शब्दाच्छब्दः प्रवर्त्तेत निःशब्दं ज्ञानमेव च ३१.
From sound arises sound, and only knowledge proceeds from silence.
अक्षरं ब्रह्मपरमं शब्दो वै ह्यरात्मकः ३१.
The imperishable, supreme Brahman is soundless, while sound is indeed of a non-spiritual nature.
प्रतिपाद्यं हि यत्किंचिच्छब्देनैव विना कथम् ३१.
Whatever is to be explained, how can it be done without words alone?
श्रृणुष्वावहितो भूत्वा परमार्धयुतं वचः ३१.
Listen attentively, becoming focused, to the speech filled with the highest truth.
ज्ञानप्रवादिनः सर्व ऋषयो वीतकल्मषाः ३१.
All the sages who proclaim knowledge are free from impurity.
ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं ज्ञानगम्यं ज्ञात्वा च परिगीयते ३१.
Knowledge, the object of knowledge, and that which is attained by knowledge—having known, it is praised.
एतत्सर्वं समासेन कथयामि निबोध मे ३१.
I will tell you all this concisely; listen to me.
यथा भ्रमरिकादृष्टा भ्रम्यते च मही यम ३१.
Just as the earth appears to spin when seen from the perspective of a whirling bee,
तस्माद्विमृश्य तेनैव ज्ञातव्यः श्रवणेन च ३१.
Therefore, by reflection and by that alone, it must be known, and also by hearing.
निर्द्धार्य चात्मनात्मानं सुखं बंधात्प्रमुच्यते ३१.
Having discerned the self by the self, one is happily freed from bondage.
मायामयोऽयं संसारो ममतालक्षणो महान् ३१.
This world, made of illusion, is vast and characterized by the sense of 'mine.'
कोऽहं कस्त्वं कुतश्चान्ये महामायावलंबिनः ३१.
Who am I? Who are you? And whence are others, all relying on great illusion?
निष्फलोऽयं निराभासो निःसारो धूमडंबरः ३१.
This is fruitless, without appearance, devoid of essence, mere smoke and display.
एवं प्रचोदितस्तेन शंभुना प्रेतराट्स्वयम् ३१.
Thus, prompted by Śambhu, the lord of the departed himself,
कर्म्मणां हि च सर्वेषां शास्ता कर्मानुसारतः ३१.
For all actions, the ruler is according to the actions performed.
हत्वा तु तारकं युद्धे कुमारेण महात्मना ३१.
Having slain Tāraka in battle by Kumāra, the great-souled one,
हते तु तारके दैत्ये हिमवन्प्रमुखाद्रयः ३१.
When the demon Tāraka was slain, the mountains led by Himavat—
नमः कल्याणरूपाय नमस्ते विश्वमंगल ३१.
Salutations to you, whose form is auspicious; salutations to you, O universal benefactor.
वरीष्ठाः श्वपचा येन कृता वै दर्शनात्त्वया ३१.
Even the lowest, the outcastes, became exalted by your sight.
नमस्ते पार्वतीपुत्र शंकरात्मज ते नमः ३१.
Salutations to you, son of Pārvatī; salutations to you, child of Śaṃkara.
नमोस्तु ते देववरैः सुपूज्य नमोऽस्तु ते ज्ञानविदां वरिष्ठ ३१.
Salutations to you, honored by the foremost gods; salutations to you, greatest among those who know wisdom.
एवं स्तुतो गिरिभिः कार्त्तिकेयो ह्युमासुतः ३१.
Thus praised by the mountains, Kārttikeya, son of Umā—
भोभो गिरिवरा यूयं श्रृणुध्वं मद्वचोऽधुना ३१.
O great mountains, now listen to my words.
भवत्स्वेव हि वर्त्तते दृषदो यत्नसेविताः ३१.
Among you, indeed, stones are found, diligently sought after.
पर्वतीयानि तीर्थानि भविष्यंति न चान्यथा ३१.
The holy places belonging to the mountains will come to be, and not otherwise.
अयनानि विचित्राणि शोभनानि महांति च ३१.
There will be various, splendid, and great paths.
योऽयं मातामहो मेऽद्य हिमवान्पर्वतोत्तमः ३१.
This Himavat, the foremost mountain, is my grandfather today.
मेरुश्च गिरिराजोऽयमाश्रयो हि भविष्यति ३१.
And this king of mountains, Meru, will be a place of refuge.
लिंगरूपो हि भगवान्भविष्यति न चान्यथा ३१.
The Lord will take the form of a liṅga, and not otherwise.
माल्यवान्मलयो विन्ध्यस्तथासौ गंधमादनः ३१.
Mālyavān, Malaya, Vindhya, and also Gandhamādana—