The Kirateshvara Avatara: Shiva's Combat with Arjuna

Verse 1 (shiva.shatarudra.41.1)

तमागतं ततो दृष्ट्वा ध्यानं कृत्वा शिवस्य सः । गत्वा तत्रार्जुनस्तेन युद्धं चक्रे सुदारुणम्

tamāgataṁ tato dṛṣṭvā dhyānaṁ kṛtvā śivasya saḥ gatvā tatrārjunastena yuddhaṁ cakre sudāruṇam

Seeing him arrive, [Arjuna], having meditated upon Shiva, went there and waged a most terrible battle against him.

Verse 2 (shiva.shatarudra.41.2)

गणैश्च विविधैस्तीक्ष्णैरायुधैस्तं न्यपीडयत् । तैस्तदा पीडितः पार्थः सस्मार स्वामिनं शिवम्

gaṇaiśca vividhaistīkṣṇairāyudhaistaṁ nyapīḍayat taistadā pīḍitaḥ pārthaḥ sasmāra svāminaṁ śivam

And with manifold sharp weapons, the ganas assailed him; then Partha, afflicted by them, called to mind his own Lord, Shiva.

Verse 3 (shiva.shatarudra.41.3)

अर्जुनश्च तदा तेषां बाणावलिमथाच्छिनत् । यदायुद्धं च तैः क्षिप्तं ततः शर्वं परामृशत्

arjunaśca tadā teṣāṁ bāṇāvalimathācchinat yadāyuddhaṁ ca taiḥ kṣiptaṁ tataḥ śarvaṁ parāmṛśat

Arjuna then cut down the very volley of their arrows; and whatever weapon they hurled at him, he met it, remembering Shiva as he did.

Verse 4 (shiva.shatarudra.41.4)

पीडितास्ते गणास्तेन ययुश्चैव दिशो दश । गणेशा वारितास्ते च नाजग्मुः स्वामिनं प्रति

pīḍitāste gaṇāstena yayuścaiva diśo daśa gaṇeśā vāritāste ca nājagmuḥ svāminaṁ prati

Those ganas, afflicted by him, fled in all ten directions; and those lords of the host, thus repelled, did not return to their master.

Verse 5 (shiva.shatarudra.41.5)

शिवश्चैवार्जुनश्चैव युयुधाते परस्परम् । नानाविधैश्चायुधैर्हि महाबलपराक्रमौ

śivaścaivārjunaścaiva yuyudhāte parasparam nānāvidhaiścāyudhairhi mahābalaparākramau

Then Shiva and Arjuna fought against each other, with weapons of every kind, both of them of tremendous strength and valor.

Verse 6 (shiva.shatarudra.41.6)

शिवोऽपि मनसा नूनं दयां कृत्वार्जुनं ह्यगात् । अर्जुनश्च दृढं तत्र प्रहारं कृतवांस्तदा

śivo'pi manasā nūnaṁ dayāṁ kṛtvārjunaṁ hyagāt arjunaśca dṛḍhaṁ tatra prahāraṁ kṛtavāṁstadā

Shiva too, surely feeling compassion in his heart, held back against Arjuna; yet Arjuna, there, struck him a firm blow all the same.

Verse 7 (shiva.shatarudra.41.7)

आयुधानि शिवः सो वै ह्यर्जुनस्याच्छिनत्तदा । कवचानि च सर्वाणि शरीरं केवलं स्थितम्

āyudhāni śivaḥ so vai hyarjunasyācchinattadā kavacāni ca sarvāṇi śarīraṁ kevalaṁ sthitam

Then Shiva cut away all of Arjuna's weapons, and all his armor too; only his bare body remained.

Verse 8 (shiva.shatarudra.41.8)

तदार्जुनः शिवं स्मृत्वा मल्लयुद्धं चकार सः । वाहिनीपतिना तेन भयात्क्लिष्टोऽपि धैर्यवान्

tadārjunaḥ śivaṁ smṛtvā mallayuddhaṁ cakāra saḥ vāhinīpatinā tena bhayātkliṣṭo'pi dhairyavān

Then Arjuna, remembering Shiva, took up hand-to-hand wrestling; though troubled with fear by that lord of the host, he remained steadfast still.

Verse 9 (shiva.shatarudra.41.9)

तद्युद्धेन मही सर्वा चकम्पे ससमुद्रका । देवा दुःखं समापन्नाः किं भविष्यति वा पुनः

tadyuddhena mahī sarvā cakampe sasamudrakā devā duḥkhaṁ samāpannāḥ kiṁ bhaviṣyati vā punaḥ

By that battle, the whole earth trembled, together with its very oceans; and the gods fell into distress: "What indeed will now come to pass?"

Verse 10 (shiva.shatarudra.41.10)

एतस्मित्रन्तरे देवः शिवो गगनमास्थितः । युद्धं चकार तत्रस्थः सोऽर्जुनश्च तथाकरोत्

etasmitrantare devaḥ śivo gaganamāsthitaḥ yuddhaṁ cakāra tatrasthaḥ so'rjunaśca tathākarot

Meanwhile the god Shiva rose up into the sky; standing there he carried on the battle, and Arjuna did the same.

Verse 11 (shiva.shatarudra.41.11)

उड्डीयोड्डीय तौ युद्धं चक्रतुर्देवपार्थिवौ । देवाश्च विस्मयं प्रापू रणं दृष्ट्वा तदाद्भुतम्

uḍḍīyoḍḍīya tau yuddhaṁ cakraturdevapārthivau devāśca vismayaṁ prāpū raṇaṁ dṛṣṭvā tadādbhutam

Soaring up again and again, that god and that earthly prince fought their battle; and the gods, beholding that wondrous combat, were filled with astonishment.

Verse 12 (shiva.shatarudra.41.12)

अथार्जुनोत्तरं ज्ञात्वा स्मृत्वा शिवपदाम्बुजम् । दधार पादयोस्तं वै तद्ध्यानादाप्तसद्बलः

athārjunottaraṁ jñātvā smṛtvā śivapadāmbujam dadhāra pādayostaṁ vai taddhyānādāptasadbalaḥ

Then Arjuna, perceiving him to be his superior, and remembering Shiva's lotus feet, seized him fast by the feet, his true strength won through that very meditation.

Verse 13 (shiva.shatarudra.41.13)

धृत्वा पादौ तदा तस्य भ्रामयामास सोऽर्जुनः । विजहास महादेवो भक्तवत्सल ऊतिकृत्

dhṛtvā pādau tadā tasya bhrāmayāmāsa so'rjunaḥ vijahāsa mahādevo bhaktavatsala ūtikṛt

Having seized his feet, Arjuna then swung him about; and the Great God, cherisher of devotees, ever the worker of good, laughed heartily.

Verse 14 (shiva.shatarudra.41.14)

दातुं स्वदासतां तस्मै भक्तवश्यतया मुने । शिवेनैव कृतं ह्येतच्चरितं नान्यथा भवेत्

dātuṁ svadāsatāṁ tasmai bhaktavaśyatayā mune śivenaiva kṛtaṁ hyetaccaritaṁ nānyathā bhavet

In order to grant him the state of his own servant, O sage, out of that very submissiveness he owes to his devotees, this deed was wrought by Shiva alone — it could not have been otherwise.

Verse 15 (shiva.shatarudra.41.15)

पश्चाद्विहस्य तत्रैव शङ्करो रूपमद्भुतम् । दर्शयामास सहसा भक्तवश्यतया शुभम्

paścādvihasya tatraiva śaṅkaro rūpamadbhutam darśayāmāsa sahasā bhaktavaśyatayā śubham

Afterward, laughing there on the spot, Shankara suddenly revealed his own wondrous, auspicious form, out of that very submissiveness to his devotee.

Verse 16 (shiva.shatarudra.41.16)

यथोक्तं वेदशास्त्रेषु पुराणे पुरुषोत्तम । व्यासोपदिष्टं ध्यानाय तस्य यत्सर्वसिद्धिदम्

yathoktaṁ vedaśāstreṣu purāṇe puruṣottama vyāsopadiṣṭaṁ dhyānāya tasya yatsarvasiddhidam

As declared in the Vedas and scriptures, in the Purana, O most excellent of men — that very form taught by Vyasa for meditation, the form that grants every accomplishment —

Verse 17 (shiva.shatarudra.41.17)

तद्दृष्ट्वा सुन्दरं रूपं ध्यानप्राप्तं शिवस्य तु । बभूव विस्मितोऽतीव ह्यर्जुनो लज्जितः स्वयम्

taddṛṣṭvā sundaraṁ rūpaṁ dhyānaprāptaṁ śivasya tu babhūva vismito'tīva hyarjuno lajjitaḥ svayam

Seeing that beautiful form of Shiva, the very form he had gained through his own meditation, Arjuna became utterly astonished, and felt deep shame at himself.

Verse 18 (shiva.shatarudra.41.18)

अहो शिवश्शिवः सोऽयं यो मे प्रभुतया वृतः । त्रिलोकेशः स्वयं साक्षाद् हा कृतं किं मयाधुना

aho śivaśśivaḥ so'yaṁ yo me prabhutayā vṛtaḥ trilokeśaḥ svayaṁ sākṣād hā kṛtaṁ kiṁ mayādhunā

"Ah, this is Shiva — Shiva himself — he by whose very lordship I am encompassed, the Lord of the three worlds in person — alas, what have I now done?"

Verse 19 (shiva.shatarudra.41.19)

प्रभोर्बलवती माया मायिनामपि मोहिनी । किं कृतं रूपमाच्छाद्य प्रभुणा छलितो ह्यहम्

prabhorbalavatī māyā māyināmapi mohinī kiṁ kṛtaṁ rūpamācchādya prabhuṇā chalito hyaham

"Powerful indeed is the Lord's maya, bewildering even to the very masters of illusion; concealing his own form, what has the Lord done — I have surely been deceived!"

Verse 20 (shiva.shatarudra.41.20)

धियेति संविचार्यैवं साञ्जलिर्नतमस्तकः । प्रणनाम प्रभुं प्रीत्या तदोवाच स खिन्नधीः

dhiyeti saṁvicāryaivaṁ sāñjalirnatamastakaḥ praṇanāma prabhuṁ prītyā tadovāca sa khinnadhīḥ

Having thus reflected in his own mind, folding his hands and bowing his head, he lovingly bowed to the Lord, and then, his mind troubled, spoke.

Verse 21 (shiva.shatarudra.41.21)

अर्जुन उवाच । देवदेव महादेव करुणाकर शङ्कर । ममापराधंः सर्वेश क्षन्तव्यश्च त्वया पुनः

arjuna uvāca devadeva mahādeva karuṇākara śaṅkara mamāparādhaṁḥ sarveśa kṣantavyaśca tvayā punaḥ

Arjuna said: "God of gods, Mahadeva, ocean of compassion, Shankara! O Lord of all, let my offense once more be forgiven by you."

Verse 22 (shiva.shatarudra.41.22)

किं कृतं रूपमाच्छाद्य च्छलितोऽस्मि त्वयाधुना । धिङ् मां समरकर्तारं स्वामिना भवता प्रभो

kiṁ kṛtaṁ rūpamācchādya cchalito'smi tvayādhunā dhiṅ māṁ samarakartāraṁ svāminā bhavatā prabho

"Concealing your own form, you have now deceived me; shame upon me, who waged war against my own Master and Lord!"

Verse 23 (shiva.shatarudra.41.23)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्येवं पाण्डवः सोऽथ पश्चात्तापमवाप सः । पादयोर्निपपाताशु शङ्करस्य महाप्रभोः

nandīśvara uvāca ityevaṁ pāṇḍavaḥ so'tha paścāttāpamavāpa saḥ pādayornipapātāśu śaṅkarasya mahāprabhoḥ

Nandishvara said: Thus overcome with remorse, that Pandava swiftly fell at the feet of Shankara, that great Lord.

Verse 24 (shiva.shatarudra.41.24)

अथेश्वरः प्रसन्नात्मा प्रत्युवाचार्जुनं च तम् । समाश्वास्येति बहुशो महेशो भक्तवत्सलः

atheśvaraḥ prasannātmā pratyuvācārjunaṁ ca tam samāśvāsyeti bahuśo maheśo bhaktavatsalaḥ

Then the Lord, his heart well pleased, replied to Arjuna, and Mahesha, cherisher of devotees, reassured him again and again.

Verse 25 (shiva.shatarudra.41.25)

शङ्कर उवाच । न खिद्य पार्थ भक्तोऽसि मम त्वं हि विशेषतः । परीक्षार्थं मया तेऽद्य कृतमेवं शुचं जहि

śaṅkara uvāca na khidya pārtha bhakto'si mama tvaṁ hi viśeṣataḥ parīkṣārthaṁ mayā te'dya kṛtamevaṁ śucaṁ jahi

Shankara said: "Do not grieve, Partha; you are indeed my devotee, and especially so. This was done by me today only to test you — cast off your sorrow."

Verse 26 (shiva.shatarudra.41.26)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा तं स्वहस्ताभ्यामुत्थाप्य प्रभुरर्जुनम् । विलज्जं कारयामास गणैश्च स्वामिनो गुणैः

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktvā taṁ svahastābhyāmutthāpya prabhurarjunam vilajjaṁ kārayāmāsa gaṇaiśca svāmino guṇaiḥ

Nandishvara said: Having said this, the Lord raised Arjuna up with his own hands, and, through the qualities of his own ganas and their master, put his embarrassment to rest.

Verse 27 (shiva.shatarudra.41.27)

पुनः शिवोऽर्जुनं प्राह पाण्डवं वीरसम्मतम् । हर्षयन् सर्वथा प्रीत्या शङ्करो भक्तवत्सलः

punaḥ śivo'rjunaṁ prāha pāṇḍavaṁ vīrasammatam harṣayan sarvathā prītyā śaṅkaro bhaktavatsalaḥ

Then Shiva spoke once again to Arjuna, that Pandava honored among heroes, delighting him fully with love — Shankara, the cherisher of devotees.

Verse 28 (shiva.shatarudra.41.28)

शिव उवाच । हे पार्थ पाण्डवश्रेष्ठ प्रसन्नोऽस्मि वरं वृणु । प्रहारैस्ताडनैस्तेऽद्य पूजनम्मानितम्मया

śiva uvāca he pārtha pāṇḍavaśreṣṭha prasanno'smi varaṁ vṛṇu prahāraistāḍanaiste'dya pūjanammānitammayā

Shiva said: "O Partha, best of the Pandavas, I am well pleased — ask for a boon. By your blows and strikes today, I have been honored, as though worshipped."

Verse 29 (shiva.shatarudra.41.29)

इच्छया च कृतं मेऽद्य नापराधस्तवाधुना । नादेयं विद्यते तुभ्यं यदिच्छसि वृणीष्व तत्

icchayā ca kṛtaṁ me'dya nāparādhastavādhunā nādeyaṁ vidyate tubhyaṁ yadicchasi vṛṇīṣva tat

"It was done today by my own will — there is now no fault whatsoever on your part. There is nothing I would withhold from you; ask for whatever you desire."

Verse 30 (shiva.shatarudra.41.30)

ते शत्रुषु यशोराज्यस्थापनाय शुभं कृतम् । एतद्दुःखं न कर्तव्यं वैक्लव्यं च त्यजाखिलम्

te śatruṣu yaśorājyasthāpanāya śubhaṁ kṛtam etadduḥkhaṁ na kartavyaṁ vaiklavyaṁ ca tyajākhilam

"For the establishment of your glory and your kingdom among your enemies, this good deed has been done for you; you should not grieve over it — cast off all your distress."

Verse 31 (shiva.shatarudra.41.31)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्तस्त्वर्जुनस्तेन प्रभुणा शङ्करेण सः । उवाच शङ्करं भक्त्या सावधानतया स्थितः

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktastvarjunastena prabhuṇā śaṅkareṇa saḥ uvāca śaṅkaraṁ bhaktyā sāvadhānatayā sthitaḥ

Nandishvara said: Thus addressed by that Lord Shankara, Arjuna, standing there with full attention, spoke to Shankara with devotion.

Verse 32 (shiva.shatarudra.41.32)

अर्जुन उवाच । भक्तप्रियस्य शम्भोस्ते सुप्रभो किं समीहितम् । वर्णनीयं मया देव कृपालुस्त्वं सदाशिव

arjuna uvāca bhaktapriyasya śambhoste suprabho kiṁ samīhitam varṇanīyaṁ mayā deva kṛpālustvaṁ sadāśiva

Arjuna said: "O most excellent Lord, dear to your devotees — what wish of yours could I possibly describe, my God? You are ever compassionate, Sadashiva."

Verse 33 (shiva.shatarudra.41.33)

इत्युक्त्वा संस्तुतिं तस्य शङ्करस्य महाप्रभोः । चकार पाण्डवः सोऽथ सद्भक्तिं वेदसम्मताम्

ityuktvā saṁstutiṁ tasya śaṅkarasya mahāprabhoḥ cakāra pāṇḍavaḥ so'tha sadbhaktiṁ vedasammatām

Having said this, that Pandava then offered fitting praise to Shankara, that great Lord — true devotion, in keeping with the Veda.

Verse 34 (shiva.shatarudra.41.34)

अर्जुन उवाच । नमस्ते देवदेवाय नमः कैलासवासिने । सदाशिव नमस्तुभ्यं पञ्चवक्त्राय ते नमः

arjuna uvāca namaste devadevāya namaḥ kailāsavāsine sadāśiva namastubhyaṁ pañcavaktrāya te namaḥ

Arjuna said: "Salutations to you, God of gods; salutations to the Dweller upon Kailasa. Salutations to you, Sadashiva; salutations to you, the five-faced one."

Verse 35 (shiva.shatarudra.41.35)

कपर्दिने नमस्तुभ्यन्त्रिनेत्राय नमोऽस्तु ते । मनः प्रसन्नरूपाय सहस्रवदनाय च

kapardine namastubhyantrinetrāya namo'stu te manaḥ prasannarūpāya sahasravadanāya ca

"Salutations to you, matted-haired one; salutations to you, three-eyed one; to the one whose very form delights the mind, and to the thousand-faced one."

Verse 36 (shiva.shatarudra.41.36)

नीलकण्ठ नमस्तेऽस्तु सद्योजाताय वै नमः । वृषध्वज नमस्तेऽस्तु वामाङ्गगिरिजाय च

nīlakaṇṭha namaste'stu sadyojātāya vai namaḥ vṛṣadhvaja namaste'stu vāmāṅgagirijāya ca

"Salutations to you, blue-throated one; salutations to the ever-newly-born. Salutations to you, bull-bannered one; salutations to him whose left side holds Girija."

Verse 37 (shiva.shatarudra.41.37)

दशदोष नमस्तुभ्यं नमस्ते परमात्मने । डमरूकपालहस्ताय नमस्ते मुण्डमालिने

daśadoṣa namastubhyaṁ namaste paramātmane ḍamarūkapālahastāya namaste muṇḍamāline

"Salutations to you, remover of the ten faults; salutations to you, Supreme Soul. Salutations to you, holder of the damaru and skull-cup in hand; salutations to you, wearer of the garland of skulls."

Verse 38 (shiva.shatarudra.41.38)

शुद्धस्फटिकसङ्काशशुद्धकर्पूरवर्ष्मणे । पिनाकपाणये तुभ्यं त्रिशूलवरधारिणे

śuddhasphaṭikasaṅkāśaśuddhakarpūravarṣmaṇe pinākapāṇaye tubhyaṁ triśūlavaradhāriṇe

"To you whose very body gleams like pure crystal, pure as camphor; to you, bearer of the Pinaka bow, wielder of the excellent trident."

Verse 39 (shiva.shatarudra.41.39)

व्याघ्रचर्मोत्तरीयाय गजाम्बरविधारिणे । नागाङ्गाय नमस्तुभ्यं गङ्गाधर नमोऽस्तु ते

vyāghracarmottarīyāya gajāmbaravidhāriṇe nāgāṅgāya namastubhyaṁ gaṅgādhara namo'stu te

"To you clad in a tiger-skin upper garment, wearing an elephant's hide, your very limb bearing a serpent; salutations to you, bearer of the Ganga."

Verse 40 (shiva.shatarudra.41.40)

सुपादाय नमस्तेऽस्तु आरक्तचरणाय च । नन्द्यादिगणसेव्याय गणेशाय च ते नमः

supādāya namaste'stu āraktacaraṇāya ca nandyādigaṇasevyāya gaṇeśāya ca te namaḥ

"Salutations to you of beautiful feet, whose soles are tinged red. Salutations to you, served by Nandi and the other ganas, lord of the hosts."

Verse 41 (shiva.shatarudra.41.41)

नमो गणेशरूपाय कार्तिकेयानुगाय च । भक्तिदाय च भक्तानां मुक्तिदाय नमो नमः

namo gaṇeśarūpāya kārtikeyānugāya ca bhaktidāya ca bhaktānāṁ muktidāya namo namaḥ

"Salutations to you in the form of the lord of the hosts, followed by Kartikeya; to the giver of devotion to your devotees, and the giver of liberation, salutations again and again."

Verse 42 (shiva.shatarudra.41.42)

अगुणाय नमस्तेऽस्तु सगुणाय नमो नमः । अरूपाय सरूपाय सकलायाकलाय च

aguṇāya namaste'stu saguṇāya namo namaḥ arūpāya sarūpāya sakalāyākalāya ca

"Salutations to you without qualities, and salutations to you with qualities; to the formless one, and to the one with form; to the whole, and to the one beyond all division."

Verse 43 (shiva.shatarudra.41.43)

नमः किरातरूपाय मदनुग्रहकारिणे । युद्धप्रियाय वीराणां नानालीलानुकारिणे

namaḥ kirātarūpāya madanugrahakāriṇe yuddhapriyāya vīrāṇāṁ nānālīlānukāriṇe

"Salutations to you in the form of the Kirata, who showed such grace to me; to the one who so loves battle among heroes, the enactor of manifold divine sports."

Verse 44 (shiva.shatarudra.41.44)

यत्किञ्चित् दृश्यते रूपं तत्तेजस्तावकं स्मृतम् । चिद्रूपस्त्वं त्रिलोकेषु रमसेऽन्वयभेदतः

yatkiñcit dṛśyate rūpaṁ tattejastāvakaṁ smṛtam cidrūpastvaṁ trilokeṣu ramase'nvayabhedataḥ

"Whatever form is seen at all is held to be your own very radiance; you, whose nature is consciousness itself, sport within the three worlds through manifold distinction."

Verse 45 (shiva.shatarudra.41.45)

गुणानां ते न सङ्ख्यास्ति यथा भूरजसामिह । आकाशे तारकाणां हि कणानां वृष्ट्यपामपि

guṇānāṁ te na saṅkhyāsti yathā bhūrajasāmiha ākāśe tārakāṇāṁ hi kaṇānāṁ vṛṣṭyapāmapi

"Your qualities cannot be counted, just as one cannot count the dust-motes of this earth, nor the stars in the sky, nor the very drops of falling rain."

Verse 46 (shiva.shatarudra.41.46)

न ते गुणांस्तु सङ्ख्यातुं वेदा वै सम्भवन्ति हि । मन्दबुद्धिरहं नाथ वर्णयामि कथम्पुनः

na te guṇāṁstu saṅkhyātuṁ vedā vai sambhavanti hi mandabuddhirahaṁ nātha varṇayāmi kathampunaḥ

"Even the Vedas are unable to enumerate your qualities; how then, dull-witted as I am, Lord, could I possibly describe them?"

Verse 47 (shiva.shatarudra.41.47)

सोऽसि योऽसि नमस्तेऽस्तु कृपां कर्तुमिहार्हसि । दासोऽहं ते महेशान स्वामी त्वं मे महेश्वर

so'si yo'si namaste'stu kṛpāṁ kartumihārhasi dāso'haṁ te maheśāna svāmī tvaṁ me maheśvara

"Whatever you are, whoever you are, salutations to you; you alone are worthy here of granting grace. I am your servant, Mahesha; you, Maheshvara, are my Lord."

Verse 48 (shiva.shatarudra.41.48)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य पुनः प्रोवाच शङ्करः । सुप्रसन्नतरो भूत्वा विहसन्प्रभुरर्जुनम्

nandīśvara uvāca iti śrutvā vacastasya punaḥ provāca śaṅkaraḥ suprasannataro bhūtvā vihasanprabhurarjunam

Nandishvara said: Hearing these words of his, Shankara spoke once more; that Lord, growing yet more gracious, smiled upon Arjuna.

Verse 49 (shiva.shatarudra.41.49)

शङ्कर उवाच । वचसा किम्बहूक्तेन शृणुष्व वचनं मम । शीघ्रं वृणु वरं पुत्र सर्वं तच्च ददामि ते

śaṅkara uvāca vacasā kimbahūktena śṛṇuṣva vacanaṁ mama śīghraṁ vṛṇu varaṁ putra sarvaṁ tacca dadāmi te

Shankara said: "What need is there of many words? Hear my own words: swiftly choose a boon, my son, and I shall grant you all of it."

Verse 50 (shiva.shatarudra.41.50)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्तश्चार्जुनस्तेन प्रणिपत्य सदाशिवम् । साञ्जलिर्नतकः प्रेम्णा प्रोवाच गद्गदाक्षरम्

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktaścārjunastena praṇipatya sadāśivam sāñjalirnatakaḥ premṇā provāca gadgadākṣaram

Nandishvara said: Thus addressed, Arjuna, bowing to Sadashiva, hands folded, head bowed low, spoke with love, his voice choked with emotion.

Verse 51 (shiva.shatarudra.41.51)

अर्जुन उवाच । किं ब्रूयां त्वं च सर्वेषामन्तर्यामितया स्थितः । तथापि वर्णितं मेऽद्य श्रूयतां च त्वया विभो

arjuna uvāca kiṁ brūyāṁ tvaṁ ca sarveṣāmantaryāmitayā sthitaḥ tathāpi varṇitaṁ me'dya śrūyatāṁ ca tvayā vibho

Arjuna said: "What should I say, when you dwell within all as the very inner witness? And yet, Lord, hear what I set forth today."

Verse 52 (shiva.shatarudra.41.52)

शत्रूणां सङ्कटं यच्च तद्गतन्दर्शनात्तव । ऐहिकीं च परां सिद्धिं प्राप्नुयां वै तथा कुरु

śatrūṇāṁ saṅkaṭaṁ yacca tadgatandarśanāttava aihikīṁ ca parāṁ siddhiṁ prāpnuyāṁ vai tathā kuru

"Whatever peril there is among my enemies, let it be dispelled by the very sight of you; and grant that I may attain both worldly success and the highest accomplishment."

Verse 53 (shiva.shatarudra.41.53)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा तं नमस्कृत्य शङ्करं भक्तवत्सलम् । नतस्कन्धोऽर्जुनस्तत्र बद्धाञ्जलिरुपस्थितः

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktvā taṁ namaskṛtya śaṅkaraṁ bhaktavatsalam nataskandho'rjunastatra baddhāñjalirupasthitaḥ

Nandishvara said: Having said this, and bowed to Shankara, the cherisher of devotees, Arjuna stood there, his shoulders bent, hands folded.

Verse 54 (shiva.shatarudra.41.54)

शिवोऽपि च तथाभूतं ज्ञात्वा पाण्डवमर्जुनम् । निजभक्तवरं स्वामी महातुष्टो बभूव ह

śivo'pi ca tathābhūtaṁ jñātvā pāṇḍavamarjunam nijabhaktavaraṁ svāmī mahātuṣṭo babhūva ha

Shiva too, recognizing Arjuna the Pandava to be such a one, his own foremost devotee, that Lord became greatly pleased.

Verse 55 (shiva.shatarudra.41.55)

अस्त्रं पाशुपतं स्वीयन्दुर्जयं सर्वदाखिलैः । ददौ तस्मै महेशानो वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्

astraṁ pāśupataṁ svīyandurjayaṁ sarvadākhilaiḥ dadau tasmai maheśāno vacanaṁ cedamabravīt

Mahesha gave him his own Pashupata weapon, unconquerable by all, at every time; and, giving it, that Lord spoke these words to him.

Verse 56 (shiva.shatarudra.41.56)

शिव उवाच । स्वं महास्त्रं मया दत्त दुर्जयस्त्वं भविष्यति । अनेन सर्वशत्रूणां जयकृत्यमवाप्नुहि

śiva uvāca svaṁ mahāstraṁ mayā datta durjayastvaṁ bhaviṣyati anena sarvaśatrūṇāṁ jayakṛtyamavāpnuhi

Shiva said: "This great weapon has been given by me — you shall become unconquerable. By it, accomplish the task of victory over all your enemies."

Verse 57 (shiva.shatarudra.41.57)

कृष्णं च कथयिष्यामि साहाय्यन्ते करिष्यति । स वै ममात्मभूतश्च मद्भक्तः कार्यकारकः

kṛṣṇaṁ ca kathayiṣyāmi sāhāyyante kariṣyati sa vai mamātmabhūtaśca madbhaktaḥ kāryakārakaḥ

"I shall tell Krishna as well, and he shall render you aid; for he is indeed my own very self, my own devotee, the doer of tasks."

Verse 58 (shiva.shatarudra.41.58)

मत्प्रभावान्भारत त्वं राज्यन्निकण्टकं कुरु । धीर्म्मान्नानाविधान्भ्रात्रा कारय त्वं च सर्वदा

matprabhāvānbhārata tvaṁ rājyannikaṇṭakaṁ kuru dhīrmmānnānāvidhānbhrātrā kāraya tvaṁ ca sarvadā

"By my own power, O Bharata, make your kingdom free of every thorn; and always have your brother carry out manifold acts of dharma."

Verse 59 (shiva.shatarudra.41.59)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा निजहस्तं च धृत्वा शिरसि तस्य सः । पूजितो ह्यर्जुनेनाशु शङ्करोऽन्तरधीयत

nandīśvara uvāca ityuktvā nijahastaṁ ca dhṛtvā śirasi tasya saḥ pūjito hyarjunenāśu śaṅkaro'ntaradhīyata

Nandishvara said: Having said this, and placing his own hand upon Arjuna's head, that Shankara, swiftly worshipped by Arjuna, then vanished from sight.

Verse 60 (shiva.shatarudra.41.60)

अथार्जुनः प्रसन्नात्मा प्राप्यास्त्रं च वरं प्रभोः । जगाम स्वाश्रमं मुख्यं स्मरन्भक्त्या गुरुं शिवम्

athārjunaḥ prasannātmā prāpyāstraṁ ca varaṁ prabhoḥ jagāma svāśramaṁ mukhyaṁ smaranbhaktyā guruṁ śivam

Then Arjuna, his heart well pleased, having obtained the weapon and the boon of the Lord, went to his own chief hermitage, remembering his Guru, Shiva, with devotion.

Verse 61 (shiva.shatarudra.41.61)

सर्वे ते भ्रातरः प्रीतास्तन्वः प्राणमिवागतम् । मिलित्वा तं सुखं प्रापुर्द्रौपदी चातिसुव्रता

sarve te bhrātaraḥ prītāstanvaḥ prāṇamivāgatam militvā taṁ sukhaṁ prāpurdraupadī cātisuvratā

All his brothers, delighted, as though their very life-breath had returned to their bodies, joyfully gathered around him — and Draupadi too, most devoted to her vows.

Verse 62 (shiva.shatarudra.41.62)

शिवं परं च सन्तुष्टं पाण्डवाः सर्व एव हि । नातृप्यन्सर्ववृत्तान्तं श्रुत्वा हर्षमुपागताः

śivaṁ paraṁ ca santuṣṭaṁ pāṇḍavāḥ sarva eva hi nātṛpyansarvavṛttāntaṁ śrutvā harṣamupāgatāḥ

All the Pandavas, hearing that Shiva himself had become so greatly satisfied, could not have their fill of it; hearing the whole account, they were filled with joy.

Verse 63 (shiva.shatarudra.41.63)

आश्रमे पुष्पवृष्टिश्च चन्दनेन समन्विता । पपात सुकरार्थं च तेषां चैव महात्मनाम्

āśrame puṣpavṛṣṭiśca candanena samanvitā papāta sukarārthaṁ ca teṣāṁ caiva mahātmanām

In the hermitage a shower of flowers, mingled with sandalwood, fell, for the good and ease of those great souls.

Verse 64 (shiva.shatarudra.41.64)

धन्यं च शङ्करं चैव नमस्कृत्य शिवम्मुदा । अवधिं चागतं ज्ञात्वा जयश्चैव भविष्यति

dhanyaṁ ca śaṅkaraṁ caiva namaskṛtya śivammudā avadhiṁ cāgataṁ jñātvā jayaścaiva bhaviṣyati

Bowing joyfully to that blessed Shankara, to Shiva himself, and understanding that the appointed time had now arrived, they knew that victory would surely be theirs.

Verse 65 (shiva.shatarudra.41.65)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे कृष्णः श्रुत्वार्जुनमथागतम् । मेलनाय समायातः श्रुत्वा सुखमुपागतः

etasminnantare kṛṣṇaḥ śrutvārjunamathāgatam melanāya samāyātaḥ śrutvā sukhamupāgataḥ

Meanwhile, Krishna, hearing that Arjuna had returned, came there to meet him; and, hearing everything, he too was filled with happiness.

Verse 66 (shiva.shatarudra.41.66)

अतश्चैव मयाख्यातः शङ्करः सर्वदुःखहा । स सेव्यते मया नित्यं भवद्भिरपि सेव्यताम्

ataścaiva mayākhyātaḥ śaṅkaraḥ sarvaduḥkhahā sa sevyate mayā nityaṁ bhavadbhirapi sevyatām

"Therefore Shankara, the remover of every sorrow, has been declared by me; he is worshipped by me always — let him be worshipped by you as well."

Verse 67 (shiva.shatarudra.41.67)

इत्युक्तस्ते किराताह्वोऽवतारः शङ्करस्य वै । तं श्रुत्वा श्रावयन्वापि सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात्

ityuktaste kirātāhvo'vatāraḥ śaṅkarasya vai taṁ śrutvā śrāvayanvāpi sarvānkāmānavāpnuyāt

Thus has this avatara of Shankara, called the Kirata, been told to you; whoever hears it, or causes it to be heard by others, shall obtain all their desires.