तदीयपूर्तधर्मस्य चिह्नेन न यदंकितम् ७.
There was nothing unmarked by the sign of his meritorious deeds.
भूपालोऽसौ ददौ दानमासहस्राद्धनार्थिनाम् ७.
That king gave gifts to the needy by the thousands.
ताड्यते तत्पुरे प्रातः कार्यमेकादशीव्रतम् ७.
In his city, the observance of the Ekādaśī vow was performed every morning.
स्वरणैरास्तृता दर्भैर्द्व्यंगुलोत्सेधिता मही ७.
The ground was covered with golden darbha grass, raised two fingers high.
शक्या गणयितुं प्राज्ञैस्तदीयं सुकृतं न तु ७.
Even the wise could not count all his good deeds.
धाम प्रजापतेः प्राप्तो विमानेन कुरूद्वह ७.
O best of the Kurus, he reached the abode of Prajāpati in a celestial chariot.
अथ कल्पशतस्यांते व्यतीते तं महीपतिम् ७.
Then, at the end of a hundred kalpas, that king's time was completed.
इंद्रद्युम्न द्रुतं गच्छ धरापृष्ठं नृपोत्तम ७.
Indradyumna, go swiftly to the surface of the earth, O best of kings.
कस्माद्ब्रह्मन्नितो भूमौ मां प्रेषयसि सम्प्रति ७.
O Brāhmaṇa, why do you now send me down to earth from here?
न पुण्यं केवलं राजन्गुप्तं स्वर्गस्य साधकम् ७.
O king, merit alone, kept hidden, does not secure heaven.
तव कीर्तिसमुच्छेदः सांप्रतं वसुधातले ७.
Now, your fame is being erased from the surface of the earth.
यदि वांछा महीपाल मम धामनि संस्थितौ॥ ७.
If, O king, you desire to remain in my abode—
मदीयं सुकृतं ब्रह्मन्कथं भूमौ भवेदिति ७.
O Brahman, how might my meritorious deeds come to fruition on earth?
बलवानेष भूपाल कालः कलयति स्वयम्॥ ७.
O king, time itself is powerful and acts according to its own will.
ब्रह्मांडान्यपि मां चैव गणना का भवादृशाम् ७.
Even the universes and myself—what reckoning is there for those like you?
यत्कीर्तिमात्मनो व्यक्तिं नीत्वाभ्येहि पुनर्दिवम् ७.
Having manifested the fame of the self, return again to heaven.
पश्यतिस्म तथात्मानं महीतलमुपागतम् ७.
Thus he saw himself as having come down to the earth.
नगरं स तदा देशमप्राक्षीदिति विस्मितः जना ऊचुः ७.
He then asked about that city and land, and the astonished people said:
यत्त्वं पृच्छसि भो भद्र कञ्चित्पृच्छ चिरायुषम् इन्द्रद्युम्न उवाच ७.
"O fortunate one, ask someone who is long-lived whatever you wish to know." Indradyumna spoke.
पृथिवीजयराज्येस्मिन्यत्र प्रबूत मा चिरम् जना ऊचुः ७.
"In this land of earth-conquering kings, do not tarry long where there is abundance," the people said.
मार्कंडेय इति ख्यातस्तं गत्वा पृच्छ संशयम् ७.
"He is known as Markandeya; go to him and ask your question."
निशम्य प्रणिपत्याह नृपः स्वहृदयस्थितम् इंद्रद्युम्न उवाच ७.
Hearing this, the king approached, bowed, and spoke what was in his heart. Indradyumna said:
पृच्छाम्यहं भवान्वेत्ति इंद्रद्युम्नं नृपं न वा॥ ७.
"I ask you—do you know King Indradyumna or not?"
सप्तकल्पान्तरे नाभूत्कोपींद्रद्युम्नसंज्ञितः ७.
"In seven cycles of creation, there has been no one known by the name Indradyumna."
स निराशस्तदाकर्ण्य वचो भूपोग्निसाधने ७.
Hearing these words, the king, despairing, prepared to enter the fire.
मा साहसमिदं कार्षीर्भद्र वाचं श्रृणुष्व मे ७.
"Do not commit this rash act, O good one; listen to my words."
तत्करोमि प्रतीकारं तव दुःखोपशांतये ७.
"I will make an effort to relieve your sorrow."
नाडीजंघ इति ख्यातः स त्वा ज्ञास्यत्यसंशयम् ७.
"He who is known as Nadijangha will surely recognize you."
परोपकारैकफलं जीवितं हि महात्मनाम् ७.
For the lives of the great-souled are devoted solely to the benefit of others.
तौ प्रस्थिताविति तदा विप्रेंद्रनृपपुंगवौ ७.
Then those two, the foremost among brahmins and kings, set out.