कांचिद्दिशं समालंब्य निर्वेदं परमं गतः
Taking up a certain direction, he attained supreme dispassion.
प्रतितीर्थं प्रतिनदि स बभ्राम तपोयुतः
He wandered, endowed with austerity, to every sacred ford and river.
अध्युवास स तावंति संयतेंद्रियमानसः
He dwelt there for some time, with senses and mind restrained.
मनोरथोपदेष्टा च कुत्रचित्क्वापि नेक्षितः
The instructor of his desires was nowhere to be seen.
रेवातटे निरैक्षिष्ट तीर्थं चामरकंटकम्
On the bank of the Reva, he beheld the holy place Amarakaṇṭaka.
दृष्ट्वा हृष्टमना आसीच्चेतः स्थैर्यमवाप ह
Seeing it, his mind became joyful and he attained steadiness of heart.
विभूतिभूषिततनून्कृतलिंगसमर्चनान् 4.2.74.
He saw those whose bodies were adorned with sacred ashes, engaged in the worship of the liṅga.
स्वस्थोपविष्टान्स्वपुरोरग्रतोऽचलमानसान्
Seated at ease before him in their own city, their minds unshaken.
प्रबद्धहस्तयुगलः प्रणमतरकंधरः
With hands joined and head bowed, he offered his reverence.
वार्धकेन समाक्रांतस्तपसा कृशविग्रहः
Overcome by old age, his body emaciated by austerity.
पप्रच्छ दमनं चेति कस्त्वं कस्मादिहागतः
He asked Damana: 'Who are you? For what reason have you come here?'
भगोः पाशुपताचार्य सर्वज्ञाराधनप्रिय
The teacher of the Pāśupata path, devoted to the worship of the all-knowing Lord Bhaga.
कथयामि यथार्थं ते निजचेतोविचेष्टितम्
I will tell you truly the movements of my own mind.
संसारासारतां ज्ञात्वा वानप्रस्थमशिश्रियम्
Recognizing the futility of worldly existence, I embraced the life of a forest-dweller.
स्नातं बहुषु तीर्थेषु मंत्रा जप्तास्तु कोटिशः
I have bathed at many sacred fords, and recited mantras by the millions.
शुश्रूषिताश्च गुरवो बहवो बह्वनेहसम्
I have served many teachers, most of whom were free from faults.
शिखराणि गिरींद्राणां मया चाध्युषितान्यहो 4.2.74.
I have dwelled upon the peaks of the great mountains, indeed.
रसायनानि बहुशः सेवितानि मया पुनः
I have repeatedly practiced many kinds of alchemical preparations.
मया प्रविष्टा बहुशः कृतांतवदनोपमाः
I have entered many places resembling the face of Death.
परं किंचित्क्वचिन्नैक्षि सिद्ध्यंकुरमपि प्रभो
Yet, O Lord, I did not see anywhere even a trace of true accomplishment.
मनसः स्थैर्यमापन्नमिव संप्राप्तसिद्धिना
My mind seemed to have attained stability, as if I had achieved perfection.
तेनैव महती सिद्धिर्भवित्री मम नान्यथा
By that alone, great accomplishment will come to me, not otherwise.
अनेनैव शरीरेण पार्थिवेन प्रथीयसी
With this very body, made of earth and most powerful,
प्रत्यक्षदृष्टं प्रोवाच महदाश्चर्यमुत्तमम् मुमुक्षूणां धृतवतां महापाशुपतं व्रतम्
He spoke of a supreme and wondrous thing, seen directly— the great Pāśupata vow for those who seek liberation and are steadfast.
शृणुष्वावहितो भूत्वा तदा ते कथयाम्यहम्
Now, listen attentively; I will tell you that.
अविमुक्ते महाक्षेत्रे सर्वसिद्धिप्रदे सताम्
In Avimukta, the great field that grants all attainments to the virtuous,
समाश्रितानां जंतूनां सर्वेषां सर्वकर्मणाम् 4.2.74.
For all beings who have taken refuge there, and for all their actions,
कर्मभूरुह दावाग्नौ संसाराब्ध्यौर्वशोचिपि
In the wildfire of the tree of karma, in the burning pain of the ocean of worldly existence,
दीर्घनिद्रा प्रसुप्तानां परमोद्बोधदायिनि
For those long asleep in deep slumber, it bestows the highest awakening.
अनेकजन्मजनित महापापाद्रिवज्रिणि
It is the thunderbolt that shatters the great mountain of sins accumulated over countless births.