अनुगृह्याथ भगवान्वनं तत्सर्वगांडजम्
Then the Blessed Lord blessed all the creatures of the forest, including those born from eggs.
तत्कपालं करस्थं यन्न्यस्तं भगवता क्षितौ
The skull that was in the Lord's hand was placed by him upon the earth.
तद्द्रक्ष्यथ विरूपाक्षं प्रपद्यत मया सह
You will see that deformed-eyed one; approach him together with me.
इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्ब्रह्मा सह तैर्देवदानवैः
Having spoken thus, the Blessed Brahmā, along with those gods and demons,
प्रहृष्टमनसः सर्वे कोकिलालापलापिताम् 5.1.5.
All of them, their hearts delighted, were charmed by the calls of cuckoos.
संप्राप्तं सर्वमेतैस्तद्वनं नंदनसंमितम्
All of them arrived at that forest, which resembled Nandana.
दृष्ट्वा तद्वनमुत्तमं तनुभृतामाह्रादकं चेतसां नानासत्फलपुष्पपादपवनैरासेवितं सर्वतः
Seeing that excellent forest, which delighted the minds of embodied beings, served everywhere by various trees bearing good fruits and flowers,
इह देवो ऽत्र देवोऽत्र विविशुस्ते दिदृक्षवः
Here is the god; here is the god; you have entered, desiring to see.
अद्भुतस्य वनस्यांते न ते ददृशिरे सुराः
At the edge of that wondrous forest, the gods did not see him.
तमुवाच स भद्रं वै द्रक्ष्यध्वं न तपो विना
He said to them: 'Truly, you will see, but not without austerity.'
स युक्तं हृदये स्मृत्वा ब्रह्मा देवांस्ततोऽब्रवीत्
Remembering this rightly in his heart, Brahmā then spoke to the gods:
श्रद्धाज्ञानेन तपसा योगेनैव निगद्यते
It is said that only by faith, knowledge, austerity, and yoga can he be known.
तपस्विनस्तु सकलं ज्ञानिनो निष्कलं परम्
Those devoted to austerity perceive the whole; the wise perceive the partless supreme.
भक्त्या परमयोपेताः परं पश्यंति योगिनः
Yogis endowed with supreme devotion behold the Supreme.
नादीक्षितैरतो देवाः शैवीं दीक्षां प्रपद्यत
Therefore, O gods, those not initiated should undertake the Śaiva initiation.
तपश्चरत भद्रं वो रुद्राराध नतत्पराः
Practice austerity, blessings to you; be intent on worshipping Rudra.
सर्वकालं विजानाति दातव्यं दर्शनं मया 5.1.6.
At all times he knows; the vision must be granted by me.
शिवेक्षाविष्टमतयो ब्रह्माणमिदमबुवन् ११. श्रुत्वेति वचनं ब्रह्मा प्रत्युवाच विचारितम्
Their minds fixed on the desire to see Śiva, they spoke thus to Brahmā. Hearing these words, Brahmā thoughtfully replied.
संदिदीक्षयिषुः क्षिप्रममराञ्छिवदीक्षया
Desiring to initiate the gods swiftly with the initiation of Shiva,
वेदी प्रकल्प्यतामत्र यष्टव्योऽष्टतनुः शिवः
Let an altar be prepared here; Shiva, the eight-formed, is to be worshipped.
विनीतवेषाः प्रणता अनेन सस्तमन्वगुः
With humble attire, those who had bowed followed him with pure minds.
यज्ञं चकार विधिना वेधाश्चन्द्रार्धधारिणः
The Creator performed the sacrifice according to the rite for the bearer of the crescent moon.
अनुग्रहेण देवांस्तानकारयत भावतः
By his favor, he caused the gods to perform those acts with devotion.
तेभ्यो ददौ देवताभ्यः स तदप्यविरोधवित्
He gave to those deities, and he did so without opposition.
शैवं यथोदितं यच्च आगमाचारचेष्टितम्
Whatever is prescribed as Shaiva, and the practices from tradition and conduct,
सर्वानुग्राहकः शंभुः सर्वदेवैः प्रकल्पितम् 5.1.6.
Shambhu, benefactor of all, was established by all the gods.
तत्तेभ्यो विस्मयं त्यक्त्वा प्रायच्छत्कनकांडजः
Then, abandoning their astonishment, the one born from gold gave to them.
पापघ्रं दुःखशमनं पुष्टिश्रीबलवर्धनम्
It destroys sin, removes suffering, and increases nourishment, prosperity, and strength.
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन भस्मस्नानं समाहिताः
Therefore, with all effort and concentration, bathe with ashes.
सर्वे कमंडलुधराः सर्वे रुद्राक्षधारिणः
All bore water pots; all wore Rudraksha beads.