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?
अवेह्यस्मान्मुनिश्रेष्ठ गोकर्णनिलयान्मुनीन्
Know us, O best of sages, as ascetics dwelling at Gokarṇa.
सतीर्थं तन्महाक्षेत्रं पतितं सागरांभसि
That great sacred place, with its holy waters, has sunk into the ocean.
उपलब्धुमभीप्सामो भवतस्तु न संशयः
We wish to recover it; of this, there is no doubt regarding you.
तस्मात्कर्तुमशक्यं ते त्रैलोक्ये ऽपि न किञ्चन
Therefore, for you, nothing is impossible to accomplish, not even in the three worlds.
वयं त्वामागताः सर्वे रामैतदभियाचितुम्
We have all come to you, O Rāma, to make this request.
दातुमर्हसि विप्रेन्द्र समुत्सार्यार्मवोदकम्
O foremost of Brāhmaṇas, you ought to grant it, having first cleared away the water of impurity.
करणीयं च वः कृत्यं मया नात्र विचारणा
The duty that you have is to be performed by me; there is no deliberation here.
शस्त्रसंग्रहणाच्छक्यं मयापि न तदन्यथा
Even I am not able to do otherwise, for the collection of weapons is ordained.
तपः समास्थितश्चर्तु प्रागेव पितृ शासनात्
I undertook austerity earlier, on the command of my father.
प्रतिश्रुत्य सतां मध्ये तपः कर्त्तुमिहानघाः
Having promised in the midst of the virtuous, I am here, O sinless ones, to perform austerity.