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.
सरस्वतीवचः श्रुत्वा दृष्ट्वा तां कोपसंयुताम्
Hearing Sarasvatī's words and seeing her filled with anger,
गते नारायणे गंगामवोचन्निर्भयं रुषा
When Nārāyaṇa departed, she fearlessly addressed Gaṅgā in wrath.
हे निर्लज्जे सकामे त्वं स्वामिगर्वं करोषि किम्
O shameless one, full of desire, why do you display pride before your master?
मानहानिं करिष्यामि तवाद्य हरिसन्निधौ 2.6.
Today, in the presence of Hari, I will bring you dishonor.
इत्येवमुक्त्वा गंगाया जिघृक्षुं केशमुद्यताम्
Having spoken thus, she reached to seize Gaṅgā's hair.
शशाप वाणी तां पद्मां महाकोपवती सती
Then Vāṇī, filled with great anger, cursed Padmā.
विपरीतं यतो दृष्ट्वा किंचिन्नो वक्तुमर्हसि
Since you have seen something contrary, you should not speak anything further.
शापं श्रुत्वा च सा देवी न शशाप चुकोप न
Hearing the curse, that goddess neither cursed nor became angry.
अत्युद्धतां च तां दृष्ट्वा कोपप्रस्फुरितानना
Seeing her excessively agitated, her face trembling with anger,
गंगोवाच वाग्दुष्टा वागधिष्ठात्री देवीयं कलहप्रिया
Ganga said: This goddess, the mistress of speech, is harsh in words and fond of quarrel.