ते ब्राह्मणाः शपंति स्म निन्दां कुर्वंति चापरे
Those Brāhmaṇas cursed him, and others spoke reproach.
लोष्ठैर्लगुडकैश्चा न्ये घ्नंति तं बलगर्विताः
Proud of their strength, they struck him with clods and sticks.
पृच्छंति व्रतचर्यां वै केन व्रतं च दर्शितम्
They questioned about the observance of vows, asking by whom the vow was shown.
ब्रह्मणा चेदृशी चर्या विष्णुना वा कृता स्वयम्
Whether such conduct was performed by Brahmā or by Viṣṇu himself.
मा विडम्बय देवेशं वध्यो हि नस्त्वमद्य वै
Do not mock the Lord of gods; today, you are indeed condemned to death by us.
स्मितं कृत्वाऽब्रवीत्सर्वान्ब्राह्मणान्परमेश्वरः
With a smile, the supreme Lord addressed all the Brahmins.
यूयं कारुणिकाः सर्वे मैत्रभावे व्यवस्थिताः
All of you are compassionate, established in the spirit of friendship.
मायया तस्य देवस्य मोहितास्ते द्विजातयः 5.1.26.
Those twice-born were deluded by the illusion of that god.
ताड्यमानस्तु तैर्विप्रैः परं कोपमुपागमत्
Struck by those Brahmins, he became extremely angry.
ऊर्ध्वजूटाः सलगुडाः परदारोपजीविनः
With hair tied up, carrying clubs, living off others' wives,
न पुत्रे पितृ वित्तं च विद्या वापि भविष्यति
Neither sons, nor fathers' wealth, nor knowledge will remain with them.
रौद्रां भिक्षां तु भिक्षंतः परपिंडोपजीविनः
Begging fiercely, subsisting on the food of others,
यैश्च तत्र कृता विप्रैर्हन्यमाने कृपा मयि
And those Brahmins who showed compassion to me while I was being struck,
कुलोत्पन्नाश्च वै नार्यो भविष्यंति वरान्मम
Women born in noble families will become my favorites.
ततो द्विजा गते देवे मत्वा तं शंकरं विभुम्
Then, when the twice-born departed, considering that lord to be Śaṅkara,
स्नात्वा सरसि रुद्रस्य जपतः शतरुद्रियम्
Having bathed in Rudra's lake, they recited the Śatarudriya hymn.
अनृतं न मया प्रोक्तं स्वैरेष्वेपि कुतः सुखम्
I have not spoken falsehood; how can there be happiness even among the self-willed?
शांता दांताश्च ये विप्रा भक्तिमंतो मयि स्थिताः 5.1.26.
Those Brahmins who are peaceful, self-controlled, and devoted to me,
अग्निहोत्ररता ये च भक्तिमंतो जनार्दने
And those who are devoted to Janārdana, engaged in Agnihotra rituals,
नाशुभं विद्यते तेषां येषां सख्ये स्थिता मतिः
No misfortune befalls those whose minds are established in friendship.
एवं शापं वरं लब्ध्वा देवदेवान्महेश्वरात्
Thus, having received curse and boon from the great lord of gods,
विरंचिमथ ते जाप्यैस्तोषयन्तोऽग्रतः स्थिताः
Then, standing before him, they pleased Virāñci with prayers.
ब्रह्मणस्तेन वाक्येन तुष्टाः सर्वे द्विजोत्तमाः
By that statement of Brahmā, all the foremost twice-born were satisfied.
एके तत्राब्रुवन्विप्रा वेदान्वै वृणवामहै
There, some of the sages said, 'Let us choose the Vedas.'
अन्ये प्राहुः किमस्माकं धनैस्तुष्टे पितामहे
Others said, 'What use have we for wealth when the Grandfather is pleased?'
शांता आढ्याश्च लोकाश्च वरदानाद्भवंतु नः
May peaceful and prosperous worlds arise for us through the granting of boons.
परस्परं वरार्थेऽथ युद्धं कर्तुं समुद्यताः
Then, for the sake of the boon, they became ready to fight one another.
केचिद्विप्रा उदासीनाः केचिद्वै मौनमास्थिताः 5.1.26.
Some of the sages remained indifferent, and some maintained silence.
तीर्थानां प्रवरं तीर्थं क्षेत्राणामपि चोत्तमम् 5.1.26.
Among holy places, it is the foremost; among sacred fields, it is also the highest.
एवं प्रजल्प्याथ मुनिप्रधानस्तत्रैव वासं सहसा चकार 5.1.26.
Thus, after this conversation, the chief of the sages immediately took up residence there.