कपर्द्दिनश्चर्मपरीतवाससो भुजंगभोगैः कृतहारभूषणाः ३३.
With matted hair, clothed in hides, adorned with ornaments made of serpent coils.
पुष्कसेन तदा पृष्टा ऊचुः सर्वे च पार्पदाः ३३.
Then, questioned by Puṣkasa, all those followers of Pārpada spoke.
प्रेषिताः स्मो वयं चंड शिवेन परमेष्ठिना ३३.
We have been sent, O fierce one, by Śiva, the Supreme Lord.
लिंगार्च्चनं कृतं यच्च त्वया रात्रौ शिवस्य च ३३.
The worship of the liṅga that you performed at night for Śiva—
तथोक्तो वीरभद्रेण उवाच प्रहसन्निव ३३.
Thus addressed by Vīrabhadra, he spoke, as if smiling.
किं मया कृतमद्यैव पापिना हिंसकेन च ३३.
What have I done today, being sinful and violent?
पापाचारो ह्यहं नित्यं कथं स्वर्गं व्रजाम्यहम् ३३.
I am always of evil conduct—how can I go to heaven?
परं कौतुकमापन्नः पृच्छामि त्वां यथातथम् ३३.
Filled with great curiosity, I ask you truly.
इत्येवं पृच्छतस्तस्य पुष्कसस्य यथाविधि ३३.
Thus, as Puṣkasa questioned in this way, according to the proper manner—
देवदेवो महादेवो देवानां पतिरीश्वरः ३३.
The god of gods, the great god, the lord of the gods, the supreme ruler—
प्रासंगिकतया माघे कृतं लिंगार्चनं त्वया शिवरात्र्यां प्रसंगेन कृतमर्चनमेव च॥ ३३.
Incidentally, in the month of Māgha, you performed liṅga worship, and likewise, on Śivarātri, you performed worship as a matter of course.
कोलं निरीक्षमाणेन बिल्वपत्राणि चैव हि लिंगस्य मस्तके तानि तेन त्वं सुकृती प्रभो॥ ३३.
While observing the kola fruit and bilva leaves, you placed them upon the top of the liṅga; by this, O lord, you have become virtuous.
ततश्च जागरो जातो महान्वृक्षोपरि ध्रुवम् ३३.
Then, a vigil was observed, certainly upon the great tree.
छलेनैव महाभाग कोलसंदर्शनेन हि ३३.
Indeed, by a ruse, through the sight of the kola fruit—
तेनोपवासेन च जागरेण तुष्टो ह्यसौ देववरो महात्मा ३३.
By that fasting and vigil, the great-souled, best of gods, was pleased.
एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन वीरभद्रेण धीमता ३३.
Thus addressed at that time by the wise Vīrabhadra—
गणानां देवतानां च सर्वेषां प्राणिनामपि ३३.
Of the hosts of divine beings, and indeed of all living creatures,
वीणावेणुमृदंगानि तस्य चाग्रे गतानि च ३३.
Vīṇās, flutes, and drums were brought before him.
विद्याधरगणाः सर्वे तुष्टुवुः सिद्धचारणाः महोत्सवेन महता आनीतो गंधमादनम्॥ ३३.
All the hosts of Vidyādharas, Siddhas, and Cāraṇas praised him; with great festivity, he was brought to Gandhamādana.
शिवसान्निध्यमागच्चंडोसौ तेन कर्मणा ३३.
By that act, Caṇḍa attained the presence of Śiva.
पुष्कसोऽपि तथा प्राप्तः प्रसंगेन सदाशिवम् ३३.
Puṣkasa too, by association, reached Sadāśiva.
पुष्पादिकं फलं गंधं तांबूलं भक्ष्यमृद्धिमत् ३३.
Flowers, fruits, fragrances, betel, and rich delicacies,
चंडेन वै पुष्कसेन सफलं तस्य चाभवत् ३३.
By Caṇḍa and Puṣkasa, all these bore fruit for him.
किं फलं तस्य चोद्देशः केन चैव पुना कृतम् ३३.
What is the fruit of that, and for what reason was it done again?
यदा सृष्टं जगत्सर्वं ब्रह्मणा परमेष्ठिना ३३.
When the entire universe was created by Brahmā, the Supreme Lord,
द्वादश राशयस्तत्र नक्षत्राणि तथैव च ३३.
There were twelve zodiac signs, and likewise the lunar mansions.
एभिः सर्वं प्रचंडं च राशिभिरुडुभिस्तथा ३३.
By these, all things—fierce and otherwise—are governed by the signs and planets.
आब्रह्मस्तंबपर्यंतं सृजत्य वति हंति च ३३.
From Brahmā down to the smallest blade of grass, he creates, sustains, and destroys.
कालो हि बलवाँल्लोके एक एव न चापरः ३३.
Time alone is powerful in the world; there is no other.
आदौ कालः कालनाच्च लोकनायकनायकः ३३.
In the beginning, Time, through its divisions, is the lord of all lords.