यथात्रैव सया दृष्टं सांनिध्यं तत्र कुर्वता
Just as presence is seen here, so it is established there.
ईश्वरः परमाणुत्वाद्भावग्राह्यो मनीषिणाम्
The Lord, being subtler than the atom, is grasped by the wise through their understanding.
द्रष्टृत्वमात्मसंबन्धमधिष्टातृत्वमेव च
He is the seer, related to the self, and indeed the ruler.
विभुत्वात्खलु योगाढ्यो ब्रह्मणो ऽनुग्रहे रतः
By his pervasiveness, he is rich in yoga and delights in the grace of Brahman.
अक्षरं ध्रुवमव्यग्रमष्टमं त्वौपसर्गिकम्
The eighth, which is imperishable, constant, and unwavering, is considered secondary.
मायया कृतमाचष्टे मायी देवो महेश्वरः
The god Maheśvara, the wielder of illusion, declares what is fashioned by illusion.
विस्तरेणानुपूर्व्या च ब्रुवतो मे निबोधत
Listen as I recount to you in detail and in order.
भूलोकाद्ब्रह्मलोको वै योजनैः संप्रकीर्त्यते
From the earthly world up to Brahmaloka, the distances are measured in yojanas.
ऊर्द्ध्व भागवतो ऽडं तु ब्रह्मलोकात्परं स्मृतम्
Above is the Bhāgavata realm, said to be beyond Brahmaloka.
नित्या ह्यपरिसंक्षाताः परस्परगुणाश्रयात्
They are eternal, truly immeasurable, due to mutual dependence on each other's qualities.
येभ्यो ऽधिकर्त्ता संजज्ञे क्षेत्रज्ञो ब्रह्मसंज्ञितः
From them arose the supreme agent, known as the Knower of the Field, called Brahman.
अनुत्पाद्यं परं धाम परमाणु परेशयम्
The supreme abode, atomic and the Lord of all, is unborn.
प्रादुर्भावस्तिरोभावः स्थितिश्चैवाप्यनुग्रहः
Manifestation, concealment, sustenance, and also grace—
सतेजा एष तमसो यः पुरस्तात्प्रकाशकः
He, endowed with radiance, is the one who illumines the darkness from the beginning.
बृहत्तु सर्वतो वृत्तमीश्वरात्तद्व्यजायते
That vast, all-encompassing sphere arises from the Lord.
योनिं प्रकृति माचष्टे सा च नारायणात्मिका
He declares Prakriti to be the womb, and she is of the nature of Nārāyaṇa.
सन्निसर्गः सतत्त्वाच्च लोकधातुर्महात्मनः
From the union and the true principle arises the world-structure of the Great Soul.
त्योर्मध्ये पुरं दिव्यं मन मयमनामयम्
Between those two is a divine city, made of mind, free from suffering.
शिवं नाम पुरं तत्र शरणं जन्मभीरुणाम्
There is a city called Śiva, a refuge for those afraid of birth.
अभ्यन्तरं तु विस्तीर्णं महीमण्डलसंस्थितम्
Within, it is vast, established upon a great circle of earth.
शात कैंभेन महता प्राकारेणार्कवर्चसा
With a great rampart of Śātakaumbha, shining with the brilliance of the sun.
तपनीयनिभैः शुभ्रैर्गाढं सुकृतवेष्टनम्
Firmly encircled by pure, golden walls, splendid as refined gold.
रम्ये पुरवरश्रेष्ठे तस्मिन्वैहायभूमिषु
In that delightful, foremost city, upon the aerial grounds—
सर्वकामसमृद्धेषु वनोपवनशोभिषु
Abundant in every pleasure, adorned with groves and gardens—
संध्याभ्रसन्निकाशेषु कैलासप्रतिमेषु च
Resembling the twilight clouds, and like Kailāsa itself—
प्रासादवरपृष्ठेषु तेषु मोदन्ति सुव्रताः
On the splendid terraces of the palaces there, the virtuous rejoice.
गीतवादित्रघोषाश्च संस्रवाश्च समन्ततः
The sounds of singing, musical instruments, and flowing melodies resound everywhere.
एवमादीनि वर्तन्ते तेषां प्रासादमूर्द्धनि
Such things as these are found upon the tops of their palaces.
अनौपम्यैर्वरै रत्नैः सर्वतः संविभूषितः
They are adorned on all sides with incomparable and excellent jewels.
बालसुर्यमयैश्चापि सौवर्णैश्चाग्निसप्रभैः
Also with ornaments of young sun-like brilliance and golden radiance, shining with fire.