सुखं योगं च ते नीत्वा सा गता ह्यनिवृत्तये
She, having lived with you in happiness and union, has now departed, never to return.
निषादं भाषते तत्र गच्छ किं परिक्लिश्यसे 125.
To the Niṣāda he spoke there: 'Go; why do you torment yourself?'
एते न त्यजनीयास्ते कदाचिदपि पुत्रकाः
These sons must never be abandoned, not at any time.
उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं दुःखशोकपरिप्लुतः
Overwhelmed by grief and sorrow, he spoke gentle words.
सान्त्वितोऽस्मि त्वया विप्र वचनैर्मधुराक्षरैः
I have been comforted by you, O brāhmaṇa, by your words of sweet syllables.
निषदास्य वचः श्रुत्वा स मुनिः संशितव्रतः
Hearing the words of the Niṣāda, that sage of firm vows—
मा रोदीर्वच्मि भद्रं ते तवाहं सा प्रियाऽभवत्
Do not weep—I say to you, may good be yours; she who was dear to you has become me.
परिव्राजवचः श्रुत्वा निषादो विगतज्वरः
Hearing the words of the wandering ascetic, the Niṣāda was relieved of his distress.
किमिदं भाषसे विप्र अव्यक्तं यत्कदाचन
What is this you say, O brāhmaṇa, that is so indistinct and strange?
निषादस्य वचः श्रुत्वा ब्राह्मणो दुःखमूर्च्छितः
Hearing the words of the Niṣāda, the brāhmaṇa fell into a faint from sorrow.
शीघ्रं गच्छ स्वकं देशमेतान् गृह्य स्वबालकान्
Go quickly to your own place, taking these your children.
स तेन चोदितो ह्येवं निषादो नावगच्छति 125.
Thus urged by him, the Niṣāda did not understand.
किं त्वया दुष्कृतं कर्म कृतं पूर्वं पुरातनम्
What evil deed was done by you in the ancient past?
केन दोषेण प्राप्तस्त्वं स्त्रीत्वं भूत्वा पुमान् पुनः
By what fault have you come to be a woman, having formerly been a man?
एवं तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा स ऋषिः संशितव्रतः
Hearing these words, that sage of firm vows
निषाद शृणु तत्त्वेन मत्कथां च प्रजल्पतः
said: 'Nishada, listen attentively as I recount my story.'
एकभक्तं मयाचारे अभक्ष्यं चैव वर्जितम् कर्मभिर्बहुभिश्चैव मया दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणा
I practiced taking only one meal a day, avoided forbidden foods, and performed many acts, desiring a vision.
अथ दीर्घेण कालेन मया दृष्टो जनार्द्दनः
Then, after a long time, I beheld Janardana.
मया नाभीप्सितस्तस्माद्दीयमानो वरस्ततः
Since I did not seek any boon, the boon offered was not desired by me.
ततो मां भाषते विष्णुर्मायां दृष्ट्वा ह्यलं द्विज
Then Vishnu spoke to me, saying, 'Having seen the illusion, enough, O twice-born.'
ततोऽहं तेन चाप्युक्तस्तर्हि द्रक्षत्यलं भवान्
Then he also said to me, 'Now you will see enough, O noble one.'
अहं मायाप्रलोभेन गङ्गातीरमुपागतः ततः स्नानविधानेन निमग्नस्तज्जलेऽमले ।। 125.
Through the delusion of illusion, I came to the bank of the Ganga; then, following the rite of bathing, I immersed myself in that pure water.
न तत्र किंचिज्जानामि किमिदं किं प्रवर्त्तते
There, I knew nothing—what is this, what is happening?
केनचित्कारणेनात्र प्रविष्टो जाह्नवीजले
For some reason, I entered the waters of Jahnavi.
निषाद पश्य कुण्डीं च मात्रां वस्त्रं यथा पुरा दण्डवस्त्रादि यत्किंचिन्न जीर्णं गङ्गया हृतम्
Nishada, see the water pot, the mat, the cloth as before; the staff and cloth—whatever was not worn out—were carried away by the Ganga.
एवं तेन ततश्चोक्ता निषादोऽदृश्यतां गतः
Thus, having spoken, the Nishada disappeared from sight.
स ततो ब्राह्मणो देवि तपस्तपति निश्चितम्
Then, O Devi, that Brahmin certainly undertook austerities.
तस्य प्रतिष्ठमानस्य अपराह्णं तु जायते
As he was engaged in his practice, the afternoon came.
कर्मण्यानि च पुष्पाणि आहृत्य श्रद्धयान्वितः
Having gathered flowers for the rite, he was filled with faith.
वृतस्तु ब्राह्मणैर्मुख्यैर्गङ्गास्नानेषु वै द्विजः
Surrounded by eminent Brahmins, the twice-born performed ablutions in the Ganga.