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.
किङ्कर्त्तव्यं मयात्रेति मम डोलायते मनः
My mind wavers here, thinking, 'What should I do?'
तन्नच्यावयते सत्यद्यथोक्तं ब्रह्मणा पुरा
That does not cause me to deviate from truth, as was formerly declared by Brahmā.
धर्म एव महांस्तेन चरितस्ते भविष्यति
Therefore, by that great dharma, your conduct will be established.
तमनुद्रुत्य मेधावी धर्ममुद्दिश्य केवलम्
Pursuing that alone, the wise one, intent solely on dharma, set forth.
समुद्दिश्य चचौ राजन्द्रष्टुकामः सरित्पतिम्
Having set his mind, O king, he went desiring to see the lord of rivers.
तत्परं सरितां पत्युस्तीरं प्राप महामनाः
That great-souled one reached the supreme bank of the lord of rivers.
आकरं सर्वरत्नानां पूर्यमाणमनारतम्
It was a source of all gems, ever being filled without ceasing.
दुष्पारपारं सर्वस्य विविधग्रहसंहतिम्
Impassable to cross, the gathering of all kinds of mighty currents.
आत्मानमिव चात्मत्वे न्यक्कृताखिलमुद्धतम्
Like the self in its own nature, it belittled all else, turbulent and proud.
अत्यर्थचपलोत्तुगतरङ्गशतमालिनम्
Adorned with hundreds of exceedingly restless, surging waves.