बभूव भुविधर्मात्मा दिलीप इति विश्रुतः
On earth there was a righteous soul known as Dilīpa.
वनं जगाम मेधावी तपसे धृतमानसः
That wise one went to the forest, his mind set on austerity.
पालयामास धर्मेण विजित्य सकलानरीन्
He ruled with righteousness, having conquered all his enemies.
सर्वधर्मार्थकुशलः श्रीमानमितविक्रमः
Skilled in all duties and wealth, glorious, and of measured valor,
स चापि पालयन्नुर्वीं सम्यग्विहतकण्टकाम्
He too ruled the earth well, having removed all thorns.
स शुश्रावात्मनः पूर्वं पूर्वजानां महीपतिः
That king heard of his ancestors of old, formerly,
ब्रह्मदण्डहतान्सर्वान्पितञ्छ्रुत्वातिदुःखितः
Hearing that all had been slain by Brahmā’s curse, he was deeply grieved.
स मन्त्रिप्रवरे राज्यं विन्यस्य तपसे वनम्
Entrusting the kingdom to his chief minister, he went to the forest for austerity.
तपसा महाता पूर्वमायुषे कमलोद्भवम्
By great austerity in former times, he obtained longevity for the one born from the lotus.
ततो गङ्गां महाराज समाराध्य प्रसाद्य च
Then, O great king, he worshipped and propitiated the Ganga.
ततस्तां शिरसा धर्त्तु तपसाऽराधयच्छिवम्
After that, he bore her upon his head and, through austerity, worshipped Shiva.
मेरोर्मूर्ध्नस्ततो गङ्गां पतं ती शिरसात्मनः
Then, from the summit of Meru, Ganga descended, falling upon the head of the self-controlled one.
सा तच्छिरः समासाद्य महावेगप्रवाहिनी
She, flowing with great speed, reached that head.
चुलकोदकवच्छंभोर्विलीनां शिरसि प्रभोः
Like a drop of water, she was absorbed into the head of Shambhu, the Lord.
स तां शर्वप्रसादेन लब्ध्वा तु भुवमागताम्
By the grace of Sharva, he obtained her as she came to earth.
सऽनुव्रजन्ती राजानं राजर्षेर्यजतः पथि
She followed the king along the path where the royal sage was performing sacrifice.
स तु राजऋषिः क्रुद्धो यज्ञवाटे ऽखिले तया
But that royal sage, angered, was in the sacrificial enclosure, along with her.
अतन्द्रितो वर्षशतं शुश्रूषितवा स तं पुनः
For a hundred years, he served him tirelessly once again.
उषित्वा सुचिरं तस्यनिसृता जठराद्यतः
Having dwelt there for a long time, she emerged from his abdomen.
भगीरथानुगा भूत्वा तत्पितॄणामशेषतः
Becoming the follower of Bhagiratha, she completely satisfied his ancestors.
ततस्तदंभसा सिक्तेष्वस्थिभस्मसु तत्क्षणात्
Then, at that very moment, when their bones and ashes were moistened by that water,
एवं सा सागरान्सर्वान्दिवं नीत्वा महान्दी
Thus, that great river led all the sons of Sagara to heaven.
सेनोर्मूर्ध्नश्चतुर्भेदा भूत्वा याता चतुर्द्दिशम्
From the head of Sena, she divided into four branches and went in four directions.
सीता चालकनन्दा च सुचक्षुर्भद्रवत्यपि
Sita, Alakananda, Sucakshu, and Bhadravati as well.
गङ्गांभसा पुनः पूर्णाश्चत्वारो ऽम्बुधयो ऽभवन्
By the waters of Ganga, the four oceans were once again filled.
अन्तर्हिताभवन्देशा बहवस्तत्समीपगाः
Many lands near her became hidden.
इतस्ततः प्रयाताश्च जनास्तन्निलया नृप
O King, people dwelling there departed in various directions.
अर्मवोपात्तवर्त्तित्वात्समुद्रे ऽतर्द्धिमागमत्
Having taken a boat, he reached the middle of the ocean.
सह्याद्रेर्भृगुशार्दूलं द्रष्टुकामा ययुर्नृप
Desiring to see the tiger among the Bhṛgus on Sahya Mountain, they went, O King.
ययुर्दिदृक्षवो रामं महेन्द्रमचलं प्रति
Wishing to see Rāma, they journeyed toward Mount Mahendra.