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.
कस्मिंश्चिदथ संप्राप्ते प्रस्तावे त्रिदशेश्वरः
Then, at a certain point in the conversation, the lord of the gods said:
भगवञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि प्रमाणं युगसंभवम्
O venerable one, I wish to hear the measure of the origin of the yugas.
यत्प्रमाणं स्वरूपं च शृणुष्वावहितः स्थितः
What is its measure and form? Listen attentively as I explain.
अष्टाविंशतिसहस्राणि लक्षाः सप्तदशैव तु ६.२७.
There are twenty-eight thousand and exactly one hundred seventy thousand.
कामक्रोधविनिर्मुक्ता भयद्वेषविवर्जिताः पञ्चतालप्रमाणाश्च दीप्तिमन्तो बहुश्रुताः
Free from desire and anger, devoid of fear and hatred, their stature is five tālas, they are radiant and learned.
तत्र षोडशसाहस्रं बालत्वं जायते नृणाम्
There, among humans, sixteen thousand years is the duration of childhood.
ततः परं च वार्द्धक्यं शनैः संजायते नृणाम्
After that, old age gradually arises among humans.
तत्र सत्त्वाश्च ये केचित्पशवः पक्षिणो मृगाः ॥ दैवीं वाचं प्रजल्पंति न विरोधं व्रजंति च ।ा
There, all beings—cattle, birds, and deer—speak in divine language and do not act in opposition.
धेनवश्च प्रयच्छंति वांछितं स्वादु सत्पयः
Cows give sweet, excellent milk as desired.
न तत्र विधवा नारी जायते न च दुर्भगा ६.२७.
There, no woman becomes a widow, nor is anyone unfortunate.