यूयमेव न संदेहः किं तत्त्वं प्रतितिष्ठत
You yourselves, without doubt, must establish what the truth is.
श्रुतय ऊचुः यदि मान्या वयं देवौ सृष्टिस्थितिकरौ विभू
The Vedas said: If we are to be respected, O gods, as the creators and sustainers of the universe—
श्रुत्युक्तमिदमाकर्ण्य प्रोचतुस्तौ श्रुतीः प्रति
Having heard this as spoken by the Vedas, the two responded to the Vedas.
ऋगुवाच यदंतःस्थानि भूतानि यतः सर्वं प्रवर्तते
Ṛg said: That within which all beings reside, from which everything proceeds—
येन प्रमाणं हि वयं स एकः सर्वदृक्छिवः
By whom we are measured, he alone is Śiva, the all-seeing.
यद्भासा भासते विश्वं स एकस्त्र्यंबकः परः
By whose radiance the universe shines, he alone is the supreme Three-eyed One.
तमाहुरेकं कैवल्यं शंकरं दुःखतस्करम्
Him they call the one, the absolute, Śaṃkara, the remover of sorrow.
श्रुतीरितं निशम्येत्थं तावतीव विमोहितौ
Hearing thus what was spoken by the Vedas, both became greatly bewildered.
कथं प्रमथनाथोसौ रममाणो निरंतरम्
How does the Lord of the Pramathas, ever delighting, act continuously—
विटंकवेशो जटिलो वृषगोव्यालभूषणः 4.1.31.
With the appearance of a mendicant, matted hair, adorned with bull, cow, and serpent?
तदुदीरितमाकर्ण्य प्रणवात्मा सनातनः
Having heard what was thus spoken, the eternal one whose essence is Praṇava—
प्रणव उवाच कदाचिद्रमते रुद्रो लीलारूपधरो हरः
Praṇava said: Sometimes Rudra delights, taking on the form of sport, Hara.
असौ हि भगवानीशः स्वयंज्योतिः सनातनः
He is indeed the blessed Lord, self-luminous, eternal.
इत्येवमुक्तेपि तदा मखमूर्तेरजस्य हि
Even after this was spoken, at that time, regarding the sacrificial form of Brahmā—
प्रादुरासीत्ततो ज्योतिरुभयोरंतरे महत्
Then, a great light appeared between the two.
ज्योतिर्मंडलमध्यस्थो ददृशे पुरुषाकृतिः
Within the center of that luminous orb, a figure in human form was seen.
आवयोरंतरं कोसौ बिभृयात्पुरुषाकृतिम्
Who is this, bearing a human shape, standing between us?
स्रष्टा क्षणेन च महान्पुरुषो नीललोहितः
In an instant, the great Creator, blue and red in hue, appeared.
हिरण्यगर्भस्तं प्राह जाने त्वां चंद्रशेखरम्
Hiraṇyagarbha spoke to him: 'I know you, O wearer of the crescent moon.'
रोदनाद्रुद्रनामापि योजितोसि मया पुरा 4.1.31.
'Because you wept, I formerly gave you the name Rudra.'
अथेश्वरः पद्मयोनेः श्रुत्वा गर्ववतीं गिरम्
Then the Lord, hearing the proud words of the lotus-born one,
प्राह पंकजजन्मासौ शास्यस्ते कालभैरव
said, 'This one born from the lotus will be disciplined by you, Kālabhairava.'
विश्वं भर्तुं समर्थोऽसि भरणाद्भैरवः स्मृतः
'You are able to sustain the universe; therefore, you are called Bhairava, the supporter.'
आमर्दयिष्यति भवांस्तुष्टो दुष्टात्मनो यतः
'When pleased, you will subdue the wicked-hearted.'
यतः पापानि भक्तानां भक्षयिष्यति तत्क्षणात्
'For you will instantly consume the sins of devotees.'
या मे मुक्तिपुरी काशी सर्वाभ्योपि गरीयसी
'My city of liberation, Kāśī, is greater than all others.'
तत्र ये पापकर्तारस्तेषां शास्ता त्वमेव हि
'There, you alone are the ruler over those who commit evil deeds.'
एतान्वरान्प्रगृह्याऽथ तत्क्षणात्कालभैरवः
Having received these boons, Kālabhairava, at that very moment—
यदंगमपराध्नोति कार्यं तस्यैव शासनम्
'Whenever someone commits a transgression, it is your duty to punish him.'
यज्ञमूर्तिधरो विष्णुस्ततस्तुष्टाव शंकरम् 4.1.31.
Then Viṣṇu, bearing the form of sacrifice, praised Śaṃkara.