03.062
bṛhadaśva uvāca॥
Bṛhadaśva said.
sā tac chrutvā anavadyāṅgī sārthavāha-vacas tadā। agacchat tena vai sārddhaṃ bhartṛdarśana-lālasā ॥03-62-1॥
She, the flawless-limbed woman, having heard the caravan leader's words, then went together with him, longing to see her husband. (03-62-1)
atha kāle bahutithe vane mahati dāruṇe। taḍāgaṃ sarvatobhadram padmasaugandhikaṃ mahat ॥03-62-2॥
Then, when many auspicious days had passed, in that great, terrible forest, there was a vast and entirely auspicious lake filled with fragrant lotuses. (03-62-2)
dadṛśur vaṇijo ramyaṃ prabhūta-yavasendhanam. bahu-mūla-phalopetaṃ nānā-pakṣi-gaṇair vṛtam ॥03-62-3॥
The merchants saw a beautiful place, rich with pasture and firewood, full of many roots and fruits, and teeming with various flocks of birds. (03-62-3)
taṁ dṛṣṭvā mṛṣṭasalilaṁ manoharasukhāvaham। supariśrāntavāhās te niveśāya mano dadhuḥ॥03-62-4॥
Seeing that pure, pleasant, and delightful-water, those whose vehicles were very weary set their minds on encamping there. (3-62-4)
saṃmate sārthavāhasya viviśur vanam uttamam। uvāsa sārthaḥ sumahān velām āsādya paścimām॥03-62-5॥
With the consent of the caravan leader, they entered the excellent forest. The great caravan halted upon reaching evening in the west. (03-62-5)
athārdharātra-samaye niḥśabda-stimite tadā। suptes sārthes pariśrāntes hasti-yūtham upāgamat॥ pāniyārtham giri-nadīm mada-prasravaṇā-vilām॥03-62-6॥
Then, at midnight, when it was silent and still, as the caravan slept, exhausted, a herd of elephants arrived at the mountain river, seeking water, its waters made turbid by the flowing rut of the elephants. (03-62-6)
mārgaṁ saṁrudhya saṁsuptaṁ padminyāḥ sārtham uttamam. suptaṁ mamarda sahasā ceṣṭamānaṁ mahītale ॥03-62-7॥
Having blocked the path, (it) suddenly crushed the excellent merchant caravan of the lotus-lake while they were all sound asleep, and even those struggling on the ground.
hāhāravaṃ pramuñcantaḥ sārthikāḥ śaraṇārthinaḥ। vanagulmāṃś ca dhāvanto nidrāndhā mahato bhayāt॥ kecid dantaiḥ karaiḥ kecit kecit padbhyāṃ hatā narāḥ॥03-62-8॥
Emitting cries of lamentation, caravan leaders and those seeking refuge ran toward the forest thickets, blinded by sleep and out of great fear. Some men were killed by teeth, others by hands, and some by feet. (03-62-8)
gokharoṣṭrāśvabahulaṃ padātijana-saṅkulam। bhayārtaṃ dhāvamānaṃ tat parasparahataṃ tadā॥03-62-9॥
Then, that army, rich in cows, camels, and horses and crowded with foot soldiers, afflicted by fear, was fleeing and in their panic were striking each other. (03-62-9)
ghorānnādān vimuñcanto nipetur dharaṇītale। vṛkṣeṣv āsajya sambhagnāḥ patitā viṣameṣu ca॥ tathā tan-nihataṃ sarvaṃ samṛddhaṃ sārthamaṇḍalam॥03-62-10॥
With dreadful cries, they fell upon the ground; some, after crashing into trees, shattered, fell upon uneven places; thus, all that prosperous caravan circle was completely destroyed. (03-62-10)
athāparedyuḥ samprāpte hataśiṣṭā janās tadā। vanagulmād viniṣkramya śocanto vaiśasaṃ kṛtam ॥ bhrātaraṃ pitaraṃ putraṃ sakhāyaṃ ca janādhipa ॥03-62-11॥
Then, O king, on the following day, when morning came, the surviving people came out of the forest thickets and, mourning the massacre that had taken place, lamented their brothers, fathers, sons, and friends. (03-62-11)
aśocat tatra vaidarbhī kiṁ nu me duṣkṛtaṁ kṛtam। yo’pi me nirjane’raṇye samprāpto’yaṁ janārṇavaḥ॥ hato’yaṁ hastiyūthena mandabhāgyān mamaiva tu॥03-62-12॥
There, the princess of Vidarbha lamented: "What wrong have I done? Who else has come to me in this lonely forest— this great mass of people? This one has been killed by a troop of elephants, truly on account of my own misfortune." (03-62-12)
prāptavyaṃ suciraṃ duḥkhaṃ mayā nūnam asaṃśayam। nāprāptakālo mriyate śrutaṃ vṛddhānuśāsanam॥03-62-13॥
I certainly, without doubt, must endure long suffering; it is heard as the instruction of elders that one does not die before his destined time. (03-62-13)
yannāhamadya mṛditā hastiyūthena duḥkhitā। na hyadaivakṛtaṃ kiñcin narāṇāmiha vidyate॥03-62-14॥
Because I was today crushed and afflicted by an elephant herd, (it shows that) for men here there is indeed nothing that does not arise from fate. (3-62-14)
na ca me bālabhāve'pi kiñcid vyapakṛtaṃ kṛtam। karmaṇā manasā vācā yad idaṃ duḥkham āgatam॥03-62-15॥
And not even in my childhood did I commit any wrong by action, mind, or speech, by which this suffering has come. (03-62-15)
manyē svayaṃvarakṛte lokapālāḥ samāgatāḥ। pratyākhyātā mayā tatra nalasyārthāya dēvatāḥ ॥ nūnaṃ tēṣāṃ prabhāvēna viyōgaṃ prāptavat-yaham ॥03-62-16॥
I think the guardians of the world assembled for my svayaṃvara, but I rejected the deities there for the sake of Nala. Surely, by their power, I have now experienced this separation. (03-62-16)
evam-ādīni duḥkhāni sā vilapya varāṅganā। hataśiṣṭaiḥ saha tadā brāhmaṇair vedapāragaiḥ ॥ agacchad rājaśārdūla duḥkhaśokaparāyaṇā ॥03-62-17॥
Having thus lamented her various sufferings, the noble lady, accompanied by the surviving Brāhmaṇas versed in the Vedas, then departed, O tiger among kings, immersed in grief and sorrow. (03-62-17)
gacchantī sā cirātkālāt puram āsādayan mahat। sāyāhne cedirājasya subāhoḥ satyavādinaḥ॥ vastrārdhakartasaṃvītā praviśeśa purottamam॥03-62-18॥
She, going for a long time, reached the great city of the king of Cedi, Subāhu, the speaker of truth, in the evening; clothed with half a garment, she entered the excellent city. (03-62-18)
tāṃ vivarṇāṃ kṛśāṃ dīnāṃ muktakeśīm amārjanām। unmattām iva gacchantīṃ dadṛśuḥ puravāsinaḥ॥03-62-19॥
The city-dwellers saw her—discolored, emaciated, distressed, with loosened hair, unclean, going as if mad. (03-62-19)
praviśantīṁ tu tāṁ dṛṣṭvā cedirājapurīṁ tadā। anujagmustato bālā grāmiputrāḥ kutūhalāt॥03-62-20॥
But when they saw her entering the city of the king of Cedi, the boys, the village children, followed her out of curiosity. (03-62-20)
sā taiḥ parivṛtā gacchat samīpaṁ rājaveśmanaḥ। tāṁ prāsādagatā apaśyad rājamātā janaiḥ vṛtām॥03-62-21॥
She, surrounded by them, went near the royal palace. The queen mother, having entered the palace, saw her surrounded by people. (03-62-21)
sā janaṁ vārayitvā taṁ prāsādatalam-uttamam। āropya vismitā rājan damayantīm apṛcchat ॥03-62-22॥
She sent away the people, led him up to the highest palace terrace, and, astonished, O King, questioned Damayanti. (03-62-22)
evam apy asukhāviṣṭā bibharṣi paramaṃ vapuḥ। bhāsi vidyud ivābhreṣu śaṃsa me kāsi kasya vā॥03-62-23॥
Still, though stricken by sorrow, you possess a radiant appearance. You shine among the clouds like lightning. Tell me—who are you, and whose (daughter or wife) are you? (03-62-23)
na hi te mānuṣaṃ rūpaṃ bhūṣaṇair api varjitam। asahāyā narebhyaś ca nodvijasy amara-prabhe ॥03-62-24॥
Truly, your human form is not lacking in ornaments. You are without help from men and do not feel fear, O lord of immortals. (3-62-24)
tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasyā bhaimī vacanamabravīt। mānuṣīṁ māṁ vijānīhi bhartāraṁ samanuvratām॥03-62-25॥
Having heard her words, the daughter of Bhīma spoke: "Know me to be a human woman, devoted to my husband." (03-62-25)
sairandhrīṃ jāti-sampannāṃ bhujiṣyāṃ kāma-vāsinīm। phala-mūlāśanām-ekāṃ yatra sāyam-pratiśrayām ॥03-62-26॥
A female attendant possessing nobility, to be enjoyed as a wife, living as she wishes, subsisting on fruits and roots, alone, taking shelter wherever evening falls. (03-62-26)
asaṅkhyeya-guṇo bhartā māṁ ca nityam-anuvrataḥ। bhartāram-api taṁ vīraṁ chāyā-iva anapagā sadā ॥03-62-27॥
My husband, of innumerable virtues, always faithfully devoted to me; I, even to that heroic husband, am always inseparable, like a shadow. (03-62-27)
tasya daivātprasaṅgo'bhūdatimātraṃ sma devane. dyūte sa nirjitaścaiva vanameko'bhyupeyivān ॥03-62-28॥
By fate, he became excessively involved in gambling. Defeated at dice, he indeed went alone to the forest. (03-62-28)
tam ekavasanaṃ vīram unmattam iva vihvalam। āśvāsayantī bhartāram aham anvagamaṃ vanam॥03-62-29॥
I, comforting my husband, who was a hero dressed in a single garment, distraught and distressed like one mad, followed him into the forest. (03-62-29)
sa kadācid vane vīraḥ kasmiṃścit kāraṇāntare। kṣutparītaḥ suvimanās tad apy ekaṃ vyasarjayat ॥03-62-30॥
He, the hero, once in the forest, for some other reason, though overcome by hunger and of steady mind, gave up even that one. (03-62-30)
tamekavasanaṃ nagnamunmattaṃ gatacetasam। anuvrajantī bahulā na svapāmi niśāḥ sadā॥03-62-31॥
Always, distressed and following him—who is naked, insane, having lost his senses and wearing only one garment—I never sleep at nights. (03-62-31)
tato bahutithe kāle suptām utsṛjya māṃ kvacit. vāsaso'rdhaṃ paricchidya tyaktavān mām anāgasam ॥03-62-32॥
Then, after many days had passed, he left me as I slept, at some point, having divided half of the garment, and abandoned me—though I was innocent. (03-62-32)
taṃ mārgamāṇā bhartāraṃ dahyamānā dinakṣapāḥ। na vindāmyamaraprakha priyaṃ prāṇadhaneśvaram॥03-62-33॥
While searching for him, my husband, I am being consumed day and night, and I do not find my beloved, who is equal to the immortals, the lord of the treasure of my life. (03-62-33)
tām aśru-paripūrṇākṣīm vilapantīṃ tathā bahu। rāja-mātā abravīt ārtāṃ bhaimīm ārtatarā svayam॥03-62-34॥
Seeing Draupadi, whose eyes were filled with tears and who was lamenting greatly, the queen mother, herself even more afflicted, spoke to her in her distress. (03-62-34)
vasasva mayi kalyāṇi prītirme tvayi vartate। mṛgayiṣyanti te bhadre bhartāraṃ puruṣā mama ॥03-62-35॥
O auspicious lady, dwell with me; my love abides in you. Men, O noble one, will search for your husband, who is mine. (03-62-35)
atha vā svayam āgacchet paridhāvann itas tataḥ। ihaiva vasatī bhadre bhartāram upalapsyase॥03-62-36॥
Or perhaps he might come here on his own, wandering about; by staying here itself, O gentle lady, you will find your husband. (03-62-36)
rājamāturvacaḥ śrutvā damayantī vaco'bravīt। samayenotsahe vastuṃ tvayi vīraprajāyini ॥03-62-37॥
Having heard the queen mother's words, Damayanti said: "I will be able to stay with you in due time, O mother of heroes." (03-62-37)
ucchiṣṭaṃ naiva bhuñjīyāṃ na kuryāṃ pādadhāvanam। na cāhaṃ puruṣān anyān sambhāṣeyaṃ kathañcana ॥03-62-38॥
I would never eat leftover food, nor perform feet-washing; nor would I ever converse with other men in any way. (03-62-38)
prārthayed yadi māṃ kaścid daṇḍyas te sa pumān bhavet। bhartur anveṣaṇārthaṃ tu paśyeyaṃ brāhmaṇān aham॥03-62-39॥
If anyone requests me, he, your man, should be punished; but for the sake of searching for my husband, I myself will see the Brahmins. (03-62-39)
yadyevam iha kartavyaṃ vasāmy aham asaṃśayam। ato'nyathā na me vāso vartate hṛdaye kvacit॥03-62-40॥
If such is the duty here, then I shall undoubtedly reside. Otherwise, my residence finds no place in my heart anywhere. (03-62-40)
tāṃ prahṛṣṭena manasā rājamātedamabravīt। sarvametatkariṣyāmi diṣṭyā te vratamīdṛśam ॥03-62-41॥
The queen-mother, her mind gladdened, said this: "By good fortune, I shall perform all this; such is your vow." (03-62-41)
evam-uktvā tato bhaimīṃ rājamātā viśāṃ pate। uvācedaṃ duhitaraṃ sunandāṃ nāma bhārata ॥03-62-42॥
O Bhārata, thus, after having spoken, the queen mother then said this to her daughter named Sunandā, O lord of the people. (03-62-42)
sairandhrīm abhijānīṣva sunande devarūpiṇīm। etayā saha modasva nirudvignamanāḥ svayam॥03-62-43॥
O Sunandā, recognize Sairandhrī, who is divine in form. Together with her, rejoice yourself, keeping your mind untroubled. (03-62-43)
