कर्त्रीं कर्परहस्ताग्रां स्फुरत्पिंगोग्रतारकाम्
Holding a knife in her hand, with a skull at her fingertips, her eyes blazing fiercely and flashing yellow.
यावद्वाराणसीं दिव्यां पुरीमेष गमिष्यति
Until he reaches the divine city of Varanasi, this is his journey.
सर्वत्र ते प्रवेशोस्ति त्यक्त्वा वाराणसीं पुरीम्
Everywhere you have entry, except for the city of Varanasi.
तत्सान्निध्याद्भैरवोपि कालोभूत्कालकालतः
Because of his presence, even Bhairava became Time, the destroyer of Time.
कपालपाणिर्विश्वात्मा चचार भुवनत्रयम् 4.1.31.
With a skull in his hand, the soul of the universe wandered through the three worlds.
सत्यलोकेपि वैकुंठे महेंद्रादि पुरीष्वपि
Even in Satyaloka, Vaikuntha, and the cities of Mahendra and others,
प्रतितीर्थं भ्रमन्नापि विमुक्तो ब्रह्महत्यया
Though he wandered to every sacred place, he was not freed from the sin of killing a Brahmin.
अनेनैवानुमानेन महिमा त्ववगम्यताम्
By this very inference, let the greatness be understood.
संति तीर्थान्यनेकानि बहून्यायतनानि च
There are many sacred places and numerous shrines.
तावद्गर्जंति पापानि ब्रहत्यादिकान्यलम्
So long do sins roar, especially those like Brahminicide.
प्रमथैः सेव्यमानोऽयं त्रिलोकीं विचरन्हरः
Served by the Pramathas, he, Hara, wandered through the three worlds.
अथायांतं महाकालं त्रिनेत्रं सर्पकुंडलम्
Then came Mahakala, the three-eyed one, adorned with serpent earrings.
पपात दंडवद्भूमौ दृष्ट्वा तं गरुडध्वजः
Seeing him, the bearer of the Garuda banner fell prostrate upon the ground.
निपेतुः प्रणिपत्यैनं प्रणतः कमलापतिः
They bowed down and paid respects to him; the Lord of Lotus also bowed.
क्षीरोदमथनो तां प्राह पद्मालयां हरिः 4.1.31.
The churner of the milk ocean, Hari, spoke to Padmalaya.
धन्योऽहं देवि सुश्रोणि यत्पश्यावो जगत्पतिम्
Blessed am I, O goddess with beautiful hips, that we see the Lord of the world.
अनादिः शरणः शांतः परः षड्विंशसंमितः
He is beginningless, the refuge, tranquil, supreme, and measured as twenty-six.
सर्वभूतांतरात्माऽयं सर्वेषां सर्वदः सदा
He is the inner soul of all beings, always the giver to all.
धिया पश्यंति हृदये सोयमद्य समीक्ष्यताम्
With intellect, they perceive him in their hearts; now, let him be beheld.
यं दृष्ट्वा न पुनर्जन्म लभ्यते मानवैर्भुवि
Upon seeing whom, humans on earth do not obtain rebirth.
सोयमायाति भगवांस्त्र्यंबकः शशिभूषणः
He now arrives, the blessed Three-eyed One, adorned with the moon.
धिग्धिक्पदं तु देवानां परं दृष्ट्वाऽत्र शंकरम्
Let the station of the gods be rejected, for here the supreme Shankara is seen.
देवत्वादशुभं किंचिद्देवलोके न विद्यते
From divinity, nothing inauspicious exists in the realm of the gods.
एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशः संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहः 4.1.31.
Having spoken thus, Hrishikesha, his body thrilled with joy, continued.
किमिदं देवदेवेन सर्वज्ञेन त्वया विभो
What is this, O Lord of gods, all-knowing one, that you have done, O mighty one?
क्रीडेयं तव देवेश त्रिलोचन महामते
This play is yours, O Lord of gods, Three-eyed one, of great wisdom.
किमर्थं भगवत्र्छंभो भिक्षां चरसि शक्तिप
For what purpose, O blessed Shambhu, do you wander for alms, O powerful one?
एवमुक्तस्ततः शंभुर्विष्णुमेतदुदाहरत्
Thus addressed, Shambhu then spoke this to Vishnu.
तदघप्रतिघं विष्णो चराम्येतद्व्रतं शुभम्
O Vishnu, I undertake this auspicious vow to remove sin.
स्मित्वा किंचिन्नतशिराः पुनरेवं व्यजिज्ञपत्
Smiling slightly, with bowed head, he again declared thus.