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.
जाता दैत्यास्ततो विप्रा इंद्रोपद्रवकारकाः २०.
Then, O Brāhmaṇas, the Daityas were born, causing trouble for Indra.
निवातकवचाः सर्वे रवरावकसंज्ञकाः २०.
All were called Nivātakavacas and also known as Ravarāvakas.
तारको नमुचेः पुत्रस्तपसा परमेण हि २०.
Tāraka, son of Namuci, through supreme austerity,
वरान्ददौ यथेष्टांश्च तारकाय दुरात्मने २०.
Received whatever boons he desired from Brahmā, though wicked in mind.
तच्छत्वा वचनं तस्य ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः २०.
He spoke thus to the supreme Brahmā, the lord of creation.
यदि मे त्वं प्रसन्नऽसि अजरामरतां प्रभो २०.
If you are pleased with me, O Lord, grant me immortality and freedom from old age.
एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन तारकेण दुरात्मना २०.
Thus addressed by Tāraka, the evil-minded one, at that time,
जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युरेतज्जानीहि तत्त्वतः २०.
Know this truth: for one who is born, death is certain.
ब्रह्मोवाच तदा दैत्यजेयत्वं तवानघ २०.
Brahmā said: Then, O sinless one, you shall be unconquerable by the Daityas.
तदा स तारकः प्राह ब्रह्माणं प्रणतः प्रभो २०.
Then Tāraka, bowing to Brahmā, spoke, O Lord.