विधाता जगतां तस्याः श्रुत्वा संगीतमीप्सितम्
The Creator of the worlds, having heard her desired song,
दृष्ट्वा मुग्धं चतुर्वक्त्रं मोहिनी हृष्टमानसा
And seeing her innocent, four-faced form, Mohinī was gladdened in heart.
स्वाङ्गं संदर्शयामास स्मेरभ्रूभङ्गपूर्वकम्
With a smiling arch of her brows, she revealed her own body.
विज्ञाय ब्रह्मा तद्भावं नतवक्त्रो बभूव ह
Realizing her intent, Brahmā became downcast in face.
विज्ञाय ब्रह्मणो भावं शुष्ककण्ठोष्ठतालुका
Perceiving Brahmā’s state, his throat, lips, and palate became dry.
मोहिन्युवाच तदेव कर्मणां बीजं तदुद्भव नमोऽस्तु ते
Mohinī said: That indeed is the seed of all actions; O source of that, I bow to you.
स्वयमात्मा हि भगवाञ्ज्ञानरूपो महेश्वरः
The Lord himself is the Self, of the form of knowledge, the great Lord.
सृष्टिः सर्वशरीरेषु दृष्टिश्च योगिनामपि
Creation exists in all bodies, and is the vision even of yogis.
सर्वाजित जगज्जेतर्जीव जीवमनोहर
Conqueror of all, victor over the world, enchanting the soul of living beings.
शश्वद्योषिदधिष्ठान योषित्प्राणाधिकप्रिय 4.31.
Ever the abode of women, dearer than life to women.
पतिसाध्यकराशेषरूपाधार गुणाश्रय
The one who makes husbands obedient, the support of all forms, the refuge of qualities.
शश्वद्योनिकृताधार स्त्रीसंदर्शनवर्धन
Ever the foundation of birth, the increaser of desire for women.
अकृपा येषु तेऽनर्थास्तेषां ज्ञानविनाशनम्
Those in whom there is no compassion—misfortune befalls them; for them, it is the destruction of knowledge.
तपस्विनां च तपसां विघ्नबीजावलीलया
For ascetics, by a series of obstacles, it becomes the seed of hindrance to their austerities.
तपःसाध्याश्चाराध्याश्च सदैवं पाञ्चभौतिकाः
Those who are attained by austerity and worship are always composed of the five elements.
मोहिनीत्येवमुक्त्वा तु मनसा सा विधेः पुरः
Having thus spoken as Mohinī, she, in her mind, before the Creator—
उक्तं माध्यंदिने कान्ते स्तोत्रमेतन्मनोहरम्
O beautiful one, this charming hymn has been spoken at midday.
स्तोत्रमेतन्महापुण्यं कामी भक्त्या यदा पठेत्
Whoever, desiring, recites this highly meritorious hymn with devotion—
चेष्टां न कुरुते कामः कदाचिदपि तं प्रियम् वनितां लभते साध्वीं पत्नीं त्रैलोक्यमोहिनीम्
Desire will never disturb his actions; he attains a virtuous wife, enchanting to the three worlds.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच चकार शरसंधानमन्तरिक्षे स्थितः स्वयम्
Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: He himself, standing in the sky, prepared his arrow for release.
मन्त्रपूतं महास्त्रं च चिक्षेप पितरं मुदा
He joyfully discharged the great weapon, sanctified by mantra, at his father.
क्षणं निरीक्षणं चक्रे मोहिन्यास्ये पुनःपुनः
He gazed again and again at Mohinī's face for a moment.
बुबुधे मनसा सर्वं चरितं मन्मथस्य च
He understood in his mind all the deeds of Manmatha as well.
हे काम यौवनोन्मत्त मूढैश्वर्येण गर्वित
O Kāma, intoxicated by youth, deluded and proud of your power—
हतोद्यमो जगामाशु मन्मथो मधुना सह
Manmatha, his effort destroyed, quickly departed together with Madhu.
इत्युवाच जगद्धाता मोहिनीं मदनातुराम्
Thus spoke the Creator of the world to Mohinī, afflicted by love.
ब्रह्मोवाच ज्ञातस्तवाभिप्रायश्च नाहं योग्योऽस्य कर्मणः
Brahmā said: Your intention is known to me, but I am not fit for this act.
वेदे जुगुप्सितं कर्म तदेव कर्तुमक्षमः
This act, condemned in the Veda, I am unable to perform.
अकीर्तिं वेदवक्तुश्च निन्द्यं च किमतः परम् 4.32.
What could be more blameworthy than infamy for a Vedic speaker and reproach?
श्रुतौ श्रुतमिति त्याज्या सर्वदैव तपस्विनाम्
Even if heard in the scriptures, it must always be abandoned by ascetics.