Brahma and Sanaka: The Manifestation of the Linga of Light

Verse 1 (skanda.1.102.1)

श्रीगणेशाय नमः । अथ श्रीमदरुणाचलमाहात्म्यपूर्वार्धः प्रारभ्यते । ललाटे त्रैपुंड्री निटिलकृतकस्तूरितिलकः स्फुरन्मालाधारः स्फुरितकटिकौपीनवसनः । दधानो दुस्तारं शिरसि फणिराजं शशिकलां प्रदीपः सर्वेषामरुणगिरियोगीविजयते

śrīgaṇeśāya namaḥ atha śrīmadaruṇācalamāhātmyapūrvārdhaḥ prārabhyate lalāṭe traipuṁḍrī niṭilakṛtakastūritilakaḥ sphuranmālādhāraḥ sphuritakaṭikaupīnavasanaḥ dadhāno dustāraṁ śirasi phaṇirājaṁ śaśikalāṁ pradīpaḥ sarveṣāmaruṇagiriyogīvijayate

Salutation to Sri Ganesha. Now begins the illustrious Arunachala Mahatmya, its Purvardha. Victory to the Yogi of the red mountain, the lamp of all beings, who wears the triple ash-stripe on his brow with a tilaka of musk, a shimmering garland, a girdle and loin-cloth at his waist, and who bears on his head the invincible serpent-lord together with the crescent moon.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.102.2)

व्यास उवाच । अथाहुर्मुनयः सूतं नैमिषारण्यवासिनः । अरुणाचलमाहात्म्यं त्वत्तः शुश्रूषवो वयम्

vyāsa uvāca athāhurmunayaḥ sūtaṁ naimiṣāraṇyavāsinaḥ aruṇācalamāhātmyaṁ tvattaḥ śuśrūṣavo vayam

Vyasa said: Then the sages dwelling in the Naimisha forest said to Suta: We wish to hear from you the greatness of Arunachala.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.102.3)

तन्माहात्म्यं वदेत्युक्तः सूतः प्रोवाच तान्मुनीन् । श्रीसूत उवाच । एतदर्थं चतुर्वक्त्रं पप्रच्छ सनकः पुरा

tanmāhātmyaṁ vadetyuktaḥ sūtaḥ provāca tānmunīn śrīsūta uvāca etadarthaṁ caturvaktraṁ papraccha sanakaḥ purā

Requested to tell that greatness, Suta spoke to those sages. Sri Suta said: Long ago, on this very matter, sage Sanaka questioned the four-faced Brahma.

Verse 4 (skanda.1.102.4)

शृणुतावहिता यूयं तद्वो वक्ष्यामि सांप्रतम् । यदाकर्णयतां भक्त्या नराणां पापनाशनम्

śṛṇutāvahitā yūyaṁ tadvo vakṣyāmi sāṁpratam yadākarṇayatāṁ bhaktyā narāṇāṁ pāpanāśanam

Listen all of you with attentive minds; I shall now tell you that same tale, which destroys the sins of those who hear it with devotion.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.102.5)

सत्यलोके स्थितं पूर्वं ब्रह्माणं कमलासनम् । सनकः परिपप्रच्छ प्रणतः प्रांजलिः स्थितः

satyaloke sthitaṁ pūrvaṁ brahmāṇaṁ kamalāsanam sanakaḥ paripapraccha praṇataḥ prāṁjaliḥ sthitaḥ

Long ago, in Satyaloka, Sanaka, bowing low with joined palms, asked this question of lotus-seated Brahma.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.102.6)

सनक उवाच । भुवनाधार देवेश वेदवेद्य चतुर्मुख । आसीदशेषविज्ञानं प्रसादाद्भवतो मम

sanaka uvāca bhuvanādhāra deveśa vedavedya caturmukha āsīdaśeṣavijñānaṁ prasādādbhavato mama

Sanaka said: O support of the worlds, O lord of gods, O four-faced one known through the Vedas! By your grace I have gained complete knowledge.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.102.7)

भवद्भक्तिविभूत्या मे शोधिते चित्तदर्पणे । बिंबते सकलं ज्ञानं सकृदेवोपदेशतः

bhavadbhaktivibhūtyā me śodhite cittadarpaṇe biṁbate sakalaṁ jñānaṁ sakṛdevopadeśataḥ

By the power of devotion to you, the mirror of my mind has become pure, and with a single instruction the whole of knowledge reflects within it.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.102.8)

सारार्थं वेदवेदानां शिवज्ञानमनाकुलम् । लब्धवानहमत्यंतं कटाक्षैस्ते जगद्गुरोः

sārārthaṁ vedavedānāṁ śivajñānamanākulam labdhavānahamatyaṁtaṁ kaṭākṣaiste jagadguroḥ

O guru of the world! By your gracious glance I have fully attained the essence of all the Vedas — the untroubled knowledge of Shiva.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.102.9)

लिंगानि भुवि शैवानि दिव्यानि च कृपानिधे । मानुषाणि च सैद्धानि भौतानि सुरनायक

liṁgāni bhuvi śaivāni divyāni ca kṛpānidhe mānuṣāṇi ca saiddhāni bhautāni suranāyaka

O treasury of compassion! O lord of the gods! Tell me of the Shaiva lingas upon this earth — divine, human, siddha, and elemental.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.102.10)

याल्लिङ्मममलं दिव्यमरिच्छेदनवैभवम् । स्वयम्भु जाम्बवे द्वीपे तैजसं तव्ददस्व मे

yālliṅmamamalaṁ divyamaricchedanavaibhavam svayambhu jāmbave dvīpe taijasaṁ tavdadasva me

That pure, divine linga, endowed with the power to destroy the enemy, which manifested of itself in the form of fire in Jambu-dvipa — tell that to me.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.102.11)

नामस्मरणमात्रेण यत्पातकविनाशनम् । शिवसारूप्यदं नित्यं मह्यं वद दयानिधे

nāmasmaraṇamātreṇa yatpātakavināśanam śivasārūpyadaṁ nityaṁ mahyaṁ vada dayānidhe

O ocean of compassion! Tell me of that which, by the mere remembrance of its name, destroys sin and forever bestows equality of form with Shiva.

Verse 12 (skanda.1.102.12)

अनादिजगदाधारं यत्तेजः शैवमव्ययम् । यच्च दृष्ट्वा कृतार्थः स्यात्तन्मह्यमुपदिश्यताम्

anādijagadādhāraṁ yattejaḥ śaivamavyayam yacca dṛṣṭvā kṛtārthaḥ syāttanmahyamupadiśyatām

Instruct me in that beginningless support of the world, that imperishable Shaiva radiance, the mere sight of which makes a person fulfilled.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.102.13)

इति भक्तिमतस्तस्य कौतूहलसमन्वितम् । वाक्यमाकर्ण्य भगवान्प्रससाद तपोनिधिः

iti bhaktimatastasya kautūhalasamanvitam vākyamākarṇya bhagavānprasasāda taponidhiḥ

Hearing these devoted and eager words, the blessed Brahma, treasury of austerity, was pleased.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.102.14)

दध्यौ च सुचिरं शंभुं पंकजासनसंस्थितः । अंतरंगसुखांभोधिमग्नचेताश्चतुर्मुखः

dadhyau ca suciraṁ śaṁbhuṁ paṁkajāsanasaṁsthitaḥ aṁtaraṁgasukhāṁbhodhimagnacetāścaturmukhaḥ

The four-faced Brahma, seated on his lotus, meditated long upon Shambhu, his mind sunk deep in an inward ocean of bliss.

Verse 15 (skanda.1.102.15)

दृष्ट्वा यदा पुरा दृष्टं तेजःस्तंभमयं शिवम् । उत्तीर्णसकलाधारं न किंचित्प्रत्यबुध्यत

dṛṣṭvā yadā purā dṛṣṭaṁ tejaḥstaṁbhamayaṁ śivam uttīrṇasakalādhāraṁ na kiṁcitpratyabudhyata

When he recalled the fiery pillar-form of Shiva that he had seen before, transcending every support, he had understood nothing of it then.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.102.16)

पुनराज्ञां शिवाल्लब्धामनुपालयितुं प्रभुः । निर्वर्त्त्य हृदयं योगात्सस्मार सुतमानतम्

punarājñāṁ śivāllabdhāmanupālayituṁ prabhuḥ nirvarttya hṛdayaṁ yogātsasmāra sutamānatam

To once more fulfil the command he had received from Shiva, lord Brahma, steadying his mind through yoga, remembered his humble son Sanaka.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.102.17)

शिवदर्शनसंजातपुलकांकितविग्रहः । आनंदवाष्पवन्नेत्रः सगद्गदमभाषत

śivadarśanasaṁjātapulakāṁkitavigrahaḥ ānaṁdavāṣpavannetraḥ sagadgadamabhāṣata

His body thrilled with the horripilation born of Shiva's vision, his eyes filled with tears of joy, Brahma spoke in a choked voice.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.102.18)

ब्रह्मोवाच । अतः संस्मारितः पुत्र भवताऽहं पुरातनम् । शिवयोगमनुध्यायन्नस्मार्षं तव चादरात्

brahmovāca ataḥ saṁsmāritaḥ putra bhavatā'haṁ purātanam śivayogamanudhyāyannasmārṣaṁ tava cādarāt

Brahma said: O son, by you I have been reminded of that ancient matter; out of regard for you, meditating on union with Shiva, I have recalled it once more.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.102.19)

शिवभक्तिः परा जाता तपोभिर्बहुभिस्तव । तया मदीयं हृदयं व्यावर्त्तितमिव क्षणात्

śivabhaktiḥ parā jātā tapobhirbahubhistava tayā madīyaṁ hṛdayaṁ vyāvarttitamiva kṣaṇāt

Through your many austerities, supreme devotion to Shiva has arisen in you, and by it, as it were, my own heart was transformed in an instant.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.102.20)

पावयंति जगत्सर्वं चरितैस्ते निराकुले । येषां सदाशिवे भक्तिर्वर्द्धते सार्वकालिकी

pāvayaṁti jagatsarvaṁ caritaiste nirākule yeṣāṁ sadāśive bhaktirvarddhate sārvakālikī

Those whose devotion to Sadashiva ever increases at all times — by their untainted conduct this whole world is sanctified.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.102.21)

संभाषणं सहावासः क्रीडा चैव विमिश्रणम् । दर्शनं शिवभक्तानां स्मरणं चाघनाशनम्

saṁbhāṣaṇaṁ sahāvāsaḥ krīḍā caiva vimiśraṇam darśanaṁ śivabhaktānāṁ smaraṇaṁ cāghanāśanam

Conversation, dwelling together, sport, mingling, sight, and even the mere remembrance of the devotees of Shiva — all of these destroy sin.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.102.22)

श्रूयतामद्भुतं शैवमाविर्भूतं यथा पुरा । अव्याजकरुणापूर्णमरुणाद्र्यभिधं महः

śrūyatāmadbhutaṁ śaivamāvirbhūtaṁ yathā purā avyājakaruṇāpūrṇamaruṇādryabhidhaṁ mahaḥ

Now hear the wondrous tale of that Shaiva radiance, which of old, filled with unfeigned compassion, manifested under the name Arunadri, the red mountain.

Verse 23 (skanda.1.102.23)

अहं नारायणश्चोभौ जातौ विश्वाधिकोदयात् । बहु स्यामिति संकल्पं वितन्वानात्सदाशिवात्

ahaṁ nārāyaṇaścobhau jātau viśvādhikodayāt bahu syāmiti saṁkalpaṁ vitanvānātsadāśivāt

I and Narayana — we two were born from the rise of supreme majesty, having come forth from Sadashiva as he extended the resolve, 'May I become many.'

Verse 24 (skanda.1.102.24)

स्वभावेन समुद्भूतौ विवदंतौ परस्परम् । न च श्रांतौ नियुध्यंतौ साहंकारौ कदाचन

svabhāvena samudbhūtau vivadaṁtau parasparam na ca śrāṁtau niyudhyaṁtau sāhaṁkārau kadācana

Born each from his own nature, we two began to dispute with one another, and, filled with pride, fought on without tiring.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.102.25)

परस्परं रणोत्साहमावयोरतिभीषणम् । आलोक्य करुणामूर्तिरचिंतयदथेश्वरः

parasparaṁ raṇotsāhamāvayoratibhīṣaṇam ālokya karuṇāmūrtiraciṁtayadatheśvaraḥ

Beholding our mutual and terrible eagerness for battle, the Lord, the very embodiment of compassion, reflected.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.102.26)

किमर्थमनयोर्युद्धं जायते लोकनाशनम् । मया सृष्टमहं पातेति विवादमधितस्थुषोः

kimarthamanayoryuddhaṁ jāyate lokanāśanam mayā sṛṣṭamahaṁ pāteti vivādamadhitasthuṣoḥ

'Why does this world-destroying war arise between these two, each holding, "I alone created, I alone preserve"?'

Verse 27 (skanda.1.102.27)

समयेऽस्मिन्स्वयं लक्ष्यो मुग्धयोरनयोर्भृशम् । यदि युद्धं न रोत्स्यामि तदा स्याद्भुवनक्षयः

samaye'sminsvayaṁ lakṣyo mugdhayoranayorbhṛśam yadi yuddhaṁ na rotsyāmi tadā syādbhuvanakṣayaḥ

At this moment these two deluded ones are utterly their own target; if I do not stop this war, the destruction of all the worlds will follow.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.102.28)

वेदेषु मम माहात्म्यं विश्वाधिकतया श्रुतम् । न जानाते इमौ मुग्धौ क्रोधतो गलितस्मृती

vedeṣu mama māhātmyaṁ viśvādhikatayā śrutam na jānāte imau mugdhau krodhato galitasmṛtī

My greatness is proclaimed in the Vedas as surpassing all else, yet these two, deluded and having lost their memory through anger, do not know it.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.102.29)

सर्वोपि जंतुरात्मानमधिकं मन्यते भृशम् । अमतान्यसमाधिक्यस्त्वधः पतति दुर्मतिः

sarvopi jaṁturātmānamadhikaṁ manyate bhṛśam amatānyasamādhikyastvadhaḥ patati durmatiḥ

Every creature deems itself exceedingly great; and the fool who will not acknowledge one greater than himself falls low.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.102.30)

यद्यहं क्वापि भुवने दास्यामि मितिमात्मनः । तदा तद्रूपविज्ञानात्स आत्मा सोपि मामियात्

yadyahaṁ kvāpi bhuvane dāsyāmi mitimātmanaḥ tadā tadrūpavijñānātsa ātmā sopi māmiyāt

If I should anywhere in the world set a limit upon myself, then through the knowledge of that very form, that same soul would come to reach only me.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.102.31)

इति निश्चित्य मनसा स्वयमेव सदाशिवः । आवयोर्युध्यतोर्मध्ये वह्निस्तंभः समुद्यतः

iti niścitya manasā svayameva sadāśivaḥ āvayoryudhyatormadhye vahnistaṁbhaḥ samudyataḥ

Having resolved thus in his mind, Sadashiva himself raised up, between the two of us as we fought, a pillar of fire.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.102.32)

अतीत्य सकलाँल्लोकान्सर्वतोऽग्निरिव ज्वलन्

atītya sakalā~llokānsarvato'gniriva jvalan

That pillar of fire, blazing on every side like flame itself, overreached all the worlds.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.102.33)

अनाद्यंततया चाथ दृगार्तौ संव्यतिष्ठताम् । तेजःस्तंभं ज्वलंतं तमालोक्य शिथिलाशयौ

anādyaṁtatayā cātha dṛgārtau saṁvyatiṣṭhatām tejaḥstaṁbhaṁ jvalaṁtaṁ tamālokya śithilāśayau

Neither its beginning nor its end was to be seen; our anguished eyes became fixed upon it, and beholding that blazing pillar of light, our resolve grew faint.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.102.34)

आवयोः पुरतो जाता वाणी चाप्यशरीरिणी । किमर्थं बालकौ युद्धं कल्प्यते मूढमानसौ

āvayoḥ purato jātā vāṇī cāpyaśarīriṇī kimarthaṁ bālakau yuddhaṁ kalpyate mūḍhamānasau

Then a bodiless voice arose before us: 'O deluded children, why do you two contrive this war?'

Verse 35 (skanda.1.102.35)

युवयोर्बलवैषम्यं शिव एव विवेक्ष्यते । तेजःस्तभमयं रूपमिदं शंभोर्व्यवस्थितम्

yuvayorbalavaiṣamyaṁ śiva eva vivekṣyate tejaḥstabhamayaṁ rūpamidaṁ śaṁbhorvyavasthitam

Shiva himself alone shall decide the disparity of your two strengths; this form made of a pillar of light is Shambhu's own manifestation.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.102.36)

आद्यंतयोर्यदि युवामीक्षिषाथां बलाधिकौ । इति तां गिरमाकर्ण्य नियुद्धाद्विरतौ तदा

ādyaṁtayoryadi yuvāmīkṣiṣāthāṁ balādhikau iti tāṁ giramākarṇya niyuddhādviratau tadā

Whichever of you two should behold its beginning or its end shall be known as the mightier — hearing this word, we two then ceased from battle.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.102.37)

अहं विष्णुश्च गतिमान्विचेतुं तद्व्यवस्थितौ । अग्निस्तंभमयं रूपं शंभोराद्यंतवर्जितम्

ahaṁ viṣṇuśca gatimānvicetuṁ tadvyavasthitau agnistaṁbhamayaṁ rūpaṁ śaṁbhorādyaṁtavarjitam

I and Vishnu, both eager to find its end, set out on that task — that pillar-of-fire form of Shambhu was without beginning or end.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.102.38)

आलोकितुं व्यवसितावावामाद्यंतभागतः । बिंबितं व्योमगं चंद्रं यथा बालौ जिघृक्षतः

ālokituṁ vyavasitāvāvāmādyaṁtabhāgataḥ biṁbitaṁ vyomagaṁ caṁdraṁ yathā bālau jighṛkṣataḥ

We two set out to see the topmost and lowermost parts of that light, just as children strive to seize the reflection of the moon moving in the sky.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.102.39)

तथैवावां समुद्युक्तौ परिच्छेत्तुं च तन्महः । अथ विष्णुर्महोत्साहात्क्रोडोऽभूत्सुमहावपुः

tathaivāvāṁ samudyuktau paricchettuṁ ca tanmahaḥ atha viṣṇurmahotsāhātkroḍo'bhūtsumahāvapuḥ

In just that way we two became eager to measure out that radiance; then Vishnu, with great zeal, became a boar of vast form.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.102.40)

तन्मूलविचयाऽयाच्च भूमिगर्भं व्यदारयत् । अहं च हंसतां प्राप्तो महावेगं समुत्पतन्

tanmūlavicayā'yācca bhūmigarbhaṁ vyadārayat ahaṁ ca haṁsatāṁ prāpto mahāvegaṁ samutpatan

Seeking its root, he tore open the very womb of the earth, while I, rising with great speed, became a swan.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.102.41)

दिदृक्षुस्तच्छिरोभागं वियदूर्ध्वमगाहिषम् । अधोधोदारयन्क्षोणिमशेषामपि माधवः

didṛkṣustacchirobhāgaṁ viyadūrdhvamagāhiṣam adhodhodārayankṣoṇimaśeṣāmapi mādhavaḥ

Desiring to see its uppermost part, I plunged deep into the sky above, while Madhava went on tearing through the whole earth below.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.102.42)

आविर्भूतमिवाधस्तादग्निस्तंभमवैक्षत । अनेककोटिवर्षाणि विचिन्वन्नपि तेजसः

āvirbhūtamivādhastādagnistaṁbhamavaikṣata anekakoṭivarṣāṇi vicinvannapi tejasaḥ

Though he searched for that light for many millions of years, Vishnu, as it seemed rising from below, never beheld the beginning of that pillar of fire.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.102.43)

अपश्यन्नादिमक्षय्यमार्तरूपः स विह्वलः । विशीर्णदंष्ट्रबलयो विगलत्संधिबंधनः

apaśyannādimakṣayyamārtarūpaḥ sa vihvalaḥ viśīrṇadaṁṣṭrabalayo vigalatsaṁdhibaṁdhanaḥ

Failing to find its imperishable origin, he grew anguished and distressed, his tusks weakened, and the joints of his body loosened.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.102.44)

श्रमातुरस्तृषाक्रांतो नो यातुमशकद्धरिः । वाराहं रूपमतुलं संधारयितुमक्षमः

śramāturastṛṣākrāṁto no yātumaśakaddhariḥ vārāhaṁ rūpamatulaṁ saṁdhārayitumakṣamaḥ

Overcome with fatigue and thirst, Hari could go no further, and he became unable even to sustain his matchless boar-form.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.102.45)

विहंतुमपि विश्रांतो विषसाद रमापतिः । अचिंतयदमेयात्मा परिश्रांतशरीरवान्

vihaṁtumapi viśrāṁto viṣasāda ramāpatiḥ aciṁtayadameyātmā pariśrāṁtaśarīravān

Weary even of striving further, the Lord of Lakshmi fell into despondency; his body utterly exhausted, the immeasurable soul reflected within himself.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.102.46)

गलितश्रीः क्रियाश्रांतः शरण्यं शिवमाश्रयन् । धिङ्ममेदं महन्मौग्ध्यमहंकारसमुद्भवम् ४८ । येनाहमात्मनो नाथमात्मानं नावबुद्धवान् । अयं हि सर्ववेदानां देवानां जगतामपि

galitaśrīḥ kriyāśrāṁtaḥ śaraṇyaṁ śivamāśrayan dhiṅmamedaṁ mahanmaugdhyamahaṁkārasamudbhavam 48 yenāhamātmano nāthamātmānaṁ nāvabuddhavān ayaṁ hi sarvavedānāṁ devānāṁ jagatāmapi

His splendour gone, exhausted by his own striving, Vishnu took refuge in Shiva, protector of the surrendered: 'Shame upon this great delusion of mine, born of pride, by which I failed to recognize my own Lord, my very own Self — this Shiva is the very foundation of all the Vedas, of the gods, and of the worlds themselves.'

Verse 47 (skanda.1.102.47)

मूलभूतः शिवः साक्षान्मूलमस्य कथं भवेत् । अस्मादेव समुद्भूतोऽस्म्यहमाद्यंतवर्जितात्

mūlabhūtaḥ śivaḥ sākṣānmūlamasya kathaṁ bhavet asmādeva samudbhūto'smyahamādyaṁtavarjitāt

Shiva himself is manifestly the root of all — how then could there be a root of him? It is from him alone, who is without beginning or end, that I have arisen.

Verse 48 (skanda.1.102.48)

यन्मयान्वेष्टुमारब्धं शिवं पशुवपुर्धृता । अव्याजकरुणाबन्धोः पितुः शंभोः प्रसादतः

yanmayānveṣṭumārabdhaṁ śivaṁ paśuvapurdhṛtā avyājakaruṇābandhoḥ pituḥ śaṁbhoḥ prasādataḥ

That very Shiva whom I set out to seek while wearing the body of a beast — by the grace of that father Shambhu, bound to us by unfeigned compassion.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.102.49)

पुनरेवेदृशी लब्धा मतिर्मे स्वात्मबोधिना । स्वयमेव महादेवः शंभुर्यं पातुमिच्छति

punarevedṛśī labdhā matirme svātmabodhinā svayameva mahādevaḥ śaṁbhuryaṁ pātumicchati

Through knowledge of my own self this same understanding has come to me again — that it is Mahadeva Shambhu himself who wishes to save this one.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.102.50)

तस्य सद्यो भवेज्ज्ञानमनहंकारमात्मजम् । न शक्नोमि पुनः कर्तुं पूजामस्य जगद्गुरोः

tasya sadyo bhavejjñānamanahaṁkāramātmajam na śaknomi punaḥ kartuṁ pūjāmasya jagadguroḥ

By his grace alone shall egoless self-knowledge presently be born; I am no longer even capable of offering worship again to this guru of the world.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.102.51)

निवेदयामि चात्मानं शरणं यामि शंकरम् । इति दध्यौ शिवं विष्णुः स्तुत्यामर्पितचेतनः

nivedayāmi cātmānaṁ śaraṇaṁ yāmi śaṁkaram iti dadhyau śivaṁ viṣṇuḥ stutyāmarpitacetanaḥ

I offer myself to him, and go for refuge to Shankara alone — thus Vishnu, his mind given over to praise, meditated upon Shiva.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.102.52)

सत्प्रसादाद्भूतपतेः पुनरेवोद्धुतः क्षितौ । अहं च गगनेऽभ्राम्यमनेकानपि वत्सरान्

satprasādādbhūtapateḥ punarevoddhutaḥ kṣitau ahaṁ ca gagane'bhrāmyamanekānapi vatsarān

By the true grace of the Lord of beings I was raised up once more upon the earth, while I myself wandered through the sky for many years.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.102.53)

आघूर्णमाननयनः श्लथपक्षः श्रमं गतः । उपर्युपरि चापश्यं ज्वलनं पुरतः स्थितम्

āghūrṇamānanayanaḥ ślathapakṣaḥ śramaṁ gataḥ uparyupari cāpaśyaṁ jvalanaṁ purataḥ sthitam

My eyes reeling, my wings grown slack with weariness, I went on gazing higher and higher, until before me I saw a burning flame standing still.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.102.54)

तेजःस्तम्भं स्थूललिंगाभं शैवं तेजः सुरार्चितम् । आहुः स्म केचिदालोक्य सिद्धास्तेजोंशसंभवाः

tejaḥstambhaṁ sthūlaliṁgābhaṁ śaivaṁ tejaḥ surārcitam āhuḥ sma kecidālokya siddhāstejoṁśasaṁbhavāḥ

Beholding that Shaiva pillar of fire, radiant like a great linga and worshipped by the gods, certain siddhas spoke.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.102.55)

नित्यां शंभोः परां कोटिं दिदृक्षुं मां कृतोद्यमम् । अहोऽयं सत्यमुग्धत्वमद्यापि च चिकीर्षति

nityāṁ śaṁbhoḥ parāṁ koṭiṁ didṛkṣuṁ māṁ kṛtodyamam aho'yaṁ satyamugdhatvamadyāpi ca cikīrṣati

'This is he who has set out to behold the eternal, supreme summit of Shambhu; behold, even now he still seeks to prove his own true delusion!'

Verse 56 (skanda.1.102.56)

आसन्नदेहपातोऽपि नाहंकारोऽस्य वै गतः । विशीर्यमाणपक्षोऽयं श्रांत्वा विभ्रांतलोचनः

āsannadehapāto'pi nāhaṁkāro'sya vai gataḥ viśīryamāṇapakṣo'yaṁ śrāṁtvā vibhrāṁtalocanaḥ

Even with death of the body drawing near, his pride has still not left him; his wings are breaking away, and, exhausted, even his eyes have grown confused.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.102.57)

अपारतेजसि व्यर्थो विमोहोऽयं भविष्यति । एवं व्याकुलचित्तोऽयं क्रोडरूपी जनार्दनः

apāratejasi vyartho vimoho'yaṁ bhaviṣyati evaṁ vyākulacitto'yaṁ kroḍarūpī janārdanaḥ

In this boundless radiance, this delusion will prove utterly futile — thus was Janardana, wearing the boar's form, troubled in mind.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.102.58)

व्यावर्त्तितः शिवेनैव निर्व्याजकरुणाजुषा । ईदृशां ब्रह्ममुख्यानां सुराणां कोटिसंभवः

vyāvarttitaḥ śivenaiva nirvyājakaruṇājuṣā īdṛśāṁ brahmamukhyānāṁ surāṇāṁ koṭisaṁbhavaḥ

It was Shiva himself, full of unfeigned compassion, who had turned him back from that striving; the countless births of great gods headed by Brahma are all of this same kind.

Verse 59 (skanda.1.102.59)

यत्तेजःपरमाणुभ्यस्तस्य पारं दिदृक्षते । स्वात्मनो यो गतो ध्यात्वा समये भगवाञ्छिवः

yattejaḥparamāṇubhyastasya pāraṁ didṛkṣate svātmano yo gato dhyātvā samaye bhagavāñchivaḥ

He who would find the far shore of that radiance even through particles of his own light — it is the blessed Shiva himself who, when the time comes, meditating on his own Self, passes utterly beyond it.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.102.60)

यदि बुद्धिं ददात्यस्मै तस्य नश्येदहंक्रिया । इत्येवं वदतां तेषां सिद्धानां सदयं वचः

yadi buddhiṁ dadātyasmai tasya naśyedahaṁkriyā ityevaṁ vadatāṁ teṣāṁ siddhānāṁ sadayaṁ vacaḥ

'Should he grant this one understanding, his deed of pride shall perish' — thus, hearing the compassionate words of the siddhas.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.102.61)

आकर्ण्य शीर्णाहंकारो ह्यहमात्मन्यचिंतयम् । न वेदराशिविज्ञानात्तपस्तीर्थनिषेवणात्

ākarṇya śīrṇāhaṁkāro hyahamātmanyaciṁtayam na vedarāśivijñānāttapastīrthaniṣevaṇāt

My pride now withered away, I began to reflect within myself: 'Not through knowledge of the mass of the Vedas, nor through austerity, nor through the service of holy fords —'

Verse 62 (skanda.1.102.62)

संजायते शिवज्ञानमस्यैवानुग्रहादृते । शीर्णेऽपि पक्षयुगले सीदत्यंगे ह्यचंचले

saṁjāyate śivajñānamasyaivānugrahādṛte śīrṇe'pi pakṣayugale sīdatyaṁge hyacaṁcale

'— without his grace alone, knowledge of Shiva is never born'; even with both pairs of wings worn away, this body, its limbs grown still, sank down exhausted.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.102.63)

पुनरुत्सहते चेतः स्वाहंकारस्य संग्रहे । धिङ्मामहं क्रियाक्रांतमनात्मबलवेदिनम्

punarutsahate cetaḥ svāhaṁkārasya saṁgrahe dhiṅmāmahaṁ kriyākrāṁtamanātmabalavedinam

Yet still my mind strives once more to seize hold of its own pride — shame upon me, overwhelmed by action, who does not know the limit of my own strength.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.102.64)

शिवार्पितमनस्केभ्यः सिद्धेभ्यः सततं नमः । येषां संसर्गलब्धेन तपसा शोधिताशयः

śivārpitamanaskebhyaḥ siddhebhyaḥ satataṁ namaḥ yeṣāṁ saṁsargalabdhena tapasā śodhitāśayaḥ

To those siddhas whose minds are ever offered to Shiva alone, my constant salutation; by the austerity gained through their company my own heart has been purified.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.102.65)

शिवमेनं विजानामि स्वात्महेतुं पुरःस्थितम् । यत्प्रसादोपलब्धेन विभवेन समन्विताः

śivamenaṁ vijānāmi svātmahetuṁ puraḥsthitam yatprasādopalabdhena vibhavena samanvitāḥ

I now know this Shiva standing before me as the very cause of my own self; endowed with the majesty obtained through his grace —

Verse 66 (skanda.1.102.66)

देवाः सर्वे भविष्यंति सततं शमितारयः । यस्य वेदा न जानंति परमार्थं महागमैः

devāḥ sarve bhaviṣyaṁti satataṁ śamitārayaḥ yasya vedā na jānaṁti paramārthaṁ mahāgamaiḥ

'— all the gods shall forever become quellers of their foes' — whose ultimate truth even the Vedas, through their great scriptures, cannot know.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.102.67)

तमेव शरणं यामि शंभुं विश्वविलक्षणम् । अवादिषमथाभाष्यं विष्णुं कमललोचनम्

tameva śaraṇaṁ yāmi śaṁbhuṁ viśvavilakṣaṇam avādiṣamathābhāṣyaṁ viṣṇuṁ kamalalocanam

'To that Shambhu alone, unique in all the universe, I go for refuge' — thus speaking, I then addressed lotus-eyed Vishnu.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.102.68)

लब्धदेहः शिवं भक्त्या संश्रितश्चन्द्रशेखरम् । अहो किमिदमाश्चर्यमागतं शौर्यशालिनाम्

labdhadehaḥ śivaṁ bhaktyā saṁśritaścandraśekharam aho kimidamāścaryamāgataṁ śauryaśālinām

Having regained my body, and with devotion taken refuge in Shiva, the moon-crested one, I said: 'Ah, what strange wonder has come upon these two of great valour!'

Verse 69 (skanda.1.102.69)

शंभुना यत्समुद्भूतमहंकारमुपाश्रितौ । आवां परस्परं युद्धमाकर्ण्य विपुलं महत्

śaṁbhunā yatsamudbhūtamahaṁkāramupāśritau āvāṁ parasparaṁ yuddhamākarṇya vipulaṁ mahat

That pride which arose from Shambhu, taking shelter in which we two had waged our vast mutual war — hearing of it.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.102.70)

स एव शंकरः सर्वमहंकारमथावयोः । अपाहरदमेयात्मा स्वमाहात्म्यप्रकाशनात्

sa eva śaṁkaraḥ sarvamahaṁkāramathāvayoḥ apāharadameyātmā svamāhātmyaprakāśanāt

That same immeasurable Shankara, by revealing his own majesty, took away the entire pride of us both.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.102.71)

इममीश्वरमानतं सुरैरनलस्तम्भमयं सदाशिवम् । अभिपूजयितुं प्रवर्तते स भवेद्वै भवसागरस्य नौः

imamīśvaramānataṁ surairanalastambhamayaṁ sadāśivam abhipūjayituṁ pravartate sa bhavedvai bhavasāgarasya nauḥ

Whoever devotes himself to the worship of this Lord Sadashiva, bowed to by the gods, whose form is a pillar of fire — he alone obtains a boat to cross the ocean of worldly existence.