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नष्टेऽपि भस्मनि वने गिरिशेन दग्धं स्त्रीणां हृदीश मदनं प्रतिबोधयन्तः ।
भस्मोच्चये कृतकचप्रतिबोधनं तं शुक्रं जयन्तु न कथं तव हारताराः ॥६७॥
T: Oh, Lord Śrī Varadarāja, the resplendent garlands around Your neck have again brought to life and rejuvenated Manmatha in the hearts of young maidens even after he was burnt down by Lord Śiva's wrath and his ashes were scattered away in the forest . Sage Śukra brought back to life the prince Kaca out of the heap of his ashes left behind after he was destroyed by Asuras. Naturally, Your garlands have won over Sage Śukra!
Explanation: Sage Śukra was the preceptor or Ācārya of the Asuras. He knew the Mantra to bring the dead back to life, i.e. Sañjīvanī. His disciple, prince Kaca, was killed and burnt down by Asuras intolerant of his being taught Sañjīvanī by their Ācārya. But when Śukra went to the heap of ashes, he invoked the Sañjīvanī Mantra and brought Kaca back to life. This is Śukra's claim to fame.
But what about the divine garlands worn by Lord Śrī Varadarāja!? Their glory is much greater. When Lord Śiva was disturbed and tempted by Manmatha during Śiva's Tapas, an inflamed Śiva opened his third eye and instantly reduced Manmatha to ashes. These ashes were soon blown away by the wind and completely scattered in the forest! Regardless, the Lord's garlands, even without the help of the ashes, can bring to life the God of Love, Manmatha, in young damsels' hearts! The sage Śukra shines in the firmament as Venus. But the garlands glitter more effectively around the Lord's neck, and are even more potent in their powers! The word Hāratārā in the end is a pun, meaning both "the constellation of garlands" and the "garlands that sanctify/revive".
