गुरुमभ्यर्च्य विधिवद्वस्त्रालङ्कार चन्दनैः
Having duly worshipped the guru with garments, ornaments, and sandalwood paste,
पञ्चलक्षजपेनैव सिद्धं तु कवचं भवेत्
By reciting five hundred thousand times, the protective charm becomes perfected.
महावाग्मी कवीन्द्रश्च त्रैलोक्यविजयी भवेत् 2.4.
He becomes a great orator, foremost among poets, and victorious over the three worlds.
इदं ते काण्वशाखोक्तं कथितं कवचं मुने
O sage, this protective charm as taught in the Kāṇva branch has been explained to you.
नारायण उवाच गङ्गाशापेन कलया कलहाद्भारते सरित्
Nārāyaṇa said: By the curse of Gaṅgā, through a portion of herself, the river of Bhārata arose from conflict.
पुण्यदा पुण्यजननी पुण्यतीर्थस्वरूपिणी
She is the giver of merit, the mother of virtue, and the embodiment of holy pilgrimage sites.
तपस्विनां तपोरूपा तपस्याकाररूपिणी
For ascetics, she is the form of austerity, taking the shape of penance itself.
ज्ञाने सरस्वतीतोये गतं यैर्मानवैर्भुवि
In the waters of Sarasvatī, the knowledge attained by those humans on earth,
भारते कृतपापश्च स्नात्वा तत्रैव लीलया
In Bhārata, one who has committed sin, by bathing there in play,
चतुर्दश्यां पौर्णमास्यामक्षयायां दिनक्षये
On the fourteenth day, on the imperishable full moon, at the end of the day,
अनुषङ्गेण यः स्नाति हेलया श्रद्धयाऽपि वा
Whoever bathes there, whether carelessly or with faith,
सरस्वतीमन्त्रकं च मासमेकं तु यो जपेत्
And whoever recites the Sarasvatī mantra for one month,
नित्यं सरस्वतीतोये यः स्नात्वा मुण्डयेन्नरः
Whoever daily, after bathing in the waters of Sarasvatī, shaves his head,
इत्येवं कथितं किंचिद्भारतीगुणकीर्त्तनम् 2.6.
Thus, a little has been told about the virtues of Bhārata.
सौतिरुवाच पुनः पप्रच्छ सन्देहच्छेदं शौनक सत्वरम्
Sauti said: Again, Śaunaka quickly asked to dispel his doubt.
नारद उवाच कलया कलहेनैव समभूत्पुण्यदा सरित्
Nārada said: By a portion of herself and through conflict, the meritorious river arose.
श्रवणे श्रुतिसाराणां वर्द्धते कौतुकं मम
As I hear the essence of these teachings, my curiosity increases.
कथं शशाप सा गङ्गा पूजितां तां सरस्वतीम्
How did Gaṅgā, though worshipped, curse Sarasvatī?
तेजस्विन्योर्द्वयोर्वादकारणं श्रुतिसुन्दरम्
The cause of the debate between these two radiant ones was most pleasing to hear.
नारायण उवाच यस्याः स्मरणमात्रेण सर्वपापात्प्रमुच्यते
Nārāyaṇa said: By merely remembering her, one is freed from all sins.
लक्ष्मीस्सरस्वती गङ्गा तिस्रो भार्य्या हरेरपि
Lakṣmī, Sarasvatī, and Gaṅgā—these three are also the wives of Hari.
चकार सैकदा गङ्गा विष्णोर्मुखनिरीक्षणम्
Once, Gaṅgā gazed intently at the face of Viṣṇu.
विभुर्जहास तद्वक्त्रं निरीक्ष्य च मुदा क्षणम्
The Lord beheld her face and, delighted, smiled for a moment.
बोधयामास तां पद्मा सत्त्वरूपा च सस्मिता 2.6.
Then Padmā, embodying goodness, with a gentle smile, instructed her.
उवाच गङ्गां भर्त्तारं रक्तास्या रक्तलोचना
With reddened lips and eyes, Gaṅgā addressed her husband.
सरस्वत्युवाच धर्मिष्ठस्य वरिष्ठस्य विपरीता खलस्य च
Sarasvatī said: Of the righteous, the eminent, and the wicked who are contrary,
ज्ञातं सौभाग्यमधिकं गंगायां ते गदाधर
O Gadādhara, I have understood that Gaṅgā possesses greater good fortune than you.
गंगायाः पद्मया सार्द्धं प्रीतिश्चापि सुसम्मता
The affection between Gaṅgā and Padmā is also highly esteemed.
किं जीवनेन मेऽत्रैव दुर्भगायाश्च साम्प्रतम्
What use is life to me now, who am so unfortunate?
त्वां सर्वेशं सत्त्वरूपं ये वदन्ति मनीषिणः
The wise declare you, Lord of all, to be the embodiment of goodness.