मोहिनी सहिता राज्ञा ववन्दे कार्यतत्परा
Mohinī, together with the king, respectfully greeted them, intent on her task.
आसनेषु महीपाल ज्वलदग्निसमप्रभाः
On their seats, O ruler of the earth, they shone with the brilliance of blazing fire.
वयं समागता देवि नानाशास्त्रविशारदाः
We have assembled, O goddess, skilled in various scriptures.
तच्छत्वा वचनं तेषां मोहिनी ब्रह्मणः सुता
Mohinī, daughter of Brahmā, heard their words.
संदेहस्तु जडौ ह्येष स्वल्पो वा स्वमतिर्यथा
This doubt is in the dull or small-minded, as their own understanding allows.
अन्नाधारमिदं सर्वं जगत्स्थावरजङ्गमम्
Food is the support of all this world, both stationary and moving.
कर्कन्धुमात्रं प्रहुतं पुरोडाशं हि देवताः
Even a small offering of karkandhu fruit or puroḍāśa is accepted by the gods.
पिपीलिकापि क्षुधिता मुखेनादाय तण्डुलम्
Even a hungry ant takes a grain of rice with its mouth.
अयं खादति नान्नाद्यं संप्राप्ते हरिवासरे
He who eats food on the day of Hari's observance does not partake of food.
विधावानां यतीनां च युज्यते व्रतसेवनम्
For those who are devoted to vows and for ascetics, the observance of vows is proper.
सोंऽधे तमसि मज्जेत यावदिन्द्राश्चतुर्द्दश
He sinks into utter darkness for as many ages as there are fourteen Indras.
प्रजासंरक्षणं त्यक्त्वा चतुर्वर्गफलप्रदम्
Abandoning the protection of subjects, which grants the fruit of the four aims of life,
शूद्राणां द्विजसेवा च लोकरक्षा महीभृताम्
Service to twice-born by Śūdras, and protection of the world by kings,
अज्ञानाद्वा प्रमादाच्च पतितः स न संशयः
Whether by ignorance or by negligence, he falls—of this there is no doubt.
सुबुद्ध्याचारशीलश्च वेदोक्तं त्यजति द्विजाः
A twice-born who, though of good intellect, conduct, and character, abandons what is enjoined by the Veda,
एकान्तशीलो नृपतिर्भृत्यः कर्मविवर्जितः
A king who is solitary, or a servant who abstains from action,
अयं हि नियमोपेतो हरिपूजनतत्परः
This one, indeed, is endowed with discipline and devoted to the worship of Hari.
व्यपोह्य हरिपूजां वै ब्रह्महत्यां तु विन्दति
But if he abandons the worship of Hari, he incurs the sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa.
अन्नात्प्रभवति प्राणः प्राणाद्देहविचेष्टनम्
From food arises life; from life, the activity of the body.
एवं ज्ञात्वा मया राजा बोध्यमानो न बुद्ध्यति
Even though I have explained this to the king, he does not understand.
न व्रतं किञ्चिदस्त्यन्यन्नृपस्य द्विजसत्तमाः
There is no other vow for a king, O best of twice-born.
तद्देवकार्यं स च यज्ञहोमो यद्रक्तपातो न भवेत् स्वराष्ट्रे
That is the work of the gods, and that is the sacrifice and oblation—where no blood is shed in his own realm.
तथ्यमित्येवमुक्त्वा तु राजानं वाक्यमब्रुवन्
Saying 'It is true,' they thus addressed the king with these words:
एकादश्यां न भोक्तव्यं पक्षयोरुभयोरपि
On the eleventh day, one must not eat, on either fortnight.
साग्रीनां प्राशनं प्रोक्तमुभयोः संध्ययोः किल
The eating of sāgrī is prescribed at both twilights, indeed.
विशेषाद्भूमिपालानां कथं युक्तमुपोषणम्
Especially for kings, how is fasting appropriate?
शास्त्रतो ऽशास्त्रतो वापि यस्त्वया शपथः कृतः
Whether according to scripture or not, whatever oath you have made,
व्रतभङ्गो न ते ऽस्तीह भुक्ष्वं विप्रसमन्वितः
There is no violation of your vow here; eat together with the brahmins.
यो ऽन्यथा मन्यते वाक्यं विप्राणां नृपसत्तम
O best of kings, whoever interprets the words of the brahmins otherwise,
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं रोद्रं राजा कोपसमन्वितः
Hearing those harsh words, the king became filled with anger.