तपोवनं यत्र शिवः स्थितः प्रमथसंवृतः ५.
In the forest of austerities where Shiva stood, surrounded by his attendants,
उवाच प्रश्रितो वाक्यं स नंदी विस्मयान्वितः ५.
Nandi, filled with wonder, humbly spoke these words:
इहानीतस्त्वया शंभुस्त्वं भक्तोसि परंतप ५.
"By you, O subduer of foes, Shambhu has been brought here; you are a true devotee."
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य किरातस्त्वरयान्वितः ५.
Hearing his words, the Kirāta, filled with eagerness,
प्रहस्य भगवान्रुद्रः किरातं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ५.
The blessed Rudra, smiling, spoke to the Kirāta.
विज्ञप्तोऽसौ किरातेन शंकरो लोकशंकरः ५.
Thus addressed by the Kirāta, Shankara, the benefactor of the worlds,
प्रत्यहं रत्नमाणिक्यैः पुष्पैश्चोच्चावचैरपि ५.
Every day, with jewels, rubies, and flowers both rare and common.
तस्माज्जानीहि मन्मित्रं नंदिनं भक्तवत्सल॥ ५.
Therefore, know that Nandī, my friend, is devoted to his devotees.
न जानामि महाभाग नंदिनं वैश्यचर्चितम् ५.
O greatly fortunate one, I do not know Nandī, praised by the merchants.
उपाधिरहिता ये च येऽपि चैव मनस्विनः ५.
Those who are free from pretension, and those who are steadfast in mind.
तव भक्तो ह्यहं तात स च मे प्रियकृत्तरः ५.
O dear one, I am your devotee, and he is even dearer to me.
ततो विमानानि बहूनि तत्र समागतान्येव महाप्रभाणि ५.
Then, many radiant aerial chariots gathered there.
कैलासं पर्वतं प्राप्तौ विमानैर्वेगवत्तरैः ५.
They reached Mount Kailāsa in swift-moving chariots.
नीराजितौ गिरिजया शिवेन सहितौ तदा ५.
There, they were worshipped by Girijā together with Śiva.
यथा त्वं हि महादेव तथा चैतौ न संशयः ५.
Just as you are, O great god, so are these two—there is no doubt.
मया त्वमेक एवासीः सेवितो वै न संशयः ५.
By me, you alone were served—of this, there is no doubt.
सद्यः पराङ्मुखौ भूत्वा शंकरस्य च पश्यतः ५.
At once, they turned away, even as Śaṅkara was watching.
तव द्वारि स्थितौ नित्यं भाववस्ते नमोनमः॥ ५.
Ever standing at your door, with devotion—salutations, again and again.
तयोर्भावं स भगवान्विदित्वा प्रहसन्भवः ५.
Knowing their intention, the blessed Lord Bhava smiled.
तदा प्रभृति तावेतौ द्वारपालौ बभूवतुः ५.
From that time on, these two became the doorkeepers.
एको नंदी महाकालो द्वावेतौ शिववल्लभौ ५.
One is Nandī, the other Mahākāla—these two are beloved of Śiva.
एकांगुलिं समुद्धृत्य महादेवोभ्यभाषत ५.
Raising one finger, Mahādeva spoke.
एवं संज्ञान्वितौ द्वारि तिष्ठतस्तौ महात्मनः ५.
Thus, these two, endowed with such recognition, stand at the door of the great soul.
शैलादेन पुरा प्रोक्तं शिवधर्ममनंतकम् ५.
Formerly, by Śailāda, the endless Dharma of Śiva was proclaimed.
ये पापिनोऽप्यधर्मिष्ठा अंधा मूकाश्च पंगवः ५.
Even those who are sinful, most unrighteous, blind, mute, and crippled,
यादृशास्तादृशाश्चान्ये शिवभक्तिपुरस्कृताः ५.
Others are just as they are, led by devotion to Shiva.
लिंगं सिकतामयं ये पूजयंति विपश्चितः ५.
Those wise ones who worship a sand-made linga,
लिंगे प्रतिष्ठा च कथं शिवं हित्वा प्रवर्तिता ६.
How did the establishment of the linga proceed, forsaking Shiva?
यदा दारुवने शंभुर्भिक्षार्थं प्राचरत्प्रभुः॥ ६.
When Shambhu, the Lord, wandered in the Daru forest seeking alms,
दिगंबरो मुक्तजटाकलापो वेदांतवेद्यो भुवनैकभर्ता ६.
Clad in the directions, with matted locks unbound, known through Vedanta, sole ruler of the worlds,