इति स्मृत्वा तदा व्यास स्वयंभूः प्रत्यभाषत
Recalling this, Vyasa, the self-born, then spoke.
नदी न गोमतीतुल्या कृष्णतुल्या न देवता
No river equals the Gomati, and no goddess equals Krishna.
इति ते निश्चयं ज्ञात्वा ऋषयः शौनकादयः
Having thus understood with certainty, the sages led by Shaunaka—
तत्रैव गोमतीतीरे चक्रुस्ते ला धृतव्रताः 5.1.62.
There on the bank of the Gomati, those resolute in their vows performed sacrifices.
एवं बहुतिथे काले चरतस्तस्य वै व्रतम्
Thus, over a long period, they continued to observe their vow.
तस्यैव कामपूर्त्यर्थं विद्यार्थिनौ रामजनार्दनौ
For the fulfillment of his desire, Rāma and Janārdana, eager for knowledge, approached him.
निवासं चक्रतुस्तस्य गुरोर्गेहे परंतप
They made their dwelling in the house of their teacher, O scorcher of foes.
उषस्युषसि तत्रैव दृश्यते न तदा गुरुः
At dawn, in that very place, the teacher was not to be seen.
इति पृष्टे तयोरेवं गुरुपत्नी ह्युवाच ह
When they asked thus, the teacher's wife spoke to them.
तत्रैव याति वै नित्यं गुरुस्ते स्नानकारणात्
Your teacher goes there every day for the purpose of bathing.
इति श्रुत्वा तदा कृष्णो रामेण सह संयुतः
Hearing this, Kṛṣṇa, together with Rāma, was united in intent.
गुरोरागमनं कांक्षे अत्रैव स्थितिकांक्षया
They awaited the teacher's arrival there, desiring to remain.
तत उत्थाय तौ वीरौ गुरोरावंदनं ततः
Then those two heroes rose and offered their respects to the teacher.
श्रूयतां भो महायोगिन्नस्माकं वासकार णम् 5.1.62.
O great ascetic, please hear the reason for our stay here.
प्रातःकाले च ते ब्रह्मन्समयो नास्ति नौ प्रभो
O Brāhmaṇa, in the morning there is no appointed time for us, O lord.
उवाच भगवान्व्यास आत्मनो व्रतकारणम्
The venerable Vyāsa spoke of the reason for his observance.
गोमतीस्नानं कर्तव्यं प्रातःकाले सदा बुधैः
Bathing in the Gomati should always be performed in the morning by the wise.
इति निश्चित्य युष्माभिर्यद्योग्यं क्रियतां तथा
Thus, having decided, do what is proper for you accordingly.
गोमत्याराधनं चक्रे कुशस्थल्यां द्विजोत्तम
He performed the worship of the Gomati at Kuśasthalī, O best of twice-born.
कंथडेश्वरस्योत्तरे भागे गोमती सा समागता
To the north of Kaṃthaḍeśvara, the Gomati river was found.
प्रातरुत्थाय ते सर्वे गोमतीं सरितां वराम्
Rising early, they all went to the Gomati, the best of rivers.
स्नानदानादिकं सर्वमत्रैव समुपासय
There, perform all acts such as bathing and charity.
गोमत्यत्र समालीना यज्ञकुण्डे सरस्वती
There, in the Gomati, Sarasvatī was present in the sacrificial pit.
सर्वेषामपि लोकानां मार्गोऽ त्रैव च विद्यते 5.1.62.
Here indeed is found the path for all the worlds.
गोमतीकुण्डमाख्यातं सर्वपापप्रणानशनम्
The pool named Gomati is said to destroy all sins.
तत्र स्नात्वा नरो नित्यं रात्रौ जागरणं चरेत्
There, a man should bathe daily and keep vigil at night.
वैष्णवांश्च नरांश्चैव कृष्णजन्मोत्सुकान्वरान्
He should also invite Vaishnavas and men devoted to Krishna's birth.
गोब्राह्मणानां पूजाश्च क्रियते यैः समाहितैः
Those who, with focused mind, perform worship of cows and Brahmins there—
गोमतीस्नानजात्पुण्याद्वासुदेवसमागमात्
By the merit gained from bathing in the Gomati and meeting Vasudeva,
तथा चैत्रसिते पक्षे यावच्चैकादशी भवेत्
Likewise, during the bright half of Chaitra, until Ekadashi arrives,