पूर्वाह्णे दैविकं कर्म सोकरोत्कर्मकांडवित्
In the forenoon, he performed the rites prescribed for the gods, as laid down in the ritual section.
एवं बहुतिथे काले गते तस्याग्रजन्मनः
Thus, after a long time had passed for that eldest-born one,
अपश्यंत्यंकुरमपि संततेः स्वर्गसाधनम्
he did not see even a sprout of progeny, the means to heaven.
शुचिष्मत्युवाच न दुर्लभं ममास्तीह किंचित्त्वच्चरणार्चनात्
Śuciṣmatī said: Nothing is unattainable for me here by worshipping your feet.
ये वै भोगाः समुचिताः स्त्रीणां ते त्वत्प्रसादतः
Whatever enjoyments are proper for women, those are by your grace.
सुवासांसि सुवासाश्च सुशय्या सुनितंबिनी
Fine garments, fragrant clothes, a good bed, and a well-prepared seat—
एकं मे प्रार्थितं नाथ चिराय हृदिसंस्थितम्
There is one thing I have long desired, Lord, which has remained in my heart.
विश्वानर उवाच तत्प्रार्थय महाभागे प्रयच्छाम्यविलंबितम् ।।4.1.10.
Viśvānara said: Ask for that, O noble lady; I will grant it without delay.
महेशितुः प्रसादेन मम किंचिन्न दुर्ल्भम्
By the grace of Maheśvara, nothing is difficult for me.
इति श्रुत्वा वचः पत्युस्तस्य सा पतिदेवता
Hearing these words of her husband, that devoted wife—
वरयोग्यास्मि चेन्नाथ नान्यं वरमहं वृणे
If I am worthy of a boon, Lord, I choose no other boon.
इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा शुचिष्मत्याः शुचिव्रतः
Hearing these words of Śuciṣmatī, the pure-vowed one—
अहो किमेतया तन्व्या प्रार्थितं ह्यतिदुर्लभम्
Ah, what is this exceedingly rare thing that this slender one has asked for?
तेनैवास्या मुखे स्थित्वा वाक्स्वरूपेण शंभुना
By Śambhu himself, remaining in her mouth in the form of speech,
ततः प्रोवाच तां पत्नीमेकपत्निव्रते स्थितः
Then, he who was steadfast in the vow of one wife spoke to his wife.
इत्थमाश्वास्य तां पत्नीं जगाम तपसे मुनिः
Thus consoling his wife, the sage went to practice austerity.
प्राप्य वाराणसीं तूर्णं दृष्ट्वाथ मणिकर्णिकाम्
Swiftly reaching Vārāṇasī and seeing Maṇikarṇikā,
दृष्ट्वा सर्वाणि लिंगानि विश्वेश प्रमुखानि च 4.1.10.
He saw all the liṅgas, with Viśveśa at their head.
नत्वा विनायकान्सर्वान्गौरीः सर्वाः प्रणम्य च
Having bowed to all the Vināyakas and to all the forms of Gaurī,
दण्डनायकमुख्यांश्च गणान्स्तुत्वा प्रयत्नतः
He carefully praised the foremost Gaṇas, including Daṇḍanāyaka.
लोलार्कमुख्य सूर्यांश्च प्रणम्य च पुनः पुनः
He repeatedly bowed to the Sun deities, with Lolārka as chief among them.
सहस्रभोजनाद्यैश्च यतीन्विप्रान्प्रतर्प्य च
He satisfied ascetics and Brahmins with offerings such as a thousand meals.
असकृच्चिन्तयामास किं लिंगं क्षिप्रसिद्धिदम्
He thought again and again: Which liṅga grants swift accomplishment?
श्रीमदोंकारनाथं वा कृत्तिवासेश्वरं किमु
Is it the glorious Oṃkāra Lord, or Kṛttivāsa Īśvara?
केदारेशं तु कामेशं चन्द्रेशं वा त्रिलोचनम्
Or Kedāreśa, Kāmeśa, Candreśa, or the Three-Eyed One?
दशाश्वमेधमीशानं द्रुमि चंडेशमेव च
Or Īśāna of the ten horse sacrifices, or Drumi Caṇḍeśa?
ढुंढ्याशागजसिद्धाख्यं धर्मेशं तारकेश्वरम्
Ḍhuṃḍhyāśā, Gajasiddha, Dharmesha, or Tārakeśvara?
पर्वतेशं पशुपतिं ब्रह्मेशं मध्यमेश्वरम् 4.1.10.
Parvateśa, Paśupati, Brahmeśa, or Madhyameśvara?
भारभूतेश्वरं किं वा महालक्ष्मीश्वरं तु वा
Bhārabhūteśvara, or perhaps Mahālakṣmīśvara?
मार्कंडं मणिकर्णीश रत्नेश्वरमथापि वा
Mārkaṇḍa, Maṇikarṇīśa, or Ratneśvara, or even another?