ब्रह्मोवाच विविक्ताश्रमिणां चैव न मन्त्रः सुखदायकः
Brahmā said: For those who dwell in solitary hermitages, no mantra brings happiness.
निषेकाल्लभ्यते मन्त्रो गुरुर्भर्त्ता च कामिनी
From conception, one obtains a mantra, a teacher, a husband, and a wife.
महेश्वरस्तव गुरुः प्राक्तनो नः पुरातनः
Maheśvara is your teacher, as he was ours in ancient times.
तत एव भवान्मन्त्रं ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा पुरातनात्
Thus, you too have obtained the mantra and knowledge from the ancient one.
इत्युक्त्वा जगतां धाता विरराम च शौनक
Having spoken thus, the creator of the worlds became silent, O Śaunaka.
सौतिरुवाच ऊर्ध्वं ध्रुवाद्योजनलक्षमीप्सितं महार्हरत्नौघविनिर्मितं महत्
Sauti said: Above Dhruva, there is a great region, a hundred thousand yojanas wide, made of the most precious jewels.
निराश्रये योगबलेन शम्भुना धृतं विचित्रं विविधालयान्वितम्
Unsupported, it is sustained by the power of Yoga by Śambhu, wondrous and furnished with various abodes.
मयूखशून्यं रविचन्द्रयोर्मुने हुताशनैर्वेष्टितमेव केवलम्
It is devoid of rays from the sun and moon, O sage, and is surrounded only by fire.
पुरं वरं योजनलक्षविस्तृतं त्रिकोटिरत्नेन्द्रगृहान्वितं सदा
The splendid city, spanning a hundred thousand yojanas, was adorned with three crores of jewel-encrusted palaces of Indra.
माणिक्यमुक्तामणिदर्पणैर्युतं नस्वप्नदृष्टं द्विज विश्वकर्मणः
It was filled with rubies, pearls, gems, and mirrors, never seen even in dreams, O twice-born, and crafted by Viśvakarma.
सिद्धैर्नियुक्तं शतकोटिलक्षैकैस्त्रिकोटिलक्षैश्च युतं स्वपार्षदैः
It was attended by accomplished beings numbering in hundreds of crores and lakhs, and by three crores and lakhs of Shiva's own attendants.
सुरद्रुमैर्वेष्टितमेव सन्ततं मन्दारवृक्षप्रवरैः सुपुष्पितैः
It was encircled continually by divine trees, especially the splendid, fully blossomed Mandāra trees.
दृष्ट्वा मुनिर्विस्मयमाप मानसे किं नात्र चित्रं सुरयोगिनां गुरौ
Seeing this, the sage was filled with wonder in his mind; what marvel is there that is not found at the guru of the divine yogis?
दूरे सभामण्डलमध्यगं शिवं ददर्श शान्तं शिवदं मनोहरम्
From afar, he saw Shiva seated at the center of the assembly circle, peaceful, bestowing auspiciousness, and captivating.
प्रतप्तहेमाभजटाधरं विभुं दिगम्बरं शुभ्रमनन्तमक्षरम् 1.25.
He saw the Lord, bearing matted locks like molten gold, clad in the directions, pure, infinite, and imperishable.
सुनीलकण्ठं भुजगेन्द्रमण्डितं योगीन्द्रसिद्धेन्द्र मुनीन्द्रवन्दितम्
His throat was deep blue, adorned with the king of serpents, and he was worshipped by the foremost yogis, siddhas, and sages.
प्रसन्नहास्यास्यमनोहरं वरं विश्वाश्रयाणां शिवदं वरप्रदम्
His face was radiant with a delightful smile, most excellent, the refuge of the universe, bestower of auspiciousness and boons.
गत्वा समीपं मुनिरेष शूलिनं ननाम मूर्ध्ना पुलकाङ्कविग्रहः
Approaching near, the sage bowed his head to the wielder of the trident, his body thrilled and covered with goosebumps.
दृष्ट्वा मुनीन्द्रप्रवरं च सस्मितं विधेः सुतं वेदविदां वरिष्ठम्
Seeing the foremost among sages, smiling, the son of Brahma, the best among those versed in the Vedas,
ददौ च तस्मै मुनये स संभ्रमादालिङ्गनं चाशिषमासनादिकम्
He gave to that sage, with reverence, an embrace, blessings, and a seat, among other honors.
सद्रत्नसिंहासनसुन्दरे परश्चोवास शम्भुर्वरपार्षदैः सह
On the beautiful throne studded with precious gems, Shiva sat together with his excellent attendants.
गन्धर्वराजेन कृतेन नारदः स्तोत्रेण रम्येण शुभप्रदेन च
Nārada, with a hymn composed by the king of Gandharvas, pleasing and bestowing auspiciousness,
चकार तत्रैव निवेदनं शिवे मनोऽभिलाषं निजकामपूरके
Thereupon, he presented his wish to Shiva, fulfilling his own heart's desire.
इति श्रीब्रह्मवैवर्ते महापुराणे ब्रह्मखण्डे सौतिशौनकसंवादे कैलासं प्रति नारदागमनं नाम पञ्चविंशतितमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the twenty-fifth chapter, entitled 'Nārada's Journey to Kailāsa,' in the dialogue between Sauti and Śaunaka, in the Brahma-Khaṇḍa of the glorious Brahmavaivarta Mahāpurāṇa.
सौतिरुवाच हरं ययाचे देवर्षिर्ध्यानं च ज्ञानमेव च
Sauti said: The divine sage requested Hara for meditation and knowledge.
स्तोत्रं च कवचं मन्त्रं ध्यानं पूजाविधिं तथा
He asked for the hymn, the protective armor, the mantra, meditation, and the method of worship as well.
सर्वं प्राप्य मुनिश्रेष्ठः परिपूर्णमनोरथः
Having attained everything, the foremost sage was fulfilled in all his desires.
नारद उवाच स्वधर्मपालनं नित्यं यतो भवति नित्यशः
Nārada said: By the constant practice of one's own duty, one achieves perpetual benefit.
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच सूक्ष्मे सहस्रपत्रे स्वे निर्मले ग्लानिवर्जिते
Śrī Maheśvara said: In the subtle, pure, spotless thousand-petaled lotus, free from fatigue—
रात्रिवासं परित्यज्य गुरुं तत्रैव चिन्तयेत्
Abandoning the dwelling of night, one should contemplate the guru right there.