तदाप्रभृति निस्तेजाः क्षीणवीर्यः प्रदृश्यते
From that time he is seen to be without brilliance, his strength diminished.
तपोर्थाय तथा चक्रे मतिं मतिमतां वरः
For the sake of austerity, that best of the wise fixed his mind accordingly.
शैलादिं स्थाप्य गोप्तारं विचचार महीतलम्
Placing the mountain as a protector, he wandered across the earth.
धारयाणः कटीदेशे महाशङ्खस्य मेखलाम्
He wore a belt of a great conch around his waist.
एकाहवासी वृक्षे हि शैलसानुनदीष्वटन्
He dwelled for a single day among trees, mountain slopes, and rivers.
वाय्वाहारस्तदा तस्थौ नववरिषशतं क्रमात्
He subsisted on air alone, standing thus for nine hundred years in succession.
विस्तृते हिमवत्पुष्ठे रम्ये समशिलातले
On the broad, beautiful plateau of Himavat, upon a level stone surface,
सार्चिष्मती जटामध्यान्निषण्णा धरणीतले
She, radiant, seated herself on the ground within the midst of her matted hair.
जातस्तीर्थवरः पुम्यः केदार इति विश्रुतः
There arose the foremost, sacred tirtha, renowned as Kedara.
पुण्यवृद्धिकरं ब्रह्मन् पापघ्नं मोक्षसाधनम्
O Brahman, it increases merit, destroys sin, and is a means to liberation.
ये जलं तावके तीर्थे पीत्वा संयमिनो नराः
Those self-controlled men who drink water at your tirtha,
तेषां हृत्पङ्कजेष्वेव मल्लिङ्गं भविता ध्रुवम्
In the lotus of their hearts, the linga will surely manifest.
पितॄणामक्षयं श्राद्धं भविष्यति न संशयः
For their ancestors, the śrāddha will be inexhaustible; there is no doubt.
भविष्यन्त्यक्षया नॄणां मृतानामपुनर्भवः
For the deceased, rebirth will not occur; they will attain the imperishable.
पुनाति पुंसां केदारस्त्रिनेत्रवचनं यथा
Kedara purifies men, just as the word of the three-eyed one declares.
स्नातुं भानुसुतां देवीं कालिन्दीं पापनाशिनीम्
To bathe in the goddess, daughter of the Sun, the Kalindi, destroyer of sin,
वृतां तीर्थशतैः पुण्यैः प्लक्षजां पापनाशिनीम्
Surrounded by hundreds of sacred tirthas, the Plaksha-born, destroyer of sin,
द्रुपदां नाम गायत्रीं जजापान्तर्जले हरः
Hara recited the Gayatri called Drupada within the water.
साग्राः संवत्सरो जातो न चोन्मज्जत ईश्वरः
A year passed in its entirety, yet the Lord did not emerge.
चेलुः पेतुर्धरण्यां च नक्षत्रास्तारकैः सह
The stars, together with their constellations, fell and dropped to the earth.
स्वस्त्यस्तु लोकेभ्य इति जपन्तः परमर्षयः
Chanting 'May there be well-being for all the worlds,' the great sages recited their prayers.
दृष्ट्वोचुः किमिदं लोकाः क्षुब्धाः संशयमागताः
Seeing this, they said: 'What is this? The people are disturbed and have become doubtful.'
तदागच्छत वो युक्तं द्रष्टुं चक्रगदाधरम्
It is fitting for you all to go and see the bearer of the discus and mace.
पितामहं पुरस्कृत्य मुरारिसदनं गताः
Led by the Grandsire, they went to the abode of the enemy of Mura.
दैत्यो राक्षसो वापि पार्थिवो वा तदुच्यताम्
Whether it is a demon, a Rākṣasa, or a king—let that be told.
दैत्यो राक्षसो वापि पार्थिवो वा तदुच्यताम्
Whether it is a demon, a Rākṣasa, or a king—let that be told.
कथं च नहतः संख्ये विष्णुना तद् वदस्व मे
And how was he slain in battle by Viṣṇu? Tell me that.
विचित्रमिदमाख्यानं पुण्यं पापप्रणाशनम्
This account is marvelous, meritorious, and destroys sin.
स ददर्श रणे शस्तान् दितिपुत्रान् सुरोत्तमैः
He saw in battle the sons of Diti, armed, facing the best of the gods.
आराधयामास विभुं ब्रह्माणमपराजितम्
He worshipped the mighty, unconquered Brahmā.