क्रीडास्थानात्समायान्तं शान्तं सुन्दरविग्रहम्
He saw him returning from the place of play, serene, with a beautiful form.
सद्रत्नसारभूषाभिर्भूषितं कौस्तुभेन च
Adorned with excellent jewels and the Kaustubha gem.
शरन्मध्याह्नपद्मास्यं पश्यन्तं रत्नदर्पणे
With a face like a lotus at midday in autumn, gazing into a jeweled mirror.
शशाङ्केन यथाऽऽकाशं भालमध्यविराजितम् 4.21.
His forehead shone in the center, as the moon illumines the sky.
बकपङ्क्त्या यथाऽऽकाशं शारदीयं सुनिर्मलम्
Like a spotless autumn sky, clear as a line of cranes.
विभान्तं विद्युता शश्वन्नवनिं नीरदं यथा
Radiant like a new cloud illumined again and again by lightning.
यथेन्द्रधनुषा भाति विभातं भगणैर्नभः
As the sky shines, brightened by the segments of a rainbow.
शरत्प्रफुल्लपद्मं च द्युमणेः किरणैर्यथा
Like an autumn lotus in full bloom, by the rays of the sun.
प्रणम्य वासयामासू रत्नसिंहासने शुभे
After bowing, he seated him on a splendid jeweled throne.
यथा बभौ शरच्चन्द्रो ज्योतिषामन्तरे च खे
He shone like the autumn moon among the stars in the sky.
स्वेच्छामयं गुणातीतं ज्योतीरूपं सनातनम् सर्वेषां दुर्लभां नीतिं नीतिशास्त्रविशारदः
He was formed of his own will, beyond qualities, of the nature of light, eternal, possessing a conduct rare for all, and an expert in the science of ethics.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Śrī Kṛṣṇa said:
आराध्यः कश्च का पूजा किं फलं पूजने भवेत्
Who is to be worshipped, what is the worship, and what is the fruit of worship?
देवे रुष्टे भवेत्किं वा पूजायाः प्रतिबन्धके 4.21.
If the deity is displeased, what obstacle arises for worship?
काचिद्ददात्यत्र फलं परत्रेह न काचन
Does any worship here yield fruit in this world or the next, or not?
अवेदविहिता पूजा सर्वहानिकरण्डिका
Worship not prescribed by the Veda is the cause of all harm.
दृष्टो देवस्त्वया कस्मिन्पूजेयं चानुसारिणी
Which deity have you seen, and to whom should this worship be directed?
साक्षाद्भुङ्क्ते च यो देवः सुप्रशस्तं तदर्चनम्
That worship is highly praised by which the deity himself directly accepts the offering.
ब्राह्मणे परितुष्टे च संतुष्टाः सर्वदेवताः
When the brāhmaṇa is satisfied, all the deities are satisfied.
पूजिता ब्राह्मणा येन पूजिताः सर्वदेवताः
By whom the brāhmaṇas are worshipped, by him all the deities are worshipped.
भस्मीभूतं च नैवेद्यं पूजनं निष्फलं भवेत्
If the offering becomes ashes, the worship becomes fruitless.
तुष्टो देवो वरं दत्त्वा प्रयाति च स्वमन्दिरम्
The satisfied deity, having granted a boon, returns to his own abode.
दत्तापहारी देवस्वं भुक्त्वा च नरकं व्रजेत्
One who steals what is given or divine property, after enjoying it, goes to hell.
प्रशस्तं सर्वदेवेषु विष्णुनैवेद्यभोजनम् 4.21.
Among all the deities, the food offered to Viṣṇu is praised.
सर्वेषां च क्रममिदं ब्राह्मणानां विशेषतः
This is the order for all, especially for the brāhmaṇas.
भुक्त्वा विप्रमुखे देवास्तुष्टाः स्वर्गं प्रयान्ति च
Having eaten before the brāhmaṇa, the gods are satisfied and go to heaven.
प्रशस्तफलदातॄणामिह लोके परत्र च
Those who give praised fruits obtain them in this world and the next.
सर्वेषां कर्मणां सारं विप्रतुष्टिश्च दक्षिणा
The essence of all actions is the satisfaction of the brāhmaṇa and the gift.
पादेषु सर्वतीर्थानि पुण्यानि पादधूलिषु
All holy places are at the feet, and all merit is in the dust of the feet.
तत्स्पर्शात्सर्वतीर्थेषु स्नानजन्यफलं लभेत्
By touching that, one obtains the fruit of bathing at all holy places.