वर्णलक्षं जपेन्मन्त्रं होमं कुर्याद्दशांशतः
One should recite the mantra as many times as there are syllables, and perform the homa with one-tenth of that number.
पञ्चाक्षरोदिते पीठे मूर्तिं मूलेन कल्पयेत्
On the seat marked with the five-syllable mantra, one should establish the image with the root mantra.
हृदयं मनुराख्यातश्चण्डेशस्य प्रपूजने
The heart mantra is prescribed for the worship of Caṇḍeśa.
शैवमन्त्रेषु निष्णातश्चण्डेश्वरमनुं जपेत्
One who is well-versed in Śaiva mantras should recite the mantra of Caṇḍeśvara.
शृणु नारद वक्ष्यामि दिव्यं माहेश्वरं स्तवम्
Listen, O Nārada, I shall declare the divine hymn to Maheśvara.
यस्य पाठेन पूजायां सिद्ध्यन्ति मनवो ऽखिलाः
By the recitation of which, all mantras become successful in worship.
सर्वभूतान्तरस्थाय शङ्कराय नमोनमः
Salutations again and again to Śaṅkara, who dwells within all beings.
अतीन्द्रियाय महसे शाश्वताय नमोनमः
Salutations again and again to the transcendent, the great, the eternal.
भवाय भवसंभूतदुःखहन्त्रे नमोनमः
Salutations again and again to Bhava, the destroyer of the suffering arising from existence.
चतुर्वर्गवदान्याय सर्वज्ञाय नमोनमः
Salutations again and again to the generous bestower of the four aims of life, the all-knowing.
योगिध्येयाय महते निर्गुणाय नमोनमः
Salutations again and again to the great one, meditated upon by yogis, who is beyond attributes.
कन्दर्प्पदर्प्पनाशाय कालहॄन्त्रे नमोनमः
Salutations again and again to the destroyer of the pride of Kandarpa, to the slayer of Time.
सरिद्दामसमाबद्धकपदार्य नमोनमः
Salutations again and again to the one whose feet are bound by the garlands of rivers.
पुरान्तकाय पूर्णाय पुण्यनाम्नो नमोनमः
Salutations again and again to the destroyer of cities, the perfect one, of auspicious name.
विवाससे निवासाय विश्वेषां पतये नमः
Salutation to the one who is both the dweller and the abode, the lord of all beings.
त्रिधाम्ने धामरूपाय जन्मदाय नमोनमः
Salutations again and again to the one with three abodes, whose form is the abode, the giver of birth.
कान्ताय निजकान्तायै दत्तार्द्धाय नमोनमः
Salutations again and again to the beloved, who gave half of his own body to his beloved.
शिवसान्निध्यदं विप्र सर्पतन्त्रप्रकाशकम्
O brāhmaṇa, the presence of Śiva bestows this, and reveals the secrets of the serpent lore.
लोकाभिलाषसंपूर्तिक्रियासाधनसंगतम्
That which is connected to the fulfillment of people's desires and the means for accomplishing actions,
ते तु लोकोपकाराय ज्ञातव्याः सिद्धिदायकाः
These indeed should be understood as bestowing success for the benefit of the world.
त एव साधनीयाः स्युश्चतुर्वर्गफलाप्तये
Those alone are to be practiced for the attainment of the fruits of the four aims of life.
शाक्ताः सौराश्च गाणेशाः शैवाः प्रोक्ताः शुभावहाः
The Śākta, Saura, Gāṇeśa, and Śaiva rites are declared to bring auspiciousness.
देवताराधनं भक्त्या किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि
Do you wish to hear further about the worship of deities with devotion?
पुनरप्याह सुप्रीतो जिज्ञासुः श्रेय उत्तमम्
Again, being well pleased and eager to know the highest good, he spoke.
महातन्त्रं त्वया प्रोक्तं सर्वतन्त्रोत्तमोत्तमम्
You have described the great Tantra, the highest among all Tantras.
तत्सर्वं मे समाचक्ष्व सर्वज्ञस्त्वं यतो मतः
Tell me all of that in detail, for you are regarded as all-knowing.
पुराणाख्यानसंप्रश्नं कुमारः प्रत्युवाच ह
Kumāra then replied to the question concerning the narration of the Purāṇas.
नानाकथासमायुक्तमद्भुतं बहुविस्तरम्
It is endowed with various stories, wondrous and very extensive.
न वेद तस्मात्पृच्छ त्वं बहुकल्पविदां वरम्
He does not know it; therefore, you should ask the foremost among those who know many traditions.
प्रणम्य विनयोपेतः सनातनमथाब्रवीत्
Having bowed with humility, he then addressed the eternal one.