Arjuna's Austerity: In the Context of the Kirata Avatara

Verse 1 (shiva.shatarudra.38.1)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । अर्जुनोऽपि तदा तत्र दीप्यमानो व्यदृश्यत । मन्त्रेण शिवरूपेण तेजश्चातुलमावहन्

nandīśvara uvāca arjuno'pi tadā tatra dīpyamāno vyadṛśyata mantreṇa śivarūpeṇa tejaścātulamāvahan

Nandishvara said: Arjuna too was then seen there, radiant, bearing incomparable splendor through the mantra in Shiva's own form.

Verse 2 (shiva.shatarudra.38.2)

ते सर्वे चार्जुनं दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवा निश्चयं गताः । जयोऽस्माकं ध्रुवं जातं तेजश्च विपुलं यतः

te sarve cārjunaṁ dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavā niścayaṁ gatāḥ jayo'smākaṁ dhruvaṁ jātaṁ tejaśca vipulaṁ yataḥ

Seeing Arjuna, all the Pandavas grew certain: "Our victory is now assured, since such vast splendor has arisen."

Verse 3 (shiva.shatarudra.38.3)

इदं कार्यं त्वया साध्यं नान्येन च कदाचन । व्यासस्य वचनाद्भाति सफलं कुरु जीवितम्

idaṁ kāryaṁ tvayā sādhyaṁ nānyena ca kadācana vyāsasya vacanādbhāti saphalaṁ kuru jīvitam

"This task is to be accomplished by you, and never by another. By Vyasa's word it is made clear — make your life fruitful."

Verse 4 (shiva.shatarudra.38.4)

इति प्रोच्यार्जुनं ते वै विरहौत्सुक्यकातराः । अनिच्छन्तोऽपि तत्रैव प्रेषयामासुरादरात्

iti procyārjunaṁ te vai virahautsukyakātarāḥ anicchanto'pi tatraiva preṣayāmāsurādarāt

Having said this to Arjuna, they, troubled with anxious longing at the coming parting, though unwilling, respectfully sent him off all the same.

Verse 5 (shiva.shatarudra.38.5)

द्रौपदी दुःखसंयुक्ता नेत्राश्रूणि निरुध्य च । प्रेषयन्ती शुभं वाक्यं तदोवाच पतिव्रता

draupadī duḥkhasaṁyuktā netrāśrūṇi nirudhya ca preṣayantī śubhaṁ vākyaṁ tadovāca pativratā

Draupadi, overcome with sorrow, holding back the tears in her eyes, that devoted wife spoke these auspicious words as she sent him off.

Verse 6 (shiva.shatarudra.38.6)

द्रौपद्युवाच । व्यासोपदिष्टं यद्राजंस्त्वया कार्यं प्रयत्नतः । शुभप्रदोऽस्तु ते पन्थाः शकरः शं करोतु वै

draupadyuvāca vyāsopadiṣṭaṁ yadrājaṁstvayā kāryaṁ prayatnataḥ śubhaprado'stu te panthāḥ śakaraḥ śaṁ karotu vai

Draupadi said: "O King, pursue with all effort the task Vyasa has enjoined upon you; may your path be auspicious, may Shankara grant you well-being."

Verse 7 (shiva.shatarudra.38.7)

ते सर्वे चावसंस्तत्र विसृज्यार्जुनमादरात् । अत्यन्तदुःखमापन्ना मिलित्वा पञ्च एव च

te sarve cāvasaṁstatra visṛjyārjunamādarāt atyantaduḥkhamāpannā militvā pañca eva ca

Having respectfully sent Arjuna off, they all remained there; and, overcome with the greatest sorrow, those five gathered together.

Verse 8 (shiva.shatarudra.38.8)

स्थितास्तत्र वदन्ति स्म श्रूयतामृषिसत्तम । दुःखेऽपि प्रियसङ्गो वै न दुःखाय प्रजायते

sthitāstatra vadanti sma śrūyatāmṛṣisattama duḥkhe'pi priyasaṅgo vai na duḥkhāya prajāyate

Staying there, they said to one another: "Hear this — even amid sorrow, the company of a loved one is never itself a cause of sorrow."

Verse 9 (shiva.shatarudra.38.9)

वियोगे द्विगुणं तस्य दुःखं भवति नित्यशः । तत्र धैर्यधरस्यापि कथं धैर्यं भवेदिह

viyoge dviguṇaṁ tasya duḥkhaṁ bhavati nityaśaḥ tatra dhairyadharasyāpi kathaṁ dhairyaṁ bhavediha

"In separation, that same sorrow becomes twofold, always; and how, in such a case, can even the most patient man's patience hold?"

Verse 10 (shiva.shatarudra.38.10)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । कुर्वत्स्वेव तदा दुःखम्पाण्डवेषु मुनीश्वरः । कृपासिन्धुश्च स व्यास ऋषिवर्यः समागत

nandīśvara uvāca kurvatsveva tadā duḥkhampāṇḍaveṣu munīśvaraḥ kṛpāsindhuśca sa vyāsa ṛṣivaryaḥ samāgata

Nandishvara said: While the Pandavas were thus grieving, O lord of sages, that ocean of compassion, the excellent seer Vyasa, arrived there.

Verse 11 (shiva.shatarudra.38.11)

तं तदा पाण्डवास्ते वै नत्वा सम्पूज्य चादरात् । दत्त्वासनं हि दुःखाढ्याः करौ बध्वा वचोऽब्रुवन्

taṁ tadā pāṇḍavāste vai natvā sampūjya cādarāt dattvāsanaṁ hi duḥkhāḍhyāḥ karau badhvā vaco'bruvan

Then the Pandavas, bowing to him and worshipping him with reverence, offered him a seat, and, weighed down with sorrow, folded their hands and spoke these words.

Verse 12 (shiva.shatarudra.38.12)

पाण्डवा ऊचुः । श्रूयतामृषभश्रेष्ठ दुःखदग्धा वयं प्रभो । दर्शनं तेऽद्य सम्प्राप्य ह्यानन्दं प्राप्नुमो मुने

pāṇḍavā ūcuḥ śrūyatāmṛṣabhaśreṣṭha duḥkhadagdhā vayaṁ prabho darśanaṁ te'dya samprāpya hyānandaṁ prāpnumo mune

The Pandavas said: "Hear us, foremost of sages, Lord — we are consumed by sorrow; yet having gained your sight today, O sage, we have found joy."

Verse 13 (shiva.shatarudra.38.13)

कियत्कालं वसात्रैव दुःखनाशाय नः प्रभो । दर्शनात्तव विप्रर्षे सर्वं दुःखं विलीयते

kiyatkālaṁ vasātraiva duḥkhanāśāya naḥ prabho darśanāttava viprarṣe sarvaṁ duḥkhaṁ vilīyate

"How long, Lord, will you dwell here, for the sake of destroying our sorrow? By your very sight, O sage among brahmins, all sorrow melts away."

Verse 14 (shiva.shatarudra.38.14)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्तः स ऋषिश्रेष्ठो न्यवसत्तत्सुखाय वै । कथाभिर्विविधाभिश्च तद्दुःखं नोदयंस्तदा

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktaḥ sa ṛṣiśreṣṭho nyavasattatsukhāya vai kathābhirvividhābhiśca tadduḥkhaṁ nodayaṁstadā

Nandishvara said: Thus addressed, that foremost of sages remained there for their happiness, and with many stories kept that sorrow from rising.

Verse 15 (shiva.shatarudra.38.15)

वार्तायां क्रियमाणायां तेन व्यासेन सन्मुने । सुप्रणम्य विनीतात्मा धर्मराजोऽब्रवीदिदम्

vārtāyāṁ kriyamāṇāyāṁ tena vyāsena sanmune supraṇamya vinītātmā dharmarājo'bravīdidam

As Vyasa was thus engaged in conversation, O good sage, Dharmaraja, humble of mind, bowing low, said this.

Verse 16 (shiva.shatarudra.38.16)

धर्मराज उवाच । शृणु त्वं हि ऋषिश्रेष्ठ दुःखशान्तिर्मता मम । पृच्छामि त्वां महाप्राज्ञ कथनीयं त्वया प्रभो

dharmarāja uvāca śṛṇu tvaṁ hi ṛṣiśreṣṭha duḥkhaśāntirmatā mama pṛcchāmi tvāṁ mahāprājña kathanīyaṁ tvayā prabho

Dharmaraja said: "Hear me, foremost of sages — the quieting of sorrow is what I desire; I ask you, greatly wise Lord — tell me this."

Verse 17 (shiva.shatarudra.38.17)

ईदृशं चैव दुःखं च पुरा प्राप्तश्च कश्चन । वयमेव परं दुःखं प्राप्ता वै नैव कश्चन

īdṛśaṁ caiva duḥkhaṁ ca purā prāptaśca kaścana vayameva paraṁ duḥkhaṁ prāptā vai naiva kaścana

"Has anyone ever, before this, met with sorrow such as ours? Or have we alone attained this supreme sorrow, and no one else?"

Verse 18 (shiva.shatarudra.38.18)

व्यास उवाच । राज्ञस्तु नलनाम्नो वै निषधाधिपतेः पुरा । भवद्दुःखाधिकं दुःखं जातं तस्य महात्मनः

vyāsa uvāca rājñastu nalanāmno vai niṣadhādhipateḥ purā bhavadduḥkhādhikaṁ duḥkhaṁ jātaṁ tasya mahātmanaḥ

Vyasa said: "Long ago, King Nala, lord of Nishadha, that great-souled one, suffered a sorrow greater even than yours."

Verse 19 (shiva.shatarudra.38.19)

हरिश्चन्द्रस्य नृपतेर्जातं दुःखं महत्तरम् । अकथ्यं तद्विशेषेण परशोकावहं तथा

hariścandrasya nṛpaterjātaṁ duḥkhaṁ mahattaram akathyaṁ tadviśeṣeṇa paraśokāvahaṁ tathā

"King Harishchandra suffered a sorrow greater still — indescribable, especially so, and bringing the deepest grief."

Verse 20 (shiva.shatarudra.38.20)

दुःखं तथैव विज्ञेयं रामस्याप्यथ पाण्डव । यच्छ्रुत्वा स्त्रीनराणां च भवेन्मोहो महत्तरः

duḥkhaṁ tathaiva vijñeyaṁ rāmasyāpyatha pāṇḍava yacchrutvā strīnarāṇāṁ ca bhavenmoho mahattaraḥ

"So too, O Pandava, must Rama's sorrow be reckoned — hearing of which, the deepest bewilderment would arise in women and men alike."

Verse 21 (shiva.shatarudra.38.21)

तस्माद्वर्णयितुं नैव शक्यते हि मया पुनः । शरीरं दुःखराशिं च मत्वा त्याज्यं त्वयाधुना

tasmādvarṇayituṁ naiva śakyate hi mayā punaḥ śarīraṁ duḥkharāśiṁ ca matvā tyājyaṁ tvayādhunā

"Therefore it cannot be fully told again by me. Know the body itself to be but a heap of sorrows, and understand that attachment to it should now be given up by you."

Verse 22 (shiva.shatarudra.38.22)

येनेदं च धृतं तेन व्याप्तमेव न संशयः । प्रथमं मातृगर्भे वै जन्म दुःखस्य कारणम्

yenedaṁ ca dhṛtaṁ tena vyāptameva na saṁśayaḥ prathamaṁ mātṛgarbhe vai janma duḥkhasya kāraṇam

"Whoever bears this body is, without doubt, thereby pervaded by sorrow. Birth itself, first of all, in the mother's womb, is the cause of sorrow."

Verse 23 (shiva.shatarudra.38.23)

कौमारेऽपि महादुःखं बाललीलानुसारि यत् । ततोऽपि यौवने कामान्भुञ्जानो दुःखरूपिणः

kaumāre'pi mahāduḥkhaṁ bālalīlānusāri yat tato'pi yauvane kāmānbhuñjāno duḥkharūpiṇaḥ

"In childhood too there is great sorrow, bound up with childish play; and beyond that, in youth, one enjoys desires that are themselves forms of sorrow."

Verse 24 (shiva.shatarudra.38.24)

गतागतैर्दिनानां हि कार्यभारैरनेकशः । आयुश्च क्षीयते नित्यं न जानाति ह तत्पुनः

gatāgatairdinānāṁ hi kāryabhārairanekaśaḥ āyuśca kṣīyate nityaṁ na jānāti ha tatpunaḥ

"With the days coming and going, amid manifold burdens of duty, one's life is ever wasting away — and yet, again, one takes no notice of it."

Verse 25 (shiva.shatarudra.38.25)

अन्ते च मरणं चैव महादुःखमतः परम् । नानानरकपीडाश्च भुज्यन्तेऽज्ञैर्नरैस्तदा

ante ca maraṇaṁ caiva mahāduḥkhamataḥ param nānānarakapīḍāśca bhujyante'jñairnaraistadā

"And at the end comes death itself, a sorrow greater than all that came before; and thereafter the manifold torments of hell are suffered by ignorant men."

Verse 26 (shiva.shatarudra.38.26)

तस्मादिदमसत्यं च त्वन्तु सत्यं समाचर । येनैव तुष्यते शम्भुस्तथा कार्यं नरेण च

tasmādidamasatyaṁ ca tvantu satyaṁ samācara yenaiva tuṣyate śambhustathā kāryaṁ nareṇa ca

"Therefore, knowing this to be false, practice instead what is true; let a man act only in such a way that Shambhu is thereby pleased."

Verse 27 (shiva.shatarudra.38.27)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । एवं विविधवार्ताभिः कालनिर्यापणन्तदा । चक्रुस्ते भ्रातरः सर्वे मनोरथपथैः पुनः

nandīśvara uvāca evaṁ vividhavārtābhiḥ kālaniryāpaṇantadā cakruste bhrātaraḥ sarve manorathapathaiḥ punaḥ

Nandishvara said: Thus passing their time in manifold conversation, all those brothers turned once more to their own paths of longing thought.

Verse 28 (shiva.shatarudra.38.28)

अर्जुनोऽपि स्वयं गच्छन्दुर्गाद्रिषु दृढव्रतः । यक्षं लब्ध्वा च तेनैव दस्यून्निघ्नन्ननेकशः

arjuno'pi svayaṁ gacchandurgādriṣu dṛḍhavrataḥ yakṣaṁ labdhvā ca tenaiva dasyūnnighnannanekaśaḥ

Arjuna too, firm in his vow, going on himself toward the mountain fastness, having obtained a Yaksha guide, slew many robbers along the way with his help.

Verse 29 (shiva.shatarudra.38.29)

मनसा हर्षसंयुक्तो जगामाचलमुत्तमम् । तत्र गत्वा च गङ्गायाः समीपं सुन्दरं स्थलम्

manasā harṣasaṁyukto jagāmācalamuttamam tatra gatvā ca gaṅgāyāḥ samīpaṁ sundaraṁ sthalam

With his heart filled with joy, he went to that most excellent mountain; and, arriving there, came upon a beautiful spot near the Ganga.

Verse 30 (shiva.shatarudra.38.30)

अशोककाननं यत्र तिष्ठति स्वर्ग उत्तमः । तत्र तस्थौ स्वयं स्नात्वा नत्वा च गुरुमुत्तमम्

aśokakānanaṁ yatra tiṣṭhati svarga uttamaḥ tatra tasthau svayaṁ snātvā natvā ca gurumuttamam

There, where the Ashoka grove stood — itself like a supreme heaven — he bathed and settled himself, and bowed to his excellent Guru.

Verse 31 (shiva.shatarudra.38.31)

यथोपदिष्टं वेषादि तथा चैवाकरोत्स्वयम् । इन्द्रियाण्यपकृष्यादौ मनसा संस्थितोऽभवत्

yathopadiṣṭaṁ veṣādi tathā caivākarotsvayam indriyāṇyapakṛṣyādau manasā saṁsthito'bhavat

He himself took up the dress and discipline just as he had been instructed; withdrawing his senses first of all, he became fixed and steady in mind.

Verse 32 (shiva.shatarudra.38.32)

पुनश्च पार्थिवं कृत्वा सुन्दरं समसूत्रकम् । तदग्रे प्रणिदध्यौ स तेजोराशिमनुत्तमम्

punaśca pārthivaṁ kṛtvā sundaraṁ samasūtrakam tadagre praṇidadhyau sa tejorāśimanuttamam

Then, having fashioned a beautiful, well-proportioned earthen linga, he fixed his meditation before it upon that unsurpassed mass of radiance.

Verse 33 (shiva.shatarudra.38.33)

त्रिकालं चैव सुस्नातः पूजनं विविधं तदा । चकारोपासनं तत्र हरस्य च पुनः पुनः

trikālaṁ caiva susnātaḥ pūjanaṁ vividhaṁ tadā cakāropāsanaṁ tatra harasya ca punaḥ punaḥ

Bathing three times a day, he then performed manifold rites of worship there, and again and again offered his devotion to Hara.

Verse 34 (shiva.shatarudra.38.34)

तस्यैव शिरसस्तेजो निस्सृतं तच्चरास्तदा । दृष्ट्वा भयं समापन्नाः प्रविष्टश्च कदा ह्ययम्

tasyaiva śirasastejo nissṛtaṁ taccarāstadā dṛṣṭvā bhayaṁ samāpannāḥ praviṣṭaśca kadā hyayam

From his very head a radiance began to stream forth; seeing it, the spies grew afraid: "When indeed did this one enter here?"

Verse 35 (shiva.shatarudra.38.35)

पुनस्ते च विचार्यैवं कथनीयं विडौजसे । इत्युक्त्वा तु गतास्ते वै शक्रस्यान्तिकमञ्जसा

punaste ca vicāryaivaṁ kathanīyaṁ viḍaujase ityuktvā tu gatāste vai śakrasyāntikamañjasā

Reflecting further that this should be reported to Indra, they resolved so, and swiftly went to Indra's presence.

Verse 36 (shiva.shatarudra.38.36)

चरा ऊचुः । देवो वाथ ऋषिश्चैव सूर्यो वाथ विभावसुः । तपश्चरति देवेश न जानीमो वने च तम्

carā ūcuḥ devo vātha ṛṣiścaiva sūryo vātha vibhāvasuḥ tapaścarati deveśa na jānīmo vane ca tam

The spies said: "Whether a god, or a sage, or the Sun, or Fire itself, O Lord of gods, we do not know — he performs austerity there in the forest."

Verse 37 (shiva.shatarudra.38.37)

तस्यैव तेजसा दग्धा आगतास्तव सन्निधौ । निवेदितञ्चरित्रं तत्क्रियतामुचितं तु यत्

tasyaiva tejasā dagdhā āgatāstava sannidhau niveditañcaritraṁ tatkriyatāmucitaṁ tu yat

"Scorched by his very radiance, we have come here into your presence; his conduct has now been made known to you — do whatever is fitting."

Verse 38 (shiva.shatarudra.38.38)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्तस्तैश्चरैः सर्वं ज्ञात्वा पुत्रचिकीर्षितम् । स गोत्रपान्विसृज्यैव तत्र गन्तुं मनो दधे

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktastaiścaraiḥ sarvaṁ jñātvā putracikīrṣitam sa gotrapānvisṛjyaiva tatra gantuṁ mano dadhe

Nandishvara said: Thus told by the spies, and understanding this to be the doing of his own son, he set aside his guardian deities of the quarters and resolved to go there himself.

Verse 39 (shiva.shatarudra.38.39)

स वृद्धब्राह्मणो भूत्वा ब्रह्मचारी शचीपतिः । जगाम तत्र विप्रेन्द्र परीक्षार्थं हि तस्य वै

sa vṛddhabrāhmaṇo bhūtvā brahmacārī śacīpatiḥ jagāma tatra viprendra parīkṣārthaṁ hi tasya vai

Becoming an aged brahmin, a celibate student, that Lord of Shachi, O foremost of brahmins, went there so as to test him.

Verse 40 (shiva.shatarudra.38.40)

तमागतं तदा दृष्ट्वाकार्षीत्पूजां च पाण्डवः । स्थितोऽग्रे च स्तुतिं कृत्वा क्वायातोऽसि वदाधुना

tamāgataṁ tadā dṛṣṭvākārṣītpūjāṁ ca pāṇḍavaḥ sthito'gre ca stutiṁ kṛtvā kvāyāto'si vadādhunā

Seeing him arrive, the Pandava paid him worship; standing before him and offering praise, he said, "Tell me now, whence have you come?"

Verse 41 (shiva.shatarudra.38.41)

इत्युक्तस्तेन देवेशो धैर्यार्थं तस्य प्रीतितः । परीक्षागर्भितं वाक्यं पाण्डवन्तं ततोऽब्रवीत्

ityuktastena deveśo dhairyārthaṁ tasya prītitaḥ parīkṣāgarbhitaṁ vākyaṁ pāṇḍavantaṁ tato'bravīt

Thus addressed, the Lord of gods, moved by affection and wishing to test his resolve, then spoke to that Pandava words carrying a hidden trial.

Verse 42 (shiva.shatarudra.38.42)

ब्राह्मण उवाच । नवे वयसि वै तात किन्तपस्यसि साम्प्रतम् । मुक्त्यर्थं वा जयार्थं किं सर्वथैतत्तपस्तव

brāhmaṇa uvāca nave vayasi vai tāta kintapasyasi sāmpratam muktyarthaṁ vā jayārthaṁ kiṁ sarvathaitattapastava

The brahmin said: "Dear one, why do you now, in the bloom of youth, perform this austerity? Is this penance of yours undertaken wholly for liberation, or for victory?"

Verse 43 (shiva.shatarudra.38.43)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति पृष्टस्तदा तेन सर्वं संवेदितं पुनः । तच्छ्रुत्वा स पुनर्वाक्यमुवाच ब्राह्मणस्तदा

nandīśvara uvāca iti pṛṣṭastadā tena sarvaṁ saṁveditaṁ punaḥ tacchrutvā sa punarvākyamuvāca brāhmaṇastadā

Nandishvara said: Thus questioned by him, everything was told to him once more; and, hearing it, the brahmin then spoke these further words.

Verse 44 (shiva.shatarudra.38.44)

ब्राह्मण उवाच । युक्तं न क्रियते वीर सुखं प्राप्तुं च यत्तपः । क्षात्रधर्मेण क्रियते मुक्त्यर्थं कुरुसत्तम

brāhmaṇa uvāca yuktaṁ na kriyate vīra sukhaṁ prāptuṁ ca yattapaḥ kṣātradharmeṇa kriyate muktyarthaṁ kurusattama

The brahmin said: "It is not fitting, hero, that austerity meant to win happiness should be performed under the kshatriya code for the sake of liberation, O best of the Kurus."

Verse 45 (shiva.shatarudra.38.45)

इन्द्रस्तु सुखदाता वै मुक्तिदाता भवेन्न हि । तस्मात्त्वं सर्वथा श्रेष्ठ कर्तुमर्हसि सत्तपः

indrastu sukhadātā vai muktidātā bhavenna hi tasmāttvaṁ sarvathā śreṣṭha kartumarhasi sattapaḥ

"Indra can indeed grant happiness, but he cannot be a giver of liberation; therefore you, best in every way, ought instead to undertake this excellent penance rightly."

Verse 46 (shiva.shatarudra.38.46)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इदं तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा क्रोधं चक्रेऽर्जुनस्तदा । प्रत्युवाच विनीतात्मा तदनादृत्य सुव्रतः

nandīśvara uvāca idaṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā krodhaṁ cakre'rjunastadā pratyuvāca vinītātmā tadanādṛtya suvrataḥ

Nandishvara said: Hearing these words, Arjuna grew angry; and that man of good vows, humble of heart, disregarding them, made his reply.

Verse 47 (shiva.shatarudra.38.47)

अर्जुन उवाच । राज्यार्थं न च मुक्त्यर्थ किमर्थं भाषसे त्विदम् । व्यासस्य वचनेनैव क्रियते तप ईदृशम्

arjuna uvāca rājyārthaṁ na ca muktyartha kimarthaṁ bhāṣase tvidam vyāsasya vacanenaiva kriyate tapa īdṛśam

Arjuna said: "It is neither for a kingdom nor for liberation — why do you say such a thing? This penance is performed solely on Vyasa's own word."

Verse 48 (shiva.shatarudra.38.48)

इतो गच्छ ब्रह्मचारिन्मां पातयितुमिच्छसि । प्रयोजनं किमत्रास्ति तव वै ब्रह्मचारिणः

ito gaccha brahmacārinmāṁ pātayitumicchasi prayojanaṁ kimatrāsti tava vai brahmacāriṇaḥ

"Go from here, Brahmachari; you seek to make me fall. What purpose can this serve for you, a mere celibate student?"

Verse 49 (shiva.shatarudra.38.49)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्तः स प्रसन्नोऽभूत्सुन्दरं रूपमद्भुतम् । स्वोपस्करणसंयुक्तं दर्शयामास वै निजम्

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktaḥ sa prasanno'bhūtsundaraṁ rūpamadbhutam svopaskaraṇasaṁyuktaṁ darśayāmāsa vai nijam

Nandishvara said: Thus addressed, he became pleased, and revealed his own beautiful and wondrous form, together with his own regalia.

Verse 50 (shiva.shatarudra.38.50)

शक्ररूपं तदा दृष्ट्वा लज्जितश्चार्जुनस्तदा । स इन्द्रस्तं समाश्वास्य पुनरेव वचोऽब्रवीत्

śakrarūpaṁ tadā dṛṣṭvā lajjitaścārjunastadā sa indrastaṁ samāśvāsya punareva vaco'bravīt

Seeing then the very form of Indra, Arjuna felt ashamed; and Indra, reassuring him, spoke these words once again.

Verse 51 (shiva.shatarudra.38.51)

इन्द्र उवाच । वरं वृणीष्व हे तात धनञ्जय महामते । यदिच्छसि मनोऽभीष्टं नादेयं विद्यते तव

indra uvāca varaṁ vṛṇīṣva he tāta dhanañjaya mahāmate yadicchasi mano'bhīṣṭaṁ nādeyaṁ vidyate tava

Indra said: "Choose a boon, dear one, Dhananjaya of great wisdom; whatever your heart desires, there is nothing I would withhold from you."

Verse 52 (shiva.shatarudra.38.52)

तच्छ्रुत्वा शक्रवचनं प्रत्युवाचार्जुनस्तदा । विजयं देहि मे तात शत्रुक्लिष्टस्य सर्वथा

tacchrutvā śakravacanaṁ pratyuvācārjunastadā vijayaṁ dehi me tāta śatrukliṣṭasya sarvathā

Hearing Indra's words, Arjuna then replied: "Grant me victory, dear one — I am utterly afflicted by my enemies."

Verse 53 (shiva.shatarudra.38.53)

शक्र उवाच । बलिष्ठाः शत्रवस्ते च दुर्योधनपुरःसराः । द्रोणो भीमश्च कर्णश्च सर्वे ते दुर्जया ध्रुवम्

śakra uvāca baliṣṭhāḥ śatravaste ca duryodhanapuraḥsarāḥ droṇo bhīmaśca karṇaśca sarve te durjayā dhruvam

Indra said: "Your enemies are formidable indeed, headed by Duryodhana; Drona, Bhishma, and Karna — all of them are surely very hard to conquer."

Verse 54 (shiva.shatarudra.38.54)

अश्वत्थामा द्रोणपुत्रो रौद्रोंऽशो दुर्जयोऽति सः । मयासाध्या भवेयुस्ते सर्वथा स्वहितं शृणु

aśvatthāmā droṇaputro raudroṁ'śo durjayo'ti saḥ mayāsādhyā bhaveyuste sarvathā svahitaṁ śṛṇu

"Ashvatthama, Drona's son, a portion of Rudra himself, is exceedingly hard to conquer; they cannot be overcome even by me — hear now what is truly for your own good."

Verse 55 (shiva.shatarudra.38.55)

एतद्वीर जयं कर्तुं न शक्तः कश्चनाधुना । वर्तते हि शिवो वर्यस्तस्माच्छम्भोर्जपोऽधुना

etadvīra jayaṁ kartuṁ na śaktaḥ kaścanādhunā vartate hi śivo varyastasmācchambhorjapo'dhunā

"No one, hero, is able at present to win victory over this; Shiva alone is supreme in this matter — therefore now take up the japa of Shambhu."

Verse 56 (shiva.shatarudra.38.56)

शङ्करः सर्वलोकेशश्चराचरपतिः स्वराट् । सर्वं कर्तुं समर्थोऽस्ति भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदः

śaṅkaraḥ sarvalokeśaścarācarapatiḥ svarāṭ sarvaṁ kartuṁ samartho'sti bhuktimuktiphalapradaḥ

"Shankara, lord of all the worlds, master of all that moves and does not move, sovereign unto himself, is capable of accomplishing everything, and bestows the fruit of both enjoyment and liberation."

Verse 57 (shiva.shatarudra.38.57)

अहम्मन्ये च ब्रह्माद्या विष्णुः सर्ववरप्रदः । अन्ये जिगीषवो ये च ते सर्वे शिवपूजकाः

ahammanye ca brahmādyā viṣṇuḥ sarvavarapradaḥ anye jigīṣavo ye ca te sarve śivapūjakāḥ

"I myself hold that Brahma and the rest, Vishnu the giver of every boon, and all others who desire victory — all of these are worshippers of Shiva."

Verse 58 (shiva.shatarudra.38.58)

अद्यप्रभृति तन्मन्त्रं हित्वा भक्त्या शिवं भज । पार्थिवेन विधानेन ध्यानेनैव शिवस्य च

adyaprabhṛti tanmantraṁ hitvā bhaktyā śivaṁ bhaja pārthivena vidhānena dhyānenaiva śivasya ca

"From this day, set aside that mantra, and worship Shiva with devotion — through the earthen-linga rite, and through meditation upon Shiva himself."

Verse 59 (shiva.shatarudra.38.59)

उपचारैरनेकैश्च सर्वभावेन भारत । सिद्धिः स्यादचला तेऽद्य नात्र कार्या विचारणा

upacārairanekaiśca sarvabhāvena bhārata siddhiḥ syādacalā te'dya nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"And, O Bharata, with manifold rites of worship, with your whole being — unshakeable accomplishment shall be yours today; there is no need for doubt in this."

Verse 60 (shiva.shatarudra.38.60)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा च चरान्सर्वान्समाहूयाब्रवीदिदम् । सावधानेन वै स्थेयमेतत्संरक्षणे सदा

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktvā ca carānsarvānsamāhūyābravīdidam sāvadhānena vai stheyametatsaṁrakṣaṇe sadā

Nandishvara said: Having said this, and having summoned all his spies, he told them: "You must remain ever watchful in guarding him."

Verse 61 (shiva.shatarudra.38.61)

प्रबोध्य स्वचरानिन्द्रोऽर्जुनसंरक्षणादिकम् । वात्सल्यपूर्णहृदयः पुनरूचे कपिध्वजम्

prabodhya svacarānindro'rjunasaṁrakṣaṇādikam vātsalyapūrṇahṛdayaḥ punarūce kapidhvajam

Having instructed his own spies in the matter of guarding Arjuna, Indra, his heart full of tender affection, spoke once more to the bearer of the monkey-banner.

Verse 62 (shiva.shatarudra.38.62)

इन्द्र उवाच । राज्यं त्वया प्रमादाद्वै न कर्तव्यं कदाचन । श्रेयसे भद्र विद्येयं भवेत्तव परन्तप

indra uvāca rājyaṁ tvayā pramādādvai na kartavyaṁ kadācana śreyase bhadra vidyeyaṁ bhavettava parantapa

Indra said: "You must never act carelessly where your kingdom is concerned; may this lore be for your welfare, gentle scorcher of your foes."

Verse 63 (shiva.shatarudra.38.63)

धैर्यं धार्यं साधकेन सर्वथा रक्षकः शिवः । सम्पत्तीश्च फलं तुभ्यं दास्यते नात्र संशयः

dhairyaṁ dhāryaṁ sādhakena sarvathā rakṣakaḥ śivaḥ sampattīśca phalaṁ tubhyaṁ dāsyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

"The seeker must hold fast to patience at all times; Shiva is in every way his protector. Prosperity, and its fruit, shall surely be granted to you — there is no doubt of this."

Verse 64 (shiva.shatarudra.38.64)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति दत्त्वा वरं तस्य भारतस्य सुरेश्वरः । स्मरञ्छिवपदाम्भोजं जगाम भवनं स्वकम्

nandīśvara uvāca iti dattvā varaṁ tasya bhāratasya sureśvaraḥ smarañchivapadāmbhojaṁ jagāma bhavanaṁ svakam

Nandishvara said: Having given this boon to the Bharata prince, the Lord of gods, remembering Shiva's lotus feet, returned to his own abode.

Verse 65 (shiva.shatarudra.38.65)

अर्जुनोऽपि महावीरः सुप्रणम्य सुरेश्वरम् । तपस्तेपे संयतात्मा शिवमुद्दिश्य तद्विधम्

arjuno'pi mahāvīraḥ supraṇamya sureśvaram tapastepe saṁyatātmā śivamuddiśya tadvidham

Arjuna, that great hero, having duly bowed to the Lord of gods, and restraining his mind, then performed that same kind of austerity, directed toward Shiva.