गावो मे पुरतः संतु गावो मे संतु पृष्ठतः
May cows be before me, may cows be behind me.
नीराजयति योंगानि गवां पुच्छेन भाग्यवान्
He who performs arati of the limbs of cows with a cow’s tail is fortunate.
गोभिर्विप्रश्च वेदैश्च सतीभिः सत्यवादिभिः 4.1.2.
With cows, with brahmins, with the Vedas, with virtuous and truthful women,
मम लोकात्परोलोको वैकुंठ इति गीयते
Beyond my world is another world, called Vaikuntha.
शिवलोकस्तदुपरि गोलो कस्तत्समीपतः
Above that is Shiva’s world; near to that is Goloka.
गवां शुश्रूरूषकाये च गोप्रदाये च मानवाः
Men who serve cows, protect calves, and give cows in charity,
यत्र क्षीरवहा नद्यो यत्र पायस कर्दमाः
Where the rivers flow with milk, where the mud is made of curds,
श्रुतिस्मृतिपुराणज्ञा ब्राह्मणाः परिकीर्तिताः
Those brahmins who know the Vedas, Smritis, and Puranas are praised.
श्रुतिस्मृती तु नेत्रे द्वे पुराणं हृदयं स्मृतम् पुराणहीनाद्धृच्छून्यात्काणांधावपि तौ वरौ
The Veda and Smriti are the two eyes, the Purana is said to be the heart; even if one is blind or one-eyed, those two are excellent, but without the Purana, the heart is empty.
तद्बाह्मणाय गोर्देया सर्वत्र सुखमिच्छता
Therefore, one who desires happiness everywhere should give a cow to a brahmin.
यस्य धर्मेऽस्ति जिज्ञासा यस्य पापाद्भयं महत्
He who seeks to know dharma, who has great fear of sin,
चतुर्दशसु विद्यासु पुराणं दीप उत्तमः 4.1.2.
Among the fourteen branches of knowledge, the Purana is the supreme lamp.
उत्फुल्लपद्मनयना निर्मिताः सुकृतार्थिनः 4.1.2.
With eyes like fully blossomed lotuses, they were created for those who seek virtuous rewards.
इह वंशं परिस्थाप्य भुक्त्वा सर्व सुखानि च
Having established his lineage here and enjoyed all pleasures,
सूत उवाच अवाप्य काशीं गीर्वाणैः किमकारि वदाच्युत
Sūta said: After reaching Kāśī with the gods, what did they do, O Acyuta? Tell me.
अधीत्येमां कथां दिव्यां न तृप्तिमधियाम्यहम्
Even after studying this divine tale, I do not feel satisfied in my mind.
कथं विंध्योप्यवाप स्वां प्रकृतिं तादृगुन्नतः
How did Vindhya, so exalted, regain his own nature?
इति कृत्स्नं समाकर्ण्य व्यासः पाराशरो मुनिः
Having listened to all this, Vyāsa, the sage son of Parāśara,
पाराशर उवाच शुकवैशंपायनाद्याः शृण्वंत्वेते च बालकाः
Parāśara said: Let Śuka, Vaiśampāyana, and these other boys listen.
ततो वाराणसीं प्राप्य गीर्वाणाः समहर्षयः
Then, having reached Vārāṇasī, the gods became exceedingly joyful.
सचैलमभिमज्ज्याथ कृतसंध्यादिसत्क्रियाः
Thereafter, having bathed with their garments on and performed the proper twilight rituals,
तीर्थवासार्थिनः सर्वान्संतर्प्य च पृथक्पृथक्
They satisfied all those desiring to reside at the holy place, each one individually.
विचित्रैश्च तथा पात्रैः स्वर्णरौप्यादि निर्मितैः
With various vessels made of gold, silver, and other materials,
सगोरसैरन्नदानैर्धान्यदानैरनेकधा ।। 4.1.3.
With gifts of food accompanied by cows, and with many donations of grain in various ways,
सतूलैर्मृदुपर्यंकैर्दीपिकादर्पणासनैः
With soft, well-cushioned seats, lamps, mirrors, and chairs,
चित्रध्वजपताकाभिरुल्लोचैश्चंद्रचारुभिः
With colorful banners and flags, and with beautiful, bright moon-like ornaments,
उपानत्पादुकाभिश्च यतिनश्च तपस्विनः
With sandals and wooden clogs, and for ascetics and sages,
दंडैः कमंडलुयुतैरजिनैर्मृगसंभवैः
With staffs, water pots, and garments made from deer skins,
मठैर्विद्यार्थिनामन्नैरतिथ्यर्थं महाधनैः
With monasteries, food for students, and great wealth for the sake of hospitality,
बहुधौषधदानैश्च सत्रदानैरनेकशः
With many gifts of medicinal herbs and repeated offerings at charitable feasts.