Chapter 17 - Apsareśvara (apsara-īśvara-liṅga)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: The Liṅga is called Apsareśvara, as Raṃbha, cursed by Indra, regained her status by propitiating this Liṅga.

Īśvara said:

1-9. Know that Apsareśvara Liṅga is the seventeenth deity. Merely by seeing it, people shall obtain everything desired.

The enemy of Vṛtra (i.e., Indra) was seated in the park named Nandana, O goddess. It was equipped with everything desirable. It was reverberated with the sound of the chorus songs of Siddhas, Cāraṇas, Gandharvas and Kinnaras. The chirping sounds of parrots, cuckoos, ruddy geese, Cakoras and ospreys spread everywhere. The park was a spot comparable to the divine world; it was an ornament unto Triviṣṭapa (Svarga).

Indra was attended upon by leading Suras; Raṃbhā was dancing in front of him displaying various Bhāvas (emotional expressions) connected with the dance. Remembering something else, she became absent-minded. Hence she committed slips. When the tempo and the beating of the time went awry she was noticed by Vāsava. The king of Suras became angry and cursed her: “Forgetfulness is the habit of mortal beings. It is never seen amongst celestial ones. Hence become lustreless and proceed to the world of men.” As a result of Indra’s anger, that celestial damsel became distressed and fell down on the earth. Motionless she remained like someone crippled. She loudly lamented much. In her piteous wail she said: “What sin have I committed? Pure penance has not been performed? How is it that the Sura (Indra) is not propitiated?”

All the celestial damsels came in a body there, including her companions. They came to the place where Raṃbhā lay, O lady of excellent countenance. The groups of celestial damsels too became distressed due to the scorching fire of her grief.

10-18. “Just as a lotus pond in deep sleep (i.e., before blossoming) does not shine when the sky is overcast with clouds, so also Raṃbhā (as if) destroyed by the curse does not shine at all.”

Raṃbhā surrounded by her friends, O lady of excellent countenance, was seen by the celestial sage Nārada. He was struck with surpise in his mind as to why the celestial damsels were seen suddenly agitated due to grief and why Raṃbhā was crying repeatedly.

Approaching them he asked: “O excellent celestial damsels, why do you appear wretched and pale in the faces? Let everything be said clearly.” They told him what had happened earlier. On hearing it, Sage Nārada became engrossed in meditation. He told them the means beneficial to them: “Let all the celestial damsels with effort go to the excellent Mahākālavana. Ye all do propitiate the Lord of Devas, the Liṅga that grants all the desired things. In an earlier Kalpa, Urvaśī at my instance had worshipped it in front of Pṛcchādevī. She got Purūravas as her husband.” On hearing the words of Nārada the groups of Apsarās came to the beautiful Mahākālavana with a desire to propitiate the Liṅga. Thereupon Rudra became pleased with their devotion. He himself granted the boons:

19-24. “O Raṃbhā, you will attain conjugal bliss, and regain Svargaloka, O lady of great renown. Certainly you will become the beloved of Jiṣṇu, O blessed one. Hence go back to heaven honoured by this group (of celestial damsels).” The deity was formerly propitiated by Apsarās with a desire to regain Svarga. Hence the deity became well-known in all the three worlds as Apsareśvara. Those who devoutly worship Apsareśvara will become ones who have successfully fulfilled their ambition. O lady of great renown, those who urge others to visit the deity will never find separation or downfall from their positions even in their dreams.

Of what avail are Dānas? Of what avail are austerities? Of what avail are Yajñas with plenty of monetary gifts? By touching (the Liṅga) one obtains successively kingdom, heavenly pleasures and salvation.

Thus, O goddess, the sin-destroying power of Apsareśvara Deva has been recounted to you. May (the greatness of) Kalakaleśvara be listened to.