Shiva's Curse: The Sages of Daruvana and the Falling of the Linga

Verse 1 (skanda.6.258.1)

गालव उवाच । प्रवृत्तायां शैलपुत्र्यां महत्तपसि दारुणे । कन्दर्पेण पराभूतो विचचार महीं हरः

gālava uvāca pravṛttāyāṁ śailaputryāṁ mahattapasi dāruṇe kandarpeṇa parābhūto vicacāra mahīṁ haraḥ

Galava said: While the mountain's daughter had begun her severe, great austerity, Hara, overpowered by Kandarpa the god of love, wandered over the earth.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.258.2)

वृक्षच्छायासु तीर्थेषु नदीषु च नदेषु च । जलेन सिंचत्स्ववपुः सर्वत्रापि महेश्वरः

vṛkṣacchāyāsu tīrtheṣu nadīṣu ca nadeṣu ca jalena siṁcatsvavapuḥ sarvatrāpi maheśvaraḥ

In the shade of trees, at sacred fords, in rivers and streams, Maheshvara everywhere kept sprinkling his own body with water.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.258.3)

तथापि कामाकुलितो न लेभे शर्म कर्हिचित् । एकदा यमुनां दृष्ट्वा जलकल्लोलमालिनीम्

tathāpi kāmākulito na lebhe śarma karhicit ekadā yamunāṁ dṛṣṭvā jalakallolamālinīm

Yet, tormented by desire, he found peace nowhere; one day, seeing the Yamuna garlanded with waves of water,

Verse 4 (skanda.6.258.4)

विगाहितुं मनश्चक्रे तापार्तिं शमयन्निव । कृष्णं बभूव तन्नीरं हरकायाग्निवह्निना

vigāhituṁ manaścakre tāpārtiṁ śamayanniva kṛṣṇaṁ babhūva tannīraṁ harakāyāgnivahninā

he resolved, as though to soothe his burning anguish, to plunge into it; that water turned black from the fire blazing within Hara's body.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.258.5)

दग्धं विगाहनेनाशु मषीप्रायं तदा बभौ । साऽपि दिव्यवपुः पूर्वं श्यामा भूत्वा हराद्यतः

dagdhaṁ vigāhanenāśu maṣīprāyaṁ tadā babhau sā'pi divyavapuḥ pūrvaṁ śyāmā bhūtvā harādyataḥ

Scorched by his sudden plunging, the water then appeared almost like soot; and she, whose form had been divine before, became dark on account of Hara.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.258.6)

स्तुत्वा नत्वा महेशानमुवाच पुनरेव सा । प्रसादं कुरु देवेश वशगास्मि सदा तव

stutvā natvā maheśānamuvāca punareva sā prasādaṁ kuru deveśa vaśagāsmi sadā tava

Praising and bowing to Mahesha, she said again: 'Show your grace, O Lord of gods; I am ever subject to you.'

Verse 7 (skanda.6.258.7)

ईश्वर उवाच । अस्मिंस्तीर्थवरेपुण्ये यः स्नास्यति नरो भुवि । तस्य पापसहस्राणि यास्यंति विलयं ध्रुवम्

īśvara uvāca asmiṁstīrthavarepuṇye yaḥ snāsyati naro bhuvi tasya pāpasahasrāṇi yāsyaṁti vilayaṁ dhruvam

Ishvara said: Whatever man on this earth bathes in this excellent, sacred tirtha, his thousands of sins shall surely be destroyed.

Verse 8 (skanda.6.258.8)

हरतीर्थमिति ख्यातं पुण्यं लोके भविष्यति । इत्युक्त्वा तां प्रणम्याथ तत्रैवांतरधीयत

haratīrthamiti khyātaṁ puṇyaṁ loke bhaviṣyati ityuktvā tāṁ praṇamyātha tatraivāṁtaradhīyata

'It shall become known in the world as the sacred Hara-tirtha.' Having said this, and having bowed to her, he vanished right there.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.258.9)

तस्यास्तीरे महेशोऽपि कृत्वा रूपं मनोहरम् । कामालयं वाद्यहस्तं कृतपुंड्रं जटाधरम्

tasyāstīre maheśo'pi kṛtvā rūpaṁ manoharam kāmālayaṁ vādyahastaṁ kṛtapuṁḍraṁ jaṭādharam

On her bank, Mahesha too assumed a captivating form — the very abode of desire, holding a musical instrument, marked with sectarian pundras, and wearing matted locks.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.258.10)

स्वेच्छया मुनिगेहेषु दर्शयत्यंगचापलम् । क्वचिद्गायति गीतानि क्वचिन्नृत्यति छन्दतः

svecchayā munigeheṣu darśayatyaṁgacāpalam kvacidgāyati gītāni kvacinnṛtyati chandataḥ

At will he went about the sages' dwellings, displaying the playfulness of his limbs; now singing songs, now dancing as the mood took him.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.258.11)

स च क्रुद्ध्यति हसति स्त्रीणां मध्यगतः क्वचित् । एवं विचरतस्तस्य ऋषिपत्न्यः समंततः

sa ca kruddhyati hasati strīṇāṁ madhyagataḥ kvacit evaṁ vicaratastasya ṛṣipatnyaḥ samaṁtataḥ

Sometimes he grew angry, sometimes he laughed, moving about in the midst of the women; as he wandered thus on every side, the sages' wives —

Verse 12 (skanda.6.258.12)

पत्युः शुश्रूषणं गेहे त्यक्त्वा कार्याण्यपि क्षणात् । तमेव मनसा चक्रुः पतिरूपेण मोहिताः

patyuḥ śuśrūṣaṇaṁ gehe tyaktvā kāryāṇyapi kṣaṇāt tameva manasā cakruḥ patirūpeṇa mohitāḥ

abandoning in an instant even their husbands' service and household duties, fixed their minds on him alone, deluded into taking him for their own husband.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.258.13)

भ्रमंत्यश्चैव हास्यानि चक्रुस्ता अपि योषितः । ततस्तु मुनयो दृष्ट्वा तासां दुःशीलभावनाम्

bhramaṁtyaścaiva hāsyāni cakrustā api yoṣitaḥ tatastu munayo dṛṣṭvā tāsāṁ duḥśīlabhāvanām

Those women, wandering about, also fell into laughter and unseemly mirth; then the sages, seeing this improper conduct of theirs,

Verse 14 (skanda.6.258.14)

चुक्रुधुर्मुनयः सर्वे रूपं तस्य मनोहरम् । गृह्यतां हन्यतामेष कोऽयं दुष्ट उपागतः

cukrudhurmunayaḥ sarve rūpaṁ tasya manoharam gṛhyatāṁ hanyatāmeṣa ko'yaṁ duṣṭa upāgataḥ

all the sages grew furious at that captivating form: 'Seize him! Strike him down! Who is this wicked fellow who has come here?'

Verse 15 (skanda.6.258.15)

इति ते गृह्य काष्ठानि यदोपस्थे ययुस्तदा । पलायितः स बहुधा भयात्तेषां महात्मनाम्

iti te gṛhya kāṣṭhāni yadopasthe yayustadā palāyitaḥ sa bahudhā bhayātteṣāṁ mahātmanām

So saying, when they seized their staffs and came near him, he fled here and there in fear of those great souls.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.258.16)

यो जीवकलया विश्वं व्याप्य तिष्ठति देहिनाम् । न ज्ञायते न च ग्राह्यो न भेद्यश्चापि जायते

yo jīvakalayā viśvaṁ vyāpya tiṣṭhati dehinām na jñāyate na ca grāhyo na bhedyaścāpi jāyate

He who, through a mere fragment of his life-force, pervades and abides within the whole world of embodied beings — he cannot be known, nor seized, nor ever pierced.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.258.17)

न शेकुस्ते यदा सर्वे ग्रहीतुं तं महेश्वरम् । तदा शिवं प्रकुपिता शेपुरित्थं द्विजातयः

na śekuste yadā sarve grahītuṁ taṁ maheśvaram tadā śivaṁ prakupitā śepuritthaṁ dvijātayaḥ

When all of them were unable to seize that Maheshvara, the twice-born, grown furious, then cursed Shiva thus:

Verse 18 (skanda.6.258.18)

यस्माल्लिंगार्थमागत्य ह्याश्रमांश्चोरवत्कृतम् । परदारापहरणं तल्लिङ्गं पततां भुवि

yasmālliṁgārthamāgatya hyāśramāṁścoravatkṛtam paradārāpaharaṇaṁ talliṅgaṁ patatāṁ bhuvi

'Since, coming here driven by the linga's desire, you have treated these hermitages like a thief, seeking to abduct another's wife — let that very linga fall to the earth!'

Verse 19 (skanda.6.258.19)

सद्य एव हि शापं त्वं दुष्टं प्राप्नुहि तापस । एवमुक्ते स शापाग्निर्वज्ररूपधरो महान्

sadya eva hi śāpaṁ tvaṁ duṣṭaṁ prāpnuhi tāpasa evamukte sa śāpāgnirvajrarūpadharo mahān

'O wicked ascetic, receive this curse this very instant!' When this was said, that great fire of the curse, taking the form of a thunderbolt,

Verse 20 (skanda.6.258.20)

तल्लिगं धूर्जटेश्छित्त्वा पातयामास भूतले । रुधिरौघपरिव्याप्तो मुमोह भगवान्विभुः

talligaṁ dhūrjaṭeśchittvā pātayāmāsa bhūtale rudhiraughaparivyāpto mumoha bhagavānvibhuḥ

severed the linga of Dhurjati and cast it down upon the earth; drenched in a flood of blood, the all-pervading Lord fell into a swoon.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.258.21)

वेदनार्त्तोज्ज्वलवपुर्महाशापाभिभूतधीः । तं तथा पतितं दृष्ट्वा त आजग्मुर्महर्षयः

vedanārttojjvalavapurmahāśāpābhibhūtadhīḥ taṁ tathā patitaṁ dṛṣṭvā ta ājagmurmaharṣayaḥ

His radiant body afflicted with pain, his mind overwhelmed by that great curse — seeing him fallen thus, those great sages then came near.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.258.22)

आकाशे सर्वभूतानि त्रेसुर्विश्वं चचाल ह । देवाश्च व्याकुला जाता महाभयमुपागताः

ākāśe sarvabhūtāni tresurviśvaṁ cacāla ha devāśca vyākulā jātā mahābhayamupāgatāḥ

In the sky all beings trembled, and the universe shook; the gods too became agitated, overtaken by great fear.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.258.23)

ज्ञात्वा विप्रा महेशानं पीडिता हृदयेऽभवन् । शुशुचुर्भृशदुःखार्ता दैवं हि बलवत्तरम्

jñātvā viprā maheśānaṁ pīḍitā hṛdaye'bhavan śuśucurbhṛśaduḥkhārtā daivaṁ hi balavattaram

Recognizing that it was Mahesha, the brahmins were stricken at heart; grief-afflicted, they lamented deeply — indeed, fate is stronger than all.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.258.24)

किं कृतं भगवानेष देवैरपि स सेव्यते । साक्षी सर्वस्य जगतोऽस्माभिर्नैवोपलक्षितः

kiṁ kṛtaṁ bhagavāneṣa devairapi sa sevyate sākṣī sarvasya jagato'smābhirnaivopalakṣitaḥ

'What have we done! This is the very Lord, whom even the gods serve, the witness of the entire universe — and we did not recognize him at all.'

Verse 25 (skanda.6.258.25)

वयं मूढधियः पापाः परमज्ञानदुर्बलाः । कथमस्माभिर्यस्यात्मा श्रुतश्च न निवेदितः

vayaṁ mūḍhadhiyaḥ pāpāḥ paramajñānadurbalāḥ kathamasmābhiryasyātmā śrutaśca na niveditaḥ

'We are foolish, sinful, weakened by the deepest ignorance; how did we fail to recognize that very Self, of whom we had already heard?'

Verse 26 (skanda.6.258.26)

मयेदृशो गृहस्थाय ह्यात्माऽयं न निवेदितः । निर्विकारो निर्विषयो निरीहो निरुपद्रवः

mayedṛśo gṛhasthāya hyātmā'yaṁ na niveditaḥ nirvikāro nirviṣayo nirīho nirupadravaḥ

'By me, a mere householder, this Self of such a nature — changeless, objectless, desireless, untroubled — was not recognized.'

Verse 27 (skanda.6.258.27)

निर्ममो निरहंकारो यः शंभुर्नोपलक्षितः । यस्य लोका इमे सर्वे देहे तिष्ठंति मध्यगाः

nirmamo nirahaṁkāro yaḥ śaṁbhurnopalakṣitaḥ yasya lokā ime sarve dehe tiṣṭhaṁti madhyagāḥ

'That Shambhu, free of possessiveness and egotism, was not recognized by us — he within whose body all these worlds abide.'

Verse 28 (skanda.6.258.28)

स एष जगतां स्वामी हरोऽस्माभिर्न वीक्षितः । इत्युक्त्वा ते ह्युपविष्टा यावत्तत्र समागताः

sa eṣa jagatāṁ svāmī haro'smābhirna vīkṣitaḥ ityuktvā te hyupaviṣṭā yāvattatra samāgatāḥ

'He, the very Lord of all the worlds, Hara — him we failed to behold!' Having said this, they sat down there, remaining as they had gathered.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.258.29)

तान्दृष्ट्वा सहसा त्रस्तः पुनरेव महेश्वरः । विप्रशापभयान्नष्टस्त्रिपुरारिर्दिवं ययौ

tāndṛṣṭvā sahasā trastaḥ punareva maheśvaraḥ vipraśāpabhayānnaṣṭastripurārirdivaṁ yayau

Seeing them, Maheshvara, suddenly startled once again, out of fear of the brahmins' curse, the Slayer of Tripura vanished away to heaven.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.258.30)

सुरभिं गां च गोलोके तां तुष्टाव सुसंयतः । सृष्टिस्थिति विनाशानां कर्त्र्यै मात्रे नमोनमः

surabhiṁ gāṁ ca goloke tāṁ tuṣṭāva susaṁyataḥ sṛṣṭisthiti vināśānāṁ kartryai mātre namonamaḥ

There, in Goloka, self-composed, he praised the cow Surabhi: 'Salutation again and again to the Mother, the doer of creation, preservation, and destruction!'

Verse 31 (skanda.6.258.31)

या त्वं रसमयैर्भावैराप्यायसि भूतलम् । देवानां च तथासंघान्पितॄणामपि वै गणान्

yā tvaṁ rasamayairbhāvairāpyāyasi bhūtalam devānāṁ ca tathāsaṁghānpitṝṇāmapi vai gaṇān

'You who, through essence-filled states of being, nourish the surface of the earth, and likewise the hosts of the gods and the multitudes of the ancestors —'

Verse 32 (skanda.6.258.32)

सर्वैर्ज्ञाता रसाभिज्ञैर्मधुरास्वाददायिनी । त्वया विश्वमिदं सर्वं बलस्नेहसमन्वितम्

sarvairjñātā rasābhijñairmadhurāsvādadāyinī tvayā viśvamidaṁ sarvaṁ balasnehasamanvitam

'— known by all who are versed in savor, the bestower of sweet taste; by you this entire universe is endowed with strength and affection.'

Verse 33 (skanda.6.258.33)

त्वं माता सर्वरुद्राणां वसूनां दुहिता तथा । आदित्यानां स्वसा चैव तुष्टा वांच्छितसिद्धिदा

tvaṁ mātā sarvarudrāṇāṁ vasūnāṁ duhitā tathā ādityānāṁ svasā caiva tuṣṭā vāṁcchitasiddhidā

'You are the mother of all the Rudras, and likewise the daughter of the Vasus; you are also the sister of the Adityas, and, when pleased, the bestower of desired accomplishments.'

Verse 34 (skanda.6.258.34)

त्वं धृतिस्त्वं तथा पुष्टिस्त्वं स्वाहा त्वं स्वधा तथा । ऋद्धिः सिद्धिस्तथा लक्ष्मीर्धृतिः कीर्तिस्तथा मतिः

tvaṁ dhṛtistvaṁ tathā puṣṭistvaṁ svāhā tvaṁ svadhā tathā ṛddhiḥ siddhistathā lakṣmīrdhṛtiḥ kīrtistathā matiḥ

'You are Steadfastness, and likewise Nourishment; you are Svaha, and likewise Svadha; you are Prosperity, Accomplishment, Fortune, Fortitude, Fame, and Intellect.'

Verse 35 (skanda.6.258.35)

कांतिर्लज्जा महामाया श्रद्धा सर्वार्थसाधिनी । त्वया विरहितं किंचिन्नास्ति त्रिभुवनेष्वपि

kāṁtirlajjā mahāmāyā śraddhā sarvārthasādhinī tvayā virahitaṁ kiṁcinnāsti tribhuvaneṣvapi

'You are Splendor, Modesty, the Great Illusion, and Faith which accomplishes all ends; there is nothing whatsoever, even in the three worlds, devoid of you.'

Verse 36 (skanda.6.258.36)

वह्नेस्तृप्तिप्रदात्री च देवादीनां च तृप्तिदा । त्वया सर्वमिदं व्याप्तं जगत्स्थावरजंगमम्

vahnestṛptipradātrī ca devādīnāṁ ca tṛptidā tvayā sarvamidaṁ vyāptaṁ jagatsthāvarajaṁgamam

'You are the giver of satisfaction to fire, and the giver of satisfaction to the gods and others as well; by you this whole universe, moving and unmoving, is pervaded.'

Verse 37 (skanda.6.258.37)

पादास्ते वेदाश्चत्वारः समुद्राः स्तनतां ययुः । चंद्रार्कौ लोचने यस्या रोमाग्रेषु च देवताः

pādāste vedāścatvāraḥ samudrāḥ stanatāṁ yayuḥ caṁdrārkau locane yasyā romāgreṣu ca devatāḥ

'Your feet are the four Vedas; the oceans have become your breasts; the moon and sun are your eyes, and the gods dwell at the tips of your hairs.'

Verse 38 (skanda.6.258.38)

शृङ्गयोः पर्वताः सर्वे कर्णयोर्वायवस्तथा । नाभौ चैवामृतं देवि पातालानि खुरास्तथा

śṛṅgayoḥ parvatāḥ sarve karṇayorvāyavastathā nābhau caivāmṛtaṁ devi pātālāni khurāstathā

'At your horns are all the mountains, and at your ears the winds; at your navel, O goddess, is the nectar of immortality, and the netherworlds are at your hooves.'

Verse 39 (skanda.6.258.39)

स्कन्धे च भगवान्ब्रह्मा मस्तकस्थः सदाशिवः । हृद्देशे च स्थितो विष्णुः पुच्छाग्रे पन्नगास्तथा

skandhe ca bhagavānbrahmā mastakasthaḥ sadāśivaḥ hṛddeśe ca sthito viṣṇuḥ pucchāgre pannagāstathā

'On your shoulder dwells the Lord Brahma, Sadashiva abides on your head, Vishnu is stationed in the region of your heart, and the serpents are at the tip of your tail.'

Verse 40 (skanda.6.258.40)

शकृत्स्था वसवः सर्वे साध्या मूत्रस्थितास्तव । सर्वे यज्ञा ह्यस्थिदेशे किन्नरा गुह्यसंस्थिताः

śakṛtsthā vasavaḥ sarve sādhyā mūtrasthitāstava sarve yajñā hyasthideśe kinnarā guhyasaṁsthitāḥ

'All the Vasus abide in your dung, the Sadhyas in your urine; all the sacrifices dwell in the region of your bones, and the Kinnaras in your hidden parts.'

Verse 41 (skanda.6.258.41)

पितॄणां च गणाः सर्वे पुरःस्था भांति सर्वदा । सर्वे यक्षा भालदेशे किन्नराश्च कपोलयोः

pitṝṇāṁ ca gaṇāḥ sarve puraḥsthā bhāṁti sarvadā sarve yakṣā bhāladeśe kinnarāśca kapolayoḥ

'All the hosts of the ancestors ever shine, stationed before you; all the Yakshas are at your forehead, and the Kinnaras at your cheeks.'

Verse 42 (skanda.6.258.42)

सर्वदेवमयी त्वं हि सर्वभूतविवृद्धिदा । सर्वलोकहिता नित्यं मम देहहिता भव

sarvadevamayī tvaṁ hi sarvabhūtavivṛddhidā sarvalokahitā nityaṁ mama dehahitā bhava

'You indeed consist of all the gods, the giver of increase to all beings, ever beneficial to all the worlds — be beneficial also to my body.'

Verse 43 (skanda.6.258.43)

प्रणतस्तव देवेशि पूजये त्वां सदाऽनघे । स्तौमि विश्वार्तिहन्त्रीं त्वां प्रसन्ना वरदा भव

praṇatastava deveśi pūjaye tvāṁ sadā'naghe staumi viśvārtihantrīṁ tvāṁ prasannā varadā bhava

'Bowed down, O Goddess of gods, sinless one, I ever worship you; I praise you, remover of the universe's suffering — be pleased and grant your boon.'

Verse 44 (skanda.6.258.44)

विप्रशापाग्निना दग्धं शरीरं मम शोभने । स्वतेजसा पुनः कर्त्तुमर्हस्यमृतसंभवे

vipraśāpāgninā dagdhaṁ śarīraṁ mama śobhane svatejasā punaḥ karttumarhasyamṛtasaṁbhave

'O gracious one, my body has been scorched by the fire of the brahmins' curse; O source from which nectar arises, you are able to remake it again by your own radiance.'

Verse 45 (skanda.6.258.45)

इत्युक्त्वा ता परिक्रम्य तस्या देहे लयं गतः । साऽपि गर्भे दधाराथ सुरभिस्तदनन्तरम्

ityuktvā tā parikramya tasyā dehe layaṁ gataḥ sā'pi garbhe dadhārātha surabhistadanantaram

Having said this, and having circumambulated her, he dissolved into her body; and thereafter Surabhi bore that within her womb.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.258.46)

कालातिक्रमयोगेन सर्वव्याकुलतां ययौ । यस्मिन्प्रनष्टे देवेशे विप्रशापभयावृते

kālātikramayogena sarvavyākulatāṁ yayau yasminpranaṣṭe deveśe vipraśāpabhayāvṛte

As time passed, everything fell into agitation, since the Lord of gods, enveloped by fear of the brahmins' curse, had vanished away.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.258.47)

देवा महार्तिं प्रययुश्चचाल पृथिवी तथा । चंद्रार्कौ निष्प्रभौ चैव वायुरुच्चण्ड एव च

devā mahārtiṁ prayayuścacāla pṛthivī tathā caṁdrārkau niṣprabhau caiva vāyuruccaṇḍa eva ca

The gods fell into great distress, and the earth likewise trembled; the moon and sun became lusterless, and the wind grew fierce and violent.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.258.48)

समुद्राः क्षोभमगमंस्तस्मिन्काले द्विजोत्तम

samudrāḥ kṣobhamagamaṁstasminkāle dvijottama

O best of the twice-born, at that time the oceans too were thrown into turmoil.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.258.49)

यस्मिञ्जगत्स्थावरजंगमादिकं काले लयं प्राप्य पुनः प्ररोहति । तस्मिन्प्रनष्टे द्विजशापपीडिते जगद्धतप्रायमवर्तत क्षणात्

yasmiñjagatsthāvarajaṁgamādikaṁ kāle layaṁ prāpya punaḥ prarohati tasminpranaṣṭe dvijaśāpapīḍite jagaddhataprāyamavartata kṣaṇāt

He in whom, at the time of dissolution, this whole moving and unmoving universe merges and from whom it springs forth again — when he had vanished, afflicted by the brahmins' curse, in that instant the world became as though on the verge of destruction.