Vyasa's Counsel: Preparing Arjuna's Path to Shiva

Verse 1 (shiva.shatarudra.37.1)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । शृणु प्राज्ञ किराताख्यमवतारं पिनाकिनः । मूकं च हतवान्प्रीतो योऽर्जुनाय वरं ददौ

nandīśvara uvāca śṛṇu prājña kirātākhyamavatāraṁ pinākinaḥ mūkaṁ ca hatavānprīto yo'rjunāya varaṁ dadau

Nandishvara said: "Listen, O wise one, to the avatara of Pinakin, called the Kirata, the mountain hunter, who, well pleased, slew the demon Muka and granted a boon to Arjuna."

Verse 2 (shiva.shatarudra.37.2)

सुयोधनजितास्ते वै पाण्डवाः प्रवराश्च ते । द्रौपद्या च तया साध्व्या द्वैताख्यं वनमाययुः

suyodhanajitāste vai pāṇḍavāḥ pravarāśca te draupadyā ca tayā sādhvyā dvaitākhyaṁ vanamāyayuḥ

The Pandavas, those excellent princes, defeated by Suyodhana, went together with the virtuous Draupadi to the forest called Dvaita.

Verse 3 (shiva.shatarudra.37.3)

तत्रैव सूर्यदत्तां वै स्थालीं चाश्रित्य ते तदा । कालं च वाहयामासुः सुखेन किल पाण्डवाः

tatraiva sūryadattāṁ vai sthālīṁ cāśritya te tadā kālaṁ ca vāhayāmāsuḥ sukhena kila pāṇḍavāḥ

There, relying on the vessel given by the Sun, the Pandavas passed their time in comfort.

Verse 4 (shiva.shatarudra.37.4)

छलार्थं प्रेरितस्तेन दुर्वासा मुनिपुङ्गवः । सुयोधनेन विप्रेन्द्र पाण्डवान्तिकमादरात्

chalārthaṁ preritastena durvāsā munipuṅgavaḥ suyodhanena viprendra pāṇḍavāntikamādarāt

Sent there with deceitful intent by Suyodhana, O foremost of brahmins, the great sage Durvasa respectfully came near the Pandavas.

Verse 5 (shiva.shatarudra.37.5)

छात्रैः स्वैर्वायुतैः सार्धं ययाचे तत्र तान्मुदा । भोज्यं चित्तेप्सितं वै स तेभ्यश्चैव समागतः

chātraiḥ svairvāyutaiḥ sārdhaṁ yayāce tatra tānmudā bhojyaṁ cittepsitaṁ vai sa tebhyaścaiva samāgataḥ

Together with his host of disciples, he, having arrived, joyfully asked of them whatever food his heart desired.

Verse 6 (shiva.shatarudra.37.6)

स्वीकृत्य पाण्डवैस्तैस्तैः स्नानार्थं प्रेषितास्तदा । दुर्वासःप्रमुखाश्चैव मुनयश्च तपस्विनः

svīkṛtya pāṇḍavaistaistaiḥ snānārthaṁ preṣitāstadā durvāsaḥpramukhāścaiva munayaśca tapasvinaḥ

Agreeing to this, the Pandavas then sent Durvasa and the other sages, those ascetics, off to bathe.

Verse 7 (shiva.shatarudra.37.7)

अथ ते पाण्डवाः सर्वे अन्नाभावान्मुनीश्वर । दुःखिताश्च तदा प्राणांस्त्यक्तुं चित्ते समादधुः

atha te pāṇḍavāḥ sarve annābhāvānmunīśvara duḥkhitāśca tadā prāṇāṁstyaktuṁ citte samādadhuḥ

Then, O lord of sages, all the Pandavas, distressed by the lack of food, resolved in their hearts even to give up their lives.

Verse 8 (shiva.shatarudra.37.8)

द्रौपद्या च स्मृतः कृष्ण आगतस्तत्क्षणादपि । शाकं च भक्षयित्वा तु तेषां तृप्तिं समादधत्

draupadyā ca smṛtaḥ kṛṣṇa āgatastatkṣaṇādapi śākaṁ ca bhakṣayitvā tu teṣāṁ tṛptiṁ samādadhat

Krishna, remembered by Draupadi, came at that very instant, and, having eaten a single leaf of vegetable, brought them all to full satisfaction.

Verse 9 (shiva.shatarudra.37.9)

दुर्वासाश्च तदा शिष्यांस्तृप्तान् ज्ञात्वा ययौ पुनः । पाण्डवाः कृच्छ्रनिर्मुक्ताः कृष्णस्य कृपया तदा

durvāsāśca tadā śiṣyāṁstṛptān jñātvā yayau punaḥ pāṇḍavāḥ kṛcchranirmuktāḥ kṛṣṇasya kṛpayā tadā

Then Durvasa, finding his disciples satisfied, departed once more; and the Pandavas were freed from that ordeal by Krishna's grace.

Verse 10 (shiva.shatarudra.37.10)

अथ ते पाण्डवाः कृष्णं पप्रच्छुः किं भविष्यति । बलवान् शत्रुरुत्पन्नः किं कार्यं तद्वद प्रभो

atha te pāṇḍavāḥ kṛṣṇaṁ papracchuḥ kiṁ bhaviṣyati balavān śatrurutpannaḥ kiṁ kāryaṁ tadvada prabho

Then the Pandavas asked Krishna: "What is now to happen? A mighty enemy has arisen — tell us, Lord, what we should do."

Verse 11 (shiva.shatarudra.37.11)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति पृष्ठस्तदा तैस्तु श्रीकृष्णः पाण्डवैर्मुने । स्मृत्वा शिवपदाम्भोजौ पाण्डवानिदमब्रवीत्

nandīśvara uvāca iti pṛṣṭhastadā taistu śrīkṛṣṇaḥ pāṇḍavairmune smṛtvā śivapadāmbhojau pāṇḍavānidamabravīt

Nandishvara said: Thus questioned by the Pandavas, O sage, Shri Krishna, calling to mind Shiva's lotus feet, spoke this to the Pandavas.

Verse 12 (shiva.shatarudra.37.12)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । श्रूयतां पाण्डवाः श्रेष्ठाः श्रुत्वा कर्तव्यमेव हि । मद्वृत्तान्तं विशेषेण शिवसेवासमन्वितम्

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca śrūyatāṁ pāṇḍavāḥ śreṣṭhāḥ śrutvā kartavyameva hi madvṛttāntaṁ viśeṣeṇa śivasevāsamanvitam

Shri Krishna said: "Listen, O best of the Pandavas — and having heard, you must act upon it — my own account, above all concerning my service to Shiva."

Verse 13 (shiva.shatarudra.37.13)

द्वारकां च मया गत्वा शत्रूणां विजिगीषया । विचार्य चोपदेशांश्च ह्युपमन्योर्महात्मनः

dvārakāṁ ca mayā gatvā śatrūṇāṁ vijigīṣayā vicārya copadeśāṁśca hyupamanyormahātmanaḥ

"I went to Dvaraka, desiring victory over my enemies, and, having reflected upon the teachings of the great-souled Upamanyu —"

Verse 14 (shiva.shatarudra.37.14)

मया ह्याराधितः शम्भुः प्रसन्नः परमेश्वरः । बटुके पर्वतश्रेष्ठे सप्तमासं सुसेवितः

mayā hyārādhitaḥ śambhuḥ prasannaḥ parameśvaraḥ baṭuke parvataśreṣṭhe saptamāsaṁ susevitaḥ

"— I worshipped Shambhu, and that Supreme Lord was pleased; in the form of a young boy, upon that most excellent mountain, he was well served by me for seven months."

Verse 15 (shiva.shatarudra.37.15)

इष्टान्कामानदान्मह्यं विश्वेशश्च स्वयं स्थितः । तत्प्रभावान्मया सर्वसामर्थ्यं लब्धमुत्तमम्

iṣṭānkāmānadānmahyaṁ viśveśaśca svayaṁ sthitaḥ tatprabhāvānmayā sarvasāmarthyaṁ labdhamuttamam

"The Lord of the universe himself stood before me and granted my heart's desires; by his power I obtained the highest capability in every task."

Verse 16 (shiva.shatarudra.37.16)

इदानीं सेव्यते देवो भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदः । यूयं सेवत तं शम्भुमपि सर्वसुखावहम्

idānīṁ sevyate devo bhuktimuktiphalapradaḥ yūyaṁ sevata taṁ śambhumapi sarvasukhāvaham

"Even now I worship that god, the bestower of the fruits of both enjoyment and liberation; you too should worship that Shambhu, who brings every happiness."

Verse 17 (shiva.shatarudra.37.17)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्त्वान्तर्दधे कृष्ण आश्वास्याथ च पाण्डवान् । द्वारकामगमच्छीघ्रं स्मरन् शिवपदाम्बुजम्

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktvāntardadhe kṛṣṇa āśvāsyātha ca pāṇḍavān dvārakāmagamacchīghraṁ smaran śivapadāmbujam

Nandishvara said: Having said this, and having reassured the Pandavas, Krishna vanished from sight and, remembering Shiva's lotus feet, swiftly went to Dvaraka.

Verse 18 (shiva.shatarudra.37.18)

पाण्डवा अथ भिल्लं च प्रेषयामासुरोजसा । गुणानां च परीक्षार्थं तस्य दुर्योधनस्य च

pāṇḍavā atha bhillaṁ ca preṣayāmāsurojasā guṇānāṁ ca parīkṣārthaṁ tasya duryodhanasya ca

Then the Pandavas boldly sent a Bhilla scout to assess the qualities of Duryodhana.

Verse 19 (shiva.shatarudra.37.19)

सोऽपि सर्वं च तत्रत्यं दुर्योधनगुणोदयम् । समीचीनं च तज्ज्ञात्वा पुनः प्राप प्रभून्प्रति

so'pi sarvaṁ ca tatratyaṁ duryodhanaguṇodayam samīcīnaṁ ca tajjñātvā punaḥ prāpa prabhūnprati

He too, having learned all that was happening there, and having judged Duryodhana's rising strength to be considerable, returned again to his masters.

Verse 20 (shiva.shatarudra.37.20)

तदुक्तं ते निशम्यैवं दुःखं प्रापुर्मुनीश्वर । परस्परं समूचुस्ते पाण्डवा अतिदुःखिताः

taduktaṁ te niśamyaivaṁ duḥkhaṁ prāpurmunīśvara parasparaṁ samūcuste pāṇḍavā atiduḥkhitāḥ

O lord of sages, hearing his report, they were filled with distress; the greatly grieved Pandavas spoke among themselves.

Verse 21 (shiva.shatarudra.37.21)

किं कर्तव्यं क्व गन्तव्यमस्माभिरधुना युधि । समर्था अपि वै सर्वे सत्यपाशेन यन्त्रिताः

kiṁ kartavyaṁ kva gantavyamasmābhiradhunā yudhi samarthā api vai sarve satyapāśena yantritāḥ

"What are we to do, where are we now to go in this struggle? Though every one of us is capable, we are all bound fast by the fetter of our own sworn word."

Verse 22 (shiva.shatarudra.37.22)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । एतस्मिन्समये व्यासो भस्मभूषितमस्तकः । रुद्राक्षाभरणश्चायाज्जटाजूटविभूषितः

nandīśvara uvāca etasminsamaye vyāso bhasmabhūṣitamastakaḥ rudrākṣābharaṇaścāyājjaṭājūṭavibhūṣitaḥ

Nandishvara said: At this moment Vyasa arrived, his head adorned with ash, wearing ornaments of rudraksha, resplendent with his matted crown of hair.

Verse 23 (shiva.shatarudra.37.23)

पञ्चाक्षरं जपन्मन्त्रं शिवप्रेमसमाकुलः । तेजसां च स्वयंराशिः साक्षाद्धर्म इवापरः

pañcākṣaraṁ japanmantraṁ śivapremasamākulaḥ tejasāṁ ca svayaṁrāśiḥ sākṣāddharma ivāparaḥ

Chanting the five-syllabled mantra, overflowing with love for Shiva, himself a very mass of radiance — as if a second Dharma incarnate.

Verse 24 (shiva.shatarudra.37.24)

तं दृष्ट्वा ते तदा प्रीता उत्थाय पुरतः स्थिताः । दत्त्वासनं तदा तस्मै कुशाजिनसुशोभितम्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā te tadā prītā utthāya purataḥ sthitāḥ dattvāsanaṁ tadā tasmai kuśājinasuśobhitam

Seeing him, they rose at once with delight and stood before him, offering him a seat well adorned with kusha grass and a deerskin.

Verse 25 (shiva.shatarudra.37.25)

तत्रोपविष्टं तं व्यासं पूजयन्ति स्म हर्षिताः । स्तुतिं च विविधां कृत्वा धन्याः स्म इति वादिनः

tatropaviṣṭaṁ taṁ vyāsaṁ pūjayanti sma harṣitāḥ stutiṁ ca vividhāṁ kṛtvā dhanyāḥ sma iti vādinaḥ

There, as he sat, they worshipped Vyasa with joy, and, offering him varied praise, said, "We are indeed blessed."

Verse 26 (shiva.shatarudra.37.26)

तपश्चैव सुसन्तप्तं दानानि विविधानि च । तत्सर्वं सफलं जातं तृप्तास्ते दर्शनात्प्रभो

tapaścaiva susantaptaṁ dānāni vividhāni ca tatsarvaṁ saphalaṁ jātaṁ tṛptāste darśanātprabho

"Lord, our fiercely undergone austerities, and our many acts of charity — all of it has now borne fruit; we are satisfied by the mere sight of you."

Verse 27 (shiva.shatarudra.37.27)

दुःखं च दूरतो जातं दर्शनात्ते पितामह । दुष्टैश्चैव महादुःखं दत्तं नः क्रूरकर्मभिः

duḥkhaṁ ca dūrato jātaṁ darśanātte pitāmaha duṣṭaiścaiva mahāduḥkhaṁ dattaṁ naḥ krūrakarmabhiḥ

"By the sight of you, grandfather, our sorrow has fled far away; great sorrow indeed has been dealt to us by the wicked, by those of cruel deeds."

Verse 28 (shiva.shatarudra.37.28)

श्रीमतां दर्शने जाते दुःखं चैव गमिष्यति । कदाचिन्न गतं तत्र निश्चयोऽयं विचारितः

śrīmatāṁ darśane jāte duḥkhaṁ caiva gamiṣyati kadācinna gataṁ tatra niścayo'yaṁ vicāritaḥ

"It is a settled truth that upon beholding the fortunate ones, sorrow departs — this has never once failed to hold."

Verse 29 (shiva.shatarudra.37.29)

महतामाश्रमे प्राप्ते समर्थे सर्वकर्मणि । यदि दुःखं न गच्छेत्तु दैवमेवात्र कारणम्

mahatāmāśrame prāpte samarthe sarvakarmaṇi yadi duḥkhaṁ na gacchettu daivamevātra kāraṇam

"And yet, having come to the hermitage of the great, who are capable of every task, if sorrow still does not depart, then destiny alone must be the cause."

Verse 30 (shiva.shatarudra.37.30)

निश्चयेनैव गच्छेत्तु दारिद्यं दुःखकारणम् । महतां च स्वभावोऽयं कल्पवृक्षसमो मतः

niścayenaiva gacchettu dāridyaṁ duḥkhakāraṇam mahatāṁ ca svabhāvo'yaṁ kalpavṛkṣasamo mataḥ

"Poverty is, without doubt, the very cause of sorrow; and this is held to be the nature of the great — like a wish-granting tree."

Verse 31 (shiva.shatarudra.37.31)

तद्गुणानेव गणयन्महतो वस्तुमात्रतः । आश्रयस्य वशादेव पुंसो वै जायते प्रभो

tadguṇāneva gaṇayanmahato vastumātrataḥ āśrayasya vaśādeva puṁso vai jāyate prabho

"Reckoning the true worth of a thing by its qualities alone, O Lord, it is solely through the power of what one takes refuge in that good fortune comes to a man."

Verse 32 (shiva.shatarudra.37.32)

लघुत्वं च महत्त्वं च नात्र कार्या विचारणा । उत्तमानां स्वभावोऽयं यद्दीनप्रतिपालनम्

laghutvaṁ ca mahattvaṁ ca nātra kāryā vicāraṇā uttamānāṁ svabhāvo'yaṁ yaddīnapratipālanam

"There is no need here to weigh smallness against greatness; for it is the very nature of the noble to protect and sustain the humble."

Verse 33 (shiva.shatarudra.37.33)

रङ्कस्य लक्षणं लोके ह्यतिश्रेयस्करं मतम् । पुरोऽस्य परयत्नो वै सुजनानां च सेवनम्

raṅkasya lakṣaṇaṁ loke hyatiśreyaskaraṁ matam puro'sya parayatno vai sujanānāṁ ca sevanam

"It is held in this world that the surest mark of good fortune for one in need is this: great effort on his part, together with the service of the virtuous."

Verse 34 (shiva.shatarudra.37.34)

अतः परं च भाग्यं वै दोषश्चैव न दीयताम् । एतस्मात्कारणात्स्वामिंस्त्वयि दृष्टो शुभं तदा

ataḥ paraṁ ca bhāgyaṁ vai doṣaścaiva na dīyatām etasmātkāraṇātsvāmiṁstvayi dṛṣṭo śubhaṁ tadā

"Beyond this, it is fortune alone that decides, and no blame should be laid for it; for this very reason, O Master, we have now seen an auspicious sign in you."

Verse 35 (shiva.shatarudra.37.35)

त्वदागमनमात्रेण सन्तुष्टानि मनांसि नः । दिशोपदेशं येनाशु दुःखं नष्टं भवेच्च नः

tvadāgamanamātreṇa santuṣṭāni manāṁsi naḥ diśopadeśaṁ yenāśu duḥkhaṁ naṣṭaṁ bhavecca naḥ

"By your coming alone our hearts have already been made content; grant us your counsel now, that our sorrow may be swiftly destroyed."

Verse 36 (shiva.shatarudra.37.36)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्येतद्वचनं श्रुत्वा पाण्डवानां महामुनिः । प्रसन्नमानसो भूत्वा व्यासश्चैवाब्रवीदिदम्

nandīśvara uvāca ityetadvacanaṁ śrutvā pāṇḍavānāṁ mahāmuniḥ prasannamānaso bhūtvā vyāsaścaivābravīdidam

Nandishvara said: Hearing these words of the Pandavas, the great sage Vyasa, his mind well pleased, then spoke thus.

Verse 37 (shiva.shatarudra.37.37)

हे पाण्डवाश्च यूयं वै न कष्टं कर्तुमर्हथ । धन्याः स्थ कृतकृत्याः स्थ सत्यं नैव विलोपितम्

he pāṇḍavāśca yūyaṁ vai na kaṣṭaṁ kartumarhatha dhanyāḥ stha kṛtakṛtyāḥ stha satyaṁ naiva vilopitam

"O Pandavas, you have no cause at all to grieve; you are blessed, your purpose already accomplished — truth has not been violated in the least."

Verse 38 (shiva.shatarudra.37.38)

सुजनानां स्वभावोऽयं प्राणान्तेऽपि सुशोभनः । धर्मं त्यजन्ति नैवात्र सत्यं सफलभाजनम्

sujanānāṁ svabhāvo'yaṁ prāṇānte'pi suśobhanaḥ dharmaṁ tyajanti naivātra satyaṁ saphalabhājanam

"This is the very nature of the virtuous — beautiful even at the cost of life; they never forsake dharma, for truth alone is the vessel of fruitful reward."

Verse 39 (shiva.shatarudra.37.39)

अस्माकं चैव यूयं च ते चापि समतां गताः । तथापि पक्षपातो वै धर्मिष्ठानां मतो बुधैः

asmākaṁ caiva yūyaṁ ca te cāpi samatāṁ gatāḥ tathāpi pakṣapāto vai dharmiṣṭhānāṁ mato budhaiḥ

"We ourselves, and you, and they too, have all come to stand as equals; and yet the wise hold that partiality is rightly shown to the righteous."

Verse 40 (shiva.shatarudra.37.40)

धृतराष्ट्रेन दुष्टेन प्रथमं च ह्यचक्षुषा । धर्मस्त्यक्तः स्वयं लोभाद्युष्माकं राज्यमाहृतम्

dhṛtarāṣṭrena duṣṭena prathamaṁ ca hyacakṣuṣā dharmastyaktaḥ svayaṁ lobhādyuṣmākaṁ rājyamāhṛtam

"By the wicked, sightless Dhritarashtra, dharma was abandoned first, out of his own greed, and your kingdom was seized."

Verse 41 (shiva.shatarudra.37.41)

तस्य यूयं च ते चापि पुत्रा एव न संशयः । पितर्यपरते बाला अनुकम्प्या महात्मनः

tasya yūyaṁ ca te cāpi putrā eva na saṁśayaḥ pitaryaparate bālā anukampyā mahātmanaḥ

"Both you and they are, without doubt, his very sons; and when the father is gone, children become, for the great-souled, deserving of compassion."

Verse 42 (shiva.shatarudra.37.42)

पश्चात्पुत्रश्च तेनैव वारितो न कदाचन । अनर्थो नैव जायेत यच्चैवं च कृतं तदा

paścātputraśca tenaiva vārito na kadācana anartho naiva jāyeta yaccaivaṁ ca kṛtaṁ tadā

"Yet afterward his son was never once restrained by him; had he done so, this calamity would never have come to be."

Verse 43 (shiva.shatarudra.37.43)

अतः परं च यज्जातं तज्जातं नान्यथा भवेत् । अयं दुष्टो भवन्तश्च धर्मिष्ठाः सत्यवादिनः

ataḥ paraṁ ca yajjātaṁ tajjātaṁ nānyathā bhavet ayaṁ duṣṭo bhavantaśca dharmiṣṭhāḥ satyavādinaḥ

"Beyond this, whatever has come to pass has come to pass, and cannot now be otherwise; he is the wicked one, while you are righteous and truthful."

Verse 44 (shiva.shatarudra.37.44)

तस्मादन्ते च तस्यैवाशुभं हि भविता ध्रुवम् । यच्चैव वापितं बीजं तत्प्ररोहो भवेदिह

tasmādante ca tasyaivāśubhaṁ hi bhavitā dhruvam yaccaiva vāpitaṁ bījaṁ tatpraroho bhavediha

"Therefore, in the end, misfortune shall surely fall upon him alone; for whatever seed is sown, that very seed shall sprout in this world."

Verse 45 (shiva.shatarudra.37.45)

तस्माद्दुःखं न कर्तव्यं भवद्भिः सर्वथा ध्रुवम् । भविष्यति शुभं वो हि नात्र कार्या विचारणा

tasmādduḥkhaṁ na kartavyaṁ bhavadbhiḥ sarvathā dhruvam bhaviṣyati śubhaṁ vo hi nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"Therefore you should not grieve at all, in any way whatsoever; good fortune shall surely come to you — there is no cause here for doubt."

Verse 46 (shiva.shatarudra.37.46)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा पाण्डवाः सर्वे तेन व्यासेन प्रीणिताः । युधिष्ठिरमुखास्ते च पुनरेवाब्रुवन्वचः

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktvā pāṇḍavāḥ sarve tena vyāsena prīṇitāḥ yudhiṣṭhiramukhāste ca punarevābruvanvacaḥ

Nandishvara said: Hearing this, and comforted by Vyasa, all the Pandavas, headed by Yudhishthira, spoke these words once more.

Verse 47 (shiva.shatarudra.37.47)

पाण्डवा ऊचुः । सत्यमुक्तं त्वया नाथ दुष्टैर्दुःखं निरन्तरम् । दुष्टात्मभिर्वने चापि दीयते हि मुहुर्मुहुः

pāṇḍavā ūcuḥ satyamuktaṁ tvayā nātha duṣṭairduḥkhaṁ nirantaram duṣṭātmabhirvane cāpi dīyate hi muhurmuhuḥ

The Pandavas said: "You have spoken the truth, Master; sorrow is dealt to us without end by the wicked, by evil-souled men — again and again, even here in the forest."

Verse 48 (shiva.shatarudra.37.48)

तन्नाशयाशुभं मेंऽद्य किञ्चिद्देयं शुभं विभो । कृष्णेन कथितं पूर्वमाराध्यः शङ्करः सदा

tannāśayāśubhaṁ meṁ'dya kiñciddeyaṁ śubhaṁ vibho kṛṣṇena kathitaṁ pūrvamārādhyaḥ śaṅkaraḥ sadā

"Now destroy this misfortune of ours, Lord — grant us something auspicious. Krishna told us before that Shankara is ever to be worshipped."

Verse 49 (shiva.shatarudra.37.49)

प्रमादश्च कृतोऽस्माभिस्तद्वचः शिथिलीकृतम् । स देवमार्गस्तु पुनरिदानीमुपदिश्यताम्

pramādaśca kṛto'smābhistadvacaḥ śithilīkṛtam sa devamārgastu punaridānīmupadiśyatām

"We committed a lapse, and let that counsel grow slack; let that same path to the divine now be shown to us again."

Verse 50 (shiva.shatarudra.37.50)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्येतद्वचनं श्रुत्वा व्यासो हर्षसमन्वितः । उवाच पाण्डवान्प्रीत्या स्मृत्वा शिवपदाम्बुजम्

nandīśvara uvāca ityetadvacanaṁ śrutvā vyāso harṣasamanvitaḥ uvāca pāṇḍavānprītyā smṛtvā śivapadāmbujam

Nandishvara said: Hearing these words, Vyasa, filled with joy, remembering Shiva's lotus feet, spoke lovingly to the Pandavas.

Verse 51 (shiva.shatarudra.37.51)

व्यास उवाच । श्रूयतां वचनं मेऽद्य पाण्डवा धर्मबुद्धयः । सत्यमुक्तं तु कृष्णेन मया संसेव्यते शिवः

vyāsa uvāca śrūyatāṁ vacanaṁ me'dya pāṇḍavā dharmabuddhayaḥ satyamuktaṁ tu kṛṣṇena mayā saṁsevyate śivaḥ

Vyasa said: "Hear my words today, O Pandavas of righteous mind. What Krishna told you is indeed the truth — I too worship Shiva."

Verse 52 (shiva.shatarudra.37.52)

भवद्भिः सेव्यतां प्रीत्या सुखं स्यादतुलं सदा । सर्वदुःखं भवत्येव शिवासेवात एव हि

bhavadbhiḥ sevyatāṁ prītyā sukhaṁ syādatulaṁ sadā sarvaduḥkhaṁ bhavatyeva śivāsevāta eva hi

"Let him be worshipped by you with love, and unequalled happiness shall ever be yours; every sorrow comes to its end only through the worship of Shiva."

Verse 53 (shiva.shatarudra.37.53)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । अथ पञ्चसु तेष्वेव विचार्य शिवपूजने । अर्जुनं योग्यमुच्चार्य व्यासो मुनिवरस्तथा

nandīśvara uvāca atha pañcasu teṣveva vicārya śivapūjane arjunaṁ yogyamuccārya vyāso munivarastathā

Nandishvara said: Then, having considered among those five who was fit for the worship of Shiva, Vyasa, that foremost of sages, declared Arjuna to be worthy.

Verse 54 (shiva.shatarudra.37.54)

तपःस्थानं विचार्यैवं ततः स मुनिसत्तमः । पाण्डवान्धर्मसन्निष्ठान्पुनरेवाब्रवीदिदम्

tapaḥsthānaṁ vicāryaivaṁ tataḥ sa munisattamaḥ pāṇḍavāndharmasanniṣṭhānpunarevābravīdidam

Having thus decided the place of his austerity, that foremost of sages then spoke once again to the Pandavas, steadfast in dharma.

Verse 55 (shiva.shatarudra.37.55)

व्यास उवाच । श्रूयतां पाण्डवाः सर्वे कथयामि हितं सदा । शिवं सर्वं परं दृष्ट्वा परं ब्रह्म सतां गतिम्

vyāsa uvāca śrūyatāṁ pāṇḍavāḥ sarve kathayāmi hitaṁ sadā śivaṁ sarvaṁ paraṁ dṛṣṭvā paraṁ brahma satāṁ gatim

Vyasa said: "Hear, all you Pandavas — I ever speak to you for your good: having seen Shiva as the Supreme in all things, the highest Brahman, the goal of the virtuous —"

Verse 56 (shiva.shatarudra.37.56)

ब्रह्मादित्रिपरार्द्धान्तं यत्किञ्चिद् दृश्यते जगत् । तत्सर्वं शिवरूपं च पूज्यं ध्येयं च तत्पुनः

brahmāditriparārddhāntaṁ yatkiñcid dṛśyate jagat tatsarvaṁ śivarūpaṁ ca pūjyaṁ dhyeyaṁ ca tatpunaḥ

"— whatever world is seen, from Brahma to the very furthest reach of the threefold Para, all of it is Shiva's own form, worthy of worship and meditation."

Verse 57 (shiva.shatarudra.37.57)

सर्वेषां चैव सेव्योऽसौ शङ्करः सर्वदुःखहा । शिवः स्वल्पेन कालेन सम्प्रसीदति भक्तितः

sarveṣāṁ caiva sevyo'sau śaṅkaraḥ sarvaduḥkhahā śivaḥ svalpena kālena samprasīdati bhaktitaḥ

"That Shankara, destroyer of every sorrow, is to be worshipped by all; through devotion, Shiva becomes gracious in but a short time."

Verse 58 (shiva.shatarudra.37.58)

सुप्रसन्नो महेशो हि भक्तेभ्यः सकलप्रदः । भुक्तिं मुक्तिमिहामुत्र यच्छतीति सुनिश्चितम्

suprasanno maheśo hi bhaktebhyaḥ sakalapradaḥ bhuktiṁ muktimihāmutra yacchatīti suniścitam

"Mahesha, once truly pleased, grants everything to his devotees; it is firmly settled that he bestows both enjoyment and liberation, in this world and the next."

Verse 59 (shiva.shatarudra.37.59)

तस्मात्सेव्यः सदा शभ्भुर्भुक्तिमुक्तिफलेप्सुभिः । पुरुषः शङ्करः साक्षाद् दृष्टहन्ता सतां गतिः

tasmātsevyaḥ sadā śabhbhurbhuktimuktiphalepsubhiḥ puruṣaḥ śaṅkaraḥ sākṣād dṛṣṭahantā satāṁ gatiḥ

"Therefore Shambhu is ever to be worshipped by those who desire the fruits of enjoyment and liberation; that very person, Shankara, is manifestly the destroyer of visible ills, the true goal of the virtuous."

Verse 60 (shiva.shatarudra.37.60)

परन्तु प्रथमं शक्रविद्यां दृढमना जपेत् । क्षत्रियस्य पराख्यस्य चेदमेव समाहितम्

parantu prathamaṁ śakravidyāṁ dṛḍhamanā japet kṣatriyasya parākhyasya cedameva samāhitam

"But first, with a firm and steady mind, one should recite the Shakra-vidya, the lore of Indra; this alone is prescribed for one renowned as a kshatriya."

Verse 61 (shiva.shatarudra.37.61)

अतोऽर्जुनश्च प्रथमं शक्रविद्यां जपेद् दृढः । करिष्यति परीक्षां प्राक् सन्तुष्टस्तद्भविष्यति

ato'rjunaśca prathamaṁ śakravidyāṁ japed dṛḍhaḥ kariṣyati parīkṣāṁ prāk santuṣṭastadbhaviṣyati

"Therefore let Arjuna first firmly recite the Shakra-vidya; Indra will first test him, and, once satisfied, will become well pleased."

Verse 62 (shiva.shatarudra.37.62)

सुप्रसन्नश्च विघ्नानि संहरिष्यति सर्वदा । पुनश्चैवं शिवस्यैव वरं मन्त्रं प्रदास्यति

suprasannaśca vighnāni saṁhariṣyati sarvadā punaścaivaṁ śivasyaiva varaṁ mantraṁ pradāsyati

"Once pleased, he will forever dispel every obstacle; and he will, moreover, grant him the excellent mantra belonging to Shiva himself."

Verse 63 (shiva.shatarudra.37.63)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्त्वार्जुनमाहूयोपेन्द्रविद्यामुपादिशत् । स्नात्वा च प्राङ्मुखो भूत्वा जग्राहार्जुन उग्रधीः

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktvārjunamāhūyopendravidyāmupādiśat snātvā ca prāṅmukho bhūtvā jagrāhārjuna ugradhīḥ

Nandishvara said: Having said this, he called Arjuna and taught him the Upendra-vidya; and Arjuna, resolute of mind, having bathed and turned to face the east, received it.

Verse 64 (shiva.shatarudra.37.64)

पार्थिवस्य विधानं च तस्मै मुनिवरो ददौ । प्रत्युवाच च तं व्यासो धनञ्जयमुदारधीः

pārthivasya vidhānaṁ ca tasmai munivaro dadau pratyuvāca ca taṁ vyāso dhanañjayamudāradhīḥ

That excellent sage also gave him the rule for worshipping the earthen linga; and Vyasa, of noble mind, then answered Dhananjaya.

Verse 65 (shiva.shatarudra.37.65)

व्यास उवाच । इतो गच्छाधुना पार्थ इन्द्रकीले सुशोभने । जाह्नव्याश्च समीपे वै स्थित्वा सम्यक् तपः कुरु

vyāsa uvāca ito gacchādhunā pārtha indrakīle suśobhane jāhnavyāśca samīpe vai sthitvā samyak tapaḥ kuru

Vyasa said: "Go now from here, O Partha, to the beautiful Indrakila; and there, dwelling near the Ganga, perform your austerity rightly."

Verse 66 (shiva.shatarudra.37.66)

अदृश्या चैव विद्या स्यात्सदा ते हितकारिणी । इत्याशिषं ददौ तस्मै ततः प्रोवाच तान्मुनिः

adṛśyā caiva vidyā syātsadā te hitakāriṇī ityāśiṣaṁ dadau tasmai tataḥ provāca tānmuniḥ

"May this hidden lore ever prove beneficial to you." Having given this blessing, the sage then spoke to them.

Verse 67 (shiva.shatarudra.37.67)

धर्ममास्थाय सर्वे वै तिष्ठन्तु नृपसत्तमाः । सिद्धिः स्यात्सर्वथा श्रेष्ठा नात्र कार्या विचारणा

dharmamāsthāya sarve vai tiṣṭhantu nṛpasattamāḥ siddhiḥ syātsarvathā śreṣṭhā nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"Let all of you, foremost of kings, remain firmly established in dharma; success, in every way supreme, shall be yours — there is no room here for doubt."

Verse 68 (shiva.shatarudra.37.68)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति दत्त्वाशिषं तेभ्यः पाण्डवेभ्यो मुनीश्वरः । स्मृत्वा शिवपदाम्भोजं व्यासश्चान्तर्दधे क्षणात्

nandīśvara uvāca iti dattvāśiṣaṁ tebhyaḥ pāṇḍavebhyo munīśvaraḥ smṛtvā śivapadāmbhojaṁ vyāsaścāntardadhe kṣaṇāt

Nandishvara said: Having given the Pandavas this blessing, that lord of sages, Vyasa, remembering Shiva's lotus feet, vanished in an instant.