न कैलासं गमिष्यामो न च मेरुं तथाविधम्
We shall not go to Kailasa, nor to Meru, such as that.
एषामरावती श्रेष्ठा ह्येषा भोगवती शुभा
This is our supreme Amaravati, this is our auspicious Bhogavati.
एतस्मिन्नंतरे देवि शून्यं जातं त्रिविष्टपम् गमनाय मतिं चक्रे कृत्वा देहमथात्मनः
Meanwhile, O Devi, heaven became empty; having resolved to depart, he abandoned his body.
त्यक्त्वा मां त्रिदशाः सर्वे महाकालवनं गताः
Having left me, all the gods went to Mahakalavana.
इत्युक्त्वा तत्क्षणं प्राप्तो महाकालवनोत्तमे ददर्श रमणीयं तैर्देवैः परिवृतं तदा
Having said this, he arrived at the excellent Mahakalavana at that very moment, and saw it surrounded by those gods, delightful.
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु वागुवाचाशरीरिणी कर्कोटकस्य पूर्वे तु महामायाश्च दक्षिणे
At that very time, a bodiless voice spoke: to the east of Karkotaka and to the south of Mahamaya.
इत्युक्तो देवदेवेन हृष्टस्तद्गतचेतसा
Thus addressed by the Lord of gods, he rejoiced, his mind absorbed in that.
पूजयित्वा शुभैः पुष्पैरुवाचेदं वरानने 5.2.7.
Having worshipped with auspicious flowers, he spoke to the lovely-faced one.
ये त्वां पश्यंति यत्नेन अपि दुष्कृत कारिणः
Even those who commit evil deeds, if they strive to see you,
अष्टम्यां च चतुर्द्दश्यां संक्रांतौ वा विशेषतः
Especially on the eighth or fourteenth day, or at the time of a transit,
विमानवरमास्थाय कामगं रत्नभूषितम्
Seated in a splendid celestial chariot, adorned with desired jewels,
किं दानैर्विविधैर्दत्तैः किं यज्ञैर्विविधैः कृतैः
What is the use of various gifts given, what is the use of many sacrifices performed,
यंयं काममभिध्याय पूजयिष्यंति मानवाः
Whatever desire a person contemplates while worshipping,
त्रिदशैश्च पुनः प्रोक्तं दृष्ट्वा मल्लिंगमुत्तमम्
It has also been declared by the gods, upon seeing the supreme liṅga,
पूजयिष्यंति ये धन्या देवं त्रिविष्टपेश्वरम्
Blessed are those who will worship the Lord of the triple world,
इत्युक्त्वा पूजयामास भूयो लिंगं त्रिविष्टपम्
Having spoken thus, he again worshipped the liṅga of the triple world.
एष ते कथितो देवि प्रभावः पापनाशनः
O Goddess, this power of his, which destroys sin, has been told to you.
यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण ब्रह्महत्या प्रणश्यति
By merely seeing him, the sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa is destroyed.
पुरा वैवस्वते कल्पे त्रेताकाले समागते
Long ago, in the age of Vaivasvata, when the Tretā era arrived,
उपविष्टेषु विप्रेषु हूयमाने हुताशने
When the Brāhmaṇas were seated and the sacred fire was being offered,
जीर्णकंथावृतो देवि मुंडः खट्वांगधारकः कपालं च करे कृत्वा कपालकृतभूषणः
Covered with old rags, O Goddess, bald, bearing a skull-topped staff, holding a skull in his hand, adorned with ornaments made of skulls,
ब्राह्मणाश्च ततः क्रुद्धा दृष्ट्वा मां जाल्मरूपिणम्
Then the Brāhmaṇas, angered upon seeing me in the form of a beggar,
असकृत्पापपापेति गच्छगच्छ विडंबिताः
Repeatedly mocked, saying, 'Go away, sinner, go away!'
अकपालानि शौचानि इति वेदेषु गीयते
It is sung in the Vedas that those without skulls are pure.
मया प्रोक्तास्तु ते विप्राः श्रूयतां द्विजसत्तमाः
I spoke to those Brāhmaṇas: 'Listen, O best of twice-born!'
कर्त्तव्या च दया सद्भिः सर्वदा सर्वदेहिनाम्
Compassion must always be shown by the virtuous to all embodied beings.
अहं कापालिको विप्रो भस्मभूषितविग्रहः 5.2.8.
I am a Brahmin ascetic, adorned with ashes upon my body.
आराधयामि सततं महादेवं जगत्पतिम्
I constantly worship Mahadeva, the Lord of the universe.
अघघ्नं विश्रुतं लोके प्रारब्धं हि मया द्विजाः
I have undertaken the renowned ritual to destroy sin, O twice-born ones.
मदीयं वचनं श्रुत्वा तैः प्रोक्तं द्विजसत्तमैः
After hearing my words, those eminent Brahmins declared thus.