भीष्म उवाच अथ काले बहुतिथे पूर्णे प्राप्तो भुजङ्गमः। दत्ताभ्यनुज्ञः स्वं वेश्म कृतकर्मा विवस्वता॥
Bhishma said Upon the expire of full fifteen days, the Naga king (Padmanabha), having finished his task of dragging the car of the Sun and obtained the latter's permission, returned to his own house.
तं भार्याप्युपचक्राम पादशौचादिभिर्गुणैः। उपपन्नां च तां साध्वीं पन्नगः पर्यपृच्छत॥ अथ त्वमसि कल्याणि देवतातिथिपूजने। पूर्वमुक्तेन विधिना युक्ता युक्तेन मत्समम्॥
Seeing him return, his wife approached him quickly for washing his feet and dutifully satisfying other tasks of a similar nature. Having performed these tasks, she sat by his side. The Naga then, refreshed from fatigue, addressed his dutiful and chaste wife, saying, I hope, my dear wife, that during my absence you have not neglected to adore the gods and guests according to the instructions I gave you, and according to the ordinances laid down in the scriptures.
न खल्वस्यकृतार्थेन स्त्रीबुद्ध्या मार्दवीकृता। मद्वियोगेन सुश्रोणि विमुक्ता धर्मसेतुना॥
I hope, without yielding to that impure understanding which is natural to persons of your sex, you have, during my absence from home, been firm in the observance of the duties of hospitality. I trust that you have not gone beyond the barriers of duty and virtue.
नागभार्योवाच शिष्याणां गुरुशुश्रूषा विप्राणां वेदधारणम्। भृत्यानां स्वामिवचनं राज्ञो लोकानुपालनम्॥ सर्वभूतपरित्राणं क्षत्रधर्म इहोच्यते। वैश्यानां यज्ञसंवृत्तिरातिथेयसमन्विता॥
The duty of disciples is to wait respectfully upon their preceptor for doing his bidding; that of Brahmanas is to study the Vedas and bear them in memory; that of servants is to obey the commands of their masters; that of the king is to protect his people by supporting the good and punishing the wicked. It is said that the duties of a Kshatriya are the protection of all creatures from wrong and oppression.
विप्रक्षत्रियवैश्यानां शुश्रूषा शूद्रकर्म तत्। गृहस्थधर्मो नागेन्द्र सर्वभूतहितैषिता॥
The duty of the Shudra is to serve with humility persons of the twice-born orders, viz., Brahmanas and Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. The religion of the house-holder, O king of the Nagas, consists in doing good to all creatures.
नियताहारता नित्यं व्रतचर्या यथाक्रमम्। धर्मो हि धर्मसम्बन्धादिन्द्रियाणां विशेषतः॥
Frugality of fare and observance of vows in due order, form merit (for persons of all classes) on account of the connection that exists between the senses and the duties religion.
अहं कस्य कुतो वापि कः को मे ह भवेदिति। प्रयोजनमतिनित्यमेवं मोक्षाश्रमे वसेत्॥
Who am I? Whence have I come? What are others to me and what am I to others?—these are the thoughts to which the mind should ever be given by him who leads that course of life which leads to Liberation.
पतिव्रतात्वं भार्यायाः परमो धर्म उच्यते। तवोपदेशान्नागेन्द्र तच्च तत्त्वेन वेद्मि वै॥
Chastity and obedience to the husband from the highest duty of wife. Through your instruction, O king of Nagas, I have learnt this well.
साहं धर्मं विजानन्ती धर्मनित्ये त्वयि स्थिते। सत्पथं कथमुत्सृज्य यास्यामि विपथं पथः॥
I, therefore, that am well versed in my duty, and that have you for my husband,—you who are devoted to virtue,-O, why shall I, falling off from the path of duty, tread along the path of disobedience and sin?
देवतानां महाभाग धर्मचर्या न हीयते। अतिथीनां च सत्कारे नित्युक्तास्म्यतन्द्रिता।॥
During your absence from home, the adorations to the gods have not suffered in any respect. I have also, without the slightest negligence, performed the duties of hospitality towards persons arrived as guests in your house.
सप्ताष्टदिवसास्त्वद्य विप्रस्येहागतस्य वै। तच्च कार्यं न मे ख्याति दर्शनं तव काङ्क्षति॥
Fifteen days ago a Brahmana has come here. He has not given out his object to me. He wishes to see you.
गोमत्यास्त्वेष पुलिने त्वदर्शनसमुत्सुकः। आसीनो वर्तयन् ब्रह्म ब्राह्मणः संशितव्रतः॥
Living on the banks of the Gomati, he is anxiously expecting your return. Of rigid vows, that Brahmana is sitting there, engaged in the recitation of Brahma.
अहं त्वनेन नागेन्द्र सत्यपूर्वं समाहिता। प्रस्थाप्यो मत्सकाशं स सम्प्राप्तो भुजगोत्तमः॥
O king of the Nagas, I have made a promise to him that I would send you to him as soon as you would return to your house.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा महाप्राज्ञ तत्र गन्तुं त्वमर्हसि। दातुमर्हसि वा तस्य दर्शनं दर्शनश्रवः॥
Hearing these words of men, O best of Nagas, you should go there. O you who hear with your eyes, you should great to that twiceborn person the object that has brought him here.