pañcatantram

kathā-mukham

oṃ namaḥ śrī-śāradā-gaṇapati-gurubhyaḥ | mahā-kavibhyo namaḥ |

tad yathānuśrūyate | asti dakṣiṇātye janapade mahilāropyaṃ nāma nagaram | tatra sakalārthi-sārtha-kalpa-drumaḥ pravara-nṛpa-mukuṭa-maṇim ajarīcayacarcitacaraṇa-yugalaḥ sakala-kalpa-pāraṅgato 'maraśaktir nāma rājā babhūva | tasya trayaḥ putrāḥ parama-durmedhaso vasuśaktir ugraśaktir anekaśaktiś ceti nāmāno babhūvuḥ |

atha rājā tān śāstra-vimukhān ālokya sacivān āhūya provāca-bhoḥ jñātam etad bhavadbhir yan mamaite trayo 'pi putrāḥ śāstra-vimukhā viveka-hīnāś ca | tad etān paśyato me mahad api rājyaṃ na saukhyam āvahati | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

tad eteṣāṃ yathā buddhi-prabodhanaṃ bhavati tathā ko 'py upāyo 'nuṣṭhīyatām | atra ca mad-dattāṃ vṛttiṃ bhuñjānānāṃ paṇḍitānāṃ pañcaśatī tiṣṭhati | tato yathā mama manorathāḥ siddhiṃ yānti tathānuṣṭhīyatām iti |

tatraikaḥ provāca-deva dvādaśabhir varṣair vyākaraṇaṃ śrūyate | tato dharma-śāstrāṇi manv-ādīni artha-śāstrāṇi cāṇakyādīni kāma-śāstrāṇi vātsyāyanādīni | evaṃ ca tato darmārtha-kāma-śāstrāṇi jñāyante | tataḥ pratibodhanaṃ bhavati |

atha tan-madhyataḥ sumatir nāma sacivaḥ prāha-aśāśvato 'yaṃ jīvitavya-viṣayaḥ | prabhūta-kāla-jñeyāni śabda-śāstrāṇi | tat saṅkṣepa-mātraṃ śāstraṃ kiñcid eteṣāṃ prabodhanārthaṃ cintyatām iti | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-

tad atrāsti viṣṇuśarmā nāma brāhmaṇaḥ sakala-śāstra-pāraṅgamaś chātra-saṃsadi labdha-kīrtiḥ | tasmai samarpayatu etān | sa nūnaṃ drāk prabuddhān kariṣyati iti |

sa rājā tad ākarṇya viṣṇuśarmāṇam āhūya provāca-bho bhagavan mad-anugrahārtham etān artha-śāstraṃ prati drāg yathānanya-sadṛśān vidadhāsi tathā kuru | tadāhaṃ tvāṃ śāsana-śatena yojayiṣyāmi |

atha viṣṇu-śarmā taṃ rājānam āha-deva śrūyatāṃ me tathya-vacanam | nāhaṃ vidyā-vikrayaṃ śāsana-śatenāpi karomi | punar etāṃs tava putrān māsa-ṣaṭkena yadi nīti-śāstrajñān na karomi tataḥ sva-nāma-tyāgaṃ karomi |

athāsau rājā tāṃ brāhmaṇasyāsambhāvyāṃ pratijñāṃ śrutvā sa-sacivaḥ prahṛṣṭo vismayānvitas tasmai sādaraṃ tān kumārān samarpya parāṃ nirvṛtim ājagāma | viṣṇuśarmaṇāpi tān ādāya tad-arthaṃ mitra-bheda-mitra-prāpti-kākolūkīya-labdha-praṇāśa-aparīkṣita-kārakāṇi ceti pañca-tantrāṇi racayitvā pāṭhitās te rājaputrāḥ | te'pi tāny adhītya māsa-ṣaṭkena yathoktāḥ saṃvṛttāḥ | tataḥ prabhṛty etat pañcatantrakaṃ nāma nīti-śāstraṃ bālāvabodhanārthaṃ bhūtale pravṛttam | kiṃ bahunā-

iti kathā-mukham |

mitra-bhedaḥ

vardhamāna-vṛttāntaḥ

athātaḥ prārabhyate mitra-bhedo nāma prathamaṃ tantram | yasyāyam ādimaḥ ślokaḥ-

tad yathānuśrūyate | asti dakṣiṇātye janapade mahilāropyaṃ nāma nagaram | tatra dharmopārjita-bhūri-vibhavo vardhamānako nāma vaṇik-putro babhūva | tasya kadācid rātrau śayyārūḍhasya cintā samutpannā | tat prabhūte'pi vitte'rthopāyāś cintanīyāḥ kartavyāś ceti | yata uktaṃ ca-

sa cārthaḥ puruṣāṇāṃ ṣaḍbhr upāyair bhavati bhikṣāyā nṛpa-sevayā kṛṣi-karmaṇā vidyopārjanena vyavahāreṇa vaṇik-karmaṇā vā | sarveṣām api teṣāṃ vāṇijyenātiraskṛto 'rtha-lābhaḥ syāt | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-

tac ca vāṇijyaṃ sapta-vidham arthāgamāya syāt | tad yathā gāndhika-vyavahāraḥ, nikṣepa-praveśaḥ, goṣṭhika-karma, paricita-grāhakāgamaḥ, mithyā-kraya-kathanam, kūṭa-tulā-mānam, deśāntarād bhāṇḍānayanaṃ ceti | uktaṃ ca-

ity evaṃ sampradhārya mathurā-gāmīni bhāṇḍāny ādāya śubhāyāṃ tithau guru-janānujñātaḥ surathādhirūḍhaḥ prasthitaḥ | tasya ca maṅgala-vṛṣabha saṃjīvaka-nandaka-nāmānau gṛhotpannau dhūrvoḍhārau sthitau | tayor ekaḥ saṃjīvakābhidhāno yamunā-kaccham avatīrṇaḥ sampaṅka-pūram āsādya kalita-caraṇo yuga-bhaṅgaṃ vidhāya viṣasāda |

atha taṃ tad-avastham ālokya vardhamānaḥ paraṃ viṣādam āgamat | tad arthaṃ ca snehārdra-hṛdayas tri-rātraṃ prayāṇa-bhaṅgam akarot | atha taṃ viṣaṇṇam ālokya sāṛthikair abhihitam- bhoḥ śreṣṭhin ! kim evaṃ vṛṣabhasya kṛte siṃha-vyāghra-samākule bahv-apāye'smin vane samasta-sārthas tvayā sandehe niyojitaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

athāsau tad avadhārya saṃjīvakasya rakṣā-puruṣān nirūpyāśeṣa-sārthaṃ nītvā prasthitaḥ | atha rakṣā-puruṣā api bahv-apāyaṃ tad-vanaṃ viditvā saṃjīvakaṃ parityajya pṛṣṭhato gatvā'nyedyus taṃ sārthavāhaṃ mithyāhuḥ- svāmin, mṛto 'sau saṃjīvakaḥ | asmābhis tu sārthavāhasyābhīṣṭa iti matvā vahninā saṃskṛtaḥ iti |

tac chrutvā sārthavāhaḥ kṛtajñatayā snehārdra-hṛdayas tasyaurdhva-dehika-kriyā vṛṣotsargādikāḥ sarvāś cakāra | saṃjīvako 'py āyuḥ-śeṣatayā yamunā-salila-miśraiḥ śiśirataravātair āpyāyita-śarīraḥ kathaṃcid apy utthāya yamunā-taṭam upapede | tatra marakata-sadṛśāni bāla-tṛṇāgrāṇi bhakṣayan katipayair ahobhir hara-vṛṣabha iva pīnaḥ kakudmān balavāṃś ca saṃvṛttaḥ | pratyahaṃ valmīka-śikharāgrāṇi śṛṅgābhyāṃ vidārayan garjamāna āste | sādhu cedam ucyate-

atha kadācit piṅgalako nāma siṃhaḥ sarva-mṛga-parivṛtaḥ pipāsākula udaka-pānārthaṃ yamunā-taṭam avatīrṇaḥ saṃjīvakasya gambhīratara-rāvaṃ dūrād evāśṛṇot | tac chrutvā'tīva vyākula-hṛdayaḥ sasādhvasam ākāraṃ pracchādya baṭa-tale catur-maṇḍalāvasthānenāvasthitaḥ | caturmaṇḍalāvasthānaṃ tv idaṃ- siṃhaḥ siṃhānuyāyinaḥ kākaravāḥ kivṛttā iti |

atha tasya karaṭaka-damanaka-nāmānau dvau śṛgālau mantri-putrau bhraṣṭādhikārau sadānuyāyināv āstām | tau ca parasparaṃ mantrayataḥ | tatra damanako 'bravīt- bhadra karaṭaka, ayaṃ tāvad asmat-svāmī piṅgalaka udaka-grahaṇārthaṃ yamunā-kaccham avatīrya sthitaḥ | sa kiṃ nimittaṃ pipāsākulo 'pi nivṛttya vyūha-racanāṃ vidhāya daurmanasyenābhibhūto 'tra baṭa-tale sthitaḥ |

karaṭaka āha- bhadra kim āvayor anena vyāpāreṇa uktaṃ ca yataḥ-

kathā 1 kīlotpāṭi-vānara-kathā

kasmiṃścin nagarābhyāśe kenāpi vaṇik-putreṇa taru-khaṇḍa-madhye devatāyatanaṃ kartum ārabdham | tatra ca ye karmakarāḥ sthāpanādayaḥ | te madhyāhna-belāyām āhārārthaṃ nagara-madhye gacchanti | atha kadācit tatrānuṣaṅgikaṃ vānara-yūtham itaś cetaś ca paribhramad āgatam | tatraikasya kasyacic chilpino 'rdha-sphāṭito 'ñjana-vṛkṣa-dārumayaḥ stambhaḥ khadira-kīlakena madhya-nihitena tiṣṭhati | etasminn antare te vānarās taru-śikhara-prasāda-śṛṅga-dāru-paryanteṣu yathecchayā krīḍitum ārabdhāḥ | ekaś ca teṣāṃ pratyāsanna-mṛtyuś cāpalyāt tasminn ardha-sphoṭita-stambhe upaviśya pāṇibhyāṃ kīlakaṃ saṃgṛhya yāvad utpādayitum ārebhe tāvat tasya stambha-madhya-gata-vṛṣaṇasya sva-sthānāc calita-kīlakena yad vṛttaṃ tat prāg eva niveditam | ato 'haṃ bravīmi- avyāpāreṣu iti | āvayor bhakṣita-śeṣa āhāro 'sty eva | tat kim anena vyāpāreṇa | damanaka āha tat kiṃ bhavān āhārārthī kevalam eva | tan na yuktam | uktaṃ ca-

tathā ca-

karaṭaka āha- āvāṃ tāvad apradhānau tat kim āvayor anena vyāpareṇa |

yata uktaṃ ca-

karaṭaka āha- atha bhavān kiṃ kartumanāḥ ?

so 'bravīt- adyāsmat-svāmī piṅgalako bhīto bhīta-parivāraś ca vartate | tadainaṃ gatvā bhaya-kāraṇaṃ vijñāya sandhi-vigraha-yāna-āsana-saṃśraya-dvaidhī-bhāvānām ekatamena saṃvidhāsye |

karaṭaka āha- kathaṃ vetti bhavān yad bhayāviṣṭo 'yaṃ svāmī ?

so 'bravīt- jñeyaṃ kim atra ? yata uktaṃ ca-

tathā ca manuḥ (8.26)-

tad adyainaṃ bhayākulaṃ prāpya sva-buddhi-prabhāvena nirbhayaṃ kṛtvā vaśīkṛtya ca nijāṃ sācivya-padavīṃ samāsādayiṣyāmi |

karaṭaka āha- anabhijño bhavān sevā-dharmasya | tat katham enaṃ vaśīkariṣyasi ?

so 'bravīt- katham ahaṃ sevānabhijñaḥ ? mayā hi tātotsaṅge krīḍatābhyāgata-sādhūnāṃ nīti-śāstraṃ paṭhatā yac chrutaṃ sevā-dharmasya sāraṃ tad hṛdi sthāpitam | śrūyatāṃ tac cedam-

karaṭaka āha- atha bhavāṃs tatra gatvā kiṃ tāvat prathamaṃ vakṣyati tat tāvad ucyatām |

na ca aham aprāpta-kālaṃ vakṣye | ākarṇitaṃ mayā nīti-sāraṃ pituḥ pūrvam utsaṅgaṃ hi niṣevatā |

damanaka āha- satyam etat param | kintu-

karaṭaka āha- yady evam abhimataṃ tarhi śivās te panthānaḥ santu | yathābhilaṣitam anuṣṭhīyatām | so 'pi praṇamya piṅgalakābhimukhaṃ pratasthe |

athāgacchantaṃ damanakam ālokya piṅgalako dvāstham abravīt- apasāryatāṃ vetra-latā | ayam asmākaṃ cirantano mantriputro damanako 'vyāhata-praveśaḥ | tat praveśyatāṃ dvitīya-maṇḍala-bhāgī | iti |

sa āha- yathāvādīd bhavān iti |

athopasṛtya damanako nirdiṣṭa āsane piṅgalakaṃ praṇamya prāptānujña upaviṣṭaḥ | sa tu tasya naka-kuliśālaṅkṛtaṃ dakṣiṇa-pāṇim upari dattvā māna-puraḥ-saram uvāca- api śivaṃ bhavataḥ | kasmāc cirād dṛṣṭo 'si ?

damanaka āha- na kiṃcid deva-pādānām asmābhiḥ prayojanam | paraṃ bhavatāṃ prāpta-kālaṃ vaktavyam yata uttama-madhyamādhamaiḥ sarvair api rājñāṃ prayojanam | uktaṃ ca-

tathā vayaṃ deva-pādānām anvayāgatā bhṛtyā āpatsv api pṛṣṭha-gāmino yadyapi svam adhikāraṃ na labhāmahe tathāpi deva-pādānām etad yuktaṃ na bhavati | uktaṃ ca-

uktaṃ ca-

yac cāvivekitayā rājñā bhṛtyānuttama-pada-yogyān hīnādhama-sthāne niyojayati, na te tatraiva sa bhūpater doṣo na teṣām | uktaṃ ca-

yac ca svāmy evaṃ vadati cirād dṛśyate | tad api śrūyatām-

tathā śṛgālo 'yam iti manyamānena mamopari svāminā yady avajñā kriyate tad apy ayuktam | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-

piṅgalaka āha- bhavatv evaṃ tāvat | asamarthaḥ samartho vā cirantanas tvam asmākaṃ mantri-putraḥ | tad viśrabdhaṃ brūhi yat kiñcid vaktukāmaḥ |

damanaka āha- deva jijñāpyaṃ kiñcid asti |

piṅgalaka āha- tan nivedayābhipretam |

tad aikāntike mad-vijñāpyam ākarṇayantu deva-pādāḥ | yataḥ-

atha piṅgalakābhiprāyajñā vyāghra-dvīpi-vṛka-puraḥsarā sarve'pi tad-vacaḥ samākarṇya saṃsadi tat-kṣaṇād eva dūrībhūtāḥ | tataś ca damanaka āha- udaka-grahaṇārthaṃ pravṛttasya svāminaḥ kim iha nivṛttyāvasthānam |

piṅgalaka āha savilakṣa-smitam- na kiñcid api |

so 'bravīt- deva yady anākhyeyaṃ tat tiṣṭhatu | uktaṃ ca-

tac chrutvā piṅgalakaś cintayāmāsa- yogyo 'yaṃ dṛśyate | tat kathayāmy etasyāgre ātmano 'bhiprāyam | uktaṃ ca-

bho damanaka śṛṇoṣi śabdaṃ dūrān mahāntam |

so 'bravīt- svāmin śṛṇomi | tat kim |

piṅgalaka āha- bhadra aham asmād vanād gantum icchāmi | damanaka āha- kasmāt |

piṅgalaka āha - yato 'dyasmad-vane kim apy apūrvaṃ sattvaṃ praviṣṭaṃ yasyāyaṃ mahā-śabdaḥ śrūyate | tasya ca śabdānurūpeṇa parākrameṇa bhavitavyam iti |

damanaka āha- yac-chabda-mātrād api bhayam upagataḥ svāmī tad apy ayuktam | uktaṃ ca-

tan na yuktaṃ svāminaḥ pūrvopārjitaṃ vanaṃ tyaktum | yato bherī-veṇu-vīnā-mṛdaṅga-tāla-paṭaha-śaṅkha-kāhalādi-bhedena śabdā aneka-vidhā bhavanti | tan na kevalāc chabda-mātrād api bhetavyam | uktaṃ ca-

tad evaṃ jñātvā svāminā dhairyāvaṣṭambhaḥ kāryaḥ | na śabda-mātrād bhetavyam | api ca-

piṅgalaka āha- katham etat |

so 'bravīt-

kathā 2 śṛgāla-dundubhi-kathā

kaścid gomāyur nāma śṛgālaḥ kṣutkṣāma-kaṇṭhaḥ itas tataḥ paribhraman vane sainya-dvaya-saṃgrāma-bhūmim apaśyat | tasyāṃ ca dundubheḥ patitasya vāyu-vaśād vallī-śākhāgrair hanyamānasya śabdam aśṛṇot | atha kṣubhita-hṛdayaś cintayāmāsa aho vinaṣṭo 'smi | tad yāvan nāsya proccārita-śabdasya dṛṣṭi-gocare gacchāmi tāvad anyato vrajāmi | athavā naitad yujyate sahasaiva |

tat tāvaj jānāmi kasyāyaṃ śabdaḥ | dhairyam ālambya vimarśayan yāvan mandaṃ mandaṃ gacchati tāvad dundubhim apaśyat | sa ca taṃ parijñāya samīpaṃ gatvā svayam eva kautukād atāḍayat | bhūyaś ca harṣād acintayat- aho cirād etad asmākaṃ mahodbhojanam āpatitam | tan nūnaṃ māṃsa-medo 'sṛgbhiḥ paripūritaṃ bhaviṣyati | tataḥ paruṣa-carmāvaguṇṭhitaṃ tat katham api vidāryaikadeśe chidraṃ kṛtvā saṃhṛṣṭa-manā madhye praviṣṭaḥ | paraṃ carma-vidāraṇato daṃṣṭrābhaṅgaḥ samajani | atha nirāśībhūtas tad-dāru-śeṣam avalokya ślokam enam apaṭhat pūrvam eva mayā jñātam iti | ato na śabda-mātrād bhetavyam |

piṅgalaka āha- bhoḥ paśyāyaṃ mama sarvo 'pi parigraho bhaya-vyākulita-manāḥ palāyitum icchati | tat katham ahaṃ dhairyād avaṣṭambhaṃ karomi |

so 'bravīt- svāmin naiṣām eṣa doṣaḥ | yataḥ svāmi-sadṛśā evaṃ bhavanti bhṛtyāḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tat-pauruṣāvaṣṭaṃ kṛtvā tvaṃ tāvad atraiva pratipālaya yāvad aham etac chabda-svarūpaṃ jñātvāgacchāmi | tataḥ paścād yathocitaṃ kāryam iti |

piṅgalaka āha- kiṃ tatra bhavān gantum utsahate |

sa āha- kiṃ svāmy-ādeśāt sad-bhṛtya kṛtyākṛtyam asti | uktaṃ ca-

piṅgalaka āha- bhadraṃ, yady evaṃ tad gaccha | śivās te panthānaḥ santu iti |

damanako 'pi tam praṇamya saṃjīvaka-śabdānuṣarī pratasthe |

atha damanake gate bhaya-vyākula-manāḥ piṅgalakaś cintayāmāsa- aho na śobhanaṃ kṛtaṃ mayā | yat tasya viśvāsaṃ gatvātmābhiprāyo niveditaḥ | kadācid damanako 'yam ubhaya-vetano bhūtvā mamopari duṣṭa-buddhiḥ syād bhraṣṭādhikāratvāt | uktaṃ ca-

tat tāvad asya cikīrṣitaṃ vettum anyat sthānāntaraṃ gatvā pratipālayāmi | kadācid damanakas tam ādāya māṃ vyāpādayitum icchati | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ sampradhārya sthānāntaraṃ gatvā damanaka-mārgam avalokayann ekākī tasthau | damanako 'pi sañjīvaka-sakāśaṃ gatvā vṛṣabho 'yam iti parijñāya hṛṣṭa-manā vyacintayat- aho śobhanam āpatitam | anenaitasya sandhi-vigraha-dvāreṇa mama piṅgalako vaśyo bhaviṣyatīti | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ vicintayan piṅgalakābhimukhaḥ pratasthe | piṅgalako 'pi tam āyāntaṃ prekṣya svākāraṃ rakṣan yathā-pūrva-sthitaḥ damanako 'pi piṅgalaka-sakāśaṃ gatvā praṇamyopaviṣṭaḥ | piṅgalaka āha - kiṃ dṛṣṭaṃ bhavatā tat sattvam ?

damanaka āha- dṛṣṭaṃ svāmi-prasādāt |

piṅgalaka āha- api satyam |

damanaka āha- kiṃ svāmi-pādānām agre'satyaṃ vijñāpyate | uktaṃ ca-

piṅgalaka āha- satyaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ bhaviṣyati bhavatā | na dīnipari mahāntaḥ kupyantīti na tvaṃ tena nipātitaḥ | yataḥ-

api ca-

damanaka āha- astv evaṃ sa mahātmā | vayaṃ kṛpaṇāḥ | tathāpi svāmī yadi kathayati tato bhṛtyatve niyojayāmi |

piṅgalaka āha socchvāsam- kiṃ bhavān śaknoty evaṃ kartum |

damanaka āha- kim asādhyaṃ buddher asti | uktaṃ ca-

piṅgalaka āha- yady evaṃ tarhy amātya-pade'dhyāropitas tvam | adya-prabhṛti prasāda-nigrahādikaṃ tvayeva kāryam iti niścayaḥ |

atha damanakaḥ satvaraṃ gatvā sākṣepaṃ tam idam āha- ehy ehīto duṣṭa-vṛṣabha | svāmī piṅgalakas tvām ākārayati | kiṃ niḥśaṅko bhūtvā muhur muhur nadasi vṛthā iti |

tac chrutvā sañjīvako 'bravīt- bhadra ko 'yaṃ piṅgalakaḥ |

damanaka āha- kiṃ svāminaṃ piṅgalakam api na jānāsi ? tat-kṣaṇam pratipālaya | phalenaiva jñāsyasi | nanv ayaṃ sarva-mṛga-parivṛto baṭa-tale svāmī piṅgalaka-nāmā siṃhas tiṣṭhati |

tac chrutvā gatāyuṣam ivātmānam manyamānaḥ sañjīvakaḥ paraṃ viṣādam agamat | āha ca- bhadra bhavān sādhu-samācāro vacana-paṭuś ca dṛśyate | tad yadi mām avaśyaṃ tatra nayasi tad-abhaya-pradānena svāminaḥ sakāśāt prasādaḥ kārayitavyaḥ |

damanaka āha-bhoḥ satyam abhihitaṃ bhavatā | nītir eṣā yataḥ-

tattvam atraiva tiṣṭha yāvad ahaṃ taṃ samaye dṛṣṭvā tataḥ paścāt tvām anayāmi iti | tathānuṣṭhite damanakaḥ piṅgalaka-sakāśaṃ gatvedam āha-svāmin na tat prākṛtaṃ sattvam | sa hi bhagavato maheśvarasya vāhana-bhūto vṛṣabha iti | mayā pṛṣṭa idam ūce | maheśvareṇa parituṣṭena kālindī-parisare śaṣpāgrāṇi bhakṣayituṃ samādiṣṭaḥ | kiṃ bahunā mama pradattaṃ bhagavatā krīḍārthaṃ vanam idam |

piṅgalaka āha sabhayam-satyaṃ jñātaṃ mayādhunā | na devatā-prasādaṃ vinā śaṣpa-bhojino vyālākīrṇa evaṃvidhe vane niḥśaṅkā nandato bhramanti | tatas tvayā kim abhihitam |

damanaka āha-svāmin etad abhihitaṃ mayā yad etad-vanaṃ caṇḍikā-vāhana-bhūtasya piṅgalakasya viṣayībhūtam | tad bhavān abhyāgataḥ priyo 'tithiḥ | tat tasya sakāśaṃ gatvā bhrātṛ-snehenaikatra bhakṣaṇa-pāna-viharaṇa-kriyābhir eka-sthānāśrayeṇa kālo neyaḥ iti | tatas tenāpi sarvam etat pratipannam | uktaṃ ca saharṣaṃ svāminaḥ sakāśād abhaya-dakṣiṇā dāpayitavyā iti | tad atra svāmī pramāṇam |

tac chrutvā piṅgalaka āha-sādhu sumate sādhu | mantri śrotriya sādhu | mama hṛdayena saha saṃmantrya bhavaedam abhihitam | tad dattā mayā tasyābhaya-dakṣiṇā | paraṃ so 'pi mad-arthe'bhaya-dakṣiṇāṃ yācayitvā drutataram ānīyatām iti | atha sādhu cedam ucyate-

damanako 'pi taṃ praṇamya saṃjīvaka-sakāśa prasthitaḥ saharṣam acintayat- aho prasāda-saṃmukhī naḥ svāmī vacana-vaśagaś ca saṃvṛttaḥ | tan nāsti dhanyataro mama | uktaṃ ca-

atha saṃjīvaka-sakāśam āsādya sa-praśrayam uvāca-bho mitra prārthito 'sau mayā bhavad-arthe svāmy-abhaya-pradānam | tad-viśrabdhaṃ gamyatām iti | paraṃ tvayā rāja-prasādam āsādya mayā saha samaya-dharmeṇa vartitavyam | na garvam āsādya sva-prabhutayā vicaraṇīyam | aham api tava saṅketena sarvā rājya-dhuram amātya-padavīm āśrityoddhariṣyāmi | evaṃ kṛte dvayor apy āvayo rāja-lakṣmī-bhāgyā bhaviṣyati | yataḥ-

saṃjīvaka āha-katham etat ? so 'bravīt-

kathā 3 dantila-gorambha-kathā

asty atra dharātale vardhamānaṃ nāma nagaram | tatra dantilo nāma nānā-bhāṇḍa-patiḥ sakala-pura-nāyakaḥ prativasati sma | tena pura-kāryaṃ nṛpa-kāryaṃ ca kurvatā tuṣṭiṃ nītās tat-pura-vāsino lokā nṛpatiś ca | kiṃ bahunā, na ko 'pi tādṛk kenāpi caturo dṛṣṭo śruto vā | athavā satyam etad uktam-

athaivaṃ gacchati kāle danitlasya kadācid vivāhaḥ sampravṛttaḥ | tatra tena sarve pura-nivāsino rāja-saṃnidhi-lokāś ca sammāna-puraḥsaram āmantrya bhojitā vastrādibhiḥ sat-kṛtāś ca | tato vivāhānantaraṃ rājā sāntaḥpuraḥ sva-gṛham ānīyābhyarcitaḥ | atha tasya nṛpater gṛha-sammārjana-kartā gorambho nāma rāja-sevako gṛhāyāto 'pi tenānucita-sthāna upaviṣṭo 'vajñāyārdha-candraṃ dattvā niḥsāritaḥ | so 'pi tataḥ prabhṛti niśvasann apamānān na rātrāv apy adhiśete | kathaṃ mayā tasya bhāṇḍapate rāja-prasāda-hāniḥ kartavyā iti cintayann āste | athavā kim anena vṛthā śarīra-śoṣaṇena | na kiṃcin mayā tasyāpakartuṃ śakyam iti | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

atha kadācit pratyūṣe yoga-nidrāṃ gatasya rājñaḥ śayyānte mārjanaṃ kurvann idam āha-aho dantilasya mahad dṛptatvaṃ yad rāja-mahiṣīm āliṅgati |

tac chrutvā rājā sa-sambhramam utthāya tam uvāca-bho bho gorambha | satyam etat yat tvayā jalpitam | kiṃ dantilena samāliṅgitā iti |

gorambhaḥ prāha-deva ! rātri-jāgaraṇena dyūtāsaktasya me balān nidrā samāyātā | tan na vedmi kiṃ mayābhihitam | rājā serṣyaṃ sva-gatam-eṣa tāvad asmad-gṛhe'pratihata-gatis tathā dantilo 'pi | tat kadācid anena devī samāliṅgyamānā dṛṣṭā bhaviṣyati | tenedam abhihitam | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ sa rājā bahuvidhaṃ vilapya tat-prabhṛti dantilasya prasāda-parāṅmukhaḥ saṃjātaḥ | kiṃ bahunā rāja-dvāra-praveśo 'pi tasya nivāritaḥ | dantilo 'py akasmād eva prasāda-parāṅmukham avanipatim avalokya cintayāmāsa-aho sādhu cedam ucyate-

aparaṃ mayāsya bhūpater athavānyasyāpi kasyacid rāja-sambandhinaḥ svapne'pi nāniṣṭaṃ kṛtam | tat kim etat-parāṅmukho māṃ prati bhūpatiḥ iti |

evaṃ taṃ dantilaṃ kadācid rāja-dvāre viṣkambhitaṃ vilokya saṃmārjana-kartā gorambho vihasya dvārapālān idam ūce-bho bho dvārapālāḥ ! rāja-prasādādhiṣṭhito 'yaṃ dantilaḥ svayaṃ nigrahānugraha-kartā ca | tad anena nivāritena yathāhaṃ tathā yūyam apy ardha-candra-bhājino bhaviṣyatha | tac chrutvā dantilaś cintayāmāsa-nūnam idam asya gorambhasya ceṣṭitam | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

evaṃ sa bahu-vidhaṃ vilapya vilakṣa-manāḥ sodvego gata-prabhāvaḥ sva-gṛhaṃ niśāmukhe gorambham āhūya vastra-yugalena saṃmānyedam uvāca-bhadra ! mayā na tadā tvaṃ rāga-vaśān niḥsāritaḥ | yatas tvaṃ brāhmaṇānām agrato 'nucita-sthāne samupaviṣṭo dṛṣṭa ity apamānitaḥ | tat kṣamyatām |

so 'pi svarga-rājyopamaṃ tad-vastra-yugalam āsādya paraṃ paritoṣaṃ gatvā tam uvāca-bhoḥ śreṣṭhin ! kṣāntaṃ mayā te tat | tad asya saṃmānasya kṛte paśya me buddhi-prabhāvaṃ rāja-prasādaṃ ca | evam uktvā saparitoṣaṃ niṣkrāntaḥ | sādhu cedam ucyate-

tataś cānye-dyuḥ sa gorambho rāja-kule gatvā yoga-nidrāṃ gatasya bhūpateḥ saṃmārjana-kriyāṃ kurvann idam āha-aho aviveko 'smad-bhūpateḥ | yat purīṣotsargam ācaraṃś carbhaṭī-bhakṣaṇaṃ karoti |

tac chrutvā rājā sa-vismayaṃ tam uvāca-re re gorambha ! kim aprastutaṃ lapasi | gṛha-karmakaraṃ matvā tvāṃ na vyāpādayāmi | kiṃ tvayā kadācid aham evaṃvidhaṃ karma samācaran dṛṣṭaḥ ?

so 'bravīt-dyūtāsaktasya rātri-jāgaraṇena saṃmārjanaṃ kurvāṇasya mama balān nidrā samāyātā | tayādhiṣṭhitena mayā kiṃcij jalpitam | tan na vedmi | tat prasādaṃ karotu svāmī nidrā-paravaśasya iti |

evaṃ śrutvā rājā cintitavān-yan mayā janmāntare purīṣotsargaṃ kurvatā kadāpi cirbhaṭikā na bhakṣitā | tad yathāyaṃ vyatikaro 'sambhāvyo mamānena mūḍhena vyāhṛtaḥ | tathā dantilasyāpīti niścayaḥ | tan mayā na yuktaṃ kṛtaṃ yat sa varākaḥ saṃmānena viyojitaḥ | na tādṛk-puruṣāṇām evaṃvidhaṃ ceṣṭitaṃ sambhāvyate | tad-abhāvena rāja-kṛtyāni paura-kṛtyāni na sarvāṇi śithilatāṃ vrajanti |

evam anekadhā vimṛśya dantilaṃ samāhūya nijāṅga-vastrābharaṇādibhiḥ saṃyojya svādhikāre niyojayāmāsa | ato 'haṃ bravīmi yo na pūjayate garvāt iti |

saṃjīvaka āha-bhadra evam evaitat | yad bhavatābhihitaṃ tad eva mayā kartavyam iti | evam abhihite damanakas tam ādāya piṅgalaka-sakāśam agamat | āha ca-deva eṣa mayānītaḥ sa saṃjīvakaḥ | adhunā devaḥ pramāṇam | saṃjīvako 'pi taṃ sādaraṃ praṇamyāgrataḥ sa-vinayaṃ sthitaḥ | piṅgalako 'pi tasya pīnāyata-kakudmato nakha-kuliśālaṃkṛtaṃ dakṣiṇa-pāṇim upari dattvā māna-puraḥsaram uvāca-api śivaṃ bhavataḥ | kutas tvam asmin vane vijane samāyāto 'si ?

tenāpy ātmaka-vṛttāntaḥ kathitaḥ | yathā vardhamānena saha viyogaḥ saṃjātas tathā sarvaṃ niveditam | tac chrutvā piṅgalakaḥ sādarataraṃ tam uvāca-vayasya na bhetavyam | mad-bhuja-pañjara-parirakṣitena yathecchaṃ tvayādhunā vartitavyam | anyac ca nityaṃ mat-samīpa-vartinā bhāvyam | yataḥ kāraṇād bahv-apāyaṃ raudra-sattva-niṣevitaṃ vanaṃ gurūṇām api sattvānām asevyam | kutaḥ śaṣpa-bhojinām |

evam uktvā sakala-mṛga-parivṛto yamunā-kaccham avatīryodaka-grahaṇaṃ kṛtvā svecchayā tad eva vanaṃ praviṣṭaḥ | tataś ca karakaṭa-damanaka-nikṣipta-rājya-bhāraḥ saṃjīvikena saha subhāṣita-goṣṭhīm anubhavann āste | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

saṃjīvakenāpy aneka-śāstrāvagāhanād utpanna-buddhi-prāgalbhyena stokair evāhobhir mūḍha-matiḥ piṅgalako dhīmāṃs tathā kṛto yathāraṇya-dharmād viyojya grāmya-dharmeṣu niyojitaḥ | kiṃ bahunā pratyahaṃ piṅgalaka-saṃjīvakāv eva kevalaṃ rahasi mantrayataḥ | śeṣaḥ sarvo 'pi mṛga-jano dūrībhūtas tiṣṭhati | karaṭaka-damanakāv api praveśaṃ na labhete | anyac ca siṃha-parākramābhāvāt sarvo 'pi mṛga-janas tau ca śṛgālau kṣudhā-vyādhi-bādhitā ekāṃ diśam āśritya sthitāḥ |

tathā ca kevalaṃ sevakā itthambhūtā yāvat samastam apy etaj jagat parasparaṃ bhakṣaṇārthaṃ sāmādibhir upāyais tiṣṭhati | tad yathā-

tataḥ svāmi-prasāda-rahitau kṣut-kṣāma-kaṇṭhau parasparaṃ karaṭaka-damanakau mantrayete | tatra damanako brūte-ārya karaṭaka | āvāṃ tāvad apradhānatāṃ gatau | eṣa piṅgalakaḥ saṃjīvakānuraktaḥ sva-vyāpāra-parāṅmukhaḥ saṃjātaḥ | sarvo 'pi parijano gataḥ | tat kiṃ kriyate |

karaṭaka āha-yadyapi tvadīya-vacanaṃ na karoti tathāpi svāmī sva-doṣa-nāśāya vācyaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tat tvayaiṣa śaṣpa-bhojī svāminaḥ sakāśam ānītaḥ | tat svahastenāṅgārāḥ karṣitāḥ |

damanaka āha-satyam etat | mamāyaṃ doṣaḥ | na svāminaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

karaṭaka āha-katham etat ?

so 'bravīt- kathā 4 devaśarma-parivrājaka-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid vivikta-pradeśe maṭhāyatanam | tatra deva-śarmā nāma parivrājakaḥ partivasati sma | tasyāneka-sādhu-jana-datta-sūkṣma-vastra-vikraya-vaśāt kālena mahatī vitta-mātrā sañjātā | tataḥ sa na kasyacid viśvasiti | naktaṃ dinaṃ kakṣāntarāt tāṃ mātrāṃ na muñcati | athavā sādhu cedam ucyate-

athāṣāḍha-bhūtir nāma para-vittāpahārī dhūrtas tām artha-mātrāṃ tasya kakṣāntara-gatāṃ lakṣayitvā vyacintayat-kathaṃ mayāsyeyam artha-mātrā hartavyā iti |

tad atra maṭhe tāvad dṛḍha-śilā-sañcaya-vaśād bhitti-bhedo na bhavati | uccaistaratvāc ca dvāre praveśo na syāt | tad enaṃ māyā-vacanair viśvāsyāhaṃ chātratāṃ vrajāmi yena sa viśvastaḥ kadācid viśvāsam eti | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ niścitya tasyāntikam upagamya-oṃ namaḥ śivāya-iti proccārya sāṣṭāṅgaṃ praṇamya ca sa-praśrayam uvāca-bhagavan asāraḥ saṃsāro 'yam | giri-nadī-vegopamaṃ yauvanam | tṛṇāgni-samaṃ jīvitam | śarad-abhra-cchāyā-sadṛśā bhogāḥ svapna-sadṛśo mitra-putra-kalatra-bhṛtya-varga-sambandhaḥ | evaṃ mayā samyak parijñātam | tat kiṃ kurvato me saṃsāra-samudrottaraṇaṃ bhaviṣyati |

tac chrutvā deva-śarmā sādaram āha-vatsa ! dhanyo 'si yat prathame vayasy evaṃ viraktī-bhāvaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

yac ca māṃ saṃsāra-sāgarottaraṇopāyaṃ pṛcchasi | tac chrūyatām-

tac chrutvāṣāḍha-bhūtis tat-pādau gṛhītvā sa-praśrayam idam āha-bhagavan, tarhi dīkṣayā me'nugrahaṃ kuru |

devaśarmā āha-vatsa anugrahaṃ te kariṣyāmi | parantu rātrau tvayā maṭha-madhye na praveṣṭavyam | yat-kāraṇaṃ niḥsaṅgatā yatīnāṃ praśasyate tava ca mamāpi ca | uktaṃ ca-

tat tvayā vrata-grahaṇānantaraṃ maṭha-dvāre tṛṇa-kuṭīrake śayitavyam iti |

sa āha-bhagavan ! bhavad-ādeśaḥ pramāṇam | paratra hi tena me prayojanam |

atha kṛta-śayana-samayaṃ devaśarma-nigrahaṃ kṛtvā śāstrokta-vidhinā śiṣyatām anayat | so 'pi hasta-pādāvamardanādi-paricaryayā taṃ paritoṣam anayat | punas tathāpi muniḥ kakṣāntarān mātrāṃ na muñcati | athaivaṃ gacchati kāle āṣāḍha-bhūtiś cintayāmāsa-aho, na kathañcid eṣa me viśvāsam āgacchati | tat kiṃ divāpi śastreṇa mārayāmi, kiṃ vā viṣaṃ prayacchāmi ? kiṃ vā paśu-dharmeṇa vyāpādayāmi ? iti |

evaṃ cintayatas tasya devaśarmaṇo 'pi śiṣya-putraḥ kaścid grāmād āmantraṇārthaṃ samāyātaḥ | prāha ca-bhagavan, pavitrāropaṇa-kṛte mama gṛham āgamyatām iti |

tac chrutvā devaśarmāṣāḍhabhūtinā saha prahṛṣṭa-manāḥ prasthitaḥ | athaivaṃ tasya gacchato 'gre kācin nadī samāyātā | tāṃ dṛṣṭvā mātrāṃ kakṣāntarād avatārya kanthā-madhye suguptāṃ nidhāya snātvā devārcanaṃ vidhāya tad-anantaram āṣāḍhabhūtim idam āha-bho āṣāḍhabhūte ! yāvad ahaṃ purīṣotsargaṃ kṛtvā samāgacchāmi, tāvad eṣā kanthā yogeśvarasya svāvadhānatayā rakṣaṇīyā | ity uktvā gataḥ |

āṣāḍhabhūtir api tasminn adarśanī-bhūte mātrām ādāya satvaraṃ prasthitaḥ | devaśarmāpi chātra-guṇānurañjita-manāḥ suviśvasto yāvad upaviṣṭas tiṣṭhati tāvat suvarṇa-roma-deha-yūtha-madhye huḍu-yuddham apaśyat | atha roṣa-vaśād dhuḍu-yugalasya dūram apasaraṇaṃ kṛtvā bhūyo 'pi samupetya lālaṭa-paṭṭābhyāṃ praharato bhūri rudhiraṃ patati | tac ca jambūko jihvā-laulyena raṅga-bhūmiṃ prāveśyāsvādayati | devaśarmāpi tad ālokya vyacintayat-aho manda-matir ayaṃ jambūkaḥ | yadi katham apy anayoḥ saṅghaṭṭe patiṣyati tan nūnaṃ mṛtyum avāpsyatīti vitarkayāmi |

kṣaṇāntare ca tathaiva raktāsvādana-laulyān madhye praviśaṃs tayoḥ śiraḥ-sampāte patiot mṛtaś ca śṛgālaḥ | devaśarmāpi taṃ śocamāno mātrām uddiśya śanaiḥ śanaiḥ prasthito yāvad āṣāḍhabhūtiṃ na paśyati tataś cautsukyena śaucaṃ vidhāya yāvat kanthām ālokayati tāvan mātrāṃ na paśyati | tataś ca-hā hā muṣito 'smi iti jalpan pṛthivī-tale mūrcchayā nipapāta | tataḥ kṣaṇāc cetanāṃ labdhvā bhūyo 'pi samutthāya phūtkartum ārabdhaḥ-bho āṣāḍhabhūte ! kva māṃ vañcayitvā gato 'si ? tad dehi me prativacanam |

evaṃ bahu vilapya tasya pada-paddhatim anveṣayan śanaiḥ śanaiḥ prasthitaḥ | athaiva gacchan sāyantana-samaye kañcid grāmam āsasāda | atha tasmād grāmāt kaścit kaulikaḥ sabhārhyo madya-pāna-kṛte samīpa-vartini nagare prasthitaḥ | devaśarmāpi tam ālokya provāca-bho bhadra vayaṃ sūryoḍhā atithayas tavāntikaṃ prāptāḥ | na kam apy atra grāme jānīmaḥ | tad gṛhyatām atithi-dharmaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

kauliko 'pi tac chrutvā bhāryām āha-priye, gaccha tv atithim ādāya gṛhaṃ prati pāda-śauca-bhojana-śayanādibhiḥ satkṛtya tvaṃ tatraiva tiṣṭha | ahaṃ tava kṛte prabhūta-madyam āneṣyāmi | evam uktvā prasthitaḥ | sāpi bhāryā puṃścalī tam ādāya prahasita-vadanā devadattaṃ manasi dhyāyantī gṛhaṃ prati pratasthe | athavā sādhu cedam ucyate-

atha kaulika-bhāryā gṛhaṃ gatvā deva-śarmaṇe gatāstaraṇaṃ bhagnāṃ ca khaṭvāṃ samarpyedam āha-bho bhagavan ! yāvad ahaṃ sva-sakhīṃ grāmād abhyāgatāṃ sambhāvya drutam āgacchāmi tāvat tvayā mad-gṛhe'pramattena bhāvyam |

evam abhidhāya śṛṅgāra-vidhiṃ vidhāya yāvad-devadattam uddiśya vrajati tāvat tad-bhartā saṃmukho mada-vihvalāṅgo mukta-keśaḥ pade pade praskhalan gṛhīta-madya-bhāṇḍaḥ samabhyeti | taṃ ca dṛṣṭvā sā drutataraṃ vyāghuṭya sva-gṛhaṃ praviśya nukta-śṛṅgāra-veśā yathā-pūrvam abhavat | kauliko 'pi tāṃ palāyamānāṃ kṛtādbhuta-śṛṅgārāṃ vilokya prāg eva karṇa-paramparayā tasyāḥ śrutāvapavāda-kṣubhita-hṛdayaḥ svākāraṃ nigūhamānaḥ sadaivāste | tataś ca tathāvidhaṃ ceṣṭitam avalokya dṛṣṭa-pratyayaḥ krodha-vaśago gṛhaṃ praviśya tām uvāca-āḥ pāpe puṃścali ! kva prasthitāsi ?

sā provāca-ahaṃ tvat-sakāśād āgatā na kutracid api nirgatā | tat kathaṃ madya-pāna-vaśād aprastutaṃ vadasi ? athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

so 'pi tac chrutvā pratikūla-vacanaṃ veśa-viparyayaṃ cāvalokya tam āha-puṃścali ! cira-kālaṃ śruto mayā tavāpavādaḥ | tad adya svayaṃ sañjāta-pratyayas tava yathocitaṃ nigrahaṃ karomi | ity abhidhāya laguḍa-prahārais tāṃ jarjarita-dehāṃ vidhāya sthūṇayā saha dṛḍha-bandhanena baddhvā so 'pi mada-vihvalo vijñāya tāṃ gatvedam āha-sakhi ! sa devadattas tasmin sthāne tvāṃ pratīkṣate | tac chīghram āgamyatām iti |

sā cāha-paśya mamāvasthām | tat kathaṃ gacchāmi ? tad gatvā brūhi taṃ kāminaṃ yad asyāṃ rātrau na tvayā saha samāgamaḥ |

nāpitī prāha-sakhi, mā maivaṃ vada | nāyaṃ kulaṭā-dharmaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

sābravīt-yady evaṃ tarhi kathaya kathaṃ dṛḍha-bandhana-baddhā satī tatra gacchāmi | sannihitaś cāyaṃ pāpātmā mat-patiḥ |

nāpity āha-sakhi, mada-vihvalo 'yaṃ sūrya-kara-spṛṣṭaḥ prabodhaṃ yāsyati | tad ahaṃ tvam unmocayāmi | mām ātma-sthāne baddhvā drutataraṃ deva-dattaṃ sambhāvyāgaccha |

sābravīt-evam astu iti |

tad anu sā nāpitī tāṃ sva-sakhīṃ bandhanād vimocya tasyāḥ sthāne yathā-pūrvam ātmānaṃ baddhvā tāṃ devadatta-sakāśe saṅketa-sthānaṃ preṣitavatī | tathānuṣṭhite kaulikaḥ kasmiṃścit kṣaṇe samutthāya kiṃcid gata-kopo vimadas tām āha-he paruṣa-vādini ! yad adya-prabhṛti gṛhān niṣkramaṇaṃ na karoṣi, na ca paruṣaṃ vadasi, tatas tvām unmocayāmi |

nāpity api svara-bheda-bhayād yāvan na kiṃcid ūce, tāvat so 'pi bhūyo bhūyas tāṃ tad evāha | atha sā yāvat pratyuttaraṃ kim api na dadau, tāvat sa prakupitas tīkṣṇa-śastram ādāya nāsikām acchinat | āha ca-re puṃścali ! tiṣṭhedānīm | tvāṃ bhūyas toṣayiṣyāmi | iti jalpan punar api nidrā-vaśam agāt |

devaśarmāpi vitta-nāśāt kṣutkṣāma-kaṇṭho naṣṭa-nidras tat sarvaṃ strī-caritram apaśyat | sāpi kaulika-bhāryā yathecchayā devadattena saha surata-sukham anubhūya kasmiṃścit kṣaṇe sva-gṛham āgataya tāṃ nāpitīm idam āha-ayi ! śivaṃ bhavatyāḥ | nāyaṃ pāpātmā mama gatāyā utthitaḥ |

nāpity āha-śivaṃ nāsikayā vinā śeṣasya śarīrasya | tad drutaṃ tāṃ mocaya bandhanād yāvan nāyaṃ māṃ paśyati, yena sva-gṛhaṃ gacchāmi |

tathānuṣṭhite bhūyo 'pi kaulika utthāya tām āha-puṃścali ! kim adyāpi na vadasi ? kiṃ bhūyo 'py ato duṣṭataraṃ nigrahaṃ karṇa-cchedena karomi ?

atha sā sa-kopaṃ sādhikṣepam idam āha-dhiṅ mahā-mūḍha ! ko māṃ mahā-satīṃ dharṣayituṃ vyaṅgayituṃ vā samarthaḥ ? tac chṛṇvantu sarve'pi loka-pālāḥ |

tad yadi mama satītvam asti, manasāpi para-puruṣo nābhilaṣitaḥ, tato devā bhūyo 'pi me nāsikāṃ tādṛg-rūpākṣatāṃ kurvantu | athavā yadi mama citte para-puruṣasya bhrāntir api bhavati, māṃ bhasmasān nayantu | evam uktvā bhūyo 'pi tam āha-bho durātman ! paśya me satītva-prabhāveṇa tādṛśy eva nāsikā saṃvṛttā |

athāsāv ulmukam ādāya yāvat paśyati, tāvat tad-rūpāṃ nāsikāṃ ca bhūtale rakta-pravāhaṃ ca mahāntam apaśyat | atha sa vismita-manās tāṃ bandhanād vimucya śayyāyām āropya ca cāṭu-śataiḥ paryatoṣayat | devaśarmāpi taṃ sarva-vṛttāntam ālokya vismita-manā idam āha-

anyatrāpy uktam-

evaṃ cintayatas tasya parivrājakasya sā niśā mahatā kṛcchreṇāticakrāma | sā ca dūtikā chinna-nāsikā sva-gṛhaṃ gatvā cintayāmāsa-kim idānīṃ kartavyam ? katham etan mahac-chidraṃ sthagayitavyam ?

atha tasyā evaṃ vicintayantyā bhartā kārya-vaśād rāja-kule paryuṣitaḥ pratyūṣe ca sva-gṛham abhyupetya dvāra-deśa-stho vividha-paura-kṛtyotsukatayā tām āha-bhadre śīghram ānīyatāṃ kṣura-bhāṇḍaṃ yena kṣaura-karma-karaṇāya gacchāmi |

sāpi chinnanāsikā gṛha-madhya-sthitaiva kārya-karaṇāpekṣayā kṣura-bhāṇḍāt kṣuram ekaṃ samākṛṣya tasyābhimukhaṃ preṣayāmāsa | nāpito 'py utsukatayā tam ekaṃ kṣuram avalokya kopāviṣṭaḥ san tad-abhimukham eva taṃ kṣuraṃ prāhiṇot | etasminn antare sā duṣṭordhva-bāhū vidhāya phutakartu-manā gṛhān niścakrāma | aho paśyata pāpenānena mama sad-ācāra-vartinyāḥ nāsikā-cchedo vihitaḥ | tat-paritrāyatāṃ paritrāyatām |

atrāntare rāja-puruṣāḥ samabhyetya taṃ nāpitaṃ laguḍa-prahārair jarjarīkṛtya dṛḍha-bandhanair baddhvā tayā chinnanāsikayā saha dharmādhikaraṇa-sthānaṃ nītvā sabhyān ūcuḥ-śṛṇvantu bhavantaḥ sabhāsadaḥ | anena nāpitenāparādhaṃ vinā strī-ratnam etad vyaṅgitam | tad asya yad yujyate tat kriyatām |

ity abhihite sabhyā ūcuḥ-re nāpita ! kim-arthaṃ tvayā bhāryā vyaṅgitā | kim anayā para-puruṣo 'bhilaṣitaḥ | unta svit prāṇa-drohaḥ kṛtaḥ, kiṃ vā caurya-karmācaritam | tat kathyatām asyā aparādhaḥ ?

nāpito 'pi prahāra-pīḍita-tanur vaktuṃ na śaśāka | atha taṃ tūṣṇīṃbhūtaṃ dṛṣṭvā punar ūcuḥ-aho, satyam etad rāja-puruṣāṇāṃ vacaḥ | pāpātmāyam | aneneyaṃ nirdoṣā varākī dūṣitā | uktaṃ ca-

tad eṣa duṣṭa-caritra-lakṣaṇo dṛśyate | strī-dharsaṇād vadhya iti | tac chūlīyām āropyatām iti |

atha vadhya-sthāne nīyamānaṃ tam avalokya deva-śarmā tān dharmādhikṛtān gatvā provāca-bho bhoḥ, anyānyenaiṣa varāko vadhyate nāpitaḥ | sādhu-samācāra eṣaḥ | tac chrūyatāṃ me vākyam-jambūko huḍu-yuddhena iti |

atha te sabhyā ūcuḥ-bho bhagavan ! katham etat ?

tato devaśarmā teṣāṃ trayāṇām api vṛttāntaṃ vistareṇākathayat | tad ākarṇya suvismita-manasas te nāpitaṃ vimocya mithaḥ procuḥ-aho !

tad asyā nāsikā-cchedaḥ sva-karmaṇā hi saṃvṛttaḥ | tato rāja-nigrahas tu karṇa-cchedaḥ kāryaḥ | tathānuṣṭhite devaśarmāpi vitta-nāśa-samudbhūta-śoka-rahitaḥ punar api svakīyaṃ maṭhāyatanaṃ jagāma | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-jambūko huḍu-yuddhena (1.174) iti |

karaṭaka āha-evaṃ-vidhe vyatikare kiṃ kartavyam āvayoḥ ?

damanako 'bravīt-evaṃ-vidhe'pi samaye mama buddhi-sphuraṇaṃ bhaviṣyati, yena sañjīvakaṃ prabhor viśleṣayiṣyāmi | uktaṃ ca, yataḥ-

tad ahaṃ māyā-prapañcena guptam āśritya taṃ sphoṭayiṣyāmi |

karaṭaka āha-bhadra, yadi katham api tava māyā-praveśaṃ piṅgalako jñāsyati, sañjīvako vā tadā nūnaṃ vighāta eva |

so 'bravīt-tāta, maivaṃ vada | gūḍha-buddhibhir āpat-kāle vidhure'pi daive buddhiḥ prayoktavyā | nodyamas tyājyaḥ | kadācid ghuṇākṣara-nyāyena buddheḥ sāmrājyaṃ bhavati | uktaṃ ca-

tathā ca-

tad evaṃ jñātvā sugūḍha-buddhi-prabhāveṇa yathā tau dvāv api na jñāsyataḥ, tathā mitho viyojayiṣyāmi | uktaṃ ca-

karaṭaka āha-katham etat ?

so 'bravīt- kathā 5 kaulika-rathakāra-kathā

kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne kaulika-rathakārau mitre prativasataḥ sma | tatra ca bālyāt-prabhṛti sahacāriṇau parasparam atīva sneha-parau sadaika-sthāna-vihāriṇau kālaṃ nayataḥ | atha kadācit tatrādhiṣṭhāne kasmiṃścid devāyatane yātrā-mahotsavaḥ saṃvṛttaḥ | tatra ca naṭa-nartaka-cāraṇa-saṅkule nānā-deśāgata-janāvṛte tau sahacarau bhramantau kāñcid rāja-kanyāṃ kareṇukārūḍhāṃ sarva-lakṣaṇa-sanāthāṃ kañcuki-varṣa-dhara-parivāritāṃ devatā-darśanārthaṃ samāyātāṃ dṛṣṭavantau | athāsau kaulikas tāṃ dṛṣṭvā viṣārdita iva duṣṭa-graha-gṛhīta iiva kāma-śarair hanyamānaḥ sahasā bhūtale nipapāta | atha taṃ tad-avastham avalokya rathakāras tad-duḥkha-duḥkhita āpta-puruṣais taṃ samutkṣipya sva-gṛham ānāyayat | tatra ca vividhaiḥ śītopacāraiś cikitsakopadiṣṭair mantra-vādibhir upacaryamāṇaiś cirāt kathaṃcit sa-cetano babhūva |

tato rathakāreṇa pṛṣṭaḥ-bho mitra ! kim evaṃ tvam akasmād vicetanaḥ sañjātaḥ ? tat kathyatām ātma-svarūpam ?

sa āha-vayasya ! yady evaṃ tac chṛṇu me rahasyaṃ yena sarvām ātma-vedanāṃ te vadāmi | yadi tvaṃ māṃ suhṛdaṃ manyase tataḥ kāṣṭha-pradānena prasādaḥ kriyatām | kṣamyatāṃ yad vā kiñcit praṇay>atirekād ayuktaṃ tava mayānuṣṭhitam |

so 'pi tad ākarṇya bāṣpa-pihita-nayanaḥ sa-gadgadam uvāca-vayasya, yat kiñcid duḥkha-kāraṇaṃ tad vada yena pratīkāraḥ kriyate, yadi śakyate kartum | uktaṃ ca-

tad eṣāṃ caturṇāṃ yadi sādhyaṃ bhaviṣyati tadāhaṃ sādhayiṣyāmi |

kaulika āha-vayasya, eteṣām anyeṣām api sahasrāṇām upāyānām asādhyaṃ tan me duḥkham | tasmān mama maraṇe mā kāla-kṣepaṃ kuru |

rathakāra āha-bho mitra ! yadyapy asādhyaṃ tathāpi nivedaya yenāham api tad asādhyaṃ matvā tvayā samaṃ vahnau praviśāmi | na kṣaṇam api tvad-viyogaṃ sahiṣye | eṣa me niścayaḥ |

kaulika āha-vayasya, yāsau rāja-kanyā kareṇum ārūḍhā tatrotsave dṛṣṭā, tasyā darśanānantaraṃ makara-dhvajena mameyam avasthā vihitā | tan na śaknomi tad-vedanāṃ soḍhum | tathā coktam-

tathā ca-

rathakāro 'py evaṃ sa-kāmaṃ tad-vacanam ākarṇya sa-smitam idam āha-vayasya ! yady evaṃ tarhi diṣṭyā siddhaṃ naḥ prayojanam | tad adyaiva tayā saha samāgamaḥ kriyatām iti |

kaulika āha-vayasya, yatra kanyāntaḥpure vāyuṃ muktvā nānyasya praveśo 'sti tatra rakṣā-puruṣādhiṣṭhite kathaṃ mama tasyā saha samāgamaḥ ? tat kiṃ mām asatya-vacanena viḍambayasi ?

rathakāra āha-mitra, paśya me buddhi-balam |

evam abhidhāya tat-kṣaṇāt kīla-sañcāriṇaṃ vainateyaṃ bāhu-yugalaṃ vāyuja-vṛkṣa-dāruṇā śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padmānvitaṃ sa-kirīṭa-kaustubham aghaṭayan | tatas tasmin kaulikaṃ samāropya viṣṇu-cihnitaṃ kṛtvā kīla-sañcaraṇa-vijñānaṃ ca darśayitvā provāca-vayasya, anena viṣṇu-rūpeṇa gatvā kanyāntaḥpure niśīthe tāṃ rājakanyām ekākinīṃ sapta-bhūmika-prāsāda-prānta-gatāṃ mugdha-svabhāvāṃ tvāṃ vāsudevaṃ manyamānāṃ svakīya-mithyā-vakroktibhī rañjayitvā vātsyāyanokta-vidhinā bhaja |

kauliko 'pi tad ākarṇya tathā-rūpas tatra gatvā tām āha-rāja-putri, suptā kiṃ vā jāgarṣi ? ahaṃ tava kṛte samudrāt sānurāgo lakṣmīṃ vihāyaivāgataḥ | tat kriyatāṃ mayā saha samāgamaḥ iti |

sāpi garuḍārūḍhaṃ caturbhujaṃ sāyudhaṃ kaustubhopetam avalokya sa-vismayā śayanād utthāya provāca-bhagavan ! ahaṃ mānuṣī kīṭikāśuciḥ | bhagavāṃs trailokya-pāvano vandanīyaś ca | tat katham etad yujyate |

kaulika āha-subhage, satyam abhihitaṃ bhavatyā | paraṃ kiṃ tu rādhā nāma me bhāryā gopa-kula-prasūtā prathama āsīt | sā tvam atrāvatīrṇā | tenāham atrāyātaḥ |

ity uktā sā prāha-bhagavan, yady evaṃ tan me tātaṃ prārthaya | so 'py avikalpaṃ māṃ tubhyaṃ prayacchati |

kaulika āha-subhage, nāhaṃ darśana-pathaṃ mānuṣāṇāṃ gacchāmi | kiṃ punar ālāpa-karaṇam | tvaṃ gāndharveṇa vivhāneātmānaṃ prayaccha | no cec chāpaṃ dattvā sānvayaṃ te pitaraṃ bhasmasāt kariṣyāmi iti | evam abhidhāya garuḍād avatīrya savye pāṇau gṛhītvā tāṃ sabhayāṃ salajjāṃ vepamānāṃ śayyāyām ānayat | tataś ca rātri-śeṣaṃ yāvad vātsyāyanokta-vidhinā niṣevya pratyūṣe sva-gṛham alakṣito jagāma |

evaṃ tasya tāṃ nityaṃ sevamānasya kālo yāti | atha kadācit kañcukinas tasyā adharoṣṭha-pravāla-khaṇḍanaṃ dṛṣṭvā mithaḥ procuḥ-aho ! paśyatāsyā rāja-kanyāyāḥ puruṣopabhuktāyā iva śarīrāvayavā vibhāvyante | tat katham ayaṃ surakṣite'py asmin gṛha evaṃvidho vyavahāraḥ | tad rājñe nivedayāmaḥ |

evaṃ niścitya sarve sametya rājānaṃ procuḥ-deva ! vayaṃ na vidmaḥ | paraṃ surakṣite'pi kanyāntaḥ-pure kaścit praviśati | tad devaḥ pramāṇam iti | tac chrutvā rājātīva vyākulita-citto vyacintayat-

evaṃ bahu-vidhaṃ vicintya devīṃ rahaḥ-sthāṃ provāca-devi, jñāyatāṃ kim ete kañcukino vadanti ? tasya kṛtāntaḥ kupito yenaitad evaṃ kriyate |

devy api tad ākarṇya vyākulī-bhūtā satvaraṃ kanyāntaḥpure gatvā tāṃ khaṇḍitādharāṃ nakha-vilikhita-śarīrāvayavāṃ duhitaram apaśyat | āha ca-āḥ pāpe ! kula-kalaṅka-kāriṇi ! kim eva śīla-khaṇḍanaṃ kṛtam | ko 'yaṃ kṛtāntāvalokitas tvat-sakāśam abhyeti | tat kathyatāṃ mamāgre satyam |

iti kopāṭopa-visaṅkaṭaṃ vadatyāṃ mātari rāja-putrī bhaya-lajjānatānanaṃ provāca-amba, sākṣān nārāyaṇaḥ pratyahaṃ garuḍārūḍho niśi samāyāti | ced asatyaṃ mama vākyam, tat sva-cakṣuṣā vilokayatu niguḍhatarā niśīthe bhagavantaṃ ramā-kāntam |

tac chrutvā sāpi prahasita-vadanā pulakāṅkita-sarvāṅgī satvaraṃ rājānam ūce-deva, diṣṭyā vardhase | nityam eva niśīthe bhagavān nārāyaṇaḥ kanyakā-pārśve'bhyeti | tena gāndharva-vivāhena sā vivāhitā | tad adya tvayā mayā ca rātrau vātāyana-gatābhyāṃ niśīthe draṣṭavyaḥ | yato na sa mānuṣaiḥ sahālāpaṃ karoti |

tac chrutvā harṣitasya rājñas tad dinaṃ varṣa-śata-prāyam iva kathañcij jagāma | tatas tu rātrau nibhṛto bhūtvā rājñī-sahito rājā vātāyanas-stho gaganāsakta-dṛṣṭir yāvat tiṣṭhati, tāvat tasmin samaye garuḍārūḍhaṃ taṃ śaṅka-cakra-gadā-padma-hastaṃ yathokta-cihnāṅkitaṃ vyomno 'vatarantaṃ nārāyaṇam apaśyat | tataḥ sudhā-pūra-plāvitam ivātmānaṃ manyamānas tām uvāca-priye ! nāsty anyo dhanyataro loke mattas tvattaś ca | tat prasūtiṃ nārāyaṇo bhajate | tat-siddhāḥ sarve'smākaṃ manorathāḥ | adhunā jāmātṛ-prabhāveṇa sakalām api vasumatīṃ vaśyāṃ kariṣyāmi |

evaṃ niścitya sarvaiḥ sīmādhipaiḥ saha maryādā-vyatikramam akarot | te ca taṃ maryādā-vyatikrameṇa vartamānam ālokya sarve sametya tena saha vigrahaṃ cakruḥ |

atrāntare sa rājā devī-mukhena tāṃ duhitaram uvāca-putri, tvayi duhitari vartamānāyāṃ nārāyaṇe bhagavati jāmātari sthite tat kim evaṃ yujyate yat sarve pārthivā mayā saha vigrahaṃ kurvanti | tat sambodhyo 'dya tvayā nija-bhartā, yathā mama śatrūn vyāpādayati |

tatas tayā sa kauliko rātrau sa-vinayam abhihitaḥ-bhagavan, tvayi jāmātari sthite mama tāto yac chatrubhiḥ paribhūyate tan na yuktam | tat prasādaṃ kṛtvā sarvāṃs tān śatrūn vyāpādaya |

kaulika āha-subhage ! kiyan-mātrās tv ete tava pituḥ śatravaḥ | tad-viśvastā bhava | kṣaṇenāpi sudarśana-cakreṇa sarvāṃs tilaśaḥ khaṇḍayiṣyāmi |

atha gacchatā kālena sarva-deśaṃ śatrubhir udvāsya sa rājā prākāra-śeṣaḥ kṛtaḥ | tathāpi vāsudeva-rūpa-dharaṃ kaulikam ajānan rāja nityam eva viśeṣataḥ karpūrāguru-kastūrikādi-parimala-viśeṣān nānā-prakāra-vastra-puṣpa-bhakṣya-peyāṃś ca preṣayan duhitṛ-mukhena tam ūce-bhagavan, prabhāte nūnaṃ sthāna-bhaṅgo bhaviṣyati | yato yavasendhana-kṣayaḥ sañjātas tathā sarvo 'pi janaḥ prahārair jarjarita-dehaḥ saṃvṛtto yoddhum akṣamaḥ pracuro mṛtaś ca | tad evaṃ jñātvātra kāle yad ucitaṃ bhavati tad vidheyam iti |

tac chrutvā kauliko 'py acintayat-sthāna-bhaṅge jāte mamānayā saha viyogo bhaviṣyati æ tasmād garuḍam āruhya sāyudham ātmānam ākāśe darśayāmi | kadācin māṃ vāsudevaṃ manyamānās te sāśaṅkā rājño yoddhṛbhir hanyate | uktaṃ ca-

atha yadi mama sthānārtham udyatasya mṛtyur bhaviṣyati tad api sundarataram | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ niścitya pratyūṣe danta-dhāvanaṃ kṛtvā tāṃ provāca-subhage ! samastaiḥ śatrubhir hatair annaṃ pānaṃ cāsvādayiṣyāmi | kiṃ bahunā, tvayāpi saha saṅgamaṃ tataḥ kariṣyāmi | paraṃ vācyas tvayātma-pitā yat prabhāte prabhūtena sainyena saha nagarān niṣkramya yoddhavyam | ahaṃ cākāśa-sthita eva sarvāṃs tān nistejasaḥ kariṣyāmi | paścāt sukhena bhavatā hantavyāḥ yadi punar ahaṃ tān svayam eva sūdayāmi tat teṣāṃ pāpātmanāṃ vaikuṇṭhīyā gatiḥ syāt | tasmāt te tathā kartavyā yathā palāyanto hanyamānāḥ svargaṃ na gacchanti |

sāpi tad ākarṇya pituḥ samīpaṃ gatvā sarvaṃ vṛttāntaṃ nyavedayat | rājāpi tasyā vākyaṃ śraddadhānaḥ pratyūṣe samutthāya samunnaddha-sainyo yuddhārthaṃ niścakrāma | kauliko 'pi maraṇe kṛta-niścayaś cāpa-pāṇir gagana-gatir garuḍārūḍho yuddhāya prasthitaḥ |

atrāntare bhagavatā nārāyaṇenātītānāgata-vartamāna-vedinā, smṛta-mātro vainateyaḥ samprāpto vihasya proktaḥ-bho garutman ! jānāsi tvaṃ yan mama rūpeṇa kauliko dāru-maya-garuḍe samārūḍho rāja-kanyāṃ kāmayate |

so 'bravīt-deva, sarvaṃ jñāyate tac ceṣṭitam | tat kiṃ kurmaḥ sāmpratam ?

śrī-bhagavān āha-adya kauliko maraṇe kṛta-niścayo vihita-niyamo yuddhārthe vinirgataḥ sa nūnaṃ pradhāna-kṣatriyair militvā vāsudevo garuḍaś ca nipātitaḥ | tataḥ paraṃ loko 'yam āvayoḥ pūjāṃ na kariṣyati | tatas tvaṃ drutataraṃ tatra dāru-maya-garuḍe saṅkramaṇaṃ kuru | aham api kaulika-śarīre praveśaṃ kariṣyāmi | yena sa śatrūn vyāpādayati | tataś ca śatru-vadhād āvayor māhātmya-vṛddhiḥ syāt |

atha garuḍe tatheti pratipanne śrī-bhagavan-nārāyaṇas tac-charīre saṅkramaṇam akarot | tato bhagavan-māhātmyena gagana-sthaḥ sa kaulikaḥ śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-cāpa-cihnitaḥ kṣaṇād eva līlayaiva samastān api pradhāna-kṣatriyān nistejasaś cakārar | tatas tena rājñā sva-sainya-parivṛtena saṅgrāme jitā nihatāś ca te sarve'pi śatravaḥ | jātaś ca loka-madhye pravādo, yathā-anena viṣṇu-jāmātṛ-prabhāveṇa sarve śatravo nihatā iti |

kauliko 'pi tān hatān dṛṣṭvā pramudita-manā gaganād avatīrṇaḥ san, yāvad rājāmātya-paura-lokās taṃ nagara-vāstavyaṃ kaulikaṃ paśyanti tataḥ pṛṣṭaḥ kim etad iti | tataḥ so 'pi mūlād ārabhya sarvaṃ prāg-vṛttāntaṃ nyavedayat | tataś ca kaulika-sāhasānurañjita-manasā śatru-vadhād avāpta-tejasā rājñā sā rāja-kanyā sakala-jana-pratyakṣaṃ vivāha-vidhinā tasmai samarpitā deśaś ca pradattaḥ | kauliko 'pi tayā sārdhaṃ pañca-prakāraṃ jīva-loka-sāraṃ viṣaya-sukham anubhavan kālaṃ nināya | atas tūcyate suprayuktasya dambhasya (218) iti |

tac chrutvā karaṭaka āha-bhadra, asty evam | paraṃ tathāpi mahan me bhayam | yato buddhimān sañjīvako raudraś ca siṃhaḥ | yadyapi te buddhi-prāgalbhyaṃ tathāpi tvaṃ piṅgalakāt taṃ viyojayitum asamartha eva |

damanaka āha-bhrātaḥ ! asamartho 'pi samartha eva | uktaṃ ca-

karaṭaka āha-katham etat ?

so 'bravīt- kathā 6 vāyasa-dampati-kathā

asti kasmiṃścit pradeśe mahān nyagrodha-pādapaḥ | tatra vāyasa-dampatī prativasataḥ sma | atha tayoḥ prasava-kāle vṛkṣa-vivarān niṣkramya kṛṣṇa-sarpaḥ sadaiva tad-apatyāni bhakṣayati | tatas tau nirvedād anya-vṛkṣa-mūla-nivāsinaṃ priya-suhṛdaṃ śṛgālaṃ gatvocatuḥ-bhadra ! kim evaṃvidhe sañjāta āvayoḥ kartavyaṃ bhavati | evaṃ tāvad duṣṭātmā kṛṣṇa-sarpo vṛkṣa-vivarān nirgatyāvayor bālakān bhakṣayati | tat kathyatāṃ tad-rakṣārthaṃ kaścid upāyaḥ |

asmākam api tatra-sthitānāṃ pratidinaṃ prāṇa-saṃśayaḥ |

sa āha-nātra viṣaye svalpo 'pi viṣādaḥ kāryaḥ | nūnaṃ sa lubdho nopāyam antareṇa vadhyaḥ syāt |

tāv ūcatuḥ-katham etat ?

so 'bravīt- kathā 7 baka-kulīraka-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid vana-pradeśe nānā-jala-cara-sanāthaṃ mahat saraḥ | tatra ca kṛtāśrayo baka eko vṛddha-bhāvam upāgato matsyān vyāpādayitum asamarthaḥ | tataś ca kṣutkṣāma-kaṇṭhaḥ saras-tīre upaviṣṭo muktā-phala-prakara-sadṛśair aśru-pravāhair dharā-talam abhiṣiñcan ruroda | ekaḥ kulīrako nānā-jala-cara-sametaḥ sametya tasya duḥkhena duḥkhitaḥ sādaram idam ūce-māma ! kim adya tvayā nāhāra-vṛttir anuṣṭhīyate ? kevalam aśru-pūrṇa-netrābhyāṃ sa-niḥśvāsena sthīyate |

sa āha-vatsa ! satyam upalakṣitaṃ bhavatā | mayā hi matsyādanaṃ prati parama-vairāgyatayā sāmprataṃ prāyopaveśanaṃ kṛtam | tenāhaṃ samīpāgatān api matsyān na bhakṣayāmi |

kulīrakas tac chrutvā prāha-māma, kiṃ tad vairāgya-kāraṇam ?

sa prāha-vatsa, aham asmin sarasi jāto vṛddhiṃ gataś ca | tan mayaitac chrutaṃ yad dvādaśa-varṣikyānāvṛṣṭiḥ sampadyate lagnā |

kulīraka āha-kasmāt tac chrutam ?

baka āha-daivajña-mukhād eṣa śanaiścaro hi rohiṇī-śakaṭaṃ bhittvā bhaumaṃ śakraṃ ca prayāsyati | uktaṃ ca varāha-mihireṇa-

tathā ca-

tad etat saraḥ svalpa-toyaṃ vartate | śīghraṃ śoṣaṃ yāsyati | asmin śuṣke yaiḥ sahāhaṃ vṛddhiṃ gataḥ, sadaiva krīḍitaś ca, te sarve toyābhāvān nāśaṃ yāsyanti | tat teṣāṃ viyogaṃ draṣṭum aham asamarthaḥ | tenaitat prāyopaveśanaṃ kṛtam | sāmprataṃ sarveṣāṃ svalpa-jalāśayānāṃ jalacarā guru-jalāśayeṣu sva-svajanair nīyante | kecic ca makara-godhā-śiśumāra-jalahasti-prabhṛtayaḥ svayam eva gacchanti | atra punaḥ sarasi ye jalacarās te niścintāḥ santi, tenāhaṃ viśeṣād rodimi yad bīja-śesa-mātram apy atra noddhariṣyati |

tataḥ sa tad ākarṇyānyeṣām api jalacarāṇāṃ tat tasya vacanaṃ nivedayāmāsa | atha te sarve bhaya-trasta-manaso matsya-kacchapa-prabhṛtayas tam abhyupetya papracchuḥ-māma ! asti kaścid upāyo yenāsmākaṃ rakṣā bhavati ?

baka āha-asty asya jalāśayasya nātidūre prabhūta-jala-sanāthaṃ saraḥ padminī-khaṇḍa-maṇḍitaṃ yac caturviṃśaty api varṣāṇām avṛṣṭyā na śoṣam eṣyati | tad yadi mama pṛṣṭhaṃ kaścid ārohati, tad ahaṃ taṃ tatra nayāmi |

atha te tatra viśvāsam āpannāḥ, tāta mātula bhrātaḥ iti bruvāṇāḥ ahaṃ pūrvam ahaṃ pūrvam iti samantāt paritasthuḥ | so 'pi duṣṭāśayaḥ krameṇa tān pṛṣṭha āropya jalāśayasya nātidūre śilāṃ samāsādya tasyām ākṣipya svecchayā bhakṣayitvā bhūyo 'pi jalāśayaṃ samāsādya jalacarṇāṇāṃ mithyā-vārtā-sandeśakair manāṃsi rañjayan nityam evāhāra-vṛttim akarot |

anyasmin dine ca kulīrakeṇoktaḥ-māma ! mayā saha te prathamaḥ sneha-sambhāṣaḥ sañjātaḥ | tat kiṃ māṃ parityajyānyān nayasi ? tasmād adya me prāṇa-trāṇaṃ kuru |

tad ākarṇya so 'pi duṣṭāśayaś cintitavān-nirviṇṇo 'haṃ matsya-māṃsādanena tad adyainaṃ kulīrakaṃ vyañjana-sthāne karomi | iti vicintya taṃ pṛṣṭe samāropya tāṃ vadhya-śilām uddiśya prasthitaḥ | kulīrako 'pi dūrād evāsthi-parvataṃ śilāśrayam avalokya mastyāsthīni parijñāya tam apṛcchat-māma, kiyad dūre sa jalāśayaḥ ? madīya-bhāreṇātiśrāntas tvam | tat kathaya |

so 'pi manda-dhīr jalacaro 'yam iti matvā sthale na prabhavatīti sa-smitam idam āha-kulīraka, kuto 'nyo jalāśayaḥ ? mama prāṇa-yātreyam | tasmāt smaryatām ātmano 'bhīṣṭa-devatā | tvām apy anyāṃ śilāyāṃ nikṣipya bhakṣayiṣyāmi | ity uktavati tasmin sva-vadana-daṃśa-dvayena mṛṇāla-nāla-dhavalāyāṃ mṛdu-grīvāyāṃ gṛhīto mṛtaś ca |

atha sa tāṃ baka-grīvāṃ samādāya śanaiḥ śanais taj jalāśayam āsasāda | tataḥ sarvair eva jalacaraiḥ pṛṣṭaḥ-bhoḥ kulīraka ! kiṃ nivṛttas tvam ? sa mātulo 'pi nāyātaḥ | tat kiṃ cirayati ? vayaṃ sarve sotksukāḥ kṛta-kṣaṇās tiṣṭhāmaḥ |

evaṃ tair abhihite kulīrako 'pi vihasyovāca-mūrkhāḥ ! sarve jalacarās tena mithyā-vādinā vañcayitvā nātidūre śilā-tale prakṣipya bhakṣitāḥ | tan mamāyuḥ-śeṣatayā tasya viśvāsa-ghātakasyābhiprāyaṃ jñātvā grīveyam ānītā | tad alaṃ sambhrameṇa | adhunā sarva-jala-carāṇāṃ kṣemaṃ bhaviṣyati |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-bhakṣayitvā bahūn matsyān iti |

vāyasa āha-bhadra ! tat kathaya kathaṃ sa duṣṭa-sarpo vadham upaiṣyati |

śṛgāla āha-gacchatu bhavān kañcin nagaraṃ rājādhiṣṭhānam | tatra kasyāpi dhanino rājāmātyādeḥ pramādinaḥ kanaka-sūtraṃ hāraṃ vā gṛhītvā tat-koṭare prakṣipa, yena sarpas tad-grahaṇena vadhyate |

tat-kṣaṇāt kākaḥ kākī ca tad ākarṇyātmecchayotpatitau | tataś ca kākī kiñcit saraḥ prāpya yāvat paśyati, tāvat tan-madhye kasyacid rājño 'ntaḥpuraṃ jalāsannaṃ nyasta-kanaka-sūtraṃ mukta-muktāhāra-vastrābharaṇaṃ jala-krīḍāṃ kurute | atha sā vāyasī kanaka-sūtram ekam ādāya sva-gṛhābhimukhaṃ pratasthe | tataś ca kañcukino varṣa-varāś ca tan-nīyamānam upalakṣya gṛhīta-laguḍāḥ satvaram anuyayuḥ | kāky api sarpa-koṭare tat-kanaka-sūtraṃ prakṣipya sudūram avasthitā |

atha yāvad rāja-puruṣās taṃ vṛkṣam āruhya tat-koṭaram avalokayanti, tāvat kṛṣṇa-sarpaḥ prasārita-bhogas tiṣṭhati | tatas taṃ laguḍa-prahāreṇa hatvā kanaka-sūtram ādāya yathābhilaṣitaṃ sthānaṃ gatāḥ | vāyasa-dampatī api tataḥ paraṃ sukhena vasataḥ | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-upāyena hi yat kuryāt iti |

tan na kiṃcid iha buddhimatām asādhyam asti | uktaṃ ca-

karaṭaka āha-katham etat ?

sa āha-

kathā 8 bhāsurakākhya-siṃha-kathā

kasmiṃścid vane bhāsurako nāma siṃhaḥ prativasati sma | athāsau vīryātirekān nityam evānekān mṛga-śaśakādīn vyāpādayan nopararāma | athānyedyus tad-vanajāḥ sarve sāraṅga-varāha-mahiṣa-śaśakādayo militvā tam abhyupetya procuḥ-svāmin ! kim anena sakala-mṛga-vadhena nityam eva, yatas tavaikenāpi mṛgeṇa tṛptir bhavati tat kriyatām asmābhiḥ saha samaya-dharmaḥ | adya-prabhṛti tavātropaviṣṭasya jāti-krameṇa pratidinam eko mṛgo bhakṣaṇārthaṃ sameṣyati | evaṃ kṛte tava tāvat prāṇa-yātrā kleśaṃ vināpi bhaviṣyati | asmākaṃ ca punaḥ sarvocchedanaṃ na syāt | tad eṣa rāja-dharmo 'nuṣṭhīyatām | uktaṃ ca-

atha teṣāṃ tad-vacanam ākarṇya bhāsuraka āha-aho satyam abhihitaṃ bhavadbhiḥ | paraṃ yadi mamopaviṣṭasyātra nityam eva naikaḥ śvāpadaḥ samāgamiṣyati | tan nūnaṃ sarvān api bhakṣayiṣyāmi | atha te tathaiva pratijñāya nirvṛti-bhājas tatraiva vane nirbhayāḥ paryaṭanti | ekaś ca pratidinaṃ krameṇa yāti | vṛddho vā, vairāgya-yukto vā, śoka-grasto vā, putra-kalatra-nāśa-bhīto vā, teṣāṃ madhyāt tasya bhojanārthaṃ madhyāhna-samaya upatiṣṭhate |

atha kadācij jāti-kramāc chaśakasyāvasaraḥ samāyātaḥ | sa samasta-mṛgaiḥ prerito 'nicchann api mandaṃ mandaṃ gatvā tasya vadhopāyaṃ cintayan velātikramaṃ kṛtvāvyākulita-hṛdayo yāvad gacchati tāvan-mārge gacchatā kūpaḥ sandṛṣṭaḥ | yāvat kūpopari pāti tāvat kūpa-madhya ātmanaḥ pratibimbaṃ dadarśa | dṛṣṭvā ca tena hṛdaye cintitam-yad bhāvya upāyo 'sti | ahaṃ bhāsurakaṃ prakopya sva-buddhyāsmin kūpe pātayiṣyāmi |

athāsau dina-śeṣe bhāsuraka-samīpaṃ prāptaḥ | siṃho 'pi velātikrameṇa kṣutkṣāma-kaṇṭhaḥ kopāviṣṭaḥ sṛkkaṇī parilelihad vyacintayat-aho ! pratār-āhārāya niḥsattvaṃ vanaṃ mayā kartavyam | evaṃ cintayatas tasya śaśako mandaṃ mandaṃ gatvā praṇamya tasyāgre sthitaḥ | atha taṃ prajvalitātmā bhāsurako bhartsayann āha-re śaśakādhama ekas tāvat tvaṃ laghuḥ prāpto 'parato velātikrameṇa | tad asmād aparādhāt tvāṃ nipātya prātaḥ sakalāny api mṛga-kulāny ucchedayiṣyāmi |

atha śaśakaḥ sa-vinayaṃ provāca-svāmin ! nāparādho mama | na ca sattvānām | tac chyrūtāṃ kāraṇam |

siṃha āha-satvaraṃ nivedaya yāvan mama daṃṣṭrāntargato na bhavān bhaviṣyati iti |

śaśaka āha-svāmin, samasta-mṛgair adya jāti-krameṇa mama laghutarasya prastāvaṃ vijñāya tato 'haṃ pañca-śaśakaiḥ samaṃ preṣitaḥ | tataś cāham āgacchenn antarāle mahatā kenacid apareṇa siṃhena vivarān nirgatyābhihitaḥ-abhīṣṭa-devatāṃ smarata |

tato mayābhihitam-vayaṃ svāminon bhāsuraka-siṃhasya sakāśam āhārārthaṃ samaya-dharmeṇa gacchāmaḥ |

tatas tenābhihitam-yady evaṃ tarhi madīyam etad-vanam | mayā saha samaya-dharmeṇa samastair api śvāpadair vartitavyam | cora-rūpī sa bhāsurakaḥ | atha yadi so 'tra rājā | viśvāsa-sthāne caturaḥ śaśakān atra dhṛtvā tam āhūya drutataram āgaccha | yena yaḥ kaścid āvayor madhyāt parākrameṇa rājā bhaviṣyati sa sarvān etān bhakṣayiṣyati iti |

tato 'haṃ tenādiṣṭaḥ svāmi-sakāśam abhyāgataḥ | etad velā vyatikrama-kāraṇam | tad atra svāmī pramāṇam |

tac chrutvā bhāsuraka āha-bhadra, yady evaṃ tat satvaraṃ darśaya me taṃ caura-siṃhaḥ yenāhaṃ mṛga-kopaṃ tasyopari kṣiptvā svastho bhavāmi | uktaṃ ca-

śaśāka āha-svāmin ! satyam idam | sva-bhūmi-hetoḥ paribhavāc ca yudhyante kṣatriyāḥ | paraṃ sa durgāśrayaḥ durgān niṣkramya vayaṃ tena viṣkambhitāḥ | tato durgastho duḥsadhyo bhavati ripuḥ | uktaṃ ca-

na gajānāṃ sahasreṇa na ca lakṣeṇa vājinām | yat kṛtyaṃ sidhyati rājñāṃ durgeṇaikena vigrahe ||Panc_1.251|| śatam eko 'pi saṃdhatte prākārastho dhanurdharaḥ | tasmād durgaṃ praśaṃsanti nītiśāstravicakṣaṇāḥ ||Panc_1.252|| purā guroḥ samādeśādd hiraṇyakaśipor bhayāt | śakreṇa vihitaṃ durgaṃ prabhāvād viśvakarmaṇaḥ ||Panc_1.253|| tenāpi ca varo datto yasya durgaṃ sa bhūpatiḥ | vijayī syāt tato bhūmau durgāṇi syuḥ sahasraśaḥ ||Panc_1.254|| daṃṣṭrāvirahito nāgo madahīno yathā gajaḥ | sarveṣāṃ jāyate vaśyo durgahīnas tathā nṛpaḥ ||Panc_1.255||

tac chrutvā bhāsuraka āha | bhadra durgastham api darśaya taṃ caura-siṃhaṃ yena vyāpādayāmi | uktaṃ ca-

jāta-mātraṃ na yaḥ śatruṃ rogaṃ ca praśamaṃ nayet | mahābalo 'pi tenaiva vṛddhiṃ prāpya sa hanyate ||Panc_1.256||

tathā ca- uttiṣṭhamānas tu paro nopekṣyaḥ pathyam icchatā | samau hi śiṣṭair āmnātau vartsyantāv āmayaḥ sa ca ||Panc_1.257||

api ca- upekṣitaḥ kṣīṇa-balo 'pi śatruḥ pramāda-doṣāt puruṣair madāndhaiḥ | sādhyo 'pi bhūtvā prathamaṃ tato 'sāv

tathā ca- ātmanaḥ śaktim udvīkṣya manotsāhaṃ ca yo vrajet | bahūn hanti sa eko 'pi kṣatriyān bhārgavo yathā ||Panc_1.259||

śaśaka āha-asty etat | tathāpi balavān sa mayā dṛṣṭaḥ | tan na yujyate svāminas tasya tasya sāmarthyam aviditvā gantum | uktaṃ ca- aviditvātmanaḥ śaktiṃ parasya ca samutsukaḥ | gacchann abhimukho vahnau nāśaṃ yāti pataṅgavat ||Panc_1.260|| yo balāt pronnataṃ yāti nihantuṃ sabalo 'py arim | vimadaḥ sa nivarteta śīrṇa-danto gajo yathā ||Panc_1.261||

bhāsuraka āha-bhoḥ kiṃ tavānena vyāpāreṇa | darśaya me taṃ durgastham api |

atha śaśaka āha-yady evaṃ tarhy āgacchatu svāmī | evam uktvāgre vyavasthitaḥ |

tataś ca tenāgacchatā yaḥ kūpo dṛṣṭo 'bhūt tam eva kūpam āsādya bhāsurakam āha-svāmin kas te pratāpaṃ soḍhuṃ samarthaḥ ? tvāṃ dṛṣṭvā dūrato 'pi caura-siṃhaḥ praviṣṭaḥ svaṃ durgam | tad āgaccha yathā darśayāmīti | bhāsuraka āha-darśaya me durgam | tad anu darśitas tena kūpaḥ | tataḥ so 'pi mūrkhaḥ siṃhaḥ kūpa-madhya ātma-pratibimbaṃ jala-madhya-gataṃ dṛṣṭvā siṃha-nādaṃ mumoca | tataḥ pratiśabdena kūpa-madhyād dvi-guṇataro nādaḥ samutthitaḥ |

atha tena taṃ śatruṃ matvātmānaṃ tasyopari prakṣipya prāṇāḥ parityaktāḥ | śaśako 'pi hṛṣṭa-manāḥ sarva-mṛgān ānandya taiḥ saha praśasyamāno yathā-sukhaṃ tatra vane nivasati sma | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-yasya buddhir balaṃ tasya iti |

tad yadi bhavān kathayati tat tatraiva gatvā tayoḥ sva-buddhi-prabhāveṇa maitrī-bhedaṃ karomi |

karaṭaka āha-bhadra ! yady evaṃ tarhi gaccha | śivās te panthānaḥ santu | yathābhipretam anuṣṭhīyatām |

atha damanakaḥ sañjīvaka-viyuktaṃ piṅgalakam avalokya tatrāntare praṇamyāgre samupaviṣṭaḥ | piṅgalako 'pi tam āha-bhadra, kiṃ cirād dṛṣṭaḥ ?

damanaka āha-na kañcid deva-pādānām asmābhiḥ prayojanam | tenāhaṃ nāgacchāmi | tathāpi rāja-prayojana-vināśam avalokya sandahyamāna-hṛdayo vyākulatayā svayam evābhyāgato vaktum | uktaṃ ca-

atha tasya sābhiprāyaṃ vacanam ākarṇya piṅgalaka āha-kiṃ vaktu-manā bhavān ? tat kathyatāṃ yat kathanīyam asti |

sa prāha-deva sañjīvako yuṣmat-pādānām upari droha-buddhir iti | viśvāsa-gatasya mama vijane idam āha-bho damanaka ! dṛṣṭā mayāsya piṅgalakasya sārāsāratā | tad aham enaṃ hatvā sakala-mṛgādhipatyaṃ tvat-sācivya-padavī-samanvitaṃ kariṣyāmi | piṅgalako 'pi tad-vajra-sāra-prahāra-sadṛśaṃ dāruṇaṃ vacaḥ samākarṇya moham upagato na kiñcid apy uktavān | damanako 'pi tasya tam ākāram ālokya cintitavān-ayaṃ tāvat sañjīvaka-nibaddha-rāgaḥ | tan nūnam anena mantriṇā rājā vināśam avāpsyati iti | uktaṃ ca-

tat kim atra yuktam iti | piṅgalako 'pi cetanāṃ samāsādya katham api tam āha-sañjīvakas tāvat prāṇa-samo bhṛtyaḥ | sa kathaṃ mamopari droha-buddhiṃ karoti |

damanaka āha-deva, bhṛtyo 'bhṛtya ity anekāntikam etat | uktaṃ ca-

piṅgalaka āha-bhadra, tathāpi mama tasyopari citta-vṛttir na vikṛtiṃ yāti | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

damanaka āha-ata evāyaṃ doṣaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

aparaṃ kena gaṇa-viśeṣeṇa svāmī sañjīvakaṃ nirguṇakam api nikaṭe dhārayati | atha deva, yady evaṃ cintayasi mahā-kāyo 'yam | anena ripūn vyāpādayiṣyāmi | tad asmān na sidhyati, yato 'yaṃ śaṣpa-bhojī | deva-pādānāṃ punaḥ śatravo māṃsāśinaḥ | tad-ripu-sādhanam asya sāhāyyena na bhavati | tasmād enaṃ dūṣayitvā hanyatām iti |

anyac ca | mayāsya tava vacanenābhaya-pradānaṃ dattam | tat kathaṃ svayam eva vyāpādayāmi | sarvathā sañjīvako 'yaṃ suhṛd asmākam | na taṃ prati kaścin manyur iti | uktaṃ ca-

tad-droha-buddher api mayāsya na viruddham ācaraṇīyam |

damanaka āha-svāmin ! naiṣa rāja-dharmo yad droha-buddhir api kṣamyate | uktaṃ ca-

aparaṃ tvayāsya sakhitvāt sarvo 'pi rāja-dharmaḥ parityaktaḥ rāja-dharmābhāvāt sarvo 'pi parijano viraktiṃ gataḥ | yaḥ sañjīvakaḥ śaṣpa-bhojī | bhavān māṃsādaḥ | tava prakṛtayaś ca yat tavāvadhyavyasāya-bāhyaṃ kutas tāsāṃ māṃsāśanam | yad-rahitās tvāṃ tyaktvā yāsyanti | tato 'pi tvaṃ vinaṣṭa eva | asya saṅgatyā punas te na kadācid ākheṭake matir bhaviṣyati | uktaṃ ca-

tathā ca-

ata eva santo nīca-saṅgaṃ varjayanti | uktaṃ ca-

piṅgalaka āha--katham etat ?

so 'bravīt- kathā 9 manda-visarpiṇī-nāma-yūkā-kathā

asti kasyacin mahīpater manoramaṃ śayana-sthānam | tatra śvetatara-paṭa-yugala-madhya-saṃsthitā manda-visarpiṇī yūkā prativasati sma | sā ca tasya mahīpate raktam āsvādayantī sukhena kālaṃ nayamānā tiṣṭhati | anye-dyuś ca tatra śayane kvacid bhrāmyann agnimukho nāma matkuṇaḥ samāyātaḥ | atha taṃ dṛṣṭvā sā viṣaṇṇa-vadanā provāca | bho 'gnimukha kutas tvam atrānucita-sthāne samāyātaḥ | tad yāvan na kaścid vetti tāvac chīghraṃ gamyatām iti | sa āha-bhagavati gṛhāgatasyāsādhor api naitad yujyate vaktum | uktaṃ ca-

aparaṃ mayāneka-mānuṣāṇām aneka-vidhāni rudhirāṇy āsvāditāny āhāra-doṣāt kaṭu-tikta-kaṣāyāmla-rasāsvādāni na ca kadācin madhura-raktaṃ samāsvāditam | tad yadi tvaṃ prasādaṃ karoṣi tad asya nṛpater vividha-vyañjanānna-pāna-coṣya-lehya-svādv-āhāra-vaśād asya śarīre yan miṣṭaṃ raktaṃ saṃjātaṃ tad-āsvādanena saukhyaṃ sampādayāmi jihvāyā iti | uktaṃ ca- raṅkasya nṛpater vāpi jihvā-saukhyaṃ samaṃ smṛtam | tan-mātraṃ ca smṛtaṃ sāraṃ tad-arthaṃ yatate janaḥ ||Panc_1.277||

yady eva na bhavel loke karma jihvā-pratuṣṭidam | tan na bhṛtyo bhavet kaścit kasyacid vaśago 'tha vā ||Panc_1.278|| yad asatyaṃ vaden martyo yad vāsevyaṃ ca sevate | yad gacchati videśaṃ ca tat sarvam udarārthataḥ ||Panc_1.279||

tan mayā gṛhāgatena bubhukṣayā pīḍyamānenāpi tvat-sakāśād bhojanam arthanīyam | tan na tvayaikākinyāsya bhūpate rakta-bhojanaṃ kartuṃ yujyate |

tac chrutvā mandavisarpiṇy āha-bho matkuṇa ! asya nṛpater nidrā-vaśaṃ gatasya raktam āsvādayāmi |

punas tvam agnimukhaś capalaś ca-tad yadi mayā saha rakta-pānaṃ karoṣi tat tiṣṭha | abhīṣṭatara-raktam āsvādaya | so 'bravīt-bhagavaty evaṃ kariṣyāmi | yāvat tvaṃ nāsvādayasi prathamaṃ nṛpa-raktaṃ tāvan mama deva-guru-kṛtaḥ śapathaḥ syād yadi tad āsvādayāmi | evaṃ tayoḥ parasparaṃ vadatoḥ sa rājā tac-chayanam āsādya prasuptaḥ | athāsau matkuṇo jihvā-laulyotkṛṣṭautsukyāj jāgratam api taṃ mahī-patim adaśat | atha vā sādhv idam ucyate | svabhāvo nopadeśena śakyate kartum anyathā | sutaptam api pānīyaṃ punar gacchati śītatām ||Panc_1.280|| yadi syāc chītalo vahniḥ śītāṃśur dahanātmakaḥ | na svabhāvo 'tra martyānāṃ śakyate kartum anyathā ||Panc_1.281||

athāsau mahīpatiḥ sūcy-agra-viddha iva tac-chayanaṃ tyaktvā tat-kṣaṇād evotthitaḥ | aho jñāyatām atra pracchādana-paṭe matkuṇo yūkā vā nūnaṃ tiṣṭhati yenāhaṃ daṣṭa iti | atha ye kañcukinas tatra sthitās te satvaraṃ pracchādana-paṭaṃ gṛhītvā sūkṣma-dṛṣṭyā vīkṣāṃ cakruḥ | atrāntare sa matkuṇaś cāpalyāt khaṭvāntaṃ praviṣṭaḥ sā mandavisarpiṇy api vastra-sandhy-antar-gatā tair dṛṣṭā vyāpāditā ca | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-na hy avijñāta-śīlasya iti |

evaṃ jñātvā tvayiṣa vadhyaḥ | no cet tvāṃ vyāpādayiṣyatīti | uktaṃ ca-

piṅgalaka āha--katham etat ?

so 'bravīt- kathā 10 caṇḍarava-nāma-śṛgāla-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid vanoddeśe caṇḍaravo nāma śṛgālaḥ prativasati sma | sa kadācit kṣudhāviṣṭo jihvā-laulyān nagara-madhye praviṣṭaḥ | atha taṃ nagara-vāsinaḥ sārameyā avalokya sarvataḥ śabdāyamānāḥ paridhāvya tīkṣṇa-daṃṣṭṛāgrair bhakṣitum ārabdhāḥ | so 'pi tair bhakṣyamāṇaḥ prāṇa-bhayāt pratyāsanna-rajaka-gṛhaṃ praviṣṭaḥ | tatra nīlī-rasa-paripūrṇaṃ mahā-bhāṇḍam sajjīkṛtam āsīt | tatra sārameyair ākrānto bhāṇḍa-madhye patitaḥ | atha yāvan niṣkrāntas tāvan nīlī-varṇaḥ sañjātaḥ | tatrāpare sārameyās taṃ śṛgālam ajānanto yathābhīṣṭa-diśaṃ jagmuḥ | caṇḍaravo 'pi dūrataraṃ pradeśam āsādya kānanābhimukhaṃ pratasthe | na ca nīla-varṇena kadācin nija-raṅgas tyajyate | uktaṃ ca-

vajra-lepasya mūrkhasya nārīṇāṃ karkaṭasya ca | eko grahas tu mīnānāṃ nīlīmadyapayor yathā ||Panc_1.283||

atha taṃ hara-gala-garala-tamāla-sama-prabham apūrvaṃ sattvam avalokya sarve siṃha-vyāghra-dvīpi-vṛka-prabhṛtayo 'raṇya-nivāsino bhaya-vyākulita-cittāḥ samantāt palāyana-kriyāṃ kurvanti | kathayanti ca-na jñāyate'sya kīdṛg viceṣṭitaṃ pauruṣaṃ ca | tad dūrataraṃ gacchāmaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

caṇḍaravo 'pi bhaya-vyākulitān vijñāyedam āha-bho bhoḥ śvāpadāḥ ! kiṃ yūyaṃ māṃ dṛṣṭvaiva saṃtrastā vrajatha | tan na bhetavyam | ahaṃ brahmaṇādya svayam eva sṛṣṭvābhihitaḥ-yac chvāpadānāṃ kaścid rājā nāsti, tat tvaṃ mayādya sarva-śvāpada-prabhutve'bhiṣiktaḥ kakud-drumābhidhaḥ | tato gatvā kṣiti-tale tān sarvān paripālayeti | tato 'ham atrāgataḥ | tan mama cchatra-cchāyāyāṃ sarvair api śvāpadair vartitavyam | ahaṃ kakuddrumo nāma rājā trailokye'pi sañjātaḥ |

tac chrutvā siṃha-vyāghra-puraḥ-sarāḥ śvāpadāḥ svāmin prabho samādiśeti vadantas taṃ parivavruḥ | atha tena siṃhasyāmātya-padavī pradattā | vyāghrasya śayyā-pālakatvam | dvīpinas tāmbūlādhikāraḥ | vṛkasya dvāra-pālakatvam | ye cātmīyāḥ śṛgālās taiḥ sahālāpa-mātram api na karoti | śṛgālāḥ sarve'py adharma-candraṃ dattvā niḥsāritāḥ | evaṃ tasya rājya-kriyayāṃ vartamānasya te siṃhādayo mṛgān vyāpādya tat-purataḥ prakṣipanti | so 'pi prabhu-dharmeṇa sarveṣāṃ tān pravibhajya prayacchati |

evaṃ gacchati kāle kadācit tena samāgatena dūra-deśe śabdāyamānasya śṛgāla-vṛndasya kolāhalo 'śrāvi | taṃ śabdaṃ śrutvā pulakita-tanur ānandāśru-pūrṇa-nayana utthāya tāra-svareṇa virotum ārabdhavān | atha te siṃhādayas taṃ tāra-svaram ākarṇya śṛgālo 'yam iti matvā lajjāyādho-mukhāḥ kṣaṇaṃ sthitvā procuḥ-bhoḥ ! vāhitā vayam anena kṣudra-śṛgālena | tad vadhyatām iti |

so 'pi tad ākarṇya palāyitum icchaṃs tatra sthāna eva siṃhādibhiḥ khaṇḍaśaḥ kṛto mṛtaś ca |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-tyaktāś cābhyantarā yena iti |

tad ākarṇya piṅgalaka āha-bho damanaka ! kaḥ pratyayo 'tra viṣaye yat sa mamopari duṣṭa-buddhiḥ |

sa āha-yad adya mamāgre tena niścayaḥ kṛto yat prabhāte piṅgalakaṃ vadhiṣyāmi | tad atraiva pratyayaḥ | prabhāte'vasara-velāyām ārakta-mukha-nayanaḥ sphuritādharo diśo 'valokayann anucita-sthānopaviṣṭas tvāṃ krūra-dṛṣṭyā vilokayiṣyati | evaṃ jñātvā yad ucitaṃ tat kartavyam | iti kathayitvā sañjīvaka-sakāśaṃ gatas taṃ praṇamyopaviṣṭaḥ | sañjīvako 'pi sodvegākāraṃ manda-gatyā samāyāntaṃ tam udvīkṣya sādarataram uvāca-bho mitra ! svāgatam | cirād dṛṣṭo 'si | api śivaṃ bhavataḥ | tat kathaya yenādeyam api tubhyaṃ gṛhāgatāya prayacchāmi | uktaṃ ca-

damanaka āha-bhoḥ ! kathaṃ śivaṃ sevaka-janasya |

sañjīvaka āha-atha bhavān kiṃ vaktu-manāḥ ?

so 'bravīt-mitra, sacivānāṃ mantra-bhedaṃ na yujyate | uktaṃ ca-

tathāpi mayā tava sneha-pāśa-baddhena mantra-bhedaḥ kṛtaḥ | yatas tvaṃ mama vacanenātra rāja-kule viśvastaḥ praviṣṭaś ca | uktaṃ ca-

tat tavopari piṅgalako 'yaṃ duṣṭa-buddhiḥ kathitaṃ cādyānena mat-purataś catuṣkarṇatayā-yat prabhāte sañjīvakaṃ hatvā samasta-mṛga-parivāraṃ cirāt tṛptiṃ neṣyāmi |

tataḥ sa mayoktaḥ-svāmin ! na yuktam idaṃ yan mitra-droheṇa jīvanaṃ kriyate | uktaṃ ca-

tatas tenāhaṃ samarṣeṇoktaḥ-bho duṣṭa-buddhe, sañjīvakas tāvac chaṣpa-bhojī, vayaṃ māṃsāśinaḥ | tad asmākaṃ svābhāvikaṃ vairam iti kathaṃ ripur upekṣyate ? tasmāt sāmādibhir upāyair hanyate | na ca hate tasmin doṣaḥ syāt | uktaṃ ca-

tad ahaṃ tasya niścayaṃ jñātvā tvat-sakāśam ihāgataḥ | sāmprataṃ me nāsti viśvāsa-ghātaka-doṣaḥ | mayā sugupta-mantras tava niveditaḥ | atha yat te pratibhāti tat kuruṣva iti | atha sañjīvakas tasya tadvajra-pāta-dāruṇaṃ vacanaṃ śrutvā moham upagataḥ | atha cetanāṃ labdhvā sa-vairāgyam idam āha-bho sādhv idam ucyate-

tad yuktaṃ mayā kṛtaṃ tad anena saha maitrī vihitā | uktaṃ ca-

tathā ca-

tad yadi gatvā taṃ prasādayāmi, tathāpi na prasādaṃ yāsyati | uktaṃ ca-

aho sādhu cedam ucyate-

tathā ca-

tat parijñātaṃ mayā mat-prasādam asahamānaiḥ samīpavartibhir eṣa piṅgalakaḥ prakopitaḥ | tenāyaṃ mamādoṣasyāpy evaṃ vadati | uktaṃ ca-

bhavati caivaṃ yad guṇavatsu samīpa-vartiṣu guṇa-hīnānāṃ na prasādo bhavati | uktaṃ ca-

damanaka āha-bho mitra ! yady evaṃ tan nāsti te bhayam | prakopito 'pi sa durjanais tava vacana-racanayā prasādaṃ yāsyati |

sa āha-bhoḥ ! na yuktam uktaṃ bhavatā | laghūnām api durjanānāṃ madhye vastuṃ na śakyate | upāyāntaraṃ vidhāya te nūnaṃ ghnanti | uktaṃ ca-

damaka āha--katham etat ?

so 'bravīt- kathā 11 madotkaṭa-siṃha-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid vanoddeśe madotkaṭo nāma siṃhaḥ prativasa ti sma | tasya cānucarā anye dvīpi-vāyasa-gomāyavaḥ santi | atha kadācit tair itas tato bhramadbhiḥ sārthād bhraṣṭaḥ krathanako nāmoṣtro dṛṣṭaḥ | atha siṃha āha-aho apūrvam idaṃ sattvam | taj jñāyatāṃ kim etad āraṇyakaṃ grāmyaṃ veti |

tac chrutvā vāyasa āha-bhoḥ svāmin ! grāmyo 'yam uṣṭra-nāmā jīva-viśeṣas tava bhojyaḥ | tad vyāpādyatām | siṃha āha-nāhaṃ gṛham āgataṃ hanmi | uktaṃ ca- gṛhaṃ śatrum api prāptaṃ viśvastam akutobhayam | yo hanyāt tasya pāpaṃ syāc chatabrāhmaṇaghātajam ||Panc_1.312||

tad abhaya-pradānaṃ dattvā mat-sakāśam ānīyatāṃ yenāsyāgama-kāraṇaṃ pṛcchāmi |

athāsau sarvair api viśvāsyābhaya-pradānaṃ dattvā madotkaṭa-sakāśam ānītaḥ praṇamyopaviṣṭaś ca | tatas tasya pṛcchatas tenātma-vṛttāntaḥ sārtha-bhraṃśa-samudbhavo niveditaḥ | tataḥ siṃhenoktam-bhoḥ krathanaka ! mā tvaṃ grāmaṃ gatvā bhūyo 'pi bhārodvahana-kaṣṭa-bhāgī bhūyāḥ | tad atraivāraṇye nirviśaṅko marakata-sadṛśāni śaṣpāgrāṇi bhakṣayan mayā saha sadaiva vasa | so 'pi tathety uktvā teṣāṃ madhye vicaran na kuto 'pi bhayam iti sukhenāste |

tathānyedyur madotkaṭasya mahā-gajenāraṇya-cāriṇā saha yuddham abhavat | tatas tasya danta-musala-prahārair vyathā sañjātā | vyathitaḥ katham api prāṇair na viyuktaḥ | atha śarīrāsāmarthyān na kutracit padam api calituṃ śaknoti | te sarve kākādayo 'py aprabhutvena kṣudhāviṣṭāḥ paraṃ duḥkhaṃ bhejuḥ | atha tān siṃhaḥ prāha-bhoḥ ! anviṣyatāṃ kutracit kiṃcit sattvaṃ yenāham etām api daśāṃ prāptas tad dhatvā yuṣmad-bhojanaṃ sampādayāmi |

atha te catvāro 'pi bhramitum ārabdhā yāvan na kiṃcit sattvaṃ paśyanti tāvad vāyasa-śṛgālau parasparaṃ mantrayataḥ | śṛgāla āha-bho vāyasa ! kiṃ prabhūta-bhrāntena | ayam asmākaṃ prabhoḥ krathanako viśvastas tiṣṭhati | tad enaṃ hatvā prāṇa-yātrāṃ kurmaḥ | vāyasa āha-yuktam uktaṃ bhavatā | paraṃ svāminā tasyābhaya-pradānaṃ dattam āste na vadhyo 'yam iti |

śṛgāla āha-bho vāyasa ! ahaṃ svāminaṃ vijñāpya tathā kariṣye yathā svāmī vadhaṃ kariṣyati | tat tiṣṭhantu bhavanto 'traiva, yāvad ahaṃ gṛhaṃ gatvā prabhor ājñāṃ gṛhītvā cāgacchāmi |

evam abhidhāya satvaraṃ siṃham uddiśya prasthitaḥ | atha siṃham āsādyedam āha-svāmin ! samastaṃ vanaṃ bhrāntvā vayam āgatāḥ | na kiṃcit sattvam āsāditam | tat kiṃ kurmo vayam | samprati vayaṃ bubhukṣayā padam ekam api pracalituṃ na śaknumaḥ | devo 'pi pathyāśī vartate | tad yadi devādeśo bhavati tat krathanaka-piśitenādya pathya-kriyā kriyate |

atha siṃhas tasya tad dāruṇaṃ vacanam ākarṇya sa-kopam idam āha-dhik pāpādhama ! yady evaṃ bhūyo 'pi vadasi | tatas tvāṃ tat-kṣaṇam eva vadhiṣyāmi | tato mayā tasyābhayaṃ pradattam | tat kathaṃ vyāpādayāmi | uktaṃ ca-

na go-pradānaṃ na mahī-pradānaṃ na cānna-dānaṃ hi tathā pradhānam | yathā vadantīha budhāḥ pradhānaṃ

tac chrutvā śṛgāla āha-svāmin yady abhayapradānaṃ dattvā vadhaḥ kriyate tad eṣa doṣo bhavati | punar yadi devapādānāṃ bhaktyā sātmano jīvitavyaṃ prayacchati tan na doṣaḥ | tato yadi sa svayam evātmānaṃ vadhāya niyojayati tad vadhyo 'nyathāsmākaṃ madhyād ekatamo vadhya iti yato devapādāḥ pathyāśinaḥ kṣunnirodhād antyāṃ daśāṃ yāsyanti | tat kim etaiḥ prāṇair asmākaṃ ye svāmyarthe na yāsyanti | aparaṃ paścād apy asmābhir vahni-praveśaḥ kāryo yadi svāmi-pādānāṃ kiṃcid aniṣṭaṃ bhaviṣyati | uktaṃ ca- yasmin kule yaḥ puruṣaḥ pradhānaḥ sa sarva-yatnaiḥ parirakṣaṇīyaḥ | tasmin vinaṣṭe sva-kulaṃ vinaṣṭaṃ

tad ākarṇya madotkaṭa āha-yady evaṃ tat kuruṣva yad rocate |

tac chrutvā sa satvaraṃ gatvā tān āha-bhoḥ ! svāmino mahaty avasthā vartate | tat kiṃ paryaṭitena ? tena vinā ko 'trāsmān rakṣayiṣyati ? tad gatvā tasya kṣud-rogāt para-lokaṃ prasthitasyātma-śarīra-dānaṃ kurmo yena svāmi-prasādasya anṛṇatāṃ gacchāmaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tad-anantaraṃ te sarve bāṣpa-pūrita-dṛśo madotkaṭaṃ praṇamyopaviṣṭāḥ | tān dṛṣṭvā madotkaṭa āha-bhoḥ ! prāptaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ vā kiṃcit sattvam | atha teṣāṃ madhyāt kākaḥ provāca-svāmin ! vayaṃ tāvat sarvatra paryaṭitāḥ paraṃ na kiṃcit sattvam āsāditaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ vā | tad adya māṃ bhakṣayitvā prāṇān dhārayatu svāmī, yena devasyāśvāsanaṃ bhavati mama punaḥ svarga-prāptir iti | uktaṃ ca-

svāmy-arthe yas tyajet prāṇān bhṛtyo bhakti-samanvitaḥ | sa paraṃ padam āpnoti jarā-maraṇa-varjitam ||Panc_1.316||

tac chrutvā śṛgāla āha-bhoḥ ! svalpa-kāyo bhavān | tava bhakṣaṇāt svāminas tāvat prāṇa-yātrā na bhavati | aparo doṣaś ca tāvat samutpadyate | uktaṃ ca-

tad darṣitā svāmi-bhaktir bhavatā gataṃ ca ānṛṇyaṃ bhartṛ-piṇḍasya prāptaś cobhaya-loke sādhu-vādaḥ | tad apasarāgrataḥ | ahaṃ svāminaṃ vijñāpayāmi | tathānuṣṭhite śṛgālaḥ sādaraṃ praṇamyopaviṣṭaḥ prāha-svāmin ! māṃ bhakṣayitvādya prāṇa-yātrāṃ vidhāya mamobhaya-loka-prāptiṃ kuru | uktaṃ ca-

svāmy-āyattāḥ sadā prāṇā bhṛtyānām arjitā dhanaiḥ | yatas tato na doṣo 'sti teṣāṃ grahaṇa-sambhavaḥ ||Panc_1.318||

atha tac chrutvā dvīpy āha-bhoḥ sādhūktaṃ bhavatā punar bhavān api svalpa-kāyaḥ sva-jātiś ca nakhāyudhatvād abhakṣya eva | uktaṃ ca- nābhakṣyaṃ bhakṣayet prājñaḥ prāṇaiḥ kaṇṭha-gatair api | viśeṣāt tad api stokaṃ loka-dvaya-vināśakam ||Panc_1.319||

tad darśitaṃ tvayātmanaḥ kaulīnyam | atha vā sādhu cedam ucyate- etad-arthaṃ kulīnānāṃ nṛpāḥ kurvanti saṅgraham | ādi-madhyāvasāneṣu na te gacchanti vikriyām ||Panc_1.320||

tad apasarāgrataḥ, yenāhaṃ svāminaṃ vijñāpayāmi | tathānuṣṭhite dvīpī praṇamya madotkaṭam āha-svāmin ! kriyatām adya mama prāṇaiḥ prāṇa-yātrā | dīyatām akṣayo vāsaḥ svarge | mama vistāryatāṃ kṣiti-tale prabhūtaṃ yaśaḥ | tan nātra vismayaḥ kāryaḥ | uktaṃ ca- mṛtānāṃ svāminaḥ kārye bhṛtyānām anuvartinām | bhavet svarge akṣayo vāsaḥ kīrtiś ca dharaṇī-tale ||Panc_1.321||

tac chrutvā krathanakaś cintayāmāsa-etais tāvat sarvair api śobhā-vākyāny uktāni na caiko 'pi svāminā vināśitaḥ | tad aham api prāpta-kālaṃ vakṣyāmi citrakaṃ yena mad-vacanam ete trayo 'pi samarthayanti | iti niścitya provāca-bhoḥ satyam uktaṃ bhavatā paraṃ bhavān api nakhāyudhaḥ | tat kathaṃ bhavantaṃ svāmī bhakṣayati | uktaṃ ca- manasāpi svajātyānāṃ yo 'niṣṭāni pracintayet | bhavanti tasya tāny eva iha loke paratra ca ||Panc_1.322||

tad apasarāgrataḥ, yenāhaṃ svāminaṃ vijñāpayāmi | tathānuṣṭhite krathanako 'gre sthitvā praṇamyovāca-svāmin ! ete'bhakṣyās tava tan mama prāṇaiḥ prāṇa-yātrā vidhīyatāṃ yena mamobhaya-loka-prāptir bhavati | uktaṃ ca-

na yajvāno 'pi gacchanti tāṃ gatiṃ naiva yoginaḥ | yāṃ yānti projjhita-prāṇāḥ svāmy-arthe sevakottamāḥ ||Panc_1.323||

evam abhihite tābhyāṃ śṛgāla-citrakābhyāṃ vidāritobhaya-kukṣiḥ krathanakaḥ prāṇān atyākṣīt | tataś ca taiḥ kṣudra-paṇḍitaiḥ sarvair bhakṣitaḥ |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-bahavaḥ paṇḍitāḥ kṣudrāḥ iti |

tad bhadra, kṣudra-parivāro 'yaṃ te rājā mayā samyag jātaḥ | satām asevyaṃ ca | uktaṃ ca-

tan nūnaṃ mamopari kenacid durjanenāyaṃ prakopitaḥ, tenaivaṃ vadati | athavā bhavaty etat | uktaṃ ca-

athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

tad evaṃ gate'pi kiṃ kartavyam ity ahaṃ tvāṃ suhṛd-bhāvāt pṛcchāmi |

damanaka āha-tad-deśāntara-gamanaṃ yujyate | naivaṃ-vidhasya kusvāminaḥ sevāṃ vidhātum | uktaṃ ca-

sañjīvaka āha-asmākam upari svāmini kupite gantuṃ na śakyate, na cānyatra gatānām api nirvṛtir bhavati | uktaṃ ca-

tad yuddhaṃ muktvā me nānyad asit śreyaskaram | uktaṃ ca-

tathā ca-

tad ākarṇya damanakaś cintayāmāsa-yuddhāya kṛta-niścayo 'yaṃ dṛśyate durātmā | tad yadi kadācit tīkṣṇa-śṛgālābhyāṃ svāminaṃ prahariṣyati tan mahān anarthaḥ sampatsyate | tad enaṃ bhūyo 'pi sva-buddhyā prabodhya tathā karomi, yathā deśāntara-gamanaṃ karoti | āha ca-bho mitra ! samyag abhihitaṃ bhavatā | paraṃ kaḥ svāmi-bhṛtyayoḥ saṅgrāmaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

sañjīvaka āha--katham etat ?

so 'bravīt- kathā 12 ṭiṭṭibha-dampatī-kathā

kasmiṃścit samudraika-deśe ṭiṭṭibha-dampatī vasataḥ | tato gacchati kāla ṛtu-samayam āsādya ṭiṭṭibhī garbham ādhatta | āsanna-prasavā satī sā ṭiṭṭibham ūce-bhoḥ kānta ! mama prasava-samayo vartate | tad vicintyatāṃ kim api nirupadravaṃ sthānaṃ yena tatrāham aṇḍaka-mokṣaṇaṃ karomi |

ṭiṭṭibhaḥ prāha-bhadre ramyo 'yaṃ samudra-pradeśaḥ | tad atraiva prasavaḥ kāryaḥ |

sā prāha-atra pūrṇimā-dine samudra-velā carati | sā matta-gajendrān api samākarṣati | tad dūram anyatra kiṃcit sthānam anviṣyatām |

tac chrutvā vihasya ṭiṭṭibha āha-bhadre na yuktam uktaṃ bhavatyā | kā mātrā samudrasya yā mama dūṣayiṣyati prasūtim | kiṃ na śrutaṃ bhavatyā-

tasmād viśrabdhātraiva garbhaṃ muñca | uktaṃ ca-

tac chrutvā samudraś cintayām āsa-aho garvaḥ pakṣi-kīṭasyāsya | atha vā sādhv idam ucyate-

tan mayāsya pramāṇaṃ kutūhalād api draṣṭavyam | kiṃ mamaiṣo 'ṇḍāpahāre kṛte kariṣyati | iti cintayitvā sthitaḥ | atha prasavānantaraṃ prāṇayātrārthaṃ gatāyāṣ ṭiṭṭibhyāḥ samudro velāvyājenāṇḍāny apajahāra | athāyātā sā ṭiṭṭibhī prasavasthānaṃ śūnyam avalokya pralapantī ṭiṭṭibham ūce-bho mūrkha ! kathitam āsīn mayā te yat samudravelayā aṇḍānāṃ vināśo bhaviṣyati tad dūrataraṃ vrajāvaḥ paraṃ mūḍhatayāhaṃkāram āśritya mama vacanaṃ na karoṣi | athavā sādhv idam ucyate |

suhṛdāṃ hitakāmānāṃ na karotīha yo vacaḥ | sa kūrma iva durbuddhiḥ kāṣṭhād bhraṣṭo vinaśyati ||Panc_1.344||

ṭiṭṭibha āha-katham etat ? sābravīt-

kathā 13 kambugrīvākhya-kūrma-kathā

asti kasmiṃścij jalāśaye kambu-grīvo nāma kacchapaḥ | tasya ca saṅkaṭa-vikaṭa-nāmnī mitre haṃsa-jātīye parama-sneha-koṭim āśrite nityam eva saras-tīram āsādya tena sahāneka-devarṣi-maharṣīṇāṃ kathāḥ kṛtvāsta-maya-velāyāṃ sva-nīḍā-saṃśrayaṃ kurutaḥ | atha gacchatā kālenāvṛṣṭi-vaśāt saraḥ śanaiḥ śanaiḥ śoṣam agamat | tatas tad-duḥkha-duḥkhitau tāv ūcatuḥ-bho mitra ! jambāla-śeṣam etat-saraḥ sañjātam | tat kathaṃ bhavān bhaviṣyatīti vyākulatvaṃ no hṛdi vartate |

tac chrutvā kambugrīva āha-bhoḥ, sāmprataṃ nāsty asmākaṃ jīvitavyaṃ jalābhāvāt | tathāpy upāyaś cintyatām iti | uktaṃ ca-

tad ānīyatāṃ kācid dṛḍha-rajjur laghu-kāṣṭhaṃ vā | anviṣyatāṃ ca prabhūta-jala-sanāthaṃ saraḥ, yena mayā madhya-pradeśe dantair gṛhīte sati yuvāṃ koṭi-bhāgayos tat-kāṣṭhaṃ mayā sahitaṃ saṅgṛhya tat-saro nayathaḥ |

tāv ūcatuḥ-bho mitra ! evaṃ kariṣyāvaḥ | paraṃ bhavatā mauna-vratena sthātavyam | no cet tava kāṣṭhāt pāto bhaviṣyati |

tathānuṣṭhite gacchatā kambugrīveṇādhobhāga-vyavasthitaṃ kiṃcit puram ālokitam | tatra ye paurās te tathā nīyamānaṃ vilokya savismayam idam ūcuḥ-aho cakrākāraṃ kim api pakṣibhyāṃ nīyate | paśyata paśyata |

atha teṣāṃ kolāhalam ākarṇya kambugrīva āha-bhoḥ ! kim eṣa kolāhalaḥ ? iti vaktu-manā ardhokte patitaḥ pauraiḥ khaṇḍaśaḥ kṛtaś ca | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-suhṛdāṃ hita-kāmānām iti | tathā ca-

ṭiṭṭibha āha-katham etat ?

sābravīt- kathā 14 anāgata-vidhātādi-matsya-traya-kathā

kasmiṃścij jalāśaye'nāgata-vidhātā pratyutpanna-matir yad-bhaviṣyaś ceti trayo matsyāḥ santi | atha kadācit taṃ jalāśayaṃ dṛṣṭvā gacchadbhir matsya-jīvibhir uktam-yad aho bahu-matsyo 'yaṃ hradaḥ | kadācid api nāsmābhir anveṣitaḥ | tad adya tāvad āhāra-vṛttiḥ sañjātā | sandhyā-samayaś ca saṃvṛttaḥ | tataḥ prabhāte'trāgantavyam iti niścayaḥ |

atas teṣāṃ tat-kuliśa-pātopamaṃ vacaḥ samākarṇyānāgata-vidhātā sarvān matsyān āhūyedam ūce-aho, śrutaṃ bhavadbhir yan matsya-jīvibhir abhihitam | tad rātrāv api gamyatāṃ kiñcin nikaṭaṃ saraḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tan nūnaṃ prabhāta-samaye matsya-jīvino 'tra samāgamya matsya-saṅkṣayaṃ kariṣyanti | etan mama manasi vartate | tan na yuktaṃ sāmprataṃ kṣaṇam apy atrāvasthātum | uktaṃ ca-

tad ākarṇya pratyutpanna-matiḥ prāha-aho satyam abhihitaṃ bhavatā | mamāpy abhīṣṭam etat | tad anyatra gamyatām iti | uktaṃ ca-

atha tat samākarṇya proccair vihasya yad-bhaviṣyaḥ provāca-aho, na bhavadbhyāṃ mantritaṃ samyag etad iti, yataḥ kiṃ vāṅ-mātreṇāpi teṣāṃ pitṛ-paitāmahikam etat saras tyaktuṃ yujyate | yady āyuḥ-kṣayo 'sti tad anyatra gatānām api mṛtyur bhaviṣyaty eva | uktaṃ ca-

tad ahaṃ na yāsyāmi bhavadbhyāṃ ca yat pratibhāti tat kartavyam |

atha tasya taṃ niścayaṃ jñātvānāgata-vidhātā pratyutpanna-matiś ca niṣkrānau saha parijanena | atha prabhāte tair matsya-jīvibhir jālais taj jalāśayam āloḍya yad-bhaviṣyeṇa saha tat-saro nirmatsyatāṃ nītam | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-anāgata-vidhātā ceti |

tac chrutvā ṭiṭṭibha āha-bhadre, kiṃ māṃ yadbhaviṣya-sadṛśaṃ sambhāvayasi | tat paśya me buddhi-prabhāvaṃ yāvad enaṃ duṣṭa-samudraṃ sva-cañcvā śoṣayāmi |

ṭiṭṭibhy āha-aho kas te samudreṇa saha vigrahaḥ | tan na yuktam asyopari kopaṃ kartum | uktaṃ ca-

ṭiṭṭibha āha-priye, mā maivaṃ vada | yeṣām utsāha-śaktir bhavati te svalpā api gurūn vikramante | uktaṃ ca-

tathā ca- pramāṇād adhikasyāpi gaṇḍa-śyāma-mada-cyuteḥ | padaṃ mūrdhni samādhatte kesarī matta-dantinaḥ ||Panc_1.356||

tad anayā cañcvāsya sakalaṃ toyaṃ śuṣka-sthalatāṃ nayāmi |

ṭiṭṭibhy āha-bhoḥ kānta ! yatra jāhnavī nava-nadī-śatāni gṛhītvā nityam eva praviśati, tathā sindhuś ca | tat kathaṃ tvam aṣṭādaśa-nadī-śataiḥ pūryamāṇaṃ taṃ vipruṣa-vāhinyā cañcvā śoṣayiṣyasi ? tat kim aśraddho yenoktena |

ṭiṭṭibha āha-priye !

ṭiṭṭibhy āha-yadi tvayāvaśyaṃ samudreṇa saha vigrahānuṣṭhānaṃ kāryam | tad anyān api vihaṅgamān āhūya suhṛj-jana-sahita evaṃ samācara | uktaṃ ca-

ṭiṭṭibha āha-katham etat ?

sā prāha-

kathā 15 kuñjara-caṭaka-dampatī-kathā

kasmiṃścid vanoddeśe caṭaka-dampatī tamāla-taru-kṛta-nilayau prativasataḥ sma | atha tayor gacchatā kālena santatir abhavat | anyasminn ahani pramatto vana-gajaḥ kaścit taṃ tamāla-vṛkṣaṃ gharmārtaś chāyārthī samāśritaḥ | tato madotkaṛṣāt tāṃ tasya śākhāṃ caṭakāśritāṃ puṣkarāgreṇākṛṣya babhañja | tasyā bhaṅgena caṭakāṇḍāni sarvāṇi viśīrṇāni | āyuḥ-śeṣatayā ca caṭakau katham api prāṇair na viyuktau |

atha caṭakā sāṇḍa-bhaṅgābhibhūtā pralāpān kurvāṇā na kiñcit sukham āsasāda | atrāntare tasyās tān pralāpān śrutvā kāṣṭha-kūṭo nāma pakṣī tasyāḥ parama-suhṛt-tad-duḥkha-duḥkhito 'bhyetya tām uvāca-bhagavati ! kiṃ vṛthā pralāpena | uktaṃ ca-

caṭakā prāha-astv etat | paraṃ duṣṭa-gajena madān mama santāna-kṣayaḥ kṛtaḥ | tad yadi mama tvaṃ suhṛt-satyas tad asya gajāpasadasya ko 'pi vadhopāyaś cintyatām | yasyānuṣṭhānena me santati-nāśa-duḥkham apasarati | uktaṃ ca-

kāṣṭha-kūṭa āha-bhagavati, satyam abhihitaṃ bhavatyā | uktaṃ ca-

tat paśya me buddhi-prabhāvam | paraṃ mamāpi suhṛd-bhūtā vīṇāravā nāma makṣikāsti | tat tām āhūyāgacchāmi, yena sa durātmā duṣṭa-gajo badhyate |

athāsau caṭakayā saha makṣikām āsādya provāca-bhadre, mameṣṭeyaṃ caṭakā kenacid duṣṭa-gajena parābhūtāṇḍa-sphoṭanena | tat tasya vadhopāyam anutiṣṭhato me sāhāyyaṃ kartum arhasi |

makṣikāpy āha-bhadra ! kim ucyate'tra viṣaye | uktaṃ ca-

satyam etat | paraṃ mamāpi bheko meghanādo nāma mitraṃ tiṣṭhati | tam apy āhūya yathocitaṃ kurmaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

atha te trayo 'pi gatvā meghanādasyāgre samastaṃ vṛttāntaṃ nivedya tasthuḥ | atha sa provāca-kiyan mātro 'sau varāko gajo mahājanasya kupitasyāgre | tan madīyo mantraḥ kartavyaḥ | makṣike, tvaṃ gatvā madhyāhna-samaye tasya madoddhatasya gajasya karṇe vīṇā-rava-sadṛśaṃ śabdaṃ kuru | yena śravaṇa-sukha-lālaso nimīlita-nayano bhavati | tataś ca kāṣṭha-kūṭa-cañcvā sphoṭita-nayano 'ndhībhūtas tṛṣārto mama garta-taṭāśritasya saparikarasya śabdaṃ śrutvā jalāśayaṃ matvā samabhyeti | tato gartam āsādya patiṣyati pañcatvaṃ yāsyati ceti | evaṃ samavāyaḥ kartavyo yathā vaira-sādhanaṃ bhavati |

atha tathānuṣṭhite sa matta-gajo makṣikā-geya-sukhān nimīlita-netraḥ kāṣṭha-kūṭa-hṛta-cakṣur madhyāhna-samaye bhrāmyan maṇḍūka-śabdānusārī gacchan mahatīṃ gartam āsādya patito mṛtaś ca | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-caṭakā kāṣṭha-kūṭena iti |

ṭiṭṭibha āha-bhadre, evaṃ bhavatu | suhṛd-varga-samudāyena saha samudraṃ śoṣayiṣyāmi | iti niścitya baka-sārasa-mayūrādīn samāhūya provāca-bhoḥ parābhūto 'haṃ samudreṇāṇḍakāpahareṇa | tac cintyatām asya śoṣaṇopāyaḥ |

te sammantrya procuḥ-aśaktā vayaṃ samudra-śoṣaṇe | tat kiṃ vṛthā prayāsena | uktaṃ ca-

tad asmākaṃ svāmī vainateyo 'sti | tasmai sarvam etat-paribhava-sthānaṃ nivedyatām, yena svajāti-paribhava-kupito vairānṛṇyaṃ gacchati | athavātrāvalepaṃ kariṣyati tathāpi nāsti vo duḥkham | uktaṃ ca-

tad yāmo vinateya-sakāśaṃ yato 'sāv asmākaṃ svāmī |

tathānuṣṭhite sarve te pakṣiṇo viṣaṇṇa-vadanā bāṣpa-pūrita-dṛśo vainateya-sakāśam āsādya karuṇa-svareṇa phūtkartum ārabdhāḥ-aho ! abrahmaṇyam abrahmaṇyam ! adhunā sadācārasya ṭiṭṭibhasya bhavati nāthe sati samudreṇāṇḍāny apahṛtāni tat-pranaṣṭam adhunā pakṣi-kulam | anye'pi svecchayā samudreṇa vyāpādiṣyante | uktaṃ ca-

athaivaṃ garuḍaḥ samākarṇya tad-duḥkha-duḥkhitaḥ kopāviṣṭaś ca vyacintayat-aho ! satyam uktam etaiḥ pakṣibhiḥ | tad adya gatvā taṃ samudraṃ śoṣayāmaḥ |

evaṃ cintayatas tasya viṣṇu-dūtaḥ samāgatyāha-bho garutman ! bhagavatā nārāyaṇenāhaṃ tava pārśve preṣitaḥ | deva-kāryāya bhagavān amarāvatyāṃ yāsyatīti | tat satvaram āgamyatām |

tac chrutvā garuḍaḥ sābhimānaṃ prāha-bho dūta ! kiṃ mayā kubhṛtyena bhagavān kariṣyati | tad gatvā taṃ vada yad anyo bhṛtyo vāhanāysamat-sthāne kriyatām | madīyo namaskāro vācyo bhagavataḥ | uktaṃ ca-

dūta āha-bho vainateya ! kadācid api bhagavantaṃ prati tvayā naitad abhihitam īdṛk | tat kathaya, kiṃ te bhagavatāpamāna-sthānaṃ kṛtam ?

garuḍa āha-bhagavad-āśraya-bhūtena samudreṇāsmaṭ ṭiṭṭibhāṇḍāny apahṛtāni | tad yadi nigrahaṃ na karoti tad ahaṃ bhagavato na bhṛtya ity eṣa niścayas tvayā vācyaḥ | tad drutataraṃ gatvā bhavatā bhagavataḥ samīpe vaktavyam |

atha dūta-mukhena praṇaya-kupitaṃ vainateyaṃ vijñāya sammāna-puraḥsaraṃ tam ānayāmi | uktaṃ ca-

ity evaṃ sampradhārya rukma-pure vainateya-sakāśaṃ satvaram agamat | vainateyo 'pi gṛhāgataṃ bhagavantam avalokya trapādhomukhaḥ praṇamyovāca-bhagavan ! tvad-āśrayonmattena samudreṇa mama bhṛtyāsyāṇḍāny apahṛtya mamāpamāno vihitaḥ | paraṃ bhagaval-lajjayā mayā vilambitam | no ced enam ahaṃ sthalāntaram adyaiva nayāmi | yataḥ svāmi-bhayāc chravaṇo 'pi prahāro na dīyate | uktaṃ ca-

tac chrutvā bhagavān āha-bho vainateya ! satyam abhihitaṃ bhavatā | uktaṃ ca-

tad āgaccha yenāṇḍāni samudrād ādāya ṭiṭṭibhaṃ sambhāvayāvaḥ | amarāvatīṃ ca gacchāvaḥ |

tathānuṣṭhite samudro bhagavatā nirbharsyāgneyaṃ śaraṃ sandhyāyābhihitaḥ-bho durātman ! dīyantāṃ ṭiṭṭibhāṇḍāni | no cet sthalatāṃ tvāṃ nayāmi |

tataḥ samudreṇa sa-bhayena ṭiṭṭibhāṇḍāni tāni pradattāni | ṭiṭṭibhenāpi bhāryāyai samarpitāni | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-śatror balam avijñāya iti | tasmāt puruṣeṇodyamo na tyājyaḥ |

tad ākarṇya sañjīvakas tam eva bhūyo 'pi papraccha-bho mitra ! kathaṃ jñeyo mayāsau duṣṭa-buddhir iti | iyantaṃ kālaṃ yāvad uttarottara-snehena prasādena cāhaṃ dṛṣṭaḥ | na kadācit tad-vikṛtir dṛṣṭā | tat kathyatāṃ yenāham ātma-rakṣārthaṃ tad-vadhāyodyamaṃ karomi |

damanaka āha-bhadra, kim atra jñeyam ? eṣa te pratyayaḥ | yadi rakta-netras triśikhāṃ bhrūkuṭiṃ dadhānaḥ sṛkkaṇī parilelihan tvāṃ dṛṣṭvā bhavati, tad duṣṭa-buddhiḥ | anyathā suprasādaś ceti | tad ājñāpaya mām | svāśrayaṃ prati gacchāmi | tvayā ca yathāyaṃ mantra-bhedo na bhavati tathā kāryam | yadi niśāmukhaṃ prāpya gantuṃ śaknoṣi tad-deśa-tyāgaḥ kāryaḥ | yataḥ-

balavatābhibhūtasya videśa-gamanaṃ tad-anupraveśo vā nītiḥ | tad-deśa-tyāgaḥ kāryaḥ | athavātmā sāmādibhir upāyair ābharakṣaṇīyaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

evam abhidhāya damanakaḥ karaṭaka-sakāśam agamat | karaṭako 'pi tam āyāntaṃ dṛṣṭvā provāca-bhadra ! kiṃ kṛtaṃ tatrabhavatā ?

damanaka āha-mayā tāvan nīti-bīja-nirvāpaṇaṃ kṛtam | parato daiva-vihitāyattam | uktaṃ ca-

tathā ca-

karaṭaka āha-tat kathaya kīdṛk tvayā nīti-bījaṃ nirvāpitam |

so 'bravīt-mayānyonyaṃ tābhyāṃ mithyā-prajalpena bhedas tathā vihito yathā bhūyo 'pi mantrayantāv eka-sthāna-sthitau na drakṣyasi |

karaṭaka āha-aho, na yuktaṃ bhavatā vihitaṃ yat parasparaṃ tau snehārdra-hṛdayau sukhāśrayau kopa-sāgare prakṣiptau | uktaṃ ca-

aparaṃ tvaṃ yad bheda-mātreṇāpi hṛṣṭas tad apy ayuktam, yataḥ sarvato 'pi jano virūpa-karaṇe samartho bhavati nopakartum | uktaṃ ca-

damanaka āha-anabhijño bhavān nīti-śāstrasya, tenaitad bravīṣi | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-

tac-chatru-bhūto 'yam asmākaṃ mantri-padāharaṇāt | uktaṃ ca-

tan mayā sa udāsīnatayā samānīto 'bhaya-pradānena yāvat tāvad aham api tena sācivyāt pracyāvitaḥ | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

tena mayā tasyopari vadhopāya eva viracyate | deśa-tyāgāya vā bhaviṣyati | tac ca tvāṃ muktvānyo na jñāsyati | tad uktam etat te svārthāyānuṣṭhitam | uktaṃ ca-

aparaṃ mṛto 'py asmākaṃ bhojyo bhaviṣyati | tad ekaṃ tāvad vara-sādhanam | aparaṃ sācivyaṃ ca bhaviṣyati tṛptiś ceti | tad-guṇa-traye'sminn upasthite kasmān māṃ dūṣayasi tvaṃ jāḍya-bhāvāt | uktaṃ ca-

karaṭaka āha-katham etat ?

sa āha- kathā 16 vajra-daṃṣṭra-nāma-siṃha-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid vanoddeśe vajra-daṃṣṭro nāma siṃhaḥ | tasya caturaka-kravyamukha-nāmānau śṛgāla-vṛkau bhṛtya-bhūtau sadaivānugatau tatraiva vane prativasataḥ | athānya-dine siṃhena kadācid āsanna-prasavā prasava-vedanayā sva-yūthād bhraṣṭoṣṭry upaviṣṭā kasmiṃścid vana-gahane samāsāditā | atha tāṃ vyāpādya yāvad udaraṃ sphoṭayati, tāvaj jīvan laghu-dāseraka-śiśur niṣkrāntaḥ | siṃho 'pi dāserakyāḥ piśitena saparivāraḥ parāṃ tṛptim upāgataḥ | paraṃ snehād bāla-dāsekaṃ tyaktaṃ gṛham ānīyedam uvāca-bhadra, na te'sti mṛtyor bhayaṃ matto nānyasmād api | tataḥ svecchayātra vane bhrāmyatām iti | yatas te śaṅku-sadṛśau karṇau | tataḥ śaṅkukarṇo nāma bhaviṣyati |

evam anuṣṭhite catvāro 'pi na eka-sthāne vihāriṇaḥ parasparam aneka-prakāra-goṣṭhī-sukham anubhavantas tiṣṭhanti | śaṅkukarṇo 'pi yauvana-padavīm ārūḍhaḥ kṣaṇam api na taṃ siṃhaṃ muñcati |

atha kadācid vajra-daṃṣṭrasya kenacid vanyena matta-gajena saha yuddham abhavat | tena mada-vīryāt sa danta-prahārais tathā kṣata-śarīro vihito yathā pracalituṃ na śaknoti | tadā kṣut-kṣāma-kaṇṭhas tān provāca-bhoḥ ! anviṣyatāṃ kiñcit sattvaṃ yenāham evaṃ sthito 'pi taṃ vyāpādyātmano yuṣmākaṃ ca kṣut-praṇāśaṃ karomi |

tac chrutvā te trayo 'pi vane sandhyā-kālaṃ yāvad bhrāntāḥ, paraṃ na kiñcit sattvam āsāditam | atha caturakaś cintayāmāsa-yadi śaṅkukarṇo 'yaṃ vyāpādyeta tataḥ sarveṣāṃ katicid dināni tṛptir bhavati | paraṃ nainaṃ svāmī mitratvād āśraya-samāśritatvāc ca vināśayiṣyati | athavā buddhi-prabhāveṇa svāminaṃ pratibodhya tathā kariṣye yathā vyāpādayiṣyati | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ vicintya śaṅkukarṇam idam āha-bhoḥ śaṅkukarṇa ! svāmī tāvat pathyaṃ vinā kṣudhayā paripīḍyate | svāmya-bhāvād asmākam api dhruvaṃ vināśa eva | tato vākyaṃ kiñcit svāmy-arthe vadiṣyāmi | tac chrūyatām |

śaṅkukarṇa āha-bhoḥ śīghraṃ nivedyatāṃ, yena te vacanaṃ śīghraṃ nirvikalpaṃ karomi | aparaṃ svāminohite kṛte mayā sukṛta-śataṃ kṛtaṃ bhaviṣyati |

atha caturaka āha-bho bhadra ! ātma-śarīraṃ dviguṇa-lābhena svāmine prayaccha, yena te dviguṇaṃ śarīraṃ bhavati | svāminaḥ punaḥ prāṇa-yātrā bhavati |

tad ākarṇya śaṅkukarṇaḥ prāha-bhadra ! yady evaṃ tan madīya-prayojanam etad ucyatām | svāmy-arthaḥ kriyatām iti | param atra dharmaḥ pratibhūḥ iti |

te vicintya sarve siṃha-sakāśam ājagmuḥ | tataś caturaka āha-deva ! na kiñcit sattvaṃ prāptam | bhagavān ādityo 'py astaṃ gataḥ | tad yadi svāmī dviguṇaṃ śarīraṃ prayacchati | tataḥ śaṅkukarṇo 'yaṃ dviguṇa-vṛddhyā sva-śarīraṃ prayacchati dharma-pratibhuvā |

siṃha āha-bhoḥ, yady evaṃ tat sundarataram | vyavahārasyāsya dharmaḥ pratibhūḥ kriyatām iti |

atha siṃha-vacanānantaraṃ vṛka-śṛgālābhyāṃ vidāritobhaya-kukṣiḥ śaṅkukarṇaḥ pañcatvam upāgataḥ |

atha vajra-daṃṣṭraś caturakam āha-bhoś caturaka ! yāvad ahaṃ nadīṃ gatvā snānaṃ devatārcana-vidhiṃ kṛtvāgacchāmi, tāvat tvayātrāpamattena bhāvyam ity uktvā nadyāṃ gataḥ |

atha tasmin gate caturakaś cintayāmāsa-kathaṃ mamaikākino bhojyo 'yam uṣṭro bhaviṣyati iti vicintya kravyamukham āha-bhoḥ kravyamukha ! kṣudhālur bhavān | tad yāvad asau svāmī nāgacchati, tāvat tvam asyoṣṭrasya māṃsaṃ bhakṣaya | ahaṃ tvāṃ svāmino nirdoṣaṃ pratipādayiṣyāmi |

so 'pi tac chrutvā yāvat kiñcin māṃsam āsvādayati tāvac caturakeṇoktam-bhoḥ kravyamukha ! samāgacchati svāmī | tat tyaktvainaṃ dūre tiṣṭha, yenāsya bhakṣaṇaṃ na vikalpayati |

tathānuṣṭhite siṃhaḥ samāyāto yāvad uṣṭraṃ paśyati tāvad riktīkṛta-hṛdayo dāserakaḥ | tato bhṛkuṭiṃ kṛtvā paruṣataram āha-aho kenaiṣa uṣṭra ucchiṣṭatāṃ nīto, yena tam api vyāpādayāmi |

evam abhihite kravyamukhaś caturaka-mukham avalokayati | atha caturako vihasyovāca-bhoḥ ! mām anādṛtya piśitaṃ bhakṣayitvādhunā man-mukham avalokayasi | tad-āsvādayāsya durṇaya-taroḥ phalam iti |

tad ākarṇya kravyamukho jīva-nāśa-bhayād dūra-deśaṃ gataḥ | etasminn antare tena mārgeṇa dāseraka-sārtho bhārākrāntaḥ samāyātaḥ | tasyāgresaroṣṭrasya kaṇṭhe mahatī ghaṇṭā baddhā | tasyāḥ śabdaṃ durato 'py ākarṇya siṃho jambukam āha-bhadra, jñāyatāṃ kim eṣa raudraḥ śabdaḥ śrūyate'śruta-pūrvaḥ ?

tac chrutvā, caturakaḥ kiñcid vanāntaraṃ gatvā satvaram abhyupetya provāca-svāmin ! gamyatāṃ gamyatāṃ yadi śaknoṣi gantum |

so 'bravīt-bhadra, kim evaṃ māṃ vyākulayasi | tat kathaya kim etat ? iti caturaka āha-svāmin, eṣa dharmarājas tavopari kupitaḥ | yad anenākāle dāserako 'yaṃ madīyo vyāpāditaḥ | tat sahasra-guṇam uṣṭram asya sakāśād grahīṣyāmi | iti niścitya bṛhan-mānam ādāyāgresarasyoṣṭrasya grīvāyāṃ ghaṇṭāṃ baddhvā badhya-dāseraka-saktān api pitṛ-pitāmahān ādāya vaira-niryātanārtham āyāta eva |

siṃho 'pi tac chrutvā sarvato dūrād evāvalokya mṛtam uṣṭraṃ parityajya prāṇa-bhayāt praṇaṣṭaḥ | caturako 'pi śanaiḥ śanais tasyoṣṭrasya māṃsaṃ bhakṣayāmāsa | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-parasaya pīḍanaṃ kurvan (399) iti |

atha damanake gate sañjīvakaś cintayāmāsa-aho kim etan mayā kṛtam ? yac chaṣpādo 'pi māṃsāśitas tasyānugaḥ saṃvṛttaḥ | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

tat kiṃ karomi ? kva gacchāmi ? kathaṃ me śāntir bhaviṣyati ? athavā tam eva piṅgalakaṃ gacchāmi | kadācin māṃ śaraṇāgataṃ rakṣati | prāṇair na viyojayati | yata uktaṃ ca-

tathā ca-

aparaṃ cānyatra gatasyāpi me kasyacid duṣṭa-sattvasya māṃsāśinaḥ sakāśān mṛtyur bhaviṣyati | tad varaṃ siṃhāt | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ niścitya sa sthalita-gatiṃ mandaṃ gatvā siṃhāśrayaṃ paśyann apaṭhat-aho, sādhv idam ucyate-

evaṃ paṭhan damanakoktākāraṃ piṅgalakaṃ dṛṣṭvā pracakitaḥ saṃvṛta-śarīro dūrataraṃ praṇāma-kṛtiṃ vināpy upaviṣṭaḥ | piṅgalako 'pi tathāvidhaṃ taṃ vilokya damanaka-vākyaṃ śraddadhānaḥ kopāt tasyopari papāta |

atha sañjīvakaḥ khara-nakha-vikartita-pṛṣṭhaḥ śṛṅgābhyāṃ tad-udaram ullikhya katham api tasmād apetaḥ śṛṅgābhyāṃ hantum icchan yuddhāyāvasthitaḥ | atha dvāv api tau puṣpita-palāśa-pratimau paraspara-vadha-kāṅkṣiṇau dṛṣṭvā karaṭako damanakam āha-bho mūḍha-mate ! anayor virodhaṃ vitanvatā tvayā sādhu na kṛtam | na ca tvaṃ nīti-tattvaṃ vetsi | nītividbhir uktaṃ ca-

tad yadi svāmy-abhighāto bhaviṣyati tat kiṃ tavdīya-mantra-buddhyā kriyate | atha sañjīvako na badhyate tathāpy abhavyam | yataḥ prāṇa-sandehāt tasya ca vadhaḥ | tan mūḍha ! kathaṃ tvaṃ mantri-padam abhilaṣasi | sāma-siddhiṃ na vetsi | tad vṛthā manoratho 'yaṃ te daṇḍaruceḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tathā yat tvaṃ mantritvam abhilaṣasi, tad apy ayuktam | yatas tvaṃ mantri-gatiṃ na vetsi | yataḥ pañca-vidho mantraḥ | sa ca karmaṇām ārambhopāyaḥ, puruṣa-dravya-sampat, deśa-kāla-vibhāgaḥ, vinipāta-pratīkāraḥ, kārya-siddhiś ceti | so 'yaṃ svāmy-amātyayor ekatamasya kiṃ vā dvayor api vinipātaḥ samutpadyate lagnaḥ | tad yadi kācic chaktir asti tad vicintyatāṃ vinipāta-pratīkāraḥ | bhinna-sandhāne hi mantriṇāṃ buddhi-parīkṣā | tan mūrkha ! tat kartum asamarthatvaṃ yato viparīta-buddhir asi | uktaṃ ca-

athavā na te doṣo 'yam | svāmino doṣaḥ | yas te vākyaṃ śraddadhāti | uktaṃ ca-

tad yadi tvam asya mantrī bhaviṣyasi tadānyo 'pi kaścin nāsya samīpe sādhu-janaḥ sameṣyati | uktaṃ ca-

tathā ca śiṣṭa-jana-rahitasya svāmino 'pi nāśo bhaviṣyati | uktaṃ ca-

tat kiṃ mūrkhopadeśena | kevalaṃ doṣo na guṇaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

damanaka āha--katham etat ?

so 'bravīt- kathā 17 vānara-yūtha-kathā

asti kasmiṃścit parvataika-deśe vānara-yūtham | tac ca kadācid dhemanta-samaye'tikaṭhora-vāta-saṃsparśa-vepamāna-kalevaraṃ tuṣāra-varṣoddhata-pravarṣa-ghana-dhārā-nipāta-samāhataṃ na kathañcic chāntim agamat | atha kecid vānarā vahni-kaṇa-sadṛśāni guñjā-phalāny avacitya vahni-vāñchayā phūtkurvantaḥ samantāt tasthuḥ |

atha sucīmukho nāma pakṣī teṣāṃ taṃ vṛthāyāsamavalokya provāca-bhoḥ, sarve mūrkhā yūyam | naite vahni-kaṇāḥ guñjā-phalāni etāni | tat kiṃ vṛthā śrameṇa | naitasmāc chīta-rakṣā bhaviṣyati | tad anviṣyatāṃ kaścin nirvāto vana-pradeśo guhā giri-kandaraṃ vā | adyāpi sa-ṭopā medhā dṛśyante |

atha teṣām ekatamo vṛddha-vānaras tam uvāca-bho mūrkha ! kiṃ tāvad anena vyāpāreṇa | tad gamyatām | uktaṃ ca-

so 'pi tam anādṛtya bhūyo 'pi vānarān anavaratam āha-bhoḥ ! kiṃ vṛthā kleśena ? atha yāvad asau na kathañcit pralapan viramati tāvad ekena vānareṇa vyartha-śramatvāt kupitena pakṣābhyāṃ gṛhītvā śilāyām āsphālita uparataś ca |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-nānamyaṃ namate dāru ity ādi | tathā ca-

damanaka āha-katham etat ?

so 'bravīt- kathā 18

kasmiṃścid vane śamī-vṛkṣa-śākhālambita-vasathaṃ kṛtvāraṇya-caṭaka-dampatī prativasataḥ sma | atha kadācit tayoḥ sukha-saṃsthayor hemanta-megho mandaṃ mandaṃ varṣitum ārabdhaḥ | atrāntare kaścic chākhā-mṛgo vātāsāra-samāhataḥ proddhūṣita-śarīro dantavīṇāṃ vādayan vepamānas tasyāḥ śamyā mūlam āsādyopaviṣṭaḥ | atha taṃ tādṛṣam avalokya caṭakā prāha-bho bhadra ! hasta-pāda-samopeto dṛśyase puruṣākṛtiḥ | śītena bhidyase mūḍha kathaṃ na kuruṣe gṛham ||Panc_1.422||

etac chrutvā tāṃ vānaraḥ sakopam āha-adhame kasmān na tvaṃ mauna-vratā bhavasi ? aho dhārṣṭyam asyāḥ | adya mām upahasati-

tat kiṃ bahunā tāvat | kulāya-sthitayā tayā punar apy abhihitaḥ | sa tāvat tāṃ śamīm āruhya tasyāḥ kulāyaṃ śatadhā khaṇḍaśo 'karot | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-upadeśo na dātavyaḥ iti |

tan mūrkha ! śikṣāpito 'pi na śikṣitas tvam | athavā na te doṣo 'sti, yataḥ sādhoḥ śikṣā guṇāya sampadyate, nāsādhoḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tad-vyartha-pāṇḍityam āśritya mama vacanam aśṛṇvann ātmanaḥ śāntim api vetsi | tan nūnam apajātas tvam | uktaṃ ca-

aho, sādhv idam ucyate-

damanaka āha--katham etat ?

so 'bravīt- kathā 20 kṛṣṇa-sarpa-kathā

kasmiṃścid deśe dharmabuddhiḥ pāpabuddhiś ca dve mitre prativasataḥ | atha kadācit pāpabuddhinā cintitaṃ yad-ahaṃ tāvan mūrkho dāridryopetaś ca | tad enaṃ dharmabuddhim ādāya deśāntaraṃ gatvā asyāśrayeṇārthopārjanāṃ kṛtvainam api vañcayitvā sukhībhavāmi |

athānyasminn ahani pāpabuddhir dharmabuddhiṃ prāha-bho mitra ! vārdhaka-bhāve kiṃ tv ātma-viceṣṭitaṃ smarasi | deśāntaram adṛṣṭvā kāṃ śiṣṭa-janasya vārttāṃ kathayiṣyasi ? uktaṃ ca-

atha tasya tad-vacanam ākarṇya prahṛṣṭa-manās tenaiva saha guru-janānujñātaḥ śubhe'hani deśāntaraṃ prasthitaḥ | tatra ca dharmabuddhi-prabhāveṇa bhramatā pāpabuddhinā prabhūtataraṃ vittam āsāditam | tataś ca tau dvāv api prabhūtopārjita-dravyau prahṛṣṭau sva-gṛhaṃ praty autsukyena prasthitau | uktaṃ ca-

atha sva-sthāna-samīpa-vartinā pāpabuddhinā dharmabuddhir abhihitaḥ-bhadra ! na sarvam etad dhanaṃ gṛhaṃ prati netuṃ yujyate | yataḥ kuṭumbino bāndhavāś ca prārthayiṣyante | tad atraiva vana-gahane kvāpi bhūmau nikṣipya kiñcin mātram ādāya gṛhaṃ praviśāvaḥ | bhūyo 'pi prayojane sañjāte tan-mātraṃ sametyāsmāt sthānān neṣyāvaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tad ākarṇya dharmabuddhir āha-bhadra evaṃ kriyatām | tathānuṣṭhite dvāv api tau sva-gṛhaṃ gatvā sukhena saṃsthitavantau | athānyasminn ahani pāpabuddhir niśīthe'ṭavyāṃ gatvā tat sarvaṃ vittaṃ samādāya gartaṃ pūrayitvā sva-bhavanaṃ jagāma |

athānyedyur dharmabuddhiṃ sametya provāca-sakhe bahu-kuṭumbā vayaṃ vittābhāvāt sīdāmaḥ | tad gatvā tatra sthāne kiṃcin mātraṃ dhanam ānayāvaḥ |

so 'bravīt-bhadra, evaṃ kriyatām |

atha dvāv api gatvā tat sthānaṃ yāvat khanatas tāvad riktaṃ bhāṇḍaṃ dṛṣṭavantau | atrāntare pāpabuddhiḥ śiras tāḍayan provāca-bho dharmabuddhe ! tvayā hṛtam etad dhanaṃ, nānyena | yato bhūyo 'pi gartāpūraṇaṃ kṛtam | tat prayaccha me tasyārdham | anyathāhaṃ rāja-kule nivedayiṣyāmi |

sa āha-bho durātman ! mā maivaṃ vada | dharmabuddhiḥ khalv aham | naitac caura-karma karomi | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ dvāv api vivadamānau dharmādhikāriṇaṃ gatau ? procatuś ca parasparaṃ dūṣayantau | atha dharmādhikaraṇādhiṣṭhita-puruṣair divyārthaṃ yāvan niyojitau tāvat pāpabuddhir āha- aho na samyag-dṛṣṭo nyāyaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tad atra viṣaye mama vṛkṣa-devatāḥ sākṣi-bhūtās tiṣṭhanti | tā apy āvayor ekataraṃ cauraṃ sādhuṃ vā kariṣyanti | atha taiḥ sarvair abhihitam-bho yuktam uktaṃ bhavatā | uktaṃ ca-

tad asmākam apy atra viṣaye mahat kautūhalam vartate | pratyūṣa-samaye yuvābhyām apy asmābhiḥ saha tatra vanoddeśe gantavyam iti | etasminn antare pāpabuddhiḥ sva-gṛhaṃ gatvā sva-janakam uvāca-tāta, prabhūto 'yaṃ mayārtho dharmabuddheś coritaḥ | sa ca tava vacanena pariṇatiṃ gacchati | anyathāsmākaṃ prāṇaiḥ saha yāsyati |

sa āha-vatsa, drutaṃ vada yena procya tad dravyaṃ sthiratāṃ nayāmi |

pāpabuddhir āha-tāta, asti tat-pradeśe mahā-śamī | tasyāṃ mahat koṭaram asti | tatra tvaṃ sāṃpratam eva praviśa | tataḥ prabhāte yadāhaṃ satya-śrāvaṇaṃ karomi, tadā tvayā vācyaṃ yad dharmabuddhiś caura iti |

tathānuṣṭhite pratyūṣe snātvā pāpabuddhiḥ dharmabuddhi-puraḥ-saro dharmādhikaraṇakaiḥ saha tāṃ śamīm abhyetya tāra-svareṇa provāca |

ādityacandrāv anilo 'nalaś ca dyaur bhūmir āpo hṛdayaṃ yamaś ca | ahaś ca rātriś ca ubhe ca sandhye

bhagavati vana-devate ! āvayor madhye yaś caura tat kathayata |

atha pāpabuddhi-pitā śamī-koṭara-sthaḥ provāca-bho, dharmabuddhinā hṛtam etad dhanam |

tad ākarṇya sarve te rāja-puruṣā vismayotphulla-locanā yāvad dharmabuddher vitta-haraṇocitaṃ nigrahaṃ śāstra-dṛṣṭyāvalokayanti tāvad dharmabuddhinā tac chamī-koṭaraṃ vahni-bhojya-dravyaiḥ pariveṣṭya vahninā sandīpitam | atha jvalati tasmin śamī-koṭare'rdha-dagdha-śarīraḥ sphuṭitekṣaṇaḥ karuṇaṃ paridevayan pāpabuddhi-pitā niścakrāma | tataś ca taiḥ sarvaiḥ pṛṣṭaḥ-bho kim idam ?

ity ukte idaṃ sarvaṃ kukṛtyaṃ pāpabuddheḥ kāraṇāj jātam ity uktvā mṛtaḥ | tatas te rāja-puruṣāḥ pāpabuddhiṃ śamī-śākhāyāṃ pratilambya dharmabuddhiṃ praśaṃsyedam ūcuḥ- aho sādhv idam ucyate-

dharma-buddhiḥ prāha-katham etat ?

te procuḥ- kathā 21 jīrṇadhana-nāma-vaṇik-putra-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid vanoddeśe bahu-baka-sanātho vaṭa-pādapaḥ | tasya koṭare kṛṣṇa-sarpaḥ prativasati sma | sa ca baka-bālakān ajāta-pakṣān api sadaiva bhakṣayan kālaṃ nayati | athaiko bakas tena bhakṣitāny apatyāni dṛṣṭvā śiśu-vairāgyāt saras-tīram āsādya bāṣpa-pūraita-nayano 'dho-mukhas tiṣṭhati | taṃ ca tādṛk-ceṣṭitam avalokya kulīrakaḥ provāca-māma kim evaṃ rudyate bhavatādya ?

sa āha-bhadra kiṃ karomi ? mama manda-bhāgyasya bālakāḥ koṭara-nivāsinā sarpeṇa bhakṣitāḥ | tad-duḥkha-duḥkhito 'haṃ rodimi | tat kathaya me yady asti kaścid upāyas tad-vināśāya | tad ākarṇya kulīrakaś cintayāmāsa-ayaṃ tāvad asmat-sahaja-vairī | tathopadeśaṃ prayacchāmi satyānṛtaṃ yathānye'pi bakāḥ sarve saṅkṣayam āyānti | uktaṃ ca-

āha ca-māma, yady evaṃ tan matsya-māṃsa-khaṇḍāni nakulasya bila-dvārāt sarpa-koṭaraṃ yāvat prakṣipa yathā nakulas tan-mārgeṇa gatvā taṃ duṣṭa-sarpaṃ vināśayati |

atha tathānuṣṭhite matsya-māṃsānusāriṇā nakulena taṃ kṛṣṇa-sarpaṃ nihatya te'pi tad-vṛkṣāśrayāḥ sarve bakāś ca śanaiḥ śanair bhakṣitāḥ | ato vayaṃ brūmaḥ-upāyaṃ cintayed iti |

evaṃ mūḍha ! tvayāpy apāyaś cintito nopāyaḥ pāpa-buddhivat | tan na bhavasi tvaṃ sajjanaḥ | kevalaṃ pāpa-buddhir asi | jñāto mayā svāminaḥ prāṇa-sandehānayanāt | prakaṭīkṛtaṃ tvayā svayam evātmano duṣṭatvaṃ kauṭilyaṃ ca | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

yadi tvaṃ svāminam enāṃ daśāṃ nayasi tad asmad-vidhasya kā gaṇanā ? tasmān mamāsannena bhavatā na bhāvyam | uktaṃ ca-

damanaka āha--katham etat ? so 'bravīt-

kathā 22 jīrṇadhana-nāma-vaṇik-putra-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne jīrṇadhano nāma vaṇik-putraḥ | sa ca dravya-kṣayād deśāntara-gamana-manā vyacintayat-

tasya ca gṛhe sahasra-loha-bhāra-ghaṭitā pūrva-puruṣopārjitā tulāsīt | tāṃ ca kasyacid chreṣṭino gṛhe nikṣepa-bhūtāṃ kṛtvā deśāntaraṃ prasthitaḥ | tataḥ suciraṃ kālaṃ deśāntaraṃ yathecchayā bhrāntvā punaḥ sva-puram āgatya taṃ śreṣṭhinam uvāca-bhoḥ śreṣṭhin ! dīyatāṃ me sā nikṣepa-tulā |

sa āha-bho ! nāsti sā tvadīyā tulā | mūṣikair bhakṣitā |

jīrṇadhana āha-bhoḥ śreṣṭhin ! nāsti doṣas te yadi mūṣikair bhakṣiteti | īdṛg evāyaṃ saṃsāraḥ | na kiṃcid atra śāśvatam asti | param ahaṃ nadyāṃ snānārthaṃ gamiṣyāmi | tat tvam ātmīyaṃ śiśum enaṃ dhanadeva-nāmānaṃ mayā saha snānopakaraṇa-hastaṃ preṣayeti |

so 'pi caurya-bhayāt tasya śaṅkitaḥ sva-putram uvāca-vatsa, pitṛvyo 'yaṃ tava snānārthaṃ nadyāṃ yāsyati | tad gamyatām anena sārdhaṃ snānopakaraṇam ādāyeti | aho sādhv idam ucyate-

athāsau vaṇik-śiśuḥ snānopakaraṇam ādāya prahṛṣṭa-manās tenābhyāgatena saha prasthitaḥ | tathānuṣṭhite vaṇik snātvā taṃ śiśuṃ nadī-guhāyāṃ prakṣipya tad-dvāraṃ bṛhac-chilayācchādya satvaraṃ gṛham āgataḥ | pṛṣṭaś ca tena vaṇijā-bho 'bhyāgata tat kathyatāṃ kutra me śiśur yas tvayā saha nadīṃ gataḥ iti |

sa āha-nadī-taṭāt sa śyenena hṛta iti |

śreṣṭhy āha-mithyā-vādin ! kiṃ kvacic chyeno bālaṃ hartuṃ śaknoti ? tat samarpaya me sutam, anyathā rāja-kule nivedayiṣyāmīti |

sa āha-bhoḥ satyavādin ! yathā śyeno bālaṃ na nayati tathā mūṣikā api loha-bhāra-ghaṭitāṃ tulāṃ na bhakṣayanti | tad arpaya me tulāṃ yadi dārakeṇa prayojanam | evaṃ vivadamānau dvāv api rāja-kulaṃ gatau |

tatra śreṣṭhī tāra-svareṇa provāca-bho 'brahmaṇyam abrahmaṇyam | mama śiśur anena caureṇāpahṛtaḥ |

atha dharmādhikāriṇas tam ūcuḥ-bhoḥ samarpyatāṃ śreṣṭhi-sutaḥ |

sa āha-kiṃ karomi ? paśyato me nadī-taṭāc chyenenāpahṛtaḥ śiśuḥ |

tac chrutvā te procuḥ-bho na satyam abhihitaṃ bhavatā | kiṃ śyenaḥ śiśuṃ hartuṃ samartho bhavati ?

sa āha-bho bhoḥ śrūyatāṃ mad-vacaḥ |

te procuḥ-katham etat ?

tataḥ śreṣṭhī sabhyānām agre sarvaṃ vṛttāntaṃ nivedayāmāsa | tatas tair vihasya dvāv api tau parasparaṃ sambodhya tulā-śiśu-pradānena santoṣitau |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-tulāṃ loha-sahasrasya iti | tan mūrkha ! sañjīvaka-prasādam asahamānena tvayaitat kṛtam | aho sādhv idam ucyate-

tan mūrkha tvayā hitam apy ahitaṃ kṛtam | uktaṃ ca-

damanaka āha--katham etat ?

so 'bravīt- kathā 23

kasyacid rājño nityaṃ vānaro 'tibhakti-paro 'ṅga-sevako 'ntaḥ-pure apy apratiṣiddha-prasaro 'tiviśvāsa-sthānam abhūt | ekadā rājño nidrāṃ gatasya vānare vyajanaṃ nītvā vāyuṃ vidadhati rājño vakṣaḥ-sthalopari makṣikopaviṣṭā | vyajanena muhur muhur niṣidhyamānāpi punaḥ punas tatra evopaviśati | tatas tena svabhāva-capalena mūrkheṇa vānareṇa kruddhena satā tīkṣṇaṃ khaḍgam ādāya tasyā upari prahāro vihitaḥ | tato makṣikoḍḍīya gatā, paraṃ tena śita-dhāreṇāsinā rājño vakṣo dvidhā jātaṃ rājā mṛtaś ca | tasmāc cirāyur icchatā nṛpeṇa mūrkho 'nucaro na rakṣaṇīyaḥ |

aparam ekasmin nagare ko 'pi vipro mahā-vidvān paraṃ pūrva-janma-yogena cauro vartate | tasmin pure'nya-deśād āgatāṃś caturo viprān bahūni vastūni vikrīṇato dṛṣṭvā cintitavān-aho kenopāyenaiṣāṃ dhanaṃ labhe | iti vicintya teṣāṃ puro 'nekāni śāstroktāni subhāṣitāni cātipriyāṇi madhurāṇi vacanāni jalpatā teṣāṃ manasi viśvāsam utpādya sevā kartum ārabdhā | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

atha tasmin sevāṃ kurvati tair vipraiḥ sarva-vastūni vikrīya bahu-mūlyāni ratnāni krītāni | tatas tāni jaṅghā-madhye tat-samakṣaṃ prakṣipya sva-deśaṃ prati gantum udyamo vihitaḥ | tataḥ sa dhūrta-vipras tān viprān gantum udyatān prekṣya cintā-vyākulita-manāḥ saṃjātaḥ- aho dhanam etan na kiṃcin mama caṭitam | athaibhiḥ saha yāmi | pathi kvāpi viṣaṃ dattvaitān nihatya sarva-ratnāni gṛhṇāmi | iti vicintya teṣām agre sa-karuṇaṃ vilapyedam āha-bho mitrāṇi ! yūyaṃ mām ekākinaṃ muktvā gantum udyatāḥ | tan me mano bhavadbhiḥ saha sneha-pāśena baddhaṃ bhavad-viraha-nāmnaivākulaṃ sañjātaṃ yathā dhṛtiṃ kvāpi na dhatte | yūyam anugrahaṃ vidhāya sahāya-bhūtaṃ mām api sahaiva nayata |

tad-vacaḥ śrutvā te karuṇārdra-cittās tena samam eva sva-deśaṃ prati prasthitāḥ | athādhvani teṣāṃ pañcānām api pallī-pura-madhye vrajatāṃ dhvāṅkṣāḥ kathayitum ārabdhāḥ-re re kirātāḥ ! dhāvata dhāvata | sa-pāda-lakṣa-dhanino yānti | etān nihatya dhanaṃ nayata |

tataḥ kirātair dhvāṅkṣa-vacanam ākarṇya satvaraṃ gatvā te viprā laguḍa-prahārair jarjarī-kṛtya vastrāṇi mocayitvā vilokitāḥ, paraṃ dhanaṃ kiṃcin na labdham | tadā taiḥ kirātair abhihitam-bhoḥ pānthāḥ ! purā kadāpi dhvāṅkṣa-vacanam anṛtaṃ nāsīt | tato bhavatāṃ saṃnidhau kvāpi dhanaṃ vidyate tad arpayata | anyathā sarveṣām api vadhaṃ vidhāya carma vidārya pratyaṅgaṃ prekṣya dhanaṃ neṣyāmaḥ |

tadā teṣām īdṛśaṃ vacanam ākarṇya caura-vipreṇa manasi cintitam-yadaiṣāṃ viprāṇāṃ vadhaṃ vidhāyāṅgaṃ vilokya ratnāni neṣyanti, tadāpi māṃ vadhiṣyanti tato 'haṃ pūrvam evātmānam aratnaṃ samarpyaitān muñcāmi | uktaṃ ca-

iti niścityābhihitaṃ-bhoḥ kirātāḥ ! yady evaṃ tato māṃ pūrvaṃ nihatya vilokayata | tatas tais tathānuṣṭhite taṃ dhana-rahitam avalokyāpare catvāro 'pi muktāḥ |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-paṇḍito 'pi varaṃ śatruḥ iti | athaivaṃ saṃvadatoḥ sañjīvakaḥ kṣaṇam ekaṃ pīṅgalakena saha yuddhaṃ kṛtvā tasya khara-nakhara-prahārābhihito gatāsur vasundharā-pīṭhe nipapāta | atha taṃ gatāsum avalokya piṅgalakas tad-guṇa-smaraṇārdra-hṛdayaḥ provāca-bhoḥ, ayuktaṃ mayā pāpena kṛtaṃ sañjīvakaṃ vyāpādayatā | yato viśvāsa-ghātād anyan nāsti pāpataraṃ karma | uktaṃ ca-

tathā mayā sabhā-madhye sa sadaiva praśaṃsitaḥ | tat kiṃ kathayiṣyāmi teṣām agrataḥ | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ-vidhaṃ pralapantaṃ damanakaḥ sametya saharṣam idam āha-deva, kātaratamas tavaiṣa nyāyo yad droha-kāriṇaṃ śaṣpa-bhujaṃ hatvetthaṃ śocasi | tan naitad upapannaṃ bhūbhujām | uktaṃ ca-

tathā ca-

api ca-

evaṃ tena sambodhitaḥ piṅgalakaḥ sañjīvaka-śokaṃ tyaktvā damanaka-sācivyena rājyam akarot |

iti śrī-viṣṇu-śarma-viracite pañcatantre mitra-bhedo nāma prathamaṃ tantram ||1||

atha mitra-samprāptiḥ

athedam ārabhyate mitra-samprāptir nāma dvitīyaṃ tantram | yasyāyam ādyaḥ ślokaḥ-

tad yathānuśrūyate-

prastāvanā-kathā laghupatanaka-citragrīva-vṛttāntaḥ

asti dākṣiṇātye janapade mahilāropyaṃ nāma nagaram | tasya nātidūrastho mahocchrāyavān nānā-vihaṅgopabhukta-phalaḥ kīṭair āvṛta-koṭaraś chāyāśvāsita-pathika-jana-samūho nyagrodha-pādapo mahān | athavā yuktam-

tatra ca laghupatanako nāma vāyasaḥ prativasati sma | sa kadācit prāṇa-yātrārthaṃ puram uddiśya pracalito yāvat paśyati, tāvaj jāla-hasto 'tikṛṣṇa-tanuḥ sphuṭita-caraṇa ūrdhva-keśo yama-kiṅkarākāro naraḥ saṃmukho babhūva | atha taṃ dṛṣṭvā śaṅkita-manā vyacintayat-yad ayaṃ durātmādya mamāśraya-vaṭa-pādapa-sammukho 'bhyeti | tan na jñāyate kim adya vaṭa-vāsināṃ vihaṅgamānāṃ saṅkṣayo bhaviṣyati na vā |

evaṃ bahuvidhaṃ vicintya tat-kṣaṇān nivṛtya tam eva baṭa-pādapaṃ gatvā sarvān vihaṅgamān provāca-bhoḥ ! ayaṃ durātmā lubdhako jāla-taṇḍula-hastaḥ samabhyeti | tat sarvathā tasya na viśvasanīyam | eṣa jālaṃ prasārya taṇḍulān prakṣepsyati | te taṇḍulā bhavadbhiḥ sarvair api kālakūṭa-sadṛśā draṣṭavyāḥ |

evaṃ vadatas tasya sa lubdhakas tatra baṭa-tala āgatya jālaṃ prasārya sindu-vāra-sadṛśāṃs taṇḍulān prakṣipya nātidūraṃ gatvā nibhṛtaḥ sthitaḥ | atha ye pakṣiṇas tatra sthitās te laghu-patanaka-vākyārgalayā nivāritās tāṃs taṇḍulān hālāhālāṅkurān iva vīkṣamāṇā nibhṛtās tasthuḥ |

atrāntare citragrīvo nāma kapotarājaḥ sahasra-parivāraḥ prāṇa-yātrārtha-paribhramaṃs tāṃs taṇḍulān dūrato 'pi paśyan laghupatanakena nivāryamāṇo 'pi jihvā-laulyād bhakṣaṇārtham apatat | sa-parivāro nibaddhaś ca | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

athavā daiva-pratipatikūlatayā bhavaty evam | na tasya doṣo 'sti | uktaṃ ca-

atrāntare lubdhakas tān baddhān vijñāya prahṛṣṭa-manāḥ prodyata-yaṣṭis tad-vadhārthaṃ pradhāvitaḥ | citragrīvo 'py ātmānaṃ sa-parivāraṃ baddhaṃ matvā lubdhakam āyāntaṃ dṛṣṭvā tān kapotān ūce-aho, na bhetavyam | uktaṃ ca-

tat sarve vayaṃ helayoḍḍīya sa-pāśa-jālā asyādarśanaṃ gatvā muktiṃ prāpnumaḥ | no ced bhaya-viklavāḥ santo helayā samutpātaṃ na kariṣyatha | tato mṛtyum avāpsyatha | uktaṃ ca-

tathānuṣṭhite lubdhako jālam ādāyākāśe gacchatāṃ teṣāṃ pṛṣṭhato bhūmistho 'pi paryadhāvat | tata ūrdhvānanḥ ślokam enam apaṭhat |

laghupatanako 'pi prāṇa-yātrā-kriyāṃ tyaktvā kim atra bhaviṣyantīti kutūhalāt tat-pṛṣṭhato 'nusarati | atha dṛṣṭer agocaratāṃ gatān vijñāya lubdhako nirāśaḥ ślokam apaṭhan nivṛttaś ca-

tad āstāṃ tāvad vihaṅgāmiṣa-lobho yāvat kuṭumba-vartanopāya-bhūtaṃ jālam api me naṣṭam | citragrīvo 'pi lubdhakam adarśanībhūtaṃ jñātvā tān uvāca-bhoḥ ! nivṛttaḥ sa durātmā lubdhakaḥ | tat sarvair api svasthair gamyatāṃ mahilāropyasya prāg-uttara-dig-bhāge | tatra mama suhṛd dhiraṇyako nāma mūṣakaḥ sarveṣāṃ pāśa-cchedaṃ kariṣyati | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ te kapotāś citragrīveṇa sambodhitā mahilāropye nagare hiraṇyaka-bila-durgaṃ prāpuḥ | hiraṇyako 'pi sahasra-mukha-bila-durgaṃ praviṣṭaḥ sann akutobhayaḥ sukhenāsta | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

atha citragrīvo bilam āsādya tāra-svareṇa provāca-bho bho mitra hiraṇyaka ! satvaram āgaccha | mahatī me vyasanāvasthā vartate |

tac chrutvā hiraṇyako 'pi bila-durgāntargataḥ san provāca-bhoḥ ! ko bhavān ? kim artham āyātaḥ ? kiṃ kāraṇam ? kīdṛk te vyasanāvasthānām ? tat kathyatām iti |

tac chrutvā citragrīva āha-bhoḥ ! citragrīvo nāma kapota-rājo 'haṃ te suhṛt | tat satvaram āgaccha | gurutaraṃ prayojanam asti | tad ākarṇya pulakita-tanuḥ prahṛṣṭātmā sthira-manās tvaramāṇo niṣkrāntaḥ | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

atha citraṃ grīvaṃ saparivāraṃ pāśa-baddham ālokya hiraṇyakaḥ sa-viṣādam idam āha-bhoḥ, kim etat ?

sa āha-bhoḥ, jānann api kiṃ pṛcchasi ? uktaṃ ca yataḥ-

tat prāptaṃ mayaitad bandhanaṃ jihvā-laulyāt | sāmprāptaṃ tvaṃ satvaraṃ pāśa-vimokṣaṃ kuru | tad ākarṇya hiraṇyakaḥ prāha-

tathā ca-

tathā ca-

evam uktvā citragrīvasya pāśaṃ chettum udyataṃ sa tam āha-bhadra, mā maivaṃ kuru | prathamaṃ mama bhṛtyānāṃ pāśa-cchedaṃ kuru | tad anu mamāpi ca |

tac chrutvā kupito hiraṇyakaḥ prāha-bhoḥ ! na yuktam uktaṃ bhavatā | yataḥ svāmino 'nantaraṃ bhṛtyāḥ |

sa āha-bhadra, mā maivaṃ vada | mad-āśrayāḥ sarva ete varākāḥ | aparaṃ sva-kuṭumbaṃ parityajya samāgatāḥ | tat katham etāvan-mātram api saṃmānaṃ na karomi | uktaṃ ca-

aparaṃ mama kadācit pāśa-cchede kurvatas te danta-bhaṅgo bhavati | athavā durātmā lubdhakaḥ sambhyeti | tan nūnaṃ naraka-pāta eva | uktaṃ ca-

tac chrutvā prahṛṣṭo hiraṇyakaḥ prāha-bhoḥ, vedmy ahaṃ rāja-dharmam | paraṃ mayā tava parīkṣā kṛtā | tat sarveṣāṃ pūrvaṃ pāśa-cchedaṃ kariṣyāmi | bhavān apy anena bahu-kapota-parivāreṇa bhaviṣyati | uktaṃ ca-

evam uktvā sarveṣāṃ pāśa-cchedaṃ kṛtvā hiraṇyakaś citragrīvam āha-mitra, gamyatām adhunā svāśrayaṃ prati | bhūyo 'pi vyasane prāpte samāgantavyam iti |

tān sampreṣya punar api durgaṃ praviṣṭaḥ | citragrīvo 'pi saparivāraḥ svāśrayam agamat | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

laghupatanako 'pi vāyasaḥ sarvaṃ taṃ citragrīva-bandhu-mokṣam avalokya vismitamanā vyacintayat-aho buddhir asya hiraṇyakasya śaktiś ca durga-sāmagrī ca | tad īdṛg eva vidhi-vihaṅgānāṃ bandhana-mokṣātmakaḥ | ahaṃ ca na kasyacid viśvasimi cala-prakṛtiś ca | tadāpy enaṃ mitraṃ karomi | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ sampradhārya pādapād avatīrya bila-dvāram āśritya citragrīvavac chabdena hiraṇyakaṃ samāhūtavān-ehy ehi bho hiraṇyaka, ehi |

tac chabdaṃ śrutvā hiraṇyako vyacintayat-kim anyo 'pi kaścit kapoto bandhana-śeṣas tiṣṭhati yena māṃ vyāharati | āha ca-bhoḥ ! ko bhavān ?

sa āha-ahaṃ laghupatanako nāma vāyasaḥ |

tac chrutvā viśeṣād antarlīno hiraṇyaka āha-bhoḥ ! drutaṃ gamyatām asmāt sthānāt |

vāyasa āha-ahaṃ tava pārśve guru-kāryeṇa samāgataḥ | tat kiṃ na kriyate mayā saha darśanam ?

hiraṇyaka āha-na me'sti tvayā saha saṅgamena prayojanam iti |

sa āha-bhoḥ ! citragrīvasya mayā tava sakāśāt pāśa-mokṣaṇaṃ dṛṣṭam | tena mama mahatī prītiḥ sañjātā | tat kadācin mamāpi bandhane jāte tava pārśvān muktair bhaviṣyati | tat kriyatāṃ mayā saha maitrī |

hiraṇyaka āha-aho tvaṃ bhoktā | ahaṃ te bhojya-bhūtaḥ | tat kā tvayā saha mama maitrī ? tad gamyatām | maitrī virodha-bhāvāt katham ? uktaṃ ca-

tad gamyatām iti |

vāyasa āha-bho hiraṇyaka ! eṣo 'haṃ tava durga-dvāra upaviṣṭaḥ | yadi tvaṃ maitrī na karoṣi tato 'haṃ prāṇa-mokṣaṇaṃ tavāgre kariṣyāmi | athavā prāyopaveśanaṃ me syāt iti |

hiraṇyaka āha-bhoḥ ! tvayā vairiṇā saha kathaṃ maitrīṃ karomi ? uktaṃ ca-

vāyasa āha-bhoḥ ! tvayā saha darśanam api nāsti | kuto vairam ? tat kim anucitaṃ vadasi ?

hiraṇyaka āha-dvividhaṃ vairaṃ bhavati | sahajaṃ kṛtrimaṃ ca | tat sahaja-vairī tvam asmākam | uktaṃ ca-

vāyasa āha-bhoḥ ! dvividhasya vairasya lakṣaṇaṃ śrotum icchāmi | tat kathyatām |

hiraṇyaka āha-bhoḥ ! kāraṇena nirvṛtaṃ kṛtrimam | tat-tad-arhopakāra-karaṇād gacchati | svābhāvikaṃ punaḥ katham api na gacchati | tad yathā nakula-sarpāṇāṃ, śaṣpabhuṅ-nakhāyudhānāṃ, jala-vahnyoḥ, deva-daityānāṃ, sārameya-mārjarāṇāṃ, īśvara-daridrāṇāṃ, sapatnīnāṃ, siṃha-gajānāṃ, lubdhaka-hariṇānāṃ, śrotriya-bhraṣṭa-kriyāṇāṃ, mūrka-paṇḍitānāṃ, pativratā-kulaṭānāṃ, sajjana-durjanānām | na kaścit kenāpi vyāpāditaḥ, tathāpi prāṇān santāpayanti |

vāyasa āha-bhoḥ ! akāraṇam etat | śrūyatāṃ me vacanam-

tasmāt kuru mayā saha samāgamaṃ mitra-dharmārtham |

hiraṇyaka āha-bhoḥ, śrūyatāṃ nīti-sarvasvam-

athavā guṇavān ahaṃ, na me kaścid vaira-yātanāṃ kariṣyati | etad api na sambhāvyam | uktaṃ ca-

vāyasa āha-asty etat | yathāpi śrūyatām-

tat sādhur aham | aparaṃ tvāṃ śapathādibhir nirbhayaṃ kariṣyāmi |

sa āha-na me'sti te śapathaiḥ pratyayaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tac chrutvā laghupatanako 'pi niruttaraś cintayāmāsa-aho, buddhi-prāgalbhyam asya nīti-viṣaye | athavā sa evāsyopari maitrī-pakṣapātaḥ | sa āha-bho hiraṇyaka !

durgasthenāpi tvayā mayā saha nityam evālāpo guṇa-doṣa-subhāṣita-goṣṭhī-kathāḥ sarvadā kartavyāḥ, yady evaṃ na viśvasiṣi |

tac chrutvā hiraṇyako 'pi vyacintayat-vidagdha-vacano 'yaṃ dṛśyate laghupatanakaḥ satya-vākyaś ca tad yuktam anena maitrī-karaṇam | paraṃ kadācin mama durge caraṇa-pāto 'pi na kāryaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tac chrutvā vāyasa āha-bhadra, evaṃ bhavatu | tataḥ-prabhṛti tau dvāv api subhāṣita-goṣṭhī-sukham anubhavantau tiṣṭhataḥ | parasparaṃ kṛtopakārau kālaṃ nayataḥ | laghupatanako 'pi māṃsa-śakalāni medhyāni baliśeṣāṇy anyāni vātsalyāhṛtāni pakvānna-viśeṣāṇi hiraṇyakārtham ānayati | hiraṇyako 'pi taṇḍulān anyāṃś ca bhakṣya-viśeṣāl laghupatanakārthaṃ rātrāv āhṛtya tat-kālāyātasyārpayati | athavā yujyate dvayor apy etat | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ sa mūṣakas tad-upakāra-rañjitas tathā viśvasto yathā tasya pakṣa-madhye praviṣṭas tena saha sarvadaiva goṣṭhīṃ karoti | athānyasminn ahani vāyaso 'śru-pūrṇa-nayanaḥ samabhyetya sagadgadaṃ tam uvāca-bhadra hiraṇyaka, viraktiḥ sañjātā me sāmprataṃ deśasyāsyopari tad anyatra yāsyāmi |

hiraṇyaka āha-bhadra kiṃ virakteḥ kāraṇam |

sa āha-bhadra, śrūyatāṃ | atra deśe mahatyānāvṛṣṭyā durbhikṣaṃ sañjātam | durbhikṣatvāj jano bubhukṣā-pīḍitaḥ ko 'pi bali-mātram api na prayacchati | aparaṃ gṛhe gṛhe bubhukṣita-janair vihaṅgānāṃ bandhanāya pāśāḥ praguṇīkṛtāḥ santi | aham apy āyuḥ-śeṣatayā pāśena baddha uddharito 'smi | etad virakteḥ kāraṇam æ| tenāhaṃ videśaṃ calita iti bāṣpa-mokṣaṃ karomi |

hiraṇyaka āha-atha bhavān kva prasthitaḥ ?

sa āha-asti dakṣiṇā-pathe vana-gahana-madhye mahāsaraḥ | tatra tvatto 'dhikaḥ parama-suhṛt kūrmo mantharako nāma | sa ca me matsya-māṃsa-khaṇḍāni dāsyati | tad-bhakṣaṇāt tena saha subhāṣita-goṣṭhī-sukham anubhavan sukhena kālaṃ neṣyāmi | nāham atra vihaṅgānāṃ pāśa-bandhanena kṣayaṃ draṣṭum icchāmi | uktaṃ ca-

hiraṇyaka āha-yady evaṃ tad aham api tvayā saha gamiṣyāmi | mamāpi mahad duḥkhaṃ vartate |

vāyasa āha-bhoḥ ! tava kiṃ duḥkham ? tat kathaya |

hiraṇyaka āha-bhoḥ ! bahu vaktavyam asty atra viṣaye | tatraiva gatvā sarvaṃ savistaraṃ kathayiṣyāmi |

vāyasa āha-ahaṃ tāvad ākāśa-gatiḥ | tat kathaṃ bhavato mayā saha gamanam ?

sa āha-yadi me prāṇān rakṣasi tadā sva-pṛṣṭham āropya māṃ tatra prāpayiṣyasi | nānyathā mama gatir asti |

tac chrutvā sānandaṃ vāyasa āha-yady evaṃ tad dhanyo 'haṃ yad bhavatāpi saha tatra kālaṃ nayāmi | ahaṃ sampātādikān aṣāv uḍḍīna-gati-viśeṣān vedmi | tat samāroha mama pṛṣṭhaṃ, yena sukhena tvāṃ tat-saraḥ prāpayāmi |

hiraṇyaka āha-uḍḍīnānāṃ nāmāni śrotum icchāmi |

tac chrutvā hiraṇyakas tat-kṣaṇād eva tad upari samārūḍhaḥ | so 'pi śanaiḥ śanais tam ādāya sampātoḍḍīna-prasthitaḥ krameṇa tat-saraḥ prāptaḥ | tato laghupatanakaṃ mūṣakādhiṣṭhitaṃ vilokya dūrato 'pi deśa-kāla-vida-sāmānya-kāko 'yam iti jñātvā satvaraṃ mantharako jale praviṣṭaḥ | laghupatanako 'pi tīrastha-taru-koṭare hiraṇyakaṃ muktvā śākhāgram āruhya tāra-svareṇa provāca-bho mantharaka ! āgacchāgaccha | tava mitram ahaṃ laghupatanako nāma vāyasaś cirāt sotkaṇṭhaḥ samāyātaḥ | tad āgatyāliṅgaya mām | uktaṃ ca-

tac chrutvā nipuṇataraṃ parijñāya satvaraṃ salilān niṣkramya pulakita-tanur ānandāśru-pūrita-nayano mantharakaḥ provāca-ehy ehi mitra, āliṅgaya mām | cira-kālān mayā tvaṃ na samyak parijñātaḥ | tenāhaṃ salilāntaḥ-praviṣṭaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

evam ukte laghupatanako vṛkṣād avatīrya tam āliṅgitavān | athavā sādhv idam uktam-

evaṃ dvāv api tau vihitāliṅgitau parasparaṃ pulakita-śarīrī vṛkṣād adhaḥ samupaviṣṭau procatur ātma-caritra-vṛttāntam | hiraṇyako 'pi mantharakasya praṇāmaṃ kṛtvā vāyasābhyāśe samupaviṣṭaḥ | atha taṃ samālokya mantharako laghupatanakam āha-bhoḥ hiraṇyako nāma mūṣako 'yam | mama suhṛd-dvitīyam iva jīvitam | tat kiṃ bahunā-

mantharaka āha-kim asya vairāgya-kāraṇam ?

vāyasa āha-pṛṣṭo mayā, param anenābhihitaṃ, yad bahu vaktavyam iti | tat tatraiva gataḥ kathayiṣyāmi | mamāpi na niveditam | tad bhadra hiraṇyaka ! idānīṃ nivedyatām ubhayor apy āvayos tad ātmano vairāgya-kāraṇam |

so 'bravīt-

kathā 1 hiraṇyaka-tāmracūḍa-kathā

asti dakṣiṇātye janapade mahilāropyaṃ nāma nagaram | tasya nātidūre maṭhāyatanaṃ bhagavataḥ śrī-mahādevasya | tatra ca tāmracūḍo nāma parivrājakaḥ prativasati sma | sa ca nagare bhikṣāṭanaṃ kṛtvā prāṇa-yātrāṃ samācarati | bhikṣā-śeṣaṃ ca tatraiva bhikṣā-pātre nidhāya tad-bhikṣā-pātraṃ nāgadante'valambya paścād rātrau svapiti | pratyūṣe ca tad-annaṃ karmakarāṇāṃ dattvā samyak tatraiva devatāyatane saṃmārjanopalepana-maṇḍanādikaṃ samājñāpayati | anyasminn ahani mama bāndhavair niveditam-svāmin, maṭhāyatane siddham annaṃ mūṣaka-bhayāt tatraiva bhikṣā-pātre nihitaṃ nāgadante'valambitaṃ tiṣṭhati sadaiva | tad vayaṃ bhakṣayituṃ na śaknumaḥ | svāminaḥ punar āgamya kim api nāsti | tat kiṃ vṛthāṭanenānyatra | adya tatra gatvā yathecchaṃ bhuñjāmahe tava prasādāt |

tad ākarṇyāhaṃ sakala-yūtha-parivṛtas tat-kṣaṇād eva tatra gataḥ | utpatya ca tasmin bhikṣā-pātre samārūḍhaḥ | tatra bhakṣya-viśeṣāṇi sevakebhyo dattvā paścāt svayam eva bhakṣayāmi | sarveṣāṃ tṛptau jātāyāṃ bhūyaḥ sva-gṛhaṃ gacchāmi | evaṃ nityam eva tad annaṃ bhakṣayāmi | parivrājako 'pi yathā-śakti rakṣati | paraṃ yadaiva nidrāntarito bhavati, tadāhaṃ tatrāruhyātma-kṛtyaṃ karomi | atha kadācit tena mama rakṣaṇārthaṃ mahān yatnaḥ kṛtaḥ | jarjara-vaṃśaḥ samānītaḥ | tena supto 'pi mama bhayād bhikṣā-pātraṃ tāḍayati | aham apy abhikṣite'py anne prahāra-bhayād apasarpāmi | evaṃ tena saha sakalāṃ rātriṃ vigraha-parasya kālo vrajati |

athānyasminn ahani tasya maṭhe bṛhatsphiṅ-nāmā parivrājakas tasya suhṛt tīrtha-yātrā-prasaṅgena pānthaḥ prāghuṇikaḥ samāyātaḥ | taṃ dṛṣṭvā pratyutthāna-vidhinā sambhāvya pratipatti-pūrvakam abhyāgata-kriyayā niyojitaḥ | tataś ca rātrāv ekatra kuśa-saṃstare dvāv api prasuptau dharma-kathāṃ kathayitum ārabdhau |

atha bṛhasphik-kathā-goṣṭhīṣu sa tāmracūḍo mūṣaka-trāsārthaṃ vyākṣipta-manā jarjara-vaṃśena bhikṣā-pātraṃ tāḍayaṃs tasya śūnyaṃ prativacanaṃ prayacchati | tan-mayo na kiñcid udāharati | athāsāv abhyāgataḥ paraṃ kopam upāgatas tam uvāca-bhos tāmracūḍa ! parijñātaḥ na tvaṃ samyak suhṛt | tena mayā saha sāhlādaṃ na jalpasi | tad-rātrāv api tvadīyaṃ maṭhaṃ tyaktvānyatra mañhe yāsyāmi | uktaṃ ca-

tad eka-maṭha-prāptyāpi tvaṃ garvitaḥ | tyaktaḥ suhṛt-snehaḥ | naitad vetsi yat tvayā maṭhāśraya-vyājena narakopārjanaṃ kṛtam | uktaṃ ca-

tan-mukhaṃ, śocitavyas tvaṃ garvaṃ gataḥ | tad ahaṃ tvadīyaṃ maṭhaṃ parityajya yāsyāmi |

atha tac chrutvā bhaya-trasta-manās tāmracūḍas tam uvāca-bho bhagavan ! maivaṃ vada | na tvat-samo 'nyo mama suhṛt kaścid asti | paraṃ tac chrūyatāṃ goṣṭhī-śaithilya-kāraṇam | eṣa durātmā mūṣakaḥ pronnata-sthāne dhṛtam api bhikṣā-pātram utplutyārohati, bhikṣā-śeṣaṃca tatrasthaṃ bhakṣayati | tad-abhāvād eva maṭhe mārjana-kriyāpi na bhavati | tan mūṣaka

muhur muhus tāḍayāmi | nānyat kāraṇam iti | aparam etat kutūhalaṃ paśyāsya durtātmano yan mārjāra-markaṭādayo 'pi tiraskṛtā asyotpatanena |

bṛhatsphig āha-atha jñāyate tasya bilaṃ kasmiṃścit pradeśe |

tāmracūḍa āha-bhagavan na vedmi samyak |

sa āha-nūnaṃ nidhānasyopari tasya bilam | nidhānoṣmaṇā prakūrdate | uktaṃ ca-

tāmracūḍa āha-katham etat ?

sa āha-

kathā 2 tilacūrṇa-vikraya-kathā

yadāhaṃ kasmiṃścit sthāne prāvṛṭ-kāle vrata-grahaṇa-nimittaṃ kañcid brāhmaṇaṃ vāsārthaṃ prārthitavān | tataś ca tad-vacanāt tenāpi śuśrūṣitaḥ sukhena devārcana-paras tiṣṭhāmi | athānyasminn ahani pratyūṣe prabuddho 'haṃ brāhmaṇa-brāhmaṇī-saṃvāde dattāvadhānaḥ śṛṇomi | tatra brāhmaṇa āha-brāhmaṇi, prabhāte dakṣiṇāyana-saṅkrāntir ananta-dāna-phaladā bhaviṣyati | tad ahaṃ pratigrahārthaṃ grāmāntaraṃ yāsyāmi | tvayā brāhmaṇasyaikasya bhagavataḥ sūryasyoddeśena kiñcid bhojanaṃ dātavyam iti |

atha tac chrutvā brāhmaṇī paruṣatara-vacanais taṃ bhartsayamānā prāha-kutas te dāridryopahatasya bhojana-prāptiḥ | tat kiṃ lajjasa evaṃ bruvāṇaḥ | api ca na mayā tava hasta-lagnayā kvacid api labdhaṃ sukham | na miṣṭhānnasyāsvādanam | na ca hasta-pāda-kaṇṭhādi-bhūṣaṇam |

tac chrutvā bhaya-trasto 'pi vipro mandaṃ mandaṃ prāha-brāhmaṇi ! naitad yujyate vaktum | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ jñātvā daridryābhibhūtair api svalpāt svalpataraṃ kāle pātre ca deyam | uktaṃ ca-

brāhmaṇy āha-katham etat ?

sa āha- kathā 3 śavara-śūkara-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid vanoddeśe kaścit pulindaḥ | sa ca pāparddhiṃ kartuṃ vanaṃ prati prasthitaḥ | atha tena prasarpatā mahān añjana-parvata-śikharākāraḥ kroḍaḥ samāsāditaḥ | taṃ dṛṣṭvā karṇāntākṛṣṭa-niśita-sāyakena samāhataḥ | tenāpi kopāviṣṭena cetasā bālendu-dyutinā daṃṣṭrāgreṇa pāṭitodaraḥ pulindo gatāsur bhūtale'patat |

atha lubdhakaṃ vyāpādya śūkaro 'pi śara-prahāra-vedanayā pañcatvaṃ gataḥ | etasminn antare kaścid āsanna-mṛtyuḥ śṛgāla itas tato nirāhāratayā pīḍitaḥ paribhramaṃs taṃ pradeśam ājagāma | yāvad varāha-pulindau dvāv api paśyati tāvat prahṛṣṭo vyacintayat-bhoḥ ! sānukūlo me vidhiḥ | tenaitad apy acintitaṃ bhojanam upasthitam | athavā sādhv idam uktam-

tad ahaṃ tathā bhakṣayāmi yathā bahūny ahāni me prāṇa-yātrā bhavati | tat tāvad enaṃ snāyu-pāśaṃ dhanuṣkoṭi-gataṃ bhakṣayāmi | uktaṃ ca-

ity evaṃ manasā niścitya cāpa-ghaṭita-koṭiṃ mukha-madhye prakṣipya snāyuṃ bhakṣituṃ pravṛttaḥ | tataś ca truṭite pāśe tālu-deśaṃ vidārya cāpa-koṭirmastaka-madhyena niṣkrāntā | so 'pi tadvad enayā tat-kṣaṇāntan mṛtaḥ | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-atitṛṣṇā na kartavyā iti |

sa punar apy āha-brāhmaṇi, na śrutaṃ bhavatyā |

athaivaṃ sā tena prabodhitā brāhmaṇy āha-yady evaṃ tad asti me gṛhe stokas tila-rāśiḥ | tatas tilān luñcitvā tila-cūrṇena brāhmaṇaṃ bhojayiṣyāmi iti |

tatas tad-vacanaṃ śrutvā brāhmaṇo grāmaṃ gataḥ | sāpi tilānuṣṇodakena sammardya kuṭitvā sūryātape dattavatī | atrāntare tasyā grha-karma-vyagrāyās tilānāṃ madhye kaścit sārameyo mūtrotsargaṃ cakāra | taṃ dṛṣṭvā sā cintitavatī-aho naipuṇyaṃ paśya parāṅmukhībhūtasya vidheḥ | yad ete tilā abhojyāḥ kṛtāḥ | tad aham etān samādāya kasyacit gṛhaṃ gatvā luñcitair aluñcitān ānayāmi | sarvo 'pi jano 'nena vidhinā pradāsyati iti |

atha yasmin gṛhe'haṃ bhikṣārthaṃ praviṣṭas tatra gṛhe sāpi tilān ādāya praviṣṭā vikrayaṃ kartum | āha ca-gṛhṇātu kaścid aluñcitair luñcitāṃs tilān |

atha tad-gṛha-gṛhiṇī-gṛhaṃ praviṣṭā yāvad aluñcitair luñcitān gṛhṇāti tāvad asyāḥ putreṇa kāmandakī-śāstraṃ dṛṣṭvā vyāhṛtam-mātaḥ ! agrāhyāḥ khalv ime tilāḥ | nāsyā aluñcitair luñcitā grāhyāḥ | kāraṇaṃ kiñcid bhaviṣyati | tenaiṣāluñcitair luñcitān prayacchati |

tac chrutvā ayā parityaktās te tilāḥ | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-nākasmāc chāṇḍilī-mātaḥ iti |

etad uktvā sa bhūyo 'pi prāha-atha jñāyate tasya kramaṇa-mārgaḥ |

tāmracūḍa āha-bhagavan, jñāyate | yata ekākī na samāgacchati, kintv asaṅkhya-yūtha-parivṛtaḥ paśyato me paribhramann itas tataḥ sarva-janena sahāgacchati yāti ca |

abhyāgata āha-asti kiñcit khanitrakam |

sa āha-bāḍham asti | eṣā sarva-loha-mayī sva-hastikā |

abhyāgata āha-tarhi pratyūṣe tvayā mayā saha sthātavyam | yena dvāv api jana-caraṇa-malināyāṃ bhūmau tat-padānusāreṇa gacchāvaḥ | mayāpi tad-vacanam ākarṇya cintitam-aho vinaṣṭo 'smi, yato 'sya sābhiprāya-vacāṃsi śrūyante | nūnaṃ, yathā nidhānaṃ jñātaṃ tathā durgam apy asmākaṃ jñāsyati | etad abhiprāyād eva jñāyate | uktaṃ ca-

tato 'haṃ bhaya-trasta-manāḥ saparivāro durga-mārgaṃ parityajyānya-mārgeṇa gantuṃ pravṛttaḥ | saparijano yāvad agrato gacchāmi tāvat sammukho bṛhatkāyo mārjāraḥ samāyāti | sa ca mūṣaka-vṛndam avalokya tan-madhye sahasotpapāta | atha te mūṣakā māṃ kumārga-gāminam avalokya garhayanto hata-śeṣā rudhira-plāvita-vasundharās tam eva durgaṃ praviṣṭāḥ | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

athāham eko 'nyatra gataḥ | śeṣā mūḍhatayā tatraiva durge praviṣṭāḥ | atrāntare sa duṣṭa-parivrājako rudhira-bindu-carcitāṃ bhūmim avalokya tenaiva durga-mārgeṇāgatyopasthitaḥ |

athāhaṃ tac chrutvā kopāviṣṭo bhikṣā-pātram uddiśya viśeṣād utkūrdito 'prāpta eva bhūmau nipatitaḥ | tac chrūtvāsau me śatrur vihasya tāmracūḍam uvāca-bhoḥ ! paśya paśya kautūhalam | āha ca-

tat svapihi tvaṃ gata-śaṅkaḥ | yad asyotpatana-kāraṇaṃ tad āvayor hasta-gataṃ jātam | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

tac chrutvāhaṃ manasā vicintitavān-yato 'ṅguli-mātram api kūrdana-śaktir nāsti, tad dhig artha-hīnasya puruṣasya jīvitam | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ vilapyāhaṃ bhagnotsāhas tan-nidhānaṃ gaṇḍopadhānīkṛtaṃ dṛṣṭvā svaṃ durgaṃ prabhāte gataḥ | tataś ca mad-bhṛtyāḥ prabhāte gacchanto mitho jalpanti-aho, asamartho 'yam udara-pūraṇe'smākam | kevalam asya pṛṣṭha-lagnānāṃ viḍālādi-vipattayaḥ tat kim anenārādhitena ? uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ teṣāṃ vacāṃsi śrutvā sva-durgaṃ praviṣṭo 'ham | yāvan na kaścin mama saṃmukhe'bhyeti tāvan mayā cintitam-dhig iyaṃ daridratā | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

evaṃ niścitya rātrau tatra gatvā nidrāvaśam upāgatasya peṭāyāṃ mayā chidraṃ kṛtaṃ yāvat, tāvat prabuddho duṣṭa-tāpasaḥ | tataś ca jarjara-vaṃśa-prahāreṇa śirasi tāḍitaḥ kathañcid āyuḥ-śeṣatayā nirgato 'ham, na mṛtaś ca | uktaṃ ca-

kāka-kūrmau pṛcchataḥ-katham etat ?

hiraṇyaka āha-

kathā 4 sāgaradatta-kathā

asti kasmiṃścin nagare sāgaradatto nāma vaṇik | tat-sūnunā rūpaka-śatena vikrīyamāṇaṃ pustakaṃ gṛhītam | tasmiṃś ca likhitam asti-

tad dṛṣṭvā sāgaradattena tanujaḥ pṛṣṭaḥ-putra, kiyatā mūlyenaitat pustakaṃ gṛhītam ?

so 'bravīt-rūpaka-śatena |

tac chrutvā sāgaradatto 'bravīt-dhiṅ mūrkha ! tvaṃ likhitaika-ślokaṃ rūpaka-śatena yad gṛhṇāsi, etayā buddhyā kathaṃ dravyopārjanaṃ kariṣyasi | tad adya-prabhṛti tvayā me gṛhe na praveṣṭavyam |

evaṃ nirbhartsya gṛhān niḥsāritaḥ | sa ca tena nirvedena viprakṛṣṭaṃ deśāntaraṃ gatvā kim api nagaram āsādyāvasthitaḥ | atha katipaya-divasais tan-nagara-nivāsinā kenacid asau pṛṣṭaḥ-kuto bhavān āgataḥ ? kiṃ nāma-dheyo vā ? iti |

asāv abravīt-prāptavyam arthaṃ labhate manuṣya iti | athānyenāpi pṛṣṭenānena tathaivottaraṃ dattam | evaṃ ca tasya nagarasya madhye prāptavyamartha iti tasya prasiddha-nāma jātam |

atha rāja-kanyā candravatī nāmābhinava-rūpa-yauvana-sampannā sakhī-dvitīyaikasmin mahotsava-divase nagaraṃ nirīkṣamāṇāsti | tatraiva ca kaścid rāja-putro 'tīva-rūpa-sampanno manoramaś ca katham api tasyā dṛṣṭi-gocare gataḥ | tad-darśana-sama-kālam eva kusuma-bāṇāhatayā tayā nija-sakhy-abhihitā-sakhi ! yathā kilānena saha samāgamo bhavati tathādya tvayā yatitavyam |

evaṃ ca śrutvā sā sakhī tat-sakāśaṃ gatvā śīghram abravīt-yad ahaṃ candravatyā tavāntikaṃ preṣitā | bhaṇitaṃ ca tvāṃ prati tayā yan mama tvad-darśanān manobhavena paścimāvasthā kṛtā | tad yadi śīghram eva mad-antike na sameṣmasi tadā me maraṇaṃ śaraṇam |

iti śrutvā tenābhihitaṃ-yady avaśyaṃ mayā tatrāgantavyaṃ, tat kathaya kenopāyena praveṣṭavyam ?

atha sakhyābhihitam-rātrau saudhāvalambitayā dṛḍha-varatrayā tvayā tatrāroḍhavyam |

so 'bravīt-yady evaṃ niścayo bhavatyās tad aham evaṃ kariṣyāmi |

iti niścitya sakhī candravatī-sakāśaṃ gatā | athāgatāyāṃ rajanyāṃ sa rāja-putraḥ sva-cetasā vyacintayat-aho mahad akṛtyam etat | uktaṃ ca-

iti samyag vicārya tat-sakāśaṃ na jagāma | atha prāptavyamarthaḥ paryaṭan dhavala-gṛha-pārśve rātrāv avalambita-varatrāṃ dṛṣṭvā kautukāviṣṭa-hṛdayas tām ālambyādhirūḍhaḥ | tayā ca rāja-putryā sa evāyam ity āśvasta-cittayā snāna-khādana-pānācchādanādinā sammānya tena saha śayana-talam āśritayā tad-aṅga-saṃsparśa-sañjāta-harṣa-romāñcita-gātrayoktaṃ-yuṣmad-darśana-mātrānuraktayā mayātmā pradatto 'yam | tvad-varjam anyo bhartā manasy api me na bhaviṣyati iti | tat kasmān amyā saha na bravīṣi ?

so 'bravīt- prāptavyam arthaṃ labhate manuṣyaḥ |

ity ukte tayānyo 'yam iti matvā dhavala-gṛhād uttārya muktaḥ | sa tu khaṇḍa-pāśakaḥ prāptaḥ | tāvad asau khaṇḍa-deva-kule gatvā suptaḥ | atha tatra kayācit svairiṇyā datta-saṅketako yāvad daṇḍa-pāśakaḥ prāptaḥ, tāvad asau pūrva-suptas tena dṛṣṭo rahasya-saṃrakṣaṇārtham abhihitaś ca-ko bhavān ?

so 'bravīt-prāptavyam arthaṃ labhate manuṣyaḥ |

iti śrutvā daṇḍa-pāśakenābhihitam-yac chūnyaṃ deva-gṛham idam | tad atra madīya-sthāne gatvā svapihi |

tathā pratipadya sa matir viparyāsād anya-śayane suptaḥ | atha tasya rakṣakasya kanyā vinayavatī nāma rūpa-yauvana-sampannā kasyāpi puruṣasyānuraktā saṅketaṃ dattvā tatra śayane suptāsīt | atha sā tam āyātaṃ dṛṣṭvā sa evāyam asmad-vallabha iti rātrau ghanatarāndhakāra-vyāmohitotthāya bhojanācchādanādi-kriyāṃ kārayitvā gāndharva-vivāhenātmānaṃ vivāhayitvā tena samaṃ śayane sthitā vikasita-vadana-kamalā tam āha-kim adyāpi mayā saha viśrabdhaṃ bhavān na bravīti |

so 'bravīt-prāptavyam arthaṃ labhate manuṣyaḥ |

iti śrutvā tayā cintitam-yat kāryam asamīkṣitaṃ kriyate tasyedṛk-phala-vipāko bhavati iti | evaṃ vimṛśya sa-viṣādayā tayā niḥsārito 'sau | sa ca yāvad-vīthī-mārgeṇa gacchati tāvad anya-viṣaya-vāsī vara-kīrtir nāma varo mahatā vādya-śabdenāgacchati | prāptavyamartho 'pi taiḥ samaṃ gantum ārabdhaḥ |

atha yāvat pratyāsanne lagna-samaye rāja-mārgāsanna-śreṣṭhi-gṛha-dvāre racita-maṇḍapa-vedikāyāṃ kṛta-kautuka-maṅgala-veśā vaṇik-sutāsti, tāvan mada-matto hasty-ārohakaṃ hatvā praṇaśyaj-jana-kolāhalena lokam ākulayaṃs tam evoddeśaṃ prāptaḥ | taṃ ca dṛṣṭvā sarve varānuyāyino vareṇa saha praṇaśya diśo jagmuḥ |

athāsminn avasare bhaya-tarala-locanām ekākinīṃ kanyām avalokya-mā bhaiṣīḥ | ahaṃ paritrāteti sudhīraṃ sthirīkṛtya dakṣiṇa-pāṇau saṅgṛhya mahā-sāhasikatayā prāptavyamarthaḥ puruṣa-vākyair hastinaṃ nirbhartsitavān | tataḥ katham api daiva-yogād apāye hastini sa-suhṛd-bāndhavenātikrānta-lagna-samaye vara-kīrtir nāgatya tāvat tāṃ kanyām anya-hasta-gatāṃ dṛṣṭvābhihitam-bhoḥ śvaśura, viruddham idaṃ tvayānuṣṭhitaṃ yan mahyaṃ pradāya kanyānyasmai pradattā iti |

so 'bravīt-bhoḥ ! aham api hasti-bhaya-palāyitobhavadbhiḥ sahāyāto na jāne kim idaṃ vṛtam ity abhidhāya duhitaraṃ praṣṭum ārabdhaḥ-vatse, na tvayā sundaraṃ kṛtam | tat kathyatāṃ ko 'yaṃ vṛttāntaḥ |

so 'bravīt-yad aham anena prāṇa-saṃśayād rakṣitā, tad enaṃ muktvā mama jīvantyā nānyaḥ pāṇiṃ grahīṣyati iti |

anena vārtā-vyatikareṇa rajanī vyuṣṭā | atha prātas tatra sañjāte mahā-jana-samavāye vārtā-vyatikaraṃ śrutvā rāja-duhitā tam uddeśam āgatā | karṇa-paramparayā śrutvā daṇḍapāśaka-sutāpi tatraivāgatā | atha taṃ mahājana-amavāyaṃ śrutvā rājāpi tatra evājagāma |

prāptavyamarthaṃ prāha-bhoḥ viśrabdhaṃ kathaya | kīdṛśo 'sau vṛttāntaḥ ? atha so 'bravīt-prāptavyamarthaṃ labhate manuṣyaḥ iti |

rāja-kanyā smṛtvā prāha-devo 'pi taṃ laṅghayituṃ na śakta iti |

tato daṇḍapāśaka-sutābravīt-tasmān na śocāmi na vismayo me iti |

tam akhilaloka-vṛttāntam ākarṇya vaṇik-sutābravīt-yad asmadīyaṃ na hi tat pareṣām iti |

tato 'bhaya-dānaṃ dattvā rājā pṛthak pṛthag vṛttāntān jñātvāvagata-tattvas tasmai prāptavyam arthāya sva-duhitaraṃ sa-bahu-mānaṃ grāma-sahasreṇa samaṃ sarvālaṅkāra-parivāra-yutāṃ dattvā tvaṃ me putro 'sīti nagara-viditaṃ taṃ yauvarājye'bhiṣiktavān | daṇḍa-pāsakenāpi sva-duhitā sva-śaktyā vastra-dānādinā sambhāvya prāptavyamarthāya pradattā |

atha prāptavyamarthenāpi svīya-pitṛ-mātarau samasta-kuṭumbāvṛtau tasmin nagare sammāna-puraḥsaraṃ samānītau | atha so 'pi sva-gotreṇa saha vividha-bhogānupabhuñjānaḥ sukhenāvasthitaḥ | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-prāptavyam arthaṃ labhate manuṣyaḥ iti |

tad etat sakalaṃ sukha-duḥkham anubhūya paraṃ viṣādam upāgato 'nena mitreṇa tvat-sakāśam ānītaḥ | tad etan me vairāgya-kāraṇam | mantharaka āha-bhadra, bhavati suhṛd ayam asandigdhaṃ yaḥ kṣut-kṣāmo 'pi śatru-bhūtaṃ tvāṃ bhakṣya-sthāne sthitam evaṃ pṛṣṭham āropyānayati na mārge'pi bhakṣayati | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-

tan mamāpy adyāsya viṣaye viśvāsaḥ samutpanno yato nīti-viruddheyaṃ maitrī māṃsāśibhir vāyasaiḥ saha jalacarāṇām | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

tat svāgataṃ bhavataḥ | sva-gṛha-vadāsyatām atra saras-tīre | yac ca vitt-nāśo videśa-vāsaś ca te sañjātas tatra viṣaye santāpo na kartavyaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

ata eva vivekino jitātmāno dhana-spṛhāṃ na kurvanti | uktaṃ ca-

artha-hīnaḥ pare deśe gato 'pi yaḥ prajñāvān bhavati sa kathañcid api na sīdati | uktaṃ ca-

tat prajñā-nidhir bhavān na prākṛta-puruṣa-tulyaḥ | athavā-

aparaṃ prāpto 'py arthaḥ karma-prāptyā naśyati | tad etāvanti dināni tvadīyam āsīt | muhūrtam apy anātmīyaṃ bhoktuṃ na labhyate | svayam āgatam api vidhināpahriyate |

hiraṇyaka āha--katham etat ?

sa āha- kathā 5 somilaka-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne somilako nāma kauliko vasati sma | so 'neka-vidha-paṭṭa-racanārañjitāni pārthivocitāni sadaiva vastrāṇy utpādayati | paraṃ tasya cāneka-vidha-paṭṭa-racana-nipuṇasyāpi na bhojanācchādanābhyadhikaṃ katham apy artha-mātraṃ sampadyate | athānye tatra sāmānya-kaulikāḥ sthūla-vastra-sampādana-vijñānino mahardhi-sampannāḥ | tān avalokya sa sva-bhāryām āha-priye ! paśyaitān sthūla-paṭṭa-kārakān dhana-kanaka-samṛddhān | tad adhāraṇakaṃ mamaitat sthānam | tad anyatropārjanāya gacchāmi | sā prāha-bhoḥ priyatama ! mithyā pralapitam etad yad anyatra-gatānāṃ dhanaṃ bhavati, sva-sthāne na bhavati | uktaṃ ca-

tathā ca-

kaulika āha-priye ! na samyag abhihitaṃ bhavatyā | vyavasāyaṃ vinā na karma phalati | uktaṃ ca-

tathā ca-

tathā ca- udyamena hi sidhyanti kāryāṇi na manorathaiḥ | na hi suptasya siṃhasya viśanti vadane mṛgāḥ ||Panc_2.136|| udyamena vinā rājan na sidhyanti manorathāḥ |

tan mayāvaśyaṃ deśāntaraṃ gantavyam |

iti niścitya vardhamāna-puraṃ gatvā tatra varṣa-trayaṃ sthitvā suvarṇa-śata-trayopārjanaṃ kṛtvā bhūyaḥ sva-gṛhaṃ prasthitaḥ | athārdha-pathe gacchatas tasya kadācid aṭavyāṃ paryaṭato bhagavān ravir astam upāgataḥ | tatra ca vyāla-bhayāt sthūlatara-vaṭa-skandha ārūhya prasupto yāvat tiṣṭhati tāvan niśīthe dvau puruṣau raudrākārau parasparaṃ jalpantāv aśṛṇot |

tatraika āha-bhoḥ kartaḥ tvaṃ kiṃ samyaṅ na vetsi yad asya somilakasya bhojanācchādanād ṛte'dhikā samṛddhir nāsti | tat kiṃ tvayāsya suvarṇa-śata-trayaṃ dattam |

sa āha-bhoḥ karman mayāvaśyaṃ dātavyaṃ vyavasāyināṃ tatra ca tasya pariṇatis tvad āyatteti | atha yāvad asau kaulikaḥ prabuddhaḥ suvarṇa-granthim avalokayati tāvad riktaṃ paśyati |

tataḥ sākṣepaṃ cintayāmāsa | aho kim etat ? mahatā kaṣṭenopārjitaṃ vittaṃ helayā kvāpi gatam | yad vyartha-śramo 'kiñcanaḥ kathaṃ sva-patnyā mitrāṇāṃ ca mukhaṃ darśayiṣyāmi | iti niścitya tad eva pattanaṃ gataḥ | tatra ca varṣa-mātreṇāpi suvarṇa-śata-pañcakam upārjya bhūyo 'pi sva-sthānaṃ prati prasthitaḥ | yāvad ardha-pathe bhūyo 'ṭavī-gatasya bhagavān bhānur astaṃjagāmātha suvarṇa-nāśa-bhayāt suśrānto 'pi na viśrāmyati kevalaṃ kṛta-gṛhotkaṇṭhaḥ satvaraṃ vrajati | atrāntare dvau puruṣau tādṛṣau dṛṣṭi-deśe samāgacchantau jalpantau ca śṛṇoti | tatraikaḥ prāha-bhoḥ kartaḥ ! kiṃ tvayaitasya suvarṇa-śata-pañcakaṃ dattam ? tat kiṃ na vetsi yad bhojanācchādanābhyadhikam asya kiṃcin nāsti |

sa āha-bhoḥ karman ! mayāvaśyaṃ deyaṃ vyavasāyinām | tasya pariṇāmas tvad-āyattaḥ | tat kiṃ mām upālambhayasi ?

tac chrutvā somilako yāvad granthim avalokayati tāvat suvarṇaṃ nāsti | tataḥ paraṃ duḥkham āpanno vyacintayat-aho kiṃ mama dhana-rahitasya jīvitena ? tad atra vaṭa-vṛkṣa ātmānam udbadhya prāṇāṃs tyajāmi |

evaṃ niścitya darbha-mayīṃ rajjuṃ vidhāya sva-kaṇṭhe pāśaṃ niyojya śākhāyām ātmānaṃ nibadhya yāvat prakṣipati tāvad ekaḥ pumān ākāśa-stha evedam āha-bho bhoḥ somilaka ! maivaṃ sāhasaṃ kuru | ahaṃ te vittāpahārako na te bhojanācchādanābhyadhikaṃ varāṭikām api sahāmi | tad gaccha sva-gṛhaṃ prati | anyac ca bhavadīya-sāhasenāhaṃ tuṣṭaḥ | tathā me na syād vyarthaṃ darśanam | tat prārthyatām abhīṣṭo varaḥ kaścit |

somilaka āha-yady evaṃ tad dehi me prabhūtaṃ dhanam |

somilaka āha-yady api bhogo nāsti tathāpi bhavatu me dhanam | uktaṃ ca-

puruṣa āha-kim etat ?

so 'bravīt-

kathā 6 tīkṣṇa-viṣāṇa-śṛgāla-kathā

kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne tīkṣṇaviṣāṇo nāma mahā-vṛṣabho vasati | sa ca madātirekāt parityakta-nija-yūṭhaḥ śṛṅgābhyāṃ nadī-taṭāni vidārayan svecchayā marakata-sadṛśāni śaṣpāṇi bhakṣayann araṇya-caro babhūva | atha tatraiva vane pralobhako nāma śṛgālaḥ prativasati sma | sa kadācit sva-bhāryayā saha nadī-tīre sukhopaviṣṭas tiṣṭhati | atrāntare sa tīkṣṇaviṣāṇo jalārthaṃ tad eva pulinam avatīrṇaḥ | tataś ca tasya lambamānau vṛṣaṇāv ālokya śṛgālyā śṛgālo 'bhihitaḥ-svāmin ! paśyāsya vṛṣabhasya māṃsa-piṇḍau lambamānau yathā sthitau | tataḥ kṣaṇena prahareṇa vā patiṣyataḥ | evaṃ jñātvā bhavatā pṛṣṭha-yāyinā bhāvyaṃ |

śṛgāla āha-priye ! na jñāyate kadācid etayoḥ patanaṃ bhaviṣyati vā na vā | tat kiṃ vṛthā śramāya māṃ niyojayasi ? atra-sthas tāvaj jalārtham āgatān mūṣakān bhakṣayiṣyāmi samaṃ tvayā | mārgo 'yaṃ yatas teṣām | atha yadā tvāṃ muktvāsya tīkṣṇaviṣāṇasya vṛṣabhasya pṛṣṭhe gamiṣyāmi tadāgatyānyaḥ kaścid etat sthānaṃ samāśrayiṣyati | naitad yujyate kartum | uktaṃ ca-

śṛgāly āha-bhoḥ kāpuruṣas tvaṃ yat kiṃcit prāptaṃ tenāpi santoṣaṃ karoṣi | uktaṃ ca-

tasmāt puruṣeṇa sadaivotsāhavatā bhāvyam | uktaṃ ca-

yac ca tvaṃ vadasi | etau patiṣyato na veti | tad apy ayuktam | uktaṃ ca-

aparaṃ mūṣaka-māṃsasya nirviṇṇāham | etau ca māṃsa-piṇḍau patana-prāyau dṛśyete | tat sarvathā nānyathā kartavyam iti | athāsau tad ākarṇya mūṣaka-prāpti-sthānaṃ parityajya tīkṣṇaviṣāṇasya pṛṣṭham anvagacchat | atha vā sādhv idam ucyate-

evaṃ sa tasya pṛṣṭhataḥ sa-bhāryaḥ paribhramaṃś cira-kālam anayat | na ca tayoḥ patanam abhūt | tataś ca nirvedāt pañcadaśe varṣe śṛgālaḥ svabhāryām āha-śithilau ca subaddhau ca (141) ityādi |

tayos tat-paścād api pāto na bhaviṣyati | tat tad eva sva-sthānaṃ gacchāvaḥ | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-śithilau ca subaddhau ca (141) iti |

puruṣa āha-yady evaṃ tad gaccha bhūyo 'pi vardhamāna-puram | tatra dvau vaṇik-putrau vasataḥ | eko gupta-dhanaḥ | dvitīya upabhukta-dhanaḥ | tatas tayoḥ svarūpaṃ buddhvaikasya varaḥ prārthanīyaḥ | yadi te dhanena prayojanam abhakṣitena tatas tvām api gupta-dhanaṃ karomi | athavā datta-bhogyena dhanena te prayojanaṃ tad upabhukta-dhanaṃ karomīti | evam uktvādarśanaṃ gataḥ |

somilako 'pi vismita-manā bhūyo 'pi vardhamāna-puraṃ gataḥ | atha sandhyā-samaye śrāntaḥ katham api tat-puraṃ prāpto guptadhana-gṛhaṃ pṛcchan kṛcchrāl labdhvāstamita-sūrye praviṣṭaḥ | athāsau bhāryā-putra-sametena guptadhanena nirbhartsyamāno haṭhād gṛhaṃ praviśyopaviṣṭaḥ | tataś ca bhojana-velāyāṃ tasyāpi bhakti-varjitaṃ kiṃcid aśanaṃ dattam | tataś ca bhuktvā tatraiva yāvat supto niśīthe paśyati tāvat tāv api dvau puruṣau parasparaṃ mantrayataḥ | tatraika āha-bhoḥ kartaḥ ! kiṃ tvayāsya guptadhanasyānyo 'dhiko vyayo nirmito yat somilakasyānena bhojanaṃ dattam | tad ayuktaṃ tvayā kṛtam |

sa āha-bhoḥ karman ! na mamātra doṣaḥ | mayā puruṣasya lābha-prāptir dātavyā | tat-pariṇatiḥ punas tvad-āyatteti | athāsau yāvad uttiṣṭhati tāvad guptadhano visūcikayā khidyamāno rujābhibhūtaḥ kṣaṇaṃ tiṣṭhati | tato dvitīye'hni tad-doṣeṇa kṛtopavāsaḥ sañjātaḥ |

somilako 'pi prabhāte tad-gṛhān niṣkramya upabhuktadhana-gṛhaṃ gataḥ | tenāpi cābhyutthādinā sat-kṛto vihita-bhojanācchādana-saṃmānas tasyaiva gṛhe bhavya-śayyām āruhya suṣvāpa | tataś ca niśīthe yāvat paśyati tāvat tāv eva dvau puruṣau mitho mantrayataḥ | atra tayor eka āha-bhoḥ kartaḥ ! anena somilakasyopakāraṃ kurvatā prabhūto vyayaḥ kṛtaḥ | tat kathaya katham asyoddhāraka-vidhir bhaviṣyati | anena sarvam etad vyavahāraka-gṛhāt samānītam |

sa āha-bhoḥ karman ! mama kṛtyam etat | pariṇatis tvad-āyatteti | atha prabhāta-samaye rāja-puruṣo rāja-prasādajaṃ vittam ādāya samāyāta upabhukta-dhanāya samarpayām āsa |

tad dṛṣṭvā somilakaś cintayāmāsa | sañcaya-rahito 'pi varam eṣa upabhuktadhano nāsau kadaryo guptadhanaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tad vidhātā māṃ datta-bhukta-dhanaṃ karotu | na kāryaṃ me guptadhanena | tataḥ somilako dattabhuktadhanaḥ saṃjātaḥ | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-arthasyopārjanaṃ kṛtvā iti |

tad bhadra ! hiraṇyakaivaṃ jñātvā dhana-viṣaye santāpo na kāryaḥ | atha vidyamānam api dhanaṃ bhojya-bandhyatayā tad-avidyamānaṃ mantavyam | uktaṃ ca-

anyac ca- dānaṃ bhogo nāśas tisro gatayo bhavanti vittasya | yo na dadāti na bhuṅkte tasya tṛtīyā gatir bhavati ||Panc_2.154||

evaṃ jñātvā vivekinā na sthity-arthaṃ vittopārjanaṃ kartavyaṃ yato duḥkhāya tat | uktaṃ ca-

vāñchā-vicchedanaṃ prāhuḥ svāsthyaṃ śāntā maha-rṣayaḥ | vāñchā nivartate nārthaiḥ pipāsevāgni-sevanaiḥ ||Panc_2.160|| anindyam api nindanti stuvanty astutyam uccakaiḥ |

evaṃ jñātvā bhadra tvayā santoṣaḥ kārya iti | mantharakavacanam ākarṇya vāyasa āha-bhadra mantharako yad evaṃ vadati tat tvayā citte kartavyam | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

athaivaṃ jalpatāṃ teṣāṃ citrāṅgo nāma hariṇo lubdhaka-trāsitas tasminn eva sarasi praviṣṭaḥ | athāyāntaṃ sa-sambhramam avalokya laghupatanako vṛkṣam ārūḍhaḥ | hiraṇyakaḥ śarastambaṃ praviṣṭaḥ | mantharakaḥ salilāśayam āsthitaḥ | atha laghupatanako mṛgaṃ samyak parijñāya mantharakam uvāca-ehy ehi sakhe mantharaka ! mṛgo 'yaṃ tṛṣārto 'tra samāyātaḥ sarasi praviṣṭaḥ | tasya śabdo 'yaṃ na mānuṣa-sambhava iti |

tac chrutvā mantharako deśa-kālocitam āha-bho laghupatanaka ! yathāyaṃ mṛgo dṛśyate prabhūtam ucchvāsam udvahann udbhrānta-dṛṣṭyā pṛṣṭhato 'valokayati tan na tṛṣārta eṣa nūnaṃ lubdhaka-trāsitaḥ | taj jñāyatām asya pṛṣṭhe lubdhakā āgacchanti na veti | uktaṃ ca-

tac chrutvā citrāṅga āha-bho mantharaka ! jñātaṃ tvayā samyaṅ me trāsa-kāraṇam | ahaṃ lubdhaka-śara-prahārād uddhāritaḥ kṛcchreṇātra samāyātaḥ | mama yūthaṃ tair lubdhakair vyāpāditaṃ bhaviṣyati | tac charaṇāgatasya me darśaya kiṃcid agamyaṃ sthānaṃ lubdhakānām |

tad ākarṇya mantharaka āha-bhoś citrāṅga ! śrūyatāṃ nīti-śāstram |

tad gamyatāṃ śīghraṃ ghanaṃ vanaṃ yāvad adyāpi nāgacchanti te durātmāno lubdhakāḥ |

atrāntare laghupatanakaḥ satvaram abhyupetyovāca-bho mantharaka ! gatās te lubdhakāḥ sva-gṛhonmukhāḥ pracura-māṃsa-piṇḍa-dhāriṇaḥ | tac citrāṅga ! tvaṃ viśrabdho jalād bahir bhava | tatas te catvāro 'pi mitra-bhāvam āśritās tasmin sarasi madhyāhna-samaye vṛkṣa-cchāyādhastāt subhāṣita-goṣṭhī-sukham anubhavantaḥ sukhena kālaṃ nayanti | athavā yuktam etad ucyate-

athaikasminn ahani goṣṭhī-samaye mṛgo nāyātaḥ | atha te vyākulībhūtāḥ parasparaṃ jalpitum ārabdhāḥ | aho kim adya suhṛn na samāyātaḥ | kiṃ siṃhādibhiḥ kvacid vyāpādita uta lubdhakair atha vānale prapatito gartā-viṣame vā nava-tṛṇa-laulyād iti | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

atha mantharako vāyasam āha-bho laghupatanakāhaṃ hiraṇyakaś ca tāvad dvāv apy aśaktau tasyānveṣaṇaṃ kartuṃ mandagatitvāt | tad gatvā tvam araṇyaṃ śodhaya yadi kutracit taṃ jīvantaṃ paśyasīti |

tad ākarṇya laghupatanako nātidūre yāvad gacchati tāvat palvala-tīre citrāṅgaḥ kūṭa-pāśa-niyantritas tiṣṭhati | taṃ dṛṣṭvā śoka-vyākulita-manās tam avocat | bhadra kim idam ? citrāṅgo 'pi vāyasam avalokya viśeṣeṇa duḥkhita-manā babhūva | athavā yuktam etat-

tataś ca vāṣpāvasāne citrāṅgo laghupatanakam āha-bho mitra saṃjāto 'yaṃ tāvan mama mṛtyuḥ | tad yuktaṃ sampannaṃ yad bhavatā saha me darśanaṃ sañjātam | uktaṃ ca-

tat kṣantavyaṃ yan mayā praṇayāt subhāṣita-goṣṭhīṣv abhihitaṃ | tathā hiraṇyaka-mantharakau mama vākyād vācyau |

tac chrutvā laghupatanaka āha-bhadra na bhetavyam asmad-vidhair mitrair vidyamānaiḥ | yāvad ahaṃ drutataraṃ hiraṇyakaṃ gṛhītvāgacchāmi | aparaṃ ye sat-puruṣā bhavanti te vyasane na vyākulatvam upayānti | uktaṃ ca-

sampadi yasya na harṣo vipadi viṣādo raṇe na bhīrutvaṃ | taṃ bhuvana-traya-tilakaṃ janayati jananī sutaṃ viralaṃ ||Panc_2.177||

evam uktvā laghupatanakaś citrāṅgam āśvāsya yatra hiraṇyaka-mantharakau tiṣṭhatas tatra gatvā sarvaṃ citrāṅga-pāśa-patanaṃ kathitavān | hiraṇyakaṃ ca citrāṅga-pāśa-mokṣaṇaṃ prati kṛta-niścayaṃ pṛṣṭham āropya bhūyo 'pi satvaraṃ citrāṅga-samīpe gataḥ | so 'pi mūṣakam avalokya kiṃcij jīvitāśayā saṃśliṣṭa āha-

hiraṇyaka āha-bhadra tvaṃ tāvan nīti-śāstra-jño dakṣa iti | tat katham atra kūṭa-pāśe patitaḥ ?

sa āha-bho na kālo 'yaṃ vivādasya | tan na yāvat sa pāpātmā lubdhakaḥ samabhyeti tāvad drutataraṃ kartayemaṃ mat-pāda-pāśaṃ |

tad ākarṇya vihasyāha hiraṇyakaḥ-kiṃ mayy api samāyāte lubdhakād bibheṣi tataḥ śāstraṃ prati mahatī me viraktiḥ sampannā yad bhavad-vidhā api nīti-śāstra-vida etām avasthāṃ prāpnuvanti | tena tvāṃ pṛcchāmi |

sa āha-bhadra karmaṇā buddhir api hanyate | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ tayoḥ pravadatoḥ suhṛd-vyasana-santapta-hṛdayo mantharakaḥ śanaiḥ śanais taṃ pradeśam ājagāma | taṃ dṛṣṭvā laghupatanako hiraṇyakam āha-aho na śobhanam āpatitam | hiraṇyaka āha-kiṃ sa lubdhakaḥ samāyāti ?

sa āha-āstāṃ tāval lubdhaka-vārtā | eṣa mantharakaḥ samāgacchati | tad anītir anuṣṭhitānena yato vayam apy asya kāraṇān nūnaṃ vyāpādanaṃ yāsyāmo yadi sa pāpātmā lubdhakaḥ samāgamiṣyati | tad ahaṃ tāvat kham utpatiṣyāmi | tvaṃ punar bilaṃ praviṣyātmānaṃ rakṣayiṣyasi | citrāṅgo 'pi vegena dig-antaraṃ yāsyati | eṣa punar jalacaraḥ sthale kathaṃ bhaviṣyatīti vyākulo 'smi | atrāntare prāpto 'yaṃ mantharakaḥ |

hiraṇyaka āha-bhadra, na yuktam anuṣṭhitaṃ bhavatā yad atra samāyātaḥ | tad bhūyo 'pi drutataraṃ gamyatāṃ yāvad asau lubdhako na samāyāti |

mantharaka āha-bhadra, kiṃ karomi ? na śaknomi tatra-stho mitra-vyasanāgni-dāghaṃ soḍhum | tenāham atrāgataḥ | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

evaṃ tasya pravadata ākarṇa-pūrita-śarāsano lubdhako 'py upāgataḥ | taṃ dṛṣṭvā mūṣakeṇa tasya snāyu-pāśas tat-kṣaṇāt khaṇḍitaḥ | atrāntare citrāṅgaḥ satvaraṃ pṛṣṭham avalokayan pradhāvitaḥ | laghupatanako vṛkṣam ārūḍhaḥ | hiraṇyakaś ca samīpa-varti bilaṃ praviṣṭaḥ | athāsau lubdhako mṛga-gamanād viṣaṇṇa-vadano vyartha-śramas taṃ mantharakaṃ mandaṃ mandaṃ sthala-madhye gacchantaṃ dṛṣṭavān | acintayac ca-yady api kuraṅgo dhātrāpahṛtas tathāpy ayaṃ kūrma āhārārthaṃ sampāditaḥ | tad adyāsyāmiṣeṇa me kuṭumbasyāhāra-nirvṛttir bhaviṣyati |

evaṃ vicintya taṃ darbhaiḥ sañchādya dhanuṣu samāropya skandhe kṛtvā gṛhaṃ prati prasthitaḥ | atrāntare taṃ nīyamānam avalokya hiraṇyako duḥkhākulaḥ paryadevayat-kaṣṭaṃ bhoḥ kaṣṭam āpatitam |

yadi tāvat kṛtāntena me dhana-nāśo vihitas tan-mārga-śrāntasya me viśrāma-bhūtaṃ mitraṃ kasmād apahṛtaṃ | aparam api mitraṃ paraṃ mantharaka-samaṃ na syāt | uktaṃ ca-

tad asya paścān nānyaḥ suhṛn me | tat kiṃ mamopary anavarataṃ vyasana-śarair varṣati hanta vidhiḥ | yata ādau tāvad vitta-nāśas tataḥ parivāra-bhraṃśas tato deśa-tyāgas tato mitra-viyoga iti | athavā svarūpam etat sarveṣām eva jantūnāṃ jīvita-dharmasya | uktaṃ ca-

tathā ca-

aho sādhūktaṃ kenāpi |

atrāntare ākranda-parau citrāṅga-laghupatanakau tatraiva samāyātau | atha hiraṇyaka āha-aho kiṃ vṛthā-pralapitena | tad yāvad eṣa mantharako dṛṣṭi-gocarān na nīyate tāvad asya mokṣopāyaś cintyatām iti | uktaṃ ca-

anyac ca-

tac chrutvā vāyasa āha-bho yady evaṃ tat kriyatāṃ mad-vacaḥ | eṣa citrāṅgo 'sya mārge gatvā kiṃcit palvalam āsādya tasya tīre niścetano bhūtvā patatu | aham apy asya śirasi samāruhya mandaiś cañcu-prahāraiḥ śira ullekhiṣyāmi yenāsau lubdhako 'muṃ mṛtaṃ matvā mama cañcu-prahāra-pratyayena mantharakaṃ bhūmau kṣiptvā mṛgārthe dhāvati | atrāntare tvayā darbha-maya-bandhana-veṣṭanāni khaṇḍanīyāni yenāsau mantharako drutataraṃ palvalaṃ praviśati |

citrāṅgaḥ prāha-bho bhadro 'yaṃ dṛṣṭo mantras tvayā | nūnaṃ mantharako mukto mantavyaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tat tad evaṃ kriyatām | tathānuṣṭhite sa lubdhakas tathaiva mārgāsanna-palvala-tīrasthaṃ citrāṅgaṃ vāyasa-sanātham adrākṣīt | taṃ dṛṣṭvā harṣita-manā vyacintayat | nūnaṃ pāśa-vedanayā varāko 'yaṃ mṛgo gatvāyuḥ-śeṣa-jīvitaḥ pāśaṃ troṭayitvā katham apy etad vanāntaraṃ praviṣṭo yāvan mṛtaḥ | tad vaśyo 'yaṃ me kacchapaḥ suyantritatvāt | tad enam api tāvad gṛhṇāmīty avardhāya kacchapaṃ bhū-tale prakṣipya mṛgam upādravat |

atrāntare hiraṇyakena vajropama-daṃṣṭrā-prahāreṇa tad darbha-veṣṭanaṃ tat-kṣaṇāt khaṇḍaśaḥ kṛtaṃ | mantharako 'pi tṛṇa-madhyān niṣkramya palvalaṃ praviṣṭaḥ | citrāṅgo 'py aprāptasyāpi tasyotthāya vāyasena saha drutaṃ pranaṣṭaḥ | atrāntare vilakṣo viṣāda-paro nivṛtto lubdhako yāvat paśyati tāvat kacchapo 'pi gataḥ | tataś ca tatropaviśyemaṃ ślokam apaṭhat-

evaṃ bahu-vidhaṃ vilapya sva-gṛhaṃ gataḥ | atha tasmin dūrī-bhūte sarve'pi te kāka-kūrma-mṛgākhavaḥ paramānanda-bhājo militvā parasparam āliṅgya punar jātān ivātmano manyamānas tad eva saraḥ prāpya mahā-sukhena subhāṣita-goṣṭhī-vinodaṃ kurvantaḥ kālaṃ nayanti sma | evaṃ jñātvā vivekinā mitra-saṅgrahaḥ kāryaḥ | tathā mitreṇa sahāvyājena vartitavyam | uktaṃ ca-

iti śrī-viṣṇu-śarma-viracite pañcatantre mitra-samprāptir nāma dvitīyaṃ tantraṃ samāptam ||2||

tṛtīyaṃ tantram atha kākolūkīyam

prastāvanā kathā meghavarṇārimardana-vṛttāntaḥ

athedam ārabhyate kākolūkīyaṃ nāma tṛtīyaṃ tantram | yasyāyam ādyaḥ ślokaḥ-

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

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

tasmāt tena yoddhavyam iti me matiḥ | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-

aparaṃ tena parābhūtā vayam | tad yadi sandhāna-kīrtanaṃ kariṣyāmas tad bhūyo 'tyantaṃ kopaṃ kariṣyati | uktaṃ ca-

tat te yuktaṃ kartum apasaraṇam | anyac ca-

aparaṃ kāraṇāpekṣayāpasaraṇaṃ kriyate budhaiḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tad balavatābhiyuktsyāpasaraṇa-samayo 'yaṃ na sandher vigrahasya ca | evam anujīvi-mantro 'pasaraṇasya |

atha tasya vacanam ākarṇya prajīvanam āha-bhadra ! tvam apy ātmano 'bhiprāyaṃ vada |

so 'bravīt-deva ! mama sandhi-vigraha-yānāni trīṇy api na pratibhānti | viśeṣataś cāsanaṃ pratibhāti | uktaṃ ca-

tiṣṭhen madhya-gato nityaṃ yuddhāya kṛta-niścayaḥ | jīvan samprāptsyati rājyaṃ mṛto vā svargam eṣyati ||Panc_3.51|| (yugmakam)

evaṃ prajīva-mantraḥ | idam āsana-saṃjñakam |

etat samākarṇya cirañjīvinaṃ prāha-bhadra ! tvam api svābhiprāyaṃ vada |

so 'bravīt-deva ! ṣāḍguṇya-madhye mama saṃśrayaḥ samyak pratibhāti | tat tasyānuṣṭhānaṃ kāryam | uktaṃ ca-

tad atraiva sthitena tvayā kaścit samarthaḥ samāśrayaṇīyaḥ, yo vipat-pratikāraṃ karoti | yadi punas tvaṃ sva-sthānaṃ tyaktvānyatra yāsyasi | tat ko 'pi te vāṅ-mātreṇāpi sahāyatvaṃ na kariṣyati | uktaṃ ca, yataḥ-

athavā naitad ekāntaṃ yad balinam ekaṃ samāśrayet | laghūnām api saṃśrayo rakṣāyai eva bhavati | uktaṃ ca, yataḥ-

yadi punar uttama-saṃśrayo bhavati tat kim ucyate ? uktaṃ ca-

tad evaṃ saṃśrayaṃ vinā na kaścit pratīkāro bhavati iti me'bhiprāyaḥ | evaṃ cirañjīvi-mantraḥ |

athaivam abhihite sa meghavarṇo rājā cirantanaṃ pitṛ-sacivaṃ dīrghāyuṣaṃ sakala-nīti-śāstra-pāraṅgataṃ sthirajīvi-nāmānaṃ praṇamya provāca-tāta ! yad ete mayā pṛṣṭāḥ sacivās tāvad atra-sthitasyāpi tava tat-parīkṣārtham, yena tvaṃ sakalaṃ śrutvā yad ucitaṃ tan me samādiśasi | tad yady uktaṃ bhavati tas samādeśyam |

sa āha-vatsa ! sarvair apy etair nīti-śāstrāśrayam uktaṃ sacivaiḥ | tad upayujyate sva-kālocitaṃ sarvam eva | param eṣa dvaidhībhāvasya kālaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tac chatruṃ viśvāsyāviśvastair lobhaṃ darśayadbhiḥ sukhenocchidyate ripuḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tad dvaidhībhāvaṃ saṃśritasya tava sva-sthāne vāso bhaviṣyati, lobhāśrayāc ca śatrum uccāṭayiṣyasi aparaṃ-yadi kiñcic chidraṃ tasya paśyasi, tad gatvā vyāpādayiṣyasi |

meghavarṇa āha-tāta mayā so 'vidita saṃśrayaḥ | tat kathaṃ tasya chidraṃ jñāsyāmi ?

sthirajīvy āha-vatsa ! na kevalaṃ sthānaṃ, chidrāṇy api tasya prakaṭīkariṣyāmi praṇadhibhiḥ | uktaṃ ca-

meghavarṇa āha-tāta, kāni tīrthāny ucyante ? kati saṅkhyāni ca ? kīdṛśā guptacarāḥ ? tat sarvaṃ nivedyatām iti |

sa āha-atra viṣaye bhagavatā nāradena yudhiṣṭhiraḥ proktaḥ | yac chatru-pakṣe'ṣṭādaśa-tīrthāni, sva-pakṣe pañcadaśa | tribhis tribhir guptacarais tāni jñeyāni | tair jñātaiḥ sva-pakṣaḥ para-pakṣaś ca vaśyo bhavati | uktaṃ ca nāradena yudhiṣṭhiraṃ prati-

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

evaṃ mantri-vākyam ākarṇyātrāntare meghavarṇa āha-tāta ! atha kiṃ nimittam evaṃvidhaṃ prāṇāntikaṃ sadaiva vāyasolūkānāṃ vairam ?

sa āha-vatsa ! kadācid dhaṃsa-śuka-kokila-cātaka-ulūka-mayūra-kapāta-pārāvata-viṣkira-prabhṛtayaḥ sarve'pi pakṣiṇaḥ sametya sodvegaṃ mantrayitum ārabdhāḥ | aho asmākaṃ tāvad vainateyo rājā, sa ca vāsudeva-bhakto na kām api cintām asmākaṃ karoti | tat kiṃ tena vṛthāsvāminā ? yo lubdhaka-pāśair nityaṃ nibadhyamānānāṃ na rakṣāṃ vidhatte | uktaṃ ca-

arakṣitāraṃ rājānaṃ bhāryāṃ cāpirya-vādinīm | grāma-kāmaṃ ca gopālaṃ vana-kāmaṃ ca nāpitam ||Panc_3.74|| (yugmam)

tat, sañcityānyaḥ kaścid rājā vihaṅgamānāṃ kriyatām iti | atha tair bhadrākāram ulūkam avalokya sarvair abhihitam-yad eṣa ulūko rājāsmākaṃ bhaviṣyati, tad ānīyantāṃ nṛpābhiṣeka-sambandhinaḥ sambhārāḥ iti |

atha sādhite vividha-tīrthodake, praguṇīkṛte'ṣṭottara-śata-mūlikā-saṅghāte pradatte siṃhāsane, vartite saptadvīpa-samudra-bhūdhara-vicitre dharitrī-maṇḍale, prastārite vyāghra-carmaṇi āpūriteṣu hema-kumbheṣu dīpeṣu vādyeṣu ca sajjīkṛteṣu darpaṇādiṣu māṅgalya-vastuṣu, paṭhatsu vandi-mukhyeṣu, vedoccāraṇa-pareṣu samudita-mukheṣu brāhmaṇeṣu, gīta-pare yuvati-jane, ānītāyām agra-mahiṣyāṃ kṛkālikāyām, ulūko 'bhiṣekārthaṃ yāvat siṃhāsane upaviśati tāvat kuto 'pi vāyasaḥ samāyātaḥ so 'cintayat-aho ! kim eṣa sakala-pakṣi-samāgamo mahotsavaś ca ? atha te pakṣiṇas taṃ dṛṣṭvā mithaḥ procuḥ | pakṣiṇāṃ madhye vāyasaś caturaḥ śrūyate | uktaṃ ca-

tad asyāpi vacanaṃ grāhyam | uktaṃ ca-

atha vāyasaḥ sametya tān āha-aho ! kiṃ mahājana-samāgamo 'yaṃ parama-mahotsavaś ca |

te procuḥ-bhoḥ ! nāsti kaścid vihaṅgamānāṃ rājā, tad asyolūkasya vihaṅga-rājyābhiṣeko nirūpitas tiṣṭhati samasta-pakṣibhiḥ | tattvam api sva-mataṃ dehi | prastāve samāgato 'si |

athāsau kāko vihasyāha-aho ! na yuktam etat | yan mayūra-haṃsa-kokila-cakravāka-śuka-kāraṇḍava-hārīta-sārasādiṣu pakṣi-pradhāneṣu vidyamāneṣu divāndhasyāsya karāla-vaktrasyābhiṣekaḥ kriyate | tatraitan mama matam | yataḥ-

aparaṃ vainateye svāmini sthite kim eṣa divāndhaḥ kriyate rājā ? tad yadyapi guṇavān bhavati, tathāpy ekasmin svāmini sthite nānyo bhūpaḥ praśasyate |

tat tasya nāmnāpi yūyaṃ pareṣām agamyā bhaviṣyatha | uktaṃ ca-

pakṣiṇa ūcuḥ-katham etat ?

sa āha- kathā 1 caturdanta-nāma-mahā-gaja-kathā

kasmiṃścid vane caturdanto nāma mahā-gajo yūthādhipaḥ prativasati sma | tatra kadācin mahaty anāvṛṣṭiḥ sañjātā prabhūta-varṣāṇi yāvat | tayā taḍāga-hrada-palvala-sarāṃsi śoṣam upagatāni | atha taiḥ samasta-gajaiḥ sa gajarājaḥ proktaḥ-deva ! pipāsākulā gaja-kalabhā mṛta-prāyā apare mṛtāś ca | tad anviṣyatāṃ kaścij jalāśayo yatra jala-pānena svasthatāṃ vrajanti |

tataś ciraṃ dhyātvā tenābhihitam-asti mahā-hrado vivikte pradeśe sthala-madhya-gataḥ pātāla-gaṅgā-jalena sadaiva pūrṇaḥ | tat tatra gamyatāṃ iti |

tathānuṣṭḥite pañcarātram upasarpadbhiḥ samāsāditas taiḥ sa hradaḥ | tatra svecchayā jalam avagāhyās tam anavelāyāṃ niṣkrāntāḥ | tasya ca hradasya samantāc chaśaka-bilāni asaṅkhyāni sukomala-bhūmau tiṣṭhanti | tāny api samastair api tair gajair itas tato bhramadbhiḥ paribhagnāni | bahavaḥ śaśakāḥ bhagna-pāda-śiro-grīvā vihitāḥ | kecin mṛtāḥ kecij jīva-śeṣā jātāḥ |

atha gate tasmin gaja-yūthe śaśakāḥ sodvegā gajapāda-kṣuṇṇa-samāvāsāḥ kecid bhagna-pādāḥ | anye jarjarita-kalevarā rudhira-plutāḥ | anye hata-śiśavo bāṣpa-pihita-locanāḥ sametya mitho mantraṃ cakruḥ-aho vinaṣṭā vayam | nityam evaitad gaja-yūtham āgamiṣyati yato nānyatra jalam asti | tat sarveṣāṃ nāśo bhaviṣyati | uktaṃ ca-

tac cintyatāṃ kaścid upāyaḥ | tatraikaḥ provāca-gamyatāṃ deśa-tyāgena | kim anyat ? uktaṃ ca manunā vyāsena ca-

tataś cānye procuḥ-bhoḥ ! pitṛ-paitāmahaṃ sthānaṃ na śakyate sahasā tyaktum | tat kriyatāṃ teṣāṃ kṛte kācid vibhīṣikā | yat katham api daivān na samāyānti | uktaṃ ca-

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

tad anviṣyatāṃ yady asmād vyasanād ātmanāṃ sunirmuktiḥ |

athānye procuḥ-aho yuktam etat | nānyaḥ kaścid upāyo 'smākaṃ jīvitasya | tathaiva kriyatām |

atha lambakarṇo gaja-yūthādhipa-samīpe nirūpito gataś ca | tathānuṣṭhite lambakarṇo 'pi gaja-mārgam āsādyāgamyaṃ sthalam āruhya taṃ gajam uvāca-bhoḥ bhoḥ duṣṭa-gaja ! kim evaṃ līlayā niḥśaṅkayātra candra-hrada āgacchasi ? tan nāgantavyaṃ nivartyatām iti |

tad ākarṇya vismita-manā gaja āha-bhoḥ ! kas tvam ?

sa āha-ahaṃ lambakarṇo nāma śaśakaś candra-maṇḍale vasāmi | sāmprataṃ bhagavatā candramasā tava pārśve prahito dūtaḥ | jānāty eva bhavān | yathārtha-vādino dūtasya na doṣaḥ karaṇīyaḥ | dūta-mukhā hi rājānaḥ sarva eva | uktaṃ ca-

tac chrutvā sa āha-bhoḥ śaśaka ! tat kathaya bhagavataś candramasaḥ sandeśam | yena satvaraṃ kriyate |

sa āha-bhavatātīta-divase yūthena sahāgacchatā prabhūtāḥ śaśakā nipātitāḥ | tat kiṃ na vetti bhavān | yan mama parigraho 'yam | tad yadi jīvitena te prayojanaṃ tadā kenāpi prayojanenāpy atra hrade nāgantavyam iti sandeśaḥ |

gaja āha-atha kva vartate bhagavān svāmī candraḥ |

sa āha-atra hrade sāmprataṃ śaśakānāṃ bhavad-yūtha-mathitānāṃ hata-śeṣāṇāṃ samāśvāsanāya samāyātas tiṣṭhati | ahaṃ punas tavāntikaṃ preṣitaḥ |

gaja āha-yady evaṃ tad darśaya me taṃ svāminaṃ yena praṇamyānyatra gacchāmi |

śaśaka āha-āgaccha mayā sahaikakī yena darśayāmi |

tathānuṣṭhite śaśako niśā-samaye taṃ hrada-tīre nītvā jala-madhye sthitaṃ candra-bimbam adarśayat | āha ca-bhoḥ eṣa naḥ svāmī jala-madhye samādhisthas tiṣṭhati tan-nibhṛtaṃ praṇamya vrajeti | no cet, samādhi-bhaṅga-bhayād bhūyo 'pi prabhūtaṃ kopaṃ kariṣyati |

atha gajo 'pi trasta-manās taṃ praṇamya punar gamanāya prasthitaḥ | śaśakaś ca tad-dinād ārabhya sa-parivārāḥ sukhena sveṣu sthāneṣu tiṣṭhanti sma |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi vyapadeśena mahatām iti | api ca-

te procuḥ-katham etat ?

sa āha- kathā 2 śaśa-kapiñjala-kathā

kasmiṃścid vṛkṣe purāham avasam | tatrādhastāt koṭare kapiñjalo nāma caṭakaḥ prativasati sma | atha sadaivāstam anavelāyām āgatayor dvayor aneka-subhāṣita-goṣṭhyā devarṣi-brahmarṣi-rājarṣi-purāṇa-carita-kīrtanena ca paryaṭana-dṛṣṭāneka-kautūhala-prakathanena ca parama-sukham anubhavatoḥ kālo vrajati | atha kadācit kapiñjalaḥ prāṇa-yātrārtham anyaiś caṭakaiḥ sahānyaṃ pakva-śāli-prāñaṃ deśaṃ gataḥ | tato yāvan niśā-samaye'pi nāyātas tāvad ahaṃ sodvega-manās tad-viprayoga-duḥkhitaś cintitavān-aho kim adya kapiñjalo nāyātaḥ | kiṃ kenāpi pāśena baddhaḥ ? āho svit kenāpi vyāpāditaḥ ? sarvathā yadi kuśalo bhavati, yan māṃ vinā na tiṣṭhati |

evaṃ me cintayato bahūny anyāni vyatikrāntāni | tataś ca tatra koṭare kadācic chīghrago nāma śaśako 'stam anavelāyām āgatya praviṣṭaḥ | mayāpi kapiñjala-nirāśatvena na nivāritaḥ | athānyasminn ahani kapiñjalaḥ śāli-bhakṣaṇād atīva pīvara-tanuḥ svāśrayaṃ smṛtvā bhūyo 'py atraiva samāyātaḥ | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

athāsau koṭarāntargataṃ śaśakaṃ dṛṣṭvā sākṣepam āha-bhoḥ śaśaka ! na tvayā sundaraṃ kṛtaṃ, yan mamāvasatha-sthāne praviṣṭo 'si | tac chīghraṃ niṣkramyatām |

śaśaka āha-na tavedaṃ gṛham, kintu mamaiva | tat kiṃ mithyā paruṣāṇi jalpasi ? uktaṃ ca-

tan mamaitad gṛham, na taveti |

kapiñjala āha-bhoḥ ! yadi smṛtiṃ pramāṇīkaroṣi, tad āgaccha mayā saha yena smṛti-pāṭhakaṃ pṛṣṭvā sa yasya dadāti sa gṛhṇātu |

tathānuṣṭhite mayāpi cintitaṃ-kim atra bhaviṣyati ? mayā draṣṭavyo 'yaṃ nyāyaḥ | tataḥ kautukād aham api tāv anuprasthitaḥ | atrāntare tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭro nāmāraṇya-mārjāras tayor vivādaṃ śrutvā mārgāsannaṃ nadī-taṭam āsādya kṛta-kuśopagraho nimīlita-nayana ūrdhva-bāhur ardha-pāda-spṛṣṭa-bhūmiḥ śrī-sūryābhimukha imāṃ dharmopadeśanām akarot-aho ! asāro 'yaṃ saṃsāraḥ | kṣaṇa-bhaṅgurāḥ prāṇāḥ | svapna-sadṛśaḥ priya-samāgamaḥ | indra-jālavat kuṭumba-parigraho 'yam | tad dharmaṃ muktvā nānyā gatir asti | uktaṃ ca-

atha tasya tāṃ dharmopadeśanāṃ śrutvā śaśaka āha-bhoḥ bhoḥ kapiñjala ! eṣa nadī-tīre tapasvī dharma-vādī tiṣṭhati | tad enaṃ pṛcchāvaḥ |

kapiñjala āha-nanu svabhāvato 'yam asmākaṃ śatru-bhūtaḥ | tad dūre sthitvā pṛcchāvaḥ | kadācid asya vrata-vaikalyaṃ sampadyeta | tato dūrastho tāv ūcatuḥ-bhos tapasvin ! dharmopadeśaka ! āvayor vivādo vartate | tad dharma-śāstra-dvāreṇāsmākaṃ nirṇayaṃ kuru | yo hīnavādī sa te bhakṣya iti |

sa āha-bhadrau ! mā maivaṃ vadatam | nivṛtto 'haṃ naraka-mārgād dhiṃsā-karmaṇaḥ | ahiṃsaiva dharma-mārgaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

ete'pi ye yājñikā yajña-karmaṇi paśūn vyāpādayanti, te mūrkhāḥ | paramārthaṃ śruter na jānanti | tatra kilaitad uktam-ajayaiṣṭavyam | ajā vrīhayas tāvat sapta-vārṣikāḥ kathyante na punaḥ paśu-viśeṣaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tan nāhaṃ bhakṣayāmi | paraṃ jaya-parājaya-nirṇayaṃ kariṣyāmi | kintv ahaṃ vṛddho dūrān na yathāvac chṛṇomi | evaṃ jñātvā mama samīpa-vartino bhūtvā mamāgre nyāyaṃ vadataṃ, yena vijñāya, vivāda-paramārthaṃ vaco vadato me para-loka-bādhā na bhavati | uktaṃ ca-

tasmād viśrabdhau mama karṇopāntike sphuṭaṃ nivedayatam | kiṃ bahunā, tena kṣudreṇa tathā tau pūrṇaṃ viśvāsitau yathā tasyotsaṅga-vartinau jātau | tataś ca tenāpi sama-kālam evaikaḥ pādāntenākrānto 'nyo daṃṣṭrākrakacena ca tato gata-prāṇau bhakṣitāv iti | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-kṣudram artha-patiṃ prāpya (91) iti |

bhavanto 'py enaṃ divāndhaṃ kṣudram artha-patim āsādya rātry-andhāḥ santaḥ śaśaka-piñjala-mārgeṇa yāsyanti | evaṃ jñātvā yad ucitaṃ tad vidheyam | atha tasya tad-vacanam ākarṇya sādhv anenābhihitam ity uktā, bhūyo 'pi pārthivāthaṃ sametya mantrayiṣyāmahe iti bruvāṇāḥ sarve pakṣiṇo yathābhimataṃ jagmuḥ | kevalam avaśiṣṭo bhadrāsanopaviṣṭo 'bhiṣekābhimukho divāndhaḥ kṛkālikayā sahāste | āha ca-kaḥ ko 'tra bhoḥ ! kim adyāpi na kriyate mamābhiṣekaḥ ?

iti śrutvā kṛkālikayābhihitam-bhadra ! kuto 'yaṃ vighnas te kākena ? gatāś ca sarve'pi vihagā yathepsitāsu dikṣu kevalam eko 'yaṃ vāyaso 'vaśiṣṭas tiṣṭhati kenāpi kāraṇena | tat tvaritam uttiṣṭha, yena tvāṃ svāśrayaṃ prāpayāmi |

tac chrutvā sa-viṣādam ulūko vāyasam āha-bho bho duṣṭātman ! kiṃ mayā te'pakṛtaṃ yad rājyābhiṣeko me vighnitaḥ ? tad adya-prabhṛti sānvayam āvayor vairaṃ sañjātam | uktaṃ ca-

ity evam abhidhāya kṛkālikayā saha svāśramaṃ gataḥ | atha bhaya-vyākulo vāyaso vyacintayat-aho ! akāraṇaṃ vairam āsāditaṃ mayā | kim idaṃ vyāhṛtam ? uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ vicintya kāko 'pi prayātaḥ | tadā-prabhṛty asmābhiḥ saha kauśikānām anvayā-gataṃ vairam asti |

meghavarṇa āha-tāta ! evaṃ gate'smābhiḥ kiṃ kriyate ?

sa āha-vatsa ! evaṃ gate'pi ṣāḍguṇyād aparaḥ sthūlo 'bhiprāyo 'sti | tam aṅgīkṛtya svayam evāhaṃ tad-vijayāya yāsyāmi | ripūn vañcayitvā vadhiṣyāmi | uktaṃ ca-

meghavarṇa āha-katham etat ?

so 'bravīt- kathā 3 mitra-śarma-brāhmaṇa-kathā

kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne mitraśarmā nāma brāhmaṇaḥ kṛtāgnihotra-parigrahaḥ prativasati sma | tena kadācin māgha-māse saumyānile pravāti, meghācchādite gagane mandaṃ mandaṃ pravarṣati parjanye, paśu-prārthanārthaṃ kiñcid grāmāntaraṃ gatvā, kaścid yajamāno yācitaḥ-bho yajamāna ! āgāminyām amāvāsyāyām ahaṃ yakṣyāmi yajñam | tad dehi me paśum ekam |

atha tena yasya śāstroktaḥ pīvara-tanuḥ paśuḥ pradattaḥ | so 'pi taṃ samartham itaś cetaś ca gacchantaṃ vijñāya skandhe kṛtvā satvaraṃ sva-purābhimukhaḥ pratasthe |

atha tasya gacchato mārge trayo dhūrtāḥ kṣut-kṣāma-kaṇṭhāḥ saṃmukhā babhūvuḥ | taiś ca tādṛśaṃ pīvara-tanuṃ skandha ārūḍham ālokya, mitho 'bhihitaṃ-aho ! asya paśor bhakṣaṇād adyatanīyo hima-pāto vyarthatāṃ nīyate | tad enaṃ vañcayitvā paśum ādāya śīta-trāṇaṃ kurmaḥ |

atha teṣām ekatamo veśa-parivartanaṃ vidhāya saṃmukho bhūtvāpamārgeṇa tam āhitāgnim ūce-bho bhoḥ ! bālāgnihotrin ! kim evaṃ jana-viruddhaṃ hāsya-kāryam anuṣṭhīyate ? yad eṣa sārameyo 'pavitraḥ skandhādhirūḍho nīyate | uktaṃ ca yataḥ |

tataś ca tena kopābhibhūtenābhihitam-aho ! kim andho bhavān ? yat paśuṃ sārameyatvena pratipādayasi ?

so 'bravīt-brahman ! kopas tvayā na kāryaḥ | yathecchaṃ gamyatām |

atha yāvat kiñcid adhvano 'ntaraṃ gacchati, tāvad dvitīyo dhūrtaḥ sammukham abhyupetya tam uvāca-bhoḥ brahman ! kaṣṭaṃ kaṣṭam ! yadyapi vallabho 'yaṃ te mṛta-vatsas tathāpi skandham āropayitum ayuktam | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-

athāsau sa-kopam idam āha-bhoḥ ! kim andho bhavān ? yat paśuṃ mṛta-vatsaṃ vadati |

so 'bravīt-bhagavan ! mā kopaṃ kuru | ajñānān mayābhihitam | tat tvam ātma-ruciṃ samācara iti |

atha yāvat stokaṃ vanāntaraṃ gacchati tāvat tṛtīyo 'nya-veśa-dhārī dhūrtaḥ sammukhaḥ samupetya tam uvāca-bhoḥ ! ayuktam etat, yad rāsabhaṃ skandhādhirūḍhaṃ nayasi | tat tyajyatām eṣaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tat tyajainaṃ yāvad anyaḥ kaścin na paśyati |

athāsau taṃ paśuṃ rāsabhaṃ manyamāno bhayād bhūmau prakṣipya sva-gṛham uddiśya palāyituṃ prārabdhaḥ | tatas te'pi trayo militvā paśum ādāya yathecchaṃ bhakṣitum ārabdhāḥ |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-bahu-buddhi-samāyuktāḥ (116) iti | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

kiṃ ca-durbalair api bahubhiḥ saha virodho na yuktaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

meghavarṇa āha-katham etat ?

sthirajīvī kathayati-

kathā 4 atidarpa-nāma-sarpa-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid valmīke mahā-kāyaḥ kṛṣṇa-sarpo 'tidarpo nāma | sa kadācid vilānusāri-mārgam utsṛjyānyena laghu-dvāreṇa niṣkramitum ārabdhaḥ | niṣkrāmataś ca tasya mahā-kāyatvād daiva-vaśatayā laghu-vivaratvāc ca śarīre vraṇaḥ samutpannaḥ | atha vraṇa-śoṇita-gandhānusāriṇībhiḥ pipīlikābhiḥ sarvato vyāpto vyākulīkṛtaś ca | kati vyāpādayati kati vā tāḍayati ? atha prabhūtatvād vistārita-bahu-vraṇaḥ kṣata-sarvāṅgo 'tidarpaḥ pañcatvam upāgataḥ |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-bahavo na viroddhavyā (121) iti | tad atrāsti me kiñcid vaktavyam eva | tad avadhārya yathoktam anuṣṭhīyatām |

meghavarṇa āha-tat samādeśaya | tavādeśo nānyathā kartavyaḥ |

sthirajīvī prāha-vatsa ! samākarṇaya tarhi | sāmādīn atikramya yo mayā pañcama upāyo nirūpitaḥ | tan māṃ vipakṣa-bhūtaṃ kṛtvāni niṣṭhura-vacanair nirbhartsya | yathā vipakṣa-praṇidhīnāṃ pratyayo bhavati, tathā samāhṛta-rudhirair ālipyāsyaiva nyagrodhasyādhastāt prakṣipya māṃ gamyatāṃ parvatam ṛṣyamūkaṃ prati | tatra sa-parivāras tiṣṭha, yāvad ahaṃ samastān sapatnān supraṇītena vidhinā viśvāsyābhimukhān kṛtvā kṛtārtho jñāta-durga-madhyo divase tān andhatāṃ prāptāṃs tvāṃ nītvā vyāpādayāmi | jñātaṃ mayā samyak nānyathāsmākaṃ siddhir asti | yato durgam etad apasāra-rahitaṃ kevalaṃ vadhāya bhaviṣyati | uktaṃ ca-

na ca tvayā mad-arthaṃ kṛpā kāryā | uktaṃ ca-

tat tvayāhaṃ nātra viṣaye pratiṣedhanīyaḥ | ity uktvā tena saha śuṣka-kalahaṃ kartum ārabdhaḥ | athānye tasya bhṛtyāḥ sthirajīvinam ucchṛṅkhala-vacanair jalpantam avalokya tasya vadhāyodyatā meghavarṇenābhihitāḥ-aho ! nivartadhvaṃ yūyam | aham evāsya śatru-pakṣapātino durātmanaḥ svayaṃ nigrahaṃ kariṣyāṃi | ity abhidhāya tasyopari samāruhya, laghubhiś cañcu-prahārais taṃ nihatyāhṛta-rudhireṇa plāvayitvā tad-upadiṣṭam ṛṣyamūka-parvataṃ sa-parivāro gataḥ |

etasminn antare kṛkālikayā dviṣat-praṇidhī-bhūtayā tat sarvaṃ tad-amātya-vyasanaṃ kvacit pracalitaḥ sa-parivāra iti |

atholūkādhipas tad ākarṇyāstam anavelāyāṃ sāmātyaḥ sa-parijano vāyasa-vadhārthaṃ pracalitaḥ | prāha ca-tvaryatāṃ tvaryatāṃ bhītaḥ śatruḥ palāyana-paraḥ puṇyair labhyate | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ bruvāṇaḥ samantān nyagrodha-pādapam adhaḥ pariveṣṭya vyavasthitaḥ | yāvan na kaścid vāyaso dṛśyate, tāvac chākhāgram adhirūḍho hṛṣṭa-manā vandibhir abhiṣṭūyamāno 'rimardanas tān parijanān provāca-aho ! jñāyatāṃ teṣāṃ mārgaḥ | katamena mārgeṇa pranaṣṭāḥ kākāḥ ? tad yāvan na durgaṃ samāśrayanti, tāvad eva pṛṣṭhato gatvā vyāpādyā bhavanti | uktaṃ ca-

athaitasmin prastāve sthirajīvī cintayāmāsa-yad ete'smac chatravo 'nulabdhāsmad-vṛttāntā yathāgatam eva yānti tato mayā na kiñcit kṛtaṃ bhavati | uktaṃ ca-

tad varam anārambho na cārambha-vighātaḥ | tad aham etān śabdaṃ saṃśrāvya ātmānaṃ darśayāmi iti vicārya mandaṃ mandaṃ śabdam akarot | tac chrutvā te sakalā apy ulūkās tad-vadhāya prajagmuḥ | atha tenoktaṃ-aho ! ahaṃ sthirajīvī nāma meghavarṇasya mantrī | meghavarṇenaivedṛśīm avasthāṃ nītaḥ | tan nivedayatātma-svāmine | tena saha bahu vaktavyam asti |

atha tair niveditaḥ sa ulūka-rājo vismayāviṣṭas tat-kṣaṇāt tasya sakāśaṃ gatvā provāca-bhoḥ bhoḥ ! kim etāṃ daśāṃ gatas tvam, tat kathyatām |

sthirajīvī prāha-deva ! śrūyatāṃ tad-avasthā-kāraṇam | atīta-dine sa durātmā meghavarṇo yuṣmad-vyāpādita-prabhūta-vāyasānāṃ pīḍayā yuṣmākam upari kopa-śoka-grasto yuddhārthaṃ pracalita āsīt | tato mayābhihitaṃ-svāmin ! na yuktaṃ bhavatas tad-upari gantum | balavanta ete, bala-hīnāś ca vayam | uktaṃ ca-

tat tasyoāyana-pradānena sandhir eva yuktaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

tac chrutvā durjana-kopitena tvat-pakṣa-pātinaṃ mām āśaṅkamānenemāṃ daśāṃ nītaḥ | tat tava pādau sāmprataṃ me śaraṇaṃ | kiṃ bahunā vijñaptena ? yāvad ahaṃ pracalituṃ śaknomi tāvat tvāṃ tasyāvāsaṃ nītvā sarva-vāyasa-kṣayaṃ vidhāsyāmi iti |

athārimardanas tad ākarṇya pitṛ-pitāmaha-kramāgata-mantribhiḥ sārdhaṃ mantrayāṃcakre | tasya ca pañca mantriṇaḥ | tad yathā-raktākṣaḥ, krūrākṣaḥ, dīptākṣaḥ, vakranāsaḥ, prākārakarṇaś ceti | tatrādau raktākṣam apṛcchat-bhadra ! eṣa tāvat tasya ripor mantrī mama hasta-gataḥ | tat kiṃ kriyatām ? iti |

raktākṣa āha-deva ! kim atra cintyate ? avicāritam ayaṃ hantavyaḥ, yataḥ-

kiṃ ca svayam upāgatā śrīs tyajyamānā śapatīti loke pravādaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

śrūyate ca yathā-

arimardanaḥ prāha-katham etat ?

raktākṣaḥ kathayati- kathā 5 brāhmaṇa-sarpa-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne haridatto nāma brāhmaṇaḥ | tasya ca kṛṣiṃ kurvataḥ sadaiva niṣphalaḥ kālo 'tivartate | athaikasmin divase sa brāhmaṇa uṣṇa-kālāvasāne gharmārtaḥ sva-kṣetra-madhye vṛkṣa-cchāyāyāṃ prasupto 'natidūre valmīkopari prasāritaṃ bṛhat-phaṭā-yuktaṃ bhīṣaṇaṃ bhujaṅgaṃ dṛṣṭvā cintayāmāsa-nūnam eṣā kṣetra-devatā mayā kadācid api na pūjitā | tenedaṃ me kṛṣi-karma viphalībhavati | tad asyā ahaṃ pūjām adya kariṣyāmi | ity avadhārya kuto 'pi kṣīraṃ yācitvā śarāve nikṣipya valmīkāntikam upagatyovāca-bhoḥ kṣetra-pāla ! mayaitvāvantaṃ kālaṃ na jñātaṃ yat tvam atra vasasi | tena pūjā na kṛtā | tat sāmprataṃ kṣamasveti |

evam uktvā dugdhaṃ ca nivedya gṛhābhimukhaṃ prāyāt | atha prātar yāvad āgatya paśyati, tāvad dīnāram ekaṃ śarāve dṛṣṭavān | evaṃ ca pratidinam ekākī samāgatya tasmai kṣīraṃ dadāti, ekaikaṃ ca dīnāraṃ gṛhṇāti | athaikasmin divase kṣīra-nayanāya putraṃ nirūpya brāhmaṇo grāmāntaraṃ jagāma | putro 'pi kṣīraṃ tatra nītvā saṃsthāpya ca punar gṛhaṃ samāyātaḥ | dināntare tatra gatvā dīnārakaṃ dṛṣṭvā gṛhītvā ca cintitavān-nūnaṃ sauvarṇa-dīnāra-pūrṇo valmīkaḥ | tad enaṃ hatvā sarvam eka-vāraṃ grahīṣyāmi ity evaṃ sampradhāryānyedyuḥ kṣīraṃ dadatā brāhmaṇa-putreṇa sarpo laguḍena tāḍitaḥ | tataḥ katham api daiva-vaśād amukta-jīvit eva roṣāt tam eva tīvra-viṣada-śanais tathādaśat, yathā sadyaḥ pañcatvam upāgataḥ | svajanaiś ca nātidūre kṣetrasya kāṣṭha-sañcayaiḥ saṃskṛtaḥ |

atha dvitīya-dine tasya pitā samāyātaḥ | svajanebhyaḥ suta-vināśa-kāraṇaṃ śrutvā tathaiva samarthitavān | abravīc ca-

puruṣair uktaṃ-katham etat ?

brāhmaṇaḥ kathayati- kathā 6 haima-haṃsa-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne citraratho nāma rājā | tasya yodhaiḥ surakṣyamāṇaṃ padmasaro nāma saras tiṣṭhati tatra ca prabhūtā jāmbūnada-mayā haṃsās tiṣṭhanti | ṣaṇmāse ṣaṇmāse piccham ekaikaṃ parityajanti | atha tatra sarasi sauvarṇo bṛhat-pakṣī samāyātaḥ | taiś coktaḥ-asmākaṃ madhye tvayā na vastavyam | yena kāraṇenāsmābhiḥ ṣaṇmāsānte picchaikaika-dānaṃ kṛtvā gṛhītam etat saraḥ | evaṃ ca kiṃ bahunā, parasparaṃ dvaidham utpannam | sa ca rājñaḥ śaraṇaṃ gato 'bravīt-deva ! ete pakṣiṇa evaṃ vadanti, yad asmākaṃ rājā kiṃ kariṣyati ? na kasyāpy āvāsaṃ dadmaḥ |

mayā coktaṃ-na śobhanaṃ yuṣmābhir abhihitam | ahaṃ gatvā rājñe nivedayiṣyāmi | evaṃ sthite devaḥ pramāṇam |

tato rājā bhṛtyān abravīt-bho bhoḥ gacchata | sarvān pakṣiṇo gatāsūn kṛtvā śīghram ānayata | rājādeśānantaram eva pracelus te |

atha laguḍa-hastān rāja-puruṣān dṛṣṭvā tatraikena pakṣiṇā vṛddhenoktam-bhoḥ svajanāḥ ! na śobhanam āpatitam | tataḥ sarvair eka-matī-bhūyotpatitavyam | taiś ca tathānuṣṭhitam |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-bhūtān yo nānugṛhṇāti (133) iti |

ity uktvā punar api brāhmaṇaḥ pratyūṣe kṣīraṃ gṛhītvā tatra gatvā tāra-svareṇa sarpam astaut | tadā sarpaś ciraṃ valmīka-dvārāntar-līna eva brāhmaṇaṃ pratyuvāca-tvaṃ lobhād atrāgataḥ putra-śokam api vihāya | ataḥ paraṃ tava mama ca prītir nocitā | tava putreṇa yauvanonmādenāhaṃ tāḍito mayā sa dṛṣṭaḥ | kathaṃ mayā laguḍa-prahāro vismartavyaḥ | tvayā ca putra-śoka-duḥkhaṃ kathaṃ vismartavyam iti punar uktvā vivarāntar-gataḥ | brāhmaṇaś ca maṇiṃ gṛhītvā putra-buddhiṃ nindan sva-gṛham āgataḥ | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-citikāṃ dīpitāṃ paśya iti | tad asmin hate'yatnād eva rājyam akaṇṭakaṃ bhavato bhavati |

tasyaitad-vacanaṃ śrutvā krūrākṣaṃ papraccha-bhadra ! tvaṃ tu kiṃ manyase ?

so 'bravīt-deva ! nirdayam etad yad anenābhihitam | yat kāraṇaṃ śaraṇāgato na vadhyate suṣṭhu | khalv idam ākhyānam-

arimardano 'bravīt-katham etat ?

krūrākṣaḥ kathayati- kathā 7 kapota-lubdhaka-kathā

atha kṛṣṇā diśaḥ sarvā vanasthasyābhavan ghanaiḥ

śīta-vātātapa-sahaḥ kṛśāṅgo malinas tathā | upavāsair bahuvidhaiś cariṣye dharmam uttamam ||Panc_3.174|| tato yaṣṭiṃ śalākāṃ ca jālakaṃ pañjaraṃ tathā |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-śrūyate hi kapotena (134) ity ādi |

tac chrutvārimardano dīptākṣaṃ pṛṣṭavān-evam avasthite kiṃ bhavān manyate ?

so 'bravīt-deva ! na hantavya evāyam | yataḥ-

coreṇa cāpy uktam-

arimardanaḥ pṛṣṭavān-kā ca nāvagūhate ? kaś cāyaṃ cauraḥ ? iti vistarataḥ śrotum icchāmi |

dīptākṣaḥ kathayati- kathā 8 kāmātura-vaṇik-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne kāmāturo nāma vṛddha-vaṇik | tena ca kāmopahṛta-cetasā, mṛta-bhāryeṇa kācin nirdhana-vaṇik-sutā, prabhūtaṃ dhanaṃ dattvodvāhitā | atha sā duḥkhābhibhūtā taṃ vṛddha-vaṇijaṃ draṣṭum api na śaśāka | yuktaṃ caitat-

tathā ca-

atha kadācit sā tena sahaikaśayane parāṅmukhī yāvat tiṣṭhati tāvad gṛhe cauraḥ praviṣṭaḥ | sāpi taṃ cauraṃ dṛṣṭvā bhaya-vyākulitā vṛddham api taṃ patiṃ gāḍhaṃ samāliliṅga | so 'pi vismayāt pulakāñcita-sarva-gātraś cintayāmāsa-aho kim eṣā mām adyāvagūhate ? yāvan nipuṇatayā paśyati tāvat gṛha-koṇaika-deśe cauraṃ dṛṣṭvā vyacintayat-nūnam eṣāsya bhayān mām āliṅgati iti jñātvā taṃ cauram āha-yā mamodvijate (186) ity ādi |

tac chrutvā cauro 'py āha-hartavyaṃ te na paśyāmi (187) ity ādi | tasmāc caurasyāpy upakāraḥ śreyaś cintyate kiṃ punaḥ śaraṇāgatasya | api cāyaṃ tair viprakṛto 'smākam eva puṣṭaye bhaviṣyati tadīya-randhra-darśanāya ceti anena kāraṇenāyam avadhya iti |

etad ākarṇyārimardano 'nyaṃ sacivaṃ vakranāsaṃ papraccha-bhadra ! sāmpratam evaṃ sthite kiṃ karaṇīyam iti ?

so 'bravīt-deva ! avadhyo 'yam | yataḥ-

arimardanaḥ prāha-katham etat ?

vakranāsaḥ kathayati- kathā 10 droṇākhya-brāhmaṇa-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne daridro droṇa-nāmā brāhmaṇaḥ, pratigraha-dhanaḥ satataṃ viśiṣṭa-vastrānulepana-gandha-mālyālaṅkāra-tāmbūlādi-bhoga-parivarjitaḥ, prarūḍha-keśa-śmaśru-nakha-romopacitaḥ, śītoṣṇa-vāta-varṣādibhiḥ pariśoṣita-śarīraḥ, tasya ca kenāpi yajamānenānukampayā śiśu-go-yugaṃ dattam | brāhmaṇena ca bāla-bhāvād ārabhya yācita-ghṛta-taila-yavasādibhiḥ saṃvardhya supuṣṭaṃ kṛtam | tac ca dṛṣṭvā sahasaiva kaścic cauraś cintitavān-aham asya brāhmaṇasya go-yugam idam apahariṣyāmi | iti niścitya niśāyāṃ bandhana-pāśaṃ gṛhītvā, yāvat prasthitas tāvad ardha-mārge pravirala-tīkṣṇa-danta-paṅktir unnata-nāsā-vaṃśaḥ, prakaṭa-raktānta-nayanaḥ upacita-snāyu-santatanata-gātraḥ śuṣka-kapolaḥ suhuta-hutavaha-piṅgala-śmaśru-keśa-śarīraḥ kaścid dṛṣṭaḥ | dṛṣṭvā ca taṃ tīvra-bhaya-trasto cauro 'bravīt-ko bhavān ? iti |

so 'bravīt-ahaṃ krūra-karmā cauro daridra-brāhmaṇasya go-yugaṃ hartuṃ prasthito 'smi |

atha jāta-pratyayo rākṣaso 'bravīt-bhadra ! ṣaṣṭhāhna-kāliko 'ham | atas tam eva brāhmaṇam adya bhakṣayiṣyāmi |

atha tau tatra gatvaikānte kānlam anveṣayantau sthitau | prasupte ca brāhmaṇe tad-bhakṣaṇārthaṃ prasthitaṃ rākṣasaṃ dṛṣṭvā cauro 'bravīt-bhadra ! naiṣanyāyo yato go-yuge mayāpahṛte paścāt tvam enaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ bhakṣaya |

so 'bravīt-kadācid ayaṃ brāhmaṇo go-śabdena budhyeta tadānarthako 'yaṃ mamārambhaḥ syāt |

cauro 'py abravīt-tavāpi yadi bhakṣaṇāyopasthitasya eko 'py antarāyaḥ syāt | tadāham api na śaknomi go-yugam apahartum | ataḥ prathamaṃ mayāpahṛte go-yuge paścāt tvayā brāhmaṇo bhakṣitavyaḥ | itthaṃ cāham ahamikayā tayor vivadatoḥ samutpanne dvaidhe pratirava-vaśād brāhmaṇo jajāgāra |

atha taṃ cauro 'bravīt-brāhmaṇa ! tvām evāyaṃ rākṣaso bhakṣayitum icchati iti |

rākṣaso 'py āha-brāhmaṇa ! cauro 'yaṃ go-yugaṃ te'pahartum icchati |

evaṃ śrutvotthāya brāhmaṇaḥ sāvadhāno bhūtveṣṭa-devatā-mantra-dhyānenātmānaṃ rākṣasād udgūrṇa-laguḍena caurād go-yugaṃ rarakṣa |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-śatravo 'pi hitārthaiva (190) iti |

atha tasya vacanam avadhāryārimardanaḥ punar api prākārakarṇam apṛcchat-kathaya, kim atra manyate bhavān ?

so 'bravīt-deva ! avadhya evāyam, yato rakṣitenānena kadācit paraspara-prītyā kālaḥ sukhena gacchati | uktaṃ ca-

arimardano 'bravīt-katham etat ?

prākārakarṇaḥ kathayati-

kathā 10 valmīkodara-gata-sarpa-kathā

asti kasmiṃścin nagare devaśaktir nāma rājā | tasya ca putro jaṭhara-valmīkāśrayeṇorageṇa pratidinaṃ pratyaṅgaṃ kṣīyate | anekopacāraiḥ sad-vaidyaiḥ sac-chāstropadiṣṭauṣadha-yuktyāpi cikitsyamāno na svāsthyam eti | athāsau rājaputro nirvedād deśāntaraṃ gataḥ |

kasmiṃścin nagare bhikṣāṭanaṃ kṛtvā mahati devālaye kālaṃ yāpayati | atha tatra nagare balir nāma rājāste | tasya ca dve duhitarau yauvana-sthe tiṣṭhataḥ | te ca pratidivasam ādityodaye pituḥ pādāntikam āgatya namaskāraṃ cakratuḥ | tatra caikābravīt-vijayasva mahārāja ! yasya prasādāt sarvaṃ sukhaṃ labhyate |

dvitīyā tu-vihitaṃ bhuṅkṣva mahārāja ! iti bravīti |

tac chrutvā prakupito rājābravīt-bho mantriṇaḥ ! enāṃ duṣṭa-bhāṣiṇīṃ kumārikāṃ kasyacid vaideśikasya prayacchata tena nija-vihitam iyam eva bhuṅkte |

atha tatheti pratipadyālpa-parivārā sā kumārikā mantribhis tasya deva-kulāśrita-rāja-putrasya pratipāditā | sāpi prahṛṣṭa-manasā taṃ patiṃ devavat pratipadyādāya cānya-viṣayaṃ gatā |

tataḥ kasmiṃścid dūratara-nagara-pradeśe taḍāga-taṭe rāja-putram āvāsa-rakṣāyai nirūpya svayaṃ ca ghṛta-taila-lavaṇa-taṇḍulādi-kraya-nimittaṃ sa-parivārā gatā | kṛtvā ca kraya-vikrayaṃ yāvad āgacchati tāvat sa rāja-putro valmīkopari kṛta-mūrdhā prasuptaḥ | tasya ca mukhād bhujagaḥ phaṇāṃ niṣkāsya vāyum aśnāti | tatraiva ca valmīke'paraḥ sarpo niṣkramya tathaivāsīt |

atha tayoḥ paraspara-darśanena krodha-saṃrakta-locanayor madhyād valmīkasthena sarpeṇoktam-bho bho durātman ! kathaṃ sundara-sarvāṅgaṃ rāja-putram itthaṃ kadarthayasi ?

mukhastho 'rir abravīt-bho bhoḥ ! tvayāpi durātmanāsya valmīkasya madhye katham idaṃ dūṣitaṃ hāṭaka-pūrṇaṃ kalaśa-yugalam ity evaṃ parasparasya marmāṇy udghāṭitavantau |

punar valmīkastho 'hir abravīt-bho durātman ! bheṣajam idaṃ te kiṃ ko 'pi na jānāti yaj jīrṇotkālita-kāñjikā-rājikā-pānena bhavān vināśam upayāti |

athodarastho 'hir abravīt-tavāpy etad bheṣajaṃ kiṃ kaścid api na vetti yad uṣṇa-tailena mahoṣṇodakena vā tava vināśaḥ syād iti | evaṃ ca sā rāja-kanyā viṭapāntaritā tayoḥ parasparālāpān marma-mayān ākarṇya tathaivānuṣṭhitavatī |

vidhāya vyaṅgaṃ nīrogaṃ bhartāraṃ nidhiṃ ca paramam āsādya svadeśābhimukhaṃ prāyāt | pitṛ-mātṛ-svajanaiḥ pratipūjitā vihitopabhogaṃ prāpya sukhenāvasthitā | ato 'haṃ bravīmi-parasparasya marmāṇi iti |

tac ca śrutvā svayam arirdano 'py evaṃ samarthitavān | tathā cānuṣṭhitam | dṛṣṭvāntar-līnaṃ vihasya raktākṣaḥ punar abravīt-kaṣṭam | vināśito 'yaṃ bhavadbhir anyāyena svāmī | uktaṃ ca-

mantriṇaḥ prāhuḥ-katham etat ?

raktākṣaḥ kathayati- kathā 11 vīravara-rathakāra-tat-patnī-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne vīravaro nāma rathakāraḥ | tasya bhāryā kāmadamanī | sā puṃścalī janāpavāda-saṃyuktā | so 'pi tasyāḥ parīkṣaṇārthaṃ vyacintayat-atha mayāsyāḥ parīkṣaṇaṃ kartavyam | uktaṃ ca-

jānāmi caināṃ loka-vacanād asatīm | uktaṃ ca-

evaṃ sampradhārya bhāryām avocat-priye ! prabhāte'haṃ grāmāntaraṃ yāsyāmi | tatra katicid dināni lagiṣyanti | tat tvayā kim api pātheyaṃ mama yogyaṃ vidheyam |

sāpi tad-vacanaṃ śrutvā harṣita-cittā | autsukyāt sarva-kāryāṇi santyajya siddham annaṃ ghṛta-śarkarā-prāyam akarot | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

athāsau pratyūṣe utthāya sva-gṛhān nirgataḥ sāpi taṃ prasthitaṃ vijñāya prahasita-vadanāṅga-saṃskāraṃ kurvāṇā kathañcit taṃ divasam atyavāhayat | atha pūrva-paricita-viṭa-gṛhe gatvā taṃ pratyuktavatī-sa durātmā me patir grāmāntaraṃ gataḥ | tat tvayāsmad-gṛhe prasupte jane samāgantavyam |

tathānuṣṭhite sa rathakāro 'raṇye dinam ativāhya pradoṣe sva-gṛhe'padvāreṇa praviśya śayyādhas-tale nibhṛto bhūtvā sthitaḥ | etasminn antare sa devadattaḥ samāgatya tatra śayane upaviṣṭaḥ | dṛṣṭvā roṣāviṣṭa-citto rathakāro vyacintayat-kim enam utthāya hanmi ? athavā helayaiva prasuptau dvāv apy etau vyāpādayāmi ? paraṃ paśyāmi tāvad asyāś ceṣṭitam | śṛṇomi cānena sahālāpam |

atrāntare sā gṛha-dvāraṃ nibhṛtaṃ pidhāya śayana-talam ārūḍhā | tasyās tatrārohayantyā rathakāra-śarīre pādo vilagnaḥ | tataḥ sā vyacintayat-nūnam etena durātmanā rathakāreṇa mat-parīkṣaṇārthaṃ bhāvyam | tataḥ strī-caritra-vijñānaṃ kim api karomi |

evaṃ tasyāś cintayanyā sa devadattaḥ sparśotsuko babhūva | atha tayā kṛtāñjali-puṭayābhihitaṃ-bhoḥ mahānubhāva ! na me śarīraṃ tvayā sparśanīyaṃ yato 'haṃ pativratā mahāsatī ca | no cec chāpaṃ dattvā tvāṃ bahsmasātkariṣyāmi |

sa āha-yady evaṃ tarhi tvayā kim aham āhūtaḥ ?

sābravīt-bhoḥ śṛṇuṣvaikāgra-manāḥ | aham adya pratyūṣe devatā-darśanārthaṃ caṇḍkāyatanaṃ gatā tatrākasmāt khe vāṇī sañjātā-putri kiṃ karomi ? bhaktāsi me tvaṃ, paraṃ ṣaṇmāsābhyantare vidhi-niyogād vidhavā bhaviṣyasi |

tato mayābhihitaṃ-bhagavati ! yathā tvam āpadaṃ vetsi, tathā tat-pratīkāram api jānāsi | tad asti kaścid upāyo yena me patiḥ śata-saṃvatsara-jīvī bhavati ?

tatas tayābhihitam-vatse, sann api nāsti, yatas tavāyattaḥ sa pratīkāraḥ |

tac chrutvā mayābhihitam-devi ! yadi tan mama prāṇair bhavati tad ādeśaya yena karomi |

atha devyābhihitam-yady adya para-puruṣeṇa sahaikasmin śayane samāruhyāliṅganaṃ karoṣi tat tava bhartṛ-sakto 'pamṛtyus tasya sañcarati | bhartāpi tena punar varṣa-śataṃ jīvati | tena tvaṃ mayābhyarthitaḥ | tad yat kiñcit kartu-manās tat kuruṣva | na hi devatā-vacanam anyathā bhaviṣyatīti niścayaḥ | tato 'ntarhāsa-vikāsa-mukhaḥ sa tad-ucitam ācacāra |

so 'pi rathakāro mūrkhas tasyās tad-vacanam ākarṇya pulakāñcita-tanuḥ śayyādhastalān niṣkramya tām uvāca-sādhu pativrate ! sādhu kula-nandini ! ahaṃ durjana-vacana-śaṅkita-hṛdayas tvat-parīkṣā-nimittaṃ grāmāntara-vyājaṃ kṛtvā khaṭvādhas-tale nibhṛtaṃ līnaḥ | tad ehi, āliṅga mām | tvaṃ sva-bhartṛ-bhaktānāṃ mukhyā nārīṇāṃ, yad evaṃ brahma-vrataṃ para-saṅge'pi pālitavatī | yad āyur buddhi-kṛte'pamṛtyu-vināśārthaṃ catvam evaṃ kṛtavatī | tām evam uktvā sasneham āliṅgitavān |

sva-skandhe tām āropya tām api devadattam uvāca-bho mahānubhāva ! mat-puṇyais tvam ihāgataḥ | tvat-prasādān mayā prāptaṃ varṣa-śata-pramāṇam āyuḥ | tat tvam api mām āliṅgya mat-skandhe samāroha iti jalpann anicchantam api devadattam āliṅgya balāt svakīya-skandhe āropitavān |

tataś ca nṛtyaṃ kṛtvā-he brahma-vrata-dharāṇāṃ dhurīṇa ! tvayāpi mayy upakṛtam ity ādy uktvā skandhād uttārya yatra yatra svajana-gṛha-dvārādiṣu babhrāma tatra tatra tayor ubhayor api tad-guṇa-varṇanam akarot |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-pratyakṣe'pi kṛte pāpe (193) iti |

tat sarvathā mūlotkhātā vayaṃ vinaṣṭāḥ smaḥ | suṣṭhu khalv idam ucyate-

tatas tad-vaco 'nādṛtya sarve te sthirajīvinam utkṣipya sva-durgam ānetum ārabdhāḥ | athānīyamānaḥ sthirajīvy āha-deva ! adyākiñcitkareṇaitad avasthena kiṃ mayopasaṅgṛhītena ? yat kāraṇam icchāmi dīptaṃ vahnim anupraveṣṭum | tad arhasi mām agni-pradānena samuddhartum |

atha raktākṣasyāntargata-bhāvaṃ jñātvāha-kim-artham agni-patanam icchasi ?

so 'bravīt-ahaṃ tāvad yuṣmad-artham imām āpadaṃ meghavarṇena prāpitaḥ | tad icchāmi teṣāṃ vaira-yātanārtham ulūkatvam iti |

tac ca śrutvā rājanīti-kuśalo raktākṣaḥ prāha-bhadra ! kuṭilas tvaṃ kṛtaka-vacana-caturaś ca | tāvad ulūka-yoni-gato 'pi svakīyām eva vāyasa-yoniṃ bahu manyase | śrūyate caitad ākhyānakam |

mantriṇaḥ procuḥ--katham etat ?

raktākṣaḥ kathayati-

kathā 11 śālaṅkāyana-rakṣita-mūṣikā-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne śālaṅkāyano nāma tapodhano jāhnavyāṃ snānārthaṃ gataḥ | tasya ca sūryopasthānaṃ kurvatas tatra pradeśe mūṣikā kācit kharatara-nakhāgra-puṭena śyenena gṛhītā | dṛṣṭvā sa muniḥ karuṇārdra-hṛdayo muñca muñceti kurvāṇas tasyopari pāṣāṇa-khaṇḍaṃ prākṣipat | so 'pi pāṣāṇa-khaṇḍa-prahāra-vyākulendriyo bhraṣṭa-mūṣiko bhūmau nipapāta mūṣikāpi bhaya-trastā kartavyam ajānantī rakṣa rakṣeti jalpantī muni-caraṇāntikam upāviśat | śyenenāpi cetanaṃ labdhvā munir ukto, yad-bho mune ! na yuktam anuṣṭhitaṃ bhavatā yad ahaṃ pāṣāṇena tāḍitaḥ | kiṃ tvam adharmān na bibheṣi ? tat samarpaya mām enām mūṣikām | no cet prabhūtaṃ pātakam avāpsyasi |

iti bruvāṇaṃ śyenaṃ provāca saḥ-bho vihaṅgādhama ! rakṣaṇīyāḥ prāṇināṃ prāṇāḥ | daṇḍanīyā duṣṭāḥ | sammānanīyāḥ sādhavaḥ | pūjanīyā guravaḥ | stutyā devāḥ | tat kim asambaddhaṃ prajalpasi ?

śyena āha-mune ! na tvaṃ sūkṣma-dharmaṃ vetsi | iha hi sarveṣāṃ prāṇināṃ vidhinā sṛṣṭiṃ kurvatāhāro 'pi vinirmitaḥ | tato yathā bhavatām annaṃ tathāsmākaṃ mūṣikādayo vihitāḥ | tat svāhāra-kāṅkṣiṇaṃ māṃ kiṃ dūṣayasi ? uktaṃ ca-

aparaṃ munīnāṃ na caiṣa dharmo yatas tair dṛṣṭaṃ śrutam aśrutam alaulyatvam aśatrutvaṃ praśasyate | uktaṃ ca-

sādhūnāṃ niravadyānāṃ sadācāra-vicāriṇām |

tat tvam anena karmaṇā bhraṣṭa-tapāḥ sañjātaḥ | uktaṃ ca-

śālaṅkāyana āha--katham etat ?

śyena āha- kathā 12 ?

kasmiṃścid nadī-taṭa ekata-dvita-tritābhidhānās trayo 'pi bhrātaro munayas tapaḥ kurvanti | teṣāṃ ca tapaḥ-prabhāvād ākāśasthā dhauta-potikā nirālambā jalārdrā bhū-sparśana-bhayena snāna-samaye tiṣṭhanti | athānye-dyur mamaiva kācin maṇḍūkikā kenāpi gṛdhreṇa balena nītā | atha tāṃ gṛhītā vilokya teṣāṃ jyeṣṭhena karuṇārdra-hṛdayena bhavateva vyāhṛtaṃ-muñca muñceti | atrāntare tasya dhauta-potikākāśād bhūmau patitā | tāṃ patitāṃ dṛṣṭvā dvitīyena tad-bhayārtena mā muñcety abhihitaṃ yāvat tasyāpi papāta | tatas tṛtīyo dvayor api dhauta-potikāṃ bhūmau patitāṃ dṛṣṭvā tūṣṇīṃ babhūva |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-muñca muñca pataty eka ity ādi |

tac chrutvā munir vihasyāha-bho mūrkha vihaṅgama ! kṛta-yuge dharmaḥ sa āsīt, yataḥ kṛta-yuge pāpālāpato 'pi pāpaṃ jāyate tena dhauta-potike patite aśiṣṭālāpena na sad-apavacana-doṣataḥ | eṣa punaḥ kali-yugaḥ | atra sarvo 'pi pāpātmā | tat karma kṛtaṃ vinā pāpaṃ na lagati | uktaṃ ca-

tat kiṃ vṛthā pralapitena ? gaccha tvam | no cec chāpayiṣyāmi | atha gate śyene mūṣikayā sa munir abhihitaḥ-bhagavan ! naya māṃ svāśrayam | no ced anyo duṣṭa-pakṣī māṃ vyāpādayiṣyati | tad ahaṃ tatraivāśrame tvad-dattānnāhāra-muṣṭyā kālaṃ neṣyāmi |

so 'pi dākṣiṇyavān sa-karuṇo vyacintayat-kathaṃ mayā mūṣikā haste dhṛtvā neyā jana-hāsya-kāriṇī | tad enāṃ kumārikāṃ kṛtvā nayāmi | evaṃ sā kanyakā kṛtā | tathānuṣṭhite kanyā-sahitaṃ munim avalokya patnī papraccha-bhagavan ! kuta iyaṃ kanyā ?

sa āha-eṣā mūṣikā śyena-bhayāc charaṇārthinī kanyā-rūpeṇa tava gṛham ānītā | tat tvayā yatnena rakṣaṇīyā | bhūyo 'py enāṃ mūṣikāṃ kariṣyāmi |

sā prāha-bhagavan ! maivaṃ kārṣīḥ | asyās tvaṃ dharma-pitā | uktaṃ ca-

tat tvayāsyāḥ prāṇa-pradattā | aparaṃ mamāpy apatyaṃ nāsti | tasmād eṣā mama sutā bhaviṣyati |

tathānuṣṭhite sā kanyā śukla-pakṣa-candra-kalikeva nityaṃ vṛddhiṃ prāpnoti | sāpi tasya muneḥ śuśrūṣāṃ kurvatī sapatnīkasya yauvanam āśv ayāt | atha tāṃ yauvanonmukhīm avalokya śālaṅkāyanaḥ sva-patnīm uvāca-priye ! yauvanonmukhī vartata iyaṃ kanyā | anarhā sa sāmprataṃ mad-gṛha-vāsasya | uktaṃ ca-

tad yad yasyā rocate tad bhagavantaṃ ādityam ākārya tasmai prayacchāmi | uktaṃ ca-

sā prāha-ko doṣo 'tra viṣaye ? evaṃ kriyatām |

atha muninā ravir āhūtaḥ | veda-mantrāmantraṇa-prabhāvāt tat-kṣaṇād evābhyupagamyādityaḥ provāca-bhagavan ! vada drutaṃ kim-artham āhūtaḥ ?

sa āha-eṣā madīyā kanyakā tiṣṭhati | yady eṣā tvāṃ vṛṇoti tarhy udvahasva tām iti | evam uktvā bhagavāṃs tasyā darśitaḥ | provāca-putri ! kiṃ tava rocata eṣa bhagavāṃs trailokya-dīpaḥ ?

sā prāha-tāta ! atidahanātmako 'yam | nāham enam abhilaṣāmi | asmād api ya utkṛṣṭataraḥ sa āhūyatām |

atha tasyās tad-vacanam ākarṇya bhāsvaro 'pi tāṃ mūṣikāṃ viditvā niḥspṛhas tam uvāca-bhagavan ! asti mamāpy adhiko megho yenācchāditasya me nāmāi na jñāyate ?

atha muninā megham apy āhūya kanyābhihitā-eṣa te rocate ?

sā prāha-kṛṣṇa-varṇo 'yaṃ jaḍātmā ca | tad asmād anyasya kasyacit pradhānasya māṃ prayaccha |

atha muninā megho 'pi pṛṣṭaḥ-bhoḥ ! tvatto 'py adhikaḥ ko 'py asti ?

sa āha-matto 'py adhiko 'sti vāyuḥ | vāyunā hato 'haṃ sahasradhā yāmi |

tac chrutvā muninā vāyur āhūtaḥ, āha ca-putrike kim eṣa vāyus te vivāhāya uttamaḥ pratibhāti ?

sā āha-prabalo 'py ayaṃ cañcalaḥ | tad abhyadhikaḥ kaścid āhūyatām |

munir āha-bho vāyo ! tvatto 'py adhiko 'sti kaścit ?

sa āha-matto 'py adhiko 'sti parvato yena saṃstabhya balavān apy ahaṃ dhriye |

atha muniḥ parvatam āhūya kanyāyā adarśayat-putrike ! tvām asmai prayacchāmi ?

sā āha-tāta ! kaṭhinātmako 'yaṃ stabdhaś ca | tad anyasmai dehi mām |

atha sa muninā pṛṣṭaḥ, yad-bhoḥ parvata-rāja ! tvatto 'py adhiko 'sti kaścit ?

sa āha-santi matto 'py adhikā mūṣikāḥ, ye mad-dehaṃ balāt sarvato bhedayanti |

tad ākarṇya munir mūṣakam āhūya tasyā adarśayat-putrike ! eṣa te pratibhāti mūṣaka-rājo yena yathocitam anuṣṭhīyate | sāpi taṃ dṛṣṭvā sva-jātīya eṣa iti manyamānā pulakodbhūṣita-śarīrā provāca-tāta ! māṃ mūṣikāṃ kṛtvāsmai prayaccha yena svajāti-vihitaṃ gṛha-dharmam anutiṣṭhāmi |

tac chrutvā tena strī-dharma-vicakṣaṇena tāṃ mūṣikāṃ kṛtvā mūṣakāya pradattā |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-sūryaṃ bhartāram utsṛjya ityādi |

atha raktākṣa-vacanam anādṛtya taiḥ sva-vaṃśa-vināśāya sa sva-durgam upanītaḥ | nīyamānaś cāntar-līnam avahasya sthirajīvy acintayat-

tad yadi tasya vacanam acariṣyann ete, tato na svalpo 'py anartho 'bhaviṣyad eteṣām |

atha durga-dvāraṃ prāpyārimardano 'bravīt-bho bho hitaiṣiṇo 'sya sthirajīvino yathā-samīhitaṃ sthānaṃ prayacchata |

tac ca śrutvā sthirajīvī vyacintayat-mayā tāvad eteṣāṃ vadhopāyaś cintanīyaḥ | sa mayā madhyasthena na sādhyate | yato madīyam iṅgitādikaṃ vicārayantas te'pi sāvadhānā bhaviṣyanti | tad durga-dvāram adhiśrito 'bhipretaṃ sādhayāmi | iti niścityolūka-patim āha-deva ! yuktam idaṃ yat svāminā proktam | param aham api nītijñas te'hitaś ca | yadyapy anuraktaḥ śucis tathāpi durga-madhye āvāso nārhaḥ | tad ahaṃ atraiva durga-dvāra-sthaḥ pratyahaṃ bhavat-pāda-padma-rajaḥ pavitrī-kṛta-tanuḥ sevāṃ kariṣyāmi |

tatheti pratipanne pratidinam ulūka-pati-sevakās te prakāmam āhāraṃ kṛtvolūka-rājādeśāt prakṛṣṭa-māṃsāhāraṃ sthirajīvine prayacchanti | atha katipayair evāhobhir mayūra iva sa balavān saṃvṛttaḥ | atha raktākṣaḥ sthirajīvinaṃ poṣyamāṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā sa-vismayo mantri-janaṃ rājānaṃ ca praty āha-aho mūrkho 'yaṃ mantri-jano bhavāṃś cety evam aham avagacchāmi | uktaṃ ca-

te prāhuḥ-katham etat ?

raktākṣaḥ kathayati- kathā 13 svarṇa-ṣṭhīvī-sindhuka-pakṣī-kathā

asti kasmiṃścit parvataika-deśe mahān vṛkṣaḥ | tatra ca sindhuka-nāmā ko 'pi pakṣī prativasati sma | tasya purīṣe suvarṇam utpadyate | atha kadācit tam uddiśya vyādhaḥ ko 'pi samāyayau | sa ca pakṣī tad-agrata eva purīṣam utsasarja | atha pāta-sama-kālam eva tat-suvarṇībhūtaṃ dṛṣṭvā vyādho vismayam agamat-aho mama śiśu-kālād ārabhya śakuni-bandha-vyasanino 'śīti-varṣāṇi samabhūvan,na ca kadācit pakṣi-purīṣe suvarṇaṃ dṛṣṭam iti vicintya tatra vṛkṣe pāśaṃ babandha | athāsāv api pakṣī mūrkhas tatraiva viśvasta-citto yathā-pūrvam upaviṣṭas tat-kālam eva pāśena baddhaḥ | vyādhas tu taṃ pāśād unmucya pañjarake saṃsthāpya nijāvāsaṃ nītavān | atha cintayāmāsa-kim anena sāpāyena pakṣiṇāhaṃ kariṣyāmi ? yadi kadācit ko 'py amum īdṛśaṃ jñātvā rājñe nivedayiṣyati tan nūnaṃ prāṇa-saṃśayo me bhavet | ataḥ svayam eva pakṣiṇaṃ rājñe nivedayāmi | iti vicārya tathaivānuṣṭhitavān |

atha rājāpi taṃ pakṣiṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā vikasita-nayana-vadana-kamalaḥ parāṃ tuṣṭim upagataḥ | prāha caivaṃ-haṃho rakṣā-puruṣāḥ ! enaṃ pakṣiṇaṃ yatnena rakṣata | aśana-pānādikaṃ cāsya yathecchaṃ prayacchata |

atha mantriṇābhihitam-kim anenāśraddheya-vyādha-vacana-mātra-parigṛhītenāṇḍajena ? kiṃ kadācit pakṣī-purīṣe suvarṇaṃ sambhavati ? tan mucyatāṃ pañjara-bandhanād ayaṃ pakṣī | iti mantri-vacanād rājñā mocito 'sau pakṣy unnata-dvāra-toraṇe samupaviśya suvarṇa-mayīṃ viṣṭhāṃ vidhāya-pūrvaṃ tāvad ahaṃ mūrkhaḥ iti ślokaṃ paṭhitvā yathā-sukham ākāśa-mārgeṇa prāyāt |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-pūrvaṃ tāvad ahaṃ mūrkhaḥ iti |

atha te punar api pratikūla-daivatayā hitam api raktākṣa-vacanam anādṛtya bhūyas taṃ prabhūta-māṃsādi-vividhāhāreṇa poṣayāmāsuḥ | atha raktākṣaḥ sva-vargam āhūya rahaḥ provāca-aho ! etāvad evāsmad-bhūpateḥ kuśalaṃ durgaṃ ca | tad upadiṣṭaṃ mayā yat kula-kramāgataḥ sacivo 'bhidhatte | tad vayam anyat parvata-durgaṃ samprati samāśrayāmaḥ | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-

te procuḥ-katham etat ?

raktākṣaḥ kathayati- kathā 14 kharanakhara-siṃha-kathā

kasmiṃścid vanoddeśe kharanakharo nāma siṃhaḥ prativasati sma | sa kadācid itaś cetaś ca paribhraman kṣutkṣāma-kaṇṭho na kiñcid api sattvam āsasāda | tataś cāstam anasamaye mahatīṃ giri-guhām āsādya praviṣṭaś cintayāmāsa-nūnam etasyāṃ guhāyāṃ rātrau kenāpi sattvenāgantavyam | tan nibhṛto bhūtvā tiṣṭhāmi |

etasminn antare tat-svāmī dadhipuccho nāma śṛgālaḥ samāyātaḥ | sa ca yāvat paśyati tāvat siṃha-pada-paddhatir guhāyāṃ praviṣṭaḥ, na ca niṣkrāntā iti dṛṣṭavān | tataś cācintayat-aho vinaṣṭo 'smi, nūnam asyāntargatena siṃhena bhāvyam | tat kiṃ karomi ? kathaṃ jñāsyāmi ? evaṃ vicintya dvārasthaḥ phūtkartum ārabdhaḥ-aho bila ! aho bila ! ity uktvā tūṣṇīṃbhūya bhūyo 'pi tathaiva pratyabhāṣata-bhoḥ ! kiṃ na smarasi yan mayā tvayā saha samayaḥ kṛto 'sti ? yan mayā bāhyāt samāgatena tvaṃ vaktavyaḥ, tvayā cāham ākaraṇīyaḥ iti | tad yadi māṃ nāhvayasi tato 'haṃ dvitīyaṃ bilaṃ yāsyāmi |

atha tac chrutvā siṃhaś cintitavān-nūnam eṣā guhāsya samāgatasya sadā samāhvānaṃ karoti | param adya mad-bhayān na kiṃcid brūte | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

tad aham asyāhvānaṃ karomi yena tad-anusāreṇa praviṣṭo 'yaṃ me bhojyatāṃ yāsyati | evaṃ sampradhārya siṃhas tasyāhvānam akarot | atha siṃha-śabdena sā guhā pratirava-sampūrṇā anyān api dūra-sthān araṇya-jīvāṃs trāsayāmāsa | śṛgālo 'pi palāyamāna imaṃ ślokam apaṭhat-anāgataṃ yaḥ kurute sa śobhate ity ādi |

tad evaṃ matvā yuṣmābhir mayā saha gantavyam iti | evam abhidhāyātmānuyāyi-parivārānugato dūra-deśāntaraṃ raktākṣo jagāma |

atha raktākṣe gate sthirajīvy atihṛṣṭa-manā vyacintayat-aho ! kalyāṇam asmākam upasthitam, yad raktāṃśo gataḥ sa dīrghadarśī ete ca mūḍha-manasaḥ | tato mama sukha-ghātyāḥ sañjātāḥ | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-

athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

evaṃ vicintya sva-kulāya ekaikāṃ vana-kāṣṭhikāṃ guhā-pradīpanārthaṃ dine dine prakṣipati | na ca te mūrkhā ulūkā vijānanti, yad eṣa kulāyam asmad-dāhāya vṛddhiṃ nayati | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

atha kulāya-vyājena durga-dvāre kṛte kāṣṭha-nicaye, sañjāte sūryodaye, andhatāṃ prāpteṣūlūkeṣu satsu sthirajīvī śīghram ṛṣyamūkaṃ gatvā meghavarṇam āha-svāmin ! dāha-sādhyā kṛtā ripu-guhāḥ | tat saparivāraḥ sametyaikaikā vana-kāṣṭhikāṃ jvalantī gṛhītvā guhā-dvāre'smat-kulāye prakṣipa yena sarve śatravaḥ kumbhīpāka-naraka-prāyeṇa duḥkhena mriyante |

tac chrutvā prahṛṣṭo meghavarṇa āha-tāta ! kathayātma-vṛttāntam | cirād adya dṛṣṭo 'si |

sa āha-vatsa ! nāyaṃ kathanasya kālaḥ | yataḥ kadācit tasya ripo kaścit praṇidhir mamehāgamanaṃ nivedayiṣyati | yaj jñānād andho 'nyatrāpasaraṇaṃ kariṣyati | tat tvaryatām | uktaṃ ca-

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

tad ākarṇya sthirajīvy āha-bhadra ! āgāmi-phala-vāñchayā kaṣṭam api sevako na jānāti | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-

meghavarṇa āha-tāta ! asi-dhārā-vratam idaṃ manye yad ariṇā saha saṃvāsaḥ |

so 'bravīt-deva ! evam etat | paraṃ na tādṛṅ-mūrkha-samāgamaḥ kvāpi mayā dṛṣṭaḥ | na ca mahāprajñam aneka-śāstreṣv apratima-buddhiṃ raktākṣaṃ vinā dhīmān | yat-kāraṇaṃ tena madīyaṃ yathāvasthitaṃ cittaṃ jñātam | ye punar anye mantriṇas te mahā-mūrkhā mantri-mātra-vyapadeśopajīvino 'tattva-kuśalā, yair idam api na jñātam | yataḥ-

sādhu cedam ucyate-

tad rājan ! asi-dhārā-vrataṃ mayācaritam aritam ari-saṃsargād iti yad bhavatoktaṃ, tan mayā sākṣād evānubhūtam | uktaṃ ca-

meghavarṇa āha-katham etat ?

sthirajīvī kathayati-

kathā 15 mandaviṣa-sarpa-kathā

asti varuṇādri-samīpa ekasmin pradeśe pariṇata-vayā manda-viṣo nāma kṛṣṇa-sarpaḥ | sa evaṃ citte sañcintitavān-kathaṃ nāma mayā sukhopāya-vṛttyā vartitavyam iti | tato bahu-maṇḍūkaṃ hradam upagamya dhṛti-parītam ivātmānaṃ darśitavān |

atha tathā sthite saudaka-prānta-gatenaikena maṇḍūkena pṛṣṭaḥ-māma ! kim adya yathā-pūrvam āhārārthaṃ na viharasi |

so 'bravīt-bhadra ! kuto me manda-bhāgyasyāhārābhilāṣaḥ ? yat kāraṇam adya rātrau pradoṣa eva mayāhārārthaṃ viharamāṇena dṛṣṭa eko maṇḍūkaḥ | tad-grahaṇārthaṃ mayā kramaḥ sajjitaḥ | so 'pi māṃ dṛṣṭvā mṛtyu-bhayena svādhyāya-prasaktānāṃ brāhmaṇānām antaram apakrānto na vibhāvito mayā kvāpi gataḥ | tat-sādṛśya-mohita-cittena mayā kasyacid brāhmaṇasya sūnor hrada-taṭa-jalāntaḥ-stho 'ṅguṣṭho daṣṭaḥ | tato 'sau sapadi pañcatvam upāgataḥ |

atha tasya pitrā duḥkhitenāhaṃ śapto yathā-durātman ! tvayā niraparādho mat-suto daṣṭaḥ | tad anena doṣeṇa tvaṃ maṇḍūkānāṃ vāhanaṃ bhaviṣyasi, tat-prasāda-labdha-jīvikayā vartiṣye iti | tato 'haṃ yuṣmākaṃ vāhanārtham āgato 'smi |

tena ca sarva-maṇḍūkānām idam āveditam | tatas taiḥ prahṛṣṭa-manobhiḥ sarvair eva gatvā jala-pāda-nāmno dardura-rājasya vijñaptam | athāsāv api mantri-parivṛto 'tyadbhutam idam iti manyamāno sa-sambhramaṃ hradād uttīrya manda-viṣasya phaṇinaḥ phaṇā-pradeśam adhirūḍhaḥ | śeṣā api yathā-jyeṣṭhaṃ tat-pṛṣṭhopari samāruruhuḥ | kiṃ bahunā, uparita-sthānam aprāptavantas tasyānupadaṃ dhāvanti | mandaviṣo 'pi teṣāṃ tuṣṭy-artham aneka-prakārān gati-viśeṣān adarśayat | atha jalapādo labdha-sukhas tam āha-

athānyedyur manda-viṣaś chadmanā mandaṃ mandaṃ visarpati | tac ca dṛṣṭvā jalapādo 'bravīt-bhadra ! mandaviṣa ! yathā-pūrvaṃ kim adya sādhu nohyate ?

mandaviṣo 'bravīt-deva adyāhāra-vaikalyān na me voḍhuṃ śaktir asti |

athāsāv abravīt-bhadra ! bhakṣaya kṣudra-maṇḍūkān |

tac chrutvā praharṣita-sarva-gātro mandaviṣaḥ sa-sambhramam abravīt-mamāyam eva vipra-śāpo 'sti | tat tavānenānujñā-vacanena prīto 'smi |

tato 'sau nairantaryeṇa maṇḍūkān bhakṣayan katipayair evāhobhir balavān saṃvṛttaḥ | prahṛṣṭaś cāntar-līnam avahasyedam abravīt-

jala-pādo 'pi mandaviṣeṇa kṛta-kavaca-navyāmohita-cittaḥ kim api nāvabudhyate | atrāntare'nyo mahākāyaḥ kṛṣṇa-sarpas tam uddeśaṃ samāyātaḥ | taṃ ca maṇḍūkair vāhyamānaṃ dṛṣṭvā vismaya-gatam | āha ca-vayasya ! yad asmākam aśanaṃ taiḥ kathaṃ vāhyase | viruddham etat |

mandaviṣo 'bravīt-

so 'bravīt-katham etat ?

mandaviṣaḥ kathayati- kathā 16 ghṛtāndha-brāhmaṇa-kathā

asti kasmiṃścid adhiṣṭhāne yajñadatto nāma brāhmaṇaḥ | tasya bhāryā puṃścaly anyāsakta-manā ajasraṃ viṭāyasa-khaṇḍa-ghṛtān ghṛta-pūrān kṛtvā bhartuś caurikayā prayacchati | atha kadācid bhartā dṛṣṭvābravīt-bhadre ! kim etat paripacyate ? kutra vājasraṃ nayasīdam ? tat kathaya satyam |

sā cotpanna-pratibhā kṛtaka-vacanair bhartāram abravīt-asty atra nātidūre bhagavatyā devyā āyatanam | tatrāham upoṣitā satī baliṃ bhakṣya-viśeṣāṃś cāpūrvān nayāmi |

atha tat paśyatā gṛhītvā tat sakalaṃ devyāyatanābhimukhī pratasthe | yat kāraṇaṃ devyā niveditenānena madīyo bhartaivaṃ maṃsyate yat mama brāhmaṇī bhagavatyāḥ kṛte nadyām avatīrya yāvat snānaṃ karoti tāvat tad bhartāpi mārgāntareṇāgatya devyāḥ pṛṣṭhato 'dṛśyo 'vatasthe |

atha sā brāhmaṇī snātvā devy-āyatanam āgatya snānānulepana-mālya-dhūpa-bali-kriyādikaṃ kṛtvā devīṃ praṇamya vyajijñapat-bhagavati ! kena prakāreṇa mama bhartāndho bhaviṣyati ?

tac chrutvā svara-bhedena devī-pṛṣṭha-sthito brāhmaṇo jagāda-yadi tvam ajasraṃ ghṛta-pūrādi-bhakṣyaṃ tasmai bhartre prayacchasi, tataḥ śīghram andho bhaviṣyati |

sā tu bandhakī kṛtaka-vacana-vañcita-mānasā tasmai brāhmaṇāya tad eva nityaṃ pradadau | athānyedyur brāhmaṇenābhihitam-bhadre, nāhaṃ sutarāṃ paśyāmi |

tac chrutvā cintitam anayā-devyāḥ prasādo 'yaṃ prāpta iti | atha tasyā hṛdaya-vallabho viṭas tat-sakāśam-andhībhūto 'yaṃ brāhmaṇaḥ kiṃ mama kariṣyatīti niḥśaṅkaṃ pratidinam abhyeti | athānyedyus taṃ praviśantam abhyāśa-gataṃ dṛṣṭvā keśair gṛhītvā laguḍa-pārṣṇi-prabhṛti-prahārais tāvad atāḍayat yāvad asau pañcatvam āpa | tām api puṣṭa-patnīṃ vicchanna-nāsikāṃ kṛtvā visasarja |

ato 'haṃ bravīmi-skandhenāpi vahec chatrum (238) ity ādi |

atha rājan ! yathā mandaviṣeṇa buddhi-balena maṇḍūkā nihatās tathā mayāpi sarve vairiṇaḥ | sādhu cedam ucyate-

meghavarṇa āha-tāta ! satyam evaitat | ye mahātmāno bhavanti te mahā-sattvā āpad-gatā api prārabdhaṃ na tyajanti | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-

tathā ca-

tat kṛtaṃ niṣkaṇṭakaṃ mama rājyaṃ śatrūn niḥśeṣatāṃ nayatā tvayā | athavā yuktam etan naya-vedinām | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-

so 'bravīt-deva ! bhāgyavān tvam evāsi, yasyārabdhaṃ sarvam eva saṃsiddhyati | tan na kevalaṃ śauryaṃ kṛtyaṃ sādhayati, kintu prajñayā yat kriyate tad eva vijayāya bhavati | uktaṃ ca-

tad evaṃ prajñā-puruṣakārābhyāṃ yuktasyāyatnena kārya-siddhayaḥ sambhavanti | uktaṃ ca-

tathā ca naya-tyāga-śaurya-sampanne puruṣe rājyam iti | uktaṃ ca-

meghavarṇa āha-nūnaṃ sadyaḥ-phalāni nīti-śāstrāṇi yat tvayānukṛtyenānupraviśyāri-mardanaḥ saparijano niḥśeṣitaḥ |

sthirajīvy āha-

athavā svāmin ! kiṃ tenābhihitena ? yad anantara-jāle kriyā-rahitam asukha-sādhyaṃ vā bhavati | sādhu cedam ucyate-

na ca laghuṣv api kartavyeṣu dhīmadbhir anādaraḥ kartavyaḥ | yataḥ-

tad adya jitārer mad-vibhor yathā-pūrvaṃ nidrā-lābho bhaviṣyati | ucyate caitat-

tathā ca-

tad avasita-kāryārambhasya viśrāmyatīva me hṛdayam | tad idam adhunā nihata-kaṇṭakaṃ rājyaṃ prajā-pālana-tatparo bhūtvā putra-pautrādi-krameṇācala-cchatrāsana-śrīḥ ciraṃ bhuṅkṣva | api ca-

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

na ca kaścid anadhigamanīyo nāmāsty āpadām | uktaṃ ca-

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-

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-

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-

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-

so 'pi patnyāḥ pādopasaṅgrahaṃ kṛtvāṅkopari nidhāya tasyāḥ kopa-koṭim āpannāyāḥ sudīnam uvāca-

sāpi tad-vacanam ākarṇyāśru-pluta-mukhī tam uvāca-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

evaṃ cintayan bile praviśantaṃ kṛṣṇasarpam apaśyat | taṃ dṛṣṭvā bhūyo 'py acintayat-yad enaṃ tatra kūpe nītvā sakala-dāyādānām ucchedaṃ karomi | uktaṃ ca-

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-

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-

gaṅgadatta āha-bhoḥ ! satyam etat | svabhāva-vairī tvam asmākam | paraṃ para-paribhavāt prāpto 'haṃ te sakāśam | uktaṃ 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-

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-

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-

tat prayacchāmy asyaikaikaṃ pratidinaṃ suhṛdam | uktaṃ ca-

tathā ca-

evaṃ niścintya nityam ekaikam ādiśati | so 'pi taṃ bhakṣayitvā tasya parokṣe'nyān api bhakṣayati | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

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-

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-

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 |

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-

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-

athāsau tad-vacanaṃ śraddheyatayā śrutvā bhūyo 'pi tena saha prasthitaḥ | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

tat kim ahaṃ rathakāravan mūrkho yataḥ svayam api dṛṣṭvā te vikāra-paścād viśvasimi | uktaṃ ca-

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-

kulānām iti pāṇḍavānām api mahātmanāṃ notpattir adhigantavyā yataḥ te kṣetrajā iti | strī-duścaritaṃ sandhukṣyamāṇam aneka-doṣān prakaṭayati strīṇām iti | tathā ca-

yathāpi śuddhām aśuddhāṃ vāpi jānāmi loka-vacanāt | uktaṃ ca-

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-

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-

tan mūrkha ! strī-lubdha ! strī-jita ! anye'pi ye tvad-vidhā bhavanti te sva-kāryaṃ vibhavaṃ mitraṃ ca parityajanti tat-kṛte | uktaṃ ca-

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-

tathā ca-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

tata sarvathā kṛtaghnasyāpi me kuru prasādam upadeśa-pradānena | uktaṃ ca-

tad ākarṇya vānaraḥ prāha-bhadra ! yady evaṃ tarhi tatra gatvā tena saha yuddhaṃ kuru | uktaṃ ca-

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-

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-

kiṃ ca sarva-guṇa-sampanno 'pi bhedena badhyate | uktaṃ ca yataḥ-

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-

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-

iti śrī-viṣṇu-śarma-viracite pañcatantre labdha-praṇāśaṃ nāma caturthaṃ tantraṃ samāptam ||4||

pañcamaṃ tantram

aparīkṣita-kārakam

kṣapaṇaka-kathā

athedam ārabhyate'parīkṣita-kārakaṃ nāma pañcamaṃ tantram | tasyāyam ādimaḥ ślokaḥ-

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-

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-

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-

tathā ca-

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-

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-

athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

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-

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-

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-

tathā ca-

tad gacchāmaḥ kutracid arthāya iti sammantrya sva-deśaṃ puraṃ ca sva-suhṛt-sahitaṃ gṛhaṃ ca parityajya prasthitāḥ | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

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-

tasya kathaṃ na calā syāt patnī viṣṇor nṛsiṃhakasyāpi

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-

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-

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-

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-

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 |

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-

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-

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-

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 |

tato vacana-śravaṇa-mātrād api pitṛ-paryāyāgataṃ janma-sthānaṃ tyaktuṃ na śakyate | uktaṃ ca-

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-

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-

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-

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-

śṛgāla āha-māma, asty etat | paraṃ na vetsi tvaṃ gītam | kevalam unnadasi | tat kiṃ tena svārtha-bhraṃśakena ?

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-

tata tam evolūkhalam ādāya vṛttiṃ cūrṇayitvā palāyitum ārabdhaḥ | atrāntare śṛgālo 'pi dūrād eva dṛṣṭvā sa-smitam āha-

tad bhavān api mayā vāryamāṇo 'pi na sthitaḥ |

tac chrutvā cakradhara āha-bho mitra ! satyam etat | athavā sādhv idam ucyate-

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-

kaulika āha-asty etat tathāpi gṛhiṇīṃ pṛcchāmi |

sa āha-bhadra ! śāstra-viruddham etat yat striyā saha mantraḥ | yatas tāḥ svalpa-matayo bhavanti | uktaṃ ca-

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-

aparaṃ mahatī kleśa-paramparaiṣā rājya-sthitiḥ sandhi-vigraha-yānāsana-saṃśraya-dvaidhībhāvādibhiḥ kadācit puruṣasya sukhaṃ na prayacchatīti | yataḥ-

tathā ca-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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 ?

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

evam śrutvā suvarṇasiddhis tam anujñāpya svagṛhaṃ prati nivṛttaḥ |

iti śrī-viṣṇu-śarma-viracite pañcatantre aparīkṣita-kārakaṃ nāma pañcamaṃ tantraṃ samāptam ||5||

yady apy evaṃ tathāpi tvaṃ darśaya taṃ caurasiṃhaṃ yathā vyāpādayāmi | (alt.) yaḥ paśyati sa paśyati (alt.) rāja-puruṣaiḥ (alt.) devaśakti-kathā