कौपीनं परिधाय चर्म करिणः शंभौ पुरो धावति।
दृष्ट्वा विष्णुरथं सकम्पहृदयः सर्पोऽपतद्भूतले
कृत्तिर्विस्खलिता ह्रिया नतमुखो नग्नो हरः पातु वः॥
Hearing of the arrival of Vishnu, Shiva woke up from his
Deep meditation, and hastened to receive his dear Lord.
Finding himself naked, Shiva hastily wrapped the elephant skin
Round his waist, and bound it with his snake as the girdle.
Alas, as Vishnu entered, all smiles,
Shiva's snake saw Vishnu's vehicle, i.e. Garuda,
The nemesis of all snakes, freed himself at once, and slunk away in fright.
The elephant skin slipped off, and
Shiva received Vishnu, stark naked and embarrassed!
May that beloved Lord of the Universe, Shiva, protect us all!!!
Happy Shivaratri to all!
