अद्याभ्यासस्य विद्यानां फलकालोऽयमागतः । अद्य मे पितरस्तुष्टा राज्यं च सफलं मम
Today the time has come for the fruits of my study and knowledge; today my ancestors are pleased, and my reign is fulfilled.
अद्य मे सफलं वृत्तमद्य मे सफलं श्रुतम् । एवं वदंतं राजानं ब्राह्मणाः कश्यपादयः
Today my conduct bears fruit, today my learning is fruitful; as the king spoke thus, the Brahmins led by Kashyapa addressed him.
ऊचुः प्रियतरं वाक्यं रामं राजीवलोचनम् । ऋषय ऊचुः अयं शंभुर्द्विजः प्राप्तः सर्वशास्त्रविशारदः
They spoke words most dear to Rama, whose eyes resemble lotuses: The sages said, 'Here is Shambhu, a Brahmin, arrived, expert in all scriptures.'
वेदवेदांगतत्त्वज्ञः सर्वभूतहिते रतः । कैलासवासी सततं तपसे कृतनिश्चयः
He knows the essence of the Vedas and their branches, is devoted to the welfare of all beings, dwells always in Kailasa, and is firmly resolved in asceticism.
ब्रह्मणा ब्रह्मवर्चस्के तुल्यो ब्रह्मविदां वरः । हरिणा ब्रह्मवात्सल्ये प्रसादे शंकरोपमः
In spiritual brilliance he equals Brahma, and among knowers of Brahman he is foremost; in affection for Brahmins and in grace, he is like Shankara.
एवंविधो महातेजाः शंभुर्ब्राह्मणपुंगवः । अष्टादशपुराणज्ञो मीमांसा न्यायकोविदः
Such is Shambhu, a Brahmin of great splendor; he knows all eighteen Puranas, and is skilled in Mimamsa and logic.
त्वद्भाग्यगौरवादेव प्राप्तोऽयं मुनिसत्तमः । त्वयाहूतो मुनिवरः कैलासादागतः प्रभो
By the weight of your fortune alone, this foremost sage has arrived; summoned by you, the eminent sage has come from Kailasa, O Lord.
अतः पृच्छ महाभाग पुराणाख्यानमुत्तमम् । श्रोतुकामा वयं प्राप्तास्त्वामद्य रघुनंदन
Therefore, O most fortunate one, ask for the supreme narration of the Purana; we have come today, O descendant of Raghu, eager to hear from you.
अंतं गतस्य वेदानां सर्वशास्त्रार्थवेदिनः । पुंसोऽश्रुतपुराणस्य न सम्यग्याति दर्शनम्
For one who has mastered the Vedas and knows the meaning of all scriptures, if he has not heard the Purana, his understanding is not complete.
सूत उवाच- एवमुक्तो रघुश्रेष्ठो मुनिभिस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः । प्रहर्षमतुलं लेभे पुराणश्रवणोत्सुकः
Suta said: Thus addressed by the sages who see the truth, the best of the Raghu line felt incomparable joy, eager to hear the Purana.
श्रीराम उवाच- लिगार्चनप्रकारं च लिंगमाहात्म्यमेव च । महेशनाममाहात्म्यं पूजामाहात्म्यमेव च
Sri Rama said: The procedure for worshipping the linga, the greatness of the linga, the glory of Mahesha's name, and the greatness of worship—
नमस्कारस्य माहात्म्यं दृष्टिमाहात्म्यमेव च । जलदानस्य माहात्म्यं धूपदानस्य सत्तम
The greatness of salutation, the greatness of vision, the merit of offering water, and the merit of offering incense, O noble one—
दीपगंधादिदानस्य पुष्पमाहात्म्यमेव च । नानाख्यानेतिहासानां कथां पापप्रणाशिनीम्
The merit of offering lamps, fragrances, and such, the greatness of flowers, and the stories of various legends and histories that destroy sin—
धर्मार्थकाममोक्षांश्च तदुपायांश्च सुव्रत । तत्सर्वं श्रोतुमिच्छामि त्वत्तो मुनिवरोत्तम
The means to dharma, wealth, pleasure, and liberation, O virtuous one; I wish to hear all this from you, O best of sages.
शंभुरुवाच- रामराम महाबाहो पुण्यवानसि राघव । राज्यासक्तस्य ते जाता पुराणश्रवणे रतिः
Shambhu said: O Rama, mighty-armed, you are virtuous, O descendant of Raghu; though engaged in kingship, you have developed a love for hearing the Purana.
स्यान्महत्सेवया राम पुण्यतीर्थनिषेवणात् । सा जिह्वा या शिवं गायेत्तच्चित्तं यत्तदर्प्पितम्
Such love arises from great service, O Rama, and from visiting holy places; that tongue which sings of Shiva, that mind which is offered to him—
तावेव केवलौ श्लाघ्यौ यौ तत्पूजाकरौ करौ । सुजन्मदेहमत्यर्थं तदेवाशेषजन्मसु
Only those two are truly praiseworthy: the hands that perform his worship; the body gained by good birth is especially so, and so in all births.
यदेवोत्पुलकोभासि हर नामानुकीर्तनात् । कृतार्थोऽसि महाराज तत्प्रश्नानुगता मतिः
When your body thrills with joy at the recitation of Hara's name, O great king, you are fulfilled; your mind follows the questions.
अनंतरं समाजग्मुर्जांघिकाः सत्वरश्रमाः । तत्करात्पत्रिकां गृह्य पपाठ रघुसत्तमः
Immediately, the messengers arrived, swift and weary; taking the letter from their hand, the best of the Raghus read it.
मनसाऽचिंतयद्रामः कथमेतदभूदिति । रामं शंभुस्तदा प्राह देव्या ब्राह्मणवेषवान्
Rama wondered in his mind, 'How has this come to be?' Then Shiva, disguised as a Brahmin and accompanied by the goddess, spoke to Rama.
किं चिंतयसि काकुत्स्थ मुनिष्वग्रे वसत्स्वपि । तद्वाक्यं राघवः श्रुत्वा पप्रच्छ मुनिपुंगवान्
'Why do you ponder, O descendant of Kakutstha, even while the sages dwell before you?' Hearing these words, Raghava questioned the foremost of sages.
श्रीरामउवाच- विभीषणः कथमसौ बद्धः शृंखलया नृभिः । मत्स्थापितं शिवं लिगं दृष्ट्वा रामेश्वरं त्वहो
Sri Rama said: 'How has Vibhishana been bound with chains by men, after seeing the Shiva-linga I established, the Rameshvara? Alas!'
द्राविडैः कुटिलैर्दुष्टैरात्मना तद्विचार्यताम् । विचार्य मुनिवर्यास्ते नेशास्तज्ज्ञातुमल्पतः
'By the wicked and crooked Dravidians—consider this yourself. The eminent sages, having considered, were unable to ascertain the matter.'
न जानीम इति प्राहू रामं रामस्तदाब्रवीत् । पुराणं वीक्ष्य विधिना तत्सर्वं ब्रूत सत्तमाः
'We do not know,' they said to Rama. Then Rama spoke: 'Examine the Purana according to rule and tell me all, O noble ones.'
भवदज्ञानहेतुश्च विचार्यस्तदनंतरम् । किं किं पुराणं प्रेक्ष्यं स्याद्वर्जनीयं तथैव किम्
'Afterwards, consider also the cause of your ignorance. Which Purana should be examined, and which should be avoided as well?'
प्रशस्तः कीदृशः श्लोकस्तदन्यः कीदृशो भवेत् । कीदृशेषु च कार्येषु कीदृशः पूजकस्तथा
'What kind of verse is praised, and what other kind exists? In what actions, and what sort of worshipper is suitable?'
पूजा च कीदृशैर्भक्तैः कार्या निर्णयदर्शने । इति रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा ते द्विजसत्तमाः
'By what kind of devotees should worship be performed, according to the authoritative decision?' Having heard Rama's words, those best of twice-born replied—
प्रत्यूचुस्तं रघुश्रेष्ठं चिंताव्याकुलमानसम् । न वक्तारो वरं राम वीक्षतां तु पुराणवित्
They answered the best of the Raghus, whose mind was troubled with concern: 'We are not the ones to speak, O Rama; let the knower of the Puranas be consulted.'
तच्छ्रुत्वा राघवः शंभुं पप्रच्छ विनयान्वितः । सोपि तद्वाक्यमाकर्ण्य प्रत्युवाच महामतिः
Hearing this, Raghava humbly questioned Shambhu; and he, having heard those words, replied with great wisdom.
शंभुरुवाच- पुराणजीवी पूजार्हः स्वशाखाध्ययनः शुचिः । मीमांसातत्त्वविज्ञानः श्रोत्रियोऽनृतदूषकः
Shambhu said: 'One who lives by the Purana, is worthy of worship, studies his own branch, is pure, knows the essence of Mimamsa, is learned in the Vedas, and avoids falsehood—'