सृष्टेर्लवो हि संजातो लवाच्च क्षणमेव च ३३.
From a fraction of creation, a 'lava' arises, and from a 'lava', a moment.
निमिषाणां च षष्ट्या वै फल इत्यभिधीयते ३३.
Sixty twinklings of the eye are said to make a 'phala'.
पक्षाभ्यां मास एव स्यान्मासा द्वादश वत्सरः ३३.
Two fortnights make a month, and twelve months make a year.
प्रतिपद्दिनमारभ्य पौर्णमास्यंतमेव च ३३.
Beginning from the first day, up to the full moon day.
पूर्णचंद्रमसी या तु सा पूर्णा देवताप्रिया ३३.
That which is the full moon night, beloved of the gods, is complete.
अग्निष्वात्तादिपितॄणां प्रियातीव बभूव ह तेषां मध्ये विशेषो यस्तं श्रृणुध्वं द्विजोत्तमाः॥ ३३.
It became especially dear to the Pitṛs called Agniṣvāttas; among them, there is a particular distinction—listen to that, O best of twice-born.
योगानां वा व्यतीपात ऊडूनां श्रवणस्तथा ३३.
Among the conjunctions, the Vyatīpāta and the Śravaṇa of the stars are also to be known.
संक्रांतयस्तथाज्ञेयाः पवित्रा दानकर्मणि ३३.
The transitions (saṃkrānti) are also to be known as pure for acts of charity.
पञ्चमी नागराजस्य कुमारस्य च षष्ठिका ३३.
The fifth lunar day belongs to the king of serpents, and the sixth to Kumāra.
ब्रह्मणो दशमी ज्ञेया रुद्रस्यैकादशी तथा ३३.
The tenth is to be known as Brahmā's, and likewise the eleventh as Rudra's.
चतुर्द्दशी तथा शंभोः प्रिया नास्त्यत्र संशयः उपोष्या सा तिथिः श्रेष्ठा शिवसायुज्यकारिणी॥ ३३.
The fourteenth, too, is dear to Śambhu; there is no doubt in this. That lunar day, when observed with fasting, is supreme and leads to union with Śiva.
शिवरात्रितिथिः ख्याता सर्वपापप्रणाशिनी ३३.
The night of Śiva, known as Śivarātri, destroys all sins.
ब्राह्मणी विधवा काचित्पुरा ह्यासीच्च चंचला ३३.
Once there was a certain Brahmin widow, indeed fickle by nature.
तस्यां तस्य सुतो जातः श्वपचस्य दुरात्मनः ३३.
From her was born a son of a wicked soul, belonging to a dog-eater.
महापापप्रयोगाच्च पापमारभते सदा ३३.
Because of engaging in great sinful acts, he always committed sin.
मृगयुश्च दुरात्मासौ कर्मचण्डाल एव सः शिवरात्र्यां च संप्राप्तो ह्युषितः शिवसन्निधौ॥ ३३.
That wicked soul was a hunter, and indeed a caṇḍāla by action; on Śivarātri, he happened to stay in the presence of Śiva.
श्रवणं शैवशास्त्रस्य यदृच्छाजातमंतिके ३३.
By chance, he heard nearby the recitation of a Śaiva scripture.
स एकत्रोषितो दुष्टः शिवरात्र्यां तु जागरात् ३३.
That wicked man, having stayed awake during Śivarātri in one place,
भुक्त्वा पुण्यतामाँल्लोकानुषित्वा शाश्वतीः समाः ३३.
After enjoying the worlds of merit and having dwelt there for countless ages,
नाम्ना विचित्रवीर्योऽसौ सुभगः संदुरी प्रियः ३३.
He was then born as Vicitravīrya by name, fortunate, noble, and beloved.
शिवे भक्तिं प्रकुर्वाणः शिवकर्मपरोऽभवत् रात्रौ जागरणं यत्नात्करोति शिवसन्निधौ॥ ३३.
Devoted to Śiva, he engaged in Śiva's acts; at night, he would make effort to keep vigil in the presence of Śiva.
शिवस्य गाथा गायंस्तु आनंदाश्रुकणान्मुहुः ३३.
Singing hymns to Śiva, he would often shed tears of joy.
आयुष्यं च गतं तस्य शिवध्यानपरस्य च ३३.
The lifespan of that one, who was devoted to meditation on Shiva, came to an end.
संसेवितुं सुखप्राप्त्यै ह्येक एव सदाशिवः ३३.
For the attainment of happiness, only Sadashiva is always to be served.
ज्ञानात्सर्वमनुप्राप्तं भूतसाम्यं निरंतरम् विना शिवेन यत्किंचिन्नास्ति वस्त्वत्र न क्वचित्॥ ३३.
Through knowledge, everything is attained; constant equality with all beings—apart from Shiva, there is nothing whatsoever that exists anywhere.
एवं पूर्णं निष्प्रपंचं ज्ञानं प्राप्नोति दुर्लभम् ३३.
Thus, one attains that rare knowledge which is complete and free from all worldly illusion.
मुक्तिं सायुज्यतां प्राप्तः शिवरात्रेरुपोषणात् ३३.
By observing the vow of Shiva’s Night, one attains liberation and union with Shiva.
दाक्षायणीवीयो गाच्च जटाजूटेन विस्तरात् वीरभद्रेति विख्यातो दक्षयज्ञविनाशनः॥ ३३.
Born from Dakshayani, with matted locks spread wide, he became renowned as Virabhadra, the destroyer of Daksha’s sacrifice.
शिवरात्रिव्रतेनैव तारिता बहवः पुरा ३३.
Many in ancient times were delivered solely by the vow of Shiva’s Night.
मांधाता धुन्धुमारिश्च हरिश्चन्द्रादयो नृपाः ३३.
Mandhata, Dhundhumara, Harishchandra, and other kings as well.