यदुक्तं च मया देवी लक्षणैर्वर्जिता तव। शृणु तस्यापि वाक्यस्य सम्यक्त्वेन विचारणम्
And what I said, O Goddess, that she is without marks—listen now to the proper explanation of that statement.
लक्षणं दैविको ह्यंकः शरीरावयवाश्रयः। स चायुर्धनसौभाग्यपरिणामप्रकाशकः
A mark is a divine sign, based in the limbs of the body, and it reveals the outcome of lifespan, wealth, and fortune.
अनंतस्याप्रमेयस्य सौभाग्यस्य तु भूधर। नैवांको लक्षणाकारः शरीरे संविधीयते
But for infinite, immeasurable fortune, O mountain, no such mark or sign is established in the body.
अतोऽस्या लक्षणं गात्रे शैल नास्ति महामते। यच्चाहमुक्तवानस्या उत्तानकरता सदा
Therefore, O wise one, there is no mark on her body; and as for what I said about her hand always being open upward—
उत्तानो वरदः पाणिरेष देव्याः सदैव तु। सुरासुरमुनिव्रातवरदात्री भविष्यति
This upturned hand of the Goddess is ever bestowing boons; she will be the granter of wishes to hosts of gods, asuras, and sages.
यच्च प्रोक्तं मया पादौ सुच्छायौ व्यभिचारिणौ। मत्तः शृणु त्वमस्यापि व्याख्योक्तिं शैलसत्तम
And as for what I said about her feet being radiant and variable—hear now my explanation of that as well, O best of mountains.
चरणौ पद्मसंकाशौ स्वच्छावस्या नखोज्वलौ। सुरासुराणां नमतां किरीटमणिकांतिभिः
Her feet are like lotuses, shining with clear nails, reflecting the brilliant jewels of the crowns of gods and asuras who bow before her.
विचित्रवर्णैः पश्यद्भिः सुच्छायौ प्रतिबिंबितौ। एषा भार्या जगद्भर्तुर्वृषांकस्य महीधर
Gazing at her, with their many-colored crowns, they see her radiant feet reflected; she is the wife of the Lord of the universe, the bull-bannered one, O mountain.
जननी सर्वलोकस्य संभूताभूतभाविनी। शिवेयं पावनायैव त्वत्क्षेत्रे पावनद्युतिः
She is the mother of all worlds, the source of what has been, is, and will be; this Śivā has appeared in your land, O purifier, for the sake of sanctity.
तद्यथाशीघ्रमेवैषा योगं यायात्पिनाकिनः। तथा विधेयं विधिवत्त्वया शैलेंद्रसत्तम
Therefore, let her quickly be united with Pinākin in proper form, O best of mountains, as it should be done.
अस्त्यत्र हि महत्कार्यं देवानां हिमभूधर। एवं श्रुत्वा तु शैलेंद्रो नारदात्सर्वमेव हि
For there is a great task here for the gods, O Himavat; thus, having heard all this from Nārada, the lord of mountains—
स्वमात्मानं पुनर्जातं मेने मेनापतिस्तदा। उवाच चापि संहृष्टो नारदं तु हिमाचलः
At that moment, the husband of Menā considered himself reborn; and, delighted, Himācala spoke to Nārada.
दुस्तरान्नरकाद्घोरादुद्धृतोस्मि त्वया विभो। पातालादहमुद्धृत्य सप्तलोकाधिपः कृतः
O lord, you have rescued me from the dreadful, impassable hell; having lifted me from the netherworld, you have made me lord of the seven worlds.
हिमाचलोस्मि विख्यातस्त्वया मुनिवराधुना। हिमाचलाच्छतगुणां प्रापितोस्मि समुन्नतिं
Now, O best of sages, I am famed as Himācala because of you; through you, I have attained a hundredfold elevation above Himācala.
आनंदादेव चाहारि हृदयं मे महामुने। नाध्यवस्यति कृत्यानां विभागप्रविचारणम्
Out of joy, O great sage, my heart has been seized; it cannot now discern the proper division of duties.
भवद्विधानां नियतममोघं दर्शनं मुने। भवद्भिरेव हि प्रोक्तं निवासायात्मरूपिणाम्
The sight of those like you is always fruitful, O sage; it is said by you sages that the self-manifested ones dwell only with you.
मुनीनां देवतानां च स्वयं कर्तास्मि कल्मषम्। तथापि वस्तुन्येकस्मिन्नाज्ञा मे संप्रदीयताम्
Among sages and gods, I myself am the doer of sin; yet, regarding this one matter, let your command be given to me.
इत्युक्तवति शैलेंद्रे स तदा हर्षनिर्भरः। उवाच नारदो वाक्यं कृतं सर्वमिति प्रभो
When the lord of mountains had spoken thus, filled with joy, Nārada replied, 'All has been accomplished, O lord.'
सुरकार्ये स एवार्थस्तवापि सुमहत्तरः। इत्युक्त्वा नारदः शीघ्रं जगाम त्रिदिवं ततः
In the matter of the gods, that same purpose is even greater for you. Having said this, Nārada swiftly departed for heaven.
स गत्वा देवभवनं महेंद्रं संददर्श ह। ततोनुरूपे स मुनिरुपविष्टो महासने
He went to the abode of the gods and saw Mahendra. Then the sage sat upon a grand seat, befitting his status.
पृष्टः शक्रेण प्रोवाच गिरिजासंश्रयां कथाम्। नारद उवाच-। यन्मह्यमुक्तं कर्तव्यं तन्मया कृतमेव हि
Questioned by Śakra, he spoke a tale connected to Girijā. Nārada said: What was instructed to me to do, that I have indeed accomplished.
किंतु पंचशरस्येषु गोचरत्वमपेक्षितम्। इत्युक्तो देवराजस्तु मुनिना कार्यदर्शिना1.43.
However, the domain of the five-arrowed one is required. Thus addressed by the sage, who understood the task, the king of the gods responded.
चूतांकुरास्त्रं सस्मार भगवान्पाकशासनः। सस्मृतस्तु तदा क्षिप्रं सहस्राक्षेण धीमता
Bhagavān Pākaśāsana recalled the weapon of mango buds. When remembered by the wise thousand-eyed one, it quickly appeared.
उपतस्थे रतियुतः सविलासो झषध्वजः। प्रादुर्भूतं च तं दृष्ट्वा शक्रः प्रोवाच मन्मथम्
Joined by Rati, full of playfulness, the fish-bannered one approached. Seeing him manifest, Śakra addressed Manmatha.
शक्र उवाच-। उपदेशेन बहुना किं त्वां प्रति रतिप्रिय। मनोभवोसि तेन त्वं वेत्सि भूतमनोगतम्
Śakra said: What need is there for much instruction to you, beloved of Rati? You are Manobhava; thus, you know what has happened and what is yet to come.
तद्यथानुक्रमं तु त्वं कुरु नाकसदां प्रियम्। शंकरं योजय क्षिप्रं गिरिपुत्र्या मनोभव
Therefore, in proper order, do what pleases the dwellers of heaven. Quickly unite Śaṃkara with the daughter of the mountain, O Manobhava.
संयुक्तो मधुनानेन गच्छ रत्या सहायवान्। इत्युक्तो मदनस्तेन शक्रेण स्वार्थसिद्धये
Go, accompanied by Madhu, together with Rati as your ally. Thus instructed by Śakra for the accomplishment of his own purpose, Madana—
प्रोवाच पंचबाणोथ वाक्यं भीतः शतक्रतुम्। काम उवाच-। अनया देव सामग्र्या मुनिदानवभीमया
Then the five-arrowed one, fearful, spoke to Śatakratu: Kāma said: With this assembly, given by the sage and the demon, O god—
दुःसाध्यश्शंकरो देवः किं न वेत्सि जगत्प्रभो। तस्य देवस्य वेत्थ त्वं कारणं पदमव्ययम्
Śaṃkara is difficult to subdue, O lord of the world; do you not know? You know the cause and the immutable place of that god.
प्रायः प्रसादे कोपेपि सर्वं हि महतां महत्। सर्वोपभोगसारं हि सौदर्यं स्वर्गसंभवम्
Generally, whether in favor or in anger, all things of the great are great. All enjoyment and beauty arise from heaven.