The Bhikshuvarya Incarnation: The Story of Dharmagupta

Verse 1 (shiva.shatarudra.31.1)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । अथ वक्ष्ये मुनिश्रेष्ठ शम्भोः शृण्ववतारकम् । स्वभक्तदयया विप्र नारीसन्देहभञ्जकम्

nandīśvara uvāca atha vakṣye muniśreṣṭha śambhoḥ śṛṇvavatārakam svabhaktadayayā vipra nārīsandehabhañjakam

Nandishvara said: Now, O foremost of sages, hear the incarnation of Shambhu that I shall relate — one that, out of compassion for his own devotee, O brahmin, dispelled a woman's doubt.

Verse 2 (shiva.shatarudra.31.2)

आसीत्सत्यरथो नाम्ना विदर्भविषये नृपः । धर्मात्मा सत्यशीलश्च महाशैवजनप्रियः

āsītsatyaratho nāmnā vidarbhaviṣaye nṛpaḥ dharmātmā satyaśīlaśca mahāśaivajanapriyaḥ

There was a king named Satyaratha in the land of Vidarbha — righteous of soul, of truthful character, and beloved of the great Shaiva people.

Verse 3 (shiva.shatarudra.31.3)

तस्य राज्ञः सुधर्मेण महीं पालयतो मुने । महान्कालो व्यतीयाय सुखेन शिवधर्मतः

tasya rājñaḥ sudharmeṇa mahīṁ pālayato mune mahānkālo vyatīyāya sukhena śivadharmataḥ

O sage, as that king ruled the earth with good dharma, a long time passed happily for him through his devotion to the dharma of Shiva.

Verse 4 (shiva.shatarudra.31.4)

कदाचित्तस्य राज्ञस्तु शाल्वैश्च पुररोधिभिः । महान् रणो बभूवाथ बहुसैन्यैर्बलोद्धतैः

kadācittasya rājñastu śālvaiśca purarodhibhiḥ mahān raṇo babhūvātha bahusainyairbaloddhataiḥ

Once, a great war arose for that king against the Shalvas, who besieged his city with vast armies, mighty and arrogant in strength.

Verse 5 (shiva.shatarudra.31.5)

स विदर्भनृपः कृत्वा सार्धं तैर्दारुणं रणम् । प्रनष्टोरुबलः शाल्वैर्निहतो दैवयोगतः

sa vidarbhanṛpaḥ kṛtvā sārdhaṁ tairdāruṇaṁ raṇam pranaṣṭorubalaḥ śālvairnihato daivayogataḥ

That king of Vidarbha, having fought a terrible battle against them, his great army destroyed, was slain by the Shalvas through the working of fate.

Verse 6 (shiva.shatarudra.31.6)

तस्मिन्नृपे हते युद्धे शाल्वैस्तु भयविह्वलाः । सैनिका हतशेषाश्च मन्त्रिभिः सह दुद्रुवुः

tasminnṛpe hate yuddhe śālvaistu bhayavihvalāḥ sainikā hataśeṣāśca mantribhiḥ saha dudruvuḥ

When that king was slain in battle by the Shalvas, the remaining soldiers, overwhelmed with fear, fled together with the ministers.

Verse 7 (shiva.shatarudra.31.7)

अथ तस्य महाराज्ञी रात्रौ स्वपुरतो मुने । संरुद्धा रिपुभिर्यत्नादन्तर्वत्नी बहिर्ययौ

atha tasya mahārājñī rātrau svapurato mune saṁruddhā ripubhiryatnādantarvatnī bahiryayau

O sage, then his great queen, who was pregnant, though the city was besieged and blocked by the enemy, made her way out with great effort in the night.

Verse 8 (shiva.shatarudra.31.8)

निर्गता शोकसन्तप्ता सा राजमहिषी शनैः । प्राचीं दिशं ययौ दूरं स्मरन्तीशपदाम्बुजम्

nirgatā śokasantaptā sā rājamahiṣī śanaiḥ prācīṁ diśaṁ yayau dūraṁ smarantīśapadāmbujam

Having gone forth, that grieving queen slowly journeyed far toward the eastern direction, remembering the lotus feet of the Lord.

Verse 9 (shiva.shatarudra.31.9)

अथ प्रभाते सा राज्ञी ददर्श विमलं सरः । अतीता दूरमध्वानं दयया शङ्करस्य हि

atha prabhāte sā rājñī dadarśa vimalaṁ saraḥ atītā dūramadhvānaṁ dayayā śaṅkarasya hi

Then, at dawn, that queen, having traveled a great distance by the grace of Shankara, beheld a clear lake.

Verse 10 (shiva.shatarudra.31.10)

तत्रागत्य प्रिया राज्ञः सन्तप्ता सुकुमारिणी । निवासार्थं सरस्तीरे छायावृक्षमुपाश्रयत्

tatrāgatya priyā rājñaḥ santaptā sukumāriṇī nivāsārthaṁ sarastīre chāyāvṛkṣamupāśrayat

Coming there, the king's beloved wife, tender and grief-stricken, took shelter beneath a shady tree on the bank of the lake, to rest.

Verse 11 (shiva.shatarudra.31.11)

तत्र दैववशाद्राज्ञी मुहूर्त्ते सद्गुणान्विते । असूत तनयं दिव्यं सर्वलक्षणलक्षितम्

tatra daivavaśādrājñī muhūrtte sadguṇānvite asūta tanayaṁ divyaṁ sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitam

There, by the working of fate, the queen, in an hour marked by good qualities, gave birth to a divine son, marked with every auspicious sign.

Verse 12 (shiva.shatarudra.31.12)

अथ तज्जननी दैवात्तृषिताति नृपाङ्गना । सरोऽवतीर्णा पानार्थं ग्रस्ता ग्राहेण पाथसि

atha tajjananī daivāttṛṣitāti nṛpāṅganā saro'vatīrṇā pānārthaṁ grastā grāheṇa pāthasi

Then that mother, greatly thirsty by fate's decree, went down into the lake to drink, and was seized in the water by a crocodile.

Verse 13 (shiva.shatarudra.31.13)

स सुतो जातमात्रस्तु क्षुत्पिपासार्दितो भृशम् । रुरोद च सरस्तीरे विनष्टपितृमातृकः

sa suto jātamātrastu kṣutpipāsārdito bhṛśam ruroda ca sarastīre vinaṣṭapitṛmātṛkaḥ

That newborn son, tormented severely by hunger and thirst, wept upon the bank of the lake, having lost both father and mother.

Verse 14 (shiva.shatarudra.31.14)

तस्मिन्वने क्रन्दमाने जातमात्रे सुते मुने । कृपान्वितो महेशोऽभूदन्तर्यामी स रक्षकः

tasminvane krandamāne jātamātre sute mune kṛpānvito maheśo'bhūdantaryāmī sa rakṣakaḥ

O sage, as that newborn son wept in the forest, the great Lord, dweller within all, the protector, was moved with compassion.

Verse 15 (shiva.shatarudra.31.15)

प्रेरिता मनसा काचिदीशेन त्रासहारिणा । अकस्मादागता तत्र भ्रमन्ती भैक्ष्यजीविनी

preritā manasā kācidīśena trāsahāriṇā akasmādāgatā tatra bhramantī bhaikṣyajīvinī

Impelled in her mind by the Lord who removes fear, a certain wandering woman, one who lived by begging alms, suddenly came there.

Verse 16 (shiva.shatarudra.31.16)

सा त्वेकहायनं बालं वहन्ती विधवा निजम् । अनाथमेकं क्रन्दन्तं शिशुं तत्र ददर्श ह

sā tvekahāyanaṁ bālaṁ vahantī vidhavā nijam anāthamekaṁ krandantaṁ śiśuṁ tatra dadarśa ha

That widow, carrying her own one-year-old child, saw there that lone, orphaned infant crying.

Verse 17 (shiva.shatarudra.31.17)

सा दृष्ट्वा तत्र तं बालं वने निर्मनुजे मुने । विस्मिताति द्विजस्त्री सा चिचिन्त हृदये बहु

sā dṛṣṭvā tatra taṁ bālaṁ vane nirmanuje mune vismitāti dvijastrī sā cicinta hṛdaye bahu

O sage, seeing that child there in the empty forest, that brahmin woman, greatly astonished, pondered much in her heart.

Verse 18 (shiva.shatarudra.31.18)

अहो सुमहदाश्चर्यमिदं दृष्टं मयाधुना । असम्भाव्यमकथ्यं च सर्वथा मनसा गिरा

aho sumahadāścaryamidaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ mayādhunā asambhāvyamakathyaṁ ca sarvathā manasā girā

"Ah, what a great wonder is this I now behold — inconceivable and indescribable, wholly beyond the reach of mind or speech!"

Verse 19 (shiva.shatarudra.31.19)

अच्छिन्ननाभिनालोऽयं रसायां केवलं शिशुः । शेते मातृविहीनश्च क्रन्दंस्तेजस्विनां वरः

acchinnanābhinālo'yaṁ rasāyāṁ kevalaṁ śiśuḥ śete mātṛvihīnaśca krandaṁstejasvināṁ varaḥ

"His umbilical cord not even cut, this mere infant lies upon the wet ground, motherless, crying, yet the very finest among the radiant."

Verse 20 (shiva.shatarudra.31.20)

अस्य पित्रादयः केऽपि न सन्तीह सहायिनः । कारणं किं बभूवाथ ह्यहो दैवबलं महत्

asya pitrādayaḥ ke'pi na santīha sahāyinaḥ kāraṇaṁ kiṁ babhūvātha hyaho daivabalaṁ mahat

"No father or any other helper of his is here at all. What could be the cause of this? Ah, how great is the power of fate!"

Verse 21 (shiva.shatarudra.31.21)

न जाने कस्य पुत्रोऽयमस्य ज्ञातात्र कोऽपि न । यतः पृच्छाम्यस्य जन्म जाता च करुणा मयि

na jāne kasya putro'yamasya jñātātra ko'pi na yataḥ pṛcchāmyasya janma jātā ca karuṇā mayi

"I do not know whose son this is; no kinsman of his is here to ask. Compassion has arisen in me for him."

Verse 22 (shiva.shatarudra.31.22)

इच्छाम्येनं पोषितुं हि बालमौरसपुत्रवत् । संस्प्रष्टुं नोत्सहेऽज्ञात्वा कुलजन्मादि चास्य वै

icchāmyenaṁ poṣituṁ hi bālamaurasaputravat saṁspraṣṭuṁ notsahe'jñātvā kulajanmādi cāsya vai

"I wish to raise this child as my own true son; yet I dare not touch him without knowing his lineage and birth."

Verse 23 (shiva.shatarudra.31.23)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति सञ्चिन्त्यमानायां तस्यां विप्रवरस्त्रियाम् । कृपां चकार महतीं शङ्करो भक्तवत्सलः

nandīśvara uvāca iti sañcintyamānāyāṁ tasyāṁ vipravarastriyām kṛpāṁ cakāra mahatīṁ śaṅkaro bhaktavatsalaḥ

Nandishvara said: As that excellent brahmin woman was thus deliberating, Shankara, cherisher of his devotees, showed her great compassion.

Verse 24 (shiva.shatarudra.31.24)

दध्रे भिक्षुस्वरूपं हि महालीलो महेश्वरः । सर्वथा भक्तसुखदो निरुपाधिः स्वयं सदा

dadhre bhikṣusvarūpaṁ hi mahālīlo maheśvaraḥ sarvathā bhaktasukhado nirupādhiḥ svayaṁ sadā

The great Lord, performer of great plays, ever bestowing happiness upon his devotees, free of all attributes, himself took the form of a mendicant.

Verse 25 (shiva.shatarudra.31.25)

तत्राजगाम सहसा स भिक्षुः परमेश्वरः । यत्रास्ति सन्देहवती द्विजस्त्री ज्ञातुमिच्छती

tatrājagāma sahasā sa bhikṣuḥ parameśvaraḥ yatrāsti sandehavatī dvijastrī jñātumicchatī

That mendicant, the Supreme Lord, came suddenly there, to the place where the doubting brahmin woman was, wishing to know the truth.

Verse 26 (shiva.shatarudra.31.26)

भिक्षुवर्यस्वरूपोऽसावविज्ञातगतिः प्रभुः । तामाह विप्रवनितां विहस्य करुणानिधिः

bhikṣuvaryasvarūpo'sāvavijñātagatiḥ prabhuḥ tāmāha vipravanitāṁ vihasya karuṇānidhiḥ

That Lord, in the form of an excellent mendicant, whose ways none can fathom, that ocean of compassion, spoke to the brahmin woman, smiling.

Verse 27 (shiva.shatarudra.31.27)

भिक्षुवर्य उवाच । सन्देहं कुरु नो चित्ते विप्रभामिनि मा खिद । रक्षैनं बालकं प्रीत्या सुपवित्रं स्वपुत्रकम्

bhikṣuvarya uvāca sandehaṁ kuru no citte viprabhāmini mā khida rakṣainaṁ bālakaṁ prītyā supavitraṁ svaputrakam

The excellent mendicant said: "Have no doubt in your mind, O brahmin lady; do not grieve. Lovingly protect this most sacred child as your own son."

Verse 28 (shiva.shatarudra.31.28)

अनेन शिशुना श्रेयः प्राप्स्यसे न चिरात्परम् । पुष्णीहि सर्वथा ह्येनं महातेजस्विनं शिशुम्

anena śiśunā śreyaḥ prāpsyase na cirātparam puṣṇīhi sarvathā hyenaṁ mahātejasvinaṁ śiśum

"Through this infant you shall obtain the highest good before long. Raise this greatly radiant child in every way."

Verse 29 (shiva.shatarudra.31.29)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्तवन्तं तं भिक्षुस्वरूपं करुणानिधिम् । सा विप्रवनिता शम्भुं प्रीत्या पप्रच्छ सादरम्

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktavantaṁ taṁ bhikṣusvarūpaṁ karuṇānidhim sā vipravanitā śambhuṁ prītyā papraccha sādaram

Nandishvara said: Having heard this, the brahmin woman lovingly and respectfully questioned that Shambhu, the ocean of compassion, in the form of the mendicant.

Verse 30 (shiva.shatarudra.31.30)

विप्रवनितोवाच । त्वदाज्ञयैनं बालं हि रक्षिष्यामि स्वपुत्रवत् । पोक्ष्यामि नात्र सन्देहो मद्भाग्यात्त्वमिहागतः

vipravanitovāca tvadājñayainaṁ bālaṁ hi rakṣiṣyāmi svaputravat pokṣyāmi nātra sandeho madbhāgyāttvamihāgataḥ

The brahmin woman said: "By your command I shall protect and raise this child as my own son, without any doubt; it is by my good fortune that you have come here."

Verse 31 (shiva.shatarudra.31.31)

तथापि ज्ञातुमिच्छामि विशेषेण तु तत्त्वतः । कोऽयं कस्य सुतश्चायं कस्त्वमत्र समागतः

tathāpi jñātumicchāmi viśeṣeṇa tu tattvataḥ ko'yaṁ kasya sutaścāyaṁ kastvamatra samāgataḥ

"Yet I wish to know especially, and truly — who is he, whose son is he, and who are you who have come here?"

Verse 32 (shiva.shatarudra.31.32)

मुहुर्मम समायाति ज्ञानं भिक्षुवर प्रभो । त्वं शिवः करुणासिन्धुस्त्वद्भक्तोऽयं शिशुः पुरा

muhurmama samāyāti jñānaṁ bhikṣuvara prabho tvaṁ śivaḥ karuṇāsindhustvadbhakto'yaṁ śiśuḥ purā

"Again and again, O excellent mendicant lord, a knowing comes to me — that you are Shiva, the ocean of compassion, and that this infant was your devotee in a former life."

Verse 33 (shiva.shatarudra.31.33)

केनचित्कर्मदोषेण सम्प्राप्तोऽयं दशामिमाम् । तद्भुक्त्वा परमं श्रेयः प्राप्स्यते त्वदनुग्रहात्

kenacitkarmadoṣeṇa samprāpto'yaṁ daśāmimām tadbhuktvā paramaṁ śreyaḥ prāpsyate tvadanugrahāt

"By some fault of past action he has come to this condition; having endured it, he shall attain the highest good through your grace."

Verse 34 (shiva.shatarudra.31.34)

त्वन्माययैव साहं वै मार्गभ्रष्टा विमोहिता । आगता प्रेषिता त्वत्तो ह्यस्य रक्षणहेतुतः

tvanmāyayaiva sāhaṁ vai mārgabhraṣṭā vimohitā āgatā preṣitā tvatto hyasya rakṣaṇahetutaḥ

"By your own maya alone, I too, led astray from my path and deluded, was made to come here — sent by you, for the sake of protecting him."

Verse 35 (shiva.shatarudra.31.35)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति तद्दर्शनप्राप्तविज्ञानां विप्रकामिनीम् । ज्ञातुकामां विशेषेण प्रोचे भिक्षुतनुः शिवः

nandīśvara uvāca iti taddarśanaprāptavijñānāṁ viprakāminīm jñātukāmāṁ viśeṣeṇa proce bhikṣutanuḥ śivaḥ

Nandishvara said: To that brahmin woman, who had gained insight from beholding him and who especially wished to know the truth, Shiva, in the body of the mendicant, spoke.

Verse 36 (shiva.shatarudra.31.36)

भिक्षुवर्य उवाच । शृणु प्रीत्या विप्रपत्नि बालस्यास्य पुरेहितम् । सर्वमन्यस्य सुप्रीत्या वक्ष्यते तत्त्वतोऽनघे

bhikṣuvarya uvāca śṛṇu prītyā viprapatni bālasyāsya purehitam sarvamanyasya suprītyā vakṣyate tattvato'naghe

The excellent mendicant said: "Hear lovingly, O brahmin wife, what was done by this child in his former life. Everything else too, O sinless one, shall be told to you truly, and gladly."

Verse 37 (shiva.shatarudra.31.37)

सुतो विदर्भराजस्य शिवभक्तस्य धीमतः । अयं सत्यरथस्यैव स्वधर्मनिरतस्य हि

suto vidarbharājasya śivabhaktasya dhīmataḥ ayaṁ satyarathasyaiva svadharmaniratasya hi

"This is indeed the son of the king of Vidarbha, the wise devotee of Shiva, King Satyaratha, who was devoted to his own dharma."

Verse 38 (shiva.shatarudra.31.38)

शृणु सत्यरथो राजा हतः शाल्वे रणे परैः । तत्पत्नी निशि सुव्यग्रा निर्ययौ स्वगृहाद् द्रुतम्

śṛṇu satyaratho rājā hataḥ śālve raṇe paraiḥ tatpatnī niśi suvyagrā niryayau svagṛhād drutam

"Hear: King Satyaratha was slain by his enemies in the war with the Shalvas. His wife, greatly agitated, fled swiftly from her home in the night."

Verse 39 (shiva.shatarudra.31.39)

असूत तनयं चैनं समायाता प्रगेऽत्र हि । सरोऽवतीर्णा तृषया ग्रस्ता ग्राहेण दैवतः

asūta tanayaṁ cainaṁ samāyātā prage'tra hi saro'vatīrṇā tṛṣayā grastā grāheṇa daivataḥ

"Having come here, at dawn she gave birth to this son; and, going down into the lake out of thirst, she was seized by a crocodile through the working of fate."

Verse 40 (shiva.shatarudra.31.40)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति तस्य समुत्पत्तिं तत्पितुः सङ्गरे मृतिम् । तन्मातृमरणं ग्राहात्सर्वं तस्यै न्यवेदयत्

nandīśvara uvāca iti tasya samutpattiṁ tatpituḥ saṅgare mṛtim tanmātṛmaraṇaṁ grāhātsarvaṁ tasyai nyavedayat

Nandishvara said: Thus he related to her the child's origin, his father's death in battle, and his mother's death by the crocodile — all of it.

Verse 41 (shiva.shatarudra.31.41)

अथ सा ब्राह्मणी चैव विस्मिताति मुनीश्वर । पुनः पप्रच्छ तं भिक्षुं ज्ञानिनं सिद्धरूपकम्

atha sā brāhmaṇī caiva vismitāti munīśvara punaḥ papraccha taṁ bhikṣuṁ jñāninaṁ siddharūpakam

O lord of sages, then that brahmin woman, greatly astonished, again questioned that mendicant, wise and of the form of a perfected being.

Verse 42 (shiva.shatarudra.31.42)

ब्राह्मण्युवाच । स राजोऽस्य पिता भिक्षो वरभोगान्तरैव हि । कस्माच्छाल्वैः स्वरिपुभिः स्वल्पेहैश्च विघातितः

brāhmaṇyuvāca sa rājo'sya pitā bhikṣo varabhogāntaraiva hi kasmācchālvaiḥ svaripubhiḥ svalpehaiśca vighātitaḥ

The brahmin woman said: "O mendicant, that king, his father, was in the midst of the finest of enjoyments — how then was he slain by the Shalvas, his enemies, who possessed but little strength?"

Verse 43 (shiva.shatarudra.31.43)

कस्मादस्य शिशोर्माता ग्राहेणाशु सुभक्षिता । यस्मादनाथोऽयं जातो विबन्धुश्चैव जन्मतः

kasmādasya śiśormātā grāheṇāśu subhakṣitā yasmādanātho'yaṁ jāto vibandhuścaiva janmataḥ

"Why was this infant's mother so swiftly devoured by a crocodile, so that he was born an orphan, without kinsmen from the very moment of his birth?"

Verse 44 (shiva.shatarudra.31.44)

कस्मात्सुतो ममापीह सुदरिद्रो हि भिक्षुकः । भवेत्कथं सुखं भिक्षो पुत्रयोरनयोर्वद

kasmātsuto mamāpīha sudaridro hi bhikṣukaḥ bhavetkathaṁ sukhaṁ bhikṣo putrayoranayorvada

"And why is my own son here so utterly poor, a mere beggar? O mendicant, tell me how happiness may come to these two boys."

Verse 45 (shiva.shatarudra.31.45)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा स भिक्षुः परमेश्वरः । विप्रपत्न्याः प्रसन्नात्मा प्रोवाच विहसँश्च ताम्

nandīśvara uvāca iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā sa bhikṣuḥ parameśvaraḥ viprapatnyāḥ prasannātmā provāca vihasa~śca tām

Nandishvara said: Hearing her words, that mendicant, the Supreme Lord, his heart pleased with the brahmin wife, spoke to her, smiling.

Verse 46 (shiva.shatarudra.31.46)

भिक्षुवर्य उवाच । विप्रपत्नि विशेषेण सर्वप्रश्नान्वदामि ते । शृणु त्वं सावधानेन चरित्रमिदमुत्तमम्

bhikṣuvarya uvāca viprapatni viśeṣeṇa sarvapraśnānvadāmi te śṛṇu tvaṁ sāvadhānena caritramidamuttamam

The excellent mendicant said: "O brahmin wife, I shall answer all your questions in detail. Listen attentively to this excellent story."

Verse 47 (shiva.shatarudra.31.47)

अमुष्य बालस्य पिता स विदर्भमहीपतिः । पूर्वजन्मनि पाण्ड्योऽसौ बभूव नृपसत्तमः

amuṣya bālasya pitā sa vidarbhamahīpatiḥ pūrvajanmani pāṇḍyo'sau babhūva nṛpasattamaḥ

"This child's father, the king of Vidarbha, in a former birth was a Pandya, an excellent king."

Verse 48 (shiva.shatarudra.31.48)

स शैवनृपतिर्धर्मात्पालयन्निखिलां महीम् । स्वप्रजां रञ्जयामास सर्वोपद्रवनाशनः

sa śaivanṛpatirdharmātpālayannikhilāṁ mahīm svaprajāṁ rañjayāmāsa sarvopadravanāśanaḥ

"That Shaiva king, ruling the whole earth by dharma, delighted his subjects and destroyed every calamity."

Verse 49 (shiva.shatarudra.31.49)

कदाचित्स हि सर्वेशं प्रदोषे पर्यपूजयत् । त्रयोदश्यां निराहारो दिवानक्तव्रती शिवम्

kadācitsa hi sarveśaṁ pradoṣe paryapūjayat trayodaśyāṁ nirāhāro divānaktavratī śivam

"Once, on the thirteenth day of the lunar fortnight, at Pradosha (twilight), he worshipped Shiva, the Lord of all, fasting through the day, keeping the vow through the night."

Verse 50 (shiva.shatarudra.31.50)

तस्य पूजयतः शम्भुं प्रदोषे गिरिशं रते । महान् शब्दो बभूवाथ विकटः सर्वथा पुरे

tasya pūjayataḥ śambhuṁ pradoṣe giriśaṁ rate mahān śabdo babhūvātha vikaṭaḥ sarvathā pure

"As he was worshipping Shambhu, Girisha, at that twilight hour, absorbed in devotion, a great and utterly terrible tumult arose in the city."

Verse 51 (shiva.shatarudra.31.51)

तमाकर्ण्य रवं सोऽथ राजा त्यक्तशिवार्चनः । रिप्वागमनशङ्कातो निर्ययौ भवनाद् बहिः

tamākarṇya ravaṁ so'tha rājā tyaktaśivārcanaḥ ripvāgamanaśaṅkāto niryayau bhavanād bahiḥ

"Hearing that clamor, the king, abandoning his worship of Shiva, went out of his palace, suspecting the approach of an enemy."

Verse 52 (shiva.shatarudra.31.52)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु तस्यामात्यो महाबली । गृहीतशत्रुसामन्तो राजान्तिकमुपाययौ

etasminneva kāle tu tasyāmātyo mahābalī gṛhītaśatrusāmanto rājāntikamupāyayau

"At that very moment, his mighty minister, having captured an enemy vassal chief, came to the king."

Verse 53 (shiva.shatarudra.31.53)

तं दृष्ट्वा शत्रुसामन्तं महाक्रोधेन विह्वलः । अविचार्य वृषन्तस्य शिरश्छेदमकारयत्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā śatrusāmantaṁ mahākrodhena vihvalaḥ avicārya vṛṣantasya śiraśchedamakārayat

"Seeing that enemy vassal, overwhelmed with great anger, the king, without any deliberation, had his head cut off."

Verse 54 (shiva.shatarudra.31.54)

असमाप्येशपूजां तामशुचिर्नष्टधीर्नृपः । रात्रौ चकार सुप्रीत्या भोजनं नष्टमङ्गलः

asamāpyeśapūjāṁ tāmaśucirnaṣṭadhīrnṛpaḥ rātrau cakāra suprītyā bhojanaṁ naṣṭamaṅgalaḥ

"Leaving his worship of the Lord incomplete, impure now and his mind ruined, the king, his auspiciousness destroyed, gladly took his meal that night."

Verse 55 (shiva.shatarudra.31.55)

विदर्भे सोऽभवद्राजा जन्मनीह शिवव्रती । शिवार्चनान्तरायेण परैर्भोगान्तरे हतः

vidarbhe so'bhavadrājā janmanīha śivavratī śivārcanāntarāyeṇa parairbhogāntare hataḥ

"He became the king in Vidarbha in this present birth, a devotee of Shiva's vow, yet because of that interruption of his worship of Shiva, he was slain by others in the midst of his enjoyments."

Verse 56 (shiva.shatarudra.31.56)

तत्पिता यः पूर्वभवे सोऽस्मिञ्जन्मनि तत्सुतः । अयमेव हतैश्वर्यः शिवपूजाव्यतिक्रमात्

tatpitā yaḥ pūrvabhave so'smiñjanmani tatsutaḥ ayameva hataiśvaryaḥ śivapūjāvyatikramāt

"He who was the father in the former birth has become the son in this birth — this same one, deprived of his sovereignty because of that transgression against the worship of Shiva."

Verse 57 (shiva.shatarudra.31.57)

अस्य माता पूर्वभवे सपत्नीं छद्मनाहरत् । भक्षिता तेन पापेन ग्राहेणास्मिन् भवे हि सा

asya mātā pūrvabhave sapatnīṁ chadmanāharat bhakṣitā tena pāpena grāheṇāsmin bhave hi sā

"This child's mother, in a former birth, deceitfully wronged a co-wife; because of that sin, she was devoured by a crocodile in this present birth."

Verse 58 (shiva.shatarudra.31.58)

एषा प्रवृत्तिरेतेषां भवत्यै परिकीर्तिता । अनर्चितशिवा भक्त्या प्राप्नुवन्ति दरिद्रताम्

eṣā pravṛttireteṣāṁ bhavatyai parikīrtitā anarcitaśivā bhaktyā prāpnuvanti daridratām

"This has been declared to you as the working of their deeds. Those who fail to worship Shiva with devotion attain poverty."

Verse 59 (shiva.shatarudra.31.59)

एष ते तनयः पूर्वजन्मनि ब्राह्मणोत्तमः । प्रतिग्रहैर्वयो निन्ये न यज्ञाद्यैः सुकर्मभिः

eṣa te tanayaḥ pūrvajanmani brāhmaṇottamaḥ pratigrahairvayo ninye na yajñādyaiḥ sukarmabhiḥ

"This son of yours, in a former birth, was an excellent brahmin who passed his life by accepting gifts, and not through sacrifices and other good rites."

Verse 60 (shiva.shatarudra.31.60)

अतो दारिद्र्यमापन्नः पुत्रस्ते द्विजभामिनि । तद्दोषपरिहारार्थं शरणं शङ्करं व्रज

ato dāridryamāpannaḥ putraste dvijabhāmini taddoṣaparihārārthaṁ śaraṇaṁ śaṅkaraṁ vraja

"Therefore, O brahmin lady, your son has fallen into poverty. To remove that fault, take refuge in Shankara."

Verse 61 (shiva.shatarudra.31.61)

एताभ्यां खलु बालाभ्यां शिवपूजा विधीयताम् । उपवीतानन्तरं हि शिवः श्रेयः करिष्यति

etābhyāṁ khalu bālābhyāṁ śivapūjā vidhīyatām upavītānantaraṁ hi śivaḥ śreyaḥ kariṣyati

"Let worship of Shiva indeed be performed by these two boys; after their sacred-thread ceremony, Shiva will bring about their highest good."

Verse 62 (shiva.shatarudra.31.62)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति तामुपदिश्याथ भिक्षुवर्यतनुः शिवः । स्वरूपं दर्शयामास परमं भक्तवत्सलः

nandīśvara uvāca iti tāmupadiśyātha bhikṣuvaryatanuḥ śivaḥ svarūpaṁ darśayāmāsa paramaṁ bhaktavatsalaḥ

Nandishvara said: Having thus instructed her, Shiva, in the body of the excellent mendicant, that supreme cherisher of devotees, showed her his true form.

Verse 63 (shiva.shatarudra.31.63)

अथ सा विप्रवनिता ज्ञात्वा तं शङ्करं प्रभुम् । सुप्रणम्य हि तुष्टाव प्रेम्णा गद्गदया गिरा

atha sā vipravanitā jñātvā taṁ śaṅkaraṁ prabhum supraṇamya hi tuṣṭāva premṇā gadgadayā girā

Then that brahmin woman, recognizing him as the Lord Shankara, bowed low to him and praised him with love, her voice choked with emotion.

Verse 64 (shiva.shatarudra.31.64)

ततः स भगवान् शम्भुर्धृतभिक्षुतनुर्द्रुतम् । पश्यन्त्या विप्रपन्त्यास्तु तत्रैवान्तरधीयत

tataḥ sa bhagavān śambhurdhṛtabhikṣutanurdrutam paśyantyā viprapantyāstu tatraivāntaradhīyata

Then that blessed Shambhu, who had assumed the body of a mendicant, vanished right there while the brahmin woman was still looking on.

Verse 65 (shiva.shatarudra.31.65)

अथ तस्मिन् गते भिक्षौ विश्रब्धा ब्राह्मणी च सा । तमर्भकं समादाय सस्वपुत्रा गृहं ययौ

atha tasmin gate bhikṣau viśrabdhā brāhmaṇī ca sā tamarbhakaṁ samādāya sasvaputrā gṛhaṁ yayau

Then, when that mendicant had departed, that brahmin woman, now at ease, took up the child and, together with her own son, went home.

Verse 66 (shiva.shatarudra.31.66)

एकचक्राह्वये रम्ये ग्राम्ये कृतनिकेतना । स्वपुत्रं राजपुत्रं च वरान्नैश्च व्यवर्धयत्

ekacakrāhvaye ramye grāmye kṛtaniketanā svaputraṁ rājaputraṁ ca varānnaiśca vyavardhayat

Having settled in a delightful village called Ekachakra, she raised both her own son and the prince with the finest food.

Verse 67 (shiva.shatarudra.31.67)

ब्राह्मणैः कृतसंस्कारौ कृतोपनयनौ च तौ । ववृधाते स्वगेहे च शिवपूजनतत्परौ

brāhmaṇaiḥ kṛtasaṁskārau kṛtopanayanau ca tau vavṛdhāte svagehe ca śivapūjanatatparau

Given their sacraments and sacred-thread initiation by the brahmins, the two grew up in her house, devoted to the worship of Shiva.

Verse 68 (shiva.shatarudra.31.68)

तौ शाण्डिल्यमुनेस्तात निदेशान्नियमस्थितौ । प्रदोषे चक्रतुः शम्भोः पूजां कृत्वा व्रतं शुभम्

tau śāṇḍilyamunestāta nideśānniyamasthitau pradoṣe cakratuḥ śambhoḥ pūjāṁ kṛtvā vrataṁ śubham

O son, at the instruction of the sage Shandilya, the two, established in discipline, performed the auspicious vow and worshipped Shambhu at the Pradosha hour.

Verse 69 (shiva.shatarudra.31.69)

कदाचिद् द्विजपुत्रेण विनासौ राजनन्दनः । नद्यां स्नातुं गतः प्राप निधानकलशं वरम्

kadācid dvijaputreṇa vināsau rājanandanaḥ nadyāṁ snātuṁ gataḥ prāpa nidhānakalaśaṁ varam

Once, the prince, having gone to bathe in the river without the brahmin's son, found a splendid buried pot of treasure.

Verse 70 (shiva.shatarudra.31.70)

एवं पूजयतोः शम्भुं राजद्विजकुमारयोः । सुखेनैव व्यतीयाय तयोर्मासचतुष्टयम्

evaṁ pūjayatoḥ śambhuṁ rājadvijakumārayoḥ sukhenaiva vyatīyāya tayormāsacatuṣṭayam

As the prince and the brahmin's son thus worshipped Shambhu, four months passed for them in happiness.

Verse 71 (shiva.shatarudra.31.71)

एवमर्चयतोः शम्भुं भूयोऽपि परया मुदा । सम्वत्सरो व्यतीयाय तस्मिन्नेव तयोर्गृहे

evamarcayatoḥ śambhuṁ bhūyo'pi parayā mudā samvatsaro vyatīyāya tasminneva tayorgṛhe

Continuing thus to worship Shambhu with the greatest joy, a full year passed for the two of them in that same house.

Verse 72 (shiva.shatarudra.31.72)

सम्वत्सरे व्यतिक्रान्ते स राजतनयो मुने । गत्वा वनान्ते विप्रेण शिवस्यानुग्रहाद्विभोः

samvatsare vyatikrānte sa rājatanayo mune gatvā vanānte vipreṇa śivasyānugrahādvibhoḥ

O sage, when that year had passed, the prince, having gone to the edge of the forest together with the brahmin's son, by the grace of the mighty Shiva —

Verse 73 (shiva.shatarudra.31.73)

अकस्मादागतां तत्र दत्तां तज्जनकेन ह । विवाह्य गन्धर्वसुतां चक्रे राज्यमकण्टकम्

akasmādāgatāṁ tatra dattāṁ tajjanakena ha vivāhya gandharvasutāṁ cakre rājyamakaṇṭakam

married a Gandharva maiden who had suddenly come there, given to him by her own father, and thus obtained his kingdom, free of all obstacles.

Verse 74 (shiva.shatarudra.31.74)

या विप्रवनिता पूर्वं तमपुष्णात्स्वपुत्रवत् । सैव माताभवत्तस्य स भ्राता द्विजनन्दनः

yā vipravanitā pūrvaṁ tamapuṣṇātsvaputravat saiva mātābhavattasya sa bhrātā dvijanandanaḥ

That brahmin woman who had earlier raised him as her own son became his mother in status, and the brahmin's son became his brother.

Verse 75 (shiva.shatarudra.31.75)

इत्थमाराध्य देवेशं धर्मगुप्ताह्वयः स वै । विदर्भविषये राज्ञ्या तया भोगं चकार ह

itthamārādhya deveśaṁ dharmaguptāhvayaḥ sa vai vidarbhaviṣaye rājñyā tayā bhogaṁ cakāra ha

Thus, having worshipped the Lord of gods, he, named Dharmagupta, together with that queen, enjoyed his rule in the land of Vidarbha.

Verse 76 (shiva.shatarudra.31.76)

भिक्षुवर्यावतारस्ते वर्णितश्च मयाधुना । शिवस्य धर्मगुप्ताह्वनृपबालसुखप्रदः

bhikṣuvaryāvatāraste varṇitaśca mayādhunā śivasya dharmaguptāhvanṛpabālasukhapradaḥ

Thus has this Bhikshuvarya incarnation of Shiva now been described by me to you — the bestower of happiness upon the boy-king named Dharmagupta.

Verse 77 (shiva.shatarudra.31.77)

एतदाख्यानमनघं पवित्रं पावनं महत् । धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां साधनं सर्वकामदम्

etadākhyānamanaghaṁ pavitraṁ pāvanaṁ mahat dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṁ sādhanaṁ sarvakāmadam

This sinless account is sacred, purifying, and great — a means to dharma, artha, kama, and moksha, and the granter of every desire.

Verse 78 (shiva.shatarudra.31.78)

य एतच्छृणुयान्नित्यं श्रावयेद्वा समाहितः । स भुक्त्वेहाखिलान्कामान् सोऽन्ते शिवपुरं व्रजेत्

ya etacchṛṇuyānnityaṁ śrāvayedvā samāhitaḥ sa bhuktvehākhilānkāmān so'nte śivapuraṁ vrajet

Whoever daily hears this, or with a composed mind causes it to be heard, having enjoyed all desires in this world, goes in the end to the city of Shiva.