The Birth of Kartikeya in the Reed-Thicket

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.120.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच । तदाकर्ण्य महादेवो योगज्ञानविशारदः । त्यक्तकामो न तत्याज सम्भोगं पार्वतीभयात्

brahmovāca tadākarṇya mahādevo yogajñānaviśāradaḥ tyaktakāmo na tatyāja sambhogaṁ pārvatībhayāt

Brahma said: Hearing this, Mahadeva, skilled in the knowledge of yoga, though he had renounced desire, did not yet give up the union, out of regard for Parvati.

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.120.2)

आजगाम गृहद्वारि सुराणां निकटं शिवः । दैत्येन पीडितानां च शङ्करो भक्तवत्सलः

ājagāma gṛhadvāri surāṇāṁ nikaṭaṁ śivaḥ daityena pīḍitānāṁ ca śaṅkaro bhaktavatsalaḥ

Shankara, affectionate to his devotees, came to the door of his dwelling, near those gods who were being afflicted by the demon.

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.120.3)

देवाःसर्वे प्रभुं दृष्ट्वा हरिणा च मया शिवम् । बभूबुः सुखिनश्चाति तदा वै भक्तवत्सलम्

devāḥsarve prabhuṁ dṛṣṭvā hariṇā ca mayā śivam babhūbuḥ sukhinaścāti tadā vai bhaktavatsalam

All the gods, together with Hari and me, seeing that Lord Shiva, affectionate to his devotees, became exceedingly happy.

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.120.4)

इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तेषां सुराणां भगवान्भवः । प्रत्युवाच विषण्णात्मा दूयमानेन चेतसा

ityākarṇya vacasteṣāṁ surāṇāṁ bhagavānbhavaḥ pratyuvāca viṣaṇṇātmā dūyamānena cetasā

Hearing the words of those gods, the Blessed Bhava, his heart grieving and his mind pained, gave his reply.

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.120.5)

प्रणम्य सुमहाप्रीत्या नतस्कन्धाश्च निर्जराः । तुष्टुवुः शङ्करं सर्वे मया च हरिणा मुने

praṇamya sumahāprītyā nataskandhāśca nirjarāḥ tuṣṭuvuḥ śaṅkaraṁ sarve mayā ca hariṇā mune

O sage, bowing with the greatest love, their shoulders bent low, all the gods, together with me and Hari, praised Shankara.

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.120.6)

देवा ऊचुः । देवदेव महादेव करुणासागर प्रभो । अन्तर्यामी हि सर्वेषां सर्वं जानासि शङ्कर

devā ūcuḥ devadeva mahādeva karuṇāsāgara prabho antaryāmī hi sarveṣāṁ sarvaṁ jānāsi śaṅkara

The gods said: O god of gods, Mahadeva, ocean of compassion, O Lord! You dwell within all — O Shankara, you know everything.

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.120.7)

देवकार्यं कुरु विभो रक्ष देवान् महेश्वर । जहि दैत्यान् कृपां कृत्वा तारकादीन् महाप्रभो

devakāryaṁ kuru vibho rakṣa devān maheśvara jahi daityān kṛpāṁ kṛtvā tārakādīn mahāprabho

O all-pervading one, accomplish the task of the gods; protect the gods, O Maheshvara. Show your grace, great Lord, and slay the demons headed by Taraka.

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.120.8)

शिव उवाच । हे विष्णो हे विधे देवाः सर्वेषां वो मनोगतिः । यद्भावि तद्भवत्येव कोऽपि नो तन्निवारकः

śiva uvāca he viṣṇo he vidhe devāḥ sarveṣāṁ vo manogatiḥ yadbhāvi tadbhavatyeva ko'pi no tannivārakaḥ

Shiva said: O Vishnu, O Vidhi, O gods, I know the intent of all your minds. Whatever is destined to be will surely come to be; no one at all can prevent it.

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.120.9)

यज्जातं तज्जातमेव प्रस्तुतं शृणुतामराः । शिवरेतस्खलितं वीर्यं को ग्रहीष्यति मेऽधुना

yajjātaṁ tajjātameva prastutaṁ śṛṇutāmarāḥ śivaretaskhalitaṁ vīryaṁ ko grahīṣyati me'dhunā

Whatever has happened has happened, O immortals — hear now what is at hand: who now will receive this seed of mine that has already fallen forth?

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.120.10)

स गृह्णीयादिति प्रोच्य पातयामास तद्भुवि । अग्निर्भूत्वा कपोतो हि प्रेरितःसर्वनिर्जरैः

sa gṛhṇīyāditi procya pātayāmāsa tadbhuvi agnirbhūtvā kapoto hi preritaḥsarvanirjaraiḥ

Saying, "let someone receive it," he let it fall to the ground; then Agni, impelled by all the gods, took the form of a dove and came there.

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.120.11)

अभक्षच्छाम्भवं वीर्यं चञ्च्वा तु निखिलं तदा । एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्राजगाम गिरिजा मुने

abhakṣacchāmbhavaṁ vīryaṁ cañcvā tu nikhilaṁ tadā etasminnantare tatrājagāma girijā mune

With his beak he consumed all of that seed of Shambhu; and meanwhile, O sage, Girija arrived there.

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.120.12)

शिवागमविलम्बे च ददर्श सुरपुङ्गवान् ॥ ज्ञात्वा तद्वृत्तमखिलं महाक्रोधयुता शिवा

śivāgamavilambe ca dadarśa surapuṅgavān jñātvā tadvṛttamakhilaṁ mahākrodhayutā śivā

Because of Shiva's delay in coming, she saw the foremost gods gathered there; and learning the whole matter, Shiva, filled with great fury —

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.120.13)

उवाच त्रिदशान् सर्वान् हरिप्रभृतिकाँस्तदा

uvāca tridaśān sarvān hariprabhṛtikā~stadā

— then spoke to all the gods, headed by Hari.

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.120.14)

देव्युवाच । रे रे सुरगणाःसर्वे यूयं दुष्टा विशेषतः । स्वार्थसंसाधका नित्यं तदर्थं परदुःखदाः

devyuvāca re re suragaṇāḥsarve yūyaṁ duṣṭā viśeṣataḥ svārthasaṁsādhakā nityaṁ tadarthaṁ paraduḥkhadāḥ

The Goddess said: O you hosts of gods, you are especially wicked — ever intent on accomplishing your own ends, and for that purpose giving pain to others.

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.120.15)

स्वार्थहेतोर्महेशानमाराध्य परमं प्रभुम् । नष्टं चक्रुर्मद्विहारं वन्ध्याऽभवमहं सुराः

svārthahetormaheśānamārādhya paramaṁ prabhum naṣṭaṁ cakrurmadvihāraṁ vandhyā'bhavamahaṁ surāḥ

For your own selfish purpose you worshipped the supreme Lord Mahesha and destroyed my union — because of you, O gods, I have become barren.

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.120.16)

मां विरोध्य सुखं नैव केषाञ्चिदपि निर्जराः । तस्माद्दुःखं भवेद्वो हि दुष्टानां त्रिदिवौकसाम्

māṁ virodhya sukhaṁ naiva keṣāñcidapi nirjarāḥ tasmādduḥkhaṁ bhavedvo hi duṣṭānāṁ tridivaukasām

Never has happiness come to any god who has opposed me. Therefore, O wicked dwellers of heaven, sorrow shall befall you too.

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.120.17)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्त्वा विष्णुप्रमुखान् सुरान् सर्वान् शशाप सा । प्रज्वलन्ती प्रकोपेन शैलराजसुता शिवा

brahmovāca ityuktvā viṣṇupramukhān surān sarvān śaśāpa sā prajvalantī prakopena śailarājasutā śivā

Brahma said: Having said this, she, the daughter of the king of mountains, blazing with rage, cursed all the gods headed by Vishnu.

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.120.18)

पार्वत्युवाच । अद्यप्रभृति देवानां वन्ध्या भार्या भवन्त्विति । देवाश्च दुःखिताःसन्तु निखिला मद्विरोधिनः

pārvatyuvāca adyaprabhṛti devānāṁ vandhyā bhāryā bhavantviti devāśca duḥkhitāḥsantu nikhilā madvirodhinaḥ

Parvati said: From this day, let the wives of the gods become barren; and let all the gods who have opposed me remain sorrowful.

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.120.19)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इति शप्त्वाखिलान्देवान् विष्ण्वाद्यान्सकलेश्वरी । उवाच पावकं क्रुद्धा भक्षकं शिवरेतसः

brahmovāca iti śaptvākhilāndevān viṣṇvādyānsakaleśvarī uvāca pāvakaṁ kruddhā bhakṣakaṁ śivaretasaḥ

Brahma said: Having thus cursed all the gods headed by Vishnu, the Goddess of all, enraged, spoke to Agni, the devourer of Shiva's seed.

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.120.20)

पार्वत्युवाच । सर्वभक्षी भव शुचे पीडितात्मेति नित्यशः । शिवतत्त्वं न जानासि मूर्खोऽसि सुरकार्यकृत्

pārvatyuvāca sarvabhakṣī bhava śuce pīḍitātmeti nityaśaḥ śivatattvaṁ na jānāsi mūrkho'si surakāryakṛt

Parvati said: O Pure One, become a devourer of everything, ever afflicted in yourself! You do not know the true nature of Shiva — you are a fool, a mere doer of the gods' bidding.

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.120.21)

रे रे शठ महादुष्ट दुष्टानां दुष्टबोधवान् । अभक्षः शिववीर्यं यन्नाकार्षीरुचितं हितम्

re re śaṭha mahāduṣṭa duṣṭānāṁ duṣṭabodhavān abhakṣaḥ śivavīryaṁ yannākārṣīrucitaṁ hitam

O wretched, greatly wicked one, counselor of the wicked in their wickedness — you have devoured Shiva's seed and have done nothing fitting or beneficial.

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.120.22)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इति शप्त्वा शिवा वह्निं सहेशेन नगात्मजा । जगाम स्वालयं शीघ्रमसन्तुष्टा ततो मुने

brahmovāca iti śaptvā śivā vahniṁ saheśena nagātmajā jagāma svālayaṁ śīghramasantuṣṭā tato mune

Brahma said: O sage, having thus cursed Agni, the mountain's daughter Shiva, displeased, went swiftly with the Lord to her own abode.

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.120.23)

गत्वा शिवा शिवं सम्यक् बोधयामास यत्नतः । अजीजनत्परं पुत्रं गणेशाख्यं मुनीश्वर

gatvā śivā śivaṁ samyak bodhayāmāsa yatnataḥ ajījanatparaṁ putraṁ gaṇeśākhyaṁ munīśvara

Having gone there, Shiva diligently and fully persuaded Shiva; and, O lord of sages, she brought forth an excellent son, named Ganesha.

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.120.24)

तद्वृत्तान्तमशेषं च वर्णयिष्ये मुनेऽग्रतः । इदानीं शृणु सुप्रीत्या गुहोत्पत्तिं वदाम्यहम्

tadvṛttāntamaśeṣaṁ ca varṇayiṣye mune'grataḥ idānīṁ śṛṇu suprītyā guhotpattiṁ vadāmyaham

I shall tell that entire matter later, O sage. Now listen with love, for I shall speak of the birth of Guha.

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.120.25)

पावकार्पितमन्नादि भुञ्जते निर्जराः खलु । वेदवाण्येति सर्वे ते सगर्भा अभवन्सुराः

pāvakārpitamannādi bhuñjate nirjarāḥ khalu vedavāṇyeti sarve te sagarbhā abhavansurāḥ

The gods indeed feed on the food and other offerings placed into Agni — so says the voice of the Veda; and for this reason all those gods became pregnant.

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.120.26)

ततोऽसहन्तस्तद्वीर्यं पीडिता ह्यभवन् सुराः । विष्ण्वाद्या निखिलाश्चाति शिवाज्ञानष्टबुद्धयः

tato'sahantastadvīryaṁ pīḍitā hyabhavan surāḥ viṣṇvādyā nikhilāścāti śivājñānaṣṭabuddhayaḥ

Then, unable to bear that seed, all the gods headed by Vishnu became greatly afflicted, their intellects ruined by their ignorance of Shiva's nature.

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.120.27)

अथ विष्णुप्रभृतिकाःसर्वे देवा विमोहिताः । दह्यमाना ययुः शीघ्रं शरणं पार्वतीपतेः

atha viṣṇuprabhṛtikāḥsarve devā vimohitāḥ dahyamānā yayuḥ śīghraṁ śaraṇaṁ pārvatīpateḥ

Then all the gods, headed by Vishnu, utterly bewildered and burning, went swiftly for refuge to the lord of Parvati.

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.120.28)

शिवालयस्य ते द्वारि गत्वा सर्वे विनम्रकाः । तुष्टुवुःसशिवं शम्भुं प्रीत्या साञ्जलयःसुराः

śivālayasya te dvāri gatvā sarve vinamrakāḥ tuṣṭuvuḥsaśivaṁ śambhuṁ prītyā sāñjalayaḥsurāḥ

Going to the door of Shiva's abode, all of them, humble, with joined palms, lovingly praised Shambhu together with Shiva.

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.120.29)

देवा ऊचुः । देवदेव महादेव गिरिजेश महाप्रभो । किं जातमधुना नाथ तव माया दुरत्यया

devā ūcuḥ devadeva mahādeva girijeśa mahāprabho kiṁ jātamadhunā nātha tava māyā duratyayā

The gods said: O god of gods, Mahadeva, lord of Girija, great Lord! What has now come to pass, O master? Your maya is impossible to overcome.

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.120.30)

सगर्भाश्च वयं जाता दह्यमानाश्च रेतसा । तव शम्भो कुरु कृपां निवारय दशामिमाम्

sagarbhāśca vayaṁ jātā dahyamānāśca retasā tava śambho kuru kṛpāṁ nivāraya daśāmimām

O Shambhu, we have become pregnant and are burning from that seed. Show us your grace, and remove this condition of ours.

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.120.31)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्याऽमरनुतिं परमेशः शिवापतिः । आजगाम द्रुतं द्वारि यत्र देवाः स्थिता मुने

brahmovāca ityākarṇyā'maranutiṁ parameśaḥ śivāpatiḥ ājagāma drutaṁ dvāri yatra devāḥ sthitā mune

Brahma said: O sage, hearing this plea of the immortals, the Supreme Lord, consort of Shiva, came swiftly to the door where the gods stood.

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.120.32)

आगतं शङ्करं द्वारि सर्वे देवाश्च साच्युताः । प्रणम्य तुष्टुवुः प्रीत्या नर्तका भक्तवत्सलम्

āgataṁ śaṅkaraṁ dvāri sarve devāśca sācyutāḥ praṇamya tuṣṭuvuḥ prītyā nartakā bhaktavatsalam

When Shankara came to the door, all the gods, together with Achyuta, bowed and lovingly praised him, who is affectionate to his devotees.

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.120.33)

देवा ऊचुः । शम्भो शिव महेशान त्वां नताः स्म विशेषतः । रक्ष नः शरणापन्नान् दह्यमानांश्च रेतसा

devā ūcuḥ śambho śiva maheśāna tvāṁ natāḥ sma viśeṣataḥ rakṣa naḥ śaraṇāpannān dahyamānāṁśca retasā

The gods said: O Shambhu, Shiva, Maheshana! We bow especially to you. Protect us, who have come for refuge and are burning from that seed.

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.120.34)

इदं दुःखं हर हर भवामो हि मृता ध्रुवम् । त्वां विना कः समर्थोऽद्य देवदुःखनिवारणे

idaṁ duḥkhaṁ hara hara bhavāmo hi mṛtā dhruvam tvāṁ vinā kaḥ samartho'dya devaduḥkhanivāraṇe

O Hara, take away this sorrow; surely, otherwise, we shall meet our death. Who besides you today is capable of removing the gods' distress?

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.120.35)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इति दीनतरं वाक्यमाकर्ण्य सुरराट् प्रभुः । प्रत्युवाच विहस्याथ स सुरान् भक्तवत्सलः

brahmovāca iti dīnataraṁ vākyamākarṇya surarāṭ prabhuḥ pratyuvāca vihasyātha sa surān bhaktavatsalaḥ

Brahma said: Hearing this most piteous speech, the Lord, affectionate to his devotees, smiled and then gave his reply to the gods.

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.120.36)

शिव उवाच । हे हरे हे विधे देवाः सर्वे शृणुत मद्वचः । भविष्यति सुखं वोऽद्य सावधाना भवन्तु हि

śiva uvāca he hare he vidhe devāḥ sarve śṛṇuta madvacaḥ bhaviṣyati sukhaṁ vo'dya sāvadhānā bhavantu hi

Shiva said: O Hari, O Vidhi, O all you gods, listen to my words. Happiness will be yours today, but you must be attentive.

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.120.37)

एतद्वमत मद्वीर्यं द्रुतमेवाखिलाःसुराः । सुखिनस्तद्विशेषेण शासनान्मम सुप्रभोः

etadvamata madvīryaṁ drutamevākhilāḥsurāḥ sukhinastadviśeṣeṇa śāsanānmama suprabhoḥ

O all you hosts of gods, vomit forth this seed of mine at once; by obeying this command of mine, you shall all attain especial happiness.

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.120.38)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याज्ञां शिरसाऽधाय विष्ण्वाद्याः सकलाः सुराः । अकार्षुर्वमनं शीघ्रं स्मरन्तः शिवमव्ययम्

brahmovāca ityājñāṁ śirasā'dhāya viṣṇvādyāḥ sakalāḥ surāḥ akārṣurvamanaṁ śīghraṁ smarantaḥ śivamavyayam

Brahma said: Bearing this command upon their heads, all the gods headed by Vishnu, calling the imperishable Shiva to mind, quickly vomited it forth.

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.120.39)

तच्छम्भुरेतःस्वर्णाभं पर्वताकारमद्भुतम् । अभवत्पतितं भूमौ स्पृशद् द्यामेव सुप्रभम्

tacchambhuretaḥsvarṇābhaṁ parvatākāramadbhutam abhavatpatitaṁ bhūmau spṛśad dyāmeva suprabham

That seed of Shambhu, golden in hue, wondrous, mountain-like in form, its splendor touching the very sky, fell down upon the earth.

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.120.40)

अभवन्सुखिनःसर्वे सुराः सर्वेऽच्युतादयः । अस्तुवन् परमेशानं शङ्करं भक्तवत्सलम्

abhavansukhinaḥsarve surāḥ sarve'cyutādayaḥ astuvan parameśānaṁ śaṅkaraṁ bhaktavatsalam

All the gods, headed by Achyuta, became happy, and began to praise the Supreme Lord Shankara, affectionate to his devotees.

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.120.41)

पावकस्त्वभवन्नैव सुखी तत्र मुनीश्वर । तस्याज्ञां परमोऽदाद्वै शङ्करः परमेश्वरः

pāvakastvabhavannaiva sukhī tatra munīśvara tasyājñāṁ paramo'dādvai śaṅkaraḥ parameśvaraḥ

But O lord of sages, Agni alone did not become happy there; and the Supreme Lord Shankara then gave him a command of his own.

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.120.42)

ततः सवह्निर्विकलः साञ्जलिर्नतको मुने । अस्तौच्छिवं सुखी नात्मा वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्

tataḥ savahnirvikalaḥ sāñjalirnatako mune astaucchivaṁ sukhī nātmā vacanaṁ cedamabravīt

Then Agni, distressed, with joined palms and bowed head, O sage, praised Shiva though he himself was unhappy, and spoke these words.

Verse 43 (shiva.rudra.120.43)

अग्निरुवाच । देवदेव महेशान मूढोऽहं तव सेवकः । क्षमस्व मेऽपराधं हि मम दाहं निवारय

agniruvāca devadeva maheśāna mūḍho'haṁ tava sevakaḥ kṣamasva me'parādhaṁ hi mama dāhaṁ nivāraya

Agni said: O god of gods, Maheshana, I am your foolish servant. Forgive my offense, and take away this burning of mine.

Verse 44 (shiva.rudra.120.44)

त्वं दीनवत्सलः स्वामिन् शङ्करः परमेश्वरः । प्रत्युवाच प्रसन्नात्मा पावको दीनवत्सलम्

tvaṁ dīnavatsalaḥ svāmin śaṅkaraḥ parameśvaraḥ pratyuvāca prasannātmā pāvako dīnavatsalam

"You, O Lord, are Shankara, the Supreme Lord who is ever compassionate to the humble" — so saying, Pavaka, his heart glad, spoke thus to the one who is compassionate to the humble.

Verse 45 (shiva.rudra.120.45)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य शुचेर्वाणीं स शम्भुः परमेश्वरः । प्रत्युवाच प्रसन्नात्मा पावकं दीनवत्सलः

brahmovāca ityākarṇya śucervāṇīṁ sa śambhuḥ parameśvaraḥ pratyuvāca prasannātmā pāvakaṁ dīnavatsalaḥ

Brahma said: Hearing these words of the Pure One, Shambhu, the Supreme Lord, his heart glad and ever compassionate to the humble, gave his reply to Pavaka.

Verse 46 (shiva.rudra.120.46)

शिव उवाच । कृतं त्वनुचितं कर्म मद्रेतो भक्षितं हि यत् । अतो निवृत्तस्ते दाहः पापाधिक्यान्मदाज्ञया

śiva uvāca kṛtaṁ tvanucitaṁ karma madreto bhakṣitaṁ hi yat ato nivṛttaste dāhaḥ pāpādhikyānmadājñayā

Shiva said: You have done an improper deed in devouring my seed. Yet, despite the greatness of that transgression, by my own command your burning is now removed.

Verse 47 (shiva.rudra.120.47)

इदानीं त्वं सुखी नाम शुचे मच्छरणागतः । अतः प्रसन्नो जातोऽहं सर्वं दुःखं विनश्यति

idānīṁ tvaṁ sukhī nāma śuce maccharaṇāgataḥ ataḥ prasanno jāto'haṁ sarvaṁ duḥkhaṁ vinaśyati

Now, O Pure One, having come to me for refuge, you are truly happy; therefore I am pleased, and all your sorrow shall be destroyed.

Verse 48 (shiva.rudra.120.48)

कस्याश्चित्सुस्त्रियां योनौ मद्रेतस्त्यज यत्नतः । भविष्यति सुखी त्वं हि निर्दाहात्मा विशेषतः

kasyāścitsustriyāṁ yonau madretastyaja yatnataḥ bhaviṣyati sukhī tvaṁ hi nirdāhātmā viśeṣataḥ

Diligently deposit this seed of mine into the womb of some virtuous woman; then you shall indeed become happy, your body especially freed of burning.

Verse 49 (shiva.rudra.120.49)

ब्रह्मोवाच । शम्भुवाक्यं निशम्येति प्रत्युवाच शनैः शुचिः । साञ्जलिर्नतकः प्रीत्या शङ्करं भक्तशङ्करम्

brahmovāca śambhuvākyaṁ niśamyeti pratyuvāca śanaiḥ śuciḥ sāñjalirnatakaḥ prītyā śaṅkaraṁ bhaktaśaṅkaram

Brahma said: Hearing Shambhu's words, the Pure One slowly replied, with joined palms and bowed head, lovingly, to Shankara, the benefactor of his devotees.

Verse 50 (shiva.rudra.120.50)

दुरासदमिदं तेजस्तव नाथ महेश्वर । काचिन्नास्ति विना शक्त्या धर्तुं योनौ जगत्त्रये

durāsadamidaṁ tejastava nātha maheśvara kācinnāsti vinā śaktyā dhartuṁ yonau jagattraye

O Lord Maheshvara, this radiance of yours is unbearable to hold. Apart from Shakti, there is no woman in the three worlds able to bear it in her womb.

Verse 51 (shiva.rudra.120.51)

इत्थं यदाऽब्रवीद्वह्निस्तदा त्वं मुनिसत्तम । शङ्करप्रेरितः प्रात्थ हृदाग्निमुपकारकः

itthaṁ yadā'bravīdvahnistadā tvaṁ munisattama śaṅkarapreritaḥ prāttha hṛdāgnimupakārakaḥ

When Agni spoke thus, O best of sages, then you, moved by Shankara, went to Agni yourself, with a helpful and open heart.

Verse 52 (shiva.rudra.120.52)

नारद उवाच । शृणु मद्वचनं वह्ने तव दाहहरं शुभम् । परमानन्ददं रम्यं सर्वकष्टनिवारकम्

nārada uvāca śṛṇu madvacanaṁ vahne tava dāhaharaṁ śubham paramānandadaṁ ramyaṁ sarvakaṣṭanivārakam

Narada said: Listen, O Agni, to this auspicious word of mine, which removes your burning, grants supreme bliss, is delightful, and does away with every hardship.

Verse 53 (shiva.rudra.120.53)

कृत्वोपायमिमं वह्ने सुखी भव विदाहकः । शिवेच्छया मया सम्यगुक्तं तातेदमादरात्

kṛtvopāyamimaṁ vahne sukhī bhava vidāhakaḥ śivecchayā mayā samyaguktaṁ tātedamādarāt

O Agni, adopt this means and become happy, free of your burning. Dear one, by Shiva's own will I have told you this rightly and with regard.

Verse 54 (shiva.rudra.120.54)

तपोमासस्नानकर्त्र्यः स्त्रियो याःस्युः प्रगे शुचे । तद्देहेषु स्थापय त्वं शिवरेतस्त्विदं महत्

tapomāsasnānakartryaḥ striyo yāḥsyuḥ prage śuce taddeheṣu sthāpaya tvaṁ śivaretastvidaṁ mahat

O Pure One, whatever women there may be who bathe at dawn in the month of Tapas, place this great seed of Shiva into their bodies.

Verse 55 (shiva.rudra.120.55)

ब्रह्मोवाच । तस्मिन्नवसरे तत्रागताः सप्तमुनिस्त्रियः । तपोमासि स्नानकामाः प्रातः सन्नियमा मुने

brahmovāca tasminnavasare tatrāgatāḥ saptamunistriyaḥ tapomāsi snānakāmāḥ prātaḥ sanniyamā mune

Brahma said: At that very time, O sage, seven wives of sages came there, wishing to bathe in the month of Tapas at dawn, observing their vows.

Verse 56 (shiva.rudra.120.56)

स्नानं कृत्वा स्त्रियस्ता हि महाशीतार्द्दिताश्च षट् । गन्तुकामा मुने याता वह्निज्वालासमीपतः

snānaṁ kṛtvā striyastā hi mahāśītārdditāśca ṣaṭ gantukāmā mune yātā vahnijvālāsamīpataḥ

Having bathed, six of those women, O sage, greatly afflicted by the cold, went near the flame of the fire, wishing to warm themselves.

Verse 57 (shiva.rudra.120.57)

विमोहिताश्च ता दृष्ट्वारुन्धती गिरिशाज्ञया । निषिषेध विशेषेण सुचरित्रा सुबोधिनी

vimohitāśca tā dṛṣṭvārundhatī giriśājñayā niṣiṣedha viśeṣeṇa sucaritrā subodhinī

Seeing them thus tempted, Arundhati, of good conduct and wise counsel, forbade them expressly, by Girisha's own will.

Verse 58 (shiva.rudra.120.58)

ताः षड् मुनिस्त्रियो मोहाद्धठात्तत्र गता मुने । स्वशीतविनिवृत्त्यर्थं मोहिताः शिवमायया

tāḥ ṣaḍ munistriyo mohāddhaṭhāttatra gatā mune svaśītavinivṛttyarthaṁ mohitāḥ śivamāyayā

Yet those six wives of sages, O sage, deluded by Shiva's own maya, went there stubbornly nonetheless, in order to relieve themselves of the cold.

Verse 59 (shiva.rudra.120.59)

तद्रेतःकणिकाः सद्यस्तद्देहान् विविशुर्मुने । रोमद्वाराऽखिला वह्निरभूद्दाहविवर्जितः

tadretaḥkaṇikāḥ sadyastaddehān viviśurmune romadvārā'khilā vahnirabhūddāhavivarjitaḥ

Particles of that seed, O sage, entered their bodies at once through every pore of their skin; and Agni became wholly free of his burning.

Verse 60 (shiva.rudra.120.60)

अन्तर्धाय द्रुतं वह्निर्ज्वालारूपो जगाम ह । सुखी स्वलोकं मनसा स्मरंस्त्वां शङ्करं च तम्

antardhāya drutaṁ vahnirjvālārūpo jagāma ha sukhī svalokaṁ manasā smaraṁstvāṁ śaṅkaraṁ ca tam

Agni, in the form of flame, vanished at once and, calling Narada and Shankara to mind, went happily to his own world.

Verse 61 (shiva.rudra.120.61)

सगर्भास्ताः स्त्रियः साधोऽभवन् दाहप्रपीडिताः । जग्मुःस्वभवनं तातारुन्धती दुःखिताग्निना

sagarbhāstāḥ striyaḥ sādho'bhavan dāhaprapīḍitāḥ jagmuḥsvabhavanaṁ tātārundhatī duḥkhitāgninā

O virtuous one, those women became pregnant and were afflicted with burning; they went, dear one, to their own homes, while Arundhati was distressed by that whole affair with the fire.

Verse 62 (shiva.rudra.120.62)

दृष्ट्वा स्वस्त्रीगतिं तात नाथाः क्रोधाकुला द्रुतम् । तत्यजुस्ताः स्त्रियस्तात सुसम्मन्त्र्य परस्परम्

dṛṣṭvā svastrīgatiṁ tāta nāthāḥ krodhākulā drutam tatyajustāḥ striyastāta susammantrya parasparam

Seeing this condition of their wives, dear one, their husbands, overwhelmed with anger, took counsel well among themselves and abandoned those women.

Verse 63 (shiva.rudra.120.63)

अथ ताः षट् स्त्रियःसर्वा दृष्ट्वा स्वव्यभिचारकम् । महादुःखान्वितास्ताताभवन्नाकुलमानसाः

atha tāḥ ṣaṭ striyaḥsarvā dṛṣṭvā svavyabhicārakam mahāduḥkhānvitāstātābhavannākulamānasāḥ

Then those six women, seeing this stain of infidelity fallen upon them, dear one, became overwhelmed with great sorrow, their minds distraught.

Verse 64 (shiva.rudra.120.64)

तत्यजुश्शिवरेतस्तद्गर्भरूपं मुनिस्त्रियः । ता हिमाचलपृष्ठेऽथाभवन् दाहविवर्जिताः

tatyajuśśivaretastadgarbharūpaṁ munistriyaḥ tā himācalapṛṣṭhe'thābhavan dāhavivarjitāḥ

Those sages' wives cast off that Shiva-seed, which had taken the form of an embryo; and there, upon the slope of the Himalaya, they became free of burning.

Verse 65 (shiva.rudra.120.65)

असहन् शिवरेतस्तद्धिमाद्रिः कम्पमुद्वहन् । गङ्गायां प्राक्षिपत्तूर्णमसह्यं दाहपीडितः

asahan śivaretastaddhimādriḥ kampamudvahan gaṅgāyāṁ prākṣipattūrṇamasahyaṁ dāhapīḍitaḥ

Unable to bear that unbearable Shiva-seed, the Himalaya, trembling and afflicted by its burning, at once cast it into the Ganga.

Verse 66 (shiva.rudra.120.66)

गङ्गयाऽपि च तद्वीर्यं दुस्सहं परमात्मनः । निःक्षिप्तं हि शरस्तम्बे तरङ्गैः स्वैर्मुनीश्वर

gaṅgayā'pi ca tadvīryaṁ dussahaṁ paramātmanaḥ niḥkṣiptaṁ hi śarastambe taraṅgaiḥ svairmunīśvara

O lord of sages, Ganga too could not bear that unbearable seed of the Supreme Self, and with her own waves cast it into a thicket of reeds.

Verse 67 (shiva.rudra.120.67)

पतितं तत्र तद्रेतो द्रुतं बालो बभूव ह । सुन्दरः सुभगः श्रीमांस्तेजस्वी प्रीतिवर्द्धनः

patitaṁ tatra tadreto drutaṁ bālo babhūva ha sundaraḥ subhagaḥ śrīmāṁstejasvī prītivarddhanaḥ

That seed, having fallen there, quickly became a child — beautiful, fortunate, glorious, radiant, and one who increases love.

Verse 68 (shiva.rudra.120.68)

मार्गमासे सिते पक्षे तिथौ षष्ठ्यां मुनीश्वर । प्रादुर्भावोऽभवत्तस्य शिवपुत्रस्य भूतले

mārgamāse site pakṣe tithau ṣaṣṭhyāṁ munīśvara prādurbhāvo'bhavattasya śivaputrasya bhūtale

O lord of sages, in the month of Margashirsha, in the bright fortnight, on the sixth tithi, that son of Shiva appeared upon the earth.

Verse 69 (shiva.rudra.120.69)

तस्मिन्नवसरे ब्रह्मन्नकस्माद्धिमशैलजा । अभूतां सुखिनौ तत्र स्वगिरौ गिरिशोऽपि च

tasminnavasare brahmannakasmāddhimaśailajā abhūtāṁ sukhinau tatra svagirau giriśo'pi ca

At that very moment, O Brahman, both the daughter of the Himalaya and Girisha himself suddenly became joyful there, upon their own mountain.

Verse 70 (shiva.rudra.120.70)

शिवाकुचाभ्यां सुस्राव पय आनन्दसम्भवम् । तत्र गत्वा च सर्वेषां सुखमासीन्मुनेऽधिकम्

śivākucābhyāṁ susrāva paya ānandasambhavam tatra gatvā ca sarveṣāṁ sukhamāsīnmune'dhikam

From Shiva's breasts milk born of bliss began to flow; and, O sage, all who came there felt an exceeding happiness.

Verse 71 (shiva.rudra.120.71)

मङ्गलं चाऽभवत्तात त्रिलोक्यां सुखदं सताम् । खलानामभवद्विघ्नो दैत्यानां च विशेषतः

maṅgalaṁ cā'bhavattāta trilokyāṁ sukhadaṁ satām khalānāmabhavadvighno daityānāṁ ca viśeṣataḥ

Dear one, auspiciousness arose in the three worlds, giving happiness to the virtuous; and misfortune befell the wicked, and especially the demons.

Verse 72 (shiva.rudra.120.72)

अकस्मादभवद् व्योम्नि परमो दुन्दुभिध्वनिः । पुष्पवृष्टिः पपाताऽशु बालकोपरि नारद

akasmādabhavad vyomni paramo dundubhidhvaniḥ puṣpavṛṣṭiḥ papātā'śu bālakopari nārada

O Narada, suddenly a supreme sound of celestial drums rang out in the sky, and a shower of flowers swiftly fell upon the child.

Verse 73 (shiva.rudra.120.73)

विष्ण्वादीनां समस्तानां देवानां मुनिसत्तम । अभूदकस्मात्परम आनन्दः परमोत्सवः

viṣṇvādīnāṁ samastānāṁ devānāṁ munisattama abhūdakasmātparama ānandaḥ paramotsavaḥ

O best of sages, among all the gods headed by Vishnu there arose, all at once, a supreme joy and a great celebration.