ते यान्तु सौम्यतां सद्यो गरुडेनेव पन्नगाः
May they become gentle at once, like serpents subdued by Garuḍa.
प्रेता विनायकाः क्रूरा मनुष्या जृम्भकाः खगाः
Ghosts, Vināyakas, cruel men, yawning spirits, and birds—
सर्वे भवन्तु मे सौम्या विष्णुचक्ररवाहताः
Let all of them become gentle to me, struck by the sound of Viṣṇu’s discus.
बलौजसां च हर्तारश्छायाविध्वंसकाश्च ये
Those who steal strength and energy, and those who destroy shadows—
कूष्माण्डास्ते प्रणश्यन्तु विष्णुचक्ररवाहताः
Let those kūṣmāṇḍas perish, struck by the sound of Viṣṇu’s discus.
ममास्तु देवदेवस्य वासुदेवस्य कीर्तनात्
May it be so for me, by the praise of Vāsudeva, the god of gods.
तमीड्यमीशानमनन्तमच्युतं जनार्दनं प्रणिपतितो न सीदति
He who bows to that praiseworthy Lord, the infinite, unchanging Janārdana, does not fall.
ऋतेन तेनाच्युतनामकीर्तनात्प्रणाशमेतु त्रिविधं ममासुभम्
By this truth, by the praise of Acyuta’s name, may my threefold misfortune be destroyed.
संस्थितो ऽसावपि बली राक्षसः समुपाद्रवत्
Even that mighty Rākṣasa, though stationed, approached.
निर्धूतवेगः सहसा तस्थौ मासचतुष्टयम्
His force was suddenly driven away, and he stood for four months.
जाते जप्यावसाने ऽसौ त ददर्श निशाचरम्
When the recitation was completed, he saw the night-dweller.
तं दृष्ट्वा कृपयाविष्टः समाश्वास्य निशाचरम्
Seeing him, filled with compassion, he comforted the night-dweller.
स्वभावमात्मनो द्रष्टुं रक्षया तेजसः क्षितिम्
To perceive his own nature, he protected the earth with his energy.
प्रसीदेत्यब्रवीद् विप्रं निर्विण्णाः स्वेन कर्मणा
He said to the Brahmin, 'Be gracious,' distressed by his own actions.
अनागसां च सत्त्वानामल्पकानां क्षयः कृतः
The destruction of innocent and small beings has been done.
पापप्रशमनायालं कुरु मे धर्मदेशनम्
For the removal of sin, please instruct me in righteousness.
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा राक्षसस्य द्विजोत्तमः
Hearing those words of the rakshasa, the foremost Brahmin—
सहसैव समायाता जिज्ञासा धर्मवर्त्मनि
Suddenly, a desire arose to inquire about the path of righteousness.
तव संसर्गतो ब्रह्मन् जातो निर्वेद उत्तमः
Through your association, O Brahmin, supreme dispassion has arisen.
यस्याः संसर्गसासाद्य निर्वेदं प्रापितं परम्
By whose association, supreme dispassion has been attained—
यथा पापापनोदो मे भवत्यार्य तथा कुरु
Just as the removal of sin occurs for me, noble one, so do.
प्रत्युवाच महाभागो विमृश्य सुचिरं मुनिः
The great-souled sage replied, after reflecting for a long time.
युक्तमेतद्धि पापानां निवृत्तिरुपकारिका
Indeed, this is appropriate; the cessation of sins is beneficial.
तान् संपृच्छ द्विजान् सौम्य ये वै प्रवचने रताः
Ask those Brahmins, gentle one, who delight in teaching.
कथं पापापनोदः स्यादिति चिन्ताकुलेन्द्रियः
How can the removal of sin be achieved?—his senses troubled by thought.
षष्ठे षष्ठे तदा काले जन्तुमेकमभक्षयत्
At every sixth interval, he devoured a single creature.
ददर्शाथ फलाहारमागतं ब्रह्मचारिणम्
Then he saw a student, living on fruits, who had arrived.
निराशो जीविते प्राह सामपूर्वं निशाचरम्
Hopeless about his life, he spoke gently to the night-dweller.
तदनुब्रूहि भद्रं ते अयमस्म्यनुशाधि माम्
Tell me, may blessings be upon you; here I am, instruct me.
निःश्रीकस्यातिपापस्य निर्घृणस्य द्विजद्रुहः
Of one who is destitute, exceedingly sinful, merciless, and hostile to Brahmins—