The Vrisheshvara Incarnation of Shiva

Verse 1 (shiva.shatarudra.23.1)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । ततो वृषभरूपेण गर्जमानः पिनाकधृक् । प्रविष्टो विवरं तत्र निनदन्भैरवान् रवान्

nandīśvara uvāca tato vṛṣabharūpeṇa garjamānaḥ pinākadhṛk praviṣṭo vivaraṁ tatra ninadanbhairavān ravān

Nandishvara said: Then, in the form of a bull, roaring, the wielder of the Pinaka bow entered that cavern, bellowing terrifying roars.

Verse 2 (shiva.shatarudra.23.2)

निपेतुस्तस्य निनदैः पुराणि नगराणि च । प्रकम्पो हि बभूवाथ सर्वेषां पुरवासिनाम्

nipetustasya ninadaiḥ purāṇi nagarāṇi ca prakampo hi babhūvātha sarveṣāṁ puravāsinām

At his roars the cities and towns collapsed, and a great trembling seized all the inhabitants of those cities.

Verse 3 (shiva.shatarudra.23.3)

ततो वृषो हरेः पुत्रान्सङ्ग्रामोद्यतकार्मुकान् । शिवमायाविमूढात्ममहाबलपराक्रमान्

tato vṛṣo hareḥ putrānsaṅgrāmodyatakārmukān śivamāyāvimūḍhātmamahābalaparākramān

Then the bull confronted the sons of Hari, who had readied their bows for battle, their minds bewildered by Shiva's maya, mighty in strength and valor.

Verse 4 (shiva.shatarudra.23.4)

हरिपुत्रास्ततस्तेऽथ प्राकुप्यन्मुनिसत्तम । प्रदुद्रुवुः प्रगर्ज्योच्चैर्वीराः शङ्करसम्मुखम्

hariputrāstataste'tha prākupyanmunisattama pradudruvuḥ pragarjyoccairvīrāḥ śaṅkarasammukham

O best of sages, those sons of Hari then grew furious, and, roaring loudly, those heroes charged straight at Shankara.

Verse 5 (shiva.shatarudra.23.5)

आयातांस्तान्हरेः पुत्रान् रुद्रो वृषभरूपधृक् । प्राकुप्यद्विष्णुपुत्रांश्च खुरैः शृङ्गैर्व्यदारयत्

āyātāṁstānhareḥ putrān rudro vṛṣabharūpadhṛk prākupyadviṣṇuputrāṁśca khuraiḥ śṛṅgairvyadārayat

Rudra, wearing the form of a bull, grew enraged at those approaching sons of Hari, and tore the sons of Vishnu apart with his hooves and horns.

Verse 6 (shiva.shatarudra.23.6)

विदारिताङ्गा रुद्रेण सर्वे हरिसुताश्च ते । नष्टा द्रुतं सन्बभूवुर्गतप्राणा विचेतसः

vidāritāṅgā rudreṇa sarve harisutāśca te naṣṭā drutaṁ sanbabhūvurgataprāṇā vicetasaḥ

All those sons of Hari, their bodies torn apart by Rudra, quickly perished, becoming lifeless and senseless.

Verse 7 (shiva.shatarudra.23.7)

हतेषु तेषु पुत्रेषु विष्णुर्बलवतां वरः । निष्क्रम्याथ प्रगर्ज्योच्चैर्ययौ शीघ्रं हरान्तिकम्

hateṣu teṣu putreṣu viṣṇurbalavatāṁ varaḥ niṣkramyātha pragarjyoccairyayau śīghraṁ harāntikam

When those sons were slain, Vishnu, foremost among the mighty, came forth roaring loudly, and went swiftly to Hara's presence.

Verse 8 (shiva.shatarudra.23.8)

दृष्ट्वा रुद्रं प्रव्रजन्तं हतविष्णुसुतं वृषम् । शरैः सन्ताडयामास दिव्यैरस्त्रैश्च केशवः

dṛṣṭvā rudraṁ pravrajantaṁ hataviṣṇusutaṁ vṛṣam śaraiḥ santāḍayāmāsa divyairastraiśca keśavaḥ

Seeing that bull-formed Rudra, slayer of his sons, advancing, Keshava assailed him with arrows and divine weapons.

Verse 9 (shiva.shatarudra.23.9)

ततः क्रुद्धो महादेवो वृषरूपी मदाबलः । अस्त्राणि तानि विष्णोश्च जग्रास गिरिगोचरः

tataḥ kruddho mahādevo vṛṣarūpī madābalaḥ astrāṇi tāni viṣṇośca jagrāsa girigocaraḥ

Then Mahadeva, in bull-form, vast as a mountain and fierce as an elephant in rut, enraged, swallowed all those weapons of Vishnu.

Verse 10 (shiva.shatarudra.23.10)

अथ कृत्वा महाकोपं वृषात्मा स महेश्वरः । विननाद महाघोरं कम्पयंस्त्रिजगन्मुने

atha kṛtvā mahākopaṁ vṛṣātmā sa maheśvaraḥ vinanāda mahāghoraṁ kampayaṁstrijaganmune

O sage, then that Maheshvara in bull-form, giving vent to great fury, let out a terrible roar, shaking the three worlds.

Verse 11 (shiva.shatarudra.23.11)

तत उत्प्लुत्य तरसा खुरैः शृङ्गैर्व्यदारयत् । विष्णुं क्रोधाकुलं मूढमजानन्तं निजं हरिम्

tata utplutya tarasā khuraiḥ śṛṅgairvyadārayat viṣṇuṁ krodhākulaṁ mūḍhamajānantaṁ nijaṁ harim

Then, leaping up swiftly, he tore into Vishnu with his hooves and horns — that Vishnu, agitated by rage and deluded, not recognizing his own Lord.

Verse 12 (shiva.shatarudra.23.12)

ततः स शिथिलात्मा हि व्यथिताङ्गो बभूव ह । तत्प्रहारमसह्याशु हरिर्मायाविमोहितः

tataḥ sa śithilātmā hi vyathitāṅgo babhūva ha tatprahāramasahyāśu harirmāyāvimohitaḥ

Then he grew weak, his body pained; Hari, deluded by that maya, was unable to bear that blow.

Verse 13 (shiva.shatarudra.23.13)

गतगर्वो हरिश्चैव विचेता गतचेतनः । ज्ञातवान् परमेशानं विहरन्तं वृषात्मना

gatagarvo hariścaiva vicetā gatacetanaḥ jñātavān parameśānaṁ viharantaṁ vṛṣātmanā

Hari, his pride gone, bewildered, his senses reeling, then recognized the Supreme Lord sporting there in the form of the bull.

Verse 14 (shiva.shatarudra.23.14)

अथ विज्ञाय गौरीशमागतं वृषरूपतः । प्राह गम्भीरया वाचा नतस्कन्धः कृताञ्जलिः

atha vijñāya gaurīśamāgataṁ vṛṣarūpataḥ prāha gambhīrayā vācā nataskandhaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ

Recognizing the Lord of Gauri who had come in the form of a bull, with bowed shoulders and joined hands, he spoke in a deep voice —

Verse 15 (shiva.shatarudra.23.15)

हरिरुवाच । देवदेव महादेव करुणासागर प्रभो । मायया ते महेशान मोहितोऽहं विमूढधीः

hariruvāca devadeva mahādeva karuṇāsāgara prabho māyayā te maheśāna mohito'haṁ vimūḍhadhīḥ

Hari said: O God of gods, Great God, ocean of compassion, O Lord, O Maheshvara! By your maya I have been deluded, my mind utterly confounded.

Verse 16 (shiva.shatarudra.23.16)

कृतं युद्धं त्वयेशेन स्वनाथेन मया प्रभो । कृपां कृत्वा मयि स्वामिन्सोऽपराधो हि सह्यताम्

kṛtaṁ yuddhaṁ tvayeśena svanāthena mayā prabho kṛpāṁ kṛtvā mayi svāminso'parādho hi sahyatām

O Lord, I have made war against you, my own Lord and master; O master, having mercy on me, let this offense of mine be forgiven.

Verse 17 (shiva.shatarudra.23.17)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा हरेर्दीनतया मुने । भगवान् शङ्करः प्राह रमेशं भक्तवत्सलः

nandīśvara uvāca tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā harerdīnatayā mune bhagavān śaṅkaraḥ prāha rameśaṁ bhaktavatsalaḥ

Nandishvara said: O sage, hearing those humble words of Hari, the blessed Shankara, ever fond of his devotees, said to Ramesha —

Verse 18 (shiva.shatarudra.23.18)

हे विष्णो हे महाबुद्धे कथं मां ज्ञातवान्न हि । युद्धं कृतं कृतस्तेऽद्य ज्ञानं सर्वं च विस्मृतम्

he viṣṇo he mahābuddhe kathaṁ māṁ jñātavānna hi yuddhaṁ kṛtaṁ kṛtaste'dya jñānaṁ sarvaṁ ca vismṛtam

O Vishnu, O one of great wisdom, why did you not recognize me? Today you made war, and all your knowledge was forgotten.

Verse 19 (shiva.shatarudra.23.19)

आत्मानं किन्न जानासि मदधीनपराक्रमम् । त्वया नात्र रतिः कार्या निवर्तस्व कुचारतः

ātmānaṁ kinna jānāsi madadhīnaparākramam tvayā nātra ratiḥ kāryā nivartasva kucārataḥ

Do you not know your own self, whose might depends entirely on me? You must not indulge such attachment — turn back from this unworthy conduct of yours.

Verse 20 (shiva.shatarudra.23.20)

कामाधीनं कथं ज्ञानं स्त्रीषु सक्तो विहारकृत् । नोचितं तव देवेश स्मरणं विश्वतारणम्

kāmādhīnaṁ kathaṁ jñānaṁ strīṣu sakto vihārakṛt nocitaṁ tava deveśa smaraṇaṁ viśvatāraṇam

How can knowledge remain, subject to desire, attached to women, given to pleasure? O Lord of gods, it does not become you, whose very remembrance saves the universe.

Verse 21 (shiva.shatarudra.23.21)

तच्छुत्वा शम्भुवचनं विज्ञानप्रदमादरात् । व्रीड्यन्स्वमनसा विष्णुः प्राह वाचं महेश्वरम्

tacchutvā śambhuvacanaṁ vijñānapradamādarāt vrīḍyansvamanasā viṣṇuḥ prāha vācaṁ maheśvaram

Having reverently heard Shambhu's words, which bestowed true understanding, Vishnu, ashamed within his own mind, spoke to Maheshvara —

Verse 22 (shiva.shatarudra.23.22)

विष्णुरुवाच । ममात्र विद्यते चक्रं तद् गृहीत्वेतदादरात् । गमिष्यामि स्वलोकं तं त्वदाज्ञापरिपालकः

viṣṇuruvāca mamātra vidyate cakraṁ tad gṛhītvetadādarāt gamiṣyāmi svalokaṁ taṁ tvadājñāparipālakaḥ

Vishnu said: I have this discus here; taking it up with reverence, I shall go to my own realm, ever the keeper of your command.

Verse 23 (shiva.shatarudra.23.23)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । तदाकर्ण्य महेशानो वचनं वैष्णवं हरः । प्रत्युवाच वृषात्मा हि वृषरक्षः पुनर्हरिम्

nandīśvara uvāca tadākarṇya maheśāno vacanaṁ vaiṣṇavaṁ haraḥ pratyuvāca vṛṣātmā hi vṛṣarakṣaḥ punarharim

Nandishvara said: Hearing that speech of Vishnu, Hara, the great Lord in bull-form, the protector of dharma, spoke again to Hari —

Verse 24 (shiva.shatarudra.23.24)

न विलम्बः प्रकर्त्तव्यो गन्तव्यमित आशु ते । मच्छासनाद्धरे लोके चक्रमत्रैव तिष्ठताम्

na vilambaḥ prakarttavyo gantavyamita āśu te macchāsanāddhare loke cakramatraiva tiṣṭhatām

Make no delay now — you must go from here at once; O Hari, by my command let this discus remain right here in this world.

Verse 25 (shiva.shatarudra.23.25)

सन्तानादित्यसंस्थानाच्छिवत्ववचनादपि । अहं घोरतरं तस्माच्चक्रमन्यद्ददामि ते

santānādityasaṁsthānācchivatvavacanādapi ahaṁ ghorataraṁ tasmāccakramanyaddadāmi te

On account of your lineage and station, and by my own word as Shiva, I give you instead another discus, more terrible than that one.

Verse 26 (shiva.shatarudra.23.26)

एतदुक्त्वा हरोऽलेखीद्दिव्यं कालानलप्रभम् । परं चक्रं प्रदीप्तं हि सर्वदुष्टविनाशनम्

etaduktvā haro'lekhīddivyaṁ kālānalaprabham paraṁ cakraṁ pradīptaṁ hi sarvaduṣṭavināśanam

Having said this, Hara fashioned a blazing divine discus, radiant as the fire of cosmic dissolution, the destroyer of all the wicked.

Verse 27 (shiva.shatarudra.23.27)

विष्णवे प्रददौ चक्रं घोरार्कायुतसुप्रभम् । सर्वामरमुनीन्द्राणां रक्षकाय महात्मने

viṣṇave pradadau cakraṁ ghorārkāyutasuprabham sarvāmaramunīndrāṇāṁ rakṣakāya mahātmane

He gave that discus, radiant as ten thousand terrible suns, to that great-souled Vishnu, protector of all gods and lords of sages.

Verse 28 (shiva.shatarudra.23.28)

लब्ध्वा सुदर्शनं चान्यञ्चक्रं परमदीप्तिमत् । उवाच विबुधांस्तत्र विष्णुर्बुद्धिमतां वरः

labdhvā sudarśanaṁ cānyañcakraṁ paramadīptimat uvāca vibudhāṁstatra viṣṇurbuddhimatāṁ varaḥ

Having received that new, exceedingly radiant discus called Sudarshana, Vishnu, foremost among the wise, spoke there to the gods —

Verse 29 (shiva.shatarudra.23.29)

सर्वदेववरा यूयं मद्वाक्यं शृणुतादरात् । कर्तव्यं तत्तथा शीघ्रं ततः शं वो भविष्यति

sarvadevavarā yūyaṁ madvākyaṁ śṛṇutādarāt kartavyaṁ tattathā śīghraṁ tataḥ śaṁ vo bhaviṣyati

O best of all gods, hear my words with due respect; act on them at once, and then good fortune shall be yours.

Verse 30 (shiva.shatarudra.23.30)

दिव्या वराङ्गनास्सन्ति पाताले यौवनान्विताः । ताभिः सार्द्धं महाक्रीडां यः करोतु करोतु सः

divyā varāṅganāssanti pātāle yauvanānvitāḥ tābhiḥ sārddhaṁ mahākrīḍāṁ yaḥ karotu karotu saḥ

There are divine, excellent women, full of youth, in Patala; whoever wishes to sport greatly with them may do so.

Verse 31 (shiva.shatarudra.23.31)

तच्छुत्वा केशवाद्वाक्यं शूरास्त्रिदशयोनयः । प्रवेष्टुकामाः पातालं बभूवुर्विष्णुना सह

tacchutvā keśavādvākyaṁ śūrāstridaśayonayaḥ praveṣṭukāmāḥ pātālaṁ babhūvurviṣṇunā saha

Hearing these words from Keshava, those heroic ones born of the divine race became eager to enter Patala together with Vishnu.

Verse 32 (shiva.shatarudra.23.32)

विचारमथ विज्ञाय तं तदा भगवान्हरः । क्रोधाच्छापं ददौ घोरं देवयोन्यष्टकस्य च

vicāramatha vijñāya taṁ tadā bhagavānharaḥ krodhācchāpaṁ dadau ghoraṁ devayonyaṣṭakasya ca

Then, learning of that intention, the blessed Hara, in anger, pronounced a terrible curse upon those eight classes of divine beings.

Verse 33 (shiva.shatarudra.23.33)

हर उवाच । वर्जयित्वा मुनिं शान्तं दानवान्वा मदंशजम् । इदं यः प्रविशेत्स्थानं तस्य स्यान्निधनं क्षणात्

hara uvāca varjayitvā muniṁ śāntaṁ dānavānvā madaṁśajam idaṁ yaḥ praviśetsthānaṁ tasya syānnidhanaṁ kṣaṇāt

Hara said: Except for a peaceful sage, a danava, or one born of my own portion, whoever enters this place shall meet instant death.

Verse 34 (shiva.shatarudra.23.34)

श्रुत्वा वाक्यमिदं घोरं मनुष्यहितवर्धनम् । प्रत्याख्यातास्तु रुद्रेण देवाः स्वगृहमाययुः

śrutvā vākyamidaṁ ghoraṁ manuṣyahitavardhanam pratyākhyātāstu rudreṇa devāḥ svagṛhamāyayuḥ

Hearing this terrible pronouncement, which yet increases the welfare of mankind, the gods, rebuffed by Rudra, returned to their own homes.

Verse 35 (shiva.shatarudra.23.35)

एवं स्त्रीलः परो विष्णुः शिवेन प्रतिशासितः । स्वर्लोकमगमद् व्यास स्वास्थ्यं प्राप जगच्च तत्

evaṁ strīlaḥ paro viṣṇuḥ śivena pratiśāsitaḥ svarlokamagamad vyāsa svāsthyaṁ prāpa jagacca tat

Thus Vishnu, excessively given to women, having been chastised by Shiva, O Vyasa, returned to the heavenly world, and the world regained its wellbeing.

Verse 36 (shiva.shatarudra.23.36)

वृषेश्वरोऽपि भगवान् शङ्करो भक्तवत्सलः । इत्थं कृत्वा देवकार्यं जगाम स्वगिरीश्वरम्

vṛṣeśvaro'pi bhagavān śaṅkaro bhaktavatsalaḥ itthaṁ kṛtvā devakāryaṁ jagāma svagirīśvaram

The blessed Shankara, ever fond of his devotees, as Vrisheshvara, having thus accomplished the task of the gods, returned to his own mountain abode.

Verse 37 (shiva.shatarudra.23.37)

वृषेश्वरावतारस्तु वर्णितः शङ्करस्य च । विष्णुमोहहरः शर्वः त्रैलोक्यसुखकारकः

vṛṣeśvarāvatārastu varṇitaḥ śaṅkarasya ca viṣṇumohaharaḥ śarvaḥ trailokyasukhakārakaḥ

Thus has the Vrisheshvara incarnation of Shankara been described — Sharva, the remover of Vishnu's delusion, the bringer of happiness to the three worlds.

Verse 38 (shiva.shatarudra.23.38)

पवित्रमिदमाख्यानं शत्रुबाधाहरं परम् । स्वर्ग्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं सताम्

pavitramidamākhyānaṁ śatrubādhāharaṁ param svargyaṁ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṁ bhuktimuktipradaṁ satām

This pure account is supreme in removing the affliction of enemies; it leads to heaven, brings fame and long life, and bestows enjoyment and liberation upon the virtuous.

Verse 39 (shiva.shatarudra.23.39)

य इदं शृणुयाद्भक्त्या श्रावयेद्वै समाहितः । तथा पठिति यो हीदं पाठयेत् सुधियो नरान् । स भुक्त्वा सकलान् कामान् अन्ते मोक्षमवाप्नुयात्

ya idaṁ śṛṇuyādbhaktyā śrāvayedvai samāhitaḥ tathā paṭhiti yo hīdaṁ pāṭhayet sudhiyo narān sa bhuktvā sakalān kāmān ante mokṣamavāpnuyāt

Whoever, with devotion, hears this, or with a composed mind causes it to be heard, or reads it, or has wise men read it aloud, having enjoyed all desires, attains liberation at the end.