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.
लिंगस्यान्यप्रदेशात्तु वायुः समभवन्महान्
From another part of the linga, a great wind arose.
सधूमा समभूज्ज्वाला लिंगस्यान्य प्रदेशतः
From another part of the linga, a flame appeared, accompanied by smoke.
एवमत्यद्भुतं दृष्ट्वा वर्द्धमानं समंततः
Seeing this exceedingly wondrous thing, growing everywhere,
ग्रहाश्च विह्वला जाता धूमेनाकुलिते न्द्रियाः
The planets became agitated, their senses disturbed by the smoke.
नमोनमो रूपनिराश्रयाय जलस्वरूपाय नमो नमस्ते
Salutations, salutations to the One who is free from all forms, whose essence is water; salutations, I bow to you.
इति स्तुतो यदा देवि ग्रहैः क्रूरैस्तदा प्रिये
Thus praised, O Devi, when you were worshipped by the cruel planets, O beloved—
भस्मधूसरसर्वांगो भोगिभोगांगदोज्ज्वलः उवाच चैतान्प्रणतान्ग्रहान्कंपितक न्धरान
His whole body covered in ashes, adorned with shining serpent ornaments, he spoke to those planets who bowed, their necks trembling.
किं वा कामं मनोऽभीष्टं भवद्भ्यो यद्ददाम्यहम्
What desire or wish do you have in your minds? Whatever it is, I will grant it to you.
भवद्भ्यो लोकतुष्ट्यर्थं दर्शनं हि ददाम्यहम्
For the satisfaction of you all and the world, I grant you my appearance.
यदि देयो वरो देव यदि तुष्टोऽसि शंकर तथा कुरु महादेव तेन तृप्तिर्भविष्यति ।। 5.2.44.
If you wish for a boon, O Lord, and if you are pleased, O Shankara, then grant it, O Mahadeva; by this, satisfaction will be attained.