भर्तरि प्रोषिते याश्च ब्रह्मचर्यव्रताः सदा
And those who always observe the vow of celibacy when their husbands are away,
कुसुमानि सुगंधीनि सुवासं चंदनं तथा 4.1.9.
Flowers, fragrant and sweet-smelling, as well as sandalwood, are offered.
पर्णानि ऋजुताराणि जीर्णानि कठिनानि च
Leaves that are straight, old, and also hard are used.
सुवासोपस्कराढ्यानि नागवल्ल्या द्विजोत्तम
Rich in fragrant accessories, with nāgavallī, O best of twice-born,
बहुकौतुकवस्तूनि समर्च्यद्विजदंपती
Many delightful objects are presented to the honored couple of Brahmins.
किंवा प्रतिव्यतीपातमेकसंवत्सरावधि
Or perhaps, for a single year, there is a transgression against the prescribed order.
कामरूपधरो देवः प्रीयतामिति वादिनी
The god, assuming any desired form, is addressed: 'May he be pleased.'
कन्यारूपधराकाचिद्याभुक्ता केनचित्क्वचित्
Some maiden, taking on the form of a girl, is enjoyed by someone, somewhere.
तदेव वृत्तं ध्यायंती निधनं याति कालतः
Meditating on that very event, she meets her end in due course.
निदानमप्सरोलोकस्येतिशृण्वन्द्विजाग्रणीः
This is the origin of the world of the apsaras, so listen, O foremost of Brahmins.
यथा कदंबकुसुमं किंजल्कैः सर्वतोवृतम्
Just as the kadamba flower is covered everywhere by its filaments,
दूराद्रविं स विज्ञाय धृततामरसद्वयम् 4.1.9.
Recognizing the substance from afar, he holds two lotuses.
विचित्रेणैकचक्रेण सप्तसप्तियुतेन च
With a wondrous single wheel, and drawn by seven horses,
अप्सरोमुनिगंधर्व सर्पग्रामणि नैर्ऋतैः
With apsaras, sages, gandharvas, chiefs of serpents, and spirits of the night.
तस्य प्रणामंदेवोपि भ्रूभंगेनानुमन्य च
Even the god, with a gesture of his brow, accepted his reverential salutation.
प्रक्रांते द्युमणौ दूरं शिवशर्मातिशर्मवान्
When the sun had moved far onward, Shivaśarma, possessed of great merit, departed.
एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुमाचक्षाथां ममाग्रतः
I wish to hear this; please tell it before me.
शृणु द्विज महाप्राज्ञ त्वय्यकथ्यं न किंचन
Listen, O learned twice-born; nothing should be withheld from you.
नियंता सर्वभूतानां य एकःकारणं परम्
He alone is the supreme cause, the controller of all beings.
आविर्भाव तिरोभावौ यद्भूनर्तनवर्तिनौ
Manifestation and dissolution, which occur in the dance of existence, are his.
योसावादित्यपुरुषः सोसावहमिति स्फुटम्
That person of the sun, he is clearly myself.
निश्चितार्थां श्रुतिमिमां ब्राह्मणासो द्विजोत्तम 4.1.9.
The Brahmins, O best of twice-born, examine the Veda to ascertain its meaning.
उपलभ्य च सावित्रीं नोपतिष्ठेत यः पराम्
And having realized the Sāvitrī, whoever does not worship the supreme one—
तावत्प्रातर्जपंस्तिष्ठेद्यावदर्धोदयो रवेः
He should recite the morning prayer as long as the sun is half-risen.
सादित्यां मध्यमां संध्यां जपेदादित्यसंमुखः
He should recite the midday Sandhyā facing the sun.
काले फलंत्योषधयः काले पुष्पंति पादपाः
Plants bear fruit in due time; trees blossom in due time.
मंदेहदेहनाशार्थमुदयास्तमये रविः
The sun rises and sets for the destruction of the Maṃdehas.
गायत्रीमंत्रतोयाढ्यं दत्तं येनांजलित्रयम्
Whoever gives three handfuls of water, enriched with the Gāyatrī mantra—
किं किं न सविता सूते काले सम्यगुपासितः
What does Savitṛ not produce, when properly worshipped in due time?
मित्रपुत्र कलत्राणि क्षेत्राणि विविधानि च
Friends, sons, wives, fields, and various possessions—