बहून् गणान् वै मम तप्यतस्तपः संवत्सरान् कायविशोषणार्थम्
For many years I practiced severe austerities, subjecting my body to hardship, in order to exhaust my sins.
तेनाद्य तुष्टो ऽस्मि भृशं द्विजेन्द्र येनास्मि नृत्यामि सुभावितात्मा
Therefore, O foremost of twice-born, today I am truly pleased, for my heart is uplifted and I dance with a purified soul.
संताडनादेव न च प्रहर्षो ममास्ति नृनं हि भवान् प्रमत्तः
But merely by striking there is no joy for me; indeed, you, sir, are heedless.
नृत्यं परित्यज्य सुविस्मितो ऽथ ववन्द पादौ विनयावनम्रः
Then, ceasing his dance and filled with wonder, he bowed low with humility and reverence at the feet.
इदं च तीर्थं प्रवरं पृथिव्यां पृथूदकस्यास्तु समं फलेन
And this sacred ford on earth is supreme, equal in merit to that of Prithudaka.
सदास्तु धर्मस्य निधानमग्र्यं सारस्वतं पापमलापहारि
May it ever remain the foremost repository of righteousness, the Sarasvata, remover of sin and impurity.
मनोहरा चौघवती विशाला च सरस्वती
The Sarasvati is enchanting, vast, and flows with abundant waters.
सोमपालफलं सर्वाः प्रयच्छन्ति सुपुण्यदाः
All these most virtuous places grant the fruit of Soma-pala.
गमिष्यति महापुण्यं ब्रह्मलोकं सुदुर्गमम्
He will attain great merit and reach Brahmaloka, which is extremely difficult to obtain.
मूर्त्ति स्थाप्य कुरुक्षेत्रे ब्रह्मलोकमगाद् वशी
Having established the image at Kurukshetra, the self-controlled one attained Brahmaloka.
अथागान्मन्दरं शंभुर्निजमावसथं शुचिः
Then pure Shambhu went to Mandara, his own abode.
शून्ये ऽभ्यगाद् दृष्टमतिर्हि देव्या संयोधितो येन हि कारणेन
In solitude, he entered, his mind intent, united with the goddess for that very reason.
शङ्करो मन्दरस्थो ऽपि यच्चाकार तदुच्यताम्
Though Shankara dwelt on Mandara, let his form be described.
संत्पतविग्रहः सर्वान् दानवानिदमब्रवीत्
Assuming a fierce form, he addressed all the Danavas thus:
यस्तामद्रिसुतां शीघ्नं ममान्ति कमुपानयेत्
Whoever brings that daughter of Madri swiftly to me, I shall grant his desire.
मेघगम्भीरनिर्घोषं प्रहलादो वाक्यमब्रवीत्
With a voice deep as thunder, Prahlada spoke these words:
पिता त्रिनयनो देवः श्रूयतामत्र कारणम्
My father is the three-eyed god; let the reason for this be heard here.
आराधितो महादेवः पुत्रार्थाय पुरा किल
Long ago, Mahadeva was worshipped by me for the sake of a son.
पुत्रकः पुत्रकामास्य प्रोक्त्वेत्यं वचनं विभो
The son, desiring a son, spoke these words to the Lord.
पिहितं योगसंस्थस्य ततो ऽन्धमभवत्तमः
Then, for the one established in yoga, everything became covered, and there was utter darkness.
तदितं गृह्यतां दैत्य तवोपयिकमात्मजम्
This, O Daitya, is to be taken—your own son, suitable for you.
त्रैलोक्यजननीं चापि अभीवाञ्छिष्यते ऽधमः
That wicked one will also desire the Mother of the Three Worlds.
तदास्य स्वयमेवाहं करिष्ये कायशोधनम्
Then I myself will purify his body.
त्वत्पितापि समभ्यागात् त्वामादाय रसातलम्
Your father also came, taking you to the netherworld.
सर्वस्यापीह जगतो गुरुः शंभुः पिता ध्रुवम्
Indeed, Śambhu, the Guru of all the world, is certainly the father here.
नेदृशे पापसंकल्पे मतिं कुर्याद् भवद्विधः
One such as you should not set his mind on such sinful intent.
अजेयस्तस्य भार्येयं न त्वमर्हे ऽमरार्दन
This wife of his is unconquerable; you, O destroyer of gods, are not worthy.
अजित्वा सगणं रुद्रं स च कामो ऽद्य दुर्लभः
Without conquering Rudra and his hosts, that desire is today unattainable.
मेरुमुत्पाटयेद् वापि स जयेच्छूलपाणिनम्
He might uproot Mount Meru, but he cannot defeat the trident-bearing Lord.
न च शक्यो हरो जेतुं सत्यं सत्यं मयोदितम्
And Hara cannot be conquered—this is the truth, the truth I have spoken.