इत्येव वाक्यं ब्रह्मादिगुरुणां समुदात्दृतम्
Thus, this teaching was imparted by the guru beginning with Brahmā.
धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं पुण्यं सर्वार्थसाधकम्
It is auspicious, brings fame, lengthens life, is meritorious, and fulfills all aims.
नाशुचौ नापि पापाय नाप्यसंवत्सरोषिते
It should not be given to the impure, nor to the sinful, nor to one who has not completed a year.
नाहिताय प्रदातव्यं पवित्रमिदमुत्तमम्
This supreme and pure teaching must not be given to one who is not well-disposed.
वह्निर्वक्त्रं चन्द्रसूर्यौं च नेत्रेदिशः श्रोत्रे घ्राणमाहुश्च वायुम्
Fire is its mouth; moon and sun are its eyes; directions are its ears; wind is its nose, they say.
सर्वाणि द्यौर्मस्तकानि त्वथो वै विद्याश्चैवोपनिषद्यस्य पुच्छम्
All the heavens are its heads, and indeed, the Vedas and Upaniṣads are its tail.
वरं वराणां वरदं महेश्वरं ब्रह्माणमादिं प्रयतो नमस्ये
I bow with reverence to Brahmā, the supreme lord, the bestower of boons among those who grant boons.
पुण्ड्रेक्षुपाशाङ्कुशपुष्पबाणहस्ते नमस्ते जगदेकमातः
Salutations to you, the sole mother of the world, whose hands hold the lotus, sugarcane bow, noose, goad, and flower-arrows.
यतस्तृतीयो विदुषां तृतीयस्तु परं महः
From whom the third, the highest greatness, is known by the wise as the third.
सर्वसिद्धान्तसारज्ञो ब्रह्मानन्दरसात्मकः
Who knows the essence of all doctrines and is the very nature of the bliss of Brahman.
शैलारण्यापगामुख्यान्सर्वाञ्जनपदानपि
He saw all the regions, including the chief mountains, forests, rivers, and peoples.
शिश्नोदरपरान्दृष्ट्वा चिन्तयामास तान्प्रति
Seeing those who are devoted to sensual pleasures and food, he reflected upon them.
प्राप्तमासीन्महापुण्यं काञ्चीनगरमुत्तमम्
He arrived at the supremely meritorious city of Kāñcī.
कामाक्षीं करिदोषध्नीमपूजयदथात्मवान्
There, the self-controlled one worshipped Kāmākṣī, the remover of elephant faults.
चिरकालेन तपसा तोषितो ऽभूज्जनार्दनः
After a long time, Janārdana was pleased by his austerity.
शङ्खचक्राक्षवलयपुस्तकोज्ज्वलबाहुकाम्
With arms shining, holding conch, discus, lotus, bracelet, and book.
प्रादुर्बभूव पुरतो मुनेरमिततेजसा
He of immeasurable brilliance appeared before the sage.
विनयावनतो भूत्वा सन्तुष्टाव जगत्पतिम्
With humility and reverence, he praised the Lord of the universe.
वरं वरय भद्रं ते भविता भूसुरोत्तमः
Choose a boon, auspicious one; the greatest among Brahmins shall be.
यदि तुष्टो ऽसि भगवन्निमे पामरजन्तवः
If you are pleased, O Lord, let these common people of mine—
इति पृष्टो द्विजेनाथ देवदेवो जनार्दनः
Thus questioned by the twice-born, the god of gods, Janardana—
अयमेव कृतः प्रश्नो ब्रह्मणा तु ततः परम्
This very question was asked by Brahma before, and then—
कृतो दुर्वाससा पश्चाद्भवता तु ततः परम्
Later, it was asked by Durvasa, and then by you as well.
ममोपदेशो लोकेषु प्रथितो ऽस्तु वरो मम
Let my teaching be renowned in the worlds; this is my boon.
सृष्टिस्थितिलयानां तु सर्वेषामपि कारकः
He is the cause of all creation, preservation, and dissolution.
त्रिमूर्तिस्त्रिगुणातीतो गुणहीनो गुणाश्रयः
The Trimurti, transcending the three gunas, devoid of qualities, yet the support of qualities.
एवं भूतस्य मे ब्रह्मंस्त्रिजगद्रूपधारिणः
Such am I, O Brahman, the one who bears the form of the three worlds.
मम प्रधानं यद्रूपं सर्वलोकगुणात्मकम्
My supreme form is that which is the essence of all the worlds and their qualities.
एवमेव तयोर्ज्ञात्वा मुच्यते ते उभे किमु
Knowing both in this way, one is freed; what more remains for you?
त्यागैर्दुष्कर्मनाशान्ते मुक्तिराश्वेव लभ्यते
Through renunciation, when evil deeds are destroyed, liberation is surely attained.