प्रजा अरक्षन्नृपतिः सधर्म्मो ऽपि व्रजत्यधः
Even a righteous king who does not protect his people falls into decline.
विमुक्तभावो ऽहमिति मेरुशृङ्गे रविर्यथा
I am detached, like the sun on the peak of Meru.
दोषापतिसमप्रख्यं निर्देषं क्षितिभूषणम्
The earth-adorner, equal to the lord of faults, without blame,
धरामादृत्य भूपालो दत्वा तं दक्षिणं करम्
The king, having honored the earth, gave him the proper tribute.
अशोकपल्लवाकारं वज्राङ्कुशविरोहणम्
With the appearance of fresh ashoka leaves and the ascent of the diamond goad,
साधयानो ययौ देशान्काननं स नृपोत्तमः
Having accomplished his purpose, that best of kings set out for the forests.
पदातयो निपेतुस्ते मूर्च्छिताः क्षितिमण्डले
Their feet collapsed, and they fell unconscious upon the ground.
योजनानां समुत्तीर्य शतमष्टोत्तरं नृप
O King, after traversing one hundred and eight yojanas,
अशोकबकुलोपेतं पुन्नागसरलावृतम्
They reached a place adorned with aśoka and bakula trees, and covered with punnāga and sarala.
नारिकेलैस्तथा तालैः केतकैः सिंदुवारकैः
There were also coconut and palmyra trees, ketaka and sinduvāra shrubs.
क्रमुकैर्दाडिमैश्चैव धात्रीवृक्षैः सहस्रशः
With betel, pomegranate, and thousands of dhātrī trees as well,
परिपक्वफलैर्नम्रैः खगारूढैः समावृतम्
Abundant with drooping branches heavy with ripe fruit, and filled with birds perched upon them.
पश्यमानो मुनिं राजा ददर्श हुतभुक्प्रभम्
Beholding this, the king saw the sage, radiant like fire.
अवरुह्य हयाद्दृष्ट्वा प्रणनाम च सादरम्
Dismounting from his horse and seeing him, he bowed respectfully.
उपविश्यासने कौशे प्राह संहृष्टया गिरा
Seated on a silken seat, he spoke with a joyful voice.
दृष्ट्वा तव पदांभोजं सम्यग्ध्यानपरस्य च
Having seen your lotus feet, you who are wholly absorbed in true meditation,
संपृष्ट्वा कुशलं प्राह वामदेवो मुदान्वितः
After inquiring about his welfare, Vāmadeva spoke with delight.
ममाश्रमो महाभाग पुण्यो जातो धरातले
O greatly fortunate one, my hermitage has become holy upon the earth,
येन वैवस्वतो माग्रो भग्नो निर्जित्य वै यमम्
By which the chief of the sons of Vivasvat was defeated, having conquered Yama.
उपोषयित्वा नृपतेद्वादशीं पापनाशिनीम्
Having observed the twelfth day fast, which destroys sin, O king,
स्वकर्मस्था विकर्मस्था नीता मधुभिदः पदम्
Those established in their own duties or even in wrong action were led to the abode of the slayer of Madhu.
श्वपचो ऽपि महीपाल विष्णुभक्तो द्विजाधिकः
Even a dog-eater, O king, if devoted to Viṣṇu, surpasses the twice-born.
दुर्लभा भूप राजानो विष्णुभक्ता महीतले
O king, kings devoted to Viṣṇu are rare upon the earth.
यो न राजा रहेर्भक्तो देवेष्वन्येषु भक्तिमान्
He who is not a king, but is devoted to Hari, and is devoted to other gods as well,
एवं व्यतिक्रमस्तस्य नृपतेर्भवति ध्रुवम्
Such a transgression surely occurs for that king.
तत्त्वया न्यायविहितं कृतं विष्णोः प्रपूजनम्
That worship of Viṣṇu, performed by you according to justice, has been accomplished.
इत्येवं भाषमाणं तु वामदेवं नृपोत्तमः
Thus, as Vāmadeva was speaking, the best of kings—
क्षामये त्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठ नाहमेतादृशो विभो
I beg your pardon, O best of twice-born; I am not such a person, O lord.
न विप्रेभ्यो ऽधिका देवा भवन्तीह कदाचन
The gods are never superior to the Brāhmaṇas here.
द्वेष्यो भवति तै रुष्टैः सत्यमेतन्मयेरितम्
One becomes hated by them when they are angered; this is true, as I have declared.