सखीभिः सह सा बाला कण्ठं तस्य व्यलोकयत्
Together with her companions, the maiden gazed at his neck.
आदत्त सहसा गौरी लिगं तस्य गले स्थितम्
Gauri quickly took the emblem that was situated on his throat.
आसज्जत पुनर्लिंगमस्याः पाणितलं गतम्
Again, the emblem attached itself to her palm.
अचिंतयच्च सा देवी किमेतदिति विस्मयात् 1.3.1.11.
The goddess wondered in amazement, 'What is this?'
आहतः शिवभक्तोऽयमिति शोकं समाविशत्
She realized, 'He is a devotee of Shiva,' and was overcome with sorrow.
अविचार समारब्धं शिवभक्तनिबर्हणम्
Without reflection, she had begun the destruction of a devotee of Shiva.
उपगम्याब्रवीद्बाला साहसं कृतमात्मना
The maiden approached and said, 'A rash act has been done by me.'
मान्यया धर्मरूपेण कोऽप्यधर्मः प्रकल्पितः
By reverence and in the form of righteousness, some unrighteousness has been committed.
अज्ञानान्महिषं दैत्यं शिवभक्तिममर्दयम्
Out of ignorance, I harmed the demon Mahisha, who was devoted to Shiva.
गुरुप्रसादसुलभः स्फुरद्विघ्नशताकुलः
Easily gained by the grace of the Guru, he was afflicted by a hundred obstacles.
विशेषतो लिंगधराः शिवस्तान्बहु मन्यते
Especially, Shiva greatly honors those who bear the liṅga.
अजिताः शंभुना पूर्वं मुक्तलिंगा निषूदिताः
Those who were undefeated were previously destroyed by Shambhu, having abandoned the liṅga.
कथं पापं निरस्यामि शिवभक्तवधाश्रितम्
How can I remove the sin incurred from killing a devotee of Shiva?
तीर्थयात्रां करिष्यामि यावच्छंभुः प्रसीदति 1.3.1.11.
I will undertake a pilgrimage until Shambhu becomes pleased.
तीर्थेषु रचितस्नाना लप्स्ये पापविशोधनम्
By performing ritual baths at the sacred places, I shall obtain purification from sin.
आकर्ण्य शिवधर्मज्ञो भयार्त्तां तामवोचत
Hearing this, the knower of Shiva's dharma spoke to her, who was distressed by fear.
धर्मसूक्ष्मार्थवेत्तारौ दुर्लभा गिरिकन्यके
O daughter of the mountain, those who know the subtle meaning of dharma are rare.
आगमाः पंचभिः प्रोक्ता अष्टाविंशतिकोटयः
The scriptures declare twenty-eight crores, explained in five ways.
तेषुतेषु मुनींद्रैश्च नत्वैव प्रतिपद्यते
Among them, even the greatest sages attain them only by bowing in reverence.
महाव्रतं पंच चैताः शिवमार्गप्रवृत्तयः
These five are the great vows, the sources of the path of Shiva.
साध्य एको हि बलवान्सर्वैस्तैरनिशं शिवः
Among all these, only one is powerful and always attainable—Shiva.
अमत्सरैः शिवे भक्तैः शिवाज्ञापरिपालकैः
By those who are free from envy, devoted to Shiva, and obedient to Shiva's commands.
आराध्यते महादेवः सर्वदा सर्वदायकः
The Great God, who grants all things, is always worshipped by them.
शिवधर्मस्य भेत्तारो निहंतव्यास्तथांजसा 1.3.1.11.
Those who break the dharma of Shiva must be destroyed immediately.
शिवधर्मस्य भेत्तारं हन्यादेवाविचारयन्
One should slay the breaker of Shiva's dharma without hesitation.
शिवधर्मस्य विलये सद्यः शक्तिः प्रवर्तते
When Shiva's dharma is destroyed, power immediately arises.
न जेतुं शक्यते देवि तेनासौ सर्वदैवतैः
O goddess, he cannot be conquered; therefore, he is by all the gods.
आक्रांतः शापदोषेण महर्षीणां शिवाश्रयात्
Afflicted by the curse of the great sages, due to their devotion to Shiva.
शेपुर्महिषवद्दुष्टो महिषोऽयं भवत्विति
They cursed him, saying, 'Let this wicked one become a buffalo, like the demon Mahiṣa.'
प्रणम्य तोषयामास ययाचे शापमोचनम्
He bowed down, sought to please them, and begged for release from the curse.