महदतिक्रमणे शंकाः पुरात्ते निर्ययुर्बहिः
Previously, doubts arose among you all about a great transgression.
येनास्माकं कोपितेन हृतं चामृतमुत्तमम् 5.1.51.
By whom, angered against us, was our excellent nectar taken away?
इत्युक्त्वा पन्नगाः सर्वे सस्त्रीबालपरिग्रहाः
Having spoken thus, all the serpents, with their wives and children,
तेषामनुग्रहार्थाय वागुवाचाशरीरिणी
For their compassion, a bodiless voice spoke aloud,
भिक्षार्थमागतः शम्भुः क्षुधार्तश्च गृहेगृहे
Shambhu came seeking alms, hungry, from house to house.
दत्ता न भिक्षा केनापि भोगवत्यां पिनाकिनः
No one gave alms to Pinaki in the city of Bhogavati.
तेन नष्टा सुधा सर्वा कुंडांते पन्नगोत्तमाः
Therefore, all the nectar was lost at the end of the vessels, O best of serpents.
तत्रैका वै सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा शिप्रानामेति विश्रुता
There, indeed, is a foremost river, renowned as Shipra.
यस्या दर्शनमात्रेण सर्वपापक्षयो भवेत्
By merely seeing her, all sins are destroyed.
भजनं देवदेवस्य ततः पूजां करिष्यथ
Worship the Lord of gods there, then you shall perform the ritual.
भविष्यति ततः सद्यः सुधा लोके पुरेव वः
Then, immediately, nectar will exist in the world for you as before.
वाणीं व्यास तदा दिव्यां सहसा लोकसाक्षिणीम् 5.1.51.
At that time, Vyasa uttered a divine speech, witnessed by the world.
स्त्रीबालवृद्धसहिता महाकालवनं ययुः
Together with women, children, and elders, they went to the great Kālavan.
सर्वत्र कुसुमाकीर्णां तरुच्छायाभिराश्रिताम्
Everywhere, it was strewn with flowers, sheltered by the shade of trees.
मणिसोपानरचितां पद्मखंडैश्च मंडिताम्
Adorned with steps made of jewels and decorated with lotus fragments.
ऋषयश्च महाभागा भृग्वंगिरसमु ख्यकाः
And the great and fortunate sages, renowned among the Bhṛgu and Aṅgiras lineages.
वसवश्च तथादित्या ह्यश्विनौ मरुतस्तथा
The Vasus, likewise the Ādityas, the Ashvins, and also the Maruts.
उपासते च शिप्रां वै संध्यावेलां समाहिताः
They worship Śiprā at the hour of twilight, absorbed in meditation.
पतिव्रता महाभागास्तत्रैव पतिभिः सह
There, the blessed and devoted wives remain together with their husbands.
राजर्षयः समासीना निर्वाणपदवीं गताः
Royal sages are seated there, having attained the path of liberation.
नानादेशोद्भवा लोका यात्रिणः समुपागताः
People from various regions, travelers, have gathered together.
कुर्वते तत्र धर्माणि महादानानि सर्वशः 5.1.51.
There, they perform righteous acts and great gifts in every way.
नदीं सुधामयीं सर्वां नागाः परमहर्षिताः
The Nāgas, exceedingly delighted, approach the river made entirely of nectar.
वेदोक्तविधिना सर्वे भक्त्या पन्नगसत्तमाः
All the foremost serpents, with devotion, according to the procedure prescribed in the Vedas.
अम्लानपंकजां मालां नानापुष्पाक्षतै स्तथा
Garlands of unfading lotuses, and also various flowers and grains.
दीपदानादिनैवेद्यैस्तांबूलमथ दक्षिणाः स्तुतिमारेभिरे कर्तुं सुधाकामास्तदोरगाः
With offerings of lamps, food, betel, and gifts, the serpents, desiring nectar, began to recite praises.
चंद्रमौले नमस्तेऽस्तु कपर्दिन्परमात्मने
Salutations to you, O moon-crested, O matted-haired, supreme Self.
त्र्यम्बकाय नमस्तेऽस्तु जटामुकुटधारिणे
Salutations to you, O Three-eyed, O wearer of the crown of matted locks.
कृत्तिवास नमस्तेऽस्तु गिरीशाय नमोनमः
Salutations to you, O wearer of skins, O Lord of the mountains, again and again.
मृगव्याध नमस्तेऽस्तु घस्मराय नमोनमः
Salutations to you, O hunter, O devourer, again and again.