Varaha Purana

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.

तेऽत्र केतकिखण्डाश्च कुंदखंडाश्च पुष्पिताः

There bloomed clusters of ketaki and kunda flowers.

भिन्नेन्द्रनीलविमलैर्धौतैः प्रस्रवणाम्बुभिः

With water from springs, pure as split sapphire and washed clean,

शक्रचापनिभै रम्यैः कुबेरभवनद्युतौ

charming as Indra's bow, shining like the palace of Kubera,

क्रीडद्भिर्देवमिथुनेर्नृत्यद्भिश्चाप्सरोगणैः 213.

where divine couples played and groups of Apsarases danced.

कल्हारकुसुमोपेते हंससारससेविते

Adorned with kalhāra flowers, frequented by swans and cranes,

गजयूथानुकीर्णाभिर्जुष्टाभिर्मृगपक्षिभिः

surrounded by herds of elephants, and filled with deer and birds,

किन्नरोद्गीतकुहरे परपुष्टनिनादिते

in caves resounding with the songs of Kinnaras and the cries of other creatures,

धारापातैश्च तोयानां विस्फुलिङ्गैः सहस्रशः

with streams of water falling in torrents, sparkling with thousands of flashes,

सर्वर्तुकवनोद्याने पुष्पाकरसुशोभिते

in a woodland garden beautiful in every season, adorned with clusters of flowers,

तस्मिन्गिरिवरे रम्ये सेवितव्ये सुशोभने

on that delightful, splendid, and worthy mountain,