तस्माद्व्यास परं तीर्थं क्षातासंगमसंज्ञितम्
Therefore, Vyāsa, the supreme sacred place is called Kṣātāsaṃgama.
य एतां तु कथां पुण्यां शृणोति भुवि भक्तितः
Whoever hears this sacred story on earth with devotion—
कपिलागोसहस्रेण फलं भवति पर्वणि
—obtains, on festival days, the merit equal to that of a thousand Kapila cows.
तीर्थानामुत्तमं तीर्थं गयानामेति नामतः
Among holy places, the foremost is known by name as Gayā.
तत्र स्नात्वा नरो नित्यं मुच्यते च ऋणत्रयात्
There, by bathing daily, a person is freed from the three debts.
च्यवनस्याश्रमः पुण्यः पुण्यो राजगिरिस्तथा
The hermitage of Cyavana is sacred, and so too is the holy Rājagiri.
स कथं विदितो देशे महाकालवने शुभे
How did it become known in that auspicious Mahākālavana region?
यस्याः श्रवणमात्रेण पितरो यांति सद्गतिम्
By merely hearing of it, one's ancestors attain the highest state.
पुरा कृतयुगे पुण्ये युगादिदेवनामतः
Long ago, in the virtuous Kṛta Yuga, at the beginning of the ages, by the name of the gods—
तस्य पालयतः सम्यक्प्रजाः पुत्रानिवौरसान्
He, while properly protecting his subjects, regarded them as his own sons.
धर्मश्चतुष्पदो नित्यं यस्मिन्राज्ञि प्रशासति
Righteousness stands firmly on four legs wherever such a king rules.
बहुसस्यफला पृथ्वी गावश्च बहुदुग्धदाः
The earth yields abundant crops, and cows give plentiful milk.
वैश्या धनपरा नित्यं शूद्राः शुश्रूषणे रताः 5.1.57.
The Vaiśyas are always devoted to wealth, and the Śūdras are engaged in service.
श्रुतिस्मृतिपरो धर्मो हृष्टपुष्टजनाकरः
Dharma, grounded in the Vedas and tradition, brings forth a joyful and nourished people.
दुःशीला दुर्भगा नारी विधवा नैव लक्ष्यते
A woman of bad conduct, misfortune, or widowhood is never seen.
रूपशीलगुणोपेता पतिव्रतपरायणा
Women are endowed with beauty, virtue, and qualities, devoted to fidelity to their husbands.
हूयतां भुज्यतां शश्वद्दीयतां च गृहेगृहे
Offerings are made, food is enjoyed, and gifts are given continually in every household.
जनाः सर्वत्र दृश्यंते सर्वधर्म परायणाः
People are seen everywhere, devoted to all forms of righteousness.
एवं राजा स धर्मात्मा युगादिदेवसंज्ञितः
Thus, that king, whose soul is righteous, is called the deity at the beginning of the age.
अवंत्यां च पुरा व्यास यज्ञकोटिं समाचरत्
In ancient times, Vyāsa performed a multitude of sacrifices in Avanti.
तेन सर्वं वशं नीतं चरा चरमिदंजगत्
By him, everything—moving and unmoving in this world—was brought under control.
नैव देवा न यज्ञाश्च वेदमार्गविवर्जिताः
Neither the gods nor the sacrifices exist without the path of the Vedas.
उत्सन्नो धर्ममार्गोऽयं शाश्वतो वै दुरात्मना 5.1.57.
This eternal path of righteousness has been destroyed by the wicked.
ब्रह्माणं शरणं जग्मुः पितृभिः सह साधुभिः
Together with the ancestors and the virtuous, they sought refuge in Brahmā.
इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तेषां ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः
Having heard their words, Brahmā, the grandfather of the worlds,
तत्र गत्वा समाराध्य विष्णुं देवगणैः सह
Went there and, together with the hosts of gods, worshipped Viṣṇu.
प्रचक्रुः सर्व एवैते ह्यात्मनोभ्युदयाय च
All of them acted for the advancement of their own selves.
श्रूयतां भोः सुरश्रेष्ठा भवतां श्रेय उत्तमम्
Hear, O best of gods, the highest good for you.
गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं पुण्यं पवित्रं पापनाशनम्
This is a merit greater than the most secret, pure, and destroyer of sin.
सर्वतीर्थमयं तीर्थं कोटितीर्थवरप्रदम्
It is the holy place composed of all sacred fords, bestowing the boon of ten million holy places.