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.
अनन्तबलवीर्याय भूतानां पतये नमः
Salutations to the lord of beings, of infinite strength and power.
गङ्गा सलिलधाराय चाधाराय गुणात्मने
To the Ganga, the stream of water, the support, the embodiment of qualities.
कन्दर्पाय नमस्तुभ्यं नमो ऽस्तु परमात्मने
Salutations to you, O Kāma, salutations to the supreme self.
दण्डहस्ताय कालाय पाशहस्ताय वै नमः
Salutations to the one with the staff in hand, to Time, and to the one with the noose in hand.
भूतं भव्यं भविष्यच्च स्थावरं चङ्गमं च यत्
Whatever is past, present, or future, whatever is stationary or moving—
शेभो पाहि च भद्रं ते प्रसीद भगवंस्ततः
May you be auspicious; protect us, may good fortune be yours; be gracious, O Lord.
तत्सर्वं भगवानेव कुरुते योगमायया
All this, indeed, is accomplished by the Lord through the power of yoga and illusion.
याचन्ते तपसा युक्ताः पश्यामस्त्त्वां यथा पुरा
Those engaged in austerity beseech you; may we behold you as before.
नमो दिग्वाससे नित्यं किङ्किणीजालमालिने
Salutations to you who are ever clad in the directions, adorned with a garland of bells.
अरूपाय सुरूपाय विश्वरूपाय ते नमः
Salutations to you who are formless, beautiful, and whose form is the universe.