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.
यावदस्य पिता वृद्धः पुत्रदर्शनविह्वलः ३९. आगत्य वसुधापृष्ठं तस्यैवाश्रमसंनिधौ ॥ ६.२१.
Until his aged father, overwhelmed with longing to see his son, comes to the earth's surface, near his own hermitage—
अमुंचन्नग्नितीर्थे तं समाभाष्य ततः परम्
Having spoken with him, then release him at the Agni-tīrtha.
एतस्मिन्नंतरे विप्रो मृकंडः सुतवत्सलः
Meanwhile, the devoted brāhmaṇa Mṛkaṇḍa—
अहो मे तनयोऽभीष्टः कथमद्य न दृश्यते
Alas, my beloved son! Why do I not see him today?
कृत्वा मां दुःखसंतप्तं मातरं चापि पुत्रकः
Having made me, and his mother as well, tormented by sorrow, my son—
पश्य ब्राह्मणि पापेन मया दुष्कृतकारिणा
See, O brāhmaṇī, through my own sin, as a doer of evil—
कथितं ज्ञानिना तेन मम पूर्वं महात्म ना
That was explained to me earlier by that wise one, O great soul.
सोऽहं पुत्रस्य दुःखेन साधयिष्ये हुताशनम्
Now, afflicted by my son's sorrow, I shall accomplish the fire sacrifice.
तत्किं चिरयसि ब्रह्मञ्छीघ्रं दारूणि चानय
Why do you delay, O Brahman? Quickly bring the wood.
येनाऽहं भवता सार्धं प्रवेक्ष्यामि हुताशनम्
So that, together with you, I may enter the sacred fire.