आसीत्पुरा बृहत्कल्पे धर्म मूर्तिर्जनाधिपः
Once, in the great kalpa, there was a king who embodied Dharma.
सोमसूर्यादयो यस्य तेजसा निष्प्रभाः कृताः
By whose radiance, Soma, Surya, and others were rendered devoid of brilliance.
यथेच्छारूपधारी च संग्रामेष्वपराजितः
He could assume any form at will, and was undefeated in battles.
राज्ञस्तस्याग्रमहिषी प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसी
The chief queen of that king was more precious than even his own life.
नृपो नृपसहस्रेण न कदाचित्प्रमुच्यते विस्मयेनावृतमना वशिष्ठमृषिसत्तमम्
The king, among a thousand kings, was never released; his mind enveloped in wonder at the eminent sage Vashishtha.
भगवन्केन धर्मेण मम लक्ष्मीरनुत्तमा
O Lord, by what Dharma did I obtain my unsurpassed fortune?
वशिष्ठ उवाच पुरा त्वमवनीपाऽऽसीः शूद्रजातिसमुद्भवः
Vashishtha said: Formerly, you were a king, born from the Shudra caste.
निवसन्दुष्टहृदयो वर्षाणि सुबहून्यपि
You dwelt with an evil heart for many years.
सदा ब्रह्मस्वहारी त्वं सदा वेदविनिंदकः 5.2.22.
You always stole the property of Brahmins, and constantly reviled the Vedas.
अथ पंचत्वमापन्नः काले नरकमाप्तवान्
Then, having reached your end, you attained hell in due time.
रौरवे कुम्भिपाके च महारौरवसंज्ञके
In Raurava, Kumbhipaka, and the place called Maharaurava,
मूषायां धीमतो राजन्नसिपत्रे च दारितः
In the crucible, O wise king, and torn upon the sword-leaf,
विधाय कार्कटं रूपं यमेन त्वयि पार्थिव
Yama assigned you the form of a crab, O ruler of the earth.
दत्तं जप्तं कृतं यच्च हुतं देवार्चनादि यत्
Whatever was given, recited, performed, or offered, and all acts of worship to the gods,
निक्षिप्तस्त्वं तदा तेन भाविपुण्येन कर्मणा
You were then placed by that future merit, by that karma.
कदाचित्तीरभूम्यां त्वं गतः संक्रीडितुं शनैः
Once, you slowly went to the riverbank to play.
आकाशमार्गं चोड्डीनः स त्वया ताडितो भृशम्
Hurled along the path of the sky, you were struck forcefully by him.
मुक्तस्त्वं चंचुपुटतो वायसेनाकुलेन तु
Released from the bird’s beak by the agitated wind,
शिवस्य क्षिप्तस्त्वं शीघ्रं चञ्च्वाक्षेपप्रपीडितः 5.2.22.
You were swiftly cast down by Shiva, afflicted by the bird’s beak and its violent shaking.
विमुच्य देहं तज्जीर्णं यावत्तं कार्कटं पुरा
Abandoning that worn-out body, as long ago did that crab,
तस्य लिंगस्य माहात्म्याद्भूत्वा विद्याधरेश्वरः
By the greatness of that liṅga, you became lord of the Vidyādharas.
स्वर्गे व्रजंस्त्वं संपृष्टः सुरसंघैश्च सादरम्
Ascending to heaven, you were respectfully welcomed by the hosts of gods.
ततो रुद्रगणैः सर्वं सुराणां कथितं पुरा
Then, all this was related to the gods of old by the hosts of Rudra.
तस्य लिंगस्य देवेशाः प्रभावोऽयमुपस्थितः
O lords of the gods, this is the power of that liṅga which has now manifested.
कार्कटीयोनि मुक्तस्य प्राप्तं स्वर्गसुखं यतः
Released from the womb of a crab, you attained the happiness of heaven.
तदाप्रभृति देवोऽयं कर्कटेश्वरसंज्ञकः
From that time, this god is known by the name Karkaṭeśvara.
आगतोऽसि पुनर्भूमौ लब्धं राज्यमकंटकम्
You have returned again to earth, obtaining a kingdom free from thorns.
तस्मात्पार्थिव भूयस्त्वं लिंगमाराधय द्रुतम्
Therefore, O king, you should quickly worship the liṅga again.
पूर्वं कर्म स्मृतं तेन स्वकीयं पार्थिवेन तु 5.2.22.
By that, your previous karma, O king, has been remembered.
तस्मिँल्लिंगे लयं प्राप्तः स्वशरीरेण पार्वति भुक्त्वा भोगांश्चिरं भूमौ ते यांति परमां गतिम्
Having merged into that liṅga with your own body, O Pārvatī, after enjoying pleasures on earth for a long time, they attain the highest state.