परं शृणुष्व मे वाक्यं यदर्थं ह्युत्सुका वयम्
Now listen to my words, for this is the reason for our eagerness.
आनर्तविषयेऽस्माभिरागच्छद्भिस्तवांतिकम् तत्र लिंगानि दृष्टानि भूपतीनां महात्मनाम्
As we were coming to you in the land of Ānarta, we saw there the emblems of great kings.
सूर्यचन्द्रान्वयोत्थानामन्येषां च महात्मनाम्
Of those descended from the lines of the Sun and the Moon, and of other great souls.
देवानां दानवानां च मुनीनां च विशेषतः
Especially of the gods, the demons, and the sages.
ततश्च कुरुमुख्यानां पांडवानां च माधव
And then, O Mādhava, of the chief Kurus and Pāṇḍavas as well.
ते वयं तत्र गत्वाशु यथाशक्त्या यथेच्छया
So we went there quickly, each according to his ability and wish.
एतस्मात्कारणात्तूर्णं चलिता वयमच्युत
For this reason, O Acyuta, we set out in haste.
तस्मादाज्ञापयस्वाद्य कृत्वा चित्तं दृढं विभो
Therefore, command us today, O mighty one, after making your mind firm.
तापसैः कीर्तितं नित्यं ममान्यैस्तीर्थयात्रिकैः ॥ ६.७३.
It is always praised there by ascetics and other pilgrims.
तस्मात्तत्र समेष्यामो युष्माभिः सहिता वयम्
Therefore, we shall go there together with you.
तथा पांडुसुताश्चैव ये चान्ये तत्र पार्थिवाः
Likewise, the sons of Pandu and the other kings who were present there,
ते तु संप्रस्थिताः सर्वे मिलिताः कुरुपांडवाः
all of them, the Kurus and Pandavas, set out together in unity.
अथ तत्क्षेत्रमासाद्य दूरे कृत्वा निवेशनम्
Then, reaching that field, they established their encampment at a distance.
तत्र सर्वान्समाहूय ब्राह्मणान्विनयान्विताः
There, they summoned all the Brahmins, who were endowed with discipline.
वयं सर्वेऽत्र वांछामो लिगसंस्थापनक्रियाम्
We all here desire to perform the rite of installing the linga.
तस्मात्कृत्वा प्रसादं नो दयां च द्विजसत्तमाः
Therefore, best of twice-born, be gracious to us and show compassion.
भविष्यथ तथा यूयं होतारः सर्वकर्मसु
Thus, you shall become the officiating priests in all the rites.
यतोऽस्माभिः श्रुता वार्ता कीर्त्यमाना पुरातनी
For we have heard the ancient account that is being recounted.
यथा तेन कृतं श्राद्धं पितुः प्रेतस्य यत्नतः ६.७३.
How he performed the śrāddha for his departed father with great care.
यथोक्तविधिना तीर्थे नागानां पंचमीदिने ॥। श्रावणे मासि नो मुक्तः पिता तस्य तथापि सः
As prescribed, on the fifth day at the sacred place of the Nagas, in the month of Śrāvaṇa, our father was not released, yet he,
प्रेतत्वात्सर्पदोषेण संजाता द्विजसत्तमाः तावत्पिता विनिर्मुक्तः प्रेतत्वाद्दारुणाद्द्विजाः
Because of the fault of serpents, he became a spirit, O best of Brahmins; only then was our father freed from the terrible state of being a spirit.
यदत्र क्रियते किंचित्कर्म धर्म्यं द्विजोत्तमाः
Whatever righteous act is performed here, O best of Brahmins,
प्रार्थयामो विशेषेण तेन दैन्यं समागताः
We especially request this, having come together in humility.
मन्त्रं चक्रुस्तदर्थं हि किं कृतं सुकृतं भवेत्
They composed a mantra for that purpose: 'What good deed should be done?'
एके प्रोचुर्न दास्यामः प्रासादार्थं वसुन्धराम्
Some said, 'We will not give land for the sake of favor.'
पंचक्रोशप्रमाणेन क्षेत्रमेतद्व्यवस्थितम्
This field, measuring five krośas, is established.
अन्ये प्रोचुर्धनोमत्ता यूयं च सुखमाश्रिताः
Others, intoxicated with wealth, said, 'You are comfortably settled.'
तस्माद्वयं प्रदास्याम एतेषां हि वसु न्धराम्
Therefore, we shall give this land to them.
तथान्ये मध्यमाः प्रोचुर्यत्र साक्षाज्जनार्दनः ६.७३.
Likewise, others of middling rank spoke, where Janārdana himself was present.
तस्माद्यत्र समायाताः कुरुपांडवयादवाः
Therefore, where the Kurus, Pāṇḍavas, and Yādavas had assembled,