योग्यं पृच्छसि कौन्तेय पुनः पश्योत्तरां दिशम्॥ १.
You ask fittingly, son of Kunti; now look again to the northern direction.
ततो द्विजौः परिवृतं नारदं देवपूजितम् २.
Then the twice-born, surrounding Nārada, honored by the gods—
ततस्तं नारदः प्राह जयारातिधनंजय २.
Then Nārada spoke to him, to Dhananjaya, conqueror of foes:
कच्चिदेतां महायात्रां वीर द्वादशवारषिकीम् २.
Hero, have you by chance undertaken this great journey of twelve years?
मुनीनामपि चेतांसि तीर्थयात्रासु पांडव २.
Even the minds of sages, O son of Pandu, are disturbed during pilgrimages.
कच्चिन्नैतेन दोषेण समाश्लिष्टोऽसि पांडव २.
Pandava, have you perhaps been affected by this very fault?
यस्य हस्तौ च पादौ च मनश्चैव सुसंयतम् २.
He whose hands and feet, and indeed his mind, are well restrained—
तदिदं हृदि धार्यं ते किं वा त्वं तात मन्यसे २.
This should be held in your heart; or what do you think, dear one?
पुनरेतत्समुचितं यद्विप्रैः शिक्षणं नृणाम् २.
Again, this is proper: that men should learn from the brahmins.
विष्णुना चात्र श्रृणुमो गीतां गाथां द्विजान्प्रति॥ २.
Here too we hear a song recited by Viṣṇu for the brahmins.
यस्यामलामृतयशःश्रवणावगाहः सद्यः पुनाति जगदा श्वपचाद्विकुंठः २.
He whose pure, immortal fame, when heard and entered into, at once purifies the world—even from an outcaste to the highest—
प्रियं च पार्थ ते ब्रूमो येषां कुशलकामुकः २.
And, O Pārtha, we tell you what is dear, for whom the wish for welfare arises.
अधुना भीमसेनेन कुरूणामुपतापकः २.
Now, by Bhīmasena, affliction has come upon the Kurus.
स हि राज्ञामजेयोऽभूद्यथापूर्वं बलिर्बली २.
For he became unconquerable among kings, just as Bali was of old, being strong.
इत्यादिनारदप्रोक्तां वाचमाकर्ण्य फाल्गुनः २.
Hearing these words spoken by Nārada, Phālguna—
ये ब्राह्मणमते नित्यं ये च ब्राह्मणपूजकाः २.
Those who always follow the brahmin's teaching, and those who honor the brahmins—
आगतस्तीर्थमेतद्धि प्रमोदोऽतीव मे हृदि २.
This sacred place has been reached; great joy indeed fills my heart.
माहात्म्यश्रवणं तस्मादौर्वोपि मुनिरब्रवीत् २.
Therefore, the sage Aurva spoke about the hearing of its greatness.
एतेनैव श्राव्यमेतद्यत्त्वयांगीकृतं मुने २.
This very thing should be heard, since you have accepted it, O sage.
तदेतत्सर्वतीर्थेभ्योऽधिकं मन्ये त्वदा हृतम्॥ २.
Therefore, I consider this to be superior to all other sacred places, as it has been received from you.
उचितं तव पार्थैतद्यत्पृच्छसि गुणिन्गुणान् साधूनां धर्मश्रवणैः कीर्तनैर्याति चान्वहम्॥ २.
It is fitting for you, O son of Pritha, to ask about the virtues of the virtuous; for by hearing and praising the righteous, virtue increases day by day.
पापानामसदालापैरायुर्याति यथान्वहम् २.
Just as, through false and evil conversations, the lifespan of sinners diminishes day by day.
यथा श्रुत्वा विजानासि युक्तमंगीकृतं मया २.
As you have heard and understood, it is proper and has been accepted by me.
गतवान्ब्रह्मणो लोकं तत्रापश्यं पितामहम् २.
I went to the world of Brahma and there I saw the Grandfather.
विभाति विमलो ब्रह्मा नक्षत्रैरुडुराडिव २.
Brahma shone, pure and spotless, like the moon among the stars.
उविष्टः प्रमुदितः कपिलेन सहैव च २.
He was seated, joyful, together with Kapila.
प्रहीयंते हि ते नित्यं जगद्द्रष्टुं हि ब्रह्मणा २.
Those who constantly desire to see the world approach Brahma.
चक्षुषामृतकल्पेन प्लावयन्निव चाब्रवीत् २.
Flooding with nectar-like vision, he spoke as if bathing all.
किंचिदेवाद्भुतं ब्रूत श्रवणाद्येन पुण्यता २.
Speak of something wondrous, by hearing which there is merit.
सुश्रवानाम ब्रह्माणं प्रणिपत्येदमूचिवान् २.
Having bowed to Brahma, the best of listeners spoke these words.