ब्रह्माण्डस्यास्य विस्तारो मन्वन्तरविनिश्चयः
The expanse of this universe, and the determination of the Manvantaras,
ज्ञानयोगरतैर्नित्यमाराध्यः कथितस्त्वया
Have been described by you as always to be worshipped by those devoted to knowledge and yoga.
ज्ञानं ब्रह्मैकविषयं येन पश्येम तत्परम्
That knowledge by which we may perceive the supreme, which is solely concerned with Brahman.
अवाप्ताखिलविज्ञानस्तत्त्वां पृच्छामहे पुनः
Having attained all knowledge, we ask you again about the true nature of reality.
सूतः पौराणिकः स्मृत्वा भाषितुं ह्युपचक्रमे
Sūta, the reciter of the Purāṇas, having recollected, began to speak.
आजगाम मुनिश्रेष्ठा यत्र सत्रं समासते
He came to the place where the best of sages were assembled for the sacrificial session.
व्यासं कमलपत्राक्षं प्रणेमुर्द्विजपुङ्गवाः
The foremost of twice-born men bowed to Vyāsa, whose eyes are like lotus petals.
प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य गुरुं प्राञ्जलिः पार्श्वगो ऽभवत्
Having circumambulated the teacher, he stood nearby with joined palms.
समाश्वास्यासनं तस्मै तद्योग्यं समकल्पयन्
They prepared for him a seat suitable and worthy, offering it with respect.
कच्चिन्न तपसो हानिः स्वाध्यायस्य श्रुतस्य च
Is there any decline in your austerity, study, or learning?
ज्ञानं तद् ब्रह्मविषयं मुनीनां वक्तुमर्हसि
You ought to speak to the sages that knowledge which concerns Brahman.
शुश्रूषा जायते चैषां वक्तुमर्हसि तत्त्वतः
Their desire to listen has arisen; you should speak the truth to them.
मुनीनां व्याहृतं पूर्वं विष्णुना कूर्मरूपिणा
What was previously spoken by Viṣṇu in the form of a tortoise to the sages.
प्रणम्य शिरसा रुद्रं वचः प्राह सुखावहम्
Having bowed his head to Rudra, he spoke words that bring happiness.
सनत्कुमारप्रमुखैः स्वयं यत्समभाषत
That which he himself spoke to Sanatkumāra and the others.
अङ्गिरा रुद्रसहितो भृगुः परमधर्मवित्
Aṅgirā, together with Rudra, and Bhṛgu, knower of the highest dharma.
शुक्रो वसिष्ठो भगवान् सर्वे संयतमानसाः
Śukra, the venerable Vasiṣṭha, and all whose minds are restrained.
तप्तवन्तस्तपो घोरं पुण्ये बदरिकाश्रमे
They performed intense austerity in the holy hermitage of Badarikā.
नारायणमनाद्यन्तं नरेण सहितं तदा
At that time, with Nara, they meditated on Nārāyaṇa, who is without beginning or end.
प्रणेमुर्भक्तिसंयुक्ता योगिनो योगवित्तमम्
The yogis, filled with devotion, bowed to the supreme knower of yoga.
प्राह गम्भीरया वाचा किमर्थं तप्यते तपः
He spoke with a deep voice: 'For what purpose is this austerity being performed?'
साक्षान्नारायणं देवमागतं सिद्धिसूचकम्
Directly, Lord Nārāyaṇa himself appeared, a sign of success.
भवन्तमेकं शरणं प्रपन्नाः पुरुषोत्तमम्
We have sought refuge in you alone, the Supreme Person.
नारायणः स्वयं साक्षात् पुराणो ऽव्यक्तपूरुषः
Nārāyaṇa himself, the ancient, unmanifest Person, stood there.
शुश्रूषास्माकमखिलं संशयं छेत्तुमर्हसि
We wish to hear from you; you should dispel all our doubts.
कश्चिदात्मा च का मुक्तिः संसारः किंनिमित्तकः
What is the self? What is liberation? For what reason does transmigration occur?
किं तत् परतरं ब्रह्म सर्वं नो वक्तुमर्हसि
What is that supreme Brahman? You should tell us everything.
विहाय तापसं रूपं संस्थितं स्वेन तेजसा
Abandoning the form of an ascetic, he stood in his own radiance.
श्रीवत्सवक्षसं देवं तप्तजाम्बूनदप्रभम्
The Lord, with the Śrīvatsa mark on his chest, shone like molten gold.
न दृष्टस्तत्क्षणादेव नरस्तस्यैव तेजसा
No man could see him at that very moment, due to his own brilliance.