तस्यां चलत्यां मकरालयामी उद्वृत्तवेला दितिजाद्य जाताः
When the ocean, abode of makaras, is agitated, the sons of Diti are born with swelling tides.
धर्मं सत्यं च पथ्यं च सर्वोत्साहसमीरितम्
Righteousness, truth, and what is proper—all are expressed with utmost effort.
किं वा वाच्यं मुरारेर्निजहितमथवा तद्धितं वा प्रयुढञ्जे तथ्यं पथ्यंप्रियभोमम वदशुभदन्तत्करिष्ये न चान्यत्
What should be said for Murāri’s benefit, or for the benefit of his own, let that which is true, proper, and dear to me be spoken; I will do that, and nothing else.
विचिन्त्य नारद प्राह भूतभव्यविदीश्वरः
Having reflected, Nārada spoke—he who knows the past, future, and all directions.
श्रुतिप्रमाणं मखभोजिनो बहिः सुरास्तदर्थं हरिर् अभ्युपैति
The authority of the scriptures is outside the sacrificial enjoyers; for that purpose, Hari approaches.
कार्यं न देयं हि विभो तृणाग्रं यदध्वरे भूकनकादिकं वा
O Lord, nothing at all should be given in the sacrifice—not even a blade of grass or a speck of gold from the earth.
यस्योदरे भूर्भुवनाकपालरसातलेशा निवसन्ति नित्यशः
In whose belly the earth, the guardians of the worlds, and the nether regions always dwell.
समागते ऽप्ययर्थिनि हीनवृत्ते जनार्दने लोकपतौ कथं तु
Even when Janārdana, lord of the world, comes in a humble form and asks for something insignificant, how can it be so?
दृश्यते हि तथा तच्च सत्यं ब्राह्मणसत्तम
Indeed, it is seen to be so, and this is true, O best of Brāhmaṇas.
वाक्कायमनसानीह योन्यन्तरगतान्यपि
Here, even those actions that are hidden within speech, body, and mind—
या वृत्ता मलये पूर्वं कोशकारसुतस्य तु
That conduct which formerly occurred on Malaya, concerning the son of the weaver—
कथां पौराणिकीं पुण्यां महाकौतूहलं हि मे
I have a great curiosity for the ancient, meritorious tale.
पूर्वाभ्यासनिबद्धां हि सत्यां भृगुकुलोद्वह
Indeed, O best of Bhṛgu’s line, it is bound by previous practice and is true.
कोशकार इति ख्यात आसीद् ब्रह्मंस्तपोरतः
There was a Brāhmaṇa known as the weaver, devoted to austerity.
सती वात्स्यायनसुता धर्मशीला पतिव्रता
His wife, daughter of Vātsyāyana, was virtuous and devoted to her husband.
मूकवन्नालपति स न च पश्यति चान्धवत्
He speaks like one mute and sees like one blind.
मन्यमाना गृहद्वारि षष्ठे ऽहनि समुत्सृजत्
Thinking thus, on the sixth day, she abandoned him at the doorway of the house.
स्वं शिशुं कृशमादाय सूर्पाक्षी नाम नामतः
Taking her own emaciated child, she, named Sūrpākṣī, by name,
तमादाय जगामाथ भोक्तुं शालोदरे गिरौ
Having taken him, she went to eat on the mountain called Śālodara.
नेत्रहीनः प्रत्युवाच किमानीतस्त्वया प्रिये
The one without sight spoke: 'What have you brought, dear?'
कोशकारद्विजगृहे तस्यानीतः प्रभो सुतः
'The son of the basket-maker brāhmaṇa has been brought, lord.'
महाज्ञानी द्विजेन्द्रो ऽसौ ततः शप्स्यति कोपितः
'That foremost of brāhmaṇas is a great knower; angered, he will curse.'
अन्यस्य कस्यचित् पुत्रं शीघ्रमानय सुन्दरि
'Quickly bring the child of someone else, O beautiful one.'
समाजगाम त्वरिता समुत्पत्य विहायसम्
She came swiftly, leaping into the sky.
रुरोद सुस्वरं ब्रह्मन् प्रक्षिप्याङ्गुष्ठमानने
She cried out in a clear voice, O brāhmaṇa, placing her thumb on her face.
पश्य स्वयं मुनिश्रेष्ठ सशब्दस्तनयस्तव
'See for yourself, O best of sages: your son is making sound.'
स चापि ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठः समपश्यत तं शिशुम्
And that best of brāhmaṇas saw that child.
ततो विहस्य प्रोवाच कोशकारो निजां प्रियाम्
Then, smiling, the basket-maker spoke to his beloved:
को ऽप्यटस्माकं छलयितुं सुरूपी भुवि संस्थितः
'Someone handsome is present on earth to deceive us.'
बबन्धोल्लिख्य वसुधां सकुशेनाथ पाणिना
He bound (the child), marking the earth with sacred grass and his hand.