विद्धश्चासौ वेदनाबुद्धिमुक्तः खे संतस्थौ तारकाभिश्चिताङ्गः
Pierced and freed from pain and thought, he stood in the sky, his body adorned with stars.
तेषां विशेषतो ब्रूहि लक्षणानि स्वरूपतः
Now tell in detail their characteristics and true forms.
यादृशा यत्र संचारा यस्मिन् स्थाने वसन्ति च
What their movements are like, and in which places they reside.
संचारस्थानमेवास्य धान्यरत्नाकरादिषु
Their places of movement are indeed in grains, gems, and the like.
नित्यं चरति फुल्लेषु सरसां पुलिनेषु च
He always moves among blooming flowers and on the banks of lakes.
तस्याधिवासभूमित्तु कुषीवलधराश्रयः
His dwelling place is the earth, with the fields as his refuge.
वीणावाद्यधृङ् मिथुनं गीतनर्तकशिल्पिषु
The pair skilled in playing the vīṇā, among singers, dancers, and artists.
मिथुनं नाम विख्यातं राशिर्द्वेधात्मकः स्थितः
The pair known by name, the sign established as having a dual nature.
केदारवापीपुलिने विविक्तावनिरेव च
In fields, reservoirs, and on secluded riverbanks as well.
वसते व्याधपल्लीषु गह्वरेषु गुहासु च
He dwells in hunters’ villages, in mountain caves, and in caverns.
चरते स्त्रीरतिस्थाने वसते नड्वलेषु च
He moves in places of women’s pleasure, and dwells in reed thickets.
नगराध्वानशालासु वसते तत्र नारद
He dwells, O Nārada, in city roads and inns.
विषगोमयकीटादिपाषाणादिषु संस्थितः
He is found among poisons, cow dung, insects, and stones.
वाजिशूरास्त्रविद्वीरः स्थायी गजरथादिषु
A hero skilled in horses and weapons, steadfast among elephants, chariots, and the like.
मकरो ऽसौ नदीचारी वसते च महोदधौ
That makara moves in rivers and dwells in the great ocean.
द्यूतशालाचरः कुम्भः स्थायी शौण्डिकसद्मसु
The pot frequents gambling houses and remains in the homes of wine-sellers.
वसते पुण्यदेशेषु देवब्राह्नणसद्मसु
He dwells in holy places, in the homes of gods and Brāhmaṇas.
न कस्यचित् त्वयाख्येयं गुह्यमेतत्पुरातनम्
This ancient secret must not be revealed by you to anyone.
पुण्यं पुराणं परमं पवित्रमाख्यातवान्पापहरं शिवं च
I have declared this ancient, supreme, and pure merit-bringing tale, which destroys sin and brings auspiciousness.
दाक्षायाणी तस्य भार्या तस्यामजनयत्सुतान्
Dakṣāyaṇī was his wife, and she bore him sons.
योगाभ्यासरतौ नित्यं हरिकृष्णौ बभूवतुः
Hari and Kṛṣṇa were always devoted to the practice of yoga.
तप्येतां च तपः सौम्यौ पुराणवृषिसत्त्मौ
Those gentle ones performed austerities, possessing the nature of ancient bulls.
गृमन्तौ तत्परं ब्रह्म गङ्गाया विपुले तटे
There, on the broad bank of the Ganga, the two remained at home, devoted to the Supreme Brahman.
तापितं तपसा ब्रह्मन् शक्रः क्षोभं तदा ययौ
O Brahman, as they were tormented by austerity, Indra then became disturbed.
रम्भाद्याप्सरसः श्रेष्ठाः प्रेषयत्स महाश्रमम्
He sent the foremost Apsarases, beginning with Rambha, to that great hermitage.
समं सहचरेणैव वसन्तेनाश्रमं गतः
Together with his companion, Vasanta, he went to the hermitage.
बदर्याश्रममागम्य विचिक्रीडुर्यथेच्छया
Arriving at the Badari hermitage, they sported as they wished.
निष्पत्राः सततं रेजुः शोमभयन्तो धरातलम्
The trees, always stripped of leaves, shone as they touched the earth with their beauty.
वसन्तकेसरी प्राप्तः पलाशकुसुमैर्मुने
O sage, the lion of spring had arrived, adorned with the blossoms of the palāśa tree.
तमेव हसतेत्युच्चैः वसन्तः कुन्दकुड्मलैः
Vasanta laughed aloud, adorned with buds of jasmine.