The Shiva Purana

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

This page relates “hymn to shiva by vishnu and other gods” 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 3 - Hymn to Śiva by Viṣṇu and other gods

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Nārada said:—

1. O Brahmā, the best of eloquent ones, of great wisdom, please tell me. What is the subsequent story of the good auspicious mountain?

2. You have narrated the wonderful story of the auspicious antecedents of Menā. The details of the marital rites too are heard. Please continue the subsequent narrative.

3. After marrying Menā what did the mountain do afterwards? How was Pārvatī, the mother of the universe, born of her?

4. How did she secure Śiva as her husband after performing a severe penance? Narrate all these things in detail regarding the glory of Śiva.

Brahmā said:—

5. O sage, lovingly listen to the auspicious glory of Śiva on hearing which even a slayer of a brahmin becomes pure and attains all desires.

6. O Nārada, there was great pomp and ceremony in the three worlds when Himācala returned to his abode after marrying Menā.

7. The delighted Himācala too celebrated a great festival. With good intention he worshipped and revered brahmins, kinsmen and others.

8. The contented brahmins returned to their respective abodes after blessing them. The kinsmen and the others also returned.

9. The delighted Himacāla[1] sported with Menā in his cosy abode, Nandana and other parks as well as in several nice places.

10. At that time, O sage, Viṣṇu, the gods and the noble-sould sages approached the mountain.

11. On seeing the gods after their arrival, the noble Himācala bowed to them gladly and honoured them with devotion. He praised his own good fortune.

12. With the head bent down and palms joined in reverence, he eulogised them with great devotion. Himācala’s hair stood on end and tears of love fell from his eyes.

13. O sage, after bowing to them, the delighted Himācala spoke thus to Viṣṇu and other gods.

Himācala said:—

14. Today my life has become fruitful. My good penance has become fruitful. Today my knowledge has become fruitful. Today my sacred rites have become fruitful.

15. I have become blessed today. My entire kingdom, my wife and family have become blessed. Everything has become blessed. There is no doubt about it.

16. Wherefore have all of you come in a body? Lovingly command me, considering me your own servant.

Brahmā said:—

17. On hearing these words of Himācala, Viṣṇu and other gods considered their affair fulfilled and were delighted. They spoke.

Gods said:—

18. “O Himācala of great intellect, please listen to our beneficent words. We shall gladly tell you why we have come.

19. O Himācala, the mother of the universe Umā, who was born as Dakṣa’s daughter, became Rudra’s wife and sported for a long time on the: earth.

20. On being disrespected by her father, Satī remembered her vow, abandoned her body and returned to her own region.

21-22 O Himācala, this story is well known in the world. You too know it. If this takes place it will be an asset to all gods as well as to you. The gods too will be under your control.”

Brahmā said:—

23. On hearing these words of Viṣṇu and others the delighted lord Himācala said—“So be it” and worshipped them with respect.

24. After instructing him in the method to be followed with great devotion they approached Umā, the consort of Śiva.

25. They stationed themselves in a good place and remembered the mother of the universe, and bowing to her repeatedly eulogised her with devotion.

The gods said:—

26. O goddess Umā, mother of the universe, resident of Śivaloka, favourite of Śiva, O great goddess, O Durgā, we bow to you,

27. With great devotion we bow to the illustrious Energy, the holy, the tranquil, the holy nourishment and the one with the forms of Mahat and the Avyakta.

28. We worship you, Śiva the cause of welfare, the pure, the gross, the subtle, the great goal and the one delighted with the inner and good learning.

29. You are faith, fortitude and prosperity. You alone have control over everything; you are the splendour and energy of the sun illuminating your own universe.

30. We bow to her who promotes robustness in all the beings of the universe from Brahmā to a blade of grass in the whole Cosmos.

31. You are Gāyatrī, the mother of the Vedas, Sāvitrī, Sarasvatī, the sustenance of all the universe; you are the triad of the Vedas having Dharma for its form.

32. You are sleep in all living beings; you are hunger, satiety, thirst, splendour, brilliance and contentment. You are the delighter of every one for ever.

33. To those who perform meritorious actions you are the goddess of fortune. To the sinners you are the eldest sister, the deity of Ignominy; you are peace for the universe, and the mother sustaining lives.

34. You are the essential feature of five elements. You are Justice in those who uphold justice. You are endeavour personified.

35. Of the Ṛgveda you are the invocation; of the Yajurveda you are the blending knot of the mantras; of Sāmaveda you are the song and of the Atharvaṇa Veda you are the measure of time, you are the final goal.

36. She who is the Tāmasika power of all the Gods, she who is visible in the Rājasika quality of the Creator, she who is heard by us as the benefactress and of the form of Śiva is eulogised here.

37. Let us bow to her who is interested in residing on the Vindhya mountains;[2] who is clever in the playful activity of affording protection to Aṣṭāṅga Yoga; who is devoid of cessation and who acts like a raft that enables the crossing of the ocean of worldly existence with its terrible miseries.

38. May she be pleased with us, for keeping up the sustenance of the world, she, who in the form of slumber that is extremely exhilarating to all born in the universe, extends pleasure in the nose, eyes, face, arms, chest and the mind.

Brahmā said:—

39. Thus eulogising the great Goddess Satī, the mother of the universe, all of them stood waiting lovingly desirous of seeing her.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

It is a grove of Indra, lying to the north of Meru.

[2]:

As Vindhyavāsinī, dweller in the Vindhyas, the Goddess is worshipped at a place where the Vindhyas approach the Ganges, near Mirzapur.

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