जातिस्मरः स्मरवपुः सुवर्णोत्पत्तिकारणम्
He remembered his past births, had the form of Kāma, and was the cause of the origin of gold.
मूत्रश्लेष्मपुरीषादि यत्किञ्चित्क्षिपति क्षितौ
Whatever urine, phlegm, or feces he cast upon the earth—
तेनासौ यजते राजा विधिवद्भूरिदक्षिणैः
With that, the king performed sacrifices according to rule, with abundant gifts.
बभार भृत्याननिशं पुपोष स्वजनातिथीन्
He maintained his servants day and night, and nourished his own people and guests.
जातस्नेहं तथा पुत्रं ररक्ष रक्षि भिर्वृतः
He protected his son, for whom affection had arisen, surrounded by guards.
अथास्य दस्यवः केचिच्छ्रुत्वा तं कनकाकरम्
Then, some bandits, having heard of that mine of gold,
तस्मिन्विनष्टे तन्नष्टं वरदानसमुद्भवम्
When that was lost, that which had arisen from the granting of a boon was also lost.
पातितं दस्युभिः पुत्रं दृष्ट्वा राजा सुदुःखितः
Seeing his son struck down by the bandits, the king was greatly distressed.
विलपंतं तु तं दृष्ट्वा नारदः प्राह संजयम् 4.13.
Seeing him lamenting, Nārada spoke to Saṃjaya.
इत्युक्त्वा स समाचख्यौ चरितानि महौजसाम्
Having said this, he recounted the deeds of those of great might.
श्रुत्वा राजा नरेंद्राणां चरितानि महा त्मनाम्
Hearing the deeds of the great-souled kings,
नारदोऽपि नरेंद्रस्य मृतं पुत्रं यमालयात्
Nārada also brought back the king’s dead son from the abode of Yama.
दृष्ट्वा स्पृष्ट्वा स पुत्रं तं परितुष्टेन चेतसा
Seeing and touching his son, he became completely satisfied in mind.
किमाश्चर्यं प्रसन्नेन भवता मम नारद
What wonder is there, O Nārada, with your favor toward me?
षण्मासांते पुनरसौ जीवितं सर्वमेव तत्
After six months, however, that life was entirely ended.
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं जातिस्मरणकारकम्
All this has been told to you, which causes remembrance of previous births.
दाता क्षमी धनी वाग्मी रूपी स्वैर्भद्रकैर्भवेत्
A giver, patient, wealthy, eloquent, and handsome—one should be with such auspicious qualities.
चत्वारि राजन्भद्राणि चतुष्पादानि तानि वै
O King, there are four auspicious things, and they are fourfold indeed.
मार्गशीर्षे तु प्रथमं द्वितीयं फाल्गुने तथा 4.13.
In Mārgaśīrṣa, the first; the second, likewise, in Phālguna.
फाल्गुनामलपक्षादौ त्रीन्मासांस्तु नराधिप
At the beginning of the dark fortnight of Phālguna, O lord of men, three months (are to be observed).
ज्येष्ठस्य शुक्लपक्षादौ त्रीन्वै मासान्युधिष्ठिर
At the beginning of the bright fortnight of Jyeṣṭha, O Yudhiṣṭhira, three months (are to be observed).
शुक्ले भाद्रपदस्यादौ त्रीन्मासान्पांडुनंदन
At the beginning of the bright fortnight of Bhādrapada, O son of Pāṇḍu, three months (are to be observed).
शुक्लमार्गशिरस्यादौ त्रीन्मासांस्तु नराधिप
At the beginning of the bright fortnight of Mārgaśīrṣa, O ruler of men, three months are prescribed.
समासेनैव चोक्तानि भद्राण्येतानि भारत
These auspicious observances, O Bhārata, have been briefly stated.
भद्राणां नियमाधानं प्रधाननियमांस्तथा
The establishment of the rules for the auspicious rites, as well as the principal regulations, have thus been given.
श्रीभगवानुवाच शृणु राजन्नवहितो भद्राणां विस्तरं परम्
Śrī Bhagavān said: Listen attentively, O King, to the supreme and detailed explanation of the auspicious rites.
शुक्ले मार्गशिरस्यादौ चत्वारस्तिथयो वराः
In the bright fortnight, at the beginning of Mārgaśīrṣa, four dates are considered excellent.
एकभुक्तासनस्तिष्ठेत्प्रतिपद्यां जितेन्द्रियः
On the first day, one should eat only once, remain seated, and control the senses.
प्रहरत्रये समधिके गते स्नानं समाचरेत् 4.13.
When three watches of the day have passed, one should perform bathing.
अहं ते तु प्रदिश्यामि मंत्राणां विधिमुत्तमम्
I shall instruct you in the supreme method of the mantras.