चतुर्मुखमुदाराङ्गमर्चिभिरुपशोभितम्
With four faces, noble in form, adorned with radiant flames—
प्रत्युद्गम्य स्वयं देवो विश्वात्मा परिषस्वजे
Approaching him, the god himself, the soul of the universe, embraced him.
ऋग्यजुः सामसंज्ञं तत् पवित्रममलं पदम्
That pure, spotless abode is known as Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāma.
ब्रह्मतेजोमयं श्रीमन्निष्ठा चैव मनीषिणाम्
It is composed of the brilliance of Brahman, resplendent, and the refuge of the wise.
अपश्यदैश्वरं तेजः शान्तं सर्वत्रगं शिवम्
He beheld the divine radiance—peaceful, all-pervading, auspicious.
आनन्दमचलं ब्रह्म स्थानं तत्पारमेश्वरम्
That is the blissful, unshakable Brahman, the supreme abode of the Supreme Lord.
प्राप्तवानात्मनो धाम यत्तन्मोक्षाख्यमव्ययम्
He attained the dwelling of the Self, that imperishable state called liberation.
समाश्रित्यान्तिमं भावं मायां लक्ष्मीं तरेद् बुधः
By taking refuge in the final state, the wise one crosses over Māyā, Lakṣmī.
शक्रेण सहिताः सर्वे पप्रच्छुर्गरुडध्वजम्
All of them, together with Śakra, questioned the one whose banner bears Garuḍa.
तद् वदाशेषमस्माकं यदुक्तं भवता पुरा
Tell us in full what you spoke before.
शुश्रूषुश्चाप्ययं शक्रः सखा तव जगन्मय
And this Śakra, your friend, the embodiment of the universe, is eager to listen.
रसातलगतो देवो नारदाद्यैर्महर्षिभिः
The god, having gone to Rasātala, along with great sages like Nārada—
सन्निधौ देवराजस्य तद् वक्ष्ये भवतामहम्
In the presence of the king of the gods, I shall tell you that.
पुराणश्रवणं विप्राः कथनं च विशेषतः
O brāhmaṇas, the hearing of the Purāṇa and especially its narration—
उपाख्यानमथैकं वा ब्रह्मलोके महीयते
Or even a single story is highly esteemed in the world of Brahmā.
उक्तं देवाधिदेवेन श्रद्धातव्यं द्विजातिभिः
What has been spoken by the lord of the gods should be trusted by the twice-born.
वक्ष्यमाणं मया सर्वमिन्द्रद्युम्नाय भाषितम्
All that I am about to speak was related by me to Indradyumna.
पुराणं पुण्यदं नृणां मोक्षधर्मानुकीर्तनम्
It is the Purāṇa, bestowing merit upon people, recounting the dharma of liberation.
उपास्य विपुलां निद्रां भोगिशय्यां समाश्रितः
Having worshipped, I entered deep sleep, resting upon the serpent-bed.
ततो मे सहसोत्पन्नः प्रसादो मुनिपुङ्गवा
Then, O best of sages, a sudden grace arose within me.
तदन्तरे ऽभवत् क्रोधः कस्माच्चित् कारणात् तदा
At that moment, for some reason, anger also arose in me.
तेजसा सूर्यसंकाशस्त्रैलोक्यं संहरन्निव
With radiance like the sun, as if withdrawing the three worlds.
सुरूपा सौम्यवदना मोहिनी सर्वदेहिनाम्
A woman of beautiful form, gentle face, the enchantress of all beings.
दिव्यकान्तिसमायुक्ता दिव्यमाल्योपशोभिता
Endowed with divine splendor, adorned with celestial garlands.
स्वधाम्ना पूरयन्तीदं मत्पार्श्वं समुपाविशत्
Filling this place with her own brilliance, she sat down at my side.
येनेयं विपुला सृष्टिर्वर्धते मम माधव
By whom this vast creation of mine, O Mādhava, increases.
मोहयित्वा ममादेशात् संसारे विनिपातय
By my command, after deluding, cast them down into the cycle of existence.
अक्रोधनान् सत्यपरान् दूरतः परिवर्जय
Keep far away from those who are free from anger and devoted to truth.
जापिनस्तापसान् विप्रान् दूरतः परिवर्जय
Keep far away from reciters, ascetics, and Brāhmaṇas.
महायज्ञपरान् विप्रान् दूरतः परिवर्जय
Keep far away from Brāhmaṇas devoted to great sacrifices.