देवास्तपस्विनश्चैव बभूवुर्विगतज्वराः
The gods and ascetics then became free from distress.
अयोध्या मगमद्राजन्देवलोकाद्यदृच्छया
By chance, the king returned to Ayodhya from the world of the gods.
अर्घ्यपाद्यादिभिः सम्यक्पूजयामास शास्त्रतः
He duly worshipped according to scripture with offerings such as arghya and water for the feet.
नारदो राजशार्दूलमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
Narada spoke these words to the tiger among kings.
ब्रह्मदण्डहताः सर्वे विनष्टा नृपसत्तम
All were destroyed, struck down by Brahma’s rod, O best of kings.
केनाप्य लक्षितः क्वापि नीतो विधिवशाद्दिवि
By some fate, one was noticed somewhere and taken to heaven.
प्रालभन्त न ते क्वापि तत्प्रवृत्तिं चिरान्नृप
For a long time, O king, they did not learn anything of his whereabouts.
सागरास्ते समारभ्य प्रचख्नुर्वसुधातलम्
Beginning from the Sagaras, they dug into the surface of the earth.
समीपे तस्य योगीन्द्रं कपिलं चमहामुनिम्
Nearby, they saw the great sage Kapila, lord of yogis.
कपिलं कोपयामासुरश्वहर्त्तायमित्यलम्
They angered Kapila, thinking him to be the thief of the horse.
इन्धनीभूतदेहास्ते पुत्राः संक्षयमागताः
Your sons, whose bodies became fuel, have reached their end.
यतस्ते तेन राजेन्द्र न शोकं कर्तुमर्हसि
Therefore, O king, you should not grieve for them.
नष्टं मृतमतीतं च नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिताः
The wise do not mourn what is lost, dead, or past.
तुरगानयनार्थाय नियुङ्क्ष्व नृपसत्तम
O foremost of kings, command the horses to be brought.
क्षणेन पश्यतां तेषां नारदो ऽन्तर्दधे मुनिः
As they watched, the sage Narada vanished in an instant.
दुःखशोकपरातात्मा दध्यौ चिरमुदारधीः
His mind overwhelmed by sorrow and grief, the noble thinker pondered for a long time.
वसिष्ठः प्राह राजानं सांत्वयन्देशकालवित्
Vasishtha, knowing the proper time and place, spoke to the king, offering comfort.
लभते हृदि चेच्छोकः प्राप्तं धीर तया फलम्
If grief arises in the heart, the steadfast person attains its result.
मन्वानो ऽनन्तरं कृत्यं कर्तुमर्हस्यसंशयम्
Thinking of the next duty, you should act without doubt.
धृतिं सत्त्वं समालंब्य तथेति प्रत्यभाषत
Relying on courage and strength, he replied, 'So be it.'
ब्रह्मक्षत्त्रसभामध्ये शनैरिदमभाषत
In the midst of the assembly of Brahmins and Kshatriyas, he slowly spoke these words.
पतिताः पापकर्माणो निरये शाश्वतीः समाः
Those who performed evil deeds have fallen into hell for countless ages.
त्वदायत्तमशेषं मे श्रेयो ऽमुत्र परत्र च
All my welfare here and hereafter depends entirely on you.
तुरगानयनार्थाय यत्नेन महातान्वितः
With great effort, he set out to bring the horses.
आदाय तुरगं वत्स शीघ्रमागन्तुमर्हसि
Take the horse, child, and you should return quickly.
तथेत्युक्त्वा महाबुद्धिः प्रययौ कपिलान्तिकम्
Having said 'So be it,' the wise one went to Kapila.
प्रश्रयावनतो भूत्वा शनैरिदमुवाच ह
Becoming humble and bowed in respect, he slowly spoke these words.
कोपं च संहर क्षिप्रं लोकप्रक्षयकारकम्
Quickly restrain your anger, which brings destruction to the world.
प्रशान्तिमुपयाह्याशुलोकाः संतु गतव्यथाः
Let the worlds attain peace and be free from suffering.
ये त्वत्क्रोधाग्निनिर्दग्धास्तत्संततिमवेहि माम्
But those who were burned by the fire of your wrath—know them to be my lineage.