12.343
atithiruvāca॥
The guest said.
upadeśaṃ tu te vipra kariṣye'haṃ yathāgamam। guruṇā me yathākhyātam-arthatas-tac ca me śṛṇu ॥12-343-1॥
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)
yatra pūrvābhisargeṇa dharmacakraṃ pravartitam। naimiṣe gomatītīre tatra nāgāhvayaṃ puram ॥12-343-2॥
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)
samagraistridaśaistatra iṣṭamāsīddvijarṣabha. yatrendrātikramaṃ cakre māndhātā rājasattamaḥ ॥12-343-3॥
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)
kṛtādhivāso dharmātmā tatra cakṣuḥśravā mahān। padmanābho mahābhāgaḥ padma ityeva viśrutaḥ ॥12-343-4॥
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)
sa vācā karmaṇā caiva manasā ca dvijarṣabha। prasādayati bhūtāni trividhe vartmani sthitaḥ ॥12-343-5॥
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)
sāmnā dānena bhedena daṇḍeneti caturvidham। viṣamasthaṃ janaṃ svaṃ ca cakṣur-dhyānena rakṣati ॥12-343-6॥
The eye protects both a person in difficulty and itself by four means—conciliation, giving, division, and punishment—by being attentive. (12-343-6)
tam abhikramya vidhinā praṣṭum arhasi kāṅkṣitam। sa te paramakaṃ dharmaṃ na mithyā darśayiṣyati ॥12-343-7॥
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)
sa hi sarvātithirnāgo buddhiśāstraviśāradaḥ। guṇairanavamairyuktaḥ samastairābhikāmikaiḥ ॥12-343-8॥
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)
prakṛtyā nityasalilo nityamadhyayane rataḥ। tapodamābhyāṃ saṃyukto vṛttenānavareṇa ca ॥12-343-9॥
By nature ever adaptable, always devoted to study, endowed with both austerity and generosity, and possessing unbroken good conduct. (12-343-9)
yajvā dānaruciḥ kṣānto vṛtte ca parame sthitaḥ। satyavāganasūyuśca śīlavānabhisaṃśritaḥ ॥12-343-10॥
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)
śeṣānnabhoktā vacanānukūlo; hitārjavotkṛṣṭakṛtākṛtajñaḥ. avairakṛdbhūtahite niyukto; gaṅgāhradāmbho'bhijanopapannaḥ ॥12-343-11॥
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)
