ज्ञायते नेह नामुत्र व्रतस्वाध्यायवर्जितः
Here and hereafter, one without vows and study of scripture is not recognized.
अत्र ते कथयिष्यामि इतिहासं पुरातनम्
Now I shall tell you an ancient story.
योगर्द्धिसिद्ध्या संसिद्धः कश्चित्सिद्धो महीतलम्
There was once a perfected being on earth, accomplished through yogic powers and attainments.
निगीर्णदंतो लंबोष्ठः पिंगाक्षस्तनुमूर्द्धजः
His teeth were sunken, his lips thick, his eyes tawny, and his hair sparse.
चिपिटाक्षः स्फुटितपाज्जंघाढ्यः कृशकूर्परः
His eyes were flat, his knees and shins cracked, and his elbows thin.
मूलजालिकविप्रेण दृष्टः पृष्टश्च को भवान्
He was seen and questioned by a Brahmin of the Mūlajālika lineage: 'Who are you?'
कच्चिद्दृष्टा त्वया रंभा भाभासितदिगंतरा
'Have you seen Rambhā, who illumines all directions with her radiance?'
गत्वा मद्वचनाद्वाच्या निर्वाच्या दोषदर्शिभिः
'Go and speak to her on my behalf, but do not speak to those who find fault.'
सिद्धः प्रसिद्धं तं विप्रं प्राहेदं विस्मयान्वितः
The accomplished one, filled with wonder, addressed that renowned Brahmin.
ब्राह्मणस्तमथोवाच विज्ञातोऽसि मया यथा
Then the Brahmin said to him, 'I have recognized you as you are.'
गात्रत्रयं विरूपं स्याद्द्वितीयं वा स्वरूपतः
One of your three limbs is deformed, while the second remains in its natural state.
दुर्ल्लंघ्या प्रकृतिः साक्षादनुभूतकरी भवेत्
Nature is difficult to overcome and acts directly as an experiencer.
विप्रस्यैवं वचः श्रुत्वा जगामादर्शनं शनैः
Hearing the words of the sage, she gradually disappeared from sight.
मूलजालकविप्रेण पृष्टः प्राहामरावतीम्
Questioned by the sage of the root-net, she replied, 'Amaravati.'
शक्रस्यावसरे वृत्ते व्रजन्त्याः स्वगृहं मया
When Indra's appointed time had passed, as she was returning to her own house, by me—
विद्यया कलया चापि पौरुषेण व्रतेन च
By knowledge, by skill, by manly strength, and by observance of vows—
ब्राह्मणस्तमथोवाच मुग्धा दग्धाग्निसंभवा
Then the Brahmin spoke to her: 'O innocent one, scorched and born of fire—'
तस्यैतद्वचनं श्रुत्वा स सिद्धः सुविशुद्धधीः
Hearing these words from her, that accomplished one, with mind thoroughly pure—
कदाचिच्च रता तेन स्वर्गमार्गं यदृच्छया
Once, united with him, she by chance attained the path to heaven.
मूलजालैर्वर्तयंतं महाकालवनाश्रयम्
Sustained by the root-net sages, he dwells in the great Kālavan forest.
दर्शनादथ संभाषादुपकारात्सहासनात्
From seeing, from conversing, from assistance, and from laughing together—
न दर्शनं न संभाषा कदाचित्सह तेन मे
Never did I have sight, nor conversation, nor ever any togetherness with him.
इत्येवमुक्त्वा रंभोरू रंभा जंभारिणोंतिकम्
Thus having spoken, Rambha of lovely thighs went to Jambha's conqueror.
गत्वा निवेदयामास स्नेहव्रतविचेष्टितम्
Having gone, she reported the acts of affection and vow.
शक्रः प्रोवाच चार्वंगीं गीर्वाणहृदयंगमाम्
Indra spoke to the beautiful one, who had entered the heart of the gods.
दिव्यमाल्यांबरधरं दिव्यस्रगुनुलेपनम्
Wearing divine garlands and garments, adorned with heavenly ointments and ornaments—
तत्रस्थः स द्विजो भोगीविभुनक्ति सह रंभया
There that twice-born one, together with Rambha, enjoys pleasures.
राज्यश्रियं जगति सर्वजनोपभोग्यामाप्नोति शक्रशिवकेशवयोर्निवासम्
He attains royal fortune in the world, enjoyed by all people, and the abode of Indra, Shiva, and Keshava.
तिलकव्रतवर्णनम् दुर्गासूर्याग्निसोमानां व्रतानि मधुसूदन
The description of the Tilaka vow—
शास्त्रांतरेषु दृष्टानि तव बुद्धिगतानि च
The vows of Durga, Surya, Agni, and Soma, O Madhusudana, are seen in other scriptures and are known to your intellect.