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.
अविचार्य कृतं मुग्धे भुवनक्षयकारणात्
Without reflection, you acted, O innocent one, causing the destruction of the worlds.
अहमप्यखिलाँल्लोकान्संहरिष्यामि संक्षये
I too shall withdraw all the worlds at the time of dissolution.
केयं वा त्वादृशी कुर्यादीदृशं सद्विगर्हितम्
Who else but someone like you would do such a blameworthy deed?
इति शम्भोर्वचः श्रुत्वा धर्मलोपभयाकुला
Hearing Śambhu's words, she became anxious out of fear for the loss of righteousness.
अथ देवः प्रसन्नात्मा व्याजहार दयानिधिः
Then the Lord, his mind appeased, the treasure of compassion, spoke.
मन्मूर्तेस्तव केयं वा प्रायश्चित्तिरिहोच्यते 1.3.1.3.
What atonement is prescribed here for you, who are my very form?
श्रुतिस्मृतिक्रियाकल्पा विद्याश्च विबुधादयः
The Vedas, Smṛtis, ritual procedures, sciences, and the wise—
मान्ययाभिन्नया देव्या भाव्यं लोकसिसृक्षया
All must be regarded as not different from the revered goddess, who desires to create the worlds.
तस्माल्लोकानुरूपं ते प्रायश्चित्तं विधीयते
Therefore, your atonement will be prescribed according to the nature of the worlds.
स्वामिना नानुपाल्येत यदि त्याज्योऽनुजीविभिः
If the master is not to be obeyed, then he should be abandoned by his dependents.