अवमानादिकं दुःखं न जानन्ति कदाप्यहो
Alas, they never know the suffering of humiliation and the like.
शरीरमपि जीर्णं च जरसापहतं बलम्
Even the body becomes old, and strength is taken away by age.
एवं निश्चित्य विप्रेन्द्र धर्ममार्ग रतो ऽभवत्
Having thus reflected, O best of Brahmins, he became devoted to the path of righteousness.
स्वयं तु भाग द्वितय स्वार्जितार्थादपाहरत्
He himself took away half of his wealth that he had earned.
स्वेनार्जितानां पापानां नाशं कर्तुमनास्तदा
Then he resolved to destroy the sins he had accumulated himself.
अन्नादीनां च दानानि गङ्गातीरे चकार सः
He made gifts of food and other things on the banks of the Ganges.
नारनारायण स्थानं जगाम तपसे वनम्
He went to the abode of Nara and Narayana, to the forest for austerity.
फलितैः पुषअपितैश्चैव शोभितं वृक्षसंचयैः
It was adorned with clusters of trees, blossoming and bearing fruit.
परिचर्यापरैर्वृद्धैर्मुनिभिः परिशोभितम्
It was beautified by aged sages devoted to service.
गृणन्तं परमं ब्रह्म तेजोराशिं ददर्श ह
He saw the Supreme Brahman, a mass of radiance, being praised.
शीर्णपर्णाशनं दृष्ट्वा वेदमालिर्ननाम तम्
Seeing him subsisting on fallen leaves, Vedamali bowed to him.
कन्दमूलफलाद्यैस्तु नारायणधिया मुने
O sage, with roots, tubers, fruits, and the like, his mind fixed on Narayana—
विनयावनतो भूत्वा प्रोवाच वदतां वरम्
Humbly bowing, he spoke to the best of speakers.
मामुद्धर महाभाग ज्ञानदानेन पण्डित
"Lift me up, O greatly fortunate one, O wise one, by giving me knowledge."
प्रोवाच प्रहसन्वाग्मी वेदमालिं गुणान्वितम्
Smiling, the eloquent one spoke to Vedamali, who was endowed with virtues.
प्रवक्ष्यामि समासेन दुर्लभं त्वकृतात्मनाम्
"I shall briefly tell you what is difficult for those who have not mastered themselves."
परापवादं पैशुन्यं कदाचिदपि मा कृथाः
"Never engage in slander or malicious gossip."
हरिपूजापरश्चैव त्यज मूर्खसमागमम्
"Be devoted to the worship of Hari, and avoid the company of fools."
परित्यज्यात्मवल्लोकं दृष्ट्वा शान्तिं गमिष्यसि
"Renouncing the world as you would your own body, you will attain peace."
द्रंभाचारमहॄङ्कारं नैष्ठुर्यं च परित्यज
"Abandon hypocrisy, arrogance, and harshness."
त्वया कृतांश्च धर्मान्वै मा प्रकाशय पुच्छताम्
"Do not reveal the righteous acts you have performed, even if asked."
पूजयस्वातियिं नित्यं स्वकुटुंबाविरोधतः
"Always honor guests, without conflict with your own family."
पूजयस्व जगन्नाथं नारायणमकां मतः
"Worship the Lord of the universe, Narayana, as I consider best."
अग्रेश्च विधिवद्वप्र परिचर्यापरो भव
"And at the front, according to the rules, be devoted to service."
तथोपलेपनं चैव कुरुष्व सुसमाहितः
"Likewise, perform the anointing with great attention."
मार्गशोभां च दीपं च विष्णोरायतने कुरु
"Make the path beautiful and provide a lamp in Vishnu’s temple."
प्रदक्षिणनमस्कारैः स्तोत्राणां पठनैस्तथा
"With circumambulations, salutations, and recitation of hymns—"
वेदान्तपठनं चैव प्रत्यहं कुरु शक्तितः
"And also daily recite the Vedanta, as much as you are able."
ज्ञानात्समस्तपापानां मोक्षो भवति निश्चितम्
Liberation from all sins is certainly attained through knowledge.
तथा ज्ञानरतो नित्यं ज्ञानलेशमवाप्तवान्
Thus, one who is always devoted to knowledge has obtained even a trace of wisdom.