लाजादिभिः पुरीं रम्यां भूषयाञ्चक्रिरे तदा
At that time, they decorated the charming city with parched grain and other offerings.
शङ्खान् सहस्त्रशो दध्मुर्वोणावादान् वितेनिरे
Thousands of conches were blown, and the sounds of drums resounded.
अगायन् मधुरं गानं स्त्रियो यौवनशालिनः
Women, radiant in their youth, sang sweet songs.
मुमुचुः पुष्पवर्षाणि वसुदेवसुतोपरि
They showered a rain of flowers upon the son of Vasudeva.
वरासने महायोगी भाति देवीभिरन्वितः
The great yogi, seated on a splendid throne, shone, surrounded by goddesses.
आत्मजैरभितो मुख्यैः स्त्रीसहस्त्रैश्च संवृतः
He was encircled by his chief sons and by thousands of women.
भ्राजते मालया देवो यथा देव्या समन्वितः
The god shone with Mālā, accompanied by his consort, just as the god with his goddess.
महर्षयः पूर्वजाता मार्कण्डेयादयो द्विजाः
The ancient great sages, the twice-born such as Mārkaṇḍeya, were present.
ननामोत्थाय शिरसा स्वासनं च ददौ हरिः
Hari rose, bowed his head, and offered his own seat.
विसर्जयामास हरिर्दत्त्वा तदभिवाञ्छितान्
Having granted their desired boons, Hari then dismissed them.
स्नात्वा शुक्लाम्बरो भानुमुपतिष्ठत् कृताञ्जलिः
After bathing, clad in white garments, he stood before the Sun with joined palms.
तर्पयामास देवेशो देवेशो देवान् मुनिगणान् पितॄन्
The Lord of the gods offered libations to the gods, the hosts of sages, and the ancestors.
पूजयामास लिङ्गस्थं भूतेशं भूतिभूषणम्
He worshipped Bhūteśa, adorned with ashes, who abides in the liṅga.
भोजयित्वा मुनिवरं ब्राह्मणानभिपूज्य च
After feeding the best of sages and duly honoring the brāhmaṇas,
कथाः पौराणिकीः पुण्याश्चक्रे पुत्रादिभिर्वृतः
Surrounded by his sons and others, he engaged in auspicious Purāṇic tales.
मार्कण्डेयो हसन् कृष्णं बभाषे मधुरं वचः
Mārkaṇḍeya, smiling, spoke sweet words to Kṛṣṇa.
ब्रूहि त्वं कर्मभिः पूज्यो योगिनां ध्येय एव च
Tell me, you are worshipped through deeds and are the object of meditation for yogis.
भारावतरणार्थाय जातो वृष्णिकुले प्रभुः
The Lord was born in the Vṛṣṇi clan for the purpose of relieving the earth’s burden.
शृण्वतामेव पुत्राणां सर्वेषां प्रहसन्निव
As all his sons listened, he spoke, as if smiling.
तथापि देवमीशानं पूजयामि सनातनम्
Still, I worship the eternal Lord, the god of gods.
पूजयामि तथापीशं जानन्नैतत् परं शिवम्
Even so, knowing this supreme Śiva, I worship the Lord.
ततो ऽहं स्वात्मनो मूलं ज्ञापयन् पूजयामि तम्
Therefore, realizing him as the root of my own self, I worship him.
तथा लिङ्गे हितायैषां लोकानां पूजयेच्छिवम्
Thus, for the welfare of the worlds, one should worship Śiva in the liṅga.
ततो ऽहमात्ममीशानं पूजयाम्यात्मनैव तु
Therefore, I worship the Lord of self with my own self.
नावयोर्द्यिते भेदो वेदेष्वेवं विनिश्चयः
O shining one, there is no difference between us; this is the conclusion of the Vedas.
ध्येयः पूज्यश्च वन्द्यश्च ज्ञेयो लिङ्गे महेश्वरः
Maheśvara, in the liṅga, is to be meditated upon, worshipped, honored, and known.
ब्रूहि कृष्ण विशालाक्ष गहनं ह्येतदुत्तमम्
Tell me, O Krishna of wide eyes, for this profound matter is truly supreme.
वेदा महेस्वरं देवमाहुर्लिङ्गिनमव्ययम्
The Vedas declare the great Lord, the imperishable God, as the one who bears the liṅga.
प्रबोधार्थं ब्रह्मणो मे प्रादुर्भूतः स्वयं शिवः
For the sake of awakening Brahma, Shiva himself manifested from me.
पूजयावो महादेवं लोकानां हितकाम्यया
Let us worship the great Lord, desiring the welfare of all worlds.