काश्यां स्वलीलया देवि तिर्यग्योनिजुषामपि 4.2.86.
In Kāśī, by my own play, O goddess, even among those born in lower wombs,
चतुर्दशानां लिंगानां श्रुत्वाख्यानानि सत्तमः
Having heard the accounts of the fourteen liṅgas, the noble one—
प्रादुर्भावं निशम्यैषां लिंगानां मुक्तिदायिनाम्
Having heard of the manifestation of these liṅgas that grant liberation,
नितरां परितृप्तोस्मि सुधां पीत्वेव निर्जरः
I am completely satisfied, as if an immortal after drinking nectar.
आनंदमेवजनयेदपि पापजुषामिह
Even for those here who are steeped in sin, it would produce only joy.
जीवन्मुक्तइवासं हि क्षेत्रतत्त्वश्रुतेरहम् यान्युक्तानि समाचक्ष्व तत्प्रभावमशेषतः
Indeed, I have become liberated while living, by hearing the truth of the field; tell me in full the powers of those you have mentioned.
यो दक्षो गर्हयामास मध्ये देवसभं विभुम्
That Dakṣa, who reproached the Lord in the midst of the assembly of gods—
इति श्रुत्वा शिखिरथः कुंभयोनेरुदीरितम्
Having heard thus what was spoken by Śikhiratha, son of Kumbha,
आकर्णय मुने वच्मि कथां कल्मषहारिणीम्
Listen, O sage, I will tell a story that destroys sin.
छागवक्त्रो विरूपास्यो दधीचि परिधिक्कृतः
With the face of a goat, deformed in appearance, Dadhīci was surrounded.
एकदा देवदेवस्य सेवार्थं शशिमौलिनः
Once, for the service of the Lord of gods, the one with the crescent moon,
इंद्रादयो लोकपाला विश्वेदेवा मरुद्गणाः 4.2.87.
Indra and the other guardians of the worlds, the Viśvedevās, and the hosts of Maruts—
ऋषयोऽप्सरसोयक्षा गंधर्वाः सिद्धचारणाः
The seers, celestial nymphs, yakṣas, gandharvas, siddhas, and cāraṇas—
स्तुतश्च नाना स्तुतिभिः शंभुनापि कृतादराः
—praised with various hymns, even by Śambhu, and shown honor.
अथ तेषूपविष्टेषु शंभुना विष्टरश्रवाः
Then, as they were seated, Śambhu, famed for his eloquence—
श्रीवत्सलांछन हरे दैत्यवंशदवानल
—addressed Hari, marked by the Śrīvatsa, the fire consuming the race of Daityas:
दितिजान्दनुजान्दुष्टान्कच्चिच्छासि रणांगणे
Are you, on the battlefield, destroying the wicked sons of Diti and Danu?
बाधया रहिता गावः कच्चित्संति महीतले
Are the cows on earth now free from harm and flourishing?
विधियज्ञाः प्रवर्तंते पृथिव्यां बहुदक्षिणाः
Are the prescribed sacrifices, with abundant gifts, being performed on earth?
निष्प्रत्यूहं पठंत्येव सांगान्वेदान्द्विजोत्तमाः
Are the best of twice-born reciting the Vedas with their limbs, without obstruction?
स्वेषु स्वेषु च धर्मेषु कच्चिद्वर्णाश्रमास्तथा
Are the classes and stages of life steadfast in their own duties?
धूर्जटिः परिपृछ्येति हृष्टं वैकुंठनायकम्। ब्रह्माणं चापि पप्रच्छ ब्राह्मं तेजः समेधते ।। 4.2.87.
Dhūrjaṭi, thus inquiring, joyfully addressed the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha, and also questioned Brahmā, whose brāhmaṇic splendor was radiant.
सत्यमस्खलितं कच्चिदस्ति त्रैलोक्यमंडपे
Is truth, unblemished, present in the assembly of the three worlds?
इंद्रादयः सुराः कच्चित्स्वेषु स्वेषु पुरेष्वहो
Are Indra and the other gods abiding in their own cities?
प्रत्येकं परिपृच्छयेशः सर्वानित्थं कृतादरान्
The Lord, with respect, asked each one in this way.
विससर्जाथ तान्सर्वान्देवः सौधं समाविशत्
Then the god dismissed them all and entered his palace.
मध्ये मार्गं स चिंतोभूद्दक्षः सत्याः पिता तदा
In the midst of the path, Dakṣa, the truthful father, became lost in thought.
अतीव क्षुब्धचित्तोभून्मंदराघाततोऽब्धिवत्
His mind was greatly agitated, like the ocean struck by Mandara.
अतीवगर्वितो जातः सती मे प्राप्य कन्यकाम्
He became exceedingly proud, having obtained Satī as his daughter.
किं वंश्यस्त्वेष किं गोत्रः किं देशीयः किमात्मकः
What is your lineage? What is your family? From what country are you? Of what nature are you?