येषां द्विजेन्द्रवाहित्री पूर्णभांडा तु गच्छति
For whom the vehicle of the twice-born, fully loaded, proceeds,
इति ज्ञात्वा नरः पुण्यं कुर्यात्पापं विवर्जयेत् ।। पुण्येन याति देवत्वमपुण्यान्नरकं व्रजेत्
Knowing this, a person should perform virtue and avoid sin; by virtue one attains divinity, by sin one goes to hell.
ये मनागपि देवेशं प्रपन्नाः शरणं शिवम्
Those who, even slightly, have sought refuge in the Lord of gods, the auspicious one,
किं तु पापैर्महाघोरैः किञ्चित्कालं शिवाज्ञया
Yet, by the command of Shiva, due to very terrible sins, for a short time—
ये पुनः सर्वभावेन प्रतिपन्ना महेश्वरम्
But those who are wholly devoted to Lord Maheśvara,
तस्मा द्विवर्धयेद्भक्तिमीश्वरे सततं बुधः
Therefore, the wise should always double their devotion to the Lord.
पापानि पंच परमार्थतयैव पार्थ दुःखप्रदानि सुचिरं पितृ राजलोके
O Pārtha, the five sins, in truth, bring long-lasting suffering in the realms of the ancestors and kings.
शकटव्रतमाहात्म्यवर्णनम् व्रतोपवासनियमप्लवेनोत्तीर्यते सुखम्
Description of the greatness of the Śakaṭa vow: By crossing over with the discipline of vows and fasting, one attains happiness.
दुर्ल्लभं प्राप्य मानुष्यं विद्युत्पतनचञ्चलम्
Having attained the rare human birth, which is as fleeting as a lightning flash,
दान व्रतमयी कीर्तिर्यस्य स्यादिह देहिनः
The fame of one whose life here is filled with charity and vows endures.
ज्ञायते नेह नामुत्र व्रतस्वाध्यायवर्जितः
Here and hereafter, one without vows and study of scripture is not recognized.
अत्र ते कथयिष्यामि इतिहासं पुरातनम्
Now I shall tell you an ancient story.
योगर्द्धिसिद्ध्या संसिद्धः कश्चित्सिद्धो महीतलम्
There was once a perfected being on earth, accomplished through yogic powers and attainments.
निगीर्णदंतो लंबोष्ठः पिंगाक्षस्तनुमूर्द्धजः
His teeth were sunken, his lips thick, his eyes tawny, and his hair sparse.
चिपिटाक्षः स्फुटितपाज्जंघाढ्यः कृशकूर्परः
His eyes were flat, his knees and shins cracked, and his elbows thin.
मूलजालिकविप्रेण दृष्टः पृष्टश्च को भवान्
He was seen and questioned by a Brahmin of the Mūlajālika lineage: 'Who are you?'
कच्चिद्दृष्टा त्वया रंभा भाभासितदिगंतरा
'Have you seen Rambhā, who illumines all directions with her radiance?'
गत्वा मद्वचनाद्वाच्या निर्वाच्या दोषदर्शिभिः
'Go and speak to her on my behalf, but do not speak to those who find fault.'
सिद्धः प्रसिद्धं तं विप्रं प्राहेदं विस्मयान्वितः
The accomplished one, filled with wonder, addressed that renowned Brahmin.
ब्राह्मणस्तमथोवाच विज्ञातोऽसि मया यथा
Then the Brahmin said to him, 'I have recognized you as you are.'
गात्रत्रयं विरूपं स्याद्द्वितीयं वा स्वरूपतः
One of your three limbs is deformed, while the second remains in its natural state.
दुर्ल्लंघ्या प्रकृतिः साक्षादनुभूतकरी भवेत्
Nature is difficult to overcome and acts directly as an experiencer.
विप्रस्यैवं वचः श्रुत्वा जगामादर्शनं शनैः
Hearing the words of the sage, she gradually disappeared from sight.
मूलजालकविप्रेण पृष्टः प्राहामरावतीम्
Questioned by the sage of the root-net, she replied, 'Amaravati.'
शक्रस्यावसरे वृत्ते व्रजन्त्याः स्वगृहं मया
When Indra's appointed time had passed, as she was returning to her own house, by me—
विद्यया कलया चापि पौरुषेण व्रतेन च
By knowledge, by skill, by manly strength, and by observance of vows—
ब्राह्मणस्तमथोवाच मुग्धा दग्धाग्निसंभवा
Then the Brahmin spoke to her: 'O innocent one, scorched and born of fire—'
तस्यैतद्वचनं श्रुत्वा स सिद्धः सुविशुद्धधीः
Hearing these words from her, that accomplished one, with mind thoroughly pure—
कदाचिच्च रता तेन स्वर्गमार्गं यदृच्छया
Once, united with him, she by chance attained the path to heaven.
मूलजालैर्वर्तयंतं महाकालवनाश्रयम्
Sustained by the root-net sages, he dwells in the great Kālavan forest.