अथ दृष्ट्वा स सप्तर्षीन्सप्तसप्त्यतितेजसः
Then, seeing the seven sages, whose brilliance surpassed that of seven suns,
तिलकांकित सद्भालान्कुशोपग्रहितांगुलीन्
Distinguished by tilaka marks, noble children, with fingers adorned by elephant goads,
साक्षसूत्रकरान्किंचिद्विनिमीलितलो चनान्
Some holding rosaries, others with slightly closed eyes,
अकांडेपि महाभागान्मिलितान्सप्तनीरधीन्
Even without a staff, those greatly fortunate ones, gathered together like seven oceans,
उपगम्य विनम्रः स प्रबद्धकरसंपुटः
Approaching them, he bowed, with hands joined in reverence.
उत्तानपादतनयं ध्रुवं निर्विण्णमानसम्
He, Dhruva, son of Uttānapāda, his mind distressed,
इदं वनमनुप्राप्तं सनाथं युष्मदंघ्रिभिः 4.1.19.
I have entered this forest, now blessed by your feet, with a protector.
ते दृष्ट्वोर्जस्वलं बालं स्वभाव मधुराकृतिम्
They saw the radiant child, whose nature and appearance were sweet.
उपोपवेश्य शिशुकं प्रोचुर्वै विस्मिता भृशम्
They seated the child nearby and, greatly astonished, spoke to him.
विचार्यापि न जानीमो वद निर्वेदकारणम्
Even after considering, we do not know—tell us the reason for your dispassion.
नीरुक्छरीरसंपत्तिर्निवेदे किं नु कारणम्
Though your body is healthy and well-formed, what indeed is the cause for this?
सप्तद्वीपपतेराज्ञः कुमारस्त्वं तथा कथम्
How is it that you, the son of the king who rules the seven continents, are thus?
अवगंतुं हि शक्येत यूनो वृद्धस्य वा शिशोः
For it is possible to understand the mind of a youth or an old man, but not of a child.
वाचं जग्राह स तदा शिशुः प्रांशुमनोरथः
Then that child, whose mind was lofty in aspiration, took up speech.
राजांकमारुरुक्षुर्हि सुरुच्या परिभर्त्सितः
Desiring to ascend the king’s lap, he was scolded by Suruci.
धिक्कृत्य प्रशशंस स्वं निर्वेदे कारणं त्विदम्
Condemning her, he explained himself—this indeed is the reason for my dispassion.
क्षात्रमेव शशंसुस्तदहो बालेपि न क्षमा।। 4.1.19.
They said it was the nature of a kṣatriya—alas, even in a child there is no forbearance.
अत्रिरुवाच मनोरथपथातीतं स्फीतं नाकलयेत्पदम् ।। 4.1.19.
Atri said: One should not consider as great that which has passed beyond the path of desire.
पुत्रान्कलत्रमित्राणि राज्यं स्वर्गापवर्गकम् 4.1.19.
Sons, wife, friends, kingdom—even those that grant heaven or liberation—
इत्युक्त्वांऽतर्हिताः सर्वे महात्मानो मुनीश्वराः
Having spoken thus, all the great sages and seers vanished.
रम्यं मधुवनं प्राप यमुनायास्तटे महत
He reached the beautiful Madhuvana on the great bank of the Yamunā.
आद्यं भगवतः स्थानं तत्पुण्यं हरिमेधसः
That is the primeval, sacred abode of the Lord, Hari of golden intelligence.
जपन्स वासुदेवाख्यं परंब्रह्म निरामयम्
He recited the name of Vāsudeva, the supreme, flawless Brahman.
हरिर्हरित्सु सर्वासु हरिर्हरिमरीचिषु
Hari is present among all the gods, Hari is in all the rays of light.
जले शालूरकूर्मादि रूपेण भगवान्हरिः
In water, the Lord Hari takes the form of the śālūra fish, the tortoise, and others.
अनंतरूपः पाताले गगनेऽनंतसंज्ञकः
Of infinite forms in the netherworld, in the sky he is known as Ananta.
देवेषु यो वसेन्नित्यं देवानां वसतिर्हि यः
He who always dwells among the gods is indeed the abode of the gods.
विष्लृव्याप्तावयंधातुर्यत्रसार्थकतां गतः
In the pervading and encompassing of all, this creator attains true significance.
सर्वेषां च हृषीकाणामीशनात्परमेश्वरः
He, the Supreme Lord, is the master of all the senses.
न च्यवंतेपि यद्भक्ता महति प्रलये सति 4.1.20.
Even at the time of the great dissolution, his devotees do not fall away.