यः कुर्यात्प्रातरुत्थाय नमस्कारं दिनेदिने
Whoever, rising in the morning, offers salutations day by day,
अरुणादित्यमाहात्म्यं यः श्रोष्यति नरोत्तमः
and whoever, O best of men, listens to the greatness of Aruṇāditya,
स्कंद उवाच यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण नरो नो दुष्कृतं भजेत्
Skanda said: By merely hearing this, a man does not engage in evil deeds.
पुरात्र वृद्धहारीतो वाराणस्यां महातपाः
Long ago, the aged sage Hārita, possessing great austerity, was in Vārāṇasī.
मूर्तिं संस्थाप्य शुभदां भास्वतः शुभलक्षणाम्
He established an auspicious image of the radiant one, marked by good signs.
तुष्टस्तस्मै वरं प्रादाद्ब्रध्नो वृद्धतपस्विने 4.2.51.
Being pleased, the radiant one granted a boon to that aged ascetic.
सोथ प्रसन्नाद्द्युमणेरवृणीत वरं मुनिः
Then, pleased, the sage asked a boon from the sun-god.
तपःकरण सामर्थ्यं स्थविरस्य न मे यतः
Because I do not have the capacity for austerity due to old age,
तप एव परो धर्मस्तप एव परं वसु
Austerity alone is the highest virtue; austerity alone is the supreme wealth.
ऋतेन तपसः क्वापि लभ्या ऐश्वर्यसंपदः
By truth and austerity, at some time, the riches of sovereignty are obtained.
ततस्तपश्चरिष्यामि लोकद्वयमहत्त्वदम्
Therefore, I shall practice austerity, which bestows greatness in both worlds.
धिग्जरांप्राणिनामत्र यया सर्वो विरज्यति
Fie upon old age among living beings, by which all become dispassionate.
वरं मरणमेवास्तु मा जरास्त्वतिशोच्यकृत्
Better is death itself; let not old age come, for it brings the utmost sorrow.
कांक्षंति दीर्घतपसे चिरमायुर्जितेंद्रियाः
Those who have conquered their senses, desiring long life, undertake severe austerities.
वृद्धस्यवार्धकं ब्रध्नस्तत्क्षणादपहृत्य वै
But for the old, decrepitude swiftly seizes them in an instant.
एवं स वृद्धहारीतो वाराणस्यां महामुनिः 4.2.51.
Thus, the great sage Hārīta, the remover of old age, was in Vārāṇasī.
वृद्धेनाराधितो यस्माद्धारीतेन तपस्विना
Because Hārīta, the ascetic, was worshipped by the aged,
वृद्धादित्यं समाराध्य वाराणस्यां घटोद्भव
O Ghaṭodbhava, having worshipped Vṛddhāditya in Vārāṇasī,
वृद्धादित्यं नमस्कृत्य वाराणस्या रवौ नरः
A man, having bowed to Vṛddhāditya, the Sun in Vārāṇasī,
यथा तु केशवं प्राप्य सविता ज्ञानमाप्तवान्
Just as Savitṛ, having attained Keśava, obtained knowledge,
व्योम्नि संचरमाणेन सप्ताश्वेनादिकेशवः
Keśava, moving in the sky with his seven horses,
कौतुकादिव उत्तीर्य हरे रविरुपाविशत्
As if out of curiosity, crossing over, Hari entered the Sun.
प्रतीक्षमाणोवसरं किंचित्प्रष्टुमना हरिम्
Waiting for the right moment, desiring to ask Hari something,
स्वागतं ते हरिः प्राह बहुमानपुरःसरम्
Hari graciously said, 'Welcome to you,' with great respect.
अथावसरमालोक्य लोकचक्षुरधोक्षजम्
Then, seeing the opportunity, the eye of the world addressed the transcendent one.
तवापि पूज्यः कोप्यस्ति जगत्पूज्यात्र माधव ।। 4.2.51.
O Mādhava, is there anyone here more worthy of worship than you, who is worshipped by the world?
त्वत्तश्चाविर्भवेदेतत्त्वयि सर्वं प्रलीयते
From you this all arises, and in you everything dissolves.
इत्याश्चर्यं समालोक्य प्राप्तोस्म्यत्र तवांतिकम्
Beholding this wonder, I have come here into your presence.
इति श्रुत्वा हृषीकेशः सहस्रांशोरुदीरितम्
Having heard thus what the thousand-rayed one spoke, Hṛṣīkeśa—
एक एव हि पूज्योत्र सर्वकारणकारणम्
Here, only one is truly worthy of worship—the cause of all causes.