पुनः स नारदोऽगस्त्य देव्याः प्राक्समुपागतः
Then Nārada, along with Agastya, approached the Goddess as before.
दृष्ट्वा स नारदः शंभुं नंदिना सह संकथाम्
Seeing Śaṃbhu conversing with Nandī, Nārada beheld them.
उपाविशच्च शैलादि विसृष्टासनमुत्तमम्
He sat down on the excellent seat offered by the lord of mountains.
आकारेणैव सर्वज्ञस्तद्वृत्तांतं विवेद ह
By his very appearance, the all-knowing one understood the entire situation.
शरारिणां स्थितिरियमुत्पत्तिप्रलयात्मिका
This existence of embodied beings is characterized by creation and dissolution.
दृश्यं विनश्वरं सर्वं विशेषाद्यदनीश्वरम्
All that is seen is perishable, especially that which is not governed by the Lord.
अभाविनो हि भावस्य भावः क्वापि न संभवेत्
For from non-existence, existence can never arise anywhere.
शंभूदीरितमाकर्ण्य स इत्थं मुनिपुंगवः
Hearing these words spoken by Śaṃbhu, that foremost sage reflected thus.
अवश्यमेव यद्भाव्यं तद्भूतं नात्र संशयः
Whatever must inevitably occur, has indeed come to pass—there is no doubt of this.
नापचीयेत ते किंचिन्नोपचीयेत तत्त्वतः 4.2.89.
In truth, nothing of yours is diminished nor increased in reality.
अहो वराकः संसारः क्व भविष्यत्यनीश्वरः
Alas, how pitiable is this worldly existence—what can become of that which is without a Lord?
यतः प्रजापतिर्दक्षो न त्वामाहूतवान्क्रतौ
Because Prajāpati Dakṣa did not invite you to the sacrifice,
तव रीढां करिष्यंति किमैश्वर्येण रीढिनाम् अथैश्वर्येण संपन्नाः प्रतिष्ठाभाजनं किमु
Those who cause you dishonor—what will they gain by their power? Even if endowed with sovereignty, what foundation can they truly possess?
महीयसायुषा तेषां वसुभिर्भूरिभिश्च किम्
What use are their long lives, their wealth, or their abundant riches?
अचेतनाश्च सावज्ञा जीवंतोपि न कीर्तये
Those who are insentient and contemptuous—I will not even mention those who are alive.
या त्वद्विनिंदाश्रवणात्तृणीचक्रे स्वजीवितम्
She who, upon hearing your reproach, regarded her own life as mere straw—
सत्यं मुने सती देवी तृणीचक्रे स्वजीवितम्
Truly, O sage, Satī the Goddess considered her own life as straw.
रुद्रश्चातीवरुद्रोभूद्बहुकोपाग्निदीपितः
And Rudra became exceedingly wrathful, inflamed by a great fire of anger.
प्रत्यक्षः प्रतिमाकारः कालमृत्युप्रकंपनः
Visible in form, an image, shaking the realms of time and death.
आज्ञां देहि पितः किं ते करवै दास्यमुत्तमम् 4.2.89.
Give me your command, Father; what excellent service shall I perform for you?
पिबामि चार्णवान्सप्ताप्येकेन चुलुकेन वै
I will drink all seven oceans with a single handful.
त्वदाज्ञया नयामीश विनिमय्य स्वहेलया
By your order, O Lord, I will lead them, exchanging it for my own ease.
अपि वैकुंठनाथश्चेत्तत्साहाय्यं करिष्यति
Even if Lord Vaikuntha assists in this task,
दनुजा दितिजाः के वै वरा कारणदुर्बलाः
Who are these Danavas and Diti-born demons, weak by cause?
कालं बध्नामि वा संख्ये मृत्योर्वा मृत्युमर्थये
I will bind Time in battle, or seek death from Death itself.
त्वद्बलेन महेशान न कोपि स्थैर्यमेष्यति
By your strength, O great Lord, none shall attain firmness.
कदलीदलवद्वाताद्वेपते सरसातलम्
The surface of the lake trembles from the wind, like a banana leaf.
किं बहूक्तेन देह्याज्ञां ममासाध्यं न किंचन
Why speak at length? Give the command; nothing is impossible for me.
इति प्रतिज्ञां तस्येशः श्रुत्वा कृतममन्यत
Thus, hearing his vow, the Lord considered it fulfilled.
महावीरोसि रे भद्र मम सर्वगणेष्विह 4.2.89.
O mighty hero, blessed one, among all my hosts here,