The Glory of the Shivaratri Vow: The Hunter's Tale

Verse 1 (shiva.kotirudra.40.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । सूत ते वचनं श्रुत्वा परानन्दं वयं गताः । विस्तरात्कथय प्रीत्या तदेव व्रतमुत्तमम् ॥ 40.1 ॥

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ sūta te vacanaṁ śrutvā parānandaṁ vayaṁ gatāḥ vistarātkathaya prītyā tadeva vratamuttamam

The sages said: "O Suta, hearing your words we have attained supreme joy; tell us with love, in full detail, that excellent vow."

Verse 2 (shiva.kotirudra.40.2)

कृतं पुरा च केनेह सूतैतद् व्रतमुत्तमम् । कृत्वाप्यज्ञानतश्चैव प्राप्तं किं फलमुत्तमम् ॥ 40.2 ॥

kṛtaṁ purā ca keneha sūtaitad vratamuttamam kṛtvāpyajñānataścaiva prāptaṁ kiṁ phalamuttamam

"O Suta, who in the past performed this excellent vow here? And having performed it even unknowingly, what supreme fruit did he obtain?"

Verse 3 (shiva.kotirudra.40.3)

सूत उवाच । श्रूयतामृषयः सर्वे कथयामि पुरातनम् । इतिहासं निषादस्य सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् ॥ 40.3 ॥

sūta uvāca śrūyatāmṛṣayaḥ sarve kathayāmi purātanam itihāsaṁ niṣādasya sarvapāpapraṇāśanam

Suta said: "Listen, all you sages, I shall tell the ancient story of a hunter, which destroys every sin."

Verse 4 (shiva.kotirudra.40.4)

पुरा कश्चिद्वने भिल्लो नाम्ना ह्यासीद् गुरुद्रुहः । कुटुम्बी बलवान्क्रूरः क्रूरकर्मपरायणः ॥ 40.4 ॥

purā kaścidvane bhillo nāmnā hyāsīd gurudruhaḥ kuṭumbī balavānkrūraḥ krūrakarmaparāyaṇaḥ

"Long ago there lived in a forest a certain tribal hunter, of harmful nature, the head of a family, strong, cruel, devoted to cruel deeds."

Verse 5 (shiva.kotirudra.40.5)

निरन्तरं वने गत्वा मृगान् हन्ति स्म नित्यशः । चौर्यं च विविधं तत्र करोति स्म वने वसन् ॥ 40.5 ॥

nirantaraṁ vane gatvā mṛgān hanti sma nityaśaḥ cauryaṁ ca vividhaṁ tatra karoti sma vane vasan

"Constantly going into the forest, he killed deer every day; and, dwelling in the forest, he committed many kinds of theft."

Verse 6 (shiva.kotirudra.40.6)

बाल्यादारभ्य तेनेह कृतं किञ्चिच्छुभं न हि । महान्कालो व्यतीयाय वने तस्य दुरात्मनः ॥ 40.6 ॥

bālyādārabhya teneha kṛtaṁ kiñcicchubhaṁ na hi mahānkālo vyatīyāya vane tasya durātmanaḥ

"From childhood onward he had done nothing good at all; a long time passed for that evil-souled man in the forest."

Verse 7 (shiva.kotirudra.40.7)

कदाचिच्छिवरात्रिश्च प्राप्तासीत्तत्र शोभना । न दुरात्मा स्म जानाति महद्वननिवासकृत् ॥ 40.7 ॥

kadācicchivarātriśca prāptāsīttatra śobhanā na durātmā sma jānāti mahadvananivāsakṛt

"Once the beautiful night of Shivaratri arrived there; but that evil-souled dweller of the great forest did not know it as sacred."

Verse 8 (shiva.kotirudra.40.8)

एतस्मिन् समये भिल्लो मात्रा पित्रा स्त्रिया तथा । प्रार्थितश्च क्षुधाविष्टैर्भक्ष्यं देहि वनेचर ॥ 40.8 ॥

etasmin samaye bhillo mātrā pitrā striyā tathā prārthitaśca kṣudhāviṣṭairbhakṣyaṁ dehi vanecara

"At this time the hunter was entreated by his mother, father, and wife, overcome with hunger: 'Give us food, O forest-dweller!'"

Verse 9 (shiva.kotirudra.40.9)

इति सम्प्रार्थितः सोऽपि धनुरादाय सत्वरम् । जगाम मृगहिंसार्थं बभ्राम सकलं वनम् ॥ 40.9 ॥

iti samprārthitaḥ so'pi dhanurādāya satvaram jagāma mṛgahiṁsārthaṁ babhrāma sakalaṁ vanam

"Thus entreated, he too quickly took up his bow and went out to kill deer, roaming the entire forest."

Verse 10 (shiva.kotirudra.40.10)

दैवयोगात्तदा तेन न प्राप्तं किञ्चिदेव हि । अस्तं प्राप्तस्तदा सूर्यः स वै दुःखमुपागतः ॥ 40.10 ॥

daivayogāttadā tena na prāptaṁ kiñcideva hi astaṁ prāptastadā sūryaḥ sa vai duḥkhamupāgataḥ

"By fate, however, he found nothing at all; then the sun set, and he fell into distress."

Verse 11 (shiva.kotirudra.40.11)

किं कर्तव्यं क्व गन्तव्यं न प्राप्तं मेऽद्य किञ्चन । बालाश्च ये गृहे तेषां किं पित्रोश्च भविष्यति ॥ 40.11 ॥

kiṁ kartavyaṁ kva gantavyaṁ na prāptaṁ me'dya kiñcana bālāśca ye gṛhe teṣāṁ kiṁ pitrośca bhaviṣyati

"'What is to be done, where shall I go? I have found nothing today. What will become of the children at home, and of my parents?'"

Verse 12 (shiva.kotirudra.40.12)

मदीयं वै कलत्रं च तस्याः किञ्चिद्भविष्यति । किञ्चिद् गृहीत्वा हि मया गन्तव्यं नान्यथा भवेत् ॥ 40.12 ॥

madīyaṁ vai kalatraṁ ca tasyāḥ kiñcidbhaviṣyati kiñcid gṛhītvā hi mayā gantavyaṁ nānyathā bhavet

"'And what of my own wife? I must take something back with me — there is no other way.'"

Verse 13 (shiva.kotirudra.40.13)

इत्थं विचार्य स व्याधो जलाशयसमीपगः । जलावतरणं यत्र तत्र गत्वा स्वयं स्थितः ॥ 40.13 ॥

itthaṁ vicārya sa vyādho jalāśayasamīpagaḥ jalāvataraṇaṁ yatra tatra gatvā svayaṁ sthitaḥ

"Thinking thus, that hunter went near a body of water, to the very spot where creatures come down to drink, and stationed himself there."

Verse 14 (shiva.kotirudra.40.14)

अवश्यमत्र कश्चिद्वै जीवश्चैवागमिष्यति । तं हत्वा स्वगृहं प्रीत्या यास्यामि कृतकार्यकः ॥ 40.14 ॥

avaśyamatra kaścidvai jīvaścaivāgamiṣyati taṁ hatvā svagṛhaṁ prītyā yāsyāmi kṛtakāryakaḥ

"'Surely some creature will come here; having killed it, I shall gladly go home, my task accomplished.'"

Verse 15 (shiva.kotirudra.40.15)

इति मत्वा स वै वृक्षमेकं बिल्वेति संज्ञकम् । समारुह्य स्थितस्तत्र जलमादाय भिल्लकः ॥ 40.15 ॥

iti matvā sa vai vṛkṣamekaṁ bilveti saṁjñakam samāruhya sthitastatra jalamādāya bhillakaḥ

"Thinking this, that hunter climbed up a certain tree called Bilva, and, taking water with him, stationed himself there."

Verse 16 (shiva.kotirudra.40.16)

कदायास्यति कश्चिद्वै कदा हन्यामहं पुनः । इति बुद्धिं समास्थाय स्थितोऽसौ क्षुत्तृषान्वितः ॥ 40.16 ॥

kadāyāsyati kaścidvai kadā hanyāmahaṁ punaḥ iti buddhiṁ samāsthāya sthito'sau kṣuttṛṣānvitaḥ

"'When will someone come, when shall I kill it?' — with this thought fixed in mind, he remained there, afflicted by hunger and thirst."

Verse 17 (shiva.kotirudra.40.17)

तद्रात्रौ प्रथमे यामे मृगी त्वेका समागता । तृषार्ता चकिता सा च प्रोत्फालं कुर्वती तदा ॥ 40.17 ॥

tadrātrau prathame yāme mṛgī tvekā samāgatā tṛṣārtā cakitā sā ca protphālaṁ kurvatī tadā

"In the first watch of that night, a doe came there, tormented by thirst, timid, leaping about."

Verse 18 (shiva.kotirudra.40.18)

तां दृष्ट्वा च तदा तेन तद्वधार्थमथो शरः । संहृष्टेन द्रुतं बाणं धनुषि स्वे हि सन्दधे ॥ 40.18 ॥

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā ca tadā tena tadvadhārthamatho śaraḥ saṁhṛṣṭena drutaṁ bāṇaṁ dhanuṣi sve hi sandadhe

"Seeing her, he, delighted, quickly fitted an arrow to his bow in order to kill her."

Verse 19 (shiva.kotirudra.40.19)

इत्येवं कुर्वतस्तस्य जलं बिल्वदलानि च । पतितानि ह्यधस्तत्र शिवलिङ्गमभूत्ततः ॥ 40.19 ॥

ityevaṁ kurvatastasya jalaṁ bilvadalāni ca patitāni hyadhastatra śivaliṅgamabhūttataḥ

"As he was doing this, water and bilva leaves fell down below — and there, beneath the tree, was a Shiva-linga."

Verse 20 (shiva.kotirudra.40.20)

यामस्य प्रथमस्यैव पूजा जाता शिवस्य च । तन्महिम्ना हि तस्यैव पातकं गलितं तदा ॥ 40.20 ॥

yāmasya prathamasyaiva pūjā jātā śivasya ca tanmahimnā hi tasyaiva pātakaṁ galitaṁ tadā

"Thus the worship of Shiva for the first watch was accomplished; and by the power of that, his sin melted away."

Verse 21 (shiva.kotirudra.40.21)

तत्रत्यं चैव तच्छब्दं श्रुत्वा सा हरिणी भिया । व्याधं दृष्ट्वा व्याकुला हि वचनं चेदमब्रवीत् ॥ 40.21 ॥

tatratyaṁ caiva tacchabdaṁ śrutvā sā hariṇī bhiyā vyādhaṁ dṛṣṭvā vyākulā hi vacanaṁ cedamabravīt

"Hearing the sound there, that doe, seeing the hunter, distraught with fear, spoke these words."

Verse 22 (shiva.kotirudra.40.22)

मृग्युवाच । किं कर्तुमिच्छसि व्याध सत्यं वद ममाग्रतः । तच्छ्रुत्वा हरिणीवाक्यं व्याधो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 40.22 ॥

mṛgyuvāca kiṁ kartumicchasi vyādha satyaṁ vada mamāgrataḥ tacchrutvā hariṇīvākyaṁ vyādho vacanamabravīt

The doe said: "What do you intend to do, O hunter? Speak the truth before me." Hearing the doe's words, the hunter spoke these words.

Verse 23 (shiva.kotirudra.40.23)

व्याध उवाच । कुटुम्बं क्षुधितं मेऽद्य हत्वा त्वां तर्पयाम्यहम् । दारुणं तद्वचः श्रुत्वा दृष्ट्वा तं दुर्धरं खलम् ॥ 40.23 ॥

vyādha uvāca kuṭumbaṁ kṣudhitaṁ me'dya hatvā tvāṁ tarpayāmyaham dāruṇaṁ tadvacaḥ śrutvā dṛṣṭvā taṁ durdharaṁ khalam

The hunter said: "My family is hungry today; by killing you I shall satisfy them." Hearing that harsh word, and seeing that unrestrainable villain —

Verse 24 (shiva.kotirudra.40.24)

किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि ह्युपायं रचयाम्यहम् । इत्थं विचार्यं सा तत्र वचनं चेदमब्रवीत् ॥ 40.24 ॥

kiṁ karomi kva gacchāmi hyupāyaṁ racayāmyaham itthaṁ vicāryaṁ sā tatra vacanaṁ cedamabravīt

"— 'What shall I do, where shall I go? Let me devise a plan.' Thinking thus, she then spoke these words."

Verse 25 (shiva.kotirudra.40.25)

मृग्युवाच । मन्मांसेन सुखं ते स्याद्देहस्यानर्थकारिणः । अधिकं किं महत्पुण्यं धन्याहं नात्र संशयः ॥ 40.25 ॥

mṛgyuvāca manmāṁsena sukhaṁ te syāddehasyānarthakāriṇaḥ adhikaṁ kiṁ mahatpuṇyaṁ dhanyāhaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

The doe said: "May you find happiness through my flesh, from this useless body; what greater merit could there be? I am indeed fortunate, of this there is no doubt."

Verse 26 (shiva.kotirudra.40.26)

उपकारकरस्यैव यत्पुण्यं जायते त्विह । तत्पुण्यं शक्यते नैव वक्तुं वर्षशतैरपि ॥ 40.26 ॥

upakārakarasyaiva yatpuṇyaṁ jāyate tviha tatpuṇyaṁ śakyate naiva vaktuṁ varṣaśatairapi

"The merit that arises for one who does good to another cannot be told even in a hundred years."

Verse 27 (shiva.kotirudra.40.27)

परं तु शिशवो मेऽद्य वर्तन्ते स्वाश्रमेऽखिलाः । भगिन्यै तान्समर्प्यैव प्रायास्ये स्वामिनेऽथवा ॥ 40.27 ॥

paraṁ tu śiśavo me'dya vartante svāśrame'khilāḥ bhaginyai tānsamarpyaiva prāyāsye svāmine'thavā

"But my fawns are all now in my dwelling; having entrusted them to my sister, or to their father, I shall then set out to return to you."

Verse 28 (shiva.kotirudra.40.28)

न मे मिथ्यावचस्त्वं हि विजानीहि वनेचर । आयास्येऽहं पुनश्चेह समीपं ते न संशयः ॥ 40.28 ॥

na me mithyāvacastvaṁ hi vijānīhi vanecara āyāsye'haṁ punaśceha samīpaṁ te na saṁśayaḥ

"Know, O forest-dweller, that my word is not false; I shall surely come back again to your presence — of this there is no doubt."

Verse 29 (shiva.kotirudra.40.29)

स्थिता सत्येन धरणी सत्येनैव च वारिधिः । सत्येन जलधाराश्च सत्ये सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ 40.29 ॥

sthitā satyena dharaṇī satyenaiva ca vāridhiḥ satyena jaladhārāśca satye sarvaṁ pratiṣṭhitam

"By truth the earth stands firm, by truth alone stands the ocean; by truth the streams of water flow — on truth everything rests."

Verse 30 (shiva.kotirudra.40.30)

सूत उवाच । इत्युक्तोऽपि तया व्याधो न मेने तद्वचो यदा । तदा सुविस्मिता भीता वचनं साब्रवीत्पुनः ॥ 40.30 ॥

sūta uvāca ityukto'pi tayā vyādho na mene tadvaco yadā tadā suvismitā bhītā vacanaṁ sābravītpunaḥ

Suta said: Though addressed thus by her, when the hunter did not accept her word, then, greatly astonished and afraid, she spoke again.

Verse 31 (shiva.kotirudra.40.31)

मृग्युवाच । शृणु व्याध प्रवक्ष्यामि शपथं हि करोम्यहम् । आगच्छेयं यथा ते न समीपं स्वगृहाद्गता ॥ 40.31 ॥

mṛgyuvāca śaṛṇu vyādha pravakṣyāmi śapathaṁ hi karomyaham āgaccheyaṁ yathā te na samīpaṁ svagṛhādgatā

The doe said: "Listen, O hunter, I shall speak; I take an oath — if I do not return again from my home to your presence —"

Verse 32 (shiva.kotirudra.40.32)

ब्राह्मणो वेदविक्रेता सन्ध्याहीनस्त्रिकालकम् । स्त्रियः स्वस्वामिनो ह्याज्ञां समुल्लङ्घ्य क्रियान्विताः ॥ 40.32 ॥

brāhmaṇo vedavikretā sandhyāhīnastrikālakam striyaḥ svasvāmino hyājñāṁ samullaṅghya kriyānvitāḥ

"— then may I bear the sin of a brahmin who sells the Vedas, of one who neglects the thrice-daily twilight rites, and of women who transgress their husband's command and act independently —"

Verse 33 (shiva.kotirudra.40.33)

कृतघ्ने चैव यत्पापं यत्पापं विमुखे हरे । द्रोहिणश्चैव यत्पापं यत्पापं धर्मलङ्घने ॥ 40.33 ॥

kṛtaghne caiva yatpāpaṁ yatpāpaṁ vimukhe hare drohiṇaścaiva yatpāpaṁ yatpāpaṁ dharmalaṅghane

"— the sin of the ungrateful, the sin of one averse to Hari, the sin of the treacherous, and the sin of one who transgresses dharma —"

Verse 34 (shiva.kotirudra.40.34)

विश्वासघातके यच्च तथा वै छलकर्तरि । तेन पापेन लिम्पामि यद्यहं नागमे पुनः ॥ 40.34 ॥

viśvāsaghātake yacca tathā vai chalakartari tena pāpena limpāmi yadyahaṁ nāgame punaḥ

"— and the sin of the betrayer of trust and of the deceiver — with these very sins may I be tainted, if I do not come back again."

Verse 35 (shiva.kotirudra.40.35)

इत्याद्यनेकशपथान्मृगी कृत्वा स्थिता यदा । तदा व्याधः स विश्वस्य गच्छेति गृहमब्रवीत् ॥ 40.35 ॥

ityādyanekaśapathānmṛgī kṛtvā sthitā yadā tadā vyādhaḥ sa viśvasya gaccheti gṛhamabravīt

Having taken these and many other such oaths, when the doe stood firm, the hunter, trusting her, told her to go home.

Verse 36 (shiva.kotirudra.40.36)

मृगी हृष्टा जलं पीत्वा गता स्वाश्रममण्डलम् । तावच्च प्रथमो यामस्तस्य निद्रां विना गतः ॥ 40.36 ॥

mṛgī hṛṣṭā jalaṁ pītvā gatā svāśramamaṇḍalam tāvacca prathamo yāmastasya nidrāṁ vinā gataḥ

The doe, delighted, drank water and went to her own dwelling-place; meanwhile the first watch passed for him without sleep.

Verse 37 (shiva.kotirudra.40.37)

तदीया भगिनी या वै मृगी च परिभाविता । तस्या मार्गं विचिन्वन्ती ह्याजगाम जलार्थिनी ॥ 40.37 ॥

tadīyā bhaginī yā vai mṛgī ca paribhāvitā tasyā mārgaṁ vicinvantī hyājagāma jalārthinī

Her esteemed sister, another doe, seeking her sister's way, came there, wishing for water.

Verse 38 (shiva.kotirudra.40.38)

तां दृष्ट्वा च स्वयं भिल्लोऽकार्षीद्बाणस्य कर्षणम् । पूर्ववज्जलपत्राणि पतितानि शिवोपरि ॥ 40.38 ॥

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā ca svayaṁ bhillo'kārṣīdbāṇasya karṣaṇam pūrvavajjalapatrāṇi patitāni śivopari

Seeing her, the hunter himself drew his bow; and, as before, water and leaves fell upon the Shiva-linga.

Verse 39 (shiva.kotirudra.40.39)

यामस्य च द्वितीयस्य तेन शम्भोर्महात्मनः । पूजा जाता प्रसङ्गेन व्याधस्य सुखदायिनी ॥ 40.39 ॥

yāmasya ca dvitīyasya tena śambhormahātmanaḥ pūjā jātā prasaṅgena vyādhasya sukhadāyinī

Thus, through this circumstance, the worship of the great-souled Shambhu for the second watch was accomplished, bringing happiness to the hunter.

Verse 40 (shiva.kotirudra.40.40)

मृगी सा प्राह तं दृष्ट्वा किं करोषि वनेचर । पूर्ववत् कथितं तेन तच्छ्रुत्वाह मृगी पुनः ॥ 40.40 ॥

mṛgī sā prāha taṁ dṛṣṭvā kiṁ karoṣi vanecara pūrvavat kathitaṁ tena tacchrutvāha mṛgī punaḥ

Seeing him, that doe said, "What are you doing, O forest-dweller?" He told her as before; hearing that, the doe spoke again.

Verse 41 (shiva.kotirudra.40.41)

मृग्युवाच । धन्याहं श्रूयतां व्याध सफलं देहधारणम् । अनित्येन शरीरेण ह्युपकारो भविष्यति ॥ 40.41 ॥

mṛgyuvāca dhanyāhaṁ śrūyatāṁ vyādha saphalaṁ dehadhāraṇam anityena śarīreṇa hyupakāro bhaviṣyati

The doe said: "I am fortunate; listen, O hunter — my bearing this body has borne fruit, since through this impermanent body some good will now come."

Verse 42 (shiva.kotirudra.40.42)

परन्तु मम बालाश्च गृहे तिष्ठन्ति चार्भकाः । भर्त्रे तांश्च समर्प्यैव ह्यागमिष्याम्यहं पुनः ॥ 40.42 ॥

parantu mama bālāśca gṛhe tiṣṭhanti cārbhakāḥ bhartre tāṁśca samarpyaiva hyāgamiṣyāmyahaṁ punaḥ

"But my own young fawns remain at home; having entrusted them to their father, I shall come back again."

Verse 43 (shiva.kotirudra.40.43)

व्याध उवाच । त्वया चोक्तं न मन्येऽहं हन्मि त्वां नात्र संशयः । तच्छ्रुत्वा हरिणी प्राह शपथं कुर्वती हरेः ॥ 40.43 ॥

vyādha uvāca tvayā coktaṁ na manye'haṁ hanmi tvāṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ tacchrutvā hariṇī prāha śapathaṁ kurvatī hareḥ

The hunter said: "I do not believe what you say — I shall kill you, of this there is no doubt." Hearing this, the doe spoke, taking an oath by Hari.

Verse 44 (shiva.kotirudra.40.44)

मृग्युवाच । शृणु व्याध प्रवक्ष्यामि नागच्छेयं पुनर्यदि । वाचा विचलितो यस्तु सुकृतं तेन हारितम् ॥ 40.44 ॥

mṛgyuvāca śaṛṇu vyādha pravakṣyāmi nāgaccheyaṁ punaryadi vācā vicalito yastu sukṛtaṁ tena hāritam

The doe said: "Listen, O hunter, I shall declare — if I do not come back again, may my merit be destroyed like that of one who breaks his word and thereby forfeits his good deeds —"

Verse 45 (shiva.kotirudra.40.45)

परिणीतां स्त्रियं हित्वा गच्छत्यन्यां च यः पुमान् । वेदधर्मं समुल्लङ्घ्य कल्पितेन च यो व्रजेत् ॥ 40.45 ॥

pariṇītāṁ striyaṁ hitvā gacchatyanyāṁ ca yaḥ pumān vedadharmaṁ samullaṅghya kalpitena ca yo vrajet

"— like a man who abandons his wedded wife and goes to another, and like one who transgresses the dharma of the Vedas and follows fabricated ways —"

Verse 46 (shiva.kotirudra.40.46)

विष्णुभक्तिसमायुक्तः शिवनिन्दां करोति यः । पित्रोः क्षयाहमासाद्य शून्यं चैवाक्रमेदिह ॥ 40.46 ॥

viṣṇubhaktisamāyuktaḥ śivanindāṁ karoti yaḥ pitroḥ kṣayāhamāsādya śūnyaṁ caivākramediha

"— like one devoted to Vishnu-bhakti who yet reviles Shiva, and like one who, on his parents' death-anniversary, occupies himself with vain pursuits —"

Verse 47 (shiva.kotirudra.40.47)

कृत्वा च परितापं हि करोति वचनं पुनः । तेन पापेन लिम्पामि नागच्छेयं पुनर्यदि ॥ 40.47 ॥

kṛtvā ca paritāpaṁ hi karoti vacanaṁ punaḥ tena pāpena limpāmi nāgaccheyaṁ punaryadi

"— and like one who, having caused distress to another, goes back on his word — with that very sin may I be tainted, if I do not come back again."

Verse 48 (shiva.kotirudra.40.48)

सूत उवाच । इत्युक्तश्च तया व्याधो गच्छेत्याह मृगीं च सः । सा मृगी च जलं पीत्वा हृष्टागच्छत्स्वमाश्रमम् ॥ 40.48 ॥

sūta uvāca ityuktaśca tayā vyādho gacchetyāha mṛgīṁ ca saḥ sā mṛgī ca jalaṁ pītvā hṛṣṭāgacchatsvamāśramam

Suta said: Addressed thus by her, the hunter told the doe to go; and that doe, having drunk water, went happily to her own dwelling.

Verse 49 (shiva.kotirudra.40.49)

तावद् द्वितीयो यामो वै तस्य निद्रां विना गतः । एतस्मिन्समये तत्र प्राप्ते यामे तृतीयके ॥ 40.49 ॥

tāvad dvitīyo yāmo vai tasya nidrāṁ vinā gataḥ etasminsamaye tatra prāpte yāme tṛtīyake

Meanwhile the second watch passed for him without sleep; and at this time, when the third watch had arrived —

Verse 50 (shiva.kotirudra.40.50)

ज्ञात्वा विलम्बं चकितस्तदन्वेषणतत्परः । तद्यामे मृगमद्राक्षीज्जलमार्गगतं ततः ॥ 40.50 ॥

jñātvā vilambaṁ cakitastadanveṣaṇatatparaḥ tadyāme mṛgamadrākṣījjalamārgagataṁ tataḥ

"— noticing the delay, startled, intent on searching for prey, in that watch he then saw a buck coming along the path to the water."

Verse 51 (shiva.kotirudra.40.51)

पुष्टं मृगं च तं दृष्ट्वा हृष्टो वनचरः स वै । शरं धनुषि सन्धाय हन्तुं तं हि प्रचक्रमे ॥ 40.51 ॥

puṣṭaṁ mṛgaṁ ca taṁ dṛṣṭvā hṛṣṭo vanacaraḥ sa vai śaraṁ dhanuṣi sandhāya hantuṁ taṁ hi pracakrame

Seeing that well-fed buck, that forest-dweller, delighted, fitted an arrow to his bow and prepared to kill him.

Verse 52 (shiva.kotirudra.40.52)

तदैवं कुर्वतस्तस्य बिल्वपत्राणि कानिचित् । तत्प्रारब्धवशाद् द्विजाः पतितानि शिवोपरि ॥ 40.52 ॥

tadaivaṁ kurvatastasya bilvapatrāṇi kānicit tatprārabdhavaśād dvijāḥ patitāni śivopari

O brahmins, as he was doing this, some bilva leaves, by the force of his prior good destiny, fell upon the Shiva-linga.

Verse 53 (shiva.kotirudra.40.53)

तेन तृतीययामस्य तद्रात्रौ तस्य भाग्यतः । पूजा जाता शिवस्यैव कृपालुत्वं प्रदर्शितम् ॥ 40.53 ॥

tena tṛtīyayāmasya tadrātrau tasya bhāgyataḥ pūjā jātā śivasyaiva kṛpālutvaṁ pradarśitam

By this, on that night, through his good fortune, the worship of Shiva for the third watch was accomplished, and his compassionate nature was thereby revealed.

Verse 54 (shiva.kotirudra.40.54)

श्रुत्वा तत्र च तं शब्दं किं करोषीति प्राह सः । कुटुम्बार्थमहं हन्मि त्वां व्याधश्चेति सोऽब्रवीत् ॥ 40.54 ॥

śrutvā tatra ca taṁ śabdaṁ kiṁ karoṣīti prāha saḥ kuṭumbārthamahaṁ hanmi tvāṁ vyādhaśceti so'bravīt

Hearing the sound there, he said, "What are you doing?" The hunter said, "For the sake of my family, I shall kill you."

Verse 55 (shiva.kotirudra.40.55)

तच्छ्रुत्वा व्याधवचनं हरिणो हृष्टमानसः । द्रुतमेव च तं व्याधं वचनं चेदमब्रवीत् ॥ 40.55 ॥

tacchrutvā vyādhavacanaṁ hariṇo hṛṣṭamānasaḥ drutameva ca taṁ vyādhaṁ vacanaṁ cedamabravīt

Hearing the hunter's words, the buck, his mind strangely delighted, quickly spoke these words to the hunter.

Verse 56 (shiva.kotirudra.40.56)

हरिण उवाच । धन्योऽहं पुष्टिमानद्य भवत्तृप्तिर्भविष्यति । यस्याङ्गं नोपकारार्थं तस्य सर्वं वृथा गतम् ॥ 40.56 ॥

hariṇa uvāca dhanyo'haṁ puṣṭimānadya bhavattṛptirbhaviṣyati yasyāṅgaṁ nopakārārthaṁ tasya sarvaṁ vṛthā gatam

The buck said: "I am fortunate, well-nourished; today your family's satisfaction shall come to be. Whoever's body serves no purpose of doing good — everything of his has gone to waste."

Verse 57 (shiva.kotirudra.40.57)

यो वै सामर्थ्ययुक्तश्च नोपकारं करोति वै । तत्सामर्थ्यं भवेद व्यर्थं परत्र नरकं व्रजेत् ॥ 40.57 ॥

yo vai sāmarthyayuktaśca nopakāraṁ karoti vai tatsāmarthyaṁ bhaveda vyarthaṁ paratra narakaṁ vrajet

"Whoever, possessing ability, does not use it to do good — his ability becomes useless, and hereafter he goes to hell."

Verse 58 (shiva.kotirudra.40.58)

परन्तु बालकान् स्वांश्च समर्प्य जननीं शिशून् । आश्वास्याप्यथ तान् सर्वानागमिष्याम्यहं पुनः ॥ 40.58 ॥

parantu bālakān svāṁśca samarpya jananīṁ śiśūn āśvāsyāpyatha tān sarvānāgamiṣyāmyahaṁ punaḥ

"But having entrusted my own young ones to their mother, and having reassured all of them, I shall come back again."

Verse 59 (shiva.kotirudra.40.59)

इत्युक्तस्तेन स व्याधो विस्मितोऽतीव चेतसि । मनाक् शुद्धमना नष्टपापपुञ्जो वचोऽब्रवीत् ॥ 40.59 ॥

ityuktastena sa vyādho vismito'tīva cetasi manāk śuddhamanā naṣṭapāpapuñjo vaco'bravīt

Addressed thus by him, that hunter, exceedingly astonished in mind, his heart now somewhat purified and his mass of sin destroyed, spoke these words.

Verse 60 (shiva.kotirudra.40.60)

व्याध उवाच । ये ये समागताश्चात्र ते ते सर्वे त्वया यथा । कथयित्वा गता ह्यत्र नायान्त्यद्यापि वञ्चकाः ॥ 40.60 ॥

vyādha uvāca ye ye samāgatāścātra te te sarve tvayā yathā kathayitvā gatā hyatra nāyāntyadyāpi vañcakāḥ

The hunter said: "All those who have come here, just like you, spoke thus and departed; but those deceivers have still not returned even today."

Verse 61 (shiva.kotirudra.40.61)

त्वं चापि सङ्कटे प्राप्तो व्यलीकं च गमिष्यसि । मम सञ्जीवनं चाद्य भविष्यति कथं मृग ॥ 40.61 ॥

tvaṁ cāpi saṅkaṭe prāpto vyalīkaṁ ca gamiṣyasi mama sañjīvanaṁ cādya bhaviṣyati kathaṁ mṛga

"You too, having fallen into danger, will go back on your word. How, then, O deer, shall my own sustenance today come about?"

Verse 62 (shiva.kotirudra.40.62)

मृग उवाच । शृणु व्याध प्रवक्ष्यामि नानृतं विद्यते मयि । सत्येन सर्वं ब्रह्माण्डं तिष्ठत्येव चराचरम् ॥ 40.62 ॥

mṛga uvāca śaṛṇu vyādha pravakṣyāmi nānṛtaṁ vidyate mayi satyena sarvaṁ brahmāṇḍaṁ tiṣṭhatyeva carācaram

The buck said: "Listen, O hunter, I shall speak: there is no falsehood in me. By truth alone the entire universe, moving and unmoving, stands firm."

Verse 63 (shiva.kotirudra.40.63)

यस्य वाणी व्यलीका हि तत्पुण्यं गलितं क्षणात् । तथापि शृणु वै सत्यां प्रतिज्ञां मम भिल्लक ॥ 40.63 ॥

yasya vāṇī vyalīkā hi tatpuṇyaṁ galitaṁ kṣaṇāt tathāpi śaṛṇu vai satyāṁ pratijñāṁ mama bhillaka

"Whoever's speech is false, his merit melts away in an instant. Nevertheless, hear my true vow, O hunter."

Verse 64 (shiva.kotirudra.40.64)

सन्ध्यायां मैथुने घस्रे शिवरात्र्यां च भोजने । कूटसाक्ष्ये न्यासहारे सन्ध्याहीने द्विजे तथा ॥ 40.64 ॥

sandhyāyāṁ maithune ghasre śivarātryāṁ ca bhojane kūṭasākṣye nyāsahāre sandhyāhīne dvije tathā

"— the sin of intercourse at twilight, of eating on the day of Shivaratri, of false witness, of misappropriating a deposit, and of a brahmin who neglects the twilight rites —"

Verse 65 (shiva.kotirudra.40.65)

शिवहीनं मुखं यस्य नोपकर्ता क्षमोऽपि सन् । पर्वणि श्रीफलस्यैव त्रोटनेऽभक्ष्यभक्षणे ॥ 40.65 ॥

śivahīnaṁ mukhaṁ yasya nopakartā kṣamo'pi san parvaṇi śrīphalasyaiva troṭane'bhakṣyabhakṣaṇe

"— of one whose mouth never utters Shiva's name, of one who, though able, does no good to others, of plucking a bael fruit on a sacred day, and of eating what should not be eaten —"

Verse 66 (shiva.kotirudra.40.66)

असम्पूज्य शिवं भस्मरहितश्चान्नभुक् च यः । एतेषां पातकं मे स्यान्नागच्छेयं पुनर्यदि ॥ 40.66 ॥

asampūjya śivaṁ bhasmarahitaścānnabhuk ca yaḥ eteṣāṁ pātakaṁ me syānnāgaccheyaṁ punaryadi

"— and of one who eats food without having worshipped Shiva and without wearing sacred ash — may all these sins be mine, if I do not come back again."

Verse 67 (shiva.kotirudra.40.67)

सूत उवाच । इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य गच्छ शीघ्रं समाव्रज । स व्याधेनैवमुक्तस्तु जलं पीत्वा गतो मृगः ॥ 40.67 ॥

sūta uvāca iti śrutvā vacastasya gaccha śīghraṁ samāvraja sa vyādhenaivamuktastu jalaṁ pītvā gato mṛgaḥ

Suta said: Hearing his words, the hunter said, "Go quickly and return." Thus told by the hunter, the buck drank water and departed.

Verse 68 (shiva.kotirudra.40.68)

ते सर्वे मिलितास्तत्र स्वाश्रमे कृतसुप्रणाः । वृत्तान्तं चैव तं सर्वं श्रुत्वा सम्यक् परस्परम् ॥ 40.68 ॥

te sarve militāstatra svāśrame kṛtasupraṇāḥ vṛttāntaṁ caiva taṁ sarvaṁ śrutvā samyak parasparam

They all met together there in their own dwelling, having made their firm resolve, and, having fully told one another the whole account —

Verse 69 (shiva.kotirudra.40.69)

गन्तव्यं निश्चयेनेति सत्यपाशेन यन्त्रिताः । आश्वास्य बालकांस्तत्र गन्तुमुत्कण्ठितास्तदा ॥ 40.69 ॥

gantavyaṁ niścayeneti satyapāśena yantritāḥ āśvāsya bālakāṁstatra gantumutkaṇṭhitāstadā

— "We must certainly go," bound as they were by the bond of truth; having reassured their young ones, they then became eager to go.

Verse 70 (shiva.kotirudra.40.70)

मृगी ज्येष्ठा च या तत्र स्वामिनं वाक्यमब्रवीत् । त्वां विना बालका ह्यत्र कथं स्थास्यन्ति वै मृग ॥ 40.70 ॥

mṛgī jyeṣṭhā ca yā tatra svāminaṁ vākyamabravīt tvāṁ vinā bālakā hyatra kathaṁ sthāsyanti vai mṛga

The elder doe there spoke to her mate: "O deer, without you, how will the fawns remain here?"

Verse 71 (shiva.kotirudra.40.71)

प्रथमं तु मया तत्र प्रतिज्ञा च कृता प्रभो । तस्मान्मया च गन्तव्यं भवद्भ्यां स्थीयतामिह ॥ 40.71 ॥

prathamaṁ tu mayā tatra pratijñā ca kṛtā prabho tasmānmayā ca gantavyaṁ bhavadbhyāṁ sthīyatāmiha

"'O lord, it was I who first made the vow there; therefore I must go — you two should remain here.'"

Verse 72 (shiva.kotirudra.40.72)

इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा कनिष्ठा वाक्यमब्रवीत् । अहं त्वत्सेविका चाद्य गच्छामि स्थीयतां त्वया ॥ 40.72 ॥

iti tadvacanaṁ śrutvā kaniṣṭhā vākyamabravīt ahaṁ tvatsevikā cādya gacchāmi sthīyatāṁ tvayā

Hearing her words, the younger doe spoke: "I am your servant; today I shall go — you should remain."

Verse 73 (shiva.kotirudra.40.73)

तच्छ्रुत्वा च मृगः प्राह गम्यते तत्र वै मया । भवत्यौ तिष्ठतां चात्र मातृतः शिशुरक्षणम् ॥ 40.73 ॥

tacchrutvā ca mṛgaḥ prāha gamyate tatra vai mayā bhavatyau tiṣṭhatāṁ cātra mātṛtaḥ śiśurakṣaṇam

Hearing this, the buck said: "I myself shall go there; you two should remain here — the protection of the young belongs to their mothers."

Verse 74 (shiva.kotirudra.40.74)

तत्स्वामिवचनं श्रुत्वा मेनाते तन्न धर्मतः । प्रोचुः प्रीत्या स्वभर्तारं वैधव्ये जीवितं च धिक् ॥ 40.74 ॥

tatsvāmivacanaṁ śrutvā menāte tanna dharmataḥ procuḥ prītyā svabhartāraṁ vaidhavye jīvitaṁ ca dhik

Hearing their husband's words, the two does did not consider this right by dharma; they said lovingly to their husband, "Shame on a life lived in widowhood!"

Verse 75 (shiva.kotirudra.40.75)

बालानाश्वास्य तांस्तत्र समर्प्य सहवासिनः । गतास्ते सर्व एवाशु यत्रास्ते व्याधसत्तमः ॥ 40.75 ॥

bālānāśvāsya tāṁstatra samarpya sahavāsinaḥ gatāste sarva evāśu yatrāste vyādhasattamaḥ

Having reassured the young ones and entrusted them to their companions, all of them together went swiftly to where the excellent hunter was.

Verse 76 (shiva.kotirudra.40.76)

ते बाला अपि सर्वे वै विलोक्यानुसमागताः । एतेषां या गतिः स्याद्वै ह्यस्माकं सा भवत्विति ॥ 40.76 ॥

te bālā api sarve vai vilokyānusamāgatāḥ eteṣāṁ yā gatiḥ syādvai hyasmākaṁ sā bhavatviti

All the young fawns too, seeing this, followed along, saying, "Whatever fate befalls our parents, let that be ours too."

Verse 77 (shiva.kotirudra.40.77)

तान् दृष्ट्वा हर्षितो व्याधो बाणं धनुषि सन्दधे । पुनश्च जलपत्राणि पतितानि शिवोपरि ॥ 40.77 ॥

tān dṛṣṭvā harṣito vyādho bāṇaṁ dhanuṣi sandadhe punaśca jalapatrāṇi patitāni śivopari

Seeing them, the delighted hunter fitted an arrow to his bow; and again water and leaves fell upon the Shiva-linga.

Verse 78 (shiva.kotirudra.40.78)

तेन जाता चतुर्थस्य पूजा यामस्य वै शुभा । तस्य पापं तदा सर्वं भस्मसादभवत् क्षणात् ॥ 40.78 ॥

tena jātā caturthasya pūjā yāmasya vai śubhā tasya pāpaṁ tadā sarvaṁ bhasmasādabhavat kṣaṇāt

By this, the auspicious worship for the fourth watch was accomplished; and all his sin was reduced to ashes in an instant.

Verse 79 (shiva.kotirudra.40.79)

मृगी मृगी मृगश्चोचुः शीघ्रं वै व्याधसत्तम । अस्माकं सार्थकं देहं कुरु त्वं हि कृपां कुरु ॥ 40.79 ॥

mṛgī mṛgī mṛgaścocuḥ śīghraṁ vai vyādhasattama asmākaṁ sārthakaṁ dehaṁ kuru tvaṁ hi kṛpāṁ kuru

The does and the buck said: "Quickly, O excellent hunter, make our bodies serve their purpose — show us your mercy!"

Verse 80 (shiva.kotirudra.40.80)

इति तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा व्याधो विस्मयमागतः । शिवपूजाप्रभावेण ज्ञानं दुर्लभमाप्तवान् ॥ 40.80 ॥

iti teṣāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā vyādho vismayamāgataḥ śivapūjāprabhāveṇa jñānaṁ durlabhamāptavān

Hearing their words, the hunter was struck with amazement; by the power of the worship of Shiva, he attained a rare and precious wisdom.

Verse 81 (shiva.kotirudra.40.81)

एते धन्या मृगाश्चैव ज्ञानहीनाः सुसम्मताः । स्वीयेनैव शरीरेण परोपकरणे रताः ॥ 40.81 ॥

ete dhanyā mṛgāścaiva jñānahīnāḥ susammatāḥ svīyenaiva śarīreṇa paropakaraṇe ratāḥ

"'These deer are truly blessed — devoid though they are of reason, they are yet most worthy, devoted through their very own bodies to the good of others.'"

Verse 82 (shiva.kotirudra.40.82)

मानुष्यं जन्म सम्प्राप्य साधितं किं मयाधुना । परकायं च सम्पीड्य शरीरं पोषितं मया ॥ 40.82 ॥

mānuṣyaṁ janma samprāpya sādhitaṁ kiṁ mayādhunā parakāyaṁ ca sampīḍya śarīraṁ poṣitaṁ mayā

"'Having obtained a human birth, what have I now accomplished? I have nourished my own body only by tormenting the bodies of others.'"

Verse 83 (shiva.kotirudra.40.83)

कुटुम्बं पोषितं नित्यं कृत्वा पापान्यनेकशः । एवं पापानि हा कृत्वा का गतिर्मे भविष्यति ॥ 40.83 ॥

kuṭumbaṁ poṣitaṁ nityaṁ kṛtvā pāpānyanekaśaḥ evaṁ pāpāni hā kṛtvā kā gatirme bhaviṣyati

"'I have sustained my family always by committing many sins; alas, having committed such sins, what fate awaits me?'"

Verse 84 (shiva.kotirudra.40.84)

कां वा गतिं गमिष्यामि पातकं जन्मतः कृतम् । इदानीं चिन्तयाम्येवं धिग् धिक् च जीवनं मम ॥ 40.84 ॥

kāṁ vā gatiṁ gamiṣyāmi pātakaṁ janmataḥ kṛtam idānīṁ cintayāmyevaṁ dhig dhik ca jīvanaṁ mama

"'To what state shall I go, having committed sin since my very birth? Now I think thus — shame, shame upon my life!'"

Verse 85 (shiva.kotirudra.40.85)

इति ज्ञानं समापन्नो बाणं संवारयंस्तदा । गम्यतां च मृगश्रेष्ठा धन्याः स्थ इति चाब्रवीत् ॥ 40.85 ॥

iti jñānaṁ samāpanno bāṇaṁ saṁvārayaṁstadā gamyatāṁ ca mṛgaśreṣṭhā dhanyāḥ stha iti cābravīt

Having attained this wisdom, he then withdrew his arrow, and said, "Go, O excellent deer, you are blessed."

Verse 86 (shiva.kotirudra.40.86)

इत्युक्ते च तदा तेन प्रसन्नः शङ्करस्तदा । पूजितं च स्वरूपं हि दर्शयामास सम्मतम् ॥ 40.86 ॥

ityukte ca tadā tena prasannaḥ śaṅkarastadā pūjitaṁ ca svarūpaṁ hi darśayāmāsa sammatam

When he had said this, Shankara, then pleased, revealed his own beloved form, thus worshipped, to him.

Verse 87 (shiva.kotirudra.40.87)

संस्पृश्य कृपया शम्भुस्तं व्याधं प्रीतितोऽब्रवीत् । वरं ब्रूहि प्रसन्नोऽस्मि व्रतेनानेन भिल्लक ॥ 40.87 ॥

saṁspṛśya kṛpayā śambhustaṁ vyādhaṁ prītito'bravīt varaṁ brūhi prasanno'smi vratenānena bhillaka

Touching him with compassion, Shambhu spoke lovingly to that hunter: "Ask a boon; I am pleased, O hunter, through this vow of yours."

Verse 88 (shiva.kotirudra.40.88)

व्याधोऽपि शिवरूपं च दृष्ट्वा मुक्तोऽभवत्क्षणात् । पपात शिवपादाग्रे सर्वं प्राप्तमिति बुवन् ॥ 40.88 ॥

vyādho'pi śivarūpaṁ ca dṛṣṭvā mukto'bhavatkṣaṇāt papāta śivapādāgre sarvaṁ prāptamiti buvan

The hunter too, seeing Shiva's form, was instantly freed; he fell before Shiva's feet, saying, "I have obtained everything."

Verse 89 (shiva.kotirudra.40.89)

शिवोऽपि सुप्रन्नात्मा नाम दत्वा गुहेति च । विलोक्य तं कृपादृष्ट्या तस्मै दिव्यान्वरानदात् ॥ 40.89 ॥

śivo'pi suprannātmā nāma datvā guheti ca vilokya taṁ kṛpādṛṣṭyā tasmai divyānvarānadāt

Shiva too, his mind well pleased, giving him the name "Guha," looked upon him with a glance of compassion, and gave him divine boons.

Verse 90 (shiva.kotirudra.40.90)

शिव उवाच । शृणु व्याधाद्य भोगांस्त्वं भुङ्क्ष्व दिव्यान्यथेप्सितान् । राजधानीं समाश्रित्य शृङ्गवेरपुरे पराम् ॥ 40.90 ॥

śiva uvāca śaṛṇu vyādhādya bhogāṁstvaṁ bhuṅkṣva divyānyathepsitān rājadhānīṁ samāśritya śaṛṅgaverapure parām

Shiva said: "Listen, O hunter, from today enjoy divine pleasures as you desire; you shall dwell in the supreme capital city, Shringaverapura."

Verse 91 (shiva.kotirudra.40.91)

अनपाया वंशवृद्धिः श्लाघनीयः सुरैरपि । गृहे रामस्तव व्याध समायास्यति निश्चितम् ॥ 40.91 ॥

anapāyā vaṁśavṛddhiḥ ślāghanīyaḥ surairapi gṛhe rāmastava vyādha samāyāsyati niścitam

"Your lineage shall increase without decline, praiseworthy even by the gods; O hunter, Shri Rama shall surely come to your house."

Verse 92 (shiva.kotirudra.40.92)

करिष्यति त्वया मैत्रीं मद्भक्तस्नेहकारकः । मत्सेवासक्तचेतास्त्वं मुक्तिं यास्यसि दुर्लभाम् ॥ 40.92 ॥

kariṣyati tvayā maitrīṁ madbhaktasnehakārakaḥ matsevāsaktacetāstvaṁ muktiṁ yāsyasi durlabhām

"He, who shows affection to my devotees, shall make friendship with you; and you, your mind devoted to my service, shall attain the liberation so hard to reach."

Verse 93 (shiva.kotirudra.40.93)

सूत उवाच । एतस्मिन्नन्तरे ते तु कृत्वा शङ्करदर्शनम् । सर्वे प्रणम्य सन्मुक्तिं मृगयोनेः प्रपेदिरे ॥ 40.93 ॥

sūta uvāca etasminnantare te tu kṛtvā śaṅkaradarśanam sarve praṇamya sanmuktiṁ mṛgayoneḥ prapedire

Suta said: Meanwhile, they, having had the vision of Shankara, all bowed and thereby attained true liberation from their deer-birth.

Verse 94 (shiva.kotirudra.40.94)

विमानं च समारुह्य दिव्यदेहा गतास्तदा । शिवदर्शनमात्रेण शापान्मुक्ता दिवं गताः ॥ 40.94 ॥

vimānaṁ ca samāruhya divyadehā gatāstadā śivadarśanamātreṇa śāpānmuktā divaṁ gatāḥ

Mounting a celestial chariot, having attained divine bodies, they departed; by the mere sight of Shiva they were freed from their curse and went to heaven.

Verse 95 (shiva.kotirudra.40.95)

व्याधेश्वरः शिवो जातः पर्वते ह्यर्बुदाचले । दर्शनात्पूजनात्सद्यो भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायकः ॥ 40.95 ॥

vyādheśvaraḥ śivo jātaḥ parvate hyarbudācale darśanātpūjanātsadyo bhuktimuktipradāyakaḥ

Shiva became known there as Vyadheshvara, on Mount Arbuda; by mere sight and worship of him, he instantly grants both enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 96 (shiva.kotirudra.40.96)

व्याधोऽपि तद्दिनान्नूनं भोगान्स भूसुरसत्तमाः । भुक्त्वा रामकृपां प्राप्य शिवसायुज्यमाप्तवान् ॥ 40.96 ॥

vyādho'pi taddinānnūnaṁ bhogānsa bhūsurasattamāḥ bhuktvā rāmakṛpāṁ prāpya śivasāyujyamāptavān

O best of brahmins, the hunter too, from that day, having enjoyed worldly pleasures, and having obtained Rama's grace, attained union with Shiva.

Verse 97 (shiva.kotirudra.40.97)

अज्ञानात्स व्रतं चैतत् कृत्वा सायुज्यमाप्तवान् । किं पुनर्भक्तिसम्पन्ना यान्ति तन्मयतां शुभाम् ॥ 40.97 ॥

ajñānātsa vrataṁ caitat kṛtvā sāyujyamāptavān kiṁ punarbhaktisampannā yānti tanmayatāṁ śubhām

Having performed this vow even out of ignorance, he attained union with Shiva — how much more, then, do those endowed with devotion attain that blessed absorption in him?

Verse 98 (shiva.kotirudra.40.98)

विचार्य सर्वशास्त्राणि धर्मांश्चैवाप्यनेकशः । शिवरात्रिव्रतमिदं सर्वोत्कृष्टं प्रकीर्तितम् ॥ 40.98 ॥

vicārya sarvaśāstrāṇi dharmāṁścaivāpyanekaśaḥ śivarātrivratamidaṁ sarvotkṛṣṭaṁ prakīrtitam

Having considered all the scriptures and the many forms of dharma, this Shivaratri vow is declared to be the supreme among them all.

Verse 99 (shiva.kotirudra.40.99)

व्रतानि विविधान्यत्र तीर्थानि विविधानि च । दानानि च विचित्राणि मखाश्च विविधास्तथा ॥ 40.99 ॥

vratāni vividhānyatra tīrthāni vividhāni ca dānāni ca vicitrāṇi makhāśca vividhāstathā

The various other vows here, the various sacred crossings, the manifold gifts, and likewise the various sacrifices —

Verse 100 (shiva.kotirudra.40.100)

तपांसि विविधान्येव जपाश्चैवाप्यनेकशः । नैतेन समतां यान्ति शिवरात्रिव्रतेन च ॥ 40.100 ॥

tapāṁsi vividhānyeva japāścaivāpyanekaśaḥ naitena samatāṁ yānti śivarātrivratena ca

"— the various austerities, and the many kinds of recitation — none of these attain equality with this Shivaratri vow."

Verse 101 (shiva.kotirudra.40.101)

तस्माच्छुभतरं चैतत्कर्तव्यं हितमीप्सुभिः । शिवरात्रिव्रतं दिव्यं भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं सदा ॥ 40.101 ॥

tasmācchubhataraṁ caitatkartavyaṁ hitamīpsubhiḥ śivarātrivrataṁ divyaṁ bhuktimuktipradaṁ sadā

"Therefore this most auspicious, divine Shivaratri vow, which ever grants both enjoyment and liberation, should be performed by those who desire their own true good."

Verse 102 (shiva.kotirudra.40.102)

एतत्सर्वं समाख्यातं शिवरात्रिव्रतं शुभम् । व्रतराजेति विख्यातं किमन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥ 40.102 ॥

etatsarvaṁ samākhyātaṁ śivarātrivrataṁ śubham vratarājeti vikhyātaṁ kimanyacchrotumicchasi

Thus have I told you everything about this auspicious Shivaratri vow, renowned as the very "king of vows." What else do you wish to hear?