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.
आकाशे ददृशे नातिदूरे किमपि निर्मलम्
In the sky, not far away, he saw something pure and clear.
यद्वा मृणालं तत्सिंधौ वियत्यस्यां कुतस्तु सः
Is it a stalk of lotus in the sea, or in the sky? How could it be there?
अबोधि केतकीबर्हमिति राजीवजन्मना
Born from the lotus, he realized it was a ketakī leaf.
हिरण्यगर्भो विमलमगृह्णात्केतकच्छदम्
Hiraṇyagarbha took up the spotless ketakī leaf.
वर्षाणां शतसाहस्रमुत्पत्यैवं विहायसा
For a hundred thousand years he soared thus through the sky.
अचिंतयत्पद्मसूतिरत्यंतं विहताशयः
The lotus-born, his hopes dashed, pondered deeply.
अनिर्व्यूढप्रतिज्ञावान्नीचतामपि संश्रितः 1.3.2.12.
With his vow unfulfilled, he had even taken refuge in lowliness.
अहमेतत्परीक्षायां क्व परिच्छिन्न पौरुषः प्रध्वंसंत इवांगानि पतामीवाहमप्यधः
In this trial, where is my limited strength? My limbs seem to be falling apart, as if I too am collapsing downward.
किं वान्यद्बहुनोक्तेन सह निश्वासवायुभिः
What more is there to say with many words, along with these sighing breaths?
अहंकारमदग्रंथिरयं त्रुटतु चित्ततः
Let this knot of pride and arrogance be broken from my mind.