṃśajāpi bhajate no yānti mitrāṇi ca
nyāyāropita-vikramāṇy api nṛṇāṃ yeṣāṃ na hi syād dhanam

śūraḥ surūpaḥ subhagaś ca vāgmī
śastrāṇi śāstrāṇi vidāṃkarotu |
arthaṃ vinā naiva yaśaś ca mānaṃ
prāpnoti martyo 'tra manuṣya-loke

tānīndriyāṇy avikalāni tad eva nāma
sā buddhir apratihatā vacanaṃ tad eva |
arthoṣmaṇā virahitaḥ puruṣaḥ sa eva
bāhyaḥ kṣaṇena bhavatīti vicitram etat

tad gacchāmaḥ kutracid arthāya iti sammantrya sva-deśaṃ puraṃ ca sva-suhṛt-sahitaṃ gṛhaṃ ca parityajya prasthitāḥ | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
satyaṃ parityajati muñcati bandhu-vargaṃ
śīghraṃ vihāya jananīm api janma-bhūmim |
santyajya gacchati videśam abhīṣṭa-lokaṃ
cintākulīkṛta-matiḥ puruṣo 'tra loke

evaṃ krameṇa gacchanto 'vantīṃ prāptāḥ | tatra siprājale kṛta-snānāḥ mahā-kālaṃ praṇamya yāvan nirgacchanti tāvat bhairavānando nāma yogī saṃmukho babhūva | tatas taṃ brāhmaṇocita-vidhinā sambhāvya tenaiva saha tasya maṭhaṃ jagmuḥ | atha tena pṛṣṭāḥ-kuto bhavantaḥ samāyātāḥ ? kva yāsyatha ? kiṃ prayojanam ?
tatas tair abhihitam-vayaṃ siddhi-yātrikāḥ | tatra yāsyāmo yatra dhanāptir mṛtyur vā bhaviṣyatīty eṣa niścayaḥ | uktaṃ ca-
duṣprāpyāṇi bahūni ca labhyante vāñchitāni draviṇāni |
avasara-tulitābhir alaṃ tanubhiḥ sāhasika-puruṣāṇām

tathā ca-
patati kadācin nabhasaḥ khāte pātālato 'pi jalam eti |
daivam acintyaṃ balavad balavān nanu puruṣakāro 'pi

abhimata-siddhir aśeṣā bhavati hi puruṣasya puruṣakāreṇa |
daivam iti yadapi kathayasi puruṣa-guṇaḥ so 'py adṛṣṭākhyaḥ

bhayam atulaṃ guru-lokāt tṛṇam iva tulayanti sādhu sāhasikāḥ |
prāṇān adbhutam etac cārtiṃ caritaṃ hy udārāṇām

kleśasyāṅgam adattvā sukham eva sukhāni neha labhyante |
madhubhin mathanāyas tair āśliṣyati bāhubhir lakṣmīm

tasya kathaṃ na calā syāt patnī viṣṇor nṛsiṃhakasyāpi
māsāṃś caturo nidrāṃ yaḥ sevati jala-gataḥ satatam

duradhigamaḥ para-bhāgo yāvat puruṣeṇa sāhasaṃ na kṛtam |
jayati tulām adhirūḍho bhāsvān iha jalada-paṭalāni

tat kathyatām asmākaṃ kaścit dhanopāyo vivara-praveśa-śākinī-sādhana-śmaśāna-sevana-mahā-māṃsa-vikraya-sādhaka-varjita-prabhṛtīnām ekatama iti | adbhuta-śaktir bhavān śrūyate | vayam apy atisāhasikāḥ | uktaṃ ca-
mahānta eva mahatām arthaṃ sādhayituṃ kṣamāḥ |
ṛte samudrād anyaḥ ko bibharti baḍavānalam

bhairavānando 'pi teṣāṃ siddhy-arthaṃ bahūpāyaṃ siddha-varti-catuṣṭayaṃ kṛtvārpayat | āha ca-gamyatāṃ himālaya-diśi | tatra samprāptānāṃ yatra vartiḥ patiṣyati, tatra nidhānam asandigdhaṃ prāpyasva | tatra sthānaṃ khanitvā nidhiṃ gṛhītvā vyāghuṭyatām |
tathānuṣṭhite teṣāṃ gacchatām ekatamasya hastād varitr nipapāta | athāsau yāvat taṃ praveśaṃ khanati tāvat tāmramayī bhūmiḥ | tatas tenābhihitam-aho, gṛhyatāṃ svecchayā tāmram |
anye procuḥ-bho mūḍha ! kim anena kriyate yat prabhūtam api dāridryaṃ na nāśayati | tad uttiṣṭha agrato gacchāmaḥ |
so 'bravīt-yāntu bhavantaḥ | nāham agra yāsyāmi | evam abhidhāya tāmraṃ yathecchayā gṛhītvā prathamo nivṛttaḥ |
te trayo 'pi agre prasthitāḥ | atha kiñcin-mātraṃ gatasyāgresarasya vartir nipapāta | so 'pi yāvat khanitum ārabdhas tāvad rūpya-mayī kṣitiḥ | tataḥ praharṣitaḥ prāha, yat-bho bho, gṛhyatāṃ yathecchayā rūpyam | nāgre gantavyam |
tāv ūcatuḥ-bhoḥ pṛṣṭhatas tāmramayī bhūmiḥ | agrato rūpya-mayī | tan nūnam agre suvarṇa-mayī bhaviṣyati | kiṃ cānena prabhūtenāpi dāridrya-nāśo na bhavati | tad āvām agre yāsyāvaḥ |
evam uktvā dvāv apy agre prasthitau | so 'pi sva-śaktyā rūpyam ādāya nivṛttaḥ | atha tayor api gacchator ekasyāgre vartiḥ papāta | so 'pi prahṛṣṭo yāvat khanati, tāvat suvarṇa-bhūmiṃ dṛṣṭvā dvitīyaṃ prāha-bho, gṛhyatāṃ svecchayā suvarṇam | suvarṇād anyan na kiñcid uttamaṃ bhaviṣyati |
sa prāha-mūḍha ! na kiñcid vetsi | prāk tāmraṃ, tato rūpyaṃ, tataḥ suvarṇam | tan nūnam ataḥ paraṃ ratnāni bhaviṣyanti | yeṣām ekatamenāpi dāridrya-nāśo bhavati | tad uttiṣṭha, agre gacchāvaḥ | kim anena bhāra-bhūtenāpi prabhūtena ?
sa āha-gacchatu bhavān | aham atra sthitas tvāṃ pratipālayiṣyāmi | tathānuṣṭhite so 'pi gacchann ekākī, grīṣmārka-pratāpa-santapta-tanuḥ pipāsākulitaḥ siddhi-mārga-cyuta itaś cetaś ca babhrāma |
atha bhrāmyan, sthalopari puruṣam ekaṃ rudhira-plāvita-gātraṃ bhramac-cakra-mastakam apaśyat | tato drutataraṃ gatvā tam avocat-bhoḥ ! ko bhavān ? kim evaṃ cakreṇa śirasi tiṣṭhasi ? tat kathaya me yadi kutracij jalam asti |
evaṃ tasya pravadatas tac cakraṃ tat-kṣaṇāt tasya śiraso brāhmaṇa-mastake caṭitam |
sa āha-bhadra, kim etat ?
sa āha-mamāpy evam etac chirasi caṭitam ?
sa āha-tat kathaya, kadaitad uttariṣyati ? mahatī me vedanā vartate |
sa āha-yadā tvam iva kaścid adhṛta-siddha-vartir evam āgatya, tvām ālāpayiṣyati tadā tasya mastakaṃ caṭiṣyati |
sa āha-kiyān kālas tavaivaṃ sthitasya ?
sa āha-sāmprataṃ ko rājā dharaṇī-tale ?
sa āha-vīṇā-vādana-paṭuḥ vatsa-rājaḥ |
sa āha-ahaṃ tāvat-kāla-saṅkhyāṃ na jānāmi | paraṃ yadā rāmo rājāsīt tavāhaṃ dāridryopahataḥ siddha-vartim ādāyānena pathā samāyātaḥ | tato mayānyo naro mastaka-śruta-cakro dṛṣṭaḥ, pṛṣṭaś ca | tataś caitaj jātam |
sa āha-bhadra ! kathaṃ tadaivaṃ sthitasya bhojana-jala-prāptir āsīt ?
sa āha-bhadra ! dhanadena nidhāna-haraṇa-bhayāt siddhānām etac-cakra-patana-rūpaṃ bhayaṃ darśitam | tena kaścid api nāgacchati | yadi kaścid āyāti, sa kṣut-pipāsā-nidrā-rahito jarā-maraṇa-varjitaḥ kevalam evaṃ vedanām anubhavati iti | tad ājñāpaya māṃ sva-gṛhāya | ity uktvā gataḥ |
tasmiṃś cirayati sa suvarṇa-siddhis tasyānveṣaṇa-paras tat-pada-paṅktyā yāvat kiñcid vanāntaram āgacchati tāvad rudhira-plāvita-śarīras tīkṣṇa-cakreṇa mastake bhramatā sa-vedanaḥ kvaṇann upaviṣṭhas tiṣṭhatīti dadarśa | tataḥ samīpavartinā bhūvā sarvārthaṃ pṛṣṭaḥ-bhadra ! kim etat ?
sa āha-vidhi-niyogaḥ |
sa āha-kathaṃ tat ? kathaya kāraṇam etasya |
so 'pi tena pṛṣṭaḥ | sarvaṃ cakra-vṛttāntam akathayat |
tac chrutvāsau taṃ vigarhayann idam āha-bhoḥ ! niṣiddhas tvaṃ mayānekaśo na śṛṇoṣi me vākyam | tat kiṃ kriyate ? vidyāvān api kulīno 'pi vastuto buddhi-rahito 'si | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
varaṃ buddhir na sā vidyā vidyāyā buddhir uttamā |
buddhi-hīno vinaśyanti yathā te siṃha-kārakāḥ

cakradhara āha-katham etat ?
suvarṇasiddhir āha-
kathā 3
siṃha-kāraka-mūrkha-brāhmaṇa-kathā
kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne catvāro brāhmaṇa-putrāh paraṃ mitra-bhāvam upagatā vasanti sma | teṣāṃ trayaḥ śāstra-pāraṅgatāḥ parantu buddhi-rahitāḥ | ekas tu buddhimān kevalaṃ śāstra-parāṅmukhaḥ | atha taiḥ kadācin mitrair mantritam-ko guṇo vidyāyāḥ, yena deśāntaraṃ gatvā, bhūpatīn paritoṣyārthopārjanaṃ na kriyate | tat pūrva-deśaṃ gacchāvaḥ |
tathānuṣṭhite kiñcin mārgaṃ gatvā teṣāṃ jyeṣṭhataraḥ prāha-aho ! asmākam ekaś caturtho mūḍhaḥ | kevalaṃ buddhimān | na ca rāja-pratigraho buddhyā labhyate, vidyāṃ vinā | tan nāsmai svopārjitaṃ dāsyāmaḥ | tad gacchatu gṛham |
tato dvitīyenābhihitam-bhoḥ subuddhe ! gaccha tvaṃ sva-gṛhaṃ, yatas te vidyā nāsti |
tatas tṛtīyenābhihitam-aho, na yujyate evaṃ kartum | yato vayaṃ bālyāt prabhṛty ekatra krīḍitāḥ | tad āgacchatu mahānubhāvo 'smad-upārjita-vittasya sama-bhāgī bhaviṣyatīti | uktaṃ ca-
kiṃ tayā kriyate lakṣmyā yā vadhūr iva kevalā |
yā na veśyeva sāmānyā pathikair upabhujyate

tathā ca-
ayaṃ nijaḥ paro veti gaṇanā laghu-cetasām |
udāra-caritānāṃ tu vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam

tad āgacchatv eṣo 'pīti |
tathānuṣṭhite tair mārgāśritair aṭavyāṃ mṛta-siṃhasyāsthīni dṛṣṭāni | tataś caikenābhihitaṃ-aho ! adya vidyā-pratyayaḥ kriyate | kiñcid etat sattvaṃ mṛtaṃ tiṣṭhati | tad vidyā-prabhāveṇa jīvana-sahitaṃ kurmaḥ | aham asthi-sañcayaṃ karomi |
tataś ca tenautsukyād asthi-sañcayaḥ kṛtaḥ | dvitīyena carma-māṃsa-rudhiraṃ saṃyojitam | tṛtīyo 'pi yāvaj jīvanaṃ sañcārayati, tāvat subuddhinā niṣiddhaḥ-bhoḥ tiṣṭhatu bhavān | eṣa siṃho niṣpādyate | yady enaṃ sajīvaṃ kariṣyasi tataḥ sarvān api vyāpādayiṣyati |
iti tenābhihitaḥ sa āha-dhiṅ mūrkha ! nāhaṃ vidyāyā viphalatāṃ karomi |
tatas tenābhihitaṃ-tarhi pratīkṣasva kṣaṇaṃ yāvad ahaṃ vṛkṣam ārohāmi |
tathānuṣṭhite, yāvat sajīvaḥ kṛtas tāvat te trayo 'pi siṃhenotthāya vyāpāditāḥ | sa ca punar vṛkṣād avatīrya gṛhaṃ gataḥ | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-varaṃ buddhir na sā vidyā iti |
ataḥ param uktaṃ sa suvarṇasiddhinā-
api śāstreṣu kuśalā lokācāra-vivarjitāḥ |
sarve te hāsyatāṃ yānti yathā te mūrkha-paṇḍitāḥ

cakradhara āha-katham etat ?
so 'bravīt-
kathā 4
mūrkha-paṇḍita-kathā
kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne catvāro brāhmaṇāḥ parasparaṃ mitratvam āpannā vasanti sma | bāla-bhāve teṣāṃ matir ajāyata-bhoḥ veśāntaraṃ gatvā vidyāyā upārjanaṃ kriyate |
ath:anyasmin divase te brāhmaṇāḥ parasparaṃ niścayaṃ kṛtvā vidyopārjanārthaṃ kānyakubje gatāḥ | tatra ca vidyā-maṭhe gatvā paṭhanti | evaṃ dvādaśābdāni yāvad ekacittatayā paṭhitvā, vidyā-kuśalās te sarve sañjātāḥ |
tatas taiś caturbhir militvoktam-vayaṃ sarva-vidyā-pāraṅgatāḥ | tad-upādhyāyam utkalāpayitvā sva-deśaṃ gacchāmaḥ | tathaivānuṣṭhīyatām ity uktvā brāhmaṇāḥ upādhyāyam ukalāpayitvā anujñāṃ labdhvā pustakāni nītvā pracalitāḥ | yāvat kiñcin-mārgaṃ yānti, tāvad dvau panthānau samāyātau upaviṣṭāḥ sarve |
tatraikaḥ provāca-kena mārgeṇa gacchāmaḥ ?
etasmin samaye tasmin pattane kaścit vaṇik-putro mṛtaḥ | tasya dāhāya mahājano gato 'bhūt | tataś catūrṇāṃ madhyād ekena pustakam avalokitam-mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthaḥ iti | tan mahā-jana-mārgeṇa gacchāmaḥ |
atha te paṇḍitā yāvan mahājanam elāpakena saha yānti, tāvad rāsabhaḥ kaścit tatra śmaśāne dṛṣṭaḥ | atha dvitīyena pustakam udghāṭyāvalokitam |
utsave vyasane prāpte durbhikṣe śatru-saṅkaṭe |
rāja-dvāre śmaśāne ca yas tiṣṭhati sa bāndhavaḥ

tad aho ! ayam asmadīyo bāndhavaḥ | tataḥ kaścit tasya grīvāyāṃ lagati | kaścit pādau prakṣālayati | atha yāvat te paṇḍitāh diśām avalokanaṃ kurvanti tāvat kaścid duṣṭo dṛṣṭaḥ | taiś coktam-etat kim ?
tāvat tṛtīyena pustakam udghāṭyoktam-dharmasya tvaritā gatiḥ | tan nūnam eṣa dharmas tāvat |
caturthenoktam-iṣṭaṃ dharmeṇa yojayet |
atha taiś ca rāsabha uṣṭra-grīvāyāṃ baddhaḥ | tat tu kenacit tat-svāmino rajakasyāgre kathitam | yāvad rajakas teṣāṃ mūrkha-paṇḍitānāṃ prahāra-karaṇāya samāyātas tāvat te praṇaṣṭāḥ |
tato tāvad agre kiñcit stokaṃ mārgaṃ yānti tāvat kācin nadī samāsāditā | tasya jala-madhye palāśa-patram āyātaṃ dṛṣṭvā paṇḍitenaikenoktam-āgamiṣyati yat patraṃ tas asmāṃs tārayiṣyati | etat kathayitvā tat-patrasyopari patito yāvan nadyā nīyate tāvat taṃ nīyamānam alokyānyena paṇḍitena keśāntaṃ gṛhītvoktam-
sarva-nāśe samutpanne ardhaṃ tyajati paṇḍitaḥ |
ardhena kurute kāryaṃ sarva-nāśo hi duḥsahaḥ

atha taiś ca paścāt gatvā kaścit grāma āsāditaḥ | te'pi grāmīṇair nimantritaḥ pṛthag gṛheṣu nītāḥ | tata ekasya sūtrikā ghṛtamaṇḍa-saṃyutā bhojane dattā | tato vicintya paṇḍitenoktaṃ yat-dīrgha-sūtrī vinaśyati iti | evam uktvā bhojanaṃ parityajya gataḥ | tathā dvitīyasya bhaṇḍakā dattāh | tenāyuktaṃ-ativistāra-vistīrṇaṃ tad bhaven na cirāyuṣam | sa bhojanaṃ tyaktvā gataḥ |
atha tṛtīyasya vāṭikā bhojane dattā | tatrāpi tena paṇḍitenoktam-chidreṣv anarthā bahulībhavanti | evaṃ te trayo 'pi paṇḍitāḥ kṣutkṣāma-kaṇṭhāloke hāsyamānās tataḥ sthānāt sva-deśaṃ gatāḥ |
atha suvarṇa-siddhir āha-yat tvaṃ loka-vyavahāram ajānan mayā vāryamāṇo 'pi na sthitaḥ tata īdṛśīm avasthātum upagataḥ | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-api śāstreṣu kuśalāḥ iti |
tac chrutvā cakradhara āha-aho akāraṇam etat | yato hi-
subuddhayo vinaśyanti duṣṭa-daivena nāśitāḥ |
svalpa-dhīr api tasmiṃs tu kule nandati santatam

uktaṃ ca-
arakṣitaṃ tiṣṭhati daiva-rakṣitaṃ surakṣitaṃ daiva-hataṃ vinaśyati |
jīvaty anātho 'pi vane visarjitaḥ kṛta-prayatno 'pi gṛhe na jīvati

tathā ca-
śatabuddhiḥ śirastho 'yaṃ lambate ca sahasra-dhīḥ |
eka-buddhir ahaṃ bhadre krīḍāmi vimale jale

suvarṇasiddhir āha-katham etat ?
sa āha-
kathā 5
matsya-maṇḍūka-kathā
kasmiṃścij jalāśaye śatabuddhiḥ sahasrabuddhiś ca dvau matsyau nivasataḥ sma | atha tayor ekabuddhir nāma maṇḍūko mitratāṃ gataḥ | evaṃ te trayo 'pi jala-tīre velāyāṃ subhāṣita-goṣṭhī-sukham anubhūya, bhūyo 'pi salilaṃ praviśanti |
atha kadācit teṣāṃ goṣṭhī-gatānāṃ tasmin jalāśaye samāyātāḥ | tataḥ salilāśayaṃ dṛṣṭvā mithaḥ procuḥ-aho bahu-matsyo 'yaṃ hrado dṛśyate, svalpa-salilaś ca| tat prabhāte'trāgamiṣyāmaḥ | evam uktvā sva-gṛhaṃ gatāḥ |
matsyāś ca viṣaṇṇa-vadanā mitho mantraṃ cakruḥ | tato maṇḍūka āha-bhoḥ śatabuddhe ! śrutaṃ dhīvaroktaṃ bhavatā ? tat kim atra yujyate kartum ? palāyanam avaṣṭambho vā ? yat kartuṃ yuktaṃ bhavati tad ādiśyatām adya |
tac chrutvā sahasra-buddhiḥ prahasya āha-bhoḥ mitra ! mā bhaiṣīḥ | tayoḥ vacana-śravaṇa-mātrād eva bhayaṃ na kāryam | na bhetavyam | uktaṃ ca-
sarpāṇāṃ ca khalānāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ duṣṭa-cetasām |
abhiprāyā na sidhyanti tenedaṃ vartate jagat

tāvat teṣām āgamanam api na sampatsyate | bhaviṣyati tarhi tvāṃ buddhi-prabhāveṇātma-sahitaṃ rakṣayiṣyāmi | yato 'nekāṃsalila-caryām ahaṃ jānāmi |
tad ākarṇya śatabuddhir āha-bhoḥ yuktam uktaṃ bhavatā | sahasrabuddhir eva bhavān | athavā sādhv idam ucyate |
buddher buddhimatāṃ loke nāsty agamyaṃ hi kiñcana |
buddhyā yato hatā nandāś cāṇakyenāsi-pāṇayaḥ

tathā-
na yatrāsti gatir vāyo raśmīnāṃ ca vivasvataḥ |
tatrāpi praviśaty āśu buddhir buddhimatāṃ sadā

tato vacana-śravaṇa-mātrād api pitṛ-paryāyāgataṃ janma-sthānaṃ tyaktuṃ na śakyate | uktaṃ ca-
na yat svarge'pi saukhyaṃ syād divya-sparśena śobhane |
kusthāne'pi bhavet puṃsāṃ janmano yatra sambhavaḥ

tan na kadācid api gantavyam | ahaṃ tvāṃ buddhi-prabhāveṇa rakṣayiṣyāmi | maṇḍūka āha-bhadrau ! mama tāvad ekaiva buddhiḥ palāyana-parā | tad aham anya-jalāśayam adyaiva sabhāryo yāsyāmi |
evam uktvā sa maṇḍūko rātrāv evānya-jalāśayaṃ gataḥ | dhīvarair api prabhāte āgatya, jaghanya-madhyamottama-jalacarāḥ matsya-kūrma-maṇḍūka-karkaṭādayo gṛhītāḥ | tāv api śatabuddhi-sahasrabuddhī sabhāryau palāyamānau ciram ātmānaṃ gati-viśeṣa-vijñānaiḥ kuṭila-cāreṇa rakṣantau jāle nipatitau, vyāpāditau ca |
athāparāhna-samaye prahṛṣṭās te dhīvarāḥ sva-gṛhaṃ prati prasthitāḥ | gurutvāc caikena śatabuddhiḥ skandhe kṛtaḥ sahasrabuddhiḥ pralambamāno nīyate | tataś ca vāpīkaṇṭhopagatena maṇḍūkena tau tathā nīyamānau dṛṣṭvā abhihitā svapatnī-priye ! paśya paśya-
śatabuddhiḥ śiraḥstho 'yaṃ lambate ca sahasradhīḥ |
ekabuddhir ahaṃ bhadre krīḍāmi vimale jale

ataś ca varaṃ buddhir na sā vidyā yad bhavatoktaṃ tatreyaṃ me matir yat na ekāntena buddhir api pramāṇam |
suvarṇasiddhiḥ prāha-yadyapy etad asti, tathāpi mitra-vacanaṃ na laṅghanīyam | paraṃ kiṃ kriyate ? nivārito 'pi mayā na sthito 'si, atilaulyāt vidyāhaṅkārāc ca | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
sādhu mātula gītena mayā prokto 'pi na sthitaḥ |
apūrvo 'yaṃ maṇir baddhaḥ samprāptaṃ gīta-lakṣaṇam

cakradhara āha-katham etat ?
so 'bravīt-
kathā 6
rāsabha-śṛgāla-kathā
kasmiṃścd adhiṣṭhāne uddhato nāma gardabhaḥ prativasati sma | sa sadaiva rajaka-gṛhe bhārodvahanaṃ kṛtvā rātrau svecchayā paryaṭati | tataḥ pratyūṣe bandhana-bhayāt svayam eva rajaka-gṛham āyāti | rajako 'pi tatas taṃ bandhanena niyunakti |
atha tasya rātrau kṣetrāṇi paryaṭataḥ kadācic chṛgālena saha maitrī sañjātā sa ca pīvaratvād vṛtti-bhaṅgaṃ kṛtvā karkaṭikā-kṣetre śṛgāla-sahitaḥ praviśati | evaṃ tau yadṛcchayā cirbhaṭikā-bhakṣaṇaṃ kṛtvā, pratyahaṃ pratyūṣe sva-sthānaṃ vrajataḥ |
atha kadācit tena madoddhatena rāsabhena kṣetra-madhya-sthitena śṛgāo 'bhihitaḥ-bhoḥ bhaginī-sūta ! paśya paśya | atīva nirmalā rajanī | tad ahaṃ gītaṃ kariṣyāmi | tat kathaya katamena rāgeṇa karomi |
sa āha-māma ! kim anena vṛthānartha-pracālanena ? yataś caurakarma-pravṛttāv āvām | nibhṛtaiś ca caura-jārair atra sthātavyam | uktaṃ ca-
kāṃsī vivarjayec cauryaṃ nidrāluś cet sa puṃścalīm |
jihvā-laulyaṃ ca rujākrānto jīvitaṃ yo 'tra vāñchati

aparaṃ tvadīyaṃ gītaṃ na madhura-svaraṃ, śaṅkha-śabdānukāraṃ dūrād api śrūyate | tad atra kṣetre rakṣā-puruṣāḥ susuptāḥ santi | te utthāya vadhaṃ bandhanaṃ vā kariṣyanti | tad bhakṣaya tāvad amṛtamayīś carbhaṭīḥ | mā tvam atra gīta-vyāpāra-paro bhava |
tac chrutvā rābhasa āha-bhoḥ vanāśrayatvāt tvaṃ gīta-rasaṃ na vetsi, tenaitad bravīṣi | uktaṃ ca-
śaraj-jyotsnāhate dūraṃ tamasi priya-sannidhau |
dhanyānāṃ viśati śrotre gīta-jhaṅkāra-jā sudhā

śṛgāla āha-māma, asty etat | paraṃ na vetsi tvaṃ gītam | kevalam unnadasi | tat kiṃ tena svārtha-bhraṃśakena ?
rāsabha āha-dhig dhiṅ mūrkha ! kim ahaṃ na jānāsi gītam ? tad yathā tasya bhedān śṛṇu-
sapta svarās trayo grāmā mūrcchatāś caikatriṃśatiḥ |
tānās tv ekonapaūcāśat tisro mātrā layās trayaḥ

sthāna-trayaṃ yatīnāṃ ca ṣaḍ-asyāni rasā nava |
rāgā ṣaṭ-triṃśatir bhāvāś catvāriṃśat tataḥ smṛtāḥ

pañcāśīty-adhikaṃ hy etad gītāṅgānāṃ śataṃ smṛtam |
svayam eva purā proktaṃ bharatena śruteḥ param

nānyad gītāt priyaṃ loke devānām api dṛśyate |
śuṣka-snāyu-svarāhlādāt try-akṣaṃ jagrāha rāvaṇaḥ

tat kathaṃ bhaginī-suta mām anabhijñaṃ vadan nivārayati ?
śṛgāla āha-māma ! yady evaṃ yāvad vṛtter dvāra-sthitaḥ kṣetrapālam avalokayāmi, tvaṃ punaḥ svecchayā gītaṃ kuru |
tathānuṣṭhite rāsabha-raṭanam ākarṇya kṣetrapaḥ krodhāt dantān dharṣayan pradhāvitaḥ | yāvad rāsabho dṛṣṭas tāval laguḍa-prahārais tathā hato, yathā pratāḍito bhū-pṛṣṭhe patitaḥ | tataś ca sac-chidram ulūkhalaṃ tasya gale baddhvā kṣetrapālaḥ prasuptaḥ | rāsabho 'pi svajāti-svabhāvād gata-vedanaḥ kṣaṇenābhyutthitaḥ | uktaṃ ca-
sārameyasya cāśvasya rāsabhasya viśeṣataḥ |
muhūrtāt paratau na syāt prahāra-janitā vyathā

tata tam evolūkhalam ādāya vṛttiṃ cūrṇayitvā palāyitum ārabdhaḥ | atrāntare śṛgālo 'pi dūrād eva dṛṣṭvā sa-smitam āha-
sādhu mātula gītena mayā prokto 'pi na sthitaḥ |
apūrvo 'pi maṇir baddhaḥ sāmprataṃ gīta-lakṣaṇam

tad bhavān api mayā vāryamāṇo 'pi na sthitaḥ |
tac chrutvā cakradhara āha-bho mitra ! satyam etat | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
yasya nāsti svayaṃ prajñā mitroktaṃ na karoti yaḥ |
sa eva nidhanaṃ yāti yathā manthara-kolikaḥ

suvarṇasiddhir āha-katham etat ?
so 'bravīt-
kathā 7
manthara-kaulika-kathā
kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne mantharako nāma kaulikaḥ prativasati sma | tasya kadācit paṭa-karmāṇi kurvataḥ sarva-paṭa-karma-kāṣṭhāni bhagnāni | tataḥ sa kuṭhāram ādāya vane kāṣṭhārthaṃ gataḥ | sa ca samudra-taṭe yāvad bhraman prayātaḥ tāvat tatra śiṃśapā-pādapas tena dṛṣṭaḥ | tataś cintitavān-mahān ayaṃ vṛkṣo dṛśyate | tad anenaiva kartitena prabhūtāni paṭa-karmopakaraṇāni bhaviṣyanti | ity avadhārya tasyopari kuṭhāram utkṣiptavān |
atha tatra vṛkṣe kaścit vyantaraḥ samāśritya āsīt | atha tenābhihitam-bhoḥ ! mad-āśrayo 'yaṃ pādapaḥ sarvathā rakṣaṇīyaḥ | yato 'ham atra mahā-saukhyena tiṣṭhāmi | samudra-kallola-sparśanāc chīta-vāyunāpyāyitaḥ |
kaulika āha-bhoḥ ! kim ahaṃ karomi ? dāru-sāmagrīṃ vinā me kuṭumbaṃ bubhukṣayā pīḍyate | tasmād anyatra śīghraṃ gamyatām | aham enaṃ kartayiṣyāmi |
vyantara āha-bhoḥ ! tuṣṭas tavāham | tat prārthyatām abhīṣṭaṃ kiñcit | rakṣaimaṃ pādapam iti |
kaulika āha-yady eva tad ahaṃ sva-gṛhaṃ gatvā sva-mitraṃ sva-bhāryāṃ ca pṛṣṭvā āgamiṣyāmi | tatas tvayā deyam |
atha tatheti vyantareṇa pratijñāte sa kaulikaḥ prahṛṣṭaḥ sva-gṛhaṃ prati nivṛtto yāvad agre gacchati, tāvad grāma-praveśe nija-suhṛdaṃ nāpitam apaśyat | tataḥ tasya vyantara-vākyaṃ nivedayāmāsa, yat-aho mitra ! mama kaścit vyantaraḥ siddhaḥ | tat kathaya, kiṃ prārthaye ? ahaṃ tvāṃ praṣṭum āgataḥ |
nāpita āha-bhadra ! yady evaṃ tad rājyaṃ prārthayasva, yena tvaṃ rājā bhavasi ahaṃ tvan-mantrī | dvāv apīha sukham anubhūya para-loka-sukham anubhavāvaḥ | uktaṃ ca-
rājā dāna-paro nityam iha kīrtim avāpya ca |
tat prabhāvāt punaḥ svargaṃ spardhate tridaśaiḥ saha

kaulika āha-asty etat tathāpi gṛhiṇīṃ pṛcchāmi |
sa āha-bhadra ! śāstra-viruddham etat yat striyā saha mantraḥ | yatas tāḥ svalpa-matayo bhavanti | uktaṃ ca-
bhojanācchādane dadyād ṛtu-kāle ca saṅgamam |
bhūṣaṇādyaṃ ca nārīṇāṃ na tābhir mantrayet sudhīḥ

yatra strī yatra kitavo bālo yatra praśāsitā |
tad gṛhaṃ kṣayam āyāti bhārgavo hīdam abravīt

tāvat syāt suprasannāsyas tāvad guru-jane rataḥ |
puruṣo yoṣitāṃ yāvan na śṛṇoti vaco rahaḥ

etāḥ svārtha-parā nāryaḥ kevalaṃ sva-sukhe ratāḥ |
na tāsāṃ vallabhaḥ ko 'pi suto 'pi sva-sukhaṃ vinā

kaulika āha-tathāpi praṣṭavyā sā mayā | yataḥ pativratā sā | aparaṃ tām apṛṣṭvāhaṃ na kiñcit karomi |
evaṃ tam abhidhāya satvaraṃ gatvā tām uvāca-priye ! adyāsmākaṃ kaścid vyantaraḥ siddhaḥ | sa vāñchitaṃ prayacchati | tad ahaṃ tvāṃ praṣṭum āgataḥ | tat kathaya kiṃ prārthaye ? eṣa tāvan mama mitraṃ nāpito vatady evaṃ yat-rājyaṃ prārthayasva |
sāha-āryaputra ! kā matir nāpitānām ? tan na kāryaṃ tad vacaḥ | uktaṃ ca-
cāraṇair vandibhir nīcair nāpitair bālakair api |
na mantraṃ maitmān kuryāt sārdhaṃ bhikṣubhir eva ca

aparaṃ mahatī kleśa-paramparaiṣā rājya-sthitiḥ sandhi-vigraha-yānāsana-saṃśraya-dvaidhībhāvādibhiḥ kadācit puruṣasya sukhaṃ na prayacchatīti | yataḥ-
yadaiva rājye kriyate'bhiṣekas tadaiva yāti vyasaneṣu buddhiḥ |
ghaṭā nṛpāṇām abhiṣeka-kāle sahāmbhasaivāpadam udgiranti

tathā ca-
rāmasya vrajanaṃ vane nivasanaṃ pāṇḍoḥ sutānāṃ vane
vṛṣṇīnāṃ nidhanaṃ nalasya nṛpate rājyāt paribhraṃśanam |
saudāsaṃ tad-avastham arjuna-vadhaṃ sañcintya laṅkeśvaraṃ
dṛṣṭvā rājya-kṛte viḍambana-gataṃ tasmān na tad vāñchayet

yad-arthaṃ bhrātaraḥ putrā api vāñchanti ye nijāḥ |
vadhaḥ rājya-kṛtāṃ rājñāṃ tad rājyaṃ dūratas tyajet

kaulika āha-satyam uktaṃ bhavatyā | tat kathaya kiṃ prārthaye ?
sāha-tvaṃ tāvad ekaṃ paṭaṃ nityam eva niṣpādayasi | tena sarvā vyaya-śuddhiḥ sampadyate | idānīṃ tvam ātmano 'nyad bāhu-yugalaṃ dvitīyaṃ śiraś ca yācasva, yena paṭa-dvayaṃ sampādayasi purataḥ pṛṣṭhataś ca | ekasya mūlyena gṛḥe yathā-pūrvaṃ vyayaṃ sampādayiṣyasi, dvitīyasya mūlyena viśeṣa-kṛtyāni kariṣyasi | evaṃ saukhyena svajāti-madhye ślāghyamānasya kālo yāsyati, loka-dvayasyopārjanā ca bhaviṣyati |
so 'pi tad ākarṇya prahṛṣṭaḥ prāha-sādhu pativrate ! sādhu ! yuktam uktaṃ bhavatyā | tad evaṃ kariṣyāmi | eṣa me niścayaḥ |
tato 'sau gatvā vyantaraṃ prārthayāṃcakre-bho, yadi mamepsitaṃ prayacchasi tat dehi me dvitīyaṃ bāhu-yugalaṃ śiraś ca |
evam abhihite tat-kṣaṇād eva sa dviśirāś caturbāhuś ca sañjātaḥ | tato hṛṣṭa-manā yāvad gṛham āgacchati tāval-lokaiḥ rākṣaso 'yam iti mānyamānair laguḍa-pāṣāṇa-prahārais tāḍito mṛtaś ca |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-yasya nāsti svayaṃ prajñā iti |
cakradhara āha-bhoḥ ! satyam etat | sarvo 'pi jano 'śraddeyām āśāpiśācikāṃ prāpya hāsya-padavīṃ yāti | athavā sādhv idam ucyate kenāpi-
anāgatavatīṃ cintām asambhāvyāṃ karoti yaḥ |
sa eva pāṇḍuraḥ śete soma-śarma-pitā yathā

suvarṇasiddhir āha-katham etat ?
so 'bravīt-
kathā 8
soma-śarma-pitṛ-kathā
kasmiṃścin nagare kaścit svabhāva-kṛpaṇo nāma brāhmaṇaḥ prativasati sma | tasya bhikṣārjitaiḥ saktubhir bhukta-śeṣaiḥ kalaśaḥ sampūritaḥ | taṃ ca ghaṭaṃ nāgadante'valambya tasyādhastāt khaṭvāṃ nidhāya satatam eka-dṛṣṭyā tam avalokayati |
atha kadācid rātrau suptaś cintayāmāsa-yat paripūrṇo 'yaṃ ghaṭas tāvat saktubhir vartate | tad yadi durbhikṣaṃ bhavati, tad anena rūpyakāṇāṃ śatam utpatsyate | tatas tena mayājād vayaṃ grahītavyam | tataḥ ṣāṇ-māsikam āprasava-vaśāt tābhyāṃ yūthaṃ bhaviṣyati | tato 'jābhiḥ prabhūtā gā grahīṣyāmi | gobhir mahiṣīḥ | mahiṣīr baḍavāḥ | baḍavā-prasavataḥ prabhūtā aśvā bhaviṣyanti | teṣāṃ vikrayāt prabhūtaṃ suvarṇaṃ bhaviṣyati | suvarṇena catuḥśālaṃ gṛhaṃ sampatsyate |
tataḥ kaścid brāhmaṇo mama gṛham āgatya prāpta-vayaskāṃ rūpāḍhyāṃ kanyāṃ mahyaṃ dāsyati | tat-sakāśāṭ putro me bhaviṣyati | tasyāḥaṃ somaśarmā iti nāma kariṣyāmi | tatas tasmin jānu-calana-yogye sañjāte'haṃ pustakaṃ gṛhītvāśva-śālāyāḥ pṛṣṭha-deśe upaviṣṭas tad-avadhārayiṣyāmi | atrāntare somaśarmā māṃ dṛṣṭvā janany-utsaṅgāj jānu-calana-paro 'śva-khurāsanna-vartī mat-samīpam āgamiṣyati | tato 'haṃ brāhmaṇīṃ kopāviṣṭo 'bhidhāsyāmi-gṛhāṇa tāvad bālakam | sāpi gṛha-karma-vyagratayāsmad-vacanaṃ na śroṣyati | tato 'haṃ samutthāya tāṃ pāda-prahāreṇa tāḍayiṣyāmi |
evaṃ tena dhyāna-sthitena tathaiva pāda-prahāro datto yathā sa ghaṭo bhagnaḥ, svayaṃ ca saktubhiḥ pāṇḍuratāṃ gataḥ | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-anāgatavatīṃ cintām iti |
suvarṇasiddhir āha-evam etat | kas te doṣaḥ, yataḥ sarvo 'pi lobhena viḍambito bādhyate ? uktaṃ ca-
yo laulyāt kurute naivodarkam avekṣate |
viḍambanām avāpnoti sa yathā candra-bhūpatiḥ

cakradhara āha-katham etat ?
sa āha-
kathā 9
candra-bhūpati-kathā
kasmiṃścin nagare candro nāma bhūpatiḥ prativasati sma | tasya putrā vānara-krīḍā-ratā vānara-yūthaṃ nityam evāneka-bhojana-bhakṣyādibhiḥ puṣṭiṃ nayanti sma | atha vānarādhipo yaḥ sa auśanasa-bārhaspatya-cāṇakya-mata-vit tad-anuṣṭhātā ca tat-sarvān apy adhyāpayati sma |
atha tasmin rāja-gṛhe laghu-kumāra-vāhana-yogyaṃ meṣa-yūtham asti | tan-madhyād eko jihvā-laulyād ahar-niśaṃ niḥśaṅkaṃ mahānase praviśya yat paśyati tat sarvaṃ bhakṣayati | te ca sūpakar yat kiñcit kāṣṭhaṃ mṛṇ-mayaṃ bhājanaṃ kāṃsya-pātraṃ tāmra-pātraṃ vā paśyanti tenāśu tāḍayanti |
so 'pi vānara-yūthapas tad dṛṣṭvā vyacintayat-aho meṣa-sūpakāra-kalaho 'yaṃ vānarāṇāṃ kṣayāya bhaviṣyati | yato 'nna-rasāsvāda-lampaṭo 'yaṃ meṣo, mahā-kopāś ca sūpakārā yathāsanna-vastunā praharanti | tad yadi vastuno 'bhāvāt kadācid ulmukena tāḍayiṣyanti, tadorṇā-pracuro 'yaṃ meṣaḥ svalpenāpi vahninā prajvalayiṣyati | tad dahyamānaḥ punar aśva-kuṭyāṃ samīpa-vartinyāṃ pravekṣyati | sāpi tṛṇa-prācuryāj jvaliṣyati | tato 'śvā vahni-dāham avāpsyanti |
śālihotreṇa punar etad uktaṃ yat-vānara-vasayāśvānāṃ vahni-dāha-doṣaḥ praśāmyati | tan nūnam etena bhāvyam atra niścayaḥ | evaṃ niścitya sarvān vānarān āhūya rahasi provāca, yat-
meṣeṇa sūpakārāṇāṃ kalaho yatra jāyate |
sa bhaviṣyaty asandigdhaṃ vānarāṇāṃ kṣayāvahaḥ

tasmāt syāt kalaho yatra gṛhe nityam akāraṇaḥ |
tad-gṛhaṃ jīvitaṃ vāñchan dūrataḥ parivarjayet

kalahāntāni harmyāṇi kuvākyāntaṃ ca sauhṛdam |
kurājāntāni rāṣṭrāṇi kukarmāntaṃ yaśo nṛṇām

tan na yāvat sarveṣāṃ saṅkṣayo bhavati, tāvad evaitad rāja-gṛhaṃ santyajya vanaṃ gacchāmaḥ | atha tat tasya vacanam aśraddheyaṃ śrutvā madoddhatā vānarāḥ prahasya procuḥ-bho bhavato vṛddha-bhāvād buddhi-vaikalyaṃ sañjātaṃ, yenaitad bravīṣi | uktaṃ ca-
vadanaṃ daśanair hīnaṃ lālā sravati nityaśaḥ |
na matiḥ sphurati kvāpi bāle vṛddhe viśeṣataḥ

na vayaṃ svarga-samānopabhogān nānā-vidhān bhakṣya-viśeṣān rāja-putraiḥ sva-dattān amṛta-kalpān parityajya tatrāṭavyāṃ kaṣāya-kaṭu-tikta-kṣāra-rūkṣa-phalāni bhakṣayiṣyāmaḥ |
tac chrutvāśru-kaluṣāṃ dṛṣṭiṃ kṛtvā sa provāca-re re mūrkhāḥ ! yūyam etasya sukhasya pariṇāmaṃ na jānītha | kiṃ pāka-rasāsvādana-prāyam etat sukhaṃ pariṇāme viṣavad bhaviṣyati | tad ahaṃ kula-kṣayaṃ svayaṃ nāvalokayiṣyāmi | sāmprataṃ vanaṃ yāsyāmi | uktaṃ ca-
mitraṃ vyasana-samprāptaṃ sva-sthānaṃ para-pīḍanam |
dhanyās te ye na paśyanti deśa-bhaṅgaṃ kula-kṣayam

evam abhidhāya sarvāṃs tān parityajya sa yūthādhipo 'ṭavyāṃ gataḥ | atha tasmin gate'nyasmin ahani sa meṣo mahānase praviṣṭo, yāvat sūpakāreṇa nānyat kiñcit samāsāditaṃ tāvad ardha-jvalita-kāṣṭhena tāḍyamāno jājvalyamana-śarīraḥ śabdāyamāno 'śva-kuṭyāṃ pratyāsanna-vartinyāṃ praviṣṭaḥ |
tatra tṛṇa-prācurya-yuktāyāṃ kṣitau tasya praluṭhataḥ sarvatrāpi vahni-jvālās tathā samutthitā yathā kecid aśvāḥ sphuṭita-locanāḥ pañcatvaṃ gatāḥ | kecid bandhanāni troṭayitvā ardha-dagdha-śarīrā itaś cetaś ca hreṣāyamāṇā dhāvamānā sarvam api jana-samūham ākulīcakruḥ |
atrāntare rājā saviṣādaḥ śālihotrajñān vaidyān āhūya provāca-bhoḥ ! procyatām eṣām aśvānāṃ kaścid dāhopaśamanopāyaḥ |
te'pi śāstrāṇi vilokya procuḥ-deva ! proktam atra viṣaye bhagavatā śālihotreṇa, yat-
kapīnāṃ medasā doṣo vahni-dāha-samudbhavā |
aśvānāṃ nāśam abhyeti tamaḥ sūryodaye yathā

tat kriyatām etac cikitsitāṃ drāk, yāvad ete na dāha-doṣeṇa vinaśyanti |
so 'pi tad ākarṇya samasta-vānara-vadham ādiṣṭavān | kiṃ bahunā, sarve'pi te vānarā vividhāyudha-laguḍa-pāṣāṇādibhir vyāpāditāḥ iti |
atha so 'pi vānara-yūthapas taṃ putra-pautra-bhrātṛ-suta-bhāgineyādi-saṅkṣayaṃ jñātvā viṣādam upagataḥ | santyaktāhāra-kriyo vanād vanaṃ paryaṭati | acintayac ca-katham ahaṃ tasya nṛpāpasadayānṛṇatā-kṛtyenāpakṛtyaṃ kariṣyāmi | uktaṃ ca-
marṣayed dharṣaṇāṃ yo 'tra vaṃśajāṃ para-nirmitām |
bhayād vā yadi vā kāmāt sa jñeyaḥ puruṣādhamaḥ

atha tena vṛddha-vānareṇa kutracit pipāsākulena bhramatā padminī-khaṇḍa-maṇḍitaṃ saraḥ samāsāditam | tad yāvat sūkṣmekṣikayāvalokayati tāvad vanacara-manuṣyāṇāṃ pada-paṅkti-pradeśo 'sti na niṣkramaṇam | tataś cintitam-nūnam atra ākrānte duṣṭa-grāheṇa bhāvyam | tat-padminī-nālam ādāya dūrastho 'pi jalaṃ pibāmi |
tathānuṣṭhite tan-madhyād rākṣaso niṣkramya ratna-mālā-vibhūṣita-kaṇṭhas tam uvāca-bhoḥ ! atra yaḥ salile praveśaṃ karoti sa me bhakṣyaḥ iti | tan nāsti dhūrtataras tvat-samo 'nyo yaḥ pānīyam anena vidhinā pibati | tatas tuṣṭo 'haṃ, prārthayasva hṛdaya-vāñchitam |
kapir āha-bhoḥ ! kiyatī me bhakṣaṇa-śaktiḥ ?
sa āha-śata-sahasrāyuta-lakṣāṇy api jala-praviṣṭāni bhakṣayāmi | bāhyataḥ śṛgālo 'pi māṃ dharṣayati |
vānara āha-asti me kenacid bhūpatinā sahātyantaṃ vairam | yady enāṃ ratna-mālāṃ me prayacchasi, tat parivāram api taṃ bhūpatiṃ vākya-prapañcena lobhayitvātra sarasi praveśayāmi |
so 'pi śraddheyaṃ vacas tasya śrutvā ratna-mālāṃ dattvā prāha-bho mitra ! yat samucitaṃ bhavati tat kartavyam iti |
vānaro 'pi ratna-mālā-vibhūṣita-kaṇṭho vṛkṣa-prāsādeṣu paribhraman janair dṛṣṭaḥ | pṛṣṭaś ca-bho yūthapa ! bhavān iyantaṃ kālaṃ kutra sthitaḥ ? bhavatā īdṛg ratna-mālā kutra labdhā ? dīptyā sūryam api tiraskaroti |
vānaraḥ prāha-asti kutracid araṇye guptataraṃ mahat saro dhanada-nirmitam | tatra sūrye'rdhodite ravi-vāre yaḥ kaścin nimajjati, sa dhanada-prasādād īdṛg-ratna-mālā-vibhūṣita-kaṇṭho niḥsarati |
atha bhūbhujā tad ākarṇya, sa vānaraḥ samāhūtaḥ | pṛṣṭaś ca-bho yūthādhipa ! kiṃ satyam etat ? ratna-mālā-sanāthaṃ saro 'sti kvāpi ?
kapir āha-svāmin ! eṣa pratyakṣatayā mat-kaṇṭha-sthitayā ratna-mālayā pratyayas te | tad yadi ratna-mālayā prayojanaṃ tan mayā saha kam api preṣaya, yena darśayāmi |
tac chrutvā nṛpatir āha-yady evaṃ tad ahaṃ sa-parijanaḥ svayam eṣyāmi, yena prabhūtā ratna-mālā utpadyate |
vānara āha-evaṃ kriyatām |
tathānuṣṭhite bhūpatinā saha ratna-mālā-lobhena sarve kalatra-bhṛtyāḥ prasthitāḥ | vānaro 'pi rājñā dolādhirūḍhena svotsaṅge āropitaḥ sukhena prīti-pūrvam ānīyate | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
tṛṣṇe devi namas tubhyaṃ yayā vittānvitā api |
akṛtyeṣu niyojyante bhrāmante durgameṣv api

tathā ca-
icchati śatī sahasraṃ sahasrī lakṣam īhate |
lakṣādhipas tathā rājyaṃ rājyasthaḥ svargam īhate

jīryante jīryataḥ keśāḥ dantā jīryanti jīryataḥ |
jīryataś cakṣuṣī śrotre tṛṣṇaikā taruṇāyate

atha tat-saraḥ samāsādya vānaraḥ pratyūṣa-samaye rājānam uvāca-deva ! atrārdhodite sūrye'ntaḥ-praviṣṭānāṃ siddhir bhavati tat sarvo 'pi jana ekadaiva praviśatu | tvayā punar mayā saha praveṣṭavyaṃ, yena pūrva-dṛṣṭa-sthānam āsādya, prabhūtās te ratna-mālā darśayāmi |
atha praviṣṭās te lokāḥ sarve bhakṣitā rākṣasena | atha teṣu ciramāṇeṣu rājā vānaram āha-bho yūthādhipa kim iti cirāyate me parijanaḥ ?
tac chrutvā vānaraḥ satvaraṃ vṛkṣam āruhya rājānam uvāca-bho duṣṭa-narapate ! rākṣasenāntaḥ-salila-sthitena bhakṣitās te parijanaḥ | sādhitaṃ mayā kula-kṣayajaṃ vairam, tad gamyatām | tvaṃ svāmīti matvā nātra praveśitaḥ | uktaṃ ca-
kṛte pratikṛtaṃ kuryād dhiṃsite pratihiṃsitam |
na tatra doṣaṃ paśyāmi yo duṣṭe duṣṭam ācaret

tat tvayā mama kula-kṣayaḥ kṛtaḥ mayā punas tava iti |
athaitad ākarṇya rājā kopāviṣṭaḥ padātir ekākī yathāyāta-mārgeṇa niṣkrāntaḥ | atha tasmin bhūpatau gate rākṣasa-spṛṣṭo jalān niṣkramya sānandam idam āha-
hataḥ śatruḥ kṛtaṃ mitraṃ ratna-mālā na hāritā |
nālena pibatā toyaṃ bhavatā sādhu vānara

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-yo laulyāt kurute karma iti |
evam uktvā bhūyo 'pi sa cakradharam āha-bho mitra ! preṣaya māṃ, yena sva-gṛhaṃ gacchāmi |
cakradhara āha-bhadra ! āpad-arthe dhana-mitra-saṅgrahaḥ kriyate | tan mām evaṃvidhaṃ tyaktvā kva yāsyasi ? uktaṃ ca-
yas tyaktvā sāpadaṃ mitraṃ yāti niṣṭhuratāṃ vahan |
kṛtaghnas tena pāpena narake yāty asaṃśayam

suvarṇasiddhir āha-bhoḥ, satyam etad yadi gamya-sthāne śaktir bhavati | etat punar manuṣyāṇām agamya-sthānam | nāsti kasyāpi tvām unmocayituṃ śaktiḥ aparaṃ yathā yathā cakra-bhrama-vedanayā tava mukha-vikāraṃ paśyāmi tathā tathāham etaj jānāmi yat drāg gacchāmi mā kaścin mamāpy anartho bhaved iti | yataḥ-
yādṛśī vadana-cchāyā dṛśyate tava vānara |
vikālena gṛhīto 'si yaḥ paraiti sa jīvati

cakradhara āha-katham etat ?
so 'bravīt-
kathā 10
vikāla-vānara-kathā
kasmiṃścin nagare bhadraseno nāma rājā prativasati sma | tasya sarva-lakṣaṇa-sampannā ratnavatī nāma kanyāsti | tāṃ kaścid rākṣaso jihīrṣati | rātrāv āgatyopabhuṅkte, paraṃ kṛta-rakṣopadhānāṃ tāṃ hartuṃ na śaknoti | sāpi tat-samaye rakṣaḥ-sānnidhyajām avasthām anubhavati kampādibhiḥ |
ekam atikrāmati kāle kadācit sa rākṣaso madhya-niśāyāṃ gṛha-koṇe sthitaḥ | sāpi rāja-kanyā sva-sakhīm uvāca-sakhi ! paśyaiṣa vikālaḥ samaye nityam eva māṃ kadarthayati | asti tasya durātmanaḥ pratiṣedhopāyaḥ kaścit ?
tac chrutvā rākṣaso 'pi vyacintayat-nūnaṃ yathāhaṃ tathānyo 'pi kaścid vikāla-nāmāsyā haraṇāya nityam evāgacchati | paraṃ so 'py enāṃ hartuṃ na śaknoti | tat tāvad aśva-rūpaṃ kṛtvāśva-madhya-gato nirīkṣayāmi | kiṃ-rūpaḥ sa kiṃ-prabhāvaś ceti ? evaṃ rākṣaso 'śva-rūpaṃ kṛtvāśvānāṃ madhye tiṣṭhati |
tathānuṣṭhite niśītha-samaye rāja-gṛhe kaścid aśva-cauraḥ praviṣṭaḥ | sa ca sarvān aśvān avalokya taṃ rākṣasam aśvatamaṃ vijñāyādhirūḍhaḥ |
atrāntare rākṣasaś cintayāmāsa-nūnam eṣa vikāla-nāmā māṃ cauraṃ matvā kopān nihantum āgataḥ | tat kiṃ karomi ? evaṃ cintayan so 'pi tena khalīnaṃ mukhe nidhāya kaśāghātena tāḍitaḥ | athāsau bhaya-trasta-manāḥ pradhāvitum ārabdhaḥ |
cauro 'pi dūraṃ gatvā khalīnākarṣaṇena taṃ sthiraṃ kartum ārabdhavān | sa tu vegād vegataraṃ gacchati | atha taṃ tathāgaṇita-khalīnākarṣaṇaṃ matvā cauraś cintayāmāsa-aho naivaṃ-vidhā vājino bhavanty agaṇita-khalīnāḥ | tan nūnam anenāśva-rūpeṇa rākṣasena bhavitavyam | yadyapi kañcit pāṃsulaṃ bhūmi-deśam avalokayāmi tad ātmānaṃ tatra pātayāmi | nānyathā me jīvitavyam asti |
evaṃ cintayata iṣṭa-devatāṃ smaratas tasya so 'śvo baṭa-vṛkṣasya tale niṣkrāntaḥ | cauro 'pi baṭa-praroham āsādya tatraiva vilagnaḥ | tato dvāv api tau pṛthag-bhūtau paramānanda-bhājau jīvita-viṣaye labdha-pratyāśau sampannau |
atha tatra baṭe kaścid rākṣasa-suhṛd vānaraḥ sthita āsīt | tena rākṣasaṃ trastam ālokya vyāhṛtam-bho mitra ! kim eva alāyyate'līka-bhayena ? tad bhakṣyo 'yaṃ mānuṣaḥ bhakṣyatām |
so 'pi vānara-vaco niśamya, svarūpam ādhāya śaṅkita-manāḥ skhalita-gatir nivṛttaḥ | cauro 'pi taṃ vānarāhūtaṃ jñātvā kopāt tasya lāṅgulaṃ lambamānaṃ mukhe nidhāya carvitavān |
vānaro 'pi taṃ rākṣasābhyadhikaṃ manyamāno bhayān na kiñcid uktavān | kevalaṃ vyathārto nimīlita-nayanas tiṣṭhati | rākṣaso 'pi taṃ tathā-bhūtam avalokya ślokam enam apaṭhat-
yādṛśī vacana-cchāyā dṛśyate tava vānara |
vikālena gṛhīto 'si yaḥ paraiti sa jīvati

ity uktvā praṇaṣṭaś ca | tat preṣaya māṃ yena gṛhaṃ gacchāmi | tvaṃ punar anubhuṅkṣvātra sthita eva lobha-vṛkṣa-phalam |
cakradhara āha-bhoḥ akāraṇam etat | daiva-vaśāt sampadyate nṛṇāṃ śubhāśubham | uktaṃ ca-
durgas trikūṭaḥ parikhā samudro
rakṣāṃsi yodhā dhanadāc ca vittam |
śāstraṃ ca yasyośanasā praṇītaṃ
sa rāvaṇo daiva-vaśād vipannaḥ

tathā ca-
andhakaḥ kubjakaś caiva tristanī rāja-kanyakā |
trayo 'py anyāyataḥ siddhāḥ saṃmukhe karmaṇi sthite

suvarṇa-siddhiḥ prāha-katham etat ?
so 'bravīt-
kathā 11
andhaka-kubjaka-tristanī-kathā
asty atra dharā-tala uttarā-pathe madhu-puraṃ nāma nagaram | tatra madhusenā nāma rājā babhūva | tasya kadācid viṣaya-sukham anubhavatas tristanī kanyā babhūva | atha tāṃ trastanīṃ jātāṃ śrutvā sa rājā kañcukinaḥ provāca, yad-bhos tyajyatām iyaṃ trastanī gatvā dūre'raṇye yathā kaścin na jānāti |
tac chrutvā kañcukinaḥ procuḥ-mahārāja jñāyate yad aniṣṭa-kāriṇī tristanī kanyā bhavati | tathāpi brāhmaṇam āhūya praṣṭavyāḥ, yena loka-dvayaṃ na virudhyate, yataḥ-
yaḥ satataṃ paripṛcchati śṛṇoti sandhārayaty aniśam |
tasya divākara-kiraṇair nalinīva vivardhate buddhiḥ

tathā ca-
pṛcchakena sadā bhāvyaṃ puruṣeṇa vijānatā |
rākṣasendra-gṛhīto 'pi praśnān mukto dvijaḥ purā

rājā āha--katham etat ?
te procuḥ-
kathā 12
caṇḍakarma-nāma-rākṣasa-kathā
deva ! kasmiṃścid vanoddeśe caṇḍakarmā nāma rākṣasaḥ prativasati sma | ekadā tena bhramatāṭavyāṃ kaścid brāhmaṇaḥ samāsāditaḥ | tatas tasya skandham āruhya provāca-bho agresaro gamyatām |
brāhmaṇo 'pi bhaya-trasta-manās tam ādāya prasthitaḥ | atha tasya kamalodara-komalau pādau dṛṣṭvā brāhmaṇo rākṣasam apṛcchat-bhoḥ ! kim evaṃ-vidhau te pādāv atikomalau ?
rākṣasa āha-bhoḥ ! vratam asti, nāham ārdra-pādo bhūmiṃ spṛśāmi |
tatas tac chrutvātmano mokṣopāyaṃ cintayaṃs tat-saraḥ prāptaḥ | tato rākṣasenābhihitaṃ-bhoḥ ! yāvad ahaṃ snānaṃ kṛtvā devatārcana-vidhiṃ vidhāyāgacchāmi tāvat tvayātaḥ sthānād anyatra na gantavyam |
tathānuṣṭhite divjaś cintayāmāsa-nūnaṃ devatārcana-vidher ūrdhvaṃ mām eṣa bhakṣayiṣyati | tad drutataraṃ gacchāmi, yenaiṣa ārdra-pādo na mama pṛṣṭham eṣyati |
tathānuṣṭhite rākṣaso vrata-bhaṅga-bhayāt tasya pṛṣṭhaṃ na gataḥ | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-pṛcchakena sadā bhāvyam iti |
atha tebhyas tac chrutvā-rājā dvijān āhūya provāca-bho brāhmaṇāḥ ! tristanī me kanyā samutpannā, tat kiṃ tasyāḥ pratividhānam asti, na vā ?
hīnāṅgī vādhikāṅgī vā yā bhavet kanyakā nṛṇām |
bhartuḥ syāt sā vināśāya sva-śīla-nidhanāya ca

yā punas tristanī kanyā yāti locana-gocaram |
pitaraṃ nāśaty eva sā drutaṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ

tasmād asyā darśanaṃ pariharatu devaḥ | tathā yadi kaścid udvāhayati, tad enāṃ tasmai dattvā, deśa-tyāgena sa niyojayitavyaḥ iti | evaṃ-kṛte loka-dvayāviruddhatā bhavati |
atha teṣāṃ tad-vacanam ākarṇya sa rājā paṭaha-śabdena sarvatra ghoṣaṇām ājñāpayāmāsa-aho ! tristanīṃ rājakanyāṃ yaḥ kaścid udvāhayati sa suvarṇa-lakṣam āpnoti deśa-tyāgaṃ ca |
evaṃ tasyām āghoṣaṇāyāṃ kriyamāṇāyāṃ mahān kālo vyatītaḥ | na kaścit tāṃ pratigṛhṇāti | sāpi yauvanonmukhī sañjātā sugupta-sthāna-sthitā yatnena rakṣyamāṇā tiṣṭhati |
atra tatraiva nagare kaścid andhas tiṣṭhati | tasya ca mantharaka-nāmā kubjo 'gresaro yaṣṭi-grāhī | tābhyāṃ taṃ paṭaha-śabdam ākarṇya, mitho mantritaṃ-spṛśyate'yaṃ paṭahaḥ | yadi katham api daivāt kanyā labhyate | suvarṇa-prāptiś ca bhavati, tathā sukhena suvarṇa-prāptyā kālo vrajati | atha yadi tasya doṣato mṛtyur bhavati | tadā dāridryopāttasyāsya kleśasya paryanto bhavati | uktaṃ ca-
lajjā snehaḥ svara-madhuratā buddhayo yauvana-śrīḥ
kāntāsaṅgaḥ svajana-mamatā duḥkha-hānir vilāsaḥ |
dharmaḥ śāstraṃ sura-guru-matiḥ śaucam ācāra-cintā
pūrṇe sarve jaṭhara-piṭhare prāṇināṃ sambhavanti

evam uktvāndhena gatvā, sa paṭahaḥ spṛṣṭaḥ | uktaṃ ca-bhoḥ ! ahaṃ tāṃ kanyām udvāhayāmi, yadi rājā me prayacchati |
tatas tai rāja-puruṣair gatvā rājñe niveditam-deva ! andhena kenacit paṭahaḥ spṛṣṭaḥ | tad atra viṣaye devaḥ pramāṇam |
rājā prāha-
andho vā vadhiro vātha kuṣṭī vāpy antyajo 'pi vā |
parigṛhṇātu tāṃ kanyāṃ sa-lakṣāṃ syād videśagaḥ

atha rājādeśāt tai rāja-puruṣais taṃ nadī-tīre nītvā suvarṇa-lakṣeṇa samaṃ vivāha-vidhinā tristanīṃ tasmai dattvā, jala-yāne nidhāya kaivartāḥ proktāḥ-bho ! deśāntaraṃ nītvā kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne'ndhaḥ sapatnīkaḥ | kubjakena saha mocanīyaḥ |
tathānuṣṭhite videśam āsādya kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne kaivarta-darśite trayo 'pi mūlyena gṛhaṃ prāptāḥ sukhena kālaṃ nayanti sma | kevalam andhaḥ paryaṅke suptas tiṣṭhati, gṛha-vyāpāraṃ mantharakaḥ karoti | evaṃ gacchatā kālena tristanyā kubjakena saha vikṛtiḥ samapadyata | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
yadi syāc chrī-talo vahniś candramā dahanātmakaḥ |
susvādaḥ sāgaraḥ strīṇāṃ tat-satīs tvaṃ prajāyate

athānyedyus tristanyā mantharako 'bhihitaḥ-bhoḥ subhaga ! yady eṣo 'ndhaḥ kathañcit vyāpādyate, tad āvayoḥ sukhena kālo yāti | tad anviṣyatāṃ kutracid viṣam, yenāsmai tat pradāya sukhinī bhavāmi |
anyadā kubjakena paribhramatā mṛtaḥ kṛṣṇasarpaḥ prāptaḥ | taṃ gṛhītvā prahṛṣṭa-manā gṛham abhyetya tām āha-subhage ! labdho 'yaṃ kṛṣṇa-sarpaḥ | tad enaṃ khaṇḍaśaḥ kṛtvā prabhūta-śuṇṭhy-ādibhiḥ saṃskāryāsmai vikala-netrāya matsyāmiṣaṃ bhaṇitvā prayaccha yena drāg vinaśyati | yato 'sya matsyāmiṣaṃ sadā priyam | evam uktvā mantharako bahir gataḥ |
sāpi pradīpte vahnau kṛṣṇa-sarpaṃ khaṇḍaśaḥ kṛtvā takra-sthālyām ādhāya gṛha-vyāpārākulā taṃ vikalākṣaṃ sa-praśrayam uvāca-ārya-putra ! tavābhīṣṭaṃ matsya-māṃsaṃ samānītam | yatas tvaṃ sadaiva tat pṛcchasi | te ca matsyā vahnau pāvanāya tiṣṭhanti | tad yāvad ahaṃ gṛha-kṛtyaṃ karomi, tāvat tvaṃ darvīm ādāya kṣaṇam ekaṃ tān pracālaya |
so 'pi tad ākarṇya hṛṣṭa-manāḥ sṛkkaṇī parilihan drutam utthāya darvīm ādāya pramathitum ārabdhaḥ | atha tasya matsyān mathnato viṣa-garbha-bāṣpeṇa saṃspṛṣṭaṃ nīla-paṭalaṃ cakṣurbhyām agalat | asāv apy andhas taṃ bahu-guṇaṃ manyamāno viśeṣān netrābhyāṃ bāṣpa-grahaṇam akarot |
tato labdha-dṛṣṭir jāto yāvat paśyati, tāvat takra-madhye kṛṣṇa-sarpa-khaṇḍāni kevalāny evāvalokayati | tato vyacintayat-aho, kim etat ? mama matsyāmiṣaṃ kathitam āsīd anayā | etāni tu kṛṣṇa-sarpa-khaṇḍāni | tat tāvad vijānāmi samyak tristanyāś ceṣṭitam | kiṃ mama vadhopāya-kramaḥ kubjasya vā ? utāho anyasya vā kasyacit ? evaṃ vicintya svākāraṃ gūhayann andhavat karma karoti yathā purā |
atrāntare kubjaḥ samāgatya niḥśaṅkatayāliṅgana-cumbanādibhis tristanīṃ sevitum upacakrame | so 'py andhas tam avalokayann api yāvan na kiñcic chastraṃ paśyati, tāvat kopa-vyākula-manāḥ pūrvavac chayanaṃ gatvā kubjaṃ caraṇābhyāṃ saṅgṛhya sāmarthyāt sva-mastakopari bhrāmayitvā tristanīṃ hṛdaye vyatāḍayat |
atha kubja-prahāreṇa tasyās tṛtīyaḥ stana urasi praviṣṭaḥ | tathā balān mastakopari bhramaṇena kubjaḥ prāñjalatāṃ gataḥ |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-andhakaḥ kubjakaś caiva (84) iti |
suvarṇasiddhir āha-bhoḥ satyam etat | daivānukūlatayā sarvaṃ kalyāṇaṃ sampadyate | tathāpi puruṣeṇa satāṃ vacanaṃ kāryam | punar evam eva vartitavyam | atha evam eva yo vartate, sa tvam iva vinaśyati | tathā ca-
ekodarāḥ pṛthag grīvā anyānya-phala-bhakṣiṇaḥ |
asaṃhatā vinaśyanti bhāruṇḍā iva pakṣiṇaḥ

cakradhara āha-katham etat ?
so 'bravīt-
kathā 13
bhāruṇḍa-pakṣi-kathā
kasmiṃścit sarovare bhāruṇḍa-nāmā pakṣī ekodaraḥ pṛthag-grīvaḥ prativasati sma | tena ca samudra-tīre paribhramatā kañcit phalam amṛta-kalpaṃ taraṅga-kṣiptaṃ samprāptam | so 'pi bhakṣayann idam āha-aho ! bahūni mayāmṛta-prāyāṇi samudra-kallolāhṛtāni phalāni bhakṣitāni | param apūrvo 'syāsvādaḥ | tat kiṃ pārijāta-haricandana-taru-sambhavam ? kiṃ vā, kiñcid amṛta-maya-phalam idam avyaktenāpi vidhināpātitam |
evaṃ tasya bruvato dvitīya-mukhenābhihitam-bho, yady evaṃ tan mamāpi stokaṃ prayaccha, yenāham api jihvā-saukhyam anubhavāmi |
tato vihasya prathama-vaktreṇābhihitam-āvayos tāvad ekam udaram | ekā tṛptiś ca bhavati | tataḥ kiṃ pṛthag bhakṣitena ? varam anena śeṣeṇa priyā toṣyate |
evam abhidhāya tena śeṣaṃ bhāruṇḍyāḥ pradattam | sāpi tad āsvādya prahṛṣṭatamāliṅgana-cumbana-sambhāvanādy-aneka-cāṭu-parā ca babhūva | dvitīyaṃ mukhaṃ tad-dinād eva prabhṛti sodvegaṃ sa-viṣādaṃ ca tiṣṭhati |
athānyedyur dvitīya-mukhena viṣa-phalaṃ prāptam | tad dṛṣṭvāparam āha-bho nistriṃśa ! puruṣādhama ! nirapekṣa ! mayā viṣa-phalam āsāditam | tat tavāpamānād bhakṣayāmi |
apareṇābhihitam-mūrkha ! mā maivaṃ kuru | evaṃ kṛte dvayor api vināśo bhaviṣyati | athaivaṃ vadatā tenāpamānena tat phalaṃ bhakṣitam | kiṃ bahunā, dvāv api vinaṣṭau |
ato 'haṃ bravīmi-ekodarāḥ pṛthag-grīvāḥ (92) iti |
cakradhara āha-satyam etat | tad gaccha gṛham | param ekākinā na gantavyam | uktaṃ ca-
ekaḥ svādu na bhuñjīta ekaś cārthān na cintayet |
eko na gacched adhvānaṃ naikaḥ supteṣu jāgṛyāt

api ca-
api kāpuruṣo mārge dvitīyaḥ kṣema-kārakaḥ |
karkaṭena dvitīyena jīvitaṃ parirakṣitam

suvarṇa-siddhiḥ prāha-katham etat ?
so 'bravīt-
kathā 14
brāhmaṇa-karkaṭaka-kathā
kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne brahmadatta-nāmā brāhmaṇaḥ prativasati sma | sa ca prayojana-vaśād grāmaṃ prasthitaḥ sva-mātrābhihitaḥ, yad-vatsa ! katham ekākī vrajasi ? tad anviṣyatāṃ kaścid dvitīyaḥ sahāyaḥ |
sa āha-amba ! mā bhaiṣīḥ | nirupadravo 'yaṃ mārgaḥ | kārya-vaśād ekākī gamiṣyāmi |
atha tasya taṃ niścayaṃ jñātvā samīpastha-vāpyāḥ sakāśāt karkaṭam ādāya mātrābhihitaṃ-vatsa, avaśyaṃ yadi gantavyam | tad eṣa karkaṭo 'pi sahāyo bhavatu | tad enaṃ gṛhītvā gaccha |
so 'pi mātur vacanād ubhābhyāṃ pāṇibhyāṃ na saṅgṛhya karpūra-puṭikā-madhye nidhāya, pātra-madhye saṃsthāpya śīghraṃ prasthitaḥ |
atha gacchan grīṣmoṣmaṇā santaptaḥ kañcin mārgasthaṃ vṛkṣam āsādya, tatraiva prasuptaḥ | atrāntare vṛkṣa-koṭarān nirgatya sarpas tat-samīpam āgataḥ |
sa cābhyantara-gatāṃ karpūra-puṭikām atilaulyād abhakṣayat | so 'pi karkaṭas tatraiva sthitaḥ san sarpa-prāṇān apāharata | brāhmaṇe'pi yāvat prabuddhaḥ paśyati, tāvat samīpe mṛta-kṛṣṇa-sarpo nija-pārśve karpūra-puṭikopari sthitas tiṣṭhati | taṃ dṛṣṭvā vyacintayat-karkaṭenāyaṃ hataḥ iti | prasanno bhūtvābravīc ca-bhoḥ ! satyam abhihitaṃ mama mātrā yat puruṣeṇa ko 'pi sahāyaḥ kāryaḥ | naikākinā gantavyam | yato mayā śraddhā-pūrita-cetasā tad-vacanam anuṣṭhitaṃ tenāhaṃ karkaṭena sarva-vyāpādanād rakṣitaḥ | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-
kṣīṇaḥ śrayati śaśī ravim ṛddho vardhayati payasāṃ nātham |
anye vipadi sahāyā dhanināṃ śriyam anubhavanty anye

mantre tīrthe dvije deve daivajñe bheṣaje gurau |
yādṛśī bhāvanā yasya siddhir bhavati tādṛśī