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,
वरदस्तत्र भगवान्स्थाणुर्नाम महेश्वरः
there, the blessed Lord, called Sthāṇu, the great god, bestower of boons,
भक्तानुकम्पी स श्रीमान्गिरीन्द्रसुतया सह
compassionate to his devotees, resplendent, together with the daughter of the king of mountains.
विमानयायिनः सर्वे तं देवमजमव्ययम्
All those who travel in celestial vehicles approach that unborn, imperishable god.
अन्ये देवनिकायाश्च सेवितुं प्रपतन्ति तम् 213.
Other hosts of gods also descend to serve him.
आरिराधयिषुः शर्वं तपस्तेपे सुदारुणम्
Desiring to please Śarva, he undertook severe austerities.
ऊर्ध्वबाहुर्निरालम्बस्तोयाऽनिलहुताशनैः
With arms raised, unsupported, sustained by water, air, and fire,
जपपुष्पोपहारैश्च कालेकाले मुनिः सदा
The sage always offered recitations and flowers at the proper times.
उग्रेण तपसात्मानं योजयामास सुव्रतः
Firm in his vow, he engaged himself in fierce austerity.
क्षामोऽभूत्कृष्णवर्णश्च ततः प्रीतश्च शङ्करः
He became emaciated and dark in complexion; then Śaṅkara was pleased.
अदृश्यं पश्य मे रूपं वत्स प्रीतोऽस्मि ते मुने
See my form, which is invisible, O child; I am pleased with you, O sage.