The Greatness of Rameshvara

Verse 1 (shiva.kotirudra.31.1)

सूत उवाच । अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि लिङ्गं रामेश्वराभिधम् । उत्पन्नं च यथा पूर्वमृषयः शृणुतादरात् ॥ 31.1 ॥

sūta uvāca ataḥ paraṁ pravakṣyāmi liṅgaṁ rāmeśvarābhidham utpannaṁ ca yathā pūrvamṛṣayaḥ śṛṇutādarāt

Suta said: Now, next, I shall relate the linga named Rameshvara, and how it came to be in former times; O sages, listen with reverence.

Verse 2 (shiva.kotirudra.31.2)

पुरा विष्णुः पृथिव्यां चावततार सतां प्रियः ॥ 31.2 ॥

purā viṣṇuḥ pṛthivyāṁ cāvatatāra satāṁ priyaḥ

Formerly Vishnu, dear to the virtuous, descended upon the earth.

Verse 3 (shiva.kotirudra.31.3)

तत्र सीता हृता विप्रा रावणेनोरुमायिना । प्रापिता स्वगृहं सा हि लङ्कायां जनकात्मजा ॥ 31.3 ॥

tatra sītā hṛtā viprā rāvaṇenorumāyinā prāpitā svagṛhaṁ sā hi laṅkāyāṁ janakātmajā

There, O brahmins, Sita was abducted by Ravana, master of great illusion; that daughter of Janaka was taken to his own abode in Lanka.

Verse 4 (shiva.kotirudra.31.4)

अन्वेषणपरस्तस्याः किष्किन्धाख्यां पुरीमगात् । सुग्रीवहितकृद्भूत्वा वालिनं सञ्जघान ह ॥ 31.4 ॥

anveṣaṇaparastasyāḥ kiṣkindhākhyāṁ purīmagāt sugrīvahitakṛdbhūtvā vālinaṁ sañjaghāna ha

Intent on searching for her, he went to the city named Kishkindha; becoming a benefactor to Sugriva, he slew Vali.

Verse 5 (shiva.kotirudra.31.5)

तत्र स्थित्वा कियत्कालं तदन्वेषणतत्परः । सुग्रीवाद्यैर्लक्ष्मणेन विचारं कृतवान्स वै ॥ 31.5 ॥

tatra sthitvā kiyatkālaṁ tadanveṣaṇatatparaḥ sugrīvādyairlakṣmaṇena vicāraṁ kṛtavānsa vai

Remaining there for some time, intent on that search, he took counsel with Lakshmana and with Sugriva and the others.

Verse 6 (shiva.kotirudra.31.6)

कपीन् सम्प्रेषयामास चतुर्दिक्षु नृपात्मजः । हनुमत्प्रमुखान् रामस्तदन्वेषणहेतवे ॥ 31.6 ॥

kapīn sampreṣayāmāsa caturdikṣu nṛpātmajaḥ hanumatpramukhān rāmastadanveṣaṇahetave

That son of a king, Rama, sent the monkeys, led by Hanuman, in all four directions, for the purpose of that search.

Verse 7 (shiva.kotirudra.31.7)

अथ ज्ञात्वा गतां लङ्कां सीतां कपिवराननात् । सीताचूडामणिं प्राप्य मुमुदे सोऽति राघवः ॥ 31.7 ॥

atha jñātvā gatāṁ laṅkāṁ sītāṁ kapivarānanāt sītācūḍāmaṇiṁ prāpya mumude so’ti rāghavaḥ

Then, learning from the mouth of the best of monkeys that Sita had gone to Lanka, and receiving Sita's crest-jewel, that Raghava rejoiced greatly.

Verse 8 (shiva.kotirudra.31.8)

सकपीशस्तदा रामो लक्ष्मणेन युतो द्विजाः । सुग्रीवप्रमुखैः पुण्यैर्वानरैर्बलवत्तरैः ॥ 31.8 ॥

sakapīśastadā rāmo lakṣmaṇena yuto dvijāḥ sugrīvapramukhaiḥ puṇyairvānarairbalavattaraiḥ

Then Rama, together with the lord of monkeys, joined with Lakshmana, O brahmins, and with the most powerful, virtuous monkeys led by Sugriva,

Verse 9 (shiva.kotirudra.31.9)

पद्मैरष्टादशाख्यैश्च ययौ तीरं पयोनिधेः । दक्षिणे सागरे यो वै दृश्यते लवणाकरः ॥ 31.9 ॥

padmairaṣṭādaśākhyaiśca yayau tīraṁ payonidheḥ dakṣiṇe sāgare yo vai dṛśyate lavaṇākaraḥ

— with an army numbering eighteen padmas — went to the shore of the ocean, that salt-water source seen in the southern sea.

Verse 10 (shiva.kotirudra.31.10)

तत्रागत्य स्वयं रामो वेलायां संस्थितो हि सः । वानरैः सेव्यमानस्तु लक्ष्मणेन शिवप्रियः ॥ 31.10 ॥

tatrāgatya svayaṁ rāmo velāyāṁ saṁsthito hi saḥ vānaraiḥ sevyamānastu lakṣmaṇena śivapriyaḥ

Having come there, Rama himself, dear to Shiva, stood upon the shore, being attended by the monkeys and by Lakshmana.

Verse 11 (shiva.kotirudra.31.11)

हा जानकि कुतो याता कदा चेयं मिलिष्यति । अगाधः सागरश्चैवातार्या सेना च वानरी ॥ 31.11 ॥

hā jānaki kuto yātā kadā ceyaṁ miliṣyati agādhaḥ sāgaraścaivātāryā senā ca vānarī

"Alas, Janaki, where have you gone? When shall I meet you again? This ocean is unfathomable, and this army of monkeys cannot cross it."

Verse 12 (shiva.kotirudra.31.12)

राक्षसो गिरिधर्ता च महाबलपराक्रमः । लङ्काख्यो दुर्गमो दुर्ग इन्द्रजित्तनयोऽस्य वै ॥ 31.12 ॥

rākṣaso giridhartā ca mahābalaparākramaḥ laṅkākhyo durgamo durga indrajittanayo’sya vai

"That rakshasa, of immense strength and great valour, dwells in the impregnable fortress named Lanka; and his son is Indrajit."

Verse 13 (shiva.kotirudra.31.13)

इत्येवं स विचार्यैव तटे स्थित्वा सलक्ष्मणः । आश्वासितो वनौकोभिरङ्गदादिपुरः सरैः ॥ 31.13 ॥

ityevaṁ sa vicāryaiva taṭe sthitvā salakṣmaṇaḥ āśvāsito vanaukobhiraṅgadādipuraḥ saraiḥ

Thus reflecting, standing on the shore together with Lakshmana, he was consoled by the forest-dwellers, led by Angada and the others.

Verse 14 (shiva.kotirudra.31.14)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र राघवः शैवसत्तमः । उवाच भ्रातरं प्रीत्या जलार्थी लक्ष्मणाभिधम् ॥ 31.14 ॥

etasminnantare tatra rāghavaḥ śaivasattamaḥ uvāca bhrātaraṁ prītyā jalārthī lakṣmaṇābhidham

Meanwhile there, Raghava, the foremost of Shiva's devotees, wishing for water, spoke affectionately to his brother Lakshmana.

Verse 15 (shiva.kotirudra.31.15)

श्रीराम उवाच । भ्रातर्लक्ष्मण वीरेशाहं जलार्थी पिपासितः । तदानय द्रुतं पाथो वानरैः कैश्चिदेव हि ॥ 31.15 ॥

śrīrāma uvāca bhrātarlakṣmaṇa vīreśāhaṁ jalārthī pipāsitaḥ tadānaya drutaṁ pātho vānaraiḥ kaiścideva hi

Shri Rama said: "Brother Lakshmana, O lord of heroes, I am thirsty and desire water; bring it quickly with the help of some monkeys."

Verse 16 (shiva.kotirudra.31.16)

सूत उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वानरास्तत्र ह्यधावन्त दिशो दश । नीत्वा जलं च ते प्रोचुः प्रणिपत्य पुरः स्थिताः ॥ 31.16 ॥

sūta uvāca tacchrutvā vānarāstatra hyadhāvanta diśo daśa nītvā jalaṁ ca te procuḥ praṇipatya puraḥ sthitāḥ

Suta said: Hearing this, the monkeys there ran in the ten directions; bringing water, they spoke, having bowed and stood before him.

Verse 17 (shiva.kotirudra.31.17)

वानरा ऊचुः । जलं च गृह्यतां स्वामिन्नानीतं तत्त्वदाज्ञया । महोत्तमं च सुस्वादु शीतलं प्राणतर्पणम् ॥ 31.17 ॥

vānarā ūcuḥ jalaṁ ca gṛhyatāṁ svāminnānītaṁ tattvadājñayā mahottamaṁ ca susvādu śītalaṁ prāṇatarpaṇam

The monkeys said: "O Lord, take this water, brought by your command — most excellent, very sweet, cool, and refreshing to the life-breath."

Verse 18 (shiva.kotirudra.31.18)

सूत उवाच । सुप्रसन्नतरो भूत्वा कृपादृष्ट्या विलोक्य तान् । तच्छ्रुत्वा रामचन्द्रोऽसौ स्वयं जग्राह तज्जलम् ॥ 31.18 ॥

sūta uvāca suprasannataro bhūtvā kṛpādṛṣṭyā vilokya tān tacchrutvā rāmacandro’sau svayaṁ jagrāha tajjalam

Suta said: Becoming greatly pleased, looking upon them with a glance of compassion, hearing this, Ramachandra himself took that water.

Verse 19 (shiva.kotirudra.31.19)

स शैवस्तज्जलं नीत्वा पातुमारब्धवान्यदा । तदा च स्मरणं जातमित्थमस्य शिवेच्छया ॥ 31.19 ॥

sa śaivastajjalaṁ nītvā pātumārabdhavānyadā tadā ca smaraṇaṁ jātamitthamasya śivecchayā

When that devotee of Shiva, having taken that water, began to drink it, then, by Shiva's own will, this remembrance arose in him.

Verse 20 (shiva.kotirudra.31.20)

न कृतं दर्शनं शम्भोर्गृह्यते च जलं कथम् । स्वस्वामिनः परेशस्य सर्वानन्दप्रदस्य वै ॥ 31.20 ॥

na kṛtaṁ darśanaṁ śambhorgṛhyate ca jalaṁ katham svasvāminaḥ pareśasya sarvānandapradasya vai

"I have not yet paid homage to Shambhu — how then can I take this water, without first honouring my own Lord, the Supreme Ruler, the giver of all bliss?"

Verse 21 (shiva.kotirudra.31.21)

इत्युक्त्वा च जलं मुक्तं तदा रघुवरेण च । पश्चाच्च पार्थिवीं पूजां चकार रघुनन्दनः ॥ 31.21 ॥

ityuktvā ca jalaṁ muktaṁ tadā raghuvareṇa ca paścācca pārthivīṁ pūjāṁ cakāra raghunandanaḥ

Having thus reflected, that best of the Raghus set the water down; and thereafter that delight of the Raghu line performed the worship of the clay linga.

Verse 22 (shiva.kotirudra.31.22)

आवाहनादिकांश्चैव ह्युपचारान्प्रकल्प्य वै । विधिवत्षोडशं प्रीत्या देवमानर्च शङ्करम् ॥ 31.22 ॥

āvāhanādikāṁścaiva hyupacārānprakalpya vai vidhivatṣoḍaśaṁ prītyā devamānarca śaṅkaram

Having arranged the sixteen offerings, beginning with invocation, he duly worshipped the god Shankara with love, according to rite.

Verse 23 (shiva.kotirudra.31.23)

प्रणिपातैः स्तवैर्दिव्यैः शिवं सन्तोष्य यत्नतः । प्रार्थयामास सद्भक्त्या स रामः शङ्करं मुदा ॥ 31.23 ॥

praṇipātaiḥ stavairdivyaiḥ śivaṁ santoṣya yatnataḥ prārthayāmāsa sadbhaktyā sa rāmaḥ śaṅkaraṁ mudā

Having diligently gratified Shiva with prostrations and divine hymns, that Rama, with true devotion and joy, entreated Shankara.

Verse 24 (shiva.kotirudra.31.24)

श्रीराम उवाच । स्वामिन् शम्भो महादेव सर्वदा भक्तवत्सल । पाहि मां शरणापन्नं त्वद्भक्तं दीनमानसम् ॥ 31.24 ॥

śrīrāma uvāca svāmin śambho mahādeva sarvadā bhaktavatsala pāhi māṁ śaraṇāpannaṁ tvadbhaktaṁ dīnamānasam

Shri Rama said: "O Lord Shambhu, Mahadeva, ever affectionate to your devotees, protect me, who have taken refuge in you, your devotee with a distressed mind."

Verse 25 (shiva.kotirudra.31.25)

एतज्जलमगाधं च वारिधेर्भवतारण । रावणाख्यो महावीरो राक्षसो बलवत्तरः ॥ 31.25 ॥

etajjalamagādhaṁ ca vāridherbhavatāraṇa rāvaṇākhyo mahāvīro rākṣaso balavattaraḥ

"This water of the ocean is unfathomable, O saviour from worldly existence; and the great hero named Ravana, that rakshasa, is exceedingly powerful."

Verse 26 (shiva.kotirudra.31.26)

वानराणां बलं ह्येतच्चञ्चलं युद्धसाधनम् । मम कार्यं कथं सिद्धं भविष्यति प्रियाप्तये ॥ 31.26 ॥

vānarāṇāṁ balaṁ hyetaccañcalaṁ yuddhasādhanam mama kāryaṁ kathaṁ siddhaṁ bhaviṣyati priyāptaye

"This army of monkeys, unsteady, is merely the means for the battle. How shall my task — the recovery of my beloved — be accomplished?"

Verse 27 (shiva.kotirudra.31.27)

तस्मिन्देव त्वया कार्यं साहाय्यं मम सुव्रत । साहाय्यं ते विना नाथ मम कार्यं हि दुर्लभम् ॥ 31.27 ॥

tasmindeva tvayā kāryaṁ sāhāyyaṁ mama suvrata sāhāyyaṁ te vinā nātha mama kāryaṁ hi durlabham

"In this, O god, your assistance must be given to me, O you of holy vows; without your help, O Lord, my task is indeed hard to accomplish."

Verse 28 (shiva.kotirudra.31.28)

त्वदीयो रावणोऽपीह दुर्जयः सर्वथाखिलैः । त्वद्दत्तवरदृप्तश्च महावीरस्त्रिलोकजित् ॥ 31.28 ॥

tvadīyo rāvaṇo’pīha durjayaḥ sarvathākhilaiḥ tvaddattavaradṛptaśca mahāvīrastrilokajit

"Ravana too is your own devotee, invincible in every way to all; made proud by the boon given by you, a great hero, conqueror of the three worlds."

Verse 29 (shiva.kotirudra.31.29)

अप्यहं तव दासोऽस्मि त्वदधीनश्च सर्वथा । विचार्येति त्वया कार्यः पक्षपातः सदाशिव ॥ 31.29 ॥

apyahaṁ tava dāso’smi tvadadhīnaśca sarvathā vicāryeti tvayā kāryaḥ pakṣapātaḥ sadāśiva

"I too am your servant, wholly subject to you. Considering this, O Sadashiva, some partiality must be shown by you toward me."

Verse 30 (shiva.kotirudra.31.30)

सूत उवाच । इत्येवं स च सम्प्रार्थ्य नमस्कृत्य पुनः पुनः । तदा जय जयेत्युच्चैरुद्घोषैः शङ्करेति च ॥ 31.30 ॥

sūta uvāca ityevaṁ sa ca samprārthya namaskṛtya punaḥ punaḥ tadā jaya jayetyuccairudghoṣaiḥ śaṅkareti ca

Suta said: Thus having entreated, and having bowed again and again, he then, with loud cries of "Victory! Victory! O Shankara!" —

Verse 31 (shiva.kotirudra.31.31)

इति स्तुत्वा शिवं तत्र मन्त्रध्यानपरायणः । पुनः पूजां ततः कृत्वा स्वाम्यग्रे स ननर्त ह ॥ 31.31 ॥

iti stutvā śivaṁ tatra mantradhyānaparāyaṇaḥ punaḥ pūjāṁ tataḥ kṛtvā svāmyagre sa nanarta ha

— having thus praised Shiva there, intent on mantra and meditation, and having performed worship again, he danced before the Lord.

Verse 32 (shiva.kotirudra.31.32)

प्रेमविक्लिन्नहृदयो गल्लनादं यदाकरोत् । तदा च शङ्करो देवः सुप्रसन्नो बभूव ह ॥ 31.32 ॥

premaviklinnahṛdayo gallanādaṁ yadākarot tadā ca śaṅkaro devaḥ suprasanno babhūva ha

When, his heart melted with love, he cried aloud in ecstatic devotion, the god Shankara became greatly pleased.

Verse 33 (shiva.kotirudra.31.33)

साङ्गः सपरिवारश्च ज्योतीरूपो महेश्वरः । यथोक्तरूपममलं कृत्वाविरभवद् द्रुतम् ॥ 31.33 ॥

sāṅgaḥ saparivāraśca jyotīrūpo maheśvaraḥ yathoktarūpamamalaṁ kṛtvāvirabhavad drutam

Maheshvara, in the form of light, together with his limbs and his retinue, having assumed the pure form as described, swiftly appeared.

Verse 34 (shiva.kotirudra.31.34)

ततः सन्तुष्टहृदयो रामभक्त्या महेश्वरः । शिवमस्तु वरं ब्रूहि रामेति स तदाब्रवीत् ॥ 31.34 ॥

tataḥ santuṣṭahṛdayo rāmabhaktyā maheśvaraḥ śivamastu varaṁ brūhi rāmeti sa tadābravīt

Then Maheshvara, his heart satisfied by Rama's devotion, said: "May all be well, O Rama; ask a boon" — thus he then spoke.

Verse 35 (shiva.kotirudra.31.35)

तद्रूपं च तदा दृष्टवा सर्वे पूतास्ततः स्वयम् । कृतवान् राघवः पूजां शिवधर्मपरायणः ॥ 31.35 ॥

tadrūpaṁ ca tadā dṛṣṭavā sarve pūtāstataḥ svayam kṛtavān rāghavaḥ pūjāṁ śivadharmaparāyaṇaḥ

Seeing that form, all of them themselves became purified; and Raghava, devoted to the faith of Shiva, performed worship.

Verse 36 (shiva.kotirudra.31.36)

स्तुतिं च विविधां कृत्वा प्रणिपत्य शिवं मुदा । जयं च प्रार्थयामास रावणाजौ तदात्मनः ॥ 31.36 ॥

stutiṁ ca vividhāṁ kṛtvā praṇipatya śivaṁ mudā jayaṁ ca prārthayāmāsa rāvaṇājau tadātmanaḥ

Having offered various praises and bowed to Shiva with joy, he then entreated for his own victory in the battle against Ravana.

Verse 37 (shiva.kotirudra.31.37)

ततः प्रसन्नहृदयो रामभक्त्या महेश्वरः । जयोऽस्तु ते महाराज प्रीत्या स पुनरब्रवीत् ॥ 31.37 ॥

tataḥ prasannahṛdayo rāmabhaktyā maheśvaraḥ jayo’stu te mahārāja prītyā sa punarabravīt

Then Maheshvara, his heart pleased by Rama's devotion, said again with love: "May victory be yours, O great king."

Verse 38 (shiva.kotirudra.31.38)

शिवदत्तं जयं प्राप्य ह्यनुज्ञां समवाप्य च । पुनश्च प्रार्थयामास साञ्जलिर्नतमस्तकः ॥ 31.38 ॥

śivadattaṁ jayaṁ prāpya hyanujñāṁ samavāpya ca punaśca prārthayāmāsa sāñjalirnatamastakaḥ

Having received the victory granted by Shiva, and having obtained his leave, he again entreated him, with joined palms and bowed head.

Verse 39 (shiva.kotirudra.31.39)

श्रीराम उवाच । त्वया स्थेयमिह स्वामिंल्लोकानां पावनाय च । परेषामुपकारार्थं यदि तुष्टोऽसि शङ्कर ॥ 31.39 ॥

śrīrāma uvāca tvayā stheyamiha svāmiṁllokānāṁ pāvanāya ca pareṣāmupakārārthaṁ yadi tuṣṭo’si śaṅkara

Shri Rama said: "O Lord, you must remain here, for the purification of the worlds and for the benefit of others, if you are pleased, O Shankara."

Verse 40 (shiva.kotirudra.31.40)

सूत उवाच । इत्युक्तस्तु शिवस्तत्र लिङ्गरूपोऽभवत्तदा । रामेश्वरश्च नाम्ना वै प्रसिद्धो जगतीतले ॥ 31.40 ॥

sūta uvāca ityuktastu śivastatra liṅgarūpo’bhavattadā rāmeśvaraśca nāmnā vai prasiddho jagatītale

Suta said: Thus addressed, Shiva there took on the form of a linga; and by the name Rameshvara he became renowned upon the earth.

Verse 41 (shiva.kotirudra.31.41)

रामस्तु तत्प्रभावाद्वै सिन्धुमुत्तीर्य चाञ्जसा । रावणादीन्निहत्याशु राक्षसान्प्राप तां प्रियाम् ॥ 31.41 ॥

rāmastu tatprabhāvādvai sindhumuttīrya cāñjasā rāvaṇādīnnihatyāśu rākṣasānprāpa tāṁ priyām

Rama, by that power, easily crossed the ocean, and, swiftly having slain Ravana and the other rakshasas, obtained his beloved.

Verse 42 (shiva.kotirudra.31.42)

रामेश्वरस्य महिमाद्भुतोऽभूद्भुवि चातुलः । भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदश्चैव सर्वदा भक्तकामदः ॥ 31.42 ॥

rāmeśvarasya mahimādbhuto’bhūdbhuvi cātulaḥ bhuktimuktipradaścaiva sarvadā bhaktakāmadaḥ

The wondrous, unequalled greatness of Rameshvara arose upon the earth, ever granting enjoyment and liberation, and fulfilling the desires of devotees.

Verse 43 (shiva.kotirudra.31.43)

दिव्यगङ्गाजलेनैव स्नापयिष्यति यः शिवम् । रामेश्वरं च सद्भक्त्या स जीवन्मुक्त एव हि ॥ 31.43 ॥

divyagaṅgājalenaiva snāpayiṣyati yaḥ śivam rāmeśvaraṁ ca sadbhaktyā sa jīvanmukta eva hi

Whoever, with true devotion, bathes Shiva Rameshvara with the water of the divine Ganges, he indeed becomes liberated even while living.

Verse 44 (shiva.kotirudra.31.44)

इह भुक्त्वाखिलान्भोगान्देवानां दुर्लभानपि । अन्ते प्राप्य परं ज्ञानं कैवल्यं प्राप्नुयाद् ध्रुवम् ॥ 31.44 ॥

iha bhuktvākhilānbhogāndevānāṁ durlabhānapi ante prāpya paraṁ jñānaṁ kaivalyaṁ prāpnuyād dhruvam

Having here enjoyed all pleasures, even those hard to attain even for the gods, and at the end having attained supreme wisdom, he shall surely attain Kaivalya, absolute liberation.

Verse 45 (shiva.kotirudra.31.45)

इति वश्च समाख्यातं ज्योतिर्लिगं शिवस्य तु । रामेश्वराभिधं दिव्यं शृण्वतां पापहारकम् ॥ 31.45 ॥

iti vaśca samākhyātaṁ jyotirligaṁ śivasya tu rāmeśvarābhidhaṁ divyaṁ śṛṇvatāṁ pāpahārakam

Thus has this divine Jyotirlinga of Shiva, named Rameshvara, been related to you, the remover of sin for those who hear of it.