घर्मार्त्ता वा तृषार्ता वा येऽवगाहंति तज्जलम्
or those who, tormented by heat or thirst, immerse themselves in those waters,
विश्वामित्रोऽपि तद्दृष्ट्वा तीर्थमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम्
even Viśvāmitra, seeing this, recognized the supreme greatness of that sacred place.
तथान्ये मुनयः शांतास्त्यक्त्वा तीर्थानि दूरतः
Likewise, other tranquil sages, having abandoned distant sacred places,
तथैव मनुजाः सर्वे दूरादागत्य सत्वराः ६.८.
and all people, too, came quickly from afar in the same way.
एवं तस्य प्रभावेण तीर्थस्य द्विजसत्तमाः
Thus, by the power of that sacred place, O best of twice-born,
अग्निष्टोमादिका सर्वाः समुच्छेदं गताः क्रियाः
all rites such as Agniṣṭoma and others were rendered obsolete.
न यच्छति तथा दानं न च तीर्थं निषेवते
He neither gives gifts in that way nor frequents other sacred places,
ततः प्रगच्छति स्वर्गं विमानवरमाश्रितः
yet thereafter he attains heaven, taking refuge in a splendid celestial vehicle.
ततः प्रपूरिताः सर्वे स्वर्गलोका नरैर्द्विजाः
Then all the heavenly worlds were filled with people, O twice-born,
ततो देवगणाः सर्वे यज्ञभागविवर्जिताः
so that all the hosts of gods, deprived of their shares of sacrifice,
हाटकेश्वरमाहात्म्यात्स्वर्गलोकः प्रपूरितः
saw the heavenly realm filled because of the greatness of Hāṭakeśvara.
तस्मात्तत्क्रियतां कर्म येनोच्छेदं प्रगच्छति
Therefore, perform that act by which this cessation will occur.
ततः संवर्तको वायुः शक्रादेशात्समंततः
Then, at Indra's command, the wind of dissolution blew everywhere.
एवं नाशमनुप्राप्ते तस्मिंस्तीर्थे स्थलोच्चये ६.८.
Thus, when that sacred place was destroyed and the ground was raised,
ततः कालेन महता वल्मीकः समपद्यत
after a long time, an anthill arose there.
अथ पातालतो नागास्तेन मार्गेण कौतुकात्
Then, out of curiosity, serpents came from the netherworld along that path.
तत्र ते मानवान्भोगान्भुक्त्वा चैव यथेच्छया
There, having enjoyed human pleasures as they wished,
ततो नागबिलः ख्यातः स सर्वस्मिन्धरातले
then the Nāga-cave, renowned throughout the earth,
कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य भगवान्पाकशासनः
At some point in time, the revered lord Yama,
ततः पितामहादेशं लब्ध्वा मार्गेण तेन सः
then, having received the command of the Grandfather (Brahmā), by that path,
अथाऽभूत्पापनिर्मुक्तस्तत्क्षणात्तस्य दर्शनात्
then, freed from sin at that very moment by seeing him,
स दृष्ट्वा तत्प्रभावं तल्लिंगं देवस्य शूलिनः
he, having seen that power, that liṅga of the god with the trident,
यदि कश्चित्पुमानत्र त्रिशंकुरिव भूपतिः
If any man here, like King Triśaṅku,
यापयिष्यति तन्नूनं मामस्मात्त्रिदशालयात् ६.८.
should send me from this abode of the gods,
ततश्च त्वरया युक्तो रक्तशृंगं नगोत्तमम्
then, filled with urgency, to the great mountain Raktaśṛṅga,
कस्मिन्काले च सर्वं नो विस्तरात्सूत कीर्तय
At what time did all this happen? Tell us in detail, Sūta.
रक्तशृंगो गिरिः कोऽयं संक्षिप्तस्तत्र तेन यः
What is this mountain Raktaśṛṅga, which was thus mentioned there?
विवाहिता रमानाम श्रेष्ठरूपगुणान्विता
He married a woman named Ramā, endowed with the best beauty and qualities.
अथ तस्या ययौ कालः सुप्रभूतः सुतं विना
Then, for her, time passed without a son being born.
ध्यायमाना सुराधीशं देवदेवं महेश्वरम्
Meditating on the lord of the gods, the great god Maheśvara,