The Vaishyanatha Incarnation

Verse 1 (shiva.shatarudra.26.1)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । शृणु तात प्रवक्ष्यामि शिवस्य परमात्मनः । अवतारं परानन्दं वैश्यनाथाह्वयं मुने

nandīśvara uvāca śṛṇu tāta pravakṣyāmi śivasya paramātmanaḥ avatāraṁ parānandaṁ vaiśyanāthāhvayaṁ mune

Nandishvara said: "Hear, O son — I shall now relate, O sage, the supremely blissful incarnation of Shiva, the Supreme Self, known by the name Vaishyanatha."

Verse 2 (shiva.shatarudra.26.2)

नन्दिग्रामे पुरा काचिन्महानन्देति विश्रुता । बभूव वारवनिता शिवभक्ता सुसुन्दरी

nandigrāme purā kācinmahānandeti viśrutā babhūva vāravanitā śivabhaktā susundarī

Long ago, in Nandigrama, there lived a courtesan renowned by the name Mahananda — a devotee of Shiva, exceedingly beautiful.

Verse 3 (shiva.shatarudra.26.3)

महाविभवसम्पन्ना सुधनाढ्या महोज्ज्वला । नानारत्नपरिच्छिन्नशृङ्गाररसनिर्भरा

mahāvibhavasampannā sudhanāḍhyā mahojjvalā nānāratnaparicchinnaśṛṅgārarasanirbharā

Endowed with great splendor, rich in wealth, radiant, and adorned with jewels of every kind, she overflowed with the sentiment of romance.

Verse 4 (shiva.shatarudra.26.4)

सर्वसङ्गीतविद्यासु निपुणातिमनोहरा । तस्या गेयेन हृष्यन्ति राज्ञ्यो राजान एव च

sarvasaṅgītavidyāsu nipuṇātimanoharā tasyā geyena hṛṣyanti rājñyo rājāna eva ca

Skilled in every art of music and exceedingly charming, she delighted queens and kings alike with her singing.

Verse 5 (shiva.shatarudra.26.5)

समानर्च सदा साम्बं सा वेश्या शङ्करं मुदा । शिवनामजपासक्ता भस्मरुद्राक्षभूषणा

samānarca sadā sāmbaṁ sā veśyā śaṅkaraṁ mudā śivanāmajapāsaktā bhasmarudrākṣabhūṣaṇā

That courtesan always worshipped Shankara together with Uma with great joy, devoted to the repetition of Shiva's name, adorned with sacred ash and rudraksha.

Verse 6 (shiva.shatarudra.26.6)

शिवं सम्पूज्य सा नित्यं सेवन्ती जगदीश्वरम् । ननर्त परया भक्त्या गायन्ती शिवसद्यशः

śivaṁ sampūjya sā nityaṁ sevantī jagadīśvaram nanarta parayā bhaktyā gāyantī śivasadyaśaḥ

Daily worshipping Shiva and serving the Lord of the universe, she danced with supreme devotion, singing the pure glory of Shiva.

Verse 7 (shiva.shatarudra.26.7)

रुद्राक्षैर्भूषयित्वैकं मर्कटं चैव कुक्कुटम् । करतालैश्च गीतैश्च सदा नर्तयति स्म सा

rudrākṣairbhūṣayitvaikaṁ markaṭaṁ caiva kukkuṭam karatālaiśca gītaiśca sadā nartayati sma sā

Adorning a monkey and a rooster with rudraksha beads, she would make them dance always to the beat of cymbals and to song.

Verse 8 (shiva.shatarudra.26.8)

नृत्यमानौ च तौ दृष्ट्वा शिवभक्तिरता च सा । वेश्या स्म विहसत्युच्चैः प्रेम्णा सर्वसखीयुता

nṛtyamānau ca tau dṛṣṭvā śivabhaktiratā ca sā veśyā sma vihasatyuccaiḥ premṇā sarvasakhīyutā

Seeing the two of them dance, that courtesan, devoted to Shiva, would laugh aloud in delight together with all her companions.

Verse 9 (shiva.shatarudra.26.9)

रुद्राक्षैः कृतकेयूरकर्णाभरणमण्डना । मर्कटः शिक्षया तस्याः पुरो नृत्यति बालवत्

rudrākṣaiḥ kṛtakeyūrakarṇābharaṇamaṇḍanā markaṭaḥ śikṣayā tasyāḥ puro nṛtyati bālavat

Adorned with armlets and earrings made of rudraksha, the monkey, trained by her, danced before her like a child.

Verse 10 (shiva.shatarudra.26.10)

शिखासम्बद्धरुद्राक्षः कुक्कुटः कपिना सह । नित्यं ननर्त नृत्यज्ञः पश्यतां हितमावहन्

śikhāsambaddharudrākṣaḥ kukkuṭaḥ kapinā saha nityaṁ nanarta nṛtyajñaḥ paśyatāṁ hitamāvahan

The rooster too, a rudraksha bound to its crest, danced daily together with the monkey, skilled in dance, delighting all who watched.

Verse 11 (shiva.shatarudra.26.11)

एवं सा कुर्वती वेश्या कौतुकं परमादरात् । शिवभक्तिरता नित्यं महानन्दभराभवत्

evaṁ sā kurvatī veśyā kautukaṁ paramādarāt śivabhaktiratā nityaṁ mahānandabharābhavat

Thus, performing this delightful spectacle with the utmost reverence and ever devoted to Shiva, she was filled with great joy.

Verse 12 (shiva.shatarudra.26.12)

शिवभक्तिं प्रकुर्वन्त्या वेश्याया मुनिसत्तम । बहुकालो व्यतीयाय तस्याः परमसौख्यतः

śivabhaktiṁ prakurvantyā veśyāyā munisattama bahukālo vyatīyāya tasyāḥ paramasaukhyataḥ

O foremost of sages, as she practiced this devotion to Shiva, a long time passed for her in supreme happiness.

Verse 13 (shiva.shatarudra.26.13)

एकदा च गृहे तस्या वैश्यो भूत्वा शिवः स्वयम् । परीक्षितुं च तद्भावमाजगाम शुभो व्रती

ekadā ca gṛhe tasyā vaiśyo bhūtvā śivaḥ svayam parīkṣituṁ ca tadbhāvamājagāma śubho vratī

Then one day, auspicious Shiva himself, ever true to his vow, took the form of a merchant and came to her house to test her devotion.

Verse 14 (shiva.shatarudra.26.14)

त्रिपुण्ड्रविलसद्भालो रुद्राक्षाभरणः कृती । शिवनामजपासक्तो जटिलः शैववेषभृत्

tripuṇḍravilasadbhālo rudrākṣābharaṇaḥ kṛtī śivanāmajapāsakto jaṭilaḥ śaivaveṣabhṛt

His forehead shone with the triple horizontal mark; he was adorned with rudraksha, skilled, devoted to the japa of Shiva's name, matted-haired, and dressed as a Shaiva ascetic.

Verse 15 (shiva.shatarudra.26.15)

स बिभ्रद्भस्मनिचयं प्रकोष्ठे वरकङ्कणम् । महारत्नपरिस्तीर्णं राजते परकौतुकी

sa bibhradbhasmanicayaṁ prakoṣṭhe varakaṅkaṇam mahāratnaparistīrṇaṁ rājate parakautukī

He bore sacred ash upon him, and on his wrist a splendid bracelet studded with great jewels, appearing most wondrous.

Verse 16 (shiva.shatarudra.26.16)

तमागतं सुसम्पूज्य सा वेश्या परया मुदा । स्वस्थाने सादरं वैश्यं सुन्दरी हि न्यवेशयत्

tamāgataṁ susampūjya sā veśyā parayā mudā svasthāne sādaraṁ vaiśyaṁ sundarī hi nyaveśayat

Worshipping him well as he arrived, that beautiful courtesan, with the greatest joy, respectfully seated the merchant in her own place.

Verse 17 (shiva.shatarudra.26.17)

तत्प्रकोष्ठे वरं वीक्ष्य कङ्कणं सुमनोहरम् । तस्मिञ्जातस्पृहा सा च तं प्रोवाच सुविस्मिता

tatprakoṣṭhe varaṁ vīkṣya kaṅkaṇaṁ sumanoharam tasmiñjātaspṛhā sā ca taṁ provāca suvismitā

Seeing on his wrist that exquisite, splendid bracelet, she conceived a longing for it, and, greatly astonished, spoke to him.

Verse 18 (shiva.shatarudra.26.18)

महानन्दोवाच । महारत्नमयश्चायं कङ्कणस्त्वत्करे स्थितः । मनो हरति मे सद्यो दिव्यस्त्रीभूषणोचितः

mahānandovāca mahāratnamayaścāyaṁ kaṅkaṇastvatkare sthitaḥ mano harati me sadyo divyastrībhūṣaṇocitaḥ

Mahananda said: "This bracelet made of great jewels, resting on your hand, at once steals my heart — it is fit to be the ornament of a celestial woman."

Verse 19 (shiva.shatarudra.26.19)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति तां नवरत्नाढ्ये सस्पृहां करभूषणे । वीक्ष्योदारमतिर्वैश्यः सस्मितं समभाषत

nandīśvara uvāca iti tāṁ navaratnāḍhye saspṛhāṁ karabhūṣaṇe vīkṣyodāramatirvaiśyaḥ sasmitaṁ samabhāṣata

Nandishvara said: Seeing her longing thus for the wrist-ornament rich with nine kinds of jewels, the merchant, generous of mind, spoke to her with a smile.

Verse 20 (shiva.shatarudra.26.20)

वैश्यनाथ उवाच । अस्मिन् रत्नवरे दिव्ये सस्पृहं यदि ते मनः । त्वमेवाधत्स्व सुप्रीत्या मौल्यमस्य ददासि किम्

vaiśyanātha uvāca asmin ratnavare divye saspṛhaṁ yadi te manaḥ tvamevādhatsva suprītyā maulyamasya dadāsi kim

Vaishyanatha said: "If your mind longs for this splendid, divine jewel, take it gladly for yourself — but what price will you give for it?"

Verse 21 (shiva.shatarudra.26.21)

वेश्योवाच । वयं हि स्वैरचारिण्यो वेश्यास्तु न पतिव्रताः । अस्मत्कुलोचितो धर्मो व्यभिचारो न संशयः

veśyovāca vayaṁ hi svairacāriṇyo veśyāstu na pativratāḥ asmatkulocito dharmo vyabhicāro na saṁśayaḥ

The courtesan said: "We courtesans are free to act as we please; we are not devoted to a single husband. The dharma proper to our kind is unchastity, without doubt."

Verse 22 (shiva.shatarudra.26.22)

यद्येतदखिलं चित्तं गृह्णाति करभूषणम् । दिनत्रयमहोरात्रं पत्नी तव भवाम्यहम्

yadyetadakhilaṁ cittaṁ gṛhṇāti karabhūṣaṇam dinatrayamahorātraṁ patnī tava bhavāmyaham

"If this wrist-ornament so completely captures my heart, then for three days and nights I shall become your wife."

Verse 23 (shiva.shatarudra.26.23)

वैश्य उवाच । तथास्तु यदि ते सत्यं वचनं वीरवल्लभे । ददामि रत्नवलयं त्रिरात्रं भव मे वधूः

vaiśya uvāca tathāstu yadi te satyaṁ vacanaṁ vīravallabhe dadāmi ratnavalayaṁ trirātraṁ bhava me vadhūḥ

The merchant said: "So be it, O beloved of heroes, if your word is true. I give you this jeweled bracelet — for three nights, be my bride."

Verse 24 (shiva.shatarudra.26.24)

एतस्मिन्व्यवहारे तु प्रमाणं शशिभास्करौ । त्रिवारं सत्यमित्युक्त्वा हृदयं मे स्पृश प्रिये

etasminvyavahāre tu pramāṇaṁ śaśibhāskarau trivāraṁ satyamityuktvā hṛdayaṁ me spṛśa priye

"In this agreement, let the moon and the sun be witnesses. Say three times 'It is true,' and touch my heart, O beloved."

Verse 25 (shiva.shatarudra.26.25)

वेश्योवाच । दिनत्रयमहोरात्रं पत्नी भूत्वा तव प्रभो । सहधर्मं चरामीति सत्यं सत्यं न संशयः

veśyovāca dinatrayamahorātraṁ patnī bhūtvā tava prabho sahadharmaṁ carāmīti satyaṁ satyaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

The courtesan said: "O lord, becoming your wife for three days and nights, I shall walk beside you in this bond — it is true, true, without doubt."

Verse 26 (shiva.shatarudra.26.26)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा हि महानन्दा त्रिवारं शशिभास्करौ । प्रमाणीकृत्य सुप्रीत्या सा तद् हृदयमस्पृशत्

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktvā hi mahānandā trivāraṁ śaśibhāskarau pramāṇīkṛtya suprītyā sā tad hṛdayamaspṛśat

Nandishvara said: Having said this, Mahananda, calling the moon and the sun to witness three times, with great joy touched his heart.

Verse 27 (shiva.shatarudra.26.27)

अथ तस्यै स वैश्यस्तु प्रदत्त्वा रत्नकङ्कणम् । लिङ्गं रत्नमयं तस्य हस्ते दत्त्वेदमब्रवीत्

atha tasyai sa vaiśyastu pradattvā ratnakaṅkaṇam liṅgaṁ ratnamayaṁ tasya haste dattvedamabravīt

Then the merchant, having given her the jeweled bracelet, placed in her hand a linga made of jewels, and spoke thus.

Verse 28 (shiva.shatarudra.26.28)

वैश्यनाथ उवाच । इदं रत्नमयं लिङ्गं शैवं मत्प्राणदवल्लभम् । रक्षणीयं त्वया कान्ते गोपनीयं प्रयत्नतः

vaiśyanātha uvāca idaṁ ratnamayaṁ liṅgaṁ śaivaṁ matprāṇadavallabham rakṣaṇīyaṁ tvayā kānte gopanīyaṁ prayatnataḥ

Vaishyanatha said: "This jeweled Shiva-linga is as dear to me as my own life. It must be guarded by you, beloved, and carefully kept hidden."

Verse 29 (shiva.shatarudra.26.29)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । एवमस्त्विति सा प्रोच्य लिङ्गमादाय रत्नजम् । नाट्यमण्डपिकामध्ये निधाय प्राविशद् गृहम्

nandīśvara uvāca evamastviti sā procya liṅgamādāya ratnajam nāṭyamaṇḍapikāmadhye nidhāya prāviśad gṛham

Nandishvara said: Saying "So be it," she took the jewel-born linga, placed it in the middle of the dance-pavilion, and went into her house.

Verse 30 (shiva.shatarudra.26.30)

सा तेन सङ्गता रात्रौ वैश्येन विटधर्मिणा । सुखं सुष्वाप पर्यङ्के मृदुतल्पोपशोभिते

sā tena saṅgatā rātrau vaiśyena viṭadharmiṇā sukhaṁ suṣvāpa paryaṅke mṛdutalpopaśobhite

United that night with the merchant, in the manner proper to her craft, she slept happily upon a couch adorned with a soft bed.

Verse 31 (shiva.shatarudra.26.31)

ततो निशीथसमये मुने वैश्यपतीच्छया । अकस्मादुत्थिता वाणी नृत्यमण्डपिकान्तरे

tato niśīthasamaye mune vaiśyapatīcchayā akasmādutthitā vāṇī nṛtyamaṇḍapikāntare

O sage, then at midnight, by the will of the lord-merchant, a voice suddenly arose within the dance-pavilion.

Verse 32 (shiva.shatarudra.26.32)

महाप्रज्वलितो वह्निः सुसमीरसहायवान् । नाट्यमण्डपिकां तात तामेव सहसावृणोत्

mahāprajvalito vahniḥ susamīrasahāyavān nāṭyamaṇḍapikāṁ tāta tāmeva sahasāvṛṇot

O son, a mighty blazing fire, aided by a strong wind, suddenly engulfed that very dance-pavilion.

Verse 33 (shiva.shatarudra.26.33)

मण्डपे दह्यमाने तु सहसोत्थाय सम्भ्रमात् । मर्कटं मोचयामास सा वेश्या तत्र बन्धनात्

maṇḍape dahyamāne tu sahasotthāya sambhramāt markaṭaṁ mocayāmāsa sā veśyā tatra bandhanāt

As the pavilion burned, the courtesan rose up at once in alarm and freed the monkey there from its binding.

Verse 34 (shiva.shatarudra.26.34)

स मर्कटो मुक्तबन्धः कुक्कुटेन सहामुना । भिया दूरं हि दुद्राव विधूयाग्निकणान्बहून्

sa markaṭo muktabandhaḥ kukkuṭena sahāmunā bhiyā dūraṁ hi dudrāva vidhūyāgnikaṇānbahūn

That monkey, its bonds loosed, fled far away in fear together with the rooster, shaking off many sparks of fire.

Verse 35 (shiva.shatarudra.26.35)

स्तम्भेन सह निर्दग्धं तल्लिङ्गं शकलीकृतम् । दृष्ट्वा वेश्या स वैश्यश्च दुरन्तं दुःखमापतुः

stambhena saha nirdagdhaṁ talliṅgaṁ śakalīkṛtam dṛṣṭvā veśyā sa vaiśyaśca durantaṁ duḥkhamāpatuḥ

Seeing that the linga, along with its pillar, had been utterly burnt and shattered into fragments, the courtesan and the merchant fell into unbearable grief.

Verse 36 (shiva.shatarudra.26.36)

दृष्ट्वा ह्यात्मसमं लिङ्गं दग्धं वैश्यपतिस्तदा । ज्ञातुं तद्भावमन्तःस्थं मरणाय मतिं दधे

dṛṣṭvā hyātmasamaṁ liṅgaṁ dagdhaṁ vaiśyapatistadā jñātuṁ tadbhāvamantaḥsthaṁ maraṇāya matiṁ dadhe

Seeing the linga, dear to him as his own self, burnt, the lord-merchant then, to test the feeling within her heart, resolved upon death.

Verse 37 (shiva.shatarudra.26.37)

निविश्येऽतितरां खेदाद्वैश्यस्तामाह दुःखिताम् । नानालीलो महेशानः कौतुकान्नरदेहवान्

niviśye'titarāṁ khedādvaiśyastāmāha duḥkhitām nānālīlo maheśānaḥ kautukānnaradehavān

Sunk in the deepest grief, the merchant — the great Lord of manifold plays, who out of a playful desire had taken a human form — spoke to her in her sorrow.

Verse 38 (shiva.shatarudra.26.38)

वैश्यपतिरुवाच । शिवलिङ्गे तु निर्भिन्ने दग्धे महत्प्राणवल्लभे । सत्यं वच्मि न सन्देहो नाहं जीवितुमुत्सहे

vaiśyapatiruvāca śivaliṅge tu nirbhinne dagdhe mahatprāṇavallabhe satyaṁ vacmi na sandeho nāhaṁ jīvitumutsahe

The lord-merchant said: "O gracious one, now that the Shiva-linga, dearer to me than life, lies shattered and burnt, I speak the truth, without doubt — I have no wish to live."

Verse 39 (shiva.shatarudra.26.39)

चितां कारय मे भद्रे स्वभृत्यैस्त्वं वरैर्लघु । शिवे मनः समावेश्य प्रवेक्ष्यामि हुताशनम्

citāṁ kāraya me bhadre svabhṛtyaistvaṁ varairlaghu śive manaḥ samāveśya pravekṣyāmi hutāśanam

"O gracious one, have your good servants quickly prepare a funeral pyre for me. Fixing my mind upon Shiva, I shall enter the fire."

Verse 40 (shiva.shatarudra.26.40)

यदि ब्रह्मेन्द्रविष्ण्वाद्या वारयेयुः समेत्य माम् । तथाप्यस्मिन् क्षणे भद्रे प्रविशामि त्यजाम्यसून्

yadi brahmendraviṣṇvādyā vārayeyuḥ sametya mām tathāpyasmin kṣaṇe bhadre praviśāmi tyajāmyasūn

"Even if Brahma, Indra, Vishnu, and the other gods were to come together to stop me, O gracious one, still in this very moment I shall enter and give up my life."

Verse 41 (shiva.shatarudra.26.41)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । तमेवं दृढनिर्बन्धं सा विज्ञाय सुदुःखिता । स्वभृत्यैः कारयामास चितां स्वभवनाद् बहिः

nandīśvara uvāca tamevaṁ dṛḍhanirbandhaṁ sā vijñāya suduḥkhitā svabhṛtyaiḥ kārayāmāsa citāṁ svabhavanād bahiḥ

Nandishvara said: Understanding his resolve to be so firm, she, deeply grieved, had her own servants build the pyre outside her house.

Verse 42 (shiva.shatarudra.26.42)

ततः स वैश्यः शिव एक एव प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य समिद्धमग्निम् । विवेश पश्यत्सु नरेषु धीरः सुकौतुकी सङ्गतिभावमिच्छुः

tataḥ sa vaiśyaḥ śiva eka eva pradakṣiṇīkṛtya samiddhamagnim viveśa paśyatsu nareṣu dhīraḥ sukautukī saṅgatibhāvamicchuḥ

Then that merchant, who was none but Shiva himself, circumambulated the kindled fire and, resolute and full of playful wonder, wishing to test the depth of her feeling, entered it before the eyes of the assembled people.

Verse 43 (shiva.shatarudra.26.43)

दृष्ट्वा सा तद्गतिं वेश्या महानन्दातिविस्मिता । अनुतापं च युवती प्रपेदे मुनिसत्तम

dṛṣṭvā sā tadgatiṁ veśyā mahānandātivismitā anutāpaṁ ca yuvatī prapede munisattama

O foremost of sages, seeing his fate, Mahananda, that young woman, was greatly astonished and fell into deep remorse.

Verse 44 (shiva.shatarudra.26.44)

अथ सा दुःखिता वेश्या स्मृत्वा धर्म सुनिर्मलम् । सर्वान्बन्धुजनान्वीक्ष्य बभाषे करुणं वचः

atha sā duḥkhitā veśyā smṛtvā dharma sunirmalam sarvānbandhujanānvīkṣya babhāṣe karuṇaṁ vacaḥ

Then that grieving courtesan, remembering the pure dharma, looked upon all her kinsfolk and spoke these mournful words.

Verse 45 (shiva.shatarudra.26.45)

महानन्दोवाच । रत्नकङ्कणमादाय मया सत्यमुदाहृतम् । दिनत्रयमहं पत्नी वैश्यस्यामुष्य सम्मता

mahānandovāca ratnakaṅkaṇamādāya mayā satyamudāhṛtam dinatrayamahaṁ patnī vaiśyasyāmuṣya sammatā

Mahananda said: "Having accepted the jeweled bracelet, I spoke the truth — that for three days I would be recognized as this merchant's wife."

Verse 46 (shiva.shatarudra.26.46)

कर्मणा मत्कृतेनायं मृतो वैश्यः शिवव्रती । तस्मादहं प्रवेक्ष्यामि सहानेन हुताशनम्

karmaṇā matkṛtenāyaṁ mṛto vaiśyaḥ śivavratī tasmādahaṁ pravekṣyāmi sahānena hutāśanam

"Because of an act done by me, this merchant, devoted to the vow of Shiva, has died. Therefore I too shall enter the fire together with him."

Verse 47 (shiva.shatarudra.26.47)

स्वधर्मचारिणीत्युक्तमाचार्यैः सत्यवादिभिः । एवं कृते मम प्रीत्या सत्यं मयि न नश्यतु

svadharmacāriṇītyuktamācāryaiḥ satyavādibhiḥ evaṁ kṛte mama prītyā satyaṁ mayi na naśyatu

"The truthful teachers have declared that a woman who follows her own dharma acts thus. Doing so gladly, let truth not be lost in me."

Verse 48 (shiva.shatarudra.26.48)

सत्याश्रयः परो धर्मः सत्येन परमा गतिः । सत्येन स्वर्गमोक्षौ च सत्ये सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्

satyāśrayaḥ paro dharmaḥ satyena paramā gatiḥ satyena svargamokṣau ca satye sarvaṁ pratiṣṭhitam

"The highest dharma rests upon truth; through truth the supreme goal is attained. Through truth come heaven and liberation both; upon truth everything is established."

Verse 49 (shiva.shatarudra.26.49)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति सा दृढनिर्बन्धा वार्यमाणापि बन्धुभिः । सत्यलोपभिया नारी प्राणांस्त्यक्तुं मनो दधे

nandīśvara uvāca iti sā dṛḍhanirbandhā vāryamāṇāpi bandhubhiḥ satyalopabhiyā nārī prāṇāṁstyaktuṁ mano dadhe

Nandishvara said: Thus resolved, that woman, though restrained by her kinsfolk, out of fear of breaking her word, made up her mind to give up her life.

Verse 50 (shiva.shatarudra.26.50)

सर्वस्वं द्विजमुख्येभ्यो दत्त्वा ध्यात्वा सदाशिवम् । तमग्निं त्रिःपरिक्रम्य प्रवेशाभिमुखी ह्यभूत्

sarvasvaṁ dvijamukhyebhyo dattvā dhyātvā sadāśivam tamagniṁ triḥparikramya praveśābhimukhī hyabhūt

Giving away all her wealth to the foremost brahmins, meditating on Sadashiva, and circling that fire three times, she turned to enter it.

Verse 51 (shiva.shatarudra.26.51)

तां पतन्तीं समिद्धेऽग्नौ स्वपदार्पितमानसाम् । वारयामास विश्वात्मा प्रादुर्भूतः स वै शिवः

tāṁ patantīṁ samiddhe'gnau svapadārpitamānasām vārayāmāsa viśvātmā prādurbhūtaḥ sa vai śivaḥ

As she, her mind wholly given to his feet, fell toward the kindled fire, Shiva, the Soul of the universe, manifested and stopped her.

Verse 52 (shiva.shatarudra.26.52)

सा तं विलोक्याखिलदेवदेवं त्रिलोचनं चन्द्रकलावतंसम् । शशाङ्कसूर्यानलकोटिभासं स्तब्धेव भीतेव तथैव तस्थौ

sā taṁ vilokyākhiladevadevaṁ trilocanaṁ candrakalāvataṁsam śaśāṅkasūryānalakoṭibhāsaṁ stabdheva bhīteva tathaiva tasthau

Beholding him — the God of all gods, three-eyed, crowned with the crescent moon, blazing with the light of a million moons, suns, and fires — she stood transfixed, as though frozen and afraid.

Verse 53 (shiva.shatarudra.26.53)

तां विह्वलां सुवित्रस्तां वेपमानां जडीकृताम् । समाश्वास्य गलद्बाष्पां करौ धृत्वाब्रवीद्वचः

tāṁ vihvalāṁ suvitrastāṁ vepamānāṁ jaḍīkṛtām samāśvāsya galadbāṣpāṁ karau dhṛtvābravīdvacaḥ

Comforting her, bewildered, greatly terrified, trembling, and stupefied, with tears streaming down, he took her two hands and spoke these words.

Verse 54 (shiva.shatarudra.26.54)

शिव उवाच । सत्यं धर्मं च धैर्यं च भक्तिं च मयि निश्चलाम् । परीक्षितुं त्वत्सकाशं वैश्यो भूत्वाहमागतः

śiva uvāca satyaṁ dharmaṁ ca dhairyaṁ ca bhaktiṁ ca mayi niścalām parīkṣituṁ tvatsakāśaṁ vaiśyo bhūtvāhamāgataḥ

Shiva said: "To test your truthfulness, your righteousness, your courage, and your unwavering devotion to me, I came to you having taken the form of a merchant."

Verse 55 (shiva.shatarudra.26.55)

माययाग्निं समुद्दीप्य दग्धं ते नाट्यमण्डपम् । दग्धं कृत्वा रत्नलिङ्गं प्रविष्टोऽहं हुताशनम्

māyayāgniṁ samuddīpya dagdhaṁ te nāṭyamaṇḍapam dagdhaṁ kṛtvā ratnaliṅgaṁ praviṣṭo'haṁ hutāśanam

"By my power of illusion I kindled the fire that burned your dance-pavilion; and having made the jeweled linga seem burnt, I entered the fire myself."

Verse 56 (shiva.shatarudra.26.56)

सा त्वं सत्यमनुस्मृत्य प्रविष्टाग्निं मया सहा । अतस्ते सम्प्रदास्यामि भोगांस्त्रिदशदुर्लभान्

sā tvaṁ satyamanusmṛtya praviṣṭāgniṁ mayā sahā ataste sampradāsyāmi bhogāṁstridaśadurlabhān

"You, remembering the truth, were ready to enter the fire together with me. Therefore I shall grant you enjoyments hard even for the gods to attain."

Verse 57 (shiva.shatarudra.26.57)

यद्यदिच्छसि सुश्रोणि तदेव हि ददामि ते । त्वद्भक्त्याहं प्रसन्नोऽस्मि तवादेयं न विद्यते

yadyadicchasi suśroṇi tadeva hi dadāmi te tvadbhaktyāhaṁ prasanno'smi tavādeyaṁ na vidyate

"Whatever you desire, O fair one, that indeed I shall give you. I am well pleased by your devotion — there is nothing I would not give you."

Verse 58 (shiva.shatarudra.26.58)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति ब्रुवति गौरीशे शङ्करे भक्तवत्सले । महानन्दा च सा वेश्या शङ्करं प्रत्यभाषत

nandīśvara uvāca iti bruvati gaurīśe śaṅkare bhaktavatsale mahānandā ca sā veśyā śaṅkaraṁ pratyabhāṣata

Nandishvara said: As Shankara, the Lord of Gauri who cherishes his devotees, spoke thus, that courtesan Mahananda answered him.

Verse 59 (shiva.shatarudra.26.59)

वेश्योवाच । न मे वाञ्छास्ति भोगेषु भूमौ स्वर्गे रसातले । तव पादाम्बुजस्पर्शादन्यत्किञ्चिन्न कामये

veśyovāca na me vāñchāsti bhogeṣu bhūmau svarge rasātale tava pādāmbujasparśādanyatkiñcinna kāmaye

The courtesan said: "I have no desire for enjoyments on earth, in heaven, or in the netherworld. Beyond the touch of your lotus feet, I desire nothing whatsoever."

Verse 60 (shiva.shatarudra.26.60)

ये मे भृत्याश्च दास्यश्च ये चान्ये मम बान्धवाः । सर्वे त्वद्दर्शनपरास्त्वयि सन्न्यस्तवृत्तयः

ye me bhṛtyāśca dāsyaśca ye cānye mama bāndhavāḥ sarve tvaddarśanaparāstvayi sannyastavṛttayaḥ

"My servants, my maids, and all my other kinsfolk — let all of them be devoted to your vision, their whole way of life surrendered to you."

Verse 61 (shiva.shatarudra.26.61)

सर्वानेतान्मया सार्धं निनीयात्मपरं पदम् । पुनर्जन्मभयं घोरं विमोचय नमोऽस्तु ते

sarvānetānmayā sārdhaṁ ninīyātmaparaṁ padam punarjanmabhayaṁ ghoraṁ vimocaya namo'stu te

"Take all of these, together with me, to your own supreme abode; free us from the terrible fear of rebirth. Salutations to you."

Verse 62 (shiva.shatarudra.26.62)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । ततः स तस्या वचनं प्रतिनन्द्य महेश्वरः । ताः सर्वाश्च तया सार्धं निनाय स्वं परं पदम्

nandīśvara uvāca tataḥ sa tasyā vacanaṁ pratinandya maheśvaraḥ tāḥ sarvāśca tayā sārdhaṁ nināya svaṁ paraṁ padam

Nandishvara said: Then Maheshvara, welcoming her words with joy, led all of them, together with her, to his own supreme abode.

Verse 63 (shiva.shatarudra.26.63)

वैश्यनाथावतारस्ते वर्णितः परमो मया । महानन्दासुखकरो भक्तानन्दप्रदः सदा

vaiśyanāthāvatāraste varṇitaḥ paramo mayā mahānandāsukhakaro bhaktānandapradaḥ sadā

Thus has the supreme Vaishyanatha incarnation been described by me to you — the bringer of joy to Mahananda, ever bestowing bliss upon his devotees.

Verse 64 (shiva.shatarudra.26.64)

इदं चरित्रं परमं पवित्रं सतां च सर्वप्रदमाशु दिव्यम् । शिवावतारस्य विशाम्पतेर्महानन्दामहासौख्यकरं विचित्रम्

idaṁ caritraṁ paramaṁ pavitraṁ satāṁ ca sarvapradamāśu divyam śivāvatārasya viśāmpatermahānandāmahāsaukhyakaraṁ vicitram

This story is supremely sacred and divine, swiftly granting all things to the virtuous — the wondrous, joy-bestowing tale of Shiva's incarnation as Vaishyanatha, together with Mahananda.

Verse 65 (shiva.shatarudra.26.65)

इदं यः शृणुयाद्भक्त्या श्रावयेद्वा समाहितः । च्यवते न स्वधर्मात्स परत्र लभते गतिम्

idaṁ yaḥ śṛṇuyādbhaktyā śrāvayedvā samāhitaḥ cyavate na svadharmātsa paratra labhate gatim

Whoever hears this with devotion, or with a composed mind causes it to be heard, does not fall away from his own dharma and attains the highest goal in the world beyond.