यतः क्रतुभुजो देवाः क्रतवो वेदसंभवाः
Because the gods are eaters of sacrifices, and sacrifices arise from the Vedas.
निश्चितं ब्राह्मणाधाराः सर्वे वेदाः सवासवाः 4.2.65.
It is certain that all the Vedas, along with Indra, are founded upon the brāhmaṇas.
ब्राह्मणा यदि नष्टाः स्युर्वेदा नष्टास्ततः स्वयम्
If the brāhmaṇas are destroyed, then the Vedas themselves are destroyed.
यज्ञेषु नाशं गच्छत्सु हृताहारास्ततः सुराः
When sacrifices perish, the gods lose their sustenance.
अहमेव भविष्यामि मान्यस्त्रिजगतीपतिः
Then I alone shall be honored as the lord of the three worlds.
निर्वेक्ष्यामि सुखान्येव राज्ये निहतकंटके
I will enjoy pleasures in the kingdom, with all obstacles removed.
द्विजाः क्व संति भूयांसो ब्रह्मतेजोतिबृंहिताः
Where are those many twice-born, radiant with the brilliance of Brahman?
भूयसां ब्राह्मणानां तु स्थानं वाराणसी भवेत्
The abode of most brāhmaṇas should be Vārāṇasī.
यत्रयत्र हि तीर्थेषु यत्रयत्राश्रमेषु च
Wherever there are sacred places, and wherever there are hermitages,
इति दुंदुभिनिर्ह्रादो मतिं कृत्वा कुलोचिताम्
Thus, with the sound of the drum, he resolved upon what was proper for his lineage.
यथा कोपि न वेत्त्येव तथाच्छन्नोऽभवत्पुनः 4.2.65.
Just as no one at all knows, so he became concealed again.
अदृश्यरूपी मायावी देवानामप्यगोचरः
He took on an invisible form, a magician, beyond even the perception of the gods.
प्रवेशमुटजानां च निर्गमं च विलोकयन्
Observing the entry and exit of the huts,
निःशब्दमेव नयति नत्यजेदपि कीकसम्
He leads in utter silence, nor would he abandon even a small bird.
एकदा शिवरात्रौ तु भक्तस्त्वेको निजोटजे
Once, on a night sacred to Shiva, a devotee was alone in his own hut.
स च दुंदुभिनिर्ह्राद दैत्येंद्रो बलदर्पितः
And that sound of the drum, the demon king, proud of his strength,
तं भक्तं ध्यानमापन्नं दृढचित्तं शिवेक्षणे
That devotee, absorbed in meditation, with steadfast mind, intent on Shiva,
अथ सर्वगतः शंभुर्ज्ञात्वा तस्याशयं हरः
Then, Shiva, who is all-pervading, knowing his intention, Hara,
यावदादित्सति व्याघ्रस्तावदाविरभूद्धरः
As soon as the tiger was about to attack, Hara appeared.
रुद्रमायांतमालोक्य तद्भक्तार्चित लिंगतः
Seeing Rudra's illusion, from the linga worshipped by that devotee,
सावज्ञमथसर्वज्ञं यावत्पश्यति दानवः 4.2.65.
With contempt, the demon gazed upon the omniscient one.
पंचास्यस्त्वथ पंचास्यं मुष्ट्या मूर्धन्यताडयत्
The five-faced one struck the five-faced one on the head with his fist.
अत्यार्तमरटद्व्याघ्रो रोदसी परिपूरयन्
The tiger, in great distress, roared, filling the heavens and the earth.
तपोधनाः समाजग्मुर्निशि शब्दानुसारतः
The ascetics gathered at night, following the sound.
तुष्टुवुः प्रणता सर्वे शर्वं जयजयाक्षरैः
All bowed and praised Sharva with cries of 'Victory, victory!'
अनुग्रहं कुरुध्वेश तिष्ठात्रैव जगद्गुरो
Show your favor, Lord; remain here, O teacher of the world.
कुरु रक्षां महादेव ज्येष्ठस्थानस्य सर्वदा
O great god, always protect the foremost place.
इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तेषां देवश्चंद्रविभूषणः
Hearing these words, the god adorned with the moon,
यो मामनेन रूपेण द्रक्ष्यति श्रद्धयात्र वै
Whoever sees me here in this form with faith,
एतल्लिंगं समभ्यर्च्य यो याति पथि मानवः
Who, having worshipped this liṅga, proceeds on the path,