पक्षमासर्तुवर्षादिकालस्य नियमो गतः
The regulation of time—by fortnight, month, season, and year—ceased.
इन्द्रादयो लोकपाला मरीच्याद्या महर्षयः
Indra and the other guardians of the worlds, and the great sages like Marīci,
एवं जाते महाक्षोभे भूताक्रन्दप्रचोदितः
Thus, when this great agitation arose, prompted by the cries of the beings,
व्यचिंतयच्च विश्वात्मा विश्वसंरक्षणोद्यतः
The Soul of the Universe, intent on protecting the world, reflected deeply.
स्वामिनं सकलैश्वर्यदातारं मां मदोद्धतौ 1.3.2.9.
He considered me, the master and giver of all prosperity, in my state of pride.
अहो मोहस्य माहात्म्यं वदिमौ द्रुहिणाच्युतौ
Ah, the greatness of delusion! Let us speak, O Brahma and Achyuta.
अज्ञानतिमिरोद्भूति दूषिताशयलोचनः
Born from the darkness of ignorance, their minds and vision were corrupted.
कृतापराधावप्येतौ निमग्नौ मोहसागरे
Even though they had committed no offense, those two were submerged in the ocean of delusion.
इति निश्चित्य मनसा माया वैवश्यमेतयोः
Thus, deciding in his mind about the bewilderment caused by Maya in those two,
अहोऽनुकम्पा तरुणेंदुमौलेः स्वभावसिद्धा भुवनत्रयेऽस्मिन्
Ah, the compassion of the young moon-crested One, inherent in all three worlds!
मार्कण्डेय उवाच आज्ञापय विभो मह्यं यथा शंभुः सनातनः
Markandeya said: Command me, O Lord, as to how the eternal Shambhu acted.
यदेव देवो विदधे दयया भक्तवत्सलः
Whatever the god did, he did out of compassion, being devoted to his devotees.
अथोदस्थात्तयोर्मध्ये तथा विवदमानयोः
Then, between those two, as they continued to argue,
महता जृंभमाणेन तस्य ब्रह्मांडभेदिनः
A great manifestation arose, splitting the cosmic egg.
विष्वग्विवर्णता तस्य ज्योतिर्लिंगस्य तेजसा
By the radiance of that Jyotirlinga, everything everywhere lost its color.
तीव्रैस्तस्य महाज्वालैः शोषिता इव सागराः
By its intense, great flames, the oceans seemed to be dried up.
व्यद्योतंत दिवि प्राग्वद्वहास्तारागणैः सह
It shone in the sky as before, along with countless stars.
तेजसा तस्य शोणेन गैरिकेणेव रंजिताः
By its red brilliance, everything appeared as if painted with ochre.
समुद्रास्तत्प्रतिच्छायानिर्भराश्लिष्ट यादसः
The oceans, filled with its reflection, were embraced by aquatic creatures.
प्रवालगुच्छैः प्रत्यग्रैर्लंबिता इव पादपाः 1.3.2.10.
The trees seemed to be adorned with fresh clusters of coral.
मही कुंकुमलिप्तेव दिशः सिंदूरिता इव
The earth appeared as if smeared with saffron, and the directions seemed tinged with vermilion.
ब्रह्मांडकर्परमभूत्तन्महः पूरितांतरम्
The radiance filled the entire interior of the cosmic egg, as if it were its shell.
एवं प्रवर्द्धमानेन तेजःस्तम्भेन तेन च
Thus, as that pillar of brilliance kept growing,
तेजोलिंगं तदाश्चर्यं दृष्ट्वा त्यक्तमिथः क्रुधौ
Seeing that wondrous linga of light, they abandoned their mutual anger.
किमेष वसुधां भित्त्वा शेषादीनां फणाभृताम्
Is this, having pierced the earth, from the hoods of Śeṣa and the other serpents?
किं वा कल्पांतसुलभप्रादुर्भावाः प्रभाकराः
Or is it the sun, manifesting as at the end of a kalpa, which is easily seen then?
आहोस्विन्मेघ संघर्षाद्वितता व्योममध्यतः
Or perhaps, from the friction of clouds, has it spread through the middle of the sky?
प्रतिघ्नन्नेष तेजोभिरक्ष्णोः शक्तिमनुक्षणम्
Is it, with its rays, constantly repelling the power of your eyes?
एष उद्दीप्यमानोऽपि संतापाय न कल्पते
Even though it is blazing, it does not cause any burning.
एतस्य कांतिसंक्रांत्या जगदेव न केवलम् 1.3.2.10.
By the transmission of its radiance, not only the world,