Chapter 4 - Nārada Approaches Padmāvatī

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Dharaṇī said:

1. The name of that son of Viyat was mentioned by the Lord (i.e. you). What name did he give to that daughter (who was) not born of a womb?

Śrī Sūta said:

2. On being asked thus, Śrī Varāha, the Lord of the universe, said again:

Śrī Varāha said:

3-6. The intelligent king Ākāśa, on seeing that girl lying on a lotus, called that daughter of the earth by the name Padminī.

She attained the prime of youth. She was once sporting about in a garden reverberating with the sounds of parrots and cuckoos. Nārada, the excellent sage, came there by chance. On seeing her who appeared like the goddess of the forest Nārada was surprised and he spoke thus:

Nārada said:

7-8. Who are you, O timid girl? Whose daughter (are you)? Show me your hand.

On being asked thus that girl of fascinating limbs introduced herself to the sage: “O Brāhmaṇa, I am the daughter of King Viyat. Tell what (good) marks I have (on my palm etc.).” On being requested thus Nārada, the excellent sage, said:

[The Physical Marks of Padmāvatī as Read by Nārada]:—

Nārada said:

9. Listen, O lady of charming face; I shall tell your distinctive features. Your feet are good; O lady of excellent eyebrows. They are like red lotuses with (soft) petals.

10. The toes of the feet are red and straight and even, having red and elevated (vault-like) nails. The ankles are uniform and concealed; the splendid shanks are devoid of hair.

11. The knees are equal and exceedingly smooth and shining. The thighs are equal and gradually thick; the buttocks are large and stout and the loins are thought-provoking.

12. The navel is circular and deep; both the sides are thick; the middle is fascinating due to the three folds of the skin shining with curly hair.

13. The breasts are plump, thick-set and protruding with the nipples sunk within. Your hands have the lustre of red lotus with the lotus-line (on the palm). They are tender with straight and even fingers with excellent red joints when placed together; there is no space left in between the fingers.

14. The nails of the hands are like the beaks of a parrot. Your hands shine thereby. Your arms are long and delicate like the stalk of a flower, O gentle lady.

15. Your back appears like the altar; the middle is tender, delicate and straight. The neck is red and long, O splendid lady, and the shoulders stoop downwards.

16. The face is always pleasant and has the lustre of the moon devoid of its black spot; the cheeks are like a golden mirror, shining brilliantly with ear-rings.

17-19. O lady of splendid face, your nose has the shape of a flower of gingelly plant.Your forehead is exceedingly charming, resembling the spotless moon on the eighth day (of a fortnight). It is rendered more splendid by the dark forelocks. Your head has the shape of a regular circle. It has smooth long glossy tresses. Your face shines with your lips like the Biṃba fruit (Momordica monadelpha). The teeth sparkle when you smile. This is my definite conclusion that your face will be befitting Viṣṇu.

20. Your navel has a turn to the right like an eddy in Gaṅgā. You look like Lakṣmī born of the Milk Ocean.

Śrī Varāha said:

21. After saying thus and after being worshipped by them Nārada vanished. On hearing this her friends and attendants, spoke to their friend Padminī:

22-24. “It is the advent of spring season. Let us go to the park for gathering flowers. Karṇikāras (Pterospermum acerifolium), Cūtas (Mango trees), Caṃpakas, Pāribhadrakas (Erythrina fulgens), Palāśas (Butea frondosa), Pāṭalas (Trumpet flowers), Kundas (Jasmine), and Raktāśokas (Red Aśoka) have blossomed. Padminīs (Lotus flowers), Sindhuvāras (Vitex negundo), Mālatīs (Jasmine), Yūthikā creepers (Jasminum auriculatum), Kahlāras (white esculent water-lily), Karavīras (Oleanders) are vying with one another in blossoming. Let us gather flowers in this park that is very pleasant and charming.”

[Departure of Padmāvatī to the Flower-Park along with her Friends and Attendants]:—

25. After saying this, they went to the park accompanied by the daughter of Ākāśa. They wandered here and there gathering flowers.

26-27. They saw a certain lordly elephant. He shone brilliantly with his two white and sparkling tusks. He was resplendent with two streams of ichor flowing from his broad cheeks. He was lofty with dust particles (scattered all over the body). He was accompanied by herds of cow-elephants. With a hissing of the tip of his tongue he sprayed his own face with waters coming out of his trunk.

28. On seeing him they became frightened and resorted to a tree (for refuge). In the meantime they immediately espied an excellent horse.

[Śrīnivāsa’s Arrival at the Flower-Park in the Course of Hunting]:—

29. The horse was as white as the spotless moon. It was well-adorned with gold trappings and outfit. It was as lofty (and bright) as the autumnal cloud with glittering streaks of lightning.

30. On the horse they saw a dark-complexioned man having the splendour and features of Madana (i.e. god of love). His eyes had the shape of lotus-petals and they extended as far as his ears.

31. A brilliant blue crest tied with a silk cloth of very fine texture (adorned his head). He was adorned with ear-rings sparkling with rubies and jewels.

32. He held a divine Śārṅga bow covered with gold and studded with gems. With his other hand he held a golden arrow.

33. His waist shone with the hips covered with a yellow silk cloth. He was resplendent with bejewelled bangles, armlets and waist-band.

34. A curl of hair with a right twist shone on his broad chest. He was charming with a golden sacred thread shining over his shoulder.

35. He had been speedily chasing a wolf. On seeing him the maidens were struck with wonder. They stood there itself.

36. On seeing him seated on a horse the lordly elephant bowed down his head, lifted his trunk, turned back and went to the forest trumpeting.

37. When the elephant had gone back, the horse-rider came there looking for the wolf to the presence of those girls plucking the flowers.

[Dialogue between the Lord and the Maidens]:—

38-39. Approaching them, the rider on the horseback said: “Did an animal called wolf come this way? Was it seen by you all? Tell me, O girls”

Śrī Varāha said:

40-42. The girls replied to him: “Nothing was seen by us. Why have you come to our park wielding an excellent bow. O leader of hunters, none of the animals living here should be killed. Go away quickly from this park which is in the protective jurisdiction of King Ākāśa.”

On hearing the words of those maidens he got down from the horse.

43. “Who are you all? Who is this lotus-like maiden? She has excellent magnificence. All her limbs are fascinating. Her breasts are plump and protruding. Tell me. After hearing the same I shall go back to my abode in the mountain.”

44. On hearing these words of his the friend and attendant of Padmāvatī urged by the daughter of Dharaṇī said to the hunter, a resident of the mountain:

45. “This is the daughter of King Ākāśa. She was born out of the bowels of the earth. O hero, she is our leader and her name is Padminī.

46. Tell us, O youth of handsome features, what is your name? Whose son are you? What is your caste? Where is your residence? Why have you come here?”

On being asked thus he replied to them with a smile on his lotus-like face:

47. “Those conversant with ancient traditions say that our family is that of the Sun. Our names are innumerable. They sanctify learned men.

48. By colour and name the ascetics say that I am Kṛṣṇa. My discus instills fear in the minds of the enemies of Suras and those who hate Brāhmaṇas.

49. On hearing the sound of my conch enemies become confounded. Even among the immortal beings there is no bow equal to mine.

50-52. They call me the lord of heroes, residing in Veṅkaṭādri. It was from the ridge of that mountain that I surrounded (i.e. accompanied) by my Niṣāda followers have come for hunting, riding on a horse, to your park. A certain animal moving rapidly like the wind has been pursued by me. It went away somewhere. Unable to see it I have now seen this maiden of exalted magnificence. I have come here with love. Can this maiden be obtained by me?”

53-54. On hearing these words of Kṛṣṇa they became infuriated and said: “If King Ākāśa sees you, he will bind you with fetters and take you away. Before this happens go quickly to your own abode.”

Threatened by them thus, he mounted the swift horse. Accompanied by all his followers, he went back to the mountain quickly.