The Shiva Purana

by J. L. Shastri | 1950 | 616,585 words

This page relates “dalliance of shiva and shiva on the himalayas” 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.

Chapter 22 - The dalliance of Śivā and Śiva on the Himālayas

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Brahmā said:—

1. Once at the advent of clouds, Dakṣa’s daughter said to Śiva who was halting on the ridge of Kailāsa mountain.

Satī said:—

2. O lord of devas, O Śiva my dear husband, please hear my words and do accordingly, O bestower of honour.

3. The most unbearable season of the advent of clouds has arrived with clusters of clouds of diverse hues, and their music reverberating in the sky and the various quarters.

4. The speedy gusts of wind scattering sprays of water mingled with nectarine drops from the Kadamba flowers captivate the heart as they blow.

5. Whose mind will not be agitated by the loud and forceful rumblings of the clouds that release a heavy downpour and have the beams of lightning for their ensign?

6. Covered by the clouds neither the sun nor the moon is visible. Even the day appears like the night and it distresses those who are separated from their lovers.

7. O Śiva, tossed about by the gusts of wind the clouds do not remain steady in any place, they rumble and appear as if they would fall on the heads of the people.

8. Huge trees struck down by the wind appear to dance in the sky, terrifying the cowards and delighting the lover, O Śiva.

9. Flocks of cranes above the clouds glossy and blue like the collyrium shine like foams on the surface of Yamunā.

10. During the close of the nights the circle of lightning appears like the blazing submarine[1] fire in the ocean.

11. O odd-eyed Śiva, here even in the courtyards of the temples, plants grow; need I mention the growth of plants elsewhere?

12. With the clusters of clouds dark, silvery and red in colour clinging to the Mandara mountain (peak), Himālaya appears as the ocean of milk with the birds of diverse colours.

13. Unrivalled splendour has resorted to the Kiṃśuka flowers devoid of odour, as Lakṣmī (the Goddess of fortune) abandons good people and resorts to the crooked, whether of high or low birth.

14. The peacocks are delighted at the sound of the cloud over the Mandara mountain. Their gleeful cackles and out-stretched tails indicate the incessant pleasure of their heart.

15. The sweet and delightful sounds of the Cātaka birds that are fond of clouds fall upon the way-farers like the arrows of rain-showers causing incessant pain.

16. See the wickedness perpetrated by the clouds on my body. They are pelting it with hailstones. But they cover and protect the peacocks and Cātakas who are their followers.

17. On seeing the distress of peacocks and deer from even their friend (sun), the swans go even to the distant Mānasa lake on the top of the mountain.

18. In this troublesome time, even crows and Cakora birds build their nests. But you don’t. Without a home how will you be happy?

19. O Pināka-bearer Śiva[2], let not the great fear originating from clouds befall us. Hence endeavour for a residence. Do not delay. Heed my words.

20. O bull-emblemed God, either in Kailāsa or in the Himālayas or in Mahākāśī on the earth you make a befitting habitation.

Brahmā said:—

21. Thus advised by Satī frequently Śiva laughed provoking a smile from the moon on his head by way of its beams.

22. Then the high-souled lord Śiva who knew all the principles spoke to Satī with a smile breaking his lips asunder and consoling her.

Śiva said:—

23. “O my beloved, beautiful woman, clouds will not reach the place where I have to make an abode for you.

24. O comely lass! even in the rainy seasons the clouds move about in the side ridges alone of the Himālayas.

25. O gentle lady, the clouds usually come only upto the foot of Kailāsa. They never go above it.

26. The clouds never go above the mountain Sumeru. The clouds Puṣkara, Āvartaka etc. reach the foot of Jambu (and return).

27. Of these mountains I have mentioned you can choose one for residence as you desire. Please tell me quickly where you wish to reside.

28. On the Himālayan mountains, songs exciting your curiosity and enthusiastic gaiety shall be sung by clusters and swarms of bees with sweet humming sounds as they play about as they please.

29. On that mountain at the time when you wish to sport about, the Siddha women will gaily offer you a seat on the jewel-studded platform and gladly present you with fruits and other gifts.

30. The daughters of the king of serpents, the mountain damsels, the Nāga ladies and the Turaṅga-Mukhīs will assist you in their excited flutter in congratulating you.

31. Seeing your face of unequalled splendour and beauty and your body of uncommon lustre, the celestial ladies there, despising their own beauty and lacking in interest in their own qualities will begin to stare at you with winkless eyes.

32. Menakā,[3] the wife of the king of mountains famous in the three worlds for her beauty and good qualities will delight you very much through words of entreaties.

33. The honourable ladies of Himālaya’s harem will cause immense pleasure to your gracious Self. They will impart you useful instruction, though you need none, with pleasure every day.

34-35. O beloved, do you wish to go to the Himālayas, the king of mountains wherein there is spring for ever, which abounds in hedges and groves where the cuckoos coo in diverse pleasing ways and which contains many lakes filled with cool water and hundreds of lotuses.

36. It is of full grassy plains and trees that yield everything one desires and hence on a par with Kalpa[4] trees. You can see plenty of flowers, horses, elephants and cows there.

37. There in the Himālayas even the beasts of prey are calm. It is the abode of many sages and ascetics. It is an abode of devas and many deer move about in it.

38. It shines with ramparts of crystals, gold and silver. It is lustrous with the lakes—Mānasa and others.

39. It abounds in buds and full-blown lotuses with golden stalks studded with gems. Crocodiles, sharks and tortoises abound in the lakes.

40-41. O Goddess of devas, there are many beautiful blue lotuses emitting sweet fragrance. On the banks there are many grass lands, small and big trees and the saffron flowers increasing the fragrance of the waters with which the lakes are full.

42. The Apricot tree seems to dance with their oscillating branches. They seem to be fanning the self-born god of love. There are Sārasa birds and the intoxicated Cakravāka birds heightening its beauty.

43-45. The different parts of the mountain Meru seem to be echoing the pleasing sweet sounds of bees etc. which cause the incitement of love of the guardians of the quarters viz. Indra, Kubera, Yama, Varuṇa, Agni, Nirṛti, Marut (Wind)[5] and the Supreme lord (Īśa). Heaven, the abode of the Devas is stationed on the summits of the Meru wherein the cities of the guardians of the quarters are also situated. They are brilliant. Beautiful celestial damsels, Rambhā, Śacī, Menakā[6] and others heighten their glory.

46. Do you wish to sport about on this great mountain which is very beautiful and which appears to contain the essence of all mountains?

47. There, the Queen Śacī attended by her chaperons and celestial damsels will assist you always.

48. Or do you wish to have an abode in my own Kailāsa, the great mountain affording shelter to the good and enhanced in beauty by the luminous city of Kubera?[7]

49-51. O beautiful lady, tell me quickly where do you wish to stay among these places, whether in Kailāsa which is pure and holy by virtue of the river Gaṅgā lustrous like the full moon or in the beautiful mountain Meru wherein the maidens of the sages recite and chant hymns in the caves and ridges or in places full of various deer and hundreds of lotus lakes. I shall make arrangements for your residence.

Brahmā said:—

52. When Śiva said thus, Satī slowly told lord Śiva revealing her desire.

Satī said:—

53. I wish to stay only on the Himālayas along with you. You please make arrangements for a residence on that mountain at once.

Brahmā said:—

54. On hearing her words, Śiva was fascinated and he went to the summit of the Himālayas along with her.

55. He reached the beautiful summit where the Siddha[8] ladies resided, which could not be reached by birds and which shone with lakes and forests.

56. The top was of variegated colours as of various gems, embellished by lotuses of diverse forms, shapes and lustre. Śiva in the company of Satī reached that top which shone like the rising sun.

57-64. On the top of the mountain near the city of Himālaya, Śiva sported about for a long time in the company of Satī. It was a very beautiful place which abounded in crystalline clouds. It shone with grassy plains and plenty of trees. There were various flowers in abundance. It had many lakes. The boughs of the full-blown and blossomed trees were surrounded by humming bees. Lotuses and blue lilies were in full bloom. Different kinds of birds flew there, such as—Cakravāka Kādamba, swans, geese, the intoxicated Sārasas, cranes, the peacocks etc. The sweet note of the male cuckoo reverberated there. Many kinds of semidivine beings the Aśvamukhas[9], the Siddhas, the Apsaras, the Guhyakas, etc. roamed there. Their women-folk, the Vidyādharīs, the Kinnarīs and the mountain lasses played about here and there. The celestial damsels played on their lutes, tabours and drums and danced with enthusiasm. Thus the top of the mountain abounded in beautiful women, beautiful lakes, fragrant flowers and groves of full-blown flowers.

65. In that heaven-like spot Śiva sported about with Satī for ten thousand years according to divine calculation.

66-67. Śiva went from place to place. Sometimes He went to the top of Meru wherein Gods and Goddesses resided. He went to different continents, parks and forests on the earth. After visiting the different places He returned home and lived with Satī.

68-70. Śiva found place and pleasure only with Satī. He found no pleasure in sacrifices or the Vedas or penances. Day and night Satī stared into the face of Śiva and He, the great lord, stared into the face of Satī. Thus by their mutual association Kālī and Śiva nurtured the tree of love, sprinkling it with waters of emotion.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Baḍavāmukha variously called Baḍavānala, Aurva etc. is a submarine fire, represented as a flame with a horse’s head. According to Paurāṇic Mythology it devours all things including the Gods, Asuras, and Rākṣasas at the dissolution of the Universe.

[2]:

Pinākadhṛk. It is the name of Śiva derived from wielding a staff, bow or trident.

[3]:

Menakā or Menā. She is the wife of Himavat and mother of Pārvatī and Gaṅgā and of a son named Maināka.

[4]:

Kalpa-Vṛkṣa. One of the five trees of Indra’s paradise fabled to fulfil all desires, the other four being “mandāra, pārijātaka, santāna”, and “haricandana”.

[5]:

Reference is to Indra, Kubera, Yama, Varuṇa, Agni, Nirrti, Vāyu and Īśāna who are the lords of eight quarters.

[6]:

Rambhā, Śacī, Menakā etc. are the heavenly nymphs famous for their personal charms. They are skilful in winning over the minds even of the ascetics practising hard austerities.

[7]:

Reference is to ‘Alakā’ also called Vasudharā, Vasusthalī and Prabhā which is the capital of Kubera and the abode of Gandharvas, Guhyakas, Yakṣas etc. See Note 226 P. 265.

[8]:

The Siddhas are a class of semidivine beings of great purity and holiness, said to be thousands in number.

[9]:

The horse-faced Kinnaras and the Guhyakas are a class of demi-Gods who are attendants of Kubera and reside in the Himālayan caverns guarding his wealth. See Notes 229 and 230 P. 268.

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