व्रजामोऽद्य सुराः सर्वे कैलासं पर्वतोत्तमम् । शङ्करं पुरतः कृत्वा सर्वकार्यविशारदम्
Let us all go today, O gods, to Kailāsa, the supreme mountain, placing Śaṅkara before us, who is skilled in every undertaking.
ततो व्रजाम वैकुण्ठं यत्र देवो जनार्दनः । मिलित्वा देवकार्यञ्च विमृशामो विशेषतः
Then let us proceed to Vaikuṇṭha, where the god Janārdana resides; gathering together, let us especially deliberate on the matter concerning the gods.
इत्युक्त्वा हंसमारुह्य ब्रह्मा कार्यसमुच्चये । देवांश्च पृष्ठतः कृत्वा कैलासाभिमुखो ययौ
Having spoken thus, Brahmā mounted his swan, intent on the task at hand, and, with the gods following behind, set out toward Kailāsa.
तावच्छिवोऽपि तरसा ज्ञात्वा ध्यानेन पद्मजम् । आगच्छन्तं सुरैः सार्धं निर्गतः स्वगृहाद्बहिः
Meanwhile, Śiva, by the power of meditation, perceived the lotus-born approaching with the gods, and swiftly came out of his abode.
दृष्ट्वा परस्परं तौ तु कृताभिवादनौ भृशम् । प्रणतौ च सुरैः सर्वैः सन्तुष्टौ सम्बभूवतुः
Seeing each other, the two exchanged respectful greetings, and, deeply bowed to by all the gods, they both became pleased.
आसनानि पृथग्दत्त्वा देवेभ्यो गिरिजापतिः । उपविष्टेषु तेष्वेव निषसादासने स्वके
The Lord of the Mountain, having offered separate seats to the gods, sat down on his own seat once they had all taken their places.
कृत्वा तु कुशलप्रश्नं ब्रह्माणं वृषभध्वजः । पप्रच्छ कारणं देवान्कैलासागमने विभुः
After inquiring about Brahmā’s well-being, the Bull-bannered One asked the gods the reason for their coming to Kailāsa.
शिव उवाच किमत्रागमनं ब्रह्मन् कृतं देवैः सवासवैः । भवता च महाभाग ब्रूहि तत्कारणं किल
Śiva said: What is the reason, O Brahmā, that the gods along with their leaders have come here? O greatly fortunate one, tell me the cause of this.
ब्रह्मोवाच महिषेण सुरेशान पीडिताः स्वर्निवासिनः । भ्रमन्ति गिरिदुर्गेषु भयत्रस्ताः सवासवाः
Brahmā said: O Lord of the gods, the dwellers of heaven, along with their leaders, have been afflicted by Mahiṣa and now wander, terrified, among the mountain fastnesses.
यज्ञभुग्महिषो जातस्तथान्ये सुरशत्रवः । पीडिता लोकपालाश्च त्वामद्य शरणं गताः
Mahiṣa, the eater of sacrifices, has arisen, along with other enemies of the gods; the guardians of the worlds, oppressed, have today sought refuge in you.
मया ते भवनं शम्भो प्रापिताः कार्यगौरवात् । यद्युक्तं तद्विधत्स्वाद्य सुरकार्यं सुरेश्वर
Out of the gravity of the situation, I have brought them to your abode, O Śambhu; whatever is appropriate, do that today for the sake of the gods, O Lord of the gods.
त्वयि भारोऽस्ति सर्वेषां देवानां भूतभावन । व्यास उवाच इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा शङ्करः प्रहसन्निव
The burden of all the gods rests upon you, O Creator of beings. Vyāsa said: Hearing these words, Śaṅkara, as if smiling,
वचनं श्लक्ष्णया वाचा प्रोवाच पद्मजं प्रति । शिव उवाच भवतैव कृतं कार्यं वरदानात्पुरा विभो
spoke gentle words to the lotus-born: Śiva said: The deed has already been done by you, O mighty one, through the boon you granted long ago.
अनर्थदञ्च देवानां किं कर्तव्यमतः परम् । ईदृशो बलवाञ्छूरः सर्वदेवभयप्रदः
What more can be done now for the gods, since this has brought them misfortune? Such a powerful and heroic being has arisen, causing fear to all the gods.
का समर्था वरा नारी तं हन्तुं मददर्पितम् । न मे भार्या न ते भार्या संग्रामं गन्तुमर्हति
What woman is capable of slaying that one, proud with intoxication? Neither my wife nor yours is fit to go to battle.
गत्वैव ते महाभागे युयुधाते कथं पुनः । इन्द्राणी च महाभागा न युद्धकुशलास्ति हि
Even if they went, O greatly fortunate one, how could they fight? And Indrāṇī, too, though greatly fortunate, is not skilled in battle.
कान्या हन्तुं समर्थास्ति तं पापं मददर्पितम् । ममेदं मतमद्यैव गत्वा देवं जनार्दनम्
Which maiden is capable of slaying that sinful one, intoxicated with pride? Let us, with this intention of mine, go today itself to the god Janardana.
स्तुत्वा तं देवकार्याय प्रेरयामः सुसत्वरम् । सोऽतिबुद्धिमतां श्रेष्ठो विष्णुः सर्वार्थसाधने
Having praised him, let us promptly urge him to act for the goddess's purpose; for Vishnu, the foremost among the exceedingly wise, accomplishes all aims.
मिलित्वा वासुदेवं वै कर्तव्यं कार्यचिन्तनम् । प्रपञ्चेन च बुद्ध्या स संविधास्यति साधनम्
Having assembled with Vasudeva, we must deliberate on the task; and with thorough reasoning, he will arrange the means for its accomplishment.
व्यास उवाच इति रुद्रवचः श्रुत्वा ब्रह्माद्याः सुरसत्तमाः । उत्थितास्ते तथेत्युक्त्वा शिवेन सह सत्वराः
Vyasa said: Hearing these words of Rudra, Brahma and the other foremost gods arose, saying 'So be it,' and quickly set out together with Shiva.
स्वकीयैर्वाहनैः सर्वे ययुविष्णपुरं प्रति । मुदिताः शकुनान्दृष्ट्वा कार्यसिद्धिकराञ्छुभान्
All of them, delighted by seeing auspicious birds that ensure the success of their endeavor, went towards Vishnu's city on their own vehicles.
ववुर्वाताः शुभाः शान्ताः सुगन्धाः शुभशंसिनः । पक्षिणश्च शिवा वाचस्तत्रोचुः पथि सर्वशः
Auspicious, gentle, fragrant breezes blew, bearing good omens; and everywhere along the way, auspicious birds uttered propitious words.
निर्मलं चाभवद्व्योम दिशश्च विमलास्तथा । गमने तत्र देवानां सर्वं शुभमिवाभवत्
The sky became clear, and the directions likewise pure; for the gods on their journey, everything appeared auspicious.
देव्याः स्वरूपोद्भववर्णनम् व्यास उवाच तरसा तेऽथ सम्प्राप्य वैकुण्ठं विष्णुवल्लभम् । ददृशुः सर्वशोभाढ्यं दिव्यसद्मविराजितम्
Vyasa said: Then, swiftly reaching Vaikuntha, beloved of Vishnu, they beheld it resplendent with every kind of beauty, adorned with divine mansions.
सरोवापीसरिद्भिश्च संयुतं सुखदं शुभम् । हंससारसचक्राह्वैः कूजद्भिश्च विराजितम्
It was endowed with lakes, ponds, and rivers, delightful and auspicious, and graced by flocks of swans, cranes, and chakravaka birds, all singing melodiously.
चम्पकाशोककह्लारमन्दारबकुलावृतैः । मल्लिकातिलकाम्रातयुतैः कुरबकादिभिः
It was surrounded by campaka, ashoka, kahlara, mandara, and bakula trees, together with jasmine, tilaka, mango, kurabaka, and others.
कोकिलारावसन्नादैः शिखण्डैर्नृत्यरञ्जितैः । भ्रमरारावरम्यैश्च दिव्यैरुपवनैर्युतम्
It was adorned with divine groves, where the calls of cuckoos resounded, peacocks danced in delight, and bees hummed sweetly.
सुनन्दनन्दनाद्यैश्च पार्षदैर्भक्तितत्परैः । संस्तुवद्भिर्युतं भक्तैरनन्यभववृत्तिभिः
It was filled with attendants like Sunanda and Nandana, devoted to service, and with worshippers whose minds were wholly fixed in devotion, singing praises.
प्रासादै रत्नखचितैः काञ्चनैश्चित्रमण्डितैः । अभ्रंलिहैर्विराजद्भिः संयुतं शुभसद्मकैः
It was adorned with palaces inlaid with jewels, decorated with gold, shining like clouds, and filled with auspicious dwellings.
गायद्भिर्देवगन्धर्वैर्नृत्यद्भिरप्सरोगणैः । रञ्जितं किन्नरैः शश्वद्रक्तकण्ठेर्मनोहरैः
It was enlivened by gods and gandharvas singing, hosts of apsaras dancing, and kinnaras, ever charming with their melodious voices.