उत्तरे चात्र दिग्भागे सोमतीर्थमिति स्मृतम् 1.3.1.7.
And in the northern direction here, it is known as the Soma Tirtha.
ऐशाने चात्र दिग्भागे विष्णुतीर्थमिति स्मृतम्
And in the northeast direction here, it is remembered as the Vishnu Tirtha.
मार्कण्डेयः पुरा देवि प्रार्थयामास शंकरम्
Once, O Goddess, Markandeya prayed to Shankara.
बहूनामिह तीर्थानामेकत्र स्यात्समागमः
May there be a gathering of many sacred fords here in one place.
इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा देवदेव उमापतिः
Hearing his words, the Lord of gods, the husband of Uma,
सन्निधिं मम संप्राप्तः सेवते गूढरूपतः
Has come into my presence, serving in a hidden form.
नान्यदन्वेषणीयं ते तीर्थमत्र महामुने
O great sage, you need not seek any other sacred ford here.
तस्माद्भक्तियुतैर्नित्यं सर्वतीर्थसमागमः
Therefore, for those endowed with devotion, there is always the gathering of all sacred fords.
इति देवि पुरा देवो मार्कडेयाय शंकरः
Thus, O Goddess, long ago, Shankara spoke to Markandeya.
सदोपहारवेलायां दृश्यानि किल मानवैः
At the time of offering, these are indeed visible to people.
व्रतं तीर्थं तपो वेदा यज्ञाश्च नियमादयः 1.3.1.7.
Vows, sacred fords, austerity, the Vedas, sacrifices, and observances—
निशम्य वाक्यं मुनिपुंगवस्य प्रसेदुषी पर्वतराजपुत्री
Hearing the words of the foremost sage, the daughter of the mountain was pleased.
अहं कृतार्था तपतां वरिष्ठ त्वत्संगमात्संप्रति तीर्थजालम्
O foremost of ascetics, I am fulfilled now by meeting you, the very network of sacred fords.
कथं गिरीशः पुनरत्र देवः स्फुरन्महावह्निवपुर्धरोऽपि
How is it that Lord Girisha, the god, appears here again, though he bears a blazing, fiery form?
आदिष्टस्तीर्थयात्रार्थमहं लिंगानि वीक्षितुम्
I was instructed to undertake a pilgrimage to view the liṅgas.
रुद्रक्षेत्रे च केदारे तथा बदरिकाश्रमे
I went to the Rudra-kshetra, to Kedara, and likewise to the hermitage at Badarika.
कांचीमुख्यासु पुण्यासु पुरीष्वप्यगमं तदा
At that time, I also visited the chief holy cities, foremost among them Kanchi.
स्थापितानि च लिंगानि स्वयंभूनि च दृष्टवान्
I beheld the liṅgas that were established, and those that are self-manifested.
सेवमानः सशिष्योऽहं पर्यटन्पृथिवीमिमाम्
Serving with my disciples, I wandered across this earth.
तपांसि यज्ञकर्माणि कुर्वन्भूमिं समाचरन्
Performing austerities and sacrificial rites, I traversed the land.
सर्वाणि भुवि पुण्यानि देशमेतमुपाश्रयम्
Having visited all the holy places on earth, I came to this region.
अरुणाद्रिरितिख्यातं पर्वतं लिंगमैक्षिषि
I saw the mountain known as Arunadri, and the liṅga there.
कंदमूलफलाहारा दृष्टाः शोणाद्रि सेवकाः
I saw the attendants of Shonadri, subsisting on bulbs, roots, and fruits.
आद्येन ब्रह्मणा पूर्वमर्चितं दिव्यचक्षुषा ।। 1.3.1.8.
That was first worshipped by Brahma, with his divine vision, in ancient times.
इति वेदा स्तुवंति त्वामरुणाद्रीश संततम्
Thus, the Vedas continually praise you, Lord of Arunadri.
सर्ववेदस्वरूपाय नित्यायामृतमूर्त्तये
To you, who are the very form of all the Vedas, eternal, and the embodiment of immortality.
भक्तवात्सल्यपूर्णाय पुण्याय पुरभेदिने
To you, filled with affection for devotees, holy one, destroyer of cities.
भुवि लब्धवता भूयो नान्यत्कार्यं तपः क्वचित्
Having attained you on earth, there is no other austerity to be performed anywhere.
प्रार्थयते स्वयं वासान्देवाश्चात्र त्वदाश्रये
Here, even the gods themselves desire to dwell, seeking your refuge.
अन्यत्कृतं तपः सर्वं त्वद्दर्शनफलं मम
All other austerities I have performed have their fruit in the vision of you.