सरांसि नैव गिरयो नापगा नाब्धयस्तथा
There are neither lakes nor mountains, nor rivers, nor oceans.
तदैको हि महाकालो लोकानुग्रहकारणात्
Then only Mahakala existed, for the purpose of benefitting the worlds.
सृष्ट्यर्थं स महाकालः करे कामं प्रतिष्ठितम्
For the sake of creation, Mahakala established desire in his hand.
कललं बुद्बुदं भूत्वा तविवेगविवर्द्धितम्
Becoming a globule, a bubble, it grew by his force and energy.
करेण ताडितं तद्धि बभूव द्विदलं महत्
Struck by his hand, it became a great two-lobed form.
मध्येऽभवत्तदा ब्रह्मा पंचवक्त्रश्चतुर्भुजः
In the middle, Brahma appeared, with five faces and four arms.
कुरु सृष्टिं महाबाहो विचित्रां मदनुग्रहात्
Create a wondrous creation, O mighty-armed one, by my favor.
प्रेर्यमाणोऽपि वै स्रष्टुं ब्रह्मा देवमचिंतयत् 5.1.2.
Even when prompted to create, Brahma did not consider the gods.
ब्रह्मणस्तपसा दृष्टः प्रादाद्वेदं षडंगकम्
Seen through Brahma's austerity, he gave the six-limbed Veda.
तपसाऽतिष्ठदा भूयः समाराधयितुं भवम्
He remained in austerity again, to worship Bhava.
ब्रह्मोवाच नमः शिवायामलसत्त्वचेतसे गुणत्रयातीतविसारितेजसे
Brahma said: Salutations to Shiva, whose nature is pure consciousness, who transcends the three qualities, whose radiance is boundless.
नमोऽ स्तु ते सृष्टिविधौ रजोजुषे जगत्स्थितौ सत्त्वमधिष्ठिताय ते
Salutations to you, who delight in creation through rajas, and who preside over the world's maintenance through sattva.
अशेषभूतप्रकृतेः परा य वै परात्मरूपाय नमः शिवाय वै
Homage to Śiva, who is the supreme Self, transcending all elements and nature.
भूतोयवह्न्यम्बरवायुचंद्रसूर्यात्मरूपाभिरिदं तनूभिः
With forms as earth, water, fire, space, wind, moon, and sun, he embodies all these bodies.
यानीह तेजांसि जगंति यानि भूतानि भव्यान्यथ कारणानि
All the lights here, all worlds, all beings, all that will be, and all causes—
अन्तर्हित उवाचेदं ब्रह्मन्संयाच्यतां वरः
The hidden one spoke: 'O Brahman, ask for your boon.'
स वव्रे मनसा पुत्रं भवं गौरवकारणात्
He desired, in his mind, a son—Bhava—out of reverence.
यस्मान्मां मनसा पुत्रं चतुर्मुख समीहसे 5.1.2.
Because you seek me as a son in your mind, O Four-faced one,
अयाच्यं याचितं यस्मान्ममांशो नीललोहितः
Since what should not be asked has been asked, my portion, Nīlalohita, will be yours.
अन्यद्यस्मात्स्मृतो भक्त्या त्वयाहं पितृभावतः
Because you have remembered me with devotion as a father,
तस्माद्ब्रह्मेति लोकेऽत्र नाम ख्यातं भविष्यति
Therefore, in this world, the name 'Brahmā' will become renowned.
लब्ध्वा शापवरावेवं पुत्रसृष्टिं चकार सः
Having received both curse and boon, he created his son.
समिद्युक्तेन हस्तेन ललाटं मार्जतोऽभवत्
As he rubbed his forehead with a hand holding the sacrificial fuel,
तदनन्तरमासाद्य उत्ततार सुतोंऽतिकात्
Then, having approached, the son emerged from within.
पंचवक्त्रो दशभुजः शूलचापासिशक्तिमान्
He had five faces, ten arms, and held spear, bow, sword, and power.
सेन्दुः कपर्दं बिभ्राणः सिंहचर्मांबरंधरः
He wore the crescent moon, matted hair, and a lion-skin garment.
नीललोहितनामेति भव रुद्र पिनाकधृक्
Bhava, Rudra, Pinākadhṛk—be known as Nīlalohita, O bearer of the bow.
सप्तादौ मानसाञ्जज्ञे सनकादींस्ततोऽपरान् 5.1.2.
First, he created the seven mind-born sages, beginning with Sanaka, and then others.
अष्टभेदान्सुरान्कृत्वा तिर्यग्योनिं च पंचधा
He made the gods in eight forms, and the animal species in five ways.
सृष्टिः सुरादिका जाता कृत्वा ब्रह्माणमप्यधः
Creation began with the gods; after making Brahmā, he also created below.