एकाकी दैवयोगेन दुर्दमः सोऽवनीपतिः । धन्वी तुरंगमारुढोऽविशदानंदकाननम्
Alone, by the will of fate, that unconquerable lord of the earth, armed with a bow and mounted on a horse, entered the forest of Anandaka.
स विलोक्याथ सर्वत्र पादपा नवकेशिनः 4.2.81.
There, he beheld everywhere the trees adorned with fresh leaves.
सुगंधेन सुशीतेन सुमदेन सुवायुना
With a delightful fragrance, pleasantly cool, gladdening, and carried by a gentle breeze.
केवलं मृगया जातस्तत्खेदो न व्यपाव्रजत्
Yet, though he was engaged only in hunting, that fatigue did not leave him.
अथावरुह्य तुरगात्स भूपालोतिविस्मितः
Then, dismounting from his horse, the king was filled with great wonder.
धन्योस्म्यहं प्रसन्नोस्मि धन्ये मेद्य विलोचने
Blessed am I, content am I, O you with auspicious eyes, I am fortunate.
पुनर्निनिंद चात्मानं धर्मपीठ प्रभावतः
Again, he reproached himself, considering the power of the seat of righteousness.
जंतूद्वेगकरं मूढं प्रजापीडनपंडितम्
A fool, causing distress to creatures, skilled only in oppressing his people.
अद्ययावन्मम गतं वृथाजन्माल्पमेधस
Until today, my life has been wasted, for I am of little understanding.
एवं बहु विनिंद्य स्वं नत्वा धर्मेश्वरं विभुम्
Thus, having reproached himself greatly, he bowed to the Lord of Dharma, the Supreme.
ततोमात्यान्समाहूय क्रमायातांश्चिरंतनान् 4.2.81.
Then, summoning his ministers, those who had come in succession from ancient times,
ब्राह्मणांश्चनमस्कृत्य तेभ्यो वृत्तीः प्रदाय च
And having bowed to the Brahmins, he granted them means of livelihood.
परिदंड्य च दंडार्हान्साधूंश्च परितोष्य च
He punished those deserving punishment, satisfied the virtuous, and pleased them all around.
समागच्छदथैकाकी काशीं श्रेयोविकासिनीम्
Then, he set out alone and reached Kashi, the city that bestows supreme merit.
धर्मेशदर्शनान्नित्यं तथाभूतः स दुर्दमः
By the constant vision of the Lord of Dharma, that unconquerable one became thus transformed.
इत्थं धर्मेश माहात्म्यं मया स्वल्पं निरूपितम्
Thus, I have briefly described the greatness of the Lord of Dharma.
इदं धर्मेश्वराख्यानं यः श्रोष्यति नरोत्तमः
Whoever, O best of men, hears this account of the Lord of Dharma,
श्राद्धकाले विशेषेण धर्मेशाख्यानमुत्तमम्
Especially at the time of Śrāddha, the excellent narration of the Lord of Dharma,
धर्माख्यानमिदं शृण्वन्नपि दूरस्थितः सुधीः
Even one who is far away, if wise, listening to this account of dharma,
परां सिद्धिं परोपतुस्तत्र सिद्धाः परः शताः
There, supreme accomplishment was attained; hundreds of perfected beings gathered.
कथमाविर्भवस्तस्य काश्यां लिंगवरस्य तु
How did the manifestation of that excellent liṅga occur in Kāśī?
यं श्रुत्वापि नरः पुण्यं प्राप्नोति विपुलं शिवे
Hearing of it alone, a person attains abundant merit in relation to Śiva.
आसीदमित्रजिन्नाम राजा परपुरंजयः
There was a king named Amitrajit, conqueror of enemy cities.
यशोधनो वदान्यश्च सुधीर्ब्राह्मणदैवतः
He was renowned, generous, wise, and regarded as a deity by the Brahmins.
विनीतो नीतिसंपन्नः कुशलः सर्वकर्मसु
Disciplined, endowed with good conduct, skilled in all tasks,
कृतज्ञो मधुरालापः पापकर्मपराङ्मुखः
Grateful, sweet-spoken, and turned away from sinful deeds,
रणांगणे कृतांताभः संख्यावांश्च सदोजिरे
On the battlefield, he resembled Death; he was counted among the valiant and the swift.
धर्मार्थैधितकोशश्च समृद्धबलवाहनः
He possessed wealth in dharma, prosperity, and treasury, and had abundant forces and vehicles.
स्थैर्य धैर्य समापन्नो देशकालविचक्षणः 4.2.82.
He was endowed with steadiness and courage, discerning in place and time.
वासुदेवांघ्रियुगले चेतोवृत्तिं निधाय सः
He placed the activity of his mind at the feet of Vāsudeva.