मार्कण्डेयं च कृष्णं च दृष्ट्वा रामं च भो द्विजाः सागरे चेन्द्रद्युम्नाख्ये स्नात्वा मोक्षं लभेद् ध्रुवम्
O twice-born, one who sees Markandeya, Krishna, and Rama, and bathes at the Indradyumna-named ocean, surely attains liberation.
कस्मात् स नृपतिः पूर्वम् इन्द्रद्युम्नो जगत्पतिः जगाम परमं क्षेत्रं मुक्तिदं पुरुषोत्तमम्
Why did that king, Indradyumna, lord of the world, formerly go to the supreme field, bestowing liberation, Purushottama?
गत्वा तत्र सुरश्रेष्ठ कथं स नृपसत्तमः वाजिमेधेन विधिवद् इष्टवान् पुरुषोत्तमम्
Having gone there, O best of gods, how did that foremost king properly worship the Supreme Person with a horse sacrifice?
कथं स सर्वफलदे क्षेत्रे परमदुर्लभे प्रासादं कारयाम् आस चेष्टं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम्
How did he construct, in that field which grants all fruits and is exceedingly rare, a temple renowned throughout the three worlds?
कथं स कृष्णं रामं च सुभद्रां च प्रजापते निर्ममे राजशार्दूलः क्षेत्रं रक्षितवान् कथम्
How did that tiger among kings, O Lord of creatures, establish Krishna, Rama, and Subhadra, and protect the field?
कथं तत्र महीपालः प्रासादे भुवनोत्तमे स्थापयाम् आस मतिमान् कृष्णादींस् त्रिदशार्चितान्
How did that wise ruler place Krishna and others, worshipped by the gods, in that excellent temple?
एतत् सर्वं सुरश्रेष्ठ विस्तरेण यथातथम् वक्तुम् अर्हस्य् अशेषेण चरितं तस्य धीमतः
O best of gods, you ought to recount all this in detail and exactly, the deeds of that wise one, without omission.
न तृप्तिम् अधिगच्छामस् तव वाक्यामृतेन वै श्रोतुम् इच्छामहे ब्रह्मन् परं कौतूहलं हि नः
We do not attain satisfaction from the nectar of your words; O Brahman, we wish to hear more, for our curiosity is indeed great.
साधु साधु द्विजश्रेष्ठा यत् पृच्छध्वं पुरातनम् सर्वपापहरं पुण्यं भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं शुभम्
Excellent, excellent, O best of twice-born, that you ask about the ancient matter, which removes all sin, is auspicious, and grants enjoyment and liberation.
वक्ष्यामि तस्य चरितं यथावृत्तं कृते युगे शृणुध्वं मुनिशार्दूलाः प्रयताः संयतेन्द्रियाः
I will tell you his deeds as they happened in the Krita age; listen, O foremost sages, with effort and controlled senses.
अवन्ती नाम नगरी मालवे भुवि विश्रुता बभूव तस्य नृपतेः पृथिवी ककुदोपमा
There was a city named Avanti, famed in the land of Malava, whose king was as eminent as the summit of the earth.
हृष्टपुष्टजनाकीर्णा दृढप्राकारतोरणा दृढयन्त्रार्गलद्वारा परिखाभिर् अलंकृता
Filled with joyful and prosperous people, with strong ramparts and gateways, sturdy locks and doors, adorned with moats.
नानावणिक्समाकीर्णा नानाभाण्डसुविक्रिया रथ्यापणवती रम्या सुविभक्तचतुष्पथा
Crowded with merchants of many kinds, offering various fine wares, delightful with streets and shops, and well-divided crossroads.
गृहगोपुरसंबाधा वीथीभिः समलंकृता राजहंसनिभैः शुभ्रैश् चित्रग्रीवैर् मनोहरैः
Adorned with houses and towers, its avenues beautified, with royal swans—white, splendid, and charming with variegated necks.
अनेकशतसाहस्रैः प्रासादैः समलंकृता यज्ञोत्सवप्रमुदिता गीतवादित्रनिस्वना
Adorned with hundreds of thousands of mansions, joyful with sacrificial festivals, resounding with songs and musical instruments.
नानावर्णपताकाभिर् ध्वजैश् च समलंकृता हस्त्यश्वरथसंकीर्णा पदातिगणसंकुला
Decorated with flags of many colors and banners, crowded with elephants, horses, chariots, and throngs of foot soldiers.
नानायोधसमाकीर्णा नानाजनपदैर् युता ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्रियैर् वैश्यैः शूद्रैश् चैव द्विजातिभिः
Filled with warriors of all kinds, joined by people from various regions, with Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and twice-born.
समृद्धा सा मुनिश्रेष्ठा विद्वद्भिः समलंकृता न तत्र मलिनाः सन्ति न मूर्खा नापि निर्धनाः
That city, O best of sages, was prosperous and adorned with learned people; there were no dirty, ignorant, or poor persons there.
न रोगिणो न हीनाङ्गा न द्यूतव्यसनान्विताः सदा हृष्टाः सुमनसो दृश्यन्ते पुरुषाः स्त्रियः
There were no sick, no disabled, none addicted to gambling; always joyful and good-natured men and women were seen.
क्रीडन्ति स्म दिवा रात्रौ हृष्टास् तत्र पृथक् पृथक् सुवेषाः पुरुषास् तत्र दृश्यन्ते मृष्टकुण्डलाः
They played day and night, joyful in various ways; well-dressed men with polished earrings were seen there.
सुरूपाः सुगुणाश् चैव दिव्यालंकारभूषिताः कामदेवप्रतीकाशाः सर्वलक्षणलक्षिताः
They are beautiful in form, endowed with virtues, adorned with divine ornaments, resembling the god of love, and marked by all auspicious features.
सुकेशाः सुकपोलाश् च सुमुखाः श्मश्रुधारिणः ज्ञातारः सर्वशास्त्राणां भेत्तारः शत्रुवाहिनीम्
With lovely hair and cheeks, pleasant faces, and bearing mustaches, they are learned in all scriptures and breakers of enemy armies.
दातारः सर्वरत्नानां भोक्तारः सर्वसंपदाम् स्त्रियस् तत्र मुनिश्रेष्ठा दृश्यन्ते सुमनोहराः
They are givers of all jewels, enjoyers of every wealth; and there, O best of sages, women of enchanting beauty are seen.
हंसवारणगामिन्यः प्रफुल्लाम्भोजलोचनाः सुमध्यमाः सुजघनाः पीनोन्नतपयोधराः
They walk with the grace of swans and elephants, their eyes blooming like lotuses, with slender waists, shapely hips, and full, high breasts.
सुकेशाश् चारुवदनाः सुकपोलाः स्थिरालकाः हावभावानतग्रीवाः कर्णाभरणभूषिताः
With beautiful hair, charming faces, lovely cheeks, steady locks, graceful necks expressive in movement, and adorned with ear ornaments.
बिम्बौष्ठ्यो रञ्जितमुखास् ताम्बूलेन विराजिताः सुवर्णाभरणोपेताः सर्वालंकारभूषिताः
With lips like bimba fruit, faces brightened by betel, adorned with golden jewelry, and embellished with every ornament.
श्यामावदाताः सुश्रोण्यः काञ्चीनूपुरनादिताः दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधरा दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनाः
Dark and fair, with lovely hips, their girdles and anklets resound; they wear divine garlands and garments, and are anointed with heavenly fragrances.
विदग्धाः सुभगाः कान्ताश् चार्वङ्ग्यः प्रियदर्शनाः रूपलावण्यसंयुक्ताः सर्वाः प्रहसिताननाः
Skilled, fortunate, lovely, with graceful forms and pleasing to behold, all of them radiant with beauty and charm, their faces always smiling.
क्रीडन्त्यश् च मदोन्मत्ताः सभासु चत्वरेषु च गीतवाद्यकथालापै रमयन्त्यश् च ताः स्त्रियः
Playful and intoxicated with delight, in assemblies and courtyards, these women enchant with song, music, stories, and conversation.
वारमुख्याश् च दृश्यन्ते नृत्यगीतविशारदाः प्रेक्षणालापकुशलाः सर्वयोषिद्गुणान्विताः
There are also chief courtesans, skilled in dance and song, adept in glances and conversation, possessing all the virtues of women.