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.
चक्रीकृतधनुः सज्जं चक्रे बेद्धुं सदाशिवम् तावद्दृष्टो महेशेन सरोषेण तदा द्विजाः॥ २१.
With his bow readied and drawn, he prepared to strike Sadāśiva; at that very moment, O twice-born, he was seen by Maheśa, filled with anger.
निरीक्षितस्तृतीयेन चक्षुषा परमेण हि हाहाकारो महानासीद्देवानां तत्र पश्यताम्॥ २१.
He was gazed upon by the supreme third eye; then, as the gods watched, a great outcry of distress arose.
देवदेव महादेव देवानां वरदो भव २१.
O God of gods, great Lord, grant a boon to the gods.
वृथा त्वयाथ दग्धोऽसौ मदनो हि महाप्रभः॥ २१.
In vain, then, has that radiant Madana been burned by you.
त्वया हि कार्यं जगदेकबंधो कार्यं सुराणां परमेण वर्चसा २१.
For you alone are the sole support of the world; the work of the gods must be accomplished by your supreme power.
तारकेण महादेव देवाः संपीडिता भृशम् २१.
The gods have been greatly oppressed by Tāraka, O great Lord.
वरयस्व महाभाग देवाकार्ये भव क्षमः २१.
Choose a boon, O greatly fortunate one; be gracious in fulfilling the gods’ purpose.
कालकूटाच्च नूनं हि रक्षिताः स्मो न चान्यथा २१.
Indeed, we have been saved from Kālakūṭa, and not otherwise.
मदनोयं समायातः सुराणां कार्यसिद्धये २१.
This Madana has come for the accomplishment of the gods’ purpose.
विना तेन जगत्सर्वं नाशमेष्यति शंकर २१.
Without him, O Śaṃkara, the entire world will come to ruin.
तदोवाच रुषाविष्टो देवान्प्रति महेश्वरः २१.
Then Maheśvara, filled with anger, spoke to the gods.
यदाःकामं पुरस्कृत्य सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः २१.
Whenever all the gods, along with Indra, act under the sway of desire—
कामो हि नरकायैव सर्वेषां प्राणिनां ध्रुवम् २१.
Desire surely leads all living beings to hell.
तारकोऽपि दुराचारो निष्कामोऽद्य भविष्यति २१.
Tāraka too, though wicked, will now become devoid of desire.
तस्मात्कामो मया दग्धः सर्वेषां शांतिहेतवे २१.
Therefore, I have burned Kāma for the sake of peace for all.
अन्यैः प्राणिभिरेवात्र तपसे धीयतां मनः २१.
Let other living beings here turn their minds to asceticism.
तस्मादेनं पापिनं दुःखमूलं न जीवयिष्यामि सुराः प्रतीक्ष्यताम् २१.
Therefore, I will not let this sinful one, the root of suffering, live; O gods, wait and see.
एवमुक्तास्तदा तेन शंभुना परमेष्ठिना २१.
Thus addressed at that time by Śaṃbhu, the supreme lord,
यदुक्तं भवता शंभो परं श्रेयस्करं हि नः २१.
What you have spoken, O Śaṃbhu, is indeed supremely beneficial for us.
यथा सृष्टमिदं विश्वं कामक्रोधसमन्वितम् २१.
Just as this universe was created, endowed with desire and anger,