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.
अनेनैव शरीरेण जरामरणवर्जितः
With this very body, you shall be free from old age and death.
पार्षदानां वरिष्ठस्त्वं मामकानां द्विजोत्तम 213.
You will be the foremost among my attendants, O best of the twice-born.
प्राप्तमष्टगुणं सत्यमैश्वर्यं ते तपोधन
You have attained the eightfold excellence and sovereignty, O possessor of austerity.
अद्यप्रभृति देवाग्र्य देवकार्येषु सर्वतः
From this day forward, you shall be preeminent among the gods in all divine undertakings.
त्वामेवाभ्यर्च्चयिष्यन्ति सर्वभूतानि सर्वतः
All beings everywhere will worship you alone.
वरान्वरार्थिनां दाता विधाता जगतः सदा
You will always be the bestower of boons to those who seek them, and the sustainer of the world.
यस्त्वां द्वेष्टि स मां द्वेष्टि यस्त्वामनु स मामनु
Whoever hates you, hates me; whoever follows you, follows me.
द्वारे तु दक्षिणे नित्यं त्वया स्थेयं गणाधिप
You must always stand at the southern gate, O lord of the hosts.
प्रतीहारो भवानद्य सर्वदा त्रिदशोत्तमः
From today, you shall be the doorkeeper at all times, O best of the gods.
न वज्रेण न दण्डेन न चक्रेण न चाग्निना
Not by the thunderbolt, nor by the staff, nor by the discus, nor by fire—