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ब्रह्मोवाच॥ श्रूयतामृषयः सर्वे सामराः प्रेमतत्पराः ॥ शिवपूजाविधिं प्रीत्या कथये भुक्तिमुक्तिदम् ॥४१ ॥
“O sages and devas, be pleased to hear with love and pleasure. I am going to explain lovingly the mode of worshipping Śiva that confers worldly pleasures and salvation.
english translation
मानुषं जन्म संप्राप्य दुर्लभं सर्वजंतुषु ॥ तत्रापि सत्कुले देवा दुष्प्राप्यं च मुनीश्वराः ॥४२॥
The life as a human being is very difficult to obtain among all living beings. O devas, O sages, a life in a good family is still more difficult.
english translation
अव्यंगं चैव विप्रेषु साचारेषु सपुण्यतः ॥ शिवसंतोषहेतोश्च कर्मस्वोक्तं समाचरेत् ॥ ४३ ॥
After obtaining the still more difficult birth in a brahmin family of good conduct on account of great merits one shall perform rites assigned to propitiate Śiva.
english translation
यद्यज्जातिसमुद्दिष्टं तत्तत्कर्म न लंघयेत् ॥ यावद्दानस्य संपत्तिस्तावत्कर्म समावहेत् ॥ ४४ ॥
No one shall transgress duties assigned to his caste. Charitable gifts and sacred rites shall be performed to the extent of one’s capacity and affluence.
english translation
कर्मयज्ञसहस्रेभ्यस्तपोयज्ञो विशिष्यते ॥ तपोयज्ञसहस्रेभ्यो जपयज्ञो विशिष्यते ॥४५॥
The Tapoyajña (sacrifice in the form of penance) is far superior to thousands of Karmayajñas (ritualistic sacrifices). The Japayajña (sacrifice in the form of Japas) is far superior to thousands of Tapoyajñas (sacrifices in the form of penance).
english translation