Kurmastakadvyam

Author(s): Bhojdev Maharaj
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 38

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Two Prakrit Poems At Dhar Translation of Text A Om namaḥ Śivaya
Om, Salutation to Śiva :
May Śiva, the Lord of Parvati confer on you happiness (welfare, prosperity)—that Śiva by whose will and supreme unequalled power the world (the earth) is supported.
May that Tortoise, the vast expanse of whose body is tawny like the golden mountain (Meru) and who resembles the bulbous root of the Creeper of the old (ancient) world, potect you!
May that Śiva (śaśicūda, who wears the moon as crest-jewel) whose nature, is incomprehensible, and at whose word the Chief Tortoise and others support this world (earth) confer happiness (bliss) on you!
Although the family of Tortoises was so very large, look! that one (and only one) was born here on earth who bore (lit. carried) the burden (or weight) of the earth on its back!
Who indeed can match that Tortoise, who by himself without any motive whatever turned his back on his own happiness (simply ignored his personal well-being) and in that manner (tatha) bore the burden of the (whole) world (earth) on is back?
That female Tortoise alone among females is indeed blessed, who gave bith to a male offspring that bore the (whole) burden of the earth, although extremely difficult to bear.
In the family of Tortoises who were not born? But for them even their own self was hard to bear! That Tortoise, however, alone bore the burden of the earth quietly (without a grumble or murmur) (avirolam).
Who knows the number of Tortoises born in he family of Tortoises ? (Innumerable Tortoises indeed were born !) Among them he alone was