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.
श्रमांधचक्षुषस्तस्य पातालांतरवर्त्तिनः
His eyes, blinded by fatigue, remained within the depths of the netherworld.
कथंकथंचिदुत्तीर्णो ऽप्यकूपारादपारतः
Somehow, he emerged, though not at the well’s edge, but far from it.
रज्ज्वेव तेजःस्तंभस्य प्रभया सानुबद्धया
By the radiance attached to the pillar of light, like a rope, he returned.
नावैक्षि यन्मया मूलममुष्य महसां निधेः
Yet I could not perceive the root of that great mass of splendor.
अमुष्य महसां राशेः प्रागभूद्यत्र संभवः
Before this heap of brilliance, there was no origin to be found.
स हि विश्वाधिको देवश्चिरं मोहांधचक्षुषा
That god, surpassing all the worlds, for long remained blinded by delusion.
एवं विनिर्धार्य विमुक्तदर्पो निवृत्तवानाशु सरोरुहाक्षः
Thus resolved, his pride released, the lotus-eyed one quickly withdrew.
उत्पपातोन्मुखो वेगान्निरालंबे नभस्तले
He leapt upward with great speed, face turned skyward, into the unsupported expanse.
द्रुतमुत्पततस्तस्य पक्षावेगेन वारिताः
As he swiftly ascended, his wings scattered the waters.
स वेगादुत्पतन्दूरं नाक्ष्णोर्विषयतामगात्
Rising with force, he went far beyond the reach of sight.
मायामरालो ददृशे तेजःस्तंभस्यपार्श्वतः
A magical swan appeared beside the pillar of light.
प्रागत्यगादुत्पततां ततोऽध्वानं पयोमुचाम्
He first crossed the path of the clouds as he soared upward.
तेजसां यानि धामानि ह्यत्युच्चान्यूर्ध्वचारिणाम्
He passed through the realms of light belonging to those who dwell high above.
मरुतो मनसो वापि जवः सूक्ष्मतराकृतेः
The speed of wind or mind is subtle, but his form was even more so.
यथायथा चोत्पपात सुदूरं श्रमितच्छदः
As he rose higher and higher, his leaf-covering, worn out, fell far behind.
अतीत्य मरुतां स्कंधान्सप्त संप्राप्तविस्मयः
Passing beyond the seven hosts of the winds, he was filled with astonishment.
कथं वाऽदृष्टमूलस्य स्थातव्यं पुरतो हरेः 1.3.2.12.
How can one stand before Hari, whose root is unseen?
अनिर्व्यूढप्रतिज्ञस्य दीर्घैः किं वा ममासुभिः
What use are my long years of life, when my vow remains unfulfilled?
अतिसंधित्सतो विष्णुं कस्सहायो भविष्यति
Who will be an ally to one who seeks to surpass Viṣṇu?
छद्मना वा तिरस्कुर्यान्माना हि महतां धनम्
Or, by some trick, could he conceal it? For pride is the wealth of the great.