पञ्चैते हेतवो विप्रा ज्योतिर्गणविवेचने
These five are the causes, O Brahmins, in the discernment of the group of luminaries.
ज्जाप जप्यं भगवान्मध्यं प्राप्ते दिवाकरे
The blessed one recited the prayer when the sun reached its zenith.
ते सर्वे नियतात्मानस्तस्थुः प्राञ्जलयस्तथा
All of them, with disciplined minds, stood with hands joined in reverence.
नीलकण्ठ नमस्ते ऽस्तु इत्युवाच सदागतिः
The ever-blessed one spoke, saying: 'Salutations to you, O Nīlakaṇṭha.'
वालखिल्येति विख्याताः पतङ्गसहचारिणः
They are renowned as Vālakhilyas, companions of the birds.
ते स्म पृच्छन्ति वायु च वायुपर्णांबु भोजनाः
They questioned Vāyu, whose sustenance is wind and leaves.
एतद्गुह्यं पवित्राणां पुष्णं पुण्यविदां वरः
This is a secret among the pure, a blessing for those who know virtue.
तत्सर्व श्रोतुमिच्छामस्त्वत्प्रसादात्प्रभञ्जन
We wish to hear all of this, O Prabhañjana, by your grace.
श्रोतुमिच्छामहे देव तव वक्त्राद्विशेषतः
We desire to hear, O Deva, especially from your own mouth.
वर्णस्थानगते वायो वाग्विधिः संप्रवर्त्तते
When Vāyu enters the place of the letters, the function of speech arises.
त्वयि निष्पूयमाने तु शेषा वर्णप्रवृत्तयः
When you are purified, the remaining activities of the letters proceed.
त्वत्तो हि वर्णसद्भावः सर्वगस्त्वं सदानिल
From you comes the existence of the letters; you are ever-present, O universal wind.
एष वै जीवलोकस्ते प्रत्यक्षः सर्वतो ऽनिल
This is indeed your world of living beings, O wind, manifest everywhere and directly perceived.
ब्रूहि तत्कण्ठदेशे तु किं कृत्वा रूपविक्रिया
Tell us, what happened at the region of the throat, causing a change in form?
प्रत्युवाच महातेजा वायुर्ल्लोकनमस्कृतः
Vāyu, of great brilliance, honored by the worlds, replied.
वसिष्ठो नाम धर्मात्मा मानसो वै प्रजापतिः
There is Vasiṣṭha, righteous in spirit, born of the mind, a progenitor.
महिषासुरनारीणां नयनाञ्जनतस्करम्
It was the eye-salve stolen from the women of the buffalo-demon.
उमामनः प्रहर्षाणां बारकच्छद्मरूपिणम्
It was the form of the eyebrow-paste of Umā's joyful mind.
यदेतद्दृश्यते वर्य शुभ्रं शुभ्राञ्जनोपमम्
What you see, O excellent one, is bright, resembling pure white ointment.
एतद्दीप्तांय दान्ताय भक्ताय ब्रूहि पृच्छते
Tell this, O shining, restrained, and devoted one, to the one who asks.
मत्प्रियार्थंमहाभाग वक्तुमर्हस्यशेषतः
O greatly fortunate one, for my sake, you ought to speak in full.
प्रत्युवाच महातेजा देवारिबलसूदनः
The mighty one, destroyer of the strength of the enemies of the gods, replied.
उमोत्संगोपविष्टेन यथापूर्वं मया श्रुतम्
Seated on Umā’s lap, I shall recount as I heard before.
तमहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि त्वत्प्रियार्थं महामुने
I will now declare that to you, O great sage, for your pleasure.
तरुणादित्यसंकाशे तप्तचामीकरप्रभे
Radiant like the rising sun, shining with the brilliance of molten gold,
जांबूनदमये दिव्ये नानाधातु विचित्रिते
Made of divine Jambū gold, adorned with various precious metals,
हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णे चक्रवाकोपशोभिते
Filled with swans and waterfowl, beautified by chakravāka birds,
मत्तक्रैञ्चमयूराणां नादैर्विक्रुष्टकन्दरे
In caves resounding with the calls of intoxicated cranes and peacocks,
जीवं जीवकजातीनां विरावैरुपकूजिते
Echoing with the cries of living beings and the calls of various birds,
सौरभेयनिनादाढ्यं मेघस्तनितनिस्वने
Resounding with the calls of Saurabheya birds, with the sound of thunderclouds,