भ्रममाणेन भिक्षा तु नैव लब्धा द्विजोत्तमाः
As he wandered, O best of twice-born, he did not obtain alms.
विघ्नं सृजामि सर्वेषां येन सिद्धिर्विहीयते
I create an obstacle for all, by which their accomplishment is hindered.
प्रादुरासीत् स्वयं प्रीत्या वेषं कृत्वा तु मानुषम्
Then, out of affection, she herself appeared, having assumed a human form.
गृहाण भिक्षां मत्तस्त्वमुक्त्वैवं प्रददौ शिवा
Saying, 'Take alms from me,' Śivā thus gave it to him.
इह क्षेत्रे न वस्तव्यं कृतघ्नो ऽसि त्वया सदा
In this place, you must not dwell; you are always ungrateful.
उवाच प्रणतो भूत्वा स्तुत्वा च प्रवरैः स्तवैः
He spoke, having bowed and praised her with excellent hymns.
एवमस्त्वित्यनुज्ञाय देवी चान्तरधीयत
Saying, 'So be it,' and granting permission, the goddess disappeared.
ज्ञात्वा क्षेत्रगुणान् सर्वान् स्थितस्तस्याथ पार्श्वतः
Then, knowing all the qualities of the place, he remained at her side.
तस्मात् सर्वप्रयत्नेन वाराणस्यां वसेन्नरः
Therefore, with every effort, a man should dwell in Vārāṇasī.
श्रावयेद् वा द्विजान् शान्तान् सो ऽपियातिपराङ्गतिम्
Or he should have it recited to peaceful twice-born men; he too attains the highest state.
नदीनां चैव तीरेषु देवतायतनेषु च
On the banks of rivers and in temples of the gods,
जपेदीशं नमस्कृत्य स याति परमां गतिम्
He should recite the Lord's name, having bowed; he attains the supreme goal.
इदानीं तु प्रयागस्य माहात्म्यं ब्रूहि सुव्रत
Now, tell the greatness of Prayāga, O virtuous one.
इदानीं कथयास्माकं सूत सर्वार्थविद् भवान्
Now, tell us, O Sūta, knower of all meanings.
प्रयागस्य च माहात्म्यं यत्र देवः पितामहः
And the greatness of Prayāga, where the god, the Grandfather, [Brahmā]—
यथा युधिष्ठिरायैतत् तद्वक्ष्ये भवतामहम्
As it was told to Yudhiṣṭhira, so I shall relate it to you.
शोकेन महाताविष्टा मुमोह स युधिष्ठिरः
Yudhiṣṭhira, overwhelmed by great sorrow, fainted.
संप्राप्तो हास्तिनपुरं राजद्वारे स तिष्ठति
He reached Hastināpura and stood at the royal gate.
मार्कण्डेयो द्रष्टुमिच्छंस्त्वामास्ते द्वार्यसौ मुनिः
Markandeya, that sage, is waiting at the door, desiring to see you.
स्वागतं ते महाप्राज्ञ स्वागतं ते महामुने
Welcome to you, O greatly wise one; welcome to you, O great sage.
अद्य मे पितरस्तुष्टास्त्वयि तुष्टे महामुने
Today my ancestors are satisfied, for you, O great sage, are pleased.
युधिष्ठिरो महात्मेति पूजयामास तं मुनिम्
Yudhishthira, the noble one, honored that sage.
किमर्थं मुह्यसे विद्वन् सर्वं ज्ञात्वाहमागतः
Why are you confused, O learned one? I have come knowing everything.
कथय त्वं समासेन येन मुच्येत किल्बिषैः
Tell me briefly by what means one is freed from sins.
अस्माभिः कौरवैः सार्धं प्रसङ्गान्मुनिपुङ्गव
Together with us Kauravas, O foremost of sages, in various contexts,
मुच्यते पातकादस्मात् तद् भवान् वक्तुमर्हति
One is freed from this sin; you ought to declare that.
प्रयागगमनं श्रेष्ठं नराणां पापनाशनम्
The journey to Prayaga is supreme for men; it destroys sins.
समास्ते भगवान् ब्रह्मा स्वयंभूरपि दैवदैः
There the blessed Brahma, the self-born, abides with the gods.
मृतानां का गतिस्तत्र स्नातानामपि किं फलम्
What is the destiny of those who die there? What is the fruit for those who bathe?
भवता विदितं ह्येतत् तन्मे ब्रूहि नमो ऽस्तु ते
This is known to you; please tell me this. Salutations to you.