तदोवाच हृषीकेशो बलिं तं कृपयाऽन्विततः १९.
Then Hṛṣīkeśa, filled with compassion, spoke to Bali.
द्वारि स्थितस्तव विभो निवासामि नित्यं मा खिद्यतामसुरवर्य बले श्रृणुष्व १९.
O mighty one, I will dwell always at your door; do not be distressed, best of Asuras, Bali, listen.
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य विष्मोरतुलतेजसः १९.
Hearing that statement of Viṣṇu, of incomparable splendor,
तदा पुत्रशतेनैव बाणमुख्येन सत्वरम् १९.
Then, with a hundred sons and Bāṇa at their head, swiftly—
त्रैलोक्ये याचका ये च सर्वे यांति बलिं प्रति १९.
All the petitioners in the three worlds go to Bali,
भुक्तिकामाश्च ये केचिन्मुक्तिकामास्तथा परे १९.
Those who desire enjoyment, and others who seek liberation as well,
एवंविधो बलिर्जातः प्रसादाच्छंकरस्य च १९.
Thus Bali became such, by the grace of Śaṅkara.
अशुचिं भूमिमासाद्य गंधपुष्पादिकं महत् १९.
Even if one attains impure ground, with great quantities of fragrance and flowers,
किं पुनः परया भक्त्या चार्चयंति महेश्वरम् १९.
How much more so those who worship Maheśvara with supreme devotion?
शिवात्परतरो नास्ति पूजनीयो हि भो द्विजाः १९.
There is none greater than Śiva, truly he alone is to be worshipped, O twice-born ones.
जातिहीनाश्च चंडालाः श्वपचा ह्यंत्यजा ह्यमी १९.
Even those without caste, the Caṇḍālas, the dog-eaters, and the outcastes—these indeed—
तस्मात्सदाशिवः पूज्यः सर्वैरेवमनीषिभिः १९.
Therefore Sadāśiva is to be worshipped by all, even by those lacking wisdom.
महेशं परमारथज्ञाश्चिंतयंति हृदि स्थितम् १९.
Those who know the supreme goal contemplate Maheśa, abiding in the heart.
विना शिवेन यत्किंचिदशिवं भवति क्षणात् १९.
Without Śiva, whatever there is becomes inauspicious in a moment.
रजोगुणान्वितो ब्रह्मा विष्णुः सत्त्वगुणान्वितः १९.
Brahmā is endowed with the quality of passion, Viṣṇu with the quality of goodness.
लिंगरूपो महादेवो ह्यर्चनीयो मुमुक्षुभिः १९.
Mahādeva, in the form of the liṅga, is indeed to be worshipped by those seeking liberation.
ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च सगुणाः कीर्तितास्त्वया २०.
Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Rudra have been described by you as possessing qualities.
त्रिभिर्गुणैर्व्याप्तमिदं चराचरं जगन्महद्व्याप्यथ वाल्पकं वा २०.
This entire great world, both moving and unmoving, is pervaded by the three qualities, whether vast or minute.
यद्दृश्यमानं महदल्पकं च तन्नश्वरं कृतकत्वाच्च सूत॥ २०.
Whatever is seen, whether great or small, is perishable, O Sūta, because it is made.
तस्माद्विमृश्य भोः सूत संशयं छेत्तुमर्हसि २०.
Therefore, O Sūta, after due reflection, you should resolve this doubt.
व्यासेन कथितं सर्वमस्मिन्नर्थे शुकं प्रति लिंगरूपी कथं शंभुर्निर्गुणः कथते त्वया २०.
All this has been explained by Vyāsa to Śuka on this subject: how is it that you describe Śambhu, who is in the form of the liṅga, as without qualities?
श्रुणु वत्स ब्रवीम्येतत्पुरा प्रोक्तं च नंदिना २०.
Listen, my child, I will tell you this, which was formerly spoken by Nandin.
निर्गुणं परमात्मानं विद्धि लिंगस्वरूपिणम् २०.
Know the Supreme Self, who is without qualities, as having the form of the liṅga.
यया कृतिमिदं सर्वं गुणत्रयविभावितम् २०.
By whom this entire creation, distinguished by the three qualities, has been produced.
एक एव परो ह्यात्मा लिंगरूपी निरंजनः २०.
He alone is the supreme Self, in the form of the liṅga, stainless.
यस्मिन्नेव ततो लिंगं लयनात्कथितं पुरा २०.
It is in him alone that the liṅga was said, in ancient times, to dissolve.
लीना गुणाश्च रुद्रोक्त्या यैरिदं बद्धमेव च २०.
The qualities become dissolved, as stated by Rudra, by whom this world is indeed bound.
लिंगं च निर्गुणं साक्षाज्जानीध्वं भो द्रिजोतमाः २०.
Know directly, O best of twice-born, that the liṅga is without qualities.
शंकरः सुखदाता हि उच्यमानो मनीषिभिः २०.
Śaṃkara is indeed called the giver of happiness by the wise.
शंभुर्हि कथ्यते विप्रा यस्माच्च शुभसंभवः॥ २०.
O Brāhmaṇas, Śambhu is so named because auspiciousness arises from him.