Vishnu's Counsel to Narada

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.4.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । सूत सूत महाप्राज्ञ वर्णिता ह्यद्भुता कथा । धन्या तु शाम्भवी माया तदधीनं चराचरम्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ sūta sūta mahāprājña varṇitā hyadbhutā kathā dhanyā tu śāmbhavī māyā tadadhīnaṁ carācaram

The sages said: O Suta, Suta, greatly wise one! Wondrous indeed is the tale you have told. Blessed indeed is Shiva's maya, under whose sway is all that moves and moves not.

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.4.2)

गतयोर्गणयोः शम्भोः स्वयमात्मेच्छया विभोः । किञ्चकार मुनिः क्रुद्धो नारदः स्मरविह्वलः

gatayorgaṇayoḥ śambhoḥ svayamātmecchayā vibhoḥ kiñcakāra muniḥ kruddho nāradaḥ smaravihvalaḥ

When Shambhu's two attendants had departed of their own will, what did the enraged sage Narada, overwhelmed by passion, then do?

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.4.3)

सूत उवाच । विमोहितो मुनिर्दत्त्वा तयोः शापं यथोचितम् । जले मुखं निरीक्ष्याथ स्वरूपं गिरिशेच्छया

sūta uvāca vimohito munirdattvā tayoḥ śāpaṁ yathocitam jale mukhaṁ nirīkṣyātha svarūpaṁ giriśecchayā

Suta said: The deluded sage, having pronounced upon them that fitting curse, then looked at his own face in water — by Girisha's own will.

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.4.4)

शिवेच्छया न प्रबुद्धः स्मृत्वा हरिकृतच्छलम् । क्रोधं दुर्विषहं कृत्वा विष्णुलोकं जगाम ह

śivecchayā na prabuddhaḥ smṛtvā harikṛtacchalam krodhaṁ durviṣahaṁ kṛtvā viṣṇulokaṁ jagāma ha

By Shiva's will he was not yet awakened; recalling what he took to be Hari's deceit, and giving way to unbearable anger, he went to Vishnuloka.

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.4.5)

उवाच वचनं क्रुद्धः समिद्ध इव पावकः । दुरुक्तिगर्भितं व्यङ्गं नष्टज्ञानः शिवेच्छया

uvāca vacanaṁ kruddhaḥ samiddha iva pāvakaḥ duruktigarbhitaṁ vyaṅgaṁ naṣṭajñānaḥ śivecchayā

Enraged, blazing like a kindled fire, his understanding lost by Shiva's will, he spoke words laden with harsh reproach and sarcasm.

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.4.6)

नारद उवाच । हे हरे त्वं महादुष्टः कपटी विश्वमोहनः । परोत्साहं न सहसे मायावी मलिनाशयः

nārada uvāca he hare tvaṁ mahāduṣṭaḥ kapaṭī viśvamohanaḥ parotsāhaṁ na sahase māyāvī malināśayaḥ

Narada said: O Hari, you are utterly wicked, deceitful, the deluder of the whole world! You cannot bear another's success — a master of illusion, of tainted purpose.

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.4.7)

मोहिनीरूपमादाय कपटं कृतवान्पुरा । असुरेभ्योऽपाययस्त्वं वारुणीममृतं न हि

mohinīrūpamādāya kapaṭaṁ kṛtavānpurā asurebhyo'pāyayastvaṁ vāruṇīmamṛtaṁ na hi

Taking the form of Mohini, you once practiced deceit — giving the demons mere liquor while withholding from them the nectar of immortality.

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.4.8)

चेत्पिबेन्न विषं रुद्रो दयां कृत्वा महेश्वरः । भवेन्नष्टाखिला माया तव व्याजरते हरे

cetpibenna viṣaṁ rudro dayāṁ kṛtvā maheśvaraḥ bhavennaṣṭākhilā māyā tava vyājarate hare

Had not Rudra, Maheshvara, in his compassion, drunk the poison, your whole deceit, O Hari, deviser of tricks, would have come to ruin.

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.4.9)

गतिः सकपटा तेऽतिप्रिया विष्णो विशेषतः । साधुस्वभावो न भवान्स्वतन्त्रः प्रभुणा कृतः

gatiḥ sakapaṭā te'tipriyā viṣṇo viśeṣataḥ sādhusvabhāvo na bhavānsvatantraḥ prabhuṇā kṛtaḥ

Deceitful ways are especially dear to you, O Vishnu; you are not truly good-natured — you were made a free, independent agent by the Lord.

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.4.10)

कृतं समुचितं नैव शिवेन परमात्मना । तत्प्रभावबलं ध्यात्वा स्वतन्त्रकृतिकारकः

kṛtaṁ samucitaṁ naiva śivena paramātmanā tatprabhāvabalaṁ dhyātvā svatantrakṛtikārakaḥ

This was not rightly done by Shiva, the Supreme Self, in making you thus an independent agent, mindful only of your own power and strength.

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.4.11)

त्वद्गतिं सुसमाज्ञाय पश्चात्तापमवाप सः । विप्रं सर्वोपरि प्राह स्वोक्तवेदप्रमाणकृत्

tvadgatiṁ susamājñāya paścāttāpamavāpa saḥ vipraṁ sarvopari prāha svoktavedapramāṇakṛt

Having well understood your ways, he came to feel remorse; and — making his own utterance the very standard of the Veda — declared the brahmin supreme above all.

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.4.12)

तज्ज्ञात्वाहं हरे त्वाद्य शिक्षयिष्यामि तद्बलात् । यथा न कुर्याः कुत्रापीदृशं कर्म कदाचन

tajjñātvāhaṁ hare tvādya śikṣayiṣyāmi tadbalāt yathā na kuryāḥ kutrāpīdṛśaṁ karma kadācana

Knowing this, O Hari, I shall this day teach you a lesson by that very power, so that you may never again anywhere commit such a deed.

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.4.13)

अद्यापि निर्भयस्त्वं हि सङ्गं नापस्तरस्विना । इदानीं लप्स्यसे विष्णो फलं स्वकृतकर्मणः

adyāpi nirbhayastvaṁ hi saṅgaṁ nāpastarasvinā idānīṁ lapsyase viṣṇo phalaṁ svakṛtakarmaṇaḥ

Even now you remain fearless, unwilling to forsake the company of the swift-flowing waters; but now, O Vishnu, you shall reap the fruit of your own deed.

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.4.14)

इत्थमुक्त्वा हरिं सोऽथ मुनिर्मायाविमोहितः । शशाप क्रोधनिर्विण्णो ब्रह्मतेजः प्रदर्शयन्

itthamuktvā hariṁ so'tha munirmāyāvimohitaḥ śaśāpa krodhanirviṇṇo brahmatejaḥ pradarśayan

Having spoken thus to Hari, that sage, deluded by maya, overcome with the vehemence of anger, pronounced a curse, displaying the fiery power of a brahmin.

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.4.15)

स्त्रीकृते व्याकुलं विष्णो मामकार्षीर्विमोहकः । अन्वकार्षीः स्वरूपेण येन कापट्यकार्यकृत्

strīkṛte vyākulaṁ viṣṇo māmakārṣīrvimohakaḥ anvakārṣīḥ svarūpeṇa yena kāpaṭyakāryakṛt

'O Vishnu, O deluder, you made me distraught for the sake of a woman; you deceived me through that very form by which you accomplished your deceitful design.'

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.4.16)

तद्रूपेण मनुष्यस्त्वं भव तद्दुःखभुग्घरे । यन्मुखं कृतवान्मे त्वं ते भवन्तु सहायिनः

tadrūpeṇa manuṣyastvaṁ bhava tadduḥkhabhugghare yanmukhaṁ kṛtavānme tvaṁ te bhavantu sahāyinaḥ

'Therefore, O Hari, become a man in that very form, and suffer that same sorrow; and let those whose face you gave to me become your own helpers.'

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.4.17)

त्वं स्त्रीवियोगजं दुःखं लभस्व परदुःखदः । मनुष्यगतिकः प्रायो भवाज्ञानविमोहितः

tvaṁ strīviyogajaṁ duḥkhaṁ labhasva paraduḥkhadaḥ manuṣyagatikaḥ prāyo bhavājñānavimohitaḥ

'You, who inflict sorrow upon others, shall obtain the sorrow born of separation from your wife; living mostly the life of a man, you shall be deluded by ignorance of your own true nature.'

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.4.18)

इति शप्त्वा हरिं मोहान्नारदोऽज्ञानमोहितः । विष्णुर्जग्राह तं शापं प्रशंसन् शाम्भवीमजाम्

iti śaptvā hariṁ mohānnārado'jñānamohitaḥ viṣṇurjagrāha taṁ śāpaṁ praśaṁsan śāmbhavīmajām

Having thus cursed Hari, deluded by ignorance, Narada gave the curse — and Vishnu accepted it, praising Shiva's unborn maya.

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.4.19)

अथ शम्भुर्महालीलो निश्चकर्ष विमोहिनीम । स्वमायां मोहितो ज्ञानी नारदोऽप्यभवद्यया

atha śambhurmahālīlo niścakarṣa vimohinīma svamāyāṁ mohito jñānī nārado'pyabhavadyayā

Then Shambhu, of mighty sport, withdrew that deluding maya of his own, by which even the wise Narada had been made deluded.

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.4.20)

अन्तर्हितायां मायायां पूर्ववन्मतिमानभूत् । नारदो विस्मितमनाः प्राप्तबोधो निराकुलः

antarhitāyāṁ māyāyāṁ pūrvavanmatimānabhūt nārado vismitamanāḥ prāptabodho nirākulaḥ

When that maya had vanished, Narada regained his understanding as before; astonished in mind, having attained clarity, he became free of agitation.

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.4.21)

पश्चात्तापमवाप्याति निनिन्द स्वं मुहुर्मुहुः । प्रशशंस तदा मायां शाम्भवीं ज्ञानिमोहिनीम्

paścāttāpamavāpyāti nininda svaṁ muhurmuhuḥ praśaśaṁsa tadā māyāṁ śāmbhavīṁ jñānimohinīm

Overcome with deep remorse, he reproached himself again and again; and then he praised Shiva's maya, which deludes even the wise.

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.4.22)

अथ ज्ञात्वा मुनिःसर्वं मायाविभ्रममात्मनः । अपतत्पादयोर्विष्णोर्नारदो वैष्णवोत्तमः

atha jñātvā muniḥsarvaṁ māyāvibhramamātmanaḥ apatatpādayorviṣṇornārado vaiṣṇavottamaḥ

Then, understanding fully the delusion of maya that had befallen him, Narada, foremost among Vishnu's devotees, fell at Vishnu's feet.

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.4.23)

हर्युपस्थापितः प्राह वचनं नष्टदुर्मतिः । मया दुरुक्तयः प्रोक्ता मोहितेन कुबुद्धिना

haryupasthāpitaḥ prāha vacanaṁ naṣṭadurmatiḥ mayā duruktayaḥ proktā mohitena kubuddhinā

Raised up by Hari, freed now of his corrupted judgment, he said: 'Deluded and of ill mind, I have uttered harsh words against you.'

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.4.24)

दत्तः शापोऽपि ते नाथ वितथं कुरु तं प्रभो । महत्पापमकार्षं हि यास्यामि निरयं ध्रुवम्

dattaḥ śāpo'pi te nātha vitathaṁ kuru taṁ prabho mahatpāpamakārṣaṁ hi yāsyāmi nirayaṁ dhruvam

'O Lord, I have also pronounced a curse upon you; nullify it, O master. I have committed a great sin, and shall surely go to hell.'

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.4.25)

कमुपायं हरे कुर्यां दासोऽहं ते तमादिश । येन पापकुलं नश्येन्निरयो न भवेन्मम

kamupāyaṁ hare kuryāṁ dāso'haṁ te tamādiśa yena pāpakulaṁ naśyennirayo na bhavenmama

'What remedy shall I take, O Hari? I am your servant — instruct me in it, by which this mass of sin may be destroyed, and hell may not become my lot.'

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.4.26)

इत्युक्त्वा स पुनर्विष्णोः पादयोर्मुनिसत्तमः । पपात सुमतिर्भक्त्या पश्चात्तापमुपागतः

ityuktvā sa punarviṣṇoḥ pādayormunisattamaḥ papāta sumatirbhaktyā paścāttāpamupāgataḥ

Having said this, that foremost of sages, now of good understanding, filled with devotion and deep remorse, again fell at Vishnu's feet.

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.4.27)

अथ विष्णुस्तमुत्थाप्य बभाषे सूनृतं वचः । विष्णुरुवाच । न खेदं कुरु मे भक्तवरस्त्वं नात्र संशयः

atha viṣṇustamutthāpya babhāṣe sūnṛtaṁ vacaḥ viṣṇuruvāca na khedaṁ kuru me bhaktavarastvaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

Then Vishnu, raising him up, spoke these kind and true words. Vishnu said: 'Grieve not; you are my finest devotee — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.4.28)

शृणु तात प्रवक्ष्यामि सुहितं तव निश्चयात् । निरयस्ते न भविता शिवः शं ते विधास्यति

śṛṇu tāta pravakṣyāmi suhitaṁ tava niścayāt nirayaste na bhavitā śivaḥ śaṁ te vidhāsyati

'Listen, dear one; I shall tell you truly what is good for you: hell shall not be your fate, and Shiva shall grant you well-being.'

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.4.29)

यदकार्षीः शिववचो वितथं मदमोहितः । स दत्तवानीदृशं ते फलं कर्मफलप्रदः

yadakārṣīḥ śivavaco vitathaṁ madamohitaḥ sa dattavānīdṛśaṁ te phalaṁ karmaphalapradaḥ

'That you disregarded Shiva's word, deluded by pride — he, the bestower of the fruits of deeds, has given you this very fruit.'

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.4.30)

शिवेच्छयाखिलं जातं कुर्वित्थं निश्चितां मतिम् । गर्वापहर्ता स स्वामी शङ्करः परमेश्वरः

śivecchayākhilaṁ jātaṁ kurvitthaṁ niścitāṁ matim garvāpahartā sa svāmī śaṅkaraḥ parameśvaraḥ

'All this has come to pass by Shiva's own will — hold this as your firm conviction. That Lord Shankara, the supreme master, is the destroyer of pride.'

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.4.31)

परं ब्रह्म परात्मा स सच्चिदानन्दबोधनः । निर्गुणो निर्विकारी च रजःसत्त्वतमःपरः

paraṁ brahma parātmā sa saccidānandabodhanaḥ nirguṇo nirvikārī ca rajaḥsattvatamaḥparaḥ

'He is the Supreme Brahman, the Supreme Self, whose nature is being, consciousness and bliss; without qualities, without change, beyond rajas, sattva and tamas.'

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.4.32)

स एवादाय मायां स्वां त्रिधा भवति रूपतः । ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेशात्मा निर्गुणोऽनिर्गुणोऽपि सः

sa evādāya māyāṁ svāṁ tridhā bhavati rūpataḥ brahmaviṣṇumaheśātmā nirguṇo'nirguṇo'pi saḥ

'He alone, taking up his own maya, becomes threefold in form as Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesha; though qualityless, he becomes, as it were, possessed of qualities.'

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.4.33)

निर्गुणत्वे शिवाह्वो हि परमात्मा महेश्वरः । परं ब्रह्माव्ययोऽनन्तो महादेवेति गीयते

nirguṇatve śivāhvo hi paramātmā maheśvaraḥ paraṁ brahmāvyayo'nanto mahādeveti gīyate

'In his qualityless aspect he is called Shiva, the Supreme Self, Maheshvara — sung of as the imperishable and infinite Supreme Brahman, Mahadeva.'

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.4.34)

तत्सेवया विधिः स्रष्टा पालको जगतामहम् । स्वयं सर्वस्य संहारी रुद्ररूपेण सर्वदा

tatsevayā vidhiḥ sraṣṭā pālako jagatāmaham svayaṁ sarvasya saṁhārī rudrarūpeṇa sarvadā

'In his service Brahma becomes the creator, I the sustainer of the worlds, and he himself, ever in the form of Rudra, the destroyer of all.'

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.4.35)

साक्षी शिवस्वरूपेण मायाभिन्नः स निर्गुणः । स्वेच्छाचारी संविहारी भक्तानुग्रहकारकः

sākṣī śivasvarūpeṇa māyābhinnaḥ sa nirguṇaḥ svecchācārī saṁvihārī bhaktānugrahakārakaḥ

'As the witness, in his own true form as Shiva, distinct from maya, he is without qualities; acting according to his own will, ever at play, ever gracious to his devotees.'

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.4.36)

शृणु त्वं नारद मुने सदुपायं सुखप्रदम् । सर्वपापापहर्तारं भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं सदा

śṛṇu tvaṁ nārada mune sadupāyaṁ sukhapradam sarvapāpāpahartāraṁ bhuktimuktipradaṁ sadā

'Hear now, O sage Narada, the true means that grants happiness, removes every sin, and ever bestows both worldly enjoyment and liberation.'

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.4.37)

त्यक्त्वा स्वसंशयं सर्वं गायन् शङ्करसद्यशः । शतनामशिवस्तोत्रं सदानन्यमतिर्जप

tyaktvā svasaṁśayaṁ sarvaṁ gāyan śaṅkarasadyaśaḥ śatanāmaśivastotraṁ sadānanyamatirjapa

'Abandoning all your doubt, singing ever of Shankara's true glory, recite always, with undivided mind, the hymn of Shiva's hundred names.'

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.4.38)

यज्जपित्वा द्रुतं सर्वं तव पापं विनश्यति । इत्युक्त्वा नारदं विष्णुः पुनः प्राह दयान्वितः

yajjapitvā drutaṁ sarvaṁ tava pāpaṁ vinaśyati ityuktvā nāradaṁ viṣṇuḥ punaḥ prāha dayānvitaḥ

'By reciting it, all your sin shall swiftly be destroyed.' Having said this to Narada, Vishnu, filled with compassion, spoke again.

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.4.39)

मुने न कुरु शोकं त्वं त्वया किञ्चित्कृतं न हि । स्वेच्छया कृतवान्शम्भुरिदं सर्वं न संशयः

mune na kuru śokaṁ tvaṁ tvayā kiñcitkṛtaṁ na hi svecchayā kṛtavānśambhuridaṁ sarvaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

'O sage, do not grieve; you yourself have done nothing wrong at all — Shambhu has done all this of his own will, without doubt.'

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.4.40)

अहार्षित्त्वन्मतिं दिव्यां कामक्लेशमदात्स ते । त्वन्मुखाद्दापयाञ्चक्रे शापं मे स महेश्वरः

ahārṣittvanmatiṁ divyāṁ kāmakleśamadātsa te tvanmukhāddāpayāñcakre śāpaṁ me sa maheśvaraḥ

'He took away your divine understanding and gave you the affliction of desire and pride; and it was Maheshvara himself who caused that curse upon me to be uttered through your very mouth.'

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.4.41)

इत्थं स्वचरितं लोके प्रकटीकृतवान् स्वयम् । मृत्युञ्जयः कालकालो भक्तोद्धारपरायणः

itthaṁ svacaritaṁ loke prakaṭīkṛtavān svayam mṛtyuñjayaḥ kālakālo bhaktoddhāraparāyaṇaḥ

'Thus he, Mrityunjaya, the very death of Time itself, ever intent upon the deliverance of his devotees, has himself made manifest this deed in the world.'

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.4.42)

न मे शिवसमानोऽस्ति प्रियः स्वामी सुखप्रदः । सर्वशक्तिप्रदो मेऽस्ति स एव परमेश्वरः

na me śivasamāno'sti priyaḥ svāmī sukhapradaḥ sarvaśaktiprado me'sti sa eva parameśvaraḥ

'For me there is no lord equal to Shiva, so dear, so giver of happiness; he alone is my giver of all power, the Supreme Lord.'

Verse 43 (shiva.rudra.4.43)

तस्योपास्यां कुरु मुने तमेव सततं भज । तद्यशः शृणु गाय त्वं कुरु नित्यं तदर्चनम्

tasyopāsyāṁ kuru mune tameva satataṁ bhaja tadyaśaḥ śṛṇu gāya tvaṁ kuru nityaṁ tadarcanam

'Worship him, O sage; ever adore him alone. Hear and sing his glory, and perform his worship always.'

Verse 44 (shiva.rudra.4.44)

कायेन मनसा वाचा यः शङ्करमुपैति भोः । स पण्डित इति ज्ञेयः स जीवन्मुक्त उच्यते

kāyena manasā vācā yaḥ śaṅkaramupaiti bhoḥ sa paṇḍita iti jñeyaḥ sa jīvanmukta ucyate

'He who approaches Shankara with body, mind and speech — know him to be truly learned; he is called liberated even while living.'

Verse 45 (shiva.rudra.4.45)

शिवेति नामदावाग्नेर्महापातकपर्वताः । भस्मीभवन्त्यनायासात्सत्यं सत्यं न संशयः

śiveti nāmadāvāgnermahāpātakaparvatāḥ bhasmībhavantyanāyāsātsatyaṁ satyaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

'Before the wildfire of the name "Shiva," even mountains of the greatest sins are effortlessly burnt to ashes — truly, truly, without doubt.'

Verse 46 (shiva.rudra.4.46)

पापमूलानि दुःखानि विविधान्यपि तान्यतः । शिवार्चनैकनश्यानि नान्यनश्यानि सर्वथा

pāpamūlāni duḥkhāni vividhānyapi tānyataḥ śivārcanaikanaśyāni nānyanaśyāni sarvathā

'The many sorrows rooted in sin can be destroyed by the worship of Shiva alone; by no other means whatsoever can they be destroyed.'

Verse 47 (shiva.rudra.4.47)

स वैदिकः स पुण्यात्मा स धन्यः स बुधो मुने । यः सदा कायवाक् चित्तैः शरणं याति शङ्करम्

sa vaidikaḥ sa puṇyātmā sa dhanyaḥ sa budho mune yaḥ sadā kāyavāk cittaiḥ śaraṇaṁ yāti śaṅkaram

'He alone is truly learned in the Vedas, he alone is holy, blessed, and wise, O sage, who ever takes refuge in Shankara with body, speech and mind.'

Verse 48 (shiva.rudra.4.48)

भवन्ति विविधा धर्मा येषां सद्यः फलोन्मुखाः । तेषां भवति विश्वासस्त्रिपुरान्तकपूजने

bhavanti vividhā dharmā yeṣāṁ sadyaḥ phalonmukhāḥ teṣāṁ bhavati viśvāsastripurāntakapūjane

'Of those righteous deeds whose fruits ripen at once, the deepest faith rests in the worship of the Slayer of Tripura.'

Verse 49 (shiva.rudra.4.49)

पातकानि विनश्यन्ति यावन्ति शिवपूजया । भुवि तावन्ति पापानि न सन्त्येव महामुने

pātakāni vinaśyanti yāvanti śivapūjayā bhuvi tāvanti pāpāni na santyeva mahāmune

'O great sage, as many sins as are destroyed by the worship of Shiva — that many sins simply do not exist anywhere on earth.'

Verse 50 (shiva.rudra.4.50)

ब्रह्महत्यादिपापानां राशयोऽप्यमिता मुने । शिवस्मृत्या विनश्यन्ति सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम्

brahmahatyādipāpānāṁ rāśayo'pyamitā mune śivasmṛtyā vinaśyanti satyaṁ satyaṁ vadāmyaham

'O sage, even boundless heaps of sins, such as the killing of a brahmin, are destroyed by the mere remembrance of Shiva — truly, truly I speak this.'

Verse 51 (shiva.rudra.4.51)

शिवनामतरीं प्राप्य संसाराब्धिं तरन्ति ते । संसारमूलपापानि तस्य नश्यन्त्यसंशयम्

śivanāmatarīṁ prāpya saṁsārābdhiṁ taranti te saṁsāramūlapāpāni tasya naśyantyasaṁśayam

'Having found the boat of Shiva's name, they cross the ocean of worldly existence; the sins rooted in that existence are destroyed for him, without doubt.'

Verse 52 (shiva.rudra.4.52)

संसारमूलभूतानां पातकानां महामुने । शिवनामकुठारेण विनाशो जायते ध्रुवम्

saṁsāramūlabhūtānāṁ pātakānāṁ mahāmune śivanāmakuṭhāreṇa vināśo jāyate dhruvam

'O great sage, of the sins that are the very root of worldly existence, destruction is surely wrought by the axe of Shiva's name.'

Verse 53 (shiva.rudra.4.53)

शिवनामामृतं पेयं पापदावानलार्दितैः । पापदावाग्नितप्तानां शान्तिस्तेन विना न हि

śivanāmāmṛtaṁ peyaṁ pāpadāvānalārditaiḥ pāpadāvāgnitaptānāṁ śāntistena vinā na hi

'The nectar of Shiva's name should be drunk by those afflicted by the wildfire of sin; for those burning in the fire of sin, there is no peace without it.'

Verse 54 (shiva.rudra.4.54)

शिवेति नामपीयूषवर्षधारापरिप्लुताः । संसारदवमध्येऽपि न शोचन्ति न संशयः

śiveti nāmapīyūṣavarṣadhārāpariplutāḥ saṁsāradavamadhye'pi na śocanti na saṁśayaḥ

'Those bathed by the falling rain of the nectar of the name "Shiva" do not grieve even in the midst of the wildfire of worldly existence — without doubt.'

Verse 55 (shiva.rudra.4.55)

न भक्तिः शङ्करे पुंसां रागद्वेषरतात्मनाम् । तद्विरुद्धजनानां हि मुक्तिर्भवति सर्वथा

na bhaktiḥ śaṅkare puṁsāṁ rāgadveṣaratātmanām tadviruddhajanānāṁ hi muktirbhavati sarvathā

'Devotion to Shankara does not arise in men whose souls are absorbed in attachment and hatred; liberation belongs entirely to those of the opposite nature.'

Verse 56 (shiva.rudra.4.56)

अनन्तजन्मभिर्येन तपस्तप्तं भविष्यति । तस्यैव भक्तिर्भवति भवानीप्राणवल्लभे

anantajanmabhiryena tapastaptaṁ bhaviṣyati tasyaiva bhaktirbhavati bhavānīprāṇavallabhe

'He alone by whom austerity has been practised through countless births will come to have devotion for him who is the very life-beloved of Bhavani.'

Verse 57 (shiva.rudra.4.57)

जातापि शङ्करे भक्तिरन्यसाधारणी वृथा । परं त्वव्यभिचारेण शिवभक्तिरपेक्षिता

jātāpi śaṅkare bhaktiranyasādhāraṇī vṛthā paraṁ tvavyabhicāreṇa śivabhaktirapekṣitā

'Even if devotion to Shankara arises, if it is shared indiscriminately with other objects, it is in vain; what is required is devotion to Shiva that never wavers.'

Verse 58 (shiva.rudra.4.58)

यस्यासाधारणी शम्भौ भक्तिरव्यभिचारिणी । तस्यैव मोक्षः सुलभो नान्यस्येति मतिर्मम

yasyāsādhāraṇī śambhau bhaktiravyabhicāriṇī tasyaiva mokṣaḥ sulabho nānyasyeti matirmama

'He whose devotion to Shambhu is exclusive and unwavering — for him alone is liberation easily attained, and for no other; such is my conviction.'

Verse 59 (shiva.rudra.4.59)

कृत्वाप्यनन्तपापानि यदि भक्तिर्महेश्वरे । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो भवत्येव न संशयः

kṛtvāpyanantapāpāni yadi bhaktirmaheśvare sarvapāpavinirmukto bhavatyeva na saṁśayaḥ

'Even one who has committed endless sins, if he has devotion to Maheshvara, becomes freed from all sin without doubt.'

Verse 60 (shiva.rudra.4.60)

भवन्ति भस्मसाद् वृक्षा दवदग्धा यथा वने । तथा भवन्ति दग्धानि शाङ्कराणामघान्यपि

bhavanti bhasmasād vṛkṣā davadagdhā yathā vane tathā bhavanti dagdhāni śāṅkarāṇāmaghānyapi

'As trees burnt by a forest fire are reduced to ash, so too are the sins of Shankara's devotees consumed to ashes.'

Verse 61 (shiva.rudra.4.61)

यो नित्यं भस्मपूताङ्गो शिवपूजोन्मुखो भवेत् । स तरत्येव संसारमपारमतिदारुणम्

yo nityaṁ bhasmapūtāṅgo śivapūjonmukho bhavet sa taratyeva saṁsāramapāramatidāruṇam

'He whose limbs are ever purified by sacred ash, who is devoted to Shiva's worship, surely crosses this boundless and terrible ocean of worldly existence.'

Verse 62 (shiva.rudra.4.62)

ब्रह्मस्वहरणं कृत्वा हत्वापि ब्राह्मणान्बहून् । न लिप्यते नरः पापैर्विरूपाक्षस्य सेवकः

brahmasvaharaṇaṁ kṛtvā hatvāpi brāhmaṇānbahūn na lipyate naraḥ pāpairvirūpākṣasya sevakaḥ

'Even having taken a brahmin's wealth or slain many brahmins, a man who is a servant of Virupaksha is not tainted by such sins.'

Verse 63 (shiva.rudra.4.63)

विलोक्य वेदानखिलान् शिवस्यैवार्चनं परम् । संसारनाशनोपाय इति पूर्वैर्विनिश्चितम्

vilokya vedānakhilān śivasyaivārcanaṁ param saṁsāranāśanopāya iti pūrvairviniścitam

'Having surveyed all the Vedas, the ancients determined that the worship of Shiva alone is the supreme means for the destruction of worldly bondage.'

Verse 64 (shiva.rudra.4.64)

अद्यप्रभृति यत्नेन सावधानो यथाविधि । साम्बं सदाशिवं भक्त्या भज नित्यं महेश्वरम्

adyaprabhṛti yatnena sāvadhāno yathāvidhi sāmbaṁ sadāśivaṁ bhaktyā bhaja nityaṁ maheśvaram

'From this day forward, with effort and careful attention, worship duly, with devotion, Sadashiva together with Amba, the great Lord, always.'

Verse 65 (shiva.rudra.4.65)

आपादमस्तकं सम्यग्भस्मनोद्धूल्य सादरम् । सर्वश्रुतिश्रुतं शैवं मन्त्रं जप षडक्षरम्

āpādamastakaṁ samyagbhasmanoddhūlya sādaram sarvaśrutiśrutaṁ śaivaṁ mantraṁ japa ṣaḍakṣaram

'Anointing yourself with sacred ash reverently from head to foot, recite the six-syllabled Shaiva mantra, proclaimed in every scripture.'

Verse 66 (shiva.rudra.4.66)

सर्वाङ्गेषु प्रयत्नेन रुद्राक्षान् शिववल्लभान् । धारयस्वातिसद्भक्त्या समन्त्रं विधिपूर्वकम्

sarvāṅgeṣu prayatnena rudrākṣān śivavallabhān dhārayasvātisadbhaktyā samantraṁ vidhipūrvakam

'Wear rudraksha beads, so dear to Shiva, upon all your limbs with great care, with the mantra, according to due rite and with utmost devotion.'

Verse 67 (shiva.rudra.4.67)

शृणु शैवीं कथां नित्यं वद शैवीं कथां सदा । पूजयस्वातियत्नेन शिवभक्तान्पुनः पुनः

śṛṇu śaivīṁ kathāṁ nityaṁ vada śaivīṁ kathāṁ sadā pūjayasvātiyatnena śivabhaktānpunaḥ punaḥ

'Listen always to Shiva's stories, always speak of Shiva's stories; with great effort, worship the devotees of Shiva again and again.'

Verse 68 (shiva.rudra.4.68)

अप्रमादेन सततं शिवैकशरणो भव । शिवार्चनेन सततमानन्दः प्राप्यते यतः

apramādena satataṁ śivaikaśaraṇo bhava śivārcanena satatamānandaḥ prāpyate yataḥ

'Ever without negligence, take refuge in Shiva alone; for by the worship of Shiva, everlasting bliss is attained.'

Verse 69 (shiva.rudra.4.69)

उरस्याधाय विशदे शिवस्य चरणाम्बुजौ । शिवतीर्थानि विचर प्रथमं मुनिसत्तम

urasyādhāya viśade śivasya caraṇāmbujau śivatīrthāni vicara prathamaṁ munisattama

'Bearing the pure lotus feet of Shiva upon your heart, wander first, O foremost of sages, among Shiva's sacred places.'

Verse 70 (shiva.rudra.4.70)

पश्यन्माहात्म्यमतुलं शङ्करस्य परात्मनः । गच्छानन्दवनं पश्चाच्छम्भुप्रियतमं मुने

paśyanmāhātmyamatulaṁ śaṅkarasya parātmanaḥ gacchānandavanaṁ paścācchambhupriyatamaṁ mune

'Beholding the peerless greatness of Shankara, the Supreme Self, then go, O sage, to Anandavana, most beloved of Shambhu.'

Verse 71 (shiva.rudra.4.71)

तत्र विश्वेश्वरं दृष्ट्वा पूजनं कुरु भक्तितः । नत्वा स्तुत्वा विशेषेण निर्विकल्पो भविष्यसि

tatra viśveśvaraṁ dṛṣṭvā pūjanaṁ kuru bhaktitaḥ natvā stutvā viśeṣeṇa nirvikalpo bhaviṣyasi

'There, beholding Vishveshvara, worship him with devotion; bowing and praising him with particular care, you shall become free of all doubt.'

Verse 72 (shiva.rudra.4.72)

ततश्च भवता नूनं विधेयं गमनं मुने । ब्रह्मलोके स्वकामार्थं शासनान्मम भक्तितः

tataśca bhavatā nūnaṁ vidheyaṁ gamanaṁ mune brahmaloke svakāmārthaṁ śāsanānmama bhaktitaḥ

'And then, O sage, you should surely go, by my command and with devotion, to Brahmaloka, for the fulfilment of your own desire.'

Verse 73 (shiva.rudra.4.73)

नत्वा स्तुत्वा विशेषेण विधिं स्वजनकं मुने । प्रष्टव्यं शिवमाहात्म्यं बहुशः प्रीतचेतसा

natvā stutvā viśeṣeṇa vidhiṁ svajanakaṁ mune praṣṭavyaṁ śivamāhātmyaṁ bahuśaḥ prītacetasā

'There, O sage, bowing and praising with particular care Brahma, your own father, ask him, with a joyful heart, about the greatness of Shiva, again and again.'

Verse 74 (shiva.rudra.4.74)

स शैवप्रवरो ब्रह्मा माहात्म्यं शङ्करस्य ते । श्रावयिष्यति सुप्रीत्या शतनामस्तवं च हि

sa śaivapravaro brahmā māhātmyaṁ śaṅkarasya te śrāvayiṣyati suprītyā śatanāmastavaṁ ca hi

'Brahma, foremost among Shiva's devotees, shall, with great love, recount to you the greatness of Shankara, together with the hymn of his hundred names.'

Verse 75 (shiva.rudra.4.75)

अद्यतस्त्वं भव मुने शैवः शिवपरायणः । मुक्तिभागी विशेषेण शिवस्ते शं विधास्यति

adyatastvaṁ bhava mune śaivaḥ śivaparāyaṇaḥ muktibhāgī viśeṣeṇa śivaste śaṁ vidhāsyati

'From this day, O sage, become a true Shaiva, devoted wholly to Shiva; you shall become especially a sharer in liberation, and Shiva shall grant you well-being.'

Verse 76 (shiva.rudra.4.76)

इत्थं विष्णुर्मुनिं प्रीत्या ह्युपदिश्य प्रसन्नधीः । स्मृत्वा नुत्वा शिवं स्तुत्वा ततस्त्वन्तरधीयत

itthaṁ viṣṇurmuniṁ prītyā hyupadiśya prasannadhīḥ smṛtvā nutvā śivaṁ stutvā tatastvantaradhīyata

Thus having lovingly instructed the sage, Vishnu, gladdened in mind, called Shiva to mind, praised and adored him, and then vanished from sight.