उक्तवाक्ये मुनौ तस्मिन्नुभौ राघवलक्ष्मणौ। प्रतिनन्द्य कथां वीरावूचतुर्मुनिपुङ्गवम्॥
When the ascetic had spoken thus, both the heroes, Rāma and Lakşmaņa, saluting that first of anchorites, said,
धर्मयुक्तमिदं ब्रह्मन् कथितं परमं त्वया। दुहितुः शैलराजस्य ज्येष्ठाया वक्तुमर्हसि। विस्तरं विस्तरज्ञोऽसि दिव्यमानुषसम्भवम्॥
O Brāhmaṇa, you have delivered this noble narration fraught with morality. Now it behoves you to speak about the elder daughter of the mountain-king. You are extensively conversant with everything relative to men or gods.
त्रीन् पथो हेतुना केन प्लावयेल्लोकपावनी। कथं गङ्गा त्रिपथगा विश्रुता सरिदुत्तमा॥
Why is it that purifier of the worlds lave three directions? And why is that foremost of streams, Gangā, famous as wending in three ways
त्रिषु लोकेषु धर्मज्ञ कर्मभिः कैः समन्विता। तथा ब्रुवति काकुत्स्थे विश्वामित्रस्तपोधनः॥
And, O you cognizant of morality, what are her performances in the three worlds? Thereat Viśvāmitra having asceticism for this wealth, began to relate to Käkutstha that history in detail in the midst of the ascetics.
निखिलेन कथां सर्वामृषिमध्ये न्यवेदयत्। पुरा राम कृतोद्वाहः शितिकण्ठो महातपाः॥ दृष्ट्वा च भगवान् देवीं मैथुनायोपचक्रमे। तस्य संक्रीडमानस्य महादेवस्य धीमतः। शितिकण्ठस्य देवस्य दिव्यं वर्षशतं गतम्॥
In days of yore, O Rāma, the blue-throated one of mighty asceticism, having entered into matrimony, commenced upon knowing the goddess. And as that intelligent blue-throated god, Mahadeva, was thus engaged in sport, a divine hundred years passed away.
न चापि तनयो राम तस्यामासीत् परंतप । सर्वे देवाः समुद्युक्ताः पितामहपुरोगमाः॥
And yet, O Rāma, chastiser of foes, no son was born of her. Thereat all the gods with the Grand-sire at their head became exceedingly anxious.
यदिहोत्पद्यते भूतं कस्तत् प्रतिसहिष्यति। अभिगम्य सुराः सर्वे प्रणिपत्येदमब्रुवन्॥
Who will be able to bear the offspring of this union? And thereupon the celestials repairing to Mahadeva, thus addressed him, saluting low,
देवदेव महादेव लोकस्यास्य हिते रत। सुराणां प्रणिपातेन प्रसादं कर्तुमर्हसि॥
O god of gods! O mighty deity! ever engaged in the welfare of all, it behove you to be propitious at the humble salutations of the celestials.
न लोका धारयिष्यन्ति तव तेजः सुरोत्तम। ब्राह्मण तपसा युक्तो देव्या सह तपश्चर॥
The worlds, O foremost of celestials, are incapable of bearing your energy. Therefore, for the welfare of the three worlds, do you, being furnished with Brahmā asceticism, in company with the goddess practise austerities, and rein in your energy by your native indomitableness.
त्रैलोक्यहितकामार्थं तेजस्तेजसि धारय। रक्ष सर्वानिमाल्लोकान् नालोकं कर्तुमर्हसि ॥
Do you preserve these worlds; for it become you not to destroy all.'
देवतानां वचः श्रुत्वा सर्वलोकमहेश्वरः। बाढमित्यब्रवीत् सर्वान् पुनश्चेदमुवाच ह॥
Hearing the words of the deities, the great god of the worlds said to them, 'So be it!' And addressing them again he said,
धारयिष्याम्यहं तेजस्तेजसैव सहोमया। त्रिदशाः पृथिवी चैव निर्वाणमधिगच्छतु॥
You gods, by my own energy I will assisted by Uma bear my virile vigour, therefore let the creation find rest!
यदिदं क्षुभितं स्थानान्मम तेजो ह्यनुत्तमम्। धारयिष्यति कस्तन्मे ब्रुवन्तु सुरसत्तमाः॥
But tell me, you foremost of celestials, who will sustain my potent virility rushing out from its receptacle?'
एवमुक्तास्ततो देवाः प्रत्यूचुर्वृषभध्वजम्। यत्तेजः क्षुभितं ह्यद्य तद्धरा धारयिष्यति॥
Being thus addressed, the gods answered him having the bull for his mark, ‘The earth will today bear your vital flow.'
एवमुक्तः सुरपतिः प्रमुमोच महाबलः। तेजसा पृथिवी येन व्याप्ता सगिरिकानना॥
Thus assured, the mighty lord of the celestials let go his vital fluid; and thereat the earth containing mountains and forests was overspread with the energy.
ततो देवाः पुनरिदमूचुश्चापि हुताशनम्। आविश त्वं महातेजो रौद्रं वायुसमन्वितः॥
Then the gods spoke to the Fire, saying, 'Do you in company with the Wind entrain to this fierce an mighty energy!'
तदग्निना पुनर्व्याप्तं संजातं श्वेतपर्वतम्। दिव्यं शरवणं चैव पावकादित्यसंनिभम्॥
When the Wind had entered into it, it was developed into a white hill, and a forest of glossy reeds, resembling fire or the Sun.
यत्र जातो महातेजाः कार्तिकेयोऽग्निसम्भवः। अथोमां च शिवं चैव देवाः सर्षिगणास्तथा॥ पूजयामासुरत्यर्थं सुप्रीतमनसस्तदा।
Here sprang from Fire Kārtikeya of mighty energy. And thereupon the celestials and the saints, with gratified hearts, began to pay enthusiastic adorations to Uma and Siva.
अथ शैलसुता राम त्रिदशानिदमब्रवीत्॥ समन्युरशपत् सर्वान् क्रोधसंरक्तलोचना।
Then the Mountain's daughter, O Rama, addressed the celestials, cursing them with eyes reddened in wrath.
यस्मान्निवारिता चाहं संगता पुत्रकाम्यया॥ अपत्यं स्वेषु दारेषु नोत्पादयितुमर्हथ। अद्यप्रभृति युष्माकमप्रजाः सन्तु पत्नयः॥
While in association with Mahadeva for obtaining sons, I was broken in upon by you, for this, you shall not be able yourselves to beget offspring on your wives. And from this day forth, your wives shall remain without issue.'
एवमुक्त्वा सुरान् सर्वाशशाप पृथिवीमपि। अवने नैकरूपा त्वं बहुभार्या भविष्यसि ॥
Having thus spoke to the celestials, she cursed the Earth also, saying, 'O Earth, you will have multiform surface and many husbands.'
न च पुत्रकृतां प्रीतिं मत्क्रोधकलुषीकृता। प्राप्स्यसि त्वं सुदुर्मेधो मम पुत्रमनिच्छती ॥
Nor, stained because of my ire, shall you experience the pleasure that is felt on obtaining a son, O you of wicked understanding, O you that do not wish me a son!
तान् सर्वान् पीडितान् दृष्ट्वा सुरान् सुरपतिस्तदा। गमनायोपचक्राम दिशं वरुणपालिताम्॥
Witnessing the gods, thus distressed, the lord of the celestials set out in the direction presided over by Varuna (The West).
स गत्वा तप आतिष्ठत् पार्वे तस्योत्तरे गिरेः। हिमवत्प्रभवे शृङ्गे सह देव्या महेश्वरः॥
And having repaired to the north side of that mountain, Mahesvara along with the goddess became engaged in austerities on the peak Himavatprabhava.
एष ते विस्तरो राम शैलपुत्र्या निवेदितः। गङ्गायाः प्रभवं चैव शृणु मे सहलक्ष्मण ॥
I have now related to you, O Rāma, the spread of the Mountain's daughter, (Gangā). Do you now together with Lakşmaņa listen to the narration of Bhāgīrathi's potency.