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.
यथाऽमृतं भक्षणानां दाहकानां यथाऽनलः
As nectar is among foods, and as fire is among things that burn.
प्रजेशानां यथा ब्रह्मा सरितां सागरो यथा
As Brahma is among the lords of creatures, and as the ocean is among rivers.
वृक्षाणां च यथाऽश्वत्थः पुष्पाणां तुलसी यथा
As the ashvattha is among trees, and as tulasi is among flowers.
आदित्यानां यथा सूर्यो रुद्राणां शंकरो यथा
As the sun is among the Adityas, and as Shankara is among the Rudras.
देवर्षीणां यथा त्वं च ब्रह्मर्षीणां यथा भृगुः
As you are among the divine sages, and as Bhrigu is among the Brahmarshis.
यथा सनत्कुमारश्च योगिनां ज्ञानिनां वरः
As Sanatkumara is the foremost among yogis and knowers.
यथा हिमाद्रिः शैलानां मणीनां कौस्तुभो यथा
As the Himalaya is among mountains, and as Kaustubha is among jewels.
गन्धर्वाणां चित्ररथो यथा श्रेष्ठश्च नारद
As Citraratha is among the Gandharvas, and as Narada is the best.
यथा श्रेष्ठा च नारीणां शतरूपा वरा परा 4.26.
As Shatarupa is the best and most excellent among women.
सुन्दरीणां यथा रम्भा यथा माया च मायिनाम्
As Rambha is among beautiful women, and as Maya is among magicians.