The Greatness of TryambakeSvara

1. О preceptor, the sacred anecdote of Gautama recounted by you has been heard. So also the greatness of Tryambaka at Panchavati on the Godavari.

2-4a. Now I wish to hear the greatness of Pundarlka- pura1 and also how Mahadeva performed Tandava dance. О god on the earth (Brahmana), it is more meritorious than the most meritorious holy centres.

Mahadeva is under the control of the devotees. He is the bestower of boons immediately. He manifests himself before the devotees and carries out what they wish.

4b-5. On one occasion, the great sage Jaimini, the disciple of Vyasa was going on a pilgrimage to a holy place along with Agnivesa and other disciples. He went to the city of Pun- darlka, comparable to the city of the king of Devas.

6-9. It is prosperous and glorious. It is adorned on all sides by the trees blossoming in all seasons. It is rendered splendid by means of trees with cool shade, by large reservoirs of clear water; with very beautiful lotus-ponds which were occupied by different kinds of birds. It is frequented by women, celestial damsels and men having the lustre of Vidyadharas. It shines like an aerial chariot with pure shining houses. On seeing the splendour of that city, the sage became highly delighted. He was inclined to take a holy bath there in that excellent lake which is rendered fragrant by means of different kinds of flowers and trees with pleasant shades.

1. Pun^arikapura is generally taken as Pandharpur in Sholapur district of Maharashtra. But for the last eight centuries at least, it has been a centre of Vaisnavism or rather of the Waskarl cult of Vithala in Maharashtra Kamatak. That god Shiva performed a Tan<Java dance here at the request of Jaimini is not known to the tradition of saints — the flowers of the Vithala cult in Maharashtra. The author of the NP. being an east Indian, far away from Maharashtra, has vague ideas about far off places in Maharashtra. Hence the confusion about Tryambakcsvara and Pandharpur.

10. After taking rest for a short while on the banks having thick shade, the sage took a holy dip and performed the daily routine rites including the rites of Tarpana to the Devas, sages and Pitrs.

11. He made a Linga out of earth (clay) and worshipped it with various services such as Padya, Arghya and others duly. He was not agitated.

12-13. He adored Shiva by means of scents, fragrant incense, lamps, Naivedyas and different fragrant flowers. When the sage stood by after worship, the lord who was pleased with him, manifested himself to him in that very same clay, Linga emitting the lustre of different kinds of jewels.

14-15a. On seeing lord Shiva directly, Jaimini fell on the ground like a staff. After getting up again he stood with palms joined in reverence. He then addressed Hari, half of whose body was that of Shiva, who dispels the anguish of those who seek shelter in him.

15b-16a “O God of gods, the Lord of the universe, I am blessed. I feel that I have accomplished all objectives of life inasmuch as you who are worthy of being meditated upon by great gods like Brahma and others have personally revealed yourself before my eyes.”

16b-17a. Then the delighted lord Girisa placed his hand on Jaimini’s head and told him — “O dear son, tell me what you wish?

17b-18. On hearing those words of Sambhu, Jaimini replied, “May I see the lord accompanied by Amba (Parvatl) Vighnesa (Ganapati) and Kumara (Karttikeya).

19a. Then the delighted lord asked again — “Tell me, dear son, what do you wish?”

19b-20a. On seeing the merciful nature of the lord, of the preceptor of the universe, Jaimini smilingly said — May I see you performing the Tandava dance”1

1. In the following verses we have a graphic description of the Tandava dance of Shiva.

20b-21a. Then, in order to fulfil that desire of his, lord Ambikapati remembered Shiva, Pramathas who are experts in different sports.

2lb-22. The moment they were remembered, all of фет led by Nandin, Bhrngin and others came there chattering enthusiastically. After bowing down to the lord accompanied by VighneSa (Ganesa) Кйтага (Karttikeya) and Amba they remained silent and stood there with palms joined in reverence. They eagerly waited for the behests of the lord of the Devas.

23. Then at the behest of Jaimini, Shiva assumed a wonderful form with ornaments and dress of variegated nature, and began to dance. He shone with the tremulous creeper-like serpents appearing as kindled fire. A slight smile flickered over his face. The crescent moon rendered the forehead splendid. His arms were lifted up like a banner.

24. He excelled the moon (in beauty and splendour) and its light by the brilliances of Bhasman (ashes) applied all over his body by him of beautiful eyes (or by his beautiful-eyed consort Parvatl). His body had been rendered wet by the sprinkling of water of the celestial river (Ganga) that flowed out of his matted hair. The crescent of the moon (on his crest was scorched by his blazing eye in the forehead but the nectar that oozed out of the moon brought back to life the hide of the king of beasts who created a roaring hissing sound.

25. When the peacock, the vehicle of Kumara, caught hold of a serpent with its beak, it began to hiss (Phunkrta). The head of the lotus-born deity (god Brahma) was enlivened by the nectar that was oozing out, and he was reviled by it (Tumkrta). The mouse that is the vehicle of Vighnaraja(Ganesa) was afraid of the serpent and so it squealed (Cunkrta). His own great bull became afraid at the roaring sound of the lion (that was resucitated), the fear was visible in its eyes and it began to bellow.

26. His lotus-like feet fell frequently on the surface of the earth that shook thereby. When he heard the excellent sound of musical instruments, he was delighted and hairs stood on their ends. His lotus-like feet were further brightened up by the the jewels on the crowns of the Devas and Asuras. GaneSa, Karttikeya and Sailaputrl (daughter of the mountain-Parvatl) were eagerly looking at his face.

27. The devotees who were highly delighted shouted cries of victory for him. The lord shone brilliantly with the Tandava dance that followed. He brightened the quarters.

28. Then, on seeing the dance of MaheSa Jaimini was immersed in the ocean of bliss. With great concentration, he eulogised the lord with hymn consisting of verses having one quatrain from the Vedic texts in each.

29. О goddess residing Kampilya, О mother of the universe, О deity whose lotus-like feet arc bowed to by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, obeisance to you.

30. О Ganapati, obeisance to you, О deity saluted by Ganesa, Brahma, Sun, Moon, Indra and Vishnu, О lord of Brahman or Brahmanas.

31. I salute Kumara who has gold earrings, whose forehead is stroked by the lotus-like tender hands ofUma and who wears lotus garlands.

32. Which man can adequately eulogise Shiva, imperceptible to Brahma and others. By your vision my eulogy is born like the shower from the cloud.

1. VV.29-141 contain an eulogy of god Shiva. It is called The Veda- pdda hymn as every verse contains a Pa da from Vedic mantras. To take

Many more examples can be quoted but the above are enough to show that the title Veda Pdda is justifiable.

33. Obeisance to Shiva accompanied by Amba, obeisance to Sarva, to Sambhu, Obeisance to Rudra who dances; obeisance to Sadasaspati (the lord of the assembly).

34. Obeisance to the deity who has split the world with his feet; who has split the walls of the egg (i.e. cosmic egg) with his head, who has wandered over the ends of quarters with his arms (the arms are stretched on to the quarters), obeisance to the lord of living beings.

35. Hail be to the deity having a pair of jingling anklets, to the deity wearing shining hides as clothes; obeisance to the deity having the lord of serpents as a girdle, obeisance to the lord of Pagus (Individual souls).

36. Salute to Soma; Kalakiila (Death unto the god of death); obeisance to the trident-armed Yogin. Bow to the pure one bedecked in bones; obeisance to the lord of the worlds.

37. Obeisance to the protector of the entire universe; Obeisance to the leader of all heaven-dwellers, obeisance to you the lord of mountains; obeisance to the lord of holy centres.

38. Obeisance to Sankara (the bestower of bliss), salute to Mangala (the auspicious Deity), obeisance to the lord of riches, Hail to you the lord of food, obeisance to you the lord of Atman; obeisance to the most bountiful god.

39. Obeisance to the eight-limbed one (one having the eight cosmic bodies). Salute to the excessively hearty one. Obeisance to the bestower of the desired things on devotees in distress. Hail to the destroyer of sacrifice; obeisance to the most delighted deity; obeisance to the lord of well nourished beings.

40. Hail to the lord of five elements; obeisance to the overlord of Kala (God of Death, Time); obeisance to the lord of Atman; obeisance to the lord of the quarters.

41. Obeisance to Mahesa, the creator of the universe; Hail to thePinaka-bearing god, the sustainer of the universe; obeisance to the fiery-eyed destroyer of the universe; obeisance to the one having manifold forms.

42. О Isana, obeisance to you; О Tatpurusa, obeisance to you; obeisance always unto you, to Aghora; О Vamadeva,. obeisance be to you. Obeisance to Sadyojata (a form of Shiva).

43. Obeisance to one embellished with Bhasman. Hail to the destroyer of the fear of devotees. A bow to Bhava; to Bharga; to Rudra, to Mltfhus (the liberal god).

44. Obeisance to the thousand-eyed deity; to the deity accompanied by Amba; obeisance to the thousand-rayed one; obeisance to the thousand-armed one; obeisance to the thousandeyed Midhus (sun-god).

45. Hail to the god with good cheeks. Obeisance to Soma with good forehead; obeisance to one with good eyebrows; to one with good physical body; salute to you to extremely compassionate bountiful Lord.

46. Obeisance to one who always dispels the tremendous fear caused by the distress of worldly existence; Hail to you the invincible god; obeisance to MIdhus (the bountiful god) the victorious deity.

47. I salute the lord who is mass of bliss; I salute the lord who is beautiful in the course of his dance, who is the lord of all the worlds and who is the wonderful Sadasaspati (lord of the assembly).

48. I bow down to the imperishable supreme lord; to Isa of fine-calf; to Isa wearing beautiful silken cloth (?) I bow down to the lord who is capable of destroying demons and goblins. I bow to the lord whose friend is the lord of the Yaksas.

49. I bow down to the half-man and half woman deity who is both dark and tawny-complexioned; who has half the characteristics of man; who has forelocks in one half of his body, who is naked in one half of his body and who wears the garlands of bones and lotus petals. (This is the Ardha-narl form of Shiva.)

50. I bow down to Isana who is the lord of the mobile and immobile beings and who enables those who bow down but once, to him to cross the great ocean of worldly existence.

51. I salute Isa who is the creator of the worlds; who is bestower of riches; who is the leader of Maruts (Devas) and who is the unvanquished conqueror.

52. I bow down to you the leader of the god of death, I salute to the upholder of the Mandakini — Ganga-river on the head, I salute the lord who created these three worlds and who supports us all.

53. I salute that lshvara who is omniscient; omnipresent, who is identical with all, who is a seer from whom Vedas viz. the Rks and Samans originated along witl/ the Yajus.

54. I salute Lord Shiva, the excellent seer, out of fear from whom the past, present and future beings abstain from other (i.e. sinful) deeds and who overviews the universe on all sides.

55. I bow down to that Нага who annihilates, who restrains and checks the Devas and at whose behest Narayana pervades the universe and stands by.

56. I bow down to that Mahadeva at whose behest, god Brahma, the creator created this universe at the beginning of the Kalpa in the same manner as it was before.

57. I salute that ISvara whose Linga is worshipped day and night by the hosts of Maruts (Devas) whose eldest member is Indra, along with their wives.

58. I bow down to that Rudra by worshipping whom only for once formerly the Devas, Pusa and others attained their respective prowess and position.

59. I salute that god Isana who is Shiva. The quiescent ascetics know him well and worship him perpetually.

60. Perpetually do we offer obeisance to that auspicious body of yours, О Rudra, that has the splendour and refulgence of the lotus. О deity who have the cloth over the breasts of Uma spreading over his chest we bow down to it.

61. Obeisance to you of terrible emotional feelings. Obeisance to you of terrible sports; obeisanee to you of fierce (very deep) quiescence; obeisance to you of terrible anger.

62. О destroyer of Tripuras, obeisance to you whose feet rest on the chariots and horses of the Vedas and whose arms are equipped with the bow and arrows at the time of the conquest of Tripura).

63. O, Sankara, I bow down to you whose bow-string is the serpent Vasuki and who scatters arrows? May my salutes be to the great archer with Meru as the bow.

64. Obeisance to you to your, Parasu (axe), to your trident of incomparable glitter. Salute to one identical with Hayagriva (the horse-necked) or obeisance to your arrow.

65. О Нага, whatever other weapons are in your quiver they remove the necklaces of the wives of Asuras (i.e. they kill the Asura husbands, thus making them widows) I make obeisance to them.

66. Obeisance to you, to Aghora whose arms have been gently stroked with a toy-lotus by the daughter of the mountain. Obeisance to him who is praiseworthy to us.

67. О Nllalohita, (Shiva) save me who am ignorant, uneducated, devoid of any other person for shelter and I am leaderless, indigent and wretched and in adversity.

68. О Isa, protect me who am wicked and in a wretched condition. My face is deformed and I am of evil activities. With this vision of mine I do not see anyone other than you for my propitiation.

69. О merciful Sambhu, be our protector. We are being burned by the fire of worldly existence which has love, hatred and pride for its flames.

70. О Нага, of many great names, О oft-eulogised deity, protect me. I am after other men’s wives. I live in other’s houses. I am clad in others’ clothes. I depend upon others’ shelter. I eat other mens’ food.

71. We do not endure insult heaped on your servants (i.e. devotees) by wicked people of the world. О lord of Devas, give us in plenty for many occasions.

72. О lord, even as the haughty wicked persons who never exert themselves, look on, fill us with all desired wealth. Grant us field and longevity.

73. О storehouse of kindness, you are indeed aware of our great feelings of shame for begging. Grant us to the full the eulogisers with all these riches.

74. My wife, mother, father and others excessively hate me. I am so very lean (indigent); Grant me great learning along with the wealth that nourishes the universe.

73. We are incompetent to perform rites whether the results are visible or invisible. О deity with Mem as your bow, grant the requisite strength to our bodies.

76. О lord of Devas, I have incurred a thousand evils. Everyday, I am being separated from what is desired and desirable. Do destroy the ailment in my heart and also this death.

77. Whatever ailments, ghosts, men and Devas oppress me, free me from oppression of all these. You are indeed very great.

78. You alone are our protector. There is no one else to rescue us. Hence, О lord of Devas, О lord of Brahma, accept us and protect us.

79. О lord of Uma, you alone are my mother; you alone are my father, you are my grandfather. You are my longevity. You are intellect. You are glory. You are my brother. You are my friend.

80. Since, you alone are the doer of all rites, О lord of gods, forgive every evil deed committed by me.

81. There is no one else equal to you in lordly glory. There is no one equal to me in worthlessness. Hence, О Lord Mahadeva you are mine and I am yours.

82. In reverential terms do I sing of you who are so gentle, whose smile is so sweet; whose person appears white with ashes; whose body is refulgent as the midday sun and whose face is beaming with delight.

83. It is our desired boon that we may continue to look at you, the president of the assembly while you should go on dancing for a hundred years looking favourably at us.

84. О lord, due to your favour we may live for a hundred years; may we be blessed ones, learned, scholars conversant with Vedic texts and free from ailments.

85. О Isana may we rejoice for a hundred years, drinking to our heart’s content the nectar of your Tantfava dance, sharing it with our wives and kinsmen.

The reading namasd gird may mean, ‘paying our obeisance to you, we praise you in words, but if the reading be manasd gird: ‘I sing with my heart and soul and in words.’

86. О lord of Devas О Mahadeva, may we be happy for a hundred years, drinking honey, from your lotus-like feet to our heart’s content.

87. May we be your servants, О Mahadeva for hundreds of years in every birth whether we are born as worms or serpents, ghosts or any other being.

88. О lord Isha, О Mahadeva, may we hear fora hundred years, with our ears the sound of your vocal music, instrumental music, and behold your dance in the assembly chamber.

89. May we repeat for a hundred years your divine names that destroy mundane existence, thanks to their mere remembrance.

90. О Dhurjati (god with a massive matted locks of hair), О deity who burned the three cities merely by fixing the arrow to the bow, may we be unconquered by mental anguishes and bodily ailments perpetually for a hundred years.

91. When will I see the youthful poet, the lord of the subjects, the deity who has the charming lustre of gold and whose chest is in contact with the cloth over the breasts of Gauri?

92. When will I serve that greatly lustrous Samba who is surrounded by the Pramathas (all goblin-attendants), whose face is beaming with delight, who is fond of clothes (?), whose semen is of brilliant radiance.

93. Will Isa, the blue-necked deity of special reddish complexion accept me who have committed many sins, have not performed even the smallest of meritorious deeds and am of wicked mind.

94. When Isha of powerful neck who does not bow down (to anyone else) see me who am frightened, whose mind is agitated and who am (pierced and) fixed to the fiery trident of Kala (god of death)?

95. О men, О songsters, if you are desirous of attaining the fulfilment of love etc., come on. Sing the glory of the friend of Dhanada (Kubera).

96. О my tongue, hail to thee. Loudly proclaim the eulogy of the hymn of the lord of Uma, the bestower of learning. Be as loud as the trumpet of a victorious king.

97. (Defective) О you unborn one! You are quiescent. Do you not know that by Shiva’s satisfaction the whole world gets satiated? Drink of his name if you are thirsty.

98. О my mind, like a woman who embraces her beloved paramour embrace closely the deity who bestows the cherished desires, who is adorned by the moon, whose touch is pleasant and whose fragrance is enchanting.

99. I recite the best of hymns that is greater than the greatest, unto Mahesvara whose resplendent ray is great; whose arms are greatly mighty; whose body is immensely big; whose clothes are large and whose crown is big.

100. With these beautiful hymns I worship Ugramahesa who is invincible, and proud. The hymns have been composed with great difficulty, yet with great respect, for the slightest of the pleasure of the lord.

101. Obeisance to Shiva, the destroyer of the three cities, Hail to the lord of the three worlds. Obeisance to the naked deity. Salute be to Нага the chief of deities. Obeisence to the lowest of all deities. Obeisance to one who is at the base of all.

102. Obeisance to the Vikara (effect); obeisance to the Vikarin (cause), obeisance to you, to Bhava; obeisance to the source of origin of the world. Obeisance to you, О deity of many progenies, О deity of very wonderful features from whom the entire universe is born.

103. Obeisance to the deity whose foot-stool is encircled by the lustre of different jewels on the crowns of leading Devas, to the deity whose unguent is Bhasman (ashes); obeisance to the greatest deity than whom there is nothing greater.

104. Obeisance to you who perform beautiful Tantjava dance. Within the mass of your matted hair, the king of serpents and the lord of herbs (moon) come into clash and so it is agitated. Obeisance to you in whom all this meets together and from whom all this departs.

105. I bow down to the lord whose neck is as blue as the peacock’s plumage; whose lotus-like feet are worshipped by Vishnu; whose hands are reddish, thanks to the lac-juice from the feet of Uma; whose teeth have the golden lustre and who is fair-complexioned I go near him and bow down to him.

106. I bow down to that Нага who is infinite, unmanifest, beyond contemplation or thinking; who is single, and has the quarters for his garments (i.e. is naked); who is unborn, who is an ancient sacrificial post and one whose body is the sky. He is more minute than the atom. He is greater than the greatest.

107. Without seeing the eternal Atman stationed within, foolish persons wander among the mountain caves; to the west, to the north, to the south and to the east. They do not know whether he is below or whether he is above.

108. О Moon-crested lord, I bow down to this lord Shiva of great bliss; devoid of sorrow and pain; who is the great Atman, who stays in the lotus-like cavity of the heart and from whom the quarters and the interstices of the quarters originate.

109. О Moon-crested lord, I hear that you are the greatest of all physicians. See me who appear with the great ailment named Bhava (mundane existence) originating from lust, deception etc. and protect me.

110. I am drowning in the ocean of distress. I do not have even an iota of happiness. I have not even touched anything meritorious. I have committed many sins and I am within the grip of the god of death. I am, therefore, frightened. Protect me from behind, from front, from below and from above.

111. О Lord, we are blessed with thy vision alone that is full of mercy and that is very cool, thanks to glancing at the charming face of Parvatl. With that we shall cross the miseries and evils even as one crosses the waters by means of a boat.

112. I am immersed in the middle of boundless ocean of worldly existence. I clamour. My passion is by nomeans little. I am helpless. О MaheSa, save me who have served you as one serves a donor by means of sumptuous Dakshina.

113. О enemy of Yama, remembering my sins accumulated formerly and the harsh and rough face of Yama, I fear enormously. Grant me sufficient life, should I be dead or should my life be broken.

114. When will the Pinaka-bearing Ugra of many forms and features embrace me with his steady limbs, that emit fragrance, that are white, due to the fine Bhasman, that contain infinite means of pleasure and that are soft and mild?

115. When will that lord of Devas who has golden features and golden vision protect me? I am shouting loud to the lord. I am fallen into the ocean of worldly existence. I am extremely frightened like a frog stationed in an anthill wherein a serpent dwells.

116. When will I see Samba (Shiva) who has the colour and lustre of the sun, who is beyond darkness, whose smiles are charming, who is adorned with the digit of the moon and whose pair of eyes mingle with the side-glances of Gaurl?

117. О ye primordial souls desirous of liberation, come and think of Shiva within your lotus-like heart. Indeed those persons who have decisively learnt the perfect Vedantic knowledge, perpetually meditate on him for the sake of salvation.

110. Gome, ye and take up the worship of Mahesa, Girisa (Shiva) to your heart’s content for the overlordship of the world. By worshipping him formerly, Hiranyagarbha (Brahma) became the sole lord of living beings.

119. May they bow down to the single goal, the extensive glory; may those meritorious persons bow down to this Srlkantha. He is glorious and prosperous. His feet are worthy of being saluted by the lord of Shri (Vishnu). He is liberal. He is the supporter and bestower of prosperity and riches.

120. May those men who are desirous of good sons, worship this youthful Girisa from whom Hiranyagarbha originated formerly — Hiranyagarbha who is self-born and who is the creator of the universe.

121. Of what avail is much talk? Enough has been said. By resorting to him everything desired can be realised. By resorting to him day and night, formerly, sage Kumbhasambhava (the pot-bom Agastya) whose hairs had turned grey became a youth once again.

122. О bees of my eyes (i.e. my eyes that resemble the bees) eschew everything else. Always resort to Shiva. He is full of fragrance. He is soft. He is conducive to happiness. He is full of sweetness. Or is he a honeyed one?

123. (If you worship Shiva) you will be one devoid of a rival. You will be one who has conquered all men and gods. Obeisance to you О Speech? Eulogise this well-known youth seated in the pit (i.e. the cavity of the heart).

124. О mind, whatever you think and desire for shall certainly and permanently accrue to you. The mind dwelling on worldly objects shall bring in misery (?) For the sake of good mentality we shall worship Rudra.

125. О merciful one, if out of ignorance we have improperly offended you before, forgive us entirely. Be to us like a father unto his sons.

126. On seeing me bitten by the infuriated serpent called worldly existence with the fangs such as lust, hatred, madness, covctiousness may the merciful Pinaka-bearing- lord, the protector, protect me carefully without absentmindedness).

127. (?) After saying this, those who, О Rudra, bow down to you at the end of Samadhi (ecstatic trance) go (to heaven) (though) they be bitten by the serpent of rebirth (Saiiisara). But I shall go unto you as a sutratman of the bluenecked deity while I shall be saluted even by Brahma.

128. О heroic deity, stroke with your hand that is a penacea like ginger or pepper. О lord of the helpless ones, stroke us who are afflicted by the terrible fever of worldly existence, who have great ailments, who are the abodes of all sins and from whom the eyes of Kala are not far off. You are the slayer of Kala and you are being propitiated.

129. May he who is the lord of all Devas and Danavas, who is the lord of the assembly-chamber, give us that great wealth, that tawny-coloured vision (?) whereby we shall conquer all these desired eight quarters, the places of the earth, of heaven, and of firmament and can have movement therein.

130. Obeisance to you, to Bhava, to Нага, Obeisance to the deity whose chest shines with the Bhasman, who is the comrade when one is afflicted by the fear of the attack of worldly existence (Samsara). Obeisance to the Pinaka-bearing deity. Hail to Shiva, the protector of the universe; obeisance to the deity of perpetual dalliance; Bow to that lord whose,com- rade is never conquered nor killed.

131. Obeisance, obeisance to the lord of the chiefs of gods, Hail, Hail to the lord of Prajapati; obeisance, obeisance, to the lord of the rulers of the earth; Bow again and again to the lord of Ambika, obeisance, obeisance to the lord of Uma.

132. I bow down to Vinayaka, the permanent destroyer of the anguish of those who bow down; who is the poet of poets (or the wisest among the wise) and who is the most renowned. His crown or head has never been scraped due to the bowing down or its sound (?) (i.e. He has not bowed to anyone).

133. The Devas obtain Skanda in the battle (as their leader). The Brahmanas obtain him in the sacrifice. His name is mentioned in the Vedas. I salute Subrahmanya, От, О Subrahmanya, От, О Subrahmanya, Om.

134. Obeisance to Shiva (Parvatl), the mother of the universe, the beloved of Shiva; salute to the goddess whose person is one with that of Shiva. It was she who was born as the daughter of the mountain. She had braids of four matted hair. She was a lovely and elegant youthful maiden.

135. I bow down to Gauri whose colour and lustre is that of gold, the anklets of whose feet are set with jewels, whose face is delighted, who has a parrot and a lotus in her hands and whose eyes are large. She is the person well conversant with words she speaks.

136. I bow down to this Uma who is the daughter of Mena, who cannot be comprehended, who is full of splendour, who cannot be measured and who makes her breasts whitened by means of the Bhasman at the time of embracing her beloved lord.

137. I bow down to Uma, who is resplendent, whose refulgence of limbs is magnet-like inaction and whom Hari, Brahma and Indra bow down to. She is the goddess who stays near Girina (Shiva) and surveys the worlds.

138. I salute Gauri whose breasts are prominent and plump; whose crest jewel is the moon; whose unguent all over the body is disturbed and who, for the sake of miserable living beings, urges her own splendour to be propitiated for the accomplishment of their desires.

139. I salute this daughter of Mena whose pastime is the protection of the wretched ones; who bestows honour and bliss; who is master of the lores and the auspicious words and who makes use of affable and courteous words for propitiation.

140. О BhavanI, О goddess Shiva who dispel the great fear of distress of worldly existence, whose sole pleasure is your ornaments (?), grant us an excellent intellect free from hindrances whereby we shall cross all evils.

141. О Shiva, where and how can your equality be extended to? The creation of the universe is your sport; Shiva is your husband. Hari is your servant; Indira (Lakshmi) is your maid-servant. So also are Saci and Sarasvati. You are the fortunate (blessed) bestower of wealth.”

142. After eulogising Shiva thus with this hymn, that great sage, bowed down to Sabhapati (the lord of the assembly chamber). His eyes were filled with tears of affection.

143. He frequently imbibed the auspicious nectar of the Tan^ava of Isa. After attaining all cherished desires, he obtained the state of being the chieftain of the Shiva Ganas at the end.

144. Like the women who embrace their husbands, pleasing words, realisation of powers, intellect, splendour and prosperity embrace that excellent twice-born who devoutly reads this hymn orally expressed by Jaimini.

145. If a king who is desirous of fighting, reads this hymn with respect, his enemies will quickly repair to the presence of the haughty god of death, entertaining fear in their hearts.

146. If a person belonging to one of the first three castes reads this eulogy ever and anon with devotional feelings towards Ha, at the end of the fall of his body (i.e. death),

147. Those who are desirous of intellect and then read the hymn derive good intelligence. Similarly, those who are desirous of nourishment derive splendour and glory; mey who are desirous of food-grains obtain food-grains. Men who are desirous of sons get sons.

148. He who retains in memory a quatrain or half of it, from this hymn, goes to the world of Shiva.

149. О splendid lady, that spot is a great Tirtha where Shiva performed his Tandava dance. It is more meritorious than the most meritorious of the Tlrthas. By taking a holy bath there, one is liberated.

150. The excellent man who performs Sraddha to the Pitrs there, leads his ancestors to the heaven. No doubt need be entertained in this respect.

151. If he gives a Brahmana, a cow, gold, plot of land, bed, cloth, umbrella, beverages, or cooked rice at that place, it becomes everlasting.

152. He who listens to, or narrates this story of Punda- rlkapura shall be the favourite of Rudra.

1. О preceptor, the narrative of Pundarikapura recounted by you, has been heard. Kindly instruct me in the greatness of the holy centre Gokarna.1

Dc, p. 161 identifies Pundarikapura with Pandupura which he regards the same as Pandharpur, the centre of Vifthala cult in Maharashtra,

1. A sacred aaiva K?etra, in Kumta Tehsil of North Kanara district. It is about 30 miles south of the temple God. The NP. does not state the story how this Atmaliftga of god Shiva got twisted like a cow's ear due to RavaQavs frantic efforts to uproot it and take it to Lanka. It tells us how it was

2. Listen, О MohinI, I shall recount to you the Tlrtha Gokarna, which is a holy centre of Нага; which yields merit unto men and which is destructive of all sins.

3. О fair-complexioned lady, it is situated on the shores of the western sea. It extends to one and a half Yojanas. By its mere sight it yields salvation.

4. When the surface of the earth was gradually dug up by the sons of Sagara, О gentle lady, the ocean increased in size and flooded the land nearby.

5-6a. It flooded an area extending to thirty Yojanas (360 kms) inclusive of the holy centre, sacred water-reservoirs and forests. Then Devas, Asuras and human beings who had been staying there left that spot and occupied Sahya and other mountains.

6b-7a. As they pondered over the fact that the holy centre named Gokarna became hidden under the sea, the excellent sages made up their mind to reclaim it from the sea.

7b-8. All of them who had occupied the upper ridges of the mountain consulted together. Desirous of seeing Para- surama who had settled on the mountain Mahendra, О gentle lady, the excellent sages went there with the desire of reclaiming Gokarna.

9-10. After climbing the mountain, they saw his hermitage that was pleasing in all the seasons; that was teeming with both wild ruthless animals as well as tame and domesticated ones. The whole penance-grove contained a dense growth of fruit-bearing trees in full bloom. It spread its cool shade; it was incomparable. The wind was very fragrant and pleasant.

11. After reaching the penance-grove, they entered the hermitage that was resonant with Vedic chants. They were delighted in their minds, and they went in (in the order of their seniority in age) with the aged ones going ahead.

submerged in the sea-water and how sages went in deputation to Parasurama who ordered the sea-god to vacate this part of the land around Gokarna lest he should be constrained to evaporate the sea by his missiles. The seagod yielded. The story is similar to that of Dasarathi Rama at the time of building Sttu to Lanka.

12. They saw that ascetic comfortably seated in the pasture on Brahmasana over a soft deer-skin and surrounded by disciples.

13. They approached the sage how was the most excellent one among the descendants of Bhrigu; who was like.the resplendent fire of world destruction that had become tranquil after burning the three worlds, and they saluted him humbly.

14. On seeing those sages come, the leading scion of the family of Bhrigu, properly (with due formalities) and respectfully greeted them with Arghya, Padya etc.

15-16. When they were seated after the hospitality had been duly extended, the descendant of Bhrigu (Parasurama) said: — “O blessed ones, welcome to you. Tell me wherefore you have come here? Confide in me. What is it that I can do for you?” Then the excellent sages told Rama why they had come.

17. “O excellent descendant of Bhrigu, know us to be the sages residing in Gokarna. We have been dislodged from that holy centre by the sons of Sagara who were digging the earth.

18. О leading Brahmana, it behoves you to grant us back the excellent holy place (called Gokarna) by means of your own power, after causing the waters of the ocean to recede”.

19-20a. On hearing their words, the sage who had already set aside his weapons, thought over the problem. He considered that the protection of good men was righteous on his part and so took up his bow and arrows. He set off along with them.

20b-21. Descending from the mountain Mahendra, he hastened in the direction of the South-West. Quickly crossing the mountain, he reached the sea-shore along with the residents of Gokarna.

22. After resting there for a short while, the most eloquent sage spoke to Varuna, the lord of aquatic animals, in a voice as resonant as thunder.

23. “O Pracetas (Varuna) reveal yourself to me. I am Rama, the descendant of Bhrigu. I have come here along with the sages on a certain mission. There is an urgent task to be performed by you”.

24. Although the lord of the aquatic animals was thus called by Rama, and although he heard his words clearly, Varuna, the lord of aquatic animals, out of haughtiness, did not come to Rama.

25. When he did not come out even after being repeatedly invoked, Bhargava (Parasurama) became infuriated and seized his bow.

26. Bhargava fixed to that bow, an arrow, the deity of which was the firegod, for drying up the lord of the rivers, the ocean.

27. When the miraculous missile was fitted on to the bow by Bhargava of great soul, О gentle lady, the ocean became agitated. The aquatic animals were in a confused state.

28. Scorched by the missile of Rama, Varuna became exceedingly frightened. Approaching him in his own personal form Varuna grasped Rama’s feet in reverence.

29. Then Rama withdrew his missile and immediately spoke to Varuna, “O lord, let Gokarna be visible, cause your water to recede”.

30-3la. Then at the behest of Rama, the ocean withdrew the water flooding Gokarna. After worshipping lord Sankara at the holy place called Gokarna, Rama went back to the mountain Mahendra. Those Brahmanas however stayed there itself.

31b-32a. All of those sages observed holy rites, performed penance and attained great bliss. They attained a state from which there was no return, thanks to his love for that holy centre.

32b-33a. Being conscious of its greatness Sankara perpetually stays there with Bhiitas(goblins), Devas and goddess Parvati. By visiting Mahesa (Shiva) at Gokarna, sins are dispelled immediately like a dry leaf in a storm.

33b-35. It is not out of compulsion that men become interested in resorting to that holy centre. All living beings mobile and immobile, that die there, immediately go to the eternal heaven.

36. The holy place named Gokarna by mere remembrance of which a man will become absolved of all sins, is the abode of all Tirthas.

37. Through the vision of the deity, these men derive those benefits which they derive by taking holy bath щ all other sacred places and by worshipping SadaShiva.

38. Those who stay there free from lust, fury etc. attain Siddhi in a short time.

39. Those who stay there wedded to the vow of celibacy, quiescent and invariably engaged in Japas and Homas accomplish their desired Siddhis.

40. О chaste lady, the benefit accruing from charitable gifts, Homas, Japas etc and the worship of Pitrs, Devas and Brahmanas at that place is a crorc times more than that in other centres.

41. Thus, О gentle lady, the greatness of the sacred place called Gokarna has been recounted to you. It dispels all sins of those who listen to and read it.

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