किं पुनः श्रद्धयोपेताः पर्वकाल उपस्थिते
What then of those who, endowed with faith, come at the proper sacred time?
तत्र गाथा पुरा गीता नारदेन महर्षिणा
There, an ancient verse was sung by the great sage Nārada:
किं व्रतैर्नियमैर्वापि तपोभिर्विविधैर्मखैः
What need is there of vows, restraints, or various austerities and sacrifices?
एकः सर्वेषु तीर्थेषु स्नानं मर्त्यः समाचरेत्
If a mortal bathes just once at all the sacred places,
एको दानानि सर्वाणि ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रयच्छति
If one person gives all gifts to the Brāhmaṇas,
पञ्चाग्निसाधको ग्रीष्मे वर्षास्वाकाशमाश्रितः
If another practices the five-fire vow in summer, or takes shelter in the open during the rains,
अन्यो विष्णुपदीतोये स्नात्वा विष्णुपदं स्पृशेत्
Another, having bathed in the water of Viṣṇupadī, touches the footprint of Viṣṇu,
एकांतरोपवासी य एकः स्याज्जीवितावधि
One who fasts on alternate days for his entire life,
त्रिरात्रोपोषितस्त्वेको यावद्वर्षशतं नरः
Or one who fasts for three nights, even if only once in a hundred years,
विरराम मुनीनां स बहूनां पुरतोऽसकृत् ॥ 6.24.
He repeatedly ceased in the presence of many sages.
तस्मात्सर्व प्रयत्नेन स्नानं तत्र समाचरेत
Therefore, with all effort, one should perform bathing there.
विष्णोः पदस्य संप्राप्ते अयने दक्षिणोत्तरे
When the sun turns to the northern or southern course, at the time of Viṣṇu’s step—
तत्केन विधिना सूत मन्त्रैश्च वद सत्वरम्
By what procedure, O Sūta, and with what mantras should it be done? Tell me quickly.
दक्षिणे चोत्तरे चापि संप्राप्ते चायनद्वये
At the arrival of both solstices, the southern and the northern,
षण्मासाभ्यंतरे मृत्युर्यद्यकस्माद्भवेन्मम
If within six months, death should come to me suddenly,
एवं प्रोच्य हरिं पश्चात्पूजयेद्ब्राह्मणांस्ततः
Having spoken thus, one should then worship Hari and afterwards the brāhmaṇas.
तद्वोऽहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि गंगामाहात्म्यसंभवम्
Now I shall tell you about the origin of the greatness of the Gaṅgā.
चमत्कारपुरे विप्रः पुरासीत्संशितव्रतः
In the city of Camatkāra, there was once a brāhmaṇa devoted to strict vows.
स यदा यौवनोपेतस्तदा वेश्यानुरागकृत्
When he reached youth, he became attached to a courtesan.
स कदाचिन्निशीथेऽथ तृषार्तश्च समुत्थितः
Once, in the middle of the night, tormented by thirst, he rose up.
अथ सा सलिलभ्रांत्या करकं मद्यसंभवम्
Then, by mistake, she gave him a cup containing liquor, thinking it was water.
मुखमध्यगते मद्ये सोऽपि तां कोपसंयुतः
When the liquor had reached his mouth, he, filled with anger,
किमिदंकिमिदं पापे त्वया कर्म विगर्हितम्
"What is this, what is this, O sinful woman? What condemned act have you done?"
ब्राह्मण्यमद्य मे नष्टं मद्यपानादसंशयम्
"Today my brāhmaṇahood is lost, without doubt, because of drinking liquor."
एवमुक्त्वा विनिष्क्रम्य तद्गृहाद्दुःखसंयुतः
Having spoken thus, he left that house, overwhelmed by sorrow.
ततः प्रभातवेलायां स्नात्वा वस्त्रसमन्वितः ६.२५.
Then, at the break of dawn, after bathing and putting on clean clothes,
संप्राप्तो विप्रमुख्यानां सभा यत्र व्यवस्थिता
He arrived at the assembly of eminent brāhmaṇas, where they were gathered.
अथासौ प्रणिपत्योच्चैः प्रोवाच द्विजसत्तमान्
Then, bowing down, he loudly addressed those excellent twice-born men.
अथ ते धर्मशास्त्राणि प्रविचार्य पुनःपुनः
Then, having carefully considered the treatises on dharma again and again,
अज्ञानाज्ज्ञानतो वापि सुरां चेद्ब्राह्मणः पिबेत्
If a Brahmin drinks liquor, whether out of ignorance or knowingly,