तस्य गंधमनाघ्रेयमाघ्राय सुरयोषितः
There, the divine women, having smelled a fragrance never before perceived—
ऋषयो नियमांस्त्यक्त्वा प्राद्रवंत गृहान्प्रति ।। न वेदाध्ययने ध्याने रतिस्तेषां बभूव ह
The sages, abandoning their vows, rushed back to their homes; they no longer found delight in study of the Vedas or in meditation.
अपराधाद्विघटितं यद्बभूव प्रिये परम्
Because of an offense, a great disruption occurred, dearest.
गंधेनाकुलितं लोकं दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्मा तमब्रवीत्
Seeing the world disturbed by the fragrance, Brahmā spoke to him—
ब्रह्मोवाच जातस्त्वं लोकदमनान्नूनं दमनको मया
Brahmā said: Surely, you have been born among those who restrain the world, and so I name you Damanaka.
यत्संतस्त्वनुमन्यंते सर्वा तिशयवर्जितम् 4.133.
Whatever the virtuous approve, let it be entirely free from excess.
एकस्याप्यपकारं यः करोति स नराधमः
He who harms even a single person is the lowest of men.
दृष्टार्थबाधकं कर्म न कर्तव्यं कथंचन
One must never perform an act that visibly causes harm.
ततः स्वयं प्रभजति दैवे पित्र्ये च कर्मणि
Then, on his own, he devotes himself to actions for the divine and for the ancestors.
स्वभाव एष मे ब्रह्मंस्त्वया सृष्टः पुरा विभो
This is my nature, O Brahman, which you created long ago, O Lord.
या यस्य जंतोः प्रकृतिः शुभा वा यदि वेतरा
Whatever the nature of a being—whether good or otherwise—
तत्स्वभावप्रवृत्तस्य यदि शापस्त्वया मम ।। प्रदत्तः किं करोम्येतन्न कृत्यमपराध्यति ।ऽ
If, because of that natural tendency, you have given me a curse, what can I do? One does not act wrongly when it is not their own doing.
युक्तियुक्तं वचः श्रुत्वा दमनेन समी रितम्
Hearing these reasonable words, Damanaka was appeased.
वसंते सहकारोत्थमंजरीपिंजरे जने
In spring, among people, when the mango trees are adorned with fresh clusters of blossoms—
तस्मिन्काले सुरेशानां शिरांस्याक्रम्य लीलया
At that time, playfully stepping upon the heads of the lords of the gods,
ये त्वामारोपयिष्यंति दानमानपुरस्सराः 4.133.
Those who will install you, accompanied by gifts and honor,
सर्वदैव शिवस्येष्टा पुण्या पापभयापहा
Will always be dear to Shiva, meritorious, and freed from the fear of sin.
एवमुक्त्वा ययौ ब्रह्मा दमनो मंदरे गिरौ
Having spoken thus, Brahma departed, the subduer, to Mount Mandara.
दिव्ये गिरौ गिरिसु तादयिताधिवासे रत्नांशुकच्छुरितकाञ्चनभूमिभागे
On that divine mountain, the lord of mountains, in a dwelling adorned with gems, silk, and golden ground,
प्रवृत्तनरनारीकं पञ्चमोच्चारसुन्दरम्
Where men and women gathered, resounding with the beautiful fifth note,
सानंदं नंदनवने आर्द्रया सहितो यथा
Joyfully, as in the Nandana grove, accompanied by Ardra,
उन्मादयन्वने पुण्ये विद्याधरगणान्बहून्
Delighting many hosts of Vidyadharas in that sacred forest,
संतानपारिजातोत्थां बद्ध्वा स माधवीलताम्
He tied a garland of Madhavi creeper, sprung from the Parijata of the lineage,
गीतमांदोलकारूढस्तद्गायंत्यमर स्त्रियः
Mounted on a swing, singing, the celestial women sang there.
तं दृष्ट्वाष्टापदनिभा भवानी प्राह शंकरम्
Seeing him, resembling a chessboard, Bhavani spoke to Shankara:
आदोलकं मम कृते कारयस्व स्वलंकृतम् 4.133.
Make a swing for me, beautifully adorned.
तद्गौरीवचनं रम्यं श्रुत्वा गोवृषभध्वजः
Hearing Gauri's charming words, the bull-bannered god,
स्तंभद्वयं रोपयित्वा इष्टापूर्तमयं दृढम्
Planted two pillars, firm and made of merit and fulfillment,
वासुकिं दंडकस्थाने बद्ध्वा तांतवसप्रभम्
Tied Vasuki at the place of the staff, shining like woven threads,
कृमिकार्पासकौशेयवस्त्रैः संवेष्टितं नवैः
Wrapped with new cloths of cotton, wool, and silk,