भविष्यंति महात्मानः पुत्रैश्वर्यसमन्विताः 5.2.1.
—they become great-souled, endowed with sons and prosperity.
स्तुता गंधर्वमुख्यैश्च रुद्रलोके च शाश्वते
Praised by the foremost of Gandharvas, they dwell eternally in Rudra's realm.
कृतपुण्या नरा मर्त्त्यास्ते यांति परमं पदम्
Those mortals who have performed meritorious deeds attain the supreme state.
अशुभं क्षयमाप्नोति कस्तं न प्रणमेच्छिवम्
He destroys misfortune—who would not bow to that Śiva?
मुच्यते ब्रह्महत्यादिपा तकैर्नरकप्रदैः
One is freed from sins such as brahminicide, which bring about hell.
राजसूयशतेनैव यत्पुण्यं च भविष्यति
The merit that arises is equal to that of a hundred Rājasūya sacrifices.
किं तीर्थैर्विविधैः स्नानैः किं दानैर्विविधैः कृतैः
What need is there for various pilgrimages, for various gifts and baths performed?
अष्टम्यां च चतुर्द्दश्यां दिने सोमस्य शक्तितः कुलानां तारयत्येव मातृकं पितृकं शतम्
On the eighth and fourteenth days, according to one's ability, one rescues a hundred maternal and paternal ancestors.
ये च पश्यंति पुरुषा भावहीनाः प्रसंगतः
And those men who see it without feeling, merely by chance—
एतत्ते कथितं देवि लिंगमहात्म्यमुत्तमम्
This, O Goddess, is the supreme greatness of the liṅga that has been told to you.
श्रीरुद्रउवाच शृणु गुहेश्वरं लिंगं द्वितीयं पापनाशनम्
Śrī Rudra said: Hear now of the second liṅga, Guheśvara, the destroyer of sins.
पुरा राथंतरे कल्पे देवदारुवने शुभे योगाभ्यासरतो नित्यं शांतिदांतिसमास्थितिः
Long ago, in the auspicious Devadāru forest during the Rāthaṃtara kalpa, one devoted himself always to yoga practice, established in peace and self-restraint.
सिद्धिकामस्तपस्तेपे कथं सिद्धो भवाम्यहम्
Desiring accomplishment, he performed austerities, thinking, 'How may I become perfected?'
इति संचिंत्य हृदये प्रारब्धं तप उत्तमम्
Thus reflecting in his heart, he began supreme austerity.
कस्मिंश्चिदथ काले तु विद्धस्य पर्वतात्मजे
Then, at a certain time, the daughter of the mountain was struck.
स च दृष्ट्वा तदाश्चर्यं विस्मयं परमं गतः
And seeing that wonder, he was filled with the utmost amazement.
अहो तपःप्रभावोऽयं प्राप्ता सिद्धिर्मयाद्य वै
Oh, such is the power of austerity—today I have truly attained success.
शरीरं कुत्सितं चेदं मलमूत्रेण संयुतम् हर्षेण महता युक्तः स ननर्त्त द्विजस्तथा
This body, though contemptible and filled with filth and urine, was seized by great joy, and thus the twice-born danced.
एतस्मिन्नृत्यति विप्रे जगत्स्थावर जंगमम्
As that Brahmin danced, all the world, both moving and unmoving, did likewise.
न स्वाध्यायो वषट्कारः कर्मकांडो न च क्वचित् ।। 5.2.2.
Neither study of the Veda, nor the utterance of 'vaṣaṭ', nor ritual acts were performed anywhere.
एतस्मिन्नंतरे देवा ब्रह्मविष्णु पुरःसराः
Meanwhile, the gods, led by Brahmā and Viṣṇu,
ऋषौ मंकणके देव नृत्यति नृत्यति सर्वतः
saw the sage Maṅkaṇaka dancing, dancing in every direction.
चलिताः पर्वताः स्थानात्क्षुभिता मेघपंक्तयः
Mountains were shaken from their places, and rows of clouds were disturbed.
स्रोतोमात्रा महानद्यो ग्रहा उन्मार्गतः स्थिताः
Great rivers flowed only in narrow streams, and the planets deviated from their courses.
त्रैलोक्यं व्याकुलीभूतं यावन्नायाति संक्षयम्
The three worlds became agitated, as if on the verge of destruction.
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा त्रिदशानां यशस्विनि
Hearing these words of the illustrious gods,
द्विजरूपं समास्थाय मया पृष्टो द्विजोत्तमः
Assuming the form of a Brahmin, I questioned the foremost of Brahmins.
विरुद्धमृषिधर्माणां कामरागेण नर्त्तनम्
Dancing out of passion is contrary to the conduct of sages.
ब्राह्मणस्य तपो भ्रंशः सदाचारस्य सत्तम
Such is the fall from austerity for a Brahmin, O best of the virtuous.
अतएव हि मे नृत्यं सिद्धोऽहं नात्र संशयः ।। 5.2.2.
Therefore, my dancing is the reason I am accomplished—of this there is no doubt.