कुंडं तत्रैव संस्थाप्य लिंगस्नपनकर्मणे
There, a water vessel is to be established for the ritual bathing of the linga.
महोदरोपि तत्प्राच्यां शिवध्यानपरायणः
In the east of that place, Mahodara, devoted to meditation on Shiva, is present.
महोदरेश्वरं दृष्ट्वा वाराणस्यां द्विजोत्तम
Having seen Mahodareśvara in Varanasi, O best of twice-born,
घंटाकर्ण ह्रदे स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा व्यासेश्वरं विभुम्
After bathing in the Ghantakarna lake and beholding Vyaseshvara, the Lord,
घंटाकर्णे महातीर्थे श्राद्धं कृत्वा विधानतः
By performing the śrāddha rite properly at the great tirtha of Ghantakarna,
निमज्ज्याद्यापि तत्कुंडे क्षण योवहितो भवेत्
Even now, whoever immerses himself attentively in that tank, even for a moment,
वदंति पितरः काश्यां घंटाकर्णेमलेजले 4.2.53.
The ancestors say, 'In Kashi, in the pure waters of Ghantakarna—'
यद्वंश्या मुनयः काश्यां घंटाकर्णे महाह्रदे
The sages of your lineage, in Kashi, at the great lake of Ghantakarna,
विसिस्माय स्मरद्वेष्टा मौलिमांदोलयन्मुहुः
The destroyer of desire stood amazed, repeatedly shaking his crowned head.
उवाच च मनस्येव हरः स्मित्वा पुनःपुनः
And Hara, smiling again and again, spoke in his mind:
पुराविदः प्रशंसंति त्वां महामोहहारिणीम्
The knowers of ancient lore praise you as the remover of great delusion.
प्रेषयिष्याम्यहं सर्वान्भवती मोहयिष्यति
I will send them all; you will bewilder them.
तथापि प्रेषयिष्यामि यावान्मेस्ति परिच्छदः
Still, I will send as many attendants as I have.
नोद्यमाद्विरतिः कार्या क्वापि कार्ये विचक्षणैः
The wise should never abandon effort in any undertaking.
शीतोष्णभानू स्वर्भानु ग्रस्तावपि नभोंगणे
Even when the sun or moon is eclipsed by Rahu in the sky,
दैवं पूर्वकृतं कर्म कथ्यते नेतरत्पुनः 4.2.53.
Destiny is said to be the result of previous actions, not otherwise.
भाजनोपस्थितं दैवाद्भोज्यं नास्यं स्वयं विशेत्
Food that comes by fate, served in a vessel, does not enter the mouth by itself.
इत्युद्यमं समर्थ्येशो निश्चितं दैवजित्वरम्
Thus, the Lord of capability has declared that effort is certainly superior to fate.
सोमनंदी नंदिषेणः कालपिंगलकुक्कुटाः
Somānandī, Nandiṣeṇa, Kālapingala, and Kukkutā—
तेपि स्वनाम्ना लिंगानि शंभुसंतुष्टि काम्यया
These, too, by their own names, established liṅgas, desiring to please Śambhu.
सोमनंदीश्वरं दृष्ट्वा लिंगं नंदवने परम्
Having seen the supreme liṅga called Somānandīśvara in the Nandavana,
तदुत्तरे विलोक्याथ नंदिषेणेश्वरं नरः
Then, to the north of that, a man beholds the liṅga of Nandiṣeṇa.
कालेश्वरं महालिंगं गंगायाः पश्चिमोत्तरे
The great liṅga Kāleśvara is to the northwest of the Gaṅgā.
पिंगलेश्वरमभ्यर्च्य कालेशात्किंचिदुत्तरे
Worshipping Piṅgaleśvara, a little to the north of Kāleśvara,
कुक्कुटेश्वर लिंगस्य येत्र भक्तिं वितन्वते
Wherever they offer devotion to the liṅga of Kukkutāśvara,
आनंदकाननं प्राप्य स्थितेषु स्थाणुरब्रवीत् ।। 4.2.53.
Having reached the grove of bliss, while they stood, Sthāṇu spoke.
कार्यमस्माकमेवैतद्यदि सम्यग्विमृश्यते
If this matter is rightly considered, it is indeed our own task.
प्रमथेषु प्रविष्टेषु मायावीर्यमहत्स्वपि
Even when the Pramathas, mighty in magical power, had entered,
क्रमेण प्रेषयिष्यामि योस्ति मे स्वपरिच्छदः
In due order I shall send forth whoever is among my own attendants.
संप्रधार्येति हृदये देवदेवेन शूलिना
Having thus resolved in his heart, the god of gods, the wielder of the trident,