The Slaying of Gajasura

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.195.1)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । शृणु व्यास महाप्रेम्णा चरितं शशिमौलिनः । यथाऽवधीत् त्रिशूलेन दानवेन्द्रं गजासुरम्

sanatkumāra uvāca śṛṇu vyāsa mahāpremṇā caritaṁ śaśimaulinaḥ yathā'vadhīt triśūlena dānavendraṁ gajāsuram

Sanatkumara said: Hear, O Vyasa, with great love, the deed of the moon-crested one — how with his trident he slew the lord of danavas, Gajasura.

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.195.2)

दानवे निहते देव्या समरे महिषासुरे । देवानां च हितार्थाय पुरा देवाः सुखं ययुः

dānave nihate devyā samare mahiṣāsure devānāṁ ca hitārthāya purā devāḥ sukhaṁ yayuḥ

Long ago, when the danava Mahishasura had been slain in battle by the Devi, for the welfare of the gods, the gods attained happiness.

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.195.3)

तस्य पुत्रो महावीरो मुनीश्वर गजासुरः । पितुर्वधं हि संस्मृत्य कृतं देव्या सुरार्थनात्

tasya putro mahāvīro munīśvara gajāsuraḥ piturvadhaṁ hi saṁsmṛtya kṛtaṁ devyā surārthanāt

O lord of sages, his son, the great hero Gajasura, ever recalling his father's slaying — done by the Devi at the gods' own request —

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.195.4)

स तद्वैरमनुस्मृत्य तपोऽर्थं गतवान् वने । समुद्दिश्य विधिं प्रीत्या तताप परमं तपः

sa tadvairamanusmṛtya tapo'rthaṁ gatavān vane samuddiśya vidhiṁ prītyā tatāpa paramaṁ tapaḥ

remembering that enmity, went to the forest for the sake of austerity, and, with devotion directed toward Brahma, performed the most supreme austerity.

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.195.5)

अवध्योऽहं भविष्यामि स्त्रीपुंसैः कामनिर्जितैः । संविचार्येति मनसाऽभूत्तपोरतमानसः

avadhyo'haṁ bhaviṣyāmi strīpuṁsaiḥ kāmanirjitaiḥ saṁvicāryeti manasā'bhūttaporatamānasaḥ

Thinking in his mind, "May I become unslayable by any man or woman who has conquered desire," he became wholly absorbed in his austerity.

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.195.6)

स तेपे हिमवद् द्रोण्यां तपः परमदारुणम् । ऊर्ध्वबाहुर्नभोदृष्टिः पादाङ्गुष्ठाश्रितावनिः

sa tepe himavad droṇyāṁ tapaḥ paramadāruṇam ūrdhvabāhurnabhodṛṣṭiḥ pādāṅguṣṭhāśritāvaniḥ

He performed the most terrible austerity in a valley of the Himalayas, his arms raised upward, his gaze fixed on the sky, the earth touched only by his big toes.

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.195.7)

जटाभारैः स वै रेजे प्रलयार्क इवांशुभिः । महिषासुरपुत्रोऽसौ गजासुर उदारधीः

jaṭābhāraiḥ sa vai reje pralayārka ivāṁśubhiḥ mahiṣāsuraputro'sau gajāsura udāradhīḥ

With the mass of his matted locks, that noble-minded son of Mahishasura, Gajasura, shone like the sun of doomsday with its rays.

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.195.8)

तस्य मूर्ध्नः समुद्भूतः सधूमोऽग्निस्तपोमयः । तिर्यगूर्ध्वमधोलोकांस्तापयन्विष्वगीरितः

tasya mūrdhnaḥ samudbhūtaḥ sadhūmo'gnistapomayaḥ tiryagūrdhvamadholokāṁstāpayanviṣvagīritaḥ

From his very head there arose a smoking fire, born of his austerity, spreading in every direction and scorching the worlds above, below, and across.

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.195.9)

चुक्षुभुर्नद्युदन्वन्तश्चाग्नेर्मूर्द्धसमुद्भवात् । निपेतुः सग्रहास्तारा जज्ज्वलुश्च दिशो दश

cukṣubhurnadyudanvantaścāgnermūrddhasamudbhavāt nipetuḥ sagrahāstārā jajjvaluśca diśo daśa

Rivers and oceans were churned into turmoil by that fire born of his head; the stars, together with the planets, fell from the sky, and the ten directions blazed.

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.195.10)

तेन तप्ताः सुराः सर्वे दिवं त्यक्त्वा सवासवाः । ब्रह्मलोकं ययुर्विज्ञापयामासुश्चचाल भूः

tena taptāḥ surāḥ sarve divaṁ tyaktvā savāsavāḥ brahmalokaṁ yayurvijñāpayāmāsuścacāla bhūḥ

Scorched by it, all the gods, together with Vasava, abandoned heaven and went to Brahmaloka to petition him, and the earth itself shook.

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.195.11)

देवा ऊचुः । विधे गजासुरतपस्तप्ता वयमथाकुलाः । न शक्नुमो दिवि स्थातुमतस्ते शरणं गताः

devā ūcuḥ vidhe gajāsuratapastaptā vayamathākulāḥ na śaknumo divi sthātumataste śaraṇaṁ gatāḥ

The gods said: "O Brahma, scorched by the austerity of Gajasura, we are utterly distressed; we cannot remain in heaven — therefore we have come to your refuge."

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.195.12)

विधे ह्युपशमं तस्य चान्याञ्जीवयितुं कृथा । लोका नङ्क्ष्यत्यन्यथा हि सत्यं सत्यं ब्रुवामहे

vidhe hyupaśamaṁ tasya cānyāñjīvayituṁ kṛthā lokā naṅkṣyatyanyathā hi satyaṁ satyaṁ bruvāmahe

"O Brahma, bring about his pacification, so that others too may go on living; otherwise the worlds will perish — this we tell you truly, truly."

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.195.13)

इति विज्ञापितो देवैर्वासवाद्यैः स आत्मभूः । भृगुदक्षादिभिर्ब्रह्मा ययौ दैत्यवराश्रमम्

iti vijñāpito devairvāsavādyaiḥ sa ātmabhūḥ bhṛgudakṣādibhirbrahmā yayau daityavarāśramam

Thus petitioned by the gods, headed by Vasava, and by Bhrigu, Daksha, and the rest, the self-born Brahma went to the hermitage of that foremost daitya.

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.195.14)

तपन्तं तपसा लोकान् यथाऽभ्रापिहितं दिवि । विलक्ष्य विस्मितः प्राह विहसन्सृष्टिकारकः

tapantaṁ tapasā lokān yathā'bhrāpihitaṁ divi vilakṣya vismitaḥ prāha vihasansṛṣṭikārakaḥ

Seeing him scorching the worlds with his austerity, like a sun veiled by clouds in the sky, the creator, astonished, smiled and spoke.

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.195.15)

ब्रह्मोवाच । उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ दैत्येन्द्र तपः सिद्धोऽसि माहिषे । प्राप्तोऽहं वरदस्तात वरं वृणु यथेप्सितम्

brahmovāca uttiṣṭhottiṣṭha daityendra tapaḥ siddho'si māhiṣe prāpto'haṁ varadastāta varaṁ vṛṇu yathepsitam

Brahma said: "Rise, rise, O lord of daityas, son of Mahisha! Your austerity has borne fruit; I have come as the giver of boons — dear one, choose whatever boon you desire."

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.195.16)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । उत्थायोत्थाय दैत्येन्द्र ईक्षमाणो दृशा विभुम् । गिरा गद्गदया प्रीतोऽगृणाद्देवं स माहिषिः

sanatkumāra uvāca utthāyotthāya daityendra īkṣamāṇo dṛśā vibhum girā gadgadayā prīto'gṛṇāddevaṁ sa māhiṣiḥ

Sanatkumara said: Rising up, that lord of daityas, gazing upon the mighty Lord, delighted, addressed the god in a voice choked with joy.

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.195.17)

गजासुर उवाच । नमस्ते देवदेवेश यदि दास्यसि मे वरम् । अवध्योऽहं भवेयं वै स्त्रीपुंसैः कामनिर्जितैः

gajāsura uvāca namaste devadeveśa yadi dāsyasi me varam avadhyo'haṁ bhaveyaṁ vai strīpuṁsaiḥ kāmanirjitaiḥ

Gajasura said: "Salutation to you, lord of the gods! If you would grant me a boon, may I become unslayable by any man or woman who has conquered desire —"

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.195.18)

महाबलो महावीर्योऽजेयो देवादिभिः सदा । सर्वेषां लोकपालानां निखिलर्द्धिसुभुग्विभो

mahābalo mahāvīryo'jeyo devādibhiḥ sadā sarveṣāṁ lokapālānāṁ nikhilarddhisubhugvibho

"— of great might, of great valor, ever unconquerable by the gods and all others, O mighty one, and an enjoyer of all the prosperity of every world-guardian."

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.195.19)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । एवं वृतः शतधृतिर्दानवेन स तेन वै । प्रादात्तत्तपसा प्रीतो वरं तस्य सुदुर्लभम्

sanatkumāra uvāca evaṁ vṛtaḥ śatadhṛtirdānavena sa tena vai prādāttattapasā prīto varaṁ tasya sudurlabham

Sanatkumara said: Thus entreated by that danava, the hundred-sacrifice-performer, pleased by his austerity, granted him that most rarely obtained boon.

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.195.20)

एवं लब्धवरो दैत्यो माहिषिश्च गजासुरः । सुप्रसन्नमनाः सोऽथ स्वधाम प्रत्यपद्यत

evaṁ labdhavaro daityo māhiṣiśca gajāsuraḥ suprasannamanāḥ so'tha svadhāma pratyapadyata

Having thus obtained his boon, that daitya, Gajasura, son of Mahisha, his mind well pleased, then returned to his own abode.

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.195.21)

स विजित्य दिशः सर्वा लोकांश्च त्रीन्महासुरः । देवासुरमनुष्येन्द्रान् गन्धर्वगरुडोरगान्

sa vijitya diśaḥ sarvā lokāṁśca trīnmahāsuraḥ devāsuramanuṣyendrān gandharvagaruḍoragān

That great asura, having conquered all directions and all three worlds — the lords of gods, asuras, and men, the gandharvas, garudas, and serpents —

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.195.22)

इत्यादीन्निखिलाञ्जित्वा वशमानीय विश्वजित् । जहार लोकपालानां स्थानानि सह तेजसा

ityādīnnikhilāñjitvā vaśamānīya viśvajit jahāra lokapālānāṁ sthānāni saha tejasā

and all such beings, having conquered them and brought them under his sway, that conqueror of the universe seized the very stations of the world-guardians, together with their splendor.

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.195.23)

देवोद्यानश्रियाजुष्टमध्यास्ते स्म त्रिविष्टपम् । महेन्द्रभवनं साक्षान्निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा

devodyānaśriyājuṣṭamadhyāste sma triviṣṭapam mahendrabhavanaṁ sākṣānnirmitaṁ viśvakarmaṇā

He then took up residence in heaven itself, graced with the beauty of the gods' gardens, in Mahendra's very own palace, built by Vishvakarma.

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.195.24)

तस्मिन्महेन्द्रस्य गृहे महाबलो महामना निर्जितलोक एकराट् । रेमेऽभिवन्द्याङ्घ्रियुगः सुरादिभिः प्रतापितैरूर्जितचण्डशासनः

tasminmahendrasya gṛhe mahābalo mahāmanā nirjitaloka ekarāṭ reme'bhivandyāṅghriyugaḥ surādibhiḥ pratāpitairūrjitacaṇḍaśāsanaḥ

In that dwelling of Mahendra, that mighty, noble-minded one, sole sovereign of a conquered world, whose two feet were bowed to by the gods and others whom he had scorched, of powerful and fierce command, took his pleasure.

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.195.25)

स इत्थं निर्जितककुबेकराड् विषयान्प्रियान् । यथोपजोषं भुञ्जानो नातृप्यदजितेन्द्रियः

sa itthaṁ nirjitakakubekarāḍ viṣayānpriyān yathopajoṣaṁ bhuñjāno nātṛpyadajitendriyaḥ

That sole sovereign, having thus conquered every quarter, enjoying pleasant objects of sense as he wished, could still not be satisfied, his senses unconquered.

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.195.26)

एवमैश्वर्यमत्तस्य दृप्तस्योच्छास्त्रवर्तिनः । काले व्यतीते महति पापबुद्धिरभूत्ततः

evamaiśvaryamattasya dṛptasyocchāstravartinaḥ kāle vyatīte mahati pāpabuddhirabhūttataḥ

Thus intoxicated by his sovereignty, arrogant, acting against all scripture, as a great span of time passed, a sinful disposition then arose in him.

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.195.27)

महिषासुरपुत्रोऽसौ सञ्चिक्लेश द्विजान्वरान् । तापसान्नितरां पृथ्व्यां दानवः सुरमर्दनः

mahiṣāsuraputro'sau sañcikleśa dvijānvarān tāpasānnitarāṁ pṛthvyāṁ dānavaḥ suramardanaḥ

That son of Mahishasura, the danava, crusher of the gods, tormented the finest brahmins and ascetics all across the earth.

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.195.28)

सुरान्नरांश्च प्रमथान्सर्वाञ्चिक्लेशदुर्मतिः । धर्मान्वितान्विशेषेण पूर्ववैरमनुस्मरन्

surānnarāṁśca pramathānsarvāñcikleśadurmatiḥ dharmānvitānviśeṣeṇa pūrvavairamanusmaran

That evil-minded one, ever recalling his old enmity, tormented gods, men, and all the Pramathas — especially those devoted to dharma.

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.195.29)

एकस्मिन्समये तात दानवोऽसौ महाबलः । अगच्छद्राजधानीं व शङ्करस्य गजासुरः

ekasminsamaye tāta dānavo'sau mahābalaḥ agacchadrājadhānīṁ va śaṅkarasya gajāsuraḥ

O dear one, at one time that mighty danava, Gajasura, went to the very capital city of Shankara.

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.195.30)

समागतेऽसुरेन्द्रे हि महान्कलकलो मुने । त्रात त्रातेति तत्रासीदानन्दनवासिनाम्

samāgate'surendre hi mahānkalakalo mune trāta trāteti tatrāsīdānandanavāsinām

O sage, when that lord of asuras arrived, a great uproar arose there among the dwellers of that blissful city, crying, "Save us, save us!"

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.195.31)

महिषाऽसुरपुत्रोऽसौ यदा पुर्यां समागतः । प्रमथन्प्रमथान्सर्वान्निजवीर्यमदोद्धतः

mahiṣā'suraputro'sau yadā puryāṁ samāgataḥ pramathanpramathānsarvānnijavīryamadoddhataḥ

When that son of Mahishasura arrived in the city, crushing all the Pramathas, swollen with the pride of his own valor,

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.195.32)

तस्मिन्नवसरे देवाः शक्राद्यास्तत्पराजिताः । शिवस्य शरणं जग्मुर्नत्वा तुष्टुवुरादरात्

tasminnavasare devāḥ śakrādyāstatparājitāḥ śivasya śaraṇaṁ jagmurnatvā tuṣṭuvurādarāt

at that moment the gods, led by Shakra, defeated by him, went for refuge to Shiva, bowed, and praised him with reverence.

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.195.33)

न्यवेदयन्दानवस्य तस्य काश्यां समागमम् । क्लेशाधिक्यं तत्रत्यानां तन्नाथानां विशेषतः

nyavedayandānavasya tasya kāśyāṁ samāgamam kleśādhikyaṁ tatratyānāṁ tannāthānāṁ viśeṣataḥ

They reported that danava's arrival at Kashi, and the great affliction of the people there, and especially of its Lord himself.

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.195.34)

देवा ऊचुः । देवदेव महादेव तव पुर्य्यां गतोऽसुरः । कष्टं दत्ते त्वज्जनानां तं जहि त्वं कृपानिधे

devā ūcuḥ devadeva mahādeva tava puryyāṁ gato'suraḥ kaṣṭaṁ datte tvajjanānāṁ taṁ jahi tvaṁ kṛpānidhe

The gods said: "O god of gods, Mahadeva, an asura has come into your very city; he brings suffering upon your own people — slay him, O ocean of mercy."

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.195.35)

यत्र यत्र धरायां च चरणं प्रमिणोति हि । अचलां सचलां तत्र करोति निज भारतः

yatra yatra dharāyāṁ ca caraṇaṁ pramiṇoti hi acalāṁ sacalāṁ tatra karoti nija bhārataḥ

"Wherever on the earth he sets his foot, there he makes the immovable move, by his own weight."

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.195.36)

ऊरुवेगेन तरवः पतन्ति शिखरैः सह । यस्य दोर्दण्डघातेन चूर्णाः स्युश्च शिलोच्चयाः

ūruvegena taravaḥ patanti śikharaiḥ saha yasya dordaṇḍaghātena cūrṇāḥ syuśca śiloccayāḥ

"By the force of his thighs, trees fall along with mountain-peaks; by the blow of his mighty arms, whole heaps of rock are pulverized."

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.195.37)

यस्य मौलिजसङ्घर्षाद् घना व्योम त्यजन्त्यपि । नीलिमानं न चाद्यापि जह्युस्तत्केशसङ्गजम्

yasya maulijasaṅgharṣād ghanā vyoma tyajantyapi nīlimānaṁ na cādyāpi jahyustatkeśasaṅgajam

"From the friction of his very crown, the clouds are made to abandon the sky, yet even to this day they have not lost the blue color born of contact with his hair."

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.195.38)

यस्य निश्वाससम्भारैरुत्तरङ्गा महाब्धयः । नद्योऽप्यमन्दकल्लोला भवन्ति तिमिभिः सह

yasya niśvāsasambhārairuttaraṅgā mahābdhayaḥ nadyo'pyamandakallolā bhavanti timibhiḥ saha

"By the sheer mass of his breathing, the great oceans rise into waves, and the rivers too, together with their great fish, swell into unceasing billows."

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.195.39)

योजनानां सहस्राणि नव यस्य समुच्छ्रयः । तावानेव हि विस्तारः तनोर्मायाविनोऽस्य हि

yojanānāṁ sahasrāṇi nava yasya samucchrayaḥ tāvāneva hi vistāraḥ tanormāyāvino'sya hi

"His height is nine thousand yojanas, and just as great, indeed, is the breadth of that illusion-wielder's body."

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.195.40)

यन्नेत्रयोः पिङ्गलिमा तथा तरलिमा पुनः । विद्युताः नोह्यतेऽद्यापि सोऽयं स्माऽऽयाति सत्वरम्

yannetrayoḥ piṅgalimā tathā taralimā punaḥ vidyutāḥ nohyate'dyāpi so'yaṁ smā''yāti satvaram

"Even to this day, lightning bolts cannot rival the tawny gleam and the flickering of his two eyes; this very one is now coming swiftly upon us."

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.195.41)

यां यां दिशं समभ्येति सोऽयं दुःसह दानवः । अवध्योऽहं भवामीति स्त्रीपुंसैः कामनिर्जितैः

yāṁ yāṁ diśaṁ samabhyeti so'yaṁ duḥsaha dānavaḥ avadhyo'haṁ bhavāmīti strīpuṁsaiḥ kāmanirjitaiḥ

"Whatever direction that unbearable danava turns toward, he goes proclaiming, 'I am unslayable by any man or woman who has conquered desire.'"

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.195.42)

इत्येवं चेष्टितं तस्य दानवस्य निवेदितम् । रक्षस्व भक्तान्देवेश काशीरक्षणतत्पर

ityevaṁ ceṣṭitaṁ tasya dānavasya niveditam rakṣasva bhaktāndeveśa kāśīrakṣaṇatatpara

"Thus have we reported to you the doings of that danava — protect your devotees, O lord of gods, ever intent on the protection of Kashi."

Verse 43 (shiva.rudra.195.43)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । इति सम्प्रार्थितो देवैर्भक्तरक्षणतत्परः । तत्राऽऽजगाम सोरं तद्वधकामनया हरः

sanatkumāra uvāca iti samprārthito devairbhaktarakṣaṇatatparaḥ tatrā''jagāma soraṁ tadvadhakāmanayā haraḥ

Sanatkumara said: Thus entreated by the gods, Hara, ever intent on protecting his devotees, went at once to that place, desiring to slay him.

Verse 44 (shiva.rudra.195.44)

आगतं तं समालोक्य शङ्करं भक्तवत्सलम् । त्रिशूलहस्तं गर्जन्तं जगर्ज स गजासुरः

āgataṁ taṁ samālokya śaṅkaraṁ bhaktavatsalam triśūlahastaṁ garjantaṁ jagarja sa gajāsuraḥ

Seeing Shankara arrive, ever affectionate to his devotees, trident in hand, roaring, Gajasura roared back.

Verse 45 (shiva.rudra.195.45)

ततस्तयोर्महानासीत्समरो दारुणोऽद्भुतः । नानास्त्रशस्त्रसम्पातैर्वीरारावं प्रकुर्वतोः

tatastayormahānāsītsamaro dāruṇo'dbhutaḥ nānāstraśastrasampātairvīrārāvaṁ prakurvatoḥ

Then a great, terrible, and wondrous battle arose between the two, both filling the air with heroic shouts amid the clash of manifold weapons and arms.

Verse 46 (shiva.rudra.195.46)

गजासुरोऽतितेजस्वी महाबलपराक्रमः । विव्याध गिरिशं बाणैस्तीक्ष्णैर्दानवघातिनम्

gajāsuro'titejasvī mahābalaparākramaḥ vivyādha giriśaṁ bāṇaistīkṣṇairdānavaghātinam

Gajasura, of great splendor, mighty in strength and valor, pierced Girisha, the slayer of danavas, with sharp arrows.

Verse 47 (shiva.rudra.195.47)

अथ रुद्रो रौद्रतनुः स्वशरैरतिदारुणैः । तच्छरांश्चिच्छिदे तूर्णमप्राप्तांस्तिलशो मुने

atha rudro raudratanuḥ svaśarairatidāruṇaiḥ taccharāṁścicchide tūrṇamaprāptāṁstilaśo mune

O sage, then Rudra, his body terrible, with his own most fearsome arrows, swiftly cut those arrows to pieces, like grains of sesame, before they ever reached him.

Verse 48 (shiva.rudra.195.48)

ततो गजासुरः क्रुद्धोऽभ्यधावत्तं महेश्वरम् । खड्गहस्तः प्रगर्ज्योच्चैर्हतोऽसीत्यद्य वै मया

tato gajāsuraḥ kruddho'bhyadhāvattaṁ maheśvaram khaḍgahastaḥ pragarjyoccairhato'sītyadya vai mayā

Then Gajasura, enraged, sword in hand, charged at Maheshvara, roaring loudly, "Today you are slain by me!"

Verse 49 (shiva.rudra.195.49)

ततस्त्रिशूलहेतिस्तमायान्तं दैत्यपुङ्गवम् । विज्ञायावध्यमन्येन शूलेनाभिजघान तम्

tatastriśūlahetistamāyāntaṁ daityapuṅgavam vijñāyāvadhyamanyena śūlenābhijaghāna tam

Then he, who bore the trident-weapon, knowing that bull among daityas as he charged to be unslayable by any other, struck him with his own trident.

Verse 50 (shiva.rudra.195.50)

प्रोतस्तेन त्रिशूलेन स च दैत्यो गजासुरः । छत्रीकृतमिवात्मानं मन्यमानो जगौ हरम्

protastena triśūlena sa ca daityo gajāsuraḥ chatrīkṛtamivātmānaṁ manyamāno jagau haram

Pierced by that trident, that daitya Gajasura, considering himself as though sheltered beneath a royal canopy, sang the praise of Hara.

Verse 51 (shiva.rudra.195.51)

गजासुर उवाच । देवदेव महादेव तव भक्तोऽस्मि सर्वथा । जाने त्वां त्रिदिवेशानं त्रिशूलिन्स्मरहारिणम्

gajāsura uvāca devadeva mahādeva tava bhakto'smi sarvathā jāne tvāṁ tridiveśānaṁ triśūlinsmarahāriṇam

Gajasura said: "O god of gods, Mahadeva, I am your devotee in every way; I know you, O trident-bearer, as lord of the three heavens, destroyer of Kama."

Verse 52 (shiva.rudra.195.52)

तव हस्ते मम वधो महाश्रेयस्करो मतः । अन्धकारे महेशान त्रिपुरान्तक सर्वग

tava haste mama vadho mahāśreyaskaro mataḥ andhakāre maheśāna tripurāntaka sarvaga

"My death at your very hand is deemed by me the greatest blessing, O Maheshana, O destroyer of Andhaka, ender of Tripura, all-pervading one."

Verse 53 (shiva.rudra.195.53)

किञ्चिद्विज्ञप्तुमिच्छामि तच्छृणुष्व कृपाकर । सत्यं ब्रवीमि नासत्यं मृत्युञ्जय विचारय

kiñcidvijñaptumicchāmi tacchṛṇuṣva kṛpākara satyaṁ bravīmi nāsatyaṁ mṛtyuñjaya vicāraya

"I wish to submit something to you — hear it, O doer of grace; I speak the truth, not falsehood — consider it, O conqueror of death."

Verse 54 (shiva.rudra.195.54)

त्वमेको जगतां वन्द्यो विश्वस्योपरि संस्थितः । कालेन सर्वैर्मर्तव्यं श्रेयसे मृत्युरीदृशः

tvameko jagatāṁ vandyo viśvasyopari saṁsthitaḥ kālena sarvairmartavyaṁ śreyase mṛtyurīdṛśaḥ

"You alone are worthy of the worship of all worlds, established above the entire universe; in time, all must die — such a death as this is for the best."

Verse 55 (shiva.rudra.195.55)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य शङ्करः करुणानिधिः । प्रहस्य प्रत्युवाचेशो माहिषेयं गजासुरम्

sanatkumāra uvāca ityākarṇya vacastasya śaṅkaraḥ karuṇānidhiḥ prahasya pratyuvāceśo māhiṣeyaṁ gajāsuram

Sanatkumara said: Hearing his words, Shankara, that ocean of compassion, smiled and, as the Lord, replied to that Gajasura, son of Mahisha.

Verse 56 (shiva.rudra.195.56)

ईश्वर उवाच । महापराक्रमनिधे दानवोत्तम सन्मते । गजासुर प्रसन्नोऽस्मि स्वानुकूलं वरं वृणु

īśvara uvāca mahāparākramanidhe dānavottama sanmate gajāsura prasanno'smi svānukūlaṁ varaṁ vṛṇu

Ishvara said: "O treasury of great valor, foremost of danavas, of noble mind, O Gajasura, I am pleased — choose a boon that will benefit you."

Verse 57 (shiva.rudra.195.57)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य महेशस्य वचनं वरदस्य हि । प्रत्युवाच प्रसन्नात्मा दानवेन्द्रो गजासुरः

sanatkumāra uvāca ityākarṇya maheśasya vacanaṁ varadasya hi pratyuvāca prasannātmā dānavendro gajāsuraḥ

Sanatkumara said: Hearing this word of Mahesha, the giver of boons, the lord of danavas, Gajasura, his heart pleased, replied.

Verse 58 (shiva.rudra.195.58)

गजासुर उवाच । यदि प्रसन्नो दिग्वासस्तदा नित्यं वसान मे । इमां कृत्तिं महेशान त्वत्त्रिशूलाग्निपाविताम्

gajāsura uvāca yadi prasanno digvāsastadā nityaṁ vasāna me imāṁ kṛttiṁ maheśāna tvattriśūlāgnipāvitām

Gajasura said: "If you are pleased, O sky-clad one, then wear forever this hide of mine, O Maheshana, purified by the fire of your own trident,"

Verse 59 (shiva.rudra.195.59)

स्वप्रमाणां सुखस्पर्शां रणाङ्गणपणीकृताम् । दर्शनीयां महादिव्यां सर्वदैव सुखावहाम्

svapramāṇāṁ sukhasparśāṁ raṇāṅgaṇapaṇīkṛtām darśanīyāṁ mahādivyāṁ sarvadaiva sukhāvahām

"of its own natural measure, pleasant to the touch, won as a prize on this very battlefield, beautiful to see, greatly divine, and bringing happiness forever."

Verse 60 (shiva.rudra.195.60)

इष्टगन्धिः सदैवास्तु सदैवास्त्वतिकोमला । सदैव निर्मला चास्तु सदैवास्त्वतिमण्डना

iṣṭagandhiḥ sadaivāstu sadaivāstvatikomalā sadaiva nirmalā cāstu sadaivāstvatimaṇḍanā

"May it ever bear a pleasing fragrance, ever remain most soft, ever stay spotless, and ever be a most fitting adornment."

Verse 61 (shiva.rudra.195.61)

महातपोनलज्वालां प्राप्यापि सुचिरं विभो । न दग्धा कृत्तिरेषा मे पुण्यगन्धनिधेस्ततः

mahātaponalajvālāṁ prāpyāpi suciraṁ vibho na dagdhā kṛttireṣā me puṇyagandhanidhestataḥ

"O mighty one, even having endured for so long the flame of great tapas-fire, this hide of mine has not burned, for it is a very treasury of sacred fragrance."

Verse 62 (shiva.rudra.195.62)

यदि पुण्यवती नैषा मम कृत्तिर्दिगम्बर । तदा त्वदङ्गसङ्गोस्याः कथं जातो रणाङ्गणे

yadi puṇyavatī naiṣā mama kṛttirdigambara tadā tvadaṅgasaṅgosyāḥ kathaṁ jāto raṇāṅgaṇe

"O sky-clad one, if this hide of mine were not meritorious, how then could it have come to touch your very body here on this battlefield?"

Verse 63 (shiva.rudra.195.63)

अन्यं च मे वरं देहि यदि तुष्टोऽसि शङ्कर । नामास्तु कृत्तिवासास्ते प्रारभ्याद्यतनं दिनम्

anyaṁ ca me varaṁ dehi yadi tuṣṭo'si śaṅkara nāmāstu kṛttivāsāste prārabhyādyatanaṁ dinam

"And grant me another boon, if you are pleased, O Shankara: let your very name, from this day forward, be Krittivasas, 'clad in the hide.'"

Verse 64 (shiva.rudra.195.64)

सनत्कुमार उवाच । श्रुत्वेति स वचस्तस्य शङ्करो भक्तवत्सलः । तथेत्युवाच सुप्रीतो महिषासुरजं च तम्

sanatkumāra uvāca śrutveti sa vacastasya śaṅkaro bhaktavatsalaḥ tathetyuvāca suprīto mahiṣāsurajaṁ ca tam

Sanatkumara said: Hearing these words, Shankara, ever affectionate to his devotees, greatly pleased, said "So be it" to that son of Mahishasura.

Verse 65 (shiva.rudra.195.65)

पुनः प्रोवाच प्रीतात्मा दानवं तं गजासुरम् । भक्तप्रियो महेशानो भक्तिनिर्मलमानसम्

punaḥ provāca prītātmā dānavaṁ taṁ gajāsuram bhaktapriyo maheśāno bhaktinirmalamānasam

Then Maheshana, dear to his devotees, his heart pleased, spoke again to that danava Gajasura, whose mind was made pure by devotion.

Verse 66 (shiva.rudra.195.66)

ईश्वर उवाच । इदं पुण्यं शरीरं ते क्षेत्रेऽस्मिन्मुक्तिसाधने । मम लिङ्गं भवत्वत्र सर्वेषां मुक्तिदायकम्

īśvara uvāca idaṁ puṇyaṁ śarīraṁ te kṣetre'sminmuktisādhane mama liṅgaṁ bhavatvatra sarveṣāṁ muktidāyakam

Ishvara said: "This sacred body of yours, in this very field that grants liberation, shall here become my own linga, bestowing liberation on all."

Verse 67 (shiva.rudra.195.67)

कृत्तिवासेश्वरं नाम महापातकनाशनम् । सर्वेषामेव लिङ्गानां शिरोभूतं विमुक्तिदम्

kṛttivāseśvaraṁ nāma mahāpātakanāśanam sarveṣāmeva liṅgānāṁ śirobhūtaṁ vimuktidam

"It shall bear the name Krittivaseshvara, destroyer of the greatest sins, the very crown among all lingas, the giver of liberation."

Verse 68 (shiva.rudra.195.68)

कथयित्वेति देवेशस्तत्कृतिं परिगृह्य च । गजासुरस्य महतीं प्रावृणोद्धि दिगम्बरः

kathayitveti deveśastatkṛtiṁ parigṛhya ca gajāsurasya mahatīṁ prāvṛṇoddhi digambaraḥ

Sanatkumara said: Having spoken thus, the sky-clad lord of the gods took up that great hide of Gajasura and clothed himself in it.

Verse 69 (shiva.rudra.195.69)

महामहोत्सवो जातस्तस्मिन्नह्नि मुनीश्वर । हर्षमापुर्जनाः सर्वे काशीस्थाः प्रमथास्तथा

mahāmahotsavo jātastasminnahni munīśvara harṣamāpurjanāḥ sarve kāśīsthāḥ pramathāstathā

O lord of sages, a great and mighty festival arose on that very day; all the people dwelling in Kashi, and the Pramathas too, were filled with joy.

Verse 70 (shiva.rudra.195.70)

हरिब्रह्मादयो देवा हर्षनिर्भरमानसाः । तुष्टुवुस्तं महेशानं नत्वा साञ्जलयस्ततः

haribrahmādayo devā harṣanirbharamānasāḥ tuṣṭuvustaṁ maheśānaṁ natvā sāñjalayastataḥ

Hari, Brahma, and the other gods, their hearts overflowing with joy, then bowed with joined palms and praised that Maheshana.

Verse 71 (shiva.rudra.195.71)

हते तस्मिन्दानवेशे माहिषे हि गजासुरे । स्वस्थानं भेजिरे देवा जगत्स्वास्थ्यमवाप च

hate tasmindānaveśe māhiṣe hi gajāsure svasthānaṁ bhejire devā jagatsvāsthyamavāpa ca

When that lord of danavas, Gajasura, son of Mahisha, was thus slain, the gods returned to their own abodes, and the world attained its own well-being.

Verse 72 (shiva.rudra.195.72)

इत्युक्तं चरितं शम्भोर्भक्तवात्सल्यसूचकम् । स्वर्ग्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं धनधान्यप्रवर्द्धनम्

ityuktaṁ caritaṁ śambhorbhaktavātsalyasūcakam svargyaṁ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṁ dhanadhānyapravarddhanam

Thus has this deed of Shambhu been told, a sign of his love for his devotees — a deed conferring heaven, fame, long life, and the increase of wealth and grain.

Verse 73 (shiva.rudra.195.73)

य इदं शृणुयात्प्रीत्या श्रावयेद्वा शुचिव्रतः । स भुक्त्वा च महासौख्यं लभेतान्ते परं सुखम्

ya idaṁ śṛṇuyātprītyā śrāvayedvā śucivrataḥ sa bhuktvā ca mahāsaukhyaṁ labhetānte paraṁ sukham

Whoever, keeping a pure vow, hears this with devotion, or causes it to be heard by others, having enjoyed great happiness, shall attain the highest bliss in the end.