The Dialogue of Vyasa, Shaunaka, and the Sages

Verse 1 (shiva.kailasa.1.1)

नमः शिवाय साम्बाय सगणाय ससूनवे । प्रधानपुरुषेशाय सर्गस्थितत्यन्तहेतवे

namaḥ śivāya sāmbāya sagaṇāya sasūnave pradhānapuruṣeśāya sargasthitatyantahetave

Homage to Shiva, together with Amba, with His attendant hosts and with His son — the Lord of Prakriti and Purusha, the cause of creation, preservation, and dissolution.

Verse 2 (shiva.kailasa.1.2)

ऋषय ऊचुः । श्रुतोमासंहिता रम्या नानाख्यानसमन्विता । कैलाससंहिताम्ब्रूहि शिवतत्त्वविवर्द्धिनीम्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ śrutomāsaṁhitā ramyā nānākhyānasamanvitā kailāsasaṁhitāmbrūhi śivatattvavivarddhinīm

The sages said: We have heard from you the delightful Uma-Samhita, filled with many narratives. Now relate to us the Kailasa-Samhita, which deepens the truth of Shiva.

Verse 3 (shiva.kailasa.1.3)

व्यास उवाच । शृणुत प्रीतितो वत्साः कैलासाख्यां हि संहिताम् । शिवतत्त्वपरान्दिव्यां वक्ष्ये वः स्नेहतः पराम्

vyāsa uvāca śṛṇuta prītito vatsāḥ kailāsākhyāṁ hi saṁhitām śivatattvaparāndivyāṁ vakṣye vaḥ snehataḥ parām

Vyasa said: Listen lovingly, O children, to this Samhita called Kailasa. Out of affection I shall relate to you this supreme and divine Samhita, devoted to the truth of Shiva.

Verse 4 (shiva.kailasa.1.4)

हिमवच्छिखरे पूर्व्वं तपस्यन्तो महौजसः । वाराणसीङ्गन्तुकामा मुनयः कृतसम्विदः

himavacchikhare pūrvvaṁ tapasyanto mahaujasaḥ vārāṇasīṅgantukāmā munayaḥ kṛtasamvidaḥ

Formerly, on a peak of the Himalaya, sages of great power were practicing austerities; having resolved upon it, they wished to go to Varanasi.

Verse 5 (shiva.kailasa.1.5)

निर्गत्य तस्मात्सम्प्राप्य गिरेः काशीं समाहिताः । स्नातव्यमेवेति तदा ददृशुर्मणिकर्णिकाम्

nirgatya tasmātsamprāpya gireḥ kāśīṁ samāhitāḥ snātavyameveti tadā dadṛśurmaṇikarṇikām

Departing from that mountain and arriving at Kashi with composed minds, thinking 'we must indeed bathe,' they then beheld Manikarnika.

Verse 6 (shiva.kailasa.1.6)

तत्र स्नात्वा सुसन्तप्य देवादीनथ जाह्नवीम् । दृष्ट्वा स्नात्वा मुनीशास्ते विश्वेशं त्रिदशेश्वरम्

tatra snātvā susantapya devādīnatha jāhnavīm dṛṣṭvā snātvā munīśāste viśveśaṁ tridaśeśvaram

Having bathed there, and duly offered libations to the gods and others in the Jahnavi, and having beheld her and bathed again, those lords among sages then beheld Vishvesha, the lord of the thirty gods.

Verse 7 (shiva.kailasa.1.7)

नमस्कृत्याथ सम्पूज्य भक्त्या परमयान्विताः । शतरुद्रादिभिः स्तुत्वा स्तुतिभिर्व्वेदपारगाः

namaskṛtyātha sampūjya bhaktyā paramayānvitāḥ śatarudrādibhiḥ stutvā stutibhirvvedapāragāḥ

Then, filled with supreme devotion, they bowed and worshipped him, and those sages learned in the Veda praised him with hymns beginning with the Shatarudriya.

Verse 8 (shiva.kailasa.1.8)

आत्मानं मेनिरे सर्वे कृतार्था वयमित्युत । शिवप्रीत्या सुपूर्णार्थाश्शिवभक्तिरतास्सदा

ātmānaṁ menire sarve kṛtārthā vayamityuta śivaprītyā supūrṇārthāśśivabhaktiratāssadā

All of them deemed themselves fulfilled, thinking, 'Our purpose is accomplished.' Through Shiva's favor their aims were made perfectly complete, and they remained ever devoted to the worship of Shiva.

Verse 9 (shiva.kailasa.1.9)

तस्मिन्नवसरे सूतं पञ्चक्रोशदिदृक्षया । गत्वा समागतं वीक्ष्य मुदा ते तं ववन्दिरे

tasminnavasare sūtaṁ pañcakrośadidṛkṣayā gatvā samāgataṁ vīkṣya mudā te taṁ vavandire

At that moment, seeing that Suta had arrived there wishing to behold the Panchakroshi, they went to him and, with joy, bowed before him.

Verse 10 (shiva.kailasa.1.10)

सोपि विश्वेश्वरं साक्षाद्देवदेवमुमापतिम् । नमस्कृत्याथ तैस्साकम्मुक्तिमण्डपमाविशत्

sopi viśveśvaraṁ sākṣāddevadevamumāpatim namaskṛtyātha taissākammuktimaṇḍapamāviśat

He too, having bowed directly to Vishveshvara, the God of gods, the Lord of Uma, then entered the Mukti-mandapa together with them.

Verse 11 (shiva.kailasa.1.11)

तत्रासीनम्महात्मानं सूतम्पौराणिकोत्तमम् । अर्घ्यादिभिस्तदा सर्व्वे मुनयस्समुपाचरन्

tatrāsīnammahātmānaṁ sūtampaurāṇikottamam arghyādibhistadā sarvve munayassamupācaran

There, all the sages honored the great-souled Suta, foremost among reciters of the Puranas, seated among them, with offerings of arghya and the like.

Verse 12 (shiva.kailasa.1.12)

ततः सूतः प्रसन्नात्मा मुनीनालोक्य सुव्रतान् । पप्रच्छ कुशलान्तेपि प्रोचुः कुशलमात्मनः

tataḥ sūtaḥ prasannātmā munīnālokya suvratān papraccha kuśalāntepi procuḥ kuśalamātmanaḥ

Then Suta, glad at heart, looked upon those sages of virtuous vows and asked after their welfare; they in turn spoke of their own well-being.

Verse 13 (shiva.kailasa.1.13)

ते तु संहृष्टहृदयं ज्ञात्वा तं वै मुनीश्वराः । प्रणवार्थावगत्यर्थमूचुः प्रास्ताविकं वचः

te tu saṁhṛṣṭahṛdayaṁ jñātvā taṁ vai munīśvarāḥ praṇavārthāvagatyarthamūcuḥ prāstāvikaṁ vacaḥ

Then those lords among sages, perceiving his heart to be truly joyful, spoke a prefatory word in order to learn the meaning of the Pranava.

Verse 14 (shiva.kailasa.1.14)

मुनय ऊचुः । व्यासशिष्य महाभाग सूत पौराणिकोत्तम । धन्यस्त्वं शिवभक्तो हि सर्वविज्ञान सागरः

munaya ūcuḥ vyāsaśiṣya mahābhāga sūta paurāṇikottama dhanyastvaṁ śivabhakto hi sarvavijñāna sāgaraḥ

The sages said: O disciple of Vyasa, most blessed Suta, foremost among the reciters of the Puranas! You are indeed fortunate — a devotee of Shiva and an ocean of all knowledge.

Verse 15 (shiva.kailasa.1.15)

भवन्तमेव भगवान्व्यासस्सर्वजगद्गुरुः । अभिषिच्य पुराणानां गुरुत्वे समयोजयत्

bhavantameva bhagavānvyāsassarvajagadguruḥ abhiṣicya purāṇānāṁ gurutve samayojayat

The blessed Vyasa himself, the guru of the entire world, having consecrated you, established you in the office of teacher of the Puranas.

Verse 16 (shiva.kailasa.1.16)

तस्मात्पौराणिकी विद्या भवतो हृदि संस्थिता । पुराणानि च सर्वाणि वेदार्थम्प्रवदन्ति हि

tasmātpaurāṇikī vidyā bhavato hṛdi saṁsthitā purāṇāni ca sarvāṇi vedārthampravadanti hi

Therefore the lore of the Puranas rests firmly established in your heart; and indeed all the Puranas expound the meaning of the Veda.

Verse 17 (shiva.kailasa.1.17)

वेदाः प्रणवसम्भूताः प्रणवार्थो महेश्वरः । अतो महेश्वरस्थानं त्वयि धिष्ण्यम्प्रतिष्ठितम्

vedāḥ praṇavasambhūtāḥ praṇavārtho maheśvaraḥ ato maheśvarasthānaṁ tvayi dhiṣṇyampratiṣṭhitam

The Vedas arise from the Pranava, and the meaning of the Pranava is Maheshvara Himself; therefore the very seat of Maheshvara stands established within you.

Verse 18 (shiva.kailasa.1.18)

त्वन्मुखाब्जपरिस्यन्दन्मकरंदे मनोहरम् । प्रणवार्थामृतं पीत्वा भविष्यामो गतज्वराः

tvanmukhābjaparisyandanmakaraṁde manoharam praṇavārthāmṛtaṁ pītvā bhaviṣyāmo gatajvarāḥ

By drinking the enchanting nectar of the Pranava's meaning, flowing like honey from the lotus of your mouth, we shall become free of our fever of sorrow.

Verse 19 (shiva.kailasa.1.19)

विशेषतो गुरुस्त्वं हि नान्योऽस्माकं महामते । परं भावं महेशस्य परया कृपया वद

viśeṣato gurustvaṁ hi nānyo ’smākaṁ mahāmate paraṁ bhāvaṁ maheśasya parayā kṛpayā vada

Especially, O great sage, you alone are our teacher — none other. Out of supreme grace, tell us of the supreme nature of Mahesha.

Verse 20 (shiva.kailasa.1.20)

इति तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा सूतो व्यासप्रियस्सुधीः । गणेशं षण्मुखं साक्षान्महेशानं महेश्वरीम्

iti teṣāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā sūto vyāsapriyassudhīḥ gaṇeśaṁ ṣaṇmukhaṁ sākṣānmaheśānaṁ maheśvarīm

Having heard these words of theirs, Suta, the wise one dear to Vyasa, bowed to Ganesha, to Shanmukha, to Mahesha Himself, and to Maheshvari,

Verse 21 (shiva.kailasa.1.21)

शिलादतनयं देवं नन्दीशं सुयशापतिम् । सनत्कुमारं व्यासं च प्रणिपत्येदमब्रवीत्

śilādatanayaṁ devaṁ nandīśaṁ suyaśāpatim sanatkumāraṁ vyāsaṁ ca praṇipatyedamabravīt

and to the god Nandisha, son of Shilada, lord of fair renown, and to Sanatkumara and to Vyasa — having bowed to them all, he spoke as follows.

Verse 22 (shiva.kailasa.1.22)

सूत उवाच । साधुसाधु महाभागा मुनयः क्षीणकल्मषाः । मतिर्दृढतरा जाता दुर्लभा सापि दुष्कृताम्

sūta uvāca sādhusādhu mahābhāgā munayaḥ kṣīṇakalmaṣāḥ matirdṛḍhatarā jātā durlabhā sāpi duṣkṛtām

Suta said: Well done, well done, O most blessed sages, your sins now destroyed! Your resolve has grown truly firm — a resolve rare indeed for those of evil deeds.

Verse 23 (shiva.kailasa.1.23)

पाराशर्येण गुरुणा नैमिषारण्यवासिनाम् । मुनीनामुपदिष्टं यद्वक्ष्ये तन्मुनिपुंगवाः

pārāśaryeṇa guruṇā naimiṣāraṇyavāsinām munīnāmupadiṣṭaṁ yadvakṣye tanmunipuṁgavāḥ

O foremost of sages, I shall relate to you that very teaching which the guru Parashara's son once gave to the sages dwelling in Naimisharanya.

Verse 24 (shiva.kailasa.1.24)

यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण शिवभक्तिर्भवेन्नृणाम् । सावधाना भवन्तोद्य शृण्वन्तु परया मुदा

yasya śravaṇamātreṇa śivabhaktirbhavennṛṇām sāvadhānā bhavantodya śṛṇvantu parayā mudā

Merely by hearing which, devotion to Shiva is born in human hearts. Be attentive now, and listen to it today with the greatest delight.

Verse 25 (shiva.kailasa.1.25)

स्वारोचिषेन्तरे पूर्वं तपस्यंतो दृढव्रताः । ऋषयो नैमिषारण्ये सर्वसिद्धनिषेविते

svārociṣentare pūrvaṁ tapasyaṁto dṛḍhavratāḥ ṛṣayo naimiṣāraṇye sarvasiddhaniṣevite

Formerly, in the Svarochisha age, firm-vowed sages practicing austerity in Naimisharanya — a forest frequented by all the Siddhas —

Verse 26 (shiva.kailasa.1.26)

दीर्घसत्रं वितन्वन्तो रुद्रमध्वरनायकम् । प्रीणयन्तः परं भावमैश्वर्य्यं ज्ञातुमिच्छवः

dīrghasatraṁ vitanvanto rudramadhvaranāyakam prīṇayantaḥ paraṁ bhāvamaiśvaryyaṁ jñātumicchavaḥ

conducting a long sacrificial rite, seeking to please Rudra, the lord of that sacrifice, and wishing to know his supreme nature and majesty —

Verse 27 (shiva.kailasa.1.27)

निवसन्ति स्म ते सर्वे व्यासदर्शनकांक्षिणः । शिवभक्तिरता नित्यं भस्मरुद्राक्षधारिणः

nivasanti sma te sarve vyāsadarśanakāṁkṣiṇaḥ śivabhaktiratā nityaṁ bhasmarudrākṣadhāriṇaḥ

all of them dwelt there, longing to behold Vyasa, ever devoted to the worship of Shiva, adorned with sacred ash and rudraksha beads.

Verse 28 (shiva.kailasa.1.28)

तेषां भावं समालोक्य भगवान्बादरायणः । प्रादुर्बभूव सर्वात्मा पराशरतपःफलम्

teṣāṁ bhāvaṁ samālokya bhagavānbādarāyaṇaḥ prādurbabhūva sarvātmā parāśaratapaḥphalam

Beholding their devotion, the blessed Badarayana — the Self of all, the very fruit of Parashara's austerity — appeared before them.

Verse 29 (shiva.kailasa.1.29)

तं दृष्ट्वा मुनयस्सर्वे प्रहृष्टवदनेक्षणाः । अभ्युत्थानादिभिस्सर्वैरुपचारैरुपाचरन्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā munayassarve prahṛṣṭavadanekṣaṇāḥ abhyutthānādibhissarvairupacārairupācaran

Seeing him, all the sages, their faces and eyes alight with joy, honored him with every courtesy, rising up to greet him and more.

Verse 30 (shiva.kailasa.1.30)

सत्कृत्य प्रददुस्तस्मै सौवर्णं विष्टरं शुभम् । सुखोपविष्टः स तदा तस्मिन्सौवर्णविष्टरे । प्राह गंभीरया वाचा पाराशर्य्यो महामुनिः

satkṛtya pradadustasmai sauvarṇaṁ viṣṭaraṁ śubham sukhopaviṣṭaḥ sa tadā tasminsauvarṇaviṣṭare prāha gaṁbhīrayā vācā pārāśaryyo mahāmuniḥ

Having welcomed him, they offered him an auspicious golden seat; and seated comfortably upon that golden seat, the great sage, son of Parashara, spoke in a deep and solemn voice.

Verse 31 (shiva.kailasa.1.31)

व्यास उवाच । कुशलं किं नु युष्माकम्प्रब्रूतास्मिन्महामखे । अर्चितं किं नु युष्माभिस्सम्यगध्वरनायकः

vyāsa uvāca kuśalaṁ kiṁ nu yuṣmākamprabrūtāsminmahāmakhe arcitaṁ kiṁ nu yuṣmābhissamyagadhvaranāyakaḥ

Vyasa said: Tell me, is all well with you in this great sacrifice? Have you duly worshipped the lord of the rite?

Verse 32 (shiva.kailasa.1.32)

किमर्थमत्र युष्माभिरध्वरे परमेश्वरः । स्वर्चितो भक्तिभावेन साम्बस्संसारमोचकः

kimarthamatra yuṣmābhiradhvare parameśvaraḥ svarcito bhaktibhāvena sāmbassaṁsāramocakaḥ

For what purpose have you, in this rite, worshipped with devotion the Supreme Lord Samba, the liberator from worldly bondage?

Verse 33 (shiva.kailasa.1.33)

युष्मत्प्रवृत्तिर्मे भाति शुश्रूषा पूर्वमेव हि । परभावे महेशस्य मुक्तिहेतोश्शिवस्य च

yuṣmatpravṛttirme bhāti śuśrūṣā pūrvameva hi parabhāve maheśasya muktihetośśivasya ca

It seems to me that your intent, from the very outset, has been a wish to hear of the supreme nature of Mahesha, and of Shiva, the cause of liberation.

Verse 34 (shiva.kailasa.1.34)

एवमुक्ता मुनीन्द्रेण व्यासेनामिततेजसा । मुनयो नैमिषारण्यवासिनः परमौजसः

evamuktā munīndreṇa vyāsenāmitatejasā munayo naimiṣāraṇyavāsinaḥ paramaujasaḥ

Thus addressed by the lord of sages, Vyasa of boundless splendor, the sages dwelling in Naimisharanya, themselves of supreme vigor,

Verse 35 (shiva.kailasa.1.35)

प्रणिपत्य महात्मानं पाराशशर्य्यं महामुनिम् । शिवानुरागसंहृष्टमानसं च तमब्रुवन्

praṇipatya mahātmānaṁ pārāśaśaryyaṁ mahāmunim śivānurāgasaṁhṛṣṭamānasaṁ ca tamabruvan

bowed before that great-souled, great sage, son of Parashara, whose heart was filled with joy from his love of Shiva, and spoke to him as follows.

Verse 36 (shiva.kailasa.1.36)

मुनय ऊचुः । भगवन्मुनिशार्दूल साक्षान्नारायणांशज । कृपानिधे महाप्राज्ञ सर्वविद्याधिप प्रभो

munaya ūcuḥ bhagavanmuniśārdūla sākṣānnārāyaṇāṁśaja kṛpānidhe mahāprājña sarvavidyādhipa prabho

The sages said: O blessed one, tiger among sages, born of a very portion of Narayana! O treasury of compassion, O greatly wise one, O lord and master of all knowledge!

Verse 37 (shiva.kailasa.1.37)

त्वं हि सर्वजगद्भर्तुर्महा देवस्य वेधसः । साम्बस्य सगणस्यास्य प्रसादानां निधिस्स्वयम्

tvaṁ hi sarvajagadbharturmahā devasya vedhasaḥ sāmbasya sagaṇasyāsya prasādānāṁ nidhissvayam

You yourself are the very treasury of the graces of the great god, the Ordainer, the sustainer of all worlds — of Samba together with His hosts.

Verse 38 (shiva.kailasa.1.38)

त्वत्पादाब्जरसास्वादमधुपायितमानसाः । कृतार्था वयमद्यैव भवत्पादाब्जदर्शनात्

tvatpādābjarasāsvādamadhupāyitamānasāḥ kṛtārthā vayamadyaiva bhavatpādābjadarśanāt

Our minds, become like bees savoring the nectar of the lotus of your feet, are today made fulfilled by this very sight of your lotus feet.

Verse 39 (shiva.kailasa.1.39)

त्वदीयचरणाम्भोजदर्शनं खलु पापिनाम् । दुर्लभं लब्धमस्माभिस्त्वस्मात्सुकृतिनो वयम्

tvadīyacaraṇāmbhojadarśanaṁ khalu pāpinām durlabhaṁ labdhamasmābhistvasmātsukṛtino vayam

The sight of your lotus feet is indeed hard for sinners to attain; since we have obtained it, we are, for that very reason, most fortunate.

Verse 40 (shiva.kailasa.1.40)

अस्मिन्देशे महाभाग नैमिषारण्यसंज्ञके । दीर्घसत्रान्वितास्सर्वे प्रणवार्थप्रकाशकाः

asmindeśe mahābhāga naimiṣāraṇyasaṁjñake dīrghasatrānvitāssarve praṇavārthaprakāśakāḥ

O most fortunate one, in this land called Naimisharanya, all of us, engaged in a long sacrificial rite, expounders of the meaning of the Pranava,

Verse 41 (shiva.kailasa.1.41)

श्रोतव्यः परमेशान इति कृत्वा विनिश्चिताः । परस्परं चिन्तयन्तः परं भावं महेशितु

śrotavyaḥ parameśāna iti kṛtvā viniścitāḥ parasparaṁ cintayantaḥ paraṁ bhāvaṁ maheśitu

having resolved among ourselves that the Supreme Lord must be heard of, kept pondering together upon the supreme nature of Mahesha.

Verse 42 (shiva.kailasa.1.42)

अज्ञातवन्त एवैते वयं तस्माद्भवान्प्रभो । छेत्तुमर्हति तान्सर्वान्संशयानल्पचेतसाम्

ajñātavanta evaite vayaṁ tasmādbhavānprabho chettumarhati tānsarvānsaṁśayānalpacetasām

We indeed remain ignorant in this matter; therefore, O lord, you alone are capable of dispelling all these doubts of our feeble minds.

Verse 43 (shiva.kailasa.1.43)

त्वदन्यः संशयस्यास्यच्छेत्ता न हि जगत्त्रये । तस्मादपारगंभीरव्यामोहाब्धौ निमज्जतः

tvadanyaḥ saṁśayasyāsyacchettā na hi jagattraye tasmādapāragaṁbhīravyāmohābdhau nimajjataḥ

There is truly no one else in the three worlds able to resolve this doubt but you. Therefore, as we sink in this boundless and fathomless ocean of delusion,

Verse 44 (shiva.kailasa.1.44)

तारयस्व शिवज्ञानपोतेनास्मान्दयानिधे । शिवसद्भक्तितत्त्वार्थं ज्ञातुं श्रद्धालवो वयम्

tārayasva śivajñānapotenāsmāndayānidhe śivasadbhaktitattvārthaṁ jñātuṁ śraddhālavo vayam

carry us across, O treasury of compassion, by the boat of the knowledge of Shiva; we are full of faith and eager to know the true meaning of genuine devotion to Shiva.

Verse 45 (shiva.kailasa.1.45)

एवमभ्यर्थितस्तत्र मुनिभिर्वेदपारगैः । सर्ववेदार्थविन्मुख्यः शुकतातो महामुनिः । वेदान्तसारसर्वस्वं प्रणवं परमेश्वरम्

evamabhyarthitastatra munibhirvedapāragaiḥ sarvavedārthavinmukhyaḥ śukatāto mahāmuniḥ vedāntasārasarvasvaṁ praṇavaṁ parameśvaram

Thus entreated there by the sages versed in the Veda, that great sage, father of Shuka, foremost among the knowers of the meaning of all the Vedas — the Pranava, the Supreme Lord who is the very essence of the Vedanta —

Verse 46 (shiva.kailasa.1.46)

ध्यात्वा हृत्कर्णिकामध्ये साम्बं संसारमोचकम् । प्रहृष्टमानसो भूत्वा व्याजहार महामुनि

dhyātvā hṛtkarṇikāmadhye sāmbaṁ saṁsāramocakam prahṛṣṭamānaso bhūtvā vyājahāra mahāmuni

meditating in the center of his heart's lotus upon Samba, the liberator from worldly bondage, and his mind filled with joy, that great sage began to speak.