शंकरेणाब्यनुज्ञातः स्वगृहं हिमवान्ययौ २१.
Having been permitted by Śaṃkara, Himavat went to his own house.
एवं कतिपयः कालो गतश्चोपासनात्तयोः॥ २१.
Thus, a few moments passed in their worship.
सुतापित्रोश्च तत्रैव शंकरो दुरतिक्रमः २१.
There, Śaṃkara, the son of the father and mother, is impossible to overcome.
ते चिंत्यमानाश्च सुरास्तदानीं कथं महेशो गिरिजां समेष्यति २१.
Then the gods wondered how Mahādeva would unite with Girijā.
बृहस्पतिरुवाचेदं महेंद्रं प्रति सद्वचः २१.
Bṛhaspati spoke these noble words to Mahendra.
एतत्कार्यं मदनेनैव राजन्नान्यः समर्थो भविता त्रिलोके २१.
This task can only be accomplished by Madana, O King; no one else in the three worlds is capable.
गुरोर्वचनमाकर्ण्य आह्वयन्मदनं हरिः २१.
Hearing the teacher's words, Hari summoned Madana.
रत्या समेतः सह माधवेन स पुष्पधन्वा पुरतः सभायाम् २१.
Joined by Rati and accompanied by Mādhava, the wielder of the flower-bow appeared before the assembly.
अहमाकारितः कस्माद्ब्रूहि मेऽद्य शचीपते २१.
Tell me, O lord of Śacī, why have I been called today?
मम स्मरणमात्रेण विभ्रष्टा हि तपस्विनः २१.
By merely remembering me, ascetics lose their austerity.
मम वीर्यं च जानाति शक्तेः पुत्रः पराशरः २१.
The son of Śakti, Parāśara, knows my power.
गुरुरप्यभिजानाति भार्योतथ्यस्य चैव हि २१.
Even the teacher knows, as does the wife of Utaṭhya.
भरद्वाजो महाभाग इत्युवाच गुरुस्तदा २१.
Then the teacher addressed Bharadvāja, the illustrious one.
क्रोधो हि मम बंधुश्च महाबलपरक्रमः ब्रह्मादिस्तंबपर्यंतं प्लावितं सचराचरम्॥ २१.
My anger is my kinsman, mighty and heroic; from Brahmā down to the pillars, all moving and unmoving beings have been overwhelmed.
मदनद्वं समर्थोसि अस्माञ्जेतुं सदैव हि पार्वत्या सहितं शंभुं कुरुष्वाद्य महामते॥ २१.
Madana, you alone are always able to conquer us; O wise one, today unite Śaṃbhu with Pārvatī.
एवमभ्यर्थितो देवैर्मदनो विश्वमोहनः २१.
Thus entreated by the gods, Madana, the enchanter of the world, agreed.
ततो जगामाशु महाधनुर्द्धरो विस्फार्य चापं कुसुमान्वितं महत् तस्मिन्हिमाद्रौ परिदृश्यमानोऽवनौ स्मरो योधयतां वरिष्ठः॥ २१.
Then, swiftly, the great archer took up his bow, stringing the mighty bow adorned with flowers; on Mount Himālaya, visible on earth, Smara, foremost among warriors, prepared for battle.
तत्रागता तदा रंभा उर्वशी पुंजिकस्थली २१.
Then Rambhā, Urvaśī, and Puṃjikasthalī arrived there.
अन्याश्च विविधाः जाताः साहाय्ये मदनस्य च २१.
Various others also came, to assist Madana.
सर्वे गणाश्च सहसा मदनेन विमोहिताः २१.
All the hosts were suddenly bewildered by Madana.
मेनका वीरभद्रेण चण्डेन पुंजिकस्थली २१.
Menakā was with Vīrabhadra, and Puṃjikasthalī with Caṇḍa.
अमत्तभूतैर्बहुभिस्त्रपां त्यक्त्वा मनीषिभिः २१.
Many wise ones, free from pride, abandoned fear.
अशोकाश्चंपकाश्चूता यूथ्यश्चैव कदंबकाः २१.
Aśoka, campaka, mango, yūthikā, and kadamba trees were seen there.
द्राक्षावल्लयः प्रदृश्यंते बहुला नागकेशराः २१.
Grape vines and abundant nāgakeśara trees were visible.
मत्ता मदनसंगेन हंसीभिः कलहंसकाः २१.
Intoxicated by the onset of spring, the swans and kalahaṃsas were together.
निष्कामा ह्यतुरा ह्यासञ्छिवसंपर्कजैर्गुणैः २१.
Free from desire and restlessness, they remained due to the virtues arising from contact with Śiva.
शैलादो हि महातेजा नंदी ह्यमितविक्रमः २१.
Śailāda, of great splendor, and Nandī, of immeasurable prowess, were present.
एतस्मिन्नंतरे तत्र मदनो हि धनुर्द्धरः तरोश्छायां समाश्रित्य देवदारुगतां तदा॥ २१.
Meanwhile, Madana, the bearer of the bow, took shelter in the shade of a tree, near the devadāru trees.
निरीक्ष्य शंभुं परमासने स्तितं तपो जुषाणं परमेष्ठिनां पतिम् २१.
He beheld Śambhu seated on the highest seat, engaged in austerity, the lord of the supreme beings.
भुजंगभोगांकितसर्वगात्रं पंचाननं सिंहविशालविक्रमम् २१.
His entire body was adorned with serpent coils, he had five faces, and the strength of a lion.