किं कार्यं चाद्य कर्तव्यं कथं श्रेयो भविष्यति १५.
What should be done today? What action must be taken? How will the best outcome arise?
मनसैव च तत्सर्वं कार्याकार्यं विचार्य च १५.
Mentally considering all that, weighing what should and should not be done—
प्राप्तो जलाशयं तं च यत्रास्ते हि पुरंदरः १५.
He arrived at the lake where Purandara was staying.
तत्रोविष्टास्ते सर्वे देवा ऋषिगणान्विताः १५.
There, all the gods were seated, accompanied by groups of sages.
समुत्थितस्ततः शक्रो ददर्श स्वगुरुं तदा १५.
Then Indra arose and saw his own teacher.
प्रणिपत्य च तत्रत्यान्कृताञ्जलिरभाषत १५.
Having bowed, with joined palms, he spoke to those present there.
स्वयमेव कृतं पूर्वमज्ञानलक्षणं महत् १५.
Previously, the great fault characterized by ignorance was committed by oneself alone.
प्रहस्योवाच भगवान्बृहस्पति रुदारधीः १५.
The venerable Bṛhaspati, of profound intellect, laughed and spoke.
मां च उद्दिश्य भो इंद्र तद्भोगादेव संक्षयः १५.
O Indra, it is precisely because of that enjoyment, referring to me, that destruction has come.
अज्ञानतो हि यज्जातं पापं तस्य प्रतिक्रिया १५.
Indeed, for sin that arises from ignorance, there is a remedy.
सकामेन कृतं पापमकामं नैव जायते १५.
Sin committed with intention is one thing; that which is done without desire does not arise at all.
मरणांतो विधिः कार्यो कामेन हि कृतेन हि १५.
For what is done with desire, the prescribed expiation must end with death.
तस्मात्त्वया कृतं यच्च स्वयमेव हतो द्विजः १५.
Therefore, what you have done—killing the Brāhmaṇa yourself—
यावन्मरणमप्येति तावदप्सु स्थिरो भव॥ १५.
Remain steadfast in the waters until death comes.
शताश्वमेधसंज्ञं च यत्फलं तव दुर्मते १५.
O misguided one, whatever fruit is named as that of a hundred Aśvamedha sacrifices—
सच्छिद्रे च यथा तोयं न तिष्ठति घटेऽण्वपि १५.
Just as water does not remain even in a pot with a tiny hole,
तस्माच्च दैवसंयोगात्प्राप्तं स्वर्गादिकं च यैः १५.
So too, by the conjunction of fate, those who have attained heaven and the like—
एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य शक्रो वचनमब्रवीत् १५.
Having heard these words, Śakra spoke the following statement.
अमरावती माशु त्वं गच्छ देवर्षिबिः सह इंद्रं कुरु महाभाग यस्ते मनसि रोचते॥ १५.
Go quickly to Amarāvatī with the divine sages; O greatly fortunate one, make as your Indra whomever pleases your mind.
यथा मृतस्तथा हं वै ब्रह्महत्यावृतो महान् १५.
Just as one who is dead, so indeed is the great one enveloped by the sin of Brahmin-killing.
तस्मात्त्वरान्विता यूयं देवराजानमाशुः वै १५.
Therefore, all of you, filled with urgency, quickly install the king of the gods.
एवमुक्तास्तदा सर्वे बृहस्पतिपुरोगमाः कथयामासुरव्यग्रा शचीं प्रति यथा तथा॥ १५.
Thus addressed, then all, led by Bṛhaspati, anxiously reported everything to Śacī as it had happened.
राज्यस्य हेतोः किं कार्यं विमृशंतः परस्परम्॥ १५.
Deliberating among themselves, they considered what should be done for the sake of the kingdom.
एवं विमृश्यमानानां देवानां तत्र नारदः १५.
While the gods were thus deliberating there, Nārada arrived.
उवाच पूजितो देवान्कस्माद्यूयं विचेतसः १५.
He spoke: Having been worshipped by the gods, why are you all so bewildered?
गतमिंद्रस्य चेंद्रत्वमेनसा परमेण तु १५.
Indra's sovereignty has departed, due to a grave offense.
यूयं देवाश्च सर्वज्ञास्तपसा विक्रमेण च १५.
You gods are all-knowing, through asceticism and valor.
सोऽस्मिन्राष्ट्रे प्रतिष्ठाप्यस्त्वरितेनैव निर्जराः कृतमस्ति महाभागा नहुषेण च यज्वना॥ १५.
Immortals, establish yourselves quickly in this realm; the noble sacrificer Nahusha has accomplished this.
शच्या श्रुतं च तद्वाक्यं नारदस्य मुखोद्गतम् १५.
Shachi heard those words spoken from the mouth of Narada.
नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सर्वे देवान्वमोदयन्॥ १५.
Hearing Narada's words, all the gods rejoiced.