गुहेन च महालिंगं कुमारेश्वरमीश्वरम्
By Guha, the great liṅga called Kumāreśvara, Lord of Lords,
नारदेनापि मत्तीरे स्थानं संस्थाप्य शोभनम् 1.2.58.
And by Nārada, a splendid place was established on my bank.
एवं त्रिभिर्हेतुवरैर्ममेवार्घः प्रदीयताम्
Thus, for these three excellent reasons, let my offering be given.
इत्युक्ते वचने पार्थ तीर्थराजेन भारत
When these words were spoken by the King of Fords, O Bhārata—
ततो ब्रह्मसुतो ज्येष्ठः श्वेतमाल्यानुलेपनः
Then the eldest son of Brahma, adorned with a white garland and unguents,
अहो कष्टमिदं कूक्तं तीर्थराजेन मोहतः
Alas, how unfortunate is this harsh statement, uttered by the king of sacred fords out of delusion!
स्वीयान्गुणान्स्वयं यो हि सम्पत्सु प्रक्षिपन्परान्
He who, even in prosperity, casts aside his own virtues and praises those of others,
तस्मादस्मादहंकारात्सत्स्वप्येषु गुणेषु च
Therefore, from such pride, even in the presence of true virtues,
स्तंभतीर्थमिति ख्यातं स्तम्भो गर्वः कृतो यतः
This sacred ford became known as Stambhatirtha, because arrogance (stambha) was manifested here.
इत्युक्ते धर्मदेवेन हाहेति रव उत्थितः
When this was spoken by Dharmadeva, a cry of 'Alas!' arose.
गुहस्ततो वचः प्राह धर्मदेवसमागमे
Then Guha spoke these words in the assembly of Dharmadeva:
ब्रवीतु कोऽपि सर्वेषां तीर्थानां तेषु वर्तताम् 1.2.58.
Let someone among all these sacred fords declare which one prevails among them.
तिष्ठत्वात्मगुणो यच्च तीर्थराजेन वर्णितः
And the self-praise described by the king of sacred fords should remain.
अहो न युक्तं पालानां यदि तेऽप्यविमृश्य च
Alas, it is not proper for the guardians if they too act without reflection.
एवमुक्ते गुहेनाथ धर्मो वचनमब्रवीत्
When Guha had spoken thus, Dharma then replied with these words:
मुख्यत्वं सर्वतीर्थानामर्घं चापि पितामहात् परोक्षेपि स्वप्रशंसा ब्रह्माणमपि चालयेत्
The supremacy among all sacred fords and the inestimable worth from the Grandfather— even indirect self-praise can unsettle even Brahma.
स्वप्रशंसां प्रकुर्वाणः पराक्षेपसमन्विताम् यानि पूर्वं प्रमाणानि कृतानीशेन धीमता
He who makes self-praise, accompanied by disparagement of others, should uphold the precedents formerly established by the wise Lord.
तानि सम्पालनीयानि तानि कोऽति क्रमेद्बुधः
Those precedents must be maintained; who among the wise would transgress them?
पालयामास एतच्च त्वं पालयितुमर्हसि
This too was upheld; you ought to uphold it as well.
तदस्माभिरिदं युक्तं शासनं दिश्यतां परम्
Therefore, it is proper for us to issue this command as the highest directive.
अहं प्रस्तावमन्वीक्ष्य वाक्यमेतदुदैरयम्
Having considered the matter, I have spoken this statement.
ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवैर्नित्यं पूजितायाघनाशिने 1.2.58.
To her who is always worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, the destroyer of sin.
तदस्माकं कुतो भावो मा विश्वं नाशय प्रभो
Therefore, how could we harbor such a feeling? O Lord, do not destroy the universe.
शिववन्माननीयो हि यतः साक्षाच्छिवात्मजः
He is to be honored like Shiva himself, for he is truly the son of Shiva.
युवयोरैक्यभावेन सुखं जीवेदिदं जगत्
By the unity between you two, this world lives in happiness.
अनुग्रहश्च क्रियतां तीर्थराजस्य मानद
Let favor also be shown to Tīrtharāja, O bestower of honor.
एवमुच्चरमाणं मां प्रशस्याहापि पद्मभूः
As I was speaking thus, the Lotus-born praised me and said:
सम्मानय गुहं चापि गुहः स्वामी यतो हि नः
Honor Guha also, for Guha is indeed our Lord.
नमो गुहाय सिद्धाय किंकरायस्य ते वयम्
Salutations to Guha, the accomplished one; we are your servants.
स्तंभादेतन्महातीर्थमप्रसिद्धं भविष्यति
From this pillar, this great tīrtha will become renowned.