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.
तमेते मुनयः पूज्या विनीताः कार्यगौरवात्। ऊचुर्मधुरभाषाभिस्ते वाचं वाग्मिनां वराः
Those venerable sages, humble out of respect for their purpose, addressed him with sweet words, being foremost among eloquent speakers.
द्रष्टुं वयमिहायाताः शंकरं गुणनायकं। त्रिलोचनं विजानीहि सुरकार्यप्रचोदिताः
We have come here to see Shankara, the leader in virtue, the three-eyed one—know that we are sent by the gods for their purpose.
त्वमेव नो गतिस्तत्र यथाकालानतिक्रमः। स्यात्प्रार्थनैषा प्रायेण प्रतीहारमयी प्रभो
You alone are our guide there, so that there is no delay at the proper time; our request is mostly about gaining entry, O lord.
इत्युक्तो मुनिभिः सोथ गौरवात्तानुवाच ह। सवनस्यापरां संध्यां कर्तुं मंदाकिनीं गतः
Thus addressed by the sages, he replied to them respectfully: 'He has gone to the Mandakini to perform the later Sandhya ritual.'
क्षणेन भाविता विप्रास्ततो द्रक्ष्यथ शूलिनम्। इत्युक्ता मुनयस्तस्थुर्यत्नात्कार्यविचक्षणाः
'In a moment, O brahmins, you will see the wielder of the trident.' Thus spoken to, the sages waited attentively, skilled in their task.
गंभीरांबुधरं प्रावृट्तृषिताश्चातका यथा। तथा क्षणेन निष्पन्न समाचारक्रियाविधिम्
Just as thirsty chataka birds await the deep thundercloud in the rainy season, so in a moment the prescribed rites were completed.
वीरासनकृतोद्देशं मृगचर्मनियामितम्। ततो विनीतो जानुभ्यामवलंब्य महीं मुदा
In the place set for the hero's seat, covered with deerskin, the humble one then joyfully knelt on the ground.
उवाच वीरको देवं प्रणयैकसमाश्रयम्। संप्राप्ता मुनयः सप्त द्रष्टुं त्वां दीप्ततेजसं
Viraka spoke to the Lord, the sole refuge of affection: 'The seven sages have come to see you, O radiant one.'
विभो समादिश द्रष्टुं ततो ध्यानमिहार्हसि। इत्युक्तो धूर्जटिस्तेन वीरकेण महात्मना
'O Lord, command that they may see you; then you should enter meditation.' Thus addressed by Viraka, the great-souled one.
भ्रूभंगसंज्ञया तेषां प्रवेशाज्ञां ददौ तदा। मूर्द्धकंपेन तान्सप्त वीरकोपि महामुनीन्
With a movement of his brows, he then gave them permission to enter; Viraka, too, summoned the seven great sages with a nod of his head.