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,
भीतं संमूर्च्छितं दृष्ट्वा चंडालं स द्विजाग्रणीः
The foremost of brahmins saw the outcaste, frightened and fainting.
अथोत्थितं तमेवासौ विष्णुदासो व्यलोकयत्
Then Viṣṇudāsa looked at him as he rose up.
तं दृष्ट्वा सात्त्विकैर्भावैरावृतो द्विजसत्तमः
Seeing him, the best of brahmins was filled with pure feelings.
अथ शक्रादयो देवास्तत्रैवाभ्याययुस्तदा
Then at that moment, Indra and the other gods arrived there.
विमानशतसंकीर्णं देवर्षिशतसंकुलम्
It was crowded with hundreds of celestial chariots and thronged with hundreds of divine sages.
ततो विष्णुः समालिंग्य स्वभक्तं सात्त्विकव्रतम्
Then Viṣṇu embraced his devotee, steadfast in the pure vow.
विमानवरसंस्थं तं गच्छंतं विष्णुसन्निधिम्
Seated in a splendid chariot, he went to the presence of Viṣṇu.
वैकुण्ठभुवनं यांतं विष्णुदासं विलोक्य सः 2.4.27.
Seeing Viṣṇudāsa going to the world of Vaikuṇṭha,
स विष्णुरूपधृग्विप्रो याति वैकुण्ठमंदिरम्
The brahmin, assuming the form of Viṣṇu, goes to the mansion of Vaikuṇṭha.
दीक्षितेन मया सम्यक्सत्रेऽस्मिन्वैष्णवे त्वया
By me, properly initiated, and by you, in this Vaiṣṇava sacrifice,