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.
विशेषं कांक्षतां शक्र सामान्याद्भ्रंशनं फलात्। श्रुत्वैतद्वचनं शक्रस्तमुवाचामरैर्युतः
For those who desire distinction, Śakra, the fruit is lost from the ordinary. Hearing these words, Śakra spoke to him, surrounded by the immortals.
शक्र उवाच-। वयं प्रमाणं ते तत्र रतिकांत न संशयः। संदंशेन विना शक्तिरयस्कारस्य नेष्यते
Śakra said: We are your authority there, O beloved of Rati, without doubt. Without a bite, the blacksmith's power is not brought forth.
कस्यचिच्च क्वचिद्दृष्टं सामर्थ्यं न तु सर्वतः। इत्युक्तः प्रययौ कामः सखायं मधुमाश्रितः
For some, in some places, ability is seen, but not everywhere. Thus addressed, Kāma departed, accompanied by his friend Madhu.
रतियुक्तो जगामाशु प्रस्थं तुहिनभूभृतः। स तु प्राप्याकरोच्चिंतां कार्यस्योपायपूर्विकाम्
Joined by Rati, he quickly went to the abode of the snowy mountain. Having arrived, he devised a plan, preceded by consideration of the task.
महात्मानो हि निष्कंपा मनस्तेषां सुदुर्जयम्। तदादावेव संक्षोभ्य नेत्थं तस्य जयो भवेत्
For the great-souled are unwavering; their minds are very hard to conquer. Therefore, by first disturbing them, victory may be achieved.
संसिद्धिः प्रायशश्चैव पूर्वं संशोध्य मानसम्। कथमेवंविधैर्भावैर्द्वेषानुगमनं विना
Success is generally attained only after first purifying the mind. How, by such means, can one proceed without following aversion?
क्रोधः क्रूरतरात्संगाद्भीषणेर्ष्या महासखी। चापल्यान्मूर्ध्नि विध्वस्त धैर्याधारमहाबला
Anger, fiercer than cruel association, dreadful jealousy, a great companion; due to recklessness, the mighty foundation of steadfastness is shattered upon the head.
तामस्य विनियोक्ष्यामि मनसो विकृतिं पुरः। पिधाय धैर्यद्वाराणि संतोषमपकृष्य च
I will direct the distortion of the mind toward darkness, closing the gates of fortitude and removing contentment.
अवगंतुं हि मां तत्र न कश्चिदिह पंडितः। विकल्पमात्रसंस्थानं विरूपाक्षमनोभवम्
For no wise person here can perceive me there, the mind-born with misshapen eyes, established only in imagination.
प्रविश्याथ क्रियारंभी गंभीरावर्तदुस्तरः। भविष्यामि हरस्याहं तपःस्थस्य स्थिरात्मनः
Then, entering into action, I shall become deep and difficult to cross, and I will be for Hari, the steadfast ascetic.