आसं प्रमुदितश्चाहं पश्यंस्तं गिरिसत्तमम् ५.
I was filled with joy as I beheld that excellent mountain.
यस्मिन्नानाविधा वृक्षाः प्रकाशंते समंततः ५.
On which many kinds of trees appear everywhere.
मुदिता यत्र संतृप्ता वाशंते कोकिलादयः ५.
Where the cuckoos and other birds, delighted and satisfied, sing.
यत्र तप्त्वा तपो मर्त्या यथेप्सितमवाप्नुयुः ५.
Where mortals, having performed austerities, attain whatever they desire.
तस्याहं च गिरेः पार्थ समासाद्य महाशिलाम् ५.
O Pārtha, I approached a great rock of that mountain.
तावन्मया स्थानमाप्तं यदतीव सुदुर्लभम् ५.
There, I attained a place that is extremely difficult to obtain.
ब्राह्मणाश्च विलोक्य मे ये हि पात्रतमा मताः ५.
And I saw those brāhmaṇas whom I considered most worthy of receiving gifts.
न जलोत्तरणे शक्ता यद्वन्नौः कर्णवर्जिता ५.
They were unable to cross the water, since their boats lacked oars.
ब्राह्मणो ह्यनधीयानस्तृणाग्निरिव शाम्यति ५.
Indeed, a brāhmaṇa who does not study is extinguished like fire in grass.
दानपात्रमतिक्रम्य यदपात्रे प्रदीयते ५.
When a gift is given, bypassing a worthy recipient and given to one unworthy—
ऊषरे वापितं बीजं भिन्नभांडे च गोदुहम् ५.
It is like seed sown on barren ground, or milk poured into a broken vessel.
विधिहीने तथाऽपात्रे यो ददाति प्रतिग्रहम् ५.
Likewise, one who gives or receives without proper rite or to an unworthy person—
भूराप्ता गौस्तथा भोगाः सुवर्णं देहमेव च ५.
Land obtained, a cow, enjoyments, gold, and even the body—
घ्नंति तस्मादविद्वांस्तु बिभियाच्च प्रतिग्रहात् ५.
These destroy the ignorant; therefore, one should fear accepting gifts.
तस्माद्ये गूढतपसो गूढस्वाध्यायसाधकाः ५.
Therefore, those who practice austerity in secret, who study in secret—
देशे काल उपायेन द्रव्यं श्रद्धासमन्वितम् ५.
In the proper place, time, and manner, with faith, they offer gifts.
न विद्यया केवलया तपसा वापि पात्रता ५.
Worthiness is not attained by knowledge alone, nor by austerity alone.
तेषां त्रयाणां मध्ये च विद्या मुख्यो महागुणः ५.
Among these three, knowledge is the foremost and greatest quality.
तस्माच्चक्षुष्मतो विद्वान्देशे देशे परीक्षयेत् ५.
Therefore, a wise and discerning person should examine each place carefully.
इति संचिंत्य मनसा तस्माद्देशात्समुत्थितः ५.
Thinking thus in my mind, I rose from that place.
इमाञ्छ्लोकान्गायमानः प्रश्ररूपाञ्छृणुष्व तान् ५.
Listen as I sing these verses, which are composed in a respectful manner.
पंचपंचाद्भुतं गेहं को विजानाति वा द्विजः ५.
Who among the twice-born knows the house that is wondrous in five times five ways?
को वा चित्रकथाबंधं वेत्ति संसारगोचरः ५.
Who among those wandering in worldly existence knows the intricate stories and their bonds?
को वाष्टविधं ब्राह्मण्यं वेत्ति ब्राह्मणसत्तमः ५.
Who, O foremost among Brahmins, knows the eightfold essence of Brahminhood?
चतुर्दशमनूनां वा मूलवासरं वेत्ति कः ५.
Who knows the root day of the fourteen Manus?
उद्वेजयति भूतानि कृष्णाहिरिव वेत्ति कः ५.
Who knows what agitates beings like a black serpent?
पंथानावपि द्वौ कश्चिद्वेत्ति वक्ति च ब्राह्मणः ५.
Who, among Brahmins, knows and speaks of even two paths?
ते मे पूज्यतमास्तेषामहामाराधकश्चिरम् ५.
They are most worthy of reverence to me; I am their great worshipper for a long time.
ते चाहुर्दुःखदाः ख्याताः प्रश्रास्ते कुर्महे नमः ५.
They are renowned as givers of sorrow; we bow respectfully to them.
हिमाद्रिशिखरासीनो भूयश्चिंतामवाप्तवान् ५.
Seated upon the peak of the Himalayas, I again fell into deep thought.