प्रायश्चित्तं च किं तस्य गदस्व वदतां वर
What is the expiation for it? Speak, O best of speakers.
कन्या रूपवती नाम धात्रे तां प्रददौ पिता
A maiden named Rūpavatī was given by her father to the creator.
नारायणपरो नित्यं वेदवेदाङ्गपारगः
He was always devoted to Nārāyaṇa and accomplished in the Vedas and their branches.
भवानधिकृतो राज्ये देवानामिव वासवः
You are appointed in the kingdom like Indra among the gods.
त्वया कश्चित्कृतः प्रश्न ऋषीणां सन्निधौ तदा
You once asked a question in the presence of the sages at that time.
वदन्तु तद्विनिश्चित्य भवन्तो मदनुग्रहात्
Let them decide and speak, by your favor.
तत्पूर्वमेव कथितं मया विधिबलेन वै
That was already told by me before, by the power of the rite.
तच्छ्रुत्वा ते प्रकुपिताः शेपुर्मामृषयो ऽखिलाः
Hearing that, all the sages became angry and cursed me.
एवं प्रकुपितैः शप्तः खिन्नः काञ्चीं समाविशम्
Thus, having been cursed by those who were enraged, I, distressed, entered Kanchī.
भवता सह देवैस्तु पौरोहित्यार्थमादरात्
Together with you and the gods, I respectfully undertook the office of priesthood.
स्वस्रीयो दानवानां तु देवानां च पुरोहितः
The maternal uncle became the priest both of the Dānavas and the gods.
बभूवतुस्तुल्यबलौ तदा देत्येन्द्रवासवौ
At that time, the lord of the Daityas and Indra became equal in strength.
हन्तुमिच्छन्नगाश्चाशु तपसः साधनं वनम्
Desiring to slay them, you quickly went to the forest, the means for austerities.
त्रयी मुखरदिग्भागं ब्रह्मानदैकनिष्ठितम्
The region resounded with the three Vedas, established solely in the bliss of Brahman.
शिरांसि यौगपद्येन छिन्नात्यासंस्त्वयैव तु
It was by you alone that the heads were simultaneously severed and cast down.
ततो मेरुगुहां नीत्वा बहूनब्दान्हि संस्थितः
Then, taking them to the cave of Meru, you remained there for many years.
पुत्र शोकेन संतप्तस्त्वां शशाप रुषान्वितः
Afflicted by grief for his son, he, filled with anger, cursed you.
अनाथकास्ततो देवा विषण्णा दैत्यपीडिताः
Then the gods, left without support and oppressed by the Daityas, became despondent.
गत्वा तु ब्रह्मसदनं नत्वा तद्वृत्तमूचिरे
Going to the abode of Brahmā and bowing, they told him what had happened.
तस्य प्रतिक्रियां वेत्तुं न शशाकात्मभूस्तदा
At that time, the self-born one was unable to devise a remedy for it.
ततो देवैः परिवृतो नारायणमुपागमत्
Then, surrounded by the gods, he approached Nārāyaṇa.
विचिन्त्य सो ऽपि बहुधा कृपया लोकनायकः
That leader of the world, too, after much consideration and out of compassion—
स्त्रीषु भूम्यां च वृक्षेषु तेषामपि वरं ददौ
He granted a boon to them, among women, on earth, and in trees as well.
छेदे पुनर्भवत्वं तु सर्वेषामपि शाखिनाम्
For all trees, there would be regeneration even after being cut.
तेष्वघं प्रबभूवाशु रजोनिर्यासमूषरम्
Among them, however, sin quickly arose—barrenness from the flow of sap.
राज्यश्रियं च संप्राप्तः प्रसादात्परमेष्ठिनः
And by the grace of the Supreme Lord, you attained the fortune of sovereignty.
मम शापो वृथा न स्यादस्तु कालान्तरे मुने
Let my curse not be in vain, O sage; let it take effect at a later time.
प्रहृष्टो भाविकार्यज्ञस्तूष्णीमेव तदा ययौ
The one who knew the future outcome became pleased and then departed in silence.
एश्वर्यमदमत्तत्वात्कैलासाद्रिमपीडयत
Intoxicated by the pride of sovereignty, he even oppressed Mount Kailāsa.
दुर्वासास्त्वन्मदभ्रंशं कर्त्तुकामः शशाप ह
Desiring to bring about the fall of his arrogance, Durvāsas pronounced a curse.