King Vidhrita's Dying Word: The Power of Even an Accidental Fragment of Shiva's Name

Verse 1 (padma.5.111.1)

श्रीराम उवाच- महेशनाममाहात्म्यं पूजामाहात्म्यमेव च । नमस्कारस्य माहात्म्यं दृष्टिमाहात्म्यमेव च

śrīrāma uvāca- maheśanāmamāhātmyaṁ pūjāmāhātmyameva ca namaskārasya māhātmyaṁ dṛṣṭimāhātmyameva ca

Shri Rama said: The greatness of Mahesha's name, and the greatness of his worship; the greatness of prostration to him, and the greatness of merely beholding him—

Verse 2 (padma.5.111.2)

जलदानस्य माहात्म्यं धूपदानस्य सत्तम । दीपगंधादिदानस्य माहात्म्यं वद मे गुरो

jaladānasya māhātmyaṁ dhūpadānasya sattama dīpagaṁdhādidānasya māhātmyaṁ vada me guro

—the greatness of offering water to him, O excellent one, and of offering incense; the greatness of offering a lamp, sandal-paste, and the like — tell me this, O guru.

Verse 3 (padma.5.111.3)

शंभुरुवाच- एकैकनाममाहात्म्यं विस्तरान्न हि शक्यते । संक्षेपेण च ते वच्मि शृणु राघव सादरम्

śaṁbhuruvāca- ekaikanāmamāhātmyaṁ vistarānna hi śakyate saṁkṣepeṇa ca te vacmi śṛṇu rāghava sādaram

Shambhu said: The greatness of each single name cannot indeed be told in full detail; I shall tell you in brief — hear it, O Raghava, with reverence.

Verse 4 (padma.5.111.4)

पुरा त्रेतायुगे राजा विधृतो नाम वीर्यवान् । मृते पितरि बालोसौ भूमिराज्येभिषेचितः

purā tretāyuge rājā vidhṛto nāma vīryavān mṛte pitari bālosau bhūmirājyebhiṣecitaḥ

Long ago, in the Treta Yuga, there was a mighty king named Vidhrita; when his father died, he, still a boy, was consecrated to the kingship of the earth.

Verse 5 (padma.5.111.5)

समानवयसः सर्वान्समीपस्थांश्चकार सः । ये वृद्धा ये च विद्वांसस्ते च तस्य न संमताः

samānavayasaḥ sarvānsamīpasthāṁścakāra saḥ ye vṛddhā ye ca vidvāṁsaste ca tasya na saṁmatāḥ

He kept close to himself only those of his own age; the elders and the learned were not to his liking.

Verse 6 (padma.5.111.6)

युवानः संमता दुष्टा अकार्यकरणास्तथा । सुस्त्र्यानयनदक्षाश्च चोरकर्मविशारदाः

yuvānaḥ saṁmatā duṣṭā akāryakaraṇāstathā sustryānayanadakṣāśca corakarmaviśāradāḥ

Young, wicked men, given to doing what should not be done, skilled in procuring beautiful women, expert in the ways of thieves—

Verse 7 (padma.5.111.7)

भांडवार्तारता लास्यनिपुणास्तस्य संमताः । वशीकरणमंत्रज्ञा वस्त्रौषधविदस्तथा

bhāṁḍavārtāratā lāsyanipuṇāstasya saṁmatāḥ vaśīkaraṇamaṁtrajñā vastrauṣadhavidastathā

—devoted to jesters' antics, expert in dance, were pleasing to him; those who knew mantras of subjugation, and knew garments and drugs likewise—

Verse 8 (padma.5.111.8)

गीतनर्तनशीलाश्च धूर्त्ता द्यूतविदः प्रियाः । पितृसंमतकर्तॄणां त्यागं चक्रे स पार्थिवः

gītanartanaśīlāśca dhūrttā dyūtavidaḥ priyāḥ pitṛsaṁmatakartṝṇāṁ tyāgaṁ cakre sa pārthivaḥ

—given to singing and dancing, deceitful, knowers of gambling — such men were dear to him. That king abandoned those who had performed his father's approved deeds.

Verse 9 (padma.5.111.9)

विचार्य स च तैः सार्द्धं दुष्टैः कार्यमकारयत् । एतादृशांस्तथा चान्यान्दुष्टान्सह युयोज ह

vicārya sa ca taiḥ sārddhaṁ duṣṭaiḥ kāryamakārayat etādṛśāṁstathā cānyānduṣṭānsaha yuyoja ha

He would deliberate with those wicked men, and have them carry out his affairs. He likewise joined with himself other such wicked men.

Verse 10 (padma.5.111.10)

एतदुक्तिमुपालंब्य शिष्टं सुहृदमत्यजत् । उरोमुष्टिं च फेत्कारं ये कुर्युस्तस्य ते प्रियाः

etaduktimupālaṁbya śiṣṭaṁ suhṛdamatyajat uromuṣṭiṁ ca phetkāraṁ ye kuryustasya te priyāḥ

On the pretext of their advice, he abandoned his cultured friends. Those who would strike their chests with their fists and make crude cries were dear to him.

Verse 11 (padma.5.111.11)

भगलक्षणतत्त्वज्ञा रतितंत्रविशारदाः । राजनीतिविहीनं तद्राज्यं समभवत्तदा

bhagalakṣaṇatattvajñā ratitaṁtraviśāradāḥ rājanītivihīnaṁ tadrājyaṁ samabhavattadā

Knowers of the marks of women's private parts, experts in the arts of love — his kingdom then became devoid of statecraft.

Verse 12 (padma.5.111.12)

गजाश्वरथमुष्ट्राजं गोमहिष्यादिकं च यत् । तत्सर्वं नाशमापन्नमपहारायतस्ततः

gajāśvarathamuṣṭrājaṁ gomahiṣyādikaṁ ca yat tatsarvaṁ nāśamāpannamapahārāyatastataḥ

Elephants, horses, chariots, camels, goats, cows, buffaloes, and the rest — all of these went to ruin, being seized on all sides.

Verse 13 (padma.5.111.13)

रत्नानि वसुधान्यानि न दृश्यंते पुरे तदा । अथ भूपांतरेणासौ निर्जितः प्रपलायितः

ratnāni vasudhānyāni na dṛśyaṁte pure tadā atha bhūpāṁtareṇāsau nirjitaḥ prapalāyitaḥ

Jewels, wealth, and grain were no longer to be seen in the city then. Then, defeated by another king, he fled.

Verse 14 (padma.5.111.14)

महारण्यमथो गत्वा गिरिदुर्गमकल्पयत् । तत्र चाल्पपरीवारश्चोरवृत्तिं समाश्रितः

mahāraṇyamatho gatvā giridurgamakalpayat tatra cālpaparīvāraścoravṛttiṁ samāśritaḥ

Going to a great forest, he established a mountain stronghold there; with a small retinue, he took up a life of banditry.

Verse 15 (padma.5.111.15)

सुवर्णवस्त्रधान्यादि रत्नगंधादिकं तथा । तत्रतत्र विनिर्दिश्य चोरानायानवंचकान्

suvarṇavastradhānyādi ratnagaṁdhādikaṁ tathā tatratatra vinirdiśya corānāyānavaṁcakān

Gold, garments, grain, and the rest, jewels, perfumes, and the like — pointing out targets here and there, he sent out thieves and deceivers—

Verse 16 (padma.5.111.16)

बंधाद्यकारयत्तैस्तु द्रव्याहरणकर्मणि । यदाहारो न विद्येत तदाहारमकल्पयत्

baṁdhādyakārayattaistu dravyāharaṇakarmaṇi yadāhāro na vidyeta tadāhāramakalpayat

—and had them bind victims, in the business of seizing goods. When food was lacking, he devised food by other means.

Verse 17 (padma.5.111.17)

गोमहिष्यादिमांसेन यद्यन्नं नोपलभ्यते । अश्वीय नरमांसेन भोजनं पर्य्यकल्पयत्

gomahiṣyādimāṁsena yadyannaṁ nopalabhyate aśvīya naramāṁsena bhojanaṁ paryyakalpayat

When food could not be obtained from the flesh of cows, buffaloes, and the like, he arranged meals of horse-flesh and even human flesh.

Verse 18 (padma.5.111.18)

एतादृशमभूद्वृत्तं संध्योपासादिवर्जितम् । एकस्तु सचिवस्तस्य सुरापो नाम राक्षसः

etādṛśamabhūdvṛttaṁ saṁdhyopāsādivarjitam ekastu sacivastasya surāpo nāma rākṣasaḥ

Such was his conduct, devoid of the twilight-worship and the like. One of his ministers was a rakshasa named Surapa.

Verse 19 (padma.5.111.19)

नियुंक्ते सर्वकालं तमाहरप्रहरेति च । एवं रक्षोमते स्थित्वा नानादेशगतान्नरान्

niyuṁkte sarvakālaṁ tamāharaprahareti ca evaṁ rakṣomate sthitvā nānādeśagatānnarān

He would ever command him, saying 'seize, strike!' Thus, established in that rakshasa's counsel, he would seize men who came from various lands—

Verse 20 (padma.5.111.20)

नृसहस्रपरीवारो ह्यादद्यादकृपालयः । स्वस्याभिमतयोषास्तु ज्ञात्वा ज्ञात्वा समाहरत्

nṛsahasraparīvāro hyādadyādakṛpālayaḥ svasyābhimatayoṣāstu jñātvā jñātvā samāharat

—that pitiless man, surrounded by a thousand men, would seize them. Learning of women who pleased him, he would seize them one after another.

Verse 21 (padma.5.111.21)

किंचित्कालं च ता भुक्त्वा तासां मांसमभक्षयत् । एवं हत्वा नरान्नारी राज्यं चक्रे सुदुःसहम्

kiṁcitkālaṁ ca tā bhuktvā tāsāṁ māṁsamabhakṣayat evaṁ hatvā narānnārī rājyaṁ cakre suduḥsaham

Having enjoyed them for some time, he would then eat their very flesh. Thus killing men and women, he ruled a kingdom of the most unbearable kind.

Verse 22 (padma.5.111.22)

एवं वर्षसहस्रं तु राज्यं कृत्वा नराधमः । जराशिथिलसर्वांगो वलीपलितदूषितः

evaṁ varṣasahasraṁ tu rājyaṁ kṛtvā narādhamaḥ jarāśithilasarvāṁgo valīpalitadūṣitaḥ

That basest of men, having thus ruled for a thousand years, his every limb loosened with old age, marred by wrinkles and grey hair—

Verse 23 (padma.5.111.23)

निर्जीवमभवत्स्थानं समंताद्दशयोजनम् । अथ मृत्युदिनं प्राप्तं राज्ञस्तस्य महात्मनः

nirjīvamabhavatsthānaṁ samaṁtāddaśayojanam atha mṛtyudinaṁ prāptaṁ rājñastasya mahātmanaḥ

—for ten yojanas all around, the land became lifeless. Then the day of death arrived for that great king.

Verse 24 (padma.5.111.24)

मृत्युकालेथ संप्राप्ते स्नातं भूमिगतं नृपम् । तस्य चानुचराः सर्वे परिवार्योपतस्थिरे

mṛtyukāletha saṁprāpte snātaṁ bhūmigataṁ nṛpam tasya cānucarāḥ sarve parivāryopatasthire

When the time of death had arrived, the king, having bathed, lay upon the ground; all his attendants gathered around and stood by him.

Verse 25 (padma.5.111.25)

सुरापः सचिवः प्राह किं कार्यं मम चादिश । अथ राजा तथा शक्तो निर्गतायुस्तदार्दितः

surāpaḥ sacivaḥ prāha kiṁ kāryaṁ mama cādiśa atha rājā tathā śakto nirgatāyustadārditaḥ

His minister Surapa said: "What is to be done? Give me your command." But then the king, his strength failing, his life ebbing away, afflicted—

Verse 26 (padma.5.111.26)

नाभेरधस्तु क्षीणासुः कथंचिद्वाक्यमुक्तवान् । त्वं सर्वकाले दैत्येंद्र प्रहरप्राहराहर

nābheradhastu kṣīṇāsuḥ kathaṁcidvākyamuktavān tvaṁ sarvakāle daityeṁdra praharaprāharāhara

—his very life-breath failing below his navel, somehow uttered this word: "You, O lord of demons, at all times — strike, strike, seize!"

Verse 27 (padma.5.111.27)

इत्यथोक्त्वा ममारासौ यमदूताः समाययुः । विचित्रं बंधने यत्नं चक्रुस्ताडनतत्पराः

ityathoktvā mamārāsau yamadūtāḥ samāyayuḥ vicitraṁ baṁdhane yatnaṁ cakrustāḍanatatparāḥ

Having said this, he died. Yama's messengers arrived, and, intent on striking him, made a wondrous effort to bind him.

Verse 28 (padma.5.111.28)

चूर्णिता बंधपाशाश्च हेतिदंडाश्च चूर्णिताः । तद्गात्रस्पर्शमात्रे च तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्

cūrṇitā baṁdhapāśāśca hetidaṁḍāśca cūrṇitāḥ tadgātrasparśamātre ca tadadbhutamivābhavat

But their binding-ropes were pulverized, and their weapon-staffs too were pulverized; merely from contact with his body, a wondrous thing occurred.

Verse 29 (padma.5.111.29)

अथायातः स्वयं मृत्युः पाशेनैनमयोजयत् । मृत्युपाशमपिच्छिन्नं वीक्ष्य मृत्युरचिंतयत्

athāyātaḥ svayaṁ mṛtyuḥ pāśenainamayojayat mṛtyupāśamapicchinnaṁ vīkṣya mṛtyuraciṁtayat

Then Death himself came and tried to bind him with his own noose; but seeing even Death's own noose severed, Death fell into thought.

Verse 30 (padma.5.111.30)

सर्वमर्त्यमृतिर्दृष्टा दृष्टा नैतादृशी क्वचित् । इति चिंतापरे मृत्यौ ज्वालावक्त्रः प्रतापवान्

sarvamartyamṛtirdṛṣṭā dṛṣṭā naitādṛśī kvacit iti ciṁtāpare mṛtyau jvālāvaktraḥ pratāpavān

"I have seen the death of every mortal, but never anything like this." While Death was thus lost in thought, the mighty Jvalavaktra—

Verse 31 (padma.5.111.31)

वीरभद्रेण निर्दिष्टः सहसायाच्च शूलभृत् । ज्वालावक्त्रमथालोक्य मृत्युस्तूर्णं पलाययौ

vīrabhadreṇa nirdiṣṭaḥ sahasāyācca śūlabhṛt jvālāvaktramathālokya mṛtyustūrṇaṁ palāyayau

—dispatched by Virabhadra, trident in hand, suddenly arrived. Seeing Jvalavaktra, Death fled swiftly.

Verse 32 (padma.5.111.32)

पलायमानं तं दृष्ट्वा मृत्युं वह्निमुखस्तदा । अरे रे चोर चोर त्वं तिष्ठतिष्ठ क्व यास्यसि

palāyamānaṁ taṁ dṛṣṭvā mṛtyuṁ vahnimukhastadā are re cora cora tvaṁ tiṣṭhatiṣṭha kva yāsyasi

Seeing Death fleeing thus, Vahnimukha said: "You there, thief, thief! Stop, stop! Where are you going?"

Verse 33 (padma.5.111.33)

एनसो मुच्यते चोरः शूलारोपणमात्रतः । एवमाभाष्य मृत्युं तं शूलप्रोतमकल्पयत्

enaso mucyate coraḥ śūlāropaṇamātrataḥ evamābhāṣya mṛtyuṁ taṁ śūlaprotamakalpayat

"A thief is freed of his sin merely by being impaled upon a stake." Having said this, he then impaled Death upon his trident.

Verse 34 (padma.5.111.34)

शूलं स्कंधगतं कृत्वा दूतान्संग्रथ्य रज्जुना । पादशृंखलविन्यस्तानादाय नृपमध्यगात्

śūlaṁ skaṁdhagataṁ kṛtvā dūtānsaṁgrathya rajjunā pādaśṛṁkhalavinyastānādāya nṛpamadhyagāt

Placing the trident upon his own shoulder, and binding the messengers with rope, their feet fastened in shackles, taking the king too, he went along.

Verse 35 (padma.5.111.35)

विमानवरमारोप्य गीतवाद्यसुशोभितम् । वीरांतिकमथो गत्वा सर्वमस्मै न्यवेदयत्

vimānavaramāropya gītavādyasuśobhitam vīrāṁtikamatho gatvā sarvamasmai nyavedayat

Having mounted them upon an excellent celestial car, adorned with song and music, he went to Virabhadra and reported everything to him.

Verse 36 (padma.5.111.36)

वीरभद्रोपि तत्सर्वं शंकरायामितात्मने । नानामुनिगणैर्देवैर्ब्रह्मविष्णुपुरः सुरैः

vīrabhadropi tatsarvaṁ śaṁkarāyāmitātmane nānāmunigaṇairdevairbrahmaviṣṇupuraḥ suraiḥ

Virabhadra too reported all of this to Shankara, of measureless self, seated among manifold groups of sages and gods, with Brahma and Vishnu foremost—

Verse 37 (padma.5.111.37)

सेव्यमानाय देवाय पार्वतीसहिताय च । प्रणिपत्य निवेद्याथ शूलस्थंमृत्युमेव च

sevyamānāya devāya pārvatīsahitāya ca praṇipatya nivedyātha śūlasthaṁmṛtyumeva ca

—to that god, thus served, together with Parvati; bowing to him, he reported everything, including the matter of Death impaled upon the trident.

Verse 39 (padma.5.111.39)

तूष्णीं बभूव विश्वात्मा वीरभद्रः प्रतापवान् । अग्न्याननं वीक्ष्य शिवो विगर्हयन्कथं त्वयैतद्गणसाहसं कृतम् । बिभेषि मृत्योर्न कथं यमाधिकाद्वदस्व सर्वं परमार्थतो मे

tūṣṇīṁ babhūva viśvātmā vīrabhadraḥ pratāpavān agnyānanaṁ vīkṣya śivo vigarhayankathaṁ tvayaitadgaṇasāhasaṁ kṛtam bibheṣi mṛtyorna kathaṁ yamādhikādvadasva sarvaṁ paramārthato me

The mighty Virabhadra, universal Self, fell silent. Shiva, seeing the fire-mouthed one, reproachfully said: "How did you, a mere gana, dare to do this? Do you not fear Death, greater even than Yama? Tell me all of this truly."

Verse 40 (padma.5.111.40)

प्रणम्य तं वह्निमुखोऽतिरोषो मृत्युं समालोक्य ननर्त हर्षात् । उवाच चौर्यं कृतमेव मृत्युना तदेष शूलेऽपि मया प्ररोहितः

praṇamya taṁ vahnimukho'tiroṣo mṛtyuṁ samālokya nanarta harṣāt uvāca cauryaṁ kṛtameva mṛtyunā tadeṣa śūle'pi mayā prarohitaḥ

Bowing to him, Vahnimukha, still greatly enraged, looking at Death, danced for joy, and said: "Death himself committed a theft; therefore I have impaled him upon my trident."

Verse 41 (padma.5.111.41)

विमोचयामास शिवोपि मृत्युं दूतानशेषान्निरुजश्चकार । मृत्युं समालोक्य शिवो बभाषे मन्नाम एषां मरणे समास्ते

vimocayāmāsa śivopi mṛtyuṁ dūtānaśeṣānnirujaścakāra mṛtyuṁ samālokya śivo babhāṣe mannāma eṣāṁ maraṇe samāste

Shiva then released Death, and made all the messengers whole once more. Looking at Death, Shiva said: "My very name was present at this king's death."

Verse 42 (padma.5.111.42)

मच्चेतसामन्यधियां च नामहीनाक्षरं वाधिकवर्णयुक्तम् । ममैव लोकं प्रददामि सत्यं ह्यनेन नाम प्रहरेति भाषितम्

maccetasāmanyadhiyāṁ ca nāmahīnākṣaraṁ vādhikavarṇayuktam mamaiva lokaṁ pradadāmi satyaṁ hyanena nāma prahareti bhāṣitam

"Whether the mind of those devoted to me, or of those of different intent, whether missing a syllable of my name or containing extra letters — I truly grant my own world for it; for by him, my name was spoken, 'prahara.'"

Verse 43 (padma.5.111.43)

प्रशब्दमात्रं त्वधिकं हरेतिपदप्रदं वै पदमीरयंति । आरादमूंस्त्वं जपतो नमस्व मदीयवाक्यं च यमं वदस्व

praśabdamātraṁ tvadhikaṁ haretipadapradaṁ vai padamīrayaṁti ārādamūṁstvaṁ japato namasva madīyavākyaṁ ca yamaṁ vadasva

"The mere extra syllable 'pra-' is what utters the very word 'Hara' — this the wise declare. Go, and bow to those who recite my name, and repeat my word to Yama."

Verse 44 (padma.5.111.44)

नतिं यतिं कीर्तिमुपास्तिमाश्रिता दास्यं च कैंकर्य्यमथ श्रुतिंवदाः । पंचाक्षरोक्तिं शतरुद्रियोक्तिं शिवस्य कुर्वंति न ते विचार्याः

natiṁ yatiṁ kīrtimupāstimāśritā dāsyaṁ ca kaiṁkaryyamatha śrutiṁvadāḥ paṁcākṣaroktiṁ śatarudriyoktiṁ śivasya kurvaṁti na te vicāryāḥ

"Those devoted to prostration, restraint, praise, worship, refuge, service, or reciting the Shruti, the five-syllable mantra, or the Shatarudriya hymn to Shiva — these are not to be judged by you."

Verse 45 (padma.5.111.45)

मन्नामरुद्राक्षविभूतिधारणो ममाग्रतो यस्तु पुराणवक्ता । सर्वेषु पापेष्वपि तेषु सत्सु प्रशास्म्यहं नैव यमाधिकारः

mannāmarudrākṣavibhūtidhāraṇo mamāgrato yastu purāṇavaktā sarveṣu pāpeṣvapi teṣu satsu praśāsmyahaṁ naiva yamādhikāraḥ

"Whoever wears my name, rudraksha, and sacred ash, and recites the Puranas before me — even should every sin exist in him, I alone rule over him; Yama's authority does not apply."

Verse 46 (padma.5.111.46)

ये चापि पापान्वितमायिनो नराः परान्नवस्त्रादिवधूभुजश्च । वाराणसीमृत्युपराश्च ये वै श्रीशैलमर्त्याश्च न ते विचार्याः

ye cāpi pāpānvitamāyino narāḥ parānnavastrādivadhūbhujaśca vārāṇasīmṛtyuparāśca ye vai śrīśailamartyāśca na te vicāryāḥ

"And even those men joined to sin and deceit, who enjoy another's food, clothing, and wife, but who die in Varanasi, or who are mortals of Shrishaila — these too are not to be judged."

Verse 47 (padma.5.111.47)

यूकाश्च दंशा अपि मत्कुणाश्च मृगादयः कीटपिपीलिकाश्च । सरीसृपा वृश्चिकशूकराश्च काशीमृताः शंकरमाप्नुवंति

yūkāśca daṁśā api matkuṇāśca mṛgādayaḥ kīṭapipīlikāśca sarīsṛpā vṛścikaśūkarāśca kāśīmṛtāḥ śaṁkaramāpnuvaṁti

"Lice, gadflies, bedbugs, deer and the like, insects, ants, reptiles, scorpions, and boars — dying in Kashi, they too attain Shankara."

Verse 48 (padma.5.111.48)

इदं नामगृणन्ध्यायेद्यो वै हृत्पद्ममंदिरे । त्रियंबकं विरूपाक्षं सोमं सोमार्द्धभूषणम्

idaṁ nāmagṛṇandhyāyedyo vai hṛtpadmamaṁdire triyaṁbakaṁ virūpākṣaṁ somaṁ somārddhabhūṣaṇam

"Whoever, uttering this very name, meditates in the temple of his heart-lotus upon Tryambaka, Virupaksha, Soma, adorned with the crescent moon—"

Verse 49 (padma.5.111.49)

त्रिनेत्रकं त्रयीनेत्रं सोमसूर्याग्निलोचनम् । तं नमस्कृत्य दूरस्थो भवमृत्यो ममाज्ञया

trinetrakaṁ trayīnetraṁ somasūryāgnilocanam taṁ namaskṛtya dūrastho bhavamṛtyo mamājñayā

"—the three-eyed one, whose eyes are the Vedic triad, whose eyes are the moon, sun, and fire — bow to him, O Mrityu, and by my command stay far from him."

Verse 50 (padma.5.111.50)

अथाकर्ण्य शिवप्रोक्तं मृत्युस्तुष्टाव शंकरम् । नमस्ते देवतानाथ नमस्ते देवमूर्तये

athākarṇya śivaproktaṁ mṛtyustuṣṭāva śaṁkaram namaste devatānātha namaste devamūrtaye

Then, hearing what Shiva had declared, Death praised Shankara: "Homage to you, O Lord of the gods; homage to you, embodiment of the divine."

Verse 51 (padma.5.111.51)

सर्वज्ञाय नमस्तुभ्यं पशूनां पतये नमः । अथ देवो महादेवो मृत्युं प्राह वरं वृणु

sarvajñāya namastubhyaṁ paśūnāṁ pataye namaḥ atha devo mahādevo mṛtyuṁ prāha varaṁ vṛṇu

"Homage to you, the all-knowing; homage to the Lord of all beings." Then the great god Mahadeva said to Death: "Ask for a boon."

Verse 52 (padma.5.111.52)

स्तोत्रेणानेन तुष्टोस्मि मृत्युर्वरमयाचत । त्वदीयं पालय विभो मां च शंकर पापिनम्

stotreṇānena tuṣṭosmi mṛtyurvaramayācata tvadīyaṁ pālaya vibho māṁ ca śaṁkara pāpinam

"I am pleased by this hymn." Death then asked for a boon: "Protect me, your own servant, O Shankara, sinner though I am."

Verse 53 (padma.5.111.53)

तथेत्युक्त्वा मृत्युमीशो गच्छ वत्सेति चाब्रवीत् । यमलोकं गतः सोपि यमायाशेषमुक्तवान्

tathetyuktvā mṛtyumīśo gaccha vatseti cābravīt yamalokaṁ gataḥ sopi yamāyāśeṣamuktavān

Saying "so be it," Ishvara said to Death, "Go, my child." He too went to the world of Yama, and told Yama everything.

Verse 54 (padma.5.111.54)

शंभुरुवाच- य इदं शृणुयान्नित्यं पुण्याख्यानमनुत्तमम् । विमुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यो याति शंकरसन्निधिम्

śaṁbhuruvāca- ya idaṁ śṛṇuyānnityaṁ puṇyākhyānamanuttamam vimuktaḥ sarvapāpebhyo yāti śaṁkarasannidhim

Shambhu said: Whoever ever hears this excellent, meritorious tale, freed from all sins, goes into the presence of Shankara.