निर्दग्धान्सागराञ्छ्रुत्वा कपिलक्रोधवह्निना
Having heard that the oceans were burned up by Kapila's fire of wrath,
सूर्यवंशे महातेजा राजा परमधार्मिकः
In the solar dynasty, a king of great splendor, supremely righteous,
हिमवंतं नगश्रेष्ठममात्य न्यस्तराज्यधूः
He entrusted the royal duties to his ministers and went to Himavat, the foremost mountain.
ब्रह्मशापाग्निनिर्दग्धान्महादुर्गतिगानपि
Even those who had fallen into great misfortune, burned by the fire of Brahmā's curse,
ममैव सा परामूर्तिस्तोयरूपा शिवात्मिका
She is indeed my supreme form, of the nature of water, embodying auspiciousness.
शुद्धविद्यास्वरूपा च त्रिशक्तिः करुणात्मिका
She is the very essence of pure knowledge, the triple power, and compassion itself.
यामेतां जगतां धात्रीं धारयामि स्वलीलया
It is this sustainer of the worlds whom I uphold by my own play.
त्रैलोक्ये यानि तीर्थानि पुण्यक्षेत्राणि यानि च 4.1.27.
All the sacred bathing places and holy fields in the three worlds,
तपांसि विष्णो सर्वाणि श्रुतिः सांगा चतुर्विधा
All the austerities, O Viṣṇu, and the fourfold Veda with its limbs,
पुरुषार्थाश्च सर्वे वै शक्तयो विविधाश्च याः
All the aims of human life and the various powers that exist,
स स्नातः सर्वतीर्थेषु सर्वक्रतुषु दीक्षितः
He is as one who has bathed in all sacred waters and been initiated in all sacrifices,
तपांसि तेन तप्तानि सर्वदानप्रदः स च
He has performed all austerities and is a giver of all gifts.
सर्ववर्णाश्रमेभ्यश्च वेदविद्भ्यश्च वै तथा
He is equal to all castes and stages of life, and likewise to those who know the Veda.
मनोवाक्कायजैर्दोषैर्दुष्टो बहुविधैरपि
Even if corrupted by many kinds of faults of mind, speech, or body,
कृते सर्वत्र तीर्थानि त्रेतायां पुष्करं परम्
In the Kṛta age, all sacred waters are present everywhere; in the Tretā, Puṣkara is supreme.
पूर्वजन्मांतराभ्यास वासनावशतो हरे
Due to the force of habits from previous births, O Hari,
ध्यानं कृते मोक्षहेतुस्त्रेतायां तच्च वै तपः
Meditation is the cause of liberation in the Kṛta age; in the Tretā, it is austerity.
यो देहपतनाद्यावद्गंगातीरं न मुंचति 4.1.27.
He who, until the fall of the body, does not leave the bank of the Gaṅgā,
कलौ कलुषचित्तानां परद्रव्यरतात्मनाम्
In the Kali age, for those whose minds are impure and who delight in others’ wealth,
अलक्ष्मीः कालकर्णी च दुःस्वप्नो दुर्विचिंतितम्
Misfortune, death, evil dreams, and wicked thoughts arise.
गंगा हि सर्वभूतानामिहामुत्र फलप्रदा
For all beings, the Gaṅgā bestows results both here and hereafter.
यज्ञ दान तपो योग जपाः सनियमा यमाः
Sacrifice, charity, austerity, yoga, recitation, self-restraint, and discipline—
किमष्टांगेन योगेन किं तपोभिः किमध्वरैः
What is the use of eight-limbed yoga, what of austerities, what of sacrifices?
अपि दूरस्थितस्यापि गंगामाहात्म्यवेदिनः
Even for one who dwells far away, if he knows the greatness of the Ganga—
श्रद्धा धर्मः परः सूक्ष्मः श्रद्धा ज्ञानं परं तपः
Faith is the supreme subtle virtue; faith is the highest knowledge and austerity.
अज्ञानरागलोभाद्यैः पुंसां संमूढचेतसाम्
By ignorance, passion, greed, and such, people of deluded minds—
बहिः स्थितं जलंयद्वन्नारिकेलांतरे स्थितम्
Just as water remains outside, yet is contained within a coconut—
गंगालाभात्परो लाभः क्वचिदन्यो न विद्यते 4.1.27.
There is no gain anywhere greater than the attainment of the Ganga.
शक्तस्य पंडितस्यापि गुणिनो दानशीलिनः
Even for one who is capable, learned, virtuous, and generous—
वृथा कुल वृथा विद्या वृथा यज्ञा वृथातपः
Lineage is in vain, knowledge is in vain, sacrifices are in vain, austerity is in vain—