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.
तथैव यातनाः प्रोक्ता असंख्या घोरदर्शताः
Likewise, the torments described are countless and terrifying to behold.
तस्मातंसमासतो वक्ष्ये धर्माधर्ममिदर्शनम्
Therefore, I will briefly explain to you the nature of righteousness and unrighteousness.
तथैवाध्यात्मविदुषो दत्तं भवति चाक्षयम्
In the same way, what is given by those who know the Self becomes imperishable.
यो दत्त्वा स्यापयेदृतिं तस्य पुण्यफलं शृणु
Hear the merit gained by one who, after giving, ensures it is properly used.
निर्विश्य विष्णुभवनं कल्पं तत्रैव मादते
Entering the abode of Vishnu, he delights there for an entire age.
न गण्यन्ते विधात्रापि ब्रहह्मवृत्तिफलानि वै
Even the Creator does not count the fruits of actions performed in the manner of Brahma.
जीवनं ददतस्तस्य कः पुण्यं गदितुं क्षमः
Who is capable of describing the merit of one who gives life?
स स्त्रातः सर्वतीर्थेषु तत्पं तेनाखिलं तपः
He is protected at all sacred places; by that, all austerities are accomplished.
सो ऽपि तत्फलमाप्नोति किमन्यैर्बहुभाषितैः
He too attains that result; what need is there for many words?
वक्तुं तत्पुण्यसंख्यानं नालं वर्षशतायुषा
Even one who lives a hundred years is not able to recount the number of those merits.