शशाप शर्वरीनाथं गत्वा तत्संनिधौ ततः
Then, going into his presence, Daksha cursed the lord of the night.
यस्मात्पाप न मे वाक्यं त्वया धर्मसमन्वितम्
'Because, O sinner, you did not heed my words, which were in accord with righteousness,'
एवमुक्त्वा ययौ दक्षश्चन्द्रोऽपि द्विजसत्तमाः
Having spoken thus, Daksha departed, and so did the Moon, O best of twice-born.
ततोऽसौ कृशतां प्राप्तः संपरित्यज्य रोहिणीम् ६.६३.
Thereafter, abandoning Rohini, he became emaciated.
क्षयव्याधिप्रणाशाय पृच्छ मानश्चिकित्सकान्
To cure his wasting disease, he consulted physicians.
तथापि मुच्यते नैव यक्ष्मणा स निशापतिः
Yet even so, the lord of the night was not freed from consumption.
ततो वैराग्यमापन्नस्तीर्थयात्रापरायणः
Then, having become detached, he devoted himself to pilgrimage.
अथासौ भ्रममाणस्तु तीर्थान्यायतनानि च
Thus, he wandered among sacred fords and shrines.
तत्र स्नात्वा शुचिर्भूत्वा प्रभासं वीक्ष्य रात्रिपः
There, having bathed and become pure, he gazed upon Prabhāsa during the night.
अपश्यद्रोमकंनाम स मुनि संशितव्रतम्
He saw the sage named Romaka, steadfast in his vows.
तं दृष्ट्वा स प्रणम्योच्चै स्ततः प्रोवाच सादरम्
Seeing him, he bowed deeply and then spoke to him with respect.
परिक्षीणोऽस्मि विप्रेंद्र क्षयव्याधिप्रभावतः
I am depleted, O foremost of Brāhmins, due to the influence of a wasting disease.
मया चिकित्सकाः पृष्टास्तैरुक्तं भेषजं कृतम्
I have consulted physicians; they prescribed medicine, which I have taken.
यदि नैवोपदेशं मे कञ्चित्त्वं संप्रदास्यसि ६.६३.
If you do not now impart some instruction to me—
शक्यते किं पुनस्तस्य दक्षस्यामिततेजसः
What remedy is possible for that mighty Dakṣa, whose energy is boundless?
तस्मादत्रोपदेशं ते प्रयच्छामि सुसंमतम्
Therefore, I will give you here a well-considered teaching.
नादेयं किंचिदस्तीह देवदेवस्य शूलिनः
There is nothing unattainable here for the trident-bearing Lord of the gods.
अष्टषष्टिषु तीर्थेषु सत्यं वासः सदा क्षितौ
Among the sixty-eight tīrthas, dwelling always on earth is true.
आराधय ततो नित्यं श्रद्धापूतेन चेतसा
Therefore, worship Him daily with a mind purified by faith.
तस्मिन्प्रभासके क्षेत्रे दिव्यलिंगानि शूलिनः
In that field of Prabhāsa are divine liṅgas of the trident-holder.
ततस्तुष्टो महादेवस्तस्य संदर्शनं गतः
Then, Mahādeva, pleased, appeared before him.
चन्द्र उवाच परं क्षीणोऽस्मि देवेश यक्ष्मणाहं पदांतिकम्
Candra spoke: O Lord of gods, I am utterly depleted, afflicted by consumption to the point of death.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा भगवान्वृषभध्वजः
Hearing those words, the blessed Bull-bannered One—
एष चंद्रस्त्वया शप्तो जामाता न कृतं शुभम् ६.६३.
This Candra was cursed by you; your son-in-law did not perform auspicious deeds.
नाकरोन्मे पुरः प्रोच्य करिष्यामीत्य सत्यवाक्
He did not act, though he said, 'I will do it,' speaking truthfully before you.
तेन शप्तस्तु कोपेन सुतार्थे वृषभध्वज
Thus, out of anger for his daughter's sake, the Bull-bannered One cursed him.
समाः संवीक्षते नित्यं मम वाक्यादसंशयम्
He constantly observes the months, without doubt, according to my command.
तस्मात्पक्षं क्षयं यातु पक्षं वृद्धिं प्रगच्छतु
Therefore, let one fortnight wane and the other grow.
ततो दक्षस्तथेत्युक्त्वा जगाम निजमन्दिरम्
Then Daksha, having said 'So be it,' went to his own abode.
भूयोऽपि प्रार्थयाभीष्टं मत्तस्त्वं शशलांछन
Again, O moon-marked one, you may request your desired boon from me.