एतस्मिन्नंतरे नष्टा अग्निष्टोमादिकाः क्रियाः ॥ तीर्थयात्राव्रतान्येव संयमा नियमाश्च ये
Meanwhile, the rites such as Agniṣṭoma were lost; only pilgrimages, vows, restraints, and disciplines remained.
ये चापि ब्राह्मणाः शांताः सदा मद्यस्य दूषणम्
And those peaceful Brāhmaṇas always shunned the corruption of wine.
तर्पयंति तथा मांसैस्त्यक्ताशेषमखक्रियाः
They offered libations with meat, having abandoned all sacrificial rites.
एतस्मिन्नंतरे भीताः सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः ६.८९.
Meanwhile, all the gods, along with Indra, became fearful.
प्रोचुर्महेश्वरं गत्वा विनयावनताः स्थिताः
They went to Maheśvara, stood humbly, and spoke.
देवा ऊचुः हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे पादुके तत्र संस्थिते
The gods said: In the field of Haṭakeśvara, where the sandals are established,
ब्राह्मणा अपिदेवेश मद्यमांसेन भक्तितः
Even the Brāhmaṇas, O Lord of gods, worship with wine and meat.
नष्टा धर्मक्रिया सर्वा मर्त्यलोकेत्र सांप्रतम्
All righteous rites are now lost in the world of mortals.
तस्मात्त्वं कुरु देवेश यथा स्यात्पादुकाक्षयः
Therefore, O Lord of gods, do as is necessary so that the sandals may not perish.
जगन्माताऽक्षया साक्षान्ममा पि जननी च सा
The Mother of the world is eternal, and she is also truly my mother.
तत्कथं संक्षयस्तस्याः कर्तुं केनापि शक्यते
How can anyone bring about her destruction?
परं तत्र करिष्यामि सुखोपायं सुरेश्वराः
O Lords of gods, I will provide a means that brings happiness there.
एवमुक्त्वा ततो ध्यानं चक्रे देवो महेश्वरः
Having spoken thus, the god Maheśvara entered into meditation.
तस्यांतर्गतमासीनमंगुष्ठाग्रमितं शुभम् ६.८९.
Within her, the tip of the thumb, auspicious, was present.
तस्यैवं ध्यायमानस्य तृतीयनयनात्ततः
As he meditated thus, from his third eye,
अथ सा प्राह तं देवं प्रणिपत्य महेश्वरम्
Then she approached the god, Maheśvara, and bowed before him.
श्रीमातुर्जगतां मुख्ये ताभ्यां पूजां त्वमाचर
You should perform worship of those two, the foremost Mother of the world.
कन्यकां संपरित्यज्य तवान्वयविवर्द्धिताम्
Having completely abandoned the maiden, who was increased by your lineage,
कौमारब्रह्मचर्य्येण त्वयापि च सुभक्तितः
With youthful celibacy and with your own deep devotion,
तव पूजा करिष्यन्ति ये नरा भक्तितत्पराः
Those men who are intent on devotion will also worship you.
एवमुक्त्वा ततस्तस्या मंत्रमार्गं यथोचितम्
Having spoken thus, then, to her, he revealed the proper method of mantra.
ततो विसर्जयामास दत्त्वा छत्रादिभूषणम्
Then he dismissed her, having given her ornaments such as a parasol.
कन्यकाः पूजयिष्यंति पादुके ते सुशोभने
Maidens will worship your beautiful sandals.
कौमारब्रह्मचर्य्येण भविष्यत्यन्वयः कथम् ६.८९.
How will your lineage continue with youthful celibacy?
श्रीभगवानुवाच यस्यायस्याः प्रसन्ना त्वं कन्यकाया वदिष्यसि
The Blessed Lord said: To whichever maiden you, pleased, will speak—
एवं चान्या महाभागे पारंपर्येण कन्यकाः ४२ ततः सा तां समासाद्य पादुकासंभवां गुहाम्
And so, O highly fortunate one, other maidens in succession—then she, having reached that cave arising from the sandals—
पादुकाभ्यां नरः पूजां प्रकरोति समाहितः
A man, with concentration, performs worship with the sandals.
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन कन्याहस्तेन पादुके
Therefore, with every effort, (one should obtain) sandals by the hand of a maiden.
वांछद्भिः शाश्वतं सौख्यमिह लोके परत्र च
Those who desire everlasting happiness in this world and the next—
एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं माहात्म्यं पादुकोद्भवम्
All this has been told to you: the greatness arising from the sandals.