कुण्डस्य चापि गोलस्य दत्तं भवति निष्फलम्
A gift given to a bald man or a hunchback also becomes fruitless.
स्त्रीजितस्यातिदुष्टस्य दत्तं भवित निष्फलम्
A gift given to one conquered by women or exceedingly wicked will become fruitless.
चौरस्य पिशुनस्यापि दत्तं भवति निष्फलम्
A gift given to a thief or a slanderer also becomes fruitless.
सत्कर्मनिरतायापि देयं यत्नेन नारद
O Nārada, a gift should be given with effort even to one devoted to good deeds.
याचितं वापि पात्रेण भवेत्तद्दानमुत्तमम्
A gift that is requested by a worthy person is considered the highest form of giving.
यद्दानं दीयते पात्रे तत्काम्यं मध्यमं स्मृतम्
A gift given to a worthy recipient out of desire is regarded as middling.
क्रुद्धेनाश्रद्धयापात्रे तद्दानं मध्यमं स्मृतम्
A gift given in anger, without faith, or to an unworthy person is considered middling.
उत्तमं हरिप्रीत्यर्थं प्राहुर्वेदविदां वराः
The best among knowers of the Veda declare that the highest gift is that made for the sake of pleasing Hari.
दानभोगविनाशाश्च रायः स्युर्गतयस्त्रिधा
The loss of gifts, enjoyment, and wealth is said to occur in three ways.
धनं धर्मफलं विप्र धर्मो माधवतुष्टिकृत्
O brāhmaṇa, wealth is the fruit of dharma, and dharma brings satisfaction to Mādhava.
यत्र मूलफलैर्वृक्षाः परकार्यं प्रकुर्वते
Where trees perform service to others through their roots and fruits,
परकार्यं न ये मर्त्याः कायेनापि धनेन वा
Those mortals who do not serve others, whether by body or by wealth,
अत्रेतिहासं वक्ष्यामि शृणु नारद तत्त्वतः
Here I will tell you an ancient story; listen, Nārada, attentively.
गङ्गामाहात्म्यसहितं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्
It concerns the greatness of the Ganges, which destroys all sins.
आसीद्भगीरथो राजा सगरान्वयसंभवः
There was a king named Bhagīratha, descended from Sagara.
सर्वधर्मरतो नित्यं सत्यसंधः प्रतापवान्
He was always devoted to all dharmas, truthful in resolve, and possessed of great energy.
प्रालेयाद्रिसमो धैर्ये धर्मे धर्मसमो नृपः
In steadfastness, he was like the Himalayas; in righteousness, the king was equal to Dharma himself.
सर्वसंपत्समायुक्तः सर्वानन्दकरो मुने
Endowed with every prosperity, he brought joy to all, O sage.
पराक्रमी गुणनिधिर्मैत्रः कारुणिकः सधीः
Valiant, a treasury of virtues, friendly, compassionate, and wise.
धर्मराजो द्विजश्रेष्ठ कदाचिद्द्रष्टुमागतः
O best of twice-born, once the King of Dharma came to see him.
शास्त्रदृष्टेन विधिना धर्मः प्री उवाच तम्
Dharma, pleased, addressed him according to the procedure prescribed in the scriptures.
धर्मराजो ऽथ कीर्तिं ते श्रुत्वा त्वां द्रष्टुमागतः
The King of Dharma, having heard of your fame, has now come to see you.
द्रष्टुमिच्छन्ति विबुधारतवो त्कुष्टगुणप्रियाः
The gods, sages, and lovers of noble qualities also wish to see you.
वसन्ति तत्र नियतं गुणाःसन्तश्च देवताः
There, constantly dwell the virtuous and the deities.
सर्वभूतहितत्वादि मादृशामपि दुर्लभम्
Such benefit to all beings is rare even for those like me.
प्रोवाच विनयाविष्टः संहृष्टः श्लक्ष्णया गितं
With humility and delight, he spoke gentle words.
कृपया परयाविष्टो यत्पृच्छामि वदस्व तत्
Filled with the highest compassion, I ask you—please tell me this.
कियत्यो यातनाः प्रोक्ताः केषां ताः परिकीर्तिताः
How many torments have been described, and for whom are they declared?
तत्सर्वं मे महाभाग विस्तराद्वक्तुमर्हसि
O greatly fortunate one, you should tell me all this in detail.
धर्माधर्मान्प्रवक्ष्यामितत्त्वतः शृणु भक्तितः
I will truly explain righteousness and unrighteousness—listen with devotion.