बालको बक इत्येवं प्रतीतोऽतिप्रियः पितुः ७.
As a boy, I was known as Baka, greatly beloved by my father.
अथ मारकतं लिंगं देवतावसरात्पितुः ७.
Then, on the occasion of a festival for the deity, my father had an emerald liṅga.
घृतस्य कुंभे संक्रांतौ मकरस्योत्तरायणे ७.
At the time of the sun's northern course in Capricorn, it was placed in a pot of ghee.
निर्माल्यापनयं चक्रे तावच्छून्यं शिवालयम् ७.
He performed the removal of the offerings, and the temple of Śiva was empty at that time.
वत्स क्व नु त्वया लिंगं नूनं विनिहितं वद ७.
"Child, where have you placed the liṅga? Tell me, surely you have hidden it."
ततो मया बालभावाद्भक्ष्यलुब्धेन तत्पितुः ७.
Then, because of my childishness and greed for food, I—
अथ काले तु संप्राप्ते प्रमीतोऽहं नृपालये ७.
Then, when the time came, I died in the king's palace.
घृतकंबलमाहात्म्यान्मकरस्थे दिवाकरे ७.
By the greatness of the Ghṛtakambala, when the sun was in Capricorn—
ततः संस्थापितं लिंगं प्राग्जन्म स्मरता मया ७.
Then, recalling my previous birth, I established the liṅga.
पितृपैतामहं प्राप्य राज्यं शक्त्यनुरूपतः ७.
Having attained the kingdom of my ancestors and forefathers, according to my strength,
पूर्वजन्मनि तुष्टोऽहं घृतकंबलपूजया ७.
In my former birth, I was pleased by the worship with clarified butter and woolen cloth.
ततो मया वृतः प्रादाद्गाणपत्यं मदीप्सितम् ७.
Therefore, I was chosen and granted the Gaṇapatya status, which I desired.
तेनैव हि शरिरेण प्रणतं पुरतः स्थितम् ७.
Indeed, with that very body, standing before me, he bowed down.
घृतेन पूजां कर्तासौ भावी मम गणः स्फुटम् ७.
He will certainly become my attendant in the future, performing worship with ghee.
प्रतीपपालकंनाम संस्थितं शिवशासनम् ७.
He will be known as Pratīpapālaka, established by the command of Śiva.
निसर्गचपलां प्राप्य भ्रमरीमिव तां श्रियम् ७.
Having obtained that fickle fortune, like a bee, by nature restless,
विचचार तदा मत्तः किलाहं वारणो यथा ७.
At that time, intoxicated, I wandered just like an elephant.
विद्यामभिजनं लक्ष्मीं प्राप्य नीचनरो यथा ७.
Just as a lowly man, having gained knowledge, lineage, and wealth,
अथ काले व्यतिक्रांते कियन्मात्रे यदृच्छया ७.
Then, after some time had passed, by chance,
तपस्यति मुनिस्तत्र गालवो भार्यया सह ७.
There, the sage Gālava was practicing austerities together with his wife.
ब्राह्मणस्य हि देहोयं नैवैहिकफलप्रियः ७.
For the body of a brāhmaṇa is not fond of worldly rewards.
तस्य भार्याऽतिरूपेण विजिग्ये विश्ववर्णिनी ७.
His wife, of surpassing beauty, conquered all the world’s women.
हंसगद्गदसंभाषा मत्तमातंगगामिनी ७.
Her speech was sweet and indistinct like a swan’s, and her gait was like that of an intoxicated elephant.
निम्ननाभिर्विधात्रैषा निर्मिता संदिदृक्षुणा ७.
She was created by the Creator, with a deep navel, desiring to be seen.
ततोऽविनीतस्तां वीक्ष्य भद्र गालववल्लभाम् विवेकिनोऽपि मुनयस्तावदेव विवेकिनः॥ ७.
Then, O good one, seeing her, the beloved of Gālava, even wise sages remain wise only so long
यावन्न हरिणाक्षीणामपांगविवरेक्षिताः ७.
As they are not glanced at by the sidelong looks of doe-eyed women.
इति चेति हरिष्यामि तपसा रक्षितां मुनेः ७.
Thus, I will seize her, though she is protected by the sage's austerity.
मम भावी भवेदेषा भार्या मृत्युरुतापि मे ७.
She is destined to become my wife, even if death should come to me.
प्राप्यांतरं हरिष्यामि नास्य योग्येयमंगना ७.
Finding an opportunity, I will take her; this woman is not suitable for him.
नमस्कृत्य वचोऽवोचमिति भाव्यर्थनोदितः ७.
Having bowed, I spoke these words, prompted by what was to come.