Introduction

Daughters of Kushanaabha report about the Air-god’s mischief. Pleased at their behaviour Kushanaabha thinks and arranges for their marriage with Brahmadatta, a saintly king. After the marriage, by the touch of hand of Brahmadatta the girls are rid of their misshapen bodies and they again become great beauties.

Verse 1

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा कुशनाभस्य धीमतः |
शिरोभिश्चरणौ स्पृष्ट्वा कन्याशतमभाषत || १-३३-१

On hearing that sentence of scholarly Kushanaabha those hundred girls touched his feet with their foreheads and spoke to him. [1-33-1]

1. dhiimataH = scholarly one; tasya kushanaabhasya= his, of Kushanaabha; tat vacanam shrutvaa = on hearing that sentence; kanyaashatam = hundred girls; shirobhiH caraNau spR^iSTvaa = on touching [father’s] feet with forehead; abhaaSata= spoke.

Verse 2

वायुः सर्वात्मको राजन् प्रधर्षयितुमिच्छति |
अशुभं मार्गमास्थाय न धर्मं प्रत्यवेक्षते || १-३३-२

” ‘The all-pervasive Air-god desired to dishonour us, oh, king, resorting to improper approach and overlooking virtuous conduct. [1-33-2]

2. raajan = oh king; sarvaatmakaH vaayuH = all-pervasive, Air-god; ashubham maargam aasthaaya = resorting to non auspicious path – improper approach; pradharSayitum icChati = he desired to highly maltreat [dishonour us]; dharmam na pratyavekSate = not overlooking virtuous conduct of girls.

Verse 3

पितृमत्यः स्म भद्रं ते स्वच्छन्दे न वयं स्थिताः |
पितरं नो वृणीष्व त्वं यदि नो दास्यते तव || १-३३-३

” ‘Our father is there and we are not independent, you be safe, hence oh, Air-god, you may request our father to know whether he gives us to you or not.’ Thus we have told the Air-god, but… [1-33-3]

3. vayam pitR^imatyaH sma = we are father dependent; te bhadram = you be safe; svacChande na sthitaaH = we are not independent; naH tava = us, to you; daasyate yadi = he gives, whether or not; tvam naH pitaram vR^iNiiSva = you may request with our father.

Verse 4

तेन पापानुबन्धेन वचनं न प्रतीच्छता |
एवं ब्रुवंत्यः सर्वाः स्म वायुनाभिहता भृषम् || १-३३-४

” ‘Though we all have spoken to him thus, that Air-god who is bound by venality refused to take notice of our words and he has harmed us a lot.’ Thus those girls informed their father. [1-33-4]

4. evam bruvantyaH sarvaaH = thus, speaking, all of us; paapaanubandhena = bound by venality; vacanam = [our] sentence; na = not; pratiicChataa = bearing in mind in reply – one who refused to take notice; tena vaayunaa = by him, by Air-god; bhR^iSam = much; abhihataa = smacked down – we are harmed.

Verse 5

तासां तु वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा परमधार्मिकः |
प्रत्युवाच महातेजाः कन्याशतमनुत्तमम् || १-३३-५

On listening their words that highly virtuous and highly resplendent king spoke to the hundred girls with unsurpassed virtue. [1-33-5]

5. paramadhaarmikaH = highly virtuous one; mahaatejaaH = highly resplendent one; raajaa = king; taasaam tat vacanam shrutvaa = on listening their that sentence; anuttamam kanyaashatam uvaaca = said to unsurpassing hundred girls.

Verse 6

क्षान्तं क्षमावतां पुत्र्यः कर्तव्यं सुमहत्कृतम् |
ऐकमत्यमुपागम्य कुलं चावेक्षितं मम || १-३३-६

” ‘Forgiving is the duty of imperturbable and you have done it. Excellent. Oh, daughters, coursing through your unity my family’s prestige is also kept up. [1-33-6]

6. putryaH = oh daughters; kSamaavataam kartavyam kSaantam = those that have self-control – imperturbability, their duty, is forgiving; kR^itam = that is done – you have done it; sumahat = [this is] very excellent [deed you have done]; aikamatyam upaagamya = coursing through unity; mama kulam ca = my, family [prestige,] also; avekSitam = looked after [kept up.]

Verse 7 & 8a

अलंकारो हि नारीणां क्षमा तु पुरुषस्य वा |
दुष्करं तच्च वै क्षान्तं त्रिदशेषु विशेषतः || १-३३-७
यादृशी वः क्षमा पुत्र्यः सर्वासामविशेषतः |

” ‘Forgiveness is an adornment to women, as a matter of fact, even for men, and this matter called ‘forgiving’ that which is there, it is an impracticable affair. That too, in respect of divinities. And the kind of forgiveness you all possess uniformly, that is further laudable. [1-33-7, 8a]

7, 8a. naariiNaam = to women; puruSasya vaa = to men, either; kSamaa alankaaraH hi = forgiveness, adornment, as a matter of fact; kSaantam iti yat = forgiving, that which is there; tat duSkaram ca vai = that is, not practicable, also, verily; tridasheSu visheSataH = among divinities, especially [impracticable]; vaH sarvaasaam = to you all; avisheSataH = not differentiated – uniformly; yaadR^ishii = which kind of; kSamaa = forgiving [is there; that is further; duSkaram = impossible – laudable.]

Verse 8b & 9a

क्षमा दानं क्षमा सत्यं क्षमा यज्ञश्च पुत्रिकाः || १-३३-८
क्षमा यशः क्षमा धर्मः क्षमायां विष्ठितं जगत् |

” ‘Grace is altruism, grace is ritualism, oh, my daughters, grace is glory, grace is virtue, and this universe is verily abiding in graciousness alone for grace itself is the truth, isn’t it!’ Thus king Kushanaabha said to his daughters and sent them away. [1-33-8b, 9a]

8b, 9a. kSamaa daanam = grace [forgiveness] is, altruism; kSamaa yaj~naH = grace is, ritualism; putrikaaH = oh daughters; kSamaa yashaH = grace is, glory; kSamaa dharmaH = grace is, virtue; kSamaa satyam [hi] = grace is, truth, [isn’t it]; kSamaayaam jagat viSThitam = universe is verily abiding in graciousness.

Verse 9b & 10

विसृज्य कन्याः काकुत्स्थ राजा त्रिदशविक्रमः || १-३३-९
मंत्रज्ञो मंत्रयामास प्रदानं सह मंत्रिभिः |
देशे काले च कर्तव्यं सदृशे प्रतिपादनम् || १-३३-१०

“On leaving those girls, oh, Rama, that king whose valour matches that of gods and who is an expert in thinking strategies started to think with his ministers on the topics like, as to how his daughters are to be espoused to, to which country they are to be sent, at which time marriage shall happen, and to which matching bridegroom the marriage is to be proposed, and so on.” Thus Vishvamitra continued his narration. [1-33-9b, 10]

9b, 10. kaakutstha = oh Rama; tridashavikramaH = whose valour is matching god; mantraj~naH = expert in thinking; raajaa = king Kushanaabha; kanyaaH visR^ijya = leaving girls ; mantribhiH saha = along with ministers; pradaanam = about endowing [giving daughters in marriage]; mantrayaamaasa = started to contemplate; pradaanasya = of that bride giving]; deshe kaale = in which country, at which time; sadR^ishe = matching one [bridegroom]; pratipaadanam kartavyam ca = [marriage] proposals, is to be done – on such topics he discussed with ministers.

Verse 11

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु चूली नाम महाद्युतिः |
ऊर्ध्वरेताः शुभाचारो ब्राह्मं तप उपागमत् || १-३३-११

During that time a great-resplendent sage named Cuulii is there, who is propitious in his demeanour and who holds his semen upward, and who has achieved high ascetic practise strictly according to Vedic canons. [1-33-11]

11. etasmin kaale eva tu = during, time, alone, but; mahaadyutiH = great-resplendent one; uurdhvaretaaH = with upward semen – meaning whose semen is not lost; shubhaacaaraH = with propitious demeanour; cuulii naama = Cuulii, named; braahmam tapaH = Vedic, asceticism – one who has ascesis strict to Vedic canons; upaagamat = achieved such ascesis.

Verse 12

तपस्यन्तमृषिं तत्र गंधर्वी पर्युपासते |
सोमदा नाम भद्रं ते ऊर्मिलातनया तदा || १-३३-१२

“While that sage is in the practise of asceticism a celestial female served him at the place of his ascesis, safety be with you oh, Rama, she is Somada by her name, the daughter of Urmila. [1-33-12]

12. tadaa = then; tatra tapasyantam R^iSim = at that place the sage practicing ascesis ; uurmilaatanayaa = Urmila’s daughter; somadaa naama gandharvii = Somada, named, a gandharva / celestial female; paryupaasate = serving him in overall manner; te bhadram = to you, safety; Rama.

 

Verse 13

सा च तं प्रणता भूत्वा शुश्रूषणपरायणा |
उवास काले धर्मिष्ठा तस्यास्तुष्टोऽभवद् गुरुः || १-३३-१३

“Even she is obedient in his respect, and dedicating herself in ministering to him she stayed there righteously. After some time that sage Cuulii has become satisfied with her service. [1-33-13]

13. saa ca = she, even; tam = in his respect; praNataa bhuutvaa = bowing down – becoming obedient; shushruuSaNaparaayaNaa = dedicated in ministering; dharmiSThaa = righteously; uvaasa = stayed there; kaale = after some time; guruH = mentor [the sage]; tasyaaH tuSTaH abhavat = he became satisfied of her [service].

Verse 14

स च तां कालयोगेन प्रोवाच रघुनंदन |
परितुष्टोऽस्मि भद्रं ते किं करोमि तव प्रियम् || १-३३-१४

“When her service is fructified, oh, Rama, that sage benevolently spoke to her saying, ‘I am perfectly pleased with your service, let good betide you, what cherish of yours I have to fulfil.’ [1-33-14]

14. raghunandana = oh Raghu’s delight – Rama; saH ca = he that sage, also; kaalayogena = by chance of time – when her service is fructified; taam provaaca = well [benevolently] said to her ; parituSTaH asmi = perfectly pleased, I am; te bhadram = safety to you; tava kim priyam karomi = what I can do that is your cherish – I have to fulfil.

Verse 15

परितुष्टं मुनिं ज्ञात्वा गन्धर्वी मधुरस्वरा |
उवाच परमप्रीता वाक्यज्ञा वाक्यकोविदम् || १-३३-१५

“Perceiving that the sage is contented that female celestial Somada who is aware of making good sentences is highly delighted and spoke with her melodious voice to that pedantic sage. [1-33-15]

15. munim parituSTam j~naatvaa = on perceiving contented sage; madhurasvaraa = melodious voiced; vaakyaj~naa = she who is aware of sentence making; gandharvii = gandharva female; paramapriitaa = highly delighted; vaakyakovidam = to sentence making expert – pedantic sage; uvaaca = spoke.

Verse 16

लक्ष्म्या समुदितो ब्राह्म्या ब्रह्मभूतो महातपाः |
ब्राह्मेण तपसा युक्तं पुत्रमिच्छामि धार्मिकम् || १-३३-१६

” ‘Vedic splendour is flourishing in you when you have become one with Brahma, oh, supreme ascetic, I may please be endowed with a righteous son whose ascetic spirituality may embody the spirituality enunciated in Veda-s. [1-33-16]

16. mahaatapaaH = oh one with supreme ascesis; braahmyaa lakSmyaa samuditaH = pertaining to Brahma [Vedic practises,] splendour, is on the rise – flourishing; brahmabhuutaH = become one with Brahma ; braahmeNa tapasaa yuktam = along with – embodied with Brahma’s [spirituality of Veda-s,] ascetic [spirituality] ; dhaarmikam putram icChaami = I wish to have – I may be endowed with righteous son.

Verse 17

अपतिश्चास्मि भद्रं ते भार्या चास्मि न कस्यचित् |
ब्राह्मेणोपगतायाश्च दातुमर्हसि मे सुतम् || १-३३-१७

” ‘I am unmarried and nobody’s wife, safe you be, and as I took shelter under your kindness it will be apt of you to endow me a son with your faculty of asceticism.’ So said Somada to sage Cuulii. [1-33-17]

17. apatiH ca asmi = also I am without husband [unmarried] ; bhadram te = safe, you be; kasyacit bhaaryaa na asmi = I am not wife to anyone; upagataayaaH = nearby, arrived – took shelter under you; me = to me; braahmeNa = by your ascetic faculty; sutam daatum arhasi = apt of you to endow a son.

Verse 18

तस्याः प्रसन्नो ब्रह्मर्षिर्ददौ ब्राह्ममनुत्तमम् |
ब्रह्मदत्त इति ख्यातं मानसं चूलिनः सुतम् || १-३३-१८

“That Brahma-sage Cuuli benignantly bestowed her with a unique and Brahma-like son who is renowned as Brahmadatta, as well as his own brainchild. [1-33-18]

18. tasyaaH prasannaH brahmarSiH = one who became benignant of her the Brahma-sage; cuulinaH = of sage Cuuli; maanasam sutam = by instinct, [born] son – brainchild; braahmam = Brahma-like; brahmadatta iti khyaatam = Brahmadatta, thus, renowned; anuttamam = unsurpassed – unique one; dadau = bestowed.

Verse 19

स राजा ब्रह्मदत्तस्तु पुरीमध्यवसत्तदा |
कांपिल्यां परया लक्ष्म्या देवराजो यथा दिवम् || १-३३-१९

“King Brahmadatta endued with superb grandeur ruled from a city called Kaampilya as with Indra ruling the heaven. [1-33-19]

19. brahmadattaH saH raajaa tu = Brahmadatta, he that, king, for his part; tadaa = then; devaraajaH divam yathaa = god’s, king, Indra, heaven, as with; kaampilyaam = Kampilya named; puriim = city; parayaa lakSmyaa adhyavasat = presided – ruled endued with superb grandeur.

Verse 20

स बुद्धिं कृतवान् राजा कुशनाभः सुधार्मिकः |
ब्रह्मदत्ताय काकुत्स्थ दातुं कन्याशतं तदा || १-३३-२०

“The most righteous king Kushanaabha then made up his mind, oh, Rama of Kakutstha, to espouse his hundred daughters to Brahmadatta. [1-33-20]

20. kaakutstha = oh Rama of Kakutstha; tadaa = then; sudhaarmikaH raajaa = most righteous, king; saH kushanaabhaH = he that, Kushanaabha; kanyaashatam = hundred daughters; brahmadattaaya daatum = to give – to espouse to Brahmadatta; buddhim kR^itavaan = made up mind.

Verse 21

तमाहूय महातेजा ब्रह्मदत्तं महीपतिः |
ददौ कन्याशतं राजा सुप्रीतेनान्तरात्मना || १-३३-२१

“Inviting Brahmadatta that great-resplendent lord of the land, namely the king Kushanaabha, married his hundred daughters to him, pleasing highly in his heart of hearts. [1-33-21]

21. mahaatejaaH mahiipatiH raajaa = great-resplendent, lord of land, king – Kushanaabha; tam brahmadattam aahuuya = on calling – inviting him that Brahmadatta; supriitena antaraatmanaa = with highly pleased, heart of hearts; kanyaashatam dadau = gave – married hundred daughters.

Verse 22

यथाक्रमम् ततः पाणीन् जग्राह रघुनंदन |
ब्रह्मदत्तो महीपालस्तासां देवपतिर्यथा || १-३३-२२

“As with the tradition of marriage king Brahmadatta who vies with lord of gods, namely Indra, in succession took the palm of each of the hundred girls into his palm. [1-33-22]

22. raghunandana = oh Rama of Raghu’s dynasty; devapatiH yathaa = gods lord – Indra, who vies with; brahmadattaH mahiipaalaH = Brahmadatta, the king; tataH yathaakramam = then, in succession; taasaam paaNiin jagraaha = caught their palms – received each of their palm into his hand, as per the custom of marriage.

Verse 23

स्पृष्टमात्रे ततः पाणौ विकुब्जा विगतज्वराः |
युक्ताः परमया लक्ष्म्या बभुः कन्याः शतं तदा || १-३३-२३

“By mere touch of hand of Brahmadatta alone, their misshape and desperation are evanished, and all of those hundred maidens beamed bright as they are retouched with utmost elegance. [1-33-23]

23. tataH = then; paaNau spR^iSTamaatre = just by touching palm ; tadaa = as a result of; kanyaaH shatam = hundred maidens; vikubjaaH = without hunchback – without misshape; on becoming; vigatajvaraaH = verily gone – evanished fervidity – desperation; paramayaa lakSmyaa yuktaaH = along with [retouched with] utmost elegance; babhuH = they beamed with bright.

Verse 24

स दृष्ट्वा वायुना मुक्ताः कुशनाभो महीपतिः |
बभूव परमप्रीतो हर्षं लेभे पुनः पुनः || १-३३-२४

“On seeing his daughters getting release from the effect of Air-god Kushanaabha became highly joyful, and he took great delight time and again as and when he looked at them. [1-33-24]

23. mahiipatiH = lord of land; saH kushanaabhaH = that, Kushanaabha; vaayunaa muktaaH = released by [the effect of] Air-god ; dR^iSTvaa = on seeing; paramapriitaH babhuuva = he became highly joyful; punaH punaH harSam lebhe = again, again, delight, he took – in seeing his daughters restored to originality.

Verse 25

कृतोद्वाहं तु राजानं ब्रह्मदत्तं महीपतिः |
सदारं प्रेषयामास सोपाध्यायगणं तदा || १-३३-२५

“Later when the marriage is complete king Kushanaabha bade farewell to king Brahmadatta along with his wives, his own hundred daughters, and along with the groups of religious teachers. [1-33-25]

25. tadaa = later; mahiipatiH = king Kushanaabha; kR^itodvaaham tu = one who has finished marriage – when marriage is over; sadaaram = with wives; sopaadhyaayagaNam = with the assemblages of religious teachers; raajaanam brahmadattam = of king, Brahmadatta; preSayaamaasa = started to send [off.]

Verse 26

सोमदापि सुतं दृष्ट्वा पुत्रस्य सदृशीं क्रियाम् |
यथान्यायं च गन्धर्वी स्नुषास्ताः प्रत्यनंदत |
स्पृष्ट्वा स्पृष्ट्वा च ताः कन्याः कुशनाभं प्रशस्य च || १-३३-२६

“Somada, the celestial female and the mother of Brahmadatta, is gladdened to see her son Brahmadatta, for the worthwhile deed done by him in removing the blemish caused by the Air-god to the girls, or in bringing those worthwhile girls as her daughter-in-laws. She is further gladdened while her feet are traditionally and repeatedly touched by a hundred daughter-in-laws in succession, coupled with her own raising of each of the daughter-in-law to embrace for a hundred times. Thus Somada has gone on caressing each of her hundred daughter-in-laws, and in doing so she is gladdened to do so over and over again, she is gladdened. She thus praised Kushanaabha for giving his gemlike daughters as her daughter-in-laws and blessed the daughter-in-laws. [1-33-26]

26. gandharvii somadaa api = gandharva female, Somada, even; sutam dR^iSTvaa = son, on seeing; [pratyanandata = gladdened towards him]; taaH kanyaaH = those, girls; spR^iSTvaa spR^iSTvaa = on touching, touching – caressing repeatedly; [pratyanandata = gladdened towards them]; kushanaabham prashasya ca = praised Kushanaabha, also; putrasya sadR^ishiim kriyaam = worthwhile deed of son; in getting such daughter-in-laws; yathaanyaayam ca = as per tradition, also; taaH snuSaaH pratyanandata = gladdened towards those daughter-in-laws – or – blessed them.