तथैव मित्रावरुणात्मजेन वेगान्महीपृष्ठमवाप्य तस्थौ
In the same way, having swiftly reached the earth’s surface by the son of Mitra and Varuṇa, he stood firm.
सुशस्थलात् पूर्वत एव विश्रुतो वसोः पुरात् पिश्चिमतो ऽवतस्थे
From the east of the excellent place, renowned from old, he stood to the west of Vasu’s city.
मनुष्येमेधः शतकृत्सहस्रकृन्नरेन्द्रसूयश्च सहस्रकृद् वै
A man of intelligence, one who has performed a hundred and a thousand sacrifices, and a king who has performed a thousand horse sacrifices—
ख्यातिं जगामाथ गदाधरेति महाघवृक्षस्य शितः कुठारः
—all attained fame as 'the wielder of the mace,' like a sharp axe to the mighty tree of sin.
फलं महामेधमखस्य मानवा लभन्त्यनन्त्यं भगवत्प्रसादात्
By the grace of the Blessed Lord, people obtain the endless fruit of the great sacrificial rite.
चक्रे जगत्पापविनष्टिमग्र्यां संदर्शनप्राशनमञ्जनेन
He brought about the supreme destruction of the world's sins through the acts of seeing, tasting, and anointing.
आराधनाय देवस्य कृत्वाश्रममवस्थितः
Having established an ashram for the worship of the god, he remained there.
तपस्तेपे सहस्राक्षः स्तुवन् देवं गदाधरम्
Indra, the thousand-eyed, performed austerities, praising the god who wields the mace.
कामक्रोधविहीनस्य साग्रः संवत्सरो गतः
A year passed for him, free from desire and anger.
गच्छ प्रीतो ऽस्मि भवतो मुक्तपापो ऽसि साम्प्रतम्
Go now; I am pleased with you. You are now freed from sin.
यतिष्यामि तथा शक्र भावि श्रेयो यता तव
I shall strive, O Śakra, so that the future good may be as you desire.
स्नातस्य देवस्य तदैनसो नरास्तं प्रोचुरस्माननुसासयस्व
After the god had bathed, the men said to him: 'Instruct us, O Lord, regarding this sin.'
वसध्वमेवान्तरमद्रिसुख्ययोर्हिमाद्रिकालिञ्जरयोः पुलिन्दाः
Dwell only in the region between the two blissful mountains, the Himālaya and Kaliñjara, O Pulindas.
संपूज्यमानो ऽनुजगाम चमं मातुस्तदा धर्मनिवासमीड्यम्
Being worshipped, he then approached his mother, the abode of righteousness, worthy of praise.
प्रणम्य पादौ कमलोदराभौ निवेदयामास तपस्तदात्मनः
Having bowed at her feet, which were like the inside of a lotus, he then reported his austerity.
स चाचचक्षे बलिना रणे जयं तदात्मनो देवगणैश्च सार्धम्
He also recounted his victory in battle, achieved by his own strength, together with the hosts of gods.
दुःखान्विता देवमनाद्यमीड्यं जगाम विष्णुं शरणं वरेण्यम्
Afflicted with sorrow, she approached Viṣṇu, the ancient, praiseworthy god, as her refuge.
चराचरस्य प्रभवं पुराणमाराधयामास शुभे वद त्वम्
She worshipped the ancient source of all that moves and does not move. Tell me, O auspicious one.
निराशना संयतवाक् सुचिता तदोपतस्थे शरणं सुरेन्द्रम्
Without expectation, with restrained speech and pure conduct, she approached the lord of the gods for refuge.
जयस्व पापेन्धनजातवेदस्तमौघसंरोध नमो नमस्ते
Conquer, O fire born of sin's fuel, who blocks the mass of darkness—salutations, salutations to you!
त्वं कारणं सर्वचराचरस्य नाथो ऽसि मां पालय विश्वमूर्ते
You are the cause of all that moves and does not move; you are the Lord—O Form of the Universe, protect me.
अवाप्तावान् शत्रुपराभवं च ततो भवन्तं शरणं प्रपन्ना
Having overcome the defeat of enemies, I have taken refuge in you.
संपूजयित्वा करवीरपुष्यैः संधूप्य धूपैः कणमर्कभोज्यम्
Honoring you with oleander flowers, offering incense, and food fit for the Sun,
स्तवेन पुण्येन च संस्तुवन्ती स्थिता निराहारमथोपवासम्
Praising you with a holy hymn, she stood fasting, engaged in worship.
दत्त्वा द्विजेभ्यः कणकं तिलाज्यं ततो ऽग्रतः सा प्रयता बभूव
Giving gold and sesame-ghee to the twice-born, then she became pure before you.
विनिःसृत्ययाग्रतः स्थित्वा इदं वचनमब्रवीत्
Emerging and standing before her, he spoke these words:
प्राप्स्यसे दुर्लभं कामं मत्प्रसादान्न संशयः
By my grace, you will obtain that rare desire—there is no doubt.
दानवान् ध्वंसयिष्यामि संभूयैवोदरे तव
I will destroy the Dānavas, entering your womb.
प्रोवाच जगतां योनिं वेपमाना पुनः पुनः
Again and again, trembling, she addressed the source of the worlds:
यस्योदरे जगत्सर्वं वसते स्थाणुजङ्गमम्
In whose womb the entire world—moving and unmoving—dwells,