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.
प्रसन्नवदनं शान्तं परितुष्टं निरन्तरम्
With a serene face, peaceful, ever content, and always satisfied—
ध्यात्वैवं गुरुमाराध्य हृत्पद्मे निर्मले सिते
Meditating thus, worship the guru in the pure, white lotus of the heart.
यस्य देवस्य यद्ध्यानं यद्रूपं तद्विचिन्तयेत्
For whichever deity, whatever meditation and form, one should contemplate that.
आदौ ध्यात्वा गुरुं नत्वा संपूज्य विधिपूर्वकम् 1.26.
First, meditate on the guru, bow down, and worship according to prescribed rites.
गुरुप्रदर्शितो देवो मन्त्रपूजाविधिर्जपः
The deity shown by the guru, the method of mantra worship, and recitation—
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुर्गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः
The guru is Brahmā, the guru is Viṣṇu, the guru is the divine Maheśvara.
गुरुर्वायुश्च वरुणो गुरुर्माता पिता सुहृत्
The guru is Vāyu and Varuṇa; the guru is mother, father, and friend.
अभीष्टदेवे रुष्टे च समर्थो रक्षणे गुरुः
When the desired deity is angry, the guru alone is capable of protection.
यस्य तुष्टो गुरुः शश्वज्जयस्तस्य पदे पदे
For one whose guru is pleased, there is victory at every step, always.
न संपूज्य गुरुं देवं यो मूढः पूजयेद् भ्रमात्
He who, out of delusion, worships the deity without honoring the guru, is foolish.
सामवेदे च भगवानित्युवाच हरिः स्वयम्
In the Sāma Veda, Bhagavān Hari himself spoke thus.
गुरुमिष्टं स्वयं ध्यात्वा स्तुत्वा वै साधको मुने
Having meditated upon and praised the desired guru, the practitioner, O sage—
जलं जलसमीपं च सरन्धं प्राणिसन्निधिम्
Water, the vicinity of water, a pond, and the presence of living beings—
हलोत्कर्षस्थलं चैव सस्यक्षेत्रं च गोष्ठकम् 1.26.
The place where the plough is drawn, the field of crops, and the cowshed.
ग्रामाद्यभ्यन्तरं चैव नृणां गृहसमीपकम्
The inner area of villages and places near people's homes,
क्रीडास्थलं महारण्यं मंचकाधःस्थलं तथा
Playgrounds, dense forests, and the ground beneath a cot,
दूर्वास्थानं कुशस्थानं वल्मीकस्थानमेव च
Places where dūrvā grass, kuśa grass, or anthills are found,
एतत्सर्वं परित्यज्य सूर्य्यतापविवर्जितम्
All these should be avoided, choosing a place free from sunlight.
पुरीषमूत्रोत्सर्गं च दिवा कुर्यादुदङ्मुखः
One should discharge urine and feces during the day facing north.
मौनी भूत्वा च निश्वासं यथा गन्धो न सञ्चरेत्
Remaining silent and exhaling so that no odor spreads.