इत्येवं कथितं ब्रह्मन्गंगापद्यैकविंशतिम्
Thus has been told, O Brahmā, the twenty-one verses about the Ganges.
नित्यं यो हि पठेद्भक्त्या संपूज्य च सुरेश्वरीम्
Whoever recites them daily with devotion, worshipping the Queen of the gods,
अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रं भार्याहीनो लभेत्प्रियाम्
A childless man gains a son, one without a wife obtains a beloved spouse,
अस्पष्टकीर्तिः सुयशा मूर्खो भवति पण्डितः
One of unclear fame attains good reputation, and a fool becomes wise.
शुभं भवेत्तु दुःस्वप्नं गङ्गास्नानफलं लभेत्
He attains auspiciousness, bad dreams are dispelled, and he gains the merit of bathing in the Ganges.
नारायण उवाच जगाम तां गृहीत्वा च यत्र नष्टश्च सागराः ।। 2.10.
Nārāyaṇa said: He took her and went to the place where the oceans had vanished.
वैकुण्ठं ते ययुस्तूर्णं गङ्गायाः स्पर्शवायुना
By the touch of the wind from the Ganges, they quickly reached Vaikuṇṭha.
इत्येवं कथितं सर्वं गङ्गोपाख्यानमुत्तमम्
Thus, the entire excellent story of the Ganges has been told.
नारद उवाच द्रवतां च गतायां च राधायां किं बभूव ह
Nārada said: When Rādhā melted away, what then happened?
तत्रस्थाश्च जना ये ये ते च किं चक्रुरुद्यमम्
And what did the people present there do in their efforts?
नारायण उवाच कृष्णः संपूज्य तां राधामवसद्रासमण्डले
Nārāyaṇa said: Kṛṣṇa, having worshipped Rādhā, remained in the circle of the rāsa dance.
कृष्णेन पूजितां तां तु संपूज्यादृतमानसाः
Those whose minds were filled with reverence worshipped her, whom Kṛṣṇa had honored.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे कृष्ण संगीतं च सरस्वती
Meanwhile, O Kṛṣṇa, Sarasvatī sang.
तुष्टो ब्रह्मा ददौ तस्यै महारत्नाढ्यमालिकाम्
Pleased, Brahmā gave her a garland adorned with great jewels.
कृष्णः कौस्तुभरत्नं च सर्व रत्नात्परं वरम्
Kṛṣṇa gave the Kaustubha gem, the supreme among all jewels, as a boon.
नारायणश्च भगवन्वनमालां मनोहराम् 2.10.
And the blessed Nārāyaṇa gave a delightful forest garland.
विष्णुमाया भगवती मूलप्रकृतिरीश्वरी
Viṣṇumāyā, the blessed one, the primal nature, the sovereign lady,
धर्मबुद्धिं च धर्मस्तु यशश्च विपुलं भवे
Dharma gave her righteous intellect and abundant fame.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे शम्भुर्ब्रह्मणा प्रेरितो मुहुः
Meanwhile, Śambhu, prompted repeatedly by Brahmā,
मूर्च्छां प्रापुः सुराः सर्वे चित्रपुत्तलिका यथा
All the gods fell unconscious, like painted dolls.
स्थलं सर्वं जलाकीर्णं हीनराधाहरिं तथा
The whole place was flooded with water, and bereft of Rādhā and Hari.
ध्यानेन धाता बुबुधे सर्वमेतदभीप्सितम्
By meditation, the Creator understood all that was desired.
ततो ब्रह्मादयः सर्वे तुष्टुवुः परमेश्वरम्
Then all the foremost Brahmās praised the Supreme Lord.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र वाग्बभूवाशरीरिणी
At that moment, there arose there a bodiless voice.
सर्वात्माऽहमियं शक्तिर्भक्तानुग्रहविग्रहा
I am the Self of all, I am that Power, the embodiment of grace to devotees.
मनवो मानवाः सर्वे मुनयश्चैव वैष्णवाः 2.10.
All Manus, all men, and the sages who are Vaiṣṇavas,
मूर्तिं द्रष्टुं च सुव्यग्रा यूयं यदि सुरेश्वराः
If you, O lords of the gods, are eager to see the form,
स्वयं विधाता त्वं ब्रह्मन्नाज्ञां कुरु जगद्गुरो
Then you yourself, O Brahmā, creator and teacher of the world, give the command.
अपूर्वमन्त्रनिकरैः सर्वाभीष्टफलप्रदैः
With unprecedented collections of mantras that grant all desired fruits.
मन्मन्त्रं कवचं स्तोत्रं कृत्वा यत्नेन गोपय
Having composed the mantra, the protective charm, and the hymn, guard them diligently.