उवाच तां महादेवः सिद्धानां प्रवरो ऽस्म्यहम्
Mahādeva spoke to her, saying, 'Among the siddhas, I am the foremost.'
एषैव देवता मह्यं धारयामि सदैव तत्
'This very goddess is mine; I always uphold her.'
ताडयाञ्चक्रिरे दण्डैर्लोष्टिभिर्मुष्टिभिद्विजाः
The twice-born struck with staffs, clods, and fists.
प्रोचुरेतद् भवांल्लिङ्गमुत्पाटयतु दुर्मते
'Let this wicked-minded one uproot the liṅga of the Lord.'
युष्माकं मामके लिङ्गे यदि द्वेषो ऽभिजायते
'If hatred arises in you toward my liṅga—'
नापश्यंस्तत्क्षणेनेशं केशवं लिङ्गमेव च
In that moment, I did not see the Lord, Keśava, nor even the liṅga.
निष्प्रभाश्च ग्रहाः सर्वे चुक्षुभे च महोदधिः
All the planets lost their radiance, and the great ocean was agitated.
कथयामास विप्राणां भयादाकुलितेक्षणा
With eyes filled with fear, she spoke to the brāhmaṇas.
भिक्षमाणः शिवो नूनं दृष्टो ऽस्माकं गृहेष्विति
'Surely, Śiva, begging, has been seen in our homes.'
सर्वे जग्मुर्महायोगं ब्रह्माणं विश्वसंभवम्
All went to the great yogi, Brahmā, the origin of the universe.
चतुर्वेदैर्मूर्तिमद्भिः सावित्र्या सहितं प्रभुम्
With the four Vedas embodied, accompanied by Sāvitrī, the Lord.
प्रभासहस्रकलिले ज्ञानैश्वर्यादिसंयुते
In the radiance of a thousand lights, endowed with knowledge, sovereignty, and more.
चतुर्मुखं महाबाहुं छन्दोमयमजं परम्
Four-faced, mighty-armed, composed of meters, unborn, supreme.
शिरोभिर्धरणीं गत्वा तोषयामासुरीश्वरम्
Having touched the earth with their heads, they pleased the Lord.
व्याजहार मुनिश्रेष्ठाः किमागमनकारणम्
The foremost sages spoke, 'What is the reason for your coming?'
ज्ञापयाञ्चक्रिरे सर्वे कृत्वा शिरसि चाञ्जलिम्
All informed him, having placed their hands together upon their heads.
भार्यया चारुसर्वाङ्ग्या प्रविष्टो नग्न एव हि
He entered, entirely naked, together with his wife, whose every limb was beautiful.
कन्यकानां प्रिया चास्य दूषयामास पुत्रकान्
He, who was dear to the maidens, corrupted their sons.
ताडितो ऽस्माभिरत्यर्थं लिङ्गन्तु विनिपातितम्
We struck him excessively, and his organ was cast down.
उत्पाताश्चाभवन् घोराः सर्वभूतभयङ्कराः
Terrible omens arose, frightening to all beings.
भवन्तमेव शरणं प्रपन्ना वयमच्युत
O Acyuta, we have taken refuge in you alone.
अनुग्रहेण विश्वेश तदस्माननुपालय
O Lord of all, by your grace, protect us in this matter.
ध्यात्वा देवं त्रिशूलाङ्कं कृताञ्जलिरभाषत
Having meditated on the god marked with the trident, with joined palms he spoke.
धिग्बलं धिक् तपश्चर्या मिथ्यैव भवतामिह
Fie upon strength, fie upon austerity; here, they are truly in vain.
उपेक्षितं वृथाचारैर्भवद्भिरिह मोहितैः
He has been neglected by you, deluded by vain practices.
यमेव तं समासाद्य हा भवद्भिरुपेक्षितम्
Alas, having attained him, you have neglected him.
महानिधिं समासाद्य हा भवद्भिरुपेक्षितम्
Alas, having attained the great treasure, you have neglected it.
तमासाद्याक्षयनिधिं हा भवद्भिरुपेक्षितम्
Alas, having attained that inexhaustible treasure, you have neglected it.
तदेवोपेक्षितं दृष्ट्वा निधानं भाग्यवर्जितैः
Seeing that very treasure neglected by those deprived of fortune—
तमासाद्य निधिं ब्राह्म हा भवद्भिर्वृथाकृतम्
O Brāhmaṇa, having attained that treasure, alas, you have acted in vain.