Maya's Praise and the Gods' Return

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.150.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । एतस्मिन्नन्तरे शम्भुं प्रसन्नं वीक्ष्य दानवः । तत्राजगाम सुप्रीतो मयोऽदग्धः कृपाबलात्

sanatkumāra uvāca etasminnantare śambhuṁ prasannaṁ vīkṣya dānavaḥ tatrājagāma suprīto mayo'dagdhaḥ kṛpābalāt

Sanatkumara said: "Meanwhile, seeing Shambhu pleased, the danava Maya — spared from burning by the power of his grace — came there, greatly delighted."

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.150.2)

प्रणनाम हरं प्रीत्या सुरानन्यानपि ध्रुवम् । कृताञ्जलिर्नतस्कन्धः प्रणनाम पुनस्शिवम्

praṇanāma haraṁ prītyā surānanyānapi dhruvam kṛtāñjalirnataskandhaḥ praṇanāma punasśivam

He bowed to Hara with love, and to the other gods as well; then, hands folded and shoulders bowed, he bowed once more to Shiva.

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.150.3)

अथोत्थाय शिवं दृष्ट्वा प्रेम्णा गद्गदसुस्वरः । तुष्टाव भक्तिपूर्णात्मा स दानववरो मयः

athotthāya śivaṁ dṛṣṭvā premṇā gadgadasusvaraḥ tuṣṭāva bhaktipūrṇātmā sa dānavavaro mayaḥ

Then, rising, beholding Shiva, his voice breaking with love, that foremost of danavas, Maya, his soul brimming with devotion, offered his praise.

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.150.4)

मय उवाच । देवदेव महादेव भक्तवत्सल शङ्कर । कल्पवृक्षस्वरूपोऽसि सर्वपक्षविवर्जितः

maya uvāca devadeva mahādeva bhaktavatsala śaṅkara kalpavṛkṣasvarūpo'si sarvapakṣavivarjitaḥ

Maya said: "O God of gods, Mahadeva, Shankara who cherishes his devotees! You are the very likeness of the wish-fulfilling tree, free from every partiality."

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.150.5)

ज्योतीरूपो नमस्तेऽस्तु विश्वरूप नमोऽस्तु ते । नमः पूतात्मने तुभ्यं पावनाय नमो नमः

jyotīrūpo namaste'stu viśvarūpa namo'stu te namaḥ pūtātmane tubhyaṁ pāvanāya namo namaḥ

"Salutation to you, form of light; salutation to you, form of the universe. Salutation to you, of pure soul; salutation, salutation to the purifier."

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.150.6)

चित्ररूपाय नित्याय रूपातीताय ते नमः । दिव्यरूपाय दिव्याय सुदिव्याकृतये नमः

citrarūpāya nityāya rūpātītāya te namaḥ divyarūpāya divyāya sudivyākṛtaye namaḥ

"Salutation to you, of wondrous form, eternal, beyond all form; of divine shape, divine, of most divine likeness."

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.150.7)

नमः प्रणतसर्वार्तिनाशकाय शिवात्मने । कर्त्रे भर्त्रे च संहर्त्रे त्रिलोकानां नमो नमः

namaḥ praṇatasarvārtināśakāya śivātmane kartre bhartre ca saṁhartre trilokānāṁ namo namaḥ

"Salutation to the auspicious soul who destroys every sorrow of those who bow to him; salutation, salutation to the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of the three worlds."

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.150.8)

भक्तिगम्याय भक्तानां नमस्तुभ्यं कृपालवे । तपःसत्फलदात्रे ते शिवाकान्त शिवेश्वर

bhaktigamyāya bhaktānāṁ namastubhyaṁ kṛpālave tapaḥsatphaladātre te śivākānta śiveśvara

"Salutation to you, attainable only through your devotees' devotion, O compassionate one; giver of the true fruit of austerity, O beloved of Shiva, O lord of all that is auspicious."

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.150.9)

न जानामि स्तुतिं कर्तुं स्तुतिप्रिय परेश्वर । प्रसन्नो भव सर्वेश पाहि मां शरणागतम्

na jānāmi stutiṁ kartuṁ stutipriya pareśvara prasanno bhava sarveśa pāhi māṁ śaraṇāgatam

"I know not how to frame fitting praise, O supreme Lord who delights in praise. Be gracious, O Lord of all; protect me, who has come to you for refuge."

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.150.10)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य मयोक्तां हि संस्तुतिं परमेश्वरः । प्रसन्नोऽभूद् द्विजश्रेष्ठ मयं प्रोवाच चादरात्

sanatkumāra uvāca ityākarṇya mayoktāṁ hi saṁstutiṁ parameśvaraḥ prasanno'bhūd dvijaśreṣṭha mayaṁ provāca cādarāt

Sanatkumara said: "O best of Brahmins, hearing this praise spoken by Maya, the supreme Lord was pleased, and addressed Maya with respect."

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.150.11)

शिव उवाच । वरं ब्रूहि प्रसन्नोऽहं मय दानवसत्तम । मनोऽभिलषितं यत्ते तद्दास्यामि न संशयः

śiva uvāca varaṁ brūhi prasanno'haṁ maya dānavasattama mano'bhilaṣitaṁ yatte taddāsyāmi na saṁśayaḥ

Shiva said: "Ask for a boon, O Maya, best of danavas; I am well pleased. Whatever your heart desires, that I shall grant — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.150.12)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । श्रुत्वा शिवं वचः शम्भोः स मयो दानवर्षभः । प्रत्युवाच प्रभुं नत्वा नतस्कन्धः कृताञ्जलिः

sanatkumāra uvāca śrutvā śivaṁ vacaḥ śambhoḥ sa mayo dānavarṣabhaḥ pratyuvāca prabhuṁ natvā nataskandhaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ

Sanatkumara said: "Hearing Shambhu's gracious word, Maya, foremost of danavas, bowing to the Lord, shoulders bent, hands folded, made reply."

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.150.13)

मय उवाच । देवदेव महादेव प्रसन्नो यदि मे भवान् । वरयोग्योऽस्म्यहं चेद्धि स्वभक्तिं देहि शाश्वतीम्

maya uvāca devadeva mahādeva prasanno yadi me bhavān varayogyo'smyahaṁ ceddhi svabhaktiṁ dehi śāśvatīm

Maya said: "O God of gods, Mahadeva, if you are pleased with me, and if I am worthy of a boon, then grant me your everlasting devotion."

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.150.14)

स्वभक्तेषु सदा सख्यं दीनेषु च दयां सदा । उपेक्षामन्यजीवेषु खलेषु परमेश्वर

svabhakteṣu sadā sakhyaṁ dīneṣu ca dayāṁ sadā upekṣāmanyajīveṣu khaleṣu parameśvara

"Grant me, O supreme Lord, ever-abiding friendship toward your own devotees, unfailing compassion toward the humble, and indifference toward other beings — the wicked."

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.150.15)

कदापि नासुरो भावो भवेन्मम महेश्वर । निर्भयः स्यां सदा नाथ मग्नस्त्वद्भजने शुभे

kadāpi nāsuro bhāvo bhavenmama maheśvara nirbhayaḥ syāṁ sadā nātha magnastvadbhajane śubhe

"O Maheshvara, may an asuric nature never take root in me. O Lord, may I ever be free of fear, forever absorbed in your auspicious worship."

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.150.16)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । इति सम्प्रार्थ्यमानस्तु शङ्करः परमेश्वरः । प्रत्युवाच मयं नाथः प्रसन्नो भक्तवत्सलः

sanatkumāra uvāca iti samprārthyamānastu śaṅkaraḥ parameśvaraḥ pratyuvāca mayaṁ nāthaḥ prasanno bhaktavatsalaḥ

Sanatkumara said: "Thus entreated, Shankara, the supreme Lord, master and lover of his devotees, replied to Maya, well pleased."

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.150.17)

महेश्वर उवाच । दानवर्षभ धन्यस्त्वं मद्भक्तो निर्विकारवान् । प्रदत्तास्ते वराः सर्वेऽभीप्सिता ये तवाधुना

maheśvara uvāca dānavarṣabha dhanyastvaṁ madbhakto nirvikāravān pradattāste varāḥ sarve'bhīpsitā ye tavādhunā

Maheshvara said: "O bull among danavas, blessed are you, my devotee unshaken by change. All the boons you have just now desired are granted to you."

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.150.18)

गच्छ त्वं वितलं लोकं रमणीयं दिवोऽपि हि । समेतः परिवारेण निजेन मम शासनात्

gaccha tvaṁ vitalaṁ lokaṁ ramaṇīyaṁ divo'pi hi sametaḥ parivāreṇa nijena mama śāsanāt

"Go now, by my command, together with your own household, to the delightful realm of Vitala, lovelier even than heaven itself."

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.150.19)

निर्भयस्तत्र सन्तिष्ठ संहृष्टो भक्तिमान्सदा । कदापि नासुरो भावो भविष्यति मदाज्ञया

nirbhayastatra santiṣṭha saṁhṛṣṭo bhaktimānsadā kadāpi nāsuro bhāvo bhaviṣyati madājñayā

"Dwell there without fear, ever joyful, ever devoted. By my decree, an asuric nature shall never again arise in you."

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.150.20)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । इत्याज्ञां शिरसाधाय शङ्करस्य महात्मनः । तं प्रणम्य सुरांश्चापि वितलं प्रजगाम सः

sanatkumāra uvāca ityājñāṁ śirasādhāya śaṅkarasya mahātmanaḥ taṁ praṇamya surāṁścāpi vitalaṁ prajagāma saḥ

Sanatkumara said: "Bearing this command of the great-souled Shankara upon his head, and bowing to him and to the gods as well, he departed for Vitala."

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.150.21)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे ते वै मुण्डिनश्च समागताः । प्रणम्योचुश्च तान्सर्वान्विष्णुब्रह्मादिकान् सुरान्

etasminnantare te vai muṇḍinaśca samāgatāḥ praṇamyocuśca tānsarvānviṣṇubrahmādikān surān

Meanwhile, those shaven Mundins likewise gathered there, and, bowing, addressed all those gods — Vishnu, Brahma, and the rest.

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.150.22)

कुत्र याम वयं देवाः कर्म किं करवामहे । आज्ञापयत नः शीघ्रं भवदादेशकारकान्

kutra yāma vayaṁ devāḥ karma kiṁ karavāmahe ājñāpayata naḥ śīghraṁ bhavadādeśakārakān

"Where shall we go, O gods? What task shall we perform? Command us swiftly — we who stand ready to carry out your bidding."

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.150.23)

कृतं दुष्कर्म चास्माभिर्हे हरे हे विधे सुराः । दैत्यानां शिवभक्तानां शिवभक्तिर्विनाशिता

kṛtaṁ duṣkarma cāsmābhirhe hare he vidhe surāḥ daityānāṁ śivabhaktānāṁ śivabhaktirvināśitā

"We have done an evil deed, O Hari, O Vidhi, O gods — we destroyed the Shiva-devotion of those daityas who were devotees of Shiva."

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.150.24)

कोटिकल्पानि नरके नो वासस्तु भविष्यति । नोद्धारो भविता नूनं शिवभक्तविरोधिनाम्

koṭikalpāni narake no vāsastu bhaviṣyati noddhāro bhavitā nūnaṁ śivabhaktavirodhinām

"For countless millions of kalpas our dwelling shall be in hell; surely there is no deliverance for those who oppose the devotees of Shiva."

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.150.25)

परन्तु भवदिच्छात इदं दुष्कर्म नः कृतम् । तच्छान्तिं कृपया ब्रूत वयं वः शरणागताः

parantu bhavadicchāta idaṁ duṣkarma naḥ kṛtam tacchāntiṁ kṛpayā brūta vayaṁ vaḥ śaraṇāgatāḥ

"Yet it was at your own bidding that this evil deed was done by us. Tell us, out of kindness, how it may be atoned; we have come to you for refuge."

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.150.26)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा विष्णुब्रह्मादयःसुराः । अब्रुवन्मुण्डिनस्तांस्ते स्थितानग्रे कृताञ्जलीन्

sanatkumāra uvāca teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā viṣṇubrahmādayaḥsurāḥ abruvanmuṇḍinastāṁste sthitānagre kṛtāñjalīn

Sanatkumara said: "Hearing these words, Vishnu, Brahma, and the other gods addressed those Mundins, who stood before them, hands folded."

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.150.27)

विष्ण्वादय ऊचुः । न भेतव्यं भवद्भिस्तु मुण्डिनो वै कदाचन । शिवाज्ञयेदं सकलं जातं चरितमुत्तमम्

viṣṇvādaya ūcuḥ na bhetavyaṁ bhavadbhistu muṇḍino vai kadācana śivājñayedaṁ sakalaṁ jātaṁ caritamuttamam

Vishnu and the others said: "O Mundins, you need never fear. This whole excellent deed came about entirely by Shiva's own command."

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.150.28)

युष्माकं भविता नैव कुगतिर्दुःखदायिनी । शिवदासा यतो यूयं देवर्षिहितकारकाः

yuṣmākaṁ bhavitā naiva kugatirduḥkhadāyinī śivadāsā yato yūyaṁ devarṣihitakārakāḥ

"No painful, evil fate shall ever befall you, since you are Shiva's own servants — workers for the welfare of gods and sages."

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.150.29)

सुरर्षिहितकृच्छम्भुः सुरर्षिहितकृत्प्रियः । सुरर्षिहितकृन्नॄणां कदापि कुगतिर्न हि

surarṣihitakṛcchambhuḥ surarṣihitakṛtpriyaḥ surarṣihitakṛnnṝṇāṁ kadāpi kugatirna hi

"Shambhu himself works the welfare of gods and sages, and he loves those who work that same welfare; for men who serve the welfare of gods and sages, there is never an evil fate."

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.150.30)

अद्यतो मतमेतं हि प्रविष्टानां नृणां कलौ । कुगतिर्भविता ब्रूमः सत्यं नैवात्र संशयः

adyato matametaṁ hi praviṣṭānāṁ nṛṇāṁ kalau kugatirbhavitā brūmaḥ satyaṁ naivātra saṁśayaḥ

"But we tell you in truth — from this day forward, those people who, in the Kali age, embrace this doctrine of yours shall meet an evil fate. Of this there is no doubt."

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.150.31)

भवद्भिर्मुण्डिनो धीरा गुप्तभावान्ममाज्ञया । तावन्मरुस्थली सेव्या कलिर्यावत्समाव्रजेत्

bhavadbhirmuṇḍino dhīrā guptabhāvānmamājñayā tāvanmarusthalī sevyā kaliryāvatsamāvrajet

"O steadfast Mundins, by my command you must keep your true nature hidden and dwell in the desert wilderness — until such time as the Kali age arrives."

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.150.32)

आगते च कलौ यूयं स्वमतं स्थापयिष्यथ । कलौ तु मोहिता मूढाःसङ्ग्रहीष्यन्ति वो मतम्

āgate ca kalau yūyaṁ svamataṁ sthāpayiṣyatha kalau tu mohitā mūḍhāḥsaṅgrahīṣyanti vo matam

"And when the Kali age has come, you shall establish your own doctrine; for in that age, deluded and foolish men will readily take up your teaching."

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.150.33)

इत्याज्ञप्ताः सुरेशैश्च मुण्डिनस्ते मुनीश्वर । नमस्कृत्य गतास्तत्र यथोद्दिष्टं स्वमाश्रमम्

ityājñaptāḥ sureśaiśca muṇḍinaste munīśvara namaskṛtya gatāstatra yathoddiṣṭaṁ svamāśramam

O lord of sages, thus commanded by the lords of the gods, those Mundins, bowing, departed for their own hermitage, just as they had been directed.

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.150.34)

ततः स भगवान् रुद्रो दग्ध्वा त्रिपुरवासिनः । कृतकृत्यो महायोगी ब्रह्माद्यैरभिपूजितः

tataḥ sa bhagavān rudro dagdhvā tripuravāsinaḥ kṛtakṛtyo mahāyogī brahmādyairabhipūjitaḥ

Then Lord Rudra, having burned the inhabitants of Tripura, his purpose accomplished, that great yogi, honored by Brahma and the rest —

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.150.35)

स्वगणैर्निखिलैर्देव्या शिवया सहितः प्रभुः । कृत्वामरमहत्कार्यं ससुतोऽन्तरधादथ

svagaṇairnikhilairdevyā śivayā sahitaḥ prabhuḥ kṛtvāmaramahatkāryaṁ sasuto'ntaradhādatha

— together with all his ganas, the goddess Shiva [Parvati], and his son, that Lord, having accomplished this great task for the immortals, then vanished from sight.

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.150.36)

ततश्चान्तर्हिते देवे परिवारान्विते शिवे । धनुः शररथाद्यैश्च प्राकारोऽन्तर्द्धिमागमत्

tataścāntarhite deve parivārānvite śive dhanuḥ śararathādyaiśca prākāro'ntarddhimāgamat

Then, once the god Shiva, together with his retinue, had vanished, the bow, the arrow, the chariot, and all the rest, ramparts included, likewise passed from view.

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.150.37)

ततो ब्रह्मा हरिर्देवा मुनिगन्धर्वकिन्नराः । नागाः सर्पाश्चाप्सरसः संहृष्टाश्चाथ मानुषाः

tato brahmā harirdevā munigandharvakinnarāḥ nāgāḥ sarpāścāpsarasaḥ saṁhṛṣṭāścātha mānuṣāḥ

Then Brahma, Hari, the gods, sages, gandharvas, kinnaras, nagas, serpents, apsaras, and humans too — all filled with joy —

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.150.38)

स्वं स्वं स्थानं मुदा जग्मुः शंसन्तः शाङ्करं यशः । स्वं स्वं स्थानमनुप्राप्य निर्वृतिं परमां ययुः

svaṁ svaṁ sthānaṁ mudā jagmuḥ śaṁsantaḥ śāṅkaraṁ yaśaḥ svaṁ svaṁ sthānamanuprāpya nirvṛtiṁ paramāṁ yayuḥ

— went joyfully, each to his own abode, proclaiming Shankara's glory; and, each having reached his own dwelling, attained supreme peace.

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.150.39)

एतत्ते कथितं सर्वं चरितं शशिमौलिनः । त्रिपुरक्षयसंसूचि परलीलान्वितं महत्

etatte kathitaṁ sarvaṁ caritaṁ śaśimaulinaḥ tripurakṣayasaṁsūci paralīlānvitaṁ mahat

This whole account of the moon-crested one has now been told to you — the great narrative announcing the destruction of Tripura, filled with his supreme, divine play.

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.150.40)

धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं धनधान्यप्रवर्द्धकम् । स्वर्गदं मोक्षदं चापि किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि

dhanyaṁ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṁ dhanadhānyapravarddhakam svargadaṁ mokṣadaṁ cāpi kiṁ bhūyaḥ śrotumicchasi

It is blessed, glory-bestowing, life-lengthening, increasing wealth and grain, granting heaven, and granting liberation besides. What more do you wish to hear?

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.150.41)

इदं हि परमाख्यानं यः पठेच्छृणुयात्सदा । इह भुक्त्वाखिलान्कामान् अन्ते मुक्तिमवाप्नुयात्

idaṁ hi paramākhyānaṁ yaḥ paṭhecchṛṇuyātsadā iha bhuktvākhilānkāmān ante muktimavāpnuyāt

Whoever regularly recites or hears this supreme narrative shall, having enjoyed every desire here in this world, attain liberation at the last.