भागीरथ्यास्तटे रम्ये वेणिकाग्रामसन्निधौ
On the beautiful bank of the Bhagirathi, near the village of Venika,
ताभ्यां संप्रार्थितो विप्रो भोज्यं प्रादाच्च किंचन
Requested by them, the brahmin gave them some food.
इत्युक्तोऽसौ द्विजश्रेष्ठो हलकर्म विधाय तत्
Thus addressed, that best of brahmins performed the ploughing work there.
चक्रे चैवादरं भक्त्या स्वयमासनसत्क्रियाम्
He himself, with devotion, respectfully arranged seats and proper hospitality.
सह पत्न्या सतनयो भोज्यं भुक्तिं चकार सः
Together with his wife and son, he partook of the food.
प्रयातौ ददतुः श्रेष्ठं वरं तस्मै द्विजातये
As they departed, they granted an excellent boon to that brahmin.
मा धान्यं मखसंतान मत्प्रसादाद्विजोत्तम 4.3.
O best of brahmins, may your grain and sacrificial lineage never diminish by my grace.
किमिदं वद देवेश शापरूपो वरस्त्वया
What is this, O Lord of the gods? Tell me, is this boon of yours in the form of a curse?
इत्युक्तः प्राह देवेशः शृणु नारद मद्वचः
Thus addressed, the Lord of the gods said: Listen, O Narada, to my words.
संवत्सरेण यत्पापं मत्स्यघाती समाचरेत्
Whatever sin a killer of fish commits in a year,
अतोऽर्थं कृषिपाल्येन नरकं याति लांगली
For that reason, the ploughman who tends the fields goes to hell.
मयि भुक्ते प्रसन्ने वा को विशेषोऽस्य नारद
If I am pleased and have eaten, O Narada, what difference remains for him?
इदानीं हलकालुष्यैः सीरभद्रो विचेष्टितैः
Now, because of the impurities of the plough and the actions of Sīrabhadra,
सपुत्रपौत्रसंतानो हृतोर्थस्तद्गृहे मया
His sons, grandsons, and wealth in that house have been taken away by me.
सोऽपि द्विजो मुनिश्रेष्ठ संसारादुत्तरिष्यति
That brahmin too, O best of sages, will cross over worldly existence.
कान्यकुब्जस्य सामीप्ये सरः श्रेष्ठमपश्यताम्
Near Kanyakubja, they saw a most excellent lake.
पद्मिनीजलकह्लाररक्तोत्पलसितोत्पलैः 4.3.
Filled with lotuses, water-lilies, blue and red lotuses, and blooming with fragrant flowers.
तटै रम्यैर्घनैर्वृक्षैः केतकीखण्डमंडितम्
Its lovely banks were adorned with dense trees and clusters of ketaki flowers.
दात्यूहशिखिभारुण्डचकोराद्यैश्च संकुलम्
Teeming with dātyūha birds, peacocks, bhāruṇḍas, chakoras, and others,
जलकुक्कुटसंगीतं हंससारसशोभितम्
Resounding with the songs of waterfowl, adorned by swans and cranes,
वशिष्ठस्य मुनेर्नाम्ना विख्यातं श्रीमहोदयम्
Famed by the name of the sage Vasiṣṭha, it is called Śrīmahodayam.
स्थातव्यं पुरतस्तेषां तस्मात्स्नानं समाचरेत्
One should remain before them there, and then perform the bath.
यत्तीर्थलोकं विख्यातं स्नात्वा तीरं समाश्रितः
Having bathed at that renowned pilgrimage site, taking refuge at the bank,
आचम्य सस्नौ तीर्थेन क्षणात्तीर्थमवाप्य च
He sipped water, bathed at the holy place, and in a moment attained the tirtha.
तावत्स्त्रीत्वं समापन्नो नारदः केन वर्ण्यते
At that very moment, Nārada assumed a woman's form—how can this be described?
स्मरपाशोपमौ कर्णौ कपोलौ कनकोज्ज्वलौ
His ears resembled the nooses of Kāma, and his cheeks shone like gold.
दशना हीरकैस्तुल्या विद्रुमाभः शुभाधरः 4.3.
His teeth were like diamonds, his beautiful lips red as coral.
शंखरेखात्रयेणैव कंठदेशो विराजते
His neck was radiant with three lines like a conch.
युतौ रक्तोत्पलाभासौ पाणी रक्तनखांगुली
His hands, resembling red lotuses, had fingers and nails tinged with red.
स्तनावविरलौ स्निग्धौ चक्रवाकयुगोपमौ
His two breasts, smooth and close-set, were like a pair of cakravāka birds.