अन्नं वै प्राणिनां प्राणा अन्नमोजो बलं सुखम् 4.169.
Food is indeed the life of living beings; food is vigor, strength, and happiness.
सुदूरादाशया यस्य गृहं प्राप्ता बुभुक्षिताः
When those who are hungry arrive at someone's house from a great distance, with hope—
दीक्षितः कपिला सत्री राजा भिक्षुर्महोदधिः
Whether it be an initiated one, a tawny cow, a virtuous woman, a king, a beggar, or the great ocean—
एकस्याप्यतिथेरन्नं यः प्रदातुमशक्तिमान्
If one is unable to give food even to a single guest—
शक्यते दुष्करेऽप्यर्थे चिररात्राय जीवितुम्
It is possible, even in difficult circumstances, to survive for a long time.
भुक्त्वा गृहे गृहस्थस्य मैथुनं यश्च सेवते
He who, after eating in a householder's home, engages in sexual union—
दुष्कृतं हि मनुष्याणामन्नमाश्रित्य तिष्ठति
Indeed, the wrongdoing of men persists by relying on food.
वनस्पतिगते सोमे परान्नं यस्तु भुंजति
He who eats another's food while the soma is on the trees—
कस्मान्न दीयते नित्यं कस्मादन्नं न दीयते
Why is food not given always? Why is food not given?
भिक्षां वा पुष्कलां वापि हंतकारं द्विजातये
Whether it is alms or abundant food, it should be given to a twice-born who has come.
येनायुतं सहस्रं वा भोजितं स्याद्द्विजन्मनाम् 4.169.
By whom ten thousand or even a thousand twice-born are fed—
वाराणस्यां पुरा पार्थ वणिगापणजीवनः
In Varanasi, O Partha, there once lived a merchant who made his living by trade.
तस्यापणैकदेशे तु मुक्त्वांडं पांडुरच्छवि
In one part of his shop, there was an egg with a pale white shell.
तदंडं वणिजा तेन दृष्टं कारुण्यबुद्धिना
That egg was seen by the merchant, who was moved by compassion.
निर्जगाम दिनैः कैश्चिद्भित्वांडं सर्पपोतकः
After some days, breaking the egg, a young serpent emerged.
लिलिहे घृतभांडानि जिघ्रे च गंधसंचयान्
It licked the vessels of ghee and sniffed the stores of fragrance.
वणिजा रक्ष्यमाणः स स्नेहाच्चाहरहः पुनः
Protected by the merchant out of affection, it was cared for every day.
अथैकस्मिन्दिने गंगां गतः स्नातुं त्रिलोकगाम्
Then, on one day, the merchant went to the Ganga, which flows through the three worlds, to bathe.
व्यवहर्तुं समारब्धं वणिक्पुत्रेण धीमता
The wise son of the merchant had begun to conduct business.
व्यवहाराकुलतया पादयोरंतरेण सः
Due to the confusion of the proceedings, he was caught between his feet.
जानन्नपि तद्वृत्तांतं निदाने नियतेर्वशात् ।। 4.169.
Though he knew the details of the matter, he acted according to the force of fate.
स महीतः समुत्थाय मूर्द्धानमवरुह्य च
He rose from the ground and lowered his head.
शरणागतं पोषितं च तव पित्रा प्रियंकरम्
Your father protected and nourished the one who had sought refuge, bringing him joy.
अनंतरं कलकलः संजातो रोदतां नृणाम्
Immediately, a clamor arose among the people, who began to weep.
अच्युतानंत गोविंद कृष्णकृष्णेत्युदीरयन्
They cried out, 'Acyuta, Ananta, Govinda, Krishna, Krishna!'
किं कृतं मम पुत्रेण तव पव्रग विप्रियम्
What wrong has my son done to you, O Pavraga, that is displeasing?
मूर्ख मित्रं सुसंबंधं हीनजातिजनो हि यः
A foolish friend, even if closely bound, is one of low birth.
तमुवाच च सर्पोऽसौ वाष्पगद्गदया गिरा
Then the serpent spoke with a voice choked by tears.
तदहं पश्यतस्तेऽद्य दशाम्येनं नराधिप
Today, in your presence, O king, I will bite him.
सतां मार्गमपाक्रम्य प्रयातः केन वार्यते
Having abandoned the path of the virtuous, who can restrain one who departs?