यथाऽऽकाशे तारकाणां द्विजराजं विराजितम्
Just as the king of twice-born shines among the stars in the sky,
विहाय वार्द्धकावस्थां दधतं नवयौवनम्
He had cast aside old age and assumed fresh youth.
कामं कामातुराणां च सतीनां च सुतं यथा
He was as desirable to those longing for love as a son is to virtuous wives.
शक्तिस्वरूपं शाक्तानां सौराणां सूर्यरूपिणम्
To the Śāktas, he appeared as the embodiment of Śakti; to the Sauras, as the form of the Sun.
कालकालसमं मृत्योर्मृत्युमृत्यु भयानकम्
He was like Time to time itself, death to death, terrifying even to fear.
सर्पाः सुंदरमाल्यानि कस्तूरी या विषप्रभा 4.39.
Serpents adorned him with beautiful garlands, musk, and the radiance of poison.
सुचार्वी मालतीमाला गंगाधारा मनोहरा
He was charming, wearing a garland of jasmine, and the delightful stream of Gaṅgā.
एकीभूतं पंचवक्त्रं नेत्रयुग्माब्जशोभितम्
He was unified, five-faced, his pairs of eyes shining like lotuses.
बंधुजीवविनिंद्यैकमोष्ठाधरमनोहरम्
His lower lip was enchanting, surpassing even the bandhu-jīva flower.
सद्यो व्यतिक्रमं सर्वं महेशस्य महेश्वरि
O Maheśvarī, at that moment all boundaries were transcended by Maheśa.
काश्चिन्निमेषरहिताः कामेन पुलकांचिताः
Some, without even blinking, were thrilled by desire, their bodies bristling with joy.
काश्चिद्विनिंद्य कांतांश्च प्रशशंसुर्महेश्वरम्
Some praised Maheśvara, disparaging their own beloveds.
काचिन्मानसिकं कामात्कुर्वन्ती चुम्बनं मुदा
Some, out of mental longing, joyfully imagined kissing him.
अस्माकमेव भर्ता चेत्परत्रैव यशो भवेत्
If only he were our husband, then our fame would endure in the next world.
सस्मिता वक्रनयनाः पश्यंत्येव पुनःपुनः 4.39.
With smiling, sidelong glances, they gazed again and again.
शरत्सुधांशुवदनं द्रक्ष्यामोऽहर्निशं मुदा
We shall joyfully behold his face, radiant as the autumn moon, day and night.
भविता नः शिवः स्वामीत्येवं जल्पंति काश्चन
Some say, 'Shiva will be our husband.'
यस्या अयं शिवः स्वामीत्येवं जल्पंति काश्चन
Some say, 'For whom is this Shiva the husband?'
शिवं संपूज्य शैलेंद्रः प्रणम्य स्वगृहं ययौ
Having worshipped Shiva, the lord of the mountains bowed and returned to his own house.
दुर्गां प्रस्थापयामास शिवाय शिवसन्निधिम्
He sent Durga to Shiva, into Shiva's presence.
भावानुरक्ता हर्षेण जगाम शिवसंनिधिम्
Devoted in her heart and joyful, she went into Shiva's presence.
सप्तप्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा सस्मिता प्रणनाम सा
After making seven circumambulations, she smiled and bowed.
सुंदरं लभ भर्तारं सुन्दरीत्याशिषं ददौ
She gave the blessing, 'May you obtain a handsome husband, O beautiful one.'
पुत्रस्ते भविता साध्वि नारायणसमो गुणैः
Your son will be virtuous, O noble lady, equal to Narayana in qualities.
ब्रह्माण्डेषु च सर्वेषु सर्वेषां च परा भव 4.39.
In all the universes, be supreme among all.
सप्तजन्मनि तुष्टोऽहं तत्फलं लभ सुन्दरि
For seven births I am pleased; receive that fruit, O beautiful one.
आस्था च यादृशी यासां सिद्धिस्तासां च तादृशी
As is their faith, so is their attainment.
दध्यौ योगासनं कृत्वा योगीशो व्याघ्रचर्मणि
The lord of yogis, seated on a tiger skin, entered into meditation.
चकार मार्जनं भक्त्या वह्निशौचेन वाससा
With devotion, he performed purification, cleansing with fire-purified garments.
अपूर्वं कांस्यपात्रस्थं नैवेद्यं प्रददौ किल
He offered unprecedented food, placed in a bronze vessel.