The Praise of Shiva and Shivā

Verse 1 (shiva.vayaviya.15.1)

वायुरुवाच । यदा पुनः प्रजाः सृष्टा न व्यवर्द्धन्त वेधसः । तदा मैथुनजां सृष्टिं ब्रह्मा कर्तुममन्यत

vāyuruvāca | yadā punaḥ prajāḥ sṛṣṭā na vyavarddhanta vedhasaḥ | tadā maithunajāṁ sṛṣṭiṁ brahmā kartumamanyata

Vayu said: When the creatures earlier created by Vedhas did not increase, Brahma resolved to bring about creation born of sexual union.

Verse 2 (shiva.vayaviya.15.2)

न निर्गतं पुरा यस्मान्नारीणां कुलमीश्वरात् । तेन मैथुनजां सृष्टिं न शशाक पितामहः

na nirgataṁ purā yasmānnārīṇāṁ kulamīśvarāt | tena maithunajāṁ sṛṣṭiṁ na śaśāka pitāmahaḥ

But since no race of women had yet emerged from the Lord, the Grandsire was unable to bring about creation born of sexual union.

Verse 3 (shiva.vayaviya.15.3)

ततः स विदधे बुद्धिमर्थनिश्चयगामिनीम् । प्रजानमेव वृद्ध्यर्थं प्रष्टव्यः परमेश्वर

tataḥ sa vidadhe buddhimarthaniścayagāminīm | prajānameva vṛddhyarthaṁ praṣṭavyaḥ parameśvara

Then he formed a firm resolve: 'For the sake of the increase of creatures, the Supreme Lord alone is to be entreated.'

Verse 4 (shiva.vayaviya.15.4)

प्रसादेन विना तस्य न वर्द्धेरन्निमाः प्रजाः । एवं सञ्चिन्त्य विश्वात्मा तपः कर्तुं प्रचक्रमे

prasādena vinā tasya na varddherannimāḥ prajāḥ | evaṁ sañcintya viśvātmā tapaḥ kartuṁ pracakrame

'Without his grace, these creatures will not increase.' Having thus reflected, the Soul of the universe set about performing austerity.

Verse 5 (shiva.vayaviya.15.5)

तदाद्या परमा शक्तिरनन्ता लोकभाविनी । आद्या सूक्ष्मतरा शुद्धा भावगम्या मनोहरा

tadādyā paramā śaktiranantā lokabhāvinī | ādyā sūkṣmatarā śuddhā bhāvagamyā manoharā

Then the Primal, Supreme Shakti, infinite, the source of the worlds' being -- primeval, most subtle, pure, accessible only through devotion, enchanting,

Verse 6 (shiva.vayaviya.15.6)

निर्गुणा निष्प्रपञ्चा च निष्कला निरुपप्लवा । निरन्तररता नित्या नित्यमीश्वरपार्श्वगा

nirguṇā niṣprapañcā ca niṣkalā nirupaplavā | nirantararatā nityā nityamīśvarapārśvagā

-- without qualities, free of manifoldness, without parts, free of calamity, ever engaged in her own bliss, eternal, forever abiding at the Lord's side --

Verse 7 (shiva.vayaviya.15.7)

तया परमया शक्त्या भगवन्तं त्रियम्बकम् । सञ्चिन्त्य हृदये ब्रह्मा तताप परमं तपः

tayā paramayā śaktyā bhagavantaṁ triyambakam | sañcintya hṛdaye brahmā tatāpa paramaṁ tapaḥ

-- reflecting in his heart upon the Blessed Three-eyed One together with that Supreme Shakti, Brahma performed supreme austerity.

Verse 8 (shiva.vayaviya.15.8)

तीव्रेण तपसा तस्य युक्तस्य परमेष्ठिनः । अचिरेणैव कालेन पिता सम्प्रतुतोष ह

tīvreṇa tapasā tasya yuktasya parameṣṭhinaḥ | acireṇaiva kālena pitā sampratutoṣa ha

By the intense austerity of that Supreme One thus engaged, in no long time, his father became greatly pleased.

Verse 9 (shiva.vayaviya.15.9)

ततः केनचिदंशेन मूर्तिमाविश्य कामपि । अर्द्धनारीश्वरो भूत्वा ययौ देवः स्वयं हरः

tataḥ kenacidaṁśena mūrtimāviśya kāmapi | arddhanārīśvaro bhūtvā yayau devaḥ svayaṁ haraḥ

Then, entering into some particular form with a part of himself, the god Hara himself, having become Ardhanarishvara, came forth.

Verse 10 (shiva.vayaviya.15.10)

तं दृष्ट्वा परमं देवं तमसः परमव्ययम् । अद्वितीयमनिर्देश्यमदृश्यमकृतात्मभिः

taṁ dṛṣṭvā paramaṁ devaṁ tamasaḥ paramavyayam | advitīyamanirdeśyamadṛśyamakṛtātmabhiḥ

Seeing that Supreme God, beyond darkness, imperishable, without a second, indescribable, invisible to those whose selves are unrefined,

Verse 11 (shiva.vayaviya.15.11)

सर्वलोकविधातारं सर्वलोकेश्वरेश्वरम् । सर्वलोकविधायिन्या शक्त्या परमया युतम्

sarvalokavidhātāraṁ sarvalokeśvareśvaram | sarvalokavidhāyinyā śaktyā paramayā yutam

-- the Ordainer of all worlds, the Lord of the lords of all worlds, joined with the Supreme Shakti who fashions all the worlds,

Verse 12 (shiva.vayaviya.15.12)

अप्रतर्क्यमनाभासममेयमजरं ध्रुवम् । अचलं निर्गुणं शान्तमनन्तमहिमास्पदम्

apratarkyamanābhāsamameyamajaraṁ dhruvam | acalaṁ nirguṇaṁ śāntamanantamahimāspadam

-- inconceivable by reasoning, without ordinary manifestation, immeasurable, unaging, fixed, immovable, without qualities, tranquil, the abode of infinite glory,

Verse 13 (shiva.vayaviya.15.13)

सर्वगं सर्वदं सर्वसदसद्व्यक्तिवर्जितम् । सर्वोपमाननिर्मुक्तं शरण्यं शाश्वतं शिवम्

sarvagaṁ sarvadaṁ sarvasadasadvyaktivarjitam | sarvopamānanirmuktaṁ śaraṇyaṁ śāśvataṁ śivam

-- all-pervading, the giver of all, free from the manifest condition of both existence and non-existence, beyond all comparison, the refuge, eternal, auspicious --

Verse 14 (shiva.vayaviya.15.14)

प्रणम्य दण्डवद् ब्रह्मा समुत्थाय कृताञ्जलिः । श्रद्धाविनयसम्पन्नैः श्राव्यैः संस्कारसंयुतैः

praṇamya daṇḍavad brahmā samutthāya kṛtāñjaliḥ | śraddhāvinayasampannaiḥ śrāvyaiḥ saṁskārasaṁyutaiḥ

-- having bowed down flat like a staff, Brahma rose up, and with palms joined, with words full of faith and humility, pleasing to hear, grammatically refined,

Verse 15 (shiva.vayaviya.15.15)

यथार्थयुक्तसर्वार्थैर्वेदार्थपरिबृंहितैः । तुष्टाव देवं देवीं च सूक्तैः सूक्ष्मार्थगोचरैः

yathārthayuktasarvārthairvedārthaparibṛṁhitaiḥ | tuṣṭāva devaṁ devīṁ ca sūktaiḥ sūkṣmārthagocaraiḥ

-- endowed throughout with fitting meanings, enriched with the sense of the Vedas -- praised the God and the Goddess with hymns of subtle, penetrating meaning.

Verse 16 (shiva.vayaviya.15.16)

ब्रह्मोवाच । जय देव महादेव जयेश्वर महेश्वर । जय सर्वगुणश्रेष्ठ जय सर्वसुराधिप

brahmovāca | jaya deva mahādeva jayeśvara maheśvara | jaya sarvaguṇaśreṣṭha jaya sarvasurādhipa

Brahma said: Glory, O God Mahadeva! Glory, O Ishvara Maheshvara! Glory, O best of all the qualified! Glory, O Lord of all the gods!

Verse 17 (shiva.vayaviya.15.17)

जय प्रकृतिकल्याणि जय प्रकृतिनायिके । जय प्रकृतिदूरे त्वं जय प्रकृतिसुन्दरि

jaya prakṛtikalyāṇi jaya prakṛtināyike | jaya prakṛtidūre tvaṁ jaya prakṛtisundari

Glory, O auspicious one who is Prakriti! Glory, O Mistress of Prakriti! Glory to you who are beyond Prakriti! Glory, O beautiful one who is Prakriti!

Verse 18 (shiva.vayaviya.15.18)

जयामोघमहामाय जयामोघमनोरथ । जयामोघमहालील जयामोघमहाबल

jayāmoghamahāmāya jayāmoghamanoratha | jayāmoghamahālīla jayāmoghamahābala

Glory, O of unfailing great Maya! Glory, O of unfailing purpose! Glory, O of unfailing great sport! Glory, O of unfailing great strength!

Verse 19 (shiva.vayaviya.15.19)

जय विश्वजगन्मातर्जय विश्वजगन्मयि । जय विश्वजगद्धात्रि जय विश्वजगत्सखि

jaya viśvajaganmātarjaya viśvajaganmayi | jaya viśvajagaddhātri jaya viśvajagatsakhi

Glory, O Mother of the whole universe! Glory, O you who pervade the whole universe! Glory, O Sustainer of the whole universe! Glory, O Friend of the whole universe!

Verse 20 (shiva.vayaviya.15.20)

जय शाश्वतिकैश्वर्य जय शाश्वतिकालय । जय शाश्वतिकाकार जय शाश्वतिकानुग

jaya śāśvatikaiśvarya jaya śāśvatikālaya | jaya śāśvatikākāra jaya śāśvatikānuga

Glory, O of eternal sovereignty! Glory, O of eternal abode! Glory, O of eternal form! Glory, O eternal follower!

Verse 21 (shiva.vayaviya.15.21)

जयात्मत्रयनिर्मात्रि जयात्मत्रयपालिनि । जयात्मत्रयसंहर्त्रि जयात्मत्रयनायिके

jayātmatrayanirmātri jayātmatrayapālini | jayātmatrayasaṁhartri jayātmatrayanāyike

Glory, O Maker of the threefold self! Glory, O Protector of the threefold self! Glory, O Destroyer of the threefold self! Glory, O Mistress of the threefold self!

Verse 22 (shiva.vayaviya.15.22)

जयावलोकनायत्तजगत्कारणबृंहण । जयोपेक्षाकटाक्षोत्थहुतभुग्भुक्तभौतिक

jayāvalokanāyattajagatkāraṇabṛṁhaṇa | jayopekṣākaṭākṣotthahutabhugbhuktabhautika

Glory, O you by whose mere glance the causal expansion of the world depends! Glory, O you from whose sidelong glance of indifference arises the fire that consumes all material existence!

Verse 23 (shiva.vayaviya.15.23)

जय देवाद्यविज्ञेये स्वात्मसूक्ष्मदृशोज्ज्वले । जय स्थूलात्मशक्त्येशे जय व्याप्तचराचरे

jaya devādyavijñeye svātmasūkṣmadṛśojjvale | jaya sthūlātmaśaktyeśe jaya vyāptacarācare

Glory, O unknowable even to the gods from the beginning, radiant only to the subtle vision of one's own self! Glory, O Mistress of the gross-embodied Shakti! Glory, O you who pervade all that moves and moves not!

Verse 24 (shiva.vayaviya.15.24)

जय नानैकविन्यस्तविश्वतत्त्वसमुच्चय । जयासुरशिरोनिष्ठश्रेष्ठानुगकदम्बक

jaya nānaikavinyastaviśvatattvasamuccaya | jayāsuraśironiṣṭhaśreṣṭhānugakadambaka

Glory, O aggregate in whom the manifold principles of the universe are gathered! Glory, O attended by the host of excellent followers who stand upon the heads of the Asuras!

Verse 25 (shiva.vayaviya.15.25)

जयोपाश्रितसंरक्षासंविधानपटीयसि । जयोन्मूलितसंसारविषवृक्षाङ्कुरोद्गमे

jayopāśritasaṁrakṣāsaṁvidhānapaṭīyasi | jayonmūlitasaṁsāraviṣavṛkṣāṅkurodgame

Glory, O most skillful in arranging the protection of those who take refuge! Glory, O you by whom the very sprout of the poison-tree of worldly existence is uprooted!

Verse 26 (shiva.vayaviya.15.26)

जय प्रादेशिकैश्वर्यवीर्यशौर्यविजृम्भण । जय विश्वबहिर्भूत निरस्तपरवैभव

jaya prādeśikaiśvaryavīryaśauryavijṛmbhaṇa | jaya viśvabahirbhūta nirastaparavaibhava

Glory, O expander of merely local sovereignty, valor, and heroism! Glory, O you who stand beyond the universe, having cast aside all other majesty!

Verse 27 (shiva.vayaviya.15.27)

जय प्रणीतपञ्चार्थप्रयोगपरमामृत । जय पञ्चार्थविज्ञानसुधास्रोतःस्वरूपिणि

jaya praṇītapañcārthaprayogaparamāmṛta | jaya pañcārthavijñānasudhāsrotaḥsvarūpiṇi

Glory, O supreme nectar in the application of the Panchartha doctrine you have set forth! Glory, O you whose very form is the stream of the nectar of that fivefold knowledge!

Verse 28 (shiva.vayaviya.15.28)

जयातिघोरसंसारमहारोगभिषग्वर । जयानादिमलाज्ञानतमःपटलचन्द्रिके

jayātighorasaṁsāramahārogabhiṣagvara | jayānādimalājñānatamaḥpaṭalacandrike

Glory, O excellent physician for the terrible great disease of worldly existence! Glory, O moonlight that dispels the veil of beginningless impurity and the darkness of ignorance!

Verse 29 (shiva.vayaviya.15.29)

जय त्रिपुरकालाग्ने जय त्रिपुरभैरवि । जय त्रिगुणनिर्मुक्ते जय त्रिगुणमर्दिनि

jaya tripurakālāgne jaya tripurabhairavi | jaya triguṇanirmukte jaya triguṇamardini

Glory, O Fire of Time for Tripura! Glory, O fearsome one of Tripura! Glory, O you who are free of the three gunas! Glory, O crusher of the three gunas!

Verse 30 (shiva.vayaviya.15.30)

जय प्रथमसर्वज्ञ जय सर्वप्रबोधिके । जय प्रचुरदिव्याङ्ग जय प्रार्थितदायिनि

jaya prathamasarvajña jaya sarvaprabodhike | jaya pracuradivyāṅga jaya prārthitadāyini

Glory, O first Omniscient One! Glory, O awakener of all! Glory, O you of abundant divine limbs! Glory, O granter of what is prayed for!

Verse 31 (shiva.vayaviya.15.31)

क्व देव ते परं धाम क्व च तुच्छं च नो वचः । तथापि भगवन् भक्त्या प्रलपन्तं क्षमस्व माम्

kva deva te paraṁ dhāma kva ca tucchaṁ ca no vacaḥ | tathāpi bhagavan bhaktyā pralapantaṁ kṣamasva mām

Where, O God, is your supreme abode -- and where our trivial words? Yet, O Blessed One, out of devotion, forgive me who prattles on in your praise.

Verse 32 (shiva.vayaviya.15.32)

विज्ञाप्यैवंविधैः सूक्तैर्विश्वकर्मा चतुर्मुखः । नमश्चकार रुद्राय रद्राण्यै च मुहुर्मुहुः

vijñāpyaivaṁvidhaiḥ sūktairviśvakarmā caturmukhaḥ | namaścakāra rudrāya radrāṇyai ca muhurmuhuḥ

Having thus made his entreaty with such hymns, the four-faced Vishvakarma bowed again and again to Rudra and to Rudrani.

Verse 33 (shiva.vayaviya.15.33)

इदं स्तोत्रवरं पुण्यं ब्रह्मणा समुदीरितम् । अर्द्धनारीश्वरं नाम शिवयोर्हर्षवर्द्धनम्

idaṁ stotravaraṁ puṇyaṁ brahmaṇā samudīritam | arddhanārīśvaraṁ nāma śivayorharṣavarddhanam

This excellent, meritorious hymn, uttered by Brahma, is named 'Ardhanarishvara', increasing the joy of Shiva and Shivā.

Verse 34 (shiva.vayaviya.15.34)

य इदं कीर्त्तयेद्भक्त्या यस्य कस्यापि काङ्क्षया । स तत्फलमवाप्नोति शिवयोः प्रीतिकारणात्

ya idaṁ kīrttayedbhaktyā yasya kasyāpi kāṅkṣayā | sa tatphalamavāpnoti śivayoḥ prītikāraṇāt

Whoever recites this with devotion, with whatever desire, attains that fruit, through the pleasure of Shiva and Shivā.

Verse 35 (shiva.vayaviya.15.35)

सकलभुवनभूतभावनाभ्यां जननविनाशविहीनविग्रहाभ्याम् । नरवरयुवतीवपुर्द्धराभ्यां सततमहं प्रणतोऽस्मि शङ्कराभ्याम्

sakalabhuvanabhūtabhāvanābhyāṁ jananavināśavihīnavigrahābhyām | naravarayuvatīvapurddharābhyāṁ satatamahaṁ praṇato'smi śaṅkarābhyām

To the two who bring into being all the worlds and all beings, whose forms are free of birth and destruction, who bear the united form of the finest man joined with a young woman -- to that pair, both called Shankara, I am ever bowed in reverence.