विश्वासघाती मित्रघ्नो मिथ्यासाक्ष्यप्रदायकः
A betrayer of trust, a killer of friends, a giver of false testimony,
ऋणग्रस्तो वार्द्धुषिको जारजः पुंश्चलीपतिः
One afflicted by debt, a usurer, an adulterer, the husband of a promiscuous woman,
शूद्राणां सूपकारश्च देवलो ग्रामयाजकः 2.6.
A cook for Shudras, Devala, and a village priest for Shudras,
अश्वत्थघातकश्चैव मद्भक्तानां च निन्दकः
One who destroys the sacred fig tree and one who reviles my devotees,
मातरं पितरं भार्य्यां भ्रातरं तनयं सुताम्
One who does not support his mother, father, wife, brother, son, or daughter,
श्वश्रूं च श्वशुरं चैव यो न पुष्णाति नारद
And one who does not support his mother-in-law and father-in-law, O Narada,
देवद्रव्यापहारी च विप्रद्रव्यापहारकः
One who steals the property of the gods and one who steals the property of Brahmins,
महापातकिनश्चैते शूद्राणां शवदाहकाः
These are great sinners, and among Shudras, those who burn corpses.
लक्ष्मीरुवाच येषां सन्दर्शनस्पर्शात्सद्यः पूता नराधमाः
Lakshmi said: By the sight and touch of whom, even the most fallen among men are instantly purified,
हरिभक्तिविहीनाश्च महाहङ्कारसंयुताः
who are devoid of devotion to Hari and filled with great pride,
पुनन्ति सर्वतीर्थानि येषां स्नानावगाहनात्
all the sacred places are purified by their bathing and immersion,
येषां सन्दर्शनं स्पर्शं देवा वाञ्छन्ति भारते
whose sight and touch even the gods desire in Bharata,
न ह्यम्मयानि तीर्थानि न देवा मृच्छिलामयाः 2.6.
for the holy places are not mine, nor are the gods made of clay or stone.
सौतिरुवाच निगूढतत्त्वं कथितुमृषिश्रेष्ठोपचक्रमे
Sauti said: The foremost sage began to speak the hidden truth.
श्रीनारायण उवाच पुण्यस्वरूपं पापघ्नं सुखदं भुक्तिमुक्तिदम्
Sri Narayana said: It is the embodiment of merit, destroyer of sin, giver of happiness, bestower of enjoyment and liberation,
सारभूतं गोपनीयं न वक्तव्यं खलेषु च
it is the essence, to be kept secret, and not to be spoken among the wicked.
गुरुवक्त्राद्विष्णुमन्त्रो यस्य कर्णे विशेद्वरः
When the Vishnu mantra, from the mouth of the guru, enters the ear of a worthy person,
पुरुषाणां शतं पूर्वं पूतं तज्जन्ममात्रतः
a hundred previous births of men are purified merely by that birth.
यैः कैश्चिद्यत्र वा जन्म लब्धं येषु च जंतुषु
By whomsoever, wherever birth is obtained, and among whatever beings,
मद्भक्तियुक्तो मत्पूजानियुक्तो मद्गुणान्वितः
one who is endowed with devotion to me, engaged in my worship, and possessed of my virtues,
मद्गुणश्रुतिमात्रेण सानन्दः पुलकान्वितः
who, merely by hearing my virtues, becomes joyful and filled with ecstasy,
न वाञ्छन्ति सुखं मुक्तिं सालोक्यादि चतुष्टयम्
does not desire happiness, liberation, or any of the four types of proximity to me,
इन्द्रत्वं च मनुत्वं च देवत्वं च सुदुर्लभम् 2.6.
nor the status of Indra, Manu, or the gods, which are extremely rare.
ब्रह्माण्डानि विनश्यन्ति देवा ब्रह्मादयस्तथा
Universes perish, and so do the gods, including Brahma and others.
भ्रमन्ति भारते भक्ता लब्ध्वा जन्म सुदुर्लभम्
Devotees wander in Bharata, having obtained a birth that is extremely rare.
इत्येतत्कथितं सर्वं कुरु पद्मे यथोचितम्
Thus, all this has been spoken; do as is appropriate in the Padma.
नारद उवाच गङ्गोपाख्यानमधुना वद वेदविदां वर
Nārada said: Now, O best of those who know the Vedas, tell the story of Gaṅgā.
भारतं भारतीशा पादाजगाम सुरेश्वरी
The goddess of the gods, Gaṅgā, came to Bhārata at the feet of the lord of Bhārata.
कथं कुत्र युगे केन प्रार्थिता प्रेरिता पुरा
How, where, in which age, by whom, and for what reason was she formerly invoked and brought?
राजराजेश्वरः श्रीमन्सगरः सृर्य्यवंशजः
The illustrious Sagara, lord of kings, descended from the solar dynasty,