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?
क्षणमात्रं प्रतीक्षस्व यावदेव शिशुर्मम 4.169.
Wait for just a moment, until my child arrives.
एवमुक्ता गृहं गत्वा यतीनां ब्रह्मचारिणाम्
Having spoken thus, she went home to the ascetics and celibates.
समुत्थाय ततः सर्वे ब्राह्मणा हृष्टमानसाः
Then all the Brahmins rose, their minds filled with joy.
वणिक्पुत्र चिरं जीव नश्यंतु तव शत्रवः
Merchant's son, may you live long; may your enemies perish.
ततः स दुष्टप्रकृतिर्विप्र वाग्वज्रताडितः
Then the wicked-natured Brahmin, struck by words as hard as thunderbolts,
विपन्नं पन्नगं दृष्ट्वा त्रस्तचक्षुर्धनेश्वरः
Seeing the fallen serpent, the lord of wealth was frightened, his eyes wide.
पोषितोऽयं मया बालः पालितो लालितस्तथा
This child has been nourished, protected, and cherished by me.
उपकारिषु यः साधुः साधुत्वे तस्य को गुणः
If one is virtuous only towards benefactors, what merit is there in such virtue?
इत्येवमवधार्यासौ दुःखसंतप्तमानसः
Thus, having understood this, his mind was tormented by sorrow.
ततः प्रभाते गंगायां स्नात्वा संतर्प्य देवताः
Then, at dawn, he bathed in the Ganga and offered oblations to the deities.