प्राह गम्भीरया वाचा किमर्थं तप्यते तपः
He spoke with a deep voice: 'For what purpose is this austerity being performed?'
साक्षान्नारायणं देवमागतं सिद्धिसूचकम्
Directly, Lord Nārāyaṇa himself appeared, a sign of success.
भवन्तमेकं शरणं प्रपन्नाः पुरुषोत्तमम्
We have sought refuge in you alone, the Supreme Person.
नारायणः स्वयं साक्षात् पुराणो ऽव्यक्तपूरुषः
Nārāyaṇa himself, the ancient, unmanifest Person, stood there.
शुश्रूषास्माकमखिलं संशयं छेत्तुमर्हसि
We wish to hear from you; you should dispel all our doubts.
कश्चिदात्मा च का मुक्तिः संसारः किंनिमित्तकः
What is the self? What is liberation? For what reason does transmigration occur?
किं तत् परतरं ब्रह्म सर्वं नो वक्तुमर्हसि
What is that supreme Brahman? You should tell us everything.
विहाय तापसं रूपं संस्थितं स्वेन तेजसा
Abandoning the form of an ascetic, he stood in his own radiance.
श्रीवत्सवक्षसं देवं तप्तजाम्बूनदप्रभम्
The Lord, with the Śrīvatsa mark on his chest, shone like molten gold.
न दृष्टस्तत्क्षणादेव नरस्तस्यैव तेजसा
No man could see him at that very moment, due to his own brilliance.
प्रसादाभिमुखो रुद्रः प्रादुरासीन्महेश्वरः
Rudra, favorably disposed, appeared—Maheshvara himself.
तुष्टुवुर्हृष्टमनसो भक्त्या तं परमेश्वरम्
With joyful hearts, they praised that Supreme Lord with devotion.
जयाशेषमुनीशान तपसाभिप्रपूजित
Victory to you, Lord of all sages, honored through austerity.
जयानन्त जगज्जन्मत्राणसंहारकारण
Victory to you, O endless one, cause of the creation, protection, and destruction of the world.
जयाम्बिकापते देव नमस्ते परमेश्वर
Victory to you, Lord of Ambikā, O God; obeisance to you, Supreme Lord.
समालिङ्ग्य हृषीकेशं प्राह गम्भीरया गिरा
Embracing Hṛṣīkeśa, he spoke with a deep voice.
इमं समागता देशं किं वा कार्यं मयाच्युत
Having come to this place, O Acyuta, what task is to be done by me?
प्राह देवो महादेवं प्रसादाभिमुखं स्थितम्
The Lord spoke to Mahādeva, who stood favorably disposed.
अभ्यागता मां शरणं सम्यग्दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणः
Those who have come to me for refuge, desiring true vision,
सन्निधौ मम तज्ज्ञानं दिव्यं वक्तुमिहार्हसि
In my presence, you ought to speak that divine knowledge here.
ततस्त्वमात्मनात्मानं मुनीन्द्रेभ्यः प्रदर्शय
Therefore, reveal yourself by your own self to the foremost sages.
प्रदर्शयन् योगसिद्धिं निरीक्ष्य वृषभध्वजम्
Displaying yogic perfection, having beheld the Bull-bannered One,
कृतार्थं स्वयमात्मानं ज्ञातुमर्हथ तत्त्वतः
Having fulfilled your purpose, you should know yourself truly.
ममैव सन्निधावेष यथावद् वक्तुमीश्वरः
It is indeed in my presence that the Lord should speak properly.
सनत्कुमारप्रमुखाः पृच्छन्ति स्म महेश्वरम्
Sanatkumara and the others questioned Maheshvara.
किमप्यचिन्त्यं गगनादीश्वरार्हं समुद्बभौ
Something inconceivable, worthy of the Lord, arose from the sky.
तेजसा पूरयन् विश्वं भाति देवो महेश्वरः
Filling the universe with radiance, the god Maheshvara shines.
विभ्राजमानं विमले तस्मिन् ददृशुरासने
They saw him, brilliant and pure, seated upon that throne.
अनन्यतेजसं शान्तं शिवं ददृशिरे किल
They beheld Shiva, tranquil, unique in splendor.
तमासनस्थं भूतानामीशं ददृशिरे किल
They saw him seated, the Lord of beings.