शिवांगणे तु या भेरी स्थापिता पुण्यकर्मभिः पाषंडिनोऽप्यसद्वादास्तेऽपि यांति परां गतिम्॥ ५.
If a drum is established in Śiva’s courtyard by the virtuous, even heretics and those who speak untruth attain the highest state.
पशोर्यस्य च संबद्धा चर्मणा च शिवालये स पशुः शिवसान्निध्यमाप्नोत्यत्र न संशयः॥ ५.
If a beast is tied in Śiva’s temple with its hide, that beast attains the presence of Śiva—of this there is no doubt.
तस्मात्ततं च विततं घनं सुषिरमेव च ५.
Therefore, both stretched and covered, solid and hollow—
गाथाश्च इतिहासाश्च गायनं च यथाविधि ५.
Songs, histories, and singing according to proper method—
कल्पयित्वा च गच्छंति शिवलोकं हि पापिनः ५.
After performing the prescribed rites, even sinners reach the realm of Shiva.
गुरोर्मुखाच्च संप्राप्तशिवपूजारताश्च ये ५.
Those who have received instruction from the guru and are devoted to worshipping Shiva—
सम्यग्बुद्ध्या समाचारा वर्णाश्रमयुता नराः ५.
Men who act rightly, with proper understanding, and who observe the duties of caste and stage of life—
श्वपचोऽपि वरिष्ठः स शंभोः प्रियतरो भवेत् ५.
Even a dog-eater, if he is foremost, becomes most dear to Shambhu.
तस्मात्सर्वं शिवमयं ज्ञातव्यं सुविशेषतः ५.
Therefore, everything should be understood as pervaded by Shiva, especially and in detail.
आगमैर्विविधैः शंभुर्ज्ञातव्यो नात्र संशयः ५.
Shambhu is to be known through various scriptures; there is no doubt about this.
कथयामि पुरावृत्तमितिहासं पुरातनम् ५.
I will recount an ancient story, a legend from olden times.
शिवध्यानपरो भूत्वा शिवपूजां चकार सः ५.
Having become absorbed in meditation on Shiva, he performed worship of Shiva.
उषस्युषसि चोत्थाय प्रत्यहं शिववल्लभः ५.
Rising at dawn each day, he, beloved of Shiva—
लिंगं पंचामृतेनैव यथोक्तेनाभ्यषेचयत् ५.
He anointed the linga with the five nectars, as prescribed.
यथाशास्त्रेण विधिना लिंगार्चनपरोऽभवत् ५.
He became devoted to worshipping the linga according to the ritual prescribed in the scriptures.
मुक्ताफलैरिंद्रनीलैर्गोमेदैश्च निरंतरम् ५.
With pearls, sapphires, and garnets, he continuously—
एवं नंदी महाभागो बहून्यब्दानि चार्च्चयत् ५.
Thus, Nandi, greatly fortunate, worshipped for many years.
एकदा मृगयासक्तः किरातो भूतहिंसकः ५.
Once, a hunter, intent on hunting and harming creatures—
पापी पापसमाचारो विचरन्गिरिकंदरे ५.
Sinful, acting wickedly, he wandered in the mountain caves.
एवं विचरमाणोऽसौ किरातो भूतहिंसकः ५.
Thus, as he wandered, the hunter, harming creatures—
उदकं वीक्षमाणोऽसौ तृषया पीडितो भृशम् ५.
He, looking for water, was greatly afflicted by thirst.
तीरे संस्थाप्य दुष्टात्मा तत्सर्वं मृगयादिकम् ५.
On the bank, the evil-minded one set down all his hunting gear.
शिवालयं ददर्शाग्रे अनेकाश्चर्यमंडितम् ५.
Ahead, he saw a temple of Shiva adorned with many wonders.
तथा लिंगं समालक्ष्य यदा पूजां समाहरत् ५.
Then, upon observing the linga, he gathered items for worship.
स्नपनं तस्य लिंगस्य कृतं गंडूषवारिणा ५.
He performed the ablution of the linga with water from his mouth.
द्वितीयेन करेँणैव मृगमांसं समर्पयत् ५.
With his other hand, he offered the flesh of a deer.
अद्यप्रभृति पूजां वै करिष्यामि प्रयत्नतः ५.
From today onward, I will perform worship with diligence.
एवं नैयमिको भूत्वा किरातो गृहमागतः ५.
Thus, becoming devoted, the hunter returned home.
चिंतायुक्तोऽभवन्नंदी जातं किं छिद्रमद्य मे उपस्थितानि तान्येव मम भाग्यविपर्ययात्॥ ५.
Nandi became anxious, thinking: What flaw has arisen for me today? These same obstacles have appeared due to the reversal of my fortune.
एवं विमृश्य सुचिरं प्रक्षाल्य शिवमंदिरम् ५.
Reflecting thus for a long time, he thoroughly cleansed the temple of Shiva.