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.
यावत्पश्यामि देहं स्वं कुष्ठव्याधिपरिच्युतम्
As long as I see my own body, afflicted and abandoned by the disease of leprosy,
तस्मात्त्वमपि विप्रेंद्र भक्त्या तद्भास्करत्रयम्
Therefore, you too, O foremost of Brahmins, with devotion, should worship that trio of solar deities.
किमौषधैः किमाहांरैः कटुकैरपि योजितैः
What use are medicines, what use are rituals, even those compounded with bitter substances?
स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि सांप्रतं तां पुरीं प्रति ६.७६.
May blessings be upon you; I shall now depart towards that city.
एवमुक्तः स पांथेन तेन विप्रः स कुष्ठभाक्
Thus addressed by the traveler, the Brahmin afflicted with leprosy,
साऽब्रवीद्युक्तमुक्तं ते पांथेनानेन वल्लभ
She spoke: 'What he said to you, O beloved, is indeed appropriate.'
अहं त्वया समं तत्र शुश्रूषानिरता सती
I, together with you, shall there be constantly engaged in service.
एवमुक्तस्तया सोऽथ वित्तमादाय भूरिशः
Thus addressed by her, he then took abundant wealth,
प्रतिज्ञया गमिष्यामि द्रष्टुं तद्देवतात्रयम्
With a vow, I shall go to see that trio of deities.
ततः कृच्छ्रेण महता कुष्ठव्याधिसमाकुलः
Then, with great difficulty, afflicted by the disease of leprosy,
तद्दृष्ट्वा सुमहत्क्षेत्रं तापसौघनिषेवितम्
Seeing that vast sacred field, frequented by groups of ascetics,
अहं निर्वेदमापन्नो रोगेणाथ बुभुक्षया
I became despondent, due to the disease and hunger.
तस्मादत्रैव देहं स्वं विहास्यामि न संशयः
Therefore, right here, I shall abandon my body—there is no doubt.
एकांतेऽपि महाभाग न सुप्तं जाग्रति त्वयि ॥ ६.७६.
Even in solitude, O greatly fortunate one, you do not sleep nor remain awake.
तस्मादेतन्महाक्षेत्रं संप्राप्य त्वां व्यवस्थितम्
Therefore, having reached this great sacred field and seeing you settled here,
दर्शयिष्ये मुखं तेषां त्वया हीना अहं कथम्
I shall show you the faces of those deities; how can I, deprived of you, do so?
तस्मात्त्वया समं नाथ प्रवेक्ष्यामि हुताशनम्
Therefore, together with you, O lord, I shall enter the fire.
यावतस्तव संजाता उपवासा महामते
As long as your fasts have been observed, O wise one,
एवं तस्या विदित्वा स निश्चयं ब्राह्मणस्तदा
Thus, having understood her resolve, the Brahmin at that time—
भास्करं मनसि ध्यात्वा यावदग्निं समाददे
Meditating upon the Sun in his mind, he took up the fire.