असिपत्रवने घोरे यंत्रपीडे सुदंष्ट्रके
In the dreadful Asipatra forest, in the torture chamber, and among sharp-fanged beasts—
सूचीभेद्येऽथ संदंशे लालापे क्षुरधारके
In the needle-piercing place, the pincers, the saliva pit, and the razor's edge—
धर्मराजः समाकर्ण्य चित्रगुप्तमुखादिति
When Dharmaraja heard this from the mouth of Citragupta—
भ्रू संज्ञया हृतैर्नीतः स बद्ध्वा निरयालयम्
He was led away, bound, to the abode of hell, by the command of the raised eyebrow.
तत्कालपुण्यफलदे गाङ्गेयांभसि निर्मले ।। 4.1.28.
At that moment, by the merit of his deeds, he fell into the pure waters of the Ganges.
पतितं तद्धि गृध्रास्याद्वाहीकस्य द्विजन्मनः
That which had fallen from the mouth of the vulture, belonging to the twice-born carrier,
घंटावलंबितं दिव्यं दिव्यस्त्रीशतसंकुलम्
adorned with hanging bells, divine, and crowded with hundreds of celestial women,
वीज्यमानोऽप्सरोवृंदैर्दिव्यगंधानुलेपनः
fanned by groups of apsarases, anointed with divine fragrances,
स्कंद उवाच वस्तुशक्तिविचारोयमद्भुतः कोपि कुंभज
Skanda said: O son of the jar, this inquiry into the power of the object is indeed wondrous.
करुणामृतपूर्णेन देवदेवेन शंभुना
By the Lord of gods, Shambhu, who is filled with the nectar of compassion,
यथान्याः सरितो लोके वारिपूर्णाः सहस्रशः
Just as other rivers in the world, filled with water by the thousands,
श्रुत्यक्षराणि निश्चित्य कारुण्याच्छंभुना मुने
Having determined the syllables of the Vedas, out of compassion, by Shambhu, O sage,
योगोपनिषदामेतं सारमाकृष्य शंकरः
Shankara, drawing out the essence from the Upanishads of Yoga,
अकलानिधयो रात्र्यो विपुष्पाश्चैव पादपाः
Nights that are devoid of phases, and trees that are without flowers,
अनयाः संपदो यद्वन्मखा यद्वददक्षिणाः 4.1.28.
Just as there are riches from this, and offerings from sacrifices,
व्योमांगणमनर्कं च नक्तेऽदीपं यथा गृहम
Like the sky without stars, or a house at night without a lamp,
चांद्रायणसहस्रं तु यः कुर्याद्देहशोधनम्
Whoever performs bodily purification equal to a thousand Cāndrāyaṇa vows,
पादेनैकेन यस्तिष्ठेत्सहस्रं शरदां शतम्
Whoever stands on one foot for a hundred thousand autumns,
अवाक्छिराः प्रलंबेद्यः शतसंवत्सरान्नरः
Whoever hangs with his head downward for a hundred years,
पापतापाभितप्तानां भूतानामिह जाह्ववी
For beings scorched here by the heat of sin, O Jahnavī,
तार्क्ष्यवीक्षणमात्रेण फणिनौ निर्विषा यथा
Just as serpents become without venom merely by the glance of Garuda,
गंगातटोद्भवां मृत्स्नां यो मौलौ बिभृयान्नरः
Whoever wears on his head the clay that arises from the bank of the Ganga,
व्यसनैरभिभूतस्य धनहीनस्य पापिनः
For one afflicted by misfortune, destitute of wealth, and sinful,
श्रुताभिलषिता दृष्टा स्पृष्टा पीताऽवगाहिता
The Ganga, desired through hearing, seen, touched, drunk, or entered,
कीर्तनाद्दर्शनात्स्पर्शाद्गंगापानावगाहनात् 4.1.28.
By singing, by seeing, by touching, by drinking, or by immersion in the Ganga,
ब्रह्मलोकस्तु लोकानां सर्वेषामुत्तमो यथा 4.1.28.
Among all worlds, Brahmaloka is the highest, just as—
ज्ञात्वाज्ञात्वा च गंगायां यः पंचत्वमवाप्नुयात् 4.1.28.
Whether knowingly or unknowingly, whoever attains death in the Ganga,
यावंति तस्या लोमानि मुने तत्संततेरपि
O sage, as many hairs as she has, so many are her descendants also.
उपायांतरमस्त्यन्यद्येन स्नानफलं लभेत्
There is another means by which one may obtain the fruit of bathing.
अशक्तानां च पंगूनामालस्योपहतात्मनाम्
For those unable, the crippled, and those whose selves are afflicted by indolence,