तौ दम्पती च वैकुण्ठे तस्थतुर्हरिसन्निधौ
The couple stood in Vaikuṇṭha in the presence of Hari.
अथ रामो ब्राह्मणैश्च भृगुणा सह नारद
Then Rāma, along with the brāhmaṇas, Bhṛgu, and Nārada,
गोभूहिरण्यवासांसि दिव्यशय्यां मनोरमाम्
Cows, land, gold, garments, and a delightful divine bed—
रत्नदीपं रौप्यशैलं सुवर्णासनमुत्तमम्
A jeweled lamp, a silver mountain, and an excellent golden throne—
छत्रं च पादुके चैव फलं माल्यं मनोहरम् ब्राह्मणेभ्यो धनं दत्त्वा ब्रह्मलोकं जगाम सः
An umbrella, sandals, fruit, and charming garlands—having given wealth to the brāhmaṇas, he went to Brahmā's world.
ददर्श ब्रह्मलोकं स शातकुम्भविनिर्मितम्
He beheld Brahmā's world, made of refined gold.
ददर्श तत्र ब्रह्माणं ज्वलन्तं ब्रह्मतेजसा
There, he saw Brahma shining with the radiance of Brahman.
सिद्धैस्तपश्चान्द्रायणैर्ऋषीन्द्रैः परिवेष्टितम्
Surrounded by accomplished sages, ascetics, and great rishis who had performed Chandrayana austerities.
संगीतमुपशृण्वन्तं गीयमानं च गायकैः
Listening to music and songs being sung by singers.
तपसां फलदातारं दातारं सर्वसम्पदाम्
The giver of the fruits of austerities, the bestower of all wealth.
परिपूर्णतमं ब्रह्म जपन्तं कृष्णमीश्वरम्
Brahma, most fully complete, was reciting the name of Krishna, the Lord.
दृष्ट्वा तमव्ययं भक्त्या प्रणनाम भृगुः पुरः
Seeing that imperishable one, Bhrigu bowed with devotion before him.
भृगुरुवाच पितामहस्त्वमस्माकं सर्वज्ञं कथयामि किम्
Bhrigu said: You are our grandfather; you know everything. What shall I say?
मृगयामागतं भूपं पिता मे चोपवासिनम्
My father, who is observing a vow, and the king who came hunting.
स राजा कपिलालोभात्कार्तवीर्य्यार्जुनः स्वयम्
That king, Kartavirya Arjuna himself, out of desire for the Kapila cow.
निरुध्य बाष्पं स पुनरुवाच करुणानिधिः
Suppressing his tears, the ocean of compassion spoke again.
अधुनाऽहमनाथश्च त्वं मे माता पिता गुरुः
Now I am without support; you are my mother, father, and teacher.
आगतोऽहं तव सभां प्रमातुर्मातुराज्ञया
I have come to your assembly by the command of my mother and grandmother.
स राजा स च धर्मिष्ठः स दयालुर्यशस्करः
That king was righteous, compassionate, and renowned.
धनिदीनौ समं दृष्ट्वा यः प्रजां न च पालयेत्
Seeing the rich and poor equally, he did not protect his subjects.
श्रुत्वा विप्रबटोर्वाक्यं करुणासागरो विधिः
Hearing the words of the Brahmin boy, the ocean of mercy, Vidhi, listened.
श्रुत्वा भृगोः प्रतिज्ञां च विस्मितश्चतुराननः
Hearing Bhrigu's resolve, the four-faced one was astonished.
कर्मणा तद्भवेत्सर्वमिति कृत्वा तु मानसे
He thought in his mind: By action, everything comes to be.
ब्रह्मोवाच सृष्टिरेषा भगवतः सम्भवेदीश्वरेच्छया
Brahma said: This creation belongs to the Lord and arises by the will of the Supreme.
सृष्टिः सृष्टा मया पुत्र क्लेशेनैवेश्वराज्ञया
Creation was accomplished by me, my son, only with difficulty and by the command of the Lord.
त्रिस्सप्तकृत्वो निर्भूपां कर्तुमिच्छसि मेदिनीम्
You wish to make the earth devoid of kings three times seven times.
ब्रह्मक्षत्त्रियविट्छूद्रैर्नित्या सृष्टिश्चतुर्विधैः
The perpetual creation is fourfold, consisting of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras.
अन्यथा त्वत्प्रतिज्ञा च भविता प्राक्तनेन ते
Otherwise, your previous vow will come to pass.
शिवलोकं गच्छ वत्स शङ्करं शरणं व्रज
Go to the realm of Shiva, child; take refuge in Shankara.
विनाऽज्ञया महेशस्य को वा तान्हन्तुमीश्वरः
Who, without the command of Mahesha, is able to destroy them, O Lord?