तथा ते लिंगिनो दान्ताः सिद्धिकामाः समंततः
In this way, those who bear the liṅga, self-restrained and desiring accomplishment, are present everywhere.
तत्र सिद्धेश्वरंनाम लिंगमस्ति द्विजोत्तमाः
There, O best of twice-born, is a liṅga called Siddheśvara.
निर्विद्य भूतले शर्वः सर्वव्यापी सदा शिवः
On the earth, Śarva—who is ever-auspicious and all-pervading—manifested himself.
लिंगरूपेण भगवान्प्रादुर्भूतः स्वयं हरः
The Blessed Hara himself appeared in the form of a liṅga.
सिद्धेनाराधितो यस्मात्तस्मात्सिद्धेश्वरः स्मृतः
Because he was worshipped by a siddha, he is therefore remembered as Siddheśvara.
यस्तं पश्यति सद्भक्त्या शुचिः स्पृशति वा नरः
Whoever, with true devotion, sees or touches that liṅga in purity—
तत्र सिद्धिं गताः पूर्वं शतशः पुरुषा भुवि
There, hundreds of men in former times attained accomplishment on earth.
दक्षिणामूर्तिमासाद्य मन्त्रं तस्य षडक्षरम् ६.२९.
Approaching the southern aspect, one should recite its six-syllabled mantra.
यावत्संख्यं जपेन्मत्रं तावत्संख्यान्यहानि सः
He should recite the mantra as many times as the number of days he intends.
आयुषोऽप्यधिकं मर्त्यो जीवते यदि मानवः
A mortal may live even beyond his allotted lifespan, if he is a man.
सूत उवाच । वदतस्तत्समुद्दिश्य यद्वत्सस्य महात्मनः
Sūta said: Speaking thus, referring to that great soul—
पुरा मे वसमानस्य पुरतोऽत्र पितुर्गृहे
Long ago, while I was living here in my father's house—
वहमानो युवावस्थां द्वादशार्कसमद्युतिः
Passing through my youth, radiant as twelve suns—
मत्पित्रा स तदा दृष्टस्ततो भक्त्याऽभिवादितः
At that time, my father saw him and greeted him with devotion.
स्वागतं तव विप्रेंद्र कुतस्त्वमिह चागतः
"Welcome to you, best of Brāhmins! From where have you come here?"
कर्तुमिच्छाम्यनुष्ठानं शुश्रूषां चेत्करोषि मे
"I wish to perform a rite, if you are willing to serve me."
धन्योऽस्म्यनुगृहीतोऽस्मि यस्त्वं मे गृहमागतः
"I am blessed, I am favored, for you have come to my house."
एवमुक्ताथ मामाह स पिता द्विजसत्तमाः ६.२९.
Having spoken thus, my father then addressed me, O best of Brāhmins.
ततोऽहं विनयोपेतस्तस्य कृत्यानि कृत्स्नशः
Then, with humility, I performed all his tasks completely.
राजर्षीणां पुराणानां देवदानवरक्षसाम्
These were the tasks of ancient royal sages, gods, demons, and rākṣasas.
एकदा तु मया पृष्टः कथांते प्राप्य कौतुकम्
Once, at the end of a story, curiosity arose in me and I asked him:
भगवन्सुकुमारं ते शरीरं प्रथमं वयः
Revered one, your body was delicate and you were in your early youth.
कथं सर्वं धरापृष्ठं ससमुद्रं निरीक्षितम्
How did you observe the entire surface of the earth, along with the oceans?
त्वया ये कीर्तिता द्वीपाः समुद्राः पर्वतास्तथा
The islands, oceans, and mountains you have described—
अत्र कौतूहलं जातमश्रद्धेयं वचस्तथा
This has aroused my curiosity, and your words seem incredible.
तपसः किं प्रभावोऽयं किं वा मंत्रपराक्रमः
Is this the power of austerity, or the might of mantras?
किं वा देवप्रसादस्तु तवौषधिकृतोऽथवा
Or is it the favor of the gods, or perhaps the effect of some herb?
अथ मां स मुनिः प्राह विहस्य मुनिसत्तमाः ६.२९.
Then that sage, the best among sages, smiled and spoke to me.
सदाहमष्टसंयुक्तं सहस्रं शिवसन्निधौ
I always performed a thousand eightfold acts in the presence of Śiva.
त्रिकालं तेन मे जातं सुस्थिरं यौवनं मुने
Because of this, O sage, my youth became firm and enduring at all times.