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.
आसेदुरचलश्रेष्ठं क्रमेण मुनिपुङ्गवाः
Gradually, the eminent sages approached the best of mountains.
प्रशान्तक्रूरसत्त्वाढ्यं शुभं मध्ये तपोवनम्
In the midst, they found a beautiful hermitage, abundant with peaceful and gentle creatures.
स्निग्धच्छायमनौपम्यं स्वामोदिसुखमारुतम्
It had soft, incomparable shade and breezes delightful with their own fragrance.
विविशुर्त्दृष्टमनसो यथावृद्धपुरस्सरम्
With minds intent on seeing, they entered in proper order, led by the elders.
शिष्यैः परिवृतं शान्तं ददृशुस्ते तपोधनाः
There, the ascetics saw the tranquil sage surrounded by his disciples.
तद्दोषशान्त्यै तपसि प्रवृत्तमिव् देहिनम्
He appeared as one engaged in austerity for the pacification of faults, as if for the embodied soul.
ववन्दिरे महामौनं भक्तिप्रणतकन्धराः
With devotion and bowed heads, they offered reverence to the great silent one.
अर्घपाद्यादिभिः सम्यक्पूजयामास सादरम्
With water for washing the feet and other offerings, they worshipped him respectfully.
उवाच भृगुशार्दूलः स्मितपूर्वमिदं वचः
The tiger among the Bhṛgus spoke these words with a gentle smile.
करणीयं किमस्माभिर्वदध्वमविचारितम्
Tell us, what is to be done by us, without hesitation?