जलसर्पं समादाय सुदीर्घं भीषणाकृतिम्
He seized a water-snake, long and terrifying in appearance.
ततश्च क्षिप्तवांस्तत्र महाजनसमागमे
Then he threw it there, into the midst of the great gathering of people.
तत्रासीत्तापसो नाम्ना सुप्रभः शंसितव्रतः ६.२९.
There was an ascetic named Suprabha, renowned for his firm vows.
निष्कंपां सुदृढामृज्वीं नातिस्तब्धां न कुंचिताम्
He was unwavering, very steady, upright, neither too rigid nor bent.
संपश्यन्नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन्
Gazing at the tip of his own nose, not glancing in any direction.
आवर्तपंकजांतःस्थमष्टपत्र मधोमुखम्
Within the whorl of the lotus, facing downward at the eight-petaled center.
पश्यन्पद्मासनस्थं च वैदनाथं महेश्वरम्
Beholding Vaidyanatha, the great Lord, seated in the lotus posture.
अनिंद्यं चाप्यभेद्यं च जरामरणवर्जितम्
Who is blameless and invulnerable, free from old age and death.
अंगुष्ठतर्जनीयोगं कृत्वा हृदयसंगतम्
Joining the thumb and forefinger together, placed at the heart.
वेष्टयामास भोगेन निश्चलस्य महात्मनः
He encircled the unmoving great soul with his coil.
श्रीवर्धनइतिख्यातो नानाशास्त्रकृतश्रमः ६.२९.
Known as Śrīvardhana, worn out by the study of many scriptures.
नातिदूरस्थितं मां च ज्ञात्वा तत्कर्मकारिणम्
Recognizing me, not far away, as the doer of that deed.
स्फुरताधरयुग्मेन बाष्पगद्गदया गिरा
With trembling lips and a voice choked with tears.
निर्विकल्पेन चित्तेन यदि ध्यातो महेश्वरः ईदृक्कायो भवत्वाशु गुरुर्मे येन धर्षितः
If Maheśvara is meditated upon with unwavering mind, may such a body quickly be mine, by which my teacher was harmed.
अथाहं सर्पतां प्राप्तस्तत्क्षणादेव दारुणाम्
Then, at that very moment, I attained the harsh form of a serpent.
अथ गत्वा समाधेः स पर्यंतं संयतो मुनिः
Then the restrained sage, having reached the end of his meditation.
अथ सर्पाकृतिं मां च दुःखेन महतान्वितम् तटस्थं भयसंत्रस्तं तथा सर्वजनं तदा
Then, seeing me in the form of a serpent, afflicted with great suffering, standing at the edge, terrified, as were all the people there.
शपता ब्राह्मणं दीनं नैष धर्मस्तपस्विनाम्
Cursing the distressed brāhmaṇa, 'This is not the way of ascetics.'
समो मानेऽपमाने च समलोष्टाश्मकांचनः
He is equal in honor and dishonor, the same toward clod, stone, and gold.
तस्मादजानता वत्स शप्तोऽयं ब्राह्मणस्त्वया ६.२९.
Therefore, O child, not knowing, you have cursed this brāhmaṇa.
अथ श्रीवर्धनः प्राह प्रणिपत्य निजं गुरुम्
Then Śrīvardhana spoke, bowing to his own teacher.
अज्ञानाद्यदिवा ज्ञानान्मया यद्व्याहृतं वचः
Whether from ignorance or knowledge, whatever words I have spoken—
न मृषा वचनं प्रोक्तं स्वैरेणापि गुरो मया
Not even in freedom have I spoken a false word to my teacher.
पश्चादुदयते सूर्यः शोषं याति महार्णवः
Afterwards, the sun rises and the great ocean is dried up.
तमुवाच गुरुः शिष्यं स पुनः श्लक्ष्णया गिरा
Then the teacher spoke again to the disciple with gentle words.
सदा शिष्यो वयःस्थोपि शासनीयः प्रयत्नतः ॥। किं पुनर्बाल एव त्वं तेन त्वां वच्मि भूरिशः
A disciple, even if advanced in age, must always be carefully instructed; how much more so you, who are still a child—therefore I speak to you repeatedly.
धर्मं न व्ययते कोऽपि मुनीनां पूर्वसंचितम्
No one destroys the dharma accumulated by the sages of old.
तस्मात्क्षमां पुरस्कृत्य वर्तितव्यं तपस्विभिः
Therefore, ascetics must conduct themselves with patience at the forefront.
न पापं प्रति पापः स्याद्बुद्धिरेषा सनातनी
One should not return evil for evil—this is the eternal principle.
दग्धः स दहते भूयो हतमेव निहंति च ६.२९.
One who is burned burns again; one who is killed kills in return.