अरुणाख्यं पुरं चारात्कल्पयामासतुश्चिरम्
They also established, after a long time, the city called Aruṇā.
तस्यां ब्रह्मर्षयो देवा गंधर्वा दिव्ययोषितः
In that place, Brahmarṣis, gods, Gandharvas, and celestial women resided.
तीर्थानि धार्य कूपत्वं गंगाद्याः सरितस्तथा
The sacred fords assumed the form of wells there, as did the Gaṅgā and other rivers.
गोलोको गोगोष्ठतया नैगमत्वं किलागमाः
Goloka became a cow-pen there, and the Vedas themselves, it is said, took form.
भूताः प्रेताः पिशाचाश्च वेतालाः कटपूतनाः
Beings such as ghosts, spirits, piśācas, vetālas, and kaṭapūtanās were also present.
देवोपि धूर्जटिस्तस्यां कौतुकी सिद्धरूपधृक् 1.3.2.16.
Even the god Dhūrjaṭi (Śiva), assuming the form of a siddha, was there out of curiosity.
न केनचिदविज्ञातः सदा सर्वत्र दीप्यति
He is never unrecognized by anyone and always shines everywhere.
दांतौ शोणाद्रिनाथं तमर्चयामासतुश्चिरम्
For a long time, they worshipped the Lord of Śoṇādri with their teeth (i.e., with devotion).
दीक्षादिकानि चक्राते स्वयमाचार्यतां गतौ
They performed initiations and other rites, becoming their own teachers.
प्रातः स्नात्वा समाहृत्य पुष्पपत्रादिकं फलम्
In the morning, after bathing, they gathered flowers, leaves, and fruits.
जंजल्पाकौ जजपतुः सर्वमंत्राधिकं सदा
They constantly recited all the supreme mantras with clear articulation.
प्रदक्षिणानमस्कारैर्मुद्राबंधैर्नवैर्नवैः
With circumambulations, salutations, and ever-new gestures of mudrā,
पंचब्रह्मषडंगाद्यैरर्चयामासतुः शिवम्
They worshipped Śiva with the five Brahmas, the six limbs, and other rites.
वेधोविष्णू समाराध्य शिवज्ञानमवापतुः
By worshipping Viṣṇu and Brahmā, they attained the knowledge of Śiva.
इतीदमश्रावि मया रहस्यं पितुः शिलादस्य मुखात्पुरा यत्
Thus I once heard this secret from the mouth of my father Śilāda.
तथापि कौतुकेनाहमाक्रांतो मुनयोऽप्यमी
Yet, even so, I am seized by curiosity, as are these sages.
शृणु त्वमवधानेन मार्कंडेय महामते
Listen attentively, O Markandeya, great in wisdom.
ननु जानासि तत्पूर्वं यथा दाक्षायणी शिवः
Surely you know how, in former times, Dakshayani became the wife of Shiva.
यथा च सा क्रुधा भर्तुर्द्रुहि दक्षप्रजापतौ
And how, angered by her husband, she opposed Daksha, the lord of progenitors.
तदा हराज्ञानिघ्नेन वीरभद्रेण यत्कृतम्
Then, by the command of Hara, Virabhadra acted as he was ordered.
अश्रौषीस्तस्य दक्षस्य गणैः शीर्षासखंडनम्
You have heard how Daksha’s head was severed by the ganas.
दंतघातं रवेः पाणिपाटनं जातवेदसः
The breaking of teeth, the cutting off of Surya’s hands, and the wounding of Agni.
सा च देवी पुनर्जन्म लेभे हिमवतो गृहे
That goddess was born again in the house of Himavat.
देवः स्थाणुवने तां च परिचर्यापरं रहः 1.3.2.17.
The god, devoted to her service, dwelled with her in the forest of Sthanu, in secret.
जितेंद्रियं च तं देवं क्वापि यातं गणैः सह
That god, self-controlled, went somewhere with his ganas.
उपयम्याथ तां देवो वृत्तांतैश्चित्तखंडिभिः
Then the god approached her, whose mind was troubled by past events.
वैधव्यखिन्नया रत्या प्रार्थिता शैलनंदिनी
The daughter of the mountain, distressed by widowhood, sought union with him.
पुनश्च मेनया मात्रा पित्रा च हिमभूभृता
Again, by her mother Mena and her father Himavat.
तदा शुंभनिशुंभाख्यौ लेभाते वेधसो वरम्
Then Shumbha and Nishumbha obtained a boon from the Creator.
इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा जातत्रासैः सुपर्वभिः
Hearing those words, the gods, filled with fear, trembled.