केनैतौ कारणेनाहो शङ्कितौ चकितेक्षणौ
By what reason, indeed, are these two anxious and glancing about suspiciously?
चेनैतौ जलपाने ऽपि पश्यतश्चकितेक्षणौ
Even while drinking water, these two look around with wary eyes.
लक्षयेते खिन्नसर्वाङ्गौ कम्पयुक्तौ यतस्त्विमौ
It is clear that both are weary in all their limbs and trembling as they stand here.
शिष्येण संयुतो रामो यावत्तौ चापि संस्थितौ
Rāma remained together with his disciple, and those two also stayed there.
रामं दृष्ट्वा महात्मानं कथां तौ चक्रतुर्मुदा
Seeing the great-souled Rāma, the two joyfully began a conversation.
अस्य वीरस्य सांनिध्ये भयं नैवावयोर्भवेत्
In the presence of this hero, there will be no fear for either of us.
दृष्टमात्रो हि मुनिना भस्मीभूतो भविष्यति
For, merely being seen by the sage, one would be reduced to ashes.
मृगश्चोवाच हर्षेण समाविष्टः प्रियां स्वकाम्
The deer, filled with delight, spoke to his beloved.
जाने ऽहमपि रामस्य प्रभावं सुमहात्मनः
I too know the power of Rāma, the supremely great-souled one.
सचाने न महाभागस्त्रातो व्याघ्रभयातुरः
But if that most fortunate one had not protected us, we would have been overcome by fear of the tiger.
पितरं कार्त्तवीर्येण दृष्ट्वा चैव तिरस्कृतम्
Having seen his father insulted by Kārtavīrya, indeed—
तत्पूर्तिकामो ह्यगमद्ब्रह्मलोकं पुरा ह्ययम्
Desiring to restore him, he once went to the world of Brahmā.
तस्य त्वाज्ञां समादाय गतो ऽसौ शिवसन्निधिम्
Having received his command, he then went to the presence of Śiva.
स कृपालुर्महादेवः सभाज्य भृगुनन्दनम्
That compassionate Mahādeva, honoring the son of Bhṛgu—
स्वीयं पाशुपतं चास्त्रमन्यास्त्रग्राममेव च
Gave him his own Pāśupata weapon, and indeed a collection of other weapons.
सो ऽयमत्रागतो भद्रे मेत्रसाधनतत्परः
Now he has come here, O gentle one, intent on fulfilling his vow.
शतवर्षाणि चाप्यस्य गतानि सुमहात्मनः
A hundred years have indeed passed for this great soul.
आत्रास्ति कारणं भक्तिः साव वै त्रिविधा मता
Here, the reason is devotion, which is considered to be of three kinds.
शिवस्य नारदस्यापि शुकस्य च महात्मनः
Of Śiva, of Nārada, and also of the great soul Śuka,
बलेर्विभीषणस्यापि प्रह्लादस्य महात्मनः
Of Bali, of Vibhīṣaṇa, and of the great soul Prahlāda,
वसिष्ठादिमुनीशानां मन्वादीनां शुभेक्षणे
Of Vasiṣṭha and other great sages, and of the Manus, who are auspicious to behold.
मध्यभक्तिरयं रामो नित्यं यमपरायणः
This is the middle devotion—Rāma, ever devoted to self-restraint.
इत्युक्ता त्वरितं कान्तं सा मृगी हृष्टमानसा
Thus addressed, the doe, her heart delighted, swiftly approached her beloved.
र्हदृग् ज्ञानं तव कथं संजातं तद्वदाधुना
How did knowledge of the Self arise in you? Tell that now.
शृणु प्रिये महाभागे ज्ञानं पुण्येन जायते
Listen, dear one, greatly fortunate; knowledge is born from merit.
पुण्यात्मा भार्गवश्चायं कृष्णाभक्तो जितेन्द्रियः
This Bhārgava is virtuous, devoted to Kṛṣṇa, and master of his senses.
अद्यैव विदितं मे ऽभूद्रासस्यास्य महात्मनः
Today, I have come to know the intent of this great soul.
यद्यत्करिष्यते चैव तदपि ज्ञानगोचरम्
Whatever he will do is also within the scope of knowledge.
कवचं मन्त्रसहितं ह्यपि वर्षायुतायुतैः
Even the armor, together with the mantra, for tens of thousands of years,
कृष्णप्रेमामृतं नाम स्तोत्रमुत्तमभक्तिदम्
The hymn called 'The Nectar of Love for Kṛṣṇa' bestows supreme devotion.