तुलसीपूजया तस्य रत्नपूजां पुरा कृताम्
By worshipping with tulasī, he surpassed the king’s former worship with jewels.
विष्णुदास कथं सेयमाच्छन्ना तुलसीदलैः
Viṣṇudāsa, how is it that this worship is concealed by tulasī leaves?
विष्णुभक्तिं न जानासि वराकोऽसि मतो मम
You do not know devotion to Viṣṇu; in my view, you are a wretch.
इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सक्रोधः स द्विजोत्तमः
Hearing these words, that best of Brahmins became angry.
कियद्विष्णुव्रतं पूर्वं त्वया चीर्णं वदस्व तत्
Tell me, how many Viṣṇu vows have you observed before?
तद्ब्राह्मणवचः श्रुत्वा प्रहस्य स नृपोत्तमः
Hearing the Brahmin’s words, the best of kings laughed.
इत्थं चेद्वदसे विप्र विष्णुभक्त्याऽतिगर्वितः
If you speak thus, O Brahmin, so excessively proud because of your devotion to Vishnu,
यज्ञदानादिकं नैव विष्णोस्तुष्टिकरं कृतम् 2.4.26.
then sacrifices, gifts, and the like do not truly bring satisfaction to Vishnu.
ईदृशस्याऽपि ते गर्व एष तिष्ठति भक्तितः
Even so, this pride of yours persists, arising from your devotion.
साक्षात्कारमहं विष्णोरेष वादो गमिष्यति
I shall bring about a direct vision of Vishnu; this dispute will be resolved.
आरभद्वैष्णवं सत्रं कृत्वाऽऽचार्यं तु मुद्गलम्
He began a great Vaishnava sacrifice, appointing Mudgala as the chief priest.
ऋषिसंघसमाजुष्टं बह्वन्नं बहुदक्षिणम्
It was attended by assemblies of sages, with abundant food and many gifts.
विष्णुदासोऽपि तत्रैव तस्थौ देवालये व्रती
Vishnudasa too remained there, observing his vows in the temple.
माघोर्जयोर्व्रतं सम्यक्तुलसीवनपालनम्
He perfectly observed the vow of Magha and Kartika, and tended the grove of sacred tulasi.
उपचारैः षोडशभिर्नृत्यगीतादिमंगलैः
With sixteen kinds of offerings, with dance, song, and auspicious rites,
नित्यं संस्मरणं विष्णोर्गच्छन्भुवि स्वपन्नपि
He constantly remembered Vishnu, whether walking on earth or even while asleep.
माघकार्तिकयोर्नित्यं विशेषनियमानपि
During the months of Magha and Kartika, he observed special disciplines as well.
एवं समाराधयतोः श्रियः पतिं तयोश्च चोलेश्वरविष्णुदासयोः 2.4.26.
Thus, as both Coleshvara and Vishnudasa worshipped the Lord of Shri,
स पाकमकरोत्तावदहरत्कोऽप्यलक्षितः
He prepared the offering, but someone unseen carried it away.
तमदृष्ट्वाऽप्यसौ पाकं पुनर्नैवाऽकरोत्तदा
Though he did not see who it was, he did not prepare the offering again at that time.
द्वितीयेऽह्नि पुनः पाकं कृत्वा यावत्स विष्णवे
On the second day, after preparing the offering for Vishnu,
एवं सप्तदिनं तस्य पाकं कोऽप्यहरन्नृप
in this way, for seven days, someone took away his offering, O King.
अहो नित्यं समभ्येत्य कः पाकं हरते मम
Alas, who is it that comes every day and takes away my offering?
पुनः पाकं विधायाऽत्र भुज्यते यदि चेन्मया
If, after preparing the offering again, I myself eat it here—
यदि पाकं विधायैवं भोक्तव्यं तु मया न तत्
If it must be cooked in this way, then I should not eat it.
उपोषितोऽहं सप्ताऽहं तिष्ठाम्यत्र व्रतस्थितः
I have fasted for seven days, remaining here steadfast in my vow.
इति पाकं विधायाऽसौ तत्रैवाऽलक्षितः स्थितः
Having thus prepared the food, he stood there unnoticed.
क्षुत्क्षामं दीनवदनमस्थिचर्माऽवशेषितम् 2.4.27.
Emaciated by hunger, with a pitiful face, only skin and bones remained.
विलोक्याऽन्नहरं विप्रस्तिष्ठतिष्ठेत्यभाषत
Seeing the food-bringer, the brahmin said, 'Wait, wait!'
इत्थं वदंतं विप्राग्र्यमायांतं स विलोक्य च
Seeing the eminent brahmin approaching and speaking thus,