ध्यायतेऽहर्निशं धर्मी स्वन्ते ज्ञाने हरिं मुदा
Day and night, the righteous one joyfully meditated upon Hari within his own heart.
एकादशी व्रतरतः कृष्णपूजासु तत्परः 4.25.
He was devoted to the vow of Ekadashi and absorbed in the worship of Krishna.
सुतीक्ष्णं षोडशारं च हरेश्चक्रं सुदर्शनम्
He worshipped the Sudarshana discus of Hari, sharp and sixteen-spoked.
ब्रह्मादिभिः स्तूयमानं पूजितं च सुरासुरैः
Praised by Brahma and others, honored by gods and demons alike.
एकादशीव्रतं कृत्वा द्वादशीदिवसे सति
Having observed the Ekadashi vow, on the day of Dvadashi,
दत्त्वा दानं ब्राह्मणेभ्यः सुवर्णरजतादिकम्
He gave gifts to Brahmins, such as gold, silver, and other items.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे विप्रस्तपस्वी क्षुधितो मुने
Meanwhile, a Brahmin ascetic, hungry, O sage,
जटिलोऽतिकृशस्त्रस्तः शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुकः
With matted hair, extremely thin, fearful, his throat, lips, and palate dry,
स च दृष्ट्वा मुनीन्द्रं तमुत्थाय च प्रणम्य च
Seeing that chief sage, he rose and bowed respectfully.
तस्मै दत्त्वा ऽऽशिषं विप्रः समुवास सुखासने
Having given him food, the Brahmin seated him comfortably.
नृपेन्द्रवचनं श्रुत्वा तमुवाच महामुनिः
Hearing the king's words, the great sage spoke to him.
किंत्वघमर्षणमन्त्रं तु जप्त्वाऽऽयाम्यचिरेण वै 4.25.
But, having recited the Aghamarṣaṇa mantra, I shall return very soon.
गते विप्रे तु राजर्षिश्चिन्तां प्राप दुरत्ययाम्
When the sage had departed, the royal seer fell into deep and inescapable anxiety.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र समायान्तं गुरुं मुदा
Meanwhile, his teacher arrived there, filled with joy.
नायाति मुनिशार्दूलः प्रयाति द्वादशी तिथिः शीघ्रं वद मुनिश्रेष्ठ भद्राभद्रं च मामिति
"The tiger among sages does not come; the twelfth lunar day is passing. Quickly tell me, best of sages, what is auspicious or inauspicious for me."
श्रुत्वा नृपोक्तिं त्वरितमुवाच मुनिपुंगवः
Hearing the king's words, the eminent sage spoke swiftly.
वशिष्ठ उवाच उपवासफलं हत्वा व्रतिनं हन्ति निश्चितम्
Vasiṣṭha said: "By destroying the merit of fasting, one certainly destroys the observer of the vow."
ब्रह्महत्यासमं पापं भवेत्तस्य श्रुतौ श्रुतम्
It is heard in the scriptures that such a sin is equal to the killing of a Brahmin.
न भोजयित्वा मूढश्चेदतिथिं समुपस्थितम्
If a fool does not feed a guest who has arrived,
शतवर्षं तत्र तिष्ठन्नरश्चाण्डालतां व्रजेत्
That man, remaining there for a hundred years, attains the state of a caṇḍāla.
अतोऽतिसूक्ष्मं किं ब्रूमोऽधुना परम संकटे
Therefore, in such a very difficult situation, what more subtle thing can we say now?
उपवासफलं रक्ष कृष्णस्य चरणोदकम् 4.25.
Preserve the merit of the fast with the water from Kṛṣṇa's feet.
इत्युक्त्वा ब्रह्मणः पुत्रो विरराम महामुने
Having spoken thus, the son of Brahmā, the great sage, fell silent.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे ब्रह्मन्नाजगाम मुनीश्वरः
Meanwhile, O Brahman, the lord of sages arrived.
ततः समुत्थितः शीघ्रं पुरुषोऽग्निशिखोपमः
Then, a man arose swiftly, blazing like the tip of a flame.
हरेश्चक्रं च तं दृष्ट्वा सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभम्
Seeing the discus of Hari, shining like ten million suns,
दृष्ट्वा सुदर्शनं विप्रो दुद्राव भयविह्वलः
Beholding the Sudarśana, the sage fled, overcome by fear.
ब्रह्माण्डक्रमणं कृत्वा निर्विण्णोऽति भयाकुलः
Having traversed the universe, he became despondent, utterly overwhelmed by terror.
त्राहित्राहीत्येवमुक्त्वा विवेश ब्रह्मणः सभाम्
Crying out, 'Save me! Save me!' he entered the assembly of Brahmā.
सर्वं स कथयामास वृत्तान्तं मूलतो विधिम्
He related everything, the entire account from the beginning, to the Creator.