ततः प्रोवाच स ब्राध्निर्देव देवमुमापतिम्
Then he, the radiant one, spoke to the god, the consort of Umā—
प्रसन्नोसि यदीशान सर्वज्ञ करुणानिधे
If you are pleased, O Lord, all-knowing, ocean of compassion—
यं न वेदा विदुः सम्यङ्न च तौ वेदपूरुषौ
Whom the Vedas do not fully know, nor do those two Vedic sages—
श्रीकंठांडज डिंभानाममीषां मधुरब्रुवाम्
Of these sweet-speaking offspring of Śrīkaṇṭha and the egg-born—
पितृभ्यां परिहीनानामितिहास कथाविदाम्
Of those deprived of their fathers, and those who know the stories of tradition—
एतत्प्रसूतिसमये आमयेन प्रपीडिता
At the time of their birth, afflicted by disease—
रक्षितानामनाथानां सदा मन्मुखदर्शिनाम्
Of those who are protected, who are without guardians, and who always gaze upon my face,
इति धर्मवचः श्रुत्वा परोपकृतिनिर्मलम् 4.2.79.१
Having heard these words of Dharma, pure and devoted to the welfare of others,
उवाच धर्मेति प्रीतः शुकशावानिदं वचः
Pleased, Śukaśāvān spoke these words, addressing Dharma thus:
को वरो भवता देयो धर्मेश परिचारिणाम्
"What boon should be granted by you, Lord of Dharma, to those who serve you?"
इति श्रुत्वा महेशस्य वचनं ते पतत्त्रिणः
Hearing these words of Maheśa, those birds replied:
इतोपि त्र्यक्ष यत्साक्षात्तिर्यक्त्वेपि समीक्षिताः
"Moreover, O Three-eyed One, even when born as animals, we have directly beheld you.
लाभाः संतूद्यमवतां गिरीशेह परः शताः
May there be hundreds of supreme gains here, O Lord of Mountains, for those who strive!
यदेतद्दृश्यते नाथ तत्सर्वं क्षणभंगुरम्
Whatever is seen here, O Lord, all of it is momentary and perishable.
विचित्रजन्मकोटीनां स्मृतिर्नोत्र परिस्फुरेत्
Among the countless varieties of births, memory does not arise here.
देवयोनिरपि प्राप्ता चिरमस्माभिरीशितः
We have long attained even the divine birth, O Lord.
आसुरी दानवी नागी नैर्ऋती चापि कैन्नरी
We have been Asuras, Dānavas, Nāgas, Nairṛtas, and Kinnaras as well.
नरत्वे भूपतित्वं च परिप्राप्तमनेकशः 4.2.79.
We have attained human birth and kingship many times.
वने वनौकसो जाता ग्रामेषु ग्रामवासिनः
We have been born as forest-dwellers in the woods, and as villagers in the villages.
सुखिनोपि वयं जाता दुःखिनो वयमास्म च
We have been born happy, and we have also been born miserable.
अधीतिनोपि मूर्खाश्च स्वामिनः सेवका अपि
We have been both learned and ignorant, masters and servants as well.
अभूम भूरिशः शंभो न क्वापि स्थैर्यमागताः
O Śambhu, we have existed in many forms, but nowhere have we found stability.
पिनाकिन्क्वापि न प्रापि सुखलेशो मनागपि
O Pinākin, nowhere did we attain even the slightest trace of happiness.
तापनेःसुतपो वह्निज्वालाप्रज्वलितैनसः
Because of the heat of the sun, the austerities of Tapana, and the flames of fire, our sins have been burned.
तथापि चेद्वरो देयस्तिर्यक्ष्वस्मासु धूर्जटे
Yet, O Dhūrjaṭi, if a boon must be given to us, even as animals—
येन ज्ञानेन मुक्ताः स्मोऽमुष्मात्संसारबंधनात्
Grant us that knowledge by which we are freed from the bondage of this worldly existence.
ऐंद्रं पदं न वांछामो न चांद्रं नान्यदेव हि
We do not desire the station of Indra, nor that of the Moon, nor any other indeed.
त्वत्सान्निध्याद्विजानीमः सर्वज्ञ सकलं वयम् 4.2.79.
O Omniscient One, by your nearness we know all things.
एतदेव परं ज्ञानं संसारोच्छित्तिकारणम्
This alone is the supreme knowledge, the cause of the destruction of worldly existence.
निर्मथ्य विष्वग्वाग्जालं सारभूतमिदं परम्
Having churned the net of words on all sides, this essence is supreme.