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,
इति ब्रुवति देवेशेप्यंतरुच्छ्वसितं गणैः
As the Lord of the gods was speaking thus, the Gaṇas breathed a sigh of relief.
अर्कोप्यवसरं ज्ञात्वा नत्वा शंभुं व्यजिज्ञपत्
Then the Sun, seizing the opportunity, bowed to Śambhu and addressed him.
अकिंचित्करतां प्राप्तः सहस्रकरवानपि
Though possessing a thousand arms, he had come to a state of helplessness.
स्वधर्मपालके तस्मिन्दिवोदासे धरापतौ
While Divodāsa, the lord of the earth, was upholding his own duty,
प्रतीक्षमाणो देवेश त्वदामनमुत्तमम्
He waited for your supreme command, O Lord of the gods.
मनोरथद्रुमश्चाद्य फलितः श्रीमदीक्षशात्
Today, by your glorious initiation, the tree of my desire has borne fruit.
इत्युदीरितमाकर्ण्य रवेर्वैरविलोचनः
Hearing these words, the enemy-eyed one of the Sun,
ममैव कार्यं विह्तिं त्वं यदत्र व्यवस्थितः
It is indeed my duty that you are established here.
इति सूरं समाश्वास्य देवदेव कृपानिधिः
Thus consoling the Sun, the Lord of gods, ocean of compassion,
योगिन्योपि सुदृष्ट्वाथ शंभुना संप्रसादिताः 4.2.62.
The Yoginīs, too, having been well regarded by Śambhu, were satisfied.