यक्षगन्धर्वभूतानां पिशाचोरगरक्षसाम्
Of Yakshas, Gandharvas, Bhutas, Pisachas, Nagas, and Rakshasas,
निवेश्यमानं सुरदैत्यसंघो दृष्ट्वा परं विस्मयमाजगाम
When the assembly of gods and demons saw it being established, they were filled with great wonder.
ऊचुः प्राञ्जलयो भूत्वा मत्तमातङ्गगामिनि
They spoke, with hands joined in reverence, O you who walk like a proud, intoxicated elephant.
अहोबलं वीर्यपराक्रमस्ते त्वहो वपुर्योगबलं तवेश
Ah, your strength, your valor and prowess are astonishing; indeed, your form and the power of your yoga, O Lord.
त्वमेव विष्णुश्चतुराननस्त्वं त्वमेव मृत्युर्वरदस्त्वमेव
You alone are Viṣṇu, you are the four-faced Brahmā, you are Death, you are the bestower of boons.
त्वमेव वह्निः पवनस्त्वमेव त्वमेव भूमिः सलिलं त्वमेव
You alone are fire, you are wind, you alone are earth, you are water.
गता विमानैरनिलोपवेगैर्महानगं मेरुमुपेत्य सर्वे
Having arrived in celestial chariots, propelled by the speed of the wind, all reached the great mountain Meru.
इत्येतत्परमं गुह्यं पुण्यात्पुण्यतमं महत्
This is the supreme secret, most holy among the holy, and great.
स्वयंभुवा स्वयं प्रोक्ता कथा पापप्रणाशिनी
This tale, spoken by Svayambhū himself, destroys sin.
तस्याहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि फलं सुविपुलं महत्
I shall now declare its fruit, vast and great.
गात्रं प्राप्य तु सुश्रोणि क्षप्रं तत्प्रतिहन्यते
When it touches the body, O beautiful-hipped one, it immediately wards off harm.
स्त्रीषु वल्लभतां याति सभायां पार्थिवस्य च
He attains favor among women and in the assembly of the king.
गच्छति क्षेममध्वानं गृहेभ्यो नित्यसंपदा
He travels safely on the road and enjoys constant prosperity at home.
हरिश्मश्रुर्नीलकण्ठः शशाङ्काङ्कितमूर्द्धजः
With tawny beard, blue throat, and hair marked by the moon.
नन्दितुल्यबलः श्रीमान्नन्दितुल्यपराक्रमः
He is as strong as Nandi, radiant, and possesses valor equal to Nandi.
न हन्यते गति स्तस्य अनिलस्य यथांबरे
His progress cannot be hindered, just as the wind moves freely in the sky.
मम भक्तया वरारोहे ये च शृम्वन्ति मानवाः
By my devotion, O lovely one, and for those men who listen,
ब्राह्मणो वेदमाप्नोति क्षत्रियो विन्दते महीम्
The Brahmin attains the Veda, the Kṣatriya obtains the earth.
व्याधितो मुच्यते रोगाद्बद्धो मुच्येत बन्धनात्
The afflicted are freed from disease, the bound are released from captivity.
नष्टं च लभते द्रव्यमिह लोके परत्र च
Lost wealth is recovered, both in this world and in the next.
तत्फलं लभते मर्त्यः श्रुत्वा दिव्या मिमां कथाम्
A mortal attains that fruit by hearing this divine and wondrous tale.
यस्तु धारयते नित्यं रुद्रलोकं स गच्छति
But whoever always upholds it goes to the world of Rudra.
यः पठेन्मानवो नित्यं मद्गतेनान्तरात्मना
Whoever recites it daily, with a mind absorbed in me,
पठेच्च देवि भक्त्या च पाठयेच्च नरः सदा
And, O Goddess, recites it with devotion and always causes others to recite it,
कुर्युर्विघ्नं गृहे तस्य यत्रायं तिष्ठति स्तवः
Obstacles arise in the house where this hymn is present.
निवेदितं पुण्यफलादियुक्तं स्वयं च कीतं चतुराननेन
It has been offered, endowed with the fruits of merit, and composed by the Four-Faced One himself.
वृषस्य पृष्ठेन सहोमया प्रभुजगाम कैलासगुहां गुहप्रियः
With me, the beloved of the cave, he went to the cave of Kailāsa, riding on the bull.
अधीत्य सर्वं त्वखिलं सलक्षणं प्रयाति चादित्यपदं द्विजोत्तमः
Having studied all of it, complete with its characteristics, the best of twice-born attains the solar realm.
श्रोतुमिच्छामहे सम्यगैश्वर्यगुणविस्तरम्
We wish to hear in full the detailed account of your majesty and virtues.
बलिं बद्ध्वा महावीर्यं त्रैलोक्याधिपतिं पुरा
Having bound Bali, the mighty one, who was once the lord of the three worlds,