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.
एवं सर्वाणि नामानि सार्थकानि महात्मनः २०.
Thus, all the names of the great soul are meaningful.
यदा दाक्षायणी चाग्नौ पतिता यज्ञकर्मणि २०.
When Dākṣāyaṇī fell into the fire during the sacrifice,
प्रादुर्भूता कदा सूत कथ्यतां तत्त्वयाऽधुना २०.
O Sūta, tell us now, when did she appear? Speak the truth.
एतत्सर्वं महाभाग पूर्ववृत्तं च तत्त्वतः २०.
O illustrious one, recount all this and the previous events in detail.
जज्ञे दाक्षायणी ब्रह्मन्विदग्धावयवा यदा २०.
When Dakṣā's daughter, wise in every limb, was born, O Brāhmaṇa,
लीलागृहीतवपुषा पर्वते हिमवद्गिरौ २०.
She assumed a playful form upon the mountain, Himavat.
तथा चंडेन मुंडेन तथान्यैर्बहुभिर्वृतः २०.
Surrounded by Caṇḍa, Muṇḍa, and many others,
गणानां चैव कोट्या च तथा षष्टिसहस्रकैः २०.
And by a crore of Gaṇas, as well as sixty thousand more.
तपो जुषाणः सहसा महात्मा हिमालयस्याग्रगतस्तथैव २०.
The great soul, practicing austerity, stood atop the Himalaya.
एतस्मिन्नंतरे दैत्याः प्रादुर्भूता ह्यविद्यया २०.
Meanwhile, the Daityas appeared, born of ignorance.