The Eleven Rudra Incarnation

Verse 1 (shiva.shatarudra.18.1)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । एकादशवतारान्वै शृण्वथो शाङ्करान्वरान् । यान् श्रुत्वा न हि बाध्येत बाधासत्यादिसम्भवा

nandīśvara uvāca ekādaśavatārānvai śṛṇvatho śāṅkarānvarān yān śrutvā na hi bādhyeta bādhāsatyādisambhavā

Nandishvara said: Now hear of Shankara's eleven excellent incarnations; hearing of them, one is never afflicted by troubles arising from calamity or the like.

Verse 2 (shiva.shatarudra.18.2)

पुरा सर्वे सुराः शक्रमुखा दैत्यपराजिताः । त्यक्त्वामरावतीं भीत्यापलायन्त निजां पुरीम्

purā sarve surāḥ śakramukhā daityaparājitāḥ tyaktvāmarāvatīṁ bhītyāpalāyanta nijāṁ purīm

Formerly all the gods, headed by Shakra (Indra), defeated by the daityas, abandoned their city of Amaravati out of fear and fled.

Verse 3 (shiva.shatarudra.18.3)

दैत्यप्रपीडिता देवा जग्मुस्ते कश्यपान्तिकम् । बध्वा करान्नतस्कन्धाः प्रणेमुस्तं सुविह्वलम्

daityaprapīḍitā devā jagmuste kaśyapāntikam badhvā karānnataskandhāḥ praṇemustaṁ suvihvalam

The gods, oppressed by the daityas, went to Kashyapa; with joined hands and bowed shoulders, greatly distressed, they paid him homage.

Verse 4 (shiva.shatarudra.18.4)

सुनुत्वा तं सुराः सर्वे कृत्वा विज्ञप्तिमादरात् । सर्वं निवेदयामासुः स्वदुःखं तत्पराजयम्

sunutvā taṁ surāḥ sarve kṛtvā vijñaptimādarāt sarvaṁ nivedayāmāsuḥ svaduḥkhaṁ tatparājayam

All the gods, having duly praised him and made their petition with reverence, related to him their entire sorrow and that defeat.

Verse 5 (shiva.shatarudra.18.5)

ततः स कश्यपस्तात तत्पिता शिवसक्तधीः । तदाकर्ण्यामराकं वै दुःखितोऽभून्न चाधिकम्

tataḥ sa kaśyapastāta tatpitā śivasaktadhīḥ tadākarṇyāmarākaṁ vai duḥkhito'bhūnna cādhikam

O child, then their father Kashyapa, whose mind was ever fixed on Shiva, hearing of the gods' plight, became grieved no less than they.

Verse 6 (shiva.shatarudra.18.6)

तानाश्वास्य मुनिः सोऽथ धैर्यमाधाय शान्तधीः । काशीं जगाम सुप्रीत्या विश्वेश्वरपुरीं मुने

tānāśvāsya muniḥ so'tha dhairyamādhāya śāntadhīḥ kāśīṁ jagāma suprītyā viśveśvarapurīṁ mune

That sage, having consoled them and composed himself with patience and a tranquil mind, set out with great love for Kashi, the city of Vishveshvara.

Verse 7 (shiva.shatarudra.18.7)

गङ्गाम्भसि ततः स्नात्वा कृत्वा तं विधिमादरात् । विश्वेश्वरं समानर्च साम्बं सर्वेश्वरं प्रभुम्

gaṅgāmbhasi tataḥ snātvā kṛtvā taṁ vidhimādarāt viśveśvaraṁ samānarca sāmbaṁ sarveśvaraṁ prabhum

O sage, there, having bathed in the Ganga's waters and duly performed the rite with reverence, he worshipped Vishveshvara, the Lord of all, together with Amba.

Verse 8 (shiva.shatarudra.18.8)

शिवलिङ्गं सुसंस्थाप्य चकार विपुलं तपः । शम्भुमुद्दिश्य सुप्रीत्या देवानां हितकाम्यया

śivaliṅgaṁ susaṁsthāpya cakāra vipulaṁ tapaḥ śambhumuddiśya suprītyā devānāṁ hitakāmyayā

Having duly established a Shiva-linga, desiring the welfare of the gods, he performed great austerity directed to Shambhu with deep love.

Verse 9 (shiva.shatarudra.18.9)

महान्कालो व्यतीयाय तपतस्तस्य वै मुने । शिवपादाम्बुजासक्तमनसो धैर्यशालिनः

mahānkālo vyatīyāya tapatastasya vai mune śivapādāmbujāsaktamanaso dhairyaśālinaḥ

O sage, a long span of time passed as that patient Kashyapa performed austerity, his mind ever fixed on Shiva's lotus feet.

Verse 10 (shiva.shatarudra.18.10)

अथ प्रादुरभूच्छम्भुर्वरं दातुं तदर्षये । स्वपदासक्तमनसे दीनबन्धुः सतां गतिः

atha prādurabhūcchambhurvaraṁ dātuṁ tadarṣaye svapadāsaktamanase dīnabandhuḥ satāṁ gatiḥ

Then Shambhu, friend of the helpless and refuge of the virtuous, appeared to grant a boon to that sage whose mind was fixed on his feet.

Verse 11 (shiva.shatarudra.18.11)

वरं ब्रूहीति चोवाच सुप्रसन्नो महेश्वरः । कश्यपं मुनिशार्दूलं स्वभक्तं भक्तवत्सलः

varaṁ brūhīti covāca suprasanno maheśvaraḥ kaśyapaṁ muniśārdūlaṁ svabhaktaṁ bhaktavatsalaḥ

Maheshvara, ever fond of his devotees and greatly pleased, said to Kashyapa, foremost of sages and his own devotee, "Ask for a boon."

Verse 12 (shiva.shatarudra.18.12)

दृष्ट्वाथ तं महेशानं स प्रणम्य कृताञ्जलिः । तुष्टाव कश्यपो हृष्टो देवतातः प्रसन्नधीः

dṛṣṭvātha taṁ maheśānaṁ sa praṇamya kṛtāñjaliḥ tuṣṭāva kaśyapo hṛṣṭo devatātaḥ prasannadhīḥ

Seeing that great Lord, Kashyapa, overjoyed and gladdened at the god's sight, bowed with joined hands and praised him.

Verse 13 (shiva.shatarudra.18.13)

कश्यप उवाच । देवदेव महेशान शरणागतवत्सल । सर्वेश्वः परमात्मा त्वं ध्यानगम्योऽद्वयोऽव्ययः

kaśyapa uvāca devadeva maheśāna śaraṇāgatavatsala sarveśvaḥ paramātmā tvaṁ dhyānagamyo'dvayo'vyayaḥ

Kashyapa said: O God of gods, great Lord, ever fond of those who take refuge in you, you are the Lord of all, the Supreme Self, attainable through meditation, without a second, imperishable.

Verse 14 (shiva.shatarudra.18.14)

बलनिग्रहकर्ता त्वं महेश्वर सतां गतिः । दीनबन्धुर्दयासिन्धुर्भक्तरक्षणदक्षधीः

balanigrahakartā tvaṁ maheśvara satāṁ gatiḥ dīnabandhurdayāsindhurbhaktarakṣaṇadakṣadhīḥ

O Maheshvara, you are the subduer of the mighty, the refuge of the virtuous, the friend of the helpless, the ocean of compassion, ever skilled in protecting your devotees.

Verse 15 (shiva.shatarudra.18.15)

एते सुरास्त्वदीया हि त्वद्भक्ताश्च विशेषतः । दैत्यैः पराजिताश्चाथ पाहि तान्दुःखितान् प्रभो

ete surāstvadīyā hi tvadbhaktāśca viśeṣataḥ daityaiḥ parājitāścātha pāhi tānduḥkhitān prabho

These gods are indeed your own, especially your devotees; defeated by the daityas, protect them in their sorrow, O Lord.

Verse 16 (shiva.shatarudra.18.16)

असमर्थो रमेशोऽपि दुःखदस्ते मुहुर्मुहुः । अतः सुरा मच्छरणा वेदयन्तोऽसुखं च तत्

asamartho rameśo'pi duḥkhadaste muhurmuhuḥ ataḥ surā maccharaṇā vedayanto'sukhaṁ ca tat

Even Vishnu (Ramesha), proving unable, has again and again become a cause of grief to them; therefore these gods, having taken refuge in me, report this distress.

Verse 17 (shiva.shatarudra.18.17)

तदर्थं देवदेवेश देवदुःखविनाशक । तत्पूरितुं तपोनिष्ठां प्रसन्नार्थं तवासदम्

tadarthaṁ devadeveśa devaduḥkhavināśaka tatpūrituṁ taponiṣṭhāṁ prasannārthaṁ tavāsadam

For that reason, O Lord of gods, destroyer of the gods' sorrow, I have maintained this steadfastness in austerity to gain your favor.

Verse 18 (shiva.shatarudra.18.18)

शरणं ते प्रपन्नोऽस्मि सर्वथाहं महेश्वर । कामं मे पूरय स्वामिन्देवदुःखं विनाशय

śaraṇaṁ te prapanno'smi sarvathāhaṁ maheśvara kāmaṁ me pūraya svāmindevaduḥkhaṁ vināśaya

O Maheshvara, I have taken refuge in you in every way; O Lord, fulfill my desire and destroy the gods' sorrow.

Verse 19 (shiva.shatarudra.18.19)

पुत्रदुःखैश्च देवेश दुःखितोऽहं विशेषतः । सुखिनं कुरु मामीश सहायस्त्वं दिवौकसाम्

putraduḥkhaiśca deveśa duḥkhito'haṁ viśeṣataḥ sukhinaṁ kuru māmīśa sahāyastvaṁ divaukasām

O Lord, I am especially grieved by the sufferings of my sons, the gods; O Lord, make me happy — be the helper of the celestials.

Verse 20 (shiva.shatarudra.18.20)

भूत्वा मम सुतो नाथ देवा यक्षाः पराजिताः । दैत्यैर्महाबलैः शम्भो सुरानन्दप्रदो भव

bhūtvā mama suto nātha devā yakṣāḥ parājitāḥ daityairmahābalaiḥ śambho surānandaprado bhava

O Shambhu, having become my son, be the giver of joy to the gods and yakshas defeated by the mighty daityas.

Verse 21 (shiva.shatarudra.18.21)

सदैवास्तु महेशान सर्वलेखसहायकः । यथा दैत्यकृता बाधा न बाधेत सुरान्प्रभो

sadaivāstu maheśāna sarvalekhasahāyakaḥ yathā daityakṛtā bādhā na bādheta surānprabho

O great Lord, let such a helper ever exist, so that the troubles caused by the daityas may never afflict the gods, O Lord.

Verse 22 (shiva.shatarudra.18.22)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्तस्य तु सर्वेशस्तथेति प्रोच्य शङ्करः । पश्यतस्तस्य भगवांस्तत्रैवान्तर्दधे हरः

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktasya tu sarveśastatheti procya śaṅkaraḥ paśyatastasya bhagavāṁstatraivāntardadhe haraḥ

Nandishvara said: To him who had spoken thus, the Lord of all, Shankara, saying "So be it," vanished right there before his very eyes.

Verse 23 (shiva.shatarudra.18.23)

कश्यपोऽपि महाहृष्टः स्वस्थानमगमद् द्रुतम् । देवेभ्यः कथयामास सर्ववृत्तान्तमादरात्

kaśyapo'pi mahāhṛṣṭaḥ svasthānamagamad drutam devebhyaḥ kathayāmāsa sarvavṛttāntamādarāt

Kashyapa too, greatly delighted, quickly returned to his own abode and reverently related the entire happening to the gods.

Verse 24 (shiva.shatarudra.18.24)

ततः स शङ्करः शर्वः सत्यं कर्तुं स्वकं वचः । सुरभ्यां कश्यपाज्जज्ञे एकादशस्वरूपवान्

tataḥ sa śaṅkaraḥ śarvaḥ satyaṁ kartuṁ svakaṁ vacaḥ surabhyāṁ kaśyapājjajñe ekādaśasvarūpavān

Then that Shankara, Sharva, to make his word true, was born from Surabhi and Kashyapa in eleven forms.

Verse 25 (shiva.shatarudra.18.25)

महोत्सवस्तदासीद् वै सर्वं शिवमयं त्वभूत् । आसन्हृष्टाः सुराश्चाथ मुनिना कश्यपेन च

mahotsavastadāsīd vai sarvaṁ śivamayaṁ tvabhūt āsanhṛṣṭāḥ surāścātha muninā kaśyapena ca

Then there was a great festival, and everything became filled with Shiva; the gods, together with the sage Kashyapa, were all delighted.

Verse 26 (shiva.shatarudra.18.26)

कपाली पिङ्गलो भीमो विरूपाक्षो विलोहितः । शास्ताजपादहिर्बुध्न्यश्शम्भुश्चण्डो भवस्तथा

kapālī piṅgalo bhīmo virūpākṣo vilohitaḥ śāstājapādahirbudhnyaśśambhuścaṇḍo bhavastathā

Kapali, Pingala, Bhima, Virupaksha, Vilohita, Shasta, Ajapada, Ahirbudhnya, Shambhu, Chanda, and Bhava —

Verse 27 (shiva.shatarudra.18.27)

एकादशैते रुद्रास्तु सुरभीतनयाः स्मृताः । देवकार्यार्थमुत्पन्नाः शिवरूपाः सुखास्पदम्

ekādaśaite rudrāstu surabhītanayāḥ smṛtāḥ devakāryārthamutpannāḥ śivarūpāḥ sukhāspadam

— these eleven Rudras are remembered as the sons of Surabhi, born for the sake of the gods' task, forms of Shiva, abodes of happiness.

Verse 28 (shiva.shatarudra.18.28)

ते रुद्राः काश्यपा वीरा महाबलपराक्रमाः । दैत्यान् जघ्नुश्च सङ्ग्रामे देवसाहाय्यकारिणः

te rudrāḥ kāśyapā vīrā mahābalaparākramāḥ daityān jaghnuśca saṅgrāme devasāhāyyakāriṇaḥ

Those heroic Rudras, sons of Kashyapa, of great strength and valor, slew the daityas in battle while helping the gods.

Verse 29 (shiva.shatarudra.18.29)

तद्रुद्रकृपया देवा दैत्यान् जित्वा च निर्भयाः । चक्रुः स्वराज्यं सर्वे ते शक्राद्याः स्वस्थमानसाः

tadrudrakṛpayā devā daityān jitvā ca nirbhayāḥ cakruḥ svarājyaṁ sarve te śakrādyāḥ svasthamānasāḥ

By the grace of those Rudras, the gods, having conquered the daityas and become fearless, all of them headed by Indra, with peaceful minds, regained their own kingdom.

Verse 30 (shiva.shatarudra.18.30)

अद्यापि ते महारुद्राः सर्वे शिवस्वरूपकाः । देवानां रक्षणार्थाय विराजन्ते सदा दिवि

adyāpi te mahārudrāḥ sarve śivasvarūpakāḥ devānāṁ rakṣaṇārthāya virājante sadā divi

Even now those great Rudras, all of them forms of Shiva, ever shine in heaven for the protection of the gods.

Verse 31 (shiva.shatarudra.18.31)

ऐशान्यां पुरि ते वासं चक्रिरे भक्तवत्सलाः । विरमन्ते सदा तत्र नानालीलाविशारदाः

aiśānyāṁ puri te vāsaṁ cakrire bhaktavatsalāḥ viramante sadā tatra nānālīlāviśāradāḥ

Those Rudras, fond of their devotees, made their dwelling in the city of Aishani, and there they ever rest, skilled in manifold divine sports.

Verse 32 (shiva.shatarudra.18.32)

तेषामनुचरा रुद्राः कोटिशः परिकीर्तिताः । सर्वत्र संस्थितास्तत्र त्रिलोकेष्वभिभागशः

teṣāmanucarā rudrāḥ koṭiśaḥ parikīrtitāḥ sarvatra saṁsthitāstatra trilokeṣvabhibhāgaśaḥ

Their attendant Rudras are said to number in the millions, stationed everywhere, distributed throughout the three worlds.

Verse 33 (shiva.shatarudra.18.33)

इति ते वर्णितास्तातावताराः शङ्करस्य वै । एकादशमिता रुद्राः सर्वलोकसुखावहाः

iti te varṇitāstātāvatārāḥ śaṅkarasya vai ekādaśamitā rudrāḥ sarvalokasukhāvahāḥ

O child, thus have these incarnations of Shankara been described — the eleven Rudras, bringers of happiness to every world.

Verse 34 (shiva.shatarudra.18.34)

इदमाख्यानममलं सर्वपापप्रणाशकम् । धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं सर्वकामप्रदायकम्

idamākhyānamamalaṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśakam dhanyaṁ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṁ sarvakāmapradāyakam

This pure account destroys all sin; it is auspicious, brings fame, lengthens life, and bestows every desire.

Verse 35 (shiva.shatarudra.18.35)

य इदं शृणुयात्तात श्रावयेद्वै समाहितः । इह सर्वसुखं भुक्त्वा ततो मुक्तिं लभेत सः

ya idaṁ śṛṇuyāttāta śrāvayedvai samāhitaḥ iha sarvasukhaṁ bhuktvā tato muktiṁ labheta saḥ

O child, whoever, with a composed mind, hears this or causes it to be heard, having enjoyed all happiness here, thereafter attains liberation.