अरुणेस्मिन्महाक्षेत्रे देहिभिर्लब्धजन्मभिः
In this sacred land of Aruṇa, those who are embodied and have obtained birth—
अन्यत्र मुक्तदेहानामप्यत्र श्राद्धकर्मणा 1.3.2.7.
Elsewhere, even for those who are freed from the body, here, by the rite of śrāddha—
अयोध्यां मथुरां मायां काशीं कांचीमवंतिकाम्
Ayodhyā, Mathurā, Māyā, Kāśī, Kāñcī, and Avantikā—
इत्युक्तवंतं च शिलादपुत्रं मृकण्डुसूनुः पुनरप्युवाच
Having spoken thus, the son of Śilāda was again addressed by Mṛkaṇḍu's son.
मार्कंडेय त्वया मन्ये मयि न्यस्तो महान्भरः
Mārkaṇḍeya, I think you have placed a great burden upon me.
स्थाने कुतूहलाक्षिप्तं मनस्तव महामते
It is fitting that your mind, O wise one, is seized by curiosity.
कथं वा शक्यते वक्तुं जानानरपि कार्त्स्न्यतः
How indeed can it be spoken of fully, even by one who knows?
कथं वा श्रुतमप्येतदाश्चर्यरसभावितैः
Or how, even having heard it, can this be grasped by those filled with wonder?
इदानीं स्मर चित्रं तु चरित्रं स्मरवैरिणः
Now recall, indeed, the marvelous deeds of the enemy of Smara (Kāma).
अद्भुतं शिवचारित्रमास्कंदितमनोहरम्
The wondrous deeds of Śiva are uninterrupted and captivating.
तथाप्येष प्रवक्ष्येऽहमंशांशेन यथामति
Nevertheless, I shall speak of them in part, according to my ability.
पुरादिदेवकल्पादौ निर्विकल्पो महेश्वरः
At the beginning of the first age of the gods, the Great Lord was without differentiation.
उद्भावितं च तद्विश्वं स्रष्टुं पातुं च सर्वदा
He brought forth that universe, always to create and to protect.
असृजद्दक्षिणांगेन त्र्यंबकः परमेष्ठिनम् 1.3.2.8.
From his right side, Tryambaka created Parameṣṭhin (Brahmā).
ब्रह्माणं रजसा विष्णुं सत्त्वेन समयूयुजत्
He endowed Brahmā with rajas and Viṣṇu with sattva.
ईशाते सर्वजगतां सृष्टिरक्षाविधानयोः
He is called the Lord of all worlds, for creation and the regulation of protection.
दक्षं च दक्षिणांगुष्ठात्सृष्ट्यै प्रावर्तयद्विधिः
The Creator set Daksha in motion for creation from the right thumb.
शूद्रांश्च पद्भ्यां निरमात्स्वयं च कमलासनः
And the Lotus-Seated One himself brought forth the Śūdras from his feet.
मरुतः फणिनो गृध्रा गंधर्वासरसोऽपि च
The Maruts, serpents, vultures, Gandharvas, and rivers also came forth.
नानाज्ञातित्वमापाद्य नानाकर्मप्रवर्तकाः
Having attained various identities, they became performers of diverse actions.
पुलस्त्यपुलहाभ्यां च जज्ञिरे यक्षराक्षसाः
From Pulastya and Pulaha were born the Yakshas and Rakshasas.
भृगोरग्निः समुदभूच्च्यवनाद्यास्तथर्षयः यत्पुत्रपौत्रैर्भुवनमिदमापूर्यतेऽखिलम्
From Bhṛgu came Agni, and likewise Cyavana and other sages, whose sons and grandsons fill this entire world.
एवं ब्रह्माऽऽत्मजैः स्वीयैरिदमापूरयज्जगत्
Thus Brahmā filled the world with his own offspring.
अच्युतोऽपि भृगोः पुत्रीमुद्वाह्य कमलालयाम् 1.3.2.8.
Acyuta also married Bhṛgu’s daughter, the Lotus-Dweller.
सृष्टिस्थितिभ्यां द्रुहिणाब्जनाभौ स्वाधीनतां नूनमुपागताभ्याम्
By creation and preservation, the Lotus-Born and the Lotus-Naveled have surely attained their own dominion.
विरंच्यप्युतयोरासीद्विवादो मोहसंभवः
Even between Virancha and Utaya arose a dispute born of delusion.
रजोविकाराभ्यधिको बाह्ये नील इवोत्थितः
The excess of rajas manifested outwardly, like a blue hue appearing.
पितामहस्य लोकानां किमेवमतिमोहितः
Why is the grandfather of the worlds so bewildered?
त्वत्त एवोदितौ दैत्यौ निहत्य मधुकैटभौ
From you alone arose the two demons, Madhuka and Kaitabha, whom you slew.
त्वामेव सृजतो नित्यं बहुधा मम वेधसः
It is always you whom the Creator generates in many forms.