निष्कामेन च वृद्धेन मया किं ते प्रयोजनम्
What purpose do you have with me, who is aged and free from desire?
इत्येवं वचनं श्रुत्वा चुकोपाप्सरसां वरा
Hearing these words, the best of the apsaras became angry.
रम्भोवाच तपःप्रभावात्सश्रीकः सुवेषः संमतः स्त्रियाः
Rambha said: By the power of your austerity, you are radiant, well-adorned, and esteemed by women.
त्वया विनाऽन्यं कं यामि को वास्ति त्वत्परः पुमान्
Without you, whom else would I go to? Who is there superior to you among men?
शीघ्रं मां भज विप्रेन्द्र दग्धां कामाग्निना सदा
Quickly accept me, O best of Brahmins, who am always burned by the fire of desire.
न चेच्छापं प्रदास्यामि वद वेदविदां वर
If you do not, I will utter a curse, O foremost among those who know the Vedas.
दग्धाः प्राणा मनोदग्धं स्वात्मा वा इति संततम्
Burned are my life-breaths, my mind is scorched, or even my very self, constantly.
स्वान्तर्दुःखेन दुःखार्तो यो यं शपति निश्चितम्
Afflicted by inner sorrow, one who suffers surely curses another.
द्विजो रम्भावचः श्रुत्वा बभूव ध्यानतत्परः 4.30.
Hearing Rambha's words, the Brahmin became absorbed in meditation.
त्यक्ताहारस्यान्तरं च भस्मपूर्णं ततो मुनेः 4.30.
Inside the body of the sage who had abandoned food, there was only ash.
निष्कलः पुंश्चली शापाद्ब्रह्माऽपूज्यो यथा पुरा सुखदं पुण्यदं गूढं किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि
Because of the curse, Brahma became unworthy of worship, just as before, being without parts and a seductress. It is blissful, meritorious, and hidden—do you wish to hear more?
किमाश्चर्यं श्रुतं नाथ चरितं सुमनोहरम्
What wondrous tale has been heard, O Lord, so charming in its conduct?
यो विधाता त्रिजगतां तपसां फलदायकः
He who is the creator of the three worlds, the giver of the fruits of austerity—
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच तपस्वी वैष्णवः श्रेष्ठो ज्ञानी परमधार्मिकः
Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: The ascetic who is a Vaiṣṇava is the best, wise, and supremely righteous.
स च पूर्वं तपः कुर्वन्नाजगाम मम प्रिये
And he, having previously performed austerities, came to me, O beloved.
तपश्चकार राजेन्द्रो वर्षाणां च सहस्रकम्
The king undertook austerities for a thousand years.
वल्मीकाच्छादितं देहं दृष्ट्वा धाता कृपानिधिः
Seeing his body covered by an anthill, the Creator, full of compassion,
कमण्डलुजलेनैव मम देहोद्भवेन च
With water from his water-pot and with that which arose from my own body,
कमण्डलुजलस्पर्शादुत्थाय नृपतिः स्वयम्
Touched by the water from the water-pot, the king himself arose.
स तं नमन्तं राजानमुवाच कमलोद्भवः
The lotus-born addressed the king, who was bowing to him.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा वरं वव्रे परात्परम् 4.31.
Hearing those words, he chose the supreme boon.
कृपया च वरं ब्रह्मा दत्तवानभिवाञ्छितम्
And Brahma, out of compassion, granted the desired boon.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे राजा ददर्श रथमुत्तमम्
Meanwhile, the king saw an excellent chariot.
तेजसाऽऽच्छादितं सर्वं सुप्रदीप्तं दिशो दश
All directions were covered by its brilliance, shining intensely.
अमूल्यरत्नरचितं विचित्रकलशोज्ज्वलम्
It was fashioned from priceless jewels, adorned with wondrous, radiant pitchers.
सद्रत्नदर्पणैर्दीप्तैरतीव सुमनोहरम्
With gleaming mirrors of precious gems, it was exceedingly enchanting.
पारिजातप्रसूनानां मालाजालैः सुशोभितम्
It was beautifully decorated with garlands of pārijāta flowers.
वेष्टितं पार्षदैर्दिव्यै रत्नभूषणभूषितैः
Surrounded by divine attendants adorned with jeweled ornaments,
पीतवस्त्रपरीधानैश्चन्दनागुरुचर्चितैः
Clad in yellow garments, anointed with sandalwood and agarwood,
सहसा तस्य शिरसि पुष्पवृष्टिर्बभूव ह
Suddenly, a shower of flowers fell upon his head.