कस्मादेष समुत्पन्नः किं मूलः किमुपाधिकः
From where has this arisen? What is its root, what is its cause?
कियानवधिरेतस्य विष्वक्तिर्यगधोर्ध्वतः
How far does its extent reach, in all directions, across and above?
तदेतदखिलं ज्ञातुं मनः पर्युत्सुकं मुहुः
Thus, the mind is repeatedly restless to know all this.
इति चिंताभराक्रांतौ तेजःस्तंभावलोकनात्
Thus, overwhelmed by the weight of these thoughts, from gazing at the pillar of light,
अभाषत च गोविंदः सुतरामेव गर्वितम्
Govinda spoke, even more proudly,
सत्यमेव परीक्षायै निकषः समुपस्थितः
Truly, a test has now presented itself for examination.
अमुष्य तेजसां राशेरपरिच्छेद्यसंपदः
Of this mass of radiance, whose extent cannot be determined,
यः पश्येन्मूलमग्रं वा तेजसोस्य स्वयंभुवः
Whoever could see either its root or its tip—of this self-existent light—
तेजसोतिमहतो बभूवतुः स्पर्धया विरचितोद्यमौ मिथः
By their rivalry, both became possessed of exceedingly great energy, each striving with determination against the other.
भेजे विरंचिस्तस्याग्रं द्रक्ष्यामीति कृतोद्यमः
Brahmā approached that foremost place, resolved to see it.
जग्राह विष्णुर्वाराहं विग्रहं दृढविग्रहः
Viṣṇu, steadfast in form, assumed the shape of a boar.
मूलं तस्य परिज्ञाय प्रत्यावर्तितुमुत्सुकः
Recognizing its root, he became eager to return.
विदारयन्स पोत्रेण भूतधात्रीमवाङ्मुखः
Turning downward, he split the earth with his snout.
क्रीडाक्रोडकठोरेण कंठघोषेण पूरयन्
Filling the space with the harsh sound of his playful grunt.
विवेश यत्रयत्रासौ तत्रतत्र तथास्थितम्
Wherever he entered, there he found it established in the same way.
विदारितान्महीरंधात्प्रत्यदृश्यंत भोगिनः
Through the earth's fissures, serpents became visible.
प्रत्यदृश्यत हेमाद्रेर्मूल कन्द इव स्थितः
He saw it standing like the root-bulb of the golden mountain.
आराद्वसुन्धरागुल्फे धुरंधरतया स्थिताः
From afar, the earth's ankles were seen, steadfast in bearing the burden.
मधुद्विषा च स महान्मंडूकोऽपि विलोकितः 1.3.2.11.
There too was seen the great frog, and the enemy of Madhu.
आधारशक्तिमपि तामभ्यपश्यदधोक्षजः
The Unmanifest also beheld her sustaining power.
अतलं वितलं चैष सुतलं नितलं तथा
He saw Atala, Vitala, Sutala, and likewise Nitala.
ददर्श सप्त पातालानपि वारिजलोचनः
The lotus-eyed one beheld the seven nether worlds as well.
अत्यगाद्भोगवत्याख्यां पुरीं वैरोचनीमपि
He passed beyond the city of Bhogavatī, known as Vairocani.
इदं दृष्टमिदं दृष्टमित्युपारूढकौतुकः
With mounting curiosity, he kept saying, 'This I have seen, this I have seen.'
अधस्तादपि गाढेन पयोधेस्तेन पोत्रिणा
Even beneath that, with his powerful snout, he pierced the dense ocean.
दलिता केवलं पृष्वी पाथोराशिर्विलोलितः
Only the earth was split, while the ocean was violently agitated.
इत्थं वर्षसहस्राणि भ्रांत्या संभ्रांतमानसः
Thus, for thousands of years, his mind wandered in confusion and bewilderment.
अवरुग्णखुरः क्षुण्णदंष्ट्रो विध्वस्तविग्रहः
His hooves were worn down, his fangs broken, and his body shattered.
श्रांत्या निश्वसतस्तस्य तादृग्दर्पो विशृंखलः 1.3.2.11.
Exhausted, he panted, his unrestrained pride now broken.
अनिर्व्यूढप्रतिज्ञोऽपि प्रत्यावर्तितुमुत्सकः
Though he had not fulfilled his vow, he was eager to turn back.