एवं व्यवस्थिते लोके मर्यादायां स्थिता घनाः 5.2.44.
Thus, when the world was established in this order, the clouds remained within their bounds.
क्रूरग्रहैरथो रुद्धास्ते मेघा वृष्टिकारकाः
Then, those rain-bringing clouds were obstructed by cruel planets.
पीडिताः शरणं जग्मुर्वासवं भयविह्वलाः
Afflicted and overwhelmed by fear, they sought refuge with Vāsava.
मेघानां वचनं श्रुत्वा संत्र स्तो वासवस्तदा ग्रहाणामसमर्थोऽहं सर्वदैव पयोधराः
Hearing the words of the clouds, Vāsava was troubled and said, 'I am always powerless against the planets, O rain-bearers.'
अहं राज्यात्परिभ्रष्टः कृतः क्रूरग्रहैः पुरा
'I was once deprived of my kingdom by those cruel planets.'
मम मान्याश्च पूज्याश्च ग्रहा एव यतोधिकाः
'Those planets alone are to be honored and worshipped by me, for they are superior.'
एतस्मिन्नंतरे भूमौ संजाता शतवार्षिकी
Meanwhile, on earth, a famine lasting a hundred years arose.
अस्थिकंकालशकला श्वेतपर्वतसन्निभा
Bones, skulls, and fragments, white as snowy mountains, appeared.
देवाः सर्वे पुनर्भीता ब्रह्माणं शरणं गताः
All the gods, once again afraid, sought refuge with Brahmā.
अनावृष्ट्या जगत्सर्वं पीडितं च पितामह
O Grandfather, the whole world has been afflicted by drought.
त्वया च वासवेनैव नियुक्ता ये पयोधराः 5.2.44.
'It is by you, O Vāsava, that the rain-bearing clouds were appointed.'
देवानां वचनं श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः
Hearing the words of the gods, Brahmā, the Grandfather of the worlds,
सर्वं जानामि माहात्म्यं ग्रहाणां क्रूरचेतसाम्
'I know entirely the power of those planets with cruel minds.'
वरुणो यादसां नाथो मंगलेन प्रपीडितः
'Varuṇa, lord of the aquatic beings, was afflicted by Maṅgala.'
शिरश्छेदो मया प्राप्तो वक्रेण रविणा पुरा तस्मात्सर्वे महादेवं गच्छामः शरणं वयम्
'Long ago, I myself suffered beheading by Vakra and Ravi; therefore, let us all go to Mahādeva for refuge.'
ब्रह्मणो वचनं श्रुत्वा सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः।. ब्रह्माणं च पुरस्कृत्य मामव शरणं गताः
Hearing Brahmā's words, all the gods, along with Vāsava, placing Brahmā at their head, sought refuge with me.
उक्तोऽहं त्रिदशैः सर्वैः पाहि नः शरणागतान्
I was addressed by all the gods: Protect us, who have come to you for refuge.
क्रूरग्रहैर्महादेव रुद्धा मेघाः समंततः सर्वप्राणिविनाशाय संजाता शतवार्षिकी क्रूरग्रहाणां सामर्थ्यं यथा च विदितं मम
O Mahadeva, fierce planets have blocked the clouds everywhere; a hundred-year drought has arisen for the destruction of all living beings. The power of these cruel planets is known to me.
इति ज्ञात्वा महादेवि उपायश्चिंतितो मया आहूतस्तत्क्षणात्प्राप्तः किं करोमीत्युवाच ह
Knowing this, O great goddess, I considered a means; summoned, he arrived instantly and said, 'What shall I do?'
मया प्रोक्तो ममादेशाद्गच्छ त्वं घनसंयुतः 5.2.44.
I instructed him: By my command, go, accompanied by clouds.
गंगेश्वरस्य देवस्य दक्षिणे लिंगमुत्तमम्
To the excellent linga of the god Gaṅgeśvara on the southern side.
एवमुक्तो मया मेघ उत्तरो मेघसंयुतः
Thus addressed by me, the northern cloud, joined by other clouds,
दृष्ट्वा वृष्टिकरं लिंगं पूजयामास भक्तितः तावद्यावज्जलं शिप्रां पुनरेवागतं प्रिये
Having seen the linga that brings rain, he worshipped it with devotion; and until water returned to the Śiprā, O beloved,
एतस्मिन्नंतरे तस्मादुद्भूतं धूममंडलम्
Meanwhile, from that place arose a circle of smoke.
ततो ज्वालामयं सर्व मभूदम्बरगोचरम्
Then, a mass of flame appeared, filling the sky.
सनक्षत्रपथं यावत्ततो भीता ग्रहाः प्रिये
Up to the path of the stars, the planets became fearful, O beloved.
ततो ब्रह्मा च विष्णुश्च तद्दृष्ट्वा महदद्भुतम्
Then Brahma and Vishnu, seeing that great and wondrous sight,
तल्लिंगं सुमहाज्वालं ज्वालाभिः पूरितांबरम्
That linga, blazing greatly, filled the sky with flames.
अक्ष्णोर्निमेषमात्रेण ववृधे योजनायुतम् सुरेशो मोहमापन्नो विसंज्ञाश्च ग्रहास्तदा
In the time it takes to blink, it grew to ten thousand yojanas; the lord of the gods was bewildered, and the planets lost consciousness.
ततस्तु तस्य लिंगस्य वारिधारा विनिःसृताः 5.2.44.
Then streams of water flowed out from that linga.