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.
भगीरथस्तस्य पुत्रो महाभागवतः सुधीः
His son was Bhagīratha, a great devotee and wise.
तपः कृत्वा लक्षवर्षं गङ्गानयनकारणात्
He performed austerities for a hundred thousand years to bring Gaṅgā.
द्विभुजं मुरलीहस्तं किशोरं गोपवेषकम्
He saw a two-armed youth, holding a flute, dressed as a cowherd.
स्वेच्छामयं परं ब्रह्म परिपूर्णतमं विभुम्
He was the supreme Brahman, self-willed, all-pervading, and utterly complete.
निर्लिप्तं साक्षिरूपं च निर्गुणं प्रकृतेः परम्
Unattached, of the nature of the witness, without qualities, beyond Prakriti.
वह्निशुद्धां शुकाधानं रत्नभूषणभूषितम् 2.10.
Pure as fire, the receptacle of semen, adorned with jeweled ornaments.
लीलया च वरं प्राप्य वाञ्छितं वंशतारकम्
By play, having obtained the desired boon, the savior of the lineage.
तं प्रणम्य प्रतस्थौ च तत्पुरः संपुटाञ्जलिः कुर्वतीं स्तवनं दिव्यं पुलकाञ्चितविग्रहाम्
Having bowed to him, she proceeded, with hands joined before him, offering divine praise, her body thrilled with joy.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Śrī Krishna said:
सगरस्य सुतान्सर्वान्पूतान्कुरु ममाज्ञया
By my command, purify all the sons of Sagara.