गच्छामि मोचितः शापात्त्वयाहमधुना दिवम्
'Freed by you from the curse, I now ascend to heaven.'
पतितं द्विजपुत्रं तं कृपया व्यवपद्यत
Out of compassion, he tended to the fallen Brahmin's son.
परमृशत्तदङ्गानि शनैरुज्जीवयन्नृप
Touching his limbs gently, O King, he revived him.
विलोकयन्ददर्शाग्रे भृगुश्रेष्ठमवस्थितम्
Looking around, he saw before him the eminent sage Bhrigu.
गतभीराह कस्त्वं भोः कथं वेह समागतः
Freed from fear, he said, 'Who are you, sir, and how have you come here?'
तरक्षुर्भीषणाकारः साक्षान्मृत्युरिवापरः
A terrifying figure, Tarakṣu, appeared like Death himself.
हते ऽपि तस्मिन्नखिला भान्ति वै तन्मया दिशः
Even though he was slain, all directions still shone with his presence.
परमापदमापन्नं त्वं मां समुपजीवयन्
You have sustained me, who had fallen into great distress.
पुत्रस्तस्यास्मि तीर्थार्थी शालग्राममयासिषम्
I am his son, seeking holy places; I had gone to Śālagrāma.
नानामुनिगणैर्जुष्टं पुण्यं बदरिकाश्रमम्
Blessed by many groups of sages, I went to the sacred hermitage of Badarikā.
प्रविशन्गहनं रम्यं प्रदेशालोकनाकुलम्
Entering a dense and delightful thicket, filled with the confusion of many sights,
ततो दिष्टवशेनाहं प्राद्रवं भयपीडितः
Then, by the force of destiny, I fled, afflicted by fear.
इत्येष मम वृत्तान्तः साकल्येनोदितस्तव
Thus, my story has been told to you in its entirety.
कथयामास राजेन्द्र रामस्तस्मै यथाक्रमम्
Rama then narrated to him, O king, everything in due order.
स्थित्वा नातिचिरं कालमथ गन्तुमियेष सः
After staying not for a long time, he then wished to depart.
निष्क्रम्यावसथं पित्रोः संप्रतस्थे मुदान्वितः
Leaving the dwelling, he set out joyfully for his parents’ abode.
रामेण रक्षितश्चाभुद्यस्माद्ध्याघ्रं विनिघ्नता
He was protected by Rama, who had slain the tiger.
विप्रपुत्रस्य राजेन्द्र तदेतत्सो ऽकृतव्रणः
O king, this is the son of the sage, who was uninjured.
बभूव मित्रमत्यर्थं सर्वावस्थासु पार्थिव
He became a most devoted friend in all circumstances, O ruler of men.
दृष्ट्वा ख्यातिं च सो ऽभ्येत्य विनयेनाभ्यवादयत्
Seeing his fame, he approached and greeted him with humility.
दिनानि कतिचित्तत्र न्यवसत्तत्प्रियेप्सया
He stayed there for a few days, desiring the company of his beloved.
आश्रमं प्रतिचक्राम शिष्यसंघैः समावृतम्
He returned to the hermitage, surrounded by his group of disciples.
सुकन्याचापि तद्भार्यामवन्दत महामनाः
And the high-minded one respectfully greeted Sukanya, his wife.
और्वाश्रमं समापेदे द्रष्टुकामस्तपोनिधिम्
He reached the hermitage of Aurva, wishing to see the ascetic sage.
उवास तत्र तत्प्रीत्या दिनानि कतिचिन्नृप
He stayed there for a few days, O king, out of affection for him.
प्रतस्थे भार्गवः श्रीमानकृतव्रणसंयुतः
Then the illustrious Bhargava set out, accompanied by Akritavrana.
तौ च तं नृप संहर्षाच्चाशिषा प्रत्यनन्दताम्
And, O king, those two joyfully blessed him with their good wishes.
कथयामास राजेन्द्र यथावृत्तमनुक्रमात्
O king, he narrated in order all that had happened.
जगामावसथं पित्रोर्मुदा परमया युतः
He went to the dwelling of his parents, filled with the highest joy.
अवन्दत तयोः पादौ यथावद्भृगुनन्दन
He bowed properly to their feet, O descendant of Bhrigu.