त्वं वृद्धकालो भूपालः श्रुत्वेत्याशीः परंपराम्
You, an aged king, having heard this, should transmit the blessing in succession.
आकारगोपनं कृत्वा तेभ्यो दत्त्वा धनं बहु
Concealing your intent, and giving them much wealth,
अनंगलेखया राज्ञ्या ततः काशीं गमिष्यसि
Then, with a letter from the queen, you will go to Kāśī.
स्वनाम्ना तत्र संस्थाप्य लिंगं निर्वाणकारणम्
There, establishing a liṅga in your own name, the cause of liberation,
विधाय विधिवत्तत्र कलशारोपणादिकम्
Performing there, according to rule, the installation of the water-pot and other rites,
महाध्वजपताकाश्च च्छत्रचामरदर्पणम् 4.1.24.
With great banners and flags, umbrellas, fly-whisks, and mirrors,
व्रतोपवासनियमैः परिक्षीणकलेवरः
With your body worn down by vows, fasts, and disciplines,
अतीवजीर्णवपुषं परिपिंगजटान्वितम्
With a body extremely aged, adorned with tawny matted hair,
भारं शरीरयष्टेश्च दृढयष्ट्यां समर्प्य च
Placing the weight of your body upon a sturdy staff,
उपविश्य समीपे ते प्रक्ष्यत्येवमनुक्रमात्
Sitting nearby, you will ask in this manner, step by step.
प्रासादः कारितः केन जानास्येष ततो वद
Who caused this temple to be built? If you know, then tell me.
पृष्टस्त्वमिति ते नाथ तदा वृद्ध तपस्विना
You were thus questioned, O lord, by that aged ascetic.
दाक्षिणात्य इह प्राप्तस्त्वेतया सह कांतया
A southerner has arrived here together with this beloved woman.
प्रासादस्यास्य जटिल स्वयंकारयिता शिवः
O matted-haired one, Shiva himself is the builder of this temple.
इति श्रुत्वा नरपतेर्वाक्यंप्राह जटाधरः
Hearing these words of the king, the matted-haired one spoke.
पश्येयं त्वामहं नित्यमुपविष्टं सुनिश्चलम् 4.1.24.
I see you always seated here, perfectly unmoving.
ममाग्रे तत्समाचक्ष्व यदि जानासि तत्त्वतः
Tell me that in my presence, if you truly know it.
कर्ता कारयिता शंभुः किमतथ्यं ब्रवीम्यहम्
Shambhu is the maker and the cause—am I speaking anything untrue?
इति त्वयि स्थिते जोषं स पुनर्वृद्धतापसः
While you remained there calmly, that aged ascetic again—
इति तेन च नुन्नस्त्वं वार्यानीय च कूपतः
Thus pressed by him, you drew water from the well.
तदंबुपानतो भूयात्सुपार्वण शशिप्रभः
Then, after drinking the water, O Supārvana, your radiance became like the moon.
जाताश्चर्येण भवता पुनरेवाभ्यभाषि सः
Amazed by this, you again spoke to him.
परित्यज्यात्र जरसं न वो भ्राजसि सांप्रतम्
Having cast off old age here, you no longer shine as before.
तपोधन उवाच वृद्धकालक्षितिपते जाने त्वां सुमहामते
The ascetic said: O king, marked by old age, I know you, O one of great wisdom.
जन्मनोऽस्मादियं राजन्नासीद्विप्रस्य कन्यका
O king, in a former birth, there was a brahmin's daughter.
तेन दत्ता विवाहार्थं नैध्रुवाय महात्मने 4.1.24.
She was given in marriage by him to the great-souled Naidhruva.
वैधव्यं पालयंत्येषा मृताऽवंत्यां शुभव्रता
She maintained her widowhood, that virtuous woman, after dying in Avanti.
परिणीता त्वया राजन्पतिव्रतरता सदा
But she was married by you, O king, always devoted to her husband.
अयोध्यायामथावंत्यां मथुरायामथापि वा
In Ayodhya, or in Avantika, or in Mathura, or even elsewhere—
अपि पातकिनो ये च कालेन निधनं गताः
Even those who were sinners and met their end in due course of time—