प्रत्यब्दं निर्मलानि स्युस्तीर्थराज समागमात्
Each year, they become pure through the gathering at the king of sacred places.
महाघिनां महाघं च हरेत्पांचनदाद्बलात् तमेकमज्जनादूर्जे त्यजेत्पंचनदे ध्रुवम्
By the strength of Pañcanada, one may remove great sins of the sinful; by a single bath in Pañcanada, one surely abandons them.
यथा पंचनदोत्पत्तिस्तथा च कथयाम्यहम्
Just as the origin of Pañcanada, so too I shall narrate.
पुरा वेदशिरा नाम मुनिरासीन्महातपाः
Long ago, there was a sage named Vedaśirā, of great austerity.
तपस्यतस्तस्य मुनेः पुरोदृग्गोचरं गता 4.2.59.
While that sage was engaged in austerity, a woman appeared before him, visible to his sight.
तस्या दर्शनमात्रेण परिक्षुब्धं मुनेर्मनः
At merely seeing her, the mind of the sage was disturbed.
दूरादेव नमस्कृत्य तमृषिं साभ्यभाषत
From a distance, she bowed to the sage and spoke to him.
नापराध्नोम्यहं किंचिन्महोग्रतपसांनिधे
I have committed no offense, O repository of fierce austerity.
मुनीनां मानसं प्रायो यत्पद्मादपि तन्मृदु
The minds of sages are generally softer than even a lotus.
इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्याः शुचेरप्सरसो मुनिः
Hearing the words of that pure apsaras, the sage...
उवाच च प्रसन्नात्मा शुचे शुचिरसि ध्रुवम्
And he, with a tranquil mind, said: 'O pure one, you are indeed pure, without doubt.'
वह्निस्वरूपा ललना नवनीत समः पुमान्
A woman is of the nature of fire, and a man is like fresh butter.
स्निह्येदुद्धृतसारोपि वह्नेः संस्पर्शमाप्य वै
Even butter that has had its essence removed, upon contact with fire, will still melt.
अतः शुचे न भेतव्यं त्वया शुचि मनोगते
Therefore, O pure-minded one, you need not be afraid, for your mind remains pure.
स्खलनान्न तथा हानिरकामात्तपसो मुनेः 4.2.59.
From an unintentional lapse, there is not such loss of ascetic merit for a sage who is without desire.
कोपात्तपः क्षयं याति संचितं यत्सुकृच्छ्रतः
But from anger, the ascetic merit that has been accumulated with great difficulty is destroyed.
अमर्षे कर्षति मनो मनोभू संभवः कुतः
When the mind is consumed by resentment, how can the creation of mental resolve arise?
ज्वलतो रोषदावाग्नेः क्व वा शांतितरोः स्थितिः
Where is the place for the tree of tranquility in the blazing wildfire of wrath?
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन प्रतीपः प्रतिघातुकः
Therefore, by every effort, one must oppose and restrain anger.
इदानीं शृणु कल्याणि कर्तव्यं यत्त्वया शुचे
Now, O auspicious one, listen to what you must do, O pure one.
एतस्मिन्रक्षिते वीर्ये परिस्कन्ने त्वदीक्षणात्
When this energy is preserved, and purified by your gaze,
इत्युक्ता तेन मुनिना पुनर्जातेव साप्सराः
Thus addressed by that sage, she, the Apsaras, seemed as if reborn.
अथ कालेन दिव्यस्त्री कन्यारत्नमजीजनत्
Then, in due course, that divine woman gave birth to a jewel among maidens.
तस्यैव वेदशिरस आश्रमे तां निधाय सा 4.2.59.
She placed her in the very hermitage of Vedashiras.
तां च वेदशिराः कन्यां स्नेहेन समवर्धयत्
And Vedashiras raised that girl with affection.
मुनिर्नाम ददौ तस्यै धूतपापेति चार्थवत्
The sage gave her the meaningful name Dhūtapāpā, 'She whose sins are washed away.'
सर्वलक्षणशोभाढ्यां सर्वावयव सुंदरीम्
Endowed with all auspicious marks, and beautiful in every limb,
दिनेदिने वर्धमानां तां पश्यन्मुमुदे भृशम्
Seeing her grow day by day, he rejoiced greatly.
अथाष्टवार्षिकीं दृष्ट्वा तां कन्यां स मुनीश्वरः
Then, seeing that maiden at the age of eight, the great sage—
कस्मै दद्यावराय त्वां त्वमेवाख्याहि तं वरम्
To whom should I give you, O excellent one? You yourself tell me your chosen husband.