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.
एवं भविष्यतीत्युक्त्वा मेघं चोत्तरमुक्तवान्
Saying, 'So it shall be,' he then addressed the cloud named Uttara.
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तत्र ह्युत्तरः प्राह हर्षितः
Hearing those words there, Uttara spoke joyfully.
यदास्माकं महाबाधां कदा कोपि करिष्यति
Whenever someone causes us great distress—
रक्षा कार्या च मेघानां रक्षणीयास्त्वया वयम्
Protection must be given to the clouds; you must protect us.
अद्यप्रभृति ते नाम्ना ख्यातिं यास्यामि भूतले.
From today onward, I will become renowned on earth by your name.
ये मां संपूजयिष्यंति भक्त्या परमया युताः
Those who worship me with utmost devotion—
पश्यंति प्रयता ये मां कृत्वा नियमपूर्वकम्
Those who see me with effort, having observed proper discipline—
आरूढाः सूर्यसंकाशैर्विमानैः सार्वकामिकैः
They ascend celestial chariots radiant like the sun, fulfilling all desires.
नृत्य वादित्रनिर्घुष्टैरुत्कटध्वनिनादितैः
With the sound of dance and instruments, resounding with intense noise—
प्रसंगाद्भक्तिहीनोऽपि यो मां पश्यत्यशाठ्यतः 5.2.44.
Even one without devotion, who sees me sincerely, without deceit, due to association—