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—
मया प्रोक्तं प्रसन्नेन तस्य विप्रस्य पार्वति
O Pārvatī, with a gracious mind I spoke to that Brahmin as follows.
तत्रास्ते सर्वदा पुण्या सप्तकल्पोद्भवा गुहा
There, in the cave, always abides the meritorious liṅga, arisen in the seven aeons.
तत्र द्रक्ष्यसि यल्लिंगं सप्तकल्पोद्भवं शुभम्
There you will see the auspicious liṅga, arisen in the seven aeons.
काम क्रोधोद्भवं पापं लोभमोहसमन्वितम्
Sin born of desire and anger, accompanied by greed and delusion—
मदीयं वचनं श्रुत्वा स विप्रो वेदपारगः
Hearing my words, that Brahmin, accomplished in the Vedas,
निःसृतो नियतो भूत्वा नमस्कृत्य पुनःपुनः
Departed with discipline, bowing again and again.
ददर्श तत्र तल्लिंगं तपसो वर्द्धनं परम्
There he saw that liṅga, supreme in increasing austerity.
एतस्मिन्नंतरे देवि देवैरुक्तं नभस्तले
Meanwhile, O goddess, the gods spoke in the sky:
सिद्धिः प्राप्ता द्विजेनैव दर्शनेन सुदुर्लभा
By the very sight, the Brahmin attained success, which is exceedingly difficult to obtain.
भक्त्या परमयोपेता ये द्रक्ष्यंति गुहेश्वरम् 5.2.2.
Those who, endowed with supreme devotion, behold the Lord of the Cave—