नयति विष्णुसदनं स्पृष्टा गाङ्गेनर वारिणा
One touched by water from the Ganga is led to the abode of Vishnu.
स सर्वपापनिर्मुक्तः प्रयाति भवनं हरेः
Freed from all sins, he goes to the dwelling of Hari.
तानि कर्माणिर नश्यन्ति गङ्गाबिन्द्वभिषेचनात्
Those actions are destroyed by the sprinkling of drops of Ganga.
धर्मात्मानं धर्मराजः सद्यश्वान्तर्दधेतदा
Then, the righteous king of justice would immediately disappear.
निक्षिप्य पृथिवीं सर्वां सचिवेषु ययौ वनम्
Entrusting the whole earth to his ministers, he went to the forest.
पश्चिमे तुहिनाक्रान्ते शृङ्गेषोडशयोजने
On the farthest, snow-covered peak, sixteen yojanas in extent,
तपस्तप्त्वानयामास गङ्गां त्रैलोक्यपावनीम्
He performed austerities and brought down the Ganga, purifier of the three worlds.
कथमानीतवान्गङ्गामेतन्मे वक्तुमर्हसि
Tell me how the Ganga was brought down; you ought to relate this to me.
गच्छन्हिमाद्रिं तपसे प्राप्तो गोदावरी तटम्
Going to the Himalaya for austerity, he reached the bank of the Godavari.
कृष्णसारसमाकीर्णं मातङ्गगणसेवितम्
It was filled with black antelopes and frequented by herds of elephants.
व्रजद्वराहनिकरं चमरीपुच्छवीचितम्
Herds of wild boars roamed there, and it was adorned with the waving tails of yaks.
प्रवर्द्धितमहावृक्षं मुनिकन्याभिरादरात्
Great trees flourished there, lovingly tended by the daughters of sages.
मालतीयूथिकाकुन्दचम्पकाशअवत्थभूषितम्
Adorned with mālatī, yūthikā, kunda, campaka, and aśoka flowers.
वेदशास्त्रमहाघोषमाश्रमं प्राविशद्भुगोः
He entered the hermitage of Bhṛgu, resounding with the great chants of the Vedas and scriptures.
तेजसा सूर्यसदृशं भृगुं तत्र ददर्श सः
There he saw Bhṛgu, radiant like the sun in his brilliance.
आतिथ्यं भृगुरप्यस्य चक्रे सन्मानपूर्वकम्
Bhṛgu also offered him hospitality, with due honor and respect.
उवाच प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा विनयान्मुनिपुङ्गवम्
With joined palms and humility, he spoke to the foremost of sages.
पृच्छामि भवभीतो ऽहं नृणामुद्धारकारणम्
I ask you, fearful of worldly existence, about the means for the deliverance of people.
तन्ममाख्याहि सर्वज्ञ अनुग्राह्यो ऽस्मि ते यति
Therefore, tell me, O all-knowing one; I am worthy of your favor, O ascetic.
अन्यथा स्वकुलं सर्वं कथमुद्धर्त्तुमर्हसि
Otherwise, how could you deliver your entire lineage?
उद्धर्त्तकामस्तं विद्यान्नररुपधरं हरिम्
One who wishes to deliver should know Hari, who assumes a human form.
तत्प्रवक्ष्यामि राजेन्द्र शृणुष्व सुसमाहितः
I shall tell you this, O best of kings; listen with full attention.
सर्वभूतहितो नित्यं मानृतं वद वै क्वचित्
Always act for the welfare of all beings; never speak falsehood anywhere.
कुरु पुण्यमहोरात्रं स्मर विष्णुं सनातनम्
Perform the auspicious day and night observance, and remember Viṣṇu, the eternal one.
द्वादशाष्टाक्षरं मन्त्रं जय श्रेयो भविष्यति
Chant the twelve- or eight-syllabled mantra; you will attain supreme good.
अनृतं कीदृशं प्रोक्तं दुर्जनाश्चापि कीदृशाः
What kind of falsehood is described, and what sort of people are considered wicked?
स्मर्तव्यश्च कथं विष्णुस्तस्य पूजा च कीदृशी
How should Viṣṇu be remembered, and what is his worship like?
को वा द्वादशवर्णश्च मुने तत्त्वार्थकोविद
O sage, knower of the true meaning, what is the twelve-syllabled mantra?
साधु साधुमहाप्राज्ञ तव बुद्धिरनुत्तमा
Excellent, excellent, O great wise one; your understanding is unsurpassed.
यथार्थकथनं यत्तत्सत्यमाहुर्विपश्चितः
That which is spoken in accordance with reality, the learned declare to be truth.