तस्यैवं ब्रुवतो धातुः क्रतुर्नारायणांशजः
As the sustainer thus spoke, the sacrifice born from Narayana's portion,
अविज्ञाय परं तत्त्वं किमेतत्प्रतिपाद्यते
Without knowing the supreme truth, what is this being explained?
अहं कर्ता हि लोकानां यज्ञो नारायणः परः
I am indeed the creator of the worlds; the supreme sacrifice is Narayana.
अहमेव परं ज्योतिरहमेव परा गतिः
I alone am the supreme light; I alone am the highest goal.
एवं विप्र कृतौ मोहात्परस्परजयैषिणौ 4.1.31.
In this way, O Brahmin, in the age of Kṛta, out of delusion, both sought victory over each other.
यूयमेव न संदेहः किं तत्त्वं प्रतितिष्ठत
You yourselves, without doubt, do not stand firm in the truth.
श्रुतय ऊचुः यदि मान्या वयं देवौ सृष्टिस्थितिकरौ विभू
The Vedas said: If we are to be respected, O gods, as the creators and sustainers of the universe—
श्रुत्युक्तमिदमाकर्ण्य प्रोचतुस्तौ श्रुतीः प्रति
Hearing this statement of the Vedas, the two addressed the Vedas thus:
ऋगुवाच यदंतःस्थानि भूतानि यतः सर्वं प्रवर्तते
Ṛg said: That in whom all beings reside, from whom everything proceeds—
येन प्रमाणं हि वयं स एकः सर्वदृक्छिवः
By whom we are measured—he alone, the all-seeing Śiva, is one.
यद्भासा भासते विश्वं स एकस्त्र्यंबकः परः
By whose light the universe shines—he alone is the transcendent Three-eyed One.
तमाहुरेकं कैवल्यं शंकरं दुःखतस्करम्
Him they call the One, the Absolute, Śaṅkara, the remover of sorrow.
श्रुतीरितं निशम्येत्थं तावतीव विमोहितौ
Hearing this declaration of the Vedas, both became greatly bewildered.
कथं प्रमथनाथोसौ रममाणो निरंतरम्
How does that Lord of the Pramathas, ever delighting,
विटंकवेशो जटिलो वृषगोव्यालभूषणः 4.1.31.
Assume the guise of a mendicant, matted-haired, adorned with bull, cow, and serpent?
तदुदीरितमाकर्ण्य प्रणवात्मा सनातनः
Hearing this statement, the eternal one, whose essence is Praṇava,
प्रणव उवाच कदाचिद्रमते रुद्रो लीलारूपधरो हरः
Praṇava said: Sometimes Rudra, taking on a playful form, delights.
असौ हि भगवानीशः स्वयंज्योतिः सनातनः
That blessed Lord, the self-luminous, eternal ruler, is indeed he.
इत्येवमुक्तेपि तदा मखमूर्तेरजस्य हि
Even when this was spoken, then, from the sacrificial form of Brahmā,
प्रादुरासीत्ततो ज्योतिरुभयोरंतरे महत्
There appeared, between the two, a great light.
ज्योतिर्मंडलमध्यस्थो ददृशे पुरुषाकृतिः
In the center of the circle of light, a figure in human form was seen.
आवयोरंतरं कोसौ बिभृयात्पुरुषाकृतिम्
Who is this, in human form, standing between us?
स्रष्टा क्षणेन च महान्पुरुषो नीललोहितः
In a moment, the great Person, blue and red in hue, was created.
हिरण्यगर्भस्तं प्राह जाने त्वां चंद्रशेखरम्
Hiraṇyagarbha said to him, 'I know you, O wearer of the crescent moon.'
रोदनाद्रुद्रनामापि योजितोसि मया पुरा 4.1.31.
Because of your weeping, I formerly gave you the name Rudra.
अथेश्वरः पद्मयोनेः श्रुत्वा गर्ववतीं गिरम्
Then the Lord, hearing the proud words of the lotus-born one,
प्राह पंकजजन्मासौ शास्यस्ते कालभैरव
said, 'This one born from the lotus will be instructed by you, Kālabhairava.'
विश्वं भर्तुं समर्थोऽसि भरणाद्भैरवः स्मृतः
You are able to sustain the universe; therefore you are called Bhairava, the Sustainer.
आमर्दयिष्यति भवांस्तुष्टो दुष्टात्मनो यतः
Because you will crush the wicked when pleased,
यतः पापानि भक्तानां भक्षयिष्यति तत्क्षणात्
and because you will instantly devour the sins of devotees,