कुमारगीता गाथात्र श्रूयतां मुनिसत्तमाः १.
Here, the song of Kumāra is recited; listen, O best of sages.
मध्वाचारस्तं भतीर्थं यो निषेवेत मानवः १.
Whoever, following the path of Madhva, worships that holy place,
ब्रह्मलोकाद्विष्णुलोकस्तस्मादपि शिवस्य च १.
From Brahmā's world, to Viṣṇu's world, and even to Śiva's,
अत्राश्चर्यकथा या च फाल्गुनस्य पुरेरिता १.
Here is the marvelous story once told by Phālguna.
पुरा निमित्ते कस्मिंश्चित्करीटी मणिकूटतः १.
Long ago, for some purpose, a crowned one came from Maṇikūṭa.
वर्जयंति सदा यानि भयात्तीर्थानि तापसाः १.
Ascetics always avoid those sacred places out of fear.
स्तंभेशस्य द्वितीयं च सौभद्रस्य मुनेः प्रियम् १.
The second is Staṃbheśa, beloved to the sage Saubhadra.
चतुर्थं च महाकालं करंधम नृपप्रिययम् १.
The fourth is Mahākāla, dear to King Karandhama.
एतानि पंच तीर्थानि ददर्श कुरुपुंगवः १.
These five sacred fords were seen by the foremost of the Kurus.
दृष्ट्वा पार्श्वे नारदीयानपृच्छत महामुनीन् १.
Having seen them, he asked the great sages who were followers of Nārada, standing nearby.
किमर्थं ब्रूत वर्ज्यंते सदैव ब्रह्मवादिभिः तापसा ऊचुः १.
"For what reason, tell me, are these always avoided by those who speak of Brahman?" The ascetics replied:
अत एतानि वर्ज्यंते तीर्थानि कुरुनंदन १.
"For this reason, O joy of the Kurus, these sacred fords are avoided."
ततस्तं तापसाः प्रोचुत्हंतुं नार्हसि फाल्गुन १.
Then those ascetics said, "You should not go there, O Phālguna."
तत्त्व द्वारशवर्षाणि तीर्थानामर्बुदेष्वपि १.
For twelve years, even among the holy places in Arbuda, this is the truth.
यदुक्तं करुणासारैः सारं किं तदिहोच्यताम् १.
"What has been said by the compassionate ones—what is its essence? Let it be told here."
धर्मकामं हि मनुजं यो वारयति मंदधीः १.
He who, being dull-witted, restrains a man from righteousness and desire—
यज्जीवितं चाचिरांशुसमानक्षणभंगुरम् १.
—his life is as fleeting and fragile as a sunbeam.
जीवितं च धनं दाराः पुत्राः क्षेत्रगृहाणि च १.
Life, wealth, wives, sons, fields, and houses—
एवं ते ब्रुवतः पार्थ दीर्घमायुः प्रवर्धताम् १.
Thus, as they spoke, O Pārtha, may your long life increase.
एवमुक्तः प्रणम्यैतानाशीर्भिरभिसंस्तुतः १.
Thus addressed, he bowed to them and was praised with blessings.
ततः सौभद्रमासाद्य महर्षेस्तीर्थुमुत्तमम् १.
Then, reaching Saubhadra, the foremost sacred ford of the great sage—
अथ तं पुरुषव्याघ्रमंतर्जलचरो महान् १.
Then, a great aquatic creature approached that tiger among men.
तमादायैव कौतेयो विस्फुरंतं जलेचरम् १.
Taking hold of that thrashing water-dweller, the son of Kunti—
उद्धृतश्चैव तु ग्राहः सोऽर्जुनेन यशस्विना १.
That crocodile was pulled out by the glorious Arjuna.
दीप्यमानशिखा विप्रा दिव्यरूपा मनोरमा १.
O Brahmins, she shone with blazing flames, possessing a divine and enchanting form.
तां स्त्रियं परमप्रीत इदं वचनमब्रवीत् १.
To that woman, filled with utmost affection, he spoke these words.
किमर्थं च महात्पापमिदं कृतवती ह्यसि नार्युवाच १.
For what reason, O lady, have you committed this great sin?
इष्टा धनपतेर्नित्यं वर्चानाम महाबल १.
Desired were wealth, sons, and enduring fame, O mighty one.
ताभिः सार्धं प्रयातास्मि देवराजनिवेशनात् १.
Together with them, I departed from the abode of the king of the gods.
रूपवंतमधीयानमेकमेकांतचारिणम् १.
A handsome, learned man, dwelling alone, was there.