कस्य भूः कस्य वरुणः कश्चंद्रार्कविलोचनः। कस्यार्चयंति लोकेषु लिंगं भक्त्या सुरासुराः
Whose is the earth, whose is Varuṇa, who has the moon and sun as eyes? Whose liṅga do gods and demons worship with devotion in the worlds?
यच्च ब्रह्मेश्वरा देवा विष्ण्विन्द्राद्या महर्षयः। प्रभावं प्रभवं वापि तेषामपि न वित्थ किं
And what of the gods Brahmā, Īśvara, Viṣṇu, Indra, and the great sages—do you not know the source and power of even these?
अदितेः कश्यपाज्जाता देवा नारायणादयः। मरीचेः कश्यपः पुत्रो ह्यदितिर्दक्षपुत्रिका
From Aditi and Kaśyapa were born the gods, beginning with Nārāyaṇa; Kaśyapa is the son of Marīci, and Aditi is the daughter of Dakṣa.
मरीचिश्चापि दक्षश्च पुत्रौ तौ ब्रह्मणः किल। ब्रह्मा हिरण्मयादंडादेव सिद्धविभूतिकः
Marīci and Dakṣa are said to be sons of Brahmā; Brahmā himself, endowed with accomplished powers, arose from the golden egg.
कस्य प्रादुरभूद्ध्यानात्प्राकृतः प्राकृतांशकः। अथ नारायणेनैव स्वकीयेच्छा समाश्रयात्
By whose meditation did the primordial being, a portion of the primal, appear? Then, by Nārāyaṇa’s own will and shelter—
तत्प्रेरितः प्रयात्वेष जन्म नारायणात्मकम्। सापि कर्मण एवोक्ता प्रेरणाविवशात्मनाम्
Impelled by that, he proceeded to take birth, his essence being of Nārāyaṇa; and that too is said to occur through karma, as if by the compulsion of those whose selves are driven.
यथोन्मादादि दुष्टस्य मतिरेव हि साभवेत्। इष्टानेव पदार्थान्वै विपरीतान्हि मन्यते
Just as, in one afflicted by madness and the like, the mind itself becomes corrupted, so too does he regard desirable objects as undesirable, and vice versa.
लोकस्य व्यवहारेषु दृष्टेषु हसते सदा। धर्माधर्मफलप्राप्तौ विष्णुमेव निबोधत
In the dealings of the world, he always laughs at what is seen; but in the attainment of the fruits of righteousness and unrighteousness, know Viṣṇu alone to be the cause.
विदध्वमित्थं मुनयोऽसकृच्च मे गिरं गिरीशश्रुतिभूमिसन्निधौ। उत्कृष्टकेदार इवावनीतले सुबीजमुष्टिं सुफलाय कर्षकाः
Thus, the sages have often spoken my words in the presence of the Lord of Mountains, as farmers sow a handful of excellent seeds in a fertile field for a fruitful harvest.
ते तां श्रुत्वा हि तां रम्यां प्रक्रमात्प्रक्रमक्रियाम्। वाचंवाचां पतिप्रख्याः प्रोचुश्चस्मितसुंदराः
Hearing that delightful and well-ordered speech, those women, radiant as their husbands, spoke with charming smiles.
मुनय ऊचुः-। जाते लोकविधाने तु सत्यं तत्कार्यमुत्तमम्। प्रायः प्रालेयशैलस्य शंका तत्कालरूपिणः
The sages said: When the order of the world was established, that was indeed the highest deed; yet there is a doubt, like that of the snowy mountain, concerning the form of time.
सत्यमुत्कंठिताः सर्वे ये ये कार्यार्थमुद्यताः। तेषां त्वरंते चेतांसि किंतु नाममहात्मनाम्1.43.
It is true, all those who are eager for the accomplishment of deeds become anxious; but is it so for the great souls as well?
लोकयात्रानुगंतव्या विशेषेण विवक्षितैः। यतस्तद्धर्ममेधंते तत्प्रामाण्यं परे धृताः
The course of the world must be followed especially by those who wish to speak; for they uphold that righteousness, and others accept its authority.
इत्युक्त्वा मुनयो जग्मुस्त्वरितास्तुहिनाचलम्। तत्र ते पूजितास्तेन हिमशैलेन सादरम्
Having said this, the sages quickly went to the snowy mountain; there, they were respectfully honored by Himāśaila.
ऊचुर्मुनिवराः प्रीताः स्वल्पकं तु त्वरान्विताः। मुनय ऊचुः-। देवो दुहितरं साक्षात्पिनाकी तव मार्गते
The eminent sages, pleased yet pressed for time, spoke briefly: The god Pinākī himself seeks your daughter.
तच्छीघ्रं पावयात्मानमाहुत्येवानले हुतम्। कार्यं हि तच्च देवानां सुचिरं परिवर्तते
Therefore, quickly purify yourself, as one offers oblations into fire; for this deed, long awaited by the gods, must be accomplished.
जगदुद्धारणायैष विधातव्यः समुद्यमः। इत्युक्तस्तु तदा शैलो हर्षावेशवशान्मुनीन्
This effort must be undertaken for the deliverance of the world; thus addressed, the mountain, overcome with joy, responded to the sages.
असमर्थोभवद्वक्तुमुत्तरं प्रार्थयन्निव। ततो मेना मुनीन्वंद्य प्रोवाच स्नेहविक्लवा
He became unable to speak in reply, as if seeking their favor; then Menā, after honoring the sages, spoke, her voice trembling with affection.
दुहितुस्तान्मुनींश्चैव वचनं स्वयमर्थवत्। मेनोवाच-। यदर्थं दुहितुर्जन्म चेच्छंत्यपि महाफलं
Menā said—Her own words, as well as those of her daughter, she spoke meaningfully: Whatever great fruit is desired from the birth of a daughter—
तदेवोपस्थितं सर्वं प्रक्रमेणैव सांप्रतम्। कुलजन्मवयोरूपविभुत्वैस्सहितोपि यः
All that has now come to pass in due course; even one endowed with family, birth, age, beauty, and power—
वरस्तस्यापि नाहूय सुता देया ह्ययाचतः। दिग्वासा जटिलः शूली दग्धकामोपि कामदः
Even for him, without being asked, a daughter should not be given in marriage; he is unclad, matted-haired, bearing a trident, scorched by desire yet a fulfiller of desires.
स तु मत्सुतया घोरः कथं नाम उपास्यते। मुनय ऊचुः-। ऐश्वर्यमवगच्छस्व शंकरस्य सुरासुराः
How indeed can that terrifying one be worshipped as my son-in-law? The sages said: Recognize the sovereignty of Śaṅkara, acknowledged by gods and demons.
आराध्यमानपादाब्ज युगलाश्च सुनिर्वृताः। यस्योपयोगि यद्रूपं तेन तत्प्रार्थ्यते चिरम्
Those whose lotus feet are worshipped become deeply content; whatever form is suitable to him, that is long sought after.
घोरं तपस्यते बाला तेन रूपेण निर्वृता। यत्सा व्रतानि दिव्यानि नयिष्यति समापनम्
The maiden performs severe austerities, satisfied with that form; she will complete those divine vows.
तदत्रावहिता तावदस्मास्वेव भविष्यति। इत्युक्त्वा गिरिणा सार्द्धं ययुर्यत्रास्ति शैलजा
Therefore, as long as she is intent on this, she will remain with us; having spoken thus, together with the Mountain King, they went to where the daughter of the mountain was.
जितार्कज्वलनज्वाला तपस्तेजोमयीह्युमा। प्रोक्ता सा मुनिभिः स्निग्धं मानिन्याह वचोर्थवत्
Her austerity, radiant as the flames of the conquered sun and fire, was praised by the sages; they affectionately addressed the proud maiden with meaningful words.
नाहं क्षुद्रात्किलेच्छामि ॠते शर्वात्पिनाकिनः। स्थितं च तारतम्येन प्राणिनां परमर्द्धिदं
I do not desire anyone lesser, except Śarva, the wielder of the Pināka bow; among beings, his supremacy is established in order, bestowing the highest prosperity.
धीरतैश्वर्यकार्याणि प्रमाणमतुलं महत्। यस्मान्न किंचिदपरं यच्च यस्मात्प्रवर्तते
His measure of courage, sovereignty, and deeds is unequalled and great; from whom nothing else arises, and from whom everything proceeds.
यस्यैश्वर्यमनाद्यंतं तमहं शरणं गता। समः सव्यवसायश्च दीर्घेण विपरीतकः
I have taken refuge in him whose sovereignty is without beginning or end; he is impartial, resolute, and, over time, contrary to none.
एवं निशम्य ते वाचं देव्या मुनिवरास्तदा। आनंदाश्रुपरीताक्षाः सस्वजुस्तां तपस्विनीं
Hearing these words of the goddess, the eminent sages, their eyes filled with tears of joy, embraced the ascetic maiden.