तस्यैव निर्झरस्याथ तटस्थो वाक्यमब्रवीत्
Then, standing on the bank of that very stream, he spoke these words.
तेनैव न करोत्येष वृष्टिं मर्त्त्ये सुरेश्वरः
Because of this, the Lord of the gods does not bring rain upon mortals.
अतोऽहं भूतलं त्यक्त्वा प्रविष्टो निर्झरे त्विह
Therefore, abandoning the earth, I have entered this stream here.
देवापिर्नाम धर्मज्ञः क्षत्रियाणां यशस्करः
There was also Devapi, righteous and renowned among the Kshatriyas.
प्रतीपस्तत्सुतः साधुः सर्वशीलवतां वरः संत्यक्त्वा जगृहे राज्यं शंतनुस्तत्सुतोऽवरः
Pratipa, his son, was virtuous, foremost among those of good conduct. He renounced and took up the kingdom; Shantanu, his son, was the successor.
एतस्मात्कारणाद्राज्ये तस्य वृष्टिर्निराकृता
For this reason, rain was withheld from his kingdom.
द्रुतमाज्ञापयामास वृष्ट्यर्थं जगतीतले
He quickly gave orders for rain upon the surface of the earth.
अथ शक्रसमादिष्टा विद्युत्वन्तो बलाहकाः पूरयामासुरत्युग्रा द्युतिमन्तो महीपते
Then, as instructed by Shakra, the clouds bearing lightning, radiant and exceedingly fierce, filled the sky, O King.
ततोऽगमत्परां तुष्टिं भगवान्हव्यवाहनः 7.3.30.
Then the Lord of Offerings, Agni, attained supreme satisfaction.
देवा ऊचुः यत्ते प्रियं तदस्माकं सुशीघ्रं हि निवेदय
The gods said: Whatever is dear to you, quickly declare it to us.
ख्यातिं यातु धरापृष्ठे युष्माकं हि प्रसादतः
Let your fame spread upon the earth, by your favor.
अत्र स्नातो नरः सम्यगग्निलोकं प्रयास्यति
Whoever bathes here properly will go to the world of Agni.
यस्तिलान्दास्यति नरस्तीर्थेऽस्मिन्सुसमाहितः
Any man who gives sesame here at this holy place with full concentration—
वह्निश्च भगवान्राजन्यथापूर्वमवर्तत
And the blessed Fire-god resumed his activity as before.
यश्चैत्पठते नित्यं प्रातरुत्थाय चोत्तमम्
Whoever recites this daily, rising in the morning, attains the highest.
अहोरात्रकृतात्पापात्स शृण्वन्नपि मुच्यते
Even by hearing it, one is freed from sins committed day and night.
यत्र स्नातो नरः सम्यङ्मुच्यते ब्रह्महत्यया
Where a man bathes properly, he is released from the sin of killing a Brahmin.
पुराऽऽसीत्पार्थिवोनाम इंद्रसेनो महीपतिः पतिव्रता पतिप्राणा सदा पत्युः प्रिये स्थिता
Once there was a king named Indrasena, a ruler of the earth; his wife was devoted, living always for her husband, steadfast in affection.
कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य स राजा सपरिग्रहः
Then, after some time, that king, along with his family, met his fate.
तं निहत्य धनं भूरि गृहीत्वा प्रस्थितो गृहम्
Having slain him and seized much wealth, the victor departed for his home.
सुनन्दां ब्रूहि गत्वा त्वमिन्द्रसेनो हतो रणे
Go and tell Sunanda that Indrasena has been killed in battle.
यदि सा निश्चयं गच्छेन्मरणं प्रति भामिनी
If she, the radiant one, resolves firmly to go to death,
एवमुक्तो गतो दूतस्तत्क्षणान्नृपसत्तम
Thus addressed, the messenger departed at that very moment, O best of kings.
अथ तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सुनंदा चारुहासिनी
Then, hearing his words, Sunanda, with a beautiful smile,
यस्मिन्काले मृता सा तु सुनन्दा शीलमंडना
At the time when Sunanda, adorned with virtue, died,
अथापश्यद्द्वितीयां स च्छायां गात्रस्य चोपरि 7.3.31.
He then saw a second shadow above her body.
तेजोहीनं सुदुर्गंधि विवर्णं नृपसत्तम
It was devoid of radiance, foul-smelling, discolored, O best of kings.
विनाशं दुःखशोकार्तः करुणं पर्यदेवयत्
Afflicted by destruction, grief, and sorrow, he lamented pitifully.
ब्राह्मणानां समादेशात्तथा यात्रापरोऽभवत् वाराणस्यां गतः पूर्वं तत्र दानं ददौ बहु
On the instruction of the Brahmins, another journey was undertaken; he went to Varanasi and gave much charity there.
कपालमोचने तीर्थे सर्वपापप्रणाशने
At the Kapalamocana tirtha, which destroys all sins,