नागो विश्वंभराक्रान्तः स प्राणांस्त्यक्तुमुद्यतः
The serpent, pressed down by the Lord of the universe, was ready to give up his life.
दृष्ट्वा तं मूर्छितं नागा रुरुदुः प्रेमविह्वलाः
Seeing him unconscious, the serpent-wives wept, overwhelmed with love.
केचित्पलायिता भीताः केचित्प्रविविशुर्बिलम्
Some, frightened, fled; others entered their burrow.
नागिनीभिः सह प्रेम्णा रुरोद पुरतो हरेः धृत्वा पादारविन्दे च तमुवाच भियाऽऽकुला
Together with the serpent-wives, she wept before Hari in love, and, grasping his lotus feet, spoke to him, distressed with fear.
सुरसोवाच हे जगत्कान्त मे कान्तं देहि मानं च मानद
The serpent-wife said: O beloved of the world, grant honor to my beloved, O giver of honor.
सकलभुवननाथ प्राणनाथं मदीयं न कुरु वधमनन्त प्रेमसिन्धो सुबन्धो
Lord of all worlds, Lord of my life, do not kill him—O endless ocean of love, O steadfast friend.
त्रिनयनविधिशेषाः षण्मुखश्चास्यसंघैः स्तवनविषयजाड्यात्स्तोतुमीशा न वाणी
Even the three-eyed one, the creator, the serpents, and six-faced Karttikeya, with their hosts, are rendered speechless by awe and cannot praise you.
कुमतिरहमधिज्ञा योषितां क्वाधमा वा क्व भुवनगतिरीशश्चक्षुषोऽगोचराऽपि ।। 4.19.
I am foolish, ignorant, a woman, and lowly—where am I, and where is the Lord, the goal of the worlds, who is beyond the reach of the eyes?
स्तवनविषयभीता पार्वती कस्य पद्मा श्रुतिगणजनयित्री स्तोतुमीशा न यं त्वाम्
Parvati, fearful of the subject of praise, asks: Who is Padma, the mother of the Vedas, able to praise you, when I am not?
शयानो रत्नपर्यङ्के रत्नभूषणभूषितः
He lies upon a couch adorned with jewels, himself adorned with precious gems.
चन्दनोक्षितसर्वाङ्गः स्मेराननसरोरुहः
His entire body is anointed with sandalwood, his lotus-like face radiant with a gentle smile.
मल्लिकामालतीमालाजालैः शोभितशेखरः
His crown is beautified with garlands of jasmine and malati flowers.
पुंस्कोकिलकलध्वानैर्भ्रमरध्वनिसंयुतैः
He is accompanied by the melodious calls of male cuckoos, mingled with the humming of bees.
प्रियाप्रदत्तताम्बूलं भुक्तवान्यः सदा मुदा
He always joyfully enjoys the betel offered by his beloved.
तमनिर्वचनीयं च किं स्तौमि नागवल्लभा
How can I, beloved of the serpent, praise him who is indescribable?
लक्ष्मीसरस्वतीदुर्गा जाह्नवी वेदमातृभिः
Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Durga, Jahnavi, and the mothers of the Vedas—
निष्कारणायाखिलकारणाय सर्वेश्वरायापि परात्पराय
To the causeless cause of all causes, to the Lord of all, to the one beyond all others—
हे कृष्ण हे कृष्ण सुरासुरेश ब्रह्मेश शेषेश प्रजापतीश 4.19.
O Krishna, O Krishna, Lord of gods and demons, Lord of Brahma, Lord of Shesha, Lord of the progenitors—
धर्मेश धर्मीश शुभाशुभेश वेदेश वेदेष्वनिरूपितश्च
Lord of Dharma, Lord of the righteous, Lord of auspicious and inauspicious, Lord of the Vedas, who is not defined by the Vedas—
इत्येवं स्तवनं कृत्वा भक्तिनम्रात्मकन्धरा
Having thus offered praise, with devotion and a bowed neck—
नागपत्नीकृतं स्तोत्रं त्रिसन्ध्यं यः पठेन्नरः
Whoever recites this hymn composed by the serpent's wife at the three junctions of the day—
इह लोके हरेर्भक्तिमन्ते दास्यं लभेद्ध्रुवम्
In this world, he will surely attain the service of Hari, endowed with devotion.
नारद उवाच प्रहृष्टोत्फुल्लनयनः किमुवाच हरिः स्वयम्
Narada said: With eyes wide and delighted, what did Hari himself say?
कथयस्व महाभाग रहस्यं परमाद्भुतम् नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा भगवान्सर्वदर्शनः
Tell me, O greatly fortunate one, the most wondrous secret. Hearing Narada's words, the Lord, who sees all—
उवाच परमात्मानं मधुवृन्दं पदेपदे नागपत्नीवचः श्रुत्वा श्रीकृष्णस्तमुवाच ह
Spoke of the Supreme Self, the honeyed grove, step by step. Hearing the words of the serpent's wife, Sri Krishna said to her—
पुटाञ्जलियुतां पादे पतितां भयविह्वलाम् उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ नागेशे वरं वृणु भयं त्यज
With folded hands, fallen at his feet, trembling with fear, he said: 'Rise, rise, O Lord of serpents! Choose a boon, abandon fear.'
भर्त्रा सगोष्ठ्या सार्द्धं च गच्छ वत्से सुखी भव 4.19.
Go, dear one, together with your husband and household, and be happy.
त्वत्प्राणाधिक एवायं जामाता च न संशयः
This son-in-law is indeed dearer to you than your own life, there is no doubt.
कृत्वा च स्तवनं भक्त्या प्रणमिष्यति मत्पदम्
Having offered praise with devotion, he will bow down at my feet.
ह्रदान्निर्गच्छ वत्से त्वं वरं वृणु यथेप्सितम्
Emerge from the lake, dear one, and choose whatever boon you desire.