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.
यन्मयान्वेष्टुमारब्धं शिवं पशुवपुर्धृता
That Shiva, whom I set out to seek, has assumed the form of a beast.
पुनरेवेदृशी लब्धा मतिर्मे स्वात्मबोधिना 1.3.1.1.
Now, by the awakening of my own self, I have regained such understanding.
तस्य सद्यो भवेज्ज्ञानमनहंकारमात्मजम्
For him, knowledge arises instantly, born of the self, free from ego.
निवेदयामि चात्मानं शरणं यामि शंकरम्
I offer myself and take refuge in Shankara.
सत्प्रसादाद्भूतपतेः पुनरेवोद्धुतः क्षितौ
By the true grace of the Lord of beings, I was again lifted up on earth.
आघूर्णमाननयनः श्लथपक्षः श्रमं गतः
With head spinning, eyes unsteady, wings slack, he was overcome by fatigue.
तेजःस्तम्भं स्थूललिंगाभं शैवं तेजः सुरार्चितम्
He saw the pillar of light, massive like a linga, the Shaiva radiance worshipped by the gods.
नित्यां शंभोः परां कोटिं दिदृक्षुं मां कृतोद्यमम्
Desiring to see that supreme limit of Shambhu, I made every effort.
आसन्नदेहपातोऽपि नाहंकारोऽस्य वै गतः
Even with the body near collapse, his ego did not depart.
अपारतेजसि व्यर्थो विमोहोऽयं भविष्यति
When the radiance is beyond reach, this delusion will be in vain.