तैः सुराः पूजिताः सर्वे ब्रह्मविष्णुमुखा मखैः
By them, all the gods, led by Brahma and Vishnu, have been worshipped with sacrifices.
अहं तेनोमया सार्धं दीक्षां संप्राप्य शांभवीम्
With them, together with Uma, I have obtained the Shambhava initiation.
तपांसि तेन तप्तानि शीर्णपर्णादिना चिरम्
By them, austerities have been performed for a long time, with fallen leaves and the like.
दत्त्वा दानानि भूरीणि मखानिष्ट्वा तु भूरिशः
Having given abundant gifts and performed many sacrifices, O lord of riches—
विपुलेत्र महीपृष्ठे पंचक्रोश्यां मनोहरा
On the broad expanse of the earth, in the delightful region spanning five krośas.
दानानां च व्रतानां च क्रतूनां तपसामपि 4.2.84.
Of gifts, vows, sacrifices, and even austerities.
एतेषामपि तीर्थानां चतुर्णामपि सत्तम 4.2.84.
Even among these four holy places, O noble one.
इति वीरेश्वराख्यानं तीर्थाख्यानप्रसंगतः
Thus ends the account of Vīreśvara, narrated in the context of the description of holy places.
यथाख्यायि कथा पुण्या तथा ते कथयाम्यहम्
As the sacred story has been told, so I recount it to you.
पुरा महीमिमां सर्वां ससमुद्राद्रिकाननाम्
Long ago, I wandered over the entire earth, with its oceans, mountains, and forests.
परिभ्रम्य महातेजा महामर्षो महातपाः
Having journeyed everywhere, possessed of great energy, patience, and austerity.
विलोक्याक्रीडमखिलं बहुप्रासादमंडितम् । पदेपदे मुनीनां च जितकाल महाभियाम्
Seeing the whole place adorned with many splendid palaces, and at every step, sages who had conquered time with great resolve.
सर्वर्तुकुसुमान्वृक्षान्सुच्छायस्निग्धपल्लवान्
Trees blossoming in all seasons, with cool shade and tender, glossy leaves.
दुर्वासाश्चातिहृष्टोभू्द्दृष्ट्वा पाशुपतोत्तमान्
Durvāsas became exceedingly joyful upon seeing the foremost devotees of Paśupati.
कौपीनमात्र वसनान्स्मरारि ध्यान तत्परान्
Clad only in loincloths, absorbed in meditation on the enemy of Kāma.
करंडदंडपानीय पात्रमात्रपरिग्रहान्
Possessing only a water pot and staff, with no other belongings.
कालादपि निरातंकान्विश्वेशशरणं गतान् 4.2.85.
Free from fear even of time, having sought refuge in the Lord of all.
विलोक्य काश्यां दुर्वासा ब्राह्मणान्मुमुदेतराम्
Seeing the Brahmins in Kāśī, Durvāsas rejoiced greatly.
पशुष्वपि च या तुष्टिर्मृगेष्वपि च या द्युतिः
The satisfaction found even among cattle, and the radiance among deer.
इदं सुश्रेयसो व्युष्टिः क्वामरेषु त्रिविष्टपे
This is the highest fulfillment; where is such in the heavens among the immortals?
वरमेतेपि पशव आनंदवनचारिणः
Even the cattle who roam in the forest of bliss are blessed here.
वरं काशीपुरीवासी म्लेच्छोपि हि शुभायतिः
Better is the resident of Kāśī, even if a foreigner, for he attains auspiciousness.
वैश्वेश्वरी पुरी चैषा यथा मे चित्तहारिणी
This city of Vaiśveśvarī captivates my mind.
स्थैर्यं बबंध न क्वापि भ्रमतो मे मनोगतिः
Nowhere did my mind find stability as it wandered.
रम्या पुरी भवेदेषा ब्रह्मांडादखिलादपि
This city is more delightful than the entire cosmic egg.
तप्यमानोपि हि तपः सुचिरं स महातपाः
Even though he practiced severe austerity for a long time, that great ascetic—
धिक्च मां तापसं दुष्टं धिक्च मे दुश्चरं तपः 4.2.85.
Shame on me, a wicked ascetic! Shame on my difficult austerity!
यथा न मुक्तिरत्र स्यात्कस्यापि करवै तथा
Let me act so that no one here may attain liberation.
तत्र लिंगमभूदेकं ख्यातं प्रहसितेश्वरम्
There appeared a single liṅga there, known as Prahasiteśvara.
उवाच विस्मयाविष्टो मनस्येव महेशिता
Overcome with wonder, the great Lord spoke in his mind.