विदेहान्वै समासाद्य जनकेन समागमत्
Arriving among the Videhas, he met Janaka.
तस्थौ तत्र महायोगी क्षुत्पिपासादिवर्जितः
The great yogi remained there, free from hunger and thirst.
तेषां तु द्वारपालानामेकस्तत्र व्यवस्थितः
Among their gatekeepers, one stood there.
जूजयित्वा यथान्यायमभिवाद्य कृताञ्जलिः
Having greeted him properly and with folded hands, he saluted him.
तत्रान्तःपुरसंबद्धं महच्चैत्रग्थोपमम्
There, within the inner palace, was a great hall resembling a celestial mansion.
दर्शयित्वासने स्थाप्य राजानं च व्यजिज्ञपत्
Showing him, seating him, and informing the king as well.
सेवायै तस्य भावस्य ज्ञानाय मुनिसतम
For service to his disposition and for knowledge, the foremost sage.
सूक्ष्मरक्तांबरधरास्तप्तकाञ्चनभूषणाः
They wore fine red garments and ornaments of heated gold.
परं पञ्चाशतस्तस्य पाद्यादीनि व्यकल्पयन्
Then, for him, they prepared fifty kinds of foot-washing and other offerings.
तस्य भुक्तवतस्तात तास्ततः पुरकाननम्
After he had eaten, O dear one, he went to the gardens of the city.
क्रीडन्त्यश्च हसंत्यश्च गायन्त्यश्चैव ताः शुकम्
There, those women played, laughed, and sang to the parrot.
आरणेयस्तु शुद्धात्मा जितक्रोधो जितेन्द्रियः
Āraṇeya, pure in heart, master of anger and senses,
पादशौचं तु कृत्वा वै शुकः संध्यामुपास्य च
The parrot, having performed foot-cleansing and worshipped at twilight,
पूर्वरात्रे तु तत्रासौ भूत्वा ध्यानपरायणः
In the first part of the night, he became absorbed in meditation there.
ततः प्रातः समुत्थाय कृत्वा शौचमनन्तरम्
Then, rising in the morning, he performed purification immediately.
अनेन विधिना तत्र तदहःशेषमप्युत
In this manner, he spent the rest of that day there.
तां च रात्रिं नृपकुले वर्तयामास नारद
And he passed that night in the royal household, O Nārada.
पुरः पुरोहितं कृत्वा सर्वाण्यन्तः पुराणि च
Having placed the priest in front, and all the inner chambers as well,
महदासनमादाय सर्वरत्नविभूषितम्
He brought a great seat adorned with every kind of jewel.
तत्रोपविष्टं तं कार्ष्णिशास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा
There, he seated him, according to the rites prescribed in the Kārṣṇi tradition.
स च तांमन्त्रतः पूजां प्रतिगृह्य द्विजोत्तमः
And that best of twice-born, having received the worship with mantras,
उदारसत्त्वाभिजनो राजापि गुरुसूनवे
The king, noble in nature and lineage, addressed the son of his teacher.
किमागमनिमित्येव पर्यपृच्छद्विधानवित्
Knowing the proper procedure, he asked, 'What is the reason for your arrival?'
विदेहराजोह्याद्योमे जनको नाम विश्रुतः
The king of Videha, renowned as Janaka, is my ancestor.
प्रवृत्तौ च निवृत्तौ च सर्वं छेत्स्यत्यसंशयम्
In both activity and withdrawal, he will decide everything without doubt.
तन्मे धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठ यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि
Therefore, O best among those who uphold dharma, you should speak to me properly.
कथं च मोक्षः कर्तव्यो ज्ञानेन तपसापि वा
And how should liberation be attained—by knowledge, or by austerity?
कृतोपनयनस्तात भवेद्वेदपरायणः
Having undergone the initiation, O dear one, he should be devoted to the Veda.
देवतानां पितॄणां च ह्यतृष्णश्चानसूयकः
He should be free from thirst (desire) and envy toward the gods and ancestors.
अभ्यनुज्ञामनुप्राप्य समावर्तेत वै द्विजः
Having obtained permission, the twice-born should indeed return home.