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.
आजुहाव विदूरस्थान्दर्शनाय पिनाकिनः। त्वराबद्धजटास्ते च लंबकृष्णानिजांबराः
He called those who stood at a distance to behold the wielder of the bow; their matted locks were bound in haste, and their black garments hung down.
विविशुर्वेदिकां दिव्यां गिरीशस्य विभोस्ततः। बद्धपाणिपुटा क्षिप्त नाकपुष्पोत्त्करास्ततः
Then they entered the divine platform of the Lord of the Mountain, their hands joined in reverence, scattering heaps of heavenly flowers.
पिनाकिपादयुगलं वंद्य नाकनिवासिनः। ततः स्निग्धेक्षिताः संतो मुनयः शूलपाणिना
The dwellers of heaven worshipped the feet of the wielder of the bow; then the sages, gazed upon with gentle eyes by the trident-bearer, were satisfied.
गिरीशं ते ततो दृष्ट्वा ते समं तुष्टवुर्मुदा
Having seen the Lord of the Mountain, they together praised him with joy.
मुनय ऊचुः-। अहो कृतार्था वयमेव सांप्रतं सुरेश्वरैर्वंदितपादपल्लवम्। विलोकयामो गुणगौरवर्द्धिभिः समादिशेः कार्यमशेषरक्षणम्
The sages said: 'Ah, we are truly fulfilled now, beholding the lotus feet worshipped by the lords of the gods; by your greatness in virtue, you command the protection of all duties.'
ततः प्रहस्य सर्वज्ञ उवाच मुनिसत्तमान्। भवतां यद्धृदिगतं कार्यं तत्कुरुताधुना
Then, smiling, the all-knowing one spoke to the best of sages: 'Whatever purpose is in your hearts, accomplish it now.'
इत्युक्ता मुनयस्तूर्णं ययुर्यत्र च शैलजा। बभाषिरे विभागज्ञा गिरिजां गिरिगह्वरे। रम्यं प्रियमनोहारि मारूपं तपसादह
Thus addressed, the sages quickly went to where the daughter of the mountain was; those who knew the proper divisions spoke to Girijā in the mountain cave, praising her beauty, belovedness, and captivating form, which had been enhanced by her austerities.
प्रीतस्ते शंकरः पाणिमेष प्रतिग्रहीष्यति। वयमर्थितवंतस्ते पितरं पूर्वमागताः
Shiva is pleased with you; he will accept your hand in marriage. We have come before you at your father's request.
पित्रा सह गृहं गच्छ वयं यामः स्वमंदिरं। इत्युक्ता तपसः सत्यं फलमस्तीति चिंत्य सा
Go home with your father; we shall return to our own hermitage. Thus addressed, she reflected that the fruit of her austerities was indeed true.
त्वरमाणा ययौ वेश्म पितुर्दिव्यं सुशोभितं। सा तत्र रजनीं मेने वर्षायुतसमां सती
Hastening, she went to her father's splendid divine mansion; there, Sati felt that the night lasted as long as ten thousand years.