अभिप्रायोऽस्ति मे कश्चिज्जलाश्रयव्रतोद्भवः
I have a certain intention, arising from a vow related to water.
तत्राहं जलमध्यस्थः स्थास्यामि जलतत्परः
There, I will remain within the water, devoted to the water.
स्वच्छोदकसमाकीर्णं सुतीर्थं सुसुखावहम्
Filled with clear water, it is a fine sacred place, bringing great happiness.
व्रतव्याजेन देवेशो विवेश तदनन्तरम्
Under the pretext of a vow, the Lord of gods entered there immediately.
सा ध्याता तत्क्षणात्तत्र शिवेन सह संगता
She, having meditated, was instantly united there with Shiva.
व्रतव्याजेन राजेन्द्र न तु गौरी व्यजानत कैवल्यज्ञानसंपन्नस्तत्रायातः परिभ्रमन्
By the pretext of a vow, O king, Gauri did not recognize him; endowed with the knowledge of liberation, he arrived there, wandering about.
स तु दृष्ट्वा महादेवं जलस्थं व्रतधारिणम्
He, seeing Mahadeva standing in the water, observing a vow—
वक्त्रनेत्रविकारोऽयं किमस्य व्रतधारिणः
What is this change in the face and eyes of this ascetic?
अथाऽपश्यद्ध्यानदृष्ट्या गंगासक्तं महेश्वरम्
Then, through the vision of meditation, he saw Maheshvara absorbed in the Ganga.
तदा स कथयामास सर्वं हरविचेष्टितम् ॥ 7.3.38.
Then he narrated everything concerning Hara’s actions.
ततो देवी त्वरायुक्ता ययौ यत्र महेश्वरः
Thereupon, the goddess, filled with urgency, went to where Maheshvara was.
तां दृष्ट्वा कोपसंयुक्तां समायातां महेश्वरीम्
Seeing the great goddess approaching, filled with anger—
आवयोः संगमे देवी नारदेन निवेदिता
The meeting of the two was announced by Narada to the goddess.
अत्यर्थं मानिनी ह्येषा साम्ना च वशवर्तिनी
She is exceedingly proud, yet by gentle words she is brought under control.
तत्क्षणाज्जायते साध्वी तस्मात्सामपरा भव
At that very moment she becomes virtuous; therefore, approach her with conciliation.
एवमुक्ता च रुद्रेण जाह्नवी नृपसत्तम
Thus addressed by Rudra, O best of kings, Jahnavi—
प्रत्युद्ययौ सलज्जा च कृतांजलिपुरःसरा
She approached, modest, with joined palms before her.
पुराऽहं तव कांतेन निपतन्ती नभस्तलात्
Formerly, at your beloved’s command, I fell from the sky.
भगीरथाभिधानस्य ततः स्नेहो व्यवर्धत
Then, affection for the one named Bhagiratha increased.
अधुना तव वाक्येन जानेऽहं न सुरेश्वरि 7.3.38.
Now, by your words, I know, O queen of the gods.
त्रैलोक्यस्य प्रभुरयं तन्निष्क्रम्य कथञ्चन
He is the lord of the three worlds; how could he possibly depart from that?
प्रोवाच मधुरं वाक्यं सत्यमेतत्त्व योदितम्
He spoke sweet words: 'What you have said is true.'
तस्माद्वरय भद्रं ते वरं मत्तो यथेप्सितम्
Therefore, choose a boon, auspicious one, whatever you desire from me.
तस्मादेकं दिनं देहि क्रीडनार्थमनेन तु
Therefore, grant me one day for play with him.
चैत्रशुक्लत्रयोदश्यामहोरात्रं सुरेश्वरि
On the thirteenth day of the bright half of Caitra, O queen of the gods, the day and night both.
शिवगंगाभिधानं च तस्मात्कुण्डं धरातले
Therefore, that pool on earth is known as Śiva-Gaṅgā.
ततो विसर्जयामास तामालिंग्य मुहुर्मुहुः
Then, embracing her again and again, he let her go.
गतायामथ गंगायामधोवक्त्रं सुलज्जितम्
When Gaṅgā departed, she modestly lowered her face.
एवमेतत्पुरावृत्तं तस्मिन्कुण्डे नराधिप
Thus, O king, this is what happened there in ancient times at that pool.
शुक्लायां चैत्रमासे तु स्नानं तत्र समाचरेत् 7.3.38.
In the bright half of the month of Caitra, one should bathe there.