अधुनोक्तं देवषट्कं संपूज्य च पुरन्दरः
Now, having worshipped the six gods as told, Purandara,
अहो पुराणवक्तॄणां दुर्बोधं वचनं नृणाम्
Ah! The words of the speakers of the Puranas are difficult for men to understand.
श्रीनारायण उवाच तदा नास्त्येव तज्जन्म पूजाकाले बभूव सः
Shri Narayana said: At that time, there was no such birth; it occurred at the time of worship.
सुचिरं दुःखिता देवा बभ्रमुर्ब्रह्मशापतः
For a long time, the gods wandered in sorrow, due to Brahma's curse.
नारद उवाच रूपेण च गुणैश्चैव यशसा तेजसा त्विषा
Narada said: By form, by qualities, by fame, by brilliance, and by radiance,
त्वमेव ज्ञानिनां श्रेष्ठः सिद्धानां योगिनां तथा महालक्ष्म्या उपाख्यानं विज्ञातं महदद्भुतम्
You alone are the foremost among the wise, the accomplished, and the yogis; the tale of Mahalakshmi is known, wondrous and great.
अन्यत्किञ्चिदुपाख्यानं निगूढं वद साम्प्रतम् अप्रकाश्यं पुराणेषु वेदोक्तं धर्मसंयुतम्
Now tell some other hidden story, one not revealed in the Purāṇas, but spoken of in the Vedas and connected with dharma.
श्रीनारायण उवाच श्रुतौ कतिविधं गूढमास्ते ब्रह्मन्सुदुर्लभम्
Śrī Nārāyaṇa said: O brāhmaṇa, there exists in the Vedas a secret that is very difficult to obtain.
तेषु यत्सारभूतं च श्रोतुं किंवा त्वमिच्छसि
Among these, do you wish to hear that which is the very essence?
नारद उवाच पितृदाने स्वधा शस्ता दक्षिणा सर्वतो वरा
Nārada said: In offerings to the ancestors, svadhā is praised, and the gift (dakṣiṇā) is superior to all.
एतासां चरितं जन्म फलं प्राधान्यमेव च
Their deeds, birth, fruits, and preeminence—
सौतिरुवाच कथां कथितुमारेभे पुराणोक्तां पुरातनीम्
The sūta said: He began to narrate an ancient tale as told in the Purāṇas.
श्रीनारायण उवाच ब्रह्मलोके ब्रह्मसभामगम्यां सुमनोहराम्
Śrī Nārāyaṇa said: In Brahmaloka, in Brahmā’s assembly, which was exceedingly delightful—
गत्वा निवेदनं चक्रुर्मुने त्वाहारहेतुकम् 2.40.
They went and made a request to you, O sage, for the sake of food.
यज्ञरूपो हि भगवान्कलया च बभूव सः
The Lord, in the form of sacrifice, appeared there by a portion of himself.
हविर्ददति विप्राश्च भक्त्या च क्षत्रियादयः
Brāhmaṇas offered oblations, and the kṣatriyas and others did so with devotion.
देवा विषण्णास्ते सर्वे तत्सभां च पुनर्ययुः
All the gods, being dejected, returned again to that assembly.
ब्रह्मा श्रुत्वा तु मनसा श्रीकृष्णं शरणं ययौ
Hearing this, Brahmā mentally took refuge in Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
प्रकृतिः कलया चैव सर्वशक्तिस्वरूपिणी
Prakṛti, by her portion, is the embodiment of all powers.
ग्रीष्ममध्याह्नमार्त्तण्ड प्रभान्यक्कारकारिणी
She causes the radiance of the midday summer sun to be subdued.
ईषद्धास्यप्रसन्नास्या भक्तानुग्रहकारिणी
With a slight smile and a gracious face, she bestows favor upon devotees.
विधिस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सम्भ्रमात्समुवाच ताम्
Hearing those words, the Creator, with agitation, addressed her.
ब्रह्मोवाच दग्धुं न शक्तस्स्वहुतं हुताशश्च त्वया विना
Brahmā said: Without you, O Fire, even the oblation offered cannot be burned.
त्वन्नामोच्चार्य्य मन्त्रान्ते यद्दास्यति हविर्नरः 2.40.
When a man utters your name at the end of the mantra and offers the oblation—
अग्नेः सम्पत्स्वरूपा च श्रीरूपा च गृहेश्वरी
From Agni came the form of prosperity, and the goddess of beauty, the mistress of the household.
ब्रह्मणश्च वचः श्रुत्वा सा विषण्णा बभूव ह
Hearing the words of Brahma, she became dejected.
स्वाहोवाच ब्रह्मंस्तदन्यद्यत्किंचित्स्वप्नवद्भ्रम एव च
She spoke: 'O Brahma, all else is merely illusion, like a dream.'
विधाता जगतां त्वं च शम्भुर्मृत्युञ्जयः प्रभुः
You are the creator of the worlds, and Shambhu, the lord who conquers death.
सर्वाद्यपूज्यो देवानां गणेषु च गणेश्वरः
You are the foremost, worshipped by all the gods, and among their hosts, the lord of the hosts.
ऋषयो मुनयश्चैव पूजिता यं निषेव्य च
The sages and ascetics worship and serve you.