व्याघ्रेणापि श्रुतो मंत्रोऽजहात्प्राणांश्च तत्क्षणात् दिव्यालंकारशोभाढ्यः पुरुषश्चाभवच्छुभः ।। 5.2.25.
Even as the tiger attacked, the mantra was remembered; at that very moment, his life departed, and he became a blessed man, adorned with divine ornaments.
सोऽब्रवीद्यामि तं देशं यत्र विष्णुः सनातनः
He said, 'I am going to that place where Viṣṇu, the eternal, abides.'
इत्युक्ते ब्राह्मणः प्राह कोऽसि त्वं पुरुषर्षभ
When this was said, the brahmin asked, 'Who are you, O best of men?'
दीर्घबाहुरिति ख्यातः सर्वधर्मविशारदः
'I am known as Dīrghabāhu, expert in all dharmas.'
शुभाशुभमहं वेद्मि सर्वज्ञोऽहं महीतले
I know what is auspicious and inauspicious; I am omniscient upon the earth.
तस्यैकस्मिन्दिने विप्राः सर्वे क्रोधसमन्विताः
On one particular day, O Brahmins, all were filled with anger.
अपमानेन विप्राणां मांसाहारी भयावहः
Because of the disrespect shown to the Brahmins, I became a meat-eater, bringing fear.
इत्युक्तोऽहं पुरा तैस्तु ब्राह्म णैर्वेदपारगैः
Thus, in former times, I was addressed by those Brahmins who were accomplished in the Vedas.
ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे प्रणिपत्य मया मुने
Then all those Brahmins, having bowed to me, O sage, spoke thus.
जानामि तेजो विप्राणां महाभाग्यं च धीमताम्
I know the power of the Brahmins and the great fortune of the wise.
तथैव दीप्ततपसां मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम् 5.2.25.
Likewise, I know the brilliance of ascetics whose souls are purified.
ब्राह्मणानां परीभावाद्वातापिश्च दुरात्मवान्
Because of the insult to the Brahmins, Vātāpi became wicked in nature.
सर्वभक्षः कृतो वह्निर्भृगुणा कारणांतरे
The fire was made to consume all things by Bhṛgu for another reason.
दशधा केशवो जज्ञे ब्रह्मशा पात्सुदुस्तरात्
Keśava was born in ten forms, difficult to cross, for the protection of Brahman.
अश्विनौ देवभिषजौ च्यवनेन महात्मना
The divine physicians, the Ashvins, together with the great-souled Cyavana.
कार्त्तवीर्यार्जुनेनैव बाहूनां च सहस्रकम्
And Kārtavīrya Arjuna, with his thousand arms.
पुरा सेंद्रा वशिष्ठेन रक्षितास्त्रि दिवौकसः
In ancient times, Indra and Vasiṣṭha protected the three celestial realms.
लोकालोकेश्वराश्चैव सर्वे ब्राह्मणपूर्वकाः
And all the rulers of worlds and the lords of the visible and invisible, all preceded by Brahmins.
भस्मीकुर्युर्जगदिदं कुद्धाः प्रत्यक्षदर्शनाः
If angered, those who are manifestly seen could reduce this world to ashes.
क्रोधश्च विपुलः सद्यः सद्यः प्रत्य यकारकः
Anger is vast and immediately brings about direct consequences.
नित्यं क्रोधाच्छ्रियं रक्षेद्धनं रक्षेत्समत्सरात् 5.2.25.
One should always protect prosperity from anger, and wealth from jealousy.
मयाऽज्ञानात्कृतं पापं राजगर्वेण दैवतः
Out of ignorance, I committed sin, O divine one, through royal pride.
अथ तुष्टा द्विजाः सर्वे त ऊचुर्मामिदं मुदा
Then, all the satisfied Brahmins joyfully spoke these words to me.
मांसभोक्ता च भविता कञ्चित्कालं नराधिप
You will become an eater of flesh for a certain period, O king.
अंतर्जलगतेनोक्तो नमो नारायणेति च
But one who is submerged in water uttered, 'Salutations to Nārāyaṇa.'
एवं स भवता प्रोक्तो नमो नारायणेति च
In this way, you also spoke, 'Salutations to Nārāyaṇa.'
जातोऽहं दिव्यदेहस्तु प्रसादात्तव सुव्रत
By your grace, O virtuous one, I have now been born with a divine body.
वरं च गृह्यतां मत्तो यश्च ते संशयो हृदि
Accept a boon from me, and let any doubt that remains in your heart be dispelled.
तवोपदेशदानेन आनृण्यं गंतु मुत्सहे
By giving you this instruction, I am able to free myself from my obligation.
इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा दिव्यदेहस्य स द्विजः
Hearing these words from him, that Brahmin with the divine body...