शिवयोगमनुध्यायन्नस्मार्षं तव चादरात्
Contemplating the yoga of Śiva, I remembered you with reverence.
शिवभक्तिः परा जाता तपोभिर्बहुभिस्तव
Supreme devotion to Śiva arose in you, through your many austerities.
पावयंति जगत्सर्वं चरितैस्ते निराकुले 1.3.1.1.
Your deeds, free from disturbance, purify the entire world.
संभाषणं सहावासः क्रीडा चैव विमिश्रणम्
Conversation, cohabitation, play, and mingling together,
श्रूयतामद्भुतं शैवमाविर्भूतं यथा पुरा
Let the wondrous Śaiva manifestation of old be heard.
अहं नारायणश्चोभौ जातौ विश्वाधिकोदयात्
Both I and Nārāyaṇa were born at the dawn of the universe.
स्वभावेन समुद्भूतौ विवदंतौ परस्परम्
By our own nature, we arose and quarreled with each other.
परस्परं रणोत्साहमावयोरतिभीषणम्
Between us, the urge for battle was exceedingly fierce.
किमर्थमनयोर्युद्धं जायते लोकनाशनम्
For what purpose does this battle arise between these two, bringing destruction to the worlds?
समयेऽस्मिन्स्वयं लक्ष्यो मुग्धयोरनयोर्भृशम्
At this very moment, both of them, deluded, are intensely focused on each other.
वेदेषु मम माहात्म्यं विश्वाधिकतया श्रुतम्
In the Vedas, my greatness is heard as surpassing all.
सर्वोपि जंतुरात्मानमधिकं मन्यते भृशम्
Every living being considers itself to be the highest, indeed.
यद्यहं क्वापि भुवने दास्यामि मितिमात्मनः 1.3.1.1.
If I should set a limit to myself anywhere in the universe—
इति निश्चित्य मनसा स्वयमेव सदाशिवः
Thus, having resolved in his mind, Sadāśiva himself—
अतीत्य सकलाँल्लोकान्सर्वतोऽग्निरिव ज्वलन्
Surpassing all the worlds, blazing on every side like fire—
अनाद्यंततया चाथ दृगार्तौ संव्यतिष्ठताम्
Then, being without beginning or end, he stood between the two, who were afflicted by rivalry.
आवयोः पुरतो जाता वाणी चाप्यशरीरिणी
Before us both, a bodiless voice arose.
युवयोर्बलवैषम्यं शिव एव विवेक्ष्यते
It is Śiva alone who will discern the difference in strength between you two.
आद्यंतयोर्यदि युवामीक्षिषाथां बलाधिकौ
If you both wish to see who is superior in strength, from beginning to end—
अहं विष्णुश्च गतिमान्विचेतुं तद्व्यवस्थितौ
I and Viṣṇu, endowed with movement, stood firm to ascertain that.
आलोकितुं व्यवसितावावामाद्यंतभागतः
We both were determined to observe the extremities of that (column of light).
तथैवावां समुद्युक्तौ परिच्छेत्तुं च तन्महः
In the same way, we both set out to measure that great (column of light).
तन्मूलविचयाऽयाच्च भूमिगर्भं व्यदारयत् 1.3.1.1.
By investigating its root, he pierced the womb of the earth.
दिदृक्षुस्तच्छिरोभागं वियदूर्ध्वमगाहिषम्
Desiring to see its upper end, I went upward into the sky.
आविर्भूतमिवाधस्तादग्निस्तंभमवैक्षत
Appearing below, Agni beheld the pillar.
अपश्यन्नादिमक्षय्यमार्तरूपः स विह्वलः
He saw it as beginningless and imperishable, and, distressed, became bewildered.
श्रमातुरस्तृषाक्रांतो नो यातुमशकद्धरिः
Exhausted and overcome by thirst, Hari was unable to proceed.
विहंतुमपि विश्रांतो विषसाद रमापतिः
Even after resting, the Lord of Lakshmi, weary, was unable to attack.
गलितश्रीः क्रियाश्रांतः शरण्यं शिवमाश्रयन् ।। धिङ्ममेदं महन्मौग्ध्यमहंकारसमुद्भवम्
Bereft of splendor, worn out by effort, I sought refuge in Shiva, the protector; shame on this great folly of mine, born from pride.
अयं हि सर्ववेदानां देवानां जगतामपि
For he is the refuge of all the Vedas, the gods, and even the worlds.