The Life of Sandhya

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.25.1)

सूत उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य ब्रह्मणो मुनिसत्तमः । स मुदोवाच संस्मृत्य शङ्करं प्रीतमानसः

sūta uvāca | ityākarṇya vacastasya brahmaṇo munisattamaḥ | sa mudovāca saṁsmṛtya śaṅkaraṁ prītamānasaḥ

Suta said: Having heard those words of Brahma, the foremost of sages, remembering Shankara, spoke with a joyful heart.

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.25.2)

नारद उवाच । ब्रह्मन् विधे महाभाग विष्णुशिष्य महामते । अद्भुता कथिता लीला त्वया च शशिमौलिनः

nārada uvāca | brahman vidhe mahābhāga viṣṇuśiṣya mahāmate | adbhutā kathitā līlā tvayā ca śaśimaulinaḥ

Narada said: O Brahma, O Creator, O greatly blessed and wise one, you have told me the wondrous play of Shiva, who bears the crescent moon on his crown.

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.25.3)

गृहीतदारे मदने हृष्टे हि स्वगृहं गते । दक्षे च स्वगृहं याते तथा हि त्वयि कर्तरि

gṛhītadāre madane hṛṣṭe hi svagṛhaṁ gate | dakṣe ca svagṛhaṁ yāte tathā hi tvayi kartari

When Madana, having married, went home rejoicing, and Daksha too returned to his own home, and you, O Creator, to your own task,

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.25.4)

मानसेषु च पुत्रेषु गतेषु स्वस्वधामसु । सन्ध्या कुत्र गता सा च ब्रह्मपुत्री पितृप्रसूः

mānaseṣu ca putreṣu gateṣu svasvadhāmasu | sandhyā kutra gatā sā ca brahmaputrī pitṛprasūḥ

and the mind-born sons had each gone to their own abodes — where then did Sandhya go, that daughter of Brahma, born from her own father?

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.25.5)

किं चकार च केनैव पुरुषेण विवाहिता । एतत्सर्वं विशेषेण सन्ध्यायाश्चरितं वद

kiṁ cakāra ca kenaiva puruṣeṇa vivāhitā | etatsarvaṁ viśeṣeṇa sandhyāyāścaritaṁ vada

What did she do, and to which man was she wed? Tell me all this — the story of Sandhya — in full detail.

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.25.6)

सूत उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य ब्रह्मपुत्रस्य धीमतः । संस्मृत्य शङ्करं भक्त्या ब्रह्मा प्रोवाच तत्त्ववित्

sūta uvāca | ityākarṇya vacastasya brahmaputrasya dhīmataḥ | saṁsmṛtya śaṅkaraṁ bhaktyā brahmā provāca tattvavit

Suta said: Having heard these words of the wise son of Brahma, Brahma, the knower of truth, remembering Shankara with devotion, spoke.

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.25.7)

ब्रह्मोवाच । शृणु त्वं च मुने सर्वं सन्ध्यायाश्चरितं शुभम् । यच्छ्रुत्वा सर्वकामिन्यःसाध्व्यः स्युः सर्वदा मुने

brahmovāca | śṛṇu tvaṁ ca mune sarvaṁ sandhyāyāścaritaṁ śubham | yacchrutvā sarvakāminyaḥsādhvyaḥ syuḥ sarvadā mune

Brahma said: Listen, O sage, to the whole sacred story of Sandhya — hearing which, all women driven by desire shall forever become chaste and virtuous.

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.25.8)

सा च सन्ध्या सुता मे हि मनोजाता पुराभवत् । तपस्तप्त्वा तनुं त्यक्त्वा सैव जाता त्वरुन्धती

sā ca sandhyā sutā me hi manojātā purābhavat | tapastaptvā tanuṁ tyaktvā saiva jātā tvarundhatī

That Sandhya was formerly my mind-born daughter. Having performed austerity and given up her body, she herself became Arundhati.

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.25.9)

मेधातिथेः सुता भूत्वा मुनिश्रेष्ठस्य धीमती । ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेशानवचनाच्चरितव्रता

medhātitheḥ sutā bhūtvā muniśreṣṭhasya dhīmatī | brahmaviṣṇumaheśānavacanāccaritavratā

She became the wise daughter of the great sage Medhatithi, and by the word of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha, kept her vow,

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.25.10)

वव्रे पतिं महात्मानं वसिष्ठं शंसितव्रतम् । पतिव्रता च मुख्याभूद्वन्द्या पूज्या त्वभीषणा

vavre patiṁ mahātmānaṁ vasiṣṭhaṁ śaṁsitavratam | pativratā ca mukhyābhūdvandyā pūjyā tvabhīṣaṇā

and chose the great soul Vasishtha, of pure vows, as her husband. She became the foremost of chaste wives — worthy of homage, worthy of worship, and fearless.

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.25.11)

नारद उवाच । कथं तया तपस्तप्तं किमर्थं कुत्र सन्ध्यया । कथं शरीरं सा त्यक्त्वाभवन्मेधातिथेः सुता

nārada uvāca | kathaṁ tayā tapastaptaṁ kimarthaṁ kutra sandhyayā | kathaṁ śarīraṁ sā tyaktvābhavanmedhātitheḥ sutā

Narada said: How did Sandhya perform her austerities, for what purpose, and where? How, having relinquished her body, did she become the daughter of Medhatithi?

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.25.12)

कथं वा विहितं देवैर्ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवैः पतिम् । वसिष्ठं तु महात्मानं संवव्रे शंसितव्रतम्

kathaṁ vā vihitaṁ devairbrahmaviṣṇuśivaiḥ patim | vasiṣṭhaṁ tu mahātmānaṁ saṁvavre śaṁsitavratam

And how, as ordained by the gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, did she choose the great soul Vasishtha, of glorious vows, as her husband?

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.25.13)

एतन्मे श्रोष्यमाणाय विस्तरेण पितामह । कौतूहलमरुन्धत्याश्चरितं ब्रूहि तत्त्वतः

etanme śroṣyamāṇāya vistareṇa pitāmaha | kautūhalamarundhatyāścaritaṁ brūhi tattvataḥ

O Grandsire, tell all this to me in detail, for I am eager to hear it — relate to me truly the story of Arundhati, out of my curiosity.

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.25.14)

ब्रह्मोवाच । अहं स्वतनयां सन्ध्यां दृष्ट्वा पूर्वमथात्मनः । कामायाशु मनोऽकार्षं त्यक्त्वा शिवभयाच्च सा

brahmovāca | ahaṁ svatanayāṁ sandhyāṁ dṛṣṭvā pūrvamathātmanaḥ | kāmāyāśu mano'kārṣaṁ tyaktvā śivabhayācca sā

Brahma said: Once, having beheld my own daughter Sandhya, I quickly conceived desire for her in my mind; and she, out of fear of Shiva, was thrown into agitation.

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.25.15)

सन्ध्यायाश्चलितं चित्तं कामबाणविलोडितम् । ऋषीणामपि संरुद्धमानसानां महात्मनाम्

sandhyāyāścalitaṁ cittaṁ kāmabāṇaviloḍitam | ṛṣīṇāmapi saṁruddhamānasānāṁ mahātmanām

Sandhya's mind, struck by Kama's arrow, was thrown into agitation — and even the restrained minds of the great sages were disturbed.

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.25.16)

भर्गस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा सोपहासं च मां प्रति । आत्मनश्चलितत्वं वै ह्यमर्यादमृषीन्प्रति

bhargasya vacanaṁ śrutvā sopahāsaṁ ca māṁ prati | ātmanaścalitatvaṁ vai hyamaryādamṛṣīnprati

On hearing Shiva's mocking words directed at me, she recognized her own agitation, and that of the sages, as a breach of all propriety.

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.25.17)

कामस्य तादृशं भावं मुनिमोहकरं मुहुः । दृष्ट्वा सन्ध्या स्वयं तत्रोपयमायातिदुःखिता

kāmasya tādṛśaṁ bhāvaṁ munimohakaraṁ muhuḥ | dṛṣṭvā sandhyā svayaṁ tatropayamāyātiduḥkhitā

Seeing Kama's power, which again and again bewilders even sages, Sandhya herself became deeply distressed.

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.25.18)

ततस्तु ब्रह्मणा शप्ते मदने च मया मुने । अन्तर्भूते मयि शिवे गते चापि निजास्पदे

tatastu brahmaṇā śapte madane ca mayā mune | antarbhūte mayi śive gate cāpi nijāspade

Then, O sage, when Madana was cursed by me, when I withdrew within myself, and Shiva too returned to his own abode,

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.25.19)

आमर्षवशमापन्ना सा सन्ध्या मुनिसत्तम । मम पुत्री विचार्यैवं तदा ध्यानपराभवत्

āmarṣavaśamāpannā sā sandhyā munisattama | mama putrī vicāryaivaṁ tadā dhyānaparābhavat

Overcome with shame and indignation, O best of sages, my daughter Sandhya, reflecting thus, became absorbed in meditation.

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.25.20)

ध्यायन्ती क्षणमेवाशु पूर्वं वृत्तं मनस्विनी । इदं विममृशे सन्ध्या तस्मिन्काले यथोचितम्

dhyāyantī kṣaṇamevāśu pūrvaṁ vṛttaṁ manasvinī | idaṁ vimamṛśe sandhyā tasminkāle yathocitam

Meditating for a brief moment on all that had happened, the thoughtful Sandhya reflected, in a manner befitting the occasion, as follows.

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.25.21)

सन्ध्योवाच । उत्पन्नमात्रां मां दृष्ट्वा युवतीं मदनेरितः । अकार्षीत्सानुरागोऽयमभिलाषं पिता मम

sandhyovāca | utpannamātrāṁ māṁ dṛṣṭvā yuvatīṁ madaneritaḥ | akārṣītsānurāgo'yamabhilāṣaṁ pitā mama

Sandhya said: The moment I was born, seeing me as a young woman, my father, driven by Kama, conceived passionate desire for me.

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.25.22)

पश्यतां मानसानां च मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम् । दृष्ट्वैव माममर्यादं सकाममभवन्मनः

paśyatāṁ mānasānāṁ ca munīnāṁ bhāvitātmanām | dṛṣṭvaiva māmamaryādaṁ sakāmamabhavanmanaḥ

Even as the mind-born sages, men of purified soul, looked on — merely by beholding me, their minds, forsaking all restraint, became filled with desire.

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.25.23)

ममापि मथितं चित्तं मदनेन दुरात्मना । येन दृष्ट्वा मुनीन्सर्वांश्चलितं मन्मनो भृशम्

mamāpi mathitaṁ cittaṁ madanena durātmanā | yena dṛṣṭvā munīnsarvāṁścalitaṁ manmano bhṛśam

My own mind, too, was churned by wicked Madana, and seeing all the sages so shaken, my heart was thrown into violent turmoil.

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.25.24)

फलमेतस्य पापस्य मदनः स्वयमाप्तवान् । यस्तं शशाप कुपितः शम्भोरग्रे पितामहः

phalametasya pāpasya madanaḥ svayamāptavān | yastaṁ śaśāpa kupitaḥ śambhoragre pitāmahaḥ

Madana himself reaped the fruit of this sin, for the Grandsire, enraged, cursed him in the very presence of Shambhu.

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.25.25)

प्राप्नुयां फलमेतस्य पापस्य स्वघकारिणी । तच्छोधनफलमहमाशु चेच्छामि साधनम्

prāpnuyāṁ phalametasya pāpasya svaghakāriṇī | tacchodhanaphalamahamāśu cecchāmi sādhanam

May I too receive the fruit of this sin, since I myself was its cause; I wish at once for a means to purify myself of it.

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.25.26)

यन्मां पिता भ्रातरश्च सकामामपरोक्षतः । दृष्ट्वा चक्रुः स्पृहां तस्मान्न मत्तः पापकृत्परा

yanmāṁ pitā bhrātaraśca sakāmāmaparokṣataḥ | dṛṣṭvā cakruḥ spṛhāṁ tasmānna mattaḥ pāpakṛtparā

Since my own father and brothers, openly beholding me as desirable, felt longing toward me, there is no one more sinful than I.

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.25.27)

ममापि कामभावोऽभूदमर्यादं समीक्ष्य तान् । पत्या इव स्वके ताते सर्वेषु सहजेष्वषि

mamāpi kāmabhāvo'bhūdamaryādaṁ samīkṣya tān | patyā iva svake tāte sarveṣu sahajeṣvaṣi

In me too, at the sight of them, an unrestrained desire arose — toward my own father as though he were a husband, and toward all my brothers alike.

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.25.28)

करिष्याम्यस्य पापस्य प्रायश्चित्तमहं स्वयम् । आत्मानमग्नौ होष्यामि वेदमार्गानुसारतः

kariṣyāmyasya pāpasya prāyaścittamahaṁ svayam | ātmānamagnau hoṣyāmi vedamārgānusārataḥ

I myself shall make atonement for this sin; following the Vedic path, I shall offer my own body into the fire.

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.25.29)

किं त्वेकां स्थापयिष्यामि मर्यादामिह भूतले । उत्पन्नमात्रा न यथा सकामाः स्युः शरीरिणः

kiṁ tvekāṁ sthāpayiṣyāmi maryādāmiha bhūtale | utpannamātrā na yathā sakāmāḥ syuḥ śarīriṇaḥ

But I shall establish upon this earth a single rule: that embodied beings shall not become the objects of desire the very moment they are born.

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.25.30)

एतदर्थमहं कृत्वा तपः परमदारुणम् । मर्यादां स्थापयिष्यामि पश्चात्त्यक्ष्यामि जीवितम्

etadarthamahaṁ kṛtvā tapaḥ paramadāruṇam | maryādāṁ sthāpayiṣyāmi paścāttyakṣyāmi jīvitam

For this purpose, I shall perform the most severe austerity, establish this rule, and thereafter give up my life.

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.25.31)

यस्मिन् शरीरे पित्रा मे ह्यभिलाषः स्वयं कृतः । भ्रातृभिस्तेन कायेन किञ्चिन्नास्ति प्रयोजनम्

yasmin śarīre pitrā me hyabhilāṣaḥ svayaṁ kṛtaḥ | bhrātṛbhistena kāyena kiñcinnāsti prayojanam

With this body — the very body toward which my own father, and my brothers too, conceived desire — I now have no further use.

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.25.32)

मया येन शरीरेण तातेषु सहजेषु च । उद्भावितः कामभावो न तत्सुकृतसाधनम्

mayā yena śarīreṇa tāteṣu sahajeṣu ca | udbhāvitaḥ kāmabhāvo na tatsukṛtasādhanam

The body through which desire was awakened in my father and in my brothers is no fit instrument for merit.

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.25.33)

इति सञ्चिन्त्य मनसा सन्ध्या शैलवरं ततः । जगाम चन्द्रभागाख्यं चन्द्रभागापगा यतः

iti sañcintya manasā sandhyā śailavaraṁ tataḥ | jagāma candrabhāgākhyaṁ candrabhāgāpagā yataḥ

Having thus resolved in her mind, Sandhya then went to that finest of mountains named Chandrabhaga, from which the river Chandrabhaga flows.

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.25.34)

अथ तत्र गतां ज्ञात्वा सन्ध्यां गिरिवरं प्रति । तपसे नियतात्मानं ब्रह्मावोचमहं सुतम्

atha tatra gatāṁ jñātvā sandhyāṁ girivaraṁ prati | tapase niyatātmānaṁ brahmāvocamahaṁ sutam

Then, learning that Sandhya, her mind resolved upon austerity, had gone to that finest of mountains, I, Brahma, spoke to my son.

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.25.35)

वसिष्ठं संयतात्मानं सर्वज्ञं ज्ञानयोगिनम् । समीपे स्वे समासीनं वेदवेदाङ्गपारगम्

vasiṣṭhaṁ saṁyatātmānaṁ sarvajñaṁ jñānayoginam | samīpe sve samāsīnaṁ vedavedāṅgapāragam

—to Vasishtha, who sat near me: self-controlled, all-knowing, a yogi of wisdom, and master of the Vedas and their auxiliary sciences.

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.25.36)

ब्रह्मोवाच । वसिष्ठ पुत्र गच्छ त्वं सन्ध्यां जातां मनस्विनीम् । तपसे धृतकामां च दीक्षस्वैनां यथाविधि

brahmovāca | vasiṣṭha putra gaccha tvaṁ sandhyāṁ jātāṁ manasvinīm | tapase dhṛtakāmāṁ ca dīkṣasvaināṁ yathāvidhi

Brahma said: O son Vasishtha, go; and duly initiate resolute Sandhya, who has set her heart upon austerity.

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.25.37)

मन्दाक्षमभवत्तस्याः पुरा दृष्ट्वैव कामुकान् । युष्मान्मां च तथात्मानं सकामां मुनिसत्तम

mandākṣamabhavattasyāḥ purā dṛṣṭvaiva kāmukān | yuṣmānmāṁ ca tathātmānaṁ sakāmāṁ munisattama

Her eyes were downcast with shame, O best of sages, on seeing you all, and me, overcome by desire, and herself found desirous too.

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.25.38)

अनुक्तमूर्त्तं तत्कर्म पूर्वमृत्युं विमृश्य सा । युष्माकमात्मनश्चापि प्राणान्सन्त्यक्तुमिच्छति

anuktamūrttaṁ tatkarma pūrvamṛtyuṁ vimṛśya sā | yuṣmākamātmanaścāpi prāṇānsantyaktumicchati

Having pondered that unspeakable deed, she now wishes to give up her own life, for your sake as well as her own.

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.25.39)

अमर्यादेषु मर्यादां तपसा स्थापयिष्यति । तपः कर्तुं गता साध्वी चन्द्रभागाख्यभूधरे

amaryādeṣu maryādāṁ tapasā sthāpayiṣyati | tapaḥ kartuṁ gatā sādhvī candrabhāgākhyabhūdhare

Through her austerity she will establish a moral boundary where none existed; that virtuous woman has gone to the mountain named Chandrabhaga to perform tapas.

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.25.40)

न भावं तपसस्तात सानुजानाति कञ्चन । तस्माद्यथोपदेशात्सा प्राप्नोत्विष्टं तथा कुरु

na bhāvaṁ tapasastāta sānujānāti kañcana | tasmādyathopadeśātsā prāpnotviṣṭaṁ tathā kuru

She knows nothing at all, my son, of the manner of austerity; so act in such a way that, through proper instruction, she attains what she desires.

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.25.41)

इदं रूपं परित्यज्य निजं रूपान्तरं मुने । परिगृह्यान्तिके तस्याः तपश्चर्यां निदर्शय

idaṁ rūpaṁ parityajya nijaṁ rūpāntaraṁ mune | parigṛhyāntike tasyāḥ tapaścaryāṁ nidarśaya

O sage, set aside this present form of yours, take on another form, approach her, and show her the practice of austerity.

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.25.42)

इदं स्वरूपं भवतो दृष्ट्वा पूर्वं यथात्र वाम् । नाप्नुयात्साऽथ किञ्चिद्वै ततो रूपान्तरं कुरु

idaṁ svarūpaṁ bhavato dṛṣṭvā pūrvaṁ yathātra vām | nāpnuyātsā'tha kiñcidvai tato rūpāntaraṁ kuru

For if she sees you in your former, familiar form, she may gain nothing from it — therefore, take on a different form.

Verse 43 (shiva.rudra.25.43)

ब्रह्मोवाच । नारदेत्थं वसिष्ठो मे समाज्ञप्तो दयायुतः ॥ तथास्त्विति च मां प्रोच्य ययौ सन्ध्यान्तिकं मुनिः

brahmovāca | nāradetthaṁ vasiṣṭho me samājñapto dayāyutaḥ || tathāstviti ca māṁ procya yayau sandhyāntikaṁ muniḥ

Brahma said: Thus, O Narada, did I command the compassionate Vasishtha. Saying 'So be it' to me, the sage set out toward Sandhya.

Verse 44 (shiva.rudra.25.44)

तत्र देवसरः पूर्णं गुणैर्मानससम्मितम् । ददर्श स वसिष्ठोऽथ सन्ध्यां तत्तीरगामपि

tatra devasaraḥ pūrṇaṁ guṇairmānasasammitam | dadarśa sa vasiṣṭho'tha sandhyāṁ tattīragāmapi

There Vasishtha beheld a divine lake, brimming and endowed with qualities equal to Lake Manasa, and upon its shore he saw Sandhya as well.

Verse 45 (shiva.rudra.25.45)

तीरस्थया तया रेजे तत्सरः कमलोज्ज्वलम् । उद्यदिन्दुसुनक्षत्रं प्रदोषे गगनं यथा

tīrasthayā tayā reje tatsaraḥ kamalojjvalam | udyadindusunakṣatraṁ pradoṣe gaganaṁ yathā

With her standing on its bank, that lotus-bright lake shone forth, as the evening sky shines when the moon rises amid the fair stars.

Verse 46 (shiva.rudra.25.46)

मुनिर्दृष्ट्वाथ तां तत्र सुसम्भावां स कौतुकी । वीक्षाञ्चक्रे सरस्तत्र बृहल्लोहितसंज्ञकम्

munirdṛṣṭvātha tāṁ tatra susambhāvāṁ sa kautukī | vīkṣāñcakre sarastatra bṛhallohitasaṁjñakam

Seeing her there in such splendor, the sage, filled with curiosity, gazed upon that lake known by the name Brihallohita.

Verse 47 (shiva.rudra.25.47)

चन्द्रभागा नदी तस्मात्प्राकाराद्दक्षिणाम्बुधिम् । यान्ती सा चैव ददृशे तेन सानुगिरेर्महत्

candrabhāgā nadī tasmātprākārāddakṣiṇāmbudhim | yāntī sā caiva dadṛśe tena sānugirermahat

And he saw the great river Chandrabhaga, flowing from that mountain's ridge down toward the southern ocean.

Verse 48 (shiva.rudra.25.48)

निर्भिद्य पश्चिमं सा तु चन्द्रभागस्य सा नदी । यथा हिमवतो गङ्गा तथा गच्छति सागरम्

nirbhidya paścimaṁ sā tu candrabhāgasya sā nadī | yathā himavato gaṅgā tathā gacchati sāgaram

That river of Mount Chandrabhaga, cutting through toward the west, flows on to the ocean, just as the Ganga flows down from the Himalaya.

Verse 49 (shiva.rudra.25.49)

तस्मिन् गिरौ चन्द्रभागे बृहल्लोहिततीरगाम् । सन्ध्यां दृष्ट्वाथ पप्रच्छ वसिष्ठः सादरं तदा

tasmin girau candrabhāge bṛhallohitatīragām | sandhyāṁ dṛṣṭvātha papraccha vasiṣṭhaḥ sādaraṁ tadā

There on Mount Chandrabhaga, seeing Sandhya on the shore of Brihallohita, Vasishtha then respectfully questioned her.

Verse 50 (shiva.rudra.25.50)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । किमर्थमागता भद्रे निर्जनं त्वं महीधरम् । कस्य वा तनया किं वा भवत्यापि चिकीर्षितम्

vasiṣṭha uvāca | kimarthamāgatā bhadre nirjanaṁ tvaṁ mahīdharam | kasya vā tanayā kiṁ vā bhavatyāpi cikīrṣitam

Vasishtha said: O gentle lady, for what reason have you come to this deserted mountain? Whose daughter are you, and what do you intend to do?

Verse 51 (shiva.rudra.25.51)

एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं वद गुह्यं न चेद्भवेत् । वदनं पूर्णचन्द्राभं निष्चेष्टं वा कथं तव

etadicchāmyahaṁ śrotuṁ vada guhyaṁ na cedbhavet | vadanaṁ pūrṇacandrābhaṁ niṣceṣṭaṁ vā kathaṁ tava

I wish to hear this — tell me, if it is not a secret. And why does your face, radiant as the full moon, seem so despondent?

Verse 52 (shiva.rudra.25.52)

ब्रह्मोवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः । दृष्ट्वा च तं महात्मानं ज्वलन्तमिव पावकम्

brahmovāca | tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya vasiṣṭhasya mahātmanaḥ | dṛṣṭvā ca taṁ mahātmānaṁ jvalantamiva pāvakam

Brahma said: Hearing those words of the great soul Vasishtha, and beholding that great being, blazing like fire,

Verse 53 (shiva.rudra.25.53)

शरीरधृग्ब्रह्मचर्यं विलसन्तं जटाधरम् । सादरं प्रणिपत्याथ सन्ध्योवाच तपोधनम्

śarīradhṛgbrahmacaryaṁ vilasantaṁ jaṭādharam | sādaraṁ praṇipatyātha sandhyovāca tapodhanam

embodied, shining with the glow of celibate austerity, his hair matted — bowing to him with reverence, Sandhya spoke to that repository of penance.

Verse 54 (shiva.rudra.25.54)

सन्ध्योवाच । यदर्थमागता शैलं सिद्धं तन्मे निबोध ह । तव दर्शनमात्रेण यन्मे सेत्स्यति वै विभो

sandhyovāca | yadarthamāgatā śailaṁ siddhaṁ tanme nibodha ha | tava darśanamātreṇa yanme setsyati vai vibho

Sandhya said: O lord, know that the purpose for which I came to this mountain is already accomplished — by the mere sight of you, all that I sought shall now be fulfilled.

Verse 55 (shiva.rudra.25.55)

तपश्चर्तुमहं ब्रह्मन्निर्जनं शैलमागता । ब्रह्मणोऽहं सुता जाता नाम्ना सन्ध्येति विश्रुता

tapaścartumahaṁ brahmannirjanaṁ śailamāgatā | brahmaṇo'haṁ sutā jātā nāmnā sandhyeti viśrutā

O Brahmin, I have come to this desolate mountain to practice austerity. I am the daughter born of Brahma, known by the name Sandhya.

Verse 56 (shiva.rudra.25.56)

यदि ते युज्यते सह्यं मां त्वं समुपदेशय । एतच्चिकीर्षितं गुह्यं नान्यं किञ्चन विद्यते

yadi te yujyate sahyaṁ māṁ tvaṁ samupadeśaya | etaccikīrṣitaṁ guhyaṁ nānyaṁ kiñcana vidyate

If it is fitting and possible for you, instruct me. This alone is my secret wish; there is nothing else I desire.

Verse 57 (shiva.rudra.25.57)

अज्ञात्वा तपसो भावं तपोवनमुपाश्रिता । चिन्तया परिशुष्येऽहं वेपते हि मनो मम

ajñātvā tapaso bhāvaṁ tapovanamupāśritā | cintayā pariśuṣye'haṁ vepate hi mano mama

Not knowing the true manner of austerity, I have taken refuge in this penance-forest; I am withering away with anxiety, and my mind trembles.

Verse 58 (shiva.rudra.25.58)

ब्रह्मोवाच । आकर्ण्य तस्या वचनं वसिष्ठो ब्रह्मवित्तमः । स्वयं च सर्वकृत्यज्ञो नान्यत्किञ्चन पृष्टवान्

brahmovāca | ākarṇya tasyā vacanaṁ vasiṣṭho brahmavittamaḥ | svayaṁ ca sarvakṛtyajño nānyatkiñcana pṛṣṭavān

Brahma said: Hearing her words, Vasishtha, foremost among the knowers of Brahman, who himself knew all that needed to be done, asked her nothing more.

Verse 59 (shiva.rudra.25.59)

अथ तां नियतात्मानं तपसेति धृतोद्यमाम् । प्रोवाच मनसा स्मृत्वा शङ्करं भक्तवत्सलम्

atha tāṁ niyatātmānaṁ tapaseti dhṛtodyamām | provāca manasā smṛtvā śaṅkaraṁ bhaktavatsalam

Then, recalling in his heart Shankara, who is ever tender toward his devotees, he spoke to her, self-restrained and resolved upon austerity.

Verse 60 (shiva.rudra.25.60)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । परमं यो महत्तेजः परमं यो महत्तपः । परमः परमाराध्यः शम्भुर्मनसि धार्यताम्

vasiṣṭha uvāca | paramaṁ yo mahattejaḥ paramaṁ yo mahattapaḥ | paramaḥ paramārādhyaḥ śambhurmanasi dhāryatām

Vasishtha said: He who is supreme and mighty splendor, supreme and mighty austerity, the supreme and most worshipful one — let Shambhu be held fast in your mind.

Verse 61 (shiva.rudra.25.61)

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां य एकस्त्वादिकारणम् । तमेकं जगतामाद्यं भजस्व पुरुषोत्तमम्

dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṁ ya ekastvādikāraṇam | tamekaṁ jagatāmādyaṁ bhajasva puruṣottamam

He who alone is the primal cause of righteousness, wealth, desire, and liberation — worship him alone, that first being of all the worlds, the Supreme Person.

Verse 62 (shiva.rudra.25.62)

मन्त्रेणानेन देवेशं शम्भुं भज शुभानने । तेन ते सकलावाप्तिर्भविष्यति न संशयः

mantreṇānena deveśaṁ śambhuṁ bhaja śubhānane | tena te sakalāvāptirbhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

O fair-faced one, worship the Lord of Gods, Shambhu, with this very mantra; through it you shall attain everything — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 63 (shiva.rudra.25.63)

ॐ नमः शङ्करायेति ओमित्यन्तेन सन्ततम् । मौनं तपः समारम्भं तन्मे निगदतः शृणु

oṁ namaḥ śaṅkarāyeti omityantena santatam | maunaṁ tapaḥ samārambhaṁ tanme nigadataḥ śṛṇu

'Om Namah Shankaraya' — repeated continuously, beginning and ending with Om; now hear from me, as I explain it, how to begin this silent austerity.

Verse 64 (shiva.rudra.25.64)

स्नानं मौनेन कर्तव्यं मौनेन हरपूजनम् । द्वयोः पूर्णजलाहारं प्रथमं षष्ठकालयोः

snānaṁ maunena kartavyaṁ maunena harapūjanam | dvayoḥ pūrṇajalāhāraṁ prathamaṁ ṣaṣṭhakālayoḥ

Bathing should be done in silence, and the worship of Hara too in silence. In the first two of the six-day periods, one should take only water as sustenance.

Verse 65 (shiva.rudra.25.65)

तृतीये षष्ठकाले तु ह्युपवासपरो भवेत् । एवं तपःसमाप्तौ वा षष्ठे काले क्रिया भवेत्

tṛtīye ṣaṣṭhakāle tu hyupavāsaparo bhavet | evaṁ tapaḥsamāptau vā ṣaṣṭhe kāle kriyā bhavet

In the third six-day period, one should keep a complete fast. Thus, when the austerity reaches its end, in the sixth period the rite is completed.

Verse 66 (shiva.rudra.25.66)

एवं मौनतपस्याख्या ब्रह्मचर्यफलप्रदा । सर्वाभीष्टप्रदा देवि सत्यं सत्यं न संशयः

evaṁ maunatapasyākhyā brahmacaryaphalapradā | sarvābhīṣṭapradā devi satyaṁ satyaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

Thus, O goddess, this practice known as silent austerity confers the fruit of celibate discipline and grants every desire — this is true, most true, and beyond doubt.

Verse 67 (shiva.rudra.25.67)

एवं चित्ते समुद्दिश्य कामं चिन्तय शङ्करम् । स ते प्रसन्न इष्टार्थमचिरादेव दास्यति

evaṁ citte samuddiśya kāmaṁ cintaya śaṅkaram | sa te prasanna iṣṭārthamacirādeva dāsyati

Thus, holding your wish in your heart, meditate upon Shankara; pleased with you, he shall soon grant you your heart's desire.

Verse 68 (shiva.rudra.25.68)

ब्रह्मोवाच । उपविश्य वसिष्ठोऽथ सन्ध्यायै तपसः क्रियाम् । तामाभाष्य यथान्यायं तत्रैवान्तर्दधे मुनिः

brahmovāca | upaviśya vasiṣṭho'tha sandhyāyai tapasaḥ kriyām | tāmābhāṣya yathānyāyaṁ tatraivāntardadhe muniḥ

Brahma said: Then Vasishtha, having sat down and duly instructed Sandhya in the rite of that austerity, speaking to her as was fitting, thereupon vanished from that very place.