तृतीयमपि मासं स क्रमेणाहारमाचरन्। चतुर्थे त्वथ संप्राप्ते मासे भरतसत्तमः
He practiced his regimen through the third month as well; and when the fourth month arrived, O best of the Bharatas—
वायुभक्षो महाबाहुरभवत्पाण्डुनन्दनः। ऊर्ध्वबाहुर्निरालम्बः पादाङ्गुष्ठाग्रधिष्ठितः
The mighty-armed son of Pandu became one who lived on air alone, standing with arms raised, unsupported, balanced on the tips of his toes.
सदोपस्पर्शनाच्चास्य बभूवुरमितौजसः। विद्युदम्भोरुहनिभा जटास्तस्य महात्मनः
Because of his constant contact with water, the matted locks of that great-souled one, radiant with immeasurable energy, resembled lightning and blue lotuses.
ततो महर्षयः सर्वे जग्मुर्देवं पिनाकिनम्। विवेदयिषवः पार्थं तपस्युग्रे समास्थितम्
Then all the great sages went to the god Pinākin, and informed him that Partha was engaged in severe austerities.
नीलकण्ठं महादेवमभिवाद्य प्रणम्य च। सर्वे निवेदयामासुः कर्म तत्फल्गुनस्य ह
Having saluted and bowed to the great god Nīlakaṇṭha, all of them reported to him the actions of Phalguna.
एकः पार्थो महातेजा हिमवत्पृष्ठमाश्रितः। उग्रे तपरसि दुष्पारे स्थितो धूमापयन्दिशः
That one Partha, possessed of great energy, has taken refuge on the slopes of Himavat; he stands firm in severe and difficult austerity, causing the quarters to be filled with smoke.
तस्य देवेश न वयं विद्मः सर्वे चिकीर्षितम्। संतापयति नः सर्वानसौ साधु निवार्यताम्
O Lord of the gods, none of us knows what he intends; he is tormenting us all—let him be restrained, if it is proper.
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा मुननां भावितात्मनाम्। उमापतिर्भूतपतिर्वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह
Hearing those words of the sages, whose souls are purified, the Lord of Uma, the Lord of beings, spoke these words.
न वो विषादः कर्तव्यः फल्गुनं प्रति सर्वशः। शीघ्रं गच्छत संहृष्टा यथागतमतन्द्रिताः
You should not be troubled at all regarding Phalguna; go quickly, delighted and untiring, just as you came.
अहमस्य विजानामि संकल्पं मनसि स्थितम्। नास्य स्वर्गस्पृहा काचिन्नैश्वर्यस्य न चायुषः। यत्तस्य काङ्क्षितं प्राप्तुं तत्करिष्येऽहमद्य वै
I know the resolve that is fixed in his mind; he has no desire for heaven, nor for sovereignty, nor for long life. What he seeks to obtain, I shall surely grant him today.
तच्छ्रुत्वा शर्ववचनमृषयः सत्यवादिनः। प्रहृष्टमनसो जग्मुर्यथास्वं पुनराश्रमम्
Hearing these words of Sharva, the truth-speaking sages, their minds gladdened, returned each to their own hermitage.
गतेषु तेषु सर्वेषु तपस्विषु महात्मसु। पिनाकपाणिर्भगवान्सर्वपापहरो हरः
When all those great-souled ascetics had departed, the blessed Hara, bearer of the Pinaka and destroyer of all sins, appeared.
कैरातं वेषमास्थाय काञ्चनद्रुमसन्निभम्। विभ्राजमानो वपुषा गिरिर्मेरुरिवापरः
Assuming the guise of a Kirata, shining like a golden tree, he blazed with radiance like another Meru mountain.
श्रीगद्धनुरुपादाय शरांश्चाशीविषोपमान्। निष्पपात महार्चिष्मान्दहन्कक्षमिवानलः
Taking up a splendid bow and arrows resembling venomous serpents, he descended, blazing like fire burning a forest.
देव्या सहोमया श्रीमान्समानव्रतवेषया। नानावेषधरैर्हृष्टैर्भूतैरनुगतस्तदा
Accompanied by the illustrious Uma, who was dressed and vowed like himself, and followed by delighted spirits in various forms, he proceeded then.
किरातवेषसंछन्नः स्त्रीभिश्चापि सहस्रशः। अशोभत तदा राजन्स देशोऽतीव भारत
Concealed in the guise of a Kirata and surrounded by thousands of women, O Bharata, that place shone exceedingly at that time.
क्षणेन तद्वनं सर्वं निःशब्दमभवत्तदा। नादः प्रस्रवणानां च पक्षिणां चाप्युपारमत्
In a moment, that entire forest became silent; the sounds of waterfalls and birds ceased.
स सन्निकर्षमागम्य पार्थस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः। मूकं नाम दितेः पुत्रं ददर्शाद्भुतदर्शनम्
Coming near to Partha, whose deeds were blameless, he beheld Muka, the son of Diti, a wondrous sight.
वाराहं रूपमास्थाय तर्जयन्तमिवार्जुनम्। हन्तुं परमदुष्टात्मा तमुवाचाथ फल्गुनः
Assuming the form of a boar, terrifying Arjuna as if to slay him, that most wicked being was then addressed by Phalguna.
गाण्डीवं धनुरादाय शरांश्चाशीविषोपमान्। सज्यं धनुर्वरं कृत्वा ज्याघोषेण निनादयन्
Taking up the Gandiva bow and arrows resembling venomous serpents, stringing the excellent bow, he made it resound with the twang of the bowstring.
यन्मां प्रार्थयसे हन्तुमनागसमिहागतम्। तस्मात्त्वां पूर्वमेवाहं नेष्यामि यमसादनम्
Since you seek to kill me, though I have come here without fault, I shall send you to the abode of Yama before you can harm me.
दृष्ट्वा तं प्रहरिष्यन्तं फल्गुनं दृढधन्विनम्। किरातरूपी सहसा वारयामास शंकरः
Seeing Phalguna, the steadfast archer, about to strike, Shankara, in the form of a Kirata, suddenly intervened.
मयैष प्रार्थितः पूर्वं नीलमेघसमप्रभः। अनादृत्यैव तद्वाक्यं प्रजहाराथ फल्गुनः
This one, radiant as a dark thundercloud, was previously sought by me; disregarding my words, Phalguna then released his arrow.
किरातश्च समं तस्मिन्नेकलक्ष्ये महाद्युतिः। प्रमुमोचाशनिप्रख्यं शरमग्निशिखोपमम्
The illustrious Kirata, aiming at the same target, let loose an arrow like a thunderbolt, blazing like a tongue of fire.
तौ मुक्तौ सायकौ ताभ्यां समं तत्र निपेततुः। मूकस्य गात्रे विस्तीर्णे शैलपृष्ठनिभे तदा
Both arrows, released together, struck the broad body of the mute creature, which resembled the surface of a mountain.
यथाऽशनैर्विनिष्पेषो वज्रस्येव च पर्वते। तथा तयोः सन्निपातः शरयोरभवत्तदा
Just as thunder crushes a mountain, or as a vajra strikes a peak, so was the collision of their arrows at that moment.
स विद्धो बहुभिर्बाणैर्दीप्तास्यैः पन्नगैरिव। ममार राक्षसं रूपं भूयः कृत्वा सुदारुणम्
Pierced by many arrows, like serpents with blazing mouths, the creature assumed a terrifying rakshasa form and died.
स ददर्श ततो जिष्णुः पुरुषं काञ्चनप्रभम्। किरातवेषसंछन्नं स्त्रीसहायममित्रहा
Then Jishnu saw a man shining like gold, concealed in the guise of a Kirata, accompanied by a woman, destroyer of enemies.
तमब्रवीत्प्रीतमना कौन्तेयः प्रहसन्निव। को भवानटते शून्ये वने रस्त्रीगणसंवृतः
With a cheerful mind, almost laughing, Kaunteya addressed him: 'Who are you, wandering in this empty forest, surrounded by women?'
न त्वमस्मिन्वने घोरे बिभेषि कनकप्रभ। किमर्थं च त्वया विद्धो मृगोऽयं मत्परिग्रहः
'You do not fear in this dreadful forest, O golden-hued one. Why did you wound this animal, which was my prize?'