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.
आश्वास्य तौ महादेवः प्रीतः प्रणतवत्सलः
The great god, pleased and compassionate to those who bow, comforted them both.
मान्योऽध्वरोसौ भवता तथा शतधृतिस्त्वयम्
'This one is to be honored as the lord of sacrifice by you, and this Indra as well.'
ब्रह्महत्यापनोदाय व्रतं लोकाय दर्शयन् इत्युक्त्वांऽतर्हितो देवस्तेजोरूपस्तदा शिवः
To remove the taint of Brahmin-slaying, the god, manifesting a vow for the world, thus spoke and then vanished, Shiva taking the form of pure radiance.
उत्पाद्य कन्यामेकां तु ब्रह्महत्येति विश्रुताम्
He produced a maiden, renowned as Brahmahatya, the embodiment of Brahmin-slaying.
दंष्टाकरालवदनां ललज्जिह्वातिभीषणाम्
Her face was terrifying with protruding fangs, and her lolling tongue was exceedingly dreadful.
कर्त्रीं कर्परहस्ताग्रां स्फुरत्पिंगोग्रतारकाम्
She held a cleaver and a skull in her hands, her eyes blazing fiercely with tawny, wrathful light.
यावद्वाराणसीं दिव्यां पुरीमेष गमिष्यति
Until this one reaches the divine city of Varanasi—
सर्वत्र ते प्रवेशोस्ति त्यक्त्वा वाराणसीं पुरीम्
Everywhere you have entry, except for the city of Varanasi.
तत्सान्निध्याद्भैरवोपि कालोभूत्कालकालतः
By her presence, even Bhairava became Time, the destroyer of Time.
कपालपाणिर्विश्वात्मा चचार भुवनत्रयम् 4.1.31.
Holding the skull in his hand, the Soul of the Universe wandered through the three worlds.