गोपनीयं प्रयत्नेन वचनान्मम सर्वदा
which must always be kept secret with great effort, according to my words.
महापातकयुक्तोऽपि पुरुषो येन कर्मणा
By which action even a man burdened with great sins,
आनर्तविषये रम्यं सर्वतीर्थमयं शुभम्
in the delightful land of Anarta, holy and filled with all sacred waters,
तत्रैकमपि मासार्धं यो भक्त्या पूजयेद्धरम्
if he worships Dharma with devotion there even for half a month,
तस्मात्तत्र द्रुतं गत्वा त्वमाराधय शंकरम्
therefore, go there quickly and worship Shankara.
धर्मराजस्य संहष्टो मधुरां नगरीं प्रति
He, delighted, went towards the sweet city of Dharmaraja.
तावद्द्वितीयं गो कर्णं दूत आदाय संगतः ६.२६.
Then, the messenger arrived, bringing the second ear of the cow.
ततः प्रोवाच तं दूतं धर्मराजः प्रहर्षितः
Afterwards, Dharmarāja joyfully spoke to that messenger.
यस्मात्कालात्ययं कृत्वाऽऽनीतोऽयं ब्राह्मणस्त्वया
Because you brought this Brāhmaṇa here after exceeding the allotted time,
ततस्तौ तत्क्षणान्मुक्तौ गोकर्णौ ब्राह्मणौ समम्
Then, at that very moment, both Brāhmaṇas, Gokarṇa and his companion, were released.
ततः स कथयामास गोकर्णः प्रथमो द्विजः
After that, Gokarṇa, the foremost twice-born, began to narrate.
ततो गृहं परित्यज्य गोकर्णौ द्वावपि स्थितौ
Then, both Gokarṇas abandoned their home and remained together.
लिंगे संस्थापिते ताभ्यां सीमांते दक्षिणोत्तरे
They established a liṅga at the southern and northern boundaries.
ततः शिवं समाराध्य तपः कृत्वा यथोचितम्
Then, having properly performed austerities, they worshipped Śiva.
ताभ्यां मार्गचतुर्दश्यां कृष्णायां जागरः कृतः
On the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, both kept vigil.
अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रान्धनार्थी धनमाप्नुयात्
A man without sons obtains sons; one desiring wealth gains wealth.
क्षेत्रस्यास्य प्रमाणं च विस्तरेण चतुर्दिशम् ॥ ६.२६.
The measurement of this field extends in all four directions.
अत्रांतरे नरा ये च निवसंति द्विजोत्तमाः किं पुनर्नियतात्मानः शांता दांता जितेंद्रियाः
And among those who dwell here, O best of twice-born, especially those with disciplined selves, peaceful, restrained, and with conquered senses,
अपि कीटपतंगा ये पशवः पक्षिणो मृगाः
Even insects, flying creatures, animals, birds, and beasts,
किं पुनर्ये नरास्तत्र कृत्वा प्रायोपवेशनम्
How much more so for those men who perform fasting unto death there.
तस्मात्सर्व प्रयत्नेन तत्क्षेत्रं सेव्यमेव हि
Therefore, with all effort, this sacred field must indeed be served.
वापीकूपतडागेषु यत्रयत्र जलं द्विजाः
Wherever water is found in ponds, wells, or reservoirs, O twice-born,
किं य्रज्ञैः किं वृथा दानैः क व्रतैः किं जपैरपि
What is the use of sacrifices, what of fruitless gifts, what of vows, what even of recitations?
एतत्पवित्रमायुष्यं मांगल्यं पापनाशनम्
This is pure, life-giving, auspicious, and destroys sin.
प्रमाणं वद कार्त्स्न्येन परं कौतूहलं हि नः
Tell us in full the measure; our curiosity is indeed great.
यथा प्रोवाच विप्रेंद्रास्तद्वो वक्ष्यामि सांप्रतम्
As the foremost of Brahmins spoke, so I will now tell you.
पुरा शक्रं समासीनं सभायां त्रिदशैः सह
Once, Indra was seated in the assembly together with the gods.
गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्चैव सिद्धविद्याधराश्च ये
There were also Gandharvas, Apsarases, Siddhas, and Vidyadharas.
कलाः काष्ठानिमेषाश्च नक्षत्राणि ग्रहास्तथा
They discussed kalās, kāṣṭhas, nimeṣas, constellations, and planets as well.
तथा चक्रुः कथाश्चित्रा देवदानवरक्षसाम्
They also recounted wondrous tales of gods, demons, and rākṣasas.