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.'
पुनःक्व नृत्वं श्रेयोभूः क्व काशीकर्मबंधहृत्
Again, where is your dancing, which brings great good, and where is the bondage of karma in Kāśī?
आयुष्यं च भविष्यं च सर्वमेव वृथागतम्
Both lifespan and future are entirely wasted.
यास्यामि काशीमायाहि मायां हित्वा त्वमप्यहो
I will go to Kāśī; come, you too, leaving behind illusion.
पुरीं वैश्वेश्वरीं प्राप्तो मनःस्वास्थ्यमवाप च
Having reached the city of the Lord of all, he attained peace of mind.
जगाम कुंभसंभूत स त्वाष्ट्रोपीत्यमन्यत
He, born from the pot, thought that Tvaṣṭṛ too had gone there.
सत्पथस्थिरवृतीनां दूरस्थोपि समीपगः
For those whose conduct is firm on the right path, even if far away, they are near.
क्वाहं तत्र वने बालश्चिंताकुलितमानसः
Where was I, a child in that forest, with a mind troubled by worry?
खेलोयमस्य त्र्यक्षस्य यस्य भक्तस्य कुत्रचित्
This is the sport of the three-eyed Lord, whose devotee may be anywhere.
नाराधितो मया शंभुः प्राक्तने जन्मनि क्वचित् 4.2.86.
I did not worship Śaṃbhu at any time in my previous birth.
अस्मिञ्जन्मनि बालत्वान्न चैवाराधितः स्फुटम्
And in this birth, due to childhood, I have clearly not worshipped him either.