यज्ञैश्च विविधैरिष्ट्वा परं निर्वाणमाप्तवान्
Having performed various sacrifices, he attained the highest liberation.
लब्धं निष्कण्टकं राज्यं लिंगस्यास्य च दर्शनात्
By the sight of this liṅga, he obtained a kingdom free from thorns.
अतो नाम सुविख्यातं कण्टेश्वर इति क्षितौ
Therefore, this place is renowned on earth as Kaṇṭeśvara.
अद्यप्रभृति पश्यन्ति देवं कण्टेश्वरं शिवम्
From this day forward, people behold the god Kaṇṭeśvara, Śiva.
नैमिषेथ कुरुक्षेत्रे गंगाद्वारे च पुष्करे तत्पुण्यं भविता सम्यक्छ्रीगणेश्वरदर्शनात्
In Naimiṣa, Kurukṣetra, Gaṅgādvāra, and Puṣkara, that merit will arise fully from the sight of Śrīgaṇeśvara.
गृहिणो लिंगिनो वापि ये पश्यंति यतव्रताः
Householders or ascetics, whoever sees it with disciplined vows—
जन्मांतरसहस्रेण यत्पापं पूर्वसंचितम् 5.2.54.
The sin accumulated in a thousand previous births—
दत्तं जप्तं हुतं चेष्टं तपस्तप्तं कृतं च यत्
Whatever has been given, recited, offered, performed, or any austerity practiced—
एवं ब्रुवाणं तं विप्रं तापसं संशितव्रतम्
To that sage, steadfast in his vows, as he spoke thus—
जरारोगविनिर्मुक्तः सर्वशोकविवर्जितः अवध्यश्चापि सर्वेषां योगैश्वर्यसमन्वितः
He was freed from old age and disease, devoid of all sorrow, invulnerable to all, and endowed with the powers of yoga.
एवमुक्तोऽथ लिंगेन तापसो गणतां गतः
Thus addressed by the emblem, the ascetic attained the state of a Gaṇa.
अन्धकेन पुरा युद्धे सिंहनादो यदा कृतः
Long ago, when Andhaka made a lion's roar in battle—
उत्पन्नं च तदा लिंगमशेषारिविनाशनम् अतः कंटेश्वरो देवो विख्यातो भुवनत्रये
Then arose that emblem, the destroyer of all enemies; therefore, the god Kaṇṭeśvara became renowned in the three worlds.
एष ते कथितो देवि प्रभावः पापनाशनः
O goddess, this glory of his, the destroyer of sins, has been told to you.
श्रीईश्वर उवाच पंचाधिकं विजानीहि पंचाशत्तममीश्वरम्
Śrī Īśvara said: Know the fifty-fifth lord as five beyond fifty.
सद्यःकल्पे त्वया देवि मदर्थं हि महत्तपः तपसा तव रौद्रेण दग्धं हि भुवनत्रयम्
O goddess, in the Sadyahkalpa, you performed great austerity for my sake; by your fierce penance, the three worlds were scorched.
दुष्करं हि तपो ज्ञात्वा भगवां श्चतुराननः
Knowing your penance to be difficult indeed, the blessed Four-Faced One—
किं पुत्रि प्राप्तुकामासि किमलभ्यं ददामि ते
O daughter, what do you wish to obtain? What is unattainable that I may grant you?
त्वया च वचनं श्रुत्वा गुरोर्गौरवगर्भितम्
And you, having heard the words of your guru, filled with the weight of reverence—
प्रत्युक्तः स तदा ब्रह्मा प्रणामनम्रया त्वया
At that time, Brahmā was addressed by you, bowing with humility.
स मां श्यामलवर्णेति बहुशः प्रोक्तवान्भवः भर्त्ता भूतपतिर्वश्यः कथं स्यादिति मे तपः
He repeatedly called me 'the dark-hued one'; 'How may the Lord of beings become my obedient husband?'—for this was my penance.
त्वदीयं वचनं श्रुत्वा वरार्हो वरदः प्रभुः
Hearing your words, the Lord, bestower of boons and worthy of boons, said—
कियता चैव कालेन वांछासिद्धिर्भविष्यति
In how much time will the fulfillment of your desire come to pass?
एतच्छ्रुत्वा त्वया वाक्यं ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः 5.2.55.
Hearing this statement of Brahmā, the Supreme Lord, from you—
क्रोधात्सिंहः समुद्भूतो वदनात्ते भयावहः
From your anger, a lion arose from your mouth, terrifying to behold.
प्रोद्धूतवल्गुलांगूलो दंष्ट्रोत्कटमुखोत्कटः
Its tail was raised and bristling, its mouth fierce with protruding fangs.
सोऽपि सिंहः क्षुधाविष्टस्त्वां भक्षयितुमुद्यतः
That lion, overcome by hunger, rose up to devour you.
स दह्यमानः सहसा तेजसा तपसा तव
He was suddenly scorched by the power and austerity of your penance.
ततस्तवाभूत्करुणा सिंहं प्रति यतव्रते
Then compassion arose in you, O one devoted to vows, towards the lion.
उत्पादितं स्तनाभ्यां तु तस्य सिंहस्य कारणात
For the sake of that lion, nourishment was produced from your breasts.