धर्मज्ञो रुद्रभक्तश्च सर्वविद्यार्थपारगः
He is knowledgeable in dharma, devoted to Rudra, and accomplished in all branches of learning.
वेदाध्ययनसंयुक्तो च भैक्षवृत्तिर्जितेंद्रियः
Engaged in Vedic study, living by alms, and with senses conquered.
मृतः काले समृद्धेन सर्वभोगावलंबिना
When he dies at the proper time, having enjoyed all pleasures in abundance,
गुह्यकोनाम रुद्रस्य गणः परमसंमतः
He becomes a member of Rudra’s retinue called Guhyaka, held in highest esteem.
तेषां च समतां याति तुल्यैश्वर्यसम न्वितः ।। देवदानवमर्त्येषु स च पूज्यतमो भवेत
He attains equality with them, endowed with similar sovereignty; among gods, demons, and mortals, he becomes most revered.
वर्षकोटिसहस्राणि वर्षकोटिशतानि च
For thousands of millions of years, and hundreds of millions more,
वसित्वासौ विभूत्या वै यदा च च्यवते नरः
Having ruled with splendor, when that man departs,
महाकालवने क्षेत्रे ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमे स्थितः
Dwelling in the hermitage of celibacy in the sacred field of Mahākāla forest,
मृतोऽसौ याति दिव्ये वै विमाने सूर्यवर्चसि 5.1.7.
When he dies, he ascends in a divine chariot shining with the radiance of the sun.
रुद्रलोकं समासाद्य गुह्यकैः सह मोदते
Reaching Rudra’s realm, he delights together with the Guhyakas.
भुक्त्वा युगसहस्राणि रुद्रलोके महीयते
Having enjoyed for thousands of ages, he is honored in Rudra’s world.
नित्यं प्रमुदितस्तत्र भुक्त्वा लोकमनामयम्
Always joyful there, having enjoyed the flawless world.
स्पृहणीयवपुः स्त्रीणां महाभोगपतिर्भवेत्
He becomes a man whose form is desired by women and who possesses great wealth.
वानप्रस्थसमाचारो वनौषधिविवर्जितः
He follows the practices of a forest-dweller, abstaining from forest herbs.
कणाशनोऽश्मकुट्टो वा दंतोलूखलकोऽथ वा
He eats morsels, crushes stones, or uses a toothless mortar.
जटी त्रिषवणस्नायी मुक्तकेशः सुदंडवान्
He wears matted hair, bathes three times daily, lets his hair loose, and carries a good staff.
कीटकंटकपाषाणभूम्यां तु शयनं तथा
His bed is upon earth infested with insects, thorns, and stones.
अरण्यौषधिभोक्ता च सर्वभूताभयप्रदः
He eats forest herbs and grants fearlessness to all creatures.
रुद्रभक्तः क्षेत्रवासी महाकालवने मुनिः 5.1.7.
He is devoted to Rudra, dwells in sacred fields, and is a sage in the great forest of Time.
यश्चात्र वसते व्यास शृणु तस्य हि या गतिः
Vyasa, listen: whoever dwells here, hear what their destiny is.
रुद्रभक्तो विमानेन याति कामप्रचारिणा
Devoted to Rudra, he travels in a celestial chariot that moves at will.
गीतवादित्रशब्देन संवृतोऽप्सरसां गणै
He is surrounded by groups of apsaras, accompanied by the sounds of singing and instruments.
रुद्रलोकाच्च्युतश्चापि विष्णुलोके महीयते
Even if he falls from Rudra's world, he is honored in Vishnu's realm.
तस्मादपि च्युतः स्थानाद्द्वीपेषु स हि जायते
If he falls from that place, he is born among the islands.
भुक्तैश्वर्यो नरस्तेषु मर्त्यामर्त्येषु जायते सुरूपः सुभगः कांतः कीर्तिमान्रुद्रभावितः
There, he enjoys prosperity; among mortals and immortals he is born handsome, fortunate, charming, renowned, and imbued with Rudra's grace.
ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्रा वा क्षेत्रवासिनः
Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, or Shudras—those who dwell in sacred fields,
सर्वात्मना रुद्रभक्ता भूतानुग्रहकारिणः
All are devoted to Rudra in every way and act for the welfare of beings.
मृतास्ते रुद्रभवने विमानैर्यांति शोभनैः
When they die, they go to Rudra's abode in splendid chariots.
अथवा संविदग्नौ च शरीरं विजुहोति यः 5.1.7.
Or, if one offers his body into the fire of knowledge,
रुद्रलोकोऽक्षयस्तेषां शाश्वतो गुह्यकैः सह
For them, Rudra's world is imperishable and eternal, together with the secret beings.