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.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा हासोऽतीव मया कृतः
Hearing those words, I laughed greatly.
ततो विनिर्गतं भस्म तत्क्षणाद्धिमपांडुरम्
Then, in that very moment, ash emerged, white as snow.
पश्य मेंऽगुष्ठतो ब्रह्मन्भूरि भस्म विनिर्गतम्
See, O Brahmin, abundant ash has come forth from my thumb.
तद्दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्यं लज्जितो द्विजसत्तमः
Seeing that great wonder, the best of the twice-born was ashamed.
अब्रवीत्प्रांजलिर्भूत्वा विस्मितेनांतरात्मना
With joined palms and inner astonishment, he spoke.
नान्यस्य विद्यते शक्ति रीदृशी भुवनत्रये
Such power does not exist for anyone else in the three worlds.
तपःक्षयकरं कर्म विरुद्धं नर्त्तनं सताम् तद्गतं सहसा देव मदीयं नर्त्तनेन सु
For the virtuous, dancing that opposes austerity and brings its decline is a forbidden act; yet, O god, through my dance, that has suddenly come upon me.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा मयोक्तो द्विजसत्तमः
Hearing those words, I addressed that best of Brahmins.
ज्ञानेनानेन विप्रेंद्र कं ते कामं करोम्यहम्
With this knowledge, O foremost of Brahmins, what desire of yours shall I fulfill?
ऋषिरुवाच यदि देव प्रसन्नस्त्वं शरणागतवत्सल 5.2.2.
The sage said: If, O god, you are pleased—compassionate to those who seek refuge—