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.
दुरासदं दीप्तिमतां वरिष्ठं महेशमुग्रं सह माधवेन सखीजनैः संवृता पूजनार्थं सदाशिवं मंगलं मंगलानाम्॥ २१.
The great and formidable Lord Maheśa, difficult to approach, supreme among the radiant, was there with Mādhava and surrounded by companions, for the worship of Sadāśiva, the most auspicious among the auspicious.
कनककुसुममालां संदधे नीलकंठे सितकिरणमनोज्ञादुर्ल्लभा सा तदानीम् २१.
She placed a garland of golden flowers on Nīlakaṇṭha; at that moment, it was rare and enchanting as moonlight.
तावद्विद्धः शरेणैव मोहनाख्येन चत्वरात् ददर्श गिरिजां देवोब्धिर्यथा शशिनः कलाम्॥ २१.
Then, struck by the arrow named Mohana, the god saw Girijā as the ocean sees the digit of the moon.
चारुप्रसन्नवदनां बिंबोष्ठीं सस्मितेक्षणाम् २१.
He saw her with a lovely, serene face, lips like bimba fruit, and eyes bright with a gentle smile.
गौरीं प्रसन्नमुद्रां च विश्वमोहनमोहनाम् २१.
He saw Gaurī, with a gracious gesture, enchanting even the enchanter of the universe.
उत्पत्तिपालनविनाशकरी च या वै कृत्वाग्रतः सत्त्वरजस्तमांसि २१.
She who creates, sustains, and destroys, having placed the qualities of sattva, rajas, and tamas before her.
तां निरीक्ष्य भवो देवो गिरिजां लोकपावनीम् विस्मयोत्फुल्लनयनो बभूव सहसा शिवः॥ २१.
Seeing Girijā, purifier of the worlds, Bhava, the god, suddenly became wide-eyed with wonder.
एवं विलोकमानोऽसौ देवदेवो जगत्पतिः २१.
Thus, as he gazed, the god of gods, lord of the universe, beheld her.
अनया मोहितः कस्मात्तपःस्थोऽहं निरामयः २१.
How is it that, though steadfast in asceticism and free from affliction, I have been deluded by her?
ततो व्यलोकयच्छंभुर्द्दिक्षु सर्वासु सादरम् २१.
Then Śaṃbhu respectfully looked in all directions.