अथ नारद निर्दिष्टमवज्ञाफलमात्मनः
Then, O Nārada, the result of his own disrespect, as declared, befell him.
शिवभूमिरियं ख्याता परितो योजनद्वयम् 1.3.1.6.
This land of Śiva is renowned everywhere, extending two yojanas around.
सप्तर्षयः पुरा भूमौ शापदोषसमन्विताः
Long ago, the Seven Sages on earth were afflicted by the fault of a curse.
शापमोक्षं ददौ श्रीमान्सप्तर्षीणां महात्मनाम्
The illustrious one granted release from the curse to the great-souled Seven Sages.
शोणाचलस्य निकटे दृश्यते पावनं शुभम्
Near Śoṇācala is seen a holy and auspicious place.
अंतर्हितप्रार्थितार्थो दारुहस्तपुटे वहन्
Carrying the desired object, hidden, in a wooden vessel—
दारुहस्तपुटे तीर्थे निचिक्षेप पिपासतः
He placed it, being thirsty, in the sacred wooden vessel at the ford.
अथ शोणाचलं प्राप्तः कथं वा दारुहस्तकः
Then, having reached Śoṇācala, how indeed did the one with the wooden vessel—
लब्धपादश्च सहसा जगाम च निजालयम्
Having suddenly found his footing, he went to his own abode.
स्वयं गृहीत्वा चालोक्य ववंदेऽरुणपर्वतम्
Taking it himself and beholding it, he bowed to Mount Aruṇa.
विस्मयोत्फुल्लनयनैः शिवभक्तैर्महात्मभिः
With eyes wide in wonder, the great devotees of Śiva—
वाली शक्रसुतः श्रीमाञ्छ्रंगादुदयभूभृतः 1.3.1.6.
Vālī, the illustrious son of Indra, from the peak of the rising mountain—
आलुलोकेऽरुणगिरिं मध्ये देवनमस्कृतम्
He beheld Mount Aruṇa in the midst, worshipped by the gods.
पित्रा शक्रेण संगम्य चोदितः शोणपर्वतम्
Urged by his father Indra, he approached Mount Śoṇa.
नलः पूर्वं समभ्यर्च्य स्वसृष्टा मानवप्रियाः
Nala, having first worshipped, cherished those women created by himself who were dear to men.
इलः प्रविश्य सहसा गौरीवनमखंडितम्
Ila, entering suddenly, remained unbroken like the forest of Gauri.
वशिष्ठेन समादिष्टः शोणाद्रिं समपूजयत्
Instructed by Vasiṣṭha, he duly worshipped the Śoṇa mountain.
सोमोपदेशाद्भक्त्याथ सस्मारारुणपर्वतम्
Then, by Soma’s guidance and with devotion, he remembered the Aruṇa mountain.
लेभे च परमं स्थानमप्राप्यममरैरपि
And he attained the highest state, which even the immortals cannot reach.
न मुक्तिं प्राप योगेन मृगजन्मनि संगतः
He did not obtain liberation through yoga, being born among deer.
पुनर्भृगूपदेशेन शोणाद्रिमिममर्चयन्
Again, by the instruction of Bhṛgu, he worshipped the Śoṇa mountain.
सरस्वती च सावित्री श्रीर्भूमिः सरितस्तथा 1.3.1.6.
Sarasvatī, Sāvitrī, Śrī, Bhūmi, and likewise the rivers—
भास्करः पूर्वदिग्भागे विश्वामित्रस्तु दक्षिणे
Bhāskara is in the eastern direction, and Viśvāmitra in the south.
योजनद्वयपर्यंते सीमाः शैलेषु संस्थिताः
Boundaries are established on the mountains at a distance of two yojanas.
स्थिताः सीमावसानेषु शोणाद्रीशमवस्थितम्
They are situated at the ends of the boundaries, where the lord of Śoṇa mountain resides.
अस्योत्तरस्मिञ्छिखरे दृश्यते वटभूरुहः
On the northern peak of this, a great banyan tree is seen.
यस्य च्छायातिमहती सर्वदा मण्डलाकृतिः
Its vast shadow is always circular in shape.
अष्टभिः परितो लिंगैरष्टदिक्पालपूजितैः
All around it are eight liṅgas, worshipped by the guardians of the eight directions.
नृपाणां शम्भुभक्तानां शंकराज्ञानुपालिनाम्
Kings devoted to Śambhu, who follow Śaṅkara’s commands, are also there.
बकुलश्च महांस्तत्र सदार्थितफलप्रदः
There too is the great bakula tree, ever granting the fruits of all desires.