Varaha Purana

अथ सालग्रामक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यम् भगवन्देवदेवेश सालंकायनको मुनिः

Now, the glory of the Salagrama field: O Lord of gods, the sage Salankayana—

श्रीवराह उवाच तप्यमानो यथान्यायं पश्यन्वै सालमुत्तमम्

Sri Varaha said: Performing austerities as prescribed, he beheld the excellent sala tree.

अभिन्नमतुलच्छायं विशालं पुष्पितं तथा

Unbroken, of incomparable beauty, vast and blossoming as well.

ऋषिर्ज्ञानपरिश्रान्तः सालंकायनकोऽद्भुतम्

The sage Salankayana, weary from his pursuit of knowledge, saw that wondrous tree.

ततो दृष्ट्वा महासालं परिश्रान्तो महामुनिः

Then, seeing the great sala tree, the great sage, exhausted, paused.

सालस्य तस्य पूर्वेण स्थितः पश्चान्मुखो मुनिः

To the east of that sala tree, the sage stood facing west.

ततः पूर्वेण पार्श्वेन तस्य सालस्य सुन्दरि

Then, O beautiful one, on the eastern side of that sala tree—

दृष्ट्वा मां तत्र स मुनिस्त पस्वी संशितव्रतः

There, seeing me, that sage, steadfast in his vows, gazed intently.

मत्तेजसा ताडिताक्षः शनैरुन्मील्य लोचने

Struck by my radiance, he slowly opened his eyes.

वृक्षस्य दक्षिणे पार्श्वे गतस्तावदहं धरे १४५.

I went to the southern side of the tree, O Earth.

स्थित्वा मत्प्रमुखे चैव स्तुवन्नेवं मम प्रियम्

Standing before me, he praised me in this way, which was dear to me.

स्तोत्रैः सम्पूज्यमानो हि गतोऽहं पश्चिमां दिशम्

Being worshipped with hymns, I went to the western direction.

यजुर्वेदोक्तमन्त्रेण संस्तुतः पश्चिमां गतः

Praised with mantras from the Yajur Veda, I went to the west.

तत्रापि सामवेदोक्तैर्मन्त्रैस्तुष्टाव मां मुनिः

There too, the sage praised me with mantras from the Sama Veda.

प्राप्तश्च परमां प्रीतिं तमवोचमृषिं तदा

Having attained the highest joy, I then spoke to that sage.

तपसानेन सन्तुष्टः स्तुत्या चैवानया तव

Pleased by this austerity and also by your praise,

एवमुक्तः स तु मया सालंकायनको मुनिः

Thus addressed by me, the sage Salaṃkāyana,

ततो मां भाषते देवि स ऋषिः संशितव्रतः

Then, O goddess, that sage of firm vows spoke to me.

पर्यटामि महीं सर्वां सशैलवनकाननाम्

I wander over the whole earth, with its mountains, forests, and groves.

यदि तुष्टोऽसि मे देव सर्वशान्तिकरः परः १४५.

If you are pleased with me, O supreme god, bringer of all peace,

तदा देहि जगन्नाथ ममेश्वर समं सुतम्

Then, O Lord of the universe, grant me a son equal to yourself.

एवं वरं याचितोऽस्मि मुनिना भीमकर्मणा

Thus, I was asked for this boon by the sage of mighty deeds.

एवं तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा ब्राह्मणस्य तपस्विनः

Hearing these words of the austere Brahmin,

चिरकालं व्रतस्थेन यत्त्वया चिन्तितं मुने

What you have long contemplated, O sage, while observing your vow,

ईश्वरस्य परा मूर्त्तिर्नाम्ना वै नन्दिकेश्वरः

The supreme form of the Lord, by name Nandikeśvara,

संहरस्व तपो ब्रह्मञ्शान्तिं गच्छ महामुने

Cease your austerity, O Brahmin, and attain peace, great sage.

त्वं न जानासि विप्रर्षे स जातो नन्दिकेश्वरः

You do not know, O best of seers, that he has been born as Nandikeśvara.

मथुरायाः समानीय आमुष्यायणसंज्ञितम्

From Mathurā, bring the one known as Āmuṣyāyaṇa.

तत्राश्रमे महाभाग स्थित्वा त्वं तपसां निधे

There, O most fortunate one, remain in the hermitage, you who are a treasure of austerities.