सहस्रसूर्यकिरणं ज्वालामालिनमूर्जितम्
It blazed with the rays of a thousand suns, wreathed in flames and full of energy.
जटाजूटतटाश्लिष्टं चन्द्रालंकृतशेखरम्
His matted locks were bound together, adorned with the moon as a crest-jewel.
प्रादेशमात्रं रुचिरं शतशीर्षं शतोदरम् 213.
Beautiful, about a span in size, with a hundred heads and a hundred bellies.
अणीयसामणीयांसं बृहतां तु बृहत्तरम्
Smaller than the smallest, yet greater than the greatest.
दृष्ट्वा देवं महादेवं हृष्टरोमा महातपाः
Seeing the great god, the ascetic, his hair standing on end, was filled with joy.
प्राञ्जलिः प्रणतो भूत्वाऽगृणाद्ब्रह्म सनातनम्
With joined palms and bowed down, he praised the eternal Brahman.
जगद्भोक्त्रे त्रिनेत्राय शंकराय शिवाय च
To the sustainer of the world, the three-eyed one, to Śaṅkara and Śiva,
नीलकण्ठाय भीमाय भूतभव्यभवाय च
To the blue-throated, the terrible, to him who is past, present, and future,
गणानां पतये स्रष्ट्रे संक्षेप्त्रे भीषणाय च
To the lord of the hosts, the creator, the withdrawer, and the formidable one,
प्रेतावासनिवासाय रुद्राय वरदाय च
To the dweller among cremation grounds, to Rudra, and to the bestower of boons.
भक्तप्रियाय सततं नमोऽस्तु परमात्मने
Salutations always to the Supreme Self, who is ever dear to his devotees.
प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं पुनः पुनरवन्दत ।। ततस्तु भगवान्प्रीतस्तस्मै विप्राय शंकरः। ।। 213.
Bowing his head, he repeatedly offered reverence to the Lord; then, pleased, the blessed Śaṅkara spoke to that brāhmaṇa.
उवाच च वचः साक्षात्तमृषिं वरदः प्रभुः
The Lord, bestower of boons, directly addressed that sage with these words:
तांस्ते सर्वान्प्रयच्छामि दुर्ल्लभानपि मारिष
O gentle one, I grant you all those boons, even those that are difficult to obtain.
ब्रह्मत्वं लोकपालत्वमपवर्गमथापि वा
Whether it be the status of Brahmā, the position of a world-protector, or even liberation—
यदिच्छसि मुने शीघ्रं तद्ब्रूहि द्विजपुङ्गव
Whatever you desire, O eminent twice-born, speak it quickly.
प्रोवाच वरदं देवं प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना
With an inner joy, he spoke to the boon-giving Lord:
ब्रह्मत्वं लोकपालत्वं नापवर्गं वरप्रद
O bestower of boons, I do not desire the status of Brahmā, nor the position of a world-protector, nor liberation.
स्पृहये देवदेवेश प्रसन्ने त्वयि शंकर
O Lord of gods, O Śaṅkara, as you are pleased, I long for devotion.
अनुग्राह्यो ह्ययं देव त्वयावश्यं सुराधिप
O Lord, this one must certainly be favored by you, O chief of the gods.
तथाहं भक्तिमिच्छामि सर्वभूताशये त्वयि
Thus, I desire devotion to you, who dwell in the hearts of all beings.
कोटिजप्येन रुद्राणामाराधनपरस्य च 213.
Through the recitation of millions of Rudra mantras and by devoted worship—
प्रहस्योवाच तं प्रीत्या ततो मधुरया गिरा
Then, smiling with affection, he spoke to him with sweet words:
आराधितश्च भक्त्याहं त्वया शुद्धेन चेतसा
By you, with a pure mind, I have been worshipped with devotion.
निवर्त्तयति मां वत्स मत्पादाराधने रतः
O child, being devoted to the worship of my feet does not turn me away.
पूर्णं वर्षसहस्रं च तपस्तीव्रं महामुने
O great sage, you have performed intense austerity for a full thousand years.
कृतं सुमहदाश्चर्यं त्वया कर्म सुदुष्करम्
You have accomplished a most wonderful and exceedingly difficult act.
आगमिष्यन्ति ते द्रष्टुं देवाः सर्वे सवासवाः
All the gods, along with Indra, will come to see you.
दिव्यतेजोवपूः श्रीमान्दिव्याभरणभूषितः
He possessed a divine, radiant form, adorned with celestial ornaments.
मद्रूपधारी मत्तेजास्त्र्यक्षः सर्वगुणोत्तमः
Assuming my appearance, endowed with my energy, three-eyed, and supreme among all virtues.