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बलाबलं च मन्त्राणां ब्राह्मणस्य च वाग्बलम् । स्त्रीभावाद्बालभावाच्च चिन्तयन्ती पुनः पुनः॥५-१४२-२१॥
She reflected again and again on the power and the limits of sacred mantras, and on the compelling force of a brāhmaṇa’s speech—reconsidering it repeatedly in light of her womanhood and youthful immaturity.
english translation
धात्र्या विश्रब्धया गुप्ता सखीजनवृता तदा । दोषं परिहरन्ती च पितुश्चारित्ररक्षिणी॥५-१४२-२२॥
Then, protected by a trusted nurse and surrounded by her companions, she strove to avert blame and to safeguard her father’s honor and reputation.
english translation
कथं नु सुकृतं मे स्यान्नापराधवती कथम् । भवेयमिति संचिन्त्य ब्राह्मणं तं नमस्य च॥५-१४२-२३॥
Thinking, “How may I gain merit, and how may I not become culpable?”, she deliberated—and then bowed in reverence to that brāhmaṇa.
english translation
कौतूहलात्तु तं लब्ध्वा बालिश्यादाचरं तदा । कन्या सती देवमर्कमासादयमहं ततः॥५-१४२-२४॥
But having obtained it out of curiosity, and acting then in youthful indiscretion, I—though a maiden—invoked the god Arka, the Sun.
english translation
योऽसौ कानीनगर्भो मे पुत्रवत्परिवर्तितः । कस्मान्न कुर्याद्वचनं पथ्यं भ्रातृहितं तथा॥५-१४२-२५॥
That child whom I conceived while unmarried—yet who has been treated as a son—why would he not accept counsel that is salutary and also conducive to his brothers’ welfare?
english translation