समुद्रवीचिसंसक्तप्रोच्चप्राकारमण्डनम्
Adorned with lofty walls joined to waves of the ocean.
तत्राभूद्ब्राह्मणः कश्चित्कुष्ठव्याधिसमन्वितः
There was a certain brāhmaṇa afflicted with leprosy.
तस्य भार्याऽभवत्साध्वी कुलीना शीलमंडना
His wife was virtuous, noble-born, adorned with good conduct.
औषधानि विचित्राणि महार्घ्याण्यपि चाददे ६.७६.
She took various medicines, even those of great value.
तथा भिषग्वरान्नित्यमानिनाय च सादरम्
She also regularly brought the best physicians with respect.
यथायथा स गृह्णाति भेषजानि द्विजोत्तमाः
As he accepted the remedies, O best of twice-born, each in turn.
अथैवं वर्तमानस्य तस्य विप्रवरस्य च
Thus, as that excellent brāhmaṇa continued in this way,
अथ विप्रं गृहं प्राप्तं दृष्ट्वा तस्य सती प्रिया
Then, seeing the brāhmaṇa arrive at home, his beloved wife,
अथ तं स्नातमाचांतं कृताहारं द्विजोत्तमम्
Then, seeing him bathed, purified, and fed, that best of brāhmaṇas,
तेजोऽन्वितं यथा भानुं रूपौदार्यगुणान्वितम्
Endowed with brilliance like the sun, possessing beauty and noble qualities,
एवं लावण्ययुक्तोऽपि किमेकाकी यथार्तिभाक्
Thus, though endowed with charm, why is he alone, as one afflicted?
सुस्थितैः सेविता नित्यं जनैर्धर्मव्रतान्वितैः
Always served by those established in dharma and vows.
तस्यामहं कृतावासो गृहस्थाश्रममावहन्
There I took up residence and entered the householder stage of life.
ततः श्रुतं मया तावत्पुराणे स्कान्दसंज्ञिते ६.७६.
Then I heard the Skanda Purana, so named, being recited.
ततो निर्वेदमापन्नो भेषजैः क्लेशितश्चिरम्
Afterwards, I became disillusioned, having suffered long from medicines.
ततो विनिश्चयं चित्ते कृत्वा गृह्य धनं महत्
Then, having resolved in my mind, I gathered great wealth.
ततः प्रातः समुत्थाय नित्यं पश्यामि तं विभुम्
Thereafter, rising each morning, I regularly beheld that glorious Lord.
सूर्यवारे विशेषेण निराहारो यतेन्द्रियः
Especially on Sundays, I fasted and restrained my senses.
ततः संवत्सरस्यांते तं प्रणम्य दिनाधिपम्
Then, at the end of the year, I bowed to the Lord of the day.
तेनैव विधिना विप्र तस्यापि दिवसेशितुः
O Brahmin, on that day also, I worshipped the Lord of the day in the same manner.
ततोऽपि वत्सरस्यांते तं प्रणम्याथ शक्तितः
Again, at the end of the year, I bowed to him as best I could.
तेनैव विधिना पूजा तस्यापि विहिता मया
In the same way, I performed worship for him as well.
ततः संवत्सरस्यांते स्वप्ने मां भास्करोऽब्रवीत्
Then, at the end of the year, the Sun spoke to me in a dream.
परितुष्टोऽस्मि ते विप्र कर्मणाऽनेन भक्तितः ६.७६.
I am pleased with you, O Brahmin, for this act done with devotion.
गच्छ शीघ्रं द्विजश्रेष्ठ श्रांतोऽसि निजमंदिरम्
Go quickly, best of twice-born, you are weary; return to your own home.
त्वया हृतं पुरा रुक्मं ब्राह्मणस्य महात्मनः
Long ago, you took gold belonging to a great-souled Brahmin.
स मया नाशितस्तुभ्यं प्रहृष्टेनाधुना द्विज
That was destroyed by me for you; now I am delighted, O Brahmin.
दृश्यन्ते ये नरा लोके कुष्ठव्याधिसमाकुलाः
Those men seen in the world afflicted by leprosy,
तस्माद्देयं यथाशक्त्या न स्तेयं कनकं बुधैः
Therefore, one should give as able; the wise must not steal gold.
एवमुक्त्वा सहस्रांशुस्ततश्चादर्शनं गतः
Having spoken thus, the thousand-rayed one vanished from sight.