प्रक्षिप्तं देवदेवेन कपालक्षालनं जलम्
The water used by the Lord of gods for washing the skull was poured out.
अर्काष्टम्यां नरः स्नात्वा दिशासु विदिशासु च
On the eighth lunar day under the Sun, a man, having bathed in all directions and intermediate directions,
हविष्यान्नयुतान्व्यास दद्याच्च करका न्नवान्
should give, O Vyasa, food suitable for offerings, accompanied by handfuls numbering nine.
परत्र चेह ये लोकाः सर्वभावसमन्विताः
The worlds here and hereafter, endowed with all good qualities,
ये नरा कीर्तयिष्यंति माहात्म्यमतिभाविकाः
those men who will recite this exceedingly glorious greatness,
तुष्टाव प्रयतो भूत्वा देवदेवं दिवाकरम्
having become intent, he praised the god of gods, the Sun.
आजगाम दिवानाथः संतुष्टः प्राह शंकरम्
The lord of the day arrived, satisfied, and spoke to Shankara.
सूर्य उवाच वरं वरय भूतेश वरदोऽस्मि ददामि ते
The Sun said: 'Choose a boon, Lord of beings; I am the giver of boons, I shall grant it to you.'
अंशेन स्थीयतामत्र हितार्थं सर्वदेहिनाम् 5.1.15.
'May a portion of you remain here for the welfare of all embodied beings.'
ततो देवाधिदेवस्य शंकरस्य महौजसः
Then from Shankara, the god of gods, of great splendor,
शंकरादित्यनामेति लोकानुग्रहकारकः
arose the form called Shankara-Aditya, bestower of grace upon the worlds.
अहो धन्यमिदं स्थानं यत्रास्ते त्रिपुरांतकः
Ah, blessed is this place where the destroyer of Tripura abides.
ततस्तुष्टाश्च ते सर्वे ब्रह्माद्याः सुरसत्तमाः
Then all those excellent gods, beginning with Brahma, were pleased.
मूर्तिमंतश्च ते देवा अवतीर्य च शोभनम्
And those gods, assuming visible forms, descended splendidly.
न दुःखं जायते तेषां जरामरण शोकजम् तस्माच्चैवाधिकं ह्यत्र शंकरादित्यदर्शनात्
No sorrow arises for them from old age, death, or grief; and moreover, here, from the sight of Shankara-Aditya.
व्याधयो नाधयश्चैव दारिद्र्यं न कदाचन
Neither diseases nor afflictions, nor poverty ever occur.
न रोगो न च दारिद्र्यं वियोगो न च बन्धुभिः
There is no illness, nor poverty, nor separation from relatives.
इत्येवं देवदेवेन पुरा वै शूलपाणिना
Thus, in ancient times, it was declared by the Lord of gods, the wielder of the trident.
स्थापितं परमं तीर्थं स्वनाम्ना मुनिसत्तम
O best of sages, a supreme sacred ford was established, bearing his own name.
एकदा समये व्यास कपालक्षालनाय वै
Once, at a certain time, Vyāsa came to wash his skull-bowl.
प्रक्षाल्य चाक्षिपद्भूमौ तत्र तीर्थमनुत्तमम्
Having washed it, he cast it upon the ground at that unsurpassed sacred place.
ब्रह्मणो रुधिरेणाशु परि पूर्णाभवत्क्षणात्
Instantly, it became filled with the blood of Brahmā.
श्राद्धं च तर्पणं कृत्वा तत्सर्वं चाक्षयं भवेत्
By performing śrāddha and libation there, all that becomes inexhaustible.
तिष्ठंति मुनिशार्दूल चिंतयंति स्वगोत्रजम्
The tigers among sages remain, contemplating their own lineage.
संयावं पायसं वापि श्यामाकं सनिवारकम्
With barley-cakes, milk-rice, or black millet with pulse.
पितरौ द्वादशाब्दानि तृप्तिं यास्यंति तस्य वै
For twelve years, his parents will surely attain satisfaction.
पितॄन्संतर्पयिष्यंति स्वर्गस्तेषां सदाऽक्षयः 5.1.16.
They will gratify their ancestors, and for them heaven is always inexhaustible.
अक्षयं तस्य तत्प्रोक्तं ब्रह्मणा वै स्वयंभुवा
That inexhaustibility has been declared by Brahmā, the self-born, himself.
वाराणस्यां गयायां च सा न तृप्तिर्भविष्यति
In Vārāṇasī or Gayā, that satisfaction will not occur.
यो यमुद्दिश्य वैकाममिह श्राद्धं करिष्यति
Whoever, with desire for another, performs śrāddha here for someone—