श्रुत्वा स्कंद न तृप्तोस्मि तव वक्त्रेरितां कथाम्
Hearing this, Skanda, I am not satisfied with the story you have spoken.
इदानीं श्रोतुमिच्छामि देवदेवसमागमम्
Now I wish to hear about the meeting of the Lord of gods.
विष्णुमायाप्रपंचं च किमाह गरुडध्वजम्
And the expanse of Viṣṇu’s māyā—what did he say to the bearer of Garuḍa?
ब्रह्मणेशः कथं दृष्टस्त्रपाकुलित चक्षुषा
How did the Lord appear to Brahmā, whose eyes were filled with awe and shame?
योगिनीभिः किमाख्यायि गणाह्रीणाः किमब्रुवन्
What did the Yoginīs recount? What did the gaṇas, full of modesty, say?
इमं प्रश्नं निशम्यैशिर्मुनेः कलशजन्मनः
Hearing this question of the sage, born from the pot—
अशेषविघ्नशमनीं महाश्रेयोभिवर्धिनीम्
She who removes all obstacles and greatly increases supreme welfare.
अथ देवोऽसुररिपुः श्रुत्वा शंभुसमागमम्
Then the god, enemy of the asuras, having heard of Śambhu's arrival—
आयानं शंसते शंभोरुपवाराणसिप्रियम्
He announces the coming of Śambhu, beloved of Upavārāṇasī.
विवस्वता समेतश्च तैर्गणैः परितो वृतः 4.2.62.
And Vivasvat, surrounded on all sides by those hosts, assembled there.
अथनेत्रातिथीकृत्य देवदेवं वृषध्वजम्
Then Indra, having honored the god of gods, the bull-bannered one, as a guest—
पितामहोपि स्थविरो भृशं नम्रशिरोधरः
Even the ancient Grandsire, with head deeply bowed, paid homage.
स्वस्त्यभ्युदितपाणिश्च रुद्रसूक्तैरमंत्रयत्
With hands raised in blessing, he addressed Rudra with hymns of praise.
मौलिं पादाब्जयोः कृत्वा गणेशः सत्वरो नतः
Ganeśa, swift and bowed, placed his crown at the lotus feet.
अभ्युपावेशयच्चापि परिष्वज्य निजासने
He seated him nearby, embracing him on his own seat.
योगिन्योपि प्रणम्येशं चक्रुर्मंगलगायनम्
The yoginīs too, after bowing to the Lord, sang auspicious songs.
खंडेंदुशेखरश्चाथ उपसिंहासनं हरिम्
Then the crescent-crested one offered Hari the lion-throne.
ब्रह्माणं दक्षिणे भागे परिविश्राणितासनम्
He gave Brahmā a seat on the right side, inviting him to rest.
मौलिचालनमात्रेण योगिन्योपि प्रसादिताः
By merely nodding his crowned head, even the yoginīs were delighted.
अथ शंभुं शतधृतिः प्रबद्धकरसंपुटः 4.2.62.
Then Indra, with hands joined in reverence, addressed Śambhu—
वाराणसीं समासाद्य यदहं नागतः पुनः
Having reached Vārāṇasī, if I do not return again—
प्रसंगतोपि कः काशीं प्राप्य चंद्रविभूषण
O moon-crested one, who, having attained Kāśī, would wish to depart?
स्वरूपतो ब्राह्मणत्वादपाकर्तुं न शक्यते
Because of its very nature as brāhmaṇa-hood, it cannot be removed.
विभोरपि समाज्ञेयं धर्मवर्त्मानुसारिणि
Even for the Lord, this command is to be followed by one who walks the path of dharma.
कस्तादृशि महीजानौ पुण्यवर्त्मन्यतंद्रिते
Who, among kings upon the earth, is so steadfast and tireless upon the path of virtue as you?
निशम्येति वचस्तुष्टः श्रीकंठोति विशुद्धधीः
Hearing these words, Śrīkaṇṭha, pure in mind, was pleased.
वाजिमेधाध्वराणां च ततोपि दशकं कृतम्
Then, ten Aśvamedha sacrifices were performed.
ततोपि विहितं ब्रह्मन्भवता परमं हितम्
After that, O brāhmaṇa, you performed the highest good.
येनैकमपि मे लिंगं स्थापितं यत्र कुत्रचित्
By whomsoever even a single liṅga of mine is established anywhere,
अपराधसहस्रेपि ब्राह्मणं योपराध्नुयात् 4.2.62.
Even if he should commit a thousand offenses against a brāhmaṇa,