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,
निष्कामा स्वर्गमाप्नोति दुष्प्राप्यं त्रिदशैरपि
Without desire, she attains heaven, which even the gods find hard to reach.
यं दृष्ट्वा मानवः सम्यक्कृतार्थत्वमवाप्नुयात्
By seeing whom, a man truly attains fulfillment of purpose.
तत्रास्ति जलसम्पूर्णं कुण्डं पापहरं नृणाम्
There is a pond there, filled with water, which removes the sins of people.
गोमती च समानीता तपसा नृपसत्तम
And the Gomati river has been brought there through austerity, O best of kings.
ऋषिधान्येन यस्तत्र श्राद्धं नृप समाचरेत्
Whoever performs the śrāddha there with the grains of the sages, O king—
अत्र गाथा पुरा गीता नारदेन महात्म ना
Here, a verse was formerly sung by the great-souled Nārada.
किं गयाश्राद्धदानेन किमन्यैर्मखविस्तरैः स पितॄंस्तारयेत्सर्वानात्मना नृपसत्तम
What need is there for giving śrāddha at Gayā, or for other elaborate sacrifices? He rescues all his ancestors entirely, O best of kings.
तत्रैवारुंधती साध्वी वसिष्ठस्य समीपतः
There, the virtuous Arundhatī is present near Vasiṣṭha.
बाल्ये वयसि यत्पापं वार्द्धके यौवनेऽपि वा
Whatever sin was committed in childhood, old age, or even youth—
दीपं प्रयच्छते यस्तु वसिष्ठाग्रे समाहितः
Whoever, with focused mind, offers a lamp before Vasiṣṭha—