घंटाटंकारसुभगैर्वेदध्वनिविमिश्रितैः
It was graced by the sweet sound of bells, mingled with the chanting of the Vedas.
अलंचकार भगवन्भक्तानुग्रहकाम्यया
The Blessed Lord decorated it, wishing to show favor to his devotees.
अंबिकासहितः श्रीमान्विजहार दयानिधिः
The compassionate Lord, together with Ambikā, joyfully wandered there.
गणानां विकटैर्नृत्यै रमयामास पार्वतीम्
He delighted Pārvatī with the wild dances of the gaṇas.
वरान्प्रदाय विविधान्भक्तलोकाय वाञ्छितान्
Having granted various desired boons to the devotees,
विजहारोमया सार्द्धं रत्नप्रासादपंक्तिषु 1.3.1.3.
I departed together with her through rows of jeweled palaces.
केलिपर्वतशृंगेषु हेमरंभावनांतरे
On the peaks of playful mountains, within golden banana groves,
वातेन मंदगतिना विहारविहतश्रमः
With gentle breezes moving slowly, our fatigue from wandering was dispelled.
रतिरूपां शिवां देवीं सर्वसौभाग्यसुन्दरीम्
The goddess, beautiful in every auspicious way, appeared as the very form of delight.
रमणं जानती मुग्धा पश्चादभ्येत्य सादरम्
Innocently, knowing the pleasure, she then approached with respect.
पिदधे लीलया शंभोः किमेतदिति कौतुकात्
Playfully, out of curiosity, she covered Śambhu, wondering, 'What is this?'
अन्धकारोऽभवत्तत्र चिरकालं भयंकरः
There arose a terrible darkness for a long time.
देवीलीलासमुत्थेन तमसाभूज्जगत्क्षयः
From the goddess's playful act, a darkness arose that brought destruction to the world.
शून्यं ज्योतिः प्रचारेण विनाशं प्रत्यपद्यत
The light, deprived of its movement, became void and met with destruction.
नापि जीवाः समभवन्नव्यक्तं केवलं स्थितम्
No living beings remained; only the unmanifest persisted.
तपसा लब्धस्फूर्तीनां विचारः समपद्यत 1.3.1.3.
Deliberation arose among those who had regained awareness through austerity.
भगवानपि सर्वात्मा न नूनं कालमाक्षिपत्
Even the Lord, the Self of all, surely did not hasten the time.
तेनेदमखिलं जातं निस्तेजो भुवनत्रयम्
Thus, the entire three worlds became devoid of light.
का गतिर्लब्धराज्यानां तपसो देवजन्मनाम्
What is the fate of those who have gained sovereignty, of the gods born through austerity?
इति निश्चित्य मनसा वीक्ष्य ते ज्ञानचक्षुषा
Thus, having resolved in their minds, they observed with the eye of knowledge.
नमः सर्वजगत्कर्त्रे शिवाय परमात्मने
Salutations to Śiva, the supreme Self, the creator of all worlds.
अविनाभाविनी शक्तिराद्यैका शिवरूपिणी
The one original power, inseparable, taking the form of Śiva.
अर्धांगी सा तव देव शिवशक्त्यात्मकं वपुः
O Lord, she is your other half, your form composed of the essence of Śiva and Śakti.
लीलया तव लोकोयमकाले प्रलयं गतः
By your play, this world reaches dissolution at the time of cosmic destruction.
भवतो निमिषार्द्धेन तेजसामुपसंहृतेः
With but half a blink of your eye, you withdraw all the shining powers.
ततः प्रसीद करुणामूर्त्ते काल सदाशिव 1.3.1.3.
Therefore, be gracious, O embodiment of compassion, O eternal Sadāśiva.
इति तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा भक्तानां सिद्धिशालिनाम्
Hearing these words of the devoted and accomplished ones,
विससर्ज च सा देवी पिधानं हरचक्षुषाम्
That goddess withdrew the covering from the eyes of Hara.
कियान्कालो गतश्चेति पृष्टैः सिद्धैश्च वै नतैः
Then, the bowed Siddhas asked, 'How much time has passed?'
अथ देवः कृपामूर्त्तिरालोक्य विहसन्प्रियाम्
Then the Lord, embodiment of mercy, seeing his beloved, smiled.