न तस्य राज्ये विध्वंसो न वैरिजनितं भयम्
In his kingdom, there is no destruction, nor fear caused by enemies.
तस्यैवं कुर्वतो राज्यं पूर्वकर्मार्जिताशुभात्
For him, ruling thus, misfortune arises only from actions done in previous lives.
न पुत्रः प्रियकृत्कश्चिन्न मंत्री मधुराक्षरः
There is no son who acts with affection, nor any counselor whose words are sweet.
न भोज्यसमये प्राप्ते भोजनं सार्वकामिकम्
When the time for eating arrives, there is no meal that fulfills every desire.
न धनं जनसंबन्धकारको रत्नसंचयः
There is no wealth that brings together people, nor any collection of jewels.
अथैकस्मिन्दिने विप्रः पिप्पलादोऽतिविश्रुतः
Then, on a certain day, the highly renowned sage Pippalāda arrived.
तमागतं मुनिं दृष्ट्वा राजपत्नी शुभावती
Seeing that sage who had come, the queen Śubhāvatī beheld him.
ततः कथांते कस्मिंश्चित्तमुवाच शुभावती 4.167.
Then, at the end of their conversation, Śubhāvatī spoke to someone.
कस्मान्न भृत्याः पुत्रा वा मंत्रिमित्रादिकं द्विज
O twice-born, why is it that there are neither servants nor sons, nor counselors, friends, and the like?
कर्मभूमिरियं राज्ञि नातः शोचितुमर्हसि
O king, this is the field of action; therefore, you should not grieve.
न तत्कुर्वंति राजानो न दायादा न शत्रवः
Neither kings, nor heirs, nor enemies perform that.
तस्माद्भवद्भियर्द्दत्तं प्राप्तं तद्राज्यमुत्तमम्
Therefore, the excellent kingdom that has come to you is given by the favor of the learned.
येन मे बहवः पुत्रा धनं भृत्या भवंति वै
By which I have many sons, wealth, and servants indeed.
मंत्रो वा सिद्धयोगो वा व्रतं दानमुपोषितम्
Whether it be a mantra, accomplished yoga, a vow, or charity observed—
ततः स कथयामास पिप्पलादो द्विजोत्तमः
Then the best of the twice-born, Pippalāda, began to speak.
श्रद्धया कुरुशार्दूल नारी वाप्यथ वा पुमान्
With faith, O tiger among Kurus, whether a woman or a man—
तच्छ्रुत्वा स ददौ राजाऽऽपाकाख्यं दानमुत्तमम्
Hearing this, the king gave the excellent gift called Apāka.
दत्तेन येन कामानां पुमान्भवति भाजनम् ।। 4.167.
By giving which, a man becomes a vessel for desires.
ग्रहताराबलं लब्ध्वा भार्गवं पूजयेच्छुभम्
Having obtained the strength of planets and stars, one should worship the auspicious Bhārgava.
कुर्यात्तथैव सम्मानं यथा तुष्टोऽभिजायते
One should show honor in the same way, so that satisfaction is produced.
मणिकादीनि शुभ्राणि स्थाल्यश्च सुमनोहराः
Brilliant jewels and other shining objects, as well as dishes that are most delightful,
शरावादीनि पात्राणि भांडमुच्चावचं बहु
Various vessels such as plates, and many containers both large and small,
भार्गवोऽपि प्रयत्नेन नाना भांडान्वितं शुभम्
Bhārgava too, with great care, brought auspicious items of many kinds,
सहस्रमेकं भांडानां स्थापयित्वा विचक्षणः
The wise one set aside a thousand vessels,
रात्रौ जागरणं कुर्याद्गीतमङ्गलनिस्वनैः
At night, one should keep vigil, accompanied by songs and auspicious music,
रक्तवस्त्रैः समाच्छाद्य पुष्पमालाभिरर्चयेत्
Covering them with red cloths, one should worship with garlands of flowers,
पूजयित्वा प्रयत्नेन कृत्वा चारु प्रदक्षिणाम् 4.167.
Having worshipped with care and performed a beautiful circumambulation,
नार्यश्चाविधवास्तत्र समानीय प्रपूज्य च
Let women who are not widowed be brought there and duly honored,
आपाकब्रह्मरूपोसि भांडानीमानि जंतवः
You are the very form of Āpāka Brahman; these vessels are living beings,
भांडरूपाणि यान्यत्र कल्पितानि मया किल
Whatever vessels I have fashioned elsewhere, indeed, are in these forms,