पुलुनेषु च रम्येषु वापीषु नलिनीषु च
In the lovely sandbanks, in the ponds and among the lotuses,
विचारन् स्वेच्छया नैव शर्म लेभे महेश्वरः
As he wandered at will, Maheśvara found no peace.
क्षणं ध्यायति तन्वङ्गीं दक्षकन्यां मनोरमाम्
For a moment, he meditated on the slender-limbed, charming daughter of Dakṣa.
स्वप्ने तथेदं गदति तां दृष्ट्वा दक्षकन्यकाम्
Even in his sleep, seeing that daughter of Dakṣa, he spoke thus:
मुग्धे त्वया विरहितो दग्धो ऽस्मि मदनाग्निना
"O innocent one, separated from you, I am burned by the fire of love."
पादप्रणामावनतमभिभाषितु मर्हसि
"You ought to speak to one who bows at your feet in reverence."
आलिङ्ग्यसे च सततं किमर्थं नाभिभाषसे
"Though you are always embraced, why do you not speak?"
विशेषतः पतिं बाले ननुप त्वमतिनिर्घृणा
"Especially to your husband, O girl, are you not exceedingly unkind?"
विना त्वया न जीवेयं तदसत्यं त्वया कृतम्
Without you, I could not live; what you have done is untrue.
नान्यथा नश्यते तापः सत्येनापि शपे प्रिये
Otherwise, this pain will not be destroyed; I swear to you truly, beloved.
उत्कूजति तथारण्ये मुक्तकण्ठं पुनः पुनः
He cried out again and again in the forest with his voice fully released.
विव्याध चापं तरसा विनाम्य संतापनाम्ना तु शरेण भूयः
He swiftly bent his bow and pierced it again with the arrow named Suffering.
संतापयंश्चापि जगत्समग्रं फूत्कृत्य फूत्कृत्य विवासते स्म
Tormenting the entire world, he kept roaring and roaring, driving all away.
ततो भृशं कामशरैर्वितुन्नो विजृम्भमाणः परितो भ्रमंश्च
Then, greatly agitated by the arrows of desire, he wandered about, expanding in all directions.
भ्रातृव्य वक्ष्यसि वचो यदद्य तत् त्वं कुरुष्वामितविक्रमो ऽसि
Brother, whatever words you speak today, do that; you are of immeasurable prowess.
आज्ञापयस्वातुलवीर्य शंभो दासो ऽस्मि ते भक्तियुतस्तथेश
Command me, O Shambhu of boundless strength; I am your servant, full of devotion, O Lord.
विजृम्भणोन्मादसरैर्विभिन्नो धृतिं न विन्दामि रतिं सुखं वा
Struck by the arrows of wild passion, I find neither steadiness, nor pleasure, nor happiness.
नान्यः पुमान् धारयितुं हि शक्तो मुक्त्वा भवन्तं हि ततः प्रतीच्छ
No other man is able to endure this except you; therefore, accept it.
तोषं जगामाशु ततस्त्रिशूली तुष्टस्तदैवं वचनं बभाषे
Then the Trident-bearer was quickly satisfied and, pleased, spoke these words.
तस्माद्वरं त्वां प्रतिपूजनाय दास्यामि लोक्य च हास्यकारि
Therefore, as a boon for your worship, I will grant you something that will cause laughter in the world.
वृद्धो ऽथ बालो ऽथ युवाथ योषित् सर्वे तदोन्मादधरा भवन्ति
Whether old man, child, youth, or woman, all will be seized by that madness.
तवाग्रतो हास्यवचो ऽभिरक्ता भवन्ति ते योगयुतास्तु ते स्युः
Before you, those attached to laughter and speech will become devoted; those united with yoga will also be yours.
मम प्रसादाद् वरदो नराणां भविष्यसे पूज्यतमो ऽभिगच्छ
By my grace, you will become the most worshipped among men as the bestower of boons.
कालञ्जरस्योत्तरतः सुपुण्यो देशो हिमाद्रेरपि दक्षिणस्थः
To the north of Kālanjara is a most holy land, situated to the south of the Himalaya.
तस्मिन् प्रयाते भगवांस्त्रिनेत्रो देवो ऽपि विन्ध्यं गिरिमभ्यगच्छत्
When he departed for that place, the three-eyed Lord also went to Mount Vindhya.
दृष्ट्वा प्रहर्त्तुकामं च ततः प्रादुवचद्धरः
Seeing him ready to strike, then Hara spoke forth.
विवेश ऋषयो यत्र सपत्नीका व्यवस्थिताः
He entered the place where the sages, together with their wives, were assembled.
ततस्तान् प्राह भगवान् भिक्षा मे प्रतिदीयताम्
Then the Blessed Lord addressed them: 'Grant me alms.'
तदाश्रमाणि सर्वाणि परिचक्राम नारदः
At that time, Nārada wandered through all the hermitages.
प्रक्षोभमगमन् सर्वा हीनसत्त्वाः समन्ततः
All those of weak spirit everywhere became agitated.