गोवर्धनगिरिं प्राप्य तपस्तेपे जितेन्द्रियः
Having reached Mount Govardhana, he performed austerity, having mastered his senses.
आगत्य देवो राजानं प्राह दामोदरः स्वयम्
The god Dāmodara himself came and spoke to the king.
एकमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशः स्वकीयां प्रकृतिं गतः
Having spoken a single word, Hṛṣīkeśa returned to his own nature.
अपालयत् स्वकं राज्यं न्यायेन मधुसूदने
He ruled his own kingdom with justice, O Madhusūdana.
खिखण्डनं हविर्धानमन्तर्धाना व्यजायत
Khikhaṇḍana, Havirdhāna, and Antardhāna were born.
धार्मिको रूपसंपन्नो वेदवेदाङ्गपारगः
Righteous, endowed with beauty, accomplished in the Vedas and their branches.
मतिं चक्रे भाग्ययोगात् संन्यां प्रति धर्मवित्
By the force of fortune, the knower of dharma resolved upon renunciation.
जगाम हिमवत्पृष्ठं कदाचित् सिद्धसेवितम्
At some time, he went to the slopes of the Himalayas, frequented by perfected beings.
अपश्यद् योगिनां गम्यमगम्यं ब्रह्मविद्विषाम्
He beheld the attainable and unattainable abodes of yogins, inaccessible to those hostile to Brahman.
पद्मोत्पलवनोपेता सिद्धाश्रमविभूषिता
Adorned with hermitages of siddhas, and filled with lotus and water-lily groves.
सुपुण्यमाश्रमं रम्यमपश्यत् प्रीतिसंयुतः
He saw a most auspicious and delightful hermitage, filled with joy.
अर्चयित्वा महादेवं पुष्पैः पद्मोत्पलादिभिः
Having worshipped Mahadeva with flowers such as lotuses and water-lilies,
संप्रेक्षमाणो भास्वन्तं तुष्टाव परमेश्वरम्
Gazing upon the radiant Lord, he praised the Supreme Lord.
अन्यैश्च विविधैः स्तोत्रैः शांभवैर्वेदसंभवैः
With various other hymns to Shambhu, originating from the Vedas.
श्वेताश्वतरनामानं महापाशुपतोत्तमम्
He saw the illustrious Śvetāśvatara, the foremost among great Pāśupatas.
तपसा कर्षितात्मानं शुक्लयज्ञोपवीतिनम्
His self subdued by austerity, wearing a white sacred thread.
ववन्दे शिरसा पादौ प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यमब्रवीत्
He bowed with his head at his feet, palms joined, and spoke these words:
योगीश्वरो ऽद्य भगवान् दृष्टो योगविदां वरः
Today I have seen the Lord of Yogis, the best among knowers of yoga.
किं करिष्यामि शिष्यो ऽहं तव मां पालयानघ
What shall I do? I am your disciple. Protect me, O sinless one.
शिष्यत्वे परिजग्राह तपसा क्षीणकल्पषम्
He accepted him as a disciple, whose faults had been worn away by austerity.
ददौ तदैश्वरं ज्ञानं स्वशाखाविहितं व्रतम्
Then he imparted the divine knowledge and the observance prescribed in his own branch.
अन्त्याश्रममिति ख्यातं ब्रह्मादिभिरनुष्ठितम्
Known as the final stage of life, practiced by Brahma and others.
ब्राह्मणान् क्षत्रियान् वैश्यान् ब्रह्मचर्यपरायणान्
Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas devoted to celibacy,
समासते महादेवं ध्यायन्तो निष्कलं शिवम्
Meditate upon the great god Mahadeva, contemplating the formless Shiva.
अध्यास्ते भगवानीशो भक्तानामनुकम्पया
The blessed Lord, out of compassion for his devotees, abides there.
आराधयन्महादेवं लोकानां हितकाम्यया
Desiring the welfare of the worlds, he worshipped the great Lord.
आराध्य महतीं सिद्धिं लेभिरे देवदानवाः
Having worshipped, the gods and demons attained great accomplishment.
दृष्ट्वा तपोबलाज्ज्ञानं लेभिरे सार्वकालिकम्
Seeing their ascetic power, they obtained knowledge valid for all times.
तिष्ठ नित्यं मया सार्धं ततः सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि
Remain always with me; then you will attain perfection.
आचचक्षे महामन्त्रं यथावत् स्वार्थसिद्धये
He taught the great mantra properly for the attainment of one's own purpose.