The Bhairava Incarnation

Verse 1 (shiva.shatarudra.8.1)

अथ भैरवावतारमाह । नन्दीश्वर उवाच । सनत्कुमार सर्वज्ञ शृणु त्वं भैरवीं कथाम् । यस्याः श्रवणमात्रेण शैवी भक्तिर्दृढा भवेत्

atha bhairavāvatāramāha nandīśvara uvāca sanatkumāra sarvajña śṛṇu tvaṁ bhairavīṁ kathām yasyāḥ śravaṇamātreṇa śaivī bhaktirdṛḍhā bhavet

Now [Shiva] tells of the Bhairava incarnation. Nandishvara said: O all-knowing Sanatkumara! Listen to this account of Bhairava, by merely hearing which devotion to Shiva becomes firm.

Verse 2 (shiva.shatarudra.8.2)

भैरवः पूर्णरूपो हि शङ्करस्य परात्मनः । मूढास्तं वै न जानन्ति मोहिताः शिवमायया

bhairavaḥ pūrṇarūpo hi śaṅkarasya parātmanaḥ mūḍhāstaṁ vai na jānanti mohitāḥ śivamāyayā

Bhairava is indeed the full and complete form of Shankara, the Supreme Self; but the deluded, bewildered by Shiva's Maya, do not know him.

Verse 3 (shiva.shatarudra.8.3)

सनत्कुमार नो वेत्ति महिमानं महेशितुः । चतुर्भुजोऽपि विष्णुर्वै चतुर्वक्त्रोऽपि वै विधिः

sanatkumāra no vetti mahimānaṁ maheśituḥ caturbhujo’pi viṣṇurvai caturvaktro’pi vai vidhiḥ

O Sanatkumara! Neither the four-armed Vishnu nor the four-faced Brahma knows the majesty of the Great Lord.

Verse 4 (shiva.shatarudra.8.4)

चित्रमत्र न किञ्चिद्वै दुर्ज्ञेया खलु शाम्भवी । तया सम्मोहिताः सर्वे नार्चयन्त्यपि तं परम्

citramatra na kiñcidvai durjñeyā khalu śāmbhavī tayā sammohitāḥ sarve nārcayantyapi taṁ param

There is nothing surprising in this, for Shambhu's Maya is indeed hard to fathom; deluded by her, all fail even to worship that Supreme One.

Verse 5 (shiva.shatarudra.8.5)

वेदयेद्यदि वात्मानं स एव परमेश्वरः । तदा विदन्ति ते सर्वे स्वेच्छया न हि केऽपि तम्

vedayedyadi vātmānaṁ sa eva parameśvaraḥ tadā vidanti te sarve svecchayā na hi ke’pi tam

If that Supreme Lord himself reveals himself, only then do all come to know him; none, by their own will, can ever know him.

Verse 6 (shiva.shatarudra.8.6)

सर्वगोऽपि महेशानो नेक्ष्यते मूढबुद्धिभिः । देववद् बुध्यते लोके योऽतीतो मनसां गिराम्

sarvago’pi maheśāno nekṣyate mūḍhabuddhibhiḥ devavad budhyate loke yo’tīto manasāṁ girām

Though all-pervading, the Great Lord is not perceived by those of dull understanding; in the world he is regarded merely as a common deity, though he is beyond the reach of mind and speech.

Verse 7 (shiva.shatarudra.8.7)

अत्रेतिहासं वक्ष्येऽहं परमर्षे पुरातनम् । शृणु तं श्रद्धया तात परमं ज्ञानकारणम्

atretihāsaṁ vakṣye’haṁ paramarṣe purātanam śṛṇu taṁ śraddhayā tāta paramaṁ jñānakāraṇam

O supreme sage! On this matter I shall relate an ancient narrative; hear it with faith, dear one, for it is the cause of supreme knowledge.

Verse 8 (shiva.shatarudra.8.8)

मेरुशृङ्गेऽद्भुते रम्ये स्थितं ब्रह्माणमीश्वरम् । जग्मुर्देवर्षयः सर्वे सुतत्त्वं ज्ञातुमिच्छया

meruśṛṅge’dbhute ramye sthitaṁ brahmāṇamīśvaram jagmurdevarṣayaḥ sarve sutattvaṁ jñātumicchayā

To Brahma the Lord, seated on the wondrous and beautiful peak of Meru, all the divine sages went, desiring to know the true reality.

Verse 9 (shiva.shatarudra.8.9)

तत्रागत्य विधिं नत्वा पप्रच्छुस्ते महादरात् । कृताञ्जलिपुटाः सर्वे नतस्कन्धा मुनीश्वराः

tatrāgatya vidhiṁ natvā papracchuste mahādarāt kṛtāñjalipuṭāḥ sarve nataskandhā munīśvarāḥ

Arriving there and bowing to Vidhi (Brahma), all those lords of sages, with folded hands and bowed shoulders, questioned him with great reverence.

Verse 10 (shiva.shatarudra.8.10)

देवर्षय ऊचुः । देवदेव प्रजानाथ सृष्टिकृल्लोकनायक । तत्त्वतो वद चास्मभ्यं किमेकं तत्त्वमव्ययम्

devarṣaya ūcuḥ devadeva prajānātha sṛṣṭikṛllokanāyaka tattvato vada cāsmabhyaṁ kimekaṁ tattvamavyayam

The divine sages said: O God of gods, Lord of creatures, creator, leader of the worlds! Tell us truly, what is that one imperishable reality?

Verse 11 (shiva.shatarudra.8.11)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । स मायया महेशस्य मोहितः पद्मसम्भवः । अविज्ञाय परं भावं सम्भावं प्रत्युवाच ह

nandīśvara uvāca sa māyayā maheśasya mohitaḥ padmasambhavaḥ avijñāya paraṁ bhāvaṁ sambhāvaṁ pratyuvāca ha

Nandishvara said: Deluded by the Maya of the Great Lord, and not knowing the supreme reality, the lotus-born Brahma replied out of his own limited conception.

Verse 12 (shiva.shatarudra.8.12)

ब्रह्मोवाच । हे सुरा ऋषयः सर्वे सुमत्या शृणुतादरात् । वच्म्यहं परमं तत्त्वमव्ययं वै यथार्थतः

brahmovāca he surā ṛṣayaḥ sarve sumatyā śṛṇutādarāt vacmyahaṁ paramaṁ tattvamavyayaṁ vai yathārthataḥ

Brahma said: O gods, O sages all! Listen respectfully with clear understanding; I shall declare truly the supreme, imperishable reality.

Verse 13 (shiva.shatarudra.8.13)

जगद्योनिरहं धाता स्वयम्भूरज ईश्वरः । अनादिभागहं ब्रह्म ह्येक आत्मा निरञ्जनः

jagadyonirahaṁ dhātā svayambhūraja īśvaraḥ anādibhāgahaṁ brahma hyeka ātmā nirañjanaḥ

I am the womb of the universe, the ordainer, the self-born, the unborn Lord; I am the beginningless Brahman, the one, the stainless Self.

Verse 14 (shiva.shatarudra.8.14)

प्रवर्तको हि जगतामहमेव निवर्त्तकः । संवर्तको मदधिको नान्यः कश्चित्सुरोत्तमाः

pravartako hi jagatāmahameva nivarttakaḥ saṁvartako madadhiko nānyaḥ kaścitsurottamāḥ

I alone am the initiator of the worlds, I alone their withdrawer, I alone their dissolver; O best of gods, there is none other higher than I.

Verse 15 (shiva.shatarudra.8.15)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । तस्यैवं वदतो धातुर्विष्णुस्तत्र स्थितो मुने । प्रोवाच प्रहसन्वाक्यं सङ्क्रुद्धो मोहितोऽजया

nandīśvara uvāca tasyaivaṁ vadato dhāturviṣṇustatra sthito mune provāca prahasanvākyaṁ saṅkruddho mohito’jayā

Nandishvara said: While Brahma was thus speaking, O sage, Vishnu, who was present there, deluded by Maya and enraged, spoke laughingly.

Verse 16 (shiva.shatarudra.8.16)

न चैतदुचिता ब्रह्मन्योगयुक्तस्य मूर्खता । अविज्ञाय परं तत्त्वं वृथैतत्ते निगद्यते

na caitaducitā brahmanyogayuktasya mūrkhatā avijñāya paraṁ tattvaṁ vṛthaitatte nigadyate

O Brahman! Such foolishness is not fitting for one endowed with yoga; not knowing the supreme reality, you have spoken this in vain.

Verse 17 (shiva.shatarudra.8.17)

कर्ताऽहं सर्वलोकानां परमात्मा परः पुमान् । यज्ञो नारायणो देवो मायाधीशः परागतिः

kartā’haṁ sarvalokānāṁ paramātmā paraḥ pumān yajño nārāyaṇo devo māyādhīśaḥ parāgatiḥ

I am the creator of all worlds, the Supreme Self, the highest Person; I am the god Narayana, of the nature of sacrifice, the lord of Maya, the supreme goal.

Verse 18 (shiva.shatarudra.8.18)

ममाज्ञया त्वया ब्रह्मन् सृष्टिरेषा विधीयते । जगतां जीवनं नैव मामनादृत्य चेश्वरम्

mamājñayā tvayā brahman sṛṣṭireṣā vidhīyate jagatāṁ jīvanaṁ naiva māmanādṛtya ceśvaram

O Brahman! It is by my command that this creation is enacted by you; without regard for me, the Lord, the life of the worlds is simply not possible.

Verse 19 (shiva.shatarudra.8.19)

एवं विप्रकृतौ मोहात्परस्परजयैषिणौ । प्रोचतुर्निगमांश्चात्र प्रमाणे सर्वथा तनौ

evaṁ viprakṛtau mohātparasparajayaiṣiṇau procaturnigamāṁścātra pramāṇe sarvathā tanau

Thus, through delusion, contending with one another, each desiring victory over the other, both invoked the Vedas as proof, each staking his own body as evidence.

Verse 20 (shiva.shatarudra.8.20)

प्रष्टव्यास्ते विशेषेण स्थिता मूर्तिधराश्च ते । पप्रच्छतुः प्रमाणज्ञानित्युक्त्वा चतुरोऽपि तान्

praṣṭavyāste viśeṣeṇa sthitā mūrtidharāśca te papracchatuḥ pramāṇajñānityuktvā caturo’pi tān

Those embodied ones, the Vedas, standing there were specially fit to be questioned; saying, "you are the knowers of proof," they both questioned all four of them.

Verse 21 (shiva.shatarudra.8.21)

विधिविष्णू ऊचतुः । वेदाः प्रमाणं सर्वत्र प्रतिष्ठां परमामिताः । यूयं वदत विश्रब्धं किमेकं तत्त्वमव्ययम्

vidhiviṣṇū ūcatuḥ vedāḥ pramāṇaṁ sarvatra pratiṣṭhāṁ paramāmitāḥ yūyaṁ vadata viśrabdhaṁ kimekaṁ tattvamavyayam

Vidhi and Vishnu said: O Vedas! You are the authority and supreme foundation everywhere; speak without hesitation — what is that one imperishable reality?

Verse 22 (shiva.shatarudra.8.22)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य तयोर्वाचं पुनस्ते हि ऋगादयः । अवदंस्तत्त्वतः सर्वे परेशं संस्मरतो प्रभुम्

nandīśvara uvāca ityākarṇya tayorvācaṁ punaste hi ṛgādayaḥ avadaṁstattvataḥ sarve pareśaṁ saṁsmarato prabhum

Nandishvara said: Hearing the words of those two, the Rig-Veda and the other Vedas, remembering the Supreme Lord, all spoke truly.

Verse 23 (shiva.shatarudra.8.23)

यदि मान्या वयं देवौ सृष्टिस्थितिकरौ विभू । तदा प्रमाणं वक्ष्यामो भवत्सन्देहभेदकम्

yadi mānyā vayaṁ devau sṛṣṭisthitikarau vibhū tadā pramāṇaṁ vakṣyāmo bhavatsandehabhedakam

If we are held in esteem by you two mighty gods, creators and sustainers, then we shall declare the proof that shall dispel your doubt.

Verse 24 (shiva.shatarudra.8.24)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । श्रुत्युक्तविधिमाकर्ण्य प्रोचतुस्तौ सुरौ श्रुतीः । युष्मदुक्तं प्रमाणं नौ किं तत्त्वं सम्यगुच्यताम्

nandīśvara uvāca śrutyuktavidhimākarṇya procatustau surau śrutīḥ yuṣmaduktaṁ pramāṇaṁ nau kiṁ tattvaṁ samyagucyatām

Nandishvara said: Hearing this proposal declared by the Shruti, those two gods said to the Shrutis: "State to us the proof you have spoken of; let that reality be properly declared."

Verse 25 (shiva.shatarudra.8.25)

ऋग्वेद उवाच । यदन्तः स्थानि भूतानि यतः सर्वं प्रवर्त्तते । यदाहुः परमं तत्त्वं स रुद्रस्त्वेक एव हि

ṛgveda uvāca yadantaḥ sthāni bhūtāni yataḥ sarvaṁ pravarttate yadāhuḥ paramaṁ tattvaṁ sa rudrastveka eva hi

The Rig-Veda said: He within whom all beings abide, from whom all proceeds, whom they call the supreme reality — he is Rudra, and he alone.

Verse 26 (shiva.shatarudra.8.26)

यजुर्वेद उवाच । यो यज्ञैरखिलैरीशो योगेन च समिज्यते । येन प्रमाणं खलु नः स एकः सर्वदृक् शिवः

yajurveda uvāca yo yajñairakhilairīśo yogena ca samijyate yena pramāṇaṁ khalu naḥ sa ekaḥ sarvadṛk śivaḥ

The Yajur-Veda said: The Lord who is worshipped by all sacrifices and by yoga, by whom indeed our authority is established — he is the one, the all-seeing Shiva.

Verse 27 (shiva.shatarudra.8.27)

सामवेद उवाच । येनेदं भ्रम्यते विश्वं योगिभिर्यो विचिन्त्यते । यद्भासा भासते विश्वं स एकस्त्र्यम्बकः परः

sāmaveda uvāca yenedaṁ bhramyate viśvaṁ yogibhiryo vicintyate yadbhāsā bhāsate viśvaṁ sa ekastryambakaḥ paraḥ

The Sama-Veda said: He by whom this universe is set revolving, upon whom the yogis meditate, by whose radiance this universe shines — he is the one, the supreme Tryambaka.

Verse 28 (shiva.shatarudra.8.28)

अथर्वणवेद उवाच । यं प्रपश्यन्ति देवेशं भक्त्यनुग्रहिणो जनाः । तमाहुरेकं कैवल्यं शङ्करं दुःखतः परम्

atharvaṇaveda uvāca yaṁ prapaśyanti deveśaṁ bhaktyanugrahiṇo janāḥ tamāhurekaṁ kaivalyaṁ śaṅkaraṁ duḥkhataḥ param

The Atharva-Veda said: He whom people, endowed with devotion and grace, behold as the Lord of gods — him they call the one, the embodiment of liberation, Shankara, who is beyond all sorrow.

Verse 29 (shiva.shatarudra.8.29)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । श्रुत्युक्तमिदमाकर्ण्यातीव मायाविमोहितौ । स्मित्वाहतुर्विधिहरी निगमांस्तान्विचेतनौ

nandīśvara uvāca śrutyuktamidamākarṇyātīva māyāvimohitau smitvāhaturvidhiharī nigamāṁstānvicetanau

Nandishvara said: Hearing this declared by the Shrutis, Vidhi and Hari, exceedingly deluded by Maya and bereft of true understanding, smiling, spoke to those Vedas.

Verse 30 (shiva.shatarudra.8.30)

विधिहरी ऊचतुः । हे वेदाः किमिदं यूयं भाषन्ते गतचेतनाः । किं जातं वोऽद्य सर्वं हि नष्टं सुवयुनं परम्

vidhiharī ūcatuḥ he vedāḥ kimidaṁ yūyaṁ bhāṣante gatacetanāḥ kiṁ jātaṁ vo’dya sarvaṁ hi naṣṭaṁ suvayunaṁ param

Vidhi and Hari said: O Vedas, what is this you are speaking, as if bereft of your senses? What has happened to you today? All your excellent wisdom has been utterly lost.

Verse 31 (shiva.shatarudra.8.31)

कथं प्रमथनाथोऽसौ रममाणो निरन्तरम् । दिगम्बरः पीतवर्णो शिवया धूलिधूसरः

kathaṁ pramathanātho’sau ramamāṇo nirantaram digambaraḥ pītavarṇo śivayā dhūlidhūsaraḥ

How could that Lord of the Pramathas — ever wandering, sky-clad, of pale hue, grey with the dust of ashes —

Verse 32 (shiva.shatarudra.8.32)

विरूपवेषो जटिलो वृषगो व्यालभूषणः । परं ब्रह्मत्वमापन्नः क्व च तत्सङ्गवर्जितम्

virūpaveṣo jaṭilo vṛṣago vyālabhūṣaṇaḥ paraṁ brahmatvamāpannaḥ kva ca tatsaṅgavarjitam

— of strange appearance, matted-haired, riding a bull, adorned with serpents — how could he attain to the state of the Supreme Brahman, which is free from all such attachment?

Verse 33 (shiva.shatarudra.8.33)

इत्युदीरितमाकर्ण्य प्रणवः सर्वगस्तयोः । अमूर्तो मूर्तिमान्प्रीत्या जृम्भमाण उवाच तौ

ityudīritamākarṇya praṇavaḥ sarvagastayoḥ amūrto mūrtimānprītyā jṛmbhamāṇa uvāca tau

Hearing this spoken, the all-pervading Pranava (Om), formless yet assuming form, yawning, spoke to those two with affection.

Verse 34 (shiva.shatarudra.8.34)

प्रणव उवाच । न हीशो भगवान् शक्त्या ह्यात्मनो व्यतिरिक्तया । कदाचिद्रमते रुद्रो लीलारूपधरो हरः

praṇava uvāca na hīśo bhagavān śaktyā hyātmano vyatiriktayā kadācidramate rudro līlārūpadharo haraḥ

Pranava said: The Lord Ishvara, Rudra, Hara, playing in his sportive form, never dallies with any power other than his own Shakti.

Verse 35 (shiva.shatarudra.8.35)

असौ हि परमेशानः स्वयञ्ज्योतिः सनातनः । आनन्दरूपा तस्यैषा शक्तिर्नागन्तुकी शिवा

asau hi parameśānaḥ svayañjyotiḥ sanātanaḥ ānandarūpā tasyaiṣā śaktirnāgantukī śivā

This Supreme Lord is himself self-luminous, eternal; this power of his, Shiva (the Goddess), is of the nature of bliss, not something extraneous.

Verse 36 (shiva.shatarudra.8.36)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्येवमुक्तोऽपि तदा विधेर्विष्णोश्च वै तदा । नाज्ञानमगमन्नाशं श्रीकण्ठस्यैव मायया

nandīśvara uvāca ityevamukto’pi tadā vidherviṣṇośca vai tadā nājñānamagamannāśaṁ śrīkaṇṭhasyaiva māyayā

Nandishvara said: Even when thus told, the ignorance of Vidhi and Vishnu did not then come to an end, through the very Maya of Shrikantha (Shiva).

Verse 37 (shiva.shatarudra.8.37)

प्रादुरासीत्ततो ज्योतिरुभयोरन्तरे महत् । पूरयन्निजया भासा द्यावाभूम्योर्यदन्तरम्

prādurāsīttato jyotirubhayorantare mahat pūrayannijayā bhāsā dyāvābhūmyoryadantaram

Then a great light appeared between the two of them, filling with its own radiance the space between heaven and earth.

Verse 38 (shiva.shatarudra.8.38)

ज्योतिर्मण्डलमध्यस्थो ददृशे पुरुषाकृतिः । विधिक्रतुभ्यां तत्रैव महाद्भुततनुर्मुने

jyotirmaṇḍalamadhyastho dadṛśe puruṣākṛtiḥ vidhikratubhyāṁ tatraiva mahādbhutatanurmune

O sage! Standing in the midst of that circle of light, a form of most wondrous body, in the shape of a Purusha, was there beheld by Vidhi and Vishnu.

Verse 39 (shiva.shatarudra.8.39)

प्रजज्वालाथ कोपेन ब्रह्मणः पञ्चमं शिरः । आवयोरन्तरे कोऽसौ बिभृयात्पुरुषाकृतिम्

prajajvālātha kopena brahmaṇaḥ pañcamaṁ śiraḥ āvayorantare ko’sau bibhṛyātpuruṣākṛtim

Then Brahma's fifth head blazed with anger: "Who is this that bears a human form between the two of us?"

Verse 40 (shiva.shatarudra.8.40)

विधिः सम्भावयेद्यावत्तावत्स त्रिविलोचनः । दृष्टः क्षणेन च महापुरुषो नीललोहितः

vidhiḥ sambhāvayedyāvattāvatsa trivilocanaḥ dṛṣṭaḥ kṣaṇena ca mahāpuruṣo nīlalohitaḥ

Even as Brahma was still pondering, in but a moment that three-eyed great Purusha, of dark-red hue, was seen.

Verse 41 (shiva.shatarudra.8.41)

त्रिशूलपाणिर्भालाक्षो नागोडुपविभूषणः । हिरण्यगर्भस्तं दृष्ट्वा विहसन्प्राह मोहितः

triśūlapāṇirbhālākṣo nāgoḍupavibhūṣaṇaḥ hiraṇyagarbhastaṁ dṛṣṭvā vihasanprāha mohitaḥ

Trident in hand, an eye upon his forehead, adorned with a serpent and the crescent moon — beholding him, the deluded Hiranyagarbha (Brahma) laughed and spoke.

Verse 42 (shiva.shatarudra.8.42)

ब्रह्मोवाच । नीललोहित जाने त्वां मा भैषीश्चन्द्रशेखर । भालस्थलान्मम पुरा रुद्रः प्रादुरभूद्भवान्

brahmovāca nīlalohita jāne tvāṁ mā bhaiṣīścandraśekhara bhālasthalānmama purā rudraḥ prādurabhūdbhavān

Brahma said: O Nilalohita, I know you; do not fear, O bearer of the crescent moon! Long ago you, O Rudra, came forth from my very forehead.

Verse 43 (shiva.shatarudra.8.43)

रोदनाद् रुद्रनामापि योजितोऽसि मया पुरा । मामेव शरणं याहि पुत्र रक्षां करोमि ते

rodanād rudranāmāpi yojito’si mayā purā māmeva śaraṇaṁ yāhi putra rakṣāṁ karomi te

Because of your weeping, I gave you long ago the name Rudra; come, O son, take refuge in me alone — I shall protect you.

Verse 44 (shiva.shatarudra.8.44)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । अथेश्वरः पद्मयोनेः श्रुत्वा गर्ववतीं गिरम् । चुकोपातीव च तदा कुर्वन्निव लयम्मुने

nandīśvara uvāca atheśvaraḥ padmayoneḥ śrutvā garvavatīṁ giram cukopātīva ca tadā kurvanniva layammune

Nandishvara said: O sage! Then, hearing that arrogant speech of the lotus-born, Ishvara became exceedingly enraged, as though about to bring about the dissolution of all.

Verse 45 (shiva.shatarudra.8.45)

स कोपतः समुत्पाद्य पुरुषं भैरवं क्वचित् । प्रज्वलन्तं सुमहसा प्रीत्या च परमेश्वरः

sa kopataḥ samutpādya puruṣaṁ bhairavaṁ kvacit prajvalantaṁ sumahasā prītyā ca parameśvaraḥ

In his wrath, the Supreme Lord then, with affection, brought forth from somewhere a person named Bhairava, blazing with great splendor.

Verse 46 (shiva.shatarudra.8.46)

ईश्वर उवाच । प्राक् च पङ्कजजन्मासौ शास्यस्ते कालभैरव । कालवद्राजसे साक्षात्कालराजस्ततो भवान्

īśvara uvāca prāk ca paṅkajajanmāsau śāsyaste kālabhairava kālavadrājase sākṣātkālarājastato bhavān

Ishvara said: O Kalabhairava! You shall now be the chastiser of this lotus-born one; you shine forth manifestly like Time itself — therefore you shall be Kalaraja, the king of Time.

Verse 47 (shiva.shatarudra.8.47)

विश्वं भर्त्तुं समर्थोऽसि भीषणाद्भैरवः स्मृतः । त्वत्तो भेष्यति कालोऽपि ततस्त्वं कालभैरवः

viśvaṁ bharttuṁ samartho’si bhīṣaṇādbhairavaḥ smṛtaḥ tvatto bheṣyati kālo’pi tatastvaṁ kālabhairavaḥ

You are capable of sustaining the universe; because of your terrifying nature, you shall be called Bhairava; even Time itself shall fear you — therefore you shall be Kalabhairava.

Verse 48 (shiva.shatarudra.8.48)

आमर्दयिष्यति भवान्रुष्टो दुष्टात्मनो यतः । आमर्दक इति ख्यातिं ततः सर्वत्र यास्यसि

āmardayiṣyati bhavānruṣṭo duṣṭātmano yataḥ āmardaka iti khyātiṁ tataḥ sarvatra yāsyasi

Being enraged, you shall crush the wicked-souled; therefore you shall attain, everywhere, the renown of "Amardaka," the crusher.

Verse 49 (shiva.shatarudra.8.49)

यतः पापानि भक्तानां भक्षयिष्यसि तत्क्षणात् । पापभक्षण इत्येव तव नाम भविष्यति

yataḥ pāpāni bhaktānāṁ bhakṣayiṣyasi tatkṣaṇāt pāpabhakṣaṇa ityeva tava nāma bhaviṣyati

Since you shall instantly devour the sins of your devotees, your name shall be "Papabhakshana," the devourer of sin.

Verse 50 (shiva.shatarudra.8.50)

या मे मुक्तिपुरी काशी सर्वाभ्योऽपि गरीयसी । आधिपत्यं च तस्यास्ते कालराज सदैव हि

yā me muktipurī kāśī sarvābhyo’pi garīyasī ādhipatyaṁ ca tasyāste kālarāja sadaiva hi

My city of liberation, Kashi, which is the greatest of all — O Kalaraja, its sovereignty shall be yours forever.

Verse 51 (shiva.shatarudra.8.51)

तत्र ये पातकिनरास्तेषां शास्ता त्वमेव हि । शुभाशुभं च तत्कर्म चित्रगुप्तो लिखिष्यति

tatra ye pātakinarāsteṣāṁ śāstā tvameva hi śubhāśubhaṁ ca tatkarma citragupto likhiṣyati

Whatever sinful men are there, you alone shall be their punisher; and their good and evil deeds shall be recorded by Chitragupta.

Verse 52 (shiva.shatarudra.8.52)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । एतान्वरान्प्रगृह्याथ तत्क्षणात्कालभैरवः । वामाङ्गुलिनखाग्रेण चकर्त च विधेश्शिरः

nandīśvara uvāca etānvarānpragṛhyātha tatkṣaṇātkālabhairavaḥ vāmāṅgulinakhāgreṇa cakarta ca vidheśśiraḥ

Nandishvara said: Having received these boons, Kalabhairava, at that very instant, with the tip of the nail of his left finger, severed the head of Vidhi (Brahma).

Verse 53 (shiva.shatarudra.8.53)

यदङ्गमपराध्नोति कार्यं तस्यैव शासनम् । अतो येन कृता निन्दा तच्छिन्नं पञ्चमं शिरः

yadaṅgamaparādhnoti kāryaṁ tasyaiva śāsanam ato yena kṛtā nindā tacchinnaṁ pañcamaṁ śiraḥ

Whichever limb commits the offense, its punishment must be dealt to that very limb; therefore the fifth head, by which the disparaging words had been spoken, was the one severed.

Verse 54 (shiva.shatarudra.8.54)

अथ छिन्नं विधिशिरो दृष्ट्वा भीततरो हरिः । शातरुद्रियमन्त्रैश्च भक्त्या तुष्टाव शङ्करम्

atha chinnaṁ vidhiśiro dṛṣṭvā bhītataro hariḥ śātarudriyamantraiśca bhaktyā tuṣṭāva śaṅkaram

Then, seeing Vidhi's severed head, Hari, greatly frightened, devotedly praised Shankara with the Shatarudriya hymns.

Verse 55 (shiva.shatarudra.8.55)

भीतो हिरण्यगर्भोऽपि जजाप शतरुद्रियम् । इत्थं तौ गतगर्वौ हि सञ्जातौ तत्क्षणान्मुने

bhīto hiraṇyagarbho’pi jajāpa śatarudriyam itthaṁ tau gatagarvau hi sañjātau tatkṣaṇānmune

The frightened Hiranyagarbha too recited the Shatarudriya; thus, O sage, both of them, at that very instant, became free of pride.

Verse 56 (shiva.shatarudra.8.56)

परब्रह्म शिवः साक्षात्सच्चिदानन्दलक्षणः । परमात्मा गुणातीत इति ज्ञानमवापतुः

parabrahma śivaḥ sākṣātsaccidānandalakṣaṇaḥ paramātmā guṇātīta iti jñānamavāpatuḥ

"Shiva alone is the Supreme Brahman manifest, of the nature of being-consciousness-bliss, the Supreme Self, beyond the gunas" — such knowledge did both of them attain.

Verse 57 (shiva.shatarudra.8.57)

सनत्कुमार सर्वज्ञ शृणु मे परमं शुभम् । यावद्गर्वो भवेत्तावज्ज्ञानगुप्तिर्विशेषतः

sanatkumāra sarvajña śṛṇu me paramaṁ śubham yāvadgarvo bhavettāvajjñānaguptirviśeṣataḥ

O all-knowing Sanatkumara! Hear this most auspicious word of mine: as long as pride remains, so long true knowledge remains especially hidden.

Verse 58 (shiva.shatarudra.8.58)

त्यक्त्वाभिमानं पुरुषो जानाति परमेश्वरम् । गर्विणं हन्ति विश्वेशो जातो गर्वापहारकः

tyaktvābhimānaṁ puruṣo jānāti parameśvaram garviṇaṁ hanti viśveśo jāto garvāpahārakaḥ

Only by abandoning pride does a man come to know the Supreme Lord; the Lord of the universe destroys the proud, having appeared as the destroyer of pride.

Verse 59 (shiva.shatarudra.8.59)

अथ विष्णुविधी ज्ञात्वा विगर्वौ परमेश्वरः । प्रसन्नोऽभून्महादेवोऽकरोत्तावभयौ प्रभुः

atha viṣṇuvidhī jñātvā vigarvau parameśvaraḥ prasanno’bhūnmahādevo’karottāvabhayau prabhuḥ

Then, knowing Vishnu and Vidhi to be free of pride, the Supreme Lord Mahadeva became pleased, and the Lord granted them both freedom from fear.

Verse 60 (shiva.shatarudra.8.60)

आश्वास्य तौ महादेवः प्रीतः प्रणतवत्सलः । प्राह स्वां मूर्तिमपरां भैरवन्तं कपर्द्दिनम्

āśvāsya tau mahādevaḥ prītaḥ praṇatavatsalaḥ prāha svāṁ mūrtimaparāṁ bhairavantaṁ kaparddinam

Mahadeva, loving toward those who bow to him, being pleased, reassured them both, and spoke to his own other form, the matted-haired Bhairava.

Verse 61 (shiva.shatarudra.8.61)

महादेव उवाच । त्वया मान्यो विष्णुरसौ तथा शतधृतिः स्वयम् । कपालं वैधसं वापि नीललोहित धारय

mahādeva uvāca tvayā mānyo viṣṇurasau tathā śatadhṛtiḥ svayam kapālaṁ vaidhasaṁ vāpi nīlalohita dhāraya

Mahadeva said: O Nilalohita, this Vishnu is to be honored by you, as is Shatadhriti (Brahma) himself; carry that skull of Vidhi.

Verse 62 (shiva.shatarudra.8.62)

ब्रह्महत्यापनोदाय व्रतं लोकाय दर्शय । चर त्वं सततं भिक्षां कपालव्रतमाश्रितः

brahmahatyāpanodāya vrataṁ lokāya darśaya cara tvaṁ satataṁ bhikṣāṁ kapālavratamāśritaḥ

For the removal of the sin of Brahmanicide, demonstrate the vow to the world; taking refuge in the skull-vow, wander continually begging alms.

Verse 63 (shiva.shatarudra.8.63)

इत्युक्त्वा पश्यतस्तस्य तेजोरूपः शिवोऽब्रवीत् । उत्पाद्य चैकां कन्यां तु ब्रह्महत्याभिविश्रुताम्

ityuktvā paśyatastasya tejorūpaḥ śivo’bravīt utpādya caikāṁ kanyāṁ tu brahmahatyābhiviśrutām

Having said this, Shiva, of luminous form, before his very eyes, brought forth a maiden renowned as "Brahmahatya" (the personified sin of Brahmanicide).

Verse 64 (shiva.shatarudra.8.64)

यावद्वाराणसीं दिव्यां पुरीमेषां गमिष्यति । तावत्त्वं भीषणं कालमनुगच्छोग्ररूपिणम्

yāvadvārāṇasīṁ divyāṁ purīmeṣāṁ gamiṣyati tāvattvaṁ bhīṣaṇaṁ kālamanugacchograrūpiṇam

[Shiva said:] Until she reaches the divine city of Varanasi, follow her, O terrible one, through that dreadful span of time.

Verse 65 (shiva.shatarudra.8.65)

सर्वत्र ते प्रवेशोऽस्ति त्यक्त्वा वाराणसीं पुरीम् । वाराणसीं यदा गच्छेत्तन्मुक्तो भव तत्क्षणात्

sarvatra te praveśo’sti tyaktvā vārāṇasīṁ purīm vārāṇasīṁ yadā gacchettanmukto bhava tatkṣaṇāt

Everywhere else, save the city of Varanasi, you have entry; when she reaches Varanasi, then, at that very instant, become free of her.

Verse 66 (shiva.shatarudra.8.66)

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । नियोज्य तामिति तदा ब्रह्महत्यां च तां प्रभुः । महाद्भुतश्च स शिवोऽप्यन्तर्धानमगात्ततः

nandīśvara uvāca niyojya tāmiti tadā brahmahatyāṁ ca tāṁ prabhuḥ mahādbhutaśca sa śivo’pyantardhānamagāttataḥ

Nandishvara said: Having thus appointed that Brahmahatya, the most wondrous Shiva then vanished from there.