सतामायमनं सन्तं प्रशंसन्ति सुरवावहम्
The virtuous praise this gathering of the good, which brings delight even to the gods.
तेजः कीर्तिर्धनं पुत्रा इति प्रहुर्विपश्चितः
The wise declare that energy, fame, wealth, and sons arise there.
यत्र सन्तः प्रकुर्वन्ति महतीं करुणां प्रभो
Where the good perform great acts of compassion, O lord,
स स्नातः सर्वतीर्थेषु पुण्यात्मा नात्र संशयः
He is as if bathed in all the sacred waters, his soul purified—there is no doubt of this.
मामाज्ञापय विप्रेन्द्र किं प्रियं करवाणि ते
Command me, O foremost of Brahmins—what may I do to please you?
स्पृशषन्करेण तं प्रीत्युवाचातिहर्षितः
Touched with his hand, he spoke to him with affection, exceedingly delighted.
विनयावनतः सर्वो बहुश्रेयो लभेदिह
One who is humble and respectful gains many blessings in this world.
विनयाल्लभते मर्त्यो दुर्लभं किं महात्मनाम्
Through humility, a mortal attains even that which is difficult for great souls to obtain.
स्वस्ति ते सततं भूयाद्यत्पृच्छामि तदुच्यताम्
May well-being always be yours; speak now what I am about to ask.
तासु नित्यं ध्वजारोपे वर्त्त्से त्वं सदोद्यतः
Among them, you should always be ready for the raising of the banner.
किमर्थमेतद्वृत्तान्तं यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि
For what reason is this event? You ought to tell it as it truly is.
आश्चर्यभूतं लोकानामावयोश्चरितं त्विह
The deeds of both of us here are indeed a wonder to the worlds.
कुमार्गगनिरतो नित्यं सर्वलोकाहिके रतः
Always devoted to wicked conduct, delighting in the harm of all beings.
गोध्नश्च ब्रह्महा चौरः सर्वप्राणिवधे रतः
A killer of cows, a slayer of Brahmins, a thief, intent on the destruction of all living beings.
एवं स्थितः कियत्कालमनाहत्यं महदृचः
Thus situated, for how long did I remain, not being struck down, O great seer?
मृगमांसाशनो नित्यं तथा पान्थाविल्लम्पकः
Always eating the flesh of animals, and robbing travelers as well.
एकदा क्षुत्परिश्रान्तो निदाघार्त्तः पिपासितः
Once, exhausted by hunger, scorched by the summer, and tormented by thirst—
हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णं तत्समीपे महत्सरः
Near there was a great lake, filled with swans and waterfowl.
अपिबं तत्र पानीयं तत्तीरे विगतश्रमः
There I drank the water, and on the bank, my fatigue left me.
तस्मिञ्जीर्णीलये विष्णोनर्निवासं कृतकवानहम्
In that ruined abode of Vishnu, I made a shelter for myself.
पर्णैस्तृणैश्च काष्ठैघैर् गृहं सम्यक् प्रकल्पितम्
With leaves, grass, and pieces of wood, I properly constructed a hut.
तत्राहं व्याधवृत्तिस्थो हत्वा बहुविधान्मृगान्
There, living as a hunter, I killed many kinds of animals.
अथेयमागता साध्वी विन्ध्यदेशसमुद्भवा
Then she arrived, that virtuous woman, born in the region of the Vindhyas.
बन्धुवर्गपरित्यक्ता दुःखिता जीर्णविग्रहा
Abandoned by her relatives, afflicted, her body worn and aged.
दैवयोगाकत्समायाताभ्रमन्ती विजने वने
By the will of fate, she came wandering alone in the desolate forest.
इमां दुःखार्दितां दृष्ट्वा जाता मे विपुला दया
Seeing her tormented by sorrow, great compassion arose in me.
गतश्रमात्वियं ब्रह्मन्मया पृष्टा यथा तयम्
O Brahmin, when she was weary from wandering, I questioned her as follows.
नान्मावकोकिला चाहं निषादकुलसभ्भवा
"I am not a cuckoo, but born in the family of hunters.
परस्वहारिणी नित्यं सदा पैशुन्यवादिनी
I always stole the wealth of others and constantly spoke maliciously.
कियत्कालं ततः पत्या भृताहं लोकनिन्दिता
For some time, I was maintained by my husband, though condemned by the world.