ताम्बूलं च ददौ तेभ्यः कर्पूरादिसुवासितम्
He gave them betel leaves, fragrant with camphor and other scents.
रत्नसिंहासनस्थं च विष्णुं क्षीरोदशायिनम्
Vishnu, reclining on the ocean of milk, was seated upon a jeweled lion-throne.
ऋषिभिः स्तूयमानं च सिद्धैर्देवगणैस्तथा
He was being praised by the sages, by the Siddhas, and by the hosts of gods.
गन्धर्वाणां च संगीतं श्रुतवन्तं मनोहरम्
He heard the enchanting music of the Gandharvas.
ब्रह्मणा प्रेरितो युक्तं व्रतं कर्त्तव्यमीप्सितम्
Prompted by Brahma, one should undertake the desired vow.
श्रीमहादेव उवाच तपस्स्वरूप तपसां कर्मणां च फलप्रद
Śrī Mahādeva said: The essence of austerity is to grant the fruits of actions performed through austerity.
व्रतानां जपयज्ञानां पूजानां सर्वपूजित
Among vows, recitations, sacrifices, and worships, it is honored above all.
सुपुण्यं च व्रतं कर्त्तुं ब्रह्मन्निच्छति पार्वती
O Brahma, Pārvatī desires to perform a supremely virtuous vow.
रतिभंगे कृते देवैर्व्यर्थवीर्य्यशुचार्दिता
When the interruption of pleasure occurred, the gods were afflicted by wasted vigor and impurity.
सत्पुत्रं स्वामिसौभाग्यं सुव्रता याचते व्रते
In the vow, the virtuous woman asks for a noble son and the good fortune of her husband.
पुरा त्यक्त्वा स्वदेहं च पितृयज्ञे च मानिनी
Once, proud, she abandoned her own body during her father's sacrifice.
सर्वं जानासि वृत्तान्तं सर्वज्ञं त्वां वदामि किम्
You know all the events; you are omniscient—what need is there for me to tell you?
दुर्निवार्य्यश्च सर्वेश स्त्रीस्वभावश्च चापलः
O Lord of all, the nature of women is difficult to restrain and is fickle.
जितेन्द्रियैर्जितक्रोधैः स्त्रीरूपं मोहकारणम्
Even those who have conquered their senses and anger find the form of a woman to be a cause of delusion.
ब्रह्मास्त्रं कामदेवस्य दुर्भेद्यं जयकारणम्
The weapon of Brahmā is Kāma's, hard to penetrate and the cause of victory.
मोक्षद्वारकपाटं च हरिभक्तिनिरोधनम्
It is the gate to liberation, yet it obstructs devotion to Hari.
वैराग्यनाशबीजं च शश्वद्रागविवर्द्धनम्
It is the seed of the destruction of detachment, ever increasing attachment.
अप्रत्ययानां क्षेत्रं च स्वयं कपटमूर्तिमत्
It is the field of disbelief, itself the embodiment of deceit.
सर्वैरसाध्यमानं च दुराराध्यं च सर्वदा
It is unattainable by all, and always difficult to propitiate.
सर्वं निवेदितं ब्रह्मन्कर्त्तव्यं वक्तुमर्हसि
O Brahma, all has been declared; you should speak what is to be done.
श्रीनारायण उवाच विरराम सभामध्ये स्तुत्वा च कमलापतिम्
Śrī Nārāyaṇa said: In the midst of the assembly, having praised the Lord of Lotus, he ceased.
शङ्करस्य वचः श्रुत्वा प्रहस्य जगदीश्वरः
Hearing Śaṅkara's words, the Lord of the universe smiled.
श्रीविष्णुरुवाच स्वामिसौभाग्यबीजं च पत्नी ते कर्तुमिच्छति
Sri Vishnu said: Your wife desires to perform the seed of her husband's good fortune.
सर्वासाध्यं दुराराध्यं सर्वकामफलप्रदम्
It is attainable by all, difficult to worship, and grants the fruits of all desires.
आत्मा साक्षिस्वरूपश्च ज्योतीरूपः सनातनः
The self is of the nature of witness, of the form of light, and eternal.
भक्तप्राणश्च भक्तेशो भक्तानुग्रहकारकः
He is the life of devotees, the lord of devotees, and the bestower of grace upon devotees.
भक्त्यधीनो हि भगवान्सर्वसिद्धो हि निष्फलः
Indeed, the Lord is dependent on devotion, perfect in all accomplishments, yet fruitless without devotion.
उग्रग्रहो ग्रहाणां च ग्रहनिग्रहकारकः। त्रिकोटिजन्ममध्ये च न साध्यो भवता विना
He is the fierce planet among planets, the subduer of planets; even in three crore births, it is not accomplished without you.
लब्धवा हि भारते जन्म हरिभक्तिं लभेन्नरः
Having obtained birth in Bharata, a man attains devotion to Hari.
सूर्य्यमन्त्रमवाप्नोति केवलं स तदाशिषा
He attains the solar mantra solely by your blessing.