अर्बुदं नागमासाद्य वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह
Having approached Arbuda, the serpent, he spoke these words.
तत्र यावोऽद्य भद्रं ते वयस्य विनयान्वित 7.3.3.
May you prosper there today, friend, endowed with humility.
तत्रैव च वसिष्यामि त्वया सार्द्धमसंशयम्
There itself I will remain with you, without doubt.
किं त्वहं प्रणयाद्भ्रातर्वक्ष्यामि यद्वचः शृषु
But out of affection, brother, I will say something—listen to my words.
मन्नाम्ना ख्यातिमायातु नान्यत्किंचिद्वृणोम्यहम् प्रणम्य पितरौ चैव प्रतस्थे मुनिना सह
Let fame come by my name; I choose nothing else. Having bowed to his parents, he set out together with the sage.
दिव्यैर्वृक्षैः शुभैः पूर्णैर्नदीनिर्झरसंकुलैः
With divine, auspicious trees in abundance, and filled with rivers and waterfalls.
मुक्तोऽर्बुदेन तत्रैव विवरे मुनिवाक्यतः
There, by the words of the sage, he was released from the chasm by Arbuda.
विमुक्तो विवरे तस्मिन्नर्बुदेन महात्मना
Freed in that chasm by the great-souled Arbuda.
ब्रवीच्चार्बुदं नागं वरं वरय सुव्रत
He spoke to Arbuda, the serpent: 'Choose a boon, O steadfast one.'
अवश्यं यदि दातव्यं तच्छृणुष्व द्विजोत्तम
If something must indeed be given, then listen, best of twice-born.
यच्चैतच्छिखरे ह्यस्मिन्निर्झरं निर्मलोदकम्
And this pure stream of water that flows on this very peak—
अत्रैवाहं वसिष्यामि मित्रस्नेहात्सदा मुने 7.3.3.
Here itself I shall reside always, O sage, out of friendship and affection.
अपि वंध्या च या नारी स्नानमात्रं समाचरेत्
Even a barren woman who merely bathes here—
सापि पुत्रमवाप्नोति सर्वलक्षणलक्षितम्
She too obtains a son endowed with all auspicious marks.
नभसः शुक्लपंचम्यां फलैः पूजां करोति च
On the bright fifth day of the lunar fortnight, if one performs worship here with fruits—
येऽत्र स्नानं करिष्यंति ह्यस्मिंस्तीर्थे च भक्तितः
Those who bathe here at this holy place with devotion—
श्राद्धं चात्र करिष्यंति पंचम्यां ये समाहिताः
And those who perform śrāddha here on the fifth day with concentration—
नंदिवर्द्धनमभ्येत्य वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह
Approaching Nandivardhana, he spoke these words—
वरं च व्रियतां वत्स परितुष्टोऽस्मि तेऽनघ
Choose a boon, child; I am pleased with you, O sinless one.
सांनिध्यं जायतामत्र अवश्यं तव सर्वदा
May your presence here always remain, without fail.
यथाहमर्बुदेत्येवं ख्यातिं गच्छामि भूतले
Just as I am known as Arbuda, so may I attain fame on earth.
चक्रे स्वमाश्रमं तत्र तस्य वाक्येन नोदितः ॥ 7.3.3.
There, at his command, he established his own hermitage.
पनसैश्चंपकैराम्रैः प्रियंगुबिल्वदाडिमैः
With jackfruit, campaka, mango, priyangu, bilva, and pomegranate trees—
तस्थौ तत्र मुनिश्रेष्ठो ह्यरुंधत्या समन्वितः
There stood the best of sages, together with Arundhati.
यस्यां स्नात्वा दिवं यांति अतिपापकृतो नराः
By bathing there, even men who have committed great sins ascend to heaven.
येत्र स्नानं करिष्यंति ते यास्यंति परां गतिम्
Those who bathe here shall attain the highest state.
माघमासे विशेषेण तिलदानं करोति यः
Whoever gives sesame here, especially in the month of Māgha—
बहुना किमिहोक्तेन स्तानमात्रं समाचरेत्
What need is there to say much? One should simply perform the bath here.
वसिष्ठस्य मुखं दृष्ट्वा पुनर्जन्म न विद्यते
Upon seeing the face of Vasiṣṭha, there is no further rebirth.
सूत उवाच स कृत्वा स्वाश्रमं तत्र वसिष्ठो भगवान्मुनिः
Sūta said: Having established his own hermitage there, the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha—