सा समुद्रेण संप्राप्ता पुण्यतोया महानदी ३.
That holy river, whose waters are pure, has reached the ocean.
स्तंभाख्यं तत्र तीर्थं तु त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम् ३.
There is the sacred place called Stambha, renowned in the three worlds.
सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्ता नोपसर्पंति वै यमम् ३.
Those who are freed from all sins do not approach Yama.
तदहं कीर्तयिष्यामि मुने श्रृणु महाद्भुतम् ३.
Therefore, O sage, I shall recount a most wonderful event; listen.
तीरे स्थितं प्रपश्यामि मुनींद्रं पावकोपमम् ३.
I saw, standing on the riverbank, the foremost of sages, blazing like fire.
भुजावूर्ध्वौ ततः कृत्वा प्ररुदंतं मुहुर्मुहुः ३.
With his arms raised upward, he was weeping again and again.
सतां लक्षणमेतद्धि यद्दृष्ट्वा दुःखितं जनम् ३.
Indeed, this is the mark of the virtuous: to feel sorrow upon seeing others in distress.
अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं मानुष्ये सति दुर्लभम् ३.
Nonviolence, truthfulness, and non-stealing are rare among humans, even when present.
किमर्थं रोदिशि मुने शोके किं कारणं तव ३.
O sage, why do you weep? What is the cause of your grief?
मुनिस्ततो मामवदद्भृगो निर्भाग्यवानहम् ३.
Then the sage said to me, 'O Bhrigu, I am unfortunate.'
तमहं विस्मयाविष्टः पुनरेवेदमब्रुवम् ३.
Astonished, I again spoke these words to him.
मनुष्यत्वे ब्राह्मणत्वं मुनित्वं तत्र दुर्लभम् ३.
Among humans, to be a Brahmin is rare, and among Brahmins, to be a sage is rarer still.
किमर्थं रोदिषि मुने विस्मयोऽत्र महान्मम ३.
O sage, why do you weep? This is a great wonder to me.
सुभद्रोनाम नाम्ना च मुनिस्तत्राभ्युपाययौ ३.
Then a sage named Subhadra arrived there.
कृताश्रमः पूजयति सदा स्तंभेश्वरं मुनिः ३.
Having established his hermitage, the sage always worships Staṃbheśvara.
अथाहाचम्य स मुनिः श्रूयतां कारणं मुनी ३.
Then, having performed ācamana, the sage said, 'O sage, listen to the reason.'
निवसामि कृतस्थानो गंगासागरसंगमे ३.
I reside, having established my place, at the confluence of the Ganges and the ocean.
श्राद्धांते ते च प्रत्यक्षा ह्याशिषो मे वदंति च ३.
At the conclusion of the śrāddha, they appear before me and speak their blessings.
वयं सदात्र चायामो देवशर्मंस्तवांतिके ३.
We always come here and stay near you, O Devaśarman.
स्थानं दिदृक्षुस्तच्चाहं न शक्तोऽस्मि निवोदितुम् ३.
Desiring to see that place, I am not able to describe it.
पितॄणां मंदिरं पुण्यं भौमलोकसमास्थितम् ३.
The blessed abode of the ancestors is established upon the earthly realm.
दृष्ट्वाग्रतः पूजयाढ्यानपृच्छं स्वान्पितॄनिति भृशंप्रमुदिता नैव तथा यूयं यथा ह्यमी॥ ३.
Seeing their own ancestors before them, adorned with worship, they asked, 'Why are you not as joyful as these?'
भद्रं ते पितरः पुण्याः सुभद्रस्य महामुनेः ३.
Blessings upon you, O virtuous ancestors, of the supremely auspicious great sage.
सर्वतीर्थमयी यत्र निलीना ह्युदधौ मही ३.
There, where the earth, pervaded by all sacred waters, is merged into the ocean.
इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तेषां लज्जितोऽहं भृशंतदा ३.
Hearing their words, I then became greatly ashamed.
यथा तथा चिंतितं च तत्र यास्याम्यहं श्फुटम् ३.
Thus, having resolved in my mind, I will surely go there.
कृताश्रमश्च तत्रैव तर्पयिष्ये निजान्पितॄन् ३.
Having established my hermitage right there, I shall offer oblations to my own ancestors.
किं तेन ननु जातेन कुलांगारेण पापिना ३.
What is the use of one who is born, yet is a sinful disgrace to the lineage?
इति संचिंत्य मुदितो रुचिं भार्यामथाब्रवुम् ३.
Thinking thus, joyfully, I then spoke to my wife Ruci.
गत्वा स्थास्यामि तत्रैव शीघ्रं त्वं सम्मुखीभव तस्मादेतन्मम शुभे कर्तुमर्हसि चिंतितम्॥ ३.
I will go and remain there; quickly, you must come before me. Therefore, O auspicious one, you should fulfill this wish of mine.