ततस्तस्मिन्पदे नित्ये निर्गुणे लिङ्गपूजिते
Then, in that eternal, attributeless state where the emblem is worshipped,
संश्लिष्टे श्वेतपीते च रुक्मरूप्यमये शुभे
joined together, white and yellow, splendid, made of gold and silver,
सो ऽविशङ्केन मनसा तथैवाभ्यपतच्छुकः
the parrot approached there with a mind free from doubt, just so.
अदृश्येतां द्विजश्रेष्ठ तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्
O best of twice-born, both became invisible; it was as if something wondrous occurred.
न च प्रतिजघानास्य स गतिं पर्वतोत्तमः
And the supreme mountain did not obstruct his path.
शुको ददर्श धर्मात्मा पुष्पितद्रुमकाननम्
The righteous-minded parrot saw a forest of blossoming trees.
निराकारं तु साकाराददृशुस्तं विवाससः
The formless was seen by those with form, from afar.
उत्तमां गतिमास्थाय पृष्टतो ऽनुससार ह
Having attained the highest path, he followed behind.
दर्शयित्वा प्रभावं स्वं सर्वभूतो ऽभवत्तदा
Having displayed his own power, he then became all beings.
निमेषान्तरमात्रेण शुकाभिपतनं ययौ
Within the span of a blink, the parrot's ascent took place.
शशंसुर्मुनयः सिद्धा गतिं तस्मै सुतस्य ताम्
The sages and perfected ones declared to him the path of his son.
स्वयं पित्रा स्वरेणोञ्चैस्त्रींल्लोकाननुनाद्य वै
He himself, with his father, loudly resounded through the three worlds.
प्रत्यभाषत धर्मात्मा भोः शब्देनानुनादयन्
The righteous-minded one replied, echoing with the sound 'Bhoḥ'.
प्रत्याहरज्जगत्सर्वमुञ्चैः स्थावरजङ्गमम्
He drew back the entire world, loudly, both stationary and moving.
गिरिगह्वरपृष्टेषु व्याजहार शुकं प्रति
On the slopes and hollows of the mountain, he addressed the parrot.
गुणान्संत्यज्य सत्त्वादीन्पदमध्यगमत्परम्
Having abandoned qualities such as sattva, he reached the supreme state.
सो ऽनुनीतो भगवता व्यासो रुद्रेण नारद
Thus, O Nārada, Vyāsa was entreated by the Blessed One and Rudra.
पश्यसि विप्र नायान्तं ब्रह्मभूतं निजान्तिरे
You see, O Brahmin, the one who does not come, who has become Brahman, within your own self.
श्वाश्रमं स शुको ब्रह्मभूतो लोकांश्चचार ह
Having attained the state of Brahman, Śuka wandered among the worlds, leaving behind the life of a householder.
नरनारायणौ द्रष्टुं ययौ बदरिकाश्रमम्
He went to the hermitage at Badarikā to see Nara and Nārāyaṇa.
स्वयं च तत्र तपसि स्थितः शुकमनुस्मरन्
There, remaining engaged in austerity, he continually remembered Śuka.
श्वेतद्वीपं गतस्तात यत्र त्वमगमः पुरा
O dear one, he went to Śvetadvīpa, where you had gone before.
दृष्टः श्रुतिविमृग्यो हि देवदेवो जनार्दनः
There, Janārdana, the god of gods, who is sought by the Vedas, was seen.
त्वया दृष्टो ऽस्मि योगीन्द्र सर्वदेवरहःस्थितः
By you, O lord of yogis, I was seen, abiding in the secret place of all the gods.
त्वं सदागतिमार्गस्थो लोकान्पश्य यथेच्छया
You always follow the path of liberation and behold the worlds as you wish.
वैकुण्ठं प्रययौ विप्र सर्वलोकनमस्कृतम्
O brāhmaṇa, he went to Vaikuṇṭha, honored by all the worlds.
यं भान्तमनुभान्त्येते लोकाः सर्वे ऽपि नारद
O Nārada, all these worlds shine by the radiance of Him who shines there.
वाप्य उत्पलंसंछन्नाः सुरस्त्रीक्रीडनाकुलाः
There, the ponds are covered with lotuses and filled with the play of celestial women.
तत्र द्वाःस्थैश्चतुर्हस्तेनार्नाभरणभूषितैः
At the entrance, there were doorkeepers adorned with four arms and ornaments.
प्रविश्याभ्यान्तरं तत्र देवदेवं चतुर्भुजम्
Entering within, there he saw the god of gods, four-armed.