कारणं दैवमेवात्र मन्ये सोपाधिका जनाः
I consider fate alone to be the cause here; people are bound by its conditions.
मृत्योर्वशं प्रयातव्यं जन्तुभिः कमलानने
O lotus-faced one, all creatures must go under the sway of death.
प्रवादं रोपयन्त्यज्ञा हेतुमात्रेषु जन्तुषु
The ignorant spread rumors among beings, relying only on superficial causes.
कुरु पत्युश्च कर्माणि विवेकेन स्थिरा भव
Perform your husband's duties with discernment, and remain steadfast.
सुखाभासं बहुक्लेशं कर्मपाशेन यन्त्रितम्
Bound by the fetter of karma, it is a semblance of happiness, filled with much suffering.
त्यक्तशोका च सा तन्वी नता प्राह मुनीश्वरम्
Freed from sorrow, that slender woman bowed and spoke to the great sage.
नहि द्रुमाश्च भोगार्थं फलन्ति जगतीतले
Trees do not bear fruit on earth merely for enjoyment.
स एव विष्णुःसत्त्वस्थो यतः परिहिते स्थितः
That very Viṣṇu, established in purity, abides where righteousness is upheld.
स एव जगतामीशो नररुपधरो हरिः
That very Hari, lord of the worlds, has assumed the form of a man.
सर्वेषां दुःखनाशाय इति सन्तो वदन्ति हि
The sages indeed say he exists for the removal of all suffering.
वर्तते यत्र मार्ताण्डः कथं तत्रतमो भवेत्
Where the sun shines, how can there be darkness?
चकार तत्सरस्तीरे मुनिप्रोक्तविधानतः
She performed the rites on the bank of that lake as instructed by the sage.
प्रपेदे परमं धाम नत्वा चौर्वं मुनीश्वरम्
Having bowed to the noble sage Aurva, she attained the supreme abode.
परं पदं प्रयान्त्येव महद्भिरवलोकिताः
Those who are regarded by the great indeed reach the highest state.
यदि पश्यति पुण्यात्मा स प्रयाति परां गतिम्
If a virtuous soul beholds it, he attains the supreme path.
चकार तस्य शुश्रूषां सपत्न्या सह नारद्
O Nārada, she served him together with her co-wife.
चक्राते भक्तिभावेन शुश्रूषआं प्रतिवासररम्
They rendered service daily with devotion.
तस्याः पापमतिर्जाता सपत्न्याः संपदं प्रति
Her mind became sinful regarding her co-wife's prosperity.
न स्वप्रभावं चक्रे वै गरो मुनिनिषेवया
Gara did not display his own power, being engaged in service to the sages.
चकार सेवां तेनासौ जीर्णपुण्येन कर्मणा
He performed service, his actions shaped by worn-out merit.
सुषाव सुशुभे काले शुश्रूषानष्टकिल्बिषा
He served at the proper time, free from faults, attentive and pure.
न तदातिसुखं किं वा नराणां पुण्यकर्मणाम्
Is there any great happiness for those who perform virtuous deeds among men?
तत्सर्वं नाशयत्याशु परिचर्या महात्मनाम्
All of that is swiftly destroyed by service to the great souls.
कलामात्रो ऽपि शीताशुः शंभुना स्वीकृतो यथा
Even a fraction of cold ashes, when accepted by Śambhu, brings blessing.
इहामुत्र च विग्नेन्द्र सन्तः पूज्यतमास्ततः
Here and hereafter, O lord of obstacles, the virtuous are most worthy of reverence.
गर्भं प्रात्पो गरो जीर्णो मासत्रयमहो ऽद्भुतम्
Gara, worn out, entered the womb; three months passed—an astonishing thing.
जातकर्म चचकारासौ तन्नाम सगरेति च
He performed the birth rites, and the child was named Sagara.
चौलोपवीतकर्माणि तथा चक्रे मुनीश्वरः
The sage performed the rituals of shaving and investiture with the sacred thread.
समर्थं सगरं दृष्ट्वा किञ्चिदुद्भिन्नशैशवम्
Seeing Sagara capable, though still showing traces of childhood,
सगरः शिक्षितस्तेन सम्यगौर्वर्षिणा मुने
Sagara was properly instructed by the venerable sage Aurva.