गुरूणां वाक्यकरणात्सर्व एव मनोरथाः
By carrying out the commands of the teachers, all desires are fulfilled.
कथं तद्वचसः सिद्धिं प्राप्स्याम्यत्र वने स्थितः
How shall I, dwelling here in the forest, attain success in their command?
आस्तां गुरुकथा दूरं योऽन्यस्यापि लघोरपि
Let talk of the guru be set aside, for even the slightest matter concerning another is far off.
कथमेतानि कर्माणि करिष्येऽज्ञोऽसहायवान्
How can I, ignorant and without support, accomplish these deeds?
यावदित्थं चिंतयति स त्वाष्ट्रो वनमध्यगः
While he was thus reflecting, that son of Tvaṣṭṛ, wandering in the forest,
अथ नत्वा स तं प्राह वने दृष्टं तपस्विनम्
Then, having bowed, he addressed the ascetic whom he saw in the forest:
त्वद्दर्शनेन मे गात्रं चिंतासंतापतापितम्
My body is scorched by the heat of worry and anxiety at seeing you.
किं त्वं मे प्राक्तनं कर्म प्राप्तं तापसरूपधृक्
What former deed of mine has come to me, O ascetic in this form?
योसि सोसि नमस्तुभ्यमुपदेशेन युंक्ष्व माम् 4.2.86.
Whoever you are, I bow to you; instruct me and engage me in the teaching.
कथं कर्तुमहं शक्तः कर्म तत्र दिशाद्भुतम्
How am I able to perform that wondrous deed there?
इत्युक्तस्तेन स वने तापसो ब्रह्मचारिणा
Thus addressed by him in the forest, the ascetic replied to the celibate student:
य आप्तत्वेन संपृष्टो दुर्बुद्धिं संप्रयच्छति
He who, when asked as a trusted one, gives wicked counsel,
तापस उवाच ब्रह्मचारिञ्शृणु ब्रूयां किमद्भुततरं त्विदम्
The ascetic said: Listen, brahmacārin, I will tell you—what could be more wondrous than this?
यदि त्वं त्वाष्ट्र सर्वज्ञं काश्यामाराधयिष्यसि
If you, O son of Tvaṣṭṛ, worship the all-knowing Lord in Kāśī,
विश्वेशानुग्रहात्काश्यामभिलाषा न दुर्लभाः
By the grace of the Lord of All, desires in Kāśī are not hard to obtain.
सृष्टेःकरण सामर्थ्यं सृष्टिरक्षाप्रवीणता
The power to create, mastery in protecting creation—
याहि वैश्वेश्वरं सद्म पद्मया समधिष्ठितम्
Go to the abode of the Lord of All, established there with Padmā.
स हि सर्वप्रदः शंभुर्याचितश्चोपमन्युना
For he, Śaṃbhu, is the giver of all; he was asked by Upamanyu.
आनंदकानने शंभोः किं किं केन न लभ्यते 4.2.86.
In the forest of bliss belonging to Śaṃbhu, what is there that cannot be obtained, and by whom?
स्वर्धुनी स्पर्शमात्रेण महापातकसंततिः
By merely touching the celestial river, even a multitude of great sins is removed.
न तादृग्धर्मसंभारो लभ्यते क्रतुकोटिभिः
Such a collection of merit cannot be obtained even through ten million sacrifices.
धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां यद्यत्रास्ति मनोरथः
Wherever there is a sincere desire for righteousness, wealth, pleasure, or liberation,
सर्वकामफलप्राप्तिस्तदैव स्याद्ध्रुवं नृणाम्
There, surely, all desired results are attained by people.
स तापसोक्तमाकर्ण्य त्वाष्ट्र इत्थं सुहृष्टवान्
Hearing the words spoken by the ascetic, Tvaṣṭṛ became greatly delighted.
यत्र नो दुर्लभं किंचित्साधकानां त्रयीस्थितम्
Where nothing is difficult to obtain for those who are devoted to the three Vedas,
स्वर्गे वा मर्त्यलोके वा बलिसद्मनि वा मुने
Whether in heaven, on earth, or in the house of Bali, O sage,
यत्र विश्वेश्वरो देवो विश्वेषां कर्णधारकः
Where the Lord of all, the god who is the helmsman of all beings, resides,
सुलभा यत्र नियतमानंदवनचारिणः
Where those who dwell in the blissful forest are always easily found,
कस्तां मां प्रापयेच्छंभोः कथं यामि तथा वद 4.2.86.
Who will bring me there, to Śambhu? Tell me, how can I go?
प्राहागच्छ नयामि त्वां यियासुरहमप्यहो
He said, 'Come, I will lead you; I too wish to go, indeed.'