Shiva's Acceptance of the Marriage to Parvati

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.87.1)

देवा ऊचुः । नमो रुद्राय देवाय मदनान्तकराय च ॥ स्तुत्याय भूरिभासाय त्रिनेत्राय नमो नमः

devā ūcuḥ namo rudrāya devāya madanāntakarāya ca stutyāya bhūribhāsāya trinetrāya namo namaḥ

The gods said: "Salutation to Rudra, the god who brought Madana's end. Worthy of all praise, of boundless radiance, three-eyed -- salutation, salutation to you."

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.87.2)

शिपिविष्टाय भीमाय भीमाक्षाय नमोनमः । महादेवाय प्रभवे त्रिविष्टपतये नमः

śipiviṣṭāya bhīmāya bhīmākṣāya namonamaḥ mahādevāya prabhave triviṣṭapataye namaḥ

"Salutation to Shipivishta, the terrible one, the terrible-eyed -- salutation, salutation. Salutation to Mahadeva, the mighty lord, master of the triple heaven."

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.87.3)

त्वं नाथः सर्वलोकानां पिता माता त्वमीश्वरः । शम्भुरीशः शङ्करोऽसि दयालुस्त्वं विशेषतः

tvaṁ nāthaḥ sarvalokānāṁ pitā mātā tvamīśvaraḥ śambhurīśaḥ śaṅkaro'si dayālustvaṁ viśeṣataḥ

"You are the lord of all worlds, you are our father, you our mother, you our Ishvara; Shambhu, Isha, Shankara -- you are all of these, and especially compassionate."

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.87.4)

त्वं धाता सर्वजगतां त्रातुमर्हसि नः प्रभो । त्वां विना कः समर्थोऽस्ति दुःखनाशे महेश्वर

tvaṁ dhātā sarvajagatāṁ trātumarhasi naḥ prabho tvāṁ vinā kaḥ samartho'sti duḥkhanāśe maheśvara

"You alone are the sustainer of all the worlds, O Lord; you alone are fit to save us. Without you, O Maheshvara, who else has the power to destroy sorrow?"

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.87.5)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तेषां सुराणां नन्दिकेश्वरः । कृपया परया युक्तो विज्ञप्तुं शम्भुमारभत्

brahmovāca ityākarṇya vacasteṣāṁ surāṇāṁ nandikeśvaraḥ kṛpayā parayā yukto vijñaptuṁ śambhumārabhat

Brahma said: Hearing these words of the gods, Nandikeshvara, filled with the highest compassion, began to make his petition to Shambhu.

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.87.6)

नन्दिकेश्वर उवाच । विष्ण्वादयः सुरगणा मुनिसिद्धसङ्घा- स्त्वां द्रष्टुमेव सुरवर्य विशेषयन्ति । कार्यार्थिनोऽसुरवरैः परिभर्त्स्यमानाः सम्यक् पराभवपदं परमं प्रपन्नाः

nandikeśvara uvāca viṣṇvādayaḥ suragaṇā munisiddhasaṅghā- stvāṁ draṣṭumeva suravarya viśeṣayanti kāryārthino'suravaraiḥ paribhartsyamānāḥ samyak parābhavapadaṁ paramaṁ prapannāḥ

Nandikeshvara said: "O best of gods, Vishnu and the host of gods, and the assemblies of sages and siddhas, long only to see you; harried in their purpose by the finest of demons, they have fallen into a state of utter humiliation."

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.87.7)

तस्मात्त्वया हि सर्वेश त्रातव्या मुनयः सुराः । दीनबन्धुर्विशेषेण त्वमुक्तो भक्तवत्सलः

tasmāttvayā hi sarveśa trātavyā munayaḥ surāḥ dīnabandhurviśeṣeṇa tvamukto bhaktavatsalaḥ

"Therefore, O lord of all, the sages and gods must be saved by you alone; you are called, above all, the friend of the helpless and the tender protector of your devotees."

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.87.8)

ब्रह्मोवाच । एवं दयावता शम्भुर्विज्ञप्तो नन्दिना भृशम् । शनैः शनैरुपरमद्ध्यानादुन्मील्य चाक्षिणी

brahmovāca evaṁ dayāvatā śambhurvijñapto nandinā bhṛśam śanaiḥ śanairuparamaddhyānādunmīlya cākṣiṇī

Brahma said: Thus earnestly petitioned by the compassionate Nandin, Shambhu slowly, slowly rose from his meditation and opened his two eyes.

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.87.9)

ईशोऽथोपरतः शम्भुस्तदा परमकोविदः । समाधेः परमात्मासौ सुरान्सर्वानुवाच ह

īśo'thoparataḥ śambhustadā paramakovidaḥ samādheḥ paramātmāsau surānsarvānuvāca ha

Then that all-knowing lord Shambhu, that Supreme Self, having risen from his samadhi, spoke to all the gods.

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.87.10)

शम्भुरुवाच । कस्माद्यूयं समायाता मत्समीपं सुरेश्वराः । हरिब्रह्मादयः सर्वे ब्रूत कारणमाशु तत्

śambhuruvāca kasmādyūyaṁ samāyātā matsamīpaṁ sureśvarāḥ haribrahmādayaḥ sarve brūta kāraṇamāśu tat

Shambhu said: "O lords of the gods -- Hari, Brahma, and all the rest -- for what reason have you come near me? Tell me the cause of this at once."

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.87.11)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इति श्रुत्वा वचः शम्भोः सर्वे देवा मुदान्विताः । विष्णोर्विलोकयामासुर्मुखं विज्ञप्तिहेतवे

brahmovāca iti śrutvā vacaḥ śambhoḥ sarve devā mudānvitāḥ viṣṇorvilokayāmāsurmukhaṁ vijñaptihetave

Brahma said: Hearing these words of Shambhu, all the gods, filled with joy, looked toward Vishnu's face, that he might make their petition.

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.87.12)

अथ विष्णुर्महाभक्तो देवानां हितकारकः । मदीरितमुवाचेदं सुरकार्यं महत्तमम्

atha viṣṇurmahābhakto devānāṁ hitakārakaḥ madīritamuvācedaṁ surakāryaṁ mahattamam

Then Vishnu, greatly devoted, benefactor of the gods, at my own urging, spoke of this greatest task now facing the gods.

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.87.13)

तारकेण कृतं शम्भो देवानां परमाद्भुतम् । कष्टात्कष्टतरं देवा विज्ञप्तुं सर्व आगताः

tārakeṇa kṛtaṁ śambho devānāṁ paramādbhutam kaṣṭātkaṣṭataraṁ devā vijñaptuṁ sarva āgatāḥ

"O Shambhu, Taraka has wrought a most terrible and wondrous deed against the gods; O god, suffering distress upon distress, we have all come here to entreat you."

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.87.14)

हे शम्भो तव पुत्रेणौरसेन हि भविष्यति । निहतस्तारको दैत्यो नान्यथा मम भाषितम्

he śambho tava putreṇaurasena hi bhaviṣyati nihatastārako daityo nānyathā mama bhāṣitam

"O Shambhu, only by a true-born son of yours shall the demon Taraka be slain -- not otherwise; this is my very word."

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.87.15)

विचार्येत्थं महादेव कृपां कुरु नमोऽस्तु ते । देवान्समुद्धर स्वामिन् कष्टात्तारकनिर्मितात्

vicāryetthaṁ mahādeva kṛpāṁ kuru namo'stu te devānsamuddhara svāmin kaṣṭāttārakanirmitāt

"Having considered this, O Mahadeva, show your grace -- salutation to you. Deliver the gods, O lord, from the distress wrought by Taraka."

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.87.16)

तस्मात्त्वया गिरिजा देव शम्भो ग्रहीतव्या पाणिना दक्षिणेन । पाणिग्रहेणैव महानुभावां दत्तां गिरीन्द्रेण च तां कुरुष्व

tasmāttvayā girijā deva śambho grahītavyā pāṇinā dakṣiṇena pāṇigraheṇaiva mahānubhāvāṁ dattāṁ girīndreṇa ca tāṁ kuruṣva

"Therefore, O god Shambhu, Girija must be taken by your right hand; that most magnanimous one, given by the lord of mountains, you need only accept through that very taking of the hand."

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.87.17)

विष्णोस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रसन्नो ह्यब्रवीच्छिवः । दर्शयन् सद्गतिं तेषां सर्वेषां योगतत्परः

viṣṇostadvacanaṁ śrutvā prasanno hyabravīcchivaḥ darśayan sadgatiṁ teṣāṁ sarveṣāṁ yogatatparaḥ

Hearing Vishnu's words, Shiva, pleased, spoke, showing all of them there the right path, ever devoted to yoga.

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.87.18)

शिव उवाच । यदा मे स्वीकृता देवी गिरिजा सर्वसुन्दरी । तदा सर्वे सुरेन्द्राश्च मुनयो ऋषयस्तदा

śiva uvāca yadā me svīkṛtā devī girijā sarvasundarī tadā sarve surendrāśca munayo ṛṣayastadā

Shiva said: "When by me that most beautiful goddess Girija is accepted, then all the lords of the gods, and the sages and rishis too --"

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.87.19)

सकामाश्च भविष्यन्ति न क्षमाश्च परे पथि । जीवयिष्यति दुर्गा सा पाणिग्रहणतः स्मरम्

sakāmāśca bhaviṣyanti na kṣamāśca pare pathi jīvayiṣyati durgā sā pāṇigrahaṇataḥ smaram

"will become subject to desire, and will no longer be capable of the higher path. Durga alone, through that very taking of the hand, shall restore Smara to life."

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.87.20)

मदनो हि मया दग्धः सर्वेषां कार्यसिद्धये । ब्रह्मणो वचनाद्विष्णो नात्र कार्या विचारणा

madano hi mayā dagdhaḥ sarveṣāṁ kāryasiddhaye brahmaṇo vacanādviṣṇo nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"Madana was burned by me only for the accomplishment of everyone's purpose, O Vishnu -- by Brahma's own word; there is no need to question this."

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.87.21)

एवं विमृश्य मनसा कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ । सुधीः सर्वैश्च देवेन्द्र हठं नो कर्तुमर्हसि

evaṁ vimṛśya manasā kāryākāryavyavasthitau sudhīḥ sarvaiśca devendra haṭhaṁ no kartumarhasi

"Having thus well considered in my mind what is fitting and what is not, O wise lord of the gods, none of you ought to press this insistence upon me."

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.87.22)

दग्धे कामे मया विष्णो सुरकार्यं महत् कृतम् । सर्वे तिष्ठन्तु निष्कामा मया सह सुनिश्चितम्

dagdhe kāme mayā viṣṇo surakāryaṁ mahat kṛtam sarve tiṣṭhantu niṣkāmā mayā saha suniścitam

"With Kama burned, O Vishnu, the great task of the gods has already been accomplished by me; let everyone remain, firmly resolved, free of desire, together with me."

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.87.23)

यथाहं च सुराः सर्वे तथा यूयमयत्नतः । तपः परमसंयुक्ताः करिष्यध्वं सुदुष्करम्

yathāhaṁ ca surāḥ sarve tathā yūyamayatnataḥ tapaḥ paramasaṁyuktāḥ kariṣyadhvaṁ suduṣkaram

"Just as I do, so too, O gods, without seeking any other means, should you all perform that most difficult austerity, joined to the highest tapas."

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.87.24)

यूयं समाधिना तेन मदनेन विना सुराः । परमानन्दसंयुक्ता निर्विकारा भवन्तु वै

yūyaṁ samādhinā tena madanena vinā surāḥ paramānandasaṁyuktā nirvikārā bhavantu vai

"Through that very meditative absorption, without Madana, O gods, become filled with supreme bliss and unwavering, unchanging."

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.87.25)

पुरावृत्तं स्मरकृतं विस्मृतं यद् विधे हरे । महेन्द्र मुनयो देवा यत्तत्सर्वं विमृश्यताम्

purāvṛttaṁ smarakṛtaṁ vismṛtaṁ yad vidhe hare mahendra munayo devā yattatsarvaṁ vimṛśyatām

"O Brahma, O Hari, O great Indra, O sages, O gods -- consider well all that once happened, wrought by Smara, which you have now forgotten."

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.87.26)

महाधनुर्धरेणैव मदनेन हठात्सुराः । सर्वेषां ध्यानविध्वंसः कृतस्तेन पुरामराः

mahādhanurdhareṇaiva madanena haṭhātsurāḥ sarveṣāṁ dhyānavidhvaṁsaḥ kṛtastena purāmarāḥ

"That great bow-wielding Madana had once, forcibly, O gods, destroyed the meditation of everyone -- this was his very doing."

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.87.27)

कामो हि नरकायैव तस्मात् क्रोधोऽभिजायते । क्रोधाद्भवति सम्मोहो मोहाच्च भ्रंशते तपः

kāmo hi narakāyaiva tasmāt krodho'bhijāyate krodhādbhavati sammoho mohācca bhraṁśate tapaḥ

"Desire leads only to hell; from it, anger is born; from anger, delusion arises; and from delusion, austerity falls away."

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.87.28)

कामक्रोधौ परित्याज्यौ भवद्भिः सुरसत्तमैः । सर्वैरेव च मन्तव्यं मद्वाक्यं नान्यथा क्वचित्

kāmakrodhau parityājyau bhavadbhiḥ surasattamaiḥ sarvaireva ca mantavyaṁ madvākyaṁ nānyathā kvacit

"Therefore, O best of gods, all of you must give up both desire and anger; my word must be heeded by all -- never otherwise, under any circumstance."

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.87.29)

ब्रह्मोवाच । एवं विश्राव्य भगवान् महादेवो वृषध्वजः । सुरान् प्रवाचयामास विधिविष्णू तथा मुनीन्

brahmovāca evaṁ viśrāvya bhagavān mahādevo vṛṣadhvajaḥ surān pravācayāmāsa vidhiviṣṇū tathā munīn

Brahma said: Having said this, the blessed Mahadeva, the bull-bannered, dismissed all the gods, together with Brahma, Vishnu, and the sages.

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.87.30)

तूष्णीम्भूतोऽभवच्छम्भुर्ध्यानमाश्रित्य वै पुनः । आस्ते पुरा यथा स्थाणुर्गणैश्च परिवारितः

tūṣṇīmbhūto'bhavacchambhurdhyānamāśritya vai punaḥ āste purā yathā sthāṇurgaṇaiśca parivāritaḥ

Shambhu then fell silent and, taking refuge once more in meditation, remained as before, like a fixed pillar, surrounded by his own attendants.

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.87.31)

स्वात्मानमात्मना शम्भुरात्मन्येव व्यचिन्तयत् । निरञ्जनं निराभासं निर्विकारं निरामयम्

svātmānamātmanā śambhurātmanyeva vyacintayat nirañjanaṁ nirābhāsaṁ nirvikāraṁ nirāmayam

Shambhu contemplated his own self within his own self -- stainless, without appearance, unchanging, free of all affliction,

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.87.32)

परात्परतरं नित्यं निर्ममं निरवग्रहम् । शब्दातीतं निर्गुणं च ज्ञानगम्यं परात्परम्

parātparataraṁ nityaṁ nirmamaṁ niravagraham śabdātītaṁ nirguṇaṁ ca jñānagamyaṁ parātparam

supreme beyond the supreme, eternal, free of all sense of "mine," unconstrained, beyond all words, without attributes, attainable through knowledge alone, higher than the highest.

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.87.33)

एवं स्वरूपं परमं चिन्तयन् ध्यानमास्थितः । परमानन्दसम्मग्नो बभूव बहुसूतिकृत्

evaṁ svarūpaṁ paramaṁ cintayan dhyānamāsthitaḥ paramānandasammagno babhūva bahusūtikṛt

Thus contemplating that supreme form of his own being, absorbed in meditation, immersed in supreme bliss, he became the very source of manifold creation.

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.87.34)

ध्यानस्थितं च सर्वेशं दृष्ट्वा सर्वे दिवौकसः । हरिशक्रादयः सर्वे नन्दिनं प्रोचुरानताः

dhyānasthitaṁ ca sarveśaṁ dṛṣṭvā sarve divaukasaḥ hariśakrādayaḥ sarve nandinaṁ procurānatāḥ

Beholding the lord of all thus fixed in meditation, all the dwellers of heaven -- Hari, Shakra, and the rest -- bowed and spoke to Nandin.

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.87.35)

देवा ऊचुः । किं वयं करवामाद्य विरक्तो ध्यानमास्थितः । शम्भुस्त्वं शङ्करसखः सर्वज्ञः शुचिसेवकः

devā ūcuḥ kiṁ vayaṁ karavāmādya virakto dhyānamāsthitaḥ śambhustvaṁ śaṅkarasakhaḥ sarvajñaḥ śucisevakaḥ

The gods said: "What shall we do now? He, having grown detached, has taken refuge in meditation. You are Shankara's own friend, all-knowing, his pure servant."

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.87.36)

केनोपायेन गिरिशः प्रसन्नः स्याद्गणाधिप । तदुपायं समाचक्ष्व वयं त्वच्छरणं गताः

kenopāyena giriśaḥ prasannaḥ syādgaṇādhipa tadupāyaṁ samācakṣva vayaṁ tvaccharaṇaṁ gatāḥ

"By what means, O lord of the ganas, might Girisha be pleased? Tell us that means -- we have come to take refuge with you."

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.87.37)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इति विज्ञापितो देवैर्मुने हर्यादिभिस्तदा । प्रत्युवाच सुरांस्तान्स नन्दी शम्भुप्रियो गणः

brahmovāca iti vijñāpito devairmune haryādibhistadā pratyuvāca surāṁstānsa nandī śambhupriyo gaṇaḥ

Brahma said: O sage, thus petitioned by the gods, Hari and the rest, Nandi, that attendant so dear to Shambhu, gave those gods this reply.

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.87.38)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । हे हरे हे विधे शक्र निर्जरा मुनयस्तथा । शृणुध्वं वचनं मे हि शिवसन्तोषकारकम्

nandīśvara uvāca he hare he vidhe śakra nirjarā munayastathā śṛṇudhvaṁ vacanaṁ me hi śivasantoṣakārakam

Nandishvara said: "O Hari, O Brahma, O Shakra, O immortals, O sages -- listen to my word, which shall please Shiva."

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.87.39)

यदि वो हठ एवाद्य शिवदारपरिग्रहे । अतिदीनतया सर्वे सुनुतिं कुरुतादरात्

yadi vo haṭha evādya śivadāraparigrahe atidīnatayā sarve sunutiṁ kurutādarāt

"If today you are all truly resolved on obtaining Shiva's bride, then, with the utmost humility and reverence, offer him praise."

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.87.40)

भक्तेर्वश्यो महादेवो न साधारणतः सुराः । अकार्यमपि सद्भक्त्या करोति परमेश्वरः

bhaktervaśyo mahādevo na sādhāraṇataḥ surāḥ akāryamapi sadbhaktyā karoti parameśvaraḥ

"Mahadeva is subject only to devotion, not to the gods in the ordinary way; even the impossible, Parameshvara accomplishes through true devotion."

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.87.41)

एवं कुरुत सर्वे हि विधिविष्णुमुखाः सुराः । यथागतेन मार्गेणान्यथा गच्छत मा चिरम्

evaṁ kuruta sarve hi vidhiviṣṇumukhāḥ surāḥ yathāgatena mārgeṇānyathā gacchata mā ciram

"Therefore, O all you gods headed by Brahma and Vishnu, do just this; return by the very path you came, and delay no longer."

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.87.42)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य मुने विष्ण्वादयः सुराः । तथेति मत्त्वा सुप्रीत्या शङ्करं तुष्टुवुर्हि ते

brahmovāca ityākarṇya vacastasya mune viṣṇvādayaḥ surāḥ tatheti mattvā suprītyā śaṅkaraṁ tuṣṭuvurhi te

Brahma said: O sage, hearing his words, Vishnu and the other gods, accepting them as "so be it," praised Shankara with the greatest affection.

Verse 43 (shiva.rudra.87.43)

देवदेव महादेव करुणासागर प्रभो । समुद्धर महाक्लेशात् त्राहि नः शरणागतान्

devadeva mahādeva karuṇāsāgara prabho samuddhara mahākleśāt trāhi naḥ śaraṇāgatān

"O God of gods, O Mahadeva, ocean of compassion, O Lord! Deliver us from our great affliction; protect us, who have taken refuge with you."

Verse 44 (shiva.rudra.87.44)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्येवं बहुदीनोक्त्या तुष्टुवुः शङ्करं सुराः । रुरुदुः सुस्वरं सर्वे प्रेमव्याकुलमानसाः

brahmovāca ityevaṁ bahudīnoktyā tuṣṭuvuḥ śaṅkaraṁ surāḥ ruruduḥ susvaraṁ sarve premavyākulamānasāḥ

Brahma said: Praising Shankara thus with words of the deepest humility, all the gods, their minds distraught with love, began to weep aloud.

Verse 45 (shiva.rudra.87.45)

हरिर्मया सुदीनोक्त्या सुविज्ञप्तं चकार ह । संस्मरन्मनसा शम्भुं भक्त्या परमयान्वितः

harirmayā sudīnoktyā suvijñaptaṁ cakāra ha saṁsmaranmanasā śambhuṁ bhaktyā paramayānvitaḥ

Hari, together with me, made this most humble and heartfelt petition, calling Shambhu to mind within, filled with the highest devotion.

Verse 46 (shiva.rudra.87.46)

सुरैरेवं स्तुतः शम्भुर्हरिणा च मया भृशम् । भक्तवात्सल्यतो ध्यानाद्विरतोऽभून्महेश्वरः

surairevaṁ stutaḥ śambhurhariṇā ca mayā bhṛśam bhaktavātsalyato dhyānādvirato'bhūnmaheśvaraḥ

Thus praised greatly by the gods, and by me and Hari besides, Shambhu, Maheshvara, out of his very tenderness to his devotees, ceased from his meditation.

Verse 47 (shiva.rudra.87.47)

उवाच सुप्रसन्नात्मा हर्यादीन्हर्षयन्हरः । विलोक्य करुणादृष्ट्या शङ्करो भक्तवत्सलः

uvāca suprasannātmā haryādīnharṣayanharaḥ vilokya karuṇādṛṣṭyā śaṅkaro bhaktavatsalaḥ

Hara, his heart well pleased, delighting Hari and the rest, looking upon them with a gaze full of compassion, spoke thus -- Shankara, ever tender to his devotees.

Verse 48 (shiva.rudra.87.48)

शङ्कर उवाच । हे हरे हे विधे देवाः शक्राद्या युगपत्समे । किमर्थमागता यूयं सत्यं ब्रूत ममाग्रतः

śaṅkara uvāca he hare he vidhe devāḥ śakrādyā yugapatsame kimarthamāgatā yūyaṁ satyaṁ brūta mamāgrataḥ

Shankara said: "O Hari, O Brahma, O gods, O Shakra and all the rest, come here together with one accord -- for what purpose have you come? Tell me the truth before me."

Verse 49 (shiva.rudra.87.49)

हरिरुवाच । सर्वज्ञस्त्वं महेशान त्वन्तर्याम्यखिलेश्वरः । किं न जानासि चित्तस्थं तथा वच्म्यपि शासनात्

hariruvāca sarvajñastvaṁ maheśāna tvantaryāmyakhileśvaraḥ kiṁ na jānāsi cittasthaṁ tathā vacmyapi śāsanāt

Hari said: "O Mahesha, you are all-knowing, the indweller and lord of all worlds; do you not know what lies within our hearts? Yet, at your own command, I shall speak it."

Verse 50 (shiva.rudra.87.50)

तारकासुरतो दुःखं सम्भूतं विविधं मृड । सर्वेषां नस्तदर्थं हि प्रसन्नोऽकारि वै सुरैः

tārakāsurato duḥkhaṁ sambhūtaṁ vividhaṁ mṛḍa sarveṣāṁ nastadarthaṁ hi prasanno'kāri vai suraiḥ

"Manifold sorrow has arisen for all of us from the demon Taraka, O Mrida; for this very reason we have all come to you, and you have graciously received us."

Verse 51 (shiva.rudra.87.51)

शिवा सा जनिता शैलात्त्वदर्थं हि हिमालयात् । तस्यां त्वदुद्भवात्पुत्रात्तस्य मृत्युर्न चान्यथा

śivā sā janitā śailāttvadarthaṁ hi himālayāt tasyāṁ tvadudbhavātputrāttasya mṛtyurna cānyathā

"That Shiva (Parvati) was born from the mountain, from Himalaya, for your very sake; his death shall come only through a son born of you and her, not otherwise."

Verse 52 (shiva.rudra.87.52)

इति दत्तो ब्रह्मणा हि तस्मै दैत्याय यद्वरः । तदन्यस्मादमृत्युः स बाधते निखिलं जगत्

iti datto brahmaṇā hi tasmai daityāya yadvaraḥ tadanyasmādamṛtyuḥ sa bādhate nikhilaṁ jagat

"For this very boon was granted by Brahma to that demon: deathless from any other source, he now oppresses the whole world."

Verse 53 (shiva.rudra.87.53)

नारदस्य निदेशात्सा करोति कठिनं तपः । तत्तेजसाखिलं व्याप्तं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्

nāradasya nideśātsā karoti kaṭhinaṁ tapaḥ tattejasākhilaṁ vyāptaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram

"By Narada's own instruction she performs a most severe austerity; by the very heat of it the three worlds, moving and unmoving, have been wholly pervaded."

Verse 54 (shiva.rudra.87.54)

वरं दातुं शिवायै हि गच्छ त्वं परमेश्वर । देवदुःखं जहि स्वामिन्नस्माकं सुखमावह

varaṁ dātuṁ śivāyai hi gaccha tvaṁ parameśvara devaduḥkhaṁ jahi svāminnasmākaṁ sukhamāvaha

"Therefore, O Parameshvara, go to grant Shiva her boon; destroy the gods' sorrow, O lord, and bring us happiness."

Verse 55 (shiva.rudra.87.55)

देवानां मे महोत्साहो हृदये चास्ति शङ्कर । विवाहं तव सन्द्रष्टुं तत्त्वं कुरु यथोचितम्

devānāṁ me mahotsāho hṛdaye cāsti śaṅkara vivāhaṁ tava sandraṣṭuṁ tattvaṁ kuru yathocitam

"There is, O Shankara, a great eagerness in my heart, on behalf of the gods, to witness your marriage; therefore do now what is fitting."

Verse 56 (shiva.rudra.87.56)

रत्यै यद्भवता दत्तो वरस्तस्य परात्पर । प्राप्तोऽवसर एवाशु सफलं स्वपणं कुरु

ratyai yadbhavatā datto varastasya parātpara prāpto'vasara evāśu saphalaṁ svapaṇaṁ kuru

"O supreme one, the very occasion has now arrived for the boon you once gave to Rati; make that promise of your own bear its fruit."

Verse 57 (shiva.rudra.87.57)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्त्वा तं प्रणम्यैव विष्णुर्देवा महर्षयः । संस्तूय विविधैः स्तोत्रैः सन्तस्थुस्तत्पुरोऽखिलाः

brahmovāca ityuktvā taṁ praṇamyaiva viṣṇurdevā maharṣayaḥ saṁstūya vividhaiḥ stotraiḥ santasthustatpuro'khilāḥ

Brahma said: Having said this and bowed to him, Vishnu, the gods, and the great seers, praising him with various hymns, all stood before him.

Verse 58 (shiva.rudra.87.58)

भक्ताधीनः शङ्करोऽपि श्रुत्वा देववचस्तदा । विहस्य प्रत्युवाचाशु वेदमर्यादरक्षकः

bhaktādhīnaḥ śaṅkaro'pi śrutvā devavacastadā vihasya pratyuvācāśu vedamaryādarakṣakaḥ

Shankara too, ever subject to his devotees, hearing the gods' words, smiled and swiftly replied -- he, the guardian of the very bounds of the Vedas.

Verse 59 (shiva.rudra.87.59)

शङ्कर उवाच । हे हरे हे विधे देवाः शृणुतादरतोऽखिलाः । यथोचितमहं वच्मि सविशेषं विवेकतः

śaṅkara uvāca he hare he vidhe devāḥ śṛṇutādarato'khilāḥ yathocitamahaṁ vacmi saviśeṣaṁ vivekataḥ

Shankara said: "O Hari, O Brahma, O gods, listen all of you with reverence; I shall speak what is fitting, with due discernment."

Verse 60 (shiva.rudra.87.60)

नोचितं हि विधानं वै विवाहकरणं नृणाम् । महानिगडसंज्ञो हि विवाहो दृढबन्धनः

nocitaṁ hi vidhānaṁ vai vivāhakaraṇaṁ nṛṇām mahānigaḍasaṁjño hi vivāho dṛḍhabandhanaḥ

"Marriage is truly no fitting arrangement for anyone; marriage is like a great fetter -- it is a firm and binding bondage."

Verse 61 (shiva.rudra.87.61)

कुसङ्गा बहवो लोके स्त्रीसङ्गस्तत्र चाधिकः । उद्धरेत्सकलैर्बन्धैर्न स्त्रीसङ्गात्प्रमुच्यते

kusaṅgā bahavo loke strīsaṅgastatra cādhikaḥ uddharetsakalairbandhairna strīsaṅgātpramucyate

"Many are the bad associations in this world, but the company of women is the worst of all; one may be freed from every other bond, but from the company of women no one is ever freed."

Verse 62 (shiva.rudra.87.62)

लोहदारुमयैः पाशैर्दृढं बद्धोऽपि मुच्यते । स्त्र्यादिपाशसुसम्बद्धो मुच्यते न कदाचन

lohadārumayaiḥ pāśairdṛḍhaṁ baddho'pi mucyate stryādipāśasusambaddho mucyate na kadācana

"Even one bound fast with fetters of iron or of wood may still be set free; but one bound by the fetters of a woman and the like is never, ever set free."

Verse 63 (shiva.rudra.87.63)

वर्धन्ते विषयाः शश्वन्महाबन्धनकारिणः । विषयाक्रान्तमनसः स्वप्ने मोक्षोऽपि दुर्लभः

vardhante viṣayāḥ śaśvanmahābandhanakāriṇaḥ viṣayākrāntamanasaḥ svapne mokṣo'pi durlabhaḥ

"Sense-objects ever increase, and they forge great bondage; for one whose mind is overpowered by sense-objects, even liberation in a dream becomes hard to attain."

Verse 64 (shiva.rudra.87.64)

सुखमिच्छति चेत्प्राज्ञो विधिवद्विषयांस्त्यजेत् । विषवद्विषयानाहुर्विषयैर्यैर्निहन्यते

sukhamicchati cetprājño vidhivadviṣayāṁstyajet viṣavadviṣayānāhurviṣayairyairnihanyate

"If a wise man desires true happiness, let him give up sense-objects according to rule; the teachers call sense-objects poison, for it is by sense-objects that a man is slain."

Verse 65 (shiva.rudra.87.65)

जनो विषयिणा साकं वार्तातः पतति क्षणात् । विषयं प्राहुराचार्याः सितालिप्तेन्द्रवारुणीम्

jano viṣayiṇā sākaṁ vārtātaḥ patati kṣaṇāt viṣayaṁ prāhurācāryāḥ sitāliptendravāruṇīm

"A man falls in an instant merely from conversing with one attached to sense-pleasure; the teachers call sense-pleasure the sugar-coated gourd of indravaruni, sweet without and bitter poison within."

Verse 66 (shiva.rudra.87.66)

यद्यप्येवं हि जानामि सर्वं ज्ञानं विशेषतः । तथाप्यहं करिष्यामि प्रार्थनां सफलां च वः

yadyapyevaṁ hi jānāmi sarvaṁ jñānaṁ viśeṣataḥ tathāpyahaṁ kariṣyāmi prārthanāṁ saphalāṁ ca vaḥ

"Though I know all of this, all this knowledge in full, still I shall act, and I shall make your petition bear fruit."

Verse 67 (shiva.rudra.87.67)

भक्ताधीनोऽहमेवास्मि तद्वशात्सर्वकार्यकृत् । अयथोचितकर्ता हि प्रसिद्धो भुवनत्रये

bhaktādhīno'hamevāsmi tadvaśātsarvakāryakṛt ayathocitakartā hi prasiddho bhuvanatraye

"I am wholly subject to my devotees; under their sway I do every task; throughout the three worlds I am renowned as one who does even what may seem unfitting, for their sake."

Verse 68 (shiva.rudra.87.68)

कामरूपाधिपस्यैव पणश्च सफलः कृतः । सुदक्षिणस्य भूपस्य भवबन्धगतस्य हि

kāmarūpādhipasyaiva paṇaśca saphalaḥ kṛtaḥ sudakṣiṇasya bhūpasya bhavabandhagatasya hi

"I made even the wager of the lord of Kamarupa, King Sudakshina, who was bound fast in worldly bondage, bear fruit and succeed."

Verse 69 (shiva.rudra.87.69)

गौतमक्लेशकर्ताहं त्र्यम्बकात्मा सुखावहः । तत्कष्टप्रददुष्टानां शापदायी विशेषतः

gautamakleśakartāhaṁ tryambakātmā sukhāvahaḥ tatkaṣṭapradaduṣṭānāṁ śāpadāyī viśeṣataḥ

"I was myself the cause of Gautama's affliction; I am the very soul of Tryambaka and the bringer of happiness; and it is I, above all, who curse the wicked who bring distress upon such sages."

Verse 70 (shiva.rudra.87.70)

विषं पीतं सुरार्थं हि भक्तवत्सलभावधृक् । देवकष्टं हृतं यत्नात्सर्वदैव मया सुराः

viṣaṁ pītaṁ surārthaṁ hi bhaktavatsalabhāvadhṛk devakaṣṭaṁ hṛtaṁ yatnātsarvadaiva mayā surāḥ

"For the sake of the gods I drank poison, bearing ever the nature of tenderness to my devotees; the distress of the gods has always, with utmost effort, been removed by me alone."

Verse 71 (shiva.rudra.87.71)

भक्तार्थमसहं कष्टं बहुशो बहुयत्नतः । विश्वानरमुनेर्दुःखं हृतं गृहपतिर्भवन्

bhaktārthamasahaṁ kaṣṭaṁ bahuśo bahuyatnataḥ viśvānaramunerduḥkhaṁ hṛtaṁ gṛhapatirbhavan

"For a devotee's sake I have endured even unbearable hardship, again and again, with great effort; the sorrow of the sage Vishvanara I myself removed, becoming a householder for his sake."

Verse 72 (shiva.rudra.87.72)

किं बहूक्तेन च हरे विधे सत्यं ब्रवीम्यहम् । मत्पणोऽस्तीति यूयं वै सर्वे जानीथ तत्त्वतः

kiṁ bahūktena ca hare vidhe satyaṁ bravīmyaham matpaṇo'stīti yūyaṁ vai sarve jānītha tattvataḥ

"What use, O Hari, O Brahma, in saying more? I speak the truth: know it in truth, all of you, that I have made this very pledge."

Verse 73 (shiva.rudra.87.73)

यदा यदा विपत्तिर्हि भक्तानां भवति क्वचित् । तदा तदा हराम्याशु तत्क्षणात्सर्वशःसदा

yadā yadā vipattirhi bhaktānāṁ bhavati kvacit tadā tadā harāmyāśu tatkṣaṇātsarvaśaḥsadā

"Whenever and wherever any calamity befalls my devotees, then, at that very instant, I remove it swiftly, in every way, and always."

Verse 74 (shiva.rudra.87.74)

जानेऽहं तारकाद्दुःखं सर्वेषां वः समुत्थितम् । असुरात्तद्धरिष्यामि सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम्

jāne'haṁ tārakādduḥkhaṁ sarveṣāṁ vaḥ samutthitam asurāttaddhariṣyāmi satyaṁ satyaṁ vadāmyaham

"I know that this sorrow has arisen for all of you from Taraka the demon; I shall remove it, through him -- I speak the truth, nothing but the truth."

Verse 75 (shiva.rudra.87.75)

नास्ति यद्यपि मे काचिद्विवाहकरणे रुचिः । विवाहयिष्ये गिरिजां पुत्रोत्पादनहेतवे

nāsti yadyapi me kācidvivāhakaraṇe ruciḥ vivāhayiṣye girijāṁ putrotpādanahetave

"Though I have no liking whatsoever for the act of marriage, still, for the sake of begetting a son, I shall marry Girija."

Verse 76 (shiva.rudra.87.76)

गच्छत स्वगृहाण्येव निर्भयाः सकलाः सुराः । कार्यं वः साधयिष्यामि नात्र कार्या विचारणा

gacchata svagṛhāṇyeva nirbhayāḥ sakalāḥ surāḥ kāryaṁ vaḥ sādhayiṣyāmi nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"Go, all you gods, without fear, each to your own home; I shall accomplish your purpose -- there is no need for any doubt in this matter."

Verse 77 (shiva.rudra.87.77)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्त्वा मौनमास्थाय समाधिस्थोऽभवद्धरः । सर्वे विष्ण्वादयो देवाः स्वधामानि ययुर्मुने

brahmovāca ityuktvā maunamāsthāya samādhistho'bhavaddharaḥ sarve viṣṇvādayo devāḥ svadhāmāni yayurmune

Brahma said: Having said this, Hara fell silent and became absorbed in meditation once more; and, O sage, Vishnu and all the gods went, each to his own abode.