जगाम काशीं निर्वाणराशिं विश्वेशपालिताम्
He went to Kāśī, the heap of liberation, protected by the Lord of the Universe.
तपश्चचार चात्युग्रमुग्रं संशीलयन्हृदि
He performed extremely intense austerity, meditating deeply in his heart.
ततो विश्वपतिः श्रीमान्विश्वेशो विश्वभावनः 4.1.15.
Then the glorious Lord of the Universe, Viśveśa, creator of all,
उवाच च प्रसन्नात्मा ज्योतीरूपो महेश्वरः
And Maheśvara, radiant in form, with a pleased mind, spoke.
तवानेनाति तपसा लिंगसंशीलनेन च
By this severe austerity of yours and by the meditation upon the liṅga,
इति श्रुत्वा वचः सोथ मेघगंभीर निःस्वनम्
Having heard these words, with a voice deep as thunder,
उन्मील्यलोचने यावत्पुरः पश्यति बालकः
As soon as the boy opened his eyes, he looked ahead.
बुध उवाच नमः पूतात्मने तुभ्यं ज्योतीरूप नमोस्तु ते
Budha said: Salutations to you, pure-souled one; O form of light, I bow to you.
नमः सर्वार्ति नाशाय प्रणतानां शिवात्मने
Salutations to the one who destroys all suffering, to the auspicious soul of those who take refuge.
कृपालवे नमस्तुभ्यं भक्तिगम्याय ते नमः
Salutations to you, compassionate one; salutations to you, who are attainable through devotion.
शंभो शिवशिवाकांत शांतश्री कंठशूलभृत्
O Śambhu, beloved of Śiva, tranquil and glorious, bearer of the trident at your throat,
पिनाकपाणे गिरिश शितिकंठ सदाशिव
O wielder of the Pināka bow, Lord of the mountains, blue-throated, ever-auspicious one,
स्तुतिकर्तुं न जानामि स्तुतिप्रिय महेश्वर 4.1.15.
I do not know how to praise you, O Maheshvara, lover of praise.
अयमेव वरो नाथ प्रसन्नोसि यदीश्वर
This alone is my boon, O Lord, that you are pleased, O God.
ततः प्राह महेशानस्तत्स्तुत्या परितोषितः
Then Maheshana, satisfied by that praise, spoke.
नक्षत्रलोकादुपरि तव लोको भविष्यति
Your world will be above the realm of the stars.
त्वयेदं स्थापितं लिंगं सर्वेषां बुद्धिदायकम्
This liṅga you have established grants wisdom to all.
इत्युक्त्वा भगवाञ्छंभुस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत
Having said this, the blessed Śambhu vanished right there.
गणावूचतुः काश्यां बुधेश्वरसमर्चनलब्धबुद्धिः संसारसिंधुमधिगम्य नरो ह्यगाधम्
The Gaṇas said: In Kāśī, a man who attains wisdom by worshipping Budheśvara crosses the ocean of existence, even if he is fallen.
चंद्रेश्वरात्पूर्वभागे दृष्ट्वा लिंगं बुधेश्वरम्
To the east of Candreśvara, seeing the Budheśvara liṅga—
गणौ यावत्कथामित्थं चक्राते बुधलोकगाम्
As the Gaṇas thus recounted the story, they went to Budha's world.
शिवशर्मन्महाबुद्धे शुक्रलोकोयमद्भुतः
O highly intelligent Śivaśarman, this is the wondrous world of Śukra.
पीत्वा वर्षसहस्रं वै कणधूमं सुदुःसहम्
After drinking the harsh smoke of burnt grain for a thousand years,
इमां विद्यां न जानाति देवाचार्योति दुप्कराम्
He does not know this knowledge, though called a divine teacher, and is unfortunate.
शिवशर्मोवाच कोसौ शुक्र इति ख्यातो यस्यायं लोक उत्तमः
Śivaśarma said: Who is this Śukra, renowned by that name, for whom this world is supreme?
आचक्षाथामिदं देवौ यदि प्रीतिर्मयि प्रभू
O divine ones, if you are pleased with me, please tell me this.
यां श्रुत्वा चापमृत्युभ्यो हीयंते श्रद्धयायुताः
Hearing which, those endowed with faith are freed from untimely death.
आजौ प्रवर्तमानायामंधकांधकवैरिणोः
When the battle was raging between Andhaka and the enemy of Andhaka,
अपसृत्य ततो युद्धादंधकः शुक्रसंनिधिम्
Then Andhaka, withdrawing from that fight, approached Śukra.
भगवंस्त्वामुपाश्रित्य वयं देवांश्च सानुगान्
O blessed one, taking refuge in you, we and the gods with their followers—