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,
स त्वं वांछसि चेच्छुद्धिमग्निवर्णं घृतं पिब
If you desire purification, drink clarified butter that is touched by fire.
स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय घृतमादाय तत्क्षणात्
He, having agreed to this and taking the ghee at that very moment,
तावत्तस्य पिता प्राप्तः श्रुत्वा वार्तां सभार्यकः अश्रुपूर्णेक्षणो दीनो वाष्पगद्गदया गिरा
Just then, his father arrived, having heard the news, with his wife; his eyes were filled with tears, he was distressed, and his voice was choked with sobs.
संचिन्त्य धर्मशास्त्राणि विचार्य च पुनः पुनः ६.२५.
Reflecting on the treatises of dharma and considering them again and again,
नान्यदस्ति सुरापाने प्रायश्चित्तं द्विजन्मनाम्
There is no other expiation for drinking liquor for twice-born men.
ततः स स्वसुतं प्राह नैव त्वं कर्तुमर्हसि
Then he said to his own son, 'You should not do this.'
ततः शुद्धिं समाप्नोषि क्रमान्नियमसंयुतः
Then, by following the prescribed discipline step by step, you attain purification.
न ब्राह्मणसमादिष्टं प्रायश्चित्त विशुद्धये
A penance not prescribed by a Brahmin is not for purification.
तस्मात्कार्यो मया तात मौंजीहोमो न संशयः
Therefore, my son, I must perform the sacred thread sacrifice; there is no doubt.
यन्मया तु कृतं बाल्ये तत्सर्वं क्षंतुमर्हसि
Whatever I did in childhood, you ought to forgive all of that.