The Grihapati Incarnation, Part 1

Verse 1 (shiva.shatarudra.13.1)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । शृणु ब्रह्मसुत प्रीत्या चरितं शशिमौलिनः । सोऽवतीर्णो यथा प्रीत्या विश्वानरगृहे शिवः

nandīśvara uvāca śṛṇu brahmasuta prītyā caritaṁ śaśimaulinaḥ so’vatīrṇo yathā prītyā viśvānaragṛhe śivaḥ

Nandishvara said: Hear with love, O son of Brahma, the story of the moon-crested Lord — how Shiva lovingly descended into the household of Vishvanara.

Verse 2 (shiva.shatarudra.13.2)

नाम्ना गृहपतिः सोऽभूदग्निलोकपतिर्मुने । अग्निरूपस्तैजसश्च सर्वात्मा परमः प्रभुः

nāmnā gṛhapatiḥ so’bhūdagnilokapatirmune agnirūpastaijasaśca sarvātmā paramaḥ prabhuḥ

He became known by the name Grihapati, O sage, the lord of the world of fire; of the nature of fire, radiant, the Self of all, the Supreme Lord.

Verse 3 (shiva.shatarudra.13.3)

नर्मदायास्तटे रम्ये पुरे नर्मपुरे पुरा । पुरारिभक्तः पुण्यात्माभवद्विश्वानरो मुनिः

narmadāyāstaṭe ramye pure narmapure purā purāribhaktaḥ puṇyātmābhavadviśvānaro muniḥ

Long ago, on the delightful bank of the Narmada, in the city called Narmapura, there lived Vishvanara, a sage devoted to Purari, the Enemy of the Cities - Shiva, of virtuous soul.

Verse 4 (shiva.shatarudra.13.4)

ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमे निष्ठो ब्रह्मयज्ञरतः सदा । शाण्डिल्यगोत्रः शुचिमान्ब्रह्मतेजोनिधिर्वशी

brahmacaryāśrame niṣṭho brahmayajñarataḥ sadā śāṇḍilyagotraḥ śucimānbrahmatejonidhirvaśī

Steadfast in the discipline of celibacy, ever devoted to the Brahma-sacrifice, of the Shandilya lineage, pure, a treasury of Vedic splendor, self-controlled.

Verse 5 (shiva.shatarudra.13.5)

विज्ञाताखिलशास्त्रार्थः सदाचाररतः सदा । शैवाचारप्रवीणोऽति लौकिकाचारविद्वरः

vijñātākhilaśāstrārthaḥ sadācārarataḥ sadā śaivācārapravīṇo’ti laukikācāravidvaraḥ

Having mastered the meaning of all the scriptures, ever devoted to good conduct, exceedingly skilled in Shaiva practice, and an excellent knower of worldly custom.

Verse 6 (shiva.shatarudra.13.6)

चित्ते विचार्य गृहिणीगुणान्विश्वानरः शुभान् । उदुवाह विधानेन स्वोचितां कुलकन्यकाम्

citte vicārya gṛhiṇīguṇānviśvānaraḥ śubhān uduvāha vidhānena svocitāṁ kulakanyakām

Vishvanara, having reflected in his mind upon the auspicious qualities befitting a wife, married, according to the proper rite, a maiden of noble family suited to him.

Verse 7 (shiva.shatarudra.13.7)

अग्निशुश्रूषणरतः पञ्चयज्ञपरायणः । षट्कर्मनिरतो नित्यं देवपित्रतिथिप्रियः

agniśuśrūṣaṇarataḥ pañcayajñaparāyaṇaḥ ṣaṭkarmanirato nityaṁ devapitratithipriyaḥ

Devoted to the tending of the sacred fire, intent upon the five sacrifices, ever engaged in the six duties, and fond of honoring gods, ancestors, and guests.

Verse 8 (shiva.shatarudra.13.8)

एवं बहुतिथे काले गते तस्याग्रजन्मनः । भार्या शुचिष्मती नाम भर्तारं प्राह सुव्रता

evaṁ bahutithe kāle gate tasyāgrajanmanaḥ bhāryā śuciṣmatī nāma bhartāraṁ prāha suvratā

Thus, after a considerable time had passed for that twice-born one, his wife, named Shuchishmati, of noble vows, spoke to her husband.

Verse 9 (shiva.shatarudra.13.9)

नाथ भोगा मया सर्वे भुक्ता वै त्वत्प्रसादतः । स्त्रीणां समुचिता ये स्युः त्वां समेत्य मुदावहाः

nātha bhogā mayā sarve bhuktā vai tvatprasādataḥ strīṇāṁ samucitā ye syuḥ tvāṁ sametya mudāvahāḥ

My lord, I have enjoyed, by your grace, all the pleasures fitting for a woman, which, in union with you, bring joy.

Verse 10 (shiva.shatarudra.13.10)

एवं मे प्रार्थितं नाथ चिराय हृदि संस्थितम् । गृहस्थानां समुचितं त्वमेतद्दातुमर्हसि

evaṁ me prārthitaṁ nātha cirāya hṛdi saṁsthitam gṛhasthānāṁ samucitaṁ tvametaddātumarhasi

I have a request, my lord, long held within my heart, one fitting for a householder; you should grant it to me.

Verse 11 (shiva.shatarudra.13.11)

विश्वानर उवाच । किमदेयं हि सुश्रोणि तव प्रियहितैषिणी । तत्प्रार्थय महाभागे प्रयच्छाम्यविलम्बितम्

viśvānara uvāca kimadeyaṁ hi suśroṇi tava priyahitaiṣiṇī tatprārthaya mahābhāge prayacchāmyavilambitam

Vishvanara said: What is there that could not be given to you, O beautiful one, who wishes for what is dear and beneficial to me? Ask for it, O fortunate one; I shall grant it without delay.

Verse 12 (shiva.shatarudra.13.12)

महेशितुः प्रसादेन मम किञ्चिन्न दुर्लभम् । इहामुत्र च कल्याणि सर्वकल्याणकारिणः

maheśituḥ prasādena mama kiñcinna durlabham ihāmutra ca kalyāṇi sarvakalyāṇakāriṇaḥ

By the grace of Mahesha, nothing is difficult for me to obtain, O auspicious one, whether in this world or the next, for he grants all blessings.

Verse 13 (shiva.shatarudra.13.13)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचः पत्युस्तस्य सा पतिदेवता । उवाच हृष्टवदना करौ बद्ध्वा विनीतिका

nandīśvara uvāca ityākarṇya vacaḥ patyustasya sā patidevatā uvāca hṛṣṭavadanā karau baddhvā vinītikā

Nandishvara said: Hearing her husband's words, that woman for whom her husband was as a god, her face joyful, spoke with joined hands, in humility.

Verse 14 (shiva.shatarudra.13.14)

शुचिष्मत्युवाच । वरयोग्यास्मि चेन्नाथ यदि देयो वरो मम । महेशसदृशं पुत्रं देहि नान्यं वरं वृणे

śuciṣmatyuvāca varayogyāsmi cennātha yadi deyo varo mama maheśasadṛśaṁ putraṁ dehi nānyaṁ varaṁ vṛṇe

Shuchishmati said: My lord, if I am worthy of a boon, and if a boon is to be given to me — grant me a son equal to Mahesha; I ask for no other boon.

Verse 15 (shiva.shatarudra.13.15)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा ब्राह्मणः स शुचिव्रतः । क्षणं समाधिमाधाय हृद्येतत्समचिन्तयत्

nandīśvara uvāca iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā brāhmaṇaḥ sa śucivrataḥ kṣaṇaṁ samādhimādhāya hṛdyetatsamacintayat

Nandishvara said: Hearing her words, that brahmin of pure vows, entering meditation for a moment, thought this within his heart.

Verse 16 (shiva.shatarudra.13.16)

अहो किं मे तया तन्व्या प्रार्थितं ह्यतिदुर्लभम् । मनोरथपथाद्दूरमस्तु वा स हि सर्वकृत्

aho kiṁ me tayā tanvyā prārthitaṁ hyatidurlabham manorathapathāddūramastu vā sa hi sarvakṛt

Ah, what has that slender one asked of me — a thing exceedingly hard to obtain! Whether it lies far beyond the reach of my desire's path or not, he indeed is the doer of all things.

Verse 17 (shiva.shatarudra.13.17)

तेनैवास्या मुखे स्थित्वा वाक्स्वरूपेण शम्भुना । व्याहृतं कोऽन्यथा कर्तुमुत्सहेत भवेदिदम्

tenaivāsyā mukhe sthitvā vāksvarūpeṇa śambhunā vyāhṛtaṁ ko’nyathā kartumutsaheta bhavedidam

For it was Shambhu himself, dwelling in her mouth in the form of speech, who has spoken this; who else would dare to attempt to bring this about?

Verse 18 (shiva.shatarudra.13.18)

इति सञ्चिन्त्य स मुनिर्विश्वानर उदारधीः । ततः प्रोवाच तां पत्नीमेकपत्नीव्रते स्थितः

iti sañcintya sa munirviśvānara udāradhīḥ tataḥ provāca tāṁ patnīmekapatnīvrate sthitaḥ

Having reflected thus, that sage Vishvanara, of noble mind, established in the vow of having but one wife, then spoke to his wife.

Verse 19 (shiva.shatarudra.13.19)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्थमाश्वास्य तां पत्नीं जगाम तपसे मुनिः । यत्र विश्वेश्वरः साक्षात्काशीनाथोऽधितिष्ठति

nandīśvara uvāca itthamāśvāsya tāṁ patnīṁ jagāma tapase muniḥ yatra viśveśvaraḥ sākṣātkāśīnātho’dhitiṣṭhati

Nandishvara said: Having thus reassured his wife, the sage went to perform austerity to that place where Vishveshvara himself, the Lord of Kashi, dwells.

Verse 20 (shiva.shatarudra.13.20)

प्राप्य वाराणसीं तूर्णं दृष्ट्वा तां मणिकर्णिकाम् । तत्याज तापत्रितयमपि जन्मशतार्जितम्

prāpya vārāṇasīṁ tūrṇaṁ dṛṣṭvā tāṁ maṇikarṇikām tatyāja tāpatritayamapi janmaśatārjitam

Having quickly reached Varanasi, and having beheld Manikarnika, he cast off the threefold affliction accumulated even across a hundred births.

Verse 21 (shiva.shatarudra.13.21)

दृष्ट्वा सर्वाणि लिङ्गानि विश्वेशप्रमुखानि च । स्नात्वा सर्वेषु कुण्डेषु वापीकूपसरस्सु च

dṛṣṭvā sarvāṇi liṅgāni viśveśapramukhāni ca snātvā sarveṣu kuṇḍeṣu vāpīkūpasarassu ca

Having beheld all the lingas, beginning with Vishveshvara, and having bathed in all the tanks, wells, and lakes—

Verse 22 (shiva.shatarudra.13.22)

नत्वा विनायकान्सर्वान्गौरीं शर्वां प्रणम्य च । सम्पूज्य कालराजं च भैरवं पापभक्षणम्

natvā vināyakānsarvāngaurīṁ śarvāṁ praṇamya ca sampūjya kālarājaṁ ca bhairavaṁ pāpabhakṣaṇam

—having bowed to all the Vinayakas, and having saluted Gauri and Sharva, and having worshipped Kalaraja and Bhairava, the devourer of sin—

Verse 23 (shiva.shatarudra.13.23)

दण्डनायकमुख्यांश्च गणान्स्तुत्वा प्रयत्नतः । आदिकेशवमुख्यांश्च केशवं परितोष्य च

daṇḍanāyakamukhyāṁśca gaṇānstutvā prayatnataḥ ādikeśavamukhyāṁśca keśavaṁ paritoṣya ca

—having diligently praised Dandanayaka and the chief ganas, and having pleased Adi-Keshava and the other forms of Keshava—

Verse 24 (shiva.shatarudra.13.24)

लोलार्कमुखसूर्यांश्च प्रणम्य स पुनः पुनः । कृत्वा च पिण्डदानानि सर्वतीर्थेष्वतन्द्रितः

lolārkamukhasūryāṁśca praṇamya sa punaḥ punaḥ kṛtvā ca piṇḍadānāni sarvatīrtheṣvatandritaḥ

—having bowed again and again to Lolarka and the other forms of the Sun, and having, tirelessly, offered pinda-oblations at all the sacred crossings—

Verse 25 (shiva.shatarudra.13.25)

सहस्रभोजनाद्यैश्च मुनीन्विप्रान्प्रतर्प्य च । महापूजोपचारैश्च लिङ्गान्यभ्यर्च्य भक्तितः

sahasrabhojanādyaiśca munīnviprānpratarpya ca mahāpūjopacāraiśca liṅgānyabhyarcya bhaktitaḥ

—and having satisfied the sages and brahmins with feedings of thousands, and having worshipped the lingas with devotion through great rites of adoration—

Verse 26 (shiva.shatarudra.13.26)

असकृच्चिन्तयामास किं लिङ्गं क्षिप्रसिद्धिदम् । यत्र निश्चलतामेति तपस्तनयकाम्यया

asakṛccintayāmāsa kiṁ liṅgaṁ kṣiprasiddhidam yatra niścalatāmeti tapastanayakāmyayā

—he pondered again and again which linga grants swift accomplishment, where his austerity for the wish of a son might find steadfastness.

Verse 27 (shiva.shatarudra.13.27)

क्षणं विचार्य स मुनिरिति विश्वानरः सुधीः । क्षिप्रं पुत्रप्रदं लिङ्गं वीरेशं प्रशशंस ह

kṣaṇaṁ vicārya sa muniriti viśvānaraḥ sudhīḥ kṣipraṁ putrapradaṁ liṅgaṁ vīreśaṁ praśaśaṁsa ha

Having reflected for a moment, that wise sage Vishvanara indeed praised the linga Vireshvara as the swift giver of a son.

Verse 28 (shiva.shatarudra.13.28)

असङ्ख्याताः सहस्राणि सिद्धाः सिद्धिं गतास्ततः । सिद्धलिङ्गमिति ख्यातं तस्माद्वीरेश्वरं परम्

asaṅkhyātāḥ sahasrāṇi siddhāḥ siddhiṁ gatāstataḥ siddhaliṅgamiti khyātaṁ tasmādvīreśvaraṁ param

Countless thousands of Siddhas attained accomplishment there; hence that supreme linga, Vireshvara, became famed as the 'Siddha-linga.'

Verse 29 (shiva.shatarudra.13.29)

वीरेश्वरं महालिङ्गमब्दमभ्यर्च्य भक्तितः । आयुर्मनोरथं सर्वं पुत्रादिकमनेकशः

vīreśvaraṁ mahāliṅgamabdamabhyarcya bhaktitaḥ āyurmanorathaṁ sarvaṁ putrādikamanekaśaḥ

By worshipping the great linga Vireshvara with devotion for a full year, one obtains longevity, every wish of the heart, sons and the like, in many ways.

Verse 30 (shiva.shatarudra.13.30)

अहमप्यत्र वीरेशं समाराध्य त्रिकालतः । आशु पुत्रमवाप्स्यामि यथाभिलषितं स्त्रिया

ahamapyatra vīreśaṁ samārādhya trikālataḥ āśu putramavāpsyāmi yathābhilaṣitaṁ striyā

I too shall worship Viresha here, three times each day, and shall swiftly obtain the son so desired by my wife.

Verse 31 (shiva.shatarudra.13.31)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति कृत्वा मतिं धिरो विप्रो विश्वानरः कृती । चन्द्रकूपजले स्नात्वा जग्राह नियमं व्रती

nandīśvara uvāca iti kṛtvā matiṁ dhiro vipro viśvānaraḥ kṛtī candrakūpajale snātvā jagrāha niyamaṁ vratī

Nandishvara said: Having resolved thus, the steadfast, accomplished brahmin Vishvanara, bathing in the water of the Chandrakupa well, undertook the vow with strict observance.

Verse 32 (shiva.shatarudra.13.32)

एकाहारोऽभवन्मासं मासं नक्ताशनोऽभवत् । अयाचिताशनो मासं मासं त्यक्ताशनः पुनः

ekāhāro’bhavanmāsaṁ māsaṁ naktāśano’bhavat ayācitāśano māsaṁ māsaṁ tyaktāśanaḥ punaḥ

For one month he took a single meal a day; for a month he ate only at night; for a month he ate only unasked-for food; and for another month he ate nothing at all.

Verse 33 (shiva.shatarudra.13.33)

पयोव्रतोऽभवन्मासं मासं शाकफलाशनः । मासं मुष्टितिलाहारो मासं पानीयभोजनः

payovrato’bhavanmāsaṁ māsaṁ śākaphalāśanaḥ māsaṁ muṣṭitilāhāro māsaṁ pānīyabhojanaḥ

For a month he lived on the vow of milk alone; for a month he ate only vegetables and fruits; for a month his food was a fistful of sesame; for a month his food was water alone.

Verse 34 (shiva.shatarudra.13.34)

पञ्चगव्याशनो मासं मासं चान्द्रायणव्रती । मासं कुशाग्रजलभुग्मासं श्वसनभक्षणः

pañcagavyāśano māsaṁ māsaṁ cāndrāyaṇavratī māsaṁ kuśāgrajalabhugmāsaṁ śvasanabhakṣaṇaḥ

For a month he ate the five products of the cow; for a month he kept the Chandrayana vow; for a month he drank only water from the tip of a kusha blade; and for a month he subsisted on air alone.

Verse 35 (shiva.shatarudra.13.35)

एवमब्दमितं कालं तताप स तपोऽद्भुतम् । त्रिकालमर्चयद्भक्त्या वीरेशं लिङ्गमुत्तमम्

evamabdamitaṁ kālaṁ tatāpa sa tapo’dbhutam trikālamarcayadbhaktyā vīreśaṁ liṅgamuttamam

In this way, for the space of a full year, he performed this wondrous austerity, worshipping with devotion, three times each day, the supreme linga Viresha.

Verse 36 (shiva.shatarudra.13.36)

अथ त्रयोदशे मासि स्नात्वा त्रिपथगाम्भसि । प्रत्यूष एव वीरेशं यावदायाति स द्विजः

atha trayodaśe māsi snātvā tripathagāmbhasi pratyūṣa eva vīreśaṁ yāvadāyāti sa dvijaḥ

Then, in the thirteenth month, having bathed in the waters of the triple-pathed river Ganga, that twice-born one, as he approached Viresha at the very break of dawn—

Verse 37 (shiva.shatarudra.13.37)

तावद्विलोकयाञ्चक्रे मध्ये लिङ्गं तपोधनः । विभूतिभूषणं बालमष्टवर्षाकृतिं शिशुम्

tāvadvilokayāñcakre madhye liṅgaṁ tapodhanaḥ vibhūtibhūṣaṇaṁ bālamaṣṭavarṣākṛtiṁ śiśum

—that treasury of austerity then beheld, in the midst of the linga, a child adorned with sacred ash, in the form of a boy of about eight years.

Verse 38 (shiva.shatarudra.13.38)

आकर्णायतनेत्रं च सुरक्तदशनच्छदम् । चारुपिङ्गजटामौलिं नग्न प्रहसिताननम्

ākarṇāyatanetraṁ ca suraktadaśanacchadam cārupiṅgajaṭāmauliṁ nagna prahasitānanam

With eyes reaching to his ears, with beautifully red lips, with a lovely crown of tawny matted locks, naked, his face wreathed in laughter.

Verse 39 (shiva.shatarudra.13.39)

शैशवोचितनेपथ्यधारिणं चितिधारिणम् । पठन्तं श्रुतिसूक्तानि हसन्तं च स्वलीलया

śaiśavocitanepathyadhāriṇaṁ citidhāriṇam paṭhantaṁ śrutisūktāni hasantaṁ ca svalīlayā

Wearing the attire fitting for childhood, bearing sacred ash upon his body, reciting the hymns of the Veda, and laughing in his own playful way.

Verse 40 (shiva.shatarudra.13.40)

तमालोक्य मुदं प्राप्य रोमकञ्चुकितो मुनिः । प्रोच्चचार हृदालापान्नमोऽस्त्विति पुनः पुनः

tamālokya mudaṁ prāpya romakañcukito muniḥ proccacāra hṛdālāpānnamo’stviti punaḥ punaḥ

Beholding him, the sage, filled with joy and his hair standing on end, cried out from his heart, 'Salutations! Salutations!' again and again.

Verse 41 (shiva.shatarudra.13.41)

अभिलाषप्रदैः पद्यैरष्टभिर्बालरूपिणम् । तुष्टाव परमानन्दं शम्भुं विश्वानरः कृती

abhilāṣapradaiḥ padyairaṣṭabhirbālarūpiṇam tuṣṭāva paramānandaṁ śambhuṁ viśvānaraḥ kṛtī

With eight verses expressing his heartfelt longing, the accomplished Vishvanara praised Shambhu, of supreme bliss, in his form as a child.

Verse 42 (shiva.shatarudra.13.42)

विश्वानर उवाच । एकं ब्रह्मैवाद्वितीयं समस्तं सत्यं सत्यं नेह नानास्ति किञ्चित् । एको रुद्रो न द्वितीयोऽवतस्थे तस्मादेकं त्वां प्रपद्ये महेशम्

viśvānara uvāca ekaṁ brahmaivādvitīyaṁ samastaṁ satyaṁ satyaṁ neha nānāsti kiñcit eko rudro na dvitīyo’vatasthe tasmādekaṁ tvāṁ prapadye maheśam

Vishvanara said: Brahman is one alone, without a second, the whole; truly, truly, here there is no plurality at all. Rudra is one, none second stands beside him; therefore I take refuge in you, the one Mahesha.

Verse 43 (shiva.shatarudra.13.43)

कर्ता हर्त्ता त्वं हि सर्वस्य शम्भो नानारूपेष्वेकरूपोऽप्यरूपः । यद्वत्प्रत्यग्धर्म एकोऽप्यनेक- स्तस्मान्नान्यं त्वां विनेशं प्रपद्ये

kartā harttā tvaṁ hi sarvasya śambho nānārūpeṣvekarūpo’pyarūpaḥ yadvatpratyagdharma eko’pyaneka- stasmānnānyaṁ tvāṁ vineśaṁ prapadye

You, O Shambhu, are indeed the maker and destroyer of all; one in form amid many forms, yet formless too. Just as the inward Self, though one, appears as many — for that reason I take refuge in none other than you, O Lord.

Verse 44 (shiva.shatarudra.13.44)

रज्जौ सर्पः शुक्तिकायां च रौप्यं नैरः पूरस्तन्मृगाख्ये मरीचौ । यद्यत्सद्वद्विष्वगेव प्रपञ्चो यस्मिन् ज्ञाते तं प्रपद्ये महेशम्

rajjau sarpaḥ śuktikāyāṁ ca raupyaṁ nairaḥ pūrastanmṛgākhye marīcau yadyatsadvadviṣvageva prapañco yasmin jñāte taṁ prapadye maheśam

As a snake appears in a rope, or silver in mother-of-pearl, or a flow of water in the mirage called the deer's thirst — so this entire manifest world appears everywhere as if real; knowing whom it dissolves, I take refuge in that Mahesha.

Verse 45 (shiva.shatarudra.13.45)

तोये शैत्यं दाहकत्वं च वह्नौ तापो भानौ शीतभानौ प्रसादः । पुष्पे गन्धो दुग्धमध्येऽपि सर्पि- र्यत्तच्छम्भो त्वं ततस्त्वां प्रपद्ये

toye śaityaṁ dāhakatvaṁ ca vahnau tāpo bhānau śītabhānau prasādaḥ puṣpe gandho dugdhamadhye’pi sarpi- ryattacchambho tvaṁ tatastvāṁ prapadye

As coolness is in water, and the power to burn in fire, as heat is in the sun, and gentle grace in the moon, as fragrance is in a flower, and ghee is within milk — that essence, O Shambhu, is you; therefore I take refuge in you.

Verse 46 (shiva.shatarudra.13.46)

शब्दं गृह्णास्यश्रवास्त्वं हि जिघ्र- स्यघ्राणस्त्वं व्यङ्घ्रिरायासि दूरात् । व्यक्षः पश्येस्त्वं रसज्ञोऽप्यजिह्वः कस्त्वां सम्यग्वेत्त्यतस्त्वां प्रपद्ये

śabdaṁ gṛhṇāsyaśravāstvaṁ hi jighra- syaghrāṇastvaṁ vyaṅghrirāyāsi dūrāt vyakṣaḥ paśyestvaṁ rasajño’pyajihvaḥ kastvāṁ samyagvettyatastvāṁ prapadye

You grasp sound though without ears; you smell though without a nose; you come from afar though without feet; you see though without eyes; you know taste though without a tongue — who then can truly know you? Therefore I take refuge in you.

Verse 47 (shiva.shatarudra.13.47)

नो वेद त्वामीश साक्षाद्धि वेदो नो वा विष्णुर्नो विधाताखिलस्य । नो योगीन्द्रा नेन्द्रमुख्याश्च देवा भक्तो वेद त्वामतस्त्वां प्रपद्ये

no veda tvāmīśa sākṣāddhi vedo no vā viṣṇurno vidhātākhilasya no yogīndrā nendramukhyāśca devā bhakto veda tvāmatastvāṁ prapadye

O Lord, even the Veda itself does not directly know you; nor does Vishnu, nor the Ordainer of all things. Neither the great lords of yoga, nor Indra and the chief gods know you — only the devotee knows you; therefore I take refuge in you.

Verse 48 (shiva.shatarudra.13.48)

नो ते गोत्रं नेश जन्मापि नाख्या नो वा रूपं नैव शीलं न देशः । इत्थम्भूतोऽपीश्वरस्त्वं त्रिलोक्याः सर्वान्कामान्पूरयेस्त्वं भजे त्वाम्

no te gotraṁ neśa janmāpi nākhyā no vā rūpaṁ naiva śīlaṁ na deśaḥ itthambhūto’pīśvarastvaṁ trilokyāḥ sarvānkāmānpūrayestvaṁ bhaje tvām

You have no lineage, O Lord, nor birth, nor even a name; no form, no fixed nature, no place. Yet, being of such a nature, you are the Lord of the three worlds, and you fulfill every desire; I worship you.

Verse 49 (shiva.shatarudra.13.49)

त्वत्तः सर्वं त्वं हि सर्वं स्मरारे त्वं गौरीशस्त्वं च नग्नोऽतिशान्तः । त्वं वै वृद्धस्त्वं युवा त्वं च बाल- स्तत्त्वं यत्किं नान्यतस्त्वां नतोऽहम्

tvattaḥ sarvaṁ tvaṁ hi sarvaṁ smarāre tvaṁ gaurīśastvaṁ ca nagno’tiśāntaḥ tvaṁ vai vṛddhastvaṁ yuvā tvaṁ ca bāla- stattvaṁ yatkiṁ nānyatastvāṁ nato’ham

From you comes everything, and you indeed are everything, O Enemy of Kama; you are the Lord of Gauri, and you are also the naked one of utter tranquility. You are the aged one, you are the youth, and you are the child — you are That, the ultimate truth; there is nothing apart from you. I bow to you.

Verse 50 (shiva.shatarudra.13.50)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । स्तुत्वेति विप्रो निपपात भूमौ सम्बद्धपाणिर्भवतीह यावत् । तावत्स बालोऽखिलवृद्धवृद्धः प्रोवाच भूदेवमतीव हृष्टः

nandīśvara uvāca stutveti vipro nipapāta bhūmau sambaddhapāṇirbhavatīha yāvat tāvatsa bālo’khilavṛddhavṛddhaḥ provāca bhūdevamatīva hṛṣṭaḥ

Nandishvara said: Having thus praised him, the brahmin fell to the ground with joined hands, and even as he did so, that boy, older than the oldest of all, spoke to the earthly god, exceedingly delighted.

Verse 51 (shiva.shatarudra.13.51)

बाल उवाच । विश्वानर मुनिश्रेष्ठ भूदेवाहं त्वयाद्य वै । तोषितः सुप्रसन्नात्मा वृणीष्व वरमुत्तमम्

bāla uvāca viśvānara muniśreṣṭha bhūdevāhaṁ tvayādya vai toṣitaḥ suprasannātmā vṛṇīṣva varamuttamam

The boy said: O Vishvanara, best of sages, earthly god, today I have indeed been pleased by you; my heart is well satisfied — choose a supreme boon.

Verse 52 (shiva.shatarudra.13.52)

तत उत्थाय हृष्टात्मा मुनिर्विश्वानरः कृती । प्रत्यब्रवीन्मुनिश्रेष्ठः शङ्करं बालरूपिणम्

tata utthāya hṛṣṭātmā munirviśvānaraḥ kṛtī pratyabravīnmuniśreṣṭhaḥ śaṅkaraṁ bālarūpiṇam

Then, rising up, his heart filled with joy, the accomplished sage Vishvanara, best among sages, replied to Shankara in his form as a child.

Verse 53 (shiva.shatarudra.13.53)

विश्वानर उवाच । महेश्वर किमज्ञातं सर्वज्ञस्य तव प्रभो । सर्वान्तरात्मा भगवान् शर्वः सर्वप्रदो भवान्

viśvānara uvāca maheśvara kimajñātaṁ sarvajñasya tava prabho sarvāntarātmā bhagavān śarvaḥ sarvaprado bhavān

Vishvanara said: O Maheshvara, what is unknown to you, O Lord, who art all-knowing? You are the inner Self of all, Lord Sharva, the giver of everything.

Verse 54 (shiva.shatarudra.13.54)

याच्ञां प्रति नियुक्तं मां किं ब्रूषे दैन्यकारिणीम् । इति ज्ञात्वा महेशान यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु

yācñāṁ prati niyuktaṁ māṁ kiṁ brūṣe dainyakāriṇīm iti jñātvā maheśāna yathecchasi tathā kuru

Why do you tell me, who has been directed toward this request, to make a plea that would only bring on humiliation? Knowing this, O Mahesha, do as you please.

Verse 55 (shiva.shatarudra.13.55)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य देवो विश्वानरस्य हि । शुचिः शुचिव्रतस्याथ शुचिं स्मित्वाब्रवीच्छिशुः

nandīśvara uvāca iti śrutvā vacastasya devo viśvānarasya hi śuciḥ śucivratasyātha śuciṁ smitvābravīcchiśuḥ

Nandishvara said: Hearing these words of that pure Vishvanara of pure vows, the pure god, then, that child, smiling, spoke.

Verse 56 (shiva.shatarudra.13.56)

त्वया शुचे शुचिष्मत्यां योऽभिलाषः कृतो हृदि । अचिरेणैव कालेन स भविष्यत्यसंशयम्

tvayā śuce śuciṣmatyāṁ yo’bhilāṣaḥ kṛto hṛdi acireṇaiva kālena sa bhaviṣyatyasaṁśayam

O pure one, whatever longing you have cherished in your heart concerning Shuchishmati shall come to pass before long, without any doubt.

Verse 57 (shiva.shatarudra.13.57)

तव पुत्रत्वमेष्यामि शुचिष्मत्यां महामते । ख्यातो गृहपतिर्नाम्ना शुचिः सर्वामरप्रियः

tava putratvameṣyāmi śuciṣmatyāṁ mahāmate khyāto gṛhapatirnāmnā śuciḥ sarvāmarapriyaḥ

I myself shall become your son, born of Shuchishmati, O noble-minded one; renowned by the name Grihapati, pure, and dear to all the immortals.

Verse 58 (shiva.shatarudra.13.58)

अभिलाषाष्टकं पुण्यं स्तोत्रमेतत्त्वयेरितम् । अब्दत्रिकालपठनात्कामदं शिवसन्निधौ

abhilāṣāṣṭakaṁ puṇyaṁ stotrametattvayeritam abdatrikālapaṭhanātkāmadaṁ śivasannidhau

This meritorious hymn of eight verses, the Abhilashashtaka, which you have uttered, when recited three times a day for a year in the presence of Shiva, grants every desire.

Verse 59 (shiva.shatarudra.13.59)

एतत्स्तोत्रप्रपठनं पुत्रपौत्रधनप्रदम् । सर्वशान्तिकरं चापि सर्वापत्तिविनाशनम्

etatstotraprapaṭhanaṁ putrapautradhanapradam sarvaśāntikaraṁ cāpi sarvāpattivināśanam

The recitation of this hymn grants sons, grandsons, and wealth; it also brings about universal peace and destroys every calamity.

Verse 60 (shiva.shatarudra.13.60)

स्वर्गापवर्गसम्पत्तिकारकं नात्र संशयः । सर्वस्तोत्रसमं ह्येतत्सर्वकामप्रदं सदा

svargāpavargasampattikārakaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ sarvastotrasamaṁ hyetatsarvakāmapradaṁ sadā

It brings the wealth of both heaven and liberation, of this there is no doubt; it is equal to all hymns, and it ever grants every desire.

Verse 61 (shiva.shatarudra.13.61)

प्रातरुत्थाय सुस्नातो लिङ्गमभ्यर्च्य शाम्भवम् । वर्षं जपन्निदं स्तोत्रमपुत्रः पुत्रवान्भवेत्

prātarutthāya susnāto liṅgamabhyarcya śāmbhavam varṣaṁ japannidaṁ stotramaputraḥ putravānbhavet

Rising at dawn, well bathed, having worshipped the linga of Shambhu, whoever recites this hymn for a year, though sonless, becomes possessed of a son.

Verse 62 (shiva.shatarudra.13.62)

अभिलाषाष्टकमिदं न देयं यस्य कस्यचित् । गोपनीयं प्रयत्नेन महावन्ध्याप्रसूतिकृत्

abhilāṣāṣṭakamidaṁ na deyaṁ yasya kasyacit gopanīyaṁ prayatnena mahāvandhyāprasūtikṛt

This Abhilashashtaka is not to be given to just anyone; it should be carefully guarded, for it grants offspring even to a woman utterly barren.

Verse 63 (shiva.shatarudra.13.63)

स्त्रिया वा पुरुषेणापि नियमाल्लिङ्गसन्निधौ । अब्दं जप्तमिदं स्तोत्रं पुत्रदं नात्र संशयः

striyā vā puruṣeṇāpi niyamālliṅgasannidhau abdaṁ japtamidaṁ stotraṁ putradaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

Whether recited by a woman or a man, following the discipline in the presence of the linga, this hymn, chanted for a year, undoubtedly grants a son.

Verse 64 (shiva.shatarudra.13.64)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्त्वान्तर्दधे शम्भुर्बालरूपः सतां गतिः । सोऽपि विश्वानरो विप्रो हृष्टात्मा स्वगृहं ययौ

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktvāntardadhe śambhurbālarūpaḥ satāṁ gatiḥ so’pi viśvānaro vipro hṛṣṭātmā svagṛhaṁ yayau

Nandishvara said: Having spoken thus, Shambhu, in his form as a child, the refuge of the virtuous, vanished; and Vishvanara the brahmin too, his heart filled with joy, went to his own home.