नन्दीसंस्थाय देवाय विद्याभयकराय च
To the god established as Nandī, the giver of knowledge and freedom from fear,
पापान्तकाय भर्गाय नमोनन्ताय वेधसे
To Bharga, the destroyer of sin, to the infinite creator, I bow.
यदि प्रसन्नो देवेश विद्यामूलप्रदो भव
If you are pleased, O Lord of the gods, become the giver of the root of knowledge.
सर्ववर्णमयान्येव अइउणादिशुभानि वै ।। 3.2.31.
All the auspicious syllables, beginning with 'a', 'i', 'u', are indeed of every color.
ज्ञानह्रदे सत्यजले राग द्वेषमलापहे
In the lake of knowledge, with the water of truth, which removes the stains of attachment and aversion,
मानसं हि महत्तीर्थ ब्रह्मदर्शनकारकम्
The mind itself is a great sacred place, causing the vision of Brahman.
इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे रुद्रः पाणिनिः स्वगृहं ययौ
Having spoken thus, Rudra disappeared, and Pāṇini returned to his own home.
लिंगसूत्रं तथा कृत्वा परं निर्वाणमाप्त वान्
Having composed the Liṅgasūtra, he attained the highest liberation.
यतो याता स्वयं गंगा सर्वतीर्थमयी शिवा
From there, the Gaṅgā herself, embodying all sacred waters, went forth as auspicious.
बभूव कृष्णभक्तश्च वेदवेदांगपारगः
He became a devotee of Kṛṣṇa, accomplished in the Vedas and their branches.
गत्वा वृन्दावनं रम्यं गोपगोपीनिषेवितम्
Having gone to the delightful Vṛndāvana, attended by cowherds and cowherd women,
वर्षान्ते च हरिः साक्षाद्ददौ ज्ञानमनुत्तमम्
At the end of the rainy season, Hari himself bestowed unsurpassed knowledge.
शुकेन वर्णिता या वै विष्णुराताय धीमते
That which was described by Śuka to the wise Viṣṇurāta,
कथान्ते भगवान्विष्णुः प्रादुरासीज्जनार्दनः
At the end of the narration, Lord Viṣṇu, Janārdana, appeared.
त्वया ततमिदं विश्वं देवतिर्यङ्नरादिकम्
By you, this universe—consisting of gods, animals, and humans—has been pervaded.
त्वन्नाम्ना नरकार्ताश्च ते कृतार्थाः कलौ युगे माहात्म्यं तस्य मे ब्रूहि यदि दत्तो वरस्त्वया
Those who create hell by your name are fulfilled in the age of Kali; tell me its greatness if you have granted the boon.
बौद्धराज्ये जगत्प्राप्ते दंभपाखण्डनिर्मिते जय सच्चिदानन्द विभो जगदानं दकारक
When the world comes under Buddhist rule, shaped by hypocrisy and deception, victory to you, O Lord of existence, embodiment of truth, consciousness, and bliss, creator of the universe.
इति श्रुत्वा शिवा प्राह को देवोऽस्ति तवोत्तमः 3.2.32.
Hearing this, Śivā spoke: Who is your supreme deity?
तस्माद्भूमिपवित्रत्वमिह प्राप्तं वरानने
Therefore, O beautiful one, purity of the earth has been attained here.
इति श्रुत्वा शिवा देवी प्राप्तासीद्गुह्यकालयम्
Hearing this, the goddess Śivā entered the secret time.
चण्डीशश्च गणेशश्च नंदिनो गुह एव च
Caṇḍīśa, Gaṇeśa, Nandī, and Guha as well,
शृणु देवि कथां रम्यां मम मानससंस्थिताम्
Listen, O goddess, to the delightful story residing in my mind.
अष्टाहे नेत्र उन्मील्य दृष्ट्वा निद्रागतां शिवाम्
After eight days, opening his eyes, he saw Śivā who had entered sleep.
कियती ते श्रुता गाथा श्रुत्वाह जगदंबिका
How many verses have you heard? Hearing this, Jagadambikā spoke.
कोटरस्थः शुकः श्रुत्वा चिरंजीवत्वमागतः
The parrot, dwelling in the hollow, having heard, attained longevity.
स्थित्वा शिवस्य सदने मम ध्यानपरोऽभवत्
Remaining in Śiva's abode, he became absorbed in my meditation.
तेन प्राप्तं भागवतं माहात्म्यं चास्य दुर्लभम्
By him, the greatness of the Bhāgavata was attained, and its rarity as well.
नर्मदाकूलमासाद्य श्रावयस्व कथां शुभाम् 3.2.32.
Having reached the bank of the Narmadā, narrate the auspicious story.
सत्पात्राय प्रदातव्यं विष्णुभक्ताय धीमते
It should be given to a worthy recipient, to a wise devotee of Vishnu.
इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे देवो बोपदेवः प्रसन्नधीः
Having spoken thus, the god Bopadeva, his mind serene, disappeared.