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.
सभित्कुशांवुपुष्पादि प्रत्यहं समुपानयत्
He brought darbha grass, flowers, and other offerings every day.
उवाच प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा सगरो विनयान्वितः
Sagara, with joined palms and humility, spoke.
तत्सर्वं मेसमाचक्ष्व श्रोतुं कौतूहलं मम
Tell me all of this, for I am eager to hear.
पित्रा विहीना ये लोके जीवन्तो ऽपि मृतोपमाः
Those who are deprived of their father in this world, though living, are like the dead.
यस्य माता पिता नास्ति सुखं तस्य न विद्यते
One who has neither mother nor father knows no happiness.
अपुत्रस्य वृथां जन्म ऋणग्रस्तस्य चैव हि
The birth of a sonless man is in vain, as is that of one burdened by debt.
पतिहीना यथा नारी पितृहीनस्तथा शिशुः
Just as a woman without a husband, so is a child without a father.
पशुहीनो यथा वैश्यस्तया पित्रा विनार्भक्तः
Just as a merchant without cattle, so is a child deprived of his father.
तपो यथा दयाहीनं सथा पित्रा विवार्भकः
Just as austerity is without compassion, so is a child without his father.
बेदहीनो यथा वाजी तथा पित्रा विनार्भक्तः
Just as a horse is without a bridle, so is a child without his father.