मंत्रपूतं महार्हं च विधियुक्तं सुसंस्कृतम्
Offerings purified by mantra, of great value, properly prepared and well arranged.
वापीकूपतडागानामारामाणां पदेपदे
At every step, there are ponds, wells, lakes, and gardens.
यद्राष्ट्रे हृष्टपुष्टाश्च दृश्यंते सर्वजातयः
In that realm, all races are seen joyful and nourished.
इत्थं तस्य महीजानेः सर्वत्र शुचिवर्तिनः
Thus, everywhere in the land of that king, all conduct themselves in purity.
अथोवाचामर गुरुर्देवानपचिकीर्षुकान्
Then the guru Amara spoke to the gods, wishing to serve them.
यथा स राजा संवेत्ति न तथात्रापि कश्चन
As that king understands, so does no one else here.
तेन यद्यपि भूभर्त्रा भूमेर्देवा विवासिताः
Therefore, although the gods were expelled from the earth by the burden-bearer of the earth,
कालो निमिषमात्रोपि यान्विना न सुखं व्रजेत् 4.1.43.
even for the briefest moment, without them, happiness would not be attained.
अंतर्बहिश्चरा नित्यं सर्वविश्रंभ भूमयः
The earths, ever moving within and without, are the foundation of all trust.
समाकर्ण्य च ते सर्वे त्रिदशा गीष्पतीरितम् अभिनंद्याथ तं सर्वे प्रोचुरित्थं भवेदिति
Hearing the words spoken by the lord of song, all the gods together rejoiced and said, 'So let it be.'
ततः शक्रः समाहूय वीतिहोत्रं पुरःस्थितम्
Then Indra summoned Vītihotra, who stood before him.
हव्यवाहन या मूर्तिस्तव तत्र प्रतिष्ठिता
O Fire, your form is established there as the carrier of offerings.
समागतायां तन्मूर्तौ सर्वानष्टाग्रयः प्रजाः
When all beings, the foremost of the lost, had gathered in that form,
प्रजासु च विरक्तासु राज्यकामदुघासु वै
and when the people, desiring kingdoms that yield all wishes, had become disinterested,
प्रजानां रंजनाद्राजा येयं रूढिरुपार्जिता
The king, by delighting the people, acquires this wealth through bloodshed.
प्रजाविरहितो राजा कोशदुर्गबलादिभिः
A king without people, even with treasury, fortresses, and armies,
त्रिवर्गसाधनाहेतुः प्राक्प्रजैव महीपतेः
For the king, the people are indeed the primary means for attaining the three aims of life.
क्षीणे त्रिवर्गे संक्षीणा गतिर्लोकद्वयात्मिका ।। 4.1.43.
When the three aims are diminished, the path that is of both worlds is also diminished.
इतींद्रवचनाद्वह्निरह्नाय क्षोणिमंडलात्
Thus, at Indra's command, Agni departed from the circle of the earth by day.
निन्ये न केवलं त्रेतां जाठराग्निमपि प्रभुः
The lord took away not only the sacrificial fire but also the digestive fire.
वह्नौ स्वर्लोकमापन्ने जाते मध्यंदिने नृपः
When the fire had gone to heaven, and midday had come, O king,
महानसाधिकृतयो वेपमानास्ततो मुहुः
the chief cooks, trembling again and again,
सूपकारा ऊचुः किंचिद्विज्ञप्तुकामाः स्मोप्यकांडेरणपंडित
the cooks said, wishing to make a request, 'O wise one among kings,'
यदि विश्रुणयेद्राजन्भवानभयदक्षिणाम्
'If you, O king, would grant us the gift of safety...'
भ्रूसंज्ञयाकृतादेशाः प्रशस्तास्येनभूभुजा
By a mere movement of his brow, the king gave commands that were praised.
न जानीमो वयं नाथ त्वत्प्रतापभयार्दितः
We do not know, O Lord, for we are struck with fear by your blazing power.
कृशानौ कृशतां प्राप्ते कथं पाकक्रिया भवेत्
When the fire has become weak, how can the act of cooking take place?
प्रभोरादेशमासाद्य तामिहैवानयामहे 4.1.43.
Having received the command of the Lord, we shall bring her here at once.
श्रुत्वांधसिकवाक्यं स महासत्त्वो महामतिः
Hearing the words of Andhasika, that great-souled, wise one—
क्षणं संशीलयंस्तत्र ददर्श तपसोबलात्
Pausing there for a moment, by the power of his austerity, he saw—