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.
यत्र संक्षयमायाति सर्वं तत्राशुभं कृतम् तद्रोमसंख्ययास्वर्गे स पुमान्वसति ध्रुवम्
Whatever inauspiciousness is done there is completely destroyed; by the number of hairs on his body, a man surely dwells in heaven.
लिंगं संस्थापयामास स्थिररूपो महेश्वरः
The great lord, unchanging in form, established the liṅga.
कस्मात्तत्पातितं लिंगं वालखिल्यैर्महात्मभिः
Why was that liṅga cast down by the great-souled Vālakhilyas?
एतन्मे कौतुकं सर्वं यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि
Tell me all this wonder as it truly happened.
अत्र ते कीर्तयिष्यामि पूर्ववृत्तं कथांतरम्
Here I shall recount to you another ancient tale.
यदा पञ्चत्वमापन्ना सती सत्यपराक्रमा
When Satī, steadfast in truth, met her end,
तदा कामो द्रुतं गृह्य पुष्पचापं तमभ्यगात्
Then Kāmadeva, taking his flower-bow, swiftly approached him.
आपतन्तं भयात्तस्य प्रणष्टस्त्रिपुरांतकः
Seeing him rushing in, Tripurāntaka vanished out of fear.
वालखिल्याश्रमं प्राप्तः पुण्यं सद्वृक्षशोभितम्
He reached the hermitage of the Vālakhilyas, sacred and adorned with noble trees.
दिग्वासाः सुप्रियालापस्ततस्ताः काममोहिताः बभूवुश्चानिशं राजन्मां भजस्वेति चाब्रुवन्
Clad in the directions, speaking sweetly, those women, deluded by desire, constantly said, 'O king, enjoy with us.'