जलप्रभा कलौ या च नाऽन्यत्र पृथिवीतले
The radiance of water in the age of Kali, which is not found elsewhere upon the earth,
यत्तोयकणिकास्पर्शे पापिनां ज्ञानसंभवः
By the mere touch of a drop of that water, knowledge arises even in sinners.
इत्येवं कथिता ब्रह्मन्गंगापद्यैकविशतिः
Thus, O Brahma, have I described the twenty-one names of Ganga's feet.
नित्यं यो हि पठेद्भक्त्या संपूज्य च सुरेश्वरीम्
Whoever recites them daily with devotion, having worshipped the Queen of the gods,
अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रं भार्याहीनो लभेत्स्त्रियम् 9.12.
A childless one obtains a son, one without a wife obtains a woman.
अस्पष्टकीर्तिः सुयशा मूर्खो भवति पंडितः
One of unclear reputation gains good fame, and a fool becomes a scholar.
शुभं भवेच्च दुःस्वप्ने गगास्नानफलं लभेत् स्तोत्रेणानेन गंगां च स्तुत्वा चैव भगीरथ
One who has an inauspicious dream attains auspiciousness, and gains the fruit of bathing in the Ganga; by this hymn, having praised Ganga, O Bhagiratha,
जगाम तां गृहीत्वा च यत्र नष्टाश्च सागराः
He went, taking her to the place where the Sagaras had perished.
भगीरथेन सा नीता तेन भागीरथी स्मृता
Brought by Bhagiratha, she is therefore remembered as Bhagirathi.
पुण्यदं मोक्षदं सारं किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि कथं गंगा त्रिपथगा जाता भुवनपावनी
This is holy, granting liberation, and the essence; what more do you wish to hear? How did Ganga, the purifier of the worlds, come to be the threefold-flowing?
कुत्र वा केन विधिना तत्सर्वं वद मे प्रभो
Where, and by what means—tell me all of this, O Lord.
एतत्सर्वं तु विस्तीर्णं कृत्वा वक्तुमिहार्हसि कार्तिक्यां पूर्णिमायां तु राधायाः सुमहोत्सवः
All this, in detail, you should now narrate; on the full moon of Kartika, there is the great festival of Radha.
कृष्णः संपूज्य तां राधामुवास रासमण्डले
Krishna, having worshipped Radha, dwelled with her in the circle of the rasa dance.
ऊषुर्ब्रह्मादयः सर्वे ऋषयः शौनकादयः
All the gods beginning with Brahma, and the sages such as Shaunaka, remained there.
जगौ सुन्दरतालेन वीणया च मनोहरम् 9.12.
He sang with a beautiful rhythm, and with the enchanting sound of the vina.
शिवो मणींद्रसारं तु सर्वब्रह्माण्ड दुर्लभम्
Shiva gave a necklace of precious gems, rare even in all the universes.
अमूल्यरत्ननिर्माणं हारसारं च राधिका
Radhika received a necklace made of priceless jewels.
अमूल्यरत्ननिर्माणं लक्ष्मीः कनककुंडलम्
Lakshmi gave earrings made of gold, crafted from priceless gems.
दुर्गा नारायणीशाना ब्रह्मभक्तिं सुदुर्लभाम्
Durgā, Nārāyaṇī, and Īśānā possess devotion to Brahman, which is extremely difficult to attain.
वह्निशुद्धांशुकं वह्निर्वायुश्च मणिनूपुरान्
Fire purified the garments, fire and wind purified the jeweled anklets.
जगौ श्रीकृष्णसंगीतं ससोल्लाससमन्वितम्
He sang the song of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, filled with great joy.
कष्टेन चेतनां प्राप्य ददृशू रासमंडले
With great effort, regaining consciousness, they saw the circle of the rāsa dance.
अत्युच्चै रुरुदुः सर्वे गोपा गोप्यः सुरा द्विजाः
All the cowherds, cowherd women, gods, and twice-born ones cried out very loudly.
गतश्च राधया सार्धं श्रीकृष्णो द्रवतामिति
Śrī Kṛṣṇa departed together with Rādhā, his heart melting.
स्वमूर्तिं दर्शय विभो वांछितं वरमेव नः 9.12.
O Lord, reveal your own form; grant us only the boon we desire.
तामेव शुश्रुवुः सर्वे सुव्यक्तां मधुरान्विताम्
They all distinctly heard her, endowed with sweetness.
ममाप्यस्याश्च देहेन कर्त्तव्यं च किमावयोः
What is to be done by us two with this body of mine and hers?
मन्मन्त्रपूता मां द्रष्टुमागमिष्यंति मत्पदम्
Purified by my mantra, people will come to see me and reach my abode.
करोतु शंभुस्तत्रैवं मदीयं वाक्यपालनम्
May Śambhu there fulfill my command.
कर्तुं शास्त्रविशेषं च वेदांगं सुमनोहरम्
He is to compose a special scripture, a most delightful Vedānga.