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.
ततो नंदिनमागत्य पुरोधा गतमानसम् ५.
Then Nandi approached the priest, whose mind was distracted.
पुरोहितं प्रति तदा नन्दी वचनमब्रवीत्॥ ५.
At that time, Nandi spoke these words to the priest.
अद्य दृष्टं मया विप्र अमेध्यं शिवसंनिधौ ५.
Today, O Brahmin, I have seen something impure in the presence of Shiva.
ततः पुरोधा वचनं नन्दिनं चाब्रवीत्तदा सोऽपि मूढो न संदेहः कार्याकार्येषु मंदधीः॥ ५.
Then the priest spoke to Nandi, saying: He too is confused; there is no doubt, his mind is dull regarding what should or should not be done.
तस्माच्चिंता न कर्तव्या त्वया अणुरपि प्रभो ५.
Therefore, O master, you should not worry even in the slightest.
निरीक्षणार्थं दुष्टस्य तत्कार्यं विदधाम्यहम् ५.
For the purpose of observing the wrongdoer, I myself will carry out that task.
आस्थितः स्वगृहे नक्तं दूयमानेन चेतसा ५.
He stayed at his own house at night, his mind troubled.
गतः शिवालयं नन्दी समं तेन महात्मना ५.
Nandi went to the temple of Shiva together with that great soul.
सम्यक्प्रपूजनं कृत्वा नानारत्नपरिच्छदम् ५.
Having performed proper worship, with various precious ornaments,
अनेकस्तुतिभिः स्तुत्वा गिरीशं ब्राह्मणैः सह ५.
He praised Girisha with many hymns, together with the Brahmins.