इति पृष्टो द्विजेनाथ देवदेवो जनार्दनः
Thus questioned by the twice-born, the god of gods, Janardana—
अयमेव कृतः प्रश्नो ब्रह्मणा तु ततः परम्
This very question was asked by Brahma before, and then—
कृतो दुर्वाससा पश्चाद्भवता तु ततः परम्
Later, it was asked by Durvasa, and then by you as well.
ममोपदेशो लोकेषु प्रथितो ऽस्तु वरो मम
Let my teaching be renowned in the worlds; this is my boon.
सृष्टिस्थितिलयानां तु सर्वेषामपि कारकः
He is the cause of all creation, preservation, and dissolution.
त्रिमूर्तिस्त्रिगुणातीतो गुणहीनो गुणाश्रयः
The Trimurti, transcending the three gunas, devoid of qualities, yet the support of qualities.
एवं भूतस्य मे ब्रह्मंस्त्रिजगद्रूपधारिणः
Such am I, O Brahman, the one who bears the form of the three worlds.
मम प्रधानं यद्रूपं सर्वलोकगुणात्मकम्
My supreme form is that which is the essence of all the worlds and their qualities.
एवमेव तयोर्ज्ञात्वा मुच्यते ते उभे किमु
Knowing both in this way, one is freed; what more remains for you?
त्यागैर्दुष्कर्मनाशान्ते मुक्तिराश्वेव लभ्यते
Through renunciation, when evil deeds are destroyed, liberation is surely attained.
अन्यत्सर्वजगद्रूपं कर्मभोगपराक्रमम्
The other is the form of the entire world, the domain of action, enjoyment, and power.
दुस्तरस्तु तयोस्त्यागः सकलैरपि तापस
But renunciation of both is difficult, even for all ascetics.
अनपायं च सुगमं सदसत्कर्मगोचरम्
Yet there is an unfailing and easy path, accessible through both good and bad actions.
आत्मैक्येनैव यज्ज्ञानं सर्वसिद्धिग्रदायकम्
It is the knowledge of unity with the Self alone that bestows all accomplishments.
यद्रूपध्यानमात्रेण दुष्कृतं सुकृतायते
By the mere contemplation of that form, sin is transformed into virtue.
न ते संसारिणो नूनं मुक्ता एव न संशयः
Surely, such ones are not bound to worldly existence—they are liberated, without doubt.
ईश्वरः सर्वसिद्धानामर्द्धनारीश्वरो ऽभवत्
The Lord of all accomplishments became Ardhanarīśvara.
तस्मादशेषलोकानां त्रिपुराराधनं विना
Therefore, without the worship of Tripura, none of the worlds are complete.
तन्मनास्तद्गतप्राणस्तद्याजी तद्गतेहकः
With mind fixed on That, with life devoted to That, performing sacrifice to That, with body absorbed in That—
एतद्रहस्यमाख्यातं सर्वेषां हितकाम्यया
This secret has been revealed for the benefit of all.
त्वन्मुखांभोजतो ऽवाप्यसिद्धिं यान्तु परात्पराम्
May they attain the supreme accomplishment, having received it from your lotus-like mouth.
प्रणिपत्य पुनर्वाक्यमुवाच मधुसूदनम्
Having bowed down, he again addressed words to Madhusūdana.
किंविहारं किंप्रभावमेतन्मे वक्तुमर्हसि
You ought to tell me of her pastimes and her powers.
श्रोतुमिच्छसियद्यत्त्वं तत्सर्वं वक्तुमर्हति
Whatever you wish to hear, all that should be spoken.
पुरतः कुम्भजातस्य मुनेरन्तरधाद्धरिः
Hari disappeared before the sage born from the pot.
हयग्रीवेण मुनिना स्वाश्रमं प्रत्यपद्यत
The sage Hayagrīva returned to his own hermitage.
हयाननमुपागत्यागस्त्यो वाक्यं समब्रवीत्
Approaching Hayānana, Agastya spoke these words.
लोकाभ्युदयहेतुर्हि दर्शनं हि भवादृशाम्
For the rise of the worlds, the sight of those like you is indeed the cause.
विहारश्चैव मुख्या ये तान्नो विस्तरतो वद
Tell us in detail about those principal pastimes.
ध्यानैकदृश्या ध्यानाङ्गी विद्याङ्गी हृदयास्पदा
She is seen only in meditation, is the support of meditation and knowledge, and abides in the heart.