Shiva's Meeting with Himavat

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.74.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच । वर्धमाना गिरेः पुत्री सा शक्तिर्लोकपूजिता । अष्टवर्षा यदा जाता हिमालयगृहे सती

brahmovāca vardhamānā gireḥ putrī sā śaktirlokapūjitā aṣṭavarṣā yadā jātā himālayagṛhe satī

Brahma said: "That daughter of the mountain, the world-worshipped Shakti, was growing; when Sati, born in Himalaya's house, reached the age of eight years."

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.74.2)

तज्जन्म गिरिशो ज्ञात्वा सतीविरहकातरः । कृत्वा तमद्भुतामन्तर्मुमोदातीव नारद

tajjanma giriśo jñātvā satīvirahakātaraḥ kṛtvā tamadbhutāmantarmumodātīva nārada

Learning of that birth, Girisha, grieved by his separation from Sati, O Narada, held it within as a wondrous thing and rejoiced greatly in his heart.

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.74.3)

तस्मिन्नेवान्तरे शम्भुर्लौकिकीं गतिमाश्रितः । समाधातुं मनःसम्यक्तपः कर्तुं समैच्छत

tasminnevāntare śambhurlaukikīṁ gatimāśritaḥ samādhātuṁ manaḥsamyaktapaḥ kartuṁ samaicchata

At that very time, Shambhu, following worldly custom, wished to steady his mind properly and undertake austerity.

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.74.4)

कांश्चिद्गणवरान् शान्तान् नन्द्यादीनवगृह्य च । गङ्गावतारमगमद्धिमवत्प्रस्थमुत्तमम्

kāṁścidgaṇavarān śāntān nandyādīnavagṛhya ca gaṅgāvatāramagamaddhimavatprasthamuttamam

Taking with him a few excellent, peaceful attendants, Nandi and the rest, he went to the place of the Ganga's descent, the fine tableland of Himavat.

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.74.5)

यत्र गङ्गा निपतिता पुरा ब्रह्मपुरात्स्रुता । सर्वाघौघविनाशाय पावनी परमा मुने

yatra gaṅgā nipatitā purā brahmapurātsrutā sarvāghaughavināśāya pāvanī paramā mune

Where the Ganga once fell, flowing down from Brahma's own realm — supremely purifying, O sage, destroying the whole mass of sin.

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.74.6)

तपःप्रारम्भमकरोत्स्थित्वा तत्र वशी हरः । एकाग्रं चिन्तयामास स्वमात्मानमतन्द्रितः

tapaḥprārambhamakarotsthitvā tatra vaśī haraḥ ekāgraṁ cintayāmāsa svamātmānamatandritaḥ

Stationing himself there, the self-mastered Hara began his austerity, and, untiring, meditated one-pointedly upon his own true Self.

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.74.7)

चेतो ज्ञानभवं नित्यं ज्योतीरूपं निरामयम् । जगन्मयं चिदानन्दं द्वैतहीनं निराश्रयम्

ceto jñānabhavaṁ nityaṁ jyotīrūpaṁ nirāmayam jaganmayaṁ cidānandaṁ dvaitahīnaṁ nirāśrayam

— that consciousness born of knowledge, eternal, luminous in form, free of affliction, pervading the universe, being consciousness-and-bliss, beyond duality, without any support.

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.74.8)

हरे ध्यानपरे तस्मिन्प्रमथा ध्यानतत्पराः । अभवन्केचिदपरे नन्दिभृङ्ग्यादयो गणाः

hare dhyānapare tasminpramathā dhyānatatparāḥ abhavankecidapare nandibhṛṅgyādayo gaṇāḥ

While Hara was rapt in meditation, some of the Pramatha hosts likewise became absorbed in meditation, while others among the attendants, Nandi, Bhringi and the rest, remained apart.

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.74.9)

सेवां चक्रुस्तदा केचिद्गणाः शम्भोः परात्मनः । नैवाकूजंस्तु मौना हि द्वारपाः केचनाभवन्

sevāṁ cakrustadā kecidgaṇāḥ śambhoḥ parātmanaḥ naivākūjaṁstu maunā hi dvārapāḥ kecanābhavan

Some of the attendants then rendered service to Shambhu, the Supreme Self, while others became silent gatekeepers, uttering not a word.

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.74.10)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र जगाम हिमभूधरः । शङ्करस्यौषधिप्रस्थे श्रुत्वागमनमादरात्

etasminnantare tatra jagāma himabhūdharaḥ śaṅkarasyauṣadhiprasthe śrutvāgamanamādarāt

Meanwhile, the snow-mountain, hearing with reverence of Shankara's arrival at Aushadhiprastha, went there himself.

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.74.11)

प्रणनाम प्रभुं रुद्रं सगणो भूधरेश्वरः । समानर्च च सुप्रीतस्तुष्टाव स कृताञ्जलिः

praṇanāma prabhuṁ rudraṁ sagaṇo bhūdhareśvaraḥ samānarca ca suprītastuṣṭāva sa kṛtāñjaliḥ

The lord of mountains, with his retinue, bowed before Lord Rudra; and, greatly pleased, he worshipped him and, with joined palms, sang his praise.

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.74.12)

हिमालय उवाच । देवदेव महादेव कपर्दिच्छङ्कर प्रभो । त्वयैव लोकनाथेन पालितं भुवनत्रयम्

himālaya uvāca devadeva mahādeva kapardicchaṅkara prabho tvayaiva lokanāthena pālitaṁ bhuvanatrayam

Himalaya said: "O God of gods, Mahadeva, matted-haired Shankara, O Lord — by you alone, the Lord of the worlds, the three worlds are sustained."

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.74.13)

नमस्ते देवदेवेश योगिरूपधराय च । निर्गुणाय नमस्तुभ्यं सगुणाय विहारिणे

namaste devadeveśa yogirūpadharāya ca nirguṇāya namastubhyaṁ saguṇāya vihāriṇe

Salutation to you, Lord of the lords of gods, who takes the form of a yogi; salutation to you, the attributeless one, and to you, the playful one who bears qualities.

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.74.14)

कैलासवासिने शम्भो सर्वलोकाटनाय च । नमस्ते परमेशाय लीलाकाराय शूलिने

kailāsavāsine śambho sarvalokāṭanāya ca namaste parameśāya līlākārāya śūline

O Shambhu, dweller upon Kailasa and wanderer through all worlds — salutation to you, supreme lord, maker of divine play, wielder of the trident.

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.74.15)

परिपूर्णगुणाधानविकाररहिताय ते । नमोऽनीहाय वीहाय धीराय परमात्मने

paripūrṇaguṇādhānavikārarahitāya te namo'nīhāya vīhāya dhīrāya paramātmane

Salutation to you, the complete repository of every virtue, free of all change; salutation to the desireless one, to the ever-active one, to the steadfast one, the Supreme Self.

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.74.16)

अबहिर्भोगकाराय जनवत्सलते नमः । त्रिगुणाधीश मायेश ब्रह्मणे परमात्मने

abahirbhogakārāya janavatsalate namaḥ triguṇādhīśa māyeśa brahmaṇe paramātmane

Salutation to you whose enjoyment lies not in the outward, who art loving toward your people; O ruler of the three gunas, lord of Maya, Brahman, the Supreme Self.

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.74.17)

विष्णुब्रह्मादिसेव्याय विष्णुब्रह्मस्वरूपिणे । विष्णुब्रह्मैकदात्रे ते भक्तप्रिय नमोऽस्तु ते

viṣṇubrahmādisevyāya viṣṇubrahmasvarūpiṇe viṣṇubrahmaikadātre te bhaktapriya namo'stu te

Salutation to you who are served by Vishnu, Brahma and the rest, who are the very form of Vishnu and Brahma, the sole giver even of Vishnu and Brahma; salutation to you, O beloved of your devotees.

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.74.18)

तपोरत तपःस्थान सुतपःफलदायिने । तपःप्रियाय शान्ताय नमस्ते ब्रह्मरूपिणे

taporata tapaḥsthāna sutapaḥphaladāyine tapaḥpriyāya śāntāya namaste brahmarūpiṇe

O you who delight in austerity, abode of austerity, granter of austerity's fruit; salutation to you, lover of austerity, the tranquil one, of the very form of Brahman.

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.74.19)

व्यवहारकरायैव लोकाचारकराय ते । सगुणाय परेशाय नमोऽस्तु परमात्मने

vyavahārakarāyaiva lokācārakarāya te saguṇāya pareśāya namo'stu paramātmane

Salutation to you, who engages in worldly transaction, who follows the ways of the world, who bears qualities, the supreme lord, the Supreme Self.

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.74.20)

लीला तव महेशानावेद्या साधुसुखप्रदा । भक्ताधीनस्वरूपोऽसि भक्तवश्यो हि कर्मकृत्

līlā tava maheśānāvedyā sādhusukhapradā bhaktādhīnasvarūpo'si bhaktavaśyo hi karmakṛt

Your play, O great Lord, is beyond knowing, and it grants happiness to the good. Your very nature is subject to your devotees — you act as one ruled by their devotion.

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.74.21)

मम भाग्योदयात्तत्र त्वमागत इह प्रभो । सनाथ कृतवान्मां त्वं वर्णितो दीनवत्सलः

mama bhāgyodayāttatra tvamāgata iha prabho sanātha kṛtavānmāṁ tvaṁ varṇito dīnavatsalaḥ

By the rise of my own good fortune you have come here, O Lord; you, renowned as affectionate to the humble, have made me one with a protector.

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.74.22)

अद्य मे सफलं जन्म सफलं जीवनं मम । अद्य मे सफलं सर्वं यदत्र त्वं समागतः

adya me saphalaṁ janma saphalaṁ jīvanaṁ mama adya me saphalaṁ sarvaṁ yadatra tvaṁ samāgataḥ

Today my birth is fulfilled, today my life is fulfilled; today all that is mine is fulfilled, for you have come here.

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.74.23)

ज्ञात्वा मां दासमव्यग्रमाज्ञां देहि महेश्वर । त्वत्सेवां च महाप्रीत्या कुर्यामहमनन्यधीः

jñātvā māṁ dāsamavyagramājñāṁ dehi maheśvara tvatsevāṁ ca mahāprītyā kuryāmahamananyadhīḥ

Knowing me as your steadfast servant, grant me your command, O Maheshvara. With great love and an undivided mind I shall render you service.

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.74.24)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य गिरीशस्य महेश्वरः । किञ्चिदुन्मील्य नेत्रे च ददर्श सगणं गिरिम्

brahmovāca ityākarṇya vacastasya girīśasya maheśvaraḥ kiñcidunmīlya netre ca dadarśa sagaṇaṁ girim

Brahma said: "Hearing these words of the mountain-lord, Maheshvara opened his eyes a little and looked upon the mountain, together with his retinue."

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.74.25)

सगणं तं तथा दृष्ट्वा गिरिराजं वृषध्वजः । उवाच ध्यानयोगस्थः स्मयन्निव जगत्पतिः

sagaṇaṁ taṁ tathā dṛṣṭvā girirājaṁ vṛṣadhvajaḥ uvāca dhyānayogasthaḥ smayanniva jagatpatiḥ

Seeing the mountain-king thus, with his retinue, the bull-bannered Lord of the universe, still absorbed in meditation, spoke, as though smiling.

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.74.26)

महेश्वर उवाच । तव पृष्ठे तपस्तप्तुं रहस्यमहमागतः । यथा न कोऽपि निकटं समायातु तथा कुरु

maheśvara uvāca tava pṛṣṭhe tapastaptuṁ rahasyamahamāgataḥ yathā na ko'pi nikaṭaṁ samāyātu tathā kuru

Maheshvara said: "I have come to the flank of your mountain to perform austerity in secret. Arrange it so that no one may come near."

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.74.27)

त्वं महात्मा तपोधामा मुनीनां च सदाश्रयः । देवानां राक्षसानां च परेषां च महात्मनाम्

tvaṁ mahātmā tapodhāmā munīnāṁ ca sadāśrayaḥ devānāṁ rākṣasānāṁ ca pareṣāṁ ca mahātmanām

You are a great soul, an abode of austerity, the ever-standing refuge of sages, of gods, of rakshasas, and of other great souls.

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.74.28)

सदा वासो द्विजादीनां गङ्गापूतश्च नित्यदा । परोपकारी सर्वेषां गिरीणामधिपः प्रभुः

sadā vāso dvijādīnāṁ gaṅgāpūtaśca nityadā paropakārī sarveṣāṁ girīṇāmadhipaḥ prabhuḥ

You are always the dwelling of brahmins and others, forever sanctified by the Ganga, the benefactor of all, and the lord and ruler of mountains.

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.74.29)

अहं तपश्चराम्यत्र गङ्गावतरणे स्थले । आश्रितस्तव सुप्रीतो गिरिराज यतात्मवान्

ahaṁ tapaścarāmyatra gaṅgāvataraṇe sthale āśritastava suprīto girirāja yatātmavān

I shall practice austerity here, at this site of the Ganga's descent, taking your shelter, O king of mountains, well content, my mind under full control.

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.74.30)

निर्विघ्नं मे तपश्चात्र हेतुना येन शैलप । सर्वथा हि गिरिश्रेष्ठ सुयत्नं कुरु साम्प्रतम्

nirvighnaṁ me tapaścātra hetunā yena śailapa sarvathā hi giriśreṣṭha suyatnaṁ kuru sāmpratam

By whatever means, O lord of mountains, will keep my austerity here free of hindrance — make every good effort now, O best of mountains, in every way.

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.74.31)

ममेदमेव परमं सेवनं पर्वतोत्तम । स्वगृहं गच्छ सत्प्रीत्या तत्सम्पादय यत्नतः

mamedameva paramaṁ sevanaṁ parvatottama svagṛhaṁ gaccha satprītyā tatsampādaya yatnataḥ

This alone, O foremost of mountains, is the supreme service to me. Go now to your own home with true affection, and accomplish this with diligence.

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.74.32)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्त्वा जगतां नाथस्तूष्णीमास स सूतिकृत् । गिरिराजस्तदा शम्भुं प्रणयादिदमब्रवीत्

brahmovāca ityuktvā jagatāṁ nāthastūṣṇīmāsa sa sūtikṛt girirājastadā śambhuṁ praṇayādidamabravīt

Brahma said: "Having said this, the Lord of the universe, the creator, fell silent. Then the mountain-king, with affection, spoke thus to Shambhu."

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.74.33)

हिमालय उवाच । पूजितोऽसि जगन्नाथ मया त्वं परमेश्वर । स्वागतेनाद्य विषये स्थितं त्वां प्रार्थयामि किम्

himālaya uvāca pūjito'si jagannātha mayā tvaṁ parameśvara svāgatenādya viṣaye sthitaṁ tvāṁ prārthayāmi kim

Himalaya said: "I have worshipped you today, O Lord of the universe, supreme lord, with welcome. What more shall I ask of you, present as you are in my own domain?"

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.74.34)

महता तपसा त्वं हि देवैर्यत्नपराश्रितैः । न प्राप्यसे महेशान स त्वं स्वयमुपस्थितः

mahatā tapasā tvaṁ hi devairyatnaparāśritaiḥ na prāpyase maheśāna sa tvaṁ svayamupasthitaḥ

O great Lord, you who are not attained even by gods resorting to the utmost effort and austerity — you yourself have come here in person.

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.74.35)

मत्तोऽप्यन्यतमो नास्ति न मत्तोऽन्योऽस्ति पुण्यवान् । भवानिति च मत्पृष्ठे तपसे समुपस्थितः

matto'pyanyatamo nāsti na matto'nyo'sti puṇyavān bhavāniti ca matpṛṣṭhe tapase samupasthitaḥ

There is no one else like me, none more blessed than I, since you yourself have come to the flank of my mountain to perform your austerity.

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.74.36)

देवेन्द्रादधिकं मन्ये स्वात्मानं परमेश्वर । सगणेन त्वयागत्य कृतोऽनुग्रहभागहम्

devendrādadhikaṁ manye svātmānaṁ parameśvara sagaṇena tvayāgatya kṛto'nugrahabhāgaham

I consider myself greater even than Indra, lord of the gods, O supreme lord, since you, coming here with your host, have made me a sharer in your grace.

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.74.37)

निर्विघ्नं कुरु देवेश स्वतन्त्रः परमं तपः । करिष्येऽहं तथा सेवां दासोऽहं ते सदा प्रभो

nirvighnaṁ kuru deveśa svatantraḥ paramaṁ tapaḥ kariṣye'haṁ tathā sevāṁ dāso'haṁ te sadā prabho

Perform your supreme austerity here, free and unhindered, O Lord of gods. I shall render such service as is needed — I am ever your servant, O Lord.

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.74.38)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्त्वा गिरिराजोऽसौ स्वं वेश्म द्रुतमागतः । वृत्तान्तं तं समाचख्यौ प्रियायै च समादरात्

brahmovāca ityuktvā girirājo'sau svaṁ veśma drutamāgataḥ vṛttāntaṁ taṁ samācakhyau priyāyai ca samādarāt

Brahma said: "Having spoken thus, the mountain-king quickly returned to his own home, and with due respect told his beloved wife that whole account."

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.74.39)

नीयमानान्परीवारान् स्वगणानपि नारद । समाहूयाखिलाञ्छैलपतिः प्रोवाच तत्त्वतः

nīyamānānparīvārān svagaṇānapi nārada samāhūyākhilāñchailapatiḥ provāca tattvataḥ

Then, O Narada, the mountain-lord summoned all his household and his attendants, and told them the whole truth of the matter.

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.74.40)

हिमालय उवाच । अद्य प्रभृति नो यातु कोऽपि गङ्गावतारणम् । मच्छासनेन मत्प्रस्थं सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीम्यहम्

himālaya uvāca adya prabhṛti no yātu ko'pi gaṅgāvatāraṇam macchāsanena matprasthaṁ satyametadbravīmyaham

Himalaya said: "From this day, by my command, let none go to the place of the Ganga's descent, my own tableland. This I speak in truth."

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.74.41)

गमिष्यति जनः कश्चित्तत्र चेत्तं महाखलम् । दण्डयिष्ये विशेषेण सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम्

gamiṣyati janaḥ kaścittatra cettaṁ mahākhalam daṇḍayiṣye viśeṣeṇa satyametanmayoditam

"If any person goes there, I shall punish that great offender severely — this I have declared to be true."

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.74.42)

इति तान्स नियम्याशु स्वगणान्निखिलान्मुने । सुयत्नं कृतवाञ्छैलस्तं शृणु त्वं वदामि ते

iti tānsa niyamyāśu svagaṇānnikhilānmune suyatnaṁ kṛtavāñchailastaṁ śṛṇu tvaṁ vadāmi te

Thus, O sage, having quickly restrained all his own attendants, the mountain made every careful arrangement. Listen now — I shall tell you what came next.