प्रभावोऽहं च सर्वेषामीश्वरः परिपालकः 4.25.
I am the power of all, the Lord, the protector.
गोलोके वाऽथ वैकुण्ठे द्विभुजं च चतुर्भुजम्
Whether in Goloka or in Vaikuṇṭha, whether two-armed or four-armed,
यदुक्तं भक्तदत्तं च भक्षणीयं च तन्मम
Whatever is offered by a devotee, or given to a devotee, is to be accepted as mine.
अंबरीषं नृपश्रेष्ठं निरीहं तमहिंसकम्
Ambarīṣa, the best of kings, who is without desire and non-violent,
दयां कुर्वंति ये सन्तः सततं सर्वजन्तुषु
Those virtuous ones who always show compassion to all beings,
भक्तानां हिंसकं शत्रुमहं रक्षितुमक्षमः
I am unable to protect the enemy who harms my devotees.
नारायण उवाच विषण्णमानसस्तस्थौ स्मरन्कृष्णपदाम्बुजम्
Nārāyaṇa said: With a troubled mind, he stood remembering Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे ब्रह्मा भवान्या सह शंकरः
At that moment, Brahmā, along with Bhavānī and Śaṅkara,
प्रणम्य तुष्टुवुः सर्वे परमात्मानमीश्वरम्
Having bowed, all of them praised the Supreme Soul, the Lord.
ब्रह्मोवाच भक्तापराधजनकं रक्ष ब्राह्मणपुङ्गवम्
Brahmā said: Protect this foremost of Brāhmaṇas, who has erred out of devotion.
महादेव उवाच कृतापराधं दीनं च पाहीमं शरणागतम् ।। 4.25.
Mahadeva said: Protect this one, who is distressed and has committed an offense, who has come to you for refuge.
पार्वत्युवाच सर्वेषामीश्वरस्त्वं च रक्ष विप्रं कृतागसम्
Parvati said: You are the Lord of all; protect the Brahmin who has committed a transgression.
धर्म उवाच शिशुहेतोः शिशुं हन्ति पितेत्येवं कुतः प्रभो
Dharma said: For the sake of a child, one kills a child—how can this be, O Lord?
इंद्र उवाच अपराधफलं भूतमधुना पातुमर्हसि
Indra said: Now you must bear the fruit of the offense that has occurred.
रुद्र उवाच कृतकुण्ठस्य मूलस्य पालनं कर्तुमर्हसि
Rudra said: You ought to protect the root of what has been made blunt.
दिक्पाल उवाच अपराधशमं कृत्वा सदा पाति सदीश्वरः
The Guardians of the Directions said: Having forgiven the offense, the Lord always protects.
ग्रहा ऊचुः पीडां कुर्मो वयं शश्वत्पश्चात्त्वं पातुमर्हसि
The Planets said: We always inflict suffering, but afterwards, you ought to protect.
मुनय ऊचुः दण्डं विधातुमेकस्य भवेल्लज्जा स्वजातिषु
The Sages said: To punish one of one's own kind would bring shame among one's kin.
अत्रिरुवाच न कं बिभेति त्रैलोक्ये तेजस्वी तेजसा तव
Atri said: In the three worlds, none fears anyone, O radiant one, because of your brilliance.
लक्ष्मीरुवाच स्तुवन्ति देव विप्राश्च न विप्रं हन्तुमर्हसि
Lakshmi said: The gods and Brahmins praise you; you should not harm the Brahmin.
सरस्वत्युवाच भगवन्स्वामी सर्वेषां सर्वांश्च पातुमर्हसि ।। 4.25.
Sarasvati said: O Lord, master of all, you ought to protect everyone.
पार्षदा ऊचुः भवेत्सर्वापदो यान्ति पाहीमं शरणागतम्
The Attendants said: All calamities may come; protect this one who has sought refuge.
नर्तका ऊचुः भिक्षां नः सांप्रतं देहि परित्राणं द्विजस्य च
The Dancers said: Grant us alms now, and deliver the twice-born as well.
एतेषां स्तवनं श्रुत्वा प्रभुः शरणवत्सलः
Hearing their praises, the Lord, who is compassionate to those who seek refuge—
श्रीभगवानुवाच विप्ररक्षां करिष्यामि युष्माकमाज्ञया ध्रुवम्
The Blessed Lord said: I will surely protect the Brahmin, by your command.
किं त्वयं यातु वैकुण्ठादम्बरीषालयं पुनः
But now, let him go from Vaikuntha to Ambarisha's abode again.
विप्रस्तस्यातिथिर्भूत्वा निर्दोषं शप्तुमुद्यतः
That Brahmin, having become his guest, was prepared to curse him though he was faultless.
पूर्णं वर्षमयं भीतो भ्रमत्येव भुवं मुदा
For a full year, he wandered the earth in fear, yet with joy.
ततोऽहमुपवासी च भक्तोपवासकारणात्
Then I too observed a fast, for the sake of the devotees' fasting.
ममाशिषा मुनिश्रेष्ठः सद्यो भवतु विज्वरः
By my blessing, O best of sages, may you at once be free from fever.