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.
आदित्य इव तं देशं कृत्स्नमेवान्व भासयत् १.
Like the sun, he illuminated that entire place.
अवतीर्णास्ति तं देशं तपोविघ्नचिकीर्षया १.
We descended to that place with the intention of disturbing his austerities.
यौगपद्येन तं विप्रमभ्यगच्छाम भारत १.
All at once, O Bharata, we approached that Brahmin.
स च नास्मासु कृतवान्मनोवीरः कथंचन १.
But that resolute man did not pay any attention to us.
सोऽशपत्कुपितोऽस्मासु ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियर्षभ १.
Then, enraged, that Brahmin cursed us, O best of the Kshatriyas.
ततो वयं प्रव्यथिताः सर्वा भरतसत्तम १.
Thereupon, O best of the Bharatas, we all became greatly distressed.
रूपेण वयसा चैव कंदर्पेण च दर्पिताः १.
Proud of our beauty, youth, and charm, we were overcome by desire.
एष एव वधोऽस्माकं स पर्याप्तस्तपोधन १.
This very punishment is sufficient for us, O ascetic rich in austerity.
अवध्याश्च स्त्रियः सृष्टा मन्यंते धर्मचिंतकाः १.
Those who reflect on righteousness consider women to be inviolable.
शरणं च प्रपन्नानां शिष्टाः कुर्वंति पालनम् १.
And the virtuous protect those who have sought their refuge.