The Glory of the Shivaratri Vow

Verse 1 (shiva.kotirudra.38.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । धन्योऽसि कृतकृत्योऽसि जीवितं सफलं तव । यच्छ्रावयसि नस्तात महेश्वरकथां शुभाम् ॥ 38.1 ॥

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ dhanyo'si kṛtakṛtyo'si jīvitaṁ saphalaṁ tava yacchrāvayasi nastāta maheśvarakathāṁ śubhām

The sages said: "Blessed are you, your purpose is fulfilled, your life bears fruit, O son, since you make us hear this auspicious story of Maheshvara."

Verse 2 (shiva.kotirudra.38.2)

बहुभिश्चर्षिभिः सूत श्रुतं यद्यपि वस्तु सत् । सन्देहो न गतोऽस्माकं तदेतत्कथयामि ते ॥ 38.2 ॥

bahubhiścarṣibhiḥ sūta śrutaṁ yadyapi vastu sat sandeho na gato'smākaṁ tadetatkathayāmi te

"Though this true matter has already been heard from many sages, O Suta, our doubt has still not been dispelled; therefore we put this to you."

Verse 3 (shiva.kotirudra.38.3)

केन व्रतेन सन्तुष्टः शिवो यच्छति सत्सुखम् । कुशलः शिवकृत्ये त्वं तस्मात्पृच्छामहे वयम् ॥ 38.3 ॥

kena vratena santuṣṭaḥ śivo yacchati satsukham kuśalaḥ śivakṛtye tvaṁ tasmātpṛcchāmahe vayam

"By what vow, being pleased, does Shiva grant true happiness? You are skilled in matters concerning Shiva; therefore we ask you."

Verse 4 (shiva.kotirudra.38.4)

भुक्तिर्मुक्तिश्च लभ्येत भक्तैर्येन व्रतेन वै । तद्वद त्वं विशेषेण व्यासशिष्य नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ 38.4 ॥

bhuktirmuktiśca labhyeta bhaktairyena vratena vai tadvada tvaṁ viśeṣeṇa vyāsaśiṣya namo'stu te

"Tell us in particular that vow by which devotees attain both enjoyment and liberation — O disciple of Vyasa, salutations to you."

Verse 5 (shiva.kotirudra.38.5)

सूत उवाच । सम्यक्पृष्टमृषिश्रेष्ठा भवद्भिः करुणात्मभिः । स्मृत्वा शिवपदाम्भोजं कथयामि यथाश्रुतम् ॥ 38.5 ॥

sūta uvāca samyakpṛṣṭamṛṣiśreṣṭhā bhavadbhiḥ karuṇātmabhiḥ smṛtvā śivapadāmbhojaṁ kathayāmi yathāśrutam

Suta said: "Well have you asked, O compassionate-hearted, best of sages; calling to mind the lotus-feet of Shiva, I shall tell it just as I have heard it."

Verse 6 (shiva.kotirudra.38.6)

यथा भवद्भिः पृच्छ्येत तथा पृष्टं हि वेधसा । हरिणा शिवया चैव तथा वै शङ्करं प्रति ॥ 38.6 ॥

yathā bhavadbhiḥ pṛcchyeta tathā pṛṣṭaṁ hi vedhasā hariṇā śivayā caiva tathā vai śaṅkaraṁ prati

"Just as you now ask, so too was it once asked by Brahma, by Hari, and by Shiva [Parvati] herself, of Shankara."

Verse 7 (shiva.kotirudra.38.7)

कस्मिंश्चित्समये तैस्तु पृष्टं च परमात्मने । केन व्रतेन सन्तुष्टो भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च यच्छसि ॥ 38.7 ॥

kasmiṁścitsamaye taistu pṛṣṭaṁ ca paramātmane kena vratena santuṣṭo bhuktiṁ muktiṁ ca yacchasi

"At one time they asked the Supreme Self: 'By what vow, being pleased, do you grant both enjoyment and liberation?'"

Verse 8 (shiva.kotirudra.38.8)

इति पृष्टस्तदा तैस्तु हरिणा तेन वै तदा । तदहं कथयाम्यद्य शृण्वतां पापहारकम् ॥ 38.8 ॥

iti pṛṣṭastadā taistu hariṇā tena vai tadā tadahaṁ kathayāmyadya śaṛṇvatāṁ pāpahārakam

"Thus questioned by Hari, that same answer I now tell you today, which removes the sin of those who hear it."

Verse 9 (shiva.kotirudra.38.9)

। शिव उवाच ॥ भूरि व्रतानि मे सन्ति भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदानि च । मुख्यानि तत्र ज्ञेयानि दशसङ्ख्यानि तानि वै ॥ 38.9 ॥

śiva uvāca bhūri vratāni me santi bhuktimuktipradāni ca mukhyāni tatra jñeyāni daśasaṅkhyāni tāni vai

Shiva said: "I have many vows that grant both enjoyment and liberation; among them the principal ones to be known number ten."

Verse 10 (shiva.kotirudra.38.10)

दश शैवव्रतान्याहुर्जाबालश्रुतिपारगाः । तानि व्रतानि यत्नेन कार्याण्येव द्विजैः सदा ॥ 38.10 ॥

daśa śaivavratānyāhurjābālaśrutipāragāḥ tāni vratāni yatnena kāryāṇyeva dvijaiḥ sadā

"Those versed in the Jabala scripture speak of ten Shaiva vows; those vows should always be diligently observed by the twice-born."

Verse 11 (shiva.kotirudra.38.11)

प्रत्यष्टम्यां प्रयत्नेन कर्तव्यं नक्तभोजनम् । कालाष्टम्यां विशेषेण हरे त्याज्यंऽह्निभोजनम् ॥ 38.11 ॥

pratyaṣṭamyāṁ prayatnena kartavyaṁ naktabhojanam kālāṣṭamyāṁ viśeṣeṇa hare tyājyaṁ'hnibhojanam

"On every eighth day one should diligently take only a night meal; and, O Hari, on Kala-ashtami especially, the day-meal must be forsaken."

Verse 12 (shiva.kotirudra.38.12)

एकादश्यां सितायां तु त्याज्यं विष्णोऽह्निभोजनम् । असितायां तु भोक्तव्यं नक्तमभ्यर्च्य मां हरे ॥ 38.12 ॥

ekādaśyāṁ sitāyāṁ tu tyājyaṁ viṣṇo'hnibhojanam asitāyāṁ tu bhoktavyaṁ naktamabhyarcya māṁ hare

"O Vishnu, on the bright Ekadashi the day-meal must be forsaken; on the dark Ekadashi, one should eat at night after worshipping me."

Verse 13 (shiva.kotirudra.38.13)

त्रयोदश्यां सितायां तु कर्तव्यं निशि भोजनम् । असितायां तु भूतायां तन्न कार्यं शिवव्रतैः ॥ 38.13 ॥

trayodaśyāṁ sitāyāṁ tu kartavyaṁ niśi bhojanam asitāyāṁ tu bhūtāyāṁ tanna kāryaṁ śivavrataiḥ

"On the bright Trayodashi, the meal should be taken at night; but on the dark Trayodashi, those under Shiva's vows should not do this."

Verse 14 (shiva.kotirudra.38.14)

निशि यत्नेन कर्तव्यं भोजनं सोमवासरे । उभयोः पक्षयोर्विष्णो सर्वस्मिञ्छिवतत्परैः ॥ 38.14 ॥

niśi yatnena kartavyaṁ bhojanaṁ somavāsare ubhayoḥ pakṣayorviṣṇo sarvasmiñchivatatparaiḥ

"O Vishnu, on Monday, in both fortnights, those devoted to Shiva should always diligently take their meal at night."

Verse 15 (shiva.kotirudra.38.15)

व्रतेष्वेतेषु सर्वेषु शैवा भोज्याः प्रयत्नतः । यथाशक्ति द्विजश्रेष्ठा व्रतसम्पूर्तिहेतवे ॥ 38.15 ॥

vrateṣveteṣu sarveṣu śaivā bhojyāḥ prayatnataḥ yathāśakti dvijaśreṣṭhā vratasampūrtihetave

"O best of the twice-born, in all these vows, Shaivas should diligently be fed according to one's ability, for the completion of the vow."

Verse 16 (shiva.kotirudra.38.16)

व्रतान्येतानि नियमात्कर्तव्यानि द्विजन्मभिः । व्रतान्येतानि तु त्यक्त्वा जायन्ते तस्करा द्विजाः ॥ 38.16 ॥

vratānyetāni niyamātkartavyāni dvijanmabhiḥ vratānyetāni tu tyaktvā jāyante taskarā dvijāḥ

"These vows must be observed as a rule by the twice-born; forsaking these vows, the twice-born become, as it were, thieves."

Verse 17 (shiva.kotirudra.38.17)

मुक्तिमार्गप्रवीणैश्च कर्तव्यं नियमादिति । मुक्तेस्तु प्रापकं चैव चतुष्टयमुदाहृतम् ॥ 38.17 ॥

muktimārgapravīṇaiśca kartavyaṁ niyamāditi muktestu prāpakaṁ caiva catuṣṭayamudāhṛtam

"Those skilled in the path of liberation say these must be observed as a rule; and four things in particular are declared to bring about liberation."

Verse 18 (shiva.kotirudra.38.18)

शिवार्चनं रुद्रजप उपवासः शिवालये । वाराणस्यां च मरणं मुक्तिरेषा सनातनी ॥ 38.18 ॥

śivārcanaṁ rudrajapa upavāsaḥ śivālaye vārāṇasyāṁ ca maraṇaṁ muktireṣā sanātanī

"Worship of Shiva, recitation of Rudra-mantras, fasting at a Shiva shrine, and dying in Varanasi — this is the eternal path to liberation."

Verse 19 (shiva.kotirudra.38.19)

अष्टमी सोमवारे च कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दशी । शिवतुष्टिकरं चैतन्नात्र कार्या विचारणा ॥ 38.19 ॥

aṣṭamī somavāre ca kṛṣṇapakṣe caturdaśī śivatuṣṭikaraṁ caitannātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"The eighth day, Monday, and the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight — these please Shiva; there should be no doubt about this."

Verse 20 (shiva.kotirudra.38.20)

चतुर्ष्वपि बलिष्ठं हि शिवरात्रिव्रतं हरे । तस्मात्तदेव कर्तव्यं भुक्तिमुक्तिफलेप्सुभिः ॥ 38.20 ॥

caturṣvapi baliṣṭhaṁ hi śivarātrivrataṁ hare tasmāttadeva kartavyaṁ bhuktimuktiphalepsubhiḥ

"O Hari, among all four, the Shivaratri vow is the most powerful; therefore that alone should be observed by those who desire the fruit of both enjoyment and liberation."

Verse 21 (shiva.kotirudra.38.21)

एतस्माच्च व्रतादन्यन्नास्ति नृणां हितावहम् । एतद् व्रतं तु सर्वेषां धर्मसाधनमुत्तमम् ॥ 38.21 ॥

etasmācca vratādanyannāsti nṛṇāṁ hitāvaham etad vrataṁ tu sarveṣāṁ dharmasādhanamuttamam

"There is no other vow more beneficial to people than this one; this vow is the supreme means of dharma for all."

Verse 22 (shiva.kotirudra.38.22)

निष्कामानां सकामानां सर्वेषां च नृणां तथा । वर्णानामाश्रमाणां च स्त्रीबालानां तथा हरे ॥ 38.22 ॥

niṣkāmānāṁ sakāmānāṁ sarveṣāṁ ca nṛṇāṁ tathā varṇānāmāśramāṇāṁ ca strībālānāṁ tathā hare

"O Hari, it benefits both the desireless and the desirous, all people of every kind, every caste and stage of life, and women and children too."

Verse 23 (shiva.kotirudra.38.23)

दासानां दासिकानां च देवादीनां तथैव च । शरीरिणां च सर्वेषां हितमेतद् व्रतं वरम् ॥ 38.23 ॥

dāsānāṁ dāsikānāṁ ca devādīnāṁ tathaiva ca śarīriṇāṁ ca sarveṣāṁ hitametad vrataṁ varam

"For male and female servants, for gods and the rest likewise, and for all embodied beings — this excellent vow is beneficial."

Verse 24 (shiva.kotirudra.38.24)

माघस्य ह्यसिते पक्षे विशिष्टा साति कीर्तिता । निशीथव्यापिनी ग्राह्या हत्याकोटिविनाशिनी ॥ 38.24 ॥

māghasya hyasite pakṣe viśiṣṭā sāti kīrtitā niśīthavyāpinī grāhyā hatyākoṭivināśinī

"In the dark fortnight of Magha, this fourteenth day is celebrated as most special; it should be observed when it spans midnight, and it destroys ten million sins of killing."

Verse 25 (shiva.kotirudra.38.25)

तद्दिने चैव यत्कार्यं प्रातरारभ्य केशव । श्रूयतां तन्मनो दत्त्वा सुप्रीत्या कथयामि ते ॥ 38.25 ॥

taddine caiva yatkāryaṁ prātarārabhya keśava śrūyatāṁ tanmano dattvā suprītyā kathayāmi te

"O Keshava, listen with attention to what must be done on that day, beginning from the morning — I shall tell you this with great affection."

Verse 26 (shiva.kotirudra.38.26)

प्रातरुत्थाय मेधावी परमानन्दसंयुतः । समाचरेन्नित्यकृत्यं स्नानादिकमतन्द्रितः ॥ 38.26 ॥

prātarutthāya medhāvī paramānandasaṁyutaḥ samācarennityakṛtyaṁ snānādikamatandritaḥ

"Rising at dawn, the wise one, filled with supreme joy, should perform his daily observances — bathing and the rest — without laziness."

Verse 27 (shiva.kotirudra.38.27)

शिवालये ततो गत्वा पूजयित्वा यथाविधि । नमस्कृत्य शिवं पश्चात्सङ्कल्पं सम्यगाचरेत् ॥ 38.27 ॥

śivālaye tato gatvā pūjayitvā yathāvidhi namaskṛtya śivaṁ paścātsaṅkalpaṁ samyagācaret

"Then, going to a Shiva shrine and worshipping according to due rite, having bowed to Shiva, he should properly make his resolve."

Verse 28 (shiva.kotirudra.38.28)

देवदेव महादेव नीलकण्ठ नमोऽस्तु ते । कर्तुमिच्छाम्यहं देव शिवरात्रिव्रतं तव ॥ 38.28 ॥

devadeva mahādeva nīlakaṇṭha namo'stu te kartumicchāmyahaṁ deva śivarātrivrataṁ tava

The resolve formula: "O god of gods, Mahadeva, blue-throated one, salutations to you. O God, I wish to observe your Shivaratri vow."

Verse 29 (shiva.kotirudra.38.29)

तव प्रभावाद्देवेश निर्विघ्नेन भवेदिति । कामाद्याः शत्रवो मां वै पीडां कुर्वन्तु नैव हि ॥ 38.29 ॥

tava prabhāvāddeveśa nirvighnena bhavediti kāmādyāḥ śatravo māṁ vai pīḍāṁ kurvantu naiva hi

"O lord of the gods, may it be accomplished without obstacle through your power; may desire and the other inner enemies never trouble me."

Verse 30 (shiva.kotirudra.38.30)

एवं सङ्कल्पमास्थाय पूजाद्रव्यं समाहरेत् । सुस्थले चैव यल्लिङ्गं प्रसिद्धं चागमेषु वै ॥ 38.30 ॥

evaṁ saṅkalpamāsthāya pūjādravyaṁ samāharet susthale caiva yalliṅgaṁ prasiddhaṁ cāgameṣu vai

"Having made this resolve, he should gather the materials of worship, and go to a linga in a fine place, one renowned in the Shaiva scriptures."

Verse 31 (shiva.kotirudra.38.31)

रात्रौ तत्र स्वयं गत्वा सम्पाद्य विधिमुत्तमम् ॥ शिवस्य दक्षिणे भागे पश्चिमे वा स्थले शुभे ॥ 38.31 ॥

rātrau tatra svayaṁ gatvā sampādya vidhimuttamam śivasya dakṣiṇe bhāge paścime vā sthale śubhe

"Going there himself at night and performing the excellent rite, he should sit on the south side of the Shiva-linga, or in an auspicious spot to its west."

Verse 32 (shiva.kotirudra.38.32)

निधाय चैव तद द्रव्यं पूजार्थं शिवसन्निधौ । पुनः स्नायात्तदा तत्र विधिपूर्वं नरोत्तमः ॥ 38.32 ॥

nidhāya caiva tada dravyaṁ pūjārthaṁ śivasannidhau punaḥ snāyāttadā tatra vidhipūrvaṁ narottamaḥ

"Having placed those materials near Shiva for the worship, that best of men should then bathe again there, according to rule."

Verse 33 (shiva.kotirudra.38.33)

परिधाय शुभं वस्त्रमन्तर्वासः शुभं तथा । आचम्य च त्रिवारं हि पूजारम्भं समाचरेत् ॥ 38.33 ॥

paridhāya śubhaṁ vastramantarvāsaḥ śubhaṁ tathā ācamya ca trivāraṁ hi pūjārambhaṁ samācaret

"Wearing an auspicious outer garment and likewise an inner one, and having sipped water three times, he should begin the worship."

Verse 34 (shiva.kotirudra.38.34)

यस्य मन्त्रस्य यद द्रव्यं तेन पूजां समाचरेत् । अमन्त्रकं न कर्तव्यं पूजनं तु हरस्य च ॥ 38.34 ॥

yasya mantrasya yada dravyaṁ tena pūjāṁ samācaret amantrakaṁ na kartavyaṁ pūjanaṁ tu harasya ca

"Whatever material belongs to a particular mantra, with that he should perform the worship; the worship of Hara should never be done without a mantra."

Verse 35 (shiva.kotirudra.38.35)

गीतैर्वाद्यैस्तथा नृत्यैर्भक्तिभावसमन्वितैः । पूजनं प्रथमे यामे कृत्वा मन्त्रं जपेद् बुधः ॥ 38.35 ॥

gītairvādyaistathā nṛtyairbhaktibhāvasamanvitaiḥ pūjanaṁ prathame yāme kṛtvā mantraṁ japed budhaḥ

"With songs, instruments, and dances filled with devotion, the wise one, having performed worship in the first watch, should recite the mantra."

Verse 36 (shiva.kotirudra.38.36)

पार्थिवं च तदा श्रेष्ठं विदध्यान्मन्त्रवान्यदि । कृतनित्यक्रियः पश्चात्पार्थिवं च समर्चयेत् ॥ 38.36 ॥

pārthivaṁ ca tadā śreṣṭhaṁ vidadhyānmantravānyadi kṛtanityakriyaḥ paścātpārthivaṁ ca samarcayet

"If he knows the mantras, he should then fashion the excellent clay linga; having completed his daily rites, he should thereafter worship it."

Verse 37 (shiva.kotirudra.38.37)

प्रथमं पार्थिवं कृत्वा पश्चात्स्थापनमाचरेत् । स्तोत्रैर्नानाविधैर्देवं तोषयेद् वृषभध्वजम् ॥ 38.37 ॥

prathamaṁ pārthivaṁ kṛtvā paścātsthāpanamācaret stotrairnānāvidhairdevaṁ toṣayed vṛṣabhadhvajam

"Having first fashioned the clay linga, he should then perform its installation, and please the bull-bannered god with various hymns of praise."

Verse 38 (shiva.kotirudra.38.38)

माहात्म्यं व्रतसम्भूतं पठितव्यं सुधीमता । श्रोतव्यं भक्तवर्येण व्रतसम्पूर्तिकाम्यया ॥ 38.38 ॥

māhātmyaṁ vratasambhūtaṁ paṭhitavyaṁ sudhīmatā śrotavyaṁ bhaktavaryeṇa vratasampūrtikāmyayā

"The account of the glory arising from this vow should be recited by the wise one, and heard by the excellent devotee, so the vow may reach completion."

Verse 39 (shiva.kotirudra.38.39)

चतुर्ष्वपि च यामेषु मूर्तीनां च चतुष्टयम् । कृत्वावाहनपूर्वं हि विसर्गावधि वै क्रमात् ॥ 38.39 ॥

caturṣvapi ca yāmeṣu mūrtīnāṁ ca catuṣṭayam kṛtvāvāhanapūrvaṁ hi visargāvadhi vai kramāt

"In each of the four watches, four separate images should be made in turn, each preceded by invocation and ending, in order, with the ritual dismissal."

Verse 40 (shiva.kotirudra.38.40)

कार्यं जागरणं प्रीत्या महोत्सवसमन्वितम् । प्रातः स्नात्वा पुनस्तत्र स्थापयेत्पूजयेच्छिवम् ॥ 38.40 ॥

kāryaṁ jāgaraṇaṁ prītyā mahotsavasamanvitam prātaḥ snātvā punastatra sthāpayetpūjayecchivam

"A night-vigil should be kept with love, accompanied by great festivity; in the morning, having bathed again, he should install and worship Shiva there."

Verse 41 (shiva.kotirudra.38.41)

ततः सम्प्रार्थयेच्छम्भुं नतस्कन्धः कृताञ्जलिः । कृतसम्पूर्णव्रतको नत्वा तं च पुनः पुनः ॥ 38.41 ॥

tataḥ samprārthayecchambhuṁ nataskandhaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ kṛtasampūrṇavratako natvā taṁ ca punaḥ punaḥ

"Then, with bowed head and joined palms, having completed his vow fully, he should pray to Shambhu, bowing to him again and again."

Verse 42 (shiva.kotirudra.38.42)

नियमो यो महादेव कृतश्चैव त्वदाज्ञया । विसृज्यते मया स्वामिन् व्रतं जातमनुत्तमम् ॥ 38.42 ॥

niyamo yo mahādeva kṛtaścaiva tvadājñayā visṛjyate mayā svāmin vrataṁ jātamanuttamam

The closing prayer: "O Mahadeva, this observance kept by your own command, I now bring to its close, O Master; the vow accomplished has become supreme."

Verse 43 (shiva.kotirudra.38.43)

व्रतेनानेन देवेश यथाशक्तिकृतेन च । सन्तुष्टो भव शर्वाद्य कृपां कुरु ममोपरि ॥ 38.43 ॥

vratenānena deveśa yathāśaktikṛtena ca santuṣṭo bhava śarvādya kṛpāṁ kuru mamopari

"O lord of the gods, through this vow performed to the best of my ability, be pleased, O Sharva, and show your compassion upon me."

Verse 44 (shiva.kotirudra.38.44)

पुष्पाञ्जलिं शिवे दत्त्वा दद्याद्दानं यथाविधि । नमस्कृत्य शिवायैव नियमं तं विसर्जयेत् ॥ 38.44 ॥

puṣpāñjaliṁ śive dattvā dadyāddānaṁ yathāvidhi namaskṛtya śivāyaiva niyamaṁ taṁ visarjayet

"Having offered a handful of flowers to Shiva, he should give gifts according to rule; and, bowing to Shiva, should conclude the observance."

Verse 45 (shiva.kotirudra.38.45)

यथाशक्ति द्विजाञ्छैवान्यतिनश्च विशेषतः । भोजयित्वा सुसन्तोष्य स्वयं भोजनमाचरेत् ॥ 38.45 ॥

yathāśakti dvijāñchaivānyatinaśca viśeṣataḥ bhojayitvā susantoṣya svayaṁ bhojanamācaret

"Having, to the best of his ability, fed Shaiva brahmins and especially ascetics, and having satisfied them fully, he should then himself take his meal."

Verse 46 (shiva.kotirudra.38.46)

यामे यामे यथा पूजा कार्या भक्तवरैर्हरे । शिवरात्रौ विशेषेण तामहं कथयामि ते ॥ 38.46 ॥

yāme yāme yathā pūjā kāryā bhaktavarairhare śivarātrau viśeṣeṇa tāmahaṁ kathayāmi te

"O Hari, I shall now tell you in particular how excellent devotees should perform the worship, watch by watch, on the night of Shivaratri."

Verse 47 (shiva.kotirudra.38.47)

प्रथमे चैव यामे च स्थापितं पार्थिवं हरे । पूजयेत्परया भक्त्या सूपचारैरनेकशः ॥ 38.47 ॥

prathame caiva yāme ca sthāpitaṁ pārthivaṁ hare pūjayetparayā bhaktyā sūpacārairanekaśaḥ

"O Hari, in the first watch, the installed clay linga should be worshipped with supreme devotion, with many proper rites of service."

Verse 48 (shiva.kotirudra.38.48)

पञ्चद्रव्यैश्च प्रथमं पूजनीयो हरः सदा । तस्य तस्य च मन्त्रेण पृथग्द्रव्यं समर्पयेत् ॥ 38.48 ॥

pañcadravyaiśca prathamaṁ pūjanīyo haraḥ sadā tasya tasya ca mantreṇa pṛthagdravyaṁ samarpayet

"Hara should first always be worshipped with the five substances; each substance should be offered separately, with its own particular mantra."

Verse 49 (shiva.kotirudra.38.49)

तच्च द्रव्यं समर्प्यैव जलधारां ददेत वै । पश्चाच्च जलधाराभिर्द्रव्याणुत्तारयेद बुधः ॥ 38.49 ॥

tacca dravyaṁ samarpyaiva jaladhārāṁ dadeta vai paścācca jaladhārābhirdravyāṇuttārayeda budhaḥ

"Having offered those substances, one should then offer a stream of water; and afterward the wise one should wash away the substances with streams of water."

Verse 50 (shiva.kotirudra.38.50)

शतमष्टोत्तरं मन्त्रं पठित्वा जलधारया । पूजयेच्च शिवं तत्र निर्गुणं गुणरूपिणम् ॥ 38.50 ॥

śatamaṣṭottaraṁ mantraṁ paṭhitvā jaladhārayā pūjayecca śivaṁ tatra nirguṇaṁ guṇarūpiṇam

"Reciting the mantra one hundred and eight times, with a stream of water, one should worship Shiva there, who is beyond qualities yet takes the form of qualities."

Verse 51 (shiva.kotirudra.38.51)

गुरुदत्तेन मन्त्रेण पूजयेद् वृषभध्जम् । अन्यथा नाममन्त्रेण पूजयेद्वै सदाशिवम् ॥ 38.51 ॥

gurudattena mantreṇa pūjayed vṛṣabhadhjam anyathā nāmamantreṇa pūjayedvai sadāśivam

"He should worship the bull-bannered one with the mantra given by his guru; otherwise, he should worship Sadashiva with the name-mantra."

Verse 52 (shiva.kotirudra.38.52)

चन्दनेन विचित्रेण तण्डुलैश्चाप्यखण्डितैः । कृष्णैश्चैव तिलैः पूजा कार्या शम्भोः परात्मनः ॥ 38.52 ॥

candanena vicitreṇa taṇḍulaiścāpyakhaṇḍitaiḥ kṛṣṇaiścaiva tilaiḥ pūjā kāryā śambhoḥ parātmanaḥ

"The worship of Shambhu, the Supreme Self, should be performed with fine sandal-paste, with unbroken rice grains, and with black sesame seeds."

Verse 53 (shiva.kotirudra.38.53)

पुष्पैश्च शतपत्रैश्च करवीरैस्तथा पुनः । अष्टभिर्नाममन्त्रैश्चार्पयेत्पुष्पाणि शङ्करे ॥ 38.53 ॥

puṣpaiśca śatapatraiśca karavīraistathā punaḥ aṣṭabhirnāmamantraiścārpayetpuṣpāṇi śaṅkare

"With lotuses of a hundred petals, and likewise with oleander flowers, one should offer flowers to Shankara with eight name-mantras."

Verse 54 (shiva.kotirudra.38.54)

भवः शर्वस्तथा रुद्रः पुनः पशुपतिस्तथा । उग्रो महांस्तथा भीम ईशान इति तानि वै ॥ 38.54 ॥

bhavaḥ śarvastathā rudraḥ punaḥ paśupatistathā ugro mahāṁstathā bhīma īśāna iti tāni vai

"Bhava, Sharva, then Rudra, then Pashupati, Ugra, Mahan, Bhima, and Ishana — these are those eight names."

Verse 55 (shiva.kotirudra.38.55)

श्रीपूर्वैश्च चतुर्थ्यन्तैर्नामभिः पूजयेच्छिवम् । पश्चाद्धूपं च दीपं च नैवेद्यं च ततः परम् ॥ 38.55 ॥

śrīpūrvaiśca caturthyantairnāmabhiḥ pūjayecchivam paścāddhūpaṁ ca dīpaṁ ca naivedyaṁ ca tataḥ param

"One should worship Shiva with these names, each preceded by 'Shri' and in the dative case; then, after that, incense, a lamp, and afterward the food-offering."

Verse 56 (shiva.kotirudra.38.56)

आद्ये यामे च नैवेद्यं पक्वान्नं कारयेद् बुधः । अर्घं च श्रीफलं दत्त्वा ताम्बूलं च निवेदयेत् ॥ 38.56 ॥

ādye yāme ca naivedyaṁ pakvānnaṁ kārayed budhaḥ arghaṁ ca śrīphalaṁ dattvā tāmbūlaṁ ca nivedayet

"In the first watch, the wise one should prepare cooked food as the offering; he should give the oblation-water together with a bael fruit, and offer betel-leaf."

Verse 57 (shiva.kotirudra.38.57)

नमस्कारं ततो ध्यानं जपः प्रोक्तो गुरोर्मनोः । अन्यथा पञ्चवर्णेन तोषयेत्तेन शङ्करम् ॥ 38.57 ॥

namaskāraṁ tato dhyānaṁ japaḥ prokto gurormanoḥ anyathā pañcavarṇena toṣayettena śaṅkaram

"Then prostration, meditation, and the recitation taught by one's guru; otherwise, one should please Shankara with the five-syllabled mantra."

Verse 58 (shiva.kotirudra.38.58)

धेनुमुद्रां प्रदर्श्याथ सुजलैस्तर्पणं चरेत् । पञ्चब्राह्मणभोजं च कल्पयेद्वै यथाबलम् ॥ 38.58 ॥

dhenumudrāṁ pradarśyātha sujalaistarpaṇaṁ caret pañcabrāhmaṇabhojaṁ ca kalpayedvai yathābalam

"Then, showing the cow-gesture, one should perform the water-libation with pure water, and arrange, according to one's means, the feeding of five brahmins."

Verse 59 (shiva.kotirudra.38.59)

महोत्सवश्च कर्तव्यो यावद्यामो भवेदिह । ततः पूजाफलं तस्मै निवेद्य च विसर्जयेत् ॥ 38.59 ॥

mahotsavaśca kartavyo yāvadyāmo bhavediha tataḥ pūjāphalaṁ tasmai nivedya ca visarjayet

"A great festivity should be kept up for the duration of that watch; then, having dedicated the fruit of the worship to him, one should conclude it."

Verse 60 (shiva.kotirudra.38.60)

पुनर्द्वितीये यामे च सङ्कल्पं सुसमाचरेत् । अथवैकदैव सङ्कल्प्य कुर्यात्पूजां तथाविधाम् ॥ 38.60 ॥

punardvitīye yāme ca saṅkalpaṁ susamācaret athavaikadaiva saṅkalpya kuryātpūjāṁ tathāvidhām

"Again in the second watch, one should properly make a fresh resolve; or, having resolved once at the very beginning, may perform the worship of that same kind throughout."

Verse 61 (shiva.kotirudra.38.61)

द्रव्यैः पूर्वैस्तथा पूजां कृत्वा धारां समर्पयेत् । पूर्वतो द्विगुणं मन्त्रं समुच्चार्यार्चयेच्छिवम् ॥ 38.61 ॥

dravyaiḥ pūrvaistathā pūjāṁ kṛtvā dhārāṁ samarpayet pūrvato dviguṇaṁ mantraṁ samuccāryārcayecchivam

"Performing worship with the same substances as before, one should offer the stream of water, and, reciting the mantra twice as many times as before, worship Shiva."

Verse 62 (shiva.kotirudra.38.62)

पूर्वैस्तिलयवैश्चाथ कमलैः पूजयेच्छिवम् । बिल्वपत्रैर्विशेषेण पूजयेत्परमेश्वरम् ॥ 38.62 ॥

pūrvaistilayavaiścātha kamalaiḥ pūjayecchivam bilvapatrairviśeṣeṇa pūjayetparameśvaram

"With the same sesame seeds and barley as before, and with lotuses, one should worship Shiva; with bilva leaves especially, one should worship the Supreme Lord."

Verse 63 (shiva.kotirudra.38.63)

अर्घ्यं च बीजपूरेण नैवेद्यं पायसं तथा । मन्त्रावृत्तिस्तु द्विगुणा पूर्वतोऽपि जनार्दन ॥ 38.63 ॥

arghyaṁ ca bījapūreṇa naivedyaṁ pāyasaṁ tathā mantrāvṛttistu dviguṇā pūrvato'pi janārdana

"O Janardana, the oblation-water should be offered with a citron fruit, and the food-offering should be rice-pudding; and the repetition of the mantra should again be double that of before."

Verse 64 (shiva.kotirudra.38.64)

ततश्च ब्राह्मणानां हि भोज्यसङ्कल्पमाचरेत् । अन्यत्सर्वं तथा कुर्याद्यावच्च द्वितयावधि ॥ 38.64 ॥

tataśca brāhmaṇānāṁ hi bhojyasaṅkalpamācaret anyatsarvaṁ tathā kuryādyāvacca dvitayāvadhi

"Then one should make the resolve to feed brahmins; everything else should be done in the same way, up to the end of the second watch."

Verse 65 (shiva.kotirudra.38.65)

यामे प्राप्ते तृतीये च पूर्ववत्पूजनं चरेत् । यवस्थाने च गोधूमाः पुष्पाण्यर्कभवानि च ॥ 38.65 ॥

yāme prāpte tṛtīye ca pūrvavatpūjanaṁ caret yavasthāne ca godhūmāḥ puṣpāṇyarkabhavāni ca

"When the third watch has come, worship should be performed as before; in place of the barley, wheat should be used, and flowers born of the arka plant."

Verse 66 (shiva.kotirudra.38.66)

धूपैश्च विविधैस्तत्र दीपैर्नानाविधैरपि । नैवेद्यापूपकैर्विष्णो शाकैर्नानाविधैरपि ॥ 38.66 ॥

dhūpaiśca vividhaistatra dīpairnānāvidhairapi naivedyāpūpakairviṣṇo śākairnānāvidhairapi

"O Vishnu, worship should be performed there with various incenses, likewise with manifold lamps, with cakes as the food-offering, and various kinds of vegetables too."

Verse 67 (shiva.kotirudra.38.67)

कृत्वैवं चाथ कर्पूरैरारार्तिकविधिं चरेत् । अर्घ्यं सदाडिमं दद्याद द्विगुणं जपमाचरेत् ॥ 38.67 ॥

kṛtvaivaṁ cātha karpūrairārārtikavidhiṁ caret arghyaṁ sadāḍimaṁ dadyāda dviguṇaṁ japamācaret

"Having done this, one should then perform the arati rite with camphor; one should offer the oblation-water together with a pomegranate, and perform the recitation twice as many times."

Verse 68 (shiva.kotirudra.38.68)

ततश्च ब्रह्मभोजस्य सङ्कल्पं च सदक्षिणम् । उत्सवं पूर्ववत्कुर्याद्यावद्यामावधिर्भवेत् ॥ 38.68 ॥

tataśca brahmabhojasya saṅkalpaṁ ca sadakṣiṇam utsavaṁ pūrvavatkuryādyāvadyāmāvadhirbhavet

"Then one should make the resolve to feed brahmins together with a fee; the festivity should be continued as before, for the duration of that watch."

Verse 69 (shiva.kotirudra.38.69)

यामे चतुर्थे सम्प्राते कुर्यात्तस्य विसर्जनम् । प्रयोगादि पुनः कृत्वा पूजां विधिवदाचरेत् ॥ 38.69 ॥

yāme caturthe samprāte kuryāttasya visarjanam prayogādi punaḥ kṛtvā pūjāṁ vidhivadācaret

"When the fourth watch has arrived, one should perform its dismissal; and, again performing the preliminary rites, one should conduct the worship according to due procedure."

Verse 70 (shiva.kotirudra.38.70)

माषैः प्रियङ्गुभिर्मुद्गैः सप्तधान्यैस्तथाथवा । शङ्खीपुष्पैर्बिल्वपत्रैः पूजयेत्परमेश्वरम् ॥ 38.70 ॥

māṣaiḥ priyaṅgubhirmudgaiḥ saptadhānyaistathāthavā śaṅkhīpuṣpairbilvapatraiḥ pūjayetparameśvaram

"With black gram, priyangu grain, mung beans, or the seven grains together, and with shankhapushpi flowers and bilva leaves, one should worship the Supreme Lord."

Verse 71 (shiva.kotirudra.38.71)

नैवेद्यं तत्र दद्याद्वै मधुरैर्विविधैरपि । अथवा चैव माषान्नैस्तोषयेच्च सदाशिवम् ॥ 38.71 ॥

naivedyaṁ tatra dadyādvai madhurairvividhairapi athavā caiva māṣānnaistoṣayecca sadāśivam

"There, one should offer a food-offering of various sweets; or else one should please Sadashiva with a dish of black-gram rice."

Verse 72 (shiva.kotirudra.38.72)

अर्घं दद्यात्कदल्याश्च फलेनैवाथ वा हरे । विविधैश्च फलैश्चैव दद्यादर्घ्यं शिवाय च ॥ 38.72 ॥

arghaṁ dadyātkadalyāśca phalenaivātha vā hare vividhaiśca phalaiścaiva dadyādarghyaṁ śivāya ca

"O Hari, one should offer the oblation-water together with a plantain fruit, or offer it with various fruits to Shiva."

Verse 73 (shiva.kotirudra.38.73)

पूर्वतो द्विगुणं कुर्यान्मन्त्रजापं नरोत्तमः । सङ्कल्पं ब्रह्मभोजस्य यथाशक्ति चरेद् बुधः ॥ 38.73 ॥

pūrvato dviguṇaṁ kuryānmantrajāpaṁ narottamaḥ saṅkalpaṁ brahmabhojasya yathāśakti cared budhaḥ

"That best of men should perform the mantra-recitation twice as much as before; the wise one should make the resolve to feed brahmins according to his ability."

Verse 74 (shiva.kotirudra.38.74)

गीतैर्वाद्यैस्तथा नृत्यैर्नयेत्कालं च भक्तितः । महोत्सवैर्भक्तजनैर्यावत्स्यादरुणोदयः ॥ 38.74 ॥

gītairvādyaistathā nṛtyairnayetkālaṁ ca bhaktitaḥ mahotsavairbhaktajanairyāvatsyādaruṇodayaḥ

"With songs, instruments, and dances, devout people should pass the time with devotion and great festivity, until the dawn arises."

Verse 75 (shiva.kotirudra.38.75)

उदये च तथा जाते पुनः स्नात्वार्चयेच्छिवम् । नानापूजोपहारैश्च स्वाभिषेकमथाचरेत् ॥ 38.75 ॥

udaye ca tathā jāte punaḥ snātvārcayecchivam nānāpūjopahāraiśca svābhiṣekamathācaret

"When the dawn has come, one should bathe again and worship Shiva with various offerings, and then perform one's own ritual bathing."

Verse 76 (shiva.kotirudra.38.76)

नानाविधानि दानानि भोज्यं च विविधं तथा । ब्राह्मणानां यतीनां च कर्तव्यं यामसङ्ख्यया ॥ 38.76 ॥

nānāvidhāni dānāni bhojyaṁ ca vividhaṁ tathā brāhmaṇānāṁ yatīnāṁ ca kartavyaṁ yāmasaṅkhyayā

"Various kinds of gifts, and likewise various kinds of food, should be given to brahmins and ascetics, in proportion to the number of watches observed."

Verse 77 (shiva.kotirudra.38.77)

शङ्कराय नमस्कृत्य पुष्पाञ्जलिमथाचरेत् । प्रार्थयेत्सुस्तुतिं कृत्वा मन्त्रैरेतैर्विचक्षणः ॥ 38.77 ॥

śaṅkarāya namaskṛtya puṣpāñjalimathācaret prārthayetsustutiṁ kṛtvā mantrairetairvicakṣaṇaḥ

"Having bowed to Shankara, one should then offer a handful of flowers; the discerning one, having offered fine praise, should pray with these mantras."

Verse 78 (shiva.kotirudra.38.78)

तावकस्त्वद्गतप्राणस्त्वच्चित्तोऽहं सदा मृड । कृपानिधे इति ज्ञात्वा यथायोग्यं तथा कुरु ॥ 38.78 ॥

tāvakastvadgataprāṇastvaccitto'haṁ sadā mṛḍa kṛpānidhe iti jñātvā yathāyogyaṁ tathā kuru

The prayer: "I am yours, my very life given to you, my mind ever fixed on you, O Mrida; O ocean of compassion, knowing this, do as is fitting."

Verse 79 (shiva.kotirudra.38.79)

अज्ञानाद्यदि वा ज्ञानाज्जपपूजादिकं मया । कृपानिधित्वाज्ज्ञात्वैव भूतनाथ प्रसीद मे ॥ 38.79 ॥

ajñānādyadi vā jñānājjapapūjādikaṁ mayā kṛpānidhitvājjñātvaiva bhūtanātha prasīda me

"Whether out of ignorance or knowledge, whatever recitation and worship I have performed — O lord of beings, knowing it through your very nature as the ocean of compassion, be gracious to me."

Verse 80 (shiva.kotirudra.38.80)

अनेनैवोपवासेन यज्जातं फलमेव च । तेनैव प्रीयतां देवः शङ्करः सुखदायकः ॥ 38.80 ॥

anenaivopavāsena yajjātaṁ phalameva ca tenaiva prīyatāṁ devaḥ śaṅkaraḥ sukhadāyakaḥ

"Whatever fruit has arisen from this very fasting, by that alone may the god Shankara, giver of happiness, be pleased."

Verse 81 (shiva.kotirudra.38.81)

कुले मम महादेव भजनं तेऽस्तु सर्वदा । माभूत्तस्य कुले जन्म यत्र त्वं नहि देवता ॥ 38.81 ॥

kule mama mahādeva bhajanaṁ te'stu sarvadā mābhūttasya kule janma yatra tvaṁ nahi devatā

"O Mahadeva, may devotion to you always remain in my lineage; let there never be a birth in any family where you are not worshipped as the deity."

Verse 82 (shiva.kotirudra.38.82)

पुष्पाञ्जलिं समर्प्यैवं तिलकाशिष एव च । गृह्णीयाद् ब्राह्मणेभ्यश्च ततः शम्भुं विसर्जयेत् ॥ 38.82 ॥

puṣpāñjaliṁ samarpyaivaṁ tilakāśiṣa eva ca gṛhṇīyād brāhmaṇebhyaśca tataḥ śambhuṁ visarjayet

"Having thus offered the handful of flowers, and having received the sacred mark and blessings from the brahmins, one should then conclude the worship of Shambhu."

Verse 83 (shiva.kotirudra.38.83)

एवं व्रतं कृतं येन तस्माद दूरो हरो न हि । न शक्यते फलं वक्तुं नादेयं विद्यते मम ॥ 38.83 ॥

evaṁ vrataṁ kṛtaṁ yena tasmāda dūro haro na hi na śakyate phalaṁ vaktuṁ nādeyaṁ vidyate mama

"Whoever has performed the vow in this way — Hara is never far from him; the fruit of this cannot be fully told, and there is nothing that I would withhold from such a person."

Verse 84 (shiva.kotirudra.38.84)

अनायासतया चेद्वै कृतं व्रतमिदं परम् । तस्य वै मुक्तिबीजं च जातं नात्र विचारणा ॥ 38.84 ॥

anāyāsatayā cedvai kṛtaṁ vratamidaṁ param tasya vai muktibījaṁ ca jātaṁ nātra vicāraṇā

"And if this supreme vow has been performed even without great effort, the very seed of liberation has arisen for that person — there is no doubt of this."

Verse 85 (shiva.kotirudra.38.85)

प्रतिमासं व्रतं चैव कर्तव्यं भक्तितो नरैः । उद्यापनविधिं पश्चात्कृत्वा साङ्गफलं लभेत् ॥ 38.85 ॥

pratimāsaṁ vrataṁ caiva kartavyaṁ bhaktito naraiḥ udyāpanavidhiṁ paścātkṛtvā sāṅgaphalaṁ labhet

"This vow should be performed by devotees month after month; having afterward performed the rite of completion, one attains its complete fruit."

Verse 86 (shiva.kotirudra.38.86)

व्रतस्य करणान्नूनं शिवोऽहं सर्वदुःखहा । दद्मि भुक्तिं च मुक्तिं च सर्वं वै वाञ्छितं फलम् ॥ 38.86 ॥

vratasya karaṇānnūnaṁ śivo'haṁ sarvaduḥkhahā dadmi bhuktiṁ ca muktiṁ ca sarvaṁ vai vāñchitaṁ phalam

"By the performance of this vow, I, Shiva, remover of all sorrow, surely grant both enjoyment and liberation, and every fruit that is desired."

Verse 87 (shiva.kotirudra.38.87)

सूत उवाच । इति शिववचनं निशम्य विष्णु- र्हिततरमद्भुतमाजगाम धाम । तदनु व्रतमुत्तमं जनेषु समचरदात्महितेषु चैतदेव ॥ 38.87 ॥

sūta uvāca iti śivavacanaṁ niśamya viṣṇu- rhitataramadbhutamājagāma dhāma tadanu vratamuttamaṁ janeṣu samacaradātmahiteṣu caitadeva

Suta said: Hearing these most beneficial and wondrous words of Shiva, Vishnu returned to his own abode; and thereafter he himself observed this excellent vow among the people, taking it up for his own good.

Verse 88 (shiva.kotirudra.38.88)

कदाचिन्नारदायाथ शिवरात्रिव्रतं त्विदम् । भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं दिव्यं कथयामास केशवः ॥ 38.88 ॥

kadācinnāradāyātha śivarātrivrataṁ tvidam bhuktimuktipradaṁ divyaṁ kathayāmāsa keśavaḥ

And once, Keshava related this very Shivaratri vow, divine and granting both enjoyment and liberation, to Narada.