12.343
अतिथिरुवाच॥
The guest said.
उपदेशं तु ते विप्र करिष्येऽहं यथागमम्। गुरुणा मे यथाख्यातमर्थतस्तच्च मे शृणु ॥१२-३४३-१॥
O Brāhmaṇa, I shall give you instruction according to the scripture. Hear from me what has been declared in essence by my teacher. (12-343-1)
यत्र पूर्वाभिसर्गेण धर्मचक्रं प्रवर्तितम्। नैमिषे गोमतीतीरे तत्र नागाह्वयं पुरम् ॥१२-३४३-२॥
Where, by the previous initiation, the wheel of dharma was set in motion. In Naimisha, on the bank of the Gomati river, there is the city called Nāga. (12-343-2)
समग्रैस्त्रिदशैस्तत्र इष्टमासीद्द्विजर्षभ। यत्रेन्द्रातिक्रमं चक्रे मान्धाता राजसत्तमः ॥१२-३४३-३॥
O best of twice-born, there was a sacrifice with all the thirty gods present, where Māndhātā, O best of kings, surpassed even Indra. (12-343-3)
कृताधिवासो धर्मात्मा तत्र चक्षुःश्रवा महान्। पद्मनाभो महाभागः पद्म इत्येव विश्रुतः ॥१२-३४३-४॥
There, the great and most fortunate Padmanabha, whose essence is dharma and who is famed for his sight and hearing, having established residence, is well-known as 'Padma' (the Lotus). (12-343-4)
स वाचा कर्मणा चैव मनसा च द्विजर्षभ। प्रसादयति भूतानि त्रिविधे वर्त्मनि स्थितः ॥१२-३४३-५॥
O best of the twice-born, he who is established in the threefold path pleases all beings by speech, action, and mind. (12-343-5)
साम्ना दानेन भेदेन दण्डेनेति चतुर्विधम्। विषमस्थं जनं स्वं च चक्षुर्ध्यानेन रक्षति ॥१२-३४३-६॥
The eye protects both a person in difficulty and itself by four means—conciliation, giving, division, and punishment—by being attentive. (12-343-6)
तमभिक्रम्य विधिना प्रष्टुमर्हसि काङ्क्षितम्। स ते परमकं धर्मं नमिथ्या दर्शयिष्यति ॥१२-३४३-७॥
Having approached him according to the proper method, you ought to ask what you desire. He will show you the supreme dharma, not falsely. (12-343-7)
स हि सर्वातिथिर्नागो बुद्धिशास्त्रविशारदः। गुणैरनवमैर्युक्तः समस्तैराभिकामिकैः ॥१२-३४३-८॥
He, Nāga, who is indeed a guest to all, is an expert in intellect and scriptures; endowed with unexcelled virtues and all desirable qualities. (12-343-8)
प्रकृत्या नित्यसलिलो नित्यमध्ययने रतः। तपोदमाभ्यां संयुक्तो वृत्तेनानवरेण च ॥१२-३४३-९॥
By nature ever adaptable, always devoted to study, endowed with both austerity and generosity, and possessing unbroken good conduct. (12-343-9)
यज्वा दानरुचिः क्षान्तो वृत्ते च परमे स्थितः। सत्यवागनसूयुश्च शीलवानभिसंश्रितः ॥१२-३४३-१०॥
One who performs sacrifices, is inclined to giving, is patient, established in supreme conduct, speaks the truth, is free from envy, possesses good character, and has taken refuge; (12-343-10)
शेषान्नभोक्ता वचनानुकूलो; हितार्जवोत्कृष्टकृताकृतज्ञः। अवैरकृद्भूतहिते नियुक्तो; गङ्गाह्रदाम्भोऽभिजनोपपन्नः ॥१२-३४३-११॥
He eats only leftover food, is obedient to commands, excels in honesty and gratitude for good deeds, does not create enmity, is engaged in the welfare of beings, and is endowed with the sanctity of Ganga's waters and noble lineage. (12-343-11)
