एकदा पूजमानं तं शंकरं परमार्थदम् ३२.
Once, as he was worshipping Shankara, the bestower of the highest truth—
वचनाच्चित्रगुप्तस्य श्वेत आनीयतामिति ३२.
By the command of Chitragupta, it was said: 'Bring Shveta here.'
राजानं नेतुकामास्ते पाशहस्ता महाभयाः ३२.
The terrifying noose-bearers wished to seize the king.
न चक्रिरे तदा दूता आज्ञां धर्मस्य चैव हि ३२.
But at that time, the messengers did not carry out the command of Dharma.
उद्धृत्य दंडं सहसा नेतुकामस्तदा नृपम् ३२.
Then, suddenly raising the staff, they sought to take the king.
शिवभक्तियुतं शांतं केवलं ज्ञानसंयुतम् ३२.
But he was peaceful, devoted to Shiva, and endowed solely with knowledge.
चित्रस्थो ह्यभवत्स्द्यः प्रेतराजोऽतिविह्वलः ३२.
At that moment, the lord of the dead, stationed at Chitragupta’s side, became greatly agitated.
आगतस्तत्क्षणादेव नृपं प्रति रुषान्वितः ३२.
He came immediately, filled with anger towards the king.
तावत्तं ददृशे सोऽपि स्थितं द्वारि भयावृतम् ३२.
Then he saw him standing at the door, surrounded by fear.
कस्मात्त्वया धरमराज नो नीतोऽयं नृपो महान् ३२.
He asked, 'Dharmaraja, why has this great king not been brought by you?'
कालात्ययो न कर्त्तव्यो वचनान्मम सुव्रत ३२.
The passing of time must not be delayed, as per my command, O virtuous one.
तवाज्ञां च करिष्यामि नात्र कार्या विचारणा ३२.
I will carry out your order; there is no need for deliberation here.
चित्रस्था इव तिष्ठाम भयाद्देवस्य शूलिनः राजानं हंतुमारेभे त्वरितः खड्गमाददे॥ ३२.
We stood as if painted, out of fear of the god with the trident; hastily, he took up his sword to slay the king.
त्रिगुणाष्टाक्रसंकाशं प्रविवेश शिवालयम् स्वभक्तं हंतुकामोसौ श्वेतराजानमुत्तमम्॥ ३२.
He entered the abode of Shiva, shining with the three qualities and eight forms, desiring to kill his own devotee, the noble king Śveta.
ध्यानस्थितं चात्मनि तं विशुद्धज्ञानप्रदीपेन विशुद्धचित्तम् ३२.
He was absorbed in meditation upon himself, his mind purified by the lamp of pure knowledge.
एवंविधं तं प्रसमीक्ष्य कालं संचिंत्यमानं मनसाऽचलेन ३२.
Seeing him thus, contemplating time with a steady mind,
सदाशिवेन दृष्टोऽसौ कालः कालांतकेन च ३२.
He was seen by Sadāśiva and by Kāla, the Ender of Time.
नंदिकेश्वरमध्यस्थो यावद्दृष्टो निजांतिके ३२.
Standing in the midst of Nandikeśvara, he was seen nearby.
निरीक्षितस्तृतीयेन चक्षुषा परमेष्ठिना ३२.
He was observed by the Supreme Lord with a third eye.
ददाह तं कालमनेकवर्णं व्यात्ताननं भीमबहूग्ररूपम् ३२.
He burned that Kāla, who had many colors, a gaping mouth, and a terrifying, fierce form.
ददर्शिरे देवगणाः समेताः सयक्षगंधर्वपिशाचगुह्यकाः ३२.
The assembled hosts of gods, along with Yakṣas, Gandharvas, Piśācas, and Guhyakas, saw it.
ज्वालामालावृतं कालमीश्वरस्याग्रतः स्थितम् ३२.
They saw Kāla, wrapped in a garland of flames, standing before the Lord.
पुनः पुनर्द्ददर्शाथ दह्यमानं कृशानुना ३२.
Again and again, they saw him being burned by the fire.
नमो रुद्राय शांताय स्वज्योत्स्नायात्मवेधसे ३२.
Salutations to Rudra, the peaceful one, whose own radiance pierces the self.
त्राता त्वं हि जगन्नाथ पिता माता सुहृत्सखा ३२.
You are indeed the protector, O Lord of the world: father, mother, friend, and companion.
किं कृतं हि त्वया शंभो कोऽसौ दग्धो ममाग्रतः ३२.
What have you done, O Śambhu? Who is this burned before me?
एवं प्रार्थयतस्तस्य श्रुत्वा च परिदेवनम् ३२.
Hearing his prayer and lamentation,
मया दग्धो ह्ययं कालस्तवार्थे च तवाग्रतः ३२.
I have burned this Kāla for your sake, and before you.
एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन शंभुना राजसत्तमः ३२.
Thus addressed at that time by Śambhu, the best of kings—
किमनेन कृतं शंभो अकृत्यं वद तत्त्वतः ३२.
What has this one done, O Śambhu? Tell truly if he has committed any wrong.