नृपाज्ञया च सचिवः सर्वं दृष्ट्वा मुनेर्गृहे
By the king’s command, the minister, after seeing everything in the sage’s house,
सचिव उवाच वह्निकुण्डं यज्ञकाष्ठकुशपुष्पफलान्वितम्
The minister said: 'A fire altar, with sacrificial wood, kusa grass, flowers, and fruits,'
कृष्णचर्मस्रुवस्रुग्भिः शिष्यसंघैश्च संकुलम्
Crowded with disciples, with black antelope skins and ladles,
वृक्षचर्मपरीधाना दृष्टाः सर्वे जटाधराः
All were seen wearing tree-bark garments, with matted hair,
चार्वंगी रुद्रवर्णाभा रक्तपङ्कजलोचना
A woman of beautiful form, with the complexion of Rudra, and eyes like red lotuses,
सर्वसम्पद्गुणाधारा साक्षादिव हरिप्रिया
The abode of all virtues and wealth, as if she were Hari’s beloved in person,
मुनिं ययाचे तां धेनुं निबद्धः कालपाशतः
Bound by the noose of time, he asked the sage for that cow,
पुण्यवान्बुद्धिमान्दैवाद्राजेन्द्रो ऽयाचत द्विजम्
Blessed and wise by destiny, the king asked the twice-born sage.
पापात्प्रजायते कर्म पापरूपं भयावहम्
From sin is born action of sinful nature, bringing fear.
पापाद्भुक्त्वा च नरकं कुत्सितं जन्म जीविनाम्
From sin, after experiencing hell, a wretched birth is obtained by living beings.
तेन कुर्वन्ति सन्तश्च सन्ततं कर्मणः क्षयम्
Therefore, the virtuous constantly strive to bring about the cessation of karma.
सा माता स पिता पुत्रस्तत्क्षयं कारयेत्तु यः
She is the mother, he the father, and the son is the one who brings about its end.
भक्तवैद्यस्तं निहन्ति कृष्णभक्तिरसायनात्
The devoted physician destroys it with the elixir of devotion to Krishna.
परितुष्टा जगद्धात्री भक्तेभ्यो बुद्धिदायिनी
The nourisher of the world, being pleased, bestows wisdom upon the devotees.
मायां तस्मै मोहयितुं न विवेकं कदाचन
She never sends delusion to him, nor does she ever take away discernment.
राजोवाच मह्यं भक्ताय भक्तेश भक्तानुग्रहकारक
The king said: O Lord of devotees, bestower of grace upon devotees, to me, your devotee—
युष्मद्विधानां दातॄणामदेयं नास्ति भारते
For givers like you, there is nothing unattainable in Bharatavarsha.
भ्रूभंगलीलामात्रेण तपोराशे तपोधन
With just a playful movement of your brow, O treasury of austerity, O wealthy in penance—
मुनिरुवाच दानं दास्यामि विप्रोऽहं क्षत्रियाय कथं नृप
The sage said: How can I, a Brahmin, give a gift to a Kshatriya, O king?
कृष्णेन दत्ता गोलोके ब्रह्मणे परमात्मना
Given by Krishna in Goloka to Brahma, the Supreme Self—
ब्रह्मणा भृगवे दत्ता प्रियपुत्राय भूमिप
Given by Brahma to Bhrigu, his beloved son, O king—
गोलोकजा कामधेनुर्दुर्लभा भुवनत्रये
The wish-fulfilling cow, born in Goloka, is rare in the three worlds.
नाहं रे हालिको मूढस्तुत्या नोत्थापितो बुधः
I am not, O foolish ploughman, a fool raised up by praise.
गृहं गच्छ गृहं गच्छ मे कोपं नैव वर्द्धय
Go home, go home; do not increase my anger.
मुनेस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा चुकोप स नराधिपः
Hearing the sage’s words, the king became angry.
गत्वा सैन्यसकाशं स कोपप्रस्फुरिताधरः
He went to his army, his lips trembling with rage.
कपिलासन्निधिं गत्वा रुरोद मुनिपुंगवः
Having gone to the presence of Kapila, the foremost sage wept.
रुदन्तं ब्राह्मणं दृष्ट्वा सुरभिस्तमुवाच ह
Seeing the brahmin weeping, Surabhi spoke to him.
सुरभिरुवाच शास्ता पालयिता दाता स्ववस्तूनां च सन्ततम्
Surabhi said: The ruler, the protector, the giver is always of his own possessions.
स्वेच्छया चेन्नृपेन्द्राय मां ददासि तपोधन
If, O possessor of austerity, you give me to the king by your own will,