शतेषु जायते शूरः सहस्रेषु च पंडितः २.
Among a hundred, a hero is born; among a thousand, a learned man.
गोभिर्विप्रैश्च वेदैश्च सतीभिः सत्यवादिभिः २.
With cows, Brahmins, Vedas, virtuous women, and speakers of truth.
शिबिरौशीनरोङ्गानि सुतं च प्रियमौरसम् २.
Shibi, Ushinara, Anga, and their beloved sons born of their own lineage.
प्रतर्द्दनः काशिपति प्रदाय नयने स्वके २.
Pratardana, king of Kashi, gave his own eyes.
निमी राष्ट्रं च वैदेहो जामदग्न्यो वसुंधराम् २.
Nimi, the Vaideha, gave his kingdom; Jamadagni gave the earth.
अवर्षति च पर्जन्ये सर्वभूतनिवासकृत् २.
When the rain did not fall, the one who provided shelter for all beings.
ब्रह्मदत्तश्च पांचाल्यो राजा बुद्धिमतां वरः २.
Brahmadatta, the Panchala king, foremost among the wise.
सहस्रजिच्च राजर्षिः प्राणानिष्टान्महायशाः २.
Sahasrajit, the royal sage, of great fame, gave his cherished life.
एते चान्ये च बहवः स्थाणोर्दानेन भक्तितः २.
These and many others, through gifts and devotion to Sthanu (Shiva).
एषां प्रतिष्ठिता कीर्तिर्यावत्स्थास्यति मेदिनी २.
Their fame will endure as long as the earth remains.
सोऽपि मोह परित्यज्य तथा कात्यायनोऽभवत्॥ २.
He too, abandoning delusion, became like Katyayana.
एवं सुश्रवसा प्रोक्तां कथामाकर्ण्य पद्मभूः २.
Hearing this story spoken by Sushravas, Padmabhu listened.
साधु ते व्याहृतं वत्स एवमेतन्न चान्यथा २.
Well spoken, child; it is so, not otherwise.
दानं यज्ञानां वरूथं दक्षिणा लोके दातारँसर्वभूतान्युपजीवंति दानेनारातीरँपानुदंत दानेन द्विषंतो मित्रा भवंति दाने सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितं तस्माद्दानं परमं वदंतीति॥ २.
Charity is the foremost shield of sacrifices; the giver is honored in the world. All beings subsist by charity; by charity, enemies are driven away; by charity, foes become friends; in charity, everything is established. Therefore, they say charity is supreme.
संसारसागरे घोरे धर्माधर्मोर्मिसंकुले २.
In the dreadful ocean of worldly existence, filled with waves of righteousness and unrighteousness.
इति संचिंत्य च मया पुष्करे स्थापिता द्विजाः २.
Thinking thus, I established the Brahmins at Pushkara.
स्थापिताः श्रीहरिभ्यां तु श्रीगौर्या वेदवित्तमाः २.
They were established by Shri Hari and Shri Gauri, those most learned in the Vedas.
श्रीमाले च तथा लक्ष्म्या ह्येवमादिसुरोत्तमैः २.
Likewise, in Shri Mala, by Lakshmi and other foremost gods.
न हि दानफले कांक्षा काचिन्नऽस्ति सुरोत्तमाः २.
Indeed, there is no desire whatsoever for the fruit of giving, O best of gods.
ब्राह्मणाश्च कृतस्थाना नानाधर्मोपदेशनैः २.
And the Brāhmaṇas, established in their proper place, instruct in various forms of dharma.
दानं चतुर्विधं दानमुत्सर्गः कल्पितं तथा २.
Giving is of four kinds, and so too is the act of relinquishment that is prescribed.
वापीकूपतडागानां वृक्षविद्यासुरौकसाम् २.
Of wells, ponds, and reservoirs, of trees, knowledge, and abodes for the gods—
उपजीवन्निमान्यश्च पुण्यं कोऽपि चरेन्नरः २.
Whoever lives by these and honors them, surely that person performs a meritorious act.
तदेषामेव सर्वेषां विप्रसंस्थापनं परम् २.
Thus, the establishment of Brāhmaṇas is the highest of all these.
देवतायतनं यावद्यावच्च ब्राह्मणगृहम् २.
From a temple of the gods up to the house of a Brāhmaṇa—
एतत्स्वल्पं हि वाणिज्यं पुनर्बहुफलप्रदम् २.
This is indeed a small transaction, yet it yields abundant fruit.
तस्मादिदं त्वहमपिब्रवीमि सुरसत्तमाः २.
Therefore, O best of gods, I now declare this to you.
इति सारस्वतप्रोक्तां तथा पद्मभुवेरिताम् २.
Thus was spoken by Sarasvatī and likewise by the lotus-born one.
ततः सभाविसर्गांते सुरम्ये मेरुमूर्धनि २.
Then, at the end of the assembly and the offering, on the beautiful summit of Meru—
सत्यमाह विरंचिस्तु स किमर्थं तु जीवति २.
Brahmā spoke the truth: 'For what purpose, then, does he live?'