अथापश्यत्ततो ब्रह्मा तेजसा हरिमच्युतम्
Then Brahmā beheld Hari, the infallible one, radiant with splendor.
महेश्वरस्य तेजोर्ध्वं संतं नारायणं प्रभुम्
He saw Nārāyaṇa, the Lord, existing above the radiance of Maheśvara.
अंगुल्या संस्पृशन्देवो ब्रह्माणमब्रवीद्वचः
Touching Brahmā with his finger, the god spoke these words:
भविता लोकरक्षार्थं श्रेष्ठः सर्वधनुष्मताम्
'For the protection of the worlds, the best among all archers will be born.'
इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्देवस्तमग्निं पाणिनाऽ ग्रहीत् 5.1.4.
Having said this, the blessed god took that fire in his hand.
इति सत्कृत्य सततं नरं चैव महेश्वरः
Thus, Maheśvara always honored that man as well.
अथाब्रवीत्ततो ब्रह्मा अग्निं तं तु युगक्षये
Then Brahmā spoke to that fire at the end of the age:
भृगुश्चैवांगिराः पुत्रौ भवितारौ न संशयः
'Bhṛgu and Aṅgirās will indeed be your sons, without doubt.'
द्विधा संभज्य तेनाग्निं सृष्टेर्यज्ञो भविष्यति
By dividing that fire into two, the sacrifice of creation will take place.
ब्रह्मणाऽग्नी समेतौ तु ब्रह्माणमनुनोदितौ
The two fires, united by Brahmā, were set in motion by the command of Brahmā.
अतोऽश्वत्थे शमीगर्भे संयोगस्तत्र पठ्यते
Therefore, the union within the womb of the śamī tree and the aśvattha is described there.
तस्मात्सुतहितः श्रेष्ठश्चतुर्थ इति कथ्यते
Hence, the son who is beneficial and excellent is called the fourth.
एवं तु ब्रह्मणो वक्त्रं पञ्चमं समपद्यत
Thus, the fifth mouth of Brahmā came into being.
एतद्यो बुध्यते देव तेजःसर्गमनुत्तमम्
Whoever understands this supreme creation of the gods’ radiance—
एतद्योग्निसमुद्भवं पशुपतेर्माहात्म्यसंसूचकं वह्नेः साधुमतिः शृणोति सततं यः श्रद्धया भावितम्। यो व्यास द्विजदेवताप्रमुखतः संश्रावयेद्भक्तितः सोऽत्यर्थं भवभावितः शिवपुरे संपूज्यते दैवतैः ।। 5.1.4.
Whoever always listens with faith to this account of Agni’s origin, which hints at the greatness of Paśupati, and whoever, O Vyāsa, recites it with devotion before the foremost of twice-born and gods, he, deeply absorbed in the world, is greatly honored by the gods in the city of Śiva.
किं कृतं ब्रह्मणा तत्र प्रायश्चित्तं च कर्मणाम्
What was done there by Brahmā, and what expiation was performed for those acts?
जनार्दनेन किं कर्म शंकरेण च यन्मुने
What action was performed by Janārdana and by Śaṅkara, O sage?
शस्तैः कुशसमिद्भिश्च यथोक्तं हरिणा पुरा
With excellent kuśa grass and kindling, as formerly prescribed by Hari—
बदर्याश्रममासाद्य नरनारायणावृषी
Having reached the hermitage at Badarī, the sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa—
कपालपाणिर्देवेशः पर्यटन्वसुधामिमाम्
The Lord of the gods, holding a skull in his hand, wandered this earth.
नानाद्रुमलताकीर्णं नानापुष्पोपशोभितम्
It was covered with various trees and creepers, adorned with many kinds of flowers.
द्रुमपुष्पभरामोदवासितं यत्सुवायुना
The air was fragrant with the scent of trees heavy with blossoms.
नानागंधरसाढ्यैश्च पक्वापक्वफलोद्भवैः
There grew ripe and unripe fruits, endowed with various tastes and qualities.
जीर्णपत्रतृणादीनि शुष्क काष्ठफलानि च
There were withered leaves, grasses, and also dry wood and fruits.
नानापुष्पसमूहानां गन्धमादाय मारुतः 5.1.5.
The wind carried the fragrance of many clusters of flowers.
हरितस्निग्धनिच्छिद्रैः पर्णैरञ्छिद्रकोटरैः
With green, glossy, unbroken leaves and hollows without any blemish—
अरोगिदर्शनीयैश्च सुवृत्तैः क्वचि दुद्धतैः
With healthy, well-formed trees here and there, and some that are wild in growth,
शोभनैर्वायुसंकीर्णैरंकुरैः प्रावृता द्रुमाः
The trees are covered with beautiful sprouts, mingled with the wind.
पवनोद्धूतशिखरैः स्पर्शयंति परस्परम्
Their tops, tossed by the wind, touch one another.
नागवृक्षाः क्वचित्पुष्पैर्भ्रमरालीनकेस रैः
In some places, nāga trees are adorned with flowers, their hair entangled with swarming bees.