श्लक्ष्णमूलाश्च कर्तव्याः पिंडिकोपरि संस्थिताः ३१.
They should be made with smooth bases and placed upon a pedestal.
पिंडीयुक्तं च शास्त्रेण विधिना च यजेच्छिवम् ३१.
With a pedestal, according to scripture and proper method, one should worship Śiva.
पंचाक्षरी यस्य मुखे स्थिता सदा चेतोनिवृत्तिः शिवचिंतने च ३१.
For one whose mouth always holds the five-syllable mantra, the mind turns to Śiva and ceases from other thoughts.
एवं ते शिवधर्माश्च कथितास्तेन वै द्विजाः ३२.
Thus, O twice-born, the duties of Śiva have been told to you.
अनेकागमसंवीता यथातत्त्वमुदाहृताः ३२.
They have been described as established in many scriptures, according to their true nature.
धर्मा नानाविधाः प्रोक्ता नंदिनं प्रति वै तदा॥ ३२.
Various kinds of duties were explained to Nandin at that time.
श्रुतं कुमारचरितमविशेषं सुमंगलम् ३२.
The story of Kumāra has been heard, entirely auspicious.
श्वेतस्य राजसिंहस्य चरितं परमाद्भुतम् ३२.
The account of Śveta, the royal lion, is most wondrous.
ते भक्तास्ते महात्मानो ज्ञानिनस्ते च कर्मिणः ३२.
Those devotees are great-souled, wise, and active in deeds.
तस्मात्पृच्छामहे सर्वे चरितं शंकरस्य च ३२.
Therefore, we all ask for the story of Śaṃkara as well.
निशम्य वचनं तेषां मुनीनां लोमशोऽब्रवीत्॥ ३२.
Hearing the words of those sages, Lomaśa spoke.
आकर्ण्यतां महाभागाश्चरितं परमाद्भुतम् मतिर्द्धिर्मे समुत्पन्ना श्वेतस्य च महात्मनः॥ ३२.
Listen, O fortunate ones, to the most wondrous story; my mind and intellect have arisen toward Śveta, the great soul.
पृथिवीं पालयामास प्रजा धर्मेण पालयन् ३२.
He ruled the earth, protecting the people with righteousness.
राज्यं शशासाथ स शक्तितो नृपो भक्त्या तदा चैव समर्चयत्सदा ३२.
That king governed the kingdom to the best of his ability, and always worshipped with devotion.
आयुस्तस्य परिक्षीणमर्चतः परमेश्वरम् ३२.
While he worshipped the Supreme Lord, his lifespan gradually diminished.
वाणी शिवकथायुक्ता परमाश्चर्यसंयुता ३२.
His speech was filled with stories of Shiva, accompanied by great wonders.
तस्य राज्ञो न बाधंते तथा चोपद्रवास्त्वमी ३२.
No afflictions or calamities troubled that king.
अकृष्टपच्यौषधयस्तस्य राज्ञोऽभवन्भुवि ३२.
For that king, crops and medicinal herbs grew without being sown.
न पुत्रमरणे दुःखं नापमानं न मारकाः ३२.
There was no grief from the death of sons, no dishonor, and no epidemics.
एवं बहुतरः कालस्तस्य राज्ञो महात्मनः ३२.
Thus, a long time passed for that great-souled king.
एकदा पूजमानं तं शंकरं परमार्थदम् ३२.
Once, as he was worshipping Shankara, the bestower of the highest truth—
वचनाच्चित्रगुप्तस्य श्वेत आनीयतामिति ३२.
By the command of Chitragupta, it was said: 'Bring Shveta here.'
राजानं नेतुकामास्ते पाशहस्ता महाभयाः ३२.
The terrifying noose-bearers wished to seize the king.
न चक्रिरे तदा दूता आज्ञां धर्मस्य चैव हि ३२.
But at that time, the messengers did not carry out the command of Dharma.
उद्धृत्य दंडं सहसा नेतुकामस्तदा नृपम् ३२.
Then, suddenly raising the staff, they sought to take the king.
शिवभक्तियुतं शांतं केवलं ज्ञानसंयुतम् ३२.
But he was peaceful, devoted to Shiva, and endowed solely with knowledge.
चित्रस्थो ह्यभवत्स्द्यः प्रेतराजोऽतिविह्वलः ३२.
At that moment, the lord of the dead, stationed at Chitragupta’s side, became greatly agitated.
आगतस्तत्क्षणादेव नृपं प्रति रुषान्वितः ३२.
He came immediately, filled with anger towards the king.
तावत्तं ददृशे सोऽपि स्थितं द्वारि भयावृतम् ३२.
Then he saw him standing at the door, surrounded by fear.
कस्मात्त्वया धरमराज नो नीतोऽयं नृपो महान् ३२.
He asked, 'Dharmaraja, why has this great king not been brought by you?'