पश्यतां सर्वदेवानां गता वक्षस्थलं हरेः। ततो वक्षस्थलं प्राप्य देवं वचनमब्रवीत्
Before all the gods, she went to the chest of Hari; then, having reached his chest, she spoke to the god.
नाहं त्याज्या सदा देव सदैवादेशकारिणी। वक्षस्थले निवत्स्यामि सर्वस्य जगतः प्रिय
'I am never to be abandoned, O god, always obedient to command; I will dwell on your chest, beloved of all the world.'
ततोवलोकिता देवा विष्णुवक्षस्थलस्थया। लक्ष्म्या राजेंद्र सहसा परां निर्वृतिमागताः
Then the gods, seeing Lakṣmī on the chest of Viṣṇu, O king, suddenly attained supreme joy.
उद्वेगं च परं जग्मुर्द्दैत्या विष्णुपराङ्मुखाः। त्यक्तास्तु दानवा लक्ष्म्या विप्रचित्तिपुरोगमाः
The Daityas, turning away from Viṣṇu, became greatly distressed; Lakṣmī abandoned the Dānavas, led by Vipracitti.
ततस्ते जगृहुर्दैत्या धन्वंतरिकरस्थितम्। अमृतं तन्महावीर्य्या दैत्याः पापसमन्विताः
Then the demons seized the nectar, which was held in Dhanvantari's hand; those demons, filled with wickedness, took that mighty elixir.
मायया लोभयित्वा तु विष्णुः स्त्रीरूपसंश्रयः। आगत्य दानवान्प्राह दीयतां मे कमंडलुः
By illusion, Vishnu, assuming the form of a woman, enticed them; arriving, he said to the demons, 'Give me the pitcher.'
युष्माकं वशगा भूत्वा स्थास्यामि भवतां गृहे। तां दृष्ट्वा रूपसंपन्नां नारीं त्रैलोक्यसुंदरीम्
Having become subject to you, I will remain in your house; seeing that woman, endowed with beauty, the most lovely in the three worlds,
प्रार्थयानास्सुवपुषं लोभोपहतचेतसः। दत्त्वामृतं तदा तस्यै ततोपश्यन्त तेग्रतः
Desiring her splendid form, their minds overcome by greed, they gave the nectar to her, and then watched her before them.
दानवेभ्यस्तदादाय देवेभ्यः प्रददेमृतं। ततः पपुः सुरगणाः शक्राद्यास्तत्तदामृतम्
Taking it from the demons, she gave the nectar to the gods; then the hosts of gods, led by Indra, drank that nectar.
उद्यतायुधनिस्त्रिंशा दैत्यास्तांस्ते समभ्ययुः। पीतेमृते च बलिभिर्जिता दैत्यचमूस्ततः
The demons, armed with raised swords, rushed toward her; but after the nectar was drunk, their mighty army was defeated.
वध्यमाना दिशो भेजुः पातालं विविशुश्च ते। ततो देवा मुदायुक्ताः शंखचक्रगदाधरम्
Being slain, they fled in all directions and entered the underworld; then the gods, filled with joy, worshipped the bearer of conch, discus, and mace.
प्रणिपत्य यथापूर्वं प्रययुस्ते त्रिविष्टपम्। ततःप्रभृति ते भीष्म स्त्रीलोला दानवाभवन्
They bowed as before and returned to heaven; from that time, O Bhishma, the demons became infatuated with women.
अपध्यातास्तु कृष्णेन गतास्ते तु रसातलम्। ततः सूर्यः प्रसन्नाभः प्रययौ स्वेन वर्त्मना
Cursed by Krishna, they went to the netherworld; then the sun, shining brightly, proceeded on his own path.
जज्वाल भगवांश्चोच्चैश्चारुदीप्तिर्हुताशनः। धर्मे च सर्वभूतानां तदा मतिरजायत
The blessed fire blazed forth with great brilliance; then, in all beings, the mind turned toward righteousness.
श्रियायुक्तं च त्रैलोक्यं विष्णुना प्रतिपालितं। देवास्तु ते तदा प्रोक्ता ब्रह्मणा लोकधारिणा
The three worlds, endowed with prosperity, were protected by Vishnu; then the gods were addressed by Brahma, the sustainer of the worlds.
भवतां रक्षणार्थाय मया विष्णुर्नियोजितः। उमापतिश्च देवेशो योगक्षेमं करिष्यतः
For your protection, I have appointed Vishnu; and the lord of the gods, the husband of Uma, will ensure your welfare.
उपास्यमानौ सततं युष्मत्क्षेमकरौ यतः। ततः क्षेम्यौ सदा चैतौ भविष्येते वरप्रदौ
Because they are always worshipped and bring you safety, these two will always be auspicious and bestow boons.
एवमुक्त्वा तु भगवान्जगाम गतिमात्मनः। अदर्शनं गते देवे सर्वलोकपितामहे
Having spoken thus, the blessed one departed on his own path; when the lord of all worlds became invisible,
देवलोकं गते शक्रे स्वं लोकं हरिशंकरौ। प्राप्तौ तु तत्क्षणाद्देवौ स्थानं कैलासमेव च
When Indra went to the world of the gods, Hari and Shankara returned to their own realms; at that moment, the two gods reached their places, including Kailasa.
ततस्तु देवराजेन पालितं भुवनत्रयम्। एवं लक्ष्मीर्महाभागा उत्पन्ना क्षीरसागरात्
Then the king of the gods protected the three worlds; thus, the greatly fortunate Lakshmi was born from the ocean of milk.
पुनः ख्यात्यां समुत्पन्ना भृगोरेषा सनातनी। श्रिया सह समुत्पन्ना भृगुणा च महर्षिणा
Again, she was born in the family of Khyati, the eternal one; together with prosperity, she was born by the great sage Bhrigu.
स्वनाम्ना नगरी चैव कृता पूर्वं सरित्तटे। नर्मदायां महाराज ब्रह्मणा चानुमोदिता
A city bearing her own name was formerly built on the riverbank; O great king, on the Narmada, and approved by Brahma.
लक्ष्मीः पुरं स्वपित्रे स्वं सह कुञ्चिकयाऽप्य च। आगता देवलोकं साऽयाचतागत्य वै पुनः
Lakshmi once brought her own city, along with its key, to her father; she went to the world of the gods, and after returning, she requested it again.
लोभान्न दत्तं तु पुरं प्रार्थयाना यदा पुनः। भृगोः सकाशान्नावाप तदा चैवाह केशवम्
But out of greed, when she asked again, the city was not given to her; then she obtained it from Bhrigu, and at that time she spoke to Keshava.
परिभूता तु पित्राहं गृहीतं नगरं मम। तस्य हस्तात्त्वमाक्षिप्य पुरं तच्चानय स्वयम्
I have been slighted by my father, who has taken my city; seize that city from his hand and bring it back yourself.
तं गत्वा पुंडरीकाक्षो देवश्चक्रगदाधरः। भृगुं सानुनयं प्राह कन्यायै पुरमर्पय
Then the lotus-eyed god, bearer of the discus and mace, went and gently said to Bhrigu, 'Give the city to your daughter.'
कुञ्चिकातालिके चोभे दीयेतां च प्रसादतः। भृगुस्तं कुपितः प्राह नार्पयिष्याम्यहं पुरम्
Out of kindness, both the city and the key should be given to the key-bearer; but Bhrigu, angered, replied, 'I will not give the city.'
न लक्ष्म्यास्तत्पुरं देव मया चेदं स्वयं कृतम्। भगवन्नैव दास्यामि त्यजाक्षेपं तु केशव
That city does not belong to Lakshmi, O god, for I myself made it; O Lord, I will not give it—cease your insistence, Keshava.
तं प्राह देवो भूयोपि लक्ष्म्यास्तत्पुरमर्पय। सर्वथा तु त्वया त्याज्यं वचनान्मे महामुने
The god again said to him, 'Give that city to Lakshmi; in every way, you must relinquish it, by my command, O great sage.'
ततः कोपसमाविष्टो भृगुरप्याह केशवम्। पक्षपातेन मां साधो भार्याया बाधसेधुना
Then Bhrigu, filled with anger, said to Keshava, 'O righteous one, by taking your wife's side, you now trouble me.'