पंचब्रह्ममयैर्मंत्रैः पंचाक्षरवपुर्धरैः
with mantras composed of the five Brahmas, bearing the form of the five-syllabled (mantra),
अष्टभिश्च सदा लिंगैरष्टदिक्पालपूजितः
and always with eight liṅgas, worshipped by the guardians of the eight directions,
यत्र सिद्धास्तथा लोकान्स्वान्स्वान्मुक्त्वा सुरेश्वराः 1.3.1.2.
where the perfected beings, as well as the lords of the gods, having left their own worlds,
एवं वसुंधरापुण्यपरिपाकसमुच्चयः
thus is the accumulation of the ripened merit of the earth.
कैलासान्मेरुशिखरादागतैर्देवसंचयैः
with hosts of gods who have come from the peak of Kailāsa and from Meru,
इति कमलजवक्त्रपद्मजां तं मुदितमनाः सनको निशम्य भक्त्या
Thus, having heard that (account) of the lotus-born, from the mouth of the lotus-seated one, Sanaka, his mind rejoicing, with devotion—
सनक उवाच भगवन्नरुणाद्रीश माहात्म्यमिदमद्भुतम्
Sanaka said: O Lord, master of Aruṇādri, this greatness is truly wondrous.
आश्चर्यमेतन्माहात्म्यं सर्वपापविनाशनम्
This glory is astonishing and destroys all sins.
अनादिरंतरहितः शिवः शोणचलाकृतिः
Śiva, without beginning or end, has taken the form of the red mountain.
सकृत्संकीर्तिते नाम्नि शोणाद्रिरिति मुक्तिदे
By uttering even once the name 'Śoṇādri,' which grants liberation,
शिवशब्दामृतास्वादः शिवार्चनकथाक्रमः
One tastes the nectar of the word 'Śiva' and learns the order of worshipping Śiva.
उवाच करुणामूर्तिररुणाद्रीशमानमन् ब्रह्मोवाच श्रूयतां वत्स पार्वत्याश्चरितं यत्पुरातनम्
The embodiment of compassion spoke, honoring the Lord of Aruṇādri. Brahmā said: Listen, dear one, to the ancient story of Pārvatī.
अरुणाद्रीशमाश्रित्य यथा सा निर्वृताभवत्
How she attained supreme bliss by taking refuge in the Lord of Aruṇādri.
रत्नसिंहासनं दिव्यं रत्नतोरणसंयुतम्
There was a divine throne of jewels, adorned with a jeweled archway.
परार्ध्य दृषदास्तीर्णं बद्धमुक्तावितानकम्
Spread with precious stones of the highest value, and draped with a canopy of pearls.
प्रलंबमालिकाजालनिनदद्भृंगसंकुलम् 1.3.1.3.
It was surrounded by garlands of hanging flowers, filled with the humming of bees.
पार्वतीसिंहसंचारपरित्रस्तमहागजम्
The great elephant, frightened by Pārvatī’s lion-mount, moved about.
आसेवितपुरोरंगं दिक्पालकनिषेवितम्
The forecourt was frequented by noble animals and attended by the guardians of the directions.
ब्रह्मर्षिभिस्तथा देवैः सिद्धै राजर्षिभिवृतम्
It was filled with Brahmarṣis, gods, Siddhas, and royal sages.
रुद्राक्षधारसुभगैरापूर्णं शिवतत्परैः
It was crowded with devotees devoted to Śiva, adorned with beautiful rudrākṣa beads.
घंटाटंकारसुभगैर्वेदध्वनिविमिश्रितैः
It was graced by the sweet sound of bells, mingled with the chanting of the Vedas.
अलंचकार भगवन्भक्तानुग्रहकाम्यया
The Blessed Lord decorated it, wishing to show favor to his devotees.
अंबिकासहितः श्रीमान्विजहार दयानिधिः
The compassionate Lord, together with Ambikā, joyfully wandered there.
गणानां विकटैर्नृत्यै रमयामास पार्वतीम्
He delighted Pārvatī with the wild dances of the gaṇas.
वरान्प्रदाय विविधान्भक्तलोकाय वाञ्छितान्
Having granted various desired boons to the devotees,
विजहारोमया सार्द्धं रत्नप्रासादपंक्तिषु 1.3.1.3.
I departed together with her through rows of jeweled palaces.
केलिपर्वतशृंगेषु हेमरंभावनांतरे
On the peaks of playful mountains, within golden banana groves,
वातेन मंदगतिना विहारविहतश्रमः
With gentle breezes moving slowly, our fatigue from wandering was dispelled.
रतिरूपां शिवां देवीं सर्वसौभाग्यसुन्दरीम्
The goddess, beautiful in every auspicious way, appeared as the very form of delight.
रमणं जानती मुग्धा पश्चादभ्येत्य सादरम्
Innocently, knowing the pleasure, she then approached with respect.