स्वकर्मपरिपाकस्य फलदं वै विदुर्बुधाः २१.
The wise know that the fruits of one's actions ripen accordingly.
पुण्येन तत्र सोख्यं स्याद्दृःखं पापेन निश्चितम् मदुक्तं वचनं सर्वं यदि मंतुमिहार्हसि॥ २१.
Through virtue there is happiness there; through sin, surely suffering. If you are to consider all my words here.
मामत्र संस्थितं दृष्ट्वा कालनेमिमुखैर्युतम्॥ २१.
Seeing me standing here, surrounded by the faces of Kālanemi and others—
कस्येह न व्यथेद्बुर्मृत्योरपि जिवांसतः २१.
Who here would not be shaken, even among the living, by the face of death?
ब्रवीषि यद्यत्त्वं वाक्यं ततथैव न संशयः २१.
Whatever you say, let it be so—there is no doubt.
कर्तुमुत्सहते लोके दृष्ट्वा संप्रस्थितं जगत् २१.
Who in this world is able to act, seeing the world itself setting forth?
कालाग्नावाहितं घोरे गुह्ये सततगत्वरे २१.
Cast into the dreadful fire of time, always hidden in the secret passage—
कालो हरति संप्राप्ते नदीवेग इवोन्मुखान् २१.
When time arrives, it sweeps away those who are eager, like a river's current.
कालेन ह्रियमाणानां प्रलापः श्रूयते नृणाम् २१.
As people are carried off by time, their lamentations are heard.
स्पृहामोहातिवादेषु लोकः सक्तो न बुध्यते २१.
Absorbed in longing, delusion, and excessive talk, the world does not awaken.
जानामि त्वामहं विष्णो सर्वभूतवरं प्रभुम् २१.
O Viṣṇu, I know you as the supreme lord, the best among all beings.
केचिद्भजंति त्वां भक्त्या वैरेण हेलया परे २१.
Some worship you with devotion, others with enmity or indifference.
पुराणः शाश्वतो धर्मः सर्वप्राणभृतां समः २१.
You are the ancient, eternal dharma, impartial to all living beings.
पुनर्मर्कस्वरूपेण भ्रांतव्यं भुवनत्रयम् २१.
Again, in the form of a monkey, you will wander through the three worlds.
एवमुक्ते तारकेण देवा हर्षं प्रपेदिरे २१.
When Tāraka spoke thus, the gods were filled with joy.
दैत्येंद्र भव तत्त्वज्ञो विद्याज्ञानतपोन्वितः २१.
O lord of the daityas, become one who knows the truth, endowed with knowledge, wisdom, and asceticism.
कालचारित्रतत्त्वज्ञ शिवभक्त महामते २१.
Knower of the nature of time and conduct, devotee of Śiva, great-minded one.
यावत्ते तपसो वीर्यं तावद्भुंक्ष्वजगत्त्रयम् २१.
As long as your ascetic power endures, so long may you rule the three worlds.
इत्युक्त्वा मर्कयूथेन वृतो नारायणः प्रभुः २१.
Having spoken thus, Lord Nārāyaṇa, surrounded by a troop of monkeys, departed.
ततो मेरुं समागम्य प्रोवाच वचनं हरिः २१.
Then Hari, having reached Meru, spoke these words.
अप्रमत्तैः सदा भाव्यं पाल्यश्च समयस्तथा २१.
One must always remain vigilant, and the agreement must be upheld.
प्रणतः संस्तुतो देवैर्ब्रह्माणं च सुरा ययुः॥ २१.
Having bowed and been praised by the gods, they went to Brahmā.
दिव्योत्तमैस्तत्र गतैरभिष्टुतो विदीप्ततेजा भुवनत्रयेऽपि २१.
There, praised by those who had arrived, his radiant splendor shone even in the three worlds.
स्वयमिन्द्रो निमिर्वह्निः कालनेमिर्यमोऽपि च २१.
Indra himself, Nimi, Agni, Kālanemi, and Yama also (were present).
मेषो वाताधिकारि च कुजंभो धनदोऽभवत् २१.
Meṣa became the lord of wind, Kujaṃbha became the giver of wealth.
एवं विप्रकृता देवा महेंद्रसहितास्तदा २२.
Thus, the gods, along with Mahendra, were afflicted at that time.
ततश्च विस्मितो ब्रह्मा प्राह तान्सुरपुंगवान् २२.
Then, astonished, Brahmā spoke to those foremost among the gods.
ततो देवाः स्वरूपस्थाः प्रम्लानवदनांबुजाः २२.
Then the gods, remaining in their own forms, with withered lotus-like faces.
नमो जगत्प्रसूत्यै ते हेतवे पालकाय च २२.
Salutations to you, the cause of the birth of the universe and its protector.
त्वमपः प्रथमं सृष्ट्वा तासु वीर्यमवासृजः २२.
You first created the waters, and then infused your energy into them.