इत्येवंवादिनं भूपं मेघशर्मा वचोऽब्रवीत् 3.4.8.
To the king who spoke thus, Meghaśarmā replied these words:
द्वादशैव समाहूय लक्षमात्रं रवेः स्वयम् सूर्यमन्त्राहुतीर्वह्नौ तद्दशांशं हि तद्द्विजैः
Having summoned twelve (brāhmaṇas), and a hundred thousand (oblations) to the Sun himself, let the brāhmaṇas offer the Sun-mantras into the fire, that is, one-tenth of that number.
कारयित्वा विधानेन कृतकृत्यः सुखी भव
Having performed this according to the proper method, be one who has accomplished his purpose and be happy.
प्रसन्नस्तु तदा सूर्यः पर्जन्यात्मा समन्ततः
Then, the Sun, whose essence is rain, became pleased in every direction.
शन्तनुस्तु तदा राजा सूर्यव्रतपरायणः
Then the king Śantanu became devoted to the vow of the Sun.
यं यं करेण स्पृशति वृद्धो भवति वै युवा
Whoever he touches with his hand, the old becomes young.
स वै पंचशतायुश्च निर्जरो निरुपद्रवः लक्षाब्द भुवमासाद्य ब्रह्मलोकं गमिष्यति
He indeed lives for five hundred years, free from old age and affliction; having attained the earth for a hundred thousand years, he will go to the world of Brahmā.
इत्येवंवादिनं जीवं पर्जन्यो भगवान्रविः
Thus, to the living being who is spoken to in this way, Parjanya, the blessed Sun, (grants this).
मुरा नाह प्रसन्नात्मा म्लेच्छराज्ये कलौ युगे
Murā said: In the Kali age, during the rule of the mlecchas, one with a pure mind—
श्रीधरो नाम विख्यातः पुत्रोभूद्वेदशर्मणः
A son named Śrīdhara, renowned, was born to Vedaśarmā.
श्रीमद्भागवतं शास्त्रं समालोक्य विशारदः श्रीमद्भागवतं शास्त्रं पुराणोपरि तत्कृतम् ।। 3.4.8.
Skilled in examining the glorious Bhāgavata scripture, he composed the glorious Bhāgavata scripture, based on the Purāṇas.
वेदशास्त्रपरो नित्यं देवतातिथिपूजकः
He was always devoted to the Vedic scriptures and to the worship of gods and guests.
सत्यवादी महासाधुः स्तेयहिंसाविवर्जितः
He was a speaker of truth, a great saint, free from theft and violence.
एकदा पथि भिक्षार्थं गच्छतस्तस्य भूपतेः
Once, as he was going along the road to beg alms, O king—
बभूव वाटिकां कृत्वा कलिर्दानमनोहराम्
Kali made a garden, delightful for giving gifts.
ममेयं वाटिका रम्या तत्र गच्छ सुखी भव
This beautiful garden is mine; go there and be happy.
कलिस्तु वाटिकामध्ये गत्वा रम्यफलानि च
Kali entered the garden and enjoyed its lovely fruits.
प्रांजलिः प्रणतो भूत्वा प्रांशुशर्माणमब्रवीत्
With joined palms and bowed head, he spoke to Pramshu Sharma.
इत्युक्तः स तु तं प्राह विहस्य मधुर स्वरम् कलिः प्राप्तः स्मृतः प्राज्ञैस्तस्माद्गृह्णाम्यहं न हि
Hearing this, he laughed and replied in a sweet voice: 'Kali has arrived, as known by the wise; therefore, I do not accept.'
यदि दत्तं फलं भक्त्या त्वयाद्य द्विजसेविना शालग्रामः स्वयं ब्रह्म सच्चिदानन्दविग्रहः
If today you have given fruit with devotion to one who serves the twice-born, then Shalagrama itself is Brahman, the embodiment of truth, consciousness, and bliss.
दर्शनात्तस्य चाभक्ष्यो भक्ष्यो भवति निश्चितः द्विजस्तु तत्फलं गृह्य भूमिग्राममुपाययौ ।।3.4.8.
By seeing it, what was inedible becomes edible, certainly; the twice-born took that fruit and went to the village.
नृपतिस्तत्र चागत्य द्विजमाह प्रसन्नधीः
The king arrived there and spoke to the twice-born with a pleased mind.
इति श्रुत्वा प्रांशुशर्मा तत्फलं वत्समुंडवत्
Hearing this, Pramshu Sharma took the fruit, which was like a calf's head.
तदा तु स कलिर्भूपस्तं विप्रं ताड्य वेतसैः
Then Kali, the king, struck the Brahmin with canes.
प्रातःकाले रवौ प्राप्ते प्रांशुशर्मा सुदुःखितः
At dawn, when the sun appeared, Pramshu Sharma was deeply distressed.
तदा प्रसन्नो भगवान्रविः साक्षात्सनातनः
Then the blessed Sun, eternal, became pleased.
शृणु विप्र महाभाग कालरूपो हरिः स्वयम्
Hear, O fortunate Brahmin, Hari himself is the form of Time.
कलिर्विश्वसमूहानां मृत्यवे रचितस्तथा कलिञ्जरं च नगरं तत्रोष्य मुदितो भव
Kali was created for the death of all beings; and Kaliñjara is the city, dwell there joyfully.
इत्युक्त्वा रक्षणं कृत्वा तस्य विप्रस्य भास्करः
Having said this, Bhaskara protected that Brahmin.
सपादशतवर्षं च द्विजस्तत्र वसन्रविम्
The twice-born lived there for one hundred and twenty-five years, worshipping the Sun.