The Greatness of the Mahakala Jyotirlinga, Part Two

Verse 1 (shiva.kotirudra.17.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । महाकालसमाह्वस्थज्योतिर्लिङ्गस्य रक्षिणः । भक्तानां महिमानं च पुनर्ब्रूहि महामते ॥ 17.1 ॥

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ mahākālasamāhvasthajyotirliṅgasya rakṣiṇaḥ bhaktānāṁ mahimānaṁ ca punarbrūhi mahāmate

The sages said: O greatly wise one, tell us again of the protecting power of the Jyotirlinga established at the place called Mahakala, and of the greatness of its devotees.

Verse 2 (shiva.kotirudra.17.2)

सूत उवाच । शृणुतादरतो विप्रा भक्तरक्षाविधायिनः । महाकालस्य लिङ्गस्य माहात्म्यं भक्तिवर्धनम् ॥ 17.2 ॥

sūta uvāca śṛṇutādarato viprā bhaktarakṣāvidhāyinaḥ mahākālasya liṅgasya māhātmyaṁ bhaktivardhanam

Suta said: Listen attentively, O brahmins, to the greatness of the Mahakala linga, protector of its devotees, which increases devotion.

Verse 3 (shiva.kotirudra.17.3)

उज्जयिन्यामभूद्राजा चन्द्रसेनाह्वयो महान् । सर्वशास्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञः शिवभक्तो जितेन्द्रियः ॥ 17.3 ॥

ujjayinyāmabhūdrājā candrasenāhvayo mahān sarvaśāstrārthatattvajñaḥ śivabhakto jitendriyaḥ

In Ujjayini there lived a great king named Chandrasena, learned in the essence of every scripture, devoted to Shiva, and master of his senses.

Verse 4 (shiva.kotirudra.17.4)

तस्याभवत्सखा राज्ञो मणिभद्रो गणो द्विजाः । गिरीशगणमुख्यश्च सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः ॥ 17.4 ॥

tasyābhavatsakhā rājño maṇibhadro gaṇo dvijāḥ girīśagaṇamukhyaśca sarvalokanamaskṛtaḥ

O brahmins, the king had a friend, a gana named Manibhadra, foremost among the attendants of Girisha (Shiva) and honored by all the worlds.

Verse 5 (shiva.kotirudra.17.5)

एकदा स गणेन्द्रो हि प्रसन्नास्यो महामणिम् । मणिभद्रो ददौ तस्मै चिन्तामणिमुदारधीः ॥ 17.5 ॥

ekadā sa gaṇendro hi prasannāsyo mahāmaṇim maṇibhadro dadau tasmai cintāmaṇimudāradhīḥ

Once that lord of the ganas, Manibhadra, with a pleased countenance and generous mind, gave him a great wish-fulfilling jewel, the Chintamani.

Verse 6 (shiva.kotirudra.17.6)

स वै मणिः कौस्तुभवद् द्योतमानोऽर्कसन्निभः । ध्यातो दृष्टः श्रुतो वापि मङ्गलं यच्छति ध्रुवम् ॥ 17.6 ॥

sa vai maṇiḥ kaustubhavad dyotamāno’rkasannibhaḥ dhyāto dṛṣṭaḥ śruto vāpi maṅgalaṁ yacchati dhruvam

That jewel, radiant like the Kaustubha gem and blazing like the sun, was such that meditating upon it, seeing it, or even hearing of it surely bestowed good fortune.

Verse 7 (shiva.kotirudra.17.7)

तस्य कान्तितलस्पृष्टं कांस्यं ताम्रमयस्त्रपु । पाषाणादिकमन्यद्वा द्रुतं भवति हाटकम् ॥ 17.7 ॥

tasya kāntitalaspṛṣṭaṁ kāṁsyaṁ tāmramayastrapu pāṣāṇādikamanyadvā drutaṁ bhavati hāṭakam

Whatever bronze, copper, iron, tin, stone, or any such substance touched by its radiance instantly turned to gold.

Verse 8 (shiva.kotirudra.17.8)

स तु चिन्तामणिं कण्ठे बिभ्रद् राजा शिवाश्रयः । चन्द्रसेनो रराजाति देवमध्येव भानुमान् ॥ 17.8 ॥

sa tu cintāmaṇiṁ kaṇṭhe bibhrad rājā śivāśrayaḥ candraseno rarājāti devamadhyeva bhānumān

Wearing that Chintamani about his neck, King Chandrasena, who took refuge in Shiva, shone forth like the sun amid the gods.

Verse 9 (shiva.kotirudra.17.9)

श्रुत्वा चिन्तामणिग्रीवं चन्द्रसेनं नृपोत्तमम् । निखिलाः क्षितिराजानस्तृष्णाक्षुब्धहृदोऽभवन् ॥ 17.9 ॥

śrutvā cintāmaṇigrīvaṁ candrasenaṁ nṛpottamam nikhilāḥ kṣitirājānastṛṣṇākṣubdhahṛdo’bhavan

Hearing of King Chandrasena, foremost of kings, bearing the Chintamani on his neck, all the kings of the earth grew agitated in their hearts with greed.

Verse 10 (shiva.kotirudra.17.10)

नृपा मत्सरिणः सर्वे तं मणिं चन्द्रसेनतः । नानोपायैरयाचन्त देवलब्धमबुद्धयः ॥ 17.10 ॥

nṛpā matsariṇaḥ sarve taṁ maṇiṁ candrasenataḥ nānopāyairayācanta devalabdhamabuddhayaḥ

Those envious, unwise kings begged Chandrasena by various means for that god-given jewel.

Verse 11 (shiva.kotirudra.17.11)

सर्वेषां भूभृतां याञ्चा चन्द्रसेनेन तेन वै । व्यर्थीकृता महाकालदृढभक्तेन भूसुराः ॥ 17.11 ॥

sarveṣāṁ bhūbhṛtāṁ yāñcā candrasenena tena vai vyarthīkṛtā mahākāladṛḍhabhaktena bhūsurāḥ

O brahmins, but Chandrasena, that steadfast devotee of Mahakala, rendered the pleas of all those kings fruitless.

Verse 12 (shiva.kotirudra.17.12)

ते कदर्थीकृताः सर्वे चन्द्रसेनेन भूभृता । राजानः सर्वदेशानां संरम्भं चक्रिरे तदा ॥ 17.12 ॥

te kadarthīkṛtāḥ sarve candrasenena bhūbhṛtā rājānaḥ sarvadeśānāṁ saṁrambhaṁ cakrire tadā

Humiliated by Chandrasena, all those kings from every land then flared up in anger and resolved on war.

Verse 13 (shiva.kotirudra.17.13)

अथ ते सर्वराजानश्चतुरङ्गबलान्विताः । चन्द्रसेनं रणे जेतुं सम्बभूवुः किलोद्यताः ॥ 17.13 ॥

atha te sarvarājānaścaturaṅgabalānvitāḥ candrasenaṁ raṇe jetuṁ sambabhūvuḥ kilodyatāḥ

Then all those kings, equipped with their four-limbed armies, made ready to conquer Chandrasena in battle.

Verse 14 (shiva.kotirudra.17.14)

ते तु सर्वे समेता वै कृतसङ्केतसंविदः । उज्जयिन्याश्चतुर्द्वारं रुरुधुर्बहुसैनिकाः ॥ 17.14 ॥

te tu sarve sametā vai kṛtasaṅketasaṁvidaḥ ujjayinyāścaturdvāraṁ rurudhurbahusainikāḥ

Assembling together, having agreed among themselves upon a plan, they besieged Ujjayini's four gates with their vast armies.

Verse 15 (shiva.kotirudra.17.15)

संरुध्यमानां स्वपुरीं दृष्ट्वा निखिलराजभिः । तमेव शरणं राजा महाकालेश्वरं ययौ ॥ 17.15 ॥

saṁrudhyamānāṁ svapurīṁ dṛṣṭvā nikhilarājabhiḥ tameva śaraṇaṁ rājā mahākāleśvaraṁ yayau

Seeing his own city besieged by all those kings, the king went for refuge to none other than Mahakaleshvara.

Verse 16 (shiva.kotirudra.17.16)

निर्विकल्पो निराहारः स नृपो दृढनिश्चयः । समानर्च महाकालं दिवानक्तमनन्यधीः ॥ 17.16 ॥

nirvikalpo nirāhāraḥ sa nṛpo dṛḍhaniścayaḥ samānarca mahākālaṁ divānaktamananyadhīḥ

Firm in resolve and with mind fixed on nothing else, the king, renouncing food, worshipped Mahakala day and night without wavering.

Verse 17 (shiva.kotirudra.17.17)

ततः स भगवाञ्छम्भुर्महाकालः प्रसन्नधीः । तं रक्षितुमुपायं वै चक्रे तं शृणुतादरात् ॥ 17.17 ॥

tataḥ sa bhagavāñchambhurmahākālaḥ prasannadhīḥ taṁ rakṣitumupāyaṁ vai cakre taṁ śṛṇutādarāt

Then the blessed lord Shambhu Mahakala, his mind pleased, devised a means to protect him — listen to it with reverence.

Verse 18 (shiva.kotirudra.17.18)

तदैव समये गोपी काचित्तत्र पुरोत्तमे । चरन्ती सशिशुर्विप्रा महाकालान्तिकं ययौ ॥ 17.18 ॥

tadaiva samaye gopī kācittatra purottame carantī saśiśurviprā mahākālāntikaṁ yayau

O brahmins, at that very time a certain cowherd woman, wandering there in that great city with her infant, came near Mahakala.

Verse 19 (shiva.kotirudra.17.19)

पञ्चाब्दवयसं बालं वहन्ती गतभर्तृका । राज्ञा कृतां महाकालपूजां सापश्यदादरात् ॥ 17.19 ॥

pañcābdavayasaṁ bālaṁ vahantī gatabhartṛkā rājñā kṛtāṁ mahākālapūjāṁ sāpaśyadādarāt

That widow, carrying her five-year-old child, watched with reverence the worship of Mahakala being performed by the king.

Verse 20 (shiva.kotirudra.17.20)

सा दृष्ट्वा सुमहाश्चर्यां शिवपूजां च तत्कृताम् । प्रणिपत्य स्वशिविरं पुनरेवाभ्यपद्यत ॥ 17.20 ॥

sā dṛṣṭvā sumahāścaryāṁ śivapūjāṁ ca tatkṛtām praṇipatya svaśiviraṁ punarevābhyapadyata

Having seen that wondrous worship of Shiva, she bowed down and returned once more to her camp.

Verse 21 (shiva.kotirudra.17.21)

एतत्सर्वमशेषेण स दृष्ट्वा वल्लवीसुतः । कुतूहलेन तां कर्तुं शिवपूजां मनो दधे ॥ 17.21 ॥

etatsarvamaśeṣeṇa sa dṛṣṭvā vallavīsutaḥ kutūhalena tāṁ kartuṁ śivapūjāṁ mano dadhe

The cowherd woman's son, having seen all this in full, resolved in curiosity to perform that same worship of Shiva.

Verse 22 (shiva.kotirudra.17.22)

आनीय हृद्यं पाषाणं शून्ये तु शिविरान्तरे । अविदूरे स्वशिविराच्छिवलिङ्गं स भक्तितः ॥ 17.22 ॥

ānīya hṛdyaṁ pāṣāṇaṁ śūnye tu śivirāntare avidūre svaśivirācchivaliṅgaṁ sa bhaktitaḥ

Not far from his own camp, in a lonely spot, he brought a pleasing stone and set it up with devotion as a Shiva-linga.

Verse 23 (shiva.kotirudra.17.23)

गन्धालङ्कारवासोभिर्धूपदीपाक्षतादिभिः । विधाय कृत्रिमैर्द्रव्यैर्नैवेद्यं चाप्यकल्पयत् ॥ 17.23 ॥

gandhālaṅkāravāsobhirdhūpadīpākṣatādibhiḥ vidhāya kṛtrimairdravyairnaivedyaṁ cāpyakalpayat

With imagined offerings of fragrance, ornaments, garments, incense, lamps, unbroken rice, and the like, he duly performed the rite and also arranged an offering of food.

Verse 24 (shiva.kotirudra.17.24)

भूयो भूयः समभ्यर्च्य पत्रैः पुष्पैर्मनोरमैः । नृत्यं च विविधं कृत्वा प्रणनाम पुनः पुनः ॥ 17.24 ॥

bhūyo bhūyaḥ samabhyarcya patraiḥ puṣpairmanoramaiḥ nṛtyaṁ ca vividhaṁ kṛtvā praṇanāma punaḥ punaḥ

Worshipping again and again with lovely leaves and flowers, and performing various dances, he bowed down repeatedly.

Verse 25 (shiva.kotirudra.17.25)

एतस्मिन्समये पुत्रं शिवासक्तसुचेतसम् । प्रणयाद्गोपिका सा तं भोजनाय समाह्वयत् ॥ 17.25 ॥

etasminsamaye putraṁ śivāsaktasucetasam praṇayādgopikā sā taṁ bhojanāya samāhvayat

At this moment the cowherd woman lovingly called her son, whose mind was absorbed in Shiva, to come and eat.

Verse 26 (shiva.kotirudra.17.26)

यदाहूतोऽपि बहुशः शिवपूजाक्तमानसः । बालश्च भोजनं नैच्छत्तदा तत्र ययौ प्रसूः ॥ 17.26 ॥

yadāhūto’pi bahuśaḥ śivapūjāktamānasaḥ bālaśca bhojanaṁ naicchattadā tatra yayau prasūḥ

Though called many times, the boy, his mind absorbed in the worship of Shiva, had no wish to eat; then the mother herself went there.

Verse 27 (shiva.kotirudra.17.27)

तं विलोक्य शिवस्याग्रे निषण्णं मीलितेक्षणम् । चकर्ष पाणिं सङ्गृह्य कोपेन समताडयत् ॥ 17.27 ॥

taṁ vilokya śivasyāgre niṣaṇṇaṁ mīlitekṣaṇam cakarṣa pāṇiṁ saṅgṛhya kopena samatāḍayat

Seeing him seated before the linga with eyes closed, she seized his hand, dragged him, and in anger struck him.

Verse 28 (shiva.kotirudra.17.28)

आकृष्टस्ताडितश्चापि नागच्छत् स्वसुतो यदा । तां पूजां नाशयामास क्षिप्त्वा लिङ्गं च दूरतः ॥ 17.28 ॥

ākṛṣṭastāḍitaścāpi nāgacchat svasuto yadā tāṁ pūjāṁ nāśayāmāsa kṣiptvā liṅgaṁ ca dūrataḥ

When, though dragged and struck, her son still would not come, she flung the linga far away and destroyed that worship.

Verse 29 (shiva.kotirudra.17.29)

हाहेति दूयमानं तं निर्भर्त्स्य स्वसुतं च सा । पुनर्विवेश स्वगृहं गोपी क्रोधसमन्विता ॥ 17.29 ॥

hāheti dūyamānaṁ taṁ nirbhartsya svasutaṁ ca sā punarviveśa svagṛhaṁ gopī krodhasamanvitā

Rebuking her grieving son, who cried out in distress, the angry cowherd woman went back into her own dwelling.

Verse 30 (shiva.kotirudra.17.30)

मात्रा विनाशितां पूजां दृष्ट्वा देवस्य शूलिनः । देवदेवेति चुक्रोश निपपात स बालकः ॥ 17.30 ॥

mātrā vināśitāṁ pūjāṁ dṛṣṭvā devasya śūlinaḥ devadeveti cukrośa nipapāta sa bālakaḥ

Seeing the worship of the trident-bearing god destroyed by his own mother, the boy cried out "O God of gods!" and fell to the ground.

Verse 31 (shiva.kotirudra.17.31)

प्रनष्टसंज्ञः सहसा स बभूव शुचाकुलः । लब्धसंज्ञो मुहूर्तेन चक्षुषी उदमीलयत् ॥ 17.31 ॥

pranaṣṭasaṁjñaḥ sahasā sa babhūva śucākulaḥ labdhasaṁjño muhūrtena cakṣuṣī udamīlayat

Overwhelmed with grief, he suddenly lost consciousness; then in a moment, regaining his senses, he opened his eyes.

Verse 32 (shiva.kotirudra.17.32)

तदैव जातं शिविरं महाकालस्य सुन्दरम् । ददर्श स शिशुस्तत्र शिवानुग्रहतोऽचिरात् ॥ 17.32 ॥

tadaiva jātaṁ śiviraṁ mahākālasya sundaram dadarśa sa śiśustatra śivānugrahato’cirāt

At that very instant, by Shiva's grace, the child beheld there a beautiful shrine of Mahakala that had come into being at that spot.

Verse 33 (shiva.kotirudra.17.33)

हिरण्मयबृहद् द्वारं कपाटवरतोरणम् । महार्हनीलविमलवज्रवेदीविराजितम् ॥ 17.33 ॥

hiraṇmayabṛhad dvāraṁ kapāṭavaratoraṇam mahārhanīlavimalavajravedīvirājitam

It had a great golden gateway with fine doors and archways, adorned with an altar set with precious, spotless sapphires and diamonds.

Verse 34 (shiva.kotirudra.17.34)

सन्तप्तहेमकलशैर्विचित्रैर्बहुभिर्युतम् । प्रोद्भासितमणिस्तम्भैर्बद्धस्फटिकभूतलैः ॥ 17.34 ॥

santaptahemakalaśairvicitrairbahubhiryutam prodbhāsitamaṇistambhairbaddhasphaṭikabhūtalaiḥ

It was adorned with many wondrous pots of refined gold, its pillars gleaming with jewels, its floor set with crystal.

Verse 35 (shiva.kotirudra.17.35)

तन्मध्ये रत्नलिङ्गं हि शङ्करस्य कृपानिधेः । स्वकृतार्चनसंयुक्तमपश्यद्गोपिकासुतः ॥ 17.35 ॥

tanmadhye ratnaliṅgaṁ hi śaṅkarasya kṛpānidheḥ svakṛtārcanasaṁyuktamapaśyadgopikāsutaḥ

In its center, the cowherd's son saw the jewel-linga of Shankara, the treasury of grace, complete with the very offerings he himself had made.

Verse 36 (shiva.kotirudra.17.36)

स दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय शिशुर्विस्मितमानसः । सन्निमग्न इवासीद्वै परमानन्दसागरे ॥ 17.36 ॥

sa dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya śiśurvismitamānasaḥ sannimagna ivāsīdvai paramānandasāgare

Seeing this, the astonished child rose at once and seemed to sink, as it were, into an ocean of supreme bliss.

Verse 37 (shiva.kotirudra.17.37)

ततः स्तुत्वा स गिरिशं भूयो भूयः प्रणम्य च । सूर्ये चास्तङ्गते बालो निर्जगाम शिवालयात् ॥ 17.37 ॥

tataḥ stutvā sa giriśaṁ bhūyo bhūyaḥ praṇamya ca sūrye cāstaṅgate bālo nirjagāma śivālayāt

Then, having praised Girisha and bowed down again and again, the boy came out of the Shiva temple as the sun set.

Verse 38 (shiva.kotirudra.17.38)

अथापश्यत्स्वशिविरं पुरन्दरपुरोपमम् । सद्यो हिरण्मयीभूतं विचित्रं परमोज्ज्वलम् ॥ 17.38 ॥

athāpaśyatsvaśiviraṁ purandarapuropamam sadyo hiraṇmayībhūtaṁ vicitraṁ paramojjvalam

Then he saw his own camp, now suddenly turned to gold, marvelous and most radiant, resembling Indra's own city.

Verse 39 (shiva.kotirudra.17.39)

सोऽन्तर्विवेश भवनं सर्वशोभासमन्वितम् । मणिहेमगणाकीर्णं मोदमानो निशामुखे ॥ 17.39 ॥

so’ntarviveśa bhavanaṁ sarvaśobhāsamanvitam maṇihemagaṇākīrṇaṁ modamāno niśāmukhe

Rejoicing, at the edge of night he entered that dwelling, filled with every beauty and crowded with heaps of jewels and gold.

Verse 40 (shiva.kotirudra.17.40)

तत्रापश्यत्स्वजननीं स्वपन्तीं दिव्यलक्षणाम् । रत्नालङ्कारदीप्ताङ्गीं साक्षात्सुरवधूमिव ॥ 17.40 ॥

tatrāpaśyatsvajananīṁ svapantīṁ divyalakṣaṇām ratnālaṅkāradīptāṅgīṁ sākṣātsuravadhūmiva

There he saw his mother lying asleep, bearing divine marks, her body radiant with jeweled ornaments, as if she were a goddess in the flesh.

Verse 41 (shiva.kotirudra.17.41)

अथो स तनयो विप्राः शिवानुग्रहभाजनम् । जवेनोत्थापयामास मातरं सुखविह्वलः ॥ 17.41 ॥

atho sa tanayo viprāḥ śivānugrahabhājanam javenotthāpayāmāsa mātaraṁ sukhavihvalaḥ

O brahmins, then that son, now a vessel of Shiva's grace, overcome with joy, hastened to wake his mother.

Verse 42 (shiva.kotirudra.17.42)

सोत्थिताद्भुतमालक्ष्यापूर्वं सर्वमिवाभवत् । महानन्दसुमग्ना हि सस्वजे स्वसुतं च तम् ॥ 17.42 ॥

sotthitādbhutamālakṣyāpūrvaṁ sarvamivābhavat mahānandasumagnā hi sasvaje svasutaṁ ca tam

As she rose and beheld that wondrous, unprecedented sight, everything seemed made new; sunk in great bliss, she embraced her son.

Verse 43 (shiva.kotirudra.17.43)

श्रुत्वा पुत्रमुखात्सर्वं प्रसादं गिरिजापतेः । प्रभुं विज्ञापयामास यो भजत्यनिशं शिवम् ॥ 17.43 ॥

śrutvā putramukhātsarvaṁ prasādaṁ girijāpateḥ prabhuṁ vijñāpayāmāsa yo bhajatyaniśaṁ śivam

Hearing from her son's own mouth the whole tale of Girijapati's grace, word of it was brought to the king, who worshipped Shiva unceasingly.

Verse 44 (shiva.kotirudra.17.44)

स राजा सहसागत्य समाप्तनियमो निशि । ददर्श गोपिकासूनोः प्रभावं शिवतोषणम् ॥ 17.44 ॥

sa rājā sahasāgatya samāptaniyamo niśi dadarśa gopikāsūnoḥ prabhāvaṁ śivatoṣaṇam

Having completed his vow, the king came there at once and, that very night, beheld the power of the cowherd's son that had so pleased Shiva.

Verse 45 (shiva.kotirudra.17.45)

दृष्ट्वा महीपतिः सर्वं तत्सामात्यपुरोहितः । आसीन्निमग्नो विधृतिः परमानन्दसागरे ॥ 17.45 ॥

dṛṣṭvā mahīpatiḥ sarvaṁ tatsāmātyapurohitaḥ āsīnnimagno vidhṛtiḥ paramānandasāgare

Seeing all this, the king, together with his ministers and priest, lost his composure and sank into an ocean of supreme bliss.

Verse 46 (shiva.kotirudra.17.46)

प्रेम्णा बाष्पजलं मुञ्चन् चन्द्रसेनो नृपो हि सः । शिवनामोच्चरन्प्रीत्या परिरेभे तमर्भकम् ॥ 17.46 ॥

premṇā bāṣpajalaṁ muñcan candraseno nṛpo hi saḥ śivanāmoccaranprītyā parirebhe tamarbhakam

Shedding tears of love, King Chandrasena, uttering the name of Shiva with affection, embraced that child.

Verse 47 (shiva.kotirudra.17.47)

महामहोत्सवस्तत्र प्रबभूवाद्भुतो द्विजाः । महेशकीर्तनं चक्रुः सर्वे च सुखविह्वलाः ॥ 17.47 ॥

mahāmahotsavastatra prababhūvādbhuto dvijāḥ maheśakīrtanaṁ cakruḥ sarve ca sukhavihvalāḥ

O brahmins, a wondrous great festival arose there; overcome with joy, everyone sang the praises of Mahesha.

Verse 48 (shiva.kotirudra.17.48)

एवमत्यद्भुताचाराच्छिवमाहात्म्यदर्शनात् । पौराणां सम्भ्रमाच्चैव सा रात्रिः क्षणतामगात् ॥ 17.48 ॥

evamatyadbhutācārācchivamāhātmyadarśanāt paurāṇāṁ sambhramāccaiva sā rātriḥ kṣaṇatāmagāt

Thus, amid that most wondrous event, the vision of Shiva's greatness, and the excited joy of the townspeople, that whole night passed as if it were but a moment.

Verse 49 (shiva.kotirudra.17.49)

अथ प्रभाते युद्धाय पुरं संरुध्य संस्थिताः । राजानश्चारवक्त्रेभ्यः शुश्रुवुश्चरितं च तत् ॥ 17.49 ॥

atha prabhāte yuddhāya puraṁ saṁrudhya saṁsthitāḥ rājānaścāravaktrebhyaḥ śuśruvuścaritaṁ ca tat

In the morning, the kings still stationed for battle, besieging the city, heard that whole account from the mouths of their spies.

Verse 50 (shiva.kotirudra.17.50)

ते समेताश्च राजानः सर्वे ये ये समागताः । परस्परमिति प्रोचुस्तच्छ्रुत्वा चकित अति ॥ 17.50 ॥

te sametāśca rājānaḥ sarve ye ye samāgatāḥ parasparamiti procustacchrutvā cakita ati

All the assembled kings, hearing this, were greatly astonished and said to one another as follows.

Verse 51 (shiva.kotirudra.17.51)

राजान ऊचुः । अयं राजा चन्द्रसेनः शिवभक्तोऽतिदुर्जयः । उज्जयिन्या महाकालपुर्याः पतिरनाकुलः ॥ 17.51 ॥

rājāna ūcuḥ ayaṁ rājā candrasenaḥ śivabhakto’tidurjayaḥ ujjayinyā mahākālapuryāḥ patiranākulaḥ

The kings said: This King Chandrasena, devotee of Shiva, is exceedingly hard to conquer; he is the unshaken, undisturbed lord of Ujjayini, the city of Mahakala.

Verse 52 (shiva.kotirudra.17.52)

ईदृशाः शिशवो यस्य पुर्यां सन्ति शिवव्रताः । स राजा चन्द्रसेनस्तु महाशङ्करसेवकः ॥ 17.52 ॥

īdṛśāḥ śiśavo yasya puryāṁ santi śivavratāḥ sa rājā candrasenastu mahāśaṅkarasevakaḥ

A king in whose city there dwell such children devoted to Shiva's vows — that King Chandrasena is truly a great servant of Shankara.

Verse 53 (shiva.kotirudra.17.53)

नूनमस्य विरोधेन शिवः क्रोधं करिष्यति । तत्क्रोधाद्धि वयं सर्वे भविष्यामो विनष्टकाः ॥ 17.53 ॥

nūnamasya virodhena śivaḥ krodhaṁ kariṣyati tatkrodhāddhi vayaṁ sarve bhaviṣyāmo vinaṣṭakāḥ

Surely, by opposing him, Shiva will grow angry, and by that anger we shall all be destroyed.

Verse 54 (shiva.kotirudra.17.54)

तस्मादनेन राज्ञा वै मिलापः कार्य एव हि । एवं सति महेशानः करिष्यति कृपां पराम् ॥ 17.54 ॥

tasmādanena rājñā vai milāpaḥ kārya eva hi evaṁ sati maheśānaḥ kariṣyati kṛpāṁ parām

Therefore, making peace with this king is the right course; if we do so, the great lord Mahesha will show us his highest grace.

Verse 55 (shiva.kotirudra.17.55)

सूत उवाच । इति निश्चित्य ते भूपास्त्यक्तवैराः सदाशयाः । सर्वे बभूवुः सुप्रीता न्यस्तशस्त्रास्त्रपाणयः ॥ 17.55 ॥

sūta uvāca iti niścitya te bhūpāstyaktavairāḥ sadāśayāḥ sarve babhūvuḥ suprītā nyastaśastrāstrapāṇayaḥ

Suta said: Having resolved thus, those well-intentioned kings gave up their enmity, laid down the weapons in their hands, and all became greatly pleased.

Verse 56 (shiva.kotirudra.17.56)

विविशुस्ते पुरीं रम्यां महाकालस्य भूभृतः । महाकालं समानर्चुश्चन्द्रसेनानुमोदिताः ॥ 17.56 ॥

viviśuste purīṁ ramyāṁ mahākālasya bhūbhṛtaḥ mahākālaṁ samānarcuścandrasenānumoditāḥ

With Chandrasena's leave, those kings entered Mahakala's beautiful city and duly worshipped Mahakala.

Verse 57 (shiva.kotirudra.17.57)

ततस्ते गोपवनितागेहं जग्मुर्महीभृतः । प्रशंसन्तश्च तद्भाग्यं सर्वे दिव्यमहोदयम् ॥ 17.57 ॥

tataste gopavanitāgehaṁ jagmurmahībhṛtaḥ praśaṁsantaśca tadbhāgyaṁ sarve divyamahodayam

Then all those kings went to the cowherd woman's house and praised her extraordinary, divine good fortune.

Verse 58 (shiva.kotirudra.17.58)

ते तत्र चन्द्रसेनेन प्रत्युद्गम्याभिपूजिताः । महार्हविष्टरगताः प्रत्यनन्दन् सुविस्मिताः ॥ 17.58 ॥

te tatra candrasenena pratyudgamyābhipūjitāḥ mahārhaviṣṭaragatāḥ pratyanandan suvismitāḥ

There Chandrasena came forward and honored them; seated upon costly seats, they, greatly amazed, returned his greeting.

Verse 59 (shiva.kotirudra.17.59)

गोपसूनोः प्रसादात्तत्प्रादुर्भूतं शिवालयम् । संवीक्ष्य शिवलिङ्गं च शिवे चक्रुः परां मतिम् ॥ 17.59 ॥

gopasūnoḥ prasādāttatprādurbhūtaṁ śivālayam saṁvīkṣya śivaliṅgaṁ ca śive cakruḥ parāṁ matim

Beholding the Shiva temple and linga that had appeared through the grace won by the cowherd's son, they all fixed their supreme faith upon Shiva.

Verse 60 (shiva.kotirudra.17.60)

ततस्ते गोपशिशवे प्रीता निखिलभूभुजः । ददुर्बहूनि वस्तूनि तस्मै शिवकृपार्थिनः ॥ 17.60 ॥

tataste gopaśiśave prītā nikhilabhūbhujaḥ dadurbahūni vastūni tasmai śivakṛpārthinaḥ

Then all those kings, pleased and desiring Shiva's grace for themselves, gave many gifts to that cowherd child.

Verse 61 (shiva.kotirudra.17.61)

ये ये सर्वेषु देशेषु गोपास्तिष्ठन्ति भूरिशः । तेषां तमेव राजानं चक्रिरे सर्वपार्थिवाः ॥ 17.61 ॥

ye ye sarveṣu deśeṣu gopāstiṣṭhanti bhūriśaḥ teṣāṁ tameva rājānaṁ cakrire sarvapārthivāḥ

All those kings made that boy the ruler over all the many cowherds dwelling everywhere throughout every land.

Verse 62 (shiva.kotirudra.17.62)

अथास्मिन्नन्तरे सर्वैस्त्रिदशैरभिपूजितः । प्रादुर्बभूव तेजस्वी हनूमान् वानरेश्वरः ॥ 17.62 ॥

athāsminnantare sarvaistridaśairabhipūjitaḥ prādurbabhūva tejasvī hanūmān vānareśvaraḥ

Meanwhile, honored by all the gods, the radiant Hanuman, lord of the monkeys, appeared there.

Verse 63 (shiva.kotirudra.17.63)

ते तस्याभिगमादेव राजानो जातसम्भ्रमाः । प्रत्युत्थाय नमश्चकुर्भक्तिनम्रात्ममूर्तयः ॥ 17.63 ॥

te tasyābhigamādeva rājāno jātasambhramāḥ pratyutthāya namaścakurbhaktinamrātmamūrtayaḥ

At his very approach, those kings, filled with awe, rose up and, their bodies bowed low in devotion, offered him homage.

Verse 64 (shiva.kotirudra.17.64)

तेषां मध्ये समासीनः पूजितः प्लवगेश्वरः । गोपात्मजं तमालिङ्ग्य राज्ञो वीक्ष्येदमब्रवीत् ॥ 17.64 ॥

teṣāṁ madhye samāsīnaḥ pūjitaḥ plavageśvaraḥ gopātmajaṁ tamāliṅgya rājño vīkṣyedamabravīt

Seated in their midst, honored, the lord of the monkeys embraced the cowherd's son and, looking at the kings, spoke these words.

Verse 65 (shiva.kotirudra.17.65)

हनूमानुवाच । सर्वे शृण्वन्तु भद्रं वो राजानो ये च देहिनः । ऋते शिवं नान्यतमो गतिरस्ति शरीरिणाम् ॥ 17.65 ॥

hanūmānuvāca sarve śṛṇvantu bhadraṁ vo rājāno ye ca dehinaḥ ṛte śivaṁ nānyatamo gatirasti śarīriṇām

Hanuman said: Let all listen — kings and every embodied being — may good come to you all; apart from Shiva there is no other refuge for embodied souls.

Verse 66 (shiva.kotirudra.17.66)

एवं गोपसुतो दिष्ट्या शिवपूजां विलोक्य च । अमन्त्रेणापि सम्पूज्य शिवं शिवमवाप्तवान् ॥ 17.66 ॥

evaṁ gopasuto diṣṭyā śivapūjāṁ vilokya ca amantreṇāpi sampūjya śivaṁ śivamavāptavān

Thus, having by good fortune witnessed the worship of Shiva and having worshipped Shiva even without knowing any mantra, this cowherd's son has attained Shiva himself.

Verse 67 (shiva.kotirudra.17.67)

एष भक्तवरः शम्भोर्गोपानां कीर्तिवर्धनः । इह भुक्त्वाखिलान्भोगानन्ते मोक्षमवाप्स्यति ॥ 17.67 ॥

eṣa bhaktavaraḥ śambhorgopānāṁ kīrtivardhanaḥ iha bhuktvākhilānbhogānante mokṣamavāpsyati

This foremost devotee of Shambhu, enhancer of the glory of the cowherds, shall enjoy every pleasure here and in the end attain liberation.

Verse 68 (shiva.kotirudra.17.68)

अस्य वंशेऽष्टमो भावी नन्दो नाम महायशाः । प्राप्स्यते तस्य पुत्रत्वं कृष्णो नारायणः स्वयम् ॥ 17.68 ॥

asya vaṁśe’ṣṭamo bhāvī nando nāma mahāyaśāḥ prāpsyate tasya putratvaṁ kṛṣṇo nārāyaṇaḥ svayam

In the eighth generation of his line there will be a man of great renown named Nanda, whose son will be Krishna, Narayana himself.

Verse 69 (shiva.kotirudra.17.69)

अद्यप्रभृति लोकेऽस्मिन्नेष गोपकुमारकः । नाम्ना श्रीकर इत्युच्चैर्लोकख्यातिं गमिष्यति ॥ 17.69 ॥

adyaprabhṛti loke’sminneṣa gopakumārakaḥ nāmnā śrīkara ityuccairlokakhyātiṁ gamiṣyati

From this day on, in this world, this cowherd boy shall come to be widely renowned by the name Shrikara.

Verse 70 (shiva.kotirudra.17.70)

सूत उवाच । एवमुक्त्वाञ्जनीसूनुः शिवरूपो हरीश्वरः । सर्वान् राज्ञश्चन्द्रसेनं कृपादृष्ट्या ददर्श ह ॥ 17.70 ॥

sūta uvāca evamuktvāñjanīsūnuḥ śivarūpo harīśvaraḥ sarvān rājñaścandrasenaṁ kṛpādṛṣṭyā dadarśa ha

Suta said: Having spoken thus, Hanuman, son of Anjani, lord among monkeys and himself a form of Shiva, looked upon all the kings and Chandrasena with a glance of grace.

Verse 71 (shiva.kotirudra.17.71)

अथ तस्मै श्रीकराय गोपपुत्राय धीमते । उपादिदेश सुप्रीत्या शिवाचारं शिवप्रियम् ॥ 17.71 ॥

atha tasmai śrīkarāya gopaputrāya dhīmate upādideśa suprītyā śivācāraṁ śivapriyam

Then, with great affection, he instructed the wise cowherd's son Shrikara in the conduct dear to Shiva, the way of Shiva-worship.

Verse 72 (shiva.kotirudra.17.72)

हनूमानथ सुप्रीतः सर्वेषां पश्यतां द्विजाः । चन्द्रसेनं श्रीकरं च तत्रैवान्तरधीयत ॥ 17.72 ॥

hanūmānatha suprītaḥ sarveṣāṁ paśyatāṁ dvijāḥ candrasenaṁ śrīkaraṁ ca tatraivāntaradhīyata

O brahmins, then Hanuman, greatly pleased, vanished from that very place before the eyes of Chandrasena, Shrikara, and all who watched.

Verse 73 (shiva.kotirudra.17.73)

तं सर्वे च महीपालाः संहृष्टाः प्रतिपूजिताः । चन्द्रसेनं समामन्त्र्य प्रतिजग्मुर्यथागतम् ॥ 17.73 ॥

taṁ sarve ca mahīpālāḥ saṁhṛṣṭāḥ pratipūjitāḥ candrasenaṁ samāmantrya pratijagmuryathāgatam

All those kings, delighted and duly honored, took leave of Chandrasena and returned as they had come.

Verse 74 (shiva.kotirudra.17.74)

श्रीकरोऽपि महातेजा उपदिष्टो हनूमता । ब्राह्मणैः सह धर्मज्ञैश्चक्रे शम्भोः समर्हणम् ॥ 17.74 ॥

śrīkaro’pi mahātejā upadiṣṭo hanūmatā brāhmaṇaiḥ saha dharmajñaiścakre śambhoḥ samarhaṇam

The greatly radiant Shrikara too, instructed by Hanuman, together with brahmins learned in dharma, performed proper worship of Shambhu.

Verse 75 (shiva.kotirudra.17.75)

चन्द्रसेनो महाराजः श्रीकरो गोपबालकः । उभावपि परप्रीत्या महाकालं च भेजतुः ॥ 17.75 ॥

candraseno mahārājaḥ śrīkaro gopabālakaḥ ubhāvapi paraprītyā mahākālaṁ ca bhejatuḥ

Both the great King Chandrasena and the cowherd boy Shrikara continued to serve Mahakala with the deepest devotion.

Verse 76 (shiva.kotirudra.17.76)

कालेन श्रीकरः सोऽपि चन्द्रसेनश्च भूपतिः । समाराध्य महाकालं भेजतुः परमं पदम् ॥ 17.76 ॥

kālena śrīkaraḥ so’pi candrasenaśca bhūpatiḥ samārādhya mahākālaṁ bhejatuḥ paramaṁ padam

In time, both Shrikara and King Chandrasena, having thoroughly worshipped Mahakala, attained the supreme abode.

Verse 77 (shiva.kotirudra.17.77)

एवंविधो महाकालः शिवलिङ्गः सतां गतिः । सर्वथा दुष्टहन्ता च शङ्करो भक्तवत्सलः ॥ 17.77 ॥

evaṁvidho mahākālaḥ śivaliṅgaḥ satāṁ gatiḥ sarvathā duṣṭahantā ca śaṅkaro bhaktavatsalaḥ

Such is this Mahakala Shiva-linga, the refuge of the virtuous; Shankara is ever the destroyer of the wicked and affectionate toward his devotees.

Verse 78 (shiva.kotirudra.17.78)

इदं पवित्रं परमं रहस्यं सर्वसौख्यदम् । आख्यानं कथितं स्वर्ग्यं शिवभक्तिविवर्धनम् ॥ 17.78 ॥

idaṁ pavitraṁ paramaṁ rahasyaṁ sarvasaukhyadam ākhyānaṁ kathitaṁ svargyaṁ śivabhaktivivardhanam

Thus has been told this pure, supreme, secret narrative, bestower of all happiness, leading to heaven, and increasing devotion to Shiva.