तत्फलोदयसंपत्तौ तद्भवान्संस्मृतो मुने २३.
At the attainment of the fruit and success, you are remembered, O sage.
निर्वृतिं परमां याति निवेद्यार्थं सुहृज्जने॥ २३.
One attains supreme contentment by informing friends of the matter.
तद्भवाञ्छैलजां देवीं शैलंद्रं शैलवल्लभाम् २३.
Therefore, you should approach the goddess, daughter of the mountain, beloved of the lord of mountains.
ततस्तद्वाक्यमाकर्ण्य गतोऽहं शैलसत्तमम् २३.
Then, having heard those words, I went to the best of mountains.
तत्र हैमे स्वयं तेन महाभक्त्या निवेदिते २३.
There, in the golden abode, he himself, with great devotion, made the offering.
गृहीतार्घ्यं ततो मां च पप्रच्छ श्लक्ष्णया गिरा २३.
Having received the arghya, he then asked me with gentle words.
अहमप्यस्य तत्प्रोच्य प्रत्यवोचं गिरीश्वरम् २३.
I also, having spoken to him, replied to the lord of mountains.
अवगाह्य स्थितवता क्रियते प्राणिपालना २३.
Having entered and remained there, the protection of living beings is accomplished.
तपोजपव्रतस्नानौः साध्यंत्यात्मनः परम् २३.
Through austerity, recitation, vows, and bathing, one attains the supreme self.
त्वं समुद्धरसि विप्रान्किमतः प्रोच्यते तव २३.
You uplift the Brahmins—what more can be said of your greatness?
मुदिताः प्रतिवर्तंते गृहस्थमिव प्राणिनः २३.
Beings return joyfully to you, as to a householder.
उपाकरोषि जंतूनामेवंरूपा हि साधवः २३.
You assist living beings; such indeed is the nature of the virtuous.
कंदरं यस्य चाध्यास्ते स्वयं तव महेश्वरः २३.
The great Lord himself dwells in your cave.
हिमशैलस्य महिषी मेना आगाद्दिदृक्षया २३.
Menā, queen of the Himalaya, came out of desire to see you.
लज्जयानतसर्वांगी प्रविवेश सदो महत् २३.
With all her limbs lowered in modesty, she entered the great assembly.
वस्त्रनिर्गूढवदना पाणिपद्मकृतांजलिः २३.
Her face veiled by her garment, she stood with lotus-hands joined in reverence.
पतिव्रता शुभाचारा सुबगा वीरसूः शुभे २३.
Devoted to her husband, of auspicious conduct, blessed, and mother of a hero, O auspicious one.
ततोऽहं विस्मिताक्षीं च हिमवद्गिरिपुत्रिकाम् २३.
Then I saw the daughter of Himavat, her eyes wide with wonder.
ततो देवी जगन्माता बालबावं स्वकं मयि २३.
Then the goddess, mother of the world, displayed her childish nature to me.
उवाच वाचं तां मंदं मुनिं वंदय पुत्रिके २३.
She gently spoke these words: 'Child, offer respect to the sage.'
इत्युक्ता सा ततो बाला वस्त्रांतपि हितानना २३.
Thus addressed, the young girl, her face partly covered by her garment,
ततो विस्मितचित्तोहमुपचारविदांवरः २३.
Then, my mind filled with wonder, foremost among those who know proper conduct,
रत्नक्रीडनकं रम्यं स्तापितं सुचिरं मया २३.
I placed before her a beautiful jeweled toy, crafted by me over a long time.
वंदमाना च मे पादौ मया नीतांक मात्मनः २३.
As she bowed to my feet, I drew her close to myself.
न तत्पश्यामि यत्तुभ्यं दद्म्याशीः का तवोचिता २३.
I do not see what blessing I could give you that would be fitting.
नोदयामास मां मंदमानशीःशंकिता तदा २३.
Then, hesitating, she did not ask me for a blessing.
तदहं ज्ञातुमिच्छामि कीदृशोऽस्याः पतिर्भवेत् २३.
Therefore, I wish to know what kind of husband she will have.
न जातोऽस्याः पतिर्भद्रे वर्तते च कुलक्षणः २३.
Her husband has not yet been born, O gentle one, and he possesses the marks of a noble lineage.
श्रुत्वेति संभ्रमाविष्टो ध्वस्तवीर्यो हिमाचलः २३.
Hearing this, Himācala was seized with anxiety and his strength was shattered.
अहो विचित्रः सं सारो दुर्वेद्यो महतामपि २३.
Ah, how strange is this world-cycle, difficult to comprehend even for the great.