तस्मै कार्पटिकायाथ स दत्त्वा पारितोषिकम्
Then, to that mendicant, he gave a gratuity—
उवाचेति मनस्येव विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनः 4.2.66.
And said (this), his eyes wide with wonder, even as he pondered in his mind.
यस्य देशो न विदितो यस्तु वृत्तिपराङ्मुखः 4.2.66.
He whose country is unknown, who turns away from earning a livelihood—
सुपर्वणि सुपात्राय सुताथ श्रद्धयाधिकम् 4.2.66.
On an auspicious day, to a worthy recipient, and with utmost faith—
प्रणम्य दंडवद्भूमौ कृतांजलिपुटौ गणौ 4.2.66.
Having bowed down flat on the ground, with hands joined in reverence, to the hosts—
उमा श्रुत्येति संहृष्टा कदंबकुसुमश्रियम् 4.2.66.
Hearing this, Umā was delighted, radiant as a cluster of kadamba flowers.
श्रुत्वा शैलेश माहात्म्यं श्रद्धया परया नरः
Whoever hears with supreme faith the greatness of the Lord of the Mountain—
अन्यच्च शृणु विप्रेंद्र वृत्तातं तत्र संभवम्
And now, hear further, O best of Brāhmaṇas, the account of what happened there.
इत्थं कथां प्रकुर्वाणे रत्नशेस्य महेश्वरे
As the story was being told thus, by Ratnaśeṣa to Maheśvara—
महिषासुरपुत्रोसौ समायाति गजासुरः
The son of Mahiṣāsura, Gajāsura, approaches—
यत्रयत्र धरायां स चरणं प्रमिणोति हि
Wherever on earth he sets his foot—
ऊरुवेगेन तरवः पतंति शिखरैः सह
By the force of his thighs, trees fall down along with their peaks.
यस्य मौलिजसंघर्षाद्घ(?)नाव्योम त्यजंत्यपि
From the friction of his head, even the dense sky is shaken.
यस्य निःश्वाससंभारैरुत्तरंगा महाब्धयः
By the force of his breath, the great oceans surge with waves.
योजनानां सहस्राणि नवयस्य समुच्छ्रयः
His height is nine thousand yojanas.
यन्नेत्रयोः पिंगलिमा तथा तरलिमा पुनः
In his two eyes there is a tawny hue, and again a flickering brightness.
यांयां दिशं समभ्येति सोयं दुःसह दानवः 4.2.68.
Wherever this unbearable demon advances in any direction,
ब्रह्मलब्धवरश्चायं तृणीकृतजगत्त्रयः
He, having received a boon from Brahma, regards the three worlds as insignificant.
ततस्त्रिशूलहेतिस्तमायांतं दैत्यपुंगवम्
Then, with the trident as his weapon, he struck that foremost of Daityas as he approached.
प्रोतस्तेन त्रिशूलेन स च दैत्यो गजासुरः
Pierced by that trident, the Daitya Gajāsura was struck down.
तव हस्ते मम वधः श्रेयानेव पुरांतक
O Destroyer of Cities, it is better for me to die by your hand.
किंचिद्विज्ञप्तुमिच्छामि अवधेहि ममेरितम्
I wish to say something; please listen to my words.
त्वमेको जगतां वंद्यो विश्वस्योपरि संस्थितः
You alone are worthy of worship by all the worlds, established above the universe.
धन्योस्म्यनुगृहीतोस्मि त्वत्त्रिशूलाग्रसंस्थितः
I am blessed, I am favored, standing at the tip of your trident.
इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा देवदेवः कृपानिधिः
Hearing these words, the god of gods, the treasure-house of compassion,
स्वानुकूल वरं ब्रूहि ददामि सुमतेऽसुर
Speak out a boon that pleases you, O wise Asura, I shall grant it.
इत्याकर्ण्य स दैत्येंद्रः प्रत्युवाच महेश्वरम् गजासुर उवाच यदि प्रसन्नो दिग्वासस्तदा नित्यं वसान मे ।। 4.2.68.
Hearing this, the lord of Daityas replied to Maheśvara: Gajāsura said: If you are pleased, O sky-clad one, then always dwell in me.
इमां कृत्तिं विरूपाक्ष त्वत्त्रिशूलाग्निपाविताम्
O Virūpākṣa, let this hide of mine, purified by the fire of your trident,
इष्टगंधिः सदैवास्तु सदैवास्त्वतिकोमला
Always possess a pleasing fragrance and ever remain exceedingly soft.
महातपोऽनलज्वालाः प्राप्यापि सुचिरं विभो
Even after enduring the blazing fire of your great austerity for a long time, O Lord,