मृगव्याधवपुर्भूत्वा ययौ राजंस्तदन्तिकम्
Assuming the form of a hunter, he went near the king.
शरचापधरः प्रांशुर्वज्रसंहननो युवा
Tall, bearing bow and arrows, youthful, with limbs as hard as thunderbolts,
मांसविस्रवसागन्धी सर्वप्राणिविहिंसकः
Smelling of blood and flesh, harming all living beings,
सामटक्संचर्वमाणश्च मांसखण्डमनेकशः
Chewing pieces of meat, along with wild berries,
आरुजंस्तरसा वृक्षानूरुवेगेन संघशः
He swiftly tore up trees in groups with the force of his thighs.
आसाद्य सरसस्तस्य तीरं कुसुमितद्रुमम्
Reaching the bank of that lake, adorned with blossoming trees,
निषसाद क्षणन्तत्र तरुच्छायामुपाश्रितः
He sat there for a moment, taking shelter in the shade of a tree.
ततः स शीघ्रमुत्थाय समीपमुपसृत्य च
Then, rising quickly, he approached nearby.
सजलांभोदसन्नादगंभीरेण स्वरेण च
With a voice deep as the rumble of a rain-filled cloud,
तोषप्रवर्षव्याधो ऽहं वसाम्यस्मिन्महावने
I am Vyādha, the hunter, who dwells in this great forest, pouring forth satisfaction.
चरामि समचित्तात्मा नानासत्त्वा मिषाशनः
I roam with an even mind, eating various creatures.
अभक्ष्यागम्यपेयादिच्छन्दवस्तुषु कुत्रचित्
Among things forbidden to eat, approach, or drink, or those desired, anywhere—
प्रपन्नो नाभिगमनं निवासमपि कस्यचित्
No one who has sought refuge receives approach or dwelling from me.
जानते तध्यथा सर्वे देशो ऽयं मदुपाश्रयः
All know truly that this entire region is under my protection.
इत्येष मम वृत्तान्तः कार्त्स्न्येन कथितस्तव
Thus, I have told you my story in its entirety.
उद्यतो ऽन्यत्र वा गन्तुं किं वा तव चिकीर्षितम्
Now, are you preparing to go elsewhere, or is there something you wish to do?
तूष्णीं क्षणमिव स्थित्वा दध्यौ किञ्चिदवाङ्मुखः
He stood silent for a moment, his face turned downward, reflecting a little.
ब्रवीति च गिरो ऽत्यर्थं विस्पष्टार्थपदाक्षराः
Then he spoke words that were exceedingly clear in meaning and expression.
विजातिसंश्रयत्वेन रमणीया तथा शराः
Because of their distinct origin, the arrows were likewise beautiful.
बभूवुर्भुवि देहे च स्वाभिप्रेतार्थदान्यलम्
They became, both on earth and in the body, fully capable of granting the desired purpose.
उवाच शनकैर्व्याधं वचनं सूनृताक्षरम्
He gently addressed the hunter with words that were true and pleasant.
तपश्चर्तुमिहायातः सांप्रतं गुरुशासनात्
I have come here now to practice austerity, as instructed by my teacher.
आराधयितुमस्मिंस्तु चिरायाहं समुद्यतः
For a long time, I have been intent on worshipping here.
त्रिनेत्रं पापदमनं शङ्करं भक्तवत्सलम्
I seek to worship Śaṅkara, the three-eyed one, destroyer of sin, who is compassionate to devotees.
आश्रमे ऽस्मिनसरस्तीरे नियमं समुपाश्रितः
In this hermitage, on the shore of the lake, I have undertaken discipline.
उपैति तावदत्रैव स्थास्यामीति मतिर्मम
Until he arrives here, I intend to remain in this place.
न चेद्भवति मे हानिः स्वकृतेर्नियमस्य च
Unless there is some loss to me in my own practice or discipline.
स्वनिवासमुपायातस्तपस्वी च तथा मुनिः
The ascetic and the sage have both returned to their own dwellings.
तव चाप्यसुखोदर्कं मत्समीपनिषेवणम्
And for you as well, serving near me will bring only unpleasant consequences.
परित्यज्य सुखीभूया लोकयोरुभयोरपि
Abandoning this, you should become happy in both worlds.