The Birth of Vyasa

Verse 1 (shiva.uma.44.1)

मुनय ऊचुः । व्यासोत्पत्तिं महाबुद्धे ब्रूहि सूत दयानिधे । कृपया परया स्वामिन् कृतार्थान्नः कुरु प्रभो

munaya ūcuḥ vyāsotpattiṁ mahābuddhe brūhi sūta dayānidhe kṛpayā parayā svāmin kṛtārthānnaḥ kuru prabho

The sages said: O greatly wise one, O treasury of compassion, Suta, tell us of the birth of Vyasa; O lord, O master, out of your supreme grace, make us fulfilled.

Verse 2 (shiva.uma.44.2)

व्यासस्य जननी प्रोक्ता नाम्ना सत्यवती शुभा । विवाहिता तु सा देवी राज्ञा शन्तनुना किल

vyāsasya jananī proktā nāmnā satyavatī śubhā vivāhitā tu sā devī rājñā śantanunā kila

Vyasa's mother is said to have been the fair Satyavati; that lady, we are told, was married to King Shantanu.

Verse 3 (shiva.uma.44.3)

तस्यां जातो महायोगी कथं व्यासः पराशरात् । सन्देहोऽत्र महाञ्जातस्तं भवाञ्छेत्तुमर्हति

tasyāṁ jāto mahāyogī kathaṁ vyāsaḥ parāśarāt sandeho'tra mahāñjātastaṁ bhavāñchettumarhati

How then was the great yogi Vyasa born to her from Parashara? A great doubt has arisen in us on this matter, and you alone are fit to dispel it.

Verse 4 (shiva.uma.44.4)

सूत उवाच । एकदा तीर्थयात्रायां व्रजन्योगी पराशरः । यदृच्छयागतो रम्यं यमुनायास्तटं शुभम्

sūta uvāca ekadā tīrthayātrāyāṁ vrajanyogī parāśaraḥ yadṛcchayāgato ramyaṁ yamunāyāstaṭaṁ śubham

Suta said: Once, while journeying on pilgrimage, the yogi Parashara chanced to arrive at the lovely and auspicious bank of the Yamuna.

Verse 5 (shiva.uma.44.5)

निषादमाह धर्मात्मा कुर्वन्तं भोजनं तदा । नयस्व यमुनापारं जलयानेन मामरम्

niṣādamāha dharmātmā kurvantaṁ bhojanaṁ tadā nayasva yamunāpāraṁ jalayānena māmaram

There the righteous Parashara said to a fisherman who was then taking his meal: "Ferry me across the Yamuna by boat."

Verse 6 (shiva.uma.44.6)

इत्युक्तो मुनिना तेन निषादः स्वसुतां जगौ । मत्स्यगन्धाममुं बाले पारं नावा नय द्रुतम्

ityukto muninā tena niṣādaḥ svasutāṁ jagau matsyagandhāmamuṁ bāle pāraṁ nāvā naya drutam

So addressed by the sage, the fisherman said to his daughter: "O girl Matsyagandhā, quickly ferry this man across by boat.

Verse 7 (shiva.uma.44.7)

तापसोऽयं महाभागे दृश्यन्तीगर्भसम्भवः । तितीर्षुरस्ति धर्माब्धिश्चतुराम्नायपारगः

tāpaso'yaṁ mahābhāge dṛśyantīgarbhasambhavaḥ titīrṣurasti dharmābdhiścaturāmnāyapāragaḥ

O fortunate one, this ascetic, born of Dṛṣyantī's womb, an ocean of dharma, master of all four Vedas, wishes to cross the river."

Verse 8 (shiva.uma.44.8)

इति विज्ञापिता पित्रा मत्स्यगन्धा महामुनिम् । संवाहयति नौकायामासीनं सूर्यरोचिषम्

iti vijñāpitā pitrā matsyagandhā mahāmunim saṁvāhayati naukāyāmāsīnaṁ sūryarociṣam

Thus instructed by her father, Matsyagandhā began to row the boat, carrying that great sage — seated within it, radiant as the sun — across the river.

Verse 9 (shiva.uma.44.9)

कालयोगान्महायोगी तस्यां कामातुरोऽभवत् । दृष्ट्वा योऽप्सरसां रूपं न कदापि विमोहितः

kālayogānmahāyogī tasyāṁ kāmāturo'bhavat dṛṣṭvā yo'psarasāṁ rūpaṁ na kadāpi vimohitaḥ

Then, by the working of time, that great yogi — who had never been moved even by the beauty of celestial nymphs — became overcome with desire for her.

Verse 10 (shiva.uma.44.10)

ग्रहीतुकामः स मुनिर्दाशकन्यां मनोहराम् । दक्षिणेन करेणैतामस्पृशद्दक्षिणे करे

grahītukāmaḥ sa munirdāśakanyāṁ manoharām dakṣiṇena kareṇaitāmaspṛśaddakṣiṇe kare

Wishing to take hold of that charming fisher-girl, the sage touched her right hand with his own right hand.

Verse 11 (shiva.uma.44.11)

तमुवाच विशालाक्षी वचनं स्मितपूर्वकम् । किमिदं क्रियते कर्म वाचंयमविगर्हितम्

tamuvāca viśālākṣī vacanaṁ smitapūrvakam kimidaṁ kriyate karma vācaṁyamavigarhitam

That large-eyed girl, smiling, said to him: "What is this act you are doing — one condemned even for those who keep silent vows?

Verse 12 (shiva.uma.44.12)

वसिष्ठस्य कुले रम्ये त्वं जातोऽसि महामते । निषादजा त्वहं ब्रह्मन् कथं सङ्गो घटेत नौ

vasiṣṭhasya kule ramye tvaṁ jāto'si mahāmate niṣādajā tvahaṁ brahman kathaṁ saṅgo ghaṭeta nau

O great-minded one, you were born into the fair lineage of Vasishtha; but I am a fisherman's daughter, O brahmin — how can there be union between us two?

Verse 13 (shiva.uma.44.13)

दुर्लभं मानुषं जन्म ब्राह्मणत्वं विशेषतः । तत्रापि तापसत्वं च दुर्लभं मुनिसत्तम

durlabhaṁ mānuṣaṁ janma brāhmaṇatvaṁ viśeṣataḥ tatrāpi tāpasatvaṁ ca durlabhaṁ munisattama

Rare indeed is human birth, and rarer still, brahminhood; and rarer yet, within that, the state of an ascetic, O best of sages.

Verse 14 (shiva.uma.44.14)

विद्यया वपुषा वाचा कुलशीलेन चान्वितः । कामबाणवशं यातो महदाश्चर्यमत्र हि

vidyayā vapuṣā vācā kulaśīlena cānvitaḥ kāmabāṇavaśaṁ yāto mahadāścaryamatra hi

Endowed as you are with learning, with body, with speech, and with lineage and character, that you have fallen under the sway of the arrow of desire — this indeed is a great wonder here.

Verse 15 (shiva.uma.44.15)

प्रवृत्तमप्यसत्कर्म कर्तुमेनं न कोऽपि ह । भुवि वारयितुं शक्तः शापभीत्यास्य योगिनः

pravṛttamapyasatkarma kartumenaṁ na ko'pi ha bhuvi vārayituṁ śaktaḥ śāpabhītyāsya yoginaḥ

No one on this earth, for fear of your curse, is able to stop this yogi from carrying out this ill deed once it has begun."

Verse 16 (shiva.uma.44.16)

इति सञ्चिन्त्य हृदये निजगाद महामुनिम् । तावद्धैर्यं कुरु स्वामिन्यावत्त्वां पारयामि न

iti sañcintya hṛdaye nijagāda mahāmunim tāvaddhairyaṁ kuru svāminyāvattvāṁ pārayāmi na

Thinking thus in her heart, she said to that great sage: "O lord, hold your patience until such time as I have carried you across."

Verse 17 (shiva.uma.44.17)

सूत उवाच । इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्या योगिराजः पराशरः । तत्याज पाणिं तरसा सिन्धोः पारं गतः पुनः

sūta uvāca iti śrutvā vacastasyā yogirājaḥ parāśaraḥ tatyāja pāṇiṁ tarasā sindhoḥ pāraṁ gataḥ punaḥ

Suta said: Hearing her words, Parashara, king of yogis, swiftly withdrew his hand, and they reached the far bank of the river once more.

Verse 18 (shiva.uma.44.18)

पुनर्जग्राह तां बालां मुनिंः कामप्रपीडितः । कम्पमाना तु सा बाला तमुवाच दयानिधिम्

punarjagrāha tāṁ bālāṁ muniṁḥ kāmaprapīḍitaḥ kampamānā tu sā bālā tamuvāca dayānidhim

Tormented by desire, the sage seized the girl once again; and trembling, that girl said to that ocean of compassion:

Verse 19 (shiva.uma.44.19)

दुर्गन्धाहं मुनिश्रेष्ठ कृष्णवर्णा निषादजा । भवांस्तु परमोदारविचारो योगिसत्तमः

durgandhāhaṁ muniśreṣṭha kṛṣṇavarṇā niṣādajā bhavāṁstu paramodāravicāro yogisattamaḥ

"O best of sages, I am a foul-smelling, dark-hued fisherman's daughter, while you are the noblest and most large-hearted of yogis.

Verse 20 (shiva.uma.44.20)

नावयोर्घटते सङ्गो काचकाञ्चनयोरिव । तुल्यजात्याकृतिकयोः सङ्गः सौख्यप्रदो भवेत्

nāvayorghaṭate saṅgo kācakāñcanayoriva tulyajātyākṛtikayoḥ saṅgaḥ saukhyaprado bhavet

Union between us two does not befit — as with glass and gold; only union between those alike in birth and form brings true happiness."

Verse 21 (shiva.uma.44.21)

इत्युक्तेन तया तेन क्षणमात्रेण कामिनी । कृता योजनगन्धा तु रम्यरूपा मनोरमा

ityuktena tayā tena kṣaṇamātreṇa kāminī kṛtā yojanagandhā tu ramyarūpā manoramā

At her saying this, the sage, that very instant, made that maiden fragrant for a league around and gave her a lovely, enchanting form.

Verse 22 (shiva.uma.44.22)

पुनर्जग्राह तां बालां स मुनिः कामपीडितः । ग्रहीतुकामं तं दृष्ट्वा पुनः प्रोवाच वासवी

punarjagrāha tāṁ bālāṁ sa muniḥ kāmapīḍitaḥ grahītukāmaṁ taṁ dṛṣṭvā punaḥ provāca vāsavī

Still tormented by desire, the sage seized the girl once more; and seeing his intention to take her, that fisherman's daughter spoke again:

Verse 23 (shiva.uma.44.23)

रात्रौ व्यवायः कर्तव्यो न दिवेति श्रुतिर्जगौ । दिवासङ्गे महान्दोषो निन्दा चापि दुरासदा

rātrau vyavāyaḥ kartavyo na diveti śrutirjagau divāsaṅge mahāndoṣo nindā cāpi durāsadā

"The Veda declares that union should be at night, not by day; there is grave fault in daytime union, and its censure too is unbearable.

Verse 24 (shiva.uma.44.24)

तस्मात्तावत्प्रतीक्षस्व यावद्भवति यामिनी । पश्यन्ति मानवाश्चात्र पिता मे च तटे स्थितः

tasmāttāvatpratīkṣasva yāvadbhavati yāminī paśyanti mānavāścātra pitā me ca taṭe sthitaḥ

Therefore wait until night falls; for here people can see us, and my father too stands upon the bank."

Verse 25 (shiva.uma.44.25)

तयोक्तमिदमाकर्ण्य वचनं मुनिपुङ्गवः । नीहारं कल्पयामास सद्यः पुण्यबलेन वै

tayoktamidamākarṇya vacanaṁ munipuṅgavaḥ nīhāraṁ kalpayāmāsa sadyaḥ puṇyabalena vai

Hearing these words of hers, that foremost of sages, by the power of his merit, immediately conjured up a dense mist.

Verse 26 (shiva.uma.44.26)

नीहारे च समुत्पन्ने तमसा रात्रिसन्निभे । व्यवायचकिता बाला पुनः प्रोवाच तं मुनिम्

nīhāre ca samutpanne tamasā rātrisannibhe vyavāyacakitā bālā punaḥ provāca taṁ munim

When that mist had arisen, dark as night with gloom, that girl, still fearful of union, spoke again to the sage:

Verse 27 (shiva.uma.44.27)

योगिन्नमोघवीर्यस्त्वं भुक्त्वा गन्तासि मां यदि । सगर्भा स्यां तदा स्वामिन्का गतिर्मे भवेदिति

yoginnamoghavīryastvaṁ bhuktvā gantāsi māṁ yadi sagarbhā syāṁ tadā svāminkā gatirme bhavediti

"O yogi, your seed is never in vain; if, having enjoyed me, you depart, and I am left with child, then, O lord, what refuge shall be mine?

Verse 28 (shiva.uma.44.28)

कन्याव्रतं महाबुद्धे मम नष्टं भविष्यति । हसिष्यन्ति तदा लोकाः पितरं किं ब्रवीम्यहम्

kanyāvrataṁ mahābuddhe mama naṣṭaṁ bhaviṣyati hasiṣyanti tadā lokāḥ pitaraṁ kiṁ bravīmyaham

O greatly wise one, my maidenly vow too will be destroyed; then people will mock me — what shall I say to my own father?"

Verse 29 (shiva.uma.44.29)

पराशर उवाच । रम बाले मया सार्धं स्वच्छन्दं कामजै रसैः । स्वीयाभिलाषमाख्याहि पूरयाम्यधुना प्रिये

parāśara uvāca rama bāle mayā sārdhaṁ svacchandaṁ kāmajai rasaiḥ svīyābhilāṣamākhyāhi pūrayāmyadhunā priye

Parashara said: "O girl, take your pleasure with me freely in the delights of desire; O beloved, tell me your own wish, and I shall fulfil it this very moment.

Verse 30 (shiva.uma.44.30)

मदाज्ञासत्यकरणान्नाम्ना सत्यवती भव । वन्दनीया तथाशेषैर्योगिभिस्त्रिदशैरपि

madājñāsatyakaraṇānnāmnā satyavatī bhava vandanīyā tathāśeṣairyogibhistridaśairapi

Because my word shall thereby be made true, you shall be named 'Satyavatī,' and you shall become worthy of veneration by all yogis and even by the gods."

Verse 31 (shiva.uma.44.31)

सत्यवत्युवाच । जानते न पिता माता न वान्ये भुवि मानवाः । कन्याधर्मो न मे हन्याद्यदि स्वीकुरु मां तदा

satyavatyuvāca jānate na pitā mātā na vānye bhuvi mānavāḥ kanyādharmo na me hanyādyadi svīkuru māṁ tadā

Satyavatī said: "Let neither my father know of this, nor my mother, nor any other person on earth; if my maidenly integrity remains unimpaired, then accept me.

Verse 32 (shiva.uma.44.32)

पुत्रश्च त्वत्समो नाथ भवेदद्भुतशक्तिमान् । सौगन्ध्यं सर्वदाङ्गे मे तारुण्यं च नवं नवम्

putraśca tvatsamo nātha bhavedadbhutaśaktimān saugandhyaṁ sarvadāṅge me tāruṇyaṁ ca navaṁ navam

O lord, may my son be endowed with wondrous power like yourself, and may there be, in my body, fragrance always and youth ever new."

Verse 33 (shiva.uma.44.33)

पराशर उवाच । शृणु प्रिये तवाभीष्टं सर्वं पूर्णं भविष्यति । विष्ण्वंशसम्भवः पुत्रो भविता ते महायशाः

parāśara uvāca śṛṇu priye tavābhīṣṭaṁ sarvaṁ pūrṇaṁ bhaviṣyati viṣṇvaṁśasambhavaḥ putro bhavitā te mahāyaśāḥ

Parashara said: "Listen, O beloved, all your wishes shall be fulfilled; your son shall be born of a portion of Vishnu, and shall be of great renown.

Verse 34 (shiva.uma.44.34)

किञ्चिद्वै कारणं विद्धि यतोऽहं कामपीडितः । दृष्ट्वा चाप्सरसां रूपं नामुह्यन्मे मनः क्वचित्

kiñcidvai kāraṇaṁ viddhi yato'haṁ kāmapīḍitaḥ dṛṣṭvā cāpsarasāṁ rūpaṁ nāmuhyanme manaḥ kvacit

Know too that there is some cause for why I became overwhelmed by desire — for my mind was never moved even at the sight of the beauty of celestial nymphs.

Verse 35 (shiva.uma.44.35)

मीनगन्धां समालक्ष्य त्वां मोहवशगोऽभवम् । न बाले भालपट्टस्थो ब्रह्मलेखोऽन्यथा भवेत्

mīnagandhāṁ samālakṣya tvāṁ mohavaśago'bhavam na bāle bhālapaṭṭastho brahmalekho'nyathā bhavet

It was your fishy fragrance alone, O girl, that overcame me with delusion — for otherwise the writing of destiny fixed upon my brow could never have been otherwise.

Verse 36 (shiva.uma.44.36)

पुराणकर्ता पुत्रस्ते वेदशाखाविभागकृत् । भविष्यति वरारोहे ख्यातकीर्तिर्जगत्त्रये

purāṇakartā putraste vedaśākhāvibhāgakṛt bhaviṣyati varārohe khyātakīrtirjagattraye

O fair-limbed one, your son shall be the author of the Puranas, the divider of the branches of the Veda, and shall have renown celebrated in all three worlds."

Verse 37 (shiva.uma.44.37)

इत्युक्त्वा तां सुरम्याङ्गीं भुक्त्वा योगविशारदः । वव्राज शीघ्रं यमुनाजले स्नात्वा महामुने

ityuktvā tāṁ suramyāṅgīṁ bhuktvā yogaviśāradaḥ vavrāja śīghraṁ yamunājale snātvā mahāmune

So saying, Parashara, skilled in yoga, united with that lovely-limbed maiden, and, having bathed at once in the waters of the Yamuna, O great sage, he swiftly departed.

Verse 38 (shiva.uma.44.38)

सापि गर्भं दधाराशु द्वादशात्मसमप्रभम् । असूत सूर्यजाद्वीपे कामदेवमिवात्मजम्

sāpi garbhaṁ dadhārāśu dvādaśātmasamaprabham asūta sūryajādvīpe kāmadevamivātmajam

She too immediately conceived a child of splendour equal to the twelve suns; and, upon an island, she gave birth to that son, radiant as the god of love, Kāmadeva.

Verse 39 (shiva.uma.44.39)

वामे कमण्डलुं बिभ्रद्दक्षिणे दण्डमुत्तमम् । पिशङ्गीभिर्जटाभिश्च राजितो महसां चयः

vāme kamaṇḍaluṁ bibhraddakṣiṇe daṇḍamuttamam piśaṅgībhirjaṭābhiśca rājito mahasāṁ cayaḥ

Bearing a water-pot in his left hand and an excellent staff in his right, adorned with tawny matted locks, that mass of splendour shone forth.

Verse 40 (shiva.uma.44.40)

जातमात्रस्तु तेजस्वी मातरं प्रत्यभाषत । गच्छ मातर्यथाकामं गच्छाम्यहमतः परम्

jātamātrastu tejasvī mātaraṁ pratyabhāṣata gaccha mātaryathākāmaṁ gacchāmyahamataḥ param

As soon as he was born, that radiant child spoke to his mother: "Go, O mother, as you wish; I now depart from here onward.

Verse 41 (shiva.uma.44.41)

मातर्यदा भवेत्कार्यं तव किञ्चिद् हृदीप्सितम् । संस्मृतश्चागमिष्यामि त्वदिच्छापूर्तिहेतवे

mātaryadā bhavetkāryaṁ tava kiñcid hṛdīpsitam saṁsmṛtaścāgamiṣyāmi tvadicchāpūrtihetave

O mother, whenever any desire arises in your heart, I shall come the moment you remember me, for the fulfilment of your wish."

Verse 42 (shiva.uma.44.42)

इत्युक्त्वा मातृचरणावभिवाद्य तपोनिधिः । जगाम च तपः कर्तुं तीर्थं पापविशोधनम्

ityuktvā mātṛcaraṇāvabhivādya taponidhiḥ jagāma ca tapaḥ kartuṁ tīrthaṁ pāpaviśodhanam

So saying, that treasury of austerity, having bowed at his mother's feet, set out for a sacred ford that cleanses sin, to practise austerity.

Verse 43 (shiva.uma.44.43)

सापि पित्रन्तिकं याता पुत्रस्नेहाकुला सती । स्मरन्ती चरितं सूनोर्वर्णयन्ती स्वभाग्यकम्

sāpi pitrantikaṁ yātā putrasnehākulā satī smarantī caritaṁ sūnorvarṇayantī svabhāgyakam

That virtuous woman too, distraught with a mother's love, went to her father, recalling her son's life and recounting her own good fortune.

Verse 44 (shiva.uma.44.44)

द्वीपे जातो यतो बालस्तेन द्वैपायनोऽभवत् । वेदशाखाविभजनाद्वेदव्यासः प्रकीर्तितः

dvīpe jāto yato bālastena dvaipāyano'bhavat vedaśākhāvibhajanādvedavyāsaḥ prakīrtitaḥ

Because that child was born on an island (dvīpa), he became known as 'Dvaipāyana'; and because he divided the branches of the Veda, he was celebrated by the name 'Veda Vyāsa.'

Verse 45 (shiva.uma.44.45)

तीर्थराजं प्रथमतो धर्मकामार्थमोक्षदम् । नैमिषं च कुरुक्षेत्रं गङ्गाद्वारमवन्तिकाम्

tīrtharājaṁ prathamato dharmakāmārthamokṣadam naimiṣaṁ ca kurukṣetraṁ gaṅgādvāramavantikām

First to Prayāga, the king of sacred fords, bestower of dharma, artha, kāma and moksha, then to Naimisha, Kurukshetra, Gangādvāra and Avantikā,

Verse 46 (shiva.uma.44.46)

अयोध्यां मथुरां चैव द्वारकाममरावतीम् । सरस्वतीं सिन्धुसङ्गं गङ्गासागरसङ्गमम्

ayodhyāṁ mathurāṁ caiva dvārakāmamarāvatīm sarasvatīṁ sindhusaṅgaṁ gaṅgāsāgarasaṅgamam

to Ayodhyā, Mathurā, Dvārakā and Amarāvatī, to the confluence of the Sarasvatī and Sindhu, and to the meeting of the Ganges with the sea,

Verse 47 (shiva.uma.44.47)

काञ्चीं च त्र्यम्बकं चापि सप्तगोदावरीतटम् । कालञ्जरं प्रभासं च तथा बदरिकाश्रमम्

kāñcīṁ ca tryambakaṁ cāpi saptagodāvarītaṭam kālañjaraṁ prabhāsaṁ ca tathā badarikāśramam

to Kāñchī and Tryambaka, to the bank of the seven Godāvarīs, to Kālanjara, Prabhāsa, and Badarikāśrama also,

Verse 48 (shiva.uma.44.48)

महालयं तथोङ्कारक्षेत्रं वै पुरुषोत्तमम् । गोकर्णं भृगुकच्छं च भृगुतुङ्गं च पुष्करम्

mahālayaṁ tathoṅkārakṣetraṁ vai puruṣottamam gokarṇaṁ bhṛgukacchaṁ ca bhṛgutuṅgaṁ ca puṣkaram

to Mahālaya, the field of Onkāra, Purushottama, Gokarna, Bhṛgukaccha, Bhṛgutunga, and Pushkara,

Verse 49 (shiva.uma.44.49)

श्रीपर्वतादितीर्थानि धारातीर्थं तथैव च । गत्वावगाह्य विधिना चचार परमं तपः

śrīparvatāditīrthāni dhārātīrthaṁ tathaiva ca gatvāvagāhya vidhinā cacāra paramaṁ tapaḥ

to Śrīparvata and other sacred fords, and to Dhārā-tīrtha as well — going to each of these, and bathing according to rite, he practised the highest austerity.

Verse 50 (shiva.uma.44.50)

एवं तीर्थान्यनेकानि नानादेशस्थितानि ह । पर्यटन्कालिकासूनुः प्रापद्वाराणसीं पुरीम्

evaṁ tīrthānyanekāni nānādeśasthitāni ha paryaṭankālikāsūnuḥ prāpadvārāṇasīṁ purīm

Thus, wandering through many sacred fords situated in various lands, that son of Kālikā (Satyavatī's son, Vyāsa) reached the city of Vārāṇasī,

Verse 51 (shiva.uma.44.51)

यत्र विश्वेश्वरः साक्षादन्नपूर्णा महेश्वरी । भक्तानाममृतं दातुं विराजेते कृपानिधी

yatra viśveśvaraḥ sākṣādannapūrṇā maheśvarī bhaktānāmamṛtaṁ dātuṁ virājete kṛpānidhī

where Vishveshvara himself and the great goddess Annapūrṇā, both oceans of compassion, dwell ever ready to bestow immortal nectar upon their devotees.

Verse 52 (shiva.uma.44.52)

प्राप्य वाराणसीतीर्थं दृष्ट्वाथ मणिकर्णिकाम् । कोटिजन्मार्जितं पापं तत्याज स मुनीश्वरः

prāpya vārāṇasītīrthaṁ dṛṣṭvātha maṇikarṇikām koṭijanmārjitaṁ pāpaṁ tatyāja sa munīśvaraḥ

Having reached the sacred site of Vārāṇasī and beheld Manikarṇikā, that lord of sages cast off the sin accumulated over millions of births.

Verse 53 (shiva.uma.44.53)

दृष्ट्वा लिङ्गानि सर्वाणि विश्वेशप्रमुखानि च । स्नात्वा सर्वेषु कुण्डेषु वापीकूपसरःसु च

dṛṣṭvā liṅgāni sarvāṇi viśveśapramukhāni ca snātvā sarveṣu kuṇḍeṣu vāpīkūpasaraḥsu ca

Having beheld all the lingas, foremost among them Vishvesha, and having bathed in every consecrated pool, stepwell, well and lake,

Verse 54 (shiva.uma.44.54)

नत्वा विनायकान्सर्वान्गौरीः सर्वाः प्रणम्य च । सम्पूज्य कालराजं च भैरवं पापभक्षणम्

natvā vināyakānsarvāngaurīḥ sarvāḥ praṇamya ca sampūjya kālarājaṁ ca bhairavaṁ pāpabhakṣaṇam

having bowed to all the forms of Ganesha, saluted all the forms of Gauri, and worshipped Kālarāja and Bhairava, the devourer of sin,

Verse 55 (shiva.uma.44.55)

दण्डनायकमुख्यांश्च गणान्स्तुत्वा प्रयत्नतः । आदिकेशवमुख्यांश्च केशवान्परितोष्य च

daṇḍanāyakamukhyāṁśca gaṇānstutvā prayatnataḥ ādikeśavamukhyāṁśca keśavānparitoṣya ca

having diligently praised Daṇḍanāyaka and the other chief attendant gaṇas, and having satisfied the forms of Keshava headed by Ādikeśava,

Verse 56 (shiva.uma.44.56)

लोलार्कमुख्यसूर्यांश्च प्रणम्य च पुनःपुनः । कृत्वा पिण्डप्रदानानि सर्वतीर्थेष्वतन्द्रितः

lolārkamukhyasūryāṁśca praṇamya ca punaḥpunaḥ kṛtvā piṇḍapradānāni sarvatīrtheṣvatandritaḥ

having again and again bowed to Lolārka and the other chief forms of the sun, and having tirelessly offered the ancestral rice-balls at every sacred ford,

Verse 57 (shiva.uma.44.57)

स्थापयामास पुण्यात्मा लिङ्गं व्यासेश्वराभिधम् । यद्दर्शनाद्भवेद्विप्रा नरो विद्यासु वाक्पतिः

sthāpayāmāsa puṇyātmā liṅgaṁ vyāseśvarābhidham yaddarśanādbhavedviprā naro vidyāsu vākpatiḥ

that virtuous soul established a linga named 'Vyāseśvara', by the mere sight of which, O brahmins, a man becomes a master of speech in all branches of learning.

Verse 58 (shiva.uma.44.58)

लिङ्गान्यभ्यर्च्य विश्वेशप्रमुखानि सुभक्तितः । असकृच्चिन्तयामास किं लिङ्गं क्षिप्रसिद्धिदम्

liṅgānyabhyarcya viśveśapramukhāni subhaktitaḥ asakṛccintayāmāsa kiṁ liṅgaṁ kṣiprasiddhidam

Having worshipped, with true devotion, all the lingas headed by Vishvesha, he pondered again and again: "Which linga bestows swift accomplishment —

Verse 59 (shiva.uma.44.59)

यमाराध्य महादेवं विद्याः सर्वा लभेमहि । पुराणकर्तृताशक्तिर्ममास्तु यदनुग्रहात्

yamārādhya mahādevaṁ vidyāḥ sarvā labhemahi purāṇakartṛtāśaktirmamāstu yadanugrahāt

worshipping which Mahādeva might we obtain all learning, by whose grace might I gain the power to compose the Puranas?

Verse 60 (shiva.uma.44.60)

श्रीमदोङ्कारनाथं वा कृत्तिवासेश्वरं किमु । केदारेशं तु कामेशं चन्द्रेशं वा त्रिलोचनम्

śrīmadoṅkāranāthaṁ vā kṛttivāseśvaraṁ kimu kedāreśaṁ tu kāmeśaṁ candreśaṁ vā trilocanam

Should it be glorious Onkāranātha, or Kṛttivāseśvara? Or Kedāreśa, Kāmeśa, Chandreśa, or Trilochana?

Verse 61 (shiva.uma.44.61)

कालेशं वृद्धकालेशं कलशेश्वरमेव वा । ज्येष्ठेशं जम्बुकेशं वा जैगीषव्येश्वरं तु वा

kāleśaṁ vṛddhakāleśaṁ kalaśeśvarameva vā jyeṣṭheśaṁ jambukeśaṁ vā jaigīṣavyeśvaraṁ tu vā

Kāleśa, Vṛddhakāleśa, or Kalasheśvara? Jyeshṭheśa, Jambukeśa, or Jaigīshavyeśvara?

Verse 62 (shiva.uma.44.62)

दशाश्वमेधमीशानं द्रुमचण्डेशमेव वा । दृक्केशं गरुडेशं वा गोकर्णेशं गणेश्वरम्

daśāśvamedhamīśānaṁ drumacaṇḍeśameva vā dṛkkeśaṁ garuḍeśaṁ vā gokarṇeśaṁ gaṇeśvaram

Daśāśvamedheśāna, or Drumachaṇḍeśa? Dṛkkeśa, Garuḍeśa, or Gokarṇeśa and Gaṇeśvara?

Verse 63 (shiva.uma.44.63)

प्रसन्नवदनेशं वा धर्मेशं तारकेश्वरम् । नन्दिकेशं निवासेशं पत्रीशं प्रीतिकेश्वरम्

prasannavadaneśaṁ vā dharmeśaṁ tārakeśvaram nandikeśaṁ nivāseśaṁ patrīśaṁ prītikeśvaram

Prasannavadaneśa, Dharmeśa, or Tārakeśvara? Nandikeśa, Nivāseśa, Patrīśa, or Prītikeśvara?

Verse 64 (shiva.uma.44.64)

पर्वतेशं पशुपतिं हाटकेश्वरमेव वा । बृहस्पतीश्वरं वाथ तिलभाण्डेशमेव वा

parvateśaṁ paśupatiṁ hāṭakeśvarameva vā bṛhaspatīśvaraṁ vātha tilabhāṇḍeśameva vā

Parvateśa, Paśupati, or Hāṭakeśvara? Bṛhaspatīśvara, or Tilabhāṇḍeśa?

Verse 65 (shiva.uma.44.65)

भारभूतेश्वरं किं वा महालक्ष्मीश्वरं तु वा । मरुतेशं तु मोक्षेशं गङ्गेशं नर्मदेश्वरम्

bhārabhūteśvaraṁ kiṁ vā mahālakṣmīśvaraṁ tu vā maruteśaṁ tu mokṣeśaṁ gaṅgeśaṁ narmadeśvaram

Bhārabhūteśvara, or Mahālakṣmīśvara? Maruteśa, Mokṣeśa, Gangeśa, or Narmadeśvara?

Verse 66 (shiva.uma.44.66)

कृष्णेशं परमेशानं रत्नेश्वरमथापि वा । यामुनेशं लाङ्गलीशं श्रीमद्विश्वेश्वरं विभुम्

kṛṣṇeśaṁ parameśānaṁ ratneśvaramathāpi vā yāmuneśaṁ lāṅgalīśaṁ śrīmadviśveśvaraṁ vibhum

Kṛṣṇeśa, Parameśāna, or Ratneśvara? Yāmuneśa, Lāngalīśa, or the glorious lord Vishveshvara himself?

Verse 67 (shiva.uma.44.67)

अविमुक्तेश्वरं वाथ विशालाक्षीशमेव वा । व्याघ्रेश्वरं वराहेशं विद्येश्वरमथापि वा

avimukteśvaraṁ vātha viśālākṣīśameva vā vyāghreśvaraṁ varāheśaṁ vidyeśvaramathāpi vā

Avimukteśvara, or Viśālākṣīśa? Vyāghreśvara, Varāheśa, or Vidyeśvara?

Verse 68 (shiva.uma.44.68)

वरुणेशं विधीशं वा हरिकेशेश्वरं तु वा । भवानीशं कपर्दीशं कन्दुकेशमजेश्वरम्

varuṇeśaṁ vidhīśaṁ vā harikeśeśvaraṁ tu vā bhavānīśaṁ kapardīśaṁ kandukeśamajeśvaram

Varuṇeśa, Vidhīśa, or Harikeśeśvara? Bhavānīśa, Kapardīśa, Kandukeśa, or Ajeśvara?

Verse 69 (shiva.uma.44.69)

विश्वकर्मेश्वरं वाथ वीरेश्वरमथापि वा । नादेशं कपिलेशं च भुवनेश्वरमेव वा

viśvakarmeśvaraṁ vātha vīreśvaramathāpi vā nādeśaṁ kapileśaṁ ca bhuvaneśvarameva vā

Vishvakarmeśvara, or Vīreśvara? Nādeśa, Kapileśa, or Bhuvaneśvara?

Verse 70 (shiva.uma.44.70)

वाष्कुलीशं महादेवं सिद्धीश्वरमथापि वा । विश्वेदेवेश्वरं वीरभद्रेशं भैरवेश्वरम्

vāṣkulīśaṁ mahādevaṁ siddhīśvaramathāpi vā viśvedeveśvaraṁ vīrabhadreśaṁ bhairaveśvaram

Vāṣkulīśa Mahādeva, or Siddhīśvara? Viśvedeveśvara, Vīrabhadreśa, or Bhairaveśvara?

Verse 71 (shiva.uma.44.71)

अमृतेशं सतीशं वा पार्वतीश्वरमेव वा । सिद्धेश्वरं मतङ्गेशं भूतीश्वरमथापि वा

amṛteśaṁ satīśaṁ vā pārvatīśvarameva vā siddheśvaraṁ mataṅgeśaṁ bhūtīśvaramathāpi vā

Amṛteśa, Satīśa, or Pārvatīśvara? Siddheśvara, Mataṅgeśa, or Bhūtīśvara?

Verse 72 (shiva.uma.44.72)

आषाढीशं प्रकाशेशं कोटिरुद्रेश्वरं तथा । मदालसेश्वरं चैव तिलपर्णेश्वरं किमु

āṣāḍhīśaṁ prakāśeśaṁ koṭirudreśvaraṁ tathā madālaseśvaraṁ caiva tilaparṇeśvaraṁ kimu

Āṣāḍhīśa, Prakāśeśa, or Koṭirudreśvara? Madālaseśvara, or Tilaparṇeśvara?

Verse 73 (shiva.uma.44.73)

किं वा हिरण्यगर्भेशं किं वा श्रीमध्यमेश्वरम् । इत्यादि कोटिलिङ्गानां मध्येऽहं किमुपाश्रये

kiṁ vā hiraṇyagarbheśaṁ kiṁ vā śrīmadhyameśvaram ityādi koṭiliṅgānāṁ madhye'haṁ kimupāśraye

Or Hiraṇyagarbheśa, or glorious Madhyameśvara? Among these millions of lingas, whom should I take as my refuge?

Verse 74 (shiva.uma.44.74)

इति चिन्तातुरो व्यासः शिवभक्तिरतात्मवान् । क्षणं विचारयामास ध्यानसुस्थिरचेतसा

iti cintāturo vyāsaḥ śivabhaktiratātmavān kṣaṇaṁ vicārayāmāsa dhyānasusthiracetasā

Thus troubled in thought, Vyasa, his heart absorbed in devotion to Shiva, reflected for a moment with a mind steadied in meditation.

Verse 75 (shiva.uma.44.75)

आं ज्ञातं विस्मृतं तावन्निष्पन्नो मे मनोरथः । सिद्धैः सम्पूजितं लिङ्गं धर्मकामार्थमोक्षदम्

āṁ jñātaṁ vismṛtaṁ tāvanniṣpanno me manorathaḥ siddhaiḥ sampūjitaṁ liṅgaṁ dharmakāmārthamokṣadam

"Ah, I remember now — what I had forgotten! My heart's wish is fulfilled! That linga worshipped by the accomplished ones, bestower of dharma, artha, kāma and moksha,

Verse 76 (shiva.uma.44.76)

दर्शनात्स्पर्शनाद्यस्य चेतो निर्मलतामियात् । उद्घाटितं सदैवास्ति द्वारं स्वर्गस्य यत्र हि

darśanātsparśanādyasya ceto nirmalatāmiyāt udghāṭitaṁ sadaivāsti dvāraṁ svargasya yatra hi

by mere sight and touch of which the mind attains purity, where the very gate of heaven stands ever open,

Verse 77 (shiva.uma.44.77)

अविमुक्ते महाक्षेत्रे सिद्धक्षेत्रे हि तत्परम् । यत्रास्ते परमं लिङ्गं मध्यमेश्वरसंज्ञकम्

avimukte mahākṣetre siddhakṣetre hi tatparam yatrāste paramaṁ liṅgaṁ madhyameśvarasaṁjñakam

in the great field named Avimukta, supreme in that field of accomplishment — there stands that highest linga, known by the name 'Madhyameśvara.'

Verse 78 (shiva.uma.44.78)

न मध्यमेश्वरादन्याल्लिङ्गं काश्यां हि विद्यते । यद्दर्शनार्थमायान्ति देवाः पर्वणि पर्वणि

na madhyameśvarādanyālliṅgaṁ kāśyāṁ hi vidyate yaddarśanārthamāyānti devāḥ parvaṇi parvaṇi

In Kāśī there is no linga greater than Madhyameśvara — one for whose very sight even the gods come, festival after festival.

Verse 79 (shiva.uma.44.79)

अतः सेव्यो महादेवो मध्यमेश्वरसंज्ञकः । अस्याराधनतो विप्रा बहवः सिद्धिमागताः

ataḥ sevyo mahādevo madhyameśvarasaṁjñakaḥ asyārādhanato viprā bahavaḥ siddhimāgatāḥ

Therefore Mahādeva under the name Madhyameśvara alone is worthy of service; through worship of him many brahmins have attained accomplishment.

Verse 80 (shiva.uma.44.80)

यः प्रधानतया काश्यां मध्ये तिष्ठति शङ्करः । स्वपुरीजन सौख्यार्थमतोऽसौ मध्यमेश्वरः

yaḥ pradhānatayā kāśyāṁ madhye tiṣṭhati śaṅkaraḥ svapurījana saukhyārthamato'sau madhyameśvaraḥ

That Shankara who dwells, foremost of all, in the very midst of Kāśī — for the happiness of the people of his own city he is 'Madhyameśvara.'"

Verse 81 (shiva.uma.44.81)

तुम्बुरुर्नाम गन्धर्वो देवर्षिर्नारदस्तथा । अमुमाराध्य सम्पन्नो गानविद्याविशारदौ

tumbururnāma gandharvo devarṣirnāradastathā amumārādhya sampanno gānavidyāviśāradau

The gandharva named Tumburu and the divine sage Nārada, by worshipping this very deity, became accomplished masters of the art of music.

Verse 82 (shiva.uma.44.82)

अमुमेव समाराध्य विष्णुर्मोक्षप्रदोऽभवत् । ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च सृष्टिपालकहारकाः

amumeva samārādhya viṣṇurmokṣaprado'bhavat brahmā viṣṇuśca rudraśca sṛṣṭipālakahārakāḥ

By worshipping this very deity, Vishnu became the bestower of liberation; and Brahmā, Vishnu, and Rudra — the creator, preserver, and destroyer —

Verse 83 (shiva.uma.44.83)

धनाधीशः कुबेरोऽपि वामदेवो हि शैवराट् । खट्वाङ्गो नाम भूपालोऽनपत्योऽपत्यवानभूत्

dhanādhīśaḥ kubero'pi vāmadevo hi śaivarāṭ khaṭvāṅgo nāma bhūpālo'napatyo'patyavānabhūt

the lord of wealth Kubera too, and the Shiva-devotee sovereign named Vāmadeva — [all were made accomplished by him]; and King Khaṭvāṅga, once childless, became blessed with a child.

Verse 84 (shiva.uma.44.84)

अप्सराश्चन्द्रभामाख्या नृत्यन्ती निजभावतः । सदेहा कोकिलालापा लिङ्गमध्ये लयं गता

apsarāścandrabhāmākhyā nṛtyantī nijabhāvataḥ sadehā kokilālāpā liṅgamadhye layaṁ gatā

An apsaras named Chandrabhā, who danced with a nature sweet as the cuckoo's call, attained dissolution into this very linga, body and all.

Verse 85 (shiva.uma.44.85)

श्रीकरो गोपिकासूनुः सेवित्वा मध्यमेश्वरम् । गाणपत्यं समालेभे शिवस्य करुणात्मनः

śrīkaro gopikāsūnuḥ sevitvā madhyameśvaram gāṇapatyaṁ samālebhe śivasya karuṇātmanaḥ

Śrīkara, the son of a cowherd woman, by serving Madhyameśvara, attained the rank of a chief of the gaṇas of the compassionate Shiva.

Verse 86 (shiva.uma.44.86)

भार्गवो गीष्पतिश्चोभौ देवौ दैत्यसुरार्चितौ । विद्यापारङ्गतौ जातौ प्रसादान्मध्यमेशितुः

bhārgavo gīṣpatiścobhau devau daityasurārcitau vidyāpāraṅgatau jātau prasādānmadhyameśituḥ

Bhārgava (Śukrācārya) and Bṛhaspati, both venerated by gods and demons alike, became masters of learning solely through the grace of Madhyameśa.

Verse 87 (shiva.uma.44.87)

अहमप्यत्र सम्पूज्य मध्यमेश्वरमीश्वरम् । पुराणकर्तृताशक्तिं प्राप्स्यामि तरसा ध्रुवम्

ahamapyatra sampūjya madhyameśvaramīśvaram purāṇakartṛtāśaktiṁ prāpsyāmi tarasā dhruvam

I too, worshipping Lord Madhyameśvara here, shall surely and swiftly obtain the power to compose the Puranas."

Verse 88 (shiva.uma.44.88)

इति कृत्वा मतिं धीरो व्यासः सत्यवतीसुतः । भागीरथ्यम्भसि स्नात्वा जग्राह नियमं व्रती

iti kṛtvā matiṁ dhīro vyāsaḥ satyavatīsutaḥ bhāgīrathyambhasi snātvā jagrāha niyamaṁ vratī

Having resolved thus, the resolute Vyāsa, son of Satyavatī, bathed in the waters of the Bhāgīrathī and took upon himself the rule of a vow.

Verse 89 (shiva.uma.44.89)

क्वचित्पर्णाशनो भूत्त्वा फलशाकाशनः क्वचित् । वातभुग्जलभुक् क्वापि क्वचिन्निरशनव्रती

kvacitparṇāśano bhūttvā phalaśākāśanaḥ kvacit vātabhugjalabhuk kvāpi kvacinniraśanavratī

At times he lived on leaves alone, at times on fruits and greens, at times he subsisted on air, at times on water alone, and at times he kept a vow of complete fasting.

Verse 90 (shiva.uma.44.90)

इत्यादिनियमैर्योगी त्रिकालं मध्यमेश्वरम् । पूजयामास धर्मात्मा नानावृक्षोद्भवैः फलैः

ityādiniyamairyogī trikālaṁ madhyameśvaram pūjayāmāsa dharmātmā nānāvṛkṣodbhavaiḥ phalaiḥ

With these and other such observances, that righteous yogi worshipped Madhyameśvara three times each day, with the fruits of various trees.

Verse 91 (shiva.uma.44.91)

इत्थं बहुतिथे काले व्यतीते कालिकासुतः । स्नात्वा त्रिपथगातोये यावदायाति स प्रगे

itthaṁ bahutithe kāle vyatīte kālikāsutaḥ snātvā tripathagātoye yāvadāyāti sa prage

Thus, after a great length of time had passed, whenever that son of Kālikā would come at dawn, having bathed in the waters of the triple-pathed Ganges,

Verse 92 (shiva.uma.44.92)

मध्यमेश्वरमीशानं भक्ताभीष्टवरप्रदम् । तावद्ददर्श पुण्यात्मा मध्ये लिङ्गं महेश्वरम्

madhyameśvaramīśānaṁ bhaktābhīṣṭavarapradam tāvaddadarśa puṇyātmā madhye liṅgaṁ maheśvaram

to that Madhyameśvara, granter of his devotees' desired boons — on that day that virtuous soul beheld, in the midst of the linga, the great Lord himself.

Verse 93 (shiva.uma.44.93)

उमाभूषितवामाङ्गं व्याघ्रचर्मोत्तरीयकम् । जटाजूटचलद्गङ्गातरङ्गैश्चारुविग्रहम्

umābhūṣitavāmāṅgaṁ vyāghracarmottarīyakam jaṭājūṭacaladgaṅgātaraṅgaiścāruvigraham

His left side adorned by Uma, wearing a tiger-skin as his upper garment, his lovely form graced by the waves of the Ganges stirring in his matted locks,

Verse 94 (shiva.uma.44.94)

लसच्छारदबालेन्दुचन्द्रिकाचन्द्रितालकम् । भस्मोद्धूलितसर्वाङ्गं कर्पूरार्जुनविग्रहम्

lasacchāradabālenducandrikācandritālakam bhasmoddhūlitasarvāṅgaṁ karpūrārjunavigraham

his locks shining with the moonlight of the young autumn moon, his whole body smeared with sacred ash, his form white as camphor,

Verse 95 (shiva.uma.44.95)

कर्णान्तायतनेत्रं च विद्रुमारुणदच्छदम् । पञ्चवर्षाकृतिं बालं बालकोचितभूषणम्

karṇāntāyatanetraṁ ca vidrumāruṇadacchadam pañcavarṣākṛtiṁ bālaṁ bālakocitabhūṣaṇam

his eyes reaching to his ears, his lips red as coral, in the form of a five-year-old child, adorned with ornaments fit for a child,

Verse 96 (shiva.uma.44.96)

दधानं कोटिकन्दर्पदर्पहानिं तनुद्युतिम् । नग्रं प्रहसितास्याब्जं गायन्तं साम लीलया

dadhānaṁ koṭikandarpadarpahāniṁ tanudyutim nagraṁ prahasitāsyābjaṁ gāyantaṁ sāma līlayā

his delicate radiance putting to shame the pride of millions of Kāmadevas, naked, his lotus face wreathed in laughter, singing the Sāma chants in playful sport,

Verse 97 (shiva.uma.44.97)

करुणापारपाथोधिं भक्तवत्सलनामकम् । आशुतोषमुमाकान्तं प्रसादसुमुखं हरम्

karuṇāpārapāthodhiṁ bhaktavatsalanāmakam āśutoṣamumākāntaṁ prasādasumukhaṁ haram

the boundless ocean of compassion, bearing the name "beloved of his devotees," swiftly pleased, the beloved of Umā, his face gracious with favour —

Verse 98 (shiva.uma.44.98)

समालोक्य स्तुतिं चक्रे प्रेमगद्गदया गिरा । योगिनामप्यगम्यं तं दीनबन्धुं चिदात्मकम्

samālokya stutiṁ cakre premagadgadayā girā yogināmapyagamyaṁ taṁ dīnabandhuṁ cidātmakam

beholding him, Vyāsa, in a voice choked with love, offered praise to him — unattainable even by yogis, friend of the humble, the very embodiment of consciousness —

Verse 99 (shiva.uma.44.99)

वेदव्यास उवाच । देवदेव महाभाग शरणागतवत्सल । वाङ्मनःकर्मदुष्प्राप योगिनामप्यगोचर

vedavyāsa uvāca devadeva mahābhāga śaraṇāgatavatsala vāṅmanaḥkarmaduṣprāpa yogināmapyagocara

Veda Vyāsa said: O God of gods, O most fortunate one, O lover of those who seek refuge, unattainable by speech, mind or deed, imperceptible even to yogis!

Verse 100 (shiva.uma.44.100)

महिमानं न ते वेदा विदामासुरुमापते । त्वमेव जगतः कर्ता धर्ता हर्ता तथैव च

mahimānaṁ na te vedā vidāmāsurumāpate tvameva jagataḥ kartā dhartā hartā tathaiva ca

O lord of Uma, even the Vedas do not know your greatness; you alone are the creator, sustainer, and also the destroyer of the world.

Verse 101 (shiva.uma.44.101)

त्वमाद्यः सर्वदेवानां सच्चिदानन्द ईश्वरः । नामगोत्रे न वा ते स्तः सर्वज्ञोऽसि सदाशिव

tvamādyaḥ sarvadevānāṁ saccidānanda īśvaraḥ nāmagotre na vā te staḥ sarvajño'si sadāśiva

You alone are the origin of all the gods, the Lord in the form of being-consciousness-bliss; you have neither name nor lineage — you are omniscient, O Sadāshiva.

Verse 102 (shiva.uma.44.102)

त्वमेव परमं ब्रह्म मायापाशनिवर्तकः । गुणत्रयैर्न लिप्तस्त्वं पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा

tvameva paramaṁ brahma māyāpāśanivartakaḥ guṇatrayairna liptastvaṁ padmapatramivāmbhasā

You alone are the supreme Brahman, the one who releases from the noose of Māyā; you are untouched by the three gunas, as a lotus leaf by water.

Verse 103 (shiva.uma.44.103)

न ते जन्म न वा शीलं न देशो न कुलं च ते । इत्थम्भूतोऽपीश्वरस्त्वं त्रिलोक्याः काममावहेः

na te janma na vā śīlaṁ na deśo na kulaṁ ca te itthambhūto'pīśvarastvaṁ trilokyāḥ kāmamāvaheḥ

You have no birth, no fixed nature, no country, no lineage; and yet, being such, you are the Lord who brings to fulfilment every desire of the three worlds.

Verse 104 (shiva.uma.44.104)

न ब्रह्मा न च लक्ष्मीशो न च सेन्द्रा दिवौकसः । न योगीन्द्रा विदुस्तत्त्वं यस्य तं त्वामुपास्महे

na brahmā na ca lakṣmīśo na ca sendrā divaukasaḥ na yogīndrā vidustattvaṁ yasya taṁ tvāmupāsmahe

Neither Brahmā, nor Vishnu the lord of Lakshmi, nor the gods together with Indra, nor even the great masters of yoga know your true nature; it is you, even so, whom we worship.

Verse 105 (shiva.uma.44.105)

त्वत्तः सर्वं त्वं हि सर्वं गौरीशस्त्वं पुरान्तकः । त्वं बालस्त्वं युवा वृद्धस्तं त्वां हृदि युनज्म्यहम्

tvattaḥ sarvaṁ tvaṁ hi sarvaṁ gaurīśastvaṁ purāntakaḥ tvaṁ bālastvaṁ yuvā vṛddhastaṁ tvāṁ hṛdi yunajmyaham

From you comes everything, and you are everything; you are the lord of Gaurī, the ender of the three cities; you are the child, you are the youth, you are the aged one — it is you whom I bind fast within my heart.

Verse 106 (shiva.uma.44.106)

नमस्तस्मै महेशाय भक्तध्येयाय शम्भवे । पुराणपुरुषायाद्धा शङ्कराय परात्मने

namastasmai maheśāya bhaktadhyeyāya śambhave purāṇapuruṣāyāddhā śaṅkarāya parātmane

Salutation to that great Lord, the object of his devotees' meditation, to Shambhu, to the primeval Person, to Shankara indeed, to the Supreme Self, salutation.

Verse 107 (shiva.uma.44.107)

इति स्तुत्वा क्षितौ यावद्दण्डवन्निपपात सः । तावत्स बालो हृष्टात्मा वेदव्यासमभाषत

iti stutvā kṣitau yāvaddaṇḍavannipapāta saḥ tāvatsa bālo hṛṣṭātmā vedavyāsamabhāṣata

Having thus praised him, and as he was about to prostrate himself flat upon the ground, at that very moment that joyful child spoke to Veda Vyāsa:

Verse 108 (shiva.uma.44.108)

वरं वृणीष्व भो योगिन्यस्ते मनसि वर्तते । नादेयं विद्यते किञ्चिद्भक्ताधीनो यतोऽस्म्यहम्

varaṁ vṛṇīṣva bho yoginyaste manasi vartate nādeyaṁ vidyate kiñcidbhaktādhīno yato'smyaham

"O yogi, ask for a boon — whatever is in your mind; there is nothing that is not fit to give, for I am ever subject to my devotees."

Verse 109 (shiva.uma.44.109)

तत उत्थाय हृष्टात्मा मुनिर्व्यासो महातपाः । प्रत्यब्रवीत्किमज्ञातं सर्वज्ञस्य तव प्रभो

tata utthāya hṛṣṭātmā munirvyāso mahātapāḥ pratyabravītkimajñātaṁ sarvajñasya tava prabho

Then the sage Vyāsa, of great austerity, rising with a joyful heart, replied: "O Lord, what indeed is unknown to you, the all-knowing?

Verse 110 (shiva.uma.44.110)

सर्वान्तरात्मा भगवान् शर्वः सर्वप्रदो भवान् । याञ्चां प्रतिनियुङ्क्ते मां किमीशो दैन्यकारिणीम्

sarvāntarātmā bhagavān śarvaḥ sarvaprado bhavān yāñcāṁ pratiniyuṅkte māṁ kimīśo dainyakāriṇīm

You are the inner self of all, the blessed Śarva, the giver of all things — why then, O Lord, do you set me to this humbling task of asking?"

Verse 111 (shiva.uma.44.111)

इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य व्यासस्यामलचेतसः । शुचि स्मित्वा महादेवो बालरूपधरोऽब्रवीत्

iti śrutvā vacastasya vyāsasyāmalacetasaḥ śuci smitvā mahādevo bālarūpadharo'bravīt

Hearing these words from Vyāsa's pure heart, Mahādeva, still in the form of a child, smiled a pure smile and said:

Verse 112 (shiva.uma.44.112)

बाल उवाच । त्वया ब्रह्मविदां श्रेष्ठ योऽभिलाषः कृतो हृदि । अचिरेणैव कालेन स भविष्यत्यसंशयः

bāla uvāca tvayā brahmavidāṁ śreṣṭha yo'bhilāṣaḥ kṛto hṛdi acireṇaiva kālena sa bhaviṣyatyasaṁśayaḥ

The child said: "O foremost of the knowers of Brahman, whatever desire you have cherished in your heart shall, without doubt, be fulfilled before long.

Verse 113 (shiva.uma.44.113)

कण्ठे स्थित्वा तव ब्रह्मन्नन्तर्याम्यहमीश्वरः । सेतिहासपुराणानि सम्यङ्निर्मापयाम्यहम्

kaṇṭhe sthitvā tava brahmannantaryāmyahamīśvaraḥ setihāsapurāṇāni samyaṅnirmāpayāmyaham

O brahmin, I, the Lord, shall dwell in your throat as the inner ruler, and shall myself fashion, through you, the Puranas together with the Itihāsas.

Verse 114 (shiva.uma.44.114)

अभिलाषाष्टकं पुण्यं स्तोत्रमेतत्त्वयेरितम् । वर्षं त्रिकालं पठनात्कामदं शम्भुसद्मनि

abhilāṣāṣṭakaṁ puṇyaṁ stotrametattvayeritam varṣaṁ trikālaṁ paṭhanātkāmadaṁ śambhusadmani

This meritorious hymn of eight verses that you have uttered — its 'Abhilāṣāṣṭaka' — reciting it three times daily for a year, in the abode of Shambhu, grants all desires.

Verse 115 (shiva.uma.44.115)

एतत्स्तोत्रस्य पठनं विद्याबुद्धिविवर्धनम् । सर्वसम्पत्करं प्रोक्तं धर्मदं मोक्षदं नृणाम्

etatstotrasya paṭhanaṁ vidyābuddhivivardhanam sarvasampatkaraṁ proktaṁ dharmadaṁ mokṣadaṁ nṛṇām

The recitation of this hymn is said to increase learning and understanding, and is declared to bestow upon men all prosperity, dharma, and liberation as well.

Verse 116 (shiva.uma.44.116)

प्रातरुत्थाय सुस्नातो लिङ्गमभ्यर्च्य शाङ्करम् । वर्षं पठन्निदं स्तोत्रं मूर्खोऽपि स्याद् बृहस्पतिः

prātarutthāya susnāto liṅgamabhyarcya śāṅkaram varṣaṁ paṭhannidaṁ stotraṁ mūrkho'pi syād bṛhaspatiḥ

One who rises at dawn, bathes thoroughly, worships the linga of Shankara, and recites this hymn for a full year — even a fool becomes as wise as Bṛhaspati.

Verse 117 (shiva.uma.44.117)

स्त्रिया वा पुरुषेणापि नियमाल्लिङ्गसन्निधौ । वर्षं जप्तमिदं स्तोत्रं बुद्धिं विद्यां च वर्धयेत्

striyā vā puruṣeṇāpi niyamālliṅgasannidhau varṣaṁ japtamidaṁ stotraṁ buddhiṁ vidyāṁ ca vardhayet

Whether woman or man, whoever, observing due discipline, repeats this hymn near a linga for a year, shall find their intellect and learning increased.

Verse 118 (shiva.uma.44.118)

इत्युक्त्वा स महादेवो बालो लिङ्गे न्यलीयत । व्यासोऽपि मुञ्चन्नश्रूणि शिवप्रेमाकुलोऽभवत्

ityuktvā sa mahādevo bālo liṅge nyalīyata vyāso'pi muñcannaśrūṇi śivapremākulo'bhavat

Having said this, that Mahādeva in the form of a child dissolved back into the linga itself; and Vyāsa too, shedding tears, was overwhelmed with love for Shiva.

Verse 119 (shiva.uma.44.119)

एवं लब्धवरो व्यासो महेशान्मध्यमेश्वरात् । अष्टादश पुराणानि प्रणिनाय स्वलीलया

evaṁ labdhavaro vyāso maheśānmadhyameśvarāt aṣṭādaśa purāṇāni praṇināya svalīlayā

Thus, having received the boon from the great Lord Madhyameśvara, Vyāsa, through his own divine play, composed the eighteen Puranas —

Verse 120 (shiva.uma.44.120)

ब्राह्मं पाद्मं वैष्णवं च शैवं भागवतं तथा । भविष्यं नारदीयं च मार्कण्डेयमतः परम्

brāhmaṁ pādmaṁ vaiṣṇavaṁ ca śaivaṁ bhāgavataṁ tathā bhaviṣyaṁ nāradīyaṁ ca mārkaṇḍeyamataḥ param

the Brāhma, the Pādma, the Vaishnava, the Shaiva and the Bhāgavata; the Bhaviṣya, the Nāradīya, and after that the Mārkaṇḍeya;

Verse 121 (shiva.uma.44.121)

आग्नेयं ब्रह्मवैवर्तं लैङ्गं वाराहमेव च । वामनाख्यं ततः कौर्मं मात्स्यं गारुडमेव च

āgneyaṁ brahmavaivartaṁ laiṅgaṁ vārāhameva ca vāmanākhyaṁ tataḥ kaurmaṁ mātsyaṁ gāruḍameva ca

the Āgneya, the Brahmavaivarta, the Liṅga, and the Vārāha too; the one named Vāmana, then the Kaurma, the Mātsya, and the Gāruḍa as well —

Verse 122 (shiva.uma.44.122)

स्कान्दं तथैव ब्रह्माण्डाख्यं पुराणं च कीर्तितम् । यशस्यं पुण्यदं नॄणां श्रोतॄणां शाङ्करं यशः

skāndaṁ tathaiva brahmāṇḍākhyaṁ purāṇaṁ ca kīrtitam yaśasyaṁ puṇyadaṁ nṝṇāṁ śrotṝṇāṁ śāṅkaraṁ yaśaḥ

and, in the same way, the Puranas named the Skānda and the Brahmāṇḍa are declared — all of these bring renown and merit to mankind, and to those who hear them, the very glory of Shankara.

Verse 123 (shiva.uma.44.123)

सूत उवाच । अष्टादशपुराणानां पूर्वं नामोदितं त्वया । कुरु निर्वचनं तेषामिदानीं वेदवित्तम

sūta uvāca aṣṭādaśapurāṇānāṁ pūrvaṁ nāmoditaṁ tvayā kuru nirvacanaṁ teṣāmidānīṁ vedavittama

Suta said: You have named before the eighteen Puranas; now, O knower of the Vedas' inmost sense, explain also their etymology.

Verse 124 (shiva.uma.44.124)

व्यास उवाच । अयमेव कृतः प्रश्नस्तण्डिना ब्रह्मयोनिना । नन्दिकेश्वरमुद्दिश्य स यदाह ब्रवीमि तत्

vyāsa uvāca ayameva kṛtaḥ praśnastaṇḍinā brahmayoninā nandikeśvaramuddiśya sa yadāha bravīmi tat

Vyāsa said: This very question was once asked by Taṇḍi, born of Brahmā's essence, to Nandikeshvara; what he answered then, that I now relate to you.

Verse 125 (shiva.uma.44.125)

नन्दिकेश्वर उवाच । यत्र वक्ता स्वयं तण्डिन् ब्रह्मा साक्षाच्चतुर्मुखः । तस्माद् ब्राह्मं समाख्यातं पुराणं प्रथमं मुने

nandikeśvara uvāca yatra vaktā svayaṁ taṇḍin brahmā sākṣāccaturmukhaḥ tasmād brāhmaṁ samākhyātaṁ purāṇaṁ prathamaṁ mune

Nandikeshvara said: O Taṇḍi, that Purana in which the four-faced Brahmā himself is the very speaker — for that reason, O sage, it is declared the first Purana, named 'Brāhma.'

Verse 126 (shiva.uma.44.126)

पद्मकल्पस्य माहात्म्यं तत्र यस्यामुदाहृतम् । तस्मात्पाद्मं समाख्यातं पुराणं च द्वितीयकम्

padmakalpasya māhātmyaṁ tatra yasyāmudāhṛtam tasmātpādmaṁ samākhyātaṁ purāṇaṁ ca dvitīyakam

That in which the glory of the Padma Kalpa (the Lotus Aeon) is related — for that reason it is called the second Purana, the 'Pādma.'

Verse 127 (shiva.uma.44.127)

पराशरकृतं यत्तु पुराणं विष्णुबोधकम् । तदेव व्यासकथितं पुत्रपित्रोरभेदतः

parāśarakṛtaṁ yattu purāṇaṁ viṣṇubodhakam tadeva vyāsakathitaṁ putrapitrorabhedataḥ

That Purana which was composed by Parāshara, and which conveys the knowledge of Vishnu, is considered as spoken by Vyāsa himself, since between father and son there is no difference.

Verse 128 (shiva.uma.44.128)

यत्र पूर्वोत्तरे खण्डे शिवस्य चरितं बहु । शैवमेतत्पुराणं हि पुराणज्ञा वदन्ति च

yatra pūrvottare khaṇḍe śivasya caritaṁ bahu śaivametatpurāṇaṁ hi purāṇajñā vadanti ca

That in which, across an earlier and a later section, the abundant deeds of Shiva are related, the knowers of the Puranas call the 'Shaiva.'

Verse 129 (shiva.uma.44.129)

भगवत्याश्च दुर्गायाश्चरितं यत्र विद्यते । तत्तु भागवतं प्रोक्तं ननु देवीपुराणकम्

bhagavatyāśca durgāyāścaritaṁ yatra vidyate tattu bhāgavataṁ proktaṁ nanu devīpurāṇakam

That in which the deeds of the blessed goddess Durgā are set forth is, in truth, called the 'Devī Purana,' which is also declared under the name 'Bhāgavata.'

Verse 130 (shiva.uma.44.130)

नारदोक्तं पुराणं तु नारदीयं प्रचक्षते । यत्र वक्ताभवत्तण्डिन् मार्कण्डेयो महामुनिः

nāradoktaṁ purāṇaṁ tu nāradīyaṁ pracakṣate yatra vaktābhavattaṇḍin mārkaṇḍeyo mahāmuniḥ

The Purana spoken by Nārada is called the 'Nāradīya'; and that Purana, O Taṇḍi, in which the great sage Mārkaṇḍeya himself became the speaker,

Verse 131 (shiva.uma.44.131)

मार्कण्डेयपुराणं हि तदाख्यातं च सप्तमम् । अग्नियोगात्तदाग्नेयं भविष्योक्तेर्भविष्यकम्

mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇaṁ hi tadākhyātaṁ ca saptamam agniyogāttadāgneyaṁ bhaviṣyokterbhaviṣyakam

is declared the 'Mārkaṇḍeya' Purana, the seventh. From its teaching through Agni it is called the 'Āgneya,' and because it tells of things to come, the 'Bhaviṣya' Purana.

Verse 132 (shiva.uma.44.132)

विवर्तनाद् ब्रह्मणस्तु ब्रह्मवैवर्तमुच्यते । लिङ्गस्य चरितोक्तत्वात्पुराणं लिङ्गमुच्यते

vivartanād brahmaṇastu brahmavaivartamucyate liṅgasya caritoktatvātpurāṇaṁ liṅgamucyate

Because of Brahmā's transformation into manifest form, it is called the 'Brahmavaivarta'; and because the deeds of the linga are related in it, that Purana is called the 'Liṅga.'

Verse 133 (shiva.uma.44.133)

वराहस्य च वाराहं पुराणं द्वादशं मुने । यत्र स्कन्दः स्वयं श्रोता वक्ता साक्षान्महेश्वरः

varāhasya ca vārāhaṁ purāṇaṁ dvādaśaṁ mune yatra skandaḥ svayaṁ śrotā vaktā sākṣānmaheśvaraḥ

O sage, from the account of Varāha it is that the twelfth Purana is called 'Vārāha'; that Purana in which Skanda himself is the hearer, and Maheshvara himself the speaker,

Verse 134 (shiva.uma.44.134)

तत्तु स्कान्दं समाख्यातं वामनस्य तु वामनम् । कौर्मं कूर्मस्य चरितं मात्स्यं मत्स्येन कीर्तितम्

tattu skāndaṁ samākhyātaṁ vāmanasya tu vāmanam kaurmaṁ kūrmasya caritaṁ mātsyaṁ matsyena kīrtitam

is called the 'Skānda' Purana; that of Vāmana's deeds the 'Vāmana,' that of Kūrma's deeds the 'Kaurma,' and that spoken by Matsya, the 'Mātsya.'

Verse 135 (shiva.uma.44.135)

गरुडस्तु स्वयं वक्ता यत्तद् गारुडसंज्ञकम् । ब्रह्माण्डचरितोक्तत्वाद् ब्रह्माण्डं परिकीर्तितम्

garuḍastu svayaṁ vaktā yattad gāruḍasaṁjñakam brahmāṇḍacaritoktatvād brahmāṇḍaṁ parikīrtitam

That whose speaker is Garuḍa himself is called the 'Gāruḍa' Purana; and because the origin and nature of the cosmic egg (Brahmāṇḍa) is related in it, that Purana is celebrated under the name 'Brahmāṇḍa.'

Verse 136 (shiva.uma.44.136)

सूत उवाच । अयमेव मयाऽकारि प्रश्नो व्यासाय धीमते । ततः सर्वपुराणानां मया निर्वचनं श्रुतम्

sūta uvāca ayameva mayā'kāri praśno vyāsāya dhīmate tataḥ sarvapurāṇānāṁ mayā nirvacanaṁ śrutam

Suta said: This very question I too once asked of the wise Vyāsa; and it was then that I myself heard from him this account of the etymology of all the Puranas.

Verse 137 (shiva.uma.44.137)

एवं व्यासः समुत्पन्नः सत्यवत्यां पराशरात् । पुराणसंहिताश्चक्रे महाभारतमुत्तमम्

evaṁ vyāsaḥ samutpannaḥ satyavatyāṁ parāśarāt purāṇasaṁhitāścakre mahābhāratamuttamam

Thus was Vyāsa born to Satyavatī from Parāshara; and it was he who composed the Purana-collections, and the supreme Mahābhārata as well.

Verse 138 (shiva.uma.44.138)

पराशरेण संयोगः पुनः शन्तनुना यथा । सत्यवत्या इव ब्रह्मन्नः संशयितुमर्हसि

parāśareṇa saṁyogaḥ punaḥ śantanunā yathā satyavatyā iva brahmannaḥ saṁśayitumarhasi

This union that came about with Parāshara, and likewise that other union of Satyavatī with Shantanu — O brahmin, in these you should entertain no doubt.

Verse 139 (shiva.uma.44.139)

सकारणेयमुत्पत्तिः कथिताश्चर्यकारिणी । महतां चरिते चैव गुणा ग्राह्या विचक्षणैः

sakāraṇeyamutpattiḥ kathitāścaryakāriṇī mahatāṁ carite caiva guṇā grāhyā vicakṣaṇaiḥ

This account of a birth so wondrous, brought about for a purpose, should be understood by the discerning as one among the qualities to be grasped in the lives of great souls.

Verse 140 (shiva.uma.44.140)

इदं रहस्यं परमं यः शृणोति पठत्यपि । स सर्वपापनिर्मुक्त ऋषिलोके महीयते

idaṁ rahasyaṁ paramaṁ yaḥ śṛṇoti paṭhatyapi sa sarvapāpanirmukta ṛṣiloke mahīyate

Whoever hears this supreme mystery, or even reads it, is freed from all sins and is glorified in the world of the sages.