भग्नदर्पो दिव्यनगो भविष्यति विनिश्चयम् । एवं निश्चित्य विन्ध्याद्रिः खं स्पृशन् ववृधे भुजैः
Vindhya, having resolved thus, thought, 'The proud celestial serpent will surely be humbled.' With this determination, Vindhya grew, stretching his arms to touch the sky.
महोन्नतैः शृङ्गवरैः सर्वं व्याप्य व्यवस्थितः । कदोदेष्यति भास्वांस्तं रोधयिष्याम्यहं कदा
With his lofty, towering peaks, he spread everywhere and stood firm, thinking, 'When will the Sun rise? When will I obstruct him?'
एवं सञ्चिन्तयानस्य सा व्यतीयाय शर्वरी । प्रभातं विमलं जज्ञे दिशो वितिमिराः करैः
While he was pondering in this way, the night passed; a pure morning arose, and the directions were cleared of darkness by the Sun's rays.
कुर्वन्स निर्गतो भानुरुदयायोदये गिरौ । प्रकाशते स्म विमलं नभो भानुकरैः शुभैः
The Sun, rising from the mountain for his ascent, began to shine brilliantly, illuminating the sky with his auspicious rays.
विकासं नलिनी भेजे मीलनं च कुमुद्वती । स्वानि कार्याणि सर्वे च लोकाः समुपतस्थिरे
The lotus blossomed, the water-lily closed, and all beings set about their respective tasks.
हव्यं कव्यं भूतबलिं देवानां च प्रवर्धयन् । प्राह्णापराह्णमध्याह्नविभागेन त्विषां पतिः
The lord of rays, by his divisions of morning, afternoon, and midday, increased the offerings to gods and ancestors, the oblations to spirits, and the prosperity of the gods.
एवं प्राचीं तथाग्नेयीं समाश्वास्य वियोगिनीम् । ज्वलन्तीं चिरकालीनविरहादिव कामिनीम्
Thus, comforting the eastern and southeastern directions, which were separated and burning like a beloved long parted, he moved on.
भास्करोऽथ कृशानोश्च दिशं नूनं विहाय च । याम्यां गन्तुं ततस्तूर्णं प्रतस्थे कमलाकरः
Then the Sun, leaving the direction of Fire, swiftly set out to go toward the southern quarter.
न शशाकाग्रतो गन्तुं ततोऽनूरुर्व्यजिज्ञपत् । अनूरुरुवाच भानो मानोन्नतो विन्ध्यो निरुध्य गगनं स्थितः
He was unable to proceed further; then Anuru reported: 'O Sun, Vindhya, grown proud, stands blocking the sky.'
स्पर्धते मेरुणा प्रेप्सुस्त्वद्दत्तां च प्रदक्षिणाम् । सूत उवाच अनूरुवाक्यमाकर्ण्य सविता ह्यास चिन्तयन्
'He competes with Meru, desiring the circumambulation you granted.' The narrator said: Hearing Anuru's words, the Sun began to reflect.
अहो गगनमार्गोऽपि रुध्यते चातिविस्मयः । प्रायः शूरो न किं कुर्यादुत्पथे वर्त्मनि स्थितः
'Ah, even the path of the sky is obstructed—how astonishing! Truly, what would a hero not do when he stands on a forbidden path?'
निरुद्धो नो वाजिमार्गो दैवं हि बलवत्तरम् । राहुबाहुग्रहव्यग्रो यः क्षणं नावतिष्ठते
'My path for the horses is blocked; fate is indeed stronger. Even Rahu, eager to seize, does not remain for a moment.'
स चिरं रुद्धमार्गोऽपि किं करोति विधिर्बली । एवं च मार्गे संरुद्धे लोकाः सर्वे च सेश्वराः
'Even if the path is blocked for a long time, what can a powerful destiny not do?' Thus, with the path obstructed, all the worlds along with their lords—'
नान्वविन्दन्त शरणं कर्तव्यं नान्वपद्यत । चित्रगुप्तादयः सर्वे कालं जानन्ति सूर्यतः
—'could not find any refuge or course of action. All, including Citragupta, know time by the Sun.'
संरुद्धो विन्ध्यगिरिणा अहो दैवविपर्ययः । यदा निरुद्धः सविता गिरिणा स्पर्धया तदा
'Obstructed by Vindhya mountain—what a reversal of fate! When the Sun was blocked by the mountain out of rivalry—'
नष्टः स्वाहास्वधाकारो नष्टप्रायमभूज्जगत् । एवं च पाश्चिमा लोका दाक्षिणात्यास्तथैव च
'The utterance of svāhā and svadhā was lost, and the world nearly perished. Thus, the western and southern regions—'
निद्रामीलितचक्षुष्का निशामेव प्रपेदिरे । प्राञ्चस्तथोत्तराहाश्च तीक्ष्णतापप्रतापिताः
—'with eyes closed in sleep, entered into night; while the eastern and northern regions were scorched by intense heat.'
मृता नष्टाश्च भग्नाश्च विनाशमभजन् प्रजाः । हाहाभूतं जगत्सर्वं स्वधाकव्यविवर्जितम् । देवाः सेन्द्राः समुद्विग्नाः किं कुर्म इतिवादिनः
'Creatures died, were lost, destroyed, and perished. The whole world became filled with lamentation, deprived of offerings to ancestors and gods. The gods, with Indra, were greatly disturbed, saying, "What shall we do?"'
रुद्रप्रार्थनम् सूत उवाच ततः सर्वे सुरगणा महेन्द्रप्रमुखास्तदा । पद्मयोनिं पुरस्कृत्य रुद्रं शरणमन्वयुः
Sūta said: Then all the hosts of gods, led by Mahendra, approached Rudra for refuge, with the Lotus-born one at their head.
उपतस्थुः प्रणतिभिः स्तोत्रैश्चारुविभूतिभिः । देवदेवं गिरिशयं शशिलोलितशेखरम्
They worshipped the Lord of gods, the Dweller on the Mountain, adorned with the crescent moon, with reverent bows, hymns, and splendid praises.
देववा ऊचुः जय देव गणाध्यक्ष उमालालितपङ्कज । अष्टसिद्धिविभूतीनां दात्रे भक्तजनाय ते
The gods said: Victory to you, O Lord, Chief of the Gaṇas, whose lotus is cherished by Umā, Giver of the eight supernatural powers and glories to your devotees.
महामायाविलसितस्थानाय परमात्मने । वृषाङ्कायामरेशाय कैलासस्थितिशालिने
To you who dwell in the play of the great Māyā, Supreme Self, Bull-bannered Lord of the immortals, who abides on Kailāsa.
अहिर्बुध्न्याय मान्याय मनवे मानदायिने । अजाय बहुरूपाय स्वात्मारामाय शम्भवे
To Ahibudhnya, the Venerable One, the Giver of honor to Manu, the Unborn, of many forms, who delights in his own Self, to Śambhu.
गणनाथाय देवाय गिरिशाय नमोऽस्तु ते । महाविभूतिदात्रे ते महाविष्णुस्तुताय च
Salutations to you, Lord of the Gaṇas, God, Lord of the Mountain; Giver of great powers, praised by Mahāviṣṇu.
विष्णुहृत्कञ्जवासाय महायोगरताय च । योगगम्याय योगाय योगिनां पतये नमः
Who dwells in the lotus of Viṣṇu’s heart, devoted to supreme yoga, attainable through yoga, the very essence of yoga, Lord of yogins—salutations.
योगीशाय नमस्तुभ्यं योगानां फलदायिने । दीनदानपरायापि दयासागरमूर्तये
Salutations to you, Lord of yogins, Giver of the fruits of yoga; even to those devoted to giving to the distressed, you are the embodiment of the ocean of compassion.
आर्तिप्रशमनायोग्रवीर्याय गुणमूर्तये । वृषध्वजाय कालाय कालकालाय ते नमः
To you who dispel suffering, of fierce power, embodiment of virtues, Bull-bannered, Time itself, and the ender of Time—salutations.
सूत उवाच एवं स्तुतः स देवेशो यज्ञभुग्भिर्वृषध्वजः । प्राह गम्भीरया वाचा प्रहसन्विबुधर्षभान्
Sūta said: Thus praised by the sacrificers, the Lord of gods, Bull-bannered, spoke with deep voice, smiling at the best of the gods.
श्रीभगवानुवाच प्रसन्नोऽहं दिविषदः स्तोत्रेणोत्तमपूरुषाः । मनोरथं पूरयामि सर्वेषां देवतर्षभाः
The Blessed Lord said: I am pleased, O gods, O best among men, by this hymn; I will fulfill the desire of you all, O foremost of the gods.
देवा ऊचुः सर्वदेवेश गिरिश शशिमौलिविराजित । आर्तानां शङ्करस्त्वं च शं विधेहि महाबल
The gods said: Lord of all gods, Lord of the Mountain, radiant with the crescent moon, you are the remover of distress—grant us well-being, O mighty one.