स तस्य वैश्वदेवन्ति द्वारालोकनगोचरः
He, visible at the gate, was seen as Vaiśvadeva.
प्रक्षालिताङ्घ्रिपाणिं च कृतासनपरिग्रहम्
With hands and feet washed, and having taken his seat,
भो विप्रवर्य भोक्तव्यं यदत्र भवतो गृहे
"O best of Brāhmaṇas, whatever food is to be eaten in your house—"
सक्तुयावकव्रीहीनामपूपानां च मे गृहे
"In my house are saktu, yāvaka, rice, and cakes—"
कदन्नानि दिजैतानि मिष्टमन्नं प्रयच्छ मे
"Give me, O twice-born, cooked food, even if it is simple or delicious."
गृहे शालिनि मद्गेहे यत्किञ्चिदति शोभनम्
"Whatever good food there is in my house, with rice or barley—"
इत्युक्ता तेन सा पत्नी मिष्टमन्नं द्विजस्य तत्
Thus addressed by him, his wife gave that delicious food to the Brāhmaṇa.
न भुक्तवन्तमिच्छातो मिष्टमन्नं महामुनिम्
The great sage, though offered delicious food, did not wish to eat.
अपि ते परमा तृप्तिरुत्पन्ना पुष्टिरेव
"Has supreme satisfaction or nourishment arisen for you?"
क्व निवासी भवान्विप्र क्व वा गन्तुं समुद्यतः
"Where do you dwell, O Brāhmaṇa, and where are you intending to go?"
क्षुधितस्य च भुक्ते ऽन्ने तृप्तिर्ब्रह्मन्विजायते
When a hungry man eats food, O Brāhmaṇa, satisfaction arises.
वह्निना पार्थिवेनादौ दग्धे वै क्षुरापीश्वः
When the sacrificial blade is burned by fire or earth at first—
क्षुत्तृष्णे देहधर्माख्ये न ममैते यतो द्विज
Hunger and thirst, known as conditions of the body, do not belong to me, O twice-born.
मनसः स्वस्थता तुष्टिश्चित्तधर्माविमौ द्विज
Mental well-being and contentment—these two are qualities of the mind, O twice-born.
क्व निवासस्तवेत्युक्तं क्व गन्तासि च यत्त्वया
When you asked, 'Where is your dwelling?' and 'Where will you go?'
पुमान्सवर्गतो व्यापीत्याकाशवदयं यतः
Know that the person is all-pervading by nature, like space itself.
सो ऽहं गन्ता न चागन्ता नैकदेशनिकेतनः
I am the one who goes, yet not one who comes; I have no fixed abode in any single place.
मिष्टन्ने मिष्टमित्येषा जिह्वा सा मे कृता तव
This tongue of mine, which says 'this is tasty,' was made by you.
मिष्टमेव यदामिष्टं तदेवोद्वेगकारणम्
Whatever is considered tasty, when it becomes distasteful, that alone is the cause of distress.
आदिमध्यावसानेषु किमन्नं रुचिकारणम्
At the beginning, middle, and end, what food is truly the cause of pleasure?
पार्थिवो ऽयं तथा देहः पार्थिवैः परमाणुभिः
This body, too, is earthly, composed of earthly atoms.
गुडः फलानीति तथा पार्थिवाः परमाणवः
Sugar and fruits, likewise, are made of earthly atoms.
तन्मनः शमनालबि कार्यं प्राप्यं हि मुक्तये
Restrain the mind, O wise one; this alone is the means to liberation.
प्रणिपत्य महाभागो निदाघो वाक्यमब्रवीत्
Having bowed down, the illustrious Nidagha spoke these words.
नष्टो मोहस्तवाकर्ण्य वचांस्येतानि मे द्विज
My delusion has vanished upon hearing these words of yours, O twice-born.
इहागतो ऽहं दास्यामि परमार्थं सुबोधितम्
I have come here; I will give you the highest truth, clearly explained.
वासुदेवाभिधेयस्य स्वरुपं परात्मनः
The true nature of the Supreme Self, known as Vāsudeva.
पूजितः परया भक्त्यानिच्छितः प्रययौ विभुः
Honored with supreme devotion, the Lord departed, though unasked.
निदाघज्ञानदानाय तदेव नगरं गुरुः
That very city became the teacher for Nidagha's gift of knowledge.
महाबलपरीवारे पुरं विशति पार्थिवे
He entered the earthly city, surrounded by a retinue of great strength.