(हीनवर्णस्य संसर्गं तीर्थे गत्वा सदा त्यजेत् ।) ॥ भूतानुकम्पनं चैव कर्तव्यं कर्मणा धिया । यदि पृच्छसि राजेन्द्र तीर्थं वक्ष्याम्यनुत्तमम्
(One should always avoid association with those of degraded conduct at a sacred place.) One must show compassion to beings, both in action and thought. If you ask, O king of kings, I shall tell you the supreme sacred place.
प्रथमं नैमिषं पुण्यं चक्रतीर्थं च पुष्करम् । अन्येषां चैव तीर्थानां संख्या नास्ति महीतले
First is holy Naimisha, then Cakra-tirtha and Pushkara; and the number of other sacred places on earth is without count.
पावनानि च स्थानानि बहूनि नृपसत्तम । व्यास उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं राजा नैमिषं गन्तुमुद्यतः
There are many purifying places, O best of kings. Vyāsa said: Hearing this, the king set out to go to Naimisha.
नोदयामास दैत्यान्वै हर्षनिर्भरमानसः । प्रह्लाद उवाच उत्तिष्ठन्तु महाभागा गमिष्यामोऽद्य नैमिषम्
With a heart filled with joy, he roused the Daityas. Prahlāda said: 'Arise, O blessed ones, today we shall go to Naimisha.'
द्रक्ष्यामः पुण्डरीकाक्षं पीतवाससमच्युतम् । व्यास उवाच इत्युक्ता विष्णुभक्तेन सर्वे ते दानवास्तदा
'We shall see the lotus-eyed, yellow-robed, imperishable one.' Vyāsa said: Thus addressed by the devotee of Viṣṇu, all those Dānavas at that time—
तेनैव सह पातालान्निर्ययुः परया मुदा । ते समेत्य च दैतेया दानवाश्च महाबलाः
Together with him, joyfully emerged from the netherworld; those Daiteyas and mighty Dānavas assembled together.
नैमिषारण्यमासाद्य स्नानं चक्रुर्मुदान्विताः । प्रह्लादस्तत्र तीर्थेषु चरन्दैत्यैः समन्वितः
Reaching the Naimisha forest, they joyfully bathed; Prahlāda, accompanied by the Daityas, wandered among the sacred places there.
सरस्वतीं महापुण्यां ददर्श विमलोदकाम् । तीर्थे तत्र नृपश्रेष्ठ प्रह्लादस्य महात्मनः
He saw the most holy Sarasvatī, with pure waters, at that sacred place, O best of kings, Prahlāda the great-souled.
मनः प्रसन्नं सञ्जातं स्नात्वा सारस्वते जले । विधिवत्तत्र दैत्येन्द्रः स्नानदानादिकं शुभे
His mind became serene after bathing in the waters of the Sarasvati; there, the lord of the Daityas performed the prescribed rites of bathing, charity, and other auspicious acts.
चकारातिप्रसन्नात्मा तीर्थे परमपावने
With a heart exceedingly pleased, he performed these at that supremely pure holy place.
प्रह्लादनारायणयोर्युद्धे विष्णोरागमनवर्णनम् व्यास उवाच कुर्वंस्तीर्थविधिं तत्र हिरण्यकशिपोः सुतः । न्यग्रोधं सुमहच्छायमपश्यत्पुरतस्तदा
Vyasa said: While performing the rites of pilgrimage there, the son of Hiranyakashipu saw before him a great banyan tree with vast shade.
ददर्श बाणानपरान्नानाजातीयकांस्तदा । गृध्रपक्षयुतांस्तीव्राच्छिलाधौतान्महोज्वलान्
He saw arrows of various kinds, some with vulture feathers, sharp, washed on stones, and shining brilliantly.
चिन्तयामास मनसा कस्येमे विशिखास्त्विह । ऋषीणामाश्रमे पुण्ये तीर्थे परमपावने
He wondered in his mind, 'Whose arrows are these here, in this holy hermitage of the sages, at this supremely pure sacred place?''
एवं चिन्तयतानेन कृष्णाजिनधरौ मुनी । समुन्नतजटाभारौ दृष्टौ धर्मसुतौ तदा
As he was thus pondering, he saw two sages, sons of Dharma, wearing black antelope skins and bearing matted locks piled high.
तयोरग्रे धृते शुभ्रे धनुषी लक्षणान्विते । शार्ङ्गमाजगवञ्चैव तथाक्षय्यौ महेषुधी
Before them were two pure, auspicious bows, marked with special signs—the Sharnga and the Ajagava—and two inexhaustible great quivers.
ध्यानस्थौ तौ महाभागौ नरनारायणावृषी । दृष्ट्वा धर्मसुतौ तत्र दैत्यानामधिपस्तदा
Those two illustrious sages, Nara and Narayana, were absorbed in meditation; seeing the sons of Dharma there, the lord of the Daityas...
क्रोधरक्तेक्षणस्तौ तु प्रोवाचासुरपालकः । किं भवद्भ्यां समारब्धो दम्भो धर्मविनाशनः
With eyes reddened in anger, the guardian of the Asuras spoke to them: 'What is this hypocrisy you two have begun, destroying dharma?''
न श्रुतं नैव दृष्टं हि संसारेऽस्मिन्कदापि हि । तपसश्चरणं तीव्रं तथा चापस्य धारणम्
'Never has it been heard or seen in this world that one performs intense austerity and at the same time bears a bow.'
विरोधोऽयं युगे चाद्ये कथं युक्तं कलिप्रियम् । ब्राह्मणस्य तपो युक्तं तत्र किं चापधारणम्
'This opposition in the first age—how is it proper, favoring the Kali age? For a Brahmin, austerity is proper; but why the bearing of a bow here?''
क्व जटाधारणं देहे क्वेषुधी च विडम्बनौ । धर्मस्याचरणं युक्तं युवयोर्दिव्यभावयोः
'How can the wearing of matted locks and the bearing of weapons both belong to the body? Such conduct of dharma is fitting for you two of divine nature.'
व्यास उवाच इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा नरः प्रोवाच भारत । का ते चिन्तात्र दैत्येन्द्र वृथा तपसि चावयोः
Vyasa said: Hearing these words, Nara spoke, 'Why are you, O lord of the Daityas, needlessly concerned about our austerities?''
सामर्थ्ये सति यत्कुर्यात्तत्संपद्येत तस्य हि । आवां कार्यद्वये मन्द समर्थौ लोकविश्रुतौ
'Whatever one does with ability, that alone succeeds for him. We are renowned in the world as capable in both undertakings, O dull one.'
युद्धे तपसि सामर्थ्यं त्वं पुनः किं करिष्यसि । गच्छ मार्गे यथाकामं कस्मादत्र विकत्थसे
'Whether in battle or in austerity, ability is what matters. What else will you do? Go your way as you wish—why do you boast here?''
ब्रह्मतेजो दुराराध्यं न त्वं वेद विमोहितः । विप्रचर्चा न कर्तव्या प्राणिभिः सुखमीप्सुभिः
'The Brahmanic power is difficult to attain—you do not know this, being deluded. Disputes should not be engaged in by those who desire happiness.'
प्रह्लाद उवाच तापसौ मन्दबुद्धी स्थो मृषा वां गर्वमोहितौ । मयि तिष्ठति दैत्येन्द्रे धर्मसेतुप्रवर्तके
Prahlada said: 'You two ascetics are of dull intellect, your pride is in vain. While I, Prahlada, lord of the Daityas and upholder of dharma, stand here.'
न युक्तमेतत्तीर्थेऽस्मिन्नधर्माचरणं पुनः । का शक्तिस्तव युद्धेऽस्ति दर्शयाद्य तपोधन
'It is not proper to act unrighteously at this holy place. What power do you have in battle? Show it today, O possessor of austerity.'
व्यास उवाच तदाकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य नरस्तं प्रत्युवाच ह । युद्धस्वाद्य मया सार्धं यदि ते मतिरीदृशी
Vyasa said: Hearing those words, the man replied to him, 'If such is your resolve, then fight with me now.'
अद्य ते स्फोटयिष्यामि मूर्धानमसुराधम । ( युद्धे श्रद्धा न ते पश्चाद्भविष्यति कदाचन ।)
'Today I will shatter your head, O lowest of asuras! After this, you will never again have any confidence in battle.'
प्रह्लादो बलवानत्र प्रतिज्ञामारुरोह सः । येन केनाप्युपायेन जेष्यामि तावुभावपि
Prahlada, who was powerful, then made a vow: 'By any means whatsoever, I will defeat both of them.'
नरनारायणौ दान्तावृषी तपिसमन्वितौ । व्यास उवाच इत्युक्त्वा वचनं दैत्यः प्रतिगृह्य शरासनम्
Nara and Narayana, restrained and endowed with ascetic power—Vyasa said: Having spoken thus, the demon took up his bow.