स दृष्ट्वा ज्वलितं लक्ष्म्या भीतस् तम् ऋषिम् आगतम् । प्रहृष्टवदनो राजा स्वयम् अर्घ्यं न्यवेदयत्
Seeing that sage arrive, radiant with splendor and somewhat fearful, the king, his face beaming with delight, personally offered him the welcoming water.
स राज्ञः प्रतिगृह्यार्घ्यं शास्त्रदृष्टेन कर्मणा । प्रदक्षिणं प्रकुर्वन्तं राजानं पर्यपूजयत्
He accepted the welcoming water from the king, performing the ritual as prescribed in the scriptures, and then honored the king as he circumambulated him.
स राज्ञा पूजितस् तेन प्रहृष्टवदनस् तदा । कुशलं चाप्ययं चैव पर्यपृच्छन् नराधिपम्
Having been honored by the king, the sage, his face bright with joy, then inquired after the king’s welfare and security.
वसिष्ठेन समागम्य प्रहस्य मुनिपुङ्गवः । यथार्हं चार्चयित्वैनं पप्रच्छानामयं ततः
Having met with Vasiṣṭha, the foremost among sages, and having greeted him with a smile and honored him as appropriate, he then asked after his well-being.
क्षणं यथार्हम् अन्योऽन्यं पूजयित्वा समेत्य च । ते सर्वे हृष्टमनसो महाराजनिवेशने
After mutually honoring each other as was fitting, and gathering together for a moment, they all, with joyful hearts, entered the royal palace.
यथोचितासनगता मिथस् संवृद्धतेजसः । परस्परेण पप्रच्छुस् सर्वे ऽनामयम् आदरात्
Seated upon their respective seats, their brilliance mutually enhanced, they all respectfully inquired after each other's welfare.
उपविष्टाय तस्मै स विश्वामित्राय धीमते । पाद्यम् अर्घ्यं च गाश् चैव भूयो भूयो न्यवेदयत्
To that wise Viśvāmitra, who had taken his seat, he offered water for washing the feet, water for welcoming, and cows, again and again.
अर्चयित्वा च विधिवद् विश्वामित्रम् अभाषत । प्राञ्जलिः प्रयतो वाक्यम् इदं प्रीतमना नृपः
Having duly honored Viśvāmitra, the king, with joined palms and a pure heart, joyfully spoke these words.
यथामृतस्य सम्प्राप्तिर् यथा वर्षम् अवर्षके । यथान्धस्येक्षणप्राप्तिर् भवदागमनं तथा
Just as the arrival of nectar, as rain in a drought, or as sight to the blind, so is your coming here.
यथेष्टधनसम्पर्कः पुत्रजन्माप्रजावतः । स्वप्नदृष्टार्थलाभश् च भवदागमनं तथा
Just as the gain of desired wealth, the birth of a son to the childless, or obtaining in waking what was seen in a dream, so is your arrival.
यथेप्सितेन संयोग इष्टस्यागमनं यथा । प्रणष्टस्य यथा लाभो भवदागमनं तथा
Just as union with what is wished for, the arrival of a beloved one, or the recovery of what was lost, so is your coming here.
यथा हर्षो नभोगत्या मृतस्य पुनर् आगमात् । तथा त्वदागमाद् ब्रह्मन् स्वागतं ते महामुने
Just as joy arises from ascending to the sky, or from the return of one thought dead, so, O Brahman, is my welcome to you, great sage, at your arrival.
ब्रह्मलोकनिवासो हि कस्य न प्रीतिम् आवहेत् । मुने तवागमस् तद्वत् सत्यम् एव ब्रवीमि ते
For who would not feel delight at the presence of one dwelling in Brahmaloka? O sage, your arrival is just so; I speak the truth to you.
कश् च ते परमः कामः किं च ते करवाण्य् अहम् । पात्रभूतो ऽसि मे विप्र प्राप्तः परमधार्मिकः
What is your highest wish, and what shall I do for you? You are worthy of honor to me, O Brahmin, and you have come, supremely righteous.
पूज्यो राजर्षिशब्देन तपसा द्योतितप्रजः । ब्रह्मर्षित्वम् अनु प्राप्तः पूज्यो ऽसि भगवन् मम
You are to be honored with the title of royal sage, your subjects illumined by your austerity; having attained the state of a brahmarshi, you are worthy of my reverence, O venerable one.
गङ्गाजलाभिषेकेण यथा प्रीतिर् भवेन् मम । तथा त्वद्दर्शनात् प्रीतिर् अन्तश् शीतयतीव माम्
Just as I feel delight from the ablution with Ganga water, so too does the sight of you bring joy that cools me within.
विगतेच्छाभयक्रोधो वीतरागो निरामयः । इदम् अत्यद्भुतं ब्रह्मन् यद् भवान् माम् उपागतः
Free from desire, fear, and anger, detached and free from affliction—O Brahman, it is truly wondrous that you have come to me.
शुभक्षेत्रगतं चाहम् आत्मानम् अपकल्मषम् । चन्द्रबिम्ब इवोन्मग्नं वेद्मि वेद्यविदां वर
I perceive myself, pure and free from stain, situated in an auspicious field, like the full moon immersed in water, O best of those who know what is to be known.
साक्षाद् इव ब्रह्मणो मे तवाभ्यागमनं मतम् । पूतो ऽस्म्य् अनुगृहीतो ऽस्मि तवाभ्यागमनान् मुने
Your arrival, O sage, seems to me as if Brahman itself has appeared directly; I am purified and blessed by your coming.
त्वदागमनपुण्येन साधो यद् अनुरञ्जितम् । अद्य मे सफलं जन्म जीवितं तत् सुजीवितम्
By the merit of your arrival, O noble one, my heart is gladdened; today my birth is fulfilled, and my life is truly well-lived.
त्वाम् इहाभ्यागतं दृष्ट्वा प्रतिपूज्य प्रणम्य च । आत्मन्य् एव नमाम्य् अन्तर् दृष्टेन्दुर् जलधिर् यथा
Having seen you arrive here, I honor and bow to you, and then bow within myself, as the ocean bows to the moon reflected within it.
यत् कार्यं येन चार्थेन प्राप्तो ऽसि मुनिपुङ्गव । कृतम् इत्य् एव तद् विद्धि मान्यो ऽसि हि भृशं मम
Whatever purpose or matter has brought you here, O foremost of sages, consider it already accomplished; for you are greatly honored by me.
स्वकार्येण विमर्शं त्वं कर्तुम् अर्हसि कौशिक । भगवन् नास्त्य् अदेयं हि त्वयि यत् प्रतिपद्यते
You ought to reflect upon your own duty, O Kaushika; for, O venerable one, there is nothing unattainable for you in whatever you undertake.
कार्यस्य च विचारं त्वं कर्तुम् अर्हसि धर्मतः । कर्ता चाहम् अशेषं ते दैवतं परमं भवान्
And you should consider the matter at hand in accordance with righteousness; I am entirely your agent, and you are the supreme divinity.
इदम् अतिमधुरं निशम्य वाक्यं श्रुतिसुखम् अर्थविदा विनीतम् उक्तम् । प्रथितगुणवशाद् गुणैर् विशिष्टं मुनिवृषभः परमं जगाम हर्षम्
Hearing these exceedingly sweet words, pleasing to the ear, spoken with understanding and humility, and distinguished by virtues due to his renowned qualities, the foremost among sages was filled with supreme joy.
तच् छ्रुत्वा राजसिंहस्य वाक्यम् अद्भुतविस्तरम् । हृष्टरोमा महातेजा विश्वामित्रो ऽभ्यभाषत
Hearing the king's words, wondrous and expansive, the great and radiant Vishvamitra, his hair standing on end, spoke.
सदृशं राजशार्दूल तवैवैतन् महीतले । महावंशप्रसूतस्य वसिष्ठवशवर्तिनः
This indeed is fitting for you alone, O tiger among kings, born of a great lineage and following the guidance of Vasistha.
यत् तु मे हृद्गतं वाक्यं तस्य कार्यविनिर्णयम् । कुरु त्वं राजशार्दूल धर्मं समनुपालय
But as for the matter that lies in my heart, you, O tiger among kings, should decide upon its proper course; uphold righteousness.
अहं नियमम् आतिष्ठे सिद्ध्यर्थं पुरुषर्षभ । तस्य विघ्नकरा घोरा राक्षसा मम संस्थिताः
I have undertaken a vow for the sake of accomplishment, O best of men; yet terrible demons, obstructors, have arisen against it.
यदा यदा तु यज्ञेन यजे ऽहं विबुधव्रजम् । तदा तदा मे यज्ञं तं विनिघ्नन्ति निशाचराः
Whenever I perform a sacrifice for the assembly of gods, at those very times, those night-wandering demons destroy my sacrifice.