ते ऽत्रेव हि तपस्तप्त्वा लोकभासकतां गताः
By performing austerity here, they attained the state of illuminating the worlds.
वर्तते विन्ध्यदर्पारे पारे यस्तन्मयस्थितः
He who abides there, on the far side of Vindhya’s pride, exists as that very essence.
चक्षुष्मत्यपराशक्तिश्छाया देवी परा स्मृता
The supreme goddess, known as Chāyā, is the other power of vision.
ललिताया महेशान्याः सदा विद्या हृदा जपन्
Always reciting with the heart the knowledge of Lalitā, the great goddess.
बहिरन्तस्तमोजालं समूलमवमर्दयन्
He completely destroys the mass of inner and outer darkness, root and all.
सूर्यबिम्बमहाशालान्तरे मारुतयोजने
Within the great hall of the solar orb, in the region of the wind.
पूर्ववद्गोपुरद्वारकपाटार्गलसंयुतः
As before, it is furnished with gateways, doors, and bars.
तन्मध्यभूः समस्तापि चन्द्रिकाद्वारमुच्यते
The entire region within is called the portal of moonlight.
अत्रिनेत्रसमुत्पन्नश्चन्द्रमाः कान्तिमाययौ
The moon, born from the three eyes of Atri, attained its radiance.
देवस्त्रलोक्यतिमिरध्वंसी संसारवर्तकः
The god, destroyer of the darkness of the three worlds, is the one who sets the cycle of existence in motion.
सप्तविंशतिनक्षत्रशक्तिभिः परिवारितः
Surrounded by the powers of the twenty-seven constellations,
तत्रैव चन्द्रिकाद्वारे वर्तते भगवाञ्छशी
There itself, through the gateway of moonlight, abides the blessed Moon-god.
अश्विन्यादियुतस्तत्र कालं नयति चन्द्रमाः
There, accompanied by Ashvini and the other stars, the Moon passes time.
सन्ति तस्यैव निकटे सा कक्षा तत्प्र पूरिता
Near him indeed is that enclosure, completely filled by him.
शृङ्गारो नाम शालो ऽस्ति चतुर्योजनमुच्छ्रितः
There is a hall named Śṛṅgāra, rising four yojanas high.
महाशृङ्गारपरिखा तन्मध्ये वसुधाखिला
Within it is the great moat of Śṛṅgāra, and in its midst, the entire earth.
शृङ्गारशक्तयः सन्ति नानाभूषणभासुराः
There dwell the powers of Śṛṅgāra, shining with various ornaments.
उपासते सदा सत्तं नौकास्थं कुसुमायुधम्
They always worship the ever-present Flower-armed One, who stands upon a boat.
विशिखैरखिलांल्लोकांल्ललिताज्ञावशंवदः
With his arrows, he makes all the worlds obedient to his charming commands.
सावधानेन मनसा यान्ति पद्माटदीस्थलम्
With attentive minds, they proceed to the region of the lotus-grove.
तदाज्ञया परं यान्ति महापद्माटवीस्थलम्
By his command, they go further to the region of the great lotus-forest.
महाकुलाश्च पुरुषा विकल्पज्ञानधूसराः
And there are great men, clouded by knowledge born of doubt.
महाशृङ्गारपरिखान्तरितुं न विचक्षणाः
They are not skilled in crossing the great moat of Śṛṅgāra.
महाशृङ्गारपरिखाधिकारी वर्तते स्मरः
The Lord of Love presides over the great moat of Śṛṅgāra.
महापद्माटवीं गन्तुं न को ऽपि भवति क्षमः
No one is able to reach the great lotus-forest.
चिन्तामणिगृहं नाम चक्रराजमहालयः
There is a mansion called the House of Wish-fulfilling Jewels, the great palace of the king of circles.
महापद्माटवी नाम सर्वसौभाग्यदायिनी
The great lotus-forest is so named, bestower of all good fortune.
चतुर्दिक्ष्वप्येवमेव गोपुराणां व्यवस्थितिः
In all four directions, likewise, is the arrangement of the gateways.
शालास्तु विंशतिः प्रोक्ताः पञ्चसंख्याधिकाः शुभाः
Twenty halls are declared, auspicious and exceeding the count by five.
पद्माटवीस्थलं वक्ष्ये सावधानो मुने शृणु
I shall describe the lotus-grove plain; listen attentively, O sage.