न तस्य जायते व्यास यातना भैरवी कदा
O Vyāsa, one who worships there never experiences the torments of Bhairavī.
ज्येष्ठे मासे सिते पक्षे दशम्यां बुध हस्तयोः दशाला जायते वत्स गंगाजन्म परं शुचि
In the bright half of the month of Jyeṣṭha, on the tenth day when Wednesday and Hasta coincide, O dear one, the pure and supreme birth of Gaṅgā takes place.
तद्दिने च नरः स्नात्वा सर्वतीर्थफलं लभेत्
On that day, a person who bathes there obtains the merit of all sacred fords.
यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण व्रतभंगो न जायते
By merely hearing of it, one's vow is not broken.
बहुव्रतधरो दांतो वेदवेदांगपारगः।। 5.1.68.
He is devoted to many vows, self-controlled, and accomplished in the Vedas and their branches.
किंचिद्दोषप्रसंगेन व्रतपूर्तिर्न चाभवत्
Yet, due to some minor fault, the completion of his vow did not occur.
तस्य गेहागतो ब्रह्मन्नातिथ्यार्थं महातपाः
O Brahman, to his house came a great ascetic, as a guest.
सत्कृत्य नारदं भूमन्विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा
He duly honored Nārada, O Lord, with actions prescribed by the scriptures.
भगवन्भवता सर्वं विदितं ज्ञानचक्षुषा
O venerable one, all is known to you through the eye of knowledge.
येन पापप्रसंगेन व्रतभंगोऽभवद्ध्रुवम्
By what association with sin did the breaking of the vow certainly occur?
महाराष्ट्रे सुविख्यातो ब्राह्मणो धनसंचकः
In Mahārāṣṭra, there was a well-known brāhmaṇa named Dhanasaṃcaka.
ब्रह्मदत्तेत्यसौ विप्रो वेदब्राह्मणनिंदकः
That brāhmaṇa was called Brahmadatta, a critic of the Vedas and brāhmaṇas.
नास्तिको देवतीर्थेषु परद्रव्यापहारकः
He was an atheist regarding gods and sacred fords, and a thief of others' wealth.
एवमायुःपरिक्षीणो धनहीनोऽभवत्तदा
Thus, his lifespan diminished and he became destitute.
गतश्चौर्यप्रसंगेन यात्रिकैः सह संगतः 5.1.68.
Having abandoned theft, he associated with travelers.
नीतः संयमिनीं विप्रस्तत्कालं यमकिंकरैः
At that time, he was taken to the abode of restraint by the servants of Yama.
दृष्टोऽसौ धर्मराजेन तदा पत्यपरायणः
He was seen then by Dharmaraja, devoted to his master.
शृणुध्वं किंकराः सर्वे यूयमेकाग्रमानसाः
Hear, all you attendants, with focused minds.
गोदातीरे मृतः पापी तत्र नः कारणं न हि
This sinner died on the bank of the Godā; for us, there is no cause there.
आयांति गौतमीतीरे सिंहस्थेऽपि बृहस्पतौ
Even when the Sun is in Leo or Jupiter in Br̥haspati, they come to the bank of the Gautamī.
तेन पुण्यप्रभावेन नोऽस्माकं कारणं क्वचित्
Because of that power of merit, there is never any cause for us.
एवं तैर्मोचितो विप्रः पुनर्ब्रह्मगतिं गतः
Thus, released by them, the brahmin again attained the path of Brahman.
किं तपः किं च दानं च किं तीर्थव्रतसेवनम्
What is penance? What is charity? What is the observance of sacred places and vows?
येन पुण्यप्रभावेन व्रतभंगो न जायते
By the power of what merit does the breaking of a vow not occur?
यत्र रुद्रसरः प्रोक्तमृषिणा तत्त्वदर्शिना ।। 5.1.68.
Where Rudra's lake was declared by the seer who perceives the truth.
कोटिकोटिसुतीर्थानि वर्तंते द्विजसत्तम
O best of twice-born, crores upon crores of holy places exist there.
तत्तीर्थस्योत्तरे भागे सुतीर्थं सर्वकामदम्
To the north of that holy place is Sutīrtha, the fulfiller of all desires.
यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण सर्वयज्ञफलं लभेत्
By merely seeing it, one obtains the fruit of all sacrifices.
इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा स द्विजोऽगात्कुमुद्वतीम्
Hearing these words, that brahmin went to the Kumudvatī.
सद्यः पुण्यवतांलोकान्प्राप्तो वै द्विजसत्तमः
Immediately, the best of brahmins attained the worlds of the virtuous.