वसंतस्य प्रभावोऽयं कोऽप्यपूर्वो विजृंभते
Such is the influence of spring—some unprecedented expansion appears.
वृक्षाः पक्षिशताकीर्णा विजिघ्राणमुखाः सुराः
The trees, crowded with hundreds of birds, and the gods with their eager faces, inhale the fragrance.
कृतः प्रत्यक्षसुमहान्वसंतो न जगत्त्रये
Now, spring has been made manifest before all; there is no such spring in the three worlds.
उभावपि प्रतप्येते पश्येदं कामचेष्टितम्
Both are inflamed; see this play of desire.
पादपाः पल्लवशतैर्नृत्यंते च प्रहर्षिणः
The trees, delighted, dance with hundreds of fresh shoots.
कौतुकाकुलितः शीघ्रमारुरोह रथं स्वकम् 4.134.
Overcome with curiosity, he quickly mounted his own chariot.
प्रययौ पुण्डरीकाक्षः शंखचक्रगदाधरः
The lotus-eyed one, bearing the conch, discus, and mace, set forth.
आस्थाय प्रययौ हृष्टो ब्रह्मा ब्राह्मणसंस्तुतः
Mounted and joyful, Brahma departed, praised by the brahmins.
वृतो रथेन प्रययौ भास्करो वारितस्करः
Escorted by his chariot, the sun, dispeller of darkness, set out.
कात्यायनी प्रचलिता पञ्चवक्त्रेण केतुना
Katyayani, stirred, advanced with her five-faced banner.
प्रयातः स्वरथारूढः कृतकर्णकुलाकुलः
He departed, mounted on his own chariot, his earrings swaying.
रथारूढैरमूढात्मा मर्त्यलोकमवातरत्
Mounted on chariots, with undeluded mind, he descended to the world of mortals.
नारदेन यथैवोक्तस्तावत्सर्वं तदक्षरम्
Just as Narada had spoken, so all of it occurred, word for word.
देवैः सार्द्धं पशुपतिर्यावत्पश्यति विस्मितः
Together with the gods, Pasupati gazed, astonished.
गायंति केचित्सोत्कंठं लुठंत्यन्ये प्रहर्षिताः
Some sing with longing, others, delighted, roll about.
वादयंत्यन्यथा वाद्यं गायंत्यन्येन्यथा गणाः 4.134.
Some play instruments in various ways, others sing differently—the groups rejoice.
नीलोत्पलाभनयनैर्विलसत्प्रांततारकैः
With eyes resembling blue lotuses, shining with the brilliance of nearby stars,
सुराणां क्षोभमालक्ष्य भगवान्गोवृषध्वजः
Seeing the agitation of the gods, the blessed Lord, the Bull-bannered One,
अनर्थमुत्थितं तद्वत्तद्विघाताय ये जनाः
When calamity arises in this way, those people who act to remove it,
वसंतः स्वामिभक्तत्वान्मान्यपुष्पाकरं यदा
Vasanta, because of his devotion to the Lord, when he brings forth honored flowers,
संचिंत्यैवं समानाय्य वसंतं प्राह शंकरः
Thinking thus, and summoning Vasanta, Shankara spoke to him:
सितपक्षः सहायोऽयं सर्वभूतसुखप्रदः
This ally of the bright fortnight brings happiness to all beings.
यो यथा रथमारूढः समायातः समीक्षितुम्
Whoever, mounted on a chariot, comes to witness in whatever manner,
कारयिष्यन्ति ये मर्त्या रथयात्रामहोत्सवम्
Those mortals who arrange the great festival of the chariot procession,
एवमाभाष्य भगवान्वसंतं च ततः सुरैः
Having spoken thus to Vasanta, the Blessed Lord, along with the gods,
आरोपयेत्कथं देवान्रथे वद जगत्पते ।। 4.134.
Tell me, Lord of the world, how should the gods be placed upon the chariot?
सुदृढाक्षं दृढाबंधं सुचक्ररथकूबरम्
With a chariot having strong axles, firm bindings, and well-made wheels and pole,
अथ वा वंशविहितं नेत्रपट्टपटावृतम्
Or else, one made of bamboo, covered with cloth bands and netting,
सितगोयुगसंयुक्तं पञ्चबाणपताकिनम्
Joined with a pair of white oxen, bearing the banner of the five arrows,
वैश्वदेवं ततः कुर्याद्ग्रहयज्ञविधानतः
Then one should perform the Vaiśvadeva rite, according to the procedure for the planetary sacrifice,