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.
इंद्रियग्राममावृत्य रम्यसाधनसंविधिः। चिंतयित्वेति मदनो भूतभर्तुस्तदाश्रमम्
Having surrounded the group of senses with delightful means, thus reflecting, Madana approached the hermitage of the Lord of beings.
जगाम जगतीसारं सरलद्रुम वेदिकम्। शांतसत्वसमाकीर्णमचलं प्राणिसंकुलम्
He went to the essence of the earth, to the platform of straight trees, crowded with peaceful beings, unmoving and full of living creatures.
नानापुष्पलताजालं सानुसंस्थगणेश्वरम्। निर्व्यग्रवृषभोद्घुष्टं नीलशाद्वलसानुकम्
With various garlands of flowers and creepers, with the lord of the herd on the slope, undisturbed by the bellowing of bulls, with blue grassy slopes.
तत्रापश्यत्त्रिनेत्रस्य रम्यंकं चिद्द्वितीयकम्। वीरकं वीरलोकेशमीशानसदृशद्युतिम्
There he saw the beautiful seat of the three-eyed one, a second consciousness, a hero, lord of heroic worlds, shining like Īśāna.
पक्वं कुंकुमकिंजल्कपुंजपिंगजटासटम्। वेत्रपाणितमव्यग्रमुग्रं चाभद्रभूषणम्
With matted locks tawny as ripe saffron filaments, holding a staff in hand, undisturbed, fierce, adorned with inauspicious ornaments.
ततो निमीलितोन्निद्र पद्मपत्रांतलोचनम्। प्रेक्षमाणमृजुस्थानं नासावंशाग्रगोचरम्
Then, with eyes closed in sleep beneath lotus petals, gazing in a straight posture, focused on the tip of the nose.
अतीवरम्यसिंहेंद्र चर्मलंबोत्तरीयकम्। श्रवणाहिफणोन्मुक्त निश्वासानलपिंगलं
With a very beautiful upper garment of lion skin hanging down, with ears adorned by raised serpent hoods, exhaling golden breath.
प्रेंखत्कपोलपर्यंत चुंबिलंबिजटाचयम्। कृतवासुकिपर्यंत नाभिमूलनिवेशितम्
With matted locks hanging down to the cheeks, kissed and swaying, arranged up to the navel with Vasuki.
ब्रह्मांजलिस्थनासाग्र निबद्धोरगभूषणम्। ददर्श शंकरं कामः क्रमप्राप्तांतिकः शनैः
With the serpent ornament tied from the palms joined in reverence to the tip of the nose, Kama saw Shankara, gradually approaching nearby.
ततो भ्रमरझंकारमालंब्य द्रुमसानुगम्। प्रविष्टः कर्णरंध्रेण भवस्य मदनो मनः
Then, relying on the buzzing of bees among the trees, Madana entered the mind of Bhava through the ear.
शंकरस्तमथाकर्ण्य मधुरं मदनाश्रयम्। सस्मार दक्षतनयां दयितां रंतुमानसः
Shankara, hearing that sweet sound belonging to Madana, remembered Daksha's daughter, his beloved, desiring pleasure.
ततः शिवस्य शनकैस्तिरोधा याति निर्मला। समाधिभावना तस्थौ लक्ष्य प्रत्यक्षरूपिणी
Then, the pure contemplation of Shiva gradually faded, remaining as the target, manifest in visible form.
ततस्तन्मयतां यातः प्रत्यूह पिहिताशयः। विवेश विबुधाधीशो विकृतिं मदनात्मिकाम्
Then, having become absorbed in that, with obstacles veiling his intent, the lord of the gods entered the distortion belonging to Madana.
ईषत्क्रोधसमाविष्टो धैर्यमालंब्य धूर्जटिः। निरस्यमदनंस्थित्वायोगमायासमावृतः
Slightly possessed by anger, Dhūrjaṭi, relying on fortitude, dismissed Madana and remained, enveloped in the effort of yoga.
स तया माययाविष्टो जज्वाल मदनस्ततः। इच्छाशरीरो दुर्ज्ञेयो दोषावासो महाशयः
Then, possessed by that illusion, Madana blazed forth—his form born of desire, difficult to comprehend, dwelling in faults, of great intent.
हृदयान्निर्गतः सोथ वासनाव्यसनात्मकः। बहिस्थलं समासाद्य उपतस्थे झषध्वजः
He emerged from the heart, embodying the addiction to longing, and, reaching the outer ground, the Fish-bannered one took his stand.
अनुयातो हि साह्येन मित्रेण मधुना सह। सहकारतरोर्दृष्ट्वा मंदमारुतनिर्धुतं
He was followed by Sāhya, his friend, together with Madhu; and seeing a cluster of mango blossoms swayed by a gentle breeze—
स्तबकं मदनो रम्यं हरवक्षसि सत्वरं। मुमोच मोहनं नाम मार्गणं मकरध्वजः
Madana, the Makara-bannered god, swiftly released upon Hara’s chest a charming cluster, a bewildering arrow named Mohana.
स तस्य हृदये शुद्धे नामशाली महाशरः। पपात परुषः प्रांशुः पुष्पबाणो विमोहनः
That great, renowned, and formidable flower-arrow, called Vimohana, fell harshly and tall into his pure heart.
ततः करणसंदोहे विद्धे तु हृदये भवः। बभूव भूतपो कंप्य धैर्योपि मदनोन्मुखः
Then, when his heart was pierced among the assembly of his senses, Bhava, the lord of beings, even in his steadfastness, became shaken and inclined toward Madana.