तत्र तीर्थानि सर्वाणि समायातानि वीक्ष्य सः
There, seeing that all the sacred fords had assembled—
प्रणम्य सर्वतीर्थेभ्यः प्रबद्धकरसंपुटः 1.2.58.
He, with hands joined in reverence, bowed to all the sacred fords.
अद्य नः सद्म सकलं युष्माभिरतिपावितम्
Today, our entire abode has been greatly purified by you all.
तीर्थानां दर्शनं श्रेयः स्पर्शनं स्नानमेव च
The sight of the sacred fords is auspicious, as is their touch and bathing in them.
महापापान्विता रौद्रास्त्वपि ये स्युः सुनिष्ठुराः
Even those who are bound by great and terrible sins, who are exceedingly cruel—
एवमुक्त्वा पुलस्त्यं स पुत्रमभ्यादिदेश ह
Having thus spoken, he instructed his son Pulastya.
असंख्यानीह तीर्थानि दृश्यंते पद्मसंभव
Countless sacred fords are seen here, O Lotus-born.
धर्मप्रवचने श्लोको यत एष प्रगीयते
A verse is recited in the discourse on righteousness for this reason.
भवेयुर्यद्यसंख्याता अर्घयोग्याः समर्चने
If there were countless worthy of offering and worship—
एवं कुरुष्वैकमर्घमानय त्वं सुशीघ्रतः
Therefore, quickly bring a single offering.
तं च ब्रह्मा करे गृह्य तीर्थान्याहेति भारतीम्
Then Brahmā, taking it in his hand, spoke of the fords to Bhāratī.
सर्वैर्भवद्भिः संहत्य मुख्यस्त्वेकः प्रकीर्त्यताम् 1.2.58.
All of you together, let one chief among them be proclaimed.
अस्माद्धेतोश्च संप्राप्ता ज्ञात्वा देहि त्वमेव तत्
For this reason, having come and understood, you alone should give that.
सर्वे चापारमाहात्म्यं स्वयं मे वक्तुमर्हथ
All of you are worthy to speak of your own supreme glory to me.
यत्र गंगा गया काशी पुष्करं नैमिषं तथा
Where the Gaṅgā, Gayā, Kāśī, Puṣkara, and likewise Naimiṣa are—
प्रभासाद्यानि शतशो यत्र नस्तत्र का मतिः
Where there are hundreds of holy places like Prabhāsa—what is our resolve there?
चिरेणेदं ततः प्राह महीसागरसंगमः
After a long time, the confluence of earth and ocean spoke thus:
ममैनमर्घं त्वं यच्छ चतुरानन शीघ्रतः
Give this offering of mine, O Four-faced one, quickly.
यतश्चेन्द्रद्युम्नराज्ञा ताप्यमाना वसुंधरा
Because the earth was tormented by King Indradyumna—
सा च सर्वाणि तीर्थानि संयुक्तानि मया सह
She, along with all the sacred fords, was united with me.
गुहेन च महालिंगं कुमारेश्वरमीश्वरम्
By Guha, the great liṅga called Kumāreśvara, Lord of Lords,
नारदेनापि मत्तीरे स्थानं संस्थाप्य शोभनम् 1.2.58.
And by Nārada, a splendid place was established on my bank.
एवं त्रिभिर्हेतुवरैर्ममेवार्घः प्रदीयताम्
Thus, for these three excellent reasons, let my offering be given.
इत्युक्ते वचने पार्थ तीर्थराजेन भारत
When these words were spoken by the King of Fords, O Bhārata—
ततो ब्रह्मसुतो ज्येष्ठः श्वेतमाल्यानुलेपनः
Then the eldest son of Brahma, adorned with a white garland and unguents,
अहो कष्टमिदं कूक्तं तीर्थराजेन मोहतः
Alas, how unfortunate is this harsh statement, uttered by the king of sacred fords out of delusion!
स्वीयान्गुणान्स्वयं यो हि सम्पत्सु प्रक्षिपन्परान्
He who, even in prosperity, casts aside his own virtues and praises those of others,
तस्मादस्मादहंकारात्सत्स्वप्येषु गुणेषु च
Therefore, from such pride, even in the presence of true virtues,
स्तंभतीर्थमिति ख्यातं स्तम्भो गर्वः कृतो यतः
This sacred ford became known as Stambhatirtha, because arrogance (stambha) was manifested here.
इत्युक्ते धर्मदेवेन हाहेति रव उत्थितः
When this was spoken by Dharmadeva, a cry of 'Alas!' arose.