किमन्यैर्गुणसंभारैरतोपि न समं विधोः
What need is there for other collections of virtues? For even so, none is equal to Soma.
बृहस्पतेस्स वै भार्यामैश्वर्यमदमोहितः
Deluded by the pride of his own power, he took the wife of Bṛhaspati—
जहार तरसा तारां रूपवान्रूपशालिनीम् 4.1.15.
He forcefully abducted Tārā, beautiful and endowed with beauty.
नायं कलानिधेर्दोषो द्विजराजस्य तस्य वै
This is not the fault of the king of Brahmins, the possessor of the treasury of rays.
ध्वांतमेतदभितः प्रसारियत्तच्छमाय विधिनाविनिर्मितम्
This darkness, spread all around, was created by fate for his appeasement.
आधिपत्यमदमोहितं हितं शंसितं स्पृशति नो हरेर्हितम्
The benefit spoken of, intoxicated by the pride of lordship, does not touch the benefit of Hari.
धिग्धिगेतदधिकर्द्धि चेष्टितं चंक्रमेक्षणविलक्षितं यतः
Fie, fie upon this excessive striving and conduct, which is marked by steps deviating from the path.
कः कामेन न निर्जितस्त्रिजगतां पुष्पायुधेनाप्यहो कः क्रोधस्यवशंगतो ननच को लोभेन संमोहितः
Who is not conquered by desire, even among the three worlds, by the flower-armed one? Alas, who is not overpowered by anger, and who is not deluded by greed?
आधिपत्यकमलातिचंचला प्राप्यतां च यदिहार्जितं किल
The sovereignty, fickle as a lotus, is attained here only by what is truly acquired.
न यदांगिरसे तारां स व्यसर्जयदुल्बणः
When Ulbaṇa did not give Tārā to Aṅgiras,
तेन ब्रह्मशिरोनाम परमास्त्रं महात्मना
By him, the great-souled one, the supreme weapon called Brahmaśiras was employed.
तयोस्तद्युद्धमभवद्घोरं वै तारकामयम्
Then, between those two, a fierce battle arose, desiring Tārā.
निवार्य रुद्रं समरात्संवर्तानलवर्चसम् 4.1.15.
Rudra, whose brilliance was like the fire of dissolution, was restrained from the battle.
अथांतर्गर्भमालोक्य तारां प्राह बृहस्पतिः
Then, seeing the pregnancy within Tārā, Bṛhaspati spoke to her.
इषीकास्तंबमासाद्य गर्भं सा चोत्ससर्ज ह
Having reached a bundle of reeds, she released the pregnancy.
ततः संशयमापन्नास्तारामूचुः सुरोत्तमाः
Then, the best of the gods, filled with doubt, questioned Tārā.
पृच्छमाना यदा देवै र्नाह ताराऽतिसत्रपा
When the gods were asking, Tārā, greatly fearful, did not reply.
तं निवार्य तदा ब्रह्मा तारां पप्रच्छ संशयम्
Then Brahmā, restraining them, questioned Tārā about the doubt.
तदा स मूर्ध्न्युपाघ्राय राजा गर्भं प्रजापतिः
Then Prajāpati, the king, smelled the head of the child.
ततश्च सर्वदेवेभ्यस्तेजोरूपबलाधिकः
Then, among all the gods, he was superior in form, power, and brilliance.
जगाम काशीं निर्वाणराशिं विश्वेशपालिताम्
He went to Kāśī, the heap of liberation, protected by the Lord of the Universe.
तपश्चचार चात्युग्रमुग्रं संशीलयन्हृदि
He performed extremely intense austerity, meditating deeply in his heart.
ततो विश्वपतिः श्रीमान्विश्वेशो विश्वभावनः 4.1.15.
Then the glorious Lord of the Universe, Viśveśa, creator of all,
उवाच च प्रसन्नात्मा ज्योतीरूपो महेश्वरः
And Maheśvara, radiant in form, with a pleased mind, spoke.
तवानेनाति तपसा लिंगसंशीलनेन च
By this severe austerity of yours and by the meditation upon the liṅga,
इति श्रुत्वा वचः सोथ मेघगंभीर निःस्वनम्
Having heard these words, with a voice deep as thunder,
उन्मील्यलोचने यावत्पुरः पश्यति बालकः
As soon as the boy opened his eyes, he looked ahead.
बुध उवाच नमः पूतात्मने तुभ्यं ज्योतीरूप नमोस्तु ते
Budha said: Salutations to you, pure-souled one; O form of light, I bow to you.
नमः सर्वार्ति नाशाय प्रणतानां शिवात्मने
Salutations to the one who destroys all suffering, to the auspicious soul of those who take refuge.
कृपालवे नमस्तुभ्यं भक्तिगम्याय ते नमः
Salutations to you, compassionate one; salutations to you, who are attainable through devotion.