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.
ध्वजातपत्रकलिलैरनीकैः परिवारितः
He was encircled by battalions adorned with banners and parasols.
बभूव क्षणमात्रेण कंदर्पशरपीडितः
In a mere moment, he was struck by the arrows of Kama (the god of love).
अदृष्टरूपाप्सरसा काचिद्देवी समागता
A goddess, an apsaras of unseen beauty, appeared before him.
मुमूर्षुर्जायते मोहादनुदिग्धहतो यथा
He became as if dying from delusion, like one struck by a poisoned arrow.
उवाच नारीं मुग्धां तां शृणु मद्वचनं शुभे
He spoke to that innocent woman: 'Listen to my words, O auspicious one.'
इत्युक्ते साश्रु चार्वंगी प्राह मां विद्ध्ययोनिजाम्
When he said this, the beautiful woman, with tears in her eyes, replied, 'Know me as one born of the womb.'
निराश्रयां विदित्वैनां ततो जातः स्मरार्दितः 4.3.
Realizing she was without refuge, he became afflicted by desire for her.
नीत्वा विवाहयामास शास्त्रोक्तविधिना ततः
He took her and married her according to the prescribed rites of the scriptures.
उद्यानभव्यभूमीषु नदीनां पुलिनेषु च
In delightful gardens and on the banks of rivers,
पद्मखंडेषु फुल्लेषु शोभितेषु सरस्सु च
In blooming clusters of lotuses and in beautiful lakes,