अवापुरमरैश्वर्यमशेषमकुतोभयाः
They attained complete sovereignty, fearless from any direction.
शङ्करं शरणं चग्मुर्हतैश्वर्या ह्यरातिभिः
Having lost their power to the enemies, they went to Śaṅkara for refuge.
प्रार्थयामासुरसुरान्हन्तुं देवाः पिनाकिनम्
The gods requested Pinākin to slay the asuras.
देवानां वरदः शंभुर्महो दरमुवाच ह
Śambhu, the granter of boons to the gods, spoke to Mahodara.
मुनिपुत्रो ऽतितेजस्वी मामुद्दिश्य तपस्यति
The son of a sage, exceedingly radiant, is performing austerities directed at me.
महोदर तपस्यन्तं तमिहानय माचिरम्
Mahodara, bring him here swiftly, while he is engaged in austerities.
जगाम वायुवेगेन यत्र रामो व्यवस्थितः
He went with the speed of the wind to where Rāma was situated.
तपस्यन्तमिदं वाक्यमुवाच विनयान्वितः
With humility, he spoke these words to the one performing austerities.
आगतो ऽहं तदागच्छ तत्पादांबुजसन्निधिम्
I have come; now come with me to the presence of those lotus feet.
तदाज्ञां शिरसानन्द्य तथेति प्रत्यभाषत
He bowed his head to that command and replied, 'So be it.'
प्रापयामास सहसा कैलासे नागसत्तमे
He swiftly brought him to Kailāsa, the foremost among mountains.
ददर्श भार्गवश्रेष्ठः शङ्करं भक्तवत्सलम्
The illustrious Bhārgava beheld Śaṅkara, who is affectionate to devotees.
गन्धर्वैरुपगायद्भिर्नृत्यद्भिश्चाप्सरोगणैः
Surrounded by Gandharvas singing and groups of Apsarases dancing.
भस्मोद्धूलितसर्वाङ्गं त्रिनेत्रं चन्द्रशेखरम्
His whole body smeared with ashes, three-eyed, bearing the moon as his crest.
प्रलम्बोष्ठभुजं सौम्यं प्रसन्नमुखपङ्कजम्
With long lips and arms, gentle, his face like a blooming lotus, serene.
उपासर्पत्तु देवेशं भृगुवर्यः कृताञ्जलिः
The eminent Bhṛgu approached the lord of the gods, hands joined in reverence.
बाष्पत्तु सिक्तकायेन स तु गत्वा हरान्तिकम्
With his body wet with tears, he went near to Hara.
नमस्ते देवदेवेति व्यालपन्नाकुलाक्षरम्
He uttered, 'Salutations to you, god of gods,' in words trembling like a snake.
पश्यतां देववृन्दानां मध्ये भृगुकुलोद्वहम्
In the midst of the assembly of gods, while they watched, the foremost of the Bhṛgu lineage.
रामं मधुरया वाचा प्रहसन्नाह सादरम्
With a sweet voice and smiling, he spoke respectfully to Rāma.
अशक्रुवन्तस्तान्हन्तुं गीर्वाणा मामुपागताः
Unable to slay them, the gods came to me.
जहि दैत्यगणान्सर्वान्समर्थस्त्वं हि मे मतः
Slay all the hosts of Daityas, for I consider you capable.
शृण्वतां सर्वदेवानां सप्रश्रयमिदं वचः
In the presence of all the gods, he spoke these respectful words.
तथापि विज्ञापयतो वचनं मे ऽवधारय
Still, heed my words as I make this request.
न शक्या हन्तुमेकस्य शक्याः स्यस्ते कथं मम
It is not possible for one alone to slay them; how could I accomplish this?
कथं हनिष्ये सकलान्सुरशत्रूननायुधः
How shall I slay all the enemies of the gods, unarmed?
शैवमस्त्रमयं तेजो ददौ तस्मै महात्मने
He gave that great-souled one the energy of a Śaiva weapon.
रामपाह प्रसन्नात्मा गीर्वाणानां तु शृण्वतम्
Rāma, with a tranquil mind, received it as the gods listened.
शक्तिर्भवतु ते सौम्य समस्तारिदुरासदा
May you possess the power, gentle one, to overcome all difficult obstacles.
स्वयमेव च वेत्सि त्वं यथावद्युद्धकौशलम्
And you yourself already know the proper skill in battle.