नागपत्नीकृतं स्तोत्रं त्रिसन्ध्यं यः पठेन्नरः
Whoever recites this hymn composed by the serpent's wife at the three junctions of the day—
इह लोके हरेर्भक्तिमन्ते दास्यं लभेद्ध्रुवम्
In this world, he will surely attain the service of Hari, endowed with devotion.
नारद उवाच प्रहृष्टोत्फुल्लनयनः किमुवाच हरिः स्वयम्
Narada said: With eyes wide and delighted, what did Hari himself say?
कथयस्व महाभाग रहस्यं परमाद्भुतम् नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा भगवान्सर्वदर्शनः
Tell me, O greatly fortunate one, the most wondrous secret. Hearing Narada's words, the Lord, who sees all—
उवाच परमात्मानं मधुवृन्दं पदेपदे नागपत्नीवचः श्रुत्वा श्रीकृष्णस्तमुवाच ह
Spoke of the Supreme Self, the honeyed grove, step by step. Hearing the words of the serpent's wife, Sri Krishna said to her—
पुटाञ्जलियुतां पादे पतितां भयविह्वलाम् उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ नागेशे वरं वृणु भयं त्यज
With folded hands, fallen at his feet, trembling with fear, he said: 'Rise, rise, O Lord of serpents! Choose a boon, abandon fear.'
भर्त्रा सगोष्ठ्या सार्द्धं च गच्छ वत्से सुखी भव 4.19.
Go, dear one, together with your husband and household, and be happy.
त्वत्प्राणाधिक एवायं जामाता च न संशयः
This son-in-law is indeed dearer to you than your own life, there is no doubt.
कृत्वा च स्तवनं भक्त्या प्रणमिष्यति मत्पदम्
Having offered praise with devotion, he will bow down at my feet.
ह्रदान्निर्गच्छ वत्से त्वं वरं वृणु यथेप्सितम्
Emerge from the lake, dear one, and choose whatever boon you desire.
उवाच साश्रुनेत्रा सा भक्तिनम्रात्मकन्धरा वरं दास्यसि चेदानीं वरदेश्वर मेऽपि च
With tearful eyes and a neck bowed in devotion, she said: 'If you will grant a boon now, O Lord of boons, then grant one to me as well.'
तव स्मृतर्विस्मृतिर्न कदाऽपि न भविष्यति
By remembering you, forgetfulness will never arise for me at any time.
इत्येवं प्रार्थनीयं च परिपूर्णं कुरु प्रभो
Thus is my request; O Lord, please fulfill it completely.
शरत्पार्वणचन्द्रास्यं ददर्श श्रीहरेर्मुखम्
She beheld the face of Shri Hari, beautiful as the full moon of autumn.
सर्वाङ्गपुलकोद्भिन्ना सानंदाश्रुपरिप्लुता
Her whole body erupted in goosebumps, and she was overwhelmed with tears of joy.
उवाच पुनरेवेदं भक्त्युद्रेकपरिप्लुता 4.19.
Again, filled with overflowing devotion, she spoke these words:
सर्पः करोतु संसारं कुरु मां निजकिङ्करीम्
Let the serpent create the world of transmigration, but make me your own servant.
त्वत्पदाम्भोजसेवायाः कलां नार्हन्ति षोडशीम्
Even the sixteenth part of service to your lotus feet cannot be attained by them.
भारते दुर्लभं जन्म लब्ध्वाऽसौ वञ्चितः स्वयम्
Having obtained a rare birth in Bharata, he has been deceived himself.
प्रसन्नमानसः श्रीमानोमित्येवमुवाच ह
With a pleased mind, the glorious Lord spoke thus.
आजगाम रथस्तूर्णमुद्दीप्तस्तेजसा मुने
A chariot, blazing with splendor, swiftly arrived, O sage.
शतचक्रो वायुवेगो मनोयायी मनोहरः
It had a hundred wheels, moved with the speed of the wind, traveled by the mind, and was enchanting.
प्रणम्य कृष्णं तां नीत्वा जग्मुर्गोलोकमुत्तमम्
After bowing to Krishna and taking her, they went to the supreme Goloka.
स च किंचिन्न बुबुधे मोहितो विष्णुमायया
But he understood nothing, being deluded by Vishnu's maya.
ददौ हस्तं च कृपया शीघ्रं कालियमस्तके
Out of compassion, he quickly placed his hand upon the head of Kaliya.
पुटाञ्जलियुतां साश्रुपूर्णां च सुरसां सतीम् 4.19.
Surasā, pure and devoted, stood with folded hands, her palms joined, and her eyes filled with tears.
भक्त्युद्रेकात्साश्रुनेत्रां पुलकाङ्कितविग्रहाम् यदीश्वरस्य सततं योग्यायोग्ये समा कृपा
Because of the surge of devotion, her eyes were brimming with tears and her body was marked by horripilation; the Lord’s mercy is always equal, whether one is worthy or unworthy.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Śrī Krishna said:
त्वं मे प्राणाधिको वत्स सुखं तिष्ठ भयं त्यज
You are dearer to me than life itself, child; remain in happiness and cast away your fear.
किंचित्तद्दमनं कृत्वा त्वत्प्रसादं करोम्यहम्
Having subdued you to some extent, I now grant you my favor.