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.
अहमेवाद्य निश्चिन्तः सुखं भोक्ष्यामि निश्चितम् 4.25.
Today, I am truly carefree and will certainly eat happily.
लक्ष्मीदत्तं च यद्द्रव्यं न चाहं भोक्तुमीश्वरः
As for the wealth given by Lakshmi, I am not entitled to enjoy it.
हे मुनीन्द्र महाप्राज्ञ गच्छ वत्स नृपालयम्
O chief of sages, greatly wise one, go now, child, to the king's palace.
इत्युक्त्वा श्रीहरिस्तूर्णं ययौ स्वान्तःपुरं मुदा
Having spoken thus, Shri Hari quickly entered his inner chambers with joy.
ब्राह्मणश्च मनोयायी जगाम नृपमन्दिरम्
And the brahmin, following his intention, went to the king's palace.
उपोष्य वत्सरं राजा शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुकः
Having fasted for a year, the king's throat, lips, and palate were parched.
उत्थाय संभ्रमात्सद्यः प्रणम्य सादरं मुदा
Rising up in haste, he immediately bowed with respect and joy.
भुक्त्वा तुष्टो द्विजश्रेष्ठो युयुजे परमाशिषम्
Having eaten, the best of brahmins, being satisfied, bestowed the highest blessing.
उवाच पथि विप्रेन्द्रो मनसा विस्मयाकुलः
On the way, the foremost brahmin, his mind filled with wonder, spoke.
नारद उवाच पराभवो मुनेश्चैव नृपत्राणं हरेरहो
Narada said: O, what a defeat for the sage, and what a deliverance for the king by Hari!
अधुना श्रोतुमिच्छामि सर्वेषामीप्सितं च मे
Now I wish to hear what is most desired by all, and by me.
अहो श्रुतौ श्रुतं किंचिन्मतभेदान्न निश्चितम्
Indeed, though something has been heard in the scriptures, because of differing opinions, it is not certain.
नारायण उवाच श्रीकृष्णप्रीतिजनकं तपः श्रेष्ठं तपस्विनाम्
Narayana said: The austerity that brings about the love of Shri Krishna is the highest among ascetics.
देवानां च यथा कृष्णो देवीनां प्रकृतिर्यथा
Just as Krishna is for the gods, so is the Goddess the very nature of the goddesses.
यथा गणेशः पूज्यानां यथा वाणी विपश्चिताम्
As Ganesha is among those who are worshipped, and Sarasvati among the wise,
तैजसानां यथा स्वर्णं प्राणिनां वैष्णवो यथा
As gold is among things made of fire, so is the devotee of Vishnu among living beings.
प्रमथानां यथा रुद्रः श्रेयसां च यथा मतिः
As Rudra is among the Pramathas, and as intelligence is among the excellent.
गुरुस्त्रीणां यथा माता बन्धूनां च यथा पतिः
As the mother is for women, and as the husband is for relatives.
सुशीलं चैव मित्राणां शत्रूणां रुग्यथा मुने 4.26.
As a virtuous friend is among companions, and as disease is among enemies, O sage.
यथा खलो हिंसकानां दुष्टानां चैव पुंश्चली
As the wicked are among the cruel, and as a wanton woman is among the corrupt.