सत्यलोकेपि वैकुंठे महेंद्रादि पुरीष्वपि
Even in Satyaloka, Vaikuntha, and the cities of Indra and others—
प्रतितीर्थं भ्रमन्नापि विमुक्तो ब्रह्महत्यया
Though he wandered to every sacred place, he was not freed from the sin of Brahmin-slaying.
अनेनैवानुमानेन महिमा त्ववगम्यताम्
By this very example, let the greatness be understood.
संति तीर्थान्यनेकानि बहून्यायतनानि च
There are many sacred bathing places and numerous holy shrines.
तावद्गर्जंति पापानि ब्रहत्यादिकान्यलम्
Yet sins, including the great sin of Brahmin-slaying, continue to roar until then.
प्रमथैः सेव्यमानोऽयं त्रिलोकीं विचरन्हरः
Attended by the Pramathas, Hara wandered the three worlds.
अथायांतं महाकालं त्रिनेत्रं सर्पकुंडलम्
Then, as the great Three-eyed One with serpent earrings approached—
पपात दंडवद्भूमौ दृष्ट्वा तं गरुडध्वजः
Seeing him, the bearer of the Garuda banner fell to the ground in prostration.
निपेतुः प्रणिपत्यैनं प्रणतः कमलापतिः
They bowed down and paid homage to him; the Lord of the Lotus, too, offered his respects.
क्षीरोदमथनो तां प्राह पद्मालयां हरिः 4.1.31.
Hari, the churner of the milk ocean, spoke to her who dwells in the lotus.
धन्योऽहं देवि सुश्रोणि यत्पश्यावो जगत्पतिम्
Fortunate am I, O goddess with lovely hips, that we behold the Lord of the universe.
अनादिः शरणः शांतः परः षड्विंशसंमितः
He is beginningless, the refuge, serene, supreme, and measured as twenty-six.
सर्वभूतांतरात्माऽयं सर्वेषां सर्वदः सदा
He is the inner soul of all beings, always the giver to all.
धिया पश्यंति हृदये सोयमद्य समीक्ष्यताम्
Those who are wise see him in the heart; let him be beheld here today.
यं दृष्ट्वा न पुनर्जन्म लभ्यते मानवैर्भुवि
Seeing whom, men on earth do not obtain rebirth.
सोयमायाति भगवांस्त्र्यंबकः शशिभूषणः
He, the blessed Three-eyed One adorned with the moon, now approaches.
धिग्धिक्पदं तु देवानां परं दृष्ट्वाऽत्र शंकरम्
Fie, fie on the station of the gods, when here the supreme Śaṅkara is seen.
देवत्वादशुभं किंचिद्देवलोके न विद्यते
Among the gods, O goddess, there is nothing inauspicious at all in the world of the gods.
एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशः संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहः 4.1.31.
Having spoken thus, Hṛṣīkeśa, his body thrilled with joy—
किमिदं देवदेवेन सर्वज्ञेन त्वया विभो
What is this, O Lord of gods, all-knowing one, that you have done, O mighty one?
क्रीडेयं तव देवेश त्रिलोचन महामते
Is this play of yours, O Lord of gods, Three-eyed one, of great wisdom?
किमर्थं भगवत्र्छंभो भिक्षां चरसि शक्तिप
For what purpose, O blessed Śambhu, bearer of power, do you wander for alms?
एवमुक्तस्ततः शंभुर्विष्णुमेतदुदाहरत्
Thus addressed, Śambhu then spoke this to Viṣṇu:
तदघप्रतिघं विष्णो चराम्येतद्व्रतं शुभम्
O Viṣṇu, I observe this auspicious vow to counteract sin.
स्मित्वा किंचिन्नतशिराः पुनरेवं व्यजिज्ञपत्
Smiling slightly and bowing his head, he again addressed him thus:
मायया मां महादेव नच्छादयितुमर्हसि
Do not, O great god, cover me with your illusion.
कल्पे कल्पे सृजामीश त्वन्नियोगबलाद्विभो
In every cycle, O Lord, I create by the force of your command, O mighty one.
मदाद्यो महादेव मायया तव मोहिताः
O great god, all these gods, beginning with me, are deluded by your illusion.
संहारकाले संप्राप्ते सदेवानखिलान्मुनीन् 4.1.31.
When the time of dissolution arrives, with all the gods and sages present,
तदा क्व ते महादेव पाप ब्रह्मवधादिकम्
Then, O Mahadeva, where is your sin, such as the killing of Brahmins and others?