तुल्यलक्षणतः पादचतुष्के सममुच्यते
When the four quarters have equal characteristics, it is called 'equal'.
लक्ष्म भिन्नं यस्य पादचतुष्के विषमं हि तत्
If the four quarters have differing marks, it is indeed called 'unequal'.
षड्विंशत्यक्षरं यावत्पादस्तावत्पृथक् पृथक्
A quarter-verse is up to twenty-six syllables, each counted separately.
त्रिभिः षड्भिः पदैर्गाथाः शृणु संज्ञा यथोत्तरम्
Verses are named according to whether they have three or six quarters; listen to their names in order.
गायत्र्युष्णिगनुष्टष्टप्च बृहती पङ्क्तिरेव च
Gāyatrī, Uṣṇik, Anuṣṭubh, Bṛhatī, and Paṅkti as well,
शक्करी सातिपूर्वा च अष्ट्यत्यष्टी ततः स्मृते
Śakkarī, Sāti, Pūrvā, Aṣṭi, and Aṣṭī are then remembered.
विकृतिः संकृतिश्चैव तथातिकृतिरुत्कृतिः
Variation, combination, excess, and elevation.
पादे सर्वगुरौ पूर्वील्लघुं स्थाप्य गुरोरधः
In the line, place the light syllable before all heavy ones, and the light below the heavy.
एष प्रस्तार उदितो यावत्सर्वलघुर्भवेत्
This arrangement is described until only light syllables remain.
उद्दिष्टे द्विगुणानाद्यादङ्गान्संमोल्य लस्थितान्
From the stated double-counted elements, multiply those that are fixed in place.
वणान्सेकान्वृत्तभवानुत्तराधरतः स्थितान्
Take the syllables that recur, positioned above and below, in sequence.
उपान्त्यतो निवर्तेत त्यजन्नेकैकमूर्द्धतः
One should return from the penultimate, leaving each one at the top.
लगक्रियाङ्कसंदोहे भवेत्संख्याविमिश्रिते
When the sum of the marks of light syllables is mixed, the count arises.
संख्यैव द्विगुणैकोना सद्भिरध्वा प्रकीर्तितः
The count, doubled and increased by one, is declared by the wise as the path.
प्रस्तारोक्तप्रभेदानां नामानांस्त्यं प्रगाहते
The names of the divisions described in the arrangement are now set forth.
श्रुतानि त्वन्मुखांभोजात्समासव्यासयोगतः
The teachings have been heard from your lotus-like mouth, both in summary and in detail.
मेरुशृङ्गे किल पुरा कर्णिकारवनायते
Once, on the peak of Meru, in a grove of karṇikāra trees—
शैलराजसुता चैव देवी तत्राभवत्पुरा
There, the daughter of the mountain king, the goddess, once dwelled.
योगेनात्मानमाविश्य योगधर्मपरायणः
Absorbed in herself through yoga, devoted to the discipline of yoga—
अग्नेर्भूमेस्तथा वायोरन्तरिक्षस्य चाभितः
Surrounded by fire, earth, wind, and the expanse of the sky—
संकल्पेनाथ सो ऽनेन दुष्प्रापमकगृतात्मभिः
Then, by resolve, she accomplished what is difficult to attain for those whose minds are unsteady.
अतिष्टन्मारुताहारः शतं किल समाः प्रभुः
She subsisted on air alone, the Lord, for a hundred years, it is said.
तत्र ब्रह्मर्षयश्चैव सर्वे देवर्षयस्तथा
There, all the Brahmarṣis and likewise all the Devarṣis gathered.
आदित्याश्चैव रुद्राश्च दिवाकरनिशाकरौ
The Ādityas, the Rudras, the sun and the moon as well.
तत्र रुद्रो महादेवः कर्णिकारमयीं शुभाम्
There, Rudra, the great god, fashioned a beautiful lotus made of gold.
तस्निन् दिव्ये वने रम्ये देवदेवर्षिसंकुले
In that divine and delightful forest, filled with gods, sages, and seers,
न चास्य हीयते वर्णो न ग्लानिरुपजायते
Its color never fades, nor does it ever wither.
जटाश्च तेजसा तस्य वैश्वानरशिखोपमाः
His matted locks shone with radiance, resembling the flames of blazing fire.
एवं विधेन तपसा तस्य भक्त्या च नारद
In this way, through his austerity and devotion, O Nārada,
उवाच चैनं भगवांस्त्र्यंबकः प्रहसन्निव
The blessed Three-eyed Lord spoke to him, as if smiling.