13.127
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
ततो नारायणसुहृन्नारदो भगवानृषिः। शङ्करस्योमया सार्धं संवादं प्रत्यभाषत ॥१३-१२७-१॥
Then the illustrious sage Nārada, friend of Nārāyaṇa, addressed Śaṅkara and Umā with these words. (13-127-1)
तपश्चचार धर्मात्मा वृषभाङ्कः सुरेश्वरः। पुण्ये गिरौ हिमवति सिद्धचारणसेविते ॥१३-१२७-२॥
The virtuous-souled lord of the gods, who bears the bull as his emblem, practised austerity on the holy Himalayan mountain, attended by siddhas and charaṇas. (13-127-2)
नानौषधियुते रम्ये नानापुष्पसमाकुले। अप्सरोगणसङ्कीर्णे भूतसङ्घनिषेविते ॥१३-१२७-३॥
In the beautiful place filled with various herbs and many kinds of flowers, thronged by groups of apsarases and attended by assemblies of spirits. (13-127-3)
तत्र देवो मुदा युक्तो भूतसङ्घशतैर्वृतः। नानारूपैर्विरूपैश्च दिव्यैरद्भुतदर्शनैः ॥१३-१२७-४॥
There the god, filled with joy, was surrounded by hundreds of beings in assemblies, displaying varied, strange, and divine, wonderful forms. (13-127-4)
सिंहव्याघ्रगजप्रख्यैः सर्वजातिसमन्वितैः। क्रोष्टुकद्वीपिवदनैरृक्षर्षभमुखैस्तथा ॥१३-१२७-५॥
Resembling lions, tigers, and elephants, possessing all kinds of forms, with faces of jackals, panthers, bears, and bulls as well. (13-127-5)
उलूकवदनैर्भीमैः श्येनभासमुखैस्तथा। नानावर्णमृगप्रख्यैः सर्वजातिसमन्वयैः ॥ किंनरैर्देवगन्धर्वैर्यक्षभूतगणैस्तथा ॥१३-१२७-६॥
There were terrible beings with faces of owls, hawks, and vultures; resembling animals of many colors, comprising all species; together with Kiṁnaras, divine Gandharvas, and hosts of Yakṣas and Bhūtas also. (13-127-6)
दिव्यपुष्पसमाकीर्णं दिव्यमालाविभूषितम्। दिव्यचन्दनसंयुक्तं दिव्यधूपेन धूपितम् ॥ तत्सदो वृषभाङ्कस्य दिव्यवादित्रनादितम् ॥१३-१२७-७॥
That hall of the bull-bannered one was filled with divine flowers, adorned with divine garlands, anointed with divine sandalwood, perfumed with divine incense, and resounded with divine music. (13-127-7)
मृदङ्गपणवोद्घुष्टं शङ्खभेरीनिनादितम्। नृत्यद्भिर्भूतसङ्घैश्च बर्हिणैश्च समन्ततः ॥१३-१२७-८॥
All around, the place echoed with the sounds of mṛdaṅga and paṇava drums, conch-shells, and bherī drums, as groups of spirits and peacocks danced everywhere. (13-127-8)
प्रनृत्ताप्सरसं दिव्यं दिव्यस्त्रीगणसेवितम्। दृष्टिकान्तमनिर्देश्यं दिव्यमद्भुतदर्शनम् ॥१३-१२७-९॥
It was filled with dancing apsarases, divine, served by groups of celestial women, captivating to the sight, indescribable, divine, and marvelously beautiful in appearance. (13-127-9)
स गिरिस्तपसा तस्य भूतेशस्य व्यरोचत। स्वाध्यायपरमैर्विप्रैर्ब्रह्मघोषैर्विनादितः। षट्पदैरुपगीतैश्च माधवाप्रतिमो गिरिः ॥१३-१२७-११॥
That mountain, due to the austerity of the lord of beings, shone brilliantly. It resounded with Vedic chants recited by brahmins engaged in Vedic study, and with songs of bees, the mountain—resembling Mādhava—shone forth. (13-127-11)
तं महोत्सवसङ्काशं भीमरूपधरं पुनः। दृष्ट्वा मुनिगणस्यासीत्परा प्रीतिर्जनार्दन ॥१३-१२७-१२॥
O Janārdana, upon seeing him, who was festival-like and assuming a terrifying form again, the group of sages experienced supreme joy. (13-127-12)
मुनयश्च महाभागाः सिद्धाश्चैवोर्ध्वरेतसः। मरुतो वसवः साध्या विश्वेदेवाः सनातनाः ॥१३-१२७-१३॥
The sages, the greatly fortunate, the perfected beings with upward-flowing energy, as well as the Maruts, Vasus, Sādhyas, and the eternal Viśvedevas. (13-127-13)
यक्षा नागाः पिशाचाश्च लोकपाला हुताशनाः। भावाश्च सर्वे न्यग्भूतास्तत्रैवासन्समागताः ॥१३-१२७-१४॥
The yakṣas, nāgas, piśācas, guardians of the worlds, fires, beings—and all others—were gathered there, subdued. (13-127-14)
ऋतवः सर्वपुष्पैश्च व्यकिरन्त महाद्भुतैः। ओषध्यो ज्वलमानाश्च द्योतयन्ति स्म तद्वनम् ॥१३-१२७-१५॥
The seasons showered marvelous flowers, and the shining herbs also illuminated that forest. (13-127-15)
विहगाश्च मुदा युक्ताः प्रानृत्यन्व्यनदंश्च ह। गिरिपृष्ठेषु रम्येषु व्याहरन्तो जनप्रियाः ॥१३-१२७-१६॥
The birds, joined with joy, danced and cried out, uttering their delightful sounds on the beautiful mountain slopes, endearing themselves to people. (13-127-16)
तत्र देवो गिरितटे दिव्यधातुविभूषिते। पर्यङ्क इव विभ्राजन्नुपविष्टो महामनाः ॥१३-१२७-१७॥
There, the god of great mind sat on the mountain slope adorned with divine minerals, shining like a couch. (13-127-17)
व्याघ्रचर्माम्बरधरः सिंहचर्मोत्तरच्छदः। व्यालयज्ञोपवीती च लोहिताङ्गदभूषणः ॥१३-१२७-१८॥
He is clad in a garment of tiger-skin, has a lion-skin as an upper covering, wears a sacred thread made of serpent, and is adorned with red armlets. (13-127-18)
हरिश्मश्रुर्जटी भीमो भयकर्ता सुरद्विषाम्। अभयः सर्वभूतानां भक्तानां वृषभध्वजः ॥१३-१२७-१९॥
He with tawny beard and matted locks, the terrible one, the generator of fear among the enemies of the gods; the giver of fearlessness to all beings, to devotees—the bull-bannered (Shiva). (13-127-19)
दृष्ट्वा तमृषयः सर्वे शिरोभिरवनीं गताः। विमुक्ताः सर्वपापेभ्यः क्षान्ता विगतकल्मषाः ॥१३-१२७-२०॥
Having seen him, all the sages bowed their heads to the earth, being freed from all sins, patient, and free from all impurity. (13-127-20)
तस्य भूतपतेः स्थानं भीमरूपधरं बभौ। अप्रधृष्यतरं चैव महोरगसमाकुलम् ॥१३-१२७-२१॥
The place of that lord of beings shone, assuming a terrifying form, most unassailable and indeed filled with great serpents. (13-127-21)
क्षणेनैवाभवत्सर्वमद्भुतं मधुसूदन। तत्सदो वृषभाङ्कस्य भीमरूपधरं बभौ ॥१३-१२७-२२॥
O Madhusūdana, in a moment everything became wondrous. That assembly hall of Vṛṣabhāṅka, bearing a terrifying form, shone brightly. (13-127-22)
तमभ्ययाच्छैलसुता भूतस्त्रीगणसंवृता। हरतुल्याम्बरधरा समानव्रतचारिणी ॥१३-१२७-२३॥
The daughter of the mountain, surrounded by groups of female spirits, approached him, wearing attire like Hara and engaging in the same observances. (13-127-23)
बिभ्रती कलशं रौक्मं सर्वतीर्थजलोद्भवम्। गिरिस्रवाभिः पुण्याभिः सर्वतोऽनुगता शुभा ॥१३-१२७-२४॥
Carrying a golden pot formed from the water of all sacred places, accompanied on all sides by auspicious mountain-streams, the auspicious one. (13-127-24)
पुष्पवृष्ट्याभिवर्षन्ती गन्धैर्बहुविधैस्तथा। सेवन्ती हिमवत्पार्श्वं हरपार्श्वमुपागमत् ॥१३-१२७-२५॥
Showering flowers and spreading many kinds of fragrance, thus attending to the side of the Himalaya, she approached the side of Hara. (13-127-25)
ततः स्मयन्ती पाणिभ्यां नर्मार्थं चारुदर्शना। हरनेत्रे शुभे देवी सहसा सा समावृणोत् ॥१३-१२७-२६॥
Then, smiling, the lovely-faced goddess suddenly covered Hara's (Śiva's) auspicious eyes with her two hands as a playful gesture. (13-127-26)
संवृताभ्यां तु नेत्राभ्यां तमोभूतमचेतनम्। निर्होमं निर्वषट्कारं तत्सदः सहसाभवत् ॥१३-१२७-२७॥
But when the eyes were closed, that assembly became suddenly dark, unconscious, lacking oblations and Vaṣaṭ calls. (13-127-27)
जनश्च विमनाः सर्वो भयत्राससमन्वितः। निमीलिते भूतपतौ नष्टसूर्य इवाभवत् ॥१३-१२७-२८॥
And all the people became downcast and filled with fear and terror; when the lord of beings was closed (departed), they became like those bereft of the sun. (13-127-28)
ततो वितिमिरो लोकः क्षणेन समपद्यत। ज्वाला च महती दीप्ता ललाटात्तस्य निःसृता ॥१३-१२७-२९॥
Then, in an instant, the world became free from darkness, and a great blazing flame came forth from his forehead. (13-127-29)
तृतीयं चास्य सम्भूतं नेत्रमादित्यसंनिभम्। युगान्तसदृशं दीप्तं येनासौ मथितो गिरिः ॥१३-१२७-३०॥
And his third eye, which arose and shone like the sun and the end of an age, was the one by which that mountain was consumed. (13-127-30)
ततो गिरिसुता दृष्ट्वा दीप्ताग्निसदृशेक्षणम्। हरं प्रणम्य शिरसा ददर्शायतलोचना ॥१३-१२७-३१॥
Then the daughter of the mountain, with her wide eyes, saw Hara—whose eyes shone like blazing fire—and bowed her head before him. (13-127-31)
दह्यमाने वने तस्मिन्सशालसरलद्रुमे। सचन्दनवने रम्ये दिव्यौषधिविदीपिते ॥१३-१२७-३२॥
In that forest, as it was burning, filled with śāla and sarala-trees, beautiful with sandalwood groves and lit up by divine herbs. (13-127-32)
मृगयूथैर्द्रुतैर्भीतैर्हरपार्श्वमुपागतैः। शरणं चाप्यविन्दद्भिस्तत्सदः सङ्कुलं बभौ ॥१३-१२७-३३॥
That hall appeared crowded, as frightened herds of deer swiftly approached the side of Hara (Śiva) and found refuge there. (13-127-33)
ततो नभःस्पृशज्वालो विद्युल्लोलार्चिरुज्ज्वलः। द्वादशादित्यसदृशो युगान्ताग्निरिवापरः ॥१३-१२७-३४॥
Then, another person appeared with flames reaching up to the sky, brilliant with lightning-like flashes, resembling twelve suns, like the fire at the end of an age. (13-127-34)
क्षणेन तेन दग्धः स हिमवानभवन्नगः। सधातुशिखराभोगो दीनदग्धवनौषधिः ॥१३-१२७-३५॥
In a moment, burnt by him, that Himavat became a mountain—with mineral peaks and spread, with its forest herbs miserably scorched and destroyed. (13-127-35)
तं दृष्ट्वा मथितं शैलं शैलराजसुता ततः। भगवन्तं प्रपन्ना सा साञ्जलिप्रग्रहा स्थिता ॥१३-१२७-३६॥
Then, seeing the mountain churned, the daughter of the king of mountains stood with palms joined, having taken refuge in the Lord. (13-127-36)
उमां शर्वस्तदा दृष्ट्वा स्त्रीभावागतमार्दवाम्। पितुर्दैन्यमनिच्छन्तीं प्रीत्यापश्यत्ततो गिरिम् ॥१३-१२७-३७॥
Then Śarva (Śiva), having seen Umā, gentle by virtue of her womanhood and unwilling for her father’s dejection, affectionately looked upon the mountain. (13-127-37)
ततोऽभवत्पुनः सर्वः प्रकृतिस्थः सुदर्शनः। प्रहृष्टविहगश्चैव प्रपुष्पितवनद्रुमः ॥१३-१२७-३८॥
Then again, everything became pleasant in its natural state; the forest trees were filled with blossoms, and the birds were cheerful. (13-127-38)
प्रकृतिस्थं गिरिं दृष्ट्वा प्रीता देवी महेश्वरम्। उवाच सर्वभूतानां पतिं पतिमनिन्दिता ॥१३-१२७-३९॥
After seeing the mountain set in nature, the pleased goddess and irreproachable wife addressed Maheśvara, the lord of all beings. (13-127-39)
भगवन्सर्वभूतेश शूलपाणे महाव्रत। संशयो मे महाञ्जातस्तं मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि ॥१३-१२७-४०॥
O revered one, lord of all beings, trident-holder, O great vow-observer, a great doubt has arisen for me. Please explain that to me. (13-127-40)
किमर्थं ते ललाटे वै तृतीयं नेत्रमुत्थितम्। किमर्थं च गिरिर्दग्धः सपक्षिगणकाननः ॥१३-१२७-४१॥
For what reason did your third eye arise on your forehead? And for what purpose was the mountain, along with all its bird-filled forests, burned? (13-127-41)
किमर्थं च पुनर्देव प्रकृतिस्थः क्षणात्कृतः। तथैव द्रुमसञ्छन्नः कृतोऽयं ते महेश्वर ॥१३-१२७-४२॥
O great Lord, for what reason, and again, O god, was the one in his original state created in a moment? Likewise, why was this (being) covered by trees also made by you? (13-127-42)
महेश्वर उवाच॥
The great lord said.
नेत्रे मे संवृते देवि त्वया बाल्यादनिन्दिते। नष्टालोकस्ततो लोकः क्षणेन समपद्यत ॥१३-१२७-४३॥
O goddess, when my eyes were covered by you out of childishness, O irreproachable one, then sight was lost and the world disappeared in an instant. (13-127-43)
नष्टादित्ये तथा लोके तमोभूते नगात्मजे। तृतीयं लोचनं दीप्तं सृष्टं ते रक्षता प्रजाः ॥१३-१२७-४४॥
When the sun was lost and the world was plunged into darkness, O son of the mountain, your shining third eye was created to protect all creatures. (13-127-44)
तस्य चाक्ष्णो महत्तेजो येनायं मथितो गिरिः। त्वत्प्रियार्थं च मे देवि प्रकृतिस्थः क्षणात्कृतः ॥१३-१२७-४५॥
It was by the great radiance of his eye, O goddess, that this mountain was churned; and for your sake, I have restored it to its natural state immediately. (13-127-45)
उमोवाच॥
Umā said.
भगवन्केन ते वक्त्रं चन्द्रवत्प्रियदर्शनम्। पूर्वं तथैव श्रीकान्तमुत्तरं पश्चिमं तथा ॥१३-१२७-४६॥
O Lord, how is your face, delightful like the moon, present in the east, just so splendid in the north, and similarly in the west? (13-127-46)
दक्षिणं च मुखं रौद्रं केनोर्ध्वं कपिला जटाः। केन कण्ठश्च ते नीलो बर्हिबर्हनिभः कृतः ॥१३-१२७-४७॥
And who made your fierce southern face? By whom were your tawny matted locks upwards (arranged)? By whom was your neck made blue, resembling the tail feathers? (13-127-47)
हस्ते चैतत्पिनाकं ते सततं केन तिष्ठति। जटिलो ब्रह्मचारी च किमर्थमसि नित्यदा ॥१३-१२७-४८॥
Why does this Pināka bow always remain in your hand? And for what reason are you always a matted-haired celibate? (13-127-48)
एतं मे संशयं सर्वं वद भूतपतेऽनघ। सधर्मचारिणी चाहं भक्ता चेति वृषध्वज ॥१३-१२७-४९॥
O lord of beings, O sinless one, tell me all this doubt of mine. I am one who follows the same dharma, and I am devoted—thus, O Bull-bannered one. (13-127-49)
एवमुक्तः स भगवाञ्शैलपुत्र्या पिनाकधृक्। तस्या वृत्त्या च बुद्ध्या च प्रीतिमानभवत्प्रभुः ॥१३-१२७-५०॥
Thus addressed by the daughter of the mountain, the blessed Lord, wielder of Pināka, became pleased with her conduct and intellect. (13-127-50)
ततस्तामब्रवीद्देवः सुभगे श्रूयतामिति। हेतुभिर्यैर्ममैतानि रूपाणि रुचिरानने ॥१३-१२७-५१॥
Then the god said to her, "O fortunate one, listen: by what causes these forms of mine (arose), O lovely-faced one." (13-127-51)
