यस्तु पूजयते भक्त्या दक्षिणां दिशमास्थितः
But whoever worships, with devotion, while standing in the southern direction—
पंचामृतेन यस्तत्र तर्पणं कुरु ते नरः
—and there, offers libation with the five nectars, that person—
प्रदक्षिणांते यस्तस्य प्रणामं कुरुते नरः
—and at the end of the circumambulation, bows down to it—
तत्राश्चर्यमभूत्पूर्वं तत्त्वं शृणु महामते
There was once a wondrous event there; listen to that truth, O wise one.
तत्र पूर्वं शुको नीडं वृक्षे चैवाकरोद्द्विजः
There, long ago, a parrot made its nest in a tree, O twice-born one.
न च भक्त्या महाराज पक्षियोनिसमुद्भवः
But, O great king, not by devotion did he arise from the womb of birds.
संजातः पार्थिवे वंशे राजा वेणुरिति स्मृतः
He was born in the earthly royal line, and is remembered as King Vena.
स तं स्मृत्वा प्रभावं हि प्रदक्षिणासमुद्भवम् 7.3.7.
Remembering that power, indeed, which arose from circumambulation—
नक्तं दिनं महाराज नान्यत्किंचित्करोति सः
Day and night, O great king, he does nothing else.
न पुष्पे धूपदाने च प्रदक्षिणापरः सदा
Not with flowers or offering incense, but always with circumambulation.
नारदः शौनकश्चैव हारीतो देवलस्तथा
Nārada, Śaunaka, Hārīta, and Devala as well—
एते चान्ये च बहवो देवव्रतपरायणाः
—and many others devoted to vows for the gods—
अन्ये च विविधां पूजां जपमन्ये समाहिताः
Others perform various worships, and some, concentrated, recite prayers.
बलिमन्ये प्रयच्छंति स्तुतिं कुर्वंति चापरे
Some offer oblations, while others utter praises.
परं कौतुकमापन्ना वाक्यमेतदथाब्रुवन्
Filled with great curiosity, they then spoke these words:
ऋषय ऊचुः कस्मात्त्वं पार्थिवश्रेष्ठ प्रदक्षिणापरः सदा
The sages said: Why are you, O best of kings, always devoted to circumambulation?
न ददासि जलं लिंगे प्रभूतं सुमनोहरम्
You do not offer abundant, delightful water to the liṅga—
समर्थोऽसि तथान्येषां दानानां त्वं महीपते 7.3.7.
Yet, O lord of the earth, you are capable of giving other gifts as well.
पूर्वदेहांतरे वृत्तं सर्वं सत्यं विशेषतः
All that occurred in my previous body is entirely true, especially so.
प्रासादेऽस्मिन्पुरा पक्षी शुकोऽहं स्थितवांस्तदा
Formerly, in this very palace, I dwelt as a bird—a parrot—at that time.
कृपयाऽस्य प्रभावाच्च जातो जातिस्मरस्त्वहम्
By his compassion and power, I was born with the memory of my past birth.
न जाने किं फलं मेऽद्य देवस्यास्य प्रसादतः
I do not know what fruit I shall receive today from this god’s grace.
पुलस्त्य उवाच वेणुवाक्यं ततः श्रुत्वा मुनयः शंसितव्रताः
Pulastya said: Then, having heard Veṇu’s words, the sages renowned for their vows—
ततः प्रदक्षिण पराः सर्वे तत्र महर्षयः
Thereupon, all those great sages performed circumambulation there.
सोऽपि राजा महाभागो वेणुः शंभोः प्रसादतः
That blessed king Veṇu too, by Śambhu’s grace—
त्रिनेत्राभाः शिला यत्र दृश्यंतेऽद्यापि भूरिशः
There, even today, many stones resembling the three-eyed one are seen.
तस्यैव पश्चिमे भागे लिंगमस्ति पिनाकिनः
On its western side is the liṅga of Pinākin.
भद्रकर्णगणोनाम पुरासीच्छिववल्लभः
In ancient times, Bhadrakarṇa Gaṇa, beloved of Śiva, was there.
केनचित्त्वथ कालेन संग्रामे दानवैः सह
Then, at some time, in battle with the Dānavas—
नष्टे स्कंदे हते सैन्ये वीरभद्रे पराजिते
When Skanda was lost, the army slain, and Vīrabhadra defeated—