वैशंपायन उवाच केचिद्वैखानसास्तत्र केचिदासन्निरासनाः
Vaiśampāyana said: Some were Vaikhānasa ascetics there, some were engaged in sitting and non-sitting practices.
साधु साध्विति चैवोक्त्वा विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनाः 212.
Having exclaimed 'Excellent, excellent,' their eyes widened in astonishment.
शालानीश्च तथा केचित्कापोतीवृत्तिमास्थिताः
Some were Śālānī ascetics, others lived like pigeons.
शिलोंच्छाश्च तथैवान्ये काष्ठान्ताश्च महौजसः
Others lived by gathering grains, and some, of great energy, subsisted on wood.
नानाविधिधराः केचिज्जितात्मानस्तु केचन
Some followed various disciplines, and some were self-controlled.
तथोर्द्ध्वशायिकाश्चान्ये तथान्ये मृगचारिणः
Likewise, some slept upright, and others roamed like deer.
अब्भक्षा वायुभक्षाश्च तथान्ये शाकभक्षिणः
Some subsisted on water, some on air, and others ate only vegetables.
तपसोऽन्यन्न चास्तीति चिन्तयित्वा पुनः पुनः
Reflecting again and again that there is nothing else but austerity,
त्यक्त्वा धर्ममधर्मं च शाश्वतीं धियमास्थिताः
They abandoned both righteousness and unrighteousness, and remained steadfast in eternal contemplation.
जगृहुर्नियमांस्तांस्तान्भयहेतोरनिन्दिताः
Blameless, they undertook various disciplines out of fear.
प्रीत्या परमया युक्तो धर्ममेवान्वचिन्तयत्
Endowed with supreme devotion, he contemplated only righteousness.
चिन्तयामास धर्मात्मा तपः परममास्थितः 212.
Firm in the highest austerity, the righteous-souled one began to reflect.
शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेद्वापि सर्वकामानवाप्नुयात्
Whoever hears or causes this to be heard attains all desires.
इति श्रीवराहपुराणे प्रागितिहासे संसारचक्रोपाख्याने प्रबोधनीयं नाम द्वादशाधिकद्विशततमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the two hundred and twelfth chapter, named 'The Instruction,' in the account of the cycle of worldly existence from the ancient legend, in the glorious Varaha Purana.
; अथ गोकर्णेश्वरमाहात्म्यम् पुरा देवैर्विनिहते संग्रामे तारकामये
Now, the greatness of Gokarṇeśvara: Long ago, when the gods were defeated in the battle with Tāraka,
सहस्राक्षे लब्धपदे क्षीणशत्रौ गतास्पदे
When Indra, having regained his position, was free from enemies and danger,
शृङ्गे चैवाचलेन्द्रस्य मेरोः सर्वहिरण्यये
On the golden peak of Mount Meru, the king of mountains,
सुखोपविष्टमेकाग्रं स्थिरचित्तं कृतेक्षणम्
He sat comfortably, with focused mind, steady in thought and with intent gaze.
प्रणम्य मूर्ध्ना चरणावुपगृह्य समाहितः
With mind composed, he bowed his head, grasped the feet, and offered reverence.
सनत्कुमार उवाच पुराणं तु महाभाग त्वत्तस्तत्त्वविदां वर
Sanatkumāra said: O most fortunate one, best among those who know the truth, you alone know the Purāṇa.
कथमुत्तर गोकर्णं दक्षिणं च कथं विभो
O Lord, how is Gokarṇa to the north and how is it to the south?
क्षेत्रस्य कि प्रमाणं स्यात्किञ्च तीर्थफलं स्मृतम्
What is the extent of the sacred field, and what is the merit of the holy waters remembered there?
सर्वैस्त्वत्प्रमुखैर्देवैः कथमासादितं पुनः
How was it attained again by all the gods, with you at their head?
यथा यत्र च यस्तत्र विधिः सम्यगनुष्ठितः 213.
And how, where, and by whom was the proper rite duly performed there?
एवमुक्तः स भगवान्ब्रह्मा ब्रह्मविदां वरः
Thus addressed, the blessed Brahmā, foremost among knowers of Brahman,
ब्रह्मोवाच पुराणमेतद्ब्रह्मर्षे सरहस्यं यथाश्रुतम्
Brahmā said: O sage among the knowers of Brahman, this Purāṇa is most secret, just as it was heard.
अस्ति भूधरराजस्य मन्दरस्योत्तरे शुचौ
To the north of the pure mountain Mandara, king of mountains, there is
वज्रस्फटिकपाषाणः प्रवालांकुरशर्क्करः
a place of adamantine crystal rock, with coral shoots and gravel.
विचित्रकुसुमोपेतैर्लतामञ्जीरधारिभिः
There are creepers adorned with varied flowers, bearing clusters of blossoms.
दर्यस्तत्राधिकं रेजुर्नानाधातुपरिस्रवैः
There, the valleys shone especially, with streams of various minerals.