Shiva Purana
by J. L. Shastri | 1950 | 616,585 words
This page relates 鈥渋ncarnation of shiva as a saintly brahmin鈥� as found in the Shiva-purana, which, in Hinduism, represents one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. This work eulogizes Lord Shiva as the supreme deity, besides topics such as cosmology and philosophy. It is written in Sanskrit and claims to be a redaction of an original text consisting of 100,000 metrical verses.
Disclaimer: These are translations of Sanskrit texts and are not necessarily approved by everyone associated with the traditions connected to these texts. Consult the source and original scripture in case of doubt.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Chapter 35 - The incarnation of 艢颈惫补 as a saintly brahmin
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
Nand墨艣vara said:鈥�
1. O omniscient 厂补苍补迟办耻尘腻谤补, listen to the incarnation of 艢颈惫补, the supreme soul, as Brahmin in the garb of a saint.
2. On realising the excellent devotion of 惭别苍腻 and Himavat towards 艢颈惫补, the gods became worried and they consulted one another eagerly.
3. If the mountain were to give his daughter to 艢颈惫补 with undiluted devotion, certainly he will attain salvation immediately.
4. He is the receptacle of infinite gems. If he attains liberation, the name of the earth, Ratnagarbh膩 (having gems within) will certainly be meaningless.
5. He will cast off the stationary state of a mountain and assume a divine form. After giving his daughter in marriage to the trident-bearing lord he will go to 艢颈惫补鈥檚 region.
6. With the blessings of 艢颈惫补 he will attain identity in form with the great god. He will enjoy all great pleasures there and then attain liberation,
7. O sage, after discussing like this, the gods went to the abode of their preceptor. In order to achieve their self-interest they submitted to the preceptor thus.
The gods said:鈥�
8. O preceptor, please go to the abode of Himavat for the accomplishment of our task. Reproach lord 艢颈惫补 and try to prevent the mountain鈥檚 excessive devotion to him.
9. O preceptor, if the mountain gives his daughter to 艢颈惫补 with great faith he will attain salvation. Let him stay on the Earth itself.
10. On hearing the words of the gods, he thought over that and spoke to them.
The preceptor said:鈥�
11. O gods, one of you shall go to the mountain for achieving the end. I am incapable of doing it.
12. Or you all, including Indra, go to 叠谤补丑尘腻鈥檚 region. Tell him all your details. He will carry out your work.
Nand眉vara said:鈥�
13. On hearing these words and reflecting thereon, the gods went to 叠谤补丑尘腻鈥檚 assembly. They submitted all the details to 叠谤补丑尘腻.
14. On hearing their words and reflecting deeply 叠谤补丑尘腻 told them鈥斺�淚 shall not censure him, for that will yield misery to us and dispel out happiness for ever.
15. O gods, you go to 碍补颈濒腻蝉补 and propitiate 艢颈惫补. Request that lord to go to the abode of Himavat.
16. Let him approach the lord of mountains and censure himself. Censuring others is conducive to destruction and censuring oneself is conducive to glory.
Nand墨艣vara said:鈥�
17. Then the gods hastened to 碍补颈濒腻蝉补[1] and bowed to 艢颈惫补 with great devotion. They mentioned everything in detail to him.
18. On hearing the words of the gods, lord 艢颈惫补 accepted their proposal. He laughingly consoled the gods and made them return without worry.
19. Then lord 艢颈惫补, who is favourably disposed towards his devotees, who is the wielder of 惭腻测腻 and who is free from aberrations, desired to approach Himavat.
20-21. He assumed the form of a brahmin Saint. He held a staff and an umbrella. He wore divine garments. A brilliant caste mark shone on his forehead. He had tied a 艢腻濒补驳谤腻尘补 stone round his neck and held a string of crystal beads in his hand. He frequently repeated the names of 痴颈峁ａ箛耻 with devotion. He approached Himavat who was accompanied by his kinsmen.
22. On seeing him, Himavat and his attendants stood up and then prostrated before him. They performed 础峁ａ弓腻峁単补 salvation on the ground.
23. Then the lord of mountains asked him 鈥淲ho are you please?鈥� The brahmin Yogin replied immediately with reverence.
The Saintly brahmin said:鈥�
24. O mountain, I am a devotee of 痴颈峁ａ箛耻 known as S膩dhudvija. I possess true vision. I am omniscient and I assist others. By the power of the preceptor I can go everywhere.
25. O excellent mountain, by my divine knowledge, I have known something while I was in my abode. Listen. I shall mention the same with pleasure to you without any arrogance.
26. You wish to give your daughter who is as comely as 尝补办峁墨 to 艢颈惫补 whose family and conduct are unknown.
27. O lord of mountains, this idea of yours is not conducive to auspiciousness. O most excellent one among the wise, born of 痴颈峁ａ箛耻鈥檚 race, you should know this.
28. O lord of mountains, see for yourself. He has no single relative. You can verify your relatives and your beloved.
29. Ask 惭别苍腻 and others excluding 笔腻谤惫补迟墨. O mountain, the patient never likes the medicine but relishes undesirable diet.
30. In the matter of gifting away 笔腻谤惫补迟墨, he is not the deserving person. As soon as this alliance is announced, the public will smile derisively.
31-32. He is without support. He is unattached. He is ugly, devoid of attributes and unchanging. He is hideous. He resides in the cremation ground. He is naked and handles serpents He smears ashes as decoration. Serpents twine round his head. He has fallen from all stages of life. His ways are ever unknown.
叠谤补丑尘腻 said:鈥�
33. After saying these factual statements insulting to 艢颈惫补, 艢颈惫补 of diverse sports, quickly returned to his abode.
34. On hearing the words of the brahmin, they thought thus鈥斺�淲hat can we do with regard to him who is engrossed in adverse things?鈥�
35. Then 艢颈惫补 performed great sports delighting the devotees. He married 笔腻谤惫补迟墨 aud carried out the task of the gods.
36. O dear, thus the incarnation of lord 艢颈惫补 as S膩dhuve峁dvija, that carried out the task of the gods has been narrated to you.
37. He who reads or listens to this pious narrative, conducive to heaven and longevity, becomes happy and attains salvation.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
See P. 54 note; 941 note.