Bhagavatapurana 3.23: atha trayoviṃśo'dhyāyaḥ

3.23.1

/0 maitreya uvāca
pitṛbhyāṃ prasthite sādhvī patim iṅgita-kovidā /
nityaṃ paryacarat prītyā bhavānīva bhavaṃ prabhum //

Maitreya said:
When her parents departed, that virtuous lady, skilled in reading every hint,
constantly served her husband with love, as Bhavānī serves the Lord Bhava.

1. Maitreya said :—On the departure of her parents the virtuous wife Devahuti, skilled in reading the mind (of her Lord) through his features, daily attended to his comforts, with delight, as Parvati does to Siva, the Lord of the world.

3.23.2

viśrambheṇātma-śaucena gauraveṇa damena ca /
śuśrūṣayā sauhṛdena vācā madhurayā ca bhoḥ //

With trust, personal purity, reverence, and self-restraint,
with service, affection, and sweet speech, O dear sir,

2. By her fidelity (implicit confidence in him), affectionate intimacy and purity of character, by her dignity and her control over her passions and senses, and by her readiness to do his bidding, her sincere friendliness and her charming speech (she gave him satisfaction);

3.23.3

visṛjya kāmaṃ dambhaṃ ca dveṣaṃ lobham aghaṃ madam /
apramattodyatā nityaṃ tejīyāṃsam atoṣayat //

Abandoning desire, hypocrisy, hatred, greed, sin, and pride,
always vigilant and attentive, she pleased him who was exceedingly radiant.

3. Having eschewed passion, hypocrisy, hatred, covetousness, (all) prohibited conduct and pride, she was ever on the alert and ever ready (to do him any service) and (thus) pleased her highly glorious lord.

3.23.4

sa vai devarṣi-varyas tāṃ mānavīṃ samanuvratām /
daivād garīyasaḥ patyur āśāsānāṃ mahāśiṣaḥ //

He, the best among divine seers, saw that daughter of Manu devoted to him,
expecting great blessings from her husband who was greater than fate,

4. That foremost of divine sages observed the daughter of Manu (his wife) intensely devoted to him and found that she was cherishing hopes of great blessings from her Lord (himself) who was more powerful than the Deity;

3.23.5

kālena bhūyasā kṣāmāṃ karśitāṃ vrata-caryayā /
prema-gadgadayā vācā pīḍitaḥ kṛpayābravīt //

Emaciated by a long time and worn down by ascetic observances,
and moved by compassion, he spoke to her in words choked with love.

5. He saw that she had become emaciated and dried upon account of her rigid course of devotion to him over a long time, and oppressed by his own feelings of pity he spoke to her in words faltering with love.

3.23.6

/0 kardama uvāca
tuṣṭo 'ham adya tava mānavi mānadāyāḥ $ śuśrūṣayā paramayā parayā ca bhaktyā &
tuṣṭo 'ham adya tava mānavi mānadāyāḥ $ śuśrūṣayā paramayā parayā ca bhaktyā &
yo dehinām ayam atīva suhṛt sa deho % nāvekṣitaḥ samucitaḥ kṣapituṃ mad-arthe //

Kardama said:
I am pleased today with you, O daughter of Manu, bestower of honor, because of your supreme service and highest devotion;
this body, which is the dearest friend of embodied beings, you did not spare, considering it fitting to wear down for my sake.

6. Kardama said:—O Manavi, I am now pleased with thee who contributest to my dignity, for thy most devoted attention and thy perfect devotion to me; this body (of thine) which is most beloved of all embodied beings, though fit to be cared for, was not taken into account in wasting it for my sake (to all embodied beings the body is most dear; and yet you have not hesitated to waste your person for my sake though it is fit to be cared for).

3.23.7

* //
ye me sva-dharma-niratasya tapaḥ-samādhi- $ vidyātma-yoga-vijitā bhagavat-prasādāḥ &
ye me sva-dharma-niratasya tapaḥ-samādhi- $ vidyātma-yoga-vijitā bhagavat-prasādāḥ &
tān eva te mad-anusevanayāvaruddhān % dṛṣṭiṃ prapaśya vitarāmy abhayān aśokān //

These graces of the Lord, attained by me engaged in my own dharma through asceticism, absorption, knowledge, and self-control,
behold with your vision that they are won by your service to me; I bestow on you these [blessings] that bring fearlessness and freedom from grief.

7. What blessings of God have been secured by me who am firmly devoted to my righteous duties by means of my Tapas, Samadhi, and Vidya, and with perfect concentration of mind, will also be reaped (shared) by thee through thy service to me! see, they are blessings not marred by fears or sorrows,! I shall give thee the divine vision.

3.23.8

* //
anye punar bhagavato bhruva udvijṛmbha- $ vibhraṃśitārtha-racanāḥ kim urukramasya &
anye punar bhagavato bhruva udvijṛmbha- $ vibhraṃśitārtha-racanāḥ kim urukramasya &
siddhāsi bhuṅkṣva vibhavān nija-dharma-dohān % divyān narair duradhigān nṛpa-vikriyābhiḥ //

What of other achievements, whose arrangements are destroyed by the knitting of the brow of the wide-striding Lord?
You have attained perfection; enjoy the heavenly opulences, yielding the fruits of one's own dharma, which cannot be attained by men through royal accomplishments.

8. Of what account then are other enjoyments regarding which the hopes of man are blighted by a motion of the frowning brow of the Lord of infinite power? Thou art blessed; do thou enjoy the rich and divine comforts and pleasures which thy virtue yields thee, but which cannot be gained by men with their crooked notions about themselves as being kings and so on.

3.23.9

* //
evaṃ bruvāṇam abalākhila-yogamāyā- $ vidyā-vicakṣaṇam avekṣya gatādhir āsīt &
evaṃ bruvāṇam abalākhila-yogamāyā- $ vidyā-vicakṣaṇam avekṣya gatādhir āsīt &
sampraśraya-praṇaya-vihvalayā gireṣad- % vrīḍāvaloka-vilasad-dhasitānanāha //

Hearing him speak thus, the woman, seeing him proficient in all the science of yoga and creative power, became free from anxiety;
with a voice trembling with humble affection, her face shining with a smile as she cast a slightly bashful glance, she said:

9. The woman (the young princess) was relieved of her anxiety on seeing that the sage who spoke thus must be a master of all yoga mayas and all Upasanas; and her face brightening with smiles and bashful looks she spoke to him in words faltering with love and modesty (thus):—

3.23.10

* //
/0 devahūtir uvāca
rāddhaṃ bata dvija-vṛṣaitad amogha-yoga- $ māyādhipe tvayi vibho tad avaimi bhartaḥ &
rāddhaṃ bata dvija-vṛṣaitad amogha-yoga- $ māyādhipe tvayi vibho tad avaimi bhartaḥ &
yas te 'bhyadhāyi samayaḥ sakṛd aṅga-saṅgo % bhūyād garīyasi guṇaḥ prasavaḥ satīnām //

Devahūti said:
Ah, bull among the twice-born, lord of unfailing yoga and creative power, all this is accomplished in you, O lord; that I know, O husband.
Yet the agreement that was stated by you—that there would be bodily union once—let that take place; for offspring are a virtue of chaste women toward a superior [husband].

10. O foremost of Brahmins, I gladly perceive that all this is true of you who are a master of the unfailing powers of yogamaya; O sage of vast powers I see it, ; and I pray, my Lord that the condition of allowing but a single intercourse which you laid down may prove richly fruitful to true wives in relation to their worshipful husbands like you.

3.23.11

* //
tatreti-kṛtyam upaśikṣa yathopadeśaṃ $ yenaiṣa me karśito 'tiriraṃsayātmā &
tatreti-kṛtyam upaśikṣa yathopadeśaṃ $ yenaiṣa me karśito 'tiriraṃsayātmā &
siddhyeta te kṛta-manobhava-dharṣitāyā % dīnas tad īśa bhavanaṃ sadṛśaṃ vicakṣva //

Therefore, prescribe the proper course of action according to instruction, by which this body of mine, emaciated by the desire for pleasure, may be restored;
so that it may be accomplished for me who am afflicted by desire aroused by you; therefore, O lord, consider an appropriate dwelling.

11. For that purpose be pleased to think of (arrange for) the necessary means (comforts) as laid down in the Kamasastra; so that my body thinned and weakened through my intense longing for the joys of life, may become fit for them---my body which has been harrassed by Manmatha on your account; Therefore O Lord, think of a suitable mansion.

3.23.12

* //
/0 maitreya uvāca
priyāyāḥ priyam anvicchan kardamo yogam āsthitaḥ /
vimānaṃ kāma-gaṃ kṣattas tarhy evāviracīkarat //

Maitreya said:
Seeking to please his beloved, Kardama resorted to yoga,
and at that very moment, O Vidura, brought forth an aerial chariot that could travel at will.

12. Maitreya said:—Seeking to grant the wish of his beloved wife, Kardama sat up meditating, and, O Vidura, he at once brought out an aerial palace which could range at will.

3.23.13

sarva-kāma-dughaṃ divyaṃ sarva-ratna-samanvitam /
sarvarddhy-upacayodarkaṃ maṇi-stambhair upaskṛtam //

Yielding all desires, celestial, endowed with all kinds of jewels,
promising an abundance of all prosperity, adorned with pillars of gems,

13. It was a wonderful edifice of celestial make, furnished with every object of desire, adorned with all kinds of precious jewels, so auspicious as destined to growing prosperity in the future and brilliant with posts of precious stones.

3.23.14

divyopakaraṇopetaṃ sarva-kāla-sukhāvaham /
paṭṭikābhiḥ patākābhir vicitrābhir alaṅkṛtam //

Equipped with heavenly furnishings, bringing comfort in all seasons,
and decorated with ribbons and variegated banners,

14–15. It was furnished with celestial furniture and was comfortable at all seasons; it was also decorated with variegated

3.23.15

sragbhir vicitra-mālyābhir mañju-śiñjat-ṣaḍ-aṅghribhiḥ /
dukūla-kṣauma-kauśeyair nānā-vastrair virājitam //

Splendid with garlands of variegated blossoms around which six-footed bees softly hummed,
and with various fabrics: fine linens, flax, and silk,

pendants of silks (flags) and wreaths of flowers of various charming hues, swarmed about by sweetly humming bees, as also with cloths of different patterns as Dukula, Kshauma and Kauseya.

3.23.16

upary upari vinyasta- nilayeṣu pṛthak pṛthak /
kṣiptaiḥ kaśipubhiḥ kāntaṃ paryaṅka-vyajanāsanaiḥ //

Delightful with separate chambers arranged one above the other,
furnished with cushions, couches, fans, and seats,

16. It was most attractively furnished with beds, cots fans, and seats separately arranged in the several storeys rising one above another.

3.23.17

tatra tatra vinikṣipta- nānā-śilpopaśobhitam /
mahā-marakata-sthalyā juṣṭaṃ vidruma-vedibhiḥ //

Graced with various works of art placed here and there,
endowed with an expanse of great emeralds and altars of coral,

17. It looked most inviting with the several works of art arranged and set up in different places and with floors of emeralds and daises of red coral.

3.23.18

dvāḥsu vidruma-dehalyā bhātaṃ vajra-kapāṭavat /
śikhareṣv indranīleṣu hema-kumbhair adhiśritam //

Shining at the doors with coral thresholds and gates of diamond,
and crowned upon its sapphire pinnacles with golden pitchers,

18. It was bright with its door frames cut out of coral at the entrances, and with its doors of diamond; and also with the cupolas of gold set on the summits of its blue-stone towers.

3.23.19

cakṣuṣmat padmarāgāgryair vajra-bhittiṣu nirmitaiḥ /
juṣṭaṃ vicitra-vaitānair mahārhair hema-toraṇaiḥ //

Equipped with windows fashioned of finest rubies in the diamond walls,
and provided with variegated awnings and costly golden gateways,

19. It glowed with rubies, radiant like eyes, set in walls of diamond, with wonderful canopies of various colours and with priceless festoons of gold.

3.23.20

haṃsa-pārāvata-vrātais tatra tatra nikūjitam /
kṛtrimān manyamānaiḥ svān adhiruhyādhiruhya ca //

Echoing here and there with the cooing of flocks of swans and pigeons,
which, mistaking the artificial [birds] for their own, flew up again and again,

20. At different places it resounded with the notes of swans and pigeons which frequently flew up to the artificial birds(set up there) and thought them to be real ones like themselves.

3.23.21

vihāra-sthāna-viśrāma- saṃveśa-prāṅgaṇājiraiḥ /
yathopajoṣaṃ racitair vismāpanam ivātmanaḥ //

With pleasure-grounds, resting chambers, sleeping quarters, inner courts, and courtyards
arranged for supreme comfort, causing wonder even to himself.

21. It was provided with playgrounds, sleeping apartments, private chambers, inner and outer yards, all constructed so as to enhance comfort and fill even the maker with wonder and astonishment.

3.23.22

īdṛg gṛhaṃ tat paśyantīṃ nātiprītena cetasā /
sarva-bhūtāśayābhijñaḥ prāvocat kardamaḥ svayam //

As she looked upon such a mansion with a mind not entirely delighted,
Kardama himself, who knew the intentions of all living beings, spoke to her:

22. (But) He the sage who could read the thought of all beings perceived that she did not look on this palace with a completely delighted heart, and said to her:

3.23.23

nimajjyāsmin hrade bhīru vimānam idam āruha /
idaṃ śukla-kṛtaṃ tīrtham āśiṣāṃ yāpakaṃ nṛṇām //

“Bathe in this lake, O timid one, and then ascend this aerial chariot;
this is a sacred pool created by the Lord, which fulfills the desires of men.”

23. O timid one, do thou bathe in the waters of this pool and ascend this Vimana; it is a pool hallowed by Vishnu the pure and it confers all blessings upon men.

3.23.24

sā tad bhartuḥ samādāya vacaḥ kuvalayekṣaṇā /
sarajaṃ bibhratī vāso veṇī-bhūtāṃś ca mūrdhajān //

Accepting those words of her husband, the lotus-eyed lady,
wearing dust-stained clothes, her hair matted into braids,

24—25. Respectfully obeying her lord's words (command) the beautiful princess (who had eyes beautiful like lilies) clad in soiled clothes, her locks falling in tangles, her person thickly covered with dust, and her bust discoloured, plunged into the pool of sacred waters in the Saraswati, [inhabited by good aquatic animals].

3.23.25

aṅgaṃ ca mala-paṅkena sañchannaṃ śabala-stanam /
āviveśa sarasvatyāḥ saraḥ śiva-jalāśayam //

Her body covered with the filth of dirt, her breasts discolored,
entered the pool of the Sarasvatī, which had auspicious waters.

3.23.26

sāntaḥ sarasi veśma-sthāḥ śatāni daśa kanyakāḥ /
sarvāḥ kiśora-vayaso dadarśotpala-gandhayaḥ //

Inside the lake, in a palace, she saw a thousand maidens,
all in the bloom of youth and fragrant like blue lotuses.

26. In the pool (under water) she saw a thousand maids in their houses, all of youthful age with bodies breathing the fragrance of *utpala*.

3.23.27

tāṃ dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya procuḥ prāñjalayaḥ striyaḥ /
vayaṃ karma-karīs tubhyaṃ śādhi naḥ karavāma kim //

Seeing her, the women rose at once, folded their hands, and said:
“We are your maidservants; instruct us: what shall we do?”

27. Seeing her, all those damsels rose up, folded their hands in respect and said, "We are your servants, command us; what shall we do for you?

3.23.28

snānena tāṃ mahārheṇa snāpayitvā manasvinīm /
dukūle nirmale nūtne dadur asyai ca mānadāḥ //

Having bathed that thoughtful lady with a precious bath,
those courteous maidens gave her two spotless, new linen garments,

28—29. With the things necessary for a bath the courteous maidens helped the noble-minded princess to take a bath; and they brought her two new cloths of silk for her wear; and also gave her priceless and brilliant jewels best liked by her (to adorn herself with); and they served her also with food of excellent quality and with sweet and stimulating drink.

3.23.29

bhūṣaṇāni parārdhyāni varīyāṃsi dyumanti ca /
annaṃ sarva-guṇopetaṃ pānaṃ caivāmṛtāsavam //

Most excellent, precious, and radiant ornaments,
food possessing all good qualities, and a beverage that was like nectar.

3.23.30

athādarśe svam ātmānaṃ sragviṇaṃ virajāmbaram /
virajaṃ kṛta-svastyayanaṃ kanyābhir bahu-mānitam //

Then, in a mirror, she [saw] herself adorned with garlands, wearing spotless garments,
cleansed of impurity, blessed with auspicious rites, greatly honored by the maidens,

30. Then in a mirror she saw her own person changed into a new thing by the bath, adorned with garlands, dressed in comely attire, made to look auspicious (with certain marks etc.), and admired as beautiful by those maids;

3.23.31

snātaṃ kṛta-śiraḥ-snānaṃ sarvābharaṇa-bhūṣitam /
niṣka-grīvaṃ valayinaṃ kūjat-kāñcana-nūpuram //

Bathed, including her head, adorned with all ornaments,
with a golden necklace around her neck, wearing bracelets, and tinkling golden anklets,

31—32. She saw her person washed, bathed from head to foot, decked in all kinds of ornaments, with a *padaka* to grace her neck, with bangles on her hands and with tinkling Nupuras on her feet; with a zone of gold set with numerous gems about her hips, with a precious wreath of pearls (on her bosom) and with the auspicious saffron and Kunkuma on the face.

3.23.32

śroṇyor adhyastayā kāñcyā kāñcanyā bahu-ratnayā /
hāreṇa ca mahārheṇa rucakena ca bhūṣitam //

Adorned with a golden girdle set with many jewels fastened around her hips,
with a precious pearl necklace and an auspicious mark,

3.23.33

sudatā subhruvā ślakṣṇa- snigdhāpāṅgena cakṣuṣā /
padma-kośa-spṛdhā nīlair alakaiś ca lasan-mukham //

Her face glowing with fine teeth, beautiful eyebrows, eyes with smooth and affectionate corners
that rivaled the calyx of a lotus, and dark tresses.

33. There she saw her own face looking most beautiful with pearl-like teeth, well formed brows and with the engaging and lovely side-glances of the eyes which vied with lotus buds and with dark curly looks of hair overhanging the forehead.

3.23.34

yadā sasmāra ṛṣabham ṛṣīṇāṃ dayitaṃ patim /
tatra cāste saha strībhir yatrāste sa prajāpatiḥ //

When she remembered her beloved husband, the foremost among the sages,
she was there, together with the women, where that lord of creatures was.

34. The moment she thought of her beloved lord, the foremost one among sages, she found herself along with those maidens just where the wise progenitor was.

3.23.35

bhartuḥ purastād ātmānaṃ strī-sahasra-vṛtaṃ tadā /
niśāmya tad-yoga-gatiṃ saṃśayaṃ pratyapadyata //

Seeing herself before her husband, surrounded by a thousand women,
she was struck with wonder at that display of his yogic power.

35. Then finding herself standing before her lord and surrounded by a thousand women, she was cast in wonder and doubt to see his yogic power.

3.23.36

sa tāṃ kṛta-mala-snānāṃ vibhrājantīm apūrvavat /
ātmano bibhratīṃ rūpaṃ saṃvīta-rucira-stanīm //

He [saw] her, cleansed of impurity by the bath, radiant as never before,
bearing her natural beauty, with her lovely breasts covered,

36—37. On seeing her who had bathed, and who in her cleanliness appeared as a new person, now (shining) in her original form

and beauty, with her charming breast hidden from view, clad in rich attire and waited upon by a thousand Vidyadhara damsels, he began to feel the force of kindling passion and mounted the Vimana along with her, O Vidura that hast subdued thy enemies (thy inimical passions.)

3.23.37

vidyādharī-sahasreṇa sevyamānāṃ suvāsasam /
jāta-bhāvo vimānaṃ tad ārohayad amitra-han //

Attended by a thousand Vidyādharīs, beautifully dressed, / having awakened romantic feeling in him, that slayer of foes had her mount the aerial chariot.

3.23.37.p1

tasminn alupta-mahimā priyayānurakto $ vidyādharībhir upacīrṇa-vapur vimāne &

His majesty unimpaired in that aerial chariot, cherished by his beloved, his body attended upon by Vidyādharīs,

38. In that Vimana (aerial palace) shone the sage Kardama rejoicing in the company of his wife, with undiminished glory and with Vidhyadara women waiting upon him, and in their midst he looked most charming like the Lord of stars in the sky who has caused the lilies to open (with full blown lilies about him).

3.23.38

babhrāja utkaca-kumud-gaṇavān apīcyas % tārābhir āvṛta ivoḍu-patir nabhaḥ-sthaḥ //

that handsome sage shone like the lord of the stars standing in the sky, surrounded by stars and possessing a host of blooming white water-lilies.

3.23.38.p2

tenāṣṭa-lokapa-vihāra-kulācalendra- $ droṇīṣv anaṅga-sakha-māruta-saubhagāsu &

In valleys of the chief mountain ranges where the eight world-guardians disport, delightful with the wind that is the friend of the bodiless god [Kāma],

39. Riding in that Vimana, surrounded by the bevy of beautiful women and commended by the Siddhas, he enjoyed the pleasures of life for a long time, like Kubera, in the valleys and caves of the Meru, the chief of all mountain chains, which were very delightful by gentle and cool breezes, the friends of Ananga, and filled with the harmonious echoes of the waterfalls (cataracts) of the celestial river.

3.23.38.p3

tenāṣṭa-lokapa-vihāra-kulācalendra- $ droṇīṣv anaṅga-sakha-māruta-saubhagāsu &

In valleys of the chief mountain ranges where the eight world-guardians disport, delightful with the wind that is the friend of the bodiless god [Kāma],

3.23.39

siddhair nuto dyudhuni-pāta-śiva-svanāsu % reme ciraṃ dhanadaval-lalanā-varūthī //

praised by Siddhas, echoing with the auspicious sounds of the heavenly river's cascade, he took his pleasure long, accompanied by a troop of women like Kubera.

3.23.40

vaiśrambhake surasane nandane puṣpabhadrake /
mānase caitrarathye ca sa reme rāmayā rataḥ //

In Vaiśrambhaka, Surasana, Nandana, Puṣpabhadraka, / and in Mānasa and Caitrarathya, he took his pleasure, delighted with his woman.

40. Delighted with his beautiful wife he sported in the celestial gardens known as Vaisrambhaka, Surasana, Nandana, Pushpabhadraka, and Chaitraratha and also in the Manasa-saras.

3.23.41

bhrājiṣṇunā vimānena kāma-gena mahīyasā /
vaimānikān atyaśeta caral lokān yathānilaḥ //

With that radiant, wish-moving, magnificent aerial chariot, / he surpassed the dwellers of celestial vehicles as he traversed the worlds like the wind.

41. With his great and brilliant Vimana that could range at will he rambled about and soared like the wind far above the regions of the gods.

3.23.42

kiṃ durāpādanaṃ teṣāṃ puṃsām uddāma-cetasām /
yair āśritas tīrtha-padaś caraṇo vyasanātyayaḥ //

What is difficult to attain for those men of unrestrained mind, / who have taken refuge in the foot of Him of purifying feet, which puts an end to misfortune?

42. What is impossible to achieve for those men of boundless knowledge who have taken shelter under the feet of Sri Hari (of hallowed feet) which put an end to the misery of Samsara?

3.23.43

prekṣayitvā bhuvo golaṃ patnyai yāvān sva-saṃsthayā /
bahv-āścaryaṃ mahā-yogī svāśramāya nyavartata //

Having shown his wife the globe of the earth in all its arrangement / and full of many wonders, the great yogin returned to his hermitage.

43. Having shown his wife the whole sphere of the earth, with its countless wonders and in all its arrangements, the great yogin returned to his hermitage.

3.23.44

vibhajya navadhātmānaṃ mānavīṃ suratotsukām /
rāmāṃ niramayan reme varṣa-pūgān muhūrtavat //

Dividing himself into nine forms, he gave pleasure to the daughter of Manu eager for union; / delighting that lovely woman, he enjoyed himself through a succession of years as if they were a moment.

44. For the purpose of giving his wife the fill of human joy for which she had such a longing, the great sage divided his own self into nine, and dallied with her for years together as if for a short hour.

3.23.45

tasmin vimāna utkṛṣṭāṃ śayyāṃ rati-karīṃ śritā /
na cābudhyata taṃ kālaṃ patyāpīcyena saṅgatā //

Reclining in that aerial chariot upon an exquisite bed that induced amorous delight, / united with her handsome husband, she did not notice the passage of time.

45. In that place, enjoying life with her beautiful lord on an excellent and most delightful bed (beds), she did not know a hundred years passed the time that rolled away.

3.23.46

evaṃ yogānubhāvena dam-patyo ramamāṇayoḥ /
śataṃ vyatīyuḥ śaradaḥ kāma-lālasayor manāk //

As the couple thus took pleasure through the power of yoga, / longing for amorous delights, a hundred autumns passed like a single instant.

46. When the couple so eager for the pleasures of life were enjoying themselves in this manner by virtue of yogic powers, a hundred years passed away like a moment.

3.23.47

tasyām ādhatta retas tāṃ bhāvayann ātmanātma-vit /
nodhā vidhāya rūpaṃ svaṃ sarva-saṅkalpa-vid vibhuḥ //

The all-powerful sage, the knower of the self, knowing every desire, / dividing his own form into nine and honoring her, deposited his seed within her by himself.

47. The sage who had realised Paramatman and who was able to perceive every body's wish as well as to grant it, gave her the kindest consideration, divided his own self into nine and sowed his seed into her.

3.23.48

ataḥ sā suṣuve sadyo devahūtiḥ striyaḥ prajāḥ /
sarvās tāś cāru-sarvāṅgyo lohitotpala-gandhayaḥ //

Then Devahūti forthwith gave birth to female offspring; / all of them were lovely in every limb and had the fragrance of red lotuses.

48. Immediately thereafter Devahuti was delivered of nine daughters on the same day! They were all of faultless beauty in every limb and they all breathed fragrant like the red lotus.

3.23.49

patiṃ sā pravrajiṣyantaṃ tadālakṣyośatī bahiḥ /
smayamānā viklavena hṛdayena vidūyatā //

Observing that her husband was then intending to wander forth from home, though smiling / with a desire [to detain him], with an anxious and pained heart,

49—50. Then the chaste and loving wife perceived that her Lord was about to renounce the householder's life and, with a painful and bewildered heart, yet with a smile on her face, looking down and carving the earth with her foot radiant with its gem-like nails, gently spoke to him in winning words, suppressing the tears in her eyes.

3.23.50

likhanty adho-mukhī bhūmiṃ padā nakha-maṇi-śriyā /
uvāca lalitāṃ vācaṃ nirudhyāśru-kalāṃ śanaiḥ //

scraping the ground with head cast down, using her foot radiant with gem-like nails, / restraining a tear, she gently spoke charming words:

3.23.51

/0 devahūtir uvāca
sarvaṃ tad bhagavān mahyam upovāha pratiśrutam /
athāpi me prapannāyā abhayaṃ dātum arhasi //

Devahūti said: / The Lord has fulfilled everything that was promised to me; / yet you should grant fearlessness to me who have surrendered to you.

51. Devahuti said:—Your worshipful self has fulfilled every one of the promises made to me! Still it behoves you to promise me protection against (the coming) fear, since I have taken refuge with you.

3.23.52

brahman duhitṛbhis tubhyaṃ vimṛgyāḥ patayaḥ samāḥ /
kaścit syān me viśokāya tvayi pravrajite vanam //

O brāhmaṇa, suitable husbands must be sought by you for your daughters; / someone must be there to banish my sorrow when you have departed for the forest.

52. O Brahmin (sage), your daughters have to find worthy husbands for themselves. Pray let me have one (a son) to bring me relief when you will have renounced the house and repaired to the forest.

3.23.53

etāvatālaṃ kālena vyatikrāntena me prabho /
indriyārtha-prasaṅgena parityakta-parātmanaḥ //

Enough with so much time that has elapsed for me, O lord! / Through attachment to sensory objects, I have neglected the Supreme Self.

53. Enough with the time which has been till now spent by me, O lord, in seeking the gratification of the senses, having altogether forgotten the Supreme Being.

3.23.54

indriyārtheṣu sajjantyā prasaṅgas tvayi me kṛtaḥ /
ajānantyā paraṃ bhāvaṃ tathāpy astv abhayāya me //

Cleaving to sense objects, association was made by me with you, / ignorant of your supreme nature; nevertheless, may it lead to my fearlessness!

54. Having given my heart to the objects of senses, I formed this relation with you, not knowing your higher nature (as one that has realised Brahman); still let this tend to my protection (towards salvation).

3.23.55

saṅgo yaḥ saṃsṛter hetur asatsu vihito 'dhiyā /
sa eva sādhuṣu kṛto niḥsaṅgatvāya kalpate //

Association that is the cause of transmigration when made with the wicked through lack of wisdom, / that very same association, when made with the virtuous, leads to detachment.

55. The association which when formed through ignorance with the wicked leads to Samsara, may (on the other hand) tend towards the severance of all attachments, when formed with the righteous.

3.23.56

neha yat karma dharmāya na virāgāya kalpate /
na tīrtha-pada-sevāyai jīvann api mṛto hi saḥ //

Whatever action in this world does not lead to dharma, nor to dispassion, / nor to the service of Him of purifying feet—such a one is truly dead even while living.

56. That person is really dead though breathing alive, whose activity in this world does not tend towards Dharma and thereby to renunciation and to the worship of the hallowed feet of Hari.

3.23.57

sāhaṃ bhagavato nūnaṃ vañcitā māyayā dṛḍham /
yat tvāṃ vimuktidaṃ prāpya na mumukṣeya bandhanāt //

Surely I have been firmly deceived by the creative power of the Lord, / since, having attained you who bestow liberation, I have not sought release from bondage.

57. Really I am one completely deluded by the Maya of the glorious Lord, since I did not (till now) think of Mukti (release from the mundane bondage), though I had come to you who can show the way to it.