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?'
तदहं दानपुण्यं हि करिष्यामि कथं स्फुटम् २.
Therefore, how shall I clearly perform the merit of giving?
अनर्हते यद्ददाति न ददाति तथार्हते २.
That which is given to one unworthy, and not given to one who is worthy—
देशेकाले च पात्रे च शुद्धेन मनसा तथा २.
In the right place and time, to a worthy recipient, and with a pure mind—
तमोवृतस्तु यो दद्यात्क्रोधात्तथैव च २.
But one who gives while enveloped in darkness, or out of anger—
बालत्वेऽपि च सोऽश्राति यद्दत्तं दम्भकारणात् २.
Even in youth, he does not rejoice if what is given is for the sake of hypocrisy.
वृद्धत्वे हि समश्राति नरो वै नात्र भविष्यति शुभार्जितं प्रयुञ्जीत श्रद्धया शाठ्यवर्जितः॥ २.
Indeed, in old age he does not rejoice; a man will not be so. One should employ what is righteously acquired, with faith, devoid of deceit.
तदेतन्निर्धनत्वाच्च कथं नाम भविष्यति २.
So, because of this poverty, how indeed will this come to be?
नाधनस्यास्त्ययं लोको न परश्च कथंचन २.
For the poor, neither this world nor the next exists in any way.
दारिद्र्यं पातकं लोके कस्तच्छंसितुमर्हति २.
Poverty is a sin in the world—who is fit to endure it?
यः कृशाश्वः कृशधनः कृशभृत्यः कृशातिथिः २.
He who has lean horses, little wealth, few servants, and scant guests—
अर्थवान्दुष्कुलीनोऽपि लोके पूज्यतमो नरः २.
A man with wealth, even if of low lineage, is most honored in the world.
ज्ञानवृद्धास्तपोवृद्धा ये च वृद्धा बहुश्रुताः २.
Those who are advanced in knowledge, in austerity, and those elders who have heard much—
यद्यप्ययं त्रिभुवने अर्थोऽस्माकं पराग्नहि २.
Even though, for us, wealth in the three worlds is like a hostile fire—
अथवैतत्पुरा सर्वं चिंतयिष्यामि सुस्फुटम् २.
Still, I will consider all this clearly beforehand.
स चिंतयित्वेति बहुप्रकारं देशांश्च ग्रामान्नगराणि चाश्रमान् २.
So, having considered in many ways the regions, villages, cities, and hermitages—
एवं स्थानानि पुण्यानि यानियानीह वै भुवि ३.
Thus, the holy places, however many there are on earth—
विचरन्मेदिनीं सर्वां प्राप्तोऽहमाश्रमं भृगोः ३.
Wandering over the whole earth, I have reached the hermitage of Bhrigu.
महापुण्या पवित्रा च सर्वतीर्थमयी शुभा ३.
It is greatly holy, pure, auspicious, and contains all sacred waters.
तत्रावगाहनात्पार्थ मुच्यते जंतुरंहसा ३.
There, O Partha, by bathing, a creature is freed from sin.
इयं ब्रह्मांडपिण्डस्य स्थाने तस्मिन्प्रकीर्तिता ३.
This is said to be the place of the cosmic egg in that region.