दातव्यं च सुवर्णादि यथाशक्त्या द्विजन्मने
And gold and other gifts should be given to a twice-born according to one’s ability.
अतिविपुलविधानैर्वर्णितं धर्म्यमाद्यं कलयति परभक्त्या क्षेत्रमाहात्म्यमेतत्
Described with exceedingly ample injunctions, this original, righteous greatness of the field is realized through supreme devotion.
यः पाठकस्यापि कदाचिदेव ददाति वित्तं च यथात्मशक्त्या
Whoever, at any time, gives wealth to the reciter, according to his own ability,
दधानो दुस्तारं शिरसि फणिराजं शशिकलां प्रदीपः सर्वेषामरुणगिरियोगीविजयते
Victory to the yogi of Aruṇagiri, who bears the difficult-to-cross king of serpents on his head and the crescent moon as a lamp for all.
अरुणाचलमाहात्म्यं त्वत्तः शुश्रूषवो वयम्
We wish to hear from you the greatness of Aruṇācala.
तन्माहात्म्यं वदेत्युक्तः सूतः प्रोवाच तान्मुनीन् श्रीसूत उवाच एतदर्थं चतुर्वक्त्रं पप्रच्छ सनकः पुरा
When thus requested to tell that greatness, Sūta spoke to those sages: 'Long ago, Sanaka asked the four-faced one about this matter.'
शृणुतावहिता यूयं तद्वो वक्ष्यामि सांप्रतम्
Listen attentively, all of you; I will now tell you.
सत्यलोके स्थितं पूर्वं ब्रह्माणं कमलासनम्
Formerly, Brahmā, the lotus-seated, resided in Satyaloka.
आसीदशेषविज्ञानं प्रसादाद्भवतो मम
Through your grace, all knowledge arose in me.
भवद्भक्तिविभूत्या मे शोधिते चित्तदर्पणे
By the glory of your devotion, my mind’s mirror was purified.
सारार्थं वेदवेदानां शिवज्ञानमनाकुलम्
The essential meaning of the Vedas and Vedāngas is the undisturbed knowledge of Śiva.
लिंगानि भुवि शैवानि दिव्यानि च कृपानिधे
The Śaiva liṅgas upon earth, and the divine ones as well, O ocean of mercy,
याल्लिङ्मममलं दिव्यमरिच्छेदनवैभवम्
That liṅga of mine, pure and divine, possessing the glory of unbroken radiance,
नामस्मरणमात्रेण यत्पातकविनाशनम्
By merely remembering its name, all sins are destroyed.
अनादिजगदाधारं यत्तेजः शैवमव्ययम्
That Śaiva brilliance of yours, the eternal support of the world, is imperishable.
इति भक्तिमतस्तस्य कौतूहलसमन्वितम्
Thus, filled with devotion and curiosity,
दध्यौ च सुचिरं शंभुं पंकजासनसंस्थितः
He meditated for a long time upon Śaṃbhu, seated upon the lotus throne.
दृष्ट्वा यदा पुरा दृष्टं तेजःस्तंभमयं शिवम्
When he saw, as before, the pillar of radiant light that was Śiva,
पुनराज्ञां शिवाल्लब्धामनुपालयितुं प्रभुः
Again, having received Śiva's command, the lord sought to obey it.
शिवदर्शनसंजातपुलकांकितविग्रहः
His body was marked with goosebumps, born from the vision of Śiva.
शिवयोगमनुध्यायन्नस्मार्षं तव चादरात्
Contemplating the yoga of Śiva, I remembered you with reverence.
शिवभक्तिः परा जाता तपोभिर्बहुभिस्तव
Supreme devotion to Śiva arose in you, through your many austerities.
पावयंति जगत्सर्वं चरितैस्ते निराकुले 1.3.1.1.
Your deeds, free from disturbance, purify the entire world.
संभाषणं सहावासः क्रीडा चैव विमिश्रणम्
Conversation, cohabitation, play, and mingling together,
श्रूयतामद्भुतं शैवमाविर्भूतं यथा पुरा
Let the wondrous Śaiva manifestation of old be heard.
अहं नारायणश्चोभौ जातौ विश्वाधिकोदयात्
Both I and Nārāyaṇa were born at the dawn of the universe.
स्वभावेन समुद्भूतौ विवदंतौ परस्परम्
By our own nature, we arose and quarreled with each other.
परस्परं रणोत्साहमावयोरतिभीषणम्
Between us, the urge for battle was exceedingly fierce.
किमर्थमनयोर्युद्धं जायते लोकनाशनम्
For what purpose does this battle arise between these two, bringing destruction to the worlds?
समयेऽस्मिन्स्वयं लक्ष्यो मुग्धयोरनयोर्भृशम्
At this very moment, both of them, deluded, are intensely focused on each other.