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,
सत्यस्वरूपः सत्येष्टः सत्यवाक्सत्यभावनः
Was the embodiment of truth, devoted to truth, truthful in speech, and intent on truth.
एककन्यश्चैकपुत्रो बभूव सुमनोहरः
He had one wife and one son, both exceedingly charming.
अन्या चाराधयामास शङ्करं पुत्रकामुकी
Another wife, desiring a son, worshipped Śaṅkara.
गते शताब्दे पूर्णे च मांसपिण्डं सुषाव सा
When a hundred years had passed, she gave birth to a lump of flesh.
शम्भुर्ब्राह्मणरूपेण तत्समीपं जगाम ह
Śambhu, in the form of a brāhmaṇa, came near her.
सर्वे बभूवुः पुत्राश्च महाबलपराक्रमा 2.10.
All became sons, mighty and powerful.
कपिलर्षेः कोपदृष्ट्या बभूवुर्भस्मसाच्च ते
By the angry gaze of the sage Kapila, they were reduced to ashes.
तपश्चकारासमंजो गङ्गानयनकारणात्
Asamañja performed austerities for the sake of bringing Gaṅgā.
दिलीपस्तस्य तनयो गङ्गानयनकारणात
His son was Dilīpa, who also sought to bring Gaṅgā.
अंशुमाँस्तस्य पुत्रश्च गङ्गानयनकारणात्
His son was Aṃśumān, who likewise endeavored to bring Gaṅgā.