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.
ऊचुश्च परमप्रीताः शैलजां मधुरं वचः। ॠषय ऊचुः। अत्यद्भुतमहो पुत्रि ज्ञानमूर्तिरिवामला
And, greatly delighted, they spoke sweet words to the daughter of the mountain. The sages said: Truly wonderful, O daughter, you are pure, as if the very embodiment of knowledge.
प्रसादयसि नो भावं भवभावप्रतिश्रयात्। ननु विद्मो वयं तस्य देवस्यैश्वर्यमद्भुतम्
You gladden our hearts by seeking refuge in the Lord of existence; indeed, we know the wondrous sovereignty of that god.
त्वन्निश्चयस्य दृढतां वेत्तुं वयमिहागताः। अचिरादेव तन्वंगि कामस्त्वेष भविष्यति
We have come here to witness the firmness of your resolve; soon, O slender-waisted one, this desire of yours will be fulfilled.
आदित्यस्स प्रभो याति रत्नेभ्यः का द्युतिः पृथक्। कोऽर्थो वर्णान्स्वकांस्त्यक्त्वा तथा त्वं गिरिशं विना
When the sun departs, what brilliance remains distinct from the jewels? What purpose is there in abandoning one's own colors? So it is with you, without Giriśa.
यामो नेकाभ्युपायेन तमभ्यर्थयितुं वयम्। अस्माकमपि चैषोर्थः सुतरां हृदि वर्तते
By many means we will go to entreat him; this desire dwells deeply in our hearts as well.
अतस्त्वमेव सा बुद्धिर्यतो नीतिस्त्वमेव हि। अतो निःसंशयं कार्यं शंकरोपि विधास्यति
Therefore, you yourself are that wisdom, for you are indeed the right path; thus, without doubt, Śaṅkara too will accomplish this.
इत्युक्त्वा पूजितास्सर्वे मुनयो गिरिकन्यया। प्रययुर्गिरिशं द्रष्टुं प्रस्थं हिमवतो महत्
Having spoken thus, all the sages, honored by the mountain maiden, departed to see Giriśa at the great abode of Himavat.
गंगांभः प्लावितात्मानः पिंगाबद्धजटासटाः। भृंगानुयातपाणिस्थ मंदारकुसुमस्रजः
Immersed in the waters of Gaṅgā, their matted locks bound with tawny hair, their hands followed by bees, adorned with garlands of mandāra flowers.
संप्राप्य तु गिरेः प्रस्थं ददृशुः शंकराश्रमम्। प्रशांताशेषसत्वौघं पर्यस्तिमितकाननम्
Having reached the plateau of the mountain, they saw Shankara's hermitage, tranquil and filled with peaceful beings, with the forest all around stilled.
निःशब्दक्षोभसलिल प्रयातं सर्वतो दिशम्। तत्रापश्यंस्ततोद्वारि वीरकं वेत्रपाणिनम्
Everywhere, the waters were undisturbed and silent; there, at the entrance to the lake, I saw a guardian holding a staff.