संति स्तोत्राण्यनेकानि मम प्रीतिकराणि च
There are many hymns pleasing to me,
श्रुत्वापीमां स्तुतिं मर्त्यः श्रद्धया परया मुदा
Yet even by merely hearing this hymn with supreme faith and joy, a mortal—
अपुत्रः पुत्रमाप्नोति निर्धनो धनमाप्नुयात्
A childless man obtains a son; a poor man may gain wealth.
दत्त्वा दानान्यनेकानि कृत्वा नाना व्रतानि च
Having given many gifts and performed various vows,
त्यक्त्वा सर्वाणि कार्याणि त्यक्त्वा जप्यान्यनेकशः
Having abandoned all other duties and ceased countless recitations,
श्रीभगवानुवाच ध्रुवावधेहि वक्ष्यामि हितं तव महामते
The Blessed Lord said: Dhruva, listen as I declare what is beneficial for you, O wise one.
अहं जिगमिषुस्त्वासं पुरीं वाराणसीं शुभाम्
I wished to go to the auspicious city of Varanasi.
विपन्नानां च जंतूनां यत्र विश्वेश्वरः स्वयम्
Where Lord of the Universe himself is present among creatures who are afflicted,
अस्य संसारदुःखस्य सर्वोपद्रवदायिनः
Of this worldly suffering, which brings all kinds of calamities,
इदं रम्यमिदं नेति बीजं दुःखमहातरोः 4.1.21.
‘This is delightful, this is not’—such is the seed of the great tree of suffering.
कार्तिकस्य चतुर्दश्यां विश्वेशं यो विलोकयेत् 4.1.21.
Whoever beholds the Lord of the Universe on the fourteenth day of Kartika—
अत्र ब्रह्मपुरीं कृत्वा यो विप्रेभ्यः प्रयच्छति 4.1.21.
Whoever establishes a city of Brahma here and gives it to the Brahmins—
नरो ध्रुवस्य चरितं प्रसंगेन स्मरन्नपि 4.1.21.
Even by recalling, in passing, the story of Dhruva—
ध्रुवाख्यानमिदं रम्यं महापातकनाशनम्
This delightful account of Dhruva destroys even great sins.
तावत्प्राप महर्लोकं स्वर्लोकात्परमाद्भुतम्
He reached the Maharloka, which is more wondrous than the realm of heaven.
द्विजोऽथ लोकं संवीक्ष्य सर्वतो महसा वृतम्
Then the twice-born, observing that world, saw it enveloped everywhere with brilliance.
तावूचतुस्ततो विप्रं निशामय महामते
At that moment, those two addressed the sage, saying, 'Listen, O wise one.'
कल्पायुषो वसंत्यत्र तपसा धूतकल्मषाः
Here dwell those whose lifespan equals a kalpa, their impurities cleansed by austerity.
निर्व्याजप्रणिधानेन दृष्ट्वा तेजोमयं जगत्
Through sincere contemplation, they perceive the world as composed of pure radiance.
इत्थं कथां कथयतोर्भगवद्गणयोः प्रिये
Thus, as the divine hosts narrated this tale, O beloved, ...
निवसंत्यमला यत्र मानसा बह्मणः सुताः
Here reside the pure-minded sons of Brahma, untouched by stain.
अन्ये तु योगिनो ये वै ह्यस्खलद्ब्रह्मचारिणः
Others are yogis, steadfast in their celibacy, never faltering.
जनलोकात्तपोलोकस्तेषां लोचनगोचरः 4.1.22.
From Janaloka, Tapoloka becomes visible to their eyes.
वैराजा यत्र ते देवा वसेयुर्दाहवर्जिताः
There, the Viraja gods dwell, free from the touch of fire.
तपसा तोष्य गोविंदमभिलाषविवर्जिताः
By austerity, they please Govinda, desiring nothing.
शिलोंछ वृत्तया ये वै दंतोलूखलिकाश्च ये
Those who live by gleaning, and those who are restrained, pounding with mortars.
ग्रीष्मे पंचाग्नितपसो वर्षासु स्थंडिलेशयाः
In summer, they practice the five-fire austerity; in the rains, they sleep upon the ground.
कुशाग्रनीरविप्रूषस्तृषिता यतयोऽपिबन्
Thirsty ascetics drank water from the tips of blades of grass.
ऊर्ध्वदोषो रविदृशस्त्वेकांघ्रि स्थाणु निश्चलाः
With arms raised, gazing at the sun, standing on one foot, motionless like a pillar.
मासोपवासव्रतिनश्चातुर्मास्य व्रताश्च ये
Those who observe monthly fasts, and those who undertake the four-month vow.