ततस्ते ऋषयः सर्वे परस्परमथाब्रुवन्
Then all those sages spoke to one another.
ब्रह्मचर्य रतानां च वने वा वनवासिनाम्
Among those devoted to celibacy, or among the forest-dwelling ascetics,
अनयस्तु महानेष येनायं मोहितो द्विजाः
This is the great misconduct by which these twice-born have been deluded.
वदस्व वाचा मधुरं वस्त्रमेकं समाश्रय
Speak sweet words and take up a single garment.
ऋषीणां तद्वचः श्रुत्वा भगवान्भगनेत्रहा
Hearing those words of the sages, the blessed one, the destroyer of Bhaga’s eyes,
न शक्यमिदमस्मा कं लिङ्गं पातयितुं बलात्
It is not possible for any of us to forcibly cast down this linga.
पातयेयमहं चैतल्लिङ्गं भो द्विजसत्तमाः
But I shall cast down this linga, O best of twice-born.
एवमुक्तो महादेवः प्रत्दृष्टेन्द्रियचेष्टितः
Thus addressed, the great god, perceiving their intentions and actions,
अन्तर्हिते भगवति तथा लिङ्गे कृते भवे
When the Blessed Lord disappeared and thus assumed the form of the liṅga,
व्याकुलं च तदा सर्वं न प्रकाशेत किञ्चन
then all became agitated, and nothing at all was revealed.
नक्षत्राणि ग्रहाश्चैव विपरीता विजज्ञिरे
The stars and planets appeared to move in reverse.
क्रतवो न व्यवर्त्तन्त ऋतुकालाभिगामिनाम्
Sacrifices did not proceed according to their proper seasons.
नष्टप्रभाववीर्याश्च नष्टतेजस एव च
Their power, strength, and brilliance were lost.
ते तुसर्वे समागम्य ब्रह्मलोकमुपागताः
All of them, gathering together, went to the world of Brahmā.
पादयोः पतिताः सर्वे शिववृत्तान्तमूचिरे
Falling at his feet, they all recounted the events concerning Śiva.
उलूकव्यग्रहस्तश्च रक्तपिङ्गललोचनः
He held an owl in his hand, his eyes reddish-brown and intense.
स्नुषाणां च दुहितॄणां पुत्रीणां च विशेषतः
Especially toward daughters-in-law, daughters, and granddaughters.
उन्मत्त इति विज्ञाय सो ऽस्माभिरवमानितः
Thinking him mad, we disrespected him.
तस्य क्रोधप्रसादार्थं वयं ते शरणं गताः
For the sake of appeasing his anger, we have come to you for refuge.
ऋषीणां तद्वचः श्रुत्वा ध्यानाद्विज्ञाय चेश्वरम्
Hearing those words of the sages, and knowing through meditation, the Lord—
एष देवो महादेवो विज्ञेयस्तु महेश्वरः
This god is the great god, to be known as Maheśvara.
देवानां च ऋषीणां च पितृणां चैव स प्रभुः
He is the lord of the gods, sages, and ancestors.
संहरत्येष भगवान् कालो भूत्वा महेश्वरः
This Blessed Lord, becoming Time, withdraws all as Maheśvara.
एष चिक्री च वक्षोजश्रीवत्सकृतलक्षणः
He is marked by the curl of hair, the mark of Śrīvatsa, and the sign of the sacred thread on his chest.
द्वापरे चैव कालाग्निर्धर्मकेतुः कलौ स्मृतः
In the Dvāpara age he is Kālagni, in Kali he is known as Dharmaketu.
तमो ह्यग्नी रजो ब्रह्मा सत्त्वं विष्णुः प्रकाशकः
Indeed, darkness is Agni, passion is Brahmā, and goodness—Viṣṇu is the illuminator.
यत्र तिष्ठन्ति तद्ब्रह्मयोगेन तु समन्वितम्
Where they reside, endowed with union with Brahman.
आराधयत विप्रेन्द्रा जितक्रोधा जितेन्द्रियाः
They worshipped, O best of twice-born, having conquered anger and their senses.
तादृक्प्रतिकृतिं कृत्वा शूलपाणिं प्रपद्यत
Having made such an image, they sought refuge in the wielder of the trident.
यं दृष्ट्वा सर्वमज्ञानमधर्मश्च प्रमश्यति
Upon seeing whom, all ignorance and unrighteousness are destroyed.