The Greatness of the Vaidyanatheshvara Jyotirlinga

Verse 1 (shiva.kotirudra.28.1)

सूत उवाच । रावणो राक्षसश्रेष्ठो मानी मानपरायणः । आरराध हरं भक्त्या कैलासे पर्वतोत्तमे ॥ 28.1 ॥

sūta uvāca rāvaṇo rākṣasaśreṣṭho mānī mānaparāyaṇaḥ ārarādha haraṁ bhaktyā kailāse parvatottame

Suta said: Ravana, the foremost of rakshasas, proud and devoted to his own honor, worshipped Hara with devotion on Kailasa, the greatest of mountains.

Verse 2 (shiva.kotirudra.28.2)

आराधितः कियत्कालं न प्रसन्नो हरो यदा । तदा चान्यत्तपश्चक्रे प्रसादार्थं शिवस्य सः ॥ 28.2 ॥

ārādhitaḥ kiyatkālaṁ na prasanno haro yadā tadā cānyattapaścakre prasādārthaṁ śivasya saḥ

When, though worshipped for some time, Hara did not become pleased, he then performed another austerity for the sake of Shiva's favour.

Verse 3 (shiva.kotirudra.28.3)

ततश्चायं हिमवतः सिद्धिस्थानस्य वै गिरेः । पौलस्त्यो रावणः श्रीमान् दक्षिणे वृक्षखण्डके ॥ 28.3 ॥

tataścāyaṁ himavataḥ siddhisthānasya vai gireḥ paulastyo rāvaṇaḥ śrīmān dakṣiṇe vṛkṣakhaṇḍake

Then that glorious Ravana, descendant of Pulastya, went to a grove of trees south of the Himalayan peak known as the place of accomplishment.

Verse 4 (shiva.kotirudra.28.4)

भूमौ गर्तं वरं कृत्वा तत्राग्निं स्थाप्य स द्विजाः । तत्सन्निधौ शिवं स्थाप्य हवनं स चकार ह ॥ 28.4 ॥

bhūmau gartaṁ varaṁ kṛtvā tatrāgniṁ sthāpya sa dvijāḥ tatsannidhau śivaṁ sthāpya havanaṁ sa cakāra ha

Having made a fine pit in the ground, O brahmins, and having established fire there, and having installed Shiva near it, he performed a fire-oblation.

Verse 5 (shiva.kotirudra.28.5)

ग्रीष्मे पञ्चाग्निमध्यस्थो वर्षासु स्थण्डिलेशयः । शीते जलान्तरस्थो हि त्रिधा चक्रे तपश्च सः ॥ 28.5 ॥

grīṣme pañcāgnimadhyastho varṣāsu sthaṇḍileśayaḥ śīte jalāntarastho hi tridhā cakre tapaśca saḥ

In summer he stood amid five fires, in the rains he lay on the bare ground, and in winter he stood within water — in these three ways he performed austerity.

Verse 6 (shiva.kotirudra.28.6)

चकारैवं बहु तपो न प्रसन्नस्तदापि हि । परमात्मा महेशानो दुराराध्यो दुरात्मभिः ॥ 28.6 ॥

cakāraivaṁ bahu tapo na prasannastadāpi hi paramātmā maheśāno durārādhyo durātmabhiḥ

Thus he performed much austerity, yet even then the Supreme Self, the Great Lord, did not become pleased — for he is hard to propitiate by the evil-souled.

Verse 7 (shiva.kotirudra.28.7)

ततः शिरांसि छित्त्वा च पूजनं शङ्करस्य वै । प्रारब्धं दैत्यपतिना रावणेन महात्मना ॥ 28.7 ॥

tataḥ śirāṁsi chittvā ca pūjanaṁ śaṅkarasya vai prārabdhaṁ daityapatinā rāvaṇena mahātmanā

Then the great-souled lord of demons, Ravana, began to worship Shankara by cutting off his own heads.

Verse 8 (shiva.kotirudra.28.8)

एकैकं च शिरश्छिन्नं विधिना शिवपूजने । एवं सत्क्रमतस्तेन छिन्नानि नव वै यदा ॥ 28.8 ॥

ekaikaṁ ca śiraśchinnaṁ vidhinā śivapūjane evaṁ satkramatastena chinnāni nava vai yadā

One head at a time was cut off, in due order, in the worship of Shiva; and when, proceeding thus in sequence, nine had been cut off,

Verse 9 (shiva.kotirudra.28.9)

एकस्मिन्नवशिष्टे तु प्रसन्नः शङ्करस्तदा । आविर्बभूव तत्रैव सन्तुष्टो भक्तवत्सलः ॥ 28.9 ॥

ekasminnavaśiṣṭe tu prasannaḥ śaṅkarastadā āvirbabhūva tatraiva santuṣṭo bhaktavatsalaḥ

— when only one remained, then Shankara, pleased, ever affectionate to his devotees, appeared there, well satisfied.

Verse 10 (shiva.kotirudra.28.10)

शिरांसि पूर्ववत्कृत्वा नीरुजानि तथा प्रभुः । मनोरथं ददौ तस्मै चातुलं बलमुत्तमम् ॥ 28.10 ॥

śirāṁsi pūrvavatkṛtvā nīrujāni tathā prabhuḥ manorathaṁ dadau tasmai cātulaṁ balamuttamam

The Lord restored the heads as before, free from any affliction, and granted him his heart's desire, and unequalled, supreme strength.

Verse 11 (shiva.kotirudra.28.11)

प्रसादं तस्य सम्प्राप्य रावणः स च राक्षसः । प्रत्युवाच शिवं शम्भुं नतस्कन्धः कृताञ्जलिः ॥ 28.11 ॥

prasādaṁ tasya samprāpya rāvaṇaḥ sa ca rākṣasaḥ pratyuvāca śivaṁ śambhuṁ nataskandhaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ

Having received his favour, that rakshasa Ravana, with bowed shoulders and joined palms, replied to Shiva, to Shambhu.

Verse 12 (shiva.kotirudra.28.12)

रावण उवाच । प्रसन्नो भव देवेश लङ्कां च त्वां नयाम्यहम् । सफलं कुरु मे कामं त्वामहं शरणं गतः ॥ 28.12 ॥

rāvaṇa uvāca prasanno bhava deveśa laṅkāṁ ca tvāṁ nayāmyaham saphalaṁ kuru me kāmaṁ tvāmahaṁ śaraṇaṁ gataḥ

Ravana said: "Be pleased, O Lord of gods; I shall take you to Lanka. Fulfill my desire — I have come for refuge to you."

Verse 13 (shiva.kotirudra.28.13)

सूत उवाच । इत्युक्तश्च तदा तेन शम्भुर्वै रावणेन सः । प्रत्युवाच विचेतस्कः सङ्कटं परमं गतः ॥ 28.13 ॥

sūta uvāca ityuktaśca tadā tena śambhurvai rāvaṇena saḥ pratyuvāca vicetaskaḥ saṅkaṭaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ

Suta said: Thus addressed by Ravana, Shambhu, thrown into utmost difficulty and perplexed in mind, replied.

Verse 14 (shiva.kotirudra.28.14)

शिव उवाच । श्रूयतां राक्षसश्रेष्ठ वचो मे सारवत्तया । नीयतां स्वगृहे मे हि सद्भक्त्या लिङ्गमुत्तमम् ॥ 28.14 ॥

śiva uvāca śrūyatāṁ rākṣasaśreṣṭha vaco me sāravattayā nīyatāṁ svagṛhe me hi sadbhaktyā liṅgamuttamam

Shiva said: "Listen, O best of rakshasas, to my words with their true purport. Take this supreme linga of mine to your own house, with true devotion."

Verse 15 (shiva.kotirudra.28.15)

भूमौ लिङ्गं यदा त्वं च स्थापयिष्यसि यत्र वै । स्थास्यत्यत्र न सन्देहो यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु ॥ 28.15 ॥

bhūmau liṅgaṁ yadā tvaṁ ca sthāpayiṣyasi yatra vai sthāsyatyatra na sandeho yathecchasi tathā kuru

"Wherever on the ground you set this linga down, there it shall remain — of this there is no doubt. Do as you wish."

Verse 16 (shiva.kotirudra.28.16)

सूत उवाच । इत्युक्तः शम्भुना तेन रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः । तथेति तत्समादाय जगाम भवनं निजम् ॥ 28.16 ॥

sūta uvāca ityuktaḥ śambhunā tena rāvaṇo rākṣaseśvaraḥ tatheti tatsamādāya jagāma bhavanaṁ nijam

Suta said: Thus addressed by Shambhu, Ravana, lord of rakshasas, saying "So be it," took the linga and set out for his own abode.

Verse 17 (shiva.kotirudra.28.17)

आसीन्मूत्रोत्सर्गकामो मार्गे हि शिवमायया । तत्स्तम्भितुं न शक्तोऽभूत्पौलस्त्यो रावणः प्रभुः ॥ 28.17 ॥

āsīnmūtrotsargakāmo mārge hi śivamāyayā tatstambhituṁ na śakto’bhūtpaulastyo rāvaṇaḥ prabhuḥ

On the way, by Shiva's illusive power, he felt the urge to urinate; and mighty Ravana, descendant of Pulastya, was unable to restrain it.

Verse 18 (shiva.kotirudra.28.18)

दृष्ट्वैकं तत्र वै गोपं प्रार्थ्य लिङ्गं ददौ च तत् । मुहूर्तके ह्यतिक्रान्ते गोपोऽभूद्विकलस्तदा ॥ 28.18 ॥

dṛṣṭvaikaṁ tatra vai gopaṁ prārthya liṅgaṁ dadau ca tat muhūrtake hyatikrānte gopo’bhūdvikalastadā

Seeing a cowherd there, he entreated him and gave him the linga to hold; but when a short while had passed, the cowherd became overwhelmed.

Verse 19 (shiva.kotirudra.28.19)

भूमौ संस्थापयामास तद्भारेणातिपीडितः । तत्रैव तत्स्थितं लिङ्गं वज्रसारसमुद्भवम् । सर्वकामप्रदं चैव दर्शनात्पापहारकम् ॥ 28.19 ॥

bhūmau saṁsthāpayāmāsa tadbhāreṇātipīḍitaḥ tatraiva tatsthitaṁ liṅgaṁ vajrasārasamudbhavam sarvakāmapradaṁ caiva darśanātpāpahārakam

Overwhelmed by its weight, he set it down on the ground; and there that linga, sprung from a thunderbolt-hard essence, remained fixed — granting all desires and, by mere sight, destroying sin.

Verse 20 (shiva.kotirudra.28.20)

वैद्यनाथेश्वरं नाम्ना तल्लिङ्गमभवन्मुने । प्रसिद्धं त्रिषु लोकेषु भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं सताम् ॥ 28.20 ॥

vaidyanātheśvaraṁ nāmnā talliṅgamabhavanmune prasiddhaṁ triṣu lokeṣu bhuktimuktipradaṁ satām

That linga, O sage, became known by the name Vaidyanatheshvara, renowned in the three worlds, bestowing both enjoyment and liberation upon the virtuous.

Verse 21 (shiva.kotirudra.28.21)

ज्योतिर्लिङ्गमिदं श्रेष्ठं दर्शनात्पूजनादपि । सर्वपापहरं दिव्यं मुक्तिवर्धनमुत्तमम् ॥ 28.21 ॥

jyotirliṅgamidaṁ śreṣṭhaṁ darśanātpūjanādapi sarvapāpaharaṁ divyaṁ muktivardhanamuttamam

This excellent Jyotirlinga, by mere sight and worship alike, is divine, removes all sin, and is the supreme increaser of liberation.

Verse 22 (shiva.kotirudra.28.22)

तस्मिँलिङ्गे स्थिते तत्र सर्वलोकहिताय वै । रावणः स्वगृहं गत्वा वरं प्राप्य महोत्तमम् । प्रियायै सर्वमाचख्यौ सुखेनाति महासुरः ॥ 28.22 ॥

tasmi~liṅge sthite tatra sarvalokahitāya vai rāvaṇaḥ svagṛhaṁ gatvā varaṁ prāpya mahottamam priyāyai sarvamācakhyau sukhenāti mahāsuraḥ

When that linga had thus come to rest there for the benefit of the whole world, Ravana, having gone to his own house and obtained a most excellent boon, that great demon happily related everything to his beloved.

Verse 23 (shiva.kotirudra.28.23)

तच्छ्रुत्वा सकला देवाः शक्राद्या मुनयस्तथा । परस्परं समामन्त्र्य शिवासक्तधियोऽमलाः ॥ 28.23 ॥

tacchrutvā sakalā devāḥ śakrādyā munayastathā parasparaṁ samāmantrya śivāsaktadhiyo’malāḥ

Hearing this, all the gods, beginning with Indra, and the sages too, their pure minds fixed on Shiva, consulted one another.

Verse 24 (shiva.kotirudra.28.24)

तस्मिन्काले सुराः सर्वे हरिब्रह्मादयो मुने । आजग्मुस्तत्र सुप्रीत्या पूजां चक्रुर्विशेषतः ॥ 28.24 ॥

tasminkāle surāḥ sarve haribrahmādayo mune ājagmustatra suprītyā pūjāṁ cakrurviśeṣataḥ

At that time, O sage, all the gods, beginning with Hari and Brahma, came there with great love and performed special worship.

Verse 25 (shiva.kotirudra.28.25)

प्रत्यक्षं तं तदा दृष्ट्वा प्रतिष्ठाप्य च ते सुराः । वैद्यनाथेति सम्प्रोच्य नत्वा नुत्वा दिवं ययुः ॥ 28.25 ॥

pratyakṣaṁ taṁ tadā dṛṣṭvā pratiṣṭhāpya ca te surāḥ vaidyanātheti samprocya natvā nutvā divaṁ yayuḥ

Having then seen him directly and having consecrated him there, those gods, proclaiming him as Vaidyanatha, having bowed and praised him, returned to heaven.

Verse 26 (shiva.kotirudra.28.26)

ऋषय ऊचुः । तस्मिँल्लिङ्गे स्थिते तत्र रावणे च गृहं गते । किं चरित्रमभूत्तात ततस्तद्वद विस्तरात् ॥ 28.26 ॥

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ tasmi~lliṅge sthite tatra rāvaṇe ca gṛhaṁ gate kiṁ caritramabhūttāta tatastadvada vistarāt

The sages said: "When that linga had come to rest there, and Ravana had gone to his house, what happened next, O father? Tell us that in detail."

Verse 27 (shiva.kotirudra.28.27)

सूत उवाच । रावणोऽपि गृहं गत्वा वरं प्राप्य महोत्तमम् । प्रियायै सर्वमाचख्यौ मुमोदाति महासुरः ॥ 28.27 ॥

sūta uvāca rāvaṇo’pi gṛhaṁ gatvā varaṁ prāpya mahottamam priyāyai sarvamācakhyau mumodāti mahāsuraḥ

Suta said: Ravana too, having gone home, having obtained a supreme boon, related everything to his beloved, and that great demon rejoiced greatly.

Verse 28 (shiva.kotirudra.28.28)

तच्छ्रुत्वा सकलं देवाः शक्राद्या मुनयस्तथा । परस्परं समूचुस्ते समुद्विग्ना मुनीश्वराः ॥ 28.28 ॥

tacchrutvā sakalaṁ devāḥ śakrādyā munayastathā parasparaṁ samūcuste samudvignā munīśvarāḥ

Hearing all this, the gods beginning with Indra, and the sages too, O lords of sages, spoke among themselves in great agitation.

Verse 29 (shiva.kotirudra.28.29)

देवादय ऊचुः ॥ रावणोऽयं दुरात्मा हि देवद्रोही खलः कुधीः । शिवाद् वरं च सम्प्राप्य दुःखं दास्यति नोऽति सः ॥ 28.29 ॥

devādaya ūcuḥ rāvaṇo’yaṁ durātmā hi devadrohī khalaḥ kudhīḥ śivād varaṁ ca samprāpya duḥkhaṁ dāsyati no’ti saḥ

The gods and others said: "This Ravana is indeed evil-souled, a traitor to the gods, wicked and evil-minded; having obtained a boon from Shiva, he will surely give us great sorrow."

Verse 30 (shiva.kotirudra.28.30)

किं कुर्मः क्व च गच्छामः किं भविष्यति वा पुनः । दुष्टश्च दक्षतां प्राप्तः किं किं नो साधयिष्यति ॥ 28.30 ॥

kiṁ kurmaḥ kva ca gacchāmaḥ kiṁ bhaviṣyati vā punaḥ duṣṭaśca dakṣatāṁ prāptaḥ kiṁ kiṁ no sādhayiṣyati

"What shall we do, where shall we go, and what will happen next? Now that this wicked one has gained such power, what all will he not do to us?"

Verse 31 (shiva.kotirudra.28.31)

इति दुःखं समापन्नाः शक्राद्या मुनयः सुराः । नारदं च समाहूय पप्रच्छुर्विकलास्तदा ॥ 28.31 ॥

iti duḥkhaṁ samāpannāḥ śakrādyā munayaḥ surāḥ nāradaṁ ca samāhūya papracchurvikalāstadā

Thus overcome with sorrow, Indra and the other gods and sages, in distress, summoned Narada and questioned him.

Verse 32 (shiva.kotirudra.28.32)

देवा ऊचुः । सर्वं कार्यं समर्थोऽसि कर्तुं त्वं मुनिसत्तम । उपायं कुरु देवर्षे देवानां दुःखनाशने ॥ 28.32 ॥

devā ūcuḥ sarvaṁ kāryaṁ samartho’si kartuṁ tvaṁ munisattama upāyaṁ kuru devarṣe devānāṁ duḥkhanāśane

The gods said: "You are capable of accomplishing any task, O best of sages. Devise a means, O divine sage, to remove the gods' sorrow."

Verse 33 (shiva.kotirudra.28.33)

रावणोऽयं महादुष्टः किं किं नैव करिष्यति । क्व यास्यामो वयं चात्र दुष्टेनापीडिता वयम् ॥ 28.33 ॥

rāvaṇo’yaṁ mahāduṣṭaḥ kiṁ kiṁ naiva kariṣyati kva yāsyāmo vayaṁ cātra duṣṭenāpīḍitā vayam

"This Ravana is exceedingly wicked; what all will he not do? Where shall we go, oppressed as we are by this wicked one?"

Verse 34 (shiva.kotirudra.28.34)

नारद उवाच । दुःखं त्यजत भो देवा युक्तिं कृत्वा च याम्यहम् । देवकार्यं करिष्यामि कृपया शङ्करस्य वै ॥ 28.34 ॥

nārada uvāca duḥkhaṁ tyajata bho devā yuktiṁ kṛtvā ca yāmyaham devakāryaṁ kariṣyāmi kṛpayā śaṅkarasya vai

Narada said: "O gods, abandon your sorrow; I shall go, having devised a plan. I shall accomplish the gods' purpose, by the grace of Shankara."

Verse 35 (shiva.kotirudra.28.35)

सूत उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा स तु देवर्षिरगमद्रावणालयम् । सत्कारं समनुप्राप्य प्रीत्योवाचाखिलं च तत् ॥ 28.35 ॥

sūta uvāca ityuktvā sa tu devarṣiragamadrāvaṇālayam satkāraṁ samanuprāpya prītyovācākhilaṁ ca tat

Suta said: Having said this, that divine sage went to Ravana's abode; having received a courteous welcome, he spoke of everything with affection.

Verse 36 (shiva.kotirudra.28.36)

नारद उवाच । राक्षसोत्तम धन्यस्त्वं शैववर्यस्तपोधन । त्वां दृष्ट्वा च मनो मेऽद्य प्रसन्नमति रावण ॥ 28.36 ॥

nārada uvāca rākṣasottama dhanyastvaṁ śaivavaryastapodhana tvāṁ dṛṣṭvā ca mano me’dya prasannamati rāvaṇa

Narada said: "O best of rakshasas, blessed are you, foremost of Shaivas, rich in austerity; seeing you today, O Ravana, my mind is exceedingly pleased."

Verse 37 (shiva.kotirudra.28.37)

स्ववृत्तं ब्रूह्यशेषेण शिवाराधनसम्भवम् । इति पृष्टस्तदा तेन रावणो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ 28.37 ॥

svavṛttaṁ brūhyaśeṣeṇa śivārādhanasambhavam iti pṛṣṭastadā tena rāvaṇo vākyamabravīt

"Tell me fully your own story, of what came about from your worship of Shiva." Thus questioned by him, Ravana then spoke.

Verse 38 (shiva.kotirudra.28.38)

रावण उवाच । गत्वा मया तु कैलासे तपोऽर्थं च महामुने । तत्रैव बहुकालं वै तपस्तप्तं सुदारुणम् ॥ 28.38 ॥

rāvaṇa uvāca gatvā mayā tu kailāse tapo’rthaṁ ca mahāmune tatraiva bahukālaṁ vai tapastaptaṁ sudāruṇam

Ravana said: "O great sage, having gone to Kailasa for the sake of austerity, there indeed I performed most severe austerity for a long time."

Verse 39 (shiva.kotirudra.28.39)

यदा न शङ्करस्तुष्टस्ततश्च परिवर्तितम् । आगत्य वृक्षखण्डे वै पुनस्तप्तं मया मुने ॥ 28.39 ॥

yadā na śaṅkarastuṣṭastataśca parivartitam āgatya vṛkṣakhaṇḍe vai punastaptaṁ mayā mune

"When Shankara was not satisfied, then I changed course; coming to a grove of trees, O sage, I again performed austerity."

Verse 40 (shiva.kotirudra.28.40)

ग्रीष्मे पञ्चाग्निमध्ये तु वर्षासु स्थण्डिलेशयः । शीते जलान्तरस्थो हि कृतं चैव त्रिधा तपः ॥ 28.40 ॥

grīṣme pañcāgnimadhye tu varṣāsu sthaṇḍileśayaḥ śīte jalāntarastho hi kṛtaṁ caiva tridhā tapaḥ

"In summer amid the five fires, in the rains lying on bare ground, and in winter within the water — thus in three ways I performed austerity."

Verse 41 (shiva.kotirudra.28.41)

एवं मया कृतं तत्र तपोऽत्युग्रं मुनीश्वर । तथापि शङ्करो मह्यं न प्रसन्नोऽभवन्मनाक् ॥ 28.41 ॥

evaṁ mayā kṛtaṁ tatra tapo’tyugraṁ munīśvara tathāpi śaṅkaro mahyaṁ na prasanno’bhavanmanāk

"Thus, O lord of sages, I performed the most severe austerity there; yet even so, Shankara did not become pleased with me in the least."

Verse 42 (shiva.kotirudra.28.42)

तदा मया तु क्रुद्धेन भूमौ गर्तं विधाय च । तत्राग्निं च समाधाय पार्थिवं च प्रकल्प्य च ॥ 28.42 ॥

tadā mayā tu kruddhena bhūmau gartaṁ vidhāya ca tatrāgniṁ ca samādhāya pārthivaṁ ca prakalpya ca

"Then, in anger, having made a pit in the ground, and having kindled fire there, and having fashioned a clay linga,"

Verse 43 (shiva.kotirudra.28.43)

गन्धैश्च चन्दनैश्चैव धूपैश्च विविधैस्तदा । नैवेद्यैः पूजितः शम्भुरारार्तिकविधानतः ॥ 28.43 ॥

gandhaiśca candanaiścaiva dhūpaiśca vividhaistadā naivedyaiḥ pūjitaḥ śambhurārārtikavidhānataḥ

"— then Shambhu was worshipped with perfumes and sandal-paste, with various kinds of incense, with food-offerings, and with the rite of waving lamps."

Verse 44 (shiva.kotirudra.28.44)

प्रणिपातैः स्तवैः पुण्यैस्तोषितः शङ्करो मया । गीतैर्नृत्यैश्च वाद्यैश्च मुखाङ्गुलिसमर्पणैः ॥ 28.44 ॥

praṇipātaiḥ stavaiḥ puṇyaistoṣitaḥ śaṅkaro mayā gītairnṛtyaiśca vādyaiśca mukhāṅgulisamarpaṇaiḥ

"I gratified Shankara with prostrations and sacred hymns, with songs, dances, and instrumental music, and by playing wind-instruments held to my lips."

Verse 45 (shiva.kotirudra.28.45)

एतैश्च विविधैश्चान्यैरुपायैर्भूरिभिर्मुने । शास्त्रोक्तेन विधानेन पूजितो भगवान् हरः ॥ 28.45 ॥

etaiśca vividhaiścānyairupāyairbhūribhirmune śāstroktena vidhānena pūjito bhagavān haraḥ

"By these and many other various means, O sage, was the blessed Hara worshipped according to the rites enjoined in the scriptures."

Verse 46 (shiva.kotirudra.28.46)

न तुष्टः सम्मुखो जातो यदा च भगवान् हरः । तदाहं दुःखितोऽभूवं तपसोऽप्राप्य सत्फलम् ॥ 28.46 ॥

na tuṣṭaḥ sammukho jāto yadā ca bhagavān haraḥ tadāhaṁ duḥkhito’bhūvaṁ tapaso’prāpya satphalam

"Yet when the blessed Hara did not become satisfied nor appeared before me, I became sorrowful, not having attained the true fruit of my austerity."

Verse 47 (shiva.kotirudra.28.47)

धिक् शरीरं बलं चैव धिक् तपःकरणं मम । इत्युक्त्वा तु मया तत्र स्थापितेऽग्नौ हुतं बहु ॥ 28.47 ॥

dhik śarīraṁ balaṁ caiva dhik tapaḥkaraṇaṁ mama ityuktvā tu mayā tatra sthāpite’gnau hutaṁ bahu

"'Shame on this body and this strength, shame on my performing austerity!' — having said this, I made many oblations into the fire kindled there."

Verse 48 (shiva.kotirudra.28.48)

पुनश्चेति विचार्यैव त्यक्षाम्यग्नौ निजां तनुम् । सञ्छिन्नानि शिरांस्येव तस्मिन् प्रज्वलिते शुचौ ॥ 28.48 ॥

punaśceti vicāryaiva tyakṣāmyagnau nijāṁ tanum sañchinnāni śirāṁsyeva tasmin prajvalite śucau

"And thinking further, 'I shall cast my own body into the fire,' I cut off my heads, one by one, into that blazing, pure fire."

Verse 49 (shiva.kotirudra.28.49)

सुच्छित्वैकैकशस्तानि कृत्वा शुद्धानि सर्वशः । शङ्करायार्पितान्येव नवसङ्ख्यानि वै मया ॥ 28.49 ॥

succhitvaikaikaśastāni kṛtvā śuddhāni sarvaśaḥ śaṅkarāyārpitānyeva navasaṅkhyāni vai mayā

"Cutting them off one by one, having made them wholly pure, I offered nine of them to Shankara."

Verse 50 (shiva.kotirudra.28.50)

यावच्च दशमं छेत्तुं प्रारब्धमृषिसत्तम । तावदाविरभूत्तत्र ज्योतीरूपो हरः स्वयम् ॥ 28.50 ॥

yāvacca daśamaṁ chettuṁ prārabdhamṛṣisattama tāvadāvirabhūttatra jyotīrūpo haraḥ svayam

"And when I had begun to cut off the tenth, O best of sages, Hara himself then appeared there in a form of light."

Verse 51 (shiva.kotirudra.28.51)

मा मेति व्याहरत् प्रीत्या द्रुतं वै भक्तवत्सलः । प्रसन्नश्च वरं ब्रूहि ददामि मनसेप्सितम् ॥ 28.51 ॥

mā meti vyāharat prītyā drutaṁ vai bhaktavatsalaḥ prasannaśca varaṁ brūhi dadāmi manasepsitam

"'Do not!' — he, ever affectionate to his devotees, quickly cried out with love. And, pleased, he said: 'Ask a boon — I shall give whatever your heart desires.'"

Verse 52 (shiva.kotirudra.28.52)

इत्युक्ते च तदा तेन मया दृष्टो महेश्वरः । प्रणतः संस्तुतश्चैव करौ बध्वा सुभक्तितः ॥ 28.52 ॥

ityukte ca tadā tena mayā dṛṣṭo maheśvaraḥ praṇataḥ saṁstutaścaiva karau badhvā subhaktitaḥ

"When he had thus spoken, I beheld Maheshvara; I bowed and praised him, joining my hands with true devotion."

Verse 53 (shiva.kotirudra.28.53)

तदा वृतं मयैतच्च देहि मे ह्यतुलं बलम् । यदि प्रसन्नो देवेश दुर्लभं किं भवेन्मम ॥ 28.53 ॥

tadā vṛtaṁ mayaitacca dehi me hyatulaṁ balam yadi prasanno deveśa durlabhaṁ kiṁ bhavenmama

"Then this was the boon I chose: 'Give me unequalled strength; if you are pleased, O Lord of gods, what could be too hard for me to obtain?'"

Verse 54 (shiva.kotirudra.28.54)

शिवेन परितुष्टेन सर्वं दत्तं कृपालुना । मह्यं मनोऽभिलषितं गिरा प्रोच्य तथास्त्विति ॥ 28.54 ॥

śivena parituṣṭena sarvaṁ dattaṁ kṛpālunā mahyaṁ mano’bhilaṣitaṁ girā procya tathāstviti

"Shiva, well satisfied and compassionate, granted me everything my mind desired, saying with his own voice, 'So be it.'"

Verse 55 (shiva.kotirudra.28.55)

अमोघया सुदृष्ट्या वै वैद्यवद्योजितानि मे । शिरांसि सन्धयित्वा तु दृष्टानि परमात्मना ॥ 28.55 ॥

amoghayā sudṛṣṭyā vai vaidyavadyojitāni me śirāṁsi sandhayitvā tu dṛṣṭāni paramātmanā

"With his unfailing, gracious glance, like a physician, he joined my heads back together and, having restored them, the Supreme Self looked upon them."

Verse 56 (shiva.kotirudra.28.56)

एवं कृते तदा तत्र शरीरं पूर्ववन्मम । जातं तस्य प्रसादाच्च सर्वं प्राप्तं फलं मया ॥ 28.56 ॥

evaṁ kṛte tadā tatra śarīraṁ pūrvavanmama jātaṁ tasya prasādācca sarvaṁ prāptaṁ phalaṁ mayā

"When this was done, my body there became as before, by his grace; and I obtained the full fruit of everything."

Verse 57 (shiva.kotirudra.28.57)

तदा च प्रार्थितो मे संस्थितोऽसौ वृषभध्वजः । वैद्यनाथेश्वरो नाम्ना प्रसिद्धोऽभूज्जगत्त्रये ॥ 28.57 ॥

tadā ca prārthito me saṁsthito’sau vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ vaidyanātheśvaro nāmnā prasiddho’bhūjjagattraye

"Then, at my entreaty, that bull-bannered god took up his abode there; and by the name Vaidyanatheshvara he became renowned in the three worlds."

Verse 58 (shiva.kotirudra.28.58)

दर्शनात्पूजनाज्ज्योतिर्लिङ्गरूपो महेश्वरः । भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदो लोके सर्वेषां हितकारकः ॥ 28.58 ॥

darśanātpūjanājjyotirliṅgarūpo maheśvaraḥ bhuktimuktiprado loke sarveṣāṁ hitakārakaḥ

"By mere sight and worship, Maheshvara in the form of the Jyotirlinga bestows enjoyment and liberation, and works good for all in the world."

Verse 59 (shiva.kotirudra.28.59)

ज्योतिर्लिङ्गमहं तद्वै पूजयित्वा विशेषतः । प्रणिपत्यागतश्चात्र विजेतुं भुवनत्रयम् ॥ 28.59 ॥

jyotirliṅgamahaṁ tadvai pūjayitvā viśeṣataḥ praṇipatyāgataścātra vijetuṁ bhuvanatrayam

"Having especially worshipped that Jyotirlinga and bowed before it, I have now come here, to conquer the three worlds."

Verse 60 (shiva.kotirudra.28.60)

सूत उवाच । तदीयं तद्वचः श्रुत्वा देवर्षिर्जातसम्भ्रमः । विहस्य च मनस्येव रावणं नारदोऽब्रवीत् ॥ 28.60 ॥

sūta uvāca tadīyaṁ tadvacaḥ śrutvā devarṣirjātasambhramaḥ vihasya ca manasyeva rāvaṇaṁ nārado’bravīt

Suta said: Hearing these words of his, the divine sage, taken aback within himself, and smiling inwardly, Narada spoke to Ravana.

Verse 61 (shiva.kotirudra.28.61)

नारद उवाच । श्रूयतां राक्षसश्रेष्ठ कथयामि हितं तव । त्वया तदेव कर्त्तव्यं मदुक्तं नान्यथा क्वचित् ॥ 28.61 ॥

nārada uvāca śrūyatāṁ rākṣasaśreṣṭha kathayāmi hitaṁ tava tvayā tadeva karttavyaṁ maduktaṁ nānyathā kvacit

Narada said: "Listen, O best of rakshasas, I tell you what is for your good. You must do exactly what I say, and never otherwise."

Verse 62 (shiva.kotirudra.28.62)

त्वयोक्तं यच्छिवेनैव हितं दत्तं ममाधुना । तत्सर्वं च त्वया सत्यं न मन्तव्यं कदाचन ॥ 28.62 ॥

tvayoktaṁ yacchivenaiva hitaṁ dattaṁ mamādhunā tatsarvaṁ ca tvayā satyaṁ na mantavyaṁ kadācana

"What you have told me — that Shiva himself has now granted you this favour — none of that should ever be taken by you as simply true."

Verse 63 (shiva.kotirudra.28.63)

अयं वै विकृतिं प्राप्तः किं किं नैव ब्रवीति च । सत्यं नैव भवेत्तद्वै कथं ज्ञेयं प्रियोऽसि मे ॥ 28.63 ॥

ayaṁ vai vikṛtiṁ prāptaḥ kiṁ kiṁ naiva bravīti ca satyaṁ naiva bhavettadvai kathaṁ jñeyaṁ priyo’si me

"Who knows what strange things may have been said in this — how is one to know that it is wholly true? You are dear to me, and so I say this."

Verse 64 (shiva.kotirudra.28.64)

इति गत्वा पुनः कार्यं कुरु त्वं ह्यहिताय वै । कैलासोद्धरणे यत्नः कर्तव्यश्च त्वया पुनः ॥ 28.64 ॥

iti gatvā punaḥ kāryaṁ kuru tvaṁ hyahitāya vai kailāsoddharaṇe yatnaḥ kartavyaśca tvayā punaḥ

"So go, and undertake this task once more — you should again make the effort to lift up Kailasa."

Verse 65 (shiva.kotirudra.28.65)

यदि चैवोद्धृतश्चायं कैलासो हि भविष्यति । तदैव सफलं सर्वं भविष्यति न संशयः ॥ 28.65 ॥

yadi caivoddhṛtaścāyaṁ kailāso hi bhaviṣyati tadaiva saphalaṁ sarvaṁ bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

"And if this Kailasa is indeed uprooted by you, then everything will truly be fulfilled — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 66 (shiva.kotirudra.28.66)

पूर्ववत्स्थापयित्वा त्वं पुनरागच्छ वै सुखम् । निश्चयं परमं गत्वा यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु ॥ 28.66 ॥

pūrvavatsthāpayitvā tvaṁ punarāgaccha vai sukham niścayaṁ paramaṁ gatvā yathecchasi tathā kuru

"Having set it back as before, return again happily. Having come to this firm resolve, do as you wish."

Verse 67 (shiva.kotirudra.28.67)

सूत उवाच । इत्युक्तः स हितं मेने रावणो विधिमोहितः । सत्यं मत्वा मुनेर्वाक्यं कैलासमगमत्तदा ॥ 28.67 ॥

sūta uvāca ityuktaḥ sa hitaṁ mene rāvaṇo vidhimohitaḥ satyaṁ matvā munervākyaṁ kailāsamagamattadā

Suta said: Thus addressed, Ravana, deluded by fate, took it as good advice, and, believing the sage's words to be true, went then to Kailasa.

Verse 68 (shiva.kotirudra.28.68)

गत्वा तत्र समुद्धारं चक्रे तस्य गिरेः स च । तत्रस्थं चैव तत्सर्वं विपर्यस्तं परस्परम् ॥ 28.68 ॥

gatvā tatra samuddhāraṁ cakre tasya gireḥ sa ca tatrasthaṁ caiva tatsarvaṁ viparyastaṁ parasparam

Having gone there, he attempted to uproot that mountain; and everything that stood there was thrown into confusion, one thing upon another.

Verse 69 (shiva.kotirudra.28.69)

गिरीशोऽपि तदा दृष्ट्वा किं जातमिति सोऽब्रवीत् । गिरिजा च तदा शम्भुं प्रत्युवाच विहस्य तम् ॥ 28.69 ॥

girīśo’pi tadā dṛṣṭvā kiṁ jātamiti so’bravīt girijā ca tadā śambhuṁ pratyuvāca vihasya tam

Girisha too, seeing this, said, "What has happened?" And Girija then, smiling, replied to Shambhu.

Verse 70 (shiva.kotirudra.28.70)

गिरिजोवाच । सच्छिष्यस्य फलं जातं सम्यग्जातं तु शिष्यतः । शान्तात्मने सुवीराय दत्तं यदतुलं बलम् ॥ 28.70 ॥

girijovāca sacchiṣyasya phalaṁ jātaṁ samyagjātaṁ tu śiṣyataḥ śāntātmane suvīrāya dattaṁ yadatulaṁ balam

Girija said: "This is the fruit of a good disciple; it has rightly come about, from that disciple to whom unequalled strength was given — one of peaceful soul, a great hero."

Verse 71 (shiva.kotirudra.28.71)

सूत उवाच । गिरिजायाश्च साकूतं वचः श्रुत्वा महेश्वरः । कृतघ्नं रावणं मत्वा शशाप बलदर्पितम् ॥ 28.71 ॥

sūta uvāca girijāyāśca sākūtaṁ vacaḥ śrutvā maheśvaraḥ kṛtaghnaṁ rāvaṇaṁ matvā śaśāpa baladarpitam

Suta said: Hearing Girija's pointed words, Maheshvara, regarding Ravana as ungrateful and puffed up with pride in his strength, cursed him.

Verse 72 (shiva.kotirudra.28.72)

महादेव उवाच । रे रे रावण दुर्भक्त मा गर्वं वह दुर्मते । शीघ्रं च तव हस्तानां दर्पघ्नश्च भवेदिह ॥ 28.72 ॥

mahādeva uvāca re re rāvaṇa durbhakta mā garvaṁ vaha durmate śīghraṁ ca tava hastānāṁ darpaghnaśca bhavediha

Mahadeva said: "O Ravana, O false devotee, evil-minded one, do not bear such pride! Swiftly here shall come the destroyer of the pride of your very hands."

Verse 73 (shiva.kotirudra.28.73)

सूत उवाव । इति तत्र च यज्जातं नारदः श्रुतवांस्तदा । रावणोऽपि प्रसन्नात्मागात्स्वधाम यथागतम् ॥ 28.73 ॥

sūta uvāva iti tatra ca yajjātaṁ nāradaḥ śrutavāṁstadā rāvaṇo’pi prasannātmāgātsvadhāma yathāgatam

Suta said: Narada came to hear of what had thus taken place there; and Ravana too, with a contented mind, returned to his own abode, as he had come.

Verse 74 (shiva.kotirudra.28.74)

निश्चयं परमं कृत्वा बली बलविमोहितः । जगद्वशं हि कृतवान् रावणः परदर्पहा ॥ 28.74 ॥

niścayaṁ paramaṁ kṛtvā balī balavimohitaḥ jagadvaśaṁ hi kṛtavān rāvaṇaḥ paradarpahā

Having made a supreme resolve, that mighty one, deluded by his own strength, Ravana, destroyer of others' pride, brought the whole world under his sway.

Verse 75 (shiva.kotirudra.28.75)

शिवाज्ञया च प्राप्तेन दिव्यास्त्रेण महौजसा । रावणस्य प्रतिभटो नालं कश्चिदभूत्तदा ॥ 28.75 ॥

śivājñayā ca prāptena divyāstreṇa mahaujasā rāvaṇasya pratibhaṭo nālaṁ kaścidabhūttadā

By that divine, mighty weapon obtained through Shiva's grace, no opponent whatsoever was then a match for Ravana.

Verse 76 (shiva.kotirudra.28.76)

इत्येतच्च समाख्यातं वैद्यनाथेश्वरस्य च । माहात्म्यं शृणवतां पापं नृणां भवति भस्मसात् ॥ 28.76 ॥

ityetacca samākhyātaṁ vaidyanātheśvarasya ca māhātmyaṁ śṛṇavatāṁ pāpaṁ nṛṇāṁ bhavati bhasmasāt

Thus has the greatness of Vaidyanatheshvara been related; hearing it, the sin of men is reduced to ashes.