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.
ऋषयो मुनयः सिद्धाः प्रकुर्वन्तो मुदाऽऽशिषम् 4.31.
Sages, ascetics, and perfected beings joyfully bestowed blessings.
राजा च पार्षदान्ध्यात्वा तद्रूपश्च बभूव ह
And the king, having contemplated the attendants, assumed their form.
मदीयः पार्षदो भूत्वा स च तस्थौ ममान्तिके
He became my attendant and stood near me.
पुष्पोद्याने च रम्ये च पुष्पचन्दनवायुना
In the delightful flower garden, with breezes scented by flowers and sandalwood,
विलोक्य वक्रनयना जुगोप सस्मितं मुखम्
Seeing her with curved eyes, she protected her smiling face.
चारुचम्पकवर्णाभा सततं स्थिरयौवना
With the radiance of beautiful campaka flowers, always steadfast in youth,
शरत्पार्वणशुभ्रांशुप्रभामुष्टकरानना
Her face shone with the brilliance of the pure rays of the autumn moon.
त्रैलोक्यं मोहितुं शक्ता कटाक्षैरेव लीलया
She was able to enchant the three worlds effortlessly with just her glances.
पुलकाञ्चितसर्वाङ्गी मूर्च्छां संप्राप वर्त्मनि
Her whole body was thrilled, and she fell into a swoon on the path.
स विकारं न हि प्राप ह्यात्मारामो जितेंद्रियः
He did not undergo any change, being self-content and master of his senses.