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,
आरोपयेद्रथे देवं मूलमंत्रेण मंत्रवित्
The knower of mantras should place the deity on the chariot with the root mantra.
रथे तिष्ठन्नयति वाजिनः पुरो यत्रयत्र कामयते सुषारथिः शंखदुंदुभिनिर्घोषैः काहलानां च निःस्वनैः
Standing on the chariot, the excellent charioteer guides the horses wherever he wishes, accompanied by the sounds of conches, drums, and the resonant tones of kahalas.
दोषासुखेन रमितं प्रेषणीयपुरःसरम्
Delighted by the joy of the night, with the procession led forward,
तांबूलानि रथे दद्यात्पुष्पमालायुतानि च
He should place betel leaves on the chariot, along with garlands of flowers.
यस्ययस्य गृहेभ्येति प्रेरितो रथिना रथः । ।। 4.134.
Whichever house the chariot, driven by the charioteer, is sent to—
इतरोऽपि भवेत्पूज्यः संप्राप्ते गृहिणां गृहे
There too, when it arrives at the householder’s home, the other should also be honored.
कदाचिदक्षभङ्गः स्याद्ध्वजभंगोऽथ वा भवेत्
Sometimes the axle may break, or the banner may be damaged.
ब्राह्मणांस्तत्र संपूज्य होमः कार्यो विजानता
There, one should honor the Brahmins and perform a fire offering with understanding.
प्रेरणीप्रेक्षणीयैश्च भ्रामयित्वा रथोत्तमम्
Having displayed the chariot with those who urge it on and those who observe it,
दोलाग्राहैश्चक्रदोलाभ्रमैर्डमरकैस्तथा
With those who swing the chariot, with the turning of the wheel-swing, and with drums as well,