अथ महर्षिरुपागतकौतुको निजतपःफलमेव तदागमम्
Then the great sage, filled with curiosity, approached, seeking only the fruit of his own austerities.
प्रत्याधातुं प्रववृते शिवभक्तिर्जगन्मयी
Universal devotion to Shiva arose, intent on restoring what had been lost.
आलुलोके समायातं गौतमं शिष्यसेवितम्
He observed Gautama arriving, attended by his disciples.
जटाभिरतिताम्राभिस्तीर्थस्नानविशुद्धिभिः
His matted locks were deeply copper-hued, purified by ritual baths at holy places.
भस्मत्रिपुण्ड्रकोपेतविशालनिटिलोज्वलम्
His broad forehead shone, adorned with sacred ash and the triple lines.
दधानं वल्कले रक्ते तपः कृशितविग्रहम्
He wore a red bark garment, his body emaciated by austerity.
शम्भुनावसितोदात्तसारूप्यमिव भाषितम्
He spoke with a noble dignity, resembling the presence of Shambhu himself.
आलोक्य तं महात्मानं वृद्धं शंभुपदाश्रयम्
Seeing that great soul, aged and devoted to the feet of Shambhu,
कृतांजलिं मुनिर्वीक्ष्य समस्तजगदम्बिकाम्
The sage, beholding him with joined palms, recognized the Mother of all worlds.
स्वागतं गौरि सुभगे लोकमातर्दयानिधे
Welcome, O Gauri, O fortunate one, O ocean of compassion, Mother of the world.
अहो मान्ये मान्यमर्थं विज्ञायैव पुरा वयम् 1.3.1.5.
Ah, venerable one, knowing the most worthy purpose, we have always honored it.
यद्देवि ते न चेत्किंचिन्मायाविलसितन्निजम्
O goddess, if there is nothing of yours, then only your own play of illusion remains.
तिष्ठत्वशेषं मे वक्तुं मायाविलसितं तव
Let the rest remain for me to speak of, your wondrous play of illusion.
आस्यतां पावने शुद्धं आसने कुशनिर्मिते
Sit, O pure one, on the seat made of kusa grass, sanctified and clean.
इति शिष्यैः समानीते दर्भांके परमासने
Thus, with the disciples bringing the supreme seat, cushioned with darbha grass,
निवेद्य सकलां पूजां भक्तिभावसमन्वितः
He offered all worship, imbued with the spirit of devotion.
उवाच दशनज्योत्स्नापरिधौतदिशामुखः
He spoke, his face radiant as if washed by the moonlight of his teeth.
अहो देवस्य माहात्म्यं शम्भोरमिततेजसः
Ah, the greatness of the god Shambhu, of boundless brilliance!
असिद्धमन्यल्लब्धव्यं किं वान्यत्तव विद्यते
What else remains unattained or is there anything else you desire?
कैलासशैलवृत्तांतः कंपातटतपःस्थितः
The account of Mount Kailāsa, where you performed austerities on the banks of the Kampa.
आगतासि महाभागे भक्ताश्रममिमं स्वयम् 1.3.1.5.
O highly fortunate one, you yourself have come to this hermitage of devotees.
इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा महर्षेः सर्ववेदिनः
Hearing these words of the great sage, knower of all the Vedas,
महावैभवमेतत्ते देवदेवः स्वयं शिवः
This immense glory belongs to you; Lord Śiva himself,
आगमानां शिवोक्तानां वेदानामपि पारगः
You are one who has mastered the Āgamas spoken by Śiva and even the Vedas.
अरुणाचल नाम्नाहं तिष्ठामीत्यब्रवीच्छिवः
Śiva declared, 'I abide here by the name Aruṇācala.'
प्राप्तास्म्यहं तपः कर्तुमरुणाचलसन्निधौ
I have arrived here to perform austerities in the presence of Aruṇācala.
शिवभक्तेन संभाषा शिवसंकीर्त्तनश्रवः
Conversation with a devotee of Śiva and hearing the chanting of Śiva's names—
तस्मान्ममैतन्माहात्म्यं श्रोतव्यं भवतो मुखात्
Therefore, I wish to hear this greatness of mine from your lips.
इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा गौतमस्तपसां निधिः
Hearing her words, Gautama, the treasury of austerities,
अज्ञातमिव यत्किंचित्पृच्छ्यते च पुनस्त्वया
Whatever is not known, you ask again and again.