कुंडं तत्रैव संस्थाप्य लिंगस्नपनकर्मणे
There itself, a pond was established for the ritual bathing of the linga.
महोदरोपि तत्प्राच्यां शिवध्यानपरायणः
Mahodara, intent on the meditation of Shiva, was to the east of that place.
महोदरेश्वरं दृष्ट्वा वाराणस्यां द्विजोत्तम
Having seen Mahodareśvara in Vārāṇasī, O best of the twice-born,
घंटाकर्ण ह्रदे स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा व्यासेश्वरं विभुम्
Ghaṇṭākarṇa, having bathed in the pond, beheld the glorious Vyāseśvara.
घंटाकर्णे महातीर्थे श्राद्धं कृत्वा विधानतः
Having performed the śrāddha rite according to the prescribed method at the great sacred place of Ghaṇṭākarṇa,
निमज्ज्याद्यापि तत्कुंडे क्षण योवहितो भवेत्
even now, one who immerses himself attentively in that very pool, even for a moment,
वदंति पितरः काश्यां घंटाकर्णेमलेजले 4.2.53.
the ancestors say in Kāśī, in the pure waters of Ghaṇṭākarṇa,
यद्वंश्या मुनयः काश्यां घंटाकर्णे महाह्रदे
that the descendants and sages in Kāśī, at the great lake of Ghaṇṭākarṇa,
विसिस्माय स्मरद्वेष्टा मौलिमांदोलयन्मुहुः
the destroyer of desire and hatred was amazed, repeatedly shaking his crown.
उवाच च मनस्येव हरः स्मित्वा पुनःपुनः
And Hara, smiling again and again, spoke within his mind.
पुराविदः प्रशंसंति त्वां महामोहहारिणीम्
Those who know the ancient lore praise you as the remover of great delusion.
प्रेषयिष्याम्यहं सर्वान्भवती मोहयिष्यति
I will send them all; you will bewilder them.
तथापि प्रेषयिष्यामि यावान्मेस्ति परिच्छदः
Nevertheless, I will send as many as are within my retinue.
नोद्यमाद्विरतिः कार्या क्वापि कार्ये विचक्षणैः
The wise should never abandon effort in any undertaking.
शीतोष्णभानू स्वर्भानु ग्रस्तावपि नभोंगणे
Even if the sun and moon are seized by Rāhu and Ketu in the sky,
दैवं पूर्वकृतं कर्म कथ्यते नेतरत्पुनः 4.2.53.
Destiny is said to be the result of previous actions, not otherwise.
भाजनोपस्थितं दैवाद्भोज्यं नास्यं स्वयं विशेत्
Food that is present as a result of fate does not enter the mouth by itself.
इत्युद्यमं समर्थ्येशो निश्चितं दैवजित्वरम्
Thus, the Lord of capability determines effort, but the best result is won by destiny.
सोमनंदी नंदिषेणः कालपिंगलकुक्कुटाः
Somanandī, Nandiṣeṇa, Kālapiṅgala, and Kukkuṭa—
तेपि स्वनाम्ना लिंगानि शंभुसंतुष्टि काम्यया
they too, by their own names, established liṅgas out of desire to please Śambhu.
सोमनंदीश्वरं दृष्ट्वा लिंगं नंदवने परम्
Having seen the supreme liṅga of Somanandīśvara in Nandavana,
तदुत्तरे विलोक्याथ नंदिषेणेश्वरं नरः
then, to the north of that, a man beholds the liṅga of Nandiṣeṇa.
कालेश्वरं महालिंगं गंगायाः पश्चिमोत्तरे
At the northwestern side of the Ganga is Kāleśvara, the great liṅga.
पिंगलेश्वरमभ्यर्च्य कालेशात्किंचिदुत्तरे
Having worshipped Piṅgaleśvara, a little to the north of Kāleśa—
कुक्कुटेश्वर लिंगस्य येत्र भक्तिं वितन्वते
Wherever devotees offer their devotion to the liṅga of Kukkuṭeśvara—
आनंदकाननं प्राप्य स्थितेषु स्थाणुरब्रवीत् ।। 4.2.53.
Reaching the forest of bliss, when all were assembled, the steadfast Lord spoke.
कार्यमस्माकमेवैतद्यदि सम्यग्विमृश्यते
If this matter is rightly considered, it is indeed our responsibility alone.
प्रमथेषु प्रविष्टेषु मायावीर्यमहत्स्वपि
When the Pramathas, mighty in magical power, had entered—
क्रमेण प्रेषयिष्यामि योस्ति मे स्वपरिच्छदः
In due order I shall send those who belong to my own retinue.
संप्रधार्येति हृदये देवदेवेन शूलिना
Having resolved thus in his heart, the trident-bearing Lord of gods—