एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं विरराम महेश्वरः
Having spoken thus, the great Lord Maheśvara became silent.
शक्रादयस्ततो देवास्तीर्थान्यायतनानि च
Then Indra and the other gods visited the sacred fords and shrines.
ततस्तुष्टः सुरश्रेष्ठस्तत्र वासमथाकरोत्
Then, pleased, the best of the gods made his abode there.
कौतुकं सूत नो जातं कथयस्व यथा शुभम्
Sūta, curiosity has arisen in us; tell us the auspicious story as it happened.
ययातेश्च गृहे यातस्तं नत्वा चाब्रवीन्नृपः
He went to the house of Yayāti, bowed to him, and the king spoke.
ययातिरुवाच स्वागतं ते मुनिश्रेष्ठ सफलं मेऽद्यजीवितम्
Yayāti said: Welcome to you, best of sages; today my life has become fruitful.
अर्बुदाख्यो नगो नाम विख्यातो यो धरातले
There is a mountain named Arbuda, renowned upon the earth.
सर्वं विस्तरतो ब्रूहि तीर्थयात्रापरायण
Tell me everything in detail, O devotee of pilgrimage.
अशक्तो विस्तराद्वक्तुमपि वर्षशतैरपि
Even in a hundred years, I am unable to speak of it in full detail.
संक्षेपादेव वक्ष्यामि तीर्थमुख्यानि ते तथा
I will tell you briefly the principal holy places.
नारीणां च विशेषेण पुत्रसौभाग्यदायकम्
Especially for women, it bestows the good fortune of sons.
गौतमी ब्राह्मणी नाम्ना सती साध्वी पतिव्रता
There was a Brahmin woman named Gautamī, virtuous, chaste, and devoted to her husband.
अर्बुदं सा च संप्राप्ता नागतीर्थं विवेश ह 7.3.5.
She reached Arbuda and entered the Nāga-tīrtha.
नायका पुत्रसंयुक्ता तत्तीर्थं समुपागता
Accompanied by her sons, the leader arrived at that holy place.
सर्वोपकरणैर्दर्भैः सुमनोभिः पृथग्विधैः
With all the necessary implements, darbha grass, and various kinds of flowers,
धन्योऽयं तनयो ह्यस्याः शुश्रूषां कुरुते सदा
Blessed is this son of hers, for he always serves her.
अहं भर्त्रा वियुक्ता च पुत्रहीना सुदुःखिता
I am separated from my husband and bereft of a son, deeply afflicted with sorrow.
विनाऽपि भर्तृसंयोगात्सद्यो गर्भवती ह्यभूत्
Even without union with her husband, she suddenly became pregnant.
चकार मरणे बुद्धिं ज्वालयामास पावकम्
She resolved upon death and kindled a fire.
दोषो नास्ति तवात्रार्थे तीर्थस्यास्य प्रभावतः
There is no fault of yours in this matter, due to the power of this sacred place.
यो यद्वांछति चित्ते च जलमध्ये स्थितो नरः
Whatever a man desires in his heart while standing in the water,
त्वया तस्याः सुतं दृष्ट्वा पुत्रवांछा कृता हृदि
When you saw her son, the wish for a son arose in your heart.
तस्माद्विरम भद्रं ते निर्दोषासि पतिव्रते 7.3.5.
Therefore, desist; blessings to you, O virtuous wife, you are without fault.
श्रुत्वाऽऽकाशगतां वाणीं देवदूतेन भाषिताम्
Hearing the voice that came from the sky, spoken by a divine messenger,
अहो तीर्थप्रभावोऽयमपूर्वः प्रतिभाति मे
Oh, the power of this sacred place appears to me as unprecedented.
नाहं कुत्रापि यास्यामि मुक्त्वेदं तीर्थमुत्तमम्
I will not go anywhere else, having experienced this supreme holy place.
पुत्रं वै जनयामास सर्वलक्षणलक्षितम्
She gave birth to a son endowed with all auspicious marks.
यः पुनः कुरुते श्राद्धं तस्य वंशो न नश्यति
Whoever performs the śrāddha rite here, his lineage does not perish.
यः पुमान्कामरहितः स्नानं तत्र समाचरेत्
Any man who, free from desire, bathes there,
या स्त्री पुष्पफलान्येव तीर्थे चास्मिन्विसर्जयेत्
Any woman who offers only flowers and fruits at this holy place,