स तं शिशुं समालोक्य नखाग्रान्मूर्द्धजावधिम्
He beheld that child from the tips of his nails to the crown of his head.
मृकंडोऽपि समालोक्य ज्ञानिनं सस्मिताननम्
Mṛkaṇḍu also gazed upon the wise one, whose face bore a gentle smile.
सुचिरं विस्मयाविष्टस्ततोऽभूः सस्मिताननः ॥ ६.२१.
For a long time, filled with wonder, he too became one whose face was adorned with a smile.
ततश्च कथयामास हास्यकारणमेव हि
Then he began to explain the reason for his laughter.
गात्रस्थानि भवेत्सत्यं तैः पुमानजरामरः
If these marks are truly present on the body, then a man becomes ageless and immortal.
अस्य भावि पुनश्चाऽस्माद्दिवसान्निधनं शिशोः
But for this child, his death is destined to occur again from this very day.
एवं ज्ञात्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठ कुरुष्वाऽस्य हितं च यत्
Knowing this, O best of twice-born, do whatever is beneficial for him.
एवमुक्त्वा स विप्रेंद्रो जगामाऽभीप्सितां दिशम्
Having spoken thus, the foremost of Brāhmaṇas departed for his desired direction.
अकालेऽपि कुमारस्य किंचिद्ध्यात्वा निजे हृदि
Even at an improper time, reflecting a little on the boy in his own heart,
यं कं चिद्वीक्षसे पुत्र भ्रममाणं द्विजोत्तमम्
Whomever you see, O son, wandering about—be it any excellent Brāhmaṇa—
एवं तस्य व्रतस्थस्य षण्मासा दिवसैस्त्रिभिः
Thus, for him who was observing his vow, six months passed in three days.
तान्दृष्ट्वा स मुनीन्सर्वान्नमश्चक्रे मुनेः सुतः ६.२१.
Seeing all those sages, the son of the sage bowed to them.
अथ तं बालभावेन कौतुकाद्ब्रह्मचारिणः
Then, out of curiosity, the celibate students approached him in his childish state.
सर्वैरेष शिशुः प्रोक्तो दीर्घा युरिति सादरम्
All of them respectfully declared, 'This child is said to have a long life.'
तन्न युक्तं भवेदीदृगस्माकं वचनं द्विजाः
Such a statement from us, O Brāhmaṇas, would not be appropriate.
ततो मिथः समालोच्य सर्वे ते मुनिपुंगवाः
Then, after consulting among themselves, all those foremost sages—
तस्मात्तस्य पुरो नीत्वा बालोऽयं क्षीणजीवितः
Therefore, bringing him before them, they said, 'This boy's life is nearly spent.'
ततस्तु ते समादाय सत्वरं ब्रह्मचारिणम्
Then they quickly took the celibate student with them.
ततः प्रणम्य तं देवं वेदोक्तैः स्तवनैर्द्विजाः
Then, having bowed to that god, the twice-born praised him with hymns from the Vedas.
तेषामनंतरं सोऽपि नमश्चक्रे पितामहम्
In turn, he also offered obeisance to Brahmā.
अथोवाच मुनीन्सर्वान्विश्रांतान्पद्मयोनिजः
Then the lotus-born addressed all the sages, who had rested.
प्रोच्यतां चापि यत्कृत्यं युष्माकं क्रियतेऽधुना ६.२१.
Now tell me what business of yours is being undertaken.
तीर्थयात्राप्रसंगेन भ्रममाणा महीतलम् ः। चमत्कारपुराभ्याशे वयं प्राप्ताः पितामह
While wandering the earth on pilgrimage, O Grandfather, we arrived near the wondrous city.
तत्रानेन वयं देव बालकेनाऽभिवादिताः
There, O god, we were greeted by this boy.
एतस्य तु पुनः शेषमायुषो दिवसत्र यम्
But as for the remainder of his allotted lifespan—
ततश्चैनं समादाय वयं प्राप्तास्तवांतिकम्
Then, taking him with us, we have come into your presence.
तस्माद्यथा वयं सत्या भवता सह पद्मज
Therefore, as we are truthful, together with you, O lotus-born—
प्रोवाच प्रहसन्वाक्यं समादाय च बालकम्
He spoke, smiling, and took up the boy.
मत्प्रसादादयं बालोजरामृत्युवि वर्जितः
By my grace, this boy is freed from old age and death.
तस्मात्प्राग्धरणीपृष्ठं व्रजध्वं मुनिसत्तमाः
Therefore, O best of sages, return to the surface of the earth.