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.
छत्राच्छादनिकाद्यर्थे वर्षाकालोचितैर्बहु
For the purpose of providing umbrellas, coverings, and similar needs, with many items suitable for the rainy season,
पुराणपाठकांश्चापि प्रतिदेवालयं धनैः
And also, in every temple, he supported reciters of the Purāṇas with wealth.
देवालय सुधाकार्यैर्जीर्णोद्धारैरनेकधा
He repaired temples with plastering works and many kinds of restorations for what had become worn out.
नीराजनैर्गुग्गुलुभिर्दशां गादि सुधूपकैः 4.1.3.
With offerings of lights, fragrant guggulu incense, and the best kinds of incense and lamps,
पंचामृतानां स्नपनैः सुगंध स्नपनैरपि
With ablutions using the five nectars and also with fragrant bathings,
महापूजार्थमाल्यादि गुंफनार्थैस्त्रिकालतः
For the purpose of great worship, with garlands and other items for decoration, three times a day,
घंटागुडुककुंभादि स्नानोपस्करभाजनैः
With bells, drums, water pots, and vessels used for bathing rituals,
जपहोमैः स्तोत्रपाठैः शिवनामोच्चभाषणैः
With recitation, fire offerings, chanting of hymns, and the loud utterance of Shiva’s names,
एवमादिभिरुद्दंडैः क्रियाकांडैरनेकशः
And with many such excellent and various ritual acts,
दीनानाथांश्च संतर्प्य नत्वा विश्वेश्वरं विभुम्
Having satisfied the poor and the helpless, and having bowed to the Lord of the Universe, the all-pervading one,