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.
नाभिमंडलगांभीर्यं लावण्यं केन वर्ण्यते
Who can describe the depth of his navel and his beauty?
नयने च पुनस्तस्या मृग्या इव सुशोभने
And again, his eyes were beautiful, like those of a deer.
रंभायुग्मोपमावूरू स्मरबाणनिबंधनौ
His thighs, like a pair of plantain stems, were bound by the arrows of Kāma.
नवकुन्दलतासारसरलं सनिबंधनम्
His slender waist was adorned with a fresh garland of jasmine buds.
रक्तांगुलीलतातल्पनखचन्द्रकयाचितम्
His feet, with red toes, were decorated by the moon-like nails upon their soft surface.
सैवंविधा तदा नारी सर्वलक्षणपू जिता
Thus, at that time, he became a woman endowed with all auspicious marks.
क्षीरोदमथनोत्तीर्णा लक्ष्मीमन्याभिवोच्छ्रिताम् 4.3.
Lakshmi, who arose from the churning of the ocean of milk, was exalted above all others.
संप्राप्यते च सा कालसंगराहारिणी यथा
She is attained as time brings together the destined circumstances.
अथाजगाम तं देशं नाम्ना तालध्वजो नृपः
Then, a king named Taladhvaja came to that land.
गजारूढैर्हयारूढै रथारूढैर्नरोत्तमैः
He was surrounded by noble men mounted on elephants, horses, and chariots.