ब्रह्मा विष्णुः सुरा ब्रह्मंस्तमाराध्य दिवाकरम्
Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and the gods, having worshipped Brahman, the Sun—
कविष्णू कुरुशार्दूल जग्मतुस्तौ हिमाचलम्
Kavi and Viṣṇu, O tiger among Kurus, went to the Himalaya—
गोपतेरंतिकं वीर प्रहृष्टौ विभुदर्शने
To the vicinity of Gopatera, O hero, rejoicing at the sight of the gods—
ददृशतुर्महात्मानं चंद्रार्धकृतशेखरम्
They beheld the great-souled one, adorned with a crest made of the crescent moon—
आर्च्योचतुर्महात्मानं कविष्णू तं त्रिलोचनम्
Kavi and Viṣṇu worshipped that great-souled, three-eyed one—
श्रुत्वोवाच तयोर्वाक्यं कंजजस्याच्युतस्य च
Having heard the words of those two, of the lotus-born and of Acyuta—
उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं शिक्षाक्षरसमन्वितम्
He spoke words sweet and adorned with the syllables of instruction.
किमाराध्य रविं प्राप्तौ सर्वदेववरं विभुम्
By worshipping the Sun, how did we attain the supreme lord, the best among all gods?
दृष्टवंतौ परं किंचिद्रूपं देवस्य शंकरम् 1.160.१
We have seen a certain supreme form of the god Śaṃkara.
निशम्य वचनं वीर शंकरस्य महात्मनः
Hearing the words of the heroic, great-souled Śaṃkara,
न तत्पश्यावहे रूपं यत्तत्परममद्भुतम्
We do not see that form which is supremely wonderful.
तस्मादाराधयामो हि एकीभूय विभावसुम्
Therefore, let us unite and worship the radiant Sun.
श्रुत्वा तु वचनं वीर कंजजाच्युतयोर्हरः
Upon hearing the words of the heroes, Hari of the lotus-born and Acyuta,
अथ ते राजशार्दूल विविगोगतयो नृप
Then those tiger-like kings, O ruler, with minds resolved,
तमासाद्य नगं पुण्यं शृंगैस्त्रिभिरलंकृतम्
Having reached the sacred mountain adorned with three peaks,
आराधनाय विधिवद्यत्नं चक्रुर्विभावसोः
They performed proper worship with effort for the radiant Sun.
दिव्यवर्षसहस्रांते तपंतः संस्थिता नगे
At the end of a thousand divine years, they remained practicing austerity on the mountain.
स्थाणुवत्संस्थितो भूमावूर्ध्वबाहुस्त्रिलोचनः
Standing like a pillar upon the earth, with arms raised and three eyes,
एवं वर्षसहस्रांते तपश्चक्रुः सुदारुणम् 1.160.
Thus, at the end of a thousand years, they performed severe austerities.
अथ ब्रह्मेशविष्णूनां कुर्वतां तप उत्तमम्
Then, as Brahma, Śiva, and Viṣṇu were performing supreme austerity,
ब्रह्मञ्छंभो हरे ब्रूत मत्तः किमभिवांछथ
Brahma, Śaṃbhu, and Hari, speak—what do you desire from me?
प्रणम्य शिरसा केशा इदं वचमब्रुवन्
Having bowed their heads, Keśava and others spoke these words.
कृतकृत्या वयं सर्वे प्रसादात्तव गोपते
We are all fulfilled by your grace, O protector of cows.
उत्पत्तिस्थितिनाशानां वयं सर्वे दिवाकर
We are all, O Sun, the agents of creation, preservation, and destruction.
किं त्वेकं देवदेवेश वरमिच्छामहे विभो
But, O Lord of lords, we desire one boon from you, O mighty one.
तस्मादस्माज्जगन्नाथ रूपं दर्शय तेऽच्युतम्
Therefore, O Lord of the universe, show us your form, O Achyuta.
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मविष्ण्वीशभाषितम्
Hearing their words, spoken by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva,
अनेकवक्त्रशिरसमनेकाद्भुतदर्शनम्
He revealed a form with many faces and heads, displaying countless wondrous sights.
भूः पादौ द्यौः शिरश्चापि तत्राग्नी लोचने मते 1.160.
The earth was his feet, the sky his head, and fire his eyes, O wise one.
विश्वे देवाः स्मृतास्तस्य जंघासंघाः सुरोत्तमाः
All the gods were remembered as the noble ones forming his thighs.