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.
आस्थिता वीतशोकास्ते देवदारुवने ततः
They remained, free from sorrow, in the Devadāru forest thereafter.
स्थण्डिलेषु विचित्रेषु पर्वतेषु गुहासु च
On diverse altars, mountains, and in caves as well.
तदेव रूपमास्थाय देवस्तद्वनमागतः
Assuming that very form, the god entered that forest.
परभृतपरिपूर्णचारुशब्दं प्रविशति तद्वनमाश्रमं महेशः
Mahesha enters that forest hermitage, filled with the lovely sound of birds.
ततस्तं मुनयः सर्वे तुष्टुवुः सुसमाहिताः
Then all the sages, fully concentrated, praised him.
सपत्नीका महाभागाः सपुत्राः सपरिच्छदाः
Together with their wives, sons, and attendants, the greatly fortunate ones.
अज्ञानाद्देवदेवस्य यदस्माभिग्नुष्ठितम्
Out of ignorance, whatever we have done against the god of gods.
चरितानि विचित्राणि गुह्यानि गहनानि च
The various deeds, secret and profound.
स्वागतं ते न जानीमो गतिं नैव च नैव च
We do not know your welcome, nor your path, nor anything at all.
स्तुवन्ति त्वां महात्मानो देवदेवं महेश्वरम्
The great-souled ones praise you, O god of gods, O Maheshvara.