The Sureshvara Incarnation: The Story of Upamanyu

Verse 1 (shiva.shatarudra.32.1)

शृणु तात प्रवक्ष्यामि शिवस्य परमात्मनः । सुरेश्वरावतारस्ते धौम्याग्रजहितावहम्

śṛṇu tāta pravakṣyāmi śivasya paramātmanaḥ sureśvarāvatāraste dhaumyāgrajahitāvaham

Nandishvara said: Hear, O son — I shall relate to you the incarnation of Shiva, the Supreme Self, called Sureshvara, which brought benefit to the elder brother of Dhaumya.

Verse 2 (shiva.shatarudra.32.2)

व्याघ्रपादसुतो धीमानुपमन्युः सतां प्रियः । जन्मान्तरेण संसिद्धः प्राप्तो मुनिकुमारताम्

vyāghrapādasuto dhīmānupamanyuḥ satāṁ priyaḥ janmāntareṇa saṁsiddhaḥ prāpto munikumāratām

Upamanyu, the wise son of Vyaghrapada, beloved of the virtuous, perfected through former births, attained the status of a sage's son.

Verse 3 (shiva.shatarudra.32.3)

उवास मातुलगृहे स मात्रा शिशुरेव हि । उपमन्युर्व्याघ्रपादिः स्याद्दरिद्रश्च दैवतः

uvāsa mātulagṛhe sa mātrā śiśureva hi upamanyurvyāghrapādiḥ syāddaridraśca daivataḥ

Upamanyu, son of Vyaghrapada, though only an infant, dwelt with his mother in his maternal uncle's house, being poor through the working of fate.

Verse 4 (shiva.shatarudra.32.4)

कदाचित्क्षीरमत्यल्पं पीतवान्मातुलाश्रमे । ययाचे मातरं प्रीत्या बहुशो दुग्धलालसः

kadācitkṣīramatyalpaṁ pītavānmātulāśrame yayāce mātaraṁ prītyā bahuśo dugdhalālasaḥ

Once, having drunk only a very little milk in his uncle's hermitage, he lovingly begged his mother again and again, craving milk.

Verse 5 (shiva.shatarudra.32.5)

तच्छ्रुत्वा पुत्रवचनं तन्माता च तपस्विनी । सान्तः प्रविश्याथ तदा शुभोपायमरीरचत्

tacchrutvā putravacanaṁ tanmātā ca tapasvinī sāntaḥ praviśyātha tadā śubhopāyamarīracat

Hearing her son's words, that ascetic mother of his then went inside and devised an auspicious remedy.

Verse 6 (shiva.shatarudra.32.6)

उञ्छवृत्त्यर्जितान्बीजान्पिष्ट्वालोड्य जलेन तान् । उपलाल्य सुतं तस्मै सा ददौ कृत्रिमं पयः

uñchavṛttyarjitānbījānpiṣṭvāloḍya jalena tān upalālya sutaṁ tasmai sā dadau kṛtrimaṁ payaḥ

Grinding grains gathered by gleaning and mixing them with water, she soothed her son and gave him this counterfeit milk.

Verse 7 (shiva.shatarudra.32.7)

पीत्वा च कृत्रिमं दुग्धं मात्रा दत्तं स बालकः । नैतत्क्षीरमिति प्राह मातरं चारुदत्पुनः

pītvā ca kṛtrimaṁ dugdhaṁ mātrā dattaṁ sa bālakaḥ naitatkṣīramiti prāha mātaraṁ cārudatpunaḥ

Having drunk that counterfeit milk given by his mother, the boy said, "This is not milk," and, weeping beautifully, spoke again to his mother.

Verse 8 (shiva.shatarudra.32.8)

श्रुत्वा सुतस्य रुदितं प्राह सा दुःखिता सुतम् । सम्मार्ज्य नेत्रे पुत्रस्य कराभ्यां कमलाकृतिः

śrutvā sutasya ruditaṁ prāha sā duḥkhitā sutam sammārjya netre putrasya karābhyāṁ kamalākṛtiḥ

Hearing her son's weeping, that lotus-formed mother, grieved, wiped her son's eyes with her own hands and spoke to him.

Verse 9 (shiva.shatarudra.32.9)

मातोवाच । क्षीरमत्र कुतोऽस्माकं वने निवसतां सदा । प्रसादेन विना शम्भोः पयः प्राप्तिर्भवेन्न हि

mātovāca kṣīramatra kuto'smākaṁ vane nivasatāṁ sadā prasādena vinā śambhoḥ payaḥ prāptirbhavenna hi

The mother said: "Where would we, ever dwelling in the forest, get milk? Without the grace of Shambhu, the attaining of milk is simply not possible."

Verse 10 (shiva.shatarudra.32.10)

पूर्वजन्मनि यत्कृत्यं शिवमुद्दिश्य हे सुत । तदेव लभ्यते नूनं नात्र कार्या विचारणा

pūrvajanmani yatkṛtyaṁ śivamuddiśya he suta tadeva labhyate nūnaṁ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"O son, whatever was done in a former birth directed toward Shiva — that alone is surely obtained; no other reflection is needed here."

Verse 11 (shiva.shatarudra.32.11)

इति मातृवचः श्रुत्वा व्याघ्रपादिः स बालकः । प्रत्युवाच विशोकात्मा मातरं मातृवत्सलः

iti mātṛvacaḥ śrutvā vyāghrapādiḥ sa bālakaḥ pratyuvāca viśokātmā mātaraṁ mātṛvatsalaḥ

Hearing his mother's words, that son of Vyaghrapada, freed from sorrow, devoted to his mother, replied to her.

Verse 12 (shiva.shatarudra.32.12)

शोकेनालमिमं मातः शम्भुर्यद्यस्ति शङ्करः । त्यज शोकं महाभागे सर्वं भद्रं भविष्यति

śokenālamimaṁ mātaḥ śambhuryadyasti śaṅkaraḥ tyaja śokaṁ mahābhāge sarvaṁ bhadraṁ bhaviṣyati

"Enough of this grief, O mother — if Shankara Shambhu truly exists, abandon your sorrow, O most fortunate one; all will be well."

Verse 13 (shiva.shatarudra.32.13)

शृणु मातर्वचो मेऽद्य महादेवोऽस्ति चेत्क्वचित् । चिराद्वा ह्यचिराद्वापि क्षीरोदं साधयाम्यहम्

śṛṇu mātarvaco me'dya mahādevo'sti cetkvacit cirādvā hyacirādvāpi kṣīrodaṁ sādhayāmyaham

"Hear my word today, mother — if Mahadeva exists anywhere at all, then whether it takes long or not, I myself shall obtain an ocean of milk."

Verse 14 (shiva.shatarudra.32.14)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा स शिशुः प्रीत्या शिवं मेऽस्त्वित्युदीर्य च । विसृज्य तां सुप्रणम्य तपः कर्तुं प्रचक्रमे

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktvā sa śiśuḥ prītyā śivaṁ me'stvityudīrya ca visṛjya tāṁ supraṇamya tapaḥ kartuṁ pracakrame

Nandishvara said: Having said this, that child, lovingly declaring, "May Shiva be mine," took leave of her with a respectful bow and set out to perform austerities.

Verse 15 (shiva.shatarudra.32.15)

हिमवत्पर्वतगतः वायुभक्षः समाहितः । अष्टेष्टकाभिः प्रासादं कृत्वा लिङ्गं च मृन्मयम्

himavatparvatagataḥ vāyubhakṣaḥ samāhitaḥ aṣṭeṣṭakābhiḥ prāsādaṁ kṛtvā liṅgaṁ ca mṛnmayam

Going to the Himalaya mountain, subsisting on air alone, with a composed mind, he built a shrine of eight bricks and made a linga of clay.

Verse 16 (shiva.shatarudra.32.16)

तत्रावाह्य शिवं साम्बं भक्त्या पञ्चाक्षरेण ह । पत्रपुष्पादिभिर्वन्यैः समानर्च शिशुः स वै

tatrāvāhya śivaṁ sāmbaṁ bhaktyā pañcākṣareṇa ha patrapuṣpādibhirvanyaiḥ samānarca śiśuḥ sa vai

There he invoked Shiva together with Uma, with devotion, through the five-syllabled mantra, and that child worshipped him with forest leaves, flowers, and the like.

Verse 17 (shiva.shatarudra.32.17)

ध्यात्वा शिवं च तं साम्बं जपन्पञ्चाक्षरं मनुम् । समभ्यर्च्य चिरं कालं चचार परमं तपः

dhyātvā śivaṁ ca taṁ sāmbaṁ japanpañcākṣaraṁ manum samabhyarcya ciraṁ kālaṁ cacāra paramaṁ tapaḥ

Meditating on Shiva together with Uma, reciting the five-syllabled mantra, and worshipping him thus, he practiced the highest austerity for a long time.

Verse 18 (shiva.shatarudra.32.18)

तपसा तस्य बालस्य ह्युपमन्योर्महात्मनः । चराचरं च भुवनं प्रदीपितमभून्मुने

tapasā tasya bālasya hyupamanyormahātmanaḥ carācaraṁ ca bhuvanaṁ pradīpitamabhūnmune

O sage, by the austerity of that great-souled boy Upamanyu, the whole world of moving and unmoving beings became ablaze.

Verse 19 (shiva.shatarudra.32.19)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे शम्भुर्विष्ण्वाद्यैः प्रार्थितः प्रभुः । परीक्षितुं च तद्भक्तिं शक्ररूपोऽभवत्तदा

etasminnantare śambhurviṣṇvādyaiḥ prārthitaḥ prabhuḥ parīkṣituṁ ca tadbhaktiṁ śakrarūpo'bhavattadā

Meanwhile, Shambhu, the Lord, entreated by Vishnu and the other gods, then, wishing to test his devotion, took the form of Indra.

Verse 20 (shiva.shatarudra.32.20)

शिवा शचीस्वरूपाभूद्गणाः सर्वेऽभवन्सुराः । ऐरावतगजो नन्दी सर्वमेव च तन्मयम्

śivā śacīsvarūpābhūdgaṇāḥ sarve'bhavansurāḥ airāvatagajo nandī sarvameva ca tanmayam

Shiva (Parvati) took the form of Shachi; all the ganas became the gods; Nandi became the elephant Airavata; everything was thus transformed.

Verse 21 (shiva.shatarudra.32.21)

ततः साम्बः शिवः शक्रस्वरूपः सगणो द्रुतम् । जगामानुग्रहं कर्तुमुपमन्योस्तदाश्रमम्

tataḥ sāmbaḥ śivaḥ śakrasvarūpaḥ sagaṇo drutam jagāmānugrahaṁ kartumupamanyostadāśramam

Then Shiva, together with Uma, in the form of Indra, with his retinue, swiftly went to Upamanyu's hermitage, to bestow his grace.

Verse 22 (shiva.shatarudra.32.22)

परीक्षितुं च तद्भक्तिं शक्ररूपधरो हरः । प्राह गम्भीरया वाचा बालकं तं मुनीश्वर

parīkṣituṁ ca tadbhaktiṁ śakrarūpadharo haraḥ prāha gambhīrayā vācā bālakaṁ taṁ munīśvara

O lord of sages, Hara, wearing the form of Indra, to test his devotion, spoke to that boy in a deep, solemn voice.

Verse 23 (shiva.shatarudra.32.23)

सुरेश्वर उवाच । तुष्टोऽस्मि ते वरं ब्रूहि तपसानेन सुव्रत । ददामि चेच्छितान्कामान् सर्वान्नात्रास्ति संशयः

sureśvara uvāca tuṣṭo'smi te varaṁ brūhi tapasānena suvrata dadāmi cecchitānkāmān sarvānnātrāsti saṁśayaḥ

Sureshvara said: "I am pleased with this austerity of yours, O one of excellent vows. Ask a boon; I shall grant all that you desire — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 24 (shiva.shatarudra.32.24)

एवमुक्तः स वै तेन शक्ररूपेण शम्भुना । वरयामि शिवे भक्तिमित्युवाच कृताञ्जलिः

evamuktaḥ sa vai tena śakrarūpeṇa śambhunā varayāmi śive bhaktimityuvāca kṛtāñjaliḥ

Thus addressed by that Shambhu in the form of Indra, he, with joined hands, said, "I ask only for devotion to Shiva."

Verse 25 (shiva.shatarudra.32.25)

तन्निशम्य हरिः प्राह मां न जानासि लेखपम् । त्रैलोक्याधिपतिं शक्रं सर्वदेवनमस्कृतम्

tanniśamya hariḥ prāha māṁ na jānāsi lekhapam trailokyādhipatiṁ śakraṁ sarvadevanamaskṛtam

Hearing this, "Indra" said: "You do not know me — the appointed sovereign, Indra, the lord of the three worlds, honored by all the gods."

Verse 26 (shiva.shatarudra.32.26)

मद्भक्तो भव विप्रर्षे मामेवार्चय सर्वदा । ददामि सर्वं भद्रं ते त्यज रुद्रं च निर्गुणम्

madbhakto bhava viprarṣe māmevārcaya sarvadā dadāmi sarvaṁ bhadraṁ te tyaja rudraṁ ca nirguṇam

"Become my devotee, O sage among brahmins; worship me alone always. I shall grant you every blessing — abandon Rudra, who is without qualities."

Verse 27 (shiva.shatarudra.32.27)

रुद्रेण निर्गुणेनालं किं ते कार्यं भविष्यति । देवजातिबहिर्भूतो यः पिशाचत्वमागतः

rudreṇa nirguṇenālaṁ kiṁ te kāryaṁ bhaviṣyati devajātibahirbhūto yaḥ piśācatvamāgataḥ

"Enough of that quality-less Rudra — what use will he be to you, he who stands outside the race of gods and has fallen into the state of a ghoul?"

Verse 28 (shiva.shatarudra.32.28)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा स मुनेः पुत्रो जपन्पञ्चाक्षरं मनुम् । मन्यमानो धर्मविघ्नं प्राह तं कर्तुमागतम्

nandīśvara uvāca tacchrutvā sa muneḥ putro japanpañcākṣaraṁ manum manyamāno dharmavighnaṁ prāha taṁ kartumāgatam

Nandishvara said: Hearing this, the sage's son, still reciting the five-syllabled mantra, regarding this as an obstacle to his dharma, spoke to the one who had come to create it.

Verse 29 (shiva.shatarudra.32.29)

उपमन्युरुवाच । त्वयैवं कथितं सर्वं भवनिन्दारतेन वै । प्रसङ्गाद्देवदेवस्य निर्गुणत्वं पिशाचता

upamanyuruvāca tvayaivaṁ kathitaṁ sarvaṁ bhavanindāratena vai prasaṅgāddevadevasya nirguṇatvaṁ piśācatā

Upamanyu said: "All this you have said, indeed delighting in slandering Shiva — casually declaring the God of gods without qualities, a ghoul."

Verse 30 (shiva.shatarudra.32.30)

त्वं न जानासि वै रुद्रं सर्वदेवेश्वरेश्वरम् । ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेशानां जनकं प्रकृतेः परम्

tvaṁ na jānāsi vai rudraṁ sarvadeveśvareśvaram brahmaviṣṇumaheśānāṁ janakaṁ prakṛteḥ param

"You truly do not know Rudra, the Lord of the lords of all the gods, the father of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha, beyond even Prakriti."

Verse 31 (shiva.shatarudra.32.31)

सदसद् वयक्तमव्यक्तं यमाहुर्ब्रह्मवादिनः । नित्यमेकमनेकं च वरं तस्माद् वृणोम्यहम्

sadasad vayaktamavyaktaṁ yamāhurbrahmavādinaḥ nityamekamanekaṁ ca varaṁ tasmād vṛṇomyaham

"Him whom the knowers of Brahman call being and non-being, manifest and unmanifest, eternal, one and yet many — I choose my boon from him alone."

Verse 32 (shiva.shatarudra.32.32)

हेतुवादविनिर्मुक्तं साङ्ख्ययोगार्थदं परम् । यमुशन्ति हि तत्त्वज्ञा वरं तस्माद् वृणोम्यहम्

hetuvādavinirmuktaṁ sāṅkhyayogārthadaṁ param yamuśanti hi tattvajñā varaṁ tasmād vṛṇomyaham

"Him whom the knowers of truth declare to be free from mere logical dispute, the supreme giver of the goals of Sankhya and Yoga — I choose my boon from him alone."

Verse 33 (shiva.shatarudra.32.33)

नास्ति शम्भोः परं तत्त्वं सर्वकारणकारणत् । ब्रह्मविष्ण्वादिदेवानां श्रेष्ठो गुणपराद्विभोः

nāsti śambhoḥ paraṁ tattvaṁ sarvakāraṇakāraṇat brahmaviṣṇvādidevānāṁ śreṣṭho guṇaparādvibhoḥ

"There is no reality higher than Shambhu, the cause of all causes; that mighty one, beyond the gunas, is the greatest of Brahma, Vishnu, and the other gods."

Verse 34 (shiva.shatarudra.32.34)

नाहं वृणे वरं त्वत्तो न विष्णोर्ब्रह्मणोऽपि वा । नान्यस्मादमराद्वापि शङ्करो वरदोऽस्तु मे

nāhaṁ vṛṇe varaṁ tvatto na viṣṇorbrahmaṇo'pi vā nānyasmādamarādvāpi śaṅkaro varado'stu me

"I choose no boon from you, nor from Vishnu, nor even from Brahma, nor from any other immortal — let Shankara alone be the giver of boons to me."

Verse 35 (shiva.shatarudra.32.35)

बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन वच्मि तत्त्वं मतं स्वकम् । न प्रार्थये पशुपतेरन्यं देवादिकं स्फुटम्

bahunātra kimuktena vacmi tattvaṁ mataṁ svakam na prārthaye paśupateranyaṁ devādikaṁ sphuṭam

"What need for many words here? I speak plainly my own settled conviction: I seek none other than Pashupati, no other god at all."

Verse 36 (shiva.shatarudra.32.36)

मद्भावं शृणु गोत्रारे मयाद्यानुमितं त्विदम् । भवान्तरे कृतं पापं श्रुता निन्दा भवस्य चेत्

madbhāvaṁ śṛṇu gotrāre mayādyānumitaṁ tvidam bhavāntare kṛtaṁ pāpaṁ śrutā nindā bhavasya cet

"Hear my own view, O foe of the mountains: this I have now inferred — that if a slander of Shiva is heard, the sin committed in another life —"

Verse 37 (shiva.shatarudra.32.37)

श्रुत्वा निन्दां भवस्याथ तत्क्षणादेव सन्त्यजेत् । स्वदेहं तन्निहत्याशु शिवलोकं स गच्छति

śrutvā nindāṁ bhavasyātha tatkṣaṇādeva santyajet svadehaṁ tannihatyāśu śivalokaṁ sa gacchati

"— upon hearing a slander of Shiva, one should abandon that very body at that instant. Having thus swiftly destroyed his own body, he goes to the world of Shiva."

Verse 38 (shiva.shatarudra.32.38)

आस्तां तावन्ममेच्छेयं क्षीरं प्रति सुराधम । निहत्य त्वां शिवास्त्रेण त्यजाम्येतत्कलेवरम्

āstāṁ tāvanmameccheyaṁ kṣīraṁ prati surādhama nihatya tvāṁ śivāstreṇa tyajāmyetatkalevaram

"Let alone my own desire for milk, O basest of gods — having slain you with the weapon of Shiva, I shall give up this body."

Verse 39 (shiva.shatarudra.32.39)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । एवमुक्त्वोपमन्युस्तं मर्तुं व्यवसितः स्वयम् । क्षीरे वाच्छामपि त्यक्त्वा निहन्तुं शक्रमुद्यतः

nandīśvara uvāca evamuktvopamanyustaṁ martuṁ vyavasitaḥ svayam kṣīre vācchāmapi tyaktvā nihantuṁ śakramudyataḥ

Nandishvara said: Having said this, Upamanyu, resolved himself to die, abandoning even his desire for milk, and stood ready to slay Indra.

Verse 40 (shiva.shatarudra.32.40)

भस्मादाय तदाधारादघोस्त्राभिमन्त्रितम् । विसृज्य शक्रमुद्दिश्य ननाद स मुनिस्तदा

bhasmādāya tadādhārādaghostrābhimantritam visṛjya śakramuddiśya nanāda sa munistadā

Taking up ash from that very place, consecrated with the Aghora weapon-mantra, and hurling it toward Indra, that sage-boy then roared aloud.

Verse 41 (shiva.shatarudra.32.41)

स्मृत्वा स्वेष्टपदद्वन्द्वं स्वदेहं दग्धुमुद्यतः । आग्नेयीं धारणां बिभ्रदुपमन्युरवस्थितः

smṛtvā sveṣṭapadadvandvaṁ svadehaṁ dagdhumudyataḥ āgneyīṁ dhāraṇāṁ bibhradupamanyuravasthitaḥ

Remembering the pair of feet of his chosen deity, and ready to burn his own body, Upamanyu stood, holding the fiery meditation of Agni.

Verse 42 (shiva.shatarudra.32.42)

एवं व्यवसिते विप्रे भगवान् शक्ररूपवान् । वारयामास सौम्येन धारणां तस्य योगिनः

evaṁ vyavasite vipre bhagavān śakrarūpavān vārayāmāsa saumyena dhāraṇāṁ tasya yoginaḥ

As the young brahmin was thus resolved, the blessed Lord, in the form of Indra, gently restrained that yogi's fiery meditation.

Verse 43 (shiva.shatarudra.32.43)

तद्विसृष्टमघोरास्त्रं नन्दीश्वरनियोगतः । जगृहे मध्यतः क्षिप्तं नन्दी शङ्करवल्लभम्

tadvisṛṣṭamaghorāstraṁ nandīśvaraniyogataḥ jagṛhe madhyataḥ kṣiptaṁ nandī śaṅkaravallabham

That Aghora weapon which he had hurled was, by the Lord's own command, caught in mid-flight by Nandi, Shankara's beloved attendant.

Verse 44 (shiva.shatarudra.32.44)

स्वरूपमेव भगवानास्थाय परमेश्वरः । दर्शयामास विप्राय बालेन्दुकृतशेखरम्

svarūpameva bhagavānāsthāya parameśvaraḥ darśayāmāsa viprāya bālendukṛtaśekharam

Then the blessed Supreme Lord, assuming his own true form, crowned with the crescent moon, showed himself to that young brahmin.

Verse 45 (shiva.shatarudra.32.45)

क्षीरार्णवसहस्रं च दध्यादेरर्णवं तथा । भक्ष्यभोज्यार्णवं तस्मै दर्शयामास स प्रभुः

kṣīrārṇavasahasraṁ ca dadhyāderarṇavaṁ tathā bhakṣyabhojyārṇavaṁ tasmai darśayāmāsa sa prabhuḥ

That Lord showed him a thousand oceans of milk, and likewise oceans of curd and the rest, and oceans of every food to eat and enjoy.

Verse 46 (shiva.shatarudra.32.46)

एवं स ददृशे शम्भुर्देव्या सार्धं वृषोपरि । गणेश्वरैस्त्रिशूलाद्यैर्दिव्यास्त्रैरपि संवृतः

evaṁ sa dadṛśe śambhurdevyā sārdhaṁ vṛṣopari gaṇeśvaraistriśūlādyairdivyāstrairapi saṁvṛtaḥ

Thus he beheld Shambhu, together with the Goddess, seated upon his bull, surrounded by the lords of his ganas and by his divine weapons, the trident and the rest.

Verse 47 (shiva.shatarudra.32.47)

दिवि दुन्दुभयो नेदुः पुष्पवृष्टिः पपात ह । विष्णुब्रह्मेन्द्रप्रमुखैर्देवैश्छन्ना दिशो दश

divi dundubhayo neduḥ puṣpavṛṣṭiḥ papāta ha viṣṇubrahmendrapramukhairdevaiśchannā diśo daśa

In the sky the drums resounded, and a shower of flowers fell; the ten directions were filled with Vishnu, Brahma, Indra, and the other gods.

Verse 48 (shiva.shatarudra.32.48)

अथोपमन्युरानन्दसमुद्रोर्मिभिरावृतः । पपात दण्डवद्भूमौ भक्तिनम्रेण चेतसा

athopamanyurānandasamudrormibhirāvṛtaḥ papāta daṇḍavadbhūmau bhaktinamreṇa cetasā

Then Upamanyu, overwhelmed by the waves of an ocean of bliss, fell flat upon the ground like a rod, his heart bowed low in devotion.

Verse 49 (shiva.shatarudra.32.49)

एतस्मिन्समये तत्र सस्मितो भगवान्भवः । एह्येहीति समाहूय मूर्ध्न्याघ्राय ददौ वरान्

etasminsamaye tatra sasmito bhagavānbhavaḥ ehyehīti samāhūya mūrdhnyāghrāya dadau varān

At that moment, the blessed Bhava, smiling, called him, saying 'Come, come,' smelled the top of his head in blessing, and granted him boons.

Verse 50 (shiva.shatarudra.32.50)

शिव उवाच । वत्सोपमन्यो तुष्टोऽस्मि त्वदाचरणतो वरात् । दृढभक्तोऽसि विप्रर्षे मया जिज्ञासितोऽधुना

śiva uvāca vatsopamanyo tuṣṭo'smi tvadācaraṇato varāt dṛḍhabhakto'si viprarṣe mayā jijñāsito'dhunā

Shiva said: "O child Upamanyu, I am well pleased by your excellent conduct. You are of firm devotion, O sage among brahmins — I have now tested you."

Verse 51 (shiva.shatarudra.32.51)

भक्ष्यभोगान्यथाकामं बान्धवैर्भुङ्क्ष्व सर्वदा । सुखी भव सदा दुःखनिर्मुक्तो भक्तिमान्मम

bhakṣyabhogānyathākāmaṁ bāndhavairbhuṅkṣva sarvadā sukhī bhava sadā duḥkhanirmukto bhaktimānmama

"Enjoy foods and pleasures as you desire, together with your kinsfolk, always. Be forever happy, free from sorrow, and devoted to me."

Verse 52 (shiva.shatarudra.32.52)

उपमन्यो महाभाग तवाम्बैषा हि पार्वती । मया पुत्रीकृतो ह्यद्य कुमारत्वं सनातनम्

upamanyo mahābhāga tavāmbaiṣā hi pārvatī mayā putrīkṛto hyadya kumāratvaṁ sanātanam

"O most fortunate Upamanyu, this Parvati herself is now your mother; today I have made you my own son, and granted you eternal boyhood."

Verse 53 (shiva.shatarudra.32.53)

दुग्धदध्याज्यमधुनामर्णवाश्च सहस्रशः । भक्ष्यभोज्यादिवस्तूनामर्णवाश्चाखिलास्तथा

dugdhadadhyājyamadhunāmarṇavāśca sahasraśaḥ bhakṣyabhojyādivastūnāmarṇavāścākhilāstathā

"Thousands of oceans of milk, curd, ghee, and honey, and likewise all the oceans of food and things to enjoy —"

Verse 54 (shiva.shatarudra.32.54)

तुभ्यं दत्ता मया प्रीत्या त्वं गृह्णीष्व महामुने । अमरत्वं तथा दत्तं गाणपत्यं च शाश्वतम्

tubhyaṁ dattā mayā prītyā tvaṁ gṛhṇīṣva mahāmune amaratvaṁ tathā dattaṁ gāṇapatyaṁ ca śāśvatam

"— have been given to you by me with love, O great sage; take them. Immortality, too, has been given to you, and the everlasting lordship of my ganas."

Verse 55 (shiva.shatarudra.32.55)

पिताहं ते महादेवो माता ते जगदम्बिका । वरान्वरय सुप्रीत्या मनोऽभिलषितान्परान्

pitāhaṁ te mahādevo mātā te jagadambikā varānvaraya suprītyā mano'bhilaṣitānparān

"I, Mahadeva, am your father; the Mother of the universe is your mother. Ask, with great joy, whatever further boons your heart desires."

Verse 56 (shiva.shatarudra.32.56)

अजरश्चामरश्चैव भव त्वं दुःखवर्जितः । यशस्वी वरतेजस्वी दिव्यज्ञानी महाप्रभुः

ajaraścāmaraścaiva bhava tvaṁ duḥkhavarjitaḥ yaśasvī varatejasvī divyajñānī mahāprabhuḥ

"Be forever unaging, undying, free from sorrow, glorious, of the finest radiance, possessed of divine knowledge, a great lord."

Verse 57 (shiva.shatarudra.32.57)

अथ शम्भुः प्रसन्नात्मा स्मृत्वा तस्य तपो महत् । पुनर्दश वरान्दिव्यान्मुनये ह्यूपमन्यवे

atha śambhuḥ prasannātmā smṛtvā tasya tapo mahat punardaśa varāndivyānmunaye hyūpamanyave

Then Shambhu, his heart well pleased, recalling that great austerity of his, granted to the sage Upamanyu ten further divine boons.

Verse 58 (shiva.shatarudra.32.58)

व्रतं पाशुपतं ज्ञानं व्रतयोगं च तत्त्वतः । ददौ तस्मै प्रवक्तृत्वं पाटवं च निजं पदम्म्

vrataṁ pāśupataṁ jñānaṁ vratayogaṁ ca tattvataḥ dadau tasmai pravaktṛtvaṁ pāṭavaṁ ca nijaṁ padamm

The Pashupata vow, true knowledge, the yoga of that vow, the power of teaching, skillfulness, and his own supreme state — all this he gave him.

Verse 59 (shiva.shatarudra.32.59)

एवं दत्त्वा महादेवः कराभ्यामुपगृह्य तम् । मूर्ध्न्याघ्राय सुतस्तेऽयमिति देव्यै न्यवेदयत्

evaṁ dattvā mahādevaḥ karābhyāmupagṛhya tam mūrdhnyāghrāya sutaste'yamiti devyai nyavedayat

Having granted all this, Mahadeva took him up with both hands, smelled the top of his head, and presented him to the Goddess, saying, "This is now your son."

Verse 60 (shiva.shatarudra.32.60)

देवी च शृण्वती प्रीत्या मूर्ध्नि देशे कराम्बुजम् । विन्यस्य प्रददौ तस्मै कुमारपदमक्षयम्

devī ca śṛṇvatī prītyā mūrdhni deśe karāmbujam vinyasya pradadau tasmai kumārapadamakṣayam

The Goddess, hearing this with joy, placed her lotus hand upon the top of his head and bestowed on him the imperishable state of eternal youth.

Verse 61 (shiva.shatarudra.32.61)

क्षीराब्धिमपि साकारं क्षीरस्वादुकरोदधिः । उपास्थाय ददौ तस्मै पिण्डीभूतमनश्वरम्

kṣīrābdhimapi sākāraṁ kṣīrasvādukarodadhiḥ upāsthāya dadau tasmai piṇḍībhūtamanaśvaram

And she, whose hand tastes sweet like milk, having personally appeared as the very Ocean of Milk itself, gave it to him, condensed and imperishable.

Verse 62 (shiva.shatarudra.32.62)

योगैश्वर्यं सदा तुष्टं ब्रह्मविद्यामनश्वराम् । समृद्धिं परमां तस्मै ददौ सन्तुष्टमानसः

yogaiśvaryaṁ sadā tuṣṭaṁ brahmavidyāmanaśvarām samṛddhiṁ paramāṁ tasmai dadau santuṣṭamānasaḥ

She, her heart well pleased, gave him the mastery of yoga, ever contented, the imperishable knowledge of Brahman, and the highest prosperity.

Verse 63 (shiva.shatarudra.32.63)

सोऽपि लब्ध्वा वरान्दिव्यान्कुमारत्वं च सर्वदा । तस्माच्छिवाच्च तस्याश्च शिवाया मुदितोऽभवत्

so'pi labdhvā varāndivyānkumāratvaṁ ca sarvadā tasmācchivācca tasyāśca śivāyā mudito'bhavat

He too, having obtained these divine boons and eternal boyhood from that Shiva and from that Goddess Shiva, became filled with joy.

Verse 64 (shiva.shatarudra.32.64)

ततः प्रसन्नचेतस्कः सुप्रणम्य कृताञ्जलिः । ययाचे स वरं प्रीत्या देवदेवान्महेश्वरात्

tataḥ prasannacetaskaḥ supraṇamya kṛtāñjaliḥ yayāce sa varaṁ prītyā devadevānmaheśvarāt

Then, his heart pleased, bowing low with joined hands, he lovingly asked yet one more boon of Maheshvara, the God of gods.

Verse 65 (shiva.shatarudra.32.65)

उपमन्युरुवाच । प्रसीद देवदेवेश प्रसीद परमेश्वर । स्वभक्तिं देहि परमां दिव्यामव्यभिचारिणीम्

upamanyuruvāca prasīda devadeveśa prasīda parameśvara svabhaktiṁ dehi paramāṁ divyāmavyabhicāriṇīm

Upamanyu said: "Be gracious, O Lord of the gods of gods; be gracious, O Supreme Lord. Grant me your own supreme, divine, unwavering devotion."

Verse 66 (shiva.shatarudra.32.66)

श्रद्धां देहि महादेव स्वसम्बन्धिषु मे सदा । स्वदास्यं परमं स्नेहं स्वसान्निध्यं च सर्वदा

śraddhāṁ dehi mahādeva svasambandhiṣu me sadā svadāsyaṁ paramaṁ snehaṁ svasānnidhyaṁ ca sarvadā

"Grant me faith, O Mahadeva, always toward those connected to you; grant me your own service, supreme affection, and your presence, always."

Verse 67 (shiva.shatarudra.32.67)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । एवमुक्त्वा प्रसन्नात्मा हर्षगद्गदया गिरा । तुष्टाव स महादेवमुपमन्युर्द्विजोत्तमः

nandīśvara uvāca evamuktvā prasannātmā harṣagadgadayā girā tuṣṭāva sa mahādevamupamanyurdvijottamaḥ

Nandishvara said: Having said this, his heart glad, in a voice choked with joy, that excellent brahmin Upamanyu praised Mahadeva.

Verse 68 (shiva.shatarudra.32.68)

एवमुक्तः शिवस्तेन सर्वेषां शृण्वतां प्रभुः । प्रत्युवाच प्रसन्नात्मोपमन्युं सकलेश्वरः

evamuktaḥ śivastena sarveṣāṁ śṛṇvatāṁ prabhuḥ pratyuvāca prasannātmopamanyuṁ sakaleśvaraḥ

Thus addressed, Shiva, the Lord of all, his heart pleased, replied to Upamanyu as all the assembled ones listened.

Verse 69 (shiva.shatarudra.32.69)

शिव उवाच । वत्सोपमन्यो धन्यस्त्वं मम भक्तो विशेषतः । सर्वं दत्तं मया ते हि यद् वृतं भवतानघ

śiva uvāca vatsopamanyo dhanyastvaṁ mama bhakto viśeṣataḥ sarvaṁ dattaṁ mayā te hi yad vṛtaṁ bhavatānagha

Shiva said: "O child Upamanyu, blessed are you, my devotee above all others. I have granted you everything, O sinless one, that you have asked."

Verse 70 (shiva.shatarudra.32.70)

अजरश्चामरश्च त्वं सर्वदा दुःखवर्जितः । सर्वपूज्यो निर्विकारी भक्तानां प्रवरो भव

ajaraścāmaraśca tvaṁ sarvadā duḥkhavarjitaḥ sarvapūjyo nirvikārī bhaktānāṁ pravaro bhava

"Be ever unaging and undying, always free from sorrow, worthy of worship by all, unchanging, and foremost among my devotees."

Verse 71 (shiva.shatarudra.32.71)

अक्षया बान्धवाश्चैव कुलं गोत्रं च ते सदा । भविष्यति द्विजश्रेष्ठ मयि भक्तिश्च शाश्वती

akṣayā bāndhavāścaiva kulaṁ gotraṁ ca te sadā bhaviṣyati dvijaśreṣṭha mayi bhaktiśca śāśvatī

"Your kinsfolk, your lineage, and your family shall always be imperishable, O best of brahmins, and your devotion to me shall be everlasting."

Verse 72 (shiva.shatarudra.32.72)

सान्निध्यं चाश्रये नित्यं करिष्यामि मुने तव । तिष्ठ वत्स यथाकामं नोत्कण्ठां च करिष्यसि

sānnidhyaṁ cāśraye nityaṁ kariṣyāmi mune tava tiṣṭha vatsa yathākāmaṁ notkaṇṭhāṁ ca kariṣyasi

"I shall ever grant my presence to your dwelling, O sage. Remain, O child, as you wish; you shall never feel any longing again."

Verse 73 (shiva.shatarudra.32.73)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । एवमुक्त्वा स भगवांस्तस्मै दत्त्वा वरान्वरान् । साम्बश्च सगणः सद्यस्तत्रैवान्तर्दधे प्रभुः

nandīśvara uvāca evamuktvā sa bhagavāṁstasmai dattvā varānvarān sāmbaśca sagaṇaḥ sadyastatraivāntardadhe prabhuḥ

Nandishvara said: Having said this and granted him these excellent boons, that blessed Lord, together with Uma and his retinue, vanished right there at once.

Verse 74 (shiva.shatarudra.32.74)

उपमन्युः प्रसन्नात्मा प्राप्य शम्भोर्वरान्वरान् । जगाम जननीस्थानं मात्रे सर्वमवर्णयत्

upamanyuḥ prasannātmā prāpya śambhorvarānvarān jagāma jananīsthānaṁ mātre sarvamavarṇayat

Upamanyu, his heart glad, having obtained these excellent boons from Shambhu, went to his mother and related everything to her.

Verse 75 (shiva.shatarudra.32.75)

तच्छ्रुत्वा तस्य जननी महाहर्षमवाप सा । सर्वपूज्योऽभवत्सोऽपि सुखं प्रापाधिकं सदा

tacchrutvā tasya jananī mahāharṣamavāpa sā sarvapūjyo'bhavatso'pi sukhaṁ prāpādhikaṁ sadā

Hearing this, his mother felt the greatest joy; he too became worthy of worship by all, and ever attained the greatest happiness.

Verse 76 (shiva.shatarudra.32.76)

इत्थं ते वर्णितस्तात शिवस्य परमात्मनः । सुरेश्वरावतारो हि सर्वदा सुखदः सताम्

itthaṁ te varṇitastāta śivasya paramātmanaḥ sureśvarāvatāro hi sarvadā sukhadaḥ satām

Thus, O son, has this Sureshvara incarnation of Shiva, the Supreme Self, been described to you — ever the giver of happiness to the virtuous.

Verse 77 (shiva.shatarudra.32.77)

इदमाख्यानमनघं सर्वकामफलप्रदम् । स्वर्ग्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं सताम्

idamākhyānamanaghaṁ sarvakāmaphalapradam svargyaṁ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṁ bhuktimuktipradaṁ satām

This sinless account grants the fruit of every desire; it leads to heaven, brings fame and long life, and bestows both enjoyment and liberation upon the virtuous.

Verse 78 (shiva.shatarudra.32.78)

य एतच्छृणुयाद्भक्त्या श्रावयेद्वा समाहितः । इह सर्वसुखं भुक्त्वा सोऽन्ते शिवगतिं लभेत्

ya etacchṛṇuyādbhaktyā śrāvayedvā samāhitaḥ iha sarvasukhaṁ bhuktvā so'nte śivagatiṁ labhet

Whoever hears this with devotion, or with a composed mind causes it to be heard, having enjoyed all happiness in this world, in the end attains the state of Shiva.