यत्कर्म दक्षिणाहीनं कुरुते मूढधीः शठः
Whatever act is performed without offering the prescribed gift, by the foolish and deceitful.
मन्त्रविद्योपजीवी च ग्रामयाजी चिकित्सकः
One who lives by mantra or knowledge, the village priest, or the physician.
विवाहं धर्मकार्यं वा यो निहन्ति च कोपतः
Whoever destroys a marriage or a righteous act out of anger—
इत्युक्त्वा सा महालक्ष्मीरन्तर्द्धानं जगाम ह
Having spoken thus, Mahalakshmi vanished from sight.
तां प्रणम्य सुराः सर्वे मुनयश्च मुदाऽन्विताः
All the gods and sages, filled with joy, bowed to her.
नेदुर्दुन्दुभयः स्वर्गे बभूवुः पुष्पवृष्टयः
In heaven, drums resounded and showers of flowers fell.
इत्येवं कथितं वत्स लक्ष्मीचरितमुत्तमम्
Thus, O child, the excellent story of Lakshmi has been told.
नारद उवाच सर्वं श्रुतं त्वत्प्रसादाद्गणेशचरितं शुभम्
Narada said: By your grace, I have heard the auspicious story of Ganesha.
दन्तद्वययुतं वक्त्रं गजराजस्य बालके
O child of the king of elephants, with a face bearing two tusks—
कुतो गतोऽस्य दन्तोऽन्यस्तद्भवान्वक्तुमर्हति
Where did his other tusk go? You are worthy to tell this.
सूत उवाच एकदन्तस्य चरितं प्रवक्तुमुपचक्रमे
The Suta said: He began to narrate the story of Ekadanta.
नारायण उवाच एकदन्तस्य चरितं सर्वमंगलमंगलम्
Narayana said: The story of Ekadanta is the most auspicious of all.
एकदा कार्त्तवीर्य्यश्च जगाम मृगयां मुने
Once, O sage, Kartavirya went hunting.
निशामुखे दिनेऽतीते तत्र तस्थौ वने नृपः
When night had passed, the king stayed in the forest.
प्रातः सरोवरे राजा स्नातः शुचिरलंकृतः
In the morning, the king bathed in the lake, pure and well-adorned.
मुनिर्ददर्श राजानं शुष्ककण्ठौष्ठतालुकम्
The sage saw the king, his throat, lips, and palate parched.
ननाम सम्भमाद्राजा मुनिं सूर्य्यसमप्रभम्
With respect, the king bowed to the sage, radiant as the sun.
वृत्तान्तं कथयामास राजा चानशनादिकम्
The king told the sage the story, including his hunger and fasting.
विज्ञाप्य तं मुनिश्रेष्ठः प्रययौ स्वालयं मुदा
Having informed him, the best of sages joyfully returned to his own abode.
उवाच सा मुनिं भीतं भयं किं ते मम स्थितौ
She said to the frightened sage, 'Why do you fear while I am present?'
राजभोजनयोग्यार्हं यद्यद्द्रव्यं प्रयाचसे
Whatever goods you offer that are suitable for a royal feast,
सौवर्णानि च रौप्याणि पात्राणि विविधानि च
Gold and silver vessels, and various kinds of containers,
पात्राणि स्वादुपूर्णानि प्रददौ मुनये च सा
She gave vessels filled with sweet foods to the sage,
पनसाम्रश्रीफलानि नारिकेलादिकानि च
Jackfruit, mangoes, bilva fruits, coconuts, and others,
यवगोधूमचूर्णानां भक्ष्याणि विविधानि च
Various delicacies made from barley and wheat flour,
दुग्धानां च घृतानां च नदीर्दध्नां ददौ मुदा
With joy she gave rivers of milk, ghee, and curds,
पृथुकानां सुशालीनां पर्वतान्प्रददौ मुदा
With delight she gave mountains of fine, well-cooked rice flakes,
नृपयोग्यं कौतुकाच्च सुन्दरं वस्त्रभूषणम्
Out of joy, she gave beautiful garments and ornaments fit for a king,
भोजयामास राजानं ससैन्यमपि लीलया जगाम विस्मयं राजा दृष्ट्वा पात्राण्युवाच ह
She playfully fed the king along with his army; the king was amazed upon seeing the vessels and spoke,
राजोवाच ममासाध्यानि सहसा क्वागतान्यवलोकय
The king said: 'Behold, things unattainable for me have suddenly appeared—where did they come from?'